Harry Reid Is No Racist
Posted by Joe Rivett on 01.12.2010
If Harry's comments are racist then I guess I'm one for agreeing with him...
It is so weird seeing the Republican Party become the PC police. Back in my college days I used to enjoy talking about race with conservatives more than liberals because conservatives never called you a racist… until now.
So Harry Reid, majority leader of the Senate pointed out that Barack was a light-skinned black man with no Negro dialect, thank you captain obvious. Are we really going to call this racism because if that is the case then I guess I'm a racist because I agree that Obama has lighter skin tones and is well-spoken. Being that I'm younger than Harry I would have replaced negro dialects with "Ebonics" and maybe stated that he's no Wesley Snipes when talking about skin tone but let's face it, if Obama talked like Sharpton and looked like Wesley Snipes, he would not be your president.
Black people that I know rib on Obama about his language all the time. They are dying to see him reelected just so he can be more "black." They realize that he has to speak the way he does. They realize whites are the minority.
When Republicans try to compare this to Trent Lott they are missing one important factor. Trent Lott should have never stepped down. He was praising a guy at his 100th birthday. The troubles Lott was speaking of could simply mean taxes, he didn't say blacks. It was a tragedy that Lott had to step down over a birthday comment and the Republican Party would be better off today with Lott at the helm instead of his replacement and Terri Schiavo's adopted doctor Bill Frist.
Frankly, Reid should follow Dodd's lead and retire before Nevadans get rid of him in November.
Rivett, disagree with you about Reid, his comment were out of line and think even you would realize that if a conservative said the same thing, it would be a huge blow up.
I think you make some good points about Lott and Reid stepping down. I hope Reid stays in so Nevada can fire his lame ass.
Posted By: John (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 09:48 PM
No he is not a racist but he is a bigot.
Posted By: Philip (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 09:55 PM
"negro Dialect"and "he would be getting us coffee" are great instances of liberal hypocracy when it comes to racist comments.
Posted By: Guest#1269 (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:01 PM
This whole incident is stupid. Of course, Barack Obama doesn't talk in ebonics, because he isn't really "Black" in terms of the definition we have been using forever. His father was Kenyan, his mother was white, and his stepfather was an Indonesian. America needs to stop thinking about race in terms of black and white, both literally and figuratively.
Posted By: Guest#2022 (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:36 PM
As a conservative, I agree that, while Reid's comment was idiotic, he is getting flack for saying the truth (though I will say that it tends to be lower educated people that speak in the ebonics mannerism.) Most of the attacks on Reid are because both he and Obama also attacked Lott for his statement and politics are nothing but one giant payback.
Posted By: BKS (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:39 PM
I dunno. Anything from pols & their talking heads is generally self-serving. Remember when Biden was opposing Obama for the nomination and was racist for calling Obama "articulate. The same people who said that are cool with what Reid said because they have the same interests.
Posted By: Guest#8709 (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:40 PM
The issue is the clear double standard. Stick an R by his name, and he is almost certainly no longer senate majority leader overnight. Bill Clintons coffee comment to Ted Kennedy about Obama is more disgraceful. Imagine George W. Bush saying that to a senator. Once again, top fold of every major newspaper in the country. And then all of these democrats, one by one ACTUALLY trying to say they never acted this way when Trent Lott made his comments. I'd laugh if it wasn't so sad. But it doesn't matter. Because they'll still get the black vote at a 90 % clip, so they can say what they want.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 11:00 PM
the point is that the rules have been established my entire lifetime....words matter...perceived racism is a crime in politics punishable by death and it would be nice to see consistency regardless of party
Posted By: romano (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 11:12 PM
Reid is not racist, he's just ignorant. 'Negro dialect'? He's probably never talked to a black person in his life
Posted By: just jake (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 11:47 PM
As a conservative, I agree that, while Reid's comment was idiotic, he is getting flack for saying the truth (though I will say that it tends to be lower educated people that speak in the ebonics mannerism.) Most of the attacks on Reid are because both he and Obama also attacked Lott for his statement and politics are nothing but one giant payback.
