by 
He is not like us. He is not one of us.
He’s not an American.
He’s not a Christian.
He’s not white.
Like us.
It’s all about the “us & them” worldview. I’ve never understood it. My first real experience with the concept was back in my Middle School Days of Football Glory where I warmed the bench for substantially bigger and noticeable meaner “teammates”. Our school was better than their school, rah, rah, rah. Well, my school was filled with assholes I couldn’t stand. And their school, well, I didn’t know anything about their school ‘cept for the couple of clowns I ran into occasionally on the football field.
It is far too easy to break things down to the “us & them” view. Strum up anger. Blame them. It’s their fault. They did this to us. Hitler blamed the Jews. Buchanan blamed it on the Mexicans, the Blacks, the Women, well, everyone but white folk.
I’m part of the “Blame American First” crowd, right? No, more like the “I don’t jump to conclusions” crowd. And the “I don’t believe it just because you said it” crowd.
More on that later.
My great fear, I’ve said it before and I’ll repeat it now, my fear is that Barak Obama is going to be killed. Some misguided fool, who will feel his hand is guided by divine glory, will strike down this country’s First Black President.
And they will shrug, he was not like us. He was not one of us. He wasn’t even an American. He wasn’t a Christian. He wasn’t White. He wasn’t like us.
by 
My step father says the same thing about some nut taking out Barak in the name of religion…He, my step father, reminds me of a John Wayne type coupled with a little Willie Nelson to balance things out…I hope it never happens…
Yeah, the nuts are a bit nuttier than normal around this issue I’m afraid.
I support the troops more than you do because I have 3 yellow ribbons on my truck and you only have one on your hybrid
“Free Willy”
This songs going out to an american hero
And anybody else who has ever been harrassed or arrested for smoking the beautiful plant
Marijuana
[Chorus]
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
He was busted with some shrooms and with some weed
(outlaw deperado)
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
So wont you let old willie be free
(drinking whiskey out the bottle)
He was just average man with the plan of freedom thinking
Good times and good vibes yo was what he was bringing
But still the goverment thought willie was a threat
So they picked on old willie and put him in serious debt
Took his house and his cars but couldnt take his guitar
Tried to push a good man on his face in the yard
But willie stood strong and he can correct
Paid off the taxman with a flag around his head
A true patriot the one to start a formate
And made sure the farmers of today are getting fairly paid
A rebel in his hay still a rebel to this day
A true inspiration for the youth of today
So i say to everybody come and pay your respect
To willie nelson and think where a thritieth check gooess
Cause its going down the drain to fight wars over seas and enemies on scene
[Chorus x2]
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
He was busted with some shrooms and with some weed
(outlaw deperado)
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
So wont you let old willie be free
(drinking whiskey out the bottle) on [x2] (and it could happen to you or me)
Yo willie nelson, hes a legend, hes smokes buds like the bubba cloud ?? you know the
Government, they dont like him, cuz he smoked a joint on the roof of the white house
He puffs clouds, he gets high, hes a rebel for the cause you know he feels the vibes, oh
Willie willie youre a friend of mine, wore the red bandana like the game when he rhymes, he got
The guitar pick, you know he drinks wine, got things in common like boozin in kind, music for
The mind, freedom of speech, blue jeans rocker flannel with the long sleeves, green trees this
And that, the simple things in life like barbequing in the back, yardd being free smoking weed
Writing books only god can judge me
[Chorus]
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
He was busted with some shrooms and with some weed
(outlaw deperado)
Ohhh willie nelsons not a criminal
So wont you let old willie be free
(drinking whiskey out the bottle)
Ohhhh
Oh willie nelson
Oh willie nelson
Busted with shrooms and with weed
Ohhhh
Oh willie nelson
Oh willie nelson
Will you let old willie be free
Ohhhh
i think this is whole issue exemplifies the inefficiency of the 2 party system – reinforcing Washingtons warnings of a 2 party system.
Blue is no less guilty than red and vis a versa…. there are far too many elected individuals more concerned about throwing the opposing color under the bus than they are about working for the better of the people as a whole.
