YES

... she is imperfect and in need of improvement ... but by far the greatest country on earth.

Just curious.... do you recall man landing on the moon? Where were you when the Berlin Wall came down? What about Desert Storm?

I could go on and on .... but my question is did you catch the "For the FIRST time ... " part of her statement? It is NOT what you were saying about America being a shadow of what it once was.

You might want to give it a bit more thought if you have NEVER been proud of America in your adult life. Seems you would have been proud when you left for the Corp to me.

Thanks for serving.
1975-1981

PRIDE is a mortal sin!
Respect is a better word.

I agree with her too -- on certain things.

But the issue raised by her statement isn't "unbridled respect" or flag-waving jingoism.

If you read Ms. O's statement literally, she's saying there is not one thing that's made her "really proud" of America in the past 25 years -- not a single humanitarian campaign such as tsunami aid, not a single scientific, educational, medical or technological advance, not a single communal act of kindness, not even the way our civic institutions function day-in day-out, etc etc etc.

Now, I suspect she doesn't really think that and I hope she will say so, quickly and emphatically. The scarier alternative is that it was a moment of raw honesty, and whatever resentments she carries have blinded her to any redeeming qualities our country holds. If that's the case I don't want her waking up next to the president every day.

It was a stupid thing to say, all the moreso because it seemed very deliberate....

An interesting -- and very poor -- choice of phrasing by Ms. O.

Here's the quote in full context:

"What we've learned over this year is that hope is making a comeback. It is making a comeback and let me tell you something, for the first time in my adult lifetime, I'm really proud of my country. And not just because Barack has done well, but because I think people are hungry for change. And I have been desperate to see our country moving in that direction and just not feeling so alone in my frustration and disappointment. I've seen people who are hungry to be unified around some basic common issues, and it's made me proud. And I feel privileged to be a part of even witnessing this, traveling around states all over this country and being reminded that there is more that unites us than divides us..."

It'll be interesting to see if she tries to 'splain herself.

A spokesman has already tried. From ABC web site: Asked for a response to the remark, Obama campaign spokesman Bill Burton said, “Of course Michelle is proud of her country, which is why she and Barack talk constantly about how their story wouldn’t be possible in any other nation on Earth. What she meant is that she’s really proud at this moment because for the first time in a long time, thousands of Americans who’ve never participated in politics before are coming out in record numbers to build a grassroots movement for change."

So maybe she just ineptly tried to emphasize her current pride. Or maybe she's a closet Commie who's long hated America. You can believe what you want, and most people will be steered by their own biases.

In any case, this is an area where Obama really has to be careful. He got onto the big stage by being a bi-racial candidate of freshness and optimism. As such he'll get all due consideration from independents like myself.

But if he allows himself -- even through his wife's gaffes -- to become the candidate of the chip-on-their-shoulders crowd, he'll lose. And he'll deserve to.

Michelle Obama, if her empty shell of a husband is elected, will turn out to be nothing but another Hillary Clinton.

I would like to know what has made her so ashamed of the USA during her adult life.

Is it the liberty and freedom that our country has?
Is it the prosperity?
Is it that we are a superpower?

Just what was she so ashamed of up until now?

Barack Obama is a human featherball -- a slick, smiling, substance-free empty suit who excites gullible dimwits by repeating the words “change,” “unity,” and “hope” over and over --

I have to say guys, that after hearing this quote, I will not be casting a vote for Michelle Obama! That will show her, when her husband gets the votes that could have gone to her if she had just kept her mouth shut!

Cheers

Kevin "Hack" King

She is just repeating what she hears at home. A vote for either her or her worst half is a vote for death to America.

Hey Hack, I'm hoping you can help me out here a bit.

Richard Hobbs sez that anyone voting for Obama is a racist.

On the other hand, "Truth"Sleuth sez anyone who votes for Obama must hate the military.

I must confess, having met you in person, you don't seem to have that much hatred inside of you...at least what I could see.

Can you enlighten me as to which group you hate more, black/colored folks or the military?

Please don't profess to know how I feel about people.

I never said, nor do I feel, that: " ... anyone who votes for Obama must hate the military." That is a lie.

Perhaps your stereotypical categorization of people who do not agree with you is in error. Since you bring it up though, allow me to tell you how I feel about "People who support Obama".

First, I am proud that those who vote for Obama have the opportunity to vote for a black man (African-American). I feel thankful but think it is the WRONG black man. Maybe Colin Powell or Condi Rice, Michael Steele or a more conservative person would suit me and allow me to excitedly be a part of breaking a long overdue glass ceiling of sorts. Yes, indeed I wish I could join them in this ground breaking and long overdue event but until now the media did simply not want any of the blacks to succeed that ran in a national election (Shirley Chilsom, Jesse Jackson, Alan Keyes, Al Sharpton, etc.). Regardless, since I do not agree with his political philosophy I cannot vote for him.

Secondly, like most people I also like to hear Obama speak and can see how people are excited by and enamored with him. Hope, Change, Yes we can, are all great platitudes but I am more about sheer substance and we differ greatly on those points (except for a women's right to choose and a select few other issues). Naturally, if I had to drink a beer with one of the candidates I would pick Obama. (As I have said in previous posts.)

Third, I think a lot of the younger voters see Obama as the anti-establishment vote and really do not know where he stands on several of the issues.

Finally, I am excited and thankful that Obama is doing so well among the Democrats. The thought of Hillary Clinton, and the first 'man' Bill, being back in the White House makes me nauseas (not unlike a plagiarizing weasel like you attempting to put words in my mouth).

Sniffles5 tell us why you plagiarized Jeffc he wants to know too! It's right here!

I certainly don't want to get embroiled in a policical discussion.

However, this business of Obama being a 'black man' and 'African-American' is a slap in the face to his white mother who raised him. Obama is a half and half and his mother's race deserves to be a part of who he is. It is so very old south to say 'one drop of black, all black'. Who is racist here? Obama would be much better served to embrace and shout out his mixed heritage (wisely leaving the Muslim thing out).

ZoeS.
Conservative

Fair point -- she ain't running for anything.

But I still think anything that suggests he is the candidate of pent-up resentments will hurt his candidacy -- and i say that as someone who may wind up voting for the dude.

This is why I will never, ever, ever seek a political office! I need some more imodium

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King

it would not be pleasant to have every word you uttered parsed by the wingnuts. Talk about not making it to first base. Keep the faith.

Democracy is not a spectator sport.