by blogbits on Sep.16, 2009, under American Politics
Claims of Racism Ring True
Say what you will about former President Jimmy Carter, who is probably one of the most intelligent men to ever hold the office, his honesty concerning the racial overtones of protests against President Obama was on the money.
For years, the closeted racists on Capitol Hill have smiled outwardly and played nice with others, secure in the knowledge that when it came right down to it this nation would always be led by a white president. The election of Barack Obama changed all that, and the prejudice that was hidden from public view has spilled out into the light of day.
Most important, the fear associated with racial bigotry is driving the hyperbole of everything associated with the president.
As a nation, I think most of us would like to think that racial hatred is a thing of the past; however, based on recent events it is clear that we have a long way to go.
“Few people are capable of expressing with equanimity opinions which differ from the prejudices of their social environment. Most people are even incapable of forming such opinions.”
— Albert Einstein (1879–1955)
http://thecaucus.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/16/carters-racism-charge-sparks-war-of-words/?hp
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September 16th, 2009 on 12:25 pm
Jimmy’s from Georgia and if you have lived there it is easy to recognize.
here are a few tip-offs:
If you are a white Republican from South Carolina whose mentor was Strom Thurmond who is a Son of the Confederate Veterans and want to fly the Confederate flag over the State capital to celebrate “your heritage” – you just might be a racist.
September 16th, 2009 on 1:16 pm
Is there any truth to the rumor that the revered rebel yell will be changed to “You lie!”?
September 16th, 2009 on 1:57 pm
Certainly, I don’t agree with Obama’s politics but I am no racist because of that.
I wasn’t considered racist when I didn’t agree with Clinton’s politics, or wasn’t a fan of the Kennedy’s.
What about Carter’s views on jewish people? Isn’t he the pot calling the kettle black? He is certainly not one to talk about people’s fears of other cultures.
September 16th, 2009 on 2:22 pm
I do not mean to infer that if you do not agree with Obama you are a racist — far from it — but I do think that upsetting the staus quo has seriously loosened a few nuts who think wearing hoods and sheets is appropriate evening wear.
We all have our prejudices for good or bad. Personally, I think talking on a cell phone while driving should be a hanging offense, but that’s just me.
September 16th, 2009 on 2:29 pm
Hi blogbits,
Sorry, I didn’t mean that you personally think that way, but it’s become a liberal battle cry to scream racism whenever anyone disagrees with our President. I find it disturbing and to much in line with Saul Alinsky’s style of dealing with conservatives (or, what he called ‘the enemy’.)
September 16th, 2009 on 3:30 pm
You’ve really taken this whole Saul Alinsky thing to heart, haven’t you? Why did Saul’s story and his book in particular have such an effect on you and where did you hear about him?
September 16th, 2009 on 6:14 pm
Hi leftfield-
I heard about him many years ago from my Dad. His words recently seem to be coming to fruition more now than ever. If conservatives don’t agree with some of Obama’s agenda, then appose it in a logical, thought provoking manor. It just seems like it’s an easier road to just chant ‘racist’ instead of giving commentary on why I might see it their way.
September 16th, 2009 on 5:19 pm
Actually it is the conservative battle cry to deny that some of their most vociferous members are racist, and to “take offense”.
No one is saying that you are a racist because you are a conservative – but they are saying that your fellow conservative Miller IS a racist – deny it all you wish to.
September 16th, 2009 on 6:16 pm
Hi Patrick-
While I don’t disagree that there are conservatives who have issues with predjudice, there are liberals who do as well. Jimmy Carter is one of them and a poor example to speak out on such things.
September 16th, 2009 on 5:29 pm
carter intelligent …….. you apparently never served under him as the “supreme commander” of the armed forces. april 24-25, 1980 is one great example., which btw was nothing more than an attempt to bolster him the polls for the upcoming presidential race. after all, soldiers are expendable anyway. but i digress.
as az states, it is the liberal battle cry every time a whitey disagrees with anything obama does or says. if the “you lie” was automatically branded racist. really? you know what was in his mind.
i once heard obama talk of hcr and said he was a stinking socialist pig …….. now, since a whitey and on top of that, a whitey male that served in the military says that, well you have to be a racist and not just a racist, but a racist terrorist (terrorist part would be the ex-military per napolitano, head of the hsa).
the racist label is used when they have no defense for whatever ……… the way of the coward.
