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Hip Hop Forums => General Discussion => Topic started by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 20, 2009, 08:29:46 AM

Title: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 20, 2009, 08:29:46 AM
On the day of the Inauguration... What are the memebers of this forums' perspectives on what the Obama US presidency will impact us as young blacks/ whites/ "coloureds"/ Africans/ Heads/ enterepreneurs/ dreamers?

In the meantime some music to help you think from one the best to ever do it
The King Pinn - Inauguration:
http://LINK REMOVED/4549e8a4

(http://store.okayplayer.com/ProductImages/2008_products/DOPE_Natural.jpg)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Original Syn on January 20, 2009, 04:22:40 PM
clearly you hittin these cats a lil deep for a tuesday Tate.
Personally I dont think its gonna change shit.... he might be black but he is still an american and the office of president of that state carries with it obligations he wont be able to shrug off just "sommer", like oppressing the poor, supporting Israeli genocide, US over everyone else, shoot first ask questions later, ....now I'm not mad at him, thats just the way the game is played over there and i seriously doubt he can completely change the menu in one term.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Angry Hand of God on January 20, 2009, 04:28:26 PM
I don't think much is gonna change. I've already stated my views on the euphoria and all the bullshit that went with his election. To me he is just another politician and I feel the same about all people who feel that they are somehow good enough to lead others and make decisions that affect thousands if not millions of lives, but I won't get into that debate here.

I am glad to see that he has said one of his first acts as president would be arranging the closing of Guantanamo Bay. I have to see if this materialises and if it does, I might just have some respect for the man.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: emceeKasualT on January 20, 2009, 07:10:09 PM
Im watching this right now. Wow! This day must be for Black Americans how it was for us when Mandela was released from prison. History in the making for real!
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Msanii_XL on January 20, 2009, 07:26:38 PM
Im watching this right now. Wow! This day must be for Black Americans how it was for us when Mandela was released from prison. History in the making for real!

basically, great analogy....

and dude is a politician, and most of all is an American those will be first and foremost the interests he would be looking at. not mad at that....
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 20, 2009, 07:53:33 PM
and dude is a politician, and most of all is an American those will be first and foremost the interests he would be looking at. not mad at that....
Whats the word from Nairobi?
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: watziznehmegin on January 20, 2009, 08:13:42 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is... Obama has been for the people, since living in Chicago, and dealing in the community there, I hope great things come out of this, The only thing that saddened the day for me, was thinking of the Gaza strip, Anyone seen it? D.C. looked crazy crowded, I don't think there has ever been an Inauguration where this many people flew in to partake, really amazing! Obama Barracked the Crowd!
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: blaQdust on January 20, 2009, 08:39:04 PM
selected extracts from his inauguration speech:
...NOW THERE ARE SOME WHO QUESTION THE SCALE OF OUR AMBITIONS, WHO SUGGEST THAT OUR SYSTEM CANNOT TOLERATE TOO MANY BIG PLANS.
THEIR MEMORIES ARE SHORT. FOR THEY HAVE FORGOTTEN WHAT THIS COUNTRY HAS ALREADY DONE, WHAT FREE MEN AND WOMEN CAN ACHIEVE WHEN IMAGINATION IS JOINED TO COMMON PURPOSE, AND NECCESSITY TO COURAGE...


on rivalry with the Muslims:

...TO THE MUSLIM WORLD, WE SEEK A NEW WAY FORWARD, BASED ON MUTUAL INTEREST AND MUTUAL RESPECT. TO THOSE LEADERS AROUND THE WORLD WHO SEEK TO SOW CONFLICT, OR BLAME THEIR SOCIETY'S ILLS ON THE WEST, KNOW THAT YOUR PEOPLE WILL JUDGE YOU ON WHAT YOU CAN BUILD, NOT WHAT YOU CAN DESTROY...

How he deals with the Islam leaders in the first few encounters with them will be very intersting, however, it appears as though the former law lecturer at the Chicago Universtity will employ the same level of lenience as his predecessors, his tone does not suggest that that he will nag for long.

a bit too early to judge him though.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: motho on January 20, 2009, 08:42:46 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 20, 2009, 08:45:14 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: motho on January 20, 2009, 08:47:19 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.

granted. But he is that good an orator. He didn't even sweat it.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: watziznehmegin on January 20, 2009, 08:48:20 PM
I mean can you imagine how nervous he had to have been! He played it off quite well..
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: motho on January 20, 2009, 08:59:55 PM
I mean can you imagine how nervous he had to have been! He played it off quite well..

dude, that's exactly what I was thinking the whole time. I was also wondering what him and Bush were talking about on the way to the ceremony..
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: motho on January 20, 2009, 09:17:04 PM
How he deals with the Islam leaders in the first few encounters with them will be very interesting, however, it appears as though the former law lecturer at the Chicago University will employ the same level of lenience as his predecessors, his tone does not suggest that that he will nag for long.

a bit too early to judge him though.

Yeah i wonder what the "new way forward with mutual interest and respect will be"  :-\



Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 20, 2009, 09:31:18 PM
sing with me now...

"I'm out for presidents to represent me... I'm out for BLACK presidents to represent me!"
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: rob_one on January 20, 2009, 11:38:52 PM
Congratulations to Obama for making history, and to the Americans who got him there.

He's still a politician. And so, I still don't trust him. Let's see how he's doing a year on. He's got one mother of a job. He's probably one of the few people who can do that job, but he certainly doesn't deserve automatic respect.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 21, 2009, 12:19:35 AM
"And they might even have a black president but he’s useless,
Cause he does not control the economy stupid!"

- Immortal Technique.

Now that wasn't written about Obama (as far as I know), but for real, everyone is getting carried away on this euphoric buzz. I'm not usually one for illuminati conspiracy theories but America really needs to feel good about itself for a while - Obama has apparently come out of nowhere to provide the feel good factor with his pop culture 'rock star' campaign.

The kind of changes Obama is talking about are literally revolutionary, but he is just a politician who has to stay with the boundaries of what is acceptable to the American people and more importantly, American big business and the financial elite.

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Msanii_XL on January 21, 2009, 12:36:11 AM

Whats the word from Nairobi?

the love him, hopefully they do not get carried away, this dude is American, americans come first

about that IT line, it really ridicules the symbolism this was the african americans. not a fan of it.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: rob_one on January 21, 2009, 01:18:12 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 21, 2009, 04:29:41 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.

