# Why if you disagree with Obama and his policies some label you as a racist? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [September 11, 2011, 5:24am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918 "2011-09-11T05:24:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 7
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/121 "2011-09-11T19:16:01Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > I don’t think this is much of a debate, much less a Great one, and am declining to participate. > > If we can’t agree that racism exists, and who causes it to exist, and what constitutes racist policies, then what are we debating? As far as I’m concerned, the birthers (the vast majority of whom were Republicans–or do you dispute that fact as well?) painted a big red sign reading “RACIST” on their chests, and it is up to you to disassociate yourself from those racists before I give credence to your claims not to have racist attitudes yourselves or to tolerate racism in your associates.Without a firm denunciation of birthers and Tea Party activists, I believe I am conversing with racists unless shown otherwise, and I don’t think a debate with racists in denial about their core beliefs will go very far. But have fun here. Again to the OP, reference this part of my first post in the thread: > [@](#): > > Once you recognize those things you will quickly not be bothered when some loony-tunes character from these boards labels you a racist. It’s akin to a street preacher or a doomsayer standing on a soap box yelling profanities at you, recognize that it comes from their instability and is not a reflection on you whatsoever. (My original comments do include some insults, and I want to say those were directed at a _general_ group of people. I am not wanting to insult **pseudotriton ruber ruber** directly, that is not my goal in quoting my earlier post. My only goal is to say “you shouldn’t let being called a racist by someone who is doing it for the wrong reasons or bad reasons bother you.”) We essentially have here an open admission that someone is going to consider everyone who isn’t in his party (or his “side” if he happens to not belong to a party) a racist by association, and that only if we accept that premise and make lengthy arguments about _why we personally are not racists_ would he be willing to consider us not racists. Now, with that in mind, do you really _care at all_ that someone like that calls you a racist? When someone basically acknowledges at the same time as they call you one that they are not doing so based out of logic but out of massive, sweeping generalizations that could very fairly be applied to the other side as well. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/122 "2011-09-11T19:16:11Z")
> [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > I don’t think this is much of a debate, much less a Great one, and am declining to participate. > > If we can’t agree that racism exists, and who causes it to exist, and what constitutes racist policies, then what are we debating? As far as I’m concerned, the birthers (the vast majority of whom were Republicans–or do you dispute that fact as well?) painted a big red sign reading “RACIST” on their chests, and it is up to you to disassociate yourself from those racists before I give credence to your claims not to have racist attitudes yourselves or to tolerate racism in your associates.Without a firm denunciation of birthers and Tea Party activists, I believe I am conversing with racists unless shown otherwise, and I don’t think a debate with racists in denial about their core beliefs will go very far. But have fun here. You need to get yourself on the amateur version of Dancing with the Stars. ---
**Author:** ![Martin\_Hyde](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/47e85d/32.png) [@Martin\_Hyde](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Martin_Hyde)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/123 "2011-09-11T19:19:28Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > Not all black people are brown. But they still couldn’t marry whites in the racist south. If they were visibly white and no one knew their parentage they could certainly marry whites in the racist South, and did. It was part of “passing” a behavior that has been widely documented. Also, like much else from the left in this thread: irrelevant. That has nothing to do with whether or not being in favor of you know, _enforcing immigration laws the entire country agreed upon decades ago_ is racist. By the way, I’ve actually advocated before that I think immigration is a positive development economically and want more legal immigration. However the left essentially acts like _unlimited illegal immigration_ is not a bad thing at all, and any desire to stop it is equivalent to racism with no possible other motivations. ---
**Author:** ![pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/p/a9a28c/32.png) [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/pseudotriton_ruber_ruber)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/124 "2011-09-11T19:31:18Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > When someone basically acknowledges at the same time as they call you one that they are not doing so based out of logic but out of massive, sweeping generalizations that could very fairly be applied to the other side as well. I’m perfectly willing to identify by name and disassociate myself from racist Democrats who made it difficult to defend allegiance to that party when it was tainted with the accurate label of racism. I’ll start with Senator James Eastland, and am happy to comment forthrightly (and denounce, if necessary) any former or current members