The Hollowness Behind Obama's Rhetoric

Weekly Standard: Presidential Hopeful Forges Wow-Factor Words, But No Political Action Plan

(Weekly Standard)  This column was written by Dean Barnett.

---

In his many months on the campaign trail, Barack Obama has distinguished himself as the finest orator in recent political memory. With such skills in this area, it's little wonder that Obama and his campaign have put talking on a pedestal. When Obama talks, he does great. Even his detractors can't deny it.

But there's a stark disconnect between the talking Obama and Obama the man of action. Or rather Obama the man of inaction. It says something rather profound about Obama that his most noteworthy campaign-related act to date has been to sit passively in a church pew for 20 years worth of Sundays.

There's a hollowness to Obama's rhetoric. When Obama delivered his famous (and effective) "just words" rejoinder to Hillary Clinton's barbs, the speech inadvertently revealed the emptiness of Obama's rhetoric. "All men are created equal" was indeed more than just words. It was more than "just words" because the men who signed the document that made that claim risked their lives to prove it. They backed their words up with war. In short, their accompanying actions are what made the phrase immortal. If the phrase had emanated from some effete intellectuals in a Boston drawing room who went back to being effete intellectuals after delivering their proclamation, guys like Barack Obama wouldn't be quoting them today.

The question with Obama remains exactly what actions he'll take to give real meaning to his fine speeches. Interestingly, it's not just Obama's right wing critics who have complained about the emptiness of his rhetoric. Until the left finally circled its angry wagons around Obama over the last few weeks, you could find prominent left-wing bloggers complaining about Obama's failure to embrace progressive plans on an almost daily basis.

Of course, there's a certain cleverness to the strategy of combining inspiring rhetoric with no accompanying plan for action. I thought Obama's speech after his victory in the Iowa caucuses was the finest and most inspiring political address I had ever heard. Even though I didn't feel a tingling in my leg like Chris Matthews does on such occasions, Obama surely knows that if he's reaching heartless conservatives like me with his speeches, then he's got himself a launching pad to go after all sorts of voters. Why take the chance of turning off such voters by offering plans for action that they may not like?

My problem with Obama and my fear of a potential Obama presidency is that his ostentatious plans for inaction may be more than just a clever political strategy. If you look at his record, Obama seems to lack much fondness for action. His record is littered with evidence that he's a congenital ditherer who doesn't bother to offer actions that support his words. As a Senator, Obama has talked about bipartisanship but never actually done anything of a bipartisan nature. In the Illinois state legislature, Obama had all those "present" votes.

Still more disturbing are some of the prescriptions for purported action that the Obama campaign has issued. In this month's American Prospect, Team Obama spoke with Prospect senior staffer Spencer Ackerman to outline the bones of what will be the Obama Doctrine. I know, it all sounds very butch for a dovish modern Democrat - a genuine Doctrine! But unlike the Monroe Doctrine or the Truman Doctrine or the Reagan Doctrine or even the Bush Doctrine, the Obama Doctrine mentions nothing so quotidian as backing up foreign policy aims with force.

If blustery testosterone-fueled rhetoric causes you unpleasantness, you might want to skip the following summation of what Team Obama has come up with for the Obama Doctrine:

They envision a doctrine that first ends the politics of fear and then moves beyond a hollow, sloganeering "democracy promotion" agenda in favor of "dignity promotion," to fix the conditions of misery that breed anti-Americanism and prevent liberty, justice, and prosperity from taking root.

Out of an innate sense of kindness and charity, I'll overlook the contradiction between Team Obama's fierce desire to move beyond hollow sloganeering and focus on "dignity promotion." Instead, let's focus on how the Obama Doctrine isn't a plan and promise for action like all the Doctrines that have preceded it, but instead an empty piece of gobbledygook rhetoric.

It's just talk that most people will find agreeable, perhaps even noble. Practically every American supports the idea of "liberty, justice and prosperity" taking root. I bet we can even all agree that "dignity promotion," whatever it may be, is probably a swell thing.

