The Republican Problem Of Racial Terrorism

Didn’t want to let the day be over without passing on a link to this Bob Herbert column that talks about the Republican party’s acceptance of racial terrorism and the environment it has created in America.

A Platform of Bigotry

Beyond the obvious problems with the senator’s comments and his behavior is the fact that he so neatly fits into the pattern of racial bigotry, insensitivity and exploitation that has characterized the G.O.P. since it adopted its Southern strategy some decades ago. Once it was the Democrats who provided a comfortable home for public officials with attitudes and policies that were hostile to blacks and other minorities. Now the deed to that safe house has been signed over to the G.O.P.

You don’t hear President Bush or the Senate majority leader, Bill
Frist, or any other prominent Republicans blowing the whistle on the
likes of George Allen and Conrad Burns because Republicans across the
board, so-called moderates as well as conservatives, have benefited
tremendously from the party’s bigotry. Allen and Burns may have been
more blatant and buffoonish than is acceptable, but they have all been
singing from the same racially offensive hymnal.

From the Willie
Horton campaign to the intimidation of black voters in Florida and
elsewhere to the use of every racially charged symbol and code word
imaginable — it’s all of a piece.

7 Responses to “The Republican Problem Of Racial Terrorism”


  1. Gravatar Icon 1 Mike

    “the intimidation of Black voters in Florida” — he’s kidding, right? Evidence? To date, not a single photo or videotape of “attack dogs” or other various booga-booga menaces alleged to have occurred in Florida have turned up. I’m with Ockham on this one.

    Also, if Herbert wants to continually rehash Willie Horton, he should be reminded of the controversial 1994 David Perryman TV ad that featured a twenty year old photo of J. C. Watts sporting a huge afro, an image clearly designed to intimidate voters in Oklahoma’s largely conservative 4th Congressional District.

  2. Gravatar Icon 2 Oliver Willis

    Yes, none of that happened, continue to pretend it away.

  3. Gravatar Icon 3 factcheck

    I’d rather see evidence of the Perryman strategy, not some college students estimation of his motives.

    Also note that that “writer” pushed the false Steele oreo cookie story.

  4. Gravatar Icon 4 Dugger

    So, who in the Democratic party is doing something about Senate candidate’s Webb’s acknowledged racist/ terrorist past. Or Kleagle Byrd? Or the mayor of Chocolate City? I mean shouldn’t Democrats clean up their own front yards before complaining about the neighbors?

  5. Gravatar Icon 5 factcheck

    I’ll take that as having no evidence. Carry on.

  6. Gravatar Icon 6 bcam etvps

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