The Obama Campaign's 3 Million dollar Offer.

[blue]

From the African Press International.
Source after quote, wait for it.


manager offers 3 million dollars to API in connection with Michelle Obama tape to be aired by Fox News Network

Posted by africanpress on October 29, 2008

Six hours after the release of information by API on the planned broadcast by Fox News Network of the Michelle Obama tape, in accordance with an agreement that has been reached between API and Fox News Network, API was contacted by Obama’s Campaign Manager.

Those who are close to the democratic presidential candidate must be desperate to win the elections no matter what, otherwise they would not have taken such bold step to contact API with an offer of a bribe in order to stop the airing of the tape.

Obama’s campaign manager contacted API by telephone and email offering 3 million US dollars followed with a request to API to cancel the deal with Fox News Network.

Ten days ago API received the first request to accept 2 million US dollars by Mr Ed Hale, President of Plains Radio, Texas - USA, in an effort to suppress the information from reaching the public before the coming US Presidential elections.

API has now taken a decision to contact the American Embassy in Oslo, Norway as soon as possible in order to report the matter and hand over the evidence for investigative purposes.

API’s Canadian lawyer is expected to fly to Oslo shortly in order to assist in the legal matters that arise from the bribery attempt.

API’s Chief editor is expected to travel to New York, together with the Canadian lawyer, where he will appear live in one of the shows that will air the Michelle Obama tape.

Source. (http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/10/29/news-flash-obamas-campaign-manager-offers-3-million-dollars-to-api-in-connection-with-michelle-obama-tape-planned-to-be-aired-by-fox-news-network/)

[blue]

Here is some of the background info over the recording.


An open letter to Michelle Obama after API’s discussion with a CIA official in Oslo

Posted by africanpress on October 20, 2008
To: Michelle Obama,
Wife to the Democratic Presidential Candidate Barack Obama, US Senator

I have decided to write this open letter and to refer you to our telephone conversation the day your husband was having a debate with his opponent in New York. This has to be an open letter because the story is already out there and many Americans are crying for the truth about what we discussed.

I know our discussion was not meant to harm your husband’s candidacy nor was it meant to derail the US Presidential elections in any way. We both know that our talk was - a sister to brother talk - black to black person talk - in the African perspective. The problem came later when we listened to the taped recording of our talk. API thought it wise to publish some of the contents that are not inflammatory. API did the best to select that which could not cause any chaos and we in API did not expect that waht we chose to publish would have the impact it now has had in the last five days.

Many Americans have surprised us in the way they take the interview very seriously. We want to respect them - as we have promised from day one - to let them know the truth in what transpired between yourself and us. We have realised that the American people want to know you well before you probably become their first Lady.

The intention of writing to you this open letter is to appeal to you to confirm that we had a talk because it is the only right thing to do now, so that we avoid any embarrassment should the whole tape be aired unedited. You are well aware of our discussions touching on thorny issues like Iran’s good trade relationship with Kenya and the fact Kenya may play a role in mending the relationship between Iran and the US so that healthy trade relationship may be achieved if your husband gets the presidency. Remember the length and the depth of our talk on other issues of importance in this hotly contested election where as you have stated - is an opportunity for the black people to start being proud of America and to be patriotic.

API was disappointed that one of your husband’s spokespersons rushed to the press to deny that you had called API. It is best that they check with you first before jumping to conclusions as if they control your private calls everyday.

API is interested in handling this matter in a good and reasonable way so that we may not be forced to release the tapes in its entirety. We do not want to be party to causing unnecessary chaos before the elections. If you just come forward and confirm that there was a call you placed to API, that will enable API to be out of it and nobody will continue to demand that we air unedited tape, but that we can release the one with information that is already known to the public.

We will appreciate solving this matter this way in order to avoid unnecessary law suits that may come about.

It is my apology to you that we did not let you know that the conversation was being taped, and yet I expect you to know that being a public figure, such may happen.

We have decided to write to you after our discussion today with a US CIA official in Oslo.



Regards



Chief Editor Korir/ African Press International - API

Source. (http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/10/20/an-open-letter-to-michelle-obama-after-apis-discussion-with-a-cia-official-in-oslo/)

[Cinder & Smoke]

WHAT (the heck) is this about ????????? :confused:

I'm sorry, but NONE of this makes any sense.

:(

[blue]

Cliff notes:

Michelle Obama is denying she gave an interview to API that could damage her husbands campaign, and Baracks campaign managers are offerring API $3million not to air the interview until after the election.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

TOTALLY OFF TOPIC, BUT:

There is 2 men here in the US, that has a look alike McCain and Palin. McCain is coming out of a fireplace with flames and such, but Palin, is hanging by a rope over the front of the house. The couple are NOT BEING MADE to take it down. My problem, if it was Obama, it would be a HATE CRIME and would have people screaming in the streets:rolleyes: How hypocritical is that?

I would like to hear this tape if it exists...;)

[blue]

TOTALLY OFF TOPIC, BUT:

There is 2 men here in the US, that has a look alike McCain and Palin. McCain is coming out of a fireplace with flames and such, but Palin, is hanging by a rope over the front of the house. The couple are NOT BEING MADE to take it down. My problem, if it was Obama, it would be a HATE CRIME and would have people screaming in the streets:rolleyes: How hypocritical is that?

I would like to hear this tape if it exists...;)

I heard the person with the Obama effigy hanging from his house has been arrested for a hate crime.

Somebody with cable is going to have to let us know if the Michelle Obama tape exists, I dont get Fox News.

Keep in mind API is an international orginization that has no direct interest in our elections.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I did not know someone already had Obama hanging, and got arrested. My point is made! LOL :rolleyes:


I have Fox News, but I dont know when they plan on airing it. I am sure youtube will have it ASAP for everyone to see. ;)

[RICHARD]

http://laist.com/2008/10/27/effigy_of_sarah_palin_hanging_in_we.php?gallery163 18Pic=2#gallery


Link to a site with Palin pics.

