What area blogs and news sources are reporting (Bloggers: Send us a link to your RSS feed and we'll incude you in this roundup).
The voice of ignorance
Doug Thompson March 12, 2008 - 4:11am.
Colleen Redman over at Loose Leaf Notes reports overhearing this exchange at the Floyd Post Office:
Animated Woman: If Obama is president the black people are gonna take over. They’ll line us white people up and shoot us.
Postal Clerk: I think you should go home and go back to bed so you can wake up again.
Good God. We hoped that kind of red-neck ignorance had long vanished from the landscape but apparently it hasn't. When Hillary Clinton surrogates like former vice presidential candidate Geraldine Ferraro and Philadelphia Governor Ed Rendell offer up racist comments as part of a choreographed campaign of fear mongering it is little wonder that ignorant comments like the one Colleen overheard at the post office still exist in our society.
Racism has long found its roots in the ignorant who fear what they don't understand and manifest that fear in hatred towards others.
It does not belong in Floyd County, it does not belong in Virginia, it does not belong in America and it certainly does not belong in our political system.
Ignorance
It's very discouraging to think people still think this way. Fear's a powerful thing. It's not helping that there's so much mudslinging going on to feed into it. Here's what I had to say about that: http://spatter.typepad.com/spatter/2008/03/eating-our-own.html
racism
The Clinton campaign is reaching a new low, appealing to racism for votes. This is consistent with their "anything goes" mentality and the unbridled greed for power they have demonstrated so far. They're revealing themselves to be more and more like the current administration. Let's hope the DNC and the super delegates honor the will of the Democratic primary voters, particularly the huge numbers of young voters who have been energized by Obama. If not, may the DNC reap the results of a corrupt political process and lose in the general election, as disenchanted Obama voters drop out, feeling their efforts are futile.
We may have come a long way -- but not far enough
In addition to the overheard post office comment and the divisive words of politicos - take a look at the Ohio exit polls. The commentators couched it in softer terms, but racism was clearly a primary factor - no pun intended. And it looks like there's more ahead in Pennsylvania, Kentucky and West Virginia at the very least. I fear the redneck ignorance Doug mentioned reflects some human need to denigrate and lash out at someone or some idea that is threatening, feared or maybe just different. It has been so gratifying over the past few months to see the thousands of young - and not so young - people, men and women of varying ethnicities demonstrate enthusiasm for a candidate and take a real interest in our political process. It brought to mind the decades past events and candidates that got me involved in politics. It's the first positive public political response in years and I fear its loss - for what may happen in November and many more decades ahead.
Thanks
Thank you Colleen and Doug for helping to shine a bright light in the dark corners of our communities. Racist, bigoted attitudes, words and behavior will never stand the light of public scrutiny and rational thought. Thanks to all the people that are making that light brighter around these parts.
The rest of us should remember the old axiom: If you're not part of the solution, you're part of the problem! Speak up and let people know that such behavior is not appreciated.
Kudos to the postal clerk for the sage advice. Let's all wake up!
It runs in the family
Hillary is not above race-baiting to get what she wants. Her husband -- yes, yes, Slick Willie -- has dissed black people when it was politically expedient.
Also, Ed Rendell has been governor of Pennsylvania since 2003.
racism
I am so not surprised. Not surprised at all. You would be shocked to know all of the racism in this community. Oh and most of them pile into the church every Sunday. What hypocrisy!
racism
That's got to be one of the most ignorant things I have ever heard spoke. It saddens me to know that racism is still alive in America. It is a deep tragedy, and should be erased from society. ON to Barrack Obama. I woulnd't vote for him if I could. I do not stand for abortion. That's reason enough. What really doesn't sit well with me is his backround. He was raised in a radical muslim school till he was 15. He says he's a member of the Church of God, but what do you expect? This is a mainly christian America we live in, so he has no choice if he wants to win the election. I think Barrack Obama is someone we should fear if he wins. The fact that he has such a great muslim backround is reasone enough for me not to vote for him. He wants to rase taxes 20% and do away with the NUCLEAR RESEARCH? Oh, and cut the mililtary. Thats why I wouldnt vote for him.
