In my original post on the specific issue, I called Wright Radical and Racist. I used both terms because, as you pointed out, they have different meanings. So I don't know what you're harping on. As to the separation, that is your opinion. You see, Obama had to separate himself from Wright because of the backlash which erupted once Wright's racist comments were made known to the public (nationally). Regarding the last point, what? Racism is racism, I don't care who is in power, or to what degree. I don't care what the "potential damage" is because any damage from racism by anyone, is damage this world can do without.
I said in my post that the connection was one reason why I did not vote for the man. I did not agree with his policies, and I do not think he will steer us in the right direction. Also, I've been turned off in the past by people in my daily life who have done far milder things than hang out with a sick racist for 20 years. As to that reason, which was part of my decision not to vote for Obama, you don't have to like it. If you think it is silly...fine. We just have different views as to what we look for in a leader.
I'm not saying racism isn't racism. I'm saying the two racisms aren't equally harmful. They are both wrong. I'm not denying that. But just like being arrested with a join, and being arrested for pre-meditated murder are both arrests for crimes, the crimes aren't equal. Watching the sermons most of what he says is crazy and radical. Almost none of it is racist. When he talks about living in a country and culture controlled by rich white people that isn't racist. When talks about white people running the country and taking black soldiers and conducting medical experiments on them, and allowing them to suffer, that isn't racist. Those things are true. I think the only things that count that I have heard or read were some of the things he said that were anti-Semitic.
You agree its racism. You agree its wrong. Stop trying to justify what this man has done. Trying to scale racism is the very thing that perpetuates it. There are few things in this world that are black and white (no pun intended!), I think the issue is one of those things. Its wrong, its hurtful, and there is nothing anyone can say that can justify it.
Please read my post again. I'm not justifying anything. I've said it was wrong, I've called Wright crazy, and extremists. But what is hurtful is pretending against that all cases of racism are equally harmful. Racism by people that don't have vast control on the means of wealth, institutions of money, do most of the hiring, lending etc. isn't anywhere near as harmful as racism by people who do have control of almost all government positions, and money making institutions. I'm not justifying anything. I'm looking at the damage done by actions and attitudes of others. I don't see what's wrong with that. White people are not and have not been systematically and legally oppressed for most this nation's history. They haven't been excluded. That's not true of others. You can pretend there is no difference but that doesn't make it so.
Well, thats how you see it. I disagree, but thats fine. I don't care who has had it worse, whether they be black, white, purple, tangerine, whatever. Any degree of any variation of racism by any person is offensive and unacceptable, and the people who let it slide (willingly listen to it for 20 years), says a lot about the person, but thats just me.
Again, I'm not asking anyone to let it slide. Again it wasn't 20 years of those kinds of sermons. It was a handful of those sermons in 20 years worth of Sundays. I never suggested that it slide. The fact that you don't care who has had it worst is just strange. Is a traffic ticket as bad as murder? Our society is based on looking at things by degrees, and the damage done by things. I'm fine with disagreeing, it's just strange.
Joe Wilson has nothing to apologize for: -- The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced on Tuesday that it has awarded $28.8 million to 67 community health centers with funds from the Obamacare health reform law. Of that $28.8 million, “approximately $8.5 million will be used by 25 New Access Point awardees to target services to migrant and seasonal farm workers,” Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Spokeswoman Judy Andrews told CNSNews.com. HRSA is a part of HHS. Andrews said that grant recipients will not check the immigration status of people seeking services. “Health centers do not, as a matter of routine practice, ask about or collect data on citizenship or other matters not related to the treatment needs of the patients seeking health services at the center,” Andrews said. Further, the grant recipients are required to serve “all residents“ who walk through their doors. -- Obama, on the other hand, should apologize. Spoiler <iframe title="MRC TV video player" width="640" height="360" src="http://www.mrctv.org/embed/104360" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>
