This is nice, but it doesn't square well with his saber-rattling against Afghanistan & Iran -- not to mention his weak and wavering plan to pull out of Iraq but to leave the Green Zone there intact.  I'm not too convinced that he's actually a man of peace.  I hope I'm proven wrong, but I can't support Obama based solely on the things he's saying.

by R. A. Louis (12 articles, 13 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 87 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:04:37 PM

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Seriously...these pages are for a dialogue at best....restructure his policies here and then send it to him at the Senate office! my sincerest recommendation, and thanks for your insights.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 10:20:04 PM

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Republican candidates say war in Iraq must go on and on, and say publicly there will be more wars.  Astronomical sums have been sent to defense contractors for years but Republicans say they won't approve any earmarks to help average citizens at home.  Or have their policies changed again? 

McCain has criticized Obama's consistent foreign relations policies.  He said Obama was naive to say strong countries first talk to enemies through diplomatic envoys (BTW, General Petraeus recently agreed on record).  Obama didn't promise war, but did propose effective defense from al Qaeda.  Why wouldn't Republicans support that intention if they support McCain's defense goals?

There's a chance this won't apply to you, but honestly I wonder if certain Republicans "can't trust Obama" because they can't trust themselves to have consistent opinions, policies or values - isn't it odd that they criticize Obama for something they praised McCain for a few days ago?  Maybe they are filled with doubt because they know they can't listen and learn, and therefore just repeat allegations that have consistently been proven false.  Or is the attempt to make open-book Obama seem untrustworthy and scary just a cynical campaign ploy to promote fear in uninformed voters?  Even if that's so, I believe Obama might say there's still reason for hope for all of us. 

Obama didn't say he was just like Gandhi, but he doesn't have to be precisely like Gandhi in every respect to warrant comparison.  For example, Gandhi was also a visionary and inspiring speaker.  He was educated in law and loved justice.  He treated opponents with respect and stuck to discussion of issues.  Gandhi listened and learned; even if he adjusted strategies from time to time, his goals and values remained consistent.  He lived with integrity, and let his life speak.  Gandhi organized communities until the country united to act peacefully, even while suffering "the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune."  Citizens reclaimed what was rightfully theirs from an unjust ruling class.  Then Gandhi was diplomatic even with former oppressors.  He earned the respect and admiration of people all around the world. 

With respect I acknowledge your personal right in our free country to cling to doubt and even to isolate yourself in fear if you so choose.  But today I have genuine hope for a better life for all of us - thanks to Gandhi and to Obama.  I wish you could see your way clear to hope as we do.   

by Carma Keats (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 5 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 6:53:31 PM

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Just think what a Gandhian transformation might do to US international relations; there would be objections, but as Gandhi said, if I can recall, there have been many scoundrels and tyrants throughout history, but they have always been overcome by the forces of truth and love....

My favorite books on him are Freedom at Midnight and Louis Fischers LIfe of Gandhi!

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 7:32:22 PM

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Thanks for sharing that Stephen.

May Barak one day do life well enough to deserve any comparison whatsoever with Gandhi, or to earn the Gandhi Award, as has, among others, Dennis Kucinich, who many acknowledge as an American Gandhi.

You know I could go on, but I still want Barak to win ; ). Well then again, anyone who would care about their candidate's Gandhi Award worthiness, or even those with only due passing respect for Gandhi, would never go for Cain . . .

by Lis (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Friday, Oct 10, 2008 at 11:32:13 PM

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Having studied Gandhi since 1974 with the reverence and the zestful interest some reserve for the Bible and for the Koran, I am happy to see Obama was strongly influenced by the life and teachings of Gandhi, as well.

Gandhi is ultimately the most practical and useful of all theologians, politicians, teachers, lawyers, strategists, and near-saints.

Notable that Obama mentions Gandhi's connection to Martin Luther King, Nelson Mandela, and the Dalai Lama. Your comments and insights are great, so please share them by also posting them after the OpEdNews posting of this article. This should grow into a much larger dialogue.

Thank you,

Stephen Fox, Contributing Editor, New Mexico Sun News

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 12:05:54 AM

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Might be a bit early to place Obama on the shelves with such 20th century icons as you mention. We can only hope that he lives up to such immortal heights-- and the level of statesman and peacemaker rather than politician.