Yesterday there was a 'protest' with peope who had screens made of sticks and cloth. THey had put them up to block the view from the street.

[Puckstop31]

Maybe the media read the editorial I posted about being VERY one sided...


WASHINGTON (AP) - Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama was less than upfront in his half-hour commercial Wednesday night about the costs of his programs and the crushing budget pressures he would face in office.
Obama's assertion that "I've offered spending cuts above and beyond" the expense of his promises is accepted only by his partisans. His vow to save money by "eliminating programs that don't work" masks his failure throughout the campaign to specify what those programs are—beyond the withdrawal of troops from Iraq.

A sampling of what voters heard in the ad, and what he didn't tell them:

THE SPIN: "That's why my health care plan includes improving information technology, requires coverage for preventive care and pre-existing conditions and lowers health care costs for the typical family by $2,500 a year."

THE FACTS: His plan does not lower premiums by $2,500, or any set amount. Obama hopes that by spending $50 billion over five years on electronic medical records and by improving access to proven disease management programs, among other steps, consumers will end up saving money. He uses an optimistic analysis to suggest cost reductions in national health care spending could amount to the equivalent of $2,500 for a family of four. Many economists are skeptical those savings can be achieved, but even if they are, it's not a certainty that every dollar would be passed on to consumers in the form of lower premiums.

___

THE SPIN: "I've offered spending cuts above and beyond their cost."

THE FACTS: Independent analysts say both Obama and Republican John McCain would deepen the deficit. The nonpartisan Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates Obama's policy proposals would add a net $428 billion to the deficit over four years—and that analysis accepts the savings he claims from spending cuts. The nonpartisan Tax Policy Center, whose other findings have been quoted approvingly by the Obama campaign, says: "Both John McCain and Barack Obama have proposed tax plans that would substantially increase the national debt over the next 10 years." The analysis goes on to say: "Neither candidate's plan would significantly increase economic growth unless offset by spending cuts or tax increases that the campaigns have not specified."

___

THE SPIN: "Here's what I'll do. Cut taxes for every working family making less than $200,000 a year. Give businesses a tax credit for every new employee that they hire right here in the U.S. over the next two years and eliminate tax breaks for companies that ship jobs overseas. Help homeowners who are making a good faith effort to pay their mortgages, by freezing foreclosures for 90 days. And just like after 9-11, we'll provide low-cost loans to help small businesses pay their workers and keep their doors open. "

THE FACTS: His proposals—the tax cuts, the low-cost loans, the $15 billion a year he promises for alternative energy, and more—cost money, and the country could be facing a record $1 trillion deficit next year. Indeed, Obama recently acknowledged—although not in his commercial—that: "The next president will have to scale back his agenda and some of his proposals."

___

THE SPIN: "I also believe every American has a right to affordable health care."

THE FACTS: That belief should not be confused with a guarantee of health coverage for all. He makes no such promise. Obama hinted as much in the ad when he said about the problem of the uninsured: "I want to start doing something about it." He would mandate coverage for children but not adults. His program is aimed at making insurance more affordable by offering the choice of government-subsidized coverage similar to that in a plan for federal employees and other steps, including requiring larger employers to share costs of insuring workers.

___

THE SPIN: "We are currently spending $10 billion a month in Iraq, when they have a $79 billion surplus. It seems to me that if we're going to be strong at home as well as strong abroad that we've got to look at bringing that war to a close." These lines in the ad were taken from a debate with McCain.

THE FACTS: Obama was once and very often definitive about getting combat troops out in 16 months (At times during the primaries, he promised to do so within a year). More recently, without backing away explicitly from the 16-month withdrawal pledge, he has talked of the need for flexibility. In the primaries, it would have been a jarring departure for him to have said merely that "we've got to look at" ending the war. As for Iraq's surplus, it's true that Iraq could end up with a surplus that large, but that hasn't happened yet.



http://www.breitbart.com/article.php?id=D944H6EO0&show_article=1

[Bonny]

Lies & dirty politics. :( Will we be any further ahead with either of these candidates? I am not ready for a black man in the white house & I am not ready for an old man that should be retired. Ugh!! But I do plan to go vote. :rolleyes:

[Catty1]

It is my apology to you that we did not let you know that the conversation was being taped, and yet I expect you to know that being a public figure, such may happen.

Ummm...smacks of dishonesty on the 'brother's' part.

Michelle Obama is not running for office - I think she has been had here.

As for the other "details" - I think there's a lot of last-minute pressure from fans of both sides to press their case.

Little, if any of this, will matter next Wednesday.

[rosethecopycat]

I am not ready for a black man in the white house

:eek::eek::eek:

[beeniesmom]

I am not ready for a black man in the white house

WHAT?????
Please explain?
What difference does it make if he's black, white, pink or green?

[caseysmom]

Lies & dirty politics. :( Will we be any further ahead with either of these candidates? I am not ready for a black man in the white house & I am not ready for an old man that should be retired. Ugh!! But I do plan to go vote. :rolleyes:

Ignorance is alive and well...no real surprise at least you have the guts to say it instead of hiding behind lies.

[RICHARD]

Lies & dirty politics. :( Will we be any further ahead with either of these candidates? I am not ready for a black man in the white house & I am not ready for an old man that should be retired. Ugh!! But I do plan to go vote. :rolleyes:

DUDE!

I like your candor.

I went to a 'sensitivity class' once and the instructor asked if there was anyone in the room who was not biased/prejudiced.

Three women raised their hands then the teacher asked them about hating on the old slow poke that drove 2 miles an hour in front of them and what their reaction to slow, old drivers was-I don't know it they got the message.

The same people who will crumb on your post are the same ones who won't elect an old dude or a young woman with no political cred. My concern with BO running is the pressure that the black interest groups will put upon him to 'stay true to the cause' and what they want if he should become president.

I have the same problem with the mayor of Lost Angeles - I am a dumb American-Mexican, But, the mayor here is an idiot Am-Mexican in charge.

