Obama Heckled. Acolytes Slipping?? OH MY!

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat? So I was about to shut down the blogging for the weekend I was watching a feisty Debate between Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick and two other sisters in Detroit. I love the big D they never fail to disappoint.

Kilpatrick, a member of the House Appropriations Committee, said she has brought in $500 million for Michigan and asked Waters and Scott what they know about Congress's budget process.

"How many appropriations committees are there in Congress? How many departments are there in the federal government? What department has the largest bill before the appropriations committee?" she asked.

Waters said, "Anybody who goes to Congress can bring home the dollars."

Kilpatrick replied, "You can't even carry my bra." Detroit News

I Don't care what anybody says, you gotta love "Mama K" because "You can't even carry my bra!!!" has to be the best political sound byte EVER! Only in De-twoi. Somebody get me that t-shirt!

But anyway, So while I am being entertained by Carolyn, Martha Scott and Mary Waters, I see that Obama got heckled.

Now previous I have written that this election cycle Black folks have been forbidden to do anything other than vote. By whom? Well the Obama Accolytes.

There are Obama supporters. There are Obama "stans" ( stalker fans). Then, there are the Obama Acolytes as we fondly refer to them here. The Obama Acolytes are like a paramilitary mercenary force. They work independent of the campaign and take orders from no one in particular. They won't even listen to their candidate. They are friends, relatives, and coworkers. Ordinary, generally well loving people except for one occasional problem, they view anyone and anything that might in anyway get in the way of Barack Obama making it to 1600 Avenue as the ENEMY that must be destroyed at all costs. WAOD July 12, 2008

Those over zealous family and friends that won't let you question so much as Obama's tie color.

So low and behold these Black hecklers from some group I ain't ever heard of and probably never will again, got up and cut up. The acolytes already have an APB out on those three brothers for violating the 11th Commandment. Um did ole boy said "in the face of nunumus attacks?" Y'all know Bernie Mac sent these guys.




Huffington Post provided a transcript of a question to Obama that followed the dust up:

QUESTION: "In the face of the numerous attacks that are made against the African community or the black community, by the same U.S. government that you aspire to lead. We are talking about attacks like the sub-prime mortgage... that was a phenomenon that started in the African American and Latino community, attacks like the killing of Sean Bell... and the Jena Six... and on and on... in the face of all these attacks, why is it that you have not had the ability to speak to the interest and the behalf of the oppressed and exploited African-American community in this country?"


OBAMA: "I think you are misinformed ... Every issue you talk of I did speak out about. I have been talking about predatory lending for the last two years in the U.S. Senate and worked to pass legislation to prevent it when I was in the state legislature. I have repeatedly said that many of the predatory loans that were made in the mortgage system did target the African American and Latino communities.

"Jena Six, I was the first candidate to get out there and say this is wrong, that an injustice what had been done... When Sean Bell got shot I put out a statement saying immediately this is a problem...

"Don't start shouting back, I'm just answering your question. On each of these issues I have spoken out. I may not have spoken out the way you have wanted me to speak out. Which is fine. I understand. On each of these issues you have mentioned I have spoken out and I have spoken out forcefully. Listen, I was a civil rights lawyer. I passed the first racial profiling legislation in Illinois. I passed some of the toughest death penalty reform legislation in Illinois. Huffington Post.

Snap, crackle, and pop. Who went and liberated Black folks and whatnot? You mean we get to heckle just like all the other disgruntled group of people in this country? Wow! Say it ain't so! Today feels like Juneteenth or sumthin'

Baratunde over at Jack and Jill has another perspective:

I don’t think Obama’s above reproach or criticism, and I think he should be called to answer any question any citizen of the country he aspires to lead has. So, by all means, lay into him if you think he’s off base or plain wrong. However, anybody who can say with a straight face that Obama is somehow ignoring the problems of black America, is a liar or incredibly, shamefully, willfully lazy and simple-minded. Check out his Urban Policy Plan, his Poverty Plan, his Civil Rights Plan or any of his plans, and there can be no doubt that they offer solutions to the problems of black Americas specifically as well as all Americans generally. Jack and Jill Politics

So did the Slant Truth:

I really don’t get why some people think that if Obama doesn’t talk all black all the time and only about black issues, then he’s a sellout. His vote on FISA, now that was a sellout, but come on, the man was a civil rights lawyer for chrissakes. There are a lot of valid reasons to criticize Sen. Obama. This is not one of them. Slant Truth

Shay over at Booker Rising thinks this was helpful to the campaign:

Sen. Barack Obama getting heckled by a bunch of hardcore Marxists only helps his campaign. Booker Rising

I LOVE this headline from Black Voices "What the Heckler Happened to Obama?"Oh S.T.O.P! It!

