If You Disagree With Obama, Are You a Racist?

I don't think you are necessarily racist at all but there are some that are being racist in thier opposition of him.

...that pretty much sums it, Jennifer.

I agree with Jennifer. There are going to be those knuckleheads that act like a horse's rear end.

I agree with Jennifer too!!

No Erin you are not. Are there racists, yes. The use of this term though is being used to extort your opinions to align with those labeling people that.

I don't mind calling out those that do it. I would call out a racist for their views too. You just have to find an actual racist. For now I keep a copy of the posts and when they claim they aren't using hate speech I post it and ask them what their post is about if it is not, as they claim, adding to the schism.

Sue said: The use of this term though is being used to extort your opinions to align with those labeling people that.

Lee says: Agreed. The use of the term racist may in some cases be applicable.

But for the most part at least here on Gather (but not just here on Gather) anything one says in opposition to the President is seen as or is accused of being racist in tone and intent. No two ways about it -- some go so far as to claim to be able to see into other people's hearts and minds and know without a shadow of a doubt what they mean by the words the say.

There are many examples but one which will probably continue to be topmost in my mind is a recent conversation in which one poster claimed the use of the word "they" in referring to some Obama supporters constituted racism. In fact it was a proper use of a pronoun.

But because it was used irt the prez, that word became something more in the person's mind; either because she truly believes it, because the person is generally a bit off, or as a tool in the way Sue suggests. +shrug+

Sue Live Free or Die Sep 17, 2009, 8:25am EDT
No Erin you are not. Are there racists, yes. The use of this term though is being used to extort your opinions to align with those labeling people that.

I don't mind calling out those that do it. I would call out a racist for their views too. You just have to find an actual racist. For now I keep a copy of the posts and when they claim they aren't using hate speech I post it and ask them what their post is about if it is not, as they claim, adding to the schism.

No, people are not racist because they disagree with opinions of others; they became racist when their opinions harm the physical, economical, spiritual and emotional state of the human being.

Darlene, that sounds familiar. Is it an official definition of some kind?

Ah well, official or not, if (that's IF) I called someone stupid no matter who they were or what their color, that would certainly harm them in at least one possibly more or maybe all of those ways. If that is the official definition; it might need some tweaking.

For instance if I say I agree with the guy who said the President lied, some people maybe even the prez or his wife or children might feel harmed in any one or all of those ways (if it's true he lied, it may eventually for sure harm him in all of those ways).

However, just because that happens or might happen, does not mean my belief irt what he says or said rises to the level of racism. It doesn't even rise to the level of being hate simply because I say or agree with something someone else says that might be hurtful in any or all of those ways. I'm either right, wrong, or a jerk but not necessarily a racist.

In fact, the truth is often hurtful in all of those ways, but hardly places the bearer into the position of being racist.

Darlene B. Sep 17, 2009, 9:21am EDT
No, people are not racist because they disagree with opinions of others; they became racist when their opinions harm the physical, economical, spiritual and emotional state of the human being.

There are many people who do hate Obama solely because he is black and also because of his name. Some still swear he has to be a secret muslum. But, as with any pres. he will have his attractors and detractors solely for the choices he does or doesn't make. And again, some will hate him just for being a liberal Democrat, and that wouldn't matter what his color was.

Yes, one can disagree and not be racist. Though I agree with Sue mostly I find racist don't need to be found. They present themselves to you by their racist comments.

You can disagree with someone and not be racist. Some of those disagreeing with Obama are using disagreement as a tactic and not participating in any dialogue to create a workable solution to the issues. They're just disagreeing and that's what makes it look like their motives are racist. There is also the fact that they aren't speaking out against others that are aligned with them in the media who are making racist statements. They aren't calling to their people and asking for a higher level of conversation.

When someone is doing an intelligent job of leading the country in these difficult times, and someone just disagrees without reason, the reason is probably bigotry.

EM is right.

If you disagree with Obama because you dont like his healthcare plan or dont like the stimulus plan and express that you are most likely not a racist.

Now on the other hand if you think "Bammy" is "scary" and think the government should stay out of Medicare then most likely the reason is because you are an ignorant bigot.

And if your a member of the Sons of the Confederacy, your credibility of NOT being a bigot goes way down.

And if the only way you can "prove" you arent a racist is to prove Obama is a racist then more than likely you a big nasty bigot.