He's backed many programs that cater to the gangs and criminals in the city.
He refuses change the LAPD's orders on deporting illegal alien criminals, he also refuses to look into the money wasted on charter schools-one charter has all latin students and teaches an extinct dialect from a Mexican civilization that hasn't been around for a few centuries. I really don't have the time or patience to see my tax dollars go to teaching kid to speak a language that has no use in the 21st century.

I am all for diversity in who runs my government, but when they come up with over the top agendas, spending plans and programs that just serve to EFF things up more than they already are, they can count me out as far as supporting their sorry arses.

I worked for years with different races, creeds, orientations and ideologies.
The worst ones were the idiots who got into a place where they wanted to change things up, according to what THEY thought was right. There is always one person who wants to "change" things according to their philosophy. THey never give a thought as to how those changes will affect everyone involved. they just want a change and hedge their bets that an ill thought out plan will be embraced by everyone.

Morons.:rolleyes:

[caseysmom]

Keep grasping at straws...I hope it helps.

[RICHARD]

Keep grasping at straws...I hope it helps.

Well, isn't the rule that you don't leave your drink on the table unattended?:eek:

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I am not ready for a black man in the white house

What are you afraid of? This is the biggest pile of crap I've ever heard. You are not the only one I have heard it from, however. Stupidity abounds!!! :p

[Karen]

Hey, hey, folks. Calm down. Remeber, this is Pet Talk, and we should treat each other with respect. One can disagree with someone's opinion without getting personal and slinging insults.

[beeniesmom]

The same people who will crumb on your post are the same ones who won't elect an old dude or a young woman with no political cred.

I wouldn't be so quick to point fingers like that.
It has nothing to do with who I am voting for, personally.

I just can't agree that the comment was an expression of candor.
It's an expression of ignorance.

I grew up in a very diverse background and for that matter lived half my life in the US and half abroad. Two of my very dearest friends are African American, another is bi-racial, some muslim and many more are of very diverse backgrounds.

It truly is a matter of ignorance. People are afraid of what they don't know.
I am embarrassed for all of you who share Bonny's opinion.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I dont care what color Barack is, personally. I dont like him, period. I dont hide behind that fact....

Although, I dont think African Americans really need all that many more programs to make their lives better. Why not make programs for ALL colors, no matter what.

Programs for African Americans only, now THAT, is prejudice...

White people get accused constantly of being prejudice, but why dont we have programs for Caucasians? Scholarships? I could not get grants because of my color, but my good friend, did. And openly admitted it was her color only that got her in for free. That to me is also prejudice.

BET is prejudice, white people dont have WET(love that name, lol). BECAUSE if they did, well, again it, their would be riots in the streets..

That is just the way it is. I never look at someone for thier color. It is NOT Baracks color I dont like.

If Colin Powell was running, he would have my vote! *SHOCK*



Anyways, back to the original post, any updates?

[Catty1]

I think anyone on either side of the US - Cdn border has seen and heard that part of the huge appeal and energy surrounding Barack Obama is the fact that he could be the first black US President.

That energy and attention is going to swing between two extremes. I think that some people aren't ready for the CHANGE, as such...not that they have anything personal against Obama himself, or even people of colour.

RICHARD - if Obama does get in, I truly hope that with Biden's steel-toe nagging boots near his backside (he better have a pair ;) ), Obama will stand up to specific-interest pressure unless it would benefit the majority of citizens. It will only do him good to do so, when it comes to re-election time.

It'll all work out the way it's supposed to.

[caseysmom]

Okay African American's can have a few programs...better than lining the oil companies profits or halliburtons.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

Instead of African American programs, how about just "open programs" with ALL people who really need it???;)

[momoffuzzyfaces]

Programs for African Americans only, now THAT, is prejudice...



I sort of see where they came up with the idea for the Afican American only programs though; trying to make up for all the times they were excluded from every thing else. Wasn't all that long ago they couldn't even sit where they wanted on a bus or drink from drinking fountains that white people did.

If you don't like someone that is up to you. I do have a problem though when people don't like someone only because of their race. Makes absolutely no sense to me at all!!!

Just recently on the bus, I heard someone say they were afraid if an African American got in office THEY would take over the country. How dumb is that? As if African Americans could mess us up any more than we are already! :rolleyes:

[RICHARD]

I wouldn't be so quick to point fingers like that.
It has nothing to do with who I am voting for, personally.

I just can't agree that the comment was an expression of candor.
It's an expression of ignorance.

I grew up in a very diverse background and for that matter lived half my life in the US and half abroad. Two of my very dearest friends are African American, another is bi-racial, some muslim and many more are of very diverse backgrounds.

It truly is a matter of ignorance. People are afraid of what they don't know.
I am embarrassed for all of you who share Bonny's opinion.

And what part of the human race do you abhor?
Have no patience for?
Dislike?

Asking questions or voicing a concern has nothing to do with ignorance. It's more ballsy than the Peace and Love, everyone is my friend creed that most people espouse.

The common arguement is the "I have three black friends, a mexican gardener and the guy I buy my coffee from in the morning is Indian." So what does that mean?

Get a job in the med field and you'll see more pure bred/mutts that you can ever imagine. Who I count as my friends has nothing to do with my world view.

Is it ignorance to admit to what you believe in, rather than what is politically correct? I don't care for BO either-I don't care for his politics-he's got a skeezy slickness about him that makes his whole agenda suspect to me.

Two things that are a real turn off to me when I talk politics to people, the inability to understand a basic premise and the "He's better that Bush/It's GWB all over again."

Young people are the most vulnerable to a good talking point. Will a skin color make anyone a better politician? Nope, but it does open them up to more scrutiny than the old white guys that have run the place for the last 230 or so years.

I want my politicians to be above reproach-above all the shiat that makes them 'different' to what we ordinarily demand from them. BO hasn't shown me any of that. If he hasn't come out to give me a good reason as to why he was hanging out with effing morons in his past, he can kiss my vote goodbye.

Please do not waste your embarassment on me and my feelings. Save it for the people who cannot and will not be honest with their feelings.

I think there is way more to life than wasting your feelings on a moron like me.

