Friday 23 April 2010

"Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black" - Tim Wise



"Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black" -  by Tim Wise

Let’s play a game, shall we? The name of the game is called “Imagine.” The way it’s played is simple: we’ll envision recent happenings in the news, but then change them up a bit. Instead of envisioning white people as the main actors in the scenes we’ll conjure - the ones who are driving the action - we’ll envision black folks or other people of color instead. The object of the game is to imagine the public reaction to the events or incidents, if the main actors were of color, rather than white. Whoever gains the most insight into the workings of race in America, at the end of the game, wins.

So let’s begin.

Imagine that hundreds of black protesters were to descend upon Washington DC and Northern Virginia, just a few miles from the Capitol and White House, armed with AK-47s, assorted handguns, and ammunition. And imagine that some of these protesters - the black protesters - spoke of the need for political revolution, and possibly even armed conflict in the event that laws they didn’t like were enforced by the government? Would these protesters — these black protesters with guns — be seen as brave defenders of the Second Amendment, or would they be viewed by most whites as a danger to the republic? What if they were Arab-Americans? Because, after all, that’s what happened recently when white gun enthusiasts descended upon the nation’s capital, arms in hand, and verbally announced their readiness to make war on the country’s political leaders if the need arose.

Imagine that white members of Congress, while walking to work, were surrounded by thousands of angry black people, one of whom proceeded to spit on one of those congressmen for not voting the way the black demonstrators desired. Would the protesters be seen as merely patriotic Americans voicing their opinions, or as an angry, potentially violent, and even insurrectionary mob? After all, this is what white Tea Party protesters did recently in Washington.

Imagine that a rap artist were to say, in reference to a white president: “He’s a piece of shit and I told him to suck on my machine gun.” Because that’s what rocker Ted Nugent said recently about President Obama.

Imagine that a prominent mainstream black political commentator had long employed an overt bigot as Executive Director of his organization, and that this bigot regularly participated in black separatist conferences, and once assaulted a white person while calling them by a racial slur. When that prominent black commentator and his sister — who also works for the organization — defended the bigot as a good guy who was misunderstood and “going through a tough time in his life” would anyone accept their excuse-making? Would that commentator still have a place on a mainstream network? Because that’s what happened in the real world, when Pat Buchanan employed as Executive Director of his group, America’s Cause, a blatant racist who did all these things, or at least their white equivalents: attending white separatist conferences and attacking a black woman while calling her the n-word.

Imagine that a black radio host were to suggest that the only way to get promoted in the administration of a white president is by “hating black people,” or that a prominent white person had only endorsed a white presidential candidate as an act of racial bonding, or blamed a white president for a fight on a school bus in which a black kid was jumped by two white kids, or said that he wouldn’t want to kill all conservatives, but rather, would like to leave just enough—“living fossils” as he called them—“so we will never forget what these people stood for.” After all, these are things that Rush Limbaugh has said, about Barack Obama’s administration, Colin Powell’s endorsement of Barack Obama, a fight on a school bus in Belleville, Illinois in which two black kids beat up a white kid, and about liberals, generally.

Imagine that a black pastor, formerly a member of the U.S. military, were to declare, as part of his opposition to a white president’s policies, that he was ready to “suit up, get my gun, go to Washington, and do what they trained me to do.” This is, after all, what Pastor Stan Craig said recently at a Tea Party rally in Greenville, South Carolina.

Imagine a black radio talk show host gleefully predicting a revolution by people of color if the government continues to be dominated by the rich white men who have been “destroying” the country, or if said radio personality were to call Christians or Jews non-humans, or say that when it came to conservatives, the best solution would be to “hang ‘em high.” And what would happen to any congressional representative who praised that commentator for “speaking common sense” and likened his hate talk to “American values?” After all, those are among the things said by radio host and best-selling author Michael Savage, predicting white revolution in the face of multiculturalism, or said by Savage about Muslims and liberals, respectively. And it was Congressman Culbertson, from Texas, who praised Savage in that way, despite his hateful rhetoric.

Imagine a black political commentator suggesting that the only thing the guy who flew his plane into the Austin, Texas IRS building did wrong was not blowing up Fox News instead. This is, after all, what Anne Coulter said about Tim McVeigh, when she noted that his only mistake was not blowing up the New York Times.

Imagine that a popular black liberal website posted comments about the daughter of a white president, calling her “typical redneck trash,” or a “whore” whose mother entertains her by “making monkey sounds.” After all that’s comparable to what conservatives posted about Malia Obama on freerepublic.com last year, when they referred to her as “ghetto trash.”

Imagine that black protesters at a large political rally were walking around with signs calling for the lynching of their congressional enemies. Because that’s what white conservatives did last year, in reference to Democratic party leaders in Congress.

In other words, imagine that even one-third of the anger and vitriol currently being hurled at President Obama, by folks who are almost exclusively white, were being aimed, instead, at a white president, by people of color. How many whites viewing the anger, the hatred, the contempt for that white president would then wax eloquent about free speech, and the glories of democracy? And how many would be calling for further crackdowns on thuggish behavior, and investigations into the radical agendas of those same people of color?

To ask any of these questions is to answer them. Protest is only seen as fundamentally American when those who have long had the luxury of seeing themselves as prototypically American engage in it. When the dangerous and dark “other” does so, however, it isn’t viewed as normal or natural, let alone patriotic. Which is why Rush Limbaugh could say, this past week, that the Tea Parties are the first time since the Civil War that ordinary, common Americans stood up for their rights: a statement that erases the normalcy and “American-ness” of blacks in the civil rights struggle, not to mention women in the fight for suffrage and equality, working people in the fight for better working conditions, and LGBT folks as they struggle to be treated as full and equal human beings.

And this, my friends, is what white privilege is all about. The ability to threaten others, to engage in violent and incendiary rhetoric without consequence, to be viewed as patriotic and normal no matter what you do, and never to be feared and despised as people of color would be, if they tried to get away with half the shit we do, on a daily basis.

Game Over.




I'd like to thank Sara and Brian Brandsmeier, at ephphatha-poetry.blogspot.com, and the author, Tim Wise.

Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S. Wise has spoken in 48 states, on over 400 college campuses, and to community groups around the nation. Wise has provided anti-racism training to teachers nationwide, and has trained physicians and medical industry professionals on how to combat racial inequities in health care. His latest book is called Between Barack and a Hard Place.
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210 comments:

  1. <img></img>

    Hmmm....

    For eight long years, while George W. Bush drove this economy into the dirt, these knuckleheads in the so-called "Tea Party" were totally silent - nary a peep!

    In January of 2009, the moment the black guy ridess into town to straighten out the mess made by the half-wit from Crawford, they have a massive nervous breakdown.

    I'm sure that's just a coincidence, though.

    http://www.tomdegan.blogspot.com

    Tom Degan
    Goshen NY

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  2. Obviously you've never heard of Farrakhan or Kanye West.

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  3. I will start with I could hardly read this nonsense.  This is something that a white with no clue who grew up with privilege would write who feels guilty for some reason.  As someone who grew up and lived in lower, middle class mixed communities, nobody there wants your pity, needs your meaningless pity only for the sole purpose of making yourself feel somehow a better person because you somehow care about the plight of minorities.   Your comments make society more divisive and cause more problems.  There are successful black CEOs, NFL coaches, presidents, lawyers, surgeons, pilots.  Our president is black and won by a large majority of votes.  Your statements towards blacks as having ghetto behavior when organized in groups is highly offensive.  Imagine that!

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  4. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 12:46

    For the record, I've heard of them both:<span> Farrakhan is a racist bigot and anti-Semite, whilst West in merely an annoying irritant. So yes, I can see how you'd liken them both to the Teabaggers, Elizabeth.</span>

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  5. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 12:48

    I'm sensing bitterness and resentment in the above, Elizabeth - that, and you've somehow managed to miss the whole point of Tim's piece entirely, which is some achievement in itself.

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  6. The issue I take with this is the failure to move away from the stereotyping practices that he is blaming the "white community" of perpetrating on a daily basis.  

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  7. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 13:15

    Hi Dr Parker,

    Care to cite an example of what you mean?

