I have had a wonderful visit so far and excellent conversations, but we have several more meetings over the next two days and at that point, I'll give you a general assessment. ...
Maliki had a lot to say to Der Spiegel magazine. He reportedly endorsed Obama's 16-month timetable for the withdrawal of U.S. combat troops. Maliki has since said there was a "transcription error"; he wants the U.S. out by the end of 2010.
Fine, call it a timetable, timeline, "time horizon," timeout. If Obama is elected President, he should embrace the plan proposed during an earlier unpopular war – declare victory and get the hell out.
Obama hopes his swing through the Middle East and Europe will burnish his national security and foreign policy credentials. The major television network anchors and correspondents are fawning tripping over each other, but the unprecedented media coverage may turn off the very voters he needs to reach.
A new Rasmussen poll found that 78 percent of Republicans believe reporters are trying to help Obama win the election. No surprise there since "liberal media bias" is a GOP talking point.
Surprisingly, 21 percent of Democrats think the mainstream media is in the tank for Obama. Still, it's no big deal. But it's a very big deal that 50 percent of "unaffiliated" voters – swing voters – think the traditional media are giving Obama preferential treatment. Swing voters will take with a grain of salt favorable coverage of Obama's interaction with military commanders and foreign leaders.
A recent New York Times-CBS News poll found that only 57 percent of white voters think it's "very likely" or "somewhat likely" that Obama would be an effective commander-in-chief. So, good news out of Iraq may not allay the doubts of the 40 percent of white voters who say it's "not too likely" or "not at all likely."
They say there's no such thing as bad press but too much press may be giving Obama some outside help he doesn't need.
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By: cybervee on 7/22/2008 2:11PM
Talk before Action...........Who doesn't think or speak about a
plan(given the facts) before taking action. That's what he is doing!
TAKING ACTION!!!!
Think before you speak Then, Take Action for that matter!!
That's what smart, well prepared people do!
Obama has stated over and over again what he felt was a good
plan.(given the facts he has researched)
He did not need to be anywhere to research the Facts on the War. We
as a people even can research such facts on the Governments website!
Now that he is actually moving forward to assure his plan WILL be
headed in the right direction for our troops as well the people of
Iraq, McCain and everyone is being critical!
Why??????
Because Obama knows what he is doing!!!! And Mc Cain is going insane
with all the coverage Obama is getting. He can't keep up!!!! It's
KIlling him. lol
I can see it all over his face when he speaks. Man is Mccain
irritated. Obama is an itch that Mccain just can't scratch!!!
Obama's original plan (sitting down, having talks) was taken so well,
that even the Bush Administration started a jump on it. That even now,
everyone is proposing a troop withdrawal! lol Copy Cats!!!!
Please, I'd rather be Original, the Originator.
It's good to see everyone jumping on Obama's Band wagon. It
proves......they even think he just may be right. He said it first,
but they want to try it first! Please!
He was belittled for saying he would sit down with other roge
leaders....and see what happened...Bush jumped on that 1. Even as far
as talk about pulling out our troops.
After Obama's trip, I am sure he will carefully take in to
consideration all he has learned and revise his original plan if he
sees necessary!
Intelligent, Dilligent, yet Savy and Commanding!Persuasive!
Impressive!
Easy to talk to .....easy to get along with.
No threat.......only a man who will try to do his best for the people
of America, as well, all of our friends and allias.
If no one stands up and brings Peace Unity Love and Respect back to
the Face of America, we will be continually hated from those who now
see America as a reckless, Bullying country who always Starts War on
others who do not follow it's rule.
We as a people need America to care for Americans First......and then
Help all of those(other coutries) in need.
But first our Government should take care of it's People!
I really hope Obama is ready for the heavy tasks of being President!
There will be a lot of backstabbing, people trying to hold him back,
prove him wrong, and make him look bad!But I feel he is Young, Strong
and more than ready to handle the JOB as Commander in chief!
He is So in touch with us as a People!
