I hate that some people assume that when one disagrees with another it's automatically a racial hatred. That is simply not the case.

I agree with Kimpossible. Just like how people are calling Kanye West racist merely because he interrupted a white girl. It was definitely very, very rude, but I don't see the need to label every dispute involving people of different races as necessarily involving racism.

I think people need to realize that just because someone didn't say "I hate blacks!" doesn't mean they're NOT racist. Racism is much more than explicitly shouting hate or showing discrimination. It goes much, much deeper than that and we'd have to look deep into our history in order to even BEGIN to understand it.

I believe his comments WERE based on race. He showed a lack of respect that I'm sure he wouldn't have shown if Obama were white, regardless of his party. I'm sure Joe Wilson would never come out and say it, but it's likely he has prejudice against people of color ingrained in him, leading to his outburst. I believe this is why so many are vehemently against Obama in the first place. Deep down inside they cannot accept the fact that we have a black president, and their true colors are showing no matter how hard they try to hide them.

I see both arguments.... but is every person who disagrees with something Obama does/says a racist? or are their dissenting opinions racially motivated? it goes to my opinions about "hate crimes"... any murder, rape, etc. is about hate. just because you murder someone 'different' than you doesn't necessarily mean it was because of that. people are ALLOWED to disagree with the President, in fact I think people SHOULD disagree -- disagreement leads to discourse which leads to better and new ideas (ideally, yes). but are we in for a period where if Obama says "we should send a rocket to Neptune" and someone says "that is the dumbest idea I've ever heard", people will point a finger saying "you are a racist!"?

Amen!
My opinion of former President Jimmah Cahtah (bad accent, I know ) just fell down into sub-basement C. If you cry racism long enough, people will start to ignore and/or dismiss the true incidents of racism.

I agree with sontaikle; Joe Wilson's outburst came from a complete lack of respect, likely stemming from an ingrained cultural attitude of racism.

disagreement isn't racist but a lot of the loud, virulent, DISRESPECTFUL disagreement we've been seeing certainly is. there's no way in hell joe wilson would've have disrespected a white man like that, republican or democrat. joe wilson is a racist. he fought to keep the confederate flag on state buildings in n.c and he had a problem with strom thurmond's black daughter "besmirching" his (racist, duplicitious, hypocritical) legacy. i also think this disrespectful opposition it has to do with obama's disposition, he doesn't give off the same intimidating energy as bush. i wish he did.

mamasitamali- are you trying to say that there should be no hate crimes laws and protections? the difference between a racially motivated murder or rape and the average murder or rape is that the assailant SPECIFICALLY targeted their victim because of their race. i don't understand what you are trying to say?

cirrus1701- how about whenever i think something's racist, i f***ing say it, because if i wait around for everybody to agree with me that a racist incident took place , particularly people WHO ARE NEVER SUBJECTED TO IT, it would never get addressed. racism in this day and age can be very insidious. something doesn't have to be in your face to count as racist.

Agreed that a statement doesn't have to be blatantly racist in order for it to be motivated by race. BUT, I feel like the republicans I know are equally critical of Harry Reid, Nancy Pelosi, Hillary Clinton, John Kerry, etc. Sloane makes a good point though, he does seem to have a past tinged with racism. I never understood the whole wanting to fly the confederate flag thing. Still, I think we need to be cognizant of the right to voice legitimate criticism without being labeled racist.

It's so impossible to know what someone's motivations are. Was the outburst caused by Joe Wilson, the fat, loud, ignorant Republican - or Joe Wilson, the fat, loud, ignorant, RACIST Republican. Who among us can judge?

What I am certain about is this has become a big distraction to the main issue, which is health care and getting the public option passed.

Bri

PS - Always happy to see you bring truth on these topics, Sloane.

Give me a break. He was disrespectful, and also disagrees with Obama. His disrespect was wrong, his disagreement is not. Neither have anything to do with race. When democrats boo'ed Bush when he was speaking was that disrespect, racism, or was it just okay because you agreed with them?

"I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character." I have always taken this to heart. It seems as though these days if someone disagrees with President Obama you're automatically considered a racist, which is completely ridiculous. Do I agree with President Obama and his policy no, but does it have anything to do with his skin color absolutely 100% not. Joe Wilson may have not had the best etiquette that evening, but what about the etiquette of democrats when President Bush was in office? I can remember President Bush being booed at his State of the Union address. Let's not be hypocrites and let's stop the double-standard.

I didn't want to say anything because the one thing I've learned that there is no point. There can never be an honest discussion about race or racism because there are a group of people that will deny its existence and decry anyone who says they've experienced it.

It's great to live in a "color-blind" society when you're the color with all the power.

Racism absolutely exists. But, when we label everything as racism, we minimize the REAL instances of racism.

Can we call anything racism these days? Is there anything short of someone screaming the N word at the top of there lungs on video that would be considered racism?

Is it really so hard to believe that a man who fought to keep the Confederate flag flying above his statehouse or who publicly stated that a half black woman acknowledging her white father was unseemly and besmirching his name might be motivated by racism when he calls the POTUS a LIAR in a joint session meeting? Is that really so hard?

Yes because the democrats were so respectful of Bush. And yes this was disrespectful. Sure, racism exists, in all forms from all races towards all races, there is no denying that. Was this racism, maybe, maybe not. But if someone disagrees with Obama's policies it could be that they think his policies are awful, not because of his race. Although, it seems that the democrats believe that only someone could disagree with this grand, great President if they are racist.

