Taking the race in an ugly direction--UPDATED with video
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Download | play (h/t Scarce)
About a month ago, the Huffington Post’s Tom Edsall reported that Hillary Clinton’s presidential campaign may be subtly, quietly targeting Barack Obama over his teenaged drug use. Ridiculous, said the Clinton campaign, who insisted Edsall’s report was baseless.
Shortly thereafter, Billy Shaheen, the then-co-chairman of Clinton’s campaign in New Hampshire, went after Obama on the issue, and publicly questioned whether Obama may have been a drug dealer. The Clinton campaign, to its credit, quickly forced Shaheen to step down from his post.
And yet, yesterday, another high-profile Clinton surrogate picked up where Shaheen left off.
Robert L. Johnson, the founder of Black Entertainment Television, who is campaigning today in South Carolina with Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton, just made a suggestion that raised the specter of Barack Obama’s past drug use. He also compared Mr. Obama to Sidney Poitier, the black actor, in “Guess Who’s Coming to Dinner.” […]
“And to me, as an African-American, I am frankly insulted that the Obama campaign would imply that we are so stupid that we would think Hillary and Bill Clinton, who have been deeply and emotionally involved in black issues since Barack Obama was doing something in the neighborhood -- and I won’t say what he was doing, but he said it in the book -- when they have been involved.”
Clinton, who spent the day campaigning alongside Johnson and was there when he made the remarks, did not criticize or distance herself from the comments. That’s a shame, because Bob Johnson took a very low road.
Now, it’s worth noting that, a few hours later, Johnson issued a statement — through the Clinton campaign — explaining that he was referring to “Obama’s time spent as a community organizer.”
Johnson apparently thinks, or at least hopes, that everyone who sees his remarks is a blithering idiot. By Johnson’s logic, Obama was not “deeply and emotionally involved in black issues” while serving as a community organizer in inner-city Chicago, working with black churches. That’s the defense — that Obama’s noble efforts couldn’t even be acknowledged out loud. Please.
For that matter, let’s also not lose sight of the messenger here. For all the talk that Obama has hurt his own cause by referencing conservative frames on specific issues, Hillary Clinton was campaigning alongside Bob Johnson — a public advocate of Bush’s plan to privatize Social Security and an active proponent of Bush’s plan to eliminate the estate tax.
This Bob Johnson flap is, to put it mildly, disappointing. That Clinton stood by and said nothing was a mistake. That the Clinton campaign issued a ridiculous statement on Johnson’s behalf compounded that mistake.
If Clinton were willing to publicly criticize Johnson for his cheap shot, that would be a big first step in the right direction, and might even help lower the temperature a bit. Alas, given what we’ve seen, that seems unlikely.
Divisiveness? From the Clintons? Say it ain't so!
This is par for the course. It's so part of their history, this behavior is in their blood. The question isn't whether or not they'll continue down this path. It's when they'll do it again. And again. And again...
This isn't "beating up on Hillary." And I like(d) me some Bill Clinton. But to ignore this personality trait in both of them, I worry, is simply to ratchet up partisan bickering and divisiveness when that's the last thing we need. Ugh.
michael @ 1:
I second that. Hillary knows what her staff/supporters did. Either she owns up to it or passively accepts it.
But ... but ... she found her own voice!
/snark
She can defend each individual remark by her or one of her surrogates, but the overriding theme is that she is forcefully injecting race into the discussion. Clinton just wants to paint Obama as "the black candidate." That will alienate him among whites, and then she wins the nomination. It's disgusting politics, but what else can we expect from the Clintons?
I hope the American people see through her nonsense, but race is such a tricky and emotional issue, that I fear they may not.
What is so wrong about talking about his drug use?.... He talks about it in his book... Is it that he can talk about it but it's unfair for anybody else to talk about it? ... Where did we get this rule from?
The sad thing is, all the shit that's said about Obama, he can't respond to. Because if he does, then he gets branded as "the black" candidate and will receive enough backlash to force him out of the race.
People wonder why the media gives Hillary such a hard time? Because she pulls shit like this, over and over again, and no one calls her out on it. She had her advisors go after his drug use (which he was open about time and time again), Bob Johnson brings it up again, she goes after Martin Luther King Jr, her campaign supporters work to disenfranchise Union voters in Nevada, and no one calls her on it.
So yeah, I like how the Bob Johnson remark is referred to as "disappointing." Seriously, the state of campaign reporting is so sad. Call her out on this - this is some serious bullshit and it disappoints me that I like this site so much, but you guys let Clinton slide on EVERYTHING.
Top story right now? Monica Crowley made a JOKE about Hillary Clinton's comeback, and that gets its own story. "We are so offended!" Meanwhile, Bob Johnson makes serious snide remarks with Clinton right there, and that's "disappointing."
A vote for Shillary is a vote for four more years of the same.
At least Obama is honest about his drug use. I don't buy the "I didn't inhale" thing, never did. I think he still tokes it, quite frankly.
The guy doesn't even make sense. I guess that is what I should expect from someone who is bashing the Obama campaign. Ranting without making sense and trying to paint Obama as an Uncle Tom.
WTF does that even mean? Obama implies people are stupid because the Clintons have been involved?
Bystander @ 5:
The difference is context. When Obama talks about his own experiences and where he came from, he gives it context within the rest of his life. When it's used as a weapon, it's pretty clear (much like Rove's uber racist spin on Obama) that he's being painted as another-street-thug-drug-using-criminal-that-shouldn't-ever-run-anything
Frankly, I don't like to vote for someone who DIDN'T do drugs in their youth.
Why is his drug use not pertinent to the race? It's factual, he's admitted it, obviously he wanted it out there for all to know about and discuss. How many on here have brought up GW's alleged past use of coke? You can't have it both ways, Obama was a druggie, a serious character flaw that he's obviously overcome, but we, as the electorate are permitted to take this into account while making our decision on whom we trust to be president. Personally, I'd rather have someone in the White House who didn't do that. Is there something wrong with that? Once again, we've had 7 years of a coke-sniffin', unqualified president, I don't want another.
For heavens sake, this Hillary bashing is getting real old. You folks are as bad as the "other" media. Obama keeps getting preferential treatment by many people for absolutely no reason. How much does anyone want to bet that Obama will say/do similar things. We all need to grow up and realize that this is politics as always (always meaning, thousands of years).
I am no hillary supporter, but this is getting real old. If you folks cannot stand any criticism towards Obama, then how the heck are you going to handle the flood of crap that will flow from the right wing, once he wins the nomination?
