Organizing for America | Patrick Murphy's Blog: Why I Support Senator Obama

Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By lionanimal Aug 21st 2007 at 6:50 pm EDT

The website of C-Span has announced two scheduled showings of Barack Obama's speech to the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW) at 10 pm Eastern Tuesday August 21, 2007 and 12:50 am Eastern Wednesday August 22, 2007 on C-Span 1 TV.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By ychelleh Aug 21st 2007 at 6:57 pm EDT

Thanks, I will watch it tonight at 10.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By vw (Hussien)cat - Because I am very bitter and elitist Aug 21st 2007 at 8:01 pm EDT

thank you for letting us know. thanks very much

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Rick Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:33 am EDT

Thx for the heads-up. Hard for us Obama fans to argue with sentiments like this. :)

BTW, just wanted to mention something very concerning and important here for any Barack Obama staffers in regard to gaining the support of the crucial Latino vote. I interact a lot with Latino voters and so have been soliciting their views and inclinations for a while. Fortunately they are gradually warming to Obama (though name recognition is an issue), but in one very important respect they're still suspicious of the Obama campaign and hesitant to vote for Mr. Obama.

Specifically, in the recent immigration reform debate, Mr. Obama along with Ted Kennedy set a number of preconditions for the regularization of illegal immigrants-- which is necessary-- but one of these preconditions was an English language exam, which Mr. Obama has also emphasized in speeches.

Now, I understand the thinking behind this, but the problem is that in the crucial Southwestern states, things are a lot more complicated language-wise. Spanish has been used on an equal basis with English since the Mexican and Texas Wars made it US territory 150+ years ago, and the various agreements following that war guarantee full protection and equality for Spanish alongside English here. Thus by law as well as by custom, this has been an effectively bilingual region, as is Florida (with Native American languages such as Navajo also having such protection). There's nothing unusual about this, since both Spanish and the native American languages precede even the Jamestown settlement in the United States territory-- native Americans and Latinos tend to pick up some English over time anyway, it's just that they preceded the "Anglos" here and they deeply resent any attempts to impose English, which smacks of imperialism to them.

Thus a lot of Latinos were very upset and even angry with Mr. Obama and Ted Kennedy at what sounded like an attempt to impose English on them in a region where they and the Spanish and native American languages preceded and have recognition alongside English. I was frankly surprised at how intense this issue is among the people here, but it's something we have to be very cognizant of.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Rick Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:47 am EDT

Continuing here, all I'm trying to say is: The Democratic Party and Mr. Obama just have to tread very carefully around the language issue. There is a historic opportunity here to capture the Latino vote, a truly historic realignment since Latinos will soon be the majority not only in Texas but also in Arizona and the rest of the Southwest.

However, any hint of imposing English on these people who've been here for centuries, any kind of English requirement or official English, or English-only law is deeply alienating to them and it pushes them away from us. If we hint even slightly at an English imposition, we'd be making a catastrophic error that would damage us for decades with this constituency.

My advice: Whenever the next immigration reform proposal comes up, and especially to the extent that prominent Democrats such as Mr. Obama and Mr. Kennedy help to draft such legislation, we should delete any sort of English requirement at all. The immigrants will tend to pick up some English anyway on their own, but especially in the Southwest and Florida where their historical presence is so deep-rooted, they won't do it at the expense of Spanish or, in the case of the First Nations, at the expense of native American languages, all of which long predate English here and have strong legal protections dating back to the Mexican War or even before.

In general, we really have to be cautious about getting caught up in the language issue at all.

To the extent that the Democratic Party platform and Mr. Obama's campaign mention the language issue in any form, my suggestion would be to offer up something very nuanced and careful, along the lines of, "We support efforts to help facilitate the learning of English to open opportunities, however we recognize the multilingual tapestry of this nation particularly in our Southwest, Florida and the lands of the First Nations, and we fully support the linguistic rights of the Latino and native American peoples who have dwelled in this territory for centuries."

That's the sort of carefully-worded, positive-sounding statement that wins support, without reeking of an imperialistic linguistic imposition that so angers Latino and native American voters at our expense. This issue is extremely important and of even historic significance for our party and our values, and we must demonstrate proper respect on it.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By James Harkin Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:08 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:08 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By 3L Aug 22nd 2007 at 6:52 am EDT

"No reason Hispanics should not learn English"? Did you even read Rick's third paragraph? It listed several. If you're going to deny a well-argued and substantive point, at least back it up with something more than a couple of ad hominems.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By 3L Aug 22nd 2007 at 6:59 am EDT

And I'll promise to check what I'm typing next time! Fourth paragraph, not third.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By YumaAZ4Obama Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:07 pm EDT

Mr. Harkin,

What have the Republican's done in the past 8 years to work on on immigration policy? Don't be so quick to take a stab at Democrats. Immigration has been allowed in this country for centuries. This is a policy that no single group is going to achieve everything they hope for, but it need's to be addressed with an open mind from all cultures. Fortunately, for all of us who were born in America, it's a good thing that the Native Americans didn't have an immigration policy!

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Sharon Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:04 am EDT

James: When I first read your comment early this morning, I was too shocked to respond. I would like to believe that this kind of narrow minded hatred does not exist in 2007, but obviously it does. Even if you represent a small portion of our country, it breaks my heart. I feel sorry for you, because hatred is not an innate trait, it is learned. You must have grown up in an environment that taught you to hate. With that said, and realizing that this may not be possible for you, I challenge you to try this. Close your eyes, open your ears and listen to Senator Obama's speech from the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Listen with your mind. Listen with your heart. Don't be distracted by hair color, eye color, skin color, gender. If you can truly do this, you will see the gift that we have been given with Senator Obama. Our bodies are containers. They hold who we really are. They are the packaging, not the gift.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Rick Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:05 am EDT

Just one more small point-- again, Latinos and native Americans in the Southwest and Florida particularly have been using Spanish and First Nations language for many centuries here, including in the years following the Mexican War, yet simultaneously being proud of the USA and considering themselves to be vigorous Americans. The tremendous extent of Latino service in our Armed Forces is just one indicator of that.

To Latinos and native Americans who use Spanish or First Nations languages like Navajo, what unifies the United States is our common national creed, of equal rights for all people and individual opportunity, as enshrined in our many founding documents and in the ethos that has permeated the country for centuries.

Thus, it's not the English language per se that unifies us, it's the fundamental ideas and natural rights of this country which bind us. These ideas are universalist and translate into any language.

Again, considering the particular history of the Southwest and Florida and that of the First Nations people, and the Spanish and native American languages in particular, all of which precede Anglo settlement here by centuries, this distinction is extremely important both morally and strategically for us. Latinos tend to lean toward the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates, but their votes aren't automatic, and we have to be sensitive to the deep historical and cultural roots of these peoples and the Spanish and native American languages here. If we're able to do that effectively, then we'll soon be able to turn Texas, Arizona and many other states into Blue States as Latinos gain strength and-- by around 2015-- become the majority in these states, in Florida and in other pivotal Southwestern regions.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By RAH Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:27 am EDT

Rick... I think I understand what you are saying, however, I think the senators are saying that illegal immigrants should be expected the learn English as a pathway to citizenship. Those who are indigenous to this country should not, and I don't think the senators mean them, have to learn English.

Not that I'm an expert or even can pretend to understand or know the whole immigration issue, but that's my take. I think it's only fair that those who enter the country illegally should be expected to do what is necessary to become as self sufficient as possible. That should apply to ANY immigrant not just those who speak Spanish.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Rick Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:52 pm EDT

Rah, you make reasonable points here, my response to this is: the people that we call "illegal immigrants" in the Southwestern states, the Latinos in particular, *are* indigenous to that region. Again, I didn't want to spend an entire post going through the history of this, but following the Mexican War, there was an extremely ugly period when Latinos who had been in the Southwest for centuries, were forcibly and often brutally expelled from their homes and deported from where they had lived. Moreover, the line on the map now representing the US-Mexico border, from California toward the Rio Grande, had in fact long been a pasturing, grazing and fishing zone for centuries before, a location that people had freely crossed over. In fact, during the 1930's, an extremely large number of Mexican-Americans were displaced and forcibly deported from the Southwest yet again-- one of the worst blights on FDR's otherwise remarkable administration, along with the internment camps for the Japanese-Americans.

IOW, the Latinos often disrespectfully labeled as "illegals" today, in fact have ancestry in the Southwest that stretches back to the period before the Mexican War, both settled and freely crossing the region. Moreover, by fundamental law as well as by custom, the Southwest was a bilingual region after the Mexican War, mandated as a way of maintaining peace (with of course due recognition also given to the Navajos, Zuni, Pueblos and others), and in truth has never ceased being effectively bilingual.

In addition to forcibly evicting them from the places they lived, one of the ways that anti-Latino organizations in the 19th and 20th centuries used to break Latino power in the region and damage their sense of unity-- a technique also used against native Americans-- was to forbid them to speak Spanish and celebrate their culture, which had been been a source of unity before and after the Mexican War.

