Obama: There's no longer time for excuses for black men

[onpatrol98]

16. I would believe that.

I believe that. I mean if you think about it. Some people can find offense ANYWHERE. Some others will never be offended. No matter what he says. But, I think most people, if they were honest, can't find much to gripe about in his speeches. Especially, if you ignore the partisan nitpicking that the right does.

I usually enjoy his speeches. I think they're thoughtful. I don't think he makes gaffes. I think he puts a lot of thought and reflection into anything he says. However, it hasn't been lost on me that he spends more time talking about personal responsibility when he talks to black audiences than when he (for instance) speaks with a Hispanic audience or when he's in another more diverse setting.

I think he's in an awkward situation. I remember when he told black lawmakers to "quit complaining".

http://thegrio.com/2011/09/26/obama-cant-win-when-he-addresses-black-audiences/

Well, for all I know, they really were complaining. But, I could bet you $100 (unfortunately, I'm broke so you wouldn't get it), he wouldn't have told a group of Hispanic lawmakers to quit complaining. Sometimes people have really good reasons to complain. But, also, people would have dressed him down for it pretty quickly. Not to mention, I just don't think it would have ever occurred to him to say it.

I guess I'm saying I know where the sentiment is coming from. I don't think it benefits us to be hyper sensitive. I think we should be willing to give the President the benefit of the doubt. He's a thoughtful man, but he's not a perfect man. And, I don't think most of us expect him to be.