DISQUS

Bill Clinton has a profound incapacity for self assessment. A narcissist of this degree is inherently unable to objectively reflect on his own behavior... it's always "the other guy" and in this case, the Black guy.

Rikyrah said, 'Nope...Just chugging along."


I'm with you, Rikyrah. Al Giodarno over at The Field has an interesting take on this (in the comment section of his June 20 post on Community Organizing), and considers it a distraction from the task at hand. Lenore comments: "So there's politics, if that's what you call it; and then there's community organizing, which I guess you'd call process. If the goal is a liberal or progressive agenda, politics is key, and it's a betrayal to support the conservative candidate or a bill that leaves past evils unpunished (in civil court only, by the way). But if the goal is to revive the popular democracy that some of us believe is the thing that matters most, these are wrong but, as Al says, sidebars. Important in their way, but in the big picture they're blips. If nurturing democracy is our goal, the question is how to best serve that goal, not how to force a particular conclusion."



The goal of community organizing is to always move the agenda forward, and not to get held back and distracted by issues one cannot, at this time, in this way, affect. There has been much disappointment here at the thought that Obama might be a "politician" after all; it is perhaps more relevant to distinguish between the goals of politics and the goals of community organizing. it is community organizing on a massive scale which has brought about this incredible activist base, and decisions are made within that context. For an articulate treatment of this perspective, read Al's post on Obama as community organizer here: http://narcosphere.narconews.com/thefield/uncen...

It offers another perspective through which to view the events of the past two days.

Obama has published a copy of the birth certificate on his website. Looks like one to me! and it's the same one Kos posted. Folks are flailing, as folks do when they panic. As Jack said, "dumb and dumber" ... http://my.barackobama.com/page/invite/birthcert

damn! just got home from a graduation celebration... neighbors are still gettin' it on, so i was a little annoyed, at least as annoyed a one can be full of good food and good drink... then i logged on to check out the blogs, and saw this... i couldn't even bring myself to click on it... i was more of wuss than the rest of y'all... i clicked on the comments first!! my heart was in my throat...

Teacher, While I give her credit for a speech which hopefully delivered (or began to deliver) her supporters, I do find it curious that amidst the cries of sexism that she is coddled and given "time" to pull herself together... were she a man (even a white one), she would not have been given four days grace to concede (or suspend...). And it is true, that no amount of words... even support to Obama, can erase the pain and disrespect, and she will be forced to know/remember that in whatever year she attempts to resurrect her presidential campaign.


Oh, and to answer your question, I mediate for the Court.

It's hard for those of us who have felt punched in the gut each time Hllary attacked Barack during the campaign to hear anything we can trust in this speech. However, what we have to remember is that the speech wasn't for us. WE didn't need to be convinced to support Barack, her supporters did. We can blithely say we don't want them, but we do; we need every vote; we MUST beat McBush... So while her speech fell short in terms of what Obama's supporters needed/wanted, I think it targeted the intended--HRC's committed supporters.


I am a mediator by profession, and know that the opponent is disarmed by inclusion; when the opponents can buy in to a common goal, the conflict can be diminished. What we saw today is the beginning of the process. BATNA is the "best alternative to a negotiated agreement" ... and is the foundation of successful resolution... it also means we won't get what we want (i.e., hilary groveling as we all wish and "know" she should!), but what we do get is the chance at some of those (inflated) 18 million votes. And face it, grovel is not in hilary's repertoire...

Yes, he's sounding more presidential every day... and taking control of the process. On CNN when asked about the VP: "Everybody needs to settle down, we just completed this arduous process," Obama told CNN's Candy Crowley. "It's only been two days, and I think its not just in my interest and Senator Clinton's interest, but in the Democratic Party's interest and the country's interest, to make sure I make this decision well."


Calling his choice of running mate "the most important decision that I will make before I am president," the senator from Illinois said he would "be deliberate and systematic about it because this will be my final counselor when I am making decisions in the White House, and I want to make sure I get it right."



Many of Clinton's supporters have publicly called on Obama to put Clinton on the ticket to help unify the party since he captured the nomination Tuesday night, but Obama said he would not respond to pressure from others on who he should choose.



"We have a committee that's made up of wonderful people. They are going to go through the procedure, and vet, and get recommendations. I will meet with a range of a people, and I will ultimately make a decision.



"I am a big believer in making decision well, not making them fast and not responding to pressure," he also said.

