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ezekielthemack

Listed below are comments made by ezekielthemack between Friday, 17th October 2008 and Friday, 7th November 2008.

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An end to "victimhood"? 8:55pm on 07 Nov 2008 #Nick-Gotts

You clearly haven't looked at the context of my riposte that you responded to. I don't need to be told of the brilliance of Barack and his Ivy league education etc. and the shortcomings of the Republicans as being an integral part of why he won on Tuesday. I've been extoling his virtues for the last nine months when people didn't even know who he was.
An end to "victimhood"? 1:31pm on 07 Nov 2008 As a black British man who's 41 years old, noone was more happy than me on Tuesday night when Barack Obama created history by becoming the first Black president in American history. It is a moment that will resonate with black people the world over, for the rest of their lives.

That said, we need to put things into perspective. Barack won this election by coming across as a non-threatening, educated, intellectual and articulate black man. For pockets of white America this threw them somewhat off kilter, because Barack didn't appear to adhere to the usual negative stereotypes that are levelled at black man i.e. aggression, lack of intellect/intelligence, laziness etc.

This is the reason why it was so hard for McCain to paint Obama as a "terrorist" or "bad" because his demeanour and countenance could never be construed as being synonymous with any of those character traits.

To suggest that his emphatic election victory will somehow put an end to racism as we know it, and leave blacks devoid of an excuse to accuse a white counterpart of racism, is one of the most spurious rationales I've ever heard in my 41 years on this planet.

The irony in all of this is that the hardest hurdle of them all, a black man becoming president of the U.S., has now been shattered beyond repair, yet there are a myriad of smaller and more "modest" hurdles that have yet to be broken down.

Another irony is the accolades from politicians in this country particularly on the right side of the political spectrum, who although they've issued praise to Obama for breaking down the racial barriers and becoming the 44th president, wouldn't even consider buying a property next door to a family looking like the one we saw on the News after the election had been won.

Even when I look at the BBC, I think it's a staid organsation in terms of its employee demographic. Whilst they profess to be an equal opportunities employer (doesn't everybody), this doesn't seem to be translated into the visible employee demographic we see at the BBC. I've yet to see a black person on the sofa presenting the "Breakfast news" show on BB1 at 6am in the morning and I think that is very sad, when you consider that we're constantly being told how multi-cultural London/Britain is.

ITV are just as complicit on this issue also, as I've never seen a black person presenting on the prestigious GMTV sofa in all the years that I've been watching GMTV.
It has never ceased to amaze me that GMTV can give a presenter's job to a third rate former tennis player like Andrew Castle, but cannot in all the years that they've been on air, give a job to a qualified black journalist, that would be reflective of the diverse demographic and make-up of this country.

What's also sad are the tokenistic appointments of black people (i.e. Moira Stuart, Trevor McDonald) that are made to give the black community the impression that the BBC are somehow "meeting their quota" of employing blacks and ethic minorities, but to be honest, it never has and never will wash with me. When you use a "turnstile" method to employ black people in high profile positions, all that says to people is that you are not prepared to have more than one black person in a high profile position, at any given time. In that respect I don't think we've come as far as we should have.

It is important for everyone to keep in mind that despite the fact that Barack Obama, is now president, it does not negate the fact that blacks both here and in America, are today working in corporations that for the most part, are owned by white people and will be answerable to white people in senior positions in a corporate environment, who in many cases will have hidden racist agendas coupled with the leverage to implement them.

Never underestimate the toxic social ill that is racism. Granted, things are a bit better, but it's still here.
Stretching America 12:36pm on 05 Nov 2008 I stayed up all night to watch history unfold and boy am I glad that I did. This victory resonates with me as a black British male, as I never thought I would see a black president in my lifetime and I'm 41 years old.

Last night, was the night that America grew up as a nation, and chose a man for president, based on the content of his character as opposed to the colour of his skin.

As I've been saying for months, not only has Barack won this race and won it well, he's going to make an excellent president and leave his detractors in the shade.

What a beautfiul day to be a black person.
Sinister motives? 10:44am on 04 Nov 2008 clueduprock

"If the Republicans win and there is evidence of electoral fraud, there will blood in the streets."
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I'm in total agreement with you. If America wants to see the beginning of another civil war, it needs to make sure that this election is conducted in an above board fashion and is devoid of misgivings.

This reeks of the insidious Republicans being up to their usual tricks all over again. I've said from day one that the ONLY way that John McCain can win this election is through vote rigging, and it looks as though the good old Republicans may be resorting to this again. The best solution is for Democrats to get up as early as possible and to queue for as long as possible in order to get their votes physically registered.

