Living outside the USA
For some people from Mass. that I know, it is hard for them to understand why I support Senator Obama. There are so many different explanations I could give but the one that hit me this morning as I woke up is the issue of race. Growing up in South Africa, I was constantly surrounded by racial, cultural and ethnic poloarization. Coming to America for the first time, I found the solution in a place called Worcester, MA. A place like many other places in America where people from different backgrounds, cultures, ethnicities can come together under one flag and one country. Living outside the USA for the last year, it has made me realize that there really is no place on earth besides the USA that a person like Senator Obama can exist. I am so lucky to have friends from so many different cultures, ethnicities and backgrounds. I honestly desire nothing else in my life but my point is that it is this cultural melting pot that makes America the strongest country in the world. Off to work but another great MoveOn Ad:
April 22 2008 02:37 pm | American Politics
April 22nd, 2008 at 11:49 pm
For some reason that video is taking way too long to load, Crian.
The reason I came over here is to tell you that I really appreciate your civility. It’s so unusual because you are so far left of me in your politics, or maybe I should say I’m so far right of you. LOL! Anyway, most of the people who agree with you on Obama are not civil. I don’t know why. On my post with the video of Obama someone calling himself or herself “Ruinous Right” came in and accused me of dirty politics, as though I’m the one who put the video together.
It seems to me that regardless of where we stand politically, we are all Americans and should treat each other with at least a modicum of respect. Those who cannot do that show us who they truly are and make me very glad that I don’t know them personally.
Bless you and have a great week!
April 23rd, 2008 at 11:19 am
Thanks for popping over here Gayle, I like popping over to your site because no matter how left I am of your politics, you always treat me with respect as do the rest of your readers and I appreciate that. As a somewhat liberal I also believe that it is a good thing to know what the other side thinks and reading the Dragon Lady’s Den definitely gives me that perspective.
Some of us on the left can be quite vociferous about our support but like you said in the post before this, americans should treat each other with respect and kindness because we are all part of the same nation at the end of the day.
April 23rd, 2008 at 9:10 pm
That video gave me goosebumps. Haha.
You are dead on with your observations about race in America. I still find it hard to believe that on Jan. 3rd Iowa (one of the whitest states of the US) gave Barack Obama a real chance to become our next president.
May 13th, 2008 at 12:11 am
Hi Crian,
That’s a great video! I support Obama also and really believe we need CHANGE in America. Unfortunately, many on the conservative right will be doing all they can to keep him out of office including distorting truths and spreading misinformation. I’m one of many civil voices on the Left that is trying to debunk this strategy and keep people informed.
I’m sure Gayle is a wonderful woman who truly believes some of the stuff she disseminates at Dragon Lady’s Den. Unfortunately, her site along with The Hill Chronicles are complicit with right-wing media and related sites in spreading some of the misinformation regarding Obama and Democrats.
I stated that her ‘Hamas endorses Obama’ story was unfair because she failed to mention that he rejected their support and didn’t agree with their views regarding Israel. I closed with a statement from Donald Rumsfeld - ‘Some people lie and get away with it.’ Apparently, Gayle decided this was not civil behavior and thus banned me. I never curse nor get into name calling on any site I visit. She simply used this as an excuse to keep me from posting opposing comments which I had done in several of her recent posts. Stories that I commented on over at The Hill Chronicles have since been removed. I’m sure you would be appalled by the violent rhetoric and name-calling that oozes from that site and my civil, yet opposing comments were making the author look bad.
Please take a few moments to check out my blog when you get a chance. Also, I see you’re a BlogCatalog member. We’ve got a great group - left and right - that often engages in civil debate in the Discussions area.
Thanks and good luck with your blog.
May 13th, 2008 at 3:08 pm
Hey RR, I remember seeing you on Gayle’s blog a while back, how’s it going? I had a look at your blog and I totally agree with you, many people on the right will try to keep Obama out of office. It is up to some of the MSM and the bloggers to keep people straight.
Gayle is a really nice lady, I am sorry to hear you have had problems at her blog. I believe everyone is entitled to his or her own opinion but since I don’t know the full extent of the story with regards to Gayle, I can’t really comment there.
I do agree with you though that we liberal bloggers have to step above the fray and keep our blogs as civil as possible. I just had quick stop over at the Hill Chronicles and I think we are lucky enough that liberals are smarter than that and can see past republican/conservative rhetoric.
May 14th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
Hey Crian,
Layla over at the Hill Chronicles is spewing violent rhetoric and half truths - the exact type of stuff I’m trying to combat. The site reads more like a low-end gossip tabloid rather than a civil political blog. Take a look at a few comments I posted recently and give me your read on them. I’m truly trying to keep my responses civil and direct, but it can be difficult after reading some of her posts and comments from her followers.
- The Left Believes They Are The Rights Moral Compass
- DNC To The USA - We Have Already Picked Your Candidate - It’s Barack Obama
I wouldn’t be surprised if I get banned from there also. These people like to dish it out, but hate when you scrutinize some of their comments.
PS: Thanks for the blogroll add!
May 14th, 2008 at 4:49 pm
Hey RR, I guess we have to look at in that these people aren’t the kind of people Senator Obama is going to appeal to. Some people on the right are so set in their ways that no matter what logical arguments we give them. It is not going to change their mind.
I let loose on one of these Hillary blogs today, not in a good way mind you just because their commentary is so divisive when are all supposed to be on the same side at the end of the day.
no problem on the blogroll, like I said, I like the way you write so I would like my limited readership to pop by your place sometime.
May 15th, 2008 at 5:23 pm
Yea… I know it’s hopeless trying to convince some of these people. I’m just hopeful something can be done to slow the tide of violent rhetoric, divisive politics and political misinformation. It will surely continue even after (hopefully) Obama takes office.
Anyway, many of my posts on The Hill Chronicles have been deleted and it seems Gayle may have assisted. This quote regarding Michelle Obama really infuriated me: “We know she is smarter than Aunt Jeremiah, but she talks like Buckwheat.” My response “Bigotry belittles your argument” didn’t get a positive response and has since been deleted. Since many were deleted, I’m not sure you even got to see any of the ones I wanted you to see. I’m gonna move on, but I was able to post one last message under “Have you heard about the D.D. lately?”. Check it out before it is also removed.
May 15th, 2008 at 10:34 pm
Hey buddy, your comments got nixed before I could get to them, sorry about that. I have to say I don’t read the hill chronicles that often and now I realize why. It is so far right, you might as well be on another planet.
That being said, Gayle and I disagree on a lot of stuff so until she disrespects me on my blog or on hers, I will still continue to visit her blog. It is the only conservative one I visit though man so believe me I will continue to fight for Obama on her blog as long as I am able.
Got to write my human rights article before the end of the night. Hope you are doing well dude.
May 16th, 2008 at 2:09 pm
The Hill Chronicles basically follows the strategy of far-right pundits like Rush Limbaugh, Ann Coulter, Bill O’Reilly and Sean Hannity - violent rhetoric, name calling and half truths. The author, Layla, comments at Dragon Lady’s Den and Gayle comments at The Hill Chronicles, so I guess their friends. Anyway, I was hoping to shed some light on the lies, hypocrisy and how that kind of dialog is poisoning democracy.
I suggest you challenge right-wing blog stories that are not factual and/or leave out information in order to make Obama or the Democrats look bad. Do it in a civil manner, but be direct.
I recommend these conservative blogs:
http://www.rightcommentary.com (intelligent, more facts less rhetoric)
http://www.couchmouse.net (Long time Republican who is fed up)
Good luck out there!