Read my letter, stand with me, donate $5 or $10 to my Obama Fundraising page: http://my.barackobama.com/page/outreach/view/main/Anoka
Please forward.
Anoka
October 9, 2008
Quin Hillyer Senior Editor The American Spectator But We're Not Stupid Dear Mr. Hillyer, I'd like to respectfully disagree with your article "It's the Culture, Stupid" not only because I think the tactics you are endorsing are ultimately destructive and divisive, but also because I see them as increasingly ineffective in a continually evolving United States of America. To put it bluntly, that is so 2004. It worked for "W": he was the guy Americans could relate to and wanted to sit down and have a beer with. Look where that got us. Yesterday, the New York Times has pointed out how the country loses with each of these culturally laden attacks. Further, the Ayers attacks have led to angry partisan crowds, screaming "terrorist!" "treason!" and "kill him!" Americans are smarter now and though I was also angered with Obama for his "bitter" comments, you seem to dwell on that instance and take other instances out of context. As David Brooks said it the other day, the culture war that Sarah Palin is reigniting ala George W. Bush "represents a fatal cancer to the Republican Party." If the Republican Party is to remain viable in this election and in coming years, it must adopt a more inclusive and less divisive strategy. Alienating everyone from newspaper readers to Ivy leaguers to Easterners to immigrants to thinkers, as the McCain-Palin cultural tactics are doing, simply will not and is not working. You may say that I am not like you and therefore my point of view is "anathema". My Muslim parents immigrated from Bangladesh and I was born in Ann Arbor Michigan. I attended Yale and lived on the east coast, so maybe I am not "one of you." But I AM an American. I am a teacher dedicated to helping young people forge a future. I am committed to the honor, dignity, unity and promise this country represents. I have worked hard all my life to honor my parents' sacrifice: to leave their family, and yes a country they loved so we could live and prosper in another amazing country that welcomed us. And does calling ourselves "citizens of the world" disqualify us as Americans? I married a man from the rural parts of eastern Ohio, near the Pennsylvania and West Virginia borders, where his family was insulted by Obama's "bitter" comments. But some of them came to forgive Obama because they still identify with his belief in a fair tax code, in the very Christian commitment to being your brother's keeper, and the basic promise of America: that it is a meritocracy, not an aristocracy. Obama and I are products of such a meritocracy; our parents came with every disadvantage and we work each day with their struggles in mind. So we continue to fight for this exceptional democracy, and I cannot imagine any more common ground that you and I share. Anoka Faruqee Los Angeles, CA http://anokafaruqee.com/
Like a member of a mob yelling "Jump" to a potential suicide jumper, McCain yelled "Fight" about 40 times in his closing speech at the Republican Convention.
Is "fighting" the way he intends to "reach across the isle?" McCain's angry, bitter nature is exposed once again. He is not fit to lead this country.
I believe Barack would be well advised to turn the tables and play the game a while. Here are just a few of the words I’d begin to associate with McCain – angry, desperate, outdated, inflexible, old, partisan.
A good start would be to include the following phrase so that it makes the evening news:
“…every American should be deeply concerned by John McCain’s willingness to participate in angry partisan rhetoric, even when the facts clearly do not support points he is so desperately trying to make.”
When Obama got taken out of context about the "bitter" comment, I thought it sucked that his opponents were doing it.
Now Gramm (who may be an idiot, but that's not the point) makes an oral blunder, and here's Barrack to dish it out. And really, Gramm wasn't saying anything very different than Obama had expressed.
Complete hypocrisy! Isn't Obama supposed to be against this type of thing?
Obama should focus on the issues, and stay above the level that American presidential elections have sunk to.
This was a night that should have gone down in history differently. I believe too much bitter and too little sweet spoilt the significance of one of America’s biggest days. I was so displeased by it, I didn’t pen these thoughts until a day later for fear that I may be as bitte3r as those who pretend not to be.
