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Thank you, America
Made Popular Jun 6 2008
Tuesday was good for Obama but was special good to me in many ways. For on Tuesday, America made me see its promises live. It made me believe in a very endearing way in these United States.
Tuesday was good for America because many finally got the proof that in America all men are valued. That with hard work and fortitude, everyman’s potential can be realized in these United States.
Tuesday was good for me because now I can finally relax. I can confidently build my nest in America; blast to high pitches my sweet songs for America; bag my shells from the old country for a yard sale and; buy myself a befitting grave near the banks of the Mississippi River.
Tuesday was good for my children, Ijeamaka and Ogonna, for they will grow up in a country where the past is atoned and the future is reasoned. Where if you do not agree with the phases of the moon, you can get a ladder and climb up to repair it.
Because of Tuesday, inside a store, I will now be seen not just as a possible thief but also as a potential presidential candidate.
Because of Tuesday, out in the street, I will now be seen not just as a possible gang member but also as a potential great president.
Because of Tuesday, in my dreams, I will cruise up in the sky and even beyond, soaring and singing about the limitless of my reach.
Because of Tuesday, in painful moments, I will update the history books saying that though my forefathers were enslaved, my children can be the emancipators of our nation.
Because of Tuesday, inside my heart, I will rejoice so often for finally the dreams of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. have come to pass.
Tuesday made Malcolm smile in his grave, the way he used to before his teacher told him he could only be a carpenter.
Tuesday made Medgar Evers smile in his grave, the way he used to while praising the Lord before he was shot by a sniper. And so did Rev. George Wesley Lee, Lamar Smith, Emmett Louis Till, Vernon Ferdinand Dahmer and many others.
Tuesday made Addie MaeCollins, Denise McNair, Carle Robertson and Cynthia Wesley all glow up in paradise just as they were glowing when Ku Klux Klan fire bomb went off and consumed them at Sixteenth Street Baptist Church.
Tuesday made many who died in the struggle for equal rights look down from heaven and joyously exclaim, “That’s my country.”
Tuesday made many beaten, many jailed, many hurt in the fight for Civil Right to baptize their badges of honor into badges of forgiveness.
Tuesday was a new day across the world because of the special way America stretched its series of Only in America feats.
America said to the world, I value all my children and I let them go however high they want to go.
America said to the world, I outsource not just works but also dreams and ideals of democracy which have continued to keep me special amongst the nations of the world.
America said to the Black world, within your ranks are also the ones who will erase the memory of Mugabe, Abacha, Idi Amin, Bokassa and Mobutu.
America said to the rest of the world, handle all your children well, especially your black children, for they can bring healing, transfiguration and sunshine like no other.
Thank you, America. From the deepest chambers of my heart I say, thank you.
Thank you for half the job is done. You have shown courage and grace.
Thank you, America. Now let us take it to its logical end.
Thank you. I will continue to watch you, America. I will continue to watch what you do with Obama. And I wait to say the greatest thank you of all come November 5.
Thank you.
RSS 
... About the media... here is what I think:
The media began by giving the race to Hillary. But the media needed a story, a different story than all the Clinton stories of years past. They got it when Obama won in Iowa.
After Iowa, Obama became a phenomenon. The media got lost in its own hype. When it recovered, it hit Obama hard. But by then, it was too late to stop him. So it is not about being seen as anti-black.
Hillary’s campaign failed her more than anything else. She did not anticipate Obama’s coming. They did not plan to campaign beyond Super Tuesday. So she ran out of money, they got confused, Bill said some bad things, and as they say, the rest is history.
The media began by giving the race to Hillary. But the media needed a story, a different story than all the Clinton stories of years past. They got it when Obama won in Iowa.
After Iowa, Obama became a phenomenon. The media got lost in its own hype. When it recovered, it hit Obama hard. But by then, it was too late to stop him. So it is not about being seen as anti-black.
Hillary’s campaign failed her more than anything else. She did not anticipate Obama’s coming. They did not plan to campaign beyond Super Tuesday. So she ran out of money, they got confused, Bill said some bad things, and as they say, the rest is history.
(Local Perspectives)
The article was good but seemed a little biased to me. Nice inquiry about the media Rudolf.
(Local Perspectives)
Thanks America indeed! If Obama loses to McCain now people will start saying it's only because of all the racist and rednecks and not because of concerns of lack of experience or differences in political ideologies etc, etc, blah-blah-blah!
Then it will boil down to people like you to say something shitty as - Look world we're sorry we could have gotten you such a great president only of we were not so racist. But we gave our best. LOL.