Ah yes, working from the "takes one to know one" theory of "proof." Didn't Mr. Beck major in that at Cracker Jack College?

I am sorry the problem exists. When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist--when I was against Clinton's health care reform, no one called me a bigot--now I'm almost afraid to disagree with anything this administration does for fear of being called both. It is a sad state of affairs. And yes, I know there are those who are racist and bigots who disagree on those principles but don't broad brush all of us with that label. Some of us are moderate conservatives, plain and simple, who want less government.

Because they were white Mary.

Could you explain your comment a bit further Lori?

Lori F. Sep 17, 2009, 10:26am EDT
Because they were white Mary.

I'm curious about that comment also.

Don't be afraid to express your disagreement based on a mischaracterization, Mary. If you do, they win. Those who would bully you and others into silence for fear of being branded racist are HOPING for that sort of reaction. Don't give them the satisfaction. Evildoers will use any tactic, no matter how dishonest, to achieve their goals. Never forget that.

Well, Lori F gave the answer.

Mary said, "When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist--when I was against Clinton's health care reform, no one called me a bigot--..."

Lori F. Sep 17, 2009, 10:26am EDT
"Because they were white Mary."

I don't know what white Mary is, and they still are white, as far as I know, but her intent was to say that it is because they are white. She means that if Clinton and Bush were black you would not be able to say the same things. That's the mindset because they are the bigots who don't see blacks equal with whites so they need to make these ridiculous exceptions to what people can and cannot say based on some kind of deference to blacks that makes their own guilt for what they really think less obvious to the oblivious.

Mary said: When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist--when I was against Clinton's health care reform, no one called me a bigot--now I'm almost afraid to disagree with anything this administration does for fear of being called both.

Lori said: "Because they were white Mary."

Lee said: Could you explain your comment a bit further Lori?

Mary said: I'm curious about that comment also.

Currently Lee says: Lori?

You never did get back to us on this. And usually I might understand that commenters move on and it's hard to back track to old threads, I'm sure I've left some threads unanswered myself ... but ...

Well, . . . You do realize what you said mmm? You put into words what some of us have felt and known for some time now and we allll should have paid more attention to it at the time you said it.

Mary Bradley McCauley Sep 17, 2009, 10:24am EDT
I am sorry the problem exists. When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist--when I was against Clinton's health care reform, no one called me a bigot--now I'm almost afraid to disagree with anything this administration does for fear of being called both. It is a sad state of affairs. And yes, I know there are those who are racist and bigots who disagree on those principles but don't broad brush all of us with that label. Some of us are moderate conservatives, plain and simple, who want less government

Lori F. Sep 17, 2009, 10:26am EDT
"Because they were white Mary."

Lee Y. Sep 17, 2009, 10:54am EDT
Could you explain your comment a bit further Lori?

Mary Bradley McCauley Sep 17, 2009, 11:44am EDT
I'm curious about that comment also.

Lori F. Sep 17, 2009, 9:44am EDT
EM is right.
If you disagree with Obama because you dont like his healthcare plan or dont like the stimulus plan and express that you are most likely not a racist.

Now on the other hand if you think "Bammy" is "scary" and think the government should stay out of Medicare then most likely the reason is because you are an ignorant bigot.

Lori,
You put into words what seems to be behind many of the accusations of racism put forward on Gather.

I think it must be a form of racism, and/or race baiting in and of itself.

Not from those accused but from the accusers; from you in this particular situation.

The kind of parentalism (really a patronizing attitude) that says the black man has to be protected, he can't fend for himself, the black man has to be coddled and not treated as harshly, straightforwardly, or with as much honesty on issues as we would treat white men in the same position of power (like those white men Mary is allowed to disagree with).

Note the connotation of what you said:

Mary can disagree with white men and not be called racist.

But even though no other changes in context were mentioned, she can't disagree with a black man in the same ways without being called a racist.

Mary Bradley McCauley Sep 17, 2009, 10:24am EDT
I am sorry the problem exists. When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist--when I was against Clinton's health care reform, no one called me a bigot--now I'm almost afraid to disagree with anything this administration does for fear of being called both. It is a sad state of affairs. And yes, I know there are those who are racist and bigots who disagree on those principles but don't broad brush all of us with that label. Some of us are moderate conservatives, plain and simple, who want less government

Lori F. Sep 17, 2009, 10:26am EDT
"Because they were white Mary."

i dont think so but because who is in there,

if you diagree with anything he sayd or does most will say you are racist

For some it's because they don't have any other substantial argument so they use the race card.

