Barack Obama, say what you will, touched this nation in a way that few can.

Part of his speech touched me in a personal way.

I can no more disown him than I can disown the black community. I can no more disown him than I can my white grandmother - a woman who helped raise me, a woman who sacrificed again and again for me, a woman who loves me as much as she loves anything in this world, but a woman who once confessed her fear of black men who passed by her on the street, and who on more than one occasion has uttered racial or ethnic stereotypes that made me cringe.

This statement reminds me of a conversation that I had with my very bigoted grandfather. My Poppi passed away last year, and was 92 when he passed. The majority of his life was lived on the white side of segregation, and he always had a hard time adjusting to desegregation. I still loved him.

I loved him, when I married a hispanic man right out of high school, and had a baby. When he told me that my child would not be welcome in his house because he had "his blood in her body" I cried. Despite his feelings, and statements, when my daughter was born, his first great grandchild, he loved her. He would have spent any amount of money to help her. He even went so far as to buy my hispanic husband, my daughter, and myself a house to live in when we had none. He did this so my daughter would never want. He learned to love her, and I loved him for it.

When that same husband got another woman pregnant, and left me with nothing, my Poppi did not say, I told you so. He sent me money every month, so I could pay for child care. My daughter never wanted for anything. I loved him.

When I met the most amazing man I have ever known, and brought him to meet my grandparents, my Poppi was accommodating but, not very nice, to my new black boyfriend. It stung for me, and I can't imagine how my husband felt at the time.

That was the only time my grandparents met my husband. My grandmother passed away shortly after that. A few years later, I married this man. My grandfather was not in attendance. I didn't invite him; I knew he wouldn't come, and I didn't want to hear him say that. Shortly after we married, my Poppi moved to Az. to live in an assisted living appt.

I went to visit him several times, with my daughter, but my husband never came. Mostly because my Poppi always paid for the airfare for us to come, and I never asked for 3 tickets, and he never offered.

One day, I asked if my husband could come with us to visit if we paid for his ticket. He said, "What will my neighbors think". I cried so hard. That stung to my core. I went on that trip alone. It was a tough trip, and I was ready to go home by the end. I still loved my Poppi though.

He never got past his past, to be happy for my future. It hurt, but I did still love him. I tried to understand the time that he grew up in. I never justified it, and I still struggle with it.

Obama's speech tonight touched me, and I cried again. I understand why he couldn't disown his grandmother, and I understand why he can't disown Rev. Wright.

Many here do not agree/understand church specifically Christianity, but it is possible to go to a church, even for a number of years, and not follow the pastor around blindly agreeing with everything. It is possible to attend church regularly, even pay a significant amount of money, listen to each sermon intently, and not always agree, but still come back the next weekend.

Church is not a cult, well not always, I realize that there are exceptions, but I promise you that Obama's church is not one of them. Obama doesn't have to agree with EVERY WORD Rev. Wright said. My pastor has said many things that I don't always agree with. I can think for myself, and so can Obama.

This is RW rhetoric, and if you buy into this pastorgate crap, then you are beyond help.

people say that Obama supporters don't tout his policies. Well, I will do the best I can. I am not nearly as articulate or intelligent as many here. But, I know what is important to me. I know what issues affect me and my family.

Saying that Hillary is so much better on the "issues" than Obama is objective at best. Sure, if you support one or the other, you would probably think their policies are top notch. Now, neither Clinton nor Obama were my first or even second choice. I am pretty far to the left, so Kucinich was my man.....but alas, I am wandering.

The other day, my mother-in-law told me that she would admit that she was really voting for Obama because people say "black people don't stick together and support one another". She said that she didn't really know where he stood on the major issues, and wanted me to help her.

I realized that I really didn't know too much. I mean I knew that he SAID he wants to end the war, but I didn't know his plan. I had no idea what his health care plan was, much less his plan for the economy. In that moment, I felt 2 inches tall. How could I call myself a "supporter". Was I myself guilty of voting on "bullshit" issues (i.e. race, religion etc.)?

