*quality

Boosting this quality contribution up in the Hot Listing - declared quality by NetRunner.

Pretty good all in all.

I'm not American, nor do I live in America, but I gotta say I believe the US is paying a price for this kind of stupidity. How can a nation that spends so much time debating this nonsense be taken seriously? Stupidity has repercussions beyond who wins an election (or who runs in this instance).

Amen.

Thank you for saying what I've been thinking with such class. I think I would have been a little harsher and more vulgar. Hopefully Trump stays in it for the long run to distract people with his Beck/O'Reilly talking points. Our President is sure to win re-election.

Hate to break it to this guy, but the president doesn't deserve his respect, and he's also half white, with German roots. As far as this getting so much attention, it's simple, just stop watching the mainstream media (or at least taking it seriously), the mainstream media != the opinion of the thinking public, I think Trump is as much of a douchebag as most other people do, however he has a right to free speech. The problem here is not to do with race, it's do do with a class struggle, and the irony is that Obama is on Trumps side of the struggle, this is all just a circus act to make it appear there is differentiation between the two parties in your 'great' plutocracy.

If Obama genuinely wanted to avoid all this, he would have released his birth certificate when the fracas first started, however he did not, so his motives should be questioned.

I do agree with what Buzz said however, stupidity does have repercusions, and the speech was eloquent, so gets my upvote, I just wish the speaker was less black (kidding).

Don't worry Baratunde, in the media and to the rest of America, Trump has gone from this odd eccentric rich guy who says crazy shit to get ratings to an absolute tool. He is laughed at by the press and his credibility and the respect of his piers has become nil.

In the racial overtones of the entire thing, I do agree and every single prominent republican who supported birtherism if even with such simple words 'I take him at his word' will not only suffer in their next elections but also in the respect of their fellow Americans. For today there isn't a single person in the country who doesn't know that at its heart, racism has reared its ugly head and far to many a man and women in public office all but put their stamp of approval upon it.

That said I believe the heart of this entire debacle isn't racism, but rather that Republicans are frightened. Their consistences are frightened. The future is bleak for the republican party as their base continues to shrink and the number of those who vote democratically continues to rise. This isn't the end of this issue and if Barack Obama is reelected, something similar will certainly appear again. Just remember that the republicans can be blamed only so far as their fear will drive them to irrationality.

*nsfw

This video has been flagged as being Not Suitable For Work - declared nsfw by Morganth.

Hear hear!

Thank you for reminding me that THE PRESIDENT has attacked private citizens like Rush Limbaugh. That is far less sanguine than a private citizen calling out the president; criticism comes with the job.

Thurston hasn't yet learned that in America you define who you are, no one else. If he wants to play the role of victim, that's his choice, there's a whole political party dedicated to winning his vote by defining him as one.

If Baratunde "puppies on a hovercraft" Thurston wants to specifically address Blackness in America, shouldn't he be far more incensed at the 70% illegitimacy rate in the Black community, a literal blueprint for cultural and economic failure?

@Xaielao It's not Republicans who are frightened, it's conservatives, peeps who understand the Constitution and the assault it's under.

Here's the truth behind the "he's half white" racist piece of shit comment that I never ever want to hear again....

My Okie cousin trotted that out for me. No amount of telling him that most blacks in America have some white in them made a difference. No amount of explaining laws on Southern books that legally defined someone as black when they had mixed heritage made a difference to him.

You know what made a difference to him? When he kept saying he wasn't racist, and kept saying Obama was half white, and as we talked, to prove he wasn't racist, he brought up the fact that a white close friend of his married a black woman. Then he said, "They had a black baby."

Dead silence for a moment. Then "oh."

Just never ever say that again. And don't give me any internet bullshit crap about free speech and "you can't tell me what to do, that's censorship". Shut up with stupidity and racist crap parading around as "it's a fact."





>> ^ghark:

Hate to break it to this guy, but the president doesn't deserve his respect, and he's also half white, with German roots. .

*promote bareboard's comment

Yuck on the title. This "young black man" is a fairly renowned cultural critic and comedian, and his speaking "eloquently" is not all that surprising. Anyway, upvote for the video itself. Thanks for the content (but not necessarily the heading), BB.

I'm with you there. My dad is Scottish, but I still get 'but your black' whenever I wear a kilt.... and QM, please hand in your Humanity pass at the desk on your way out. Cheers.


>> ^bareboards2:

Here's the truth behind the "he's half white" racist piece of shit comment that I never ever want to hear again....
My Okie cousin trotted that out for me. No amount of telling him that most blacks in America have some white in them made a difference. No amount of explaining laws on Southern books that legally defined someone as black when they had mixed heritage made a difference to him.
You know what made a difference to him? When he kept saying he wasn't racist, and kept saying Obama was half white, and as we talked, to prove he wasn't racist, he brought up the fact that a good (white) friend of his married a black woman. Then he said, "They had a black baby."
Dead silence for a moment. Then "oh."
Just never ever say that again. And don't give me any internet bullshit crap about free speech and "you can't tell me what to do, that's censorship". Shut up with stupidity and racist crap parading around as "it's a fact."


>> ^ghark:
Hate to break it to this guy, but the president doesn't deserve his respect, and he's also half white, with German roots. .

Sorry, I had never heard of him. That title came from my anger at my racist uncle who just told me two days ago that the only "good" black people (he didn't use those words) were older. Didn't use the word "uppity" but he might as well have.

Tell me what I should change it to. I am not attached to this title at all.