True enough Mary.

Wasn't aware politics had anything to do with ethnicity nor skin tone --- or vice versa.
That said, all should remember this: Mr. O is half-white,half-Nigerian, and born in Hawaii. When racists get mad at him--which half are they mad at?/////
Respectfully--Lonnie Ray Fowler

My husband disagrees with Obama and he is not a racist. I'm for Obama and I am not a racist. I know people in our extended family that disagree with Obama and they are racist. Disagreeing with someone doesn't make you a racist, but much racism does exist and if someone disagrees with someone else because of their skin color (black, white, etc.) it just proves how ignorant they are and it is sad that it is even an issue. We have so many more important things to worry about in this country. I honestly think this racist sitituation, true or not (sad if it is), is just a method of distracting all of us from the real issue, health care reform. Do we really need any more distractions? Lets just take care of the issue and solve it.

I would say, if someone disagrees with Mr. President there probably will be someone out there that does call it racism. After all ,there is always someone out there trying to stir the pot.

You are not a racist if you oppose his policies, but if you oppose his policies because of who he is or what he is you may be a racist, but then again you may not. It depends on if and what it is about President Obama that you find objectionable. That is a question only you can really answer and even then that is not always easy.

Spencer and Sue are right when they say racists present themselves to you with their comments, but that is true only when it comes to more blatant racists who do not sense there may be something wrong about their attitudes towards and dealings with members of another race. Then there are those who know racism is wrong, but who have isolated themselves from having confront their own racist feelings by confining themselves to environments where their interactions with members of other races is limited, and even that can be difficult to discern in an area where members of one race are and have been predominate. If one chooses to remain in the area in which they were raised, or takes a job in an area where one race in predominate is not necessarily an indication that their decision was even influenced by race, It boils down to the fact that determining if someone is a racist can be a very difficult thing and basing it on whether one supports or object to someones political or economic policies is not by itself a sufficient reason, unless you view race as the primary motivating factor in the development of those policies or positions then you must question your own reasons for seeing race as a motivating factor.,

Disagreeing with President Obama does not automatically make a person a racist. However, racism is still a fact of life in the United States, and quite a number of Obama's adversaries are racists. It's a regrettable situation.

Lots of people who disagree with Obama aren't racists. There are also some who are. Remember Obama Waffles? How about the Gather members who called him "Bammy" during the campaign.

This has become the new red herring, with the right whining that if they disagree, they're called racists.
Nope, they're called racists because of the "halfrican" comments, the watermelon email, the black face crap, the "barack the magic negro" crap...and on and on and on....

I don't always agree with our President, no matter who he is. This just happens to be our very first black (1/2 black) President. Thus, there are far too many racists crawling out of the woodwork who seem to be proud of their ignorance. We have been reading it every day on Gather, as well as on other sites.

If we totally agreed with the party of our choice on all issues, even at the expense of many of our fellow citizens, it would be an indication that we are not thinking for ourselves. It also indicates that some people don't care a twit about the man in office, only what party he represents.

You can sugar coat the meaning of racism all you want, but it has rared its ugly head since we have had a black President. However, disagreeing with him dose not make a person racist. I disagree with quite a few posts here on Gather, but I have no clue as to the color, nationality or anything else of the person posting. We all have a right to disagree with whomever.

There are racists who disagree with the president, and there are also people who abhor racism who disagree with the president. Just because we both disagree with the POTUS does not mean that we are cut from the same cloth, nor that we hold the same overall ideology. There is a very broad spectrum of people who disagree with the president and with what Congress is doing to shred the Constitution and our country.

If you disagree, you are asserting your right as a citizen to have your own opinions. If you hate Obama because he is not 100% "white" you are racist and ridiculous because we all share the dna of the human race.

It's strange that Democrats label those who oppose the president's politics as racists. Don't they realize that it is the policies and values rather than the man or his race(s) at issue? Maybe those who oppose are just plain smart.

President Jimmy Carter was on the news yesterday saying that those who oppose Obama's plans are racist. He has no way of knowing that.

My objection's to Obama's plans have nothing to do with his race(s). The problem is with his politics and values.

