Posted by Native_Ink on July 8, 2008 at 6:19 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Politics tends to run in long cycles, and a cycle ends when the stronger party gets too extreme for America. The Republicans have taken wealth from hard-working, regular people and given it to the richest of the rich. People who may have voted on conservative social issues now see that the Republicans are essentially the party of the rich. There's going to be a real changing of the guard this election, even here in South Carolina. Obama may not win in this state, but I think he will break the absolute dominance that Republicans have had here.

Posted by wpc3iop on July 8, 2008 at 7:01 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama won't win a state south of Maryland and very few above that line...racism is alive and well in the US and it will rear it's head behind the voting booth curtain! We may be ready for a female president but we are not ready for a black socialist president...maybe in about 20 years.

Posted by Riptide on July 8, 2008 at 7:32 a.m. (Suggest removal)

What’s the difference between a rich liberal democrat and a rich republican? I don’t see any difference only that they are both rich.

I don’t think this country will ever be ready for a socialist regardless of race or gender.

Posted by theronce on July 8, 2008 at 7:35 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Unfortunately, I think that this country will vote for just about any socialist that promises to be their mommy and daddy.

Posted by RTC on July 8, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

All I've been hearing on the news lately is how Obama and McCain are fighting to win the hispanic vote.
A CPA told us the other day that if Obama gets in office you can expect to see retirees paying more in taxes. I don't know if that's his prediction, or if it is part of Obama's platform.

Posted by Early on July 8, 2008 at 8:14 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I disagree with the comment on this article. I feel the BLIND vote of the south will carry Obama. Those who will blindly vote just for hopes of change and those who will blindly vote because of the color of his skin.

Posted by majorjohnson on July 8, 2008 at 8:26 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as rich goes, seems to me there are plenty of rich democrats. Oprah, Bill Gates, George Soros...some of the wealthiest people in the world are democrats. Look at hollywood...people making millions for a couple days work, Clooney, Striesand, Stone...practically all socialists. Katie Couric, Roger Mudd, Walter Kronkite, all rich media folk. Hillary is worth millions, as is Barak, as are Pelosi and Dean and Kennedy. Karl Marx, the true founder of the democrat party, was rich and never worked. They all want to take money from other people to give to people who didn't earn it rather than let the people who pay for jobs provide them so people can help themselves. Ther real joke though, is that the republicans have shown they're pretty much democrats with a big cross burned into their foreheads to show how super-Christian they are. A pox on all of them.

Posted by ColdBeer on July 8, 2008 at 8:33 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Of course we're going to be a battle ground state. We've been at the bottom of education for decades. In order to be a battle ground state with Obama in the running, you have to have a lot of uneducated people in your state. I agree with Early. The "blind" vote will probably make this a much closer election in our state. McCain will still win out. The uneducated seem to have trouble getting up off of their asses and actually making it to the polls. That could mean possibly missing the soap operas, Jerry Springer or Oprah shows…

Posted by zekemire on July 8, 2008 at 8:40 a.m. (Suggest removal)

If SC is in play, it only shows the ignorance of the voters in the state! That they would vote for an inexperienced, liberal, socialist just because he is black over an enormously experienced semi conservative is pathetic!!

Posted by shoelaces on July 8, 2008 at 8:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Great Early!! You are kinder than I. I was thinking the "ignorant" will vote for Obama, but blind works just as well. And why wouldn't Obama want the hispanic vote? They are living off of the government cheese that the dem's have been passing out for years. THEY are HIS people....

What does money have to do with it?? Please tell me when we haven't had a rich president? When was the last time someone from the middle or lower class was president? Or when we had people in Columbia who weren't from a privileged background?

***Do we have a McCain office somewhere in Charleston? I really need to get some bumper stickers!!!!

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 9:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Native_Ink you say the Republicans take from the not so rich and give it to the rich. Could you be specific? What is wrong with being rich anyway, if it is done through hard work and coming up with products that help people?

Someone else said it is racism if people don't vote for Obama. Has it occured to you that people disagree with his stance on the issues?

Yahoo "Raila Odinga Sharia Law". Raila ran for president in Kenya in 2006 and signed a pact saying he would institute sharia law if elected. He lost, claimed a election fraud and sent the Luo tribe into the streets raping and murdering the Christian population, including the BURNING ALIVE OF A CHURCH FULL OF CHRISTIANS!!

Guess what?? OBAMA CAMPAIGNED FOR THIS MURDERING THUG KNOWING HE WOULD INSTITUTE SHARIA LAW!!! He claims to be Obama's first cousin. The title of the article is AmeriCAN-DO Attitude. Please read it.

Also, a good article by Maureen Dowd of the New York Times wrote on June 29, 2008 "OBAMA'S TROUBLING INTERNET FUND RAISING". HE appears to be getting millions in constributions from the Middle East including IRAN! and also from China. Illegal!! He should be disqualified from running!!
By the way, Maureen is a big Democrat. So for her to be pointing this out is really saying something.

Posted by Larz13 on July 8, 2008 at 9:29 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's a good thing that folks in prison cannot vote.

