Do You Think Bush and Gang are Racist?

[leftyladyfrommo]

Can I even ask that question?

It just seems to me that this adm. has been awful for minorities. The awful people they have put in high positions (people who are minority but just not qualified like Gonzales - Rice wasn't unqualified but she has just been plain awful at her job) have just done a horrible amount of damage to the whole race issue.

I just have this feeling that underneath these people are horrible racists. And horrible misogynists. But look at the women they have put into high places? Most of them have been awful - and many were just plain unqualified.

Am I wrong about this? I know they would deny this until hell freezes over. But my gut tells me this is just a white, rich boys club and anyone else would be an idiot to trust them even a little bit.

[KingFlorez]

1. Of course they are

They are right-wing conservatives, racism is part of their doctrine, a part they deny though.

[leftyladyfrommo]

2. One reason I would vote for Obama.

I really think he is sensitive to this issue. It's important to me.

If you put a minority into a postion they should just be the best. It is really important.

I haven't really got a good feel for H. But people have said that the women that work for her have worked for her for a long time. That is always a good sign.

[Buzz Clik]

3. Daddy Bush (GHW) is a mean spirited bastard whose attitudes resemble racism.

Junior seems to have a soft spot in his heart for Hispanics, but I get the impression it his tolerance ends there.

The rest of the crew are so damned evil and have so many faults that specifically finding racism in there would be a pointless exercise.

[leftyladyfrommo]

4. "Softspot"? That is so condescending, isn't it?

I know how I would feel if I was hired by some man with a "softspot" for women.

[lazyriver]

5. While I do believe their membership qualifications

include being white, male, and Christian, I think those characteristics are far less important to them than being rich & powerful and keeping ALL others from joining them. I think they are far more concerned with polarizing America and the world into the mega-rich and a dumb, poor working class that can be comprised of any color, sex or creed. If they shit all over somebody to further increase their own wealth and that somebody happens to be a minority or female, then hey, bonus points.

[momster]

6. They are Richist

They really don't care about the color of skin or the ethnic background of anybody who is rich enough to contribute to their campaigns or who owns enough big business dollars. They are happy to shake hands with, give positions to, invite to policy meetings anybody with lots and lots of money. But if you are not rich, they can't see you, no matter what color you are. They are as dismissive of the middle class white man as they are of the middle class black man. And, after election season, they couldn't care any less about the throngs of underpaid Americans who voted for them.

[leftyladyfrommo]

9. I have a feeling they would shake hands with a rich minority but

even that person would never make it into the club.

I just think these guys are worst kind of asshole.

[dugggy]

32. You hit the nail on its head!

GW Bush is IMO not a racist. He just likes rich people
better than poor people.

[atreides1]

7. Bush is the worst kind of Racist

The kind of racist that doesn't think anything about a lynching, and takes a picnic lunch to watch!!!!!

[leftyladyfrommo]

11. Well, there is that, too. I agree. Executing people seems to give

him some kind of wierd macho rush.

God. That's awful but very true, I'm afraid.

[slackmaster]

8. No, they are corporatist and driven by their own personal financial stakes

Oil, money, power.

[Donnachaidh]

10. it's got nothing to do with race - everything to do with MONEY

It's a CLASS war these folks are engaging in.

Look, to Bush and company, Money equals Class. I'm sure they have minority friends who have money - look at the Saudis.

[leftyladyfrommo]

12. I don't agree. I think they are racists on top of being richists.

I've had the pleasure of working with some of these guys. They are so condesending to minorities. I guess, so condescending to everyone not in their "class."

[Donnachaidh]

28. they are trash trying to act like *the rich folk*

My grandmother used to have names for the Newport wannabees - which the Bush's are. You may disagree, fine. My point is this -- anyone, regardless of race, etc., who doesn't have a certain income level - these folks look down on. ANYONE. They are condescending to ANYONE.

And if you don't believe me - go up to Kennebunkport and ask some of the real residents (not the "Summer Yankees") how *well* the Bush's treat their help. And I'll bet you'll hear some stories that will make your hair stand up on the back of your neck. The locals HATE this sort of resident. Bush isn't wealthy enough to live in the *real* resort places, so they buy land in Maine and play-act about being *better* than anyone else who lives there.

[leftyladyfrommo]

13. Slimey is the word I would use. Absolutely slimey.

Would you want one of these guys to come to dinner? I sure wouldn't.