No one is talking about JUST disagreeing with the President. Lots of congresspeople booed the President, ignored him, texted etc. No one is calling them racists just the guy who had the balls to call Obama a liar in the middle of a televised speech to America. Whatever Dems felt about Bush, not one of them ever did that to him, despite the fact that he was lying his a** off.

Well, according to some people, being born white makes you racist. So, this discussion is worthless.

I just want to know why Tres hasn't mentioned one thing about ACORN in a long, long time. Too hot a topic?

Who says that ChooChoo? Who says that?

I'll second that. Who on earth do you think is saying that?

I think another link in this story bears discussion - the intersexed runner is on suicide watch. How sad! Can you imagine if this was done to you in such a public, embarrassing way? Scary!

Bri

Newsweek says it. It must be true. And, someone who posts here regularly and cusses to get her point across, says it, too. Might as well accept it, as a white person.

You know, I missed that article on Newsweek. Mind sending me the link?

Of course, you can disagree with anyone, no matter the race. However, it's foolish to not understand that some motivations against Obama are centered in racism. Also, it's foolish to tell others what such motivations aren't when you are least likely to live a life stressed by them.

IMO President Carter has a point but I disagree with the means by which he got there.

Simply reading some of the signs that were created and authored by protesters at the rally last Saturday there is no doubt that there is truth to what the former President is saying. Many of those signs were simply outrageous slanders towards culture, race and religion. Now most of the protesters obviously presented their gripe reasonably but does that mean we should turn a blind eye to the extremist minority?

I don't understand why he would pointedly suggest Congressman Wilson is a racist which he can not possibly prove only to have it land as slander and an act of desperation. If he had pointed to an example of fact (the protesters I referenced above) and made his assertion he would have proof to back up his statement but tossing the Congressmen in there was an intellectual fart on his part IMO.

hypnoticmix, I implore to learn more about Joe Wilson. He advocated the continuity of having the Confederate flag on the S.C. capital building. Also, he was a strong supporter of Strom Thurmond. So, all bets lead to the motivation of Wilson's outburst. So, no, it wasn't an intellectual fart.

I had to toss my two cents in (I'm not a Democrat or Republican). Racism does still exist. But I don't know Wilson personally and unless any of you do, you can't say for sure that he is a racist. What he did was extremely rude, and he is being punished for it.

But we ARE quickly headed to the scenario where any disagreement with the President is automatically condemned and dismissed as racism. This is in the news/media every day, and it's ignorant and very dangerous for our country on several levels.

Racism will continue to exist as long as it's used as a scapegoat reason for actions. Once we stop making it an issue, it won't be one.

Jules, maybe in your comfy little world you can say Racism isn't an issue. But, we can't and discussing it doesn't make it continue. Seriously, that's old meme and I can believe some people adhere to that belief.

"Racism will continue to exist as long as it's used as a scapegoat reason for actions. Once we stop making it an issue, it won't be one."

Are you serious?

From what I have read and heard the congressman had a very passionate outburst due to the fact that he was part of a committee that would insure the bill would not allow illegal immigrants to be put on the health care bill. When the President said that illegals would not be put on the bill he was not being accurate. The truth is the bill does not specify whether or not illegals would be covered. The congressman knew this and blurted out you lie.

Yes I am serious. If we are all equal, then we should all act like it and stop being victims. I was expecting some interesting responses, but here's the thing: we don't know each other. We don't know anything about each other's lives. We make assumptions.

Just food for thought.

Racism is very real and does exist. But too often in today's society, it's used as a victimhood and an excuse for darn near anything. It's an out, an easy way to dismiss something. That was my point.

Now back to the flaming! You ladies take care!

F.Y.I. Urban Chic and to anyone who's iterested. As another Sugar member (Jillness) pointed out....

"In addtion to apologizing, I think this man needs to be educated on the legislation. Section 242 says that people have to be lawfully present in the United States, and section 246 is titled "No Payment for Undocumented Aliens" (AHCA)."

HoneyBrown Congressman Wilson could very well have a track record of obvious racist leaning but I think my point is you don't just lay that on the table with out the stuff to back it up. President Carter played his hand and left his chips at home. You just don't do that.

hypnoticmix, in my experience, if it walks like a duck, talks like a duck....yeah, it's a duck.

Its easier to label someone as a racist, rather than try to understand an opposing arguement. Its laziness.

I agree HoneyBrown and that's good enough proof for the individual but when you're trying to convince hundreds of millions of people you need illustration (proof) and if the Congressman's history is so explicit as you suggest that illustration should not have been a problem but instead it turned out to be an oversight which only made the former President look silly rather than triumphant.

Actually, the stipulation that would stop illegal aliens from getting health insurance was put in AFTER the fact.

"Actually, the stipulation that would stop illegal aliens from getting health insurance was put in AFTER the fact."

After the first draft? Probably I'll give you that one because I have no evidence to the contrary. However it was clearly in there before the Presidents speech and the Congressman should have known that.

On a peripheral point I see a lot of people blurring a particular issue. Illegal aliens have been, are and will be receiving health (care) at ER's across America. We're not going to turn away some one who's acutely injured or ill...legal or illegal. The Presidents point is they will not receive health (insurance).