History has been made, readers.
Barack Obama, a junior Senator from Illinois, an unknown politician and a black man, has won the Democratic party’s presidential nomination. That’s a pretty incredible feat considering this nation’s racist past and, of course, the star power of his main rival, former First Lady Hillary Clinton.
Seizing the notable moment in St. Paul last night, Obama swore to the crowd of 18,000 – and the rest of the States – that he will fight for what’s good and right, rather than what’s Right:
All of you chose to support a candidate you believe in deeply. But at the end of the day, we aren’t the reason you came out and waited in lines that stretched block after block to make your voice heard. You didn’t do that because of me or Senator Clinton or anyone else. You did it because you know in your hearts that at this moment – a moment that will define a generation – we cannot afford to keep doing what we’ve been doing. We owe our children a better future. We owe our country a better future. And for all those who dream of that future tonight, I say – let us begin the work together. Let us unite in common effort to chart a new course for America.
And that new course does not involve presumptive Republican nominee John McCain, a man whom Obama spent the better part of his speech tearing down, a clear indicator that the general election season has begun, if it hadn’t already.
Highlighting McCain’s ties to President Bush, Obama made sure to emphasize his own plans to end the war in Iraq, spread universal healthcare and the need for an “understanding that fiscal responsibility and shared prosperity can go hand-in-hand, as they did when Bill Clinton was President.” Obama’s Clinton reference should come as no surprise. In fact, the candidate spent a fair amount of time praising Hillary Clinton’s commitment to this nation’s evolution, a necessary hat tip if Obama wants to seduce Mrs. Clinton’s voters in the November election.
How about we take this to the next level?
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Obama concluded his speech with his unique oratory inspiration, declaring:
America, this is our moment. This is our time. Our time to turn the page on the policies of the past. Our time to bring new energy and new ideas to the challenges we face. Our time to offer a new direction for the country we love.
Even if the Democrats don’t win the White House this November, they’ve done something great. Not only is Barack Obama the first black presidential nominee in the United States, but in all of the Western nations.
Never in our wildest youthful dreams did we imagine a black man could feasibly become this nation’s president. But, in less than a generation after segregation and laws against miscegenation, after Malcolm X and Martin Luther King’s respective assassinations, after an unknown number of race-motivated murders, the United States of America has learned that proverbial lesson: it’s not the color of one’s skin, but the content of their character. And, quite frankly, it’s pretty sweet.
Here’s video of Obama’s victory speech from last night:
CitizenGeek
Nice one, Queerty; I enjoyed you’re little ode to what is truly a remarkable day in history!
I hope, more than anything, than Obama is the next president of the USA. He might not be able to fix everything in one term, but he’ll sure as hell set things going in the right direction!
CitizenGeek
Argh: meant to say “your” instead of “you’re”. I hate that.
Bob R
Nice speech, very inspiring. I doubt that he’ll be able to do much of what he wants to do, but if he makes an effort I think he’ll build support. I just want him to give us some progressive judges, especially on the Supreme Court, should the opportunity arise. If he can reverse much of what Bush did on his own volition and give us an accountable, transparent government, close Gitmo, establish a plan for withdrawal from Iraq, start to fix this ailing economy (like implementing some of FDR’s ideas to get people back to work)and repair our image on the world stage, he’ll be a real hero. Some of this can be done without Congress. I’m hoping he’ll have solid majorities in the House and Senate that will shut down the GOP for years to come. I’m willing to give him a chance. I know he’s a whole lot better than McCain.
Mike
This is truly a great moment in American history. Regardless of whom you support for President, this is still amazing!
emb
If nothing else, I think the Dems have managed to single-handedly undo some of the damage Bush has inflicted on our reputation in the world.
afrolito
Not to rain on the the parade, but racism is not a thing of the past. America is still a racist country, and Barack getting the nomination does not change the fact that black people (and other people of color) still suffer discrimination and racial hatred in America. Whether he wins or loses in november will not change that.
crazylove
Ditto what Afrolito said. I hope against hope that what people take away from this is not that racism has ended, but, instead see the potential of it ending. I hope you will do something in ordirary life to continue to make sure we progress. That’s what that “long road” is for America.
rae
damn,can we just celebrate for a little bit. i don’t think anyone here is naive enough to think racism doesn’t exist. this is still a huge victory.
