LOL, oh Sir Charles...

It's interesting to see how his politics has evolved in the past years. Up to 2005 or so, he was a registered Republican and switched over for some of the reasons that he stated in the video.

It's not the first time that he has stated that he wants to run for governor of Alabama. He wanted to run in the late 90s, but again, as a Republican. Luckily, he has done the switch.

I was going to try to drop Barkley a thank you note for coming out as pro-choice and pro-equal marriages as an athlete. Yet, I just cannot find a contact email or address.

barkley for governor 2014!

I'd have to look into his politics a little more closely just to be 100%, but I would SO rather have him as Governor than the Governator! Wish we could get more athletes that kids look up to making statements like these.

Point taken, but we should probably put a moratorium on using "articulate" as a means of describing Black folk, whether in the affirmative or not. Just sayin'.

athletes that kids look up to? charles barkley - "I am not a role model". he has said a ton of fascinating things and its been great to watch his political maturation over the years.

http://barkleyquotes.blogspot.com/ makes for some great reading.

My attack on conservatives wouldn't be too articulate either, seeing as they care little about sense, common or otherwise. He's just not bullshitting, which I appreciate.

I thought it was great! "They can't do anything to me. I don't work for them." I didn't think it was inarticulate -- it was more like 'straight talk,' a concept the conservatives have exploited pretty well for a long time. There's a point at which people don't trust someone who's too polished. Charles is just telling it like it is. I think a lot of people would find that appealing.

"they can't do anything to me, I don't work for them"
hahahaha!

"athletes that kids look up to? charles barkley - 'I am not a role model'."

I forgot whoch news magazine it was in, but several years ago I read an article about him which mentioned this and ended with "A role model, despite himself." :)

It's official. He's my new crush.

Kudos to him for frank talk, and nuts to those who disagree - and I wonder how many conservatives have been challenged by ANY member of the press when they are characterizing liberals with all of the derogatory labels that they have used over the years?

I thought he was pretty clear about why he dislikes the conservatives...he thinks they're a bunch of judgmental hypocrites and "fake Christians".

yeah, agreed with the inappropriate use of "articulate." He made complete sense even if you thought his attack was harsh. And you do not want to be the next Joe Biden.

How the fuck is this inappropriate use of the word "articulate"?

NY times article on the word "articulate", notably in politics.

http://www.nytimes.com/2007/02/04/weekinreview/04clemetson.html

I'm sure the will ruffle feathers in the anti-PC crowd, but FYI.

it doesnt ruffle my feathers spike but it is hard for me to internalize. I understand it but for say Obama, well he is incredibly well spoke and articulate, thats a skill and not many, of any ethnicity or gender, have it. Seems a good discussion and the article was great but its still hard for me to internalize that saying "Mr. Obama is an incredibly articulate speaker and that has been an asset in his Presidential bid" is wrong.

I thought this was pretty pointless. The media is full of commentators who make sweeping generalizations about people with particular political or religious views. How is this even remotely unique? What about this clip makes it worth posting when our media is so inundated with partisan oversimplification of the issues?

I completely agree with Nazrafel. The point is that when people usually describe a white male politician they don't say "he's so articulate". It's a condescending thing to say. Of course a politician is articulate. They are educated people running for office. If someone says "Obama is just so articulate" it sounds like it's something they didn't expect him to be because he is a black man.

There's obviously a big difference between pointing out Barkley's inarticulateness, and remarking on a black politician's surprising articulateness. Actually, suggesting that one "shouldn't" point out Barkley's inarticulateness strikes me as a bit offensive and similar in spirit to Biden's comment.

Um, this was a guy that protested female referees in the NBA stating that women have no place on the basketball court, and that their place is "behind their man."

For reals. I remember so vividly perusing my Sports Illustrated for Kids and nearly barfing all over the place when I read that.

I am also wary of the "articulate" label, but I hate to see it thrown out all together. It is possible to comment on Obama's articulateness without falling in to the Joe Biden trap; Obama, is indeed, much more articulate than even most politicians. So it's a matter of context, and who is being compared. "Obama is the most articulate of the candidates." is OK. "He's an articulate black man." is not OK.

And as for this assertion:
"Of course a politician is articulate. They are educated people running for office"

Listened to our current president lately?

Hey SoyMilk, do you have a link for that Barkley quote? After much Googling, I can't find it anywhere. I've been very impressed with Barkley's standing up for women's rights and gay rights, and I'd be really bummed to find out that were true. Do you have a link? Thanks.

No, he isn't the most articulate speaker, but his career path was not one where you had to give long, glowing, articulate speeches. His manner of speaking sounds to me like most people you would talk with face-to-face.

I also don't think that Miriam's mention of his articulation was racially motivated. I think it was just fact.

I did like his final point. That conservative christians only use the parts of religion or the bible that suit their needs, and they forget all the others.