Disqus - Latest Comments for Ronnie B

Re: Ask Questions, Get Answers from John Kerry on the Environment

Ronnie B — Thu, 19 Apr 2007 09:47:00 -0000

A couple of months ago, a new piece came and went, whereby the city of Atlanta was ranked as one of the worst cities for the environment. Some of the reasons were our relative lack of parks and open space.

While it's true that we could desparately use more parks and green space, we could also give our environment by improving our modes for transportation and people-moving.

Here in Atlanta, there is still a Deep South notion that if people-moving and transportation are too easy, it might encourage more suburban integration than many folks are comfortable with. As such, state lawmakers--if they want to keep their jobs--are forced to reinforce this unspoken sentiment.

At what point might the federal government weigh in and provide the leadership necessary to improve air and environmental quality by mandating transportation alternatives?

Re: It’ll Be Better When We Take Over

Ronnie B — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 14:48:00 -0000

For the most part, I agree. Collectively, we understand that so many guns in so many hands is not a healthy and safe thing. But if and when we amass the political power to stop the prolific flow of guns and gun sales, we MUST exercise the political power to ensure that guns are kept away from unstable and criminally-inclined people.

That means, in my mind, that prospective buyers must satisfy additional criteria before they can purchase--no different than a car. Prospective buyers should have to:

*pay a registration fee

*show proof of gun owner's insurance

*take a gun owner's test every x-number of years

*be cleared through a national mental impairment database

Kinda hard core, I know. But by the time we have the political numbers in our favor, hard core solutions will be all that are left.

Re: Rush Limbaugh Presents: Obama the Magic Negro

Ronnie B — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:01:00 -0000

anyway ...

I also saw the vid. Predictable and expected race-mocking by Limbaugh. Worse is that he has a loyal following to which this kind of racial mocking appeals. I can't wait to hear or read the opinions of the Walter Williams and Larry Elders and Jesse Lee Petersons on this.

And speaking of Black-hatin', when will Jackson and Sharpton stop trying to make Obama kiss their rings? It's gotten to the point where they hardly even speak Obama's name. It's childish really. It's almost as if they're trying to set up a scenario where Obama is forced to make an "us or them" choice. It's as if they want Obama to be a guaranteed loser so as to make their losses all the more plausible.

I'm starting to believe that there are many Black folks who truly don't want Obama to win this thing.

Re: In the News: CBC Struggles to Regain Lost Dignity

Ronnie B — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 10:46:00 -0000

What the hell were they thinking to begin with?

A network that is a known hostile toward Black and Brown communities, and the CBC wants to legitimize them? Unreal.

Re: University of Virginia Apologizes for Slave Labor

Ronnie B — Thu, 26 Apr 2007 12:00:00 -0000

Here in Georgia, the legislature is still quibbling about the apology/profound regret issue. Several white legislators have offered the standard "I didn't own any slaves, so I'm not sure what I should apologize for" remarks. But a few weeks ago, a news story came out that the State of Georgia actually bought slave labor for various State projects. So now the legislature is in a unique position to apologize, not on behalf of individuals, but as a governmental body.

On the one hand, I have never appreciated a forced apology. At the same time, I resent the way American society has moved on as if slavery and Jim Crow were simply things that occured in a vacuum. What makes things worse, the same people who constantly demand that we "get over it", have no problem celebrating Confederate Memorial Day and other such traditions.

Still, if we're owed a formal apology--which we are--then so be it. But I'd rather see and appreciate substantive acts like college set-asides or private school subsidies.

Re: "Stop Snitching"? — 60 Minutes, Stop Lying!

Ronnie B — Fri, 27 Apr 2007 15:02:00 -0000

Co-sign with Angry Independent. Lamont Hill may not have been attempting to defend "Stop Snitching" by comparing the same walls of silence in police departments and the uuper echolons of government. But he comes close enough.

I understand that we shouldn't hate the player, we should hate the (wall of silence) game. My position, though, is that we shouldn't even be a player in that game. Cops often stay behind the "blue wall" because they don't value our community. Politicians hide behind walls of silence because they don't value their constituency (including Black folk). But where's the value in refusing to turn in the killer of an innocent Black man, woman or child? Who's valued by refusing to snitch on the guy who slings crack in our grandmothers' neighborhoods?

Let's be careful about drawing some of these moral equivalences. After all, if we don't take the lead, government ain't gon' follow.

Re: Driving While Black: Proof It’s Happening

Ronnie B — Tue, 01 May 2007 08:26:00 -0000

Co-sign on the statistic validation of DWB (although I remember when that report came out in '02). Bush actually acquiesced to the facts of the report, and said a few--a few--words about it. Still, we shouldn't have to wait until 2002 for official validation of something that we've always known to exist.

And although I'm a strong Obama man, I agree that he might be making things harder than they should be. One reason that he probably hasn't raised CBC PAC money is because his campaign boasts that they aren't taking PAC money--it'd be somewhat hypocritical of him to reject PAC money donations, while fundraising for a PAC also. If he already gave $5K to the CBC PAC a year ago, he's either going to have to fall on that sword and offer a mea culpa, or he's going to have to change his position and accept PAC money so that he can raise funds for them.

This is where we in the Black community have an opportunity to think outside our colonial walls, and see the bigger picture. We can either use this as one more reason to say "see, I told you he wasn't Black enough", or we can anticipate what the remainder of the voting public is waiting for: a viable, likeable, and electable Black candidate who's been sufficiently beaten down from within so that, ironically, they don't have to.

Re: Barack Obama: From Community Organizer to Community Destroyer

Ronnie B — Wed, 02 May 2007 15:33:00 -0000

I recall working as a volunteer for Bill Clinton's campaign back in 1991. What struck me most was the arrogance of some of the staffers. Not appreciating some college kid telling me-- then a 30-year old husband and father--what to do, I quit.

Point being, nearly all of these campaigns are staffed with 20-something and 30-something smartasses who have no clue how far-reaching their near-sighted actions can be. At some point, this will come to Sen. Obama's attention, and he'll do what he can to make things right.

Has the Obama campaign been made aware of this? If so, what was their response?

Re: Barack Obama: From Community Organizer to Community Destroyer

Ronnie B — Thu, 03 May 2007 12:27:00 -0000

One could argue that young Mr. Anthony might--might have been engaging in a little trolling: starting the Space with the hope that it exploded like it did (caveat: I'm over 40 and don't really do MySpace).

Many years ago, like back in the like early '90s ... like ... domain trolls did this; they'd go to Network Solutions and buy the rights to URL's similar to Ford.com or Xerox.com--before such corporations could get around to it--hoping to cash in on a license or royalties.

To my knowledge, though, you can't cash in on the goodwill built up by someone else. And let's face it; I don't know Joe Anthony. But I do know Barack Obama.

Re: Followup on Obama’s "MySpace Not YourSpace" Controversy

Ronnie B — Mon, 07 May 2007 11:56:00 -0000

In a trillion-tree forest, Obama's campaign seems to have cut down the wrong tree.

Re: Lack of Gender and Ethnic Diversity on Cable News

Ronnie B — Tue, 08 May 2007 09:05:00 -0000

If there's anything that I'm passionate about, it's the lack of a Black and Brown presence in media. And if there's a key to our success over the next half-century, it's going to be our power in the media.

Ask yourself this question: do whites and non-Blacks understand Black people through me or through media? Now, anyone who's awake, sober and intellectually honest, knows that whites and non-Blacks generally have an unfavorable impression of us. Sure, they may have an intelligent, articulate Black friend--don't they all?--but at the end of the day, you'll notice that their perception of Blacks-at-large is generally more negative compared to their "friend".

And that's the power of media; it can shape the perception of an entire people. Yet Black men and women have little to no empowerment in creating, shaping or correcting those perceptions.

Here in Atlanta, the story of the day--everyday--is crime, crime, crime. Every single network news outlet leads and finishes their broadcast with the crime blotter. Yet every single network news outlet is run by a white station manager. And it's the station manager who's ultimately responsible for news content as well as the personalities who present it.

We gotta wake up, folks. We can no longer afford to allow white and non-Black people to dictate who were are and, more important, who we are not.

Re: Black Men — Stand with and not Against Black Women

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 May 2007 16:38:00 -0000

Who issued the edict that if one marries white, then they are anti-Black? Who is bigger than the entire Black community to say that my marriage to a white woman is an assault on and offense to a Black woman? Obviously, there is no cogent, intelligent or logical answer to these questions. But it does point to a level of shallowness that some would even insult our intelligence in trying to answer.

Love who God brings to you. If I no longer had the love of my life, I'd gladly marry a Black woman. Or an Asian woman. Or a Latina.

Re: Fox Attacks Blacks — Again

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 May 2007 12:29:00 -0000

Kind of reminds me of the "Willie Horton" ad that George Bush Sr.'s peeps put out during his campaign.

Not sure how or why the CBCI thought it was a good idea to climb in bad with folks who would portary Black folks in this way.

Re: Michelle Obama - the latest Racial Rorschach Test

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 May 2007 08:50:00 -0000

What worries me most is that Black folk who continue to drink the haterade, aren't alone in their distorted preference for dysfunction. Much of America is enamored with the ugly underbelly of life. Shame.

As to how Black folks will receive Michelle Obama, one need only look at the marriage rate in the Black community as well as the larger society. Can Michelle Obama truly be appreciated ... anywhere?

Re: Dennis Kucinich as the Black Candidate? Not if he’s in bed with Fox

Ronnie B — Thu, 31 May 2007 08:09:00 -0000

Always liked Kucinich's fire-in-the-belly. And although he makes a very fair point about having the courage to debate anyone anywhere, he needs to realize that Fox News shouldn't be patronized and legitimized by Black folk or anyone of goodwill and decency.

Like any other business that would make a profit by mocking and insulting me, I won't patronize Fox News if that's how they roll.

Re: Fox Pretends to Mistake Conyers for Jefferson

Ronnie B — Tue, 05 Jun 2007 15:05:00 -0000

What FOX News needs to know (and see) is successful television content that portrays upstanding Black and Latino citizens in a positive and more accurate light.

So while we demand better of FOX News, we've got to place more demands on powerful Black and Brown people in media to move toward that end. The reason that FOX News does this kind of stuff is because they know that they don't have to compete with another point of view: ours.

Re: Conyers Smacks Back at Fox News

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Jun 2007 11:19:00 -0000

I think the only reason that FOX News "apologized" at all, was so that they and their loyal viewers to can continue to have plausible denial of their bigotry.

Can't afford to make it too obvious.

Re: Black Women Want to be Maids in White Homes

Ronnie B — Tue, 12 Jun 2007 08:24:00 -0000

If anything, Derbyshire appears to be a shining example of the white person who's never bothered or desired to know Black and Brown people.

Had he gotten over his closeted fear and loathing at an earlier age, he probably wouldn't feel so clumsy, self-conscious and awkward around us today.

"I don't know how to act around Black people; and it's all their fault" is what I gather from him.

Re: What Do Straight Man Mag Maxim and Lesbian Website AfterEllen Have In Common?

Ronnie B — Thu, 14 Jun 2007 09:24:00 -0000

Good gawd, why are people still trippin on this?

It's not like light-complected Black folk are actually oppressing, holding down or otherwise discriminating against darker complected Black folk.

This subject matter is as old as negroes in America. You mean to tell me that in 2007, people still harbor such petty jealousies?

Unreal.

Re: ObamaGirl Video — Harold Ford-style Fraud?

Ronnie B — Tue, 19 Jun 2007 08:52:00 -0000

I agree; this video is truly an insult to Obama the father AND husband. To accept it as merely silly and fun, is to concede the stereotype that Black men are still playa's and hustla's at heart.

Re: Black Farmers Suffer From Discrimination

Ronnie B — Wed, 20 Jun 2007 17:47:00 -0000

Although I'm glad that the Post ran this, it's unfortunate that the plight of the Black Farmer hasn't been known before this.

Pigford v. Glickman was a case filed back in, I believe, 1997 against then-USDA head Dan Glickman, in the Clinton administration. It was a class action on behalf of Black Farmers all over the US. The case was "settled" and a consent decree was issued by the fed. As part of that decree, an Office of the Monitor was established to monitor the administration of payments, claims made, etc. I happened to work for a law firm that handled tasks for the Monitor. And there were literally days-on-end where I took phone calls asking "where's my check". These farmers had been waiting for months--some for years--to be compensated. And all the while they were waiting, the same old rednecks at the same old USDA offices were doing the same old thing. They were still finding reasons to NOT make loans to Black Farmers.

It's a wonder that there are any Black Farmers left.

Re: Black Farmers Suffer From Discrimination

Ronnie B — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 08:15:00 -0000

Oh, I definitely agree. The Clinton admininstration was well aware of what was going on. The field offices of the Dept. of Agriculture--more specifically, the Southern field offices--were run by the foulest of rednecks and racists. They weren't about to give credit loans to Black Farmers ahead of White farmers. And the USDA was the last available life line when private banks wouldn't grant loans to Black Farmers. Talk about being screwed.

As I said, I believe Clinton was aware of this. His administration might not have been hostile, but it was certainly apathetic.

Re: Clarifying the Crush on Obama Video

Ronnie B — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 16:27:00 -0000

While I still have my suspicions, the makers of this video are no "friends" of Obama--one way or the other.

Re: Impressions of Tavis Smiley’s All-American Presidential Forum

Ronnie B — Fri, 29 Jun 2007 12:11:00 -0000

First, I agree that 5 of these candidates ought to make a graceful exit, so that the top 3 can begin to respond to questions in more detail, and to distinguish themselves from each other.

(sigh) Yes, Hillary had the soundbite of the night. OK? But at a time when one has the opportunity to speak candidly to a Black audience, is it really enough to just tell us what we want to hear? Is it really enough to put on the best show? If so, then Hillary wins every time.

Give plenty of credit to John Edwards for addressing the pervasive issue of poverty. But at the end of the day, the ordinary Black American isn't affected by poverty or unfair drug sentencing (as Mike Gravel presumed was the only issue we understand). Senator Obama fills that void. But if he's going to have the audacity to use the word responsibility within the same sentence as African Americans, he's going to continue to find plenty of cold Black shoulders. There's no greater illustration of that than recent polls showing Hillary capturing as much or more of the Black vote than Obama. No he doesn't have the pugnaciousness of Dennis Kucinich, but then Kucinich is a second-tier candidate. Obama is one who happens to be introspective, contemplative and deliberative. No he's not Jesse. No he's not Reb'm Al. But then looking up and outside of my own circle, he's not supposed to be. He's someone who might be president of every kind of American; an influencial leader of every kind of world citizen. That he doesn't possess the one-liners to bring a handful of Black folk to their feet only means that he won't be president of Black America anytime soon.

Someone else can say if that's a good thing or bad thing.

Props to Tavis for putting this together. It's a testament to his national credibility as a respected journalist and commentator. Not sure what made him stumble onto the FOX News set, but I can forgive him this transgression.

Re: Obama Is Not Playing

Ronnie B — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 09:20:00 -0000

It' amusing how the media portends to seek an answer to the most obvious of questions. They ask how it is that Obama raises more money from more individual donors, while not leading in the polls.

Seems to me that would-be voters haven't conceded to, and more importantly, don't necessarily desire a Hillary victory the way the media does.

Re: Hot Ghetto Greed

Ronnie B — Fri, 06 Jul 2007 12:13:00 -0000

If this were ABC or FOX preparing to run a show like this, we'd be protesting full force.

Seems to me that just because it's BET doing the lampooning, doesn't mean that we can't come out with the same force.

Let's show society that we're still not going to be $tereotypically ridiculed like this. Even if it's by one of our "own".

Re: Hollywood And The Civil Rights Movement

Ronnie B — Wed, 11 Jul 2007 08:38:00 -0000

If BET, TV One and people like Tyler Perry (for better or worse he does have power in Hollywood)aren't interested in telling these stories without mythologizing the white role in the Civil Rights movement, why should Hollywood at large?

The question--a very good one--aises the issue of demand, and who's attentive to it. Does the Black community demand more movies and other artistic expressions of the Civil Rights Movement? Are we? And if we are, and Hollywood is ignoring our demands, are BET, TVOne ignoring us just the same?

Or do our demands consist of more sitcoms, rap videos and better representation in talent shows and singing contests?

Re: Is (insert name here) a Racist?

Ronnie B — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 17:01:00 -0000

Whether or not the North Carolina mayor is "racist" is secondary to truth that he fortuitousy spoke.

Does he give a damn about grown Black folk? Black folk trying to keep their jobs; trying to educate their kids; trying to rid themselves of the stains of discrimination and segregation past? If so, then I would hope that he'd use his position to speak more on the subject.

Perhaps he can teach Hillary Clinton and John Edwards how it's done.

Re: Barry Bonds and Hank Aaron

Ronnie B — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:28:00 -0000

I'm down with Bonds (a) because I'm the same age, from the same part of town; (b) because, except for pitching, he's always had baseball talents that no one has ever matched; and (c) because he never bought into the exaggerated reverence of Babe Ruth or Ted Williams or Joe DiMaggio.

Am I concerned about the steroid suspicions? No. If he did use them for a short while, he didn't need to. And the rest of America shouldn't be too upset either, given the love that was showered on Mark McGwire after he broke Roger Maris' record while using a little some'm some'm.

But mostly I'm glad about Bonds because he passed over that fraud who was Babe Ruth.

Re: CNN/YouTube Debate Highlights - Reparations

Ronnie B — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 13:44:00 -0000

Credit Obama for providing the smartest answer to the reparations question. Clearly he has had discussions about the 20 Acres and a Benz question.

I say his answer was smartest because without saying "yes, I believe in reparations" (and kissing his campaign goodbye) his response contained the words "the reparations we need ... ".

Ironically, Edwards and Clinton said no. So I'm hoping now, that those who are disingenuously supporting Edwards and Clinton simply because Obama isn't "Black enough", will re-think their positions. Assuming they can think that far.

Re: CNN/YouTube Debate Highlights - Reparations

Ronnie B — Wed, 25 Jul 2007 15:19:00 -0000

I think you meant to post in the Michael Vick thread. Not the Democratic debate/reparations thread.

Re: Talk Back to BET’s Sponsors Who Support Hot Ghetto Mess AKA We Got To Do Better

Ronnie B — Fri, 27 Jul 2007 07:48:00 -0000

This mess is another illustration of the scarcity of Black men and women in positions of authority behind the camera. Obvoiusly there is a lacking of opportunities to portray and depict Black folk as serious, successful, law-abiding, faithful and ordinary people. But it seems like the first chance some of us get to do right by us, they restort to lampooning and minstrelsy.

Is lampooning the only opportunities that Black media types have, or is it all they can think of?

Re: The Media Loves Stories About Race, As Long As They Fit A Certain Narrative

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 10:46:00 -0000

By all accounts, it's clear that the cops' actions were abusive.

What, however, were the circumstances leading up to this?

Re: NBC Tricked You

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:16:00 -0000

It's both, in my opinion. Much of America chooses to view Black males through the prism of crime and illegitimacy. The MSM is well aware of this. As such, educated, productive and law-abiding Black men of goodwill are an offense to those peoples' understandings and "sensibilities" of things. In other words, a good brotha doesn't sell well.

On the other hand, there's a sizeable population of Black males who ain't about nothin'; who aren't reachable; and who are intent on sociopathy.

Re: It Ain’t Over In South Carolina Either

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 Nov 2007 13:32:00 -0000

I think Michelle's doing a commendable job of selling Barack to a constituency that--one would think--didn't need to be sold.

Barack is not a protest candidate; a gag candidate; or a one-issue candidate. He's legit. And while he's wise enough not to appear condescending by spoon-feeding many Black voters, he's smart enough to know that it needs to be done.

Enter Michelle.

Re: CNN/YouTube Debate on JJP

Ronnie B — Thu, 29 Nov 2007 08:41:00 -0000

Yeah, that little stunt by Hank Clinton's GLBT committee will come back to haunt her.

Rudy becomes less likeable each time I see him. Romney serves up more waffles than Roscoe's. And Fred Thompson thinks he's acting in some budget beltway movie, rather than seriously running for president.

Ron Paul was what he is: an inconvenient truth teller.

But Mike Huckabee continues to win me over.

Re: Washington Post Fuels Innuendo About Obama’s ‘Muslim Ties’

Ronnie B — Fri, 30 Nov 2007 09:18:00 -0000

I once worked on a case where one radio station was suing another for defamation because it was suggested that said station was the "station that Black people listened to". Apparently, being a "Black" station was defamatory.

I see a similarity here. If someone assumed me to be Muslim, why have I been defamed or slandered?

Obama would be smart to spin this kind of thing around, and start asking his "accusers" to state publically what's so wrong with being a Muslim.

Re: Hillary Clinton Comes out AGAINST Retroactivity for Drug Sentencing

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 11:55:00 -0000

On the one hand, if a disparately applied sentencing statute is tossed, then it's a clear admission that it was unfair from the beginning. Retroactivity is fair.

But we gotta think reeeeeal hard about the consequences. We know good and damn well that the prison system ain't about rehabilitation and correction anymore. It's a warehousing system. Brothas will be cut loose with no contributory job skills; no education; and barely an ability to function in "free" society.

If Obama is smarter than Clinton, he'll articulate the need for a counter-balance. In other words, if we're going to release people because it's fair, then we gotta have some sort of re-entry programs for newly released, non-violent ex-cons already in place. We as a civilized society can't have a system for paying your debt to society, without having a system for making sure that you're then able to contribute to society.

Re: Showtime at the Apollo, featuring Barack Obama. Why Wait

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 12:32:00 -0000

What a shame that TV One didn't take an opportunity to broadcast this.

But won't it be an even greater shame if Cathy Hughes doesn't take the opportunity to be a part of something great.

Re: Hillary Clinton Comes out AGAINST Retroactivity for Drug Sentencing

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 13:25:00 -0000

While the simplest solution is abstinence, human nature proves that solutions are also required when people fail to abstain. So, while you're right to suggest abstinence, we must also be confident that our system of laws are fair to all of us.

Re: Chris Matthews Wants To Sponsor Obama For Just 25 Cents A Day

Ronnie B — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 16:25:00 -0000

Cosign, rikyrah. They really can't help themselves. People like Matthews have worked so hard their entire lives to be able to selectively ignore Black men like Obama, that today their minds short-circuit when they have no choice but to acknowledge him and pay him his due.

Re: Andrew Young - go somewhere and sit down

Ronnie B — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 08:15:00 -0000

On the one hand, Mr. Young's comments were ignorant, yellow, and somewhat surprising. I thought that he might be one of the old guard who refuse to drink the kool-aid.

On the other hand, this kind of "support" for Hillary might just seal her doom in this race. Black folk of the post-Civil Rights generation, critical thinkers, and contemporary idealists, are flocking to Obama in droves, and they're not put off or intimidated by Obama's cross-over appeal.

So if Hillary is content to have the support of Reverend Chicken Wing and his greezy-fingered congregation, let her have 'em.

Re: Andrew Young, I Hereby Revoke Your Black Card

Ronnie B — Fri, 07 Dec 2007 15:19:00 -0000

Re: Andrew Young, I Hereby Revoke Your Black Card

Ronnie B — Tue, 11 Dec 2007 08:22:00 -0000

Know what? Let people like Steele and Young continue to portray Hillary as "blacker" than Barack. Because, while it offends and insults most of us within the community, whoever is the "blacker" of the two will likely lose favor in the eyes of white independent and moderate democrat voters.

So let these nigras continue to shill for Hillary. She will eventually distance herself from them anyway, and they will eventually either stay home or swing their votes to Obama. Either way, Hillary her doom is sealed.

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 11:21:00 -0000

Oh they will. And we know they will.

If and when Barack is the nominee, I believe the GOP will not only exploit race, they will spin it in such a way that Barack will be to blame for it.

Now, they don't want to have to do that, but they will. This, in my opinion, is one reason why they're so intent on Hillary getting the nomination. That way, they don't have to appear so obvious in their racial politicking.

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Dec 2007 13:37:00 -0000

The biggest difference between Obama and ANY potential Republican nominees is that he hasn't been a "politician" as long as they have.

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 08:19:00 -0000

And that makes him a viable candidate because he doesn't "know" the system?

It makes Obama a viable candidate because he is yet to be systematized. Which is precisely the excuse that some people seem to so desparately need.

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 10:56:00 -0000

If Obama had no knowledge of the "system" and how to work it, he'd never have been elected as a state senator, let alone a US senator. He would never have gotten laws and initiatives passed in Illinois.

Hell, if he didn't have the competence and aptitude that you claim he's lacking, he'd never have been able to get into Columbia or Harvard, let alone graduate from and shine at those institutions.

Come on, now. The neophyte you're describing is Mike Gravel, not Barack Obama.

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:00:00 -0000

Correction:

I know you don't question Obama's competence and aptitude per se. I just don't think you give him the proper credit for having the same in order to understand, navigate and work said "system".

Re: Obama Pulls Ahead in S. Carolina. Oprah Effect?

Ronnie B — Thu, 13 Dec 2007 11:18:00 -0000

We agree that the country and the world have changed, and that things are headed in an uncertain direction. At the same time, there really are no other candidates who distinguish themselves beyond being experienced in the current "system". A system that is proving to be not only a failed one, but one that doesn't appear to be appropriate for our new and changing times.

