On July 19, Congressman Allen West (R-FL) sent an email to Democratic Representative and DNC Chairwoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz (D-FL) in response to comments directed at him in a speech the Congresswoman made on the floor of the House of Representatives after West had departed the chamber. In the Young Turks' clip below, you can hear West's email as well as the comments by Wasserman Schultz which led to West's response.
As some of you can guess, I do not like Congressman West. However, it goes deeper than politics. Since bursting on the national scene, the Tea Party darling has shown himself to be a thin-skinned, bigoted bully with some anger issues.
You may be asking yourself why I'm blogging about the back and forth between West and Wasserman Schultz. It's just a disagreement between two politicians, right? One happens to be black and the other is white. Well, the reason I chose to write about this is because Rush Hudson Limbaugh III decided to weigh in with his "wit and wisdom":
Rush is truly one of a kind. It's amazing how many things he managed to get wrong in less than 7 minutes! Since this blog deals with race issues, I won't get into Rush's nonsense about death panels, decorum on the House floor, "left-wing women", etc.
In the "minds" of dittoheads like Rachel (the caller at the beginning of the clip), a white person is racist anytime they criticize a black conservative such as Congressman West. This is why I laugh when conservatives accuse liberals of playing the race card. Although Rush didn't come right out and accuse Wasserman Schultz of being a racist due to her comments toward West, it seems he agrees with the sentiment because he let Rachel completely off the hook when she threw out her baseless charge during her call.
I think Rush is dead wrong in saying there would be charges of racism if the situation was reversed. Black Democrats have been criticized without liberals crying out racism. For example, scores of white Republicans have directed criticism at President Obama. When they stick to policy issues in their disagreements with the president, I'm not hearing charges of racism from the left. It's only when the criticism resorts to race-baiting tactics like accusing him of racism, questioning his place of birth, insinuating that he's not "one of us", etc. that me and other liberals raise our eyebrows. Now we will refer to them as hypocritical partisan hacks in a second because that's what you call someone who keeps their mouth shut when their side does something, but cries foul when the opposition does the same thing.
Although the West and Wasserman-Schultz disagreements have gotten personal, I don't see race as a factor. I think West and Wasserman-Schultz simply don't like each other.
Update: As a guest on Mark Levin's show, Congressman West played the race card when discussing the incident involving him and Wasserman Schultz:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F_DNoynQAP0
8 comments:
I don't listen to Rush, or any of the other voices out there.
Taken on this single incident - one would tend to agree that Allen West over-reacted.
But, and as Congressman West points out within this context, that D Wasserman has been attacking him from the get go for a long time, and because she either ignored the house rules for debate or (more likely) was ignorant of them, even tho she's a leader for her party there brings this into clearer focus, certainly for me, but maybe not for you.
Let us realize this county is at war right now. This isn't The "Democrats" bad ideas versus the Grand Old Party of No Ideas. This is Socialism with a Fascism bent to it (California must teach all the good stuff about the gay lifestyle but None of the bad stuff - sound like 1938 book burning to you? It does to me.) versus the societal and economic system that has floated this country to the top of the food chain and kept it there for 300 years - Longer than any other in the history of the world.
Because the Republican party is either unwilling or unable (likely both) to defend itself; they've allowed the liberal Democrats to Bogart the main stage for decades now. The republicans are still unable to defend themselves. But the Tea Party republicans are calling for a new stage. One where there are two sides to the story. At first, this will cause many people to think they are coming on too strong, but this will diminish in time.
D Wasserman deserves to be called out. let us ask: What's her service to our country? What has she done to improve things fro Americans while we ponder the appropriateness of Her actions.
Defending her in this situation condones any and every cheap shot the Democrats take that goes unanswered by the opposition party, which sadly today Only consists of Tea Party Republicans.
Kid: From what I've read, the feud between West and Wasserman Schultz stems from a protest she launched against him for his association with a biker magazine that she accused of being misogynist. As for the comments she made on the House floor, I don't think she was out of line. I don't see how any of these incidents can be called attacks. Instead of writing that email, West would have been better off debating Wasserman Schultz on the issue of where he stands on Medicare.
Whether or not you ever listen to Rush is irrelevant. The question is, do you think Congressman West and the lady who called into his Rush's show are right in saying race is the reason Wasserman Schultz has criticized West? If so, why do you feel that way?
Macolm, No, I don't believe Race has anything to do with it.
I see it as typical liberal politician tactics. Lie, Insult and Complain being the big 3.
Medicare? They'll hide behind any issue to get their message out that conservatives are anything but people to stay away from.
My view and all other conservatives I happen to talk to...exceptions for everything of course, but not many in this context.
Kid: Thanks for answering my question. I guess conservatives aren't above playing the race card after all. As for lying, insulting, and complaining, nah, a conservative would never resort to such tactics. Please!
Malsolm, well, you'd have to tell me who you're talking about. Personally, I don't see an abundance of conservatives in plain view. Very few republicans could be classified this way, and as far as media people, I think the vast majority are in it for the buck - "buy my book". Divide and cash in as it were.
I think most conservatives are just going about their lives and trying to make things better.
Ah, excuse the misspell pls.
Malcolm, PS. When I talk about liberals, I'm talking mostly about the politicians and media people. Translated as 'people who want something and are using people and situations to get it'.
The vast majority of liberals happily going about their lives, I have no problem with. I guess you'd be one of those. I respect that and I respect you and your right to your opinions. That's a conservative viewpoint.
In the interest of disclosure on Race Put me down with Morgan Freeman.
Kid: Rush Limbaugh is a prime example of a conservative who lies, insults, and complains. He did 2 out of 3 (insulted and complained) in the clip I posted. He may have even lied because I haven't heard any liberal call Allen West a racist.
The bottom line is that lying, insulting, and complaining aren't behaviors based on political ideology. They are human behaviors. Conservatives are just as capable of committing these acts as liberals are. This includes politicians, media pundits, and regular people.
Eyes4Clouds: Thanks for stopping by. I look forward to the next time you visit and grace us with your sterling wit.
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