Congressman says McCain 'sowing seeds of hatred'

I Lived through them also.....My father was a candidate in Alabama for governor against Wallace. I will never forget the hatred Wallace spewed....the tone at his rallies, and the fear he promoted......interestingly .....just this morning before hearing about Lewis statement...I remarked to my husband that the anger and hatred at the McCain rallies reminded me of those days and the anger Wallace promoted and fed with his rhetoric.....

As public figures with the power to influence and persuade, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are playing with fire, and if they are not careful, that fire will consume us all.

They are stoking the flames of a fire that had been reduced to embers. What simmered below the surface, now has been given a reason by the McCain/Palin ticket to rise up and again influse its divisive, racial fear-mongering into the American psyche.

I was having a conversation with one of my best friends.  I love him like a brother, but we differ politically: he is a far right-wing conservative and I am a moderate democrat.  He is white, I am black. 

I asked him, why is there so much hatred spewing out of the RRepublican base.  Why do so many of you try so hard to convince yourself that Barrack Obama does not have America's best interest at heart.  Take a good look at his record.  All he has ever done was to try to help the people in his community get job training, after-school programs, educational help and so on.  Even when he worked with Williams Ayers, on a board founded by a Reagan Republican, they worked on a educational program designed to benefit the people in his district.

There has been no radical policy proposed by Obama.  There has been no radical rhetoric coming out of his mouth.  There has been no disregard for the middle class.  There has been no words of sympathy for our enemies.  He doesn't want to take away your guns, or your religion, or your right to the pursuit of happiness.  He isn't interested in raising your taxes (at least not right now), or disarming the military.   He is the quintessential American story: part white, part black, self motivated, well learned, well-versed, and he seems to be a  God-fearing, people-loving family man.  He can't do anything about his name (besides, with all that he has accomplished, to dislike him because of the name that his mother gave him, at birth, is completely irrational).  

So what is it?  Why the anger?

My dear friend looked at me and said, "White folks have been in control for so long that they fear giving it up."

"Giving it up?" I said,  "White folks won't be giving up control just because Obama is president.  And even if you thought you were, you'd get it back when Hillary or Romney become president in 2016."

"Yeah", he said, "you're right, but it is still hard to get use to."

"So your fears and insecurities as a white person takes precedence over the well being of the country?"

"Well, sort of," he said.  "Because to many of us, who runs the country is more important than how the country is run."

I concluded the conversation by repeating a line that I have used on several occasions: "America's strength is in its diversity. Our diversity is what separates us from every other country that has ever existed. But we will never reach our full potential, as a country, if our diversity, the very thing that makes us so strong, is the thing that they (and you) most fear."

Its time for us all to grow up.

Thank you for that thoughtful comment RatedRex. I'm so put off by all of the horrible things that are coming out because of this campaign. I may be young and naive, but I have to say that I am completely ticked off right now at the older generations. For the first time maybe ever in American politics the youngest generation is the one paying attention to the issues and voting on substance not image.

In the meantime, our economy is going down the tubes, the older people are arguing about whether or not Obama is Muslim and if he is or isn't "risky" (despite the fact that these things have been proven false...and even called false by McCain himself!)--and we young people are the ones that are going to have to clean it all up!

How are we going to pay for social security? How are we going to lower the debt? How are we going to get more jobs/higher paying jobs to be able to buy healthcare and support ourselves and our families as inflation continues to rise and our paychecks stretch less far each month? How are we going to get loans/credit to buy houses/cars/deal with crises so that we too can live the American dream?

These are the important issues. Race is a distraction that my generation stopped considering long ago (with a few, rare, exceptions). It's time for our parents and grandparents to take our cue and think about what's best for their children and grandchildren in terms of substance, not talking points or imaginary images.

Right now, with this rhetoric going on, I'm not very proud of my country.

Please, please... this older generation American begs you, pleads with you... get out your generation's vote. My Space/Facebook, take friends to the polls.  Anything and everything to get them to vote.

It's important.  The decisions made on November 4th will determine the direction for you and your future and your generation.  We've been messing up since Nixon, but there's still a chance to save this country.  You can blame us if you must, but you also can save us. 

This thing is beyond John McCain.  He's not sewing seeds of anything, he is resurrecting the growth of a seed that has already been sewn.  There are dozens and dozens of hate groups online with hundreds of thousands of members, just huddled up, with pent up frustration which they put off as "nationalism" and are waiting for any opportunity to spark up and begin a race war.

So I wish that people would quit it with their naivete that there is no pent up racism and anger at the "black man" easing up in the polls, rather than anger and disguist at all of the reasons that have been thrown out there at those rallies, such as "I am angry, there is a socialist taking over, which really means "there is a ni99er taking over" and I am scared for my children, someone who consorts with the likes of Bill Ayers, which he really meant to say "blacks will ape out and turn on whites when obama is in office" This is how they feel, and are trying to be politically correct out in public about it.  All you need to do is take a walk on over to a few of these nationalist sites and see what they really mean, how they really feel!

If McCain doesn't know what he's stoking here, he had better find out and find out QUICKLY!  All of this "well I'm only telling the truth" is not how nationalists see it!  This so called "truth" are giving them more reason to go on the defensive and create an atmosphere to where they are offended and feel the need to protect themselves and ATTACK!

I hear you! I'm doing all I can to get my friends talking about it/taking action--and the outlook is definitely positive. The more I talk about politics with other young people/students, the more I hear an informed citizenry...we are paying attention, and we are tired of sitting on the sidelines. Barack Obama speaks to us and makes us realize that we do have a voice in this election and a right to demand things from our politicians, just like anyone else.

RatedRex, could you post your story as an article? It deserves to stand on its own. If you do, please post a link to it here. 

Thanks Rex. That was nice.

Spotlight Diva-Not all of the older generation is against Obama.  I am 59 and for the first time since I have been voting this is the very first one I have been excited about.  I have donated to Obama's campaign(the 1st) I have even put on stickers on my car and yard signs.  What has been going on with the Republicans makes me sick-Thank God, I have always been an independent.  I have even come across other older persons who are for Obama and that has been surprising me as to who they are.

Thanks for your comment Lily. I know it's not all of the older generation, and I appreciate that...but that is the generation that most often supports McCain and not Obama. For a long while, my own grandparents who are life-long democrats said they would rather not vote than vote for Obama. I'm simply saying there is progress to be made, and more important things to be focusing on since it seems the major excuses most people (not voting for Obama) are using have to do with the fear-mongering rhetoric and lies from the McCain campaign.

RatedRex, Thank you for sharing and I too have a best buddy that is extremely conservative and calls me to give me grief all the time. He beat me in 2000 and 2004 but, he won't win this time. Obama - Biden 2008 at which time I will give him grief for the next 8 years. . We are both white and served in Military togeather but what difference does the color of ones skin matter? It is meaningless.

God help us all if this man, John Sydney McCain is elected! It is NOT stated in the Bible because the Constitution (which the worst unelected-president ever, George Bush, has trampled on since he stole his office in 2000) is the ruling document of this land (not the Bible, Koran, Torah or any other religious documents) and Article VI states "no religious Test shall ever be required as a Qualification to any Office or public trust under the United States."

This appeal to reason and logic is from Mrs. Darla Smith, wife of the pastor of Trinity Methodist Church in Ames, Iowa. Mrs. Smith is a proud patriotic American Democrat that does not wear her religion on her sleeves, on a necklace or on a bumper sticker on her Toyota Prius.

I have felt for sometime now that McCain is the main person in the corrupt, hypocritical, petroleum billionaire-kowtowing Republican Party that 'Frightens Me'. The public record will show that John McCain is not the "maverick" that he so falsely claims (i.e. lies) to be. This man coming from the West will be instrumental in hammering in the final nail of the coffin of American Democracy.

When will our wonderful Nation turn its back on the Radical Right Spin Machine (Faux News aka FOX News) and get back to the basics of American Democracy? The United States is NOT at war with the Muslim world. The US is at war with a few thousand Saudi sponsored terrorists whose base of operations was Afghanistan NOT Iraq. (Bush and Cheney engineered the War In Iraq to steal their oil and give no bid contracts to Halliburton and Blackwater)

My poor misguided Conservative friends, believe it or not- John McCain is a war monger and he will do his dead level best to get our country bogged down on a third front- Iran. I am convinced that he will use nuclear weapons in Iran. If McCain bomb, bomb, bombs Iran he will unleash the forces of Hell against the United States which the Radical Religious Right American Taliban Fundamentalists believe will force Almighty God to Rapture the "Good Christians". As a humble follower of Christ, I do not presume to know the mind of God but I do not believe that a bunch of misguided religious fanatics can force Almighty God's hand- the Rapture will happen on God's time table NOT James Hobson's and others of his ilk.

