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Friday, Jan. 20, 2012 | 2 a.m.
I was somewhat amused by seeing on the news that Newt Gingrich told an audience that President Barack Obama was the president with the highest number of people on welfare. Some stood and applauded.
It was no surprise that he, Rick Santorum, and Mitt Romney are going negative in a Southern state. They are playing to those who like saying negative things toward other races. Such things have been done for decades to try to win white votes.
I want them to be mindful of the blood lost in all American battles here and overseas by black Americans and other races for this country to keep the freedoms we do have. Winning at all cost by putting down a race doesn’t last forever and will be remembered. People of all races are on welfare, not just blacks. And it’s the wealthy politicians who have put the helpless on food stamps by sending jobs overseas. They should stop the racist remarks.
When my dad died a few years ago, what I felt were some 'racist' views he held died with him. I was sad to lose him but not his racist views.
I hope that someday we also lose the views of people who take many remarks and place the 'racist' label on them.
Manufacturing jobs were outsourced by companies, not to damage minorities in any 'racist' plot but to try to better compete and yes, to raise profits. Was it 'craven'? Possibly. Was it 'racist'? No. Many of the jobs lost here went to people who would be minorities in this country! Racist? I don't think so.
Are there alot of people on welfare? Yes. Is it under President Obama? Yes. People on welfare are white and minorities, not just minorities. Pointing out high welfare rolls seems to be fair game in politics while pinning it all on Obama is unfair, but is it racist? Hmmm...
There are now many wealthy minority office office holders today. Are they racists too?
As so often in the country today, demonization, generalizations, loaded language and hyperbole seem to rule the day on all sides.
Michael
I may be mistaken, but the author of this letter appears to be exhibiting exactly the same racism that he is complaining about.
It takes a twisted writer to twist the words to invent the rasist trash talk that this writer has done.
To: Michael Parker; thank you for your letter to the editor! I've always known from within that I was a good judge of character. You just confirmed what I always figured to be true of Newt Gingrich. A low-life-racist.
A friend of mine saw me one day downloading to my computer a picture of Newt Gingrich. I added some imagery to this photograph that depicted him being of a White Citizens Council member, with a Nazi Swastika. With a raised eyebrow from my friend, I was asked, "Don't you think that is a bit much?" I replied, "Absolutely not. I can just smell a skunk from a good distance away, and Newt Gingrich is without a doubt, in my opinion, a smelly, dirty, skunk, who is a racist."
One might ask how I could correctly perceive this. The answer is simple. I've lived through situations in my past with these type individuals, and I just know.
Many years ago, in the early 1970's when I first graduated boot camp in the military, I reported to my first duty assignment in North Carolina. The company top sergeant invited me to his house for the weekend. I thought nothing of this invitation. I figured I was fresh out of boot camp, and the sergeant just wanted to make me feel welcome to my first duty assignment. Located approximately thirty-five miles from the base, this top sergeant lived in a big, beautiful southern styled home. Even at this point I wondered how he could have possibly afforded a house like this. His wife prepared a wondrous home-cooked dinner. In the aftermath, this top sergeant told me that we were going to take a ride. He would not disclose where we were going. I still, at this point had no idea. I began to get suspicious when he turned down this dirt road and we just kept driving further back into seclusion. Moments later, I saw a gathering of cars and Caucasian men. No doubt, it was a Klan meeting. I was scared to death. I took off running into the woods like a scared little rabbit. I kept running until I couldn't run anymore. It took me most of the weekend to find my way back to the base. When I reached the barracks, word had already been spread about me. Again, I was scared to death what was going to happen to me. The looks, the threatening notes on my wall locker. It was all present. First thing, on that Monday morning, I was transferred to another unit that was deploying overseas. It was surely, a relief.
Even in the early 1990's when I held the badge of a peace officer I was forced to come up against these type of individuals who wore the same badge that I wore. When I stood up for the rights of Afro-Americans, I once again got those same scary stares. The same threatening notes in my mailbox in the muster room. And, of course, was labeled an outcast.
