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This is the final rough draft for an editorial I did for my school newspaper. Please tell me what you think!! oh, and don't be shy about sharing your views, if that tickles your fancy.

Josiah Stephens
Feature Writing
Final Rough Draft
Oops

I loosely follow the current campaign for president, with my updates usually coming from a quick flip by C-span or a particular headline in a newspaper that grabs my attention because of its big font. Despite the brevity of my visit, there always seems to be a common theme, what I like to call a Barack Obama “Oops Moment.”
So there I sit flipping through the channels, not hesitating for more than a few seconds on each station, when I suddenly stumble upon another Barack “Moment.” I decide to see what it is this time and hit the volume.
"They get bitter,” Said the Illinois Senator. “They cling to guns or religion or antipathy to people who aren't like them or anti-immigrant sentiment or anti-trade sentiment as a way to explain their frustrations."
Perplexed, I wonder to myself, did I misinterpret what he said or did a candidate for president of the United States of America just condescend to those whom he is trying to lead? Surely I misunderstood.
So I head to the computer and type in, “barack guns or religion speech.” I find a site with his direct quote and read it again, sure enough, I had read it correctly. This prejudice is not something I would expect from a candidate for presidency.
Upon a little more research I uncover some disturbing remarks made by his pastor, Rev. Jeremiah Wright. In a speech that is now, quite controversial, Rev. Wright makes the statement “God D*** America.”
In his first sermon after the terrorist attacks of 9/11, Wright blamed the United States for the attacks stating that we brought them on ourselves. In another instance the Reverend accuses the U.S. of being racist towards African Americans and calls it the U.S of KKK A.
While Sen. Obama denies ever being in a service where Rev. Wright made such remarks and tries to distance himself from the more controversial teachings, I can’t help but wonder, can you be a part of a congregation for twenty years, such as Obama has, and manage to never hear these types of preaching? Not only is Rev. Wright Senator Obama’s pastor, but his acclaimed mentor, marrying Obama and his wife and baptizing their children. When asked about Rev. Wright’s comments, Obama responded that Rev. Wright is “Like an old uncle that says things I don’t always agree with.” And that everyone has someone like that in their family, excusing the anti-American comments with a playful nod.
In a questionnaire that was filled out by the then Mr. Obama, who at the time was seeking state office, the senator to be takes extreme liberal views, opposing any restrictions what so ever on abortion, directly opposing the death penalty, and proposing a ban on the very act of manufacturing handguns.
That doesn’t sound very American to me. However, when he was confronted about some of these views described on his questionnaire, Sen. Obama excused his extreme views by stating that an aide had filled out his questionnaire in his place, once again excusing his actions and providing himself with a legitimate reason to directly contradict his previously expressed views. Very slippery.
It seems as though the senator’s campaign has become more of a squabble about lies and his dedication to America. But this election is about choosing the best person to lead our country, one who loves America, one who doesn’t categorize some citizens as bitter, gun-toting, apathetic “people,” one who doesn’t keep quiet on difficult issues, and when he does speak up, excuse and explain away his scrutinized opinion by blaming others.

Great editorial !!!! Id give you an A

"When the PEOPLE fear their Government, there is TYRANNY; when the Government fears the People, there is LIBERTY. -Thomas Jefferson"

wow, some feeling in there huh? Nice job though

Nice editorial. It managed to keep my attention throughout, when normally I drop into a coma the moment I hear the words 'election' or 'president'.

THIS IS ONE OF THE BEST EDITORIAL THAT I HAVE EVER READ!!!!! OBAMA IS STARTING TO SOUND LIKE ONE OF MY CHILDREN ------ ALWAYS PUTTING THE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE.

mtrent wrote: OBAMA IS STARTING TO SOUND LIKE ONE OF MY CHILDREN ------ ALWAYS PUTTING THE BLAME ON SOMEONE ELSE.

I never thought of him like that before!

Isn't blame shifting just a political thing though. I mean, unless they're backed into a corner with no other way out, when was the last time you heard a politician admit the blame for anything?

As an aspiring wannabee writer, I think the piece was very nice. It's clearly an opinion piece by design, but the "voice" of the article really comes through. I think you started it out with a bang, and tied it up nice.

I rarely talk about politics these days, (and am kind of leery about getting political threads started on the board), but I will say I agree with what you say as well. He's a very charismatic guy, an excellent orator, but that's about it. I've yet to see any real ideas short of "whatever hillary or bush want to do, I want to do the opposite".

The "typical white person" comment bothered me a lot. Is this just a slip of words, or worse than that? Was it a Freudian slip showing his inner feelings towards whites? who knows.

This election season is sure to be pretty heated, and it seems there is nobody worth going crazy about this year. But any candidate preaching gun control is sure to to lose my vote.

Again, I think your editorial is absolutely awesome. Each one that I read of yours is really great. Keep it up.

Green-Moo wrote:Nice editorial. It managed to keep my attention throughout, when normally I drop into a coma the moment I hear the words 'election' or 'president'.

Yeah, same here, lol. Nicely done.

Kitten wrote:

Green-Moo wrote:Nice editorial. It managed to keep my attention throughout, when normally I drop into a coma the moment I hear the words 'election' or 'president'.

Yeah, same here, lol. Nicely done.

Glad it's not just me then! It wouldn't be so bad if it didn't go on for so long, but it just seems to drag on, and on, and on ...