Comments on: Stuff

By: Autumnal Harvest

Autumnal Harvest — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:29:22 +0000

It’s not a media-fueled controversy because the media doesn’t cover it that much.

Is this a joke?

By: Autumnal Harvest

Autumnal Harvest — Fri, 02 May 2008 13:26:00 +0000

We had this discussion before, but again, I don’t see why you claim the protests are ineffective. I wouldn’t say they’re amazingly effective, but they’re at least as effective as anything else. You say that “the protesters would have more luck bringing attention to human rights abuses by pressuring Obama, Clinton, and McCain than trying to dump water on a torch.” But none of those three are going to care about human rights abuses in China unless those abuses are in the news, giving them a political reason to care about them. Dumping water on a torch is silly, but if it get’s the attention of the national and world media (which it did), it’s accomplished it’s purpose.

Considering how closely intertwined our economic fates are with China. . ., protesting their human rights record by ~~threatening to skip their party~~ writing a politician . . . sounds about as effective as protesting Wal-Mart’s labor practices by writing “You Suck” on your receipt. Both versions of this statement are probably equally true.

By: the efficacy and purpose of protest « Nuclear Rays From My Halogen Haze

the efficacy and purpose of protest « Nuclear Rays From My Halogen Haze — Thu, 01 May 2008 19:00:12 +0000

[...] 1, 2008 by orangehairboy I love love love Greg over at The Talent Show, but he has an aversion to public protests that I simply do not share. Here’s a not atypical example: Considering [...]

By: pogo

pogo — Thu, 01 May 2008 16:33:27 +0000

I won’t fault Senator Obama for explaining how his views differ from Rev. Wrights,the idea that people believe everything their pastor believes,is just wrong to begin with.I don’t believe Rev. Wright ask for fifeteen minutes of fame,he has every right to speak out in his own defence.He has expressed his anger against systematic exploitation,oppression,and murder,one can argue the details,but the fact that these evils existed,and still exist,in America,is undeniable.The Rev. Wright is not alone,tucked away in America’s ghettos,reservations,churchs,and prisons,there are many who share his views.This media extravaganza was created as a tool to discredit Seantor Obama,perhaps voters will see thru this “issue”,and seek to understand,and address the very real issues presented by the Rev. Wright.This is not about Senator Obama,it is about the brutality,and injustice,practiced on generations of American citizens.It is about an unfair demand,that those victims,continue to suffer,past,and,present atrocities,in silence.

By: orangehairboy

orangehairboy — Thu, 01 May 2008 09:37:40 +0000

Er, my comment above should say “1936 Berlin Olympic triumph.”

By: Doobie

Doobie — Thu, 01 May 2008 06:30:14 +0000

Don’t be surprised if Wright gets his own talk show out of all this.

By: orangehairboy

orangehairboy — Thu, 01 May 2008 01:51:48 +0000

I think you’re putting a little too much hurt on the Olympics protestors. Considering that the Chinese government has relocated millions of people just to build the facilities for it, and jailed thousands of protesters, specifically for the Olympics, not to mention all the pet murdering that’s going on, I think attending the games would be a big “fuck you” to all the people who are suffering becuase of China’s brutality. That’s not even including the treatment of Tibet and, indirectly, Darfur by the Chinese government. And that’s, I think, the point behind the protests of the torch. We don’t want to allow China to have their own 1934 Berlin Olympic triumph while standing on the backs of brutalized people.

You’re also implying that because people are involved in grassroots protests, they are not focusing on electoral politics, but I’ve never met a protestor who does not also email and call their representatives on a regular basis. They also tend to vote with their dollars and not support organizations or advertisers who are on the conservative side.

By: greg

greg — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:58:20 +0000

That may be a part of it, but the real reason Obama needed to cut Wright off is because the Reverend has been on a media tour making Obama look like a political phony. Obama had already distanced himself from Wright’s more controversial views. The fact that Wright seemed intent on milking his fifteen minutes of fame to throw his friend under the bus by not only reiterating the statements that caused so much controversy, but then implying that Obama agrees with them and is lying to voters.

While I definitely agree that there’s been a racist subtext to this whole Wright mess since day one, he’s been acting like an asshole for the last few days and threatening Obama’s chances to become president in the process. As much as I hate this “guilt by association” crap that our media obsesses over, Wright’s statements about Obama really did need to be addressed.

By: pogo

pogo — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:42:50 +0000

The Rev. Wright has his own understanding of American history,that is his right,and I defend his right to express these views.If your ancestors arrived here on the Mayflower,perhaps one has a rosey picture of this nation’s history,if your ancestors arrived on a slave ship,this same history maybe seen in a far harsher light.Our phoney leaders,and media jackals,howl for his blood,because he seeks to publicly defend himself,and his church.Speaking on CNN,David Gergen praised Senator Obama’s rebuttal,saying how great it was that the senator had put the Rev. Wright “in his place”.The message here is simple, America should fear black men who refuse to accept the propaganda sanctioned by the goverment,and,their media shills. Welcome to the new plantation,its not your skin they hate,its your right to think,speak,and believe,in those ideas your overseers do not approve of. Some had hoped Rev. Wright would accept his media beating in silence,as yet another example for those Americains who would dare think,or speak,for themselves.The Rev. Wright is told to remain silent so Senator Obama can be elected president,because association with one black man who speaks his mind freely,could frighten feeble minded voters,and ruin Senator Obama’s chance to be the leader of the “free” world.The media hacks are “offended” by the words,passions,and,ideas,of one black preacher,who dared to speak HIS TRUTH,without the sanction of the powerfull,and,in defiance of those who deem themselfs the Masters of “correct” speech,thought,and behavior.The good Revernd Wright has been tied to the public whipping post,and,for those gullible enogh to assist in his lashing,fear,and ignorance,will not wash the blood of his battered freedoms,from your hands.

By: Vic

Vic — Wed, 30 Apr 2008 17:20:12 +0000

Clearly, Obama needs to denounce anyone black who’s ever said or done anything disagreeable ever.

WHEN IS OBAMA GOING TO DENOUNCE NAT TURNER’S ACTIONS?!