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 9:31 a.m. (Suggest removal)

China has long ranged nuclear tipped missiles pointed at all our major cities (thanks to Comrade Clinton selling them dual use technology).
Now, as tripsa pointed out, Obama has said he will gut our missile defense system. Hmmmm....will China be more likely or less likely to launch those missiles if we can shoot them down? If we can't (which is what Obama's policies would do) China would be more likely to launch those missiles (don't you think?).

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 9:34 a.m. (Suggest removal)

One last thing... there is a third choice for president from the newly formed Constitution Party. Worth looking into.
His website is

www.baldwin2008.com

Posted by Native_Ink on July 8, 2008 at 9:38 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Jane, worker productivity is up 70% over the last thirty years. Real wages have risen 2%. Guess where all the extra money went to? The wealthiest of the wealthy, that's who. Go out and speak to real people. You'd have to be blind not to see what's going on in this country.

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Native you think electing Obama is the answer? He is going to raise your taxes. Guess what?? The really wealthy can afford tax attorneys to hide their money and get out of paying those taxes. The rest of us cannot. When you lower taxes the really wealthy are less likely to hide their money and pay their taxes rather than pay an attorney (tax revenue has always risen after a tax cut because people are more likely to pay and new jobs are created). Yes, some people are getting weatlthier in a dishonest way. Like the man I met last year who owns a construction business and bragged about hiring illegals because he said he pays them alot less and pays them under the table. He pockets the difference...he isn't passing the savings on to his customers.
Ink will you read that article on Raila Odinga?? It is very disturbing. Thanks.

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 9:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Some of the posts here border on the ludicrous. Obama gets bashed because of his alleged lack of experience. What about the prior experience of Bush.

I lived in Texas a number of years and voted against Bush twice for governor. Bush never served in the legislature, never authored any legislation, never had to go on record by casting a vote. Yet, the same people who say Obama is unqualified fully support the moron who is in the White House.

A socialist president might not be so bad - just look what the facist president has done! Do you want to go there again?

Posted by roseb on July 8, 2008 at 9:50 a.m. (Suggest removal)

White folks can vote for any incompetent white person (and have been doing so for years)and nothing is said so if you believe Sen. Obama is incompetent why can't blacks vote for him? Why the double standard?

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 9:52 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Studley I suggest you do a little more research on Obama. It isn't his lack of experience for me it is his stance on the issues. His book "Dreams from My Father" is pretty disturbing as well. Througout the book there is an undercurrent of disdain for whites. People excuse and say he was young. Well, I don't want a president with that attitude.

Posted by Johnq2 on July 8, 2008 at 9:56 a.m. (Suggest removal)

It's good to see the ignorant racist republican crowd scared that Obama is going to win the election and already making excuses for why that is going to occur. It does indeed look like many in South Carolina have finally come to the realization that the republicans and the corporate pandering policies and general incompetence they have imposed on this state is time to end.

I think all the politically aware new residents from other states and the average citizen that has been moved to register to vote for the first time because of their desire for change will tip it to Obama.

Posted by drp7773 on July 8, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Sounds like another left wing reporter trying to up the odds for Hussein to win..

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 10:04 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnq2 will you read the article "AmeriCAN-DO Attitude"? Just yahoo "Raila Odinga Sharia Law".
I find it interesting that you toss out the "racist" comment when people simply talk about what Obama has said he will do as president and what he has actually done. Is that the best you can do? Toss the word "racist" around like a rag doll? In the hopes of stifling free speech?? If Obama is so wonderful, why get so upset about what he has said and done? We have become so politically correct in this country that we are losing are right to free speech. Call someone a name in the hopes of shutting down the opposition. Very dangerous indeed.

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 10:11 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Johnq2 you are a man after my heart!

Jane if you disagree with Obama on the issues, so be it. That is your prerogative as a free person in a free country.

Speaking of issues, do war in Iraq for oil (there were no WMD), Afghanistan, 4000+ dead, al Quaeda, $4/gal gasoline, Katrina, skirting the constitution, lying to the American people, etc, etc, etc mean anything to you?

Posted by shoelaces on July 8, 2008 at 10:25 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I have heard many people say they will vote for Obama depending on who McCain selects as his running mate. If he picks someone too liberal then these conservative friends of mine will vote for Obama. If McCain selects a strong running mate then I think he will do OK.

Let Obama have it and see what he can do. When he does nothing better or even worse he will just blame it on the last administration.

Who will our Republican nominee be in 2012 ?????

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 10:27 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden:

Was the appellation "dumass" meant for me?

Posted by UrGatorbait on July 8, 2008 at 10:28 a.m. (Suggest removal)

BarackStar and McSame, what poor, poor choices for such a great country. One will drive this country into ruin that may never be recoverable and will drive it until it's just recoverable. Style over substance, what a great country.

JohnQ and Studley. Very original talking points now what does Barackstar have to offer now that's he's moving to the center in true Clintonesque style?

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 10:44 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden:

Since you have no merit to you argument you resort to name calling. You remind me of conservative intellectuals.

If I were to call you a name it would probably be dumbass not dumass. However, I refuse to enter your sewer.

Posted by shoelaces on July 8, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

TRIPSA!!!! Forget running mate, Rice should be our presidential nominee. Then things would be really interesting. I was very disappointed when she said she wouldn't run. She would get my vote.

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 10:57 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden:

Are you in therapy?

