Really? Why Must Every Criticism of President Obama Be Racist?
By HHR | September 16th, 2009 | Category: Featured, General, HHR Contributors, Opinion/Reviews, Politics, Urban Issues |by Lenny McAllister
Now, don’t get me wrong. Before anyone starts to say that racism is not a factor in today’s America, I want to preface this by saying that it’s pretty clear that we don’t live in a post-racial America. We still have a lot of problems with racism. We still have a lot of mistrust coming from all sides of the racial spectrum. A glimpse at the recent St. Louis school bus “brawl” (seen here at http://videos.stltoday.com/p/video?id=6172583 ) shows that some of the viciousness from today’s racial problems can come from different sides.
And don’t get me wrong. There was a segment of Americans that lost their minds for a second when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in November 2008. I remember the death threats. I remember the graffiti and some of the comments.
But let’s be real, people. It’s 2009.
Not 1959. Not 1929.
And not every criticism of the 44th president is based on race.
The more it seems to be said - that race is not as much of a factor in America - the more we hear that it is when it comes to President Obama.
Now, we hear it from former President Jimmy Carter, someone who, by the way, Obama’s spending and snafus are often compared to by conservatives that experienced both administrations.
I can’t get over the fact that someone as worldly as Carter would go on national television to address this Wilson situation (as well as the ongoing Tea Party phenomenon) as a racial knee-jerk reaction to the nation’s first Black president. If the United States was such a cauldron of overt racism, how did President Obama win the presidency in the first place? Applying race to every aspect of criticism is getting not only old, but toxic in a nation that doesn’t need many other factors to contribute to the heightened level of anxiety throughout the country.
A former president should know that. A former president should act very responsibly. A former president from a southern state should know exactly what happens when the brew of race, economic hardship, joblessness, anxiety about the future, and rapid change come together.
Yet, Mr. Carter added his two cents to a situation that needed to be defused, not ignited. On national television no less. Why?
Adding to a debate by suggesting that criticism of the president - a far-left leaning president that is growing more unpopular (from a policy point of view) as his administration continues forward - is primarily fueled by race only plays to the lowest points of ourselves and discredits the hard work of civil rights leaders from years gone past. The very efforts that allow for President Obama to be the first Black president must also be the very essence of why he can be criticized for his positions, his actions, his affiliations and selections, and his directives for the nation. The door that Obama walked through to gain the opportunity to become president did not close once he walked through. It has been and will be propped open for the rounds of criticism and debate that comes with the Office of the Presidency.
The continued race card being brought up regarding President Obama not only cheapens any true issues of racism that he has faced (and will face), but also numbs the nation to the calls of racism when it actually does occur, such as continue incidents of “driving while Black” or imbalanced funding of public schools’ revenue between schools within the same system. It diminishes the sacrifices made by others (of all races) for racial equality in America. It takes proud history and personal growth and makes it cliche.
Having seating Congressmen making this argument also makes a tough situation - one where many people are trying to navigate through debates and disapproval without being wrongly defamed by the dreaded “r” word - worse. To hear Congressman “Hank” Johnson speak that folks will soon be “…(wearing) white hoods and white sheets and riding through the countryside…” not only smacks of overreaching dramatization (do we really think that several generation of leaders and citizens post-Civil Rights movement would tolerate open terrorism by the KKK?), but seems to reflect a desire to reflect the worst of our history and attempt to paste it to these tough times today.
It’s ironic. When Democrats (including key Black Democrats) wanted Secretaries of State Powell and Rice to “fail” under the Bush Administration (i.e., not deliver the goals set forth by the Bush Administration in the best interests of the American people), it was not out of racism and not wanting to see the first two Black secretaries of state to success. Of course, it was out of principle against the Bush foreign policy.
No offense, Colin and Condi.
Now, the rules of racial engagement have swung so suddenly and dramatically for the Democrats’ third president since 1977, moving to a point where the horrific imagery of the Ku Klux Klan has been thrust into the national spotlight by a US Congressman.
And why?
Is it because a very popular personal figure has become a very polarizing president? Is it because a personal project of many Democrats (i.e., universal health care run by the government) keeps hitting roadblocks every time the political climate seems right in Washington? Is it because approval ratings for this president and his supermajority in Washington keep slipping? Is it because, at this rate, voters may vote Democrats out of office in 2010, perhaps for the same reasons why Republicans were voted out of office in 2006?
Or is it because pulling the race string makes the American puppet jump in reaction, perhaps in an attempt to yank the American people back in line “behind” the president and his proposals?
It’s sad that President Carter felt the need to come out and offer his two-cents on this. One thing that people cannot say about President Bush is that he has been sticking his nose into these affairs, ones that have remained heated through the Obama term to date. Introducing race into this equation as an ex-president only brings a dangerous fuel into the fire, particularly as we look to our country’s history with racial tensions.
