OP9's 2008 Presidential Exit Poll

[SlickWilly440]

I was wondering what would happen if a poll like this was created. So I created one.

[riona]

My exit:
I'm not exiting.

Cause I'm not going in.

Cause I'm not voting.

PS shoulda made it an actual poll.

[SlickWilly440]

^
Sorry, I never made a poll before, so I was figuring it out.

[riona]

Wooo!

[SlickWilly440]

Come on lurkers, this is your chance to participate!

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

oh fuck guys it's a dead heat right now!

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

PEOPLE OF OP9, GOTV AND HAVE THE FORUMS DECIDE THEIR PRESIDENT!

[riona]

...between Obama and no one? I believe that means Obama wins.

Or maybe no one.

'Cause that's how it goes, ya know.

[h2orowe]

I'm putting myself down as Obama. If I do vote tomorrow, it'll be for him. However, I have no idea where to go to vote and I'm scared it will be ridiculously overcrowded (should have mailed it in, I know.) So, if it's more than a two hour wait, I'm not going to vote. I feel horrible and overly "apathetic" for saying that, but honestly, I could be doing schoolwork instead of waiting in line with a bunch of rude, loud mouthed people blabbering on and arguing while waiting in line about who they are voting for.

[Sock Full of Boiled Dimes]

The media is playing it as a tighter race than it really is.

if you check the gallup polls it shows that Florida, Penn and Virginia actually go to Obama. This is projected results.

Indiana, Missouri and North Carolina which was projected to go to Obama is now most likely going to go to McCain.

[Citizen]

waiting in line with a bunch of rude, loud mouthed people blabbering on and arguing while waiting in line about who they are voting for.

Just pretend it's OP9: IRL Edition.

[Roxie]

I'm putting myself down as Obama. If I do vote tomorrow, it'll be for him. However, I have no idea where to go to vote and I'm scared it will be ridiculously overcrowded (should have mailed it in, I know.) So, if it's more than a two hour wait, I'm not going to vote. I feel horrible and overly "apathetic" for saying that, but honestly, I could be doing schoolwork instead of waiting in line with a bunch of rude, loud mouthed people blabbering on and arguing while waiting in line about who they are voting for.
Do your school work in line.
Prep time, mitch.

Also, ppl aren't loudmouth and arguing while waiting in line. I've never had that experience while voting.

[stsparky]

I'm voting for Obama at 7 in the morning tomorrow.

No on 8, and yes on AA.

[Black fist]

I can't vote until 2012, right before the world ends.

[Citizen]

I already voted on Friday.

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

I mailed in my ballot weeks ago.

[Citizen]

Yeah well I've already voted in the 2024 election.

[Roxie]

Psh, I did that when I was four.

[Beowulf]

Just pretend it's OP9: IRL Edition.
This is terrifying.

Also I literally voted for Obama last week. From my living room. Mailed ballots are awesome.

[OliveButtercup]

I'm putting myself down as Obama. If I do vote tomorrow, it'll be for him. However, I have no idea where to go to vote and I'm scared it will be ridiculously overcrowded (should have mailed it in, I know.) So, if it's more than a two hour wait, I'm not going to vote. I feel horrible and overly "apathetic" for saying that, but honestly, I could be doing schoolwork instead of waiting in line with a bunch of rude, loud mouthed people blabbering on and arguing while waiting in line about who they are voting for.

I got to vote early on Saturday at my county elections office (California). I made it a point to stay on top of the early voting dates as they weren't widely known for some strange reason..I knew I would have made the excuse of long lines and I didn't want anything to discourage me from voting. Also no one was rude at the polls yay

[Arctic_Slicer]

You should include all 6 candidates who are on enough state ballots to hold a majority of the electoral vote in your poll otherwise your placing an unfair bias in favor of the bigger parties.

[Digital Masta]

You should include all 6 candidates who are on enough state ballots to hold a majority of the electoral vote in your poll otherwise your placing an unfair bias in favor of the bigger parties.

Oh be quiet.

[Arctic_Slicer]

Oh be quite.

"quite" what? how much effort would it take to have put Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party, Cynthia McKinney of the Green party, Bob Barr of the Libertarian party and Independent Ralph Nader on there? This is almost as bad as what Scholastic is doing to children in elementary school by only giving them two choices, brainwashing them into believing there only are two choices.

I don't vote for "other" I vote for Ralph Nader and I demand more choices!

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

"quite" what? how much effort would it take to have put Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party, Cynthia McKinney of the Green party, Bob Barr of the Libertarian party and Independent Ralph Nader on there? This is almost as bad as what Scholastic is doing to children in elementary school by only giving them two choices, brainwashing them into believing there only are two choices.

I don't vote for "other" I vote for Ralph Nader and I demand more choices!
Boo freakin hoo. Ralph Nader is never going to win an election in his lifetime so he should just give up. Vote for him if you want, but realize you're wasting your time.

"Other"/Ralph Nader/Pron Haul. It's all the same crazy to me. :duh:

[Arctic_Slicer]

Boo freakin hoo. Ralph Nader is never going to win an election in his lifetime so he should just give up. Vote for him if you want, but realize you're wasting your time.

"Other"/Ralph Nader/Pron Haul. It's all the same crazy to me. :duh:

There are two things that keep him from winning. The media for refusing to cover his campaign and circular logic of "he can't win so I wont vote for him" and he doesn't win because nobody voted for him creating a self-fulfilling prophecy. The fact of the matter is that he could win as he is on enough ballots to hold a majority of the electoral votes. It is not a "waste of time" to vote for candidates who champion the issues that you care about.

