Does critic = racist? Where do we go now?

[AZhitman]

By now, we've all heard or seen former President Carter's allegation that criticism of BO's administration is racially motivated:

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American"

"...have been influenced to a major degree by a belief that he should not be president because he happens to be African American. It's a racist attitude..."

He's been joined by such political heavyweights ( ) as Bill Cosby and Walter Mondale, who support and defend the "criticism is racially motivated" position...

Now, keeping in mind that this is the SAME Jimmy Carter who, during last year's Democratic Convention, referred to Barack Obama as "this black boy"... but I digress.

We all know that the surest way to shut down ALL further debate on a topic is to accuse one's opponent of racism - There's simply no ground to be gained after that.

Kanye's stupid a$$ did it after Hurricane Katrina, and he was dead wrong - But it incited ill feelings, and slammed the door on any meaningful discussion.

Given that we're seeing this strategy used by seemingly intelligent people, let me ask: HOW can someone criticize the current administration's positions and policies WITHOUT being branded a "racist"?

Were the Black GWB detractors all racist? I doubt it.

So where do we go from here? If our current President pulls a bonehead move, is no one free to speak out, for fear of being unfairly labeled?

[RobPaulson]

i usually wouldnt link an entire article, but this guy really does speak my mind... its a right website, but hey, opinions are opinions.

http://www.americanthinker.com....html

Summary: Keep calling us racist, and it will eventually become true. The constant bombardment of accusations just drives level headed middle class white folk like myself, into absolute fury because we've been trying to level the playing field on the race card for YEARS. keep falsely accusing me of being racist, and the resentment will build and build to the point when it will become racism. again. rawr this topic gets me heated, i'm goin home. LOL

(PS bill maher is a complete a** clown and should be shot for his 'holier than thou' attitude he projects to the left public, sorry jackass, you cant tell me why i have an opinion or idea. your not me, f*** off, dont tell me what my motivations are. you have no idea.)

[HashiriyaS14]

This was like the dumbest Carter comment of all time, and that's a hell of an honor.

[AZhitman]

I suppose people who lack the ability to debate a topic intellectually will continue to bring "race" into the picture, but I'm pretty certain I speak for a lot of free thinkers when I say I don't give a damn WHERE he was born or WHO his daddy was.

He could be half Eskimo and half Iraqi, and I'd STILL be more concerned with his decision-making process than what color he is.

[szh]

So appropo:





Z

[seang]

When someone interprets as derogatory almost anything that is said about him (or about groups with whom he identifies) we conclude that he has inferiority feelings or low self-esteem. This tendency is pronounced among minority rights activists, whether or not they belong to the minority groups whose rights they defend. They are hypersensitive about the words used to designate minorities and about anything that is said concerning minorities.

[szh]

When someone interprets as derogatory almost anything that is said about him (or about groups with whom he identifies) we conclude that he has inferiority feelings or low self-esteem. This tendency is pronounced among minority rights activists, whether or not they belong to the minority groups whose rights they defend. They are hypersensitive about the words used to designate minorities and about anything that is said concerning minorities.

Point well taken.

But, when the hypersensitivity gets applied to trivial (or what seems like completely unrelated) items, then there can be a backlash.

This can manifest itself by reducing the value and importance of the issue. That is not good in the long run - the hypersensitive folks get perceived as shrill and can get marginalized. But, the damage is done.

Z

[AZhitman]

When confronted with said "hypersensitive" people, I make it a point to emphasize my distaste for their position and shine a bright light on how moronic they make themselves sound.

Most of those getting freaked out over something stupid (like racial slurs, profiling, and semantics) have never contributed anything of value TO the community they're supposedly defending.

Go volunteer in an inner-city school or tutor a minority kid who's learning English, and quit infringing on the RIGHTS of people to feel however the hell they want about people who are different than themselves.

[RobPaulson]

it also must be stated, white americans VOTED OBAMA INTO OFFICE. he alrdy won the election. if we were all as racist as we were being accused, he wouldnt have even made it that far. he's alrdy in office, there is a black president, and now that we dont agree with his socialist policies we are racist? its getting so old. ugh

[dusred]

Personally I don't give a s*** if people call me a racist. I am what I am and what they say won't change me or change the way I think. It is a coincidence that Obama is 1/2 black and a Liberal. If Palin was black I would still love her.

Oh, and if you think I suck for liking Palin you just hate white people so you're a racist. kidding of course

Seriously, there are a few nut jobs that are racist about Obama (the KKK for example) but it is such a small percentage. Why don't the Liberals *cough* Jimmy Carter *cough* go out on the street with a camera and interview conservatives asking them if they hate Obama cause he's black? I wonder how long he would live? He's just a damn coward and doesn't have the balls to prove his allegations.

[diamondj30]

I couldnt believe he played that game and said what he did.insane!!mostly.He obviously in my eyes,wants to help devide us.and racism fits the ticket.

