obama nation

[Shawnee123]

I've heard Maya Angelou speak in person...twice. What an amazing woman. Thanks for sharing that; I forwarded the link to my mom who I was with when I saw Maya the second time.

[Cicero]

I saw her speak once too. She's awesome. She also gave me a compliment. So needless to say, the compliment has never, ever been topped by anyone.

[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?

[DanaC]

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

This has nothing to do with what other people think of you. I am suggesting that there is nothing abnormal, or negative in wanting to know what your genetic ancestry is. Its got nothing to do with racism and first impressions. Its to do with history and one's own role in it.

I have Indian blood. You would not know it to look at me, I look very, very English. People's first impressions of me are the same, whether I am aware of my indian heritage or not. It would fascinate me, personally, to know exactly what my genetic heritage is, because that in itself tells a long historic tale, beginning waaaaay back in the mists of time and running all the way up to my own birth. I know, because my grandparents warned my mother that there was a possibility her children may be born with indian colouring and features: the details of that acestry are lost to family myths and family shames.

My Gran was born in South Africa, and though white, she had a hint of african about her features. I would love to know if that was so, and how far back it goes. Why? Because that in tself tells a story and raises questions. Was there a love affair? A pressured servant? An illicit lover? An English crime?

Genetics shape you because they are the physical building blocks that make us up. Contained within them are the echoes of past movement, wars and empires, love across the lines, trade routes and difficult journeys. I look back with affection at those who added to that story, victims and criminals alike. Slaves and slave owners in the case of the woman Wolf mentioned.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by Cicero

I saw her speak once too. She's awesome. She also gave me a compliment. So needless to say, the compliment has never, ever been topped by anyone.

I think we were separated at birth, except you look nothing like me and are a different age. Still...

[tw]

Originally Posted by DanaC

This has nothing to do with what other people think of you. I am suggesting that there is nothing abnormal, or negative in wanting to know what your genetic ancestry is. Its got nothing to do with racism and first impressions. Its to do with history and one's own role in it. ...

That reasoning I can both understand and appreciate.

[Sundae]

Originally Posted by DanaC

My Gran was born in South Africa, and though white, she had a hint of african about her features. I would love to know if that was so, and how far black it goes.

Racialist!

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by jinx

I want to move to a tropical location as soon as we can possibly afford it... for the weather and to get away from the rat race in general, not to avoid Obama's presidency, or McCain's either, had it gone that way.
Panama is topping the list right now...

This is actually a cool choice:

[Clodfobble]

I like how they've created a "lowest" grade for hotels, Tourist, but none of the hotels are actually rated that. It's like Large, Larger, and Largest soda sizes at the movies...

[monster]

Originally Posted by Beest

I think this goes for Obama too, there's the worst of times coming up in the next 1 -2 years, and he just volunteered to preside over it.

So that's why i suddenly feel a close connection with him


[/onlypersonwhoactuallydoesanythingonboardofswimclubwithoutapool]

[Griff]

America - Like a swim club without a pool.

The Cellar - Your virtual swim club without a pool.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Originally Posted by TheMercenary

This is actually a cool choice:

Coxen Hole sounds good fo LJ.

[classicman]

I know I'm coming in here late, but ...

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

congratulations sir, i support you and the United States of America

I support the United States of America and then Mr. Obama - trivial perhaps, but country first

Originally Posted by Urbane Guerrilla

But the Republicans actually try and win wars these days. Can that be said of the Democrats in this time?

I don't think so - I think the D's are gonna walk away from a fight they think they cannot win. There thought process is apparently to use that money to help Americans here instead of spending $5000.00 a SECOND in Iraq. Whether that is prudent or not is still to be seen, but in the 3 minutes it took me to write this post the we spent almost $1,000,000 on the war. [food for thought]

Originally Posted by freshnesschronic

You know what makes me irritated? All the people out there saying they are going to leave the United States now that Barack Obama is president.
Seriously? Then gtfo, now.

I agree wholeheartedly! I really haven't been around much, but still I haven't heard anyone saying they'd leave.

Originally Posted by Spectacle

That was the best campaign in the history of US politics.
He and his team deserve it.

Without question! A spectacular job by an amazing cast who literally ran what was a virtually flawless campaign. Heck, they even got Biden to STFU most of the time.

[tw]

Originally Posted by classicman

I don't think so - I think the D's are gonna walk away from a fight they think they cannot win. There thought process is apparently to use that money to help Americans here instead of spending $5000.00 a SECOND in Iraq.

How do we win a war when it is only a civil war? How do we win a war when our leaders cannot even admit who the enemy is? When the strategic objective is not defined? When even the General (Petraeus) says we cannot win this war - that the war can only be won by the combatants? When two out of three potential antagonists want us out? And when basic military concepts make it obvious why we cannot win that war?

One in another discussion knows that shooting people will always win a war - the same strategy that created victory in Nam and justified spending money on "Mission Accomplished".

The questions left unanswered and ignored are massively long. Obama could answer one every day in office and still have a list half as long. Most all of these questions (such as those for Afghanistan) have no simple answer - could never be answered in a day. This new president has one of the most daunting tasks I have ever seen a new president confront - even back when I watched Kennedy defeat Nixon.


A justified war in Afghanistan continues to be lost because some idiots did not know basic military concepts AND therefore handed the country back to the Taliban. We have so screwed up the justified war that our allies are now leaving the battlefield. Soon to leave are Canada and Netherlands. Because our leaders were so dumb, a former American General commanding in Afghanistan says we now have about 10 more years to win that one if we decide to actually fight it.

Of course. He is only saying what military commanders knew even 2000 years before North America was discovered. Only one completely devoid of basic military knowledge would deny that. Why would some of the world's closest American allies finally give up in frustration? They are tired of virtually no American support and a war that cannot be won due to a misguided strategy imposed by America.

"Mission Accomplished" will never be an American victory. The question is how severe will be the loss. It appears that when we leave (now or in five years), the Civil War will only pick up in violence OR the various parties will finally do what America can never make possible - a peace table settlement. Obama's question is to spend those ten more years or seek a more reasonable settlement.

We have created a great instability where even Afghanistan and Pakistan are adversaries. This diplomatic problem is not for the feign of mind or for anyone whose solution is more guns.

Meanwhile, where is that question that only decent Americans ask? When do we go after bin Laden?

This new president has one of the longest list and some of the most challenging decisions I have ever seen waiting for an incoming president. And that includes every president even back when Kennedy defeated Nixon.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Mike Yon says...