[freedomtowernight_edited.jpg] 26th Parallel: Enough About Race!! (UPDATED)

Friday, September 18, 2009

Enough About Race!! (UPDATED)

Let's get the minutiae out of the way: Rush Limbaugh's "we need segregated buses" remark was not meant as a true desire to segregate blacks and whites. It wasn't racist. It was a sarcastic comment within a long, sarcastic and cynical rant. The full transcript of his remarks during the 9/15 show is here. See for yourself.

Rush Limbaugh's rant points at something which has been brewing for much of the past year or so. Rush's rant is Exhibit A of the toxic environment liberal and media elites have helped to create, and I believe is representative of the way many decent Americans are feeling. Like I said before, average people are just plain fed up with all the "racist" accusations and insinuations. The result of this is a backlash of anger and cynicism, clearly obvious in the transcript of Rush's show 3 days ago.

We've seen people like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and Jeremiah Wright use their race as a way to bully others around. We've seen and heard the diatribes of the likes of Van Jones. From the media we've read Leonard Pitts, Eugene Robinson, Maureen Dowd, etc and ad infinitum. We've seen Hollywood and ex-presidents put down those who disagree with Obama. Even Bill Cosby, whom I have great respect for. There are many others, both black and white, who are too numerous to list. Americans are a tolerant and accepting people, and because of this and many other events that have happened in the past 40 years, we've mostly overcome the stigma of slavery and injustice. Can there be better proof of this than the man sitting in the Oval Office? After a while, though, even patient and tolerant people reach a limit. That explains a lot of what we're seeing today.

This is not an excuse for responding with racist and disgusting comments, signs and blog posts. Let's make this totally and 100% clear. There have always been and will always be racists among us. I'm referring to the vast majority of folks who trusted Obama, perhaps even gave him their vote, and now feel betrayed by the lack of positive change which was promised to all of us. Our so-called post-racial president has let them down. Instead of seeing progress, we're going backwards.

Bringing up race and racism in every important issue today is a conversation stopper, plain and simple. It prevents us from moving forward. It prevents us from disagreeing amicably and respectfully because, like I said above, Americans don't like to be called racists, especially when they're clearly not (the small minority that is racist can be excused from this group). Playing the race card is a cop out, an excuse if you will, for not wanting to address the issues honestly and openly. Playing the race card is a surefire way to muddy the waters and obscure the real issues.

While I don't think Obama is a racist or overtly supports those who make racist comments, he hasn't helped the situation, either. His race speech last year was grossly overrated, but he could be doing something right now to end all this racist accusation BS that's poisoning our culture. He could come out and, without any reservations or doubt, state that he will no longer accept the use of race or racism as a method of argument and debate from the right and ESPECIALLY FROM THE LEFT. If he's indeed previously expressed this, he needs to do it again. As our eloquent "post-racial" president, he has the ability and power to stop this insanity.

Let's hope he does. It's not too late, yet.

UPDATED 9/19 645 AM: President Obama states on Meet the Press to air tomorrow that his opposition is not race driven. According to the MSNBC report, Obama also told CBS news that the media is partly to blame for the current atmosphere. Sounds sort of familiar, doesn't it? Good for the president, although I feel he needs to come out forcefully with this.

16 Comments:

Blogger Rick said...

Robert: someone stopping by 26th Parallel might initially believe that you're a voice of moderation and reasonable belief. But I have to say that this post, where you defend a man who suggests segregating school children, defines just how partisan you are or just how extremely right you fall.

It's sort of like me defending the ACORN video or arguing that funds shouldn't be cut off to that organization even in light of the recent ugly developments. I can't do that unless I am an off-the-chart leftist.

You can't defend this man, Robert. Whether it's a joke or cynical or sarcastic...you can't do it in these times. You don't have to say anything let alone defend him. But then you continue and blame what this monster of the radio waves says by blaming it on liberals and your President.

Jesus H. Christ, Robert. What the hell is happening here?

.

5:49 PM, September 18, 2009  
Blogger Robert said...

Rick,

Did you read the transcript? Better yet, did you listen to it? It's clear that it is exactly the way I described it. Have you wondered why no one (except the far left who hates Limbaugh with a passion on a good day) isn't saying a word about this? I'm sure most MSM outlets have a "Rush watch" person assigned just for scooping out anything suspicious he might utter.

I know you despise Rush, but c'mon Rick, there's nothing here.

Yes, a lot of liberals and the media by and large have A LOT of responsibility to bear for their continued insistence on playing the race card. That's my opinion, and I have plenty of evidence to back it up. I'm actually giving Obama an out here: just say something to shut these morons up. Will he do it?

6:04 PM, September 18, 2009  
Blogger La Ventanita said...

I heard from a friend that I think it was to CNN that they asked him point blank if his opposition was based on race, and he said that he didn't think so. That like everything else there will always be people opposed to change; that FDR was also called a communist.

We'll see on Sunday if that is true and how clear he was about it.

6:57 PM, September 18, 2009  
Blogger Jonathan said...