of the Democratic Party whom you think are racists. Are you willing to do the same for the Republicans, so I understand that I am not addressing a birther, a Tea Party sympathizer, or another apologist (at best) for racist policies? Until you are willing to be that forthcoming, there is no sense in debating with you whether water is wet. ---
**Author:** ![Lobohan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lobohan/32/79_2.png) [@Lobohan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lobohan)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/125 "2011-09-11T19:35:40Z")
> [@Martin\_Hyde](#): > > If they were visibly white and no one knew their parentage they could certainly marry whites in the racist South, and did. It was part of “passing” a behavior that has been widely documented. Deceiving racists to live your life doesn’t mean that there isn’t racism. I’m sure a Mexican that can pass for white suffers no direct racism either. > [@](#): > > Also, like much else from the left in this thread: irrelevant. I was just pointing out a silly comment. It’s relevant in that regard. > [@](#): > > That has nothing to do with whether or not being in favor of you know, _enforcing immigration laws the entire country agreed upon decades ago_ is racist. The country agreed to _wink-wink-nudge-nudge_ the issue decades ago. The intelligent way to deal with illegal immigration (which the right has no intention of doing, because they want the cheap labor) is to attack the driving force, the employers. Attacking the people sneaking in a two thousand mile sparsely populated land border is the sort of solution that appeals to ignorant people. > [@](#): > > By the way, I’ve actually advocated before that I think immigration is a positive development economically and want more legal immigration. However the left essentially acts like _unlimited illegal immigration_ is not a bad thing at all, and any desire to stop it is equivalent to racism with no possible other motivations. The left wants to deal with it. And the mainstream Democratic party ideas are’t for unlimited illegal immigration. But the right rebuffs anything aside from _building the dang fence_. The fence is an answer that appeals to ignorant people and racists. And that’s a fairly tight Venn-diagram right there. By focusing on border security while knowing it’s not gonna happen the right can obstruct the issue long term and pat the heads of the racist people who form the base of the Republican party. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/126 "2011-09-11T19:53:23Z")
**I noticed my above post (now on page 2) was not complete, this is the remainder of my post. I apologize for the mistake.** > [@DigitalC](#): > > It comes down to this: the complaints against Obama are usually so nonsensical and irrational. So were where you when your side made personal attacks against Bush? I can’t count the times when the attacks were not on policy, but personal attacks. I guess as long as your a Democrat it is okay to be a hypocrite. QUOTE=Zakalwe;14241699]The thread in question is here - [Have Americans finished paying for Reagan’s spending yet?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623709) I was the one who made the comment and got (rightfully) warned for it.. [/QUOTE] Thank you for responding. As of the writing of this I didn’t realize that I had a PM. I will read and respond after completing this post. * * * > [@Lightnin](#): > > Because there are Republicans to this day who still insist that Obama isn’t a “real American”, and that any proof to the contrary is all the result of one of the most massive conspiracies in history. Do you really think that the majority of the Republicans believe this? Do you think that when I discuss politics among my friends we sit around all night talking about how Obama isn’t a real American? These are few nutjobs that happen to be Republicans. And you are saying that this gives you a reason to accuse everyone who disagrees with your political views a racist? Refer to my Communist example above. I am sure that you will agree that trying that argument would be idiotic. However it is no different than what you are saying. * * * > [@Namkcalb](#): > > As long as you don’t call him Rufus Jones or talk about his free porkchop stimulus package it should be okay Once again proving who the real racist are. For the most tolerant people in the world, you sure like to throw around the most offensive and racist terms. * * * > [@GIGObuster](#): > > Not all of them, > > [Are Donald Trump and his fellow 'birthers' racist? - CSMonitor.com](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0430/Are-Donald-Trump-and-his-fellow-birthers-racist) > [Award-winning research shows racial bias influences views of Obama](http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2011/apr/research-prejudice-042811.html) Interesting article, however I fail to see how it is relevant to my question. I am not a “Birther”. I have not doubt that there are some complete idiots in the Republican party as well as the Democrat party. I am positive you wouldn’t want me to base my opinion of you on the extreamist in yours. * * * > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Too much educating here for me to invest time or effort in today, sorry. Because I said so that’s why. And since you won’t play my way I am taking my marbles and going home. Real nice, certainly gives an example of why there will never be a chance for both sides to work together. * * * Well, I see the evening has generated more than a few responses. I will try to address a few, although I don’t think it will be possible to address them all. