I caught some grief I admit when I tell folks that I DID NOT vote for Barrack Obama. They were like, “Brother how can you not vote for a fellow bi-racial American, didn’t you know we mixed folks have been waiting since Prince did Purple Rain to be back on top?” The next question to come out of their mouth after I informed them that I did not vote for brother Obama was usually, “Damn, I can’t believe you voted for McCain!”
The fact is I used my God given freedom of choice and American right to cast a vote of NO CONFIDENCE in either candidate. I actually wrote in my own name. I have a very legitimate reason why before you start running at me all of the “Black folk died yada, yada” and “it is your American duty, BS”. I would like to frame my reason with a question. If you had to choose between two children that you equally love (or hate if you are a crappy parent) to die, which one would you choose? Hummm?
Here is my problem with the forced playdo dichotomistic political nature of our election system. What if you find each one equally crappy and equally immoral?
My voting dilemma was this:
Choose McCain andddd: I would by default be choosing Sarah Palin, whom makes me legitimately sick to my stomach. Now I am what some would consider a Christian fundamentalilst (well sorta) and she fundamentally made me sick. Since McCain was a fall down the steps step away from dying I knew I would probably be voting in reality for her. Not going to do it. In addition I think the Republican party is terrible when it comes to race, social justice, global political acumen, and is a war mongerer. Since I am a strong believer in social justice and racial upliftment I could not vote Republican.
Choose Obama andddd: I am chosing a vote for Abortion. For those of you who know me you already know I am voriciously (I made that word up by the way) opposed to abortion. Obama, being the most leftist President ever elected and being extremely, extremely, liberal on the abortion is, plus the fact that he will most likely be appointing three supreme court justices during his tenure made me unable to pull the trigger.
So in the end I voted for me. I mean really, I had as much chance of winning as any of the other third party candidates. Plus I believe 95% of the things I say anyway so voting for me would not put me into the forced conundrum of the two party dichotomony.
Who did you vote for and why? I won’t judge you…;)
Of course I voted for Obamamandius…, my simple reasoning focused exclusively on how I believe he will deal with citizenry when it becomes necessary to declare martial law in selected localities next year.
By: cnulan on December 12, 2008
at 4:47 pm
“…plus the fact that he will most likely be appointing three supreme court justices during his tenure…”
Question: Understanding that you are not a “leftist”, and not a Republican-brand conservative, I kind of understand (I’m assuming anayway) your opposition to Obama regarding his possible picks for justices… but with who’s there already, woudn’t some “leftists” or “liberals” balance things off?
By: t-shirts101 on December 12, 2008
at 5:24 pm
Sorry for the problem with the comments folks. I think I fixed it. CNulan? Martial Law? Why do you hypothesize that will happen? If they didn’t do it in parts of LA and Compton during the height of the gang wars do you really think they will do it now?
T-Shirts – It may balance it out from a conservative / liberal standpoint, but in regard to abortion, a wedge issue for me, it will keep the entrenched pro-choice decisions in place.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 12, 2008
at 6:01 pm
…at least you were clear about your vote. Others who voted similarly couldn’t even provide a legitimate reason; legitimate as in clear and understood rather than whether or not I agree.
“martial law in selected localities”
Ok, that’s got me curious… please elaborate.
By: t-shirts101 on December 12, 2008
at 6:17 pm
How dorky am I, I didn’t even put your poster name with who you were.
When I get a little more regular traffic I am going to do a profile on your business on the blog. Cool?
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 12, 2008
at 6:19 pm
[...] My Bifurcated Brain Not going to do it. In addition I think the Republican party is terrible when it comes to race, social justice, global political acumen, and… [...]
By: My Bifurcated Brain on December 12, 2008
at 6:21 pm
Dell,
Don’t feel bad. It took me quite a while before I put DG together with your name over on BR.
You’re OK with me man, so whatever you need, just let me know.
By: t-shirts101 on December 12, 2008
at 6:21 pm
12 12 08
Good to see you around again Dell. I voted for Bob Barr because he was opposed to the economic policies of BOTH major candidates. I wonder if his philosophy is somewhat antiquated, however. I could not vote for Obama for the same reason that you mentioned. He is a 100% approved politician from NARAL. He has fallen hook line and sinker for that bs that parades as choice, where it is really murder. As much as I was viscerally overjoyed when he won, the honeymoon is over. I am scared at his economic decisions and hate that “We’ll have to do with less” talk. He needs to abolish the FED and then I’ll respect him!
