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MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23, 2009

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Matt Taibbi

Palin: Our First WWE Politician

Pick an asshole, any asshole, and she'll rock the house

Nov 22, 09 10:44 AM CST
analysis

Book Tour Shows Palin
Hitting a Nerve

'Going Rogue' phenomenon may foreshadow something bigger

Nov 22, 09 2:46 PM CST
the big plan

Beck Will Host Conventions
to Educate America

He's shifting toward political organizer, plans big DC rally

Nov 21, 09 5:06 PM CST
editorial

NYT to Blankfein:
Your 'Apology'
Is Bull

Editorial board schools Goldman CEO in true meaning of 'sorry'

Nov 22, 09 4:53 PM CST
NO COMMUNION FOR YOU, MY SON

RI Bishop Disses
Kennedy Over
Pro-Choice
Stance

Spat over Patrick's position on abortion escalates

Nov 22, 09 8:23 AM CST
Palin Pulls in Big Bucks
—for Democrats

'Going Rogue' boosts Dem fundraising to new high

Nov 21, 09 6:50 AM CST
TALK SHOW ROUNDUP

McConnell:
Dems Proceed
at 2010 Peril

Senators hit the Sunday talk shows after health vote

Nov 22, 09 11:15 AM CST
who let the paranoids out?

46 Years After Kennedy, the Virus of Hate Is Back

Republican Rep. Louie Gohmert panders to dangerous paranoids

Nov 21, 09 9:08 AM CST
Eyes on 2010

Lincoln
Swings to
Center of
Health Debate

Dems come calling as GOP eyes her seat in 2010

Nov 22, 09 1:03 PM CST
Senate Democrats Clear
Health Care Hurdle, 60-39

Reid gets 60 votes to open full debate after Thanksgiving recess

Nov 21, 09 7:13 PM CST
Billboard Links Obama to Jihad

Colo. car dealership wants this opinion heard

Nov 20, 09 8:42 PM CST
HE'S GOT A BOOK OUT, TOO

Beck to Unveil
'Big Plan' at
Saturday Rally

Righty pundit OK with destroying Dems and GOP

Nov 20, 09 8:07 PM CST
First State Dinner to
Reveal Obama A-Listers

Mad scramble for invitations

6 hours, 37 minutes ago

|NEXT STORY »

OPINION

Some Obama Critics Actually Are Racists

They reject his 'legitimacy as president'

By Sarah Quinn| Posted Sep 18, 09 9:06 AM CDT|

(Newser) – Jimmy Carter was right when he said racism fuels some of President Obama's critics, Eugene Robinson writes for the Washington Post. Carter may have overstated it—plenty of naysayers have legit policy concerns over issues such as health reform—but "the most vitriolic attacks" reject Obama's "legitimacy as president," Robinson writes. "I can't find any explanation for it other than race."

"Protest is part of our system," Robinson writes. "It's as American as apple pie." But this is something more nefarious. Rep. Joe "You lie!" Wilson's outburst was a game-changer. "Grumbling and even booing come with the territory, but a flat accusation of mendacity is an impermissible sign of disrespect," Robinson writes. "Nobody ever called Bush a liar when he was speaking in the House chamber."

President Obama pauses in the East Room of the White House on Thursday during a ceremony where he awarded a soldier the Medal of Honor. (AP Photo/Charles Dharapak)

Rep. Joe Wilson, R-S.C., speaks to reporters on Capitol Hill on Sept. 15, 2009. (AP Photo/Harry Hamburg,File)

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Sarah Palin Deserves Some More Attention

46 comments

VIEWING:

TheSniperZero
Sep 18, 09 9:10 AM CDT

and some Obama proponents are racist as well. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 18, 09 9:17 AM CDT

I have found that the one who throws out the charge of "racist" is usually the one who has racist feelings.

-19

IN RESPONSE:

Rocket448
Sep 18, 09 9:28 AM CDT

No, dontlike, that's not true. People accused of racism are most likely not aware they are racist. They just accept that their feelings of prejudice and superiority are normal. Sometimes a charge of racism is not warranted, but that doesn't mean that it never is.

+11

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 18, 09 9:32 AM CDT

The fact is, the democrats are desperate. That's why Pelosi embarrasses herself by crying while saying that all of the opposition to Obama is leading to violence and now the racism charge against anyone who does not agree with the Marxist Obama. I'm here to tell you --- IT WILL NOT WORK. Your ideology is on the way out and so is your president in 2012 and many of your congressmen and senators in 2010.

-22

IN RESPONSE:

doingtherightthing
Sep 18, 09 10:20 AM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment.

