Letters: 'Race card' arguments unfair

Dana Milbank, in his Sept. 3 column on your editorial page, made a very serious charge against Republicans — that they are racist. He validates his claim by recalling a story of two white attendees at the RNC throwing nuts at a black camerawoman while saying, “This is how we feed the animals.” Rightfully, these two individuals were escorted out of the convention. Then Milbank goes on to say that almost all the RNC delegates were white, again implying that white Republicans are racist.

The liberal media, including Milbank, conveniently forget that Democrats were staunchly segregationist. Sen. Robert Byrd was active in the KKK. Gov. George Wallace stood in the door of the University of Alabama to block black people from attending. Race-baiters like Al Sharpton, Jessie Jackson and Louis Farrakhan consistently blame white people for any and all troubles facing black people.

If anyone follows the Democrat mantra, one of their mainstays is to throw out unfounded charges of racism. It’s their ever-present trump card. But no one speaks of the dismal record compiled in the last four years. It seems adding $5 trillion to the national debt is not worthy of mention. The unsustainable and vastly underestimated cost of Obamacare and the destruction it will wreak on health care seems to escape Democrat rhetoric. The troubled economic conditions, the billions wasted on green energy or the stifling of oil production don’t see the light of day.

One point that never comes up is the subprime mortgage program Democrats created in 1999. This program has been cited as the precipitator of the economic crisis that began in 2008. The only Democratic talking points place blame on George W. Bush for the current fiscal crisis, demonize the character of Republicans and brand them as racist. The arrogance of those positions is beyond the pale.

This will be a bitterly negative campaign. We’ve only seen the tip of the iceberg of negativity. Democrats have no record to run on, so their only recourse is to defer the conversation to other things. But they cannot escape the fact that this administration is an example of failed leadership. In the private sector, incompetent leaders are dismissed.

I believe this to be the most-important presidential campaign in over 50 years. Voters need to educate themselves on the truth and vote for candidates who will correct the ills facing our country and once again work to restore America’s greatness. Our survival as a nation is in the balance. We can no longer tolerate failed and incompetent leadership.

Billy Arcement

leadership consultant

Prairieville


Please log in to comment on this story

Comments (50)


1) Comment by gvm - 13/09/2012

@Whatnow: Finally something we can both agree on.

2) Comment by Whatnow - 13/09/2012

Ah, gvm, "Perhaps you need to tell your people they ought to take advantage of the opportunities they've been afforded." Therein lies the problem in most of America. All races need to follow that piece of advice.

3) Comment by nimby? - 12/09/2012

gvm , you give me too much credit . I try to make my words simple , to the point , no motive or agenda . I am honest in my views . as we all are I am passionate pertaining to certain subjects . if I feel I can make a contribution to the board I will . FYI , I am a retired teacher , now farmer , the hours are great ...

4) Comment by gvm - 12/09/2012

Nimby, don't get your knickers in a bunch. I don't endorse or condone irresponsibility. The thing is that you never do anything but toss out imbecilities. I'm reminded of that description of an arsonist who, after doing his deed, stands among the onlookers in order to admire his handiwork. That's what I think you do. You make nonsensical observations and watch as others get pulled into the fray. Don't you have a job or something else to occupy some of your time?

5) Comment by nimby? - 12/09/2012

gvm , I base my observations from what I've seen with my own eyes , not fox news , the huffington post or the NY times , didn't realize you were there also . I am more critical of my own and do as much as possible to further this point . I guess whether something is relevant or not is in the eye of the beholder . your discount of such comes as no surprise . pathetic is the continued endorsement of irresponsibility , I stand by my previous comments .

6) Comment by gvm - 12/09/2012

@Whatnow: for every black group you name I bet I can name two or more white ones. But what would be the point? All of those groups are a cancer on society. The primary difference between the black groups you're probably referring to and their white counterparts is that the former tend to be more easily recognized because they use words "black" or "African" or some other ethnic clue that gives them away. On the other hand, the latter tend to use world like "family" and "patriot" and so forth in their names in order to circumvent suspicion. The two groups represent essentially the same threat and are equally insidious. All hate groups need to be eradicated. Until you accept this reality nothing at all will ever be done to correct it.

7) Comment by DMJ - 12/09/2012

Remember how we said that only white people could be racist? Me neither....cause no one ever said that.

