yashsingh1/xdaforums huggingface dataset:
[Off-topic] burgertime:
It was a joke and I realize that, and for the record my friends grandma probably would have a heart attack if such a thing happened. This is the same person who felt the Obama family would dry their clothes outside the whitehouse and that his "buddies" would destroy the Lincoln bedroom! Which I had to laugh about, of all the rooms why would his black friends destroy the Lincoln bedroom. Anyways to the point, perhaps because of her over the top racism someone showing up at her doorstep unafraid is just what she needs.

Also trying to say that he is no better then a Klansman for making a off hand joke on a MESSAGE BOARD is silly.

In other news a thread was hijacked today sadly there were no survivors.
[Off-topic] joel2009:
Yes white people also voted for him but i can also tell you that i never saw a black person in line for a mccain rally (i'm sure that there where some african americans there, my point is more that there was a big push for putting the first black person in the white house than knowing all the issues involved) .... but again guys lets get off of race..... how about some people throw out some ----REAL---- issues they voted on
[Off-topic] joel2009:
You made a valid point here:

I agree with this statement and actually just wrote a paper over it, The job of the goverment should be unity, not tearing us apart with there lies and politics.

The first civil war was actually not started as an effort to remove slavery, but yet to bring back the states into a union (some states that stayed loyal to the union were actually allowed to keep there slaves for a while after the emancipation proclamation until the 13th amendment was ratified (adopted December 6, 1865.) Slavery was almost an after thought but was thrown in to remove the division of the states along that "imaginary" line that divided them.... it was more done almost for assimilation purposes if that makes sense. (Lincoln actually owned slaves.)

One more fun fact... lincoln actually sort of won the election by mistake. The democratic candidates had more votes but back then they were not "allowed" only one candidate per party.... and the democrats had two candidates which split the vote (intern allowing lincoln to become president) Most people hated the guy during that time! :)
[Off-topic] ljinsane:
you do know that there are NOT too many african americans that are republican ....right? And you do know that there are several Prominent African Americans who just happen to be hardcore republicans....right?
[Off-topic] joel2009:
yes i know full and well the demographics, i was just confirming that there were alot of people voting for obama because they wanted to put the first african american in the white house, while at the same time there were people voting for mccain just because of the opposite

My deal is that you become an educated voter, not just an voter. I am a republican but all three of my best friends are democrats (spells trouble right :) .) We all were very educated on each of our candidates and had many a conversation about why each of us believe what we do, and i can respect a valid reason for why you voted for a candidate, but i cannot respect ignorance.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Obama crushed McCain in the polls when it came to young voters, is that because he's young? Young people are more likely to be liberal, as are minorities, race didn't have nearly as much to do with it as you're letting on. That's the equivalent of saying "I didn't see many CEO's running for Obama, I think they voted McCain because he's a multi-millionaire." NO, CEO's are Republicans because the Democrats want to take their money!
[Off-topic] JimmyMcGee:
You know what I've found. I've found that talking to a lot, not all, but most, Young people about their views, That they are fundamentally Republican, or Conservative. They are just Democratic because they think that's what they are supposed to do. Not because they sat down and read the views of the candidates to see that they match the Republican Candidate more often.

The stigma of Republicans is the "Country-Club Republicans" but there are a lot more "non-typical" Republicans, if you will. And Since most Young People See The "Country-Club Republicans" they assume that's not the party for them.

Now I'm not saying All Young People are Republican, I'm saying sometimes Young Voters are misinformed. I think Have people of Differing Views makes America Great. I just think people need to research their views.

I'd rather not get into a discussion as to why I know this, but lets just say I'm an expert In Young People and Conservatism.

