You are correct..

No. 3- The Dems always pull out the RACE CARD so why not use it for their own destruction.

I agree he is correct.

Senator Harry Reid Treason Trial

Exhibit A: "Light skinned with "no Negro dialect"

Exhibit B: "this war is lost and the surge is not accomplishing anything"

Exhibit C: "find another solution to deal with the nation's nuclear waste"

The people rest their case...

I care because he is correct. Obama is a total fake. He is just a salesman in an empty suit. He has no experience and has dragged our country down the tubes slowly. I also think that if you set a standard then you should follow that standard. So if Trent Lott had to step down then so should he. Reid has no, let me say that again, NO RESPECT FOR THOSE HE REPRESENTS!!!! If he did he would do the honorable thing and step aside, even resign his seat in shame. Alas he has no shame and this should be a testiment to his true character. This should also be a true testiment to the character of Obama. He cannot allow Reid to be prosecuted right now due to the fact they are trying to get an illegal Health Care Bill through. Its not even what Obama set out for, but it makes it look like he did something. lol.

In my lifetime I have seen "colored, Negro, Black, A-A" and probably some I have forgotten. These words were printed in mainstream media and commonly used.

SO, #1, who cares

#2 he's right

Steve-1085776

No. 2 - He is correct!

And so was Wilson!

Let's dump these unpatriotic losers one by one as they fail to live up their own P.C. dogma that they have used as a means toward the systematic behavior control of every American. Every member of congress should be investigated to determine if they have ever while in office behaved in any manner either unconstitutional or otherwise inappropriate. Offenders should all be booted.

HAHA such a double standard.

Just imagine for one second if dude had an R next to his name... it would be a blood bath and we ALL know it. It shows he's ignorant and quite frankly not very smart to lay that out there.

The bias is so obvious. Obviously the Dems don't want to cry foul on their own when each vote means so much, I get that, it's political gaming. What I don't get is the public who honestly believe there wouldn't be a huge call for his resignation if he was a Republican. Whats sad is they're hypocrites and don't even know it. Or they do and know full well the game they're playing. Either way they're sheisty and it shows their whole philosophy. They have no clue.

The whole issue is rediculous. ANd I would say the same if the "R" was there. The politics brings it more into to play then the words themselves. Of course this comes from a man who does not even know his own race. How does one determine his own race anyway? DO we use skin color as the guide? DO we use where we are born as a guide? What determines race anyway?

We are just people. We live in America. All of the strife is just man made and totally senseless. If we did not learn it growing up it is way to late to learn it as adults. No wonder the ones in Washington act like little kids in a school yard. Both parties. Then they one to the public like little tattletales. He said this. She done that. It is enough to make one wonder.

Clean out all of Washington and get some real thinkers and mature adults up there. The ones we have had from now back to the 50's are totally clueless.

Here's the fault with the logic, Reid suggests that the Democratic Party would not elect a dark skinned indivdual regardless of his/her qualifications and if they spoke with an accent they would never get into the party leadership. While this is 1940's thinking, it has no place in our culture in 2010. I find this thinking offensive, and an embarrassment for all Americans. If nothing else he should be forced to go through sensitivity training followed by diversity training. It is simply unbelieveable that no democrats have spoken out against him and this pre-civil rights mind set, and even more incredible that Sharpton gave him a pass.

MastaFace

In my lifetime I have seen "colored, Negro, Black, A-A" and probably some I have forgotten. These words were printed in mainstream media and commonly used.

There were other words used in mainstream media that were spoken too.... Remember how slang for Nigerian became a taboo?

Madam, you are living proof of why we need to get rid of all Liberals (or "Pwogwessives", if you prefer), eliminate the Federal Department of Education and get America back on the principals on which it was founded. You demonstrate that you do not even understand the the phrase, "Out of context" but mouth it only because that's what Pwogs always say when they get in hot water for running their mouths without putting their brains in gear first.

It was Lincoln, a Republican, who freed the slaves, madam, and it was Southern Democrats who invented the Ku Klux Klan in response.

MountainLioness

Republicans have kept minorities down since the days of slavery.

You've either gulped down the whole punch bowl of Kool-aid or just don't do your own research and make assumptions. The first black senator was a Republican in 1870. That's 90 years before the Dems did it. I guess Condi Rice, Colin Powell, etc were handed their positions of power to keep them down in the last administratino too huh?

Why does the left just make stupid assumptions like this and run with it in public forums? It sure isn't doing your party any favors other than spreading that misinformation for someone else to be ridiculed with when they say it in a public gathering next time. It's amazing how many of you will believe that crap too when it doesn't hold a single fabric of truth.

I think he is right. But, then again, Obama is a very unique individual. If we ask a politician to step down for being an A-Hole, how many do you think would remain in public service?

"out of context"

"what he said is true"

If McCain said the SAME thing, would you still say that?

I don't hardly think so.

I happen to think he was stating obvious fact, too.

However - live by the sword, die by the sword.

This is a box into which the liberal left has forced EVERYONE in this country, and everyone is chastised for not toeing the line. If you control the language, you control the message.

This PC bull crap was a liberal construct, and they need to be held to the SAME standards.

You want to make EVERYONE stop using the word "Negro"? Then you get NO pass for using it yourself. Period.

The first black senator was a Republican in 1870. That's 90 years before the Dems did it.

Will the conservatives please read some actual history.

Follow the ideology. quit taking credit for democratic ideas.... all the way back to Lincoln.

From the the dixie crats changing parties to the repubs trying to oust Teddy Roosevelt for helping the working people...these people now call themselves Republicans and have nothing for the working class only the corporate class. Claiming otherwise is plain ignorant.....amazingly some right wingers have seen the writing on the wall for the GOPs immediate future, and now claim to be Independents and Constitutionalists.

WE SEE YOU RUNNING AND HIDING!

oh yeah for your viewing pleasure....and to help conservatives grow a brain cell or two:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_American_Vernacular_English

Yes conservatives it was called ebonics as well!

You guys are so desperate..hilarious!

Keep his hypocritical dumb ass in. He is doing far more for the conservative movement that the repubs.Besides, his tenure is about to run out come next November.

Another Repub gimmick to take attention away from real issues. The party of NO strikes again. A tempest in a teapot (excuse the pun).

TJM07,

I haven't read the full passage from the book, have you? But I am assuming that Reid was not commenting on the idea that

the Democratic Party would not elect a dark skinned indivdual regardless of his/her qualifications

but rather on his electability across the whole American population, which as you know put him office when Independents voted for Obama in large numbers. Sadly, Reid's remarks are true -- Americans are not ready to elect a candidate who deviates very far from the dominant cultural norm. Reid's words are the statement of a politician pragmatically assessing a candidate's chances, not commenting on his race or qualifications per se. If you don't think that goes on in both parties you are sadly mistaken.

And to those who desperately grasp at the straw that it was Democrats that founded the KKK:

1. That was over one hundred years ago. Both parties have changed dramatically since then.

2. Those southern Democrats became "Dixiecrats" in the 1950s and when they couldn't advance their segregationist agenda that way they became Republicans.

If you are going to use the historical record, please use it responsibly and fully.

And, just for the record, Lott's comments were not surprising (he came from a state that didn't ratify the Thirteenth Amendment until 1995) I thought that whole thing was overblown as well. People say stuff. The apologize. Move on.

Comments made by Harry Reid and Bill Clinton recently published, echo the real racial discourse in America during the 2008 elections. Blacks who fit a certain profile are elevated to stardom as acceptable Negroes. It’s especially evident in the Tiger Wood story of recent. As soon as Tiger acted like a commoner, suddenly his ethnicity played a critical role in his popularity, not living up to a preconceived image.

Black athletes, especially basketball players have notoriously practiced polygamy and unless they are accused of a crime of rape they go on with little or no detriment to their careers and even when one confessed to rape he made a complete rebound. It’s not only about race; someone like Susan Boyle, being plump and perhaps a little homely is succinctly discounted and neglected until amazingly people are shocked when they hear her sing. And immediately she’s told she needs a complete appearance makeover to match her voice.

So was Bill Clinton right? Was Barack Hussein Obama elected merely because he was black? There’s ever increasing evidence this was the case. Perhaps we’ll all be exonerated by his handling of the economy and the war on terror, but evidence of his inexperience is also increasing. And quoting JFK “The Buck Stops Hear” after The Bay of Pigs” may have salvaged his presidency for the interim, but do we really want another nuclear crisis to affirm Obama’s legacy?

I believe it was Harry Truman who had a sign on his oval office desk that said "the buck stops here."