Posted by Popeye on July 8, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I believe the South is TOTALLY irrelevant to the total political picture in '08. Notice how little power our Senators/Representatives have been able to demonstrate on the major issues in Congress lately. I think BOTH candidates will only give lip service to the Southern states and focus mostly on the Northeast, Midwest and Western states. NEITHER candidate will uphold the sovereignty of the USA and will sell us out to the illegal alien supporters and open border crowd. Notice how they are pandering to anti-Amereican groups like La Raza and other hispanic pro-illegal alien organizations (see US Chamber of Commerce). It is a sad day in American Political history when two bozo losers like Hussein Obama and Juan McAmnesty are the best we can come up with for President of the United States. God help us all!

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 10:59 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Do we really need to insult each other? Come on, Gadsden..you are better than that- or maybe you aren't. One thing that is for certain- hurling insults are the last resort of someone that is losing an argument. 'Nuff said

Posted by saflagler on July 8, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I hope that Obama campaigns hard in SC. He will NEVER take this state so please Mr. Obama, waste a lot of money and effort in SC!! I have never been more scared of a Presidential candidate than I am of Obama. We might as well all start hanging red flags with a sickle on it. While I am not a huge McCain fan he is certianly the lesser of two evils and he is definitely more qualified to run this country, escpeially since we are a country at war. A war we CAN win with the right leadership. Furthermore, why are all democrats of the opinion that the Republican party is a party of the rich? This has already been pointed out, but the Democrats loudest supporters have way more money than I have or probably will ever have. Also, what is wrong with being rich? Wasn't America founded as a land of opportunity so people could become successful. Now there is no incentive to being successful b/c all it means is that you have to pay more taxes and be hated on by the leftists in this country. Seeing as the middle class makes up the majority of the country it makes sense to me that they would have the highest tax burden. Why should a small amount of the population be responsible for the majority of the taxes just b/c they have more money? I would like to say to that I am by no means rich and include myself in the middle class. Sorry to be so long winded, but I just had to get off my chest!!

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 11:09 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Well Studley, if the war in Iraq was about oil why aren't we just taking it for free?? Of course it is true we rely on our enemies for our oil..suicidal. All the more reason to drill for our own oil (CHina is drilling 45 miles off the coast of Florida right now). It is the Dems that refuse to let us drill for oil (check the congressional record.) The Dems voted against drilling for shale oil last month. We have more oil there than in all of Saudi Arabia.

Katrina? He** Bush declared it a natural disaster before Katrina even made landfall thereby freeing up federal funds immediately. It took the foolish governor THREE DAYS before she released the National Guard to the president's authority. We have the National Guard under the authority of the governors not the president. Why? In case we get a despot for a president we keep the authority of the National Guard under the governors as a way to protect ourselves. A big part of the problem with Katrina is the larda**es didn't leave town. They were afraid they would miss their welfare checks (that is what some of them said). Hey, did you notice with all the flooding in the midwest last month that no one was waiting on their roofs to be rescued?? They took responsibility for themselves and got out before it was too late.

Katrina represents the failure of the welfare system. It has created a class of people totally dependent on the government for everything ...including rescuing their lazy a**es. Bush called the mayor of New Orleans before the hurricane hit 72hours ahead of time and told the mayor to issue an evacuation notice and that moron refused. Of course, as an individual you should have enough sense to get out with a hurricane bearing down on you and you live BELOW SEA LEVEL. The federal government had given them money to improve the levies and they spent it on a gambling casino boat instead!! Goevernment dependency was the problem with folks in New Orleans not Bush.

Over 4000 dead in Afghanistan and Iraq. True and tragic anytime we lose a brave soldier. What you don't hear is the death toll is about the same as it was under comrade clinton.

The press should start to keep a daily tally of Amerians killed everyday by folks that are in this country illegally. About 25 a day. Between 8000 to 9000 a year. No one knows the exact amount. Why isn't that reported??

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 11:12 a.m. (Suggest removal)

I will not get into name calling, but anyone who defends Bush is a blind kool-aid drinker. I agree that Obama is not the ideal choice, but change needs to be made. Eight more years of failed policies and embarrasment is enough.

Posted by studley on July 8, 2008 at 11:16 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden:

I was attempting to have a mature, serious, and meaningful discussion with either you or anyone else blogging here. As soon as you sensed disagreement you resorted to insults and name calling. You are the one side stepping the facts and issues.

You do so because your positions are not defensible.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 8, 2008 at 11:17 a.m. (Suggest removal)

roseb -You say whites blindly vote based on race?LOL Thats funny.Should I remind you of Marion Barry....Here's some of his oh so deep quotes.
**"I promise you a police car on every sidewalk."
**"First, it was not a strip bar, it was an erotic club. And second, what can I say? I'm a night owl."
**"The laws in this city are clearly racist. All laws are racist. The law of gravity is racist."
**"Bitch set me up."
Of course he said that last gem after being busted smoking CRACK with HOOKERS in a hotel room.And the majority(blacks)REELECTED him AFTER this incident.