And to Answer the Question posed in the title, While I may not have voted for Obama, I want to see him Succeed as much as someone who did vote for him. As he said himself, "We Are the UNITED States of America."
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
I'm not sure what type of community you come from, but as far as the younger people I know, every single one that is conservative comes from a very rich family where their dad is a strong republican and they simply follow suit. If not a liberal when young, you have no heart, not conservative when old, you have no brain. Everyone I know who is young and living in the real world, i.e. not my friend Jeff who is 28 and argues republican but also got a $14,000 Rolex for graduation, is liberal. Being born into money seems to be the only exception as far as the younger people I know.
[Off-topic] JimmyMcGee:
You'd Think that' But I believe you have some misconceptions about Republicans as well.

As Community Leader of my County's Young Republican National Federation, I've met a lot of young people who are not from money, but still believe in Republican or Conservative Beliefs.

Yes there is that quote. But I guess I'm heartless. ;):p

But I will admit sometimes It does depend on your area. :)
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Indeed it does... If you're from the south, much more likely to be ignorant. Wait, did I say ignorant? I meant conservative. From rich families, more likely to be conservative (for better reasons than the south). No matter the case, I don't think anyone can honestly believe McCain/Palin would've done well leading our nation, so no matter your party association I can't understand anyone being disappointed with the election. I consider myself independent, I don't vote based on party at all... In fact, until he started his horribly run and short-lived campaign, I wanted to vote Giuliani. :P
[Off-topic] rogmar:
There can be no doubt as to how momentous it is,whether he can do a good job or not well time will tell.​
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
This is true, but I can tell you ahead of time McCain would've done terribly by my standards, so Obama can't do much worse. :)
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Palin was a horrible choice for McCain. But I suspect HE may still have been a better choice for president, STILL, I am glad the color barrier is broken. I hope it helps young blacks in bad areas have more hope of breaking negative cycles of poverty, drugs, crime, etc. I think that is VERY GOOD THING, if it happens.

But like when Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in baseball, he then had to PERFORM. He did. The 3rd black in baseball didn't perform, few know his name. What if he had been 1st, and failed? Obama comes into a mess, at what may be "the time of the end" according to the Bible. If so, he has no chance, but neither would have McCain. We'll see.............
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
I agree. America has the "one drop rule" when it comes to non-white blood. You can get benefits as an Indian if you are only 1/16th Indian. It's like any non-white blood is poison, like if it was a glass of water. A glass of water, with one drop of deadly poison, would be treated as though it were a glass of poison, and rightfully so. But why should that be the case with mixed-race?
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Obama voted with Bush 50% of the time too. Remember, congressman and senators introduce bills, Bush signs them. Hence any bill that gets passed and sent to the Prez has the support of at leaast half of the senators. McCain simply had a longer history, including when Republicans controlled Congress, of VOTING. That includes bills passed, before Obama came to Congress, that were almost unanimous, involving terrorism, 9-11, etc. The figures can get skewed because of all that
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
So, 1 out of every 2 votes was agreed on between Obama and Bush... And You're comparing that to 9 out of every 10 for McCain? Of course votes are going to be agreed upon, I don't expect people to vote with Bush 0% of the time, that's stupid. Not EVERY decision he made was wrong. But if you wanna compare 90% and 50% and say that's not reason enough to vote against McCain, I don't understand your side. Bush = bad president, McCain = 90% of bush... *shrug*
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Think about this: Almost everyone voted for the bailout, and Bush signed it. That counts as voting with Bush. Is that always so bad? He's not Hitler, and even voting with Hitler for the Autobahn wasn't wrong, was it?
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
"Staying in" Iraq is different than continuing to be in battles. Consider Germany and Japan, both have had US troops since WW2, and Korea for almost as long. Why do so many people twist his statements? Do you "win" anything by being disingenuous?
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Maybe not, I'd call it a "Job Reduction Program"
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
True about Obama vs Jackson & Sharpton. Try 3.5 decades ago since McCain was released, not 5
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Actually, if it weren't for the last 8 WEEKS in the worldwide econony, he would have won
[Off-topic] andrew-in-woking:
My opinion

It's time for me, the thread starter, to expand on my opinion.