As an elder statesman (and a rarity over the past 40 years…a one-term president), Carter had an obligation to speak with restraint, regardless of how others (including Joe Wilson) act in kind. As a nation, we have a duty to trust the best within us - including and especially in regards to race - even when we act otherwise. Without some common trust, we can only expect a shared failure to meet our challenges with any measurable and sustainable success.
Lenny McAllister - Lenny lives in the Charlotte, North Carolina metropolitan area. Before graduating from prestigious Davidson College (NC), Lenny played a role in aiding the long process of procuring nationally- renowned Alpha Phi Alpha as the first historically Black fraternity established on the College’s campus. McAllister was featured as a political commentator and writer during the Republican National Convention for several national and international outlets including CNN, CNN International, BBC World News, and Black Entertainment Television. In addition, McAllister was a guest host on the Fox News primetime webcast with Shepard Smith before Gov. Sarah Palin’s acceptance speech and a featured guest on “ABC News NOW” with Sam Donaldson in primetime before Senator John McCain’s acceptance speech.
http://pycmusings.blogspot.com/
I appreciate your article, however, I say that President Bush was the first to elevate blacks to senior positions within the Republican party because they were competent but also because President Bush had this commitment! is the reading that I have!
It is time to be clairvoyant and take stock of all these remarks. I’m outside so my point of view be different from yours but it may help you in your analysis! In fact I am a Republican at heart and would like to establish relations with the United States Republican because I intend to live in the states. For all these reasons that I sent you the documents
then you play!
It is true that all black people in this world must make efforts to stop racism around them.
Like the Jewish problem that we live recessive and we can act promptly because we are not well organized!
I sent the site in this sense ! it is a problem we must solve only us and with solidarity.
Faith and solidarity!
I am ready to answer all initiatives objectively!
In fact, it is important that the current president don’t falls into this trap !
[And don’t get me wrong. There was a segment of Americans that lost their minds for a second when Barack Obama was elected President of the United States in November 2008. I remember the death threats. I remember the graffiti and some of the comments.
But let’s be real, people. It’s 2009.]
Lost their minds for only a second, are you serious? Reality check brother, they continue to lose their minds which is why we see people like Joe Wilson making a fool out of himself and Lynn Jenkins calling for a search of the “Great White Hope”.
Yes it is 2009 and unfortunately the realities of racism within the GOP is coming to full light, just look at how they treat Colin Powell, by far one of the most positive figures within the GOP and throughout U.S. military history.
The reality is, it’s time to call it like it is and while a few of those who criticize President Obama is strictly related to politics and policy, the majority of criticism is based on erroneous information, factless opinion, and racism.
It’s time for black people to stand together on this issue, call the GOP out for the racialism and bigotry polarizing the party, push the racist out of the party so they can go hangout at stormfront and focus on rebuilding the party. Articles such as this give the bigots an excuse to continue spewing their uninformed racial bigotry. Wake-up brother, wake-up!
Just a little more reality for you Lenny since you seem to be in denial that these white folks have only lost their minds for a “second” when Obama was elected! What do you call it 8 months later, a minute? Wake-up brother just wake-up!
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08/13/death-to-obama-sign-holde_n_258601.html - ‘Death To Obama’ Sign Holder Detained In Maryland
HAGERSTOWN, Md. — The Secret Service is investigating a man who authorities said held a sign reading “Death to Obama” outside a town hall meeting on health-care reform in western Maryland.
The sign also read, “Death to Michelle and her two stupid kids,” referring to the first name of President Barack Obama’s wife, said Washington County Sheriff’s Capt. Peter Lazich.
Just a little more reality for you. Plenty more where that came from and that’s without visiting the hardcore sites like stormfront!
http://news.aol.com/article/jimmy-carter-cites-racisim-in-joe/672018?icid=main|main|dl1|link3|http%3A%2F%2Fnews.aol.com%2Farticle%2Fjimmy-carter-cites-racisim-in-joe%2F672018 - Carter Cites ‘Racism’ in Wilson Outburst
Harpootlian said he received scores of racial e-mails from outside South Carolina after he talked about the vote on Fox News.
“You have a bunch of folks out there looking for some comfort in their racial issues. They have a problem with an African-American president,” he said. “But was he motivated by that? I don’t think so. I respectfully disagree with President Carter, though it gives validity to racism.”
CRITICIZING THE PRESIDENT IS NOT RACIST!
