Let's Talk Some R-E-S-P-E-C-T: The Ugly Racism on the Fringe Left

[MrScorpio]

Monday, December 13, 2010 | Posted by Deaniac83

There was a point in my life when I used to think racism was the sole property of the political fringe Right. Lately, I have been disabused of that notion. Actually, that disillusionment has been hitting me for a while, almost from the start of President Barack Obama's term. I do want to clarify something: there are legitimate criticisms of this President, and not every criticism of his is racist. But what has been deafeningly racist is not so much the disagreement but the disrespect.

Disrespect of the President - the first black President (what, you're uncomfortable that I mention that fact and made it bold? Well then get ready for a lot of discomfort.) - has reached a pivotal point from the fringe Left. Why does it matter more coming from the Left? Because the Left is supposed to be better than this, and because the racism on the fringe Left permits the racism on the Right. Every time a Right-wing fringe person says something racist, they can point their fingers right back and say, hey, look what the "Left" did, so why isn't it okay for us?

But let's get back to the scathing, bold, unapologetic disrespect against the first black President coming from the Left. First, the seething undertone: the dumb, spineless, stupid, black guy doesn't know what he's doing; he needs to do what the smart, spine-y, know-it-all, mostly white armchair activists tell him to. I mean, what does the black man who grew up in a single-parent household and spent much of his adult life as a community organizer in the inner cities know about the plight of the poor and the downtrodden? He needs to listen to us primarily white "progressives" who've never done much more than donate to the occasional food bank to help the poor.

And when we tell him to, he needs to sacrifice the jobless, the working poor, the middle class and struggling students at the alter of some grand "principle" we want to uphold. If he makes a different decision, we are going to sit in front of our keyboards, or behind our TV cameras and throw insults at him in terms that would be unthinkable for us to use against a white president, much less a white Democratic president. We're going to blacken the black President's face while we pick a clip that whitens a white Republican Leader's face and put them right next to each other.

http://www.thepeoplesview.net/2010/12/lets-talk-some-r-...

[Common Sense Party]

1. ...

[MadHound]

2. So now all criticism from the left is racist? Is that what you're honestly putting forth here?

Wow, you must be getting desperate in your defense of the president if that is truly the case.

And let's not forget, and this can be verified by going through the archives here, are perusing back issues of the Nation, Mother Jones and other leftist publications, the left was equally as vociferous in going after Clinton. The only thing that saved Clinton's ass was that so many people thought it was completely over the top to go after Clinton for his personal failings.

This is a despicable defense of the president and should be shut down as racism and flamebait.

[FrenchieCat]

5. It's not the criticism.....

although there are some who have done NOTHING BUT to criticize, and I mean everything and anything. If there are folks out there that do this, than yes, I may have to consider that they are either a Republican teabaggers or perhaps racist.

However, the article specifically states that it has to do with the rabid lack of any respect being articulated....over and over and over again.

[MadHound]

14. Ummm, did the left show any respect for Bush?

For Clinton? For anybody they felt was betraying the left?

Geez, your head would have exploded during the sixties from all the lack of respect.

It isn't racism, and to try and tar the left with that brush is a low blow, and simply shows the desperation of defending the indefensible.

[FrenchieCat]

24. The Left didn't vote for Bush, and he did start two wars and crashed the economy......

I think that anyone who HAD ONLY NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY about this President, always....
I think those folks may not be racist, but they are probably Republicans,
if nothing else.

Because even those all the way to the Left (till they almost meet the right), even they
have had something positive to say about this President.....and the fairest of all have
been a mixed bag.

[MadHound]

37. Ah, so critics are now either racists or 'Pugs in your eyes, hmm?

You really do know how to win friends and influence people.

I also see how you conveniently left out the left's criticism of Clinton, why's that? Oh, yeah, it doesn't back up your POV.

[Poboy]

85. My vote/support FOR Obama was as much a vote AGAINST the Clintons!

I am surprised this blatant RACIST OP is allowed to remain.

[EFerrari]

46. Anyone who has had mostly negative feedback for this president

are people who have been paying attention and that would include people who are suffering his economic policy, that would include people of color like me.

You conflate legitimate criticism of this president with disrespect and disrespect with something else.

[EFerrari]

18. Given your own vocalubary of choice on this site, Frenchie Cat

you probably aren't the best advocate for this argument.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

28. FC's argument is spot on! n/t

[EFerrari]

34. Well, no, it's not. She broad brushes all criticism

with the ugliest brush. She makes no argument at all.

