Obama Is Stoking Racial Antagonism

[irvin88]

I understand the rough and tumble of politics. But Barack Obama -- the supposedly postpartisan, postracial candidate of hope and change -- has gone where few modern candidates have gone before.
Mr. Obama's campaign is now trafficking in prejudice of its own making. And in doing so, it is playing with political dynamite. What kind of potential president would let his campaign knowingly extract two incomplete, out-of-context lines from two radio parodies and build a framework of hate around them in order to exploit racial tensions? The segregationists of the 1950s and 1960s were famous for such vile fear-mongering.
Here's the relevant part of the Spanish-language television commercial Mr. Obama is running in Hispanic communities:
"They want us to forget the insults we've put up with . . . the intolerance . . . they made us feel marginalized in this country we love so much."
Then the commercial flashes two quotes from me: ". . . stupid and unskilled Mexicans" and "You shut your mouth or you get out!"
And then a voice says, "John McCain and his Republican friends have two faces. One that says lies just to get our vote . . . and another, even worse, that continues the policies of George Bush that put special interests ahead of working families. John McCain . . . more of the same old Republican tricks."
Much of the media that is uninterested in Mr. Obama's connections to unrepentant 1970s Weather Underground terrorist William Ayers and Rev. Jeremiah Wright have so far gone along with the attempt to tie me to Mr. McCain. But Mr. McCain and I have not agreed on how to address illegal immigration. While I am heartened by his willingness to start by securing the borders, it is no secret that we have fundamental differences on illegal immigration.
And more to the point, these sound bites are a deception, and Mr. Obama knows it. The first sound bite was extracted from a 1993 humorous monologue poking fun at the arguments against the North American Free Trade Agreement. Here's the context:
"If you are unskilled and uneducated, your job is going south. Skilled workers, educated people are going to do fine 'cause those are the kinds of jobs Nafta is going to create. If we are going to start rewarding no skills and stupid people, I'm serious, let the unskilled jobs that take absolutely no knowledge whatsoever to do -- let stupid and unskilled Mexicans do that work."
My point, which is obvious, was that the people who were criticizing Nafta were demeaning workers, particularly low-skilled workers. I was criticizing the mind-set of the protectionists who opposed the treaty. There was no racial connotation to it and no one thought there was at the time. I was demeaning the arguments of the opponents.
As for the second sound bite, I was mocking the Mexican government's double standard -- i.e., urging open borders in this country while imposing draconian immigration requirements within its own borders. Thus, I took the restrictions Mexico imposes on immigrants and appropriated them as my own suggestions for a new immigration law.
Here's the context for that sound bite: "And another thing: You don't have the right to protest. You're allowed no demonstrations, no foreign flag waving, no political organizing, no bad-mouthing our president or his policies. You're a foreigner: shut your mouth or get out! And if you come here illegally, you're going to jail."
At the time, I made abundantly clear that this was a parody on the Mexican government's hypocrisy and nobody took it otherwise.
The malignant aspect of this is that Mr. Obama and his advisers know exactly what they are doing. They had to listen to both monologues or read the transcripts. They then had to pick the particular excerpts they used in order to create a commercial of distortions. Their hoped-for result is to inflame racial tensions. In doing this, Mr. Obama and his advisers have demonstrated a pernicious contempt for American society.
We've made much racial progress in this country. Any candidate who employs the tactics of the old segregationists is unworthy of the presidency.
Mr. Limbaugh is a nationally syndicated radio talk-show host.

[masomenos]

Considering the racial comments that Limbaugh has made in the past, I don't think he has any room to talk.

[ScipioCowboy]

Considering the racial comments that Limbaugh has made in the past, I don't think he has any room to talk.

If Limbaugh was actually quoted out of context, he has the right and, indeed, the obligation to defend himself.

And if, as you say, Limbaugh is guilty of perpetuating racial insensitivity through comments on his radio show, Obama should reproduce those comments (where they are pertinent to the election) rather than misconstruing other comments.

[trickblue]

Obama has recently tried to turn this in to a racial campaign...

Although I would have never voted for him because of his policies, his playing of the racial card is getting old... he could run on his record if he had one...