Didn’t vote for McCain although I was thinking about it UNTIL he chose Palin as a running mate. I then realized that he was morally corrupt. Screw them all. I shoulda voted for my husband but chose Bob Barr. He is smart but has the charisma of a fungal infection. Meh.
By: Mahndisa on December 12, 2008
at 8:11 pm
Ohhh, it all comes together now. Welcome back brother Dell.
Um, voricious = (vicious + voracious) * vociferous?
Anyway, I completely feel you on the two party thing, and can respect your decision.
By: Malik on December 12, 2008
at 8:32 pm
Isn’t that Palin thing crazy Mah? That was one of the primary tipping points for myself as well.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 12, 2008
at 8:56 pm
Cnulan:
I’m guessing Martial Law due to the economy getting so bad…and I guess you are expecting Peak Oil to come on top of that in a few years?
By: Dragon Horse on December 12, 2008
at 9:12 pm
DH I have been out in your neck of the woods a couple of times recently. Next time I am going to call you when I am up there.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 12, 2008
at 9:16 pm
Cool, let me know…we will meet up.
By: Dragon Horse on December 13, 2008
at 12:18 am
Good to see you back Dell!
t-shirts told me you had re-emerged from the lost lands to join us Cyberians.
Sorry about that conflictio thing during the election, man – but you know if you had been bloggin’ regular…
We’d a set you right!
By: BT on December 14, 2008
at 1:11 am
What’s up BT? It would have been a hard sell to get me to vote Obama. Like most Black folks I am glad a brother won, like most anti-abortion folks I am horrified that he won.
Talk about a Dubois double consciousness
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 15, 2008
at 3:04 pm
You could actually consider a vote for the Sno’ Ho’?
Saw a small foreign car turning into a Church lot the other day which epitomized the conflicted nature of the right…
On the left side of the bumper was a sticker which said “I vote Pro-Life”.
On the right was a sticker saying – “This Auto Protected by Smith and Wesson”.
Now – do I need to get into the discussion of how the “Pro-Life” in this country in becoming an agent of the conservative right is defacto complicit in genocide against black folks…
Because of the huge differential in black and white infant mortality caused by the very policies of the right in limiting healthcare?
Hmmmmm….
By: BT on December 15, 2008
at 5:23 pm
But BT, as you know those are two different conversations. Also, it is not just the “religious right” who are anti-abortion folks like the nation of Islam, many of the traditional Islamic faiths and folks who are not religious at all.
Also, and you raised an issue as to why I could never call myself part of the religious right, is the issue you raised on moral consistency. Now, the death penalty is materially different than abortion. But I think you are dead on in regard to policies in place that make infant mortality and other disparities that lead to early childhood death not analyzed and discussed amongst that group.
But this is primarily a distinction between personal morality, and social justice applied through policy.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 15, 2008
at 5:51 pm
The only reason Farrakhan isn’t on conservative talk radio 24×7…
Is he is black – and won’t kiss ass on command.
The version of Islam practiced by the Black Muslims is very close to the conservative ideal…
In fact more so than that practiced by many of the christian right churches.
I’m not pickin’ on you about the anti-abortion thing on this pass – because as you’ve stated before…
Consistency is also a moral value…
And, as I’ve said before, I won’t argue whether one’s belief in, or against abortion is right…
Only whether such belief is buttressed by a logical framework, leading the believer to be consistent about the application of moral principle across the spectrum.
By: BT on December 15, 2008
at 8:06 pm
ok, this makes some sense but considering that you had no chance of winning, i think you should have gone with the brother. the abortion issue will never get resolved and so it comes down to who is best for this country. between obama and maccain an argument could be made but once he put palin on the ticket, obama became the only choice in this race.
By: james on December 15, 2008
at 9:02 pm
But James, the abortion issue could be resolved with conservative candidate appointing three potential justices. Remember, it was the court who allowed abortion to become legal in the first place, so in reality it is only the court that can reverse or limit that decision.
