Although 2011 has already started, I still wanted to take a moment and recognize or call out the people and organizations who I think deserve either bouquets or tomatoes tossed at them for their words and actions in 2010 regarding race issues.
Diversity Ink's Heroes of 2010: The Young Turks
Led by host Cenk Uygur (above center), The Young Turks have set the bar high when it comes to tackling race-related stories. In their pointed and humorous commentary, they don't hold their tongues nor do they pull any punches. Along with calling out the usual suspects (you know who they are ), TYT has also shined an unflattering light on lesser known people/institutions such as Sen. Jake Knott (who used the term "raghead" in reference to President Obama and then gubernatorial candidate for S.C. Nikki Haley) and the Walthall County School District (which was guilty of segregating students). Because accusations of racism aren't always cut and dry, TYT will sometimes question whether or not an incident is an example of racism or not. I also love the fact that the show has on guests that don't share their beliefs (for example, the controversial and far right Rev. Jesse Lee Peterson).
Honorable mentions for Heroes of 2010:
- MSNBC (with a special nod to Rachel Maddow for her segments on the Southern strategy)
- Shirley Sherrod
- Turner Classic Movies
- Joe Madison
- The Phoenix Suns
Diversity Ink's Villain of 2010: Fox News Channel
The Fox News Channel (aka the video equivalent of the "Southern strategy") knows that fanning the flames of race plays right into the hands of their followers who hang on their every word. Their overhyping of the New Black Panther Party case and the hit job they did on Shirley Sherrod are just two examples of how Fox does its part in widening the racial divide. The efforts of Fox didn't go unnoticed in 2010. Along with people like Howard Dean, the hosts of The Young Turks, and Shepherd Smith (one of the few hosts on Fox with any integrity), a program on one of its sister channels also got into the act of calling out Fox News for its underhanded tactics.
- Rush Limbaugh
- Rep. Steve King
- Jesse Lee Peterson
- Sharron Angle
- Gov. Jan Brewer
- Conservatives/Republicans who will bend over backwards to defend one of their own no matter how heinous the offense, but will pounce on a liberals/Democrats for the slightest misstep
Who are your heroes and villains when it comes to race matters for 2010?
39 comments:
Ok, Malcolm,
I Guess I'll Take the Videos One at a Time. In the First Video, Cenk Uygur Accuses Rush of Lying, Playing the Race Card, Making Things Up, Making No Sense, Taking Things Out of Context, Twisting Things, Etc., but no Evidence of any of this is Shown in the Video.
The Only Evidence Presented for Rush's Racism is the Fact that the Woman that he Accuses of Racism is a Black Woman, as if Black People are Immuned to all Criticism and anyone who Does Criticize them is Most Definitely a Racist. Yeh Right!!
The Only Thing that the Video shows is that Rush is Angry. So?
Apparently, at the End of Rush's Speech, Rush Says that "he doesn't want to Talk about this Any More" and that is Presented as Proof that Rush's Reason is that he doesn't want to "Appear Like the Lying Weasels that you Actually are" and that He doesn't Care About Facts, Makes Things Up, Takes Things Out of Context, Twists Things and "All for the Purpose of Propeganda".
Yeh, Like that is Rock Solid Evidence of all that. The Truth of the Matter is that no Real Evidence of any of the Accusations is Offered. Cenk Uygar doesn't Bother to Play what Rush Actually Said. Only his Angry Introduction. Nor does Cenk Play any Clip of Shirley Sherrod, who he is Defending. He just Wants us to Take him at his Word.
Anger does not Prove in any way the Invalidity of what is Said. Cenk Uygur is Guessing Motives ("All for the Sake of Propeganda") when in Reality he does not Know the Motives of Rush or anyone else.
Also, when Someone Says that they do not Want to Talk about this Anymore, this in no Way Proves the Assumed Motive for such a Statement. The Truth is that He Did Talk about it and what he said was not Shown in this Clip.
As to the Second Clip, Malcolm, how is Defending against an Accusation of Racism, "fanning the flames of race"? That Makes no Sense at all.
You Accuse Monica Crowley of "Whining about the Race Card" and yet your Only Defense is Fox Does it Too. That Argument is Quite Juvenile. It's Like Saying "Well, you Started it!" What is this? Are we in Grade School? If Monica Crawley's "Whining" is not Legitimate, then Show me the Evidence. There was none Offered in this Clip.
The First Liberal Shown on this Clip was Cynthia Tucker who Feels that the "Motive" of those who do not Believe in the Mosque, nor in Illegal Immigration is "Fear of a White Minority". It Actually Tires me how Often I have to say that it is the Location of the Mosque that is Offensive, not the Mere Presence of One in America.
The Assumption of Motive is Again the Only Argument that is Presented here and We do not Know the Motives of Others. I get Really Tired of Saying that as well.
True Racism Angers me just as much as it Angers anyone, yet I do not Believe that the Location of that Mosque, so Close to Ground Zero, is Appropriate and I Assure you that in my Case, Racism has nothing to do with it.
Is this what your Post is About, Malcolm? False Accusations of Racism? If so, I'm Probably not Going to Stick Around all that Long, because I Get Tired of Defending something Over and Over Again when someone is Determined to Keep Accusing Regardless of what I say.
As to Monica Crowley, Defending against False Accusations is all that she is Doing in this Clip and how can such be Criticized? You Can Call it Whining if you Want to, but all that is Really is Yet another Accusation that Lacks Substance. This Sort of Thing doesn't Make me Angry Really, just Tired and the Tiredness Makes me Wonder rather or not this is Really Worthy of my Time.
Don't go Guessing my Motives for Saying that, cause you do not Know my Motives. I said I was Tired and that is Exactly what I Meant and Nothing more and I'm Probably the Farthest Thing from a Racists that you are Ever Going to Find. I Love Blacks and Mexicans and Even Muslims.
When we Moved to Northern California, my Father-in-Law was Glad to Get Away from all the Blacks and Mexicans in the South, yet this Saddened me Greatly because I was Disappointed for the Same Exact Reason, for I Actually Think that Being Surrounded by Mostly White People like myself is rather Uninteresting and Boring.