This is why, again, language impositions of any kind are such a sensitive and emotional issue in the Southwest. Since "illegals" in fact have extensive roots in the region dating back to the Mexican War, any act perceived as an imposition of English on "illegals" in the Southwest raises considerable ire, reminiscent as it is of the same imperious, discriminatory techniques used by earlier anti-Latino organizations against the Latino people. Best to return to the more open attitude to language in the post-Mexican War period.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By php25 Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:03 am EDT

I think your on the wrong website. Your candidate seems to be Tom Tancredo.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By php25 Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:05 am EDT

I meant this to be a reply to James Harkin, just clicked on the wrong reply link.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By VTscrapper Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:15 am EDT

I think you bring up some good points, and it's good you brought this point of view to the discussion. I also think you ought to share your views directly with the campaign. I have mixed feelings on this and can see your point. However it makes sense to me that any immigrants (legal or not) should make an effort to understand and use the prominent language of the country they want to live in, for their own benefit. Not understanding English puts them at a disadvantage in situations such as buying a car or in other legal agreements. There are always those who would take advantage of someone who doesn't understand what they are getting into.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Rick Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:09 pm EDT

I agree VT, and that's why Latinos who come to the region tend to pick up some English on their own accord. Therefore again, along these lines, it's probably better for Obama and the Democratic Party, to the extent that language is mentioned at all, to speak of opening up opportunities to learn English as a path toward economic benefit, something that Latinos voluntarily recognize and act upon, while explicitly recognizing the right of Spanish and other pre-Mexican War languages to be used for public functions.

What seriously angers Latinos and native Americans in the Southwest is anything that smacks of an imposition of English-- either in the form of a prohibition on the public use of other languages such as Spanish, or in something like a strict language test for "illegals" (who, as I wrote in another post, actually have centuries-long roots in this region). This isn't just an issue of ethical practice, it's also of legal precedent since Spanish and Latino cultural recognition were granted official protection following the Mexican War as a means of retaining some kind of peace between Anglo settlers and the Latinos, their language and their culture that were resident here.

So English and Spanish flourished side-by-side-- both being used in government, the ballot box, schools, private enterprise, offices. Both were properly recognized and given rights as languages of the public sphere. English and Spanish in the Southwest have thus had full equality under the law and by custom.

What angers Latinos so much is the tendency by some-- including some Democrats, to our tremendous detriment-- to attempt to elevate English as a superior language in the region above Spanish, when in fact the often fragile harmony since the Mexican War came about because Latinos, Spanish and Latino culture were given equal recognition alongside English and the Anglo settlers.

Any official statement on language rights, by Obama, the Democratic Party or any other organization, has to balance these issues. That's why I agree, the key is to-- on one hand-- emphasize providing opportunities to learn English for economic advancement, *voluntarily*, but OTOH to give full respect and recognition of the right to use Spanish and other languages that preceded the Mexican War here. No English test in the immigration reform bill, certainly no "official English" nonsense. Just open up opportunities to learn, but respect Spanish and the other pre-Mexican War languages.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Terri Aug 21st 2007 at 8:20 pm EDT

Thanks for the heads-up! Probably would have missed it!!

Thank you! | Report to Admin

By mariposanegra Aug 21st 2007 at 7:31 pm EDT

Dear Mr. Murphy,

Thank you for your service to this country. We apologize for breaking our sacred trust with you and other troops by sending you to the wrong battlefield.

Also, thank you for supporting Senator Obama. I understand that it is difficult to break from establishment ways and connections to endorse a candidate who is not engrossed in the Washington culture. It takes courage to do so and not every politician has been so strong.

You have expressed the truth. Barack Obama is the best person to lead this country. He has the experience and judgment to lead us out of our foreign policy chaos and to change the way the world looks at America.

Thank you for using your influence so that we can all work to make change happen.

Re: Thank you! | Report to Admin

By RAH Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:31 am EDT

Be prepared for some negative vibe from Clinton. She and Bill had been courting him for his support. After the resounding compliment and praise she heaped on him at the VFW, he endorsed Senator Obama. That's gotta sting. So watch for Hilary and team to come at Senator Obama with a vengeance over this.

Context -- background of Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). | Report to Admin

By lionanimal Aug 21st 2007 at 7:47 pm EDT

The following is from Wikipedia:

Patrick Joseph Murphy (born October 19, 1973) is the Congressman from Pennsylvania's 8th congressional district, an American lawyer, a U.S. Army soldier, and a professor. Patrick Murphy is the first, and to date, only veteran of the Iraq War to serve in Congress, and was awarded the Bronze Star.

Murphy was born in Philadelphia. he went to King's College, Pennsylvania in Wilkes-Barre, where he was a cadet in the U.S. Army ROTC. After graduating in 1993 with a double major, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Army.

Murphy attended law school at the Widener University in Harrisburg, where he became a member of the Trial Advocacy Honor Society and president of the St. Thomas More Society. He then worked at office of the DA of Philadelphia, and in the Harrisburg Civil Law Clinic. He was legislative aide to a Democratic member of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives. Murphy has taught American politics and government at Mount Saint Mary's University and constitutional law at the U.S. Military Academy (West Point), and has also lectured at the U.S. Air Force Academy, the International Institute for Humanitarian Rights in Sanremo, Italy, and at Widener.

After working as an instructor at West Point, Murphy deployed overseas twice, serving in Bosnia (2002) and in Baghdad during the Iraq War (2003–2004). While in Baghdad as a paratrooper and JAG Corps attorney with the U.S. 82nd Airborne Division, Murphy worked to reconstruct the justice system and helped prosecute Sheik Moyad, a lieutenant of Muqtada al-Sadr. Murphy earned the Bronze Star Medal for his seven months of service in Iraq.

In 2005, Murphy challenged GOP incumbent Mike Fitzpatrick as a Fighting Dem, building his campaign around "Murphy Plans" for Iraq, ethics reform, online protection, and a GI Bill of Rights.

Murphy serves on the House Armed Services Committee and is the only freshman on the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. Murphy is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition, a group of Democratic representatives known for being fiscally and socially moderate.

Congressman Murphy opposed President Bush's plan to add more troops to the Iraq War in 2007. He was a cosponsor, with Senator Barack Obama and Congressman Mike Thompson (D-CA) of the Iraq War De-Escalation Act of 2007, which aimed to stop the troop addition and develop a plan to redeploy American troops from Iraq starting May 1, 2007.

re | Report to Admin

By vw (Hussien)cat - Because I am very bitter and elitist Aug 21st 2007 at 8:00 pm EDT

I always liked Murphy and on election night I was watching the races and kept hoping he would win.
I don't live anywhere near him but, I just thought he looked like he would be a really good congressman.
And I saw I was right with his speech on the floor during the Iraq war fight.
Now I know why I also liked the guy. he knows greatness when he sees it and supports Obama.
Go Patrick. Thank you for your great endorsement and seeing that Obama is the best choice for president.

Get him on the campaign | Report to Admin

By Unknown user Aug 21st 2007 at 8:05 pm EDT

The Obama campaign needs to get him out there campaigning and on the television programs.

Murphy I believe, is the only person in Congress who has fought in Iraq and is super-credible, not to mention intelligent, articulate and believable.

Barack needs him places like Iowa, NH and as a surrogate on these talk shows.

Why I Support Senator Obama -Rep Patrick Murphy By Barack Obama - Aug 21st, 2007 at 7:32 pm EDT | Report to Admin

By Danielle Clarke USA Vietnam Vet Aug 21st 2007 at 8:13 pm EDT

Why I Support Senator Obama -Rep Patrick Murphy By Barack Obama - Aug 21st, 2007 at 7:32 pm EDT

Link

TO ALL WHO READ THIS

Please consider calling Patrick Murphy's
office to thank him. Congressman Murphy will be up for re-election in 2008, and is a top Republican target. We will all have a chance to
attend fundraisers for him and meet him in the run-up to Nov. 2008.

MY RESPONSE:

TO ALL WHO READ THIS

Please consider calling Patrick Murphy's
office to thank him. Congressman Murphy will be up for re-election in 2008, and is a top Republican target. We will all have a chance to
attend fundraisers for him and meet him in the run-up to Nov. 2008.

Congressman Murphy's Washington Office: (202)
225-4276.
Congressman Murphy's Doylestown Office: (215)
348-1194

to volunteer for Patrick Murphys campiagn please call 267-797-6400

Re: Why I Support Senator Obama -Rep Patrick Murphy By Barack Obama - Aug 21st, 2007 at 7:32 pm EDT | Report to Admin

By JimmieFromDayton Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:56 am EDT

Thanks Danielle, especially for providing a contact point. I just call the congressman to let him know that I will do everything that I can to support his re-election. With his support of Senator Obama he has proven not that not only does he have courage but that he recognizes the type of leadership this country needs to lead us into the future.

To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight | Report to Admin

By Danielle Clarke USA Vietnam Vet Aug 21st 2007 at 8:17 pm EDT

To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight
To: letters@nytimes.com

To the Editor:

Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article =

Link

OR

Link

concerning Sen. Barack Obama’s address in Kansas City
to the Veterans of Foreign Wars ("Obama Praises
Military, but Restates Opposition on Iraq")
mischaracterizes the senator’s speech and distorts a
hot button issue.

In describing Obama’s speech, Zeleny writes: "He also
said it was wrong for anti-war activists to protest at
military funerals, declaring: ‘It needs to stop’."

However, this is an offensive skewing of the senator’s
words; he did not say the protests were from "anti-war
activists."

