# The Extreme Right Obama Hate is Flat Out Nuts **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [April 16, 2009, 6:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312 "2009-04-16T18:45:07Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 6
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 3:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/101 "2009-04-17T15:32:46Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > They were NOT infested with antisemites, though, and they sure as hell weren’t LED by them. Right, as **Sam Stone** kept explaining to us, they were led by the Trotskyites. Different thing entirely. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 3:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/102 "2009-04-17T15:41:36Z")
Listen - were you at every protest, **Dio**? Do you know all the ins and outs of the protest leadership? You have just noted what you saw, which even if accurate (which I will not necessarily allow) is of course limited. So if you have something else to back that up, perhaps you’d kindly share, as I have tried to. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 3:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/103 "2009-04-17T15:53:42Z")
How many did you got to, **Moto**? I know the movement. I know what the people were like. There was defintely a fringe, but not a _racist_ fringe. I’ve seen and talked to my share of Truthers, Trotsky-ites and anarchists (who were mostly just ill-informed, if passionate, college kids. They’ll grow out of it), but not antisemites. If that’s what they’re selling you on talk radio, it’s bullshit. If they were leading the protests, it’s funny that nobody had any awareness of it. ---
**Author:** ![sailor](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a587f6/32.png) [@sailor](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/sailor)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 3:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/104 "2009-04-17T15:54:35Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I’ll admit that a lot of the anti-Iraq War protests were unfocused, and were prone to be a general conglomeration of people with a variety of anti-Bush grievances, along with kids that were in it for a party. > > They were NOT infested with antisemites, though, and they sure as hell weren’t LED by them. Some people keep repeating the mantra that anti-Israel equals anti-semitic, anti-Bush equals anti-American, etc. And by repeating it enough they know they can dilute the substance of any real discussions. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 4:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/105 "2009-04-17T16:07:11Z")
> [@sailor](#): > > Some people keep repeating the mantra that anti-Israel equals anti-semitic, anti-Bush equals anti-American, etc. And by repeating it enough they know they can dilute the substance of any real discussions. You’re making the opposite mistake - you’re stating flat out that anti-Israel isn’t generally anti-Semitic and you’re strongly implying that a bright line exists between the two. The reality is far different - that anti-Semitic attitudes are being wrapped up in extreme anti-Israel propaganda and that the line between these is not only murky but often deliberately so. Actually you are the one here repeating mantras, so I really don’t know what that says about your genuine willingness to discuss this. ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 4:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/106 "2009-04-17T16:09:03Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > How many did you got to, **Moto**? I was on the periphery of a couple of the ones in DC - kind of hard to avoid as I worked in the city at that time. ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 4:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/107 "2009-04-17T16:13:42Z")
Not only is it fallacious to infer that being anti-Israel is equivalent to being antisemitic, it’s also fallacious to infer that being critical of specific Israeli policy is equivalent to being anti-Israel. It’s entirely possible to be supportive of Israel’s rights while still disagreeing, even STRONGLY disagreeing with some of her policies. It’s even possible to be an Israeli Jew and disagree with some Israeli policies towards Palestinians. Characterizing all criticism of Israel as “anti-Israel” is just like categorizing all political dissent in or towards the US as “anti-American.” ---
**Author:** ![Mr.Moto](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/9de0a6/32.png) [@Mr.Moto](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mr.Moto)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 4:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/108 "2009-04-17T16:17:58Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > Characterizing all criticism of Israel as “anti-Israel” is just like categorizing all political dissent in or towards the US as “anti-American.” My daughter is in the school play right now - she’s a munchkin in the _Wizard of Oz_. Between the rehearsals, performances, and your posts, I’ve had quite my fill of strawmen. 😃 ---
**Author:** ![Ocean\_Annie](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/8797f3/32.png) [@Ocean\_Annie](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ocean_Annie)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/109 "2009-04-17T20:33:38Z")
> [@Paul\_in\_Qatar](#): > > (I note some of the signs (Bush as a serial killer) are crude and home-made, while others (Whites are Jews for Obama’s ovens) are professionally printed. I wonder what (if anything) that might mean. Where does one go for printed large signs on heavy posterboard? Are they expensive? How much lead-time do you need to them made?) Many of the signs can be purchased at [cafepress](http://blog.cafepress.com/2009/03/04/tea-time/). The reference to Jews in the oven might be too distasteful, but a quick search locates a nice selection of signs associating Obama with Hitler and socialism. The need to work three jobs will not stop tea baggers from experiencing a grassroots movement. This anonymous grassroots artist offers [free artwork](http://www.freesignartwork.com/index.html)downloads for signs with a grassroots feel. ---
**Author:** ![DMC](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dmc/32/18049_2.png) [@DMC](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DMC)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 9:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/110 "2009-04-17T21:15:43Z")
> [@Mr.Moto](#): > > It was mentioned in a previous paragraph to the one quoted. Which paragraph is that? > [@](#): > > In addition to this [Todd Gitlin](http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2002/06/rough-beast-returns) addresses the issue rather comprehensively, and his antiwar bona fides aren’t in much doubt. What issue is this addressing? You were asked for a cite to your statement… [QUOTE=Mr. Moto] The antiwar protests generally included their share of unpleasant avowed anti-Semites… [/QUOTE] Hell, it’s quite probably true, as there are nutjobs all over the place, but I still haven’t seen a cite for it. I’d like to see the evidence, so that I could try and determine if it was a widespread problem, or a lone nutjob who just sort of stumbled across the protest, and whether it was “generally” true or not that they are among the attendees. In neither of your links could I find evidence that the antiwar protests generally included their share of unpleasant avowed anti-Semites. So again, do you have a cite, or can you point me to the portion of your links that backs up your claim? > [@](#): > > In any case, the fact that the protesters were more politically radical than the population at large, even those at sympathy with that issue, cannot be denied - indeed, Michael Lerner, David Corn and Gitlin in these articles and others decried this fact and wished for protests that were more representative, inclusive and most of all persuasive. And this has what to do with the cite request? ---
