jeebs1707's Blog

WASHINGTON - Danielle Ross was alone in an empty room at the Obama campaign headquarters in Kokomo, Ind., a cellphone in one hand, a voter call list in the other. She was stretched out on the carpeted floor wearing laceless sky-blue Converses, stories from the trail on her mind. It was the day before Indiana's primary, and she had just been chased by dogs while canvassing in a Kokomo suburb. But that was not the worst thing to occur since she postponed her sophomore year at Middle Tennessee State University, in part to hopscotch America stumping for Barack Obama.

Here's the worst: In Muncie, a factory town in the east-central part of Indiana, Ross and her cohorts were soliciting support for Obama at malls, on street corners and in a Wal-Mart parking lot, and they ran into "a horrible response," as Ross put it, a level of anti-black sentiment that none of them had anticipated.

"The first person I encountered was like, 'I'll never vote for a black person,' " recalled Ross, who is white and just turned 20. "People just weren't receptive."

For all the hope and excitement Obama's candidacy is generating, some of his field workers, phone-bank volunteers and campaign surrogates are encountering a raw racism and hostility that have gone largely unnoticed -- and unreported -- this election season. Doors have been slammed in their faces. They've been called racially derogatory names (including the white volunteers). And they've endured malicious rants and ugly stereotyping from people who can't fathom that the senator from Illinois could become the first African American president.

The contrast between the large, adoring crowds Obama draws at public events and the gritty street-level work to win votes is stark. The candidate is largely insulated from the mean-spiritedness that some of his foot soldiers deal with away from the media spotlight.

Meeting cruel reaction
Victoria Switzer, a retired social studies teacher, was on phone-bank duty one night during the Pennsylvania primary campaign. One night was all she could take: "It wasn't pretty." She made 60 calls to prospective voters in Susquehanna County, her home county, which is 98 percent white. The responses were dispiriting. One caller, Switzer remembers, said he couldn't possibly vote for Obama and concluded: "Hang that darky from a tree!"

Documentary filmmaker Rory Kennedy, the daughter of the late Robert F. Kennedy, said she, too, came across "a lot of racism" when campaigning for Obama in Pennsylvania. One Pittsburgh union organizer told her he would not vote for Obama because he is black, and a white voter, she said, offered this frank reason for not backing Obama: "White people look out for white people, and black people look out for black people."

Obama campaign officials say such incidents are isolated, that the experience of most volunteers and staffers has been overwhelmingly positive.

The campaign released this statement in response to questions about encounters with racism: "After campaigning for 15 months in nearly all 50 states, Barack Obama and our entire campaign have been nothing but impressed and encouraged by the core decency, kindness, and generosity of Americans from all walks of life. The last year has only reinforced Senator Obama's view that this country is not as divided as our politics suggest."

Campaign field work can be an exercise in confronting the fears, anxieties and prejudices of voters. Veterans of the civil rights movement know what this feels like, as do those who have been involved in battles over busing, immigration or abortion. But through the Obama campaign, some young people are having their first experience joining a cause and meeting cruel reaction.

On Election Day in Kokomo, a group of black high school students were holding up Obama signs along U.S. 31, a major thoroughfare. As drivers cruised by, a number of them rolled down their windows and yelled out a common racial slur for African Americans, according to Obama campaign staffers.

Frederick Murrell, a black Kokomo High School senior, was not there but heard what happened. He was more disappointed than surprised. During his own canvassing for Obama, Murrell said, he had "a lot of doors slammed" in his face. But taunting teenagers on a busy commercial strip in broad daylight? "I was very shocked at first," Murrell said. "Then again, I wasn't, because we have a lot of racism here."

Vandalism, bomb threats
The bigotry has gone beyond words. In Vincennes, the Obama campaign office was vandalized at 2 a.m. on the eve of the primary, according to police. A large plate-glass window was smashed, an American flag stolen. Other windows were spray-painted with references to Obama's controversial former pastor, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, and other political messages: "Hamas votes BHO" and "We don't cling to guns or religion. Goddamn Wright."

Ray McCormick was notified of the incident at about 2:45 a.m. A farmer and conservationist, McCormick had erected a giant billboard on a major highway on behalf of Farmers for Obama. He also was housing the Obama campaign worker manning the office. When McCormick arrived at the office, about two hours before he was due out of bed to plant corn, he grabbed his camera and wanted to alert the media. "I thought, this is a big deal." But he was told Obama campaign officials didn't want to make a big deal of the incident. McCormick took photos anyway and distributed some.