Justin Bright
Congratulations to Barack Obama. I think he will represent the Democratic Party well and will have an incredible team behind him to govern effectively.
Obama’s life story is quite inspirational. His achievement in becoming the first person of African heritage to lead a western democracy major party in a general election is nothing short of phenomenal and historic. It speaks volumes about the potential we have as a nation and how far we have come.
I’ve been a pretty vocal Clinton supporter here, I would have preferred her as the candidate to represent the Democratic Party in the fall. I still believe she would have made a better President than Barack. But I believe now is the time to begin the process of unifying the party. The primary season is officially over and it has run its course. Here’s hoping party unity can come about and supporters of both candidates can be respected.
Jack E. Jett
That speech was off the richter scale. Just amazing. As someone who supported Hillary Clinton but was always pleased with the second choice, that speech made the transition that much easier.
It was very entertaining to watch Fox News after all the speeches. To see Sean Hannity trying to bash Obama’s speech while building up the nightmare that McCain produced was priceless.
Let the healing begin, the world is watching.
Afroguapo
Agree Afrolito, racism has not ended by any stretch of the imagination but I think this moment in history exemplifies what BHO said during his speech in Philadelphia: that while this Country has a wretched and shameful past, it’s also evolved over the year with much progress being made, that made his life story even possible. I agree that with Bob R that he’s no messiah but can hopefully, with the right support put our country in a new direction/better path although he will be hamstrung to a certain extent as cogently and succinctly put by Bill Perdue due to status quo politics that will make change hard to manifest. I feel like we are in such dire straits right now on SO MANY fronts and that Bush & Co have squandered in intangible and tangible terms whatever clout and resources we’ve had. I liked his speech on various levels, found it stirring and so true as to McCain being a perpetuation of Bush and that we need to save this country from the brink of disaster and that it will take a concerted effort; HRC I thought was less than magnanimous and gracious but cannot say I am surprised and more or less wanted to flex and put him under duress to be his running mate or secure something for herself. On the race issue, I think this will be good for ALL children to see whether or not he ulimately wins — that for children of color that anything is indeed possible and for white children that a person of color can be at the helm, serve as healing for older generations of blacks who went through things that BHO was spared and lessen their pain/doubts, spark insight into the minds of older generations of hardened whites that their world can still be okay and lessen their enmity towards blacks and send a message to the outside world that the US is progressive, conciliatory and believes in the process of engagement of others (his view) rather than staunch imperialism and empire building. Now, Queerty readers, what do we think of this lesbian judge and her stance in CA? Perhaps it’s been debated already, I’ve been out of the loop.
http://www.sacbee.com/110/story/945707.html
Afroguapo
over the years.
Charley
There is racism in the over 40’s, but the under 40’s that helped him win, are products of integrated schools. They were brought up sitting next an African American in the classroom. They have the right attitude and see him as a man, not as an African American man. It is terrific he won. Hope he doesn’t select Hillary. It is time for Bill to “Shut the fuck up”.
fredo777
I’m proud to call him our nominee + will support his campaign, just as I would have done for Hills. No more room for bitterness, divisiveness, or cynicism, b/c this man is certainly a better chance for LGBT advancement (at least) than McCain.
afrolito
You make some great points, and I mostly agree with what you wrote AFROGUAPO, but I think you’re gibing his nomination way too much significance in terms of racial reconciliation. Barack Obama is one man, and not a messiah.
Everyone is acting like his nomination last night was s=ome sort of glorious surprise, when it’s been a foregone conclusion for months. The super delegates gave him that victory, as he was losing South Dakota btw.