1. a video of a group of school kids fighting and bullying is disingenuous. i’m supposed to see black teens ganging up on a white teen. we all know teenagers are stupid. they lack the ability to understand the consequences of their actions (which is why there is a juvenile and an adult correctional system). this actually looked like what you would see at a boxing match, 2 fighters and the crowd cheering them on. as stupid teenagers, we all gawked and provided commentary during fights at school or on the school bus. instead of using children, lets show adults that are participating in crimes against people of a different race instead. just today there is a story in atlanta of a black female army reservist being attacked by a white man in front of her child (http://www.ajc.com/news/clayton/army-reservist-beaten-in-138917.html). this man called her racial slurs while he was attacking her. after the election of obama, 4 white men assaulted african americans because obama won (http://www.examiner.com/x-18689-Polk-County-Crime-Examiner~y2009m9d14-Four-men-sentenced-for-election-night-assaults-targeting-AfricanAmericans-following-Obamas-victory). in maine there was an “osama obama shotgun pool” (http://us.mobile.reuters.com/m/FullArticle/p.rdt/CTOP/ntopNews_uUSTRE4AJ9C920081121). there have been plots to kill obama (http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601103&sid=ajck7UOaFSLg&refer=us). since the election of obama, there has been increased membership on white supremest websites. obama has received the most death threats. obama was the first presidential candidate to receive usss detail in 2008. the list goes on… so don’t be fooled into thinking that there isn’t an already rising racial tension. lets call this the fire. (if there has been incidents of black adults beating up white adults since obama please post it)
2. a little background on joe wilson. he is a member of the sons of confederate veterans which has been accused of turning into a white supremest organization. he is in favor to keep the confederate flag flying over the sc state capital. he told strom thurmond’s (r) black illegitimate daughter that she was lying about being strom thurmonds daughter. in 2003 he voted for Medicare Prescription Drug, Improvement, and Modernization Act which included a $250,000 annual reimbursement to hospitals that provided care for illegal immigrants (section 1011). so what happened between 2003 (bush - r) when he voted for federal money for the treatment of illegal immigrants and 2009 (obama - d) when he shouted “you lie” to the president about the public option funding the treatment of illegal immigrants? lets call this fuel.
what hank johnson said was far fetched. but when we have elected officials (fuel) shouting down the president (birthers who question the legitimacy of the president and tea party speakers who participate in an event planned by a man that says obama acts like “an Indonesian muslim turned welfare thug” ), it only adds to already growing racial tensions (fire). thus potentially creating lone wolf scenarios (ie. James von Brunn, holocaust museum shooter) and reminds people of the assassination of mlk.
Most criticism of Obama is cataloged as racist because the opposite party isn’t taking a stand against the bigotry from within. When you have unelected bigots front and center making wild accusations that, not only go unchallenged, but are actively embraced or conveniently ignored by the elected and top ranking officials, it taints the rest of the dialog.
People have shown up to public appearances by President Obama armed. Did armed Liberals show up at Bush engagements?
As long as the GOP refuses to address the race-biased elephant in ‘it’s ranks, Republicans will be viewed as racially biased. All the references to Black Republicans of the past cannot erase the image that the GOP has. Take the election of Audra Shays for example. There is no evidence that the GOP feels that it needs to change the way it presents itself to the public. The result thus far has been a 95% African-American vote for Democrats. Latinos went for Obama 2-1. Obama won Florida Latinos. The GOP may wish to ignore the obvious, but don’t be surprised with the results.
Forgetting Black History at the Ballot Box
http://www.nationalcenter.org/P21NVShabazzVotes204.html
LENNY, LENNY, LENNY….I swore I was backing away from the HHR blog then this!!! …..”these white folks have only lost their minds for a “second” when Obama was elected!”…… I’ve been taking you to task on your ilk’s Servile ways for how long now? Oh yeah, since the Aurda shey thang, right?? Seems like your slavish worship at the altar of the “free market” is being undermined NOT BY THE CONTENT OF YOUR CHARACTER, BUT BY THE COLOR OF YOUR SKIN!!* These brothers and sisters, far more eloquently evicerate your “bend over and keep taking it” position! (pun defineatly intended). Pres Carter did exactly what had to be done shout it from the mountain, Pres Obama is being Knee Capped for one reason Only!! Do you think John Edwards would’ve been DISSED like dat? No way!
Answer the question, did us Liberals appear ARMED at a GWB TownHall?? I held placards denouncing Bush-Cheney as War Criminals and Liars but never a “Death to Bush” sign!!???
you see isolated incidents of racism and extremism and label the whole debate…?
You cite news articles about these events as if they actually document reality in its entirety. What if we flip it? Would it be ok for all whites to assume that all blacks are (insert negative stereotype here…) as long as its documented in the “news”?
Are you serious?
I’m sure you hate the idea of continued bigotry and prejudice against people based on race (or anything), but as long as “some” whites are acting that way, it means the whole argument is racially charged…
Lenny’s point wasn’t that racism doesn’t exist in this nation, it was that racism isn’t the chief motivation behind the arguments against the President’s policy.