The pictures represent what we are breaking through and overcoming," he said. As McCormick, who is white, sees it, Obama is succeeding despite these incidents. Later, there would be bomb threats to three Obama campaign offices in Indiana, including the one in Vincennes, according to campaign sources.

Obama has not spoken much about racism during this campaign. He has sought to emphasize connections among Americans rather than divisions. He shrugged off safety concerns that led to early Secret Service protection and has told black senior citizens who worry that racists will do him harm: Don't fret. Earlier in the campaign, a 68-year-old woman in Carson City, Nev., voiced concern that the country was not ready to elect an African American president.

"Will there be some folks who probably won't vote for me because I am black? Of course," Obama said, "just like there may be somebody who won't vote for Hillary because she's a woman or wouldn't vote for John Edwards because they don't like his accent. But the question is, 'Can we get a majority of the American people to give us a fair hearing?' "

 

 

 

Keith R. Morton

Ok, here we go again. Yet another excesssive force incident concerning Philadelphia police.  Of course there is no doubt that this was excessive force and police brutality. Did you see the video footage of the arrests. I saw it. It was absolutely ridiculous how the swarm of police officers beat and stomped those two suspects after they were subdued.

Let me somehow broaden the aspect of the incident by annalizing the situation through the perspective of the police involved. I do believe that the Philadelphia police are very frustrated. They are frustrated with the continuous disregard for the law by the gun-toting criminals infesting the city streets. Philadelphia police are angry and on edge concerning the aggravated assaults and deaths of their comrads. The recent death of Officer Liczbinski has infuriated and fueled an all out attack on those who are suspected of committing any criminal mischief in the city.

In behalf of the police involved, I do sympathize with them concerning the death of one of their own. But, I absolutely do not agree with the manner of the arrest of the two "Black" suspects. There is something called "protocol" that the police are very aware of concerning arrest precedure. That was absolutely not an example of it.

Not only were the men not resisting arrest, they were stomp, kicked, and batonned while hand -cuffed. I'm not saying that suspects of a shooting should be wrapped in a blanket and given hot chocolate when their apprehended, but, fourteen police officers beating the crap out of two defenseless people is a bit over-zealous.

Anyone can see that the emotions and adrenaline of the police were in over-drive. But, that is no excuse for their behavior. I believe that they were even more in-tuned to display this violent act of frustration without concern of "protocol"  because the men in question were "Black". Yep, I said it, because it's no secret at this point in time. This is just one event out of many that happened to be caught on tape. But, this is the "norm" for the "Black" communities all across America.

In all fairness, I want to acknowledge my disgust at these individuals who decide to unlawfullly carry guns, and consistantly break the law. Some may even have the notion that if you break the law,... you deserve whatever you get. Even if it happens to be forteen police officers kicking you senseless. I don't agree. Remember,.. "protocol".

So, my advise to those who wish to commit unlawful acts in Philadelphia P.A., or, anywhere for that matter. Consider making it to the precinct after your arrest a privelage, becuase many won't be as fortunate. There is definately going to be a "blood bath" on the streets of Philadelphia in days to come.

I commend the few citizens of the city who do make efforts to regain control within their nieghborhoods'. I don't condone the "stop snitching" methods of the street. In order to begin to get a grip on the violence and crime, the police need the cooperation of the residents of the city.  The residents lack of information of criminal activitiy add to the frustrations of the police. In which, I believe, contributes to these violent confrontations between police and suspects.

Personally, I think one  reason for the climb in criminal activity in the nations cities abroad are the lack of oppurtunity within. The nations economy is in distress which limits the access of reasonably waged employment. And, the largest contributing factor for the choice to commit crime is caused by the vast disconcern for Americas ex-felons. It is evident that after someone serves time for a crime they are no longer accepted back into the American community with equal citizenship. They are refused the right to vote. they are constantly monitored with probation or parole. And, the largest obstacle that hinders them from becoming a productive citizen is the lack of employment oppuntinity.

In fact, 87% of employers do criminal backround checks. That's huge. No, I don't think that someone that was convicted for being a pedaphile should be employed at a day-care facility. But, I also think that every ex-convict should have an equal oppurtunity for employment as any non-convicted individual. Nowadays most employment applications take a "catch 22" appraoach to hiring new employees. They ask if you were  ever convicted of a crime? If you say "yes", what is the likelihood that you will be hired verses someone without a criminal record? If you answer "no", and it is revealed that you have a criminal record, the application is voided due to false information.