Jimmy Carter ... seems he lives in his own little world.

There might be one or two people out there who are saying it is racist to disagree with Obama, but the way you have phrased the question is silly.

If you are in the Congress and you debate the issue of health care according the rules of decorum and civility no one thinks anything of it.

But, when you insult the President loudly on the floor of the Senate while he is talking - the first time in recorded modern history, and combine that with the fact that this is the first black President, and combine that with the fact that the Republicans are showing even more disrespect to the President than ever before we are going to see charges or racism from some people because that is what it looks like to them.

I don't think it is racism, I think it is worse than racism.

Racism is something people are ashamed to display in public, but when you give losers a chance to pile on and show their mob loser mentality by baiting them with this kind of rudeness and anger and justify it based in some twisted way on freedom and the Constitution, why that is positively Orwellian - and it really disgusts me.

By the way ... let's not forget, it's President Obama.

I always try to make sure I refer to O. as President Obama ... but I don't always. No big.

President Bush was DimSon, Dufus in Chief, Dumbya, El Shrubbo, Felonious Monk . . . etc etc ad infinitum . . .

Sooo . . . considering human nature, I think President Obama and his supporters ought to feel blessed when he is referred to only as B.O. - B. Obama - O. - or Obama. Could be worse. So don't get too wee -wee'd up about it. lol

Bruce K. Sep 17, 2009, 3:09pm EDT
By the way ... let's not forget, it's President Obama.

agree, Lee. And if this country had been 'founded' by people from Africa, he would most likely be the first 'white' guy in the wh and then he might be called names like whites are by racists.

and the answer to the question is 'no', but those who disagree will disagree.

Shirley, pursuing the fantasy that if the US had been founded by Africans is so far away from any kind of reality, not to mention not reading the thread and what the subject is, on top of saying that there are racists calling white people names. I am a white person and I have never been called a racial name by anyone in my whole life. Saying something like that, and 3 goofy comments in one makes it very clear you have no idea what you are talking about.

Bruce, with all due respect, you are wrong. I do know what I am talking about, and I have been called names by those who are racists on the on the other side of the racial fence. One was even a double racial slur I cannot repeat here...all because I had black friends I hung out with.

I was called racial names by twelve year olds I drove around on school buses, threatened by high school football players, etc. Just because you haven't, does not make what I said 'goofy'.

What is more, I did read the thread. Every comment, even yours.

And if whites had not gotten here first, who knows what would have happened? My great-grandmother was Native American. Perhaps there would have been a relative of mine sitting in the WH and have others disagreeing with him.

Just because you disagree with someone, that doesn't make you a racist.
It means you have opinions.
But, if you have hate in your heart, and spout racist slurs, then that makes you a racist.

The short answer (and the easy one for too many folks) is, "No." But, of course the "real" answer is much longer.

The fury and disdain and ridicule I see here, at work, and among some of my acquaintances, is definitely racist. It was apparent from the git-go that the entire "school talk" debate was racist. There was NO other reason to object. No one had ever objected before, whether the President was liberal or conservative. The ONLY real difference this time was skin color.

Disagreeing with the President is pretty much a duty required of us all, here in America. It's not even really part of the question. But when the noise comprises primarily junk like the following..., "He's out to destroy America." "He only wants to consolidate his power, and this is only a small (and visible) aspect of that." "His socialist policies are designed to deliver America to... (take your pick of several "Bad Things")" "He is America's greatest enemy." "His only reason for becoming President was to destroy this country." I have to quail in the face of such vituperation.

The hysteria and downright mean and dangerous stuff we saw during the August "break" was not... no how, no way... simply about the suggested (and ill defined) health care reform proposal(s). It was about President Obama. Otherwise no one, absolutely NO ONE would have carried a gun anywhere NEAR where he was gonna be, or even considered it. That was a straight up, "We're comin' f'r ya, N****r!

So, the answer is, "No." But it was the wrong question.

incorrect...people did not like it when Bush senior spoke to the kids. it wasn't racist then nor now

Right Shirley.

