Has McCain ever done or said anything to indicate he is racist?

[Curtland1015]

I know knee jerk anger is a hallmark of those passionate about politics. It happens to me too. But I've seen quite a few people on here calling McCain racist and I don't know if there is a precedent for doing so.

I've certainly heard evidence of sexist behavior, but never really racist behavior. Some point to his performance at the debate, but as a stand alone, I don't think that is enough to conclude he is racist. It could simply mean he just doesn't like Obama regardless.

So... any racist skeletons in McCain's closet that I may not know about? Don't get me wrong, I won't like the guy regardless. He's a liar, and a hot head. I just don't know if he's racist.

[tridim]

1. "I hated the gooks. I will hate them as long as I live." - John McCain

[BlooInBloo]

4. 'nuff said.

[Curtland1015]

5. DAMN. Well... that's pretty racist!

:wtf:

[totodeinhere]

23. I would give him a pass on that.

He is only human. He was brutally tortured by them, and while making a racist comment like that is wrong I can certainly understand where he is coming from under those circumstances.

Remember, even our great Democratic president FDR routinely called the Japanese "Japs" during WW2. Was FDR also a racist? War does things like that to people.

[BlooInBloo]

26. Amazing. A white person giving another white person a pass on being racist.!

I've NEVER heard of such a thing!

BWAHAHAHAAH!!!!!

[ecstatic]

54. hahah. nt

[Raineyb]

29. There is no fucking excuse for such a statement I don't give a damn why he said it

Why do white people find reasons to excuse racist behavior in their own but when someone like a Louis Farrakhan makes statements that are anti-white they can't find a reason why he may feel that way.

Spare me the excuses, the man is a racist asshole. Bury your head in the sand at your own peril.

Regards

[booley]

36. And why do (whatever) people always do that thing I don't like?

"Why do white people find reasons to excuse racist behavior in their own..."

You might want to look at your statement again. If you are going off on racism, it doesn't help your argument.

Fact is EVERY RACIST feels he has legitimate reasons for being racist (and lets be fair, every HUMAN thinks he has good reasons for his prejudices). And in some cases those reasons might even be reasonable. (pay attention because this is probably where you suddenly stopped listening because you think I am justifying racism which I am not)

Like any prejudice, racism is an emotional reaction. Therefore it's irrational but still legitimate because we aren't vulcans and we don't' work on pure logic. So if members of a group torture you, it's reasonable to have strong negative feelings towards that group. It's not rational (though it seems to be to the person holding the feelings) but it is reasonable as far as developing those feelings go . And yes this works for everyone. It would be far more amazing if there were no such things as black racists since hate breeds hate. Since Blacks have faced so much racism, it's expected that at least some would return the favor.

This is not an excuse. It is not a justification. However, going around telling people they have no excuse for their feelings does nothing to stop those feelings. Even when those feelings are wrong. You only make the person defensive and hold onto their negative feelings even more strongly.

I would hardly compare McCain to Louis Farrakhan. Farrakhan doesn't just make racist comments, he inspires others to have racists feelings themselves and then go out and affect the world with at racism as part of the justification.

McCain might hate Asians in his heart (and that's not good) but the fact that people had to ask if he was racist and I cant' think where he used his power as a senator to attack Asian americans would place him outside the likes of a Farrakhan. (if you can show where McCain has, then speak up)

When it come sot racism, I am much more concerned when people put their prejudices into practice.

And NO, this is not a defense of McCain. There's plenty or reasons to vote against the man without him being racist.

[Raineyb]

40. In case you'd forgotten, the question was is McLame a racist

And when presented with evidence of said racism up came the old excuse. And I certainly haven't heard any black people make that excuse. Now, I have no doubt that racists feel as though they have a legitimate reason to be racists. However if you're going to excuse McLame then you might as well excuse Farrakhan as well. Farrakhan can legitimately say that he's been ill treated at the hands of white people. But no one is cutting him that slack so I see no reason why anyone should cut McLame that same slack. But why bother bringing up that old white privilege meme again when so many people refuse to acknowledge its existence.

Regards

[booley]

51. I did remember that

And my point stands. Several points actually.

First, if you are going to call out "racists" don't sound like one yourself, lumping entire ethnic groups together as if they all have the same beliefs and attitudes.