Posted By: BKS (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:39 P
Very true! I agree; however I would also say there is a total double standard. If a conservative would have said something that idiotic, they would called his/her head and totally destroyed their career.
Posted By: kforever (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 12:08 AM
So what your saying is "negro dialect" is now acceptable? Ok then, can't wait for black people to kick your ass when you say that Rivett.
Posted By: Guest#7788 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 12:30 AM
No, he's probably not a racist. But he, along w/Obama, Nancy Pelosi, Max Baucus (just to name a few) are most definitely SELL-OUTS to the health insurance lobby. Uninsured and ignorant Americans have NO IDEA of the "TRAIN-FUCK" coming in the form of MANDATES beginning in 2014.
Posted By: Roy (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 01:32 AM
What Reid said was extremely stupid, not just what he meant but how he phrased it. I don't however think it was racist.
What's causing the ruckus though is two factors. First off you have the Lott incident, and considering he never mentioned race at all in the Thurman comments, then Reid certainly needs to go back to whatever hole he crawled out of. Second is that Reid has called opponents of his plans racists, so he's getting some well deserved payback.
Of course, it doesn't really matter a whole lot, since Reid will lose to whoever is nominated to face off with him in November, barring a strong SEIU "showing". But the thought of Dick Durbin or Chuck Schumer in charge for a few months does make this libertarian a little giddy about how much worse it could get for the Dems.
What I find most disturbing about this is how Obama took his apology immediately, while he essentially called for Don Imus' head after his Rutgers Women's Basketball comments.
It amazes me sometimes how the outrage can get turned on and off depending on which side of the aisle a stupid comment comes from.
As a final thought, when I read Reid's quote, the first thing that popped in my head was the scene in Smokey & The Bandit where Buford T. Justice (Jackie Gleason) meets the black sheriff. Surprised, he says, "Oh, pardon me. For some reason you sounded... taller on the radio."
Posted By: Chris Connolly (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 02:16 AM
"though I will say that it tends to be lower educated people that speak in the ebonics mannerism."
Posted By: BKS (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:39 P
Come on, even Jesse and Al say, "Lemmie axe you somthin."
Obama hides his "ebonics" until he speaks to a black audience. youtube some of his campaign speeches. You will notice a major difference in dialect depending on the color of the audience.
Posted By: Jim (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 02:19 AM
He made this insult about Obama. If Obama has no more complaints, then the rest fo the World including Republicans trying to scor cheap points would do well to shut it.
Posted By: Hoodoo91 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 03:25 AM
Jim,
You could make a very strong argument that Al and Jesse aren't the sharpest knives in the drawer, except when they see an opportunity to make some money or some headlines.
Posted By: Chris Connolly (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 03:40 AM
Jim hit the nail on the head. What is overlooked is the last part of Reid's comment about Obama's "dialect," "unless he wants to." I don't know what part of Reid's statement is worse, that being whether he is pointing out his own racism, or Obama's...
Posted By: Guest#1178 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 03:59 AM
Racist? Nah.
Ignorant old man talking? Yup.
And the GOP doesn't give a flying fuck about this. They're looking for any way they can to undermine the current government. They'd do a 180 and start supporting gay marriage if they thought they could spin it to their advantage.
Politics as usual at a time no one can afford to have politics as usual.
Posted By: Q:? (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 09:13 AM
What I find most disturbing about this is how Obama took his apology immediately, while he essentially called for Don Imus' head after his Rutgers Women's Basketball comments.
Im sorry there chris but saying "Negro Dialect" and calling a group of black women “nappy headed hos” are a little different is severity don't ya think?
One could Argue and rightly so that Reid makes a good point though is misguided in how he said it...can you say the same thing for what Imus said?