Shirley U Understand Me S. Sep 17, 2009, 7:31pm EDT
incorrect...people did not like it when Bush senior spoke to the kids. it wasn't racist then nor now

I think that the reason for the question posed by the Magazine is pretty simple... the term "racist" is being and has been applied by liberals to individuals simply for having disagreed with either specific statements by Obama, or even portions of the Democrat Party's regular platform. I've seen that happen repeatedly, both in Gather discussions, and at large. The truth is, that accusation is frequently being used instead of logical discussion, as a means of stifling political dissension, rather than as a stated truth.
I think it's racist to expect conservatives to change their entire political, moral, and ethical viewpoint to match the liberal beliefs of the president just because he is black. His skin color is totally irrelevant. Conservative is conservative, and liberal is liberal, regardless of the individual's ethnicity/color/race (however you want to say it), sex or sexuality, or religion.
Nothing has been said, done or insinuated with regards to the Obama presidency, or the president himself, which has not been said, done, or insinuated with regards to the last several presidents by the respective opposing sides. Obama's skin color does not change whether these things are right or wrong. People are just using that as an excuse to try to shut up those with different opinions.

Hey, you actually read the post! Good for you...it seems as if most people didn't.

Its sad that race even has to be mentioned in anything , Obama is a person,each one of us have some ethicnic back ground someone has a grip about. Its fine if someone disagrees with the President if they are disagreeing with the way he is handling something or his policies. But when they start getting into where he was born , is he black is he half white, is he African Amercian Is he Muslim? Sometimes I wonder if some disagree with the way he runs the Country there maybe some underlining motive of disagreeing. I am not saying everything there are a few that are racist and they will nit pick till it gets sickning. We have voted him in he is doing his job , yes he may be doing some thing not the way we like it , but that goes for every President there's always someone against the President.
Sometimes the way someone disagrees might be why it sounds racist, not they disagree but how they go about doing it.

I think a better question would be: How do you respond to someone who calls you a racist for disagreeing with Obama??...........

You're only a racist for disagreeing with Obama, if the person you are arguing with doesn't have the facts to back up their argument. If you noticed, most of the rebuttals from the left have been name calling, accusations, and personal attacks. Very little of the rebuttal has come in the way of any factual data.

Barack Hussein Obama a/k/a Barry Soetoro is not a black or African-American, until he provides his birth certificate. I have a copy of a registration, that his parents, the Soetoro's registrated him into the school as being: Nationality, Indonesian and Religion, Islam. The supporter for his Presidency, is a billionaire named, George Soros (find all about him in Wikepedia Encyclopedia). George Soros donated $300,000,000 to the election of Barack Obama and his agenda is to over throw the United States government. The encyclopedia says there that George Soros tried to overthrow George Bush's re-election in 2004 and failed. George Soros is Hungarian and hates Capitalism and has been trying to overthrow the United States for years. Remarks are not racist. People are not happy with the overthrow of our government!

Obama isn't going to let a little thing like the constitution interfere with his political ambitions.

Let's face it. Our only right is to bitch and complain and VOTE in the upcoming elections. But, we have corrupt people taking care of the election. Are our hands tied, or can we make sure that the next elections are going to count it like it is? I've had people tell me they voted absentee and also have gone to the poles to vote! Well, let us ALL, vote absentee and then go to the poles and vote! We can play that game! The reason Barack Obama a/k/a Barry Soetoro hasn't come up with a birth certificate saying he is an African-American, is because he doesn't HAVE ONE! He doesn't even have a Birth Certificate that says that Barry Soetoro was born in Honolulu, Hawaii, and is an African-American or BLACK! This KID is Indonesian and they never registered his birth in Hawaii! Bravo to Hawaii! They aren't giving him a birth certificate, because his birth there was not documented! He IS INDONESIAN AND HIS RELIGION IS ISLAM! That is all the documentation we have on this KID!

So, where do you live, Shirley: Afghanistan or Iran?

It is not disagreeing with him that makes someone a racist. It only becomes racist when you disagree only because it was Obama and rather than due to the real issue. If something was okay when the first George Bush or Ronald Reagan did or said it and suddenly becomes wrong just because it is now Obama doing or saying it, then that seems racial.

The thing everyone seems to want to ignore is that if your mother is an American citizen than you are automatically one as well regardless of where you are born. I was told this by officials when I was pregnant with my daughter whose father is Nigerian. It doesn't apply to fathers, but the child of a citizen becomes one through his mother.

I don't think so, though undoubtably there are those that oppose him dislike him because of his race.