Respectfully Yours.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Papa ThReAdS on January 21, 2009, 07:05:58 AM
Ahhh man... Now Obama is going to get all the bishes to himself.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: DaT NiGGa P-DuB on January 21, 2009, 08:05:44 AM
^^AHAHAHAHAHAAHHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAAH! THREADZ U KILL ME
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 21, 2009, 09:11:08 AM
Thats not funny at all. please be sensitive. There are Zimbabweans here too.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Papa ThReAdS on January 21, 2009, 09:13:45 AM
Thats not funny at all. please be sensitive. There are Zimbabweans here too.

I take it back. Im sorry. For real. (post deleted)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: MrC The Rap God Almighty on January 21, 2009, 09:15:02 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.

Respectfully Yours.

Been saying this all along.Thank you my brother.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Blizzard on January 21, 2009, 09:23:18 AM
"And they might even have a black president but he’s useless,
Cause he does not control the economy stupid!"

- Immortal Technique.

Now that wasn't written about Obama (as far as I know), but for real, everyone is getting carried away on this euphoric buzz. I'm not usually one for illuminati conspiracy theories but America really needs to feel good about itself for a while - Obama has apparently come out of nowhere to provide the feel good factor with his pop culture 'rock star' campaign.

The kind of changes Obama is talking about are literally revolutionary, but he is just a politician who has to stay with the boundaries of what is acceptable to the American people and more importantly, American big business and the financial elite.

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


this white man is telling the truth.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 21, 2009, 09:42:53 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.

Respectfully Yours.

I hear you Tate - and I do appreciate the huge symbolic statement his presidency is making for black people the world over - but that doesn't change the fact that he been lionised beyond what any mere mortal could possibly ever live up to.

The iconography of his campaign is that of a revolutionary or a rock star (depending on what appeals to you more) - people are in such a state of euphoria you'd think this was the second coming. Beyond his skin colour, he's just a mainstream American politician who faces ma**ive challenges.

It should also be pointed out that the euphoria is not just coming from African Americans (or black people from other parts of the world) - the whole world has been overcome by Obamania.

As a person, he is a way more accomplished that Bush, so he's a definite improvement, but that doesn't change the fact that there are incredibly powerful interests at stake who may not share his vision of the way forward.

So, in short, I'm happy Obama won, but let's see what happens...



Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: rob_one on January 21, 2009, 09:56:35 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.

Respectfully Yours.

I hear you Tate - and I do appreciate the huge symbolic statement his presidency is making for black people the world over - but that doesn't change the fact that he been lionised beyond what any mere mortal could possibly ever live up to.

The iconography of his campaign is that of a revolutionary or a rock star (depending on what appeals to you more) - people are in such a state of euphoria you'd think this was the second coming. Beyond his skin colour, he's just a mainstream American politician who faces ma**ive challenges.

It should also be pointed out that the euphoria is not just coming from African Americans (or black people from other parts of the world) - the whole world has been overcome by Obamania.

As a person, he is a way more accomplished that Bush, so he's a definite improvement, but that doesn't change the fact that there are incredibly powerful interests at stake who may not share his vision of the way forward.

So, in short, I'm happy Obama won, but let's see what happens...





D got there first.

Tate, understood. Completely. My point is not that the euphoria is misplaced - what he has done is historic, unprecedented and bloody fantastic. It shows how far the US has come.

But I will say again: as someone who does not believe in trusting politicians until they put actions behind their words, I do not trust him. Not because of who he is, but because he is a power broker who may or may not be beholden to a system he cannot control.

I think as a person he is a great man. And if he puts actions behind his words, then I will be convinced.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Angry Hand of God on January 21, 2009, 10:03:24 AM
I'm black and I agree with Rob and Daemon fully. I knew my parents shouldn't have moved me to the burbs.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Killa Merc on January 21, 2009, 11:12:38 AM
"And they might even have a black president but he’s useless,
Cause he does not control the economy stupid!"

- Immortal Technique.

I do get what Tech is saying but the truth is,this line is becoming played out. Fact is gvt. is in far greater control of the economy in many countries after the credit crunch hit. It's trough the bailouts (e.g. bout 800 BILLLION USD in the US) that gvts have a far greter control. It's nationalising a whole lot of private a**ests.

+ GVT. will undoubtedly have afar greater regulatory control after this mess. I just seen a document written by one of Obama's advosirs and other big guns (e.g. President of the European central bank) and it llokms like GVT. will have alot of regulatory control in the new global financial system.

Nonetheless, i udnerstand that this does not apply to everything. but the key is the finance sector. that is what drives the economy!
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Killa Merc on January 21, 2009, 11:16:53 AM

This apparent 'revolutionary' is also related by blood to Bush and Dick Cheney. Who knows what that really means, but it wouldn't suprise me if there were bigger plans being played out.


Come now, none of that D ;D

Cosign the ImTech quote though. And I agree: the euphoria is out of hand. We'll see how he does.
Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.

Respectfully Yours.

Agree.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Papa ThReAdS on January 21, 2009, 11:23:53 AM
"And they might even have a black president but he’s useless,
Cause he does not control the economy stupid!"

- Immortal Technique.

I do get what Tech is saying but the truth is,this line is becoming played out. Fact is gvt. is in far greater control of the economy in many countries after the credit crunch hit. It's trough the bailouts (e.g. bout 800 BILLLION USD in the US) that gvts have a far greter control. It's nationalising a whole lot of private a**ests.

+ GVT. will undoubtedly have afar greater regulatory control after this mess. I just seen a document written by one of Obama's advosirs and other big guns (e.g. President of the European central bank) and it llokms like GVT. will have alot of regulatory control in the new global financial system.

Nonetheless, i udnerstand that this does not apply to everything. but the key is the finance sector. that is what drives the economy!

You need to get that dyslexia checked out mang...

Government gaining control over things again will put some serious breaks on capitalism. That may not necessarily be a good thing for the economy either.

Next thing you know we will be moving towards a socialist economy and we will be depending on government for handouts.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: THAT LADY! on January 21, 2009, 11:38:45 AM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
yep, not his fault. Infact he corrected the cat. Ma man , he's wifey is sooo lucky , if I was older.....
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 21, 2009, 12:24:26 PM
Meet John Favreau, head speech writer for the Obama camp...