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  8. <span>No bitterness here, CNL.  I did get the point, that there was not a good point.   The "piece" made off the wall statements as if they're fact.   Being offended by Rush is like being offended by Jon Stewart.  Rush makes money off of his character.  If you don't like him, don't listen.</span>
    <span>This article is written from an emotion standpoint:  Life isn't fair. </span>
    <span>It isn't fair that someone is born blind.  It isn't fair that Tiger Woods has talent.  That is just life.  You work with what you have and don't feel sorry for yourself or expect people to feel sorry for you.</span>
    <span>Your point is simply that white people view blacks negatively?   Must be why we have a black president.  The comments are insulting to black Americans who have worked hard in society.  I'd like to know what the person who wrote this article has done to help black or disadvantaged Americans besides write and article to make themselves feel better.</span>
    <span>The article was picking out some extreme statements that are probably taken out of context and stereotyping a segment of society, just like the piece does with blacks and conservatives.  </span>
    <span>Maybe you should go to a tea party and interview people for yourself instead of pulling out some "one-sided, extreme statements" that were published online somewhere for the sole purpose of inciting people and creating negative feelings towards people that have conservative values.</span>
    <span>Skimming through the site, I'd say your liberal opinions are probably more based on social views rather than fiscal.  I only care about fiscal policy, not emotional issues.  Maybe you just need a hug.  :) </span>
    <span>I'm curious, what are your views?  How do you feel society should best be run?  I grew up and experienced policy based on emotion that holds blacks in poverty and keeps them in "modern-day slavery" in the form of welfare.  </span>
    <span>Love & Kisses,</span>

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  9. CNL, the point is there are extreme views on all sides.  Farrakhan marches on Washington and purports to do the very thing the piece implies tea parties do.  No imagining necessary.

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  10. I had a black man walk up to me years ago on the subway and told me the black communtity was going to rise up and kill us all.  I don't, for a second, think his statement reflects black america. 

    I have a problem when Sports Center points out the "first black" whatever.  It has nothing to do with them being black.  That person worked hard and earned what they have.  Black is just a shade of skin.  We don't say white-Irish, white-Italian.  Black, white, Asian, we are all Americans.

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  11. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 17:21

    Now go back and read my reply - specifically my comments about Farrakhan and his similarities with the Teabaggers.

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  12. I already debunked your point.  You're just throwing out insults.  The Wise article says to imagine.  I gave you an example w/ Farrakhan.  Then you call me racist like Farrakhan.  Explain, please.

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  13. How am I racist, Mr. Lint?

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  14. You're the bigot, Mr. Lint.  Your site is a mirror of your soul and your intolerance to anyone who holds deferring opinions, even when you do not take the time to understand their point.  I asked you're point; you insulted me.  You're stereotyping people you don't agree with and referring to them as "racist dick suckers," which is just as offensive as people stereotyping blacks as ghetto.  I will bet you money that I have donated more of my time and resources in my life to the African-American community than you ever will if you combine your circle of influence.  For you to refer to me as a racist because you have a problem with my fiscal views shows your  ignorance.  It shows you have no valid point but to insult me and call me a racist dick sucker.  If you don't agree with your child's opinion, do you call them a racist dick sucker?  And you call your party the party of tolerance.  I would challenge you to do your own interview of tea party attendees, and I would seriously doubt you would still hold the same opinion.  Surely an educated person like yourself must realize reasonable people can disagree and it doesn't make one a racist dick sucker.
    love and kisses!

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  15. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 21:44

    Where have I called you anything, Elizabeth? Let alone racist? On this evidence, perhaps paranoid would be a more apt description.

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  16. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 21:45

    You debunked nothing - you ranted a fair bit, and then introduced Farrakhan, how is that a "debunking"?

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  17. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 21:48

    And this has what, precisely to do with the Teabaggers?

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  18. Cosmic Navel Lint25 April 2010 at 21:49

    Is there a point in any of that diatribe?

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  19. For instance, "imagine" the difference in reaction between a white man flying a plane into a federal building and the reaction to a crazy person (who happens to be a minority with a scary sounding name) blowing up fireworks in his underwear on a plane and doing nothing?  Surely there would be a rational and proportional response.  Surely no elected official of the federal government would make statements about how we could empathize with the man who attacked a federal bulding.

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  20. The white, male, rightwingers who form the teabaggers movement  see the 2008 election not only as a political defeat, but as a castration.  By a black male.
    This is even worse than castration by a woman.
    (See Ball Busting Bitches)
    Most of them  would prefer death to the loss theirballs.
     In our culture, power is described  in terms of  male genitalia.
    Even Bil Maher said  Nancy Peslosi's Congressional triumph in the Health Care fight was because that she "Grewe a pair."


    So,  it makes sense that the  rabid fixation with guns is a fundamental part of their movement.
    A gun is the perfect phallic substitute.

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  21. I posted the Tim Wise article on my FB page and got similar blowback from local tea partiers.  I've had the same thought, many times.  wondering what would happen if the shoe were on some other foot.   I keep hearing this fuzzy reference to "white guilt" next to cries of racism.  I've read and re-read it looking for portrayal of black steotypes.  No, the references are  based on white people's actions. 

    I guess I'm afflicted with the desire to actually understand where folks are coming from.  Elizabeth, I don't understand your logic as a response to this article.  Either it isn't logic, or it isn't in response to what's actually in the article.

    I'm from the South.  I've heard alot of folks talk in grimaces about "white guilt".  It's a generations-old defense mechanism for not acknowledging white priveledge.  As if to acknowledge any past (or present) wrongdoing would be a betrayal of er.... uh.... um... US.  The Great American We, whoever that is.  And it isn't just about race.

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  22. I see no Anti-racist work here from Mr. Tim Wise only someone with a very short memory. Does he not remember all the Anti-bush protest an anger presented by minorities and Liberals. Instead it seems to work to undermine efforts to move beyond race and allowing everyone to present their opinion. Is calling people teabaggers a way to move beyond race as an issue or is it a new name to call white people?

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  23. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 16:44

    I think we can agree that the vast majority of objection to GW Bush was due to the invasion of Iraq (based on lies about WMD) - and it was done peacefully, legally and without any shouts for "a call to arms"; nor did it see the comically incorrect use of terms like "communist", "fascist" and "socialist" - or the amount of racism or hatred seen coming from the Teabaggers. And on that point: once they, and the GOP, and the Wall Street Jingo, stop using the pejorative term "Obamacare", we can talk again about the use of 'teabaggers'.

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  24. What a <span>racist article.
    </span>

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  25. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 16:49

    Racist in what way - care to explain, J?

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  26. Then it would be called the Black Panther Party, wouldn't it?

    Great article!

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  27. other liberl fourms are using this article as an excurse to demonize a group. calling a group "<span>teabaggers" in it self is </span><span>raicest, it's along the lines of useing the N world for a man of color.  </span><span>why does this political issue need to turn into one of race?
    </span>

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  28. REPUBLICANS ARE STUPID26 April 2010 at 17:10

    PRESENTED BY minorites?? YOU HAVE ACTUAL FACTS TO BACK UP YOUR LIES, LIKE PICTURES FOOTAGE OF PROTEST OR LINKS TO NEWS STORIES OR YOU LIKE THE REST OF THE RETARDED REPUBLICANS LIE LIKE A DAMN DOG???

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  29. Agree with the article.  On the other hand:  "imagining" hundreds of armed black protesters descending upon DC... just adding to the total of armed people in DC, aren't they?

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  30. So why don't the blacks stand up for the Right protected by the Constitution??? Why aren't their more blacks protesting this opressive government?? I would love to see it, and I would stand with them! We The People are all of the citizens, white, black, arab, hispanic..whatever! The T.E.A. party movement is about limiting government control of our (all of ours) lives. This Blog is a waste of bandwidth. When TRUE citizens of the U.S. unite to do what it right for all of us, regardless of skin color, then we can truely move forward as a nation. This isn't a R vs D fight, or a whites aganst minorities. This is about people being free. Get a clue!

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  31. Thats incorrect, liberls did display signs in public that called for bush's death...Infact I think they were worse.<span> It seems articles like this are designed to make this an issue of race rather then politics.
    </span>

    another blog showing pics from libs during the bush term: http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=621

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  32. Shannon M. Caraccia26 April 2010 at 17:45

    Very interesting and different way of looking at things.  A must read!

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  33. What a bunch of crock.  There are people of color right now in Arizona protesting what they feel is a violation of thier rights.  Rights?  Most of them are illegal.  In my experience with blacks if a large group of them got together with wepaons, there wouldnt be many left standing because they would shoot each other.  That is what is going on in my city.  Black killing blacks.  The last group of blacks I was grouped with as a Katrina victim was about 800 of them.  At least 400 of them had thier hands out and and were looking for ways to scam the governement.  Some were sucessful.  That article was so full of misleading stuff, no wonder you said to "imagine"  it was all make believe and not to be taken seriously at all.  Why don't a large group of blacks who are unhappy with this administration go down to washington and exercise thier rights and lets see what does happen?  They are not going to protest anything this administration does because they think they gonna gets some "free stuff".  When are they going to learn nothing is free somebody is paying for it quite possilby the a"rich white tea party people"  When are they gonna get sick of being slaves and demand thier freedom from government regulations and oppressions.  Its not the rich white people keeping people of color down, its thier own mentalitly and out of control government interference.