Let us all focus our attention on getting the righties to fold, rather than in-fighting so much. There will be more statements made from all political camps...that is the nature ofthe beast, it is best not to get all incensed all the time.
My 0.5 cents worth.... lol
cheers!
oh! you left out the topper!
In a statement issued Sunday afternoon, Johnson said his remarks referred “to Barack Obama’s time spent as a community organizer, and nothing else. Any other suggestion is simply irresponsible and incorrect.”
[…]
talk about insulting one’s intelligence…
Mr. Anon @ 9:
Yeah it's kinda funny that he wanted to get his drug-use barb in so badly he didn't even bother finishing his defensive part correctly. The pattern, for future reference should be, Defensive-outrage, attacking contrast as an aside, finish Defensive-outrage. It should not be, Defenseive-outrage, attacking contrast as an aside, non-sequitor which diffuses the defensive portion.
Oh and Jason @ 6, THIS got its own story as well. I think C&L is trying to stay out of it and sometimes that means focusing a little bit on all the stories rather than hitting hard on the ones that are important to individuals here.
Oh and for the record I'm not an Obama supporter, but bullshit is bullshit, and calling someone out on youthful (like, real youthful not 40+ alcoholism youthful) indiscretions and experimentation is bullshit.
Progressive blogs such as TPM, DailyKos, HuffingtonPost, Salon, Firedoglake, Hullaballoo, all allowed the most disgusting race-baiting on their threads for weeks in November and December, 2007.
The Democratic party has allowed two sociopaths Bill and Hillary Clinton to take it on a fast trip to the gutter.
This African American voter has left the Democratic party for good.
Hank @ 12:
The difference is that Obama admitted to his drug use and wrote about it. It's common information. It's out there. W Bush never admitted to it and denied all the rumors. He's never come forward.
And the reason Clinton's pals are going the wrong route is because it's low-class to bring it up when he's already admitted to it. Would you think it particularly classy if Obama brought up Bill's infidelity every campaign stump?
The issues are fair game. Clinton voting for the war and standing by her vote is fair game, that's a character flaw that's fair to bring up. But nobody talks about her drug use before college, and it's stupid to bring up Obama's drug use at the same age when he's already come clean about it.
It's dirty politics.
Ben @ 13: Negative campaigning always deserves heavy scrutiny. Highlight real platform differences, not blantant insinuations that play to baser instincts and racism. Nobody is above reproach when it comes to that. Hillary could just as easily had Bob say the part where the Clintons have been involved with the Black community and its issues while Barack was still a youth or in law school or whatever.
Hank @ 12, see me at 10. The point is context. Obama admits his past indiscretion, and it's valid to ask him about it in a respectful way. The prejudgemental attitude associated with how it was referenced is sickening. How dare anyone pass judgement on someone else like that.
johnson is a sell-out. Just look how he sold the first African-American cable network to Viacom.
I don't care what Sen Obama did as a teen or as a young man as long as he wasn't violent. Did johnson forget Bill smoked weed as a young man?
Lawd knows chimpy and rumsfelt are the biggest drug users and dealers. Drug dealing and using is one of the building block of the US.
Why are they bring up the past when there's plenty to talk about right now?
Let me get something straight here -- no one can say anything bad or negative about Obama because he is "a black man" but the field is wide open and full of negativity and sexist comments for being "a woman"?
So it seems it is okay to use race to your advantage when it helps your campaign like having Oprah hold a rally or trying to make your speeches reminiscent of MLK or having all kinds of black pundits going on TV in your support but not okay for a black person to give his comments which imply non-support?
So... does that mean no one can say anything negative about Obama ever without being called "racist"? Where does it stop? And when do the sexist comments get the same coverage as the supposed racist ones? Wasn't it Obama's camp that claimed that Hillary's vote for the war might have been a cause which led to Bhutto's assassination? Didn't see as much coverage over that stretch of the imagination.
Maybe media and pundits better set some ground-rules here for what you are all going to consider "racist" because I personally find what is being claimed as racist is just about anything said that is unfavourable to Obama.
Tweakerbell @ 11:
Gotta agree. Anybody under 60 years old more than likely did some sort of drug when young. So what. How many people drank alcohol during Prohibition? How many politicians can say they NEVER tried ANY drug? Puh-LEEZ!
Mike @ 4:
These white folks people talk about sure are sneaky, liars and shallow. First they rigged the polls now they are scared of African-American.
The funny thing is that Obamanot only admitted it, but also kind of jokes about it. When asked if he inhaled, he said "isn't that the point?" I don't really understand the attacks about it. I don't think he does drugs anymore, and the book clearly shows that it was during a difficult period in his life where he was trying out a lot of different things. As long as the drugs are not influencing decisions he makes now, then I don't think its a big deal. Plus, let's be honest, they have all smoked weed at least once in their lives, its not the worst thing in the world...
That being said, Obama should be criticized on a lot more, especially when he doesn't show up for votes that are important. There should also be more focus on the fact that voting wise, Obama and Hillary are nearly identical, and according to Paul Krugman's article today, Hillary and Edwards' domestic policy plans are much more progressive than Obama's
The idea that the Clinton's are racist is absurd.
If Obama continues to play the race card like this, he can kiss the Reagan Democrats, Hispanics, and Asian voters goodbye.
the depths of the Clinton campaign sicken me.
apparently THIS is the voice Clinton found in New Hampshire?
Doesn't anyone remember Bill's famous " I tried it when I was young but didn't inhale ." interview ? Since Hill and Bill seem to be running as a package, they better be careful about trotting out skeletons . By the time this is over, Edwards may well come up the middle . Go John !
ben @ 13:
how is it hillary bashing when she said on tv yesterday that she would dismiss anyone from her campaign who did exactly what the head of bet just did??
im tired of the clintons
Hank @ 12:
HAHAHAHA You're joking right?
Serious character flaw?
Comparing Obama to chimp?
Surely you jest.
You have a serious comparison flaw.
JoeCHI @ 24:
When has Obama played the race card? He hasn't. Obama refuses to be involved in racial discussions. That's why WE'RE talking about it. That's why Obama isn't quoted here. He's not playing the race card.
canadian visitor @ 20:
Nobody's saying ANYTHING about Clinton being a woman. Who's said anything here? Who's said anything negative about Clinton for being a woman? Her gender has NOTHING to do with this. Dirty politics is dirty politics, it doesn't matter who's playing it.
I swear, the cognitive dissonance is amazing.