I went to his website when I got home. Now, on the front page of barackobama.com is his "blueprint for change". It is one of the first things you see. I downloaded it. I must say, I was quite impressed. Increase in minimum wage, and tie it to inflation, $4,000 tax credit to go to college that is available immediately, requiring employers to offer 7 sick days a year. He even wants to bring high speed internet to rural areas. That helps me so much.

Here is a man that is clearly for the common man; someone that understands what it is like to struggle. He seems to really want to make daily life better for the average American.

I said to myself, "self since you weren't sure in the first place, you should give Hillary a chance to prove herself on those same issues." So I went to hillaryclinton.com. Her site did not have a downloadable "blueprint" if you will. It has several links to donate money (as did Obama's), make phone calls, etc. I had to really look to find the link for the issues. Her's was not nearly as in depth as what I had just seen.

I will admit that I didn't read Hillary's stand on most of the issues. I didn't give her the same amount of time that I did Obama, but that is because I don't support her not because of the issues, but because of her corporate/lobbyist nature.

One thing I did notice, Obama stated that he would have all of our troops home within 16 months (yes there is the disclaimer of "assuming nothing major happens". As stated earlier, he was not my first choice). Clinton has no time table that I could find. I am sure that some of you will prove me wrong on this if I am.

The point of this post is that Obama can stand on the issues. He isn't focused on that right now because he is focused on defending himself, but if you are concerned with the issues, he makes it easier to find where he stands than Hillary does.

I can not think of anything great to say. I am sad at the state this country is in. I am frustrated by our leaders in both parties. I am mad at the racial undercurrents still running strong in this country. I am baffled at the level of ignorance we posses. I am in wondrous amazement at the shredding of the Constitution and the Bill of Rights, and those that are letting it happen. I am stunned at the atrocities performed in the name of "security".

I am most of all concerned. I am concerned for my children, your children, and all future generations. I am also at a loss. I don't know what to do or how to make things better. I don't even know if people REALLY want things to get better.

My short time on DU has been informative, interesting, and a little hairy at times. DU gives me hope. For the most part, the people on DU are great. I have learned things here, that I would have never known. I have formed opinions, and realized just how little I actually know. I think it is great that we have a place where we can come and voice our frustrations and share in each others pain. Sometimes I don't know what I would do without DU!

So thank you DU'ers for making my first 1000 posts memorable, and heres to hoping that the posts to come just get better and better!

DU-

Ok, now for my promised explanation of my opinion.

First, rateyes, thank you so much for this experiment. IMO it is one of the more thought provoking threads that I have read (in my limited experience,). I think in a fair and non-biased way, you present a VALID option to the infighting on DU lately, and to what some of us feel is a genuine problem for the Democratic Party.

I have been very vocal over the last month or so about how I feel about Hillary. I am young 29, and a political baby, so there is much that I don't understand. I made up my mind (more or less) that I would NOT vote for Hillary in ANY election. MANY have been critical, and with their own valid reasons. I have not always been able to back up some of my claims or opinions. I have never, to my knowledge, stated blatantly false facts. In some cases, I have read or heard information that I believed, that later was proven false.

On the other hand, I have strong personal beliefs. I know how my life experiences have played out, and how government decisions affect us on a daily basis. I know that I am anti-war. I know that this country is in a health care crisis, and that my family has no insurance. I know that this country is sliding in to the "old days" of racism. I know that the current administration has shredded the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. I believe that all people are created equal regardless of what country they happen to be born into, or what economic situation they are born into. I believe that companies shouldn't be running our government. I believe that our government has a certain responsibility to ALL citizens, not just those that are "rich". I believe that our government and yes, even our Party is beginning to fail us as a people.

Maybe some of that is naive. So be it. All of us have to grow up, and learn in our own manner. Over the last few months, I have begun to dislike Hillary Clinton's stand (or lack there of) on many issues. Her vote on the K/L pushed me over the edge. It is too much like the lead up to Iraq, and she should have learned. How can I expect my President to lead the "greatest nation on earth" if she if fooled twice by the same idiots.

I have read Hillary's "stand on the issues". I don't like it, and I don't trust her with the most important job in this country, if not the world. I can't explain it in the best way. I did make it clear that I wouldn't vote for her. There are many that agree with me, and there are many that disagree. That is usually that case with almost everything.

