NEW Short update up

[John L]

I know there seems to be a contest for who can post the first thread about the latest update...I don't normally play because it's too easy for me to win ;)

But Janis has written a short mid month update, which is linked from the front page...or you can go straight to it from here: http://www.janisian.com/news-joebigot.html

[Chet]

Sorry, John L, but Janis pipped you to this. She posted the entire mini update in The Zoo:
Joe the Bigot (http://janisian.com/forum/showthread.php?t=6851)

Well, okay, there's no signature in the one she posted.

[RandyVa]

On the topic of McCain. This was an article that appeared in The Wall Street Journal of Friday October 17th. Take a very close look at the article and who owned slaves. Then take a very good and close look at Lillie McCain especially the eyes and see who you think she looks like. And use your imagination when you read the article.

http://online.wsj.com/article/SB122419511761942501.html

RandyVa

[DaveM]

The article raises an age-old, but always-relevant question. Who is the more accomplished: the man born to privilege who continues a family tradition of success or the man who succeeds despite beginning with nothing and facing opposition all the way to the top?

One may safely presume that the "black McCains" were not in a position to call in favors when it came time to get an education or to buy real estate.

[Marcia Drummergal]

Reminds me of last election when someone tore down our "Kerry/Edwards" sign. I had to go down to their headquarters and order another sign. They were out of them because so many had been torn down. We put the sign back up and didn't have any more problems. But at that time, I didn't hear of ANY "Bush/Cheney" signs being torn down. You are right to be concerned Janis. I think it is the Republicans (not all but too many) who are the "Un-American" ones. Scary!

Marcia :mad: :rolleyes:

[Jim in Chattanooga, TN]

It absolutely amazes me that this type of stuff goes on in this day and age. Is this country moving forwards or backwards? I have always voted from the heart and would never make a decision based on gender, race or party affiliation. In this election, I feel Obama has the vision this country needs.

I also feel that the "Republican Good Ole Boy Network" may say they would vote for a woman on the ticket, but I doubt it, and you know they would never vote for a Black man. On the other hand, I live in a predominantly Black neighborhood and none of my African-American neighbors are voting for McCain. The only A-A I think who may vote for McCain is Condi Rice, and since her tenure is coming to an end and she's got nothing to lose, who knows what she might do when she gets into the voting booth. Racist remark? No. Just fact. The Black population has been waiting for this moment for decades.

I don't think this election will be as close as people think. All polls may not be accurate and no one has asked me through a phone call or e-mails but I think at his stage of the game with all the problems, people will associate McCain with "another George Bush for four more years" putting Obama in the White House.

Like I said before, keep an eye on Ohio. No one has ever won the Presidency without carrying that state. There are many large cities in Ohio with a large inner-city Black population and the fact that McCain pulled out of Michigan, which has similar industry and economical problems to Ohio, shows Obama should win there.

Which would you rather have as our new leader: an articulate, intelligent Black man who represents a change in direction or a tired old White man with an inexperienced running mate who wants to continue the same policies that haven't worked for eight years? For me, this debate is over.

[aabram]

Got there!!!! I'm stunned, and don't know what else to say.

Annabel

[trish55]

I have to take note that up here in my neighborhood there have been instances where Mcain posters where actually stolen from peoples lawns. I dont think either way it is right. I think if I am not mistaken one of our freedoms includes freedom of speech. I was terribly dissapointed that Hiliary didnt get nominated and can remember thinking if McCain selects a woman to be VP I will vote for him on that basis. But then came Palin. I couldnt vote against my conscience which tells me to be against this war so I couldnt vote for McCain under any circumstances. I didn't like the idea of an Obama presidency but why..I had to do some reflecting. I have always been quite liberal and maybe some of it was my prejudice or I would like to think I was just disheartened that Hiliary was not the nominee. Anyway I heard on one news program that at least 6% of the votes will be cast against Barack Obama solely because he is black. It looks like prejudice, racism, ignorance is still here in this great country. But I can remember growing up and not seeing one woman or one black person in any elected position. Progress is slow I guess.

[Denise]

I just read this....then called my 19-yr old daughter in the room. She is voting for the first time, VERY excited about it, and voting for Obama. We have watched the debates together, read newspapers and searched online about their views, etc. and I am right there with her.
She truly thought that this treatment was something of the past. What an eye-opener and what a shame....

[Bat]

I can recall being amazed at the first commercials that featured black faces in them...and it wasn't very long ago, either...maybe 10 years at the outside.
All I can say is: People better get used to seeing them, being neighbors, and getting over their cultural hang-ups. The more we integrate, the more we see the black argot clearing up into actual English, more pride in being Americans, not thinking of themselves as former slaves, but real citizens of this country. I think if Obama is elected...dare I say 'When'?...we will see an upsurge of pride and respect for learning start to really take hold in the black communities like nothing else has ever been able to instill.

As black pride and self-assurance becomes more apparent, the bigots are going to fade into obscurity, since they will have less and less support from the rest of the country, as evidenced so far by the years of school integration.
Sure, the bigots are out there, and they will be for a long time, but they'll die out, or find someone else to hate.

I was so impressed with the black people in Europe...they are wonderfully accepted, and it is really fun to hear London blacks, (most much darker than ours), come out with impeccible English accents! :D It is very easy to forget they are a different color, since they have totally adapted to their surroundings, as any people have to do when they are transplanted from their origins. (When in Rome...)
They usually have not come from enslavement histories in Europe, so their take on things is very different from our black folks here...their families have been well educated and accepted as equals from the start over there, and that has to make a huge difference in how they view themselves, a viewpoint that is just starting to come to fruition here with each succeeding generation.

I didn't mean for this to become a saga, but, in a nutshell, I think a black, or at least half-black, president will be a very positive influence on the equalizing of the American peoples of all stripes...might even filter down to us po' gay folks. :p

[hoops]

this is exactly why i think now is the time for an evolution. time to stop accepting the old ways that aren't working and haven't every really worked and to evolve. i think, i'm not sure, but i think the best way to make this happen is to be the one who can be looked up to and respected in all parts of life. of course non of us are perfect, but people can tell when you are trying to be good. if this makes sense, and i hope it does, thanks for reading
peace
hoops

[AceOn6]

Having been around since the civil rights movement, I see this as no more than people being scared. Those who perceive themselves on the bottom of the social totem pole don't have the self esteem or sense to evaluate their choices... geez, some of them believe that we shouldn't have choices at all. Scared people do stupid things. Scarier still, there's no way to reassure them that there's nothing much to be scared about.

[Rickster]

During the last debate between Obama And McCain...I closed my eyes and listened. McCain is a "Hothead" and Mudslinger. (I don't care if that's part of his campaign m.o.)I don't want someone like that running this country (And God forbid if something happens to him) I certainly do not want Palin in there. She's paints a picture of being to good to be true. Obama seemed to be forthright, calm, cool and collected. We certainly do not need another hothead like McCain running this country that will interfere in decision making!