NHLucky, his comment was he is light skinned enough, the contray is by inferrence is if he was dark skinned he would not be electable. There is no stretch. It is simply carrying his comment to its full logical extent and conclusion. And yes, as it applies to the Reid quote, I have read the whole quote in context of the book, it's available on line if you are interested.

Victory_in_2012:

I sure hope you have a learning disability because poligamy means having more than 1 wife. Not sleeping around. A strong majority of ALL athletes, no matter race, sleep around. Who cares.

And you wouldn't have brought up just basketball nor would you have brought up Obama's middle name if you weren't a closeted racist.

Failure to apply a consistent standard among supposed "equals" is most definitely - at least - a double standard. This is absolutely unprofessional - and dishonorable.

It is also - unfortunately - no more or less than we are being taught to expect within this Administration. Sadly, the virulently partisan application of "standards" as practiced in this Administration is being accepted by a significant portion of the People as the correct and proper form.

The good news? It seems there is a VERY large proportion of the People who readily recognize this as a double standard. A 1000-to-1 ratio would indicate that proportion includes very many "non-Republicans". So many, in fact, that one could presume it to include some Democrats =)

stop making a mountain out of a mole hill everyone.

Reid was right that Obama is light skinned and can speak articulate English(without street/ebonics/slang).

He was pointing out that Obama would probably be more acceptable to bigots and those wary of black folk, because of those traits.

Obama is half white. It's funny how many seem to forget it, and just judge him on skin color/hair type. I have no doubt that no matter how intelligent he is and how well he speaks, Obama was perceived as being black by most people his whole life.

TJM, yes, I agree that the logical conclusion of the remark is that a dark-skinned person would be less electable. Do you disagree with that? Because I don't. I think Reid was right, as I said earlier. Does that make me a racist? Or just a realist? BTW, I believe there are scientific studies that support Senator Reid's conclusion. Among whites and among blacks, lighter skin is preferred.

superlogi,

I am, as you have probably guessed, a life-long Democrat. However in my time I have voted for a number of Republicans. Edward Brooke was one of them. I would also happily have voted for Everett Dirksen had I lived in Illinois. I still remember him and think of him as a true statesman. I(Now you can guess how old I must be too :)

I think that we have all become too invested in staking out a position on the political spectrum and defending it at all costs. Spending our efforts showing up the "other side", focusing on issues in a way that seems more like scoring debating points and less like finding ways to get things done. Dirksen is a powerful example of a man who rose beyond petty party squabbles and one-upmanship to achieve something fine for America. Because in the end, we are all on the same side, aren't we?

Come on GOPers, lets get the facts on the table. You claim that the Dems would call for ousting if a Republican said it. And we all know that Republicans have said things and Dems HAVE called for their resignation, so THAT probably is not in question.

But the "play" is very different here.

This was said in private. This was not meant as derogatory but was meant as an honest assessment of Obama's election chances. As soon as it was revealed, Ried apologized... he knew it was improperly phrased and admitted so and apologized. End of subject (or it SHOULD be).

The Republicans "play" it differently. They say it in public. It is always meant as a derogatory remark. They repeat it and repeat it until EVERYONE has heard their rantings. And they seldom apologize... but if they do, they don't apologize for what was said, but that they are sorry YOU were offended! And, yes, the Dems then call for their resignation because of their blatantly racist, derogatory, mean-spirited statements.

So the GOPers are correct. If a Republican had made this statement and played it out like they usually do, the Dems would call for their resignation... true.

As I said in my short comment, what Reed said was said in private. It is probably out of context and a true observation of Obama's electability because so many people are prejudice as some of what is written here at News Vine reflects. I've said "do it like a white man" in front of my Native American friends as a joke and they joke with me too about being white and a Pollock to boot. I have African American brothers and sisters that I love too, yet I use terms like "coon pile" and other terms in front of my brothers and sisters and one gal called me a cracker and I got a big kick out of that. We humans know the difference between recognising each other's differences in love rather than hate. It seems that many on this list do not realize that no matter the color of ones skin we are 99.999% the same and we can interbreed therefor we are brothers and sisters. If you cannot love our entire species and life on this planet you are hardly fit to be called human.

To Steve-1085776:

1. Nobody with a brain.

2. You're a moron.

The comment made by Reid was not racial - it was rather stupid, but it was not racial in anyway. Had Reid's words been truly racial or disrespectful and unrepentant then I would be among the first to call for his removal. To compare Reid's poor choice of words with the overt and purposeful vote of approval that Trent Lott gave to the segregationists political platform is ridiculous. Lott publicly cheered and acknowledged the ideals that the segregationists stood for which were racist. Reid used a word that once was politically correct and now no longer is acceptable. By Steele and the GOP making this a major issue is once again demonstrating their complete inability to grasp facts, reason and logic and are only further demonstrating that they are clearly in a mode of destructive seeking tactics at any cost. Even if it's foolish.

td3k,

nice to see you and great comment.

My comment #1.5 was colapsed by liberals who can't deal with truth. lol. Thanks, even more people are reading it now :D..

In response to Jabra'il and a Harry Reid Treason trial.....will this be held before or after Dick Cheney and Donald Rumsfeld (along with twenty others) are already in federal prison for crimes against the country and humanity?

I want to say this about my state. When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years either.

-Trent Lott

I fail to see the comparison between this statement and the one made by Reid.

The idea that what Lott said was so much different than what Reid said is absolutely true. All Lott did was be a gracious guest, making a patronizing toast at a 100 year-old man's birthday party. Reid's comments show he has no problem manipulating race and the "Negro" vote. You tell me which is more sinister.

Does anyone think that a a dark skinned black could be elected in this country yet? How about a white speaking in 'ebonics' or with a strong Spanish accent. We have a long way to go before racism is no longer an issue in this country. Speaking the truth is not racism. It is necessary in order to correct the lingering aspects of racism from our past.

Trent Lott was praising the racism of the past in his praise of Strom Thurman. He was saying that Strom's position on segregation and voting discrimination were the right policies. Anyone that can not see the difference is blind or racist. Bill Clinton's comments to Teddy Kennedy are on the same level as Lott's. Whether he meant them as a criticism of Teddy's motivation or that a black man was not qualified to be president is irrelevant. He was using race as an argument against an otherwise qualified candidate. Clinton should be ashamed and apologize to the American people for racist actions and comments. That includes the comments during the SC primary.

I don't see the Democrats doing to Reid what they did to Joe Wilson, so Political party has A lot to do with this. Both comments were true, and Joe Wilson at least said it to Obama's face (and was not of a racial nature,) not behind the back like Reid did.

Again I ask you people who are saying that what Reid said is just a statement of facts (and I agree, it was):

Would that be your opinion if a Republican had said it?

Would you be able to see the truth to the statements, if it came from a Republican source?

I do not think you would be able to see it. I think you're giving lip service to it because it's coming from a Democrat, and you're engaging in hypocrisy.

You KNOW that had a Republican said it, all hell would break loose and you'd be here calling for their head.

Now, because it's a Democrat, you pull the Rodney King BS, "can't we all just get along?" No, not when such a huge double standard exists for what you'll tolerate, in your partisan blindness, from your party versus what you'll tolerate from Republicans, no we can't just get along.

Not when you've, in your PC fervor, forced radio personalities and other holders of political office OUT because YOU saw racism, no, we cannot get along.

Yes, we have much bigger fish to fry in this country right now, and this BIGOT who some of you are defending is the head fry cook! He is the majority leader of a filibuster-proof majority in the Senate. Your heads are all assploding because Sarah Palin had the audacity to mention God, but THIS is okay.

All Joe Wilson said was, "You lie!" and he got called a racist. Anyone that questions Obama gets called a racist.

And you don't see a problem. Pathetic.

Tim S.-560036: Excellent post and exactly right - well written.

Mike in SA: Read Tim S. post for the answer to your question.

Reid's comments were merely noting a fact about the current electorate in America. Most Americans probably wouldn't vote for any man that represented a known stereotype - whether it be a black man who speaks street or a white hillbilly who can't read or write - those types are generally not electable. That was the essence of what Reid was saying.

On the other hand, Lott was saying that he was proud to support a political party that advocated the segregation of white from black and who were opposed to the civil rights movement AND that he was proud of it.

You can't see the difference between the two statements? It's pretty significant.

This from the Senate majority leader...disgraceful. Pelosi would ask for his head on a platter if he were a Republican.

Not many folks are too happy with Obama, to be sure, but I don't think they should attack him for his race. At least the Clintons only attacked him because of his inexperience.

So td3k, you think it's OK for Reid to insinuate that the majority of blacks speak "Negro"?

Lott was stroking the ego of a doddering old codger at his 100th birthday party before he was put out to pasture. Give me a break!

