Jimmy Carter Calls it Racism

Well of course opposition to Obama is racially motivated! Has it ever been anything but?

Remember: “You’re Surely a Racist, If…” at
http://firebreathingchristian.wordpress.com/2009/09/03/youre-surely-a-racist-if/

"The thing that causes Americans to dislike and not trust or respect President Obama is his Fascist, Marxist style of politics along with his habitual habit of lieing!" -PR

The cause is the easily influenced right wing fringe who believes such crap. These folks have no skill at reasoning, thus cannot be reasoned with. A case in point is the belief that 9-11 was an inside job. Some folks believe this despite there being no evidence to support it, and most significantly, evidence to the contrary. Some folks just believe what they want to believe, and ignore any test in reality. We evolved humans (elitists, I guess) who have developed skill at reasoning and managing emotions are the one's capable of moving our species forward into the future.

Civility in our highest offices of government has to be maintained Minette. In 122 years no House Representative has accused the President of the U.S. of being a liar. Character must be maintained in our House and Senate. It wasn't yelled at him in a hall, in cafeteria, on the street, it was a Congressional Presidential Speech to the Nation. Haven't you ever had an office in H.S., College where certain manners had to be observed?

Toning down the rhetoric would be a great start for all parties. I absolutely despise the comments that Jimmy Carter (former President) made about racism referring to the tea party goers. I can understand that yes a small number of them may be racists as these people came from all corners of this great nation, however to label them all racists!!!

I am one of those tea party members, I did participate this last weekend in our local rally and the one underlying truth is that the majority of the people I came in contact with simple don’t trust the Federal Government to take on another program that they will obviously not be able to run efficiently.

These people came from all walks of life; they were White, Black, Brown, Republican, Independent and even some democrats. In the crowd maybe even some racists, but not the majority. I am a Constitutional Moderate not right or left. I believe in small Federal Government and State Sovereignty. I’m also a retired member of the US Navy where I served 22 years. During which time I experience national health care first hand in Wales United Kingdom, where yes the service was adequate, but poorly underfunded and rationed.

I will be the first to say we need health care reform in this country, but let’s start with the obvious

1. Remove the laws which were enacted by Congress and the Senate which restrict interstate purchase of health insurance. This will allow free enterprise to flourish, competition will grow and prices will go down making health care much more affordable for all.

2. Stop the insurance and pharmaceutical lobbyists’ In Washington; our representative must only represent us.

3. Restrict bogus law suits, if a law suit is found to have no merit loser pays, and though medical malpractice does happen from time to time settlements need to fit reasonable damages.

4. Put together good legislation which stops insurance companies from denying or dropping coverage for any reason, with the exception of obvious miss use.

5. Allow small companies to form insurance coops this will also lower the cost of insurance making it much more available.

A second issue you talked about the debt increase stating that it was a leftover from George Bush (former President) well I would like to set that record straight, yes Bush was the President but the majority of Congress and the Senate were the same as now sitting with a Democratic majority. The same lack of checks and balance as is present. Facts Being Facts.

The truth is we have the right to disagree and the ignorant in this country still have the right to be heard; however, common sense must prevail. I call to all Americans to please tone down the rhetoric and if you don’t truly know the facts, educate yourselves before you get into the fight, right, left or center.

Lastly if congress has the nerve to continue passing any legislation without even reading the bills presented, WE THE PEOPLE OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA (their employers) must take them out of office by whatever means required.

I AM NOT A RACIST I BELIEVE IN FREEDOM FOR ALL AND PERSONAL RESPONSIBILITY.

Come on Paul......... Whites helped elect Obama and put him in the Presidency. This has absolutely nothing to do with race. Our country was more than ready for a President of color, but not Obama. He was not qualified and his circle of friends were not America friendly. He made his bed. People are questioning him because of his actions. He is not what he pretended to be. People wanted a black president and didn't care who he was,they voted for anyone.

People have a right to express their beliefs and America is not on the same page as Obama who like it or not wants socialized medicine. I thank God that people have stood up for what they believe is wrong.

The tea parties, the protests at town hall meetings….etc, all good. If the shoe were on the other foot, do you think the Democrats would sit back and be supportive of a president they disagreed with? The Democratic Party hunted Bush down, they hated him, and went after him with a vengeance. Now they say that Republicans are racist because they are simply standing up for the truth?