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Okay, let’s start here: assuming for the moment that you lack a racist bone in your body, which is assuming a lot, you certainly tolerate racists and support them merely by dint of lending your support to the Republicans. At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of stone racists whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party? Interesting. First off you start by saying you will assume I am not a racist, but then go on to say that really isn’t possible because I am a Republican. Once again, before you start accusing me of being a racist please show me one, ONE, post in which I make a racist comment. You appear to be a Democrat. I guess you must be a Communist right? I mean, you haven’t said a single thing that supports my assumtion, however by default if you support the Democratic party you MUST be a Communist. Becasue (if I may quote)\* “At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of commuinist whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party”\* Souinds somewhat unreasonable when I put it that way, doesn’t it? (and before my Communist comment causes somones head to explode, note that I was using it as an example. I don’t really think that this poster is a Communist, because he has posted nothing to lead me to believe that. So even though I know his party has members who certainly support Communist views, I as a tolerant member of the Republican party won’t assume that unless I can prove it.) > [@](#): > > there are many millions more in the Republican Party right now than in the Democratic Party Cite? Any proof? Of course not, but as long as it demonizes the party you oppose you will quote it as fact. And of course you ignored one of my other posts in this thread about the Republican party putting African Americans in high positions. I mentioned three as examples. If we are the racist you claim, then why did we do that? Perhaps we aren’t? Perhaps when the facts fail you, your party has to resort to character assasination. * * * > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > : I’m not interested in searching through all your posts and _then_ searching through thread after thread to guess at what you are referring to Of course you aren’t. Like most Democrats you want everything handed to you. Prerferable by a worker for a government program. I am tempted to appease you and post the thread, however it is much more entertaining to watch this. > [@](#): > > A notorious **Uncle Tom** , a suck-up, a lightweight and an embarrassment to the court. And I am the racist? You have got to be kidding me. Within the span of two threads I have already seen Democrats use the words “nigger” and “Uncle Tom”. But I am the racist? So I guess you don’t support racism UNLESS the African American in question has a Republican affiliation. I am happy you are in this thread. You confirm so much about the Democratic party. Keep it up! > [@](#): > > And bringing up one or two black people It was three, three. Facts just aren’t your strong suit are they? * * * > [@DigitalC](#): > > It comes down to this: the complaints against Obama are usually so nonsensical and irrational. So were where you when your side made personal attacks against Bush? I can’t count the times when the attacks were not on policy, but personal attacks. I guess as long as your a Democrat it is okay to be a hypocrite. QUOTE=Zakalwe;14241699]The thread in question is here - [Have Americans finished paying for Reagan’s spending yet?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623709) I was the one who made the comment and got (rightfully) warned for it.. [/QUOTE] Thank you for responding. As of the writing of this I didn’t realize that I had a PM. I will read and respond after completing this post. * * * > [@Lightnin](#): > > Because there are Republicans to this day who still insist that Obama isn’t a “real American”, and that any proof to the contrary is all the result of one of the most massive conspiracies in history. Do you really think that the majority of the Republicans believe this? Do you think that when I discuss politics among my friends we sit around all night talking about how Obama isn’t a real American? These are few nutjobs that happen to be Republicans. And you are saying that this gives you a reason to accuse everyone who disagrees with your political views a racist? Refer to my Communist example above. I am sure that you will agree that trying that argument would be idiotic. However it is no different than what you are saying. * * * > [@Namkcalb](#): > > As long as you don’t call him Rufus Jones or talk about his free porkchop stimulus package it should be okay Once again proving who the real racist are. For the most tolerant people in the world, you sure like to throw around the most offensive and racist terms. * * * > [@GIGObuster](#): > > Not all of them, > > [Are Donald Trump and his fellow 'birthers' racist? - CSMonitor.com](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0430/Are-Donald-Trump-and-his-fellow-birthers-racist) > [Award-winning research shows racial bias influences views of Obama](http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2011/apr/research-prejudice-042811.html) Interesting article, however I fail to see how it is relevant to my question. I am not a “Birther”. I have not doubt that there are some complete idiots in the Republican party as well as the Democrat party. I am positive you wouldn’t want me to base my opinion of you on the extreamist in yours. * * * > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Too much educating here for me to invest time or effort in today, sorry. Because I said so that’s why. And since you won’t play my way I am taking my marbles and going home. Real