John McCain spreading fear about childhood vaccines

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Nope...he's neither. He's just a man named Obama.

You've recognized in the past that people are black or white. All of the sudden you're color blind? Come on, you can't honestly say, he's not black AND shades of black/white are silly.

[jsarno]

Originally Posted by Sheriff Gonna Getcha

You've recognized in the past that people are black or white. All of the sudden you're color blind? Come on, you can't honestly say, he's not black AND shades of black/white are silly.

Not really...but I will use terms that you all use. How else would you know who I was talking about?
Also, when he's 50% of both, he is neither, or both...whatever. If you must use a label, try malatto (sp?).

Why does it even matter? Why do you insist on labels?

If a dog is 100% pug, then he's a pug, yet if he's 50% pug, and 50% pomeranian, then he's a mutt. Not a pug.

[DynamiteRave]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Not really...but I will use terms that you all use. How else would you know who I was talking about?
Also, when he's 50% of both, he is neither, or both...whatever. If you must use a label, try malatto (sp?).

Why does it even matter? Why do you insist on labels?

If a dog is 100% pug, then he's a pug, yet if he's 50% pug, and 50% pomeranian, then he's a mutt. Not a pug.

If I ever saw a dog that was half pug, half pom, it'd either be severely cute or punished ugly.

Just lightening the tension.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by jsarno

Why does it even matter? Why do you insist on labels?

I'm not sure when you became color blind. You once commented on how most black QBs are scrambling QBs. You also said the only reason why people were defending Ty Willingham after he got fired was because he was black. You also said that the NBA discriminates against whites. You also noted that the Dems "are throwing every kind of minority into the ring" (referring to Richardson, Obama, and Hillary). The point being that we all see color whether we want to or not, including you and me.

In any event, I agree that the only way to end race problems is to start breaking down barriers. To that end, interracial key party at jsarno's place tomorrow night at 5:00. I'll bring the drinks.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

I personally think that when people specifically mention Barack's middle name, they more often than not have bad intentions in mind. How often did people say William Jefferson Clinton? And I have no clue what John McCain's middle name is.

[SmootSmack]

What's amazing about Obama is the sustainability of his momentum (which, perhaps is an oxymoron). I mean this guy "burst" on the scene back in 2004 during the Democratic National Convention when he gave the keynote address. It is not uncommon for the next big thing to emerge at those conventions but to maintain and even elevate that status over a 4 year period is very difficult. I thought, wrongly, that the Obamania was going too strong too fast and would fizzle. But, to this point, it has done anything but.

[GTripp0012]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

What's amazing about Obama is the sustainability of his momentum (which, perhaps is an oxymoron). I mean this guy "burst" on the scene back in 2004 during the Democratic National Convention when he gave the keynote address. It is not uncommon for the next big thing to emerge at those conventions but to maintain and even elevate that status over a 4 year period is very difficult. I thought, wrongly, that the Obamania was going too strong too fast and would fizzle. But, to this point, it has done anything but.

Which is exactly why I feel that electing him to the most powerful office in the world prior to him establishing a decent voting record would be a critical error.

If he's a solid candidate beyond all the hype (and I want to give him every chance to be), he will still be garnering support like this 8 years from now. There's no reason to rush the man into office before we actually know anything about him other than cliches, and a perceived (but not established) set of liberal views.

[Sheriff Gonna Getcha]

Originally Posted by GTripp0012

Which is exactly why I feel that electing him to the most powerful office in the world prior to him establishing a decent voting record would be a critical error.

If he's a solid candidate beyond all the hype (and I want to give him every chance to be), he will still be garnering support like this 8 years from now. There's no reason to rush the man into office before we actually know anything about him other than cliches, and a perceived (but not established) set of liberal views.

Some of our nation's most distinguished presidents (e.g., Lincoln, Eisenhower and Kennedy) lacked political experience when they took office. Conversely, many relatively ineffective presidents (e.g., Ford) had a good deal of political experience when they took office. So, while political experience is important, it shouldn't be a litmus test for who is and is not qualified to be our next president.