Bitter Sweets
Barrack wan the Nomination but there’s little victory
It seems defeating Hillary was devastating to the party
The loyal Hillary voters prefer to Vote McCain
They would defect and in 2012 come back again
Eager to see a woman gain the Presidency
Retired people and blue collared workers snuff the DNC
So now they are dangling the proverbial carrot
Want Hillary on the ticket or there’ll be a riot
Except Hillary comes out on Saturday
Endorses Obama in a convincing way
This division will hurt the DNC’s campaign
She needs to stop this exodus of voters to McCain
I was appalled by the exit polls from the Kentucky primary which disclosed that approximately 66% of Democrat voters who voted for Hillary were not likely to vote for Barack Obama should she not get the nomination. Conversely 71% of Obama votes will vote for Hillary’s should she get the nomination. This for me is bitter.
Is This Bitter Now Sweetie?
I checked the meanings of the word bitter
Some referred to taste and others demeanor
The latter ones are more pertinent for me
Highlighted by Hillary, O’Reilly and Hannity
In every reference for weeks on Barack
Spreading distasteful or bitterness by frivolous attack
Bitter sums up mentally painful or hard to accept
It describes unpleasantly cold and the best one yet
The word bitter speaks of resentful and angry
The people are not bitter but why would they be
Eager to give their votes to John McCain
Resenting Obama after Hillary’s campaign
Not willing to give their votes to the party they back
Only Hillary if she’s nominated but not Barack
When Barack’s voters were asked, over 71% will stay
Some 66% of Hillary’s will vote the other way
When all is said and done Barack on the trail
Ensures a more positive resort without detail
Especially now even when the math makes it clear
That he is the more likely Nominee this year
I hear harsh words from her supporters and Hillary
Engaging me to ask Is This Bitter Now Sweetie?
The Washington Post offered an opinion stating democrats who have traditionaly voted on economic issues no longer vote a straight democratic ticket. As economic conditions they turn to their religion for comfort. Many of the faithful are strongly opposed to abortion and gay marriage rights. Perhaps it is because of this Obama said they are "bitter."
The Post claims they are bitter about how the party has changed. It is not the party it was many years ago when JFK was president. Different times, different issues. Things change and Obama has answers for our time.
However, even as a Utah resident, I find faith based organizations. I learned of a group called Catholics for Obama, and another faith based group - Mormons for Obama. I believe his position on other issues has swayed many voters and turned them in our direction. Toward doing just that, I email my friends and family who are republican articles, videos, and excerpts from blogs. I trust when they know where the candidates really stand, they will make the choice for change.
The republican campaign is already shaping up as a nasty, deceptive, attack strategy, McCain doesn't seem to be willing to focus on the issues and deliver "straight talk" as he said he would. What's new? He's changed his position on many things (but that's a subject for another post).
That's why it is important to inform our friends, family, and as many others as possible where the candidates stand on substantive issues. We can't afford to volly insults along with him. Those tactics have never been a part of this campaign (although Obama and campaign have had to defend against the deceptions republicans have hurled at him). He maintains the high road and it will affect voters, faith-based and otherwise, he is the candidate voters will decide should be in the White House.
When we try to be polite and respond with affectionate names like sweetie and darling, there are a group of people out there that eager to label this as belittling. The fact is you can use a person’s true gender descript like Miss and be far insulting than sweetie. It is not in what you say but more in how you say it. Tones can mean everything and as I remember it, the entire Japanese language is based on tone and they recognize that one word can be used to mean so many different things once we change its sound. It is funny how this is so clear to my dogs who always understand which “come here” will result in food, hugs and affection or punishment.
Obama Sweetie
Obviously you meant no insult by what you said
But such words were toxic from the upheaval they led
And like an astute professional you must measure the lay
Make more careful checks with what you say
All the vultures are circling waiting to see
Stumbles and slips like bitter and sweetie
With their ears and eyes, camera and mic
Equipped and ready to land that critical byte
Even when apologies and corrections are made for slips
They peck and tear morality and the truth they eclipse
It’s hard to change a system that’s so contorted
Even harder when you words and efforts are being distorted
I am niether bitter nor angry here in PA. The love and community that I have experienced on the road with the campaign have been amazing.
But just you wait, if 'Billary' tries to steal this election from us. . . . then, I'll show you angry :-)
Let's show the World what positive changes a little righteous indignation can accomplish! Senator Obama's 'peaceful revolution' has already changed America!
My Presidential Choice is a Black Man, whose boss is a Jewish Carpenter!
