Debate continues over whether Wilson’s outburst was racially driven
Colleague Doug Wong wondered in a blog post earlier this week if some members of the media were using the race card too much concerning criticism of President Barack Obama’s policies. Specifically, Moore noted Maureen Dowd’s column in Sunday’s New York Times about Rep. Joe Wilson’s “You lie” outburst.
But in the days since then, the race card has been employed many times in reference to the incident.
Among them is former President Jimmy Carter, according to the Associated Press:
“I think it’s based on racism,” Mr. Carter said at a town-hall-style meeting at his presidential center in Atlanta. “There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president.”
An article by William Douglas of McClatchy Newspapers, which appeared today in the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, contained this:
The 240-179 vote, largely along party lines, approved a resolution of disapproval of Wilson’s behavior. It capped a day in which both white and black lawmakers voiced deep concern that Wilson’s outburst was the latest in a string of what they think are racially motivated attacks on the nation’s first black president.
“There’s no question that if you look at some of the actions and comments being made, there’s a fringe element that has staked out a racial position towards African-Americans that never has been open for public display” until now, said Rep. Henry Johnson, D-Ga., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus. Wilson “didn’t help the cause of diversity and balance with his remarks.”
Yet a story by the New York Times‘ Carl Hulse said:
While some lawmakers have suggested that Mr. Wilson’s outburst had a racial component, top Democrats played down that view and said they were acting strictly to uphold proper order in the House.
“I did not take a racial connotation from Mr. Wilson’s remarks,” said Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, the majority leader, who introduced the resolution. “I do believe that there are expressions throughout the country being made that are unusually harsh. I think the attacks being made on Mr. Obama are unusually vitriolic.”
Clearly, Wilson’s outburst is still being debated by more than just the media. Is it possible — given just the two words that Wilson yelled — to ascribe racial motives?
(No Ratings Yet)
Loading ...
Steve Parker is the deputy managing editor for news, and oversees the Post-Dispatch's front page. STLtoday's online news editors are on his newsroom team. Parker has been at the paper since September 1980. 
” Rep. Henry Johnson, D-Ga., a member of the Congressional Black Caucus ”
Rep. Johnson, himself a memember of a racially-exclusive organization, is a racial hypocrite. He previously voted to not allow a non-black Congressional representative — one that represented a majority-black district — to caucus with the CBC.
You can’t make this up.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0107/2389.html
The “criticism of Obama is a priori racist” meme was started by Obama’s own
campaign staff and supporters before the elections. A lot of political analysts predicted it would carry over into his tenure.
Playing the race card has been a favorite tactic among liberals and others who can’t win an argument via rational means for about forever. Like the reflexive use of the epithets “homo/islamophope” “nazi”, “neocon”, etc., crying “racist!” is a crude proxy argument meant soley to stifle debate. Fortunately, most people recognize it for what it is. The more Democrats and their media comrades employ ugly tactics like this, the farther their agenda slides down the sewer. I think they should keep doing it.
First and foremost, I agree that the timing and place of the outburst was not appropriate. With that being said, how anyone can contend it was racially motivated is just silly.
Most of the criticism of the current polices have been to the entire congress. If the policies of the president are what is driving the attacks then I guess he is being criticized. If you can not take the heat, stay out of the kitchen.
The current president is being treated with kid gloves compared to what the prior president had to deal with. See the comments by Harry Reid. They were far worse than anything Obama has had to deal with.
I also understand there is a small percentage of people in the US hate who minorities. I pray for them daily. But, I truly believe that is a small number. If every time someone is critical of the current administration it is considered to be based on race, it will only divide this country even more.
Congressman Wilson cannot be said to be “pure” given his history in South Carolina. Some of his “professional” associations might just give pause to some. CF. http://crooksandliars.com/david-neiwert/obama-heckler-joe-wilson-member-neo
Still his son is now saying that his father is “not a racist”. Well that is to be expected. I am not saying he is, however, he may not fully appreciate how he may appear to others.
RH,
I see your point and it is a valid one. But, if we are going to look at the people you hang out with and or associate with to make perceptions of who that person is, we need to look at the current president and many of the radicals that he has and does associate.
WHEN is it going to be a time for all ‘those’ that yell racist every time something happens stop that garbage nonense? FIND a different excuse because that one is so old its growing hair! I don’t know about YOU but I’m so danged sick and tired of the same ole, same ole, I could barf! It is meaningless folks so find another crutch! Wilson said what he said because he either KNOWS obama is lying, or believes he is lying, or obama is lying! What is racist about that? A liar is a liar in any color! Any excuse to use the race card is disgusting and shows how manipulative this part of our society has become in order to ‘get their own way’, wanting to be looking the victim, but instead, realize it now makes you look like the weak ones you are, rather than have someone feel sorry for you!!! Do I feel sorry for you? Heck NO, I don’t! I just get ticked off that you use that lame excuse over and over again…then the media picks it up and here we go again - more attention to a ‘problem’ that isn’t a problem, but you make it one in order to get attention just those that yell racist! This whole thing is too weird!!! Every one - CUT IT OUT!!!! Find something better to do with your time!
A hate crime is committed in a local school bus, and no mention from this author. Mr. Wilson calls Mr. Obama a liar, and somehow we have to take the leap that it was a racist act. Since when is it racist to call someone who lies a liar?
As usual the opponents of any kind of restriction on the illegal immigration, is playing the race card? It’s a forgone conclusion that the benefactors of promoting a mass invasion of our shores, such as religious groups, unions, ACLU, radical ethnic caucuses and even our own US Chamber of Commerce, will mouth epithets that doesn’t benefit big business, that doesn’t advocate a continuous force of illegal cheap labor. Now they are really livid because their objection to E-Verify was thrown out of court. Now all federal contractors and subcontractors must adhere to the law. They have conspired against the American worker and people for too long, and now we are fighting back ourselves against corrupt politicians and other elected officials nationwide,
Rep.Joe Wilson was actually telling the truth at the time, and now Democrats have placed restrictive language in the Health care reform package as a reluctant afterthought by public demand. This was nothing to do about bigotry or racism, but the American workers and family survival. None of the business community who hire them wants their labor, but forces the taxpayer to carry the financial load. The US labor force should not have to be in competition, with people from other countries. Businesses have already offshore American jobs, because it’s cheaper? So every illegal foreign national and family member should be exempt from government run health care, jobs and all the billions of taxpayer dollars secretly allocated to pay for their support. Twenty million plus illegal people compromised themselves, when they entered a sovereign nation without permission. Find out the truth at NUMBERSUSA, JUDICIAL WATCH and contact your politician at 202-224-3121 demanding no weakening conditions to E-Verify or any other law authored by Congress.
Regardless of what drove it, it seems likely to me that alcohol fueled it.
How lit were Wilson and his bill-waving pals when they walked into the House that night?
So now becuase I disagree with the President’s ideology I’m a racist??? Since when did disagreement become the same as intolerance.
I’m offended by former President Carter’s statement. It is not racist, or homophobic for me to disagree with certain aspects of the liberal platform. It simply means I disagree and last I heard that is ok in the USA.