Rumors that black people are likely to riot after next week's election is the lowest form of fear-mongering yet by Obama's opponents. The sleaziest ones go so far as to say that regardless whether Obama wins or loses black people are going to take to the streets in a wild frenzy -
whether it's in celebration of an Obama win or outrage at a McCain upset. The inference is the same: Black people (and Obama is one of them, remember) can't be trusted to conduct themselves in a civilized manner when put to the test. And, oh yeah, as more than one anti-Obama voter has left in the comment section of my blog, whites would be wise therefore to take cover and avoid areas of their city where blacks are known to frequent lest they end up the victim of black violence. On radio and on television in recent weeks more than a few white voters have expressed some fear over what blacks are likely to do next
week.
I can't say exactly why this one gets to me.
Of all the cheap, ugly, lowdown, racist, and yes even sexist, stereotypes that have circulated during this whole election cycle, this one about blacks rioting hurts most. This is not just Barack Obama, but the whole black race that's being talked about. Drumming up memories of 60s riots by blacks over racial injustices in the country don't compare with what's happening here in this year's presidential election.
But at this late date in the campaign, it's not about truth or reality or ethics. It's about winning. By any means necessary. If reasoning with voters doesn't work, then tapping into their deepest, most irrational fears about black people will do, seems to be the logic of some.
Here's what gets me: We have white skinheads caught by the FBI in a scheme to assasinate the black presidential candidate along with dozens of innocent black students. We have a young white woman who finds someone to punch and slap her around and leave bruises on her face so she can claim she was attacked by a black male Obama supporter. We have whites growing angry and
rowdy at McCain/Palin rallies, yelling "Kill Him" when Obama's name is mentioned. But never mind any of that. It's black people who are violent and a threat to the commonwealth.
I don't dispute that the black community has its share of ugly violence to address. But black communities are not the only ones suffering from this disease. America is a violent country. Period. Americans learn early on how to use violence, and the threat of violence, to get our way. We have an epic entertainment industry that plays on our fears of others and that feeds on our fantasies of doing away violently with those we fear and who oppose us.
May those of us committed to progressive, righteous thinking step up our efforts to persuade everyone around us that not only is violence an immoral choice, but fear-mongering is a losing strategy.

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Dr P, anyone can play your game.
Your tactics are exactly the sort of "big lie" propaganda used by the Nazis. It is the politics of fear and divisiveness, of hatred and bigotry. For anyone to embrace such tactics is profoundly shameful and dangerous. What you use to victimize others can all too easily be used against you.
But of course, you aren't a Nazi. You are simply a tool of the RNC. If John McCain were ahead in the polls, you wouldn't be here spreading vicious lies. You call Obama a socialist for wanting to return to a Clintonian tax plan?
Yes, Obama will raise taxes on those earning over a quarter of a million. And he will spend on healthcare, Iraq, Afghanistan and the environment. But so will McCain. He plans more spending on health, the environment and won't touch defense of entitlements. And his refusal to touch taxes means an extra $4 trillion in debt over the massive increase presided over by Bush. And the CBO estimates that McCain's plans will add more to the debt over four years than Obama's. Honest fiscal conservatives have a clear choice.
What you McCain folks don’t realize is that your wealth has been "redistributed" for years. It's been taken from future generations in the form of loans in order to fund our immoral wars. Bush has spent money at a prolific rate unrivaled in the history of the modern world. The debt is now $10.5 trillion dollars. That’s $35,000 dollars per head. Instead of taxing you, GWB has simply run your credit card up to 35k without telling you. And guess what? There’s interest. Your children will have to pay this.
You’re funding wars with your Social Security and your children’s tax money. Why are you so angry that a small percentage of very wealthy individuals might go back to paying the same tax rates that they were paying 8 years ago? Why are you so eager to fall on your swords so that Exxon Mobile can keep huge profits while you spend hundreds of dollars a month filling up your tank?
