I thought that Barack Obama had closed this plagiarism debate last night, declaring it evidence of "the silly season" in politics, and that Hillary had sealed off the cave with her boo-inducing "Xerox" line. Apparently not. According to ABC News' Political punch, there are fresh charges:
The Clinton campaign sent this out last night.
Sen. Barack Obama said in last night's debate, "In Youngstown, Ohio, I talked to workers who have seen their plants shipped overseas due to consequences of poor deals it's like NAFTA that have literally seen equipment unbolted from the floors of factories and shipped to China."
Which the Clinton campaign says is similar to this comment from Sen. John Kerry from the 2004 Democratic National Convention: "What does it mean in America today when Dave McCune, a steel worker I met in Canton, Ohio, saw his job sent overseas and the equipment in his factory literally unbolted, crated up, and shipped thousands of miles away along with that job?"
This as the Obama campaign flung it's own plagiarism poo back at Hillary with this video, embedded after the jump, and to be fair, only in retaliation.
Then, there's the video below, perhaps the most complete summation of this issue, by an enterprising Youtuber. When I was a kid, and two of us kids would be fighting, there was only one way to settle it. After the jump, some more plagiar-ideo treats, and the whole argument gets settled by my mom. OK, first, here's that Hillary video:
Now, I get the idea of retaliating against a smear, but if there was nothing wrong with it when Barack did it (and there wasn't), then that's the end of your argument. Throwing this out there is like saying, "Well, she took a cookie, too!"
The dictionary definition of plagiarism is "to pass off words or ideas of another as one's own." Must we fear that every time we open our mouth, an idea has been expressed by someone somewhere?
...If you look at Acts Chapter 7 in the bible, you will see that in Stephen's famous last speech before he was stoned, he makes reference to many things that were expressed in the Old Testament and I am sure were spoken by others, but would we accuse him of plagiarism? When people make reference to something of common knowledge - a common experience or common expressions, to me, this doesn't constitute plagiarism in the true sense of the word.
When Jesus made reference to things that were spoken in the proverbs by Solomon, would we accuse him of plagiarism? Although the bible translators do cross reference the verses in Jesus' words and Stephen's speech, I do not think that either of these men is guilty of plagiarism just because these ideas are expressed prior or elsewhere. It is kind of like in the law of copyright where after a certain amount of time something becomes "public domain" and anyone can use it.
Barack, Hillary, why do you want to make Jesus cry? So knock it off, before she has to come back there and teach you two a lesson!
For anyone who missed them, here are the Barack Obama and Deval Patrick videos that started it all.
BOO TO OBAMA AND BOO TO THE DEMOCRATic PARTY. TO DAY I BECAme a republican. i didn;t realize how stupid the members of the party had become. wanting a no nothing done nothing wind bag man instead of an experienced intelligent woman. oprah keep out of politics. i don't care one iota about your opinion or your program,obama has destroyed a party for everyone. those words weren't from his friend even he doesn't have an original thought.most of those were white mans words. go hillary!!!!!!
Obama doest have a thought or word of his own. ::Yes we can:: How original. He will never be the orator that President Bill Clinton is. He copies words for his speeches and he got caught. Let it go Obama but no he has to nit pick and come back to do the same thing to Hillary. This shows you how inmatured he is and how you people from the media should find some worthwhile news to bring us.
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Clay
5:49PM Feb 22nd 2008
I am a Republican and I watched the debate last night. Obama won it or more accuratly Hillary lost.
Obama's downfall is his complete lack of experience. He does not have any excutive, military or any type of leadership experience. I don't think he is remotely qualified for the job. Hillary however is such a poor debater that she was unable at any point last night to point out Obama's severe short comings. If anything when they discussed the issues he actually looked like the more knowlegable and experienced of the two. That was a huge failure on Hillary's part. Hillary looked like a weak woman debating Obama. She did not look strong or Presidential.
Anyone who is supporting Hillary over Obama is doing so because of her experience over Obama's. So, why is she not focusing on that strength during the debates? Don't beat around the bush, no pun intended, by saying you will be ready on day one, freaking say that Obama won't be. People are stupid Hillary, especially democrats so, SPELL IT OUT. At this point you have nothing to lose. Playing nice is not winning you delegates, not in the last eleven states anyway. Your job last night was to give voters a reason to support you instead of Obama, YOU FAILED. Obama made a comment that the two of you agree 95% of the time. He set a nice trap for you with this comment. Because if that's the case and Hillary did not disagree why should people vote for Hillary? Yes, Hill baby you got schooled.
