DJohn has written a terrific analysis of what he believes to be the Democratic strategy for the November election and, by extension, the next presidential election.
The Race Card.
Here is the link. Well worth reading for anyone here who is still committed to honesty in our political system.
http://open.salon.com/blog/djohn/2010/07/14/the_mid-term_strategy_takes_shape
I'm happy to be playing a small part in fighting this hypocrisy. I've been writing speeches and press releases for Bill Randall, an African American conservative who is the Republican candidate to unseat incumbent Brad Miller in North Carolina's 13th Congressional District.
The NAACP claims - without evidence -- bigotry and racism among Tea Partiers. All the while ignoring the clear hate and racism on the other side, Philadelphia's Black Panther President who recently said,
"You want freedom? You're gonna have to kill some crackers! You're gonna have to kill some of their babies!"
In a 2008 interview with the Philadelphia Inquirer, Sabazz said, "I'm about the total destruction of white people. I'm about the total liberation of black people. I hate white people. I hate my enemy. ..."
Today, Bill held a press conference to address the NAACP's divisive call to repudiate "racism" in the tea party. Here are the remarks about his position that he asked me to craft as his opening statement:
I want to comment on the recent NAACP’s resolution calling on members of the Tea Party to repudiate racist elements in its ranks.
Well … I repudiate it. I strongly repudiate it.
But … I haven’t seen it.
In all the rallies and town hall meetings I’ve attended with Tea Partiers over the past year and a half, I’ve yet to see one instance of racism or bigotry.
And I challenge the NAACP to present evidence of what they suggest is this wholesale bigotry and racism.
I’ve yet to see the slightest hint of racism among the people who’ve assembled to protest out of control spending, higher taxes, high unemployment, a stagnant economy and a government forcing itself in our lives against the will of the people.
If I had seen it, I would’ve repudiated it. If I see it in the future, I WILL repudiate it.
But I don’t expect to see it, because the Tea Party isn’t about racism or bigotry.
It isn’t about exclusion.
It’s about restoring America to the strong, prosperous, thriving country it once was, and what we believe it no longer is. It’s about restoring to America the fullest measure of freedom and liberty its citizens deserve.
What I DO repudiate is the tactic of calling these people racists or bigots. That tactic is racist. It is inflammatory. It is bigoted and divisive. That tactic violates the substance of President Obama’s promise – a post racial world that deals with issues and not race or ethnicity.
These days, the quickest way to stifle criticism is to call the critics racist or bigots or sexist or homophobic. The tactic is an attempt to silence honest opposition because the name callers have no honest response to the legitimate objections the people have to an out of control Congress.
This call for “repudiation” is designed to silence critics, and the timid may indeed remain silent.
But the Tea Party is anything but timid.
We are strong, we are growing and we include Democrats, Republicans, Conservatives, Liberals, Independents – in short, anyone who is unhappy with the state of this great nation. We are the people.
By calling for this “repudiation,” I’m sad to say that this once valuable organization, the NAACP, has fallen into disrepair and has abandoned its fight to end segregation and oppression. Instead, they are engaging in an unseemly attempt to intimidate those who disagree with those in power.
I repudiate that, just as I repudiate bigotry and racism.
Thank you.
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(I still haven't had a chance to watch the TIVO of Glenn Beck. Hopefully today)
What does that mean anyway? Because I got an EP (or didn't) I somehow shouldn't be allowed to express my feelings about DJohn's posts?
You don't hesitate to do the same. Are you Judge Mental too?
Still, I have a big problem when the organizers of tea parties literally say it is OK to call Obama a Communist, which is what the local organizer in Northern Illinois said. What an absurdity. When MoveOn.org posted a web ad comparing GWB to Hitler, Fox News and the GOP went ballistic, even though the ad itself was not officially sanctioned by the organization, but was only posted so its members could vote on whether or not it should be sanctioned. But it is OK, I guess, to call Obama a Communist. I wonder which Communist they are referring to, the murderer Stalin? How about the not quite so murderous Khrushchev or Brezhnev? Or perhaps they mean the autocrats in Beijing? I used to live in Berlin, where I got a very upfront view of Communism. If Obama's a Communist, he is surely an incompetent one.