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/1/20/1232409694822/Jon-Favreau-head-speech-w-004.jpg)

 http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/20/barack-obama-inauguration-us-speech (http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2009/jan/20/barack-obama-inauguration-us-speech)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 21, 2009, 12:26:28 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
yep, not his fault. Infact he corrected the cat. Ma man , he's wifey is sooo lucky , if I was older.....

you fancy the title, First Lady of the Free World? :)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Mighty Loks on January 21, 2009, 12:33:33 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
yep, not his fault. Infact he corrected the cat. Ma man , he's wifey is sooo lucky , if I was older.....


Fcuks that .. I'd go Monica Lewinsky on his a**, and no one would even find out. ...    ;D 
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: THAT LADY! on January 21, 2009, 12:40:36 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
yep, not his fault. Infact he corrected the cat. Ma man , he's wifey is sooo lucky , if I was older.....


Fcuks that .. I'd go Monica Lewinsky on his a**, and no one would even find out. ...    ;D 
Nah baldi... I wannabe the first lady .
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Mighty Loks on January 21, 2009, 12:43:44 PM
Man, what a great speaker he is...

 

It's always nice to see him deliver a speech. First time I see him stumble was over the oath :)
That was the justice's fault.
yep, not his fault. Infact he corrected the cat. Ma man , he's wifey is sooo lucky , if I was older.....


Fcuks that .. I'd go Monica Lewinsky on his a**, and no one would even find out. ...    ;D 
Nah baldi... I wannabe the first lady .

Dude he's a politician, he gets paid to lie, what you think he isn't gonna lie  to you... That woman clearly has her man on lock down.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: General Ratzinger van Stilzkin on January 21, 2009, 12:45:56 PM
(http://men.style.com/images/gq/features/010107/GQfeature4v.jpg)


this dude intrigues me. to me he invokes an intelligent yet cunning aura. hope hes effective at his job


Emanuel is known for his "take-no-prisoners attitude" that has earned him the nickname "Rahm-bo." Emanuel is said to have "mailed a rotten fish to a former coworker after the two parted ways." On the night after the 1996 election, "Emanuel was so angry at the president's enemies that he stood up at a celebratory dinner with colleagues from the campaign, grabbed a steak knife and began rattling off a list of betrayers, shouting 'Dead! ... Dead! ... Dead!' and plunging the knife into the table after every name



Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Killa Merc on January 21, 2009, 02:06:51 PM
"And they might even have a black president but he’s useless,
Cause he does not control the economy stupid!"

- Immortal Technique.

I do get what Tech is saying but the truth is,this line is becoming played out. Fact is gvt. is in far greater control of the economy in many countries after the credit crunch hit. It's trough the bailouts (e.g. bout 800 BILLLION USD in the US) that gvts have a far greter control. It's nationalising a whole lot of private a**ests.

+ GVT. will undoubtedly have afar greater regulatory control after this mess. I just seen a document written by one of Obama's advosirs and other big guns (e.g. President of the European central bank) and it llokms like GVT. will have alot of regulatory control in the new global financial system.

Nonetheless, i udnerstand that this does not apply to everything. but the key is the finance sector. that is what drives the economy!

You need to get that dyslexia checked out mang...


Man, I need some help with this one. It's a new problem. only started last year. can you develop dyslexia over time. I thought it's something that you have from an early age. but in my case, I started seeing it only last year. Well past high school, varsity, etc. Could it be simply computer typing which makes me careless with spelling due to being used to automatic correct / spell check?
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Killa Merc on January 21, 2009, 02:11:33 PM
(http://men.style.com/images/gq/features/010107/GQfeature4v.jpg)


this dude intrigues me. to me he invokes an intelligent yet cunning aura. hope hes effective at his job

I have a feeling he might be the person to deliver the bad news to Israel.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: General Ratzinger van Stilzkin on January 21, 2009, 02:14:25 PM
(http://men.style.com/images/gq/features/010107/GQfeature4v.jpg)


this dude intrigues me. to me he invokes an intelligent yet cunning aura. hope hes effective at his job

I have a feeling he might be the person to deliver the bad news to Israel.

im sure obama had israel and the middle east in mind when he hired him.   
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: BHLAKHROZE on January 21, 2009, 03:52:47 PM
look i guess any responses to this are marked by who we are, what we believe in, the position from which we speak and the experiences of our lives - our respective life philosphies. we all have that, in whatever way, shape or form. to imagine that you dont is to have one actually. all of this will obviously influence how we relate to this moment. with what little that i know of the intricacies, and i dont know much by way of the kind of detail that gives way to what is described as informed opinion or debate, though sometimes i wonder if the experts know any better. what summarises it for me is 'i cant believe my eyes', i couldnt believe my eyes.

and if one man can have close to the entire world stop, look and listen, in so singular a fashion then i am in awe.

and so unable to speak on what i dont know i will only say what i do, from where i stand, with my particular worldview.

i dont know what it takes to make a complete overhaul of a system you had nothing to do with creating, one that outdates you. i know that he has inherited a mess. i dont know how he will fair in his tasks as outlined by the needs of his land and his people. i dont know how many people never thought theyd actually even ever see the day. i dont know how many of them didnt. i know that his people voted him the best man for the job. i do know that he is a person, like any other leader, anywhere. and that any scrutiny applied to him should be one that remains consistent and across the board, to focus so on just him almost sets him up for failure. all president of the west as he is. precisely because his message is different. ofourse he isnt perfect, but who can claim it. thats a given that. he is going to fail in certain aspects of his reach. my hope, in turn, is that he will receive the support he needs to atleast try. but i know that something will change. has changed already. i know that something will get done, not all, but something and maybe sometimes thats all that matters. all he says, by way of his own beginning is, it can be done. it offers a beginning.

of what ive seen and experienced of change or any attempts at it. i know that cynicism is easy, is widespread, is justified - its what we know. but in any moment dating back years, centuries perhaps, cynicism has had to have been met with a kind of irrational ambitious belief. seemingly unfounded and idealistic. at each of those junctures, nobody believed, nobody could believe. so many things would still be the same, in so many places. the messages that came in those moments made no sense in their times. had no proof. borne in the lines of an impa**ioned rhetoric. and perhaps still even with time, some arent seen as having done anything. ever questionable.