Well Dusty,
As Usual, there is no Evidence Offered in Order to Support what you are Saying. This is a Very Common Liberal Short Fall. You haven't even Bothered to Give Examples of these so Called "Code Words".
Well, Malcolm, I finally Listened to that Second Clip a Second Time, In Order to Try and Analyze what your Complaints about it might be and to be Fair, I guess that Monica Crowley may have Interrupted Dr. Mark Sawyer quite a Bit at the Beginning and also may have Picked on him a little, yet in the End, she did Allow him to have the Last Word and I don't Think that she gave him any Less Time.
If you Think that Fox is Biased to the Right, that doesn't Really Bother me, because all of the Other TV News Stations, without Exception, are Biased to the Left. The Right Only has One Station and you have all of the Rest, so I don't Really Think that you have the Right to Complain.
It just So Happens that after Listening to this Clip Several Times, I Realize that I Agree Fully with Monica and Dr. Chris Metzler and not with Dr. Mark Sawyer. The Left Did, In Fact, Play the Race Card against the Tea Party in a Grossly Unfair Way, with No Evidence, just as Monica said. So for Mark Sawler to say that "No One is Playing that Card" shows Nothing but Ignorance and Bias.
Lista, if you are not familiar with GOProud and the CPAC convention you are pretty much an uninformed republican.
NYT writeup from the past on GOP code words:
http://www.nytimes.com/2002/12/13/us/divisive-words-news-analysis-gop-s-40-years-of-juggling-on-race.html?src=pm
Lista: You said: "In the First Video, Cenk Uygur Accuses Rush of Lying, Playing the Race Card, Making Things Up, Making No Sense, Taking Things Out of Context, Twisting Things, Etc., but no Evidence of any of this is Shown in the Video."
First of all, Cenk didn't accuse Rush specifically of all the things you mentioned. He was referring to people on the right (Rush included) who doubled down and continued to lie about the Shirley Sherrod incident even after it was proven that the video footage which was supposed to prove she was a racist was bogus. It wasn't necessary for Cenk to go into detail with examples of the accusations he leveled against the right. Anyone with an ounce of objectivity who followed the Shirley Sherrod story knows that people on the right made things up, took things out of context, and twisted them (example: trying to paint Shirley Sherrod as a racist by only posting/playing a portion of what she said at the NAACP function). Cenk was talking specifically about Rush in regards to making no sense because Rush didn't (big surprise). As Cenk said in the clip, Rush accused the left of playing the race card when it was people on the right playing the race card!
Lista said: “The Only Evidence Presented for Rush's Racism is the Fact that the Woman that he Accuses of Racism is a Black Woman, as if Black People are Immuned to all Criticism and anyone who Does Criticize them is Most Definitely a Racist. Yeh Right!!”
Cenk neither said nor did he imply that blacks are immune to criticism and that anyone who criticizes them is a racist. You’re jumping to conclusions.
Lista said: “Yeh, Like that is Rock Solid Evidence of all that. The Truth of the Matter is that no Real Evidence of any of the Accusations is Offered. Cenk Uygar doesn't Bother to Play what Rush Actually Said. Only his Angry Introduction. Nor does Cenk Play any Clip of Shirley Sherrod, who he is Defending. He just Wants us to Take him at his Word.”
Did you want Cenk to play Rush’s entire show?! The intro was all that was needed for Cenk to prove his point. It also wasn’t necessary for Cenk to play any clip of Shirley Sherrod in that instance. He had already done so prior to that show, so it would have been redundant for him to rehash it.
Lista said: “Anger does not Prove in any way the Invalidity of what is Said. Cenk Uygur is Guessing Motives ("All for the Sake of Propeganda") when in Reality he does not Know the Motives of Rush or anyone else.”
“Also, when Someone Says that they do not Want to Talk about this Anymore, this in no Way Proves the Assumed Motive for such a Statement. The Truth is that He Did Talk about it and what he said was not Shown in this Clip.”
Cenk is offering his opinion, which is what pundits do.
I will respond to the statements you made on the 2nd video in a separate comments post.
"States Rights" was Originally a Concept that Carried with it the Right to Own Slaves, yet that was a Long Time Ago. Today the Main States Issue would be the Right for States to Make their Own Decisions about Issues such as Abortion.
I Suppose it would Make sense and is Even Understandable if some Black Americans Still have an Emotional Reaction to the Phrase, yet they Need to be Aware that not Everyone is Thinking about Slavery when they Say or Hear this Phrase.
Unfortunately, the Level of Caution Required in Speech is Often High Enough to Make One Feel as if they are Walking on Egg Shells and when this Happens, it is not Unjust to Ask People to Try and not Take Things so Personally and to Not Assume that what is Said Means something that it does not.
Since I Live in Northern California, I don't Witness the Same amount of Racism as I hear there still is in some of the Southern States. When I do see or Hear of it, it Genuinely Appalls me, because I'm not Used to it. Apparently, it does Still Exist, yet the Very Fact that a Black President was Elected, shows that our Country, as a Whole, is not that Racist.
Well, if it is True that what Shirley Sherrod was Accused of is a Lie, than since the Racists Accusations against the Tea Party was also a Lie, then I guess that Makes us Even, so Perhaps it is Time for us to just Forgive each other and Move on.
When Monica Crowley Spoke of the Race Card, though, she was not Talking about the Shirley Sherrod Incident, but about the Inaccurate Accusations that had been Made against the Tea Party.
Perhaps when I said that there was no Evidence Presented in the Clip, what I should have said is that there was no Evidence Presented in your Post, yet in Order to be Sure of that, I guess I Better Click on the Two Links that you Included in your Post.
Lista: “As to the Second Clip, Malcolm, how is Defending against an Accusation of Racism, "fanning the flames of race"? That Makes no Sense at all.”
Monica’s argument is based on a false premise. In her intro she said, “Some folks on the far left are blaming white people for the angst in America”. She and Dr. Metzler are saying that Cynthia accused all whites of being racists. That’s not even close to being true! I don’t know about you, but I watched the entire episode of “The Chris Matthews Show” when Cynthia made those comments when it first aired. The link below is a 2:10 clip that contains all of Cynthia’s “elephant in the room” commentary:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PJd_NFX76Tg
Cynthia didn’t say all whites are bigots. She said many white Americans fear a white minority. Immediately before the portion of the clip that Fox aired, Cynthia acknowledged there is voter anger and discontent. She wasn’t placing all of it in a racial context. It’s funny how Fox didn’t air that part.