So ironically, we're at a time where, as far as experience is concerned, less is more.

Re: Bill Clinton on Charlie Rose about Obama - ‘ Who does he think he is?’

Ronnie B — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 14:43:00 -0000

Huh? I don't see the "boy" accusations and connotations others are seeing here... Please help! Explain!

Most people have been conned can spot a con. And it's not surprising that those who've never been conned, can't spot one. The con won't announce himself as such, and the con-job won't always be readily apparent. But if you acknowledge that cons and con-jobs exist in a myriad of ways, and if you're willing to be astute and cognizant of it, you might just spot a well-disguised con here and there.

That's kinda how racism in 2007 works. The racist won't announce him or herself, and their racism won't always be readily apparent. But if you're astute, cognizant and know that it exists in a myriad of ways, you'll be able to spot it from time to time.

Re: Is Hillary Clinton trying to ‘Willie Horton’ Barack Obama?

Ronnie B — Mon, 17 Dec 2007 15:05:00 -0000

I'm rollin' with Obama for the long haul. I'm in. I'm sold.

At the same time, I know what the Clintons know. That there's still something deep inside many--many--Americans where it's plausible (as opposed to absurd) that Barack may have sold drugs or pimped out women. That it's plausible he's still a "Muslim" at heart (as opposed to a Christ-loving family man).

Yes, Hillary knows this as much as any Black man or woman knows it. And she's using it for her short-term political advantage, rather than condemning it and those who espouse it. And that's why I won't vote for her. At all.

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 11:14:00 -0000

Now if we could just encapsule these very powerful and accurate positions, and get them to Tim Russert and George Stephanopolous ...

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 15:52:00 -0000

Well ... yes. He SAID some things that are assumed to be loaded with fear and distrust of a Black person who might ascend to a position of great power and influence.

And as bad as it sounds, it's an issue that Hillary may well be indirectly or benignly involved.

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 17:17:00 -0000

Personally, I think equating "underperforming black youth" with "niggers" is a lot extreme, and has a hint of elitism to it (i.e., making the assumption that those who "underperform" are automatically "niggers").

That's fair; "niggers" may be a bit too strong. At the same time, it's proper to conclude that there's something implicit in Kerrey's statements. And those implications are age-old and very real.

Ask yourself why White-dominated media, pundits, etc. aren't opining about and analyzing John Edwards' or Hillary Clinton's "whiteness". Yet they can't help reminding the country that Barack is "African American"--even when they purport to be doing so in a good way.

It's these constant reminders of "Blackness" that has heightened my (and many others') concerns.

Re: Nazis Are Mad They Can’t Bring Their Guns To Jena

Ronnie B — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:37:00 -0000

d

You're more than welcome to argue the procedural aspect of white supremacists marching on MLK day. Others, however, will (acknowledge and) be much more concerned with the substance of it.

Re: Nazis Are Mad They Can’t Bring Their Guns To Jena

Ronnie B — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 08:59:00 -0000

Fair enough, d. And you're not wrong on the points you raise.

I'm just practicing my verbal "jabs" this morning. :)

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 16:20:00 -0000

I know conventional wisdom says these [suggestive racial] tactics will backfire, but I can't help but think it's dirty but quite effective in two of the 'whitest' states in the country whose citizens' "familiarity" with Black folks is limited media images of exagerrated Black male criminality.

One reason you're right, is because we won't see such tactics in the South Carolina primary. But unfortunately, in Iowa and New Hampshire it's still quite believeable that NO Black person can be that good. Even Obama.

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 08:21:00 -0000

Speaking of Clinton sycophants, the National Enquirer (owned by Robert Altman, a Clinton backer and possible choice for Treasury Secretary) is now running stories about John Edwards and some baby-mama drama. Who knows who credible or non-credible the stuff is, but the tabloid shyt's already being thrown.

Look for Barack to suddenly be a former drug-dealin' / closet Moozlum / Disciple gangsta very soon. Cuz since that's all they've got, they're damn well going to use it.

Re: Obama Leads Among Black Voters In SC

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 14:14:00 -0000

The only way that Kerrey's apology means anything, is if it comes with and upon further reflection, I've decided to withdraw my endorsement of Hillary Clinton, and have asked Senator Obama if he will accept my endorsement of him for President of the United States.

Otherwise, Kerrey's "apology" letter is simply taking one for the team.

Re: Obama Leads Among Black Voters In SC

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:28:00 -0000

What's really sad here is that I don't recall-and someone correct me if I'm wrong-Obama HIMSELF ocming out and saying he was offended. If that were the case, there'd be a point for this apology.

Well, apparently it doesn't matter that Obama didn't call a presser to denounce Kerrey's backhanded comments. Clinton's folks saw that damage control was necessary and likely asked Kerrey to "apologize".

Kerrey wouldn't have done so if the Clinton Corner didn't believe that their low blow would cost them a few points.

Instead, it may end up costing them the fight.

Re: Bob Kerrey on Barack Obama — A Modest Translation

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Dec 2007 15:48:00 -0000

... personally, I'd want JC Watts, if only for him to be able to just have the air of ' kiss my Black ass' to those who dogged him in the House and did him wrong.

Co-sign. The House ReThugs treated JC like he had a tail. I wouldn't blame him if he wanted nothing to do with any of 'em. That said, I'd love to see him on a Huckabee ticket.

Wouldn't all those enlightened GOP "big tent'ers" just love that.

Re: Just in case you thought Kerrey’s apology MEANT ANYTHING

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Dec 2007 12:05:00 -0000

The attacks are hardly in our ' imagination'. Chris Matthews did an entire segment on this, pointing this out...and he's hardly the most 'sensitive' person in the world. It's been disgusting that he, and Tucker Carlson, and Joe Scarborough, have actually spoken about this issue...they recognize the coordinated attacks, and Carlson, who never sees race, points it out, only to have those other White commentators stay like mutes.

rik,

I agree that the Clinton attacks are hardly imagined. At the same time, I damn sure don't see Chris Matthews, Joe Scarborough and--of late--Sean Hannity pointing out Clinton's attacks as somehow sticking up for Barack. I see these guys as merely trying to chip away at Hillary's veneer in hopes to secure an Obama nomination. Because they, like the Clintonians, are also of the belief that Barack's candidacy is doomed by his Blackness.

Believe me; these peckawoods are licking their chops for an Obama v.[Republican] race.

Re: Returning to News & Notes today (12/26) 1pm ET

Ronnie B — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 11:26:00 -0000

1. Barack needs to stand tall as a leader on Black issues, rather than kneeling down to kiss Al's ring. Barack should never have to "ask" what the issues are. Let the others do that.

2. Lukewarm on Kwaanza. I can take it or leave it.

3. I don't know if there's a war of Black culture as much as grown folks are trying to reclaim it from profit-driven degredation, and are trying to restore us to some semblance of societal relevance. So as long as our best chances at success still lie in arts and entertainment, then I suppose we can use all the "feel good" vibe that we can get.

Re: Returning to News & Notes today (12/26) 1pm ET

Ronnie B — Wed, 26 Dec 2007 14:45:00 -0000

1. Al Sharpton isn't the go-to guy. I don't really think Obama WANTS Sharpton's endorsement, but I don't think he can be seen as NOT wanting it - understand?

Yep. My concern was that it's the politically appropriate thing to do--at least for the average White candidate--rather than the "leadership" thing to do. But I do get the political nature of it.

I guess I was just hoping that a credible presidential candidate had finally come along and was able to say, "thanks Al, but I got this ...".

Re: Where are the Gun Rights, Second Amendment People With THIS Case?

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:20:00 -0000

Either way, something criminal happened.

Crime is crime, and just because someone called you a nigger, that doesn't-or maybe, "shouldn't" is the better word-mitigate your responsibilities under the law.

Crime is crime, eh? If so, then there were likely a string of crimes committed by the gang of thugs before Mr. White even drew his weapon. And when in the heat of a volitile situation, the last thing that the reasonable person is going to do is consider the nuance of this statute or that one.

I'm in agreement with rikyrah, to the extent that a white man at his own home, being racially threatened by a gang of Black thugs -- and who fired on one of said nigras after he slapped at or reached for the man's gun -- would have likely not been charged with manslaughter.

Now, I understand that an unarmed person was shot, and that the shooter did may not have retreated into his home. That makes a self-defense case difficult (depending on the state law). But in this part of New York, I think we know with confidence that a white man wouldn't have been convicted. He likely wouldn't have even been charged.

So where's the NRA? The pro-2nd Amendment crowd? The law and order crowd?

Re: McCain losing votes to Obama in N.H.

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 09:33:00 -0000

Disagree. I think Huckabee beats McCain based on moderation and temperment. Huckabee is demonized as the evil tax man, until he explains the use and rationale of this taxes -- and they invariably inure to the white middle class. McCain is too rigid and inflexible on taxation, and as such, doesn't demonstrate a much needed moderation for the job.

Huckabee v. Obama would be a much needed contest, and would be good for the country. But voters don't want that. They want to be rabid fanatics who root for their favorite political team.

Re: McCain losing votes to Obama in N.H.

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 11:47:00 -0000

Maybe rigidity, inflexibility, and stability are what this country needs right now. So McCain's an old cuss...at least he calls things the way he sees them.

George W. Bush is rigid, inflexible, and calls things the way he sees them.

Clearly those are proving to be undesirable traits in a 21st century president.

Re: Where are the Gun Rights, Second Amendment People With THIS Case?

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 12:01:00 -0000

When a crime is committed-even something as simple as harrassment, be it racially motivated or not-90% of the world calls the cops. Why didn't that happen here?

And this is where the pro-gun lobby would ordinarly step in and explain how none of us are guaranteed protection by law enforcement. In fact, I think there's a court case that they've been touting that speaks to the very issue of law enforcement being even less responsible for your safety than ever before.

Now, I'm not going to say that Mr. White shouldn't have retreated into his home, and called 911. I'm saying that it's hard to know where one's line of personal safety begins and ends with one's own responsibility for same. I know that in TX, you have the right to shoot someone in self-defense, even if they're not technically "in" your house. But I wouldn't know what Georgia's law is. Or New York's for that matter. Let alone all of the case precedent out there.

This is why I'm crying foul. A Black man draws his weapon and shoots a threatening trespassor on his property. Arrested, tried and convicted in the ordinary course of business.

A white man draws his weapon and shoots one of several threatening Black trespassors on his property. Investigation, grand jury, non-indictment, hero status.

Re: Where are the Gun Rights, Second Amendment People With THIS Case?

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 14:45:00 -0000

Here's why I'm not crying foul: unless there's a reversed situation out there (which there may well be), then race doesn't-or again, maybe "shouldn't" play into this. Mr. White shot somebody. Period. And no reasonable person is going to equate getting slapped with a threat to life.

Well, I shouldn't have to lock my front door at night. But reality dictates otherwise. As such, race DOES play into most aspects of American life.

Now, you don't think a group of white boys threatingly calling me NIGGER on my own property rises to the level of force. But what if the "slap" at your gun, knocked it from your hand and now one of these guys has it, and is still talking about NIGGER this and NIGGER that? Now you got a problem. Whatcha gon' do, Rich?

Well, you'd do the same thing that off-duty cop/Joe Bag-O-Donuts would have done. Some moolie fronts him up -- at his own crib -- Joe gets his 9, and Pookie tries to slap it out of his hand. Pookie gets blasted and Joe has to fill out some paperwork and other assorted inconveniences. But ain't nobody trippin' on the conservative side of town (yeah, that includes the DA's office). After all, law-abiding citizens are fed up with the arrogance and brazen-ness of these criminals today.

Re: The Republican Field of 2008.

Ronnie B — Mon, 31 Dec 2007 15:50:00 -0000

McCain may have "been there and done that" way back when. But America's dynamics have changed, which requires our leaders to do likewise.

McCain has gotten old, and old people don't like to change. He's more static than he is dynamic, thus he's not a good fit.

Re: They "Brought The Third World Here"

Ronnie B — Thu, 03 Jan 2008 14:28:00 -0000

If and when Barack wins the nomination, hopefully that caller will be the representative voice of the Republican base.

Re: BARACK OBAMA -THE WINNER OF THE IOWA CAUCUS

Ronnie B — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 08:11:00 -0000

B-Rock in the house!! The White House, that is.

One thing I know for sure: if/when Barack wins New Hampshire and South Carolina, the U.S. Secret Service may just have to protect Barack from the Clintons as much as the white supremacists. :)

Congratulations to Senator Obama, and congratulations to the caucusers of Iowa who recognized that a president can, indeed, be Black.

Re: Where Were You?

Ronnie B — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 15:36:00 -0000

I was in a hotel watching the results, wondering if bin Laden was cheering in his cave in Waziristan...

Well if there's so much happiness in Waziristan, hop on a plane.

Meanwhile, we're concerned about making some much-needed changes on the domestic front.

Re: Post-CNN analysis (videos included)

Ronnie B — Sun, 06 Jan 2008 15:33:00 -0000

Mr. Thurston and Mr. Washington,

Well done, both of you. Personally, I would have rather have heard more from you two than the Rev, but hey, the TV folks are smarter than me.

While I share in the spirit of Obama's pursuits, I can't help but feel that the CNN's of the world will begin to exploit things in a kind of Jerry Springer-esque fashion. And the last thing I want to see is Brother X debating Klansman X over an Obama presidency.

Hopefully, CNN and others will realize that we expect more from them.

Re: Obama vs. Giuliani and Romney: Latest Poll

Ronnie B — Mon, 07 Jan 2008 11:39:00 -0000

Agreed. Obama bespeaks leadership and hope for a changing America. Giuliani and Romney are all about winning one for the GOP "team".

I think Obama's worthiest GOP opponent is Huckabee.

Re: Hillary: You Negroes Better Thank The White Man For Your Rights

Ronnie B — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 08:56:00 -0000

2) Most importantly: Don't react or Don't feed the Troll (for a better word). The Clintons are experts in dirty politics. The beauty of the Obama campaign is to unite us all and not divide us. Especially on race. Don't you think it is quite weird that she would come out with bigoted expressions? It is calculated IMHO! If she divides and conquers she can try to get people on her side if Obama supports cry racism. Ignore the troll-like responses from the Clinton campaign. They are getting desperate as hell. Don't bite.

This is key. In many ways it's like the SNCC coordinators during the CRM, admonishing student activists to resist the urge to strike back at the racists who would try and provoke them. The very moment that it appeared that Black folk were "violent" was the very moment that we would have lost our credibility.

I see a parallel with Obama supporters and the Clintonites. They may try to bait us with the most ignorant of quips and comments, but if we can manage to make use of some political aikido, we can redirect whatever weak attacks they come with, and hurt them with it. It makes Hillary look as if she fell to the ground on her own clumsiness, rather than the stealthness of our technique.

Re: Reaction to Obama in New Hampshire and Abroad

Ronnie B — Tue, 08 Jan 2008 09:05:00 -0000

Dang! Makes me wanna move to New Hampshire and run for governor.

Re: Bradley Effect Rears Head In New Hampshire - CLinton Wins

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:13:00 -0000

Could the Bradley Affect have come from White women this time? In other words, could undecided women in New Hampshire have looked into the eyes of Michelle Obama and not identified with her--on any level--as much as they could--on some level--with Hillary?

Re: Why Don’t You Say What You Really Mean?

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:20:00 -0000

Damn, this is so tired. And shame on those brothas who came to that bimbo's defense.

... tell me she didn't say "lynch Tiger Woods ..."!!

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 08:58:00 -0000

"The air of inevitability"? That's rich, considering that Hank Clinton, until 5 days ago, has been the "frontrunner" and the inevitable nominee.

In the end, NH voters went into their private booths and searched their private thoughts and views, and voted against Clinton by a whopping 61%. Hardly a vote for stability and experience.

And if the Obama campaign needs to build in a 3-5% Bradley Affect margin, so be it. Strong, courageous, and unapologetic Black men have always had to be better than their white counterparts. Obama's smart enough to know that, and will prepare accordingly.

So congratulations on defeating the Uppity Audacious One in lilly white New Hampshire. Enjoy it.

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 09:57:00 -0000

One thing that I agree with, is that if Obama doesn't win SC, it will be because of 3 factors:

(1) too many uninformed Black voters who support the Hillary Clinton of the currently ineffective, spineless and entrenched Democratic Party;

(2) too many Black voters who are so intellectually impressed with themselves that they support the status quo of the GOP;

(3) too few Black voters who have the where-with-all to support Obama for the long haul.

Re: Bradley Effect Rears Head In New Hampshire - CLinton Wins

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:12:00 -0000

Unless you're saying that there's a relationship between polling and media, I'm not sure what parallel you're drawing.

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 11:55:00 -0000

d disingenuously cracks: on top of everything else: do we really want as president someone that has the potential to be this divisive?

I shouldn't have to remind folk that this is America, and that there STILL exists racial divisions through NO FAULT of our own. A qualified Black man without social, moral, or criminal baggage would dare seek ascension to the most powerful office in the world ... yes, it's going to create divisions. Some folk might think that kind of audacity requires some degree of head-scratchin', shoe-shinin' contrition, but not me. And not Obama.

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 12:29:00 -0000

d sez:
Ronnie-realize that there are some blacks (some of who read/contribute to this blog) who are/would be fully ready to go to war if another black said ANYTHING bad about Obama. That sort of racial division is no one's fault BUT our own.

Oh, now you're blaming Obama's Black supporters? Earlier you posited: "on top of everything else: do we really want as president someone that has the potential to be this divisive?" suggesting that Obama engendered division.

Which is it?

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:14:00 -0000

d sez:
"This divisive" among black people.

Sorry, not biting. We're either criticized for being monolithic, or criticized for being "divisive". Either way, Black voters' critics are pleased when we can be condemned, under-served, and under-represented.

Re: Bradley Effect Rears Head In New Hampshire - CLinton Wins

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:16:00 -0000

I think there's a young lady on the ground here in Atlanta who's in charge of getting young Black and Brown voters to turn out. I've heard her at least once on local Black radio.

Re: Reaction to NH Primary: Get the Patron, And Tell Em That It’s On

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 13:53:00 -0000

One problem I see with the "low country" vote is that, if they're as uneducated and non-intellectual as suggested, then they might be more receptive to Hillary's shameless pandering, rather than Obama's occasional call for responsibility and accountability. Moreover, Barack is a pretty cerebral man, and really hasn't developed the knack for dumbing down his message. But this only hurts him if that segment of voters small.

My concern is that some Black voters in SC are so conditioned to believe he can't win, that the New Hampshire loss will feed into that.

As I said many months ago when folk were asking if Barack was "Black enough", it may very well be Black voters who doom his candidacy.

Re: Clinton Preps Her Own Vast Anti-Obama Conspiracy

Ronnie B — Wed, 09 Jan 2008 14:49:00 -0000

To some extent, the attack on Trinity is already happening. Not so much in an organized fashion, but it's definitely chatter in various blogs and discussion groups.

Re: Women, White Privilege, And The Bradley Effect

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 10:11:00 -0000

A few questions:

1) Would those same NH voters have felt as much sympathy for a quivery-voiced and teary-eyed Michelle Obama?

2) How does Hillary Clinton expect to gain the respect of world leaders like Putin, Ahmedinajad, or Chavez by "crying" in front of the world?

3) Larry Elder recently quoted some statistics suggesting, among other things, that only 3% of those polled indicated that they would never vote for a Black candidate under any circumstance. Didn't Obama lose New Hampshire by a mere 3%???

Make no mistake; Bradley is in full Affect. It might not be as obvious as it was 20 years ago, but it's still alive and well.

3)

Re: What Do You Think He Was About To Say?

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 11:12:00 -0000

" ... can't make her younger, taller, [Blacker], male ..."

Bubba and Hank have damn near lost it.

Re: What Do You Think He Was About To Say?

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Jan 2008 12:49:00 -0000

The veiled resentment of Obama's blackness is something that I would expect from most Republicans. But it's obviously a sentiment within the Democrat party, too.

Ironically, I quit the Democratic party because the party leaders constantly refused to get behind viable Black candidates for leadership positions. The Clintons and Edwardses pretty much reaffirm my decision.

Re: Another ‘Isolated’ Racial Insult of Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 11 Jan 2008 08:37:00 -0000

Then again, I have a worry that the more people accuse the Clintons and their surrogates of race-baiting, the less it helps Obama. The deeply cynical side of me almost believes Mark Penn is baiting the black community to get angry to drive off white Obama supporters, or at least fence-sitters that could go either way. It's disgusting, but then, so is Mark Penn.

Yes, that appears to be the strategy. It's classic identity politics; the suggestion being that Obama's supporters are nothing but angry, militant blacks with chips on their shoulders.

I think what's necessary is for someone in media like Eugene Robinson or Donna Brazile (they seem to be the only Black folks allowed on the Sunday talk shows) to point out this strategy for what it is; caution voters to consider the sources; and continue their support for Obama with the same dignity with which he's running his campaign.

Re: Oreos And House Negroes: The Clinton Strategy Explained

Ronnie B — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 10:40:00 -0000

I've said this from the "beginning" of Barack's campaign. The issue of race will have arisen, and -- unfair as it is -- Barack will catch the ultimate blame. Most white people have always been uncomfortable discussing any issue of race; white Democratic voters are no different. Rather than remain in an uncomfortable setting, they will excuse themselves from the room, never to be seen or heard from again.

This is why Barack -- and any of his supporters with media access -- MUST NOT TAKE THE BAIT. The Barack revolutionaries must continue to asuage voters that all of this race language--where ever it came from--did NOT originate with him or his campaign.

Put it this way: someone laid down in the bed of racial politics, and the only piece of evidence is a blonde pubic hair. All Barack has to say is "it ain't mine".

Re: Oreos And House Negroes: The Clinton Strategy Explained

Ronnie B — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 12:13:00 -0000

1. Some element of the Obama campaign-be it his supporters or the campaign itself-is taking this stuff WAY out of context.

The issue of context is moot, to the extent that these types of things have actually been said.

2. The Clintons-and their supporters-are dumb for making these kind of statements, knowing full well that they're going to be taken out of context.

And to credibly admonish Obama or his supporters to ignore it, you first have to concede that there is, in fact, something contextual to ignore.

As you suggest, Obama's response will say it all. And I think all he has to do is indicate to the voters that all the crap that's being said, certainly isn't coming from HIS campaign ...

Re: Oreos And House Negroes: The Clinton Strategy Explained

Ronnie B — Mon, 14 Jan 2008 13:19:00 -0000

I think Obama should snap/fly off the handle/etc. in response. I'd actually like to see him get in the fray/get down in the dirt, just to see if he can actually do it.

And that's why damn near every white Republican and Clintonite are hoping for; the Angry Black Man.

Re: I Wish I Knew The Language of Fencing…

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:38:00 -0000

I also like the way Barack is using some political Aikido on the Clintonites.

I don't think it was in any way a racial comment," Obama told ABC News. "That's something that has played out in the press. That's not my view."

Translation: It was hella racial, but I'm not taking the bait. Let Hillary continue show her ass. I'm not showing mine.

Re: I Wish I Knew The Language of Fencing…

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 08:41:00 -0000

...another reason I don't like Obama is because he seems to have no "fight" in him. ...

Translation: Obama isn't acting quite like the nigger we need him to be. Darn it!!

Re: I Wish I Knew The Language of Fencing…

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 09:19:00 -0000

But all of this Clinton race-baiting isn't about national security or weighty domestic policy. It's just talk; talk whose purpose is to rile up Black supporters of Obama, while simultaneously turning off White voters who are either uncommitted or uninitiated in the sphere of race.

So in this instance, Obama is doing exactly what it is he needs to do. He's demonstrating that an all-out throw-down over every racial comment that's made to or about him, is not only counter-productive, but that won't be so easily distracted by it ... which is probably the criticsm you'd be leveling had he responded in the fashion you desire.

Re: Hillary Clinton on Meet the Press — Aftermath and Impressions

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 12:11:00 -0000

How absurd is it that the Clinton campaign is succeeding at making it sound as if Obama is using the race card. The campaign barely mentioned any of this, and Obama certainly never did, and yet Clinton surrogates keep repeating it until, unfortunately, white independents will believe that's what happened.
Despicable.

And that's exactly what's happening in the minds of white and other non-Black prospective voters. The race card has been played; the would-never voters now have their plausible excuse; the white and non-Black swing voters will be turned off; and Obama inexplicably (but by design) catches the blame.

Re: Hillary Clinton on Meet the Press — Aftermath and Impressions

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Jan 2008 15:32:00 -0000

If Obama doesn't win the nomination, he shouldn't accept the VP nomination. Clinton will lose without him on the ticket, and he'll be the nominee in waiting after that.

If -- if -- Obama does not get the nomination, I think he may be hard pressed to accept a VP offer from Clinton; he would be effectively endorsing the very politics that he's campaigning against.

But with each passing day, and with more and more people discovering what the Clintons are all about, he'll win the nomination.

Re: A Must-See, Listen, Read on Race, Gender and the Election

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 10:50:00 -0000

Very well done, Professor Harris-Lacewell. And thank you for crystalizing the thoughts and feelings of informed Black men and women everywhere.

I'd love to see you make the Sunday morning rounds (Meet the Press, This Week, etc.) but the way you summarily exposed the hypocrisy of white female privilege and feminism, I probably shouldn't hold my breath.

Thank you again.