nice, certainly gives an example of why there will never be a chance for both sides to work together. * * * > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No, hardly any evidence at all. Only a [University of Washington study](http://depts.washington.edu/uwiser/racepolitics.html), [pictures like this one](http://washingtonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/teapartypic.jpg)… That sort of thing. Interesting picture, I have never seen it before. I have to say it is quite disgusting and wrong. If I was at that rally I would voice my displeasure with the sign and question the person holding it. However just because someone in my party is a racist, how can you paint such broad strokes and say that we all are? Would that be any different if I linked to a story of an African American that commited murder and said that all are murderers? Yes, it would be the same and you would (rightly) denouce me for doing so. * * * > [@CitizenPained](#): > > I logged on to the Tea Party website. They have [coloring books](http://www.coloringbookpublishers.com/patriotic.aspx)! That is interesting, I didn’t know that. However they are hardly alone. The Obama supporters have their own as well. [http://www.coloringbook.com/presidentobamaaninauguralcoloringbook.aspx](http://www.coloringbook.com/presidentobamaaninauguralcoloringbook.aspx) * * * Well, I see the evening has generated more than a few responses. I will try to address a few, although I don’t think it will be possible to address them all. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Okay, let’s start here: assuming for the moment that you lack a racist bone in your body, which is assuming a lot, you certainly tolerate racists and support them merely by dint of lending your support to the Republicans. At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of stone racists whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party? Interesting. First off you start by saying you will assume I am not a racist, but then go on to say that really isn’t possible because I am a Republican. Once again, before you start accusing me of being a racist please show me one, ONE, post in which I make a racist comment. You appear to be a Democrat. I guess you must be a Communist right? I mean, you haven’t said a single thing that supports my assumtion, however by default if you support the Democratic party you MUST be a Communist. Becasue (if I may quote)\* “At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of commuinist whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party”\* Souinds somewhat unreasonable when I put it that way, doesn’t it? (and before my Communist comment causes somones head to explode, note that I was using it as an example. I don’t really think that this poster is a Communist, because he has posted nothing to lead me to believe that. So even though I know his party has members who certainly support Communist views, I as a tolerant member of the Republican party won’t assume that unless I can prove it.) > [@](#): > > there are many millions more in the Republican Party right now than in the Democratic Party Cite? Any proof? Of course not, but as long as it demonizes the party you oppose you will quote it as fact. And of course you ignored one of my other posts in this thread about the Republican party putting African Americans in high positions. I mentioned three as examples. If we are the racist you claim, then why did we do that? Perhaps we aren’t? Perhaps when the facts fail you, your party has to resort to character assasination. * * * > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > : I’m not interested in searching through all your posts and _then_ searching through thread after thread to guess at what you are referring to Of course you aren’t. Like most Democrats you want everything handed to you. Prerferable by a worker for a government program. I am tempted to appease you and post the thread, however it is much more entertaining to watch this. > [@](#): > > A notorious **Uncle Tom** , a suck-up, a lightweight and an embarrassment to the court. And I am the racist? You have got to be kidding me. Within the span of two threads I have already seen Democrats use the words “nigger” and “Uncle Tom”. But I am the racist? So I guess you don’t support racism UNLESS the African American in question has a Republican affiliation. I am happy you are in this thread. You confirm so much about the Democratic party. Keep it up! > [@](#): > > And bringing up one or two black people It was three, three. Facts just aren’t your strong suit are they? * * * > [@DigitalC](#): > > It comes down to this: the complaints against Obama are usually so nonsensical and irrational. So were where you when your side made personal attacks against Bush? I can’t count the times when the attacks were not on policy, but personal attacks. I guess as long as your a Democrat it is okay to be a hypocrite. QUOTE=Zakalwe;14241699]The thread in question is here - [Have Americans finished paying for Reagan’s spending yet?