[Crystal Clarity]

72. I agree. nt.

[EFerrari]

74. Can you even paraphrase her "argument"?

[FrenchieCat]

83. It's repeated below verbatim.

I think that anyone who HAD ONLY NEGATIVE THINGS TO SAY about this President, always....
I think those folks may not be racist, but they are probably Republicans,
if nothing else.

Because even those all the way to the Left (till they almost meet the right), even they
have had something positive to say about this President.....and the fairest of all have
been a mixed bag.

[EFerrari]

95. I was addressing another poster, thanks.

[Crystal Clarity]

84. Can you not be rude and condescending

at least once in awhile?

[EFerrari]

91. So, is that a no?

[FrenchieCat]

94. I'm gonna link this thread to my facebook,

so folks, including the many of color, can check the reactions out within the thread.....
To witness how excited folks get, and how quickly every thing said in the article is denounced,
shut down, without truly addressing any of it, beyond twisting what is being said.

especially the part where valid criticism and rabid name calling and total disrespect is twisted to so infer that author meant that it is all the same thing, when author specifically states that it isn't.

It will make interesting reading.

[EFerrari]

97. I think you should, Frenchie Cat.

Let's see what people think of you calling people who disagree with you, oh, maybe not racist but at the very least, Republicans.

LOL

[FrenchieCat]

105. If you didn't notice, I didn't write the article, nor did I post it........

but I certainly can comment on it, without blowing my top. My statements are measured
and thoughtful. I in fact stated that even those who ONLY criticize Obama about every
single thing don't have to be racists.

But keep on twisting my words.....
but unfortunately for you, where it indicates that FrenchieCat is writing, nothing of the kind
that you describe is found.

[Horse with no Name]

41. Understatement of the year

[QC]

49. +10000000000000000

[arcane1]

8. The first paragraph says otherwise

I'm not defending or agreeing with the article linked in the OP, but it does disclaim that all criticism is racist.

[MrScorpio]

9. Shutdown? I dunno... Is it perhaps the black author's POV isn't valid?

And standing up for a black president in the black community is, in fact, "racism"?

Who's to say?

[MadHound]

27. I think that the author, and you, are reaching for any weapon in your defense of the president

And the fact that this is the one you're coming up with simply shows the hatred for any criticism of the left, and how desperate some folks are to defend the president at all costs.

Calling out the left as racists for legitimately criticizing a president who is, in many eyes, one of the worst Democratic leaders in a generation or more, is race baiting and flamebait. When the president isn't a fighter and is ineffective, it isn't racism to point out those issues, it is reality. You and the author need to learn the difference.

[MrScorpio]

45. I guess you're saying that Obama needs to grow a spine...

Because, perhaps, he's not too keen on the plight of the poor.

And if he's doesn't do it "your way", you disapprove.

Yeah. I get that.

[MadHound]

58. Frankly I think a lot of our Democratic leaders need to grow a spine,

Obama, Pelosi(well, she's actually grown a bit of one lately, a welcome development), Reid and others.

And it isn't that I want them to do it my way, but to stop doing it the 'Pug's way!

I mean seriously now, his desire for bipartisanship is admirable, but it has led to him giving up core Democratic principles and acceding to virtually every Republican wish on virtually every major issue. Need a stimulus bill, well throw in some more tax cuts. Want HCR, well toss out the public option. Need unemployment benefits extension, then give obscene tax cuts to the rich, all of this against the will of not just liberals, but of the American populace at large. That's not leftist criticism, but bipartisan American criticism!

Do you get that, or is that now somehow racism as well?

[MrScorpio]

88. Still the point of the article isn't about criticism

It's about the disrespectful tone of much of in the left's circles and whether that tone would be the same if the President's race is not a factor.

it's seems that you're arguing that people on the left are never capable of engaging in racist rhetoric, whether intentionally or unintentionally.

[EFerrari]

29. You're kidding, right?

Everything is not everything.

There's no requirement to race bait when you stand up in the black community for a black president.

But you know that.

[MrScorpio]

51. The writer pointed out instances where the race baiting was coming from the right

And that the Right felt justified to do that because a significant portion on the Left is up in arms about a "conveniently" Black President.

That's a valid argument.