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  34. we already had the million man march.

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  35. Another Bystander26 April 2010 at 18:47

    If the Tea Party were Black- that would mean that the president would be White.......

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  36. There will always be over-the-top protestors. The difference this time is that PUBLIC CONSERVATIVE FIGURES are speaking messages of violence and revolution. Respected speakers for the conservative party are talking about lynchings and assassinations, are displaying open racism. Liberal protests were in RESPONSE to violence, at least.

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  37. none of them were armed

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  38. sorry. DC has the strictest gun control in the nation

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  39. "bunch of crock"? The vast majority of Latinos demonstrating in AZ are demonstrably CITIZENS------I love the way you segue from being an expert on Katrina's refugees into an expert on civil rights in AZ: all from personal experience, of course. You are full of "a bunch of crock"

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  40. i want to know specifically how government regulation makes you less free.  i also want to know what state you live in, where you went or go to school, how much money you make and the difference between the taxes you paid last year and those you paid this year, whether you've ever benefited from a government service (like police, fire, garbage pickup, military defense, the highway system, etc), whether you've ever had a good hard look at any federal legislation or would even be able to interpret its meaning, whether you've ever participated in the comment period for a federal regulation, and whether you grew up in the tax-sapping sprawl that are American bedroom communities.

    you're right, this isn't an R vs D fight, or whites against non-whites.  this is a fight between honest people who know what they're talking about and people who choose willful ignorance out of a smug sense of entitlement and/or sociopathic disconnect from the rest of society.

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  41. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 19:18

    Imagine if Tim Wise wasn't a racist.  There are people of color carrying guns at tea party events.  They seem to be Ron Paul libretarian types who aren't afraid to express their opinoin quite intelligently in public.  Also Ted Nuegnt did not say about Obama that, “He’s a piece of shit and I told him to suck on my machine gun.”  He said that Nancy Pelosi was a "piece of shit" (a gross understatement) and that Hillary Clinton should "suck on his machine gun." (Rock On Ted).  He only called Obumus (or Obombus if you live in Afghanistan or Pakistan) "a punk."

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  42. Haha what

    So basically the crux of your argument is "I have met dumb, violent and greedy black people, and illegal immigrants should be treated as subhuman. Therefore, your essay is wrong."

    Heaven knows poor white people never act ignorant or selfish.

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  43. Way to generalize far further than your points enable you to. I suppose that if you've met one black person, you've clearly met every one of them. This is of course true for white people, right? You and I are exactly the same.

    Hell no.

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  44. "Tim Wise is among the most prominent anti-racist writers and activists in the U.S."

    That short bio line is all I need to know about where Mr. Wise comes from. Racialism is alive and well, and its name is Tim Wise.

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  45. im with ya buddy...this guy is a crock of s***.....

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  46. I see the teabaggers are a bit upset by this article, yet it is only a question of what if the tables were turned.  I think Tim hit a nerve.  Truth hurts.

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  47. Not at all "great, great, great", Monty.

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  48. Stupid, don't resort to ad hominem attacks. You first asked for facts. Stick to the intellectual high ground. You might be heard.

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  49. just keep playing the race card and keeping racism alive Tim......how about an all white pageant...or an all white college fund......wheres the turning the tables now?....your a piece of shit,which is reflected in your writing.......take the race card out to divert people from the truth behind the Tea Partuy protests......govt control......stick to the issues at hand....

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  50. MC, Mr. Wise's post ties the "armed" protest demonstration with the Tea Party at large, damning them by association. You, like nearly all others here, have bought that hook, line, and sinker. When you are blinded by what you want to see and hear and believe, you lose all moral competitiveness (note I didn't say "authority"--that would assume superiority). You lose the debate before even having it, because you will not listen and think things out for yourself.

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  51. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 19:53

    Care to explain what you mean by that, TLF? Or do you just wander the Web posting unsubstantiated rants?

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  52. Alison, again, you assume--or want to believe--that all Tea Partiers carry guns and hurl insults. You have little evidence to use such a large brush to paint with. Once again, I will say it: think things our for yourselves. That's the real self-enlightenment you want.

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  53. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 19:55

    On what do you base that assertion, Bystander?

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  54. Mr. Wise: do you want to play in the world of ideas or ad hominems?

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  55. Any point to your one-liner questions?

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  56. I am glad to see that many of you have nothing constructive to say about how to move beyond race. Do you have a better name for Obamacare? How about health massacre? The day it passed they saw billions of dollars in additional cost that they did not see coming when companies had to book a large loss in order to pay for it. They did not even know the basics of the corporate tax code and started demanding explanations. They were then correct by their accounts and still offered no public apology for that. If they missed something that basic wait until we see what they missed when it fully implemented.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                 If you need proof of the protest here http://www.bing.com/images/search?q=anti+bush+demonstrations+pictures&FORM=IGRE&qpvt=anti+bush+demonstrations+pictures#                                                                                                                                                                               Now show me your proof of people spitting on Rep. Emanuel Cleaver and calling him the N word. There is $100k reward being offered for anyone that can.  So far no one has been able to. Which leads to what is actually happening, things are not going the way the left had envisioned and these crazies that believe in the founding principles of this country are gaining traction so why not scream RACIST.  P.S. I believe I now qualify as a minority the minority that pays taxes to pay for all this out of control spending.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    I and the rest of those Tea Party members welcome anyone regardless of race or any other differentiator you want to use that actually wants America to be better than the rest of the world to join us. There will be no hostility toward you in fact you will probably be surprised at how welcome you are.                                                                                                                                           

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  57. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 19:59

    Hey Renee, I'm sure there's a point in there struggling violently to get out... :-E

    PS: Care to share what a "bunch of crock" is?

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  58. Well, CNL, it sounds as if he's working in the Race Industry for one.

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  59. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:01

    Good to see that you've managed to grasp the esence of the article - not.

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  60. a striking rejoinder, TLF.

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  61. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:02

    Can I ask, do you deal in anything other than stock Teabagger paranoia? =-X

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  62. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:06

    He's certainly holding a mirror up to it - is that the bit you're finding hard to accept?

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  63. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 20:07

    Why do you have to use a sodomite term to describe a movement that might usher in libretarian leaning President in 2012, that is if the Palin neocons don't derail things (I can dream can't I).  Oh I know why you like using a sodomite term because you are probably an Abortion Sodomite Supporter: an ASS (clever ain't I). Another thing ASS Duncan, Tim Wise besides being inaccurate is just spreading a racist lie --an absolute non-truth.  The truth is that the race baiting rheotric of the Tim Wise variety is wrong, evil, and hurts everyone.

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  64. I have chronic back pain.  I have to sumbit to a drug test and a pill count because of the DEA and thier regulations.  I pay for my own insurance and co pay.  Why do  I have to comply with federal regulations in order to get healthcare that I PAY FOR?   Why do these "citizens" of Arizona having a problem proving they belong here?  Wait till they need a pain pill they really go ballistic.

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  65. its pelosi.  Our rights are being trampled all over and these people going to get upset cuz some illegals are here?   PLLLLEEEAAAZZZZE!

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  66. TLF, you 'liked' just about every comment here that has an ad hominem attack against Mr. Wise. Also, while I've seen you attack individual comments or arguments, I didn't see anywhere that you addressed Mr. Wise's larger point -- that of racial double-standards and the fact that public figures representing the Tea Party publicly advocate violence and racism without being shamed by their peers.

    Could you please consolidate your points?

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  67. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 20:13

    The essence of the article is nothing but race baiting, which is not a good thing, and if he's going to misquote Ted Nugent why should I believe anything else he's saying?

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  68. Apparantly this didnt post before.  I suffer chronic pain.  I pay my own health insurnace, and co-pay.  I have to submit to a drug test and at any time the doctors office can call and demand a pill count.  This is my only opiton as other doctors will not give me medications because of the Federal pill count they have to comply with.  If I have to subject myself to this treatment, that I pay for mind you than I dont see why anybody should have a problem proving they belong in this country.  I have to prove I am not a drug addict.