there was a time when i couldn’t believe it. when i couldn’t find it in me to believe it, when i couldnt bare to be swept up in this tide because it was so ridiculous. but this is who this person is and lets not forget that. you had to have been a person who knew what they were doing. he did it. just this. just that at that place already where i was ready to waiver. a relative unknown with not only practical odds against him but the odds of history. he did it. an act of such force, of will, that it empowers just in its observing. there are stories of those who tried. i respect him for accomplishing it in so fine a fashion. i guess then this is the position from which i see obama. as the individual, the man. this person who said this is what he was going to do and went out and finished it. i dont know what it took, may never know what kind of fiddling, manipulating and rearranging of circumstance that takes. i do know that by the end of it i couldnt believe my eyes.

i cannot comment on his role as president of the united states of america. he is an american president and that is fact. their votes, their choice, their system. he is obliged to them first. he is, and that’s no sin. that’s his job. thats what he signed up for. i cannot comment on what he will or wont do for the world. or should. i can only look upon him and be forced to look upon my own leaders in my own land and ask questions that force us to answer in some changes of our own. i look upon myself. to me this is who obama is. lets not expect or demand of people what we owe ourselves.

the example set here is one of the possibilities of change. fullstop.

within all the calls for pragmatism, more than anything else this moment was about this. in the lives of african americans, in the lives of black people all over the world, in the lives of anyone who has and does want better. who struggles to see it, who has lost faith in it, who believes they dont possess the capacity to effect it. this is a moment that has tilted the frame of reference. and i believe that that is what he will have given to the world. relatively i think he’s done what he needed to do, well for me. he has already done what he needed to do. so its from a very simplistic place that i speak from. he has already done something humungous. that will echo and reverberate into time whether we are there or not. sometimes in a world of an obsession with tangibles and measurables i sometimes feel like we underestimate the value and importance of speaking into the hearts and minds of people. the work will never be done by one person, it can never be – it should never. we should never pin our hopes on a person and thereby exonerate ourselves from a certain responsibility. what we should do is be inspired. its that simple. we should be drawing from ‘the audacity of hope’ as he puts it, taking it and building and contributing, in a manner that ensures that the feeling begins to determine choices made in regard to what it takes to build a country. that involves everybody in all spheres. or we can just stick around and wait for the scorecard and miss part of the point that is here with us already.

and the fibre of the person must count for something. the character of the man. just in who he is. who he is is already a difference. and that has to make a difference.

i believe that i do and will thank obama and his family for showing me something else of the black face. for the sight of those two little black girls standing beside their father at such an inconceivable moment. i will thank him for showing me a healthy relationship between a black man and a black woman, for being a man who not only loves his woman but openly shares of his respect and admiration for her in her own right. between the two of them, whether consciously or by default, they have not only contributed to the upliftment of black people in general, in redefining the perimeters of dreams and reflections, theyve represented for their respective sexes within the stereotypes and struggles that take place within the relationship between black man and black woman. theyve shown people something different. a man who wasnt afraid to choose a woman of such calibre, michelle obama mustnt be too far behind in discussions on barack. that woman is amazing. and shes played her part. and will continue to do so i imagine.

so yes, we can. as i interpreted it until someone kindly pointed it out as: yes, we, can. broken down and combined in three words as affirmation of positivity. and the strength it requires. makes you want to be part of that 'we' doesnt it. 

in our prudence let us not be so quick to anticipate, that we take away from now. now is important. now is what we do know for sure and it comes with its own gifts. right now is what is new.

breathe it in.


 
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Papa ThReAdS on January 21, 2009, 03:55:53 PM
look i guess any responses to this are marked by who we are, what we believe in, the position from which we speak and the experiences of our lives - our respective life philosphies. we all have that, in whatever way, shape or form. to imagine that you dont is to have one actually. all of this will obviously influence how we relate to this moment. with what little that i know of the intricacies, and i dont know much by way of the kind of detail that gives way to what is described as informed opinion or debate, though sometimes i wonder if the experts know any better. what summarises it for me is 'i cant believe my eyes', i couldnt believe my eyes.

and if one man can have close to the entire world stop, look and listen, in so singular a fashion then i am in awe.

and so unable to speak on what i dont know i will only say what i do, from where i stand, with my particular worldview.

i dont know what it takes to make a complete overhaul of a system you had nothing to do with creating, one that outdates you. i know that he has inherited a mess. i dont know how he will fair in his tasks as outlined by the needs of his land and his people. i dont know how many people never thought theyd actually even ever see the day. i dont know how many of them didnt. i know that his people voted him the best man for the job. i do know that he is a person, like any other leader, anywhere. and that any scrutiny applied to him should be one that remains consistent and across the board, to focus so on just him almost sets him up for failure. all president of the west as he is. precisely because his message is different. ofourse he isnt perfect, but who can claim it. thats a given that. he is going to fail in certain aspects of his reach. my hope, in turn, is that he will receive the support he needs to atleast try. but i know that something will change. has changed already. i know that something will get done, not all, but something and maybe sometimes thats all that matters. all he says, by way of his own beginning is, it can be done. it offers a beginning.

of what ive seen and experienced of change or any attempts at it. i know that cynicism is easy, is widespread, is justified - its what we know. but in any moment dating back years, centuries perhaps, cynicism has had to have been met with a kind of irrational ambitious belief. seemingly unfounded and idealistic. at each of those junctures, nobody believed, nobody could believe. so many things would still be the same, in so many places. the messages that came in those moments made no sense in their times. had no proof. borne in the lines of an impa**ioned rhetoric. and perhaps still even with time, some arent seen as having done anything. ever questionable.

there was a time when i couldn’t believe it. when i couldn’t find it in me to believe it, when i couldnt bare to be swept up in this tide because it was so ridiculous. but this is who this person is and lets not forget that. you had to have been a person who knew what they were doing. he did it. just this. just that at that place already where i was ready to waiver. a relative unknown with not only practical odds against him but the odds of history. he did it. an act of such force, of will, that it empowers just in its observing. there are stories of those who tried. i respect him for accomplishing it in so fine a fashion. i guess then this is the position from which i see obama. as the individual, the man. this person who said this is what he was going to do and went out and finished it. i dont know what it took, may never know what kind of fiddling, manipulating and rearranging of circumstance that takes. i do know that by the end of it i couldnt believe my eyes.

