Someone is going to get hurt.
Submitted by Tim Russo on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 10:50am.
Now, no one understands why someone would want to beat the crap out of a reporter across the street more than me. But this image, with the racial slurs, shook me. When you see a group of white people descending upon a black person with this kind of rage, in the American South, indelible images from history leap into your mind.
This presidential campaign was inevitably going to stoke a debate about race. Now that Barack Obama has gotten this close to being the first black president in US history, that debate is getting hotter. The Jeremiah Wright comments and the response to them took that debate down a very dark path, a path that conservative talk radio and the conservative blogosphere have leapt into with a kind of vitriol I haven't seen since last summer's debate on immigration.
According to the Southern Poverty Law Center, here's what that "discourse" left behind.
"We've seen a remarkable growth in hate groups in the last six or seven years and it seems anecdotally clear that the growth is driven by the immigration debate in this county," said Mark Potok, the director of the center's Intelligence Project. "Virtually all the old line hate groups have turned their attention almost entirely to illegal immigration."
The center said that Hispanics are feeling the brunt of the anti-immigration anger.
According to the FBI, 819 people were victims of anti-Hispanic hate crimes in 2006, the latest year for which statistics are available, up from 763 in 2000 and 595 in 2003.
And now that Barack has taken the lid off the debate with his speech on Tuesday, I'm not convinced it will stay as measured and thoughtful as that historic speech. The unrelenting hatred that is now being spewed on conservative talk radio and on the internet is not now being aimed at Hispanics, it is being aimed at the most deep seeded racial divide in our country's history, and is inevitably going to give the lowest forms of humanity in our country a permission slip to act out. In a bar after one too many, on a street corner, in the middle of the night, or in broad daylight as happened to that reporter.
Did it already happen to this black reporter in South Carolina? Maybe. Would that woman have been attacked, say, a year ago, under the same circumstances, absent 3 months of race-baiting in a presidential campaign all over talk radio? Who knows. That causal link is almost impossible to prove.
However, it is an indisputable fact that an atmosphere of hate is being created by the constant drone of talk radio and the conservative blogosphere. It is not going to go away, and it is going to accelerate. And it is powerful, so powerful, that in Rwanda, such a drone sparked a genocide.
Now that Barack has asked us to talk about in the open what we only talk about in private, here's the nugget that I know a lot of us have been knocking around lately. People fear for Barack Obama's life.
DALLAS — There is a hushed worry on the minds of many supporters of Senator Barack Obama, echoing in conversations from state to state, rally to rally: Will he be safe? In Colorado, two sisters say they pray daily for his safety. In New Mexico, a daughter says she persuaded her mother to still vote for Mr. Obama, even though the mother feared that winning would put him in danger. And at a rally here, a woman expressed worries that a message of hope and change, in addition to his race, made him more vulnerable to violence.
Not that long ago, people killed to keep blacks from sitting at a lunch counter, or riding a bus, or going to vote. You think some of those same types of people are going to just roll over for a black man to be president?
As real as that fear is, it is far more likely that many others, completely anonymous, will be subject to violence across this country because of his candidacy, and that is my real concern. Gay people are attacked every single day for being gay, and while there certainly is a chorus of gay hate out there, there isn't the current level of "thought leaders" egging them on constantly as there is in this presidential campaign.
It is inevitable, repeat, inevitable, that people are going to get hurt. It may be a few, it may be many. And no amount of begging them to tone it down is going to get these "thought leaders" to do so. The best thing we can hope for is that when these acts of hate happen in response to the drone around them, the news is reported as it happens, and the wider world sees it for what it is. Maybe that can keep it from getting to a point where we all find ourselves praying for Barack Obama's safety. Daily.
Don't know but
Submitted by Jill on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 1:28pm.
Was there an uptick in anti-Semitic activities when Lieberman ran with Gore? What about racial incidents in Ohio, when Ken Blackwell ran? Could Subodh Chandra shed any light on what he knows of how the Indian community in Ohio felt the impact if at all of his running? Or have there been increases in negative treatment of women when women run?