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  69. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:17

    Putting aside the fact that ted Nugent is one America's most eminently unquotable bigots, Wise is doing him a favour - and that's assuming he's not misquoting Nugent.

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  70. Well we can start with the controls of the First,Second, and Forth Amendment of the Constitution.  Things like "hate" laws, seatbelt laws, smoking laws, there are too many to list here.  I reside in Michigan a very democratic state, in the suburbs of Detroit.  I am the product of public schooling, and I have not recieved a tax refund in many years.  I do understand the importance of government when it come to basic community needs (police, fire,garbage pick up) and I pay my city and state taxes accordingly. I've worked since the age of 16, and was never given anything. I understand what it means to work for something, and I'm proud of what I have accomplished. I also see what programs like welfare and other socialistic programs do to rot a society. More and more people feel the government owes them something, for doing nothing. We are lucky to live in a country that allows you to be as successful as you want to be. But when government comes in and says you make too much money, share it with others. It does nothing but stop people from trying to succeed.
     The federal government is not our friend, they do not listen to us and act on our behalf. WE need to vote out career politicians who are only in it for their own best interests. We've lost our manufacturing,the core to our ecomony. We are becoming the grasshopper who relies on the ants for it's substance. The founding fathers had the right idea, a true Republic, that is controlled by the people. That is no longer, but there are still people who want to fight for this great country and what it used to stand for.

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  71. The tables are not turned buddy, we all in the same boat.  The government is taking over our lives and non tea partiers are sitting around and letting it happen.

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  72. Hi Tim,

    Great post, but you don't even have to imagine. The Black Panther Party of the 60's expressed some of the same thoughts that TeaBaggers today are talking about, and we know how the country reacted to them.

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  73. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:21

    Apropos your 'sodomite' reference - perhaps for the same reason that Teabaggers use "Obamacare" in the pejorative - that, and the Teabaggers actually used that term initially to describe themselves. Perhaps, as with some fo their more comical spelling mistakes, had they simply availed themselves of a dictionary, they may have saved themselves all this abuse.

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  74.  I'm a white American from New Orleans who lives and works in Africa. It's hard. I don't have running water everyday and I can't find pepperoni pizza for the life of me.

    Damn, I miss pizza.

    But every time I check up on comment sections from folks back home and read some ignorant "in-my-experience-with-blacks" hatred like yours, I thank God that I can stay on this continent even just a little bit longer. I would rather take a million bucket baths than sit at a bar with you and cringe while you cruise through a hateful, poorly-thought through statement like  the one you just premeditated into print.

    New Orleans rubs my skin like racial sandpapeer because of attitudes like this. Enjoy your middle kingdom of White priviledge. Meanwhile, the great, and incidentally white poet Robert Frost once wrote "before I built a wall I'd like to know what I was walling in or walling out."

    Consider for a minute what your "experience with blacks" is walling out.

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  75. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:24

    Yes we do, they [The Black Panthers] were arrested, prosecuted and jailed (at least the ones who weren't shot dead). Are we to take it that this what you advocate for the Teabaggers?  ;)

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  76. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:27

    Enjoy your delusion mate.

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  77. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 20:31

    Well you got me there Cosmic Navel Lint, Ted's probably told quite a few people to suck on his machine gun (although I've only seen the video footage of what I mentioned in my post), but though I'll admit that Mr. Nugent is eminently unquotable he has never said anything publicaly that could be construed as bigoted.  Really it's quite silly that Tim Wise even mentions Ted Nugent.

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  78. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 20:35

    With respect, Josey, you don't have to Google too far to find a bigoted Nugent rant - he's famous for them - especially where Democrats and/or liberals are concerned.

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  79. You poor thing.  Your words are self-discrediting.  Duncan said this hit a nerve and it was merely "a question of what if the tables were turned."  You failed to address that, because you righties never want to look at yourselves and your pathetic, reprehensible, and dishonest behavior and instead try, in your own limited mentality, to make fun of the commenter.

    The gun-toting rhetoric of the Tea-Bagging variety is "wrong, evil and hurts everyone."

    And yes, I LOVE being a "sodomite," as it is my right in America to life liberty and the pursuit of happiness, and your denigration of if PROVES you are anti-American.  And, as CNL accurately points out, you teabaggers, yourselves first used the term proudly about yourselves.

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  80. HOW is the government "taking over our lives?"  Which freedoms have you been denied since Obama took office?  We both know that correct and sane answer is:  NONE.

    You poor righties.  Always thinking yourselves victims of imagined crimes, while you always criticize blacks and others for what you imagine to be their cries of victimization.  You claim to believe in taking personal responsibility, yet ALL OF YOU fail to take responsibility for your own catastrophic choices in the voting booth.  You enthusiastically support UNFUNDED wars of aggression, but don't think you should have to PAY for any of them.  You're the most spoiled, over-privileged and under-tax group on the planet and you still shill for corporate America while you REJOICE in voting against your own interests.  You have been so manipulated by Dick Armey and his "Freedom Works" (along with Massey Energy and other well-financed exploiters and killers), which bankrolled TEA that you're willing to be their henchmen, so their fortunes and continue to expand at YOUR expense.  Well, your reaping what you sow.

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  81. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 20:50

    Well being that I'm anti-Keynesian "Obamacare" is a pejorative, and the use of the word "teabagger" in reference to the tea party movement goes beyond the sodomite innuendo rather it's just another worldly example of the disgustingly sick times we live in.

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  82. Did i mention i was raped by five black men when I was 15 years old?  i am entitled to any prejudice I want.  What I am not entilted to is to harm other human beings.  I do not deny anybody the same rights I wish to enjoy.  Our rights as Americans are being trampled on by this government and we sit around and do nothing. So a group of people decided to speak out I say, God Bless them.  We all have our experiences in life and mine over the past decade is that its the blacks who are racists.  So the hell what?  They get to like/dislike whomever they want based on thier life experiences, but not cause harm to one another.  I still say its is thier mentalilty keeping them down, not whitie.  The government says I am a drug addict and I have to prove to the doctor I pay for that I am not in order to get treatment for my chronic pain.  If I have to be subjected to that I don't see why people in Arizona cant prove they belong there.  They are proving other things you better believe it.  This is our national security at stake and thiere is a war going on our bordres and nobody seems to give a damn.

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  83. Ad hominem without offering evidence, Mr. Cosmo. Childish.

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  84. The freedom to decide if I want to purchase a public commodity such as health insurance. 

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  85. Terrific comparison, Tim!  The so-called law-and-order conservative crowd would be screaming bloody murder if the reverse were true.  Instead, their advocating violence and murder in the form of the Tea Party and like-minded followers.  Tea Partiers don't believe in democracy and they certainly don't love America.

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  86. I can no longer choose whether I want to purchase health care.

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  87. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 21:00

    And what of the 32+ million Americans who have been effectively denied any access to heatlhcare insurance?

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  88. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 21:01

    Well I'm not that into Ted that I want to be an apologist for the guy (I've also read some really disturbing things about him that I hope aren't true that don't involve politics), however I do despise modern liberalism (as opposed to classical liberalism) and I'm not overly fond of worldly people, but if a person is kind to animals I'd probably pull them out of a fire worldly or not.

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  89. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 21:02

    TLF, perhaps if you actually bothered to make a relevant point, instead of merely ranting, you may find that folks might take you more seriously? Just a suggestion.

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  90. Inu: I can only briefly comment since I have my own business and it needs my attention. I call Mr. Wise one of the New Racists. People who obsess about racism. They see it everywhere. It consumes them. It's the only thing. They level racism charges daily. They leverage its insidious power for effect. It keeps everyone hyper-sensitive and hyper-alert. They hate hate, and they hate haters. They perceive hate and haters at every corner. This allows them to hate. They hate with more fervor than any real or imagined racist they target.

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  91. Tea-bagging is not sodomy

    "Teabagging is a slang term for the act of a man placing his scrotum in the mouth of a sexual partner. The practice resembles dipping a tea bag into a cup of tea when it is done in a repeated in-and-out motion. As a form of non-penetrative sex, it can be done for its own enjoyment or as foreplay before other activities, such as oral sex."
    http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Teabagging
    there is a nice picture at that link

    And its my understanding that the name tea-baggers was made up by the tea party themselves.

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  92. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 21:09

    Yeah but they were talking about tea not sticking some fella's nut sack in their mouth.

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  93. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 21:37

    And neither is 'teabagging' the sole preserve of man-on-man sex. Anyone who's watched an adult movie would know that, and yet there's not a peep from our Teabagging brethren when it's male-on-female action.