September 16th, 2009 on 7:27 pm
Speaking of expendable soldiers; are you as excited as me about the publication of Jon Krakuer’s book on Pat Tillman? You know, the one that exposes all the lies the military and King George told his family and the nation; the one that exposes how 18 marines were killed in another “friendly-fire” incident in Iraq and, faced with this situation, your government decided to stage a “rescue” of Jessica Lynch so as to dominate the news and keep Pat Tillman and the 18 marines out of the public eye.
There’s your commander-in-chief King George right there, soldier.
September 17th, 2009 on 12:57 am
you assume that i defend bush. again you assume wrong. i do not believe that you have ever read a post where i defended bush for any reason.
as for the cover ups ……… do you think this is new? do you think that this is limited to the military under a rep president? do you think that ww2 was ripe with cover ups, as well as the korena and vietnam conflicts? (btw …….. ww2, korea and vietnam all dem presidents)
you seem to jump with joy over any negative news about the bush regime. good thing that tillman was killed, along with the the friendly fire killings of the marines in nasiriyah. because without that you would not have so much to gloat about. wow, close call. keep on gloating.
blogbits …………
as far as “it was Carter’s staff that pushed him into taking action that was contrary to his instincts”, i guess you and i were on different sides of the table on that one. i was on the receiving side and from where i was sitting, we had a commander that clustered 8 kias and 4 wias. of course, that wasn’t carter’s fault. just like it wasn’t bush’s fault regarding the cover up of tillman and nasiriyah. right?
September 16th, 2009 on 8:16 pm
Actually, I was in the U.S. Army under Carter. I agree Operation Eagle Claw was a cluster from the beginning, but that had more to do with a military that lacked the ability for joint operations, than the plan. Besides, it was Carter’s staff that pushed him into taking action that was contrary to his instincts.
On a side note, they had us “practicing” taking oil from a fixed location, transporting it in tanker trucks, to smaller trucks that could negotiate beaches and onto landing craft. The scenario called for us to be aggressed from both land and sea, and we had three days to see how much we could take. Now what do you think that was all about? Lucky for us, the feasibility of such a real operation was scrapped.
September 16th, 2009 on 10:41 pm
Your second paragraph, Azmouse, is exactly the problem. It is becoming crystal clear that much of the hatred toward President Obama is racism. For you to state that President’s Carter does not recognize racism (a fact of the culture he grew up in) because of your beliefs about his views on Jewish people is just plan extraordinarily illogical.
Did you even hear President Carter’s speech about racism?
Racists cry “race card, race card” when a light shines on their racism because their racism is so deeply embedded that they can’t see it in themselves. If you play your Ipod loudly in church and people complain that you are being loud, you don’t turn around and claim right to free speech. You look at the volume control on your Ipod and turn it down.
Racism IS the problem. Those who recognize it for what it is are simply the messengers. This is a dangerous problem for our country and it must be faced. To ignore it is to give license to some nut out there who decides to take matters into his/her own hands and “take back the country.”
Kill the messenger so you don’t have to acknowledge what is in the message.
September 16th, 2009 on 11:17 pm
thanks winnieo for pointing out our deep seated racism. you have enlightened the white race and their genetic racism. thank God we have the light holders of truth such as yourself to lead us out of the darkness.
all herald the great messengers to us ignorant cattle.
all white dissenters of obama stand and declare yourselves for what you are …….. hating racists who do not deserve breath. arise, and acknowledge what only winnieo and the other great messengers for mount obama know.
