Posted on 06/05/2007 10:51:13 AM PDT by Rodney King
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HAMPTON, Va. (AP) - Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama said Tuesday that the Bush administration has done nothing to defuse a "quiet riot" among blacks that threatens to erupt just as riots in Los Angeles did 15 years ago.
The first-term Illinois senator said that with black people from New Orleans and the Gulf Coast still displaced 20 months after Hurricane Katrina, frustration and resentments are building explosively as they did before the 1992 riots.
"This administration was colorblind in its incompetence," Obama said at a conference of black clergy, "but the poverty and the hopelessness was there long before the hurricane.
"All the hurricane did was to pull the curtain back for all the world to see," he said.
Obama's attack on Bush got ovation after ovation from the nearly 8,000 people gathered in Hampton University's Convocation Center, particularly when he denounced the Iraq war and noted that he had opposed it from the outset.
Repeatedly, he referred to the riots that erupted in Los Angeles after a jury acquitted four police officers of assault charges in the 1991 beating of Rodney King, a black motorist, after a high speed chase. Fifty-five people died and 2,000 were injured in several days of riots in the city's black neighborhoods.
"Those 'quiet riots' that take place every day are born from the same place as the fires and the destruction and the police decked out in riot gear and the deaths," Obama said. "They happen when a sense of disconnect settles in and hope dissipates. Despair takes hold and young people all across this country look at the way the world is and believe that things are never going to get any better."
He argued that once a hurricane hits or a jury renders a not guilty verdict, "the frustration is there for all to see."
Obama, who is bidding to become the first black president, took the stage after a succession of ministers repeatedly brought the crowd to its feet, singing, praying and swaying to music.
Since the State of Louisiana and the City of New Orleans are run by Obama’s party, why doesn’t he assist his fellow Democrats in straightening the city out.
And yet he still uses it to blame Bush, and nobody seems to call him on it. Typical.
I thought it was “Metal Health”
Is this the Barack Obama guy who has a white mother who raised him, a black father who abandoned him and calls himself an “African-American”?
Oh yeah, that guy.
Since the band jokes have been told, I’ll mention my own “Quiet Riot”. I’ll never ever give another dime to a charity for any past present or future problem affecting NOLA. I’ve heard nothing but ingratitude from that area for those of us who did our best to help. I hear about more and more and more of my tax dollars pouring into that place. From now on, the tax dollars are all they get, because the government forces me to give it. I never see such poor behavior coming out of any of the other affected areas. Florida, Mississippi, Alabama, Texas can count on me.
Well, I guess he knows his people, and the ugly reality is that crime rates would seem to bear him out.
compare this pic to a pic of kevi dubrow lately. Where did all that hair come from? Not only a member but the freakin president as well?
The official title is “Mental Health” but since the chorus starts out “Bang your Head....mental health will drive you mad” most people think the song’s called Bang your Head so I put both in there just to make sure people know what the song is.
And this knuckle head is running for president! Give me a break. All that hurricane did was flush out the criminal element from NOLA and that element is what has returned.
First McCain is warning of riots, now not even a few days later Obama is warning of riots...
Are they really trying to incite violence? Are they trying to intimidate voters with threats of riots?
Me thinks me smell a rat, a very big RAT that is the smell of a socialist attempt to overthrow the ‘08 elections with violence and riots!
Yes, I do think they would and will stoop so low this time. Remember the destroyed vans of the RNC, the intimidation at the office in Cleveland, and the troubles fabricated in the Columbus, Oh area. We will see more violence in ‘08. They are already trying to stir up the masses with their rhetoric.
He was at a clergy conference, so I suppose he proposed that the clergy do something meaningful in their individual neighborhoods to relieve the despair of da utes.
Right, Senator?
Lots of blacks are doing great and there are increasingly larger middle classes growing. The unsuccessful ones have unsuccessful habits and that is all.
They are responsible for themselves and can change their situation, Bush, Obama or others can give charity, but not success or prosperity.
It’s time to issue the National Guard their quiet riot guns.
I was thinking it would have been more appropriate to send...
Let them riot. 70 million gun owners can make short work of an insurrection when they are roused.
Race-baiting and poverty-pimping. Jesse Jackson may sue for turf invasion.
Rush talking about this now.
Moreover, if it’s so unfair here, then leave. If I really believed what they say, then I would leave this country. Just as we see MOST Immigrants illegal or not that have come here since the formation of our great Nation. They knew there chance to move up latter was way better here, then any where else.
It truly is amazing to me how some immigrant groups can come here with not a penny to their name, and within one or two generations they are wealthy. Obama’s complete ignorance of history when it comes to societies that are dependent on government. Goes to show this guy has no brain or he is a shyster. Pick your poison. Funny thing that this was mentioned today. I read an article just today ( and I will link it) of the top 50 paid athletes. What you will find is that most are minorities. For instance, in the top 10. Seven of the Top 10 are minorities. Another interesting Fact is the Mike Vick (QB of Atlanta Falcons) is paid way more then Tom Brady (QB of New England Patriots). Tom has been to 4 Super Bowls and has won three. Then I just think about Obama's comments that its not fair..... Please....... Here is the link, http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/more/specials/fortunate50/2007/index.html?cnn=yes
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