I do not support Hillary Clinton and did not support Bill Clinton. However, these "surrogate" attacks on Obama (who I do not support) remind me of suicide bombers. Recruited to sacrifice their personal integrity, positions, near-term prospects in exchange for "future compensation / favors", these surrogates strap on their vests and detonate themselves in the mainstream media, spreading fear and terror among Democratic voters.
Far be it from me to label this "campaign terrorism" but if the shoe fits...
At the same time, I wouldn't be averse to all the current slate of Dem and Rep candidates being raptured up to heaven... perhaps this Thursday would be convenient.
I would like to know why Obama nad Hillary haven't cited the fact that they are diffeent as a good thing. Everyone is so excited that we might have the first black president, especially after Iowa, and yet Obama says next to nothing about it. The only time I've really heard it from either of them is from Hillary during the debate before NH when she said that she is about change, and a huge part of it is that she is a woman, something different than ever before. To me, they both have extremely different perspectives than anyone else to ever run for the office, and I want to see why that can help them. Maybe they can connect differently with people.
It's been the clinton trickle down policy. From whats been mentioned, there were those
pathetic obama is a muslim e-mails, misrepresenting his position on abortion, and so on and so on. The clintons are out to destroy anyone who gets in their way.
Congratulations Robert Johnson, you just became the the world's richest Uncle Remus. Bill and Hillary have never done shit for black people....their rep is a myth! Boot lickers like Johnson perpetuate these lies.
There's a difference.
See if you're raised middle class and black then even taking drugs once make you a criminal.
If you're raised in a rich, white family and do coke then its simple a good time.. aint that right Dubya.
Plus I think I could argue a strong case that Dubya is still a cokehead.
JoeCHI @ 24:
You wish.
"Bob Johnson took a very low road."
To put it mildly.
First of all, Bob Johnson is hardly a black leader. BET. i told a coworker today- i think i was being hyperbolic, but maybe i wasn't- that BET has done more to harm blacks in the long run than the klan ever did. i grew up watching BETand now as a 30 year old, i can't believe they put that shit on TV- i'm speaking mostly about while it was under Johnson's control. All they showed for years was hours and hours of videos that reinforced bullshit themes of gangsta lifestyle that have hurt more black boys and girls than anything i've ever seen. there were very few informative or usefuls shows on there- and when there were, they were quickly axed. Tavis Smiley. Ed Gordon. Axed because they dared to inform, educate and enlighten blacks. so bob johnson has just proved himself to be the corporate "money trumps all" traitor to his race that i've always thought he was.
I predict that Edwards will speak up for Obama at the debate tomorrow night. The behavior of Team Clinton is offensive to all progressive Democrats, including Edwards.
Gary@34
Bingo! If you are a white frat boy who tired drugs it is just innocent fun and experimenting. If you are a black teenager, you are a thug or, as Hank@12 states, a "druggie". A 'druggie', sheesh, I haven't heard that term in a long time, is my mother in law posting on this blog? Maybe Obama is a "burnout". lol
Dems begin to eat their own. How delicious.
Please show me where Obama said anything about Hillary being a woman.
If Hillary didn't want to be perceived as a woman during the primary then she shouldn't do stereotypical things, such as tearing up over losing one state. Gimme a break.
But wait, didn't Bill C. get a little 420 action while kickin' it in the U.K.? Probably explains his penchant for dropping bombs on aspirin factories - wipe away the shame, so to speak.
Frankly, I would NEVER vote for a candidate who has never done some kind of drug and who doesn't support complete decriminalization of drugs across the board.
I'm sure Senator Obama appreciates the reference to his book. It can only improve sales.
Jason B @ 29:
Jason, I seem to get the impression you are an Obama supporter.
As for comments re sexism, your media and blogs have abounded in it. We get comments and days coverage of her laughter being "a cackle" comparable to a witch. We get comments that she was only elected Senator because "her husband messed around" and people felt sorry for her. We get comments on her attire and whether she is showing cleavage. We get coverage of her being compared to Glenn Close in Fatal Attraction, or Nurse Ratched in One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest. We get coverage of her emotional moment and questions whether she has the ability then to be trusted as President. We get comments on whether she is too strong and not feminine or too powerful or too strident, but all qualities you admire in the men you pick but abhor in her. I didn't see wall to wall coverage of Bush Sr. crying on TV or President Bush when he tears up, so that must be okay since they are "men". They ridicule John Edwards as "The Breck Girl" bringing up his hair demeaning him with the constant references to the Breck Girl... SO yes, sexism is all over the airwaves against Clinton. I can cite a lot more examples of denigrating comments made to Clinton because she is a woman if you want them. So how about if racism is an issue because Barrack is black, then the same disgust should be displayed towards all the sexism because Hillary is a woman. That is fair isn't it? EQUAL scrutiny for ALL candidates?
Of course because Obama is black he can't be racist (or so the prevailing thought is). He and his campaign have spent the past week fanning the theory that the Clintons have deminished MLK and insult his campaign by calling it "a fairy tale," all of which is a lie. President Johnson DID cause the civil rights dream to be realized when HE signed the legislation AND Obama's storyline about his Irag stance IS a fairy tale being told by him and his campaign.We have to be sooooo care as not to even suggest anything that might even be racial. I am so tired of Obama. To me, he's an empty suit with great rhetoric and that's it's it. Hillary has shown that she is ready to be president and can definitely handle the job. 25 years ago when Bill and Hillary were dealing with black issues, Obama was 21 years old and was probably "experimenting" with cocaine. So, as far as I am concerned, nobody has lied except the Obama campaign.
Once again Crooks and Liars is hijacked by the anti-clinton haters. This piece is nothing more than a "vote for Obama" ad. If I didn't know better, I would think Arianna Huffington wrote this piece. Let's see what happens when the golden boy starts getting scrutinized. No more free rides for untested candidates.
Gary @ 34:
Bravo my good man! Bravo!
PssttCmere@46 -
I disagree... I don't support HRC or Barak Obama... or Edwards, Richardson, Biden, Kucinich, Gravel, or any GOP candidate past, present or future.
This whole "tempest in teapot" about MLK, LBJ, race, gender, etc., reminds me of children in a playground calling each other names, stamping their feet and pointing fingers. One keeps waiting for an adult to arrive and settle things down. Maybe HRC and Barak Obama need a time out?
Hillary AND Obama- Both Divisive, self centered, and both probably will cause the 2008 Elections to be much closer than they need to be when it should be a complete Democratic blowout.