[masomenos]

If Limbaugh was actually quoted out of context, he has the right and, indeed, the obligation to defend himself.

And if, as you say, Limbaugh is guilty of perpetuating racial insensitivity through comments on his radio show, Obama should reproduce those comments (where they are pertinent to the election) rather than misconstruing other comments.

I agree that it's low lactic to take quotes out of context and the Obama campaign shouldn't have done it. I just think, based on the comments he's made, that it's laughable for Rush to talk about the "racial progress" we've made and shake his shake his finger at Obama for inflaming racial tensions.

[dbair1967]

We've had a prominent democrat come out and blatantly play the race card, not to mention several liberal rags doing it within the last week. One suggested the only reason the race was close was because of racism. Memo to your fishwrap, not everyone wants a radical left wing socialist in the White House regardless of what color he/she is.

And of course there's the scare tactic of "if Obama doesnt win, there will be mass rioting in the streets"

[NinePointOh]

Talking heads like Limbaugh (and, for that matter, Olbermann et al.) go out of their way to push the envelope and make incendiary comments to stir up controversy. It's their job, because that's what gets ratings. They shouldn't be surprised when someone calls them out, and in reality, they aren't -- they thrive on it, because their whole intent was to create a stir.

Hence, you know, comparing a black man to 1960s segregationists. He's just waiting for someone to blast him for that, too, so he can carry on the cycle and rake in the profits.

[BrAinPaiNt]

If Limbaugh was actually quoted out of context, he has the right and, indeed, the obligation to defend himself.

And if, as you say, Limbaugh is guilty of perpetuating racial insensitivity through comments on his radio show, Obama should reproduce those comments (where they are pertinent to the election) rather than misconstruing other comments.

Obama should just see if he can get a copy of a song Rush played on his show titled...Barrak the happy NEGRO.

[zrinkill]

Obama should just see if he can get a copy of a song Rush played on his show titled...Barrak the happy NEGRO.


Magic Negro

And it was a leftist paper that was being mocked by that quote they made.

[zrinkill]

Considering the racial comments that Limbaugh has made in the past, I don't think he has any room to talk.

Like what? Saying the media wants McNabb to succeed because he is a black QB?

He was pointing out the Medias racism. And he was right.

[Doomsday101]

I hate the fact that some including Obama are taking a topic like immigration and making it out to be a racial deal. I don't care what country you come from or what race you are if you plan on making the United States your home then do so legally. No doubt Hispanics make up the largest group of illegal’s entering the US due to the proximity of Mexico to the US but for those Hispanics who come here legally welcome to the US to those entering illegally they need to be deported back to the country of origin.

[Maikeru-sama]

Like what? Saying the media wants McNabb to succeed because he is a black QB?

He was pointing out the Medias racism. And he was right.

So when Rush Limbaugh accuses people of being racist he is right on the money, but when somebody else, mainly those you don't support do it, they are racists?

Donovan McNabb is a pretty good NFL Quarterback. It has nothing to do with him being black. The only people that say the media was hyping him up because he was black only looked at that anyway or never liked him in the first place or both.

If Barack Obama becomes president, I wonder if Rush Limbaugh will play "Movin on up", the theme song from the Jeffersons and use all kinds of old slavery broken dialect, which is what he did when Carol Moseley-Braun was elected to the Senate.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Magic Negro

And it was a leftist paper that was being mocked by that quote they made.

Yes you are correct...it was Magic not Happy.

Either way it was still racist to do so IMO.

[BrAinPaiNt]

So when Rush Limbaugh accuses people of being racist he is right on the money, but when somebody else, mainly those you don't support do it, they are racists?

Donovan McNabb is a pretty good NFL Quarterback. It has nothing to do with him being black. The only people that say the media was hyping him up because he was black only looked at that anyway or never liked him in the first place or both.

If Barack Obama becomes president, I wonder if Rush Limbaugh will play "Movin on up", the theme song from the Jeffersons and use all kinds of old slavery broken dialect, which is what he did when Carol Moseley-Braun was elected to the Senate.

These guys will defend that pill popping racist till their dying days.

I have on multiple occasions shown examples of his racism through his own quotes but they act like it was not true.