Cerainly my vote is with Obama-Biden. And I urge others the same.

by Eliot Gould (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 200 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 12:22:23 AM

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That was my point, too. That he might truly take the teachings of Gandhi and the other laudables listed and lead us to change for sustainabilty. I'm not holding my breath.

He called the late, great, Paul Wellstone a "gadfly," supposedly, seems to have no respect whatsoever forDennis Kucinich, who is even more brilliant and much more stalwart than he, but he really might grow into what he's trying to emulate here. I sincerely hope so.

I laugh when he's called the most liberal Democrat. He does, too, at least. 

by Lis (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 4 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 1:41:00 AM

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Politicians of almost all stripes regardly express their admiration for people like Martin Luther King, Jr. and Gandhi.  That's nice, but not terribly meaningful.  Generally they don't follow their examples.

This is the traditional way of treating peace people.  They are viewed as being nice people committed to good, but their approach is viewed as naive and impractical in whatever the current situation is, even though their achievements may be acknowledged.  This is where Obama stands.  Obama is an unregenerate militarist, and a supporter of the death penalty.  We do not elect a Gandhi by electing Obama.

by Bill Samuel (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 445 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:04:15 AM

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"UNREGENERATED MILITARIST"? what makes you think so? He said he wanted to talk with Ahmadinejad, President of Iran, not bomb them!

He wants to go after Bin Laden in Afghanistan, not kill the Afghanis, like the US missile strikes are doing so indiscriminately.

Death Penalty? I am a Gandhian for 34 years, and I am all for the Death Penalty. It should be applied to lots more than it is already,  like child rapists, multiple armed robbers, etc., to whom it is not applied. Yes, that would become a seriously increased deterrent in our society.

He noted that Gandhi inspired MLK, Mandela, and Dalai Lama. Maybe you better re-read what he said, eh? Or do you prefer reading McCain's speech on Gandhi, if there ever was one?

I am very much of a peace person and you are right; we are talked down to and considered naive. But as the superpower we used to be falls apart and flat on its face financially, all of the reformers like Gandhi, Karl Marx, Hegel with his dialectical materialism, and Eleanor Roosevelt might make more sense, even to the brutes and their armor covered humvees and even to the descendants of Edward Teller, Admiral Rickover, Stalin, and other true militarists.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:32:22 AM

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After 8 years of Bush claiming to be a Christian and his murder and injury of over a million people in an immoral and illegal war on "terror", we can now look forward to a continuation of those policies with Obama claiming to emulate Gandhi? 

by Hubert Steed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 84 comments [10 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:27:52 AM

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Agree with you on Bush/Cheney, but I am sure Obama's presidency will be nothing at all like a 'continuation' of their misdeeds in Iraq. Further, the kinds of deranged analogies you mention are only for the simple minded and those ignorant of history. I am sure you aren't really espousing such comparisons, anyway, are you?

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 10:02:11 AM

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I can't imagine Christ or Gandhi taking Obama's position on escalating the war on "terror" in Afghanistan, Pakistan and Iran.  It is so contrary to everything Christ and Gandhi taught me...

by Hubert Steed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 84 comments [10 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 3:24:57 PM

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It is possible to be a Gandhian and have one's own mind about many different things, just like being a Christian doesn't obligate one to one particular modus operandi or one way of doing things.

I have faith in the guy, regardless, and would trust his perception of ending one war and phasing out the rest of them....how many wars has America participated in or started in the past 63 years?

I never said Obama was a Gandhian. I said I was, and I just published his speech, see?

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 3:54:14 PM

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Yes, Stephen, I see your point... you say "I WAS a Gandhian" not "I AM a Gandhian".  How could you or Obama possibly be a Gandhian as long as you support violent means to resolve human affairs?

Where in Gandhi's teachings can you rationalize support for killing another human being?  I hope you are right in your trust in Obama to bring peace to our world, but from my point of view his voting record and statements quite clearly indicate that he supports Bush's war and empire agenda. 

Although he condemns Bush's Iraqi policies, he voted to fund them.  He claims to get our troops out of Iraq but he would keep some troops and our mercenaries there.  He seriously compromises our Constitution by allowing the US Government to spy on US citizens without a warrent.  He claims he is a candidate for "change" but he emulates Bush's tax policies by voting to bail out wealthy speculators without any immediate relief to the poor. 

He would sacrifice an untold number of human lives "to get Bin Laden" as W. Bush did "to get Saddam Hussein".  