It's better to vote for someone you believe in and lose than to vote for someone you don't believe in and win for that someone will surely betray you.

[Zensouken]

So, if it's more than a two hour wait, I'm not going to vote.

You can give up 2 hours for 4 years. Regardless if you vote for McCain or Obama, both of them gave up months to get to this point. If there's honestly any liberty left in America, it's the fact that you have some sort of say in who runs the damn country.

Otherwise don't say jack if you didn't vote. Nothing personal, but come on...

[Citizen]

"quite" what? how much effort would it take to have put Chuck Baldwin of the Constitution party, Cynthia McKinney of the Green party, Bob Barr of the Libertarian party and Independent Ralph Nader on there? This is almost as bad as what Scholastic is doing to children in elementary school by only giving them two choices, brainwashing them into believing there only are two choices.

Yeah, those bastards at Scholastic, not letting the kids choose from people they've never heard of before and won't remember for more than a day anyway! There are probably legions of elementary school kids chomping at the bit to vote for Chuck Baldwin, or waiting for the day Scholastic publishes a Ralph Nader choose-your-own-adventure book. Oh no, I decided to turn to "Drill in Alaska." on page 83 instead of "Alternative energy plan." on page 47 and now the book is over! =(

[Jetsetlemming]

I'm putting myself down as Obama. If I do vote tomorrow, it'll be for him. However, I have no idea where to go to vote and I'm scared it will be ridiculously overcrowded (should have mailed it in, I know.) So, if it's more than a two hour wait, I'm not going to vote. I feel horrible and overly "apathetic" for saying that, but honestly, I could be doing schoolwork instead of waiting in line with a bunch of rude, loud mouthed people blabbering on and arguing while waiting in line about who they are voting for.
Ask your neighbors, that's what I did. My next door neighbor is a cop and a die-hard republican, there was no way he didn't know.


(I'm sure there's some website you can search to find your closest polling place)

Also, ppl aren't loudmouth and arguing while waiting in line. I've never had that experience while voting.
Yeah, but you're in the south, and joey's in california


Edit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm

[Mechs]

I voted McCain. I want to be able to own an assault rifle by the time I get back from Iraq.

[ミュー]

I voted Obama drunk on a Thursday night in Tokyo while listening to "America, Fuck Yeah!" on max volume.

Mailed ballots make a great excuse to get wasted on a weeknight. I'm going to pioneer the 21st century I voted for the other guy... "I was drunk and probably drew erotic stick figures in the ovals"

Viva la revolucion!

[Beowulf]

I voted McCain. I want to be able to own an assault rifle by the time I get back from Iraq.
This is funny because Obama hasn't mentioned gun control once.

[Mastiker]

This is funny because Obama hasn't mentioned gun control once.

But Obama's a communist don'tchaknow? I mean, those claims that he's a terrorist and a muslim are false, but he's totally a commie. And commie's are anti-you.

[Beowulf]

But Obama's a communist don'tchaknow? I mean, those claims that he's a terrorist and a muslim are false, but he's totally a commie. And commie's are anti-you.
Fuck. I forgot I was talking to Mechs.

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

Actually, he has mentioned gun control before, but only a couple of times. It's also always been in the context of saying (Along the lines of), "I know what is best for Chicago is not what would be best for Wyoming."

In other words, he's not going to take your guns.

EDIT: Besides, the Democratic Party in general isn't going to touch gun control for a long time, anyway. You know, that SCOTUS ruling and all that.

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

Actually, he has mentioned gun control before, but only a couple of times. It's also always been in the context of saying (Along the lines of), "I know what is best for Chicago is not what would be best for Wyoming."

In other words, he's not going to take your guns.
No but he does want to renew the ban on assault weapons, which is definitely a good thing. He does want strict limitations on handguns.

Q: When you were in the state senate, you talked about licensing and registering gun owners. Would you do that as president?

Obama: I don't think that we can get that done. But what we can do is to provide just some common-sense enforcement. The efforts by law enforcement to obtain the information required to trace back guns that have been used in crimes to unscrupulous gun dealers. As president, I intend to make it happen. We essentially have two realities, when it comes to guns, in this country. You've got the tradition of lawful gun ownership. It is very important for many Americans to be able to hunt, fish, take their kids out, teach them how to shoot. Then you've got the reality of 34 Chicago public school students who get shot down on the streets of Chicago. We can reconcile those two realities by making sure the Second Amendment is respected and that people are able to lawfully own guns, but that we also start cracking down on the kinds of abuses of firearms that we see on the streets.

[Beowulf]

^^Nothing about the AWB in there. Also, he supports gun registration (as evidenced by that quote) which I also support^^


In other words, he's not going to take your guns.
Yes but I already knew this because I'm an informed gun owner.

[Mechs]

This is funny because Obama hasn't mentioned gun control once.

Maybe not in this election, but in the past he has shown his dislike of firearms.

Obama: Let's be honest. Mr. Keyes does not believe in common gun control measures like the assault weapons bill. Mr. Keyes does not believe in any limits from what I can tell with respect to the possession of guns, including assault weapons that have only one purpose, to kill people. I think it is a scandal that this president did not authorize a renewal of the assault weapons ban.
-Illinois Senate Debate #3: Barack Obama vs. Alan Keyes Oct 21, 2004

If he gets into office there is a good chance he might propose a new AWB that's even worse than the last one.