Let us all remain alert concerning McCain's misguided presidential candidacy and remember to turn out in massive numbers on Election Day to vote for Barack Obama. We have to turn out in massive numbers to ensure that the corrupt Republican Party does not steal another Presidential Election like they did in 2000 and 2004.

Please forward this to everyone you know.

Would you want this man misleading your country?

NOT ME!!!

McCain is 'palling around' with RACISTS!

I guess he is one.. according to Palin logic :s

And how sad is it that McCain had to call on Obama to defend him? That sounds like a cowardly thing to do.. I mean actually call upon your opponent so that you don't look racist. It's as if he's borrowing Obama's credibility. But I'm glad Obama did that because it will help some of those crazier McCain supporters see that Obama isn't so bad, and maybe they'll stop calling for him to be beheaded. Also, it gave him an excellent opportunity to dismiss Palin's remarks that he 'palls around with terrorists'. Way to go! Obama's campaign team is so smart. I'm very thankful that Lewis had the guts and the moral convictions to speak out before it was too late.. I can see why McCain admired him so much.. which probably makes Lewis' comments sting so much more. He deserves it, hopefully he has learnt not to feed hate.. As for Palin she looks as ditzy and unaffected as ever. I guess she doesn't give a rats' as$ if racial  hate consumes America.. what with Alaska planning to seceed and all.

I can understand the reference, and the comparison to past events in the article.

But I believe people are smarter now, too.

I have to agree with Meow.  The worst thing that could happen is a consolidation of all the fractured hate groups, that our First Amendment tolerates, into one big party platform. "Group think" could bring out all the closet hate mongers, comfortable in the numbers that cushion their whacky ideology.  Imagine a Palin for President movement in 2012.  If that doesnt scare you, I dont know what would! Though I admit, I'd love to see the sparks fly if Palin came up against Hillary! 

McCain has already lost control.    As you'll see here:

http://moeloe.newsvine.com/_news/2008/10/12/1988457-mccains-questioner-still-thinks-obama-is-an-arab

Even after McCain denied it and made all those noises about respecting Obama, that woman doesn't believe it.   She's still convinced Obama is an "Arab", apparently because his father was a Muslim. 

She's not even astute enough to understand that one is a religion and the other is a nationality/ethnicity. 

Further proof that the American education system is in very, very deep doodoo.

Pat -

 I'm very thankful that Lewis had the guts and the moral convictions to speak out before it was too late..

R. Blevins of AB Seattle - 

I can understand the reference, and the comparison to past events in the article.

But I believe people are smarter now, too.

People are smarter now, but it only takes one nut job to mess everything up and things aren't over yet.  Sen. John Lewis is right.   In this case, we definitely don't want to repeat the history of letting racist rhetoric run rampant.  I cringe everytime I see Obama speaking outdoors to throngs of people, even though I know that's where a candidate should be - accessible.  There is no doubt about it though, this last stretch of the campaign is a serious situation.

"Senator Obama does not believe that John McCain or his policy criticism is in any way comparable to George Wallace or his segregationist policies.; But John Lewis was right to condemn some of the hateful rhetoric that John McCain himself personally rebuked just last night, as well as the baseless and profoundly irresponsible charges from his own running mate that the Democratic nominee for President of the United States 'pals around with terrorists. As Barack Obama has said himself, the last thing we need from either party is the kind of angry, divisive rhetoric that tears us apart at a time of crisis when we desperately need to come together.; That is the kind of campaign Senator Obama will continue to run in the weeks ahead," said Obama-Biden spokesman Bill Burton.

Source

RatedRex wrote an excellent comment to what is happening in America.  However, I think there is another factor that I feel has not played itself out.  There will always be a group that will have a problem giving up power, but what percentage is a question that we ponder greatly.  As a conspiracy theorist, I have asked just how much of the anti African American comments are being made now so we will not respond too greatly to the outcome should it be "fixed" in a climate where the polls are showing that the hatred vote is not that relevant.  I do believe that if such reports of the Karl Rove fix already in place, we will hear the "Bradley Effect" to excuse it.  Because of the kind of candor we hear from folks like RatedRex's friend, we are not going to have a reverse of voting on day.  The polls will refect the truth, and I would not be surprised if a result against an Obama lost will not cause violence as it will be linked to fraud and statements that Palin and McCain initiated. 

It is amazing how important the character association has taken hold for Sen. Obama, and not for Sen. McCain!  I have read articles to include from Newsvine that go beyond Keating, yet no one seems concerned although if true, McCain's connections to teeroist not only exists, but like the Rick Davis situation, are a part of his campaign right now.  THere is a double standard and it will divide the country greatly if it causes Sen. Obama to lose in my opinion.

http://www.truthout.org/article/mccain-and-pow-cover-up

Interesting reading...gives info on his temper and the missing POW involvement. (Did not search for credibility of the article thou.)

Fantastic ,RatedRex! Your comment should stand alone as an article, it is that concise and to the point! Iam cucasian and I for one have had it up to my hazels with some Americans views about other races, WE are ALL ONE RACE!...HUMAN! except those people who support McCain and Palin! to say they are acting like animals would be an insult to animals, animals act on instinct, these so-called Americans in their state of Hyper-Patriotism have lost what it means to be American! Perhaps they should read the inscriptions on Ellis Island and understand what they mean! E Pluribus Unum...Out of many (Races) One nation.

Like Wright, Lewis uses hate to accuse others of hate.

Bless you heart and now I've been told and I'm beyond pale!  Thanks for your input!

But golly, Com Sen, why would McCain have admired Lewis at all (prior to this) if Lewis uses hate as you say?

You seem pretty smart. Perhaps you can explain it to me. And thanks in advance.

There is more hate on this forum than there ever was (and is) in John McCain and Sarah Palin.

  You can't even compare him to George Wallace.  George Wallace was in the ERA of Segregation, he later in the late 1970's apologized to Black Civil Raughts Leaders for his actions then added many Blacks to government positions. That is more than Bill Ayers has done about his bombings, he just said he wished he had done more.

I think that Lewis should rethink his statement, and apologize to McCain.  All McCain is doing is running a campaign he is not doing any of the things that Lewis is accusing him of.  People are just a little bit too testy and can't take the truth when it is put out there for them to see. 

ACORN, Farrahkan, Franklin Raines, Johnson, Rezko, Rev. Wright, Ayers, and the List just goes on and on, and if anyone talks about these people they are the ones that are Racist and full of hate, no one seems to want to look at these people and see them for who they are and what they represent and BaracK Obama is friends with all of them.

Obama will not be for the good of this Country.  He is not interested in bringing everyone together as you all think, it is a personal gain for him and Michelle Obama.

When I vote I will be able to say that my vote went to a Man that is interested in his Country, and I want have to say OMG what have I done. 

The Republicans got caught being nasty and it's the Democrats' fault.  Why do conservatives keep pretending they're for personal responsibility when they refuse to acknowledge their leaders' faults?  Or is personal responsibility only important when somebody who isn't a conservative screws up?

Obama will not be for the good of this Country.  He is not interested in bringing everyone together as you all think, it is a personal gain for him and Michelle Obama.

Care to elaborate?  What personal gain?  If anyone is after personal gain it is McPalin and co.

I think Mr. Lewis called it as he heard it. McCain and Palin is stirring up racial divide and stroking the flames of the crowds with thier comments that could lead to someone getting hurt by thier comments. Obama is American and has our best interest of our country at heart, born and raised with American values. I guess, I'll be seeing you in middle of a McCain crowd saying Obama is not one of us.

Like Wright, Lewis uses hate to accuse others of hate.

Are empty words all you have or can't you bother with one single example, ComSen? Humor me, please.

BB- maybe Ayers was expressing the frustration so many feel when they arent listened to by this government, if they dont do something drastic.  I dont approve of his tactics but I can sympathize with a frustration over pentagon policies; White Washington's callous disregard for the needs of the  people, solicited only during election cycles; foreign policies that have spread disdain and disapporval of our fundamental values; hypocracy so wide spread you cant put a net around it; militarism tantamount to imperialism as a foreign policy strategy.  Lets get real--what did Ayers mean when he said he regretted not bombing more of our institutions?  he meant he wanted to purge the flaws and make something new and whole again.