Are these words and actions coming from Jesus Christ or Mahatma Gandhi? 

by Hubert Steed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 84 comments [10 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 12:37:27 PM

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If you can be a Gandhian and support mass violence, I guess Obama can be a Gandhian.  But then of what significance is it to be a Gandhian if it doesn't mean anything about what you believe or how you act?

by Bill Samuel (5 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 445 comments [14 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 4:25:59 PM

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I don't do well with isms and systems of thought that are too rigourous and limiting. Have you read any of Gandhi's writing? Have you seen the movie?

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 5:28:56 PM

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I liked reading Obama's letter re Gandhi.  I think he is a very sincere man and I am saddened at some of the remarks made here about him but am in admiration of your replies.  Time will tell if Obama is a true follower and disciple of the beautiful humble Gandhi.  What I have heard and read about him thus far makes me truly hope and believe that he is.  May God help us to choose that man who most resembles Gandhi.

by Suzana Megles (66 articles, 0 quicklinks, 21 diaries, 363 comments [43 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 4:05:50 PM

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Clearly, after the last 8 years of utter mayhem and depraved corporate control and manipulation of every phase of government, even the "good" parts of government, we have come to a crashing point, and I see now way out but take the inspired hand of leadership of Obama. The Gandhi connection is clear in his writing in this speech. Nobody is putting Obama on a pedestal with Gandhi, but to be able to relate conceptually and spiritually to Gandhi, rather than let's say the CEO's of General Dynamics, Raytheon, Goldman Sachs, Blackwater, and Halliburton: NOW THAT IS WHAT I WANT TO SEE IN A PRESIDENT, perfect or not as a man or a politician. Even Gandhi was the first to admit his failures and occasional weaknesses. I wonder if Sarah Palin or John McCain have even seen Sir Richard Attenborough's film on Gandhi? I watch my own copy about once a month, to refresh my mind in the clarity and purity of Gandhi's thinking....

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 4:30:52 PM

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Interesting post (letter) and this one bit from an interesting comment:

"anyone who would care about their candidate's Gandhi Award worthiness, or even those with only due passing respect for Gandhi, would never go for Cain . . ."

Barack Obama's faith oozes through everything I've seen written by him, all the speeches and debates and other appearances I've seen him in, in many ways. Barack Obama is a Christian's Christian, and yet the fundamental Christian right has waged a campaign of hate and lies against him for years now. This is the same Christian right from whose most radical fringes have given us the Oklahoma Federal Building bombing and the incident at Wacco...and this week, I'm watching the "wink wink nod nod" from McCain / Palin to encourage this hate and prejudiced filled energy from their "base" who they hope to "energize" so as to win the election.

I am amazed beyond words at these events - how McCain and Palin "pal" around with scarier radicals than Bill Ayers ever was (remember, 40 years ago, he was trying to bring awareness to the Vietnam war, and the problems with that) - How McCain and Palin "pal" around with the likes of Bill Ayers too, in addition to abortion clinic bombers and how McCain and Palin are willing to court the favor of lunatics comparable in temprament to  Timothy McVey and Terry Nichols in order to win an election.

I heard Sarah Palin invoking Christian words in one of the stump speaches of her shown on CNN today - and allusions to a belief on her part that "God" should be running this country (I paraphrase grossly so don't mistake that as a quote - it is only my impression of what she said). Well, some days I suspect maybe I'm the only person (or one of a very few people) who see the hypocrisy of talking about having God run our country by a woman whose religion is based on a savior who said "Render unto Ceasar what belongs to Ceasar, and render unto God what belongs to God".

I firmly believe that if it had not been for Osama Bin Laden and his group of Muslim religious fundamentalist radical extremist terrorists and their 9/11 attack in the US, we'd have experienced an attack of similar proportion from our own domestic grown groups of Christian religious fundamentalist radical extremist terrorists. This is not an issue of one religion or another, this is an issue of potential for violence within all groups - religious, political, national, racial ...

Mahondas Ghandi realized that as did Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, as does Barack Obama and as did Jesus Christ, just to name a few. These men realize something that no terrorist nor John McCain nor Sarah Palin do: That evil doesn't lie within the "other" - "that" group - "those" people - etc. Evil lies in potentiality within each and every one of us. And the moment we try to deny that, we only awaken that potential for evil within our very selves.

But I can't say any of this to anyone but the choir right now. So Steve, thank you for offering me this forum to spout off, get things off my chest, so as to be able to go out again into that world of people and manage to say things that are better inclined to provoke people to think and less inclined to rile them up any more than they already are.

