President Obama...racist?

[Antares]

Aight peeps. I have been thinking about this for a few days and I wanted to debate it, hear opinions, hear reactions, etc.

Does anyone else feel that because our president is black, that people are more harsh on him. Especially conservatives and in general people that don't like him.

The trend I have been seeing is that Obama is a "person (maybe insert a racial slur...?) who doesn't know how to do his job". However, no one backs it up. Ever. I want to know what exactly he is doing wrong.

It seems like people blames everything on him maybe...when its more than just him. It's the entire government, and that's every president but it seems maybe even more so him...I only have one other president to compare this to and thats Bush.

We all know how Bush was president when the country got fucked up.
However, when Obama's main job to basically fix it, people get...pissed off and says he doesn't know how to do it. How he's a bad president when hes only been in office 6 months...

I just dont get it. So my main point I want to focus on is, Is Obama critisized and disliked more so because he is black...well half black.

Please be honest because I will call bullshit whenever I see it.

[bluestarkidd]

Kewl topic. Everyone is bitching at him now, but they forget what we have now is fallout from the former administration. The decisions he is making now wont be felt for some time to come whether they be wrong or right. As far as the racial slurs towards him being black and I haven't heard any, but then again I live in LA...so...lol

[Maverick]

From my own experience, and this is someone living in a conservative area, majority of what I hear is from people criticizing his policies more than his skin color.

I think its wrong to jump to conclusions that people are being critical of him more simply because he is black. If they can back up their criticism there's no racism here. When you have people losing their jobs everyday and other people's standard of living are going down, they are going to blame someone. It's pretty easy target to blame someone that painted a pretty picture during the election campaign and are now facing reality.

[Tiberius]

John, his policies are what's poor, not his race.*goes off to youtube to get supporting videos*

[quartermaster]

What we are essentially seeing is the result of Obama’s election rhetoric; what else should the administration or anyone for that matter expect after the many election promises? The "hope and change" election rhetoric won him the election, and now that we are six months into his presidency and there has been little to no positive “change” that many people can see (in fact, things have gotten progressively worse since January, from the economy to Afghanistan), people are beginning to attack him and his policies.

His race does not play into it on the larger scale, in fact, this fallout is to be expected, as a president can only do so much. Right or wrong, this is no more than bandwagon jumping; many other presidents endured the same treatment after their "honeymoon" periods. I'd argue that the drop in the poles may actually prove to be good, as it may mean that the administration will stop focusing on public opinion, and simply on getting the job done...or perhaps not.

[Antares]

John, his policies are what's poor, not his race.*goes off to youtube to get supporting videos*

Okay, have fun lmao. I think its funner to read the comments

From my own experience, and this is someone living in a conservative area, majority of what I hear is from people criticizing his policies more than his skin color.

I think its wrong to jump to conclusions that people are being critical of him more simply because he is black. If they can back up their criticism there's no racism here. When you have people losing their jobs everyday and other people's standard of living are going down, they are going to blame someone. It's pretty easy target to blame someone that painted a pretty picture during the election campaign and are now facing reality.

Umm, it is not criticizing his skin color. It is criticizing him MORE because of his skin color.
I want to say that it is a sub-conscious thing that happens. Like people don't realize it but its kinda...automatic. Now, I mean, that was a very loose statement and was me basically thinking out loud but it may have some truth.

However when you said "if they can back up their criticism..." thats my point. People don't do that. I mean, almost everyone that has been criticizing him has not been backing it up. Which leads me to believe that they are just criticizing him for more than just because of whatever, but moreso because they have...I dont like to throw out "racist" becuase it tends to spark...anger or whatever but...whatever, because they have racist thoughts toward a black man (really half black) running this country that was founded by white men who owned people like him.

As for the last part. I agree that people need someone to blame but like I said before, people always blame the president. It is a given but is he being blamed and critisized more than any other person in his first 6 months when he has been trying to work legistlation through this really long process than any other president in history maybe because he doesn't look like me and you and because some people think that black people are "below" them. I am just trying to be honest. We all know some people think like this.

