Obama Doesn't See Race as a Factor in Criticism

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the problem with race relations in this country is that despite the fact that many inroads have been made, racism still exists. The problem is that now racism is underground; people are not discriminated against openly, unless there is a person stupid enough to do or say just that. By en large, the discrimination is subtle and imperceptible. Some people refuse to see it that way, and it's their opinion. Anyone who does not believe racism comes up anytime this president speaks or does anything, must either be on drugs, or spent the last 75 years in another planet. The media, as sensational as they often are, does right in bringing the point to the forefront. This country needs to address its dirty laundry head on, and sweeping any notion that seems uncomfortable under the rug fails to miss the opportunity to resolve the issue.

Abel A. Rodriguez of FL 9:27PM September 17, 2009

I appreciate Mr. Obama's response to issue of race for motive to Mr. Wilson's comment. I like others think that Mr. Wilson did not think before he reacted. He made comment inappropriately and in the wrong venue. But I see it as nothing more than emotionalism. I do believe that Mr. Carter was very wrong for making this sort of issue public. He has no way of knowing what was on Mr. Wilson's mind or heart.

Steven L. Gregory of MO 4:44PM September 17, 2009

Maureen Dowd's column in the NY Times, "Boy, oh, Boy" was unfortunate, and by adding the word "boy" after Congressman Joe Wilson's "You lie!" outburst, a word that she only heard in her perverted head, she made his comment racial. Even worse, she admitted that her addition was made, "Fair or not..." . This is shamelessly poor journalism, pathetic and inexcusable, because in a world overpopulated with 24/7 media, it was bound to have even more unintended consequences than even her small mind could have imagined.
Now we're discussing race, when we should be having an open debate about policies. We can pretend that it's about race, but when Bush was attacked so viciously about his policies in Iraq, by Dan Rather making up stories about his National Guard service, etc. which were beyond vicious, no one said that it was about race. Of course not. Personally, in spite of the dowdy Jimmy Carter (pun intended), Congressman Maxine Waters, and columnist Dowd, I do not see or hear any racist comments about President Obama. I'm sure that there are some, there always are, but what I do hear about is opposition to his "too much borrowing, too much spending, and too much government intrusion in our lives" that the president supports. And that last comment comes from Michael Williams, a Republican candidate for the Senate from Texas (who happens to be African-American).
Were this 30 years ago, with only three networks and 30 minutes of news each day from each, and the Internet, bloggers and others did not report everything everyone said instantly, stupid, unsupported conjecture would not find a voice, a babbling ex-president would not be heard unless someone got to his memoirs. But today, with too many news hours to fill and too many columnists, things that we don't need to see or hear, we see and hear. There are thousands of media outlets now, feeding on each other, and stupidity is on display from reality shows to the news every day.

Sherlock Holmes of NH 4:20PM September 17, 2009

I love debate and wish they would post the health care bill for debate. but that would be to much work for them and reveal to much truth and not give room for rumors and lies
I do not call people names because they disagree with me or get to negative. Like everybody I do have concerns about propaganda and other dangers on the Internet, At least I hope every body is concerned and are careful on the world wide web(WWW). As you see by me using my name I am not ashamed at what I say although like everybody I do make mistakes and sometimes do not explain myself clearly leaving room for interpretation errors
Don D. Brock
White house response page http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Key Facts About The Great Depression http://students.umf.maine.edu/~nielsemj/thegreatdepression/d1.html
Public Broadcasting service http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rails/timeline/

Don D. Brock of AZ 1:18PM September 17, 2009

I love debate and wish they would post the health care bill for debate. but that would be to much work for them and reveal to much truth and not give room for rumors and lies
I do not call people names because they disagree with me or get to negative. Like everybody I do have concerns about propaganda and other dangers on the Internet, At least I hope every body is concerned and are careful on the world wide web(WWW). As you see by me using my name I am not ashamed at what I say although like everybody I do make mistakes and sometimes do not explain myself clearly leaving room for interpretation errors
Don D. Brock
White house response page http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/
Key Facts About The Great Depression http://students.umf.maine.edu/~nielsemj/thegreatdepression/d1.html
Public Broadcasting service http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/rails/timeline/

Don D. Brock of AZ 1:18PM September 17, 2009

we know the real truth anyways. I dont like em because hes a big D-bag. and thats why we dont like him. I am a conservative republican, but on the verge of libertarian because the two parties are tearing this country apart, there really is no decency left in the democratic party and zero tolerance to just let things ride in the republican party. Ive spoken my piece, Im pretty close to having zero tolerance for either one of em.

Pete of TX 10:38AM September 17, 2009

I see the online terrorist are starting to spread there propaganda, How many of the negative posts are actually terrorist propaganda?.
Don D Brock

Don D Brock of AZ 10:28AM September 17, 2009

obama is a socialist who want to destroy america from within, a charismatic and sweet talking socialist, this is a warning for you gullible american if you don't open your eyes your beloved country will become a socialist state, you gullible it is funny you american send troops overseas to fight communist and terrorist but at the same time you provide shelter to those communist and islamist wanted by their own country and now they already established a base in america, and you also voted one of them. sorry for you but it is not too late wake up and taking back your country

abu of KY 9:41AM September 17, 2009

Mr. president Obama is not concerned about racism, when that senator shouted out “you lie” President Obama barely flinched and just grinned. He probably thought the guy just got a little worked up and the situation will take care of itself.
I have always liked jimmy carter and when I read his biography on whitehouse.gov I thought they did a good job writing it. But (39)President Carter did not help President Obama with his statements.
I Think people should let President Obama take care of his troubles his own way.
For if he cannot put up with a few problems, How is he going to take care of America
He could However use your advice and none monitory support (http://www.whitehouse.gov/contact/)
Don D. Brock

Don D. Brock of AZ 1:53AM September 17, 2009

Racism exists from a minority of people of all races. 99% of the people are not racist because they know it is wrong and live by the do-unto-others golden rule. So racism isn't at the heart of any positive or negative critique of Obama.
Just as people have done with all Presidents before Obama, they should voice their concerns, oppose policies and directions they don't agree with, and support what they see as right. Obama is smart enough to know that he cannot and never will win on every issue and in every aspect. People should be smart enough to know the same and know that failure, success, and opposition have nothing to do with race. In fact, people should just get over race as a factor period and evaluate Obama and proposed legislation for the quality of thought, the attention to detail, and the practical ability to execute.
As for this blind "the President success is critical", well, that is a load of hogwash. In some areas, most people want the President to be successful but in others, they want the President to fail. Just examine the prior presidency and note how much people were pushing for success vs. failure of his policies. At the end of the day, the country needs a President to first do no harm and then try to improve things via practical solutions. Presidents get huge credit for the success and failure of the country but in the end, a given President deserves little credit because it is up to individuals to make things happen and all government should do is "do no harm" and prevent people or governments or business from doing harm. Easy to understand and easy to execute.
One thing that Obama and Congress could do to be successful that they won't do is to break up complex legislation into manageable chunks that people can actually understand and support. The whole "big bang" approach to health care illustrates a failure to lead by both Obama and Congress. Big bang legislation never works as intended and often works very poorly. Do the right thing and break the complex problems into simple ones and you'll see non-party line votes occur more often than not and actually make a difference.

Mike of CA 10:24PM September 16, 2009