Obama lays out civil rights platform

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:41:51 GMT

I KNEW he would address the "drug war" bias as a civil rights issue - brilliant!

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Lee in CA — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 18:42:35 GMT

What about revoking habeus corpus when the nation is not in a state of insurection, and other Constitutional crimes, such as ignoring a citizen's right to be free of unreasonable searches?

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:01:34 GMT

Loan compensation is a good way to recruit lawyers. Not everyone who goes to law school gets it paid for by their parents, and taking a lower-paying public defender job is just not an option for a lot of new attorneys because of the amount of student loan payments they will have. If I could get some of my loans compensated, I'd definitely be willing to work as a PD.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Crystal — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:10:47 GMT

Score 100 for Obama!!! Awesome job!!!

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Bruce, NV — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:12:18 GMT

Yes, Carrie, Sen. Obama has a good idea there.

Now, about this Jena thing. Those kids kicked the other kid til he was unconcious, then kept kicking and beating him, correct? (I haven't paid much attention). So why shouldn't they be arrested?

Lee, has your, or any citizen you know, lost their right to Habeus Corpus?

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Bee — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:13:01 GMT

Another brilliant speech from Obama! The only candidate with substance without flip-flop.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

eSPO — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:17:45 GMT

I think Barack has a very good approach to race related issues. Our Declaration of Independence says "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty, and the Pursuit of Happiness" Our pledge of allegiance says " all men are created equal" . Barack has a very nice way of saying it is not a race issue it is a justice issue. This negates the politics of prejudice and shines the light where it needs to be. Justice should never be predicated by the color of ones skin,or lack thereof.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Sammie Madison, Queens NY — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:25:50 GMT

(4) close the disparity between punishment for crack-cocaine and powder cocaine;

Need not worry Barack. The statute of limitations has run out. You're off the hook.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Sierra, SF — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:35:07 GMT

'...(1) rid the Department of Justice of “political cronies” and instead staff the civil rights division with qualified attorneys;...'

Excellent !!
After all the damage that's been done by the Bush Mis-Administration and Alberto the Forgetful

(2) create a voting rights division within the DOJ to track and prosecute voter fraud and intimidation;

Checking into voter intimidation is important !
Intimidation of minorities is still the Republican game plan!
The previous Chief Justice, William Rehnquist began his political career by intimidating Hispanic voters in Arizona.

(3) recruit more qualified public defenders by providing college and law school loan compensation as incentives for new attorneys;

It would be nice to see more minority and working class students going into this 'elite' field.
It's a little to pale and a little to male...

This makes a good counterpoint to the Republicans refusal to appear before black or minority oriented audiences.
(and sending out nutzo, Alan Keyes as their token)
The GOP is still mired in it's 'Southern Strategy'
of appealing to southern white males with resentment towards minorities.
Wait another 100 years ......

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Sierra, SF — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:37:26 GMT

'...Need not worry Barack. The statute of limitations has run out. You're off the hook.
Sammie Madison, Queens NY...'

I think he was worried about crackhead George Bush

Obama lays out civil rights platform

squintz, philly, pa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 19:43:02 GMT

Hey Sammie, isn't there a tree in Queens you should be out hanging ropes from?

Good grief.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Nicholas, Minneaps, MN — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:01:06 GMT

Granted, I will agree with the B. Obama opponents that he looks good in a suit. Because I can't imagine how they call him an empty suit when he is the candidate consistently coming up with ideas. Not just ideas, but new and good ideas.

G-Obama '08

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Carrie, Eastern Iowa — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:03:51 GMT

Bruce - Correct. However, from what I read, the white kid pulled a gun on them, which is when things escalated into a physical altercation. Also, there is question about what the kids were charged with. For example, the aggravated battery charge that one was convicted of (by an all-white jury) required the use of a deadly weapon. The weapon that the kid used? His tennis shoes. While they were on his feet.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Crystal — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:10:42 GMT

Bruce NY- I can tell you haven't looked much at it. No, no single person could identify who kicked the boy or could they say if more than one person did it. And that same boy came to school that week with a gun and no charges was filed against him. It is a issue of equality in the justice system.
You have to applaud him for his efforts, I know for alot of you on this board it would be hard to do that b/c you can not sympathize or empathize with people that are in situations other than your own. But I applaud his addressing the disparities and I know that he will make a difference WHEN he becomes our PRESIDENT!!!
And Sammie for you to say that, tells me that you don't know the stats. Never before has any society at any time used imprisonment in this fashion. The impact that this has on the Black community is difficult even to fathom.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Lee in CA — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 20:29:36 GMT

"Lee, has your, or any citizen you know, lost their right to Habeus Corpus? "

Jose Padilla had several civil rights crimes committed against him, Bruce. Besides, it doesn't need to be lost, once it's been declared "optional." Do you wait for the collision before you turn the wheel?

Obama lays out civil rights platform

nuanced — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:24:30 GMT

I posted earlier today that I was disappointed that the candidates had not addressed the voting problems and now Obama does. Brilliant!

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Rusty Horner, Bismark ND — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:35:32 GMT

Do you wait for the collision before you turn the wheel?

Do you expect every car you see to turn in front of you?

