Yes, we can.

[scaeagles]

CP, are you suggesting that you don't want all aspects of Obama discussed here? If so, I'll step out, because i am not an Obama enthusiast.

But as that request hasn't been made yet....

I've been trying to really think about what bothers me about what Mrs. Obama said....she wasn't speaking off the cuff. It was a prepared comment. She had the time to review what she wanted to say and worded it this way anyway. This tells me that she isn't proud that we led the way to the fall of the Soviet Union - and if she doesn't believe it was because of the US and UK, that bothers me all the more. There are too many things the US does that are good to say she hasn't been proud of the US in her adult life. Unless she's only 20. Then I guess I could understand it a bit more.

[3894]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

I've been trying to really think about what bothers me about what Mrs. Obama said....she wasn't speaking off the cuff. It was a prepared comment. She had the time to review what she wanted to say and worded it this way anyway. This tells me that she isn't proud that we led the way to the fall of the Soviet Union - and if she doesn't believe it was because of the US and UK, that bothers me all the more. There are too many things the US does that are good to say she hasn't been proud of the US in her adult life. Unless she's only 20. Then I guess I could understand it a bit more.

With all due respect, scaeagles, it's not rocket science. Mrs. Obama is an African-American woman. She was talking about living people who've endured Jim Crow laws, who thought that they'd never, ever see an African-American run for president in their lifetime.

It's a squeeze into those pink, pointy-toed pumps, but put yourself in her shoes. It takes a hell of a lot of love for your country to let your spouse run for president. It takes triple that if he's a black man and triple- prime assassination target.

Edited to add: The extreme right wing's attacks on the patriotism of other Americans is beyond tiresome, beyond boring, and right into past-date garbage.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by 3894

With all due respect, scaeagles, it's not rocket science. Mrs. Obama is an African-American woman. She was talking about living people who've endured Jim Crow laws, who thought that they'd never, ever see an African-American run for president in their lifetime.

It's a squeeze into those pink, pointy-toed pumps, but put yourself in her shoes. It takes a hell of a lot of love for your country to let your spouse run for president. It takes triple that if he's a black man and triple- prime assassination target.

Edited to add: The extreme right wing's attacks on the patriotism of other Americans is beyond tiresome, beyond boring, and right into past-date garbage.

Hmmm....I dont recall Jim Crow laws during her adult life.....she said during her adult life. She has obviously been so downtrodden (I'm being sarcastic with that in case it didn't come across). She didn't say she didn't love her country. She said there was nothing in the last 26 years (she's 44) that she's been proud of. That's ridiculous and after thinking about it, I make no apology for calling her out about it. She said it twice during the day in two different locations. She meant exactly what she said.

And I'm not going to fall for the extreme right wing attack on Patriotism rhetoric. I did no such thing except to point out a major and world changing historical event. I didn't put words in her mouth.

[3894]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

She said there was nothing in the last 26 years (she's 44) that she's been proud of. That's ridiculous and after thinking about it, I make no apology for calling her out about it. She said it twice during the day in two different locations. She meant exactly what she said.

Mrs. Obama said,

"Let me tell you, for the first time in my adult life, I am really proud of my country. Not just because Barack is doing well, but I think people are hungry for change."

You can't see that she's talking about a political process that excluded African-Americans until recently????

I did no such thing except to point out a major and world changing historical event. I didn't put words in her mouth.

But you continue to divorce her words from her context. It's shrill and it's dishonest.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by 3894

But you continue to divorce her words from her context. It's shrill and it's dishonest.

Putting words in her mouth such as she's talking about Jim Crow laws - which most certainly were not in existance during her adult life - is completely in context and completely honest, then?

I know exactly what she said. This is the first time in the last 26 years she's been proud of her country. I am taking nothing out of context whatsoever, while you are linking her words in some sort of odd spin to laws that have not existed during the time frame she references.

[3894]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

Putting words in her mouth such as she's talking about Jim Crow laws - which most certainly were not in existance during her adult life - is completely in context and completely honest, then?

I know exactly what she said. This is the first time in the last 26 years she's been proud of her country. I am taking nothing out of context whatsoever, while you are linking her words in some sort of odd spin to laws that have not existed during the time frame she references.

Put yourself in her shoes. She is talking about her own frame of reference. My advice is to attack Obama on more substantive grounds, if you disagree with him.

[scaeagles]

Originally Posted by 3894

Put yourself in her shoes. She is talking about her own frame of reference. My advice is to attack Obama on more substantive grounds, if you disagree with him.

I have pointed out disagreements. I do not regard them as attacks.

I didn't bring this up, and in fact, I didn't jump on it at all.

No need to go more into it. I simply commented on something being discussed but apparently struck a nerve.

[Alex]

Originally Posted by scaeagles

This is the first time in the last 26 years she's been proud of her country. I am taking nothing out of context whatsoever, while you are linking her words in some sort of odd spin to laws that have not existed during the time frame she references.

Well, according to the quote you gave she said this is the first time she is really proud of her country. Maybe she was just mildly proud the rest of the time. Or just passively proud.