Re: Black Voters in Michigan Prefer Uncommitted over Clinton

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Jan 2008 12:26:00 -0000

As if the Black (non)vote for Clinton wasn't bad enough, she barely cleared 50% of the total vote.

I'm sure that her people will spin this, but how demoralizing can it be when you're the only person on the ballot and barely eek out 50%?

Re: Attacks on Obama Wiki Update

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:46:00 -0000

OT, but I can't let it go...

Ron Walters, Dwayne Wickham and George Curry can't get on and be commentators...but,

WTF is Stephen A. Smith from ESPN doing on HARDBALL?

Because Stephen A. Smith offers a sport-themed reference to Black folk; something that Matthews and most of white America is most comfortable with.

DeWayne Wickham is nothing but an intellect and thought-provoking agitator.

Re: Black Voters in Michigan Prefer Uncommitted over Clinton

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 08:54:00 -0000

i would love to read something here about obama's economic policies in comparison to the other two frontrunners. i think he's recently come out with a stimulus package for this wretched, failing economy. how does that stack up against clinton? edwards? i've been on the road the last couple of days, suffering news deprivation. any news coming up here on that front? thx!!

I was listening to NPR on 1/16 and the chief economics editor for the WSJ stated that, of the 3 Dem candidates' stimulus suggestions, Obama's appeared to be the one that made the most sense. I believe Obama's suggestion was to route $$ directly to tax payers (about $250), whereas Clinton and Edwards were more in favor of an indirect allocation of funds that had less of a chance making their way to consumers.

Re: The Clintons, Nevada, And Disenfranchisement

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 08:38:00 -0000

May I respectfully suggest that Obama needs to reach out to Latino voters, now. Frankly (and I hate to talk in such terms) Senator Clinton's racism (is there another word for it?) is meant to resonate with Latinos as well as whites. A couple of days ago I saw Hillary smiling behind an "America con Hillary" sign. Again, I'm sorry to talk in such divisive terms, but if Latinos break for Hillary, it may all be over on February 5.

This could be a moot point if Bill Richardson endorses Barack.

Re: Satire Or Stereotype?

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:16:00 -0000

Ok, so it might be approaching the line. It's also hilarious.

And if you see it for what it is-satire-you'll see that it's not that big a deal.

Naw, Scatman; it's satirical if it depicts John and Elizabeth Edwards. It's stereotypical -- a Black man as a pimp and a Black woman as his ho -- when it's Senator and Mrs. Obama.

Re: Satire Or Stereotype?

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 16:53:00 -0000

You know, techinically speaking, Magic's right...you know, first term senator, not even through his first term. Granted, Obama has experience outside the federal government which may lend some benefit...but within it, he just got here.

Other than Hank's experience in the Senate (and pretending like she was married to a governor and president) what's her experience?

Exactly. Not much more than Obama's, except she wants to be the HNIC. Obama wants to lead.

Re: The Clintons, Nevada, And Disenfranchisement

Ronnie B — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 19:58:00 -0000

I'm not conceding a thing at this point. Yes, the Hispanic margin was larger than I expected, and with Richardson playing wait-and-see, an endorsement by a nationally known and respected Latino is crucial for Obama.

On the flip side, the delegate count was dead even, while the margin of victory was 6%. That leaves room for a pick-up of some Latino voters. Unfortunately, considering the schism between Blacks and Latinos, it might be too much to ask for them to accept a Black president (which would be seen as a "win" for Black people.)

Re: Nevada Results; Robocalls; Blacks and Latinos

Ronnie B — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 07:06:00 -0000

You just described -- perfectly -- my feelings about Clinton.

That said, I hope the media plays up the Hillary--Latino connection over and over and over again, until it has the same affect as the Obama--Blackfolk connection.

Isn't it a shame that in 2008, that the mere thought of a Black man having the audacity to assume a role not previously prescribed for him -- yet through no fault of his own -- could create such division?

Re: Nevada Results; Robocalls; Blacks and Latinos

Ronnie B — Sun, 20 Jan 2008 18:57:00 -0000

Let me say this right here and now: we CANNOT get sucked into a Black vs. Latino fight. The media -- who salivate at the prospect of racialized entertainment -- would be all over it, and it would severely hurt Obama's chances to make some needed in-roads among Mexicans, Cubans, as well as Afro Latinos.

If he can change the minds of folk who thought him "not Black enough", he can change the minds of a few Latinos.

Re: A Great Analysis By… Meet The Press??

Ronnie B — Mon, 21 Jan 2008 22:39:00 -0000

nmp,

Spot on! Doris Kearns Goodwin made the difference on MTP. Not only did she set the record straight about Reagan, but the entire panel essentially refuted the Clintons' criticism of Barack by pointing out how they said basically the same things that Barack said.

Re: Stephanie Tubbs Jones on Tucker Carlson

Ronnie B — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:19:00 -0000

I thought the congresswoman made the usually cynical and snarky Tucker Carlson look downright reasonable.

If people want to buckdance and shoe-shine for the Clintons, let them go right ahead. The more people on that ship, the faster it sinks.

Re: A Great Analysis By… Meet The Press??

Ronnie B — Tue, 22 Jan 2008 08:23:00 -0000

... see why I'm always harping about more Black news/program directors?

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:05:00 -0000

Obama was damned if he did and damned if he didn't. He would be roundly criticized in political circles had he passively allowed all the in-coming rounds of Clinton bombs and missiles. At the same time, most Black men know that when you dare to stand up tall and fight back, then you're condemned for your aggression, unpredictability, and inability to remain "above it all". So what did Barry have to lose by picking South Carolina to fight back?

Well, he might lose a few of those white voters who were unpleasantly surprised--frightened, even--by his Black masculinity. But he'll make for those votes with more Black voters and a few independents and Republicans who appreciate that a Democrat can still be a man's man.

Most importantly, Obama has demonstrated that he won't be "Swift Boated".

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:18:00 -0000

Re: Obama's comment on Clinton's "blackness":

I would have been OK with one of two responses from Obama.

(1) He could have stood indignantly and proclaimed that all of the poor character traits attributable to Bill Clinton -- and thus him being referred to as "black" -- are an insult to Black people all around the world; or

(2) He could have said exactly what he did and demonstrated just how silly the subject was in the first place. Either way, the media has seen how ridiculous they look by asking the question as though it were a serious one.

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:26:00 -0000

So how is Obama being swiftboated?

First, that's YOUR definition of SwiftBoating. Not mine (or most other intellectually honest observers).

Second, I'm not saying that Obama has been SwiftBoated. But if he gets the nomination, he most certainly will. Now, when Bush surrogates pulled that on John Kerry, he didn't have the testicular fortitude to turn it around and put W's piss-poor military record on blast. And that was a serious factor in his loss. But I don't see Obama going out like that.

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 11:29:00 -0000

Kinda makes you view the earlier "shuck and jive" comment in a different light, huh?

Mmmm, no ...

Same ignorant, racially-infused comment that it's seen as.

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:07:00 -0000

I also would have preferred number one. But I think he was able to get the media to see how silly they were, without putting them on the defensive. Even though today's media seems to be run by White Girl, Inc., he still needs them on his side.

How do I define SwiftBoating? Rounding and riling up a bunch of no-life, bitter old white guys, and getting them to criticize and bait you on your Viet Nam war record, even when they know that much of what they're saying is either untrue or un-provable.

Now, who knows. Maybe there were one or two benign items on which someone could challenge Kerry. But unless he lied about serving at all; unless he lied about his rank; unless he lied about something significant, it was all much ado about very little.

Obama has demonstrated that he ain't havin' it. Good for him.

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:33:00 -0000

No, I did not wear the uniform (though I wish I had). So I'm afforded a little more objectivity on the subject.

Again, it hasn't happened to Obama, yet. But he has served noticed that he won't stand for it ... regardless of how it's defined.

Re: Debate Talk and My Questions to the Candidates

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 12:54:00 -0000

I'm 44, homes. But I still respect the uni.

I use the term as merely a generic reference, i.e., being Shanghai'd.

Re: Making Obama The Angry Black Man

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Jan 2008 18:48:00 -0000

CNN's John King -- a white reporter with no apparent ties to the Black community -- just accused Barack of acting "black" in front a all dem colo'ds in Souf Ca'lina.

Apparently Barack's use of the word "y'all", combined with his admonishment that South Carolinians not fall for the Clinton "okey doke" was a little too ebonic.

It's not just the Clintons, folks. The white media have lost there damned minds, too.

Re: The Media’s Three-Fifth’s Compromise

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:17:00 -0000

Bag of Health:

Very well said. I share your thoughts.

Linda:

Thanks for the exposure of that racist humor.

D:

Seems that theres no racist humor that's out of bounds for you. Does your political allegiance have any bounds?

Re: The Media’s Three-Fifth’s Compromise

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:41:00 -0000

One of the the most effective rebuttals against the bigoted suggestion that Blacks will always slavishly vote Black, is Al Sharpton. We knew he was running, and still didn't vote for him. Or Alan Keyes.

Re: The Media’s Three-Fifth’s Compromise

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 14:46:00 -0000

Ronnie,
I just don't see racism in every single thing said. That piece, at least when I read it, was clearly meant to be humorous.

What do you call two blacks on one bike?

-- Organized crime!

Why are niggers getting stronger?

-- T.V.s are getting bigger!

What happened to the nigger who had an abortion?

-- Crime Stoppers sent her a check for $500!

... so were these, D.

Re: The Media’s Three-Fifth’s Compromise

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Jan 2008 15:30:00 -0000

Ronnie,
That's overtly racist. Complete difference between those jokes and what's in that article.

Dude, the only difference between overtly racist jokes and subtle racist jokes is that some will put in some extra effort to hide their bigotry.

Just because that photoshop of the Obamas didn't use slurs, doesn't mean that it's not racially offensive. Same with "lynch him in an alley"; same with a noose on the cover page of Golfweek Magazine.

Some shyt just ain't funny. And I don't care if white people feel party-pooped about it.

Re: Criminalizing Children Still A Problem In NYC

Ronnie B — Sat, 26 Jan 2008 13:27:00 -0000

Thanks for the additional context. But you're right; it does not excuse the over-reaction. That child was still 5 years old, and will be forever scarred with the image (and knowledge) that he is a predator in society's mind. But, as was suggested earlier, a Black or Brown child who sees him or herself that way, doesn't seem to offend the sensibilities of majority society (which increasingly includes non-white peoples).

A solution to that particular incident could have been found in an administration that recognized the probable actions of emotionally troubled students acting out. Anyone in the profession of dealing with people on a regular basis, ought to know that they will encounter emotionally unstable people.

Handcuffing and hauling away a 5-year old is clearly evidence of how our paid public service professionals regard the people they're sworn to serve.

Re: Final Margin

Ronnie B — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:05:00 -0000

rik:

You got damm right. You were in my head on that one.

Re: Final Margin

Ronnie B — Sun, 27 Jan 2008 18:09:00 -0000

BTW, where the f*** is Al Shopton?

Re: Buchanan: Black And Latino Voters Are Like Gangs

Ronnie B — Mon, 28 Jan 2008 17:00:00 -0000

That Pat "Zulu" Buchanan is a racist is hardly news anymore. But one has to wonder how such a known racist finds a slot on an NBC network, when guys like Leonard Pitts and Antonio Gonzalez can't get a sniff.

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 12:53:00 -0000

I think we know that (most) White and non-Black Americans will want nothing to do with any kind of monument that commemorates slavery and apartheid. And while I personally believe that such monuments should be government-funded, would it be worthwhile to approach an assortment of Black entertainers and athletes, and seek donations for land and construction to do so?

Heck, even approach the gov to seek matching funds?

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:25:00 -0000

Uhh, naw d. I'm not sure we agree, brah.

I'm in favor of an American monument commemorating the survival of slavery and apartheid, just like a good 'ol American patriot would be in favor of a monument commemorating 9/11.

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 14:26:00 -0000

... and by survival, I mean triumph over ...

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:34:00 -0000

What the institution of slavery did not kill in body, it damn sure killed in mind and spirit.

And to me, d., the intentional killing of all Black people's minds and spirits ...

Well, what would you that?

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 15:35:00 -0000

... what would you call that?

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Jan 2008 16:42:00 -0000

My man, national identity and spirit aren't even close to being the same thing.

Your spirit is the essence of who you are as a human being. Without it, you're an empty vessel existing only for the purpose and pleasure of someone or something other than yourself.

A slave owner could no more have their slave possessing a sound mind and spirit, any more than you can tolerate your dog not recognizing you as its master.

And you still didn't answer the question: what do you call the systematic killing of the minds and spirits of millions of Black Africans?

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:06:00 -0000

I half expect Germany to erect a slavery monument before America does.

Re: Can Anyone See The United States Reacting This Way To Slavery?

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 08:17:00 -0000

Ronnie,
Its certainly racist.
(meaning, the systematic killing of the minds and spirits of enslaved Black Africans)

Well, Robert E. Lee and other Confederates were racist. Yet there's no shortage of monuments to them. Exhibit A is Stone Mountain, Georgia.

I know, D., I know; racism is merely a state of mind, and it's only as effective as the degree to which we let it bother us ... yadda, yadda, yadda.

Re: Shorter Maureen Dowd

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 13:04:00 -0000

Sounds like Maureen Dowd wants a piece of the BaRACK.

Re: Shorter Maureen Dowd

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 17:12:00 -0000

You know, we might as well get used to this, when you are black you must be perfect, flawless...to be considered good enough or meritous enough to have achieved your accomplishments on your own.

The irony is that Barack's enemies -- the neo-Nazi wing of the Clinton support system -- now know that there's no ghetto mess, baby-mama-drama or obligatory scandal that can be attached to him, so their intent now is to continue to remind white voters that Barack is ... shhh ...Black.

Re: Shorter Maureen Dowd

Ronnie B — Wed, 30 Jan 2008 19:29:00 -0000

I feel the same way, anonymous. The Clintons offended me in ways that I (a) didn't expect; and (b) won't tolerate.

And good point about the disappearing of Howard Dean. When all of the "drug dealer", "secular madrassa", "shuck and jive" and MLK minimization was going on, Dean was M.I.A. It should never have been old-man Jim Clyburn that asked the Clintons to watch themselves. It should have been Dean (or at the very least, a DNC co-chair).

Based on their actions, I won't be voting for any Democrat other than Barack. And if that means I have to stomach incompetent and inept Republicans in the White House for the rest of my days, then so be it.

Re: Alec Baldwin, Huffington Post and Bigots

Ronnie B — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 10:38:00 -0000

While there's no shortage of over-intellecualized Black folk who constantly downplay the racialization of ANYTHING, the fact remains that racialized (and thereby, degrading) humor and other subject matter ONLY appears when a Black person dares to assume a prominent position of national leadership.

These folks are regularly critical of "us" for being too sensitive about this racialization, yet rarely -- if ever -- are they critical of White people for introducting the subject matter in the first place.

Re: Barack Obama Raises 32 Million in January

Ronnie B — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 14:54:00 -0000

Barack's going to need every bit of that $30 million to keep Klinton and her mercenaries at bay.

Re: Debate Open Thread

Ronnie B — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 08:22:00 -0000

I watched the debate from gavel to gavel. Barack was his usual erudite, contemplative, stand-up self. Hank was, surprisingly, kinder and gentler, and bearing more fangs--err--smiling a little more than usual.

Both were a bit more detailed in their health care plans, offering a little more "wonk" in their policy. And both seemed to go out of their way to be more cordial, while endeavoring to display a unified front in defeating the Republican nominee in November.

The crowd--seemingly a smattering of Black celebs and poseur White women wearing scarves and I'm-smarter-than-you glasses. You know; the Hollywood set. Certainly a crowd that catered more to Hank than to Barack.

Barack seemed to be better prepared at highlighting the policy differences between the two; at the same time, it seemed that Hank received a bit more talk time.

The best part of the night was when the crowd booed Wolf Blitzer for his smugness and arrogance in posing a question (but don't expect to read that anywhere on CNN).

All in all, the debates were more of a conversation. There weren't any winners, and probably no new converts. Due credit, though, to Barack for not "reinventing" himself for the night.

Re: Debate Open Thread

Ronnie B — Fri, 01 Feb 2008 10:51:00 -0000

i'm curious, tho: y'all are pretty hardcore in the Obama camp. Are you absolutely ruling out voting for Clinton? We asked this question on PostBourgie, but what if Obama is her running mate (that question did come up last night)? Does that alignment miss the point entirely?

Yes. I absolutely rule out voting for the Clintons. That they will sell out their most loyal constituents solely to win the nomination, they have shown their "primary colors". They care for and value nothing but their own power and influence.

Re: Super Tuesday Open Thread 1; Black Women’s Roundtable Tonight

Ronnie B — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:17:00 -0000

Here in the ATL, I've heard a couple of accounts of somebody posing as the "Obama campaign", telling elderly voters that they can vote by phone.

Hillary's Kneegrows, no doubt.

That said, I'm seeing mad Obama exit poll numbers (some like 3-to-1) in various states. I realize they're just exit polls, but hey ... I got hope.

Re: Michelle Obama & Campaigning for Hillary (videos)

Ronnie B — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 14:33:00 -0000

Thanks for that vid of Michelle O. Quite a woman she is.

I thought her comments were flawless and classy and interesting. Clearly, she's unimpressed with Bill and, IMO, has little regard for Hillary. And even IF Hillary miraculously wins the nomination, I don't expect to see Michelle campaigning for her.

Some of us need to get ready to be independents, because the Democratic Party as we know it is just about toast.

Re: Super Tuesday Open Thread 1; Black Women’s Roundtable Tonight

Ronnie B — Tue, 05 Feb 2008 19:40:00 -0000

All the networks are projecting that Barack has won Georgia. Right now, it's 64% to 30%. But that could change.

Go Barack!

Re: Super Tuesday Results -Obama Wins 13 States

Ronnie B — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 09:06:00 -0000

I half-way expected a blowout for Obama, and I'm quite disappointed that it didn't happen. If he had no appeal; if he had no message; if he had no vision; if he had no leadership quality, he'd have gotten blown out and embarassed.

But he's got all of those qualities right now, and he's just hitting his stride. He's in pursuit of something that benefits the entire country. Hillary's in pursuit of something for herself.

How this country doesn't see this is beyond my comprehension, but apparently this country isn't concerned about being careful what it wishes for.

Re: A ‘Skeptic’ Sees Some Obama Light

Ronnie B — Wed, 06 Feb 2008 11:21:00 -0000

What flavor Kool-Aid is that? The least the Klintons could do is make sure it's red.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 11:06:00 -0000

Folks, not only should we aware of the Super Delegates and how they could thwart our votes, but we definitely should stay up on the issue of Michigan and Florida delegates. From what I'm hearing, there's a chance that those delegates could be seated at the Convention. That would be extremely unfair to Barack because his name was not on either of those ballots.

If those delegates are seated and allowed to be counted, Barack can sue. The matter would likely be decided in court. Do we really want this to come down that?

This is something that Howard Dean needs to address right friggin' now, and he needs pressure from US to put pressure on the Clintons to see that the writing is on the wall. If Hillary wins; we walk. And the Party is finished.

It's high time we started flexing the political muscle [that some folks don't want us to know] we have.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:01:00 -0000

Regarding the superdelegates and the FL/MI delegates...don't you think that too much of an infight within the democratic party could turn people off to whoever the nominee ends up being? Not to mention-since we're on the subject of fundraising-that's going to be an expensive and distracting legal challenge.

Clinton's supporters are more inclined to stick with the party no matter what. Obama's supporters are seeing the party for what it is ... and isn't. The more in-fighting that occurs, the better it is for Obama. Black and independent White and Asian liberals will feel further disaffected and will walk. The Dems will never win another slim majority.

Does Howard Dean want that? I don't think so.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:39:00 -0000

It's good for Obama as the candidate, but is it good for Obama as the nominee?

I suppose so. If Obama is the nominee, the Clinton supporters will likely fall in line. After all, this is all about business; nothing personal.

To the contrary, if Clinton gets the nomination, Obama supporters would take all this business quite personally.

If Obama wins, everyone wins. If Obama loses, everyone loses.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:40:00 -0000

Hell no, he shouldn't debate. He doesn't need the publicity, she does. He shouldn't even think about it until after the Chesapeake Primary. And then, only one.

I agree. Enough with the debates already. They've had, what, 10?

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:58:00 -0000

I'm curious to know how Black conservatives are fairing these days, what with Obama not being the perennial "black candidate" that so many expected.

It must feel pretty damned awkward to be amongst their white conservative "peers", while Barack pretty much crushes every Black stereotype that conservatives rely upon to justify their existence.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:00:00 -0000

Ronnie,
If it's business and nothing personal....why would Obama's supporters take it personally?

Because it's more than about business.

Re: HAAAA HAAAA: Hillary "Loans" Self $5M; Obama Gets $6M From The People In 24 Hours

Ronnie B — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:10:00 -0000

Apparently, this who "short of funds" thing is a stunt orchestrated by the Klinton campaign.

http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/Vote2008/story?id=4257358&page;=1

Re: Elevating A Commenter From Middle America On Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 08:31:00 -0000

Your life story duly noted, I'm not one who warms to the idea of White folks declaring that America is in a "post-racial" time ...

Any more than I'm impressed by a chronic spousal abuser declaring a new "post-battery" day.

A word of advice: Black folk have been accused of being "socialists" ever since we audaciously stood up and demanded our constitutional and democratic rights as Americans. As such, the underlying intent of the word is wasted on us. We didn't run from Dr. King or Medgar Evers -- or the hundreds of other prominent Black folk who advocated for our rights -- when they were accused of being socialists. We aren't about to start running now.

Your life story is quaint, but coming into a predominantly Black forum and playing the "socialist" card is hardly impressive. And not too bright.

Re: Elevating A Commenter From Middle America On Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 12:44:00 -0000

Again, you come to this space, with little or no regard, knowledge or understanding of the commonalities of our life experiences, and suggest that we "move beyond" our rightful ownership of our worldview. We've got every right to be cynical, and skeptical. As if we don't have the ability and aptitude to apply cynicism and skepticism with any degree of reason.

If you're a conservative, then good for you. But once again, it underscores an ignorance and naivete that many Obama supporters subscribe to the notion that liberal = anything other than good and righteous. And if there are conservatives who can't quite "reconcile" their beliefs with Obama's, they obviously don't want to. Otherwise they wouldn't try in the first place. He's not a Republican nor is he a conservative. Either a fool or a shill would expect otherwise.

Re: Elevating A Commenter From Middle America On Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 16:46:00 -0000

Bi-partisanship and inclusiveness require movement towards the center.

Hardly. Bi-partisanship and inclusiveness require an acknowledgement of and an appreciation for opinions and views on both sides of the issue at hand. There is not requirement for adherence to some mythical "center". Either a liberal can understand, appreciate, and conceded the position of a conservative, or he can't. And vice versa.

Re: Bill "Admits" Mistake - I Am So Done With Him

Ronnie B — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 19:51:00 -0000

I'm gonna say this one more time. I want you to listen to me. I did not interject race into this campaign; not one time. Never. I didn't lie. I didn't ask anyone to lie. Now I need to get back to work for the American b*tch.

Re: Clean Sweep for Obama Today

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 06:38:00 -0000

d~

If "destruction" hasn't befallen this country through slavery, Jim Crow and all other elements of American apartheid, it's not going to be destroyed by Barack Obama. Yes, a few superior white egos will be "destroyed"; yes, a few Black folks will have their patriarchal white hero images "destroyed", but for er'body else, life's gonna be alright.

Re: Clean Sweep for Obama Today

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 12:23:00 -0000

How is a man who has been a community organizer, state legislator, and is a first term Senator with 2-3 bills to his name more qualified than a man who had already served his country for 20-plus years before Obama was even born?

The same way that Abraham Lincoln was--a short-term state legislator, one-term Senator, and a hack lawyer--was more qualified than his competitor.

Re: Hillary: Ready On Day 1 To Do Absolutely Nothing For The Black Community

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 14:05:00 -0000

What Bam should do is call Tavis' bluff. Instead of some contrived debate that gives Cruella free air time, Bam should break off a call to Tavis and demand a one-on-one interview. That way, Tavis can ask his covenant questions, and Bam can show that he's already addressed every single one of them.

Re: The Return Of Bob "No Facts"

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:51:00 -0000

It's no surprise that Novak is pushing the Bradley Effect here. He's practically on his knees praying the country is as racist as he is.

I'd say about 80% of the rest of the Republican Party feels the same damn way.

Re: My Goodness, Paul Krugman Is So Full Of Hate

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 15:59:00 -0000

Every single word you said, b-serious, is why I'm no longer a member of the Democratic Party.

Time and time again, I believed that I had franchise in that party; some ownership. Yet time and again, the "parents" of the party treated me like a child who should be seen and not heard (except during election years).

It became clear to me that the Party would never respect Black leadership; would never respect Black authority, I said to hell with them.

I'm down with Obama until the end. But Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid should never mistake that for support of their party.

Re: My Goodness, Paul Krugman Is So Full Of Hate

Ronnie B — Mon, 11 Feb 2008 17:48:00 -0000

Wow. As I re-read the Krugman piece, the animosity really becomes apparent. It goes beyond criticism of Barack's policies or political style, and strikes at his supporters.