I don't like his policies, his health care or his muddling attempts at reform. I think he is the worst thing that has happened to this country - - ever. He seems to be dismantling our intelligence networks, our banking facilities, our military, and running up a huge debt for our children to pay.
If that makes me a racist, so be it!

And Shelbia C, you are wrong. Go read the 14th amendment. You DO have to be born in this country to be an American citizen.

or born on a military base, with hubby being in the military. The ground US bases are on, are considered US Property, until they leave or are asked to leave the country. ( The bases ! )

A silly question.

My relevant question is; Why the hell doesn't Mr. Obama come out and say that disagreeing with him is not a racist act? I don't believe he does not realize the rancor and disharmony that is being generated by that silly notion. I certainly don't believe he's too stupid to realize he has the power to diffuse this nonsense to a great extent, with a few seconds of frank talk. So, why doesn't he do that?

I firmly believe that the democratic party loves the division that is created in this country. Matter of fact, I think most rebublicals, do the same.

Join me in being an equal opportunity politician hater. You'll never run out of things to gripe about, until we can get all the career politicians booted out on their butts, and honest folks holding their offices... with term limits.

John, when it comes down to whether or not he's got voices screaming on his behalf, any intentions to unify that would shut down their standard use of the race card and make them have to look at substantial and sound reasoning behind people's distaste for his policies won't be in his best interests. He is very smart, and he does know that.

Most people who voted for this President didn't vote for him as much as they voted against the opposition and for change from it. To his consitituency, his race being different was every bit or more an attraction to them as anything else that stood for the nebulous change and hope platform he presented. It was an MLK type of movement they saw, and if you didn't like his policies, that was not something that you should have even considered because his being Black was enough. That is an example of what I said above about the real racists. They voted for him because he was Black and different, representing change and hope. His race was every bit a part of that difference they saw. Those who did not see the color, but saw the policies or lack of substantial platform were automatically labeled as racist by the real racists who did vote for him, partially or in whole, based on his color.

They do not see Black and White as equal players themselves so they transfer the reasons they did vote for him onto the people who did not vote for him as the opposite of why they did. They know that they voted for him because he is Black, and if you didn't, it's got to be because he is Black. He is not about to destroy one of the main things that keeps them under his spell, and that is the racial issue, so don't be expecting any statements 'diffusing nonsense' when the nonsense and the people spouting it is what got him to where he is in the first place.

To disagree with a position President Obama holds is not to me a cause to suggest someone is racist.

The 912 march was dotted with pictures of the President depicted in racially damning cartoon and photo. Racism is a part of the anti-Obama sentiment, but how much a part?

There have been disagreements between ideologies through out our political history and some have been bitter and personal. For me it is the character of attack against President Obama that stands out. It is viseral, irrational and deeply emotional. Despite all the protections and check and balance, despite no evidence the President is accused of by his detractors of more than human influence, persuasion and diabolical power. He infered to be the harbinger of some dark dictatorial future. And there is NO proof that he is so inclined or able to be so. The accusation itself demostrates a far deeper resentment than mere policy. It is hatred. Dark, viseral race hatred. The idea that the RW portays him as Hitler conveys upon the man a power he does not or cannot possess. He's been depicted as a Messiah or angel or prophet ONLY by his opponents. Such attack bespeak a deep, almost subliminal fear. I saw this during the Civil Rights struggle when blacks began politically assert themselves. When they marched, when they massed in DC. When schools were integrated.

There are substantive ideological differences in the role of government and the duty of the citizen under the Constitution. The same basic arguments have been with us since day 1. It is our national schizophrenia. Disagreements like these are not racial. The attacks on Obama are something different.

I'll speak my mind, if I see a leader as a threat to my nation. I did about the last one, and I'll keep doing it about this one, as long as I see him as the threat I do. If you don't feel comfy with that, tough.

I'm an American.

I concur John.

As for being called a racist, I don't really care. I know who and what I am. However, those purple polka dotted folks....... hmmmm?

I had a blast with a new kid, that lived with a friend, here at our HOA. He was a nice black guy and I'd seen him around a bit. One day, as I was pulling in, I stopped at Kevin's house... a group was out there, including the new kid on the block. I can't remember how it all started, but someone mentioned that the new guy was black. Facetious sucker I am, suddenly I bugged my eyes out! Shut off the ignition of the truck! Hopped out and started looking everyone over... including the new kid. I looked back at the starter of the conversation,"I don't see and blacks here... only that green guy over there, is the stranger to me." Then, he started laughing, " Green? I'm green??" continues to laugh. I walked over, looked him straight in the eye and said "yeah.. aren't you green?" Egad, this went on for about ten minutes, until my grouchy next door neighbor came along and honked her horn for me to move my "danged truck".