Posted By: james (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 09:21 AM
The issue here isn't about the racism of it, its that usually we're subject to a huge scandal with this sort of thing if its anyone but a liberal democrat. Its the double standard of it. You cringe at the thought of John McCain saying "Negro Dialect" but assume the best when its Harry Reid. Its bullshit identity politics and I'm glad its being called out.
Posted By: C (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:00 AM
Gotta love the outrage over this coming from republicans, of all people, who have called Obama every name in the book.
Posted By: Josh (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:03 AM
We live in an age of taboo, when the population is so stupid that they believe "the map is the territory".
Honestly, all of you people who have been taught that "words matter" have no critical thinking skills at all.
You know what matters 10 THOUSAND TIMES MORE than words? Context. Unfortunately, Context doesn't play well in a soundbyte, so America is phasing it out.
WHAT you say is not nearly as important as HOW you say it. The actual words you use only account for 10% of your communication
Posted By: Madcapunlimited (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:08 AM
Obama is a Marxist pig who is trying to destroy the freedoms that have made this country great. I couldn't care less about his skin color.
Posted By: Da Man (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Speaking as somebody who hates Harry Reid, I must objectively admit that what he said was neither racist nor was it false. I have no problem with what he said. Where I have a problem (and where many in the RNC and among Independents like me do too) is that there appears to be a wide double standard. Why add consequence when somebody like Trent Lott says what he said, but not add consequence when somebody like Harry Reid says the same thing? It seems abhorrently partisan. And make no mistake… the double standard swings both ways. Back in 2002 when Lott made the comments he made, current RNC Chairman Michael Steele said that Lott (a fellow Republican) should not step down. Fast forward 8 years and Steele switches gears and states the Reid (a Democrat) should step down. It’s just my personal observation, but if we are going to punish one (Lott) we need to punish all. If not, somebody send Trent Lott a fruit basket with a huge apology note.
Posted By: Chris-Chicago (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:46 AM
Complete double standard. Anyone who opposes Obama and dems are called racist by dems (Carter anyone?) but when a dem makes a racial remark everyone falls over backward to say he wasn't being racist.
Posted By: guest (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 11:07 AM
Someone go tell that light skinned boy with the negro dialect to get me some coffee.
I am progressive.I am the party of Robert Byrd. I love Obama becuase he is clean. If any of you have a problem with that I will sick Al"twana Brawley" Sharpton on your ass. If he is busy, then I will get Jessie"hymie town"Jackson.
Remember, the tea party people are racist. I saw it on MSNBC. They showed a man with a gun. Its becuase Obama is black. A bunch of white people on Chris Mathews show told me, so it must be true.
You know you can't go into a 7-11 without speaking a indian accent. Hillary talked about Hadji working at a gas station. That is race friendly.
I am a liberal.
Posted By: Berkley Boy (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 01:10 PM
Why is evry liberal saying the exact same talking point about Harry Reids record on race? Its a amazing coincidence.
Posted By: Guest#0244 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 01:13 PM
I speak "black dialect"
Posted By: Barbara Billingsly (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 02:30 PM
I suspect that there is a bit of a double standard at play here, which is unfortunate and lends creedence claim that the media is biased.
However, I believe there are two forces at play here that haven't yet been mentioned.
1) The Democratic party initiated Civil Rights for African Americans. Thus, African Americans could be expected to let comments from a man such as Reid slide. They certainly aren't about to abandon the Democratic party with men like Haley Barbour out there.
2) Given how many conservatives have taken to refering to the President as Barack HUSSEIN Obama (emphasis in the original), while defending protestors who have made exagerated effigies and racist signs regarding the President on the basis of freedom of speech, their argument on this matter MAY be considered weakened.
3) Rememeber that one time Ann Coltier called John Edwards a 'faggot' at the CPAC convention and received APPLAUSE?
Posted By: Guest#8067 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 03:00 PM
Didn't the liberals go all wild on O'Reilly for basically saying the same thing about that cafe in Harlem? I mean sure, instead of saying "black dialect" he started actually using ebonics but it is exactly the same situation. Only difference is Bill being a commentator instead of SENATE MAJORITY LEADER.
