Obama's Comments

[Memorex]

This could go into the President Obama thread or the Zimmerman/Martin thread, but figured I'd just start this thread.

I've only been inspired by one Obama speech. That was his race speech surrounding the controversy over Jeremiah Wright when he was a candidate back in 2008. All the rest have been political BS that never do much for me. I rarely find political speeches and comments worthwhile from anyone. Obama has spent way too much time politicizing things and I feel doing more harm than good - you know, like all politicians do.

Today's appearance at the press conference I thought was great. Again, it was race-related. I am not sure I agree with everything he said, but it's the type of conversation we should be having as a country - not just now because of some case in Florida - but because it's the reality Americans live with every day.

The comments were basically this - Black people feel unfairly treated, and rightfully so. But black people are also aware that a disproportionate number of black males are involved in criminal activity and violence, either as the victim or the criminal.

He suggested that things are getting better. I sort of agree. I think the divide of good things happening for black people vs bad things is widening. There is higher unemployment in the black community, but more millionaires. Black families that do well, do great, but I think many are worse off than before. And I think some of Obama's policies make it harder for poor families - no matter what race - to pull themselves up past food stands and welfare. We have a black president, and too many in poverty.

I do not think Zimmerman acted based on race, outside of his brain connecting the recent crime committed in his neighborhood by black people and this kid walking down the street. So I don't think the case was race-based. And I don't think the trial or the outcome was race-based. Just my opinion. However, I think the reaction and how people feel about all this has a whole lot to do with race and I think it that sense, it's a great time to have the conversation. Black people don't feel unfairly treated because they have been treated equally. Anyone that thinks that is just not honest. So how do we get past that. And white people don't fear black people for no reason. There is a lot of black crime out there. How do we put an end to that?

The way the president is speaking now, even if I don't agree with all points, is the manner in which we should be having this discussion. It was honest, fair, and on point. I could see him easing black people into the idea that no federal charges are going to be filed in this case. The odds of a conviction are so small, the president would only be asking for embarrassment and humiliation on black people if he tried. So it's time to talk about the things that can be done.

I wish the president would talk this way and be on point with all our large problems. We'd be far better off. He is as political, if not more, than anyone in our time. He has been as divisive as any president I've known. I think if he approached each subject as he did this one today, our country would be more apt to come together.

I'm a centrist. So anytime we can get both sides talking calmly and being fair to each other, the better off we'll be. But if a black person would hate me because I don't think Zimmerman was out hunting, or if a white person would hate a black person because the black person sees the unfair treatment of blacks, then we'll never move on.

The president has opened a good dialog and I hope people follow. I hope Al Sharpton's voice tomorrow during his rallies doesn't turn it back to the BS he spews.

[AR]

I liked Sir Charles Barkley's comments better:

CHARLES BARKLEY: Well, I agreed with the verdict. I feel sorry that young kid got killed. But they didn't have enough evidence to charge him. Something clearly went wrong that night. Clearly something went wrong. I feel bad for anybody who loses a kid, but if you looked at the case and you don't make it -- there was some racial profiling, no question about it. But something happened that changed the dynamic of that night, and I know -- that's probably not a popular opinion among most people but just looking at the evidence I agreed with the verdict.

I just feel bad because I don't like when race gets out in the media because I don't think the media has a pure heart, as I call it. There are very few people have a pure heart when it comes to race. Racism is wrong in any, shape, form -- a lot of black people are racist too. I think sometimes when people talk about racism, they say only white people are racist. There are a lot of black people who are racist. I don't like when it gets out there in the media because I don't think the media has clean hands.

MARIA BARTIROMO, CNBC: I'm glad you made that point.

BARKLEY: Obviously I feel sorry that young kid got killed but just judging by the evidence, I don't think that guy should have went to jail the rest of his life. Something happened bad that night, obviously.

BARTIROMO: I like what the juror said, they both should have walked away. And if there is a shadow of a doubt, there is a shadow of a doubt.

BARKLEY: And let me tell you, Mr. Zimmerman was wrong to pursue -- he was racial profiling. I think Trayvon Martin, God rest his soul, I think he did flip the switch and started beating the hell out of Mr. Zimmerman. But it was just a bad situation. And like I said, the main thing I feel bad for, it gives every black and white person who is racist a platform to vent their ignorance.