Lista: “You Accuse Monica Crowley of "Whining about the Race Card" and yet your Only Defense is Fox Does it Too. That Argument is Quite Juvenile. It's Like Saying "Well, you Started it!" What is this? Are we in Grade School? If Monica Crawley's "Whining" is not Legitimate, then Show me the Evidence. There was none Offered in this Clip.”
Your comments make no sense! I hope you realize that I only posted this clip (which I found on the Crooks and Liars site). I did not create nor did I title it.
Lista: “The First Liberal Shown on this Clip was Cynthia Tucker who Feels that the "Motive" of those who do not Believe in the Mosque, nor in Illegal Immigration is "Fear of a White Minority". It Actually Tires me how Often I have to say that it is the Location of the Mosque that is Offensive, not the Mere Presence of One in America.”
Do you realize that a mosque was actually in the World Trade Center on 9/11?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VmtTuhULJro
Also, if the Park51 project controversy was only about its location, explain this:
http://www.ibtimes.com/articles/46449/20100826/mosque-islam-hate.htm
Lista: “Is this what your Post is About, Malcolm? False Accusations of Racism? If so, I'm Probably not Going to Stick Around all that Long, because I Get Tired of Defending something Over and Over Again when someone is Determined to Keep Accusing Regardless of what I say.”
The point of this post was to highlight those who I feel have made things better or worse in regards to race. Incidents involving people of different races (for example, a black man and a white man have a disagreement) aren’t always about race. In fact, there are posts at Diversity Ink which pose a question along the lines of “Is this incident an example of racism”.
Lista: “As to Monica Crowley, Defending against False Accusations is all that she is Doing in this Clip and how can such be Criticized? You Can Call it Whining if you Want to, but all that is Really is Yet another Accusation that Lacks Substance. This Sort of Thing doesn't Make me Angry Really, just Tired and the Tiredness Makes me Wonder rather or not this is Really Worthy of my Time.”
“Don't go Guessing my Motives for Saying that, cause you do not Know my Motives. I said I was Tired and that is Exactly what I Meant and Nothing more and I'm Probably the Farthest Thing from a Racists that you are Ever Going to Find. I Love Blacks and Mexicans and Even Muslims.”
I’m criticizing Monica because her defense was weak. One of her points was that America elected a Black president with 53% of the vote. It’s funny how people like Monica who would never vote for Pres. Obama will use his winning the Presidency as proof that we as a nation have moved beyond race.
Also, you are again jumping to conclusions. I had no plans of trying to guess what your motives were for questioning whether or not commenting here was worth your time.
To be continued…
Dusty: Thanks for stopping by and for providing a link to an article about the GOP strategy over the years when it comes to race. By the way, nice line about the GOP being a pup tent. Like they say, in humor there is truth.
Lista said: "f you Think that Fox is Biased to the Right, that doesn't Really Bother me, because all of the Other TV News Stations, without Exception, are Biased to the Left."
That's funny. You have accused me, Dusty, and the left in general of offering no evidence to support what we are saying. Yet, you do the same thing in painting all the TV news stations other than Fox as liberal. That right-wing talking point is not only tired, it's false.
I say it's false because I watch various news outlets (mainly MSNBC and Fox). Also, according to Eric Alterman’s book “What Liberal Media?: The Truth About Bias and the News“, conservative pundit Bill Kristol admitted the “liberal media” claim is a myth in a New Yorker interview. Here is a link to an excerpt from the book:
http://www.thirdworldtraveler.com/Corporate_Media/Conservative_Media_WLM.html
Are you prepared to back up your statement that all TV news stations except for Fox are liberal?
My beef with Fox News (which is shared by other liberals to whom I've spoken) is not that they are conservative. No, I detest Fox because they claim to be fair and balanced when they are not. For example, the closest they come to being able to say they have a regular host who is left-leaning is Shepherd Smith. That's just one host out of several! Also, more often than not, a guest on Fox with a liberal point of view will be talked over and/or outnumbered. Case in point, the Monica Crowley clip I posted. If Fox was to come out and say they have a conservative agenda, I'd have no problem with it. But for them to use the "fair and balanced" slogan is a joke.
The main thing I don't like about Fox is their tendency to push lies and misinformation in order to portray liberals/Democrats (esp. President Obama) in a bad light. Examples:
Sean Hannity's false claims about President Obama's speech in France in 2009:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IsqX6PmlYAw
Bill O'Reilly caught lying about comments made by Fox personalities regarding the health care bill:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WKH5rLVhxK4
The lie about the cost of President Obama's recent trip to India:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yn7_8QL2weQ
I could go on about the lies told by Fox News, but I think the point is made.
Lista said: "Well, if it is True that what Shirley Sherrod was Accused of is a Lie, than since the Racists Accusations against the Tea Party was also a Lie, then I guess that Makes us Even, so Perhaps it is Time for us to just Forgive each other and Move on."
Not so fast. As I said before, the accusations of racism by the NAACP weren't against the Tea Party as a whole. The NAACP and others (me included) feel that there are elements of racism within the Tea Party that shouldn't be tolerated. If you haven't seen any of the signs or heard any of the rhetoric that is racist in tone from members of the Tea Party, you haven't been paying attention.
Here is an interview of the head of the NAACP on the subject:
http://www.clicker.com/tv/morning-joe/Jealous-We-aren-t-saying-Tea-Party-is-racist-1008825/
So Lista, you believe that racism only affects black people? Seriously?
Electing Barack Obama did nothing to change the debate about racism in Amerika. It's still alive and well, and as I said..racists speak more in code now when they verbally attack people of color. John McCain's 'uppidity' reference during the 08 election proves that.
Oh and pleading ignorance about racism does nothing for your credibility. Especially after you called me out on it.