But the real trick isn't agreeing on such basics. The real trick is enacting policies that make them a reality. If the Obama Doctrine held that President Obama would send a fleet of Navy vessels to the shores of every country where dignity wasn't being adequately promoted, that would at least be a Doctrine worthy of the name. It would be a stupid Doctrine, but at least for once Obama would be matching his rhetoric with a plan for action. As it is, the Obama Doctrine is of a piece with the rest of his campaign. It's an attractively outlined set of worthy goals unsupported by any apparent plan of action to realize those goals.

The Obama Doctrine dovetails nicely with Obama's promise to begin an aggressive round of - what else? - talking with all our enemies. Once again, no clearly expressed goals preceded Obama's promise to talk. Almost needless to say, Obama has offered no elaboration on how the talking will advance specifically defined American interests. The talking is itself the point.

Not that there’s anything wrong with talking. Having a president who is willing and able to communicate as well as Obama would be a refreshing change of pace after the last seven years. The problem is Obama's apparent allergy to action. The fear isn't that Obama merely prefers talk to action, but exclusively opts for talking over acting.

Obama's racial reconciliation speech was particularly disturbing in this regard. Although it's a little implausible that Obama long ached to give a major speech on racial matters and yet only did so when his relationship with a fiery pastor began to seriously damage him politically, let's give Obama the benefit of the doubt and concede that he would like to play a constructive role in America's race relations. And yet what does he offer as his prescription? You guessed it - a conversation.

Obama has observed American race relations for years. Certainly some policy proposals have bubbled to mind. He has said some provocative stuff about our public schools, sufficiently provocative stuff that he fell into disfavor with the teacher's unions. And surely Obama has reached some conclusions about affirmative action, inner city crime and economic opportunity that would warrant a central role in his plan to move America forward on racial matters.

But focusing on such things would require political action. And it's Barack Obama's way to prefer a good conversation instead.

[willygoo46]

Obama is a gifted orator. His speeched have been insprational and the kind that dare to give one hope. It is truely sad that his actions or lack of actions show the emptiness of his words. Lesser men walk away from hate speech when they hear it. A few courageous individuals will speak up and challenge fiend and family alike. Obama has neither the decency to walk away nor the courage to stand up for what is right. After exposing his two young girls to this hate speech, he is down in the Virgin Islands making them read scripture. He should have had them read The Epistle of Paul to Titus.

Your analysis leaves out an important point -- those vaunted authors of "All men are created equal" cowardly avoided the issue of slavery. You denigrate Barack Obama for sitting in the pews of Reverend Wright''s church on the basis of two sermons, neither of which Obama attended. You accuse him of inaction in that he didn''t speak out against Wright''s hyperbole earlier. What of his challenge to us now?

The founding Fathers vision of equality is commendable even with their tragic personal flaws. Obama''s speech calling us to fulfill that vision is brave and equally commendable.

[tbweb]

This article is pure garbage! Sen. Obama inspires others to action which is a unique gift, a very similar gift shared by former Pres. John F. Kennedy who inspired a generation of Americans to join the Peace Corps and walk on the Moon! Inspiring millions to action is far more powerful than any individual action. Former Pres. Reagan also had this gift. Sen. Obama has inspired others to contribute to his campaign raising millions per month breaking previous campaign fund raising records, inspired others by the thousands to fill stadiums and arenas to listen to political speeches, inspired millions of youth who never participated in the election process before to sign up and participate by the millions! Sen. Barack Obama is a political phenomenon the likes which have never before been seen. I think its your rhetoric thats hollow because Sen. Obama''s obvious power is not his personal actions but the ability to inspire millions to action which is much more powerful!

[davi9092]

What is this junk? Is this some kind of Fox News trash? I thought this was a reputable site but clearly it is the same old Fox News trash.

[tejasdemo]

Well, let''s vote for him for Pres and give him the chance to put those words to action where it will actually do the most good.

[vastr-wcon]

.
hussein is so devoid of creative thought he had to steal the campaign ideas of John Edwards on healthcare, poverty and nuclear proliferation and try to pass them off as his own; and now he even has to plagiarize the hollow platitudes that constitute his pompous gas-bag speeches. What a truly pathetic character!

The United States - and the world - have suffered greatly from having a president who has, essentially, been brain-dead from drugs and booze for most of his adult life and who totally lacked the knowledge and experience to handle such an important job. The running of the country and the setting of national policy has consequently reverted to a megalomaniac vice president, who never has been challenged by the "official" president, for obvious reasons.