Funny Reid does not speak with a Mormon accent; (his comment is as stupid as the one I just typed.)

Every member of congress should be investigated to determine if they have ever while in office behaved in any manner either unconstitutional or otherwise inappropriate. Offenders should all be booted.

They would be if the FBI & the Justice Department weren't corrupt also!!

It's the truth. We vote B.O. because he's not old same race. He's the symbol of change of ... I am a different race but not black light skinned asian. Who cares about racial? We should be proud of our own race we're all the same human being right? Reid is telling the truth.

Anyone that called for the resignation of a Republican that has supported civil rights, voter rights, headstart, and other programs to aide the poor and disenfranchised would be just as wrong as those calling for Reid's resignation. We need to be able to talk about this subject in this country.

Unfortunately, the Republican Party of Abraham Lincoln does not exist anymore. It died when the dixiecrats switched to today's Republican Party. Instead of this breed fading into history as they should, they have commandeered another party. It is time for these racist dinosaurs to go extinct, especially in the political arena.

So td3k, you think it's OK for Reid to insinuate that the majority of blacks speak "Negro"?

Reid did not say any such thing. He merely said that Obama's win was partly attributed to being a "light skinned" African American and the lack of a negro dialect in his speech unless he wanted to use it.

As I've already stated - it was a stupid comment and was a poor attempt at saying that Obama won the election by avoiding the stereotypical pitfalls. Reid admitted it was a poor choice of words but it was not meant as a racial slur.

Lott could've easily stroked Thurmond's ego without articulating strong support for the political policies upheld by the segregationist movement. He clearly said he was proud of voting for Thurmond and had the rest of the country followed their lead at the time then many of the problems in the country today would've been avoided. That is not stroking a person's ego - that is advocating a political philosophy. I see a huge difference between the two statements and am truly amazed that you cannot.

I care and so does every other persom who is concerned about the way Harry has insulted the troops and the office of semate majority leader since the day he first entered the privaliged position of such. He along with all of his senator friends have compromised their integrity and charector to get to the positions they're in today. Telling the American public our troops had failed in Iraq when that at the time was not a place where terrorist could fester. Then he dares speak of another man's ethnicity to list an opinion which no one with deeper thinking abilities really cares about. I want to ask a question do you care about the absolute truth or does your fear cripple you in regards to truly being honest ?

He needs to step down because he is an idiot. All of his comments are stupid and he should refrain from speaking in public.

Um, td, I think Reid made his remarks before the election - he was assessing Obama's chances of being elected, wasn't he?

Some nuggets from 2002

•‘His apology does not take away the sting of his divisive words…‘ - Barbara Boxer

•‘I can tell you if a Democratic leader said such a thing, they would not be allowed to keep their position,’ - Mary Landrieu

• ‘What he said was insensitive as hell; it’s very offensive,’ … ‘Race is serious stuff. It’s not something you kid about.’ - Joe Biden

• ‘…the GOP must decide whether Lott ‘represents the views of the majority of Republicans in the Senate and in our country.‘ - Hillary Clinton

• ‘We need political leaders who are healers, not dividers,’ … ‘I hope that Senator Lott’s apology will translate into action and that he will advance policies that bring us together as a nation rather than pull us apart.‘ - Dick Durbin

• ‘When connected to past comments and votes, this statement casts a dark shadow over Sen. Lott’s ability to be a credible party leader‘ - Diane Feinstein

• ‘Sen. Debbie Stabenow, a Democrat, described Lott’s comments as ‘outrageous’ and ‘completely inexcusable.’ ‘Those kinds of comments have no place in our society and should be repudiated by every American,’ Stabenow said in a statement. ‘At this point, the Republican caucus in the U.S. Senate needs to think long and hard about the kind of values they want their leadership to represent.‘ - Debbie Stabenow

They were both correct.

I think he was just pointing out that we have not come as far as we think we have on the subject of race. Good job Sen. Reid! Quit distorting a non-story media and politicians!

Um, td, I think Reid made his remarks before the election - he was assessing Obama's chances of being elected, wasn't he?

NHLucky: You are correct; the comment was made prior to the election. Clearly Reid was impressed with the oratorical abilities of candidate Obama and was really attempting a compliment it appears.

Mixman,

They were all correct. When a sitting United States Senator advocates for racial segregation he should resign. It is against the Constitution of the United States, the XIV amendment specifically.

That is a far cry from commenting on the political realities of the day. Is it right that the electorate takes racial stereotypes into account when they decide whom to vote for? No. Is it a fact that we do? Yes to a greater or lesser extent in each individual. One is advocating active racist policy and the other is commenting on a valid observation.

Pragmatic,

I never called Wilson a racist for his outburst during the joint session speech. I called him a liar and wrong. I called him rude and disrespectful as I would anyone that interrupted any President under those circumstances. I called it a blatant political move with no legitimate value to the debate.

I would have no problem with any Republican saying what Reid said in the context of comment. The fact that some people do not want to hear the truth about the shortcomings of our country does not make them any less true. What I want to see from anyone that does make this type of comment is an effort to change this reality.

I agree. I cannot believe this is an issue! He was calling it they way he saw it. It seemed like it was an objective statement.

I am sure people who want to read into it, can.

"He clearly said he was proud of voting for Thurmond.."

See td3k you're showing your stripes and willingness to grossly misrepresent, either intentionally or due to being ill-informed. Trent Lott was seven years old when Thurmond ran for president...seven.

"Reid did not say any such thing. He merely said that Obama's win was partly attributed to being a "light skinned" African American and the lack of a negro dialect in his speech unless he wanted to use it."

Reid absolutely does insinuate it by his mere mention of that fact. His mention of it shows that he finds Obama's speaking ability to be out of the ordinary for blacks. This makes my point, that Reid thinks that the ordinary for blacks is to speak "Negro".

..."Here's the fault with the logic, Reid suggests that the Democratic Party would not elect a dark skinned indivdual regardless of his/her qualifications and if they spoke with an accent they would never get into the party leadership. While this is 1940's thinking"...

But think LilWayne at worst for an example of "dark skinned + dialect speaking" black man type, such will NEVER get elected to Prez, and is the antithesis of Barak Obama. But of course, no shade of color of any low class loser of any ethnic background, will ever be Prez of the United States. Within the next 20 years, surely a Hispanic candidate will win, but again, not some indigenous Mexican Indian from the front of Home Depot - but perhaps his grandchild, part Anglo, and assimilated into mainstream American culture - and an Ivy League grad, no doubt, as well as is President Obama.

Mike in SA:

Whether Lott was 7 or 37 in 1948 is irrelevant. The point is that he has made several public comments as a US Senator that has consistently acknowledged and defended the political philosophies of the Dixiecrats of which Strom Thurmond was a member. The private comments made by Reid do not come close to the public comments made by Senator Lott in officially condoning and praising the political policies and platform of a white segregationist political party. There's really not much more to say other than we disagree on this fundamental aspect.

From the Wikipedia article on Trent Lott:

Political controversy ensued following remarks Lott made on December 5, 2002 at the 100th birthday party of Sen. Strom Thurmond of South Carolina. Thurmond ran for President of the United States in 1948 on the Dixiecrat (or States' Rights) ticket. Lott said: "When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We're proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either."

Thurmond had based his presidential campaign largely on an explicit racial segregation platform. Lott had attracted controversy before in issues relating to civil rights. As a Congressman, he voted against renewal of the Voting Rights Act, voted against the continuation of the Civil Rights Act and opposed making Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday a federal holiday. The Washington Post reported that Lott had made similar comments about Thurmond's candidacy in a 1980 rally. Lott gave an interview with Black Entertainment Television explaining himself and repudiating Thurmond's former views.

We are just going to have to agree to disagree.

Both the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act are outdated and burdensome to the states they apply to. Seeing as how Lott's state is one that carries that additional burden, I would find it likely that he would be against continuation. That does not make him racist. It makes him a representative of a state that wants to be unburdened. The conservative base has been for limited federal government and pro states rights since Goldwater. It should come as no surprise that Lott would find some appeal to that part of the party's platform. I'm also a strong states rights advocate. The closer you get government to me the more effective it is for me. Doesn't make me the slightest bit racist though.

However, I do also think it is clear what Reid thinks of the average African-American's ability to communicate effectively.

Also, just so we're clear...

"Thurmond supported extending the Voting Rights Act, making the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. a federal holiday^[2] and he was the first southern senator to appoint a black aide."

Also from Wikipedia. Thurmond found the error in his way just like the segregationist George Wallace and Klansman Robert Byrd.

addiem,

Here's the fault with the logic, Reid suggests that the Democratic Party would not elect a dark skinned indivdual regardless of his/her qualifications

Wrong. He was talking about the general election and the whole of the American electorate.