Posted By: Jatzel Roman (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 04:46 PM
If Republicans of today were intelligent, they'd sit back and not say anything so Harry Reid can continue to put his foot in his mouth and let the audience see him for the trainwreck that he is. But, Repubs will open their mouth and cause enough distraction to keep us from being rid of Harry Reid. My advice to Repubs: SHUT UP AND LET HARRY REID FAIL WITHOUT MITIGATION!
Not to mention asking for him to step down will only allow someone better to take his place. If you care anything about America at all, you will leave things be so Harry Reid can fall off the face of the earth faster!
Posted By: Fury (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 05:55 PM
Obama is a Marxist pig who is trying to destroy the freedoms that have made this country great. I couldn't care less about his skin color.
Posted By: Da Man (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 10:18 AM
Where was this outrage when both republicans and democrats signed the patriot act? Missing in action I guess huh? Little hypocritical no?
Posted By: here we go again (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 08:57 PM
Trent Lott could have been speaking about taxes? Uh, no. Lott was a racist asshole who was praising a wrinkly racist asshole. Lott caught shit from lefties and righties because his true colors were showing.
Should Reid be catching hell for what he said too? Yeah, I believe that's fair, though I certainly wouldn't say he's being overly racist, more like he was just stating the obvious.
Posted By: Zingy (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 09:04 PM
I suspect that there is a bit of a double standard at play here, which is unfortunate and lends creedence claim that the media is biased.
However, I believe there are two forces at play here that haven't yet been mentioned.
1) The Democratic party initiated Civil Rights for African Americans. Thus, African Americans could be expected to let comments from a man such as Reid slide. They certainly aren't about to abandon the Democratic party with men like Haley Barbour out there.
2) Given how many conservatives have taken to refering to the President as Barack HUSSEIN Obama (emphasis in the original), while defending protestors who have made exagerated effigies and racist signs regarding the President on the basis of freedom of speech, their argument on this matter MAY be considered weakened.
3) Rememeber that one time Ann Coltier called John Edwards a 'faggot' at the CPAC convention and received APPLAUSE?
Posted By: Guest#8067 (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 03:00 PM
While I agree with you that the "hussien" and Edwards "faggot" stuff made me uncomfortable as a conservative, I will take issue with the civil rights legistlation comment.
please look up the civil rights legistlation, you will see that it would have never passed without republican support. In fact, a higher percentage of republican voted for it. It was Al gores daddy and Robert KKK Bryd and the southern democrats that tried to kill the bill.
Posted By: John (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 09:41 PM
I'm black and I'm a lot more interested in people waking up and at least looking at more than 2 parties. Mainly because every issue ends up being a war about democrat vs republican (forgetting the reason the issue came up in the first place).
Anyway, I do find it irritating that more and more of these comments are coming from the democrats. I don't believe they deserve any sort of free pass just because of the 60s. They are politicians just like the people with R's next to their names.
Oh and remember the time Jesse Jackson wanted to cut Obama's nuts off....yeah., these issues aren't quite as simple as people want to make them.
Posted By: JBB (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 11:27 PM
Once again the issue is (D) Harry Reid vs (R) Harry Reid. And for you libs that deny it, that's pretty sad, especially given the fact that anyone who is against Obama's policies is labeled a racist. So now that Obama's approval rating has dipped below 50 %, does that mean that all of those independents that voted for him but now don't approve of his policies, did they suddenly become racist? Just curious.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM
While I agree with you that the "hussien" and Edwards "faggot" stuff made me uncomfortable as a conservative, I will take issue with the civil rights legistlation comment.
please look up the civil rights legistlation, you will see that it would have never passed without republican support. In fact, a higher percentage of republican voted for it. It was Al gores daddy and Robert KKK Bryd and the southern democrats that tried to kill the bill.