Whether it's white conservatives striking out at Blacks in general by using Jesse Jackson as a whipping post, or whether it's white liberals striking out at "Obama supporters" -- I guess that's the new code phrase -- to attack a specific person's Blackness, the sentiment (an the results) are still the same.

Re: My Goodness, Paul Krugman Is So Full Of Hate

Ronnie B — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:27:00 -0000

Can I ask you guys a question: is there ever a criticism of Obama that is valid in your opinion? The healthcare thing, to my eyes, doesn't seem inconsequential. It's a big part of the policy difference between Obama and his opponent, and it's been criticized by people who aren't Krugman and who've wanted a single-payer system for some time.

In other words, "what's the best way for a Clinton shill to crack on Barack's persona without it appearing obvious". All in pathetic wishes of changing the minds of a few fence sitters.

Re: My Goodness, Paul Krugman Is So Full Of Hate

Ronnie B — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 08:37:00 -0000

And it's not just whites that are doing this. I stopped listening to Tavis Smiley on Tom Joyner's Morning Show because Tavis did the same thing. Even as Bill Clinton was running around calling Obama a fairytale, Smiley was taking weekly swipes at Obama.

Just heard Tavis on the TJMS this morning (2/12/08). Tavis has just lost his ever-lovin' mind. He's going on and on about "I'z a free Black man and I don't need no [Barack Obama] to tell me anything" ... "Tom Joyner don't speak for me ..." blah, blah.

Clearly the pressure has gotten to Tavis; he's a proud brotha who can't seem to find a graceful way to save face. He was one of those folks who, a year ago, thought they were in the know. They first dismissed Barack as not-Black-enough. Then they said he couldn't win the "white vote", and so they calculated that voting for him would be a wasted vote. In other words, they went for the Clinton okey doke. Yep. Team Clinton convinced some Black folk that Barack couldn't organize. Couldn't campaign. Couldn't appeal. Couldn't win.

Well, now that they've been proven wrong on all points, they're thoroughly embarassed. Even ashamed. And rather than admit that they were wrong in their political "calculations", they'd rather lash out at those who made the right decision.

Re: Michelle Obama on Larry King Feb 11 (videos)

Ronnie B — Tue, 12 Feb 2008 15:35:00 -0000

Michelle Obama is such the compelling person. I look forward to the day when she begins redefining the role of First Lady (in a good way, of course).

Re: Potomac Primary: Obama & McCain Win Virginia, DC, Maryland

Ronnie B — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:47:00 -0000

Let me give credit where it's due. Barack is the real deal, but please -- PLEASE -- let's give a multitude of props to the professionals who have organized a nearly flawless campaign.

No defections. No word of in-fighting. No dirtyness. No scandals.

They just keep piling up victories from coast to coast and top to bottom.

Re: Potomac Primary: Obama & McCain Win Virginia, DC, Maryland

Ronnie B — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 09:49:00 -0000

Thanks for the McCain postcard, d. ;)

Re: Potomac Primary: Obama & McCain Win Virginia, DC, Maryland

Ronnie B — Wed, 13 Feb 2008 11:54:00 -0000

Marc, good post. And yes, even though Hillary addressed the Latino community many times in the past, I hope--like you--that the community will consider voting for Barack.

Re: Dear Senator Hillary Clinton, Please Step Down

Ronnie B — Thu, 14 Feb 2008 09:26:00 -0000

After reading Erica Shlong, and the Letter to Hillary ...

who's got more credibility?

Exactly.

Re: John Lewis Flips to Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:02:00 -0000

I say, give Lewis, Young, Sharpton -- all of them beggin' ass negroes -- give them their 30 pieces of silver and be done with them.

Re: John Lewis Flips to Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 09:12:00 -0000

d~

You're also begging. This isn't about taking names and settling scores. It is, for the first time, about Democrats and ex-Democrats deciding to no longer be loyal to a party that only values their most loyal constituency come election time. Yes, we're going to remember those politicians who exploited our loyalty. Yes, we're going to remember them come election time. No, we won't be taken for granted any more. And I guess it can be rather scary seeing people realize how politically powerful they actual are ... isn't it d?

As to your superdelegate double-standard allegation ... nobody is suggesting that the system be scrapped. Rather, that those superdelegates look at how their states and their constituencies have already voted; and then vote accordingly. We're saying that their job is not to thwart the will of voters. But you already knew that.

Again, it must be kinda frightening seeing the Black electorate get hip to the system.

Re: Why Was The Illinois Shooter Allowed To Buy A Gun?

Ronnie B — Mon, 18 Feb 2008 08:20:00 -0000

I'm also a neither pro nor anti gun. Most people who have one, are pretty responsible with them. That said, there needs to be a tightening of the background verification so that the unbalanced, the violent felons, and mentally ill don't gain access.

I'm stuck, though, on how we exclude the mentally ill without having them in a federal database.

Re: Clinton Targets PLEDGED Delegates

Ronnie B — Tue, 19 Feb 2008 15:18:00 -0000

This is hilarious. I hope the democrats are beginning to see that their party structure could use a little bit of reform. If there's anything that's going to kill the democratic nominee-WHOEVER it is-it's this sort of petty infighting.

d~

You're hanging out in an obviously pro-Obama space, cracking on the push-and-pull within a Democratic contest that is eventually going to make your candidate look like Elmer Fudd.

Now that's hilarious (in a pathetic kinda way).

Re: Texas Debate Open Thread

Ronnie B — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 08:42:00 -0000

I concur with b-serious and others; Hillary's final comments sure sounded like a concession speech.

But -- but -- there's a small part of me that's wondering if she was gifted that line by John Edwards? A way of hinting that Edwards has decided to endorse her.

Just a thought.

All in all, Barack handled his business. What's more, the strategy of getting him into the debate ring seems to have backfired. Barack is finding his debate stride, and appears that he's unable to be stopped.

I'm even thinking that the guy from Univision (Jorge Ramos) came away a bit impressed by Barack.

Re: I Can’t Believe I’m About to Link To George Will

Ronnie B — Fri, 22 Feb 2008 10:09:00 -0000

First, when reading a George Will piece, ALWAYS have your thesaurus on hand.

Second, he'd dead on.

Re: Hillary Is Trying To Sabotage Obama In November

Ronnie B — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:54:00 -0000

obama has been mocking hillary and edwards in his rallies for a long time now. nobody seemed to care then.

If nobody seemed to care, then most likely it wasn't mockery.

Re: Hillary Is Trying To Sabotage Obama In November

Ronnie B — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 08:57:00 -0000

WAKE UP PEOPLE YOU ARE BEING PLAYED -- Shazzam Nakim

As expected, the Clintonites are so desparate, that they're deluded themselves into believing that they're going to change people's minds by posing as "neutral observers".

Re: SOBU: Dick Gregory Goes Off On Bill Clinton And Malt Liquor

Ronnie B — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 09:09:00 -0000

Tavis 'nem didn't even need to show up. I woulda been content to just listen to Dick Gregory all day.

Damn Obama; I might have to write-in Dick Gregory on election day.

Re: Hillary Is Trying To Sabotage Obama In November

Ronnie B — Mon, 25 Feb 2008 10:29:00 -0000

b-serious~

Co-sign. Every word.

Re: Ohio Debate Open Thread

Ronnie B — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 09:06:00 -0000

First, Barack handled his business in a way befitting a chief executive. His adversary was lightweight, inartful and shrill. He needed only to remain the cool, smooth rock in the presence of her hot mess. A rather effortless yet fruitful closing to an otherwise ordinary Tuesday evening at the office.

Second, the only challenge that comes from Tuesday's debate is the Trinity UCC question. Personally, though, I don't think the GOP wants to implement a tactic of politically attacking churches. Nor do they want to open up the can of worms of segregated or homogenous churches. The so-called "party of faith" hasn't a leg to stand on in this regard. But if the question does come up, i.e., "Senator Obama, if you're truly about unity, why do you attend an 'unashamedly Black' church?". I would hope Barack's response is something like "I attended my church long before political pundits knew or cared about my church. Are you suggesting that I leave my church home only because it's politically expedient to do so?" or something to that affect.

That should put the whole church thing to rest.

Re: Black on Black — Obama and the Somali Elder Outfit

Ronnie B — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 15:10:00 -0000

1. I wrote this morning over at my blog that it's interesting that the Repbulican study of how to deal with the Obama candidacy is going to be spun as gearing up on an attack on him. Why not just acknowledge the fact that maybe the GOP isn't trying to make some of the same mistakes they've made in the past? Why does it have to be getting ready for an all out slugfest?

Gotta call bullshit on ya, d. You know as well as I that the RNC has commissioned focus groups to see just how far they can push the boundaries of racialized politics. Now, I didn't say "racism". So don't go strawman on me. I said "racialized".

Now, I don't know how the mind of the average (white) Republican racializing strategist thinks, but I can tell you this; he or she doen't know shit about Black folks. So what I expect is that they'll get one or two buck dancin', skinnin' and grinnin', shoe shinin' kneegrows to do their dirty work (if they can find some low class Melon John to wave a konfederate flag here and there, they can find one to do some Republican cooning for McCain).

'Sa damn shame. And I can't understand how any self-respecting Black person -- of any political persuasion -- could stoop so low in this day and age.

Re: Black on Black — Obama and the Somali Elder Outfit

Ronnie B — Wed, 27 Feb 2008 16:04:00 -0000

So blacks criticizing Obama is degrading and low.

No. Black Republicans who would use racialized rhetoric and innuendo (against a Black candidate of an opposing political party) so that white Republicans don't have to ...

are degrading and low.

Re: Obama Gives Some News To John McCain

Ronnie B — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 08:20:00 -0000

Richard Clarke also said that George Bush was absolutely obsessed with Saddam Hussein, to the point where he looked for any and all pretexts to invade Iraq. Even when there weren't any.

Barack makes an accurate statement. Bin Laden was contained between Afghanistan and Pakistan. Therefore, no good rationale for invading Iraq existed. Bush knew it and so did McCain (and Clinton).

Re: Obama Gives Some News To John McCain

Ronnie B — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 13:01:00 -0000

Sorry d. The very fact that this invasion and occupation happened in the first place is extremely relevant. Grave misstakes and lapses of judgment were made, and those responsible must be held accountable. And wouldn't it be convenient to dismiss the entire predicate of Iraq as "irrelevant".

Just because it's now America's responsibility to take care of the new Iraqi baby that was born, doesn't mean that a rape didn't occur.

Re: Obama Gives Some News To John McCain

Ronnie B — Thu, 28 Feb 2008 14:21:00 -0000

Ronnie,
Yes, mistakes were made, and there were lapses in judgement. I acknowledge that. The point that I'm trying to communicate is that this isn't the time for the argument of whether we should have invaded or not (hell, if it makes you feel better, I'm not entirely sure it was the best idea). The fact is that we're there now; let's figure out how to clean things up, get the country stable, and get our troops back home.

"Now isn't the time. Now isn't the time." People made those same excuses for not wanting to argue about going to Viet Nam. The result was the same kinds of lies from politicians; the same lazy and cowardly media; and the same public that was willing to support a long-term war for short-term patriotism.

Now is the time to talk about the lies, deception and false patriotism that led to this calamity. Otherwise, it'll happen again.

Re: Why I Have Issues With Black Clinton Supporters

Ronnie B — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 16:59:00 -0000

As has always been the case with Democrats, the party is based primarily on identity.

As if the Republican Party isn't. Tell me what a white coal miner with black lung disease, and a white senior corporate executive have in common as Republicans ... other than being white.

Re: Rush Limbaugh’s Official Obama Criticizer

Ronnie B — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 17:08:00 -0000

No doubt that the Republicans will engage plenty of kneegrows to do their buck dancin', skinnin', grinnin', and all other manner of coonery to disparage Obama. Hell, if Democrats will do it, certainly the Rethuglicans can find some Handkerchief Heads to cut up even more.

In the end, it's a damn shame. Because it illustrates the deeply held self-hatred that some of us still have.

Re: Rush Limbaugh’s Official Obama Criticizer

Ronnie B — Fri, 29 Feb 2008 20:04:00 -0000

What. Now you're wounded? Please.

Nobody's catchin' any hate simply because they don't vote for Obama. The people catchin' hate are those who, for all of their lives, wished for a president who happened to be Black. They saw Shirley Chisholm. They saw Jackson, Sharpton, Keyes--all those who had no serious chance of being president. And now that those same people have in Barack Obama--someone who is qualified AND appealing to all--they run scarred. Not only are they afraid of success, they proceed to pose and posture as if they've made some kind of deep, intellectual, contemplative decision to vote for anybody but the Black guy.

Fine. They're written off in my book. They can take their 30 pieces of silver and get to shufflin'.

Re: Well, well….Hillary takes Barack ‘ at his word’.

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 09:25:00 -0000

b-serious~

Dead on. We can NOT afford to sleep on the Clintons--delegate math in or favor or not. Yes, the mainstream media has run out of opportunities to bid Barack an artful goodbye, and are clearly hoping for some kind of Clintonian heist. And this time, they're going to do what they can to be complicit in that heist.

Hillary knows that she's still got much the media in her pocket, or she wouldn't be playing the "why-do-I-always-get-the-first-question" card. She wouldn't be citing Saturday Night Live parodies as if it were some kind of policy reference. She knows that most of the White women who run today's behind-the-scenes media will pity her, and will afford her every benefit of the doubt that they would never afford to a Michelle Obama if she were running for prez.

My suggestion is to continue reaching out to commentators like Roland Martin (CNN), Eugene Robinson (MSNBC), Amy Holmes (CNN), Michelle Norris (NPR, NBC) and other Black commentators who can remind the Girl Power media that we won't stand by and watch HRC lose her way to the nomination.

We also need to blow up Howard Dean's e-mail inbox. Had Harold Ford, Jr. or Luis Gutierrez been on this kind of a losing streak, Dean would have pulled the plug on them weeks ago.

Re: Well, well….Hillary takes Barack ‘ at his word’.

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 15:54:00 -0000

To paraphrase Bill Clinton:

If you have a candidate who wants to scare you, and you have a candidate who wants you to think ...

If you have a candidate who appeals to your fears, and you have a candidate who appeals to your hope ...

You should vote for the candidate who makes you think and hope.

Bubba said this back in 2004 during the Bush/Kerrey contest.

Re: WaPo on Color of Change vs Rep. Stephanie Tubbs-Jones and the CBC

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 16:02:00 -0000

Paternalist is precisely the term to use. It's why I no longer registered as a Dem.

That said, Stephanie Tubbs-Jones is a disgrace. Not because she supports the Clintons, because she's essentially told her own local constituents to go da hell in the face of their own votes (should they vote overwhelmingly) for Obama.

Re: Well, well….Hillary takes Barack ‘ at his word’.

Ronnie B — Mon, 03 Mar 2008 21:49:00 -0000

Re: the stolen nomination

It's starting just as b-serious predicted. The media is all over this Canadian NAFTA non-story. They're acting like they've blown the cover off of Iran-Contra.

Meanwhile, HRC is riding this one like a porn actress.

Has White America finally found its plausible deniability?

Re: Well, well….Hillary takes Barack ‘ at his word’.

Ronnie B — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 09:22:00 -0000

That response from Barack has been in the public domain for almost two years.

How can anyone seriously involved in politics -- at the very least, the media -- not know?

Re: Hillary BLACKENS UP Obama in Ad?

Ronnie B — Tue, 04 Mar 2008 12:11:00 -0000

truthseeker, you have to understand something about d.

A smiling guy walking toward you with a noose isn't a "big deal" ...

even with the noose is slipped comfortably around your neck.

Re: The Race-Baiter Won the Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas Primaries

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:18:00 -0000

Like most everyone else, I was disappointed with Barack's 1-for-4 showing. I guess it's easy to get accustomed to blow-outs and long winning streaks. But we all know that Barack is the better man, and the better candidate.

I agree with Jonathan's take regarding Barack's strategy going forward. The media and the rest of the white American Idol electorate wants to see this contest devolve into Jerry Springer-type entertainment. Doing so, (a) takes attention away from the issues on which Barack is superior; (b) it drags the contest down to the gutter where the Clintons are superior; and (c) if Barack were to go "street" on Clinton, it would provide plausible deniability for those who those who've suddenly had their "oh-shit-a-Black-guy's-gonna-be-president" panic attack.

Barack has to stay the course in terms of class and statesman ship, but he does need to flood--really flood--the media with content. He needs to start reaching out to the Black and Brown network correspondents and start providing them with scoops, agendas, comments. What's happened is that the MSM -- and we know who that really is -- have taken offense to Obama's confidence and occasional dismissiveness, and had essentially cut him off for almost a week. The only real play that he got was the whole Canadian thing that ended up being a nothin-burger. But by filling the airwaves, they'll have no plausible excuse that he's got nothing to say. And if he's reaching out to Black and Brown network correspondents, he's got a better chance of getting his message out. And I don't think that CNN, ABC or CBS wants to be accused of squelching their Black correspondents. Not at this time.

And finally, I think we gotta rely MUCH less on the delegate lead. If the Klintons can continue to play dirty and win dirty, then they're going to insist that an argument can be made; that the delegates might say one thing, but the voters have said something else. And if they were to arrive at the convention on a winning streak, she'd have an argument.

I'd say, the focus needs to be back on dominance. Be more aggressive, but stay out of the mud.

Re: The Race-Baiter Won the Ohio, Rhode Island and Texas Primaries

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:21:00 -0000

I have been hearing rumors that Hillary is already talking about a joint ticket with Obama.

Klinton's in no position to offer any deals.

Nice try.

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 09:50:00 -0000

jett

Thanks for the post. And welcome. You'll no doubt read things that will no doubt appear anti-White. But please--please--know that it has everything to do with a mindset, rather than a people.

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:03:00 -0000

d.~

Obama is the presumptive Democratic nominee. If -- if -- the will of the voters is not reflected at the Democratic Convention, I will NOT vote for the Clintons.

I'll vote for either Nader or McCain (Nader being a closer ideological fit).

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 11:04:00 -0000

Is it too late for Barack to run as an independent?

Re: I am BLACK

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:00:00 -0000

The next time Hillary's White Kids roll up on you talking about "party unity", ask them this:

If, according to you, I shouldn't support Barack Obama just because he's Black, then why should I support Hillary Clinton just because she's a Democrat?

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:08:00 -0000

A question just popped into my mind:

Would John McCain have run the kind of campaign against Obama that Hillary is running?

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 16:24:00 -0000

d~

You forget that I don't subscribe to the notion that liberal policies = bad policies.

That said, I agree that McCain probably wouldn't run a gutter campaign, and would--at the most--distance himself from dirty politicking.

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 17:07:00 -0000

Having said that, though...I fully expect McCain to test Obama at least once. Will it be the focus of the entire campaign? No, but we all know McCain has a bit of a temper issue.....

I don't think Obama has a problem with being "tested" by McCain's temper. So long as Barack's temper can be expressed by the same standards.

Re: The Morning After - Some Thoughts

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 18:55:00 -0000

Hell, he's trying to attack McCain now...and he'd do well to keep his focus on the fight he's in, rather than the one he wants. Unlike McCain, he ain't the nominee.

Maybe in your political clan, it's bad form to take bold action without permission from the Big House, but in the free world, we talks when we wants to.

Re: I am BLACK

Ronnie B — Wed, 05 Mar 2008 19:36:00 -0000

Just a thought about the Democratic Party.

In Barack Obama, the Democratic Party finally has the opportunity to offer up to the country and the world, the epitome of what the Party holds itself out to be. A man with brilliance, astounding vision, superior intellect, family values, and a grasp on political policy that is matched by few. And he happens to be Black.

Yet here we are at the precipice of making that a reality, and the Democratic Party is content to watch this man be thrown under the proverbial bus in exchange for a lesser candidate and poor leader. A Democratic Party that apparently doesn't believe in doing what's best for the country.

The way that the Party is treating Mr. Obama, they can no longer speak with credibility when asking for the wealthy to sacrifice for the good of the country.

They won't even sacrifice for the good of their own party.

Re: Howard Dean On The State of the Campaign

Ronnie B — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:22:00 -0000

Am I supposed to support a Democratic Party that has allowed spoiled suburban brats to virtually spit on the legacy of my parents' and grandparents' voting rights sacrifices?

I'm supposed to look out for the interests of a party that mistreats and humiliates its most electable Black candidate, all the while insisting that I'll accept it in the end?

No freaking way. I have some dignity and self-respect that I'd still like my kids to inherit.

Re: The Latest Clinton Hustle - The Joint Ticket

Ronnie B — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 09:27:00 -0000

Somebody who's close to Barack's campaign should insist that he get out in front of this right now.

Barack has responded to his joint ticket idea, suggesting that it's "premature". Unless this is a strategy move, that's not good enough. I need a clear and unambiguous "No, this will not happen" ... or something to that affect.

Re: I am BLACK

Ronnie B — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 11:56:00 -0000

mj~

I like the idea. The PACs might be a little tough for this particular election, but might will be a necessity going forward. The rapid response team is also a great idea. In short, organization is going to be the key. For better or worse, the Democratic Party offered some infrastructure, but we'll just have to build our own foundation. We'll get more respect that way.

Re: If Hillary Gets To Claim Michigan And Florida, Denver Will Burn

Ronnie B — Thu, 06 Mar 2008 12:45:00 -0000

Stick to the plan, folks. Be committed to permanent defection of the Democratic Party. The party "leaders" are already trying to lay the groundwork, and the mainstream media is complicit.

If we are no longer slaves to the party whims, then there IS no party. If they have no party, they will also have no white liberal media to do their bidding.

Be courageous. Be independent. Be respected.

Re: In Response To My Burn Denver Post

Ronnie B — Fri, 07 Mar 2008 10:08:00 -0000

Jack~

Thank you for falling on your sword, soulja. You didn't have to. You didn't have to.

All of us participants at JJP owe you a debt of gratitude.

Re: Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

Ronnie B — Sun, 09 Mar 2008 14:12:00 -0000

Anyone notice how the MSM are slowly but surely circling the wagons for Clinton? They still speak her name first. They still reference her image first. They still speak of her as if SHE'S the frontrunner (who's just running a bit behind schedule).

They now refuse to speak of Barack Obama's position a year ago. They now refuse to speak of Barack Obama's insurmountable lead in delegates. They refuse to speak of Barack Obama's ability to show up in a state and obliterate once insurmountable leads that Clinton once had.

I watched Meet the Press today, and the entirety of the show was on what it was going to take for Hillary Clinton to win, and whether she'd tap Barack as her VP running mate -- NEVERMIND THAT BARACK SAID JUST THE OTHER DAY, THAT HE WON'T BE ANYBODY'S VP. The MSM has not only jumped on the Clinton wagon; they're taking turns driving

Where are the Black journalists and commentators? I realize that they're primarily locked out of the Sunday Morning circuit, but they should at least be outside the gates shouting and protesting the lockout!

Re: Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

Ronnie B — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 06:54:00 -0000

Something is amiss. Call it my aching knee; call it my (adopted) Hawaiian tribal instinct. Something's up.

I think they've got something on Barack, and they (the Clintons and their media surrogates) are holding it over his head until he eases off the gas, and lets Clinton pass him.

Re: Oh And Obama Won Texas Officially BTW

Ronnie B — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 08:28:00 -0000

Would Barack merely be a sacrificial lamb or scapegoat in the fall campaign?

Barack was the proverbial "sacrificial lamb" back in Illinois when he was running for the U.S. Senate. The Democratic Party bosses--as they often have done--had determined that the clean-cut, young-looking Black guy wasn't "electable" enough; so they essentially left him for dead. Barack proved them wrong--as he's done this past year--and poised himself as a force to be reckoned with.

Re: Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

Ronnie B — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 10:00:00 -0000

I think the Obama campaign is just laying low while Clinton trots out inflated claims about her experience (N. Ireland, Kosovo), which have already been shot down by people outside the official campaign. I think the Obama campaign is letting the American people see what Clinton's old-style politics really are, and they are going to come back, point this out, and lead by example to a non-divisive way of doing things.

MZ, you're likely correct. I should know better.

Barack is doing his thing, and doing it the right way.

Re: Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

Ronnie B — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:54:00 -0000

One thing that surprises me on this race is that Europeans are afraid of an eventual Obama's win. Does any of you fallow any European news agency?

Ironically, there are plenty of European Americans who are just as afraid of an Obama presidency. And they also are part of our news agencies.

Re: Obama Wins Wyoming Caucus

Ronnie B — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 15:03:00 -0000

New York Governor Eliot Spitzer has admitted to being involved in a prostitution ring. How long, and to what extent is unclear right now.

If he was financially involved, that's significant. Spitzer was and is a HUGE supporter of Hillary Clinton's campaign.

Did Spitzer make monetary donations to Clinton's campaign?

Did he co-mingle state and personal funds in his involvement?

Did Hillary Clinton have any knowledge--even unconfirmed--of Spitzers actions?

Re: Ferraro Says Obama is LUCKY He’s Black

Ronnie B — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:43:00 -0000

Ferraro's comments were ignorantly racist; I'm surprised she wasn't crying when she said it.

The good news is that these people are getting desperate about a certain reality; namely, their days are numbered. Each day someone opens their mouth, another Super Delegate comes to Obama's side.

The day will come when someone from the Klinton Kamp will finally drop the N-bomb. On that day, we'll know that we've won.