I think it's fantastic that Obama is in the white house for the following reasons:

HOPE - Somebody from a minority group, who would have either not been able to vote or have very dubious legal status 40 years ago, to get to the top political position in the country that is most visible around the world gives many people, not just Americans, real hope that the lives they aspire to are possible, not just an idea. How real is the impact of this? Just consider that there is a spate of babies being named Obama in Kenya and in other parts of the world. What would make you change the name of your baby - your greatest investment in the world?

CHANGE - The world clearly needs change. In one sense, it doesn't matter whose fault it is, who did what to who first, it is very obvious that the systems by which countries relate to one another has failed, and it has failed those with the least the most. I do not believe Obama can or will resolve all international issues, he is not a messiah, but in the light of where we are internationally it is difficult to see how a change in policies within the US could actually make things worse.

RECONCILIATION - The world needs reconciliation and America needs reconciliation. I don't believe that there has been anybody involved in American or international politics that has had a greater opportunity to promote racial and cultural reconciliation both within and outside the USA. Barack Obama is mixed race. Racially, he is not a typical African American. He had a Black African (Kenyan) father and a white American mother. If anybody understands the gulf that remains between white and black people in America he would have to be near the top of the list. But this is an international issue too. Imagine somebody in charge in the middle east who is half Israeli (Jewish) and half Arabic (Moslem) and think that if they were a respected individual what they could achieve. This may be inconceivable today, but where was America 40 years ago? As I always say: "Nothing is impossible, only inconceivable." Every generation must conceive the impossible into being for the next. I believe Obama has done that already in winning the election.

Hope that's all food for thought - and that you're not fed up already!

Cheers,

andrew-in-woking
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
To understand some of that, you have to look at cause and effect. Carter decimated the military, it took a lot of money to fix it and gain the respect (and fear) of the enemies, and win the cold war. Clinton left with the dot-com bubble having crashed, and a weak counter-offensive against terrorism after all the attacks (The Cole, the 2 embassies, the 1st World Trade Center attack, etc.). Bush had to deal with that, then the 2nd World Trade Center attack, etc. He mishandled a lot of things, no doubt, and McCain was urging a different strategy. Yet, how could he vote against doing ANYTHING?

Sadaam admitted to an American guard before his execution that he wanted the world to think he had WMD's, because of his fear of Iran
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Let's not forget sucking the brains out of a baby while only his/her head is yet in the birth canal, for the "mother's health", because she doesn't feel mentally up to raising a baby. That's murder.
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Almost everything you said could be applied to Louis Farahkhan too
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Yeah, you're right. Democrat Woodrow Wilson went into WW1, Roosevelt into WW2 (and we're still in Germany, Japan, Italy, etc.), Truman (Korea, still there), Johnson - Vietnam.

Republican Eisenhower stopped the violence in Korea, Nixon - Vietnam. Reagan - Grenada, about 2 or 3 days, whatever (could have done the same on The Falkland Islands for England), Lebanon, got out quick at urging of John McCain after barracks bombing, also kicked Libya's ass a couple of times, no losses in that one. Old George Bush, 1st Gulf War, almost as many soldiers got killed being run over by forklifts as fighting, Panama, very quick. Clinton did well in The Balkans with NATO. Got out of Somalia quick after "Blackhawk Down", like Reagan got out of Lebanon. This George Bush mishandled both wars, IMO, should have blocked escape in Afghan war, was in too big of a hurry in Iraq because of the cost. Laughable now, the cost.

The wrong Bush son got elected, should have been Jeb, much more like his dad.
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Me too, especially if they're waiting for the Lord's Prayer to be fulfilled, and not just complacent
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
How is voting for one of only 2 candidates who have any chance to win "Helping"? It reminds me of people passing around drugs, and frowning on anyone who doesn't join in. And if everyone who didn't vote did vote, the percentages would be about the same. What's dumb is running back and forth on a wood floor throwing a ball in a hoop, only to end up 113-112. Why not just play for 2 minutes?
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Perhaps you forget Kissinger and the Paris Peace Talks, and when they first broke down, Nixon dropped mines in the harbor, and much more. They came back to the table. There were enough ways around Congress
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
IMO, judges shouldn't even be identified by political party
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
I believe most people will end up with "change" - in their pockets, and not much else. But I disagree with treating Mr. Obaba as Mr. Bush was treated. I believe in the Golden Rule "Do unto others as you WANT them to do to you". It doesn't say as they DO unto you, but as you WANT them to do.

