Pride in the name of self-love

Hola America

I came to this country when I was 17, and since then I was proud to be a resident and later when I became an American citizen I was even prouder to be an American. I haven't forgotten my mother "Spain", but I love my adopted mother as well or even more, since my 2 children were born here.
Even for an immigrant I found opportunities and I always felt welcome. I learnt English, I went to college...This is a great country, with opportunities for everyone, but you have to work hard to get them.
I felt Mrs. Obamas comments were inappropriate. Period!

Yes, she does seem angry.

While I knew her comment would be used against her, I congratulate her for her honesty. The United States over the course of her adult life has seen economic inequality grow to levels not reached since the 1920's, has seen our government practice and defend torture, has seen corporate corruption run rampant, has seen lying and deception from our elected leaders used to lead us into a disastrous war. Who is proud of this record?

Mrs. Obama, You Owe the American People an Apology

I heard you. You stated that your husband’s candicy is the first time in your lifetime that you have been proud to be an American. For shame!

You were born in 1964.

I recall a southerner, a Texas cracker, Lyndon Baines Johnson standing in the well of the United States Senate addressing a joint session of Congress and one of the largest television audiences ever, and saying loud and clear: “We shall overcome.” I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

I remember, an assassinated President’s brother, standing on top of a car in the midst of an angry African-American group the night of Dr. King’s assassination, and preaching from his heart non-violence. I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

I remember a hockey team beating the Soviets. I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

I remember a President standing at the Berlin Wall, and demanding: “Mr. Gorbachev, tear down this wall.” I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

I remember, watching transfixed at the television with two young children, watching that wall being torn down and noting that even at their very young age, they understood. I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

I remember the President at Ground Zero with that firefighter, and a country united to fight terrorism. I sure was damn proud to be an American that night.

Mrs. Obama, you deeply hurt me and you deeply disappointed me. You need to humbly apologize.

http://robertfitzpatrick.blogspot.com / http://www.robertbfitzpatrick.com

The opportunity to speak or the opportunity for dialogue has always existed. Try UTube for a quick fix.

I want more from my candidate than a forum for speaking out. While Obama is a good orator, I need someone with skills that go beyond knowing how to say what everyone wants to hear.

I do not need a purported Superman or a cheerleader - the 'feel good' candidate. It is all veneer. What is going to happen when we really need something more? The US does not run off of a good cheer.

As far as change, it happens every day. I think that Obama's skills would best be used as the Senate majority leader. Also, anyone that really wants meaningful change needs to think about what is good for all. Any time we parse who gets the goods, more of us lose than win.

As a 'Mediterranean/European' American I believe issues need to be discussed. So I bring them up. I am reminded that while black Americans say they want to be equal, they contradict themselves by referring to themselves with exclusionist labels such as "African" Americans.

What is the need for differentiating or viewing oneself apart from what you are a part of? If anyone is not happy with things here because somehow they think being African American is better than being American, go back to Africa.

After all an exclusonist sets themselves apart or would exclude another from some right or privilege. Who are blacks trying to exclude?

I do not differentiate by skin color so what is the purpose of an exclusionary term? Is it black skin. We can see that you are black. And we know that most blacks did not come from places like Russia. Is it the way you live American culture or the fact that most blacks are not representative of the culture of the African continent?

There are problems I want improved in the United States, even if my ancestors lived in other nations. I could chose to differentiate myself with an arbitrary name stamp to distance myself from issues that I do not deem as my own. However, I recognize that I am an American first and foremost. And as an American, I am willing to be in this with all of my fellow Americans.

It is a pity that some cannot look past the color of Senator Obama's skin and will vote for him only because he is black and somehow believe that if he wins, that we will have changed anything.

As a child growing up in the 1960's and 70's, witnessing the strife that occurred in this country over the war in Vietnam, the inequity that fueled the Civil Rights movement, and the corruption of Watergate, I don't see how anyone in my generation could not feel some form of ambivalence when it comes to taking pride in their government. I don't even think you have to be an African American to have that slight feeling of shame knowing of the injustices that have occurred towards various groups of disenfranchised people in our country. Don't get me wrong. I love my country dearly as I'm sure Michelle Obama does, but I understood perfectly her sentiments when she made that comment. For the first time in my adult life, when I lead my students in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance to the United States of America, I feel tremendous pride in our country because I realize that Barrack Obama may very well be our next president and that's something to be proud of.

Shocking, traitorous, unbelievable.

Who would want a non-patriotic First Lady?

Not me.

Why are we so forgiving of the Obama's? He tried cocaine, he plagerized someone else's speech and his wife has found no reason to be a proud American in the past 40 years. Any other candidate would have been mauled by the press, but we just tend to ignore the signs, signs indicating something is definitely wrong with this candidate. This isn't the Oprah show. I do not want to be referred to a website by the commander in chief. We cannot afford another inexperienced, arrogant jerk in the White House.

Miclele Obama is anything but classy, a very tacky lady with a huge chip on her should, perphaps a move to Arficia with her husband would be something they would me very proud of-----so go

Miclele Obama is anything but classy, a very tacky lady with a huge chip on her should, perphaps a move to Arficia with her husband would be something they would me very proud of-----so go

Look, I'm a 60-year-old white guy and I think I understand where Michele Obama was coming from. Context is important. Her husband is running for President. She is speaking from the narrow perspective of where African Americans have found themselves historically in this country's political process. The 1964 Civil Rights Act finally put teeth in the 14th Amendment of the Constitution that was passed nearly a century before. Why should African Americans feel proud of their country for finally paying them back what had been withheld from them for nearly 100 years? If you think they should, then I'll just take $100,000 from your bank account and arrange for your great grand children to be repaid around the year 2105. I'm sure they'll be proud of me.

I've noticed that largely the comments that suggest that Michelle Obama has the audacity to just now be proud of America focuses on her Ivy League education and her family's wealth. Here's the thing, the Obama have done very well for themselves. But like anyone who is a proponent of justice and equality, it isn't simply about what they have. What about all the people who are daily denied access to the "American Dream" because of their ethnicity? Sure, Dr. King was able to galvanize this country and move it forward, making it more hospitable for those who have been historically disenfranchised. But let's not forget how the very government that is suppose to uphold the constitution bucked against integration, angry folks like Bull Conor.

Moreover, the arrogance of those who suggest the Obama's ought to be ever so grateful for being "allowed" to seize the dream is palpable and shameful. If America was truly a place that warranted pride from all people at all times, then there would be no need to point out how lovely it is that the Obamas made it. It simply would be standard fare.

Finally, I too am proud of America, at last. Those who don't understand Michelle's sentiment have no idea what it means to be black in this country. I forgive you for your ignorance.

What a haughty comment, "I forgive you for your ignorance." An attack under the cloak of acceptance.

Once again, a two-sided comment that reveals what someone is really about.

First, no one suggests that any allowing was necessary. Second, that is plainly an attack to call persons here "ignorant." Who are you to presume that they do not have their own experiences?

I fully understand Ms. Obama's comments and it tells me a lot about how she perceives her American experience. As far as being disenfranchised, who has not experienced that?

About the government not enforcing integration, let's not forget that individuals also have the opportunity to make a difference so that biases do not continue. We do not need the government to teach families how to raise children without prejudices. And yet, when it appears we have finally reached a point where we are getting over it, another generation of bigots come forward.

What are you teaching your children? If we taught our children how to be culturally unbiased, we would not need the government telling us to play nicely.

As a white person I have observed black parents raising their children with biases about white people. Also, what type of message does it send to black children and when there exist black only clubs? You want to be equal? Stop setting yourself apart using standards you would not tolerate amongst whites.

How would you like my wearing a "White pride" or "White is beautiful" or "It's a WHITE thing," T-shirt?

I am tired of what are plainly attacks towards whites. Even such things as "you would not get it, it is a black thing" comments indicate a refusal to share or come together on issues. Then you chalk our response up to racially and culturally based alienation. What do you expect when these types of divisive comments are directed towards whites?

