Obama on 'quiet riot' among black poor

Considering how closely you guys follow Obama, I am surprised to see nothing here about the statement he made yesterday that there will be riots if he is not elected.

Posted by: S. Sherman | June 6, 2007 10:24 AM

I moved this for you, Sherm.

Debate this issue all you want. This only brings out why this nation need not take on the rights agenda of nation building. When everyone of our own issues is resolved we have NO right to push our values on other sovereign nations. When everyone of our citizens have affordable health care, good wages, and solve our own social issues such as immigration, racism...then and only then should we even consider our superiority.

Perhaps Barack Obama's campaign theme song should be "Cum on Feel the Noise" by Quiet Riot???

Hey, There is no reason to be poor in this country. with all the jobs avaiable, you are only poor if you prefer to sit on a porch or stand on street corner. Obama should take a page out of Bill Cosby's book. Cliff

Hey, There is no reason to be poor in this country. with all the jobs avaiable, you are only poor if you prefer to sit on a porch or stand on street corner. Obama should take a page out of Bill Cosby's book. Cliff

Yeah Cliff,

The poor people should just get a fulltime job at McDonald's, where they could be a co-worker with Crazy Johnny D, and then if they save up all their money for a year they can buy themselves one-weeks worth of grocerys...moron.

No wonder the Wingnut Party is on the verge of extinction.

Actually the real story is the AP story which seriously misrepresented his remarks, making it sound as if the senator were threatening racial violence. Drudge made this the lede at his site. We won't hear much about that, though.

18 months before the election, and Obama is already playing the "race card"--in a soft sell way, of course.

Perhaps Barack Obama's campaign theme song should be "Cum on Feel the Noise" by Quiet Riot???

Posted by: John D | June 6, 2007 12:30 PM

Good one, Boyfriend.

Let us see if we're getting this. If I'm not elected with my visionary plan and ability to solve any problem there will be riots. The riots will be OK because the people were not given anything by anyone to give them a boost up. Barack Obama (F/K/A Barry), a true Socialist, advocates violence. And we thought he was just inexperienced.

Den C

Why doesn't Obama lay any blame where it really belongs with Ray Nagin (Dem NO mayor) and Katherine Harris (Dem LA Gov)? Last I heard, FEMA was a last resort of disaster relief, not the first. Notice that other hurricane victims (even from Katrina in MS) are not as vocal? Maybe their systems actually worked to some extent . . . ?? PS - anyone ever heard of insurance? Wait, that's not free.

John...you are the moron. Lazy is lazy no matter how you look at it...let's blame others for a lack of motivation. If you want to get somewhere it all starts with a JOB.

It's a little reminiscent of "The Candidate," when Robert Redford's character says at the end of the TV debate that everything is going to go up in flames if certain issues aren't addressed. One of the movie's themes was that Bill McKay won because people understood what he meant and the frankness he represented, notwithstanding Crocker Jarman's attempt to twist it around, and notwithstanding McKay's sale of his soul in the process. The GOP is still the party of Crocker Jarman, and Obama will benefit from continuing to speak his mind. I don't know whether Obama had sold his soul yet but that could happen. His "quiet riot" comments indicate it hasn't happened yet.

You have to want to work. Providing training and the opportunity to work is useless if your target audiance doesn't want to work. Saving the few who "get it" won't save the masses. Sorry Obama, I think you have good ideas and intentions, but they don't address the root of the issue. Unwillingness to work.

In response to John E.'s response to Cliff:

They won't even get a job at McDonald's if the school system is failing to teach them basic math and reading skills, the home life is NOT supportive of the school's efforts, and the community IS supportive of the person living in the streets.

It goes a lot further than "just get a job, any job"

Senator Obama, I hope that you are in the line of fire when the street corner gangs decide to riot. Please keep them out of my neighborhood and hopefully they don't hurt innocent people or ruin other people's property. I think many will hold you responsible. I know for a fact that you will not get my vote.

I applaud Obama for having the coverage and foresight to speak the truth. Until you have walked in another's shoes it is easy to say "with all the jobs available you are only poor if you prefer to sit on a porch or stand on a street corner." How easy is it to have the confidence to succeed coming out of a disfunctional, dispair ridden home?