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 11:21 a.m. (Suggest removal)

As far as WMD"S all Saddam had to do to stay in power was to destroy the WMD's in front of UN weapons inspectors. He did NOT do that. Instead, he kicked the inspectors out, in direct violation of the peace treaty he signed ending the first Gulf War. Technically, we were supporting the UN treaty by going in there. We need to stop fighting wars for the UN. Kick them out of our country and quit giving them 2billion dollars a year of our tax dollars. I think it is around 2 billion dollars. I could be wrong, but it is alot of money.
ONe of Saddam's generals was interviewed a few years back and said he personally escorted two planeloads of WMD's to Syria. He said Saddam had an agreement with Syria that if it looked like Iraq would be invaded, he could send his WMD's to Syria. Well, we built up our forces for months before invading, thereby giving Saddam ample time to get the WMD's out of the country.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 8, 2008 at 11:22 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama is a racist.If a white canidate had done or said 1/4 of what he has said or done,they'd be GONE!That's a fact.We are living in such a politically correct society that people are willng to vote for a man just because he's black.People are turning a blind eye to his lack of experience and racist behavior.I'm sick of it.I wish Condoleezza Rice wouldve ran,that woman is a genius.

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 11:47 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Tripsa, is it possible that the "yellowcake" was for making birthday cakes? ;-)
It is soooo dangerous the way the Mainstream media slants it's coverage. Keep saying "no WMD'S! NoWMD's!" and eventually (or pretty darn quickly) people believe it. What is it the mainstream media doesn't get?? The Islamists want us dead.

I said it before and I'll say it again, and again on every paper I can post (some won't post anything bad on Obama, frightening. The Boston Globe reads everything first and then chooses to post or not to post and they refused to post this.....

In case you missed my earlier posts... yahoo "Raila Odinga Sharia Law". Obama campainged for this murdering muslim. I truly believe Obama is still a muslim. It is considered aposty to leave the muslim faith so why aren't muslim leaders calling for Obama's death? I think they know something we don't.

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 12:06 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Just out of curiosity I would love to see Michelle Obama debate Star Parker on the issues of race and poverty. That would be highly entertaining.

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 12:22 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I am a veteran who will not be voting for McCain. What you people fail too understand is that Obama did not come from a rich background; he experienced some of the same problems some americans now faces. I for one am tired of people who do not identify with me trying too tell me that they feel my pain. How would they know my pain if they never experienced it themselves? I do not understand why this is even an issue.

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama reminds me of something out of a movie, where they take your run of the mill, stereotypical sleazy used car salesman, polish him up, put a fancy suit on him and have him run for President. Funny thing is, the joke's on the Demcrats. This is their actual candidate.

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 12:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by tripsa on July 8, 2008 at 7:45 a.m. (Suggest removal)

Just think, this marxist osam...obama, has a total of ONLY 143 DAYS of experiance working in the senate...and he is qualified how?

This is so sad, His name is OBAMA!!!! this is the same kind of distraction that always surface during election time. Know wonder this country is in the condition we now find ourself in. We don't vote the issues, we only vote distraction.

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 12:31 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsen, not only are they not calling for his death, there is speculation he is receiving millions in campaign contributions from them.
Maureen Dowd on the NYT wrote a good article on this on June 29, 2008. I am surprised she wrote this since she is such a staunch democrat.

Here is some of the article...
Obama's internet campaign started out innocently enough with basic e-mail networking , lists saved from previous party campaigns and from supporters who visited any of the Obama campaign web sites.
Small contributions came in from these sources and the internet campaign staff were more than pleased by the results.

Then, about two months into the campaign the daily contribution intake multiplied. Where was it coming from? One of the web site security monitors began to notice the bulk of the contributions were clearly coming in from overseas internet service providers and at the rate and frequency of transmission it was clear these donations were "programmed" by a very sophisticated user.

While the security people were not able to track most of the sources due to firewalls and other blocking devices put on these contributions, they were able to collate the number of contributions that were coming in seemingly from individuals but the funds were from only a few credit card accounts and bank electronic funds transfers. The internet service providers (ISP) they were able to trace were from Saudi Arabia, Iran, and other Middle Eastern countries. One of the banks used for fund transfers was also located in Saudi Arabia. *******

Another concentrated group of donations was traced to a Chinese ISP with a similar pattern of limited credit card charges.*******

IT BECAME CLEAR THAT THESE DONATIONS WERE VERY LIKELY COMING FROM SOURCES OTHER THAN AMERICAN VOTERS. This was discussed at length within the campaign and the decision was made that none of these donations violated campaign financing laws.*******

It was also decided that it was not the responsibility of the campaign to audit these millions of contributions as to the actual source (specific credit card number or bank transfer account numbers) to insure that none of these internet contributors exceeded the legal maximum donation on a cumulative basis of many small donations. They also found the record keeping was not complete enough to do it anyway.

I guess we should have been somewhat suspicious when the numbers started to come out. We were told (no proof offered) that the Obama internet contributions were from $10.00 to $25.00 or so.

If the $200,000,000 is right, and the average contribution was $15.00, that would mean over 13 million individuals made contributions? That would also be 13 million contributions that would need to be processed. How did all that happen?

I believe the Obama campaign's internet fund raising needs a serious, in depth investigation and audit.

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 12:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 12:23 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama reminds me of something out of a movie, where they take your run of the mill, stereotypical sleazy used car salesman, polish him up, put a fancy suit on him and have him run for President. Funny thing is, the joke's on the Demcrats. This is their actual candidate.

Funny that you mentioned the movie character, because we have been living with someone playing a president for almost eight years now.