By the way -- I myself am Christian, Roman Catholic, and I practice Buddhism. Just felt I needed to say that since I believe I've managed to say things that different people can perceive as a blasting of all sides of the debate in my post here.

-Marion

by EisforEverything (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 3 diaries, 6 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 5:10:26 PM

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Marion: I really appreciate your insights, and you are right about preaching to the choir; this has been the demise of the Democratic party for many years. I encourage you to boil your comment down to about 200 words and then take the time to send it out to editorial page editors in the Midwest, the Rust Belt, and the other battleground states. I am sure you will have great success in getting your ideas published in this political context, which will vanish shortly, and your opportunities to express these ideas will dwindle sharply.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 5:21:19 PM

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As already mentioned in my bio, I mentioned few great leaders who inspired me A. Lincoln,  JFK, MLK (inspired by Gahndi on non violence), RFK and Nelson Mandela jus to name a few.  I forgot to mention Ghandi and some others who follow his footsteps.

In addition to Martin Luther King Jr., I meant to talk about Paul Newman who left us more recently.  Indeed I felt a lot of sorrow after the death of Paul Newman. Not only for his blue eyes, which drove me crazy when I was 17, nor for his acting skills But most importantly, for the real difference he was able to make in this world.   He showed what Martin Luther King meant by" One day we will learn that the heart can never be totally right if the head is totally wrong. Only through the bringing together of the head and heart - INTELLIGENCE AND GOODNESS- shall man rise to a fulfillment of his true nature." Giving, as Paul Newman did, is to me similar to reflection we have of us when we look into mirror and smile and get a smile back.  

Giving is a reflection of us as a society. It's our purpose. 

Paul Newman is a role model who lived as quoted by Penn William "I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore I can do, or any kindness I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again."

On the other side, Obama greatly inspires not only America but also the entire world.  This is already a pre-requisite to PEACE.  As Lincoln challenged America for Emancipation Proclamation, Obama stood against the establishment -Democrats and Republicans-who voted for the Iraq war.  

Obama is a true leader who doesn't need to show toughness against hostility. Instead he’s able to open communication with other countries while sending a clear message to adversaries.  Obama is a combination of both intelligence and Goodness. Particularly when I think of the sacrifice he made by turning down Wall Street highly paid jobs to work with Main Street as community Organizer.

I always thought one must be crazy to run for President but when I think about what Kennedy inaugural address – of course I wasn’t born then but I heard it-from my parents- I understand what all this mean now reading these few lines from JFK speech: 

“To our sister republics south of our border, we offer a special pledge--to convert our good words into good deeds--in a new alliance for progress--to assist free men and free governments in casting off the chains of poverty. “But this peaceful revolution of hope cannot become the prey of hostile powers.” “So let us begin anew--remembering on both sides that civility is not a sign of weakness, and sincerity is always subject to proof. Let us never negotiate out of fear but let us never fear to negotiate.

“And so, my fellow Americans: ask not what your country can do for you--ask what you can do for your country.
My fellow citizens of the world: ask not what America will do for you, but what together we can do for the freedom of man.”

” With a good conscience our only sure reward, with history the final judge of our deeds, let us go forth to lead the land we love, asking His blessing and His help, but knowing that here on earth God's work must truly be our own."

“To those people …of half the globe struggling to break the bonds of mass misery, we pledge our best efforts to help them help themselves, for whatever period is required--not because the communists may be doing it, not because we seek their votes, but because it is right. If a free society cannot help the many who are poor, it cannot save the few who are rich.”

I DO hope this article along with these few lines from JFK speech will help us all use our “good conscience” while referring deeds from personality like Paul Newman, a man by true nature, to explore how we can be our brothers and our sisters in this world where we are only “passengers”

Remembering Corinthians 13: 13 "And now these three remain: faith, hope and love. And the greatest of these is love". What Paul Newman did was true love for humanity. He did it in United States and he did it around the world.

by Lydia Kopere Patterson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 154 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 7:08:14 PM

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I found this post incredibly inspiring. The comments following Obamas commemoration got me to thinking about how focused on only "the hard cold issues" people are at the moment, including myself. Its hard to latch on to anything positive and promising in these testing times.
My thoughts go further to wonder what Gandhi may have spoke about in times like this.
Im imagining something similar to Obama's message. We just have to try and strive for those ideals that all great leaders speak of.