Both the Voting Rights Act and Civil Rights Act are outdated and burdensome to the states they apply to. Seeing as how Lott's state is one that carries that additional burden, I would find it likely that he would be against continuation. That does not make him racist. It makes him a representative of a state that wants to be unburdened.

I realize this is now officially "off-topic", but it is important to note that the Voting Rights Act applies to all states equally - not just some. The oversight of the Justice Department on voting procedures in all of the states to ensure that unfair voting practices are not allowed to be implemented can hardly be considered a "burden" as much as a safeguard. Before it's passage, the southern states required all voters to pass a literacy test in order to be eligible to vote. This effectively prevented large populations of blacks from enjoying the right to vote guaranteed to them in the constitution. I have a hard time understanding exactly what burden is placed upon the states by requiring them to allow all eligible citizens to vote without any additional prerequistes of education, class or standing.

td3k, You're right, off topic. I suggest you go to Wikipedia and refresh your knowledge of the Voting Rights Act though. Nine states, about 50 additional counties, and a dozen separate municipalities are singled out for more burdensome and costly enforcement. We cannot make any change affecting voting, even an extremely minor one like moving a polling place next door or changing the layout of our ballots, without having to wait for (and pay for) the Justice Department to review and approve the change. You must not reside in one of the affected areas.

Mike I have the same response for this that I had to the pharmaceutical industry when I was a chemist in it: It is our own fault. If we hadn't done the inappropriate or unethical actions as an industry, we wouldn't need to have the regulations telling us how we have to do it now. When you violate trust, the verification of honesty is costly.

I don't know where you live, but there were numerous places that came up with some ingenious says of denying voting rights to certain groups. One was moving the polling place late in the election season and only notifying middle and upper class whites.

Mike: I live in Texas, so I assume we are affected by the preclearance requirements of the VRA. Again, I agree with Tim that the violation of trust is not something easily dismissed or forgotten. It would be nice to think that the southern states affected by the preclearance requirement have indeed learned their lessons and would never again intentionally make voting changes, no matter how minor, that would adversely affect the ability of anyone to gain access to the voting booth. But the reality is that racism is still very much alive in the country and to abandon these requirements would more than likely be foolhardy. The "burden" that it creates is a minimal cost for the protections that it ensures.

Hey, if you want to make it equal for all states, then fine. I won't necessarily agree with it (being a states rights advocate), but at least then it will be equitable. It is ridiculous to think that this should go on forever though. Especially when the large spotlight of today's media is ever present and when the Justice Department clearly turns a blind eye to overt intimidation and voter registration fraud and manipulation in other areas of the country (Philadelphia, Las Vegas, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, Kansas City, Washington state, Ohio, Indiana, Connecticut, Michigan, ...). I would also make the argument that over the course of this nearly half century, race relations in these parts of America have improved to the point where, as a whole, they are on equal terms if not better in the south where we endure enhanced enforcement of the VRA than they are in the north which is primarily not affected by enhanced enforcement of the VRA. By the time this renewal is up, the states affected by the enhanced enforcement will have spent more years under these provisions than spanned the presidencies from Washington through Lincoln.

Also noted...by your logic, your senior Senator (Robert Byrd) should never be forgiven and thus have all of his Senate votes reviewed for legality for being a former Klansman.

Mike,

I won't necessarily agree with it (being a states rights advocate), but at least then it will be equitable

I have no problem with it being enforced equally in all States and agree that no State (or party) is guilt free. I don't take exception to it being a states rights issue. Article IV for clearly states that it is a federal issue: "The United States shall guarantee to every State in this Union a Republican Form of Government in each State." Without due process, the right to vote can not be infringed upon by the State.

I'm with you that states should be vigilant and not be allowing the voting process to be tainted or manipulated in any way. That being said, I think we've kind of talked this one out as far as we can go and this seems like an amicable ending point. Nice debating you two.

Enjoyed it too.

This would be no big thing if it wasn't that Reid led the campaign for Trent Lott to step down after he made a statement at an old man's birthday party to make him feel better. Everyone knew that Lott didn't have a racist bone in his body, but Reid led the rampage to have his head, thus said...this is the reason he should be handed his head on a silver platter. Him losing the election this year will be a nice turnaround, but why do the democrats not have to be under the same standards all othe parties have to

There was really nothing wrong with what he said but there definately is a double standard, if Rush had said that the democrats and their newsmedia would be up in arms. The most interesting comment is being avoided though; Reid said that Obama did not speak ina a negro dialect UNLESS HE WANTED TO. When did Reid hear Obama speaking in this negro dialect????

Call it like it is

There is a story within a story here. It's called an "allegory". Read in between the lines. Both parties are being played here. Or in other words, it's the U.S. Constitution vs the Protocals of The Elders Of Zion. Which would be followed if Shumer became majority leader.???

So its ok for people like Imus to get fired over comments like that and hes as old as Reid??? Im wondering where Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and all the other race baiters are for this. I honestly could care less one way or another but if you dont agree that is this was a GOP person (Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck not to mention any GOP senator or House Member) it would be there job then you are seriously one sided and blind

Absolutely.

Acidrain, Reid is well spoken and educated. He is also up on his political correctness. Your argument holds no water with me. Besides, if he is that out of date with the feelings of this country, he needs to go!!!! Period. I love everyones double standards though.. Showing true character today I see.

"This is just more blocking by the GOP since they have no power-"

And you are more than likly one who calls Rush Limbaugh "racist" for re-mixing a song written by a black person...

I vote get rid of every one of them, and get our country back.

Get "our" country back? From where? Who are YOU, anyway?

And who exactly would you vote for? Who are the great people with big ideas and infallible intelligence and morals you would like to see in office? Why would they not just become EXACTLY like the politicians they would be replacing? What would stop them?

Do you have any kind of an actual plan here, or do you just want a bunch of unproven rookies and novices on general principle? They would be making all of our laws and all of the decisions, you get that part, right?

You have been standing in the acid rain too long. This confirms for the one millionth time the hyper partisan standards (double-standards) of the Dems. Trent Lott's comments were made at the 100th birthday party of a long serving Senator, and were meant to be only flattering words addressed to a man who did not have many more days left. The Dems, and their accomplices in the media, made a HUGE deal out of it because DEMS will seize on the SLIGHTEST "scandal" or "gaffe" and pound on it until the Republican target is forced to resign, while Dems will totally ignore or dismiss more serious misdeeds or "misspeaks" (see Bill Clinton---not the sex, but the perjury and obstruction of justice, Ted Kennedy and Mary Jo Kopechne, Robert Byrd---"white n-------s"). A simple apology is ALWAYS enough for a Democrat to retain his position. All Republicans are doing is trying to apply a consistent standard----or make it abundantly clear that Dems have a partisan double standard. Personally, I think that Reid was speaking a practical political truth. Many voters (mainly Democrats and "Independents") probably were more inclined to vote for Obama because he was light skinned and only talked with a "black dialect" when he wanted to sound like Rev. Wright. It may have reflected some racism on the part of Reid, but Reid's "insensitive" remarks do not merit his being removed from his position as Majority Leader, any more than Lott's "insensitive" remarks merited his removal as Majority Leader. But let's have ONE standard that applies to both parties, not a stringent standard that applies to Republicans and a lenient one that applies to Democrats.

Chuck D:

Top notch, well said.

It appears the acid has affected your brain. The truth is Reid in now known to be a racist and Byrd IS a racists and the libs could care less unless its a Republican.

acidrain.

It is not that Reid used the word Black.

He said he did not talk like a Black.

So, tell me please, do Blacks talk any different than anyone else?

Lott never said he wanted the segregation to return, it was just inferred, whether right or wrong. All for this PC stuff is petty BS. C'mon, no Democrat has a problem with Robert Byrd's past, or Reid's comments or Bidens, because it comes down to this...Republicans hold their own accountable, Democrats circle the wagons to hold on to power.

Chuck D is right on the money!

I also find it courious that Newsvine did not include the end of Reid's comment. What is missing is: "unless he wanted to have one."

Saying that he has "no Negro dialect" could just be a statement of fact. Sort of like saying someone has no southern accent. But when you say that he has "no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." - that is basically saying that Obama is a fake, trying to act more like a black man than he really is.

...on second thought, maybe Reid SHOULDN'T be forced to resign. Why force him out for telling the truth...

Answer this question, laxman. How many Black, Republican Senators are there? Answer that question and then you'll have the reason why Reid should not step down and why Republicans and Hannity, and Limbrag and Beck are called RACISTS!