None of the answers necessarily mean anything - but that's where I'd start looking, if I was someone who wanted to get a good guess of what we're in for. Denial that a problem exists can lead to anger and acting out - few people want to be told what's wrong with them or that something that they're used to doing just isn't right or acceptable. And we react in a variety of ways to that news - one of them is violence.
But Brody - education is an important factor but it alone won't do a lot unless backed up with action or experience, if then. We're capable of knowing one thing and acting another way - that's part of what gives rise to the Bradley effect in the first place. Just look at all the educated people who don't support Obama or what he said. If you want to pursue change with education, be prepared to offer a lot of social services with it.
US. isn't ready for a black President or Help me Obe-wan Kenobi
Submitted by Schmennis on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 6:39pm.
This is why bloggers aren't taken as seriously as they could be. You need to tell the back story.
What a time for the media to cry racism...the timing of the story is suspicious. There is no atmosphere of hate it is ignorant human nature to go to the lowest denominator when in a fight. Racial slurs are a form of hurt not necessarily hate. They were trying to hurt her because why.......?
The murder case involves 33-year-old Michael Shane Howell, who's accused of killing his grandfather, 73-year-old Tommy Howell, Monday night. Obviously, the relatives are upset and want their privacy.
The reporter was asked to leave AND STAYED AN ENTIRE HOUR. Then TO THE VICTIMS FAMILY "states her rights" that she is on public property (wrong move) and FIGHT ensues. Lack of common sense or sense of invincibility?
I can stand anywhere I want and say anything I want because I'm holding a microphone and have a camera. Kind of like when you drive downtown and people cross against the light and look at you like they DARE you to run them over.
This isn't about race, its about R-E-S-P-E-C-T. If I go to the Near East Side of Columbus and try telling them anything WITHOUT SHOWING RESPECT, I will get called some racial slurs and maybe even a beat down.
HERE IS ADVISE FOR ALL YOU "RECONCILERs", NOBODY LIKES ELITISTS PEOPLE (any color) reminding them that they are white trash. Especially those known as "rednecks". Don't go to the trailer park unless you live there (or know someone that does). Has Eminem & Kid Rock taught you nothing?
This reporter didn't respect the family wishes to leave, with obviously tragic circumstances and got a beating, racial slurs were slung and now this reporter wants to cry "racism"???? How about they cry "elitism"? By her own admission she told them off. She experienced not racism but cowboy justice, with racial slurs to ad insult to injury. She showed no r-e-s-p-e-c-t and got her ass whipped for their trouble.
The other reporters were there getting the story, why didn't they like her? Her skin color? Yeah right. By her own admission she was condescending to them when they demanded she leave. Now, she belies racism. I've seen people fight before and they say vile cruel things they don't mean after the fight is over.
By crying racism this reporter is propagating to the world, we aren't any better than we have been since the 1920's. We need Obama! Oh, Help me Obe-wan Help me! or should I say Help Obama-wan. What a time we need a reconciler the day after the Obama speech on race.
The police obviously don't think this is a "hate" crime because no hate crime charges have been filed. FEDERAL charges I might add. So what does it matter what you are called when you are getting beat down? YOU ARE GETTING A BEAT DOWN. They just beat her up because she is black. Yeah right!
Once again these liberally educated "journalists" think they can walk anywhere, say anything they want at the emotional expense of others and not have any consequences. In my neighborhood this is called "Hillbilly Justice." Come south of German Village and I will point out to you some skinhead examples of what I mean.
This reporter might be thinking she is helping Obama but this only HURTS OBAMA in the minds of white people. See how "they" can't act right when in the wrong neighborhood? This ignorant media person crying racism obviously has it on her mind, it couldn't possibly be that she did anything wrong, because, "I am just doing my job!"