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  94. Nobody is being denied healthcare except for me.  If refuse to piss in a cup for the DEA.  I pay for my healthcare and the government says if I cant pass a drug test I cant pay for my own healthcare.  How do you think it is going to be when the government is paying for it?

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  95. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 21:44

    Nice try gbaked but if you're talking fudge packing, donut bumping or teabagging or any other perverted sex acts they all come under the class of sodomy.  Which as good Christians know is one of the four sins that cry out to Heaven for vengence, of course that's God's Vengence not man's.  God allows the sodomites to parade around as they do these days, all a good person can do is pray that it stops and nonviolently not tolerate it.

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  96. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 21:45

    <span><span><span>Media Matters Minute: Media Conservatives Accuse Obama of Playing the “Race Card” http://bit.ly/cND3v0 #p2 #tcot #noisemachine</span></span></span>

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  97. inlawjoseywales26 April 2010 at 21:46

    Following this blog is like rolling in pig shit, I do believe I'm out of here.  Good bye and may God forgive you.

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  98. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 21:52

    Sorry, Renee, but this, "<span>Nobody is being denied healthcare except for me." </span><span>is just delusional.</span>

    Read this, as I've rebutted all the stock memes of the Right in it:

    Scenes from the US Healthcare Debate

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  99. I am honestly sorry and deeply sad that you have been the victim of a horrible crime. Separately, I am also sorry that you use it as an excuse to further your ignorance and justify your racism, since your trauma does not make you correct. Whites rape too, and blacks can certainly be racist.

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  100. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 22:00

    May God forgive us? For what, precisely? Engaging in debate? It sounds like you're a regular fire-n-brimstone merchant, Josey, but I doubt even God, in His infinite forgiveness, might begrudge us a debate?

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  101. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 22:03

    You're the poster child for the mispelling and confused Teabgging fraternity, Josey - 'teabagging' is not 'sodomy'.

    Here's the OED's definition:

    sodomy


      • noun anal intercourse.
      <span>— DERIVATIVES</span> sodomize (also sodomise) <span>verb</span>.
      <span>— ORIGIN</span> from Latin peccatum Sodomiticum ‘sin of Sodom’ (after the Book of Genesis chapter 19, which implies that the men of the town of Sodom in ancient Palestine practised homosexual rape).

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  102. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 22:29

    Oh, and Josey, might I remind you of something you may have not known:

    <span>“The government of the United States is not in any sense founded on the Christian religion.” </span><span>- John Adams, 1797</span>

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  103. Thats a joke isnt it ??
    The government is taking over your lives ???   I suggest you get you head out of the sand, and have a look at the real world.

    You have no idea

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  104. Revolutionary Road26 April 2010 at 22:44

    I enjoyed reading your article and I agree.  I wanted to ask, where were some of these same people who have been in America for years, many of the political leaders have years in Office too but, not a word about Government takeover etc., until NOW!  

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  105. ah, now we get to the core issue renee

    Its all about "you"

    You dont care about the 32 million of your own country who dont have health cover.. you only care about YOU

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  106. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 22:46

    Agreed - and why no word from the Teabaggers, or their political sponsors at Fox "News", when GW Bush was running up the current record deficit. Not a peep from them. The is current defict is, apparently, too 'black'.

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  107. Right, goit it now.

    I was raped, I suffer chonic back pain. That therefore gives me the right to be a bigotted, racist, clown

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  108. Best column I've read this year. Anywhere. Bravo.

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  109. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 23:09

    Thank you Sir! Very gracious of you. Thanks to Tim for the piece!

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  110. Teabaggers Suck!!

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  111. Imagine if the Constitution was actually adhered to by Liberals. Distribution of wealth is really a good idea, come on and wake up comrades!

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  112. Cosmic Navel Lint26 April 2010 at 23:48

    Would you care to point out where the liberals don't adhere to the Constitution?

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  113. First, Tea Party protesters are protesting excessive spending in general and recognize that part of the problem began with George Bush. They are not blindly protesting this President just because they do not like this President. This benightedness has turned ideological, economic protest into a partisan/race issue because the media is bent on describing any person who disagrees with the current administration's policies a racist (just because the President is black?).  I call that racism. 

    Secondly, Tea Party protesters come from all different ethnicities, socio-economic statuses and genders.  It is insulting to see a group of people villanized for their beliefs just because the President is black.  I am a <span>woman</span> of <span>color</span> and I believe in the Tea-Party's message and mission (though not with the way some choose to express those beliefs). There are anomalies and outliers in every group.  Naturally, those are the ones the media chooses as the spokespeople for the entire movement without bothering to dig deeper.  The author of this article, is as guilty as racial profiling as those he denounces.  I am black and I am not afraid to criticize the President just because he is black. 

    Finally, imagine if the President of the United States of America had a spiritual advisor who indoctrinated his parishioners with anti-black hate speech.  It would be disconcerting, to say the least, to have such a man in power.  I am no less concerned that the current President was, for 20 plus years, a member of a church that espoused anti-white speech. 

    People like you and articles like this fan the flames of racism that people like the great Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (requiscat in pace) gave their lives trying to extinguish.  We live in frightening times. 

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  114. What if all the guns in the world turned into flowers, wheee that would be wonderful and groovy. Then I would wake up and re-enlist and still serve my country and protect your right to" what if" all day long.

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  115. Cosmic Navel Lint27 April 2010 at 00:22

    Is there a point in there?

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  116. Cosmic Navel Lint27 April 2010 at 00:31

    Excessive spending - you mean a deficit like that which the previous Bush administration saw no issue in running up to record levels? And where were the Teabaggers then? Not a peep from them.

    And what you're choosing to ignore, regardless of your colour, is that the Teabaggers are judged on their own words and actions - not something from which they can get away or deny. They are gulity as charged.

    The Teabaggers' "message" (such as it is) is confused and would be random if it wasn't so sponsored and coordinated from bile outlets like Faux "News" and The Wall Street Jingo.

    You're right - you live in frightening times - and the Teabaggers are doing their level best to spread fear and paranoia. It's just unfortunate that you admit to agreeing with them.

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  117. Arguing on the internet is like competing in the special olympics.  Even if you win, you're still retarded.

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  118. Revolutionary Road27 April 2010 at 00:32

    To the previous Guess 7:02pm, where were the people before Bush, after Bush, did we all of a sudden wake up and realize you, they (we) live in America, it appears no matter how people are spinning this situation, if you or whomever did not come together before this President and OUTCRY, I have to question why you have come together NOW!

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  119. Cosmic Navel Lint27 April 2010 at 00:34

    Hardly a helpful or constructive comment was it, Audrey? Making light of the handicapped your thing?

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  120. Well written Tim! I think your voice should be heard.

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  121. You might want to have a word with "Tea baggers" carrying signs calling Obama a socialist..like thats a bad thing.
    Then you might want to talk to the ones carrying signs with spelling mistakes. That just turns them into a joke.
    Then you might want to talk to the one threatening violence.. like thats going to help.
    Then you can remember that you will get your real voice at the polling booth.

    Then America will really be in deep shit.

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  122. Wow, what an insightful article. Good to know Tim "Wise" knows exactly what would happen, because he can sound like John Lennon without the music. Apparently anyone who doesn't agree with progressives is a violent, hateful, racist. It must hurt progressivism to know the niece of Martin Luther King, the amazing Dr. Alveda King, was on Glenn Beck the other night, encouraging the tea party activists in their non-violent pursuits. She acknowledged the indifference/negativity of the mainstream media in the late 50's/early 60's towards the movement, and the vitriol that the great people in the civil rights movement experienced as very similar to what tea party people are experiencing now. It must drive progressives crazy knowing Martin Luther King said the average American is not racist, and do not like seeing people mistreated for any reason, especially because of their color. Didn't he say he dreamt of the day when people would not race be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character? Whether you like it or not, he meant everyone: black, white, brown, etc. Progressivism plays the race card at every opportunity, and it's played so much, it's starting to lose it's meaning. I'm an average American, and I don't care what color anyone is, I just care about character. That's what this country is about, and Dr. King understood that. I'm proudly a member of the the Tea Party: Not racist, Not violent, Just No Longer Silent. As more people learn the true beliefs of the majority of the Tea Party, it's diversity and size will grow more and more. The days of progressivism and it's desire to control everyone are numbered....

