Obama speech addresses big issues, personal beliefs
Seldom would I sit for 90 minutes for a TV broadcast. However, I decided to put to work my UNCG speech communication second master's degree during the Barack Obama presidential campaign speech in Greensboro.
As an educator, I wanted to compare what I heard to the media accounts of the next few days.
I was disappointed with the March 27 News & Record headlines, photos and well-written article by Mark Binker. Each focused on what I'd call 10 percent of the speech and questions: race and campaign "jawing!"
Ninety percent covered topics and proposals to address pressing national and international concerns. The speech included the history of the candidate's campaign, relying on individuals' contributions without PAC lobbying funds.
Lastly, during the female-male rotation of asking questions, the candidate answered one about his religious beliefs. His statement included basic tenets affirmed by Christians. He emphasized his need to treat others daily as he wanted to be treated.
Firsthand experiences may be different for different people. Yet, I still prefer to listen to a speaker in a speech or conversation. Positive result: The article helped me double-check what I heard!
Gloria T. Best
Eden
Comments (16)
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A second masters degree in communication?
Is written communication part of the curriculum?
Posted on March 31, 2008 9:09 AM
"His statement included basic tenets affirmed by Christians."
Obama over the weekend:
"Look, I got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old,” he said. “I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby. I don’t want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn’t make sense to not give them information.”
A baby is a punishment, i.e. ending his or her life avoids "punishment". Which basic tenet of Christianity is that Ms. Best? Certainly not Thou shalt not kill.
Posted on March 31, 2008 9:59 PM
" ... ending his or her life avoids 'punishment'."
Jump to conclusions much, Danny Boy?
Posted on April 1, 2008 2:05 AM
Dang! Dan you are quite the hypocrite!
If a REPUBLICAN would have made the exact same statement, you would have hailed them as a "conservative".
As I've said before, the "GOP FIRST, America Second" crowd don't give a damn about America--just about winning.
Oh, and Dan, this IS the proper use of "hypocrite"!
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One more time since you didn't get it the first time:
Having an energy eating house while espousing conservation (Al Gore) is HYPOCRITICAL.
Getting caught by a law you urged as a tool of law enforcement is IRONY.
I know semantics is not your cup of tea, but keep trying to understand it....it will help you grow! : )
Posted on April 1, 2008 7:59 AM
JDR,
This was not a 'jump' to conclusions, it was more like a LEAP to conclusions!
Still wondering how, or better yet, WHY Dan is attacking Obama for a "conservative" stance??????
Posted on April 1, 2008 8:02 AM
"Jump to conclusions much, Danny Boy?"
"it was more like a LEAP to conclusions!"
Obama was at a town hall meeting in Johnstown, PA. A woman stood up and asked Obama to "stop these abortions".
His response:
"Look, I got two daughters — 9 years old and 6 years old,” he said. “I am going to teach them first about values and morals, but if they make a mistake, I don’t want them punished with a baby. I don’t want them punished with an STD at age 16, so it doesn’t make sense to not give them information.”
No jumping to conclusions. You guys spin Obama's statement anyway you wish, the woman specifically asked about abortion, not birth control or adoption.
Many including myself don't consider a baby to be punishment, a baby is an innocent person.
Posted on April 1, 2008 8:21 AM
Dan,
Let me take a LEAP here too--
1. Do you, like the Catholic Church, oppose teaching birth control?
2. Do you, like the Catholic Church, oppose handing out condoms to prevent the spread of HIV/AIDS in Africa?
3. Do you, like the Bush Administration, think Doctors should be "gagged" and unable to speak to their patients about "LEGAL" procedures?
4. Do you, like the right wing "CONSERVATIVES" you adore, think teaching abstinence only is good educational tactic?
5. Do you, like the right wing "CONSERVATIVES" you adore, think teaching birth control is WRONG?
6. Do you, like the right wing "CONSERVATIVES"you adore, ALSO think that children in poverty having babies is a scourge on society?
If you answered YES to either #4 or #5, and then YES to #6, then you are a hypocrite.
