Not taking it anymore.
What’s the difference between the loud white guys on the radio yelling me that “it’s not about race, we just hate his policies” and this loud white guy telling me that, in the words of Jimmy Carter, the “intensely demonstrated animosity towards Barack Obama” certainly is about race?
This loud white guy backs up his assertion with, you know, actual facts put into context:
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If you listened to the radio or watched the cable yesterday you were hit with the false equivalency Olbermann outlines: if you say that anything critical of President Obama is racial then your words will be twisted into, “all criticism of Obama is racial.” Then if the deniers find one instance that isn’t racial, they will exaggerate that lone proof into proof that all criticism isn’t racial.
That’s how the screaming tightie righties roll. Twisted. And so you got to ask, which of the President’s policies do comments like Glen Beck’s “Obama is a racist†and Rush Limbaugh’s “Barack the Magic Negro†and Michael DelGiorno’s “Obama is the antichrist†address? Which policies are they arguments for or against?
Oh, and by the way, I was talking to a BLACK friend of mine a few hours ago, and he doesn’t agree with what Obama is doing either. Does that make him racist?
Dean, I didn’t mean racism is hilarious. I meant that the situation is hilarious. As I have said before, EVERYONE who disagrees with Obama is a racist. That’s what’s so hilarious! Obviously that one flew right over your head.
Ryan, do you pride yourself on being snarky? Jesus, Muhammad and Thomas Jefferson called — they all want to take you behind the barn and beat some sense into you. I’ve tried extremely hard to be civil and understanding, and you always come back some ridiculous, insulting and sophomoric comment. You think you’re morally superior, and that makes you intellectually inferior.
Drew, anyone can have prejudices; prejudice + power = racism. It’s hard to say a black person voted for Obama b/c of color, just like it’s hard to say why a white person voted for McCain. I know women who voted just for Palin because of her gender.
Drew, Dean doesn’t believe in racism, unless it a republican that is racist.
Dean, do you believe that only white people are racist?
Or do you believe there are black people that voted for President Obama simply because he was black, without knowing his political background? Wouldn’t that also be racist?
The thing about racism, too, is that it’s also a generational thing. As someone who will turn 40 this weekend, I’m a little too young to remember sit-ins and segregated water fountains and all that. But I have a friend who’s about 50 and remembers those days all too well.
Trust me, there is nothing hilarious about racism. It’s nothing to be dismissed, And while what’s going on today is nothing like the 1960s, there are still elements of it around that have been stoked by the fact our president is a minority.
Alright, the point is that liberals always have something to complain about. Am I right? Seriously, there are bigger issues that need to be dealt with than racism. It’s quite a small matter, if you think about it. I think the whole thing is hilarious…
I don’t want to turn anybody into anything. I just want everyone to get along, because there are a boatload of problems to be tackled in the next generation: climate change, world hunger, overpopulation, proliferation of nukes, lone-wolf terrorism, etc.
Ryan, extremism is only going to exacerbate these problems. The problem with extremism is that everything turns into an all-or-nothing issue. In a non-racial context, we can’t afford to be totally black or white — the 21st century comes in all shades of gray.
Unfortunately, it’s difficult to have a reasoned, focused discussion in our extremist, bumper-sticker, sound-byte, I-can-shout-you-down, follow-the-shiny-thing world.
Ryan, I’ve been reading along here for a few days.
Thank you for not being afraid to stand up to these socialist morons. You are appreciated.
Scott, I’m not guilty of believing in black liberation theology. I don’t believe that God only cares about the opressed people, thus making the white man the bad guy. I believe in the Bible, and what it says.
I’m not racist. I don’t have a racist bone in my body. Your President can simply submit his real birth certificate, and I would imagine Mrs. Taitz would go away.
All I can contribute to this is a couple of appropriate cliches.
1) The truth hurts.
2) If the shoe fits…
Having said that, let me add the crazy Right Wing since 2000 is all about Projection. Accusing the “other side” of what you yourself are guilty of, and feeling guily about, at least subconsciously. Thus, the charge that Obama is a racist.