What about the fact that he is half-caucasian? Don’t hear too much about that.
I agree with you bj, though, and even though I’m technically against much of his policy, I would hate like hell to see what would happen to this country should something drastic occur.
I guess I was one of the misguided masses that thought his election would bring an end to racist thoughts and ideals, rather than amplify them. At least in the current state, the idiot racists are easier to spot.
The tactics used against him are not all that different from those used in the past. It is not enough to find fault in his policies, he has to be turned into an evil, inhuman monster hell-bent on destroying America. The right-wing pundits are throwing everything at him that means evil to their base – communist, socialist, muslim, facist, etc, even if some of the terms are actually contradictory. It is not enough to just inspire dislike or disagreement, it has to be outright hate to really motivate people to freak out. The fact that he is also half black just makes it easier to demonize him, a little extra they don’t even have to mention.
Too much TV perspective, I prefer this data:
rasmussenreports.com daily presidential tracking poll
The president of the US is commander of the most powerful dehumanizing force in the world, is it any wonder they are the target of dehumanization themselves? I was certainly guilty of that with W, not so much with O. The Democrat’s trick is to convince you they’re the people’s party and they are good at it, but their policies are bollocks and people are starting to realize that.
I hope there is no event staged, whether it be O’s murder by a supposed lone psycho, or some staged flu pandemic/1918 style nationwide quarantine. Why would you fear O getting murdered when it is the least harmful thing that could happen? Some terrible 9/11 type event could easily be staged to rally the people behind whatever the Federals tell us needs to be done such as martial law, torture and more war. At any moment the economy of the world can be shut down. If you don’t see this you are just so totally brainwashed, again, in my opinion.
Pure racism and ignorance! I was bused out of my lilly-white neighborhood in the midwest starting in 5th grade (1976) because my parents (both educators)supported voluntary integration before it became mandatory a few years later. While initially there was a tough learning curve, to this day I am grateful for those experiences. It shapes your life and makes you understand to think outside of your box. We are all people…just as many idiots in every color. The white one’s are just easier to see these days.
I am from England and live in the USA. It always surprises me how nationalistic people can be here. People dont seem to see the bigger picture, it’s all about the USA – you have to be behind the flag, no matter what happens.
If for some reason you question the general held beliefs of the nation, you are called un-american (Obama).
People seem to be scared of change. It’s all about revenue and the rich and powerful people getting richer and more powerful. Don’t get me started on lobbyists and the separation of church and state!
It’s the weekend – lets all drink.
Sounds like a typical day in Utah. Life behind the Zion curtain gets very interesting. People need more respect for the office. Maybe George W screwed that up so bad that there is no respect left?
Canceling the missile defense base plans in poland today(which is a good idea) will make all these nus think obama is a communist and pals with the russians. someone help this man.
The outside view from the Great White North is the USA is taking a pretty hard turn to the right with its rhetoric. I understand white America is upset that the Republicans don’t have the power. Comments by Glenn Beck, Fox news and Rush Limbaugh only seem to fuel the flames of fear.
Us versus them really seems to be the mantra which gets amplified with a two party system.
If there was an attempt on the President, it would put into question Americas moral right to promote and establish democracy in countries that it now has political influence.
Thank goodness for the Daily Show with Jon Stewart as he debunks the Republican rhetoric and really makes them look like asses.
Yeah sure Canada is left of center in politics, we have high tax rates, but we don’t have to worry about medical or walking down the street smoking a joint.
United States is on a path and there is a fork in the road which way will it turn?
White folks built this country? Oh yeah? What part??
They built the system of oppression and slavery that built this country, but the only white folks that built anything were and are the poor, not the ones that own. PLENTY OF BLACKS DIED IN WORLD WAR II. How dare he mention only one battle? Slavery is still here, is possibly worse than ever, and we got fucks like Uncle Pat still on the waiting list for a reality check.
Is it possible that LS is sharpening your thinking and rhetoric?