Posted by coolfreaknbeans on July 8, 2008 at 12:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

madd_dog2020-Obama grew up attending the most elite schools all over the world.Where do you think he went to college?Trident Tech?

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny thing is, if Obama was elected, after one year, people would be referring to the Bush years as "the good ole days". Most people only watch/listen to one news source (and it shows). If you watch/listen to various news sources in this country, you end up wondering if their are 2 completely different Americas, two George Bushes, two wars, two economies etc.

Posted by ln1959 on July 8, 2008 at 12:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Jane:
Let me give you a little lesson on satellite. If the US had picked up an image of WMD, our satellite would have not lost track of it, so there would have been no way for Saddam to hide it os ship it through Syria . How do you think we keep track of a moving targets. This is coming from someone who actually did time in the military. So since you don't seem to know anything about Military intelligence, leave that argument alone.

The majority of X and current military personnel that knows about intelligence, knew that it was a setup to invade Iraq, and get rid of Saddam, they just under estimate the interference from other countries.

Also the people thats complaining about Obama raising taxes, must make over 250 thou a year.

JMO

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 1:08 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In1959 - "Also the people thats complaining about Obama raising taxes, must make over 250 thou a year."

We heard this back in 1992, and by the time, push came to shove, the "rich" included any household with a combined $60,000 annual income.

Time for a history/civics lesson. When you have a tax system where the percentage of your income that you pay in taxes goes up as your income goes up, that's referred to as Communism and/or "redistribution of wealth". It doesn't work. It never has. It never will. Over the last 30 years, every time we've cut the taxes of the "rich" the number of jobs increased and the total revenue of the government went up. This is referred to as Capitalism. BTW, the original author of Reaganomics was John F Kennedy. Unfortunately, he was assasinated before he could implement it.

Posted by Missthang on July 8, 2008 at 1:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why is it that a Black Man can create a tiny piece called a filament (electric light - Lewis Latimer) that allows people to see in the dark?

But can't be seen fit to lead a country to the true light.

Why is it that a Black Man can create an instrument (clock - Benjamin Banneker) that all people use to tell time?

But people don't think it is time for him to run a country.

Why is it that a Black Man can design a place for the high authorities to meet in and a place for the president to live in (The Capital and the White House Phillip Reid (a slave) and Pierre L'Enfant)?

But not good enough to lead these meetings or live in himself.

Why is it that a Black Man was brilliant enough to do the first open heart surgery (Dr. Daniel Hale Williams) and show the world how to get and preserve plasma (Dr. Charles Drew)?

But not good enough to put a program in place where everyone can afford this surgery.

Why is it that a Black Man was creative enough to design an instrument (traffic light - Garrett Morgan) to bring multiple people (traffic) to a halt?

But not seen c reative enough to design a plan to bring all this unnecessary and worthless
fighting between countries.

Why is it that a Black Man could create the soles (shoes - Jan Matzeliger) that people walk on every day?

But not seen good enough to fill the shoes of a bad president.

Why is it that a Black Man was smart enough and brave enough to teach himself (Fredrick Douglas and Thomas Fuller - both slaves) and others how to read, write and/or calculate math?

But not seen smart enough and bold enough to calculate a platform to be President to a
country that sure needs another first by us.

So you see my Brothers and Sisters what I am saying is let us not forgot our past, which led us to our present and can definitely be the backbone to our future. We were good enough, smart enough, creative enough, and bold enough then, so let us all give Obama the chance to show that we are still these things and more. We all are as strong as our weakest link, so do not be that weak link that denies our people that chance to show we still can OVERCOME AND BE THE FIRST! OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THESE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA!

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 1:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Condi Rice has no interest in the White House. She has been openly "campaigning" to be the next NFL Commissioner.

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 1:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 12:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Funny thing is, if Obama was elected, after one year, people would be referring to the Bush years as "the good ole days". Most people only watch/listen to one news source (and it shows). If you watch/listen to various news sources in this country, you end up wondering if their are 2 completely different Americas, two George Bushes, two wars, two economies etc.

No my friend, I listen too and read every source, I am not one track minded as you and others. If you think this president is doing a great job, then you and all the others that agree with you are completely lost; especially if you do not think this country is in a sad state of affairs. Obama got his education thru student loan, grants and scholarships, His parents did not pay for his education; he repaid his student loan. Let not talk about corruption, you guys don't even want to go there. I also watch that Fix News Network (FOX), which is your only news source. Have you ever served, or had conversation with individuals on the ground, who will give honest opinion? Well I did and I do.

Posted by Missthang on July 8, 2008 at 1:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

i can make this article about whatever i want it to be about

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Missthang - A black man for President? Great! JC Watts would make a tremendous President.

madd_dog2020 - Not only am I an Air Force vet, but I personally know one of the men in charge of training Iraq's soldiers to take over. He told me that the media will never tell the true story. The education system in Iraq under Saddam was so pathetic that they can't find enough semi-educated people to run a military. That's the real reason why this is taking so long.

Posted by ln1959 on July 8, 2008 at 1:42 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tripsa:
White House Admits WMD Error
Withdraws Claim That Iraq Tried To Buy Uranium From Africa
July 8, 2003

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 1:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

missthang how eloquent...one problem...it's not his skin color that we have a problem with...it is his policies, actions and beliefs.
How do you feel about the fact that he seems to be getting campaign contributions from middle eastern countries? Are you ok with that? It's ok because his skin is black??

