What I find distressing is the way some would embrace or justify it on one side and condemn it on the other. This applies to both parties. When people tried to defend George Allen for his “Macaca” remark I found it disgusting. I also am disgusted upon the fact that there is a “Congressional Black Caucus”, that has kept out white membership, like that applied for by Rep.Steve Cohen, who was elected by a predominately black district but not allowed to join. Of course such a blatantly racist group shouldn't exist anyway among our political leaders. Imagine the outrage if there was a “Congressional White Caucus” formed.

Racism is disgusting in all its forms IMHO, whether currently socially acceptable or not.

Yeah, not so much on the history of the Republican, party there, eh JeffersonDavis? God, you FAIL at seeing the irony there, don't you? I mean, your moniker indicates that you might know that the South fell strongly on the Dem side when Jefferson Davis was around? All the *individuals* who were Dixiecrat racists are now Republicans. Perhaps you also know that Joe Wilson is a Republican and a proud member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans? As in one of the “magnificent” seven who fought tooth and nail to keep the Confederate flag in SC? Something tells me that the Republicans of Lincoln's time would think that fact pretty heartbreaking.

In addition, during MLK Jr's time, the conservatives spent huge amounts of time calling him a socialist and a communist. If you think really hard, you may realize that those terms are being screamed by one of the parties toward another powerful black man now. (Hint: it's not the Democrats.)

In other words, what Jim_Satterfield said.

If you meant by that what I wrote, it does not follow.

Wilson's outburst is not a means to mischaracterizing the South or the GOP (or the public increasingly opposed to lib Dem excess and wrongdoing), of course.

Put Wilson's bad behavior in proper context (please grow up, for a change, this year!). His and other Republicans' “town hall excesses” during Obama's address only demonstrated the pathetic position the Republicans are in right now. [sigh] The Dems are wrong to rush bad legislation through, and the more far-left Dems increasingly offend better Americans, and they aren't being fair with the Republicans, but the Republicans still have their own, separate problems. I don't understand anyone expecting another 1994 next year, no matter how badly the Dems continue to be, or even if they are worse.

Consider the nature of the mob and their current desperation, and hatred of opposition and any of the many inconvenient truths they are facing.

These are the same people who formed the lynch mob when Reagan told a cretin to “Shut up!”

I've heard nothing by anyone else about this event, and it was also amusing that several hours elapsed after I made numerous remarks about South Carolina and “the cane,” before someone else who was aware of this event started a thread on it, and other libs on this lib site wrote to say this was something new they didn't know before. What many, many other things don't they know, is the obvious question.

Shall we try to actually, rationally communicate and debate our opposing positions?.. or shall we just maintain the status quo?

Sure a new start is something I welcome. Sometimes people get bad initial impressions of each other for whatever reason and things deteriorate, from your post I see there is indeed a possibility of rational debate with you despite differences in the political field. I never shy from a good reasoned debate and enjoy it as a way to evaluate my own views in my own mind, I just don't shy away from throwing barbs if I see them come at me, I tend to respond in kind whatever the nature of comments sent my way. You treat me with civility and I will make my best honest effort to do the same.

You must remember. The Republican party brought Emancipation. The Repbulican party brought voting rights to blacks. The Republican party brought sweeping civil rights. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr, was Republican. (for those unlearned of you that don't believe those tidbits….go look them up).

In more cases than not, when I hear “racism” or see distinctions brought among a group of people – the person at the front is a Democrat. The very reason that the South became predominantly Democrat was a reaction to the Republican embrace of the “colored”.

And here is a shock, I myself, am a registered Democrat….. Just a VERY conservative one.
I happen to LIVE Dr. King's message. I judge SOULY upon the content of a man's character, not the color of his skin. If my daughter or son were to bring home a person of color, I'd not take issue with it (as long as he/she comes from a good family, is Godly, and has a measure of honor and respect). And that's not a holier-than-thow statement. I just wish the Democrats would embrace Dr. King's message as well.

How can they claim to be “for” a black man, when they wish to keep him in a constant state of welfare dependence. Dr. King recognized that fact.

Amen, Sparrow!

If there were more honor, on the parts of both the government and the citizens, corruption would be nil.
Scandal would be nil.

Anyone other than me remember when BOTH parties stood against common enemies and with God?
Democrats sold out to the faux-environmentalists and entities benefitting from a welfare state.
Republicans sold out to Wall Street and entities benefiting from lack of regulation.

It was wrong when the dems did it. It was wrong when Wilson did it.

It is simply wrong to disrupt any joint session, and it is wrong to disrespect the President (and anyone else) when he is speaking to that joint session.

Here's the major difference, my liberal American brother….

After the democrats booed President Bush, no one was asked to resign and no ethics committees adjourned.

Joe Wilson shouts “You Lie”, and suddenly the liberal lynch mob forms in the corridor.

Well, the thing is, I don't think anybody here believes that racism is the whole problem, just a big part of it for many in “Loyal Opposition” party. I don't think that all Republicans are racists. There I said it. I do know some Republicans whose fears of not being the party in power are amplified by the fact that the President is “black.”
I've also observed that many of these same people (without anyone suggesting it in the first place) automatically add “but I'm not a racist” to their arguments against anything Obama says or does.
I'm not accusing anyone here of being a racist, but it's very difficult to understand the total lack of civility exhibited by folks like the jackass from South Carolina, without thinking that race has some part in the equation.

Just thought I'd share that, since I don't think you really know me like you might think you do.

Thanks for sharing. And, you're right I only know you from how you have presented yourself at TMV.

In your last comment I saw the possibility that there might be more to you than it has seemed. Shall we try to actually, rationally communicate and debate our opposing positions?.. or shall we just maintain the status quo?

Glad that I'm me and you're you.

See we can agree on something. As for ” eclectic, politically diverse friends” I'm pretty sure I can match you there. I can't imagine many groups or political beliefs (excepting truthers and birthers) that I don't have friends that count themselves among the members. From bikers, the gay male strippers, to church people, to sushi chefs, to business professionals, to doctors, to teachers, etc. Not to mention members of two dozen or so ethnic groups. But I'm glad you like your friends as well. We have that in common as well, a love and appreciate of our friends in all their variety.

Just thought I'd share that, since I don't think you really know me like you might think you do.

You are certainly right that there are some who are motivated by racism, but please stop insinuating that that is the case for all conservatives. a) It is not true, b) even if it is, no one has yet provided nor ever will provide evidence to support the claim, so it it a fruitless endeavor to try, c) it only infuriates those who are not racist and have legitimate concerns, and d) it is hypocritical to condemn conservatives for name-calling when you yourself are unwilling to refrain from the practice.

If you still think it's a good strategy to blame it all on racism, please explain to me why. I just don't see how that accomplishes anything good.