Gua:

Mo, Love the post, Brenda Kay your comment could not have been been any clearer,stronger or more on point!!!

GregT:

This was the thing that struck me about the comment Brenda Kay made,"And it’s damn shame, a crying damn shame that not ONE black Republican has had the courage, the self respect or the consciousness to speak up about the ingrained racism in their party."
The only thing I can say is, I am glad they {the super self hating Black republicans} are somewhat grouped where they can be identified and maybe at some point rehabilitated. Another thing appears apparent and that is it appears none of the Black republicans were trotted out in front of the camera by party powers to respond to this, one way or another. Since they need prompting to speak.

Yvette in L.A. forme:

Appalling.

mrmokelly:

This is too easy. It's not BS and cherry picking when I can find 11 incidents of a similar nature within a 12-month period. Yes there are 'racists' within the Democratic party for sure but the obvious difference is that the Republican party does nothing in terms of policy or practice to dissuade such behavior.

The bottom line is that if a party openly disrespects a constituency…to think they would respect any platform, policy or legislation of importance to that constituency would be a farce.

African-Americans by and large desire an agenda which includes urban renewal, affordable education and healthcare. Coincidentally (or not coincidentally)…NONE of those three have EVER been a major platform with the Republican Party. If we can't even get party leadership to speak out against the 11 incidents I listed, why in the world am I supposed to think that the party overall cares about those issues important to the majority of African-Americans?

There's a correlation here and it isn't BS. This isn't "count the racists." This is "see the correlation" between the open and public disrespect of people of color and how they are unable to recruit people of color.

Personally I hope the Republicans keep it up, they're only harming themselves and will go the way of the Whig Party if they keep it up. Since you want to complain about having a "3rd party." Uh, there WAS a 3rd party, read your history books.

If the Republican Party is wishing to come into the 21st century…in a country that is far moremulticultural than it is…it will have to act like they live in the same world as the rest of us.

If you can find 11 incidents of a similar nature by Democratic leadership at ALL leves in a 12 month period…then your argument is valid. Until then, I'm calling 'BS' on your comment. I have facts on my side…a prerequisite to winning any debate.

mrmokelly:

Like I said…this is too easy. This is documented history. When you can show me comparable behavior from DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP at all levels over a 12 month period come see me. These are facts…hence the news stories. The occurrence of them has been confirmed…they are facts. Here are some other facts. The Dems control all three houses of government so it is incumbent upon the GOP to better and offer a BETTER alternative…you know something other than…'Dems are racists too'.

That's weak and at the end of the day…Dems don't openly disrespect and disregard the minority community.

Another set of facts.

I'll give you all eternity to find 11 incidents of a similar nature. You won't.

Republicans need to stop excusing inecusable behavior and supporters like you need to stop enabling it.

Lawrence Meyers:

Oh, please, Mo, don’t get on your high horse about winning a debate when your arguments are entirely fallacious. The Republicans (and mind you, I have no love for them, just for intellectual honesty) by and large also desire urban renewal, healthcare, and affordable education. They happen to be lower priority and they just have different methods of achieving them — in other words, not through entitlements.

You fail to address the open and public disrespect of people of color BY people of color, namely Jackson, Sharpton, and all others who continue to play the victim card. This is a direct insult to people of color — their rhetoric is designed to keep blacks believing that they are victims, that they do not control their own destiny, that racists will keep them down, that they are entitled to all kinds of government handouts and that, in fact, only Democrats will help them.

I find this type of racism infinitely more insidious, because it is not acknowledged and, in fact, dismissed.

My argument that Democrats are equally as racist as Republicans would not even be valid if I found 100 examples — that’s the point. You do not have facts on your side because the facts can never be known — you cannot see into the heart of any individual, hence the fallacy.

mrmokelly:

Jack…Jack. If you claim Sharpton and Jackson as "party leaders"…you have a lot of explaining for Rus Limbaugh who wields far more influence and is pointedly referred to as a Republican insider and fundraising variable. The rest I can't respond to at moment (doing the Father's Day thing with my dad right now…but will re-engage tomorrow)

Be well my friend and thank you once again for joining the discussion.

Matt Jackson:

Mo, you’re right, this is too easy.

1) Your inability to even address the overt racism by Black Democrats such as Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton hands me the debate victory.

2) Your Blanket Generalization that the entire GOP is racist. It’s a fallacy, and therefore invalid.

3) Your fallacy that if I don’t come up with an equal (and arbitrary amount set by you) number of overtly racist Democratic quotes means that there are no racists in the Democratic Party. HUH?

A sad state of logical affairs.