Not much more I can add here. Now will Orly Taitz go home and stop bothering Our President with her insanity?
BWLIB, I’ve already stated that I don’t think it will make a difference. I just don’t understand what the problem with revealing the real thing could be. Forgive me for being suspicious.
Congratulations, Dean! You turned Ryan in a “birther.” He went from not being familiar about the movement to a full-fledged member in about an hour.
I think it had more to do with who his mother and father are, supposedly. I don’t think it had anything to do with his name.
What do you mean Hawaii no longer provides long forms? You mean they don’t now, or they didn’t, then?
A copy of a birth certificate can be found at the hospital, OR in the city of birth. This would be as good as the original, if his has been lost.
I suspect he is a citizen, and there is information on the long form that he doesn’t want to release. Just another attempt to skew the truth, in my opinion.
I think we need more extremists. I don’t think we have enough people pushing for a return to the constitution, period.
He already has. The retort seems to be from the right that there is no long form, which Hawaii no longer provides. There were birth announcements in Hawaii papers right after his birth. To be honest, that’s enough for me.
No one really ever thought to ask for any presidential candidate’s birth certificate. Like I said before, if it were “Barry Owens,” it wouldn’t be a big deal. But the first time we have a black president with a funny name, it becomes an issue? In my view, that is racist.
The longer this goes on — and there are Republican-led resolutions in the House that deal with this crap — it’s easier for people to mistakenly
dismiss the legitimate gripes of conservatives.
Each side needs to police its own extremists. Think of it as a game of “Red Rover” — you pick on an opponent’s weak spot. If Alexander/Corker call out the birthers, that makes the GOP stronger. That’s all I’m saying.
Dean, I know this has been hounded on time and time again. And honestly, I don’t know the truth, but I don’t think that it would change anything, regardless.
PresBO has yet to come forward with a birth certificate. Not a “live certificate of birth” that may or may not be forged.. but the real thing.. the one that says birth certificate, with a notarized seal. If there was no problems with it, why wouldn’t he just provide proof? It seems easy to me.
But their problem with McCain is that he was actually born outside the country, a tangible fact (which really shouldn’t preclude him from office since his folks were in the military). Their problem with Obama seems to be that … well … there are no tangible facts.
I have to retract my previous statement. No, I don’t think it was formed from racism. According to their website, http://www.birthers.org/, they had just as much a problem with McCain as Obama.. how can that be racist? McCain isn’t black.
seems to me the “birther movement” is a bunch of conspiracy theorists that don’t think a President Obama could’ve been elected fairly because he is black.
Yeah, that seems racist to me.. but like I said.. I’ve never heard of them, and I’m as far to the right as you will find, trust me on that. I listen to all of these racists people you speak of, and I’ve never heard anything about the birther movement.
I’m not familiar with this birther movement… let me research it.
So you don’t consider the birther movement to be rooted in racism?
Eric, it can only be racism if it fits the liberal agenda..
Gosh, get with the program, man.
Who says “poppycock” anymore? And okay, let’s just pretend that President Bush was black…just for a minute. Would you play the race card then? I doubt you would. Because Bush is a Republican. You would still be tearing him a new asshole by the time he got out of office.
Beck isn’t destroying the party. The party has destroyed itself by removing the conservative platform. It has nothing to do with racism. Beck isn’t racist.
Yeah, ignoring racism worked so well in the 1960s. That whole speaking truth to power. Pure poppycock. (eye roll)
Eric:
You aren’t a racist. But — pardon the political pun — race really is the elephant in the room for the GOP.
The minute I see a GOP leader get up and tell a birther or a race-baiting fear-monger like Beck, “I don’t want your vote. You make me sick, and you’re destroying my political party,” then I will believe this isn’t about race. Until that happens, it’s all just talk.