So, this is a perfect example of every action having a reaction concerning the cause and effect of citizen and police co-existence. The police in this situation were wrong as two left shoes. And I will bet that there will be nothing else mentioned concerning the issue. Because to Philadelphia police, this is just "the job as usual". jeebs1707 Pennsauken,N.J.

I agree that the ultimate desire of many is to witness a racially equal America. Although that is not our reality, it's nice to imagine, isn't it? I believe that the base or foundation of getting to this diversely unified existence is for non-white (Black,Hispanic,Asian etc.)citizens to treat each other with the respect that is expected from Caucasian-Americans.

 I think that "Black" America especially, has to set the terms and standards for their on race by loving and respecting each other. I think that "Black" people have become content with the repetitive display of physical violence, and verbal abuse that is displayed toward each other.

 Even when I try to disect the reasoning behind "Black" people calling themselves the "N" word, I fail to come up with a logical explaination. To use a word that "Blacks" have faught for so long to do away with and for many to have loss their lives in the midst of, only bestows the disregard and self-hate for ourselves. And, in turn, opens the door of invitation to be disrespected by other races.

 No, I don't think that "Black" Americans are treated (as a whole) equally as "White" Americans. But, I also think that "Black" people are too fast to point the finger and post the blame at others to somehow justify or down-play their own misfortunes or misdeeds. When will the "change" come? Short question...long answer. Before "Black" people can began expecting reporations for the lack of equality we are so quick to acknowledge, we must first salvage and repair the damage that has already torn the roots of our unification within.   jeebs1707 Pennsauken, N.J.

Your conversation proves my point. First of all what does Rev. Wright have to do with any of the issues that concern the nation. He has absolutely no effect on fuel cost, health care, the economy, or any other issue that affects the citizens who are voting. Rev. Wright's views don't control  whether Obama's, Clinton's, or McCain's initiatives get started or completed. remember the 35 years experience part) The news uses this story because people are so misguided that they pay attention to a issue that has no effect on them and the news media only plays what will get good ratings. Personally I have spent very little time on Rev. Wright, frankly because he is not part of the issues that concern me. I am much less afraid of Rev. Wright than a nuclear war, my friends and people I know loosing their homes, folks not having healthcare (which means my tax dollars pay for theirs), and a whole host of issues that the experienced candidates have not solved in all their years of "experience". These are the issues that are important. While most people are worrying about a non issue no one is doing anything about the real issues. Maybe you have "arrived" and don't care to look/reach behind you and make a better place for others. Maybe you have got yours and don't care about anyone else’s. The reality is this whole Rev. Wright thing is a mis-direction play. It really does not matter who started it because if it continues none of the real issues will get addressed. That is the point I am making and who ever the voter is they need to realize that the same has brought us nothing and it is time for a change.

 

K. Morton   Camden N.J.

Dear Friends,

Some leaders in the Democratic Party are playing with fire. They think that they can betray the will of millions of voters--and choose Hillary Clinton as the nominee, regardless of whether or not she is the choice of the voters. We can't let this happen. It would be the largest disenfranchisement in modern history, and it would mean the Democratic Party giving their stamp of approval to a clear and consistent pattern of race-baiting by the Clinton campaign.

If we make our voices heard, we can stop it. Please join us in signing an open letter to leaders in the Democratic Party -- DNC Chair Howard Dean, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, and all superdelegates -- demanding that they reject an outcome that involves trampling voting rights and legitimizing the politics of division and fear:

http://www.colorofchange.org/dems/?id=1999-523825a>

By the time the last vote is cast on June 3rd under the rules of the Democratic Party, it's unlikely Hillary Clinton will beat Barack Obama among voters. But there's a chance that superdelegates will hand Clinton the nomination anyway.

This would be a shocking attack on democracy, and it would destroy the Democratic party's credibility on protecting the right to vote. Black people have a long history of fighting against voter suppression, and now the Democratic Party will be the enemy in that fight. As bad as that would be, there's another reason that a coup by party insiders would threaten racial progress.

Senator Clinton's plan to have superdelegates hand her the nomination doesn't make sense without a parallel strategy -- she has to stoke enough division and race-based fear among Democratic voters to convince superdelegates that white voters will not vote for Senator Obama in the general election. One of Clinton's key arguments to superdelegates is that America won't elect a Black man, and therefore she's the better choice for Democrats to beat John McCain. While she makes that argument in private to superdelegates, in public Clinton's campaign and her surrogates are doing everything they can to damage Barack Obama by ginning up fear and division and playing to the worst instincts of our society. It's an insult to Black people and all Americans, Obama and Clinton supporters alike.