It's not because of his name. Not because of his race. It's because of his backround.
-isms
Zach, I know you're a young man so I don't think it's a good idea to be too hard on you for ideas that were taught to you by someone else. But you are old enough to think for yourself. What makes you think that your own form of bigotry (religion) is any better than racism? There is a good reason that the laws of our country protect the religious freedom of its people. It is my own belief that there is one God. Not one "true" God or one "right" God but one God.
Logically, this means that all of us who believe in God believe in the same one (those who don't have rights too that are protected under U.S. law). All of the hatred, war and strife in the name of religion is our (mankind's) creation, not God's. Yes, God is called by different names by different groups but whether it's "God", "Allah" (which literally means "The One", by the way), "Jehovah", "Ahura Mazda" or any of dozens of other names, there is still only one.
Does this mean what we all believe about our God is absolute truth? Given the diversity in these beliefs, they probably are not. But once again, these differences are man made, not God created. The telltale sign is that the core teachings (not including laws that were revealed for specific cultures and historical eras) are basically the same. Did you know that every tradition has a version of what we in the West call "The Golden Rule"? That's a clue! I could go on but I'm sure you get the idea.
The bottom line is that you are making assumptions about a man, Senator Obama, based on your own indoctrination as a Christian, not necessarily facts. You are taking one piece of information (Senator Obama's early schooling) and assuming that you know what was taught in that school and how that affected him even though his words and actions say otherwise. You also appear to believe that whatever he was taught was bad because it came from Muslims. This is religious bigotry, plain and simple. All Muslims are not terrorists any more than all Christians are child molesters or embezzlers. You simply cannot judge an entire group by the actions of a few. Yes, ancient religious rivalries and contemporary abuse and oppression are more complicated, but the principle is the same and that's what our laws are (supposed to be) based on.
I am a member of a minority religion myself-- does that mean that I have some evil agenda for the world if that's the only piece of information that you have? Use your brain! That's what it's for, even though it can also soak up just about anyone else wants to throw at us. Just because Mom or Dad or a preacher tells you something doesn't mean it's the absolute truth (Jesus talked about this). As you might guess, a great deal of bigotry and hatred is taught in houses of worship all over the world. Research has found that in our country, a great deal of racial and religious bigotry is taught from the pulpits of allegedly "Christian" churches.
The gift that has been given us is a heart that can connect with God if we allow it and the ability to think and discern the difference between what makes sense and what doesn't. Use it.
Peace to you, Zach. I know you're a smart guy and you can figure these things out if you try.
RACISM
ZACH:
EVERYTHING YOU WROTE ABOUT OBAMA IS TOTALLY UNTRUE!!! EVERYTHING YOU WROTE IS A LIE IT'S FEAR MONGERING LIKE THIS, THAT CAUSES MOST OF OUR PROBLEMS IN THIS COUNTRY! YOU ARE THE ONE PEOPLE NEED TO FEAR. ANYONE WHO PUTS OUT THESE KINDS OF LIE, IS SCARY, DAMN SCARY!!!
ABORTION: SENATOR OBAMA WOULD OFFER MORE PREVENTIVE EDUCATION, AND ALTERNATIVE CHOICES TO HELP MINIMIZE THE NEED FOR HAVING TO CONSIDER ABORTION IN THE FIRST PLACE. THERE WOULD BE PARENTAL NOTIFICATION, AND LIMITED CIRCUMSTANCES. SENATOR OBAMA DOES BELIEVE THAT IN THE END IT IS BETWEEN A WOMAN, HER FAMILY AND HER DOCTOR TO MAKE THE DECISION, NOT POLITICIANS IN WASHINGTON!