It's not like under man's rule that the earth is heading for a better place.
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Let's get history straight - the takeover of the South occured 2 years AFTER the US withdrew. 1975. The US withdrew, and McCain was released, in 1973. The cut was aid to the South, NOT for US troops, who were basically all gone, except for embassy Marines, advisors, etc.
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Actually, that's because Clinton won with Ross Perot siphoning off Republican votes. Otherwise, he would have won, or lost, by more or less than 50%
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Destabilized the whole region? When WAS it stable? Geez, look at all the wars there in the last umpteen years. Was it stable every time Israel got attacked? Was it stable when Iraq and Iran fought for 8 years? Was it stable when Iraq invaded Kuwait? Is Lebanon stable? Is it stable between the Kurds and Turkey? Is Egypt attacking Libya after Sadat was assasinated stability? How about the wars between North and South Yemen? Pakistan & India?

If anything, it's MORE stable than EVER, since Bible times

Reagan caused the fiasco in Iran? Geez, how did Reagan, OR the Iranians, cause the helicopter and plane to crash into each other in the desert and abort the mission (which was hairy at best)? You gotta be joking, what Kool-aid are you drinking?
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Yeah, funny movie. However, France does now make a tank that can go faster than the M1 Abrahms, but only in REVERSE gear
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Blaming Bush for the bad actions of Russia attacking Georgia is like blaming your neighbor, when he parks in your spot, for you hitting your wife. Come on.........
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Robert Kennedy was not a President, he was a Senator running, and was still facing an uphill battle for the Democratic nomination against Humphrey. If he got past that hurdle, he still would have had to beat Nixon. The last 2 Presidents shot were Kennedy and Reagan. Reagan was pretty tolerant in reality.
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Bundo, you made so many consecutive posts I don't even know what to respond to, and I'm not gonna read 2 pages... So, if there was anything you expected a response to, sorry. :P
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
ACtually, 15 of the first 16 blacks elected to Congress were Republican
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Also consider how stupid most young people are these days. Jay Lenos' "Jaywalking" segment is a perfect sample of what I see out there. Somebody with an 8th grade educations a few decades ago was smarter than a college graduate of today
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Haha yeah, that must be why they all voted Obama.
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Obama was more liberal in voting against Bush than ANYONE, that hardly makes him middle of the road. Maybe he'll change enough to satisfy more than expected. Clinton did
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
Sorry, just catching up, worked all day and into the night. Great thread
[Off-topic] TheBundo:
I think even if they voted McCain, it would be for fairly shallow reasons. It's part of why the country is falling apart. People seem to rate intelligence by how well people use a computer or play a video game. Let the power go out, and people are helpless
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
I respected your views untill that statement (or joke). I've lived in the north and south, and your comment couldn't be farther from the truth. How about I make a stereotypical joke...

Why don't you get your doper ass off the XBox and find a job, so you can move out of your momma's house.
[Off-topic] andrew-in-woking:
I disagree with you on two fundamental points

Hi The Bundo,

You're obviously having a quiet day at work! Thanks for all your responses. In response specifically to your comment on my previous post I feel I must disagree with you on two seemingly fundamental points:

1) Neither of Louis Farrahkhan's parents were white American

2) Louis Farrahkhan is not the President Elect

I think that your comment too quickly dismisses the ideas in my post whether or not the nuances of Obama's coming to power are positive or negative. If you would like to expand on your response that would be great.