"You would not get it, it is a black thing" is a quite presumptive and racial centric remark. Try me. Unlike you, I believe it is a 'people thing."

many of you posters are plain silly

try understanding where she is coming from

I understand her totally

I too as a black person have been very suprised by America's reaction to Barack and when he won in Iowa...I too was very proud for the the second time...to be American

I truly guess you have to be black to understand! GO MICHELLE!

Obama Church website is below, here is some of what they say;
We are a congregation which is Unashamedly Black.
Our roots in the Black religious experience and tradition are deep, lasting and permanent. We are an African people, and remain "true to our native land," the mother continent, the cradle of civilization.
A congregation with a non-negotiable COMMITMENT TO AFRICA.

http://www.tucc.org/black_value_system.html

Love, you say you totally understand her?! Nothing to be proud of? NOTHING?! Tell you what, why don't you and the Obama's go to your country Africa, than you all can be proud ,all the time! You do not like it here, go someplace else! We do not need people like you in this country!

What a stupid thing to say, her maybe being our first lady, god I hope not! How embarrassing she will be. Not proud when we landed on the moon? Not proud of our troops? Not proud of all the men and women that have died for you? Not proud when people came together for 911 or Katrina? Not proud that we are a free country? NOT PROUD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Normally people can say what they want, but normal people are not running to our president! If she is sooooooooooo unhappy then go back to Africa. Let your husband run it. If this was going on with someone that was running that was white, the blacks would never let us hear the end of it. Please go to the OBAMA'S church website-Then we will talk about who is racist!

http://www.tucc.org/about.htm

Where is she coming from? She's coming from a priviledged upper middle class family and got to attend Princeton in spite of her grades not being up to snuff because of Afirmative Action. She's just a spoiled little rich bitch with a chip on her shoulder because of her color.

There are many things that scare me if Barack Obama wins the nomination and then the Presidency - his unpatriotic wife, his muslim background, his lofty words that have no substance, etc. His followers are like a mob at a rock concert. They have no idea what he stands for and are not asking any real questions. The statement made by Mrs. Obama shows lots of resentment and anger. There is no pride for the country that has allowed her and her family to live the dream that millions of people in this country will never have or see in their lifetime. Wake up America - Obama in the White House will bring the wrong kind of change.

It's truly a shame that racism and bigotry continue to rear their ugly heads. Thankfully, the younger generation is more open to the thoughts and experiences of others and doesn't choose to make such inflammatory comments as "go back to Africa" simply because someone has a different life experience and expresses a different point of view. How dare you say that to someone who may have ancestors that have been here longer than yours. If you can't accept the First Amendment in which we have the right to freely express our points of view, maybe you should go back to Europe.

You mean Michelle wasn't proud when she got a 1.3 million dollar house - some $300,000 under price as soon as he won the US senate seat. Isn't that part of the American dream too?

The campaign of Barack Obama should be watchful of Michelle Obama. After her comments about her husbands middle name being used when Barack said he was satisfied with Mccain denouncing the statement, she might turn out to be the Bill Clinton of their campaign...Perhaps they should put her in the other room for awhile...

michele obama is a disgrace to america. can you imagine having to look at that as a first lady.most people would get sick. i truly hope is obama wins he will keep her hid in the white house somewhere.maybe she can go to kenya and live with obamas father then when he ruins this country she can join him with her fancy law degree she got from a country that she isnt proud of until her husband runs for president. i think they are so out of touch,and so hung up on themselves that they dont know what reality is . hopefully someone will reduce them to their size.tina little

Really, now do any of you know what the word "really" means? She said "really proud" not "never before proud." I didn't read all the posts. They seemed to be getting stupider and stupider ("really stupid") and I got tired of it. She never said she had never been proud. She said she had not been "really proud." That is a very subjective statement. Maybe as a Christian, she thinks it is wrong to be proud, how about that? You know, "Pride goes before a fall." Now lest you say she will fall think about all that pride you have had all your adult lives. Case closed.

Sad, all the reasons listed for why Michelle should have been proud (house, Ivy League degree, etc) have been material in nature. But those things only highlight the deep ironies of America. I'm a Black Ivy League grad and there's nothing like getting to the top echelons only to discover that this country was fundamentally set up to exclude you. I still love America and struggle to love America. The USA is a country made people who rejected their homelands to find success somewhere else - except for Blacks and Native Americans. Get it in your heads: the ‘love it or leave it’ notion does not apply to us. Like Michelle, we've always chosen to lay our deepest fears, resentments, hopes and dreams on the line to make this country something we can call our own. Please, support Michelle and don't condemn her.

Typo correction: The USA is a country made OF people...

Plenty of things to be proud of in the past 25yrs... but nothing to be proud of in the past 8 yrs.... let wake up people. everyone is not proud of things as they are period. I agree with Ruggie.. and it would seem as tho' anyone who hasnt opened their eyes to this will be proud of America no matter who is in office what bad things America has done to many of it's own people and other countries... I guess we should be glad we are in the USA and nuff said... well thats BS. those who feel the hardships more than the avg American even.. well they endeavor for more.

She reminds me of the movie Planets of the Apes. I don't know why.

Guess what? Michelle Obama's words deeply, very deeply, really offended me, a
daughter of immigrants who escaped religious and political oppression from
ordinary Poles annd Bolsheviks in post-WW One Europe.. Their deep love and gratitude to this country was limitless. The language, the literature, the history and
principles of democracy were quickly adopted and taught to their children, along
with the truth that prejudice still existed here., among both the privileged and the
unprivileged. Hope for change was possible. In a true democracy, wrongs could
be righted, In my lifetime, some have been. Yes, we have had all sorts of bigots
and scoundrels (George Wallace, Joe McCarthy, Nixon) and the current infamous
administration. But my country, the real United States of America is a great country and I am, was and always will be proud of her. Michelle Obama owes
me and all Americans-- context or no context -- an apology.

I'm a young African American male who also identifies as gay, despite the struggles and the hardships I have faced in this country. I will gladly say that I am proud to be an American and I am proud of our Country. For Michelle Obama to make that statement publicly is a dis-service to all that our ancestors both white and black worked for. She wasn't proud until now? What about Martin Luther King, Jr. and the other Civil Rights leaders? They don't give her something to be proud about. What about her opportunity to receive an Ivy League education and land a six figure job, while watching her husband shoot up the political ladder and write a million dollar book? What about the support of a Black Female Billionaire? What other country does she believe would give her these opportunities. Shame on her!

nice

I've read many of these posts and agree that several are silly. Michelle's comment was surprising and I was (and still am) appalled by it. It is a shame that she hasn't really been proud to be an American. There's so many reasons to be proud - civil wars to end slavery (people died) - riots and even death of Americans to end desegregation (let’s not for get 9/11 and how we all came together). As a country, we have tried to rectify the slavery and the desegregation dark spots, but obviously no matter what we do it’s not enough and racism will rear it's ugly head (whether it’s a black against a white or a white against a black). It breaks my heart to think of slavery and the way blacks were treated in the 50's. (What gave us the right?)... but I wasn't born yet, so why do I have to pay for it today. God created all of us for a reason and it wasn't to despise each other. I think we ALL need to get over ourselves and start looking out for each other as God originally planned. As far as voting is concerned – VOTE and vote for THE PERSON not for the person’s skin color or gender, that will get us nowhere fast!! I think instead of focusing so much on the black-white issues (because this is what that statement was all about), we need to focus on what's going on with the economy and gas prices. Give me a break!

After listening to Rev. Wright I now understand where Mrs. Obama was coming from. Sad........Really, Really SAD.

