Love Your Political Enemies: A Response to Jimmy Carter's Comments on Racism

Us Conservatives love you too.

For an anti-Semite like Carter to speak of racism is like Charles Rangel speaking of financial accountability.

The man behind the original Obama joker image is not a right wing conservative, but simply a dude working around with photoshop who actually thinks Obama is doing a better job than Bush. Is he a racist?
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2009...

And black conservative men carried a gun at tea parties as well (a fact which MSNBC covered up), is he a racist? or is Jesse Jackson correct that they can not be racist simply because they are black?
http://newsbusters.org/blogs/kyle-drennen/2009/...

How about the president's comments about the Gates situation made without any real understanding of the situation, that seemed kind of presumptuous about a white man's motives, that sounds kind of racist to me.

Charges of racism is code for "we're losing the argument and now we need a new strategy" it is an attempt to silence opposition by scaring them into silence. As a conservative Christian I find it offensive and ugly. I imagine ACORN will start throwing it around soon now that their back is against the wall. Speaking of, I would love to see an article on this site about ACORN employees total disregard for social justice when it comes to a pimp saying he plans on bringing in under age El-Salvadorian girls to turn tricks for him. I won't hold my breath on that.

Do some people at tea parties and protests have racist feelings, probably, and Kanye West's drunken tirades probably reveal racist feelings about white performers as well. And people throwing oreos at black conservatives and calling them sell-outs have racist feelings as well. Calling a black man a liar does not make one a racist, besides maybe he was speaking to Obama's white half. I thought the promise of Obama's election was the move to a post-racial America, it would seem that the left no longer has a desire to move in that direction.

It is apparent that liberals are not interested in trying to change the other sides mind and bring them over to their point of view, instead they simply want to stir up the base and scare the opposition into shutting up.

The reality is that many of Obama's enemies have made his race the focal point. I learned yesterday that even the guy who shot up the gym outside Pittsburgh some weeks ago demonstrated anti-black sentiments (which actually were connected to his actions). And speaking of Pittsburgh, that same sentiment was expressed by the guy who shot those cops in April; he frequented white-supremacist websites and said he feared that Obama would take his guns away.

And people throwing oreos at black conservatives and calling them sell-outs have racist feelings as well.

Given the context, the term "sellout" may be accurate.

It is apparent that liberals are not interested in trying to change the other sides mind and bring them over to their point of view, instead they simply want to stir up the base and scare the opposition into shutting up.

Do I detect projection here?

Why is all the discussion here about racism instead of the difficulty of loving your political enemies. What does that mean in theory, and in practical terms.

Labeling with shameful descriptors is definitely not loving your enemy. Trying your best to understand opponents' motivation and concerns probably is a show of love.

Race and racism is a natural consideration when one sees shockingly expressed opposition to something that would seem to benefit you. While we should never judge, and try not to evaluate a position by its extreme proponnents, that restraint gets harder when the extremists are literally or metaphorically shouting at you.

Of course, I think Jesus would want us to try harder when it gets harder, and to rely on the Holy Spirit for love when we have difficulty accessing our own meager supply. Because God loves us all, shockingly.

Using the actions of violent radical racists to justify claims that all protesters are racists is like me saying that all of Bush's detractors were as crazy as the truthers who claim that 9/11 was an inside job or that they were as evil as Osama Bin Laden. I already said that there are probably some racists among the protesters, but I really believe it is a small minority. I like the guys sign last weekend that said something along the lines of "It doesn't matter what this sign says, they'll call it racist anyway.

"Given the context, the term "sellout" may be accurate."

Are you saying that it is appropriate to throw oreos at them too. Isn't it narrow minded and possibly racist to say that someone should have a certain view because of their race. You really don't help your argument with that comment, but I don't think its about helping your argument is it?, its about belittling the opponent, which is terrible debate strategy.

"Do I detect projection here?"

Hey if you want to disagree with the President, it is your right by law. And calling people racists, while dangerous, is also your right. I never said that you couldn't do it, I just think it is ugly and a sign of desperation that does not help the national discussion.

I forgot one question, will Kanye West be a racist if he disagrees with the President's assessment of him as a jacka**, or is the president a racist for calling another black man a jacka**.

President Carter did NOT say that those who disagree with President Obama are racist. He said that shouting out "You Lie" on the House of Representatives during a presidential address has an inherent vistage of racism. You may disagree with President Obama all you like. God knows I do: he does not support a single-payer system of health care that would wipe out the health insurance industry--which is what I want--and the "Lie" that the Congressman cited is about whether or not all equally-created people would have access to publicly funded health care or if we would deny it to someone based on what side of an imaginary line they happened to experience birth. The truth is worse than the lie. But presidents deserve respect, and all white presidents have had it without the asking or the commentary or the explanations. And President Carter was right.