What kind of talk was that, tough talk? I don’t understand how Hillary can be comfortable with that kind of talk while at the same time promising to remove all the troops within 90 days of getting into office. Is she so cold blooded that she would be happy to obliterate a whole nation? A nation that has so many millions of people who have nothing to do with war and themselves may be under the martial control of the army should not be subjected to the same doomsday measures as their government. Is she just talking tough and not realizing what she is saying.
Obliterate
One use of the word bitter and he was crucified
But she wants to obliterate a nation and she’s glorified
Ladies applaud her and men think she’s got balls
Ideal to take those emergency 3:00 a.m calls
To think we’ve become a people with enough clout
Equipped with nuclear weapons to wipe other nations out
Ready to destroy the good with the bad
And to kill those nationals terrorized by Ahmadinejad
There is no doubt that under threat we should retaliate
Excessive though it would be if that nation we obliterate
Senator Hillary Clinton does not withdraw her threat to obliterate Iran or any country that shows any aggression against the Iraqi allies of America. I saw the response of Americans to the bitter comment of Senator Barack Obama and was shocked at the comparatively low keyed attitude to a comment as strong as Hillary’s. Do we know the implication of the word obliterate? Does any nation have 100% evil that should be swatted like flies. It is disturbing to think of the election of a President who believes it is okay to take such measures against a whole nation for the terrorist attitudes of less than 20% of its people. What ever happen to war being like a game of chess, take out the King and you win. I am happy to support the kind of Presidency in Barack who recognizes the dangers of that kind of language.
Once said, a person is entitled to misspeak
But to defend it is wrong and worse to reuse this week
Lots can be determined from the language we use
It can show the type of leader who will abuse
The authority and power to wipe another nation out
Eliminate, demolish, destroy them with their clout
Regardless to the country, many innocents live there
Annihilation means babies, moms, animals all life will share
The same punishment as their military, the people they dread
Eradicate or obliterate means all life is made dead
Recently the term bitter has brought about much conversation in America and as expected, nobody wants to see American as being bitter. The opposite of bitter for me has always been sweet. If I’m not sweet on a thing then I must be bitter about it or some where in between. Given that in between often means a position of indecisiveness, lets assume that people are either for or against, sweet or bitter. If we are not bitter about the things that are going on in America does this therefore mean that we are sweet on the suffering that we now endure?
Bitter, Who’s Bitter?
Bitter, Who’s Bitter? Not me the great U.S.A
I may be frustrated, disturbed and somewhat dismay
Though I’ve been slow to react, I know that there is
Too many guns and shootings in malls and colleges
Economy is bad and now out of sync
Rising food cost seems faster than I could blink
War seems endless and now trillions of money
Health care as disastrous as homeland insecurity
Oil hikes threaten the very things we use
Soaring gasoline prices now determine the trips we choose
Battered civil liberties stops our charity to give
Infrastructural failings destroy where we live
Torture is questionable and many say go ahead
Terrorists deserve inhumanity and are better dead
Even though my actions are rebellious and may sometimes be
Repulsive in conduct, I’m never bitter to anybody
First, this is to confess the use of "expletive deleted" in an email to David Gregory over his April 24, 2008 "Race for the White House" show. Second, it just occurred to me. Is that a subliminal pun? But after a google of - David Gregory Wright Race, it does appear that he or MSNBC are just attempting to foment the bottom line or a lame sense of humor. http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/23725023/ tops the search and I did not read past the "panel that comes to play" point, but its search teased with a closing quip:
GREGORY: I do want one of those Reverend Wright tunics, by the way. .....
GREGORY: I‘m David Gregory. That does it for us on RACE FOR THE ...
But my original point was my email to David Gregory at MSNBC, I will paraphrase: You are an "expletive deleted" host for taking what Reverand Wright said about Obama being "a politician" and making something so negative about it. If being "political" is wrong, what is being a member of the media, formerly called journalism, and so highly regarded in the Bill of Rights as the press.
Of course "talking head" is probably a better name for what passes for thinking these days, not to mention what I only heard second hand about Rush Limbaugh which apparently merits protest to the FCC if not investigation for fomenting "civil" unrest which is really a euphemism for what some would label "terrorism."