She was doing her job at the expense of the victim’s family and got taught a lesson.....or did she learn a lesson? If she thinks the issue is racism I guess she didn't.
This video so shows how we need "Obama the Reconciler" however society shows that isn't going to happen in our lifetime. The U.S. needs more then a healer to get us over 200+ years of racial strife and it isn't ALL white peoples fault. It is a culture problem.
I hear white people talk all the time and this is what they say. Your great, great, great, great, grandpa was a slave o.k. WE GET IT! You are pissed. But how do you know? You can't even find your daddy! I don't own any slaves so why are you mad at me?(I'm not even 100% white, but I get called "whitey" from time to time. What is that about?) You have never had to work a day in your life because of Section 8 housing and food stamps and welfare. Time to grow up, get a job and stop having babies and take care of the ones you have. Stop taking the easy way out like dealing drugs trying to be all "Scarface" Tony Montana and don't go to jail. Education? Libraries are free last time I checked. If you are smart enough to deal drugs and put your Escalade with 24" rims in your mama's name then you can drive to the da lie-bary. Knaw mean Dog? Why should I hire a black person because if I need to fire them in two months I have to worry about a drive by. Then if I try to fire them I can't ever get rid of them if they don't work out, because they will just cry "racism". Best to just not hire them at all......Yeah, white people say that stuff.....
It is not intelligence it is CULTURE. Economist have already discovered that to be a top tier drug dealer it takes the comparative effort as being a Manager at McDonald's. Foot soldiers earn less then $3 per hour. If drug dealers knew they only earn $3/hr. I know many of them wouldn't.
Why don't these "leaders" tell them? Because "leaders" want acceptance and votes. KEEP THE CHECKS COMING say the proletariats! Teach people earn and think for themselves and they MIGHT not vote for you. Oppress your constituency. The might even vote for a white republican if they earn enough money and own a business. Yikes!
I don't think this kind of thing would ever happen in Ohio, but we are talking about South Carolina.
Now to compound matters this is going to hit the media and not help Obama today.
MSNBC -
Does anyone think that one of the many reasons Obama has shown hesitancy to endorse a full revote in Michigan has to do with the controversy surrounding Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick? Does Obama really want to have to find ways to avoid being seen with Kilpatrick during a campaign in the state? The last thing Obama needs is to be drawn into some controversy that may appear divisive on the race front.
This guy is a dirt bag no matter what color you are. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kwame_Kilpatrick
And this is what white people are afraid of if they elect a black president, Micheal Vick, Maurice Clarett style baggage. "You-can-take-the-boy-out-of the-country but you-can't-take-the-country-out-of-the-boy" syndrome.
If whites vote for Obama how long before they learn of illegal dog fighting and wives fighting with prostitutes or some other ethnically identified questionable activity. Illegal crap games?
There are more bar-b-q beer drinking whites that are motivated to keep Obama out, then there are red wine sipping elitists sitting in dark personal libraries, in leather chairs, sporting ascots and herringbone wool sports coats with suede elbow patches that can get him in the white house. And I can prove that by a drive through OSU campus and look at the Obama posters that were torn down after the primary. OSU people hate to lose, football or otherwise. Obama lost his observable support on campus after he LOST the primary. Closing his office on campus doesn't help either just makes him look like more of a loser. He needs Ohio to win and he needs campus to win Columbus. There are many things you can be in Ohio but don't be a loser at any of them. I'm surprised there weren't dumpster fires after the primary.
Sadly, if Obama is in the White House he be watching over his shoulder for some redneck hiding in the bushes his entire term/s. If he is smart he will pick a African American V.P.
D.
Re: I rest my case or Get offended much?
Submitted by Schmennis on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 6:58pm.
Did you read what I wrote or just skim it?
I was agreeing with you mostly.
You can't counter any points so you just call me a name?
You can do better then that!!!!
D
I just skimmed it - because I'm keeping it real!!!