Obama engages in racial grievance mongering because he thinks he benefits from it -- as he and his political allies did in Illinois. Wasn't that the whole point in his jumping to a negative conclusion about Officer Crowley and the Cambridge, Mass. police dept? Whether Obama actually benefits from doing this I don't know, and it's clear that many Americans are sick of it. I think they are also sick of the public double-standard that treats white racial bigotry against blacks as a terrible sin while ignoring or justifying black racial bigotry against whites.

7:16 PM, September 18, 2009  
Blogger Rick said...

The "liberal media" is your bellwether, Robert? If you must.

BTW, I was the one who alerted you to Rush's comment, so, yeah, I read it and listened to it.

Go ahead and defend him, Robert. There are plenty in the Republican Party who probably agree with him and want to go back to segregated buses. Yours is the perfect party position.

But I would suggest that you hold the line when he starts "joking" and "cynically ranting" about separate water fountains and lynchings.

You gotta keep those high standards, you know?

.

12:55 PM, September 19, 2009  
Blogger La Ventanita said...

am I missing something? 'cause if I understand the back and forth here, that would mean that Rick's link showed the MSM covering the story, contrary to Robert's assessment...right? If that's so, then Rick you must have the wrong link; I think Robert was referring to CNN, MSNBC, the NYT, and WaPo. None of which seem to be carrying the story, as it seems to have been picked up by local papers.

Someone correct me if I'm wrong.

Rick, I have to honestly ask if you have friends that are Republicans or Conservatives. Everything I ever hear from you is a monolithic insult (ie. Republicans are racist, bible thumping, gun toting kooks), so I'm beginning to believe that a) you think this of your father too or b) you are an agent provocateur.

Me you ask? Believe it or not, most of my friends are centrist or Democrats. And some even the Liberal kind too.

4:41 PM, September 19, 2009  
Blogger Robert said...

That's correct, LV. My point was that there has been very little MSM coverage of this, considering Rush made his comment 5 days ago. The links Rick pointed out (and which I had researched before posting this, BTW) are mostly if not all directed to blogs.

9:18 AM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger Rick said...

Ah, so this thread has now become a discussion of what constitutes the MSM and whether or not they think Rush's racist rants are worth mentioning versus Robert's defense of Rush's support of segregated busing. Nice deflection.

So when and if CNN, MSNBC, the NYT, and WaPo pick it up, will it make it racist? What if only MSNBC addresses it? Is it just a little bit racist? Or maybe if CNN mentions it but doesn't analyze it then we can consider it kinda racist.

Coming from folks who discount virtually all of the "liberal media" as having no credibility, this might just be the height of hypocrisy.

LV, leaving my father out of it, I have plenty of Republican friends. Most are moderates. The problem is that when you make a habit of listening to Beck and Limbaugh, and reading Malkin and babalu, you have moved into a fringe element of the party. Kinda like the Michael Moores and Cindy Sheehans of the Left.

Unfortunately, a significant number of the Republican Party has decided to make a move to the right fringe. Now, THOSE people I have a problem with.

So, Robert and LV, getting back to the post...I'm taking it that you're okay with Rush's call for segregated busing because you feel it wasn't serious or that he just being cynical...or something.

I think the main difference here is not that we're Republicans or Democrats. I think the difference is that during the times that we're going through, I don't think that it's a good idea to support segregated busing whether to make a point or not, while you all feel there's nothing wrong with it and that it's the President's fault that Rush is making these comments.

Robert says as much in his post but is this assessment correct?

.

1:46 PM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger Robert said...

Ok Rick. I didn't feel like I had to do this, but here goes:

Rush was not only being sarcastic, he was saying that it's the white kid that needs to be segregated because he's a racist. Of course, that sounds ridiculous. But that's what sarcasm is, exaggerating and/or making something sound ridiculous in order to make a point.

What was Rush's point? The double standard in this country when it comes to race, and how A LOT of liberals use race simply for their advantage and to someone else's (almost always a conservative) disadvantage, instead of for the greater good. You can agree or disagree with Rush's method here, but to think that he really wants segregated buses is simply absurd and shows a lack of willingness to comprehend what he meant.

You know as well as I do that there are legions of folks in this country who are anxiously waiting for Rush's "Imus Moment". You know, that inevitable moment when Rush slips up and shows his true racist colors for all to see. That moment hasn't happened yet, has it? (BTW, there was plenty of sarcasm in this last paragraph. Just want to make sure I'm understood)

And, Rick, please try to forgive and understand if I don't exactly go with your definition of what a true Republican is or should be. It's not like you're an authority or unbiased source on the subject. Just my two Cuban convertible pesos.

2:39 PM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger La Ventanita said...

I haven't said anything about Rush, whether support or deny. I don't listen to Rush, and frankly I don't have the time to read the transcript either. I couldn't give two hoots about what Rush says or thinks, or Beck for that matter.

I was merely a passerby on this post, made a comment about Obama, and then made a comment on you and Robert's thread.