i cannot comment on his role as president of the united states of america. he is an american president and that is fact. their votes, their choice, their system. he is obliged to them first. he is, and that’s no sin. that’s his job. thats what he signed up for. i cannot comment on what he will or wont do for the world. or should. i can only look upon him and be forced to look upon my own leaders in my own land and ask questions that force us to answer in some changes of our own. i look upon myself. to me this is who obama is. lets not expect or demand of people what we owe ourselves.

the example set here is one of the possibilities of change. fullstop.

within all the calls for pragmatism, more than anything else this moment was about this. in the lives of african americans, in the lives of black people all over the world, in the lives of anyone who has and does want better. who struggles to see it, who has lost faith in it, who believes they dont possess the capacity to effect it. this is a moment that has tilted the frame of reference. and i believe that that is what he will have given to the world. relatively i think he’s done what he needed to do, well for me. he has already done what he needed to do. so its from a very simplistic place that i speak from. he has already done something humungous. that will echo and reverberate into time whether we are there or not. sometimes in a world of an obsession with tangibles and measurables i sometimes feel like we underestimate the value and importance of speaking into the hearts and minds of people. the work will never be done by one person, it can never be – it should never. we should never pin our hopes on a person and thereby exonerate ourselves from a certain responsibility. what we should do is be inspired. its that simple. we should be drawing from ‘the audacity of hope’ as he puts it, taking it and building and contributing, in a manner that ensures that the feeling begins to determine choices made in regard to what it takes to build a country. that involves everybody in all spheres. or we can just stick around and wait for the scorecard and miss part of the point that is here with us already.

and the fibre of the person must count for something. the character of the man. just in who he is. who he is is already a difference. and that has to make a difference.

i believe that i do and will thank obama and his family for showing me something else of the black face. for the sight of those two little black girls standing beside their father at such an inconceivable moment. i will thank him for showing me a healthy relationship between a black man and a black woman, for being a man who not only loves his woman but openly shares of his respect and admiration for her in her own right. between the two of them, whether consciously or by default, they have not only contributed to the upliftment of black people in general, in redefining the perimeters of dreams and reflections, theyve represented for their respective sexes within the stereotypes and struggles that take place within the relationship between black man and black woman. theyve shown people something different. a man who wasnt afraid to choose a woman of such calibre, michelle obama mustnt be too far behind in discussions on barack. that woman is amazing. and shes played her part. and will continue to do so i imagine.

so yes, we can. as i interpreted it until someone kindly pointed it out as: yes, we, can. broken down and combined in three words as affirmation of positivity. and the strength it requires. makes you want to be part of that 'we' doesnt it. 

in our prudence let us not be so quick to anticipate, that we take away from now. now is important. now is what we do know for sure and it comes with its own gifts. right now is what is new.

breathe it in.


 

Yoh!! Il read this next week.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: THAT LADY! on January 21, 2009, 04:14:00 PM
look i guess any responses to this are marked by who we are, what we believe in, the position from which we speak and the experiences of our lives - our respective life philosphies. we all have that, in whatever way, shape or form. to imagine that you dont is to have one actually. all of this will obviously influence how we relate to this moment. with what little that i know of the intricacies, and i dont know much by way of the kind of detail that gives way to what is described as informed opinion or debate, though sometimes i wonder if the experts know any better. what summarises it for me is 'i cant believe my eyes', i couldnt believe my eyes.

and if one man can have close to the entire world stop, look and listen, in so singular a fashion then i am in awe.

and so unable to speak on what i dont know i will only say what i do, from where i stand, with my particular worldview.

i dont know what it takes to make a complete overhaul of a system you had nothing to do with creating, one that outdates you. i know that he has inherited a mess. i dont know how he will fair in his tasks as outlined by the needs of his land and his people. i dont know how many people never thought theyd actually even ever see the day. i dont know how many of them didnt. i know that his people voted him the best man for the job. i do know that he is a person, like any other leader, anywhere. and that any scrutiny applied to him should be one that remains consistent and across the board, to focus so on just him almost sets him up for failure. all president of the west as he is. precisely because his message is different. ofourse he isnt perfect, but who can claim it. thats a given that. he is going to fail in certain aspects of his reach. my hope, in turn, is that he will receive the support he needs to atleast try. but i know that something will change. has changed already. i know that something will get done, not all, but something and maybe sometimes thats all that matters. all he says, by way of his own beginning is, it can be done. it offers a beginning.

of what ive seen and experienced of change or any attempts at it. i know that cynicism is easy, is widespread, is justified - its what we know. but in any moment dating back years, centuries perhaps, cynicism has had to have been met with a kind of irrational ambitious belief. seemingly unfounded and idealistic. at each of those junctures, nobody believed, nobody could believe. so many things would still be the same, in so many places. the messages that came in those moments made no sense in their times. had no proof. borne in the lines of an impa**ioned rhetoric. and perhaps still even with time, some arent seen as having done anything. ever questionable.

there was a time when i couldn’t believe it. when i couldn’t find it in me to believe it, when i couldnt bare to be swept up in this tide because it was so ridiculous. but this is who this person is and lets not forget that. you had to have been a person who knew what they were doing. he did it. just this. just that at that place already where i was ready to waiver. a relative unknown with not only practical odds against him but the odds of history. he did it. an act of such force, of will, that it empowers just in its observing. there are stories of those who tried. i respect him for accomplishing it in so fine a fashion. i guess then this is the position from which i see obama. as the individual, the man. this person who said this is what he was going to do and went out and finished it. i dont know what it took, may never know what kind of fiddling, manipulating and rearranging of circumstance that takes. i do know that by the end of it i couldnt believe my eyes.

i cannot comment on his role as president of the united states of america. he is an american president and that is fact. their votes, their choice, their system. he is obliged to them first. he is, and that’s no sin. that’s his job. thats what he signed up for. i cannot comment on what he will or wont do for the world. or should. i can only look upon him and be forced to look upon my own leaders in my own land and ask questions that force us to answer in some changes of our own. i look upon myself. to me this is who obama is. lets not expect or demand of people what we owe ourselves.

the example set here is one of the possibilities of change. fullstop.

