You folks are kidding, right? Are we going to see Obama's Recipe Tips too? Obama's suggestions for a fruitful love life? Obama's favorite vacation spots?
The Chicago Tribune = Shills for the DNC and Barack Obama.
What a joke!!

Please keep your attention on important matters:
Obama's sophomoric speech on racism in U.S. history was calculated to deflect attention from the fact that his minister and "spiritual mentor" of twenty years is a vicious racist, anti-Semite, homophobe and misogynist! We aren't inspired by the pompous freshman Senator from Illinois, nor do we need him as our self-appointed leader on matters of race. Race relations were NOT the issue; Obama's affiliation with a racist, Black Nationalist, anti-American extremist was. And despite Obama's best efforts, it remains so. His speech has persuaded many that he is a charismatic fraud, underscoring that he is not the conciliator he pretends to be. Rather he gives excuses for and defends cavorting with vile bigots. He continually uses race as a subterfuge to divert the attention of the media and the American people whenever valid criticisms of him are raised. Furthermore this inhibits honest discussion about the fact that he lacks coherent and practical policy positions.
Obama's gratuitous speech on race mainly served to demonstrate that he only opposes bigotry selectively. His views on race are as unremarkable as they are a transparent ploy. He is as inconsistent on the issue of irrational, unwarranted prejudice as he is on every other issue (i.e.: defense, the economy, foreign policy, etc.). We can't afford to make the mistake of putting Obama in the White House.

Basketball? Who cares.

America would much rather know his views on why, if he truly believes in a united America and is "post racial," he has for the last 25 years aligned himself and his family with the hateful, anti-America, anti-white, anti-semitic rhetoric of Jeremiah Wright and the Black Nationalist movement?

Whew! I am so relieved that there are not any important issues for the media to report on in the world today – no wars, scandals, the candidates’ REAL stance on the issues... How about Britney’s picks too? What is the Trib going for, the US Weekly format? For real?!

Here is the thinking this article is supposed to engender in the reader's mind:

"Obama likes basketball! He can speak to basketball! What's more all American than the NCAA tournament? Well, gee whiz, I guess Obama is not a racist, anti-America Black Nationalist after all."

Sorry, Swamp, 25 years of actions speak louder than words.

This can serve as an important measure of Obama'a judgement. If he predicts the NCAA bracket, it could be a sign he can deal with our adversaries. And if he navigates the point spread, he might have what it takes to get America's economy back on course.

Let's lighten up everybody, it's a feature story.

Obama's NCAA picks are great!!. I can't wait when he is elected in November 2008!!!. God will deliver a man of color to lead this nation.

I have read and listened to many in the last few days speak the most uninformed ignorant tripe I have ever heard. Of all of you who are now so hurt and disgusted how many have heard the full context of the remarks...yes I thought so NONE OF YOU!! Since when is being proud of your heritage a reason to be a racist. Many just celebrated St. Patrick's Day where a number of people were happy to proclaim their pride in their Irish heritage. This is no difference. Trinity is not a Black Nationalist church. It is a church family that caters to its members. Holding them accountable to their community, families and themselves. Just because the majority of Whites have allowed racists to take over the phrase white pride and whites have for years been afraid to acknowledge they have a culture and a specific experience does not mean Blacks feel the same shame. Afrocentric thinking is not about one culture being better than the other. Trinity's focus on an Afrocentric perspective or liberation theory is is not a focus on Black being better than white. Instead of feeding on the half truths and twists in the media start thinking for yourselves. Investigate the FULL story.

I have read and listened to many in the last few days speak the most uninformed ignorant tripe I have ever heard. Of all of you who are now so hurt and disgusted how many have heard the full context of the remarks...yes I thought so NONE OF YOU!! Since when is being proud of your heritage a reason to be a racist. Many just celebrated St. Patrick's Day where a number of people were happy to proclaim their pride in their Irish heritage. This is no difference. Trinity is not a Black Nationalist church. It is a church family that caters to its members. Holding them accountable to their community, families and themselves. Just because the majority of Whites have allowed racists to take over the phrase white pride and whites have for years been afraid to acknowledge they have a culture and a specific experience does not mean Blacks feel the same shame. Afrocentric thinking is not about one culture being better than the other. Trinity's focus on an Afrocentric perspective or liberation theory is is not a focus on Black being better than white. Instead of feeding on the half truths and twists in the media start thinking for yourselves. Investigate the FULL story.