I'm taking this opportunity to post the words of another great leader who spoke of that ideal. John F. Kennedy with a statement by Sir Winston Churchill.


The Undelivered Speech

These were President Kennedys last official words-the conclusion of the speech he was to have delivered in Dallas.

America today is stronger than ever before. Our adversaries have not abandoned their ambitions-our dangers have not diminished-our vigilance cannot be relaxed. But now we have the military, the scientific and the economic strength to do whatever must be done for the preservation and the promotion of freedom.

That strength will never be used in pursuit of aggressive ambitions-it will always be used in pursuit of peace. It will never be used to promote provocations-it will always be used to promote peaceful settlements of disputes.

We ask, therefore, that we may be worthy of our power and responsibility-that we may exercise our strength and wisdom and restraint-and that we may achieve in our time and for all time the ancient vision of peace on earth and goodwill toward men."
That must always be our underlying goal-and the righteousness of our cause must always underlie our strength. For as written long ago: "except the Lord keep the city, the watchman waketh but in vain. "We in this country, in this generation, are-by destiny rather than by choice-the watchmen on the walls of world freedom.

Four days
The Historical Record of the Death of President Kennedy 1964
United Press International
American Heritage Magazine

A personal statement by Sir Winston Churchill upon the assaination of JFK.
"The loss to the United States and to the world is incalculable. Those who come after Mr. Kennedy must strive the more to achieve the ideals of world peace and human happiness and dignity to which his Presidency was dedicated"

by Robyn Russell (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 4 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 7:22:31 PM

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thanks so much to each of you for taking the time and energy and thought to post such profound comments....when you have a chance, rent Attenborough's film and watch it again....it is quite beautiful and also extremely practical to work toward a Gandhian Re-enervation of the entire US foreign policies, from top to bottom, eh? My top choice for Sec. of State is still Bill Richardson, my New Mexico Governor; how much of a Gandhian could he become at age 61? Time will tell.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 7:36:45 PM

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I agree with you Stephen. I love Bill Richardson and his straightforwardness.  He wasn't afraid of what the establishment think when he went ahead and endorsed Obama at the time of controversy.  Remember what he said then "Senator Barack Obama addressed the issue of race with the eloquence and sincerity and decency and optimism we have come to expect of him”.

This message of Richardson reminds me of Mahatma Ghandi quotes:

"My life is my message."  OR
"You must be the change you wish to see in the world"

Now is the time and Barack Obama is the “last Best Hope for America” before long. Having the right Secretary of State who, in my opinion, should be Bill Richardson because he has his experience and played a great role in diplomatic efforts as UN Ambassador these last years, will be a plus.

Last but not least, let's not forget the inspiring words of Mother Theresa: “Do not wait for leaders; do it alone, person to person”

by Lydia Kopere Patterson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 154 comments) on Saturday, Oct 11, 2008 at 9:50:52 PM

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I mean about Bill Richardson as SOS! I have been saying this for about one year....Thanks for your comment, and let's get those articles on the editorial pages of America, particularly Virginia and North CArolina?

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:47:07 AM

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I, too, liked Obama's thoughts on acknowledging Gandhi and the Gandhian mentality, of non-violence.  But I have some concerns about Obama that don't 'jibe'.  For example, he calls for a national police force.  Now what is that all about?  That is a decided 'oh-oh', for me.

To say:  Does he just want power for power's sake, too?  And if so, haven't we had enough of that approach to life in a federal republic??  That in fact is what we're trying to stand against.  Aren't we??? 

by kibitzer2 (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 49 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 12:13:54 PM

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directly, to his US Senate office. I can't answer it, but it seems more like an idea he popped off the top of his head, than any formal "policy statement."

Sorry but I don't know anything about that. Seems like we kind of already have a national police force. Gandhi contained a few contradictions, too, you know!

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 1:44:59 PM

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As the daughter of a civil rights worker murdered in Selma in 1965, it warms my heart to see where Barack's inspiration comes from. My mother Viola Liuzzo was part of the non-violent civil rights movement. She was of the mindset that with love and understanding people could overcome the bigotry and racism which is like a cancer spreading throughout our country. Children are born color blind.....they know no predudice or hate, These are learned from their environment. I hope some day this world is filled with more people like Barack Obama, Martin Luther King Jr, Gandhi and all the other people of peace that have came before us. I hope on November 4th, people can get over their learned behaviors and search within their hearts, to vote for the man who promotes peace, unity and understanding. We need to heal this wonderful country of ours. We need to once again rise up and be respected throughout the world. Barack Obama if elected will definately have a mess to sort out, but I have full confidence in his ability to lead our country back to prosperity and peace.

by Sally Liuzzo-Prado (1 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 12 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 4:17:43 PM

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You said it all Sally!

