See I Was Right: Racism Is A Big Part Of It…
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15 September 2009 | 32 Comments
Back when Obama was running there were people who just couldn’t stand the thought of him getting elected – Obama gave them the willies. Back then I wondered out loud if racism wasn’t the reason for that type of opposition and a few of you slammed me for saying it. Well, it appears I wasn’t far from the mark and racism is at the root of “teabagger” movement that’s going on right now. It’s white people who can’t stand the idea that their President is black. We’re talking law and order, respect the commander and chief types who show nothing but contempt for their commander and chief. I’m not saying all teabaggers are racists, I’m saying that a good percentage of the most fervent teabaggers are indeed racists. The funny part is these people don’t like being called racists, yet there are almost no Blacks or Hispanics among them.
Take a look at this clip from Fox News – they go on and on about the race issue. They try to excuse it by saying “the majority of the US is white and middle and working class”, but the fact of the matter is the teabaggers are not representative of Americans…
So why is this relevant in the context of this blog? It’s because it’s all about bigotry and the same bigots who don’t like Obama ’cause he’s black (actually mixed race) don’t like you and me because we’re gay. George W. Bush won both elections because gay marriage was an issue in the campaign and the same haters who you see out at these protests are the same ones who got riled up back then. It’s not just about race, it’s about hatred and bigotry in general.
Those of you who are gay and support the teabaggers – please think twice. What comes around goes around and the hate you’re feeding on can come back and bite you or someone you care about in the form of gay bashing or employment discrimination.
The message here is all forms of hate and intolerance are wrong. (Intolerance of intolerance is a double negative and not the same as other forms of intolerance.) There is no room for intolerance in a civilized, multicultural society. If it doesn’t stop with us (a minority group), who is going to stop with? The sooner a live and let live attitude spreads the sooner people will stop being upset by us fucking in bars or sex clubs… The problem is the teabagger movement shows that’s a long way off. Many of those people aren’t going to change their minds, but their kids and grandkids might…
Honestly, when I see stuff like this I just wish New England and New York could split off from the rest of the country and form our own nation… We’ll even take Quebec!
But as they say, success is the best revenge. I’ll just keep my head down, work hard, live a comfortable life, fuck who I want how I want, and thank god I live in a generally sane place like NYC…
UPDATE…
Wow, I write the post above and then it comes out a few hours later that President Carter feels the same way. He’s saying it with the experience of someone who cut his teeth in Southern politics during huge race wars. There aren’t too many other people with his level of credibility and experience who can speak on this issue. Listen to this clip – his words are worth hearing…
I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he’s African American. I live in the South, and I’ve seen the South come a long way, and I’ve seen the rest of the country that shared the South’s attitude toward minority groups at that time, particularly African Americans. And that racism inclination still exists. . . . It’s an abominable circumstance, and it grieves me and concerns me very deeply.
It’s just sad our country is going backwards like this, but in thinking about it – we’ve had some rough times in our country – we’ll get past this…
I take issue with the dismissive term “teabaggers.” This country was founded on the citizens’ right to voice their dissent, and that’s what the modern-day “tea parties” are all about. A number of people feel that their voices aren’t being heard, that the President is pushing for healthcare reform NOW, regardless of cost or consequence. In the wake of the massive spending bill (that did not jump-start the economy or prevent unemployment from topping 9%), some people are very wary of more big government spending and big government programs. This is not to say that those opposed to the healthcare reforms favored by the President hate poor people or are selfish–many of us see that Medicare is bankrupt and wonder how we can manage to avoid the same problem with a new federal healthcare system. It’s also clear that Congress could pass reforms (allowing people to shop for insurance across state lines, allowing catastrophic only plans, preventing insurers from turning away people with pre-existing conditions) that would cost taxpayers nothing yet lower the cost of insurance and expand coverage to lots of people currently priced out of the market. It has nothing to do with hate or racism: many people are concerned with the direction the President is headed, and they have the right to voice those concerns. Though we may disagree with their positions, we should respect their right to free speech and to hold opinions that are not ours. Diversity isn’t just about sexual orientation and race, after all.
You call for a “live and let live” society. You may be surprised that such a philosophy underlies much of the right-leaning protest–people want the government out of their lives: same goal, different approach.
The attitude that certain states should secede from the Union and leave the rest to the “nut jobs” smacks or the grossest form of intolerance. What happened to discussion, the exchange of ideas, the diversity of opinion, the tolerance of others? We should hesitate to demonize and to denounce, because at the end of day, we want others to extend to us the same degree of respect.