About Obamas spending………..http://blog.heritage.org/2009/03/24/bush-deficit-vs-obama-deficit-in-pictures/

Just more money out of our pockets……zilch going to the military.

Carter is not a patriot, his comments in the past have been nothing short of treasonous. He is an embarrassment to our country. He is trying to make up for the miserable years we had with him while he was in office because he was a failure.

Obama is not God. The office should be respected but that does not mean we do not have the right to question any politicians actions. Democrats crucified George Bush. They called him names, even Carter went after him while Bush was in office. What Obama got from Wilson he deserved. Democrats are using the race card to make up for the failures of Obama. They are trying to take the focus off of the real problem, the fact that Obama can not lead this country. The numbers are showing this.

Record numbers voted Obama in office so don’t give me the crap that whites are racist. What is happening is that they are seeing Obama in a different light. They are seeing that he is NOT what he made himself out to be. He did what he had to do to get elected.
How pathetic Paul that you are trying to blame right wing radio. Did you also criticize Michael Moores internet groups, or left-wing radio, television stations…….radical left wing newspapers when Bush was in office?

Obamas true colors are finally coming out (and its not white)….Wright, Ayers, Rezko, Dorhn have finally caught up with him.

Henrietta……..maybe its time people stood up against evil. Ya know there is an unwritten rule about a past president criticizing a president who is in office. Carter and Clinton went after Bush and disrespected the office by doing it. They did not care. The kicked him to the curb. So don’t give me the cry baby tears for Obama. He gets what he deserves.

So Joe Wilson is racist? There could be a case made that Obama is also racist. His comments in the Gates fiasco show his true feelings about white police. Of course he half way apologized for his hasty behavior but he had to do that to keep peace.

The fact is that millions of whites who are not racists voted for Obama believing him to be non racist.

Jimmy Carter is one of the greatest, wisest Americans alive. He knows what he is talking about. Racism is a factor in the current campaign of hate-mongering. All the screams of denial by the most hateful only seem to confirm that Carter is right.

I attended the tea party march on Washington last Saturday the 12th of September and did not see any racism exhibited among the thousands of signs I saw. I did not hear any racist comments. I did hear several African Americans speak from the podium and receive the same applause as any other speaker. In fact, I saw people of various races in the crowd and heard at least a half dozen different languages being spoken.

Opposing the health care proposal, cap and trade, any other issue or even Obama is not racism. After a while this kind of talk will cease being effective. Funny how the town meeting protesters are called racists, xenophobes, fear mongers, but those labeling everyone racists, and everything else are not accused of interfering with peaceful, intelligent discussion of issues.

Let's have some fairness here. Unless that doesn't serve your particular philosophy.

I supported Pres Carter when he began Habitat for Humanity, I thought he was the example of a truly good man. I have to disagree with his racist statement. He comes from a time where Jews were hated and a man was judged by the color of his skin. I was born of another time, where ones skin had nothing to do with ones character. The only racism I see, it President Carters version of what might be his subjective truth. How can he say racism is the reason people arent in support of the PResident, when racism never played a part in his election.

I guess a lot of people are taking Carter's comments in the most extreme way possible -- as an accusation that the only reason for opposition to Democratic party policies is racism, and that all who are critical are racists. But I believe Carter meant that some of the more hateful statements are motivated at least partly by racism. And is there no truth in that?

I respect people who can listen to criticism and consider if it has some truth. Of course there are many liberals and conservatives who reject that, and respond to any criticism with a self-righteousness that denies all wrongdoing, and insists that all the blame belongs to other people.

I have a feeling that if Carter called the sky blue, someone would say he didn't know what he was talking about.

It would be incredibly naive to suggest that there isn't a trace of racism in the anti-Obama sentiment that's existed even before the primaries. That being said, I'm aware there's plenty of other arguments. Like that he's a Nazi, or a Communist (or somehow both at the same time), or lying about his nationality, or that's he got a funny name, or that his dad was a Muslim-turned atheist who wasn't around much, or that he's popular. Cause heaven forbid the president be popular.