Do something constructive with your time. Make a dartboard and put my picture on it.


LOLOLOL

The oil companies make about 8 cents a gallon profit on every sale. The government makes about 2.50 on every gallon IN TAX.

And remember the Blood for Oil deal we got from Iraq!

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I dont not like anyone for their race... IF someone says something to me about not liking a race, I just ignore them. They are ignorant. Ignorance is bliss:confused::confused:

And I understand where you are coming from, BUT I owe NOONE ANYTHING> I did not own slaves, nor did I not let someone share anything with me. If people who look past that, forgive, and let it go, MAYBE THEN the world would stop being so hypocritical and prejudice...

Slavery was wrong, and I have apologized for these horrible issues. BUT I am tired of doing it, and the race card getting thrown up CONSTANTLY! I believe we are all equal, so lets be equal. Stop the African American banter. Stop the programs, make them open to ALL that need them. Color should not prevent ANYONE from going to college, OR being the next POTUS! That is just my take on it;)

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I am prejudice! I HATE close talkers AND cockroaches. :p

[Ginger's Mom]

I sort of see where they came up with the idea for the Afican American only programs though; trying to make up for all the times they were excluded from every thing else. Wasn't all that long ago they couldn't even sit where they wanted on a bus or drink from drinking fountains that white people did.
It's not just to make up for things of the past, it is because prejudice still exists. Bonny's statement and those who have agreed with her prove that. So given a choice people will hire, promote, accept into schools/households, people with whom they feel the most comfortable. Those that they can relate to the best. As long as a majority of the decisions are being made by white men, white men are most likely to have an advantage in obtaining their goals. In an effort to break that cycle so that more views may be expressed and explored these programs are necessary. It has doesn't have as much to do with what happened 100 years ago, but more to do with what continues to happen.

[lizbud]

WHAT (the heck) is this about ????????? :confused:

I'm sorry, but NONE of this makes any sense.

:(


There are some who are all atwitter over a so called tape of Michell Obama
dissing Americans who don't support her husband. It's all a big hoax. Even the
uber conservative blogs are now saying "either put up or shut up" about this
whole undercover "taped message" from Mrs Obama. IMO, it's all BS.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/10/15/michelle_obama/

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I understand where you are coming from, BUT I do think white people are being judged and have prejudice against them as well.

It will never end until all these "color specific programs" are dealt with. It is unfair and prejudice.

All colors need help, housing, and such. Why the need to put a race on it, is beyond me.

I do think that race is a HUGE issue in the world. I also think that the race card gets pulled out WAY TOO MUCH. I think that keeps prejudice alive. Take race specifications away, and the race issue will die out, IMO.

[RICHARD]

I am prejudice! I HATE close talkers AND cockroaches. :p


It all comes out in the wash!;)

And to make my comments crystal clear- There are plenty of other men that are far more qualified and suited to run for the office of the Presidency, of any color.

I find that it's very scary that the people who put up BO for the office could not find anyone more qualified - I'd even vote for Marion Berry before I voted Dem in this election.

The dawg got caught with hookers, cocaine and bribes, paid his time and he was elected AGAIN as mayor of Washington.

At least he wasn't shy about who he was with and how he spent his time.

And remember, BO is half white, so your racist accusations really don't hold water.:rolleyes::o

[RICHARD]

I do think that race is a HUGE issue in the world.

You live in the south and are not a fan of "racism"?

What do you do during the NASCAR Season?;)

[Catty1]

This seemed to me to fit one aspect of this whole thread...

From "The Boondocks" - these two characters, Tom and Sarah, are lawyers:

http://www.uclick.com/feature/08/10/27/bo081027.gif

http://www.uclick.com/feature/08/10/29/bo081029.gif

http://www.uclick.com/feature/08/10/30/bo081030.gif

[Ginger's Mom]

I understand where you are coming from, BUT I do think white people are being judged and have prejudice against them as well.

White people may be prejudiced against, but they are not being judged by people who are preventing them from rising to the top based on nothing but the color of their skin. The people who are judging the white men are those that are angry because they have been prevented for centuries from achieving the same levels of success for no reason other than the color of their skin. And they are judging the white man's motives for promoting their own. How do you stop the people already invested in power from continuing to hand that power over only to those like them? They have shown through history that they are not going to allow people "different" from themselves to have any real power. How do you break that cycle? You can't just ignore it and hope it will go away.

[beeniesmom]

And what part of the human race do you abhor?
Have no patience for? Dislike?!

I know what abhor means. :p



Asking questions or voicing a concern has nothing to do with ignorance.

It does if you are talking about race. I could understand if she wrote "I don't want a man with a degree in basket weaveing running for office" or something of the like. She said "old" about McCain and that's actually a valid point (not a good or bad one).



The common arguement is the "I have three black friends, a mexican gardener and the guy I buy my coffee from in the morning is Indian." So what does that mean?


It means that you give diverse people a chance to interact with you in your daily life. The racist wouldn't buy coffee from an Indian or whatever.



Is it ignorance to admit to what you believe in, rather than what is politically correct?

No, it's not. But it would help if you have a reason to support your belief.

BTW by "you", I am not referring to you personally.




Young people are the most vulnerable to a good talking point. Will a skin color make anyone a better politician? Nope, but it does open them up to more scrutiny than the old white guys that have run the place for the last 230 or so years.

I want my politicians to be above reproach-above all the shiat that makes them 'different' to what we ordinarily demand from them. BO hasn't shown me any of that. If he hasn't come out to give me a good reason as to why he was hanging out with effing morons in his past, he can kiss my vote goodbye.


Good for you. At least you believe in something.



Please do not waste your embarassment on me and my feelings. Save it for the people who cannot and will not be honest with their feelings.


I wasn't referring to you actually. :D



I think there is way more to life than wasting your feelings on a moron like me.
Do something constructive with your time. Make a dartboard and put my picture on it.


Love you too! :love::)

[Cataholic]

Oh, my. Since when does admitting that one is racist absolve them from the wrongness associated with the position? Does the man that admits he murdered the victim receive less of a penalty because he admitted it?