Secondly, Yes Farrakhan probably can honestly say he has been ill treated by people who are white. I said as much (you need to READ what I write please) But the issue isn't what they say it's what they do. Farrakhan is using his racism to affect others and inspire more racism. McCain is not. (If you have evidence that McCain is using his position as Senator to speak or act against Asian Americans by all means do so. That would change the conversation).

And Third, no one is excusing McCain. And explanation is not a justification. Just because people don't think his prejudices are as bad as those that act on them does not mean they approve of the thoughts. But last i heard, we had freedom of belief, even for the disgusting beliefs. And your claim that this "excuse " is being used just because McCain is white falls flat when one considers that the same "excuse" is made for why Middle Eastern men hate Americans after they were tortured. There is no way one can be tortured and not have emotional scars. Emotional scars are always ugly.

This has nothing to do with White privilege. It does have a lot to do with being more concerned over Racists putting their beliefs into action rather then acting as the thought police. When you confuse thoughts with action, you only help the very white racists you claim you abhor.

Oh and be careful with the "privilege" tact. yes White people generally have privileges that black people generally don't. But when you tell a poor white person who is barely making ends meet that Farrakhan with millions of dollars and scores of followers is somehow worse off then he or she is, you again only help racists by making your own cause seem petty and dumb. Even if what you say is factually true.

Yes This thread was about McCain and racism. But you should still avoid being part of the problem

[Raineyb]

52. Never mind your condecending lecture is really not worth the invective

Regards

[booley]

55. Ahh. Well that settles that

When you can get past your own prejudices, perhaps we can resume this conversation.

[backscatter712]

31. I won't.

A racist douche is a racist douche, whether or not he stayed in the Hanoi Hilton.

Between that and his behavior at the debate (won't even look at Obama, repeated statements of "Obama's naive! Obama doesn't understand!") I'm concluding he's really racist.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

34. If he was tortured by black people, would the "N-word" be acceptable?

[slampoet]

39. Might Whitey Forgives youoooooo.

[treestar]

41. No pass. There's no reason to condemn the entire race

for the actions of his captors. Anybody with sense knows that. Such people exist in every race.

And it's the right wing who always sneer, "This is the kind of thing that happens in a war." To McStunt, it should be fair enough that his captors did to him what his side would do to them in the reverse position.

[mitchum]

49. Uh, wasn't he bombing those "gooks" on behalf of other "gooks"?

So, in McCain World are there good gooks and bad gooks?

And yes, FDR was a racist, but he's not running for president in 2008

[napi21]

2. One that comes to mind is Arizonna being the LAST hold out State

to accept a MLK Holiday.

[rateyes]

3. He opposed the MLK, Jr. Holiday in Arizona, for starters.

[sunnybrook]

44. for years and years

[RichGirl]

6. He has an African American daughter.

It would be best for her sake to not go down this road. She has enough problems being a part of that whacked out family.

[ContinentalOp]

7. Uh.. she's from Bangladesh. -nt-

[BlooInBloo]

12. They all look the same to some people.

[MercutioATC]

8. Actually, Bridget is Southeast Asian American, not African American.

She was adopted in Bangladesh.

[POAS]

10. Actually she is Bangladeshi

[kestrel91316]

15. Were you born abysmally ignorant or did you have to take special lessons?

Bridget McCain is from Bangladesh, which is between India and Burma. Look it up on a world map if you're not too frickin' LAZY.

[blondeatlast]

19. Funny, that's what KKKarl Rove thought, too. He was wrong... nt

[Alexander]

50. She's not his daughter, and according to an article he's even said racist stuff about her.

[secondwind]

9. I read a post on DU several weeks ago, where a story came up about

McCain and his family vacationing in Bali(?) or somewhere, right after he lost the primary to Bush.

The people who were enjoying their vacation alongside McCain and Cindy and the kids (8 yrs ago) had some comments about McCain's demeanor and one of the things I remember about the commentary was that McCain confided to this guy

"I hate going to the supermarket THIS UGLY BLACK THING AROUND".....referring to Bridget his stepdaughter.

He also said that "this was Cindy's idea" when it came to the adoption.

Wish I had that link now!

[MercutioATC]

11. Internet story. Maybe true, but not researched at all. I'd leave it alone.

It sounds like a complete fabrication to me.

[galaxy21]

14. Yeah, I can't picture him saying something like that, regardless of what I think of him

Also, I read this interview a while ago where he was talking about the smear campaign in 2000, he sounded pretty pissed about the way his daughter was used. And if you believe the rumours was even on the verge of leaving the party. So, he took it quite badly.

