I normally ignore the really rancid right-wing blogs, but last night, I found one in my in-box, and clicked to drop back. I noticed that a post, second from the top, was something about racism, a topic which always catches my attention, because racists tend to infuriate me.
So I read it, and left a comment. Now you have to know me to realize that I get so angry when dealing with this kind of thing that I tend to just start typing, and it doesn't always come out as very girly and nice. This time, I made an actual effort to be as nice and girly as possible, non-accusatory, and simply explained why Congressman Rush's statement was not racist, in my opinion.
Ah well, so much for trying. Apparently, Pauly, the author of Political Rants From the Right decided not to publish it, as nicely put as my comment was, either because he disagreed with my premise or because he knew it made sense.
So here I am, and now I am freakin' annoyed. While Pauly has every right not to publish comments if he so wishes, what a chicken thing to do, not to publish because someone disagrees with you. Why bother writing a political blog, and publicizing it if you have no intention of engaging in intelligent discourse with others, including those who disagree with you?
So let's have a look at Pauly's post, and please be sure to tell me if you disagree with me, because I will publish dissenting opinions, and have always done so.
In his first paragraph, Pauly cries about the well-being of racism in America:
“I thought with the election of an African-American that this was supposed to be proof that perhaps America as a whole has elevated itself above race and racism! Nope - it seems that it’s still okay for African-Americans to be outright and out front with their racism:
Congressman: Obama’s Senate Replacement Be Black
Yup - that’s right - an elected, wait - a BLACK elected official came right out and made this racist statement - in fact - he said “it would be a “national disgrace” if Obama’s seat were not filled by an African American. Oh, it should also be noted that Congressman Rush is an ex-Black Panther.”
Hmm........sounds like just another excuse for the author to make thinly veiled racist remarks all the while screaming "racism".
Pauly goes on to say that were the situation reversed, African-Americans would certainly take exception, and that Congressman Rush's resignation should be demanded.
“What do you think would happen if, let’s say, Bill Clinton came out and said - Hillary’s replacement MUST be a WHITE WOMAN? Or, what if Congressman Castle from Delaware came out and point blank said - Joe Biden’s seat MUST be filled with a WHITE MAN! There would be a national uproar by all African-Americans in this country. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton would be DEMANDING the resignation of those Congressman and would be all over the news and talk shows denouncing such “hate speech.” Why is it that blacks can be openly racist and get away with it? Where is the outcry? Why isn’t anyone demanding Congressman Rush’s resignation?”
Perhaps they would take exception, perhaps not. I just don't see it as racism. After all, Obama is an African-American man. That is who the people in Illinois chose to represent them. That said, I see nothing wrong with the thinking that his replacement should represent those who elected Obama in the first place. I certainly don't see it as racist, just as I would not consider it gender bias if someone made the same statement re Hillary Clinton's replacement. I believe that a woman should replace Hillary in the Senate because a woman is who the New York voters chose to elect. If Hillary were an African-American woman, I would feel that an African-American woman should replace her.
As far as Congressman Rush's statement, again, I see nothing wrong with it. And calling for him to resign is ridiculous and has more to do with racism than anything he himself said.
Pauly then suggests that President-elect Obama should speak out against Congressman Rush's "clearly racist" statement.
“Why hasn’t Obama come out and denounced this clearly racist statement? I thought Obama was supposed to be a unifying individual? If he were, he’d be the first one to come out and call that statement what it is - racist. He needs to come out and say that the most qualified individual, regardless of race or gender should be appointed. Why isn’t Obama stepping up?
Oh - that’s right - I forgot - only white’s [sic] are racist. Hogwash!”
To sum up, I believe that the author's intent was simply to go after Obama in the only way he could. Big surprise.
And the comments which appear on the post, are certainly from like-minded individuals. A few of those comments are posted below.
# 1 davidrude Says: "Tell me something I don’t know…."
# 3 The Hawg! Says: "Sadly, that’s not surprising at all. After all, it’s a well known fact that all of us who didn’t vote for Obama were motivated by pure racism.Some people will never, never let race politics go."
# 4 Laura-Junkfoodaholic Says: "Don’t ya just LOVE the double-standard? Yup! Race politics is alive and well in the good ole’ U.S. of A."
So tell me, what do you think?
ps.....You are a freakin' asshat. You know who you are. 
