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Barack Obama or Kanye West: Who is Black Enough to be President?

Barack Obama or Kanye West: Who is Black Enough to be President?

Barack Obama showed up in my inbox in the form of a popular video forward that seems to be getting around and impressing a lot of people. I didn't watch the video all the way through. I saw it as typical propagandist drivel to establish Obama as being black enough to be president of the USA. Frankly I got a lot more satisfaction out of Obama Girl . Most certainly a metaphor for Obama's marketability in mainstream media to the extent that he was ordained early on as being able to attract those huge advertising revenues in the general election that the media openly salivates for all through the electoral process. 

 

 

 

I first thought of Kanye West as potential presidential material when he openly criticized George Bush on live network television for the administration's handling of the Katrina debacle. I watched breathlessly as comedian Mike Meyers, being unabashedly serious for a change, looking like a deer caught in the headlights, as Kanye went off teleprompter copy and improvised from the heart. It's must see  TV

Every few years I watch the Grammies just to get a feel for where pop culture is going. Usually once I see it's the same old media red light district hookers being trotted out to perform I change the channel for lack of interest. I almost did when some cowboy wannabe came out and sang a song called "I want to Check You for Ticks."  But Kanye West was to perform so I persevered. I was not to be disappointed. He came out swinging for home runs with the performance of his hit "Stronger" accompanied by technobots, Daft Punk.

After watching that performance I realized that Kanye definitely looks strong and presidential.  Any American could be proud to vote for Kanye West, whether on the Right or Left. He is certainly black enough to be president and he has an extremely appropriate campaign song with a built in slogan: "uh, that that don't kill me, oh, makes me stronger." 

When he accepted his Grammy he was giving thanks to his recently deceased mother when they started to play him out with some crappy music , as they are want to do at the Grammies to rush people off stage. "It would be in good taste to stop the music," Kanye commanded. The music stopped - Commander and Chief or what!

Now don't get the wrong idea. I didn't write this piece to subtly get people to vote for Old Crusty, McCain, or even Billary. After all, Amy Winehouse put in a really good performance at the Grammies as well. West/Winehouse 2008! Let's show'em real dubyas.   

26 comments
Blog posts and comments are entirely the thoughts and ideas of the people who write them and in no way represent the views of CapeCodToday.com, eCape, Inc., or its employees or owners.

02/14/08 @ 9:06 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
I am obsessively torn up over what is going on in this ruse of a democracy. As a passionate Media Lit advocate, the Obama “hope frenzy” is disturbing me on a level that has little to do with Obama, himself, but more with the non-critical and accepting at face value public. Many believe that Obama has the ability to restore hope for all Americans regardless of race, color or creed. As an American, I cannot say that is the case for me, personally. My hope is anchored in education and activism. I am coming to grips that I may be a radical, yet it does not take much in this present set up to be one. I will accept Howard Zinn’s testimony that change takes time, and Zinn (as documented in A People’s History) understood that it also takes sacrifice and sometimes blood. I, personally, am not interested in anymore make-believe mask of change. I acknowledge that Obama is an extraordinary orator- as such that we have not experienced the likes of since our beloved Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. But he is not that man. And although the best leadership is through motivation and inspiration, it is only effective if the leader is practicing the speak. Obama’s record does not indicate this.
02/14/08 @ 9:07 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Both Obama and Clinton were chosen by the media, and my choice, (Kucinich), was shunned. I am torn because I know that if I cast my vote in a grassroots party, I am giving up my vote to the Republican Party- either a war monger or a religious zealot. Yet, I cannot, presently, in good conscience, choose Obama nor Clinton. My question is how do we change this- because that is REAL change- to make a third party a REAL party- to make ALL candidates REAL candidates- who stand a REAL chance.