Submitted by Brody on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 7:55pm.
I was too busy keeping it real! A black man walked into my neighborhood and I had to call the cops because he was obviously up to no-dahm-good!!! After the cops took too long to get here and the black man was still there, I got my family together and we told him to get the hell out of our neighborhood. When he ignored us, we beat his ass and put him into the hospital. It was funny so to celebrate we drank some Beast beer, and put on Kid Rock... We were going to go to the free library but they put porn blockers on the computers - so what was the point. Then I listened to John McCain and Hillary Clinton talk about stuff - they said the Black guy was a terrorist. I voted for Hillary, because I don't ever want this country to change, thank god I'm white and I have a G.E.D.
Re: I just skimmed it....
Submitted by Schmennis on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 10:41pm.
LMAOROF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too damned funny!!!!!
Was he a reporter? OR a "journalist"?
D.Re: I just skimmed it....
Submitted by Schmennis on Thu, 03/20/2008 - 8:05pm.
LMAOROF!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Too damned funny!!!!!
Was he a reporter? OR a "journalist"?
D.
Spit or swallow? or Hillary has nutz! or Liberal dems = Al-Qaeda
Submitted by Schmennis on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:23am.
"Dumb-ass" is that your final answer?
There is a terrible thing in the democratic party that I'm not sure you are aware of, liberal democrats. Luckily this cancer is benign.
What does Al-Qaeda have on common with liberal democrats?
Here in the fly-over country people are basically normal they have a job, want their family to thrive and have economic prosperity. All the things mentioned in our Preamble. Now I know most of you don't know this by heart so.........
We the people of the United States, in Order to form a more perfect Union, establish Justice, insure domestic Tranquility, provide for the common defense, promote the general Welfare, and secure the Blessings of Liberty to ourselves and our Posterity, do ordain and establish this Constitution for the United States of America.
This is a statement put together by hard working individuals. Liberal democrats try to hijack the party and inject their self interests to attain some microcosm agenda. Everyone that can't be a republican gravitates to the democrat party. I am a democrat by choice but I want normal things that a republican might want.*shock*
I don't mind if gays marry, or if you want to have an abortion because of your bad choices, besides isn't there a pill for that now?
I don't care if you own a gun, if you know how to shoot it I prefer you DO.
I'd prefer my business not be regulated or taxed to death.
I care about trees and animals and the war or drugs and terror. Americana.
I'd like to drive a car to work, would that be ok? or does it have to be a hybrid? Because I can't afford a hybrid unless I get a huge tax incentive.
Squeaky wheel gets the oil and that is what liberal democrats do best SQUEAK. So loud all the rest of us can't be heard, but we will be heard on election day.
Liberal democrats are the ones that tell us how to vote, but decide that the line was to long cue up in, on election day. (or it was raining) Then, when things don't go their way, they sit from their university office and blame it on our lack of "education and enlightenment". Here is a tip for you, practice is not theory and you would know that if you weren't hiding behind some stack of books in a university, hiding from life, trying to teach our kids, the best way you know how, when you have never had a non-government real-job in your life and you get paid to have our kids teach your class and grade your papers while you expound the teachings of Mao Tse-Tung or the writtings of Nietzsche to an unsuspecting, adoring, nubile co-ed, at a far from campus Caribou Cafe.
Another tip, personality types that are classified as "learners" are NOT the personality types that are the best "teachers". During the "enlightenment" of the 21st century, this will be discovered when communist pre-employment testing is manditory.
*Star Trek theme plays* jk
Libeal democrats are the ones that tell us WE can't have guns but privately have a concealed weapons permit for their "protection". Duplicity, contradictions and hypocracy is what people are tired of, be they republican or democrat, A la Bob Taft or Elliot Spitzer.
The right to work, The right to make money, The right to own a business, The right to own a home, The right to have a family.