I am not even hardcore “all or nothing” on the issue like some folks. I would be happy with a ban on everything past the 1st trimester as a start.
Also trust me, I did have a strong urge to vote for him just because he was black, and outside the abortion issue, I do think his policies are sounder than the GOP.
In reality I think both sets of policies, democratic and republican are insufficient for black elevation.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 16, 2008
at 3:25 pm
“Why I did not vote for Obama”
…because everyone has a right to be wrong.
By: brotherbrown on December 16, 2008
at 6:23 pm
Well, Dell, you called me a hater of Obama, due to my opposition. I also did not vote for Democrat or Republicans…….or any party. For me to be excited about Obama, I would have to suspend everything that I learned from politics previously, in regards to how promises and pledges not being delivered upon. Moreover, I would have to suspend everything that I had gleaned and analyzed about the nature of America and the issue of race, to believe that Obama could make a collective difference in the state of being of black America.
I was never one of those persons who believed that America would not elect a black person. I always believed that America would elect a “Certain kind” of black person. I believed that the first black president would be a Republican, however, someone with the type of history that was antithetical to the traditional civil rights, Affirmative Action, racial targeting type of black leadership and mainstream beliefs. Of course, I still believe that would have been the case, if not for the financial collapse. I don’t question my views of America, in light of a black liberal becoming president. Rather, I still see America as a saw it before I heard of Obama, but events strongly gave Democrats the edge.
On the other hand, some of the biggest defenders of Obama were of the opinion that America would not and could not elect a black president. They did not believe it could happen. What that demonstrates to me is that such people do not have a good grasp of reality. You were wrong in how you felt about what America would do, yet, you are confident in your belief of who Obama is and what he will do. I don’t share that confidence in Obama, not because I hate him, dislike him or have any negative feelings toward him personally, but rather, because he has made a career out of politics. Anyone who seeks ascendancy in our political system will be corrupted by it. They same “this is the problem” rhetoric they used to get peoples vote becomes their practice once they find that it works to their benefit. For example, Obama pledged to accept campaign financing if McCain did. He believed that such a system was a better way to finance elections. Of course…..that was before he realized he would be giving up an incredible advantage in regards to campaign contribution from donors.
I am not an Obama hater. I hate the idea that now when a village in Pakistan or Afghanistan is bombed, killing 20 women and children, in an attempt to kill one supposed high level terrorist, that there will be a black face behind the order. I hate the idea that the ugliness of America, in regards to foreign policy and the preservation of US INTEREST, will now have a black face behind it. I also hate the idea that when this nation collapses economically, there will be a black face to blame it on. Sure, things were bad under Bush, but you have not seen anything yet, and conservatives are going to blame it on Democratic policies, just like Democrats blamed all everything that went wrong on Republican policies. Tit for tat. So, a black president might be, in the end, seen as the worst president ever, given the state of economic affairs that is extremely probable. I also do not like the idea that a black president will accelerate the elimination of Affirmative Action via the ballot box, as its maintenance will appear on more and more state election ballots where whites will vote against it in even greater numbers now that a black president affirms that “race is not an impediment”. I am also not happy that a black president has created a quiet in the black community in regards to our issues. In fact, every time I have mentioned “our issues”, since Obama has been running, black folks have been acting like there is no such thing. Before Obama started running for president, “our issues” were a commonly understood and accepted concept, except with black republicans. After Obama started running and gaining tractions, “our issues” became Obama winning. What previously was known as “our issues” became something seen as an impediment to Obama being elected….and rendered as something negative and counterproductive?
There is a co-worker of mine, a sister, who is big supporter of Obama. There is another co-worker, who she cannot stand, because she kissed tail, in her opinion, to rise to position of management in a short period of time. The sister says that she does not really have a problem with not like her as much as she does not like the tail kissing, which she does not respect. Well, I told her that Obama kissed tail and she thought his strategy to ascent was brilliant. He kissed tail by leaving out all the stuff about black folks that would upset white folks to the degree that they would not elect him. So here we have a person disliked because she kissed tail to move up the ranks of management, yet, another person who is like and respected for his strategy of kissing tail to win the Democratic Primary and the Presidency. Well, either tail kissing is or is not a respectable attribute to ascent. Everyone knows that If Obama leaned too much (too much for white folks) to the black, he would not have gotten the promotion. Well….of course the desire or obsession to see the first black president blinds people from seeing what he did for what it truly was…..which was tail kissing. Singling out black fathers as irresponsible on father’s day, chastising black folks for feeding their kids fried chicken for breakfast, not attending the SOTBU, not attending MLK Memphis events, giving a speech on race where he essentially labeled black anger as unproductive and misguided, while in the same breath making white anger seem legitimate. He denounced many of the beliefs and statements of his former Paster, even though the majority of blacks agreed with his pastors words (although they wished he did not say them because it could hurt Obama). The list goes on and on with the tail kissing….unless that is what Obama really believes. It if is, then he is only black in color.