Again, I disagree with the technique, but fundamentally he wanted the kind of change that we all seek now, through peaceful elections.

estela2008

Lets get real--what did Ayers mean when he said he regretted not bombing more of our institutions?  he meant he wanted to purge the flaws and make something new and whole again.

What if everyone went out and Bomb buildings because we don't believe in something?  You are definitely making excuses for the Person and his wife that was on the Nations Top Ten Wanted List.  How would you feel as if one day you found this out about your neighbor and your  neighbor wasn't backing OBAMA....This is what this is all about anyway. Of course Ayers want come out and Politic for Obama, because he knows it would cause a disturbance in the campaign and that is why OBAMA is trying to brush his (Ayers) mere existence in the air.

Com Sens....You really need to change your screen name or actually use common sense in your thought process! Your name DOES not according to your posting, jive with your comment! Not just because you are obviously Republican, even a FEW Republicans have common sense....too bad they are all deceased!

BB

May I ask you if you find the actual words of what Lewis said wrong?  Not the implication or the interpretation but the words. 

Now I know we will disagree with me but I think the comparison was one that was valid depending on how you saw that era.  If Lewis saw a historical pattern that he lived, there is nothing anyone can say to dispute his personal experience.  Now if you feel he had not said such a strong statement, I can agree as you are allowed your own opinion, but it does not make his wrong or racial.  If he saw a resemblance, he in my opinion not only had the right but was obligated to say something so we not find ourselves in that kind of atmosphere again.  you and others may not like his words, but that is different than saying the words were wrong.

BB, I am curious to know if you have investigated opposing views to your claims about all the folks you named and exactly what would satisfy you on these issues?  Or is your point that no one who has known these kinds of people are fit for office?  I have a list of folks with closer connections to McCain and worse conditions than what is implied at its worse for Sen. Obama.  If who we know or worked with at any time through our lives, have you not considered whose life would produce the longer lists? 

I also find it interesting that it is the same people posting the same junk on these post.  Either they have not bothered to read and learn the truth or there is just a hope that those who are new will fall for rhetoric. 

If I do not answer you, it will be because you avoided the questions I have asked and replaced them with spin/another direction.

Jen-

I stand by my postings here on this forum.  This is not a comparison to the days of George Wallace, McCain is not spreading hatred.  He is just running a campaign and calling what he sees in Ayers, by the way Ayers is WHITE, but he is a Terrorist.  He admitted that he bombed buildings in his book and Obama praised him for writing his book. That shows Obama condones violence.

George Wallace ERA, believe me I was there, and a teenager, but I remember it well.  I remember Colored written on Bathroom doors, over water fountains, I didn't really understand it but then it was a way of life.  When you grow up that way you don't really know any difference.  I was not prejudiced, the people that worked for my Mother were black and I loved them all and would hug them if I saw them out in public and at that time that was certainly a NO-NO.  People had to get use to change and George Wallace was always running for the Governors office or President and he did what he thought it would take to get votes.  He did later apologize to the Black Civil Rights Leaders and placed Blacks in official government  offices.  I was not old enough to vote nor did I think about it that much, but I do remember a lot of people were happy that he took that stand.  It is called Ignorance to the fact.  How Lewis can compare this to McCain, I don't know.

I am not against Obama for the color of his skin, but as I said I don't like his friends.  His friends have terrorist connections, and communist connections.

Can you come to terms that the reason people are posting this all over the Vine is because there is a lot to it and the Democrats are going to stand by Obama no matter what?

Jen.....Just because you think that you are right, does not make me wrong.

I know McCain is not the Perfect Candidate, but he is the BETTER Candidate.

Jen

However I do want to remind you that One of his friends, REV. WRIGHT, did spread hatred to his listeners, to hate WHITE people, and OBAMA sat in his Church for 17 years  or longer, and he was a MENTOR TO OBAMA.  Even George Wallace did not talk hatred like Rev. Wright.

It is amazing how Obama admirers forget such detail.

BB

The problem here is as it has often been between you me, and these two campaigns frankly,and that is: assumptions.  Instead of finding the information, you like others want to interpret the information in a negative light without providing proof of that fact.  You have read or heard things and determined a meaning that I have read and determined in the opposite way.  For example, unless you produce the words from Sen. Obama that says he praised Ayer's book and then you prove the book was a praise of his negative past events instead of stating what occurred, we will not see it the same.  I find no reason to disapprove of Sen. Obama praising someone writing a book about their horrific past. Now if you show me where Sen. Obama said he approved of this man's history, you will have my full attention and respect on validating your point.  But you like so many others do not provide that.  You just want us to hear you say he is wrong and by golly that is enough.  Well, it is not and will never be because we who are objective really do try to see people fairly in our judgements.  I have not read the book, but as I understand it, the book does not promote the activities of his (Ayers) past. 

You say you do not like Sen. Obama's friends.  You offer nothing that proves he was friends with any of these people as I hope you know everyone you work with, talk to or even eat with are not your friends, yet there is a standard here that is set very high for Sen. Obama.  I also notice you have not answered as to searching out Sen. McCain's past associations by the same standard you place on Sen. Obama.  I mean how is that fair? 

I thought we had already covered Rev. Wright, but I will say this as it is worthy.  In order for me to determine that this pastor taught hatred, I would need to see signs of that from the members of the church as they were the ones taught this so called hatred.  I heard the speeches and Sen. Obama repudiated the comments, so I fail to see the reason to continue this argument.  I know there are a group of folks who really are trying to find reasons to oppose Sen. Obama and with so little to grab hold of, Rev. Wright, as well as these other ridiculous associations are all you all have.

The good news is most Americans are awaking to how trivial this is and although it is a worthy debate in your/die-hard Conservative/simple-minded minds, the more intellectual, commonsense voter (regardless of their voting status) know this is petty and stupid.  That is why the favorable ratings for Sen. McCain is dropping as I write. 

BTW When I read what Rev. Wright accomplished for AMERICANS, I would hope all so-called Americans would raise to his example.  With (supposed) hate like his from more (supposed) Americans, we would make a real difference in the lives of all Americans.

More examples of how you assume, I did not forget the relationship between Wright and Obama.  I never defined it as a negative soyour point if moot with me.  As for Lewis, I have yet to hear you/anyone say what was wrong in his statement.  Mind you, I asked what words were wrong that Lewis used and not how you interpreted them.  I heard them and they said to me that he wanted John McCain and Sarah Palin to be careful what words they used as the effect that was being seen through the crowd was becoming more and more on the edge of volatile.  Now I have no doubt you and I will disagree, but I don't think any criticism is worthy inciting folks to say things like "Terrorist" or worse, "Kill Him".  That for me is crossing the line.  Running for President should not mean having your opponent on either side saying things that would cause their opponent potential physical harm.  To do so is what Lewis was adressing and I agree.

Jen

If Rev. Wright has done so many great things, why did Obama denounce him and his statements?  I am sure that was just for the public eye, so he could assure himself for the White House, but he did denounce him.

Just plain and simple Lewis compared McCain to George Wallace and he is WRONG.  I don't need to link anything to this, I lived through the Wallace ERA I know what went on, I don't need to read any History Lesson to find out.  There are followers of Obama shouting  Palin should be STONED, isn't that Hatred, do you want to blame OBAMA for that? I have heard that on the News, do you think that will get more attention, NO, because it would be against Obama and the Liberal News Media will not cover it.

Looks like Obama is falling back on Hillary Clinton's strategy for an Economic Plan, that is interesting, he can't come up with one of his own.

BB-

If I do not answer you, it will be because you avoided the questions I have asked and replaced them with spin/another direction.

Jen   I did answer your questions.  Lewis made this statement about the McCain campaign.  The man that yelled "Kill Him" was talking about killing Ayers, not Obama.

Rep. John Lewis, a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement, says the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminds him of the hateful atmosphere that segregationist Gov. George Wallace fostered in Alabama in the 1960s.

This statement is wrong, so I think that he owes McCain an apology.  He is trying to help his Buddy out in the Politics and being unfair to John McCain.

On Senator Obama and Ayers Book. He wrote a Blurb in his book, so that alone is enough that he recognized his book.  He shouldn't even taken the time to do as much.  It is rumored that Ayers is the writer of Obama's book, "Dreams from My Father" I don't think there is proof however,  that is yet to be seen.