[Beowulf]

Maybe not in this election, but in the past he has shown his dislike of firearms.



If he gets into office there is a good chance he might propose a new AWB that's even worse than the last one.
Except that he's right. Assault weapons are either toys or killing machines (either way you don't need one). I watched an interview where he said specifically that he wouldn't renew the AWB, but would instead install a system where people register their firearms with the local authorities. If you consider that an AWB then whatever, but it's still a good idea.

[Trump]

And so begins the epic fail of the US....

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

Guns are a problem, but so are violent web sites & videos

McCain: If you want to take every gun in and dump it in the ocean, I’ll still take you to a Web site where it teaches children how to build a pipe bomb. And I’ll take you to a Web site where the worst kind of hate language that is terribly offensive to all of us exists. I can take you to a video game being sold to our children where the object of the game is to kill police. I understand the importance of weapons, but to define that as being the major cause [of youth violence], there’s a whole lot of causes.
Source: Todd S. Purdum, New York Times, p. A14 Aug 17, 1999
http://www.ontheissues.org/2008/John_McCain_Gun_Control.htm

This is funny coming from a man that can't even turn on a computer and probably has never played the vidya' games in his entire life.

[SlickWilly440]

You should include all 6 candidates who are on enough state ballots to hold a majority of the electoral vote in your poll otherwise your placing an unfair bias in favor of the bigger parties.

Sorry, I didn't no intentionally put a bias on the poll, I just didn't know if there were any other candidates for president on the ballot (thanks to the media), so I just put "other" just in case there were.

[Samurai_Pooh]

And so begins the epic fail of the US....

where have you been the last 8 years? :boggled:

[Mastiker]

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_3ad65ab93b384222b7f110f55bb6442f.jpg

[sOkU]

voted for obama today

[h2orowe]

Edit: http://www.sos.ca.gov/elections/elections_ppl.htm
My city's not on there. I have no ride/bus fare. Luckily, my brother said he'd drive me last night, and, if he actually holds true to that promise (he better. He owes me $100 from like half a month ago and hasn't even paid me a dime.) I will vote.

The only thing I really want to vote for, anyway, as in it's making me want to go is I want to vote no on proposition 8 because I promised all my darned friends who are 17 and 16 that I'd do it for them.

I'd walk but, unfortunately, we're experiencing some http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn180/Estranged_0524/w_axl_rosedotcom_00740-1.jpg

COLD NOVEMBER RAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAIN.

[Jetsetlemming]

Just voted. Only two people in line in front of me, and it was raining all day and stopped as soon as I left my house to go vote. Fuck yes. Motha Nature got my back.

[h2orowe]

I found a place to vote and shall be voting around 6 or so. I think the polls close at 8 and I've heard the lines aren't that bad, so, hopefully I will be casting my No on 8 and Yes on Obama.

[Arctic_Slicer]

Sorry, I didn't no intentionally put a bias on the poll, I just didn't know if there were any other candidates for president on the ballot (thanks to the media), so I just put "other" just in case there were.

Thank you for saying that. The media is a huge problem, in what other Western democracy do they have 6 candidates but tell the people they can only see two of them on televised debates? Take the recent election of Canada for example in their debates at the beginning of October; 5 candidates for prime minister were allowed an equal place at the table in the debates. If Canada is allowed to see other candidates then why can't we? The media bias in the country is a huge problem that is weakening our democratic process by preventing other voices from being herd.

[Dresh]

Just got back from voting and cast it for Obama. Not really any lines, it all went pretty quickly.

[riona]

http://c4.ac-images.myspacecdn.com/images02/32/l_3ad65ab93b384222b7f110f55bb6442f.jpg

I laughed so hard when I saw that I'm literally crying now.

[Mastiker]

I laughed so hard when I saw that I'm literally crying now.

Same. Sorta.

I got stopped by a green party guy as I was coming out of the school where I voted. The guy kept yelling "why vote for Obama, the winner? Vote Green and show everyone else where you stand!" It was sort of like "don't settle for less". I don't remember how he worded it - it was convincing, but not mind altering. I decided to ask him about his opinion on Nader. He basically said what's been said here - he's got a huge ego and, while his opinions are still on par with the green party, he's taking media focus away from them.

[Arctic_Slicer]

Same. Sorta.

I got stopped by a green party guy as I was coming out of the school where I voted. The guy kept yelling "why vote for Obama, the winner? Vote Green and show everyone else where you stand!" It was sort of like "don't settle for less". I don't remember how he worded it - it was convincing, but not mind altering. I decided to ask him about his opinion on Nader. He basically said what's been said here - he's got a huge ego and, while his opinions are still on par with the green party, he's taking media focus away from them.

Like I said in the other thread, I get the impression that the Green party is jealous that Ralph Nader was able to accomplish so much in his campaign as an independent and they were able to accomplish so little as a "national party".

[h2orowe]

Oh... if only.

http://i266.photobucket.com/albums/ii249/albumforjames/Nerd/communist_party.jpg

Marx always knew where da party was at.

[Mastiker]

Like I said in the other thread, I get the impression that the Green party is jealous that Ralph Nader was able to accomplish so much in his campaign as an independent and they were able to accomplish so little as a "national party".

That's not the impression I got from this guy. When I mentioned Nader he basically did a face palm. Nader was an embarrassment to him - and if he's representing the Green Party for my area, I'm pretty sure he's not the only one that thinks that way.