Put your support behind Edwards. Don't let yourself fall for either of the two "leaders". There may be a time for Obama, in the future, when he has more experience and a better record of doing his job as a senator. I may vote for Obama if he is the candidate, but I will NOT vote for Hillary because of her poor record of standing up against the Republicans.
Edwards is the greatest chance America has of taking our country back. That is why the media will not speak his name. That is why they constantly throw Hillary and Obama in our faces and are increasingly dividing the Democratic party on what should be a no-brainer to those of us who want to End the occupation of Iraq AND Hold the Republican crooks accountable.
48- Who do you support? If you aren't supporting anyone, maybe YOU should run, since no one meets your standards. Or if your whole point is just to sell "I'm not going to vote" maybe you are NOT Helping your country by your abstinence of democracy....
So . . . no one can talk about his past drug use because he's black? Since when is drug use a reference to being black?
I was open to Obama until I heared Oprah say (in effect) that questioning his lack of experience (not being ready) was tantamount to holding back blacks.
So . . . no one can question his experience because he's black?
If you're a guy and old enough to remember your youthful dating experiences and how there was always a guy(s) who had a good "rap" and was able to get all the girls, then you should be feeling a bit of deja vu right now. Obama is that rapper and he's stealing your best chance to win back the Whitehouse.
sam @ 45:
Is it so hard not to be a racist?
"Clinton, who spent the day campaigning alongside Johnson and was there when he made the remarks, did not criticize or distance herself from the comments".
WHY SHOULD SHE ??
Every candidate should be & has been called on his/her past activities, why is Obama any different. He can dish but can't take? Being black doesn't exempt him!! This whole race crap is B/S, America, including African Americans know where the Clintons stand regarding race.
Ah, now I undersand:
Hillary mentions Martin Luther King; Hillary is a racist.
Obama sneers, 'You're likable enough;' Obama is not a sexist.
Hillary takes questions about policy specifics for hours; Hillary is a dull panderer.
Obama doesn't take questions about policy specifics; Obama is a visionary.
Hillary is given worse treatment in the press than any candidate; Hillary deserves everything she gets.
Obama is given better treatment in the press than any candidate; Obama deserves everything he gets.
Hillary's supporters pledge to support whomever the Democrats nominate; Hillary's supporters are party-loyalist sheep.
Obama's supporters pledge to support anyone but Hillary; Obama's supporters are principled citizens.
Hillary is cold, inhuman, dishonest, polarizing and can never overcome her past (or her husband's); Hillary is unelectable because he will so bitterly divide us.
Obama is young, warm, warm, eloquent and has a (nearly) flawless past; Obama will win in a landslide because he will unite us.
Except, of course, for those of us who have been relentlessly vilified for supporting Hillary. We are not part of the great coming unity. Ah, well.....
PssttCmere @ 46:
Give me a break. Calling her campaign out on something that is blatant bullshit doesn't make one "anti-Clinton". I think it's quite obvious that all the "pro-Clinton" people are having a hard time with the fact that Obama hasn't made any serious missteps (yet) like she has.
I'll be honest and say that incidents like this, coupled with her big fat crocodile tears, have really turned me off. Not to mention that I think she's a war hawk.
As for what he'll do when he is being scrutinized? Well, I'll guess we'll find out, won't we.
Cons and right wingers are going to unload on Obama at some point.
http://www.freedomsenemies.com/_more/obama.htm
What about seriously thinking about a 3rd party? Its the only way that the Dems will stop taking progressives for granted. As long as people like us are supporting whoever the nominee is, they will not pay serious attention to us and will try to get as many Independents and Repubs as they can. All of these candidates have a great chance to put forward a hugely progressive agenda because of how much Bush has screwed up the country, and yet all we are getting is more of the same. The healthcare policies are BS, they refuse to negate the racist remarks that the Republican candidates consistently make about immigrants, they won't stand for getting out of Iraq immediately, and then we have Obama saying that he's going to bomb Pakistan.
Can we please have a real antiwar candidate who is also for real reform domestically too?
Mr. Pelicano @ 48:
Has Sen Clinton made reference to MLK when the audience is white? It seem as if Sen Clinton wanted to get MLK in before Obama.
And as far as drug use goes, This is nothing that the Republican party won't be broadcasting far and wide. However, I seriously doubt that Thompson, Guliani, McCain, or Romney haven't ever done drugs. In fact, I can easily see Guliani dressed in drag doing a line of coke off a fellow Transvestite's ass.
The point is, Obama's done drugs AND Admitted to it, so he's going to have to figure out how to face the FACTS in defending himself. Politics is a rough business. He might as well get it out of way, SOONER, rather than later, where it can hurt him more. The Clintons, in my belief, have done a lot for Black Americans, including MORE inclusiveness, not less.
Put your inter-party divisiveness away, Please- Before it results in the REAL RACISTS AND SEXISTS - the Republicans- getting another insane bastard elected.
canadian visitor @ 44:
When her campaign sends out surrogates to ask stupid questions, like "diamonds or pearls?", she's kind of asking for it.
Hey Fanon. How's it going?
Clinton Gets an Egg Thrown at Him. Whatever Clinton's domestic legacy was at the end, foreign policy was as bad as W's. NAFTA, Afghanistan, to name two examples. Whether the egg was for moral standing or foreign policy making, it was nevertheless deserved.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GcFQUwchvnw
Does anyone really think the repubs will not talk about the drug "use or sale" in the general? Does anyone think they will not talk about the "race" thing? Read Rove's article in Opinion Journal from last week, he used every stereotypes on Obama about black men!
Hello, GaMe. Good thanks. Nice to see you.
Bill Clinton was CRUCIFIED because he "didn't inhale"--tried marijuana. Bush cannot get away from his cocaine and alcohol use. Why should Obama get a pass? He did the deed, did he not?
If you can't stand the heat, get out!
MOTOWN52@16 I'm right with you man. The Democratic party will lose millions of black voters with this total insult of our intelligence. I will NEVER vote for Hillary and Bill. Billionaire shoe shine boy Robert Johnson fucked up BET and his NBA team sucks.
so billary is NOT above being full-blown repugs, rather than just repug-lite. no surprise. and for anyone who thinks that billary was ever pro minority, look again at the record in Arkansas. they are neither pro-minority nor progressive nor pro-commoner. they are aristocracy and they got everything they were in it for: money. now they get this black corporate shill uncleTom to race-bait Obama, shades of colon blowell and condimelda.
tim russert is an asshole, but he got billary pegged yesterday.
bill did not inhale, right?
fuck the clintons! their record says enough to me about who they are and why I don't want them back in the WH.