One would think that Americans have had enough of this type of government. Apparently not - given the misguided interest by some in hussein.

The supporters of this low-IQ type, who is brain-impaired from extensive drug use and is equally lacking in knowledge and experience, should realize that they are repeating history. They should ask themselves one very important question: If hussein were, god-forbid, elected president, who would actually run the country? Who would be hussein''s Cheney? Would it be oprah or uncle jeremiah "God Da''mn America" wright?

/

[bhrater-2009]

Don''t forget to put on your white hoods and sheets before you go out, it cold today!

[samthetvcat]

This journalist sounds like a catty girl who finds herself on the outskirts of an in-group in high-school.

Let''s talk issues and see who''s the one devoid of policy...for example does McCain have any ideas on how to prevent a future Bear Stearns?

The Business Judgment Rule insulates CEO''s from being sued for incompetence, so when the CEO of Bear Stearns manages to lose $854 million for the company in three months, he can still pay himself a salary of $38.31 mil. So how exactly is his ''tough love'' for the ''irresponsible'' setting an example of what NOT to do for other CEO''s? I think it''s just the opposite...from his statements it doesn''t sound like he really gets that...

I also didn''t hear McCain mention corporate implosions in the context of the Capital Asset Pricing Model . . . money that goes ''pouf!'' because of mismanagement on a grand scale contracts the whole market with its ripple effect and makes it harder for everybody to get the money to finance ventures which actually have the chance to succeed. Like I didn''t just get the sense that it was just about McCain not having any ideas on how to prevent future Bear Stearns, it seems like he didn''t really appreciate the reason why they need to be avoided in terms of impact.

We saw this same lack of forsight prior to the Iraq War, so I don''t think it''s unfair to question whether it''s a typical characteristic of his decision-making...

[irliberal]

Oohhh the folks over at the Standard are scared, scared, scared. You can feel the fear in this article. They reek of it.

GO OBAMA! (Or Hillary is good too).

[johnny343sc]

This article is true...

Barry Hussein is all talk, no action. his record proves it.

Sick of the Hitler-y/O-banana fight?

McCain 2008!!!!!

Let the Revolution WITHIN the Republican party commence!

Make Bush''s cronies cringe with a "President McCain"!!!

;)

[phijef]

Who cares about his pastor? The morals, speeches, teaching of pastors are not a prerequisitve for President.

Do you mean to tell me that all of Nixon''s former pastors never ever said something that was politically incorrect?

What about Pat Robertson? He still has access to George W., yet he said we deserved 9/11 because people happen to be gay.

Hypocrites.

[frankson2]

THE WEEKLY STANDARD IS NOTHING LESS THAN THE JOURNALISTIC ARM OF THE REPULICAN PARTY. THEIR SLOGAN "FAIR AND BALANCED" IS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE.

[jeva18]

Obama is simply a preacher in politician''s clothing. His style is of a highly-charismatic speaker who creates a certain undirected excitement in his listeners -- just like his self-described "mentor".

[zendigity]

Well it seems we''re back to the narrow minded view that one should never listen to an opposing perspective. It doesn''t matter that Rev. Wright''s firey sermons result in people searching for positive ways to address valid issues...No, the bad man said bad words and anyone who could listen to them MUST also be bad...It''s sad how easily the media leads the simple minded...mastery of propaganda even the nazi''s could appreciate.

And now back to your regularly scheduled corporate sponsored manipulation...

[zendigity]

"Let the Revolution WITHIN the Republican party commence!"

WOW...with thoughts like that I just have to ask...do they make you wear a helmet when they take you out in public?

Just curious.

[getcentered]

Hey Dean Barnett!! You ARE A TOOL FOR THE GOP eh? Did you even LOOK for Obama''s legislative stance on this issue? Apparently not, he is against affirmative action......wait why am I telling you? Go to his website, his record is there.....Stupid Americans....we are %u201Cseek and yee shall find%u201D when we are looking for a reason to discredit someone, but when we know there is a reason to discredit someone we like, we put the blinders on.........go figure..........Americans think ID is science......whew.......well it is the weakest standard......

