Jimmy Carter: Wilson comments 'based on racism'

[_Simpson_ 250]

Aren't the people who voted for Barry because he is (half) Black as racist as those who didn't because of his race? If not, why not?

I think not voting for him because he is black is worse because of the reasons behind it.

[Sofiyya 1,687]

Aren't the people who voted for Barry because he is (half) Black as racist as those who didn't because of his race? If not, why not?

I think not voting for him because he is black is worse because of the reasons behind it.

Voting for him just because he's Black is as bad as not voting for him because he's Black, imo. Both demostrate a level of ignorance and prejudice that focuses on people as part of a group rather than as unique individuals. It defines them, first and foremost, by their race, and their level of acceptablity as a member of that race according to prevaling stereotypes.

A liberal Black or Hispanic is thought to be more "authentic" than a conservative Black or Hispanic because the former is a well-accepted charicature that exemplify the entire group, in some minds. That is why it was so easy for liberals in Congress to castigate conservative minorities like Clarence Thomas and Miguel Estrada, to name only two victims of liberal political racism.

And, they didn't consider themselves to be racist for opposig them for limiting "good" Blacks and Hispanics to those who identify as liberal. Obama is a "good" Black, a liberal, so he is authentic and an viable salve for liberals who believed that just having a Black as president would be all we needed to heal our historical wrongs. They were wrong. It has heightened racial sensitivity for some, provids a hammer of submission for others, and opens further a divide into which creeps an animous which propels even otherwise rational people to pronounce racism upon anyone who disagrees with any of Barry's policies. There are more willing to do this than argue their position because it cuts deep and diverts attention from any policy issue fairly quickly.

[spookyturtle 9,465]

It doesn't matter if you're black or white. Judge him on the job he does, not his race.

[Ling Ling 22]

Tuesday's rebuke was a rare resolution of disapproval pushed through by Democrats who insisted that Wilson had violated basic rules of decorum and civility. Republicans characterized the measure as a witch hunt and Wilson, who had already apologized to Obama, insisted he owed the House no apology.

I don't think it was racism at all BUT this is really over the top. If they were to let this slide what's next in the House?? Swearing at the top of their lungs? The whole world is able to watch this stuff and I for one am embarassed by his outburst and then on top to say it's a witch hunt and for him to say he owes no apology? What is this country coming to? A witch hunt? Didn't really have to hunt him down, he kinda sorta made himself VERY accessible and public and yes, he does or did (not sure if has up till now) owe not only the House an apology but his constituents whom he embarassed. There were many other polically correct ways to get his point across.

Regarding Joe Wilson...I don't think his outburst was racially motivated, rather monetarily motivated. What other reason could there be. I mean, he read the bill, and knew that illegal aliens were specifically addressed in the bill as not being able to participate. So he knew it was not a "lie". Also, I can't see where Joe would be against government managed healthcare. Joe, his family, and his sons are all covered by a government managed healthcare program called TriCare, which Joe has said is considered as "world class". From what I've seen, Joe hasn't shown himself to be a racist, but he has accepted $244,196 dollars in donations from insurance companies (and probably more since his outburst).

I'm all for the 1st amendment, as well as the 2nd and even the 3rd (most of us don't worry about soldiers bunking at our houses though). But Joe's outburst was not civilized, and would not be condoned as appropriate anywhere. Would you tell your 6 year old who missed a word in the spelling bee and called their teacher a liar, that she behaved properly? How many of you would yell out during a meeting at your office? Freedom of speech doesn't (or doesn't have to) mean acting like an insolent idiot. Joe Wilson has many means to express the opinions or further the agenda of those that financially support him, but his outburst was not acceptable for a 6 year old or for an adult.

