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Group(s): Barack Obama Supporters; Progressive Democrats of AmericaAdd to My Group
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August 28, 2008 at 19:31:32
Promoted to Headline (H2) on 8/28/08: by Alamantra Page 1 of 1 page(s) |
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“In a world of 1s and 0s...are you a zero, or The One?” The Matrix (1999) The recent line of right-wing attacks on Barack Obama have been to emphasize his popularity and turn it against him by painting him as nothing more than a celebrity -- “an empty suit” was the phrase I heard one pundit use. Right-wing trolls and bloggers have commonly taken to referring to Senator Obama online as “The One.” This attempt at sarcasm is a reference to the character ‘Neo’ from the movie, The Matrix. As they do this, I have to wonder if they realize who this makes them in their self-created Matrix scenario: Agents? Sentinels? If, in a world of ones and zeros, Barack Obama is “The One,” what is John McCain? The first “celebrity” attack ad sought to diminish Obama’s stature by juxtaposing him with Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. This line of character attack is not particularly new or original: Early on in the primaries we saw jokes about where the candidates were all born: “and Barack Obama was born in a manger.” Let’s not forget Hillary Clinton’s snide remark at one of the Democratic debates wondering aloud if Senator Obama needed a pillow so that he might be made more comfortable; and then there was her remark about the skies opening and everyone singing “Kumbaya.” So the Republicans haven’t been able to come up with anything other than what has been tried ---unsuccessfully--- by the Clinton campaign. This fact raises a legitimate question as to whether they have the ingenuity to govern the American people away from the various potential catastrophes that encroach upon us from every direction. For the most part, Senator Obama has patiently endured this line of harassing political attack and tried valiantly, but with questionable success, to persuade the main stream media to focus on the badly-needed debate over policy instead of personalities and gaffes and the utterly trivial. I say with questionable success as it seems to me there is a certain futility in trying to reform a culture that has long been addicted to various combinations of superficiality, gossip and xenophobia. Still, this continuous call for a policy debate is a significant point that those of us who support Senator Obama need to emphasize at every opportunity. With the country in the shape that its in : our military capabilities compromised, the VA a broken institution, The United States’ loss of stature in the world, the declining value of the dollar and our ever-growing debt …what Senator Biden called an ABYSMAL failure ---the right-wing wants to focus on the celebrity status of Barack Obama? They think that this is the important issue of this election? Isn’t this completely out of touch with reality? At what point should the Republicans be required to answer for their incompetence? What about New Orleans? What about lies to take this nation into war? What about answering for the deficit or the failure to prevent 9/11; even though they were told that Bin Laden was determined to attack us? Eight years provides us hundreds of similar questions. When will we get some answers?
Senator Obama’s supporters should gladly EMBRACE the idea that Obama IS “the One,” ---and we need to ask loudly what is it that makes this so …What is it that has made him come from out of nowhere and beaten an adversary as formidable as the Clinton Political Machine? We hear and see much about the “Commander in Chief “argument and we are inundated with questions and statements doubting Sen. Obama’s abilities and qualifications in this regard. When we encounter this, we have to remember who is saying it : that it is coming from the very people who thought of George Bush and Donald Rumsfield as qualified military leaders, and “Brownie” as qualified to be the head of FEMA. These are also the same people who thought Dick Cheney’s “experience” would be good for America; yet the vast majority of Americans feel that this hasn’t been the case. Isn’t this enough to mitigate the seriousness with which such claims, questions and ridicule should be taken by the American people? Also, it seems to me that such over-concern about the qualification of ‘Commander in Chief’ bodes a future that fosters more warfare, more of the same.