IT IS BECOMING PROFOUNDLY CLEAR THAT BARAK & MICHELLE OBAMA ARE ON THE VERGE OF SELF IMMOLATION.......THE VITRIOLIC PERFORMANCE FROM THEIR PASTOR OF 20 YEARS TODAY,RESULTING IN HIS STEPPING DOWN. THE MAN WHO MARRIED THEM BAPTIZED THEIR CHILDREN, WHOM B.O. RAPIDLY ATTEMPTED TO DISTANCE HIMSELF FROM AFTER THE MEDIA FEEDBACK, THUS FAR THEY HAVE BEEN GIVEN A FREE RIDE BY THE PRESS.BARAKS OPINING THAT HE NEVER HEARD ANY SIMILAR RHETORIC DURING THE 20YEARS, SIMPLY DOES NOT RING TRUE THIS MAN DOES NOT POSSESSS THE INTEGRITY TO BE OUR PRESIDENT MICHELLE IS NO LADY FIRST SECOND OR AD INFINITEM.

I think I know the reason why Mrs Obama could could not be proud of her country. The reason being that she was led to believe by her minister that America is nothing but evil. I could be brainwashed with those fieryrhetoric if I have a pastor like Rev. Wright.

I've never seen so many people blow one sentence out of proportion and context. You all need jobs on Fox, CNN or some other lousy news network.

Pride is disgusting. When will we realize this?

Hmm, some people are just too naive to realize that the party they have chosen (Democratic) is only power hungry and are going to turn this country into Socialist. But you know, these are the people who won't recognize the Devil when he comes. Idiots

Hitler couldn't find much about his country that he liked. Hitler promised massive change and delivered on his promise. Hitler was VERY popular and drew swooning crowds. When will people start voting for ideas instead of color or gender. What difference does it make what the person looks like. We need a leader, not a panderer.

As an American, you can protest the government, hate the president, yell at your congressman, etc. However, never should you not be proud to be an American. Sure, complain about things you don't like, and vote people in that will change it. That is your right AS AN AMERICAN. But, if you don't like this country and do not stand by it, get out. There are plenty of other people that would love to be here.

We should judge a person by their actions and not their words. The fact that Obama choose Mr. Wright as his spiritual teacher for 20 years and included Mr. Wright in his election staff speaks well for Mr. Obama’s thinking and actions. Words are easy to manipulate and it is unlikely that Obama's recent speech was written by Mr. Obama anyway. Mr. Obama has a powerful and power hungry staff including his wife that will do anything to get him elected to power. But clearly this man Mr. Obama is not to be trusted with the future of our great country. And regardless that he is ‘fashionably black’ and that many of you have some desire to prove to yourself or to others that you are not prejudice and that you like black people with an attitude of ‘See, I like black people, I voted for a black person.’ And whether you are black or white, such an attitude of voting for a person because of their race is the definition of prejudice.

Agreed. The United States' pride will be its downfall. The last 8 years have certainly hastened our downfall. I imagine this may be what Rome felt like with overflowing, misdirected pride leading to arrogant and misguided wars, distancing and divisive foreign policy, and now a we're wading on the banks of a river of massive economic recession. Iraq war: 4000 U.S. Deaths, probably 100,000 total lives snuffed from the planet, a good portion of which were collateral damage. Trillions of dollars gone. Bin Laden still breathes. Yet many consider Bush a proud patriot because he wears a flag pin on his lapel. This after he sent ill-equipped Americans into a un-winnable situation.

Having run through the comments it is painfully obvious that most of the negative knee-jerk responders did not see/listen to the original comment. This is pathetic. Open your ears before you open your mouths.

I am a black American with native "American" ancestors. I actually hate the fact that "African-American" is used to describe someone's skin COLOR incorrectly because my white friends from South Africa gleefully point out the discrepancy.

I have risen from the ghetto and have a very nice life compared to most people in the US not to mention most of the world. I have also experienced every aspect of bigotry, racism, sexism and oppression short of lynching in the US as a black woman married to a white man. Yes, I now am mostly proud of my country but I do not have the luxury of the "Right or Wrong, Love it or Leave it" lemmings who blanket themselves in ignorance about American history. The "Founding Fathers" were themselves rebels!
A fearless, objective study of the history of racism in America and how it was embraced in politics and government (public schools, military, real estate laws, lending practices-"redlining") should give pause to the insensitive. We Americans have come a long way but we have such a LONG way to go.

Until there is the same opportunity for every child in every neighborhood in the US to have the highest quality education they desire, we will have the same mistrust, hopelessness, and problems that continue to divide our citizens.

I suspect that more people will be inspired to help be part of the solution, role up their sleeves and do what They Can in the community to make America even better by the Obama's more than any of the other candidates.

We shall see...

Sorry for any typos but it's back to work time:)

It sounds like the Obamas have been pretty much agreed for most of their adult lives with the views of their pastor: "G** D*** America".

For the first time in my adult life I am proud to be in the process of transmogrification to an undiscovered country not recognizable to the vast majority of those who claim membership in the comically proud species called "homo sapiens." Proud Uzebeks, proud Sioux and Lakota, proud Aegeans,
proud Turks and Tartars, proud Celts and Saxons, proud Saharans and Kenyans, proud Aztecs, proud Asiatics, Mongolians, and proud Russians, if you please, will one day be united with proud Americans to shed this weight of mortal pride and put on more heavenly garments. In other words, I'm getting too old to care about conjuring a diatribe from El Diablo on pride. He won that battle long ago.. I will instead remember the words of our Christian Savior, Jesus Christ, "Remember you are not of this world. They hated me before they hated you (because my Kingdom is not of this world)" (Jesus)." But before we close our days of fleetingly bright but limited human sentience, I'd like to hear the leaders of planet earth, especially those in the blessed, beseiged, and beloved U.S.A, talk more about their plans for the planet....because the meek (our children) WILL inherit it , regardless of how proud we were or were not at any given moment in our lifetimes.

Every day people risk their lives to get to America. Why?? It appears America is despised by the world. Why come to a nation of white racists? Yet year after year immigrants still come to America. The illegals march for their rights in America. America is always to blame, for problems in America, for probl ems in other nations. Michelle Obama has been given opportunities that many, many white people have not been given. Perhaps she doesn't feel she belongs because the vast majority of people in this nation have not obtained the status in life that Michelle and her husband have obtained. Will Michelle and her husband be biased against the white race?

all of these posts have wonderful messages and meanings to them regarding michele's comment regarding being proud. Most importantly what we all must remember that going back in time to bring up past era's, isn't going to make us move forward. I beleive this country has moved forward, we have taken long steps to get here. We can all be proud of every movement and every person who fought to bring us to where we are today, in relationship to our color and our content. Clearly there are some of us who remember more hardened days, but have we kept ourselves in that time, that era? NO, we have moved beyond that. Each of us should be proud of our nation as all nations fight for improvements, america has done a fine job in producing possiblities for all. Even today most do not have the opportunities to attend college, buy homes, have great jobs, but that doesn't stop them from trying. There are those who do and there are those who do not, but to blame the entire society for it, is no excuse. Living in america is a personal dream of ones own expectations or what they make of it and until we all start taking personal responsibilities only then as a whole can we truly survive of whats left of the divisions among us. I intend on surviving and will continue to be proud of the country for which it stands. We could all tell a story about our lives and the hard times that one has had to endure, but I am sure it never made us less proud.

Hmmmm......... she of all people should feel the most pride, graduate of Harvard Law, probably paid for in grants and student loans. Student loans paid for by her husband selling his books, 340,000 or more salary per year plus her husbands salary.. ....... She of all people should not make comments like that.

"The meek shall inherit the earth"

Our children will not be proud of us If we have no potable water, no arable land, no clean air, and no trees to shelter wildlife, filter toxins, and prevent erosion.
Our children will not be proud of us if we have so mercilessly mined the majesty of our purple mountains that they collapse. If we are foced to drill for more oil, coal, and gas while destroying the delicate mantle of mother earth we will surely put the Creator to the test. Perhaps then, the San Andreas fault line and the small Hawaiian Islands we once protected from bombs will quake, and a strange smoke will choke the last song of the nightingale as Wakan Tanka and Jesus both weep.