But go ahead, keep it up. Keep on ignorantly following the lead of Carter et al. Keep on clouding actual disagreement with your own prejudice and creating a racial issue where it doesn’t exist. Keep crying wolf until “racism” becomes a meaningless term that people of color use to mark those that don’t agree with them.
………………..But go ahead, keep it up. Keep on ignorantly following the lead of Carter et al. Keep on clouding actual disagreement with your own prejudice and creating a racial issue where it doesn’t exist. Keep crying wolf until “racism” becomes a meaningless term that people of color use to mark those that don’t agree with them.
Go ahead and keep failing to address blatant racism within the GOP. The “isolated incidents” when taken in their entirety define the GOP. The Democratic Party had to fight an image of being weak on national defense to win he election. The Democratic candidate won. At percentage of voters who felt that Obama would protect the country was equal to those who felt McCain would protect the country. The Democrats saw an image problm and attacked the problem.
The GOP has an image problem on race and refuses to address the problem. They are receiving advice from African–American republicans to continue to ignore the image problem . This is disastrous. again 90+% Black vote, 2-1 Latino vote went to the Democratic Party.
“…Go ahead and keep failing to address blatant racism within the GOP. The “isolated incidents” when taken in their entirety define the GOP.”
Because you allow it to define the GOP… Because you want it to define the GOP. Should Van Jone’s open racism and anti-white rhetoric define the democratic party or all black people for that matter?
The arguments against Obama’s policy also fall out of GOP lines. There are Obama voters that don’t go along with his policies. If they are white and don’t agree, they are racist I suppose. If they are black and don’t agree, then they must be some of those African–American republicans continuing to ignore the “image problem” and are too busy trying to “eloquently evicerate your “bend over and keep taking it” position..”
And you buy right into it. Carter is shouting “from the mountain…” Like as if Obama didn’t have white voters. Like as if the country was so racist that all the colored folk banded together and none of the white folk voted for him since whites don’t think a black man is “qualified”. Ignorance at its finest…
People can’t just disagree. We have to be racially segregated. If that’s what you want to perpetuate… so be it.
zhaggy, look at the vote received from African-Americans and Latinos that went to Democrats. You have an image problem. Democrats love Republicans for not dealing with the image problem.
I haven’t been to this website in a minute but thought I’d stop by just to see how my black brother’s and sister’s were recovering from the whole “Audra Shay is my new master” incident. Good lord, now wonder common sense kept me away. Lenny, you’ve got to be out of your mind to suggest that a very good portion of the animosity expressed towards are president is seeded in the “you can’t tell me what to do, boy” attitude that most white people carry. I’m elated when i hear people like Bill Mahr say on his show how he remembers adults in his all-white community whisper privately about their dislike of black people. It opens up that hones dialogue this country is supposed to be having. But that conversation can’t and won’t take place until house negros like yourself stop apologizing for their hatred of you and attempting to provide rational explanations of why it’s ok. I can admit that we are moving towards a more “have and have not’s” type of society. However, racism is still a tool being used to divide and conquer the majority so that the “minority of white masters” can continue to manipulate and take advantage of the less fortunate. I just find it mind-boggling how negros like yourself can look in the mirror in the morning. You are a self-hating black man, which I find to be the most dangerous type of person. Put in the wrong master’s hands, you are capable of committing some of the most heinous acts thinkable. I’m not sure who to blame though- just must be the way you were wired.
rush limbaugh says of the video that is posted, “In Obama’s America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering” and to fix this we should go back to segregated buses. glenn beck says obama is a racist and hates white people and white culture.
is this simply criticizing the president or is this a racist criticism of the president?
Please explain how all 55 million Republicans should take responsibility for a few people? Should we arrest them? Smack them around? I am curious? And you keep mentioning Rush Limbaugh, there 55 million registered Republicans only 2 million Americans listen to Rush. When the left did did not take responsibility when an Air America radio host threatened to kill Bush??? Did liberal groups demand that she be fired? Stop demanding of other what you clearly can not do yourselves.
That’s simple, Jose: by marginalizing their rhetoric, and not cheering their every action. When you have a Grassley and a Palin and a Sessions and a Posley pandering, cheering and advancing the extremists rhetoric; when you have a Steele apologizing to Limbaugh for saying the truth, it makes you wonder who is really in charge of the RNC.
The Democrat party ignored, most of the time, their lunatics. Not the most responsible, but at least not as irresponsible as the actions of RNC today.
Here’s a link to what happened at Air America and it’s aftermath: http://www.outsidethebeltway.com/archives/air_america_under_investigation_for_bush_gunshot_skit/
Why am I asking the RNC to take responsibility over their crazies? 1) Part of the party slogan states that they are in favor of “Personal Responsibility”. This is an excellent opportunity for them to demonstrate how much they believe in their slogans. 2) Everyone wins if there’s a real alternative to the Democrat Party, and the quicker the Republicans can bounce back, the better.