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623709) I was the one who made the comment and got (rightfully) warned for it.. [/QUOTE] Thank you for responding. As of the writing of this I didn’t realize that I had a PM. I will read and respond after completing this post. * * * > [@Lightnin](#): > > Because there are Republicans to this day who still insist that Obama isn’t a “real American”, and that any proof to the contrary is all the result of one of the most massive conspiracies in history. Do you really think that the majority of the Republicans believe this? Do you think that when I discuss politics among my friends we sit around all night talking about how Obama isn’t a real American? These are few nutjobs that happen to be Republicans. And you are saying that this gives you a reason to accuse everyone who disagrees with your political views a racist? Refer to my Communist example above. I am sure that you will agree that trying that argument would be idiotic. However it is no different than what you are saying. * * * > [@Namkcalb](#): > > As long as you don’t call him Rufus Jones or talk about his free porkchop stimulus package it should be okay Once again proving who the real racist are. For the most tolerant people in the world, you sure like to throw around the most offensive and racist terms. * * * > [@GIGObuster](#): > > Not all of them, > > [Are Donald Trump and his fellow 'birthers' racist? - CSMonitor.com](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0430/Are-Donald-Trump-and-his-fellow-birthers-racist) > [Award-winning research shows racial bias influences views of Obama](http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2011/apr/research-prejudice-042811.html) Interesting article, however I fail to see how it is relevant to my question. I am not a “Birther”. I have not doubt that there are some complete idiots in the Republican party as well as the Democrat party. I am positive you wouldn’t want me to base my opinion of you on the extreamist in yours. * * * > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Too much educating here for me to invest time or effort in today, sorry. Because I said so that’s why. And since you won’t play my way I am taking my marbles and going home. Real nice, certainly gives an example of why there will never be a chance for both sides to work together. * * * Well, I see the evening has generated more than a few responses. I will try to address a few, although I don’t think it will be possible to address them all. > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Okay, let’s start here: assuming for the moment that you lack a racist bone in your body, which is assuming a lot, you certainly tolerate racists and support them merely by dint of lending your support to the Republicans. At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of stone racists whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party? Interesting. First off you start by saying you will assume I am not a racist, but then go on to say that really isn’t possible because I am a Republican. Once again, before you start accusing me of being a racist please show me one, ONE, post in which I make a racist comment. You appear to be a Democrat. I guess you must be a Communist right? I mean, you haven’t said a single thing that supports my assumtion, however by default if you support the Democratic party you MUST be a Communist. Becasue (if I may quote)\* “At the very least, you support the party holding a far higher proportion of commuinist whose votes you rely on to remain viable as a party”\* Souinds somewhat unreasonable when I put it that way, doesn’t it? (and before my Communist comment causes somones head to explode, note that I was using it as an example. I don’t really think that this poster is a Communist, because he has posted nothing to lead me to believe that. So even though I know his party has members who certainly support Communist views, I as a tolerant member of the Republican party won’t assume that unless I can prove it.) > [@](#): > > there are many millions more in the Republican Party right now than in the Democratic Party Cite? Any proof? Of course not, but as long as it demonizes the party you oppose you will quote it as fact. And of course you ignored one of my other posts in this thread about the Republican party putting African Americans in high positions. I mentioned three as examples. If we are the racist you claim, then why did we do that? Perhaps we aren’t? Perhaps when the facts fail you, your party has to resort to character assasination. * * * > [@Der\_Trihs](#): > > : I’m not interested in searching through all your posts and _then_ searching through thread after thread to guess at what you are referring to Of course you aren’t. Like most Democrats you want everything handed to you. Prerferable by a worker for a government program. I am tempted to appease you and post the thread, however it is much more entertaining to watch this. > [@](#): > > A notorious **Uncle Tom** , a suck-up, a lightweight and an embarrassment to the court. And I am the racist? You have got to be kidding me. Within the span of two threads I have already seen Democrats use the words “nigger” and “Uncle Tom”. But I am the racist? So I guess you don’t support racism UNLESS the African American in question has a Republican affiliation. I am happy you are in this thread. You confirm so much about the Democratic party. Keep it up! > [@](#): > > And bringing up one or two black people It was three, three. Facts just aren’t your strong suit are they? * * * > [@DigitalC](#): > > It comes down to this: the complaints against Obama are usually so nonsensical and irrational. So were where you when your side made personal attacks against Bush? I can’t count the times when the attacks were not on policy, but personal attacks. I guess as long as your a Democrat it is okay to be a hypocrite. QUOTE=Zakalwe;14241699]The thread in question is here - [Have Americans finished paying for Reagan’s spending yet?](http://boards.straightdope.com/sdmb/showthread.php?t=623709) I was the one who made the comment and got (rightfully) warned for it.. [/QUOTE] Thank you for responding. As of the writing of this I didn’t realize that I had a PM. I will read and respond after completing this post. * * * > [@Lightnin](#): > > Because there are Republicans to this day who still insist