-21

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 18, 09 10:48 AM CDT

i think @dontlike - the pot is calling the kettle black. and no pun intended.

IN RESPONSE:

IndependentThinker
Sep 18, 09 11:02 AM CDT

What is wrong with him be Muslim?

IN RESPONSE:

2-bits
Sep 18, 09 11:20 AM CDT

doingtherightthing has never read either of his books.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 18, 09 12:51 PM CDT

@doingtheWrongThing: you're a gripper. ie. one who grips and hangs on for dear life to other people who share your erroneous belief system.

IN RESPONSE:

Reader60610265
Sep 18, 09 1:15 PM CDT

urundertaker,your doing well today , one racist arguing with other racists, a little like the pot calling the kettle black .pun intended.

-2

| 0 minutes ago

dontlikeyou
Sep 18, 09 9:15 AM CDT

You can tell when the democrats are racist because they start lashing out at their opponents by calling them racists. I feel sorry for you leftists..... not really. I despise every single one of you. Cheers. :-) Reply

-17

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 18, 09 9:16 AM CDT

You can tell when the democrats are racist = You can tell when the democrats are desperate

-11

IN RESPONSE:

UrUndertaker
Sep 18, 09 9:21 AM CDT

This comment has been removed by Newser’s community. You must be logged in to view this comment.

IN RESPONSE:

gabo
Sep 18, 09 9:21 AM CDT

I guess you are the end all when it comes to knowing your racism. I'm impressed.

IN RESPONSE:

dontlikeyou
Sep 18, 09 9:26 AM CDT

Here' s little smooch for you URUnder.... ****

-1

IN RESPONSE:

Wraith
Sep 18, 09 10:07 AM CDT

@ dontlikeyou, you should really take your hot and salacious love antics elsewhere, is it knowing he is a Black male turning you on or something? PErhaps a Master Slave Relationship? Sorry. Old Abe put an end to your dream dear one so mayhap you might quench that lusty desire with a new sex toy, and pick one of any variety of colors a different one for each time the urge strikes???

-3

IN RESPONSE:

osu1067
Sep 18, 09 10:24 AM CDT

@UrUndertaker: "I tend to say a good 75 - 80 are like don'tlikeherself, a closet Racist" What an ignorant statement! What an intellectually lazy and dishonest attempt to dismiss Obama dissenters. Just claim they're mostly 'closet racists", then they will be discredited and ignored, right? 75-80%??!! You're as insane as the birthers. There are real racists in this country and real victims of racism. Instead of combating this serious plague that has haunted us since our founding, you go around wantonly leveling charges of racism at anyone who disagrees with you politically. How irresponsible of you! From now on, do this country a favor and keep your thoughts to yourself until you know for damn sure what racism really is!

-1

IN RESPONSE:

rockermocking
Sep 18, 09 12:11 PM CDT

@ dontlikeyou. First off, sorry that people are personally attacking you versus just disagreeing with your comment. My argument is that I think the point of this article that you should've taken to heart is the fact that NO ONE in the house chamber yelled out "you lie" to Bush when he was in office. It's plain disrespectful. And even if Wilson didn't do it as a racist/prejudiced comment, it really resonates as such because no president in the past few terms ever before has had that happen no matter how bad their policies were.

IN RESPONSE:

schmidtkoff
Sep 18, 09 12:57 PM CDT

undertaker rallies again. thanks.

IN RESPONSE:

WelcomeTo313
Sep 18, 09 1:53 PM CDT

UrUndertaker for the win

| 0 minutes ago

LiberalJesus
Sep 18, 09 9:52 AM CDT

dontlikeyou is as racist as they come. If he had a legitimate beef he would respond to any topic regarding President Obama policies with a well thought out and insightful response other than to play the race card. Never had a clue and never will.....as its a known fact that most racist are well under educated as his responses always point out. Just the fact that he has made the most comments on this issue alone pretty much determines to an educted person where his true feelings lie. Always was and always will be an uneducated racist. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 8:08 PM CDT

Is it possible he works for Beck or Rush? If so, he shouldn't use up all his "good" lines here.

| 0 minutes ago

Timinator2K
Sep 18, 09 10:10 AM CDT

Vast majority of his critics, right and left, are not racists, they just have exact opposite viewpoints. He wants a fast and fait accompli change over to socialism and the majority of us still like freesom and FAR LESS government control of our lives. Reply

-1

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 8:10 PM CDT

It's obvious that the govt. is controlling your speech.