[caseysmom]

Oh, my. Since when does admitting that one is racist absolve them from the wrongness associated with the position? Does the man that admits he murdered the victim receive less of a penalty because he admitted it?

Didn't absolve it for me I was being sarcastic.

[Ginger's Mom]

Does the man that admits he murdered the victim receive less of a penalty because he admitted it?

Acutally, many times he does. However, having said that, I do agree with the point you were making, Cataholic.

[Bonny]

I thought you would all get after me for picking on an old senior citizen putting him out to pasture. Instead you are all shocked about my feelings over a black man moving into the white house. He has had lots of threats & I am afraid they will be carried out. Early on he has had hired body guards because of the threats. He is hung up on his blackness & ancestors & biased himself. You can call me biased, ignorant, but I don't feel comfortable with Mr. Obama. I don't feel comfortable with old Mr. McCain. I don't like either of them. Maybe I will have to flip a coin when I am in the voting booth?

[momoffuzzyfaces]

I thought you would all get after me for picking on an old senior citizen putting him out to pasture. Instead you are all shocked about my feelings over a black man moving into the white house. He has had lots of threats & I am afraid they will be carried out. Early on he has had hired body guards because of the threats. He is hung up on his blackness & ancestors & biased himself. You can call me biased, ignorant, but I don't feel comfortable with Mr. Obama. I don't feel comfortable with old Mr. McCain. I don't like either of them. Maybe I will have to flip a coin when I am in the voting booth?

You are certainly entitled to your feelings. I just have trouble understanding them.

By the way, there are two other choices on the ballots. A Liberterian and a Reform party member. :)

[caseysmom]

He is hung up on his blackness & ancestors & biased himself.


How so?

[blue]

Update.


API/Fox News deal: Sean Hannity show and Greta Van Susteren’s show “On the Record” to air the Michelle Obama tape in less than 24 hours.

Posted by africanpress on October 30, 2008

Many have been wondering about what will happen to the Michelle Obama tape, now that API has received death threats for planning to have the tape aired. Death threats mounted after API refused an offer of 3 million US dollars by Senator Obama’s Campaign manager.

There has been speculations that Fox News may deny that there is an agreement already reached that gives the them permission to air the tape. The public who are aware of the existence of a tape should be aware that some elements in our society would not like the message in the tape to come out.

The agreement stipulates that any information on the day and hour the tape will be aired will only be announce 15 minutes to the airing time. This was agreed upon to avoid any pressure being directed to Fox News Network by individuals who would want to get the details about the tape in question.

The airing of the tape can take place any time from this day and due to its sensitivity, people who will inquire from Fox News and API for details will either get a no comment answer or that there is no agreement on the table.

We are aware of the fact that some people made inquiries today by emailing or telephoning Fox News and may have been disappointed with the answers they got. API is not here to mislead anyone and takes the responsibility to inform its loyal readers that the tape will be aired unless pressure wins over any of the parties involved, of which case that will amount to a breach of contract. Such a thing is unacceptable because API is committed to let the American people get the information in the tape and judge for themselves what value it may have in their political lives.

Although the parties had agreed that the particular shows going to air the tapes should not be made public before 15 minutes to airing of the tapes, public pressure has forced us to make this revelation earlier than we should. Both parties, API and Fox are in agreement that no further details will be released on the subject.

Source. (http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/apifox-news-deal-sean-hannity-show-and-greta-van-susterens-show-on-the-record-to-air-the-michelle-obama-tape-in-less-than-24-hours-from-now/)


The intended release of Michelle Obama tapes stirs trouble in many circles

Posted by africanpress on October 30, 2008

The Obama camp is not saying anything publicly now, but have chosen to work behind the scenes in their efforts to influence the release of Michelle Obama tape. The impact the tape is expected to have on National Security when finally released will be huge.

Peaceful approach to have the tapes not to be released has now turned into direct threats directed against API. The threats being unleashed against API comes after API Chief Editor’s unwillingness to accept the offer of a bribe by Obama Camp’s Campaign Manager was turned down.

The next few hours will be very crucial for API. The news organization is now putting the facts surrounding the bribe attempt together and will take a decision today to request the police to file charges against the Campaign Manager.

API on the other hand does not want to surrender to the pressure being mounted, even though faced with danger for ignoring the warnings not to allow the release of the tape. API is being bombarded with death threats from people who say have been hired to silence API and those involved in the plan to have the tapes released.

The US embassy in Norway together with the Norwegian Security Service has been duly informed of the situation and has promised to give the matter the priority it deserves.

Due to the situation that has arisen, and security considerations, API reprentative’s trip to New York today to participate in a planned live interview will be temporarily delayed for some hours while the Embassy looks into the matter.

Now that the situation has become so dangerous because some people are afraid to let the American people know the truth about Michelle Obama’s stand exhibited by her in the tape, API will thread carefully and will classify details on what is going on, especially details on when the API representative will fly to New York, which flight and where he will be housed while in the US. This will be done to avoid exposing him to any danger while on US soil

API will not rest until the tape is aired so that the American people may judge for themselves whether the contents of the tape is of relevance to the elections taking place November the 4th.

Source. (http://africanpress.wordpress.com/2008/10/30/the-intended-release-of-michelle-obama-tapes-stirs-trouble-in-many-circles/)

And for the record, I think America and Americans are ready for a black president, just not Obama.

[blue]

There are some who are all atwitter over a so called tape of Michell Obama
dissing Americans who don't support her husband. It's all a big hoax. Even the
uber conservative blogs are now saying "either put up or shut up" about this
whole undercover "taped message" from Mrs Obama. IMO, it's all BS.

http://www.salon.com/politics/war_room/2008/10/15/michelle_obama/

The release date on the Salon article predates the first of the API releases by 5 days. Ild call that damage controll.

[Lady's Human]

I just wish they hadn't run Rep. J.C. Watts out of politics.