So, this is where my ability comes from to just know what a man like Newt Gingrich is about. I certainly do not want this man in the White House as our commander-in-chief.
Racism is in the hearts of men. Its manifestations are somewhat tempered by the brain due to federal laws. We nourish it in our hearts so it will never die because we won't let it.
Brad,
I don't doubt your story from the 70s in the least. I grew up in Southeast L.A. and the Watts riots.
Today, my daughters often have friends from school come over for parties and such. We always invite the parents to spend some time and enjoy some BBQ with us.
Though we are of different races, and carry prejudices from our childhoods with us, we always agree in our hope that our children will have less of a burden to carry than we do when they are grown.
I agree with you that Newt leaves much to be desired in this area. But I disagree with the underlying tone of the letter writer that anyone who disagrees with President Obama does so from racist motives.
So, according to wacked out leftists, one cannot criticize Osama Obama without being a "racist." BS! I do not cede my Constitutional right to protest peacefully to the likes of Michael Parker or Bradley Chapline who, by the way has no clue as what a Nazi really is. You don't like Gingrich's policies or agenda, fine, but labeling him a Nazi just proves how ignorant of history you really are, Chapline. I don't like Osama Obama's policies or agenda and I will say so loudly & often and I don't give a rats-ass what how you feel about it!
Nancy, did you make a mistake in posting, "Racism is in the hearts of men"? Just men? Where in the world did you come up with that? Many women are a big part of this hatred, from all ethnicities. Was the Dr. Martin Luther King a man? Was John F. Kennedy, Robert and Ted Kennedy men? I got news for you, there are many men, both Republican and Democrat who devote and risk their lives in their personal quests to neutralize racism within all races. Its early in the morning. I think you need some more sleep.
Getting a tad bit emotional there Mr. Fink? And by the way, our elected President's name is "BARACK" Obama.
By the way, Mr. Fink, you want respect for your views, then give my President and Commander-In-Chief the respect that he deserves for the office that he holds. Until such time that you reach this plateau, don't expect me to care not one iota about your ideologies.
Re Jerry Fink. So let me get this straight. It is insensitive to label Mr. Gingrich a Nazi, but perfectly OK (in your mind) to denigrate our President by labeling him "Osama" Obama. You seem a bit conflicted when it comes to insults, which is also part of free speech.
Brad,
As former members of the military, both you and I know that we can respect the office without having respect for the person who holds it.
I left the Navy in 1973, and I gather you were just beginning your stint as one of Uncle Sam's Misguided Children at that time. Nixon would be a good example of the principle I am referring to.
@ Bhap: Nice life story you told about the racism thing but it does seem a bit over the top. Lets see, you were in the military with the extreme klan, and then as a peace officer your had co-workers that were racist. Hmmm. Did you grow up in the ghetto? Have you had years of living around whites, blacks, latinos, orientals and understand thier cultures. Do you have alot of friends of different races. As a kid did you spend the night, go on family outings, or date someone of a different race. I doubt most of the above. You see to recognize racism you have had to live it. Not the extreme cases you portray, but actually be there for years, grow up with it, experience the good times as well as the bad. Then you'll recognize it because you'll have experience seeing the worst kind there is. Its not the blantant that you say. Its the hidden thats most dangerous.
"Boftx", I agree that former President Nixon was not a good example of principal. However, in the remainder of your comments, referring to us veterans of this time as, "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children", I would tend to assume that you have the same old world views as that top sergeant that I referenced in my initial post. I would say, in actuality, you might have well been a part of that group of soldiers and sailors that were, truly, "Uncle Sam's Misguided Children". Many of us veterans of my time not only fought abroad, but within our own ranks for equal rights, freedom and equality for all Americans.
Well, the list on my "ignore mode" just keeps growing. Good day to you, Sir!