If he ultimately becomes President, that will truly be historic, but thanks to absurd expectations, he has no wiggle room for error. He quite honestly has to be the greatest President ever, or he’ll be the last black President.
afrolito
Soory Charley, but you sound like a fool. Racism has no age limits, and there is plenty of it in the under 40 set. I’m under 30, grew up in New York City, and attended school with every ethnic group under the sun. Black people are never not viewed by the color of their skin, and Barack is no different despite the rhetoric.
Peter Pan
What worries me most about Obama has nothing to do whith the fact that he is half white and half black (Kenian-Massai Tribe, known for their love of cattle and daily drinking of blood (breakfast) from their cattle) but that he is the 9th cousin of Dick Cheney! I think that’s something that should make one think!
Afroguapo
Afrolito, you misread me, I know he’s no messiah, far from it and I am under no delusion that his nomination/election will be the panecea for our racial ills — but rather more progress as this is an issue that cannot be “solved” by an act. And yes, I agree with you, I would not want to be in his position as he has no room for error whatsoever b/c whatever mistakes he makes, you’ll see all sorts of veiled and blatant race stuff going around; look at Harriett “inadequate black man” or on Stanley O’Neal “can take the CEO out of the Congo but not the Congo out of the CEO” although white executives contributed to this mess of mark-to-market collateralized debt obligation disaster. I am also under 40 Charley and can attest that race is still certainly an issue but not as much as it was for my parents. I saw how race came into play at my 200+ attorney law firm all the time and in my high school and incidents in daily life. Also, BHO was allowed to sail above the racial frey because of his background: white mother, white grandparents, Hawaii, Kansas, Indonesia upbringing, and the black side being African and remote rather than similar to the roots of his wife, to the point that race was incidental until Wright and his background was more palatable or acceptable than say a Jesse Jackson.
Afroguapo
And related to all these presidents as well
http://www.hiphop-elements.com/article/read/4/19358/1/
Bob
Let him enjoy the next five months, cuz then it’s back to the Senate as yet the latest Dem presidential loser. No way this man is going to win in November.
MJ
I’m still not impressed by Obama. He still never seems to say anything concrete. But it won’t be the worst thing in the world if he’s elected. He’ll probably be quite capable once in the White House, especially with his staff and advisers.////Another good thing is that a black man finally getting elected president will take a lot of the wind out of the sails of the Jeremiah Wright/Jesse Jackson/Father Pfleger/Michael Vick/New Black Panther types who try to blame the black crime rate, etc., on the big bad Caucasian keeping them down. A black man elected to the highest office in the U.S. will greatly show it’s the individual who matters and who the U.S. population judges, and that any ethnic community in disarray is there because of their own bad behavior.
Afroguapo
Oh, I wasn’t suggesting that one should be impressed by him at all because of his nexus/shared lineage with former presidents but because someone mentioned Cheney, I was pointing out that there were others as well. From what I know about Trinity (having read up on it), I am not a Chicagoan, but metro NYer, it seems Wright has always stressed self-accountability and reliance and Jesse’s mantras in the 80s/90s were always “I am somebody” and “if you can Conceive it, you should Believe it and try to Achieve it, CBA” so you may be confusing the “big bad Caucasian” philosophy with some other people or watching too much Faux News perhaps.
RPCV
Just goes to show what a dearth of leadership we have in this country. With 300 million people, if this is the best we can offer then how truly sad we are. Reagan’s dream of a “shining city on a hill” may now turn into a scummy, drug-filled, crime-ridden, desperate, crying ghetto in the hood. Just a thought……..