Malcolm, I really am glad I found your blog. As a brown bitch I refuse to let racism and bigotry get a free pass in Amerika. It's still out there as strong as before Obama was elected.
Lista appears to be one of those rightwingers who buy into all the Faux Noise bs..so really...trying to hold a meaningful discussion w/her will get you nowhere because Faux viewers are the most uninformed folks on the planet.
Getting bogged down in the ridiculous argument as to whether or not Limbaugh is a racist is beneath anyone with an IQ over 70. He is. There simply is no doubt about it. Anyone who would utter the statement, "Look, let me put it to you this way: the NFL all too often looks like a game between the Bloods and the Crips without any weapons. There, I said it," has some very questionable beliefs about people of color.
Well, if it is True that what Shirley Sherrod was Accused of is a Lie, than since the Racists Accusations against the Tea Party was also a Lie, then I guess that Makes us Even Do you Lista, still believe what Breitbart did to Sherrod was accurate and true? How in the hell can you even suggest that 'we are even'?
Why don't YOU provide some examples of where the teabaggers were unjustly accused of lying and/or racism?
Dusty: Although my busy schedule doesn't allow me to post as much as I'd like, I will call out racism and bigotry when I see it. With some of the racist/racially insensitive comments that have been spouted by public figures during the Obama presidency, I've had trouble keeping up at times.
As for Lista, she appears to be the typical Fox News viewer/sheep. However, I am going to give her the benefit of the doubt for the time being. I've laid out several instances of when Fox news has distorted the truth or outright lied in order to push the conservative viewpoint and have yet to hear a response from her. Again I'm giving her the benefit of the doubt. Since my last comments here, the Tuscon tragedy happened. My preoccupation with this event and life in general has kept me from responding here sooner. Lista could be in the same boat. Because I am interested to hear her response to the facts you and I have laid out about Fox and Breitbart, I'm going to give her a nudge.
Dave: When it comes to Rush and his racism, his loyal flock love playing the game "Defending the Indefensible". If Keith Olbermann had made any of the outrageous statements that Rush has uttered over the years, the right would have been calling for his head.
Hi Malcolm,
I'm Still Connected to this Post through my Email and yet I've been Rather Busy and Distracted Lately. Thanks for Giving me the Benefit of a doubt. I Greatly Appreciate that. I do Admit that I Watch Fox News more Often then the Other News Channels, yet as a Moderate, I do Listen to what Liberals Say more than a lot of the other Conservatives on the Web.
I do not Disregard any of it Based on the Fact that the Information Came from a Liberal. In Truth, there are Liberals that I have Learned things from.
Though I Admit that Racism as well as Prejudice does Exist, I also Believe that there are a lot of False Accusations going Around in Cases in which Racism does not Exist.
I have Written Something rather Long that is Still in my Word Processor and I just have to Go Back and Proof Read it and Submit it. Perhaps I'll Try to Get to that Some Time Later this Evening, if not before.
Yes, Malcolm, I am in the Same Very Busy and Distracted Boat. Thanks for the Nudge and the Communication that you are Interested in what I have to say. I did Hear you and I Thank You.
Lista has done nothing but call out everyone here. She hasn't backed up squat about her 'positions'. When we have backed up ours..her line has been we are cough..even.
I give her the benefit of the doubt on nothing at this point.
Yes, Dusty, and you are Highly Impatient, as well as Judgmental. Here is what I Wrote Earlier in my Word Processor.
Hi Malcolm,
I did not in any Way Hear either Monica or Dr. Metzler Say that Cynthia Accused ALL Whites of Being Racists. Monica, for the Most Part, was Talking about the Tea Party and from what I can Gather, Dr. Sawyer was Talking about the Incident with Shirley Sherrod. I don't Recall Cynthia's Name being Said by either Monica or Dr. Metzler.
Whether than Giving me Evidence of what Cynthia said, you had Better give me Evidence of what you say she was Accused of Saying.
If I Mistakenly Address you as the Author of something that you did not Write, this doesn't Change what I was Saying to or about the Actual Author, whoever that may be.
"Do you realize that a mosque was actually in the World Trade Center on 9/11?"
You Know, sometimes things get so Confused that I'm not Even Sure anymore who is Assuming Motive. Are the Liberals Assuming the Motive of Racism or are those Opposing the Mosque Assuming the Motives of those who want to Build the Mosque? My Guess is that Both of these Things are Occurring. Politics are so Emotional and No One Seems to Give Anyone the Benefit of a Doubt for anything.
"The point of this post was to highlight those who I feel have made things better or worse in regards to race."
Generally, it Takes Two to Tangle and I don't Tend to Like Comparison Games for the Purpose of Establishing who is Worse and who is Better. We are all Human and Both Liberals and Conservatives say and Do Foolish Things.
"I’m criticizing Monica because her defense was weak."
They Accused the Tea Party of Racism, Malcolm, and no Evidence Supporting that Accusation Could be Produced. That is Simply a Fact and there is no Weakness at all in that Argument.
Biased News
When a News Media is Biased in the Direction that you Prefer, you are not as Likely to Notice it. I'm sure that Eric Alterman is Biased just Like Everyone Else. For a Book on this Subject to be Believable, it would have to Contain both Liberal and Conservative Authors that were both in Agreement on the Issue.
The Opinion of One Conservative in an Interview does not Impress me. He is by Far Out Numbered by other Conservatives who Disagree.
Mostly the Criticism that the Left Media has been Given has to do with Stories that they do not Bother to Cover, such as some of the Progress that was Made in the War During Bush's Term in Office.
Well, yeh, I Agree that Fox should not Claim to be "Fair and Balanced". No News Station can Make that Claim. Not a Single One.
Also, All News Stations Push Lies and Misinformation.
What Tea Party Signs are you Referring to. Our Tea Party Forbids such Signs. Once in Awhile People Show Up that are not a Part of Our Group, though, so we have Actually Made Additional Signs with Arrows on them that say "They are not a Part of Our Group".
Dusty,
"So Lista, you believe that racism only affects black people? Seriously?"
I Never Said that and Never Would. Also, How can you be Sure of the Actual Motives and Meanings of These Code Words? "States Rights", For Example, does not always Refer to Racial Issues. If you Read the Entire History of the "Southern Strategy", as Malcolm has given a Link to, you will Realize that this is True.
