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What’s that you say? Barack Obama, messianic heir to the presidency? America’s first viable Black candidate? How could he possibly be out of touch when he appears to be all things to all people?
At Chicago’s Apostolic Church of God today, Fathers Day, Obama said of Black Youth and men, “They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it.” He also said, “We can’t simply write these problems off to past injustices. Those injustices are real. There’s a reason our families are in disrepair, but we can’t keep using that as an excuse.”
Recalling his own upbringing without his father around, he said, “I resolved many years ago that it was my obligation to break the cycle, that if I could be anything in life, I would be a good father to my girls.”
Similar comments have been made in the past years by noted and popular Black comedian, Bill Cosby, who has often been excoriated for his harsh words towards Blacks.
While some prominent Blacks agreed with and appreciated Cosby’s words, others called him an “elitist, mean-spirited and out of touch with the poor and with young people.”
Others claimed Cosby’s views were simplistic because they “ignore institutional and societal forces, such as government neglect and racism, that have helped create the conditions in poverty-stricken neighborhoods.”
Noted Black Libertarian, syndicated radio host and author, Larry Elder, makes similar claims in his book, “Stupid Black Men, How To Play The Race Card and Lose” and has come under fire from within the Black community as well.
None claim racism is extinct in America, just that the prominence of it, as I once existed, isn’t here now and that Blacks have more opportunity available than before in our history.
Yet, they have been condemned from many sectors of the Black community, Larry Elder receiving some of the nastiest for his book.
Cosby has been touring America for a few years with his message of responsibility in what he calls “A Call Out with Cosby.” Elder’s book is selling in bookstores across the nation. Both have been condemned from within the Black community for their “you can’t blame Whites any longer” message and for encouraging young Blacks especially to take charge of their lives, children they father and to be there, active in the role they created.
Now that Barack Obama has joined in with a similar message to Black youth, will he too be accused of being out of touch and kissing “whitey’s” ass?
Time will most certainly tell.
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If you really paid attention to the conversations going on in the Black community about Mr. Elder and Cosby it has little to do with the substance of there message but the fact that they do not offer real solutions to the problems they complain about.
Elder, in his book, implys that racism doesn’t exist. The man, and anyone who believes that, is just plain silly.
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File Type: ImageYes, discrimination is a bad thing and can cripple people and societies beyond repair, but giving up or revolting without the conditions being truly hopeless can only make matters worse. And there is still hope. That’s what Obama is saying.
I don’t see anything wrong with that.
First, did Obama ever go after absent black fathers when before he decided he wanted to be president, or is he just now doing so because he knows this sentiment will play well with the black community? Is this (yet another) faith of convenience for Obama that he’ll spurn just like he spurned Jeremiah Wright in order to get what he wants? Does he really believe anything?
Second, why isn’t Obama attacked as an ”Uncle Tom” the way Cosby was — and the way Clarence Thomas, Condoleezza Rice and JC Watts often are? Is he so secure in his 90% black majorities that he thinks black voters will support him no matter what he does, even if he attacks them?
I’m not aware of Obama doing anything in his pre-presidential career to specifically change the lives of his black constituency for the better. It’s disturbing that they seem to be voting for him, then, on the basis of skin color alone.
Progressive Candidate John McCain comes through for America with his 3R economic plan. In the aura of Theodore Roosevelt, McCain’s plan just makes sense.
1. RETHINK: America must rethink the global views on what America is capable of in our current state of technology, engineering and the demands that face the world.
“RETHINK” in terms of re-action means to set forth this plan.
Most Americans know where the USA falls short in the ways of manufacturing and valuable jobs.
It’s time to meet the change of global demands with Made in USA quality and a new American workforce. Oddly enough, the framework is ready and waiting for this plan and active participation. The Progressive attitude of John McCain to get things done will resurrect America.
2. REFORM: America must rise to these demands and compete aggressively in a global economy. We must demand higher quality products and less restricted trade routes for Made in USA components.
”RE-FORM” is simple to comprehend as through John McCain’s Progressive attitudes, the USA will reform our manufacturing and hit it full steam ahead!