You also bring up the NAACP, which has refused to condemn absurd statements made by a local Black Panther rep in Philadelphia. Has anyone actually asked the NAACP to comment? I have not heard a tea party organizer comment on that statement either. That doesn't mean they approve of it. The fact is, the Black Panthers are a fringe element that don't warrant much comment from anyone.
I think it is fair to say that the tea party movement is largely blind to race. But I also think it is fair to say that there is an element within American conservative society that has a problem with our nation having a black president, and that element will be attracted to any movement that opposes the current administration. In the past, that element of the population left the Democratic Party in droves and helped elect Nixon and his Republican successors. They aren't as strong now as they were then, but they still exist, and some of them see the tea party as one avenue to force change. And they will call Obama a Communist or Moslem or illegal alien or whatever they can come up with to help their cause.
The Tea Party is not racist? You, in NC, you have no historical knowledge of the "dandified coon" ? Have you not ever seen Vaudeville? Every Tea Party event features the greasepainted image of the President with prominence, yet to see one where it has not been their standard bearing image. Not racist, indeed.
But you don't stop with simply ignoring history, you then compare the Tea Party- a large part of the Republican Brain Trust- with the Philly Black Panthers- a group with NO connection to the Democrats. I've been around Panthers myself and there is NO way any political party would endorse their agenda while the Tea Party agenda IS the Republican AGENDA!
Disengenous.
Mr. Randall is fortunate to have a gifted writer and thinker such as you on his team.
It's not accurate to call the Tea Party organization racist. The accurate term is "racist enabling," as they do not reject the racists among their number. In fact, being part of the larger right wing propaganda crowd, they try to blame it on 'leftist infiltrators," because there was one guy who suggested doing that. One guy. Out of 300+ million people.
Now here comes the latest "One Guy" out of millions who spouts off, and thus, among the indoctrinated ideologue crowd, becomes representative of "The Other Side." It's hilarious to those who have mature political minds, and even more enjoyable when properly compared to the agitation propaganda of either the Bolsheviks or Brownshirts.
Aberrant political movements consistently use the victimization this post displays ---- We are being unfairly targeted, just because literally thousands of our number are openly racist! But look! There, on "The Other Side!" IT'S ONE FREAKIN' GUY! It's the same thing! Oh, the hypocrisy! We are being oppressed!
The Tea Party's main trait isn't racism, it's political ignorance. They throw around words like socialism, but don't know what the hell it means, other than "It's bad, and has something to do with gubbermint."
Let's be real about what it is...it's the GOP's "Good Twin," who has promised to not borrow and spend America into economic disaster again. It's a joke.
Thanks for your response. I know you're an expert on racism, as you are still the only person on Open Salon to write a post using the "N" word multiple times. I am glad we have an official racist to give us all the racist viewpoint.
I'm a bit confused as to the point you're trying to make, though. Are you trying to say Tea Party racism is acceptable because there are examples of racism outside of it? Though it's hard to say that black people calling another black person (your favorite N word) constitutes racism. One has to hold contempt for a race to be racist.
Black people holding contempt for other blacks is most likely a disgust based on another factor besides race. Ya think? Apparently not.
Moving on to the next word you don't know the meaning of, your cut-and-paste "definition" of socialism is also laughable. That is not the meaning. However, saying that fits Obama to a T is the opinion of a childish racist, so what credibility can it hold?
That description also fits Thomas Jefferson to a T. I'm constantly amazed at what ignorant people using big political words they don't know the meaning of can come up with. The Founding Fathers and Greatest Generation were also "socialists" under your definition.
I can only suggest you listen to that 'whoosh" you surely hear when you try to understand politics. It's trying to tell you something.