Here's another type of answer from Donna Brazile regarding the same  "Cancer" or RACISM disease

:click here

by Lydia Kopere Patterson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 154 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 5:01:45 PM

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http://www.opednews.com/articles/The-2008-Election-by-Sally-Liuzzo-Prado-081011-815.html

I encourage everyone reading it to send it to friends, family, colleagues, and even a few editorial page writers in the 9 Battleground states. I want to see this article in every racist nook-and-cranny in the USA in the next few days. We can root out the racism in the USA that is like a cancer, during Obama's Presidency.

 One very sharp lady from Oregonians for Obama, Nance Cedar,  pointed out to me just a few minutes ago that this racism is encouraged by McCain and Palin, by their words and by their actions and their inactions.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 5:27:15 PM

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Great Post....Gandhi needs to be celebrated more in America.

He truly has guided and inspired some great American leaders.Sen. Obama is no Gandhi, but his effect and influence on this country may overshadow Gandhi, Kennedy and Dr. King.

I tell people all the time...it's not the man...it's the party.  We do need another Gandhi, or King...IMHO we need politicians who are willing to do the right thing!

by Jim Neusom (2 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 1 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 7:18:25 PM

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As previously stated to readers of OpEd, I hope you are right in your trust in Obama to bring peace to our world, but from my point of view his voting record and statements quite clearly indicate that he supports Bush's illegal and immoral war and empire agenda. 

Although he condemns Bush's Iraqi policies, he voted to fund them.  He claims to get our troops out of Iraq but he would keep some troops and our mercenaries there.  He seriously compromises our Constitution by allowing the US Government to spy on US citizens without a warrant.  He claims he is a candidate for "change" but he emulates Bush's tax policies by voting to bail out wealthy speculators without any immediate relief to the poor.  He does not offer a national health program much different than Bush that will realistically cover all U.S. citizens.  It is doubtful that he will even hold the Bush/Cheney administration accountable for their high crimes and misdemeanors.

He would sacrifice an untold number of human lives "to get Bin Laden" as George W. Bush did "to get Saddam Hussein".  

Are these words and actions inspired by Mahatma Gandhi's message to our world? 

Please inform me what "right" thing Obama has done that qualifies him to lead our country for the next 4 years?  

How can you vote for him with a good conscience? 

At least Independent Presidential candidate Ralph Nader has a legitimate record of real public service.  Why don't you consider his candidacy?

by Hubert Steed (0 articles, 0 quicklinks, 0 diaries, 84 comments [10 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 8:03:43 PM

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BTW – I hear a lot about “right thing”. What does that exactly mean?

As already well stated by Jim, Obama is not Ghandhi and I don’t think he never pretended to either. But he’s an inclusive leader with character and judgment which is a pre-requisite to PEACE.

He is a VISIONARY just like Ghandi and MLK (non violence), JFK (Man going to the moon), RFK (Justice). There are many who may have never missed a vote and, who spent many years in Politics and have “experience” but NOT wise enough to use a good judgment against the establishment – both Democrats and Republicans- to speak out against the Iraq war as Obama did.

Before we went on war, said what he said what he discussed during the Second round Presidential debate:

“BROKAW: Senator Obama, the economic constraints on the U.S. military action around the world.

OBAMA: Well, you know, Senator McCain, in the last debate and today, again, suggested that I don't understand. It's true. There are some things I don't understand.

I don't understand how we ended up invading a country that had nothing to do with 9/11, while Osama Bin Laden and Al Qaeda are setting up base camps and safe havens to train terrorists to attack us.

That was Senator McCain's judgment and it was the wrong judgment.

When Senator McCain was cheerleading the president to go into Iraq, he suggested it was going to be quick and easy, we'd be greeted as liberators.

That was the wrong judgment, and it's been costly to us. So one of the difficulties with Iraq is that it has put an enormous strain, first of all, on our troops, obviously, and they have performed heroically and honorably and we owe them an extraordinary debt of gratitude.

But it's also put an enormous strain on our budget. We've spent, so far, close to $700 billion and if we continue on the path that we're on, as Senator McCain is suggesting, it's going to go well over $1 trillion.