September 16th, 2009 on 11:34 pm
Sorry, but I don’t agree. I’m plenty old enough to know Carter’s agenda. You also aren’t addressing my point about racist liberals.Are you not familiar with Carter’s feelings toward Jewish people? And what about Jesse Jackson and what he said about Obama? Is it okay because he’s African-American?
You don’t know me.How can you call me a racist because I do not agree with some one’s politics?
September 16th, 2009 on 11:57 pm
because az, they have no real basis to defend obama with. so the racist label has to be used against dissenters to side step that fact.
September 17th, 2009 on 6:29 pm
You attempt to deflect from the subject – you do that pretty well.
I said nothing about conservatives or liberals.
I didn’t say you are a racist. How could I know that? I don’t even know you.
I have to wonder what in YOU made you believe I was talking about you.
You should wonder as well.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:18 pm
“Racists cry “race card, race card” when a light shines on their racism because their racism is so deeply embedded that they can’t see it in themselves”
i say the liberals are playing the race card. so your comment was made about me and the millions of white people that are obama dissenters as well.
i do wonder ………. why the liberal side has to tag white people as racists to defend their messiah.
what was that whitey? you don’t agree with obama then you are a racists.
September 18th, 2009 on 7:17 am
Hello.
Because you directed it at me, that’s why I figured you meant me.
September 18th, 2009 on 7:17 am
(sorry, last comment responding to winnieo)
September 18th, 2009 on 9:22 am
No, I did not direct it at you. I referenced the idea in your second paragraph and I asked you if you heard Carter’s speech.
Beyond that, there is no inference that I am speaking about you.
You are deflecting again. Self-reflect, Azmouse.
I repeat: I said nothing about conservatives or liberals.
I didn’t say you are a racist.
I still wonder what in YOU made you believe I was talking about you.
You are apparently wondering as well.
September 18th, 2009 on 9:45 am
I apologize for my misinterpretation.
I get defensive because everyone cries racism at me when I disagree with our President. Simple as that.
September 18th, 2009 on 1:20 pm
Understood.
September 18th, 2009 on 3:52 pm
September 16th, 2009 on 6:10 pm
Actually, the cowardice is the refusal to admit that some of the opposition to Obama IS racist – Wilson is a known racist, and was one before any mention of “you lie”.
To try to pretend that that means that everyone who opposes Obama is a racist is just an act to shield racists like Wilson because they are on your side.
September 16th, 2009 on 6:22 pm
Hello again Patrick-
Again, Carter is a racist, and a poor example to have speak up for Obama.
Also, what about Jesse Jackson, calling Obama the ‘n’ word and saying he wants to cut off his male reproductive parts?? What do you call that behavior? He’s African-American, he’s a liberal, where does he fit in?
September 16th, 2009 on 6:22 pm
Sorry, my point being that it isn’t JUST the opposition that behaves badly.
September 16th, 2009 on 10:20 pm
I don’t know about what Jessie Jackson siad (just as I don’t know what Saul Alinsky ? (sp) said ) and I ahve no idea what that has to do wit Wilson being a racist.
I have also noticed a tendency from conservatives to respond to any criticism bay saying nahh-nahh you did it first (look at the wat they treated Bush) rather than honestly deal with valid criticism.
Have you noticed that ?
September 16th, 2009 on 11:43 pm
Hi Patrick,
Maybe you should educate yourself on these things and let me know what you think then, and then tell me about racism as you see it.
I’m more than happy to deal with ‘valid’ criticism when the other party knows what they’re talking about.
Look up Carter’s views on Jewish people. Look up Jesse Jackson’s view and comments about Obama.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:09 am
Why should I do that ? Jackson’s views have nothing to do with Wilson’s racist outburst in Congress, which is the subject under debate.
It is just this sort of avoidance of the issue by conservatives that I am talking about.
Perhaps instead of “nahh nahh I think someone else is racist too” you could do a little self examination yourself.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:20 am
So, because of what he said, WIlson’s a racist?