Hillary may be giving Obama a free ticket to the nomination because of her weak compaiging and debating but McCain won't be as easy. Obama will have to answer the concerns about his lack of experience and it will cost him the general election.
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Vic
5:53PM Feb 22nd 2008
This is completely stupid.. Here goes Hillary again acting like she never said anything that was said by someone else.. It just goes to show how desperate she is.. After March 4th.. I'll be happy to see her gone..
What a poor loser.. she is so Pathetic...
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Bob Wong
5:53PM Feb 22nd 2008
Hussein Obama is all fluff and no substance. We don't need another slick lawyer from Harvard, the home of anti-American Liberals. He has no idea what then USA needs. Certainly, it is not more taxes or socialized medicine. When Hussein Obama speaks, it reminds me of Das Capital, i.e. Karl Marx. Send Hussein a message, not in my backyard! Maaybe Kenya!
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Darin
5:54PM Feb 22nd 2008
Why do so many people die around Hillary. I wouldn't want to befriend her thats for sure.. And the facts are as they are.. NAFTA hurt Americans and Billary is to blame.. So many people want it stopped it's no wonder Obama ran into someone saying it again it is still a major flaw of the Clintons.. She used John Edwards words without his support.. At least Obama's friends since they shared the same thoughts on the subject he could use the passage.. Billary is a Theft,liar and one scandal after another...No one wants Bill running around the White House with nothing to do except find another place to store his cigars... 2nd impeached Pres.? Bill Clinton First Pres. impeached for lying? Bill Clinton.. We have seen what they can do..No more... Bill ruined Reagan great works and sold America to Mexico.. Now Hillary wants nucular plants in TX and ship the waste to NV.. Ah Hillary TX is an oil state..Duh.. and her comment last night "I just learn that a few days ago" really? You have been campagining 13 months and you just got the facts the other day..WOW.. Now the White House and Pentagon takes on Obama for stating what a Soldier told him and they try to cover it with words like they been equipted with the leadership they need to succeed.. Well Obama said they didn't have the equiptment they needed not the leadership.. More Bush trying not to look bad..to late... As a Veteran (Special Forces) I can tell you they left US high-Dry- a few times... Hillary put your money where your mouth is and don't loan your campagin money-with interest? People gave to you for the run not your pocket... Go away Billary..TX doesn't want toxic waste producing power plants..
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Joshua
6:05PM Feb 22nd 2008
Wise words should be used again and not wasted. The bible is studied so that the words of our Lord come readily to our mind and lips.
Obama is someone with lots of experience in civic service. Not only in elected positions, but especially amongst the our American citizens among their daily struggles.
Obama is not about Obama. Rather he is there because he wants the Americans to take seriously the oft 'plagiarized' document that reminds us that this is supposed to be an American government for, by and of the people.
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Open Minded
8:39PM Feb 22nd 2008
While everyone is enjoying the infectious charisma of one Barack Obama, I kindly ask that you take a moment to ponder the following.
I think everyone can agree that the GOP Machine pretty much controls the media nowadays and what information is funneled to the masses. I just wonder how many people have stopped to actually look at the facts surrounding the upcoming elections.
Take for instance that Obama was sworn in as a senator on January 4, 2005 and on 2/10/05 one of the first measures:
Vote 9: S 5: This bill sought to curtail the ability of plaintiffs to file class-action lawsuits against corporations by making cases that were filed in multiple states the responsibility of federal courts. The White House and business groups backed the bill, as an essential tort reform measure that would reduce what they said was a debilitating number of frivolous lawsuits. A Washington Post report said proponents believed that moving the suits to federal court would lead to "more rational and more consistent rulings."
Mr. Obama exercised his right to cast a vote against his party (http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/o000167/votes/against-party). Mr. Obama often highlights his resolve to stand up to the current Washington machine and provide a voice for the people. I give him credit for being consistent for most major issues throughout his senatorship. I do find myself scratching my head when I learned that Mr. Obama has sided with the GOP on other issues such as to limit the amount of interest that can be charged on any extension of credit to 30 percent.
For some that sites lets not get into the "silliness" of politics, he and his camp seem to be quite adept at mastering the art of spin. For example, he often highlights being one of the only few voices to standup against the funding for the SURGE, though this message is conveyed in such a way that he had the foresight to be against the war.
However, despite how hard I look I can not find his casted "Nay" vote in either the 107th Congress-2nd Session 455th Roll Call Vote of by members of the House of Representatives or the 107th Congress-2nd Session 237th Roll Call Vote by members of the Senate. This vote was in regards to Iraq Resolution (Authorization for Use of Military Force Against Iraq Resolution of 2002).