Many of these arguments are moot, since most politicians, including Obama have no recent memory of poverty. He was not trying to "scare" anyone into voting for him, but speaking to the desperation felt in America's communities of the poor, Black, White, Latino--whatever. The fact the any of us are even posting here on an internet site, reflects our affluence--and thus our disconnect from the poor. Poverty is not a reflection of laziness, but its easier to believe that since all of us privliged enough to read the Tribune online never had privilege or luck on our side to get us where we are. Poverty is real everyone...and its not a reflection of your race or your initiative.

Tim,

I'm guessing that you're one of the GOP wingnuts who think W.'s tax breaks for the 1% wealthiest Americans is a good thing?

Bobby,

"Heckova job" trying to pass the blame for the disasterous Katrina aftermath over to the Dems.
I hope the Republic Party trys to sell that line come election time in 08.

Why is it that previous ethnic groups, which also suffered discrimination, have been able to succeed in large numbers within a far shorter period, without the benefits of trillions of dollars of transfer payments and affirmative action?

Perhaps Barack should take a look in the mirror. His buddy Tony Rezko was a slum lord in Chicago and stole millions from state programs for low income housing with the help of Barack and his law firm. Its things like that that keep people poor not Tax Cuts!!

D J Bradley,

You nailed it, great post.

I keep waiting for the "emperor has no clothes" moment for Barack. Is this when the worshiping stops, and people actually examine what the man stands for? I'm not sure this is it....

Seems as if Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have a surrogate candidate. As a conservative indepent voter I will vote Democrat in the primary to insure that a bigot like Obama is defeated.
He's just another race baiter who sees everything in black and white who complains about black men in prison while forgetting their victims. I'm betting that the bullet in the baby came from the gun of a black gangsta!

Notice that other hurricane victims (even from Katrina in MS) are not as vocal? Maybe their systems actually worked to some extent . . . ?? PS - anyone ever heard of insurance? Wait, that's not free.

Posted by: Bob | June 6, 2007 1:28 PM

Victims in Mississippi are just as vocal and just as bad off.

http://southernstudies.org/facingsouth/2007/06/reuters-picks-up-on-mississippi.asp

http://www.salon.com/news/feature/2007/05/25/mississippi/

http://uk.reuters.com/article/reutersEdge/idUKNOA14151120070601

As to the insurance...good luck getting them to pay.

http://www.picayuneitem.com/editorials/local_story_080113304.html

John E., first of all you are the last one to mock jobs since you don't have one.

Also, once again EVERYONE received tax cuts from Bush. Those cuts included all tax rates coming down, with the 28.5 percent tax that most Americans pay falling to 25 percent, and those making under 20,000 a year taken off the federal income tax rolls. Then you have the child tax credits DOUBLING and the removal of the marriage penalty tax. Got it?

Now,back to the job thing. We have lots of employers wanting the "illegal immigrants" in this country because allegedly most Americans will not work jobs such as landscape, restuarant kitchen help, busboy, hotel maid service, etc. Perhaps U.S. employers wouldn't need "illegal aliens" to fill those jobs if more African-Americans would fill them. For example, who is taking the jobs in New Orleans to help rebuild the city? It's not the New Orleans residents or displaced New Orleans residents. Those flocking to New Orleans to fill the jobs there are "illegal aliens." As much as I believe folks must enter this country the legal way, I still take my hat off to them for coming here and actually finding jobs.

This post very well could get censored by the overly sensitive pick-and-choose LIBune censors and the Loony Left will call me racist, but the scenario I just wrote about is reality!

"Why is it that previous ethnic groups, which also suffered discrimination, have been able to succeed in large numbers within a far shorter period"...

Because PC, their skin color was not dark.

It's comforting to see so much humanity bubbling through these comments.

Poor Obama tries so hard to pose like Bill Clinton and talk like he actually has some knowledge of the world.

Rather than blame President Bush for all the evils of the world, why doesn't he do something as a U.S. Senator to help the Katrina victims? Or better yet, why don't they start helping themselves or have their local and state governments assist? The hurricane was 2 years ago - time to quit the whining and blaming game.

It seems ironic that those "pull yourself by your own bootstraps"ites, support and vote for slackers born with silver spoons in their mouths.

man, it's sad to see the full range of ignorance and racism on display in these comments. Sad, sad white people, that's why the world hates you. You only see your ignorant, short-sighted view.

"Why is it that previous ethnic groups, which also suffered discrimination, have been able to succeed in large numbers within a far shorter period, without the benefits of trillions of dollars of transfer payments and affirmative action?"