I did not vote for President Obama, but did feel some measure of pride in his ultimately being elected. President Obama has many admirable qualities which I respect. I also pray for President Obama as I did for President Bush. The scriptures instruct us to respect and pray for the authorities. Our prayers may not always be that their particular agenda suceeds, but rather for God's guidance, wisdom, and will be done. I fear that some on the far right are vengefully directing the same venom on Obama that was poured out on Bush. I could, at times, scarcely believe the kind of hatred the left cultivated against then President Bush. I felt that those who did not believe in Satan had a substitute they created called Bush. He seemed to become the source of all evil that stalks the earth, from global warming to starvation in Africa, and hurricane Katrina. If prayers were given for Bush I believe some prayed he would die a horrible painful death to suffer for his imputed crimes. Such attitudes and actions toward anyone is sinful and contradicts our Lord's teachings totally. Those of us who are conservatives must restrain any urge to get revenge or to "do to them as they did to us." Let us show respect and judge with righteous judgement. When we disagree, as Shane Claiborne is fond of saying, let us do so, well. Let every thought and word be subject to Christ, not only in church, but in politics and all of life.

Dr. Elverton Dixon says "Each woman and each man has to look into her or his heart and decide the truth of this." If you are looking and don't see racism, then please move past that part of the argument.

I can respect that you don't believe that race is a motivating factor. I can love you the way the Dr. means, but I can also love you for wanting to distance yourselves from racism. I hope that many of you can come to respect that some of us are seeing racially based signs, hearing racially based jokes and covering our children's ears against words we wish they never had to hear. And that we are led to a charge of racism, not of because it's a safe "card" to play, but because that is what we are observing. Certainly I don't believe that everyone opposed to health care reform or any other of the President's policies is racist. But I think it would be equally blind to believe that no one is.

I was so filled by hope by this post and then I went on to read the comments. What I hear in these comments is not self-protection, but hatred toward those who would think that they may be acting racist. I believe that this is exactly what Dr. Elverton Dixon was writing about. If we cannot even act with love toward one another in this forum, how can we expect to go forth into the world and do it. How can we expect others to act with a love and a respect we refuse to show ourselves.

It's a hard thing to do, to be the first one to put down your shield and step out, but someone has to do it.

You just mischaracterized everything I'm saying, which is part and parcel of your failure to listen to anyone else outside of your purview despite your protests to the contrary.

For openers, Palin -- whom I never even brought up -- was disparaged not primarily because of her views but because of how she expressed them and for her contempt for those who disagreed with her; on top of that, to be fair she did use her family as a prop. She left the governor's post in Alaska in part because bloggers in that state consistently exposed her rank corruption; in essence, she refused to be held accountable to anyone. You won't hear that from any conservative source. As for my comments about black conservatives, I'm personally familiar -- the movement even tried to recruit me 11 years ago.

BTW, I've been a Christian for over 30 years. With that in mind, has it ever occurred to you that many of us fellow believers, for some very good reasons, don't subscribe to right-wing ideology?

--The reality is that many of Obama's enemies have made his race the focal point.

Really? Who? I see a lot of his SUPPORTS making his race the focal point, a la Jim Wallis' recent post.

Oh, you found a few whackos. That really proves your point.

--Given the context, the term "sellout" may be accurate.

Ah, now it's all clear--it's ok of liberals to disrespect to black conservatives. Just so you're so up-front about your double-standard.

"About half of the conservatives who frequent this blog have made racist statements as of late."

Would you care to provide examples?

LV

It was LJRD who brought them up on another thread about two weeks ago (I wish I could remember which one).

There's a warning I need to pass along here. Again, I claim no special revelation, this is just my judgment based on politics and history.

I think its fair to say that this nation has developed a strong aversion to overt racism, and is sensitive even to allegations of covert racism. This is fair given the history of slavery and racism in this country. It has also been very useful to the civil rights movement and the left in general.

Now the left is trying to use this sense of guilt over race to gain traction in the debate over Obama's health care plan. But there's a problem: most Americans aren't buying the accusation that opposition to the program is spurred on by the President's race. 90% of Republicans, 70% of independents, even 40% of Democrats reject the charge.

Folks, you are gambling with the moral credibility of the civil rights movement. The good will built up by the wisdom of Dr. Martin Luther King, the courage of Rosa Parks, the determination of the freedom riders and the lunch-counter sit-ins -- you're going all in for health care.

This is a battle you could lose -- probably will lose the way things are going-- and if you lose the civil rights movement could lose all its credibility. It's biggest political asset -- the healthy moral revulsion that the vast majority of Americans feel at the faintest whiff of racism, could be gone within a few months.