[getcentered]

The GOP will be HURTING in the next elections!!!!

The GOP/Republican tools on these forums wouldn''t dare talk about Republicans and their failed policies. Instead they help themselves feel better about blind support for the Republicans, by attacking Democrats trying to fan the flames of dissent within the DNC.

Well now I know, a vote for a Republican is literally a vote for ignorance, and misguided spending in an unnecessary war in Iraq, which causes more hate........

Democrats ROCK!!!!!!!!!!

Obama made an amazing speech last week! I have never heard any politician speak so candidly and clearly about ANY topic, much less the state of racism in America.
MAJOR APLAUSE FOR BARRAK OBAMA!!

I like how eloquently Hillary Clinton commented and plugged him for his speech. She knows Barrack summed up the topic of racism so well, that she let it stand as is.

Very graceful of her!

I''d love to see a Republican address this subject in such a direct and intelligent way.
This country has some healing to do and Republicans just GET IN THE WAY.

This election will be historic, and it%u2019s not about Hillary versus Obama, it''s about Democrat versus Republican.

Hillary or Obama, or both. Go Democrats!

[getcentered]

"If blustery testosterone-fueled rhetoric causes you unpleasantness, you might want to", what,

turn off FAUX NEWS AND RUSH L., burn your WEAKEST STANDARD and your WSSJ.......TOOLs........?????

[enriquecaliente]

Yo Dean, ""All men are created equal" was indeed more than just words. It was more than "just words" because the men who signed the document that made that claim risked their lives to prove it. They backed their words up with war."

Ya sure, shut up. They may have said and written the above words, but they ALL KEPT THEIR SLAVES.

A$$WIPE

[macusweil]

Nothing compares to the hollowness of GOP rhetoric. The party is a mere shell for special interests and the corporate elite.

Once the party stood for less government, fiscal restraint and conservative foreign policy. None of that holds true. The even reactionary social conservatives are paid mostly lip service only to further greed and hidden agendas.

The party chastised Congressmen Ron Paul at every turn during his bid for the Republican node this year.

Time Magazine last Thu pointed out:

"When his fellow candidates denounced big government, Paul was there to remind them that President Bush and the G.O.P. Congress had shattered spending records and exploded the deficit. When they hailed freedom, Paul asked why they all supported the Patriot Act and other expansions of executive power. And when they called themselves conservatives, Paul asked what was so conservative about sending thousands of young Americans to try to transform the Middle East."

[scottyusa]

Obama has no idea how to run this country. We will become pacifist doves and will be like those little targets to shoot at that you see at parks and carnivals. He actually thinks he can solve everything by talking. I certainly hope he is looking for oil while he has his head stuck so far into the ground.

[memerider]

When I first not only heard Pastor Wright on Youtube several months ago but also read some of the written propaganda he kept at the church, I wondered how Obama felt justified in using statements about race in his campaign after willingly listening to this bigot for most of his adult life! Bush is certainly a right-wing fundamentalist religious nut who has no business being president, and Obama is a left-wing nut, but "religious" doesn''t cover it, who also has no business being president.

[memerider]

Zendigity, there are plenty of very popular black ministers who do not spew hatred--including right there in Chicago. Mine is one. How dare you suggest that black people are OK with bigotry and this is just how the "black church" operates.

There are plenty of white preachers who spew hatred--Robertson, Dobson, and others whose "firey sermons result in people searching for positive ways to address valid issues..." I find them just as repulsive, and they don''t represent the "white church," either.

[kansas1946]

Not that there%u2019s anything wrong with talking. Having a president who is willing and able to communicate as well as Obama would be a refreshing change of pace after the last seven years. The problem is Obama''s apparent allergy to action. The fear isn''t that Obama merely prefers talk to action, but exclusively opts for talking over acting.
*********************************************

What a bunch of horse do-do. Maybe if Mr. Bush had done a little more talking and a little less acting, we wouldn''t have 4,000 brave dead soldiers, and countless dead Iraqi''s.
In fact, this whole article is nothing but a lot of empty "talking" about a candidate that Mr. Barnett didn''t like to start with.
Even though I support Barack, and am not a bit fan of Hillary, I have never attacked her with venom dripping off my fangs, as you have attacked Barack. As to policy, I like Obama''s health policy a great deal, and I don''t like Hillary''s. That is a substantive difference. John McCain, as far as I can see, has none. Anyone with a brain can see right through you, Mr. Barnett. You are not even a particularly good "talker."