Oh and yeah, there are pictures of what the Right has done on the link.

[EFerrari]

59. Cornel West Calls Out Barack Obama

Posted on Jan 24, 2010

In this video message to the president, the celebrated professor asks, “How deep is your love for poor and working people?” and urges, “Don’t simply be the friendly face of the American empire.”

http://www.truthdig.com/avbooth/item/cornel_west_calls_...

[MrScorpio]

71. In spite of his criticism

I noticed a definite lack of disrespectfulness in West 's tone that seems to be abundant in other circles.

[boston bean]

78. why does barack demand more respect than we would give any other president? nt

[EFerrari]

79. "In other circles", my granny.

The right is built mostly on racism.

The left has plenty of disrespect for authority.

You are making a habit of conflating the two. That isn't useful, let alone, true or accurate.

[MrScorpio]

99. True, the left has lots of disrespect for authority

But you know and I know that the meaning of words can have quite different implications when when there is a differential between races.

That tones have meanings beyond their inherent words and that pictures of black men can be used to instill visceral reactions in people who are not otherwise racist.

It's about a life long conditioning of our society, and we all know that we haven't grown out of it.

[EFerrari]

101. Dismissing the left as a bunch of racists is despicable.

Period.

[MrScorpio]

106. Did you bother to read this point... It's in the first para

"I do want to clarify something: there are legitimate criticisms of this President, and not every criticism of his is racist. But what has been deafeningly racist is not so much the disagreement but the disrespect."

I'm afraid that that doesn't jibe with your argument.

[LoZoccolo]

63. replied at the wrong place, sorry!

[Union Scribe]

3. I encourage people not to take this bait.

[Union Scribe]

77. Well, that didn't work, but I can't blame people for reacting to such slurs.

Hopefully enough people also alerted and the moderators will decide that accusing broad swathes of progressives of being racists isn't an acceptable thing here.

[msongs]

4. projection lol nt

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Horse with no Name]

7. I don't think the race baiting is going to work against the left this time

Sorry-I don't have a racist bone in my body and my disagreements with his policy have never nor will they ever have anything to do with the color of his skin. Every pre-election concern regarding Obama and the OP was pummeled with the race-stick. I think you need to put this away against the Left side of the aisle.
Keep it handy for the right side of the aisle because it IS an issue over there.
The problem that I have with this president is that he is a CLASSIST and he just sold my kids and grandkids down the river to pay for a yacht for the Walton's kids and grandkids.

[FrenchieCat]

So let me ask you then......

The issue of Racism has been a long build, and now I'm noticing a lot of thin skin on all sides of this issue.

One of the interesting occurence that I'm seeing these days points to that; these various articles that have come out about what the Black Community in general feel about the Treatment of Obama by others in the same party.

See, I've noticed that it appears that Liberal Democrats (an "others") have been saying that they wouldn't mind and/or are actively searching (see Sanders/Dean/Etc....) a candidate in order to primary Obama, and those folks have not one problem saying so, here at DU, and elsewhere....
.....and have been for quite some time now, and especially after Obama offered up this Tax Compromise.

However, if an article is written about the fact that some Black folks are saying the opposite,
that if folks are going to try and primary Obama, and should they even get close to succeeding,
than Black folks may decide that the Democratic party doesn't need their support any longer, and that their days of being loyal to a party that has had nothing but White President up to 1/20/09 is over.

In essence, both groups are saying the same thing.....in that, if push comes to shove, than let the country burn to hell in a handbasket.

However,

what happens is that when Black folks express their sentiment, they are told that they are only sticking with Obama because he is black. The fact is missed that many are sticking with
Obama, because unlike some other folks, they understand perhaps better than most, that progress is a slow and complicated process, no matter the intentions. Facts are that even when FDR had even larger majorities than Obama has ever enjoyed, Black Folks still didn't get what they thought was due to them, even yet....they continued voting for FDR, and did not threaten anyone to take their ball home (and yes, Black folks voted even then.....even if they had to suit in courts, etc, in order to get it done).

The important point I'm making is that Black folks support Obama in large majorities, not so much because he is Black (as some constantly infer), but because they know that he's got his plate full, and has done a good job to date, even if it ain't perfect. There didn't abandon Clinton either; and Clinton got rid of Welfare as we know it.