According to demconwatch, he now only needs 32.5! So far today he has received nine endorsements, 6.5 of which are superdelegates. The .5 was left the Clinton camp.

rikyrah, thank you for posting this, and for your comments. Not only will Barack restore dignity to the whitehouse, but Michelle will bring intelligence, wisdom, compassion... and a grace we have not seen in a first lady for a very long time.

d.,
"Fair enough. I just found it interesting that she jumped to kids "dying in the street in [her] community." It's an obscure reference....unless you live in Chicago"



Obscure to you, perhaps... Not to me. Our homicide rate here in Oakland for 2008 now stands at 55... and we're only halfway through the year.... and haven't hit summer yet. It's not at all obscure to me.

"pricing will change our behavior where goodwill and news reports could not. it's always been that way."


So true, Jack... even for those of us who are astute and concerned. I drove the car of my dreams for seven years -- a 1993 Lexus SC300 5 speed. I bought it in 2000, and put an additional 100,000+ miles on it. I love to drive, and to drive fast. I simply refused to look at the conflict between my political/environmental stance and my "go-fast" car. C'mon ... I LOVED my car. However, in mid December, 2007, a repair bill of $1400, and weekly gas bill pushing $100 (it took premium gas) was an epiphany... in two weeks I sold the Lex and leased a Prius. I fill up every 7-10 days for $27-31. I drive slower and I drive less. I live in an urban center and limit my long drives to necessity. I feel good contributing a little less to oil company profits, oil dependence and global warming. Sacrifice was easy for me in a lot of other areas--even though I'm in the middle of the city, I heat my home with a pellet stove and am considering future solar conversions; but it took pain at the gas pump to really hold me accountable. Sometimes, as much as we appeal to higher motives... change is motivated by economics.(and no, i'm not ready to change my identity to PriusOakland! LOL.. just not the same panache...)



I did find it interesting that there are no longer tax credits for hyrbrid vehicles (at least for Toyotas), nor is California allowing any more hybrids in the HOV lanes. It seems there were caps on both those incentives. Makes you wanta go ... hmmm...

Lots of good discussion here today...but thought a moment of levity might be welcome... apparently a new McCain ad inadvertantly features an Obama supporter! Check it out over at the Political Carnival http://thepoliticalcarnival.blogspot.com/2008/0... Made me smile!

Anon @3:34 Over on Kos, there are reports of a number of folks having called the SS and emailing the youtube link.


Craig, right or wrong, your fatigue with obsessing about death resonated deeply with me... i'm tired of thinking of death and i'm tired of the fear that has been generated. I will join you in offering positive thoughts and prayers; something we can all do... I don't post a lot, but read often, and appreciate the balance you so often bring to the discussion.

Craig, You are probably right. That occurred to me after I posted my comment... I felt overwhelmed.

As this constitutes a threat against a presidential candidate, it is appropriate to call the Secret Service to report. Number to use is 202.406.8000 and select 0 at the prompt.

Fox News' Liz Trotta made a joke that both Osama and Obama should be killed: http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/5/25/15389/8... am reeling, and feeling powerless. I don't know what good it will do, but this should be spread everywhere and Fox should be innudated with emails and calls of protest. Phone number is 1-888-369-4762. Email link is: http://www.foxnews.com/cgi-bin/email.cgi?791613... feel nauseous... I haven't called or emailed yet because I can't organize my head around this.

rikyrah and michelle,
I don't know... it just really hit me in my gut, as it made all of the events of the past week take on an even more ominous tone... If it does predate this week, then maybe I'm just being hypersensitive... but that doesn't change the fact that, as you stated rikyrah...she's an evil woman.



On that same note... over at The Field, Al posted an interesting plea NOT to give HRC's remarks more play (and this may also explain Obama's decision to take the high road): He asked folks to read this (http://www.psychohistory.com/htm/eln01_leader.html) article before "speaking aloud" about her remarks.

The events described here are disturbing if not horrifying (and one might add the Tennessee smear on Michelle)... but what I found the most frightening (and forgive me if I'm giving in to paranoia) is this: I hadn't gone to the official Obama website for awhile, and decided to do so. Until now, the opening screen had the picture of Barack, Michelle and the girls -- it now has a picture of Barack alone. Given the tenure of the last week, I cannot believe that is coincidental. I'm hoping someone can tell me it happened weeks ago, and was unrelated to these events. Otherwise, one is only left with the idea that it was changed to protect his precious family... that hurts my heart.