The pattern has been clear and consistent to some party leaders. Last week, according to the Washington Post, James Clyburn -- who as House Majority Whip remains neutral and is the highest ranking Black member of Congress -- accused the Clintons of marginalizing Black voters. Referring to this strategy in another interview, Clyburn said that "Nothing in this campaign has been by accident."

Congressman Clyburn warned that "black people are incensed" over the divisiveness of the Clinton strategy and that it threatens an irreparable breach between Black people and the Democratic Party. He's right. And if superdelegates hand Clinton a victory despite her defeat among voters, they will be condoning and rewarding that strategy.

Some party leaders have expressed strong concern about superdelegates overruling voters. But as a whole, superdelegates have not made it clear that they will respect the will of voters. Today, we want to send a clear, unequivocal message to superdelegates and other party leaders: Reject the idea that the nomination can be won with a strategy that preys on racism, sows division, and disenfranchises millions of voters.

This is why they won’t vote for Obama. Share it if you want to. Two months ago they did not believe he really had a chance so it was cute to be progressive. Now that he possibly can win the truth has surfaced. Most white people are so relieved that there can be a controversy so their racism can be hidden. The reality is that deep inside it has been a racial thing all along. It does not make that much difference to me because I believed this from the start and only watch to see how things play out. Most people you have talked to have never said that they have a problem with the way he wants to deal with the issues. Just him (which means him being black) and have been looking for a reason to turn to what they know (RACE). The truth is that Rev. Wright is not an issue. Think about this for a moment – Hilary spoke last week or so about dropping a nuclear bomb on the Middle East countries and not a word has been said about that. Coming from the only country that has ever dropped on and then dropped a second, she has presented us with the possibility of dropping the third. This is not news because of the same reasons the Rev. Wright said. As a country we believe it is our right to do anything we want, and then figure out how to justify it. A nuclear attack would not save Israel it would only contaminate all of the Middle Eastern countries, ALL of them. (Iran, Iraq, Saudi Arabia, Israel), and many more. How could anyone not see this as a major issue unless they can only focus on the petty issues like the race of a candidate? What difference does it make if Wright believes that the country is unfair? What is the affect on all the people who have taken up this argument? Does it affect taxes, healthcare, the war, $3.50 gas, the economy? I thought these are the things we needed changes on. How can the American public allow their selves to be duped again by non-issues?  

K. Morton  Camden, N.J.

I woke up about 9:00am this morning, and, like always I turned on the news. To my dismay, I see that the police officers that were on trial for killing Sean Bell were acquitted. Sean Bell is the young man from New York that was shot atleast 50 times by 3 New York police officers.Bell,23, was killed just before dawn on his wedding day, November 25, 2006. He and several friends were winding up an all-night bachelor party at the Kalua Club in Queens, a strip club that was under investigation by a NYPD undercover unit looking into complaints of guns, drugs and prostitution.

Undercover detectives were inside the club, and plain-clothes officers were stationed outside.

Witnesses said that about 4 a.m., closing time, as Bell and his friends left the club, an argument broke out. Believing that one of Bell's friends, Joseph Guzman, was going to get a gun from Bell's car, one of the undercover detectives followed the men and called for backup.

What happened next was at the heart of the trial, prosecuted by the assistant district attorney in Queens

Bell, Guzman and Trent Benefield got into the car, with Bell at the wheel. The detectives drew their weapons, said Guzman and Benefield, who testified that they never heard the plain-clothes detectives identify themselves as police.

Bell was in a panic to get away from the armed men, his friends testified.

But the detectives thought Bell was trying to run down one of them, according to their lawyers, believed that their lives were in danger and started shooting.

In a frantic 911 call, police can be heard saying, "Shots fired. Undercover units involved."

A total of 50 bullets were fired by five NYPD officers. Only three were charged with crimes.

Oliver, who reloaded his semiautomatic in the middle of the fray, fired 31 times, Isnora fired 11 times, and Cooper, whose leg was brushed by Bell's moving car, fired four times, the NYPD said.

No gun was found near Bell or his friends.

Soon after his death, Bell's fiancee, Nicole Paultre, legally changed her name to Nicole Paultre Bell. She is now raising the couple's two daughters, ages 5 and 1.

