By D. Lindley Young

Obama wanted to get involved in the Civil Rights movement, but, he was a little late.

The sixties launched the ship or some would argue, put it in dock
The struggle for civil rights has been a long time coming and maybe a long way to go.

The Civil Rights movement had made significant advances  through Martin Luther King, Jr., W. E. B. Du Bois, Rosa Parks, James Meredith, Stokely Carmichael, Malcolm X, Jesse Jackson, Joe Lewis,  Jackie Robinson, and Jesse Owens. They made a difference. They were part of a movement. They directly affected substantial change, if not in a lot of peoples' attitude, but in the law.

A series of civil rights demonstrations and crises prompted President John F. Kennedy to take a more active stance and to introduce comprehensive new legislation in 1963 on the issue. In 1964 deadly racial violence erupted in Selma, Alabama.

African-Americans were attacked by police while preparing to march to Montgomery to protest voting rights discrimination. In 1965 President Lyndon Johnson signed the Voter Rights Act to attempt to assure voting rights for African-Americans.

When Obama answered the ad  by Jerry Kellman, a social activist, who recruited Obama in Chicago as a community organizer, Obama wanted to be a civil rights leader.

Although Obama was soon made to realize the movement had its birth in the 60s and that he had missed Selma, Montgomery and Martin Luther King, Jr., he never let go of his racial ambitions.

Recently, Obama went to Africa and told the people there to "get over colonialism" and pull themselves together.  Then Obama, America's became the first black president to take a  tour of Cape Coast Castle, a seaside fortress used by slave traders starting in the 17th century.

He took the opportunity to commit on slavery, noting: "As painful as it is, I think that it helps to teach all of us that we have to do what we can to fight against the kinds of evils that sadly still exist in our world, not just on this continent but in every corner of the globe," Obama said somberly at end of his visit to the compound.

He likened his tour of the slave castle to his visit last month to the site of the former Nazi concentration camp at Buchenwald in Germany, saying "it reminds us of the capacity of human beings to commit great evil."

Obama then gave his spe
ech to the NAACP lecturing other blacks on several issues. Then, came Gates- a perfect opportunity to foist himself into the fray to bolster his racial leader credentials, for some. But, what he did was show his racism. The black is always the victim and the police only arrested Gates because he was black. Now, that is racism, not leadership.

Obama automatically concluded without the facts that Gates was a victim of racism and that the police "acted stupidly." This is racism. Snap judgments based upon color.

See: http://www.themoderntribune.com

Looking Back to Protect the Future - Prosecute Bush

By D. Lindley Young

WASHINGTON, D.C. (TMT) (7/11) - The Republicans tout the rule of law as their moral banner, but, now argue that it should not be applied to George W. Bush because we need to look to the future. This is, as the saying goes: baloney.

It is the height of hypocrisy to argue we should not look back at the Bush administration's war crimes, FISA violations, disregard for the War Powers Act of 1973, the National Security Act of 1947, constitutional violations, and other high crimes and misdemeanors, if they really believe that rule of law is important, or that it matters at all.
 
All crimes occur in the past. So, carrying the Republican argument to its logical end, no crime should be prosecuted. Is this, let's call it the "in the past" exception, only reserved for the most serious crimes by those in the highest office? Are they arguing the Richard Nixon concept that "if the President does it, it is not illegal"?

Congress has a Constitutional obligation of oversight in order to assure a balance of powers. That oversight requires investigation when there is reason to beleive that the President has exceeded his powers or committed crimes and the Attorney General Eric Holder has a duty to prosecute criminal conduct be a president, even if it is a Republican. This should not be a partisan issue. This should be about assuring that democracy works and making clear that no one is above the law.

Let the cards fall where there may. The investigation alone could act as a deterrent to future crimes by Presidents.

See: http://www.themoderntribune.com

US President Barack Obama is taking fire from all sides on his position, or some would say lack of it, on Iran. Some say he hasn't done enough and others say he has done too much: the US is meddling.

Only the most uninformed would argue that has said nothing to support or inspire the Iranian riots. Indeed, Obama has given the Iran rioters his nod of approval by making clear that their "robust" action "inspires" him, if not the world. He clearly supports the Iranian riots with approval. To Obama throwing, bricks, wielding clubs, breaking windows and burning cars and buildings is just an exuberate youth expressing themselves.

Obama calls stoning the police, breaking windows, burning cars and buildings, using clubs and attaching police stations in his words, "peaceful." Yet, this same conduct in WTO protests in Seattle, at the 1968 democratic convention in Chicago, or at Kent State and Jackson where we shots students, or the Watts riots, or L.A. after Rodney King got off in Van Nuys, were intolerable to many and the rule of law..