More for Dusty,
If you do not Believe that I am not a Racists and are Determined to be Judgmental and to Think Otherwise of me, there is nothing that I can do about that.
I'm not sure what I called you Out On and by the Way, if you do Happen to be of a Different Race, I am not Aware to that Cause I do not Know you and have not Read your Profile.
Oh, I Guess you're Brown. With the Use of the "Find on this Page" Button, I Now Realize that you have Said that Once Before and you Probably will not Believe me when I Tell you that I Missed it the First Time you Said it, yet believe it or not, that is the Truth. Being Brown, though, is not a Free Pass for you to Call all Criticism Racism.
"Do you, Lista, still believe what Breitbart did to Sherrod was accurate and true? How in the hell can you even suggest that 'we are even'?"
I did not Say that I Believe that the Story is Accurate and True, I Said is that if it isn't, then we are Even Because the Story about the Tea Party is also not True. You Even Quoted it and yet Still Didn't Hear it Right.
Dave Splash,
If you were to Change your Quote to Refer to Two Gangs without the Mention of any Names, or to Two Countries, Chosen at Random without Regards to Color, the Statement would not be Racist. Your Claim is Based on Nothing more than the Fact that people Mentioned in the Statement, just Happen to be of Color.
There was Actually a Significant Financial Reward Offered Once for anyone who could Produce Proof of the Accused Racial Remarks made at a Certain Tea Party Event and no One Could Produce any and that is why we are Even.
PS - Oh and BTW, In the more Current News Story, as was Mentioned by Malcolm, the Liberal Media was Trying to Blame Conservatives, such as Sarah Palin, for the Shooting of the Congress Woman in Tuscon, yet Later when they Caught and Interviewed the Guy who did the Shooting, they Realized that these Claims were False. Fox was the Only News Channel that Aired this Story. The Other's just Ignored it because it did not Support their Earlier Accusations.
Yes, Dusty, and you are Highly Impatient, as well as Judgmental. Um, I quoted you directly here:
Well, if it is True that what Shirley Sherrod was Accused of is a Lie, than since the Racists Accusations against the Tea Party was also a Lie, then I guess that Makes us Even The Breitbart edited video was a total fabrication of racism against Shirley Sherrod. He never apologized nor did your friends at Fox news. http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/22/shirley-sherrod-sue-andrew-breitbart
As for teaparties not being racists, here is a nice little example of one of their own who btw actually claims to be a founding member, caught holding a sign with the word niggar on it. http://www.mediaite.com/online/tea-party-leader-that-claimed-no-slurs-now-famous-for-n-word-sign/ not enough for you? Here is another article on the same guy at the same rally: http://washingtonindependent.com/73036/n-word-sign-dogs-would-be-tea-party-leader
If you want to argue the context of the NYT article, you are barking up the wrong tree and I refuse to go there with someone of your ilk...sorry ain't gonna happen as you bring nothing to the table, other than accusations. You bring nothing to support your positions, because you can not...unless you want to turn to Fox News or the Washington Times.
Oh, and Who interviewed the shooter Lista? Try being more specific ok? Jesus.
Here ya go Lista, a WaPo story from Jan of this year: Republican school board in N.C. backed by tea party abolishes integration policy.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/01/11/AR2011011107063.html?sid=ST2011011202619
Seems the South plans to rise again! No racism there right?? Not even a hint of it. right?
Lista: We're getting caught up in semantics here. Monica implied that Cynthia said we are nation of bigots and racists. Again, that's not even remotely true. As the entire clip that I linked to shows, Cynthia didn't put voter anger and resentment in a totally racial context. If Fox News had any integrity, they would have played all of Cynthia's comments.
You said: "They Accused the Tea Party of Racism, Malcolm, and no Evidence Supporting that Accusation Could be Produced. That is Simply a Fact and there is no Weakness at all in that Argument."
Who is “they”? If you are referring to the NAACP, I already provided a link debunking the lie that the NAACP accused the Tea Party in general of being racist. Here it is again:
http://www.clicker.com/tv/morning-joe/Jealous-We-aren-t-saying-Tea-Party-is-racist-1008825/
Evidence has been produced that there are elements of racism within the Tea Party. Follow the link below and tell me that some of those signs don't have tinges of racism:
http://www.google.com/images?um=1&hl=en&client=firefox-a&rls=org.mozilla%3Aen-US%3Aofficial&biw=1013&bih=517&tbs=isch%3A1&sa=1&q=tea+party+racist+signs&aq=1&aqi=g3&aql=&oq=tea+party+racist
Mark Williams of the Tea Party Express was denounced by David Webb of the Natl. Tea Party Federation for the following offensive letter:
http://blog.reidreport.com/2010/07/tea-partier-mark-williams-writes-open-letter-to-lincoln-from-the-coloreds/
A Tea Party candidate for Arkansas governor was also a White Nationalist:
http://electionink.com/showthread.php/1717-KKK-Tea-Party-Billy-Roper-for-governor-of-Arkansas
When Dusty said you’ve done nothing but call us out, I believe she was referring to the fact that you accused us of not producing evidence to back up our claims. In each case, Dusty and I came back with ample evidence. You on the other hand haven’t. When I asked you “Are you prepared to back up your statement that all TV news stations except for Fox are liberal?”, I guess the answer is “no” because you came back empty handed. Dusty asked you “Why don't YOU provide some examples of where the teabaggers were unjustly accused of lying and/or racism?” Again, you came back empty handed.
When I provide several examples of how Fox News lies and distorts the truth, you respond by saying “Also, All News Stations Push Lies and Misinformation.” First of all, the “everyone else does it” defense doesn’t fly. Furthermore, I don’t even know why you’d make a blanket statement like that unless you are prepared to back it up. Can you back up your claim that all news stations push lies and misinformation?
Lista, you said: "Oh and BTW, In the more Current News Story, as was Mentioned by Malcolm, the Liberal Media was Trying to Blame Conservatives, such as Sarah Palin, for the Shooting of the Congress Woman in Tuscon, yet Later when they Caught and Interviewed the Guy who did the Shooting, they Realized that these Claims were False. Fox was the Only News Channel that Aired this Story. The Other's just Ignored it because it did not Support their Earlier Accusations."