"I tell [them] that Daddy's in heaven now," she said. "He's watching over us. He's our guardian angel. He's going to be here to protect us and make sure nothing happens to us."

Detectives Endowment Association President Michael Palladino said forensic and scientific evidence presented during the seven-week trial contradicts the testimony of prosecution witnesses.

But Paultre Bell's father, Lester Paultre, said, "For those naysayers who say the police was doing their job, they should imagine their child in that car being shot by the police for no reason."

Paultre Bell, Guzman and Benefield have filed a wrongful-death lawsuit in federal court that has been stayed pending the outcome of the criminal trial. Guzman was shot 16 times, and four bullets, too dangerous to remove, remain in his body, according to his lawyer, Sanford Rubenstein.

Federal prosecutors in the Eastern District of New York have been monitoring the trial. In the event of an acquittal, it is likely authorities would conduct a review to determine whether there were any civil rights violations. All three victims were African-American.

 Yes, I am angry about the verdict, but not suprised. I've seen the same scenarios concerning excessive force against "Black" people all of my life. When I watch the show C.O.P.S.,  Most Shocking Videos, or any show of this nature, I notice that the police are always so much more patient and reserved when dealing with criminals that are "White". A couple of months ago I can recall reading about a man in Philadelphia who robbed a drug store with a shot-gun. He came outside the store with the shot-gun drawn at police and for that he recieved 1 shot to the thigh by police. He was "White" I can recall an episode of C.O.P.S. were a man held police at bay with a knife for an hour and the final out-come is he was tackled and subdued by police. He was "White". Whenever I have seen any violent confrontations that police happen to have with a "Black" man, 90% of the time the result ends up being the death of the "Black" person. Usually the situation results in some "desk" duty for the cop, a "so-called" internal investigation that you never hear anything about, and then everything back to the same ole' thing. If in fact 1 case out of 1000 go to trial, the police in question just takes some days off of the job,throw back a few beers shoot a few games of pool with the fellas, maybe take that trip to the shore they've been wanting to take, while getting the "thumbs up" from their attorneys that they don't have a thing to worry about concerning the case. Because the bottom line is that no one is concerned with the lost of another "Black" man. So unfortunately, after today, Sean Bell won't even be a memory to most. Do I think that the officers are sympathetic about what they did? Not at all. They'll just shrugged it off mentally. And, if in fact their conscience happen to wake them up i the middle of the night with the picture of his bullet riddled, bloody body, they will say to themselves what they all ultimately utter to ease the guilt and somehow add relevancy to justify their callous act, "I WAS JUST DOING MY JOB".       jeebs1707 Pennsauken, N.J.. 

I wish I could find a story to answer about this. No one has an article about this issue that tells the truth. The news media won’t say it and most white people will give another reason because they want to be racist on the down low. With all of the forums on the internet about every conceivable reason Obama can’t get the blue collar or women’s vote there are none that discuss the pure racial reasons behind the scene. Higher educated whites will vote for him because they can figure out that the reasoning behind Hillary’s arguments are flawed. She constantly talks about 35 years in politics and her experience. However, what are the results of that experience. If she has been in politics for 35 years (by her own admission) and still needs to get the problems solved from the prior years what good is 4 more years going to do. Blue collar (trailer park) folks can’t figure it out beyond having a "black"person in charge. They would rather lose their trailer, lose their car, and pick out of the garbage than have a "black" running things.

 

They have not figured out (even with Bush being the president for the last eight years) that no one in Washington cares if they fall. McCain and Hillary both tout their years of experience but have not accomplished nearly as much as the other candidate in the limited time he has been in government. For anyone who can read put their résumé’s beside each other and look at how many years it took to get the things accomplished. Question: Will four years make a difference? Answer: No! That is why it makes no sense to blow a vote for the same as usual.

 

Gas prices and other cost which are related to the world market will drop after the election. Reason: Nobody likes us because we screw them all. The difference is other nations can get their self together and effectively maneuver into positions that affect us and our markets like they are doing now. Remember Brazil, Russia, and Venezuela cut back oil to us to force us to be more enslaved to the market. A new person is the only one who can turn the tide. They will not believe a Clinton or McCain/Bush.

 

 

Final note: If the election is stolen from Obama (meaning he wins the delegates and super delegates) I will get a fake business and find a way to dump all of my income into it and hope they lose everything they have being racist. Their choice. I and my family will survive either way. And I will still be a Black Boss.