within all the calls for pragmatism, more than anything else this moment was about this. in the lives of african americans, in the lives of black people all over the world, in the lives of anyone who has and does want better. who struggles to see it, who has lost faith in it, who believes they dont possess the capacity to effect it. this is a moment that has tilted the frame of reference. and i believe that that is what he will have given to the world. relatively i think he’s done what he needed to do, well for me. he has already done what he needed to do. so its from a very simplistic place that i speak from. he has already done something humungous. that will echo and reverberate into time whether we are there or not. sometimes in a world of an obsession with tangibles and measurables i sometimes feel like we underestimate the value and importance of speaking into the hearts and minds of people. the work will never be done by one person, it can never be – it should never. we should never pin our hopes on a person and thereby exonerate ourselves from a certain responsibility. what we should do is be inspired. its that simple. we should be drawing from ‘the audacity of hope’ as he puts it, taking it and building and contributing, in a manner that ensures that the feeling begins to determine choices made in regard to what it takes to build a country. that involves everybody in all spheres. or we can just stick around and wait for the scorecard and miss part of the point that is here with us already.

and the fibre of the person must count for something. the character of the man. just in who he is. who he is is already a difference. and that has to make a difference.

i believe that i do and will thank obama and his family for showing me something else of the black face. for the sight of those two little black girls standing beside their father at such an inconceivable moment. i will thank him for showing me a healthy relationship between a black man and a black woman, for being a man who not only loves his woman but openly shares of his respect and admiration for her in her own right. between the two of them, whether consciously or by default, they have not only contributed to the upliftment of black people in general, in redefining the perimeters of dreams and reflections, theyve represented for their respective sexes within the stereotypes and struggles that take place within the relationship between black man and black woman. theyve shown people something different. a man who wasnt afraid to choose a woman of such calibre, michelle obama mustnt be too far behind in discussions on barack. that woman is amazing. and shes played her part. and will continue to do so i imagine.

so yes, we can. as i interpreted it until someone kindly pointed it out as: yes, we, can. broken down and combined in three words as affirmation of positivity. and the strength it requires. makes you want to be part of that 'we' doesnt it. 

in our prudence let us not be so quick to anticipate, that we take away from now. now is important. now is what we do know for sure and it comes with its own gifts. right now is what is new.

breathe it in.


 
For someone that claims to know nothing , you sure know alot. I agree with you fully, hope he'll get the surport to atleast try to succeed in he's missions knowingly he cant get them all , he will fail in some areas as he walks into a mess overal all.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: motho on January 21, 2009, 04:35:46 PM
Meet John Favreau, head speech writer for the Obama camp...

(http://static.guim.co.uk/sys-images/Guardian/Pix/pictures/2009/1/20/1232409694822/Jon-Favreau-head-speech-w-004.jpg)



he's cute.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Angry Hand of God on January 21, 2009, 04:50:04 PM
sorry Rhozie, but
(http://www.blackmenvent.com/powell-doohan.jpg)
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: watziznehmegin on January 21, 2009, 05:29:26 PM
look i guess any responses to this are marked by who we are, what we believe in, the position from which we speak and the experiences of our lives - our respective life philosphies. we all have that, in whatever way, shape or form. to imagine that you dont is to have one actually. all of this will obviously influence how we relate to this moment. with what little that i know of the intricacies, and i dont know much by way of the kind of detail that gives way to what is described as informed opinion or debate, though sometimes i wonder if the experts know any better. what summarises it for me is 'i cant believe my eyes', i couldnt believe my eyes.

and if one man can have close to the entire world stop, look and listen, in so singular a fashion then i am in awe.

and so unable to speak on what i dont know i will only say what i do, from where i stand, with my particular worldview.

i dont know what it takes to make a complete overhaul of a system you had nothing to do with creating, one that outdates you. i know that he has inherited a mess. i dont know how he will fair in his tasks as outlined by the needs of his land and his people. i dont know how many people never thought theyd actually even ever see the day. i dont know how many of them didnt. i know that his people voted him the best man for the job. i do know that he is a person, like any other leader, anywhere. and that any scrutiny applied to him should be one that remains consistent and across the board, to focus so on just him almost sets him up for failure. all president of the west as he is. precisely because his message is different. ofourse he isnt perfect, but who can claim it. thats a given that. he is going to fail in certain aspects of his reach. my hope, in turn, is that he will receive the support he needs to atleast try. but i know that something will change. has changed already. i know that something will get done, not all, but something and maybe sometimes thats all that matters. all he says, by way of his own beginning is, it can be done. it offers a beginning.

of what ive seen and experienced of change or any attempts at it. i know that cynicism is easy, is widespread, is justified - its what we know. but in any moment dating back years, centuries perhaps, cynicism has had to have been met with a kind of irrational ambitious belief. seemingly unfounded and idealistic. at each of those junctures, nobody believed, nobody could believe. so many things would still be the same, in so many places. the messages that came in those moments made no sense in their times. had no proof. borne in the lines of an impa**ioned rhetoric. and perhaps still even with time, some arent seen as having done anything. ever questionable.

there was a time when i couldn’t believe it. when i couldn’t find it in me to believe it, when i couldnt bare to be swept up in this tide because it was so ridiculous. but this is who this person is and lets not forget that. you had to have been a person who knew what they were doing. he did it. just this. just that at that place already where i was ready to waiver. a relative unknown with not only practical odds against him but the odds of history. he did it. an act of such force, of will, that it empowers just in its observing. there are stories of those who tried. i respect him for accomplishing it in so fine a fashion. i guess then this is the position from which i see obama. as the individual, the man. this person who said this is what he was going to do and went out and finished it. i dont know what it took, may never know what kind of fiddling, manipulating and rearranging of circumstance that takes. i do know that by the end of it i couldnt believe my eyes.

i cannot comment on his role as president of the united states of america. he is an american president and that is fact. their votes, their choice, their system. he is obliged to them first. he is, and that’s no sin. that’s his job. thats what he signed up for. i cannot comment on what he will or wont do for the world. or should. i can only look upon him and be forced to look upon my own leaders in my own land and ask questions that force us to answer in some changes of our own. i look upon myself. to me this is who obama is. lets not expect or demand of people what we owe ourselves.

the example set here is one of the possibilities of change. fullstop.