Then we will not even be able to see the Messiah if he appears in the sky.
So tell me. what has the Senator done for the environment? I hear it reported that he has voted absent on bills rather than risk controversy; will he also cower before the super wealty corporate giants to avoid controversy? His sister claims he is like "little big man." Upon what evidence does she make this claim?

So far, I have seen nothing substantial in his experience to suggest he will bring about the kind of change we really need. It does not matter if he voted against the war in Iraq if he more recently suggested sending troops to Pakistan. That is not the kind of change we need: a new war in a nuclear state.

GET WISE AMERICA. THIS RACE IS NOT ABOUT RACE. It is about the future of the human race. He deserves not less, but more scrutiny, because he has so little experience with executive and military leadership.

Parents and teachers should all feel awakened or renewed pride, just as Mrs. Obama claimed to feel.. We should all be proud of the children we raised and taught. Without our efforts to teach tolerance and Civil Rights, Obama would not be as popular as he is. I know I have done my job. Those who say otherwise will have to live with their lies.

But I know that I am not alone when I say that I will proudly fight anyone who imposes or forces religion or totalitarian/nazi political systems upon us or our children. Those are mistakes we do not want to repeat.

She can be bitter and angry about America all she wants, but that will just result in losing the election for her husband. Oprah got him in and Rev. Wright and Michelle will take him out. We don't need America-haters in the White House. What a disgrace. Imagine our Founding Fathers- John Adams, George Washington, Abraham Lincoln - observing at these poor excuses for Americans. I got a look at Forest Whitaker's face on American Idol when he and his wife went to Africa and went into a bare hut that a family lived in. The little girls picked up a small, stained, torn piece of foam rubber and showed them that there is where they all sleep. There was NOTHING in the hut. The Whitakers were in shock; they cried. Yes, that is the fate of much if not most of Africa who are forced to live like that and eat bugs and worms to survive. Yet the Obamas are ashamed of America????? Come on people, be thankful and quit exploiting and dividing Americans for votes!

I guess she thought she was owed the scholarships she received to Princeton and Harvard because she was black. Much of what she says is pure political BS these days. If Obama gets elected, the gang mentality will take over in this country because blacks will want everything handed to them without waiting. She has already said if he is elected she will use all of her resources to give blacks everything they want and more. Whites, and other minorities will be put on the back burner. I remember not being able to get a job back in the late sixties because of affirmative action. Blacks were handed jobs back then as well as college educations. Michelle seems to have forgotten that. Affirmative action still exists, yet many blacks still feel that we owe them everything. theyeveryone else has worked for, they would find out t

I am white and a female from the sixties and I am not proud either Michelle and hopedully I will be again. I am an artist and made a piece called THE ALTER OF SHAME which shows what the USA did starting with the genocide of the American Indians, slavery of Africans , up to the astrocities of the Vietnam war to Aba Grab and Iraq. We should feel SHAME yet self righteously we continue to try to tell other contries what they should be doing. I can't say I am BITTER because I am one of the luckey ones but I will stand up for Barack Obama because I am ANGRY that our own citizens are gunned down, don't have health care or employment enough to take care of their families and that you have to apologize for telling the truth.

Michelle and Hillary are two of a kind. They wear the pants in the family, they are loud, proud, and in charge. What a joke they are and to think they could actually come this far. I am proud of this country and all it stands for but it scares me to think anybody is actually thinking about putting these two in the white house. How these to could possibly connect with the working class people is beyond me. How in the world would they know what we need. Give me a break. Wake up democrates! Get out while the gettin is good.........................

Mary Ryan,
While you're busy being shameful of America by listing her faults. Perhaps you
should take a moment and revel in the good we have done and still do around the world. You're nothing but the typical extremist liberal with a "hate America first" attitude.

By the way, nice plug for your artwork...now isn't that what America is all about..shameless self promotion on your part wouldn't you say?

And you don't consider yourself "bitter"?? Very interesting, time for some self reflection I would suggest.

I am not an American. I regard America as the de facto leader and defender of western civilisation. The president of America is therefore the leader of the western civilisation and whoever Americans choose has consequences for everyone. Whatever faults America has, Americans enjoy a politcal mechanism for redressing them, unlike many other people on this planet (the democratic process in Zimbabwe is a current example of people desiring a change of government and a tyrant clinging to power by taking from some to give largess to his supporters). The focus in this discussion has been in assessing the heart of Mr and Mrs Obama. The emphasis given to the precise dictionary meaning of her actual words is, I think misplaced. Everyone exagerates on occassion and everyone speaking spontaneously uses language which does not precisely reflect their actual thoughts. Mrs Obama's words should be considered beside her other public utterances and assessed with the causes which she supports. Likewise her husband. When Mr Obama spoke about people in Pensylvania clinging to guns and religion and bigotry, the precise meaning of his words in the context of language is less important than the fact that he linked these issues together and dismissed them as consequences of deprivation. He allegedly never noticed that the pastor whom he regarded as his mentor was exceedingly bigotted and selected this pastor's church for indontrinating his daughters during their formative years. Disassociating himself from the man now, seems like a politically motivated tactic, rather than a heartfelt disagreement about perceived truth. The leader of any country should be a man or woman who speaks his mind, not one who listens to hate-filled diatribes and accepts them. If Mr Obama never noticed, then he is not very observant. If he did notice and remained silent, then he either agreed with the sentiments expressed or should have spoken out to disagree. That is what a leader is supposed to do. I disagree with many things which Margaret Thatcher said, but I do not believe that she would have sat quietly when she thought that her Pastor was lying to his congregation. Even her detractors agreed that she nailed her colours to the mast and was a capable leader, who was sincere in her beliefs. The ability of Mrs Obama to recite individual reasons why she should feel proud of America is an irrelevance. Her campaign manager can help her with that. The question which I think should be asked is whether her reflex or her husband's is to support or criticise America. I think that for a leader, support and pride should be reflexive, followed reflectively, by realistic criticism, without unmeritted exageration of ills.

People over exaggerate every possible word, phrase, sentence, sylabol, etc. Quit pulling apart words. Quit analyzing every sentence that is said by anyone of importance. If you would really like to know exactly what Mrs. Obama meant, please do ask.

Yes, Brenda well said!

Mrs. Obama, I'm sure had to work very hard as a black woman and many will not understand because they will never be in such shoes. I'm sure she has been proud but now that there are more possiblities, especially within politics, she is more proud. This does make sense and those that are analyzing every single thing without considering different things are just wrong. I think people are scared to have a black man run the country and that is sad! I Every candidate is not going to be the one that makes everything better because there will always be something wrong. We have to make changes within ourselves and let God be in charge of our lives before anything!

For those people who have chosen to abandon Hillary Clinton because they find her too "hard," you are in for a real big surprise when you get a dose of the fire-breathing, ball-busting Michelle Obama. When will the DNC learn - who has been more faithful to this party than Hillary Clinton - for a lifetime. And when this Johnny come lately trots in with his angry wife, they forget who took the flack and kept the faith. If Obama is nominated, I will vote Republican for the first time in my life. These two are a scarey pair.

I think it's interesting that so many people would misunderstand Michelle Obama's comment. However, I think the bold and harsh comments made against her statement clearly show an ignorance to the experiences that have haunted many people of African decent. And this is said with compassion, not to be crude towards anyone who isn't black. Michelle's comment revealed her heart, that she is a woman who has felt rejected by her own country. A person who despite all of her achievements in life has constantly had to face discrimination that probably didn't make sense to her.

I believe that everyone has past experiences that have made them feel disconnected, whether it be from family, religion,politics, or community relations. So lets all be real here that her statement does make sense. If you don't acknowledge this truth you're not being true to yourself. Everyone on earth has felt rejected by something or somebody, and Michelle was expressing her thoughts of finally sensing a state of racial and political acceptance in this country. This acceptance not just being her own, but a nationwide acceptance of change for all people.