The way to correct the racism you all speak of, is not to acknowledge it. You see, a racist person is ignorant, period. Anyone that thinks someone is different because of the color of their skin does not deserve to be acknowledged. The don’t deserve to be publicly denounced, or even mentioned.
We can denounce any and everyone, that doesn’t change their belief. Nor does them “attaching themselves” to our party, make them conservative, or in any way what the majority of us stand for. We’ve been denouncing you liberals for years, but you still keep plugging along.. just as the ignorant racist will. (Not that liberals are the same as racists, just for the point.)
Dean, no racist has ever pushed me around, ever. I’m not racist, and I’m not affiliated with racist people, period. A racist person has no place in America, for my part. All we can do is pray that Jesus heals their souls.
Eric, of course, you are racist. It doesn’t matter who your friends are, it only matters that you disagree with President Obama, and he is black. The undertones are there.. I see KKK in your eyes.
Mary, once again, you have failed to see my point. Race is not the issue. I cannot stress that enough. And what gives you the right to pick on my brother like that? I didn’t get any “special” phrases from him. You see, you just love to take stabs at people for speaking their minds. You have no valid proof to back it up. I knew you liberals would play the race card the day Obama got elected. EVERYONE who disagrees with President Obama is a racist. Well, I have a few black friends. I disagree with Obama’s policies. Does that make me a racist?
Your party doesn’t have the freedom to repudiate racism? How unfortunate.
The racists in your party have latched on to you like a leech and poisoned what has been good, honest conservatism. You need to find a way to remove them, or they will poison your entire party. They are the ones that have pushed you around. Until you push back, your credibility suffers.
Say there are two men on a corner and one of them is a raving lunatic, while the other is silent. I think one of three things about the silent man: he is in agreement with the lunatic, he is scared of the lunatic or he is indifferent to the lunatic. That’s the message being sent, and all three possibilities completely overshadow the good points you make.
I know that’s frustrating, but the GOP will be better off when it finds the strength to do this.
Less than five racist signs is less than five too many. Republicans need to denounce the racist element within their party. Much of the hysteria and hatred is being generated by Limbaugh, Beck, Hannity, Dobbs, et al – the fear, hatred, bigotry, paranoia, and misinformation they spout plays upon the latent bigotry and racism in those on the fringes and serves to legitimize it because it’s coming from the mainstream media. Republicans need to denounce this and do so loudly and publicly. The GOP needs to reach to minorities in order to remain a viable national party in the not too distant future.
Mary,
Policy issues with this President and his administration are as much about race on one side as they are on the other.
You may not be willing to believe it, but there are loony racists on BOTH sides of these debates. I contend that that there are more folks on your side who are less willing to debate points and are more willing to throw down the ‘race card’ than on mine.
If we are to have the dialouge needed to make this nation strong, we should able to recognize and ‘frost out’ the racists on both sides of these discussions.
No, my party doesn’t have that freedom. You see, freedom of speech doesn’t mean you can push people around. I saw less than five signs that were racist, how many have you seen? How many signs did you see that weren’t racist? What is the message you should receive?
That we are all racist, or that we care about our country and don’t approve of the direction that it is being taken?
Yes, they have the freedom to make those signs. Your party has the freedom to say, “Go stand somewhere else.”
There is freedom of speech in the country. Any jackass can make a sign, and who’s to say it wasn’t someone from the left, just making it seem like all conservatives are racist. Conspiracy theory, maybe, but I haven’t met anyone with intellect that would do such a thing.
I think for people like you and Senators like Alexander and Corker — good, honest conservatives — it is incumbent that you do more than distance yourself from the extremists. You must call them out even more forcefully than we do.
If the Tea Party allows racist signs, then all the tea is spoiled. Racism shouldn’t be ignored — it must be repudiated.
Ryan, it’s not about race for you. I think we totally believe you.
But when you have the birther movement and crap like that perpetuating through elected GOP officials, it adds a toxic element to the debate. When Glenn Beck says Obama has a “deep-seated hatred of white people,” that hurts your party.