[b-easy63]

How interesting. So is Obama trying for the job of Messiah or President? There is no such thing as a plan to legislate private sentiment or perception of races. The author is ridiculous..That said, there are steps to achieving anything and I would proffer you start with:

1. Identify the problem and all of its aspects (don''t be shy or biased)
2. Have a vision or idea
3. Speak about it and inspire the public to come on board
4. Gather together people from various professions who can implement and steward this vision
5. Tell the public what onus is on them then proceed apace--making adjustments as necessary.

Only 3 of these things can be done before one needs the power to do the rest. Obama has done the 3. On the issue of this (ie., race) I fail to see Clinton putting forth any ideas or vision save to tout her personal horn.Which is fine only if America is a voice of 1 person. We are not hiring either candidate to inspire or lead themselves. WE are auditioning each of them to inspire and lead us--that means no matter if we come in as black, white, purple, green or racist or tolerant. so what SHE would do as a person has no more bearing than what HE does as a person. How will either of them bring us together? At least Obama has started the dialog. Hillary has some catching up to do on this issue.

[ubrew12]

Gosh. Obama is a politician!! He won''t talk specifics because then specific interest groups will try to torpedo him!! So, he stays with generalities and platitudes. Thanks, Weakly Standard! Useful information for the terminally clueless.

[crater7]

TALK, TALK, TALK, SOONER OR LATER, OBAMA WILL HAVE TO PUT UP OR SHUT UP.

WORDS MATTERS.

ACTIONS ARE WHAT MAKES WORDS MATTER.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT " G D AMERICA......

[Ted-Zee-man]

I would like to know why so many Media Television programs spend so much time and detail on what Barack''s minister Dr.Wright said, and so little on John McCain''s endorsements by John Hage and Rod Parsley. They both have made as many bad or negative comments as Dr. Wright has. I don''t see one of the Media programs making an issue of it every day and playing it over again and again. I also do not see any commentators demanding John McCain repudiate the endorsements and give the money contributed back. Is this an example of Media Racial Bias???

Seeing as so many of the Media television programs are questioning why Barack has not quit his church. I would also like to know how many Catholics
(which I was for 13 years) have left the Catholic Church because of the Pedophile Priests. I would like to know how many people have stopped following
John Hagee because of his comments about the Catholic Church and Religion. I would like to know how many have left the Ministry of Ron Parsley because of his preaching about the Islamic faith and Nuclear War to kill Islamic people all off. I think it is only
fair that the Media Television Programs run the Hage and Parsley clips for the same amount of time and as often as they have Dr. Wrights.

[crater7]

enriquecalie at 05:12pm, wrote:
ya sure, shut up.


THESE PEOPLE BACK UP THESE WORDS BY FIGHTING AND DYING FOR THIS COUNTRY, SO PEOPLE LIKE YOU CAN SPEW YOU RACIST RANTS. SOUNDS LIKE YOU HAVE ATTENDED A FEW SERMONS OF REV WRIGHT. YOUR COMMENTS PROVE THAT THERE IS INDEED A NEED FOR RACIAL RELATIONS. JUST NOT ONE SIDED.

GOD "BLESS" AMERICA. NOT "G D AMERICA."

[mistered9]

Sweet talk doesn''t get a thing done, but but the votes of idiots. I''ve heard used car salesman give better pitches.
I you want another four years of hell, vote Obama or MCain, but don''t come crying after it''s over.

[cofmanaaron]

This was a horribly written article. I could find no topic of substance, no examples of the author''s points were,no citations, no evidence of Obama''s actions. Pretty much this article is just a bashing, and calling Obama a wimp because he doesn''t toe the line of Bush''s cowboy policy of invading every country he feels like. Looks like the Weekly Standard has very low standards for its writing staff. Let me guess, the only requirement is that you worship George Bush, right?

