Obama's speech left tears in my eyes. I don't recall anyone confronting race relations

[still_one]

so directly and so honestly in recent memory

I have donated more to the Obama campaign because of my belief in his vision

[BOSSHOG]

1. He wasn't confronting race relations

It was merely political damage control. One of his goals was to get more money, perfectly logical motive for a politician and apparently its working.

[AnarchoFreeThinker]

4. did you say something? what's that buzzing noise?

[BOSSHOG]

8. Ignore those you disagree with then preach unity

Great strategy.

[still_one]

6. You can throw all the cynicism you want at it, but the man was speaking from PERSONAL experience

which was why the speech was so extrodinary

[BOSSHOG]

12. Cynicism??

That's funny. No doubt the Senator wished he's never had to give that speech. Yes he personally stayed a member of Reverend Wright's church. If that was not a problem for him, why today's speech? Damage control. Pure and simple.

[still_one]

13. What did he say in that speech that offended you? /nt

[BOSSHOG]

17. What he said

did not offend me at all. In fact what Wright has said has not offended me. But to characterize his speech as some great attempt for racial healing is offensive. Just like when he came to Mississippi and told me that he decided to run for President because of Katrina. That was offensive. Often politicians offend me. Today was damage control and to get one's hackles up at that statement is funny. Just as it is when someone suggests that some Obama supporters are cultists.

[CoffeeCat]

9. Wow, to take away such cynicism and...

...negativity from that speech--truly requires a hardened heart.

I used to think that the problem with our country was on the Republican side, but to listen to
a speech like that and come away with such venom---really speaks about your heart and your mind.

Your reaction is all about you--and I'm disappointed to see this type stuff in our party.

[BOSSHOG]

14. Truth = venom??

If Reverend Wright was not his preacher there would not have been a speech today. My head and heart are just fine. I don't understand it being all about me. I had nothing to do with Wright or Obama's speech today. I am not a source of racial problems in this country. And the only reason we had a major speech today was damage control. Nothing more, nothing less.

[Blue_Roses]

19. It's the Mississippi roots that do it to 'em every time

people from Mississippi just can't help themselves when it comes to bigotry. Haley Barbour hasn't helped the problem either :eyes:

So sad.

[BOSSHOG]

22. Thats funny

I spent 24 years in the Navy moving around every three or four years. My wife has a great job down here and we stayed after I retired for her jobs sake. Probably won't stay once she retires at some time of her choosing. And I've been accused of using a broad brush?!. Thanks for the laugh.

[mod mom]

10. He opened an important dialogue today-ignore it if you like but this country will be better for it.

[alcibiades_mystery]

20. It's simplistic thinking on your part

There's no doubt that part of the speech was damage control. But part of it was seizing the moment to address an issue that is fundamental to both his candidacy and the nation. Writing it off as merely damage control seems partisan, and, frankly, mistaken.

The Greeks had a term that's more or less untranslatable: kairos. Kairos means something like "right measure," the "opportune moment," or, approximately, "good timing," "sezing the moment." I think the Obama speech this morning is a pretty good example. Yes, he had to deal with the nonsense of the Wright issue. But he also, at some point, had to deal with race, period. Rather than just doing damage control, he saw the opportunity to both expand the horizon of discussion while addressing the relatively narrow problem of Wright, and he grasped that opportunity. He understood the kairotic potential of the moment. For good or ill.

It's quite possible that he will lose the nomination behind this speech. What he did today was extremely risky and courageous. I know, not to you. You see it as you see it. I get that. But what is registering with others (yes, his supporters, and some others as well) is the risk, the willingness to throw the dice for a principle. He could have easily just denounced Wright, if it was just damage control. he didn't do that. He explicitly argued that simply denouncing Wright would be expedient, but unfaithful to the experience of race in America. The fact is that he didn't attempt to control the damage (damage control being a consultant term in its essence); he sought to examine the basis of the damage in the first place.

You're just wrong about this, and no reading of his actual speech could support your contention.