He spoke and now he Is taking ACTION
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By: A. Bennett on 7/22/2008 5:53PM
I am happy Obama chose to take this trip. It demonstrates that Blacks can handle the world stage. Or should I stipulate Black candidate elects. This is such an astounding event equal in scope as the fall of communism or Haley's comet. Another position of interest is that Obama has no military experience especially terrorism to be exact. Simplistically stated is that the presidency is management to the extreme power. Within every corporation the ceo is the key in delegating activities to the appropriate persons. So will this be with president elect Obama, he will find the right people for his cabinet. Maybe Colin Powell could be enticed on board.
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By: Cecil Jones on 7/23/2008 8:23AM
Obama was forced to take this trip because McCain called him "Chicken." This was a political trap set to make all Democrats look weak on the war. Nothing good could come from this trip for Obama. He did well by going and surviving. There is only one President of the United States at a time. McCain is not President. The Surge cannot be called a victory because the goal established was Iraqi Freedom. The Surge tightened our grip on Iraq and McCain threatens to keep it for the next 100 years. Success or failure can only be measured after Iraq is free. When we get out of Iraq, then Iraq must be free to vote for it's next leader. Maliki is history. Petraeus is history too.
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By: Elmo Jones on 7/23/2008 11:53AM
IS AMERICA READY? ARE WE READY?
Self deprecation has no place at the table of negotiation.
To assume that we are so unaware of our shortcomings that we must be dressed down in front of the world is to label us stupid and ungainly children before the whole universe. There are as many reasons for the Black man to ill fit in this society as there are Black men.
And before a government official can call attention to and vocally blame us for our plight, he should be prepared to do the same for all of the other American groups. If he is not, then what is the difference between himself and Wallace, or Mecham, or Nathan Bedford Forrest for that matter?
They all thought very little of the Black presence in America, and did as much as they could to insure that our numbers never amounted to any practical power. They have succeeded not because of any applied genius, but because so many of us, like the self serving Senator obama have aided them in their cause.
Senator obama would call out Black American men, but his bravery stops at the dressing down of the powerless minority. All two and one half million of us who are of voting age and are likely to vote.
He wouldn’t dare mention that the catholic priests need to stop sexually preying upon children and sodomizing little boys.
He wouldn’t dare mention that the Mexicans and South Americans in general need to stop crashing our borders since this is an act of war. And that as guests in a country where the great majority are English speakers, they would attempt to force our government to operate in English and Spanish concurrently…. Not much chance of this happening in Mexico, since Americans can’t even own property there.
He wouldn’t dare say that white people need to stop commandeering the resources of not only America, but the world for themselves. And killing young Americans and other nationalities to hold the petroleum resources of the planet for ransom.
He wouldn’t dare say that Italians need to stop entering into criminal enterprises which undermine the tax base of any city in which they operate.
He wouldn’t dare say that any woman who drops children without the benefit of marriage does a great disservice to herself, her child and her community. And she has no right to tie up our courts running down men for her, when she didn’t care enough about herself to know these men before she slept with them. The law might as well be running down tricks who didn’t pay his bill to a prostitute.
He wouldn’t dare say that German Americans should carry the shame and the financial burden for the murder of six millions Jews during WWII.
He wouldn’t dare say that Jewish Americans should carry the shame of the Jews turning on Jesus. And that to aid in the fast tracking of world peace, they should get out of Jerusalem and go back to New York.
He wouldn’t dare say that Muslims should stop the bombings and random killings while trying to eradicate Christianity (called the religion of the infidel) from the face of the earth. Note Senator obama’s speeches from his current Middle Eastern tour. This most important issue between America and the region has not and will not be mentioned by this potential “leader.”
Since the first time a white person was cured by a Black doctor, or an African American attorney helped a white client charged with a crime to go free America has been ready for a Black President. The question is, are we morally prepared to stand up to the scrutiny associated with this position of leadership. If Senator obama is an example of what we have to offer then we are not ready.
What do I care if America settles all of her accounts with her enemies, if I am left demoralized for my citizenship in this land. Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan, Israel, are very low priority to me as I am to America.