Everyone relax. It's just a fluff piece. Jeez.

Sure, it would be better if this space was devoted to uncovering the missing White House emails, or debating the legality of torture/"enhanced interrogation," or the cost of war, or health care, or any of about a hundred other things. But that's not what sells newspapers or creates website hits.

As for his speech on Tuesday, it's a shame people can't get beyond their own political biases and talk about the substance of his speech, rather than ignore it in favor of their right wing talking-point rants about his pastor. Barack Obama's pastor is not running for President of the United States, last I checked. And I'm weary of the guilty-by-association nonsense that's constantly being thrown around. That's not how America and Americans are supposed to operate.

Regardless of what you think of him, Obama's speech dredged up a lot of the ugly feelings, from all sides, involved in our current cultural and racial climate. It's a step toward our first important dialogue about race in the post-Civil Rights era, and may very well prove to be the landmark speech that so many have claimed it to be.

I have read and listened to many in the last few days speak the most uninformed ignorant tripe I have ever heard. Of all of you who are now so hurt and disgusted how many have heard the full context of the remarks...yes I thought so NONE OF YOU!! Since when is being proud of your heritage a reason to be a racist. Many just celebrated St. Patrick's Day where a number of people were happy to proclaim their pride in their Irish heritage. This is no difference. Trinity is not a Black Nationalist church. It is a church family that caters to its members. Holding them accountable to their community, families and themselves. Just because the majority of Whites have allowed racists to take over the phrase white pride and whites have for years been afraid to acknowledge they have a culture and a specific experience does not mean Blacks feel the same shame. Afrocentric thinking is not about one culture being better than the other. Trinity's focus on an Afrocentric perspective or liberation theory is is not a focus on Black being better than white. Instead of feeding on the half truths and twists in the media start thinking for yourselves. Investigate the FULL story.

Looks like he's got UNC beating UCLA for the championship, not the other way around as you write.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with covering this. I don't think the Obama, the Swamp, or the Tribune think this is more important than other issues. But a lot of people know that the voters like to get to know their candidates as complete people and not just as politicians. Every candidate does this type of thing and lots of news organizations cover it because the public likes to see it.

Looks like he's got UNC beating UCLA for the championship, not the other way around as you write.

And I don't think there's anything wrong with covering this. I don't think the Obama, the Swamp, or the Tribune think this is more important than other issues. But a lot of people know that the voters like to get to know their candidates as complete people and not just as politicians. Every candidate does this type of thing and lots of news organizations cover it because the public likes to see it.

Lighten up, people! I think it's great that he did this. If anything, it shows that he's a regular guy and that he takes time out of his crazy schedule to just kick back.

Obama is a racist fraud and it's time for him to leave the national stage.

This is the dumbest, stupidest thing I have every seen. Is it just another smoke screen to make obama look human? Isn't working he is still a liar. The Tribune is slowly loosing me as a reader. I had to pull it up to see if the paper was serious about what the headline was saying. *****UNBELIEVEABLE******

So not only is BHO a drug user, but a gambler as well. Yes indeed, this is the man the kool-aide drinking idiots should put in office to lead this great country. I just wish he didn't have all this hatred towards his fellow Americans that he preaches against, you know like towards Don Imus. But again, he can fall back on his excuse that he never really listened to Imus, but yet demanded he lose his job.

But I am glad to know the Tribune is very transparent with their BHO bias.

By the way, what are the odds BHO would ever wear a pin of the American flag the lapel of his suit? I have a better chance of picking every game correct and winning the Mega Millions at the same time.

Pitt in the Final Four?!? Tell me he's just doing that cuz he needs the Pennsylvania vote!

I find all those who have come to the conclusion that Obama is a anti-white because of the statements of his Pastor a bit reactionary. Would the same people say that George Bush is anti-Catholic after his endorsements and speaches at Bob Jones University? I think their reactions are cover for their fears that a non-white person may be elected President.

I find all those who have come to the conclusion that Obama is a anti-white because of the statements of his Pastor a bit reactionary. Would the same people say that George Bush is anti-Catholic after his endorsements and speaches at Bob Jones University? I think their reactions are cover for their fears that a non-white person may be elected President.

