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Originally Posted by BigBrodieFan
Ok, I am going to spell this out- so that I hope it makes sense. Again, not trying to be sarcastic at all, no smart-ass tones involved.
If Obama made a random comment or addressed the press about racism, he would be in his bounds to do it. I mean, he's the first black POTUS, of course the topic is going to come up. The fact that he was voted in is a huge step for the US towards racial equality and I think he has every reason to address race issues.
HOWEVER- HUGE difference making comments about ONE case in which the media is using to create racial tension. It's completely irresponsible- regardless of what colour Obama is. He is President over 315 MILLION people, and there are over 16, 000 homicides in the US per year, and over 11, 000 of those homicides are caused by firearms. As POTUS- singling out a controversial case and talking about racial tensions is IRRESPONSIBLE because he is the leader of this country, the free world- the one who can decide whether or not we can drop a nuclear bomb or go to war- he's the Commander in Chief of the United States Armed Forces and he's arguably the most powerful man in the world. Directing his attention to a specific case for the sole purpose to talk about racial issues that really have NOTHING to do with the case in the first place is just moronic and unnecessary on his part. Clinton was a dumbass with women but he was very diplomatic. Obama needs to focus more on being diplomatic and addressing this country's needs as a whole. If he wants to give a speech on the importance of improving race relations, he has every right. He should not however, announce his opinion on a specific high profile case which he knows (regardless of whatever intentions you think he may have had)- he KNOWS will cause more problems.
I sincerely hope that you can understand this view point and see that it does have some merit.
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Oh, I understand the viewpoint, and it does have merit, I just think it's worthwhile enough to comment on it. That perhaps the possible benefits, may outweigh the possible problems. This case is indicative of many other cases going on, and the attitudes and values of the country as a whole. He has to comment on this one cause it's the one people are talking about right now. You have to remember, the press are asking him about his feelings anyway. It's not like he's just freewheeling it up there. It's on the minds of the people of the country. He's been asked directly about the case. About all aspects of it. He has to address it somehow. He spoke honestly. You may think it was undiplomatic and irresponsible. I have to disagree. I think he straddled the line as well as possible while being honest and saying something of value.
If people are going to act like idiots because of what he said, it's on them. It's not like he's fanning the flames here, he's just talking honestly, and quite frankly making a few important points.
I think the bolded part is what I disagree with. First of all, I completely disagree that race had no part in it. As I mentioned, in this thread and a few others recently, I think a lot of people have been underestimating racism and it's bounds. A lot of people don't seem to see it unless it's right up in your face. Unless it involves active hate of another group. It's not usually like that. It's subversive. It's often in your head without you even knowing it. This case had every example of racial profiling. As I mentioned in my post above, some people don't see it that way. Fine.
But even disagreeing on that, it's still hard for him not to comment on the case or the issues of them, including race. Like I said, his comments don't exist in a vacuum, he's being asked about all aspects of this case as it's a pretty big deal in the country right now. Gun violence, stand your ground, Florida, and yes, racism and racial profiling. He's being straight up asked about them. And he answered.
Lastly, it's not like he isn't answering for all Americans, or pandering to a specific group. I think there are a lot of people that care about possible racial undertones of this case beside African Americans.