Sorry, Muncle, don't think that speech was crap -- not of the horse nor any other variety.

There's no question the speech was made to repudiate Rev. White's sermons. I wasn't impressed with the comments about health care, etc. -- they just seemed to be throwaways to remind people this was his platform.

Obama made some very valid points on racism. I've been privileged to have a dear friend who was black and be invited into her home for holidays. He's right, the talk was of racism the family had been forced to participate in and in perceived racism. There was anger in those discussions. Some things were said that would have made Rev. White's statements seem to be devoid of any anger.

As he said, America is not stagnant. It grows and changes with the times. I do remember Rev. King's marches and speeches. I have seen black men hung by the side of the road as a warning to other black men to not get "uppity" and date white women. I have also seen young white men and women risk their lives to help blacks vote. While I have never served in a war, I have seen where the role of the African-American has grown from being cooks and drivers and human cannon fodder to respected members of the military -- people who have fought side by side and become the brothers and sisters of their comrades in arms.

I was impressed with his honesty in discussing these issues. Personally, I think he said some things that needed to be said. I hope most Americans listen to them -- whatever their race, whatever their political persuasion, whatever their beliefs. So, to me, call them crap is an insult to this great nation and its willingness to change.

His speech still hasn't convinced me he's the man to do the job but it has made me respect him a little more.