That's the thing that bothers me the most because I watched this trial closely and I watch all these people are television talking about it. A lot of people have a hidden agenda. You know, they want their racist views, whether they are white or black --

BARTIROMO: The bias comes out.

BARKLEY: The bias, it definitely comes out. It was a bad situation, we all lost. And I feel bad for his parents. You don't ever want to see anybody lose a kid.

[The Sushi Hunter]

So did the fuckhead mention anything about what Martin did to contribute to the outcome of this incident? If nothing then this only means BOzo completely approved of Martin being a thug and starting a fight with someone who was watching out for the community and eventually protecting his life. Like we say in the military, you play pussy, you're gonna get fucked. So Martin was kicking Zimmerman's ass in the dark. So what's the difference between Martin just kicking his ass and Martin attempt to beat him to death? No difference at all and Zimmerman couldn't tell the difference either. I support Zimmerman's actions 150% and I'd of done the same exact thing had I been attacked. I've been confronted by dozens of various groups of people in my life and not once was I shot, simply because I communicate in a civilized manner and not go physically ape-shit on them. If anything comes out of this, for me it's more emphysis on keeping my firearm even moe closer with me.

Being from the Bay Area, I've had to confront dozens of individuals over the years who found it necessary to sneak around the sides of my house in the middle of the night, after confronting them, finding out they were fixin to take a piss on the side of my house. Now if any of those fuckers would have decided to start whaling on me like Martin did to Zimmerman, stand the fuck by while the ship is in a turn and brace for shock motherfucker!

[Boomchild]

This is just a politician taking advantage of another crisis. You know the saying "Never let a good crisis go to waste". For him to attach directly or indirectly that race had a play in the Martin\Zimmerman case is bogus. The FL. authorities never indicated whatsoever that the motive was racial. If B.O. and others took the time to read about Zimmerman's history they would find that he did not have a prejudice against African Americans. His date for the High School prom was a African American girl. He and his wife tutored African American students. As far as Obama being honest, he wrote in his book that growing up he never experienced the prejudice acts that most African Americans did. Now today, he did experience those things. By him helping to stir the pot like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton he only sets the clock back on how far we have come to reduce racism in America.

[slucero]

Obama is not taking this opportunity to unite anyone.. instead he's driving the wedge deeper.. perpetuating all the stereotypes, for whites AND BLACKS... widening the divide.. Those remarks were the most passive aggressive bullshit I've heard from him since he did the same fucking thing with the gun debate.. which went nowhere..


All he did was validate all the rioters.. and their actions..

[steveo777]

It seems the whole riot scenario is losing steam. We got what I expected, some fuel on the fire from AS, JJ and the NAACP, causing some black people to behave badly for a few days. By next week, if common sense works, this thing should die down and be out of the media forefront. Then we can go back to this country's priority issues, which should be the IRS, NSA, Benghazi, funding the Muslim Brotherhood, Syria, Egypt and the misdeeds that should be focused on to impeach Obama.

[Memorex]

I agree race had nothing to do with the incident or the trial, but it certainly is playing a very large role in the aftermath and in how people have viewed this case.

To say Obama never experienced prejudice, it sounds like you are suggesting blacks don't really have to deal with it. Whether Obama did or not, it is a huge part of the black experience. It amazes me how much prejudice is still out there. It's very disturbing.

Like I said, I didn't agree with everything he said, but I'd much rather be talking about this in the way that he spoke today than the fake-rage spewed by Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson. Nearly everything Obama said today is real, whether it fits with the Zimmerman trial or not. To discount it only hides the problems that are out there.

[slucero]

I agree race had nothing to do with the incident or the trial, but it certainly is playing a very large role in the aftermath and in how people have viewed this case.

To say Obama never experienced prejudice, it sounds like you are suggesting blacks don't really have to deal with it. Whether Obama did or not, it is a huge part of the black experience. It amazes me how much prejudice is still out there. It's very disturbing.

Like I said, I didn't agree with everything he said, but I'd much rather be talking about this in the way that he spoke today than the fake-rage spewed by Al Sharpton and Jessie Jackson. Nearly everything Obama said today is real, whether it fits with the Zimmerman trial or not. To discount it only hides the problems that are out there.