Yo herb...you be one stupid muthafc*ah be not knowin' da homies got dey own way of commooincatin'. What muthaf**in planet you just come from, bro?

This is just more blocking by the GOP since they have no power, except the ability to delay, delay, delay, and accuse dems of whatever.

So THAT is what the Dems were up to all the times they tried to discredit people on the right with the race card. They weren't actually interested in the claim, only the ability to delay, delay, delay, and make accusations. I see. Straight from the mouth of a lib too.

but if you dont agree that is this was a GOP person (Hannity, Limbaugh, Beck not to mention any GOP senator or House Member) it would be there job then you are seriously one sided and blind

Oh please. Republicans never hold their own accountable.

The word "negro" has gone out of use? Someone should alert the United Negro Foundation!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

aquatone,

Finally, somebody who calls these guys on "throwing the bums out".

Get "our" country back? From where? Who are YOU, anyway?

And who exactly would you vote for? Who are the great people with big ideas and infallible intelligence and morals you would like to see in office? Why would they not just become EXACTLY like the politicians they would be replacing? What would stop them?

Thanks for pointing out that the behavior we see in our elected officials is what happens when real people are in positions of power. As phrased by the British Lord Acton:

"Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely. Great men are almost always bad men."

I am not sure how we improve on our current situation, but I am with in thinking that throwing everyone out and starting over again would not go very far to solving our problems. At first nobody would know what to do or how to do it; later I would guess the behaviors would become very similar to what we have now. Political grandstanding and deal-making have been with us from our inception. Deal making is part of the fabric of the US Constitution, since it is a document born of political jockeying and deal making itself.

MountainLioness -

What a stupid question, and an empty implication. Since the vast majority of the black population are Democrats and vote Democrat, how many black Republican Senators would you expect to find?

Especially when blacks like Clarence Thomas, Condi Rice, etc. get treated the way they do by other blacks?

Don't be stupid. Too many blacks in this country have been sucked into the trap of believing that all the freebies from the government - delivered primarily by Democrats - are good, when in reality they simply serve to keep a huge segment of the black population IN poverty, and dependent upon the government, AND therefore voting Democrat. They're being controlled by the Democrats, and blame the Republicans. It's almost funny.

A black conservative, on the other hand, is accused of being "too white" and not being loyal to his race. Who exactly are the racists......?

This country elected a black president, and if whites hadn't voted for him - he would NOT have won, period. Whether you like it or not, blacks only represent 13% of the population, and are heavily concentrated in urban areas - which DO have black representation in office. Great reps, like Charlie Rangel (LOL). And they're democrats, so stop whining.

"Oh please. Republicans never hold their own accountable."

Tell that to Bob Packwood, former Senator from Oregon, who resigned over charges of "unwelcome advances" by female staffers. (Dems had NO PROBLEM with Bill Clinton actually engaging in sexual activities with a female intern---it was "only sex" AND committing PERJURY and OBSTRUCTING JUSTICE over it---"everybody lies about sex")

Tell that to Trent Lott, and the supposed lack of pressure from Republicans to resign http://www.pbs.org/newshour/bb/politics/july-dec02/lott_12-16.html

Tell that to Larry Craig http://www.bloomberg.com/apps/news?pid=20601087&sid=ajG2fYgE1po0&refer=home

Tell that to Mark Foley

All of those guys had pressure from some Republicans and all, or nearly all, Democrats to resign. Dems will not publicly denounce one of their own, but will work behind the scenes to "encourage" their ethically challenged politicians to "retire" when it is clear they will lose: see Bob Torricelli and Chris Dodd. But Ted "the swimmer" Kennedy came under no pressure from Dems to resign because he could literally be responsible for someone's death and be reelected forever in ultra liberal Massachusetts.

Objectively speaking, it is the DEMOCRATS who NEVER hold their own accountable----unless it advances their all-important desire to maintain partisan political power. That is what it is all about---always.

IndyRich,

I am tired of the Dem-Rep "he said-she said" squabbling. Maybe you are too, I don't know. But I have to say that the behavior of the Republicans since January 2009 looks a lot like "circling the wagons to hold on to power" too. Or in this case, to consolidate what power they have. I simply don't think most of the behaviors that one side ascribes negatively to the other are unique to either one. That is what political parties do isn't it -- onsolidate and hold on to power? Why else do they exist?

And I think both sides on this thread (and in general) have gone off the deep end in terms of both inflating their party's claims to greatness and the other party's culpability for bad things. The comments above on which party holds its leaders accountable are a good example. Leaders in both parties do stupid stuff and sometimes they get away with it and sometimes they don't. We are all acting like a bunch of playground kids here, and I include myself. Why don't we focus on the issues instead of wasting our energy trying to find any way at all to belittle the other side?

Why do people always have to make every issue based on race.

I don't care if our president is white,black,yellow or green as long as he the welfare of our country in his heart.

However I do think that Reid and Pelosi should go because they are causing this country harm and they can't even see it.Its just all about power.

Whatever happened to " We the People"?

If nobody listens to us - why even vote?

TAXMAN: Do you really equate "nappy headed ho's" to light skinned and Negro? Grow the F up

Ingrid,

A majority of "We the people" elected the current Democratic administration and Congress in 2008. They ARE listening to the MAJORITY of Americans who voted for them. Democrats ran on a platform of health reform, winding down the Iraq war, green energy generation, etc. I am sorry that those you voted for were not elected and you do not like Democratic policy choices, but majority rule means just that. As you know, the majority's voice changes and swings along the political spectrum. After 8 years of Republican management the American public chose the Democrats. Democrats lived with Republican management and now Republicans must live with Democratic management. That is how we do it in America.

I love African American dialect. Many great thinkers in that part of our human communitysay things right out and straight up front. Many sayings those good people started become common to American language as a whole. While this is in the news how many billions are chicken hawk war profiteering defense contractors and bankster bonus bail out wasted sperm raking in? While most who fit that economic class of people are Zionists (which has little to do with being Jewish) they bring in a few token members of color into their club so not to appear as prejudice as they are. I can think of a lot worse things to go after Reid for like "Impeachment is off the Table", "health care public option off the Table", ending the Iraq war "off the table". Off the table is the most prejudice thing Reid and Pelosi have ever said, they are plutocracy players so go after them for that not some stupid private saying about Obama for pete sakes!

I always come here when in need of a chuckle and I am rarely disappointed. Ergo:

In the middle of all of this artificially stimulated "outrage" is the fact that the comments were not about Obama, per se, but about ignorant people who deigned such things to be important!

QUESTION: "Do you think Obama is electable as the first African-American president and why?"

ANSWER: "Yes. He is imminently electable because he is light-skinned and he speaks eloquently and well and without the typical language affectations usually found in young African-American men."

TRANSLATION: He looks and sounds mainstream so he won't scare off racially timid (socially ignorant) white people."

And the tenor of this overall conversation pretty much proves that point.

it was Southern Democrats who invented the Ku Klux Klan in response.

And what are they NOW? That is right. Republicans.

JT stop your bellyaching about having your comments collapsed and take it like a man.

Do you have any kind of an actual plan here, or do you just want a bunch of unproven rookies and novices on general principle? They would be making all of our laws and all of the decisions, you get that part, right?

At least this way Obama won't be the least experienced politician in DC.

Reid apologized to Obama, yet is completely clueless that Obama is not who he offended and not to whom the statement was racist. His racist remarks should offend the millions of the other "ordinary" blacks whom he apparently thinks are not able to speak English effectively but instead are only able to speak "Negro". That Reid does not get this just goes to show how brainless he is and how deep-seated his stereotypes are. The same goes for all of his apologists and defenders.

Mike,

I disagree in part. The comment should embarrass whites and blacks that harbor prejudices against others based on skin color, accent, eye shape, etc. The focus should be on the TRUTH of the statement, not on the statement. There is still a blackness prejudice in this country and even exists among blacks. It is a subtle prejudice, but it exists.And our country should bring it out for open discussion. It will be painful, embarrassing, and humiliating but ignoring it will only prolong it.

Tim S.-560036, so when a conservative says something it's all about the words, but when a liberal makes the same type of statement, it's about something deeper...the nuances...the hidden meaning. That's a pretty elitist attitude, that because one is a liberal his words have a deeper meaning and should be free from scrutiny. I mean if you're talking about an honest discourse, compare what Reid said to what Limbaugh said about the media and Donovan McNabb. Limbaugh was forced to resign, apparently banned from ever being allowed to own even a portion of an NFL team, and branded a racist...(come on...admit it...you did)...while at the same time you're telling me to ignore Reid's words and look at the deeper topic it addresses all while never acknowledging Limbaugh's deeper topic. That we look at the deeper topic is fine with me if applied equitably, but Reid's statement was still racist to those millions of apparently non-English speaking African-Americans...much more so than Limbaugh's. In fact the statements Reid made in effect support the ones that Limbaugh did...that an African-American may get a boost because he was African-American. At least Limbaugh didn't insinuate that it is an unusual talent for a black person not to speak "Negro".