What I want to know is “who” is the leader (or who are the leaders) of the Republican party? Is it Bill OReilly, or Rush Limbaugh, or… who? No one seems to be able to come forward and “be” that person. Further, if the Republicans in Washington (any of them) are opposed to the (absolutely) silly arguments that the majority of these people have, they are not saying anything about it, which is embarrassing to say the least.
The biggest issue for me is that, regardless of your political affiliation (if any), the bulk of these folks aren’t historically, politically or socially informed enough to fight their way out of a paper bag. It pains me that I have to continue to call these folks my countryman (which I will reluctantly continue to do, although they will not offer that same support to me because I differ with their agenda).
I am sure that the greater portion of the world is watching us in total amazement and horror at the depths of our collective ignorance.
A shame. An utter shame.
Christ taught us in his teachings that “whatsoever you do to the least of my brethern that you do unto me”, scripture and verse totally escape me at this point. Those people that would deny healthcare to those less fortunate then themselves, better have a darn good reason for doing so when they meet their maker. This is supposedly a Christian country and we now have a president who truly beleives in those Christian principles and is trying to put them into deeds in our complex society, not just words, and we see the disgusting reaction of these conservative so-called Christians. It is sickening, just sickening to see this whole situation being hijacked by a minority of flag-wrapped, hate-filled bigots who no more understand the teachings of Christ in the bible than they understand what this country has stood for and should stand for in our eyes and the eyes of the rest of the world. They are an embarassment and worse to this country.
Raw Top: I have been saying it’s about race for years. And this post is very important appearing here because sex is politics. It can be very political in it’s own way.
As for the comment about America being mostly white and middle and working class: working class, yes, middle, I don’t think so. middle class is practically wiped out by the very people who are supposed to represent us! and as for being white. middle america might be mostly white, but the census clearly shows that minorites, lumped together as a whole, are a very LARGE percentage.
ironically, i was listening to evita the other day. yes, the broadway cast recording. and i couldn’t help but think that many of the core issues that applied there apply here, in real life, with Obama. I say let the man do what he needs to do! I mean, hell, Bush did and no one said BOO.
And for anyone out there who are among the group that say “What has he done?” What is he supposed to have done in 8 or 9 months that took 8 years to destroy?
This is terrible. I’m now way too incensed early in the morning and I need to calm down. Haven’t even had coffee yet!
I agree with everyone on here except MG. Since many of you other guys have expressed some of my sentiments,I won’t repeat the one’s above.
But I’ll just cite FOUR observations.
As far as the “Bail-outs”, TARP, and health-care go, here’s what I see.
1) The Tea-Baggers (dissmissive? They picked there OWN name) they never reached the same fevered pitch about the TARP,and Bail-out principally because they could see and felt how those policies directly effected them.”Save Wall Street, ‘cuz we’re white, and we’ll ALWAYS have the opportunity to get our share of that brass ring”. To hell with health-care reform, its just POOR minorities that’ll need/benefit from that.And as long as I’m white,and have (the perception of) open-ended opportunities, I’ll NEVER need (2nd rate) government spomsored insurance. Why should I pay for that!”
2)Straight out-of-the gate,these “Town-Hallers” were ALREADY angry about health-care.There had never been a conflicted discussion about it before summer. They were ALREADY ginned-up with their muskets (at rallies) and torches in a way they had NEVER been over ANY of George Bushes spending proposals.
3) If “Tea-Baggers” and “Town-Hallers” were REALLY concerned about government take-overs,and gov’t. buddinskiness and intervention, however can they rationally dismiss the PATRIOT ACT of all things. Spying on our own electorate ???
4)”Tea-Baggers” “Town-Hallers” and “Right-Wingers” NEVER and I mean absolutely NEVER cite,find,see, concede racism at any point. And when there is a clear concise case of it, no matter how recent it is, they ALWAYS say “That action was in the past (even if it was 5-minutes ago). UNLESS, tje person is a Puerto Rican female judge raised in a nearly all white Catholic School, and predominantly white undergraduate university,and a nearly equally balanced law-school.She’s a LONG-TIME racist.
Thanks for the civil discussions guys,
-Kodi
How dare anyone disagree with our Nation’s first black president’s agenda! To do so proves they are racist! Sorry guys but the racist argument is getting as stale as the folks that offer it up – LOL! Carter may agree with your assessment – but the White House doesn’t. They released a statement today that they do not agree with the Carter analysis. And who really cares what Carter says or thinks anyways – he’s a third-rate one-term president at best. He didn’t do such a hot job running the country when he had a chance at it!