within all the calls for pragmatism, more than anything else this moment was about this. in the lives of african americans, in the lives of black people all over the world, in the lives of anyone who has and does want better. who struggles to see it, who has lost faith in it, who believes they dont possess the capacity to effect it. this is a moment that has tilted the frame of reference. and i believe that that is what he will have given to the world. relatively i think he’s done what he needed to do, well for me. he has already done what he needed to do. so its from a very simplistic place that i speak from. he has already done something humungous. that will echo and reverberate into time whether we are there or not. sometimes in a world of an obsession with tangibles and measurables i sometimes feel like we underestimate the value and importance of speaking into the hearts and minds of people. the work will never be done by one person, it can never be – it should never. we should never pin our hopes on a person and thereby exonerate ourselves from a certain responsibility. what we should do is be inspired. its that simple. we should be drawing from ‘the audacity of hope’ as he puts it, taking it and building and contributing, in a manner that ensures that the feeling begins to determine choices made in regard to what it takes to build a country. that involves everybody in all spheres. or we can just stick around and wait for the scorecard and miss part of the point that is here with us already.

and the fibre of the person must count for something. the character of the man. just in who he is. who he is is already a difference. and that has to make a difference.

i believe that i do and will thank obama and his family for showing me something else of the black face. for the sight of those two little black girls standing beside their father at such an inconceivable moment. i will thank him for showing me a healthy relationship between a black man and a black woman, for being a man who not only loves his woman but openly shares of his respect and admiration for her in her own right. between the two of them, whether consciously or by default, they have not only contributed to the upliftment of black people in general, in redefining the perimeters of dreams and reflections, theyve represented for their respective sexes within the stereotypes and struggles that take place within the relationship between black man and black woman. theyve shown people something different. a man who wasnt afraid to choose a woman of such calibre, michelle obama mustnt be too far behind in discussions on barack. that woman is amazing. and shes played her part. and will continue to do so i imagine.

so yes, we can. as i interpreted it until someone kindly pointed it out as: yes, we, can. broken down and combined in three words as affirmation of positivity. and the strength it requires. makes you want to be part of that 'we' doesnt it. 

in our prudence let us not be so quick to anticipate, that we take away from now. now is important. now is what we do know for sure and it comes with its own gifts. right now is what is new.

breathe it in.


 

That was very well put Rhoze, It felt good to see him for who he was and for what he has accomplished and abolished yesterday, him and Michelle were adorable at the Ball as well, when Beyonce was singing Ella James' At Last, was quite an emotional moment.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Msanii_XL on January 21, 2009, 05:30:36 PM
Quote from: TATEguru v.2K9

Rob & D are two people I consider friends & even brothers. I respect you both as my peers so this is not coming from left field or with any hidden agenda.
As white guys you may not fully appreciate how a (half) black man being elected as president of the USA resonates with black people the world over. Correct me if I'm wrong but neither of you has ever experienced directly the prejudices attached with being black. Ever walked into a random Service station and been followed by the security guard like you were gonna rob the place just coz of the way u look? Or had to tell your daughter/ son/ niece/ nephew/ cousin they could be whatever they wanted to be yet had no role models to point to that looked like you?

Remember this is the same constitution that held a black man (even if he was only 1/16th black) legally as only 3/5ths of a man. Now this man who's father, like he said in his speech, "would not have been served in a restaurant" just a generation ago is the President here.

Coming to the US I personally always felt there was a gla** ceiling placed on us. Those ceilings may still exist but this is certainly at least a crack.

Even if the man never does a thing for us directly as Africans or is part of some huge conspiracy or whatever the fact that he identifies himself as black and is recognized as such is a leap in the right direction for race relations the world over.

So NO the euphoria is NOT out of hand.


Respectfully Yours.

c/s..
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Hip Hop Fan on January 21, 2009, 06:02:39 PM
Unauthorized Biography of MLK & BARACK OBAMA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YRHh_cjLa1c
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: General Ratzinger van Stilzkin on January 21, 2009, 08:15:37 PM
ayo! im a hard thug nigga and all  :D  but this shit brought tears mayne!!! :-[

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3RRBYxZ7uxA&eurl=http://theybf.com/&feature=player_embedded
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: TATEguru v.2K9 on January 21, 2009, 08:22:32 PM
I hear you Tate - and I do appreciate the huge symbolic statement his presidency is making for black people the world over - but that doesn't change the fact that he been lionised beyond what any mere mortal could possibly ever live up to.

The iconography of his campaign is that of a revolutionary or a rock star (depending on what appeals to you more) - people are in such a state of euphoria you'd think this was the second coming. Beyond his skin colour, he's just a mainstream American politician who faces ma**ive challenges.

It should also be pointed out that the euphoria is not just coming from African Americans (or black people from other parts of the world) - the whole world has been overcome by Obamania.

As a person, he is a way more accomplished that Bush, so he's a definite improvement, but that doesn't change the fact that there are incredibly powerful interests at stake who may not share his vision of the way forward.

So, in short, I'm happy Obama won, but let's see what happens...



D got there first.

Tate, understood. Completely. My point is not that the euphoria is misplaced - what he has done is historic, unprecedented and bloody fantastic. It shows how far the US has come.

But I will say again: as someone who does not believe in trusting politicians until they put actions behind their words, I do not trust him. Not because of who he is, but because he is a power broker who may or may not be beholden to a system he cannot control.

I think as a person he is a great man. And if he puts actions behind his words, then I will be convinced.
I understand what you guys are saying about the proof being in the doing. That was not the point I was trying to make.
You cannot dismiss the euphoria around the election of this man identified as black as "misplaced" or "beyond his skin colour" coz thats what makes it such a monumental achievement.
Even if it is just a symbolic achievement the fact that he is black & likely had to deal with some prejudices that we can all identify with as black people makes us ecstatic with joy that may seem a bit too much from the outside looking in as you are. But believe me, from the inside out, no amount of euphoria is too much for this achievement.
It will surely inspire an entire race to dream as MLK did of beating said prejudices and rising to the "mountain top" achieving the highest accomplishments as Obama has.
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Naturelle on January 21, 2009, 10:48:31 PM
First day on the job and Guantanmo is no more. At this rate, the beauty queens might have to think of an alternative for the  world peace line.
http://www.google.com/hostednews/afp/article/ALeqM5h0BrVAug5Z2jGDmkAB5MjD9HiQig
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 22, 2009, 09:41:39 AM
I hear you Tate - and I do appreciate the huge symbolic statement his presidency is making for black people the world over - but that doesn't change the fact that he been lionised beyond what any mere mortal could possibly ever live up to.