[doctor--o]

Bull ***

[pesojoe]

The nail has been hit squarely on the head. Great speeches and nothing to back them up with, thats Obama! Wants everyone to love him so he speaks in pauses,forever thinking if it will cost him a vote. I''ve heard him called an empty suit, a meaningless mouthpiece, and a fairy tail, all apply and are justified.

[ubrew12]

Translation: ''Actions speak louder than words''
Example: GW Bush 2000-2008 (Compassionate conservative = eat-the-young warmonger and debtor).

Best line from this article: "Not that there''s anything wrong with talking" (I might add: especially when that''s all you CAN do).

Weakly Standard: Open mouth, insert foot.

Talk about "just words", this article takes the cake. The embarrassing, talent-minus Hillary Clinton has an "action plan". Like appointing Alan Greenspan and Paul Volker to a blue-ribbon commission to solve the current financial crisis? Give me a break.

[nearl4511]

Weekly Standard? NRO?

A better title would be "The Hollowness Behind WS''s Rhetoric"

I like some conservative commentators, like George Will, but these WS and NRO people are partisan to the point of defying any logical thought. Funny that CBS partners with them.

[tibu987]

Yes, this article reeks of a Clinton plant.
Still, Obama has slipped in most peoples eyes including mine.

However, when I look at Obama and and compare him to the other two candidates, it is very easy for me to stick with Obama.

Hillary the congenital liar, and McCain the Bush war-monger.

Incidentally, Hillary''s pastor in New York was accused of child molestation. So, one should be careful about the mud they sling, it may just splatter back on them.

Clever commentary. Politics is so interesting in the manner it attempts to influence. The article does not necessarily represent the authors true concerns about Obama. Yet, it does capitalize on vestigial preconceptions that us white folk have about black folk. You can almost here the underpinnings of the ''lazy black man'' stereotype between the lines. To the extent we let these insidious remarks influence us, we can measure the political prowess of the author. My guess is that the author is far more threatened by the socialist undercurrent implied by Obama''s sensitivity to the lower economic strata. Little Limbaugh doesn''t want to give up his feather bed.

[doctor2012]

Give me a break. This article is just words, and on top of that makes no sense. Obama has offered proposals, plans of actions and solutions to problems as much as has Clinton or McCain. It has been a rarity in countless presidential campaigns that anyone has gone into the ad nauseum specifics that you propose. The candidates don''t have that much time. I do realize candidates talk in general terms, but that trait by no means solely belongs to Obama. Some people in the media have the perfect job, they can come up with garbage and still deseminate it and get paid for it.

[blackyowe]

Let him run when he grows up. He is no more than a pretty face. You don''t vote for people with no track record. He hasn''t proved himself so no matter how well groomed he is I can''t vote for him. I am not at all fond of Hillary either but given the choice you have to go with someone who has shown leadership. Clinton''s record here in NY is very good and she at least is known. I have no idea what is behind Obama''s smile. This weird pastor of his was quite a wakeup call. What else is in that closet? His handlers are so guarding his image so well I have no idea who this man is. Being idealistic is not enough to run a country.

[parachutepol]

Hey! Stop the madness. Robert Frost said and I quote"Things are best said when they come from the heart " end of quote. Sen.Barack Obama is the real deal.In my opinion only until people change their heart and become real with themselves it will be business as usual in the White House.But because he is a black man who carries a burden of proof. He will continue to suffer like black people have for 400 years. More importantly we will continue to suffer because of the color of our skin.
I''m glad to have been around to withness such a person who heart is alway talking . If we stop, look, and listen . If it was the other way around the race would have been over. Sen.Clinton is grabbing straws, because she is a drowning women. I don''t mind a fair fight, but below the belt is not a good sign. Like Bill Richardson stated she feel she is entitle to the presidency.Somebody please stop the madness.

[vet_sk]

All you have to read if this article is Weekly subStandard. The author of this article says it all.

[bluestardad]

PUSH THIS ISRAELI RAG AND ITS SUPPORTERS INTO THE SEA!

GET THEM OUT OF AMERICA!

AMERICA STAND UP OR SHUT UP!

[it_oldtimer]

All "visions" are initially just words, until the visionary who spoke them translates them into reality. A great example of this is JFK''s "I want to put a man on the moon in the next decade..." vision.