8) Comment by gvm - 12/09/2012

Ah, Nimby, you're at it again. Your tendency to bring up issues that are decidedly off topic borders on the pathological. If you are aware of mistreatment of minorities when they move into black neighborhoods, then, by all means, feel free to start a thread on that topic. Regarding the point you made with respect to the civil rights movement, it seems that you ought to be directing your criticism at whoever your leaders were at the time - it seems they didn't do a good enough job advancing your interests since you feel so slighted. It's pathetic that you continuously and erroneously suggest that the purpose of the so-called war on poverty was for the benefit of black people only - it wasn't. How many times must I tell you that? Don't take my word for it, do the research yourself. Perhaps you need to tell your people they ought to take advantage of the opportunities they've been afforded. You can't tell another man how to take care of his house if yours isn't in order. Think about it.

9) Comment by nimby? - 12/09/2012

funny thing , there is never mention of how other minorities are treated when they move into black neighborhoods , attend black majority schools ....

10) Comment by Whatnow - 12/09/2012

I guess all those blaque groups in these modern days that alienate themselves from others aren't racist, right? If Caucasian races tried that, then, they would be call racists, right? The Advocate won't allow me to post the numerous groups but, just google them.

11) Comment by Whatnow - 12/09/2012

****Comment Removed for Violation of Terms of Use****

12) Comment by Whatnow - 12/09/2012

****Comment Removed for Violation of Terms of Use****

13) Comment by nimby? - 12/09/2012

from personal observation overtures from the civil rights movement , the war on poverty benefited one minority in particular . it was a very efficient vote pandering tool , creating a lap dog mentality extending into a 4th generation . it is sad that more do not take advantage of the opportunities presented them . just my opinion ...

14) Comment by gvm - 11/09/2012

No one is saying that you have to be white to be a racist - every group has them. It's just that they seem to have found safe haven in the GOP more so than in any other political group, save the most extreme. There are posters in this forum that ALWAYS find a way to inject race into the discussion. They do so, I believe, because they can't objectively and intellectually defend their positions. Therefore they have to resort to playing the race card. There are those who see no difference between the Tea Party and the New Black Panther Party. They are both extreme and pander to the basest elements of people's emotions. There is no way that I can be convinced that the treatment President Obama has had to endure has nothing to do with race. I'd even go so far as to say that many older white men, in the South especially, find it darn near impossible to be in a position that requires them to be deferential to a black man. I believe this assaults his psyche and causes him to question his self-worth. Barack Obama sitting in the Oval Office on a daily basis has caused a seismic shift amongst this group of citizens - and others too. They've all but loosed the hounds of Hell in their bid to unseat him. Who knows? They may even succeed. One thing for certain is this: the myth that many of them desperately clung to - that they would always control the reins of power - has been hopelessly and permanently shattered. It is truly a new day in America and they’d better get used to it.

15) Comment by gvm - 11/09/2012

@Nimby: "Praise, flattery, exaggerated manners, and fine high-sounding words were no part of the Lakota politeness. Excessive manners were put down as insincere, and the constant talker was considered rude and thoughtless. Conversation was never begun at once, or in a hurried manner. No one was quick with a question, no matter how important, and no one was pressed for an answer. A pause giving time for thought was the truly courteous way of beginning and conducting a conversation." Chief Luther Standing Bear, Teton Lakota (Sioux) This is not relevant to the discussion at hand, per se. But I thought I'd just throw something up here like you typically do - for whatever reason.

16) Comment by Whatnow - 11/09/2012

DMJ, even if they are relevant to a few, it's still too many. No one knows how many people they influence. Their fear tactics only alienate the black and white race from understanding each other. Such a shame.

17) Comment by DMJ - 11/09/2012

Ahhh yes, the New Black Panther Party... because they're so relevant these days. Please.

18) Comment by Chrilter - 11/09/2012

DMJ and GVM, while I usually try not to take sides and do believe there are plenty of racist people in both parties. Here is a clear cut case. You should really read this before thinking this is only a Republican issue. Its not............http://www.usccr.gov/NBPH/USCCR_NBPP_report.pdf

19) Comment by nimby? - 11/09/2012

"There can be no black-white unity until there is first some black unity.... We cannot think of uniting with others, until after we have first united among ourselves. We cannot think of being acceptable to others until we have first proven acceptable to ourselves." , Malcom X ....

20) Comment by DMJ - 11/09/2012

I also don't think conservative knuckle draggers will vote for Obama. In my own experience, the GOP has this demographic in the bag.