**Author:** ![Der\_Trihs](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/der_trihs/32/233_2.png) [@Der\_Trihs](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Der_Trihs)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/111 "2009-04-17T21:53:54Z")
> [@Merijeek](#): > > Obama is a librul. Libruls are evil. Hitler was evil. > > Therefore, Obama=Hitler. > > Simple reflexive property. Damned libruls - don’t even understand basic math. > > [QUOTE=flonks] > I do understand humor, [/QUOTE] It’s not really much of a joke; I hear it claimed that Hitler was a left winger fairly often. The Nazis were “National _ **Socialists** _”, after all, so that MUST make them left wing. Just like the _ **People’s** _ Republic of China is run for the People’s benefit. :rolleyes: And I do on occasion hear the Hitler was Evil, Liberals are Evil, therefore Hitler was a Liberal argument seriously made. ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [April 17, 2009, 11:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/112 "2009-04-17T23:49:27Z")
> [@ElvisL1ves](#): > > Right, as **Sam Stone** kept explaining to us, they were led by the Trotskyites. Different thing entirely. Yeah, especially since Trotsky was a Jew. ---
**Author:** ![Ca3799](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/9f8e36/32.png) [@Ca3799](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Ca3799)\ **Post date:** [April 18, 2009, 10:41pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/113 "2009-04-18T22:41:25Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > It was organized by Fox News and right wing media. It was a staged, media created stunt, sponsored and promoted by the mainstream of the party. Is the Governor of Texas outside the mainstream of the party? Someone sent me this article that states the whole “teabag” thing was staged with Rick Santelli as the trigger for the ‘astroturf’ campaign. [http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t106302.html](http://www.commongroundcommonsense.org/forums/lofiversion/index.php/t106302.html) For example, this article claims the website ChicagoTeaParty was registered before Santelli spoke by Zack Christenson who produces a Chicago rightwing radio show hosted Milt Rosenberg, etc. I sure hope there is not that much sneaky manipulations occurring among right-wingers, but, really, would not be terribly surprised if there were. ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:11am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/114 "2009-04-19T00:11:19Z")
As compared to liberals, who have NEVER organized anything of the sort :rolleyes: ---
**Author:** ![ivan\_astikov](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/58f4c7/32.png) [@ivan\_astikov](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivan_astikov)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/115 "2009-04-19T00:19:16Z")
Remind us all of the last liberal attempt to encourage a fresh civil war? ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:35am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/116 "2009-04-19T00:35:51Z")
It’s all a matter of perception. I think the majority opinion for the teabag protesters was against the liberal actions of the Obama administration, not just taxation policy. I must hand it to the libs, it takes a lot to awaken the Silent Majority but in three short months the Obama administration has motivated them to become politically active again. Even if it does mean the DHS will be watching 😃 Should this level of awareness ride through the mid-term elections, I think it bodes an ill wind for the current administration. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/117 "2009-04-19T00:40:39Z")
This is excellent news for the Palin campaign! ---
**Author:** ![flickster](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/7bcc69/32.png) [@flickster](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flickster)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/118 "2009-04-19T00:48:03Z")
Only guarantee at this point is that it will not be McCain, thankfully that is finally behind us. But, as you know, that has nothing to do with the mid-term elections Funny how anyone that doesn’t kiss the ground Obama walks on is suddenly labeled a Right Wing Nutjob/Extremist. Keep up the good work libs, you’re doing a fine job stoking the fires… ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 12:57am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/119 "2009-04-19T00:57:31Z")
The thought makes our footsteps heavy with weariness, as we trudge to our certain doom. ---
**Author:** ![Mike\_Donohue](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/59ef9b/32.png) [@Mike\_Donohue](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mike_Donohue)\ **Post date:** [April 19, 2009, 1:05am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312/120 "2009-04-19T01:05:13Z")
What is it about politics? Many of us for many different reasons adopt a political label and say that is what I am. It seems we then become what that political persuasion supports. A liberal cannot understand how a conservative can really believe what he/she says. Conversely, a conservative cannot believe a liberal and is aghast at his/her views. What is it about political affiliation? It is irrational, worse it becomes strident! From 1930 – 1980 we followed the New Deal. In 1980 Reagan declared “It’s Morning in America” and we have followed the conservative mandate. (Clinton the liberal was contained and forced to a conservative agenda) Now it is time for a review and possibly a revision of what has been. Rather than demonize Barrack or lament W. might we together look at the mess and together do something about it? Reagan and Bush I worked on ending the cold war and created a deficit. Clinton paid it off. Bush II conducted a war to counter terrorism, delivered on tax cuts to stimulate the economy and starved the beast known as government. The deficit returned without any likelihood of retiring it. Now we are in a tailspin economically. The last time we were here, 1929, we spent our way out with the New Deal, then the great war followed by the post war expansion. We are there again. We learned one way of dealing with it and it seems people like Obama, Bernanke, Geithner, Sommers, are trying those formulas that worked the last time. Sure this adds to the deficit, is money we don’t have, spent for apparent good reason the last 8 years. So we don’t spend to stimulate now, we do nothing. C’mon already, if we should not, pray tell, what should we do? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312.md?page=5) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-extreme-right-obama-hate-is-flat-out-nuts/493312.md?page=7)