To the issue of President Obama's approval rating and racism...I can say that I know of many people who voted for him (myself included) who have been disappointed,

by may of his decisions and actions....so I'm not surprised that those who didn't vote for him have found themselves disappointed. To me, just because you didn't vote for him, or don't support him now, does not make someone an instant racist. That's stupid. That's just as stupid as instantly labeling someone as a liberal or democrat just because they happen to agree with one or more of his policies or actions. However, I do firmly believe that many of those that fuel the flames of dissent, do so with the age old accelerant of fear and hatred based on racism. I firmly believe that there are some, who have these fears and hatred so deeply ingrained that they no more recognize it in themselves than the farmer recognizes the scent of fresh manure. The world is full of hate, fear, and racism. America is not the leader in racism, nor is it immune. Racism is a reality. a reality that causes a people to have illusions of superiority, and some to have illusions of inferiority. Racism is a reality that is as pure as love. Equally, love, fear and hate, are passionate realities that can lead people in ways that even they themselves would consider as unthinkable in any other state, but undeniable to them at that moment. Being a conservative doesn't make one a racist. Being against a Black president doesn't make one a racist. Being against an administration that fails you doesn't make one a racist. But believing that someone is predestined to a state of mind or course of action based on the color of their skin...that's a racist.

[nowhereman 1]

Aren't the people who voted for Barry because he is (half) Black as racist as those who didn't because of his race? If not, why not?

I think not voting for him because he is black is worse because of the reasons behind it.

Voting for him just because he's Black is as bad as not voting for him because he's Black, imo. Both demostrate a level of ignorance and prejudice that focuses on people as part of a group rather than as unique individuals. It defines them, first and foremost, by their race, and their level of acceptablity as a member of that race according to prevaling stereotypes.

A liberal Black or Hispanic is thought to be more "authentic" than a conservative Black or Hispanic because the former is a well-accepted charicature that exemplify the entire group, in some minds. That is why it was so easy for liberals in Congress to castigate conservative minorities like Clarence Thomas and Miguel Estrada, to name only two victims of liberal political racism.

And, they didn't consider themselves to be racist for opposig them for limiting "good" Blacks and Hispanics to those who identify as liberal. Obama is a "good" Black, a liberal, so he is authentic and an viable salve for liberals who believed that just having a Black as president would be all we needed to heal our historical wrongs. They were wrong. It has heightened racial sensitivity for some, provids a hammer of submission for others, and opens further a divide into which creeps an animous which propels even otherwise rational people to pronounce racism upon anyone who disagrees with any of Barry's policies. There are more willing to do this than argue their position because it cuts deep and diverts attention from any policy issue fairly quickly.

The whole "Obama was elected because he is black" angle is pure garbage. Did the 43 Presidents before him get elected because they were white? It's a senseless debate & the individuals who try to pull this nonsense are generally just Republicans who have sour grapes because their guy lost.

[almaty 19]

gop logic..

..

[Trumplestiltskin 5,791]

The whole "Obama was elected because he is black" angle is pure garbage. Did the 43 Presidents before him get elected because they were white? It's a senseless debate & the individuals who try to pull this nonsense are generally just Republicans who have sour grapes because their guy lost.

I think you'd be hard-pressed to argue that that didn't play a role in that - perhaps not in the sense of overt racism and discrimination, but rather institutionalised prejudices that disenfranchised blacks not only from voting but which deliberately constrained them to the lowest rung of the social ladder.

That has had implications to this day - certainly its reflected in some of the jingoism about Obama being the first black President.

I don't doubt that some of the support that Obama enjoyed in the election may well have had a racial component - I think its questionable however to suggest that this is the only reason why people voted for him. Of course, you can't really blame him (or any candidate) for that - ultimately they have no control over the individuals voting decisions.

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

Regarding Joe Wilson...I don't think his outburst was racially motivated, rather monetarily motivated. What other reason could there be. I mean, he read the bill, and knew that illegal aliens were specifically addressed in the bill as not being able to participate. So he knew it was not a "lie". Also, I can't see where Joe would be against government managed healthcare. Joe, his family, and his sons are all covered by a government managed healthcare program called TriCare, which Joe has said is considered as "world class". From what I've seen, Joe hasn't shown himself to be a racist, but he has accepted $244,196 dollars in donations from insurance companies (and probably more since his outburst).

and how wonderful it is

[rebeccajo 14]

and how wonderful it is

whaddya say I trade my health care plan for yours?

