Belafonte on Obama

[takoma]

For a view of Obama from the left, beside Jeff's, look at Charlie Rose's interview of Harry Belafonte: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12061, beginning just after 45 minutes, although the whole thing is worth watching.

[Anonymous]

takoma wrote:For a view of Obama from the left, beside Jeff's, look at Charlie Rose's interview of Harry Belafonte: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12061, beginning just after 45 minutes, although the whole thing is worth watching.

why would I want to watch one idiot talking about a second?

[jsteele]

Anonymous wrote:
why would I want to watch one idiot talking about a second?

So you could form a threesome?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:For a view of Obama from the left, beside Jeff's, look at Charlie Rose's interview of Harry Belafonte: http://www.charlierose.com/view/interview/12061, beginning just after 45 minutes, although the whole thing is worth watching.

why would I want to watch one idiot talking about a second?

Because for you this would be a learning opportunity.

[takoma]

I can see mocking his political views, since they undoubtedly differ from yours, but to call someone this talented, sincere, and experienced an idiot is idiotic!

However, since he is quite critical of Obama, you might, as 13:12 suggests, learn something to add some substance to your own criticism.

Personally, I find it as shocking to hear that Obama does not afford respect to Belafonte, if only for his age and years of civil rights activism, as when Fenty could not find time for Maya Angelou.

[Anonymous]

AA woman here and Obama voter. I think what he says about progressives being missing from the table is absolutely correct. He has not been nearly as progressive as many had hoped. And I have been particularly disappointed by this. However, the alternative to Obama on this next go would be unacceptable - so he gets my vote again.

[takoma]

Anonymous wrote:AA woman here and Obama voter. I think what he says about progressives being missing from the table is absolutely correct. He has not been nearly as progressive as many had hoped. And I have been particularly disappointed by this. However, the alternative to Obama on this next go would be unacceptable - so he gets my vote again.

Neither AA nor woman, but totally in accord, barring unforeseeable circumstances (perhaps a run by Russ Feingold??)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:AA woman here and Obama voter. I think what he says about progressives being missing from the table is absolutely correct. He has not been nearly as progressive as many had hoped. And I have been particularly disappointed by this. However, the alternative to Obama on this next go would be unacceptable - so he gets my vote again.

+1

[Anonymous]

takoma wrote:I can see mocking his political views, since they undoubtedly differ from yours, but to call someone this talented, sincere, and experienced an idiot is idiotic!

However, since he is quite critical of Obama, you might, as 13:12 suggests, learn something to add some substance to your own criticism.

Personally, I find it as shocking to hear that Obama does not afford respect to Belafonte, if only for his age and years of civil rights activism, as when Fenty could not find time for Maya Angelou.

come on, calling Colin Powel and Condi Rice "house slaves" makes him unworthy of my respect. Good riddance.

[Anonymous]

I have a friend who interacted with Belafonte during a campaign (not going to say which one). He sounds like a prima donna and a NUT. Not a nice person.

Not saying he's wrong about Obama but, if he is complaining about being disrespected? I take that with a HUGE grain of salt.

[Anonymous]

Obama can't talk to Belafonte because he has said some inflammatory things that will be used against him like with Reverend Wright. The President can't meet with every activist or celebrity, and the political consequences have to be considered.

It's also a bit presumptuous to expect that his door is open to any black activist by virtue of his ethnicity.

That said, I agree with many of Belafonte's criticisms of Obama.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:I can see mocking his political views, since they undoubtedly differ from yours, but to call someone this talented, sincere, and experienced an idiot is idiotic!

However, since he is quite critical of Obama, you might, as 13:12 suggests, learn something to add some substance to your own criticism.

Personally, I find it as shocking to hear that Obama does not afford respect to Belafonte, if only for his age and years of civil rights activism, as when Fenty could not find time for Maya Angelou.

come on, calling Colin Powel and Condi Rice "house slaves" makes him unworthy of my respect. Good riddance.

Aw, the middle-aged right-wing white woman is upset by Belafonte's racial insensitivity...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

takoma wrote:I can see mocking his political views, since they undoubtedly differ from yours, but to call someone this talented, sincere, and experienced an idiot is idiotic!

However, since he is quite critical of Obama, you might, as 13:12 suggests, learn something to add some substance to your own criticism.

Personally, I find it as shocking to hear that Obama does not afford respect to Belafonte, if only for his age and years of civil rights activism, as when Fenty could not find time for Maya Angelou.

come on, calling Colin Powel and Condi Rice "house slaves" makes him unworthy of my respect. Good riddance.

Aw, the middle-aged right-wing white woman is upset by Belafonte's racial insensitivity...

Actually although I am not that poster, I was also bothered by those comments from Belafonte, and I am a die-hard lefty. The implications of his "house slave" analogy are

(1) that they got the job because of race,
(2) that they are more subservient than their white counterparts in these jobs, and that
(3) this subservience is due to an emotional need to be accepted by their oppressor.

Frankly it is insulting. I am no fan of Rice or Powell, but I think it's awful, and Belafonte's political credentials and beautiful voice do not make it more appealing to me.