It could be the end of the civil rights movement as an effective force in American politics.

I know you don't really want my advice, but believe it or not this is not an outcome I relish. I understand that racism is wrong, I don't think it's been completely purged from American society, and on the whole I'd prefer there be an effective civil rights movement to combat it.

But I cannot prevent you from gambling your credibility, and I cannot prevent you from losing it if the cards don't fall the right way.

As it is, the word "bigot" is taking on a new meaning, one that denotes less a moral failure and more of a political insult. "Bigot" will not refer to racial injustice but to strident conservatism. I suspect that at some point, some conservative, not an intellectual like Charles Krauthammer or even a Rush Limbaugh, probably a real fringe character like Don Savage or Ann Coulter, will take a fateful step. That fringe character may take the outrageous step of owning the insult "bigot". I also suspect that a lot of Americans, not just Republicans and not even just whites, will take this not as an embrace of racial hatred but of frustration with a civil rights movement that cannot distinguish between racism and genuine principled dissent. The condemnation will be muted. Ratings will improve, contributions will flow.

If and when that happens -- and this isn't something I'm really looking forward to either -- it will be your signal that the civil rights movement is done for, that you gambled your moral credibility and lost.

There's only one way to negate this risk -- and that is to withdraw the accusation that the President's race is a motivating factor in the opposition to the health care plan. Disown Carter's comments.

You're gambling with something you cannot afford to lose, and the odds are not in your favor. This is astonishing recklessness. For your own sakes, please stop.

LV

While I stand by most of what I have said in this and other posts on this blog. I do apologize for my comments to you BlueDeacon, I came to realize many years ago that not all Christians are republicans, but I realize that my comments don't always reflect that understanding. While we may disagree, it does not give me the right to question anyones integrity. You are my brother in Christ and that should come first. If I mischaracterized you in anyway, I apologize. I am going to stop posting comments on this bIog because discussions online do not provide the accountability that keeps me civil. I hope that you will understand BlueDeacon that what matters most to me is the glory of God and that the name of His son is known throughout the world.

Using the actions of violent radical racists to justify claims that all protesters are racists is like me saying that all of Bush's detractors were as crazy as the truthers who claim that 9/11 was an inside job or that they were as evil as Osama Bin Laden. I already said that there are probably some racists among the protesters, but I really believe it is a small minority. I like the guys sign last weekend that said something along the lines of "It doesn't matter what this sign says, they'll call it racist anyway.

"Given the context, the term "sellout" may be accurate."

Are you saying that it is appropriate to throw oreos at them too. Isn't it narrow minded and possibly racist to say that someone should have a certain view because of their race. You really don't help your argument with that comment, but I don't think its about helping your argument is it?, its about belittling the opponent, which is terrible debate strategy.

"Do I detect projection here?"

Hey if you want to disagree with the President, it is your right by law. And calling people racists, while dangerous, is also your right. I never said that you couldn't do it, I just think it is ugly and a sign of desperation that does not help the national discussion.

I forgot one question, will Kanye West be a racist if he disagrees with the President's assessment of him as a jacka**, or is the president a racist for calling another black man a jacka**.

BlueDeacon, you've just violated at least the third guideline in the Comment Code of Conduct.

I am very disturbed by the racist comments made about our president who is doing a superior job and doing his absolute best to clean up the mess he was left by the past administration. Where is the outrage from those people about the greed that permeated throughout the entire (closed) Bush Administration that brought this country to its knees? It was all about making a quick buck with that crowd, under the guise that they were God fearing but their opposition were made up ofl non-believers and unpatriotic.. It was sickening! But there were those who couldn't see the forest for the trees and bought it, lock stock and barrel......it's very sad!

So of course it's racism, pure and simple, that's being displayed by those who voted for the other guy and his terrible choice for vice president (a disastrous team that would have only further deteriorated this great country)

I did not vote for President Obama, but did feel some measure of pride in his ultimately being elected. President Obama has many admirable qualities which I respect. I also pray for President Obama as I did for President Bush. The scriptures instruct us to respect and pray for the authorities. Our prayers may not always be that their particular agenda suceeds, but rather for God's guidance, wisdom, and will be done. I fear that some on the far right are vengefully directing the same venom on Obama that was poured out on Bush. I could, at times, scarcely believe the kind of hatred the left cultivated against then President Bush. I felt that those who did not believe in Satan had a substitute they created called Bush. He seemed to become the source of all evil that stalks the earth, from global warming to starvation in Africa, and hurricane Katrina. If prayers were given for Bush I believe some prayed he would die a horrible painful death to suffer for his imputed crimes. Such attitudes and actions toward anyone is sinful and contradicts our Lord's teachings totally. Those of us who are conservatives must restrain any urge to get revenge or to "do to them as they did to us." Let us show respect and judge with righteous judgement. When we disagree, as Shane Claiborne is fond of saying, let us do so, well. Let every thought and word be subject to Christ, not only in church, but in politics and all of life.