Obama’s actual words =
Link

were, "When men and women who die in service to
this country are laid to rest, there must be no
protests near the funerals. It’s wrong and it needs to
stop."

In fact, members of the Westboro Baptist Church in
Topeka, Kan., who routinely protest military funerals
because they are bigoted against homosexuals, are the
only such protesters.

I challenge Mr. Zeleney or anyone else at the New York
Times to come up with an instance of anti-war
activists engaged in a protest of a fallen soldier.

Please improve the accuracy of your reporting. If you
cannot competently paraphrase a candidate for
president, then simply quote him.

Sincerely,

Danielle Clarke
Phila Pa
Discharged honorably august 1974
USMC vietnam veteran mos 6075

Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight

C-SPAN SCHEDULE
On Our Networks . . .
Tonight, watch Pres. Bush at the SPP Summit (8PM ET).
Then the shuttle Endeavour lands in Florida (9:05PM
ET). Watch as Fmr. Sen. Fred Thompson (R-TN) (9:45PM
ET) and Sen. Barack Obama(D-IL) (10:15PM ET) address
the Veterans of Foreign War conven-
tion. Finally, Sen. Dodd (D-CT) on the economy
(10:45PM ET).

PLEASE WRITE THE NYT AND FEEL FREE TO USE MY FORMAT TO LET THEM KNOW THEY HAVE DISTORTED BARACKS WORDS WITH Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article Link

Re: To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight | Report to Admin

By Danielle Clarke USA Vietnam Vet Aug 21st 2007 at 8:20 pm EDT

ACTUALLY MOST OF THE FORMAT BELONGS TOO JORGIO BUT I DID ADD THE C-SPAN TIME FRAME :)

"Jorgio Castro"

Subject: NYTimes Crap reporter puts words in Obama's mouth to support right wing talking point.
Link

Fire off a notice to let the NY Times know this disgusting "reporting" will not stand. Read the blog and comments and you'll know.

--
Jorgio Castro

Re: To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight | Report to Admin

By MW Aug 21st 2007 at 8:45 pm EDT

Good catch, Danielle. Looks like DKos is on top of it.

Caught your comment on the "Hillary's War" blog on Huffpost. Good on you! (I put a few in there too--I have a different name there.)

Still thinking about your Dad. I trust you are doing OK.

Re: To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight | Report to Admin

By Danielle Clarke USA Vietnam Vet Aug 21st 2007 at 9:02 pm EDT

Thanks for thinking about my Dad. He was a WWII normandy 2nd wave d-day vet. I was fortunate to be able to get to him before he passed and also fortunate to be able to arrange a nice place for him to rest at Kulpeper cemetary.

About the above dailykos piece every email to the NYT does help so please write them too.

hugs Danielle

Re: To the Editor:.........Jeff Zeleny’s Aug. 21 article... Baracks speach will be on c-span tonight | Report to Admin

By Terri Aug 21st 2007 at 9:09 pm EDT

Thanks Danielle. I just finished off a letter to the NYT and posted to Kos when someone tried to infer that it was not entirely Zeleny's fault, that Obama was too vague. Excuse me?

Thank you | Report to Admin

By monica Aug 21st 2007 at 8:17 pm EDT

Thank you Murphy for your service to the country. And thank you for publicly supporting the candidate who can really make a difference in how our country is run, so no other Americans have to be sent into a misguided war.

"It's the Soldier, Not the...." | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Aug 21st 2007 at 8:18 pm EDT

God Bless you, Representative Murphy!

I'm so grateful to you for your service to our beautiful Country. I'm so grateful for you protecting our Country and us. You are truly a Blessing from God.

Thank you so much for endorsing the candidate that truly can bring change to our Country. The candidate that can unite our Country behind one common goal and a true destiny. The candidate that dare, I say it, will bring us, "Morning in America" once again.

IT IS THE SOLDIER

It is the Soldier, not the minister
Who has given us freedom of religion.

It is the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the press.

It is the Soldier, not the poet
Who has given us freedom of speech.

It is the Soldier, not the campus organizer
Who has given us freedom to protest.

It is the Soldier, not the lawyer
Who has given us the right to a fair trial.

It is the Soldier, not the politician
Who has given us the right to vote.

It is the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who allows the protester to burn the flag.

May God continue to Bless you and your family.

SONG - SOMETHING ABOUT THE MAN | Report to Admin

By Foreigner Aug 21st 2007 at 8:19 pm EDT

Let me re- post this one from Alan Fleishman yesterday at Link

There's a terrific Campaign Theme song they've done, he says. Listen to it at Link

QUOTE:
Academy Award nominated composer lyricst Arthur Hamilton (Cry Me A River), 4-time Latin Grammy Award winning producer Kenny O'Brien, and composer/songwriter Alan Ross Fleishman have collaborated to create this campaign song for Barack Obama. To hear and read the lyrics, please go to:
Link

Pleaase pass on this link to all your friends.
UNQUOTE

All the best!
- Sundar

Thank you. | Report to Admin

By Donna NH - Thank you my fellow Granite Staters! Yes we did! Aug 21st 2007 at 8:47 pm EDT

Thank you, Rep. Murphy, for your service to our country. You are indeed an exceptional role model yourself. Thank you for publicly endorsing Senator Obama. I share your sentiments about him. I well up with hope whenever I hear him speak or read a quote from him. He is truly for the betterment of all people. A uniter, not a divider. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and sharing that with us. I think some politicians fear not endorsing Barack, because they don't want to betry the Clintons or because they fear political repurcusions. I think you can still be a friend, but stand up for what you believe in. Thank you for standing up for truth, honesty and good judgment. God Bless.

Thank you. | Report to Admin

By Donna NH - Thank you my fellow Granite Staters! Yes we did! Aug 21st 2007 at 8:48 pm EDT

Thank you, Rep. Murphy, for your service to our country. You are indeed an exceptional role model yourself. Thank you for publicly endorsing Senator Obama. I share your sentiments about him. I well up with hope whenever I hear him speak or read a quote from him. He is truly for the betterment of all people. A uniter, not a divider. Thank you for standing up for what you believe in and sharing that with us. I think some politicians fear not endorsing Barack, because they don't want to betry the Clintons or because they fear political repurcusions. I think you can still be a friend, but stand up for what you believe in. Thank you for standing up for truth, honesty and good judgment. God Bless.

Bless you, Rep. Murphy!! | Report to Admin

By Terri Aug 21st 2007 at 9:15 pm EDT

Patrick Murphy is another face of the future. I've watched him on the floor of the Congress and he is exceptional. Here again, a man with integrity and character, who cuts thru the bs and tells it like it is...and in this young man's life, he's seen an awful lot of how it is!

Men of honor... both! And we are blessed to have them!

Thank You | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 21st 2007 at 9:34 pm EDT

Thank you Rep. Murphy for having the clarity of thought to support Senator Obama in this struggle to change the tone of politics in Washington.

Thank you Rep. Murphy for your continuing service to this country.

Do you hear that, Rep. Murphy? It's the winds of change. Thank you for being a part of these winds.

Daniel P. McKernan
USAF Davis-Monthan Air Force Base
1977 - 1981

Awesome | Report to Admin

By Will Aug 21st 2007 at 9:40 pm EDT

Another young leader not cast in the polemics of the 1960's, who is helping to creat a fresh direction in politics.

Thank you Congressman Murphy. See you in the U.S. Senate.

Tommorow is the Daily Show | Report to Admin

By Donna NH - Thank you my fellow Granite Staters! Yes we did! Aug 21st 2007 at 9:41 pm EDT

Hi. Tomorrow is the Daily Show. I wonder who the lucky supporter is who will be going to the show. Did I see that Jon is or was in Iraq? That should make for a very interesting conversation tomorrow evening. Lots to talk about. Go Barack!

PS. Do we know when the Dinner with Barack II will be?

PSS. Can't wait for Merchandise for Obama to refill the Got Hope T-shirt order so that I can proudly wear it.

Re: Tommorow is the Daily Show | Report to Admin

By VTscrapper Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:20 am EDT

I hope they also add some warm sweatshirts with the logo on, for those of us in the cooler climates where it will soon be too cold to wear the lovely t-shirts.

Re: Tommorow is the Daily Show | Report to Admin

By Kim Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:19 am EDT

Us Minnesotans are waiting for the sweatshirts too, we are already buying Iowa ones for the upcoming fall/winter canvassing.

Mpls. MN

Bushies Game Obama's Chances | Report to Admin

By Hope is coming Aug 21st 2007 at 9:46 pm EDT

Bushies Game Obama's Chances

(US News) Well, it seems that some of the president's political advisers are catching Obama-mania.
Link

Re: Bushies Game Obama's Chances | Report to Admin

By Almak Aug 21st 2007 at 11:25 pm EDT

"He's been doing better," says the adviser, who adds that Obama has to prove that "he can walk over hot coals, because that's what it's going to take."

Not for nothing but it sounds to me something is stirring up.The senator has been growing more confident and his message is getting sharper.Its that simple but will take a lot of work.

This a sprint and lots to come in a few weeks.

Real Change or more of the same ?

Obama Smack Down | Report to Admin

By Stephanie Aug 21st 2007 at 9:52 pm EDT

Here is another Obama Smack Down video, check it out!!