Then it will boil down to people like you to say something shitty as - Look world we're sorry we could have gotten you such a great president only of we were not so racist. But we gave our best. LOL.
(Local Perspectives)
My heartfelt thanks to the people of America especially those in the Liberal camps to have handed us a third Bush-ian regime. The 'Black' Obama will never have it this way or that way. Can't wait for the general election results. Shame upon us. This semi-cooked politician actually ran out Hillary. Whoa!
(Global Perspectives)
So let me see if I understand. If YOU get what YOU want, then America is great. But if YOU don’t, then America sucks.
Nice philosophy.
Nice philosophy.
(Local Perspectives)
If you really look at it, America needs Obama more than Obama needs America.
For America to remain special, distinct, and idealistic, America, sooner or later will need an Obama. It is like that saying, for America to remain the same, America must change.
If Obama does not get it, it will be America’s loss more than it will be Obama’s.
Those who oppose Obama will always have their reasons both the spoken ones and the unspoken ones. The truth is that if not Obama today, it will be someone else tomorrow.
Eventually, there will be a president who will fulfill the sentiments I expressed here.
The ideals of America have not always been tried and found wanting, they are often found difficult and left untried. I hope America tries it this time. But if America fails, America will have another chance.
And one day, America will get it right. That is what makes America special and great.
For America to remain special, distinct, and idealistic, America, sooner or later will need an Obama. It is like that saying, for America to remain the same, America must change.
If Obama does not get it, it will be America’s loss more than it will be Obama’s.
Those who oppose Obama will always have their reasons both the spoken ones and the unspoken ones. The truth is that if not Obama today, it will be someone else tomorrow.
Eventually, there will be a president who will fulfill the sentiments I expressed here.
The ideals of America have not always been tried and found wanting, they are often found difficult and left untried. I hope America tries it this time. But if America fails, America will have another chance.
And one day, America will get it right. That is what makes America special and great.
(Local Perspectives)
By the way, are there rednecks and racists? How many are they? Do they influence election outcomes? Have they ever influenced election outcomes? Why is it important to be concerned about them? Because this is the first time their constituency has a reason to be stirred up.
I am watching America. I am watching to see what it does to Obama.
I am watching America. I am watching to see what it does to Obama.
(Local Perspectives)
Thanks U.S.A. for giving us a tight situation in our hands now. Commie propagandist Frank Marshall Davis was Obama's mentor and role model in Hawaii. Then in Chicago Mr. B Hussein Obama associated himself with terrorist and Weatherman group founder William Ayers. Of course, we all know his scandalous relationship with Jeremiah Wright.
And of course as Lewis Waters points out, his wife is so wary of Americans generally.
And of course as Lewis Waters points out, his wife is so wary of Americans generally.
(Local Perspectives)
This Obama guy doesn't give so much confidence to Blacks as Colin Powell did. He has a dubious past. He is not a going to do nothing for the Blacks in the US. So why are my cousins voting for him? I mean he is not a mean - mean guy, but he is not too clear either. It is not about nothing I say because it ain't in Black or White. There is somewhere shades of Gray in Obama.
(Global Perspectives)
According to Rudolf - The Wise Wolf - Ogoo Okonkwo anyone with a black skin is better than everything that anything that gets to run the country. Going by his thoughts one can safely say that Rudolf's countryman - His Excellency, The Deceased Champion in Liberia and Sierra Leone, or The Last King of Scotland with so much political experience would have made an excellent POTUS.
Better than McCain or Bush, right Sir?
Better than McCain or Bush, right Sir?
(Local Perspectives)
So let me guess what will happen? Obama will get in there, gather our secrets and hand over to the Russians. He will join Hamas. He will make Jeremiah Wright his ambassador to the United Nations.
People should just relax. I understand that this is a new situation. Many are scared to death of the possibility.
Like I have said somewhere else, no president is greater than America. A president, one writer said, is like a man appointed in a family to buy the meat. That is it.
There are forces behind the presidency that are more powerful than the president.
People should just relax. I understand that this is a new situation. Many are scared to death of the possibility.
Like I have said somewhere else, no president is greater than America. A president, one writer said, is like a man appointed in a family to buy the meat. That is it.
There are forces behind the presidency that are more powerful than the president.
(Local Perspectives)
David,
I did not say anything that resembled what you implied here.
I did not say anything that resembled what you implied here.
(Local Perspectives)
>>>>>>>There are forces behind the presidency that are more powerful than the president.
----------------------------
Do you mean the Jews? We always suspected that and we always knew that either the Jews or the Men in Black are running America using your president as a front. So should I take it as you too believe in the 911 conspiracy theorists' thesis on what actually happened?
