Angry Obama the pothead is not how they remember him on Hawaii

Daily Telegraph ^ | March 25, 2007 | Hans Nichols in Honolulu, Sunday Telegraph

[Cincinatus' Wife]

.....Sen Obama's self-portrait of an angry young black man who became a "pothead" is scarcely recognisable to those who knew him during his formative years in Hawaii.

Now some are asking whether the first serious black contender for the White House may also be the first major candidate to exaggerate his drug use for political effect.

....The Illinois senator's depiction of his Hawaiian upbringing as a time of intense inner struggle, full of racial angst, is also a surprise to those who shared his time in the archipelago where the "Aloha Spirit" of racial harmony defines America's 50th state.

The verdant islands, with their golden beaches 5,000 miles from the American capital, are the home to a Pacific melting pot, where Polynesians, Japanese and Chinese have harvested sugar cane for generations and whites from the mainland, known as haoles, have long been a minority.

A keen basketball player, Sen Obama highlights in his book the feelings of alienation caused by "always playing on the white man's court - by the white man's rules. If the principal, or the coach, or a teacher wanted to spit in your face, he could, because he had the power and you didn't."

But that's not the Barack Obama, nor the Hawaii of the 1970s, recalled by his friends, teachers and team-mates. They remember instead the summer of 1978 when "easy-going Barry" was in constant search of a basketball game, strutting around the island as if he owned it, dribbling a ball from school to the golden sands of Waikiki beach as he belted out Earth, Wind and Fire songs in a distinctive, gravelly voice..............

[Quick or Dead]

A keen basketball player, Sen Obama highlights in his book the feelings of alienation caused by "always playing on the white man's court - by the white man's rules. If the principal, or the coach, or a teacher wanted to spit in your face, he could, because he had the power and you didn't."

Barry Hussein is fighting hard for his "Black Cred" since it looks like Queen Hillary could snatch it right out from under him. What better way than to attack Whitey?

[honolulugal]

I concur, wai-ming.

And I've lived here for 37 years.

[jim35]

No place in America was a hotbed of racism in 1978. That was the golden era of racial lawsuits, quotas, and job promotions to those who could recruit the most black or female employees. It was the decade of M.A.S.H., Archie Bunker, The Jeffersons, and white guilt was all the rage. Osama Hussein is lying through his sparkling teeth.

[martin_fierro]

LOL

Seek help.

[papasmurf]

Ya' know, he seems to have his own issues with his skin color, and his race.

:O)

p

[volunbeer]

I could not help chuckling when I read that garbage.

I thought of the "I'm Wayne Brady, bi^%h" skit from the Dave Chappelle show.

For those who did not watch the Chappelle show on comedy central (I imagine that is most of you) this was a skit with Wayne Brady (the very clean cut black guy from the TV show who's line is it anyway) acting like a thug to counteract his nice guy image. It was really funny and sadly appropriate to this story.

I really wish the Chappelle show was still on the air because he would have a field day with Obama!

[volunbeer]

Bill Clinton is obviously blacker than Obama.

[warsaw44]

Unfortunate exchange in Boston last night.

Dingbat 20 something year old girlies: " Well, like, I think I'm going to vote for Obama for president "

Warsaw44 eye balling his idiot friend for engaging these dingbats in the first place: " I see...what is it about Obama
you like ? ".

Dingbats: " Well, like - hes like, inspirational! "

Warsaw44: " Inspirational....?"

Dingbats: " Like the way he talks - its inspiring! Besides - I'm not a racist so I'm going to vote for him! "

[MaxMax]

Now some are asking whether the first serious
black Irish/African American/Black/Irishman
contender for the White House may also be the first major candidate
to exaggerate his drug use for political effect.

So many heritages and so little time before the primary.

Is Obama German yet?

[Darkwolf377]

Oh Lordy. I also love the younguns who use the term "well-spoken" about every black politician. Cringe-inducing racial stereotyping by libs.

Almost as bad as the (white, 20-something) teacher from Jamaica Plain who told me he was voting for Deval Patrick because he "brings hope." A LIBERAL I know gave this guy crap for just parroting the Patrick ad campaign.

[philman_36]

You'd almost think Hillay's team is behind this article.
Almost.

The British press. Doing the reporting Americans don't want to report. /"migrant worker" comparison

[Lurker]

Osama Hussein is lying through his sparkling teeth.

File that under "No sh**."

L

[Darkwolf377]

I just checked out Obama's website and his positions. I suggest all FReepers do the same, and spend a good 30-60 minutes studying his and all the candidates, to have this info handy for dealing with discussions.

Obama's claims are absolutely hilarious--his proudest achievments are things that were "signed into law"--never mentioning they were signed into law by President George W. Bush.

[Nick Thimmesch]

To some, the term "pothead" is as offensive as, well, you know.

[endthematrix]

OMG! That was the funniest skit on Chappelle. I really love that show.

[philman_36]

To some, the term "pothead" is as offensive as, well, you know.
What? Pinky?

[CheyennePress]

The only racism I've ever seen in Hawaii is AGAINST white people. And I don't know how hard Obama had to scour to find a white-dominated high school, but as an FYI, there aren't many places where they are the majority.

This sounds completely bogus to me.

[CheyennePress]

>>Dingbats: " Like the way he talks - its inspiring! Besides - I'm not a racist so I'm going to vote for him! "<<

There are more mindless dronish white people so wiling to throw themselves at the feet of the nearest black person to prove that they're not racist that it's beyond ridiculous.

That's the way it's going to be with Obama. Bet on it.

[Beckwith]

--"Why am I supposed to think this guy is capable of being president?"

Capabilities have nothing to do with it -- he's just always wanted to be president since he was a child.

Iis Darmawan, 63, Obama's teacher at the Besuki Primary School, remembers him as an exceptionally tall and curly haired child who quickly picked up the local language and had sharp math skills. "He wrote an essay titled, 'I Want To Become President,'" the teacher said.

Obama's sister Maya, has also said, "There was always a joke between my mom and Barack that he would be the first black president."

The one thread, that remains consistent, throughout Obama's life, is his teacher's, mentor's and friend's recollection of Obama's single-minded pursuit of high political office.

[Darkwolf377]

That's what's so annoying about his candidacy--it's like he's supposed to become president because you're a racist if you don't think he's just SUPPOSED to become president.