And so, keeping that perspective in mind, Black folks have the exact same right as do Liberal Democrats at telling folks how they feel about the treatment of this one man. Not because they happen to be Black like him, but because they simply have always excercised more patience, and have been much slower to judge than most(remember Monica....that wasn't exactly a Clinton action that Most Blacks approved of), when it came to what they would get out of the deal personally.

And yet, that's what it is being called. Why?

It is as though Black folks and those who think like them (have patience as progress is a complex grueling excercise in democracy) are always called out as playing the race card, when usually that's not what they are doing, but yet, some White Folks have been saying really awful nasty things, and they are quick to jump denying racism.

It may not be racism......but then again, if the folks doing the talking never seem to like anything that Obama ever does or say, and are always indicting him with the worse case scenario about everything, then who's to say that it ain't exactly that. Why would someone dislike this man that much, when he made clear what he was about way before the elections....
remember? http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.ph ...

[EFerrari]

20. No. Race baiting is called race baiting. n/t

[FrenchieCat]

36. Like I said......denial isn't gonna work.

The guy the KKK outfit could say someone is "race baiting",
simply because he was asked to get off that corner with his racist sign.

I think that if someone or anyone really could perhaps one day say:
You know, it certainly is possible that there may be some folks who are racist on the Left,
since they are everywhere, and it is true that perhaps those folks co-mingle in with everyone else,
and sure, some of the things they have called this President have been over the top....

But see, that's not the tact anyone seems to want to take.
Instead, folks can't even consider it,
they are so busy calling out the race card in its stead!

Why so excited? Why not approach the issue more calmly, since it ain't got nothing to do with you,
and the author is just plain wrong as far as you are concerned? Or do you not debate issues
of race at all ever if the world "Liberal Left" is somehow implicated? Are you vouching for every
Liberal Left individual who has articulated more screed against OBama than they ever bothered to with Bush? I don't think you can, and I don't think you should want to.

[EFerrari]

50. I have no problem denying smears, projection or any other kind of manipulation.

Try it on someone else, Frenchie.

[boston bean]

17. Harry Reid has been called all of the above. the dumb, spineless, stupid,

Right here on good ole DU.

I don't think I have ever seen anyone on DU call Obama the dumb spineless, stupid "black guy" though.

putting so much emphasis on race could be considered racist, no?

[Horse with no Name]

25. I've never seen that here

unless someone posted a transcript from rush or FR.

[boston bean]

31. you never saw harry reid called spineless etc. You are right, nobody here calls obama the spineless

black guy.

People who focus so much on race (like the OP and some others), i tend to wonder about.

If someone is spineless goddamnit they are spineless, that is all, nothing more to it.

[Horse with no Name]

Oh I've seen that--I haven't seen the President called a "dumb black guy"

or whatever the accusation was.
That is totally absurd.

[MadHound]

64. Apparently you haven't been paying attention

I've seen that and worse directed at Reid, some of it by myself.

[Hell Hath No Fury]

68. Uhhh...

Waaah?

Have you spent anytime in GD the past 6 years? I mean it, really. Harry Reid and Tom Daschle before him have regularly been pilloried in such terms here.

[Horse with no Name]

92. No I have seen that

but not the comments that Obama was a "dumb black President".
That is purely offensive and no matter what, whoever would have said that would have been dogpiled.

[ProgressiveProfessor]

10. The race card takes many forms. This is more original than some others NT

[LoZoccolo]

11. Recommended. Needs to be said. n/t

[jannyk]

12. Is that all you've got left? Yeah, that's the ticket...

...let's divide the party even more...that will work come election day. Pathetic!

[Horse with no Name]

16. It worked handily during the primaries

Now, not so much.
Turns out all those that were labeled "racist" for their criticisms were actually correct in their assessment of candidate Obama.

[EFerrari]

13. Blatant race baiting. Shame on this author and shame on you. n/t

[City Lights]

15. Wow. What a pantload.

Unrec.

[proud2BlibKansan]

19. Yuck.

Unrec.

[DirkGently]

21. Not a strong critique. "Spine" in particular is a race-neutral point of discussion.

[LoZoccolo]

23. Bill Maher was saying that he was hoping that Obama would go "gangsta" on the Republicans.

I would say that's a little peek behind the curtain of the left.

[jannyk]

39. Billl Maher is a fucking Libertarian!! And he sure doesn't represent

the 'angry left'!

