Mr. Obama, I apologize.

[tomreedtoon]

Ever since you started your campaign, especially in moments of my life when I was feeling cynical and hopeless, I referred to the possibility of you being assassinated in some of my DU posts.

As you probably know, that's been one of the big jokes made about the first black President since the idea started. I believe it was Chris Rock who did a bit, delivering the inaugural speech of the first black President, running back and forth like crazy while trying to deliver a "bring us together" speech.

Those fears have always been in the back of my mind, especially since I heard that the Secret Service had ordered Texas troopers away from protecting your campaign. It seemed to me as if Bush himself wanted to increase the possibility of a successful assassination attempt. And I expressed that worry in a few posts.

However, I'm just one of the voters out here in the dark, someone who's seen too much evil in the last twelve years to even possess hope that things will get better. I like to believe I'd be forgiven about these remarks, especially because you have done so well and brought so much positivism to the process.

I sure don't have a national forum. But Hillary Clinton did. If I shoot my mouth off, I take the blame for it personally. If she does it, it tarnishes her whole campaign and the beliefs she claims to support, as well as the hopes people put in her campaign.

I can sink into the darkness and be forgotten, no problem. But she can't.

At any rate, I apologize. I look forward to voting for you, and engaging in the hard work you will ask all of us to undertake, to steer America back towards its original vision.

Now, some other people need to apologize to you as well.

[democracy1st]

1. I'm sure he would accept your apology

[Shae]

2. Of course he would . . .

he even accepted the non-apology from Clinton as if it had been a gracious one.

[mrbluto]

3. There's a term for what you are.

But I'm probably not allowed to say what it is around here.

But let's use a new term: Goncern Froll.

Par excellence.

Look at the format: "I'm sorry, I have a flaw, Hillary has the same, I apologize, But evil Hillary won't!"

It's all there. Classic. Perfect form.

It is a little obvious what you're doing though, so I only give you an 8.9.

Once we hear from the other judges we'll move on to the next event; ".25 kb faint-praise" competition. This is a demanding text-restricted event, no images. The Obama crowd had been sweeping that event until recently when they kept applying it to Edwards past his endorsement, yet the....

What?

Oh - I've just been informed that DU isn't some olympic-style contest to see who can use tired usenet flame tactics in an electronic forum?

Sorry tomreedtoon, no prize for you.

Well, at least you got some training in.

[tomreedtoon]

6. Can't recognize sincerity, can you?

I shouldn't be surprised. Just for your reference, the word "sincerity" comes from the Greek words for "without wax." Sculptors of stone statues who made mistakes would fill in the flaws with wax, thinking to fool their patrons. An honest sculptor would admit to his mistakes and present his work "without wax."

And that's why you're attacking my heartfelt statement. You have plenty of wax.

But at least you didn't spend any money on one of those expensive "dripping blood sarcasm" icons. Bully for you. And I do mean "bully."

[mrbluto]

13. Honestly.

Your tidbit has turned the tide - it's cool to find out the origin of the word sincerity.

I also like your pivot on the word "bully". Bravo!

Seriously - it's the sort of turn of phrase that I find of interest.

We're off to a bad start, but figured I'd give credit where credit was due.

I'm not a bully by the way. (but what bully ever thinks they are, so...well it's not for me to say.)

If you're up for it, google posts under my handle, take a look at a few, and tell me what you think.

Yes, I can be a sarcastic bastard, but I think you'll see a guy trying to add a dose of realism to the conversation, getting frustrated, and then resorting to the ironic whip.

You'll also detect a guy that is apprehensive, not so much about Obama, but about the turn the character of discussion has taken on this board, and between democrats in general.

I'm reluctant to use slimey rhetorical technique on Republicans, never mind other Democrats. The manachian tone to the primary has me worried.

[Benhurst]

4. Obama knows what's in your heart and forgives all.

:puke:

I never bought into the "cult" charges; but this post really pushes the envelope.

Go home and say three Obamas and four Michelles and all will be forgiven.

:sarcasm:

At first I thought you were a troll working for Hillary, until I read a couple of the responses and realized there really is such an element within those who claim to be Obama's followers.

It's posts like yours I will have to try to ignore when I hold my nose and vote in November.

[tomreedtoon]

5. I guess you never had to apologize for anything.

Neither does Clinton. It all depends on the definition of the word "apologize."

And sorry, I don't have the money to buy one of those fancy "sarcasm" icons. So I can't be sarcastic.

Things have gotten to the point in this forum that a human expression of regret for something is a cause to attack someone. You reveal your own character with greater devastation than I revealed mine.

[Benhurst]

10. Practically the whole Democratic "leadership" should be apologizing to

us, the voters, who put them in their positions of power only to let us down, and that includes both Clinton and Obama. All the personal crap and hurt feelings discussed on DU relating to our "victim" candidates is a bit self-indulgent, especially with the Constitution and Bill of Rights in shreds, the illegal and immoral occupation in Iraq still being funded with the help of "our" leaders (Clinton and Obama included) and the environment going to hell. Obama no more needs an apology than any of the others, all of whom seem more concerned about their own ambitions than the fate of the country, to say nothing of the world.

As for your not being able to "afford" smilie icons, the next time you post a message instead of indulging in self-pity look above the Subject blank and click on "Smilies lookup table." You should be able to manage it from there.

[Swamp Rat]

7. Great post

We need more like it in GD-P. Thank you. :hi:

[barack the house]

8. I am sure he would accept your apology. It gives it less power when we avoid the "a" word...

I'm pretty sure your discussion of any fears were meant out of concern.

[OPERATIONMINDCRIME]

9. Get A Grip. She Didn't Say Anything About Him Being Assassinated.

You need to take a deep breath and try and think a bit more clearly as to the reality of the situation, so that you can avoid further embarrassment.

[Tyler Durden]

11. Give up, friend. We have screwed the pooch AGAIN.

At this point, I believe either candidate would get shellacked in the GE, thanks mainly to the DNC and those 2 prize idiots, Dean and Brazille.

Hope you and the kids are doing well.

[scarletwoman]

12. Good post, I appreciate what you're saying about feeling cynical and hopeless & I believe that

you are sincere. (OT: I loved your post about the origin of the word "sincere"! I love learning cool new etymological stuff!)

But I'm also want to say that I think it's time we just let the whole what Clinton said/implied thing go. It's done, there's just no good reason to keep in the forefront of peoples' consciousness.

I don't think there's any question that Clinton is the one who was damaged most -- it didn't damage Obama, not really. And it will have absolutely no power to damage him if we simply let it go.

sw

(edited for punctuation)