Posted by: PC | June 6, 2007 2:09 PM

Because these people weren't hanged because their skin was black and treated as second class citizens for 200 years, you boob.

A couple quick replies to James:

James
"Seems as if Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have a surrogate candidate. As a conservative indepent voter"
-Isn't a conservative independent voter a different way of saying your a republican. Can you really be a independent conservative and not drink from the Republican koolade bowl?

James-
"He's just another race baiter who sees everything in black and white who complains about black men in prison while forgetting their victims. I'm betting that the bullet in the baby came from the gun of a black gangsta"

-I am a white person and feel that miniorites are unfarily imprisoned or don't receive the benefits of doubt (like thinking all gangstas are black, or that black people shoot babies) and a fair legal system. Obama isn't saying that pity the poor black man, he is saying that miniorities and non miniorities are going through something here in this country that is tearing apart familys and lives-poverty.

Now James, why don't you take your racist self and go on all those white supremicist boards your itching to visit. You might make some friends there who care about what your sayign

Please beware Obama, if you began to draw attention to and place a face on poverty, particularly African-American poverty, you will have no chance at winning the presidency, let alone gaining the democratic nomination. One of the hard and fast rules of acquiring mainstream national acceptance in any society - such as that required by a U.S. presidential candidate is to avoid, like the plague, any reference to or sincere concern for the condition of the marginalized and severly stigmatized in a given society. Keep it mainstream and PC Obama!

Tell Obama I can't afford to "reduce pockets of endemic poverty" as I'm too busy paying for all the illegals.

Barack Obama has a proven
record of addressing issues and offering solutions. Further, as both a candidate and elected official he has appealed and been accepted by citizens of different beliefs. His comments exhibit an understanding of a reality that can not continue to be ignored.

Why does Bush get blamed for the mess in Katrina? I mean he is to blame for a lot of things, but not that. The state and local officials, and more so the individuals should be taking the fall first and foremost, then the left over blame can go to him. The Governor is supposed to call and request FEMA in emergencies, so i heard reported on the news. And if they tell you to leave town, and you don't, don't try blaming the government for your own mistakes. I feel sorry for the victims of Katrina but all the finger pointing and lack of personal responsibility has only made the situation worse. Not to mention that it is always a black issue with Katrina, were there not any white families misplaced by the disaster? I had pretty much decided to vote for Obama prior to these comments, now he is going to have to redeem himself.

There is nothing new to the mans proposals. More programs, is old hat socialism. Instead of offering a hand up while using your foot to hold a person down, why don't we cut the red tape, and make it easier for the average person to make the move to opening small businesses. Make it easier to hire, instead of requiring employees to be responsible for more, such as the economy killing socialized healthcare. Demonizing big businesses does nothing for anyone. The Republican candidates would help themselves out if they would call the democrates out on their desastrous proposals.
The mans herritage does nothing for me. My children are of mixed race, but like Obama they have no experience being 3 and 9. My opinion, he is nothing but a machine designed to stir up one demographic into voting for Hillary, the obvious pick for the primaries.
Tim Youngberg-Wheaton
PS. She will lose.

"Because these people weren't hanged because their skin was black and treated as second class citizens for 200 years, you boob."

I suggest, Jethro, that rather than resort to personal attacks, you study history and learn what previous groups had to endure, often in accordance with the laws of the times.

We need to stop making excuses for blacks.

Juan D,

Por que es usted tal racista?

Amen bro! As a father of mixed race kids, Hussein Obamas heritage doesn't impress me. His ideas are not new. Same ol same ol socialism will not inspire enough votes for this man. What worries me though is I believe his mission is to stir up a certain demographic to vote for Hillary after he gratiously bows out. Un-fortunately 90% of African American voters have been conned into believing the only way to make it in America is with government help. What a shame. All the poverty in Louisiana shows what this leads to.

Little Johnny Meatball, you seem obsessed with where I work?

What's wrong, things not working out for you in the HVAC business?

GOBAMA IN 08!

Tim,

Are you saying that another angry old rich white guy Republican does impress you?

Pleeeeas!