Are you ok that he campaigned for that murdering thug Raila Odinga simply because his skin is black?

It's just as wrong to vote for someone because they are black as it is wrong to not vote for someone because he is black.

By the way, whenever a black republican runs for office it is black democrats who are so awful to him/her.

When Condi was nominated for Secretary of State did you see the racist cartoons on her? Why? Because she is a black republican. That would not have been tolerated by the mainstream media if she had been a democrat.

Here's a great website on what our soldiers are doing in Iraq www.operationiraqichildren.org

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 2:14 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Greyrider, I don't think that ANYONE will refer to the Bush years as "the good old days". If they do, they certainly need to have their heads examined. I don't believe that he is a dishonest man- he's just incompetent. He has been way over his head since day 1, and for some crazy reason, he got re-elected. If the dems had run any decent candidate against him on '04, they would have won by a landslide.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 2:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

and yes, I'm a USMC veteran that will be voting democratic.

Posted by eatmorecollards on July 8, 2008 at 2:29 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Putting politics aside, I could never vote for someone who wears a bussiness suit every day and doesn't know how to tie thier tie.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 2:54 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Well you really don't want to play that card, do you Gadsden? Both parties are corrupt- the dems certainly do not have the patent on that. So before you tout the "party of family values and morals", make sure your house is in order.

Posted by Lovely_One on July 8, 2008 at 3:02 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Hi everyone. I love politics. Keep the comments comin'!

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:07 p.m. (Suggest removal)

hmmm let's think about this....in 1977, they were calling the Ford administration years the good old days...gas shortgage, inflation....I don't think so....

But at least Gerald Ford knew his limitations- I will give him that. That, and he was also a decent man.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:12 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Native you think electing Obama is the answer? He is going to raise your taxes. Guess what?? The really wealthy can afford tax attorneys to hide their money and get out of paying those taxes. The rest of us cannot.-Jane

This is what is wrong with our country- the wealthy do hide their money. Don't get me started on our corrupt justice system- "Justice for all....who have the acceptable amount of cash!"

My family does not make over $200,000/year, nor probably ever will...so hey, if you can lower my taxes, while increasing taxes on fraudulent CEO's making their living off the back of the American worker, so be it.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I definitely agree with your last post, Gadsden....See? We can debate respectfully. Hopefully some of the other childish posters here can learn something.

Posted by grannyofsix on July 8, 2008 at 3:28 p.m. (Suggest removal)

all I can say is WOW good thing we aren't in the same room physically might have to cool some people down in here

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:34 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's not class warfare with me- Some others, I cannot say for how they feel. I have been there where I have made alot of money, and it doesn't buy happiness for me. I have chosen my income and lifestyle, and don't expect anything from others. That being said, I know that all CEO's aren't crooks. But more are than you think, my friend.

Tax cuts are fine- as long as they are accompanied by spending cuts. That we agree on. However, I know that I will disagree with you about the war. I have lost friends over there that I went to college with as well as served with. This war was not "as advertised", in my humble opinion. Yes, Bush went off of intelligence that was provided for him. However, a big part of me knows that he wanted to get Hussein out of power because of his father- think about it- Bush Sr. failed to finish the job, and Hussein made him look like a fool. Of course, GWB wanted to "avenge" his father.

Just to reiterate, I am not a class warfare victim. I just know most very rich people hide their income- that's what good high salaried CPA's are paid for. In my line of work, I see that every day- people making well over 6 figures, yet paying very little in taxes, sometimes paying less than me. Enough of my soapboxing. I really need to go get a beer tonight!

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:36 p.m. (Suggest removal)

actually, Tripsa, it started in the Ford administration.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:38 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Granny- no problem here. I am respectful to others provided they are respectful to me. I don't ever view violence as a solution to anything. Anyone that does ever justify violence, or hurling insults is a pathetic soul.

I'd venture to say that I would probably have a beer with just about anyone here, provided they don't have a rebel flag in the back of their car.

Posted by Lovely_One on July 8, 2008 at 3:41 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Thanks tripsa. I haven't decided who I am voting for as of yet. These debates on these articles are chock full of information and reading them along with the resources is very helpful.

BTW, I am a black woman who leans more towards the Republican side, I think I am in trouble this election.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Agreed, Gadsden about conducting the war at 30,000 feet. I did see the writing on the wall long before we sent in ground troops- there is no way to win this type of war- they follow no Geneva Convention rules, follow no rules of engagement, and have no regard for human life. We made a big mistake by even starting this, which I leave at the feet of Bush and Cheney. That being said, immediate withdrawal will be catastrophic. What's the answer? I don't know. In the future, no more "no-bid" or "cost plus" contracts as well. What a cluster *%@$.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 3:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

tripsa, the independents are sneaking in UNDER the fence.

Posted by ColdBeer on July 8, 2008 at 3:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I keep hearing that McCain supports amnesty, but I've never actually heard him say anything like that. Where does that come from? I'm not saying it's not true, I'm just saying I'd like to hear it from the horse's mouth. His website does not discuss amnesty.