[Spiffarino]

21. I read through your post hoping I could add to it

But then you went and said everything I was thinking and then some. I have nothing more to add except :applause:

[BOSSHOG]

24. I tend

to be cynical of all politicians. I heard his speech on the radio. It was a good speech. But if it is what you say it is why did he give it today? Why not six months ago? No doubt all three candidates will have to give similar "major" speechs in the next six months. Its the nature of the beast. His goal is to get elected and you can't do that without controlling damage. Kerry didn't in 04 and he didn't get elected.

I was neither offended or put off by the speech or Wrights previous words. They are what makes America great. As do your reaction and mine.

[alcibiades_mystery]

25. I agree that part of it was damage control

As for why not three or six months ago, I think it goes to timing.

Obama has to walk a very thin line with respect to his blackness. For good or ill. So, he would have had to give the race speech at some point, the question is when? I suspect that - had the Wright stuff not blown up so viciously at this point - he would have waited until the summer, at the very least. Maybe even after the Convention. But it had to go NOW. It had to be connected with the Wright thing. That's what I mean by kairos. You have to recognize the complex scene and find the fitting time, the opportune moment. This is exactly what he did. So it wasn't just damage control on Wright. It was BOTH damage control and addressing something he would have to address anyway. What made it brilliant was his ability to merge both in such a way as to deflate the whole Wright thing. That's seizing the moment.

As for cynicism. We should go bowling. Scratch that. DRINKING. I'm as cynical as they come, and - indeed - if you actually read my post, you'll notice that I hardly move off the topic of rhetorical calculation. So we agree on that point. Our difference is located here: You think it was ONLY or MERELY damage control. I think it was a much more complex and interesting rhetorical act of which damage control was a small (but important) part.

[BOSSHOG]

28. I'll get the first three rounds My Friend

And I know that we have at least one more thing in common besides cynicism. We will both vote for the (D) candidate come November.

[Voice for Peace]

31. Great post, except I don't agree he will lose the nomination behind this speech.

I think risky and courageous is what people in this country are hungry for.

[thereismore]

26. Classy of you. Straight into my Ignore list. Life is good! nt

[4_Legs_Good]

29. Yup yup, it's all about the $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Why hasn't he released his tax returns?

My guess is that he's taking most of the $$$$$ that he's getting from these speeches and moving it into an off shore account. Once he's won the nomination and the Presidency, he'll stir up race riots and wars in the United States, take the $$$$$ he's skimmed into his off shore accounts, and leave to form a commune somewhere in Africa!

Was there a single word about racial reconciliation in the speech? No, it was all about MONEY, MONEY MONEY!!!

MONEY!!!!!

MONEY!!!

David

[thevoiceofreason]

2. It's a sentiment many share. K&R

[mac2]

3. Bill Clinton talked about it all the time.

[still_one]

11. OK, but this is from his personal experience /nt

[mac2]

30. More than half the country has had a "black" experience or

talked about race relations in the past.

[movonne]

5. When you talk about donations, you should put a web site to go

to...it makes it so easy

[Umbram]

7. K&R. (nt)

[InAbLuEsTaTe]

15. Have to admit, I got a little teary-eyed too. What an inspiration Obama is to the HUMAN race.

Anyone who wasn't moved by that speech has a heart of stone.

[TwilightGardener]

16. I donated again too, today.

[DerekJ]

18. kick

[DerekJ]

23. it has left tears in many eyes.

Thanks for your post

[GeorgeGist]

27. As a descendant of the native inhabitants of this land ...

I will never see merit in the tyranny and persecution inherent in Christian philosophy.

[mac2]

32. Your people were treated badly by religious groups influencing

our government. It is shameful. Now they are back doing it again stealing property for their cronies. etc.

They believed they were right 100% of the time. No other culture could be allowed.

I have complained to my representatives in DC but got no answer.

[Bonobo]

33. I agree and I did as well. Remarkable for a politician to have done that. Remarkable.

I showed it to my 12 years old daughter. She was very moved as well. I knew we were witnessing history together.

[DemVet]

34. "left tears in my eyes"....I think I'm going to puke.

That was actually the grain alcohol in the Kool-Aid you were drinking that caused those tears.

[mac2]

35. We are coming on the 5th Anniversary of the Bush war

Yet no Presidential candidate for office gets up there and brings tears to my eyes.