Why does Bush get blamed for the mess in Katrina? I mean he is to blame for a lot of things, but not that. The state and local officials, and more so the individuals should be taking the fall first and foremost, then the left over blame can go to him.
Posted by: elisabeth | June 6, 2007 3:15 PM

Long before Katrina hit, Bush was given a report from FEMA suggesting that there were three major concerns facing the US.
1)A terrorist attack on US soil
2)A flood or hurricane that would devastate NO due to the condition of the levees.
3)A severe quake that would devastate the Bay area.
If I lived in the bay area I would start to worry. Nothing was ever done once this report hit his desk. A disaster of this magnitude deserved more than a fly-by and a heck of a job brownie. I don't understand how those on the right claim to go to any lenght to free Iraqis', and yet ignore our own. All I hear from the right is how these victims won't just pick themselves up by their boot straps and get a job. Yet the Iraqis don't even want us there but your willing to waste a fortune in wealth and lives to do so.

50 People dead in the LA riots..Hundreds of businesses and homes desstroyed.And he has the gall to call it a quiet riot? Can't wait for his campaign slogan.

I've been saying it for years and more importantly, as an African American woman I have been experiencing it daily. There is an epidemic of indifference and apathy in the black community due to a lack of knowledge of resources and ultimately limited access to the resources that are known about. This causes anger, hate and desperation to breed.
The American Dream, which is depicted materialistically in movies, music and the like, becomes an albatross around the neck of the poor. Many become determined to have it by any means and sadly to say, some will do anything possible to stop those shining stars around them from making headway. These actions contribute to the trend against success and achievement, and morality that is becoming more prevalent.

My father-in-law came over from Ireland on a cattle boat with a fifth grade education. He made something of himself because he was motivated and didn't expect the government to hand him everything. Firat things first, get off the porch and get a education so you can get a job other then at a McDonalds. The gov't doesn't owe you anything.

You can rest assured I will vote for anyone other than Obama in primary, even Dennis "K"

John E., I'm just glad that so far today you haven't posted as me. But if you want to talk obsession with someone and where one works and one lives, most folks here know that weirdo kook is you!

Besides, how can be obsessed about where you work when you don't even have a job???

I find it fascinating that we have spent over 5 trillion dollars since the mid sixties to combat poverty.

The Dims would have us spend much more.

I have a question though: For all the money we have spent, what do we really have to show for it???

Seems to me we will be throwing good money after bad.

Oh well with the Dims any argument to raise taxes is a good one, who cares if the money spent actualy does anyone any good??

GOD wants us to love one another as he loves us. Showing love can also include helping others to help themselves regardless of what race they may be. For the comment that blacks do not want to work, how narrow minded can you be, it's obvious you have never missed a meal and that you have always had toilet paper to wipe your ass. Try wearing the shoes of someone less less fortunate and pray you never have to live a life of proverty, you would'nt ( NO COULD NOT)survive it. And to those that knock Obama for referring to quiet riots, qet real how the heck is that promoting riots, get a grip. Are you so prejudice that your small mind causes you to hear what you want to hear. Give the man his props, yeah he's black, inteligent and capable of becoming the first BLACK PRESIDENT. You scared.

Contrary to Mr. Obama's views, being poor is not used as an excuse to riot, quietly or otherwise, by most lower income people. Instead, they go to school, get educations, get diplomas, get jobs and become responsible citizens. For those who commit the time and effort to educate themselves, unemployment is extremely low, regardless of color. To say that being poor is a reason to break the law is an insult to those of us who have lifted ourselves through education and hard work.

I think it is sad that children from these poor black neighborhoods are growing up without role models and parents who would give them the values that they need to survive in life. While it is true that life for them is twice or several times harder than other folks, there must be a way to create programs for them that centers on life building skills where they would learn the values of hard work, patience and education by giving them options and goals and a chance to see result. In this way, the government could intervene and would in turn prepare their future for a better life. I believe that Senator Obama feels that it is his responsibility to speak about the issues since we cannot ignore the fact that he's partly representing the black community because of his skin color. If no one is willing to act and instead blame other people for their misfortunes, our society would continue to widen the gap between rich and poor people.

The parents have to take the lead. It is not others causing the problems - standup for your self & get good eduation & job.Obama is going to become a black running for office, not an American.

pat buchanon, evil spirit tho he has, is far from stupid...

he has had the numbers right for a decade... given the changing demographics in this country, the GOP is finished as a political force...

the clock is running wingnuts-- get ready for some real dmocracy!! it IS coming...