21) Comment by Whatnow - 11/09/2012

@gvm, you presume quite a bit. 50% of conservative knuckle draggers voting for Obama? Only in your dreams.

22) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 11/09/2012

Yes, what a waste of good nuts.

23) Comment by Being_Stupid - 10/09/2012

Throwing nuts at a person is just plain nuts.

24) Comment by gvm - 10/09/2012

The conservative knuckle draggers are out in full force on this topic. Appropriately enough, I think many of these comments are perfect examples of their staggering hypocrisy. You've got cry babies whining that blacks et al vote en masse for a candidate on the basis of color, but in the next breath imply that whites don't. That's not racist - it's just stupid. Most of these self-avowed conservatives were practically broke before President Obama came into office, thus blaming him for your financial woes is idiotic at best. In all likelihood, your personal finances have been a state of suspended animation or decline for years! Truth be told, you have more in common with the very people you seek to denigrate than with Mitt Romney and his ilk. Fortunately I know that fully 50% of you will vote for President Obama this time around once you get in that booth. To believe a Romney administration could even begin to tackle the problems years of conservative governance have wrought is a bit like believing in unicorns and fairy dust. Contrary to conservative doctrine, President Obama and “progressives” in general do not represent an existential threat to American ideals. Rather, they are best situated to put those ideals into practice. And it’s about time, too, because they have been held hostage far too long by the status quo.

25) Comment by 8point6 - 10/09/2012

Billy, you hit the nail on the head. Great letter! Ooppps. my "progressive" friends will call me a racist for agreeing with you. Well, I don't like hussein's "white" half? There, I'm not a racist...

26) Comment by Whatchange - 10/09/2012

A racist is the person who when called a racist will say they're not a racist, then give you reasons why they're not a racist. I have traveled all over this country and to several other countries and the one thing I have always notice, everybody is racist, everybody, so yes, the race card is unfair.

27) Comment by Whatnow - 10/09/2012

@MBW, you think that is the only way you can tell a racist? How naive.

28) Comment by nimby? - 10/09/2012

seem to recall the Reverend Jackson using the N word in referring to the president . many conservative would have preferred a Powell-Rice ticket to the one offered . the president has disappointed many of his most loyal , he needs their vote . the african-americans will vote 95 percent D, conservatives will vote R . the election will be decided by the independent white voter . it comes down to who they trust the most . they are not easily duped ...

29) Comment by Whatnow - 10/09/2012

Yeah, Chem, you must have gotten a thrill up your leg with the Dem convention. Abortion, gays, birth control, illegal aliens wanting rights. Yeah, the big issues.

30) Comment by MBW - 10/09/2012

If you're tired of people calling you racist, there's actually a very simple solution: stop saying things that sound racist!

31) Comment by chem - 10/09/2012

So who exactly has "experience" to be president? A senator? A governor? An actor? A businessman? No one has experience to be president. It is on the job training. The minute Obama was elected, the racist innuendoes started. •••••• As far as the conventions are concerned, I commented on another board that as the camera panned across the audience at each venue, the republican convention was a sea of white faces, while the democrat's convention showed a broad range of people; black, white, asian, hispanic, young and old. The republicans have been taken over by such extreme right-wing fanatics that they indeed make liberals like Pelosi seem moderate. The republican party, if it continues on its present course will drive itself into extinction, thankfully.

32) Comment by DMJ - 10/09/2012

I'm the racist? Hmm... the old "I know you are but what am I" argument. That's just lazy, dude. Please (and I'm only being half facetious here) explain to me how expressing my displeasure with actual racists makes ME the racist one....and not only racist, but "one of the biggest racsist..." This should be good.... (by the way, I don't recall anyone ever saying that only white people can be racists)

33) Comment by gman70726 - 10/09/2012

What has been so despicable concerning the race situation is that no one admits. DMJ is spouting off exactly what I mean. By reading his posts over several months, he is without a doube one of the biggest racists I have ever had the displeasure to read. There are many racist whites in our midsts. But, to think that there are few black, brown or yellow racists is either naive or stupid. Ii am a republican who has dated women of several nationalities. I fear for our country not because our President is black, by the way he is also half white, but because he is inexperienced and is leading the greatest country in the history of the world down a path that has failed every time it has been tried, communism. There is not a country on this planet capable of physically overtaking the USA. However, Ifear we will go the way of Rome. At its peak, it was also the greatest in the world. But, the Senate allowed giveaways so they could keep their seats and Nero fiddled on.