Brad,
I thought you would pick up on the standard hazing between the Navy and Corp with that reference to what USMC might stand for. We in the Navy usually referred to members of the Corp as "Uncle Sam's Mental Cases", I was trying to be polite by using the phrase that members of the Corp used. :)
I know from first hand experience what you speak of in those times. I served aboard the USS Ranger and we had more than our share of "incidents" arising from our commanders trying to foster cultural understanding on the mess deck.
To "Boftx". My most sincere apology. I misread your post. Thank you for setting the record straight in your views that I was certainly wrong in interpreting. And yes, you were right about that term that we all used about being Uncle Sam's Misguided Children". Oops, that one certainly got by me!!!
To "Chuck333" from the "All Comments" section. You make some valid points. However, just because I do not meet your personal criteria, would not justify me or anybody else from excusing or being a part of racial/social injustice.
Brad,
Apology accepted. And the fact that it got by you reinforces my thought (and the Navy's in general) that USMC stands for Uncle Sam's Mental Cases. :)
All joking aside, this letter is a good example of the polarization that has corrupted politics in our country at every level.
I agree with the need to put a stop to the racist remarks.
But, unfortunately, that can't happen. Especially in South Carolina. The majority of Republican Party voters there is estimated to be Caucasian at a rate of about 73 percent or so. And only about five percent of the Republican Party voters are African Americans. These percentages have been verified to be true. I mean, c'mon, after all, this is South Carolina....DEEP SOUTH. They still fly the Confederate Flag there, for Christ's sake.
THAT is the environment they are immersed in. And they play to that electorate for their votes. If they have to slap repeatedly another entire race of people to get the vote, they will do that.
The Republican Party has not only made this a tradition, but it's a required mission they pursue all the time.
This is exactly the reason why this abomination called the Tea/Republican Party is going to get crushed in the November 2012 elections.
We need to grab Tea/Republicans by the scruff of the neck and drag them kicking and screaming into the 21st Century.
President Obama for another four years. And a Democratic Party majority in both the Senate and the House.
We ain't got time for these stupid racist KKK bubba bastard games. It never has gotten us anywhere. And it certainly don't get us nowhere but down a road to ruin. We got a country to run and an economy to fix. Going backwards in thought processes like this only reduce us to a third world country.
You put Tea/Republicans who think warped inappropriate and antiquated pre-Civil War prejudicial and stereotypical beliefs like that in power at any political level, it's just counter-productive. Most of America don't think dumb stuff like that.
But then maybe that's what Tea/Republicans mean when they say they are taking the country back.
Back to pre-Civil War era stupidity.
Colin, you should read some more history. It was the Democrats who supported slavery and helped prompt the breakup of the Whigs in the 1800s which led to the formation of the Republican Party in the North to stand against slavery.
Just more race-baiting from the ranting leftwing Democrat set. Get ready to start receiving a heavy does of this hypocritical garbage from here until election time from these frauds.
That should be "heavy dose"
Obama can't run on his record.
So they are going to play the race war and class war game.
Get use to it.
Anytime a person is critical of Obama....boom.... they will be called a racist.
Obama could run on as his record.
He can say that on his watch a record number of Americans are on food stamps and welfare.
Oooops.........go ahead and say it.....LOL You guys are going to lose if that is all you got....race war and class war.
Please go ahead and play that game.
Newt is Nuts...
He suffers from Grandiose Delusions, among other things.
Does ANYONE think as highly of themselves as Newton?
I mean, this man's arrogance and self-aggrandizement is astonishing...
Is he a 'racist'?
He DID offer to go into the 'ghetto' to school the non-honky's on what work is all about...AND to go speak to NAACP chapters on how to get 'their people' to get with 'the program'...and, he DID have that big idear to put the 'poor kids' to work cleaning toilets and such at their run-down schools...to 'indoctrinate them' to a 'work ethic' heretofore 'unavailable to them'...
Heck, do a simple web search on the issue; there is no shortage of opinions on the subject.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/18/opinio...
http://www.thedailyshow.com/watch/tue-de...
http://news.bostonherald.com/news/us_pol...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2XMSDvRU4...
