Comments on: Obama Pays The Price For Impotence http://enlightened-american.com/2010/01/20/obama-pays-the-price-for-impotence One person's quest to make sense of a senseless American economy and society. Sun, 08 Jan 2012 12:07:34 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0 By: Davy Bui http://enlightened-american.com/2010/01/20/obama-pays-the-price-for-impotence/comment-page-1#comment-29637 Davy Bui Thu, 21 Jan 2010 18:14:08 +0000 http://enlightened-american.com/?p=607#comment-29637 Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. I understand where you are coming from and frankly, the historical context of lynching never entered my mind until you mentioned. After reading your thoughtful comment, I tried to use a different word/phrase but after a few minutes and even looking up synonyms, I decided to keep the word because it fit exactly what I wanted to convey. Being a bleeding heart progressive, I don't disregard these sentiments easily. But at the same time, I and many others do not view Obama as the "black President" -- he's simply the POTUS to us and honestly, it's tiring to continually deal with race when discussing Obama. For non-African-Americans, there are so many important issues that dwarf the state of race relations -- 10% unemployment, deficits as far as the eye can see, dysfunctional government/corporate system, health care, etc. Being a minority, I have been subjected to discrimination in the past, even though Asians are supposed to be the model minority. Of course, the historical plight of African-Americans dwarfs those of other minorities so I am not trying to compare. But Obama himself knew that he could not become a symbol of race relations. If the American people thought electing Obama meant 4 years of constantly discussing race, we would have picked someone else. Besides, isn't the whole point to pick the best qualified person regardless of skin color vs. special treatment because of their skin color? Do I need to use a special dictionary when lambasting the President just because he's black? Hi Brian, thanks for the comment. I understand where you are coming from and frankly, the historical context of lynching never entered my mind until you mentioned. After reading your thoughtful comment, I tried to use a different word/phrase but after a few minutes and even looking up synonyms, I decided to keep the word because it fit exactly what I wanted to convey.

Being a bleeding heart progressive, I don’t disregard these sentiments easily. But at the same time, I and many others do not view Obama as the “black President” — he’s simply the POTUS to us and honestly, it’s tiring to continually deal with race when discussing Obama. For non-African-Americans, there are so many important issues that dwarf the state of race relations — 10% unemployment, deficits as far as the eye can see, dysfunctional government/corporate system, health care, etc.

Being a minority, I have been subjected to discrimination in the past, even though Asians are supposed to be the model minority. Of course, the historical plight of African-Americans dwarfs those of other minorities so I am not trying to compare. But Obama himself knew that he could not become a symbol of race relations. If the American people thought electing Obama meant 4 years of constantly discussing race, we would have picked someone else.

Besides, isn’t the whole point to pick the best qualified person regardless of skin color vs. special treatment because of their skin color? Do I need to use a special dictionary when lambasting the President just because he’s black?

]]> By: Brian http://enlightened-american.com/2010/01/20/obama-pays-the-price-for-impotence/comment-page-1#comment-29624 Brian Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:06:40 +0000 http://enlightened-american.com/?p=607#comment-29624 I'm enjoying your article and agree with nearly all of your positions taken within it but I must say that your 'lynchIng' imagery was very poorly chosen. I'm furious at both Obama and the bankers but that metaphor presses upon an American historical wound which I'm afraid is still quite tender. I was horrified of your choice in that instance. I’m enjoying your article and agree with nearly all of your positions taken within it but I must say that your ‘lynchIng’ imagery was very poorly chosen. I’m furious at both Obama and the bankers but that metaphor presses upon an American historical wound which I’m afraid is still quite tender. I was horrified of your choice in that instance.

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