Letters to the Editor
Wahle Peoples
Published Letters: 9
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An Embarassment to Us...
[Read the article: Lee Bollinger's big moment]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Mr. Bollinger's comments were deplorable. It would have been perfectly acceptable to state that there were questions about Mr. Ahmadinejad's credibility/veracity but to personally attack him was indefensible. It was a crude attempt at redeeming himself against the vocal outrage of the neoconservatives who want war with Iran and those who refuse to acknowledge that the Palestine/Israel conflict is a primary source of the conflict in the Middle East. Mr. Ahmadinejad has many issues with his positions but so does our President. Right is right.
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Political Realities
[Read the article: Pam Spaulding for Glenn Greenwald: Obama zapped by the third rail of black homophobia]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]What you've described is definitely true for Obama. For him to disinvite McClurkin would be considered a slap in the face to the black evangelical community. This, in addition to the inane musings from some African-Americans that "he's not black enough", would effectively be the end of his campaign. I'm not sure most of the readers can comprehend how deeply homophobic comments and beliefs, like those of McClurkin, are ingrained in the black evangelical, and the larger black, community. Taking a stand against this type of homophobia by disinviting McClurkin may well gain him LGBT votes but I guarantee you it will kill his candidacy in the black community where the black church is extremely influential.
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Ret'd MP, Ondelette, Kitt, et.al:
[Read the article: Jonah Goldberg and Glenn Reynolds warn of "social unraveling" if Obama loses]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Very good insights into comparisons of Obama vs. Ali re: the tone of their respective political voices. As an African-American male, I'd like to share an AP article from 2006 that spoke directly to my own professional experiences and one which may be impacting Obama's public behavior as well. I think you'll find that it credibly explains risks for Obama in adopting a persona akin to John Edwards. And for full disclosure... although I am leaning towards Obama, I would have absolutely no problem supporting any of the top three Democratic candidates
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/07/01/AR2006070100462.html
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Re: Demo Christian, Ondelette
[Read the article: Jonah Goldberg and Glenn Reynolds warn of "social unraveling" if Obama loses]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I've been away from the thread for a while but wanted to chime in on a few points. I agree that we (blacks, the various posters) do not all see the world through the same experiences and it's naive, indeed counterproductive, to approach others as if they do. That said, I did not read Glenn's post assuming that his intent was to slander blacks or alert white America that the "N" folks are coming...run and hide! Thrasher: As a fellow "brother" and with the utmost respect, I suggest that you be more charitable in your impressions of others and more importantly, be more temperate in your expressions. You add nothing to this debate by hurling accusations at "white posters" who you claim know nothing about the "black experience." As I (and others) have stated earlier, there is no one, unique black experience and/or position on not only this but on most issues. But there is valuable learning that comes from listening to a diversity of view points ...regardless of the source. Ondelette: Understand your point...in addition to the need for inspiration, I think this election is going to require all of us to suspend some of our cynicism about the candidates (as well as the process) and allow ourselves to "believe" again. I know that putting ourselves out there brings the possibility of being hurt (again) but I don't know of any other way.
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Thanks Glenn -
[Read the article: The difference between Jeremiah Wright and radical, white evangelical ministers]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]for adding some context to the near hysteria over Rev. Wright's comments and for highlighting the hypocrisy of the many reporters and pundits who fail to compare his comments with like statements from "acceptable" evangelicals. I wish people would focus more on the content of Rev. Wright's sermon rather than his delivery style. There are many nuggets of truth there that need to be included in the national discourse on race. To get to a meaningful solution/fix on racial issues in America, we have to acknowledge and recognize the irrefutable, truthful, facts about our racial history. Too many people are trapped in the mindset of "America - Love It or Leave It" rather than "America - Love It and Fix It".
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Absolutely Disgusting
[Read the article: The worst, sleaziest press corps possible]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm as strong an Obama supporter as they come but I find this so-called "investigative reporting" to be repulsive. This has nothing whatsoever to do with Senator Clinton's campaign and is an attempt to dredge up old history. Whether Brian Ross and the rest of the MSM like it or not, Bill (and by extension Hillary) Clinton had their day in court...based on these frivolous charges...and were exonerated by the Senate. So, this issue is OVER. Just leave her alone and let her rise or fall based on the merits of her campaign. I'll be sending my thoughts on this to ABC immediately.
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Great Post -
[Read the article: Rev. Jeremiah Wright isn't the problem]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]If only people would listen. I, too, am exasperated with the mindless drivel that is being spun about Rev. Jeremiah Wright. I believe that, post-9-11, Americans have traded logic and common sense for a misguided definition of patriotism. Where is the desire for dialogue and common understanding of issues to continuously make American better? Not unlike Barack Obama's description of Dr. Wright's beliefs being "static", I believe that too many folks believe that America is operating at her best and cannot get better. As Skybird notes, any thinking person knows that this is not true. Instead of trying to understand the situations Dr. Wright describes, we automatically go to the defensive posture that it's treasonous to even suggest that America can do better. And when you add in the brain-dead, corporate-owned media howlers, you get sound bite loops that are designed to whip us hysteria and fear. I just finished watching the Frontline series on Bush's War and it really makes me fear about the gullibility of our citizens and despair about our long-term prospects.