[Tiberius]

John, people didn't back up their criticism of Bush, they just said because he's stupid or bad. In Obama's case, most people have a reason, at least from what I hear, people say that they hate his idea of government-controlled health care and the audacious spending spree that he feels so inclined to go on. People are upset about their freedoms being taken away and their children having to pay for what this man is doing, we're all going to feel it if it doesn't stop. We, as the future adults of America, are going to be hit the hardest. There is going to be no American dream if he gets his way.

[Antares]

John, people didn't back up their criticism of Bush, they just said because he's stupid or bad. In Obama's case, most people have a reason, at least from what I hear, people say that they hate his idea of government-controlled health care and the audacious spending spree that he feels so inclined to go on. People are upset about their freedoms being taken away and their children having to pay for what this man is doing, we're all going to feel it if it doesn't stop. We, as the future adults of America, are going to be hit the hardest. There is going to be no American dream if he gets his way.

I mean, what you just did backed up your criticism. Thats all I wanted but people don't do that...which leads me to believe that they are giving him a tough time for...maybe his race...in a subconcious way maybe...

Now, I would counter all of that but I don't want to get off topic. I will say however that he IS the American Dream basically but it depends on your intepretation of what that dream is.

Back to Bush, when people criticsized him, it seem like they always had a point and backed it up with some logical thoughts. I really don't get that with Obama and I have spoken and read a LOT of things both online and offline.

So yea. Race... is it playing a role in the criticism?

[wisse2012]

personally bush didnt mess the country up he was only human and made mistakes... go republicans but obama <offensive language removed> needs to lear that we cant talk over everything one keep prisoners in jail dont send them to a island 2 if a car company cant make it dont help because if they cant compete more than likly they never will be able to.
and yes i do believe obama is racist.

[tripolar]

We all know how Bush was president when the country got fucked up.
However, when Obama's main job to basically fix it, people get...pissed off and says he doesn't know how to do it. How he's a bad president when hes only been in office 6 months...

See idiots think that everything can be fixed overnight, it takes time for a president to fix problems, and when Obama got into office this country was down shits creek. Give him at least two years then judge him on progress but you got people even in the media who believe that everything should be better now.

As for the black part, think about it if John McCain was elected and he was in the same situation right now, nobody would blame it on him everyone would say he needs time to fix everything.

[The Batman]

personally bush didnt mess the country up he was only human and made mistakes... go republicans but obama <offensive language removed> needs to lear that we cant talk over everything one keep prisoners in jail dont send them to a island 2 if a car company cant make it dont help because if they cant compete more than likly they never will be able to.
and yes i do believe obama is racist.

Don't use that word again. Also this thread isn't about Obama being racist it's about whether people are being racist towards him.

[cole g]

no cuz the only time ppl see that hes black is when he plays the race card ppl r harsh on him cuz he came in to offce with folce promesis thet hi cant do not cuz hes black!!!

ps i think the econome was cosd by the me de a when thay sed the econome was shit ppl stoped bying houseis and cars so it whent to shit!!!

[Bougainvillea]

no cuz the only time ppl see that hes black is when he plays the race card ppl r harsh on him cuz he came in to offce with folce promesis thet hi cant do not cuz hes black!!!

ps i think the econome was cosd by the me de a when thay sed the econome was shit ppl stoped bying houseis and cars so it whent to shit!!!

Actually, more people than EVER were buying houses they couldn't afford.

Where I live people aren't very accepting of the idea of us having a black president.
I don't care.
As long as he's doing his job, and doing it right.

[tripolar]

Actually, more people than EVER were buying houses they couldn't afford.

Where I live people aren't very accepting of the idea of us having a black president.
I don't care.
As long as he's doing his job, and doing it right.


Your exactly right, people were buying houses that cost way to much and the banks and mortgage companies gave out loans to everyone then the loans were not paid back houses got foreclosed and never sold, leading to the fall or the banks and lenders then the recession began.

[Antares]

Actually, more people than EVER were buying houses they couldn't afford.

Where I live people aren't very accepting of the idea of us having a black president.
I don't care.
As long as he's doing his job, and doing it right.

Finally someones bein real :P

I mean, some people really don't care but I honestly think a lot of people care.

So thank you for that.

The guys post above you I couldn't understand very well....

[INFERNO]

Does anyone else feel that because our president is black, that people are more harsh on him. Especially conservatives and in general people that don't like him.

When someone is in power and people who the person governs don't care for him, then they tend to find more reasons to find more faults with him.