----------------------------
Do you mean the Jews? We always suspected that and we always knew that either the Jews or the Men in Black are running America using your president as a front. So should I take it as you too believe in the 911 conspiracy theorists' thesis on what actually happened?
(Global Perspectives)
People should relax??!! Why not? Anyone registering with me for a 4-year-long trip to the Himalayas. I heard you find peace there. Anyone with some savings must seriously give it a thought. To the Himalayas we go.
(Local Perspectives)
I have been troubled by a question since Hillary Clinton's assassination gaffe. What if Hillary Clinton is assassinated now when everything is over and Barack Obama has virtually won the Democratic nomination for the presidency. I don't mean no malice, but it is a fact that Bill Clinton is a real target of the terrorists and naturally his family is too just like the first family of USA. She is in more danger than Obama who has a Muslim middle name. What would happen in that eventuality? McCain winning by a landslide?
(Global Perspectives)
Thanks Uncle Sam's nieces and nephews for giving Obama as a rival to the warmonger Bush's party. Did you do your homework before going to vote or just followed the herd?
A few facts then for you folks:
Mr. Obama did vote to re-authorise the Patriot Act that you so love.
Mr. Obama did propose to spend 0.7 percent of your Gross National Product as aid and grants to foreign countries.
Mr. Obama did vote to continue to fund the loathsome war in Iraq and voted against a troop pullout within a certain deadline.
*AHEM*
The question is are Americans a politically aware population or just a herd of 300 million human beings who can't analyse or look beyond their noses?
A few facts then for you folks:
Mr. Obama did vote to re-authorise the Patriot Act that you so love.
Mr. Obama did propose to spend 0.7 percent of your Gross National Product as aid and grants to foreign countries.
Mr. Obama did vote to continue to fund the loathsome war in Iraq and voted against a troop pullout within a certain deadline.
*AHEM*
The question is are Americans a politically aware population or just a herd of 300 million human beings who can't analyse or look beyond their noses?
(Global Perspectives)
Rudolf:
"If you really look at it, America needs Obama more than Obama needs America."
Really? How can you say so? Can you back your statement? This is kinda serious ain't it?
The truth is that Barack Obama stooped as low as the other Dem candidate in his quest to get the nomination. If what you said is right, he wouldn't have gone for the broke just as his opponent did.
You don't understand the black tragedy now. With Obama's win democrats lost the presidency already. It would have been the same if Hillary won the nomination.
The only positive outcome of Obama finally being able to clinch the nomination is that the blacks wouldn't find themselves being on the receiving end of a perennially racist America. It's a good thing.
"If you really look at it, America needs Obama more than Obama needs America."
Really? How can you say so? Can you back your statement? This is kinda serious ain't it?
The truth is that Barack Obama stooped as low as the other Dem candidate in his quest to get the nomination. If what you said is right, he wouldn't have gone for the broke just as his opponent did.
You don't understand the black tragedy now. With Obama's win democrats lost the presidency already. It would have been the same if Hillary won the nomination.
The only positive outcome of Obama finally being able to clinch the nomination is that the blacks wouldn't find themselves being on the receiving end of a perennially racist America. It's a good thing.
(Global Perspectives)
For a change I would like to agree with Denis, a neo-Soviet. He has a valid point and it is that there is going to be no change in Washington come January 2009.
Obama and McCain who is a member of the neo-con Bushist Church are all the same. May be America made a historical mistake that it can still avoid and save the Obama supporters from an indelible stigma and eternal embarrassment.
Obama and McCain who is a member of the neo-con Bushist Church are all the same. May be America made a historical mistake that it can still avoid and save the Obama supporters from an indelible stigma and eternal embarrassment.
(Local Perspectives)
Who is thanking America by the way? Is it the American blacks, or the people who voted for Obama or the black race in general. That prompts me to ask a question to the Obama supporters esp the Afro-Americans if they know of any agenda that Obama might have as foreign policy towards black majority countries esp in Africa and esp where there is civil war, dictatorship etc like Congo, Zimbabwe etc? Can anyone answer this please?
(Global Perspectives)
Rudolf and Taylor -
The media will always do what it takes to sell itself. When the campaign started it was Mrs. Clinton. When the trend started swaying Mr. Obama's way it swung towards his side. As they say, the media does not belong to anybody but the public. It will go along with public sentiments.
The media will always do what it takes to sell itself. When the campaign started it was Mrs. Clinton. When the trend started swaying Mr. Obama's way it swung towards his side. As they say, the media does not belong to anybody but the public. It will go along with public sentiments.
