On 9/17/10 12:32 , Joe from Kokomo wrote:

On 9/17/2010 7:44 AM, John Smith wrote:

Actually, since the 1970's, each new president has seen
welfare/food-stamps increase ... through republi-crats and demo-cans
the
course has been unfaltering ... why get so upset now?

On 9/17/10 07:27 , Joe from Kokomo wrote:

"why get so upset now?" you ask?

Well, it would seem that subtle (or not so subtle) racial bigotry may be
the answer to your question.

From reading some of the posts here, it would seem that no matter WHAT
Obama says or does, he is automatically wrong.

Heck, one poster even said Obama was a bad president because he didn't
get the family dog from a pound...

On 9/17/2010 8:50 AM, D. Peter Maus wrote:

No, he was commenting that Obama promised that he was going to get his
dog from the pound, and then bought a purebred from an exclusive breeder.

Just another broken promise.

Well, I hate to put too fine a point on it...as I don't remember the
specific details (because at the time, I thought the dog deal was pretty
much a non-issue).

When you say "promise", to whom? Under what conditions? Did he swear to
it in front of a Supreme Court Justice on George Washington's bible?

As Lee Iacocca said to the Mrs, "Nice dodge."

You brought up the dog. I didn't say it was an important issue.
But it was another broken promise. One of dozens. That was the point.



I don't know if you are a parent or not, but sometimes parents do try
and please their kids. Maybe there was nothing at the pound that the
kids liked. Bottom line...there could be fifty different reasons why
they didn't end up getting it from the pound.

That's true. But to comment on it isn't racism. To criticize him
for it isn't racism.

Someone in his position doesn't make a promise on such an issue,
except to appease a political constituency. That's not racial,
either. In other words, it was another political promise broken.

Unimportant as it is.

But you brought it up.



It's real easy to throw down the race card in dismissing critics of this
President. But it's a cheap shot.

I would respectfully beg to differ. It is abundantly, I say ABUNDANTLY
clear, that racism, however subtle, IS a factor. There are some (many?)
on this NG for whom Obama can NEVER be right, no matter which side of
the fence he is on.


That's an interesting leap.

So, there's no way race can't be involved?

The fact that there are those for whom G.W. Bush can NEVER be
right no matter which side he is on? So that's got a racial component?

The fact that there are those for whom Bill Clinton can NEVER be
right no matter which side he is on? That's racial?

But criticism of Obama must have a racial factor.

Where have I heard that before. I'd say that's a pretty racist
remark on its face.

You bring up Bush. Yes, he broke promises. He was excoriated for
it. I don't recall Jesse Jackson saying that the 'no new taxes'
blunder, AND it's subsequent criticisms, were racially motivated.

Yet, criticism of Obama for his blunders must be rooted in race?

That's bull****.

Bill Clinton ran on a platform of lowering taxes for the middle
class. And before the first month was up, broke that promise.
Ironically, also blaming a Bush.

He, was crucified for it.

Bill Clinton lied his ass off before the nation, before the
Congress, before his wife. He committed perjury on the witness
stand. He also promised transparency. And he took his cornerstone
issues behind closed doors.

And he was savaged for them.

I don't recall a single comment implying racial motivations in
any of these criticisms.

Not one.

And Bush 43? Where to start.

I don't recall anyone suggesting that any criticisms of Bush were
motivated by race. But many of them did accuse HIM of racial motivation.

The hard truth is that politicians lie. They make promises with
the intention of breaking them. And make backroom deals. They sell
their influence. I'm in Illinois. Politicians rank below gang
members, career rapists and lawyers. But nowhere is ANY criticism
refuted with accusations of racism.

These career criminals are criticized for their actions. Their
ethics. Their values. For who they are. And often for who they are not.

Race isn't even on the radar.

"Racism" is the easiest card to throw in this culture today. IT's
a hot button issue.

And it's a cheap shot.

You want to defend Obama? Go for it. You'll have no end of ready
participants to such a discussion. A discussion, by the way, that
may be productive. Might actually convince some people. Will
certainly clarify thinking. And crystalize beliefs.

Try discussing the issues. You may find that you're in agreement
with many of us. You may find that many are in agreement with you.

But as soon as you get backed into a corner by a fact, throw the
race card. Please. Show us how evolved you are.


D. Peter Maus.