Just keeping it real Danny boy. Keeping it real.
Posted on April 1, 2008 2:09 PM
Can't have it both ways Danny.
Do you see why Barack Obama's comments were "conservative"?
If not, then I've wasted some more precious energy on a lost cause. : )
Posted on April 1, 2008 2:12 PM
All sin has consequences, eventually or immediately. The natural consequences of sexual sin can be disease, pregnancy, emotional distress, family strife, etc. One accepts these consequences, does what can be done to make things better (e.g. getting antibiotics, putting the baby up for adoption, apologizing to those we hurt..) and tries to avoid future sin. Adding more sin to the mix, e.g. by killing an innocent baby or by not telling one's intimates about a disease, does not make things better.
I am Baptist, but I must defend my Catholic brothers and sisters. Promoting sexual purity means you want the best for your children and you believe they can, with help from family and God, acheive the best. Attacking Catholics for promoting a healthy sexual lifestyle is just wrong.
Posted on April 1, 2008 6:27 PM
"Do you see why Barack Obama's comments were "conservative"?
Teaching your kids values and morals can be conservative, liberal, or anything else. Depends upon what morals and values parents espouse.
Teaching your daughters that should they happen to make a mistake in getting pregnant, it's not a convenient time to have a child, and the solution is to murder an unborn human being instead of being "punished with a baby" is not a conservative principle.
Fast forward 12 years, Obama's 9 year old is 21. "Dad my boyfriend and I broke up, I made a mistake in having sex with him and now I'm pregnant. Since I don't want to be punished with a baby (i.e. your grandchild) I'm going to have an abortion."
"Of course sweetheart, these mistakes happen. I'll go with you to the Planned Parenthood clinic next Tuesday. I don't want you to be punished with a baby either".
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MamaB, I love you already. You are a wise person. Please come back often.
Posted on April 1, 2008 8:45 PM
Well, once again, I've wasted my energy---and it really is unfair to fight with an unarmed person. My bad. Should have known better. : )
Love how the "conservative" wants to tell others what to believe but doesn't want anyone telling him/her ANYTHING.
(Dan, if you haven't learned yet, that is called hypocrisy.)
Posted on April 1, 2008 9:24 PM
"and it really is unfair to fight with an unarmed person.."
Translation, Demon Deacon can't refute the argument, so it's time to turn tail.
That happens more frequently these days as you get caught in your own mistakes and spin.
Posted on April 1, 2008 9:35 PM
Dan,
Note that this letter writer is not ashamed of HER UNCG education. You should take note of that, and admit you are a Spartan and NOT a Tarheel. There is nothing wrong with being a Spartan and you should stand up and proudly wear those Spartan colors! :)
Posted on April 1, 2008 9:46 PM
Too dang funny. Talk about Spin! Turning a UNCG education into a Tarheel degree??? It's okay, we'll just go along with it Dan. Wink, wink! : )
Posted on April 1, 2008 9:48 PM
"Note that this letter writer is not ashamed of HER UNCG education.'
Translation: Demon Deacon can't refute the argument, so it's time to change the subject. The subject is Obama calling an unwanted pregnancy "punishment with a baby". Demon Deacon's response is where I went to school 26 years ago.
This is too easy. Perhaps I'll put the computer on autopilot.
Any UNC-G student could refute an argument rather than turning tail or changing he subject.
Posted on April 1, 2008 10:14 PM
Just read about Obama's record on abortion. While in the Illinois legislature he opposed the "Born Alive" act, which required hospitals to provide comfort and care to babies who managed to survive abortions. This legislation was prompted by some horrendous incidents in which infants were left to die in soiled laundry rooms because they were supposed to have died during a late-term abortion. Some nurses were even punished for daring to hold and rock these babies until they died.
I defy anyone to reconcile family values with letting a living baby die alone. Are we ancient Spartans (who actually did leave unwanted children outdoors to die) or Americans? Is abortion so precious a "right" that we must put aside all human kindness?
Posted on April 3, 2008 2:01 PM