Wow, such venemous responses posted by the undercover Obama haters. The moment has finally arrived. They now have a reason, a tenous one at best, to come out of their closets of contempt and express their visceral hatred for this young charismatic phenom. Like he said so eloquently in his speech the other day, this country is in need of some serious healing. When I read some of these posts all I feel is fear and hate. What a shame! If you feel what Reverend Wright said was so bad just imagine what is being said in homes around the country of people who post such hateful rhetoric on sites like this and all over the internet. I get the feeling that there has been alot of hoping and praying for someone like Rev Wright to be brought to the surface as a saboteur in Obama's movement for change. For those of you who are crying out in glee at this new development do remember that Obama is a hard man to bring down, he'll bounce back. Mark my words. Obama in 08 or 12!

obama's obviously playing politics by putting North Carolina and Pittsburgh into the final four, two upcoming primaries.

he's also obviously a racist and black nationalist by having tennesse win over AMERICAN university.

wow, he must be a muslim by having pitt beat oral roberts.

WHY DOESN'T THE MEDIA PICK UP ON THESE THINGS!

Can anyone tell me of just ONE accomplishment BHO has in public office, either in Springfield or DC. Oh wait I know, before he even takes a seat in his newly elected position, he registers new voters for his next campaign the very same day.

And another thing, just what does BHO really know about the war on terrorism anyway? Been to Iraq or Afghanistan to see the progess for himself,...NOPE. Any meetings with the CIA...NOPE. Consulted with the Generals and Pentagon with what is really going on and the progress that has been made...NOPE. So much like his campaign, he just tells the idiot masses what they want to her, but have no real information to base his opinions on or any real plan of action, but it sure sounds nice to his brain-dead followers who can't think for themselves and preach the very same hatred towards all that oppose BHO and his lack of any substantial accomplishments on his resume.

BTW, you Obamabots need to examine BHO's position about the war over the past 5 years, I guarantee you will all be really surpised what he has actually said and stated for the record.

by my humble prediction he got 1/2 of the final four right

mccain has also filled out a bracket

if I know hillary (and after 20 years of seeing her in public and 20 years of a career in understanding human behavior, I think I do) - then I guess hillary didn't fill out a bracket because someone explained to her you can't list yourself as being a lifelong fan of all of the big state teams (you know - the way she did about being a lifelong fan yankees fan ?)

Barack Obama is saying that things can change. Things can and do change. Things can change for the better. Barack sees life from more than one perspective. What's not to like? Hillary, on the other hand: http://theseedsof9-11.com

Trib journalism has sunk to THIS?

And they can't even analyze the silly tripe they present. Consider this:

"But we do give him courage points in one area: picking near-universally reviled Duke all the way to the regional final."

Courage? Obama picks Pitt (upcoming PA primary), NC and Duke (upcoming NC primary) to go surprisingly far in the tourney.

"Profiles in Courage" he ain't.

McCain has picks too, but I guess that's not as important as Obama's

http://www.johnmccain.com/brackets

Mike McNeal---

Obama's "sophmoric speech"? Have you used your brain and ears at all recently? Compared to what we usually hear, his speech on race was exceptionally candid and significant. But great minds always draw opposition from mediocre ones.

Obama '08!

Oh, lighten up, John D. And the first several posters. Being that it is "March Madness", a reporter asked him who he likes in the tournament. What do you want him to do? I would imagine both the Obama and McCain camps have their own NCAA pools going on. (No wagering, of course. Wink,wink, nudge, nudge.)

Is it "newsworthy"? Not in the grand scheme of things. But there's nothing wrong with injecting a little levity into the race. And as a previous poster showed, you can take a look at McCain's picks, too.

It seems to me that people tend to forget that politicians are afterall....well...human. So what if Obama takes a bit of time out to choose basketball pick. Afterall...didn't Bill Clinton show his "human side" by going on SNL toting his saxophone, and playing a few licks with band?

Everyone needs to "take a pause for station identification"....we'll be back to regular programming, (sic) in a few minutes.

McCain's NCAA bracket DOES matter.

Problem is, when I followed the link to have a look, I was asked to give up my email address and sign up for his list.

McCain said several times that Iran is training Al-Quaeda, AND he wants my email address??? Too much March Madness from him for me...