Poll: Positive Feelings For Michelle Obama

[Dexter Morgan]

I've always been proud of my country. I find no shame whatsoever with America. America has done nothing worse than any other country in the world. 

[dan foster]

Her statement, "I have never proud of my country until now" was a stupid mistake on her part. It wasn't what she meant, but she said it and now she has to live with it. It seems to me that she should really be proud of her country when she and her husband received a first rate education because of this country, lived in a million dollar house, and made an extremely good living, because of living in this country. She needs to think before she speaks.

Tiger Woods should be very proud, as well; millions of dollars in earnings.  Problem is, there are country clubs on the tour list that only recently would have allowed him to play, as a black man.  So, maybe he too is only recently proud.  The obamas could still be jacked up just about anywhere in the US because they are black, if they weren't now President and First Lady.  We've come a long way, but that doesn't erase the very, very recent past.

[dan foster]

I've always been proud of my country. I find no shame whatsoever with America. America has done nothing worse than any other country in the world. 

That's because we let you play, but we know not with a full deck.  When you can look up Stage 6 of Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Development, and understand it, you might just get a glimpse the hollowness of your proclamation.  It isn't that "America has done nothing worse than any other country in the world".  Try telling that to the folks that are alive today that still have the scars of canine teeth and baton marks just so they could be treated with dignity and not told they couldn't drink from same fountain, eat at the same counter or use the same public facilities as whites.  Try selling the "nothing worse" claim to the parents of children killed by a bomb, just because they were black.

So, I am not one of them, but I would sure like to hear your argument.

[Anne]

Tiger Woods should be very proud, as well; millions of dollars in earnings.  Problem is, there are country clubs on the tour list that only recently would have allowed him to play, as a black man.  So, maybe he too is only recently proud.  The obamas could still be jacked up just about anywhere in the US because they are black, if they weren't now President and First Lady.  We've come a long way, but that doesn't erase the very, very recent past.

I don't know about golf courses, but the Obamas are the age of my children and they grew up with many black children and none of them were kept from doing anything they wanted. At some point in time the past has to be the past. We have to move on. I doubt Mrs. Obama was ever kept out of a movie theatre or restaurant or swimming pool because of her color. If that is what is bothering her she needs to rethink her situation.

[WVaGAL]

I like her..she is intelligent..dresses nicely...well spoken...she is a devoted wife and Mother..and she speaks her mind...

[kimmi]

I've always been proud of my country. I find no shame whatsoever with America. America has done nothing worse than any other country in the world. 

That is very easy to say when you are a white person.  Sorry my Grandmother was a few years away from interment camps here in American because of her Japanese heritage.  That does not make me completely proud of this country.

[kimmi]

I don't know about golf courses, but the Obamas are the age of my children and they grew up with many black children and none of them were kept from doing anything they wanted. At some point in time the past has to be the past. We have to move on. I doubt Mrs. Obama was ever kept out of a movie theatre or restaurant or swimming pool because of her color. If that is what is bothering her she needs to rethink her situation.

Clearly it is very difficult to understand the continued feelings of fear and lack of trust the black community has with authority, especially white authority.  I dated a black man for 3 years and I got a glimpse of what it is like.  When we traveled, he brought several forms of ID, his driving record, and any other potentially effective forms of information that would keep him out of trouble.  When I travel I have my license.  That's it.  I don't think anything of it, because I don't have to. He had been drug down "to the station" on two occasions because someone with the same name had a warrant - different middle name, but he was black so they took him down anyway.  You probably wouldn't have to worry about that.  You'd get an "I'm sorry for the inconvenience ma'am."  Don't think for a second that it is not still happening, because it is.  Just because in your neighborhood you don't blatantly see it, doesn't mean it is not there.

[Dexter Morgan]

That's because we let you play, but we know not with a full deck.  When you can look up Stage 6 of Kohlberg's Levels of Moral Development, and understand it, you might just get a glimpse the hollowness of your proclamation.  It isn't that "America has done nothing worse than any other country in the world".  Try telling that to the folks that are alive today that still have the scars of canine teeth and baton marks just so they could be treated with dignity and not told they couldn't drink from same fountain, eat at the same counter or use the same public facilities as whites.  Try selling the "nothing worse" claim to the parents of children killed by a bomb, just because they were black.