(Global Perspectives)
For those who are confused about what truly happened to Hillary, look at this independent view.
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=11496736
http://www.economist.com/displayStory.cfm?source=hptextfeature&story_id=11496736
(Local Perspectives)
On Washington changing — Washignton is not a Poshe. It is a Truck. It cannot turn that fast. It can only be gradual. There is always something T.S. Eliot called the shadow - that is the gap between the idea and the reality. What is scary is having someone driving Washington who has no plan to change direction.
(Local Perspectives)
Everyone is leaning towards the same thing and that is it is being boiled down to racism. If we do elect Obama we aren’t racist and we have a young naive president who honestly will probably be a figure head. If we don’t elect him we are all racists and condemned. In the end we are damned if we do and damned if we don’t.
To be honest, I don’t believe either one of them, McCain or Obama are fit for the white house. They both have some good ideals and some really bad ones. But all in all I wouldn’t choose either one for the presidency. Hell, to go one step further I wouldn’t choose Hillary either. I’d much rather step back and see where this race goes and comment on the way then get into heavy discussions like this one here. Everyone has brought up valid points good discussion.
To be honest, I don’t believe either one of them, McCain or Obama are fit for the white house. They both have some good ideals and some really bad ones. But all in all I wouldn’t choose either one for the presidency. Hell, to go one step further I wouldn’t choose Hillary either. I’d much rather step back and see where this race goes and comment on the way then get into heavy discussions like this one here. Everyone has brought up valid points good discussion.
(Local Perspectives)
Rudolf, doesn’t the accomplishments of such people as Janice Rogers Brown, Condoleezza Rice, Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams, JC Watts, Thomas Sowell, Shelby Steele, Armstrong Williams, Colin Powell, Edward W. Brooke, James B. Parsons and so many others, all prior to Tuesday, mean anything?
Why do Blacks that make a free choice to be conservatives go unnoticed and ignored and in some cases, come under attack because they exercise their free will of choosing for themselves?
Have we regressed to the point that skin tone is the main, if not only, factor in selecting a leader?
You said before you were ”watching us,” or something like that. Haven’t you ever noticed when Black Conservatives achieve? Do they not count, only Obama?
Why do Blacks that make a free choice to be conservatives go unnoticed and ignored and in some cases, come under attack because they exercise their free will of choosing for themselves?
Have we regressed to the point that skin tone is the main, if not only, factor in selecting a leader?
You said before you were ”watching us,” or something like that. Haven’t you ever noticed when Black Conservatives achieve? Do they not count, only Obama?
(Local Perspectives)
Oh Taylor, not all Americans are racists. They are probably very few. But for the first time in American election their votes will matter greatly. The problem is that those who deny their existence and relevance compound the problem of knowing how many they are and how to factor them in.
(Local Perspectives)
Lewis,
I thought J.C. Watts would go far but he seemed to have been frustrated out. I don’t recall what he said when he left but it was a big indictment. Rice and Powell were never elected so in political terms I find their impact limited. I like Sowell, even though I don’t always agree with him. I believe everyone contributes but some contributions are more transforming.
Deep inside, I think Blacks are inherently conservative. And they used to be Republicans too. I think Republicans squeezed them out and are now wondering what happened. Those left in are consequently marginalized.
I thought J.C. Watts would go far but he seemed to have been frustrated out. I don’t recall what he said when he left but it was a big indictment. Rice and Powell were never elected so in political terms I find their impact limited. I like Sowell, even though I don’t always agree with him. I believe everyone contributes but some contributions are more transforming.
Deep inside, I think Blacks are inherently conservative. And they used to be Republicans too. I think Republicans squeezed them out and are now wondering what happened. Those left in are consequently marginalized.
(Local Perspectives)
No no, I didn’t say all Americans are racist. I only said that they would think we would be racist for not choosing Obama. I also included the world viewing us. But like Lewis said,
”Have we regressed to the point that skin tone is the main, if not only, factor in selecting a leader?”
I believe it is getting somewhere near that point. Although I don’t want it to go that far, but I talk to a lot of people and that is their point of view exactly.
”It’s time for a black president.”
”We need a black president.”
”If Obama gets the nomination I’m voting for him, I’ve always wanted a Black president.”
Sadly to say those are all true statements by people I have talked to. Honest to god I was dumbfounded by the boldness of these people. Just to look as far as the skin and not even the points and what makes Obama up? Why should he be president? His skin? No, what he stands for and what he will do once he gets in. That’s how any president should be elected.
”Have we regressed to the point that skin tone is the main, if not only, factor in selecting a leader?”