He turned out to be a nice guy, until his anti-social behaviors came out.. steeling stuff from the guy he shared the building with. Then he got arrested and hauled away for some other reason. Otherwise he was a blast to sit, share a cigar with and shoot the bull. Heck.. nothing at all wrong with green people, now, but that's only my opinion. :-P

Being called a racist for just disagreeing with Mr Obama's policies, is just wrong. I'm tired of the race card being used consistantly, by everyone anymore. Too much judging of unknown hearts.

Funny how freedom of speech for some is a threat to others, John. Perhaps Obama cannot hear everyone shouting at once.

Besides, he cannot be responsible for the criticisms of everyone else. He's only human. I think people are apt to put on him their stresses and their frustrations when he's still a newby. He's certainly more articulate and seems more educated than his bumbling predecessor. Surely you in the US need someone who KNOWS what they are doing and not a son trying to fumble along after his dad and making a hash of it? Obama is surely trying to repair the damages done by others.

yes... but will we be able to undo the damage his administration is trying to do to us? Gun control, mass gun registration, heavy taxes on Guns.. HR-45.

The only way a country can remain free, is to have the necessary power to remove any corrupt government. One cannot be successful at that, by tossing rocks only.

OOps... off topic. sorry. I'll go to bed now.

I have no problem with being called a racist. Just don't call me a liberal.

liberal (adj.) 1. favoring progress and reform, as in politics, religion, etc. 2. open-minded or tolerant. 3. characterized by generosity and willingness to give in large amounts. 4. given freely or abundantly. 5. not strict or literal. 6. a person of liberal principles or views.

--The Random House Dictionary

I am talking about the American Liberal. favoring progress and reform? Not the American liberals. Generosity and willingness to give. You know better. That's an out right lie.

Erin,

I agree in the main with the definitions you present, and that is why I consider myself liberal. I do not agree with the notion that claiming oneself is liberal, means one is. I do not agree with the notion that this or that specific set of beliefs or political stances, magically renders those that ascribe correctness to them, free thinkers.


Declaring that one's positions or views are 'open-minded', for instance, does not render them so. A person can be positively bigoted about what they espouse, which is to say they grant no possibility of error on their part, and still label themselves 'open-minded'.

It's not the self-labeling that makes one open-minded, but the actual consideration of a wide variety of potentials. The actual consideration of views one does not themselves yet hold. If one does not actually DO that, one is not a liberal-thinker.

Thank you Erin for posting my question and for all of you who have responded. I am starting a political opinion magazine www.politicalopinionmagazine.8m.net I am looking for articles at this point there is no pay for an article and it is only web based until I can get enough articles to make a printed copy. This is a new page for the magazine each month I will pose a political question and hope to post answers to that question. Warning: I am posting any political view as long as it is clean you may not agree with the articles posted on the site but people are entitled to there view.

One reason I asked the current question is that everytime someone has a disagreement with Obama the left is quick to label it as racist. I do not think that Joe Wilson calling Obama a liar is racism in fact if you read the 1018 page bill you will find that everything he said in front of congress was a lie. On pages 16-20 you will find that this bill will eliminate private insurance entirely. Now I am not a supporter of private insurance my company pays 80% and I pay 20% which is over $400.00 per month plus copays for doctor visits but I have a choice and I would rather keep my private insurance than get it from the government.

Same ol' same ol', I see. If you disagree with the President's policies, no, you are not a racist, you are an American citizen. If you disagree with the President's policies because a political pundit told you to, then, yes, you're probably a racist. We fear what we don't know or understand. How about an actual, factual discussion of the subject of the debate instead of the person delivering the information.

Just because a person disagrees with Obama, it has nothing to do with his color or whatever. I've disagreed with Caucasian presidents, too.

Racism still exists in this country but Obama supporters are using the term to avoid real arguments over policy and such. It's a real lame excuse for the most part. For those who did suffer severe racism in the past, today's racism is almost nothing in comparison. Today Blacks have the opportunity to do what ever they want.