I don't follow sports much and especially not the pre and post game claptrap. I am not familiar with Rush's comments in that arena. I have heard comments from his radio and tv shows. Stopped listening back then when he still had a tv show. I can no longer remember specific comments that left me with the impression that he is racists. I do remember the feminazi bull@!$%# that is misogynistic in my opinion. I have heard nothing from or about him that has caused me to reconsider my opinion.

I would have no more problem with any republican that supports equal rights protections from making the same comment that Reid made. Any Republican that voted for the 1964 civil rights law could make the same statement. Trent Lott can not. This is because Lott's career was spent in part in an effort to restrict the rights of minorities.

Well you apparently followed it enough to know that Limbaugh's statement came during pre-game "claptrap" and again, he's not a liberal so you're not going to evaluate any deeper context for any of his statements. Only liberals get that courtesy.

"Any Republican that voted for the 1964 civil rights law could make the same statement."

And of course you know that no Republican Senator has the seniority it would take to have voted for the Civil Rights Act in 1964. None of them were around then. Sadly, Reid was not there either so based on the bar your set, he doesn't get a pass either. I do know somebody that was there though...Robert Byrd. He personally filibustered the bill for 14 hours of an 83 day filibuster by the Democrats. The bill was overwhelmingly supported by the Republicans who did not filibuster.

BTW...Lott's career was spent in part in an effort to limit the federal governments role, but we've already had this discussion.

BTW, come back to me about Lott when you show some outrage about your boy Clinton's mentoring relationship with William Fulbright and as president giving Fulbright the Medal of Freedom. Fulbright makes Turmond look like a choirboy.

Oh yeah. Clinton's a liberal so he gets a free pass. Sorry, forgot how this game was played for a second there.

Very true. It's amazing they hold the majority in DC.

Truth,

Can you narrow that comment down for me, or are you talking equally of "both" sides of the same party (democans and repulicrats). Both are equally corrupt and spineless, they are politicians after all.

I live in Las Vegas and I voted for Sen. Reid and I will continue to vote for him. He is a good and decent man trying to do his best for the country. He has always seen Pres. Obama as a capable leader and has been a supporter of his since he was elected in Illinois.

Was it a poor choice of words he used in PRIVATE? Yes, and he has owned up to it. What about another public figure? Rush Limbaugh? By this standard Rush should be forced to leave the public airwaves. Remember his little song "Barack the magic Negro"? That was meant to be as publicly offensive as possible.

Can anyone here truly say they have never said something in PRIVATE and then thought "Wow, did that really come out of my mouth?"

Why is it African Americans can call each other "@!$%#" and its cool, but when a white person calls them "@!$%#" you're instantly a racist. Isn't that a double standard also? I don't get it.

Philip

Obviously, you have not been informed that "Barack the Magic Negro" originated in a story written by a BLACK writer, David Ehrenstein, that appeared in the LA Times on March 7, 2007. http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/commentary/la-oe-ehrenstein19mar19,0,3391015.story

The thrust of the story was that Obama was a "magic negro" who could appeal to white voters: "He's there to assuage white "guilt" (i.e., the minimal discomfort they feel) over the role of slavery and racial segregation in American history, while replacing stereotypes of a dangerous, highly sexualized black man with a benign figure for whom interracial sexual congress holds no interest."

Rush picked up the story and a song was created by Paul Shanklin to parody LIBERAL whites who were supporting Obama to assuage their "guilt" and blacks, such as Rev. Sharpton, who did not think Obama was "black enough".

Rush's explanation of this is available for all to see:

"We've been discussing today a column by a guy named David Ehrenstein of the Los Angeles Times entitled, "Obama, the 'Magic Negro.'" It's all about how white people supporting Barack Obama can't possibly be doing it on the basis of substance, because there's nothing about him and he's an empty vessel. Nobody knows enough about him to support him on the basis of policy or substance. So the white people supporting Barack Obama, "the magic negro," are doing so precisely because he's "the magic negro." By supporting him, white people get to assuage their guilt over this nation's history with slavery and the Confederacy and all this other tripe. This has led to a number of points being made by me, brilliantly, on this program. It is the left in this country that looks at people and sees their skin color or their gender or their sexual orientation as the first things they notice about them. The whole point of this piece is to accuse white people of being racist.

They don't really like Obama. They don't really like black people. They feel guilty about what this country's done to black people. So they support Barack because he's the, quote, unquote, "magic negro."

If you want to stop embarrassing yourself by ignorantly accusing Rush of being a racist, you can fully inform yourself about "Barack the Magic Negro" here:

http://www.rushlimbaugh.com/home/estack_12_13_06/BarackSection/01125125.guest.html

As for Harry Reid, I fully expect him to be retired from office by the voters in Nevada this November.

Why should anyone read anything by Limbrag? Is he God or something? Oh, wait, that's right. He's the White Man's God.

You would only want to read what Limbaugh said about the "magic Negro" if you want to actually know the FACTS about the "controversial" comments that Rush made about the LA Times article, and how his parody was really an on-target parody of GUILTY WHITE LIBERALS and BLACK "LEADERS" who did not think Obama was black enough. If you are content to be "comfortably numb" and blissfully ignorant of the facts, then by all means, DO NOT read what Limbaugh actually said. Don't bother to read ANYTHING that will disturb the fantasy world that has been constructed by Democrats and liberals.

MountainLioness

Why should anyone read anything by Limbrag? Is he God or something? Oh, wait, that's right. He's the White Man's God.

Every time you've made a statement like this today, the left has lost a little more credibility and the overall IQ drops a little. Nice assumption you made there. Nice bit of anti-white racism too.

MountainLioness is a racist. She clearly hates white people.

Yeah,

but sometimes things said in private show ones true colors.

TBourlon: Glenn, is it really you?

I just dont understand why Al Sharpton & Jesse Jackson arent all over this?

Reid is much more famous than Imus..

DOUBLE standard? Or as long as your a democrat you can say whatever you want?

Chuck D. has it right. Obama was chosen by the Democrat party (yes, Philip, that is the party name for a century) because he did not carry the baggage of Hillary, and because he could get some affirmative action votes. He reads out loud well and does not try to think. A great Party token for President. Unfortunately for the country, Obama really thinks he is the leader. His plans for energy and jobs started with cancelling the midwest and offshore developments of oil/gas approved by the last congress. )He has the same congress, except more socialist.) Lots of ignorance in the Oval Office!

When Republicans Trent Lott and Tom DeLay said things that were nowhere close to being like this, they were run out of town. I wonder what Harry Reid will say at the dinner when Robert Byrd retires. Will he skip over Byrd's membership in the KKK?

Let's hope he talks about the ability of a person to see the errors of his ways and to change and grow.

Maybe that's why this recession is still going strong after Obama dumps trillions of $$ into his pet projects, trying to secure re-election in 2012. Payoffs. Disagree? How about Nebraska getting free health care thanks to their Senator (what's his name?) that would only vote in favor of Obamacare if he got a payoff.

All you GOP haters, enjoy this now, because things ARE going to change in 10 months.

Since when should ANYBODY care what the GOP thinks!

You will find out this November!

AMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I will ask again. Why should anybody care what the GOP thinks? All you GOP lovers are just still smarting over the fact that you lost so you're all still yelling foul, huh? But it was OK for Bush to STEAL an election (Gore), huh? It's OK that because of one of your own, this country is falling apart after 8 yrs. of bad decisions and policies, huh? Gee, how interesting! Quit you're whimpering and please let the rest of us know what kind of cheese ya'll want to go along with that whine.

TXJLH

Since when should ANYBODY care what the GOP thinks!

That's why the left will never have another president as successful as Clinton again. It's also why you guys couldn't even beat Bush in his 2nd term. It's why the country is turning on the Dems again now. They're doing everything without bi-partisanship against the will of all but 30% of the country.

T Bourlon

MountainLioness is a racist. She clearly hates white people.

No, I am not racist. I just can't stand LIARS and the way whites try to justify themselves. I can't stand the way whites look down their noses at those of us that have a little color to their skin. I can't stand the way whites think they deserve so much more and so much better than the rest of us. We are all Americans regardless of color, religion, or the way we talk. Now, any other of you lily white, my @!$%# don't stink Repubs have any other "intelligent comments" to make?