[dusred]

Racist:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EAkEjhufIkY

[pallnet]

I have racist for you right here. Take the link and learn.

http://www.theobamaforum.com/

I would almost be willing to bet my S13 coupe against anyone elses nice car that there's not a single thread on that site that is racist-free. funny thing is that most of the members of that site claim to be black and you know they claim that they can't be racist, only white people can be racist.

[HashiriyaS14]

LOL!!

That forum is hysterical. I'm going to troll the snot out of it.

This isn't really news, anyway. Carter says dumb stuff all the time. He isn't some kind of proxy speaker for POTUS.

EDIT: This is what I'm seeing when I look at one guy's sig on "The Obama Forum". I'm sure this place gets trolled heavily and I guess the sig is this guy's idea of a serious deterrent.

Denmark, eh? Ya sure?

.

LET IT BEGIN!!!

[dusred]

LOLLLL!

To trolls that site is like jailbait is to a pedoph:le.

BRB

[rjdmmfl1]

Greg I understand where you're coming from... I will try to offer a different perspective for you...

the way I see it, there's nothing wrong with being critical. No one will ever please everyone all of the time, thus folks will ALWAYS have something negative to say, even when you're doing your best and doing what you feel to be the right thing. In american politics between the conservatives and the liberals, the problem is often tone.

As a whole, republican rhetoric and be extremely crude, rude, and viscious. From their smear campaigns and tactics during political campaigns to their false claims , its just extremely negative. No doubt, liberals are involved in these tactics also, but its seems as though the coservatives are just extra NASTY when they employ their tactics (even to each other... let's not forget what Bush did to John McCain, and what Johns McCain did to his fellow republican rival during the primaries)

now, in addition to the truely good-hearted, well wishing coservatives out there, there are also a good number of racist, violent-toned, and just ill- tempered folks that happen to be republican as well. Now, if there is a room full of 220 non racist conservatives, and 10 racists conservatives, and they are all shouting the same thing, if there is even one slip of the tongue by one of the 10 racists, then all 230 start to look like racists... its not accurate, but to an outside observer, you can't tell who's who...

So, when you have folks like Rush Limbaugh (and if you don't think he's racist, you haven't listened to him enough) that become the voice box of the Republican party, then anyone that echoses the sentiments of Mr. Limbaugh regarding politics will "unfairly" and "inaccurately" be placed in the company of Mr. Limbaugh...

that is where the problem lies... you are a critic by nature Greg, but you are NOT a racist. Your disapproval of President Obama is purely from the standpoint of someone that doesn't think the current POTUS is doing what's best for the country... and you have every right to feel that way without being called a racist...

but there are folks in the forum that have mixed political opinions with semi-racist subliminals, and then try to stand behind the idea that "I'm not a racist"... but when folks make semi-racist comments, how am I wrong for assuming that ther are a racist?

Now, it all comes around full circle when one of those folks makes a comment, and then you co-sign on the comment.. now, to others, you begin to look like a racist as well, and again its unfair but that's a natural phenomenon to associate individuals who makes similar statements...

so, as a highly educated African American male in this country, I do not think that everyone that disagrees with Barack Obama is a racist... but you must understand that its the handful of racists within the conservative party that poison the opinions of other well meaning, non racists in the party that simply do not agree with political decisions...

when you have a rally with 1000 conservatives, and one brings a gun in a holster to a presidential rally, and holds a sign that talks of the necessity of "the tree of liberty needing to be watered with the blood of tyrants", and then other viscerally bigoted folks around him support that individual, it becomes extremely hard to seperate the political dissidents with the racists... so they all get lumped together...

want another example... after 9-11, many folks absolutely vilified Middle Easterners living in this country... the good and the bad.. they just lumped them all together because they looked alike.... well, at these rallies when racists and non racists mix together all shouting the same thing... they get lumped together because they all look alike...

but I will close in saying that I think its dangerous to begin calling every dissident a racist simply because they disagree with the president... perhaps there was a racist agenda behind Joe Wilson's disrespect of the POTUS, perhaps there wasn't... but its unfair for Carter to make that claim without any proof! When we begin to heap these claims on individuals, it loses its bite when its applied to the real ignorant racist biggots that exist.

[diamondj30]

I believe he is a racist!!!

[heliochrome85]

thanks dr. feelgood for putting into words the arguement my upcoming exams refuse to allow me to make.

[rjdmmfl1]

every time i come through the politics section, I see one of these types of posts from you... which half of obama is racist and against which side?? is his caucasian side racist against his black side, or vice versa?

not only does your statement wreak of ignorance, but it adds no bearing to a meaningful discussion.... regardless of one's opinion, the ability to articulate it intelligently is the bare minimum requirement for a successful discussion...

if sarcasm and one liners are the best you can come up with in a meaningful discussion, perhaps you should stay in the kiddie pool! now, do you have something intelligent to add to this discussion?

I believe he is a racist!!!