[h2orowe]

So, according to my stepdad, I have to go to a specific voting place which I had no idea. I was planning on going to the one close to my house. The other one is pretty far and I guess the line is long. My brother said he's giving me 20 minutes max to vote -_-; so, I'm going to try the one by my house and if they turn me away, oh well. I wasn't all that informed on most of the propositions anyway.

[h2orowe]

Back. I voted for Ralph Nader.

Ha, just kidding. Voted for Barackattack Obama.

[Joe Rocket]

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! !!!!!!!!!:clap:

[Kai]

I voted McCain. There was quite a line this morning when I arrived.

[Roxie]

SPEECHLESS!

[Mastiker]

I'm not. I saw it coming.

Maybe it's cause I live in MA?

[MNJetter]

There are two things that keep him (Ralph Nader) from winning. The media for refusing to cover his campaign and circular logic of "he can't win so I wont vote for him" and he doesn't win because nobody voted for him creating a self-fulfilling prophecy.
Actually, there are three things. Lack of media coverage, timidity of people who would otherwise vote for third parties......and also the fact that Nader is just another politician. He came to speak at my college during my junior year (4.5 yrs ago), and though he started out strong, the longer he talked, the clearer it became that he was using the same factoids and platitudes as either of the mainstream candidates.

For the record, I did vote third party, so you can't call me a coward, but I still didn't vote for Ralph Nader.

[stsparky]

Nader is worse than your average politician.
1. He's always been a giant asshole starting Day One.
2. He thinks all other people are beneath him.
3. He obsessed with power.
4. Sneezes frighten him like jingling keys spook McCain, but worse he is older.
5. And he said Obama might be an Uncle Tom.
====
http://i8.photobucket.com/albums/a11/Patrick909/art-gop-fascism-poster.jpg
http://www.flanneljedi.com/images/mccain-nope.jpg

[Beowulf]

Haha fuck yeah Obama.

[Arctic_Slicer]

Nader is worse than your average politician.
1. He's always been a giant asshole starting Day One.
2. He thinks all other people are beneath him.
3. He obsessed with power.
4. Sneezes frighten him like jingling keys spook McCain, but worse he is older.
5. And he said Obama might be an Uncle Tom.

Where the hell are you getting this? Uncle Tom really? He's been critical of Obama for ignoring issues that are disproportionally affecting blacks and Latinos but I can assure you he has never called Obama "an Uncle Tom".

[TygressVirgo]

Love how that flag pin is so huge in that Palin poster. Elizabeth Hasselback would be proud /eyeroll.

[OliveButtercup]

Where the hell are you getting this? Uncle Tom really? He's been critical of Obama for ignoring issues that are disproportionally affecting blacks and Latinos but I can assure you he has never called Obama "an Uncle Tom".

You may want to find a clip of that. He was on Fox news saying that Obama could either be an Uncle Sam, or an Uncle Tom. The anchor was pissed.

[OliveButtercup]

Love how that flag pin is so huge in that Palin poster. Elizabeth Hasselback would be proud /eyeroll.

I wonder if she's going to show up for work tomorrow...

[Arctic_Slicer]

You may want to find a clip of that. He was on Fox news saying that Obama could either be an Uncle Sam, or an Uncle Tom. The anchor was pissed.

Oh it was today, that's why I didn't know about it, I thought he was talking about the interview he did with the Rocky Mountain News (http://www6.rockymountainnews.com/news/2008/aug/21/transcript-me-sprengelmeyers-interview-ralph-nader/).


I just looked up the article for "Uncle Tom's Cabin (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Simon_Legree#Simon_Legree)" on Wikipedia (http://www.wikipedia.org/)

Uncle Tom, the title character, was initially seen as a noble long-suffering Christian slave. In more recent years, his name has become an epithet directed towards African-Americans who are accused of selling out to whites

Having read that we can now go to the question Ralph Nader asked of Barack Obama, "will he be an uncle Tom for the corporations?" This is certainly a valid question as Obama has received far more corporate money for his campaign than any presidential candidate in the history of this country. 97% of the CEOs for these giant corporations are white men and by taking hundreds of millions of dollars from these corporations it seems that he has literally "sold out to whites". It seems there may have never been a man more befitting of the label, "Uncle Tom", than Barack Obama and only time will tell if he that's the reputation he deserves.

This goes back to context. This only seems bad when taken out of context; it's like that whole "lipstick on a pig" incident. Context matters and when you take quotes out of context at attempts in character assassination it only serves to make yourself look like an ass.

[TygressVirgo]

I wonder if she's going to show up for work tomorrow...

I loved it when whoopi said "I am trying to educate you" to her on the 11/4/08 show, about how there is a difference in thinking between pre-civil right blacks and post-civil rights black (I think that was how she phrased it). The whole argument was highly interesting though. Hassleback irritates me because she is like a parrot when she talks about the election. :bored:

_____________________

I will say this, I am glad I voted. I am joyful Obama won. I am hopeful in a way I never was with any other president after his speech.

[Arctic_Slicer]

I will say this, I am glad I voted. I am joyful Obama won. I am hopeful in a way I never was with any other president after his speech.

I wont celebrate until there are some serious shifts is USA policy.

[Digital Masta]

Having read that we can now go to the question Ralph Nader asked of Barack Obama, "will he be an uncle Tom for the corporations?" This is certainly a valid question as Obama has received far more corporate money for his campaign than any presidential candidate in the history of this country. 97% of the CEOs for these giant corporations are white men and by taking hundreds of millions of dollars from these corporations it seems that he has literally "sold out to whites". It seems there may have never been a man more befitting of the label, "Uncle Tom", than Barack Obama and only time will tell if he that's the reputation he deserves.