34) Comment by DMJ - 10/09/2012

Has anyone ever noticed how racist people don't like being called racist? They act like being called racist is worse than actually being racist. It seems odd to me...I mean, they must know they're racist, right? Why would they be so offended by being called out on it? Why not have the courage of your convictions? Is it not enough to be a bigot, you have to be a hypocrite as well?? Over the past 4 years, I've heard more racist things uttered by total strangers than the rest of my years combined. Literally. Strangers have told me that they can't believe there's an N word in the White House. I mean....who says that to a total stranger?! I can only imagine the type of stuff that racist people say when they're only amongst their own. It's absolutely shameful. And instead of addressing it, Republicans simply pretend that it doesn't happen and that it's a construct of the "liberal media." I hate to admit it...but I think the election of Barack Obama has set us back in terms of tolerance rather than moved us forward. It has certainly set us back politically. Fueled by their personal hatred towards Barack Obama, conservatives have gobbled up all the rest of the non-race related policy points and now believe them more fervently than ever. They're told they don't have to hate Barack Obama because of his race....they can hate him for his politics. It's been a very bizarre, very sad four years. I think Obama's detractors from 2008 were right....this country isn't ready for a black president, at least...not all of us.

35) Comment by Noel Hammatt - 10/09/2012

I usually stay out of these conversations because it does bring out some of the racist crazies, and you know who you are. Reminds me that all of the crazy Democrats who were filled with racial vitriol have migrated to the party I joined as a young soldier, many, many years ago. The Dixie Dems were switch hitters, and are now swinging from the other side of the aisle. Enough baiting. Just one salient point. "In the private sector, incompetent leaders are dismissed." Really? Actually, in the world of the mega- corporations, they are dismissed with loads of cash that should make all of us sick. Just three names ought to make the point... Apotheker at Hewlett-Packard, Kelly at Bank of New York-Mellon, and Bartz at Yahoo. What a way to go! Executives are often rewarded for creating massive unemployment in their communities. Way to go!

36) Comment by ex-louisianian - 10/09/2012

"If the Republicans want to remain relevant, they'll need to change their tone and start forcefully speaking out agains the racist members of their own party ..." The moment they do that is the moment the GOP vanishes from electoral existence. You can't underestimate the extent to which the GOP depends on identity politics ("I love NASCAR!"), street theater (any anti-abortion rally will do) and stoking racial resentments of its Southern wing to remain viable.

37) Comment by nimby? - 10/09/2012

and what do Obama , the very white Al Gore and Clinton have in common ? or Jimmy Carter ?

38) Comment by ex-louisianian - 10/09/2012

Look as the way the rightwingers are trying to spin the fact that Obama won 90+% of the black vote as a sign of racial block voting, conveniently ignoring that the very white Al Gore had the same percentage of the black vote in 2000, as had Clinton the election before. They could very well use fact that the white populations of LA voting 86% and MS 88% for McCain in 2008 as a sign of racial block voting (which in the case of MS would be true, since white block voting is a legacy of MS from the Dixiecrat days of the 1940s), but they don't.

39) Comment by Whatnow - 10/09/2012

So, if you vote for a man because he is black, doesn't that make you a racist, too? How many blacks even care to look beyond Obama's skin color to the issues? They don't even know what the issues are. And most only care to vote for the Democrats because of what they can get from the Democrats for free for their votes. You know it, and I know it and Democrats trying to pin racism on Republicans is pure baloney. It's a used up card. No one cares anymore if they are called Racists. It's been called up so many times that it has become laughable. If I get called racist, I will know that I've won the argument. That's all they have.

40) Comment by nimby? - 10/09/2012

so , the nation of Islam , the black panther party , Reverends Jackson , Sharpton , Wright will be voting republican ? cool . while in college I was told by my white , liberal friends that republicans don't like "indians' , another myth . sorry to bring this up , but the war on poverty benefited one minority , who continue to vote D at a 95 percent clip , while entering a 4th generation of the cycle . I would like to applaud the democrats for what they have managed to do in their years of control over the city of New Orleans , carry on ....