Keith R. Morton Camden, N.J.  

Monday, April 21st, 2008
My Vote's for Obama (if I could vote) ...by Michael Moore

 

Friends,

I don't get to vote for President this primary season. I live in Michigan. The party leaders (both here and in D.C.) couldn't get their act together, and thus our votes will not be counted.

So, if you live in Pennsylvania, can you do me a favor? Will you please cast my vote -- and yours -- on Tuesday for Senator Barack Obama?

I haven't spoken publicly 'til now as to who I would vote for, primarily for two reasons: 1) Who cares?; and 2) I (and most people I know) don't give a rat's ass whose name is on the ballot in November, as long as there's a picture of JFK and FDR riding a donkey at the top of the ballot, and the word "Democratic" next to the candidate's name.

Seriously, I know so many people who don't care if the name under the Big "D" is Dancer, Prancer, Clinton or Blitzen. It can be Mickey Mouse, Donald Duck, Barry Obama or the Dalai Lama.

Well, that sounded good last year, but over the past two months, the actions and words of Hillary Clinton have gone from being merely disappointing to downright disgusting. I guess the debate last week was the final straw. I've watched Senator Clinton and her husband play this game of appealing to the worst side of white people, but last Wednesday, when she hurled the name "Farrakhan" out of nowhere, well that's when the silly season came to an early end for me. She said the "F" word to scare white people, pure and simple. Of course, Obama has no connection to Farrakhan. But, according to Senator Clinton, Obama's pastor does -- AND the "church bulletin" once included a Los Angeles Times op-ed from some guy with Hamas! No, not the church bulletin!

This sleazy attempt to smear Obama was brilliantly explained the following night by Stephen Colbert. He pointed out that if Obama is supported by Ted Kennedy, who is Catholic, and the Catholic Church is led by a Pope who was in the Hitler Youth, that can mean only one thing: OBAMA LOVES HITLER!

Yes, Senator Clinton, that's how you sounded. Like you were nuts. Like you were a bigot stoking the fires of stupidity. How sad that I would ever have to write those words about you. You have devoted your life to good causes and good deeds. And now to throw it all away for an office you can't win unless you smear the black man so much that the superdelegates cry "Uncle (Tom)" and give it all to you.

But that can't happen. You cast your die when you voted to start this bloody war. When you did that you were like Moses who lost it for a moment and, because of that, was prohibited from entering the Promised Land.

How sad for a country that wanted to see the first woman elected to the White House. That day will come -- but it won't be you. We'll have to wait for the current Democratic governor of Kansas to run in 2016 (you read it here first!).

There are those who say Obama isn't ready, or he's voted wrong on this or that. But that's looking at the trees and not the forest. What we are witnessing is not just a candidate but a profound, massive public movement for change. My endorsement is more for Obama The Movement than it is for Obama the candidate.

That is not to take anything away from this exceptional man. But what's going on is bigger than him at this point, and that's a good thing for the country. Because, when he wins in November, that Obama Movement is going to have to stay alert and active. Corporate America is not going to give up their hold on our government just because we say so. President Obama is going to need a nation of millions to stand behind him.

I know some of you will say, 'Mike, what have the Democrats done to deserve our vote?' That's a damn good question. In November of '06, the country loudly sent a message that we wanted the war to end. Yet the Democrats have done nothing. So why should we be so eager to line up happily behind them?

I'll tell you why. Because I can't stand one more friggin' minute of this administration and the permanent, irreversible damage it has done to our people and to this world. I'm almost at the point where I don't care if the Democrats don't have a backbone or a kneebone or a thought in their dizzy little heads. Just as long as their name ain't "Bush" and the word "Republican" is not beside theirs on the ballot, then that's good enough for me.

I, like the majority of Americans, have been pummeled senseless for 8 long years. That's why I will join millions of citizens and stagger into the voting booth come November, like a boxer in the 12th round, all bloodied and bruised with one eye swollen shut, looking for the only thing that matters -- that big "D" on the ballot.

Don't get me wrong. I lost my rose-colored glasses a long time ago.

It's foolish to see the Democrats as anything but a nicer version of a party that exists to do the bidding of the corporate elite in this country. Any endorsement of a Democrat must be done with this acknowledgement and a hope that one day we will have a party that'll represent the people first, and laws that allow that party an equal voice.