It tells me a lot about a person that would defend the words of Wright.

BB

Point one:  The actual quote

"What I am seeing reminds me too much of another destructive period in American history, Sen. McCain and Gov. Palin are sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.  George Wallace never threw a bomb, he never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights. Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama."  John Lewis

I have read this repeatedly and find nothing wrong with the words.  They are from the start stated as opinion as we all are entitled our own.  If it made him think about the past in this way, it did and he has nothing to apologize for.  I hope you are not so naive or careless to think Sen. Obama connected to any conversation on killing someone or being called a terrorist should be ignored.  If so, you are telling me and all other readers that you dismiss the possibilities because you place no value on his life.  Instead of determining who the "Kill him" statement was for, I would hope that any AMerican would say we never se these types of statements toward anybody.

Point Two:  Does not matter who!

We could argue how many times and to whom, but it really doesn't matter to me.  ANY American wanting to kill another is wrong in my opinion.  Now I do believe it was directed at Sen. Obama as too many other situations (which as we know is why he had secret service far earlier than usual) that have threatened his life.  For me, I don't care who it is directed at or which party - IT"S WRONG.

Point Three: My priority differs.

If the book junk is matters to you in choosing your President, have at it.  I not only don't believe it, but simply just don't care.  You are wasting that argument on me as who write what to whom in a book says nothing to what candidate thus far has shown the ability to lead in the direction I want to go.  SO have fun with the pettiness of who wrote a book!  LOL.

Point Four: What is relevant?

As for Wright, you are showing yourself as a hypocrite or ilinformed voter...either way, I can only fell sad for you. 

Point Five

You often change course to include new information that has no source and rely merely on your opinion.  I am not interetested in that.  So if you do not or can not provide sources for those statements, I will ignore you as it really is pointless to discuss what you can not prove.

McCain/Palin started this rhetoric....REMEMBER

Republican candidate John McCain on Saturday called Lewis' remarks "shocking and beyond the pale."

The Obama campaign said the Illinois senator doesn't believe McCain or his policy criticism is at all comparable to Wallace and his segregationist policies.

What has been shocking is Palin and Mcacin remarks, and indeed they were on track to create a situation that was similar to the 1960's, they had not gotten there yet and McCain's defence of OBAMA (FINALLY), may have slowed the process and this weekend they meaning Palin and McCain have toned down there devisive rhetoric. I believe they realise finally theat there words were doing just that....I HOPE.

You are right  on point. I obviously have not attended a McCain Palin Rally but from what I've heard her say on television she comes dangerously close to being guilty of the charge of inciting to riot. 

I hope her legal staff advise her that she maybe held liable by a court of law for the actions of other if there is a clear nexus between her speech and someone eles taking action.

My Family is absolutely appalled at what John McCain has turned this 2008 election into.

Sarah Palin stands on stages across our country and incites people to scream “Kill-Him” and “Treason”.

Don’t tell me the McCain Campaign is unaware, this is their tactics with the words and accusations they are throwing out at their rallies; all of which as the ad’s say, - are approved by John McCain.

What about the issues? John himself cant even speak of the issues anymore, he spends his rallies slinging mud (ridiculous mud I might add) that any educated man knows is B.S.

If that is what my Republican party has become, - and if that’s who ‘Joe Six Pack” is?

Count me out.

Independent party here I come.

John McCain’s campaign now has lowered itself to a level in which it could actually incite an assassination.

John McCain apparently has no better stance, - or ‘Substance’ than that.

A complete disappointment for the Republican party.

The John McCain of 2000 is long gone.

That John McCain would have been a good man to have here now at this time of crisis.

I don’t recognize ‘this’ man at all, - nor what he has approved his campaign to become.

I’ve heard it said in Blog after Blog that he has sold his soul to the devil this year, and - although I would never want to accuse any man of that, I have yet to find a better descriptor to what he is doing.

John what are you doing?

I dare say, - watching him, and his campaign these last few days and weeks; - I could now never trust him as my Commander and Chief .

And after his sleaze campaign comes to an end, -

I’m not even sure that we should continue to trust him as one of our Senators.

He has made up my mind to vote against the Republican party this election.

I actually expect many more Republicans to take this stance, - “enough is enough” .

When America has to start worrying about the safety of a man’s life based on the McCain’s campaign inciting crowds, with ludicrous accusations that can only be targeted to one very narrow band of fringe voters, - something is very wrong., - and we as a people should speak up.

Also, - responsible news organizations should condemn the McCain Campaign for their actions.

These are not the types of smears that John McCain had thrown against him in the 2000 election.

These have far crossed a line in the sand when Sarah Palin and John McCain incite crowds which yell out things like Traitor, Treason, and Kill-Him. This is a Witch Hunt, and these are the very fringe levels of our society / that, - I’m sorry to say, are also the ‘very’ people that would be most capable of some atrocity such as what has been incited at these rallies. Why anyone would want to align themselves with the Republican party and what it’s current public perception is; due to John McCain and Sarah Palin’s negative campaigning, is beyond me.

I certainly don’t, - and I certainly wont.

And - If John McCain was the only name on the ballot, - I would take time off from work, -drive to my polling place and write another name in.

The new Wikipedia description of “Joe Six Pack” should read:

The new base of the old Republican party.

People who can be led to believe almost anything, or led to action, -as in ’a mob mentality’

based ‘not’ on factual evidence, but on innuendo’s and smears that they will never themselves

investigate or fact check.

The new secret weapon of the Republican party.

Also see- “Hockey Mom.”

Mr. Lewis is a wise man and he is echoing comments that I made on here last night does that make me a wise man?  I can only hope.  Hateful speech can easily lead some of the far right wing nuts to act on it, thinking they are doing Her Highness Palin's bidding.

She maybe the most hateful political figure since George Wallace. And well she not the shapest tac in the shed she does have a following of nut bags.

You may recall that Lewis publically chastised and denounced Mccain for twice referring to him in interviews as a positive reference, without prior consent or approval by Lewis. Mccain has been trying to use their long legislative proximity as a touchstone for a similar ideology, and Lewis has been denouncing any association with Mccain.

Exactly, you won't find bigger racists than Barak and Michelle Obama - except maybe for the white-hating preacher they listened to for 20 years oh and of course all th eblack people who are votingfor him simply because he is black.

If Obama is elected I will pack up my family and move.

Good-by!

This great country of America needs a lot less people like you as we have way too many hate mongers and bible thumpers.

Your god may forgive your hater for our fellow humans, but I don't.

My ancestory is from slaves.

 Whose ancestors weren't someones property in some time in history?

Wow!  My ancestors were slaves too, slaves in Egypt, but then I have been living all my life in a democratic country as have you.  In my opinion your democratic country would be well rid of you, because you don't fit.  You are the round peg in a square hole.  Where will you move to?  What country would want a person with such racist views?  Try Zimbabwe, or Palestine.  Get a taste of that!

LOL!!  Are you seriously saying that a half black President, and his fully black wife, are going to ENSLAVE Americans????

LOL, LOL, LOL.  

<blockquote>Talk about racist.  Just look at the people that he surrounds himself with; Rev. Wright, his wife, Louis Farican.  They are all radicals and lets face it Obama was raised Islamic.</blockquote>I feel sorry for you I truly do! How terrible it must be for you to live with so much hatred in your heart. You might want to stop listening to Rush Limbaugh and Fox News and start thinking for yourself.The points you are spouting off make you sound like just another Right Wing 'Nut'. The time of the Conservative Party is coming to an end... enjoy your last few days of H*ll .<blockquote>  Go ahead all of you empty headed people and follow the mainstream media and vote for Obama. </blockquote>Empty headed? Are you serious? I think it's time for you to have a good listen to all the babble rattling around in your own head. Obama will make a great president and I'm proud to say I WILL be voting for him.<blockquote>We will be living in an Islamic country with only socialist views. </blockquote>Last time I checked we still live in a Democracy with three working branches of government and it would take more than just one person to 'convert' us all to a socialist or an Islamic country. This comment just goes to prove how out of touch with reality you truly are.

If Obama is elected I will pack up my family and move

Don't let the door hit you in the backside on the way out and good riddance.

When Joseph Lieberman was running for Vice President in 2000 nobody gave any serious thought to Joe making the country keep kosher, even though he is an orthodox Jew.  So why are people claiming that Christian Obama will forcefully convert the country to Islam?