[kestrel91316]

16. I can't picture HIM going to a supermarket with child in tow. As for the

alleged comment, who knows? The man is insane.

[galaxy21]

17. Well, he wasn't always crazy

He seemed sane up till about 2006. The he lost it.

[progressivebydesign]

21. Actually, his high school nickname was "mcNasty" he's always been an asshole. n/t

[Sebastian Doyle]

43. Well, it was Cindy's idea, actually.

Not to defend Gramps, but Cindy was overseas herself when she adopted Bridget. McCrazy didn't know about it until they came home. Doesn't excuse his racist comments, or the fact that Bridget seems to be missing from a lot of "official" family photos, like the recent People cover with the Palin bunch which included blonde and biological daughter Meghan, but not Bridget. Draw your own conclusions......

[nc4bo]

13. What about the Stars & Bars flying high in South Carolina? nt

:shrug:

[sunnybrook]

45. that was when I really turned on McCain

he was "Mr Maverick" and all that bs, but he supported the Confederate Flag bunch in SC. Of course he conveniently later said he was wrong, but he knew that at the time. I think he also spoke at Bob Jones University in 2000, did he not?

[treestar]

18. Some here were saying it showed when he wouldn't look at

Obama during the debate.

[shugah]

22. i tend to agree with that

his attitude toward Obama at the debate was dismissive. it is apparent that he does not consider Barack Obama his equal and his peer, and try as i might, i can't come up with any other reason than racism.

[galaxy21]

24. It might just be because he was intimidated by the younger guy

I dislike the way people just play the race card at everything. I've seen no real evidence that Mccain is racist (and, as has been mentioned, there's a lot of evidence to the contrary)There's more than an enough to go after Mccain on. I don't see the point in phony race charges.

[shugah]

37. i don't "play the race card"

because i don't think racism is a game. i made an observation about mccain's dismissive attitude toward Obama at the debate. it defies most explanations. racism fits. i see no real evidence that mccain isn't a racist. he certainly fits the profile.

[yardwork]

20. He voted against the Martin Luther King holiday. He's never apologized.

[BlooInBloo]

28. But he *says* he apologized - isn't that close enough?

:rofl:

[sunnybrook]

47. actually he did recently say he was wrong for that

during his "Civil Rights Tour" of the South a few months ago, from the hallowed ground of the Lorraine Motel in Memphis. Went to Selma on that tour as well... The press breathlessly explained that he might not get that many black voters, but maybe this "strategy" would help him with white moderates

[Median Democrat]

25. I Think McCain Is An Equal Opportunity Prick

[Thrill]

27. I don't think he is a racist man. He's just an asshole

[uponit7771]

30. He pandered to them during the 90s, he's a jerk. His civil rights records SUCKS!!!

[Nye Bevan]

32. Read this DU post....

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=132&topic_id=7087394&mesg_id=7087394

[LiberalAndProud]

33. He's done a couple of things he "now regrets".

I.e., opposed Martin Luther King holiday in Arizona, Confederate Flag fiasco in South Carolina.

If he's not a racist, he's very sympathetic to those who are.

[windbreeze]

35. Actions speak louder than words....and

"I hate gooks" speaks volumes about being racist...

Even IF he feels he has justification for that hate...he IS a public figure, who as president WILL have to deal with other nationalities, and heads of state who most definitely have a different color skin than he has...So what is he going to do, when that happens...bow out, refuse to meet with them, or not look them in the eye?? Insult them, in other words..??? Would there be a chance that he might NOT deal with any world leader who has a different color skin, fairly, and/or that his personal opinions might affect his actions?? He is NOT fit to be president IF that could remotely be the case......wb

[Raineyb]

42. But, but he has such a good reason for saying that

Other than that he's not a racist.

:sarcasm:

Regards

[gravity]

38. I don't think McCain is but

Many of the republicans running his campaign are

[graywarrior]

46. No, he just hates anyone who disagrees with him.

He'd probably despise us.

[d00mzday]

48. CNN video: John McCain Jokes About Killing Iranians

He does seem to have a dark sense of humor, if thats what you want to call it?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p05FFS3IenM

[Hepburn]

53. He was against the MLK, Jr., federal holiday.

IMO, that says "racist" to me.