Are We All Racist Now?

[Billy Britt]

John Stuart Mill, in 1859, wrote, “We can never be sure that the opinion we are endeavoring to stifle is a false opinion; and if we were sure, stifling it would be an evil still.”President Barack Obama said in a recent television interview, “The truth of the matter is that there has been, I think, a coarsening of our political dialogue.”I would challenge the President’s assertion that political dialogue is coarsening and suggest that those who disagree with what is being said almost always deem political dialogue course.If by that he means that the voices of disagreement are rough or primitive, unrefined or unpolished, then I would say, well, that is the American way.The spirit of descent has always been a part of the American character, and those who wish to stifle contrary ideas are those who would choose conformity over freedom. In a county where each citizen has the right to make a fool of him or herself, censorship of speech is an anathema.Yet, our politicians, and even the public at large, are herded into the slaughterhouse of social, political and spiritual correctness.The President further stated, “I will also say that in the era of 24-hour cable news cycles, that the loudest, shrillest voices get the most attention. And so one of the things that I’m trying to figure out is: How can we make sure that civility is interesting?”Civility might be made interesting by the Harvard debate club, but then again the United States Declaration of Independence may have seemed civil unless you were the King of England.Reflecting on the monarchy, Joe Wilson, the South Carolina congressman who said, “You lie,” during the President’s recent address to Congress forgot that a subject is never to speak ill directly to the sovereign.To the detriment of the nation, Americans have, from the beginning, shown an empirical awe toward the Presidency, a reverence which has given far too much power to an office that is suppose be just one of three co-equal branches of government.Naturally, Maureen Dowd of the New York Times has weighed in on Mr. Wilson’s comments and has concluded that Wilson is not just a braying fool but a racist, as well.She writes, “Surrounded by middle-aged white guys—a sepia snapshot of the days when such pols ran Washington like their own men’s club—Joe Wilson yelled ‘You lie!’ at a president who didn’t. But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy!”While it is not given protocol to speak out during a presidential address in the House of Representatives, Mr. Wilson’s two words were far from a racist outburst.This charge of racism is serious stuff and one of the things I have feared. The pattern continues to emerge that any criticism of Mr. Obama—real or imagined—is shouted down by the word racism. This is a divisive tool that threatens the very fabric of our society. Criticism and differing opinions do not threaten a free state, rather it is those that repress the coarse voice that embrace despotic rule.Of course populist tyranny in the form of political correctness binds the tongues and endangers liberty for everyone. America’s growing victim culture has given rise to a climate where any disagreement is met with calls for words and thoughts to be censored for the good of those who may be offended.Let me say, that I am offended at your offense in so much that I offend myself by not offending.When Serena Williams repeatedly cursed a line judge at last week’s U.S. Open I did not see racism. No, it was just a tantrum by a narcissistic athlete who was losing a tennis match. The judge may have made a bad call but William’s berating the official with multiple profanities, threats and finger pointing was over the top even by John McEnroe standards.Unsportsmanlike, yes, racist no.When hip-hop singer Kanye West took the microphone away from country singer Taylor Swift and reduced her to tears at the VMA show saying that Beyoncé should have won the award just presented to Miss Swift, I did not see a racist, no, just another famous clown.And I suspect Wilson is at best an inarticulate etiquette apostate with a propensity to put his foot in his mouth, even when right, but not a racist.While I question their actions, I defend their right to make idiots of themselves.The scriptures teaches us that, “A fool utters all his mind: but a wise man keeps it in till afterwards.”So let the fool and the wise-one use the weapon of words to win the war of ideas.Of course, Kierkegaard said, “People demand freedom of speech as a compensation for the freedom of thought which they seldom use.”Kind of makes you wonder, eh?

[susan lefevre]

It is. All his producers have been named "Bo Snerdley". So, did you check it out? That guy really cracks me up!

[Cindy Kuchmy Kelley]

I thought Bo Snerdley was a fake name.

[susan lefevre]

Sorry, guess you'll have to look it up on youtube.com

[susan lefevre]

Some of you will recognize the name "Bo Snerdley". If you missed it, here's his recent commentary on the NFL:

[susan lefevre]

"Some Blacks Now Have Doubts About Obama
Who, after all, could know more about the lie about government and the pretense of political answers to life's problems than blacks?"

This is the title of a column by Star Parker, a black conservative columnist. Some, at least, are beginning to wake up and are experiencing the bitter taste of "buyer's remorse". Here's the link: http://www.urbancure.org/article.asp?id=3179&tag=

[Jeff and Debbie Mohn]

Thank you Kevin and I will pass this along to my kids. Neither have been wounded and having your own kids over there is trying. Much better for me because I didn't hate the former administration. It was/is much more difficult for those parents who did, understandably.

[Kevin Nye]

Jeff. Have any of your Boys been wounded Over There? If so, God bless you man! And more importantly, God bless them man! I don't know what it means to sweat it out as a parent with kids in a War Zone. But it must be intense. At least you can pray to our Father for you kid's Protection...

Thank you Jeff for fathering kids who care for our Country...

[Jeff and Debbie Mohn]

Not only is it a diversion tactic, since anyone can be accused/excused of being a racist at any time for anything they may say or do, it is virtually indefinable, and so for me, dropping the race card is racism. You can't play a card you don't have in your hand.

[susan lefevre]

Te real impetus behind Rep. Joe Wilson's "faux-pas": http://boortz.com/nealz_nuze/2009/09/the-obama-misstatements.html. This whole "racist" thing is nothing but a diversion tactic.

[susan lefevre]

Second thought, it's God that granted our freedoms; still, it is the soldier who fights for the preservation of our freedom. I love this poem. Hope you do, too!