(AP/Charles Dharapak)
© 2009 – Commentary
Since Congressman Joe Wilson (R-SC) shouted “You lie!” at President Obama last week during an address to Congress, accusations of racism have been shouted from many liberal rooftops.
During a recent interview, former President Jimmy Carter said, “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. New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd wrote in an article that Wilson’s remarks prove “[s]ome people can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it.”
The most unbelievable aspect about all of this madness is that days before Rep. Wilson questioned the President’s integrity, a black economist called Obama a liar – twice.
In two articles published by Capitalism Magazine, Thomas Sowell called the President a “Charlatan-in-Chief” and questioned his credibility. The two-part publication was appropriately called “Obama: Listening to a Liar.”
Obama can deny it in words but what matters are deeds – and no one's words have been more repeatedly the direct opposite of his deeds – whether talking about how his election campaign would be financed, how he would not rush legislation through Congress, or how his administration was not going to go after CIA agents for their past efforts to extract information from captured terrorists.
Where were the calls of racism against the black economist?
If a white man criticizes our black President (half-black is more accurate) he is labeled a racist, but if a black man criticizes our half-black President he is ignored? This is hypocrisy at its worst.
Yes, there are some people who hate Obama because of his race, but the overwhelming majority of Obama opponents are more worried about his flawed policies than about his race.
So enough of the accusations of racism from liberals toward Obama critics. Many Americans – whether they’re black, white, or another race – believe President Obama is doing a sub-par job, and some even believe he is a liar. All are entitled to their opinion and race isn’t playing a factor.
For more headlines: Read below.
NY Governor plays race card to excuse poor leadership
House votes to admonish Rep. Joe Wilson
Obama to visit U-Md. to discuss health care reform
Rock bottom: Obama's approval rating at 45%
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Comments
Wait, let me get this straight. You are comparing a United States congressmans public verbatim commnet of "You lie" to the President of the United States of America broadcast live on the House floor to some black scholars cryptic comments in an article in a magazine no one reads?
Congratulations, you are a wingnut.
I have to agree. Sowell is entitled to his opinion, as are you and I; we can call Obama a racist, a socialist, or a Martian all we like in the pages of the Examiner without fear of repercussion. Wilson bellowed his characterization of Obama on the floor of the House, during a speech by the President to the entire Congress. Whether his shout was motivated by racist feelings or not, he disrespected Congress and the American people by his behavior, and disgraced himself.
But, in the wingnut world, IOKIYAR -- it's okay if you're a Republican. No rules, no accountability, nothing.
Joe Wilson, racist: The congressman belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, led a 2000 campaign to keep the Confederate flag waving above South Carolina’s state Capitol and denounced as a “smear” the true claim of a black woman that she was the daughter of Strom Thurmond, the ’48 segregationist candidate for president.
bunch of racists... says: The congressman belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans
Show me ONE story, article, anything that would lead anyone with a brain to think that the SCV are a racist group. ANYTHING at all.
Hell, the hate group Southern Poverty Law center does not even list the SCV is any kind of hate group or "nativist" group as they call them.
YOU are the racist "bunch of racists...".
While Joe Wilson's charge may have been inappropriate during a speech, there have been far worse things shouted from the senate and house floors from Democrats. Doesn't excuse Wilson, but points to the hypocrisy of the left. Those saying non elected officials are free to make any remarks they wish without repercussion are ignoring the constant hammering from the left on ordinary citizens who protest at tea parties and town halls. We are charged with racism, Nazism, etc. simply for disagreeing with BO. The bottom line in the eyes of the left: if you are white or conservative and voice your opinion against Obama or his policies, you are a racist and should shut up.
What makes Joe Wilson a racist is not so much what he said, but how he said it. Shouting out "You lie" from the House floor was blatantly disrespectful. He has no regard for the office of the presidency, now that a black man holds that office.
Leigh says: What makes Joe Wilson a racist is not so much what he said, but how he said it.
HUH?? How he said it makes him a racist?
How twisted is that?
Obama is a liar (though not about the illegal aliens / health care thing). And you are right: even racists -- be they white, black or green -- are entitled to their opinion. Calling a black man (or half-black man) a liar, does not make the caller a racist.
Calling Obama a liar did not make Joe Wilson a racist. Rather, Joe Wilson called Obama a liar because he already was a racist. Tomorrow Joe Wilson could call Obama a saint. That would not make the president a saint -- but Wilson would still be a racist!
lhw / chicago obama administration eXaminer
The author is ignoring the fact that the real issue is the venue. There's nothing wrong with calling the president a liar (if it's true), but it is wrong to do it when he's speaking to Congress. There are legitimate platforms to express disagreement and Sowell was using one while Wilson was not. I'm not calling Wilson a racist, but I am saying that no one else would have called him one for expressing his views in an article.
1. An outburst in the middle of an address to congress and a commentary in a magazine aren't even the same ball park. Call him whatever you want in a an article, its free speech, but interrupting a presidential address is childish and absurd coming from a house representative.
2. I've never heard anyone call Joe Wilson a racist myself... except for this Maureen Dowd character, but among all the editorials out there you can find charges of just about everything against just about anyone. Yelling at the president by itself isn't evidence that Wilson's a racist. He's just a man with more passion than maturity apparently.
Furthermore Obama really wasn't lying. Neither the original white house proposal, nor the current house bill provide any eligibility for illegals. However neither proposal adds any new specific legislation regarding how citizenship will be verified. The eligibility verification process is to be implemented by the health commissioner according to the house bill.
"The bottom line in the eyes of the left: if you are white or conservative and voice your opinion against Obama or his policies, you are a racist and should shut up." -Ann Miller
Miss Miller I agree that any who use baseless charges of racism to marginalize opposition are pretty despicable. I am however reminded that many similar transgressions were made during the previous administrations when any opposition was frequently dismissed as being "unpatriotic", or "hating America". Hopefully we can all be vigilant and clear headed enough to demand an end to such nonsense in statements made the media and by our politicians regardless of which side of the aisle they are on.
Black people have interrupted other people's speeches in the past. Now, when Obama gets interrupted, they foam at the mouth and scream like pigs.
Stinking hypocrites!
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