Re: NY Governor Spitzer Caught Up in Prostitution Ring

Ronnie B — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 08:52:00 -0000

It seems to me that prostitution rings involving powerful and high level johns, can't stay a secret forever. Word has to get out--at least somewhat--in order for them to stay in business. I'm willing to bet that there are other politicians and influential people involved. And if they're not invovled, I'm willing to bet that some people at least knew or suspected that stuff was happening.

So did Hillary Clinton have any idea about this prostitution ring?

Did she hear any rumors of Spitzer's involvement?

Did she know, and just keep quiet in exchange for campaign support?

Re: Ferraro Says Obama is LUCKY He’s Black

Ronnie B — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 12:14:00 -0000

She thinks that Hillary and her ilk are gonna slip up real soon and start calling him "boy."

During an interview on the Al Sharpton show, Ralph Nader reported that one of Clinton's surrogates use the term "boy" when referring to Barack. Specifically, "we're going to take this boy down", Nader said.

Re: Ferraro Says Obama is LUCKY He’s Black

Ronnie B — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 13:45:00 -0000

But you DO got to ask: Would any of us really give a $hit about some senator from IL who'd served only half his first term if he were another pasty-faced white guy?

Valid point, Craig. But what Ferraro did was reduce Barack down to a "concept" because he's Black. She didn't see his Blackness as a contributing factor; as a bonus. She characterized his Blackness as some kind of unfair advantage against over some anonymous white person.

Did she view her VP run with Walter Mondale as a "concept"?

Re: Oh, She Just Hates Black Men

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 09:29:00 -0000

In my opinion, this isn't an instance of a Clinton surrogate run amok; it's evidence of their intent to use Black voters to turn off White voters in the remaining primary states, as well as in the general election.

The Clinton people have no doubt heard the threat of the Great Black Walkout. Well, not only are they calling our bluff, they're saying "go ahead; leave. You schwarze's will cost the Party the general election anyway, so we might as well be rid of your Black asses so that we can lock down the Hispanic vote. You coons are irrelevant, so go already!"

I hope I'm wrong. But if Howard Dean and Tavis Smiley remain mum, I may have my answer.

Re: Oh, She Just Hates Black Men

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:16:00 -0000

On the MSM they just keep pounding away at the racial divide in the percentages.

The media discovered that Barack Obama has the potential to be bigger than what they want him to be. They have to marginalize him in some way; the focus on the racial breakdown of the votes is the only way to do it.

Re: Oh, She Just Hates Black Men

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 10:41:00 -0000

Where you at:

Tavis Smiley?

Stephanie Tubbs-Jones?

Sheila Jackson Lee?

Michael Nutter?

Re: Oh, She Just Hates Black Men

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 11:54:00 -0000

Question - is the White establishment of the Democratic party imploding? Stuff like this does not look good for the party...makes me think the party is going backwards...I swear, if HRC does manage to get this nomination, she will pretty much destroy the party...is that what they want?

In my opinion, there is a faction of the White establishment of the Democratic Party that DOES want to see implosion. They see Blacks as too demanding, too outspoken, too troublesome, and not worth the hassle anymore.

Re: Geraldine Ferraro and the Clinton Campaign’s Strategy

Ronnie B — Wed, 12 Mar 2008 17:11:00 -0000

Yes. That's the strategy.

And with a 24-hour, corporately-owned, predominantly White-operated, pro-White Female media ...

the strategy's working in some segments of society.

Re: Keith Olberman Comes Correct On Clinton And Ferraro

Ronnie B — Thu, 13 Mar 2008 10:06:00 -0000

That's all it is. They've put party above principle. They're political tools . . . no different than the Armstrong Williamses and Larry Elders of the world. The only difference is that they're Democratic apologists while people like Williams and Elders are Republican apologists.

Exactly b-serious. And that's what makes Keith Olbermann's editorial all the more important. He realized that no one from any constituency was going to say anything for fear of alienating themselves from the Clintons.

And that's a shame. Keith Olbermann, bless his soul, had to step in and do what Black AND White democrats were afraid to do.

Re: She’s Baaaaack. Stephanie Tubbs Jones On Ferraro (video)

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:48:00 -0000

I'd like to see Senator Obama call a mini-press conference; declare that none of this race-baiting is coming from him or his campaign; and then challenge the media to find the source(s) of it.

And then see how quickly these race-baiting distractions go away.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 08:59:00 -0000

d pukes:

This time, it's not about race, or attacking a black institution. Its about support for your country...which, based on their support of Mr. Wright and some of Michelle's comments, the Obamas clearly don't.

d~

Pull your face out of Sean Hannity's lap long enough to ask yourself if anything that Barack Obama has ever said or done, is consistent with or sympathetic to the (rather foul) things that that preacher has said.

You can't and you know damn well you can't.

Re: Open Thread: Pat Buchanan Tells Black Woman to Shut Up, Defends Ferraro

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:39:00 -0000

Pat Buchanan is a bigot, and his validation of Ferraro was wrong and misguided, and although Goff was making valid points, she should have let Buchanan speak and she shouldn't have talked over him.

The moderator, Dan Abrams, kept telling Goff and the other guest to allow him to speak, but Goff kept being aggressive and refused to adhere to the moderator requests.

Both of them were rude.

That lame-ass attempt at moral relativism -- the idea that white bigotry is relative to Black rudeness -- might be an accepted Poli-Sci 101 technique ...

but that dog won't hunt around here.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 09:44:00 -0000

An ignore button would be nice ...

Anyway, if Barack is somehow be "aligned with" this pastor, does that mean that there are other (white) elected officials who are "aligned with" child-molesting Catholic priests?

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 12:12:00 -0000

D~

Will you please ask your peckerwood homies over at Dixieland Anonymous to make up their minds. Is Barack a radical, militant Black Muslim or is he a radical, militant Black Christian.

Re: Trying to Attack Obama Through His Church

Ronnie B — Fri, 14 Mar 2008 14:25:00 -0000

This is not a campaign killer.

Not by a long shot.

After Keith Olbermann's mesmerizing verbal beat-down of Hillary Clinton, I think there will be more in the media who are willing to unshackle themselves from the Clinton influence.

And those predisposed to believing whatever a white media person says about a Black person, might find themselves seeing the Clintons for what they're worth.

Re: Barack Obama: On My Faith And My Church

Ronnie B — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 11:29:00 -0000

While watching Barack's interview with Keith Olbermann on this subject, the analysis afterward got me to thinking.

John McCain has endorsements from clergymen who have made similarly incendiary and offensive statements. McCain doesn't want to go there; it's just as much of a negative for him as it is for Obama.

So who benefits ...?

Re: Trinity UCC’s Palm Sunday Statement

Ronnie B — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 08:45:00 -0000

Perhaps it's time, now, to place enormous and unyielding pressure on the few Black men and women in TV media who are in positions of authority.

Clearly, the majority of today's media managers are white, female, and young. Hence the offensive references to Black churches and pastors as freaks and sideshow acts. But just as a few Black men and women stepped up when Don Imus needed to be fired, there are some who can step up and bring pressure to bear where it's most needed right now.

We can no longer afford to surrender our power of self-definition. If someone has a direct or indirect connection to Oprah, see what you can do. If Bryant Gumbel has any juice with CBS and it's cable affiliates, perhaps he can wage a battle or two.

If Barry Obama is going to change the way politics works, then that's necessarily going to bring a change in the way media operates. Clearly, neither politics nor media wants to see things change.

Re: Trinity UCC’s Palm Sunday Statement

Ronnie B — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 14:18:00 -0000

My two cents worth:

1. After reading this and Obama's post online, this is a dead issue as far as I'm concerned.

2. If you really want to make it a dead issue for the rest of the election season....stop talking about it. Let it die. The longer you discuss it, the more you open it up to opposing viewpoints.

Not that I don't disagree with you, D ...

but if this were such a non-issue, then Sean Hannity and the rest of the right wing talking heads wouldn't have spent several weeks preparing it to be one.

Re: Trinity UCC’s Palm Sunday Statement

Ronnie B — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 15:32:00 -0000

I'd like to see Senator Obama speak nationally to put this issue to rest. Then discuss the economy and education.

In the meantime, please people; get e-mails out to Eugene Robinson of the Wash Post, Michelle Norris of NPR and Roland Martin of CNN to not only denounce the parties responsible for flaming this issue, but the media who continue to poor gasoline on it.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 11:47:00 -0000

I know that words matter. But I don't have the words to describe that speech.

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Ronnie B — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 14:33:00 -0000

Now that Barack has quite brilliantly identified the problems AND solutions surrounding the issues of race in politics, I wonder which direction the pundits will go from here?

Re: Transcript Of Obama Speech: A More Perfect Union (Now With Video) - Update 2

Ronnie B — Wed, 19 Mar 2008 09:17:00 -0000

The Speech--as I've dubbed it--was definitely MLK and Lincolnian. It's already poised for the history books; already qeued up for the yearly Black History Month vignets. I made my two sons watch it; and though they're 13 and 15, they were captivated at not only what they heard, but were inspired by what is possible. That an ordinary man of dual heritage could be so vitally important to a nation consumed with a multi-generational duel of heritages.

The Speech was what it was. Part politics. Part nuance. All unvarnished and unequivocal truth--truth in a day when some people are mortally afraid of it, and wholly dependent on spin and obfuscation.

The Speech was a smorgasbord of truthful inspiration for any and all to partake. Those who claim to have found nothing of inspiration, really don't want to be inspired anyway.

Re: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Why Black People Won’t Join The Republican Party

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 15:42:00 -0000

Black Americans don't want to hear what the Republican Party has to say, because it may require some work on their part. Again, it's the "me first" mentality that's become prevalent in African American society.

D~

Black Americans were Republicans; until segregationist white conservatives and Dixiecrats were welcomed into the Republican fold. That's when we left and became Democrats.

So the idea that Black Americans don't want to hear what the RP has to say, is simply false. Their actions spoke louder than any words they could ever have said.

Has the party changed? Yes and no. The segregationists are either dead or close to it. But their adult children still remain. Does the party recognize Black Americans as a unique constituency, worthy of speaking to and hearing from? A few in the Party do, must most are either indifferent, resentful or downright hostile. A handful are tyring to reach out to African Americans, but for the most part, the majority of the outreach consists of simply bashing Democrats and telling us how stupid we are for being so loyal (yet they'd have no problem with us being stupid for them).

In short, the GOP doesn't particularly want our collective patronage. They want a few barking lap dogs that will be gratuitously contemptuous of the Black masses, and they want a little window dressing so as not to be so obvious about their true feelings for us.

Re: Ta-Nehisi Coates on Why Black People Won’t Join The Republican Party

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 16:05:00 -0000

First, good for McCain. It shows he's trying to remain above the sleaze.

Second, as we continue to hear the drumbeat of "race", look at who the drummers are. It's Clinton surrogates (media included) who began and continue to beat that drum.

Re: Obama & Wright: Another Perspective

Ronnie B — Thu, 20 Mar 2008 17:05:00 -0000

Maybe it's high time we stopped "casting pearls before swine". We've had a great American man--a true statesman--delivery words of inspiration and reflection to any and all that would receive them. He did it, not so much for political expediency, but for personal and national catharsis.

If there are still people who wish to conclude that Barack Obama is an abject failure, well then that's what they need. Leave them to live on their own bile and hatred.

A little-known politician just came and spoke life to our dreams. That doesn't happen too often.

Re: Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:21:00 -0000

This is great news. Although, if leadership is what our country really wants, it's not a surprise at all.

Asi y todo, mil gracias a Gobernador Richardson.

Si, se puede!

Re: Clintons Using Wright to Hurt Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:33:00 -0000

Yes, Kamp Klinton will try to use Pastor Wright as a wedge. But the more they do, the more the endorsements--like Bill Richardson--will come stream to Barack.

If Klinton wants to troll for "ignorant bigot" vote, by all means let her have them.

Re: Obama’s State Department Records Illegally Accessed in January 2008

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 08:43:00 -0000

D~

I realize you're simply discharging your perceived duty to spin ... but, jeez ... can't you do it without insulting the intelligence and intellect of the JJP community?

A breach of state department security protocol for (perceptively) political snooping is serious business. And if it's demonstrated that this bit of espionage inures to a particular candidate--either Clinton or McCain--serious consequences may flow.

Re: Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 09:05:00 -0000

I had thought about Obama/Richardson....but, are people ready?

In a word: no.

There's a sizeable population who can't even come to grips with Barack being the inevitable nominee of the Dem Party.

They damn sure aren't ready for a Black and a Mexican as leaders of the country.

Re: Obama’s State Department Records Illegally Accessed in January 2008

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 10:20:00 -0000

Ronnie,
I acknowledge that it's political, whether it was done for someone's personal knowledge (as it seems) or as fact-finding for a campaign. The breach of security is the most serious part of the story.

But, let's reason for a second: if YOU were on Clinton's/McCain's campaign, and you were the one given the information...now that the story's out there, would you use it for your gain?

And that's why I say it's a non-issue as far as the campaigns are concerned. You'd have to be incredibly stupid to use this information now, knowing how it was obtained.

Oh ... it *seems* to have been done for someone's personal curiosity. More weak spin.

There's no way out of this, D. Whoever did it, did so right after Iowa; right after the Potomac victories; right after the Wisconsin victory; and again, on March 14. This is more than just curiosity. It was information that someone sought to obtain for nefarious purposes.

That the information is "hot" is neither here nor there. It' still fruit from a poisonous tree. The dirty deed itself is what's gonna get somebody in trouble.

*cough* Hillary *cough*

Re: Obama’s State Department Records Illegally Accessed in January 2008

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 11:00:00 -0000

You wouldn't have been so willing to wait for the facts when stealth Clinton operatives stole FBI information about their political opponents back in the '90s.

Re: Obama’s State Department Records Illegally Accessed in January 2008

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:22:00 -0000

Let's close the book on this one, call it what it is-an example of poor security practices at DoS-and move on.

Uh huh. And while we're at it, let's close the book on this Jeremiah Wright thing and call it what it is--an example of an angry pastor--and move on.

Re: Clintons Using Wright to Hurt Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:33:00 -0000

Once again, the Klintons appeal to benign racial notions (this time, the notion being that a Black man cannot be patriotic).

If hell has political parties, they'll be trying to divide them too.

Re: Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 16:48:00 -0000

I'm in agreement about keeping Clinton off the ticket. If the Angry White Right will go after Barack just for going to a Black church, there's no telling what they'd do with Clinton as a target.

Moreoever, she and her surrogates are the prime suspects behind all the racializing of Barack and his campaign. She has no business being a national leader after all of this.

Re: Bill Richardson Endorses Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 21 Mar 2008 17:00:00 -0000

One big fact has largely been lost in the recent coverage of the Democratic presidential race: Hillary Rodham Clinton has virtually no chance of winning... Journalists, for instance, have become partners with the Clinton campaign in pretending that the contest is closer than it really is.

And this has GOT to stop. Now, I know that the best way to change Washington is to vote out the bad, and vote in the good. But if we the people don't significantly change media, then change in Washington won't happen. I don't know the conventional wisdom of changing from a grassroots level, but there have to be ways.

Having folks in strategic places who are, at least, not anti-Barack is good. But media reform goes way beyond Barack. A change is needed behind the scenes at editors' desks; in program director offices; and in the corner offices. Corporate sponsors need significant pressure to advertise with responsible and diversely managed media outlets.

Again, I have no idea what I'm talking about, but I do know that media reform MUST accompany political reform.

Re: Obama & The Right Wing: Is it All About Race, Or Not?

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 08:41:00 -0000

I'm one who believes that most in the MSM cannot comprehend the bond that someone has with their church-home and the pastor thereof. But what I find even more disturbing is how so many on The Right, have bound their faith to their patriotism.

This is why people like Sean Hannity are so dangerous. They've come to believe that America is their church, and conservative patriotism is their god. It's no wonder that they won't try to understand why Barack Obama can reject the words, but not disown the church.

Re: Media, Clinton Campaign Slowly Acknowledging Reality?

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 09:00:00 -0000

I don't know about the media seeing the writing on the wall. In fact, they want to ignore it until the very end. It's in their best interest to keep Klinton's (false) hopes alive.

What we need to prepare for is the possibility of a significant defeat in Pennsylvania. Barack might do well in Philly, and he might make a dent in Pittsburgh. But that's about the extent of it. The media has given itself the excuse to pander to those so-called "working-class whites" in middle Pennsylvania with whom Barack has "a problem", they say.

They're saying that he's got a "real problem" with these white folks as if he's done something to cause the problem. Now, the WGM won't come right out and say that these "working-class whites" don't like Obama because they don't particularly care for Black politicians, but they do regularly stop just short of saying so. And in my view, the WGM's failure to give such bigotry the light-of-day exposure it deserves, only provides justification and safe cover for it.

That said, I agree with justice58; start banging the phones and e-mail addresses of corporate sponsors of the media outlets who continue to fan the flames of white bigotry.

Re: The Amazing Racism of Pat Buchanan. Be Not Surprised

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:20:00 -0000

I don't like to use the term too loosely. That said, Buchanan is beyond bigoted. He's a racist, IMO.

Buchanan appears to be one of those people who expects non-white peoples to genuflect to white righteousness (to the extent it exists). Listen to him talk; not on MSM TV outlets, but with like-minded conservatives like Michael Savage. He prefers an America where the White male is still seen as the head of the table. Where white people are seen as the true Americans, and where non-white peoples aspire to assimilate (and acquiesce) to that cultural structure.

Make no mistake about it; Buchanan isn't Archie Bunker. He's the worst kind of advocate of a softened form of white supremacy.

Re: Obama On Why Him Over Clinton: "Hillary Doesn’t Believe In Bottom Up Democracy" (video)

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 12:32:00 -0000

Forgive me; I'm gonna commit a little heresy, here.

I think Clinton would be responsive to bottom-up Democracy. I just don't think that she possesses the leadership or politically moral qualities that would compel someone to see bottom-up democracy as a necessity in changing politics-as-usual.

And at the end of the day, Clinton epitomizes politics-as-usual.

Re: The Amazing Racism of Pat Buchanan. Be Not Surprised

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 13:49:00 -0000

D sez:

I just don't want to see the point, which is more than valid, get dropped because he can't communicate it without pissing people off.

That's just it, D. How can anyone suggest to me that I'm better off in America than I am in, say, Fiji?

This is precisely my point about Buchanan's racism--not his bigotry or his stupidity or his running off at the mouth--his racism. He's a firm believer that unless Black people live in America, and assimilate to white superiority, that they are somehow worse off elsewhere.

Now, there were plenty of artful ways that Buchanan could have tried to say what he meant, but it wouldn't have mattered. We know what he means.

Re: The Amazing Racism of Pat Buchanan. Be Not Surprised

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 14:51:00 -0000

If you look past the BS-which there is a lot of!-the question isn't if black people are better off in America or not; it becomes a question of when we're going to have a real, honest discussion on race in this country ("straight talk," if you will) and what that discussion will entail.

Not so fast, chief. Buchanan DID suggest that Black people are better off in America. Therefore, that statement IS in question.

Unless, of course, you've concluded that it's a fact not worthy of argument ...

Re: Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick Charged With Perjury

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:28:00 -0000

Regardless of the outcome, Mayor Kilpatrick doesn't seem to be able to step back and see a larger picture. His city is broke; education is triflingly bad; and jobs are rare.

And now he's been indicted for perjury!?!? This is the point where a wise person realizes that their city and state deserve more.

Re: The Amazing Racism of Pat Buchanan. Be Not Surprised

Ronnie B — Mon, 24 Mar 2008 16:35:00 -0000

If we know that statement to be BS, is it worthy of argument?

D~

srpeter and Craig Hickman said it better than I could.

The kind of racism that Buchanan harbors does not warrant a "two-sides" argument. It's sad and disturbing that in order to be a Republican, one must accept that racism has a "side" worthy of argument.

Re: More Clinton Supporters Would Support McCain Than Obama Supporters. REALLY???

Ronnie B — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 14:23:00 -0000

Agree with TBHP. This is nothing but weak efforts at poll manipulation.

Re: Booman Tribune Lays Out Why Clinton On Wright Is So Wrong

Ronnie B — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:42:00 -0000

D sez:

I'm still confused here...

Obviously our therapy sessions with you need to be more aggressive. ;-)

Re: Booman Tribune Lays Out Why Clinton On Wright Is So Wrong

Ronnie B — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 08:51:00 -0000

dear jack and jill, booman tribune makes it clear for the reader. the democratic party risks losing the black vote in this and maybe more elections. the clintons appear to be eliciting and exacerbating the white bigot within the party. they are driving this bus over the ledge. that is psycho.--Andy

That's right, Andy. It's becoming clear to me that the Clintons are on an "ethnic cleansing" mission of the Democratic Party -- at least as far as Blacks are concerned.

They knew full well that they would lose our vote when they started the race-baiting. They've since calculated that if they can poison the minds of White Democrats, then a mass Black defection wouldn't mean a whole lot. In fact, with Blacks gone from the Democratic Party, it might bring back some of the white "Reagan Democrats" who left the party decades ago.

What needs to happen is for good people of all races and ethnicities to recognize this for what it is, and speak out against it.

Re: Booman Tribune Lays Out Why Clinton On Wright Is So Wrong

Ronnie B — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 15:45:00 -0000

d sez:
Justice,

So let them hate. If you stop discussing them, you push them more and more to the fringes.

Evil (and hate) prevail where good people do nothing.

D prefers that his political opponents do nothing so that the hatefulness of Clintonism and (some) Republicanism may prevail.

Re: Booman Tribune Lays Out Why Clinton On Wright Is So Wrong

Ronnie B — Thu, 27 Mar 2008 17:05:00 -0000

It's not about doing nothing; it's about knowing what battles to fight and which ones not to. Like I said earlier, most of America already thinks this (Wright) isn't an issue. Why continue to give it creedence?

We didn't introduce Rev. Wright in the first place, so I think you're misplaced in suggesting that we retire the issue. It's Sean Hannity; it's Rush Limbaugh; it's Neil Boortz; it's Michael Savage; it's FOX News; it's all of your favorite conservative pundits who are working feverishly to keep the issue alive.

Now, if there's one thing that I preach is to never surrender the power of self-definition. So it is in this situation--where a non-Black news media is essentially mis-defining a vital element American and Black culture, that somebody has to hold forth and not allow this to happen.

And if you Black conservatives who value the opinions of the folks who seek to mis-define the Black church and Black culture won't speak up, then others will.

You see, this isn't about Obama as much as it's about maintaining our power of self-definition.

Re: Obama On The View (videos)

Ronnie B — Sat, 29 Mar 2008 17:50:00 -0000

Clearly we've come to a point where a certain percentage of whites and others, NEED to believe that Barack is a closet white-hating racist.

And if I've learned anything in my 44 years as a Black person, I've learned that people who MUST think of you in a certain way, will never change their minds. And the more you try, the less they respect you.

Let them be.

Re: So Obama’s Lithuanian Too?

Ronnie B — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:16:00 -0000

One has to wonder, JT, just what it takes--beyond being better than Chris Matthews or Joe Scarborough--for a non-White person to host a news/commentary show on TV these days.

Re: Obama Gains Momentum — A Report from PA

Ronnie B — Tue, 01 Apr 2008 19:30:00 -0000

I'm not so sure about the Rasmussen poll. SurveyUSA--one of the most accurate polling orgs out there--has it at 53% to 41%. But, as usual, Barack has closed the gap considerably.

Now, should Clinton win PA, will the media treat her win--with the significant help of resentful White voters--the way they treated Barack's victories in Mississippi and South Carolina?

Re: Today’s Handkerchief Head for Hillary - Emmanuel Cleaver

Ronnie B — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 10:10:00 -0000

Rev. Cleaver, among many others of his time, have been forced to come face to face with their own irrelevance, and they resent like hell that Barack Obama (and other examples of a new Black leadership) is the reason for it.

What's sad is that the only way they've been able to express their feelings is through the bitter and (obviously) jealous comments.

And yet, once again, this is how the Clintons express their regard for Black communities.

Re: So Obama’s Lithuanian Too?

Ronnie B — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:33:00 -0000

Did anyone notice Chris Matthews' hardball question to Claire McCaskill last night (4/1/08)? He was asking her how she thought Barack would do with "regular" voters in PA ... as opposed to African American ... voters.

Either Matthews knows something about a disparity in Black and White bowel movements, or he thinks that Black and White voters are inherently different. Either way, he continues to show just how ignorant he is of anyone who's not white and middle-American.

Re: So Obama’s Lithuanian Too?

Ronnie B — Wed, 02 Apr 2008 12:35:00 -0000

To clarify, yes, Matthews did verbally make the distinction between regular voters and Black voters.

Re: Views of Obama from ‘ The Other Side’

Ronnie B — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 13:02:00 -0000

Don't be too confident in Obama's wide spread 'white adulation.'

Right now he exists in a Democrat/media bubble.

He has a true 'race gap' among white Dems.

Memo to anon:

That certain White people don't care for Obama isn't his problem. It's those certain White people's problem.

Begging for White acceptance is about as fashionable as powdered wigs.

You didn't know?

Re: Views of Obama from ‘ The Other Side’

Ronnie B — Thu, 03 Apr 2008 19:11:00 -0000

Doesn't matter what he wants to do. If there are White people who don't like him because he's Black, then that's not his problem.

But I really don't expect you to comprehend that.