However, this "experiment", for all those that said it was meaningless, showed me other ways to prevent the train wreck that is HRC/DLC. I am willing to support the 2nd place candidate. I don't give up my vote for Kucinich easily, but I think that he would want the best for the Party, and he knows that isn't Clinton. I do this hoping that Kucinich could still have a chance at VP. With this scenario, I would still have to think really hard about what I would do if Hillary still got the nomination. That, thankfully is something I still have time to think about.

I think having options is always a good thing. A person without any options can do crazy things. So again, rateyes, thank you for this experiment, and giving us all something to think about.

Well I consider myself a democrat. I have always been a democrat. I tend to be more liberal than conservative. Several discussions on DU over the last few days prompted me to write this. There are some on this forum that feel that if a person does not support a democratic candidate, that they must be a freeper, a troll, or a republican.

I think people have forgotten what it is to be a democrat. Here is a definition.

dem·o·crat /ˈdɛməˌkræt/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun 1. an advocate of democracy.
2. a person who believes in the political or social equality of all people.
3. (initial capital letter) Politics. a. a member of the Democratic party.
b. a member of the Democratic-Republican party.

4. Also called democrat wagon. a high, lightweight, horse-drawn wagon, usually having two seats.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dem...

The first definition is an advocate of democracy. So what is democracy?


de·moc·ra·cy /dɪˈmɒkrəsi/ Pronunciation Key - Show Spelled Pronunciation Pronunciation Key - Show IPA Pronunciation
–noun, plural -cies. 1. government by the people; a form of government in which the supreme power is vested in the people and exercised directly by them or by their elected agents under a free electoral system.
2. a state having such a form of government: The United States and Canada are democracies.
3. a state of society characterized by formal equality of rights and privileges.
4. political or social equality; democratic spirit.
5. the common people of a community as distinguished from any privileged class; the common people with respect to their political power.

http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/dem...

No where in the definition of democracy do I see anything about political parties.


Now the 2nd definition of democrat is a person who believes in the political or social equality of all people.

I think we can all agree, regardless of whom we support, that we believe in this definition. I could go on, but I think you all get my point.

Being a democrat, or an advocate of democracy does not mean that you HAVE to agree with every political figure that is a REPRESENT IVE of the democratic party.

If I don't agree with candidate X on several issues doesn't mean that I am not a democrat. Actually I believe that if a candidate does not represent democracy, is it very democratic to support them because of their party affiliation.

We all have to remember what being a democrat really is, and evaluate whether your candidate best represents that. Otherwise, the once great democratic values will be completely lost!

I am 29. I do stand by what I said though. I think any continuation of this stupid war in Iraq is a huge mistake. I think any kind of attack or war with Iran is a huge mistake. I think that by saying that you will vote for whoever gets results could backfire. I will not be a part of that. Maybe I am wrong, but what if I am right.

Hypothetical: (I don't know about you, but I do not currently have any kind of health care coverage) What if in 2010 we still don't have a real solution to the health care crisis? What if we are still at war with Iraq, and with Iran at that point? What if we are in a depression at that point? What if we are still illegally detaining, and torturing people in the name of the "war on terror"?

How will you feel then? Will you still stand by your support of the candidate that gave you the best chance to have a Democrat in office instead of the candidate that offered REAL change?

for the repukes if something does change between now and then. That is why I don't like sitting in the middle trying to please everyone.

If Obama for example said I will pull the troops out within 6 months of my taking office, unless there is a dramatic change between now and then. Then follow that up with what he would qualify for a dramatic enough change to justify staying there. I might have more respect for that than fence sitting. I have no respect for fence sitting.

I for one want a president that says what he believes, and will stand up for what he believes, not lay down when a corporate interest asks you to.

by saying that he is "too far left" "unelectable" or "it will never happen".

I guess, hell I really don't know. My honest opinion is that the "party" doesn't represent what it once stood for. It is no longer the party of the people. Dennis represents what the party used to be, and I guess some just feel that he "isn't tough enough"

See my thinking is that we need to really find out why the "terrorists" hate us so much. I mean the real reason, not "they hate us for our freedoms". That isn't it. I think Dennis is the only one that realizes that, but so many have been "terrorized" by our own government that they think the only way to deal with terrorists is to blow the shit out of a country. A country by the way that had nothing to do with 9/11.