Afroguapo
It just might but if so, it will be due to the surplus Bush & Co. squandered to create our unprecedented deficit in funding an ill-conceived and unnecessary war and egregious tax cuts for the rich at the expense of our nation’s infrastructure, healthcare, education and other deprived domestic issues. Just a thought ……
RPCV
Mr. Bush has done his damndest to protect us from another terrorist attack – successfully. B. Hussein O. would cave to our enemies by trying to talk “peace” with enemies and Islamic extremists, and search for that God-awful White person who inflicted HIV/AIDS on the black community. Mark my word. Just a thought…….
Mowan
oh god, don’t racist republicans have anything else better to do then search gay forums like RPCV , who is actually Mark Foley.
And you are right, Bush sure did protect us from a terrorist attack by becoming one himself. Bravo Mr. Bush.
I pray he makes John Edwards Attorney General…
RPCV
Mowan: Bush will not make John Edwards attorney general. Michael Mukasey will serve out the remainder of Bush’s term.
Mowan
You are right, i shold have worded it better:
I pray OBAMA makes John Edwards Attorney General…
Sorry for the typo 😀
RPCV
Mowan: Your thinking has similar flaws to your typing. Step back, take a few deep breaths, think rationally, and you’re bound to realize that Obama, his religion, his USA-hating wife, and his pandering to the left will spell doom for America. Please join me in supporting McCain – the last best hope for Reagan’s America.
Mowan
Yeah sure RPCV, go ahead and send me letters and fliers that endorse McCain. I am going on a trip soon and i need something to line my dog’s Kennel 😀
RPCV
……..another left wing loon who just doesn’t understand the errors of taxing business owners, inflicting big government on taxpayers, holding irrational and dangerous negotiations with our sworn enemies, and permitting the death of innocent life. When will they ever learn??????????
Why Church Needs Therapy
No RPCV, Bush has actually eviscerated whatever goodwill we’ve had abroad (I know first hand just from my trips to Paris with my partner); he’s pillaged our nation’s treasury and previous wealth for big oil and contractors like Blackrock & Halliburton to the enrichment of himself, Cheney and their friends; has committed malfeasance in doing nothing for our decaying infrastructure and worst of all has the deaths of 4,000+ servicemen and women on his shoulders for a war deliberately predicated on falsehoods. If you’re somehow affiliated with this rogue cabal of Republicans and stand to make millions of dollars or your fuck buddy, trick or whoever’s cock you’re currently sucking is a part of this milieu and you stand to gain by your connection, then I can understand (although can’t condone) why you’re trolling on this site. If, however, you’re an everyday gay dude with a regular life like most of us on here, then you make no sense whatsoever which is consistent with your past postings. Yeah, this demonstrates that BHO is going to be some militant (your fave word) Black Panther. Bill Perdue was right (yet he is still a better option over McCain).
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2008/06/04/obama-reaches-out-to-pro-israel-group/index.html?hp
Oh, and R, be sure to remember that facts, insight, decency and equanimity always trump purposeful fiction and baseless supposition, ignorance, sheer nastiness and hyperbole.
RPCV
……..another left wing loon who just doesn’t understand the errors of taxing business owners, inflicting big government on taxpayers, holding irrational and dangerous negotiations with our sworn enemies, and permitting the death of innocent life. When will they ever learn??????????
Afroguapo
Yes, permitting the death of innocent life. tragic indeed, could not concur more. Tell that to Cindy Sherman and the other parents who lost their kids as well as the untold number of deaths of Iraqi civilians who we conveniently forget to talk about. Good luck with any money you stand to gain and invest it wisely.
Mowan
stop commenting to him. he is role playing and beating off to this forum
CHURCHILL-Y
Its hunting season in the Nation of Islam and the militants are out with their guns. How nice that filibuster Afro aka Black Power psychologyst! has another soldier in his ranks.
Peter Pan
RPCV said “Mr. Bush has done his damndest to protect us from another terrorist attack – successfully. B. Hussein O. would cave to our enemies by trying to talk “peace†with enemies and Islamic extremists, and search for that God-awful White person who inflicted HIV/AIDS on the black community. Mark my word. Just a thought…….”