>> ^griefer_queafer:

Yuck on the title. This "young black man" is a fairly renowned cultural critic and comedian, and his speaking "eloquently" is not all that surprising. Anyway, upvote for the video itself. Thanks for the content (but not necessarily the heading), BB.

BB, thanks for the thoughtful reply (and again, for the awesome post). I didn't mean to excoriate for not knowing who this dude is or anything, I just think that "young black man" can be a little disorienting for people who might not fully appreciate the context and position from which Thurston is speaking to us today. I would never want provide a title for someone's video, but since you asked me, I might just suggest replacing "young black man" with "Baratunde Thurston..." or "Black Comedian/Cultural Critic..." or something like that. But I don't EXPECT you to change it--I was just voicing my (slight) dissent. But in any case, *quality dialogue and vid. Thanks again, BB!

>> ^bareboards2:

Sorry, I had never heard of him. That title came from my anger at my racist uncle who just told me two days ago that the only "good" black people (he didn't use those words) were older. Didn't use the word "uppity" but he might as well have.
Tell me what I should change it to. I am not attached to this title at all.

>> ^griefer_queafer:
Yuck on the title. This "young black man" is a fairly renowned cultural critic and comedian, and his speaking "eloquently" is not all that surprising. Anyway, upvote for the video itself. Thanks for the content (but not necessarily the heading), BB.

This video has already declared quality - ignoring quality request by griefer_queafer.

>> ^ghark:

Hate to break it to this guy, but the president doesn't deserve his respect, and he's also half white, with German roots. As far as this getting so much attention, it's simple, just stop watching the mainstream media (or at least taking it seriously), the mainstream media != the opinion of the thinking public, I think Trump is as much of a douchebag as most other people do, however he has a right to free speech. The problem here is not to do with race, it's do do with a class struggle, and the irony is that Obama is on Trumps side of the struggle, this is all just a circus act to make it appear there is differentiation between the two parties in your 'great' plutocracy.
If Obama genuinely wanted to avoid all this, he would have released his birth certificate when the fracas first started, however he did not, so his motives should be questioned.
I do agree with what Buzz said however, stupidity does have repercusions, and the speech was eloquent, so gets my upvote, I just wish the speaker was less black (kidding).


I don't know who you are, nor where you stand on many other important issues, but I find your assertions to be completely unsupportable. That said,our resident racist quantummushroom is on your side, so congratulations on that achievement.

Great video but I just kept thinking he might remove those headphones for a moment unless he really wanted to be back on his tunes the moment he stopped talking.

>> ^ex-jedi:

I'm with you there. My dad is Scottish, but I still get 'but your black' whenever I wear a kilt.... and QM, please hand in your Humanity pass at the desk on your way out. Cheers.




Please tell me you're also a cyclops who drinks whiskey

The only response to this

Great post, although I don't think Thurston or Obama need to feel humiliated or embarrassed for having to defend against this kind of bullshit. The only shame to be found is on the heads of Trump and any of the other birther wackos who spout this nonsense.

Damn. It doesn't surprise me, but it does sadden me that the US citizens don't look at Trump et al and tell them to shut the f#$% up. Hell, most people won't even admit that there's a problem.

Bravo to this video.

Obama's birth certificate doesn't disprove he's Keynesian.

not just embarrassing to see as a black or white person, but as a human-being.

Mic in the cord.

>> ^Deano:

Great video but I just kept thinking he might remove those headphones for a moment unless he really wanted to be back on his tunes the moment he stopped talking.

"resident racist" isn't much of a title. I'd much prefer Resident Racist/Sexist/Capitalist. I'm not doing a very good job....

Thank you for reminding me that THE PRESIDENT has attacked private citizens like Rush Limbaugh. That is far less sanguine than a private citizen calling out the president; criticism comes with the job.

Observation about the Presidency itself. Observation about Obama's failure--IMO--to maintain the dignity of the office.

RACISM: NONE

Thurston hasn't yet learned that in America you define who you are, no one else. If he wants to play the role of victim, that's his choice, there's a whole political party dedicated to winning his vote by defining him as one.

RACISM: only from the patronizing left

Leftists need victims/oppressed to get votes. When there aren't enough victims, they make them. This is born of the foundation of liberalism: powerlessness at the hands of life's lottery, with anyone not a random winner an exploited loser.

If Baratunde "puppies on a hovercraft" Thurston wants to specifically address Blackness in America, shouldn't he be far more incensed at the 70% illegitimacy rate in the Black community, a literal blueprint for cultural and economic failure?

YES IT'S UNPLEASANT, BUT FACTS ARE FACTS. LOOK UP THE STATS. Btw, the overall illegitimacy rate in America across all races is now 40%. Also nothing to celebrate.

AND I call bullshit on BT's "outrage". He's the host of a TV show as well as a paid comic. He may be somewhat upset, but I don't buy for a second he's this thin-skinned; he'd never have made it in the entertainment industry. His potential for happiness is his choice and problem, not yours or mine.

And while we're on the subject, this collective phony "outrage" every time something is read or heard that you disagree with is tiresome. For fck's sake, there aren't enough white sheets in the world to cover everyone the left has accused of racism. Don't you have ANYTHING else to talk about?

RACISM: NONE

@Xaielao It's not Republicans who are frightened, it's conservatives, peeps who understand the Constitution and the assault it's under.

RACISM: NONE

If Trump is a "Klansman" (an outrageous charge) that would make him a democrat.

Once, when I was on mushrooms, I pissed on the Trump tower. This guy just made me feel really good about that.

The obvious amount of racism in a country that still lists "race" on official documents doesn't surprise me. It worries me, saddens me, but just doesn't surprise me.