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  123. <span>Wow, what an insightful article. Good to know Tim "Wise" knows exactly what would happen, because he can sound like John Lennon without the music. Apparently anyone who doesn't agree with progressives is a violent, hateful, racist. It must hurt progressivism to know the niece of Martin Luther King, the amazing Dr. Alveda King, was on Glenn Beck the other night, encouraging the tea party activists in their non-violent pursuits. She acknowledged the indifference/negativity of the mainstream media in the late 50's/early 60's towards the movement, and the vitriol that the great people in the civil rights movement experienced as very similar to what tea party people are experiencing now. It must drive progressives crazy knowing Martin Luther King said the average American is not racist, and do not like seeing people mistreated for any reason, especially because of their color. Didn't he say he dreamt of the day when people would not race be judged by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character? Whether you like it or not, he meant everyone: black, white, brown, etc. Progressivism plays the race card at every opportunity, and it's played so much, it's starting to lose it's meaning. I'm an average American, and I don't care what color anyone is, I just care about character. That's what this country is about, and Dr. King understood that. I'm proudly a member of the Tea Party: Not racist, Not violent, Just No Longer Silent. As more people learn the true beliefs of the majority of the Tea Party, it's diversity and size will grow more and more. The days of progressivism and it's desire to control everyone are numbered....</span>

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  124. Have you ever heard of survival or that little thing about the pursuit of happiness? Well Tim, that includes us white folk. The white Europeans whom drafted "The Declartion of Indepence" and the "Bill of Rights". Like it or not white people of America are the defenders of those documents and when we're gone so is what is proclaimed with in them.

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  125. Imagine the Tea Party was Black ... or anything other than what it is ...

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  126. I agree white people have a burden  to defend the freedom and rights of Americans and the rest of the world. Afterall they are God's gift to man. Other races do not have an inherent ability to fight for freedom or rights. 
    Tim is oblivious and ignorant. If it weren't for the white race the Africans will have killed themselves from just being black. Arabs would have also killed themselves out of religious extremism and same for the Chinese too!! 
    Oh Edward how wise you are. In fact you should be President because you sound very smart. 

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  127. And you hate them...

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  128. Clare E. Chandler27 April 2010 at 13:26

    BORROWED FROM LINDA K- 

    This is important.

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  129. What's the "Declartion of Indepence"???

    On the other hand, the Declaration of Independence and Constitution were written by privileged white men who comprised but five percent of the nation's population back then.  That means even most whites at the time (and for some time afterwards) were excluded from the full rights accorded by the nation's laws, which were supposedly fundamental and inalienable.  It took many struggles, peaceful and not-so-peaceful, over many years by people of all backgrounds to extend those rights to everyone else.

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  130. Wow...this is powerful stuff.  Going to share this on all of my networks; thank you for writing this and saying what needed to be said.  Perhaps this will give some people some perspective - one can hope, no?

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  131. Why in the world do you think people of color would not be able to uphold the values and proclamations of the Declaration of Indepence (sic) or our Constitution?  These things were written by man, in the best interest of man.  Granted, our founding fathers came up in a time where bigotry and white privilege were the norm, but the papers infer that everyone is created equal and *that* is the real heart of our democracy. 

    White people are the defenders of anything except - in cases like this - bigotry and hate.

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  132. What out of anything written here makes you think Wise believes anyone who doesn't agree with a progressive agenda is a "violent, hateful, racist"??  There is nothing in this article that says anything of that nature.  All it does is ask you to look at the big picture and shift your perspective a bit; something that's good to do in any situation to try and see things from others' point of view.  While Wise names a few people specifically, I hardly think that *every single person* who is not a progressive is being labeled "a violent, hateful, racist" (sic) by this article!  Honestly, that's one enormous jump you're making there.

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  133. Scott, I find it hilarious that you invoke the name of MLK, a committed socialist.  If MLK were alive today people in your movement would be cursing him right along with Obama.

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  134. Cosmic Navel Lint27 April 2010 at 17:52

    Hey TEA Party Girl,

    might it be possible for you post an impartial news links, and not just some knee-jerk partisan rebuttal from the right wing 'Media Research Center' (MRC) - one whose stated aim (from their own website), is "to bring balance and responsibility to the news media",<sup></sup><span>[</span>1<span>]</span> and the MRC catalogs and reports on what it asserts to be widespread liberal media bias in the United States press.

    The site was begun by self-proclaimed "conservative activist", L. Brent Bozell III.

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  135. Like most Teaparty sympathizers, you fail at history. The <span>excessive spending </span>problem started with Ronald Reagan, not Bush.  The Bushes just continued the Reagan tradition of compleytely ingoring deficits and debt.

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  136. Redistribution of wealth is the point of civilization.

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  137. I think it's obvious that if a thousand black American gun rights enthusiasts showed up in Washington DC with thier guns at their sides then they would quickly be wako'd.

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  138. fat chance---Teabaggerz have their own closed system of self-aggrandizement and mutual back-slapping; they don't respond well to objective observations and reporting----they dismiss the mainstream (i.e. normal Americans) as "LameStream". That should tell you everything you need to know if you insist on having a dialogue with them.
    Caveat emptor

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  139. To quote the comic genius of Paul Mooney: "White people have had 43 presidents in a row. They can start complaining when I've had 43 straight black presidents."

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  140. But they are not.  According to Rassmusen, they are growing in popularity.  They are educated, drivers of business in our economy, employers who provide jobs and deeply concerned about our country.  Don't get me wrong, every group has fringe elements (republicans, democrats, independents, religious groups) but don't lose sight of the fact that something is very wrong in this country and needs to be fixed.

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  141. Imagine if the Tea Party Was Black

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  142. <span>The conclusion of the article is nonsense: "And this, my friends, is what white privilege is all about. The ability to threaten others, to engage in violent and incendiary rhetoric without consequence, to be viewed as patriotic and normal no matter what you do . . ." How many people do you know who would characterize the tea partiers as "patriotic"? Tea partiers have gotten none of this respect: the media and the Democrat party have been trashing them all year long, calling them astroturf, an angry mob, racists, un-patriotic, etc. So the whole white-privilege theory is bunk because it's premised on the idea that tea-partiers are seen in a positive light by the pop-culture: the pop culture clearly does not like the partiers. Furthermore, tea-party protests have been very peaceful: that this author thinks otherwise shows that he has no first-hand knowledge of the tea parties and that he's gotten all of his slanderous information from very pop culture which he says blesses the tea partiers with "white privilege."</span>
    <span>
    About the Gun demonstrations last week: The author asks what would happen if blacks brought their guns to a political rally. The answer: MSNBC and other liberal outlets would selectively edit the footage in order to convince us that the gun-toting protestors are actually white racists. It's already happened. look at these clips: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UYKQJ4-N7LI (MSNBC original), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Jwg-f3dqN4&feature=related (FOX News response to MSNBC clip), http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7syx26QtQIM&feature=related (local ABC news). Anyway, the author is making the demonstrations sound as though they had a violent revolutionary message, but they didn't. And if he thinks that African Americans haven't done this before en masse, then he needs to read about Black Panther demonstrations, which still occur today under different splinter names. Whites dont care about the Black Panthers anymore, so it doesnt make the news (and the black panthers actually murdered people--mostly each other--so they were categorically different from peaceful tea partiers, anyway). Besides, white privilege doesnt exist with these gun demonstrators because the white public was not supportive of the protests last week.

    </span><span></span>

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  143. <span> Black congressmen VS. the mob: The author says that the congressman was spit upon because he disagreed with the protestors. This is false. What happened was that the conrgessman was debating one of the protestors, and the congressman told him "you're spitting on me" because the protestor was talking sloppily. That's called spittle, i do it all the time when I'm riled up. Nobody intentionally spit upon anyone. Further, this observation by the author reflects merely the fact that most protestors were white and that some of the congressmen who approached them were black. Clearly the black congressman in this scenario is more powerful than the white protesters, who are not wealthy congressmen, but middle-class taxpayers. And again: few celebrated them as patriots, indeed, the initial media reports misconstrued what happened and ended up giving the impression that these protestors were harassing and spitting upon the congressmen. Further, go ahead and answer the author's question: what WOULD happen if a white congressmen approached a group of loud black protestors? Would the our culture really paint it in a neagtive light? Look at the way that the media has treated the demonstrations of hispanic people who've shown up in large numbers in D.C. and Arizona to protest immigration enforcement. Nobody has denigrated these people of color (and they shouldn't: people who protest tougher immigration laws may be just as patriotic as people who've joined the tea party protests). Also, did you know that a white supremacist lawyer in Mississippi was murdered by a black neighbor last week, or that several white supremacist protestors in Los Angeles were beaten bloody by counter-protestors this past week (i think the counter protestors were white, too, but I donno). "White privilege theory" at least suggests that significant news coverage and perhaps even sympathy would occur in response to people who become victims of violence because of their political views, but that is not the case in reality. A white privilege society might excuse white racism and despise black racism, but the fact is that white racism is one of the ultimate taboos and black racism is often excused as an appropriate response to disenfranchisement. What do you think would be the popular reaction if two black supremacists were beaten up at a protest or if a prominent black supremacist lawyer were murdered last week? I assume you might have learned about that.