[Ban Hammer 13,333]

and how wonderful it is

whaddya say I trade my health care plan for yours?

whaddya say you trade me 20 years for it too

[natty bumppo 297]

and how wonderful it is

whaddya say I trade my health care plan for yours?

whaddya say you trade me 20 years for it too

are you sure nessa will be ok with rj being around the house?

[HAL 9000 96]

I believe some people that didn't vote for him are racist, on a varying scale of what racism is- be it heavy dogmatic racism or be it that strange discomfort some white people get when all alone in an elevator with a black guy...

But not the majority, no.

What about the people who didnt for political reasons. I believe its a much more significant amout outside the majority.

A well dressed black man in a elevator is not going to scare me but dressed like a thug well yes I will be a little on edge and hell he doesnt have to be black. A fidgeting white meth addict is going to get the same reaction from as a thug looking black man. I dont believe that most people use color as a reason to be on edge.

I'm curious what voting for non-political reasons means.

[zqt3344 21]

WELCOME BACK KOTTER or well CARTER!

ATLANTA – Former President Jimmy Carter said Tuesday that U.S. Rep. Joe Wilson's outburst to President Barack Obama during a speech to Congress last week was an act "based on racism" and rooted in fears of a black president.

"I think it's based on racism," Carter said in response to an audience question at a town hall held at his presidential center in Atlanta. "There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president."

The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was a part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders.

"Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care," he said. "It's deeper than that."

Wilson, a South Carolina Republican, was formally rebuked Tuesday in a House vote for shouting "You lie!" during Obama's speech to Congress last Wednesday.

The shout came after the president commented that illegal aliens would be ineligible for federal subsidies to buy health insurance. Republicans expressed their disbelief with sounds of disapproval, punctuated by Wilson's outburst.

Tuesday's rebuke was a rare resolution of disapproval pushed through by Democrats who insisted that Wilson had violated basic rules of decorum and civility. Republicans characterized the measure as a witch hunt and Wilson, who had already apologized to Obama, insisted he owed the House no apology.

Wilson's spokesman was not immediately available for comment, but his eldest son defended his father.

"There is not a racist bone in my dad's body," said Alan Wilson, an Iraq veteran who is running for state attorney general. "He doesn't even laugh at distasteful jokes. I won't comment on former President Carter, because I don't know President Carter. But I know my dad, and it's just not in him."

"It's unfortunate people make that jump. People can disagree — and appropriately disagree — on issues of substance, but when they make the jump to race it's absolutely ludicrous. My brothers and I were raised by our parents to respect everyone regardless of background or race."

South Carolina's former Democratic Party chairman said that he doesn't believe Wilson was motivated by racism, but said the outburst encouraged racist views.

"I think Joe's conduct was asinine, but I think it would be asinine no matter what the color of the president," said ####### Harpootlian, who has known Wilson for decades. "I don't think Joe's outburst was caused by President Obama being African-American. I think it was caused by no filter being between his brain and his mouth."

Harpootlian said he received scores of racial e-mails from outside South Carolina after he talked about the vote on Fox News.

"You have a bunch of folks out there looking for some comfort in their racial issues. They have a problem with an African-American president," he said. "But was he motivated by that? I don't think so. I respectfully disagree with President Carter, though it gives validity to racism."

Carter called Wilson's comment "dastardly" and an aftershock of racist views that have permeated American politics for decades.

"The president is not only the head of government, he is the head of state," he said. "And no matter who he is or how much we disagree with his policies, the president should be treated with respect."

___

Associated Press Writer Seanna Adcox in Columbia, S.C., contributed to this report.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090916/ap_on_...kling_carter_10

[one...two...tree 2,762]

WELCOME BACK KOTTER or well CARTER!

Z - I take it you didn't vote for Carter?

[Peikko 1,575]

and how wonderful it is

whaddya say I trade my health care plan for yours?

whaddya say you trade me 20 years for it too

How did you get to be so dense Charles? Or do you think you are funny? Charitably, I'll assume the latter, but have to tell you, you just aren't.