It isn't so much about whether what Obama says is "real" or otherwise.. as it is about when he (or any other POTUS for that matter) says it.. He could have been a champion for civil rights at anytime during his previous 5 years in office.... yet he chose this occasion.. and the tragedy of the Zimmerman case to open his trap... timing Mr President?

Maybe it would go over better if he'd talked about this while he was ALSO talking about Trayvons death... it certainly would have gone over better with ALL of his constituents.. not just the ones he was pandering to...

NOTHING WAS DONE FOR THIS BOY: You won't recognize me. My name was Antonio West and I was the 13-month old child who was shot at point blank range by two teens who were attempting to rob my mother, who was also shot. A Grand Jury of my mommy's peers from Brunswick GA determined the teens who murdered me will not face the death penalty...too bad I was given a death sentence for being innocent and defenseless.

My family made the mistake of being white in a 73% non-white neighborhood, but my murder was not ruled a Hate Crime. Nor did President Obama take so much as a single moment to acknowledge my murder.

I am one of the youngest murder victims in our great Nation's history, but the media doesn't care to cover the story of my tragic demise, President Obama has no children who could possibly look like me - so he doesn't care and the media doesn't care because my story is not interesting enough to bring them ratings so they can sell commercial time slots.

There is not a white equivalent of Al Sharpton because if there was he would be declared racist, so there is no one rushing to Brunswick GA to demand justice for me. There is no White Panther party to put a bounty on the lives of those who murdered me. I have no voice, I have no representation and unlike those who shot me in the face while I sat innocently in my stroller - I no longer have my life.

So while you are seeking justice for Treyvon, please remember to seek justice for me too. Tell your friends about me, tell you families, get tee shirts with my face on them and make the world pay attention, just like you did for Treyvon.

Thank you.

[annie89509]

This whole thing is so depressing...what's being played out in the news right now. We, in this country, has lot bigger issues to be concerned over (the economy, for one) than getting embroiled in another long, drawn out civil rights movement. Seems that's exactly what the NAACP and those high-profiled black leaders are threatening to spearhead.

And, just what do they want to see accomplished, no one seems to know... yet. BO is not helping matters (except to his constituents) by his latest speech. IMO, it served as more divisive than drawing people together. For one thing, I don't believe he had those terrible experiences as he claimed. All indications have been a sort of idyllic, charmed life. No doubt he has faced prejudice, as we all non-whites have experienced from time to time in our lives ... a racist joke ... insensitive remarks...subtle things, harmless really. Have some black men been subjected to those terrible experiences BO alluded to? Absolutely.... but aren't those the kind of experiences that occur during heightened incidences ... maybe after crimes have been committed or in crime-riddled neighborhoods? Do people really believe a large segment of only blacks are regularly targeted for unfair treatment? Well, maybe the liberal mainstream media think so.

Funny, I don't see/hear any multi-millionnaire black athletes/entertainers complain about white-black in-equality. And why is all this attention drawn on the FL laws as being anti-black? Does Lebron James, Dwayne Wade, Chris Bosh, etc. (their many black counterparts in the other major sports) wish to get the heck out of FL now?

In an ideal world, there would be no prejudices and people of all ethnicity live in peace and harmony. Unfortunately, that just isn't the case.

[The Sushi Hunter]

Everything and everyone else around them has to change except for these people's bad behavior. I can't count how many times I've been stopped by cops for various reasons. During my band years, I recall women holding their purses tighter when I would be walking up past them like in cross walks and such, because during that time I looked like a friggin dirtbag perhaps. Cops stopped me out of nowhere and asked to pat me down cause I fit the description of someone they were looking for. etc. etc. etc. Yeah, If I were black I could use the excuse that all this occurred just because I was black. But I'm not black so why is it that I've been stopped just as often? I've not been shot because I've complied.

Don't want to be shot or hassled, act civilized and you won't have any issues.

[hoagiepete]

So Obama has experience pounding someone's head into the pavement? Don't think so.

[Boomchild]

So Obama has experience pounding someone's head into the pavement? Don't think so.

Since his posse took great care of locking up his past history from the public when he made a run for POTUS, we really don't know.

[steveo777]

So Obama has experience pounding someone's head into the pavement? Don't think so.

Since his posse took great care of locking up his past history from the public when he made a run for POTUS, we really don't know.

It's been found and hopefully Donald will be happy now.