"An overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American. And I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South, but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country. It's an abominable circumstance and grieves me and concerns me very deeply."
According to former President Jimmy Carter, those of us who disagree with President Obama's policies and have actively demonstrated our opinions, are only doing so because of the color of his skin. And not only that, taking it one step further, that we believe that any African-American could be qualified to lead this great country. Apparently, we can not debate the content of someone's positions without directly tying it to the color of the skin.
What about those who protested the Iraq War and had pictures of Condoleezza Rice or Colin Powell on their protest signs? Were they racist? Or those who plastered former President Bush's picture on protest signs with Hitler's mustache, were they labeled anti-Christian? Or those who disagree with Senator Joe Lieberman's policies, are they labeled anti-Semitic? Or those who didn't vote for Mitt Romney, are they labeled anti-Mormon?
It is a desperate attempt to scare those of us who are speaking out against his policies. No one wants to be labeled as hateful, bigotted or racist. And typically, when someone is labeled as such, they go above and beyond to prove otherwise. Not me. I am absolutely not a racist and I am disagreeing with President Obama and Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid based solely on policy. And I believe that an absolute majority of Americans can agree to disagree without fabricating alterior motives, unlike politicians and news organizations on both sides.
4 comments:
"An overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American."
He wasn't saying everyone that disagrees with Obama and his policies is a racist. He said it about those who express "intensely demonstrated animosity." The people in those rally videos know little if anything about his policies, that much was pretty obvious. They hate him for other reasons. I'm talking serious hate here. Carter's argument, on that front, is a valid one.
I remember when Clinton was in office and he tried to pass his health care legislation. This kind of extremism didn't happen then. Three differences are occuring now as opposed to then: the economic climate is more dire, there's an actual chance of getting some health care reform, and we have a African American President.
While Obama may get a step or two ahead because of this so called race card, he's undoubtedly drug back just as much for the same reason. So I figure he sits about equal to previous presidents.
Or not. Who knows?
The majority of us didn't cast our vote for him because he was black, just like the majority of conservatives didn't vote for him because he was black (meaning you didn't vote for him for other reasons.)
So we are equal.
Carter is a little nutty sometimes. He should've been more clear in his comments, but the guy likes to be in the limelight.
Typical politician.
I've been to some of the rally's and town hall meetings in my area, read transcript of others, and completely disagree with what is perceived about what took place at them. Of course there were those who were crazies, and you could spot them from a mile away, and most people avoided them. The majority of those that I saw there were respectful, well-read yet passionate. I saw on several occasions where they read portions of either the house or senate bills that surprised their representatives, and could give them the actual text. But I never, ever saw anything regarding race. And I do know there are some who really HATE President Obama. And think the absolute worst of him. I don't. But the same can unquestionably be said about the HATE people felt towards President Bush, or better yet, Dick Cheney. And how is it that all of these HATEFUL people could have tens of thousands (on the low estimates) of demonstrators in DC last weekend and ZERO arrests. (Heard that from CNN).
I was too young to know first hand about the tone during Clinton's attempt. But from what I do know, our economy was MUCH different. Government spending overall was much different. There hadn't been billions upon billions of dollars of government spending during a major recession before trying to pass massive health care legislation. I would like to think the best of the majority of American's and say that the outrage has absolutely nothing to do with our President being black, but being fed up with govt stepping in where the shouldn't. And just like you said, I didn't believe that the majority of those who voted for Obama did so because he was black either.
And if it is about race, why did the true victim of this apparent hate crime, President Obama, completely discredit the accusation? I'm glad he didn't stoop to this level of politics and kept it about what it really is, agreeing to disagree.
And welcome back Lula! And I would want to see what your video was, but my computer is much too slow. Or I would comment!
It seems that the current political theories trends towards trying to make the other side seem as nutty, as unintelligent, radical as possible. They do that by tying the other side into some group or ideal that makes people want to hate them. I have seen similar things from all sides. Exaggeration is the key. I even find myself using it.
Our society seems to have times when it is hard to see something contrary and not try to make the other side look stupid. As a computer guy I have been in to many PC vs Linux vs Mac fights to not believe this is common outside politics also.
This particular issue has confused me every time something like this has been said(think Janeane Garofalo). I don't think racism is totally dead in America unfortunately but I do think we are in a much better place and I don't agree with Carter. I think Racism is not a factor for closer to 99% or more of Americans. I heard many people ask if Colin Powell was going to president at one time or another in the Bush years.
On a related note. I have found it interesting to see how Liberals and conservatives use similar rhetoric. I have frequently found comments where both sides think the media supports their opponents. Less frequently I have found that they think the other side are absolute morons, as that is the only reasons someone would believe the other sides lies.
I really believe that it is the politicians and most news agencies on BOTH SIDES create controversies where majority of American's don't. That is how politicians keep control and news agencies get viewers. I think most of us, proletariats, could find compromises and solutions where those at the top refuse to. Very frustrating.
Post a Comment