Get used to it. It is not about them being racist, it is about them defending someone who is a racist...because he is a hero to their party.

[Doomsday101]

These guys will defend that pill popping racist till their dying days.

I have on multiple occasions shown examples of his racism through his own quotes but they act like it was not true.

Get used to it. It is not about them being racist, it is about them defending someone who is a racist...because he is a hero to their party.

Well I would not consider Rush my hero only a guy who has an opinion but represent no one. He is not an elected official and so his opinions are no better or worse than any other political shock jock.

[zrinkill]

So when Rush Limbaugh accuses people of being racist he is right on the money, but when somebody else, mainly those you don't support do it, they are racists?

I call out racism on both sides when I see it ..... just like last year when the media tried to push Romo's Latino heritage because it makes for a "more compelling" story ....

Its a different kind of racism ...... but thats what it is.

Just like "reverse discrimination"

The most borderline Racist thing I have ever heard Limbaugh say is when he purposely mis-pronounces middle eastern names by making the hacking sounds.

That bothers me.

[zrinkill]

These guys will defend that pill popping racist till their dying days.

I have on multiple occasions shown examples of his racism through his own quotes but they act like it was not true.

Get used to it. It is not about them being racist, it is about them defending someone who is a racist...because he is a hero to their party.

Yea I have a real history of towing the party line.

:rolleyes:

[Maikeru-sama]

Well I would not consider Rush my hero only a guy who has an opinion but represent no one. He is not an elected official and so his opinions are no better or worse than any other political shock jock.

Yep.

I was in the minority when I opined that Don Imus should not have been fired (only if his show was not making money anymore), so I have no problem with Rush Limbaugh speaking his mind. Everyone is entitled to go on rants, no matter how ignorant they are.

This goes for frauds and shakedown artists like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton as well.

I just wish people would call a spade a spade.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Yea I have a real history of towing the party line.

:rolleyes:

Sorry...no way I would defend rush because he has said racial things and there is no excuse for him to play that song on his station.

Or do I need to take the bone out my nose so you can understand me.

[zrinkill]

Or do I need to take the bone out my nose so you can understand me.

What does that mean? Or are you about to give me another lesson on racism?

[Maikeru-sama]

These guys will defend that pill popping racist till their dying days.

I have on multiple occasions shown examples of his racism through his own quotes but they act like it was not true.

Get used to it. It is not about them being racist, it is about them defending someone who is a racist...because he is a hero to their party.

Yep.

To be honest, I bet alot of conservatives on this site don't even like Rush Limbaugh. But they hate Barack Obama, so they are willing to go to bat for anyone who criticizes him.

As I stated many times, Barack Obama has some suspect policies that really bother me. I don't need garbage spewing rants by Rush Limbaugh to get me to realize it.

[BrAinPaiNt]

What does that mean? Or are you about to give me another lesson on racism?

That is something he told one of his callers insinuating that they sounded black.

[Maikeru-sama]

That is something he told one of his callers insinuating that they sounded black.

Yep, I remember that.

[zrinkill]

Anybody have a link to that?

I would like to hear it ...... I have never heard him say anything like that.

[Heisenberg]

Anybody have a link to that?

I would like to hear it ...... I have never heard him say anything like that.

http://www.snopes.com/politics/quotes/limbaugh.asp

It was a long time ago, but he did apologize for it.

But that isn't the only questionable and somewhat racist thing he has said:

http://www.fair.org/index.php?page=2549

As a young broadcaster in the 1970s, Limbaugh once told a black caller: "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." A decade ago, after becoming nationally syndicated, he mused on the air: "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?"

In 1992, on his now-defunct TV show, Limbaugh expressed his ire when Spike Lee urged that black schoolchildren get off from school to see his film Malcolm X: "Spike, if you're going to do that, let's complete the education experience. You should tell them that they should loot the theater, and then blow it up on their way out."

In a similar vein, here is Limbaugh's mocking take on the NAACP, a group with a ninety-year commitment to nonviolence: "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."

When Carol Moseley-Braun (D-IL) was in the U.S. Senate, the first black woman ever elected to that body, Limbaugh would play the "Movin' On Up" theme song from TV's "Jeffersons" when he mentioned her. Limbaugh sometimes still uses mock dialect -- substituting "ax" for "ask"-- when discussing black leaders.