Made in USA has always meant highest quality products at moderate prices. The difference today is, we save loose change with Imported Chinese junk products, but few high paying jobs exist to do anything except buy the cheaper foreign-made products.
3. REINVENT: America and Americans must reinvent themselves to reach and maintain these standards and by sheer American ingenuity, control the world’s marketplace in the competitive manner, as we have always been proud to rule. Can you hear Theodore Roosevelt shouting this?
”RE-INVENT” is the exciting part of McCain’s 3R plan.
Americans in need of a future and without the desire, funding or free time to spend 2 to 8 years in college can go back to a re-invented manufacturing education. McCain’s formula allows these new students, young and old, to be paid a moderate paycheck while learning their new skills and leadership roles in hands on classrooms! Without costing taxpayers or the US government additional funds, we can literally change the face of America and the world.
Learning the skills required in order to become the American driving force behind new USA manufacturing boom, many Americans will also gain the skills to become the CEOs and leaders of their own USA Mfg arenas. Leading a group of people who love their new lifestyle is not difficult and Americans have been proving American ingenuity and leadership since Theodore Roosevelt’s Progressive Republican era.
Initial estimates of 1 in 5 students will go on to begin his or her own company and drive even more Americans into a viable lifestyle with real jobs, real benefits and a retirement to look forward to. Many students will combine forces and create successful joint ventures.
America has the means to follow through with John McCain’s 3R plan, ready and in place across the USA. The buildings we need sit vacant for the most part. America has millions of people screaming for new and improved jobs.
Senator McCain has provided the new guard for Social Security, the promise of retirement and the dreams that can be realized by Americans who would otherwise be lost or at the mercy of a dying workforce. This is the new workforce for American’s future.
By assuming leases on abandoned stores and factories across America with MC-3R schools and mini-manufacturing training centers, the USA made products can be sold and support the stores. Building owners write off the loss in taxes over a few years!
Although the thousands of new businesses manufacturing USA Made products is exciting enough, the real excitement comes from the massive amount of additional jobs that will be created to provide the new housing, new buildings, new parks, shopping, grocery stores, schools, government outlets and so much more.
The Key PROBLEM with the housing slump and the huge crude oil buy-out is not from greedy developers or greedy oil companies, but from the desire to locate and invest in the era’s best investments. Housing was #1 until the investment funds were pulled and crude oil took its place as a commodity. McCain will get us out of the mess that threatens the world’s economy.
These three R’s will be accomplished by the McCain express and through wealthy American entrepreneurs who were once able to invest in America’s manufacturing capabilities but have since fallen into investments that have caused catastrophic world economy failure.
McCain’s Progressive nature embodies Theodore Roosevelt more than any other US presidential candidate in history since.
We need John McCain to lead our nation.
But, the point of what I wrote wasn’t actually the merit of what each said, but what will the response be.
Unlike Cosby or Elder, Obama is receiving accolades for same pretty much the same thing they did and were condemned for.
You say Cosby and Elder offer no solution, what solution did Obama offer? NONE!!! Just more Socialist drivel and bribing for votes by offering handouts.
Obama’s ”solutions” from his speech;
”Because if fathers are doing their part; if they’re taking our responsibilities seriously to be there for their children, and set high expectations for them, and instill in them a sense of excellence and empathy, then our government should meet them halfway.”
”We should be making it easier for fathers who make responsible choices and harder for those who avoid them. We should get rid of the financial penalties we impose on married couples right now, and start making sure that every dime of child support goes directly to helping children instead of some bureaucrat. We should reward fathers who pay that child support with job training and job opportunities and a larger Earned Income Tax Credit that can help them pay the bills. We should expand programs where registered nurses visit expectant and new mothers and help them learn how to care for themselves before the baby is born and what to do after – programs that have helped increase father involvement, women’s employment, and children’s readiness for school. We should help these new families care for their children by expanding maternity and paternity leave, and we should guarantee every worker more paid sick leave so they can stay home to take care of their child without losing their income.”
Obama Father’s Day Speech
But again, why isn’t Obama being condemned for telling Black Youth to be responsible people?
http://www.ugandaobserver.com/new/oped/oped200805014.php