A Little Review: Senator Obama Called Himself "Bone-Headed"

[John317]

Incredibly, Obama told reporters that although he had known Tony Rezko for about 20 years, he was completely surprised at what Rezko did to land him the hoosegow. No one else who knew the slum-lord seemed surprised but Obama sure was.

Sound familiar? Go back in memory to what happened with Obama's erstwhile friend, Jeremiah Wright. How many years did he know Wright? Right-- about 20 years. And Obama was totally shocked, he said, by some things Wright said. But there again, Obama was the only one shocked. Everyone else who knew those men did not think they did anything at all out of character. Brings up the question how observant and how much insight does Obama have? Or is he just plain unlucky?

Obama's 'slumlord' mate on trial

By Andrew Stern

March 04, 2008 01:23pm

Clinton called Obama friend a slumlord

Obama called himself 'bone-headed'

A FRIEND and fund-raiser to US Democratic presidential hopeful Barack Obama has gone on trial in a case that has directed scrutiny at the often corrupt political culture of the candidate's adopted home state.

Antoin "Tony" Rezko, a property developer and restaurant entrepreneur, is accused by federal prosecutors of extorting bribes and campaign donations as well as money laundering.

Prosecutors say at least one campaign contribution of $10,000 went to an unidentified politician widely reported to be Senator Obama when he was running for his US Senate seat in 2004.

Senator Obama's campaign has donated to charity more than $150,000 in contributions traced to Rezko and his associates.

The trial opened with jury selection and is likely to last from three to four months with Mr Rezko accused of scheming to extort nearly $6 million in kickbacks from investment houses and others wanting to do business with two state boards.

The Rezko case has been an embarrassment for Senator Obama, but so far hasn't been a big issue on the campaign trail. Senator Obama has won the last 11 nominating contests and analysts say he could essentially wrap up the nomination with victories over rival Hillary Clinton in Ohio and Texas tomorrow.

On Monday, he repeated his acknowledgment that he had been "boneheaded" to carry out a real estate deal with someone who was under federal investigation.

"On the other hand, there have been no allegations that I did anything wrong, there have been no allegations that I in any way betrayed the public trust, there have been no allegations that I did him favors," Senator Obama said in San Antonio, Texas.

In addition to his influence in Illinois, the Syrian-born Mr Rezko has business ties in the Middle East and to Iraqi-born British billionaire Nadhmi Auchi, who was convicted in France in the Elf oil company scandal in 2003 and given a suspended sentence.

It was a $US3.5 million transfer from Auchi's company to Mr Rezko prior to the trial that persuaded Judge Amy St. Eve of the US District Court to revoke Rezko bond in January, putting him in jail.

Senator Obama's friendship with Mr Rezko - who New York Senator Clinton, has referred to as a "slumlord" for whom Senator Obama did legal work - dates to the early 1990s.

Mr Rezko offered the young Harvard law school graduate a job, which Obama refused, but a link was formed and they occasionally socialised.

Besides Rezko's fund-raising prowess for Senator Obama and other politicians, a 2005 real estate deal has drawn particular scrutiny.

On the same day in 2005 that Senator Obama purchased a Georgian mansion for $1.65 million, $300,000 less than the original asking price, Mr Rezko's wife, Rita, purchased the adjoining lot from the same seller at the full $625,000 asking price. The sellers have said Senator Obama was the highest bidder.

Later, Senator Obama expanded his side yard by purchasing a sliver of Mr Rezko's lot for $104,000. Until the deal came to light, Senator Obama's gardener was paid to mow the grass on the entire lot.

Senator Obama, who began his political career by winning a seat in the Illinois state senate in 1996, has said he only performed a few hours of paid legal work for nonprofit companies that were partners with Mr Rezko in construction deals.

[olger]

That boy sure seems to be feeling his way through this thing, not un-reminiscent of Bill-which-way-is-the-wind-blowing-today-Clinton.

regards

[Woody]

This is really eye opening. You make a valid point about Obama's ability to see right from wrong. Is he totally blind? Or ... Does he appreciate these kind of people?

[Dr. Shane]

Isn't this kind of old news?

[Tom Wetmore]

That boy...

...Speaking of bone-headed...

Tom

[John317]

Yes, it is "old news," but I have never posted it before, and I don't remember ever discussing its significance. Also, I am beginning to see a pattern to these things.

I don't think they are just individual events that happened by coincidence or accident. They tell us something about Obama.