I agree with MG’s assessment of the teabagger movement. I’m sure there are some racist in the teabagger crowd just like there were at the last L.A. Pride Parade I attended. There are all kinds of people in crowds. But if anyone thinks the fundamentals of the teabagger movement is based on race then they are fooling themselves. This movement is about big government and higher taxes. Essentially at the core it is a tax revolt like California had in the 70’s with proposition 13.
I am not a Reublican or Democrat – in truth I hate them all – but instead of arguing race – we should be asking why things haven’t changed more under Obama? Why is Obama letting Wall Street run this country the same as George Bush did?? Why is the U.S. Treasuring selling government bonds to the Federal Reserve Bank? Do people not realize that by doing so we are buying our own debt and destroying our currency? And our taxes now will go up to pay for Wall Street’s follies while they are still giving outrageous bonuses to their CEO’s? Why hasn’t there been any investigations and why hasn’t anyone gone to jail on Wall Street?
Race is not the issue here – the issue of corruption on all levels of government is the issue.
We do agree on one thing tho – backrooms in bars are a good thing. But if we will not tolerate and type of intolerance … doesn’t that mean that we will also have to let women into the backrooms as well? And Christians too? Where do you draw the line? LOL.
I just want to say this is very cool that we are having this discussion. Sex and politics are very closely related. I agree we were used in both the 2000 and 2004 election to get people out to vote against us. I just wish people would take a second, step back and think when they throw around the word Socialism. For example…..Medicare for Old folks, Medicaid for the disabled, free school lunches for poor children, libraries, federal grants (free money i.e. Pell grant) for students to go to college are all “socialistic” concepts but you won’t find too many Americans who will argue to do away with these things. What makes me so sad are the cases of people who have health insurance and they get sick and find out that the healthcare plan that they paid into for 30 years will not cover tests that there doctors says they need. This is what happened to my mom when she got breast cancer. She died 8 months later. We are Americans and we are in this together. We need to fight to save our country and withholding health care from our sick citizen is NOT the answer. We spend SO much money in support of other countries and to fight wars why not help sick Americans.
My overall philosophy is similar to sdbb. We don’t need a “third party”, we need a viable “2nd party”, because there is little difference in the impact of either the republicans or the democrats—the former are going to fuck me in favor of big business, and the latter are going to fuck me because they yield to the minority opposition, and they fail to properly frame and present their proposals.
Look no further than the health care debacle—Obama and the democrats have done a horrible job getting out in front of this and have failed to present clearly and concisely a set of manageable objectives and solutions. The result–proposed “solutions” in the form of 700 to 1,000+ pages of “legislation” is totally ridiculous.
They have also failed to promote the success of Medicare, and perhaps use that as a “model”. While it is true that there is a financing problem with Medicare, it operates with a 3.5% overhead compared to the 30% of insurance companies. In addition, there is no such thing as “pre-existing condition”, nor are individuals “excluded” for any reason.
Further, the democrats lost the advantage by failing to frame health care in terms of a moral issue–that when you get sick, your care should not be dependent upon your ability to pay. That health care should NOT be under the direction of Wall Street.
Anthony Weiner (D-NY) has it correct when he says “there shouldn’t even be a health insurance industry”…Why not Medicare for 55 and over? Or 45 and over, and so on…”.
I was covered under BCBS via group plans with two different employers, spanning 20 years, with NO interruption in coverage during the entire time. Over those 20 years, my claims totaled around $10,000 compared to probably $30,000 in premiums. I’m fortunate in that I’ve been very healthy.
Yet, when I left my employer–guess what, after my COBRA benefit ran out, BCBS refused to insure me. No reason given. Someone tell me please–why the fuck does my insurability depend upon my employment? All the company would have to do is create a “group” to fit myself and others in my situation—just like they create “groups” for companies.
P.S. 1) I voted for Obama and 2) it really pisses me off when the suggestion is made that I am “racist” if / when I disagree with him. Some of Obama’s problems are no doubt caused by ignorant people who simply cannot stand the idea that a mixed-race man is President. But, I simply will not tolerate being dismissed as “racist” if I disagree with him.
RawTop…I wasn’t suggesting that YOU, or any of the posters on here so far, were saying that I am racist for disagreeing with the President.
But I am going to challenge you as to your statement “The point is that those sorts of reactions are what are driving the “teabagging” movement.”
How do you know that?
