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selehka's comments:

on The Race Has Just Begun

Ok - I've had all I can take about Senator Clinton. To all the women, that she stood on the backs of pretending to be the first - as a woman, I am indignant. She has been treated gently by the media and the public. If she had been male - already she would have been lambasted for "dirty Republican politics", for manipulating and creating "creative math" concerning the vote (most women are very good at Real math - thank you" and talk would have been about how she has tried desperately to use her gender to get her way.

Can a woman be President? Of course, Geraldine Ferraro showed us the proof in that. Can a woman be capable, strong-willed yet willing to back down when it's necessary? Yes, Nancy Pulosi showed us that. I could go on......

Senator Clinton lost me the minute she started personal attacks on Senator Obama - and she went down hill from there. Obama has class, and we need that in our country right now. We need someone separate from "politics as usual" and has a true vision of getting this country its glory back. I'm on the fence about a Vice President, but if she's the choice, then I'm going Independant as a protest vote.

posted 4 years, 11 months ago
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on The Roadshow's Sideshow

No Impact at all in my area - as far as most of Oregon is concerned - East of Bend is Idaho, the rest of Oregon is just a vacant space to pass through.

That said - In a highly republican area, there is a large switch to Democrat to be able to vote in the primary. I will admit I switched from Independant to Democrat, even though I am fully aware that the popular vote often does not elect our candidates or our Presidents or there wouldn't be "super" delegates. It's good to actually feel like we matter for change and not just "oh yeah, and Oregon had a primary" blip and see enthusiasm about a campaign.

Sadly, if Hillary Clinton continues to practice the Republican 'smear campaign' style, it only gives fuel to McCains campaign. It's good to see active debate - but lets get it back to real issues and not statements about race/age/income etc. Hopefully Oregon media will show the others the 'high road' this time, concentrate on the issues, and not follow like sheep to focus on putting a voter in a box based on sex/religion/lifestyle/age/income.

posted 5 years ago
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on McCain and the Veteran Vote

I am more interested in a candidates agenda and what he/she intends to do to help our country out of the morass it is in than what 'box' media puts her/his supporters fit in. Frankly - according to the media hype, the only qualified person to be a President is an elderly Christian rich black woman who served in Viet Nam. o.0

posted 5 years ago
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on Clinton and the Generational Gender Divide

I am - so tired - of being expected to vote for Clinton simply because she's female. After studying her voting record, and knowing her past choices - she is not a Democrat but a Republican.

Give me a candidate of strength, who believes what other democrats do - and not just another politican. You want me to vote for a woman - give her those qualities. And frankly, I really wish Nancy Pilosi was running....... now THERE is a candidate to be proud to say you voted for.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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on Obama and Race in Oregon

First - knowing this will make almost anything I say be pre-judged and disregarded.... this one time on line I will state, I am pink and 54 years old with cancer. Now - that said (pardon for any politically incorrect terms of speech):

I grew up in the 60's and remember when there was a white section of town and a black section - just as there were white schools and black schools. I also grew up with the 'rich folks' schools and the 'poor folks' schools. Rich folk didn't mingle with anyone but other rich folk - us poor folk mingled with everyone. There was only one high school, and the rich folk still kept to themselves so they could look down on the rest of us.

My father did his best to make sure none of us grew up bigoted, nor did we use negative slang for another race/color despite his prejudices. To him I am grateful, but it has made my life harder. You see - I didn't use to see color when I conversed with a person - I saw a person. Some were idiots, some were severly racist and most were ok, all of this is found in all shades of human skin.

I am saddened that society will no longer let me accept people for who they are. To be 'politically correct', I cannot converse with another person of a different skin-tone without now being forced to monitor my speech for fear of offending. What I would say to someone my age or skin tone is, according to your guests, not suitable to say to them. How sad I have to ignore their humanity to focus on colors first. :(

Ms. Salazar has a deep seated problem she needs to work on herself. I will ask people where they're from - pfft, I get asked it all the time due to still having a Texas accent! I don't consider it rude, nor do I take offense as often I find people are from the same state or nearby states. This gives us a commmonality we can talk about. Maybe it's just small town attitude. In fact....... us 'white folk and poor folk' do it all the time! It has never occurred to me someone would be ashamed of their background and consider it rude. Feel free to ask me anytime where I'm from and how I wound up in Oregon - I'll cheerfully tell you. And I've had some fantastic conversations with many people from other countries - each proud to say "I'm from Nigeria, I'm from Brazil, I'm from England.... I'm from Minnesota." Interesting though - most people prefer to admit they aren't from Oregon..... while Native-Oregonians are apologetic. Go figure.

In the 60's and 70's I believe we were less racist than we are now - because we looked at humanity, not color. You want to see something that really upsets me - live in a small town with a Native American population. The attitudes are horrendous, and you'll find any other race/skin tone perfectly accepted.... but them. And yes, I have stated my offense to others, black/white/brown for they're attitudes, speech and comments made about the Native Americans. I will stand up for any human who is spoken ill of based on any reason but the fact they have earned it - even the French and English! Ok - I will admit to talking ill of the child molesters the rest of the state dumps in our isolated town. Gee thanks - just what we wanted.

By the way, my best friends are on-line and from many countries since they are more open-minded about life. We always ask each other where we're from, and discuss our upbringing, our culture and I'm doing my best to learn Slovenian thanks to an internet friend. Just don't dare confuse him with Slovakian. You see........... it's world wide.

Now, if I meet you, and we find a commonality (maybe I like your tattoo) steel yourself for compliments and good old fashioned getting to know each other. If you can't handle someone being friendly - just tell me.......... I'm sure I'll find a way to be rude.

Bottom line - it's sad that Senator Obama felt he had to make a statement, but his eloquance has always impressed me. At least he's a breath of fresh air and not a Bushette like Senator Clinton - who will do anything to win. I'm an independant who thought Kucinich was purposely ignored by the media because he truly stood up for the American People. I was going to sit out the elections this year (if I'm still alive) but think I'll cast my vote for a man who has shown leadership, eloquance and a determination to hold to his values. Now That - I can vote for and appreciate. You don't get my vote based on gender/color or party affiliation. You get my vote by showing me you can uphold your own inner values and inner humanity without 'sucking up' to the media and the lobbyists.

One word for Senator Obama that shows how I feel? He has HONOR.

posted 5 years, 1 month ago
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