Robert E. Lee would be 'very confused,' Obama jokes

[oberliner]

The nation's first African-American president attended his first Alfalfa Club Dinner as commander in chief last night, and Barack Obama got into the spirit of the evening with jokes aimed at the dinner itself, his famously profane chief of staff and even himself.

According to the White House, among the jokes the president told were:

• "I am seriously glad to be here tonight at the annual Alfalfa dinner. I know that many you are aware that this dinner began almost one hundred years ago as a way to celebrate the birthday of General Robert E. Lee. If he were here with us tonight, the general would be 202 years old. And very confused."

http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2009/02/62218794/1

[KharmaTrain]

1. I Think Lee Would Be Amused...

Of all the Confederates, Robert E. Lee had the greatest compassion. IRC, I don't recall him having any strong sentiments toward slavery or the racist attitudes of others (even on the Union side) of the time. If anything, I could see him seeing a President Obama like most of us have...a sign of social and political progress.

[nuxvomica]

2. He might be confused because he recalls the Civil War ending

He wouldn't expect that it's still going, and that it's being waged in Congress by, ironically enough, Republicans.

[Thothmes]

3. Agreed

After the surrender of his army, he urged his soldiers to go home, live in peace and be good citizens in their states and the nation.

[Catch22Dem]

4. Agreed. Lee was far more loyal to the state of Virginia than the idea of slavery

[cobalt1999]

5. Lee on slavery...

"So far from engaging in a war to perpetuate slavery, I am rejoiced that Slavery is abolished. I believe it will be greatly for the interest of the South. So fully am I satisfied of this that I would have cheerfully lost all that I have lost by the war, and have suffered all that I have suffered to have this object attained."

[democrat in Tallahassee]

6. Being opposed to slavery does not equate to not being confused

about having an African American president. There are a lot of people in 2009 who are still confused about how it happened. Just go to Free Republic.

[FirstLight]

7. Read the whole thing! he's really funny!

I love our Pres! he joked that Rahm Emmanuel was "giving back to the comunity" by teaching poor kids how to swear! :rofl:

and ZING! he also made a comment that he was surprised to see Palin there, "Palling around with these types" the washington elite she had been so quick to talk smack about ...

one thing is for sure, he has class... and can make jokes and get everybody laughing... then he says what he means and lets them know in no uncertain terms that HE is THE GUY.

"everybody chill the fuck out....I got this!"

:loveya: President Obama rocks!