Why should we be concerned?

Why are you concerned? Because he is the first black President? As long as he is a good question I wouldn’t care if he was a Martian.

@theredjawa – is that your ignorant question to anyone not supporting him?

no. He would be the perfect person for the position.

@johnpowell – I believe a large number of people supporting Obama, do not really know anything about him. So why are you not concerned? What has he done in his political career that has you voting for him without concern. I’m being honest, I would like to know. I happen to know a pretty measurable amount about him. There are certain things that concern me about him.

I know quite a bit about him as well. I support his record and particularly his stance on creative commons. He actually understands the direction technology needs to be going.

@vanguardian Could you please state something that concerns you? Clearly others aren’t as concerned as you are…

Yeah. You didn’t say why you were concerned. A lot of people are ignorant and don’t want him president just because he is black. He would be so much better than Hilary.

he is just an invented candidate. That is not good for this great nation. His views are very socialist.

socialist views are what we need right now. This country cannot take any more ignorance. The workers need a president. It’s time to stop wasting money on war and start focusing on what matters: curbing big business and setting up free health care for those who need it. The welfare system had gone to hell over the last eight years. We need someone smart enough to fix that. Someone with his priorities in order.

delirium how about take a trip to Russia or Venezuela or Cuba or china and live there for a couple years let me know how things going

lmao… communism is not socialism. Canada is your example here buster… Not Cuba.

@chino2k instead of characterizing Obama’s ideas as “socialist”, and then equating socialism to communism, and then equating communist to particular pseudo-communist dictatorships, why don’t you try explaining which of his policy proposals concern you most. Both you and vanguardian have thus far been rather vague in your criticisms. McCarthyism may have worked in the 1950s, but not so much anymore.

PS: The new McCarthyism is accusing people of being terrorists, terrorist sympathizers, or Muslims. You should get up to speed on the 21st century bogeyman.

this isnt an answer but that just rminded me of the Roy Zimmerman song “let’s go after the buddhists” (comedy song, to clarify)

interesting question, and my answer is I lack knowledge about obama that’s why I lack some concern. In simple terms I m wondering what’s good about him and what’s bad about him in regards to how he plans to run the U. S. Since I don’t much about the man.

I’ve been following Obama for the past couple years, particularily through his podcast. While during that time all I could hear coming from the Bush admin and other established political figures in the US was hate, fear, and ignorance Obama was the only voice speaking intelligently, being hopeful, inclusive, and trying to address the actual core issues dividing the nation. As far as I can see, he is the only candidate still running NOT to be concerned about.

PS: Vanguardian, your leading questions and their attempts at spreading FUD are annoying and completely transparent.

I am concerned about Hillary or Obama or McCain becoming president.

Obama surely has the ability to inspire mass amounts of people based solely on his personality and charisma. Unfortunately, his views are way too left wing for my taste, and his policies would put us much further in debt. Personally, I prefer Ron Paul’s philosophy, but he doesn’t stand a chance, obviously.

my professor says obams has a high risk of getting assassinated because he is black. I’m not sure myself. Just something to think about.

I am sure that if he were assassinated, enough people would be incensed enough to overturn the government. We lost John F. Kennedy for similar reasons, and two times in a row is too many. Mediocrity is the enemy.

@all…First of all, my thoughts are primarily in reference to the following. McCain supporters and Hillary supporters, both have concerns about their candidates. It seems as though Obama supporters do not seem to think he has any flaws. I was curious as to why.

To answer all of your questions, regarding my concerns… I do have several. As you would assume correctly I am not an Obama supporter. I plan on voting for McCain, though I do not support all of his views and am concerned with his views on Iraq & Immigration.

So, really only a few of you actually answered my question, but instead the rest decided to come at me because I am not supporting him. Why the hostility? Is it because I am not conforming to the masses and supporting Obama?

@maverick – obviously you have a problem with me, as it has been apparent with other posts you decided to personally come at me. I am not the only one you have had issues with. So, I could really care less about your opinions.

I do have concerns with Obama…

I am concerned with the Nation of Islam Minister Louis Farrakhan backing Obama. Farrakhan has repeatedly made statements and hate speeches targeting Jews, whites, America, and homosexuals.