In my opinion, the qualities that separate good presidents from bad ones are intelligence, sound judgment, and charisma. Intelligence and sound judgment are of obvious importance. Charisma, however, is also very important. Our president is a chief of state who has to be able to "woo" the general public and foreign leaders. Our nation's faith in the president has a tremendous impact on our economy, the president's ability to push legislation through Congress, the public's faith in our system of government, and our nation's ability to deal effectively with other nations.

Obama is obviously intelligent, appears to have sound judgment and is obviously charismatic. I differ with Obama on many issues (he's far more liberal than I am), but ultimately, I am more concerned with how my president is going to handle unknown events and issues than whether he is pro-choice or anti-death penalty. IMO, Obama has the intelligence, judgment, and charisma to be able to effectively deal with crises that we don't anticipate.

[dmek25]

smooty,i really feel the people are ready to get away from the " same old thing" in Washington. Obama gives hope for a new direction

[4mrusmc]

This thread ran off the tracks around post #25. LOL

[FRPLG]

I honestly believe anyone who claims that the color of somone's Skins mean nothing to them is either A) full of sh*t or B) completely unself-aware.

It is beyond impossible to be able to see someone's skin color and to discard it completely. ANY PHYSICAL attribute that is discerned automatically forces our brains to categorize. I see a tall guy and I'll assume he played basketball. This is what we do. If you can actually see someone's skin color then it DOES affect your thinking about them. It is inescapable and completely natural. What matters is what does it make you think?

[SmootSmack]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I honestly believe anyone who claims that the color of somone's Skins mean anything to them is either A) full of sh*t or B) completely unself-aware.

It is beyond impossible to be able to see someone's skin color and to discard it completely. ANY PHYSICAL attribute that is discerned automatically forces our brains to categorize. I see a tall guy and I'll assume he played basketball. This is what we do. If you can actually see someone's skin color then it DOES affect your thinking about them. It is inescapable and completely natural. What matters is what does it make you think?

Agree with the sentiment but I think you need to edit your first sentence (change anything to nothing)

[FRPLG]

Originally Posted by SmootSmack

Agree with the sentiment but I think you need to edit your first sentence (change anything to nothing)

Done. Thanks for the catch there.

[mheisig]

Originally Posted by FRPLG

I honestly believe anyone who claims that the color of somone's Skins mean anything to them is either A) full of sh*t or B) completely unself-aware.

It is beyond impossible to be able to see someone's skin color and to discard it completely. ANY PHYSICAL attribute that is discerned automatically forces our brains to categorize. I see a tall guy and I'll assume he played basketball. This is what we do. If you can actually see someone's skin color then it DOES affect your thinking about them. It is inescapable and completely natural. What matters is what does it make you think?

I think you're right on, FRPLG.

Asking people to simply not see color at all is ridiculous. Every time we see someone we make judgments based on physical appearance. Skin color, hair color, eye color, clothing, height, weight, complexion, smell, etc. It's human nature and frankly it's the only thing we CAN see and analyze.

You might have the most wonderful, good heart in the world, but how can I see that? It's like people who think it doesn't matter how they dress. People, especially in the business world, WILL make a judgment about you to certain extent based on how you look and dress.

It's no different with race. Frankly, it's a little appalling that anyone might suggest we all be color blind because your color is part of your heritage, why would you simply want to ignore it? Your race traces back to your ancestors and your roots, it's something to be proud of not something to hope people completely ignore.

The problem is not in seeing color, but in negatively judging someone about a characteristic they can't change.

I'd say it's far more reasonable to judge someone based on their clothes, weight or other factors that they can control.

Sometimes we even make completely subconscious judgments based on physical traits. Studies have indicated that people will subconsciously pay more attention to people of above-average height and will tend to think they are more intimidating. Based on nothing else, a couple of extra inches in height makes people pay more attention. Incredible, and kind of useful for me since I'm 6'3.