Newt is a Dinosaur. A Relic. His 'time' has come and gone, and America would be gravely mistaken to elect him President, or even to have him as part of the discussion on how to 'move forward' in this country.
It is the same old story.....a liberal can you use the most vile disgusting imagery to belittle a conservative and it is OK....it is free speech.
However, a conservative is racist if he simply has opposing views.
God forbid you do not agree with President Obama.....you dirty racists!!!
And here I was thinking that the Human Genome Project had conclusively proved that there is only one race---Human.
"Many conservatives, particularly those who are clearly authoritarians, are not aware of their illogical, contradictory, and hypocritical thinking. If made cognizant of it, they either rationalize it away, neglect to care, or attack those who reveal their human weaknesses." John Dean - Conservatives Without Conscience (White House Council to Richard Nixon)
I like Juan Williams, still do, and follow him for years here and when I was in Washington DC.
BUT... and its a big BUT his nose is so far up Obama's derriere that he can't see and think straight. Williams demonstrated "reverse discrimination" by lobbing a racist-filled question to Gingrich knowing full well that Gingrich would take the bait and give him a straightforward truthful answer.
The people stood up giving Gingrich a standing ovation. As they did when the CNN moderator set Gingrich up right out of the debate gate on a question about his second wife. The second for Gingrich in a week and only the 4th in the GOP debates.
Here's my prediction and you can take it to the bank. Gingrich will win the SC primary going away with Romney and Santorum tied for a distant second. Paul picking up the rear in third place.
You go Gingrich. Give the media their just desserts. Right smack in the face.
Carmine A. DiFazio
Unfortunately Bchaps 3:59 am comment was not an isolated event in the south during the seventies as this pattern of behavior had been institutionalized for a long time. It seems no matter who you had to interact with a high school football coach or your local store owner if you did not conform or answer there questions in a manner that fit there ideology, you would not be a starting linebacker on the football team and you would not receive service in the local store. This behavior is quite evident in the tea party if you dare to disagree or not conform to there ideology you will quickly have the word out on you and be immediately classified as enemy status. So yes there is a similar pattern of behavior of the old racist southern Democrats and the modern day tea party.
Discussions on racism rarely accomplish anything.
People are considered by some as absolutely 'racist' if they make comments critical of President Obama or another African American. This is clearly unfair and wrong.
On the other side, when people make what are clearly insensitive comments toward minorities, people wish to ignore and minimize those comments. This also is unfair and wrong.
I feel sorry for people that do either because as we have grown as a nation over time, these people have not.
Michael
Michael Casler; hearing Newt Gingrich's racial remarks, and this includes Santorum in the Republican South Carolina primaries personally reminded me of that top sergeant that I spoke of in my initial post on this issue. My added computer imagery of Newt Gingrich was not published. It has been and will remain, private. However, I did commentate on making this image of Newt Gingrich to serve as an example of what deep resentment I have for people of this stature..
My feelings and emotions run deep on the issue of racism. Being Caucasian, myself, with blond hair and blue eyes, I deeply resented a trusted top sergeant assuming that just because of my physical characteristics, I would embrace his association with the Klu Klux Klan. Nothing ever, has insulted and outraged me more than this assumption made by that top sergeant. It took place approximately forty years ago. The outrage, within me, has never diminished not one bit. I guess it truly showed in all my posts.
Mr casler
Discussions on racism rarely accomplish anything.
I will respectfully dispute that characterization. The conversation on racism in the sixties were productive in righting Jim crow laws and otherwise inhumane treatment of our fellow African-American citizens. And any attempts to return to the era of Jim crow makes it quite necessary to nip it off at the bud. The sacrifices made in the sixties including the loss of life by violent means justifys it.
CarmineD - "BUT... and its a big BUT his nose is so far up Obama's derriere that he can't see and think straight. Williams demonstrated "reverse discrimination" by lobbing a racist-filled question to Gingrich knowing full well that Gingrich would take the bait and give him a straightforward truthful answer."