| 0 minutes ago

sickofitall
Sep 18, 09 10:22 AM CDT

You will never end racism as long as organizations identify people as such, and NOT as people. NAACP, United Negro College Fund, BET, Black History Month, and so on. Same with other nationalities, too. NEVER do you hear of any (legitimate) organizations declaring themselves as Caucasian or white. When people are acknowledged as people, and NOT by their race, then and ONLY then will racism be a thing of the past. Until then - keep self-segregating...Oh, and also for some strange reason- only Caucasians are considered racist. That's racism, too. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

Wills
Sep 18, 09 11:50 AM CDT

Exactly what I was thinking. There are racist people on all sides of the political debate, of all colors of skin. Most people aren't racist, but as long as we keep considering race as a relevant trait in people for ANY reason, there will be some who hate people of a different race, people calling eachother racists and reverse racists, etc. I'm not even sure if people should be "proud" of their race. You hear plenty about black pride, but is having "white pride" socially acceptable? No. I don't think it should be either, but that's because I don't think irrelevant genetic traits like the color of your skin are something to be proud of. It's not going to be easy for us as a species to do this, the "us vs them" belief structure is so deeply built into us.

IN RESPONSE:

ezrider
Sep 18, 09 1:25 PM CDT

@sickofitall as a black American i saw only a small amount contributions that blacks made that was written in our history books during my days in school.I don't know whats being taught know .I do think that Black History Month for right now is a good thing if it includes the contributions of other races .We were not taught that there black confederate soldiers or the many inventions that blacks contributed.I was an A & B student.Wanting to know our history doesn't make me racist,i have a lot a friends many who are white

| 0 minutes ago

divetrader
Sep 18, 09 11:09 AM CDT

Perople in Congress should have been screaming their heads off when Bush was President about all his lies. His lies cost Americans lies. Obama wants to provide healthcare for Americans and the f""cking sky is falling for conservatives. WTF!!! Reply

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 8:17 PM CDT

Bush also caused the deaths of innocent civilians in Iraq. Unfortunately money controls politics and everything else in America. Republicans have given too many tax breaks to big corporations. The Constitution wasn't designed to represent the rich, it was designed to represent everyone. The other part of the blame is the people who vote for them.

| 0 minutes ago

Forderon
Sep 18, 09 11:09 AM CDT

White people complaining about reverse racism has always been the most amusing social phenomenon to me Reply

IN RESPONSE:

hamsammichs
Sep 18, 09 10:36 PM CDT

So it's impossible to be black and a racist, right? Have you ever heard Jesse Jackson speak? Its pathetic.

-1

| 0 minutes ago

Dr.Y.Dino
Sep 18, 09 11:20 AM CDT

"We love him." "We can't understand why anybody wouldn't love him" Therefore the only possible reason must be racism. And that is the problem, they can't understand or believe those who do not support their Leftist ideology. That doesn't make it racism. The opposition to socialized healthcare met a similar response under Clinton. Was it racism then? Of course not. And it isn't racism today!!!!!!!!! Reply

-7

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 8:35 PM CDT

I don't believe that they're all racists. However, the ones that are can't resist showing up when asked by the Republicans & the health insurance companies. The Republicans are happy to accept their votes & that's why they won't admonish them for their lies about the govt. & health insurance.

| 0 minutes ago

Reader68389796
Sep 18, 09 11:29 AM CDT

I wish I could be a racist but I can't. Simply because; 1. A black teacher teaches my child, 2. A black nurse delivers my baby; 3. A black policeman keeps me safe; 4. A black EMT worker shows up when I call 911; 5. A black doctor saved my son's life in the ER. So think about those things before you call yourself a racist! Reply

| 0 minutes ago

AnnieOkie58
Sep 18, 09 11:35 AM CDT

President Carter is right.....its not only some white people but also some black people who are raciest...Thats a fact...I have racism in my family and it sadden me to say so..Example...the only reason they didnt vote for McCain was because of Palin...so they said...we will vote for the white side of Obama...a stupid remark...but coming from raciest relatives.....not surprising. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 9:08 PM CDT

It's obvious that one party in Congress has had no interest in uniting people instead of dividing themselves against one another. When both parties take money from corporations it too divides Americans against one another.

| 0 minutes ago

happiness
Sep 18, 09 11:40 AM CDT

Never in my over 60 something years...have I seen so many who are misguided and unwilling to accept fact and truth. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Adapt-Overcome
Sep 18, 09 12:02 PM CDT

