elkston on 20/7/2008 at 05:35

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Yandros,

First of all, I want you to know that I appreciate all the work you have done in the FM community and I am not trying to have a beef with you.

On the temporary boards you expressed your displeasure with Barack Obama. You felt he was a "demagouge" and that his policies were too radical, even destructive.

I urge you to read this article in The New Yorker which chronicles his rise in Chicago:

(http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2008/07/21/080721fa_fact_lizza?printable=true) Making It: How Chicago Shaped Obama

It is very long, but amazingly comprehensive and illuminating. The tone is neither one of support or criticism. It is pure fact and analysis.

It may not change your mind about Obama (indeed, some bits may seem unflattering), but it will dispel any notions you have that he is a crazy radical bent on destroying American institutions.

What I got from the article (and reinforced from my other Obama knowledge):

1. Obama is a tough and skillful politician who knows how to win, BUT plays by the rules. For his supporters like me, this is refreshing. He is not some softie liberal that is going to be pushed around.

2. Obama is not a far leftie. He is firmly in Democrat territory, but leans towards the center. He is a pragmatist who sees the world as it is. Read his books (Audacity of Hope, Dreams of My Father). Faith based initiatives, gun rights, support for war when it makes sense. This has always been part of his philosophy. His recent policy announcements are not "MOVES TO THE CENTER" or flip-flops as his opponents say. They are affirmations of positions he has always held. He is not just some unprincipled politician. He is standing up for what he believes.

3. Obama wants change, but not chaos. He will work for reform but never in drastic, unilaterial shifts. He has a reputation for listening to all view points and making informed decisions when he he has all the facts.

So please, let go of your "fear" of Obama. He's new. His name is funny. He's black. He's a bit different. But ultimately, Barack is an AMERICAN and wants to lead this country to a better place.

Cast you vote as you like, of course. But do so with clarity and understanding of where each candidate is coming from.

I just wanted to share the article with you. If you have already read it or already knew this about Obama, then please excuse me.

Koki on 20/7/2008 at 08:47

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I'll try to (http://macrochan.org/source/R/J/RJSXPT34YLSWIPS4E65PKNDU4GUMOCVK.jpeg) save this thread but I can't promise you anything

Shayde on 20/7/2008 at 16:37

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Oh Dear Gawd the blackness of the pot!

ZylonBane on 20/7/2008 at 18:33

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Ahh, the resident dummies are a never-ending fount of amusement.

Peanuckle on 20/7/2008 at 18:47

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This is the funniest news I've read in a long time.

Koki, I don't understand what that picture is.