( I didn’t approve of his outburst, by the way)
I just don’t agree that he is a racist for that. He didn’t call the President a racist name (as Jackson did) so it leaves room for doubt.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:36 am
Heres a clue:
If you are a white Republican from South Carolina who is a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans, you campaign to fly the Confederate flag over the statehouse, and your mentor and hero is Strom Thurmond then you might just be a racist.
September 16th, 2009 on 11:06 pm
i did not post that there is no racism. racism is alive and well. unfortunately. that however, does not translate to everyone that disagrees with obama is a racist.wilson a known racist? really? i have not read anything proclaiming that. true, i do not read a lot of things. time constraints, life, whatever. however, i have not read that.”To try to pretend that that means that everyone who opposes Obama is a racist “. i am not pretending. i am simply stating what is happening and a ton of liberal posts on huffington.com and dailykoz.com to name two. on these blogs if you are an obama dissenter then you are a racist …… period. Not to mention the nyt and other liberal rags.and patty o, i never said wilson was on my side. you assume and you assume wrong.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:09 am
Look at it this way – not all people who oppose Obama’s program are racists, but all racists oppose Obama’s program.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:11 am
Isn’t it funny how conservatives manage to throw out “patty o” and “I am not a racist” in the same post ?
)
September 17th, 2009 on 10:31 am
I don’t think conservatives are really big on irony, even though it shows up quite often in their posts.
September 17th, 2009 on 1:07 pm
“throw out patty o” ………….. is that supposed to mean something derogatory. it is a short hit on your user name. although if you try real hard you can read something into. assuming of course that you have no life.
since i do not live in a cesspool i guess i just don’t get the irony.
oh no ………. i just heard a black woman say carter is wrong and she doesn’t believe that white dissenters are racists. alert the media, a black person is not buying the racist label. someone tell all the liberal whitey people.
September 16th, 2009 on 7:29 pm
Ah, so our Dad was conservative, too.
September 16th, 2009 on 9:52 pm
Yeah…I’d say Dad is extremely conservative and a super cool old dude.
I hope your daughter learns and listens to her Dad the way I did, which I’m sure she is.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:06 am
“I hope your daughter learns and listens to her Dad the way I did, which I’m sure she is. ”
Right now, she listens mostly to her iPod and her cell phone.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:39 am
Darn kids! lol
September 16th, 2009 on 7:34 pm
I tell you what, azmouse; you get your side to stop crying “socialism” at every idea newer than 1860 and I will work on getting the left to stop yelling “racist” at everyone who opposes Obama.
September 16th, 2009 on 10:03 pm
LOL!!
For you leftfield, anything. Point well made. I actually do listen, and respect what you have to say, because you are always respectful and invoke thought. I really appreciate our interaction, even though we disagree, sometimes.
You are actually a really cool guy, despite yourself. LOL
September 17th, 2009 on 6:57 am
“You are actually a really cool guy, despite yourself.”
This may be one of the most insightful things ever said about me; certainly one of the funniest.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:41 am
Well, you’re actually quite likable, but I haven’t figured out why.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:06 am
Even Mrs. Leftfield is unsure about that.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:21 am
LOL!
September 16th, 2009 on 11:09 pm
no one is yelling at every new idea being socialist. just obama’s and his regime’s ideas. socialist usually do that.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:00 am
mopckoe, I want you to read your own comment again, take some time to think about it, then get back to me when you understand the irony.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:23 am
mopckoe, are you also opposed to the forms of socialism that benefit cattle ranchers? Because, either you’re in the cattle business in Arizona to lose money, or you’re accepting welfare.
Also, have you ever pondered from whence your need to engage in hypermasculine activities comes?
September 17th, 2009 on 4:18 pm
“either you’re in the cattle business in Arizona to lose money”
if you are referring to me taking tax dollars. sorry to disappoint you. the steers i raise started out for personal consumption and then came friends and assoicates willing to purchase an interest in one or more steers. and off we go. i do not need tax dollars. all are fed strictly alfalfa …….. no grain ……. no shots.