To say that Fox was the only news channel not to blame conservative public figures for the Tuscon tragedy is simply not true. I have heard people like Ed Schultz and others of the so-called liberal media say that conservatives such as Sarah Palin were not responsible. In fact, what I've heard TV commentators say is that although the hateful rhetoric/violent imagery of people like Palin and Beck aren't responsible for the Tuscon tragedy, it is possible that this type of reckless behavior could potentially lead to violence.
Hi Dusty,
When I said that you were Impatient and Judgmental, Dusty, I was Responding to the Most Recent of your Comments just Prior to me Saying it. I was Responding to your Words...
"Lista has done nothing but call out everyone here. She hasn't backed up squat about her 'positions'."
You are Forgetting, Dusty, that we have a Three Against One Situation Here, so it's Hard to Keep Up and I Happen to have a Life Apart from the Computer.
Like I said, Dusty, the Accusation against the Tea Party was also a Lie. And when I Say this, I am Referring to the time in Which Money was Offered as a Reward for Proof of a Certain Accusation Relating to a Certain Event and no Proof could be Produced, so it was an Out Right Lie.
Ok Fine. Here is a Link to the Story.
http://biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2010/03/25/2010-a-race-odyssey-disproving-a-negative-for-cash-prizes-or-how-the-civil-rights-movement-jumped-the-shark/
I'm not going to do Massive Amounts of Web Research, though, Dusty, for the Sake of Recalling Mud that could be Slung at Liberals. Nor am I Going to Do it for the Sake of Defending against Mud Slung at Me. I'm not Like that. It has nothing to do with rather I Can or Can't. It is a Matter of Time and Energy, but go Ahead an Accuse me of Something Else. Judge me and Feel Certain that you Know my Motives for Reluctance to Participate. That Appears to be what you do Best.
In My Opinion, it is Pointless to go Over and Over this, Continually Accusing Each Other and than Pointing Out the Discrepancies in the Accusations. In my Opinion, Dusty, this Particular Comment Thread is Nothing More than a Mud Slinging Match. I Usually don't Participate in such and if I Go Away again and you Assume it is because I can not Produce Evidence, then you are Assuming my Motives and Being Judgmental. To be Honest, I do not Quite have the Time for the Type Dialogue and Web Research that you Appear to be Requiring, just for the Sake of Slinging Mud at Each Other.
I've Got More to Say, but I also Happen to have a Life Apart from the Computer.
Hi Malcolm,
It Looks Like you Wrote while I was Responding to Dusty and I Want to Say again how Greatly I Appreciate the Fact that you have Expressed Interest in my Point of View and I Mean that Sincerely, yet it is not Worth it to me if I am Going to Be Kept on the Defensive by a Pack of Liberal Wolfs. Forgive me for Saying that. It's just that I am Intelligent, and yet a Slow Reader and this is why Web Research is a Little Hard for me, as Well as the Reading and Responding to a Large Number of Web Pages.
Between Dusty's 4 Links and your 4 Links, I'm just not Up for this. I Guess I can do this, but it may be Several Days Between Comments. Whether Dusty Chooses to Judge me for that or not, so be it.
Don't you see, Malcolm, I'm Going to Have to Listen to that Clip again in Order to Respond to your First Paragraph. Also, to Answer Questions about "What?" and "Who?", I have to do Web Research because I Rarely Ever Remember Details Off the Top of my Head Like That, though I did Happen to Find that Story and the Link is in my Response to Dusty.
You Invited me Here, Malcolm. I did not Come because of Interest in the Subject. And I did not come Here to be Insulted about what Details I do or do not Know just off the Top of my Head about a Subject of your Choosing. Web Research is not my Specialty. Evaluating the Validity or Lack there of of Arguments is what I do Best. I do not See Why I should Apologize for that.
In Reality, I have not Come Back Empty Handed, I just Can't Keep Up with the Pace at Which such Evidence is Expected.
"The 'everyone else does it' defense doesn’t fly."
In General, that is True and yet when Talking about the Comparison of Groups, I do not Believe that the Republicans are any Worse than Liberals are and this is Why the Accusations that are Being Thrown Back and Forth between the Two are Pointless, but to Prove this, I would have to Participate in a Mud Slinging Match and I Honestly and Truthfully am not Into that Sort of Thing.
The Real Problem, though, is that Accusing a Few within a Group of Something is Meaningless if this is not what the Group as a Whole Represents. This is Called Generalizing and Stereo Typing and is Basically no Different than Racism, which is just another Form of Stereo Typing.
I'd like to see you Produce Evidence that Sarah Palin has Said anything thing that is "Hateful" or "Violent" in Nature. That's Hard for me to Believe. That is not to say, however, that if you don't Produce such Evidence Immediately that I'm going to Assume that you Can't. I'm not Like That.
In Fact, Since I'm a Slow Reader, I'd Actually Prefer it if you would Only Provide One Link.
Hey Lista,
Don't bother, as I won't be reading anything Breitbart as to say to support your harebrained pov. biggovt is his site as he is the punk ass bitch who fabricated the racist lie against Shirely Sherrod. He offers nothing to support shit.
You have the audacity at the beginning of this conversation to say that I do not support my pov and now you refuse to support yours simply because you have a life apart from your computer?
HAHAHAHAHA..whatever. That is a great way to say you have no way to back up your assertions.
Bye, I won't be reading your senseless dribble any longer as I have better things to do.
If I do Bother, Dusty, it will not be for your Sake, but for Malcolm's. I did not Come to this Post to Talk to you anyway. I came here to Talk to Malcolm. You Wanted me to Offer Proof and I did so. If you choose not to Read it, that is your Business, but stop with your Accusations that I can not Produce it.
Here's another Link that you can Avoid Reading, while Insulting me. If Malcolm Read's it, or is just Reminded of the Story, then I have not Wasted my Time.
http://letterstoadyingdream.wordpress.com/2010/03/29/stop-it-with-the-bullshit-racism-charges-already/
I have not Refused to Support my Position, Dusty. I've Given you Two Links now, but Nothing's going to Satisfy you.