This goes back to context. This only seems bad when taken out of context; it's like that whole "lipstick on a pig" incident. Context matters and when you take quotes out of context at attempts in character assassination it only serves to make yourself look like an ass.

No...this is NOTHING like the lipstick on a pig comment. Although you just looked up Uncle Tom now so I'm guessing you didn't know what it was before but its a little bit deeper than "selling out to whites" . If you're a public figure...have some god damn sense you don't say shit like that, especially when the first black president has been elected.

[stsparky]

Nader has always been an ass. Some will hate him for the demise of the Corvair until he is gone. And his 'great strides' in "consumer safety" issues now are marred by his horrible need for political office because they now smack of sinister ulterior motives.

HOPE parodies (http://www.posterpage.ch/exhib/ex216oba/ex216oba.htm):
For Arctic:
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3160/2763602736_808d5d9faf_b.jpg
http://www.frighteningprospect.com/images/art/j-palin-web753x1000.png
http://www.thepeoplescube.com/images/Obama_Poster_Cowbell.gif
http://www.ironicsans.com/images/anewhope.png

[sOkU]

No...this is NOTHING like the lipstick on a pig comment. Although you just looked up Uncle Tom now so I'm guessing you didn't know what it was before but its a little bit deeper than "selling out to whites" . If you're a public figure...have some god damn sense you don't say shit like that, especially when the first black president has been elected.

Seriously. "Uncle Tom" is not a phrase that should be thrown about like that.

[stsparky]

The reporter gracefully asked Nader if he might want to rephrase his statement. The asshole said no. Imagine that.

[Arctic_Slicer]

No...this is NOTHING like the lipstick on a pig comment. Although you just looked up Uncle Tom now so I'm guessing you didn't know what it was before but its a little bit deeper than "selling out to whites" . If you're a public figure...have some god damn sense you don't say shit like that, especially when the first black president has been elected.

That's the goddammed point. We just elected our first African-American president whom in his 21 month long campaign has ignored the issue of poverty and how it disproportionately affects African-Americans and Latinos. He voted for a $850 billion corporate well fare package to bailout criminals on wall street while millions, 83% of which are African-Americans and Latinos, were foreclosing on their homes. he has been a strong supporter of the death penalty despite it being used disproportionately against African-Americans. Obama got a free ride to the white house and now that he is president elect he doesn't even have a mandate. Now that he is president elect you are saying we shouldn't even critique him? Now more than ever we need to criticize him and we can't hold back a single punch; he is our next president goddammit and we better damn well he plays to our interests instead of to the interests of the white corporate power structure.

I saw that Fox news clip (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ibsP6XN2dIo) and there was indeed something "offensive" said but it wasn't said by Ralph Nader. That "bully" telling Ralph Nader that he was "irrelevant" was about the most offensive thing anyone could have said. Not only did they take that quote taken way out of context (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lfLPAIyulOc) but he was totally ignoring the things Ralph Nader was talking about; such as issues of poverty and how these issues disproportionately impact African-Americans and Latinos. During this entire election campaign there have only been two candidates who have spoke about poverty and it's effects on African-Americans and Latinos and those candidates were Ralph Nader and Cynthia McKinney. By marginalizing these candidates and telling Ralph Nader that his candidacy was "irrelevant" was not an insult to Ralph Nader but it was an insult to the poor, to Latinos and to African-Americans.

Is speaking of the absolutely dire conditions of poor black folks old-fashioned or somehow uncool? Apparently it is. There is such a profound distaste for the Bush regime and all they represent that Obama has gotten, is getting and probably will get a free ride that has more to do with his image than his substance.

--From Nader: "He Can't be Too Black" (http://prisonradio.org/audio/mumia/2008MAJ/June08/6-27-08NadarObamaB.mp3)

Ralph didn't become a public figure by being "politically correct" he became a public figure by asking the questions that nobody dares to ask. It the 1960s it was "politically correct" to challenge General Motors, then the most powerful company in the world, on their wisdom for not putting in seat belts, collapsible steering columns, padded dashboards and many other safety features that would reduce the fatalities in car accidents. In 1965 he published a controversial book titled "Unsafe at Any Speed" that brought these issues to the public consciousness and GM responded by hiring private investigators to spy on him, beautiful women to seduce him and others to somehow find some "dirt" on his to mire him in a scandal. However this backfired as Ralph Nader sued GM for violating his privacy and in 1970 was awarded $425,000 worth about $2,500,000 at today's value. Ralph Nader used this money to found his various citizens groups that launched the consumer and worker protection movements of the 1970s, many of which were signed into law by president Richard Nixon. Getting a conservative president like Nixon to sign things like Environmental Protection Agency act or the Freedom of Information Act into law was anything but politically correct. Calling out our newest president elect, Barack Obama, for not standing up for the poor whom are disproportionately African-American and Latino is not going to be "politically correct" but when has speaking truth to power ever been "politically correct"?

[TygressVirgo]

I wont celebrate until there are some serious shifts is USA policy.

I can still be hopeful while waiting for fulfillment of the promises made. There is little wrong with hope.

[Arctic_Slicer]

I can still be hopeful while waiting for fulfillment of the promises made. There is little wrong with hope.

