obama nation

[HungLikeJesus]

tw could save the world,

...if only someone knew what the heck he was trying to say.

[Aliantha]

For me it'd be interesting, but I wouldn't say that being part mongolian made me who I am. What happened to my ancestors as mongolians would have had an effect on who I am though.

[Pie]

People have implied that I am somehow a traitor to my "race" since I do not strongly identify as "Indian-American". I resent the implication that someone outside of me can tell me who I am, based on an happenstance of genetics.

[TheMercenary]

My surname has been directly and accurately traced to here:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raasay

The other to here (mother):

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/County_Cavan

[DanaC]

Interesting, thanks merc.

[tw]

Originally Posted by Aliantha

tw, you never stated your point. You simply argued against Dana's.

My point was clearly stated: I am digging for DanaC's point which I still cannot find. As a result of digging relentlessly, you summarized my question interestingly - nature vs nuture. I still don’t understand how genetics defines a person.

Meanwhile, if genetics is so important to who we are, then implied is a racist environment - based heavily in judgments based in first impressions.

Posted was a metaphor. Two computers with completely different DNA (hardware) act the same when in the same environment (the internet). Two computers with the exact same DNA (duplicate model from Dell) can be completely different when operated in two different environments (one in a timeshare environment; other only standalone without even a modem connection).

Genetics makes each person's hardware unique. Genetics does little to define who we are. Just because one is 100% Chinese does not put any Chinese behavior or attitude inside one - especially when one is raised by Martians.

I find it curious that no one wants to touch the definition of racism - judgment based in first impressions – which I suggest is a (if not the) major reason why genetics is important.

Returning somewhat to the original topic, irrelevant if Obama is (or is not) black. However it did matter (apparently) in West Virginia. Did they vote based upon genetics, or upon the character of the man? Is it an exclusive OR question or an oxymoron?

[ZenGum]

This thread definitely qualifies for the Hall of Drift!

[Nirvana]

Now I know what a bank vole is...

[Undertoad]

Rich.... Alec Baldwin is the original of the "gonna move to France" celebrities. He became infamous for it. In your video, Stephen Baldwin is making a joke of that fact by turning it on its head.

Did you include the video to help Juni's point or because you were being stupid?

[Sundae]

For me, having information from my DNA could never, would never be about anything other than curiousity. Being caucasian, being easily identified as such, I suppose I have nothing to prove and no axe to grind. I know I have Irish blood, but as I say, I can hardly hate the English for their treatment of the Irish! Yes it would be interesting and fascinating if there was another race in there. Obviously the further back you go there would have to be the original link to Africa, but I'd be interested to see what happened along the way.

I am blood related to two women with a half-Chinese mother. Having seen photos of their children, it will probably only take another generation for this not to be apparent visually. They can't lay claim to any Chinese heritage, or at least not any knowledge of it - their Mum never knew her Chinese father (her mother was a prostitute on the Docks) and grew up without any Chinese influence in her life at all. But I'd be interested in it if it were me. I would not expect it to change who they are, how they see themselves - but it would be interesting.

I worked with a man who was of Indian descent. His parents were immigrants, but all the children were born in this country. The family were very Anglicised - his father studied at Oxford before bringing his new bride here a few years later. But it seemed so weird to me that he (my colleague) knew nothing about where his family were from. He couldn't even point to it on a map - only identify the region. His response was, "Why should I bother about that, I'm British." The only answer to this for the rest of us was to assume it was a response to racism. My Mum took us on plenty of trips round the places her & Dad grew up in London. She'd call us into the room if something on TV showed pictures of where Nanny grew up, in fact she gave me a book written by someone who lived in the same street as Grandad the other year (it was rubbish) just for the few names and places it mentioned.

The same was true to a greater or lesser extent for all the team. Only Bal had no interest in his parent's lives. Then again, he was the spoiled little boy of the family. Perhaps after all it was just being self centred

[Cicero]

It looks like Costa Rica lost. I guess I'll just have to be awesome out there all by myself!!

[jinx]

Costa Rica looks lovely Cic, but Panama seems especially friendly to US expats. Unfortunately, there's plenty of time to decided.

Definitely going back to Cabo at some point LO. Definitely.

[Shawnee123]

You white people, always moving to Canada.

http://stuffwhitepeoplelike.com/2008...ove-to-canada/

I've posted this before, but it's funny, darnit.

[Cicero]

LOL! I didn't see that before!! lol!

I've been saying it all year, only white people give a shit about diversity. I'm so glad that made the list!! lol!

Go to Mexico. Do they just love diversity? Love it love it?!? Hell no gringo!

[sweetwater]

Maya Angelou on Barack Obama