The trend I have been seeing is that Obama is a "person (maybe insert a racial slur...?) who doesn't know how to do his job". However, no one backs it up. Ever. I want to know what exactly he is doing wrong.

Some people may just be racist and that's their rationale or at least part of their rationale for insulting him. But others have issues not necessarily with his appearance but more to do with his policies and how he's running.

One issue is his idea on the government-controlled health care. Many people aren't a fan of that because they feel that the country cannot handle that yet Obama wants to go with it anyways.


It seems like people blames everything on him maybe...when its more than just him. It's the entire government, and that's every president but it seems maybe even more so him...I only have one other president to compare this to and thats Bush.

He's the president and although many other people are pulling the strings, it's his face on it. Take for example a restaurant where the chef's name is given and only his name. When something gets screwed up is it always his fault? No, perhaps it's the guy on the meat station or the fish station or another station screwing up. But at the end, it's the chef's face whose on all those meals because the people go to the restaurant not because of some super-star dishwasher but because the chef is there. The same thing applies for the president.

You mentioned that the president is always blamed, well who would you rather have blamed? All the people at fault? That may be more accurate but it's going to cause one massive shitstorm and the idea is that there is a leader. Suppose the Minister of Defense also had the power of presidency (ignoring how the government would then be structured) so he/she is Minister of Defense and President of the US. He/she is going to be blamed because he/she is the leader. If we try to put the blame on the people who are pulling the strings then it's going to be a long list of people as it will go as:

Person 1: "I blame person 2 for policy A"
Person 2: "No, no! I was really person 3 for policy A"
Person 1: "OK, well then I blame person 3" [person 2 cheers]
Person 3: "Nooo! Person 4 was the brains behind policy A"
Person 1: "Right then, I blame person 4" [person 3 cheers]
Person 4: "Wait, hold on, you forgot about policy X that was made by person 2 and that caused policy A"
Person 1: "OK, so person 2"....

It'll lead to utter chaos, more so than there already is. So while blaming the president isn't always accurate because he's not the one pulling the strings it makes everything less chaotic. At the same time, when the president is in power, they in a way understand that they're the face of the country and that they're going to get the blame.


We all know how Bush was president when the country got fucked up.
However, when Obama's main job to basically fix it, people get...pissed off and says he doesn't know how to do it. How he's a bad president when hes only been in office 6 months...

I think part of this had to do with peoples' perception when he initially got into presidency. He was hailed basically like a demi-god so people had high expectations from him. Others had high expectations just because Bush was out and someone else who seems more competent is in. People were expecting the extraordinary not from someone who was extraordinary but from someone who was ordinary. Once people realize he isn't some extraordinary being but rather just an ordinary being then perhaps people will give him more time to fix the enormous mess he stepped into. Perhaps some people think Obama can fix all or most of the problems with a snap of the fingers. Well that isn't the case, the policies have to be passed through, etc... . People should understand that although he's in a position of great power, he cant tidy the country up overnight. Even if he were extraordinary, he still couldn't.


I just dont get it. So my main point I want to focus on is, Is Obama critisized and disliked more so because he is black...well half black.

I think he may be criticized by some because he's black or half-black but I think others are more focused on his policies. Some people may have voted him into power because he was black (and among other reasons). But now when people look at the country and the economy is still headfirst in the shitter and the country hasn't bounced back as people initially hoped, some people try to find fault in as many ways as possible.

[Bougainvillea]

Yeah, it took me a while to realise the "mee d a" meant media.
lol

You're welcome, though. :)

[Camazotz]

I haven't seen people dislike Obama because of his race. They dislike him for his policies.

[Ripplemagne]

Do some people dislike him merely because of his skin color? Sure. Some people disliked McCain merely because of his skin color. Even with Bush, many didn't like him merely because he was white. And some people like Obama merely because of his skin color. It pretty much balances out.

I believe he has a 50% approval rating (down from 57% in a week, I believe), which is even lower than Bush's was in his first six months. Perhaps you live in a conservative area, so the commonplace ignorance is of that mindset, but I dealt with the same thing throughout Bush's tenure.

"I hate Bush."

"Why?"

"Because he's stupid."

"You do know he graduated Yale and Harvard, right?"

