As a Brit living in England, I, along with many Europeans, have been watching the ongoing McCain v Obama ding-dong with much interest; and whatever the eventual outcome in November, it has to be said that the fact that a black man has run and may even be elected to the highest office in the land, says much about the coming of age of your nation.

And of course racism only works one way, right? Obama has been making huge efforts to get as many blacks registered to vote as possible to help his chances but that's different right? That's okay?

I just wish once that Alonzo Weston could write about something other than race. Rax is correct......Weston is more racial than any of the others telling jokes. Not every white in America is a "cross burning" hater of the black man. Some of us are just Americans who care about our fellow man regardless of his color. I'm sure if you were old or female, you would be writing about the persecution of McCain or Palin. Some of us (white or black, believe it or not) just don't like what Obama stands for, that being the far left, liberal view point. Mr. Weston, please open your creative mind and write about something else every once in a while.

Not voting for Obama because he is black is no worse than voting for him because he is.

old scott...... how many times has a minority been elected prime minister? OUR "coming of age"? without igniting a firestorm, i do know people of color who are voting for obama strictly because he is "someone who looks like them" and voting for the first time. i also know people who may enter that booth thinking they are voting for mccain, and realize they voted for the "white guy". this will be an interesting election. i am not paying any attention to the polls because i think both groups are also in the "not likely to vote" category. i don't think that many of either of these groups would actually admit belonging to them......

Heritage - why do you have to pick a fight with old scott?! Perhaps he was simply commending how far our country has come, with no intent of comparing the two countries, which is the conclusion you jumped to.

Well said namajnin!

Good point namajnin. I get tired of the Black American phrase. Seems to me that those trying to get the "black" vote are the ones carrying on the race debate. Who cares about color? Why do they refer to Obama as possibly the "first Black president"? What difference does it make? I don't like the references that were made about Hilary possibly becoming the first "woman president" either or Sarah Palin becoming the first "woman VP". That is the stuff that clouds the issues, muddies the waters. Let each candidate stand on issues for our country, and not race or gender.

"Making history" is not always a positive thing. I think it's better to be a "guy" voting for the man he believes will do the best job leading our nation.

You're right 4Wildones, race/gender shouldn't be an issue in the debate. Unfortunately, regardless of how far we've come in the past 40+ years these issues are still the "elephant in the room".

As far as Obama being a "black" candidate even though he is biracial, he chooses to identify himself as "black" and I think that choice should be respected. He has said many times that as a young man he felt as if he didn't fit into either white or black culture. However, as he grew into adulthood, he became more comfortable being part of the black community. That is who he most identifies with. Not trying to start anything, but I'm willing to bet that most, if not all people (not knowing anything about his background) whould look at his picture and say he is black.

Unfortunately, despite all of the lip service paid to ignoring race/gender, there is a large percentage of people who will vote precisely on those issues. Rember the "Bradley Effect" from several years ago where Tom Bradley (the black mayor of LA) was running for governor of California. Polls showed him with an overwhelming lead, but he lost by a huge margin to Pete Wilson. People just don't want to admit to a racial (or gender) bias.

I am hopeful that those attitues will be exhibited less and less as people of my generation (mid-40's) and younger get more involved in politics.

Always good to see such civlized discourse in historic JoeTown. The "community" continues to live down to it's reputation.

Rockchalk,
You say "people just don't want to admit racial (or gender) bias." Are you insinuating that we (white people)cannot oppose Obama without it being racially motivated? Obama frequently talks about John McCains beign too old, is that not bias? Do you really believe that in black neighborhoods, bars, churches, and other meeting places around this country that John McCain and Sarah Palin aren't being called all sorts of racially derogatory names? Whites do not hold exclusive rights to this kind of thing you know. Obama (and blacks in general) are the ones making such a huge issue out of what should be a non-issue.
As an example, Alonzo Weston's last two "editorials" have been very racially biased against whites but that seems to be acceptable, just don't let a white journalist put down blacks. Racism is very much alive and well in this country and I believe a huge reason is because many (if not most) blacks want it to be so that it can always be used asa crutch, and this election is no different. Obama is using race to promote himself and to improve his chances of being elected just like whites have been accused of doing in the past.

It is NO different.

Well said again Rax.

Rax--I'm not insinuating that whites (or anyone else) that speak out against Obama are doing so because of race. My point was that a good number of people claim that they will vote for a minority candidate when asked by pollsters, but vote differently when they step into the booth.