(The Democrat party ignored, most of the time, their lunatics. Not the most responsible, but at least not as irresponsible as the actions of RNC today)
Are you kidding? This is your opinion not based on any facts! By using such a subjective standard I can easily say the GOP did the same thing.
Taking personally responsibility is just that one “personal” initiative to correct a wrong! If an individual like Joe Wilson wants to apologies as he did then that is his personal obligations. Another important thing to note is that most leaders in both parties do not publicly air there dirty laundry for the world to see. So if there is some criticism and call for accountability its not something the public would know.
Sen. John McCain: South Carolina Representative Joe Wilson’s Yelling Lie To President Obama Was “Totally Disrespectful” - 09/09/09 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HVgnuGtZICk
Also Members of Congress from both parties condemned the outburst. Where was the condemnation when the Majority Leader of the Democrats Senator Harry Reid called Bush “liar,”??
By Clifford F. Thies
According to the rules of the House, it is a violation for a member to attack the President personally. “Section 370 of Jefferson’s Manual [not Thomas Jefferson’s Manual] states that the rule in Parliament prohibiting Members from ‘speak{ing} irreverently or seditiously against the King’ has been interpreted to prohibit personal references against the President.”
In contrast, “the Senate rules on decorum and debate do not prohibit personal references to the President. Senate Rule XIX governing decorum and debate is applied only to fellow Senators and ‘does not extend to the President, the Vice President, or Administration officials and a Senator cannot be called to order under rule XIX for comments or remarks about them…’ The Senate rules also provide that Jefferson’s Manual is not part of the Senate rules.”
Therefore, if a Democrat wants to use words like “liar” and “loser” to describe a Republican serving as President, he would be perfectly free to do so. The following is from an interview by Rolling Stone with the piece of shit the Democrats put forward as Majority Leader of the Senate:
You’ve called Bush a loser.
And a liar.
You apologized for the loser comment.
But never for the liar, have I?
http://www.rollingstone.com/politics/story/7371967/the_gunslinger/
Only a piece of shit would think calling people names is a funny thing. I presume people who think calling President Bush a liar is a funny thing are, right now, ROTFLMAO at my description of the Senator from Nevada.
Now, what about the President? What is his position on name-calling? During his address on health care, he described those who criticize his plans FOUR TIMES as liars, three times indirectly, and once using the word lie. And, what did the Democrats in Congress do every time he engaged in name-calling? Why, they stood up and applauded. The following is from the transcript of the Obama’s address to Congress:
Instead of honest debate, we’ve seen scare tactics … Well, the time for bickering is over. The time for games has passed.
(APPLAUSE)
. . .
Still, given all the misinformation that’s been spread over the past few months, … Some of people’s concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim, made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens.
Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie plain and simple.
(APPLAUSE)
. . .
So don’t pay attention to those scary stories about how your benefits will be cut — especially since some of the same folks who are spreading these tall tales have fought against Medicare in the past…
(APPLAUSE)
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/09/AR2009090902341.html
I believe it was wrong for Congressman Joe Wilson to respond, emotionally, to Obama’s prepared, calculated and repeated attacks. And, Congressman Wilson agrees with me, as he apologized. And that apology should have settled the matter. As the rules of the House say, “The Chair enforces this rule of decorum on his own initiative,” meaning that the Chair could have graciously accepted Congressman Wilson’s apology.
But, no, the Democrats – the very same people who joined in the name-calling of their great leader by applauding his name-calling - have to censure the guy. Here is what Jesus says about being unforgiving, “Forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us.” They better pray there is no God.
New York Times dowdy spinster Maureen Dowd is doing what radical left wingers do best when faced with dissent: Race bait.
And she’s lying through her teeth when she does it.
Here is what Dowd says about those who disagree with President Obama’s policies:
But [Representative Joe] Wilson’s shocking disrespect for the office of the president — no Democrat ever shouted “liar” at W. when he was hawking a fake case for war in Iraq — convinced me: Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it.
Apparently the New York Times is so broke that it can’t afford to pay Dowd’s Internet connection bill.
Using the highly sophisticated and complex Google search formulation, “Democrat calls Bush a liar,” I found in less than ten minutes countless instances where Congressional Democrats called George W. Bush a liar on the House or Senate floor.
So not only is it a lie that Democrats never called Bush a liar, the reverse is probably true: Bush was called a liar more frequently than any other President in American history.
Here’s just a sampling of what I found:
Harry Reid (D-NV)
“President Bush is a liar. He betrayed Nevada and he betrayed the country.”
Here’s what Reid said when Tim Russert challenged him on the civility of this comment:
[P]eople may not like what I said, but I said it, and I don’t back off one bit.
At least Joe Wilson apologized for calling Obama a liar.