Bush has committed 9/11. Any thinking person knows that by know. 9/11 was carried-out by the CIA and Israeli MOSSAD! Here is hope that Bush and gang will hang for their crimes of committing 9/11 and invading Iraq, causing over a million dead Iraqi civilians and over 4000 dead US soldiers!
Obama has just declared that the sovereignty of Israel is ‘sacrosanct’ and that Jerusalem must be the capital city of Israel. Fcuk the Palestinians who had their land STOLEN from the Zionists 60 years ago! It’s irrelevant that the Palestinians lived there for over 2000 years, in peace, with the local Jews.
Obama is a Zionist puppet (Puppeteer: Zionist Zbigniew Brzezinski) and a lot of bad things will happen to the world if he becomes president.
The same applies to McCain (Puppeteer Zionist Lieberman). The US has been infected with a brain disease called Zionism and greed. It might well die of disease!
As for AIDS, watch this:
http://www.brasschecktv.com/page/324.html
Mr C
This Churchill and R2D2 BITCHES still talking
Let them girls get some cock in their mouths and be done.
YES RPCV The offer still stands come out and play Ms SE DC.
bobito
Uh, Petey?
Hillary Clinton, by your terms, wasn’t a Zionist puppet? At least Obama isn’t talking about gleefully “obliterating” Iran if they so much as fart in Israel’s general direction!
Bad things have already happened to the world, in case you hadn’t noticed. Zionism is indeed a part of that problem.
And RPCV did say one thing that had a ring of truth to it: “Bush has done his damnedest to … us” It was just that ‘protect’ bit that didn’t ring true.
fredo777
I watched those AIDS/HIV vids.
Unsettling.
Afroguapo
Peter, those videos were unsettling indeed. I remember I saw this book once, AIDS and The Doctors of Death by Alan Cantwell. I think he’s a gay epidemiologist or microbiologist from Canada.
Also, if you haven’t seen it already, go check out WICKED on Broadway. It’s about the manipulation of people and propaganda lending credence to the idea that “perception is 90% of reality” when it couldn’t be further from the truth. This war was engineered and we bought it hook line and sinker. Also, check out a Jihad for Love at the IFC in NYC. The director was on 99.5 discussing how Western/American gays have bought into middle eastern/moslem antipathy from the media without realizing all the facets of his culture and the differences between middle eastern gays and the ones here in the US.
CHURCHILL-Y
“differences between middle eastern gays and the ones here in the US”
Its all about division with this clown.
Open up your eyes people.
heathen
It’s funny that you should post those videos just after I ran into an old friend who was diagnosed HIV positive over 16 years ago and is still very healthy without ever having undergone any traditional treatment (aside from a vitamin regimen and general wellness efforts like quitting smoking, relaxation…etc.) For me, he has been a living example of how someone might thrive without dumping toxic medicine down his throat.
fredo777
Hey, heathen. That’s good to hear about your friend (that he’s thriving, I mean). I think more people should know about this. I wanted to put the first vid from the linked page in my playlist on The YTube, just to get it in front of a few more people. Oddly enough, it doesn’t let me click the vids to get their direct link.
heathen
And what a great speech and a great moment that is seriously overdue in a country that has claimed freedom and opportunity as it’s distinction for centuries. Other posters are correct when they point out that it doesn’t change anything, however, it does mirror some change that has already taken place.
Peter Pan
@ heathen – Hi there, I was hoping that posting these links would be beneficial to people in the future as well as to open peoples eyes re what certain sectors are capable of!
We are being experimented on by cold-blooded psychopaths who smile in our faces but really just see us as another way of making money!
I’m glad you friend is fine!
Peter.
Peter Pan
Bobito!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2008/06/04/AR2008060403508_2.html?hpid=topnews
And this:
http://youtube.com/watch?v=lSp-oIOhq00
The US is FAST asleep and will probably die in it’s sleep sometime soon!
Afroguapo
I wish there was a way to private message individuals on here.