I'm not positive, but I feel that the majority of Hispanic persons here in the US legally are against illegal immigrants. They are tired of the bad name that illegal immigrants are giving Hispanics as a whole. They also figure that if they used the system correctly, so should every one else. I don't think you can equate the Hispanic populations support for one candidate or another as a stance on illegal immigration.

IN MY OPINION, Obama has the following problems:

1) He seldom takes a definitive stance on any real issues. He may say "I support getting our troops out of Iraq right away", but he cannot tell you how he would do that, or even how long he defines "right away" as being. The word "change" is not good enough for me. We could elect a prostitute and you can be sure we'd get "change". What change? Give me details.

2) When he does try and make specific, detailed comments about an issue, he continuously puts his foot in his mouth, then back tracks, then changes his mind. Again, the man doesn't do well in the "details" department.

3) His patriotism, religious beliefs and racial views are still suspect in my mind. You can't attend, better said, be a member of a divisive, racist church for 20 years and claim that the church doesn't represent your mind set.

4) I doubt he has the slightest grasp on how to manage our military.

5) He has no real experience in our federal government and no experience at all when it comes to foreign affairs.

6) I feel he is sneaky and untrustworthy. He'll tell me one thing because he thinks that's what I want to hear, and then turn around and tell you the exact opposite.

8) He does not have the ability to portray himself as the leader of the most powerful country in the world. Image does count.

6) His wife is uglier than McCain's. (I've gotta throw my humor in :)) McCain’s wife does have some odd eyes though. Her eyes look like something out of a sci-fi movie.

McCain is not the be-all, end-all candidate. He is, however, by far, the best candidate we have to select from this time around.

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 3:58 p.m. (Suggest removal)

It's okay to flip, but not to flip-flop-flip.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 4:01 p.m. (Suggest removal)

what the heck..I say we all get together, have a few cold ones, and talk about what's really important- the upcoming pennant races and college football!

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 4:04 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden- props to you for knowing the signifigance of that date! I thought I was the only astronomy buff around here...that or you are really into the Mayan culture...

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 4:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Miller Lite '08. That is my candidate. Gadsden, as long as you hate the yanks, we are all good. I grew up here, but lived in Boston in the early 90s...fell in love with Fenway and the Sawx. Cubbies? Good for you. I think of them like my mentally challenged neighbor- harmless. No offense, however....LOL

Posted by mrmachi on July 8, 2008 at 4:16 p.m. (Suggest removal)

First of all, any of you that disagree with missthang are RACISTS. She worked very hard to copy and paste that riveting piece from Obama’s website (without giving credit). Thank you missthang for that wonderfully written example of how the main platform of this campaign is race. Nothing more. Luckily for you, it will continue after he wins. ANYBODY that disagrees with Obama will be considered a racist. Just like ANYBODY who does not vehemently despise George W. is a redneck moron.
Second, VMI and all of the other victims of wealth envy. Please keep in mind that probably 70% or so of the people in this post will be affected by that tax increase. Not necessarily because you make more than $250K a year, but because you work for someone who does. So when that someone’s taxes go up and your job gets cut or the person next to you gets their job cut, rest assure that the new income re-distribution plan will be able to give you the unemployment you have so rightfully earned.
Third, though I do not support Obama, I feel that those of you that reference “Osama” with his name simply to “make a point” are morons. Come up with a new argument, you make the rest of us look like idiots.

Posted by mrmachi on July 8, 2008 at 4:18 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OF COURSE! By the time I get my slow typing butt to reply, the conversation gets good.

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 4:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

OMG...Giada is smoking....love her! I also have this thing for Sandra Lee- kind of like when you were growing up, your classmate's smoking hot mom? Wow...I'd love to butter her muffin.
My channels of choice...ESPN (of course) TLC, Discovery, A&E, Food Network, MOJO (high def), Fox(only when Family Guy is on).

Posted by VMI1990 on July 8, 2008 at 4:20 p.m. (Suggest removal)

I'm outta here, folks..catch up with you tomorrow

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 4:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

www.baldwin2008.com

Have agreat evening everyone! :-)

Posted by Lovely_One on July 8, 2008 at 4:48 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Gadsden,

You leave Butters out of this. Lol!

Posted by Jane on July 8, 2008 at 4:53 p.m. (Suggest removal)

P.S. Outstanding analogy Gadsden! :-)

Posted by ysillyme on July 8, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

a lot of racism alive and well in Charleston/both sides

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 5:21 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by ysillyme on July 8, 2008 at 5:17 p.m. (Suggest removal)

"a lot of racism alive and well in Charleston/both sides"

I guess it depends on which world you live in. I don't see much of it on either side.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 8, 2008 at 5:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama refuses to debate McCain at small town forums. Why?

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 8, 2008 at 5:50 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Obama is no stranger to pork barrel spending, having clocked in with $740 million in earmarks in just three years. He made sure that his wife’s employer ($1M) and the organization run by hate monger Father Michael Pfleger ($225,000) were on the list. And the monstrous $300 billion farm bill (filled with subsidies for millionaire and corporate farms) and the 2005 highway bill with the infamous Bridge to Nowhere? He voted for them both.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 8, 2008 at 5:51 p.m. (Suggest removal)

From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced that he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.

After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.