In my opinion, most of those on this board who say they are against Obama are expressing legitimate concerns (I probably don't share most of those same concerns, but they are legitimate nonetheless). There are also those who have made outright racist/"religionist" comments such as saying he is a Muslim.

I was not referring to either of these groups in my comment. My comment was regarding those who don't speak their views or say one thing and then vote another way. Those are the people who have a bias, but don't want to admit it.

Thanks, just checking.

(You still went to the wrong school! GO TIGERS!)

It's nice we can have a civilized discussion about politics. Now if we were talking sports--that's a whole nother issue!! :-)

mr vanzetti, where is sacco?????

I'm telling ya "it" must be frozen over ...as I find myself agreeing with namajnin
Posted by namajnin on September 24, 2008 at 8:23 a.m. (Suggest removal)
if Obama is half black and half white, why is he referred to as a black man? i think it's equally fair to call him a white man.
i get so tired of people being so hung up with what color someone is. who cares?! if someone won't vote for Obama because of his color, or if someone does vote for him because of his color, that person has bigger problems than who is getting into the white house.

BartVanzetti ... I have to say in every post I read of yours you are always putting down our town and our people. Like your better than we are. If you don't like us or don't like it here WHY are you here?

Some of the racist comments on this board make my stomach turn the way it did when I used to eat roast beef at a certain fast food sandwich shop.

namajnin, that's SIGNOR Vanzetti to you, sport. No need to thank me for today's lesson in differentiating in the Latin languages. I'm always glad to help.

Alas, heritage...my good and trusted friend Nick Sacco refuses to allow computer technology into his home. He's kind of like John McCain on that score.

momswisher, I'm still here because I want to see how this comedy ends. I paid good money for this spectacle.

Would you vote for Jesus?

That is a good question. Now before you jump up and say yes. Let me ask you a couple of questions. Do you believe that Jesus is Lord of Lords and King of Kings? And that he came to save the whole world? If you believe that as I do, then consider this. There is a good chance that He would never be voted for President of the United States of America. The reason is simply because he looks a little different and has a funny name. Remember Jesus is a Jew from the Middle East and has darker skin and a different sounding name, Yehoshua. And of course his background, while here on Earth, was the son of a carpenter. He learned that trade as well as lived the life of a carpenter for about 30 years. So here is my question: "Why are you voting for or against Barack Obama?" is it simply because of the color of his skin or is it his views? NOW I am by no means comparing Barack Obama to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I am not trying to say in any way that Barack Obama is any kind of savior; he is a man just like any other man. He is just like you and me. I just wanted to show how ridiculous it sounds not to vote for him just because he looks different or the way his name sounds. This country needs to move past this issue, GROW UP AMERICA. Let’s make sure we are looking at the issues that concern us all right now,not the issues of past generations. Just so everyone knows I am a "white" guy who lives in St. Joe. And I wish this was never and issue. Yes I am voting for Obama, but not because of the color of his skin. But because I think he can help this country turn around more so than McCain can. This country needs a fresh start and I think on Nov. 4th we are going to get one.

You are right Catch22......Jesus couldn't run today because as a carpenter and not a slimeball politician, he wouldn't have the funds to sway America to loving your brother and working together to solve your problems. The only change Obama will bring is taking us back to the past, of higher taxation for social programs that support a stagnant America full of lazy, non-productive attitudes.

gr8fan.........That is funny because I think both of the candidates have said things that they should not have. As for the higher taxes, I saw a story on CNN the other day that showed both of there plans. And no matter how they ran the number both of them put us further in debt (Nationally). But comparing the two side by side Obama's tax plan was better, at least it left us in less debt than McCain's. As far as having the funds to sway America, let's remember both of these guys are millionaires. I do not think Jesus would try and "sway" anybody. He would show and tell them what they are to do. And then let the people decide for themselves........wow kind of like our election process.

gr8fan.......Sorry about that I didn't address one thing. I did not mean to mention whether Jesus would run for a political office or not. That was not my point. The point I was trying to show is how narrow some of the thinking in this country in that people only see or hear one thing. They do not consider other people to be equals. What if Hilary would have won the nomination? I feel we would be having the same silly arguments that a woman can not run the country. Which is a load of bull. If a person is capable of doing the job then go for it. No matter race, ethnicity or gender.

Rax and Rockchalk.........you both are spot on!......and you have no idea how much that pains me to agree with a beaker! :)

i have said the same thing about the race issue. i am glad there are people out there who agree.

MichaelH--He was referring to "Sambo"

I feel old, but I remember that restaurant up on the North Belt--they had great pancakes! My aunt used to take me there when I was a kid.