Well, finally he sees that something isn't quite right. This peaceful expression of democracy is now "outrageous." A reporter asked, "What took you so long?" To realize what? Not that brick throwing, club wielding or burning down Tehran was "Outrageous," but, Obama sees the riots in Iran as "outrageous," because the mullahs want the riots stopped. Because they use threats and force to try to stop the riots they are oppressive. Hum. Over 400 cities were recently burned in Europe. Is that what to mullahs are supposed to allow? Obama apparently thinks so.

If this is the lens through which Obama sees the world, we are in big trouble. He has no sense of reality nor of right or wrong. Sure, the mullahs are an easy target, but, fairness requires you see the whole picture. You can't just see what you want. Pick and choose the parts in order to perpetuate a predetermined course of war with the bad guy.

Look at the whole picture. One sided is one side, no matter what side you are on.

For me it is about the truth, at least as I see it. Democrat or Republican, right or left, don't really matter. Being a liar or one who can't see his hand in front of his face or one who believes that "we" believe he can't see his hand, is what matters.

If the truth isn't good enough, then it is just not good enough. We identify a bad guy and distort everything to prove he is worse than he is. The bad guy becomes the monster threatening the world and a sense of urgency to destroy the monster permeates the West and Isreal.

I am not defending Iran, but, let's get real. What are they supposed to do? Nothing. Just play the fiddle while the country burns.

It may be argued that they have been fairly restrained in view of the size of the rioting crowds and the level of violence they direct at the authorities.

Wouldn't you, as a country, be a little concerned when riots break out so quickly and ferociously just after an election which by many accounts was at worst close. The spark for the fire was the scream: "fixed." No real evidence other than what appears to be fabricated (the letter from the Interior Department), exists or has yet to be produced.

This spontaneous combustion makes no sense. It is just anger directed in any direction it can find vents. The elections, the mullahs, the system, woman's rights, etc. etc. It changes every day. Similar to US excuses for invading Iraq.

Anyway, these riots occur after the US put Iran on the terrorist list, named them as one of the three members of the "axis of evil," has debated for years whether the US or Israel would hit them first and whether nuclear weapons would be used.

Add to that the 1953 overthrow of their democratically elected president and 8 years of US backed war with Saddam and the use of chemical weapons.

And maybe they know our budget contains $750,000,000 for regime change, special ops have gone into Iran, and we back a pro-democracy movement in Iran.

There are two sides to every story. We should be fair and not just swallow the bull.

Today Beverly Hills based film producer Bettina Viviano, founder of Viviano Entertainment, announced the start of a “30 Day Campaign for Truth” about presidential hopeful Barack Obama. The campaign will center on a documentary film entitled “We Will Not Be Silenced” produced by Viviano Entertainment and directed by Gigi Gaston. See www.wewillnotbesilenced2008.com

We are told that we are in or facing the worst financial crisis since the Great Depression – that it is a “financial Pearl Harbor” We are told that we haven’t seen anything yet. We are told that is if we don’t feel the pain of high gas prices, high food prices, runaway inflation, a struggling dollar, a depressed housing market, 6.1% unemployment, a huge trade deficit, and stagnant wages, then, brace yourself for these things are only the gentle winds that proceed the category 5 hurricane. Since Katrina - when the government says vacant or you die - most people listen. Well, we are told by the experts that if we don’t act fast, really fast – that’s this week, a financial tsunami will hit.

Today, Obama called McCain's economic plan a "cracker jack plan." He has called Republicans "ignorant." McCain a "liar." Small town Americans "bitter." And, some believe that he has implied that those that oppose him are racists. "Did I mention he's black?" (See http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y4bx-c...)

As put by Peter Karsinow on The Corner:

"As Seth Liebsohn notes below, Obama calls those who have pointed out his false explanations regarding his Born-Alive vote liars. Obama has a penchant for pejoratives unique among modern presidential candidates. Last week he called Republicans "ignorant." Several times during the campaign he's implied that his opponents are racist. Earlier he derided rural, blue collar Americans as bitter, bible-clinging, gun-toting racist xenophobes. Meanwhile, he yelps at imaginary slights directed at him: yesterday, he once again complained about Republicans questioning his patriotism."

Yes, this is change we can believe in. Name calling all over again.

The good old days. Just like George Bush calling people that opposed him "unpatriotic," whole countries "evil", and others just "evil doers," or "Islamo fascists." One of his best was calling Kim Jong Il a "pygmy."

Name calling worked so well for Bush in winning the hearts and minds of the world, Obama is using name calling in his home cooking. I can't wait to see the global version of this form of domestic diplomacy.

Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones had courage and conviction in her beliefs. It is a sad day in American when she was threatened before her death because of one - her belief in Hillary Clinton. She took the Obama threats very seriously and even increased her security.

Should US press to place missiles in Poland?

Obama's Senior Working Group on National Security is NOT CHANGE we can Believe in. On June 18, Obama convened the first meeting of his "Senior Working Group on National Security," a collection of advisers and possible future Cabinet members in a new administration--many of them former Clinton administration operators. Their record of war-making and imperial arrogance is enough to make your blood curdle.

See: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIPNBJeXirI

* MADELEINE ALBRIGHT - Served a secretary of state in former President Bill Clinton's administration and was a top adviser to the campaign of Obama's former rival, Hillary Clinton. In 1996, CBS's Lesley Stahl asked Madeleine Albright, then secretary of state, about the U.S-imposed sanctions against Iraq. "We have heard that a half million children have died," Stahl said. "I mean, that's more children than died in Hiroshima. Is the price worth it?"
Albright didn't hesitate. "I think this is a very hard choice, but the price--we think the price is worth it," said Albright.

* DAVID BOREN - The former governor and senator from Oklahoma chaired the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. is a former conservative Democratic senator. He was chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He helped push through the appointment of Robert Gates to head the CIA in 1991. Boren's top aide at the time was George Tenet, who would later become director of the CIA under Clinton and later Bush the Younger. Boren is a longtime friend of the Bush family, and has also been courted by the right-wing Reform Party.

* WARREN CHRISTOPHER - Was Bill Clinton's first secretary of state and also served as deputy secretary of state in the Carter administration. As for Iraq, the Clinton administration inherited the devastating economic sanctions imposed by George Bush Sr. before the first Gulf War. When the pressure was on for the new administration to reconsider the sanctions, Christopher gave assurances no such thing would happen. As incoming secretary of state, he told reporters, "I find it hard to share the Baptist belief in redemption.... I see no substantial change in the position and continuing total support for what the [Bush] administration has done." Hundreds of thousands of Iraqis died as a result of the continuing economic blockade.

*DAVID BOREN - Boren is a former conservative Democratic senator. He was chair of the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence. He helped push through the appointment of Robert Gates to head the CIA in 1991. Boren's top aide at the time was George Tenet, who would later become director of the CIA under Clinton and later Bush the Younger. Boren is a longtime friend of the Bush family, and has also been courted by the right-wing Reform Party.

* GREG CRAIG - Was a former senior adviser to Albright in the Clinton administration and later led the team defending Bill Clinton against the impeachment charges involving Clinton's affair with a White House intern. Despite long ties to both Bill and Hillary Clinton, Craig was an early supporter of Obama and has been part of his inner circle of advisers.

* RICHARD DANZIG - Served as secretary of the Navy under Bill Clinton and is an expert on counterterrorism. Danzig was a consultant for Martin Marietta immediately before joining the Clinton administration, he restructured the defense industry in a plan nicknamed "payoffs for layoffs" by Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders, in which the government paid military contractors to consolidate.

* LEE HAMILTON - The former Indiana congressman co-chaired the blue-ribbon commission that investigated the Sept. 11 attacks and was a lead author of Iraq Study Group report that offered recommendations on Iraq to President George W. Bush in 2006.

* ERIC HOLDER - Was deputy attorney general in Bill Clinton's administration and is working with Caroline Kennedy, daughter of slain President John F. Kennedy, in helping to guide Obama's search for a vice presidential running mate.

* ANTHONY LAKE - Was national security adviser to Bill Clinton and has been part of the inner circle of Obama's campaign.

* SAM NUNN - A former senator from Georgia who chaired the Senate Armed Services Committee, Nunn has long been viewed as a leading Democratic voice on foreign policy and some have speculated he might be looked at by Obama as a potential running mate.* WILLIAM PERRY - Was secretary of defense under Bill Clinton.

* SUSAN RICE - The former assistant secretary of state for African Affairs is Obama's senior foreign policy adviser.

* TIM ROEMER - The former Indiana congressman was a member of the 9/11 commission.

* JAMES STEINBERG - Was deputy national security adviser to Bill Clinton.

When it comes to picking a President many Americans may feel, as I, like Shakespeare’s Hamlet trying to tell the real from the unreal, the truth from the lie and the person from the facade. We see what we expect and we expect what we believe. Or, we may see what we hope we could see. Let’s remove the rose glasses for a minute. Stop for just a second. Although caution may be the crutch of the skeptic, it is also the tool of the realist.