"NO, HE'S STUPID. YOU'RE STUPID."

"Sure thing."

Are there some good qualities about Obama? Of course. But for the most part, I can't get behind him and I don't feel secure in this country with him at the head of the executive branch. What I'm interested in observing is the growth of these administrative "Czars" and their influence.

Nevertheless, there are plenty of legitimate reasons for disliking Obama, so I don't believe it comes down to race. Actually, I think it's rather racist to imply that that's the only reason someone wouldn't like him. In conservative areas, they may not like him simply because he's a Democrat. Such was certainly the case in New York in regards to Bush.

[theOperaGhost]

I don't like Obama because of his policies. I also don't like that he's already spent...well, I don't know how much money, but it's some outrageous sum for being in office for only 6 months. Bush was in office for 8 years and from what I hear, Obama has nearly reached what Bush spent.

Race is not a reason I don't like Obama, I just don't like his policies and other shit he does.

[Modus Operandi]

I think some people (very few) may dislike him because of his race, but probably mostly because of his policies. Think about it, though. Was there ever a president that didn't get bashed because of thier policies? People need someone to blame when they are upset, and they will blame the one they think has the most power over the situation that made them upset.

I must admit that I had high hopes for obama when he was elected. But he has really let me down. He has spent far too much money bailing out car companies. I still like him of course, I just wish he could cut back on his reckless spending.

[Requin]

As I'm in another country, its hard for me to grasp what he has actually done.

So, here's my question within a question. What has Obama changed? Simple, don't care what, just anything, what has he done?

Much appreciated, I'd get a better understanding that way. :)

[Antares]

Thanks everyone. I am enjoying your posts so far.

It seems that if people are being honest they don't like him for his policies, however...

Jared. He spends money. You compared his spending to bush. Bush gave 700 million to banks. Obama is giving billions to like...everywhere. From banks to cash for clunkers. And its not Obama thats doing this. It is the legislative branch and their pork barrel politics from the get go in my opinion. He just signs it because he cant really control it. FDR basically did the same thing as Obama is doing now. Signing stuff into law to fix the country. You spend money to make money.

So with the exception of him on that what politics (other than health care) do people have the problem with? Because I know I am liberal, and everyone has their own views but I just don't see the part where he is "messing up".

[theOperaGhost]

Well the administrative "czars" arejust kind of getting out of control...a czar of disinformation? really? then theres obama sticking his nose where it doesnt belong and calling the police in wherever it was stupid...the police did not "act stupidly" they did their job. now that hes in office hes starting to say stupid things likke bush would...i thought he was such a good speech maker...people arent giving him any harsher heat than bush got so i really dont know what youre getting at...stop livinng in a liberal dream world cause it isnt going to happenn. he made too many promises he cannot keep...america feels let down...thats why people dont like him.

[Jacobim Mugatu]

Its funny to think that any one is criticizing him at all, especially because he is black. Here in the bay area, the Liberal socialist capital of the world, people revere him as some deity, mainly because he is black. Anyway, 2 things I don't like about him,
1: his supreme court justice pick, Sotomayor, the direct result of Affirmative action. I really believe she is a racist.

2: his government health care. He is taking away from private businesses. Also, what if someone doesn't pay his taxes, does he get the same care?

[computerwizard]

Most of what people don't like about him are policies dealing with the size of government. Conservatives have long been unhappy with the growing power of government through both the Clinton Admin and the Bush Admin as well. All of Washington, D.C. is pretty screwed up, and people are unhappy with all of them. It isn't just Obama, but because he is in a position of authority, people start their blame in the Oval Office. The stimulus bills gave the government power of a bunch of spending, and now the health care bill is going to increase that power. Conservatives are mostly unhappy with this increasing power, and Obama's hearty approval of it. Many quote Ben Franklin...
"Those who sacrifice liberty for security deserve neither" - Ben Franklin
and also John Adams...
"In my many years I have come to a conclusion that one useless man is a shame, two is a law firm, and three or more is a congress." - John Adams:D

[Sage]

and now the health care bill is going to increase that power. Conservatives are mostly unhappy with this increasing power, and Obama's hearty approval of it.

Health care bill? What?