But what do I know

Well, this morning I am so frustrated that I really do not know what to do. I know what I plan to do in the primaries, and I thought I knew what I would do regardless of who won the nomination. Well HRC made up my mind for me yesterday.

A question to all that blindly support HRC, Why? I just don't understand it. I think as a whole DU is against the continued war with Iraq. I also think that as a whole, DU is against attacking Iran. I would even venture a guess that even Hilliary supporters are against a war with Iran.

Do you not see the path we are headed down? Do you not see that by sitting in the middle, Hilliary is trying to cater to both right and left, and that by blindly supporting her you are making it possible for her to continue to cater to the right and still have her supporters on the left.

Why will we not stand up for what is right? Are we really ready for a change, or do you just want to see a Dem in the WH? The lesser of 2 evils dose not mean that it isn't evil.

This election is one of the absolute most important in our country's history. There are only 2 paths to go. The right way and the wrong way. Just because your candidate has a D behind their name does not mean they will lead you down the right path.

What do you stand for, the truth, or the lesser of 2 evils?

is that he will speak the truth, stand up for the truth, and be the truth, even if it costs him the election. He will not SELL OUT to the insurance companies, lobbyists, or big business. He will stand his ground. All these effin people that say yeah, I like him, but he will never get elected are driving me effin insane. I don't understand.

Well, I say this today, if you support any of the "leading" candidates, I don't want to hear the bitching in 3 years when you still don't have health care, we are still at war with Iraq, and probably Iran at that point. I don't want to hear it when the economy is in the toilet and you say, well at least we have a Dem in the WH. What the fuck good is a Dem in the WH if they are going to sell out????

Is that what we really want. We need to stop and really take a look.

My job requires me to sit at my computer all day. While at work, I like to browse various web-sites. DU quickly became one of my favorite.

There is something that I have noticed not only here, but in alot of liberals that I talk to. There is an overwhelming feeling of "well that will never get, a)passed, b)voted on, c)the attention it deserves, d)through Congress or the WH" so I see no reason in supporting it."

Now, I know that the overwhelming frustration and anger towards what has happened to this country over the last 7 years has lead some to the conclusion that nothing can be done about it. I am not quite there yet, and I pray that I never get there.

I admit that fixing this country's problems, whether they be health care, education, the economy, the war, or any of the numerous problems facing us today, will be an uphill battle. We can not quit!!! We can not give up! We have to stand and fight. We have to demand that our rights are just that, our RIGHTS. We have to write letters, sign petitions, get out and talk.

This can not continue to happen. We will not survive as a nation if we keep giving up. Regardless of who you support in the election, push them. Do not let their feet out of the fire.

I urge YOU DU'ers DO NOT GIVE UP. We can be the once great nation we used to be.

Please forgive my naiveness, I just have to hold on to that hope.

I had this thought this morning on my way to work. I support our troops. Anyone who wants to end this war supports our troops. Contrary to bushco "belief" it is anyone who wants to continue this war isn't in full support of our troops. Notice that I said full support, because I would hope that even those that have bought into this crap and think the war should "continue until it is ""safe"", support the troops in their way.

Now I can't possibly imagine what it is like for our troops, no matter where they are stationed. I think I support our troops more because of their incredible bravery in fighting a battle unknown to them each and every day. Those in Iraq don't know what or who could attack them at any moment. There is no one solid army to identify and fight. Those that are lucky enough to be in the States, live with knowing that they could be called back any day.

I know that these brave YOUNG men believe in their country. Many of them sign up full knowing and willing to fight this fight. I applaud them for that. Many however sign up to escape circumstances that they had no control over. Many don't have the money or resources to escape any other way, and the believe that the military can help them entices them. I applaud them as well. I cheer the men and women that do what I could never have the courage to do. I cry for those that don't make it home. Regardless of why one signed up, they did sign up. THANK YOU ALL!!!!!!!!!!!!!

So don't get it twisted bushco, I SUPPORT OUR TROOPS, I just wish you would as well!