Sure looks that way.
yup.
bueno.
I like bikes. Do you like bikes?
Up here in Canada (brrr) it scares me too.
You lie.
There, now we can have a liars summit.
Reconciliation is just a Red Stripe away.
Can’t we go back to the time when Bush was discussed with reason and respect. It seems everything is just going to hell now a days.
It’s like people can’t remember 10 months ago. WTF?
Zion curtain!! LOVE it! Thanx Blackdog!
I hear you.
A couple of weeks ago, Pres. Obama met with, if memory serves and I’m in two shots of Tequila so it may not, the presidents of Canada and Mexico and assured them that after health care had been reformed he would fight for a comprehensive immigration reform. If that doesn’t sound like a death wish I don’t know what does.
Watching all the bull shit that has come about by this health care, us vs. them shit, and how seriously ridiculous and hilarious it has got I have no hopes for what would happen if he really stood by that assurance.
May your deity of choice save us all…
I have really grown to despise the two party system as it currently (dis)functions. Almost a model of inefficiency at times. Makes me want to vote libertarian simply on the basis of shifting votes away from the other two options.
America…FUCK YEAH!
BJ,
Boohoo.
The reason you fear for Obama’s life is because liberals were so hell bent on inciting someone to off President Bush. Need examples? ok, how about these signs? http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yEr65ZX6gLw&feature=player_embedded#t=200
The one and only way to move Obama out of the White House is to vote him out in 2012. We are unfortunately stuck with him until then.
Heaven help us ALL if American society displaces legitimate elections with coup d’etat.
Let’s recap. Last attempt on an American President? Ronald Reagan. Republican Ronald Reagan. The shoe incident against President Bush doesn’t count as a legitimate attempt. Another matter if that Iraqi had an arm like Roger Clemens.
Why is it you racist liberals cannot comprehend that opposition to Obama is based upon his political policies and not his skin color? The content of his character, not the color of his skin.
How can you reconcile Republican support for example Clarence Thomas, Condaleeza Rice, and Colin Powell yet condemn opposition to President Obama as racism?
You cannot.
And by the way, wasn’t President Clinton the first black president?
Natch.
The head of the RNC be a brother. We’re done here.
Obama the torturer.
This post is worthy of revisiting now, BJ.
Damn you demos got suckered into voting for Obama. Why don’t you get pissed and do something about it? You voted him in. He’s not my president.
Republicans are racists? Err, how about Harry Reid and Bill Clinton?
Bush was a war criminal and torturer per your accusations.
How about Obama the torturer. Yup. Torture by Americans in Afghanistan continues under Obama. Where? Bagram prison, Afghanistan. A “torture” chamber. Not under Bush’s administration. Under Hope and Change Obama’s administration.
Torture Is Continuing Under the Obama Administration, Creating More Terrorists and Further Destabilizing the Economy
Submitted by George Washington on 01/11/2010 17:42 -0500
Afghanistan Barack Obama Obama Administration
As I pointed out in May 2008:
The U.S. has imprisoned 2,500 children since 9/11 as “enemy combatants”, in violation of the Geneva Convention against classifying children as POWs …
Pulitzer-prize winning reporter Seymour Hersh says that the U.S. Government has videotapes of boys being raped at Abu Ghraib prison (and see this; see also this – General Taguba discusses the sexual humiliation of a father with his son – see this and this).
This doesn’t come as a complete surprise, given that assistant deputy Attorney General John Yoo has publicly argued that the president can order the torture of a child of a suspect in custody – including by crushing that child’s testicles.
In April 2009, I noted:
Respected political scientist Michael Haas has confirmed that children were tortured, and Raw Story has explained that the newly-release Bush torture memos may corroborate claims that at least some detainees’ children were tortured using insects.
The number two man at the State Department, Colonel Lawrence B. Wilkerson, said that many of those tortured at Guantanamo Bay were innocent, but that the Bush administration did not really care whether they were innocent or not.
Last December, I wrote:
Many reporters have said that the Bagram prison facility in Afghanistan is worse than Guantanamo ever was. Moreover, abuse is apparently still occurring there.