[momster]

15. I Would Refuse

if I were, for some reason, invited to meet the Putzildent, I would refuse. I don't know why more people don't -- basketball teams, Eagle Scouts, gold medal winners. Just say no. Getting your hand shaken and a picture taken with Mr. Rotten? Where's the delight in that? In two years, you'll be ashamed to show it to anybody.

[Skittles]

22. THANK YOU

you could not pay me to meet that bastard - I have a hard time understanding why more people won't say F*** THAT in regards to meeting that incompetent, warmongering piece of SHIT

[Captain Hilts]

14. No, they are classists. They like rich people of all races: black, white, Saudis, etc. nt

[KansDem]

25. I agree...

To Bush if you're a member of the hoi-polloi, then you aren't worthy of his attention.

For an example of this attitude, see "Who cares what you think!"

[beaconess]

16. No, I don't believe Bush is a racist

A racist is one who believes that blacks are inferior to whites. I do not for a minute think that Bush believes that blacks are inferior to whites. He's actually fairly open-minded about race on a basic level. Unlike many so-called "liberal" whites, he actually does have black friends, he hires black people on a regular basis (and not just for the "black jobs") and is extremly comfortable around black people.

However, this does not let him off the hook by any means. Despite his own personal approach to race, I do believe that he is extremely insensitive, lacks empathy, and grossly and arrogantly ignorant about the pervasiveness of institutional racism. He sees racism as an individual trait that should be dealt with on an individual, case-by-case basis, but he does not think that government should play any significant role in addressing the problem.

This kind of thinking - particularly in a political leader - is just as damaging as out and out racism. In fact, its usually worse because it's much harder to detect and combat since racists are clearly identifiable, easily called out, and simple targets for disdain. But they are also straw men. Most of the real problems we have with race in today's society are caused by people like Bush. And, I must say, he is by no means alone. I've seen much of the exact same thinking among supposedly well-meanng people on both sides of the aisle. In fact, I've seem much of the same thinking right here on DU.

P.S. the fact that they hire unqualified women in high positions is not proof of misogyny - unqualified men have been in high positions for centuries - it may be proof of progess that women now get to be as unqualified as the men have always been! :-)

[leftyladyfrommo]

17. Bush may think everyone is inferior to himself.

I'm not sure what you call that one. Megalomania?

[beaconess]

20. I do believe that he is an elitist.

[tomreedtoon]

18. Isn't "racism" actually a variable quality?

Yes, I'm thinking "Everyone's a Little Bit Racist" from Avenue Q.

I wouldn't believe Dubya could play a convincing Simon Legree, wielding a lash against a bunch of poor ol' slave bodies. I do think he'd feel awkward about drinking from the same water fountain as a black kid. (I think that also explains the popularity of bottled water, no matter what the yuppies claim about water purity. Maybe it's another kind of purity they seek.)

The old white-man power structure of which Cheney, Rumsfeld and that group probably avoid dealing with nonwhites, doing so when absolutely necessary. Clarence Thomas was one of those necessary occasions, accepting that he was a necessary token, and that his politics are okay...for one of his race.

[beaconess]

19. I don't believe so

I think racism is a very specific thing.

I don't believe that we are all a little bit racist. I DO believe that we are all prejudiced to varying degrees. But I do not think we are all racist.

Now, please note that my comment was only about Bush. I certainly believe that there are people in his orbit who ARE racist. I just don't think he is.

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

21. Yes, of course.

It was clear he was a racist since 2000 when he made a campaign stop at Bob Jones University.

[Lucinda]

23. Bush, no. The gang?

Dunno.
I think junior, and the rest, are definitely classists.

I do not think junior is a racist. I never have understood that charge against him...Racists don't have minority bestest buddies (Condi) or hire them for important positions (Gonzales-Powell) ESPECIALLY when they aren't qualified.

[Greenwood]

24. Don't think Bush is but would not surprise me if others were....

a lot of closet racists out there. Sadly, have seen it on both sides.

[Lucinda]

27. Yup. Both sides.

And it still amazes me that it happens.
Welcome to DU!

[baldguy]

26. The way they see it -- there's them, then there's the little people.

And you're not one of them.

[Labors of Hercules]

29. Bush and Gang are just about every negative word ending in "ist"....

elitist, racist, classist, fascist...

[Progressive Friend]

30. They are racists: they hate Arabs and Persians

[annabanana]

31. He is completely oblivious of ALL human beings that he doesn't

know personally. He is unable to conceive of the possibility that people he doesn't know are fully realized people. They are meaningless cyphers.. of less import than product..nothing.