1. Regarding whether Obama is black. Its not whether YOU consider him black. The issue is that the vast majority of people do. Therefore he is. But anyway, here is a litmus test to tell if someone is black: Would the KKK be happy to hang him for being black?

2. Regarding black people being racists for voting for a black guy. On the surface, yes if a black person voted for Obama just because he was black that would be racist. However its important that we not conflate people becoming interested in the election because he's black, then deciding to vote for him as the same thing as voting for him just because he's black. And while common sense says it must be happening to a degree, I wonder if those who bring it up are concerned about the vocal white people who refuse to vote for Obama because he's black? See most black people vote democratic (when they're not illegally wiped from the voter rolls but republican operatives) and the republicans have been especially offensive to minorities this election cycle. Add in all the other issues that are driving people towards Obama and more importantly away from McCain and the nightmare of Bush's presidency, I don't think this issue is a large one. Yes, there are some black people are voting just because Obama is black but the fact is many people period are voting this election cycle and the rest aren't doing it because Obama is black. Democratic registration and turn out so far have been at historic levels. Given all that to simply lay out the blanket statement that black people are voting for Obama just because he is black is extremely disingenuous.

Ask yourself this: How many people who live in an area where some people vocally claim they will never vote for a black person might lie about not voting for a black person, even though privately they will?

Ever since the primaries and on through the general election there has been a factual and open reliance by certain candidates upon voters who are voting for them specifically because they won't vote for a black person, and the MSM has been virtually silent about this.

In a campaign that has focused so much on Obama's associations, it is mind-boggling that the MSM hasn't ever thought to corner one of these candidates, with relevant video clips at the ready about "How do you feel receiving support, vocal and open support from voters who won't vote for a black person?" or "As we've all seen there are many instances of people who are vocal and willing to give their names about voting for you because they'd never vote for black persons. How do you feel about that? Do you repudiate these voters or do you encourage them to vote for you?"

I've already called my white friends to assure them I'll look out for them in the new black america (blackmerica) if Obama should win.

Is that wrong?

Gwen Ifill and Amy Walter, I'm in hot smart women heaven.

Right off the bat I and others where we watched the proceedings felt that McCain was sounding Obama was an affirmative action hire. His focus on Obama's high percentage of the black vote was self-serving in that it allowed him to side-step the fact that he was generally disliked across the board for who he was, the campaign he ran and the policies he supported.

As far as standing up to the crowd, I have to say that his attempt to undo the damage of his campaign was also pathetic and self-serving and way too late.

I wonder could not the ammendment itself to be unconstitutional on the basis of being descriminatory?

Given Obama's vote on the FISA bill supporting amnesty for telcos that broke the law, its is an absolutely relevant question to ask. After, despite all of Obama's positives, if he doesn't support the rule of law, especially in the context of the rich and powerful over the people, then what the hell is the point of all this anyway?

1. That black individuals would support state denial of rights is some sad sad shit.

2. Progressives should fight back by sponsoring a law that makes divorce illegal, as well as any kind of non-marital sex.

In my earlier post a careful reading will note that I don't blame black people for prop 8. I was merely observing that it is sad that the people who belong to a group that had to fight so long and hard, with still a lot of fighting to go in order to receive equal treatment before the law and the state would turn around and deny that equal treatment to others.

How is the state denying people a right to apply, receive and enjoy the benefits of state legislated program based on who they are not the same for gay people and interracial people?

I mean I can be charitable and even grant you some differences between the two but what it comes down to is the state denying some if its citizens what it grants to other citizens using semantics as a justification. When it was about barring interracial marriage the defense as I understand it was basically "Its just not right". How has that defense materially changed with regards to barring gay marriage?

And I want to make clear here, I'm not discussing what marriage means or what religion has to do with it. I'm strictly talking about the state and its role in granting marriage licenses.