Given the history of the country, ignoring racism isn’t really practical. Perhaps one day, but not now.
BWLIB, its NOT ABOUT RACE… if someone has racial issues, they are ignorant, and should be ignored. That’s the only way they will go away, ignore them.
“But race is an issue. It’s been an issue for 400 years — I can’t believe it is suddenly now not an issue.”
Good point.
The difference is that the bloviators on the left can admit that it isn’t ALWAYS about race but the screaming tightie righties will NEVER admit that sometimes it is about race.
And that is a BIG difference.
You mentioned Beck, Limbaugh, and DelGiorno… and asked a question unrelated. When Limbaugh says Obama the magic negro.. he’s not talking about any particular policy at that time.. he’s only talking about in general. He acts like he is “magic”, or the chosen one. Like he has all the answers and can fix everything with big government.
Mary, black liberation theology teaches that their God only cares about the oppressed. I understand the “underlying” anger of some black people, and I think its misplaced. America has rose above the past, and apologized on numerous fronts for what has happened. If they are living in the past, they are the racist, not me. Let me go out on a limb and say they should thank us/and their ancestors for getting them out of Africa, if anything. They are in a much better place for what their ancestors endured. I know that’s not politically correct, or maybe even morally correct, but its true.
I agree with what my pastor says, as he preaches from the Bible, which I believe in. My pastor does not say GD America, or any of the other anti-American things Rev. Wright says.
I see both sides. I think it’s frustrating for those without racial bias to be accused of racial bias for confronting what they see as wrong. I have been in personal relationships like that, and it made me want to scream.
Both sides are guilty of using opposition extremism to buttress their own points. It’s an old political tactic. And for the Olbermanns, Maddows, O’Reillys, Hannitys and Limbaughs of the world, it’s effective.
At the same time, things like the birther movement are totally motivated by race and religion. Had it been J.C. Watts or Reggie Hammond (yes, a 48 Hrs. reference), it wouldn’t have been an issue. And when we’ve got unprecedented things like a Congressman shouting down a joint session of Congress, it muddies the issue even more.
But race is an issue. It’s been an issue for 400 years — I can’t believe it is suddenly now not an issue.
“So you just run along with your hairy, smelly hippie friends…”
Nice. Did you learn that special phrase from your brother?
Will someone please tell Ryan he make an attempt to try and understand the underlying anger of some black people in this country before he passes judgment on what is and isn’t racist.
Also please tell him that President Obama’s church was only an issue after white men like him who don’t attempt to understand the totality of black liberation theology made it an issue.
Personally, I don’t think he should have left his church. But the argument for staying was too nuanced for the intellectually dishonest men of the radical right-wing to allow. Think about it – do you agree with everything your pastor says 100% if the time?
Eric, It may not be about race for you and I believe that. But it certainly is for some of your brethren. So I will ask again, which of the President’s policies do comments like Glen Beck’s “Obama is a racist†and Rush Limbaugh’s “Barack the Magic Negro†and Michael DelGiorno’s “Obama is the antichrist†address? Which policies are they arguments for or against?
Will I get an answer from you this time?
You liberals make me sick! You have no idea what you are talking about. We’ve tried to make our point clear. THIS IS NOT ABOUT RACE!!!! GET OVER IT!!! Seriously, until you can find legitimate proof that this debate is about race, don’t say anything at all. I don’t give two shits if our President was green. I still would not agree with his policies. Like I’ve said before, you always love to find something to complain about. So you just run along with your hairy, smelly hippie friends and play your race card somewhere else. People have work to do.
BWLIB, I thought you were no were to be found, according to the absence of your presence in the other blogs. Where ya been?
I think the only reason anyone would ever call PresBO racist is because is sat in a church that taught black liberation theology for over 20 years. That could give someone the impression he isn’t too fond of the white man.
Honestly, I don’t think he is ignorant enough to be racist. I think that (church) is where he was comfortable, but not comfortable enough to stay there after he was “caught”. That only says something about his character, not his intelligence.