But I would like to make a serious suggestion for Reverand Wright when he addresses the press. Bring Donuts! Or maybe even they would not be insulted by something BBQ. The first was a serious suggestion to bring out the McCain relationship with the press. But the second is a serious comment that "plays" upon the so-called issues that the media likes to deal in, and I leave it to the Reverend to do a distinguished job relative to the so-called humor that some use to bury their own potential underlying issues.
My husband is from Allentown, PA. Most of his family still lives between there and Reading. They wanted to believe in you. They wanted vote for you. But in the end, they didn't.
Barack, you lost them and their neighbors, not because of Rev. Wright or the word "bitter," but because when you labeled their concerns "mere distractions," you were being dismissive to the very people you were asking to vote for you. They wanted the truth, not bobbing and weaving and searching for words that didn't even answer the question.
These folks have been receiving piles of negative emails every day for months (Lee, please stop passing them on to me. Please!). All they wanted was straight, clear answers that showed real strength of character and wisdom.
I'm hoping that the experience in PA will bring back the Obama that our family would have voted for. I know today's Washington Post predicted more dirt and slugging from you. Really, how dirty do you have to get to point out that the best person to lead us through an economic crisis might not be the one whose campaign is constantly broke and can't seem to pay its bills?
Wow... The results from last night's voting were a real disappointment to me. I can't understand why so many people can't see through her "I will say anything to win" style of politics. I thought deeper about it. Yes, Clinton's and Obama's policies are very similiar so (stay with me) if she really wanted the policies to survive and be implemented and was not just in it for personal power, she would back Obama and unite the party. This she will not do. What does that say about her?
Another thought... the exit polls in PA show that Hillary voters would abandon Barack in the fall and vote for McCain in the general. That is insane. If they really believed in her platform why on earth would they vote for McCain's War, Abortion, and Economic policies etc. I can't believe it. I refuse to believe that in November they could vote to continue the Iraq war with a clear consience. Hillary's brand of politics have infested her supporters. What does that say about her?
Need I say more...
Yep, that's me; white female baby boomer (WFBB) having raised my daughter as a single mom now hoping to earn enough to retire before my bones give out.
But hear this, Mrs. Clinton: You may have built your reputation as a fighter, but you ain't the only WFBB who knows how to get down and dirty. So I will dip yet again into my retirement fund, go out to www.barackobama.com and hit the donate button one more time, as will over a million others—not to beat the Republicans, but to make you go away.
Not that it is of any consequence to you if we are tapped out by the time convention rolls around. In fact many are starting to speculate on your reasoning which most figure goes something like this: Your best case scenario is successfully managing to strong arm enough Super Delegates into throwing you the nomination by using your formidable lawyer skills to make the "he can't win" argument having smeared, undermined, and attacked your opponent w/relentless innuendo, fabrications, and outright lies, pushing all the right buttons.
Unsettling though your best case scenario may be to consider, the alternative provides us (your would be constituents) w/an alarming insight into the jaded character that has become Hillary Clinton: Your campaign tactics all point to the inevitable conclusion that your worst case scenario is to disable your same party opponent in the primary, paving the way to four more years of a Republican White House where upon you regroup and have at it again, as the "I told you so" candidate in four years, while still in your early sixties.
Clearly, all those years of experience have rendered you hardened to old school politics where you felt compelled to adopt the tried and true "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" means to survival.
Woman, for love of country, get a grip! Here's a thought: If you care so much about getting those great solutions of yours implemented why not become a team player and pass the puck to the guy standing in front of the net! Your secret's safe w/me: By and large, we white girls coming of age in the sixties were not exactly encouraged to play team sports. In fact we were much more likely to write that term paper for our guy--as he trotted off to practice learning the art/value of being a team player--thus ensuring his availability for a date on Friday night. It sucks; but the good news is we taught our daughters how to be team players by getting them into the game early.
Ever consider it's just not meant to be, Hillary? Can't you take comfort in knowing you had eight years to make a difference as First Lady and now as Senator? When you think about it you've had more shots on goal than most of us will ever realize, not least of which represents your health care plan, which failed because you didn't know how and/or were not willing to be a team player. Just think if you had been successful, all those people who's tragic stories of strife for lack of health care would have had better lives. But then again, where would you get all those heart wrenching stories your campaign is so eager to exploit?