Re: CNN’s Anderson Cooper and Soledad O’Brien Slant Black Superdelegate Coverage

Ronnie B — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 15:23:00 -0000

CNN--like other news outlets--are seeing a Black empowerment that's quite foreign to them. They see the results of our organizing; our political clout; and our political demands.

They're surprised and somewhat afraid. Black empowerment is a scary thing. It's what makes Black-lovin' liberals like Bobby Kennedy give the FBI the go-ahead to spy on MLK. It's what makes liberals like Andrew Cuomo characterize Barack's campaign as "shuckin' and jivin'". It's what makes Geraldine Ferraro reference Barack as an affirmative action candidate.

People in politics and media are afraid of true Black empowerment. And each fear-mongering commentary not only speaks to that fear, it communicates it to like-minded people.

Re: Colin Powell on Obama and Jeremiah Wright

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:02:00 -0000

Although I'll never forget that General Powell has been a "good soldier" to a fault, I have forgiven him for it. I've forgiven him because I sense--through many of his interviews since leaving the Bush admininstration--that he's learned that being a "good soldier" can have severe consequences for a nation.

That said, I think he's done with politics, and is very much enjoying the consulting gig.

Re: Run, Condi, Run?

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 08:25:00 -0000

Black people have different political views as evidenced by Rice and Obama. Having both in the political race can only be positive.

True, pamela. What I would expect though, is that having Rice as the VP nominee would turn into a "our negro is better'n your negro" debate. And as you said, the white guys at FOX and CNN would love to be the moderators of that.

Re: Colin Powell on Obama and Jeremiah Wright

Ronnie B — Thu, 10 Apr 2008 14:12:00 -0000

While Powell would bring a great deal to the table-especially to a candidate who has NO concept of where to even start with the military-I don't see him coming back out. He seems content with his legacy as is.

Except for the Obama criticism, I agree with D. I think Powell is comfortable in civilian life. If he were even thinking about a position in the Obama administration, he (Powell) would have already started his mea culpa tour around the Sunday morning talk show circuit.

Re: Easy Question: Are PA Voters Actually Offended? (updated with video)

Ronnie B — Mon, 14 Apr 2008 12:00:00 -0000

There have been, at least, two instances where Barack has been criticized by Hillary and then by the MSM; only to learn that whatever Barack has said that was oh-so-offensive, was also said similarly by Bill Clinton. I'm also noticing a pattern whereby the MSM waits until the end of the week--when the damage is done--to make the connection.

I keep saying it folks: if we want change in politics, we HAVE to change TV media. More Black and Brown people in TV management instead of personalities in front of the cameras.

Re: Oreos & Coconuts: Do blacks and Asians have to behave like white people to succeed?

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:13:00 -0000

It depends, but many Asians who feel compelled to appeal to White acceptance and approval are seen as "bananas"; Yellow on the outside, White on the inside.

A similar term for Native Americans is "Apple"; Red on the outside, etc.

It really is a shame that in 2008, our respective sociologies are still so complex.

P.S.

Some of my White friends have an opportunity (and in my opinion, a responsibility) to go beyond naively asking "why" ... or "what is acting White?".

This is and has been a social phenomenon for centuries. There are few justifications for not being aware of it.

Re: Republican Rep: Obama A "Boy"

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:31:00 -0000

Expect more of these racist slur/apology scenarios to play out through November. It's the only strategy that these people have.

What's absolutely sickening is that this strategy has proven to work with even a few Democrats. So it's likely to work like a charm with most Republicans.

The key will be for Barack to step up; acknowledge that some folks won't vote for him under any circumstances; and make his case to those people anyway. He must NOT avoid these folks. He must isolate them; answer their questions and prove to them that, despite their racism and ignorance, that he's going to be the president of and for all Americans.

Re: Republican Rep: Obama A "Boy"

Ronnie B — Tue, 15 Apr 2008 13:36:00 -0000

D-

"Today is a terrible day to be a conservative, Republican, right-winger"

Dude, this is just the beginning. By the time October rolls around, Republican strategists are going to be doing minstrel shows on FOX News.

You might wanna get used to pulling out your "I've always been an independent" card. You're gonna need it.

Re: Most Folks Don’t Care About Rev Wright "Issue" & Want Superdelegates To Go With The People

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 08:33:00 -0000

Tonight's debate will be an indicator of what the media thinks is important to voters.

I'd be really surprised if tonight's subjects are agricultural subsidies, metropolitan infrastructure, and the alternative minimum tax.

Look for more "race", NAFTA and "please-tell-us-why-you're-not-an-elitist"

Re: Most Folks Don’t Care About Rev Wright "Issue" & Want Superdelegates To Go With The People

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:16:00 -0000

McCain's age will be off the table because Obama won't even need to go there...just being who they are the age issue will be there.

True. Barack doesn't have to go there. And hopefully, he can even score a few points by complimenting McCain on how youthful and fit he is, etc., etc.

Yet isn't it ironic that of all the race-baiting that the Dem contest has seen, there's not been one instance of gender-baiting by Barack or his campaign?

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:30:00 -0000

Saw Michelle O on the Colbert Report.

All I can say is, "Barack ... brotha you married well. Very well."

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 14:31:00 -0000

Senator Arlen Specter's cancer has returned. Pray for him and his family.

Many thoughts and prayers to Senator Specter and his family. He's a good man, and has served PA and the country honorably.

I wish him all the comfort and peace.

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:11:00 -0000

Are y'all sick and tired of me calling for a change in media management? Am I being too shrill about this issue?

Good gawd; ABC's actions were horrible. As I predicted, they led off with questions on issues that they (the media) felt were most important: the issues that they themselves manufactured. Then followed up with another 20 minutes on Jeremiah Wright; capping it off with the "are you patriotic enough" silliness. After 45 or 50 minutes of this crap, I changed the channel. It was obvious that ABC wasn't going to moderate a serious debate on the pertinent issues of the day.

Barack should be pissed off with today's media right about now. Question is, what can he do about it?

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 08:57:00 -0000

Here's how Ronnie B. would have responded to the Wright/Bitter/Flag Pin questions:

[Mr./Ms. Moderator] I've provided enough answers to these distracting and trivial types of questions, that you could write volumes on the subjects for the rest of your career. Now, to the extent that you're going to continue to ask questions that bear no pertinence to the most pressing issues of the day for the vast majority of Americans, I'm going to pass the question to Senator Clinton. And if you all see fit to occupy the American people's precious time discussing my church or how I accessorize my clothing, then proceed at your own peril.

When you're prepared to discuss the economy, education, environment, war and the pursuit of peace, by all means let me (and the American people) know.

I'd get crucified by the media in the short-term, but it'd be well worth it in the long run.

Re: Hillary On Working Class Whites In 1995: "Screw ‘Em"

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 09:42:00 -0000

The "screw 'em" comment -- a comment that won't get any airtime or media scrutiny -- is just one more piece of evidence that proves how biased the WWM has become.

We need a change in media. Now!

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 11:26:00 -0000

In the short-run, we should expect more of the same. If Clinton-style politicians are threatened by Barack and the new Black leadership that he represents, then the mainstream media is equally threatened and afraid for its current way of life.

We've seen it in the last few months, and we'll continue to see it all the way through November.

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:39:00 -0000

Wouldn't white independents who are eager to promote a post racial America, applaud his courage? Why would the Dem party base be alienated unless they themselves want to preserve the ugly status quo?

Who says that White independents aren't applauding Barack's courage already? What I think you're implying is that White independents would applaud Barack even more if he focused more on "race" than pocketbook issues.

And that just doesn't pass the smell test.

Keep trying ...

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 13:48:00 -0000

Why would a John McCain question about raising taxes be asked in a Deocratic Primary debate?

Truthseeker,

Personally, I didn't mind the taxation questions. Barack needs to see a few fastball pitches from time to time, in order to maintain his reflexes. He is going to be the President, and he should have a command of all of the issues that important to all of the people. Better that he addresses those issues in an open forum; it says that his policy position is strong enough to debate in ANY forum.

That said, ABC didn't have that in mind. It was a hit job.

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 14:50:00 -0000

@truthseeker

I see what your saying, now.

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 16:34:00 -0000

I love it!!!

Re: Go On Brush Ya Shoulders Off

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:02:00 -0000

S~

While Joe Klein is a shill for anybody-but-Obama, it's guy like Jack Kemp who will ultimately catch President Obama's ear. As conservative Republicans go, Kemp has some "street cred" with Black policy makers and economists.

I say this because Barack -- Democrat that he is -- isn't as far left as some suggest. He's got a real pragmatism about him, and would listen very carefully to someone like Kemp.

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 09:12:00 -0000

It concludes, "This was a debate for their (superdelegates) benefit, and ABC did the right thing by testing the candidates on the issues that are bound to take center stage in the fall. On these issues, Obama might have stumbled. But he did not commit the kind of catastrophic blunder Clinton needs if she’s to have any hope of winning the nomination."

S~

I respectfully disagree. A gazillion people can't be wrong when they say that ABC's moderation of the debate was an abomination.

Moreover, any suggestion that the ABC debate was some kind of tempering process for "center stage" issues like flag pins and inflammatory pastors, should be treated with a great deal of suspicion and skepticism.

To put it plainly, it's an effort to lull Obama into a muddy cesspool and fight the contest from there ...

rather than on the real issues of the day, where McCain is clearly the weakest.

Re: ABC Has Lost Its Cotton-Pickin Mind / What Do We Do? (FCC REFORM!)

Ronnie B — Fri, 18 Apr 2008 10:07:00 -0000

d~

I don't know that people are taking exception with the debates being "unfair". I think people are outraged at the trivial nature of the questions that occupied the first half of it.

That said, an Obama v. McCain debate on the issues of Iraq troop withdrawal, taxes, appropriations, education and health care, would have been "fair" -- and appropriate.

Re: Pennsylvania - She Won..oh well, onto Indiana and North Carolina

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 13:48:00 -0000

So the infamous "working-class white voters" finally had the opportunity to speak. But what did they say (other than "under no circumstances will we vote for ANY Black man as president")?

And for the love of JJP, can someone please tell me why Black folk aren't described as "working-class"?

Re: Pennsylvania - She Won..oh well, onto Indiana and North Carolina

Ronnie B — Wed, 23 Apr 2008 19:42:00 -0000

Seems to me that, for most of us here at JJP, our "working-class" ancestry dates back to the 1600's and continues right up through today.

Re: This spoke to me…so, I bring it to you

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 08:36:00 -0000

The original post was spot on. Not only was it dead accurate regarding this Democratic contest, but it made me think about the very white privilege that goes on right here in my corporate workplace.

How I must measure and temper every word and action to avoid management repurcussions, while white female subordinates are free to freely speak their mind without consequence.

But I guess that this was bound to be the case. We knew that Barack's success would threaten the status quo. I guess we just didn't expect that the status quo were those who called us "friends".

Re: Michelle And Barack

Ronnie B — Thu, 24 Apr 2008 13:37:00 -0000

Barack's (and Michelle's) ascension is illustrative of how far many of us have come in American society.

It's also a stark reminder of just how far many Americans still have to go.

Re: James Clyburn Speaks Plain Truths About the Clintons and the Black Community

Ronnie B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:35:00 -0000

I said it before and I mean it again: if you can fatigue the nation with race, there will be a backlash among the white electorate to take the issue completely off the table.

You're absolutely right, Craig. I've said the same thing.

When the white electorate's discomfort with the whole "race thing" reaches a point of resentment, they're going to want to blame *somebody*.

Based on conditioning alone, most of them will blame Barack for their discomfort.

Re: Monday Open Thread - How was the weekend?

Ronnie B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 08:55:00 -0000

Teacher sez: I'm thinking that the only way we can affect national change is with the finances.

I don't disagree with you ... but I think that *we* can affect the most change through media control. Only when we have command of our image; our likeness; and our reality, will we be respected enough not to be reduced to sound bites and pundit quips.

Re: Monday Open Thread - How was the weekend?

Ronnie B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 10:55:00 -0000

When the media rings the Rev. Wright "dinner bell", we've got to stop showing up to eat.

Let the white folks who need-a-reason, have Rev. Wright. Let them have it. But every time we talk about him; every time we place his words into their proper context, we allow for the enemy to live another day.

Re: Jeremiah Wright On BIll Moyers

Ronnie B — Mon, 28 Apr 2008 16:06:00 -0000

Repeat, game over. Barack and thus by extraction Axelrod, have been living in a bubble re: how TV newsrooms (such as they are) truly work, and what the average white schlub "responds" to. It is soap opera, and the good Rev. has delivered himself as the Adam Chandler of this campaign.Not necessarily a villian, but always there.

Don't forget Chris; where ever there's Adam Chandler, there's Stuart Chandler. Not sure what I mean by that, but it sounded good. :)

I disagree that it's game over. As you said, newsrooms are what they are. And this issue--like "Mission Accomplished"; like Katrina; like the Downing Street Minutes; like Abu Ghraib--has a shelf life.

Re: "Obama Can’t Do Sh*t For Me"

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 08:19:00 -0000

I can appreciate Andreas Hale's perception. We have a candidate who's running on *change*. And an example of change, might be that said agent of change not distance him or herself from the Sean Bell injustice, and speak to it--regardless of the political consequences surely to be suffered. In this regard, Barack falls in line with other, seemingly "unchanged" politicians.

On the flip side, those of us who have studied Barack and understand where he comes from, are quite confident that the Sean Bell injustice angered him and Michelle as much as it did the rest of Black America. And that when he's president, he'll clean the DOJ house from top to bottom, and will move to act swiftly on the next Sean Bell-type injustice.

But first, he knows--like we all know--that he has to weather the current storm of anti-Black sentiments of blue collar whites and white liberal pundits. If he can do this while maintaining his sanity, he'll be unstoppable.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: Hi Everybody

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 09:23:00 -0000

Just watched the Barack interview on FOXNews. He did well. And, is it me, or did it seem like Chris Wallace might have a little man-crush on Barry? In any event, Wallace has a little sway at FOX, and I think that Barack's willingness to show up; answer questions; and be completely engaging and affable, won him some respect.

Belle, I know it's easy to say, but ... don't despair. Things get awfully ugly before their real beauty is revealed. What you--really all of us--are seeing right now is a panic and fear that the status quo is changing, and that the defenders of the status quo are realizing just how little they can do about it. It might look bleak, but in reality, it's truly something to behold.

I'd say this, though: if you're still in possession of the power of love, joy and a sound mind, you're doing alright in life.

Re: About this ‘Electability’ Memo….

Ronnie B — Tue, 29 Apr 2008 15:52:00 -0000

I'll not vote for Hillary Clinton, nor any Democrat that endorses her, sanctions or supports her efforts, or otherwise benefits if she should somehow be given the nomination.

In fact, if that's the way the party treats it's most loyal constituency, I'd probably never support a Democrat again.

Re: Michelle Obama & Caroline Kennedy On CNN

Ronnie B — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:48:00 -0000

This is perhaps the most naive question that could be asked--yet probably the most complex question ...

why are Jeremiah Wright's actions, Barack's fault?

Re: Michelle Obama & Caroline Kennedy On CNN

Ronnie B — Thu, 01 May 2008 13:51:00 -0000

Back to Michelle ...

She's the woman I want my sons to marry. She's the woman I want my daughters to emulate.

And politically speaking, I'm glad that she's politely asking the so-called mainstream media to knock it off already as concerns Rev. Wright.

Re: Big Media Finally Writes About What Black Folk Will Do If Clinton Steals The Nomination

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 08:51:00 -0000

Well written, Jack -- as always.

One thing I've noticed in various states across the country with significant Black populations, are younger 35 and 40-something men and women who have gotten up the gumption to contest some of the "fixture" elected officials within the Congressional Black Caucus. A young(er) man here in Atlanta named Markel Hutchins is going to be challenging John Lewis; a young(er) man in New York--I think Powell is his name--is going to be challenging Charlie Rangel, I think. And there are others in various states where the younger generation has determined that Black political capital has lost its interest, influence and respect.

New leaders like Corey Booker, Duval Patrick, Harold Ford, Jr., Jesse Jackson, Jr. and many others, are now seeking to replace those older "leaders" so accustomed to leading with their heads down and their hands out. These new leaders appear to be willing to remind the Black gentry that they're powerful; don't need the blessings of certain white people; and can and should demand more.

When these new leaders are recognized as being at the forefront, we won't have to be as frustrated and angry with a political party that treats us as they do. Or a national media that goes along with it.

Re: Big Media Finally Writes About What Black Folk Will Do If Clinton Steals The Nomination

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 10:08:00 -0000

anonymous and s,

Both posts appear to be Clintonian support cleverly disguised as objective questions.

Barack isn't making a "comeback" because there's nothing or no where to come "back" from.

As far as super delegates not "uniting" behind him ... again, more spin for the uninitiated. The reality is that super delegates are leaving Clinton and joining in favor of Obama. See Letter from Joe Andrew

Finally, these white voters who supposedly can't be "won" by Barack, don't matter. Yes. I said it. These "under-no-circumstance" white bigots don't deserve to be appealed to; they don't deserved to be reached out to; they don't deserve to be woo'ed. They only deserve the sorry, bitter and unfulfilled lives that they've made for themselves. They aren't worth the trouble.

Re: Big Media Finally Writes About What Black Folk Will Do If Clinton Steals The Nomination

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 11:58:00 -0000

Yep. I'm not doing it. I'm not a Democrat, so these people who would unite around a jello mold if it had a "D" after its name hold no sway with me.

I agree. And it's why I stopped registering as a Dem. I got fed up with a party that needed Black folks for our vote, but didn't need us for our leadership.

And when someone like Barack comes along; and the party "leaders" screw him over in favor of placating a few ignorant white voters and white media; then I can vote against that party with a clear conscience.

Now, I believe that Barack is poised to win this thing. At the same time, I and millions of other Black voters are serving notice that we will not be accepting any -- ANY -- rationales, excuses or reasons for stealing the nomination.

Re: Sign An Open Letter To Democratic Leaders Demanding They Not Overturn The Will Of Voters

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:05:00 -0000

I signed the letter.

@truthseeker:

You have the right to be irritated. Basic fairness isn't complicated. The only people who want to make it complex are those who can't survive on said fairness.

Re: Sign An Open Letter To Democratic Leaders Demanding They Not Overturn The Will Of Voters

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 14:36:00 -0000

Ryan, you're right. And a strong argument to the superdelegates is that Obama did absolutely nothing to "lose" the blue collar white vote. Clinton, however, has done almost everything possible to shoo away what's left of her Black support. What's more, she's actively courting those very white voters who wouldn't vote for Obama under any circumstance.

Re: Sign An Open Letter To Democratic Leaders Demanding They Not Overturn The Will Of Voters

Ronnie B — Fri, 02 May 2008 15:16:00 -0000

I've been wondering why the Clintons would throw away the Black vote for nothing in return. They have to know that they can't pick up the additional votes elsewhere.

Now, has Harold Ford, Jr. endorsed either Obama or Clinton? Isn't he the chair of the DLC (to which Bill Clinton belonged)? Aren't his politics in line with H. Clinton's?

I'm wondering if Clinton thinks that she can use us to win the nomination, and then woo us back by naming Ford as her running mate?

Re: Sign An Open Letter To Democratic Leaders Demanding They Not Overturn The Will Of Voters

Ronnie B — Sat, 03 May 2008 08:43:00 -0000

Pay no attention to a.non.ymous. He/she is the resident Clinton shill, hoping for the errant 70-year-old McGoo to stumble into JJP and be convinced that Clinton really is winning.

Pay him/her no mind.

Re: Hillary Clinton’s Star-Crossed Weekend: Dead Horse, Fake Gun and "Elite" Facts

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 08:32:00 -0000

Clinton's pandering begs a fishing analogy.

Barack is fishing for as many voters as he can. He knows that some voters bite hard on lures; some voters go crazy on worms; still other voters will go for nothing but minnows. And Barack uses each lure or bait where appropriate.

Clinton, on the other hand, is desparate. She's resorted to baiting her hooks with cigarette butts. And at this point, she'll be happy with whatever kind of fish will take that bait.

Would you want to feast on the fish that eats cigarette butts?

Re: Funny Sundays: Detroit Councilwoman Conyers Gets "Schooled"

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:35:00 -0000

Come on Detroit ... y'all have GOT to do better than this.

Re: Operation Anti-Chaos: The Narrative on ‘ White Voters’ is FICTION

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 09:40:00 -0000

Ron Paul likes Obama's foreign policy philosophy.

Speaking of Ron Paul ... did the media make inferences about white surpremacy associations in the wake of his white supremacist donors, the way they infer that Barack's a potential Black militance based upon his associations?

Re: Hillary Clinton’s Star-Crossed Weekend: Dead Horse, Fake Gun and "Elite" Facts

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:43:00 -0000

b-serious,

I feel you. The DNC is watching all of this happen, and *seems* to be taking no action.

On the one hand, they can plausibly say that there are no rules that require good taste in the bloody sport of politics. And they probably don't want to be seen as coming to Barack's rescue.

On the other hand, I believe that if Barack was doing his best to poison the electorate; to superficially attack Klinton's gender; to question her sexuality; to attack her at every opportunity, the DNC would have stepped in and demanded civility.

Finally, if it were *white people* who were threatening to leave the party, Howard Dean would have kneecapped Hillary Clinton already.

Re: Hillary Clinton’s Star-Crossed Weekend: Dead Horse, Fake Gun and "Elite" Facts

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:44:00 -0000

Out of what is only strict curiosity...who-besides Obama-wouldn't be considered "a third term of the Bush Administration?"

Republican, Democrat or independent?

Re: Hillary Clinton’s Star-Crossed Weekend: Dead Horse, Fake Gun and "Elite" Facts

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 10:57:00 -0000

Ronnie,
Doesn't matter.....I'm just getting the "our guy or no one" vibe again.

Repubs

Jack Kemp

Michael Steele

Mike Huckabee

Dems (other than Obama)

Harold Ford, Jr.

John Edwards

Jim Webb

Kathleen Sebellius

Indies

Ralph Nader

Jim Jeffords

Bernie Saunders

Ron Paul

Re: Hillary Clinton’s Star-Crossed Weekend: Dead Horse, Fake Gun and "Elite" Facts

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 11:01:00 -0000

Clinton Camp Considering Nuclear Option

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/

These people will stop at nothing. Word has it, that the Klintons may try to get the DNC rules committee (comprised of their supporters) to change the rules so that Florida and Michigan delegates can be seated AND counted.

Why would anyone--ANYONE--remain a member of this Democratic Party?

Re: "I’m Not Racist, But This Guy I Know"

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 16:57:00 -0000

Yes, there's a consistent percentage of white (and other) people who won't vote for a Black person. Let them be. No need to try and change them, confront them, or reason with them.

Our job, in my opinion, is to "celebrate" those white (and other) people who ARE voting for, or considering voting for Barack. And all of us should be touting just how informed, forward-thinking, and problem-solving we all are.

In my opinion, we speak nothing (publically) of the bigot and racist types. Let them have only each other. Let them see that real and decent people have no time or care for them or their petty prejudices.

Ostracize them without saying a word.

But perhaps the worst thing we can do with bigots and racists, would be to publically challenge their bigotry and racism.

Re: Jeremiah Wright: Black Boogeyman — And How Obama Can Survive Him

Ronnie B — Mon, 05 May 2008 17:16:00 -0000

What Barack needs to do is answer no further questions and give no further opinions on the subject.

Thus far, he's been incredibly patient and restrained, knowing that this kind of scrutiny wouldn't happen with a white candidate. But there's a fine line between maintaining a strategy of patience and restraint, and responding to massa's every whim. It's the latter that media and certain white voters will become accustomed to and demand more of.

And that point, he (and we) will have lost some much-needed respect.

Re: Mildred Loving Has Passed Away

Ronnie B — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:56:00 -0000

Thank you, Mrs. Loving, for standing up. You and your husband's couraged showed society that love can't be bound by race ... or racism.

Re: INTRODUCING…..

Ronnie B — Tue, 06 May 2008 08:58:00 -0000

Welcome, CPL! I look forward to your contributions.

Re: "I’m Not Racist, But This Guy I Know"

Ronnie B — Tue, 06 May 2008 09:26:00 -0000

anna

That was an outstanding post on the Clintons and their pursuit of the white bigot vote. Thanks for the link.

Re: Hillary "Tonya Harding" Clinton Fully Vetted? Not with 24 MILLION of Bill’s income unexplained

Ronnie B — Tue, 06 May 2008 12:18:00 -0000

As Andy correctly points out, the MSM couldn't be bothered with any of this. Oh you can bet that they dug like gophers into Barack's background and associations, but apparently it was too burdensome to follow the money in the Clinton household.

And now that the primaries are just about over, who's gonna really care ... Oregon? Puerto Rico?

Re: Obama Passes 1,500,000 Donors

Ronnie B — Tue, 06 May 2008 15:11:00 -0000

It probably is high time that Barack start asserting himself as the person who will be the figure-head of the Democratic Party.

1.5 million donors (not including supporters who can't donate) is some serious juice. He may need to start letting the party elders know that he's about to be the new sheriff in town.

I think people have gotten so accustomed to Barack being a genuinely nice guy, that they haven't realized that he's quickly become their political superior.