I am concerned with Obama’s relationship with Rev. Jeremiah Wright. After 9/11 this is what Obamas Minister and close friend said…“In the 21st century, white America got a wake-up call after 9/11/01,”“White America and the Western world came to realize that people of color had not gone away, faded into the woodwork or just ‘disappeared’ as the Great White West kept on its merry way of ignoring black concerns.” Wright also said that the attacks were retribution for America’s racism. Now don’t go saying I do not support Obama, because he is black. You do not know anything about me and I would appreciate you not making that assumption.

I am concerned with Michelle Obama’s comment that “For the first time in my adult lifetime, I am really proud of my country”

I hope that answers your questions and maybe Obama supporters can at least give me some reasons why they are not concerned, because that was the original question.

Thanks and I guess, let the attacks begin

vanguardian you are great. I’m with you man. I don’t want to see my country turn like holland. Good job man.

It’s a good question, especially with the context explained. I must admit the way it was worded led me to similar assumptions.

I would say we are less concerned because the media is less concerned, for one.

Two, I think the pendulum has swung far enough in the wrong direction that people are craving hope and optimism over any other concern. Just look at how many experienced candidates have already left the race. People aren’t as interested in experience this go ‘round.

I think we’re on the brink of a generational
shift. The perception is that Obama “gets it” in a way that Clinton and McCain don’t. The rhetoric reflects this, I think, in terms of Obama sticking to higher ground in the face of attacks from his opponents. Edwards was similar, but his message was dated.

Maybe there’s more of a tabula rasa effect going on. There’s just less to know (and more to project).

Regarding his affiliations with questionable black leaders, I say, “so what?” Same goes for Michele Obama’s comments. I think both are wholly consistent with “the black experience” in America, which is, generally speaking, a much different experience than “white America,” and remains a legacy of institutionalized racism in this country. An example, 1 in 100 Americans is incarcerated, while 1 in 15 black Americans is. Yes, they each individually probably did something to get there, but what would your perception be if you were a minority in this country and that was your people’s lot in life?

So taken in that context, I don’t think Michele Obama’s comment is all that surprising or unwarranted. Maybe a little bit embellished for TV, but to me that’s forgivable.

Compared to Bush, any of the big three would make a better president. Out of them all, I’m most concerned about Hillary b/c I don’t think that power should be held by two families, and I’m concerned that the Republicans will make a public clusterfk of her term just like they did with Bill.

Your concerns seem to be about:
1. Farrakhan. (who is not Obamma)
2. Rev. Wright. (who is not Obamma)
3. Michelle. (who is not Barak Obama)
You have yet to give a concern about the actual candidate. (or is “guilt by association” all you got?)

@ sferik – Obama is a Muslim.

Justkidding

McCarthyism… I suppose that’s why tossing around Obama’s middle name is so loaded? (snark)

@kevbo – thank you for a thoughtful response.

@breedmitch – At least take the time to answer the question. Are you seriously going to say that it doesn’t matter at all? Yes my concern is the company he keeps. You would be wearing blinders to think otherwise. Where in this post do I blast Obama? Where do I say he would not be a good President? Is it that wrong to have concerns about Obama’s associations? Farrankhan is anti-gay, anti-white and an anti-semite. Rev. Wright is anti-american. I would feel the same way if any candidate was associated with someone that was racist towards african-americans, jews or any other ethnicity. Racism is racism. It goes both ways. So, ok then, you win. Maybe the next time, you can answer the question first, before coming at me. Don’t take the easy way. The thing is you probably don’t know anything more about Obama, then what you read or see in the media. Regardless thanks for your contribution.

vanguardian, Why the hostility? your referring to someone as ignorant then indicating that you knew a lot about Obama as if everyone else was clueless probably had something to do with the tone of the answers.

Farrakhan supports Obama because he’s black, Obama does not support Farrakhan.
kevbo stated it pretty well when referring to his wife, and the stance of his minister.
It’s from a perspective of a black culture.
I went to the churches web site and I don’t believe that his minister is overtly racist, his ministry promotes blacks to believe in themselves and not to be ashamed to be black. There are several white minister’s on the staff as well as white members of the church.