Truthfully, I think in the political arena everyone should have the right to express their views and beliefs.This has been an approach that many current or past candidate has taken. The problem for the Obama's is that many people don't like to hear about the conflict and injustice of racial relations because it's too convicting for some people. There really hasn't been a black couple with this sort of visibility to express their concerns in a political light for a long time.

I think that we can all now see why Michelle Obama made the comment about being proud - she must have just left the church after listening to Rev. Wright give a sermon laced with his hate for America and all that we stand for. Why did all the media give Obama a free pass? - no questions could be asked of his background or even his policies for fear of being branded a racist. We only got the same old hum and haws. Where does the press and ignorant people get that this man is a wonderful speaker. He bores the heck out of me. He cannot put a full sentence together without mumbling and when I hear the media compare him to JFK - it makes me sick. As Lloyd Bentsen once told Dan Quail - you are no John F. Kennedy. Also the comparison of Michelle to Jackie Kennedy - get real. We are talking about one class act and one hick. I hope the last three days of Rev. Wright's ranting has finally opened up people's eyes to the fact that this man and woman do not deserve to be in the White House. Maybe we should have a do over with all the primaries and see exactly how many delegates Mr. Obama has behind him now. I am a life long Democrat and I don't like McCann but I do believe he is the lesser of two evils and if Obama wins the nomination - I will vote for McCann or maybe just decide to stay home. This is the stand that most of my friends and family have.

For two people who are Ivy League school educated they both should know how to differenciate between patriotism and politics. Her comment was un-called for and set the tone for future findings of how "elite" the two of them think they really are. Michcele's thesis was written on "Princeton Blacks and the Black Community". Why...?.....Is there an eliteism about blacks who attent Princeton? What is the difference between blacks who attend that school and the rest of the Black community. Right there shows that her pious thoughts of herself, drilled into her husband finally came out with Barak's statement of small towns who cling to their faith and guns because of bitterness. Don't try to anaylize Americans, support them as any public figure is supposed to do especially one who is applying for a job interviewed by those exact people, Americans.

I'm not sure how many of the respondents have ever been to the Middle East on a military installation where waste abounds. We are lining the pockets of some of the rich Middle Easterners while many of our soldiers, airmen, sailors, and marines get a paltry salary and respect that is only skin deep. I am currently in the Middle East and have been on and off for the past 3 years and there are plenty of things to be proud of. When you see the dedication and care many of our military take when performing their duties, it does make you proud. However, even some of those military people will tell you that there is plenty to be ashamed of as well. If many of you saw where some of your tax dollars REALLY go, you'd be outraged!
Maybe Ms. Obama was commenting on the feeling of hope she may now have for our country particularly after 8 years of utter mismanagement. I do not necessarily condone her comments but I do understand the frustration she must have with the status quo.

I'm tossing it in also. She has never had much interaction with the media. She should be told that every word will be torn and shredded and reassembled by a myriad of analyst such as me and you. She should think a day ahead of herself and have very general and specific ideas about what she will say each day. People should try to understand that almost all politics are orchestrated in this country, partly by the media, partly by the lobbyist and funders, and partly by the candidates and parties themselves. I personally have had little to be proud of in the last twenty years in regards to this country. Let me make a list, and I am Micheelles age.
I am proud of the New York Fire men who acted bravely during the destruction of the Twin Towers, but they are individuals and not the government. O.K. I am proud of how Ronold Reagan led the "new" War on Drugs. No, that was his wifes effort, that the government saw a value in taking over. Ok. I am proud that Clinton became elected, but wait, he renigged on almost all of his promises in the first sixty daysk and reverted the military to pre WWII standards. I was proud of George Bush when he proposed helping Americans of all races and colors, but when he called the little boy "Brown", I was'nt sure what he meant. Then after he declared a Neew World Order, followed up by his son stealing an election with the help of people employed by Diebold Company, I began to have some doubts. OK, Let's just say, I am very proud of the many true individuals who have served this country well, but the government as a whole has no laurels to rest upon. Name one.

I now feel I know why Michelle Obama said what she said about her feelings. She has be in the congreataion of the Reverend J. Wright for many years and believes every work he has to say about; God damm America and his other hatemongering statement about ever culture but his own. No more need be said about where Michell Obama is coming from, Trinity,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

It is apparent that the people on this post have never been the subject of racism or classism in America. That's fine...
But there are millions of Americans who have. While millions looked on. From 400 years of oppression to Jena 6, there are definitely 2 lawbooks and 2 standards that the U.S. governement lives by. There is a sense now that we have made great strides in our policies that African American people should forget or just stop whining about slavery. You must teach the past and learn from the past or you are bound to repeat it. We cannot forget slavery, Jim Crowe laws upheld by lawmakers for decades, segregation or any of the things that our parents, grandparents, and relatives survived and taught us about. In a few more decades the history books will have erased slavery and make it look like it was a work for hire agreement. The facts are that America was built off of ill gotten goods. If a country today tried to seize an entire country in the way that the released prisoners from England did from Native Americans through trickery, disease warfare, deceit, and downright strong arm-robbery, then kidnap and enslave an entire people like it did the West Africans, we would call it what it is, terrorism and the world would feel compelled to get involved. Too bad there was no 24 hour news cycle during that period. I love America but it has many flaws. I am Black and my direct ancestors built this whole country from dirt roads to highways and buildings. We do not have generational wealth that the overseers family was privy to. No 40 acres, no mule, just a lot of false promises that never fully came to frutition. I just pray that the "Get Over IT" sentiment towards slavery and its after effect comes to an end or the people who express that felling are outted for what they are...
Direct benefactors of the spoils of slavery. You really lucked up and got Barack Obama instead of someone Black who had a direct link to slavery so the reparation issue wont come up. America gave reparations to Jews for a couple years of Holocaust that Germany did. USA apologized for Hiroshima and its treatment of Japanese people yet there is no apology for 400 years of slavery. This is part of what goes on in a African American mind. Thanks for reading.

ps. Jeremiah Wright was quoting a White man who gave an interview and stumped Fow News in that sermon, watch the whole thing on youtube... A lot of what he said was true and he lived through things that most Anglo Saxon people dont even think exist in America... some of it was a conspricay theroy point of view. In the Black community and church we have all those elements jsut as Senator McCain has some outspoken preachers in his corner. And a adulerous affair with his current wife while still married to his 1st wife. Reverend Wright just said the right thing at the wrong time. And he's a veteran (Marine). Most people of priveledge use their priveledge to avoid true service like the great W.

I think people are overreacting to her remarks. I am quite sure she has been proud of her country before this campaign. But let's be honest, our country has not always been fair to people of color or another gender. But that doesn't mean that people of color aren't proud of their country. I am proud to be an American and grateful for the opportunities I have had here. But like Michelle, I too am extremely proud of the way the country has embraced Barack Obama's call for change. And I don't think it's because he's black, it's because it is time for a change in our politics and conversation.

I do not deny the injustices in our history. But the jobs of President and First Lady require a deep enthusiasm for America. The First Family sets the tone for the entire nation; we need them to radiate belief in America and point to the future. For that reason Mrs. Obama's unfortunate remark undermines her husband's message and reverberates well beyond the immediate context of the discussion.

I am tired of everybody referring to the '50's. It is the 21st century and there have been a multitude of things to be proud of since the '50's. However, if we look back in history, say the '70's, the same things were talked about then, the fuel crisis comes to mind. The alternative fuels was supposed to be a priority back then, what happened, nothing, and nothing will be done of Obama is elected. Better education was also discussed. What happened, nothing. The same topics are up for discussion and are problems with every election, so change may be needed, but will probably not happen to the satisfaction of everybody, and in most instances not happen at all.

Hee hee .... Just wait until the tape of Michelle Obama ranting against "whitey" in Rev. Wright's church gets made public in a few months. :-) That will remove all doubt about what the Obamas really think of their country.