Cheers,

andrew-in-woking
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
I "grasp" the concept just fine, maybe you do not fully understand your own comment. Joke or not, to me it demonstrates a certain mentality. I suspect you have bitterness in your heart for those that see you as inferior, or dislikes you for the race they consider you to be. Of which would be totally understandable for you to feel that way.

This is my point.....

Instead of showing up at this lady's door step and to scare her with your skin color, wouldn't it be better to extend a hand of friendship. Show her that her fear is unfounded and based in ignorance. Showing compassion on your part will go much further to heal the rift. You heal her hatred heart and she passes it down to her children.

My thoughts are, racism ends with me. I don't teach my childred to recognize race, or to hate others for their differences. They will reject the "white" label society puts upon them. They in turn will teach their kids, and the cycle continues from there.

I guess I struggle with your choice of words here. Why would I "worry" about the change he spesks of? I like the change he speaks of. What change specifically do you speak of?
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
Haha so you don't think there are more republicans in the south than the north? Really? Let's see... ME, NH, VT, MA, NY, CT, RI, PA, NJ, MD, DE, VA, OH, IN, IA, IL, MI... North, voted Democrat. The only southern states? NC, FL, NM... And I'm talking the real south, not NM, FL and CA because those hardly qualify. Look at states like Texas, Kentucky, Tennessee, Georgia, South Carolina, Louisiana, Mississippi... But you don't seem to think there's a difference North to South, because you've lived both places. Great observation. If it was about ignorance, I simply meant people in the South vote Republican not because they have more money to hold onto (COL is lower, salaries are lower), so why would it be? Oh wait, racism is much more prevalent in the South. But hey, I guess you're right, because I think marijuana should be legal means I play Xbox all the time. I actually do own an Xbox 360, and the last time I played it was in June, and the last time I smoked weed was probably a solid 2 months ago. How're your stereotypes holding up compared to mine?
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
This works great in the movies, but racism shows no logic. He could be the nicest person in the world, very well educated, very well spoken... And it doesn't matter because of his skin color. OF COURSE he has bitterness towards people who think he doesn't deserve to live in "their" country, or do anything but be hanged for that matter, because his skin is darker than theirs. I don't think walking into a KKK meeting with freshly baked cookies will bring respect, it will only bring more hate.

I had a discussion with someone about Barack Obama during the campaign, and this person referred to him as a "nig muslim", which I thought was more ironic than valid being that he is not a Muslim. I called him ignorant, he told me he's not racist but used the statement we've all heard many times; "there's a difference between a black person and a ******." So it's great that you try to use logic, but are you telling me Barack Obama hasn't done everything he can to break racial boundaries and show that he's a good person? He's a Harvard graduate who was just elected President of the United States, yet he still has people using that word towards him. I repeat, RACISM SHOWS NO LOGIC.
[Off-topic] GWelker62:
You missed it completely... I referred to your comment about people in the south being ignorant. I make no claim or comment about what political party dominates what state. Ignorance is universal my friend, north and south. And you are the ignorant one if you don't think racism isn't just as previlent in the north as it is in the south.

You know how it feels to be stereotyped don't you? Now quit stereotyping people in the south as being ignorant.

I grew up in the 60's and 70's, I smoked my fair share of weed. And I too like you think it should be legal for use (but NOT LEGAL for sale). And I too don't think all weed smokers sit in momma's basement playing video games. It's ignorance that stereotypes. But that is for another discussion.

That doesn't matter. At least he knows he did the right thing. If a person refuses to accept his gesture of friendship, then that is the pain of hatred they have to live with, not him. Your logic suggest to battle hate with hate. What good would come of that?
[Off-topic] Black93300ZX:
I guess I truly am ignorant, I've lived in the northeast for all of my 20 years on this earth, taken trips to the south, my girlfriend is from Texas, my sister went to college for 4 years split between Georgia and Virginia and I visited her plenty at both schools... And I truly do not think there is AS MUCH racism in the north as there is in the south. I'd never dare say racism is gone in the north, we all know that would be a statement bordering on insanity, but I think it's less prevalent, yes.