‘Also, have you ever pondered from whence your need to engage in hypermasculine activities comes?”
i know where it comes from. my family heritage and what i consider the true american way. and then there is the edge factor. nothing makes a man feel more alive than challenging the elements and even death. probably hard for you to grasp but then i would expect nothing less from you lefty
September 17th, 2009 on 4:22 pm
sorry lefty, i see no irony.
there are a lot of new ideas put forth by people that are not socialist.
all of obama’s ideas to date are socialist.
but i am sure you will explain the irony to me …….. enlighten me lefty.
September 17th, 2009 on 4:34 pm
“sorry lefty, i see no irony.”
How ironic
September 17th, 2009 on 8:58 pm
no ……. how trivial
September 17th, 2009 on 4:26 pm
why don’t you explain the irony to me lefty ……… enlighten me.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:08 pm
I tell you what, soldier; you explain socialism and how you define a socialist to me, and I’ll explain irony to you.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:21 pm
dodging are we? i ask you first lefty.
September 17th, 2009 on 11:48 pm
Socialism=bust your butt day in day out working hard, then give it to me to ‘redistribute’. Thanks, comrade.
September 17th, 2009 on 11:51 pm
Oh crap! Almost sounds like our current tax system…
September 17th, 2009 on 5:34 am
Say what you will about former President Jimmy Carter, who is probably one of the most intelligent men to ever hold the office
I think you’ll find yourself in the minority of most Americans if you hold that opinion. (Take heart, though—you’re probably hold the majority opinion of most TucsonCitizen.com writers!)
Most important, the fear associated with racial bigotry is driving the hyperbole of everything associated with the president.
And how do you know this? Could you trouble us with some facts to back this up?
For years, the closeted racists on Capitol Hill have smiled outwardly and played nice with others, secure in the knowledge that when it came right down to it this nation would always be led by a white president. The election of Barack Obama changed all that, and the prejudice that was hidden from public view has spilled out into the light of day.
Can we trouble you to provide any proof of this?
Please keep mindlessly race-baiting. We conservatives can then go to a large and growing-number of voters and ask “Had enough? Tired of being labeled a bigot every time you disagree with a liberal? OK—let’s do something about it.”
The real shame here is, racism is real and it IS ugly. Ask the Korean shopkeepers in NYC who were targeted by African-Americans in the 90’s!
However, by using charges of racism as a political tactic, it robs the word of its power. Too many supporters of President Obama are crying wolf—well, daily now. Soon, no one will care if they’re called a racist.
Is that what you want? Do you care about what you’re doing to the national debate on race? You should.
September 17th, 2009 on 7:10 am
Always counterattack into an ambush. Isn’t that right, Don?
September 17th, 2009 on 8:33 am
I think you’ll find yourself in the minority of most Americans if you hold that opinion.
That’s fine – I also think that the earth moves around the sun and evolution is a fact, too.
Finding yourself in a minority of most Americans is a sign of intelligence.
September 17th, 2009 on 4:29 pm
“yourself in a minority of most Americans is a sign of intelligence”
how mt. olympus of you tippy.
we have yet another self proclaimed light holder whose job is to inform the masses of ignorant cattle. please or great one …….. share the light with us.
September 17th, 2009 on 4:42 pm
OK – “Nevertheless it moves”
September 17th, 2009 on 8:23 pm
yes, the earth moves around the sun
September 18th, 2009 on 9:08 pm
And how do you know this? Could you trouble us with some facts to back this up?
Death Panels
Obama as Hitler
The whole birther movement…
Shall I continue?
The Obama White House never wanted to use the race card, and still doesn’t. The President’s even making excuses for the bigots in his latest interviews.
Ignoring racism, no matter how it is veiled, is not the answer to eliminating it. Racial bigotry needs to be brought out into the light and seen for the frightened, ignorant and moraly bankrupt thing it is.
September 17th, 2009 on 8:50 am
Thinking it over, the GOP is handling these charges the wrong way.
What they SHOULD do is trot out all of the African American congresscritters and Senators to dispel the idea that there is any racism behind the opposition to Obama.
Oh, wait..