If you heard Juan Williams he was doing what a moderator does, asking questions that were sent to his laptop. You are trying to spin another scenario. I might add for some idiot to bolster Gingrich by saying he "put Juan Williams in his place", exactly what place should that be? Along side black kids doing janitorial work? Maybe the back of the bus.
It's 2012 and one would think idiots would be over this racist BS, but I hear Obama jokes all the time, indicating to me people still have a problem with other peoples skin color and/or religion.
@ Carmine: I like Juan Williams to. He's knowledgable and at least listens to opposing views and is good for the liberal media. Actually if you think about it, any comments that elude one to think that Republicans are racist its best to get that garbage out of the way now and lets discuss it. This way when its down to the Pres and the Repub rep this trash will be hashed out and we can actually listen to debates of what truly needs to be discussed.
@BChap; I certainly thank you for your service in the military. It takes a true man to stick with his feelings and stand up against racism especially when the odds are against him. As a youth I grew up a hop and a skip from the ghetto. My friends included many races being white,black or latino. We stuck together. We were disliked by many. Our city was made up of neighborhoods that basically were white, black, irish, italian etc. No one liked us but that made our friendships stronger. Believe me, it wasn't just the whites that looked down on my friends and I but the blacks also but we never swayed from each other and to this day some 45 years later we are still the closest of friends. Sometimes when faced with lifes struggles like racism it will make you a stronger person and your ideals genuine.
"Chuck333" from the "All Comments" section. You're truly a good man who has a great deal of wisdom and knowledge. Thank you for all the time you devoted in making sense of this discussion room issue that went awry for a period of time.
BChap if your last comment is truly what you believe I thank you for that. If only all people, especially politicians, can find some common ground then our differences will be more easily discussed in a mature manor.
Mike_Kerns,
I should have inserted 'recently'. I didn't intend to include conversations in the 60's. Those were obviously productive.
Of course there is still racism in America and I suspect always will be. There is now victimhood and reverse discrimination, which is ashame.
Michael
"Does ANYONE think as highly of themselves as Newton?
Easy question and answer. Yes, most definitely. President Barack. H. Obama.
Carmine A. DiFazio
Bradley,
What happened to you was wrong and sad. Gingrich's remarks were ones that could and would be characterized as racist and he should have known better. Only Gingrich knows 'if' he is a 'racist'. There are people that have a stake in portraying him as a 'racist' and others with a stake in not portraying him that way. That's just life these days in America. If you are in the public eye you have to be very careful about what you say and how you say it.
Michael
"If you heard Juan Williams he was doing what a moderator does, asking questions that were sent to his laptop."
So was the CNN Moderator at the SC debate. And as Gingrich said, when the moderator tried to blame another network for the question, as you are doing for Williams, Gingrich put the blame back on him. Nobody forced either to ask the questions. They did so out of free will for self-serving reasons. To impugn Gingrich on national TV.
Carmine A. DiFazio
"It's 2012 and one would think idiots would be over this racist BS,"
It's the 21 Century. Americans elected a black President in 2008! What more proof do you need that the racist BS is over, except in your own mind and way of thinking.
People voted for Obama in 2008 to prove they weren't racist. Now they need to vote him out to prove that they are smart.
Carmine A. DiFazio
chuck333 - "As a youth I grew up a hop and a skip from the ghetto. My friends included many races being white,black or latino. We stuck together. We were disliked by many. Our city was made up of neighborhoods that basically were white, black, irish, italian etc. No one liked us but that made our friendships stronger."
Only a person growing up in a large city can see that sort of diversity. My time spent in the military was pretty much the same, a very diverse group of us hanging together. My nerves stiffen when I hear Sarah Palin chat about the "real" Americans who grew up in little towns where most dress the same, go to the same church, or work in the same factories.
Mr casler
That was a respectable response thank you for that. To me newt made his own bed with the comments he made. Apparently the newt is pulling out all the stops in trying to topple Romney. And as for Romney I am giving him serious consideration for my own vote and likewise I think the Republican party will be more respected by nominating him and rejecting newt.