The healthcare reform is nothing more than the addition of a public option, for those who would rather get healthcare insurance from the government and not from a private insurance company. Anyone who is perfectly happy with their private insurance is not being forced to change to the public option by any means.

It would be nice if I could just meet one single conservative who doesn't have a completely non-factual view of healthcare reform.

[Ripplemagne]

Health care bill? What?

The healthcare reform is nothing more than the addition of a public option, for those who would rather get healthcare insurance from the government and not from a private insurance company. Anyone who is perfectly happy with their private insurance is not being forced to change to the public option by any means.

It would be nice if I could just meet one single conservative who doesn't have a completely non-factual view of healthcare reform.

The problem is that most Conservatives get ahead of themselves, though the end result is the same. Whenever you pit the government against the private sector, the government is going to win. How, you might ask?

First of all, consider companies that supply their employees with health insurance. The incentive to do so declines when the government provides it anyway.

Secondly, you have to consider the fact that this universal health care is going to be on the back of the tax payers. No one is going to want to pay for their private insurance while paying for universal health care in taxes. This leads the health care industry to collapse and who takes over? Ding ding.

So, you're not necessarily wrong, but he's not necessarily wrong either. The difference is you're looking at what the reform promises, whereas he's looking at the effects of the reform.

Admittedly, economics is not my area of expertise, but this (http://www.reason.com/blog/show/134883.html) gives a basic overview of this situation. Personally, I think health care needs to be regulated and none of this dropping patients and not allowing coverage for the sick because that's just wrong. And I don't mean any disrespect toward Canada's health care system, but it's just not for the United States. I believe this sums it up:

That's true enough. But even if the government doesn't require you to change your plan, structural changes in the health-care system would likely move many away from their current insurance provider.

Make sure you read all of the links in the link I posted. It'll elaborate on things.

[JJSSHH]

President Obama has made dicisions bassed on his race which was wrong and that was the only reason he was electet, BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK!

[Sage]

President Obama has made dicisions bassed on his race which was wrong

Like?

and that was the only reason he was electet, BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK!

The ONLY reason? The only one? I hope to gods you are not being serious.

[liveyoungdiefast]

Saying "Obama was only elected because he was black" is the most ignorant and insane idea I've ever heard. If Hillary Clinton won the Democratic nomination, she would have demolished McCain, probably harder than Obama did. The Republicans had no chance in fucking hell, and they screwed themselves worse with each day and continue to turn themselves into a laughing stock.

Real reasons Obama won -

1. He is a brilliant man and a positive reflection on America. Contrary to right-wing propaganda, most Americans do not dismiss the intelligent as 'elitists' and most Americans want someone intelligent in power. He helped repair America's world image before he was even elected.

2. McCain was just like Bush. And America was sick of the same old shit.

Probably the most important reason Obama won is because McCain made Palin his VP. He was officially unelectable from that point forward. He made a moronic, ignorant, unethical, holy-rolling, homophobic, women-degrading, child exploiting bitch his running mate. As soon as she was put on that ticket, Obama opened his champagne and planned his presidency.

[Ripplemagne]

Though, I disagree with the remark that the only reason he won is because he is black, it can't be denied that a lot of people voted for Barack Obama, simply, because he is black.

[theOperaGhost]

This is to liveyoungdiefast...you are the most ignorant dumbfuck to post in this thread yet! Holy shit! Youre a fucking cnn brainwashed liberal and thats it. I know for a fact that there were in fact fucking idiots who voted in Obama just because of his race. Just like there were inevitably people who voted against him because of his race. This country would currently be bbetter if off if the whole fuckikng campaign would have been only on the damn radio!

[INFERNO]

President Obama has made dicisions bassed on his race which was wrong

I'm not aware of such decisions, do you mind showing what they are?


and that was the only reason he was electet, BECAUSE HE WAS BLACK!

It would be wrong to say that nobody voted for him because he was black but at the same time, it's wrong to say he got voted in simply due to his skin colour. Obama is a fairly intelligent man and seemed very passionate about running the country. People want a leader to be intelligent, not someone whose a moron.

If you're going to play the game of skin colour, then you should note McCain: he had facial surgery and was not born in the current 50 states, hence, he wouldn't have been an American president. So I think that puts the issue of skin-colour to rest.