No, I'm done with you. It's fine to bounce a few ideas off a brick wall, but no sense in making a game of handball out of it.
You did not make a valid point, but a post hoc attempt, I guess, at making a point. The important thing is you think you made a point.
You're really not up to this, Sinner, and should find a new hobby.
You're risking the wrath of OS. You need to include far far more reference to Obama's complete beauty, whistle blowers be damned!
Poor Sinner:
Your views are sound here. But, forgive me, you are too polite for my liking.
PJ:
My silence is golden.
And I've said this before, but I'll say it again. Obama is NOT a socialist - because genuine socialism is several hundred times more extreme than anything he's ever suggested. Communism is a million times more. I know something about this, I've battled socialists and communists in university in Wales.
Not rated.
sentiment, but mainly for economic and other ideological reasons.
"Still, I have a big problem when the organizers of tea parties literally say it is OK to call Obama a Communist," which is what the local organizer in Northern Illinois said. What an absurdity. When MoveOn.org posted a web ad comparing GWB to Hitler"
These comparisons are troublesome, but not racist -- which, let's keep our eye on the ball here -- is what the NAACP's accusations are all about.
Incidentally, there was far more against Bush than Hitler comparisons -- there were plays about killing him, a film and a book about killing him. I don't remember you or anyone else here being outraged at the thought of openly wanting to assassinate a president. If Fox News went ballistic (about anything) it's because every other media outlet has had its head up Obama's ass. SOMEBODY's got to say something because the "journalists" have abdicated their role as a somewhat objective watchdog. Just look at OS.
Personally, from my earlier post, you can see that I compare Obama to Lenin, in one specific respect --like Lenin he is willing to sacrifice the welfare of the people in order to install his agenda. upfront view of Communism.
"If Obama's a Communist, he is surely an incompetent one."
This might be our blessing. Incompetent is one of Obama's strong points.
"You also bring up the NAACP, which has refused to condemn absurd statements made by a local Black Panther rep in Philadelphia. Has anyone actually asked the NAACP to comment?"
This is disinguous. A prominent organization, (started by white people, BTW), dedicated to the betterment of blacks and their place in the world NEEDS TO BE ASKED to comment on a Black Panther leader who publicly espouses killing "crackers" and "Cracker babies." Really? They need to be asked?
Who would need to be ASKED if an American Jew spoke about killing Muslims, or a white man announced the need to kill blacks or hispanics? Come on, this is a weak offer.
" I have not heard a tea party organizer comment on that statement either. That doesn't mean they approve of it."
And you know what -- they MAY approve of it. I suspect it. I strongly suspect Obama is a closet Marxist and I believe many of his advisors are as well. But this is a political accusation, which is, IMO, fair game. There's a big difference between that and a call to kill people, don't you think? A big difference between that and the accusation of racism. Let us get this all in perspective.
" The fact is, the Black Panthers are a fringe element that don't warrant much comment from anyone."
Would you say the same about pockets of KKK members or Skinheads? Of course not. You and everyone here would be Editor Picking all over the place, as would the Chavez-like controlled media.
"I think it is fair to say that the tea party movement is largely blind to race. But I also think it is fair to say that there is an element within American conservative society that has a problem with our nation having a black president,:
Sure. And since we're theorizing, I'll say that there is a large part of Liberal and Progressive and Independent voters who voted for Obama because he was a "safe" looking. He was Harry Belafonte or Colin Powell. Or Denzel.
Given the same oratorical skills, would they have flocked to him had he looked like Mike Tyson or Flavor Flav or James Brown? No. These black people are the ones even liberal whites cross the street to avoid, as Jesse Jackson famously said. You all voted for him because he looked as much white as he did black,
Andrew Breitbart has offered One Hundred Thousand dollars for any evidence of race baiting at Tea Party gatherings. No takers.
The NAACP's ploy is despicable, an out and out lie, and they are making hay out of it.
You and one or two others simply dismiss DJohn on his face and call his posts SCREEDS.