The NAACP made some rather disparaging remarks about Rep. Watts (who is black, so they SHOULD be defending him, not attacking him), and he basically got so disgusted with it he left politics completely.

[lizbud]

Has anyone heard these tapes yet? If you believe Mrs. Obama speaks
English with a heavy accent, then you might fall for this drivel. Too dumb
for words.:rolleyes:

[Edwina's Secretary]

Has anyone heard these tapes yet? If you believe Mrs. Obama speaks
English with a heavy accent, then you might fall for this drivel. Too dumb
for words.:rolleyes:

You mean these tapes...these tapes that will blow the lid off the election might be.....fake?????

I am shocked....absolutely shocked.

Next thing you will be telling me the brouhaha over Obama's birth certificate is so much bull hockey????

[Alysser]

At this point I think Nader's gonna win. :D

[Giselle]

White people may be prejudiced against, but they are not being judged by people who are preventing them from rising to the top based on nothing but the color of their skin. The people who are judging the white men are those that are angry because they have been prevented for centuries from achieving the same levels of success for no reason other than the color of their skin. And they are judging the white man's motives for promoting their own. How do you stop the people already invested in power from continuing to hand that power over only to those like them? They have shown through history that they are not going to allow people "different" from themselves to have any real power. How do you break that cycle? You can't just ignore it and hope it will go away.
Ginger's Mom, you put it so eloquently :)

Race is a big issue. Unless you've felt racism yourself, I think it's very difficult to imagine the enormous impact it plays in your life. I live in a predominately white area. I went to predominately white schools. My interests and hobbies are dominated by an overwhelming white majority. And you can bet that I feel it. I feel it when I sign a letter with my last name. I feel it when I talk to folks on the phone and subsequently meet them in person. I see them, and then I see myself. I see the difference. They see the difference. I am all too aware of my race and my outward differences.

As much as we would like ignore our outward differences and insist that we live in an "equal" society, the fact is we DON'T. Minorities are overwhelmingly more predisposed to health problems, diseases, lack of higher education, increases in violence, etc. The problem is that racism is so deeply ingrained into our society that we can choose to ignore it. We can choose to ignore that all the lowest performing schools (in my particular area) are those with an Af-Am/Mex-Am majority. We can choose to ignore that a majority of gang violence victims are minorities. We can choose to ignore that crime-ridden inner cities in large metropolitan areas are overwhelmingly composed of minorities.

But I just can't ignore it. I am a part of it. There is criticism against race-specific scholarships and whatnot. But when you consider the societal barriers that exist for these disenfranchised groups, you really can't help but admit that it's the least we can do.

I will also admit that I'm from Oakland, CA, where the ethnic disparity is simultaneously brutally obvious and, yet, alluringly obscure.

[Cinder & Smoke]

At this point I think Nader's gonna win. :D

I'd go with Dennis (The Menace) from Cleveland, but he dropped out. :(

:D

[Grace]

I'd go with Dennis (The Menace) from Cleveland, but he dropped out. :(

:D

Did you like him for himself - or his gorgeous wife ;)

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I tend to believe that most people hire because of qualifications, instead of race. Call me naive.

Everyone in some way has felt discriminated against, black/white/mexican etc... I am the whitest girl you will ever meet. Really, southern accent and all. I have also felt prejudice against me. The people who are prejudice, I choose to ignore. They wont change, so I wont change my mind.

I must also add that gang violence is because of the gang and the need/want to break the law. NOT because the color of their skin. I also believe that the crime ridden areas with minorites, is BECAUSE the minorities are choosing to not be upstanding citizens in this society. THEY need to break the cycle... I can not and will not support helping those areas/people when they wont help themselves.

I will never believe in giving to one race, instead of ALL races. NO RACE (IMO)is more deserving than another.

I believe we should appreiciate our race, but not dwell on it and blame everything that does not go our way on the color of our skin. Until we do that, nothing will ever change.

[caseysmom]

Giselle works her tail off in school, trust me nobody works harder than her. Its funny and sad I never thought of Asians as being discriminated against, you know I am not far from you and its just so diverse here that I truly don't see color. I enjoy everyones differences...and well mostly the food:D

Its sad that in the bay area you still get treated differently there is quite a huge asian population. Success is due in large part to work ethic but thats not the whole thing, I don't know any teenager that works harder than Giselle and I certainly hope the playing feel is equal for her when it comes to universities/jobs.

[Edwina's Secretary]

I will never believe in giving to one race, instead of ALL races. NO RACE (IMO)is more deserving than another.



Do I assume you are as deeply offended by the legacy system at the top colleges/universities in our country? Such as the one George Bush used to get his "gentleman's C's"? (Legacy system is when...if your father or uncle or grandfather went to the school you get in. It is the orginal "Affirmative Action." Yale, Havard, Princeton perfected the systems.)

What do you say about the boards of directors of MAJOR corporation tape recording themselves discussing why blacks are not as qualified to work for them as white folk? There are some well-known cases including Coca-Cola and an oil company in Texas -- name escapes me and I don't want to name the wrong one. I am talking recent cases.

And yes, you are naive if you believe most people get hired because of their qualifications. They get hired because of where they went to school, who they know, how well they interview, how well they dress, and ...yeah qualifications.

It is called the halo effect. We tend to want to associate with people who look like us...who remind us of ourselves. People get hired by people they look like or talk like or... Of course, most organizations today work to change this pattern. But change comes slowly.

"Give in to one race?" There are attempts to level the playing field -- for those who look different -- sex, race, disability, etc. It is not "giving in" to any one group.

I have noticed over the last few weeks lots of ..."them"...."They" shouldn't get government assistance. "I" get it because I deserve it. "They" are free-loaders. "I" am different. "They" do not have a right to an opinion about what happens to the US government. "I" am different. "I" am entitled.

And those laws...Title VII of the Civil Rights Act, Equal Pay Act, etc. protect YOU just as much as THEM.

[Cinder & Smoke]

[Dennis the Menace]
Did you like him for himself - or his gorgeous wife ;)

:o

I've *watched* Dennis since long before he aquired his "trophy" wife ...