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Sten Middleton — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:38:08 GMT

"I think he was worried about crackhead George Bush "

The wife said Barack was off the campaign trail the other day because he had the flu. Nope. Rehab.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

James Clements, Lewisburg, PA — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 21:45:45 GMT

It's doubtless true Sen. Obama has never run anything, not even a corner store, but to my knowledge, neither have Clinton or Edwards. Hillary cannot get her polls above about 48% of democrats. That's maybe 40 % of all registered voters which won't beat Giuliani with his substantial and well publicized managerial experience, his moderate positions on the key social issues, his experience prosecuting organized crime (remember Gotti) and cleaning up New York City.Nobody cares about his three wives, so Hillary's a probable loser in the general election but likely to win the nomination. Get set for Rudy. I'd personally prefer one of several others, including Sen Obama, but "them's the conditions that prevail" and they will prevail unless something unfortunate happens to Giuliani, like being caught in bed with the proverbial dead girl or live boy.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

no mercy for those bent on destruction — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 22:54:58 GMT

Jose Padilla had several civil rights crimes committed against him
Lee in CA (Sent Friday, September 28, 2007 4:29 PM)

All you got is Jose Padilla????
A convicted terrorist is your example?
Put some thought in to your conspirocy theories.
And if anything he had his civil right violated, not civil rights crimes commited against him. Now he's a convicted terrorist, take him out back, put him against the wall, and shoot his dumb *ss. Period. Sorry no hug therapy today.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Susan, NC via LA — Fri, 28 Sep 2007 23:34:09 GMT

Wow, Carrie, where have you been getting your info from? Try http://www.thejenatimes.net for a complete timeline of events in Jena. I have heard so many wild rumors concerning this event.

As for pulling a gun, Barker did not have one. You must be thinking of six months later in May, when he was arrested for having a gun on campus - an unloaded hunting rifle locked in his truck.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Jack in VA — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 01:41:05 GMT

A few comments on Obama's goals:

"(1) rid the Department of Justice of 'political cronies' and instead staff the civil rights division with qualified attorneys" - so he's going to fire all the attorneys that don't agree with his ideas about what makes an attorney "qualified." How's this different from what Bush/Gonzolas did?

"(4) close the disparity between punishment for crack-cocaine and powder cocaine" - This isn't a racial issue. The punishment for crack is much harsher because it is a much more dangerous drug. That being said, I would love to see him end the pointless War on Drugs.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Mary Strand, Carbondale IL — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 16:12:43 GMT

Crystal - sorry to say, it's you who don't know the facts. Obama is a [former] cocaine abuser. The message from Sammie was a [crude] play on Obama's wanting to differentiate between the different types of cocaine.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Ngole - BOSTON, MA — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 19:34:29 GMT

After watching the Democratic debate just this past week on MSNBC, I had to ponder alot on the analyses of the reporters at the end of the debate that leave me the question if they were watching the debate. By this I mean, Sen. Clinton was applauded for being the winner. I question the intelligence of such reporters and this has leaved me to think that their Bosses have been bought by the Clinton campaign. I know this is not a popular thought but that is just the case. Sen. Clinton did not commit to any topic that was brought forth for deliberation, but instead, she remained defiance on the question that were asked by Tim. When she was asked if there were any contributions that she made to Bill Clinton's administration, she was dumfounded and couldn't answer the question. Therefore where is the experience that she claims to have gather from her husband adminitration. One failed healthcare program that Sen. Clinton had, and because of this, the media if freezing on her experience. I think we should seat back and think. Expereince my foot. If you think I am just criticizing her, please, go back and watch that section. But the journalists wouldn't talk about that part. I think is best for our country just to get away from the Clintons and the Bush families.
We need to move forward..... The reign of dynasty is not a good practice for a nation. This is tyranny of the few and less priveledge. We have seen where the Bush family drag us into, and we shouldn’t wait to see what would happen with another Clinton{remember that Bill sold our treasury bonds to China. Now the Chinese don’t want it any more and want to get raid of it, and if they do so, this will lead this country in to infalation. – Nobody is talking about this issue}
I tell you my dear country men and women, if we Vote for another Clinton - because that is what the media wants - we have open the doors for the media and other big corporations to decide for us. Let us choose someone different from the usual face, like we did when we first met Bill Clinton.
Enough is enough........... It is time for us to push back.

Let the big corporations continue to push for Sen. Clinton, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO VOTE, PLEASE FOR THE SEEK OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY, LET US VOTE FOR A NEW FACE IN WASHINGTON - JOHN OR OBAMA.

SAVE OUR NATION AND PRESERVE OUR DIGNITY - LET OUR FAMILIES RULE THAT IS WHAT MAKES US DIFFERENT FROM BRITAIN

THANK YOU, THANK YOU THANK, YOU.................

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Liam SoCal — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 20:05:20 GMT

Yes, Bruce, we have *all* lost our rights to habeus corpus. Because Bush says so. At any time, he can send his goons to your house, drag you away, and imprison you for life, torture you, and threaten your family. Because he says so.

Wake up. Democracy is exceedingly fragile--and Bush has put so many cracks through ours that it could go at any moment. Haven't you ever heard the saying "the price of freedom is eternal vigilance"? That has proven a price the American people are unwilling to pay. As soon as Bush declares martial law (and if you don't think he'll try to find a way, contact me for some real estate bargains), I'm going to cut a hole in the fence and go to Mexico. I'd rather work picking fruit than end up in Gitmo.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

Andrea Taylor, Pensacola, Florida — Sat, 29 Sep 2007 21:17:05 GMT

Barak Obama is a very decent man. He is also intelligent, level headed, and has what it takes to be the next President of the USA.

Any haters out there -- I dare you to try and do better than Obama. Why don't you run?

Obama has stepped up to the plate, and answered the call of the American people. Yes, he brings hope. Yes, he is new, fresh, dynamic, handsome. But most importantly, he is capable, pragmatic and a consensus builder -- the most important qualites we need in our next President.

My vote is for Barack Obama -- join us for change America. Don't be fooled by the media, haters, and naysayers. They will be on board before too long.

Obama lays out civil rights platform

John Doe, Seattle, Wash — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 20:49:36 GMT

what up yall