[Rhodes22-list] Sailboats - Weather - Politics (Big Al, he was your governor)

[Steven Alm]

Brad,

Let me get this straight.  You think Obama's toast because he knows some one
who's angry about the black experience in America?  Or he knows some one who
knows some one who knows some one who likes Farrakhan?  This guilt by
association is a lot of BS.  Do you really think Obama's a racist
extremist?  Do you really think he's a Muslim?  A commy?  Do you really
think he has some hidden, anti-American agenda?  First, he's just as much
white as he is black.  Why not call him a white man?  Next, let's remember
that the USA has not exactly been kind to blacks and I think it's pretty
easy for us white folks to dismiss Rev. Wright's comments as racist, but he
(Wright) is not wrong when he says America is controlled by rich white men
to the exclusion of blacks.  If you were black, I'm sure you'd have a whole
different take on the American experience.  But it's almost impossible for
the typical white person to see that.

I do not use the word "typical" lightly.  Neither does Obama.  Of course
there is such a thing.  We all have our own bias.  It's like the default
setting on your computer.  If you told me a story about a person who... I
would automatically think you're telling me about a middle-aged,
middle-class white male because that's my default bias.  I can't change
that.  I can't change who I am.  And of course there's nothing wrong with
that.  It's when you get to the stereotypes and prejudice (root word is
pre-judge) that we get into trouble.  This is where Rev. Wright got into
trouble--by letting his bias lean into the stereotypes and prejudice and I
think Obama made that very clear in his now-famous speech addressing race in
America.  The only road to success is to be positive instead of divisive.

I know what the right is asking here--how can you damn America when she's
sending you a welfare check every month?  The left is saying we wouldn't
have to send the checks if we didn't have such an inhospitable environment
for them.  This paradox will not be solved anytime soon but I truly believe
Obama's got the issue well-organized in his head and has the guts to fight
the good fight against this ugly monster of racism that is still so
prevalent in our great but could be greater country.

To put it in another perspective, my own dear old dad is a dyed-in-the-wool
right winger and many times I've heard him utter extremely racist remarks,
the specifics of which I'm far too polite to repeat here.  Were I a
candidate and his remarks were leaked to the public, I suppose my campaign
would be over.  After all, he's not merely my pastor, he's my flesh and
blood.  I could hardly deny that he's been my mentor.  I love my dad no
matter what trash he talks but many would conclude that I'm a racist too by
association.  Is that fair?

Next question: who said the world is fair?  Maybe you're right, Brad, and he
is toast because of this.  Or maybe the general population forgets all about
this by the time of the general election.  People have pretty short
memories.  Either way it doesn't speak very well for the typical American
voter if they vote one way or the other based on this single issue.  Many
will not vote for Obama because he's (half) black.  Many will not vote for
HillBilly because she's female.  Many will not vote for McCain because he's
old.  I think you're in the minority though if you're voting
*for*something--most people vote
*against* something--myself included--I'll be voting against the incumbent
party.

Slim

On Mon, Mar 24, 2008 at 5:07 PM, Tootle <ekroposki at charter.net> wrote:

>
> Captain Rummy,
>    The list is quiet because of the weather.  Brad sailed his boat to his
> house... And how much snow did you get this afternoon?  It was snowing in
> Wahalla around 2 P.M.
>
>     Maybe all the snow in Upstate New York has kept the New York Rhodies
> quiet about their former Governor and for that matter their current
> Governor...  Apparently they both have the same problem, only one was
> caught
> by wire tap...
>
> Brad,
>
>     Come on now, Obama is not toast.  He still has some Rhodies in his
> following.  You never heard those Rhodies disclaim him.  They probably
> enjoyed Rev. Wright's sermons.  You should send those sermons to Bill
> Effros
> and ask him to comment.  Maybe those Rhodies can get Rev. Wright to preach
> at their boat launchings.  They probably enjoy those UTubes:
> http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vdJB-qkfUHc&feature=related
>
> See this:
> http://www.nabble.com/file/p16262834/cloth.gif cloth.gif
>
>
> Ed K
> Greenville, SC, USA
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
>
> Obviously, the list is slow to take advantage of 'global warming' and not
> starting the season early.  I'll take advantage of the lull and fire some
> shots at something other than squirrels.
>
> Economy - Business runs in cycles, get it?  There's always the 'next best
> thing' and when it falls flat on its ass, there's always 'the next best
> thing'.  If you have half a brain you understand this cycle.  If you have
> 1/4 a brain, you worry about recessions.  Don't believe anything anyone
> says
> about our current economy.  We're in a recession!  Either the sky is
> falling
> or stocks are on sale!  I'm buying!
>
> Politics - Obama is toast!  You don't win 'white' votes lecturing them on
> how their grandmother was a 'racist'.  This guy will be lucky to get
> re-elected to the Senate from Illinois.  Trust me on this, a lot of people
> in downstate IL would love to have their vote back.  He doesn't stand a
> chance in the general as POTUS and is a footnote in Illinois politics as
> well.
>
> Sailing - the cost is going up!  Sails are made from oil based products
> and
> you'll see the price increases at replacement time.  On the other hand, my
> fuel budget for five years of sailing is still less than $200 (not
> counting
> the cost of getting to/from the boat).  Just when you lose faith in the
> world, you realize there are a few good men like Stan Spitzer who build a
> superior product that everyone can enjoy.
>
> Have a nice day and 'don't worry, be happy!"
>
> Brad
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