62- But at least we could AFFORD The eggs to throw back then.
chris @ 62:
Bill Clinton was CRUCIFIED because he "didn't inhale"--tried marijuana. Bush cannot get away from his cocaine and alcohol use. Why should Obama get a pass? He did the deed, did he not?
If you can't stand the heat, get out!
Fanon @ 55:
Thank you Fanon.
When will people realized we are against any thing anti US citizen.
canadian visitor @ 44:
That's fine. Sexism in THE MEDIA. But you said it was OBAMA being sexist. It was not, and you said as much right there.
But it's Clinton who's bringing up Obama's race, trying to get him to respond to it. Obama has never said anything bad about Clinton for being a woman and has never gone after gender. His campaign has been clean, Clinton's has not.
If you want to run against the media, feel free. But Obama doesn't run the media.
Even if you are an enthusiastic Hillary fan, all you need to do is watch the video of Mr. Johnson to see how wrong his comments are. If he was talking about Obama's community organizing then what's up with the suggestive tone and laughter from Johnson and the audience? You want to nominate a candidate that sits there on stage while this happens and then won't distance themselves from it? You want a candidate that is now using Rovian tactics to attempt to diminish Obama's anti-war stance? Hillary & Bill need to take a good long look in the mirror and realize that her record on Iraq is thin at best and that she is going to alienate a lot of Democrats by taking the low road. I won't vote for a Republican but I am going to tune out if she gets nominated. I think it is going to be really hard for Obama supporters to just forget about her crappy tactics and Independents are just going to run over to McCain if he gets nominated. You want another 50% squeaker in November?
I don't believe Hillary is racist. Sleazy, yes. That's a new position for me to take regarding her character. But this is from watching her performance over the last couple of months.
Should the NH recount sway the vote to Obama, she's toast for the rest of her career.
canadian visitor @ 20:
Canadian visitor: That's exactly what it means. Welcome to politics in the USA, i. e. the pot calling the kettle black. Yup! if you're not with Obama, you're a racist bigot. For my part, I love the whiney statement that if Obama addresses hard issues, then he'll be labeled "the black man" and it will destroy his candidacy. How's that gonna work if he's in the WH? Just askin.'
All this bullshit will just split the Democratic party. It's been nothing but race and cocaine on the cable news shows for three days now, over and over and over again.
There was a good post the other day comparing the speeches of Clinton, Obama, and Edwards. There is no doubt Obama is a leader who inspires people to get invloved. That's the way social movements get going.
Is anyone really inspired by Hillary Clinton? This dirty politics is typical of the 90's. If she wins the dem nomination we will have 4 to 8 mores years of the same old shit.
Finally, with 300 million people in this country can we not have someone for president that is not named Bush or Clinton.
Bush, Clinton, Bush, Clinton, please let me off I think I going to be sick.
kaT @ 69:
Sandokan @ 54:
of course, you haven't taken a look at billary's record, have you?
kaT @ 69:
That fits here perfectly!
kaT@69
Sorry, my post got mixed in with yours.
The point is context (as someone mentioned before). He is open and honest about using drugs, his reasons for using drugs and what made him stop using drugs. If you haven’t read the book (or at least the portion dealing with this), you should. Perhaps that would enable you to see the subtle framing of the statements by Hillary et.al. They are adding a subtext here that is not true. That while the Clinton’s were out doing good works for black people, Obama was living the thug life and doing well we “won’t say what he was doing”, will we?
It’s a manipulation. They are counting on people not knowing the context of his drug use (and honest admission!! NOT like Clinton’s lame I-didn’t-inhale bit) to make it look like he was some street thug drug dealer.
Left&Left @ 66:
Count me in on that too. i loved bill clinton up until about a week and a half ago. now i see them as only viewing blacks as a demographic to pander to and do nothing once in office. alot like the republicans see the christian right. just look at mandatory crack sentencing, welfare reform and death penalty stance.
My vote is going to go to the Dem who has the best plan to save the U.S. Economy from total annihilation and extinction.
LONDON (Reuters) - Major American banks are expected to unveil substantial losses and secure more cash from abroad in what is shaping up to be a pivotal week for the global credit crisis, with central banks also poised to weigh in again.
Left&Left @ 66:
on the contrary, I joined the democratic party after deciding to clean it up. I was an independent for 30 years. I don't want closet repugs in my party, so I'm voting to clean up the party.
Derrick @ 80:
What were you doing during he 90's? Did you even pay any attention to what was going on during the Clinton administration?
motown52 @ 16:
How you going to vote for Obama if you leave the Democratic party?
kaT @ 74:
Gawd. Why are you making shit up? Obama does address hard issues. If you make shit up because of his nationality then damn straight you're a racist.
I'm tired of closet racist saying Obama doesn't want to be an African-American or it's degrading to be called an African-American.
Believe it or not, the majority of African-Americans lead wholesome lives.
Attack Sen Obama on issues not on how he was born.
What's clear is that those who hate Hillary Clinton aren't satisfied with their hatred of her--they need to hate (and constantly attack) not only anyone who might admire Senator Clinton but anyone doesn't actually share their venomous feelings.
Fine; you have the absolute right to imply (or explicitly say) that I'm ignorant, benighted, or corrupt.
And I have the absolute right to imply (or explicitly say) that your hatred of Senator Clinton isn't political, it's medical.
L.A. Confidential @ 83:
i was a kid in the 90's. i learned later what he'd done. but even then, the nostalgia made me overlook most of it because i thought he was harmless as an ex prez. but now i see his defanging was only temporary. i never thought he would be as overtly race-baiting as he has been since iowa.
Sandokan @ 86:
Can you please explain to me what it is that makes you support Clinton?
Sandokan @ 86:
i'm just really shocked that so-called "progressives" can't see this dirty little rovian tactic of race-baiting. they want obama to respond so they can marginalize him. i told my coworker 3 weeks ago that if obama won iowa then we would see slash and burn tactics all the way to south carolina. i'm sorry that they didn't make me a liar.
Sandokan @ 86:
horseshit
now you are sounding like the wingnuts who say that our hatred of bush is pathological
i dont hate hillary, i think she is a good senator and therefore needs to stay in the senate
i think she is also a devisive and polarizing figure who will stop at nothing to gain the presidency
and this entire incident truly shows the character of the clintons
Derrick @ 87:
I worked on the Perot campaign in '92. After Clinton was elected I got onboard and defended him for 8 years. I remember all to well the Clinton Derangement Syndrome and I couldn't believe how much he was hated. Now the show is on the other foot and I suffer from BDS but at least I'm rational. If Hillary wins we'll have to re-live the 90's all over again.
all this talk about race is just a distraction from the issues.