By now, many of us have heard war drums beating toward Iran and Syria. This sort of behavior is simply NOT in America’s interest at this time. America can’t afford to continue to write checks with its mouth that its ass can’t cash. It certainly doesn’t instill confidence among the other nations of the world. We need a competent Commander in Chief, but what we need even more is someone who can be a statesman and a diplomat. In order to even begin to solve our economic problems, our environmental problems, our addiction to foreign oil and on and on and on, we have to engage with the world, and we need a leader who inspires not only the American people, but the other peoples of the world. We need a leader who believes in and has a talent for dialogue.
One thing that we saw with Senator Obama’s speech in Germany is that, though there are those here in the United States who thought his performance something to belittle as a mere show of celebrity, in reality, his speech demonstrates that Sen. Obama is capable of going straight to the people of the world and making his case. John McCain simply does not possess this rare capacity …no way, no how. The very reason that Sen. Obama is a celebrity is because he inspires people and makes them aware of their own potential and invites them to direct participation in the affairs that concern them. He is eloquent and charismatic and has chosen to put these talents to empowering others. He is a master of organization and thus can direct the energy that comes from the inspiration to serve a focused purpose. The success of his “improbable” campaign proves this. How can anyone look upon its success and dismiss Sen. Obama as being nothing more ‘an empty suit’ and devoid of purpose? It makes for some good laughs I suppose, but at the end of it all, the right-wing attack machine is writing a joke where its own culture of cynicism will be the punch line …not Barack Obama, and not the American people.
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I think "The One" is apt ... but not in the way you think
Oh, there's a Matrix alright, and you and all you Obamabots are stuck in it up to your brain-pans. Let me just cut to the case. You're voting for a mass murderer. The Matrix is that Obama is part of the fabric that brought you 9/11. So by extension you supporting Obama you support those that planned, executed and continue to cover-up the crime on mass murder on September 11, 2001. And the answer should not be how could he know - it should be how could he not know? One of the most striking things about the DNC was that there was not one mention of 9/11 - not a word. Why? With it's anniversary coming-up one would think someone would have made reference to it, if for no other reason than to console family member victims. But not a word. How come? Could it be that more and more people are questioning 9/11 and that any reminder of it would draw attention to this fact? Could it be that if indeed attention was drawn to it and more people would demand a full criminal investigation and that Obama's house of cards would crash down around him, as would this entire phony political system? That the wars Obama and all the other lap-dogs of war would be exposed for the cretinous murders they are? It's just my guess, but a damn good one. There is no way one can look at 9/11, and not come to the understanding that it indeed it was an inside job, and than not see the Matrix for what it is. To not see that every time your precious Obama opens his mouth about protecting American interests that he's lying to protect those that committed this heinous act. You will be able to see through the Looking Glass and see the ugly truth of the man you profess to put your misplaced faith in. Your anger and rage will fill you with a passion you have never known and you will seek justice with a tenacity you've never thought possible. You will seek to tear down the Matrix and your Obama with it and bury him and this whole putrid corrupt political system that has robbed you of your mind, clouded your eyes and emptied your soul. Demand a full independent criminal investigation of 9/11. Cleanse this world of the satanic evil that infests it, of which your Obama is part of. It is our only hope. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 10:58:13 AM  (0+)
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Reply: Let's call it like we see it.
Hi Mr. M: I'm all for a full and independent investigation of 9/11. I have an agnostic position on it. Due to all of the subterfuge on the subject it is impossible to tell what is what. My questions about it are based on physics. I don't see how three buildings can fall at freefall speed in the exact same fashion ...pancake collapse, unless there is some common force regulating those three falls. They are three distinctly different point-events. Two of them were hit by two different airplanes at different locations on their respective structures ...meaning that the distribution of force was not the same. The third event --- the collapse of Building 7 --- did not have the same cause ...was not hit with an airplane and still fell in the exact same way. This being a random coincidence is highly improbable. This is strictly science. Barack Obama has repeatedly claimed that he believes in Science, and I for one plan to hold him to that statement. There are a score of many other factors that I find to be discordant with the official storyline and I support all calls for a complete investigation. I don't think that we "obmabots" as you just called me, are asleep and trying to steer people from the truth. We are, rather, trying to regain control of the people's government and get a more progressive lineup all the way down the ticket. There are some Democrats that I would like to see lose their seats, and there are some Republicans who I would like to see have more of a voice in Washington ...Ron Paul is one of those. There are some Democrats who have been belittled that I think America should listen to much more: Dennis Kucinich is one of those. by Alamantra (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 1:04:03 PM (0+)
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Reply: Well reasoned ...