Anyway, just for you, a few things to remember before you use big words you were told to repeat from your favorite AM radio host:
John McCain, Socialist:
"Responding to a question from a girl who wants to know why her father, a doctor, pays a higher tax rate than people who earn less:
McCain: 'I think it's to some degree because we feel, obviously, that wealthy people can afford more.'
Doctor's daughter: 'Aren't we getting closer and closer to, like, socialism and stuff?'
McCain: 'Here's what I really believe. When you are, reach a certain level of comfort, there is nothing wrong with paying somewhat more.'"
McCain would stand to get a $300,000 tax break if his proposals were enacted, while middle class Americans would save only $319.
Palin acuses Obama of being a socialist when Alaska receives more per capita earmark money than any other state in the Union (talk about "wealth redistribution")! She asked for $256 million in 2007, and another $197 million this year, and Senator Ted Stevens obliged. Yet another example of Republican statements not comporting with Republican actions.
Where is the media coverage of the financial contributions McCain received from the Bonanno crime family; or the fact that this wife's fortune came from mob connections; or Palin’s relationship with Jew-hating Christian Evangelicals, including “Jews for Jesus”; or McCain’s ethically challenged relationship with Charles Keating, a partnership at the heart of the 1980s Savings and Loan scandal; or McCain’s friendship with G. Gordon Liddy, who served 5 years in prison for his role in the Watergate break-in, which plunged the country into a constitutional crisis; or Todd Palin’s membership in the Alaska Constitutional Party, a fringe party that advocates for Alaska’s secession from the US?
The Republican game plan of saying to the electorate "Be Afraid, Be VERY Afraid, Only WE can protect you" is as bankrupt as Bear Stearns or Lehman Brothers. Time to let a real leader like Obama into the White House.
The article fails to mention that not only are we (as a nation) being threatened with riots if Obama loses, but we're being threatened with riots if Obama wins. I find this to be a racist remark. Basically it's saying that black people cannot control themselves. What a crock of ****!
Our country has been in a social death spiral for the last 40 years. Both parties are responsible. The poor don't have to work, we take care of them. Responsibility is gone and has been replaced with "entitlement". People turn the other way when gangs enter their neighborhoods and spit upon police, then cry out for justice when a child is shot. Slipping on a floor and sueing the company is now the American dream, instead of honest work. What incentive does a person have to work harder and earn more when everything is taxed beyond belief?
Example:If a couple manages to build a business and wills it to their children to carry-on, most can't. The capital gains taxes are so outrageous, the children can't afford to keep the business. Sheer madness.
Race card. Demonizing Republican Americans. Stop your whining.
I bet you never said a word about all the hateful things that were said about Bush by liberals. If the British made a film about assassinating Obama like they did with Bush, you'd probably be on the street protesting. If the Canadians wrote an article calling Obama black trash or the equivalent to stupid redneck, you'd organize a boycott.
You are the racist. You are the biased hater. You try to divide people with this hate speech. And you are indoctrinated beyond help.
Guillian and Redhead Libertarian you both have proven my point very eloquently...I could not have asked for a more perfect example than the hate you have just exemplified in your attack of my comment...One more thing that my interest you I am a "Brown" Person...I know what will come next I am a sell out, brainwashed pinned head, Uncle Tom...I know first hand what racism is I have the wound! Geee... I can wait to live in your World of "Liberal Love" Where hanging effigies of a white women is acceptable! and shutting the opposition is the way to win...Hail Barack!
Dr King Once said: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged (or Elected President)by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." This is the real issue with OBAMA Character and Character is everything!
Guillian and Redhead Libertarian you both have proven my point very eloquently...I could not have asked for a more perfect example than the hate you have just exemplified in your attack of my comment...One more thing that may interest you I am a "Brown" Person...I know what will come next, I am a sell out, a brainwashed pinned head, an Uncle Tom...I know first hand what racism is I have the wounds! Geee... I can't wait to live in your World of "Liberal Love", Where hanging effigies of a white women is acceptable and shutting the opposition is the way to win an election...Hail Barack!
Dr King Once said: "I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged (or Elected President) by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." This is the real issue with OBAMA, is his Character and Character is everything!
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