Link

Re: Obama Smack Down | Report to Admin

By ~~~Phyllis~~~Dallas 4 Obama Aug 21st 2007 at 10:08 pm EDT

The next President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Shared Vision | Report to Admin

By Mike Aug 21st 2007 at 10:10 pm EDT

Washington is in desperate need of a new face, old stiff outlooks on foriegn policies, lobbist funded politionsits. Its not that we need someone to lead us, its that we need someone to repersent us, What america is about and stands for.

Re: Obama Smack Down | Report to Admin

By Sandy Aug 21st 2007 at 11:17 pm EDT

That was awsome, thanks for the link.

Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By Terri Aug 21st 2007 at 10:09 pm EDT

in case you all didn't get the word earlier!

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By Stephanie Aug 21st 2007 at 10:13 pm EDT

Thanks, watching it now!

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 21st 2007 at 10:36 pm EDT

Just got through watching it. He sure does sound and act presidential, doesn't he?

Obama 08

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By JQ Aug 21st 2007 at 10:48 pm EDT

I watched Fred Thompson's speech before Obama's, What a difference.

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:27 am EDT

Barack's speech was magnificent. He uses no notes? How is that possible!?

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By Ali Alavi Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:59 am EDT

I have seen him in another speech for 40 minutes without any note. I dont know really how he does it. I like to know.

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By RAH Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:30 am EDT

I think Senator Obama writes his own speeches. He has them memorized but sometimes I think he also uses teleprompters. It's hard to tell when they are being used.

Re: Obama is on CSpan NOW! | Report to Admin

By VTscrapper Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:25 am EDT

Fred was B-O-R-I-N-G. What do people see in him?

May not be related | Report to Admin

By RAH Aug 21st 2007 at 10:46 pm EDT

I found an interesting comment on the web about the senator and thought I'd share it here. It was quite good giving the nastiness being reported in the media and internet these past couple of days. Perhaps more so today. Anyway, read and be inspired.

Link

Re: May not be related | Report to Admin

By MW Aug 21st 2007 at 10:54 pm EDT

Wow, that's quite a blog.

Offers insight into why so many Republicans are beginning to support him. It's the values, stupid.

Re: May not be related | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 21st 2007 at 11:08 pm EDT

Any reasonable human being will see that Barack is truly the only choice for our country at this time. He can and will reach across party lines and start the healing process, make us feel better about ourselves, and make the rest of the world feel better about us too.

MUSTARD SEED! | Report to Admin

By Rick Beaule' Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:41 am EDT

More evidence of crossover support that polls simply cannot track or evaluate because they are nto set up to do so. Great post!

My letter | Report to Admin

By Chima "Hussein" Ordu Aug 21st 2007 at 10:57 pm EDT

Just broke them off:

Dear editor,

I was very disappointed after reading Mr Zeleny's article on Senator Barack Obama's speech before the VFW. Mr Zeleny made the erroneous assertion that Senator Obama "said it was wrong for anti-war activists to protest at military funerals, declaring: ‘It needs to stop’."
This is false, and distorts what the senator said. He never made any reference to "anti-war protesters." Why did Mr Zeleny take the journalistic liberty to make such a false assertion? What is his motive?

Senator Obama has had to endure endless misrepresentations of anything he says, and for the NYT to join the party and distort what senator Obama said is beyond the pale.

Please do your job and just report the facts.

Thanks,

Chima Ordu, M.B.A.

HuffPost Comments Slam Hillary | Report to Admin

By MW Aug 21st 2007 at 10:58 pm EDT

This was on another thread, but bears re-posting here.

The current (as I write this) blog on liberal HuffPost absolutely slams Hillary, and the comments--now up to 5 pages--are full of folks saying they'll never vote for her.

Link

Re: HuffPost Comments Slam Hillary | Report to Admin

By Almak Aug 21st 2007 at 11:44 pm EDT

The cage is getting rattled.

We all know she did not read the NIE. And she claims that if she knew back then what she knew now she would not have voted for the war. But the surge is working will she pull out the troops ?

Re: HuffPost Comments Slam Hillary | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:01 am EDT

MW,

Thanks for posting that link & agree the comments are right on target ---(it's all coming out in the wash now).

MSNBC finally gets it right | Report to Admin

By Chima "Hussein" Ordu Aug 21st 2007 at 11:04 pm EDT

Check out this article on MSNBC which debunks the Drudge report's attempt to fabricate a controversy over Michelle Obama's comment on family values. Sadly, so many other media outlets like CNN and Fox News and ABC have posted articles that claim Michelle attacked Hillary, which is false.

Link

Re: MSNBC finally gets it right | Report to Admin

By Almak Aug 21st 2007 at 11:38 pm EDT

There will be more of what the MSM and the other candidates will keep biting to try to spin.

I like it when Senator is on the offense on hot issues.

Inspired | Report to Admin

By Nathan Green (Sioux City, IA) Aug 21st 2007 at 11:11 pm EDT

It's very inspirational to witness this movement reach from the heights of Washington to my tiny little blog.

Thank you | Report to Admin

By Phil In the Cuse Aug 21st 2007 at 11:18 pm EDT

Congressman Murphy, I join the others on this room in offering my thanks to you for the brave and faithful service you gave to our country while in uniform. There is no greater honor for an American.
And you have more credibility than any elected official in Washington on the matter of Iraq, which makes your support of Barack Obama that much more important to us - and we are glad to have it.
You are part of a new generation of leaders, willing to look beyond the partisan divide to find what is best for ALL Americans, not just those that agree with you. Keep up your inspiring work!

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Thank you | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:04 am EDT

Phil,

Great post

Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By James Harkin Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:05 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:16 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Psalm 37 | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:15 am EDT

1 Do not fret because of the wicked;
do not be envious of wrongdoers,
2 for they will soon fade like the grass,
and wither like the green herb.

3 Trust in the LORD, and do good;
so you will live in the land, and enjoy security.
4 Take delight in the LORD,
and he will give you the desires of your heart.

5 Commit your way to the LORD;
trust in him, and he will act.
6 He will make your vindication shine like the light,
and the justice of your cause like the noonday.

7 Be still before the LORD, and wait patiently for him;
do not fret over those who prosper in their way,
over those who carry out evil devices.

8 Refrain from anger, and forsake wrath.
Do not fret--it leads only to evil.
9 For the wicked shall be cut off,
but those who wait for the LORD shall inherit the land.

10 Yet a little while, and the wicked will be no more;
though you look diligently for their place, they will not be there.
11 But the meek shall inherit the land,
and delight themselves in abundant prosperity.

12 The wicked plot against the righteous,
and gnash their teeth at them;
13 but the LORD laughs at the wicked,
for he sees that their day is coming.

14 The wicked draw the sword and bend their bows
to bring down the poor and needy,
to kill those who walk uprightly;
15 their sword shall enter their own heart,
and their bows shall be broken.
16 Better is a little that the righteous person has
than the abundance of many wicked.
17 For the arms of the wicked shall be broken,
but the LORD upholds the righteous.
18 The LORD knows the days of the blameless,
and their heritage will abide forever;
19 they are not put to shame in evil times,
in the days of famine they have abundance.

20 But the wicked perish,
and the enemies of the LORD are like the glory of the pastures;
they vanish--like smoke they vanish away.

Re: Psalm 37 | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:15 am EDT

21 The wicked borrow, and do not pay back,
but the righteous are generous and keep giving;
22 for those blessed by the LORD shall inherit the land,
but those cursed by him shall be cut off.

23 Our stepsa are made firm by the LORD,
when he delights in ourb way;
24 though we stumble,c wed shall not fall headlong,
for the LORD holds use by the hand.

25 I have been young, and now am old,
yet I have not seen the righteous forsaken
or their children begging bread.
26 They are ever giving liberally and lending,
and their children become a blessing.

27 Depart from evil, and do good;
so you shall abide forever.
28 For the LORD loves justice;
he will not forsake his faithful ones.

The righteous shall be kept safe forever,
but the children of the wicked shall be cut off.
29 The righteous shall inherit the land,
and live in it forever.

30 The mouths of the righteous utter wisdom,
and their tongues speak justice.
31 The law of their God is in their hearts;
their steps do not slip.

32 The wicked watch for the righteous,
and seek to kill them.
33 The LORD will not abandon them to their power,
or let them be condemned when they are brought to trial.

34 Wait for the LORD, and keep to his way,
and he will exalt you to inherit the land;
you will look on the destruction of the wicked.

35 I have seen the wicked oppressing,
and towering like a cedar of Lebanon.f
36 Again Ig passed by, and they were no more;
though I sought them, they could not be found.

37 Mark the blameless, and behold the upright,
for there is posterity for the peaceable.
38 But transgressors shall be altogether destroyed;
the posterity of the wicked shall be cut off.

39 The salvation of the righteous is from the LORD;
he is their refuge in the time of trouble.
40 The LORD helps them and rescues them;
he rescues them from the wicked, and saves them,
because they take refuge in him.

Re: Psalm 37 | Report to Admin

By Matt S. Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:24 am EDT

Lorraine, thanks for the awesome Psalms! These are a great reminder of the hope that we should have that a better day is on the way.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By ♋Tanner♋ Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:21 am EDT

This is a good sign. This is proof that Obama is turning the tide. Why else would someone go to so much trouble to post a hateful, bigoted, and CRAZY entry.

