There is one reason I endorse Obama over McCain.
He inspires.
Some people are waiting for policies to be implemented, votes to be tallied, and his name to be announced after the words “The new President of these United States.” Not me. I completely understand just how little one man can do when faced with a diseased government, a polarized population and armed only with a plan.
The real change begins with moving the people, making a positive impression, exemplary principle and illuminating character. With Obama the real change has already begun.
If you cannot see why this man’s position is so historically significant, you may need to go Eskimo kiss a poison tipped bear trap, blindfolded… and YouTube it.
It’s more than just what he symbolizes, this man actually has a tangible solution. It has won him unprecedented support from those with bills to pass, bills to fold, as well as those with bills to pay. And even those with nothing to give, gave their support. The early voter turnout tells part of that story.
The rest of the story is told by the storytellers, the artists, the musicians, the voices of a people hopeful. An inspired population has turned this man into innumerable pieces of art. His speeches have been converted into poetry. His words are translated into music. His ideas have sparked author’s and writer’s pens with mind-boggling vigor and reverence, and his politics have risen previously dormant voices — from actors, to pundits — into cries of joy and hope. Angry thunderous clouds of McCain supporters loom above raining down their acidic, biled rage, but these people do no not move away from him, they gather. The crowd grows, staring at the podium where Barack the Maestro calmly looks back at a unified crowd chanting “Yes, We Can” because they honestly believe they can.
They honestly believe he can.
Obama Dominating Among Early Voters [Five Thirty Eight]
Bonus — Happy Halloween


Y’all see this ??
http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2008-10-30/a-rapper-salutes-the-slave-trade/
Our music critic calls Soulja Boy on the carpet.
One of the biggest songs in the country last year was an inane, sex-chant-infused Southern rap called “Crank That (Soulja Boy),” by young Soulja Boy Tell Em, from tiny Batesville, Mississippi, population 7,113. Soulja Boy Tell Em turned 18 this summer and is looking forward to voting for the first time. His monster hit song included repeated assertions of a cartoonishly absurd sex act: supermanning, or as he elaborated repeatedly in the song, “Superman that ho,” which means to come on a woman’s back and then put a sheet over her so it sticks to her back and she looks like she’s wearing a cape. Ridiculous stuff. He also chants repeatedly, “Supersoak that ho,” the meaning of which needs no explanation, given the neighborhood we’re already in.
These are ludicrous suggestions that play into the Cro-Magnon conception of men using sex and sperm to attack and slay women. It’s such a mean-spirited vision of sex that every time I heard the record I thought, I bet that before this came out, he was a virgin.
I asked him, “What historical figure do you most hate?” He said, “Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we’d still be in Africa.”
Last week in Atlanta, I got to interview Soulja Boy Tell Em. I found out just how young he really is. He was one of about ten rappers I interviewed in one day for my BET show, The Black Carpet. I decided it’d be fun to give all the rappers part of the Proust questionnaire. I thought it’d be a way to get beyond image and into who they really are. Most of the guys gave good, thoughtful, intelligent, sensitive answers. I asked Juelz Santana, “How would you like to die?” He said, “Loved.”
Then came Soulja Boy Tell Em. I asked him, “What historical figure do you most hate?” He was stumped. I said, “Others have said Hitler, bin Laden, the slave masters…” He said, “Oh wait! Hold up! Shout out to the slave masters! Without them we’d still be in Africa.”
My jaw, at this point, was on the ground.”We wouldn’t be here,” he continued, having no idea how far in it he’d stepped, “to get this ice and tattoos.”
Wow. Never mind that diamonds come from Africa. Never mind that there were many generations of pain in between leaving Africa and getting diamonds. Never mind that the long-term cataclysmic effects of subtracting about tens of millions of young, strong people from Africa over the course of a couple of centuries is a large part of the reason why Africa now appears so distasteful to you. Never mind all that, Soulja Boy. You put country first.
I truly couldn’t have said this any better myself. Excellent piece, Contra. For me to just say, “Cosign” really wouldn’t do this justice.
And I just started to empathize with dude after his Jaun Epstine episode. Now he gets no Fucks out my bag…..ever.
i could not agree with you more…the president is a pawn in every sense…..he is a also a figurehead..and important one …..and i will vote for Obama because he can inspire….motivate..orate with deep proficiency….which is what we need in times like these.
wonderfully written, Contra.
I’m anxious
Daps to GD, Teef & Fearce, my man! (c) Frank Lucas.
OWW!
VIVA!!!
^
Ha! Waddup fam! Holla @ me though.
Politicians should work FOR the people, not just “inspire” them. That’s not a knock on Obama. I believe he will work for the people, but I think y’all should be a LOT more wary of how ANY leader “inspires” you. A lot of dictators and totalitarianists have inspired their people, inspired them a lot more than Obama is inspiring our people at this time. So don’t treat the inspiration factor as anything close to the #1 criterion. Especially not for voting. Obama (or MLK or even Nas or 50) inspires you? Fine–use that emotional energy in your everyday life. But don’t mix up the heart and your brains when you’re in the voting booth. Use your mind and vote for Obama (or whoever–seriously) with your brain, not because the dude is charismatic and a great speaker/motivator. Because y’all know who the most charismatic, most inspiring (for his people) politician of the 20th century was.
This is exactly the reason that I cannot support Obama. He talks about “change” yet he doesn’t have any executive experience and he was only elected to the Senate four years ago. Sure, he’s a great speaker and can be called an inspiration, but if you listen to his speeches and try to find out who this guy is, he leaves you empty-handed as all I’ve heard aren’t filled with much substance at all… Just a constant reminder of how the last eight years were and an emphasis on the word “Change.” My question is, how can a newbie to the Senate (when he’s there or not late) change anything without the experience?
This year, all that I’m worried about is the economy. Nevermind voting for somebody because they’re inspiring and smooth talkers. Washington is full of those type of cats. McCain ’08
one reason?