Obama, I sense, is hiding a lot of what he really feels and believes to be true about America. It comes out every now and then. His wife's comment is only a small piece to prove this. I have been to many churches of several different religious beliefs and NEVER have I been exposed to racist outbursts as part of the sermon. It's clear to me that Obama agrees with this "preacher" and chooses to just let it ride - with the thinking of "it's ok since he's black he can say whatever he wants" attitude (like an uncle, yea ok). It's not ok. It's not ok for any race to say something negative about another ... and church is last place that should support such a forum! Ask yourselves - what gets said when cameras aren't rolling? Granted, he has just now dropped his membership to that church. Why not when he first saw what his 'man of God' pastor was saying? I would have dropped him like a bad habit .. or a campaign losing 'uncle'. Keep in mind, he's only dropping his membership, not denouncing the pastor and his actions (per his words). He's a politician (all of them lie) who's surrounded by and supported by people who are outwardly racist and radical and is married to someone who apparently has nothing to be proud of being called an American.

ps - if you were born in Africa, then became an American citizen you're African American ... if you were born in America you're just an American (insert black white other where appropriate) ... if you're using this term incorrectly then please consider yourself educated on the topic and discontinue it's use. I don't go around saying I'm "American Indian-Irish-French-English-Italian-German American" .. that would be rediculous. Thank you.

VOTE JOHN McCAIN 2008!

I've never voted for a Republican for office. Guess I will this time. Think Michelle would be proud of me for making the right choice?

I'm tired of hearing "change" every two seconds from Obama. I want to know how he's going to change anything. All I know now is that he'll put taxes through the roof. Him and his wife are complete fakes.

Thank you posters numbers 8, 45, 177, 186, and 204

I am old. I have seen a lot go on in this country. I can understand that in the black community there are many who will always hold on to the sins of the past, because they have been many. However to say that the only thing one can be proud of in this country is that ones husband who is black is running for President, was a very foolish remark. What would Rev. King say? What would our black firefighters and police say? What would Rosa Parks say?

I have to question anyone of any race who keeps going to a church for years whose ordained shepherd uses the pulpit to spout hateful racial diatribes instead of the Gospel of Christ. In my opinion such a place is not even really a church. Churches are to be places of the worshipof God not a stage for the rantings of self absorbed people who think more of themselves and their own opinions than they do the Word of the Lord. Shame on Rev. Wright and Fr. whatever his name is.

I know that often people can be quoted out of context, but if Mrs. Obama can not think of anything but her husband's candidacy to be proud of in America, perhaps she should go back to school.

I'm sorry, but it is hard for me to trust these people. There appears to be a lot of misplaced loyalty, a lot of anger and a lot of the ability to scam folks with good speechmking.

Watch out for your freedom ALL of America, black, white, Asian, Hispanic, etc., etc., etc.

You know, I don't understand all this talk by blacks about racism. I've been in Alabama now for five years, and I'm a Mutt-American. I'm Catholic and our parish has parishioners of all ethnicities. I have yet to encounter any racism at all. Our church doesn't preach hate but love and my best friend at church is black and also is in the St. Vincent de Paul conference attached to our parish.

Why do all these leftists, especially many urban blacks continue this ridiculous whining?

I'm from Sunnyvale, California. When the Vietnamese started arriving in large numbers along with the Chinese, Indians and others, they didn't sit around and blame whitey for every problem in life. They worked hard and in only one generation became part of America. Some fathers of vietnamese kids worked THREE jobs to pay for their childrens' education costs.

Why is it that the blacks over in the East Bay and in East Palo Alto are the ones that bitch and moan, despite being the generation of blacks that have more opportunity than possibly any black generation in any country in the world's history? Other new ethnic groups don't understand why.

Also, much of the racism I have encountered in my life was blacks vs. everyone else especially vs. latinos and asians. Some of these black racists in CA refer to Asians as honorary white people because they work hard, save for the future, suffer for their children, and take every opportunity they get in America. And, get this, they are WAY thankful.

When you teach 'defeat' to your children, do not be surprised when they kill each other, impregnate their women outside of wedlock, get addicted on drugs, fail to pay child support, riot, steal, use armed robbery, etc.

I give approximately $1,200 per year to SVDP and the people we help are OVERWHELMINGLY single/divorced black women with one or more children. The biggest cause of their poverty is black fathers who DON'T pay their child support. But guess what, I love all of them, and I wouldn't change a thing.

But don't say stuff like "whitey keeps us down". If you can't make it in America, you are not gonna make it anywhere. Other ethnic groups come here and think "what are they complaining about?"

One last thing about abandoning your children. I would eat $%^&* before I allowed by wife and boy to not get their child support. I would work two jobs if I had to. And I even save some in case I get unemployed and have no income to pay child support between jobs.

Sacrifice is what should be taught to young blacks and ALL Americans. That is how you take advantage of opportunities, and it has been that way for eons.

I'm proud of this Country, maybe more than many Americans born here.
I'm American by Naturalization, and this Country gave me all the oportunities in 29 years than my original country ( Argentina ) in 36 years. I love USA and hurt me to hear Michelle's words.

So, I'm wondering how she paid for this higher education but remained so uneducated and ridiculously rude? Why is there not a humble bone in her body? I'm judging by her rude comments about America the gov't didn't help her earn that degree so she has nothing to be proud of except for the designer clothes and cars she drives in this fabulous free country that we all inhabit.

It amazes me that so many ungrateful Americans use the gov't for free money to become rich themselves and not give anything back. Not surprisingly, most people in politics tend to be recipients of these monies and like many, blame history for their behavior being totally ridiculous and crude when they get a taste of power and fame.

I hope my family's tax dollars didn't contribute to the education of such a self centered racist woman. Yes, racist. We all came here by someone else's choice not our own. For the record, there were MANY White slaves. Some in which were sold alongside with Blacks on the Rappahanock River in Virginia where one of the first slave ports was settled. History is history, get over it and stop using it as a crutch to lean on.

I agree with "grandma." when one is oppressed we are all oppressed. we are talking about a candidate who was reticent to reject an endorsement by the most outspoken antisemite in america. if mccain/clinton or any other candidate was endorsed by the kkk, they would rightly be over if they didn't reject such an endorsement. but we let this smooth talker mock sen. clinton for pointing out the distinction of "disagreeing" with farrakhan and "rejecting" his endorsement... infact, she was just repeating what the question from an AMERICAN audience member asked... so he was mocking the question!!! The distinction matters--bc he didn't REALLY reject the endorsement, this candidate owes politicaly payback to Louis Fanatic Farrakhan! We should be outraged! What are the faith based funding initiatives/our tax dollars going to go to programs by the triumphent of Rev. Wright, Father Pleger, and Louis Farrakhan. We are the greatest country in the world and this is what we have Obama or McCain?
I miss Hillary!

I was so FOR OBMAMA....until I saw and heard his wife speak!!! Is this going to be our FIRST LADY???? Sent to represent the USA ? ---that she is just becoming PROUD of???? Michelle I suggest you hire a hair stylists...make up artist...and most of all a VOICE COACH..........aka.....Keep your Mouth Shut.......Americans want to be proud of our First Ladies...........let Barack do the talking...............You dont have it going on girl.............Call Tara or Oprah........Dont embrasses the true Americans who have been PROUD since our birth.........
In my wildest dreams I just dont think I could be proud to know that you were our FIRST LADY......OBAMA for President.....Michelle.....settle and learn from Hillary and other First Ladys.................

If whats her name is NOW proud of HER country, WHY IS SHE IDENTIFIED AS :AFRICAN" American? I come from a most diverse background, i.e. father--Spanish & Mayan Indian (Aztec civilization). mother--fathers ancestry--great grandmother an ADAMS from John and his son John Quincy. Grandmother--Welsh, Scots, etc.