[DirkGently]

47. I would say that's a ridiculous attempt to ascribe a comedians sarcasm to lot of other people.

[Name removed]

22. Deleted sub-thread

Sub-thread removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

26. Criticism notwithstanding, I saw racism on the left with my own two eyes during the primaries!

[Skittles]

30. ain't buying it

yes for teabaggers race is very much a factor but Obama could have done better than this - MUCH better - and it is a cop-out to compare the legitimate criticisms of the left to teabagger mentality

[walldude]

32. You win. If you really think,

That the basis for all of the complaints about Obama are about race then you win. Oh wait, this is not you right? You are just reposting someone elses blog...

I guess Guantanamo still being open is about race.

I guess violating the constitution with CIA death squads is about race.

I guess 50,000 more troops in Afghanistan was about race.

I guess those new M1A1 Abrahams divisions in Pakistan are about race too.

I guess drone bombing of Pakistan is about race.

I guess that shitty HCR bill is about race.

I guess Equal Rights for Gays is about race.

I guess Geithner, Summers and many other shitty appointments are all about race.

I guess handing the farm over to the rich is all about race.

Yes us loony far left people are racists of the worst kind and we should just shut up and go away so all you people with money and jobs and all your rights in place don't have to listen to a small number of childish whiners who are complaining about stupid things like equal rights and war and class warfare.

[RetroLounge]

42. +1000

RL

[MrScorpio]

62. The writer isn't dismissing the validity of criticism

Merely, the criticism's disrespectful tone.

And asks. would that tone be the same if the President were white?

Can we all honestly say that it would be?

[EFerrari]

66. No. The author is using race to dismiss criticism.

We all know that Obama faces bullshit no white president has. But that isn't what this author is saying. And it's not what you are saying, promoting his bs.

[cali]

90. are you kidding?

Yes, I can honestly say that it would be. Look, I don't like a lot of the disrespectful shit. I didn't like it with Pelosi or Reid. I don't like it with Obama, even thought I'm not at happy with a lot of the things he's doing, but sorry, the brutal take down of pols that folks here feel betrayed by, has been part and parcel of the DU conversation since I've been here.

[Raine]

86. TOTALLY on point! nt

[SammyWinstonJack]

102. !!!

[KamaAina]

33. So why does the CBC overwhelmingly oppose his Bush tax cut deal?

That's right, the Congressional Black Caucus. To date exactly one of over 40 Dem CBC members has come out in support, Chaka Fattah from Philly. So does that make all the other CBC Dems racists?

[fascisthunter]

35. wow.that's pretty low

a bit surprised

[boston bean]

38. he's been working his way up to it. isn't calling Duers racist against the rules? anyone know?? n

[fascisthunter]

48. if he's calling out a group, I guess

I just noticed another of his posts.... he's trying hard to defend Obama and I think the frustration is making him stoop low.

[Individualist]

103. "if"???

[Name removed]

44. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[eleny]

40. Unlike the ferocious criticisms unleashed against W?

Frankly, I haven't seen people on the left say "the dumb, spineless, stupid, black guy doesn't know what he's doing". So, in order to begin to discuss Deaniac83's thoughts with him, I'd have to accept his premise that things like that were actually said. And if they were said, I'd want to know exactly who said them. I'd probably question that they were the kind of lefty I know.

So, this was a stretch for me.

What I deduce is that I can agree with the president and there's no problem. But if I disagree with his policies then for some it probably becomes personal. Maybe there's no way to disagree in public and not offend people.

So be it. I still embrace Al Franken's philosophy about the country. He treats the nation like he's the adult. When it's going in the right direction, he applauds, encourages and supports it. But when it's going in what he feels is the wrong direction he speaks up because it's his not only his right but his deep obligation.

Btw, the most vocal left leaning individual in the news lately is Bernie Sanders. In all 9 hours of his talk on the floor of the house I didn't hear him even vaguely imply , "the dumb, spineless, stupid, black guy doesn't know what he's doing".

I rest my case.

[RetroLounge]

43. Seriously?

This is such a new DU low.



RL

on edit: unrec'd this flame bait.

[LoZoccolo]

52. P.P.S.: It's not unheard of because Karl Marx and Upton Sinclair said racist stuff

in their most famous works. Don't think that a person with a left-wing position is somehow immune to it.

[Balbus]

53. Or maybe he's just not a very good president.

Or a little good. Or even adequate. He sucks as a president. But I've no doubt he's a nice guy otherwise.