Obama has been asked about 9/11 and his staff letter says he holds to the official story. Pure bunk. I can't trust someone that can't, like you have, at least question some of the anomalies that are so evident to any one that does a cursory investigation into 9/11. There can be only one reason, he knows and is protecting whomever planned, executed and covered-up the crime - and he's part of that cover-up. Because I cannot believe that any one that reaches the pinnacle of power would not know. How could you not? And the more one investigates, the more one becomes convinced that neither political party is free of guilt in this crime, That they both work for the same people, and that our whole election process is a farce, a huge Dog & Pony Show put on for our benefit to give us the illusion we have a choice - we don't. And there is no way we can "hope" that any one within either of these parties will seek justice for those murders - it won't happen. You're hoping the murderer gains a conscience, which on it's face only makes one a fool. I will not support murders. There is no rational that can persuade me to do so. I will fight anyway I can to see that the perpetrators of this crime are brought to justice. Because until we do that we don't have a country, we have a prison, and every one of us are on Death Row. You say Kucinich or Paul, good - vote for one of them. Do a write-in. What difference would it make? What real choice have you got? Murderer A or Murderer B? What would happen if all the people really voted for the person they wanted? Think back to when this campaign first started, who made the most sense? The people you mentioned. You weren't along, many thought the same thing. So how did we wind-up with Dumb & Dumber as our choices? Because they were shoved down our throats by mass media propaganda. In a recent poll 64% said they'd vote for "none of the above". What if that 64% did exactly that? Voted for neither and wrote in Kucinich - we'd win, that's what. But unfortunately the brainwashing media again has convinced most people that doing that, using the power we have, would be fruitless, so reasonable people such as yourself shrug your shoulders, schlep to the polls and vote for Murderer A or Murderer B. Do it if you want - me, even if I lose, I will not bow-down to murders. by Mr M (8 articles, 0 quicklinks, 66 diaries, 2845 comments [654 recommended, 27 rejected]) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 5:55:41 PM (0+)
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Reply: Carry On My Wayward Son
I don't think Sen. Obama had anything to do with 9/11 and I have no reason whatsoever to think that he has been made privy to any such inside knowledge. When the event happened Obama wasn't a part of the national scene at all. I have seen on infowars where, when asked, he said that he didn't think that the government was complicit in the attacks, but he did think it was negligent. Well, this is what most Americans think, and frankly no-one should want to find out that their government would do such a thing. Those in power certainly have no interest or reason to include him in the loop. They don't know what he would do with it. They have every reason to keep up a disinformation campaign that would dissuade people ...especially people who are very busy with other crucial issues... from looking into 9/11. After all, THAT could lead to prison terms, riots and other nasty stuff. Committing a crime is not much fun if one gets caught ...especially when its the crime of the century. Plus there are trillions of dollars of booty to hoard. Another consideration is what would happen among the nations of the world should it come out that the United States government had some type of involvement in that event? ...especially considering that the event was used to invade Afghanistan and Iraq? What would the consequences be to the American people? Think about it. At this level of contemplation, that information must be handled delicately as in this environment it could spark a world war. As far as to the 'how could he not know' argument. People who are on the national stage are in a synarchic environment, and also, one is constantly being pushed from factoid to factoid and expected to respond in real time. Every word is pondered and pounded and twisted. Every flicker of the eyebrow "means something." The only way that investigations will ever be opened is there must be a major popular surge of information that is relatively crisp and coherent. However, in the 9/11 movement there is a complete atmosphere of disinformation. Information such as the evidence suggesting the possibility of thermite gets lumped in with the claim that the twin towers were hit by missiles or a private airplane or any number of things and the whole event becomes muddled in argument and