links for 2009-09-16
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"I think it's based on racism. There is an inherent feeling among many in this country that an African-American should not be president." The Georgia Democrat said the outburst was a part of a disturbing trend directed at the president that has included demonstrators equating Obama to Nazi leaders. "Those kind of things are not just casual outcomes of a sincere debate on whether we should have a national program on health care," he said. "It's deeper than that."
Carmen Van Kerckhove is co-founder and president of
Some Guy wrote:
Well, Gawd bless Carter for his bluntness and insight. I pray he weathers the following storm in good spirits.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:27 am ¶
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist wrote:
no shit, Sherlock… but I am very proud that a former POTUS has stated the obvious.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:27 am ¶
Deaf Indian Muslim Anarchist wrote:
*POTUS, standing for President of the United States, in case anyone didn’t know
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:28 am ¶
atlasien wrote:
Thank goodness for Jimmy Carter being blunt and honest.
Honestly, I don’t care about the civility issue in and of itself. There are countries where politicians engage in plenty of yelling, screaming and even fist-fighting during sessions, and they still get stuff done.
But it does matter that it’s unparalleled for a white president to get this kind of treatment from fellow politicians.
There’s an exaggerated respect for the office of President that I wish would go away… I remember the cult of Reagan from when I was a kid, and it was disgusting. But it’s awfully suspicious that the move away from this exaggerated respect comes during the tenure of the first black president… and is coming from the very people who most pompously defend a sense of exaggerated respect for their own (white) leaders.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:29 am ¶
jen* wrote:
Thank you President Carter. Nonetheless, I’m sure detractors will pop up to discredit you all over the place today.
Shoot, one guy at work said yesterday that free speech will end if the health care reform gets passed. The crazies and loons are out in full force against Obama/Democratic ideals, and you better believe it’s not just cuz they don’t like their politics…
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:30 am ¶
usha wrote:
Always liked him.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 2:06 pm ¶
Leia wrote:
Well atleast he did SAY something, unlike other folks who would just deny it up and down and act like it’s not whats going on *much like these crazy arses doing the protestes are
doing*
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 2:43 pm ¶
MoonCat wrote:
aw, jimmy carter. probably my favorite president. he’s probably going to catch a lot of flack for this but he’s a tough old guy, i hope he stands up and continues to speak his mind.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 3:02 pm ¶
Brandon wrote:
Two things:
1. Another issue with this breach of decorum is how much it echoes what we see passing as “civil debate” and “patriotic Americans voicing dissent.” Honest discussion about issues has become a screaming match, and this can’t help.
2. Is it just me, or does Jimmy Carter just get better with age?
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 3:29 pm ¶
Sean wrote:
Thanks President Carter for calling out the pink, um, ELEPHANT in the room.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 3:42 pm ¶
chicagorose wrote:
He threw down at Coretta Scott King’s funeral and he’s throwing down now. But he’s surrounded by a nation full of liberal cowards. Talking about racism has become the new McCarthyism and I’m sick of it.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 5:19 pm ¶
blah wrote:
And now Michael Steele is doing what he was really hired to do
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 6:15 pm ¶
mahsino wrote:
See, this is why growing up JC was held up as THE GREATEST PRESIDENT OF ALL TIME. *Sorry, I couldn’t resist a perfectly great Kanye reference.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 6:25 pm ¶
Minotaar wrote:
I’m kind of sad that Carmen hasnt been on CNN about this… all the other commentators seem totally confused.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 8:35 pm ¶
mahsino wrote:
Apparently the White House and Michael Steele both disagree with Jimmy Carter’s sentiments. I can’t say I’m surprised. The White House can’t call out the most legitimate instances of racism without major backlash and Michael Steele is just being Michael Steele.
Posted 16 Sep 2009 at 11:25 pm ¶
luckyfatima wrote:
Jimmy Carter gets it.
He has insight on so many issues that others seem oblivious about. Re: the backlash, I already heard this morning on BBC World Radio they interviewed a black man who disagreed with Carter, cuz you know, if a black man says Carter is wrong about racism…of course they didn’t have a countering viewpoint to that one, either.
Honestly the way race issues are in the US and how head in the sand clueless so many people are, of course the White House and Obama will have to disavow what Carter said. In this day and age an attempt at a mainstream yet realistic racial dialogue would destroy the president, his healthcare plan, etc., and any chances for leadership of color in the future. The US is so not “post-racial.”
Posted 17 Sep 2009 at 2:20 am ¶
PatrickInBeijing wrote:
@chicagorose – I totally agree!
I have mixed feelings about Carter as President (am old enough to have been around), but certainly post president, he has done more than just collect checks for speeches.
It will be really really curious to watch most of the white democratic party denounce him en mass!
Why is it that the main conversations that most of white america is hearing about race are ones that DON’T address it? Long way to go….
Posted 17 Sep 2009 at 6:13 am ¶
jen* wrote:
to maintain a civil work environment, I do not engage with my staunchly republican coworkers. This is getting harder and harder to do. This morning at break someone said – “Jimmy Carter just needs to sit down and shut up. — Rosalyn needs to just take the mic outta his hands.” This was in response to the fact that apparently he said something about Kanye. And then my boss said that his comments about Joe Wilson were problematic because they will just incite antagonism.
I love Jimmy Carter because he is for actual people. He’s made his own mistakes, but he’s always trying to be on the side of the people. To me, he’s a much better example of a Christian politician than our former Fearless Leader, W.
Posted 17 Sep 2009 at 10:25 am ¶
Phrone wrote:
You go Jimmy Carter.
I’ve got a lot of respect for the man (although I was born after he left office) and this just makes me respect him all that much more.
Posted 17 Sep 2009 at 12:51 pm ¶
Kendra wrote:
I don’t think I was alive during the Carter administration, but I certainly love myself some Jimmy Carter. He’s a true Democrat in my opinion. And although I’m no longer aligned with the Democratic party I wouldn’t mind supporting the group as long as there are more people like him. I’m glad that at least someone was willing to say this after so much shit has gone down.
Posted 17 Sep 2009 at 9:15 pm ¶