Election spurs 'hundreds' of race threats, crimes

[cyberpj]

Source: AP

Election spurs 'hundreds' of race threats, crimes
By JESSE WASHINGTON, AP National Writer
November 15, 2008 - 1 hr 28 mins ago

Cross burnings. Schoolchildren chanting "Assassinate Obama." Black figures hung from nooses. Racial epithets scrawled on homes and cars.

Incidents around the country referring to President-elect Barack Obama are dampening the postelection glow of racial progress and harmony, highlighting the stubborn racism that remains in America.

From California to Maine, police have documented a range of alleged crimes, from vandalism and vague threats to at least one physical attack. Insults and taunts have been delivered by adults, college students and second-graders.

There have been "hundreds" of incidents since the election, many more than usual, said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate crimes.


Read more: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20081115/ap_on_re_us/obama_racial

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Just my opinion but I believe you can thank Sarah Palin for a big part of this as well as the Republican party subliminal and no-so subliminal ads.

[bertman]

1. She was acting on orders from the McCain campaign team so don't let him off the hook.

It is sad and tragic that these incidents are occurring, but not surprising. What is surprising is that they have been relatively harmless and symbolic so far.

Anyone who thought electing an African American as President would not face some serious outrage from the ignoramuses is living in a fantasy world.

The important thing now is for the authorities to crack down on this shit whenever it happens. Prosecute the perps.

[Realityhack]

3. To be fair... she would rather have gone even further that direction n/t

[cyberpj]

5. They had a choice to help educate people and instead they incited and flamed their worst instincts.

and it's all on record.

[Realityhack]

2. Yes Palin and McCain intentionaly helped to stir this up.

And Lieberman was right there with them. Can we get rid of him already?

[glinda]

4. Can someone put together a petition to the Republican Party to address this crap publicly?

[KingOfLostSouls]

6. Purchase guns and know how to use them

sometimes its all these type of people understand.



there is no crime in self defense.

[bertman]

7. Good advice, King. It's not usually part of the "liberal" mindset to think like that, but it

would be a prudent thing to do given the undercurrent of hatred that is washing through the ignoramus population.

[KingOfLostSouls]

8. if someone messes with you

you have the right to protect yourself, your family, and your property. arm yourself, and be aware of whats going on around you.


the first rule of defense is you never know how far the other person is prepared to go so you have to be prepared to go all the way.




if someone is willing to attack you because of a bumper sticker, be prepared to bury them if you have to, I say. a person like that isn't sane and should be treated like a mad animal.

[bertman]

11. What's the old saying? Hope for the best but be prepared for the worst.

[husky92]

9. Blame the Republicans

All you have to do is watch some of the videos from the Palin appearances and see some of the bigots who attended. Several were posted on this site. It is absolutely sickening and it speaks volumes about some of the knuckleheads who live in this country. As much as we like to think of ourselves as past the racial issues, there are still a number of people who blame minorities for many of our problems. All you have to do is listen to right-wing radio sometimes. The so-called pundits won't come out and directly say something but listen to how they choose their words. The same for some of their listeners. They can't come out and make a racial statement, but they say it in other ways. If you spew enough hate on radio or on websites, people start believing it and advocating what some of these people say. It is embarrassing. Take a look at how the voting went in this country and look at how one-sided it was in some of these places in America that you would think would be well past voting for an African-American. Sad...very, very sad.

[eagertolearn]

10. It really saddens my heart. I blame it on McCain and Palin

and the whole republican party and the people that are dumb enough to go along with it (the non-thinkers in their party)! I also blame very poor parenting that think it is okay for their kids to say "it doesn't matter because Obama will get assassinated by the white supremacists anyway" or when one kid said that he was going to be the assassinator, and not respond. I too have heard that and I always correct these kids and explain to them why it is terrible that they even say that. We have so far to go in this country but it would help if we wouldn't have grown-ups creating this and perpetuating it!

[rdublue]

12. I blame McCain and Palin too.

McCain in particualar, he could have shut this down by speaking to Sarah or setting the record straight. He had plenty of chances but instead made more false accusations after another.