"That is a great way to say you have no way to back up your assertions."
Assumption of Motive has Never Been a Good Argument in Support of anything. Perhaps I should Guess your Motives now for your Decision to Stop Reading what I'm Saying. Let's see. Could it Be Because you Only Like Listening to and Reading what you Agree with?
See. I can Accuse to, but I Know that such is not an Argument. It's just an senseless Assumption and Accusation, so I'm not Going to Assume that I Know the Answer to that Question.
Lista,Get over yourself. You have provided nothing of substance. Nothing. For you to even suggest you have shows how little respect you have for Malcolm or our intelligence. Adios you little rightwinger you!
So go Away Already. What are you Waiting for? I found Little of Substance in your Links either, which I have, In Fact, Read Every One, though I haven't had the Time to Respond.
You Need to Get Over Yourself as well. I Gave you No Time Limit in which to Produce the Evidence that I Requested. The Fact that you have the Ability to Produce more Links with a Greater Speed than I can does not in any Way Prove that your Argument is Superior. Only that you are a Fast Reader, Typist, Web Searcher and/or have more Time to Spend at the Computer. Since I have Just Told you Several Things that you are Probably better at than me. How is it that I Need to "Get Over Myself"?
Lista: When you asked me to provide evidence to back up claims I made, I was cool with it. For you to say you have a life away from the computer when we ask you to back up your statements is weak. I have an active life away from the computer too, as I am sure Dusty does. If you want back up, I‘ll give it to you. I think it’s only fair that you return the favor when we ask the same of you.
I checked out the link you provided to a post asking for an end to accusations of racism against the Tea Party. Whether or not anyone uttered the N-word at Rep. John Lewis, who’s to say? However, just because there is no audio evidence doesn’t mean it didn’t happen. With the exception of Janeane Garafalo, I haven't heard any public figure say that the Tea Party as a whole is racist. Yet, I keep hearing conservatives repeat the same tired line that liberals are painting all Tea Partyers as racists. Sorry, but that's a right-wing talking point with no basis in fact. Although I think the Tea Party has a racist element, I don’t think all Tea Party people are racists. Think of it this way. I feel that the Michael Jackson/Paul McCartney song “The Girl Is Mine” is a mediocre track. However, that doesn’t mean I think the album “Thriller” as a whole is a mediocre album.
My reference to hateful rhetoric was directed at Glenn Beck and not Sarah Palin. However, the reference to violent imagery was directed at both of them. My inclusion of both of them in that sentence didn't make my feelings clear; that's my fault. As for the use of violent imagery by Palin:
1. The map by her PAC which used crosshairs and listed politicians who voted for health reform by name.
2. The constant use of terms such as "don't retreat, reload".
Just to be clear, I don’t Sarah Palin intended for anyone to literally take up arms. However, in the current heated political climate, using imagery/terminology which conjures up guns isn’t a good idea. Hell, I’ve seen photos of Tea Party protesters with signs that say, “We came unarmed… this time!”
Actually, Sarah Palin is one of the least offensive in this regard. Michelle Bachmann once said she wanted Minnesotans "armed and dangerous on this issue of the energy tax because we need to fight back." Joyce Kaufman, the former aide to Rep. Allen West said at one of his rallies, ““if ballots don't work, bullets will”. I don’t think there’s any misconstruing what these ladies meant.
I think this comment thread has run its course. However, I hope you come back to comment on future posts at Diversity Ink. However, when you do, come correct because you will get challenged if you don’t.
Hi Malcolm,
I'm Actually Sort of Hoping that you will not Mind if I Put One Last Set of Comments Beneath this Post.
"For you to say you have a life away from the computer when we ask you to back up your statements is weak."
Well, if the Time Issue is not Sufficient, then Perhaps it is a Priority Issue, such as Placing the Priority of Taring Down Arguments Ahead of the Priority of Supporting Arguments. If this Priority Decision was Incorrect, then I Apologize, yet I shouldn't have to Justify my Tiredness, Lack of Interest, Inability to Keep Up or Any Other Human Weakness that I Have because of my Own Humanness.
Just Because a Blogger is Highly Efficient doesn't Make all that he or she Believes in Correct. Think about it and you will Realize that what I am Saying is True.
There is a Possibility that I should not have Entered into this Discussion in the First Place, yet what Dusty Needs to Realize is that that it is not Because there are not Valid Republican Answers to all of your Questions.
"With the exception of Janeane Garafalo, I haven't heard any public figure say that the Tea Party as a whole is racist.",
If Liberals Keep Pointing Out Racism in the Tea Party and the Point to it is not to Establish that the Tea Party is Racist, then what is their Point? I can't see any Point to it besides that. If that's not their Point, then what is it?
I'm Tired! Do I have to Justify that? Is that Statement Weak as Well? Why am I Required to Justify Myself to you Guys? Do I not Have the Right to Make the Decision to Go Away if I Want to? And if I do have that Right, then do I not also have the Right to not Do the Web Research Required in Order to Satisfy you Guys? Or at the Very Least, to do it at my Own Pace?, for I did not Place any Time Limits on my Requests for you to Back Up your Arguments.
I'm not a News Junky. I'm just a Person who Knows when I've Heard Good Arguments and when I've Heard Poor Ones. I Require Patience from those that I Talk to and there are some Blogs that I have to Avoid for this Reason. I Sense that you are the Type of Person, Malcolm, who does have the Ability to be Patient with me, but I do not Think that Dusty does.
It is Necessary to Know the Names of those Politicians who Voted for the Health Reform Bill. That's Public Information. That's not Hate Speech.
As to "Don't Retreat, Reload", Chuckle, Well, Perhaps she Could have Worded that Differently, but it's just a Metaphor, so I Still Think that even Calling this Hate Speech is a Little Exaggerated.
"Actually, Sarah Palin is one of the least offensive in this regard."
Well, I Thank you for That, for I Actually Happen to Like Her. This is a Highly Emotional Issue, though, and it is Hard to Keep Speech Fully Under Control when the Issues are really Important to those who are Speaking.