that Obama isn’t a “real American”, and that any proof to the contrary is all the result of one of the most massive conspiracies in history. Do you really think that the majority of the Republicans believe this? Do you think that when I discuss politics among my friends we sit around all night talking about how Obama isn’t a real American? These are few nutjobs that happen to be Republicans. And you are saying that this gives you a reason to accuse everyone who disagrees with your political views a racist? Refer to my Communist example above. I am sure that you will agree that trying that argument would be idiotic. However it is no different than what you are saying. * * * > [@Namkcalb](#): > > As long as you don’t call him Rufus Jones or talk about his free porkchop stimulus package it should be okay Once again proving who the real racist are. For the most tolerant people in the world, you sure like to throw around the most offensive and racist terms. * * * **My post is too long, it will be continued in my next posting. Once again, I apologize for breaking it up, just trying to respond as much as possible.** ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 7:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/127 "2011-09-11T19:54:33Z")
**Continuation from my previous post** > [@GIGObuster](#): > > Not all of them, > > [Are Donald Trump and his fellow 'birthers' racist? - CSMonitor.com](http://www.csmonitor.com/USA/Politics/2011/0430/Are-Donald-Trump-and-his-fellow-birthers-racist) > [Award-winning research shows racial bias influences views of Obama](http://www.udel.edu/udaily/2011/apr/research-prejudice-042811.html) Interesting article, however I fail to see how it is relevant to my question. I am not a “Birther”. I have not doubt that there are some complete idiots in the Republican party as well as the Democrat party. I am positive you wouldn’t want me to base my opinion of you on the extreamist in yours. * * * > [@pseudotriton\_ruber\_ruber](#): > > Too much educating here for me to invest time or effort in today, sorry. Because I said so that’s why. And since you won’t play my way I am taking my marbles and going home. Real nice, certainly gives an example of why there will never be a chance for both sides to work together. * * * > [@Johnny\_L.A](#): > > No, hardly any evidence at all. Only a [University of Washington study](http://depts.washington.edu/uwiser/racepolitics.html), [pictures like this one](http://washingtonindependent.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/01/teapartypic.jpg)… That sort of thing. Interesting picture, I have never seen it before. I have to say it is quite disgusting and wrong. If I was at that rally I would voice my displeasure with the sign and question the person holding it. However just because someone in my party is a racist, how can you paint such broad strokes and say that we all are? Would that be any different if I linked to a story of an African American that commited murder and said that all are murderers? Yes, it would be the same and you would (rightly) denouce me for doing so. * * * > [@CitizenPained](#): > > I logged on to the Tea Party website. They have [coloring books](http://www.coloringbookpublishers.com/patriotic.aspx)! That is interesting, I didn’t know that. However they are hardly alone. The Obama supporters have their own as well. [http://www.coloringbook.com/presidentobamaaninauguralcoloringbook.aspx](http://www.coloringbook.com/presidentobamaaninauguralcoloringbook.aspx) * * * > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > Some people are racists. Let’s face it, racism exists. These people may have hated Carter or Clinton but they **HATE** Obama. I couldn’t agree more, I am aware there are racist in all circles. My problem is with people automatically assuming and then calling you a racist when you have said nothing to indicate that. * * * * * * It looks like I accidently posted this response upthread before it was complete, so I apologize for some of this being a repeat. I came here to post again today because I don’t want to be one of those who starts a thread (an emotionally charged one at that) and then dissapears. I will concede that there are racist that are members of the Republican party. I will also state that it has been MY experience that these people are very few and far between and are brought to task when their racist views surface (remember, I said that this is MY experience). To my Democrat friends. I hope that in the future you can concentrate on the issues and policies and make your agrument for or against them based on facts, not accusations that might or might not be true. I didn’t vote for him, but Obama is my president. I don’t agree with a lot of his policies, but I am not blind enough and commited so fiercely to my beliefs that I wish him to be a complete and udder failure. If he fails, we all suffer. However it is MY opinion that the policies that he is advocating are bad for this country and will burden us in the future. Hopefully we will all find someway to put our differences aside so we can work together for what is best for this country. On a personal note, to the SDer that made the comment to me that caused me to post this thread. You said upthread that you sent me an PM and didn’t want this to be personal. One of the reasons that I didn’t link the thread and I never mentioned you by name is that I didn’t want this to be a personal attack on you. I might disagree with your views, but I certianly don’t wish you any harm or want to embarass you in any way. This was not my intent. Thanks for the interesting conversation everyone. I will check back in from time to time and try to respond if time permits. ---
**Author:** ![elucidator](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/8edcca/32.png) [@elucidator](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elucidator)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 8:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/128 "2011-09-11T20:00:50Z")
Everybody come see the liberal hypocrisy! AAAAAaaarooooga! AAAAAaaarroooga! Liberal Hypocrisy alert! ---