Finally, I want to say a word about the basic decency I have seen in Mr. Obama. Mrs. Clinton continues to throw the Rev. Wright up in his face as part of her mission to keep stoking the fears of White America. Every time she does this I shout at the TV, "Say it, Obama! Say that when she and her husband were having marital difficulties regarding Monica Lewinsky, who did she and Bill bring to the White House for 'spiritual counseling?' THE REVEREND JEREMIAH WRIGHT!"

But no, Obama won't throw that at her. It wouldn't be right. It wouldn't be decent. She's been through enough hurt. And so he remains silent and takes the mud she throws in his face.

That's why the crowds who come to see him are so large. That's why he'll take us down a more decent path. That's why I would vote for him if Michigan were allowed to have an election.

But the question I keep hearing is... 'can he win? Can he win in November?' In the distance we hear the siren of the death train called the Straight Talk Express. We know it's possible to hear the words "President McCain" on January 20th. We know there are still many Americans who will never vote for a black man. Hillary knows it, too. She's counting on it.

Pennsylvania, the state that gave birth to this great country, has a chance to set things right. It has not had a moment to shine like this since 1787 when our Constitution was written there. In that Constitution, they wrote that a black man or woman was only "three fifths" human. On Tuesday, the good people of Pennsylvania have a chance for redemption.

Yours,
Michael Moore
MichaelMoore.com
MMFlint@aol.com

 

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'Sicko' in Top 5 Grossing Docs of All Time -- This Weekend it's "'Sicko' Night in America!"... from Michael Moore

Tuesday, July 17th, 2007
CNN Throws in Towel, Admits to Two Errors, and States That All 'Sicko' Facts Are True to Their Source (or something like that)... Moore Realizes All This is Huge Distraction and Then Spends More Precious Time Thanking Paris Hilton for Seeing 'Sicko'... Meanwhile, More than 300 Americans Die Because They Had No Health Insurance During the 8-Day Gupta-Moore War...

Saturday, July 14th, 2007
An Open Letter to CNN from Michael Moore

Friday, July 6th, 2007
BlueCross Secret Memo Re: 'Sicko' ... "You would have to be dead to be unaffected by Moore's movie..."

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Ok everybody, here we go again. I just read about a suspect being arrested conerning the Marianne DeMartin case. Marrianne DeMartin is the Burington county woman that mysteriously disappeared back in 2005. Police just recently found a match of DNA that was left behind in the missing womans' car and have arrested Alex James Crow. Now, here's where it gets sketchy. The "perps" race has not been given. Not to say that "race" places any relevant issue in the circumstance at this point, but, I'm still willing to bet that the suspect in this crime is Caucasian. Although "Alex" is known to be a name that is more familiar to the  "Hispanic" or "Black" ethnicity, I'm gonna spin the wheel on this one based on the news media's history concerning the acknowlegement of criminal identity. Usually when the perpetrator in a crime is a minority his picture is posted immediately. That is not the case in this matter. Although I could be wrong, my gut instinct tells me that this guy is "White". jeebs1707 Pennsauken N.J.

Hello, all. I haven't posted anything for some time now because I've been so pre-occupied with the presidential campaign. This "blog" fits no particular category. I've just been dying to address this certain issue for months and  now I have some free time to do so. Anyway, I am an avid "fox" news watcher, especially in the morning. Is it me or does anyone else realize that Steve Keeley is a bit heavy on the make-up? Now, I don't want to sound like a critic, because I'm very fond of Steve. He elaborates on some very interesting news topics. But, you gotta admit the guy is heavy-handed with the "face powder". I've always thought that it was the T.V. picture that was at fault. So, every morning I would adjust the "contrast" on the tube. The day I realized that it wasn't the my T.V. is when I actually saw Steve on route 130 in Pennsauken, N.J. doing a segment on gas. My wife and I road by him and beeped the horn to say "hello" only to be fascinated about how "orange" he was. Again, I want to acknowledge that I am not trying to poke fun at Steve.In fact, I'm such a frequent watcher, that the entire staff is like an extended family. But, I just feel like I need to tell Steve, because it seems as though no one else is. Dude, easy with the skin-chalk, your starting to look like a "carrot". Oh, and one more thing. Please get some variety in your wardrobe. The pin-stripes are getting to be way to repititious. Other than that, Steve Keeley, keep up the good work Thumbs up guy!!      Jeebs 1707  Pennsauken N.J.