Meanwhile, let’s remember what was said when the Democrats lost in 2004. Everyone called for them to change also. They didn’t. If anything, they moved further left.

The GOP does need to change, IMO. They need to return to Conservative values and not this Neo-Con crap. It’s analogous to the Democrats in 2004. Eliminating racists is also natural. of course, but don’t claim the moral high ground when your argument is entirely fallacious.

Brenda Kay:

Mr. Shepard,

Mr. MoKelly doesn't need me to defend his arguements, he's quite capable of holding his own quite well. But I honestly think that you, Mr. Matt Jackson and Mr. Lawerence Meyers are engaging in petty tit-for-tat and are trying to argue semantics.

No one is disagreeing that there are indeed racist individuals in the Democratic party. And yes, it could be argued that some prominent individuals who happen to be Democrats have engaged in racially tinged politics.

But that still does not in any way, negate or somehow lessen the fact, that in the last 12 months or so, we have seen what I consider to be a shocking level of racist comments, emails and statements from individuals who are either Republican Senators, Congressmen, Congresswomen, GOP party candidates, GOP operatives, GOP staffers, Republican mayors and countless bloggers, etc. who identify themselves as Republicans.

And even more distressing for me personally, has been the sheer number of black men and women who identify themselves as Republicans, but who have remained mute and strangely silent in the face of these racist attacks against not only President Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, Malia and Sasha Obama, but even General Colin Powell.

It's one thing to disagree about a person's political viewpoint. But it's a whole different kettle of fish, when you start attacking a person based upon their ethnic heritage or their racial background.

Not once in the 8 years of the Bush Administration, did I ever hear ONE Democratic Senator, Congressmen/woman, Mayor, staffer, DNC candidate, operative or a prominent person who identified themselves as a Democrat make a disparaging, disrespectful or disgusting comment towards or about former First Lady Laura Bush.

And I don't care how you try and spin it -- insulting First Lady Michelle Obama by comparing her to some primate is not merely a one off or anything comparable to any past actions on the part of Revs Jackson or Sharpton.

The behavior towards, and the lack of basic respect for the office and position that President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama have achieved, is disrespectful in the highest possible manner imaginable. But sadly and true, it's par for course for a portion (either large or small) within the RNC and the Republican party.

And from what I have read and observed, far too many black Republicans appear to find it more comfortable or acceptable perhaps, to remain quiet when a fellow Republican is making some stupid racist comment/statement/opinion or emailing a racist comment/statement/opinion/dumbass cartoon.

I have to admit that I was both surprized and sadly dismayed to read three blogs by black women who proudly identify themselves as Republican. Who wrote up lengthy strongly worded tirades against David Letterman in that overblown dust-up with Sarah Palin. But who did not have ONE word of opposition to their fellow Republican for the "ape" comment directed at First Lady Michelle or the 'spook' email sent from the RNC staffer.

I don't care what my party affiliation might be it will never EVER trump my racial identity. No party association will ever prevent or hinder me from speaking out against small mindedness, racism, hatred and any other negative behavior that belittles another human being.

Thanks for reading.

Jack Shepard:

I agree 100% with your last post.

Brenda Kay:

Mr. Simpson,

I’m going to answer your questions out of order, if you don’t mind.

1) Sandra Bernhard -- is a comedian {the operative word being comedian.} I expect comedians good or bad {and in Ms. Bernhard’s case, very bad} to say outrageous, stupid, ignorant things, simply to push the envelope and get themselves some media attention. That’s what they are paid to do.

But in regards to this particular video -- yes, it was grossly insulting and indeed racist. The act of rape is never ever humorous nor is it a laughing matter. Neither is it funny to insinuate that all black men are oversexed, out of control animals prowling the streets looking for helpless white women to rape.

And if I remember correctly, there was plenty of outrage voiced in print, TV and online media about Ms. Bernhard’s ignorant so-called joke. She didn’t get a pass. And that’s apparent by the lack of any TV appearances that she’s made since this incident took place.

2) Why do you “assume” Mr. Shepard, that I wasn’t outraged about Harry Belafonte insulting General Colin Powell?

For the record, I was very much insulted by Mr. Belafonte’s comments towards General Powell {just as I was disappointed and insulted when Rev Jackson was caught on camera commenting that he wanted to cut off then Senator Obama’s nuts.}

Mr. Shepard, you wrongly assume that I’m willing to overlook an insensitive, hateful or ignorant comment because the person making it is either black or a Democrat. I’ll say this again, because I think it’s important to clear up any misunderstanding on your part -- it’s one thing to disagree about a person political viewpoints. But it’s a different matter altogether when you have to resort to insulting, degrading comments based upon a person’s racial heritage, their sexual orientation, their gender or their financial status.

