Why won't they call it racism?

[IndianaGreen]

Why won't they call it racism?

The right wing has gone on the offensive in the debate over health care--and the Democrats are letting them get away with it, writes Elizabeth Schulte.

September 23, 2009

ALMOST FROM the moment the two words "you lie" left South Carolina Republican Rep. Joe Wilson's mouth during President Barack Obama's speech to Congress on health care, the mainstream media started filling the airwaves with an endless commentary about them.

But rather than shed any light on the incident, the media and the U.S. political establishment have trivialized it--turning it into a case of the demise of "civility" in American political life. "It was an obvious breach of decorum," right-wing Texas Sen. John Cornyn piously declared. "There's a time and a place for everything, and that was obviously not the time or the place."

Not only does this diminish the gravity of what's at stake in the health care debate gripping Washington, but it sweeps under the rug the racism and intolerance that has characterized the Republican right's response--seen in the ranting of protesters at town hall meetings this summer.

The important thing about Wilson's outburst isn't that it was bad etiquette, but that it gives confidence to racists and right-wingers--like the thousands of tea party demonstrators who gathered in Washington in mid-September.

http://socialistworker.org/2009/09/23/why-wont-they-call-it-racism

[BlooInBloo]

1. Um, huh?

[tledford]

5. Um, what?

It *is* racism.

[BlooInBloo]

8. Yes, I'm aware of that, thanks. And bunches of people from Carter on down have said so...

I've said it myself, once or twice, as I recall. :P

[tledford]

12. Not sure what you're thanking me for, but you're welcome. eom

[jonnyblitz]

17. I just read the number of death threats Obama is receiving is

400 % higher than what Bush received. He receives over 30 death threats a day. :wow:

gee, i wonder why that is?

anyway, I forget the exact source where i read this, maybe "the progressive".

[Captain Hilts]

2. Because they fought Clinton, a white, in very much the same way. nt

[Solomon]

14. Yeah I remember all the guns they wore everytime

Clinton appeared for a speech. And the signs. Yep they treated Clinton the same way. :sarcasm:

[Captain Hilts]

15. The guy carrying a rifle was a black guy. And, yes, threats to the Prez did go up.

Hell, someone flew a plane into the White House.

Security for the Prez was upped after OK City. Dramatically.

[angee_is_mad]

19. Self-hatred

unfortunately some of people suffer from it. Bleaching their skin, colorism, and a bunch of other shit black people have to deal with.

[Captain Hilts]

20. Yes, it's very sad. nt

[Beacool]

22. He was black?????????

Yeah, there goes another racist........

:crazy:

[masuki bance]

3. Would they support Health Care Reform if Obama was white? nt

[CakeGrrl]

7. Probably not, but it's enabling to dismiss the notion of racism out of hand

by giving cover to it by saying "they did the same thing to Clinton".

There ARE people who are motivated by race out there. There is a different dimension to the lack of respect for the office of the President, and while not every opponent of Healthcare is a racist, it does give them cover to sweep it all under the rug as treatment that is generally leveled at ANY Democrat.

[busymom]

4. Because it's not...

They didn't want it from Hillary either....and lets not forget how they chewed up Kerry and spit him out during the election.

[tledford]

6. Candyland is beautiful, I've heard. eom

[CakeGrrl]

10. I doubt President Obama has more death threats than any other

just because people don't like his Healthcare plan.

There are people out there who oppose Democrats and there ARE people out there who do not want anything from a black President. It's naive to think race is not a factor in this country even if the WH cannot take a public stand thanks to the craptastic corporate media who would spin it to the administration's disadvantage.

[Zoeisright]

16. +1

[The_Casual_Observer]

9. If it is racism, it's deniable, so it's no use calling them on it.

[tledford]

11. The truth is always worth stating, and hearing.

Once again, James Earl Carter, you demonstrated that you're in a completely different class from most politicians. Like, a real Christian, maybe.

[Orsino]

13. Because we won the fight against racism.

Not by eliminating racism, but by forcing most Americans to admit that racism is bad, so much so that nearly no public figure dares be branded a racist.

We have lost much to America's turn to the right, but this was a victory for our side.

[JMMendez1989]

18. Sort Of

There isn't as much racism as the left says, but there isn't as little as the right says. There is definitely a fringe racist element dominating the debates. I know conservative friends who r not racist in any way. So not all are racist. But there is a fear that the white supremacist will want to kill the President. I don't care if it James Buchanan, you can't wish harm on the President. I mean while you maye not be able to stand them, even if its W. Bush, you need to remember its the President and any public official should not get harmed or killed.

[Beacool]

21. Why?

Because just as many people would be opposing health care reform if the president had been white. Or does anyone think that there would be no opposition from conservatives if we had a white president?

Please........

:eyes:

[Arkansas Granny]

23. Racism may be a part of it, but it goes much deeper than that. It is sheer hate.

They hate Liberals, homosexuals, Muslims, pro-choice advocates, etc. In short, they hate anyone who is different or thinks differently than they do. They have been encouraged by Limbaugh, Hannity, Beck and Fox News to the point that they feel quite comfortable expressing this hatred loudly and publicly without any fear of recriminations. Some even feel it is their "patriotic duty" to do so.