Wow, what has gotten into this guy? Can a presidential candidate say things like this and still get elected?

--John McCain celebrated Father's Day by calling on black fathers, who he said are "missing from too many lives and too many homes," to become active in raising their children.

"They have abandoned their responsibilities, acting like boys instead of men. And the foundations of our families are weaker because of it," the Republican presidential candidate said Sunday.--

Thoughts?

Seems to me that those who would be likely to vote for him are mostly not people who will be bothered by that statement - they may even agree with it wholeheartedly.

I think we've bickered over the meaning of racism before. Do you regard that a racist statement?

He's talking like only blacks are problematic fathers. Unfortunately, you'll find those among all ethinic and race groups - even among different economic classes. Can we agree on that?

Wow..I did not hear this statement made, but I am shocked to read it..I wonder what inspired him to say such a thing..it is mind boggling. As soon as my eyes read it I thought..surely he jest..even so..what a rotten thing to say..well I mean to aim it at black fathers..wow...

I can tell you from being in help groups..there is no color involved to that despicable problem. I wish that Arizona sheriff ( Joe Arpaio )would have ran for office..the one who runs the whole town and prison there. Now that might bite some problem areas elsewhere..

Sherri

He said it as part of a fathers day message.

Of course - I guess I was assuming it goes without saying it is a racist statement. My point was more regarding "Can a presidential candidate say things like this and still get elected?" And if a person isn't personally bothered by the statement, as I suspect many people would not be, then it won't affect the election significantly. I see it as clearly, obviously racist - but a lot of people will take a position of 'it may seem a little racist, but I still agree with him'.

That brings up an interesting point. If statistics show, for example, that there are more fatherless children among blacks than whites, is it racist to call that a problem among the black community and suggest it be fixed?

Interesting indeed - perhaps racist only if you suggest it is happening *because* people are black? There may be other factors, for example, there may be a correlation between black communities and lower income. And the actual connection is not between fatherless children and black people, but between fatherless children and lower income? (Just hypothesizing here)

Egg, chicken, chicken, egg.

I agree with you - one would have to say the problem is because they're black for it to be racism.

As for low income - which is the cause, and what is the effect? Blacks were more poor sixty years ago than they are now, oppressed by the jim crow laws, legally discriminated against, but the family problems of today's black community were virtually non-existant then. Fatherless children most definately lead to problems in the community. Why are they fatherless?

Hi Ras..
Why are they fatherless? have mercy who knows why people wont step up to the plate and take on their responsibilities..I just always figured its because of elated moral decline with society. Moreover the ruling in the home as a whole..we lack the skills to teach our children right from wrong..verbally communicating with them in such a way we get the message across without them rebelling. Also as parents we sometimes dont really know the answer ourselves so we too become part of the problem. Children are exposed to on-going violence with television glamorizing everything from sex to murder as a good thing. They need strong examples of what love and hope is..being able to define right from wrong, and knowing there are consequences of choices that we make. Young people growing up must understand recourse from making mistakes..most just keep repeating the same mistakes and do not learn from this..why? how can such ignorance be amongst us?.

Parents need guidelines with instructions when the child is born..doesnt happen. So they are blind sited as to how to raise the child..< to me thats where it starts..the child learns the strongest features of love and life in the home, but if the parent is void of understanding this in itself..well where does that leave the child? its by Gods mercy that most of us have a chance to make our lives happen. There is the independent..and the dependent..you would be amazingly surprised at just how the outcome of the two relate to an adult life..

Its a vicious cycle..it will always be among us..but hope does prevail..

Sherri