3) And yes, I stand by my comment that the whole Letterman/Palin episode was an overblown dust up.

Once again, we have a incident involving an overpaid, relatively unfunny comedian making a tasteless joke. Except this time, the joke wasn’t about the politician -- it was about the child of a politician. And that is where I had a HUGE problem with the joke.

The children of a political figure are OFF LIMITS -- no exception. Politicians themselves are fair game. They willingly put themselves out in the media’s eye, and all that comes with it good or bad is a part of the package. But I’ll say again, so there isn’t any confusion -- a politicians children are OFF LIMITS -- a NO GO ZONE.

Now if a politician’s offspring willingly put themselves in the media’s eye -- such as Megan McCain, Palin’s daughter Bristol, Dick Cheney’s daughter or Chelsea Clinton have all done. Then they too have to expect and accept all the good and bad that comes with their decision.

But getting back to this incident with Letterman and Governor Palin. I didn’t hear Letterman expressing something as horrid as “child rape” in his tasteless, unfunny joke. I believe him when he says, he was referencing Bristol. But again, that doesn’t make what he said okay. It was a foul comment, that to Letterman’s credit he has unreservedly apologized for.

Where the matter became overblown in my opinion -- was when Governor Palin decided that instead of putting out a strongly worded statement through her spokesperson, opted to milk the situation for all the media attention she could. What was the point or what did Governor Palin expect to gain by appearing on two or was it three, morning news programs?

I look to past and the current First Lady for perfect examples of how to handle a situation when someone has overstepped their bounds when it comes to your children, who aren’t public figures.

When the toy maker Tyco {I believe} came out with those Malia and Sasha dolls. Mrs. Obama put out a brief statement through her spokeswomen expressing her deep disappointment in this company trying to make money off of two private citizens.

I also remember the tact and grace in which former First Lady Laura Bush handled the media intrusion into her twin daughters lives when they were involved in an underage drinking incident in Austin, Texas.

And despite the absolutely rude and downright awful comments that Rush Limbaugh made about Chelsea Clinton’s appearance when she was a young preteen. Former First Lady Mrs. Clinton gave a brief, but very pointed statement through her spokeswoman.

In each of these three incidents, the individuals, companies or media involved -- quickly and clearly got the message and backed off. And if I further remember correctly, this uncalled incident of picking on an innocent young woman, was one of the few times where Rush ended up with egg on his face.

Governor Palin has every right to stand up for her children. I would expect nothing less from her or any other caring, responsible parent. But it’s the manner in which Governor Palin went about dealing with this situation with David Letterman.

It would have been far wiser for her to have released a brief, strongly worded statement and then made no further comment. As it were, the continuing media attention feed in large part by Governor Palin herself, has given Letterman plenty of much needed media coverage and has led to an increase in his viewership numbers {some of his best in years.}

It has also highlighted an undeniable fact -- Governor Palin still lacks a certain level of political maturity on the national stage.

I don’t see Governor Palin as some helpless, needy, innocent woman. During the campaign last year, she got as good as she gave. Lets not whitewash (no pun intended) how Governor Palin stirred up some of the worse racial incidents on the political and presidential campaign trail that has been seen in recent memory.

4) I need to do a bit more reading on the congressional bills presented as “consumer protection” before I’m able to make any sort of comment. I’ve lived long enough to know that if I’m not fully informed on a particular subject, it’s best to admit that upfront, rather than try to bullcrap my way through a half-ass answer.

Mr. Shepard, I think we can all agree that racism PERIOD is insidious and harmful regardless of the skin colour of the person behind the incident.

BUT -- if we sit back, afraid to speak out because of party membership or affiliation, then we are twice, perhaps even three times more guilty than the person making the comment.

I’ve never been one to sit back quietly…

Apologises for any typos or misspellings -- its getting late in my part of the world.

mrmokelly:

"It neither correlates to this being representative of the entire party, nor can such a conclusion be drawn from it."

Au contraire…remember I also included Michael Steele. He is definitely party leadership. And he definitely continued the "Magic Negro" theme, despite his ethnicity.

And no, I wouldn't say it's indicative of the entire party, but the absence of condemnation from party leadership leads a reasonable conclusion that such behavior is acceptable within the party. Party leadership seems to be more concerned with David Letterman and Bristol Palin unfortunately for the GOP.

Jack Shepard:

Forgot one other point:

The statements by these people — given their relative obscurity — simply aren't going to get the attention that Trent Lott's did regarding Thurmond. Lott was indeed a party leader and, you will note, paid a price.

Interestingly, thought, the Democrats welcomes a former KKK member with open arms, and keep re-electing him…..