Fred Topel: Edward Norton: By The People: The Election of Barack Obama

So sad, I really hate it when celbrities out themselves like this. It drives a wedge between the fans of the art they produce. However I will say he seemed to have handled himself quit well, he is an intelligent person after all, but I must say I find it distrubing to know that an actor I admire and respect can be on the side of the enemy. Oh well, one day we'll all learn the mistake that was made.

Norton is an intelligent and articulate person with with a perspective that would have been more engaging if he had not been interviewed by fans, worshipers, or the money machine behind the DVD distribution. So much for real reportage... This does make a great movie promo. cha-ching!

Why is it we call him our first African American President. Lest we forgot the man is multi racial!
He's half white and half black by his own admission so lets not praise the man for being something he's not.
Why is it we never hear about his white half????
Oh my black president this and my black president that. What a crock!!!!!!!!

We call him that because he is, in fact, our first President who can identify with and is identified with by that demographic. It's pretty simple, really.

Being "half white and half black" is not something that requires or asks for an "admission." He wasn't under suspicion. Pictures of his mother are readily available.

We hear about "his white half" every time we hear about him.

I suggest you do some reading on construction of race in society.

I would really like for all these Hollywood types who feel that Barack Obama's election to President was so historic, which it was, and who think he's also the best thing that's ever happened to our country, which he is not, to do a follow-up interview after he's been in office for his full term, and talk honestly about how good of a job he did.

He is very close to passing nothing on healthcare, (thanks to a few smart Democrat Senators), he probably won't do anything regarding gays in the military, he's not even following his own plan to achieve success in Afghanistan, he will not have closed Gitmo, Iraq was won before he took office, so he's letting the troops stay there much longer than he promised, and his stimulus package is likely to cause another recession next year because of the tendency for rapid inflation after printing so much money. That, he won't be able to blame Bush on.

I just can't wait to see the Hollywood documentary on President Obama's failures as the first African-American President. As if....

Well, I like Ed Norton and what he has done in films and for films. AndI I was caught up in the idealism and excitement of the election and victory. But we have a very bad political system which puts profits before people, that rewards the rich and powerful--both individual and corporate--with more money, power and influence because they can pay their way into that political system. So it's hard not to be depressed by an interview like this--wihout seeing it in the larger context and a president who is fighting two wars--is in fact a warmonger. And a president that cannot get a health care bill passed despite it being already watered down an not even that close to what the rest of the advanced countries have found a way to offer to their citizens. And a president who can dole out money aid to the banks in a time of national pain and sadness when the average person out there needs the aid and the bankers were the ones who started all this in the first place...
So, short of something approaching a Marxist or socialist answer, I can't see what there is to get so excited about.
(Yes, as a civil rights worker in the early 60's in Alabama I do feel a sense of pride that we can elect a black man as president. Now how about working to end racism?)

i like that hank from "californication" often works obama into his toasts.

thinks like "to our black president, and my magnificent cock"

i want to copy it, but everyone i know, knows i don't care about our black president.
also, i like ed norton alot, not not enough to watch him carry on about political bullshit.

the bankers didn't start this, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act started it, by FORCING banks to give loans to people who couldn't afford it, all in the sake of equal RESULTS for all (as opposed to OPPORTUNITY, which is what the Constitution calls for), and Clinton sent Fannie and Freddie into high gear and ordered them to buy up as many loans to poor people as possible. Did the banks oblige, sure...if you've got a rich uncle telling you to go find as many rocks as you can, that he'll give you gold for them, sure anyone would do that.

oh, and as for PROVIDING healthcare to it's people...I don't think the government should provide me anythinge, except security, and FREAKIN OPPORTUNITY.

Sorry but Edward Norton is by no means a person I would value in opinion in anything government....he is an actor his time is spent acting. Now if we took someone that dedicates their life to studying politics and following the true beat of the drum, then yes I would care about what they have to say.

I will chop this up to another Hollywood liberal justifying their political views and push schemes of liberal politicians. If he would actually step back and look at all factors I am sure his opinion would be very different. We are talking about a man who lives in one of the most screwed up states in the US.. They have the highest deficit. Lack of a shall issue ccw law has allowed crime to flare up to the worst numbers of almost all states combined!!

I am sorry but not person in favor of poplur political schemes has any value, if you want to know real worthy politics take a look in libertarians, they look at all the liberals and conservatives like they are morons and they are! Why? Maybe cause they bicker over their own agendas too much like little kids instead of getting things done.

"Meet the new boss. Same as the old boss." Nothing changes.