So does anybody not think it is a really dumb thing to say though? I cannot imagine thinking that was a good idea and I would pretty much expect an asskicking if I said it to the descendants of slaves.

I thought that Obama used the analogy in a very subdued, measured, and tasteful way. He and I obviously agree that utilizing the analogy can be useful for bringing races together over these issues. On the other hand, I'm not outraged by Ben Carson's usage, but it was too flippant and overwrought for me. It was not sensitive enough to the obvious reservations someone might have with using such an analogy in the first place.