Pablo: "He is saying that policy debate is actually hatred and racism, but only when the president is black. So in effect what Jimmy Carter is saying is this - a black president cannot engage in polictal debate because the second there is a policy difference its racist and motivated not by genuine political difference but by skin color. So in a rather amusing twist its actually Jimmy carter who is racist not the tea party people!"

So Carter is racist for believing that some people are racist? Wow...I guess next we'll be hearing that war is peace and freedom is slavery.

churchmouse: "He puts Americas laws above Gods."

And what's wrong with putting America first all of the sudden?

"I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man"

Okay, to me this line of Carter's leaves out people who simply disagree over policy. I think Carter is talking about people who publicize an intense personal hatred for Obama as an individual.

"it seems your clutching at straws Brian!!"

What straw? As a Canadian I have nothing to gain or defend in this argument. Besides, we already have basic health care for everybody, so if Americans don't want that it's no problem for us. It's just that it takes willful denial to reject what Paul reasonably pointed out:

"after seeing the sea of angry white faces holding signs with Obama as an African Witch Doctor, and other signs commenting about his Muslim heritage, I have to agree with President Carter that there is an element of racism and xenophobia within the current opposition to our President."

Obama said the issues of policy are far more important than race, as Carter would agree. Obama admitted that some of his supporters voted for him largely because of his race, while some of his opponents opposed him partly on racial grounds. But of course he avoided generalizing that either his supporters or opponents were mainly racists. Carter didn't do that either. He criticized the contemptuous language of a vocal minority. I'd question the motives of those who attack Carter, and who defend people waving pictures of Obama as an African witch doctor and shouting "Obama bin Liar". Those are the people trying to play the race card.

These all-or-nothing arguments are silly. This isn't about proving that ALL White Republicans or ALL Black Democrats are racists, or that NONE of them are. I'd think we'd criticize racism of any kind -- from Blacks, Whites, Arab Muslims, or anyone. Just because most critics of Obama are not racists doesn't mean that none are. And if we reject all criticism toward the few who are racist, doesn't that serve to defend the racist minority?

Also, I'm curious. What do you think failed about the government supported basic health care offered by all industrialized nations except the USA?

That's right Pablo! I didn't listen to American news over the weekend. I was responding to what you and churchmouse said. And ya'll can come to Canada anytime and try to convince us that we should pay for all medical care like the Americans.

The Canadian system is a mix of private business and government support. Only basic things are covered for everybody. For everything "extra", including most drugs, dental care, and lots of other "optional" things, you gotta pay yourself or through private insurance. So there's still plenty of demand for the insurance business. Oh yeah, and the government does NOT cover abortion costs, or the costs of illegal immigrants.

We have constant debate on what medical services should be covered, or not, and how much money to put into the public health budget. But the country tends to argue over what service can be offered to every citizen. If Americans decide that's a dumb goal, I don't suppose it'll hurt our feelings too bad.

"Who goes to Canada for any medical treatment?"

Canadian provinces have an ongoing problem with Americans forging Canadian health cards so they can get free or cheaper service. And my relatives in Texas know lots of people who go to Mexico for affordable treatment.

I guess you've been told government subsidized health care is crap. I hear we have line ups for some kinds of care, though I haven't experienced that myself. In Canada we hear a fair number of horror stories of Americans who are denied care by insurance companies, or who lose their life savings to medical bills. One bottom line is this: the average Canadian life expectancy is several years longer than the average American's.

Well Pablo, I'd advise you go and pay over the border in the USA. But the Conservative party here, like all the other parties, supports public health care. Why? Maybe they know how bad they'd lose the next election if they came out against it.

Well far right, since we both deplore racism, it seems to me we can agree to condemn it. For example, I have a number of Muslim friends who are highly critical of prejudiced statements by fellow Muslims. They could just insist that not all Muslims are prejudiced. But I think they demonstrate their own lack of prejudice more clearly by criticizing prejudice even when, or especially when, it appears in their own community.

The logic of rejecting Carter's point seems to be, "Since you can't say most critics of Obama are racist, you have to say that none of them are."

It's one thing to oppose "guilt by association," as in "your neighbor is a racist, so you must be one too." It's another thing to defend the individuals who really are racist. Many of the statements made at these rallies, some of which Paul quotes, are racist hate-mongering. If you defend these statements, you are defending racism.