Maybe I’m wrong, but there seems to be significant numbers of people, like myself, who honorably have paid our taxes year after year after year, and feel that we are not being represented, and that our tax dollars are being wasted. And year after year the answer from people like myself has been to “just suck it up, my next raise will cover it, and I’ll work harder”. There are a lot of us that are just tired of that.
Just to reiterate that I hate both parties before I challenge your statement that the Republicans are being obstructionist. How can they be really?? The Democrats have control of both the House and Senate. They can pass any bill they like without one single Republican vote. In truth – Obama’s own party – he Democrats have been blocking all his legislation like Health Care and Cap and Trade. Please put down the Koolaid glass and brush up your facts a little more before proselytyzing partisan propoganda to the masses through your blog.
Honestly – if you really truly want freedom how can increasing the size of government in any of our lives achieve this?? Medicare is broke, Social Security is broke, most States and City governments in this country are broke and now the governments wants to do the same for health care. NO THANKS!!
I agree we need health care reform. But I don’t want the government in control of my health care – no way. Also please show me one other western country that provides health care for her citizens where the national health plan is not broke or where the patients do not have to wait 6 months or more to see a doctor. Please show me by providing some links to the information on the web. My work requires that I travel to countries like Canada and England and I can tell you from the peeps I’ve talked to in those countries that they are not impressed with their health care there and would trade it for what we have in America actually.
Please tell me again how the Repubes are obstructing again specifically? I didn’t see it in your last post … SPECIFICALLY – how are the obstructing any of Obama’s agenda?
And for the record – I opposed Bush and his doctines every step of the way to anyone that would (and would not) listen … lol.
What is happening in this country now is not based in racism or partisanism for most of the people involved – but instead is really a result of folks getting tired of a government run by elites who are convinced they are better than everyone else and know what is best for the rest of us. To deny that fact is equivalent to being in the crowd that insisted the earth was flat when in reality we all know what happened with that idea … it was proved wrong.
I don’t care Bush – Obama, Demoncrat or Republicorp, the system is corrupt and the people of the U.S. are finally standing up against that corrupt system. If the system wasn’t corrupt then more things would have change dfaster under Obama. But the Powers-That-Be do not want real change – which is where we are now … If you really do your homework you would see that this movement started while Bush was still in office and is only now coming to fruition. I know because I have been part of this movement for that long …
you should really rename this blog… you barely write about sex anymore and when you do, it’s usually how you can’t get it up.
@sdbbfun – people from those countries complain about their health care and want to trade it for ours? Really? Because I work a job where I meet people from other countries on a daily basis and in the two + years I’ve been here I’ve only ever heard the opposite of that; how our health care system is awful and expensive and how their nationalized health care offers incredible coverage at a fraction of the cost.
taking the side of carter is like hiring bob shrum as your campaign manager. carter’s an idiot and other than habitat has done nothing of lasting value. “racism” is played out.
that’s why i carved habitat out. but carter was a horrible president. he made george look like fucking george washington. the only “useful” thing i suppose he did as president was the camp david accords, and look how that worked out. he was a disaster in office and has only perfected that role since.
but to your point: anti-obama is racist. to be honest, i kind of like hearing that accusation because it blunts the value. it’s like calling someone a fascist or nazi anymore – it’s part of political language, and it’s a charge that carries no weight. when trent lott was called a racist, it cost him majority leader. now, thanks to the overuse, it does nothing but cause blowback.
@Regular Guy – Dude, everyone is entitled to their opinion, and you’ve expressed yours about Jimmy Carter, but let me tell you, we all have our shortcomings, but I challenge you to rise to ANYTHING that is equal to what that man has done in his lifetime. He’s not only extremely intelligent, but the Habitat project is an amazing project that will be written into history and is NOTHING to be sniffed at. It is a VERY worthy cause, and he is a very genuine man (something that we are in very short supply of right now).
Shame on you for looking down on someone who has done much good for the fellow man (much more than any of us, I dare say).
Who the fuck elected Jimmy Carter to wander the world with a roving portfolio? If you’re not into being preached at from the right, I’d like to think the same holds true from the left. Jimmy Carter is like the moral majority – but with better press. And an awful lot of people without nearly the resources or pulpit JC has do an awful lot of good. I’m very (small “r”) republican in my values anyway: I tend to look down on those with power and that include Carter, Obama and Bush.
and for the record, Matt, Jimmy Carter didn’t found Habitat. He certainly jumped on its bandwagon. But that idea didn’t spring from Plains, GA.
Hee hee hee…men who celebrate their colossally bad judgment and irresponsible behavior pontificating on how government should be run. Thanks for the chuckle!