As far as the 9/11 comment ministers often make extreme comments that irk others. A prominent white minister made similar comments about America and 9/11 just without the white reference. Another made a comment after Katrina that it was God’s punishment of New Orleans sinful nature, and similar comments were made after the Tsunami in Indonesia in relation to the presence of Islam.

If you look at some of the bills Obama has worked on or supported you’ll find he’s worked on both sides of the isle and he’s also worked together with McCain. I’m sure his supporter’s wont hold that against him.

I also plan on voting for McCain, but I feel the Obama is good for America. Whether he gets elected as President or remains a Senator, I feel confident America will benefit from his contribution.

Vangaurdian, I don’t have an issue with you, just your loaded questions. Have a question, ask it, don’t make it a retirical statement that promotes a viewpoint. If you did that, I think you’d find the responses much more civil. Cheers.

Saying Obama keeps company with Farrakhan is a red herring. He wants nothing to do with him. Talking Points Memo has a good refutation to that line of argument. I don’t know anything about Rev. Wright, but I do know that a lot of people who legitimately criticized the direction of the U.S. over the last 7 years have been called “anti-american” (sic). I’m nothing like Michelle Obama, but I feel the same way, that the U.S. has a lot to be ashamed of over our recent history.

Anyway, to answer your question, my concerns with Obama are that he’s not liberal enough. Socialist? That makes me laugh! He wouldn’t be anywhere near this close to the presidency if he were anything like a Socialist. I am American, but living in New Zealand and I can tell you we have a few things to learn about how to take care of our population (e.g., health care here is very good and very cheap).

I think Barack Obama will make an excellent president. I read Dreams of my Father and came away impressed with his honesty, earnestness and intelligence. He doesn’t run away from his past (“I didn’t inhale.” ... talk about guilt by association!), he is forthright with his struggles to find an identity as a child of mixed race in America, and he has the experience of living overseas. Too many Americans (George W. Bush circa 1999, for instance) have barely been out of the country, if at all, and have no idea how interconnected we really are with the rest of the world.

Too bad this thread got off on a bad foot, but your question was rather leading without a lot of context as to where you were coming from in asking it. Yes, I have concerns, but they are dwarfed by the opportunity I think we have to get past a lot of the rancour and make some progress in our country. I believe strongly that either McPain or Shillary will be just more of the same nasty, partisan, attack politics.

@segdeha – thank you. I really appreciate a sincere response. Debate is healthy. I believe the more openly we debate, the more we learn from eachother. Its very hard to express a non-liberal stance on this site, without getting thrown out with the bath water. I pretty much got in a battle before I could even respond. I am a registered independent and like I said have concerns with anyone running for office. I don’t believe or trust any of them. That’s just my opinion. It just seems that the media especially are afraid to go after Obama. If Clinton or McCain wrote in a book that they did coke, believe me every news outlet would be all over it. Its not a good sign to have a candidate not being challenged. Not many people read his book or know anything about him. Its okay though, I have thick skin. I studied Political Science @ NYU and had a very liberal professor (shocker) there, so I’m used to it. I just wish that others wouldn’t enter attack mode and engage in a real debate about it. Excuse the typos, iPhone & driving.

he was a junior senator who hasnt even begun to get his feet wet. That’s concern enough for me. And this nagging feeling that he is part of the Muslim world.

He downplays his name: barrack HUSSEIN OBAMA

his father was Muslim he went to such a school in Africa.

However long or short period of time, he was IMMERSED In the culture. For him to act like he has no ties or remembrance…. I have a hard time accepting or believing that.

Antichrist (cough cough

I must correct you when you claim he went to a muslim school; he never once did. That was a lie spread by people who do not like him. He went to catholic schools when he was little, and later entered the public school system. He lived in hawaii and Indonesia, never a muslim country.

Do not allow the television and hearsay be your only fact sources.

His middle name is Hussein. This is a fact. Are you prejudiced against Muslims? Do you have an irrational fear of all Muslim people? It is a name given him by his parents. If he had tried to ever get the name changed, it would have brought about more conspiracy theories than ever before, making running for office near-impossible. Do not give in to xenophobic urges.

@mcw, Barack never went to school in Africa. He lived in Indonesia for a few years as a child. It’s all there for everyone to see, out in the open, in his book Dreams of my Father. I suggest you read it before forming an opinion of the man.