41) Comment by DMJ - 10/09/2012

Just because you're a Republican, doesn't mean you're racist. But if you are racist and you vote, chances are you're a Republican. Every gleeful racist I know votes Republican. Every single one. I think what "the liberal media" is trying to say is that the Republican Party does, in fact, court the racist vote....and very effectively, at that. Sure, they condemn racism, but they also sponsor birther amendments, voter ID laws, "show me your paper" legislation and demonize welfare and affirmative action whenever possible. The United States is becoming less white. If the Republicans want to remain relevant, they'll need to change their tone and start forcefully speaking out agains the racist members of their own party instead of constantly pandering to them.

42) Comment by nimby? - 10/09/2012

half truths(lies) coming from both sides . grown , educated men behaving like spoiled brats . as we splinter ourselves into smaller , more divisive groups we continue to dilute our power as a people , nation . our arrogance keeps us from looking in the mirror , accepting the fact we are part of the problem , easier to point , shift the blame . "" Ask not what your country can do for you - ask what you can do for your country" ; the object of this government is to serve the people , not to take care of them . still waiting for the "shared responsibility' ....

43) Comment by rgeraldwallace@cox.net - 10/09/2012

As long as it works they'll continue to play the "race" card. Corporations remember the huge bribes that they had to pay into Jesse Jackson's coffers when he blackmailed them, so they won't risk it again, even though that dog can't hunt anymore. Politicians, public bodies, and any other entity with a lawyer will dodge and weave as required to avoid any possibility of their being successfully portrayed as "racist"; of course in this day and age of protected minorities such claims are ludicrous. One thing always puzzles me; why is it only here in America that such nonsense works? Africans laugh at it over there, and we all saw how the Europeans treated Obama when he went over to the Olympic committee with his maudlin racist claptrap.

44) Comment by CountryBoysCanSurvive - 10/09/2012

The Race Card is built into black//colored/African Americans or whatever they want to be called this yea,r as children. Didn't do your homework? Blame it on race misbehave in class? The teacher is picking on me because I am black. Get arrested for stealing? The police arrested me because I was black Got fired for being late for work? The boss fired me because I am black. Do we see a pattern here? Do we get the picture? Whenever they can't justify their actions or failures it's the old race card. One day they will wake up and say "Lordy Lordy is isn't my race it's ME"

45) Comment by Spudaroonski - 10/09/2012

@The_Host the reason Fox "seems" so conservative is not that the other networks are so liberal it's because Fox is conservative and nothing more than a mouth piece for the republican party and if that's where you get your info then you are what is known as one of those low information voters. Anyone who uses the main stream media and I do mean any of it to get information is just being spoon fed fluff. And you shouldn't feel too bad about breaking the news to me that republicans were only in charge 6 out of 8 years that GW was in office because anyway you want to slice it that's still a pretty dismal record for republicans.

46) Comment by The_Host - 10/09/2012

Spud- Hate to break it to you but the Repubs were only in control 6 out of the 8 Bush years. The last TWO YEARS we had Democrats running Congress. It is hard to have an honest open debate with those that don't even know who was in control of what and when! If you are really no fan of either party the left leaning media is so glaringly obvious. What makes Fox seem so Conservative is the fact ALL the others are so Liberal. MSNBC hosts love to scream racism. Funny thing last time I saw there Prime Time lineup if was all white people. Well they do have Al Sharpton on as their token race baiter.

47) Comment by Spudaroonski - 10/09/2012

What "unfounded" charges of racism are you speaking of? Could you give a few examples with maybe some "facts" to back it up? And what's with this liberal media garbage charge you conservatives love to throw around. Where is this liberal media? I keep hearing about it but I'll be darned if I can find it. I'm no fan of democrats or republicans. They are both just servants of wall street and corporate america and both care nothing for middle class working stiffs but republicans need to get a better message to run on other than Obama hasn't fixed in four years everything republicans wrecked the previous eight years so let republicans back in. By the way where were all you concerned citizens when GW was running up massive deficits and starting wars on behalf of the oil companies? I don't remember much outrage coming from republicans then. Why all the concern now?

48) Comment by dday198 - 10/09/2012

there are whack jobs on both sides if one stays glued to fox or msnbc all day you will hear them

49) Comment by bourbon-soda - 10/09/2012

Why haven't the investigative media exposed the identity of the two peanut throwers and agitated for having them charged with a hate crime? The body count in the hood goes on, the Republic threatens to do a Weimar, and we are worried about assault with deadly peanuts.

50) Comment by Bighug - 10/09/2012

It is unfair to either party to claim that what politicians did more than 5 years ago is typical of that party today. Both the Republicans and Democrats seem to have totally switched on some issues.