As Spiegel wrote on September 21, 2009, in an article entitled “Prisoner Abuse Continues at Bagram Prison in Afghanistan”:
US President Barack Obama has spoken out against CIA prisoner abuse and wants to close Guantanamo. But he tolerates the existence of Bagram military prison in Afghanistan, where more than 600 people are being held without charge. The facility makes Guantanamo look like a “nice hotel,” in the words of one military prosecutor…
Bagram is “the forgotten second Guantanamo,” says American military law expert Eugene Fidell, a professor at Yale Law School. “But apparently there is a continuing need for this sort of place even under the Obama administration.
“From the beginning, “Bagram was worse than Guantanamo,” says New York-based attorney Tina Foster, who has argued several cases on behalf of detainee rights in US courts. “Bagram has always been a torture chamber.”
And what does Obama say? Nothing. He never so much as mentions Bagram in any of his speeches. When discussing America’s mistreatment of detainees, he only refers to Guantanamo…
From the beginning, Bagram was notorious for the brutal forms of torture employed there. Former inmates report incidents of sleep deprivation, beatings and various forms of sexual humiliation [and rape with sticks]…
At least two men died during imprisonment. One of them, a 22-year-old taxi driver named Dilawar, was suspended by his hands from the ceiling for four days, during which US military personnel repeatedly beat his legs. Dilawar died on Dec. 10, 2002. In the autopsy report, a military doctor wrote that the tissue on his legs had basically been “pulpified.” As it happens, his interrogators had already known — and later testified — that there was no evidence against Dilawar…
However attorney Tina Foster feels that the new initiative is just a cosmetic measure. “There is absolutely no difference between the Bush administration and the Obama administration’s position with respect to Bagram detainees’ rights,” she says during an interview with SPIEGEL in her office in the New York borough of Queens.
And see this.
Moreover, Obama is still apparently allowing “rendition flights” – where prisoners are flown to countries which freely torture – to continue…
Finally, Jeremy Scahill – the reporter who broke most of the stories on Blackwater – says that some forms of torture at Guantanamo have continued under Obama, and may even have gotten worse. For example, Scahill points out that:
The Center for Constitutional Rights released a report titled “Conditions of Confinement at Guantánamo: Still In Violation of the Law,” which found that abuses continued. In fact, one Guantanamo lawyer, Ahmed Ghappour, said that his clients were reporting “a ramping up in abuse” since Obama was elected.
Now, reports are circulating that boys were tortured last year – after Obama was sworn in as President – at the Bagram prison in Afghanistan:
As the Washington Post reported Friday:
The U.S. military has begun investigating allegations that two Afghan teenagers were beaten and humiliated by guards while in American custody last year at a secret detention center at Bagram air base, according to U.S. and Afghan officials.
U.S. military officials took statements from the teenagers last month and are contacting others who say they were held at what Afghans call Bagram’s “black prison,” a detention center run by U.S. Special Operations forces. This classified facility is separate from the main prison at Bagram, which holds about 700 detainees.
The allegations of physical violence and sexual humiliation: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OBEk_Q8lE5s&feature=player_embedded
Whether under Bush or Obama, torture should not be conducted by Americans against anyone.
It’s your turn boys…
What are you going to do about Obama the torturer?
Protest?
Draw posters?
Hold fund raisers?
Re-elect him?
Or vote the fucker out of office once and for all in 2012?
A link to that cut’n paste job’s origin may provide folks with some clarity. It is formatted, reads better, has hyperlinks to supporting information, and a video embed.
http://www.washingtonsblog.com/2010/01/torture-is-continuing-under-obama.html
Essentially your point, as I understand it, is this: Bush & Co. may have started this mess, but, the real issue is that the present administration has failed to clean it up fast enough. Ok, they haven’t cleaned it up fast enough. That’s the whole problem. It is going to take ten years to sort this out. Maybe even more than that. And it doesn’t matter who is at the helm. It is still going to take years and years and years.