YOU LIE - Racism in the US

[Mick Mac]

Carter reignites racism debate

Are there people who will not accept Obama, no matter what level of success he achieves? Is that what Jimmy Carter is hinting at? Is Jimmy Carter a realist or is he out of line?

[Keef]

I was listening to a story on radio 4 the other day with some republican guys talking about the state of the country, and that was pretty much my conclusion.

[????]

I think some criticis of Obahma are racist but also think there is a danger in branding any criticism of Democratic policy as racist is not healthy for debate -see also Europhobe as a term used widely against criticism of the EU as an eg

[Moos]

What's 'YOU LIE' about, Mick Mac?

[bigbadwolf]

It's refering to Republican Joe Wilson's outburst in the U.S senate against Obama's proposals on health care reforms.

[Mick Mac]

I think there are some people who do not want him to succeed and do not like his success so far. For that reason, as with JFK as an Irish Catholic many years ago, I think minorities need to be better than average to succeed.

I think by including the words of the title, Quids - "YOU LIE" - I meant that there seems to be a feeling that if Obama was not a minority no House of Representatives member would ever dare have made such a comment.

It was a lack of respect shown by someone who in his own eyes may have felt Obama should not be there talking to him, Carter I think feels this was a racist comment for this reason and I agree.

[????]

A southern Congressman (with form) shouted it at him in his address to Congress(?), very unusual in polite politics and against the honour they give the presidency

[????]

Hang on MM, to be clear - I'm sure he is a racist...the article you posted is talking in general and about Carter's not very wise comments

[Mick Mac]

there is a danger in branding any criticism of Democratic policy as racist

No probs Quids - But I was responding to this part of you earlier comment, which I think is a good point, and that's why Obama himself will never play the racism card as it will make him look weak.

[matthew123]

MM - Haven't all recent American Presidents been from a minority of sorts, e.g. George Bush the Texan and ol' Southern boy Bill Clinton both got it pretty rough. I certainly remember the Clintons also being torn apart when they tried to bring in, unsuccessfully, healthcare reforms back in early nineties.

[mockney piers]

I suppose we are all minorities of one of sorts, but I don't see how you can say clinton and bush minorities.

My first thought on hearing carter was also of clintons healthcare plans. But while there was considerable political opposition, and the usual conservative bandying about of such awful pejorative terms like 'known socialists', it

was never so populist not personal.

You didn't see people outside the whitehouse (ha ha iPhone autocorrect wanted to make that whorehouse) with placards saying 'nuck clifton' or questioning his nationality.

There is an innate respect for the office of presidency which isn't being observed and I believe this has prompted carter.

I think it's mostly fall out from the horribly divisive election and the smear campaigns they used liberally (ho ho). I do think that some of it does stem from an undercurrent of racism in many quarters.

Quids is right it's unhelpful to lump in all opposition under the banner of racism, it does noone any good, but

I think carter was right to point out the obvious (White?) elephant in the room.