[themadscientist]

Oh he gets some racist comments thrown at him to be sure. Like this gem.

http://blackpoliticalthought.b....html

Barrack Obama is “of the system. He’s going to be in the system,” Steele told a morning gathering of the Georgia Association of Black Elected Officials.“Why are they attacking Michelle Obama, first lady Michelle Obama, and not really attacking, to that degree, her husband?” Steele asked. “Because he has no slave blood in him. He does not have any slave blood in him, but Michelle does.

[AZhitman]

Wow.

Mr. Steele appears to be stuck in the 1950's. What an ignorant purveyor of racebaiting he is...

Why is the Black community not pointing him out as detrimental to their efforts?

[heliochrome85]

because the african americans dont vote republican, and so i doubt he makes it into their news cycle very often if at all.

[AZhitman]

Don't be so sure... that's kind of an archaic generalization.

Certainly, the Black vote has historically leaned left, but it's not a given.

[heliochrome85]

true. very true. we live in a strange time.

[rjdmmfl1]

Don't be so sure... that's kind of an archaic generalization.

Certainly, the Black vote has historically leaned left, but it's not a given.

indeed over 90% of the black vote has leaned left in the last few elections... local/regional elections for mayor/governor are different in that there are pockets of communities with very high percentages of wealthy AFrican Americans... and they may lean on the side of fiscal conservatives (my Godfather and brotehr in-law are two of them) ... however, polls have indicated that over 90% of African Americans voted left for Obama, Kerry, Gore, and Clinton...

with that side, most blacks view Steele not as simply a republican, but as the "boy" annointed by conservatives to counteract everything Obama does or says... he can't be racist... can he??? anyway, Steele is for the most part ignored in the black community as a Tom... and not a Tom simply because he's a republican (I know many African Americans that have a huge amount of respect for Colin Powell, even before he voted left in this election) but because he attacks Obama with the same vehement, viscous attitude that other fiolks do... almost in a jealous, resentment type tone... Colin may not agree with Obama on things, but he doesn't attack him as ferociously... this could just be a difference in personality... but by all accounts, most just view Steele as a Tom and disregard his opinions, not because they differ, but because they seem more fueled with jeaoulsy and envy than with facts and respectful rebuttal

*edit*

I saw Steele, and immediately thought of Michael Steele, thus my narrative above was regarding the republican Steele, not the democratic Steele that just amde a bonehead statement... but I didn't erase my post because I think its still relevant to the discussion at hand
Modified by rjdmmfl1 at 9:16 AM 10/11/2009

[Urabus GodofTraction]

I have racist for you right here. Take the link and learn.

http://www.theobamaforum.com/

I would almost be willing to bet my S13 coupe against anyone elses nice car that there's not a single thread on that site that is racist-free. funny thing is that most of the members of that site claim to be black and you know they claim that they can't be racist, only white people can be racist.

That site's ad banner for a website promoting a way to cheat child support makes me believe (nay, hope, after reading around in it), that the whole site is a troll.

[AZhitman]

I saw Steele, and immediately thought of Michael Steele, thus my narrative above was regarding the republican Steele, not the democratic Steele that just amde a bonehead statement... but I didn't erase my post because I think its still relevant to the discussion at hand

Yeah, I was reading that, going

Wish you had put that much effort into the discussion about Charlie Steele, rather than simply dismissing it as a "bonehead statement".

I think it's actually VERY telling, and indicative of the kind of no-win situation we're in with some of these people.

And, before you say, "whatchoo mean, THESE people?" ( ) , I mean exactly that.

Purveyors of divisiveness, preaching to their followers, and rallying them against some perceived slight that's best dealt with diplomatically, without all the faux emotional rhetoric.

Besides, I don't see anyone "attacking" the First Lady. He's got a screw loose.

Steele needs to go someplace else. Preferably very far away. Because he's become irrelevant and unnecessary.

[heliochrome85]

http://www.nytimes.com/2009/09...ml?em

[AZhitman]

Great article.

I respect the man. I respect the position. I respect the history, the tradition, the effort it takes to ascend to such a lofty and serious office.

But there will be no rest for him from a policy standpoint. He will be second-guessed, questioned, critiqued and held to the highest level of scrutiny... as will his successor, as his predecessor was, and as it should be from here forth.

It is time we demand more of our elected officials.

BHO, God bless him, just happens to be the POTUS at the point in history when we as Americans say, "Enough is enough."

[heliochrome85]

i totally agree. you know when i was at IU, people used to rail on our head basketball coach, Mike Davis. yeah he had his problems, but if you think about who he was replacing (Bobby Knight), doesnt matter who you put in, short of Bobby himself, the fans would hate him. I feel like in BHOs case, while not everyone is a racist, there are a few VOCAL groups in which, the deck was and is always going to be stacked against Obama. Doesnt matter what he does, they will hate him.

Like i said before, its one thing ot disagree with his policies, but there comes a time where a line is crossed and the disagreement turns into blind and irratiojnal hatred. Like friedman said, there is only a few ways this can develop from its currrent state, and I fear what comes next unless there is a nationwide rejection of this sort of bigotry and fear mongering.