Why has the "African-American" communities of America lost its' faith in the Judicial System and in Law Enforcement officials?  Law Enforcement officials as well as others want to know why people of predominently "Black" communities have become so reluctant to come forward with information concerning criminal activity in their neighborhoods'. Of course the citizens of the "Black" community don't condone crime. Actually the majority of them despise it and are quite fed up with the repetitveness of it all. Epecially the deluge of senseless murders of everyday working citizens and innocent children who are caught in the center of some petty thugs "beef". Personally, I don't condone the "stop snitching" theory. In fact, I think that people of the community where these things take place should feel obligated to report any criminal activity that they have knowledge of. But, on the other hand , I must say that I can understand a persons reluctance to inform the police of any crimes that  have or are taking place in their neighborhood. In most "urban" communities, the Law Enforcement officials that are policing them don't live there. And, most of them don't establish relationships with the citizens they are suppose to be protecting. So, with that being the case, there are obvious trust issues between the police and the people. Citizens are also afraid of potential reprecussions they may be subjected to from criminals they have informed the police about. Another reason they may hesistate to come forward is because of the enforcement tactics the police have been reputed to use concerning individuals that are of the "African-American" nationality. In more than any other race concerning police and citizen confrontations, the police seem to be alot more aggressive and over-zealous when the  person in question is of the "African-American " persuasion. In my opinion, "Black" people are a feared race for the most part because they have been labled to have an aggressive nature which has been repetitvely elevated throughout American society by every source of media. So, ask yourself, how can an "African-American" citizen of a crime infested community feel it to be a commendable deed to turn some one in, when  the police of the community that are sworned to "protect and serve" are in-fact just as much of a threat as the criminal?        Jeebs1707    Pennsauken N.J.

Why do you think Senator John Edwards is so reluctant to render delegates to Hillary Clinton or Barrack Obama? He's been out of the Presidential Race for 3 weeks now and he still has yet to endorse a candidate. I think Senator Edwards already knows who he wants to endorse, but, he knows that the candidates, the news media, and the American public is watching. So, with that knowledge, he has to make it seem as though he can't decide. One would think that he was in between a "rock" and a "hard place" concerning his decision. Because if he endorses Barrack Obama and Hillary Clinton happens to win  the " White House", then, his chances of getting any favors from her "camp" in the future would probably be slim. Or, if he endorses Hillary Clinton, the exact opposite would be the issue. Although I don't know for a fact who he will endorse,  or if he will at all.  I really believe that prior to his withdrawal from the race, he had planned to endorse Hillary Clinton should he drop out. But now that Barrack Obama is gaining so much momentum and popularity with his campaign, Senator Edwards has become as confused as a beaver with no teeth. Personally, I don't think he should endorse either candidate. But, we shall see how this one  plays out in the end.                     jeebs1707- Pennsauken, N.J.

Is it me, or is Americas' news media still taking a  racially bias approached to its' news stories. I can remember (not too long ago) when Barry Bonds was "headline" news morning, noon, and night. The news reporters went on and on about how Barry Bonds is trying to cover up that fact that he knowingly  took performance enhancing drugs. How he was a liar. How he didn't deserve to be acknowledged for his home-run record.  When he was in close pursuit of Hank Aarons' record no one had anything good to say about him. The allegations about the steroid use  exposed alot of peoples hate for Bonds. The public made Barry Bonds their new villain of the sports world and the news media ate it up. It was a known fact that the so called "American Hero"  of M.L.B. Mark McGuire was taking steroids, but, no one questioned the legitimacy of his home run record. The fans still loved him and the media commended him for every accomplishment. It was the exactly the opposite when Barry Bonds was making his run of achievements. Barry Bonds was under the media microscope for his alledged steroid use until M.L.B. exposed "The Golden Boy" Roger Clemens. I haven't heard one mention about Bonds since the anouncement of Clemens' alledged steroid use. Why? I'll tell you why. Because if Barry Bonds was found guilty of knowingly taking steroids, then , that would in fact leave the door wide open for the fate of Clemens if he is in fact found to be lieing about knowingly taking performance enhancing drugs(steroids). Readers; please take heed to the prejudice in the sports world. It's real. And, it's constant.      jeebs1707   Pennsauken, N.J.

There is a news article on this website(myfoxphilly.com) about a man posing as an police officer. His description states that he is  man of stocky build. What is his race??   Shouldn't the perpetrators race be a priority in indentufying him in this issue? White? Black? Asian? Hispanic? Huh?   Somebody help me figure this out.