The "Tea Party" Just Expelled a Racist Faction

[David__77]

We should be absolutely clear that the one organized "Tea Party" movement group just expelled one of its racist factions. While that decision was mired in opportunism, it is testament to the power of the anti-racist sentiment among common people. In no way should this action lower our vigilance against racist on the right; instead, because of this action, now is the time to strike hard and expose the racism that is part of the very DNA of this "movement." Mark Williams is just the honest, racist face that the others wish to consign to the basement. We have been afforded an excellent opportunity at this time to strike hard and expose right-wing racism, and to rally and mobilize progressive-minded people for this purpose.

It is a political gift that the "Tea Party" has admitted there has been a racist faction integral to its operation, and has been forced to superficially disassociate itself from it.

[and-justice-for-all]

1. I do not believe them nor are they forgiven...nt

[Skittles]

2. the entire Tea Party is based on racism

they apparently didn't mind while bush was wiping his ass with the Constitution but became hysterical when a black man was elected president? Those racist fucks can all fuck themselves.

[Recursion]

4. Eh. They would be doing this for a white Democrat too, IMO

I think racial fear doesn't begin to describe all of what's going on here.

[Skittles]

6. no

they grumbled during Clinton but never this kind of organized racist shit

[Tejas]

14. Just because you're happy with the amount of taxes you pay,

does not mean that you represent me. You'd like to think so, maybe the use of foul language to back up your point is what helps you convince yourself.

[Chulanowa]

9. You can have your opinion, but the facts don't back it up

They didn't give Clinton this treatment. They didn't give Kerry the treatment Obama got during the campaign. The hate for Carter is at a low hum compared to what we hear for Obama. All three of these men were probably to the left of Obama (Carter and Clinton marginally so, but still) and Clinton fucked up way more than Obama has.

Racial fear is the cornerstone of the Tea party movement. Strip away all their other problems and leave just that, and they would still be holding their rallies and lynch mobs. in fact, they might even become more coherent, with only one issue to talk about. However, take away the race factor, and the whole movement falters and crumbles because there is suddenly no unifying piece. Birther complaints wouldn't work on a white guy with a Swedish name. The "welfare queen" notion has a lot less power when it's a white guy in charge. National security seems a lot safer with a man named John McEuropean who's skin is highly reflective.

I think you would be surprised by just how central race and racism is to the positions of most Republicans.

[Recursion]

17. "They didn't give Clinton this treatment"

:spray:

Ha! Yeah, ok. :eyes:

Funny how selective memory can be.

[Chulanowa]

21. Ah, argument by smiley

Sorry, buddy. Clinton didn't get this level of hate. He got plenty of hate, but not to this degree.

[CBR]

12. No. Not like this. nt

[ThoughtCriminal]

3. They have a few problems

1) This movement is never going to attract anything but "low information" voters.
2) It will always going to attract extreme racists that are hoping to hook onto a broader (and perceived as more legitimate) audience.
3) If they really purged the racists, they would be shocked at how little was left.

[pinboy3niner]

5. An important point--they did not "admit" any racism

David Webb, head of the teabaggers federation that expelled Wiliams, told CNN today that the letter was "offensive," but despite being pressed on the question of whether it was also racist, he REFUSED--repeatedly--to say that it was. Besides the offensiveness of the letter, Webb seemed to be most concerned about Williams' "self-aggrandizement" and distracting from issues.

So, while they have not admitted anything, the federation has taken a positive step--one that was applauded by the NAACP's Ben Jealous.

[David__77]

7. They "admitted" it implicitly,

And by doing so, they've exposed themselves and left an opening politically - one that we must strike at very hard at the this moment.

[pinboy3niner]

8. They'll disagree that it's implicit, but I totally agree with you

Their action belies their words. I only saw Webb on CNN (not his initial appearance on CBS), but they pressed him hard on the racism issue, and I suspect the rest of the media will, too. Still, the evidence of outright racism has been there all along, in their statements and in their signs.

I remember when deniability meant not leaving tracks. These days, they deny even in the face of overwhelming evidence. When the acceptance of cognitive dissonance is extremely high, it practically takes a miracle to get through to the true believers.

[Enthusiast]

10. The Tea Party is racist free!

Now we can all join up! Isn't this a wonderful development?

[lame54]

11. you gave no specifics

[Tejas]

13. I have some specifics

(not directed at you lame54)




The local tax authority didn't raise the property tax rate but instead quadrupled the value of my home in 10 years. Yes, though I couldn't get 1/2 what they say it's worth, it's supposedly worth 4 times what it was 10yrs ago.

I would complain, maybe even join a group of other upset tax payers but don't want to be instantly labeled racist.

[lame54]

15. ...

:shrug:

[Solomon]

19. Sad isn't it?

[Bandit]

20. And exactly what does Obama or national Democrats have to do with that?

One of Obama's very first acts was to sign the stimulus Bill which gave you and 75% of all Americans a very large tax cut..effective immediately. Your Federal taxes have Decreased since Obama and Democrats took control..You need more than your local home value to justify the Tea Party.

[Tejas]

22. Neither one are mentioned in the OP, so you tell me.

As far as tax cuts guess I'm not in that 75%, my take-home decreased by $29 per week 4-5 weeks ago.

My pay stub and property tax bill trump your misinformation. As far as "justifying" the Tea Party, if I WERE to do that I would not need your permission. ;)

[Bitwit1234]

16. The ought to get rid of people like

Sarah Palin, Sharon Angle and Paul. Then Dick Armery which they will never do because he helps fund them.

[Urban Prairie]

18. What the Tea Party really needs

Is a party-sized Fleet enema.

[branders seine]

23. operative word: "a."

[gulliver]

24. Tea Party vs. GOP racists. Stand back and root for casualties.

Agreed. The GOP accepts and nourishes racism, so they barely even give lip service to the idea that racism is the grave wrong that it is. Witness McConnell last weekend trying to avoid saying anything bad about racists. But the Tea Party isn't as disciplined and may actually have been forced to "blatantly" deplore racism. For the first time in my lifetime, we have a large faction of the GOP who, through their need for publicity, could be put in the position of attacking GOP racists. It's the Southern Strategy vs. the Tea Party media circus. K&R

[Canuckistanian]

25. One down, 2342 factions to go.....

Just an estimate. YMMV.