[zrinkill]

From just a quick google search he supposedly said that 30 years ago while working as a midnight rock radio DJ under the name of "Jeff Christie".

How did you guys hear it?

Still have not been able to find a link other than a "snoops" confirmation because he did not comment on it.

[BrAinPaiNt]

From just a quick google search he supposedly said that 30 years ago while working as a midnight rock radio DJ under the name of "Jeff Christie".

How did you guys hear it?

Still have not been able to find a link other than a "snoops" confirmation because he did not comment on it.

I have never HEARD it and I did not HEAR it when he said it.

However he has admitted to it and apologized for it.

But that was not the only quotes of his that is clearly racist.

Funny thing is I used to love watching his show back in the mid-late 80's and enjoyed listening to him on the radio when we would go out on field exercises.

So it is not like I always have disliked him, to the contrary I just to love him (well man love :D ).

However after some time of seeing how he is, reading or hearing his racists statements and his hypocritical stance on drug abuse after he was busted...just turned me against him.

However I give him "kudos" the man has went from a nobody to a multimillionaire.

[zrinkill]

Thats fine ..... but I was accused of just defending Rush because he was "my hero"

I guess you guys do not remember me defending Michelle Obama for her angry college paper.

Or defending Obama from his stupid racists preachers comments.

Oh well .... guess I was just "towing the party line" then as well.

[BrAinPaiNt]

Thats fine ..... but I was accused of just defending Rush because he was "my hero"

I guess you guys do not remember me defending Michelle Obama for her angry college paper.

Or defending Obama from his stupid racists preachers comments.

Oh well .... guess I was just "towing the party line" then as well.

Well you seem to be defending rush over playing that song on his station and unless I am mistaken, and if I am I will admit it, you were also the one that said that if he bought the NFL Rams they would instantly be your second favorite team.

Seems like there is a bit of thinking he is a hero there to me, even if that is exaggerated it would appear you like him a great deal.


Concerning Obama and his Preacher. I don't know if his racist preacher makes Obama a racist, but it sure does make him a liar IMO for him to say he never heard his preacher say those kinds of things before.

[zrinkill]

Well you seem to be defending rush over playing that song on his station and unless I am mistaken, and if I am I will admit it, you were also the one that said that if he bought the NFL Rams they would instantly be your second favorite team.

Seems like there is a bit of thinking he is a hero there to me, even if that is exaggerated it would appear you like him a great deal.


Concerning Obama and his Preacher. I don't know if his racist preacher makes Obama a racist, but it sure does make him a liar IMO for him to say he never heard his preacher say those kinds of things before.

I do like Rush ..... never said I did not .... but that is not my reason for defending him.

Just like I have defended others who I do not particularly like or agree with.

I defend those who I think are being unjustly criticized .....

I do not believe Rush is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it other than hearsay.

I do not believe Bush is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it period.

I do not believe Obama is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it other than associations.

I do not believe Michelle Obama is a racist ..... only evidence I have ever seen is a college paper when she was an angry youth (And I have been there and said worse about white people)

Sorry you cannot see or understand that about me.

[BrAinPaiNt]

I do like Rush ..... never said I did not .... but that is not my reason for defending him.

Just like I have defended others who I do not particularly like or agree with.

I defend those who I think are being unjustly criticized .....

I do not believe Rush is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it other than hearsay.

I do not believe Bush is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it period.

I do not believe Obama is a racist ..... never seen any evidence of it other than associations.

I do not believe Michelle Obama is a racist ..... only evidence I have ever seen is a college paper when she was an angry youth (And I have been there and said worse about white people)

Sorry you cannot see or understand that about me.

I agree with all of that except for rush...as We have provided you with links and quotes plus the idea that he himself admitted it and apologized for it.

I exaggerated by using hero...I apologize. :cool:

[zrinkill]

I agree with all of that except for rush...as We have provided you with links and quotes plus the idea that he himself admitted it and apologized for it.

I exaggerated by using hero...I apologize. :cool:

I can live with that ..... not the first time we have disagreed ..... wont be the last.

But we both agree in the things that really matter so thats ok.

;)