Posted By: John (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 09:41 PM
You're exactly right. And then, after the legislation was passed, an electoral shift occured and the Southern Democrats who opposed the legislation become solidly Republican for the next 20+ years.
I will admit, I was incorrect to use the word 'Democrat' when I should have said 'Liberal'.
My point being, African-American pundits such as Sharpton and Jackson (and legitimate ones trying to achieve actual good) give this sort of thing a pass likely because of the relationship that was fostered, for better or worse, between the liberal democrat establishment and the African American community.
Or.. something like that
Posted By: Guest#3357 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 03:16 AM
haven't studies shown that democrats can't be racists?
Posted By: Mas 2 Bates (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 03:34 AM
Here we go again,
What in the hell does the patriot act have to do with the senate majority leader saying out of date phrases?
By the way, the guy you love so much, you know the guy who does not speak with the "negro dialect" he voted for the re-authorization of the patriot act.
Posted By: John (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 09:31 AM
So now that Obama's approval rating has dipped below 50 %, does that mean that all of those independents that voted for him but now don't approve of his policies, did they suddenly become racist? Just curious.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on January 12, 2010 at 11:34 PM
Not so much - job approval rating 50%
http://www.gallup.com/home.aspx
and you sounds like just and angry conservative republican who is not better than angry wacko democrats...we should put the lot of you on and island FAAAR away from the politics of this country
Posted By: Guest#7318 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 09:34 AM
Last I checked, Anne Coulter isn't the senate majority leader and Huisen is Obamas name.
Just so we are straight, you can't be critical of the president policies or say his name or your a racist but if you say he does not speak with a negro dialect, your fine.
Do liberals know they are crazy?
Posted By: Guest#3835 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 12:59 PM
Here we go again,
What in the hell does the patriot act have to do with the senate majority leader saying out of date phrases?
By the way, the guy you love so much, you know the guy who does not speak with the "negro dialect" he voted for the re-authorization of the patriot act.
Posted By: John (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 09:31 AM
The Patriot Act has nothing to do with Harry Reid, and we all know that Obama voted to reauthorize the act. The person who brought it up mentioned that both parties signed the bill.
The reason it got mentioned, again, was in response to the baseless ramblings of "Da Man", who stated that
"Obama is a Marxist pig who is trying to destroy the freedoms that have made this country great."
A poster responded to his comment, I assume to point out that to whatever extent our current President is eroding our freedoms, his ability to do so is granted by the Patriot Act.
Whereas not many conservatives complained about the increasing power of the executive brought about by this bill during the Bush years, some folks are rather opposed to the idea of empowered executive now that someone "else" is in office.
But no, neither of the comments were relevant to the discussion at hand.
Posted By: Guest#8278 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 01:40 PM
Harry Reid may not be racist, but he's damn sure stupid. Isn't that reason enough that he shouldn't be the LEADER of the SENATE?!?
Posted By: Mr. Derp (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 01:48 PM
The root implication of Reid's statement is that darker skinned blacks using a 'negro dialect' are perceived as less than/not equal to lighter skinned non-dialect speaking blacks. This is the blatant subtext (oxymoron?) that is being overlooked and is the very definition of racism. For shame Harry Reid and moreso for shame hypocritical apologists.
Posted By: PDM (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 02:35 PM
How come we can't say negro?
It's like saying caucasian.
Posted By: Guest#7024 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 03:45 PM
Nope, here we go again. Is Obama trying to roll back the Patriot Act?
I'm referring to economic freedoms anyway. The Patriot Act could be argued was a war time measure that was certainly less far reaching in its implications than the liberal left FDR's decison to put Japanese Americans in INTERNMENT CAMPS during WWII. Bush wanted to eavesdrop on incoming/outgoing foreign calls and you scream bloody murder but where was the ACLU when their hero FDR enslaved an entire ethnic population?
Posted By: Da Man (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 04:13 PM
Last I checked, Anne Coulter isn't the senate majority leader and Huisen is Obamas name.