The better Obama does, the more the nuts will be coming out of the woodwork. This person isn't a democrat anyway. Too bad that her soul is so dark she can only see race and not character.

OBAMA '08

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Tony from Baltimore Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:28 am EDT

This is great indeed. You know that when a non- supporter signs up to report empty rhetoric on Obama's website he is doing something right. They are beginning to smell fear and I love it.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Rick Beaule' Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:44 am EDT

Indeed! I smell mustard seeds at work!

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:10 am EDT

Rick,

New mustard seeds keep popping up all over the place .....Thousands of them !!!

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Connie Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:26 am EDT

there are plenty of white people to vote for so that should make you happy.

we know that race matters. but get used to it, barack will win and the world will not come to an end, in fact, the world will be a better place.

if barack is so repulsive to you, why are you here. you know that he's the best and if he was white you'd be his biggest fan.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:51 am EDT

If it bothers folks to vote for Barack because of his color, I tell them it's no problem: vote for the half that's white!

Aunt Becky

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Matt S. Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:21 am EDT

James Harkin:

If you say that Senator Obama doesn't stand for anything, then you obviously have not done your homework. Your comments about voting against whites only indicates that you are not approaching Senator Obama with an open mind. You are clinging to all the nonsensical and false garbage being spewed by the other candidates' campaigns that is reeking of cynisism and hopelessness. That is unfortunate.

You see James, the voters in 2008 will be given a choice. A choice between hope and cynicism. A choice between hatred and good will. A choice between the failures of our past or a better future. A choice between the same old approach or a new direction.

Here's hoping you and our Country make the right choice.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Connie Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:46 am EDT

matt and tom, this is not the first time that i have seen hillary supporters say that they would not vote for a black person. i think a lot of white people feel this way, liberal, conservative, moderate.

it's an uphill battle. i feel sorry for obama because his mother was white, he was raised and nurtured by white people.

it's sad, people. if barack loses, we may never see another candidate like him in our lifetime.

let's all do whatever we can, and keep him in our prayers. can you imagine what kind of posts we'd get here if barack were leading the polls; it makes me afraid.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By JQ Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:05 am EDT

Everything happens for a reason. Maybe it's good he's not leading in the polls now. I also believe that if it's Gods' will for him to be president, no one on earth can take it away from him.

Remember what Michelle said - "Do not base your vote this time on fear".

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Tony from Baltimore Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:18 am EDT

Am I the only one that notice that Obama's critics never have a fundamental reason to not support him? All I hear is he's not the right color or he is young or he is inexperienced and naive. I never hear about specific policy disagreements or any other domestic discrepencies whatsoever. Please tell me I'm not going crazy.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:32 am EDT

Anger...hate...fear...division ...The guiding principles of our political landscape for the last 7(?), 15(?), 21(?), more(?), years...Have faith: their is a whole country out here saying "Enough!"..."No More!"...A whole country ready for honesty, integrity, "realness". A whole country ready for a leader like Barack Obama...and we, the people, will make it happen!

Organize, canvass, spread the message, donate...

Take YOUR country back...

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Ali Alavi Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:43 am EDT

I think there is one reason that has been brought up a few times and that is conventonal thinking. When you have been doing things a certain way for a long time, somehow you think that is the only way even when if your way hasnt been working. your view become narrow and you see things with a specifiic angle. So new and fresh ideas and even common sense becomes unfamiliar and far away. obviously the person who bases his positions on common sense will become naive to you. What else do you expect?

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 4:08 am EDT

You and me...human beings...have an issue? Let's talk it out; come to a common ground, a common understanding....Reasonable dialogue, an understanding...Common sense, right? Not how the world works today. Must have positions, stances...fear, anger, close-mindedness...lines in the sand...Are you tired of this?

Me too...

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Tony from Baltimore Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:40 am EDT

Connie,

You are right. There are people from every aspect of the political spectrum that won't vote for Obama because of his color. Senator Obama has addressed this many times on the campaign trail and on national television. However, we must keep in mind that this number is significantly lower than the people who want to see change in Washingtion. There are more people that want to see the government advance the common ground to advance the common good. Remember, optimism advances over all voices of cynicism and the decency of the American people transcends every aspect of bigotry. Whenever I look out at a sea of Obama supporters I am taken by the notion that America has seriously evolved. Never let a few apples spoil the bunch.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:06 am EDT

The first question was: "Is America ready to elect a Black President?". When it appears the country is, "Well, is he black enough?". Enough...enough of this tired crap. I just want a decent, honest, real, human being who will represent the American people. "Realness". Who is the most "real" candidate in this election cycle? We know the answer...Barack Obama. This is why I will do everything I can to get this man elected as the next President of The United States...and you should too...

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By DieHardSupporter Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:21 am EDT

Hey All, Please stop arguing with this James Harkin. Report it to Admin, because no free right to express racism & hatred anywhere. But please stop responding to him.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Rosalind Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:52 am EDT

Connie,

Don't be afraid God will protect him and his family. This is nothing new to us; people of colors have being hearing these comments and racist slurs all of our lives; what people don't understand is that it just makes us stronger and seeks faith in our God. You don't hear of many of us committing suicide because we are strong people and we have been reared to be strong. Barack is the best candidate and put all others to shame and I am not saying this because he looks like me but because it is the truth. Barack knew that he would encounter people like James and others but this have not stopped him. He has visit many places where he was the only minority in the room but he is determine to win this race. This is what Michelle was conveying in her speech for us not to be afraid just because we are different.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:01 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:36 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:02 am EDT

Good morning James. Welcome to the site. It sounds like you're in a good mood this morning. May I ask who YOUR candidate is? Who do YOU support or do you not support anyone at all?

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Sharon Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:10 am EDT

James: When I first read your comment early this morning, I was too shocked to respond. I would like to believe that this kind of narrow minded hatred does not exist in 2007, but obviously it does. Even if you represent a small portion of our country, it breaks my heart. I feel sorry for you, because hatred is not an innate trait, it is learned. You must have grown up in an environment that taught you to hate. With that said, and realizing that this may not be possible for you, I challenge you to try this. Close your eyes, open your ears and listen to Senator Obama's speech from the Democratic National Convention in 2004. Listen with your mind. Listen with your heart. Don't be distracted by hair color, eye color, skin color, gender. If you can truly do this, you will see the gift that we have been given with Senator Obama. Our bodies are containers. They hold who we really are. They are the packaging, not the gift.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By GM_from_Ohio Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:26 am EDT

Interesting, your views here contradict what is listed under your profile. Furthermore your issues are fairness and ethics ??

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By JQ Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:37 am EDT

This is the third time I have posted this question and have not had any answers yet.

Hillary says she's battled the Republicans for the past 18 years and won. Can someone tell me which battles she's talking about?

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By ♋Tanner♋ Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:43 am EDT

That's the point. There isn't any. She didn't "win" any battles. I guess she believes she won because Bill Clinton didn't leave office in spite of the Monica Lewinsky affair.

Maybe because she was elected to the Senate even though New York historically has been a blue state.

I think it is sad that she has to use "battle the Republicans" for one of her campaign talking points. What is needed is a coming together of both parties. We need action not gridlock.

OBAMA '08

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By JQ Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT

I thought so, but did not want to believe she was proud of her husband infidelities.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:54 am EDT

She might be referring to "Right Wing Conspiracies" (?)

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By James Harkin Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:58 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:55 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Julia from Pasadena Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:57 am EDT

So then why are you hear? If you really believed Obama didn't have a chance you would ignore him, like you ignore Gravel. Or have you been over there posting too?

The reason you felt compelled to post is because you think Obama has a good chance and you are afraid.

The more people like you post, the more encouraged we get about the success of this campaign.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By James Harkin Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:12 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:14 am EDT

James,

Wow..you have issues. I guess your sheets are not on a bed, but on a hanger in your closet...with a hood. Scary...Thanks for letting us know where you stand, though.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:34 am EDT

James,

"I will only vote for white men or women..."

Are you a Grand Wizard? A Great Dragon? A Super Oompah-Loompah? You have completely revealed yourself here...and proven you have no voice in the future of this country...

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:00 am EDT

p.s....This "white", moderate/conservative, Democrat, knows that the only candidate who will lift this country up, represent "us", and provide a positive future for this country, true leadership, is Barack Obama...

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Jen Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:07 am EDT

Good for you James!!! We support your right to be an insecure, narrow minded, bigot. Keep up the good work, we here believe you are simply brilliant.

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Jen Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:38 am EDT

There is nothing for me to debate. I believe he is correct, he will not vote for Obama because he is black. That is not a point for debate but a statement of fact as is the point of his right to be an insecure, narrow minded, bigot. The two are not mutually exclusive nor debatable.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:57 am EDT

I've been a strong advocate of free speech on this blog, but there is no debating ignorance. You're whole argument is based on your own perceptions of 300 milllion American's attitudes toward a Black candidate. Do you know all of them? Using history as a guide, Senator Obama is no different than Harriet Tubman, Frederick Douglass, Thurgood Marshall, W.E.B. DuBois, Martin Luther King, Jr., Nelson Mandela and thousands more African Americans and people of African descent who did not allow nay sayers and pure haters stop them from making the impossible possible. As an African American, I'm grateful beyond words that they never listened to people like you who don't contribute a damn thing to society but hate.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:03 pm EDT

You would have to have an open mind Billy to believe a real debate could take place. When someone is stating they will not for a black man whatever...it's a statement of their opinion. To think that's debatable to change that persons mind is even too dumb for you say. It only become an argument and you know it. Are you saying arguing to try and change his mind is the same as having a meaningful debate? I hate green beans. Who the hell cares. Would you like to argue about it???