Reason for the omission is simple; Mr. OBama was a Senator at that time for the Illinois State Senate, not the United States Senate.
Its apparent to me that Mr. OBama when reviewing his record and actions is the traditional politician that so many of his supporters have gravitated too. Someone that is solely out for their own political gain and will try to pull that last ounce of hope out of our beaten bodies to rally behind a fundamentally sound cause.
Inevitable, the sad reality is that we will one day be left with more questions then answers. Left gathering in our local churches, coffee shops, classrooms, and office cubicles debating once again why we failed to see through the charade and pondering where the money to support our families will come from.
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Ann
6:13PM Feb 22nd 2008
Hillary got the debate she wanted and nothing changed. What was the purpose? Is she bipolar or forgets to take her meds at time? She looked and acted as if she was running for student body president at a local high school instead of president of the United States. I just can't understand why people waste their time voting for this woman. Is she made of plastic or ceramic tile?
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Richard
6:21PM Feb 22nd 2008
Many Blacks Worry About Obama's Safety
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Richard
6:23PM Feb 22nd 2008
Many Blacks Worry About Obama's Safety
Friday, February 22, 2008 2:00 PM
Article Font Size
NEW YORK -- For many black Americans, it's a conversation they find hard to avoid, revisiting old fears in the light of bright new hopes.
They watch with wonder as Barack Obama moves ever closer to becoming America's first black president. And they ask themselves, their family, their friends: Is he at risk? Will he be safe?
There is, of course, no sure answer. But interviews with blacks across the country, prominent and otherwise, suggest that lingering worries are outweighed by enthusiasm and determination.
"You can't have lived through the civil rights movement and know something about the history of African-Americans in this country and not be a little concerned," said Edna Medford, a history professor at Washington's Howard University.
"But African-Americans are more concerned that Obama get the opportunity to do the best he can," she added. "And if he wins, most of us believe the country would do for him what it would do for any president, that he will be as well protected as any of them."
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Richard
6:25PM Feb 22nd 2008
Clyde Barrett, 66, a longtime U.S. Labor Department employee now retired in Tampa, Fla., says he often hears expressions of concern for Obama's safety. One young acquaintance, Barrett said, declared he wouldn't even vote for Obama for fear of exposing him to more danger.
"To me that's a cop-out, where you can't take a stand and support someone because you fear for his safety," Barrett said. "I don't have any apprehension ... We've got to go ahead and persevere."
For many older blacks, the barometer for gauging hopes and fears is the 1968 assassination of the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr.
But concern about Obama's safety transcends racial lines. He has white supporters who see him as an inspiring, youthful advocate of change in the mold of Robert F. Kennedy, and they are mindful of Kennedy's assassination just two months after King's.
Pam Hart, the principal of a multiracial elementary school in the Philadelphia suburb of Cheltenham, said she is struck by the contrast between some of the black students there, innocently excited about Obama's candidacy, and the more anxious perspective of older people who lived through the violence of the 1960s.
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CC
6:37PM Feb 22nd 2008
WHY DO YOU HAVE TO BE BLACK TO GET KILLED ??? I HARDLY THINK SO.!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Richard
6:31PM Feb 22nd 2008
I guess I would be worried if I was him too! There is by far to many haters in this world. Although I won't vote for him and it is not because he is black, he lacks experience to me and I won't vote for someone that has great ideas and sounds like a snake oil salesmen! He has way to much to learn before I would vote for him! And with Hillary! I won't vote for her either because her and her husband has way to much dirt on them going back 40yrs or more and who they are connected too! Why can't people vote for someone that has good experience and not a good pitch? These two people live to much in a dream world for me to even think about voting for them.
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CA90064
6:43PM Feb 22nd 2008
Assuming Obama gets the democratic nomination, I can't WAIT for the Republicans to start. Obama has it easy right now. Everyone loves him, everyone adores him, everyone worships him. No one dares to speak against him and trigger the boos and hisses from his legion. He and Hillary play at getting along when it's so obvious they don't. But they still behave in a well-honed pacifistic manner. And their supporters have become accustomed to the niceness. Well, don't think for one second the Republicans are going to play by those honey-covered rules. They're going to tear him apart. They don't care about being nice and they won't give a shit about hurting his feelings or showing disrespect. They're going to set out to prove that he IS nothing but words. It's going to be bloody and it's going to be brutal, and I'm going to sit here and laugh my ass off. Because you asked for it. You're going to put a rookie in the ring. The republicans are going to go after his lack of experience, his lack of record, his naive perspective on foreign policy, his ties to Africa, his supposed Muslim background... and it goes on. They're just waiting to pick your boy apart. And when he calls "foul" or "race-card" the republicans are not going to give two damns. Buckle up, kiddies, the ride is about to begin.