Re: GIVE CLINTON THE DELEGATES FROM FLORIDA? SH—-EET

Ronnie B — Wed, 07 May 2008 11:47:00 -0000

I guess I'm torn on this issue.

On the one hand, Barack calls her bluff and "offers" her a portion of the FL and MI delegates. He appears to be the bigger man; the better man. And by doing so, he offers evidence that she has no legitimate chance at catching him in delegates.

On the other hand, she would spin Barack's offer as a victory for her. She'd spin it as Barack yielding to the pressure of the voters to do what's right. And, worse, she'd use it as one more argument for the superdelegates: had those states been counted as they should have, the momentum and tone of the campaign would have been different.

I don't know ...

Re: Clinton’s Race-Baiting Continues

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 08:28:00 -0000

I've said it before, and I'll say it forever: Barack has no business courting the white-bigot-vote.

He has every responsibility to court the free-thinking, reasonably educated, reachable white vote, but never the "under-no-circumstance" white vote to which the Clintons are so obviously pandering.

Moreover, it's Barack who needs to remind the predominantly-white media that Black people are "working-class ethnics" as well. That there are plenty of Filipino, Chinese, Korean, Japanese, and Puerto Rican Americans who are also "working-class ethnics".

Now that he's pretty much shown Hillary the door, he needs to beging taking a firm position with the media, and do his part to change the ignorant and benign racist dialog that's been going on.

As a citizen of color, I work hard for my right to vote. Don't you?

Re: Clinton’s Race-Baiting Continues

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:16:00 -0000

Word has it that John Edwards will "officially" endorse SBO.

WTF took so long?

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 10:34:00 -0000

Chuck Todd on Hardball yesterday:

I'm liking Chuck Todd more and more. He's been one of the more credible pundits out there.

Obama knows this, and while I would love for him to do what Rachel Maddow says - SHOVE HER OFF THE STAGE - he can't do that, lest he becomes the Big Black Brute to her White Woman Victim.

What would be poetic is if Barack already had a female Veep nominee, and had her shove Billary off the stage.

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 11:36:00 -0000

Obama/Pelosi-first black president, first female vice president, first administration to lose a war.

Nice.

d, regardless of who's on the ticket, I think you know that we're past the point of this war being won (or lost).

Re: Clinton Makes Case For WHITE Appeal

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:42:00 -0000

I get the nagging feeling that she's going to try and pull a Joe Lieberman and run as an "independent".

I'm wondering if she's convinced that if she can win the white female vote; the I-ain't-votin-for-a-Black-guy vote; and the I-ain't-voting-for-some-pinche-mallate vote, that she might have just enough votes to at least make sure that Barack doesn't win.

It's delusional, but then many diabolical narcissists get that way.

Re: Clinton Makes Case For WHITE Appeal

Ronnie B — Thu, 08 May 2008 17:57:00 -0000

The problem with her running as an independent, is that she would have literally no support. The only reason she's gotten this far is because the Democratic infrastructure respects her power in the party. If she leaves, then Bubba leaves by default. And once Bubba's gone, then they're on their own.

Worse for her, is that the rest of the electorate will see her and Bubba for what they really are: a couple of greasy, two-bit grifters.

Re: Through The Looking Glass…….

Ronnie B — Fri, 09 May 2008 08:18:00 -0000

Please forgive me if I sound cavalier or sexist: Where are the (grown-ass) men in the Democratic Party? Not the men-are-pigs men, but the men who claim positions of authentic leadership without fear of hurt feelings or potential tantrums.

See, this is precisely why I quit registering as a Dem. This constant fear of offending offensive people.

Hillary Clinton is acting like a spoiled 3-year-old, and grown folks do nothing while she "expresses herself". A grown man would say enough is enough and swat her diapered-ass. To let her know that the air she pollutes with her noise, is everybody's air. That the peace she disturbs with her shrill tantrums is everybody's peace.

Where are the grown-ass men to discipline this most spoiled child?

Re: Through The Looking Glass…….

Ronnie B — Fri, 09 May 2008 09:10:00 -0000

From anonymous:

"...The relationship with Bill Ayers will empower the Republicans to destroy the candidacy of Barack Obama.

And I can produce photos of U.S. Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld shaking hands with Saddam Hussein. And I'm sure that there are photos of George W. Bush with members of the bin Laden family.

At some point, these phony inferred associations are entertainment for the ignorant and an annoyance for the informed.

Re: Rasmussen Calls the Democratic Race for Obama

Ronnie B — Fri, 09 May 2008 10:59:00 -0000

With this in mind, Rasmussen Reports will soon end our daily tracking of the Democratic race and focus exclusively on the general election competition between Republican John McCain and Democrat Barack Obama.

And that's that way it's done!! And the mainstream media needs to get with the same program. There's a reason that they don't discuss Ron Paul or Mike Gravel; they're irrelevant now.

And with the Clintons now dredging swamps for the white-bigot-vote, they've shown how irrelevant they are.

Re: James Clyburn -Trying to be the Canary in the Mine

Ronnie B — Sat, 10 May 2008 17:03:00 -0000

Co-sign with ppm. Clyburn's playing it smart. He knows that if he publically declares, he won't get any airtime at all. And without airtime, he wouldn't be the voice of reason and sanity that he is.

Re: Monday Open Thread - How was the weekend?

Ronnie B — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:37:00 -0000

This is a great story:

ajc.com > Metro > Atlanta

Morehouse valedictorian stands out -- he's white

Joshua Packwood says college provided him a perspective he wouldn't have gotten elsewhere

Yep. Saw it on the front page of the paper this morning.

IMO, it's a major statement made by academia; a major statement made by Morehouse; and a major statement made to the country, that a young white man can go to a college with 99% young Black men, and not only receive a quality education, but be its valedictorian.

Re: Religious Right -leaning towards Democrats?

Ronnie B — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:46:00 -0000

This ' Obama can appeal to the evangelicals' premise is something that I think we need to consider, which is the reason for
a) the Muslim Smears

b) why The Right went apecrazy over Jeremiah Wright

The attempts to marginalize Obama as a Christian.

They had no choice but to go hog wild on Wright--painting Barack as a whacked out Black Christian--because they forgot that they had already painted him as a secret Muslim.

Next up: Barack is a Manchurian Candidate, controlled by Willliam Ayers and the Weather Underground. (rolling eyes)

Re: IF WE CAN’T LOVE OURSELVES….?

Ronnie B — Tue, 13 May 2008 08:30:00 -0000

I can appreciate the fine line between community affinity and identification, and being accountable for the worst behavior among us.

Shortly after the Virginia Tech shootings--and the revelation that the shooter was Korean American--a government official from Korea was said to have called our government to offer an apology. Was that their responsibility to do so? To them, maybe so. To some White Americans, maybe so. To some Black Americans ... well, for me, I don't think it was necessary.

That said, there are still those in our community that we "claim" as our own. And some of them do some pretty vile stuff. But at some point, we gotta cut those folks loose, and concentrate on those who still have (and want) a chance.

Re: Give Me Strength…

Ronnie B — Tue, 13 May 2008 17:01:00 -0000

It ain't just the South, unfortunately.

Remember the phoney rape case that was brought against Kobe Bryant? Well the local Sheriffs in Colorado--the ones who initially arrested him--actually had "Hang Man" t-shirts made, depicting Kobe.

The sad truth is, this is just the beginning. The ugliest and most vile people imagineable will be rearing their heads in the coming years.

Re: Obama & Working Class White Voters: ‘Problem’ or not?

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:04:00 -0000

This bears repeating:

Obama doesn't have a poor-white-voter problem. Poor-white-voters have an Obama problem.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Speak your mind

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 09:21:00 -0000

@ sepia

Is it just me, or is the MSM blaming Obama because WV didn't vote him? Sure, BO could've campaigned so as not to appear to poo-poo the state, but look at the REASON why WV aren't voting for him: RACE -- an issue which Hillary has been pushing all along! Why hasn't the MSM taken WV to task for racism, and why haven't they taken Clinton to task for race-baiting??

It't not just you, sepia. The MSM is subtely attempting to "blame" Barack for not getting the white-bigot vote.

You have to understand; most of these people are Hillary-crats, and are not only seeing their hero go down in flames, but their careers too. They've known that they could occupy the seats of power so long as political leaders shared the same faces, and came from the same places.

With Barack as president--even as Democratic nominee--there's going to be a great deal of resentment by many whites in the MSM.

Right now, I see their "blaming" Barack for not attracting more white-bigot-voters as mockery. They're saying "well well Mr. Walk-on-Water, you're not as popular as you think".

As Barack progresses, we should look for more parting shots like these.

Re: What Harold Myerson Said.

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 13:40:00 -0000

So, when there's a link that tells me EXACTLY how Obama will do the following (and this isn't all inclusive, but it's from his site)-

d~

Every candidate addresses the issues much like a person addresses an invention: (1) concept; and (2) reducing the concept to actual practice.

Every president does this. Barack will be no different.

But you already know that.

Re: What Harold Myerson Said.

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:17:00 -0000

Ronnie,
...but if he's supposed to be the "presumptive nominee" shouldn't he be starting to delve a little more into the details of his plans?

If he's executed enough detail to take down the most powerful Democratic Party machine in decades, then I'm going to trust that he'll execute his economic details with similar success.

Re: What Harold Myerson Said.

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:25:00 -0000

@ craig

I give them exactly one debate, maybe two, before John McCain explodes and calls Barack out of his name.

The rest will be history.

Unfortunately, I think the media will want to "protect" McCain from Obama the same way they protected Clinton.

Except for the token debate moderated by people of color, the rest of them will be contrived and choreographed so that Obama can't make complete a fool of McCain.

Re: Give Me Strength…

Ronnie B — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:46:00 -0000

The publisher of Curious George is contemplating legal action against the bar owner for illegally selling the t-shirts.

Poetic justice?

Re: The Buchanan Theorem

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:14:00 -0000

dna,

That was epic! :)

Re: dNa BEAT ME TO THIS…

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:31:00 -0000

CPL~

Well stated. And you shouldn't have to tip-toe around people's racism and bigotry. Yes, shamefully Barack is required to ignore this racism and bigotry in order to win the battle -- and it seems that some people have become spoiled by that -- but us rank and file supporters can, will and should call it as we see it.

I saw nothing in your post that was insulting toward Black Appalachians. If anything, I find it insulting that of those "tens of thousands" of Black Appalachians, few if any found it necessary to take a public stand against Clinton's blatant race-baiting and racialized pandering.

Re: Johnny "Come Lately" Edwards To Endorse Democratic Nominee

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 08:46:00 -0000

Yeah, Edwards' endorsement is late. But if he really wants a cabinet post, he'd better get to work. His job for now is to get out and make nice with some of the Black-fearing white men and women in the South and in Appalachia.

As a political matter, I'm a little peeved that his "endorsement" is premised wholly on which way the political winds began to blow. And, just as Barack said in their first debate, Edwards is often too late in showing leadership. He's a fine lawyer, a decent politician with a good rap, but he's not cut from the leadership mold. That said, I welcome his support.

Re: Intellectual Property Laws Are Fun

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:24:00 -0000

I think the owner of the IP rights might send the t-shirt-sellin' 'neck a little cease and decist letter.

Re: The Buchanan Theorem

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 10:34:00 -0000

How is it that Buchanan is a regular commentator on any show?

Yet Black folk still have to threaten boycotts in order to get any air time.

And where are my Latino and Asian peeps? Do y'all not care that you literally have no voice in the MSM?

Re: Intellectual Property Laws Are Fun

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:20:00 -0000

s~

If you think that the regular posters at JJP can't make the nuanced distinction between bigoted white voters who wouldn't vote for a Black person, and ordinary white people who would ...

Then why waste your time visiting a space where people are so irretrievably ignorant?

Re: The Buchanan Theorem

Ronnie B — Thu, 15 May 2008 13:43:00 -0000

One more piece of brilliance for which Obama deserves credit:

Whether Bararck wins the presidency or not, Black voters all over the country have seen the true colors of the Democratic Party. The so-called leaders of the party as well as the MSM sat and watched for months as the Clintons race-baited like it was 1968.

So if the Democratic Party ever wants to get back to the White House, they're going to have to make sure that a Black person is either on the ticket, or are high-level cabinet members.

Similarly, if the MSM wants to continue resembling anything mainstream, they'll have no choice but to become diverse--in management.

Re: Chris Matthews Hands Talk Radio Host Kevin James His Ass

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:03:00 -0000

That was nice. It's about time Matthews found a set o' nads.

Re: Daily Open Thread - TGIF

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:10:00 -0000

Not a columnist I normally read, but if he keeps this up, I'll bookmark him.

http://www.ajc.com/blogs/content/shared-blogs/ajc/bookman/entries/2008/05/15/obamas_success_suggests_we_can.html

Re: Daily Open Thread - TGIF

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:18:00 -0000

Sorry, try here.

Obama's Success Suggests We Can Transcend Race.

Re: Bush Attacks Obama in Israel; Joe Biden Responds-"This is bullshit"

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 08:21:00 -0000

Was Bush drunk again?

Re: Daily Open Thread - TGIF

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:28:00 -0000

bpm

You want to use HTML tagging. For instance, the URL you pasted: http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,917... be tagged with ; the actual title; and after the title.

Re: Daily Open Thread - TGIF

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:29:00 -0000

Bad example. Sorry, bmp.

Just google "HTML tags" and you'll be fine.

Re: Daily Open Thread - TGIF

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 09:50:00 -0000

Hell to Pay

Now that Barack has settled the nomination question, what of those folks who so obligingly carved their names onto the Obama Wiki list?

Bill Sheheen

Andrew Cuomo

Bob Kerrey

Bob Johnson

Andy Young

Harold Ickes

Charlie Rangel

A few of these folks will be seeking elective office. What should their fate be?

A

Re: Chris Matthews Hands Talk Radio Host Kevin James His Ass

Ronnie B — Fri, 16 May 2008 10:21:00 -0000

@ craig

that is precisely why the GOP is shitting bricks as we speak. Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Virginia will all be in play.

Not saying Obama will win them, but I like his chances in at least Louisiana, Mississippi, and Georgia.

Craig, good thought. It occurs to me that recent California Supreme Court ruling on same-gender marriage actually hurts McCain with some of the Deep South voters. It could be argued that since McCain voted "no" on the Constitutional amendment to ban SSM, that he helped open the door to a gay marriage having to be honored in Alabama or Mississippi.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Ronnie B — Sun, 18 May 2008 15:35:00 -0000

Black folk are gonna take care of the Clinton Negroes.

Like a Tutsi that voted for a Hutu. ;)

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:27:00 -0000

@paul
Starbucks must have made a fortune there!

Big kine, fortune!

Glad you found JJP, brah. Stick around.

Alohaz.

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:35:00 -0000

This slideshow made me choke up

And, how would you like to have been one of the folks in the boats, chilling on the harbor, watching this rally.

Wow, once again to Oregon. They came through in a mighty big way.

Wow. Oceans and oceans of people.

It made me think how, if you listened to our media, these were everyday people who have deserved to have relevant messages delivered to them, instead of the race-baiting garbage they've been getting.

This many people in one gathering tells you how our media are out of touch.

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 08:51:00 -0000

As expected, CNN has nothing to say about 75,000+ people turning out to see Obama. In fact, their Politics page has Clinton in the headliner.

Typical CNN.

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:05:00 -0000

That's my point. This is politics. They knew-or, benefit of the doubt, should have known-what they were getting into, and the type of scrutiny they would both face. That is the nature of the business-however unfortunate it may be.

D~

All things being equal, you'd be right. But the salient point is that all things aren't equal. And that's why Barack flexed on some of those Repubs. Being critical of her political ideology is perfectly fair. But some of these people exploit the opportunity to belittle and demean a Black woman who has the audacity to buck her prescribed role, and speak without prompting.

Barack knows that they will do whatever possible to exploit people's stereotypical perceptions of over-bearing, big-mouthed Black women. And it was high time that he spoke up.

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 12:52:00 -0000

Ronnie,
I doubt seriously that this has less to do with Michelle as a black woman that it does with her showing a side that could be taken as being unpatriotic.

Well if she's proud of her country, what does it matter how or when she developed that pride? And why no benefit of the doubt in the first place?

That's why I say this is just an opportunity for some people to perpetuate the stereotype that Black people are less patriotic than others.

I'm disgusted with some of the Black folk who are helping to perpetuate this stereotype.

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:24:00 -0000

Ronnie,
I don't think that all black people are unpatriotic. I know that patriotism does not require blind devotion as well. Having said that, I think some of us are too willing to put our individual problems before the good of the country...or put differently, we view the world through a narrow prism, and fail to see the "larger picture."

OK ... but is Michelle Obama unpatriotic?

Re: Obama Draws Crowd of 75,000 in Oregon

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:46:00 -0000

Ronnie,
Personally, I don't think so. That specific comment-as well as others-was ill-advised.

You know she's not unpatriotic, yet here you are--and perhaps elsewhere--advancing the very inference that she is.

Re: Through the Looking Glass……Senator Robert Byrd Endorses Barack Obama

Ronnie B — Mon, 19 May 2008 13:52:00 -0000

Doesn't it look like Barack wants to run off stage and take a shower (one of those furiously-scrubbing/curled-up-in-the-corner/just-got-raped-and-feels-dirty ... showers)?

Re: The First White Morehouse Valedictorian

Ronnie B — Tue, 20 May 2008 08:46:00 -0000

In an interview on the Tom Joyner show, Mr. Packwood said something that I thought profound. He said that his being named valedictorian at Morehouse had nothing to do with being rewarded for overcoming barriers or hardships (other than the usual rigors of academia) and it had everything to do with his peers exercising their choices on the merits. I thought the young man sounded bright, engaging, grounded, and enthusiastic. Not unlike other Morehouse grads.

Rhonda,

I understand what you're saying about giving up ground, to the extent that we don't have much ground to give. At the same time, it was an opportunity for *us* to take a position of racial and cultural leadership where few others would not.

I'll concede to you that a nominal piece of ground was given away. But that ground was fertile; we sewed the seeds of progress in it; and we'll harvest its crops for our betterment in ways that we wouldn't have ...

if we hadn't given that ground.

Re: THAT’S THE WAY TO DEFEND YOUR WOMAN

Ronnie B — Tue, 20 May 2008 09:11:00 -0000

Was Laura Bush ever publically questioned or criticized about her drinking? Her drunk driving collision that killed her then-boyfriend? The abortion she was alleged to have had?

Of course not. Yet she gave interviews; she publilcally campaigned for her husband during their Restoring Dignity to the White House campaign.

Yeah, some of you say that these women *ought* to be the same fair game as Michelle Obama. But you know damned well that she's not going to be ... AND you know why.

Yet you won't publically say why. And that's where I think y'all lose your credibility. You know that the media's being biased, yet you allow your party loyalty to prevent you from saying so.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: Hi Everybody

Ronnie B — Tue, 20 May 2008 11:50:00 -0000

Pachenga

Regarding the Cherokee Freedmen issue, Barack has said:

"Discrimination anywhere is intolerable, but the Cherokee are dealing with this issue in both tribal and federal courts. As it stands, the rights of the Cherokee Freedmen are not being abrogated because there is an injunction in place that ensures the Freedman's rights to programs during the pendency of the litigation. I do not support efforts to undermine these legal processes and impose a congressional solution. Tribes have a right to be self governing and we need to respect that, even if we disagree, which I do in this case. We must have restraint in asserting federal power in such circumstances."

Personally, I'd like to see government-mandated effort to maintain Freedmen citizenship rights. At the same time, it would seem that--for now--the courts may be the best forum to decide the issues. The CBC can't even bring themselves to come out uniformly in support of Barack's candidacy, so I can't fathom why anyone would want them dealing with tribal issues. Same goes for the current Congress.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:01:00 -0000

Truth,
Is there something in Obama's background-some event, some experience gained, that would make him capable of handling an event on the scale of 9/11?

He's not a nitwit alcoholic. Does that count?

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 09:05:00 -0000

Query:

What's the best way to get the message to Team Obama that his core constituency cannot tolerate the idea of Clinton being offered the VP job?

It occurs to me that the longer this narrative stays in the MSM, the more Team Obama might think that his core constituency feels an obligation to offer her the job.

I do not. How do others feel?

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 11:07:00 -0000

All I'm asking is at what point there can be a discussion of McCain and Obama's stances on the important issues (of which racism and sexism really aren't) without invoking Bush.

D~

That's a question that every Republican voter should be asking of GOP strategists and 527 groups that are putting the final touches on their Jeremiah Wright video montage.

You know as well as I that the GOP doesn't want to campaign and debate on the issues--unless the issues are flag pins, Black racists, gay marriage, closet Muslims, and abortion.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:29:00 -0000

Ronnie,
By Obama's own admission, Rev. Wright is a "legitimate political issue," so I don't think that's necessarily off limits.

And you agree with him. How convenient.

Anyway, if you call out JJP for being unwilling to discuss "important issues", while believing that a retired pastor is part of a presidential contest, then don't be suprised when people question not only your credibility, but your intellectual honesty.

Re: Gergen Tells Hillary To Denounce Racist Vote. Too Late?

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:35:00 -0000

Too late, Gergen. The Dem leadership stood by and watched as the Clintons did everything except drop the N-bomb.

And now that the neo-Southern Strategy proved to be a failure, it's too late to call foul. The Dems who stood by and said nothing will have to answer for it.

Re: Shufflin On Hardball

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 12:44:00 -0000

I tend to agree with Rhonda.

Bernard's words were ill-advised. We're already having to listen to pundits who don't know a g.d. thing about Black people, and for her to kid around--and yes, we know she was kidding--like that only feeds the ignorance of the predominantly white (and ignorant) media.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 21 May 2008 13:50:00 -0000

Hell, take Wright out of it: wouldn't it be more intellectually honest to for Obama and his supporters to talk about how he's going to fix this country without having to hear the constant complaints of racism and the constant Bush bashing?

Of course. Why the hell do you think people have been complaining that race and race-baiting were eclipsing the relevant issues of the day?

Twenty-one debates; over 40 hours worth of debate; thousands of hours of TV commentary. And the narrative was constantly about Wright; bitter-gate; flag pins; are you "black enough"; was Bill Clinton a black president. Apparently, most people don't want issues. They want entertainment. And racializing is still the best entertainment possible.

Hopefully, Obama v. McCain will be about economic, educational, health, and international issues ...

and not about wives and ex-pastors.

Re: Hillary Clinton LIES - SHE IS NOT AHEAD IN THE POPULAR VOTE

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 08:39:00 -0000

SCORCHED EARTH CAMPAIGN

Seems to me that the Clintons have decided that they'd rather burn down the entire Democratic Party, rather than turn over the reigns of power to someone who had the audacity to step out of his his "place" without invitation. The Clintons would rather destroy the Democratic Party whose most loyal constituency have finally discovered the evidence that proves the Clintons are not, and never were, who they held themselves out to be.

They are planning to destroy the Democratic Party in order to remake it in their image.

How truly Confederate of them.

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 09:04:00 -0000

McCain Adviser Resigns, Won't Campaign Against Obama

Perhaps--perhaps--this says a little something about some of the folks McCain surrounds himself with. But it says more about the respect and admiration that Barack enjoys with all kinds of people from all walks of life.

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:33:00 -0000

Keith Olbermann--and of late, Chris Matthews--are making some serious inferences that the MSM are giving racist voters a free pass. Even better, they're openly questioning whether the MSM are validating the racist vote by (1) acknowledging them as a legitimate voting block; and (2) failing to address the underlying reasons for their voting behavior.

Re: Hillary Clinton LIES - SHE IS NOT AHEAD IN THE POPULAR VOTE

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 10:55:00 -0000

Yes Hillary is awful, but you need to calm down.

Not voting Democrat for ANY reason is at this point in history, practically treason.

That's not only crazy, it's sickeningly servile.

That woman would have been given the hook months ago by a Democratic Party that valued its loyalest constituents. Her deceiptful, divisive, and race-baiting behavior has gotten this far because a spineless, cowardly Democratic Party didn't have the courage to take a stand and establish some boundaries.

So hell no; I'm not about to be nationally humiliated, belittled, and mocked ...

and then turn right around and reward a party for standing by while I'm humiliated, belittled and mocked.

What kind of person does that?

Re: Hillary Clinton LIES - SHE IS NOT AHEAD IN THE POPULAR VOTE

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 13:59:00 -0000

Ignore the S.A.W.B. trolls.

Re: The Onion Foresaw All This Years Ago

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:15:00 -0000

I suppose if there were enough super delegates who committed to Obama, then the DNC could step in and say "it's over Hillary, go away". But I think that they're seeing the end of a political era, and are going to let her stay in so that they can both go out with some "dignity". You know; the whole "Bill and Hillary Clinton have been instrumental in the Democratic Party structure for over 20 years", thing.

Now the media are a different story. They have the right and the obligation to declare this contest over. But they're going to continue egging Clinton on, because it's still good drama. Again, there are some media people who see the writing on the wall (Wolf Blitzer, Charlie Gibson, [Insert Name of Pretty White Woman]) and that the Obama era will also usher in the Deval Patrick era; the Harold Ford, Jr. era; the Cory Booker era. In short, audience demands will change. And when that happens, media coverage will change. Out with the blue eyes and the botox and in with the multiple shades of brown.

Re: Hillary, The Susan B. Anthony, John Brown And Fannie Lou Hamer Of The Florida Primary?