**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:** [September 11, 2011, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/129 "2011-09-11T20:01:23Z")
> [@jtgain](#): > > Again, my supermarket doesn’t object to racists shopping there. This analogy makes no sense. The racists aren’t patrons of TP events, they are part of the organization. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2011, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/130 "2011-09-11T20:06:11Z")
> [@John\_Mace](#): > > Condi Rice is a Democrat? > > May I make a radical suggestion? Let’s judge people individually as to whether or not that are racists. Sweeping statements about large groups of people don’t belong in a reasoned debate. I can judge whether policies and behaviors are racist. I can judge when race mongering and xenophobia are used as political tactics. ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 8:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/131 "2011-09-11T20:31:12Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I can judge whether policies and behaviors are racist. I can judge when race mongering and xenophobia are used as political tactics. That’s wonderful. But in this thread, we are talking about when it is and is not appropriate to assign racist motives to someone opposed to Obama’s policies. I see the term thrown out way to casually on this MB, with examples in this thread. I see sweeping generalities thrown out as facts by people calling other people ignorant and racist. I don’t see how that does anything but hamper the ability to participate in reasoned debates. ---
**Author:** ![Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/7ba0ec/32.png) [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Omg_a_Black_Conservative)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 8:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/132 "2011-09-11T20:32:56Z")
> [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](#): > > I can judge when race mongering and xenophobia are used as political tactics. What if the perpetrator is a Democrat? ---
**Author:** ![ElvisL1ves](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/5daacb/32.png) [@ElvisL1ves](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ElvisL1ves)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/133 "2011-09-11T20:47:30Z")
> [@CitizenPained](#): > > You want direct proof that the email came from a HC staffer or you want reports that it did? Because the latter is [easy](http://abcnews.go.com/Politics/story?id=2819634&page=1) to find. It seems you perhaps really don’t \*know \*the difference between the words “supporter” and “staffer”, not that you simply don’t care, is that it? Or else you wouldn’t have brought up yet another cite that belies your own false claim. Says this one (and thanks for more evidence, not that it was needed), and note that it has nothing to do with birtherism: > [@](#): > > The round table was discussing a since-discredited story that ran in Insight Magazine entitled “Hillary’s team has questions about Obama’s Muslim background.” The story cited unnamed sources that claimed that the campaign of Sen. Hillary Clinton, a New York Democrat who has announced her candidacy for president, was looking into whether Obama’s Indonesian elementary school was a “madrassa” that “espous[ed] Wahhabism, a form of radical Islam.” > > Clinton’s campaign said there was absolutely no truth to the magazine’s claim. > > “We have no connection to this story and think it’s deplorable,” said Phil Singer, a Clinton campaign spokesman. “It’s an attack on both Sen. Clinton and Sen. Obama.” Perhaps there was something I missed there about being born in Kenya or “the HC campaign staff” being behind it. You’re fairly new to this board, obviously, so maybe you haven’t yet learned that it’s a good idea to actually \*read \*your own cites before posting them, to make sure they actually support rather than undercut your claim. Now: Yes, since you ask, if you’re going to claim that the shit started with" the Clinton campaign", you \*are \*going to have to provide direct proof that it did, not simply link to somebody _else_ spreading that shit. :rolleyes: Is it OK, comparably, to call the Republican party racist because they have a few “supporters” who are? That’s the “logic” you ask us to accept with what is otherwise just more pathetic backpedaling. Or, if you wish to rebuild some shred of credibility, you could, perhaps, accept that you made a “misstatement of fact” and take responsibility for it. Do you think you’re up to that? ---
**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:** [September 11, 2011, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/134 "2011-09-11T20:47:43Z")
> [@Omg\_a\_Black\_Conservative](#): > > What if the perpetrator is a Democrat? The Democrats were great practitioners of it back in the 50’s and early 60’s. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 8:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/135 "2011-09-11T20:55:42Z")