So, I am not one of them, but I would sure like to hear your argument.

Dan, you're playing the race card pretty hard. I'm proud to be an American that will never change. I do understand what people of color have went through. You know what.... I think you just want a pissing match here. You really want very badly for me to be a racist for some reason? Because I don't agree with you... I'm a racist, right wing, religious freak in your opinion. Shout it out all you want Dan.... I never was... nor will I ever be ...any of those labels you're trying to put on me. Obviously.... by the way you keep attacking me all over the forum ,I've really pissed in your Cheerios, and gotten your panties in a bunch. I hope you haven't popped a vein over any of this.  hmmmm...

[Dexter Morgan]

That is very easy to say when you are a white person.  Sorry my Grandmother was a few years away from interment camps here in American because of her Japanese heritage.  That does not make me completely proud of this country.

I said this to Dan somewhere.... how do you know I'm not black? I have extreme sympathy for what has gone on over the years to everyone involved. 

[dan foster]

I said this to Dan somewhere.... how do you know I'm not black? I have extreme sympathy for what has gone on over the years to everyone involved. 

Seems you have changed your tune.  Feeling a bit guilty?

[kimmi]

I said this to Dan somewhere.... how do you know I'm not black? I have extreme sympathy for what has gone on over the years to everyone involved. 

Well let's just go with the theory that you are black Dexter.  Are you not ashamed of the way your grandparents were treated in not such a distant past?  How about the way your parents were treated?  Have you had an issue getting a job?  Do people follow you around the store because you just might try and steal something?  Do people assume that you are going to tell them your name is something with 5 syllables and a bunch of punctuation, but raise their eyebrows when you tell them your name is Mike, Phyllis, or Gail? 

You aren't ashamed of that happening to your imaginary black relatives? 

[Dexter Morgan]

Seems you have changed your tune.  Feeling a bit guilty?

Guilty for what? I've done nothing wrong Dan... why do you twist things? I have sympathy for a lot of people. I even have sympathy for you Dan even though you bash me. I've done nothing to you Dan, and yet you attack me. 

[Dexter Morgan]

Well let's just go with the theory that you are black Dexter.  Are you not ashamed of the way your grandparents were treated in not such a distant past?  How about the way your parents were treated?  Have you had an issue getting a job?  Do people follow you around the store because you just might try and steal something?  Do people assume that you are going to tell them your name is something with 5 syllables and a bunch of punctuation, but raise their eyebrows when you tell them your name is Mike, Phyllis, or Gail? 

You aren't ashamed of that happening to your imaginary black relatives? 

I'm ashamed that things like that happened and still do. You guys act like I'm in the KKK or something. Maybe, you could explain why you feel like that. I got on this thread and got ambushed. Just because I didn't vote for Obama doesn't mean I'm a racist. I don't agree so I get attacked. I haven't been nasty or insulting to anybody here unless they attack me, which recently has been constantly. I can have an opinion, and I WILL state it. If people can't handle it too bad... sooo sad. 

[kimmi]

I'm ashamed that things like that happened and still do. You guys act like I'm in the KKK or something. Maybe, you could explain why you feel like that. I got on this thread and got ambushed. Just because I didn't vote for Obama doesn't mean I'm a racist. I don't agree so I get attacked. I haven't been nasty or insulting to anybody here unless they attack me, which recently has been constantly. I can have an opinion, and I WILL state it. If people can't handle it too bad... sooo sad. 

So you can have an opinion, but Michelle Obama cannot.  Is that what I'm getting? 

[Dexter Morgan]

Yes she can!!!!  She's in a position that she has to be careful with what she says. It's all about political correctness. Her comment didn't sit well with a lot of people. It doesn't matter if it was her or Laura Bush, it wasn't the right thing to say. People tend to hang on every word that is said by politicians. It seems unpatriotic to say that IMO.