No, I am not racist. I just can't stand LIARS and the way whites try to justify themselves. I can't stand the way whites look down their noses at those of us that have a little color to their skin. I can't stand the way whites think they deserve so much more and so much better than the rest of us. We are all Americans regardless of color, religion, or the way we talk. Now, any other of you lily white, my @!$%# don't stink Repubs have any other "intelligent comments" to make?

Your defence of the racism charge is one of the most racist things I've read on here. You whites this and You whites that. Please explain how these are not racially charged statements? If anyone referred to those who "have a little color to their skin" as dirt brown or coal black they'd be vilified on the boards, and rightly so. But lily white is perfectly acceptable? No, you're a racist.

You seem to dig that hole you're in a little deeper every time you post. A few more comments and you may fix the countries energy problems when you strike oil.

Yep...definitely racist!

Al and Jesse are probably sitting at home in their living rooms or offices laughing at you pathetic fools. They're probably saying to themselves "is this the best the Republican machine has to offer"? They are probably also saying "what a bunch of tired, worn out, morons they have become".

Change has come to America

Obama/ Biden 2012

Wheres Rev's Al and Jesse now?

Al (calling Jesse on the phone): "Jesse, did you hear what that Senator said about Obama? Are you ready for action?"

Jesse: "Its o.k., Al. He is a Democrat."

Al: "Oh! Damn! I thought we were going to be able to get our faces on TV again!"

Jesse: "Maybe we can find a way to blame Reid's comments on Bush!"

Al: "Great idea! Let's work on it."

Where is Rev Al and Jess? Well Rev Al was on Morning Joe trying his best to explain away and defend Reid. Typical double-standard. If this had been ANY Republican then there would be calls for him to resign. Even all of you die-hard liberals have got to realize that! Oh wait, I forgot, being liberals you support a double-standard.

If racism is wrong then racism is wrong and there should not be a double-standard but as long as Democrates and liberals in general promote this double-standard and cry "racism" anytime disagrees there is always going to be a race problem in this country.

What a bunch of desperate hypocrites. The Republican machine is at it again. They dug and plugged until they found a comment to bring in a last minute desperate attempt to destroy "health care reform". What a bunch of "losers". Give it up Michael it ain't going to work. Using the race card for your party is as believable as Hitler rising from the grave and proclaiming to be "the second coming".

Change has come to America

Obama/Biden 2012

Change won't be here long you bunch of tree hugging socialists.

Richard, I am not a socialist and I log my land. Stop generalizing.

First, check the luggage for cash for votes.

Bob_101, you pompous a-s-s! Government housing IS NOT filled with people that cannot or will not do for themselves. Government Housing is filled with people who cannot afford anything better. Government Housing always saw more black, Hispanic, Chinese, and I could go on than any other because most of the WHITE population saw to it that it happened that way. Other races always had to scrape from the bottom while whites lived in the most upstanding neighborhoods, went to the best schools, ate better, drove the best cars, etc. Yes, I will agree that a small minority of those people were and still are lazy, but not all. Most of them were and still are hard working people trying to feed their families and keep roofs over their heads. Take it from one who knows. I live in one of the most racially prejudiced states in this country; WYOMING!

They only b1tch about welfare when it concerns minorities, You never hear them complain about all those billions in farm subsidies that go to white people, or corporate welfare, that goes mostly to white people. Only when it involves minorities, housing, and feeding the least of this society do these so called Christians complain. MOST of the people getting welfare in the USA are white....and I'll have to disagree, I think Pennsyltucky is the most racist state in the union. lol.

Come to Minnesota then! We may be cold, but you'll get free housing, cars, food, daycare, etc. You won't find a job, but you'll be taken are of. Isn't that what you want?

Is anybody counting the trailer trash/meth lab crowd in this public housing welfare rant?

How about we require the politicians stop setting these systems up to create 2 perpetual voting blocks and actually help people through hard times and encourage them to improve their lives.

Mountain, nice hide, next time make your remarks to me where I post mine so I can respond in kind. I have lived in Government housing in an inner city. Scary to say the least. I didn't get where I am today by sitting on my laurals waiting for help. I went out and made myself. I have never looked for the quick buck like so many people do, but, have tried to make wise decisions. You live in Wyoming so I'm sure you know all about Inner City Government Projects. lol.

christian...

You seem to be the optimy of double-standards.... how can you make such a derrogatory statement saying that the GOP is silly and doesn't care about African Americans when the GOP party is comprised of a very substantial number of very intelligent African Americans who have speicifically chosen the GOP as their political affiliation....

It's obvious that you are a perfect example of "the pot calling the kettle, black".... and that's very sad.

You have my sympathy.

thank you for your sympathy. However, I think perhaps you don't realize that about 90% of African Americans vote with the Democratic party. This is because Dems prioritize the interests of the middle and working classes, while the GOP does not. I think it is indeed 'silly' for the GOP to call out a Senator who misspoke, but who has a record of helping African Americans. It's simply part of a sustained GOP effort to distract the country (and Congress) from doing what needs to be done (i.e. health care reform) to benefit the middle class.

Christian 4 Obama, I have to disagree. Any self respecting blackperson should realize that what the Government is truly doing is simply putting their problems in a corner and ignoring the real problems. The Government creates low cost Government housing and fills them with people who feed off of the Government because they have no motivation to do better for themselves or their families. The Government simply gives to these people to keep them quiet and isolated. Most people will not even go into these neighborhoods due to the crime/drug/physical threats that exist within. This is what a liberal Government has created. Instead of enabling people to support themselves, they have passified the lower income Americans by barely feeding them and housing them in places most would never dream of living. You seem to have a different idea of helping people than I do.

Please forgive if this seems harsh, but you are badly misinformed and out of touch. There are many, many opportunities here in the inner-city for people, mostly created and supported by Democrats, to reach the middle class: job-training, skill development, learning support, college prep, student aid, and other programs -- some of which are geared for minorities. Republicans seem to try to block or reduce funding for these supports at every opportunity so they can cut taxes for the wealthy and large corporations and make more weapons. And I guess you haven't been around inner-city urban areas much, but a lot of the subsidized housing where I live is really nice. You seem to have bought into the media's portrayal of inner city neighborhoods and subsidized housing.

"when the GOP is comprised of a very substantial number of very intelligent African Americans who have speicifically chosen the GOP as their political affiliation...."

LMAO a few Uncle Toms and house negros does not constitute a "substantial number of very intelligent African Americans." There is not ONE SINGLE black republican in congress for example.

Mark...

your comment...."There is not ONE SINGLE black republican in congress..."

my comment.... "a very substantial number of intelligent African Americans who have specifically chosen the GOP as their political affliliation..."

You've proven my point.

Christian, not harsh at all. My point is, desperate people would jump at the chance to advance themselves. You say that there are many programs to advance oneself out of poverty, yet, how often are they used? How often are those who need these programs encouraged to get out of what they are in? You state that you live in a wonderful Government housing project? I guess that would depend on what you consider wonderful. As I said, most of us look at these places and wonder how people live under such conditions.

Yeah, I guess that why George W. Bush put Colin Powell as the first black secretary of state and then Condoleeza Rice (the first black woman) as his succeedor. Oh yeah, don't forget he nominated the first black Chief Justice Clarence Thomas (which the democrats tried their hardest to railroad). However, these facts seem to be forgotton with the Democrats and the liberal media. What's Obama, Reid, Frank and Pelosi done for you? How's all that "change" working out for ya?

Referring to people as "Uncle Toms" and "house negros" are clearly racist comments and clearly derogatory comments. That post should be deleted.

"LMAO a few Uncle Toms and house negros does not constitute a "substantial number of very intelligent African Americans." There is not ONE SINGLE black republican in congress for example."

How very interesting. The Dems will overlook a blatantly racist statement from Harry Reid, accuse Republicans of racism, and then turn around and call black Republicans "Uncle Toms and house negros." Now who's being racist??? Dems are hypocrits, I've known that for years.

Amazing...making claims that Republicans have never done anything for the middle class or minorities. Even Bush had tax cuts, education, and dozens of others for them to help after all their jobs were sent to China and Mexico by the left.

Both parties stink but you don't have to resort to lying. Tell me why it took til the 1960s for the Dems to put a black in office if you're so sure about this then compare it to the Republicans. Explain how Condi Rice and Colin Powell were just (insert derogatory explantive here that I won't repeat).