This post pretty much encapsulates what most people think about Black folks this election cycle. You can vote, but don't you dare dissent ( publicly or privately). Just sit down and shut up.:

Even if those three dudes weren't Uncle Tom's and had an honest agenda to challenge Obama's positive yet at times vague rhetoric regarding our people, interrupting the man who has brought together the youth of this generation with optimism & hope was a bit out a line. Iced.com

He's calling some Marxists "Uncle Toms"?? UM wasn't the rap on Uncle Tom that he helped prop up the system- Tom wasn't radical? isn't that the complete opposite of what these rabble rousers are about. They ain't mainstream.

Wow. Is this America? Dissent is "out of line"? Oh well, Dr. King, who knew you were out of line. Rosa Parks head to the back of that bus, You are out of line. Lunch counter demonstrators, out of line. Linda Brown, out of line. Ada Lois Sipuel Fisher, out of line. Harriet Tubman, out of line. Frederick Douglas, out of line. Sojourner Truth; out of line! Thank goodness for all the Black folks who occasionally got "out of line" He's not running to be dog catcher! He is running to be the most powerful man on the face of the planet. He will survive criticism form some random fringe element we will never hear from again.

Don't get me wrong. I don't agree with a thing the hecklers said, but dissent in an era of intolerance for dissent by Black people tis a beautiful thang! I agree, no president can be a panacea for all that ails the Black community. In fact, I think that our biggest problem may be expecting anything at all from a government that has a long history of not necessarily having our best interests at heart. Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice, shame on me. Fool me over the course of 500 or so years, call me a a complete and total fool.

So I don't agree with this groups politics, but I continue to be disturbed by an environment where black people are told to basically be quiet until November. Nod Nod Wink Wink. As if it is "understood" that a "brotha' "has our back . He is running for President of the United States of America, it isn't his job to have Black folk's backs. Its our job to hold all politicians accountable and that's hard to do in an environment where the slightest sign of dissent gets people branded as race-traitors and Uncle Toms.

I wonder if all of these people swiftly moving to minimize these heckler's concerns would have the same opinion if these folks had heckled McCain. Who am I kidding, they wouldn't have gotten into a McCain event with a sign. If an elderly librarian can get ticketed and dragged off of public property for holding a sign saying Bush=McCain, these three wouldn't have gotten within on mile of the arena

How long y'all think it is going to take the acolytes to catch up with these three? Run fast. Run like the wind. That sound you hear in the distance is the Obama Acolyte woodshed door swinging open. They're coming for you in 5..4..3..2..1. Don't look back

Now let me go finish watching this debate between Kilpatrick, Scott and Waters,> its excellent weekend fluff! I needed this.

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Comments

[Naima]

Wow, Detroit has some truly lackluster candidates. They can barely speak proper English.

There were like a million anti-war protests at the beginning of the war, with thousands of protesters each rally and they barely got any media attention. 3 guys heckle a presidential candidate and its the most talked about news of the day. And we are not in the middle of Obamamania?

It funny everyone is slamming these young black men, but shouldn't we at least be happy they are politically engaged. Maybe they are trying to reach out to Obama, maybe they want Obama to talk to young black folks and show a particular interest in them like he did the Jewish community. I don't see many people under 21 playing that be quiet until November game, if Obama's people don't do some direct outreach they will forget all about him and stay home November 2 in Ohio, Florida and in Pennsylvania.
And he couldn't think of anything better than telling them run for office or go vote for someone else? Would he have said that to a group of Hispanics? hmmmmmm

[g-e-m2001]

@Nichelle,

There are no prequalifications for dissent. You don't have to be smart enough or wse enough for First Amendment protections to apply to you. Other races of people get to pop off at the mouth this election season and nobody is trying to shut them down in fact they have radio shows, cable TV shows, heck networks. Now all of a sudden any black person that also want's to participate in the discourse must do so under limited circumstance.

Saying "you cant criticize Obama until you reach the following prequalifications" is like saying you can't dissent at all. And guess what happened when Obama was confronted??? He responded! Albeit in a less precise than he should have manner.

In some ways these folks arre WAY more liberated than those of us who may be more "qualified" to engage in dissent/ heck Jesse Jackson has been exiled to Spain for a private criticism.

I have more faith in Obama than most accolytes because I think he can handle criticism. In fact he needs to be worn the heck out between now and the end of this month because his campaign is notoriously flat footed when it comes to beating back broadsides.

I mean one wee after the world wind European tour, does anybody remember that? other than the acolytes? Another thing you ought to be concerned abut is the coverage this is getting. Why is it that these particular hecklers got so much attention at some rally down in the middle of nowhere?

Because White reporters were downright SHOCKED that Black people would openly criticize Obama. So now every fringe group on earth is gong to be headed to Obama rallies heckling. Watch.