Maybe you feel it is "your turn" having paid your dues. Here's another view: Maybe you are being tested and given one more chance to make the right choice to stay true to yourself.
Speaking in terms of self-worth, I may not have made $20 million dollars last year, but every single penny of what I did earn was made standing on my own two feet—after putting my ex husband thru college and then forfeiting any benefit (financial, social, professional, or otherwise) to divorce in the face of his betrayal. That was my choice, and does not in any way reflect on your choice presented w/the same dilemma. In fact, I supported your choice passionately to the people in my circles—effectively making the impressive argument you had every right to stay married for your own reasons.
But whatever those reasons may be, we are defined by our choices. As every parent knows, kids—being smarter than we give them credit for—listen to what we do, more than what we say. My choice resulted in a smaller house, downscaled social circle, more bills and…a sense of peace. The point is that it came at a cost—as all choices do; I was prepared to pay the price for my regaining sense of self, because the pain in my jaw from grinding my teeth was debilitating and I would’ve done almost anything to relieve it. Your choice to do whatever it takes to advance yourself as the first woman to win the White House, I suspect, has also cost you dearly.
Which, again, is all well and fine: as long as you pay your own bills. Your duplicity, however, as you stand in judgment of Senator Obama’s deeply personal choice to maintain a relationship w/his minister even as you declare your own right to “choose one’s family” in the face of your husband’s blatant self indulgence at the country’s expense begs to be called out for its barefaced hypocrisy. I, for one, intend to do my level best to see that every single voter from here to Denver understands the price this country has paid for electing un-trustworthy leadership of narcissistic character to represent the United States in the international arena.
This fight has been yours to define dear sister of the sixties—in as much as it was initiated on your behalf at your insistence—and the country’s to lose.
So know this, Mrs. Clinton: You may have persevered in Pennsylvania, but you lost all credibility and any moral authority you had left by making false accusations, playing w/words in a transparent attempt to confuse the issues, obscure the truth, and demonstrate your adeptness at that indispensible Washington insider skill: doublespeak.
And Mrs. Clinton: We the people/super delegates, et al are on to the disingenuous arguments you spent the last three decades working to perfect, presumably because you concluded—during the six formative years of your early career sitting on the Wal-Mart board—that’s what it takes. Perhaps you were right, in the past; which makes your thirty eight years of experience a liability this country will not tolerate.
Not This Time.
As the math in the eye of the spin clearly illustrates, Americans understand we can no longer afford to look the other way and/or derive public governance from corporate etiquette. We will find a way to force this fight into the light and win: Because we know we must to regain our promise as Americans in the eyes of the world--and for all that is just.
A previous poster said we should find links to Clinton's many statements that are contradictory. We should also find statements that Obama made where he told us the truth and Hillary told us lies.
I'm thinking of spinning the Bitter comment for a video...The video where that old guy say's he is bitter in PA, and Barack explains his bitter comment to PA in a great speech, and Hillary panders to voters saying you aren't bitter. And then getting her most ugly comments about the bitter remarks, and then the medias worst bitter remarks, and splicing all that with Obama's positive message of why people are bitter. Even using sections of Bills speech about voting for the person who is getting you to hope and think.
Also we could use other famous speeches that say essentially the same thing that Obama said. Like finding JFK or Truman quotes that say the same thing that Obama said. I know that Senator Webb has a pretty good quote.
Senator Jim Webb Said This in 2006
"Working Americans have been repeatedly seduced at the polls by emotional issues such as the predictable mantra of "God, guns, gays, abortion and the flag" while their way of life shifted ineluctably beneath their feet."
All this campaign jabberwocky about elitism bothers me. Anyway, I went to college with the help of grants, loans, and scholarships. In the late-60s early 70s based on need the Feds had two programs Basic and Supplemental Opportunity Grants. The State of New York gave me a Regents Scholarship. The rest was covered by $25,000 in student loans. I know that is a paltry sum now but then it was at least three or four year’s salary. Making the payments was still a hardship for a young law school graduate. But I paid them off, unlike the Clinton’s who waited until they were 60-years old and had assets of $109 million.