Besides, I thought one of the conservatives' complaints about Obama was how his pastor, Rev. Wright, was influencing him.  Isn't Wright supposed to be a minister connected with the Trinity United Church of Christ?  Why would a Muslim pay any attention to a Christian pastor?

Well there, my suggestion to you is you best get to packen. Cause a wind blowen and the old white dude is going to lose by one of the largest margins in history.

And I am as white as milk but I'm voting for the most intelligent person to run for the office of president in my life time. I'm proud to be voting for Obama and I'm a Vietnam Veteran as well.  But unlike McCains claims most veterans don't think very highly of McCain who has been AWOL when it comes to voting on veteran benefits!

Doyle, you just hit on the one question that I can not find an answer to. Why do so many people hold McCain up as a military hero but he has such a poor track record when it comes to veterans issues. I wish someone would ask him for a response on that.

If Obama is elected I will pack up my family and move.

Be sure and leave us your address here.  One, I'm extremely curious to where you will move, as I'm not sure there are many countries dominated by white people that aren't looking forward to an Obama presidency.  Two, we'll all send you postcards of the inauguration.

Why don't you grow up and live in twenty first century of change and diversity. Rev. Wright made statements on what he experience in his past just as our grandparents do. You can hear a lot of things that you don't like, does not mean you believe in them. Remember slavery was a past tense that rattle everybody nerves. You have old people in the south, black and white who have been neighbors and friends and enemies who endured those times, but some of them changed. I don't care what state you move is not going to save your grandchildren from diversity of change. What you're running from is just round the corner of any neighborhood, that may be your grandchildren's friends. That black person you hate maybe thier teacher, baker, or co worker and maybe the doctor that saves thier life. So don't but all people in the same category because of a sermon you heard. I looked at roots and seen Malcolm X movies doesn't make me hate, that was in my grandparents and parents time. I teach my grandchildren to look where we came from and how much progress were made, and longs as they respect others and look beyond thier race and what happened in the pass. They have the opportunity to be and do anything in America if they work hard. Obama passed the requirements to run for president as a U.S citizen.

Obama 2009

Kimbal--wrong, wrong and wrong again.  Obama did not "surround himself" with Wright or Ayers or Farakkan.  He is not a muslim (and even if he were--you probably dont know the first thing about muslim teachings to make such a perjorative judgment--BTW muslims by and large dont include hatred as a religious tenent).  Remember how horrified America was of our first Irish catholic president? It just never ceases to amaze me how vapid, uninformed ideas spread like wildfire, while thoughtful deliberate and informed ideas find resistence at every turn.

Ladybmore

Why don't you grow up and live in twenty first century of change and diversity. Rev. Wright made statements on what he experience in his past just as our grandparents do. You can hear a lot of things that you don't like, does not mean you believe in them.

Now I can't believe that you really believe what you wrote.  He was not telling a story  as his grandfather would, he was PREACHING TO A CROWD.  He had Children, young people and old, sitting in his audience and he was teaching them to hate White People and their government. He was telling lies, now when a Minster Preaches lies, I lose all respect for them.  He should be teaching the Love of God, not that God hates America.

Kimbal,

Can I help you pack?  You represent everything that is embarrassing about this country.  Your ignorance oozes through your message and it's shameful that you are teaching your children to hate.  I am not agreeing with Rev. Wright....but YOU were never a slave, so you have no idea where these messages come from.  You do not even possess the intellectual ability to understand the message in its context....you are so simple minded that you take it on face value.  I have news for you....other countries are not as tolerant of bigotry, stupidity and narrow mindedness as America is...where will  you go? 

We WILL NOT be living in an Islamic nation if Obama is elected.  Our First Amendment freedoms are in far greater jeopardy under a McPalin administration.  Just check Palin's track record on commingling church and state.  Before you get all giddy with excitement at the thought of a christian being is such a position of power, bear in mind that Palin's all about HER brand of christianity, NOT yours. 

Kimbal and noway..

you're really twisted...failed to realize that the Obama/Biden administration will still be white..no doubt..sorry to say black folks arent really into politics...
#1 you need to listen to the whole Ayers speech if you're going to call him a racist. It was taken out of context....but then you wouldnt understand anyway..
#2..i am black..well half but anyway...i am not voting for obama because he is black..but because he is the obvious choice.... ..and like chris rock said..if it were flava flav (some old rapper)running for president, he wouldnt feel proud and neither would I...most of us feel that way...because we dont need another ignorant a&& to make the whole race look bad (kinda like what you're saying)...so with that being said...blacks are not voting for Obama because he is half black...but because he is most intelligent choice...(most of us are already democrats, duh)

SingleMomof 2 boys

sorry to say black folks arent really into politics...

Powell

Rice

African American politicians

You were saying?...

AB:

She means from a voting perspective. Many black people do not vote for varying reasons, usually because they don't feel their vote will count. I have run into this skepticism about voting here on the ground in Ohio when campaigning for my candidate.

There's a big socio-economic aspect to differences in voting amongst ethnic groups in Ohio. I taught in inner-city Ohio schools, and the political correctness of the Boards of Education is just making things worse for kids. Many of these kids have completely dysfunctional parents (or no parents, just possibly grandparents for the lucky ones). The manufacturing economy is sinking faster than the Titanic.

So, yes, non-existent family structure, a terrible economy, schools where teachers aren't allowed to keep order -- all contributes to a sense of hopelessness, apathy, and to throngs of people not even aware that there is an election in November.

thedoctori:

Precisely what I was talking about. It is this myriad of factors that help inhibit the black and poor white vote and that hurts Democrats. IMHO the reason Republicans at the state level have not tried to seriously fix the school system is the same reason that national Republicans backed NAFTA: to weaken the communities that most strongly supported their opponents. From their perspective, why fix public schools when leaving them broken depresses your opponent's voter turnout and you can put forward a charter school bill whereby you can give select contracts to your friends so they can line their pockets with the state's tax money? Honestly, I classify this argument no differently than the conservative argument that Democrats create poor people dependent on government to win elections. The flip side of that coin is that Republicans economically and educationally decimate those same people to win elections.

Want to see a REAL EMPTY head?....Look in the mirror! And by the way...I thought we Dems. and libs. are all over educated and too smart for political office! and then you accuse us of having "empty heads"....I would venture to say that educated heads are FAR from empty! or is it just that OUR heads are full of the things like Freedom, Democracy, TRUTH equal rights,compassion for others,you know things that real human beings think of!

Well said Ms. B, bravo!

I second that. This country is in major trouble. i cannot believe we are discussing this in 200-freakin-8 I really just don't know what to say. As an African American I truly wanted to believe that things have gotten better. However, I log onto my computer  and realize that we haven't come that far. Sure the lenchings have stopped, and we can vote (sort of), but the overall mind set hasn't changed much at all. How is it possible to see anyone making excuses for the actions of Palin/McCain?? Alternate opinions aside, there isn't any kind of way that anyone can justify allowing "kill him" to go unchecked at your own campaign rally.

Very well said indeed I never suffered slavery nor do I believe anyone in my ancestory, but I had misfortune of serving my country in Vietnam.  My unit was 90% black I had my life saved on a number of occassions by black men.  I returned the favor on a number of occassions.  The big lesson for me was when we lay side by side on the ground bleeding from our gunshot wounds, as I watched my blood run together with that of one of my fellow black soldiers I could not tell his blood from my own.  WOW we both bled red blood.  I hope this is making some sense to some readers!

I hope this is making some sense to some readers!

Been there, done that, got the P-38 to prove it.

Seriously, I hope that race is becoming less and less of an issue in our country. But sometimes I really have to wonder and worry about it.

He is aware.  Campaign first, well being of others, second.  He just wants to win.  He hasn't figured out he doesn't deserve it...yet.

All I can say is this:

I am a white woman who cut my teeth watching the civil rights movement unfold on television.  Even then, I knew how wrong it was to treat human beings so abusively just because they had a different skin color - and that view has not changed in all the years since.   I was ashamed of my own race for a while, because of all we have done to oppress others.    But I have also been proud to vote and work for equality for everyone, and inspired that so many others have come to the realization that such minor differences as skin color do NOT matter - that the only thing that really matters is what MLK said, "the content of your character". 

I believe Obama is the best hope for America's future.   Not because he is black, or because he can make a wonderful speech.   I believe that because of his intelligence, grasp of reason, ability to find common ground with others, and willingness to listen to others and admit when he's wrong.  I believe that the content of his character is exactly what America needs right now. 