For instance the eligibility case. Most claim it is racism that drives the debate. Unfortunately this prevents logical discussion over a real topic.

Did I hear a whisper that he has a white mum, or was I dreaming??

It all depends on what Obama DOES, not the colour of his face. Sadly, a few people are still living in the past when much was done in the name of 'trade.' It's 2009.

The people who are disagreeing with him for the sake of disagreeing with him ARE racists. The people who can't let go of anything about him: the birthers, the name-callers, the people with the Hitler moustaches, the ones calling him a socialist, these are racists.

Sure, Ann . . you being a zealous supporter, are in a fine position to tell everyone which criticisms are OK, and which are racism . . . And just by coincidence, those that are really serious criticisms, are off limits if one is to avoid the charge of being a racist . . . Yep, it all looks reasonable, if one squints hard enough ; )

Of course the "birthers" are racist. BTW, why doesn't he just release his birth certificate and end the conflict? Seems simple to me.

"name callers", you mean like calling people who disagree with your ideology "racist".

LMAO, having a Hitler moustache automatically makes you a racist, yep, every time.

Aren't his philosophies Socialistic? Does that make him a racist too.

How can observing that the nationalization of :1. the housing industry, 2.the banking industry, 3. the automobile industry, and 4. the health care industries (all socialist actions) POSSIBLY be RACIST?!!?!

With you TICA. :)

TICA M. Sep 19, 2009, 2:52am EDT
How can observing that the nationalization of :1. the housing industry, 2.the banking industry, 3. the automobile industry, and 4. the health care industries (all socialist actions) POSSIBLY be RACIST?!!?!

If you disagree with Barack Obama are you being or should you be considered a racist

Are you being? No.
Should you be? No.

No, you're not. I posted something about who racists are today. Frankly, I think that any liberal who insists that anyone who is black just HAS to be an Obama fan is a racist.

Hi Marilyn,
You might find it interesting to see what someone said to Mary McCauley in the above thread. Start here:
Mary Bradley McCauley Sep 17, 2009, 10:24am EDT
I am sorry the problem exists. When I disagreed with Bush, no one called me a racist-- . . .

I don't think people are being racist if they disagree with him.

Even before the election, when asked if I was going to vote for Obama, and I said I didn't think so, the person asking looked at me and whispered "are you racist?" So I believe that there is a liberal agenda to stifle opposition with the use of the race card. I also believe that current political "liberals" aka the far left do not fit the definition of liberal that someone so graciously posted for us earlier in the thread. I also am fair minded enough to realize that the majority of america, like me leans a little left or a little right, but mostly we are in the center, where the people who purport to represent us, (on either side of the aile), are not. I am not ignorant enough to say that racism toward the president does not exist, however I think that had we elected a white democratic president, that many not so nice things would be said by opposition, as is always done in politics anyway. Look at all the nasty, personal attacks that were made by the left on the former president, not just about his political views. It's a tricky call, to figure out what is racially motivated, or politically motivated, against him. I am not a big fan of most of his policies, but I agree with a few things he's doing (for example limiting salaries of executives of companies that took bailout money although I would be against this for companies that didn't take the handout), and I disagree with others. I am really leary of the health care agenda because it seems cloaked in the mist. I think it is good for presidents to speak to schools, but bad for them to send a lesson agenda to go with it. I think it was bad for the president to get involved in the situation at harvard with the professor(who he admitted was a friend) and the cop, but I was disappointed that he didn't have much if anything to say about the honor student that was beaten to death by gangs on the street in Chicago. He's hasn't been office quite a year yet, I didn't vote for him, and from what I've seen so far, I don't think I would vote for his reelection to another term, but not due to racism, due to ideas and deeds. If he manages to turn things around in this country, I would definitely re-evaluate my decision and probably vote to reelect him.

Depends on the situation and the motivation for disagreement, eh?

Occasionally, people do get called racists for disagreeing with specific policies that President Obama pursues without saying anything that points to racist sentiments. That is obviously unfair and wrong. (It's never happened to me, though I've expressed disagreement with Obama several times--but then I'm known to the a flaming liberal around here, which is likely to protect me from such accusations.)

In many cases, though, comments about racism are triggered by obvious innuendo or thinly disguised gut-hatred of the President. I see such posts all the time, and you can't blame people for pointing out the elephant in the room when you can clearly smell its presence.