143 days -- I keep leftovers in my refrigerator longer than that.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 8, 2008 at 5:57 p.m. (Suggest removal)

In 2005, less than two months after ascending to the U.S. Senate, Barack Obama bought more than $50,000 worth of stock in two speculative companies whose major investors included some of his biggest political donors.

One of the companies was a biotech concern that was starting to develop a drug to treat avian flu. In March 2005, two weeks after buying about $5,000 of its shares, Obama took the lead in a legislative push for more federal spending to battle the disease.

He also bought more than $50,000 in stock in a satellite communications business whose principal backers include four friends and donors who had raised more than $150,000 for his political committees.

A spokesman for Obama says the senator did not know that he had invested in either company.

Posted by Thomas1776 on July 8, 2008 at 6:09 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Why Barack Hussein Obama Cannot Be Trusted!

Racist Radical Pastors

Refusing to Wear American Flag

Friends with Domestic Bomber Ayres

Disowns his Church

Racist Wife

In 1991 Pledged Allegiance to the Black Value System (bet he placed his hand on his heart for this one)

Choosing not to Place Hand on Heart during National Anthem

Muslim Upbringing

Homosexual Sex Scandal

Friendship with 16 Count Convicted Felon Rezko

Citizenship and Family ties to Kenya

Endorsement from Hamas

Not Enough Political Experience

Votes Present more than Votes

Supports Killing the Unborn

Ranked #1 Tax and Spend Liberal

Campaign Promises that will Bankrupt the USA

Lies and Broken Campaign Promises

Called his own white grandmother a racist

Psychologist stated Obama was a fruitloop

Said he will block drilling for more US oil

Posted by stand828 on July 8, 2008 at 6:47 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Tired old same old, same old McCain, yet the Republicans in South Carolina will blindly vote for the old coot because he's a Republican and was once in the military. He's one of the wealthiest members of the Senate if you consider his wife's wealth. Republicans were more than willing to hold the wealth of John Kerry's wife against him, yet now it's a different story with their boy (or granpa, whatever).

It's hard to believe that those in one of the nation's poorest states actually believe that the tax cuts the rich have recieved under Bush benefit them in any way. When it comes down to it, it's the Bible thumping anti-choice crowd and racism that will give McCain a victory in South Carolina.

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 6:49 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by tripsa

"Conservative woman are always better looking than liberal babes"

They're better looking AND smarter. :)

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 6:56 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by greyrider on July 8, 2008 at 1:33 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Missthang - A black man for President? Great! JC Watts would make a tremendous President.

madd_dog2020 - Not only am I an Air Force vet, but I personally know one of the men in charge of training Iraq's soldiers to take over. He told me that the media will never tell the true story. The education system in Iraq under Saddam was so pathetic that they can't find enough semi-educated people to run a military. That's the real reason why this is taking so long.

Retired Army here, you know one, I know a whole lot more.

Posted by madd_dog2020 on July 8, 2008 at 7:10 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Posted by tripsa on July 8, 2008 at 6:19 p.m. (Suggest removal)

These points/comments;
From the time Barack Obama was sworn in as a United State Senator, to the time he announced that he was forming a Presidential exploratory committee, he logged 143 days of experience in the Senate. That's how many days the Senate was actually in session and working.

After 143 days of work experience, Obama believed he was ready to be Commander In Chief, Leader of the Free World, and fill the shoes of Abraham Lincoln, FDR, JFK and Ronald Reagan.

143 days -- I keep leftovers in my refrigerator longer than that.

No wonder you are writing this kind of crap, you are still eating those leftovers; it's time to throw it away, along with bush and his people (the Republicans party of South Carolina ;) Republicans love sticking to the same old same. When will you guy’s realize that we are living in a new time and day? Just deal with it. People, who want to maintain the status-quo, are the only ones who fear change

Posted by mrmachi on July 8, 2008 at 8:15 p.m. (Suggest removal)

Madd_dogg2020, please enlighten us with what sort of change, AND HOW, Obama plans for us.

Posted by stand828 on July 8, 2008 at 9:44 p.m. (Suggest removal)

or as the song goes - "tax the rich to feed the poor till there are no rich no more..."

I don't have a problem with that...

Seriously, though, the problems we face as far as class disparity were never severe until Reagan's "trickle-down" economy failed to trickle down. I'm not poor, and I'm not rich either, but I don't mind paying a fair share of taxes to help my community and those in it who haven't gotten the fair shake I have for whatever reason.

Posted by misszoe on July 9, 2008 at 7:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)

really, stand828, disparity wasn't severe until Reagan?
Were you alive before that? Have you ever seen gas rationed? Have you ever tried to buy a home with a 17%mortgage interest rate? Please, don't let liberal propaganda form your understanding of the American economy.

Additionally, we are capitalists in this country. If we are not capitalists then what? Socialists? Communists? If you "don't have a problem with" taxing "the rich...until there are no more rich" then you are not a capitalist? Do you not aspire to any wealth of your own? I do. And I am not in that group yet. It is the wealthy in this country who fund every major charity. I think it would be catastrophic to every charity worldwide for you to eliminate the wealthy in this country. But, please, go ahead, be my guest. If that's what makes you truly happy...

Posted by Jane on July 9, 2008 at 8:43 a.m. (Suggest removal)

stand828 why don't you move to a communist country where everyone is equal....equally miserable and poor. Well, except the rich bast**ds that are in power that is.