By: Noah The African on December 16, 2008
at 7:46 pm
Ha! Spoken like a true democrat.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 16, 2008
at 9:03 pm
Who, me? As you put it, I am stauchly independent.
With a pro-black sentiment.
By: brotherbrown on December 16, 2008
at 9:21 pm
I would say I am the same. Do you think Obama is pro-black or just black?
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 16, 2008
at 9:30 pm
Noah, I don’t call you a hater because of your opposition. Back when Obama first starting running I was writing post with a similar sentiment to the ones you have been expressing. I was calling you a hater because even in the face of the achievement you were criticizing. I mean, I can be down on somebody, but still recognize when they do something phenomenal. I think Obama did something phenomenal irrespective of my feelings on if he can create true sustainable change or a global paradigm shift in how Black folks are viewed.
But the core of your criticism i do agree with.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 16, 2008
at 9:42 pm
DG “something phenomenal” is subjective. Just because you are impressed you should not superimpose your analysis as overiding of my own.
By: Noah The African on December 16, 2008
at 11:48 pm
Noah:
Isn’t suggesting that those who voted for Obama shouldn’t have the right to vote or are otherwise misinformed or misguided, as you’ve suggested previously, doing the same thing?
Hater. (lol)
By: t-shirts101 on December 17, 2008
at 3:13 pm
Noah, yes I should because I think my analysis is stronger than yours. Simply put, in this nation, with its history, regardless of ones perception of Obama, his becoming the president is something phenomenal even if you go by the dictionary definition of the word.
I would say the same thing about Hitler. What he did was phenomenal, but it was just gross, racist, genocidal and twisted.
To me there is a distinction between achievement of a position, and adequately performing the job.
So if you tell me that Obama not winning the presidency of the United States as a Black man is not phenomenal of course I am going to question you analysis and ascribe your comments to something other than neutral analysis.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 17, 2008
at 4:03 pm
PS. I am having a heck of a time with the wordpress database which is why you may see the new post popping in and out and have strange formatting.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 17, 2008
at 4:04 pm
Do you think Obama is pro-black or just black?
I can’t say for sure, but check out this chart of his closest friends. Looks like mine.
By: brotherbrown on December 17, 2008
at 4:53 pm
I was calling you a hater because even in the face of the achievement you were criticizing.
Our hata is confused.
Noah is a racist, because the core of his argument is his buy in to the concept that black people are stupid. Now, this flies in the face of the fact that despite Bushsquat getting 11% of the black vote in 2000, he got less than 4% of the black vote with a 4 year College Degree or higher. Indeed, black voter demographics indicate that the higher the education level…
The less likely to vote Republican since Raygun.
Now – In an America still divided by the vestiges of Jim Crow, well within the lifespan experience of many Americans, it is certainly true that some people in this country will vote strictly along racial lines. We saw this in Maryland, where Michael Steele, a black Republican candidate drew unprecedented support from the black voters in PG County in his run for Congress…
We also saw it in this Presidential election where Obama garnered less than 10% of the white vote in Alabama, Mississippi, and other deep south former confederate states.
Yet our boy continues to demagogue the point that solely black people are stupid for voting racially.
THAT, is racism…
Any way you slice it.
Obama won because there is a demographic shift in America…
Obama won because he ran the best campaign in recent history…
Obama won, because he was the superior candidate.
Get over it!
By: BT on December 17, 2008
at 5:39 pm
Brotherbrown, I wouldn’t mind meeting Desiree Rogers.
By: Deus Ex Machina on December 17, 2008
at 6:26 pm