However I am not known by any of those TITLES. I am known as an AMERICAN and damned proud of it. I am WHITE with a GREAT TAN FROM the summer's sun and my dad teased me about beibg a 'little wet-back' decendant. Yes, I am mixed blood but when I bleed or need to give blood, NO ONE bothers to check my ancestry back ground, they are just concerned my blood will keep them alive a little longer. Chinese American
Japanese American
Mexican American, etc.
I never hear neighbors say I am German, French, Indonesian, Phillipino, Italian AMERICAN, etc. These good people just know they live in the greatest country IN AMERICA! AND, they are proud of living here.

PEOPLE HERE IN AMERICA DO NOT NEED "TITLES"> Or, do they? I will start announcing to my friends, I am Indian, Spanish, English, Scots, Mexican, American Indian American with the best part of it being A-M-E-R-I-C-A-N!!!!!!

PUT THAT IN YOUR PRIVATE PARTS AND SMOKE IT!!!

PS to previous comment:

If we are continually be "classified" by ethnic titles, WE WILL NEVER BE WITHOUT racism in America. All of those racial comments should be excluded from our speech patterns. Maybe we should create a week of "LET'S NO 'T MAKE RACIAL SLURS" week. Sounds silly? Don't knock it if you haven't tried it.

You know what, I agee with Michelle becuase for the first time in this country a black person has an opportunity to be the president. I think that is what she meant by her comment. I think that a lot of you guys, not all that posted comments but some of you are in deniel. You knonw the truth, white people in this country enslaved blacks for 200 years and segregated blacks for another 200. Let me remind you about the opportunities that were taken away from them. And yes of course whites have helped blacks but the majority just watched us as your brothers and sisters treated us like crap. Here is the thing, yes I am black and that could have been my grandmother, a cousin that I did not know, some ancestor treated like a peace of meat. WHat if this was your ancenters for 400 years. I am not sure if it is was mine because I cannot trace a family tree, do you know how many blacks cannot trace a family tree becuase slave holders took our name.

So I hope that reminds some of you and while there has been great strides and progress I do not know if I am proud that it took America 400 years to understand that we are brothers and sisters together in this land. However, having said that I am proud to be American and I do not think Michelle or myself can negate that fact, but yes it took a long time to get to this point because my family was treated horrible and now at least a black person can become the president.

I think a lot of you should think about this from a different persepective. I will start first, if I was white and grew up in America all my life and my parents told me I could me anything in life I wanted to be I would look at Michelle and call her a snob, but you know what ,every little black kid was told the same thing but there is one thing that we all believed tand that is here is no way I could be the president because I am black and now a black has a chance, and probably chinese, indian, and hispanic american soon after. So if Michelle mispoke and said "for the first time I am proud of AMerica" SO WHAT! I'll admit she mispoke but you ALL know what she meant , let's not live in deniel.

After reading all these comments Shante you make the most common sense. I guest reading a book on black history, that was written by someone else accounts should be enough. It wouldn't be like living or growing up as a black person in the 50s or 60s or even in slavery. Oh, but I am a black male that grew up in that time will I forget NO, have I stopped by the town of deniel, not latey.

I truly understand what Michele was trying to say. I am proud of my country that with a history like ours, after the Katrina fiasco and the resurgence of the noose, Americans were able to look beyond race and elect the most qualified candidate to lead the Democratic Party to victory this November.

There are a lot of people who did not believe a black man could have gone this far, luckily I was not one of them. I truly believe that the majority of Americans decent people who are tired of the mess the Republicans have made of this country in the last 8 years and want change.

Michele's comments, Rev. Wright's comments, the Catholic Priest's comments...all this is simply a distraction from the real issues and anyone who uses this as an excuse to not vote for Obama needs to think twice about that.

If you are happy with the direction that this country has taken in the last 8 years, then by all means vote Republican. If not, put aside the pettyness and join us in electing Barack Obama President of the United States.

Hi Bree, along with your whiny spin - to say that his church is just a mere distraction is otally inaccurate.

Obama said what she said, and there's no backtracking.

Look at recent polls; the majority of American women truly dislike Michelle Obama. I dislike her almost as much as I dislike her husband. You'll see that come November, playing the race card just won't cut it with voters.

Seriously. This blog really represents the racist thinking that is strongly entrenched in this country. If you think that minorities don't see, and if you think that because you are insulted if and when called a racist; no one is fooled. So you go to the blogs and chat rooms with racist remarks, while in public saying, there is no racism. Please. The woman misspoke. She simply said "I have never been proud, rather than I have never been more proud." I knew immediately what she meant, but I wasn't looking for something to attack with. People in glass houses should not throw stones.
admit it, you are angry an afraid of a black president, period. This is not about Michelle but about you. Is Cindy McCain more appealing to you even though she struggled with drug addiction and theft? Are you comfortable because she's white?

In the famous words of the great philosopher Lewis Grizzard, "DELTA IS READY WHEN YOU ARE!!!"
CNN can talk all day long about how this repugnant comment has not cost Obama. I can assure you it cost him at least one vote! MINE!!

OK! So she made a mistake, are all of you going to condemn her for it. She was nervous and lost her train of thought as she was speaking. Haven't you ever made a mistake and lost your train of thought? Give me a break!

Enough already!!!!!!!!! How can Michelle Obama continue to be critize for her remarks about this county which, traditionally, has been unfair to blacks, hispanics, women and other minorities. Successful blacks like the Obamas have worked hard to achieve the type of llifesystle they enjoy, and I can bet you it wasn't easy getting where they are now. Can you honestly say, that they received the same opportunites and chances as a white counterpart, HELL NO! Give them the credit they deserve and stop being critical of this amazing couple and just admit that they have it going on !

and when White America make comments about "Blacks whinning about racism" put the shoe on the other foot and think about how far they would have gotten with the same limited opportunities offered to blacks, NOT VERY FAR!

SENATOR OBAMA,PLEASE LET AMERICA KNOW YOUR FEELINGS ON THIS US JUDICIAL INJUSTICE ???

***LETS ALL HOPE OUR INTERNATIONAL MEDIA FRIENDS ALSO SHOW AN INTEREST IN REPORTING ON THIS AMERICAN HORROR FACING THESE (TENS OF THOUSANDS) FORGOTTEN AND TRAPPED POORER AMERICANS, AND HOW THIS POSSIBLE FUTURE PRESIDENTIAL CONTENDER HANDLES THIS VERY SERIOUS ISSUE FACING AMERICA'S LATINO AND BLACK AMERICAN COMMUNITIES ????

**WITH 80% OF THE BLACK AMERICAN VOTERS SAYING THEY SUPPORT SENATOR OBAMA IN THIS PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION, IT IS ONLY FAIR FOR EVERYONE TO KNOW PRIOR BEING ELECTED OUR NEXT PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES HOW THIS DEMOCRATIC SENATOR TRULY FEELS ABOUT THIS AMERICAN JUDICIAL HORROR CONTINUING TO INFLICT GRAVE HARM ON THE BLACK AMERICAN FAMILIES AND THEIR COMMUNITIES NATIONWIDE ??????

*** WHEN GOD’S FACE BECAME VERY RED ***
THE US SUPREME COURT GAVE ENEMY COMBATANTS FEDERAL APPEAL HC RIGHTS LAWYERS AND PROPER ACCESS TO US FEDERAL COURTS,AND POORER AMERICANS (MANY EVEN ON DEATH ROW) ARE DENIED PROPER FEDERAL APPEAL LEGAL REPRESENTATION TO OUR US FEDERAL COURTS OF APPEAL, AND ROTTING IN AMERICAN PRISONS NATIONWIDE ?????????

**** INNOCENT AMERICANS ARE DENIED REAL HC RIGHTS WITH THEIR FEDERAL APPEALS !
THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ARE $LOWLY FINDING OUT HOW EA$Y IT I$ FOR MIDDLE CLA$$ AND WORKING POOR AMERICAN$ TO FALL VICTIM TO OUR U$ MONETARY JUDICIAL $Y$TEM.