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 14:35:00 -0000

DEMOCRATS (MEANING BILLARY) FILE SUIT TO SEAT FLORIDA DELEGATES

She's trying to hold the nomination hostage, y'all.

Re: Obama Begins VP Search

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:28:00 -0000

I'm thinking Webb. Sad to say, but anyone other than a White male, is asking too much.

Re: Racist Rush Limbaugh Attacks Obama as Affirmative Action Candidate

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 16:31:00 -0000

I've finally learned to be no more outraged at what Rush Limbaugh says, than what David Duke says.

Same guy.

Re: Obama Begins VP Search

Ronnie B — Thu, 22 May 2008 17:04:00 -0000

re: McCain/Romney

McCain/Huckabee seems like it'd be a much better energizer for the party. No, Huckabee doesn't have a mean streak or white superiority fetish. And yes he's slightly more moderate than Romney.

But the GOP already spoke on Romney. They ain't havin' a Mormon.

Re: FOX NEWS JOKES ABOUT OBAMA ASSASSINATION

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:50:00 -0000

Clinton will continue to make comments like this because she knows that she--unlike the other 6 Democrat candidates who have NO CHANCE at the nomination--has the ear and eyes of the mainstream media. She and they will continue to perform this charade; the media know that she will utter something horribly offensive; it will get played up to get attention; and the media will then allow her to spin her comments as being taken out of context. Or worse, they'll let her blame it on Obama.

Re: FOX NEWS JOKES ABOUT OBAMA ASSASSINATION

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 May 2008 08:55:00 -0000

As to FOX News ...

Imagine of us at JJP being in a position of management. Imagine having the power to change the format from what it is now, to a be-respectful-to-Black-people format.

I wouldn't fire one person. I'd make them say the nicest things possible about Black people until they couldn't stomach it any more, and quit en masse.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: Hi Everybody

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:06:00 -0000

s & d

Can either of you explain what a "victory" in Iraq would be?

Re: Minority Bloggers Need to Be Present at the DNC Convention

Ronnie B — Tue, 27 May 2008 13:15:00 -0000

I recently had friends in town from the U.K., and their impression of our media/consumer dynamic is pretty much what christopher chambers suggests.

Our MSM is lazy, sloppy, and plays to the lowest common denominator. And our viewers/voters have become addicted to junk-food news. Nothing neutricious, and all processed sugars and artificial flavors.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: Hi Everybody

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:16:00 -0000

d & s

Thanks for your replies yesterday re: "winning" in Iraq. Sorry I couldn't follow up.

Based, though, on both of your responses, you both believe that we will have won when Iraq's government is stabilized and functional. Both of you know, however, that such a scenario is analogous to beating someone to near-death, and then having the nerve to claim a "victory" once they're off life support and are stabilized.

I'm sure you both also know that the key to "victory" in Viet Nam was similarly stated in those vaguely platitudinal terms. Democracy; stabilized government; blah, blah. But none of those things happened until our government withdrew our military from Viet Nam. In other words, we were part of the problem. Not the solution.

This is why John McCain was correct in his figurative assessment of "100 years" in the region. He knows as well as any that the "victory" that some people tout can take generations to achieve.

Or we can do what we did with Viet Nam and leave so that the people in the region can make their own decisions on how they will conduct their lives.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 08:48:00 -0000

BLACK TELEVISION NEWS CHANNEL

Might we finally have a "BNN" to receive news and information that isn't Anglo-centric? A news outlet that doesn't generate ratings by the body count?

Re: A Black CNN?

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 13:43:00 -0000

I don't know. As conservatives go, I respect J.C. Watts. I would disagree with him 50% of the time, but I respect him for refusing to accept a token Republican role in Congress. I also respect him for maintaining contact with and making guest appearances on various Black radio shows -- where the audiences were hardly Republican.

Further, I think that Watts is someone who sees the writing on the wall in terms of Black political and business leadership. He sees that Obama is poised to be president. He sees that the Jesse Lee Petersons and the Mychal Massies have been exposed as Republican minstrels. And he also sees that neither political party has served Black viewers and consumers very well.

That said, Watts is still a business man and is still a Republican. And if it means that funding comes from some of the same entities that funded conservative news, he'd probably look in that direction.

But if he operates a format that's moderate and balanced, and is committed to rejecting the mainstream media's Black stereotypes, I think he might have a winner. But we shall see.

Re: A Black CNN?

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 14:30:00 -0000

JC Watts is only the front man to serve up a right wing agenda intended to misdirect and distract African Americans from seeing what they are doing behind the curtain.

squarepeg,

That's precisely the reason that Watts left Congress. The Republicans wanted him to be a front man; a token; window dressing. And Watts wasn't having it.

Re: A Black CNN?

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:21:00 -0000

The term "bastion of left wing orthodoxy" is about as Republican-white-guy as one can get. Yet you criticize people for not being independent-minded.

Funny.

Re: A Black CNN?

Ronnie B — Wed, 28 May 2008 15:29:00 -0000

With all due respect, I say let the black viewing audience decide if this idea viable.

If BTNC turns out to be a "Fox News for da 'Hood" remix AND viewers find the content objectionable, it won't stay on the air.

I agree. Atlanta and Chicago are excellent markets for informative, inclusive and positive television programming by and for Black people. If it starts to sell Black buffoonery, coonery or thuggery, it won't last.

Re: The Attempt to Dehumanize Michelle Obama

Ronnie B — Thu, 29 May 2008 12:05:00 -0000

I can't believe what I just saw. It's sickening. That it's circulating among people and institutions who are supposedly friendly and respectful of Black America, makes it all the more offensive.

I expect this kind of thing to come from Republican partisans. I expect Republican partisans and sycophants to dismiss it as "no big deal". But to be circulated amongst "progressives" under the guise of humor ...

Well, let's just say that it's reason number 589 why I'm not a Democrat anymore.

Re: Milkshakes Are Harder To Come By: Why Oil Costs Over $120 Per Barrel

Ronnie B — Fri, 30 May 2008 14:47:00 -0000

I'm down with the Swedish model for oil independence.

Problem is, here in Atlanta we can't get our business and political leaders to think beyond old, petty prejudices.

Most metro Atlantans commute, and most commute from suburban areas that don't want rail transit of any type. Most suburbanites would rather pay $9 a gallon, instead of paying taxes for rail that would expose suburbia to the urban types. And this attitude has been well-adopted by the Georgia legislature.

Suffice it to say that other major cities around the country have a similar problem.

Re: The Obamas Leave Trinity

Ronnie B — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 07:55:00 -0000

Politically speaking, it had to be done.

But culturally speaking, I'm disappointed that Barack couldn't see fit to FIGHT the media in order to bring about a change in their coverage, depiction, and treatment of Black folk.

The media have been rewarded for their mockery of a Black institution--an institution that they never cared to understand or appreciate in the past, and won't care a thing about in the future.

This was simply an exercise in "flexing" on the media's part--to remind us that they control us, not the other way around. Most Black folks held firm. I wish Barack had done the same.

Re: DNC Rules and Bylaws Committee Meeting Open Thread

Ronnie B — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:06:00 -0000

What a sad party. If it weren't for Barack, I'd have nothing to do with them.

Re: The Obamas Leave Trinity

Ronnie B — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:13:00 -0000

For the very first time, I agree with s.

Barack has seen fit to allow the Democratic Party to treat him (and the vast majority of its Black constituents) with utter contempt and disgrace. Many in the media treated him and us just the same.

Yet Barack took the opportunity to punish Trinity for its actions rather than the Democratic Party and mainstream media that have mocked and ridiculed him and us for over a year now.

I'll certainly forgive him this mistake, but he'd better start showing more courageous examples of CHANGE ... and quickly.

Re: The Obamas Leave Trinity

Ronnie B — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:45:00 -0000

Trinity's leadership could have taken the time to recognize that the white media would be all over them. Rather than maintain a Godly and loving image, they fought back and raised the level inflammation.

Re: Clinton Supporter Gets Her Ferraro On After The Rules Meeting

Ronnie B — Sun, 01 Jun 2008 20:40:00 -0000

Anyone who doesn't think that Harriet KKKristian didn't say what many in the media already think ...

is an intellectual liar.

And no, we won't see Harriet KKKristian--Hillary supporter endlessly looped on CNN or FOX News. MSNBC will suddenly develop standards of decency. And the rest of the networks have finally given up hope for a Clinton comeback.

That woman spoke what many, many Americans are afraid to say.

Re: Monday Open Thread - It’s a New Week!

Ronnie B — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 08:28:00 -0000

Great piece by Jasmyne Cannick. It is *precisely* why I stopped registering as a Democrat; no longer refer to myself as a Democrat; and will no longer cast a vote for someone SOLELY because they have a (D) after their name.

I expected this white resentment of Obama's ascension, primarily because I saw the same kind of resentment of Jesse Jackson; of L. Douglas Wilder; of David Dinkins; of Harold Ford; of Deval Patrick. But I've also seen it with would-be U.S. Senator like Colorado's Mike Miles, who had happen to him precisely what we feared would happen to Barack: a Democratic party that nominated someone with fewer delegates because they were more electable (and not Black).

For too long, Black rank and file Democrats have obediently accepted the role of "disgruntled employee", instead of "vested owner". With the ascension of Barack Obama, hopefully Black Democrats are learning that ownership has its privileges.

Re: Monday Open Thread - It’s a New Week!

Ronnie B — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 13:47:00 -0000

Politically, who benefits from news of economic growth?

Black folks who are applying for SBA loans and corporate grants.

So holla at a brotha when the economic news turns good ... we needs to catch that hook up.

Re: Monday Open Thread - It’s a New Week!

Ronnie B — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 15:03:00 -0000

D sez:
I've said before that I don't think the Republican Party doesn't respects the African American electorate. I think that the conservative message-you can have the world, IF you're willing to work for it-flies in the face of some African Americans because it forces them to look at the world outside of their own existence.

I know that Republicans prefer to condescendingly offer the "if you work hard ..." line based upon the default presumption that Black people don't work hard, but D ...

I'm surprised you trotted that out here. At JJP. With educated and well-read Black (and White and Brown) people.

Re: Edsall: Clinton Summoning Donors For Major Speech

Ronnie B — Mon, 02 Jun 2008 20:56:00 -0000

"According to daily kos, Clinton asked Obama to help some of the black leaders who supported her.

Like Michael Nutter? And Emmanuel Cleaver? And Tubbs-Jones? And Maxine Waters? And Sheila Jackson-Lee?

I realize that some of those folks maintained a low profile, but they still stood mute while horribly racist things were said and done to Obama, that would NEVER have been allowed toward Jackson or Sharpton or Smiley.

So if Michael Nutter believed that the Pennsylvania race-baiting that occurred on his watch was OK, then he can live with that decision and fund it himself.

No cash for race-baiting sellouts.

Re: Should Obama Pay Off Hillary’s Debts?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:06:00 -0000

Pay off Clinton's debts?

That's like Ronnie B. borrowing funds to overthrow the government, and when my attempts fail, I file bankruptcy and ask the government to cover my debts.

Some debts are worth covering. But the manner in which Clinton used her debt was dishonoring, mean, and outside the bounds of decency.

It might be politically customary to help pay your opponent's debts, but I was hoping that Barack would offer some change in that department.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: What’s Up, People?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:12:00 -0000

You're a good brotha, Craig. Thanks for holding it down in Maine.

Re: Denver- From the Imagination of a West Wing Writer

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 08:15:00 -0000

I like that picture. Barack has a "Stevie Wonder" thing workin'; Bubba is mean-muggin'; Rangle is workin' the crowd per usual; and Nancy Pelosi looks sick to her stomach.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: What’s Up, People?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 09:40:00 -0000

Phony-Ops Build the Obama Myth

Well I'z jiss a dumb culuh'd bwah. Don't no nuttin 'bout dim big woids.

Lossa fine lookin' white folks in dat picha, doe.

Re: Clyburn throws support to Obama

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:30:00 -0000

Congressman Clyburn is a man worthy of great respect and appreciation.

While remaining undeclared, he had the wisdom, class, and courage to demand better of the media and Senator Clinton during her race-baiting strategy.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: What’s Up, People?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:31:00 -0000

OK, what's taking so long for the remaining super delegates to get this thing overwith?

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: What’s Up, People?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 10:53:00 -0000

1. His record, extensive as it is, has not only been published here at JJP, it's just as extensive--if not more--at Lincoln.

2. Yes, Obama is dang near as liberal as Jesus himself.

3. Progress in a broken Iraq cannot be boasted by the same folks who broke it. Obama, and a myriad of liberals, moderates, and independents see this.

4. Did the government get "bigger" or smaller in the last 7 years? Obama will simply spend where where the vast majority of Americans need our money spent. No, 10% of Americans won't like it, but that's too bad.

5. Bush and McCain have done exactly what in regard to Iran? Exactly. Talking to Ahmedinajad, even with lenient conditions, gives him nothing and gains respect. He's like a dangerous child. And if he's willing to sit down and listen, Obama will sit down and speak.

6. Gaffes? Not knowing much about the economy--as McCain admitted--is about as big a gaffe as one can make. If you want to hang on the geography quiz gaffes, you may have them.

7. If you need for conservative white folks to advise you on what Obama "might really be" then there's really not much to be said here. Feel free cling to that stereotype if it gets you through the day. But I won't be discussing any "merits" of stereotypes.

Re: Tuesday Open Thread: What’s Up, People?

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 12:43:00 -0000

The Straight Talk Express has derailed.

He's such a flip flopper that it's laughable.

Re: Clyburn throws support to Obama

Ronnie B — Tue, 03 Jun 2008 16:45:00 -0000

Concur with Craig.

Let's lower the blood pressure re Clinton as VP.

Barack has ran one the best primary campaigns in presidential history. He's not about to ruin it by putting her on the ticket.

Re: The Democratic Nominee for President of the United States of America

Ronnie B — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 08:53:00 -0000

I'm so proud. And so honored to have emotionally and financially supported a man who represents not only my 44-year-old dreams, but the dreams of my parents, grandparents and their ancestors.

The occasion hasn't come around very often, so let me just say that *today* I'm proud of my country.

Re: The Democratic Nominee for President of the United States of America

Ronnie B — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 09:00:00 -0000

And today, we go about the daily grind of accepting and meeting the Black person's burden.

Our media can't help but make Obama's victory all about Hillary. Our media is practically demanding that Barack name her as Veep. Our media has shown their true colors (and lack thereof). Some won't acknowledge that the contest is over.

So it is, that Barack must assume the Black man's burden of being the victor, yet having to carry the loser on his shoulders.

Re: Speeches

Ronnie B — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 10:00:00 -0000

Agree that Hillary's speech was intentionally disrespectful toward Obama and his nomination. She remains defiant and arrogant, and horribly narcissistic.

And did anyone catch Terry McAuliffe's intro of her as the "next president of the united states"?

Re: Speeches

Ronnie B — Wed, 04 Jun 2008 11:42:00 -0000

Nice to see that it wasn't just me that noticed McCain's awkward smile at every pause/applause line in his speech.

And could somebody get dude some baking soda and peroxide for those teeth!?!?

Re: JJP Is At The National Conference For Media Reform This Weekend in MPLS

Ronnie B — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 08:13:00 -0000

Hold it down and handle your bizness, Jack!!

Re: The Crabby McCrab Show, Starring Juan Williams

Ronnie B — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:35:00 -0000

What's funny is that kneegrows like Juan Williams have made a nice little living playing the role of "we're not like THEM".

And now they're basically having seizures because one of THEM is about to become president.

Funny.

Re: Superdelegate Rob Andrews Knocks Clinton on Racial Campaign Tactics

Ronnie B — Fri, 06 Jun 2008 15:58:00 -0000

Wait a second. Andrews became "aware" of this in April??

And now he's voicing his outrage? Please.

I'm thinking that if the Clinton people asked *him* to participate in the race-baiting, they probably asked others.

Why did no others come forward? Prolly because it might have changed the outcomes Ohio and the rest of Pennsy-tucky.

Re: Sunday Open Thread

Ronnie B — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:14:00 -0000

Do moderates have a home in the Democrat party?

By acknowledging the Blue Dog Democrats, you answered your own question, s.

Re: The "Whitey" Video

Ronnie B — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 16:21:00 -0000

Mmph, mmph, mmph. Shame on some of y'all for even *thinking* that there was something there. :)

Re: Monday Open Thread - How was the weekend?

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 10:39:00 -0000

Now that the general election campaign has begun, the 'contradictions' and 'bents of character' will receive greater scrutiny than ever. And if this scrutiny is of his record and his judgment is characterized by Obama or his supporters in a way that makes voters feel 'challenged' to defend their skepticism or criticism against cries of 'racism!' than he will fail to win much of the white vote.

In other words, you and a persistent handful of others, are still hoping that there's some way to "niggerize" Barack so that y'all have plausible deniability.

You can't do it with his record, because it's about as sparse as John Roberts'. So really, all you can do is make him out to be the typical angry Black man that makes SOME white people uncomfortable and distrustful. All the while being able to patronizingly say that they're not voting for Barack because he doesn't have the right "temperment" or "judgment".

Re: How Obama Won: 50 State Strategy

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 11:39:00 -0000

I like the idea of a 50-state strategy. Get out there and make your case to anybody and everybody.

That said, part of me doesn't want to acknowledge some of the Appalachian bigot Democrats who refused to vote for a Black man. I also have misgivings about Barack trying to "reach out" to confederate flag-waving people.

Re: Monday Open Thread - How was the weekend?

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 13:39:00 -0000

Do Americans want a more expansive, expensive federal government that sacrifices individual freedom for a 'utopian' collective equality?

According to George F. Will, the Republican government of 2000 - 2006 sure did.

Re: How American Culture Works

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:36:00 -0000

"you go girl"
"what's up"

"old school"

"pimped"

"tricked out"

"bling"

giving high-fives

"don't go there"

"dissed"

"24/7"

Don't forget doing the "Cabbage Patch" celebration dance.

Re: Pat Buchanan Award

Ronnie B — Mon, 09 Jun 2008 14:45:00 -0000

I half expected someone to step forward, saying "oh stewardess, I speak jive ..."

Re: Tim Wise Stirring the Pot

Ronnie B — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 11:58:00 -0000

Mr. Wise hit a home run. I was particularly impressed with:

"You could always have said you were going to go out and vote for Cynthia McKinney. After all, she is a woman, running with the Green Party, and she's progressive, and she's a feminist. But that isn't your threat is it? No. You're not threatening to vote for the woman, or even the feminist woman. Rather, you are threatening to vote for the white man, and to reject not only the black man who you feel stole Clinton's birthright, but even the black woman in the race. And I wonder why?"

Re: Tim Wise Stirring the Pot

Ronnie B — Tue, 10 Jun 2008 13:14:00 -0000

What about white women who think Obama is inexperienced?

He has as much "experience" as Abe Lincoln did.

Re: Am I the only One Sick of the NAACP?

Ronnie B — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:23:00 -0000

The NAACP will remain ineffective and less relevant, so long as Julian Bond maintains ANY position of leadership.

And that's a shame.

Re: CBC Clinton Supporters Go A-Beggin and A-Shufflin

Ronnie B — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 08:36:00 -0000

Co-sign with rikyrah. Let 'em twist in the wind.

Those CBC members -- like the rest of *most* Black Americans -- were gift wrapped and hand-delivered the very thing we've always wanted: a Black person with a serious chance to be president. Yet they acted as though they were smarter than us; as if there was something so much better in store for them, that it was worth the acceptance of race-baiting, cultural mockery and ethnic humiliation.

Well, since they wanted so badly to follow the lead of the Clintons, let them keep following.

Re: Wednesday Open Thread - Holla at us!!

Ronnie B — Wed, 11 Jun 2008 11:56:00 -0000

And, from outside the political sphere:

Grapevine student with top grades won't be valedictorian

Thanks for that link, D.

That Texas decision was absolute appalling and thoroughly offensive.

Re: Black Bloggers Don’t Want Scraps

Ronnie B — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 11:30:00 -0000

Millenials ... keep doing what you're doing. The revolution will not be televised.

Re: Friday Open Thread…..yeah, it’s Friday

Ronnie B — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 08:52:00 -0000

djchefron

Is there a link for Barack's Tax Relief for the Middle Class?

Re: Tim Russert Dead At 58

Ronnie B — Fri, 13 Jun 2008 16:22:00 -0000

OMG. I'm stunned. He's one of those few media personalities that you--I know it's cheezy--welcome into your home.

He'll definitely be missed. And those aren't just empty words. He'll truly be missed.

Re: Hell…to the Naw!

Ronnie B — Mon, 16 Jun 2008 08:19:00 -0000

Not sure if Brokaw has the "quicks" to step in and moderate MTP. He better serves as NBC as its distinguished statesman.

David Gregory gets a thumbs-up for his ability to be tough and tenacious with the White House. He was stupid for encouraging DJ KKKarl Rove, and if he doesn't see why, then that's a strike against him.

Ed Gordon is another one of those distinguished journalists, although I don't know about his grasp of the issues of the day.

Gwen Ifill would be my choice. She's distinguished herself as a serious journalist with integrity; remains concretely objective; and (by her mere presence) would demand an accountability for diverse perspectives of news and politics.

Re: Al Sharpton’s Boycotts Lead to Big Corporate Bucks

Ronnie B — Tue, 17 Jun 2008 08:07:00 -0000

Sharpton has, time and again, proven himself to be concerned about Sharpton.

By the same token, corporations time and again have proven themselves to be indifferent, yet entitled to the Black consumer.

While there's nothing illegal going on, it does prove to be a convenient little dance that both Sharpton and the corporations are doing. The corporations continue with poor diversity practices and non-urban dictates, while Sharpton remains fat and happy with his hush money.

Re: Group Of White Folks On Fox Define Michelle As "Angry Black Woman?"

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 08:50:00 -0000

they panel seems to be discussing the tactic of labeling Michelle as an "angry black woman," not calling her one.

I don't see the issue...especially since they seem to think that it's not a good idea to paint her that way.

d:

You don't see it because your political conditioning has blinded you to such things.

In reality, though, all one needs to do is hear the phrase "angry Black woman" while seeing a video montage of Michelle Obama, and it's not hard to deduce what FOX was attempting to do.

Did you not hear the racial references made about Maxine Waters, Cynthia McKinney, and all the other Black women who are "angry" because their son killed in a drive-by, etc.?

Do you have a Black mother? Has she ever been angry? Is she the Angry Black Woman that these people are talking about?

Re: SWOT For Barack Obama

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 09:15:00 -0000

I'm afraid that one big weakness Obama might have is if he's perceived as a "tax and spend liberal". I was very unhappy to hear a day or so ago that Obama spoke in favor of a windfall profits tax on oil companies. This is exactly the kind of "gimmick" that turns off Independent voters.

If anything, independent voters don't rely on catch phrases to educate them. In other words, they know the difference between "tax and spend" and "borrow and spend". The latter is what has our debt unpayable; our dollar dropping in value.

The term "tax and spend" is what Republican hacks rely on to energize their base. Not to educate (true) independents.

If Obama can articulate that, it's more of an Opportunity than a Weakness.

Re: Group Of White Folks On Fox Define Michelle As "Angry Black Woman?"

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 11:08:00 -0000

And Craig,

Beyond all the stellar examples of Black women who destroy that stereotype, I still have to marvel at how one can *accept* that stereotype in any way.

It's an insult to my mother; my grandmother; my sister; your mother; your grandmother, etc., etc.

D,

I find it appauling that you can accept a racial stereotype of Black people, simply because it serves your political point of view.

Re: Group Of White Folks On Fox Define Michelle As "Angry Black Woman?"

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:33:00 -0000

Meanwhile, the media continues to critique Barack Obama for not reaching out more to Angry White Women.

Re: Group Of White Folks On Fox Define Michelle As "Angry Black Woman?"

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:22:00 -0000

Better dead white people in the White House, than live Black people ...

right, D?

Re: Obama Expresses ‘Deep Disappointment’ in McCain’s Silence on Wife Attacks

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 15:06:00 -0000

Michelle Obama needs to understand that if she chooses to make controversial statements in a public setting, then there is a chance that those words will be used against her. The lynching pic was over the line and unacceptable, but there is nothing wrong with people with questioning her in other areas.

Bottom line - it's just politics, and it's something that she'll have to learn.

I'm confident that Mrs. Obama doesn't need to be condescendingly "schooled" by you or anyone else. She's well aware of the desire to attack her. She's well aware that she's not the typical blonde and blue-eyed first lady candidate. And she's well aware of the racist and bigoted lampooning that will come her way.

She's not complaining. It's those of us Black folk who were the intended "collateral" targets. And we aren't running for office, so not only do we have every right to speak out, we have the duty to do so.

So if anyone needs to be schooled, it's you ... cameron.

Re: Obama Expresses ‘Deep Disappointment’ in McCain’s Silence on Wife Attacks

Ronnie B — Wed, 18 Jun 2008 16:35:00 -0000

Who let the dumb white kids in?

Re: Thursday Open Thread- Let it all hang out

Ronnie B — Thu, 19 Jun 2008 13:29:00 -0000

About the Muslim Women Incident

rik~

Co-sign. Barack would do well to make a special visit to Bloomfield Hills to apologize to the two women who were mistreated, and to the local Muslim community.