You don't consider right-wing talk radio his "enemies" and not merely his critics? Who do you consider his true "enemies"? Glenn Beck (who is the ouster of Van Jones you mentioned) repeatedly says that Obama is his president, and that he is everyone's president, and when we disagree we do it respectfully, and we ignore and call out the racism in those who also oppose him.

Obama's critics, at least given a few days, come up with their own solutions, or at least counter ideas. Some of them are worthless, some are worth considering. But Obama has refused to truly have all options on the table with health care.

Part of the problem in this discussion is that you seem to believe or act as if the nasty fringe, whose views I hope all here deplore, are a huge force -- that they are the driving force of opposition to Obama's policy, perhaps even the majority. That makes it all too tempting and easy to slip into smearing anyone who disagrees with the President as either holding such views, or cravenly letting those views determine their actions.

You illustrate that in the Van Jones case. It may be that there is some such group as you describe, and that they were concerned about Van Jones. In this vast and complex country I would wager that in just about every debate you can find some group or other with nasty or wacko ideas on both ends of the political spectrum. But the existence and efforts of such groups does not somehow prove they are the "real reason", the ones pulling the strings (apparently without those making the public argument even knowing it).

I would urge to check out the discussion and arguments of the more careful & responsible folks on the right (try National Review Online, Powerline blog, Hugh Hewitt, for example). See what reasons they are giving for opposing Van Jones, or various Obama policies. I doubt you'll hear even a hint that the sort of group you mention above has in any way influenced their thinking. In fact, I'll bet that, if real, it's a tiny fringe group these leading voices and most of the right have never heard of.

By the way, can you name this group? If you don't really know who they are, and can't find very solid evidence of their existence and activity (not to mention influence), I would be very skeptical of efforts to make them the 'real reason' or to charge some sort of conspiracy. I try to that when I hear charges about fringe groups on the left, and I would appreciate it if you gave the same care and benefit of the doubt to those on the right.

As for the Soviet flag story, I'm not quite sure I understood your point. Are you saying he flew that to mark his objection to Obama's policies? OK. I might not quite agree with his assessment (presumably that , or like his expressing this view in this way. But I don't quite see how that specific action is "racist" -- and I thought that was the point of this discussion.

BlueDeacon, you see racism in disagreement, you justify hatred against conservatives like Sarah Palin by commenting on their faults instead of actually examining the horrible comments about her family made by the critics, you refuse to accept the fact that a black person can be a conservative without being a sellout, and the only thing you ever cite as evidence for your skewed view are liberal commentators and journalists. I refuse to carry on a discussion with you any further because quite frankly it does not help my Christian walk any, but I am glad that I have read some of the things you have written because it challenges me to always examine my point of view to make sure that I am not simply coming to conclusions based on one viewpoint and refusing to see both sides of the argument. In other words, I don't want to be like you.

You just mischaracterized everything I'm saying, which is part and parcel of your failure to listen to anyone else outside of your purview despite your protests to the contrary.

For openers, Palin -- whom I never even brought up -- was disparaged not primarily because of her views but because of how she expressed them and for her contempt for those who disagreed with her; on top of that, to be fair she did use her family as a prop. She left the governor's post in Alaska in part because bloggers in that state consistently exposed her rank corruption; in essence, she refused to be held accountable to anyone. You won't hear that from any conservative source. As for my comments about black conservatives, I'm personally familiar -- the movement even tried to recruit me 11 years ago.

BTW, I've been a Christian for over 30 years. With that in mind, has it ever occurred to you that many of us fellow believers, for some very good reasons, don't subscribe to right-wing ideology?

No, that is NOT what I'm saying. In fact, I make the distinction between
Obama's critics -- those who have sincere disagreement based on
principle -- and his enemies, who want to see him fail due to pure
envy. And it's clear to me that most of the folks demonstrating him today
generally fall into the second camp, not interested even in negotiating with
him. And Obama has to know that too -- I mean, how do you talk to someone who
just won't listen to anything you say?

--The reality is that many of Obama's enemies have made his race the focal point.

Really? Who? I see a lot of his SUPPORTS making his race the focal point, a la Jim Wallis' recent post.

Oh, you found a few whackos. That really proves your point.

--Given the context, the term "sellout" may be accurate.

Ah, now it's all clear--it's ok of liberals to disrespect to black conservatives. Just so you're so up-front about your double-standard.

"About half of the conservatives who frequent this blog have made racist statements as of late."

Would you care to provide examples?

LV