But nowhere do you or anyone address the content.
See, I find this typical of those on the left. Attack and/or ridicule the opponent and ignore what he's saying.
I'm in Durham. Where do you want to meet to start me on the tour. I'm up for it.
To the rest of you who think that I am regurgitating "Talking Points" I appreciate the fact that you think I'm important enough to receive them in the first place. That makes my day!!
Thanks for your well-considered response to my comment. You say:
"the KKK's is racist, the Tea Party's is political." I agree. I don't think the Tea Party is racist. There are a small number of racists who use it to further their anti-Obama agenda, but the organization itself is not racist.
"Incidentally, there was far more against Bush than Hitler comparisons" Maybe, but Bush was with us for 8 years, Obama has about 18 months. BTW, your assertion that there was more against Bush may be shaken a bit if you ever listen to talk radio while driving across the country. Just sayin'...
"I don't remember you or anyone else here being outraged at the thought of openly wanting to assassinate a president." OK, I'll be perfectly clear: I am outraged at the thought of assassinating George Bush. It is also against the law to openly advocate that.
"If Fox News went ballistic (about anything) it's because every other media outlet has had its head up Obama's ass. SOMEBODY's got to say something because the "journalists" have abdicated their role as a somewhat objective watchdog." The incident I was referring to happened during the 2004 election campaign, well before "every other media outlet had its head up Obama's ass." But since Fox was outraged at Bush-Hitler comparisons and went so far as to demonize the group that did not sanction that ad, I am sure the "fair and balanced" network is equally outraged at Obama-Hitler-Stalin comparisons. Aren't they?
"I strongly suspect Obama is a closet Marxist and I believe many of his advisors are as well." Um, OK. I guess Nixon was too, hampering capitalistic free trade as he did by placing price controls on basic foodstuffs in the early '70's, limiting the amount of pollution businesses were allowed to emit, and even cozying up to Mao. When accusing Obama of being a Marxist, how about a little evidence to support the inflammatory accusation? Be careful, though, because you just might find similar acts of "Marxism" committed by Republican administrations.
"Would you say the same about pockets of KKK members or Skinheads? " It depends on the context. I would never imply that that the GOP is receptive to the KKK or Skinheads. Never. Those people are not worthy of comment when speaking about the Republican Party or the Tea Party. The Black Panthers are not worthy of comment when talking about the Democratic Party -- they are not part of that party at all, and to include them in a post meant to criticize the Democratic Party or "Liberals" is disingenuous. I would not criticize members of the Republican Party or supporters of the Tea Party by associating them with the KKK. Never. That does not mean, however, that I would never write about the KKK or Black Panthers in a different context. To date, I have never written about either of those organizations.
"A prominent organization, (started by white people, BTW), dedicated to the betterment of blacks and their place in the world NEEDS TO BE ASKED to comment on a Black Panther leader who publicly espouses killing "crackers" and "Cracker babies." Really? They need to be asked?" Well, why not? The NAACP and Black Panthers are different organizations, with a different agenda. I doubt if the NAACP is monitoring the comments coming out of every Black Panther chapter. Do leaders of the Tea Party (or John Birch Society or any other conservative organization) monitor and comment on every inflammatory statement made by members of the KKK?
"Sure. And since we're theorizing, I'll say that there is a large part of Liberal and Progressive and Independent voters who voted for Obama because he was a "safe" looking. " No argument from me on that one. I think Bill Clinton or someone said as much and got in trouble for it.
"Andrew Breitbart has offered One Hundred Thousand dollars for any evidence of race baiting at Tea Party gatherings. No takers.
The NAACP's ploy is despicable, an out and out lie, and they are making hay out of it." To the NAACP's credit, they have posted the incidents that they have asked the Tea Party to denounced on their website: http://www.naacp.org/news/entry/naacp-delegates-vote-to-repudiate-racist-elements-within-the-tea-pary/. The incidents are few in number, and some of the offenses, in my opinion, are pretty minor. Others may disagree.