There is nothing wrong with hope but you can't sit idly by and expect "change" to just happen. You have to make demands on your elected representatives and challenge their authority and call them out when they stand against you. You cannot allow them to have a free ride or they will take you for granted and ignore you. Like it or not most of our members of congress regardless of party are indebted to the giant corporations who have funded their election campaigns. The only way you will make congress work for you is by making them afraid of you; then and only then will there be and substantive "change".

When governments fear the people there is liberty. When the people fear the government there is tyranny.

[TygressVirgo]

There is nothing wrong with hope but you can't sit idly by and expect "change" to just happen. You have to make demands on your elected representatives and challenge their authority and call them out when they stand against you. You cannot allow them to have a free ride or they will take you for granted and ignore you. Like it or not most of our members of congress regardless of party are indebted to the giant corporations who have funded their election campaigns. The only way you will make congress work for you is by making them afraid of you; then and only then will there be and substantive "change".

In what way did I ever say that I was going to sit back and expect change to happen. Its like people think Obama supporters expect a miracle to occur. I have never once heard of Obama having a magical cure to the ills of this nation. If anything he advocates hard work more than any politician I have known.

He will be one of the most watched, tested, and criticized presidents. He also appears to see the bigger picture of things, he speaks of a vision for this country. With that he inspires people, and with that maybe he can turn this nation around.

Forgive my rambling, my mind is focused on other things as I typed this. :blank:

Has anyone else run into the total lack of apathy some have for the historic and cultural significance of this election?

[Arctic_Slicer]

In what way did I ever say that I was going to sit back and expect change to happen. Its like people think Obama supporters expect a miracle to occur. I have never once heard of Obama having a magical cure to the ills of this nation. If anything he advocates hard work more than any politician I have known.


I'm not necessarily attacking you but I have encountered far too many people who do believe that in electing Obama everything will be right again. The reality couldn't be farther from the truth. There is a possibility that having democrats in power will bring about same kind of "change" but will this change be substantive or not really depends on the people's expectations levels and their willingness to make demands.

[Plekto]

The thing is that he's following the worst President in U.S. history, so the elation at being set free from the hellish pit we were all in is enormous, even if it's just to get back to Purgatory.

[japanat]

Has anyone else run into the total lack of apathy some have for the historic and cultural significance of this election?:hat: As phrased, this is a good thing...

ArcticSlicer,

Listening to you is like being back in college bull sessions, with the pseudo-intellectual claptrap of those newly exposed to their own political acumen. Offer concrete actions and solutions and I would be glad to listen to you, you do seem quite intelligent after all. But continue with the conspiracy theories and "tell-lie-vision" bullshit, and no one will take you seriously, even when you bring up valid points.

[stsparky]

http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3230/3008620938_c71f148bf3_o.jpg
http://farm4.static.flickr.com/3279/3006416363_95ef8de914_o.jpg

[Trump]

Election night was simply the culmination of 1.6 billion dollars of campaign money that can't be used to help fix the country...

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.

[Firefly]

Election night was simply the culmination of 1.6 billion dollars of campaign money that can't be used to help fix the country...

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.


African-Americans were once slaves in this country.

We just elected a half black, half white president for the first time in American history.

You're saying this isn't important? This is a HUGE step toward racial equality in this country. It's not the solution. But it is a step forward.

[h2orowe]

Election night was simply the culmination of 1.6 billion dollars of campaign money that can't be used to help fix the country...

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.
All you've done in this thread is whine about how much money we're wasting. Why don't you conserve the money you spend on electricity powering your computer and run a campaign to be elected president. You sure seem to know what to do with this country. I'll even vote for you, Trump. Yeah, come on. I'll be your vice president and everything. Yeah, yeah, yeah.

[sOkU]

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.

Um, yes actually it does change race relations quite a bit.

Not as much as some think, and not as little as you seem to think. But it does change race relations.

[Jetsetlemming]

You're saying this isn't important? This is a HUGE step toward racial equality in this country. It's not the solution. But it is a step forward.
It's more of a sign, a show of proof, that equality DOES exist, and that anyone can strive to be all they can be, without racial prejudice or injustice holding them down. Obama didn't make it possible for a black man to be elected president. He proved that it was possible.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2720/emotpatriotek6.gif

[Swede]

African-Americans were once slaves in this country.

We just elected a half black, half white president for the first time in American history.

You're saying this isn't important? This is a HUGE step toward racial equality in this country. It's not the solution. But it is a step forward.

No, you see, you're less racist if you pretend nothing ever happened. I think that's what has you confused.




It's more of a sign, a show of proof, that equality DOES exist, and that anyone can strive to be all they can be, without racial prejudice or injustice holding them down. Obama didn't make it possible for a black man to be elected president. He proved that it was possible.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2720/emotpatriotek6.gif


Good word. Kind of a validation of the American dream.

[MNJetter]

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.
Considering that you were the first (and only, so far) to comment directly on the racial significance of the images, I doubt that all you saw was "two kids holding a sign together."

[SlickWilly440]

Also, this election does NOTHING to change the race relations in the country. Showing images like that make me wonder "so why were these people really voting?" and the only answer I can find is because they think race is so important. I don't know about you, but I see two kids holding a sign together. I'm unsure what the big deal is. However, I'm not racist so that might be my problem.

I totally agree with you, I'm tired of the media bringing up the race issue with Obama. If we were all truly equal, then the media wouldn't have to bring up the talk about race in the first place. Also, it kind of get's annoying when during the Obama speeches the camera switches to the crowds, showing an African American individual then a Caucasian individual, and back and forth...like some subliminal message of equality or something.