I think that the Clintons' anti-Obama strategy is more subtle than commentators are realizing. It is in the nature of a "provokatsiia", as the Russians say. Cuomo didn't utter the phrase "shuck and jive"without forethought; nor did Clinton bring up LBJ and MLK on the spur of the moment. Both are experienced street-fighting politicians who don't say that kind of thing to the press without thinking it through. Such comments are a provocation, waving a red cloak in front of the Obama people. When they respond angrily with charges of racism, suddenly they look like Jessie Jackson redux...just the kind of angry, militant black folks who scare white people (btw I think black anger and militancy are completely understandable...this is just a point about how much of the white public reads such charges of racism). Then the Clintons deny responsibility.
The whole point was to get the Obama people to respond angrily, which they did. Clintons win.
LA Confidential@84 African Americans are and have been the Democrats most loyal faction for the last fifty years. Go ahead and ignore our feelings. We will keep our black butts at home even if it means Guliliani is the next Prez. The only difference between the Republican and Democratic party is US!
Don @ 91:
i hear you. after i heard him call barack "kid" in the fairy tale speech, i realized i could never vote for her. that was too close to saying "boy" for me and his tone said it all. they have this air of entitlement that seems all too familiar.
Derrick @ 89:
Ludicrous. You and everyone else trying to put legs on this are being completely irrational and totally reactionary.
The media has you people in a frenzy
Mary @ 93:
I thought this was a good post when I read it on TPM
http://talkingpointsmemo.com/archives/063544.php
[deleted - over the top]
Left&Left @ 94:
Dude I didn't march in the streets for civil rights back in the "day" to see this bullshit start up again.
Your fu*king things up playing this game. I don't respect you at all for this bullsh*t.
L.A. Confidential @ 96:
irrational? let me tell you a little trick that politicians like to pull. they like to drop racially charged innuendo that white people never see but knows inflames blacks. they then sit back and watch chaos ensue. it's machiavellian. their baiting him. when they started, i felt it but kept quiet thinking i was being overly sensitive. obviously, a whole helluva lot of other blacks felt it too. so c'mon, tell us again how irrational and reactionary we are... with the history of this country i think we have a right to have a little distrust and paranoia when it comes to politicians using race as a pawn...
Derrick @ 100:
Your preaching to me how politics is played? Let me tell you something. I do not Respect BARRACK OBAMA now for letting this farce develop into an out of control media circus.
Good luck
L.A. Confidential @ 99:
L.A. Confidential @ 101:
that is bullshit!!! he didn't even respond! so it's his fault now??? please go get your head checked...
L.A. Confidential @ 101:
and where is your rebuttal to my statement. you're losing this argument, friend...
LA Confidential@99 Yeah, you marched in the civil rights movement like I saw Babe Ruth's called shot in 1932 in Chicago. I don't know you so why would I give a shit what you think? Hillary is a manipulative bitch and I won't vote for her...EVER. To suggest that Lyndon Johnson had as much at stake as the people who fought against the racist terrorist in the south in the 50's and 60's risking their lives, is just unforgivably ignorant. So fuck you!
So, I'm being criticized for refusing to step up and make a selection from the "approved" choices offered to me by the American political establishment? And I'm being unreasonable for asking for a simple glass of clean water rather than settle for Coke, Pepsi, Mr. Pibb, or any number of hper-marketed syrupy concoctions that will make me fat and rot my teeth?
Why don't I run for office? Because it is not permitted under the present system, whereby I must be independently wealthy or have "friends" willing to pony up gazillions of dollars to package and market me to the masses. And, of course, if I had such "friends" I might very well be beholden to them in terms of what I could deliver if elected to office. If my "friends" are from the insurance industry, perhaps single-payer healthcare would be off the table. And if my "friends" are from Exxon-Mobil, then maybe I'll have to tone down my environmentalism. And god forbid if I promise to do anything that might offend my "friends" at Lockheed-Martin or Boeing, like dismantle the 800+ military outposts scattered around the globe and slashed defense spending by 1000%.
Fortunately, only two Democratic candidates have promised to do any of those things but it is precisely their belief that they can pursue such an agenda within their Party that hopelessly compromises them, rendering them nothing more than progressive "hub caps" on the Party SUV.
Wouldn't be a hoot if these posters who portray themselves to be black are really white conservatives at their terminals, sitting next to each other in a GOP think tank? Just a joke guys.
CRW Anyone? @ 40:
Really, what's the difference between a Democrat and Republican? Republicans interpret diversity as including both Angles and Saxons; the Democrats tolerate those brown, yellow, red, and gay people every fourth year. When Republicans spew the words "faith" and "God", they mean "In God we Trust"; the Democrats are new to the corporate congregation.
Different branch, same tree.
I wish the primary candidates would just tell us what they're going to do for the country not attack each other. The repubs are getting their opposition research for the general election done for free
Every single election someone claims to speak for an entire group and threaten that "we'll stay home", or "African Americans are going to leave the Democratic Party".
And it never happens, because unlike the stupid idiot white southerners who abandoned the Dems against their own best interests, the African American community on the whole is a lot smarter and do indeed vote their best interests...which will be the Dem nominee whomever he or she may be.
My Hispanic brothers and sisters are another story. We seem to fall for the GOP crap sometimes, but hopefully not this time.
Obama is simply not qualified, and that is why he will not carry the A.A. vote. Hillary is qualified, and we get Bill to boot.
It's really that simple.
People are reading way too much into an offhand comment. Obama is a candidate and he will face the same scrutiny and criticism of any other candidate. Johnson was making the point that Clintons have a long track record of working to advance the lot of African-Americans.
Obama's camp is trying to make mountains out of molehills. The "fantasy story" line is a prime example. How that is racist I do not know.
It's becoming so that any criticism of Obama is painted as racist. Frankly, I think they're copying from the right wing playbook by manufacturing outrage over non-offenses.
p.s. I don't support Clinton or any other candidate from the oligarchy.
Derrick @ 103:
Of course Obama didn't RESPOND. SO HE'S PART OF THE PROBLEM BY NOT RESPONDING. WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT FOR YOU TO UNDERSTAND THIS? Do you think Martin Luther King would remain silent?
Any true leader who claims to be for equality would come out and say. Okay people let's knock of this game. This isn't the 1950's.
Not a peep. Not ONE SINGLE PEEP.
What is happening is it is not okay for a white person to defend themselves against accusations of Racism.