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Richard
6:39PM Feb 22nd 2008
On the other hand, McCain! he may not be a bad president but he is a bad front man in the publics eye and he does not how to speak to the public! It take a special person to be the president! Just think! who want to be hated, who wants to have securety around them for the rest of their lifes? who wants to be in the line of fire all the time? Here is the real problem people - The congress and the senate, these are the people we should be grading on there performances and we are not doing that! these are the people that have the control and NOT the President! the President is the front person. Last but not least we need to get Pelosi out of office because she is a crazy dumb hag that is a way way left winger!
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RoccojgCaputo
6:43PM Feb 22nd 2008
Evidendly not, he says his friend gave him permission. One wonders if his has any of his own opions beside, their well be change, please, Obama, tell us what change.
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Ann Marie
6:50PM Feb 22nd 2008
Clay,
you are so right on about your comment regarding Obama saying they are 95% similar and she shook her head in agreement the entire time.
How can that be blamed on the media, or on Senator Obama? Your right to point out this was HER flaw. The numerous flaws with her campaign have proven to many that she is unfit to fiscally manage her campaign, not to mention Bill and the shake ups with her campaign leadership, Many have therefore concluded that she will not get the nomination.
I agree, Barack will again be the underdog in the national front, but that's ok too. That is what's so great about these campaigns, we get to see how the candidates handle themselves, how they will react to diverse situations. McCain is and will always be a fighter, and I think Hillary is the same but she is not winning in her plight to the prsidency.
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John
6:52PM Feb 22nd 2008
AMAZING THING ABOUT THE INTERNET, ASSHOLES CAN BE WHO EVER THEY WANT TO BE!!! SURE WE BELIEVE YOU!! SURRRRE YEAH OK !!! MCCAAIN IS ANOTHER REPUKE ASSHOLE WHO SHOULD BE SCREWING UP TRAFFIC IN FLORIDA INSTEAD OF TRYING TO RUN FOR PRESIDENT. HE HAD HIS CHANCE WHEN GW DUMBASS RAN. HE HAD MORE EXPERIENCE THEN WHY DID YOU REPUKES DID NOT PUT HIS OLD SENILE ASS IN THEN?
Darin6:25PMFeb 22nd 2008
More Liberal Facism on the attack of an American Hero and both sides are coming to his defence and why? John McCain is a strong ethical and moral person--Bar None- I met McCain twice once in Ranger school and another in Special Forces graduation and in a POW class.. That man is amazing.. It hurts to see these baseless attacks... The DemocRATS are divided and lost... No one stands up for Hillary or Bill....... Why do so many people die around Hillary? I wouldn't want to befriend her thats for sure.. And the facts are as they are.. NAFTA hurt Americans and Billary is to blame.. So many people want it stopped it's no wonder Obama ran into someone saying it again. It is still a major flaw of the Clintons and hurting Americans.. She(Hillary) used John Edwards words without his support.. At least Obama used a friends and since they shared the same thoughts on the subject matter,his friend said he could use the passage..Hillary don't you have a speech writer too? Billary is a Washington machine,filled with lies and one scandal after another...No one wants Bill running around the White House with nothing to do except find another place to store his cigars...Who is the 2nd impeached Pres.? Bill Clinton!!! Who is the First Pres. impeached for lying? Bill Clinton.. We have seen what they can do..No more... Bill ruined Reagan's great works and sold America to Mexico..and it was the REPUB congress and a few cross over DEM'S that balanced the budget..Not Billary. ************TX BEWARE AND ADVISED****************** Now Hillary wants nucular plants in TX and ship the waste to NV.(thanks Hillary & Harry Reid) Ah, Hillary TX is an oil state..Duh.. and her comment last night "I just learn that a few days ago" really? You have been campagining for 13 months and you just got the (memo)facts the other day..WOW.. Now the White House and Pentagon takes on Obama for stating what a Soldier told him and they try to cover it with words like they have been equipped with the leadership they need to succeed.. Well, Obama said they didn't have the equiptment or ground tropps they needed not the leadership.. More Bush trying not to look bad..to late... As a Veteran (Special Forces) I can tell you they (Bill Clinton & Bush)left US high-Dry- a few times... Hillary put your money where your mouth is and don't loan your campagin money-with interest? People gave to you for the run not your pocket... Go away Billary..TX doesn't want toxic waste producing power plants