This is why I will vote for Obama.  It is also why, if I should ever find myself in a situation where I could put myself between Obama and a bullet meant for him, I would do it in a heartbeat.

Not because he's black. Not because he's a Democrat.  And certainly not because I "worship" him as some NV'ers have suggested.  

I would do it because I have a son, and I believe that Obama is the one who will make this nation, and possibly the world, a better place for my son, and for my future grandchildren. 

Oops, that was supposed to be a reply to the comments in the section above.  Don't know how it ended up here. 

Oh well...

Maureen:

I believe Obama is a statesman of the caliber of FDR and that is what our country needs right now: someone to renew it.

Maureen Nower-

I hope that you understand what a Socialist Government is if you think that is what is going to save our Country, you are dead wrong.

I could put myself between Obama and a bullet meant for him, I would do it in a heartbeat.

The only person that I would take a bullet for is one of my CHILDREN or GRANDCHILDREN,  You need to rethink that statement.

Not because he's black. Not because he's a Democrat.  And certainly not because I "worship" him as some NV'ers have suggested.  

Sounds like worshiping to me!

I'd take a bullet for any human being, my life is no more valuable than that of the next person.

I'm an Barack Hussein Obama II supporter and find it incredibly stupid when anti-Barack Hussein Obama II folks suggest that all or even majority of Barack Hussein Obama II supporters view him as their 'messiah'.  What an incredibly ignorant generalization.  Especially in my case, as I'm Agnostic Atheist.  Just more misinformed smears except in the direction of Barack Hussein Obama II's supporters.

BB should consider any patriotic American would disrupt an assassination conspiracy against our president or a presidential candidate by any means necessary.

Scott Issacs

So you are saying that you would take a bullet for John McCain if he were to become the President of the United States. 

The people who takes a bullet for them are well paid, and that is there job.

I would take a bullet for John McCain now. Violence in American politics should be frustrated by clear acts of civility.

Completely off-topic either way.

Arcanebliss

Yes it is off topic, but when someone makes a statement as that it seems worthy to comment on.

Most of these postings are off topic.

BB-375952

Yes it is off topic, but when someone makes a statement as that it seems worthy to comment on.

There's absolutely nothing wrong with Maureen's comment.  She stated that she grew up during the civil rights period and witnessed what African Americans did to make sure that they received equal rights in every day life. That was entirely in line with this article.  She's explaining in summary why she supports her candidate.  She feels that he will be what's best for her family, herself and as a whole - this nation.  She outlines the positive attributes to his character. 

I'm not sure if you've been paying attention to the news lately - but the GOP heads have been pushing a big character assassination campaign against the Dem candidate during a time of financial turmoil.

It isn't about 'worship' or viewing the candidate you support as the 'Second Coming'.  Such irrational assessments belong in an elementary classroom, not in an adult discussion over politics.

I'm not sure if you've been paying attention to the news lately - but the GOP heads have been pushing a big character assassination campaign against the Dem candidate during a time of financial turmoil.

arcanebliss-

I am up on the News and I stated that McCain has done nothing wrong, but Politics 101.  He is not guilty of what this article implies.  He has spoken the truth of Obama's association with Bill Ayers.  Obama has mentioned his association with Keating 5, but didn't mention his colleague John Glenn was also exonerated with McCain.  I fell to see the difference here except one is Republican and the other Democrat.

BB-375952

He has spoken the truth of Obama's association with Bill Ayers.

"He Lied" About Bill Ayers?

October 10, 2008
McCain cranks out some false and misleading attacks on Obama's connection to a 1960s radical.

"(Bill) Ayers and Obama ran a radical education foundation together."

John McCain on Thursday, October 9th, 2008 in a Web ad

Not a radical group, and Ayers didn't run it

BB-375952

Obama has mentioned his association with Keating 5, but didn't mention his colleague John Glenn was also exonerated with McCain.

McCain intervened on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators... that allowed Keating to continue his fraud at an incredible cost to taxpayers.

Barack Obama on Monday, October 6th, 2008 in a Web site

Obama revives an 80s scandal

So it's clear that McCain did "intervene on behalf of Charles Keating with federal regulators" – language lifted almost directly from the Senate committee report. And McCain also "championed legislation to delay regulation of the savings and loan industry" – as he acknowledged in his own book. It's debatable whether the first of those actions "allowed Keating to continue his fraud," and the second certainly didn't, since the legislation didn't pass. But yes, Keating's fraud did exact a huge cost from taxpayers. We find this claim Mostly True.

I really wish the McCain people would quit saying that he was "exonerated" in the Keating Five debacle.  McCain was reprimanded.  Having your butt publicly chewed and being told "you used poor judgement" is not exoneration.

JoJo

I really wish the McCain people would quit saying that he was "exonerated" in the Keating Five debacle.  McCain was reprimanded. 

And I wish that the Obama people would quit sweeping his friends under the table like they don't exist.  The likes of Farrakhan, Rev. Wright, Frank Davis, Ayers, Rezko, Raines, Johnson, Khalidi, ACORN and Hamas and the worst of it all the list goes on.

Again, John Glenn was in the Keating five and along with John McCain, was Slapped on the wrist for the involvement, but of course, he is a Democrat and that doesn't matter.

I'm starting to learn the convenience for some in ignoring comments that discredit their argument.  Good thing the comment is viewable to all and can not be hidden.

arcanebliss

Actually my argument hasn't been discredited.  I know about Obama's association with ACORN, I know about Obama's first meeting was in the living room of Ayers' home. I also know that Ayers isn't the worst of the people he is friendly with, but none the less, I think it isn't right for him to act as if he didn't know him when he has praised Ayers's Book and Ayers admits the bombings in his book.

I did check out something that you linked and it started off with Obama says.....so I dismissed that immediately.

lmao

Way to completely ignore the FACTS laid out by both politifact AND factcheck. 

Most excellent.

Continue on your misinformation tirade, I don't expect to change YOUR mind about anything - just making sure everyone who catches sight of this discussion is fully aware of the facts that discredit your argument.

Arcanebliss

I am afraid that it is you that who is not heeding to the facts.  Obama wants to take his Chicago Politics to the White House and that is unsettling to say the least.

As I said, I don't plan on changing your mind about anything as it's clearly set.  You stated very clearly:

I did check out something that you linked and it started off with Obama says.....so I dismissed that immediately.

So how you can suggest that I'm not providing any facts when you pointedly refuse to read any of the facts I've laid out because the article starts off with a statement Obama made shows how much you care to educate yourself.  Such a closed-minded approach to life is something I've found regularly in those who consider themselves 'anti-obama' and make a point of pushing misinformation.

I won't be responding, have a great night.

Arcanebliss

You will not need to respond, but I want you to realize if I had linked something from A John McCain site or anything that started out that McCain said, you would also dismiss it. 

And of course, nothing can change your mind either, so I haven't been trying to, but I have the right to an opinion.

BB,

John Glenn isn't running for president.  So why should Glenn be brought up, other than to let you point a finger and say "see, it's not just McCain who screwed up, someone else, a guy who retired from the Senate ten years ago, was also involved and also was reprimanded"?

JoJo

So why should Glenn be brought up,

Because, Obama thinks highly of him to announce him (Obama) at the Bruce Springsteen concert, that is why......so he has been forgiven by the Obama team I would think McCain should be also....

Gotcha.

I'm sure if McCain showed up at a Springsteen concert that Obama was at, then he'd be introduced.  I'll send an email to that effect to the DNC immediately.

JoJo

HUH?

You were claiming that Glenn got a free pass from Obama because Glenn showed up at a Springsteen concert and was introduced.  What that had to do with McCain getting reprimanded by the Senate Ethics Committee only you know.

JoJo

Thought there might be a little misunderstanding here.  No, that is not what I meant, John Glenn introduced Bruce Springsteen at the Concert for Obama, and has done other surrogate work for Obama.

Of course there's the minor little point that Glenn isn't running for President.  His fellow Keating-Five mate, McCain, is.  So you can say all the nasty stuff you want about Glenn and it doesn't mean a damn thing.  Glenn got reprimanded just like McCain did.  Big yawn.  Glenn isn't even a senator any more.

Glenn and McCain were both pilots.  That has nothing to do with which one is more presidential.  For that matter, your buddy George W. Bush was also a pilot and one of the worst presidents ever inflicted on this counry.