24 comments. rawTOP….I think you have found your niche. It is YOU that brings people to the site. Your weight, politics and sex can all be brought together.
Keep going.
To all those who are tired of “big government” it looks like you’re reading this blog on the Internet. It wasn’t business that built the net but we do know who’d like choke it for the sake of profit. And for those tired of hearing about racism being identified I have a feeling you’d hate being on the receiving end of that bullshit a whole lot more.
TDC – “To all those who are tired of “big government” it looks like you’re reading this blog on the Internet.”
I’m agnostic on this. But if you want government health care, just be prepared to assume more responsibility for your personal life so that taxpayers aren’t on the hook for the consequences of your choices, e.g., smoking, not exercising, engaging in unprotected random sex . . .
TDC – “And for those tired of hearing about racism being identified I have a feeling you’d hate being on the receiving end of that bullshit a whole lot more.”
Really, TDC? You think someone wouldn’t be on the receiving end of racism? How about involuntary amputation, TDC? Would someone want to be on the receiving end of that? It was a stupid statement you made, missing the point and all. But sometimes obfuscation is the goal.
So Jimmy Carter agrees with you, and that makes you correct? You liberal, elitist, bastard. You sit in NY and can’t wonder why people might actually disagree with your view point. You wonder how anyone could disagree with a President of the United States. Many disagreed with President Bush and the many who came before him. Now, if I disagree with him, that makes me a racist.
Is it so hard to believe that some people aren’t happy with the changes he’s proposing? Is it hard to believe that some people might actually be gay, and yet wish for responsibility in government? Is it so hard to believe that with all the other wasteful spending in every sector of government run bureaucracy, that people might not want the health care that they currently have to get WORSE?
The cause that these so called “teabaggers” are holding is NOT Republican v Democrat. They are tax-payer v. elitist Washington money hog, aka our elected officials, who seem to think that if you throw enough money at anything, the problem will fix itself. Never mind that these people have had little work experience other than being a elected official. It used to be that our elected officials had actual jobs that gave them the knowledge and insight necessary to fix the problems that people encounter. This is far from the truth these days and can be exposed the the legacy families of both the Kennedy’s and the Bush’s.
You accuse us of being shills of the interest of people like Limbaugh and Hannity, and so therefore I can accuse you of the same, for speaking in the interest of waste groups like Acorn.
How dare you, sir.
I’m gay & I can’t stand niggers or their agenda. For the first time in a LONG time, popular media is standing up to BLACK INTIMIDATION and it’s about fucking time. When Fox News points out that middle class America is WHITE, you have this sudden problem with it! So what? Niggers are finally going to learn that it’s not all about them. God I hate niggers.
“How dare you, sir.”
Oh brother.
To Beau -> OMG !!! I want to have your baby !!! You hit it EXACTLY on the head !! It is so sad that unless you tow the stereotypical gay line when it comes to politics (meaning voting for every “D” on the ballot), then you are a traitor to the gay movement. Who gives a flying fuck about the “gay movement?” I only care about protecting this country, keeping as much of the money I busted my ass for as I can!! You are 100% correct that every Senator and Congressman is an elitist. The ONLY way that that will ever change is with term limits on them. The Barney Franks, Chris Dodds, Charles Schumers, Trent Lotts, Nancy Peolosis, John Boehners, Mitch McConnells, etc need to GO!! That is why nothing gets done in Washington. A fresh voice in Washington never gets heard. New ideas never get heard. All we get is the same tired rhetoric and smoke blown up our asses. And we sheeple just keep on with our lives.
UNTIL NOW !! The WORKING people of this country are finally standing up and are making their voices heard !!!
To Matt -> I agree with your comment that it is about fucking time the popular media is finally standing up to black intimidation. I am fucking sick and tired of being called racist if I don’t agree with anything that comes out of ANY black mouth. The days of when the use of the “racist card” could cause people to run for cover are OVER !!! I hate EVERYTHING Obama has proposed and is trying to ram down our throats. If that makes me a racist, then I am very very VERY happy and PROUD to wear that label.
I am SOOOO looking forward to November 2010.
@MariettaBoy: I don’t like a lot of his agendas, but I don’t hate him nor do I hate everything he’s done. But, I’m glad that you agree with my sentiment that a lot of these “representatives” have been in office for way too long, and changes need to be made.
I do have the belief that for the most part, every person who runs for political office believes that what he or she does when elected will help the country and its people. However, somewhere along the line that process gets lost when favors need to be repaid and those same elected officials start selling their own ethics in order to get elected/re-elected.