> [@Lobohan](#): > > I’d like to point out that the original post is nonsense. Being angry at Obama for increasing the deficit shows remarkable ignorance. > > Obama’s deficits are driven by: > The recession. It lowers tax income and increases outlays, like unemployment insurance. > The stimulus. Which is recognized by the majority of reputable economists are having averted much woe and having kept at least a million people employed. > The Bush Tax cuts. Which Obama tried to remove, but the Republicans were able to obstruct into continuing. > The Wars. Which Bush started (and in one case, unnecessarily) and are still racking up cost. > Medicare part D. > > So the people who frown about Obama’s deficit simply have no idea what’s going on and are mislead by partisan liars. > > As an aside, here is a nice chart: > [Policy Changes Under Two Presidents - NYTimes.com](http://www.nytimes.com/imagepages/2011/07/24/opinion/sunday/24editorial_graph2.html?ref=sunday) > > The reason deficits under Obama are rising is largely due to the stupidity of the last administration. The stimulus is a one shot. The Bush tax cuts, Medicare part D and the wars fuck us year after year. Lobohan, I would like to congratulate you on a well thought our counter to my origional thought about the Obama administration’s policies. While I still stand by my statement and find some fault with your examples you were reasonable and respectful in your response. Take note everyone, he DID NOT try to shift the argument to racism to deflect my critisism. He instead used logic and backed up his arguments with relevant facts. I only wish most people were this reasonable. Congrats once again.🙂 ---
**Author:** ![Lightnin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lightnin/32/180_2.png) [@Lightnin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Lightnin)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/136 "2011-09-11T21:01:20Z")
> [@obbn](#): > > Do you really think that the majority of the Republicans believe this? Do you think that when I discuss politics among my friends we sit around all night talking about how Obama isn’t a real American? These are few nutjobs that happen to be Republicans. And you are saying that this gives you a reason to accuse everyone who disagrees with your political views a racist? Refer to my Communist example above. I am sure that you will agree that trying that argument would be idiotic. However it is no different than what you are saying. Do you really think the majority of Democrats think you racist when you disagree with Obama? After all, you’re asking us to explain the actions of a few- why can’t you see that you’re doing exactly the thing you’re accusing us of doing? Hell, you’ve even accused me of calling you racist. You asked why some Democrats call you racist for disagreeing with Obama. I explained why- and now you’re saying that _I’m_ calling you racist. Clean out your house before you complain about the mess in our house. ---
**Author:** ![obbn](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/d6d6ee/32.png) [@obbn](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/obbn)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/137 "2011-09-11T21:04:23Z")
Everyone, after re-reading my last few post I see that I totally screwed up the posting of them. I apparently accidently cut and pasted the start of my post into the middle of the body. So some of what I re-posted is repeated. Please understand that this was not intentional. I am a bit tired today and my back is killing me. Needless to say it does tend to make it hard to keep my concentration at the level it should be and opens me up to making stupid typing mistakes. ---
**Author:** ![Magiver](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/4491bb/32.png) [@Magiver](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Magiver)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/138 "2011-09-11T21:14:30Z")
> [@The\_Second\_Stone](#): > > People who accuse Obama of spending too much and being unconcerned with spending are mostly engaged in a big lie of propaganda to cover up much worse spending practices under Reagan and Bush II, partly ignorant and lastly crypto racist. The Tea Party came in to being because REPUBLICANS were spending too much money. There was a huge backlash of Conservatives who vocally criticized the spending. It was discussed in depth by Conservative talk show hosts years before President Obama was elected. So no, it’s not a propaganda lie aimed at Obama. Presidents are the defacto leader of their party when in office and while Congress does indeed write the spending bills he promoted them in their entirety. It was money down a rat-hole that was rushed through against the vocal complaints of voters who understand and live by their own budgets. ---
**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:** [September 11, 2011, 9:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/139 "2011-09-11T21:16:16Z")
Nobody was marching with signs and calling Bush a “Socialist.” ---
**Author:** ![Condescending\_Robot](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/a183cd/32.png) [@Condescending\_Robot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Condescending_Robot)\ **Post date:** [September 11, 2011, 9:21pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918/140 "2011-09-11T21:21:34Z")
Don’t forget what happened at the Republican debate last week. A crowd of lay Republicans (in CALIFORNIA no less) spontaneously erupted into orgiastic applause when Rick Perry’s record of killing black people was brought up. The ONLY thing the Republican Party stands for is white heterosexual supremacy. The mere fact that you are a Republican is enough to condemn you, regardless of Obama’s virtues or lack thereof. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918.md?page=6) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/why-if-you-disagree-with-obama-and-his-policies-some-label-you-as-a-racist/595918.md?page=8)