JoJo

No, Glenn isn't running for President, but Obama doesn't think that him being involved in the Keating 5 is all that bad because, he is calling on him to do a little surrogate work for him.  If McCain is all that bad for being in the Keating 5 group, then so is John Glenn.  They both were EXONERATED, Slapped on the wrist, excused, got away with EVIL, whatever you want to call it.  They both were there and that was about 20 years ago. It is just ironic that they were all Democrats except for John McCain.

BB, John Glenn introduced Bruce Springsteen at an Obama rally...

Also worth noting,

Former Sen. John Glenn, D-Ohio, spent part of his Sunday afternoon stumping for Sen. Barack Obama's space agenda. On a conference call with reporters, Glenn backed Obama's plans for NASA, saying Obama's plans represent a reversal from funding cuts during the Bush administration.

Doesn't sound off to me, considering Glenn is one of the first people I'd go to on advisement over NASA and it's needs.

I criticize Glenn for his involvement in the Keating scandal...  However, while Glenn is taking a couple of calls regarding the Space program for the Obama campaign and introducing a musician at a rally...  John Sidney McCain III is running for president.

Yes, Arcanebliss, I know that is what I have been saying, and he is also doing surrogate work for Obama. None the less, Obama sees him as being exonerated and having him work for him so I would say that weakens the assault on John McCain and Keating 5.

In August, while appearing at a forum on faith, McCain was asked to name three "wise people" he would listen to. He cited Lewis (emphasis added)

Do you realize that you are bashing one of the three "wise people" McCain said he would "listen to" for advice? If you don't like John Lewis and think he is a "racist" shouldn't you be repulsed by John McCain as well?

Rep. John Lewis is a prime example of a racist. Yes, a Black American can be a racist. He doesn't in his case like White Americans. For some reason; people with his view (Congressional Black Caucus,NAACP,Etc), think they are owed something for events that occured 140 years ago.

Wow  this has just left me speechless. This comment is just off the charts of a whole lot of things. So what you're saying is McCain trying to start a race war is a good thing and anyone who might speak out about it is a racist and doesn't like "white people"?

You yard bird klucker, Where in Gods name do you get off calling John Lewis a racist? This man has suffered at the hands of you KKK Kluckers for over half of his life. Yes Black people can be racist, anyone of any color can be a racist.  But only some idiot klucker would be stupid enough to call Congressman John Lewis a racist!!!!!!!

Your argument is that John Lewis is a racist... because white people feel guilty about slavery? There's about a dozen steps missing in your argument to get from here to there. That's Underpants Gnome Logic.

Rep John Lewis is a giant in the history of men period, he has fought the good fight his entire life. I'm proud to be white but I'm proud that we have such great men like John Lewis and Senator soon to be President Obama.

Maureen,...If only those so-called White Christian Values-Voters that Palin has whipped into a frenzy had just half of your common sense than this all would be a non-issue! Remember that guy at a McCain rally that stood there yelling about how MAD he was?  he was right!...HE is Mad!...as a frackin Hatter! And he asked..how did we get in this position? well his attitude and the attitude of all of those around him are the reason!

An excellent point, now we most pray the seeds were as infertile as the minds they may have landed upon.

Doyle - Yes. Unfortunately, the seeds of hate will grow in almost anywhere.

McCain defends Obama, at HIS rally, and the media makes it sound like McCain is at fault??

The best part was when John McCain told his supporters that they didn't need to be scared of Obama and got booed for it. I guess even his base doesn't like what he stands for.

Earth to Jay..Earth to Jay... McCain didn't defend Obama until after the comments became a problem. He's suppose to not promote hatred at all. That's like rewarding a bank robber for bringing back the money after he robbed the bank.

all the Obama fans (as ugly as they treat others) are the majority here.

Hmmm...ugly? I've yet to hear an Obama supporter threaten bodily harm to either McCain or Palin. I'd say those firing against "the other" take the cake here...

I agree. It's amazing.

McCain can not shrink from the responsibility of sending his attack dog out there for the last week to stur up the right wing nut jobs.

Attack dog might be to kind for that right wing Attack Mut  Her Royal Highness got caught lying so much for the great reformer? Ethic my backside

The only thing McCain is catching heat about is for not speaking out sooner and letting things get as far as they have. Personally, I was pretty impressed to see him do it. I don't think it's something his campaign handlers wanted to see him do.

Now, if someone could please tranq the Ice Queen of Narnia and put a muzzle on her we might be able to quell these lynch mobs...

If McCain wants me to believe he doesn't approve of the smearing going on, then he needs to publicly admonish Palin for all of the mud she's been slinging.

Hear, hear.

McCain has said that Obama is a decent man.  He hasn't said "and my running mate is wrong to suggest that he isn't."

America with all her warts is still the best place on earth in the place where you would go you'd love living under the Todd palin types until you disagreed with one thing they said then you'd be led to the shower.

"...I don't want to be infested with 3rd world inhabitants through unchecked illegal immigration..." infested?!? Granted, opposition to illegal immigration is a legitimate and defensible political viewpoint, but, to put it charitably, referring to concentrations of any ethnic or socioeconomic group as an "infestation" is absolutely unwarranted. Not too keen on the secession angle, either. However, when you speak of a spirit of selfishness, irrespective of party, you do have a point.

America is not, I repeat, NOT the best place on earth.  There are many countries more beautiful and much more prosperous than we are.  This is akin to the lie that we are the "richest nation on earth", while being saddled with an $11 Trillion national debt.  Best place on earth, richest nation on earth, blah, blah, blah...they've been drummed into our heads until some actually believe it.  Unfortunately, the facts do not agree with these lies.

As far as the Todd Palin types leading us to the shower, our own elected officials are not only leading us to the shower, they are sending us down the drain.

Here in Texas, we have 23,507,783 people as of the last census.  This is 11% larger than Australia.  79% of nations have a smaller population than Texas.  Also, Texas' annual GDP is $1,065,891,000,000.  This is 32% larger than Australia's. 93% of nations have a smaller annual GDP than Texas.  More federal tax money is taken out of the state of Texas than is given back to Texas taxpayers.  This is not a benefit to the citizens of Texas.  Also, Texans don't need Barney Frank, Nancy Pelosi, and their ilk shoving their progressive agenda down the throat of Texans.  If citizens of Massachusetts and San Francisco like them, thats wonderful. They can remain progressive if they like. They can have gay marriage, gun control, endless social programs with no restrictions, whatever they want.  At the same time, if we want to display a bible in our courtrooms, that will be our right as well.  No harm, No foul.

Also, if Texas were to secede, we could tell the ACLU where they could stick it without fear of legal action. We could seal our own damn border without some environmentalist group telling us that we can't because we might harm some minnows in the Rio Grande. We could drill off our shores, then sell it to those "progressive" states that refuse to drill theirs.

The federal government is like the Titanic.  Its going under and there is nothing anyone can do about it.  Social security is wiped out, our retirements are wiped out, we are $11 Trillion in debt with NO WAY to get out of that hole.  Balancing the budget won't do the trick because our debt still increases due to the interest on the debt.  And even with this debt, our politicians in Washington STILL gave away $48 BILLION more of our taxdollars to Africa this year, not to mention the countless other billions given away to other foreign governments.

I loved my country at one time. I served my country at one time. But never again will an American flag fly from my house unless its flying upside down. The federal government politicians have sold us out and I consider them all (republicans AND democrats) traitors to this country. They are in office for one reason and one reason only.  To line their own pockets with lobbiest money and gifts. Yet after this coming election in November, Nancy Pelosi will STILL be in office dictating policy to Texas, Barney Frank will STILL be in office dictating policy to Texas, Chris Dodd will STILL be in office dictating policy to Texas, Harry Reid will STILL be in office dictating policy to Texas, and my taxdollars that I earned in Texas will STILL be pulled from my paycheck to cover the living expenses of some shiftless person in Detroit, Michigan that has never worked a day in their life.

Secession may not be good for every state, however.  Take California, for instance.  They are so mired in liberal policies that they can't afford them all.  They have a mayor in Los Angeles that welcomes illegal immigration and provides for them with American taxdollars.  They don't have enough taxbase left in Los Angeles to pay for all their programs unless they taxed what taxpayers they have left at 80% or more.  Therefore, Los Angeles is smothering in debt.  Yet they STILL continue providing for another countries (Mexico) citizens.  California NEEDS to be a part of a larger coalition of states (the U.S.) so that more prosperous states can help fund their various handouts with federal taxdollars.  Texans shouldn't have to send their hardearned money to a state like California, or a city like Los Angeles. Let them wallow in their own financial stupidity. Maybe they'll spend wiser if they know that the golden goose is not going to lay anymore golden eggs.