You should eb welcoming an opportunity for him to confront his critics openly and in public. Unlike all these email smears that he ignored for 6 months. Now they are the gospel truth.

One of the best things that may happen to him is to be constantly heckled by Black folks because the next group of people won't wait as he keeps saying "wait a minute" "wait a minute"

Naima, I don't agree with the "nunumus" statements made by the hecklers, but I agree, at least they stood up and said something. Anything! He wasn't hurt by it.

[g-e-m2001]

Naima,

I LOVED that Detroit debate. You have three powerful sisters going at it. Now if only the candidate that lives in Conyer's district would have run in the district where she lives.

[Nichelle]

When I say dissenters need to know what they are talking about, I am not saying that they need to be "prequalified" or "smart enough or wise enough for First Amendment protections." I am saying that their dissent is far less effective and will not help the people/issues they are concerned about because for the most part, they will be written off and not taken seriously.

I am also not saying that people can't criticize Obama - but I am stressing that he is judged far more harshly as the first viable Black candidate with a real shot to be president. People act like he is getting a free ride when in reality he (and his wife) have been saddled with double standards and much harsher scrutiny than any of their competitors. Can you imagine if Michelle Obama had Cindy McCain's background with her charity and the pill scandal? What if Barack had left his first wife in the same manner as McCain or had anything to do with the Keating 5 situation? What if Barack didn't know the difference between Sunnis and Shiites and got on national television talking about the situation on the non-existent "Iraq/Pakistan border?"

Obama has confronted hecklers before - and he will confront them again - but I am more upset at uninformed Black hecklers claiming to speak for me and the "Black community" as a whole) precisely because Obama is judged more harshly and unfairly as a Black candidate.

Notice that the hecklers brought up Jena 6 (Louisiana) and Sean Bell (New York) but not Dunbar Village which happened right in their own state of Florida.

I would have preferred you getting up there and asking him point blank about Dunbar Village and Lavena Johnson because the nosy reporters would have had something to investigate and highlight that would actually be useful for all of us.

[g-e-m2001]

I would have preferred you getting up there and asking him point blank about Dunbar Village and Lavena Johnson because the nosy reporters would have had something to investigate and highlight that would actually be useful for all of us.

I thought the same thing. What would happen if either one of the candidates got heckled about LaVena Johnson or Dunbar Village. You know and I know that that is not going to happen.

I have already done my Barack Obama demonstration. I stood outside a fundraiser with a sign that said "Ask Obama About Dunbar Village" I wrote a post about it.

Which goes back to my point. Even if you don't like the quality of their dissent that is separate and apart from the temerity it takes to stand up in public and say ANYTHING.

SO I might not like the message or the messenger, but it points out a clear method to emphasize the issues most important to them. We may think their issues are off, but their issues have been mentioned in every mainstream media outlet for the past 48 hours including the name of their organization.

I have no doubt that if I went out and heckled Obama or McCain about Dunbar Village, Romona Moore, Dorothy Dixon or LaVena Johnson, people would focus on my heresy in criticizing Obama and not the issues. These three didn't have those strategic limitations. Sometimes ignorance is bliss.

Regarding the double standard, what else is new? They have lived under a double standard all of their lives. Black people however have also been subjected to a double standard. While white people have been able to fully engage in the political process, i know for a FACT that Black folks who support Obama, but like any political junkie don't agree with all of his strategic decisions have withdrawn from public discourse due to the vitriolic response to any Black person that dares not to agree with everything Obama. As a political junkie myself, that makes me sad because we only get to do this every four years.

[Faith]

I wish those men could have used that opportunity better. I also take issue with the fact they have not engaged politically before this. I know dissent is good and Obama needs to feel the heat from Black people for sure. Our votes should not be taken for granted. It's just coming from some who don't even vote diminishes it in my eyes. But yes he did answer their questions. Now if we can get some articulate and informed Black women to ask him some questions then we'll have something for posterity.

[Get Togetha]

Everybody wants their fifteen minutes of fame. And I hope those three hecklers got it. As my mama would say: "Too many chiefs and not enough Indians." And the ego has got to have its day.

My two cents is that the goal is to get a qualified and inspirational human being; who happens to be black; into the White House. Not someone to help me solve my personal problems. No politician can do that. No apologies for feeling that way. No shame here. I'm an Obama acolyte.

And quite frankly the more divisive we are as a people the more it helps Obama; so I welcome the dissent. The man is quite aware of what he's up against and that's including Black folks. He had to deal with Jeremiah Wright. So dealing with Three Hecklers is wiping dirt off the shoulders.

[g-e-m2001]

The goal is to get a qualified and inspirational human being; who happens to be black; into the White House.

And how did these three hecklers detract from that goal?

Maybe I have been watching too many presentations on the History Channel, but I just think there always needs to be someone or something prepared to challenge the chief executive of the country any country. Whether I agree with them or not.