    </span><span> Black musician calling the white President a piece of shit: Kanye West said "Bush hates black people" on national TV, and that didn't hurt his career. I'll bet that in the last eight years there were many, many violent and nasty references to president Bush in music and art by black people and white people alike. Someone even made a mock-umentary about the assasination of George W. Bush that was reviewed in the New York Times (has Ted Nugent gotten much positive attention from his comments?)

    Pat Buchanan reference: I don't know about who the author is referring to in the Pat Buchanan organization, but again, last I checked, pop culture dislikes Pat Buchanan anyway, and he's widely considered to be a racist bigot himself. It might not be entirely deserved, because Pat Buchanan has said some pro-Obama things in the last couple years. Again, let's answer the author's question: what if a prominent black political figure was closely associated with an anti-white racist? The last time somebody had an overt racist in their organization, it was Senator Barack Obama himself and his relationship to Jeremiah Wright: pastor of 20 years, married the Obamas, baptized their children, and overtly racist ("God Damn Amerikkka," "dem jews," etc.). The media excused the Wright-Obama [...]

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  144. <span> Radio host: This author obviously doesn't listen to black political radio or recall popular smears against black conservatives. People have routinely accused Clarence Thomas of being a self-loathing uncle Tom, and have said similar things about Condoleeza Rice and other Black Republicans. Just last week, Charles Blow, a black columnist for the New York times, wrote an article about how black leaders in the tea-party movement were like actors in a minstrel show. How does the author justify using Rush Limbaugh as an example of white privelege? That's a crock: probably more than half of all white people dislike Rush Limbaugh. Rush is a very divisive figure in the nation, that's why Democrats have tried to portray him as the mouthpiece of the Republican Party. Obviously, if Rush Limbaugh was considered by the public to be a likable patriot and not a hot-headed bigot, then the Democrats would certainly not try to characterize him as the #1 Republican.

    Stan Craig: The public was outraged about what Craig said. Where's the white privelege? The public would likely be just as outraged if Craig were black.

    Michael Savage: Mike Savage is a has-been who's been fired from his radio show for saying anti-gay things. Certainly when he was praised by a congressman, it wasnt for anything obscene. Anyway, it is routine for liberal congressmen to praise controversial liberal commentators for speaking "truth to power" despite saying some very offensive things (Michael Moore was given a seat of honor next to president Jimmy Carter at the DNC despite calling for class revolution and calling President Bush and conservative Americans a whole slew of offensive things: war criminal, idiots, etc.)

    Ann Coulter: This author actually said Ann Coulter enjoys white privilege? Are you kidding me? She's one of the country's most hated public figures! Anyway, the quote that he pulled from Ann Coulter wasn't so offensive. Indeed, what IF a black commentator said it's a pity that the Texan suicide pilot didn't attack FOX News? Nobody would be outraged. Mainstream commentators trash FOX News and wish for its failure/destruction every day. This is a non-issue.

    Freerepublic.com: I've never heard of this website, so i'm skeptical of the author's claim that it is popular. Second, his "what if" has actually happened: lots of people (black and white) called the Bush daughters "redneck trash," and nobody cared. Also, don't you think it's pathetic that this author is relying on a WEB COMMENT posted by some nobody in order to smear all conservatives? That makes no sense at all. I can find worse comments against Republicans, Sarah Palin, and George W. Bush RIGHT NOW if I went to the New York Times website and browsed the comments section. Of course, if I made inferences from that kind of data, people would call me a moron, and rightfully so.

    Lynching signs: People lynched and burned effigies of the Bush administration officials all the time at anti-war rallies. So what? If there were any "lynching signs against congress leaders" at tea party rallies this year, they numbered a handful at most and they were likely directed at harry reid and nancy Pelosi, and not the congressional black caucus.

    "Imagine one-third": What fraction of black people were anti-Bush? Do you think it was less than 90%? This author's hypothetical example was real just over one year ago. Does he not have a memory?

    This author must be an academic. How else could you explain his total detachment from popular culture from the preceding decade to the present day?</span>

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  145. mathewsallison@gmail.com28 April 2010 at 04:26

    I think this blog was very well researched and well written. I have actually met Tim Wise and even went through an "Undoing Racism" workshop with the People's Institute that he went through. He's an amazing speaker and is definitely convincing, however, I would love to see him speak to congress people and actually get them to see how they are contributing to and solidifying racial inequality worldwide.  I recently wrote a blog about M.I.A.'s "Born Free," which challenges these very notions of White privilege. Her video shows a reversal of roles - White red-headed boys being attacked and profiled by police because of their revolutionary actions. I think it's a great way to shock people, but also get a message across that all people should be born free, but that government policies, fear, racism, and hatred fuel violence against people of color and oppress them. Check out my blog: ideaschangethings.blogspot.com and let me know what you think!

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  146. Serious deficiency in your analysis, if you call it that.  The tea party did not descend on Washington with with guns, and ak-47's idiot.

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  147. American History Student28 April 2010 at 06:24

    This isn't as big a leap as you might imagine. The Black Panthers in Oakland did arm themselves, frequently talked about overthrowing the government, and carried out armed patrols aimed at preventing police brutality and keeping drugs out of black neighborhoods. Needless to say, white America was terrified, and California immediately passed a law forbidding open carry (the protesters in Virginia could have been arrested under California law). Interestingly, the NRA did stand up for the Panthers. In a shocking coalition, the NRA and the Panthers actually cooperated in lobbying against the bill.

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  148. Thank God we are only imagining.

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  149. Cosmic Navel Lint28 April 2010 at 09:27

    He said, anonymously...

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  150. We'd be pissed off if ANY color of president was screwing around in office. Doesn't matter that he's black. The fact is he's unqualified for the position he holds.

    Blame it on racism all you want if you think that's going to get the sheeple to side with you.

    Unfortunately morons votes count, so this little strategy may help.

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  151. food for thought

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  152. Cosmic Navel Lint28 April 2010 at 17:20

    Including yours.

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  153. Cosmic Navel Lint28 April 2010 at 17:21

    Hiow does that video clip go anyway to countering or addressing Tim Wise's article? Care to share?

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  154. How are the tea partiers in this video "privileged whites"?

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  155. Cosmic Navel Lint28 April 2010 at 17:42

    Don't rely on bait-n-switch, answer the original question and stop trying to change the subject.

    Or haven't you got an answer?

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  156. Excellently well said.

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  157. Yeah, 3 people of color in a sea of white, that's impressive.

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  158. He's one hell of a lot more qualified for it than Bush was. Bush was a failure in business, a failure as a state governor, and a failure as a president.

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  159. Only because they weren't allowed to, a the outset, and they did try to march on Washington, and were told in no uncertain terms that they couldn't. And then they decided to hold their little march as close as they then could get away with. Thanks for playing. FAIL.

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  160. Funny how none of your "facts" are facts. The congressman was in fact spat on, as film shows. I'll ignore the rest of your drivel.

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  161. Imagine a world where government functioned unchecked and unbalanced. The Constitution gives us (everyone) the right to question those who govern us, and answer directly to us. It is about damn time people became so passionate about the affairs of our nation to assemble and voice those concerns in a manner that directly reflects their rights. True patriotism dicates that we respect the opinions and views of our countrymen, as we are all equal in rights to express them. Why should any person(s) feel guilty/wrong to question our state of affairs? These are reasons we fought the Revolutionary War, and for anyone to trash on any politically charged assembly, operating peaceably within their rights as Americans hasn't paid close enough attention in government class. Is this the first time Americans have protested government? Not even close. And it will not be the last by a long short. Agree or disagree with people, but respect what they think. This is a two-way street with no exceptions, not even for the priviledged whites at those Tea Parties Mr. Wise.

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  162. Cosmic Navel Lint28 April 2010 at 22:21

    Thomas Pryor: Some of the above might have validity had the Teabaggers objected (in any way) to the run-away spending which was endemic under Reagan and both Bushs - generating the record deficit which the US now 'enjoys' - and yet they chose not to say a word. Not a peep out of them, or their chief sponsors at Fox 'News' and Rush Limbaugh. 
     