Implicit in Obama's speech is an acceptance of the logic of riot and mayhem if you feel you're oppressed. Clearly, he feels the death, injury, and destruction in the wake of the Rodney King incident in "understandable." A real leader would have condemned such violence in no uncertain terms, not pandered to a Black audience by showing tacit approval of that kind of behavior. These are not the words of a potential leader of the free world.

Implicit in Obama's speech is an acceptance of the logic of riot and mayhem if you feel you're oppressed. Clearly, he feels the death, injury, and destruction in the wake of the Rodney King incident in "understandable." A real leader would have condemned such violence in no uncertain terms, not pandered to a Black audience by showing tacit approval of that kind of behavior. These are not the words of a potential leader of the free world.

It is encouraging to see there are people posting here who give some thought to their views,regardless of what they conclude. I wish some, if not all of you, would study the origination of and then watch the entire THE WIRE(HBO) series. It makes more possible to have an understanding of things most have not experienced. Of course there are degrees of deprivation,but there should be no level that is unacceptable in a world with so much good in it.

Wanting a change for the better! & Sad to say we have not gotten it from Bush jr. & I as a young white mother& Wife to a Husband of color. I choose to Believe that there is hope from GOD and if Barack Obama follows him(God) & stay's true to his words then yes he will be our next President no matter his color for black is black white is white but when were both cut we Bleed Red, so theres no color problem here & I don't think Barack has one either!! He wants all of us to be free, safe,with money, & healhty,Protected and Proud to be Americans with America taking "mutual responsibility for each other as a society" So Pray that whoever Gets in to be 2008 President that we all will be responsibe for our own actions & keeping it at peace!

Wanting a change for the better! & Sad to say we have not gotten it from Bush jr. & I as a young white mother& Wife to a Husband of color. I choose to Believe that there is hope from GOD and if Barack Obama follows him(God) & stay's true to his words then yes he will be our next President no matter his color for black is black white is white but when were both cut we Bleed Red, so theres no color problem here & I don't think Barack has one either!! He wants all of us to be free, safe,with money, & healhty,Protected and Proud to be Americans with America taking "mutual responsibility for each other as a society" So Pray that whoever Gets in to be 2008 President that we all will be responsibe for our own actions & keeping it at peace!

Wanting a change for the better! & Sad to say we have not gotten it from Bush jr. & I as a young white mother& Wife to a Husband of color. I choose to Believe that there is hope from GOD and if Barack Obama follows him(God) & stay's true to his words then yes he will be our next President no matter his color for black is black white is white but when were both cut we Bleed Red, so theres no color problem here & I don't think Barack has one either!! He wants all of us to be free, safe,with money, & healhty,Protected and Proud to be Americans with America taking "mutual responsibility for each other as a society" So Pray that whoever Gets in to be 2008 President that we all will be responsibe for our own actions & keeping it at peace!

SOCIALISM FOR ALL!

DEMAND! all ye who are entitled!

Barry Obama is a real charlatan of political doublespeak. A shiny new 70's liberal that thinks throwing money at all problems cures it. He is bought and paid for by his supporters. He voted against Chief Justice Roberts and is crooked as they come in Illinois. An old fashioned fraud is what he is. Good luck to the ones who like him. He will greatly disappoint many more. On a good note though...He is a shining light next to Jesse Jackson and other so called Black Celebs.

How Do You Solve Poverty?

Calling Obama names? No.
Or praising Obama? No.
Talking about race? No.
Or fretting about a riot? No.

Yes, you can communicate on the steps that can solve problems! That will help. Yes, you can build upon other steps, efforts, solutions! That helps too. Naive to think that nothing has been done before. Or that nothing is going on right now helping people. But a little something being now now can go a lot farther if you had your ostrich head out of the sand. Sorry Obama inconvenienced your slumber.

So once your eyes are clear of sand, LOOK AROUND at what CHILD you can mentor. You can't afford a few hours a week? Helping? Is it against your religion to help????

IF you're brave enough, then your help will teach a child, or a few, about holding onto hope. You can echo the sentiments of others that violence is useless, counterproductive, ineffective, etc. Or are brave only online, on a faceless monitor screen? The second you step away from the computer you turn wimpy with your actions because you ignore poor folks. Well? You didn't go out of your way to communicate with any today did you? Or any hours this week mentoring or feeding or helping in employment searchs or money for home repairs or, or, or . . .