I find mostly that liberal democrats try to shove whatever their pet issue of the day is down my throat. You don't have to shove sweety, I swallow! It is like you can't be a liberal democrat if you don't have some kind of special needs special interest. Chicken little the sky is falling everyday. The sky is NOT falling except on you. People are TIRED of your squeaking.
I am a democrat that wants the best for you and your family and me and my family.
Liberal democrats are like screaming fundamentalist preachers crying for their special interest. I'm telling you, people are sick of "Moveon.org's" pushing and I am warning you, there is going to be "push back" if people in the party can't find common ground then this race issue is going to splinter the party beyond recognition and you will lose voters to other parties or never return at all. People are going to get very tired of the 50 state strategy if some things don't "change" in the party.
The democrats legacy of racism is coming to and end - Republicans are courting the black vote.
The democrats legacy of sexism is coming to an end - Republicans are courting the gay vote.
The democrats legacy of allowing extreme groups to push the agenda are coming to an end.
"Stop the war!"
"Make same sex legal!"
"I need an abortion!"
Bla, bla, bla, everyday. Everyday people, (including democrats are sick of it)
The candidate that will win, will win, because of their promise or ability to END THE WAR, PERIOD and Obama doesn't project the image that he has two working nuts to do any of that. Has anyone check Michelle's pockets for them? Hillary has nuts to end/finish the war. Does a genital reference pique your interest?
Why do I say, Liberal democrats equal Al-Qaeda?
Because you hide behind your "blogger" or "journalist" tags adamantly insist your point and wait for a victim to disagree with you then pop out of the weeds and snipe with your childish name calling when you can't defend your position. Then you slink off to not be seen again. People are tired of that too. Just defend your position you "drive by" media person. Here is a name for liberal democrats, cowards.
Why do I even come here if you intolerant, self-righteous, self-important people don't want to hear an opposing opinion?
*crickets*
You should consider writing fiction, because vomiting your opinion on us stinks.
"Blogger" is not that prestigious of a title that you can't defend yourself. It is actually kind of silly because anyone that cannot see the liberal party activists are trying to drown out the voice of everyday people with the static of bloggery, is just plain silly. You need a lesson in PR.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is a two way
Submitted by Magi1 on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 1:37am.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T is a two way street ...
No it's not
Submitted by Brody on Fri, 03/21/2008 - 8:17am.
Everyone should just respect and listen to Jerid... Then this world would be much better!!!! HA HA HA
Wow Schmennis ... that was a
Submitted by Magi1 on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 12:59pm.
Wow Schmennis ... that was a lot to digest. I feel like I'm witnessing something that will define the Democratic Party for years to come ... it needs to happen. Will we see a new party form? A party that is more centrist? A party that has shed the greed of the conservatives and the lunacy of the liberals? Who will lead the 'Centrist Party'?You certainly sound like a candidate.
All is Serene in San-Angles 2024 or O' Brave New World!
Submitted by Schmennis on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 11:50pm.
Mellow Greetings Magi1!
I formally convey my presence.
Here in 2024 after the "Schwarzenegger coup" seized control of the government from Arnold after the 63rd amendment, all political parties were merged into the Central-Labor Party of the Reformed Congress.
All private property and corporations functions have been seized and controlled by the government so there are is no need for silly republicans or money. We all work on personal enrichment, besides there is nothing to "buy" if we did have money. Food is delivered to the front of our homes and we meet the truck outside in a compliant Pavlovian trance. It is a nice way to get to know your neighbors and see if they might have any commodities you need, (Not the we need anything! Please don't turn me in for illegal black market activity) It is unfortunate that there is zero production; pollution is at an all time high as well as costs. Thank Xenu for the war against with Goldstein-Bin laden and The People's American-Chinese Army of Central America or we'd have nothing to live for.
Wasn't that a terrible war? I didn't think the rains would ever return. I can't believe the drought didn't kill you. Congratulations on your survival! Do you happen to have any razor blades? I haven't had any in months.