Incredible! | Report to Admin

By SFT Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:30 am EDT

It is so thrilling to have Representative Murphy endore Senator Obama. His absolutely exemplary background and record in Iraq make his endorsement the most important of all that the Senator has received. Thank-you Representative Murphy!

Re: Incredible! | Report to Admin

By hawkjt Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:27 am EDT

Absolutely want to salute Rep. Murphy for his stepping out to endorse not the poll-leading candidate but rather the right candidate, Senator Barack Obama. This is the kind of fortitude that served you well on the battlefield as well in the halls of congress. I ,too , have seen Rep. Murphy give some inspired speeches during war debates in congress. Keep up the fine work, Murph.

And please fight to get the levin/reed type amendment passed in the house in sept.. we need to pressure bush.

Change | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 6:52 am EDT

Surge, refried dumb!!!

Re: Change | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 6:54 am EDT

3-7-2-1, That’s 3,721, the numbers of soldiers killed in Iraq, Figures supported by Hillary Inc.

Re: Change | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:04 am EDT

14 soldiers killed today in Iraq, they say a helicopter "Crashed" I guess the rest of the soldiers killed crashed into a Bomb or jumped in front of a bullet!!!

Re: Change | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 7:11 am EDT

I think Hillary Inc. should go to Iraq and issue traffic tickets to our Troops!!!

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Moses from Cincinnati, OH Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:25 am EDT

Billy, I think your problem is that you are an American who probably never lived nor travelled outside America. I will say that untill you do that, you will never understand anything about other people, nations, cultures and traditions, and views of the outside world other than what you read in the American papers. Most of your comments amuses me, because as someone who has been and lived in several countries around the world, (including Iraq) I find your views highly misplaced. You are yet to understand a lot of things about Iraq and the people that live in it, but I think you will with time. Just open your heart and mind.

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:04 am EDT

We also can't really win the war in Iraq. You claim we need to defeat terrorism and I agree wholeheartedly. However, terrorism is a stateless enemy. That means it has no nation. Continuing our occupation of Iraq, a nation, cannot bring victory against an enemy that knows no borders or boundaries. We are essentially fighting an idea, and "ideas are bulletproof," to quote "V for Vendetta." The only way to defeat an idea is to use a more appealing, well reasoned idea. Waging a successful "idea war" will dry up the base of support for terrorism. Couple that with going after Al Qaeda leadership (which, by the way, is in Pakistan, NOT Iraq), and you will have a great strategy for combating a the idea of terrorism.

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:09 am EDT

Sorry, typo. "strategy for combating a the idea of terrorism" should be "stratetgy for combating the idea of terrorism"

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:06 am EDT

No, the idea that we could have ever won this war is insane!

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By JimmieFromDayton Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:23 am EDT

It doesn't take a genius to realize turning the country over to the shias is the same as turning it over to Iran. What were we thinking. Who did we think was going to govern this country once we invaded.

Understand | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:14 am EDT

A child of five would understand this. Send someone to fetch a child of five. Groucho Marx

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Julia from Pasadena Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:04 am EDT

"claiming to be black"

you say that like its a choice. So like some days he can wake up and tell people 'i'm sorry, you can't discriminate against me today, I have chosen to be white today. So none of that locking your car doors when I walk by stuff'.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Julia from Pasadena Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:06 am EDT

"claiming to be black"

you say that like its a choice. So like some days he can wake up and tell people 'i'm sorry, you can't discriminate against me today, I have chosen to be white today. So none of that locking your car doors when I walk by stuff'.

Re: Context -- background of Rep. Patrick Murphy (D-PA). | Report to Admin

By J. Lowe Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:57 am EDT

prove you argument with links to facts (not msm speculation)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Get him on the campaign | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:52 am EDT

Considering that he has seen the situation himself and not through the eyes of the reporters, yes that does make his claims more credible. Far more credible than your claims at least.

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Get him on the campaign | Report to Admin

By 3L Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:18 pm EDT

There's a simple logical fallacy. Military experience makes Murphy "more credible" in the sense that it boosts his credibility (and significantly at that). What it doesn't mean is that he is automatically more credible than everyone who hasn't served in the military, because it's just one factor among many.

Your logic seems to work like this: my computer science degree makes me more employable; Obama doesn't have a computer science degree; therefore, I'm more employable than Obama.

Murphy is indeed "more credible" because of his experience in Iraq, although not necessarily more credible than Obama. Which means that it's not valid to conclude that "[soldiers'] opinion about Iraq is more credible than Obama's opinion about Iraq happens to be". The most you can infer is that Obama would be even more credible than he is now if he had served in Iraq in addition to everything that he has done.

Re: "It's the Soldier, Not the...." | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:03 am EDT

We also can't really win the war in Iraq. You claim we need to defeat terrorism and I agree wholeheartedly. However, terrorism is a stateless enemy. That means it has no nation. Continuing our occupation of Iraq, a nation, cannot bring victory against an enemy that knows no borders or boundaries. We are essentially fighting an idea, and "ideas are bulletproof," to quote "V for Vendetta." The only way to defeat an idea is to use a more appealing, well reasoned idea. Waging a successful "idea war" will dry up the base of support for terrorism. Couple that with going after Al Qaeda leadership (which, by the way, is in Pakistan, NOT Iraq), and you will have a great strategy for combating a the idea of terrorism.

Re: "It's the Soldier, Not the...." | Report to Admin

By Jayne in Boca Raton, Fl Aug 22nd 2007 at 4:25 pm EDT

wow - I had never read that poem before and it brought tears to my eyes - thank you Lorraine for printing that

Re: MSNBC finally gets it right | Report to Admin

By cn Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:38 am EDT

We should attack her policies and politics, especially when she contradicts herself, but I don't think we should personally attack her. As an independent this is what has so turned me off from the Repub's. I'm sick of "liberal" and "conservative" labels. I want to hear ideas and solutions, not ideology and name calling. I think the way to move forward towards that is by saying we will not ingage in personal attacks, even if at times it's called for. If there's an issue where someone's being hypocritical in their personal life over what they're saying, then the best way to deal with that is to make the truth known (as soon as possible), but let the facts speak for themselves.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:41 pm EDT

Apparently Billy Wayne James doesn't recognize racism when he sees it....

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:49 am EDT

If Democrats adopt your "realistic" approach by capitulating to racism in order to win, we deserve to lose! I don't buy that argument. As an African American, I would be the last to ignore the continued pervasiveness of discrimination and injustice in American society; however, I think most Americans are good, descent and fair-minded people. Any Democrat or Liberal promoting the idea that we should not support Senator Obama because he's Black and therefore unelectable, should be ashamed of him or herself and not just as a Democrat or Liberal but as a human being! And the same goes for African Americans. If you are not supporting Senator Obama because you think he can't win, think about what message you are sending to your kids, our kids: they shouldn't even bother to try. It's sick!

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By TomG Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:43 pm EDT

I suspect his (James') point is racist....

Re: Thank you! | Report to Admin

By Julia from Pasadena Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:40 am EDT

As they try to push their 'change but experienced' theme. That's not going over so well. It doesn't appear to make much sense.

Trust | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:01 am EDT

Fear your friends more than your enemies; you don’t let your enemies get that close to your back.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:56 am EDT

Well, which one? Oh I get it...ABO (Anyone But Obama) is that it?

And since you're answering for James now I guess we'll all refer to you as Billy Wayne James. Any relation to Jessie?

Re: May not be related | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:57 am EDT

Touche' Billy! Good point.

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:00 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:37 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:09 am EDT

Good Morning Aunt Becky,

I completely agree. It's the only way to fight for some people. They use that old addage of hate to express their feelings. Misery loves company.

Senator Obama has (and still is getting) gotten rave reviews for his stellar performance in Iowa (the first State to make the decision on our next President). He is leading in the polls there according to ABC. He is sharping his message of unity, change and bringing a new vision to our Country.

But there are those who like the status quo and don't understand how to communicate a message without hate.

It's sad and I truly feel sorry for them. I really do.

Fret not thyself because of evildoers because they will be cut down like grass.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Arizona Grandma who needs affordable health insurance Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:20 am EDT

Good morning Aunt B ~ I think our other "friend" went and got himself some backup because people started ignoring him. Actually, if you look at their profiles, they are strangely similar!

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Jen Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:23 am EDT

I agree. I won't give into my frustration with them again. Thanks.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Tammy Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:20 pm EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:38 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:24 am EDT

Theresa,

People are NOT born to hate --- hatred is bred.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:45 am EDT

Do not let it breed here!!!

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:16 pm EDT

Billy-why do you think there is difference between chromosones doing there thing with Hilary and not Obama or anyone for that matter? Could you please explain black sexists. I only ask because you do often refer to race issues. I don't see the difference your trying to make. Being a white female coming from diverse ethniticity, I don't see the difference in sexists regardless of color or ethnic origin.

Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:59 am EDT

Is this a forum for Change or Hate!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:05 am EDT

Kumbaya, Strongheart.