Maybe the poor can be discarded like an unprofitable company disappears? Gone, erased from the phone book and set at the curb for garbage pick up. Right? For only the strong survive. Can you give me an amen? For the only worthwhile humans, brothers and sisters, are those humans that have learned how to work. Amen!

Or maybe you can take a measure of your life's work? Like the thoroughly enjoyable "The Measure of a Man' by Sidney Poitier, and ask yourself if your life has been lived according to your values? And see if your relevant in your own heart. No-no, don't look down at your skin. No. And avoid your cash calculations on what rung of the economic ladder you are on (the higher you are, the easier it is to crap on lower rungs? but the more dramatic the fall). Avoid race and wealth and power and religion - all those labels - and jump on your hearts inventory list. What have you done lately?

Start with today's youth. Now, with communicating how you can help them. Instill hope. Measure up!

Like with http://www.associationhouse.org/
and their volunteer forms page:
https://secure.digital-community.com/english/associationhouse.org/get_involved/volunteer.html

Or a whole list of community organizations if that one doesn't float your boat:
http://www.law.northwestern.edu/publicservice/volunteer.html

And pardon me, I'll go get the stone out of my eye now. Not perfect, me or you, yet we're still each a miracle of God. Yes we are! Or are you God qualified to assemble a human being, all the blood vessels and internal organs in the correct spot? I've always wondered how you get the heart pumping and keep it going.

Celebrate Life by contributing to the amazing life around you. Good people are everywhere and you can help multiply them. You do make a difference in quelling violence and adding hope. And in the process you'll have traveled to Oz and won a heart.

Someone should point out to Obama that blacks are yesterday's news in the Democratic Party of 2007. The Democrats see their future in Mexican and Muslim immigrants. Those are the people at whom most future Democratic social programs will be targeted and those are the people who will get most of the affirmative action slots.

If blacks want anything out of the Democrat Party in the future, they had better learn a little Español or begin bowing down to Allah.

Shermie, when Barack wins we're going to put you on the no-fly list.

GOBAMA IN 08 !

Obama is an ass. The reason I say this is that the NYTimes had an article about 6 months ago that noted how well black immigrants from the caribbean area are doing in NY. Many of them came here and went to college, got good jobs, got married and now are doing very well.

What this shows is that American born blacks have nobody to blame but themselves. Having babies out of wedlock and dropping out of school is a recipe for failure. The incredibly sad thing about this is that Obama plays on the emotions of these types of people instead of seeing that it's mainly their life choices.

"young men and women without hope, without miracles and without a sense of destiny other than life on the edge -- the edge of the law, the edge of the economy, the edge of family structures and communities."

You mean 13 years of free gov't education hasn't given them hope. How can that be?

Does Boy WOnder have memories of church burnings in his youth too?

John E, that vessel of economic knowledge, spews again.

"Barack Obama has a proven
record of addressing issues and offering solutions." Doesn't take much to address an issue and offer a solution. How many of his "solutions" have been implemented?

Why don't the dems and Obama just adopt this as their campaign slogan. It's worked in other countries. "From each according to his ability, to each according to his need (or needs"

If blacks want anything out of the Democrat Party in the future, they had better learn a little Español or begin bowing down to Allah.

Posted by: S. Sherman | June 6, 2007 7:46 PM

Spoken like a true putz from the rightious right.

John E, when Barack loses, we will send you to Venezuela where you will not have to be exposed to any non-leftist opinions.

John E., I know you have multiple personality disorder and even like to post as other people: imagined or real, but on the Al Gore book signing post, you say Al Gore in 2008. Here you say Obama in 2008. Which is it, John E.?

Little Johnny Can of Corn,

I could send you and the other dead enders a hand written copy of my strategy and you still wouldn't get it.

Bill R,
"Spoken like a true putz from the rightious right."

Do you even know what putz means? Kish mir in tuchis.

Mark: the reason that black caribbean immigrants are doing fine here has nothing to do with the fact that they are black, and the people that live here that are poor has nothing to do with the fact that most are black. The immigrants that are here legally (which they must be if studies can be conducted on them) had to have a great deal of money (comparatively for their society) and be educated to even move here in the first place. I have a friend whose family migrated from Haiti, and in order to do that, they had to sell all of their property (which to even HAVE property in Haiti means you are rich) and put the money in American banks (in order to accomplish this means you need to be educated.) It is not an issue of color. It is an issue of the repression of people for 200 years, who were given basic rights a mere 40 years ago!