Like all bad relationships, sometimes a divorce is needed.  Many states would excel if it were to divorce the United States.  States could still provide produce and do business with each other, just as countries do now.  We could still have alliances and provide financial assistance to each other if individual states are in need.  But we would see a return to states rights without federal government intervention and taxation. We would all keep our own taxdollars in-state to spend on our own citizens without having to build "Bridges to Nowhere" in Alaska and planetariums in Chicago.  Or purchase $500 toilet seats because of some contract signed in a backroom political deal.  Take the federal government out of the equation and most states would be far better off.  And the states that are not better off would have to change their ways in order to become more self-sufficient.  We would have a direct say in every single politician that made decisions with our taxdollars.  We would NOT have some elected official from another state, of whom we have no power to elect or reject, making decisions that affect our lives and livelihoods.  Certainly secession would be painful in a sentimental sort of way, but with the mess we are now in, and with no ability to ever get out of it, secession seems to make the most sense at this point.

NJP,

I stand by my choice of the word, "infested".  I know it sounds harsh and maybe it is.  But I'm not one to mince words to avoid hurting feelings.  I call it like I see it, though I'm certainly not always right.

I chose the word "infected" because I work in areas with a high concentration of illegal immigrants.  These people came from a 3rd world country and they bring their 3rd world habits and customs with them when they cross the border.  The quality of life goes down in any area that they ultimately chose to inhabit (or "infest"). 

This is not to say that most aren't decent people on a personal level, but rather because they do not miraculously shed their 3rd world habits upon crossing the border.

A perfect example is Los Angeles.  Los Angeles is nowhere near the beautiful California city that it once was prior to Mexico moving north of the border. Seriously, take a look at what it has now become. The differences between then and now are just sad, to tell you the truth. There's no other words to describe what happened other than an infestation of 3rd world inhabitants, turning a once beautiful and prosperous city into a 3rd world hellhole.  Sure, some areas are still nice, but these are the areas that haven't yet been infested. Look at the areas that have and you will see the deterioration.  Much like an infestation of termites will destroy a house if left untreated, so it is with illegal immigration.

Yes you should have been around when the Irish infested New York, Or the German infested it or the Italians infested it. We have problems in this country and we badly need imigration enforcement and reform. We don't need kluckers spreading hateful speech.
Texas that is funny if it had not been for men from Kentucky and Tenn and several other states you would all be speaking Spanish and Texas would still be part of Mexico.  Or are you one of those Right Wing Nut Cases that is going to say there was never a fight at the Alamo.  Like you all love say their was never a Hitler killing six million Jews.
You are lucky you live in a country that is not lead by Todd Palins or hey would hunt you down if you happen to disagree with their crap, oh but you'd likely be one of the people along side Todd doing the hunting.  Sadly we are infested with far to many hate mongors that want to kill or somehow get rid of any of us that think differently than them.

The more I think about it, the less I'm opposed to Texas seceeding from the Union.  Take your uber right wing, fundamentalist church-ruling-the-state, bigoted way of thinking and keep to yourselves.  Please, before you do, would you be so kind as to go to Washington and fetch Crawford's idiot and take him back to the village? 

I do believe George W. Bush was born in New Haven, Connecticut.

Sadly I fear you may be right, this country will emplode if there is another assassination. Could anyone blame the black community for turning to violence if Senator or President Obama were to be murdered by a crazy white man?  Hell I'm white and I think I'd join their ranks if they'd have me!

Yup we'd have you. Although, as an African American, if that happened I don't know exactly what I would do. After the anger, I think it would set in that maybe this country is lost.

If that were too happen this country would be lost and deservedly so. With the state of our economy if he were murder the cities would burn and again I believe rightfully so.  This country would never recover perhaps rightfully so!  For our Bill of Rights and our Constitutions would be lies.  A country built on lies should not survive. It has taken over 200 years to get to wear we are on the verge of saying these two documents really mean something!  Let us pray for our country, let us pray for the safety of Senator and I hope soon to be President Obama.

Lewis bowed to intimidation from the Obama camp

lmao

So, what you're saying is that, had Lewis continued to support Hillary, he would approve of the lynchmob mentalities that are popping up at McCain/Palin rallies -- fires that McCain's campaign stoked for political gain?

lynchmob mentalities

LOL

During some rallies featuring McCain and Palin, supporters have shouted "traitor," "terrorist," "treason," "liar" and even "off with his head."

Real funny isn't it.

He changed because anyone with half a brain can see that McCain is having more and more senior moments everyday.  Anyone with an IQ above luke warm does not want even think of Palin as President.  Yes she brought him the far right nut jobs but she cost him any chance at the middle. His stupid choice of her cost him any chance at winning the election. Perhaps we have all witnessed a devine moment!

but she cost him any chance at the middle

Yep! And any chance at thinking Republicans too. Just look at all the columnists from the National Review/Wash. Po./Wall St. Journal moving towards Obama!

No, Doyle, it had nothing to do with McCain. You're welcome to dream, however.

arcane, you're welcome to laugh off whatever part of your body seems appropriate. Take it up with NPR, which reported it.

You're backing a loser. Why? Because even Obama wins, he has succeeded in setting this nation back by entire decades. By the way, he claims he'll change America and the world. The world? That fellow talking about regime change?

I highly doubt that NPR reported specifically "Lewis bowed to intimidation from the Obama camp"But you're welcome to... How did you put it?  Ah yes, dream.

backroads:

You need to come to terms with the fact that, unless you're backing McCain only, you're backing a radical faction akin to the Weathermen because the people showing up at these Palin rallies are openly saying they want to kill Obama. How do you think that's going to go over with people that back Obama? What the hell would you do?

demi, he lost the courage he displayed during the civil rights era and bowed to a disgusting intimidation which has been the Obama campaign's hallmark.

 he lost the courage he displayed during the civil rights era and bowed to a disgusting intimidation

Seriously, where do you get this stuff?  It's hilarious.  Maybe if you repeat yourself a third time - it will actually be true.

Seriously the guy or gal is twisted way to far to the right.  When they lose their grip and start spinning back they'll hurt themselves.

arcane, ever listen to NPR? Too busy laughing off body parts?

NPR is all I listen to on the FM radio.

backroads:

You're wrong. I'm betting he bowed to no pressure considering the kind of people that wanted MLK dead are showing up and vocally saying they want Obama dead. If I was John Lewis, I would not need prodding I would simply need permission.

lol

No way, Scott.  You and I both know that NPR would make as partisan of a statement as "Lewis bowed to intimidation from the Obama camp". ;]

Sorry but you have to be at the level of a kindergardner if you believe John Lewis takes marching orders from anyone. He stood and faced the cops with fire hoses and police dogs, he took the beating at the hands of kkk klucker like the people shouting out at Palin rallys.  Open a book read some history before you make a fool of yourself!

In God We Trust well that what it says on now worthless dollar bills.

I hope you are a professional writer for if you are not then you are waisting a wonderful talent. Your words strike me as coming from the heart and not just a desire to push your own political agenda.  I hope come November 4, we do turn a page and make history in my life time. I'm a white man that will be ever so proud of my country if it will elects the best person and this time around that is Senator Obama!
Me I'm not nearly as talented as you nor do I wish veil my desire for Senator Obama to win.  I wish I could not cast stones at the the people that try stir up hate and fear but I'm getting older and less patient.  I want to see my country live up to its promise in the Bill of Rights and the Constitution.  I want the sacrifices I've made for Civil Rights to actually amount to something in my life time. Its selfish but I want to see that standing up and being counted when no one else had the courage to do so was worth the bullet I took in the head for trying to do what was right, even though it was not popular.

Very good point sadly the old soldier is having far to many senior moments than we can afford.  I fought in Vietnam and I'm only 56 but I think some times I have to many senior moment.  I'm voting the younger mind this time!

Sure, just as long as I don't hear "off with his head" when I'm standing next to you. :)

Now, Cecil Paul, yours is a theory that holds water for me.  But you know very well that a change is rare when polarization has taken effect.  What McCain and Palin have done is their desparate last resort, but what they have done could have the scariest of results, and I don't mean by Obama just losing at the polls.  Recent history indicates otherwise, and should history repeat itself the whole world will suffer, and the USA doubly so.

WOW I thought I was long winded but by the way I happen to agree with you!