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By: d rich on 7/24/2008 12:26AM
As a black man with a street and business degree, O.B desevers his propers. he has demonstrated his intregrity of not selling out to corporate, white and black america. I have been confronted with some the very issues and have been bleesed by maintaing my own individiality. A famos poet coined the phrase, "IF SOMEONE TELLS YOU WHAT TO WRITE, YOUR CAREER WILL BE OVER BY TOMMOROW NIGHT." Stay true to game and to thy self. Keep on pushin my brother, for a brighter day. Jesus Christ walked the earth, the people could not stand him or understand him, he gave the world hope. Your far from Jesus, but you do give me and others hope for a brighter and better day. Do you and stay true to the game of life.
drich717
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By: d rich on 7/24/2008 12:24AM
I see black voices are no diffrent from white voices. You only present what you want people to think, read or say, Whimps
D Rich
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By: Elmo Jones on 7/24/2008 11:39AM
Life is not a game.....Money.
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By: Elmo Jones on 7/24/2008 12:27PM
Life is not a game......money.
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By: Elmo Jones on 7/24/2008 1:23PM
life is not a game ......money
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By: Tziona Yisrael on 8/07/2008 2:12PM
OPEN LETTER ON SENATOR OBAMA'S VIEWS ABOUT REPARATIONS FOR DESCENDANTS OF SLAVES:
"I have said in the past — and I'll repeat again — that the best reparations we can provide are good schools in the inner city and jobs for people who are unemployed," the Illinois Democrat said recently.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20080802/ap_on_el_pr/obama_slavery_reparations
Let me be upfront and very candid concerning my feelings about Senator Barack Obama. First of all I want to make it perfectly clear that I am the least of all to make him a Saint, a Messiah, an Arabian Prince, or a terrorist, as so many have to date. However, I have nothing but utmost respect for this man who demonstrates compassion for all and excellent family values like none other politician and celebrity that I have known. Having made my views clear concerning the integrity of this rare Black man who is now running for president of the United States, I will proceed with my heartfelt opinions concerning Senator Obama's reluctance to go public in support of Reparations that are very much owed to descendants of Slaves.
I beg to differ with Senator Obama's views concerning Reparations for descendants of Slaves. He feels that, government should instead combat the legacy of slavery by improving schools, health care and the economy for all. How long have Blacks voted for better schools and neighborhoods and an end to Ghetto life? How long have Blacks had to settle for the crumbs that fall from the benefits given to Whites and to no avail? Now, and it is not too late, for Black Peoples to pursue our FREEDOM! FREEDOM from every single injustice, bias, and wrong committed against Blacks that exist in these United States and even FREEDOM from this horrid land that does not fail to engage suppression and repression of Blacks and our needs in every facet of this society.
Slaves out of Africa experienced the worst barbaric and cruel, inhumane treated ever known to mankind, and it should come as no surprise that the worst Slavers came out of Colonial America and these United States.
Unbeknownst to many, the Hebrew Scriptures prophesied of this very enslavement, and this is not at all the reference to Ham seeing the nakedness of Noah and the curse upon Canaan. But rather the history of our enslavement goes back to Leviticus 26th and Deuteronomy 28th Chapters, which give profound and extensive details about the Slave Trade of Blacks out of "Africa"? The facts are that only our forebears fulfilled this curse that fell upon the Biblical Israelites who, as we all know were Black. This is not to say that all Blacks are Israelites, but more so to call attention to the reasons the Black Israelites (and all who share their hue) went into captivity throughout the world.
Black Slaves out of Africa are the true victims of ethnic cleansing, and no one can argue that point. Black, naked Slaves had no human rights, and there was free reign over their bodies and their free labor. Our forefathers lost the right to be called human beings but chattel instead. They lost their identity, language, culture, land, dignity, self-respect, families, friends, and age-old societies to servitude and were called the White man's property. They also lost their beliefs, very much unrelated to Christianity because Black Israelites and those out of "Africa" knew better than to believe in a man-god. Blacks believed in images, the heavenly bodies, and in spirits – not in mortal flesh. Was this, also wrong? Of course but we have to admit that the peoples of the "Old Testament" were too well aware of the shortcomings of "man," made up of flesh, to look to him as being a god.