And I honor Kenye West for his Katrina Appearance- but I don’t think he’s quite qualified to run for the presidency.
02/14/08 @ 9:20 pm
Monponsett [Member] writes:
I want President Deacon Jones keeping the White House warm for Chelsea 2012.
02/14/08 @ 9:23 pm
mjsmom [Member] writes:
Kanye, a Michael Jackson wannabe poseur: Golddigger.
Media is right, diana.
Having seen MJ, Westie, and Winehouse, and Obama and Oprah, not worth obsessiveness.
Obama is an extraordinary actor, like Kenye.
02/15/08 @ 4:53 pm
videopaul [Member] writes:
Kanye is waaaay more interesting than Michael Jackson. I love the Katrina comments. I think it's funny to see all systems go RED ALERT in a live broadcast that's breaking down. And Amy is the most interesting female vocalist to win a Grammy in a long time.
02/17/08 @ 4:01 am
mjsmom [Member] writes:
Kanye is dull. A poseur. Old news. Regarding the Marshall/Hendricks' gang, instead of hiding in shrubbery, and your hatred of LE, and your love of guns, stop smoking, get off the golf course, and research VA records. How many of these career felons are on the VA's payroll? This is fraud. Why the secrecy about this gang's records? Felons are not allowed on any taxpayers' payroll. Obama is a Bay of Pigs, waiting to happen.
02/17/08 @ 4:23 am
mjsmom [Member] writes:
It's difficult when you have no one for whom to vote. Our Vietnam, and useless, stupid speeches (Kennedy was great at it, and he was voted in, as were all their predecessors--Joey's working with the South American dictator for oil). The U.S. needs better options.
The great thing about AOL, you write something stupid, you can delete it.
02/17/08 @ 5:41 am
ifawsupporter [Member] writes:
who is responsible for burials at arlington national cemetary? one military funeral, and another one on the way. you serve, not take. the wolf's name is tillman.
02/17/08 @ 6:13 am
ifawsupporter [Member] writes:
tillman salutes during the ceremonies. this is one well-trained pup.
02/17/08 @ 6:36 am
mjsmom [Member] writes:
It's actually one question: Who gets the U.S. out of this? Hussein-Obama (that's his name, Oprah and the holy rollers notwithstanding) or Kanye, or Bill? These are the options? I would have voted for Guilliani. Now, write in Monp.
02/17/08 @ 6:57 am
Monponsett [Member] writes:
I squeak by on "natural born citizen" and am also under 35 years old. I appreciate the big ups, though.
02/17/08 @ 10:50 pm
Troy [Member] writes:
This is, by no means, a ruse of a democracty. The very fact that Obama, a few short years ago an obscure State Senator, is a legitimate candidate to be the President of the United States is testament to both the health and vibrancy of our democratic experiment of a nation. I am not an Obama fan myself, dianna, but marvel at his Reaganesque ability to make people feel good about being Americans. It is a very real and tangible gift that could help propel our nation out of its current hateful malaise.
02/18/08 @ 9:53 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
from BLACK COMMENTATOR:
Those who ignore reality and the lessons of history do so at their own peril. Ignoring reality, whether in a state of euphoria or not, is nonetheless a sure recipe for disaster.
It is both sad and simultaneously horribly fascinating to observe so many euphorically pinning their hopes and dreams on Barack Obama, a chameleon who speaks liberally of “change” but who is, himself, beholden to the very same blood-sucking corporate vampires (including Lockheed and others) who are ravaging the peoples of America, and the entire planet. It seems we have moved euphemistically from Dracula to a corporately repackaged Blackula in the person of Barack Obama. In the very name of “change,” Obama is moving America euphorically backwards.