Bob, I'm glad that you seem to care about the plight of the poor and the working class who live in subsidized housing. I can assure you that the programs I mentioned are used to full extent. Problems arise, however, when funding is cut or programs are eliminated (again, mostly due to Republicans' tendency to prioritize the interests of wealthier folks and corporations). A friend who worked in public assistance lost his job in 2001 b/c of Bush's cuts in social services. The goal is to get people out of poverty and dependence on the government. Gov't assistance offices are filled with knowledgeable people who get people plugged into programs to get them out of poverty. The housing programs work better in my opinion when residents have some sort of joint ownership of their housing. I do hope you realize that people need to eat and have shelter before they learn new skills and seek better employment. And again, much of the subsidized housing around where I live is very decent.

Hi Ladonna. I was very happy about Bush appointing African Americans to such high level positions. I can't help but think, however, that these were 'token' appointments to try to gain more minority support for the GOP. It didn't work. People realized that Bush's policies prioritized the interests of the wealthy and large corporations (along with Blackwater and weapons manufacturers!)

By the way, the change that Obama has brought is working out great for me: my tax break for the middle class, coming healthcare reform that will give me greater security and access, investments in green technology that are bringing green jobs to my community and making alternative energy and green products cheaper, a greater standing in the world as a result of reversing many of the Bush-era policies.. on and on. He's not a perfect President by any means, but he's doing right by the middle and working classes.

I notice that not one of you Republicans commented on the fact that there is not one black republican in congress today, not in 1960, or 1870, but today. You want black people to vote for and join "your" party, then tell me why there are no black congressmen, today? there is no justification or reasoning that can support the fact that there are literally none from the republican party. You think it's about race for black people, but we judged Condi on her politics, and her ties to huge oil interests, not her race. Collin Powell, was respected because of his military service, and his centrist views.

Destroyer, go to this link and learn about Black Republicans....

http://www.nationalblackrepublicans.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=pages.blackgop&x=5605601#martinlutherkingjr

exactly, right on, old fashioned/bad choice of words, but just reflecting the unfortunate true sentiments in America (of many Republicans, actually), but not his own bias. when have you seen the last famous "dark" black actor (not hally berry - sp? and the like), the last influential "dark" public figures? Not many out there. And if you speak any sort of black vernacular, forget it. republicans are so blinded, or maybe just stupid?, or maybe opportunist, trying to whip up controversy at all cost. I, myself, would vote for anybody, black, white or green, as long as they have a brain, a heart, and are open minded, curious and educated, like Obama.

Green? Did you vote for Bush 41 after that trip to Japan? ;~)

Joe Wilson is a "bum" and an "antagonist" and I will guarantee that his red neck a** planned that outburst before he did it.

Change has come to America!

Obama/Biden 2012

He is a liar.

So disrespect is Ok with you? Joe Wilson did that to drawn attention to a devisive tactic, that was all that was, A Form of disrepect, all of the GOP do not have your interest at heart they are playing the "Same O' Game" with us, NOT THIS TIME...it's a new day move into the light.

Joe Wilson was rude and out of line by interupting the presidents speech. It was also against House protocol. Reid was right on, he just had poor choice of words, Not a good reason to fire him.

what is with you idiots and the truth? odumbo DID lie...complete disrespect intended...

You liberal lemmings really need to grow up, and get an education....proving your ignorance in a public forum (o yeah...mslsd is a moronic liberal outlet) is not in your best interest....

For Heaven's Sake. As a black person, I can tell you, we are not offended that Harry Reid stated correctly "America's proclivity". Joe Wilson's yelling Liar at the President was outrageous but not racist. He did it because he is a racist.

Write about all of the positive actions to dissolve inequities in treatment of American "black" or poor people by Republicans. Can you name one?

Can't you see how disingenuous you are? Just settle for hating on Reid. You will never convince anyone you do so for the sake of African Americans. At least we are smart enough to avoid people who demonstrate negligent indifference toward suffering Americans.

marvel777us

Joe Wilson's yelling Liar at the President was outrageous but not racist. He did it because he is a racist.

So what does that make all of the people who bashed the black republicans in office for the last 8 yrs? Disagreeing with someone who happens to be black is NOT racism. Redefining it in that fashion demeans the word and it's like yelling wolf.

"Write about all of the positive actions to dissolve inequities in treatment of American "black" or poor people by Republicans. Can you name one?"

How 'bout ending slavery, 14th amendment, school integration, and the Civil Rights Act of 1964? And really, what have the Dems done for you lately? How's that bailout working for you? Democrats - the party of the KKK, have managed to spin a web of lies for over 40 years, telling Blacks that they're in your corner. But when I listen to Blacks talk about inequality in America, I wonder why they're so loyal to a party that hasn't done didly-squat for them in 40 years. Has it occurred to you that those Dem policies that supposedly support Blacks have actually done more damage to your community? Republicans KNEW that affirmative action/racial quotas would BACKFIRE on your community, and that's exactly what happened. Why can't you connect those dots? Probably because you bought the Dem lies and are so blinded by your hatred for Republicans that you can't see the truth. It's so obvious to me.

T,

Maybe there is a historian on this post who can help out here. But I thought it was the Democrats, led by JFK and later LBJ, who advanced the voting rights act of 1964. Am I wrong?

Also, how far back do we go when claiming credit for stuff? I mean, Jefferson is generally conceded to be the first Democratic president, so do Dems get to take credit for the Declaration of Independence and the Constitution?

Ever hear of Ronald Reagan? He was our President before Clinton.

Of course I heard of him.He spent us into oblivion with deficit spending.Barry Goldwater was appalled.There is no real difference between tax and spend democrats and borrow and spend republicans.Government spending has been out of control for decades.Even Richard Nixon balanced the budget.No american family could spend like the government and survive.It is not the governments money.It is ours.

President Reagen ,oh hell why even bother , close minded people do not see the facts even when they are put in print in front of them.That is why America is where she is at.Blind, stupid, refusal for accounability. And the great sport of pointing fingers at each other.We have an enemy that is bent on destroying our culture,we have a war,we just don't stand together to fight.

factually, well said..

You must be kidding! LOL re: The Clinton's? And, for those of you not "in the know" on history, Ronald Reagan lowered taxes, and put many thousands back to work for all American's. Somebody needs to do their homework prior to lamblasting President Reagan. And, he did much much more for the American people, much unlike the President of today.

So Reagain's 8 yrs put us in the biggest boom for middle class in history and Clinton sent the jobs overseas and the bottom fell out in his last year in office, yet you think we were "spent into oblivion"? Compare the Reagan years of spending with the current administration. Also, Reagan DID tax. He's famous for the "read my lips" statement that you seem to be forgetting.

I do agree both parties have out of control spending, but throwing Reagan under the bus just before saying both parties spend was just a cheap shot.

Reagan did many good things, but he didn't like to pay for them and he did pass on a set of federal deficits I think.

But this is just more of he said -she said. Why don't we talk about how to make things better now instead of pointing fingers over the past?

And I believe it was Bush 1 that said "read my lips"!

Reagan did many good things

Name 2.

Engaged with Gorbochev and left office.

He was also pretty good as The Gipper and the host of Death Valley Days.

lolol. Ok you got me.

Everybody needs a smile now and then. I'm glad you got this one.

Mazie,

I sincerely doubt that Obama would be down his throat in 2 seconds, since he easily forgave Joe Wilson who called him a liar in public and to his face. Obama is not that kind of person.

That's a lie, Mazie. Mr. Obama even accepted Republican Wilson's excuse for his totally unprecented, nasty outburst calling our President a liar. George Bush WAS a liar that succeeded in getting 4000 young men and women killed and he did not step down. (For those of you who watch FAUX News...the war in Iraq was about those non-existent "weapons of mass destruction". It had nothing to do with 9/11.)

By the way, George Bush did not go to church and neither did Ronald Reagan.

Obama, could'nt hold a candle to the ignorance and incompetence, displayed by George W Bush for 8 years.

Right on, Bella. Obama is an intelligent, educated man. Republicans don't recognize intelligence. It's been so long since they have experienced it in their candidates.

Bush was a lousy student who graduated from college because of his dad's political connections and the fact that he was an powerful alumni of the college. Ronald Regan was already suffering from Alzheimer's disease when he became president. It was as obvious as the nose on my face. At the time, I just thought he was stupid...didn't know he was suffering from a terrible disease. I am still curious as to who was really running the country during his time in office. Was it Nancy??

Don't forget, the Republican candidate for the presidenty, John McCain, graduated very near the bottom of his class. I think it was 265th out of 269. Then there was Sarah Palin. LOL

yeah,he can actuall read from a prompter,watch his town halls (or lack there of ) and he's ahhh, ahhh,well,ahhh,pathetic!!!!!!!!!

Snake Woman Pelosi?? I resent that. Snakes are much nicer.

John Harris, too danm right.Snakes eat rodents, Princess Nancy is bent on eating/destroying this nation.