The truth is America is a color country. Everything is viewed from a color prospective. The rhetoric that all man is created equal, justice and liberty for all’ IS A BUMPER STIKER’. Justice, equality and liberty do not yet resonate among Americans whether; law makers, politicians, gangsters, rappers, journalists, the street corner men and businessmen. The white house political codes and language are inherited so does most of the poverty that decorates America’s inner-cities and ghettoes. Racism is an inherited, legacy and must be resolved amicable, it will never go away until equal rights, justice is guaranteed to all without regard to race. Dream of lasting peace, rule of laws will remain an illusion to be pursued but never attain. So let’s face the truth and deal with the biggest problem since Columbus. Individual responsibilities both on the path of the victims and those who carried out the act are essential. Peace and goodwill which we yarned for can only be a reality when equal right and justice are served.

Ahhh Yeah
Obama is down with the struggle.

Kickin' it old school from the private schools in Hawaii and mansions in Hyde Park.

We'll try this again:

Love how John E likes to use Hawk Harrelsonisms for me: Little Johnny Can of Corn, Little Johnny Ducksnort.

But it would be great if the second best Hawkism could be applied to John E: He gone!!

Angela:

You said that the immigrants who came here "had to have a great deal of money (comparatively for their society) and be educated to even move here in the first place."

While this may be partly true, the NY Times article had this to say:

"“Southeast Queens, especially, had a heavy influx of West Indian folks in the late 80’s and early 90’s,” said Mr. Veron, who, like his 31-year-old wife, was born on the island of Jamaica. “Those individuals came here to pursue an opportunity, and part of that opportunity was an education,” he said. “A large percentage are college graduates. We’re now maturing and reaching the peak of our earning capacity.”"

So Angela, according to the NYTimes article, many of those immigrants came here to pursue a college education. It also goes on to say that many of these immigrants stayed married which has added to their wealth.

The bottom line is get an education, and if you get married, stay married (unless it's a really bad marriage) and you'll do much better vs having a victocrat mentality and looking for a government handout.

By the way, if you want to look up the NYTimes article to read it, it was titled "Black Incomes Surpass Whites in Queens" and published on October 1st, 2006 and it was written by Sam Roberts.

Mark

"Obama is an ass. The reason I say this is that the NYTimes had an article about 6 months ago that noted how well black immigrants from the caribbean area are doing in NY. Many of them came here and went to college, got good jobs, got married and now are doing very well.

What this shows is that American born blacks have nobody to blame but themselves."

Mark

I get so sick of hearing this same old tired comparison of apples and oranges. Comparing (i) immigrants, who by definition tend to be populated almost exclusively by the more highly-motivated, driven individuals of a particular ethnic group, to (ii) the entire spectrum of another ethnic group tells us little if anything. There is an overwhelming abundance of American-born African Americans who are thriving in this nation and are full participants in all that it has to offer, and there are plenty of folks who so-called "successful" immigrants have left back "home" who lack initiatve and ambition and who regularly engage in the same type of antisocial and dysfunctional behavior we seem so quick to attribute to American-born blacks. And while I think my argument extends beyond intra-black comparisons, I am particularly sensitive the absurdity of these sorts of comparisons having lived for a time in South Florida and listening to my Carribean bethren perpetuate this nonsense.

Ending the analysis at our borders leaves it incomplete, pure and simple. I've visited some of these other countries. While some might find it convenient to forget, they do have more than their share of serious social issues. Otherwise, why immigrate in the first place?

There was a period not too long ago when the same dynamic seemed to start playing out in South Africa. Only this time African Americans were the immigrant (temporarily at least), "successful" class, and the questions centered on South Africans getting their proverbial "act together". Simply a nonsensical comparison.

Having said all that, this African-American is not so interested in dwelling on "blame", Mark, as he is in focusing on self-responsibility and determination. Self-reflection can only lead to positive results in my view. Not a small number of us do embrace it, popular belief notwithstanding.

Let us see if we're getting this. If I'm not elected with my visionary plan and ability to solve any problem there will be riots. The riots will be OK because the people were not given anything by anyone to give them a boost up. Barack Obama (F/K/A Barry), a true Socialist, advocates violence. And we thought he was just inexperienced.

Den C

Sorry but that comment about rioting reeks of Osama. Didn't he just threaten that we best convert.