We are anxious, and maybe a little desperate, for someone to believe in. We want a person of their word that does what they say. Regardless, many of us cannot help but cautiously test the water before jumping in and supporting any candidate.

Despite being burnt by many politicians, I think that there is something deep within us that hopes we have found the one to believe in.

No doubt about it. Barack Obama inspires and this sparkle is like water for a thirsty man in the desert. Cool and refreshing. But, after being stung so many times when reaching for the honey, we must look to see if the nugget is gold all through and through.

There are some unanswered questions about Obama. Most obviously, the Rezko Affair which puts squarely in issue Barack's judgment, integrity and whether he has real concern for his own people.
 

When he was in the Illinois State Legislature Rezko, whom Obama calls a friend, owned 11 buildings in Obama’s district. Some had no heat in the winter and constituents complained to Obama. It does not appear that Barack did much, if anything, about constituent complaints other than send them to the Housing Authority. During this period Barack took thousands of dollars from Rezko.  It does not appear that he gave the Rezko money to charity until after he was caught.
 

Integrity at the point of a gun, is not much to brag about.

Call me a Doubting Thomas when it comes to all candidates.

We heard the integrity and unity bit before. That bit was the campaign mantra of George W. Bush when he took the 2000 Presidential election. He delivered neither. Bush divided the country more starkly than any President in a century and made hundreds of false statements to lure America into an unnecessary war of aggression. So much for talk.

Many Obama supporters are being swept up in a carnival like atmosphere gleefully riding the merry-go-round while reaching for the brass ring of change. Is what we think we see in Obama real or is it the mirage of a thirsty man in the desert? It cannot hurt to stop for a second, look, and listen. It is so important that it would not be hyperbole to say that the future of America, if not the world, is at stake.

Is Barack Obama a snake oil salesman with a hypnotic potion or a modern day Savanarola striking at political immorality and real change?  

There has always been a thrill of finding fools gold. But, there is despair when the assessor tells us the truth. Let’s hope that Obama is the real thing. But, if he is the snake oil salesman that is the same ole Washington we hate. Pretending to be something you are not is not a new kind of politics. It is the exact thing we want to change.

I am one of those Clinton supporters who just can't let go and sing Koom-by-ya with Obama. Why?

This guy is not what he pretends to be - honest. He is arrogant, a war hawk in disguise ( he wants to hit Iran, challenge Russia and expand war in Afghanistan), has a weak energy plan (tax credit and a distant hope for alternative fuels - no muscle) , does little for the middle class (a $1,000 tax deduction at the end of the year and a pipe dream about giving a $1,000 rebate from oil company profits), and no executive experience - probably less than any president ever.

He has very poor judgment (the surge, drilling, more troops in Afghanistan, his Senior Group on National Security), to many questionable associations (Reverend Wright, Bill Ayers, Tony Rezko, and Frank the Communist), and has lied more often than most (he was not a constitutional law Professor nor was he airlifted to America by John Kennedy; his economic advisor did meet with the Canadian ambassador in Chicago; he did not answer all questions about Rezko from the Chicago Sun Times, and, he was instructed in Islam and studied the Koran).

He is a typical run of the mill politician (blows with the wind and will say anything to get elected. He plagiarizes his best lines (We are the we we've been waiting for, Audacity of hope, the word, tear down that wall, citizen of the world).

Money seems to be more important than duty or his  own people He took money from Tony Rezko while his people went without heat. But, to me, worst of all, he started the race issue and has played the identity politics card like a fiddle (See, Obama is the One who made race the issue on http://www.themoderntribune.com/).

Obama is running neck and neck with McCain in a race that should be a rout. Hillary ended the Democratic primaries with the momentum. She ended up with more popular vote than any primary candidate in history. She had 18 million votes. She won the big ones and she can beat McCain.

There is a lot of buyer’s remorse and feelings of deception as the truth about Obama comes out. When he won most of his states people did not know what he really was. There is a lot more to come.

After the convention it will bone too late.

For the good of America and the Democratic Party Hillary should fight to the end. Then let Obama unite the party with Hillary at the helm.

Obama is the One that made race the issue.

KNOXVILLE (8/5) - In a year when it may only be slight hyperbole to say that no Democratic candidate for President could lose, Obama may have made a fatal mistake that will hand the Republicans a victory.

On June 20th he made race an issue saying, “Did I mention he’s black.” Just last week he said three times in one day: “I want look like the others on the money.”

The McCain campaign fired back that Obama was making race an issue. Senator Lindsay Graham agreed. No secret campaign memo is necessary to prove this point.

These recent comments by Obama are just the tip of the iceberg.