Point being, to embrace one's Slave Masters' god is to be more than enslaved but brainwashed, misguided, mis-educated, horribly deceived and under the absolute control of the powers-that-be, whether we admit it or not.
The Slave Trade in human cargo is set in indelible ink in the minds and hearts of racist White folks, and they will not allow us to excel on their levels. Resulting from our enslavement, their positions of power and wealth stand witness to our being second-class citizens. Blacks want to forget these matters but truth be told, Whites will not let us forget. We face discrimination on a daily basis, and again, it all stems from the Slave Trade – an enterprise in human cargo stamped for Slavery and inferiority for as long as we remain in this White man's land, whether Senator Obama is in the White House or not.
During Slavery, Black women were raped and bred and their children were sold never to be seen again. Black men were also used for breeding, albeit, in their own ways, they married their women, but they and their children were also sold to other Slavers in a heartbeat. Over the years, Slaves were beaten unconscious and many runners had their legs amputated.
After Slavery, descendants of Slaves painfully endured humiliating Black Codes and Jim Crow Laws, and unto this day we yet suffer. Resulting from our past "legal" and government-approved enslavement and lynchings are the ubiquitous prejudice and discrimination, injustice, disrespect, and inequity, racial profiling, police brutality, and unfair hiring practices that isolate Blacks from the White mainstream.
For all these heinous and racist acts against Blacks, we are due Reparations and free college educations for all the years we were denied an education and for all the times Blacks were told in the newspapers, nonetheless, "Coloreds Need Not Apply".
But I want to take it a step further. Many Blacks want to leave these lands of captivity. We want Reparations for relocation to lands tolerant of people of color. We want Reparations for resettlement and for housing, schools, farms, and health facilities. We want to experience our very own pursuit of happiness in ways that we are sure to benefit, socially and financially; as well we want our freedom to worship. And this is in no way too much to ask for all the atrocities committed against our forebears and against us unto this day.
Our tax dollars go to Israelis for settlements with scores of houses that they have built and demolished several times over because they don't want the Palestinians living in them. But no one speaks out about our wasted tax dollars.
Now, it is our turn to receive restitution for all the free labor and heartache, suffering, affliction and misery brought upon our forefathers and brought to bear upon those of us who are scarcely surviving today. Let descendants of Slaves finally be paid for the free labor, blood, sweat, and tears of our forefathers and for the endless bigotry that prevails in these United States. Only then will justice be served, and we will be able to move on.
As a final note, my suggestion to Senator Obama is that he form an International Foundation for Reparations for Descendants of Slaves. Reason being, the United States is not the only country involved in this most abusive crime against Black humanity, i.e., the bondage and sale of human beings out of what's called "Africa".
BTW, just as there is Biblical Scripture that explains the many reasons for what happened to Black folk, there is also prophecy concerning our receiving Reparations for this horrendous captivity.
"The LORD said, Verily it shall be well with thy remnant; verily I will cause the enemy to entreat thee well in the time of evil and in the time of affliction." Jeremiah 15:ll
"Behold, at that time I will undo all that afflict thee: and I will save her that halteth, and gather her that was driven out; and I will get them praise and fame in every land where they have been put to shame. At that time will I bring you again, even in the time that I gather you: for I will make you a name and a praise among all people of the earth, when I turn back your captivity before your eyes, saith the LORD." Zephaniah 3:19,20
We all have our own beliefs, but not all of us have answers and know the reasons for what has happened to the Black man. When those who hold us captive are confronted with the GOD's Truth, they have no choice but to LET GOD's PEOPLE GO!
Tziona Yisrael
THUS SAITH THE LORD
A Book on the “Old Testament”
by
Tziona Yisrael
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1419629123/sr=8-6/qid=1152215959/ref=sr_1_6/002-5765394-4504857?ie=UTF8
(Amazon.com)
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