The iconography of his campaign is that of a revolutionary or a rock star (depending on what appeals to you more) - people are in such a state of euphoria you'd think this was the second coming. Beyond his skin colour, he's just a mainstream American politician who faces ma**ive challenges.

It should also be pointed out that the euphoria is not just coming from African Americans (or black people from other parts of the world) - the whole world has been overcome by Obamania.

As a person, he is a way more accomplished that Bush, so he's a definite improvement, but that doesn't change the fact that there are incredibly powerful interests at stake who may not share his vision of the way forward.

So, in short, I'm happy Obama won, but let's see what happens...



D got there first.

Tate, understood. Completely. My point is not that the euphoria is misplaced - what he has done is historic, unprecedented and bloody fantastic. It shows how far the US has come.

But I will say again: as someone who does not believe in trusting politicians until they put actions behind their words, I do not trust him. Not because of who he is, but because he is a power broker who may or may not be beholden to a system he cannot control.

I think as a person he is a great man. And if he puts actions behind his words, then I will be convinced.
I understand what you guys are saying about the proof being in the doing. That was not the point I was trying to make.
You cannot dismiss the euphoria around the election of this man identified as black as "misplaced" or "beyond his skin colour" coz thats what makes it such a monumental achievement.
Even if it is just a symbolic achievement the fact that he is black & likely had to deal with some prejudices that we can all identify with as black people makes us ecstatic with joy that may seem a bit too much from the outside looking in as you are. But believe me, from the inside out, no amount of euphoria is too much for this achievement.
It will surely inspire an entire race to dream as MLK did of beating said prejudices and rising to the "mountain top" achieving the highest accomplishments as Obama has.

That's all well and good and I accept all of that... I'm not trying to tell black people not to be happy or even euphoric about the fact that a black man has become president of the United States. I accept that it is significant because it shows that years of activism has made America a more civilised place.

However, firstly, I'm not sure that becoming the leader of an aggressively imperialistic, ultra-capitalist, inward-looking country is such a pinnacle of achievement, especially when you consider who else has held the post (Reagan, Bush etc). It's not as if there are no other Black role models - Black people have been elected to high office and held prestigious positions before. Black people have been university presidents, business leaders and leading sports and entertainment figures. Obama is _just_ a politician - there is nothing radical about his election.

Secondly, the office of the president of the United States is not _just_ a symbolic post. He has issues to deal with in the real world - ugly, dirty, difficult, real decisions to make. Beyond the colour of his skin, he's just a man. As much as I'd love not to be cynical, we don't live in a fluffy bunny world where the good guy comes and saves the day. 

What I object to is that people's response is so simplistic. All it takes is someone to come along against the background of years of Bush's incompetence saying, "we can make a change" and we all say, 'YES!', without any idea how we're going to do it.

So he's closed Guantanamo Bay? Big deal! Was that a tough political decision? No. Is there anyone in the world who feels strongly that it should be kept open? No. I will judge him on how he delivers on his promises of social justice whilst keeping big business happy. I will judge him on how he handles the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Northern Korea and even South America. Being Black means nothing if he can't actually effect change.

"The Obama phenomenon, I think, reflects the alienation of the population that you find in the polls: 80% say the country is run by a few big interests. While Obama says we are going to change that, there’s no indication of what the change is going to be. In fact, the financial institutions, which are his major contributors, think he’s fine, so there’s no indication of any change. But if you say “change,” people will grasp at it; you say “change” and “hope,” and people will grasp at this and say, OK, maybe this is the savior who will bring about what we want, even though there is no evidence for it. ... So I think the Obama phenomenon and people’s alienation go hand in hand."

- Naom Chomsky
Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: The Angry Hand of God on January 22, 2009, 09:47:07 AM
That's all well and good and I accept all of that... I'm not trying to tell black people not to be happy or even euphoric about the fact that a black man has become president of the United States. I accept that it is significant because it shows that years of activism has made America a more civilised place.

However, firstly, I'm not sure that becoming the leader of an aggressively imperialistic, ultra-capitalist, inward-looking country is such a pinnacle of achievement, especially when you consider who else has held the post (Reagan, Bush etc). It's not as if there are no other Black role models - Black people have been elected to high office and held prestigious positions before. Black people have been university presidents, business leaders and leading sports and entertainment figures. Obama is _just_ a politician - there is nothing radical about his election.

Secondly, the office of the president of the United States is not _just_ a symbolic post. He has issues to deal with in the real world - ugly, dirty, difficult, real decisions to make. Beyond the colour of his skin, he's just a man. As much as I'd love not to be cynical, we don't live in a fluffy bunny world where the good guy comes and saves the day. 

What I object to is that people's response is so simplistic. All it takes is someone to come along against the background of years of Bush's incompetence saying, "we can make a change" and we all say, 'YES!', without any idea how we're going to do it.

So he's closed Guantanamo Bay? Big deal! Was that a tough political decision? No. Is there anyone in the world who feels strongly that it should be kept open? No. I will judge him on how he delivers on his promises of social justice whilst keeping big business happy. I will judge him on how he handles the Middle East, Iraq, Iran, Northern Korea and even South America. Being Black means nothing if he can't actually effect change.

"The Obama phenomenon, I think, reflects the alienation of the population that you find in the polls: 80% say the country is run by a few big interests. While Obama says we are going to change that, there’s no indication of what the change is going to be. In fact, the financial institutions, which are his major contributors, think he’s fine, so there’s no indication of any change. But if you say “change,” people will grasp at it; you say “change” and “hope,” and people will grasp at this and say, OK, maybe this is the savior who will bring about what we want, even though there is no evidence for it. ... So I think the Obama phenomenon and people’s alienation go hand in hand."

- Naom Chomsky


Either you are reading my mind or some other strange shit is going down.

Firstly you summed up my thoughts exactly, and secondly, you beat me to posting the Chomsky.

Title: Re: Obama Inauguration
Post by: Dpleezy on January 22, 2009, 10:02:02 AM
Either you are reading my mind or some other strange shit is going down.

Firstly you summed up my thoughts exactly, and secondly, you beat me to posting the Chomsky.



Reverse Pyro-kenesis :)