Having said that, as someone who works in software development as a programmer, I'm surprised that this system does not generate some form of paper receipt so that the individual can see who they've actually registered a vote for, or is that too logical?? Things that make you go hmmmmm.
Soft imperalism 5:34pm on 03 Nov 2008 MagicKirin,

You say you have doubts about Obama? Are you trying to make me laugh or what?

Are you seriously suggesting that McCain is a better choice than Obama? McCain, the person who addressed congregants at a rally as "my fellow prisoners". I've just finished watching a video on You tube featuring the great John Cleese on NBC and even he was asking what would possess a person to vote for someone who refers to his congregants attending his rally as "my fellow prisoners", amidst guffaws of laughter. It goes without saying that Mr Cleese is pro-Obama.

MagicKirin, let Barack worry about Barack, as he's not a baby and he'll garner the right advice (regarding foreign policy etc.) from the people in the know, because he's intelligent enough to do so all by himself. Just be safe in the knowledge that barring a miracle, as I've been saying for the last 6 months, America will have it's first black president and history will be made. I've already got my champagne on ice.

Whatever the outcome, he's done me proud as a black British man, not just because he's clearly brilliant, but in the way that he has conducted himself with diginity, poise and pride throughout the primaries and this presidential campaign. His conduct and demeanour have been exemplary and nothing can stop him now.
Obama in enemy territory 08:36am on 01 Nov 2008 Justin,

He's doing "this" because as we all know the polls tend to tighten towards the end of a presidential race, and in this case they are tightening in Arizona. If anyone had the disposable amounts of cash that Barack has, they would be doing exactly the same thing, irrespective of what they may tell you.

The fact is that Obama has executed his campaign with the precision of a well thought out military operation and more importantly, as has been borne out in relation to Arizona, he has NOT taken his foot off the gas pedal. This lack of complacency is what I believe will win him the election on Tuesday.
Bad losers and bad finishers 5:45pm on 30 Oct 2008 Exserviceman, what are you trying to prove here? Do you think that your spurious accusations are going to somehow stop Obama from becoming the first black president? If so, I think your futile endeavours are just that futile.

Let's put things in perspective, the mistake that Hilary (that's the correct spelling by the way) and McCain made is to underestimate the greatness and incisiveness of Barack Obama.

This is a man that has utililsed internet technology as a foil for his campaign to such a degree that he managed to garner more funds than either Clinton or McCain's campaigns. If that doesn't give you an idea of how good a president he'll be, then nothing will.

Presidency is not about being a forlorn figure locked inside a room to produce the requisite results for the citizens of America. It is about surrounding yourself with the best people to provide and implement the best solutions. Clinton and McCain didn't surround themselves with the best people hence the reason, why their campaigns haven't done as well as obama's.

Quite frankly, if anyone cannot deduce that of the two candidates, Obama is the best man for this particular job, at this particular time, they clearly need their head examined, as you don't have to be the brain of Britain to know that a man (McCain) who cannot even grasp the concept of email is not the man to lead America forward at this particular epoch in America's history.
Palin disaster, Powell endorsement 12:26pm on 20 Oct 2008 BraunSA,

The whole point of being taxed at a higher rate when you earn in excess of $250,000 is that premise that, because you earn more, you have more in the way of disposable income that can be taxed. The less you earn, the less you have in the way of disposable income, therefore you are taxed less.

Why is this this rudimentary concept so hard for you to understand?
Palin disaster, Powell endorsement 10:56am on 20 Oct 2008 Justin,

If you'd been listening to me for the past two months, when I've been telling you that Palin is the most ridiculous political appointment in the history of American politics, you wouldn't have to now concede how ill conceived this political appointment was.

Let me tell you here and now, after Colin Powells endorsement of Obama, McCain is now toast. Barring a miracle, there's no way that he can win this election. The fact that one of the most revered members of the Republican party publicly denounces his VP appointment, speak volumes. And if Colin Powell can see how ridiculous said appointment was, believe me, the whole world can see it.

This campaign will be remembered mainly for two things, namely, McCain hugely underestimating the ability of Barack Obama (like Hilary), and secondly, the misguided political appointment of Palin. To say that McCain exhibited gross misjudgement in the latter, is the understatement of the year.
Split decision 7:00pm on 17 Oct 2008 #148 IceTayoa,

Can you tell me what is undeserved about the accolades that Barack Obama is currently receiving?

I ask, because from where I'm sitting, there's no doubt that throughout this campaign (as well as the primaries), he is the candidate who has exhibited the most professionalism, poise and leadership qualities.

I noticed in your post you didn't have one good thing to say about John McCain to counter your argument that Obama doesn't deserve these accolades, which tells its own story.

You don't have to take my word for it, but come November 4th all should be revealed.

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