# RNC attendee: 'This is how we feed animals.' **URL:** \ **Category:** Politics & Elections\ **Created:** [August 29, 2012, 8:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071 "2012-08-29T20:51:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![ladyfoxfyre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/ad7895/32.png) [@ladyfoxfyre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ladyfoxfyre)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/41 "2012-08-31T00:52:16Z")
What, pray tell, was the boorish activity that the CNN reporter was engaging in? If it wasn’t racially motivated, why were the individuals booted from the convention? ---
**Author:** ![magellan01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@magellan01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/magellan01)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 12:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/42 "2012-08-31T00:52:25Z")
> [@Fear\_Itself](#): > > This is not unrepresentative of the voter Romney is actively courting. Yesterday at a speech Romney gave to a the annual meeting of the American Legion, one of his supporters had [this to say about Obama](http://www.npr.org/2012/08/30/160293862/romney-courts-veterans-at-american-legion-convention): You’re late. Scroll up. ---
**Author:** ![Hippy\_Hollow](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hippy_hollow/32/4841_2.png) [@Hippy\_Hollow](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hippy_Hollow)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 3:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/43 "2012-08-31T03:26:18Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You’re missing my point. Someone does something boorish. I throw peanuts I’m holding at them and say something to the effect, “I might as well feed the animals”. Race needn’t and I’d bet, had nothing to do with it. Do you need assistance untwisting yourself after that amazing example of mental contortionism? Srsly that is amazing! ---
**Author:** ![Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/e8c25b/32.png) [@Really\_Not\_All\_That\_Bright](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Really_Not_All_That_Bright)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 4:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/44 "2012-08-31T04:07:34Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You’re missing my point. Someone does something boorish. I throw peanuts I’m holding at them and say something to the effect, “I might as well feed the animals”. Race needn’t and I’d bet, had nothing to do with it. What **ladyfoxfyre** said. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 9:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/45 "2012-08-31T09:30:50Z")
> [@magellan01](#): > > You’re missing my point. Someone does something boorish. I throw peanuts I’m holding at them and say something to the effect, “I might as well feed the animals”. Race needn’t and I’d bet, had nothing to do with it. > [@Hippy\_Hollow](#): > > Do you need assistance untwisting yourself after that amazing example of mental contortionism? No, he’s right. All the RNC delegate did was to graciously offer the camerawoman some of his peanuts and she went hysterical, accused him of rape and/or racism and had him arrested. The man is clearly the victim in this incident. ---
**Author:** ![gamerunknown](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/6bbea6/32.png) [@gamerunknown](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gamerunknown)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/46 "2012-08-31T13:24:29Z")
I’m reminded of [this](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sg-4ATrE8n0). Even Rowan Atkinson could acknowledge that blacks can do some jobs almost as well as whites. It’s _driving_ while black that’s boorish, not operating a camera. We should encourage the beleaguered blacks that actually do have jobs, unlike their feckless brethren. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/47 "2012-08-31T13:55:00Z")
> [@ladyfoxfyre](#): > > What, pray tell, was the boorish activity that the CNN reporter was engaging in? If it wasn’t racially motivated, why were the individuals booted from the convention? Not the reporter, the peanut-throwers. They were boorish. Boorish isn’t always racist. These guys might have targeted the reporter for being, you know, part of the evil mainstream liberal media. Or some other reason. To assume motives in people is not only wrong, it backfires. It’s like crying wolf. Make enough false accusations and nobody will believe the true ones. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/48 "2012-08-31T13:56:05Z")
> [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > I recall some years ago a black Republican who went to a Republican Convention commenting on how it was creepy how as soon as he showed up cameras all over started tracking him. “We’re not the White Men’s Party; no, really! Look there, a black guy!!” Those cameras were security cameras. Republicans are afraid a black guy is just their to steal their stuff. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 1:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/49 "2012-08-31T13:57:06Z")
> [@YogSosoth](#): > > No, seriously, it doesn’t. I have to admire the mental gymnastics you are doing, however, to think that throwing peanuts and calling a black person an animal has absolutely nothing to do with race. Would that someday I could convince myself to exercise more, eat better, lay off the smoking and alcohol, I’d have a will of iron So there’s a long tradition of throwing peanuts at blacks and calling them animals? ---
**Author:** ![Bridget\_Burke](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7cd45c/32.png) [@Bridget\_Burke](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bridget_Burke)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/50 "2012-08-31T14:09:13Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > So there’s a long tradition of throwing peanuts at blacks and calling them animals? Well, the Irish were the first [Apes](http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/01/28/irish-apes-tactics-of-de-humanization/)… This is from [Landover Baptist](http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=55295); I couldn’t soil my browser with the “real” sites that Google offered. Look for yourself. But, yes, idiot racists do engage in that disgusting behavior. And they are well represented among the Republican stalwards… Mitt’s main attraction: He’s white. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/51 "2012-08-31T14:14:58Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > So there’s a long tradition of throwing peanuts at blacks and calling them animals? Is this a joke? It must be, but there’s no humor to it. Yes, there’s a long history of calling African Americans animals. The peanut throwing is just a variation on the theme, but the guy provided helpful exposition in case his meaning wasn’t clear. What’s next, JAQ about the history of watermelon and fried chicken references? ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/52 "2012-08-31T14:16:21Z")
> [@Bridget\_Burke](#): > > Well, the Irish were the first [Apes](http://thesocietypages.org/socimages/2011/01/28/irish-apes-tactics-of-de-humanization/)… “apes” and “animals” are not the same word. > [@](#): > > This is from [Landover Baptist](http://www.landoverbaptist.net/showthread.php?t=55295); I couldn’t soil my browser with the “real” sites that Google offered. Look for yourself. LOL. Landover Baptist is a PARODY site. Kind of like The Onion. I don’t blame you for believing it though, since it’s not far from reality. See why you have to be more careful with your accusations? > [@](#): > > But, yes, idiot racists do engage in that disgusting behavior. Of course this COULD have been racist. Doesn’t mean it was. > [@](#): > > And they are well represented among the Republican stalwards… Guilt by association. > [@](#): > > Mitt’s main attraction: He’s white. Mind-reading straw manism. I’m a Democrat. I’m happy whenever Republicans have a bad day. But I believe in fairness. If I don’t extend it to them, I can’t expect them to extend it to me. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/53 "2012-08-31T14:19:55Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > Yes, there’s a long history of calling African Americans animals. The peanut throwing is just a variation on the theme, but the guy provided helpful exposition in case his meaning wasn’t clear. Is calling someone an animal ONLY a racist thing? Is it not possible or common in any other context? If you heard a white person call another white person an “animal” would you say “don’t use that term, it’s racist” the way you might if you heard a white person call another white person the n-word? (a nod to the mods) “Animal” is just not closely associated with racism enough to declare without a doubt that it’s racist. > [@](#): > > What’s next, JAQ about the history of watermelon and fried chicken references? Don’t be stupid. “Animal” is hardly as specifically racist as that. That’s my point. ---
**Author:** ![Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/8edcca/32.png) [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hentor_the_Barbarian)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/54 "2012-08-31T14:21:23Z")
I cannot think of a single example of media criticism that equates it with animals (except maybe lemmings). Certainly not enough to represent a meme or common construction or anything. If you don’t see racism here, you’re one of those who never sees it. ETA: Yes, in the absence of any other remotely reasonable explanation, yes the racist history of calling African Americans animals is the first and best interpretation. Otherwise it’s just willful ignorance or partisan contortions. The RNC saw no room for doubt. Understanding why you do is an exercise left up to the reader. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/55 "2012-08-31T14:26:56Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Not the reporter, the peanut-throwers. They were boorish. No, **magellan01** quite clearly meant the target of the peanuts were boorish: > [@magellan01](#): > > \*\*Someone does something boorish. I throw peanuts I’m holding at them \*\*and say something to the effect, “I might as well feed the animals”. Race needn’t and I’d bet, had nothing to do with it. Try again please. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/56 "2012-08-31T14:27:06Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > I cannot think of a single example of media criticism that equates it with animals (except maybe lemmings). Maybe it started with someone throwing peanuts, because that’s what they had in their hand. Then someone used the animal insult because of the peanuts. Or maybe they just picked a random insult. We don’t know. > [@](#): > > If you don’t see racism here, you’re one of those who never sees it. I’ve lived my whole life in the South. I have this down pretty well, thanks. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/57 "2012-08-31T14:28:09Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > No, **magellan01** quite clearly meant the target of the peanuts were boorish: > Try again please. No, I think my interpretation of what he said is correct. I think he was imprecise. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/58 "2012-08-31T14:29:59Z")
> [@Hentor\_the\_Barbarian](#): > > ETA: Yes, in the absence of any other remotely reasonable explanation, yes the racist history of calling African Americans animals is the first and best interpretation. No, it is NOT. The first and best interpretation is “we don’t know.” Calling someone a racist without good evidence is dangerous. I would take deep offense if you pulled that on me. > [@](#): > > Otherwise it’s just willful ignorance or partisan contortions. No, it’s called fairness. The same fairness you would demand. And I’m a Democrat. > [@](#): > > The RNC saw no room for doubt. The RNC didn’t call it racist either! ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/59 "2012-08-31T14:31:43Z")
> [@lance\_strongarm](#): > > Maybe it started with someone throwing peanuts, because that’s what they had in their hand. Then someone used the animal insult because of the peanuts. > > Or maybe they just picked a random insult. > > We don’t know. Maybe the camerawoman pulled a knife on him and he threw peanuts at her to defend himself. Maybe she asked him to do a zookeeper impression. Maybe he was a spy, passing microfilms to her inside peanut shells and the “animals” comment was the code phrase. We just don’t know. > [@](#): > > No, I think my interpretation of what he said is correct. I think he was imprecise. “Imprecise” in the sense of “saying the complete opposite”? Your interpretation does not remotely follow from what he said. ---
**Author:** ![lance\_strongarm](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/87869e/32.png) [@lance\_strongarm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lance_strongarm)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2012, 2:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071/60 "2012-08-31T14:35:53Z")
> [@Gyrate](#): > > Maybe the camerawoman pulled a knife on him and he threw peanuts at her to defend himself. Maybe she asked him to do a zookeeper impression. Maybe he was a spy, passing microfilms to her inside peanut shells and the “animals” comment was the code phrase. > > We just don’t know. Stupid response. My speculation was perfectly reasonable. I don’t go around accusing people of racism unless I’m pretty sure. And I do that to protect my credibility as well as my integrity. I demand the same respect from others. > [@](#): > > “Imprecise” in the sense of “saying the complete opposite”? Your interpretation does not remotely follow from what he said. Yes, it does. You’re the one connected two sentences that aren’t connected. Again, we don’t know for sure, so we don’t go assuming. We’ll need to ask him. It’s a good lesson in life that you should learn. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/rnc-attendee-this-is-how-we-feed-animals/633071.md?page=4)