Mr. Chapline:
I was quiet awake when I wrote my comments. In case you don't know, in writing, you always use the male gender when making a general statement, to wit:
"All men are created equal" does not mean women are not.
Here's the bottom line on Newt.
He will NEVER be president.
Not even in Carmine's wildest fantasy.
FOUR MORE YEARS FOR PRESIDENT OBAMA!!!
"Here's the bottom line on Newt.
He will NEVER be president."
Maybe he will, maybe he won't. That's what the election will determine. Might be Romney. Might be Santorum. It won't be Obama. Not this time. Obama's time has come and gone. He's in campaign mode now, not presidency. He'll lose in Nov through his own faults.
Be smart vote Obama out.
Carmine A. DiFazio
@ Vernos: I do tend to agree with you that when any public figure states that true Americans come from small towns or the like its also a huge turn off to me whether its Palin or any other person. We all are Americans, like it or not, and some do have points of view stemming from a small town in the midwest or a big city back east. This is whats best about our society is the fact that it is so diverse and open to all for discussion. This is one of the big reasons why I tend to get angry with posters here as they are so one sided they don't look to both sides and try to find common ground.
Now in this blog I learned something about you and Bchap, and although we have opposing political views, I think the three of us have found some common ground and can enjoy more of a mutual respect for each others feelings on issues.
"When liberals stop finding racism as a motivation for all cricitism of Barack Hussein Obama or Eric Holder then racist remarks will stop."
In an effort to prove that they are "color blind" [a worthy trait based on Dr. MLK's belief that his children one day would be judged by the content of their character, not the color of their skin], they have become blinded by color [a shortsighted trait].
Carmine A. DiFazio
Reid you used some pretty strong language against me. Then you write the following, "I was a white victim of the Watts riot. I lost a 1/4 million dollar business just because I was white. After it was over the government rushed to give money away to minorities and they all failed. As a white I received nothing for my loss."
My reply to you is, "tough toe nails. fascist."
Carmine.....
Get used to it.
President Obama will be re-elected.
And President Obama will go down in history as
great as Abraham Lincoln.
Senator Reid today, after the announcement that Gingrich won the SC primary going away, called the GOP presidential contenders characters. Doing so in a condescending way. Any other pronouncement like this by a contemporary dem politician would be headline news and front page coverage. Not so for Reid, not so. Why?
Reid's a dinosaur. Nobody, I mean no-body, takes him serious. He overstayed his time, lost his usefulness and is totally out of touch with the real world. Fortunately, for him, not Nevadans, when he retires soon he will have amassed a small political fortune from crony capitalism and special interest favoritism. Not from hard work and good investments as he said and would like us believe.
Sad that a once good hard working and family oriented man allowed greed and wealth to blind him. As it has so many others like him. Good bye Reid.
Carmine A. DiFazio
DISCRIMINATION can be defined in a positive manner such as being SELECTIVE when making decisions. No need to base anything on skin color or ethnic characteristics. I'm tired of being treated like a racist because I'm light skinned and "blond". I've worked in inner cities. I've hired Hispanics. I'm Heinz 57 dna including 1/8 AMERICAN Indian and grew up next to a Reservation--got all the racist treatment in school--several siblings were clearly Indian in coloring. I am EXTREMELY BIASED AGAINST ILLEGALS whether they are Latino or Vikings. I'm also VERY TIRED OF MEDIA ADVERTISING that won't represent my "color" any more. The entire populace, including many potential customers, are NOT DARK HAIRED.
Carmine.....
Not so for Harry Reid, why?
Because Harry Reid tells it like it is.
You republicans hate the truth.
HARRY REID IS THE MAN!!!
Get over it.
Our great Harry Reid is staying right where he is.
Your greedy, heartless republican party is
broken.
THANK GOD.
WAAAHHH, poor Jimmy Weed wost his wad...waaah
I'm with Brad. "tough toe nails. fascist."