Maxine Waters (D-CA)
The president is a liar. Dick Cheney, the chief architect of the Big Lie, is not only a liar, he is a thief.
Right, Ms. Dowd, Democrats never called Bush a liar.
Barbara Lee (D- CA)
Ms. Lee said on the house floor that Bush lied about WMD. This was a prepared and carefully calculated speech, not an impassioned, impromptu comment like the one Joe Wilson made.
According to Dowd’s pretzel logic, Lee too must be a racist.
And if some Democrats didn’t call Mr. Bush a liar it’s only because they were too busy calling him much worse.
Pete Stark (D-CA)
You don’t have money to fund the war or children. But you’re going to spend it to blow up innocent people if we can get enough kids to grow old enough for you to send to Iraq to get their heads blown off for the President’s amusement.
The truth is that Bush just likes to blow things up. In Iraq, in the United States and in Congress.
I very easily found where Stark twice called Bush a liar on the House floor.
Jayson Blair would have done a better and more honest job of research.
Earl Pomeroy (D-ND)
Most of the people I represent think that’s (impeachment) a horrible idea. I’m a Democrat, and I can’t stand this president…. This is a representative government and I represent the people and they don’t want to impeach this clown.
Apparently calling the President a clown is “patriotic dissent” when he’s George Bush and racism when he’s Barack Obama.
Even Stevie Wonder could see that calling conservative opponents of the President “racists” is a liberal tactic designed to marginalize or completely stifle dissent. It always was and always will be.
Dowdocrisy
Dowd’s assertions are not only lies, they are evidence of rank hypocrisy.
For eight years she lambasted the Bush administration for labeling criticism of its policies “unpatriotic,” yet here she is calling criticism of President Obama’s policies “racist.”
What’s the difference?
Apparently in Dowd World dissent is patriotic only when it’s in opposition to a Republican President.
If that ain’t the pot calling the kettle African American, I don’t know what is.
Obama opponents would vote for black candidates Condoleeza Rice, Colin Powell, Alan Keyes, Richard Steele, J.C. Watts or Bobby Jindal over a white Democrat
What’s particularly irrational about the slanderous accusations levied by Dowd and her liberal friends (who see just about everything in terms of race) is that Joe Wilson and the tea partiers they call racists would support a Colin Powell or a Condoleezza Rice candidacy in a heartbeat and they currently support the policy proposals of the uber-conservative Alan Keyes.
Black folks, all.
That is unless you agree with the revered liberal icon and arbiter-of-all-things-negro, Harry Belafonte, that any black person who is a Republican is not really black:
“There’s an old saying,” Belafonte began. “In the days of slavery, there were those slaves who lived on the plantation and were those slaves that lived in the house. You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master… exactly the way the master intended to have you serve him.
“Colin Powell is committed to come into the house of the master. When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture.”
“Daylight come and me wanna go home,” indeed!
The Left needs racial discord
Democrats have successfully used the tactic of race-baiting to frighten Americans for so long that they are petrified at the prospect of losing it.
The Democratic party needs racial discord the way a doctor needs illness. Without it the party ceases to exist.
By way of analogy, consider what would happen to the National Organization of Women if it admitted that men and women were completely and irrevocably equal. The very declaration would be suicide.
Democrats must perpetuate the lie of Republican racism at all costs and that is why when a black person commits the unpardonable sin of Republicanism, the left accuses him or her of being either an Uncle Tom or a Field Negro. The vile implication is that the only reason Republicans accept these black folks into the party is because they are willing to do the racist white man’s bidding.
The truth is the left fears black Republicans so much that they consider them guilty of capital offenses.
Do you remember this line from that paragon of left-wingedry, ABC’s Juliette Malveaux:
I hope that [Clarence Thomas's] wife feeds him lots of eggs and butter and he dies early like many black men do, of heart disease.
That, my friends, is compassionate and tolerant liberalism.
http://blog.pappastax.com/index.php/2009/09/15/you-lie-maureen-dowd/
Death Threats Against Bush at Protests Ignored for Years http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=621
Bush as Hitler, Swastika-Mania: A Retrospective
http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=612
Let’s take a look at some of the deplorable comments that have been said about some of our friends on the Right:
Nobel Prize Winner Betty Williams 2007: “Right now, I could kill George Bush,” she said. “No, I don’t mean that. How could you nonviolently kill somebody? I would love to be able to do that.” The irony here is folks is that she was speaking to a group of over a thousand people regarding peace talks and explaining how ‘violence is a choice’.
Russell Brand @ the 2008 MTV Video Music Awards:
“But I know America to be a forward thinking country because otherwise why would you have let that retard and cowboy fella be president for eight years?”
Wanda Sykes @ the 2009 White House Correspondents Dinner:
“Rush Limbaugh — I hope the country fails. I hope his kidneys fail, how about that?“He needs a waterboarding, that’s what he needs.”