    Now, under a black man, who inherited the Republican mess, the Teabaggers are up in arms and make themselves easy targets of comedy. They only have themselves to blame. This has nothing to do with wanting to curb their rights - and any claims to that it does are just cheap and disingenuous.

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  163. Imagine a writer who writes about people without mentioning race.  Imagine.  Wouldn't it awesome.  You shame yourself.

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  164. white, middle age woman, born in the south...don't let these haters fool you.  it is ALL ABOUT RACE!  most white people are racist pigs...i hear what goes on behind closed doors and it is horrible!!  being exmilitary, a disabled veteran, i know that obama is a constitutionalist (i actually read the new laws)!  the crackers, and i do mean crackers, are just mad cause they can't get away with stealing, killing, using all resources for their pleasure, and just plain screwing most people over, especially non whites!  they are just mad because they can't call the president the "N" word publically!  there are no rights being taken away! the bush administration stole, cheated, lied, killed people, ect.. all documented by them, idiots! & fixed news (fox) is owned by a nazi, check it out, DA's! you are ruining the country..go back to europe!

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  165. obviously you don't actually read the documents happening now (they are all online in full).  if you use fox news as a source, you are screwed.  palin, qualified?  ask alaska how many law suit they are paying out right now because she broke so many laws while in residence. they repubs were obviously on drugs when they picked her & mccain.  the most qualified repub is ron paul, if you don't know this read one of his books, or have someone read them to you.  if they had enough sense to run him & back it up with votes he probably would have won.

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  166. <span>"Don't rely on bait-n-switch"?  Really?  Are you illiterate?  This article starts with "Imagine if"...  I'm merely indulging you, yes, imagine if the tea party was black, and giving you some black tea partiers so you don't have to imagine anymore...</span>

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  167. So we should breed black people in tubes or something to up the ratios?  They are in a minority is the democratic party too, does that make the democrats racist?

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  168. <span>Now answer my question.  How are the tea partiers in this video "privileged whites"?</span>

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  169. Tim McVeigh blew up the federal building in Oklahoma.  

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  170. I'm always amazed how arguments about tone get misinterpreted as complaints about substance.

    Even worse, Mr. Wise wasn't even complaining about the tone!  He wasn't arguing whether or not it SHOULD be acceptable for either whites or blacks to say those things.  He was simply pointing out the double standard.  That you see this as an attack on the Tea Party's ideals or right to assemble does not improve your position.

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  171. CosmicNavelLint: Please stop using the phrase and tag "Teabagger".  It's vulgar, and arguably homophobic.  It's also hypocritical if you argue about the tone of their rhetoric.  We can do better.

    (I've used the term before, and apologized for it here: http://www.coffeepartyusa.com/content/tr )

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  172. GO back to europe, fine and i'll make a stop with the african americans at africa and drop them off

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  173. Remember all the Bush Hating? I didn't vote for him, but they got scary.

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  174. no, I'd miss the best BBQ made

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  175. Cosmic Navel Lint30 April 2010 at 12:19

    With respect, Jolasma, you're at perfect liberty to conduct your own penance in which ever way you see fit.

    For the record, 'Teabagger' is a term coined by the group themselves (although no doubt they've now come to regret that move), and neither is it in the slightest bit "Homophobic", as it's not a practice which is the sole preserve of the gay community. What made you think it might be?

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  176. Cosmic Navel Lint30 April 2010 at 12:22

    Ah, the anonymous coward chimes in. Say, what's the view like from under that white pointy hood?

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  177. Cosmic Navel Lint30 April 2010 at 12:23

    We shame outselves, do we? Care to explain how?

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  178. Cosmic Navel Lint30 April 2010 at 13:10

    R.P. - in what way does that justify what the Teabaggers are doing?

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  179. Imagine if everyone quit their supposed solidarity with their race and realized that each individual person is different, instead of trying to incite feelings of mistrust, entitlement and "unity".  Imagine if you realized that being black or white is no different than having brown or blue eyes, and that sharing a skin color with someone is as superficial as wearing the same shirt as them. 

    Imagine if anti-racists actually understood what that anti-racism actually is, instead of creating and perpetuating racial tension like this article.

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  180. Ok, homophobic might be the wrong word.  When you say it's not a practice which is the sole preserve of the guy community, it's obvious we're talking about the same connotations.  The remainder of my request still stands.

    That they've used the term doesn't really change that.

    That said, if you understand what I'm trying to say and don't feel I have a point or that I'm a fool, I'm ok with that.  It's a request for civility, to raise the level of debate, and I know that it will anger some and be totally lost on others.

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  181. Rosemary Lloyd1 May 2010 at 00:26

    If you haven't read this already, take a minute and imagine...

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  182. Cosmic Navel Lint1 May 2010 at 11:37

    In you last sentence, you miss the article's point completely.

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  183. help me find solution to the race problem1 May 2010 at 17:41

    This is exactly the way I see it,  White Americans are not over reacting they have come out the woodwork nothing has changed about them that feel dispise for the former African Slaves.

    I have gone back and look at the civil rights movement footage and it is exactly the same prejudice and malicia exihibited as when the KKK was killing and lynching blacks.

    It is the same fight they had to keep their Jim Crow Black Codes, it is the same reason so many black died,  it is the same reaction and hatered. 

    With that being said I want to add there are some fine white folks out there who stood by us such as Viola Luizzo who died for her efforts to support Civil Rights.

    Tim Wise is exactly correct in his analogy of the opposite side of the coin: 

    What would White American have done,  if the Blacks had reacted like the TEA PARTIST when George Bush stole the 2000 election in Florida when they disinfranchised the African American voters.

    What you would have seen is the resurgents of the KKK and they would have gotten away with it such as they are now.  The Tea Partist are the New Klu Klux Klan. 

     And you are going to see more Jim Crow Laws being enacted such as what just took place in Arizona Bill SB-1070

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  184. This article's premise is ill-founded.  Black people make up roughly 13% of the American population, so if a crowd of thousands of people is almost exclusively black, their motivation must somehow be based racially (be that positive or negative).  It's not like the public adores the KKK or other white racial supremacists, but they certainly name a lot of high schools after Malcolm X (an advocate of violent black on white racial violence).

    You think urban rap artists gave Bush roses and table blessings?  I have a feeling they said equally violent things.  I know I know people who said all sorts of "Bush should be killed because of X" kind of things when they were angry.

    Why does the tea party have to be a racial issue?  Stop making issues about race, treat issues as what they are.

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  185. You must be on some kind of drugs making a comparence like that, America has oppresed people all over the world blacks and hespanics are no different to them, but I guess you cant see that through those rose colored glasses of yours.

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  186. The truth is told by mine, but it will always remain: There is his story their story and then there is the truth, look for the later with an open mind.

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  187. Could you please make a qualified point without resorting to clichés?

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  188. In what way does grouping all Tea Party participants into the same group support your argument? You just asked everyone to be open-minded and consider actions independent of stereotypes/prejudices, but it turns out your stereotype is just of a different kind. Rather say, it's true that these violent reactions happen regardless of who's president, but it doesn't change the fact that the action of protesting with AK-47s and threatening bodily harm to members of government shouldn't be met with the complacent tone that the media has used in its coverage. I'd say it was wrong, but legally they have every right to do it - everyone does.

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  189. What is a comparence?

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  190. Geoffrey V. Williams5 May 2010 at 23:16

    Your head, and, by the bye, your mind, are obviously in the sand, or some other nasty, seldom washed place. But,  on second thought, keep it/them there. The less heard from you the better.

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  191. Geoffrey V. Williams5 May 2010 at 23:20

    COMPARENCE: A SIMILARITY DRAWN BETWEEN TWO DIFFERENT THINGS OR ISSUES, USUALLY FOR THE PURPOSE OF DEMONSTRATING ONE OR THE OTHER.

    ANY MORE SMART-ASSED QUESTIONS?

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  192. This has happened.  Detroit in 1967.  It was 5 days of a military standoff between the Black Panthers and the police, with spurts of shooting.

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  193. and blacks and hispanics do the same to whites in their own countries. get a clue, moron

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  194. Cosmic Navel Lint31 May 2010 at 19:50

    By your submission, you make it clear that you've never been to Spain or the vast majority of countries in Africa? So if we're talking about "getting a clue", and "morons", I suggest your look out from under your anonymous rock at the wider world so you know what you're talking about.

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  195. I fear that the audience that could benefit from this wisdom is not smart enough to reverse the roles.

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