Reality Check: Obama Tries to Save Kenya

[Bodhi BloodWave]

The Below is from a DailyKos blog (i've only posted the first 4 paragraphs so you will have to check the link for the details)

Campaigning is a tough business that can drive some candidates to tears. The hectic schedule, the press conferences, the Lines and crowds, the meetings, none of it is easy. All of it deserves our respect, appreciation, and awe.

This morning though, an ongoing matter was focused by Joe Klien of all people... I know... and it's a story I believe all Democrats may wish to hear on this historic day.

Namely, inbetween the Campaign Stops, Debates, and Media Interviews, Mr. Obama has shown a masterful skill I think any Democrat would Respect and Appreciate. He has been an actor on the Global Stage trying to keep the Peace in Kenya all the while he's been building his lead and taking possibly his first steps towards becoming the Next President of the USA.

This is a Reality Check for those who argue he's either not ready or "Wrong"...

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/1/8/95149/26931/452/432792

[Drunken Irishman]

1. God bless him.

[bpeale]

2. you know, there are so many people in need in THIS country

that you don't need to go half way around the world to help someone. obama does nothing for anyone in this country ... not even NOLA's lower 9th ward that houses a majority of black americans.

[killbotfactory]

3. Wow.

What a good point, I never thought about it that way. If only the media would put you on the air, Obama's candidacy would be finished.

[Colobo]

6. Yeah; he should be a spokesperson for Edwards,

[babylonsister]

5. Unreal. Kenya is his father's homeland; I think this is admirable.

Once he's prez, I'm sure he'll be very visible.

PS Your hate is showing.

[bpeale]

7. you know, I HATE THAT NOLA has been ignored

I HATE that those in a position to help (including hillary & obama) HAVE DONE NOTHING FOR NOLA, not personally or in the SENATE/CONGRESS. they have done NOTHING. people there have suffered for more than 2 years & they have done nothing.

you're right. i HATE it. and i FEEL like showing it.

[babylonsister]

9. Have you ever used google? Try Obama + New Orleans; you'd be amazed!

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/08/26/us/politics/26obama.html?_r=1&oref=slogin

http://www.usatoday.com/news/politics/election2008/2007-08-27-obama-new-orleans_N.htm

http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,248300,00.html

There are lots of links if you bothered to look, so don't accuse him of doing nothing or not caring.

[IronLionZion]

11. Just because someone posts it on DU, doesn't mean it's true

DUers are all about parroting the RW meme of "do nothing Dems", whether it is lazy shiftless presidential candidates or lazy shiftless congresspersons. This lie will likely never die. They think that if they repeat it enough times, people will start to believe it, and they are right. It's Republican propaganda at it's finest.

Do you think the Republicans want us to talk about how our Dems have helped people and created real progressive change? Repubes want us to hate our candidates.

[babylonsister]

12. Thanks, ILZ. But I do so like to call them on their b.s.! This

board should be about educating, even if there are those that have no desire to learn.

[IronLionZion]

18. Well Yeah!

of course BS should always be called out, and constructive criticism is healthy and necessary for democracy. I was just promoting honesty in doing it.

:patriot:

[roguevalley]

21. Kenya is wonderful. My uncle lived in Kenya for a long time in the

sixties. He worked as an agronomist for the United Nations. He lived on the same street as Richard Leakey. He was there during the Mau Mau insurrection. Very tough time. Extremely lovely country. Lovely people and culture. Africa, you deserve better than war and crap all the time.

[ellacott]

10. Wow

This is his father's homeland and his mother and sister still live there. First you all say he has no foreign policy experience and then when evidence points to the contrary you all dismiss it.

You all are scary.

[Lisa0825]

13. I think you are completely wrong...

and an example of what is wrong in the world. It is not wrong to try to help ANYBODY. Doing good anywhere in the world is GOOD. In fact, I would put a premium on doing something good for other countries than our own because in so many places, people have it much worse than even our poorest. Maybe if all the fortunate people of the world (ie, most Americans) would put more effort into reaching out beyond our own backyards, the world would have less poverty, less preventable or curable disease leading to death in the 3rd world, and less regional strife.

America may have its problems, but I find it really despicable to think that anyone should NOT try to help anyone, anywhere in the entire world because there are still problems here.

"God Bless the whole wide world.... no exceptions."

I'm not religious, but I like that message.

I still lean Edwards, but KUDOS to Obama for what he is doing!

[Dawgs]

19. Are you serious?

Wait.. you were being sarcastic, right?

Holy shit!!

[babylonsister]

4. REC'D! Gobama! I especially like that he's 'just doing it' and not making

this a spectacle. WE need to do that! :thumbsup:

[Bodhi BloodWave]

8. thats actually one of the things i like about Obama myself

To me he seems the type that if given a choice between two tasks:
one which does not do much but gives a lot of fame
the other do accomplish a fair deal but will not get much attention.

Then he would choose the task that needs to be done over the one granting him fame

[redqueen]

14. I think it's good that he's doing it... but he should make a spectacle.

This issue is not on most people's radar, and it should be.

[Bodhi BloodWave]

16. I disagree, he shouldn't say a word about it

Its not his style to tout his own horn, he will do what needs to be done even if nobody pays attention which to me shows real integrity

If he were to start touting this himself he'd be more of a political opportunist (Aka: look at me and what I'm doing), its far wiser to simply do and let other notice it later

However there is nothing to stop us his supporters from informing people :)

[redqueen]

17. I didn't say he should toot his horn.

I was thinking he might use his media spotlight to spread awareness about what's going on there... but then again, that might only get a loud response from a bunch of knuckle-dragging mouth-breathers saying "but whut abowt amuruhka?" :eyes:

So yeah, maybe he shouldn't. *sigh*

[Bodhi BloodWave]

20. my mistake, thus my apologies

I read the 'make a spectacle' part as meaning he should tell others about what he was doing :)

We do agree i think and you are likely correct on your guess sadly enough, combine that with his opponents likely labeling him a political opportunist since his quiet role would be revealed by him indirectly and you got a spectacle going which would work both against him and likely against the work for a peaceful resolution

[cali]

15. k&r. this is a great thing.

Anyone who carps about this should just be ashamed.