Pelosi goes on to say: “Our country is great because people can say what they think and they believe,” “But I also think that they have to take responsibility for any incitement that they may cause.”
When did any of those individuals from the aforementioned quotes take proper responsibility for their actions? Some of their comments were even laughed at by our current President.
respect is a two way street. If you wanna get it, you have to give it.
HHR, you made a lot of great points…
Unfortunately, in the end, some of the people reading these posts will believe what they need to believe. It doesn’t matter what you say…
To them, whites will always be racist and conservative blacks will always be sell-outs.
To Mr. Cosby, Mr. Carter, Mr. Jackson, Mr. Sharpton, Mr. Rangel and anyone else who clings to the stupid race card: I want you to listen to me. IT’S NOT ABOUT RACE STUPID! Those who strenuously disagree with the policies of Obama’s government, or ANY government, are opposed to the POLICIES of these people, who are supposed to be listening and WORKING for the American people. We see the direction things are heading and feel moved to stop the slide. We may get emotional about it. But it has NOTHING to do with race. What, you think we are, too stupid to see the issues beyond the color of someone’s skin? I am a white conservative Christian female babyboomer (YES. A religious grandmother.) And I’ll have you know: if Michael Steele, Emmitt Mitchell, Al Maxwell, Larry Elder, Thomas Sowell, J.C. Watts, Frances Rice, Justin R. Jordan, Brigitte Harper, Lenny McAllister, Condi Rice, among others, would just run for office, I WOULD VOTE FOR ANY OF THEM SO FAST YOUR HEAD WOULD SWIM! We are ALL different, including color. GET OVER IT.
So, did the USA find the Weapons of Mass Destruction in Iraq? Was Hussein really in leagues with Bin Laden?
OTOH, it’s been shown that the current Democrat Health Care bills will not cover illegal immigrants beyond ER.
Actually, I’m pleasantly surprised that McCain is slowly returning to his old self.
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Taking personally responsibility is just that one “personal” initiative to correct a wrong! If an individual like Joe Wilson wants to apologies as he did then that is his personal obligations. Another important thing to note is that most leaders in both parties do not publicly air there dirty laundry for the world to see. So if there is some criticism and call for accountability its not something the public would know.
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The problem happens when words that should be condemned are prized and repeated in public. Why did 10+ House Representatives went publicly to support Posley Birther project? Why is the death panel still being repeated by Sarah Palin, Presidential forerunner, when it’s been debunked many times already? Why did Michael Steele apologized to Rush when he spoke about Rush role?
Uncle Tom: Can it with throwing insults to Lenny. I don’t know McAllister personally, but from what I know of him, he isn’t the self-hating, sell-out young black man you are painting him. He is wrong in this instance, but that only makes Lenny a human.
Not to put too fine a point on it, but do you have any idea how old that man is? I put Carter’s remarks down as an obvious case of old-timer’s disease, which was hopped on by the MSM propaganda machine.
Conservatives have used the racist charge as well when it concerned Condelezza Rice and Clarence Thomas.
“Coulter labeled Dems who question qualifications of Condoleezza Rice and Clarence Thomas as “racist”
http://mediamatters.org/research/200411180009
Rush Limbaugh even said this.
Rush Limbaugh: Disgusting, Racist Treatment of Dr. Rice
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/1282511/posts
Rush is the same man that says this about Obama “In Obama’s America, the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering” and to fix this we should go back to segregated buses.” Also this, “This is the objective. The objective is unemployment. The objective is more food stamp benefits. The objective is more unemployment benefits. The objective is an expanding welfare state. And the objective is to take the nation’s wealth and return to it to the nation’s quote, “rightful owners.” Think reparations. Think forced reparations here if you want to understand what actually is going on.” (If you look at Obama’s skin, why would he want reparations?)
He can see racism on others but can’t see it in his own words? The only difference being what’s behind there names, R or D.
Powell is a full blooded Republican when he stands behind Regan and Bush 41. But when he questions the Iraq War, torture, Cheney and wants to vote for Obama he becomes a RINO.
Micheal Steele admits to the racist images at the tea parties
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lC9M7YprtYM
And uses the race card himself
STEELE: You know, I’m looking at cities around the country where black folk live. Now, you showed me the Congress with all these wonderful black Democrats and white Democrats. But I go to black neighborhoods that are run by those same Democrats. And you tell me where racism really exists.
http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/0909/16/sitroom.02.html
Steele: Obama ‘Was Not Vetted Because The Press Fell In Love With The Black Man Running For The Office’
http://thinkprogress.org/2009/05/22/steele-obama-race/
Joe Wilson was reprimanded by the House because of the time and place where he said POTUS lied (and I don’t think it helped his apology since he turned it into a campaign video either http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ztnFV13zEao&feature=player_embedded). Republicans and Democrats (233 Democrats, 7 Republicans voted in favor and 12 Democrats, 167 Republicans opposed) voted for the House reprimand. Apparently there are House rules for conduct. Also, I find in interesting that a retired colonel would disrespect the current commander-in-chief. I doesn’t help that he voted to have the Confederate flag fly over the SC state capital (the Confederate Flag is offensive), disputed the legitimacy of Strom Thurmond’s black daughter, and voted for Medicaid in 2003 that had money for illegal immigrants.