[HipChick]

54. Kicked! Sometimes the truth just needs to be told...

[Horse with no Name]

55. Thank goodness enough posters were available to chime in with it

and dispute this POS POV.

[HipChick]

67. Except you'd get a very different POV

from folks that understand the article..might be uncomfortable realism for some

[EFerrari]

70. Oh, man. LOL -- let loose your innuendo where your argument breaks down.

Go for it.

LOL

[Horse with no Name]

87. Ain't that the truth!

Typical republican playbook, though.

[EFerrari]

61. Especially when someone posts a big steaming pile like this one. n/t

[boston bean]

69. Republicans have always said that the Dems are the real racists. nt

[Hell Hath No Fury]

56. I will "disrespect" ANYONE who --

continues two futile/illegal wars, sells us out to Pharma and the Insurance Industry, continues obscene human rights violations, and acts against the best interests of the country and its citizens.

I don't care if that person is black/brown/red/yellow/Wonderbread white/male/female/straight/gay/GOPer/Democrat.

I will call them out on their wrongdoings, and use some pretty hot words to do so.

[Howler]

57. What a bunch of Bull&*%@. n/t

n/t

[demwing]

60. I thought Obama WAS a white progressive???

Oh, my bad, he's only half white...

[LoZoccolo]

65. Hey hey does anybody actually have anything to say about the points raised in the article? n/t

[MrScorpio]

76. Yeah, I'm wondering myself when folks are going to get around to that. nt

[FrenchieCat]

80. Most won't. Knee jerking is the reaction about most things here.....

the issue of race, notwithstanding.

I've had many conversation with many White and Black folks about the topic of race, and what is racism, etc...... and done in a very calm manner.

This reminds me of the Henry Gates affair, where no matter what was actually articulated
by the Black person (in this case, it was the Black President), everyone just grabbed their
hair that was suddenly on fire and ran in a circle all excited and offended.

Same thing in this thread by some.

It's actually interesting, to the whole 10 out of 12 African American posters at DU.....
but pretty familiar.

[EFerrari]

89. I have a very nice letter from Dr. Gates that he wrote me

after someone gave him an essay I wrote in his defense.

This isn't reminiscent of that incident, at all.

This is someone using race for other purposes, aka, to discredit the "left" as if the left is white, which in itself is patently ridiculous.

[FrenchieCat]

96. So why so excited now?

What is the difference.....?

Why did you have to start screaming and ranting and denying that none of it couldn't ever
apply, period. You aren't the entire make up of the extreme left! How can you vouch for
everyone while shutting down discussion by calling out the race card?

[EFerrari]

100. (Psssssssssst, Frenchie, it *is* race baiting.)

[cali]

73. this is a sad and pathetic piece

it's also pretty racist. alerted.

[Peregrine Took]

75. Insulting and moronic. Playing right into the hands of the right.

This guy is no progressive - just a troublemaker

[Individualist]

81. DLC propaganda at its very worst.

[Autumn]

82. What a stupid disgusting post Un rec n/t

[LostInAnomie]

93. I don't R-E-S-P-E-C-T lazy charges of racism.

I'm as big of a Obama-defender as you will find on here, but lazy charges of racism against the left are idiotic.

[malaise]

98. It's hard to watch

Scary

[EFerrari]

108. This thread should have been locked 40 minutes ago.

I'm out of here.

[MrModerate]

104. Well, this article comes with extra dickishness at no extra charge.

"Some guy" with a handful of facebook friends doesn't happen to like Obama and so we're now seeing have a wave of race-based disrespect from the left?

Huge stretch -- and to what end? So the author can listen to himself whine?

Naah, this whole story is pure and utter bullshit. Of course there are millions of people in American (and around the world) who have opinions about Obama, both positive and negative. To try to conflate criticism of Obama's policies and practices with white supremacy is . . . wait, I'm looking for the phrase . . . yeah: a fucking lie.

The author appears to be an aggrieved jerkwad. Let's tell him to go wash his hands before he comes back here again.

[nadinbrzezinski]

107. Criticism is now racism?

WOW!!!!!!!!!!

By the way it's existed all the time... but that is another story...

Are the centrists this desperate now?

[NRaleighLiberal]

109. Locking

This is being viewed as very disruptive and generating loads of alerts - lock time. Thanks.