Also, I'm sure if the Democratic Candidate was of any race, they would have won anyway b/c the GOP was at a disadvantage b/c of the current administration. The Democrats, saw this as their opportunity and used it to their advantage to get a non-Caucasian candidate elected president.

[h2orowe]

Nah, dude. It's totally liek a vast blackwing conspiracy. There's gonna be nothing but rap music blasting out of the "black" house. Us whites are now the minorities. Seriously, we should all just move to Canada to avoid what this new Black Panther socialism will bring. Everyone will be speaking Spanish by the time we make it to Montreal.

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

I totally agree with you, I'm tired of the media bringing up the race issue with Obama. If we were all truly equal, then the media wouldn't have to bring up the talk about race in the first place. Also, it kind of get's annoying when during the Obama speeches the camera switches to the crowds, showing an African American individual then a Caucasian individual, and back and forth...like some subliminal message of equality or something.

Also, I'm sure if the Democratic Candidate was of any race, they would have won anyway b/c the GOP was at a disadvantage b/c of the current administration. The Democrats, saw this as their opportunity and used it to their advantage to get a non-Caucasian candidate elected president.
Umm...maybe the media is making a big deal out of it because it is a really big deal to all of America. It changes history in a major way. We are all equal, the problem is not everyone believes that. As a Black American, its quite uplifting for me to see the results of the democratic process. To hear the amount of apathy and resentment coming from some posters is plain disgusting.

Do you really think the DNC would really have bet on putting a half black man with a fully Arab name into the oval office? I don't think so. Nevertheless look where we are today. People were inspired, some were shocked, others were dismayed not just because of his policies and his presence but also because of his race. He did what no other black person had done so far and for that I congratulate America.

[SlickWilly440]

To hear the amount of apathy and resentment coming from some posters is plain disgusting.


Yeah, shame on you guys.


Do you really think the DNC would really have bet on putting a half black man with a fully Arab name into the oval office?

I didn't know his name was Arabic.

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

There are a lot of things you don't know.

[archdukezeb]

Everyone will be speaking Spanish by the time we make it to Montreal.

Screw that it's only hardcore Ebonics from here on out.

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

Screw that it's only hardcore Ebonics from here on out.
Yezzur!

[h2orowe]

I can see it now. The wikipedia article for the U.S. and under the national language it states "Ebonikz."

[stsparky]

http://photos-b.ll.facebook.com/photos-ll-snc1/v371/226/0/720395404/n720395404_4713529_8989.jpg

[Mastiker]

http://isobamapresident.com/

[Jetsetlemming]

blackwing
http://img47.imageshack.us/img47/1107/darkwingduckng4.gif

[Swede]

I totally agree with you, I'm tired of the media bringing up the race issue with Obama. If we were all truly equal, then the media wouldn't have to bring up the talk about race in the first place. Also, it kind of get's annoying when during the Obama speeches the camera switches to the crowds, showing an African American individual then a Caucasian individual, and back and forth...like some subliminal message of equality or something.

Also, I'm sure if the Democratic Candidate was of any race, they would have won anyway b/c the GOP was at a disadvantage b/c of the current administration. The Democrats, saw this as their opportunity and used it to their advantage to get a non-Caucasian candidate elected president.


... Except people didn't vote in the primaries just because they wanted to get a non-Caucasian elected. I was supporting Obama back before the primaries had even started, when everyone was thinking that Hillary had the nomination locked. Not once was I thinking "Oh, Bush was so awful it may actually be possible for a black man to win! I'll vote for him!". It was about his message and his policies, plain and simple.

[SlickWilly440]

... Except people didn't vote in the primaries just because they wanted to get a non-Caucasian elected. I was supporting Obama back before the primaries had even started, when everyone was thinking that Hillary had the nomination locked. Not once was I thinking "Oh, Bush was so awful it may actually be possible for a black man to win! I'll vote for him!". It was about his message and his policies, plain and simple.

Wait, I never said that people probably voted because they wanted to see an non-Caucasian elected. By "The Democrats," I was not talking about the voters who voted for a Democratic candidate, I was talking about the leaders that represent that party.

I was saying more along the lines that any Democratic candidate would have had a higher chance at winning against the GOP, especially against McCain b/c of the current administration. I wasn't saying that all people voted for that reason either, but some probably did vote for that reason.

[Fermented Yeast Paste]

Minus probably Howard Dean most of the leaders of the Democratic Party wanted Hillary.

[stsparky]

https://s3.amazonaws.com/s3.moveon.org/images/shep_large.gif

https://pol.moveon.org/shepstickers/?id=-9854332-6O61.cx&rc=

[stsparky]

http://picayune.uclick.com/comics/tiny/2008/tiny081106.gif

[Swede]

Minus probably Howard Dean most of the leaders of the Democratic Party wanted Hillary.

This.

And Slick, how do you think Obama became the candidate? He wasn't just picked by "the democrats" to be the candidate, he was nominated as a result of the primaries, in which people voted, not simply the leaders of the party. Yes, there were superdelegates, but Obama still won.

[Stephy]

Yes, there were superdelegates, but Obama still one.
He did "one." ;x HA now we're even, from when you mocked my mistake in the fitness challenge thread!

Oh and yes. I agree with Swede, because he is stating facts.

[Jetsetlemming]

Lol. Owned.

[Swede]

He did "one." ;x HA now we're even, from when you mocked my mistake in the fitness challenge thread!