Thats what it really boils down to when you peel away the bullsh*t.
These manufactured controversies on hotbutton issues like race were always on the cards. How d'ya think Bush destroyed McCain in South Carolina in 2000? A lie is half-way round the world before truth has its pants on, said Mark Twain. It was known a month ago that prominent neocons were conspiring with The New Republic to take down Ron Paul on bogus charges of racism. The smears apparently worked, because most Democrats swallowed the neocon lie whole without actually examining the facts. It's the best way to derail a campaign with momentum. So expect to see more of the same. But if you have a conscience, try to investigate the facts for yourself instead of having them shoved down your throat by manipulative and deceitful corporate media whores and lazy bloggers.
Left&Left @ 105:
What is it thats so hard for you to understand Junior. Who is that standing right behind LBJ? Think hard now!
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:Lyndon_Johnson_signing_Civil_Rights_A...
Here's the minute-by-minute reality tv show coverage? When I watch the main outlets and their reportage of the "news" of this world, that thing that boiled up inside me makes me want to go somewhere else for less irritating entertainment...blogs, or something, but OH Nevermind I forgot about that writerstrike thing....guess we're all part of that minute-by-minute reality tv show coverage stuff....only this time the PRIZE IS CREDIT
Hank @ 110:
you hope that doesn't happen. you've never had to deal with a black electorate who thought one of their own, one of their best and brightest was unfairly brutalized by playing the race card. so, no, you don't know. i won't vote for her. and i know all of my friends who are following this race won't either.
L.A. Confidential @ 114:
And dude, Left&Left your a disgrace to Martin Luther King! Who stood up not only for blacks but whites!
L.A. Confidential @ 112:
you don't know what they hell you're talking about. the catch 22 is that they want his to respond so they can marginalize him as the angry black candidate. anyways, i wouldn't expect you to understand. what they're doing is made to go over the white electorate's head. hillnbill are going to go the karl rove/jesse helms/g hw bush route on obama. even if they win this nomination, it will probably be a pyrrhic victory because they'll be irreparably tainted going into the general.
Hillary is a sick woman, clearly deluded and clearly in denial. Is the irony completely lost on her? What does she really know about Martin Luther King? Where do her zombie apologists get off bragging about marching in the streets? I was marching in the street late 2002 and throughout 2003. If MLK had been alive, I know where he would have been, and it would have been on the front lines, preaching peace, non-violence, civil disobedience. MLK wouldn't have been pandering to the worst instincts of American hatred of Arabs and Muslims and voting Aye! on Iraq War Resolution HR Res 114. MLK had a conscience and understood that human rights meant more than lip service to win votes.
tHeGaMeOfLiFe @ 41:
Jason B @ 29:
CHECK OUT what Mr. Clean did as reported by Huffington Post & New York Post.
Obama's arrogance and sexism will lose him the nomination.:
NY Post: Obama Played Rap Song To Take A Swipe AT "B****" Hillary
January 14, 2008 -- PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Barack Obama claims to run a clean campaign, but someone in his camp took a swipe at Hillary Clinton through the candidate's theme song.
As Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 3, Jay-Z's "99 Problems" was blaring. In it, Jay raps, "I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain't one."
Some listeners took it as a not-so-sly reference to Hillary.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/01/14/ny-post-obama-played-rap_n_8134...
This weekend was not good for either Obama or Hillary, they both pandering/slandering in ways that seem petty to the public (since it's the only story on the news worth covering apparently), now's Edwards chance, pass em both up!
sooo... when it comes out that bush did cocaine, its fine to critisize him, yet its not ok to talk about Obama the same way??? Don't get me wrong, I'm no Bush supporter -I'm for Edwards. I think one of the big image problems with the Democratic party is the whole drug using hippie thing. Cocaine is a serious drug (as is alcohol and tobacco). For people to be freaking out over the emphasis on Obama's drug experimentations is naive. The guy still is a drug addict! Maybe yoou all should just write in Jerry Garcia!
Hank @ 110:
What makes you think that Hillary is more qualified than Obama? Are you counting her time as first lady?
LAConfidential@117 It's a free country (so far), so say what you will, but I don't think you speak for Dr. King. In fact you sound more like one of those confused "Black Republicans with your "My way or the highway" bullshit. I'm through with you man. Lets agree to totally disagree. Bye, bye. Don't forget to take your meds.
wisconsin @ 122:
Where do you get the idea that Obama did cocaine? Freerepublic?
Hank @ 110:
It all comes down to judgment. If you're a president, you have tens of advisers who have their own advisers. You get a plan to work on - plan 1, project 2, 3, 4, 5. Do you think that W. even understands the stuff that he gets everyday? That's what Chaney is for. So much for your qualification argument.
Again, if you have a good judgment, you will know what to do with plan 1, 2, 3, 4, etc. If you place the people over the corporate interests, plan 1, 2, 3, 4, etc will benefit people more. Some want to vote for Obama because he guarantees MORE, that MORE for some is a matter of life and death, prosperity or poverty, health or illness, paid bills or bankruptcy, educated children or uneducated ones.
Then it comes down to the presidential image, the image that represents America and its people. We know that Obama moves the masses domestically. He inspires people so they don't become resigned, depressed without dreams and aspirations. The question remains, what he will do on the international scene and how he will deliver the message of hope to the world. Let's just say that if you remember the sentiment from the era of Elvis and JFK, the cult of a person and its power, that's what the global community will feel.
As I said, it all comes down to personality and judgement skills. Experience? Give me a break.
Did Obama distance himself from Donnie Mcclurkin, the "ex-gay" evangelist, or did he just continue pandering to the strongly homophobic black evangelists?
Whatevs.
"He inspires people so they don’t become resigned, depressed without dreams and aspirations. The question remains, what he will do on the international scene and how he will deliver the message of hope to the world"
Sorry, but dividing via race-baiting is not inspiring; it's divisiveness at its worst.
He called Obama an uncle tom, and Hillary sat there smiling. This is not shameful behavior on the half of Johnson.. it is Hillary. She is the one who trotted out Kery to talk about the drug use, she is the one who is using race to divide out party in this race.
Obama can win. That scares a lot of the negative power brokers in the Black community. With Clinton, they get more of the same... and you better back, plenty of kickbacks. It is really pathetic that a black man can stand on a stage with a straight face and attack another black man who for the first time in our lives, has the position and ability to win this race and unite the world. These people make their money off of division... Clinton and Johnson, one in the same!
Don @ 125:
Not Freeepublic, Obama's Autobiography. He did admit to snorting cocaine in his early years.