[Jeannieb43]

Give us a break on this "dirt on Obama" business.

It's beginning to be a real chore to avoid all this stuff when coming online to C/A.

[D. Allan]

I 2nd that.

[John317]

There's almost nothing one can say or question about Senator Obama without him or his supporters claiming that it is "dirt" and "out of bounds." What happened to a tough examination of the candidates?

Even facts about candidates now are considered "dirt." That is not good for our democracy considering that we have to select who we want to be President and where we want to go as a country.

Some say it is "offense" to mention the fact that Obama has campaigned for socialists. This, I do not understand. It would be different if it was not true, but is is a fact that can be easily proved.

Why is this considered by some to be offensive? It is a very important fact for Americans to consider in this election. Americans have never had a President before who has campaigned for a socialist candidate, and Obama has campaigned for two of them, one here in the US and the other in Kenya.

In this instance, do we want to take this country into socialism or do we want to continue as a country based on free enterprise and that encourages capitalism? If people will take the time to look at Obama's speeches and writings, they will see that he favors socialism.

Does America want a very liberal administration or do we want one that is centrist to conservative?

Do we want to take all of our troops out of Iraq before they are ready to leave or do we want our soldiers to leave only after they have accomplished their goals there, including establishing a stable democratic government, etc.?

Do we want to raise taxes or have fewer taxes?

Does America want a president with Obama's view of abortion or McCain's view of it?

There are many other important issues to be decided. We have about the clearest choices that Americans have had in years.

[D. Allan]

Obama has the best views on the questions you raise. IMHO

Unless you prefer 4 more yrs. of the same old stuff. and run the risk of 8 more of the same under Palin. Heaven preserve us!

More "Stalinist" torture, Rovian deviousness - Intolerable. /dAb

[John317]

Have you looked at the photographs I took at the protests and demonstrations in Denver?

http://adventistforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/182936/1

[Woody]

Quote:

Unless you prefer 4 more yrs. of the same old stuff. and run the risk of 8 more of the same under Palin. Heaven preserve us!

Personally, I would prefer 16 more years. 8 from McCain and then 8 from Palin. By that time Palin would have lots of experience.

[John317]

At the demonstrations and protests in Denver, I did not see a single positive sign or expression about McCain. I saw many regarding Obama.

I've associated and been with these demonstrations for about 30 years. I know them well. I know the people.

They are socialists, Marxists, communists, and leftist anarchists. Guess who all of them will be voting for? (Hint: See picture of Obama on shirt of demonsrators. You will not find any with McCain's.)

Why? Because they know McCain does not share their socialist view and Obama does.

Ironically, the "club" immediately following Obama's supporters was the Revolutionary Communist Party, pictured in a following post. They all chanted the same words and were right in step with one another the whole way.

Is it a coincidence that Obama has campaigned for socialist candidates? You don't usually campaign for someone who does not represent your ideas and goals.

A picture is worth a thousand words. I could give you many such pictures:

[John317]

I'm all with you on this one, Redwood.

I have a feeling-- yet to be proved, of course-- that Palin will be really good. I like what I see so far.

[John317]

Revolutionary Communist Party

Banner and Party Marching Immediately Behind the Obama Club By the Stadium where Obama gave his acceptance speech 8 hours after march. Marchers pictured here were chanting, "Listen, Obama."

Second Picture shows some of the issues that these socialists want to make sure Obama pays attention to. Speakers mentioned the fact that Obama may be reneging on earlier promises, such as withdrawal from Iraq. They said that they believed there were signs that Obama was giving in to pressure in order to get elected. I agree.

[olger]

Now, junior...

You're both younger'n I am.

Old Ger

[Tom Wetmore]

Not so sure about that age comparison, Ger.

But that was of course not the point of my post. Relative age has nothing to do with it. I find it rather hard to believe that you do not understand the insult of calling an adult African-American a "boy".

(Of course, you also seemed unaware of the insult of the infamous T-shirt...)

Tom

[Woody]

Tom. To him .... Women , the disabled , blacks ... they are all in the same boat in his eyes. Never have I seen one person make more insults at such a variety of groups.

To this I say Hmmm. Even at the risk of dire results.

[Neil D]

There's almost nothing one can say or question about Senator Obama without him or his supporters claiming that it is "dirt" and "out of bounds." What happened to a tough examination of the candidates?