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:05 am EDT

Report racist remarks and other persistent remarks intending to hijack our thread.

I see a shift toward defensiveness on the part of some members of our family. Why?

Obama does not need to be defended. ANY engagement with trolls merely encourages detours from our purpose. Let's not allow anyone to drain our positive energy.

Auntie B.

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:08 am EDT

Take a deep breath, click, and listen...

Link

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By ◎Desert Dove Dan◎ Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:48 am EDT

Thank you. That's a nice way to start the day.

Gra & Gaire

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Tammy Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:24 pm EDT

Aunt B.

The sooner everyone realizes that the reason these hatemongers are here is to detour our conversations - the better!

Leave those crazy people alone. They all see the handwriting on the wall.

They'll either come around or get over it.

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:07 pm EDT

NOW you're catching on, luv!

It's mighty hard not to react. Take a lesson from The Man. Remain focused. Remain calm. Keep the faith.

Don't worry about a thing.

Love and hugs,
Yer beloved Auntie B.

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:16 am EDT

We're not missionaries, we are not running for Bishop. This is politics and we're running for President and we are for Change!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:22 am EDT

Ignore the poor, ignore the sick, ignore the Troops, ignore the fact the country is run by corporations, ignore the cost of gas, ignore the criminal interest rates charged by banks. ignore the cost of medicine, lets box it up and ignore Change!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:32 am EDT

We're not defending the Constitution, we are defending Barack Obama so he can defend the Constitution!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:36 am EDT

This is our Dream, our Hope, our Faith, let no nightmare ruin that!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:38 am EDT

Think of the Future, we can't Change the present!!!

Re: Forum | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:11 am EDT

Do people understand we need 70 Million People to Win!!!

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Why not Hillary and why Obama | Report to Admin

By Arshad Hussain Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:22 am EDT

Senator Clinton is one ambitious woman. Obsessed with relentless pursuit of power. Being President of the USA is a personal goal for her. She has been preparing her whole life for this. So she will do anything (ANYTHING) and say anything to get there.

She din't vote for Iraq war thinking what is best for the country. She thought how that vote will play out in her future pursuit of power. She stayed with a disfunctional marriage after being cheated so many times because she needs her last name "clinton" in her pursuit of power. She compromised her self respect, dignity and honor as long as it helps to become more powerful. She became a senator from NY only because she needs that title on her resume to make her case. She was wife of an elected governor or an elected president although she claim those years as her "qualification and experience". She needed to be in public office for herself. Hillary claim she knows how to beat Republican. Well, every single elected Senator who is in the race beat an Republican in their own election.

On the other hand Obama is a selfless man. He never tried to convert his fancy degrees into big fat pay check but dedicated his early career in improving other people's lives. He has witnessed the pain and suffering of people 1st hand by being there in person, knocking the doors, walking on street. Making an impact on people's lives has been improtant for him. He did not do those as a "roadmap" to become a president or create his resume. People all across the country asked him to run for president.

So it's important for Hillary to become the next US president but it's important for people to see Obama being the next president. That's the main difference between the two. One for herself only, other for all of us. You choose what you want.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Sharon Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:58 am EDT

While I was referring to the comment posted below entitled "Why I support Obama", I assure you that there is no need to feel sorry for me, I am just fine.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By JimmieFromDayton Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:06 am EDT

Welcome Sharon, the reason I'm supporting Senator Obama is because I realize how the partisan politics in washington is only a ploy so that each party could justify doing nothing during their stay in office. Their goal is to keep us blind with hate and fear while they promote corruption and rob the american people.

Re: Barack @ VFW on C-Span 1 TV Tuesday evening 10 pm Eastern and 12:50 am Wednesday August 22, 2007 | Report to Admin

By Sharon Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:16 am EDT

Thank you Jimmie: I support the Senator because he gives me hope that we can restore unity in the USA and abroad. He makes me feel as if we can get back on the right track and heal the damages caused by the current administration. He gives me reason to believe that integrity can be restored in our government. I also believe that he will end our occupation in Iraq.

GENETICS AND GENEALOGY | Report to Admin

By Danielle Clarke USA Vietnam Vet Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:38 am EDT

GENETICS AND GENEALOGY

WE ARE ALL AFRICANS

The Times - November 17 2000
By Anjana Ahuna

Link

The most profound achievement of the last century can be summed up in four letters: A, C, G and T. These letters- each the code for a chemical - that make up the sentences that make up the chapters that make up the book of human life.

The unfolding drama that is the Human Genome Project tells us this so far: 99.9% of the DNA of every person on the planet is identical. Roughly speaking, if you and your neighbour could compare your genetic blueprints, written as As, Cs, Gs and Ts - adenine, cytosine, guanine and thymine - the blueprints would be identical apart from every thousandth letter. So the spectrum of human variation - tall or short, black or white, blonde or auburn - is squashed into a tiny fraction of the genome.

But what we perceive as race does not make up the bulk of the 0.1% variation. Wells says: "You can find more genetic differences between two Africans than between an African and someone from the Outer Hebrides."

This is not an isolated example; the genetic variations within ethnic groups are wider than those between different groups. The genes of a pale Finn may match those of a dark South Indian more closely than those of a blonde Swede. Wells has logged around 200 genetic markers on the Y chromosome (for this reason the test can only be done on males) that correlate with different areas of the globe. Most people have multiple markers, suggesting migration and mixing throughout human history. And, ultimately, we all carry in our genes the traces of African ancestry. As professor Chris Stringer, from the Natural History Museum in London, puts it: "We are all Africans under the skin."

Half of all Europeans 'may have Arab genes' click here = Link

HALF OF ALL EUROPEANS
'MAY HAVE ARAB GENES'

THE DAILY TELEGRAPH Tuesday, August 6, 2002
BY DAVID DERBYSHIRE
SCIENCE CORRESPONDENT

THE blood ties between Europeans and the Middle East are much stronger than previously thought, says a study of man’s genetic family tree.
.............................. ................

"love is universal if you have it in your genes"
Danielle Clarke

Re: GENETICS AND GENEALOGY | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:54 am EDT

That actually makes historical sense as well, since most early civilizations formed in the area around Egypt, the Middle East, and the Mediterranean. These cultures interacted and mixed with each other through immigration, trade, and war. Ultimately, the civilizations that did the most for cultural mixing were probably the Romans and Mongols. The Romans connected cultures from the Middle East to Northern Africa to modern day Great Britain. The Mongols helped to mix Asian and European culture in their vast empire. So it really makes sense that genetics and history show the same mixing of cultures and ethnic groups.

Re: GENETICS AND GENEALOGY | Report to Admin

By This old broad's for Obama! Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:40 am EDT

There is one race... "Human".

Auntie B.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 4:07 pm EDT

The point you are missing or rather deliberately distorting is that NO ONE on this blog has ever contended that Hillary Clinton can't win because she's a woman or that she shouldn't be supported because she's a woman. Our opposition to her is based solely on her track record and positions, not her gender. You, on the other hand, are contending, based on your own prejudices and indictment of America as overwhelmingly prejudiced, that Senator Obama can not win because he's Black.

Kids for Obama | Report to Admin

By Rosalind Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:10 am EDT

Check out the kid's link on the homepage under people. This is a really great link for kids age 12 and under. I just printed the logo for my two year old son to color. He already knows that the logo stands for Barack Obama and he recognizes both Barack and Michelle Obama when he sees them.

Re: Kids for Obama | Report to Admin

By ychelleh Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:10 pm EDT

I thought my son was the only one to do that. Everytime he sees him on t.v. he knows him and says his name. It's quite cute.

Re: Kids for Obama | Report to Admin

By Rosalind Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:36 pm EDT

Yes it is :).

Re: Kids for Obama | Report to Admin

By Rosalind Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:39 pm EDT

ychelleh,

Do you know of Pastor People? I live in Montgomery, AL and that's my pastor pastor.

Re: Why I Support Obama | Report to Admin

By Dawn Aug 22nd 2007 at 4:21 pm EDT

Not supporting a candidate that happens to be a woman is not sexism but not supporting a candidate because she is a woman is sexism. This person expressly said he would not support Senator Obama because he is Black, which is RACIST by any definition or measure; furthermore, he made a baseless indictment of Americans generally that they will not support a Black candidate.

Heads Up | Report to Admin

By Arizona Grandma who needs affordable health insurance Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:21 am EDT

I just wanted to give everyone a "heads up" this morning. James Harkin and Billy are the same person. If you look at the profiles of each you will see what I mean. James Harkin posted only 4 comments and Billy ran with them. It is another ploy to hijacking these threads. Go ahead and argue with him if you like, but be aware - they are one and the same and it's a tactic of diversion.

Re: Heads Up | Report to Admin

By AO Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:30 am EDT

Seriously, think about it. James Harkin...Billy...Wayne...we know who he really is: Bill Clinton.

Re: Heads Up | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:24 pm EDT

I dont thin Billy-Wayne would be on here 16 hours a day for someone he deems unelectible. IMO!

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Heads Up | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:50 am EDT

So you don't deny that you were once Wayne?

Re: Heads Up | Report to Admin

By Rosalind Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:44 pm EDT

Arizona Grandma, thanks for pointing this out to us. What a person want to do?