Just so we are straight, you can't be critical of the president policies or say his name or your a racist but if you say he does not speak with a negro dialect, your fine.
Do liberals know they are crazy?
What in the blue hell are you talking about?
The point was brought up what people on the right said, you want to ignore that go right ahead. What Harry Reid said was bogus but there WAS a hit of truth in it.
Also if you don't realize why republicans originally starting using Obama's middle name (here is a hint it wasn't out of respect for his heritage) and the political reasons for it than your just clueless.
Posted By: Guest#8930 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 04:17 PM
I never claimed he was trying to erode them via executive power guest 8278, but rather with a complicitly Marxist Congress.
Posted By: Da Man (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 05:27 PM
Pretty safe to say Daman lives in his own little world something far removed from what the rest of us live in....fun to read and shake your head at though. Just hope hes getting help for this
Posted By: Guest#0591 (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 09:32 PM
The average of his approval right now from the major pollsters is at about 47 %, and that includes the ultra liberal cbs/nytimes poll which has him at 46. But hey guest, nice try, and way to take one poll. It also should be noted that Bush didn't fall below 50 for the first time until 2004. He saw a slight rise when he was re-elected and then the floor went out on him in 2005. He didn't have the luxury of the mainstream press fawning all over how many apples were in the white house, or have commentators get "tingles up their legs" whenever he speaks, so everything is relative I suppose. Bottom line is, you don't need to be a conservative to disapprove of Obama. Like I said, the indy's are sprinting away from him. But that is just because they are racist. The millions of white people that voted for him, but now disapprove of him, are just a bunch of bigots.
Posted By: gwpbrian (Guest) on January 13, 2010 at 10:41 PM
Ahh, guest 0591, I see you are resorting to the age old Communist tool of dealing with the opposition. Claiming a mental disorder of some sort. Guess you wish you could have me remanded to someof the old KGB "hospitals" where all those crazy dissiedents were sent, huh?
Seriously, someof you tweeny boppers on here should read up on the history of Marxist/communist regimes and se how closely the history parallels what the left in this country is trying to do. Also,I challenge you to put the text of an Obama or Harry Reid speech on income inequality and compare it to any spech made by Hugo Chavez. You know him, right boys and girls? The socialist thug dictator in Venezuela who takes over oil companies, imposes rolling blackouts on his people, and just this week, TA DA!, devalued the currency by 50%. Sound familiar, Obama lovers?
Posted By: Da Man (Guest) on January 14, 2010 at 03:37 PM
As a conservative, I agree that, while Reid's comment was idiotic, he is getting flack for saying the truth (though I will say that it tends to be lower educated people that speak in the ebonics mannerism.) Most of the attacks on Reid are because both he and Obama also attacked Lott for his statement and politics are nothing but one giant payback.
Posted By: BKS (Guest) on January 11, 2010 at 10:39 P
What a dumbass, lower educated people my ass, I bet you really dont know black people to even validate that stupid ass comment, it has nothin to do with education, most black people talk like that because it's how we talk, period. Stop saying dumb shit and stick to what you know, fuckin idiot
Posted By: nic (Guest) on January 14, 2010 at 04:03 PM
Reid isn't a racist. Just a dumb ass.
My only question is where is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson? Shouldn't they be calling for his head?
Posted By: blah (Guest) on January 15, 2010 at 05:29 PM
Reid isn't a racist. Just a dumb ass.
My only question is where is Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson? Shouldn't they be calling for his head?
Posted By: blah (Guest) on January 15, 2010 at 05:29 PM
No, because Reid has a history of trying to get black people more 'free' money.
Posted By: Mr. Derp (Guest) on January 19, 2010 at 12:09 PM
Yes he is a racist. Furthermore, Harry Reid is not worth sacrificing anyone's credibility in defending him. Let him take his medicine.
Posted By: Cabbage (Guest) on January 19, 2010 at 11:15 PM
STAY CURRENT