Oh and yes. I agree with Swede, because he is stating facts.

Even steven. I deserved that :P

[Samurai_Pooh]

... Except people didn't vote in the primaries just because they wanted to get a non-Caucasian elected. I was supporting Obama back before the primaries had even started, when everyone was thinking that Hillary had the nomination locked. Not once was I thinking "Oh, Bush was so awful it may actually be possible for a black man to win! I'll vote for him!". It was about his message and his policies, plain and simple.

yeah, well, I supported Obama before it was cool, back when he was a community organizer. I supported him in spirit. with my mind.

[Swede]

yeah, well, I supported Obama before it was cool, back when he was a community organizer. I supported him in spirit. with my mind.


Man, I wish I was that cool :meh:

[Trump]

It's more of a sign, a show of proof, that equality DOES exist, and that anyone can strive to be all they can be, without racial prejudice or injustice holding them down. Obama didn't make it possible for a black man to be elected president. He proved that it was possible.
http://img91.imageshack.us/img91/2720/emotpatriotek6.gif


Thank you... someone understands. When the states ratified the 19th Amendment to the US constitution, now THAT was a historic moment. It actually changed things. That people are celebrating so much about this just means to me we've lost sight of what is actually important. It's the same thing with the gaudy Christmas lights and expensive presents. Many people have totally lost sight of what Christmas really means.

If you think that the series of images was put together for any other reason than to highlight racial issues, you've been living under a rock since before the election started. Would that image have been created with two white kids? Two black kids? Was the intent of posting it here anything but race related? The answer to all of those is surely "no".

Overall, this election actually highlights how little progress has been made in the arena of making race a non-issue.

[Jetsetlemming]

Getting presents IS what Christmas means, you commie.

[Swede]

Overall, this election actually highlights how little progress has been made in the arena of making race a non-issue.

Ignoring that there is an issue doesn't make it all better. Ignoring that historically there have been huge racial issues in the country, the effects of which have not entirely diminished, does not mean that everyone is treated perfectly equally. Certainly, in our everyday lives, we should treat everyone the same, and race should not be a factor.

However, the country electing it's first black president is historic, whether you feel it is or not. Obama was not elected simply because of his race. But as JSL said, his election proves that it is indeed possible for a black man to become president. In a country where black people were once slaved, and long after that still treated as second class citizens, the fact that as a country we've been able to overcome our past prejudices to the degree that a black person has become president is one more piece of evidence that showcases the possibility of true equality.

Certainly pieces of legislation like the Civil Rights act of 1964 are historic as well, but there is still such a thing as de facto discrimination, which isn't addressed by the law.



/endrant

[japanat]

yeah, well, I supported Obama before it was cool, back when he was a community organizer. I supported him in spirit. with my mind.That little, huh? :box:

I didn't know his name was Arabic.Are you for real? Especially after the mudslinging about his middle name over the last year? Bwah-ha-ha-ha-ha-hah!

[japanat]

If you think that the series of images was put together for any other reason than to highlight racial issues, you've been living under a rock since before the election started. Would that image have been created with two white kids? Two black kids? Was the intent of posting it here anything but race related? The answer to all of those is surely "no".

Overall, this election actually highlights how little progress has been made in the arena of making race a non-issue.You're goddamn right it was created to highlight racial issues.

I'm no fossil, but I can remember when most schools began busing in order to try to desegregate schools, and even out the budget differences. I remember MLK's assassination. I remember the first black kid at my JHS getting his butt kicked by some redneck assholes on his first day.

Hell, even some of the youngsters around here should remember the surprise in many quarters when Colin Powell was appointed Secretary of State.

Should race be an issue? No, it shouldn't. Shape of the eye or color of the skin doesn't change the brain within. And reading people's comments on this site among others has made me truly believe that many younger people are color-blind. But many of the older generation, especially, are not. And to ignore that fact, and therefore the significance of a black man making President of the United States, is ignoring reality. Because I assure you, the Secret Service is not.

[SlickWilly440]

And to ignore that fact, and therefore the significance of a black man making President of the United States, is ignoring reality.

So will it be okay to ignore this fact when African American presidents become the norm and the racist generations die off?

[japanat]

you betcha'. As soon as Obama finishes his first term, without being attacked because he's someone's "colored" nightmare, then race becomes a non-issue. Until then, Obama has had (and will continue to have) something like twice the security detail of any previous candidate.

Don't get me wrong. I'm glad his color means nothing to you. And I do agree that his color should mean nothing. But there are some real fuckups out there, you know?

[SoulPlay]

On the racial significance of the election,

http://i35.tinypic.com/2isy02.jpg

[riona]

http://isobamapresident.com/

I'm extremely confused as to what exactly this is saying. I'm gonna go ahead and venture a guess that it's a countdown to when he's inaugurated, but he's not president yet. He's the president-elect. So "Yes," he's president, is inaccurate, right?
If I'm an idiot, someone please inform me.

[geesehoward4life]

On the racial significance of the election,

http://i35.tinypic.com/2isy02.jpg


Soulplay... That post was right on the fuckin money, FUNNY! Even forced me to de-cloak and post... And now? I go...

[Urameshi YuSooKey]

It's also been done 3 other times in the other election thread, although the graphic is different this time.

[Jetsetlemming]

It's also been done 3 other times in the other election thread, although the graphic is different this time.
And worse, though the whole "someone had to say it" thing on the other one is unnecessary and detracts from it.