The next item up for debate will be immigration reform. If you questioned what was said about Sotomayor, it’s really going to get “outta pocket”. And it’s already started with Lou Dobbs. His disrespects immigrants and is involved with FAIR (Federation for American Immigration Reform, which is considered to be a hate group by the Southern Proverty Law Center).
Disregarding Carter due to his age is ageism (he’s old so he doesn’t even know what he is talking about). Carter has lived through segregation, desegregation, and assignations of Kennedy and MLK. He has experience that we don’t have.
The question was if there are racist critiques of Obama. The answer is not all but some definitely are.
The question was: “Why Must Every Criticism of President Obama Be Racist?”
No one said that racism doesn’t exist. It shouldn’t, but it does.
The problem right now is that the media, entertainers, and the White House is lumping legitimate disagreement towards an issue as a racist agenda against the President.
No self respecting American wants to be known as a racist. Labeling them as such just because they oppose a black president’s plan is a disgusting slander and a desperate attempt to silence the opposition.
When a reasonable complain is mixed with racists non-sense, then the complain gets tainted. Take a hard look at the 9/12 Tea Party protest. The general complain about government spending is rightful. Among those (rightfully) protesting government spending, there were many people comparing Obama to African lions, calling to bury Obamacare with Kennedy, “promoting” Obama as a candidate for president of Kenya, and several other gut-wrenching signs dominated the protest. Glenn Beck, the mastermind of the 9/12 protest, has said the President has a “deep seated hatred for white people.” Rush has made a huge amount of racist comments over the last few months. And all the Republican Leadership do is either a) look away and say nothing or b) carelessly embrace them.
An old Spanish saying said “Dime con quien andas, y te dire quien eres” (literal translation: Tell me who you hand with, and I’ll tell you who you are). You can’t expect to be considered reasonable and correct when you silently approve the bigoted comments from those standing with you.
The literal translation should be “Tell me who you *hang out* with, and I’ll tell you who you are.” How I confused both words is beyond me.
you apparently didn’t take a “hard look” at the protests. A FRINGE element existed, but if you want to believe the MSNBC et al. hype that only displayed the radicals, then go.
I don’t know how to even continue the debate with people that actually believe the only (or central) motivation to oppose a plan to socialize health care and control massive segments of the private sector etc. is racism.
It sickens me to think that what I feel about an issue is dismissed as some as “self-hatred” or “racism” because they have nowhere else to go with the argument.
Maybe we should look at Obama with that same statement: “Tell me who you *hang out* with, and I’ll tell you who you are.”
Apparently you are fine with Obama’s associations. Apparently his racist cohorts don’t have to fit the same standards that you want to place on the protesters. By your (flawed) logic, he would be a racist, communist, crook. Oh, but of course, it doesn’t work the other way does it…?
I’m done with the hypocrisy. I’m out
How much were we supposed to look at these “protests” ? If people are holding racist signs, and no one in that party is condeming it, then what are the rest of us to think ? When Limbaugh calls President Obama a “little black man-child” (a man child is a BOY), and Steele grows some cojones for 2 minutes, criticizes him, than backs down again, and the rest of the people from your camp say NOTHING, what are we to think ??
You Black so-called conservatives are finally seeing what a significant portion (not all,I emphasize) of the Republicans REALLY think about people who look like you
a Theme reiterated thru-out the above posts: Why aren’t the “BIG TENT” Republicans MUZZLING the mad dogs in their midst??
Seen at the 9/12 teabagger affair>> the DC Zoo has an African Lion, the WH has a Lyin’ African!!
Please don’t tell me we, as black people are supporting this health care bill or any policy this president presents out of some sense of racial pride. I hope that we aren’t assuming, because the president is black and the republicans are suppose to be racist that his policies are perfect and aren’t worthy of any criticism, because if we choose to go down that road, then we might find our entire country much like we find many of our inner cities were race based politics have led us to vote in some of the biggest idiots on the face of the earth into high office and these idiots have proceed to destroy our schools, neighborhoods and our jobs.
Continue to talk about media fueled subjects such as this and watch the beast continue to move forward with its real agenda …. we are simply pawns on a chess board…. what joe wilson did was preplaned, just like everything else.. we continue to take the bait… until we research and come together the entire government will continue to lead us on wild goose chases while they don’t just what they aim…
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