Racism Blamed for Clamor Over Obama
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| Wed, 09-16-2009 - 8:55am |
Do you agree with Carter?
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/09/15/AR2009091503689.html
Former president Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that he believes race is at the core of much of the opposition to President Obama.
"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," Carter told NBC in an interview. "I live in the South, and I've seen the South come a long way, and I've seen the rest of the country that shared the South's attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans"
Continued Carter: "And that racism inclination still exists. . . . It's an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply."
The 39th president also predicted that Obama will be able to "triumph over the racist attitude that is the basis for the negative environment that we see so vividly demonstrated in public affairs in recent days."
See the following videos. I've never heard so much ignorance. Most don't appear to know why or what they're protesting & can't back-up the 'catch phrases' they're parroting. These people vote! Now that's scary.....
9.12 DC TEA PARTY - MARCH FOOTAGE WITH INTERVIEWS
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lUPMjC9mq5Y
9/12 Taxpayer Tea Party March on Washington, DC



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"Protestors with signs with racial remarks"
I agree. The picture of the President made-up to supposedly resemble the "Joker", from Batman, if that isn't racist.....
These images & abhorrent things being said are not
Thanks.
Yes I read
Oops.
Meant the Rush part of my post for
"It's like being an alcoholic--you have to admit you have a problem before you can treat it."
Good analogy but if I'm around someone that's in denial about their addiction to alcohol I sure know they're an alcoholic even if they don't admit it.
I have a friend we've know each other since the early '70s. She's sent a some emails which are racist, IMO,
"So if someone doesn't like an Obama policy or idea they are racist?"
No! You're missing the point entirely.
The fact of an African-American president does not automatically mean that any objections to his policies or actions are racist. In fact, claims that such is the case, would be "racist" in their own way. Sorry, Jimmy, I don't agree with you and apparently Barack doesn't either! http://www.reuters.com/article/topNews/idUSTRE58F5NX20090916
The YouTube link Libraone posted included interviews with people who clearly had their own agendas. Some were concerned about public funding for health care and/or abortions; some were claiming that the numerous government interventions mean the U.S. is becoming socialist or communist; one of the interviewees was hauling a cross (?!?!?!?). In none of those interviews did I see overt indications of racism. Tons of ignorance and contradiction (like the woman who was for Medicare and its expansion but against the Obama health care plan; the man holding the Joe Wilson for president sign who declared after finding that Wilson had supported some health care for illegal immigrants, that he didn't intend to support Wilson for president; the woman who wanted to "see a Christian in the White House"; the woman who was convinced that Obama's army of volunteers would be armed!?!?!?!?!?!......).
IMHO, it's not necessary to be a racist to be ignorant. Racists are ignorant but it does not follow that all fools/ignoramuses are racist.
One danger in playing the "race" card is that it demeans the president's abilities to handle the governing of the nation. At worst, it could perhaps lead to a martyr complex wherein he disregards valid public criticism by claiming that the objections are based on racism*. That sort of situation would NOT be healthy for Obama (who got my vote last November) or for the nation which needs reasoned, informed debate on vital issues, not a passel of witless wonders rubberstamping his every whim. At the other end of the spectrum we have the foaming-at-the-mouth, mad-as-heck-but-not-really-too-well-informed masses who paraded their ignorance in DC lately. Extremes are not the best features of a healthy democracy!
I don't agree that Obama has been clear on his health care plan. For example, the public insurance option has shifted hither, thither and yon. I do NOT like the health care plans that have been proposed because they still rely on insurance providers. Doesn't make me racist, just convinced that we don't need layers between customer citizens and health care services/products.
*I think and hope that Obama has more gumption, courage and integrity than to allow himself be painted as victim.
Jabberwocka
Why does everything come down to racism? I do not think it was racist at all. We are all entitled to our opinions. We do still live in America, right, Home of the Free...?! What happened to "Freedom of Speech?" Just because one man has a strong opinion and chooses to disagree it turns into racism...?! Please! I'm so sick of the race card being
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