McCain then tossed Palin as the VP and after being interviewed by Katie Couric, she was booed and people wanted her out. This basically shat on McCain while Obama was safe from being shat on due to Palin.

So Obama was voted in for more than merely his skin-colour. I do think many did vote him in because of his colour but I doubt that everyone did.

[theOperaGhost]

I think the only real racist thing obama has done is blame the police departmment of being racist because they arrested a black professor for being very disorderly.

[liveyoungdiefast]

Though, I disagree with the remark that the only reason he won is because he is black, it can't be denied that a lot of people voted for Barack Obama, simply, because he is black.

People voted for Bush because he thought that he was a better Christian than Kerry, and honestly I think that's worse than voting on race.

I think the only real racist thing obama has done is blame the police departmment of being racist because they arrested a black professor for being very disorderly.

He accused them of being 'stupid' which they were.

This is to liveyoungdiefast...you are the most ignorant dumbfuck to post in this thread yet! Holy shit! Youre a fucking cnn brainwashed liberal and thats it. I know for a fact that there were in fact fucking idiots who voted in Obama just because of his race. Just like there were inevitably people who voted against him because of his race. This country would currently be bbetter if off if the whole fuckikng campaign would have been only on the damn radio!

There's liberal radio too. It's not all Rush Limbaugh out there. Democracy Now broadcasts on stations all around the country for example.

By the way, I consider myself a socialist 100% unaffiliated with the Democratic Party. Obama has my respect for being an intellectual, a good orator, a good diplomat, and for doing a fairly decent job for fighting for the working class and middle class. In terms of the wars he's waging and the way he saved corporations, I think that's been a disaster.

Trust me, I'd rather have Mike Gravel. I'd rather have Dennis Kucinich. Would rather have Ralph Nader. But the choice in election time was between an intelligent man whose policies would be tolerable at worst and a senile man on his death bed who would be replaced by a theocrat devoid of any conscience at all.

The left of this country are the ones who hold intelligence and rationality in a high position in the first place.
Use the edit button instead of triple posting~Empty Misery

[theOperaGhost]

use the edit button instead of making multiple consecutive posts. my radio idea wasnt to differ between conservatives and liberals...it was to cover the race of the candidates so race isnt involed at all. and lastly how did the police act "stupidly"? they did their job. i think they acted perfectly and did nothing wrong.

[Ripplemagne]

People voted for Bush because he thought that he was a better Christian than Kerry, and honestly I think that's worse than voting on race.

So, voting on moral views and life perspective is worse than voting on the way you're born?

...Okay.

[INFERNO]

People voted for Bush because he thought that he was a better Christian than Kerry, and honestly I think that's worse than voting on race.

So it's worse to vote on what you think is morally correct than to vote someone in simply due to their race? I'm not following your logic here.

He accused them of being 'stupid' which they were.

He then retracted his statement about that and later called the officer an outstanding police officer in his apology. The officers arrested the professor because he was being disorderly not simply due to his colour.

[Ripplemagne]

He then retracted his statement about that and later called the officer an outstanding police officer in his apology. The officers arrested the professor because he was being disorderly not simply due to his colour.


He apologized? When was this? Could you give me a news article?

[theOperaGhost]

He apologized and invited both parties to the white house for beer. i just cant understand what the cops did wrong in the first place...i guess they cant arrest a bblack mann for disorderly conduct without being labeled a racist...kind of gets in the way of the job though doesnt it?

[INFERNO]

He apologized? When was this? Could you give me a news article?

News article #1 (http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/8168313.stm)

News article #2 (http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32193064/ns/politics-white_house/) (the one describing him drinking beer with the prof).

[computerwizard]

Health care bill? What?

The healthcare reform is nothing more than the addition of a public option, for those who would rather get healthcare insurance from the government and not from a private insurance company. Anyone who is perfectly happy with their private insurance is not being forced to change to the public option by any means.

It would be nice if I could just meet one single conservative who doesn't have a completely non-factual view of healthcare reform.

I never identified myself as a conservative. However, the health care reform on the table isn't as simple as you make it out. If it was only the addition of a public option, then why is it over 1,000 pages long? Much of the health care reform sought by Democrats is being attempted in the health care bill that House Democrats have released and that the President is campaigning for. Its not like they can just decide to throw in a public option, there has to be a bill if the Government is to be involved.