Dontlikeyou, you stay on your planet and believe what you want, you are dilusional, not to mention racist. Your ignorance is astounding. To the subject at hand: For people to say that it isn't racism against the president when they call him: marxist, hitler, soicialist, etc. It's rediculous, THAT'S EXACTLY WHAT IT IS! There are so many members in the Klan, The Aryan Nation and other such organizations---you think they aren't lining up with their protest signs and their racist comments, fortunately their values go along with the Republican party because their mentality like the party...it's about them--screw the rest of the people. Unfortunately for the rest of the NON-WHITE American's it scarey. They are a bunch of unstable individuals that are being riled up by the Republican----they are being USED AND ARE TO STUPID TO SEE IT. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Silverbow7
Sep 18, 09 12:04 PM CDT

@ all the easily manipulated: Think of all the information you could add to the knowledge base of the readers of Newser. Instead you waste our time, and your wisdom and knowledge answering attention starved posters who lure you away from doing just that...and then you call stupid those who obviously count their thumbs down scores proudly while preventing you from adding anything of value. Can't you see they are having contests to see who can get the most thumbs down and extra points rewarded for the number of posts tagged...? Many have commented on this very thing. You who answer them just enable them. Then they own you. No wonder scorn underlines all their posts. Outrageous, even ridiculous 'opinions' and off-topic slams are their calling card. Now go read the posts. How much is real unbiased information? How many are just insults, name calling and frankly, madness? How many formally intelligent posters have been seduced into writing the same type of posts by answering such nonsense? I know nothing will change because the haters are smarter than 99% of the posters and this call for reason will have no more effect than any of the previous attempts made by so many others, but hope dies slowly. Just for one week do not give them any attention. Just for yourself refuse to be waylaid into pointless, meaningless rhetoric that has managed to keep any intelligent, informative discussion and honest exchange of information at bay in the newser site. Just for one week stay in control of your posts and do not let yourself be seduced or distracted. For at least one week be smarter than they are. Reply

IN RESPONSE:

mehrheit
Sep 18, 09 7:05 PM CDT

Great comment! It's true that taking the bait and going ad hominem is a very bad idea, but like I said in my comment on another article -- Iit's important to respond to the moronic comments, because it's a chance to present facts and lines of reasoning to people who might read these threads but not comment. If you let the BS stand without rebuttal, some uninformed reader might be lead astray. If you don't come back with facts, you may miss the opportunity to educate and enlighten a well-meaning but uninformed/misinformed lurker. Don't get into a flame war, just stick to the facts.

| 0 minutes ago

sache
Sep 18, 09 12:23 PM CDT

I will say it again, racism does play a part in the treatment of Obama. Is there is a person here who thinks that when Bush was president people would have been allowed to openly bring guns anywhere near where he was speaking ,especially if all the people packing heat were black. Would people on the right ,as they did in the Obama case, defend the right of anyone to openly bear arms at a Bush rally. Nope. Stupid behavior like this is encouraged by Obama haters. Nothing will convince me that the anti Obama rhectoric coming from the likes of Hannity , Beck and especially RUSH would be as rabid if he were not a black president. These talking heads fuel this attitude of anything goes when taking on Obama. It is non stop with these people. Civility loses. I did not agree with Bush's policies but i did not hate him. I sense a deep hatred of Obama by the extreme right who seem not to be able to comes to grips with the fact they loss and yes he IS the President. There isn't any length they would not go in expressing it. With Obama it is open season with rudeness, name calling, and disrespect the order of the day. Protest is as American as apple pie but Obama haters aren't protesting issues and coming up with solid answer on how to solve them. They concentrate on attacking the man , they could give a damn about solving anything. Racism is alive and well and if you can't see, take off your blinders. It is going to destroy this country. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

cornelison
Sep 18, 09 9:00 PM CDT

President Obama is one of the most decent & caring people I've seen on the political stage. He's the "real deal" and his opposition wanted to bring him down from day one. He doesn't want any racism agenda to get in the way of what he wants to do for Americans - including those against him. 46,000,000 Americans have no health care plan & perhaps The President can't afford to waste time on racism while thousands of people are losing their health care every day. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

hamsammichs
Sep 18, 09 10:34 PM CDT

hahah boo hoo, are we going to start a witchhunt for racists? is that what we are going to do? It wouldn't surprise me coming from the Left. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

chas_m
Sep 19, 09 4:50 AM CDT

Let me put it this way: anyone here think Bush will get shot before Obama? Reply

| 0 minutes ago

chas_m
Sep 19, 09 4:54 AM CDT

Yeah, that's what I thought. Case closed, racists. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

Jimbola
Sep 19, 09 3:19 PM CDT

I think this is about right. Just because you're paranoid, doesn't mean they're not out to get you. Reply

| 0 minutes ago

View all 46 comments »

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