Larry Pinksy (continued)
02/18/08 @ 9:55 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
From Black Commentator: Larry Pinkney:
continued:

All of America, but most especially we Black, Brown, and Red peoples, need to pay heed to the unfolding debacle known as the “Obama phenomenon.” This so-called “phenomenon” is propelled by blind euphoria, while being steeped in double-speak and disinformation. The danger in this is self-evident
02/18/08 @ 9:57 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Never mind that Barack Obama is a stalwart supporter of apartheid / corporate Zionism and is beholden to the Zionist corporate lobby in the US, which wags the people of America as a whole to the tune of billions upon billions of dollars from the coffers of this nation. It should be noted that Barack Obama made it quite clear in The Jerusalem Post newspaper (Israel) of January 29, 2008, that the Palestinian people whose lands are, and have long been, illegally and militarily occupied by Israel, “do not have the right of return.” Similar to the wanton genocide that America carried out against the indigenous, so-called “Indian” peoples on this North American continent under the cover of Manifest Destiny, so it is that the Zionists are simultaneously carrying out de facto apartheid and genocide against the Palestinian people. Black, Red, and Brown peoples should pay close attention to this horrible reality, which is supported by Barack Obama, and no amount of Obama double-speak can obfuscate this outrage.
02/18/08 @ 9:57 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Black Americans must realize unequivocally that every Israeli or Jewish person is not necessarily a Zionist, just as every German was not necessarily a Nazi (Adolph Hitler in fact also murdered thousands of non-Jewish Germans who opposed him). However, make no mistake about this: Nazism, Zionism, and apartheid are inextricably tied together. Moreover, it should be clearly understood that Semitic peoples include both Arab and Jewish peoples, including Palestinians. Thus, the constant tactic of depicting any who criticize the actions of Zionists as being “anti-Semitic,” is inaccurate, diversionary, and ridiculous. Barack Obama is deeply beholden to apartheid / corporate Zionism at the expense of the Palestinian people and peace with justice throughout the so-called Middle East.
02/18/08 @ 9:58 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Never mind that Barack Obama, contrary to corporate myth, was never in reality a so-called grassroots, political, “community activist,” but was in fact a financially paid, funded, and comfortable opportunist who did not lay his life on the line in any serious manner for disenfranchised people. Moreover, his alleged “volunteer” work in Chicago was anything but the stuff of legend in serving the people, though one would never learn this from his current supporters in the corporate media. Indeed, Barack Obama is himself the beneficiary of the many serious and committed women and men grassroots, political, community activists who went before him, and who often paid for their activism by tortuous jail/prison time and/or death. Serious community activism is no joke and will never be hailed or supported by corporations or the corporate media.
02/18/08 @ 9:59 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Never mind that Barack Obama has indicated both verbally and in writing that he favors “unilateral” US military actions against other nations, which is both dangerously absurd and in direct contravention and flagrant violation of international law. Notwithstanding the constant double-speak of Barack Obama, his admiration for Ronald Reagan (who despised US working men and women and who unilaterally militarily invaded the tiny Black nation of Grenada), and his warm relationship with William Daley of the infamous and racist Daley political machine in Chicago, should, at bare minimum, give people of good will (of all colors) serious pause for thought.
02/18/08 @ 9:59 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Never mind that Barack Obama has indicated both verbally and in writing that he favors “unilateral” US military actions against other nations, which is both dangerously absurd and in direct contravention and flagrant violation of international law. Notwithstanding the constant double-speak of Barack Obama, his admiration for Ronald Reagan (who despised US working men and women and who unilaterally militarily invaded the tiny Black nation of Grenada), and his warm relationship with William Daley of the infamous and racist Daley political machine in Chicago, should, at bare minimum, give people of good will (of all colors) serious pause for thought.
02/18/08 @ 10:00 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:

Never mind that Barack Obama has indicated both verbally and in writing that he favors “unilateral” US military actions against other nations, which is both dangerously absurd and in direct contravention and flagrant violation of international law. Notwithstanding the constant double-speak of Barack Obama, his admiration for Ronald Reagan (who despised US working men and women and who unilaterally militarily invaded the tiny Black nation of Grenada), and his warm relationship with William Daley of the infamous and racist Daley political machine in Chicago, should, at bare minimum, give people of good will (of all colors) serious pause for thought.
02/18/08 @ 10:01 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
The January 31, 2008, Daily Sun of Nigeria, in an article entitled, "Barack Obama May Win, But He’s No African American," poignantly stated, in relevant part: “There are several fundamental issues that must be clarified to understand the importance of Obama’s candidacy. First of all, strictly speaking Barack Obama is not an African-American - but an African who is American. He’s not a descendant of the enslaved Africans who built America without reward or respect for their contributions… But there is a side to his character that well-illustrates the differences between himself and the average ‘Black American.’ For instance, when speaking of his heritage he points proudly to his living relatives [in Kenya]… He doesn’t have the burden or challenge of discussing how his ancestors overcame prejudice within the very society he’s striving to rule. He doesn’t have to refer to the disenfranchisement and dehumanization of his ancestors when he speaks of the legacy that he represents…” Nor does he have or relate to the collective suffering and ongoing struggle of a physically and emotionally brutalized Black America.
02/18/08 @ 10:02 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:
Many Black Americans and our Brown and Red sisters and brothers will, I fear, come to be deeply disappointed in Barack Obama, once he demonstrates who he really is. There will be no peace or justice under an Obama Presidency, should such come to pass. Even the majority of white Americans, with the exception of the corporate liberals and conservatives, may yet come to realize that Obama’s interests are corporate interests; they are not the needs and interests of everyday people, who represent the overwhelming majority of this nation and the world.
It must be reiterated that the Democrat and Republican Parties have consistently sold out Black, Red, Brown, Yellow, and White peoples in America. There is no doubt that the blind euphoria being experienced by those who are presently not critically thinking - is also being experienced by the elite of the US corporate/military/media apparatus - except that their euphoria is not blind. It is callous, calculating, and cold-blooded
02/18/08 @ 10:02 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:

We need to be about the business of thinking and acting outside the box and building political parties that are outside the box, parties that serve the economic, social, and political interests of the masses of people. This is precisely why the candidacy of former US Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney for President and the Power To The People Coalition is of such enormous importance for the present and for the future. This coalition is all about collectively laying the foundation for systemic change - which is the only way that we can enjoy real change.
Blind euphoria notwithstanding, those who ignore reality and the lessons of history, do so at their own peril. Now, more than ever, is the time to be critical thinkers, not blind followers.
02/18/08 @ 10:03 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Pinkney Continued:

Who is Pinkney?
BlackCommentator.com Editorial Board member, Larry Pinkney, is a veteran of the Black Panther Party, the former Minister of Interior of the Republic of New Africa, a former political prisoner and the only American to have successfully self-authored his civil/political rights case to the United Nations under the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights. For more about Larry Pinkney see the book, Saying No to Power: Autobiography of a 20th Century Activist and Thinker, by William Mandel [Introduction by Howard Zinn]. (Click here to read excerpts from the book) Click here to contact Mr. Pinkney.
02/18/08 @ 10:07 pm
dianna [Member] writes:
Troy-

Love your passion-
I am not an Obama fan myself, dianna, but marvel at his Reaganesque ability to make people feel good about being Americans-

But what is feel good?
Comfortable?
When we feel good- we often do not want to move-
and feeling good under false pretense is dangerous.
I get it. Change takes time. My only message is let us WAKE UP rather than feel good.
02/19/08 @ 1:28 pm
videopaul [Member] writes:
Interesting Dianna, ya kind of took over though. I think that the jist was that elections are becoming like pop culture.
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easthamjppicJames Paul Ludwig is a local media professional. He is the Program Director of Lower Cape Television, Community Access TV, Cable Channel 17, serving the towns of Brewster, Orleans, Eastham, Wellfleet, Truro, and Provincetown. He is also an activist, volunteer, and DJ at community radio station WOMR 92.1 FM out of Provincetown, a semi-retired professional musician, and an advocate for local, national, and international alternative media. James Paul (JP) has lived on the Outer Cape since 1993.

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