I've sometimes been in awe of how downright GOOFY some of his ideas are.
And then, every so often, he slips in an almost workable idea I agree with.

He's sorta my "None of the Above" guy!

:p

[blue]

Has anyone heard these tapes yet? If you believe Mrs. Obama speaks
English with a heavy accent, then you might fall for this drivel. Too dumb
for words.:rolleyes:

So if you heard the "tapes" at least give a clue where you heard them or you are talking out of your posterior. Again.


You mean these tapes...these tapes that will blow the lid off the election might be.....fake?????

I am shocked....absolutely shocked.

Next thing you will be telling me the brouhaha over Obama's birth certificate is so much bull hockey????

The BS about BO's CLB could very well be BH, its just odd that presenting a CC of the CLB is so difficult to produce. BO even recently went back to HI, he could have sent one of his disciples to retrieve it for him. Nor should be hard to prove he was never a citizen of Indonesia, or if he was that he reafirmed his USA citzenship by the age of 18.

I have to wonder if the Clinton's are funding Berg and his lawsuit.

[Cinder & Smoke]

BO's CLB ...
CC of the CLB ...

:confused:

Your personal short-hand?
:mad:
:rolleyes:

[kt_luvs_kitties]

You are right, I am offended IF someone {anyone} gets into college, just because their parents went there. Only if they work for it, and deserve it.

Just like I believe that NOONE should get something for nothing. Noone should get college scholarships, based on race. In my mind, race= nothing. It means nothing to me. I love my race, I hope that others love theirs. BUT it should NOT entitle ANYONE to ANYTHING, IMO.
-------
:And yes, you are naive if you believe most people get hired because of their qualifications. They get hired because of where they went to school, who they know, how well they interview, how well they dress, and ...yeah qualifications:

Almost all of the above is what I define as qualifications... Schooling, interview, dress... The only I dont is who they know...
-------------


Hey, minorities get into college for free... ISNT that on a HIGHER playing field ? An unfair advantage?? My parents and myself have to pay for my schooling, work hard EVERYDAY, but someone else, can just get in for free? That is not equal OR fair to me...


Edited to add: And no, myself or my family has never been on ANY government assistance. I believe that people who TRULY need it should get it.

[blue]

:confused:

Your personal short-hand?
:mad:
:rolleyes:

BO-Barack Obama, CLB-Certificate of Live Birth, CC-Certified Copy, and BH of corse is Bull Hockey.

Ill happily admit I was hoaxed if this plays out the way the Obama worshippers hope it does.

[Giselle]

Katie, it's just not that nice and simple in our society. =/ You may feel, from your experiences, that society IS that fair and equal and that gang violence and inner city crime are direct results of minorities' lack of interest in gaining a better life, but it's NOT. *Nobody* truly wants to be in the ghetto, working min. wage jobs and facing constant, daily violence.

Here's a disturbingly common scenario:

How can an inner city minority girl go to college when 1) she skipped preschool because her mother could not afford it 2) went to underfunded and, basically, cr@ppy public elementary/middle schools 3) went to an underfunded high school ridden with bad influences, etc. 4) her parents are busy working minimum wage jobs and not giving her the attention she needs 5) she doesn't have the access to the proper resources to get out of her situation, etc. etc.?

There's a reason why there are so many young/teenage pregnancies in inner cities. There's a reason why drugs are such a big problem, as are pimps and prostitution. It's not a life style they choose. It's often the only options available. It's sad. It's extremely sad, but how can they escape that cycle when there's no loophole out? *This* is why we need affirmative action programs.

I guess it's very difficult to talk about when we're coming from two totally different atmospheres. =/

Caseysmom, thanks for the compliments :p The Bay Area is very diverse, but that also makes us all aware of our differences. Oakland is a prime example. East/west Oakland are extremely crime ridden and inhabited primarily by af-ams and hispanics. North Oakland, near Piedmont, is extremely affluent and predominately white. The two best Oakland schools are in North Oakland. Some of THE worst schools in perhaps the state are in east/west Oakland. It's just sad that this disparity even exists, but it does.

[blue]

:And yes, you are naive if you believe most people get hired because of their qualifications. They get hired because of where they went to school, who they know, how well they interview, how well they dress, and ...yeah qualifications:

Almost all of the above is what I define as qualifications... Schooling, interview, dress... The only I dont is who they know...

I can kinda agree to this. Ive worked for 7 electrical shops since 1992, only 2 of my bosses appreciated my skill and knowlege of the trade. I wear shorts most of the year, I might shave once a month, usualy longer between shaves and when I do I usually shave my head at the same time, I have 5 tattoos, my tounge is pierced, and I have a tendancy to be harsh and abrasive. For a number a years after I started running my own crew I had a mohawk, before and after my USMC experience. No matter how many times I proved myself, 5 companies judged me by my dress and appearance not my qualifications.

I have seen people with connections in the construction trades get a pass on their skills, their knowlege, and their dealings with homeowners and builders time after time for many reasons, who their parents are, who they know, and their ethnicity are just 3 examples. Only 2 of the companies Ive worked for respected my skill and knowlege of the trade. I am now slower then the younger crews, and I found out from my now dead bosses wife how much he respected my knowlege and skills. I do things right the first time and make no excuses for the few times I do eff up, heck Im the first to admit Ive effed up. Alot of the guys Ive worked with over the years will throw someone else under the bus to make themselves look better and try and move up when things get effed up or just take more time then expected.

The fact that the Obama camp preemptively played the race card, to me, says alot about his character. The people he associated with for years and now suddenly are distant or casual acquaintances speaks alot about his character as well.

So until I hear or read first hand the interview, see a judgement in Bergs lawsuit, and heck lets toss in Michelle Obama's college thesis as well, BO's character is very questionable.

[blue]

There's a reason why there are so many young/teenage pregnancies in inner cities.

Its called lack of parenting at the very least and extreme teenage boredom at the worst, Bristol Palin is a fine example. There is basicaly nothing out here for the teens to do, there is really no scene of any kind for them.