123, the reason people are defending Hillary, is that she's had many worse things thrown her way, when she doesn't deserve them, and it's out of proportion with alot of others, who are getting passes, i.e. Obama.
The praise being given to Obama, is hardly merited....It amount to dishonesty.
1)His voting record is identical to Hillary's,
2)He has many of the same corporate contributors as Hillary
Because he can "speak well" and "inspire" is not a reason to give him a pass on the REAL issues; OTHERWISE dems are falling for the "he's someone I could have a beer with" logic the moronic republicans fell for.
Don @ 125:
difference is obama admitted his drug use and said it was a period of learning and advises against it. g-dub never admitted shit. big difference, champ. and the rest of your post is mindless bullshit, wisconsin, being that some of the most successful and groundbreaking individuals in their fields of academia or professional life have used drugs. i'm not saying that's a reason to toot or to toke, i'm just saying that if a guy snorted 20-25 years ago, what the hell does that have to do with today? i like edwards too but in all honesty, there's little difference between him and obama, however, obama inspires me more. advantage: obama.
PTC @ 129:
Where did she bring race up?
Obama did...by making a mountain out of a molehill.
Read C&L's own posting of the link to TNR about real history, and see how it aligns EXACTLY with her comments about LBJ, and MLK.
To say she was deriding blacks, or belittling them in any way is a LIE.
This entire discussion would be funny if it was'nt so sad. Accusing the Clintons of racism demonstrates that their are just as many wingnuts on the left as there are on the right, and provides credence to the accusations by the establishment media that liberal bloggers and their adherents should be ignored because they're nuts. Early in the campaign I read some comments that accused Obama of not being "black enough", and now Hillary is a bigot. Lord protect us from our "friends"
She found her own voice? I thought Karla Rove had taken over her body!!!
If she and Billy wana go new-klee-ar, then Obama can have Monica Lewinsky on tour with him.
Josh @ 127:
We'll get to "Homophobia" closer to Super Tuesday. The theme for early primary and caucus season is "Racism," and right now the schedule says Hillary Clinton (D) and Ron Paul (R) are in the dock.
SM @ 130:
Did you read his autobiography? Did he also admit to still being a drug addict?
Let me repeat this over and over;
The praise being given to Obama, is hardly merited….It amount to dishonesty.
1)His voting record is identical to Hillary’s,
2)He has many of the same corporate contributors as Hillary
Because he can “speak well” and “inspire” is not a reason to give him a pass on the REAL issues; OTHERWISE dems are falling for the “he’s someone I could have a beer with” logic the moronic republicans fell for.
Those are facts that are undeniable.
At this point, Hillary is the underdog, and I refuse to let someone be labeled with lies.
This HIllary bashing is totally confusing, and my God I'm ashamed of Dems.
henry viii @ 136:
haha, is that so.
Kudos to Obama for having had the sense to try pot as a kid. I think this world would be a lot more peaceful and far less aggressive if we were all stoned or in Obama's case, at least knew that not every intelligent human was an uptight straight-laced do-gooder.
So he can refer to Hillary as a "bitch" in his Iowa Win Theme Song at his victory party, meanwhile NOBODY can call him out on his past drug use, wanting to be a safe Uncle Tom-esque figure & and lack of civil rights experience?
I'm going to post this again. Any man that refers to his female colleague, one who is 50 times more qualified than him, a "bitch," does not deserve to be president.
Obama, sorry Mr. Clean, but your arrogance and sexism is not going to win you votes. Obama, I thought you were better than that, but I'm glad my instinct was right!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/.....81349.html
NY Post: Obama Played Rap Song To Take A Swipe AT “B****” Hillary
January 14, 2008 — PRESIDENTIAL hopeful Barack Obama claims to run a clean campaign, but someone in his camp took a swipe at Hillary Clinton through the candidate’s theme song.
As Obama and his wife, Michelle, strolled triumphantly into his victory party in Des Moines, Iowa, on Jan. 3, Jay-Z’s “99 Problems” was blaring. In it, Jay raps, “I got 99 problems, but a bitch ain’t one.”
Some listeners took it as a not-so-sly reference to Hillary.
ChicagoKid @ 135:
Close, but incorrect. It was Karla Homolka who took over Hillary's mind and conscience.
ed noble @ 134:
i don't think the clintons are racist. i think they are so amorally ambitious that they will do anything to get elected- up to and including race-baiting. what we're dealing with is a couple of people with no moral center whatsoever.
ed noble @ 134:
I'm not accusing her of being a racist. I'm accusing her of using race to win and election.
Josh @ 131:
THANK YOU!!!
Obama is a snorter? Oh my....I doubt he did crack cocaine. Going to Harvard, I am sure he did the powdered cocaine, and most likely only was an experimental user.
I am quite sure, though, he did the "good stuff." Hey, who knows, and by the way, who cares? Unlike Bill Clinton, who did not "inhale," it seems like Obama enjoyed his drug use.
I am in favor of treating drug users as addicts rather than criminals. I think people in prison for non-violent drug offenses should be treated in a non-prison setting to get help with their drug addiction. Drugs are not good, but I am not super judgmental on those who choose to use. After all, Bill Clinton used marijuana and who knows what else, but we have a president in the White House right now who was an admitted drug user and when did Bill or Hill ever criticize him for that?
PEACE ATTACK @ 142:
Bill 'n Hill's wedding pic.
SM @ 120:
Even if everything you Hillary haters say is true (and it's not) I would still want Hillary as the nominee. The last thing we Dems need is another nice guy who concedes the day after while half a million votes are still to be counted. Hillary is a fighter and that is exactly what we need to beat the facists bastards.
Welcome to politics 101.
"The Boondocks" slaps the shit out of the atrocity that is BET on a regular basis. Booty Butt Booty Butt Booty Butt Cheeks!
It might be uneven, particularly this season (though the fact that the episodes are running at least partially out of order doesn't help), but when it's firing on all cylinders "The Boondocks" is the best damned show on TV by a country mile. Those people who can't look past its (entirely realistic) use of the word "nigger" are missing the point completely, as did people who objected to its quite insightful portrayal of Martin Luther King.
(And the Col. Stinkmeaner -vs- the Freeman family throwdown is quite possibly the best martial arts fight sequence to appear on TV or in movies in 2007. In fact, at least on TV you can remove the "one of", because nothing else touches it.)
Watch this show. It's worth it for Samuel L Jackson's portrayal of Donald Rums... er, "Gin Rummy" alone.
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