Racist rant or true threat?

Security in this country is always a concern. Whether it's for a presidential candidate or the elderly person next door. Our country has reached a state with many individuals feeling they have the right to violate others in any form or fashion they see fit. Missing children or spouses, high school shootings, break-ins, rampages at work and so on. The big question should be....why has our country cultivated individuals that feel so disaffected and god-like in their attitudes towards others?

This has been my only fear for Obama and even for Clinton at the time she was in the race..due to the fact that there is a question as to whether the country is ready for a black president or even a female president. There will be some nut or nuts out there who think they have the right to shoot anyone they dont like. The racists that are right now walking around plotting and scheming are who scare me. Im still not sure who Im voting for but I do know that race, gender and age will not have a thing to do with it. It bothers me that we as Americans are still living in the past especially when it comes to race and gender.

It's messed up, yes. I'm not an Obama fan, but whoever you plan on voting for, you should also realize your responsibility as an American to respect the wishes of your countrymen. No matter how much you disagree with a politician, you have to realize that they're all slimeballs – even your favorite – and until they actually violate your constitutional rights you have no right to retaliate with more than words.

On the other hand, you should not try to pile conspiracy charges on someone just because of who their stupidity was directed against. There are more than likely a thousand posts right now on various forums from people swearing they will assasinate Obama. This would be so whether or not he was black; his whole platform is change. That alone would be enough to attract plenty of nutjobs. Then add the fact that he hasn't really explained where he's going to get the hundreds of billions of dollars necessary to effect these changes, and you convince a lot of people that that money will be coming out of their pockets (which it will). That, unfortunately, is enough for a lot of people to take more drastic measures than a negative vote.

But, yeah, there are probably plenty who hate Obama for no other reason than race. That still doesn't give you the right to punish them any worse than any other potential presidential assasin, or ti give them credibility they do not deserve in their sentencing. The whole idea of prosecuting "hate crimes" more seriously than normal crimes is ridiculous and racist in itself. What murder is NOT inspired by hate?

It sucks that there is still racism, but xenophobia is written into the human genome. There's probably no lack of black folks planning to kill McCain because he is in opposition to the potential first black president, as well. The fact is, none of these nut jobs will succeed, more than likely. Don't give them credence in your furor to abolish racism – by doing that you're making them more successful than they could ever hope to be with their poorly thought out schemes. You do not abolish hate with hate. Compassion works best, and a show of contempt is a good second when you cannot summon compassion.

Yes i agree it sucks that there is racism in America both "Black and White racism" but we as democrats have to vote for the best person for job! There are probably lots of White folks that don't like Obama and there's probalbly lots of Black folks that don't like McCain. Yes Obama is partly the blame for that because his hole campain was talking about race issue's. I have been a long time democrate voter and have never seen before a person like Obama lye and say so many ridiculous things before in the History of the democratic Party. I really don't like my my party's man being in the media spotlight like the drama show Obama is giving today either. Obama needs to me more low key with history show and the free ride he's giving to media. I think lots of democrats our thinking about changing to McCain!! McCain will be the best person for the job!

These people should be brought up on charges of attempted murder, if nothing esle. Please do more research on these men. There maybe more waiting.

It took me a while to be convinced that Obama would make a good president. I was concerned about his lack of experience and perhaps while being questioned during the primary debates, I did not fully understand his position on a few issues. I never considered race to be a deciding factor, no more than gender! I will vote for him because I believe he will do all he can to help restore the US economy; promote excellence in education; use diplomacy with other nations and regain our good reputation; work hard on the energy crisis; end the war in Iraq; work well with congress; offer affordable health care to those in need, (and not tax the ones with employer paid benefits); shore up social security (and not privatize) and the list goes on. I have no doubt in my mind he is the best person for the job. Unfortunately, there are always security concerns for our president and vice president . They deserve the best available protection. A threat to our president is a threat to our entire nation and our democracy!

Obama's hole campain has been about race and the color of your skin!!! Obama his self go's to a chruch for 20 years that is racist. You can't fool us we know that Cnn has been pushing Obama on everyone!! The democratic party convention was like a sick Vages side show!! Mrs. Palin speech blow Biden's out of the water! I believe Obama will lose this race because this Nationis to Smart to let one race force or threaten us to vote in anyone one person favor because the color of thier skin. Yes thier maybe a black man one day, but i dont think Obama is the ansewer. That's why were voting for McCain.

Even if elected he wil not be the first BLACK president,but the first half black half white one.

Threat! Upon reading the messages posted by almost everyone it seems that the real issue has yet to be touched upon: Security. Whether or not Obama is a good choice for president is irrelevant to this matter. His life was threatened and that is important. The people who thereatned his life were vocal about it, and are obvosuly novices. The true threat that we need to be concerned with will not be vocalized, and it will be by people/organizations with a little more power then three drug addicts. Bottom Line- The Secret Service was correct in stepping up the security detail sorrounding Obama, and that has NOTHING to do with whether or not he will make a good president- he still deserves to live.

the feds are playing it down--why-you and i know–had it been
McCain it would had been a hole new story

Whether or not you agree with Obama's political platform, we should all be concerned with his safety. This political election is a reflection of this country to the rest of the world.

On another point, I don't understand why democrats accuse Obama of running a campaign based on race, yet don't accuse Billary of running a sexist campaign highlighting women. I'm a woman and was SICK of hearing about the glass ceiling. Race has not been Obama's focus, and I think it's a double standard to expect him not to appeal to the demographics to which he belongs.

Regardless of whether or not this specific group poses a threat, in any political situation it only takes one to a handfull of nutjobs with a gun and half-decent aim to cause huge problems. There was only 10 people involved in the lincoln assassination. Charles J. Guiteau was mearly a disgruntled and possibly insane goverment employee when he shot Garfield. Leon Czolgosz was alone in is seeking out and shooting of McKinley, and most reputible sources say that Lee harvey oswald probably acted alone. Thats why any and all threats should be taken seariosly and delt with, because the cost of ignoring one threat is far greater than taking the time to properly investigate them all.

we are the greatest nation on this earth because of our acceptance and tolerance of every human no matter who they are. wars are fought all over this world because of intolerance and have been for centuries. this is why we are a shining light for the rest of the world. we are not perfect, but we are as close as it gets! we keep on getting better every day. it is a long process, but as long as we keep moving in the right direction, it does not get any better than this. the best the world has to offer is right here.

It would be bad publicity for Obama if people started to realize how many people wanted Obama dead.

The more publicity that is given to assasination threats the more likely more nut jobs are going to try it. Their minds work somewhat, though not totally differently than normal people. Look at high school shootings – the helpless handwringing and endless repetition of the events the press did (at first) brought on copies.

Handling this particular case as common crime was a good choice for that reason; it's more important to keep whoever gets elected in one piece than to get a 100 vs a 25 year sentence for any particular nutjob. Sure, we'd be better off dunking the wingnuts in molten iron (tell'm they're really Terminator IV and are being recycled into good guys, or something), but we'll have to do with letting them live among their friends.

If they were vocal on the threats, they need to be proscecuted (sp?) as such.

Doesn't matter if they were on drugs....Doesnt matter on their race. A threat is a threat, period.

If a child states in my state "I will /could kill you"...to his or her fellow students in elementary school.....all hell would bust loose.

Its not adding up...Authorities be consistent !