Here in 2024 everyone is educated, the problem is there are no jobs except the military. It was a stroke of good luck the Minneapolis Central Council of the Reformed Congress passed legislation allowing women and gays to the front line in combat roles to support our boys in the fight, eh? I can't believe the women and gays didn't want to go....I mean our boys need the help on our southern border against the wrenched Islamo-fascists-Chinese.
Abortions aren't illegal anymore, but pregnancy is without a permit and can you believe global warming never really mattered after the nuclear war mushroom clouds nearly killed us all! It was started by the Islam-o-fascists you know.
Great news! Smoking is still illegal, as well as cursing, salt and sugar , fast food and non-educational toys. Thank Xenu we legalized eating marijuana! And we all have Universal Healthcare since we merged with Canada and self-medication legislation was passed. All the Dr.'s are at the front now anyways. Tort reform passed easily because all the lawyers work for the government arresting thought criminals and you can't sue the government anymore.
And now that voting online is legal things are much easier. You don't even need to verify your identity and you can vote as many times as you want!!!! (Kind of like your American Idol) And every 100th voter gets a lifetime supply of pork flavored soybean tofu chewing gum! Yum! (I wish the chocolate flavored soybean tofu chewing gum rations would start up again and an extension on the electricity ration) Can you believe that Maddox Jolie-Pitt was elected President? I mean he is only 23! Next year I'm voting for Sean Preston Spears, I know he's only 19 but he's sooo cute! Sorry I used his middle name; you know how the Central party hates that. Please don't turn me in!
Well, I'm missing the 30 minutes of "spewed hate" (news) on "USA-CAN1-The Voice North American Freedom" (All the channels really since CNN took them all over and the government took over Hollywood)
Magi1, I hope you decide to visit 2024 again sometime soon. Have a good trip back to 2008 and remember to Vote Obama! He couldn't do any worse then Hillary did! Maybe he'll end up saving the world like they said he would!
2024 Schmennis
D.
We have so much to look
Submitted by Magi1 on Sat, 03/22/2008 - 10:11pm.
We have so much to look forward to ... ahhh ... I guess. Do mushroom clouds contribute to warming or cooling? I suppose there would be less people so less 'carbon footprints' on the planet ...
Re: Global warming
Submitted by Schmennis on Sun, 03/23/2008 - 4:10am.
As you know, the mushroom clouds don't just have a Icebreaker cooling effect, they freeze. LOL
I suppose the difficult part to global-thermo nuclear cooling is the intense GLOBAL nuclear warming causes by Islamo-Fascists Iranian made bombs. I hope bush invades soon before the Israelis start a war.
A nuclear war doesn't have to be severe one, to solve global warming, we only need to drop 4 billion souls from the equation.
But I wouldn't know until we get to 2024...see you there.
D
Interesting take
Tim, I think you have an interesting article here, but that you missed some finer points:
That reporter was attacked by 3 pieces of white trash as she gave a report from across the street about a family member of the 3 who had committed a crime and was going to jail.I just don't feel that the video is an accurate representation of race in the country, because even with the racial slurs - that was a cowardly beating of a female reporter, that was done as much out of ignorance as any amount of rasicm.
The liberal in me points to education as being the key to solving these problems. Those 3 guys combined make less money a year than I do - mostly because of their lack of a high school education in a low ranking state like South Carolina. That does as much to justify their despicable actions as any racial motivator will.I almost feel like this discussion on race is a direct result of the broad strokes we let politicians get away with when discussing education. Lack of good education contributes as much harm, as any immigration tirade by Lou Dobbs.
My best friend's grandfather was the most racist man I had ever met, and everyone at his funeral said so... he was a depression born guy who never got through Middle school but went to work and then the military, and that contributed as much to horrific views on race as anything.
Obama is right that race plays a huge role still in society - but I think a bigger part of that discussion must be the horrific ways in which we fail to educate the citizens of this country - and the results we garner because of it.