There's a reason why drugs are such a big problem, as are pimps and prostitution. It's not a life style they choose.

The drugs or the prostition? The pimps have a total choice, as do the drug addicts and the prostitutes, take the not so easy way out.


It's often the only options available. It's sad. It's extremely sad, but how can they escape that cycle when there's no loophole out? *This* is why we need affirmative action programs.

Alot of the problems we are seeing in the US is lack of choice, not a lack of change.

[kt_luvs_kitties]

I do understand what you are saying. But I disagree.

I believe that if people want out of the ghetto, they get out of the ghetto. NOT by selling drugs, prostitution or ANYTHING else that is illegal.

They work hard at school, they dont drop out. They dont let people encourage them to do drugs or rob a store. People must make their own decisions, and live with the consequences. The reason so many minorities are in jail, is because they let others influence them, and did the wrong thing. They can blame that on NOONE but themselves. It is their fault. Their choice. Lack of money or education DOES NOT make someone break the law.

I know that because My husband dropped out of school in 11th grade, lived in the "ghetto", was a minority in a prodominatly african american community. Single parent home... Got shot at, gang influence, all of that.

Did he break the law, nope. Get someone pregnant, turn into a pimp or gang member, NOPE. He went back to school, got his GED (at 18) and went on to work in the prison system to make the streets safer. Then went on to college, worked hard to PAY FOR IT, and now works and makes a sufficiant life for himself, me and my pets. He did not get help from the government, he also could not get funding because he was white. His mother NEVER helped, EVER. She had to work a minimum wage job, she never could help, she could not even feed him alot of the time.

I dont buy into the whole "it is the way people MUST live that decides their futures". Nope, it is the way people CHOOSE to live that makes their lives what they are.

My husband did not get out of that lifestyle because of race (white), he got out of it because he WORKED HARD, WANTED MORE, and DID NOT blame his life/ failures on the color of his skin, be it white or black or
yellow.

PS= his mother also got pregnant at 15, and went on to have 4 children by 23, she as well did not turn to prostitution, she just worked 2 minimum wage jobs and went without. She has also now went back to college to get a masters in psychology and works with mentally challenged people.

[blue]

Alot of the problems we are seeing in the US is lack of choice, not a lack of change.

I probably could have made a better argument but I agree with you.


Nope, it is the way people CHOOSE to live that makes their lives what they are.

Quoted for the truth.

[Ginger's Mom]

-------

:And yes, you are naive if you believe most people get hired because of their qualifications. They get hired because of where they went to school, who they know, how well they interview, how well they dress, and ...yeah qualifications:

Almost all of the above is what I define as qualifications... Schooling, interview, dress... The only I dont is who they know...
-------------



All of those are, or maybe I should say can be, culturally different. If you are saying that you think what school they went to, how they dress, and how well they interview should be factors, than you have to understand that a person's background and culture are going to influence those things. So the white anglo-saxon person who is doing the interviewing has a certain idea of what is "appropriate" dress, behavior, schooling, that may not be the same as someone from a different cultural background. Therefore, the hiring person is going to hire the person with whom he feels most comfortable. That is even more true the higher the position is in the hierarchy of the business. It may not matter quite as much for the lower levels, which is why the minorities are working in the lower level minimum pay jobs.

Your husband's mother may have been just as qualified to work a higher paying job as those that were in that position, but because of cultural prejudice she didn't get it. She had to work two minimum wage jobs, and had raise her children in a bad situation, rather than being given the opportunity of getting out. And you feel that nothing should be done to change people's attitudes toward cultural differences? I have to repeat myself, you cannot ignore it and hope it will go away, or straighten itself out.

[Edwina's Secretary]

Hey, minorities get into college for free... ISNT that on a HIGHER playing field ? An unfair advantage?? My parents and myself have to pay for my schooling, work hard EVERYDAY, but someone else, can just get in for free? That is not equal OR fair to me...


Edited to add: And no, myself or my family has never been on ANY government assistance. I believe that people who TRULY need it should get it.

I am glad to hear no one in your family has ever received unemployment insuance or social security. Those are government assistance programs many people take advantage of at some time!

There are many programs -- scholarships, grants, assistance -- available to people who are white. There are scholarships for people who are left-handed, whose foreparents came from Slovenia -- all kinds of things. I just hired a young woman who went to an excellent school -- full ride -- because she is a good softball player.

Is that fair? Not if you are right handed -- or your foreparents came from Croatia -- or if you are very uncoordinated.

Fair is when I get what I want. Unfair is when I don't. Really unfair is when someone else gets what I want.

But I must ask...you love your race? I can understand loving your pets, your spouse, your children, your family...but your race?? What is it about your race that you love?

[Alysser]

I'd go with Dennis (The Menace) from Cleveland, but he dropped out. :(

:D

LOL :D

[Giselle]

Once again, HOW can these people break out of the cycle when their only option - education - is severely underfunded and, oftentimes, chaotic? Take a look at Oakland public schools, Richmond public schools, Compton public schools, etc. etc. These children are battling incompetent teachers, indifferent parents, outdated textbooks, inadequate nutrition, gang violence, lack of resources, drugs, prostitution, etc. They are battling *generations* of these influences. It's not a one time thing. It's not a single mistake. It's generations of mistakes.It's not that easy to break the cycle when your family has been living within it for generations and generations.

And, Blue, maybe it's not as pervasive in your area, but prostitution is NOT a choice for many girls in my area. It's something they've been pushed into. We recently had a child prostitution ring broken up. Do these children (pre-teens and young teens) really CHOOSE to sell their bodies? I highly doubt it.

[RICHARD]

Once again, HOW can these people break out of the cycle when their only option - education - is severely underfunded and, oftentimes, chaotic?

I think that parents should take more of a role in teaching their kid to go to school and learn. IT's tough enough for a teacher to teach their lesson plan, they shouldn't have to be responsible for baby sitting, teaching, policing and raising kids.

[Catty1]

Who's going to teach the parents about education when they never learned - nor did their ancestors from generations back?