Don't you see?. I'm Slow and Blogs are Fast. I haven't had the Chance to Fully Support my Arguments and it is not as if I am Unwilling, yet you are Closing the Comment Thread. I was just getting Ready to Ask you to Remind me Again what you want me to Support and yet I guess we're Out of Time. I just don't Like it when the Hare Judges the Turtle. Hares Think they are So Smart, yet if they are too Cocky, the Turtle Wins the Race.
You Know, Here is a Link that Might Help to Back Up the Problem with the Liberal Media...
http://www.theminorityreportblog.com/2011/01/16/4-reasons-why-the-msm-botched-the-tuscon-massacre-and-why-they-owe-the-victims-and-sarah-palin-an-apology/
The Blog Author Sort of Chose Colors that are Hard on the Eyes and he went on and on to the Point in which I didn't Bother to Read it all, but what I did Read was Good and the Very First Video Shows Evidence that when a Person, such as O' Reilly, says that the Media is Biased in a Liberal Direction, it is not as if he does so without Providing Evidence. Whether you Like the Guy or not is Really Beside the Point. The Evidence Presented is Still Evidence.
Lista: The reasons I said this comment thread had run its course is because:
A. We had gotten away from the topic of the post.
B. We just ended up going 'round and 'round without seeming to get anywhere.
At any rate, I'll address your last set of comments and then call it a day on this thread.
You said: "Well, if the Time Issue is not Sufficient, then Perhaps it is a Priority Issue, such as Placing the Priority of Taring Down Arguments Ahead of the Priority of Supporting Arguments. If this Priority Decision was Incorrect, then I Apologize, yet I shouldn't have to Justify my Tiredness, Lack of Interest, Inability to Keep Up or Any Other Human Weakness that I Have because of my Own Humanness."
If you are unwilling/unable to provide evidence to support your arguments due to the reasons you cited above, fair enough. However, I don't think it's fair for you to ask others to do what you aren't willing/able to do.
You said: "Just Because a Blogger is Highly Efficient doesn't Make all that he or she Believes in Correct."
I never said that it necessarily did. However, when I’m providing facts to back up my arguments, there’s no debating them.
You said: "If Liberals Keep Pointing Out Racism in the Tea Party and the Point to it is not to Establish that the Tea Party is Racist, then what is their Point? I can't see any Point to it besides that. If that's not their Point, then what is it?"
The reason that I and others point out racism within the Tea Party is that we see it as a problem that could mushroom if the more responsible members of the movement don't address it. Just in case I wasn't clear, we are not saying that being a Tea Party member automatically makes one a racist. However, lying about the existence of racism and/or looking the other way isn't going to make it go away.
You said: "I'm Tired! Do I have to Justify that? Is that Statement Weak as Well? Why am I Required to Justify Myself to you Guys? Do I not Have the Right to Make the Decision to Go Away if I Want to? And if I do have that Right, then do I not also have the Right to not Do the Web Research Required in Order to Satisfy you Guys? Or at the Very Least, to do it at my Own Pace?, for I did not Place any Time Limits on my Requests for you to Back Up your Arguments."
You don't have to justify anything. Again, if you want me to provide evidence to back up what I say, that's a fair request. When I type something here (be it a blog post or a comment), I am pretty much already prepared to back up my argument. In that regard, I don't have to do a lot of research because I usually know where I've read or seen the info in question. If I don't the first time around it's for brevity's sake or because I'm assuming most people already know what I'm talking about.
You said: "It is Necessary to Know the Names of those Politicians who Voted for the Health Reform Bill. That's Public Information. That's not Hate Speech.
As to "Don't Retreat, Reload", Chuckle, Well, Perhaps she Could have Worded that Differently, but it's just a Metaphor, so I Still Think that even Calling this Hate Speech is a Little Exaggerated."
Again, I never said the crosshairs map or "don't retreat, reload" constitute hate speech. What I did say is that type of imagery/rhetoric needs to be reconsidered given the fact that we are living in an era of such political divisiveness.
To be continued...
Don't you see?. I'm Slow and Blogs are Fast. I haven't had the Chance to Fully Support my Arguments and it is not as if I am Unwilling, yet you are Closing the Comment Thread. I was just getting Ready to Ask you to Remind me Again what you want me to Support and yet I guess we're Out of Time. I just don't Like it when the Hare Judges the Turtle. Hares Think they are So Smart, yet if they are too Cocky, the Turtle Wins the Race.
The intention was not to turn this into a race to see who could get their facts the quickest. However, I didn’t think it would take you several weeks to supply the requested evidence. Also, when I (aka “The Hare”) have already provided factual evidence to back up my statements, the best that you (aka “The Turtle”) can hope for is a tie. J
As you may have noticed, I write posts for Diversity Ink on average every 1-2 weeks. In addition to having a life away from the PC, another reason I don’t post as frequently is because many of the topics I touch on are current events that require research. I could easily slap something together in an effort to be more timely. However, I’d rather it take me a few days to get all the facts on the story and write something that’s factual.
I checked out the link you provided about the MSM's handling of the Tuscon tragedy. For a man who claims his show is "The No-Spin Zone", Bill O'Reilly is a master of spin. I find it curious that Bill O'Reilly left out a key sentence from the NYT's editorial. Before the portion that he posted and read, the editorial stated the following:
"It is facile and mistaken to attribute this particular madman’s act directly to Republicans or Tea Party members."
Hmmm, funny that Bill left that out. For O'Reilly to call out MSNBC for hateful rhetoric is a joke. He and many of his Fox News colleagues specialize in demonizing those who disagree with them. O'Reilly's "proof" that the media blamed Sarah Palin for the Tuscon tragedy is flimsy as hell. The clip from CBS News didn't state that Palin was to blame. It simply reported that Palin's crosshairs map included Gabrielle Giffords' name and that Giffords and others expressed concern that someone unstable could act on that imagery. That is what is known as reporting the facts, something which O'Reilly has a problem doing. Bill O'Reilly is alright sometimes, but Edward R. Murrow he is not.
If I didn't say so already, I hope you return to Diversity Ink to join in on the topics discussed. Even though I will likely disagree with you, I like hearing opposing viewpoints.
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