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Moses from Cincinnati, OH Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:21 pm EDT

Billy, I'm not known for self deception, for your information, and if I'm ignorant about you as a person then it simply means that you do not exist to me. Any human being who think that America is ever going to settle the scores in Iraq is a daft as far as I'm concerned.

For you to come to this blog and attempt to tackle everone's leg daily shows that your foolishness as a person is unimaginable. You may refer to it as name calling, but I think you are one stupid fool who has no direction in life.

It's that same understanding you have about Iraq war that you have brought with you to this community blog to make a fool of yourself, daily. Those who sent you must have thought that it would be better for you to come here in order to disrupt what we are doing than waiting for us to come over and sweep all of you away, but I tell you, and you should mark my word, Mr Obama is on his way to the general election and subsequently the white house.

If you do not like it and can't stand this fact then you can go to blamese. And as I have already stated, you may call me anything you wish, but my word stands, and you can eat yourself as much as you want.

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:41 am EDT

So you think an idea can be defeated with physical warfare?

Re: why the Iraq war is so important | Report to Admin

By Julia from Pasadena Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:26 pm EDT

great. can we have a war on sloth? this country needs it.

Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:50 am EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:31 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:52 am EDT

When you see dumb you know dumber is somewhere near!!!

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 11:58 am EDT

Is headquarters dumbfounded!!!

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:02 pm EDT

If dumb people knew what was dumb was would they still support dumb!!!

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:05 pm EDT

That was a question, that was dumb???

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:06 pm EDT (Updated Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:44 pm EDT)

This post has been removed due to offensive or disrespectful content.

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:17 pm EDT

Just working on a resume for a job at headquarters...

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Cilla...Currently living in Spain and lovin' it Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:06 pm EDT

There is no excuse for "Billy/James" on this blog. Just let him be. Stupid is as stupid does,this statement surely goes to the heart of the non-sense of the troll "billy/wayne/james or whatever he might call himself today.

Re: Dumb | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:11 pm EDT

Willy can post the same thing but mine gets deleted, don't seem fair...

Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By Donna NH - Thank you my fellow Granite Staters! Yes we did! Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:02 pm EDT

HQ: I'm sure you're already on it, but especially in light of Rep. Murphy's endorsement, how about a Veterans for Obama link under "People"?

Re: Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By rich Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:30 pm EDT

I second that.

I've been asking here on this blog and email to Obama '08 campaign for weeks.

Originally, the People drop-down links showed:

People of Faith
Students
Women
more coming soon

Then, it was expanded some weeks ago to:

Environmentalists
LGBT
People of Faith
Students
Women
more coming soon

Then just this past week, expanded to:

Environmentalists
Kids
LGBT
People of Faith
Students
Women
more coming soon

Re: Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By Erik Hanson Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:55 pm EDT

Hopefully they will add it after the VFW event. It would be good timing since Obama is bound to get more veteran supporters after his speech.

Re: Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By rich Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:03 pm EDT

I hope you're right.

Us veterans are waiting.

Re: Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 10:48 pm EDT

Rich,

Did you send an e-mail to Chris Miller @ HQ about that??(He's the Midwestern Regional Field Director)...I brought that up at the Camp Obama in STL & was told they are working on getting the website updated as quickly as possible. Suggest you keep letting Chris & HQ know.

psychological help, | Report to Admin

By Ali Alavi Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:04 pm EDT

Apparently someone has been commenting and replying to his/her own comments. I hope there is a psychologist at hand on the camp to help.

Re: psychological help, | Report to Admin

By Cilla...Currently living in Spain and lovin' it Aug 22nd 2007 at 12:57 pm EDT

Ali,

I see that this person is seking his/her own attention??? This is really sad. I hope there is someone out there who can help this sad person.

Obama on DailyShow tonight | Report to Admin

By Kim from Corning Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:04 pm EDT

I believe Senator Obama will be a guest on Jon Stewart's show tonight. Should be interesting. I hope he'll continue to do interviews with the press now that he's bowing out of the debates. I hope they all do.

Senator Obama CHANGING the debate | Report to Admin

By Lorraine Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:17 pm EDT

Obama expresses sentiments of majority of Americans on Cuba, Minister says

Link

Re: Surrender is not an option | Report to Admin

By Justine from Fort Pierce, FL Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:07 pm EDT

Surrender from what??? Illegality??? War crimes??? Murder of innocent civilian???
Seriously!!!

Re: psychological help, | Report to Admin

By Strong Heart Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:17 pm EDT

Willy you won, you have powerful friends here. I'll just have to support Barack Obama some where else. Good Luck.

Re: psychological help, | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Aug 22nd 2007 at 3:36 pm EDT

No Strong Heart-Hes won nothing. If he's bringing in his coherts, well there is strenght in numbers here too. I don't want to keep complaining to HQ because of his last fiasco as wayne, and censoring, but he's gotten many of posts removed because of our responses to him. I just wish HQ could maybe do a little better screening or filtering some content. Not censoring. Even if we all complain for his bannishment he'll just keep coming back under different names. I am very frustrated with his constant abuse of this website and forum. And it is going to continue to discourage people if HQ can't do something. Ignoring him IMO just makes him worse, and then I scroll through and notice he'll spam the site responding to himself if we ignore him.

Re: Veterans for Obama | Report to Admin

By shawnmarie Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:38 pm EDT

Billy-It is Bush who has tried to make this about deaftism(another word he made up) and led to our downfall and credibility. Not the dems. Bush had the opportunity to announce his victory/win the day he announced mission accomplished. We caught Saddam, not a win either, he's dead and gone, not a win either. Man will he ever ever get it right? How many lives and $$$ do you think before he figures out we already won. He's let the enemy believe we are not capable of winning, which NOW we're not because of the blunders, so blame the dems. Yeah, what else and who else can he blame for failures??? Please humor me Billy and tell me victory is at this point? Even Gen Petreaus said counter terrorism is 20% military and 80% Political. So I'm still waiting for when Bush will think we've "won" after already passed up that opportunity at every turn. And we still don't have Bin Laden either. He's probably sitting in a cave somewhere laughing with his thug coherts saying in arabic that the idiot wen't into Iraq??? Don't you think Afghan is truly the central front and NOT Iraq? Please. Bush knows he messed up his chance to delcare victory many times. Blame the dems. Our troops have sacraficed ALL, and in my opinin it's Bush who failed to announce their victory. That's why Bush says it's about stability, the central front on terror, we must chase al qaeda there. I want to know why in hell hasn't he got bin laden? Do you think he's in Iraq? Bush has backed us into a corner and Obama is exactly right when he says there are no good options left. And there is proof of Obama being on the record about his stance on the war and just because he wasn't in the Senate to cast his vote, sure wish his was, his prediciton was pretty dead on. And Cheney video surfvacing kinda shows that he thought so too back in 94. Doesn't matter about 9-11. They still new it would be a quagmire. Bush today was comparing Iraq to Vietnam. Wow that sure is a 180.

Thank You!!! | Report to Admin

By Justine from Fort Pierce, FL Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:01 pm EDT

Thank you so much...was moved to tears! Sir, you have inspired me!

No American should be homeless, certainly not our military!

Thank you again!

Right man for the job | Report to Admin

By Phil In the Cuse Aug 22nd 2007 at 2:50 pm EDT

It was bound to happen. We just knew that someone would inject race and/or gender into this and use it as a cynical wedge to get us all hot and bothered.
I won't pretend to dignify those comments from Harkin, or resort to name-calling. I'll just leave them as they should be - ignored, just like any troll that attempts to hijack these blogs.
Let me make it clear. I support Barack Obama for president NOT because of his race, but because he is the right man at the right time for this nation. He is the man best-equipped to fix our broken politics and restore our good name around the world.
Barack, more than any candidate in my lifetime, gives me the hope and belief that in America, any dream is possible. That's powerful stuff.
And if a byproduct of his winning is that the world looks at us differently because he happens to have an African father, then great - it will elevate all of us.
Keep working folks, say positive and WE WILL WIN!!

Country needs more like Murphy | Report to Admin

By Jayne in Boca Raton, Fl Aug 22nd 2007 at 4:09 pm EDT

Unfortunately, there aren't too many like this man. We got a few good ones elected in 06. The big problem is that money has corrupted our politics so badly that I don't know how we can change it unless Obama is elected. His pledge to run a totally open administration will let the country see online the people who are taking money from special interest and for what, will see who adds pork to bills. It shouldn't be idealistic to want your government not to be corrupt - unfortunately in 2007 that's the way it is. We can change it - stay involved, don't get discouraged by the polls, keep working hard, tell everyone you can about our candidate, run events, give money. We can win - we HAVE to win!

Re: TO: JAMES HARKIN Aug 22nd 2007 at 1:00 am EDT | Report to Admin

By Carol-STL-MO Aug 22nd 2007 at 9:16 pm EDT

Theresa,

I am sorry --- I was not referring to you as being hateful. I read your comment to James Harkin & agree with your response. I'm in total agreement with you & your comment on that one.(I too could not believe someone would make such a post as he did. That's what I meant by my comment that people are not born to hate---that kind of deep hatred in someones heart is truly sad & in no way do racist comments like his belong on this blog or anywhere else.

Wow | Report to Admin

By Chima "Hussein" Ordu Aug 22nd 2007 at 8:24 pm EDT

I'm amazed that some of us have allowed Billy to drag down the level of discourse here.

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