@squirbel, Actually, Indonesia is a predominately Muslim country. But, you’re right, Barack is not Muslim, has never been Muslim, and even if he was, why in the world would that disqualify him from leading the United States? If anything, a Muslim president might be able to bring some reconciliation and the hope of real progress to the issues facing us with regards to the Middle East, don’t you think?

I find it really amusing when people think that because someone’s middle name is Hussein, they must want to blow up the United States. I find it even funnier when people think that Obama is the same as Osama.

For the record, None other than Karl Rove thinks Republicans should not try to stir up fear by drawing attention to Barack’s middle name because it will sound like a “rallying cry for bigots.”

I wouldn’t say I’m prejudiced against all Muslims…. Leery is a better word.

For.give my incorrect answers last night. I had one too many glasses of wine and was too out of it to navigate the phone to the facts page. It was Indonesia and not Africa where he lived in a predominantly Muslim country. Kenya, I believe, is where his father lived.

And forgive me also for being leery of a man with possible ties (anything is possible) to the middle east.

I lost my brother on 9/11. Say what you will I don’t think its outnt character or unnormal the way I feel or anyone else who feels this way

Hopefully youre all correct is way. .

@mcw #1 Barack Obama is not a Muslim. His father was a non-practicing Muslim who left the family when Obama was two years old. After the age of two, Obama was raised by his mother, a Christian, and Obama himself has always identified strongly as a Christian.

#2 What basis do you have to claim that Barack Obama has “possible ties to the Middle East” (other than his middle name)? In America, at a time when Muslims are confounded with terrorists, pulling this claim out of thin air can be seen as nothing other than defamatory. If you’re worried about connections between American political families and the Middle East, I’d highly recommend reading Craig Unger’s House of Bush, House of Saud.

#3 I’m very sorry that you lost your brother on September 11, 2001. I imagine you’re still angry about this and for good reason: despite four months advanced warning, the attacks were not averted; more than six years later, the conspirator behind the attack is still at large. I would simply ask that you refrain from unfairly directing your anger toward Barack Obama.

@mcw You say “anything is possible” about Obama having ties to the Middle East.

To quote Stephen Jay Gould, “In science, ‘fact’ can only mean ‘confirmed to such a degree that it would be perverse to withhold provisional assent.’ I suppose that apples might start to rise tomorrow, but the possibility does not merit equal time in physics classrooms.”

Likewise, Obama might have ties to the Middle East (just as John McCain or Mike Huckabee might have ties to the Middle East), but without any evidence, the possibility does not merit discussion on Fluther.

Also, sorry to hear about your brother.

@sferik, If I might err towards pedantry, I’d say it’s not calling someone Muslim that’s defamatory. It’s confounding Muslims with terrorists that’s defamatory. Read Being Called a Muslim Is Not a Smear

@mcw, I, too, am sorry you lost someone close to you on 9/11. I watched the Pentagon burn that day and saw people sobbing on the streets and a flood of thousands of office workers walking out of the city (because the subway was closed) like yuppie refugees. That was a terrible day. Terrible. But, it doesn’t mean all Muslims are angry towards the United States, nor even that they have ties to the Middle East (any more than a Christian might have ties to Israel). In my opinion, what we should be leery of is judging people by their name or insinuations about their past. It’s racism, just as clearly as judging someone by the color of their skin is racism. The only way the world is going to become a more peaceful place is when we can all rise above this level of judgement and base our opinions about people on their actions, not skin color, nationality, religion, etc. Osama bin Laden is an evil person for directing the 9/11 attacks. No doubt. I also have no doubt that Barrack Hussein Obama being elected president is the best thing that could happen to the United States.

just because the nation if Islam supports obama doesnt mean he is Muslim or he’s going to commit terrorism on the u.s. He’s Christian and has been going to the same church for over 20 years. And isn’t this country with the rights to free religion. To say that I’m Buddhist and aren’t allow to support any1 based on there religion because someone else ignorance will misconstrue our whole outlook of life. I would have to say that that’s not being bias or openly opinionated but being prejudice

The new McCarthyism is accusing people of being racist, bigots hateful, mean spirited, etc.. if they don’t agree with the viewpoint and only the viewpoint of the open minded liberals.