That's it.

3:06 PM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger Rick said...

Robert, I just offer this stuff up for your consideration. Like I've said, you and others like you have your minds made up and no matter what Rush says today, yesterday, or in the past...

After all, this is man who told an African-American caller, "Take that bone out of your nose and call me back." Who said, "Have you ever noticed how all composite pictures of wanted criminals resemble Jesse Jackson?" Then later said, "The NAACP should have riot rehearsal. They should get a liquor store and practice robberies."

...you will always find a way to excuse or defend it or, as in this case, blame it on Democrats and the President of the United States.

But I do agree with you on one thing, Robert. I do have my biases. Lots of 'em. But they have never gotten in the way of seeing the sickness of a man who judges others on the basis of their skin color.

LV, terribly weak exit there, my friend. "Just passing by! Toodles!"

Ouch.

.

9:24 PM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger Jonathan said...

But I do agree with you on one thing, Robert. I do have my biases. Lots of 'em. But they have never gotten in the way of seeing the sickness of a man who judges others on the basis of their skin color.

When I was a kid people used to joke about wackos who saw "a communist under every bed". Nowadays the wackos see racists everywhere.

10:10 PM, September 20, 2009  
Blogger La Ventanita said...

LV, terribly weak exit there, my friend. "Just passing by! Toodles!"

Okay Rick, I'll play. Please tell where in my comments I expressed an opinion on the Rush issue. After all, So, Robert and LV, getting back to the post...I'm taking it that you're okay with Rush's call for segregated busing because you feel it wasn't serious or that he just being cynical...or something, your words not mine.

See how you make assumptions based on YOUR pre-determined opinion. I merely pointed out that I hadn't expressed an opinion on this issue whatsoever because, here I go again, I DON'T listen to Rush or Beck and have not time to read the transcript. Therefore, without any background information on this matter, without all the facts and context in place, I will not give an opinion on this.

I commented on Obama on comment 1, then commented on your comment on the second one (to highlight what Robert was trying to say), and asked you a question (which you answered).

How you get to the point of me supporting the arguments of a man I do not listen to nor read, is beyond me.

Ouch? Must have been all that stretching that you did.

10:06 AM, September 21, 2009  
Blogger Rick said...

You're right, LV. I took your criticism of me calling out Rush and questioning Robert as you supporting Robert and Rush when, in fact, your criticism merely indicates that you really have no opinion on the matter and don't even know what Rush said.

I also erroneously thought you were a participant in this thread after you left 2 of the 13 comments. Again, my mistake.

.

9:44 AM, September 22, 2009  
Blogger La Ventanita said...

Your sarcasm aside, you are right on one thing Rick - it is your mistake.

I took your criticism of me calling out Rush and questioning Robert

Huh? Rick, my criticism of you calling out Rush was:

a) on a different post by Robert. I'm sorry I don't move my discussions around - I find it too confusing and not fair for the blogger; if you have a problem with my comment at THAT post take it there.

b) my comment in that thread was "And, oh, hey....did you hear that Rush wants segregated buses? (you said this; I said what follows)

And this is relevant to calling opposition to Obama's policies racist how exactly?

Are there racist people in the right, Yes. Are there racist people in the left, yes too .... or have we forgotten the history of the Democratic Party in the KKK?
Again, see point a above

c) My first comment on THIS thread and THIS post was referencing Obama's response to the media and Carter calling his opponents racists. My second comment was to highlight what Robert meant in his comment. My third, fourth and fifth comments have all been wasted explaining to you something that I know you understand full well, yet pretend you don't.

your criticism merely indicates that you really have no opinion on the matter and don't even know what Rush said.

My criticism? Rick you and I must be reading different threads. I haven't criticized your or Robert's opinion on Rush, nor have I criticized or supported Rush's comments. I've however criticized you for playing word games, and sweeping me up in your own little world that all here at 26th parallel support Rush.

I don't take a quote such as "we need segregated buses" and run away with it without knowing in what context it was said; and no I don't take anybody's word when it comes to context - not yours, not Robert's. I like to form my own opinions.

You want to come back with some witty sarcastic comment that somehow makes you believe I am secretly a closet Limbaugh fanatic who lives life taking as gospel the words of a man I've never listened to, heard or read (or had any interest to for that matter)? Be my guest. It's your delusion, not mine. I know where I stand, and I've made it beyond crystal clear.

As the Traveling Wilbury's so aptly put it, this is the end of the line for me in this thread.

4:07 PM, September 22, 2009  
Blogger Robert said...

I have to say there's a bit of irony in this comment thread, mainly in the assumption by Rick that I'm a huge Limbaugh fan who hangs by every word of his. The truth is (which I've expressed here in the past), my feelings for Rush are rather lukewarm. I respect him and do agree in principle with a lot of what he has to say, but feel that his delivery can be over the top and can be detrimental to sympathizing with him. Because of this, I feel I can treat him rather fairly as opposed to those who either idolize or hate the guy.

5:04 PM, September 22, 2009  

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