Notice how the Clinton SD's who have come out for her since Indiana have said things like "my district overwhelmingly supported her," as the reason for the choice, whereas those who come out for Obama give substantive statements about his character and policies?

I also agree with rikyrah... damn, this is a spiritual issue at heart... Obama was forced to deal with a deeply personal issue (his relationship with his pastor) in a national cirucus ring. He dealt with it with grace and courage the first time around. When he was forced to deal with it again, the pain was palpable, and as Bill Moyer's so insightfully commented -- both men will live with the pain of it for the rest of their lives. After I watched the Moyer's interview, I was touched by the pastor's heart; but the next few days I was apalled that the ego overcame the heart, and with the media dogs egging him on, Wright dealt a death blow to the relationship with Obama that should have been off limits to the outside world; the severing of one's relationship with one's pastor is deeply personal and intimate and Obama's pain in that last address was obvious. I don't believe the pastor's heart I heard and felt during the Moyer's interview was phony... I think it was overpowered by ego, but it was real. So I also believe that when the day is done, Wright is also left with profound pain. We were privy to a very real emotional and spiritual moment when Obama finally made the break. It was real. To also leave the church would be viewed as not real, and political posturing. It would also mean a severing from the community which has provided, until now, a safe and grounded refuge. I don't think anyone has the right to ask that of another person... even if he is running for president. And that speaks to your comment, Jelana... you are right, it will never be enough... denounce your pastor... now quit your church... what's next? divorce your wife because someone didn't like her comments? It will NEVER be enough. Like Michelle said in the interview with Caroline Kennedy the other night (I forget the name of the interviewer)... "I'm proud of him... now let's move on." The beast has an insatiable appetite.


A more random thought that came to mind after those painful few days was this... I worked very closely with my pastor for a number of years; a gracious, practical, down to earth Black man... and one day in conversation about a young minister who had been caught in compromising circumstances... he shook his head and said "You know, the greatest threat to ministry is the three P's .... pride, power and p...." Ok, so he was gracious, practical, down to earth, and on occasion profane...but he was right. I think we saw the pride and the thirst for power played out over the last week, and it's saddening and sobering.

texas girl, I missed it when you posted it... glad you got it out there. It is scary; especially when one considers what will be left of the party if she pulls it off... scorched earth comes to mind....

I just picked this up off Clif Schecter's site http://agonist.org/schecter/?p=9612; the original article is on Huffington. This is sick and frightening, and demonstrates there is NO limit to the Clinton's determination to have the Whitehouse. We all knew it, but even when it seems the layers have been exposed (at least to those who are watching), it continues to unfold... or peel away like a rotten onion.

Anyone who watched that interview could not help but contrast Michelle with the other two candidate spouses... She is articulate and thoughtful, gracefull and classy. She'll be a powerful first lady, and will clearly continue to be a source of strength to her man, the president.

Jack,
Glad you're back... for many reasons. As an often "lurker" and once in awhile poster, I want to address you, your colleagues and the community who regularly comments and trades ideas. My friend and I had a long and almost tearful conversation on Monday. I'm a 60 year old veteran of the 60's and 70's peace movement in San Francisco; she a 60+ veteran of the Black Power movement in Oakland/Berkeley. We both checked out of the political scene a number of years ago, when it became clear to us that the political process we had so actively participated in had died, and no real change was happening in our lifetime. We closed down the well of optimism and concentrated on our own families and communities, believing that was the only venue where we could perpetuate any lasting change... Then along came Obama. We resisted for a long, long time... to actually come to care and believe in the possibility of change, and the possibility of a Black man and woman in the Whitehouse meant opening up old wounds, and as Darian Dauchan said ... Our hearts had been broken... Finally giving in, we found our hearts could still be broken...but what made it bearable this time is the host of brilliant young(er) folks... Jack, Jill, rikyrah, dnA and the many in this community and across the blogosphere who have picked up the cause and run with it. You, more even than the Senator, give us hope. We need you to keep up the fight. Thank you.

Jack... you spoke my heart when you wrote today. I woke feeling sad and beat up and so damned tired... so badly wanting it to be over. That said, I hope, as others here have written, that you rest, regroup and continue to provide my first post-coffee stop in the morning (how selfish of me is that?!)... Until then, take comfort in the group of supporters here, who deeply appreciate the grounded manner which you enrich our understanding and provide a forum of sane and honest discussion.