So far in the comments. These three have been told they weren't worthy of speaking because they haven't voted. They should have sat down because they weren't articulate. They should have set down because they wanted 15 minutes of fame ( well don't most peaceful protesters seek media attention? thats kind of the point of protest--- to get attention)

Again, he wasn't harmed by their antics.

I think of places like Zimbabwe were a single man has absolute authority and people risk jail or worse just to vote for someone else or worse to not vote at all. Right after 911 we had the same problem with no one having the courage to challenge the chief executive. Now we're stuck in Iraq. Dissenters no matter what their qualifications are necessary in Democracies. Heck this nation was fonded by a bunch of dissenters running from their chief executive.

Again, is there any group of Black folks that would be permitted to heckle Barack Obama on any issue? Before you say FISA, really? Where dey' at???

[g-e-m2001]

I may be a contrarian, but I actually think he's going to win and Black folks still won't be able to criticize the President of the United States on any issue without acolytes going after them.

Was it franklin who said:
""He who would trade liberty for some temporary security, deserves neither liberty nor security."??

In other words, those willing to bit their tongues in the hope that silence will guarantee an Obama victory are headed down a slippery slope. The Republicans are currently suffering the consequences of their 6-year acquiescence to the executive branch.

I think he can win WITH the occasional challenge from a Black person. In fact, I think he has to be challenged on occasion.

Y'all don't honestly believe that all of a sudden Obama is going to be come President and the Acolytes are going to retire? First Black folks are gong to be told to give the President his first 100 days? Then he will come under attack from the Republicans, so we will enter a defensive position a la Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky melodrama. The next thing you know it will be 2010 and he will be gearing up for reelection and we'll be shut down again.

So every time I hear "let's just get him into the White House" its like a page from the history books. It NEVER happens that way. Ever!

[BLKSeaGoat]

I love the Chitlin' Eatin' Negroes of Detroit.

She picked cotton and Tobacco? She can remember?

[g-e-m2001]

Blkseagoat,

There is nothing wrong with hard work. If that lady picked cotton and tobacco, then that says a lot about her work ethic. Some of these kids today could use a work ethic like that.

[Regina]

LOL!! I watched this mess on CNN and watched it again with my 23 yr old daughter ("who was disgusted with black guys trying to use big words and forgetting to comb his hair!"). I think the black community should question Obama, I mean if he is going to be our next President than we should know where he stands on issues BUT please do your homework first! The questions dude asked were like a sound bite from the evening news, he heard some things, wrote them down and tried to use them, not knowing that Obama had already discussed, addressed, or been involved with those issues already!
A little knowledge is dangerous...

Another thing... some black people need to understand that Obama is running for President of the United States not President of the Black people! He can't be held accountable for all of the ills of the black people, it will probably take him 4 years to clean up the mess that Bush inc. has made!

[BLKSeaGoat]

Gina,

Nothing wrong with hard work, but I think she's lying...

She picked two cash crops by hand well after the Industrial revolution AND the end of slavery and the sharecropper system?

It was hilarious to watch though and I appreciate the laugh.

I would have responded to the Obama stuff, but I don't want anyone putting me on a hit list and taking my uppity negro card...

[Yme]

My parents picked cotton in Mississippi. They were born in 1948 & 1949. I have a 45 year old friend that also picked cotton in Mississippi as a child to earn money for school clothes. I was born in 1970 but as a child I did everything from "plucking chickens", "shelling peas", and "churning butter". I hope to add finishing a PhD to that list this fall. But, doing manual labor does wonders for your perspective.

[LeLe Hill]

I think that if I hear one more person say Obama is running to become the president of all America and not Black America, I'm going to throw myself off the Ben Franklin bridge.

[g-e-m2001]

Lele, Girl don't play like that. We gon' touch and agree that the Lawd will put it on your heart to drive across and not jump off of bridges and whatnot.

Instead of saying he is running to be president of ALL of America, what they mean is "Y'all need to not mess this up by making him pander to Black folks the way politicians have to pander to everybody else."

Like I said, who the heck came up with THAT strategy? He has nothing to lose by addressing some pressing issues in the Black or any other community. We didn't stop being Americans once he started running. I just dont view myself as the great unwashed pariah that a candidate must avoid in order to reassure other groups of voters.

White Americans protest over EVERYTHING no one ever tells them to sit down and wait until the election and when they do, the protesters just ignore them. We are the only group of people I knwo that get told to wait our appointed time to ask a politician for anything.

Again, I reject the notion that answering the concerns of future Black constituents is a hindrence.

[Stuff educated black people ta]

Criticizing Obama is heresy in the black community because we want a black president so badly.

He sure was stuttering a lot while answering the question.

Mod 2