McCain is just more of the same - Bush II - no vision, no inspiration. Hillary seems to just make her own "reality" up as she goes along.

Given the choice between the three, I''ll take a chance on Obama''s "vision" - I''ll take the hope of something better over the guarantee of more of the same.

[ajmarine1]

Farrakhan''''s October 16, 1995 Million Man March ranks among the events about which Rev. Wright has written most extensively and passionately. Wright attended the rally with his son, and has described it as "a once in a lifetime, amazing experience." When a number of prominent African Americans counseled fellow blacks to boycott the demonstration because of Farrakhan''''s well-documented history of hateful rhetoric, Wright derided those critics as "''''Negro'''' leaders," "''''colored'''' leaders," "Oreos," and "house *******" whose most noteworthy trait was their contemptible "Uncle Tomism." "There are a whole boat load of ''''darkies'''' who think in white supremacist terms," added Wright. "%u2026 Some ''''darkies'''' think white women are superior to black women%u2026. Some ''''darkies'''' think white lawyers are superior to black lawyers. Some ''''darkies'''' think white pastors are better than black pastors. There are a whole boatload of ''''darkies'''' who think anything white and everyone white is better than whatever it is black people have."



This is some of what Obama''s pastor thinks of Blacks that don''t think like he does; if I was Black, I think I would be alittle upset.

[skyk-2009]

You have to admit these Neocon''s and their Propaganda "News Groups" are certainly intent on creating asome sort of Wedge issue. I doubt in the end though it will do them much good.

To: ted-zee-man

I''ll tell you what the difference is...Obama is a member of Wright''s church. He has accepted the doctrine of the church as a member. He allows his children to be taught by a religious bigot. Look at the church''s website sometimes....here''s a quote..."We are an African people, and remain true to our native land, the mother continent, the cradle of civilization". They don''t consider themselves Americans. Why doesn''t Reverent "God *** Africa... whose people are dying by the millions of AIDS....whose wholesale slaughter of human life in senseless tribal wars is epic....where starvation abounds. Rev. Wright needs to pack up his belonging and move to Africa if it is his homeland....I guarantee he''s be more than happy to come back to America in a few months...the land who gives him the freedom to say the outlandish hateful things he says. Doesn''t it bother you that he calls the USA...the USA of KKK? And doesn''t it bother you that Obama sits and listens to this kind of garbage and doesn''t speak out about the racial hatred promoted by this guy? Geez.....

[quatrops]

Far too much credit is given to what leaders DO when in office. When a nation is truly successful, it is because of what the PEOPLE of that nation accomplish.

It is when the PEOPLE of a nation are inspired to make responsible personal decisions (economically, educationally, socially) and demand of their government that it do the same on an institutional level, that a nation becomes a great one.

The greatest single asset great leaders can have is the ability to inspire their people (most ofter with oratory and rhetoric).

It is not what the President DOES, it is what he/she can inspire the PEOPLE to do or to demand of their elected representatives. On that score, Obama should be our next president.

[happydove]

SHAME ON YOU DEAN BARNETT.
All any liberal minded person need to read about your Rhetoric is only the title AND its even more disheartening that CBS could condense so low to be associated with your disgraceful type. If indeed America is a land of free speech, what''s wrong then with Mr "Pastor" Wright expressing his speech "albeit opinion"? For years, history has it as an established fact that we white had mistreated the blacks. We''d killed, persecute them in multitude over the years and called them all sorts of hideous (unprintable)names in history AND now that one of them stood up to express his "free speech", stupid people like you are shouting "murder". Funny we attack Mr Wright of bigotry, maybe its us "the white race" that need to look ourselves in the mirror and really see who''s a bigot here. SHAME ON YOU DEAN BARNETT.

[happydove]

THE WEEKLY STANDARD IS NOTHING LESS THAN THE JOURNALISTIC ARM OF THE REPULICAN PARTY. THEIR SLOGAN "FAIR AND BALANCED" IS AN ABSOLUTE JOKE.


------------------------------------------------------

Posted by frankson2 at 03:04 PM : Mar 26, 2008


Well said frankson2. Well said