****WHEN THE US INNOCENT WERE ABANDONED BY THE GUILTY ****
The prison experts have reported that there are 100,000 innocent Americans currently being falsely imprisoned along with the 2,300,000 total US prison population nationwide.
Since our US Congress has never afforded poor prison inmates federal appeal legal counsel for their federal retrials,they have effectively closed the doors on these tens of thousands of innocent citizens ever being capable of possibly exonerating themselves to regain their freedom through being granted new retrials.

This same exact unjust situation was happening in our Southern States when poor and mostly uneducated Black Americans were being falsely imprisoned for endless decades without the needed educational skills to properly submit their own written federal trial appeals.

This devious and deceptive judicial process of making our poor and innocent prison inmates formulate and write their own federal appeal legal cases for possible retrials on their state criminal cases,is still in effect today even though everyone in our US judicial system knows that without proper legal representation, these tens of thousands of innocent prison inmates will be denied their rightful opportunities of ever being granted new trials from our federal appeal judges!!

Sadly, the true US *legal* Federal Appeal situation that occurs when any of our uneducated American prison inmates are forced to attempt to submit their own written Federal Appeals (from our prisons nationwide) without the assistance of proper legal counsel, is that they all are in reality being denied their legitimate rights for Habeas Corpus and will win any future Supreme Court Case concerning this injustice!

For our judicial system and our US Congressional Leaders Of The Free World to continue to pretend that this is a real and fair opportunity for our American Middle Class and Working Poor Citizens, only delays the very needed future change of Federal Financing of all these Federal appeals becoming a normal formula of Our American judicial system.

It was not so very long ago that Public Defenders became a Reality in this country.Prior that legal reality taking place, their were also some who thought giving anyone charged with a crime a free lawyer was a waste of taxpayers $$.

This FACADE and HORROR of our Federal Appeal proce$$ is not worthy of the Greatest Country In The World!

***GREAT SOCIETIES THAT DO NOT PROTECT EVEN THEIR INNOCENT, BECOME THE GUILTY!

A MUST READ ABOUT AMERICAN INJUSTICE:
1) YAHOO AND 2) GOOGLE
MANNY GONZALES THE KID THAT EVERYONE FORGOT IN THE CA PRISON SYSTEM.
** A JUDICIAL RIDE OF ONES LIFE !

lawyersforpooramericans@yahoo.com (424-247-2013)

Wake up fellow Americans! You are making a tempest over a teapot.. Michelle Obama said that she was proud of her country for the first time, because she realized that our country has come a long way since the days of slavery to the point that a black person is running for President! That is a matter to be proud of our country after all the years of slavery of blacks. I am a person of brown color who is proud of that fact. I am sure a lot of white people feel the same way. I think this great country reached a milestone when a black person is running for President and a lot of Americans,,, white and black are supporting him.

Wow. ...amazing ideas and exchanges of perspective! What really blows me away is how may supposed "educated" adults bicker over democrat vs republican ....liberal vs conservative ...their just the smokescreen for the real controls in our society. Besides ...when it comes down to it ..

."All Men Are Not Created Equal ...so it is the beliefs of some politicians, Governments and civilians to make them so". We just need to take our progressive tax system and make it MORE progressive ...if you make a dime more than someone else ...you will pay more ...because it's not fair and someone, somewhere is suffering because of your greed. I hope everyone enjoys these blogs because it's time is limited. Your opinions may be offensive to someone, somewhere, so you can't state opinions anymore. Just a matter of time and doesn't matter , black or white, conservative or liberal.

There is no way I'm voting for this anti-American and her "this is no longer a Christian nation" husband. If it weren't for the Obama types in this country, we wouldn't be seeing the United Church of States aka pro-socialism government that "promises to take care of you".

I can take care of myself. I don't need this HItler/Marxist ideology that the Obamas think they can right this time around. These two are extremely dangerous.

Michele Obama is a Marxist in disquise. She and Barack HUSSEIN obama want to run a socialist country. They both made a lot of money in chicago, had a house practically given to them and oh by the way.... now she is proud to be an American?
They live the good life thank to good old fashion capitalism
. SHe is an American.... not a black american , for the same reason i do not call myself an Asian american. I am AN AMERICAN. If she does not like how she was treated here why doesn't she move back to where her ancestor originated? Leave american to those who love it and are true Patriots.

It is absolutely disgusting that someone could be in OUR White House who hasn't always been proud of America. Unfortunately, if elected, Obama will receive the ultimate golden parachute. We'll be supporting this trash and her family until the day they all die.

MICHELLE OBAMA,

Tout d'abord mille félicitations!!! " derrière une grande femme se cache un grand homme" la preuve un noir à la maison blanche BARACK OBAMA!!! je m'appelle Odile Omam de nationalité Française, Africaine d'origine Camerounaise.
J'évolue dans le domaine du social en France où je dirige une association,entreprise d'insertion -REDECOME- ( réinsertion développement par la confection mécanisée). - Cette entreprise a pour vocation de créer les modèles,mettre mon professionnalisme aux profits des femmes de tous pays et de toutes origines. - Faire le relooking pour les demandeurs d'emploi, j'ai eu la reconnaissance , la confiance des représentants des collectivités locales et territoriales pour l'Africaine que je suis et qui réitèrent chaque année leurs soutiens financiers (subventions) pour cette entreprise que j'ai créee qui existe depuis 13 ans d'où j' étais lauréate en 2004 par la fondation Alsace qui reconnait les talents.

Dans ce cadre je voudrais proposer, mettre mon professionalisme de stylisme pour créer des models pour la garde robe au service d'une soeur ,cousine ,africaine ,américaine donc la First Lady's Mme Michelle Obama.

Si ma proposition de candidature vous intéresse, vous pouvez me joindre à l'adresse de l'entreprise que je vous ai précitée plus haut donc je suis la fondatrice.

Veuillez agréer First Lady's Michelle Obama à l'expression de ma considération distinguée.

ODILE OMAM
Directrice fondatrice
3,rue pascal
67460 souffelweyersheim
FRANCE
TEL:06 81 23 03 38

i don't obama should be president i wanted mccain no affense you suck obama

I have noticed over the years that when people disagree with a popular trend, person or thing that automatically they are personally attacked being called "racist haters, etc" or some other name. The real issue is the issue ... if she had not said from her heart that she is for the first time really proud to be an american, then her adjustment later to those words would not have been necessary. She said what she meant the first time and this will not be the first of many things said in promises vs doing in the future. Wait, listen, be patient and all will come to the surface in the new administration and we will not forget the promises.

This is a response to #178 Rachel Feb 21, 2008, Well if you knew OUR(American) history you would know that being called African American is standard just as Native American maybe you should go back where you came from and give the Real Americans (native americans) back the land in which you live on. Or better yet Asian americans should go back too, since they are labeled ASIAN AMERICANS, oh wait what about Pacific Islander. You see nimnut, american government handed out these name tags. They even have one for you, especially for your kind, immigrant, alien, foregner. All of these labels are stupid and every one should labeld AMERICANS REGARDLESS OF COLOR OR NATIONAL CREED. If you live in America and pledge your heart and alliance to this country you simply just an AMERICAN. I am not a african american, I am an AMERICAN AND WILL DIE AS ONE. NOONE can take that away from me or my children. I would fight for this country with honr and pride and I could careless about someone's color or creed. PLEASE TAKE THE TIME TO LEARN THIS COUNTRY'S HISTORY BEFORE YOU STICK YOUR FOOT IN YOUR MOUTH AGAIN.

I CAN'T BELEAVE WE FINALY HAVE OUR FIRST AFICAN AMERCAN BLACK

PRESDENT I'M SO HAPPY IF I HAVE KIDS I WILL TELL THEM ABOUT
1/20/09'' BECAUSE THIS IS THE GOODEST MONMENT OF MY LIFE
IF I WERE OBAMA CHILDREN I WOULD BEE SO LUCKY
LIKE HIS CHILDREN DO NOW I LOVE OBAMA,HIS WIFE,AND HIS CHILDREN

BY:CHAKARIYA