SENATOR OBAMA SPENT 2 YEARS FROM AGE 7 TO AGE 9 IN A INDONESIA SCHOOL, WHERE HIS WHITE MOTHER MOVED TO LIVE, THAT WAS NOT A MUSLEM SCHOOL. THIS HAS BEEN THOROUGHLY INVESTIGATED BY CNN AND OTHER STATIONS. NO EVIDENCE OF RADICAL MUSLEM TEACHINGS EVER FOUND AT THIS SCHOOL! FROM AGE 9 SENATOR OBAMA WENT TO SCHOOL IN HAWAII, WHERE HE LIVED WITH HIS WHITE GRANDPARENTS
TAXES: SENATOR OBAMA WILL RAISE YOUR TAXES ONLY IF YOU MAKE OVER $250,000 PER YEAR. IF YOU MAKE THAT MUCH YOU CAN AFFORD THE TAX INCREASE. SO BITE THE BULLET AND PAY YOUR FAIR SHARE AND DON'T BITCH, BUT INSTEAD BE GRATEFUL FOR YOUR GOOD FORTUNE! . IF YOU'RE A SENIOR ON SOCIAL SECURITY, YOU WILL PAY NO TAXES IF YOU MAKE UNDER $50,000 A YEAR. IF YOU MAKE UNDER $75,000 YOU WILL GET A TAX DECREASE! YES A DECREASE!!!
RELIGION: SENATOR ABAMA GOES TO A CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN CHICAGO AND HAS FOR OVER 20 YEARS, AS VERIFIED BY THE RECORDS OF HIS CHURCH! SENATOR OBAMA HAS NO, NONE, ZIP, NO MUSLIM BACKGROUND! NONE EVER!
IT'S NOT SENATOR OBAMA I FEAR IT'S PEOPLE LIKE YOU WHO SPREAD LIES AND TRY TO SCARE PEOPLE ONTO DOING WHAT YOU WANT THEM TO DO, THAT I FEAR!
SENATOR OBAMA IS FOR MORE RESEARCH ON NUCLEAR ENERGY AND BETTER AND SAFER WAYS OF STORING IT! HIS FINANCIAL PLAN CALLS FOR MONEY FOR MORE RESEARCH FOR THIS PURPOSE!
MILITARY: SENATOR OBAMA'S MILITARY PLANS CALLS FOR MORE FINANCING FOR TRAINING OUR TROOPS, BETTER AND MORE ADVANCED WEAPONS AND EQUIPMENT, MORE MEDICAL SERVICES AND HOSPITALS FOR VETERANS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS FOR VETERANS, LESS TIME SPENT BY OUR SOLDIERS IN COMBAT AND MORE TIME AT HOME ON LEAVE TO RECOVER,
YOUR REASON ARE FOR RACE, ZACK, BECAUSE YOU REASONS FOR BACKGROUND ARE LIES. PEOPLE LIKE YOU DO OUR COUNTRY A GREAT DIS-SERVICE, YOU PUT OUT LIES TO TRY TO GET PEOPLE TO FOLLOW YOUR LEAD. WELL NOT ME BUDDY, BECAUSE I'M SMART ENOUGH TO DO MY OWN RESEARCH AND FIND OUT FOR MYSELF, AND I BEG EVERYBODY ELSE TO DO THE SAME. DON'T TAKE MY WORD FOR IT. DO YOUR OWN RESEARCH, BUT PLEASE DON'T BELIEVE A LIAR AND A RACIST LIKE THIS!
Take it easy!
Hey Wanda,
Take it easy! Zach is only about 16 or 17 and he's just learning about a lot of these things. Let's try to teach him a broader point of view than he might be getting from other sources.
He seems like a smart kid, he likes meteorology and he has his own blog. He'll probably turn out OK if we don't beat him up too bad in the blogosphere and just encourage him to learn how to think for himself. I think some folks might be giving him some bad information, that's all.
Perhaps if you gave him some links to get more info he can do some research on his own so he can challenge some of the hate mongers that are trying to feed him the you-know-what. He could start with www.barakobama.com and then verify with the sources they cite, since they're obviously a political campaign site.
P.S., I think your caps key is stuck! =:-0