Even facts about candidates now are considered "dirt." That is not good for our democracy considering that we have to select who we want to be President and where we want to go as a country.

Shall we go and talk about the scandels that McCain has been involved in?? OOOh, wait, that is "old news" and "he's grown from the mistakes he's made." Or is it- That's stuff that is out of bounds.; Or "that stuff has been cleared and there is no pattern there."

Can't have it both ways...

[Tom Wetmore]

Actually, in the absence of any real solid negative bones to chew on about Obama, McCain/Palin and their minions have a much easier strategy - LIE. The current round of McCain campaign ads are telling bald-faced lies about Obama. (You see many of of those same Republican party talking points voiced by the talking heads of FOXNoise and repeated ad nausem right here...)

And they are not content to lie about Obama - they are desperately lying about themselves too, either puffing up what little good can be found or minimizing or changing the real negative facts.

[John317]

Originally Posted By: John317

There's almost nothing one can say or question about Senator Obama without him or his supporters claiming that it is "dirt" and "out of bounds." What happened to a tough examination of the candidates?

Even facts about candidates now are considered "dirt." That is not good for our democracy considering that we have to select who we want to be President and where we want to go as a country.

Shall we go and talk about the scandels that McCain has been involved in?? OOOh, wait, that is "old news" and "he's grown from the mistakes he's made." Or is it- That's stuff that is out of bounds.; Or "that stuff has been cleared and there is no pattern there."

Can't have it both ways...

Yes, I would really like to talk openly and honestly about all of it-- about all the reasons to vote for or against a candidate. So bring up all the negative stuff about McCain you can think of.

I personally don't care because while I favor McCain right now, I am only interested in the best man winning. I am not emotionally tied to any of them. I want what is best for the US, and I believe that what is best for the US is that both candidates be examined very closely and that all voting Americans know who they are voting for and why. That is really all I care about in the election.

See if I have messed up badly on my post about why I would vote for McCain if the election were held today. Analyze it carefully and respond, perhaps with a 13-point post on reasons for voting for Obama. I think that would only be fair. In fact, I am thinking of writing one from the viewpoint of an Obama supporter. I'll do my level best anyway.

Please visit the thread: http://adventistforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/184703/Re_Why_vote_Republican#Post184703

[Woody]

Actually, in the absence of any real solid negative bones to chew on about Obama, McCain/Palin and their minions have a much easier strategy - LIE. The current round of McCain campaign ads are telling bald-faced lies about Obama. (You see many of of those same Republican party talking points voiced by the talking heads of FOXNoise and repeated ad nausem right here...)

And they are not content to lie about Obama - they are desperately lying about themselves too, either puffing up what little good can be found or minimizing or changing the real negative facts.

You gotta flavor things with a little salt now and again.

[carolaa]

Actually, in the absence of any real solid negative bones to chew on about Obama, McCain/Palin and their minions have a much easier strategy - LIE. The current round of McCain campaign ads are telling bald-faced lies about Obama. (You see many of of those same Republican party talking points voiced by the talking heads of FOXNoise and repeated ad nausem right here...)

And they are not content to lie about Obama - they are desperately lying about themselves too, either puffing up what little good can be found or minimizing or changing the real negative facts.

You have to remember that is typical Karl Rove politics. The reason McCain hired Karl Rove is because he's really, really good at what he does (which doesn't include telling the truth). The American people are simply falling for another Rove candidate.

[Jeannieb43]

Originally Posted By: Tom Wetmore

Actually, in the absence of any real solid negative bones to chew on about Obama, McCain/Palin and their minions have a much easier strategy - LIE. The current round of McCain campaign ads are telling bald-faced lies about Obama. (You see many of of those same Republican party talking points voiced by the talking heads of FOXNoise and repeated ad nausem right here...)

And they are not content to lie about Obama - they are desperately lying about themselves too, either puffing up what little good can be found or minimizing or changing the real negative facts.

You have to remember that is typical Karl Rove politics. The reason McCain hired Karl Rove is because he's really, really good at what he does (which doesn't include telling the truth). The American people are simply falling for another Rove candidate.

People just need to go to www.FactCheck.org.

We have to stand up against those lies!

[John317]

Please visit the thread: http://adventistforum.com/forum/ubbthreads.php/topics/184703/Re_Why_vote_Republican#Post184703

and see my post on why I would vote for McCain at this point rather than for Obama. Please point out any errors in facts or in my judgment there.