I believe it is getting somewhere near that point. Although I don’t want it to go that far, but I talk to a lot of people and that is their point of view exactly.
”It’s time for a black president.”
”We need a black president.”
”If Obama gets the nomination I’m voting for him, I’ve always wanted a Black president.”
Sadly to say those are all true statements by people I have talked to. Honest to god I was dumbfounded by the boldness of these people. Just to look as far as the skin and not even the points and what makes Obama up? Why should he be president? His skin? No, what he stands for and what he will do once he gets in. That’s how any president should be elected.
(Local Perspectives)
For those on the margin of society, the underprivileged, those who feel left out, the ideal is just the ideal. It may be there but they do not see it neither do they partake in it. If you know where they are coming from, you will only sympathize when you hear them say things like:
”It’s time for a black president.”
”We need a black president.”
”If Obama gets the nomination I’m voting for him, I’ve always wanted a Black president.”
The Native Americans will say the same thing under the same circumstances. So will the Hispanic one of these days.
In a place like Virginia, they probably said the same things when Wilder was running for Governor. But they did not continue. Like many others, Black voters in Virginia have accepted the ideal. And so will it be after the Obama presidency – Black voters will return and accept the ideals. For now, they want to be indulged and for good reasons.
”It’s time for a black president.”
”We need a black president.”
”If Obama gets the nomination I’m voting for him, I’ve always wanted a Black president.”
The Native Americans will say the same thing under the same circumstances. So will the Hispanic one of these days.
In a place like Virginia, they probably said the same things when Wilder was running for Governor. But they did not continue. Like many others, Black voters in Virginia have accepted the ideal. And so will it be after the Obama presidency – Black voters will return and accept the ideals. For now, they want to be indulged and for good reasons.
(Local Perspectives)
One thing is those came from White voters, and another I know what you mean. I truly do sympathize with people that have been through so much like the African American people but frankly it doesn’t matter if they need to indulge or not.
They are choosing blindly, if that is what you meant by,
”Black voters will return and accept the ideals. For now, they want to be indulged and for good reasons.”
Even if they accept his views after they vote him in, they should have done that before they voted him in. If I’m getting that wrong then correct me but it seems like you are saying they are picking him because he is black and not because of what they think of what he believes.
They are choosing blindly, if that is what you meant by,
”Black voters will return and accept the ideals. For now, they want to be indulged and for good reasons.”
Even if they accept his views after they vote him in, they should have done that before they voted him in. If I’m getting that wrong then correct me but it seems like you are saying they are picking him because he is black and not because of what they think of what he believes.
(Local Perspectives)
It is easy to forget that Black voters rejected Obama until he won in Iowa. They waited until White voters said it was OK before they embraced him. So the signal came from White voters. And going by their voting records, Black voters would have voted for anyone the Democratic Party filled. So it wasn’t just because he is Black. His Blackness probably made Black voters more enthusiastic about him. But that was after White voters said he was OK.
(Local Perspectives)
Yeah but that is still influencing their vote without them actually deciding for themselves. Who cares what the white voters had to say? Especially whether it was ok or not to vote for him. Black voters can vote for whom ever they want and the fact that you say they waited for White Voters to say it was ok isn’t helping at all. It still implies that fact that they still aren’t voting for him by merit and his statements and what he believes.
Besides, African Americans got the right to vote years ago and to say for them to be waiting for our approval on whom to vote for just sends the message that they really aren’t voting for themselves but for where the white vote goes. Frankly speaking you are pretty right about them voting for any democrat spot, but to follow the white vote isn’t why in the constitution ”Right to Freedom and Free Speech”.
Besides, African Americans got the right to vote years ago and to say for them to be waiting for our approval on whom to vote for just sends the message that they really aren’t voting for themselves but for where the white vote goes. Frankly speaking you are pretty right about them voting for any democrat spot, but to follow the white vote isn’t why in the constitution ”Right to Freedom and Free Speech”.
(Local Perspectives)
Here’s a question for you/me/us all to think about. I heard a theory of why Obama won so much support from the media. It has been frustrating me that Hilary was winning the popular vote, polls show she has a better chance of beating McCain, and yet at the same time, losing endorsements of Superdelegates and no media was picking up the story of her success.
So the theory that I heard was that no one among the liberal media wants to be thought of of as anti-black or racist or discriminating - so they are supporting Obama, even if its possible that Hilary is a better candidate. [yes, this is coming from a Hilary supporter - but in the end, I imagine I’ll vote democratic regardless!]
What do you think of that theory? Although it is certainly WAY better than the opposite situation (where a black man can’t get nominated) - I’m not sure it shows the equality that I’d like this country to have....