We're spending $10 billion a month in Iraq at a time when the Iraqis have a $79 billion surplus, $79 billion.

And we need that $10 billion a month here in the United States to put people back to work, to do all these wonderful things that Senator McCain suggested we should be doing, but has not yet explained how he would pay for.

Now, Senator McCain and I do agree, this is the greatest nation on earth. We are a force of good in the world. But there has never been a nation in the history of the world that saw its economy decline and maintained its military superiority.

And the strains that have been placed on our alliances around the world and the respect that's been diminished over the last eight years has constrained us being able to act on something like the genocide in Darfur, because we don't have the resources or the allies to do everything that we should be doing.

That's going to change when I'm president, but we can't change it unless we fundamentally change Senator McCain's and George Bush's foreign policy. It has not worked for America."

To make a long story short, who still doesn't understand that war costs? Let alone when it’s a non justified war.  Not only it costs us precious lives but millions but also it has serious economic consequences of war on all of us. Maybe not for those who still wondering don’t know who did “right” or didn’t.Could it be because Obama is too much on the left, according to some, that he didn’t do the "right" thing? Instead of these comments, let’s stop any pretext against Obama character or judgment. Let’s PLEASE refer to our conscience reading these lines from JFK stated Inaugural Address:

by Lydia Kopere Patterson (6 articles, 0 quicklinks, 1 diaries, 154 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 11:45:56 PM

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However, don't underestimate the power that Gandhi still has, to this day. I believe that without him there would have been no Eleanor Roosevelt, no United Nations, no independence movement in most of Africa, no Dalai Lama, no Martin Luther King, no Mandela, no Vaclav Havel, no Velvet Revolution, no Cesar Chavez, no opposition to the Vietnam War, and a lot of other important venues and contexts in recent history would just not be there. Obama could get there, if he strongly resists the demands of the corporate power structure. I am no armchair pundit, full of pontifications, but no true Gandhian's successes in government would surprise me. It is such a practical and workable point of view.

And whom did Gandhi consider to be his spiritual and philosophical antecedents? Thomas Jefferson, Tolstoy, and his long chain of Jain ancestry, going back to Mahavira, founder of the Jain faith, the ultimate in non-violence, going back a little more than 2600 years!

I shall post this in the 14th Dalai Lama's colors.

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 11:49:36 PM

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Dear Stephen, Thanks for your encouragement.It is a wonderful article and I am really proud of it.  

kamala

by Kamala Sarup (89 articles, 0 quicklinks, 7 diaries, 6 comments) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 8:09:44 PM

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This lady dutifully submitted an article at OpEdNews about Gandhi's birthday two days before it, and no one even commented on it til today when I discovered it quite by accident.

I guess America is only susceptible to Gandhian considerations and his most profound precepts when there are Academy Awards or a Presidential Candidate involved.

I am personaly deeply gratified by Obama's espousal and advancement on Gandhi's birthday. Please do an author's search for this lady's article and read it, and comment if it is in your heart.

I find that the people who have read the most Gandhi never question when a politician shows reverence for him and his life, and would never ask petulant testy questions like just a few of the above, or wish to be confrontational. I just tell them: SEE THE MOVIE.

I know they won't read even one book, let alone 48. I have a strange affinity for Gandhi and the need to carry on his work; I was born almost exactly 24 hours after his death.

I post this in the colors of the Dalai Lama, in remembrance of this "half naked fakir," as Winston Churchill called him several times.....yet by his persistence he through the British and 300 years of colonial disgust out on their ear, with four powerful concepts linked together, so look these up, if you want to learn something:

AHIMSA            SATYAGRAHA         BRAHMACHARYA         HARTAL

by Stephen Fox (96 articles, 3 quicklinks, 11 diaries, 802 comments [33 recommended, 1 rejected]) on Sunday, Oct 12, 2008 at 10:17:32 PM

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I appreciate the genius of OpEdNews, as opposed to so many other purely political venues, where such comments may pile up almost needlessly in huge numbers, dialogues through comments and distilled insights, really DON'T take place in this same way. I saw one at Huffingtonpost in response to one of Arianna's articles  that had almost 2000 comments, but nothing like a real discussion.

by Eliot Gould (16 articles, 0 quicklinks, 28 diaries, 200 comments [3 recommended, 0 rejected]) on Monday, Oct 13, 2008 at 6:25:27 PM

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