discord. Of course this is the intended effect of a disinfo campaign. In the world of a person who is running for president, muddled controversial topics that have already been moved to the fringe isn't going to be some hyper-focus ...not when the country is bankrupt, the people of New Orleans still have not been seen to, the army is stretched to the point of breaking etc. etc. etc. As for why I don't write in Dennis Kucinich or Ron Paul... Because that vote I take away from a man who I think actually has something to offer in the bigger picture would be to give it to a warmongering, tottering fool & his little trophy VP who has no foreign policy experience, no knowledge of domestic affairs and so on. ...We've done that for eight years, now. Rather than attack from without and acting as if our public servants are already against us, why not get involved with the process, and use it to create a consensus for getting to the truths that are important? Is the evidence compelling? How about its presentation? One of the things that the 9/11 movement fails on, is the hostility and the fear and the assumptions about others that many of its adherents project. This, creates an environment that is actually less attractive to inquiry and isn't the way to get anything done. Calling me an "Obamabot" for instance, without knowing me, comes across as a signal of frustration and only serves to potentially create a non-intimate environment that discourages social discourse, ...which is the key element in creating a crucible whereby we may find truth. People like Dr. Steve Jones and other scientists who are collecting and analyzing the data understand this, and so theirs is an example to be upheld. Regardless of the election, I'm planning to write a piece later on in the fall to present the things that I have found in my own inquiries about 9/11. It is an important issue, but like Hurricane Katrina, which is equally an important signal of the contempt of power and priviledge, it is also history at this point; and right now, the present which shapes our future needs more attention than the past. by Alamantra (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 7:50:13 PM (0+)
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2004
At exactly this stage of the 2004 campaign, the Dems were saying the same thing about John Kerry. Remember how since he was a vet that there was no way the Republicans could attack him and question his patriotism? That was what all the Dems were saying at the end of their 2004 convention. How'd that work out for ya? by Samson (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 9 diaries, 49 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 7:39:06 PM (0+)
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Reply: different horse, different race
Barack Obama is NOT a John Kerry. In the swift-boat attacks Kerry came off looking ineffectual because he didn't handle the problem. Barack Obama isn't the same kind of candidate. Ask the Clinton Political Machine what it thinks... It's still trying to get its kitchen sink back. by Alamantra (3 articles, 0 quicklinks, 5 diaries, 5 comments) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 7:56:37 PM (0+)
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the emotions involved in the right wing attack
I have to disagree with you on your identification of the forces in play on the citizenry from the Republican slander machine. You say that superficiality, gossip and xenophobia are the problems. I heard Bryant Welch talk about his book “State of Confusion”, an application of psychology to politics, on KPFK Pacifica. He was on Ian Master's Program 2 or 3 times and the programs are archived in www.kpfk.org but I can not look for them. During the campaign The Republicans will try to arouse 2 of the strongest emotions that humans have, jealousy and paranoia, to win the election. They arouse the emotion of jealousy of Obama by trying to use the elitist theme and constantly comparing Obama to Jesus. People are very envious of those that are very popular and able to draw large crowds. They will try to use 9/11 and possibly other events to arouse paranoia. These 2 very strong emotions are frequently able to block logical thought and in fact place the mind in a “State of Confusion”. To be successful Obama has to inoculate himself against this type of negative campaigning. If he is not successful in inoculating himself against these types of emotion he may lose the election. I found a short youtube video of Bryant Welch, but it is not as good as the Ian Masters audio. http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=FcTkmORkZ8w by realtime (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 7 comments) on Friday, Aug 29, 2008 at 8:06:26 PM (0+)
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