Jeanine Garafolo on Racism -- Why She is Way off Base

My first response on hearing and then viewing the video clip of Ms. Garofalo on MSNBC last Thursday evening was simply: WOW!

Is this what the Republic is coming to in the 21st Century? Political extremism has gone WILD!

Regular working class and rural, suburban White Americans must feel a bit under assault as of late.

How so you ask? Well, it started in the 2008 primary campaign with off handed comments being made by then candidate Barack Obama about "bitter Americans clinging to their guns and religion", then Senator Clinton started talking about "hardworking white Americans" in Pennsylvania as she desperately needed to carry that state.

Everything was about race in the 2008 Campaign. Former President Bill Clinton was deemed a racist red neck jack asem>s who didn't know when to shut up according to the media, political pundits and many black politicians for his comments during the South Carolina primaries. McCain was deemed a racist simply because he existed and was the GOP standardbearer. Once he picked working class, university of Idaho educated, mother of five Alaska Governor Sara Palin all hell truly broke loose.

I am so sick and tired of RACE. Period. When are we going to get over it? For Real folks. As someone who was an African American studies minor in college, pledged the oldest and most prestigious black women's sorority, was once a loyal card carrying member of the NAACP ( I did not renew my membership after the 2000 election campaign ads that ran against then Gov. George Bush paid for by the NAACP), started a very successful national organization for professional women of color, and I could go and on I am sick of the tearing apart of one set of Americans by their own fellow countrymen.

Yes, I am defending my mostly white (some Tea Party goers were black, Hispanic, etc.) Tea Party attending brethren because enough is enough. On last Thursday's "Countdown," MSNBC's Keith Olbermann and his guest Janeane Garofalo defamed fellow citizens who attended the prior day's Tea Parties with vitriolic contempt. Ms. Garofalo actually called Party-goers "a bunch of teabagging rednecks," adding "this is about hating a black man in the White House. This is racism straight up."

She is wrong and she knows nothing about true racism-having never spent a day of her life being black in America. I do know something about racism as I and millions of other people of color have endured and experienced its ugly insidiousness. It is not a word that should be thrown around lightly or recklessly. If we dare not stand in defense of our fellow citizens right to protest peacefully against our/their government then we are giving into a sneaky form of Tyranny. Race has nothing to do with the hardworking, decent American citizens who simply got sick and tired of being overtaxed and outspent by their government and showed up to do something about it.

That is our solemn duties as Americans. This freedom is what makes us the envy of the world.

I am deeply disappointed in the current dialogue that seems to be developing on the current American horizon. If we don't stop yelling at each other, hurling insults and names, and band together as a nation once again, then those who seek the undoing of their fellow citizens of a different opinion, thought or political stripe had better grasp firmly the old saying "what you gonna do when they come for you?"

Comments

[wineplz]

Thank you for writing this. To hear all the hatred spewing from so many other Americans really hurt--I don't know how the lies about the reason for these Tea Parties started or why they're spreading so much quicker than the truth--it was definitely the grassroots organizers connecting through the Internet. I didn't hear anything from Sean Hannity, Rush, Fox news or other media sources until maybe two or three weeks prior to the April 15th tea parties, though organizers had started organizing in February.

I appreciate you sharing the truth and continuing to do so through your comments to defend our right to protest.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

Be proud of what you did--I am impressed with any group that organizes pro-life, pro-choice, pro-israel, etc. rallies on the Caiptol or nationally--it says a lot.

[Garioch]

So the racism thing is all over in the U.S. now is it? Great! I'll be sure to tell the wife, at last some good news.
I wouldn't call the protestors one thing or another but when you see a crowd as homogenous in a nation as diverse as the U.S. on what should be a universal issue it doesn't strike you that there is a major problem somewhere? If it doesn't them you are being deliberately obtuse.
I'll let you in on another little secret as well, were you not a successful Black woman you would hear a sight more racist remarks and talk then you do. If you want to hear some real bile try being White for a week.

[Emma Knight]

Here, here. As stated in a previous post. I am mixed race with a white father and a black mother. My father always said that I would be devastated if I knew just how very racist white Americans could be. As a blond haired, blue eyed white man, he acknowledged that racism does not effect him in the same negative way it effects this black family. But he also made it clear that as a white man he was privy to more racist rhetoric then I could ever imagine.

[timinhi]

Right on--I'm also blond (Well, mostly white, now)-haired and blue-eyed too. It happens all the time. I once had a white cop call me a "Jew lawyer who gets criminals off" even though (1) I'm Irish American, not Jewish (and my name leaves no question about it), and (2) I was a prosecutor, not a defense attorney. I mean, what's with that?! I guess there's racism, stupid racism, and incredibly stupid racism (and yes--I group antisemitism along with other forms of racism). I don't know that it will ever go completely away, but hopefully it will eventually become diluted to the point where it's mostly gone.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

And where did you see me disagree with this TRUTH--again do your homework before you guys pop off--Read "Black. Female. Accomplished. Attacked" Washington Post-July 2008 Outlook section authored by me for a dose of what I live with as a well educated black woman in America thank you very much.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

Let me be clear I would defend the right of the KKK to march in the streets or peacefully assemble, not because I agree with them (I do not), or support them ( I do not)--they are a sad, ignorant lot borne out of racism and fear. In my opinion, they are a bunch of redneck racists because they have proven themselves over 100 years to be so.
But here is the point Garioch: This is America and we are a free country. Many died so that we could shout at the top of our lungs for what we believe in and have no fear of reprisal by the Government or Media. My having those rights, came hard fought--many died so that I could become an attorney, get a good education, sit on a bus, eat in a resturant. I thank God for their sacrifice everyday. "America isn't easy--it's advanced citizenzhip, you have to want it bad" (not my words see Mike Douglass in The American President). It means that you would spend your life defending the rights of someone whose words you oppose to say those words that make your blood boil. That is America folks and no matter how many attacks, barbs, etc. you throw at me --I am on the side of right in this and I am okay with that.

[ggaitherii]

Perhaps you should give this lecture to the tea bag party goers......judging what I saw on those signs they need it more than we do.

[MrJoyboy]

If you don't think many of those tea party folks are outraged to see a black man in the White House, you ought to get out among them more. Or just read any of right wing blog sites.

[Shifted]

I am a middle aged AA female who understood where Jeanne ... was coming from. I don’t think you have to be black or of color to know and have a perspective on racism. She was correct in what she said. And I agree w/ @ Emma Knight; you stated it well.

Jeanne is an activist/actor = entertainer also; over the top or not IMO she was right on the mark.

There are a lot of issues and truth I am tired of but that does in no way negate the truth of the matter. Truth is truth whether you agree with it or not; whether you are tolerant of it or not.

The intensity of the opposition against President Obama is rooted in racism; that's why the display of it is so ugly . . . from the grassroots (Astroturf) movement to the Halls of congress ... evil and wickedness exists in all places and on all levels.

[jahbreeze]

Exactly, Shifted. Everyone is entitled to an opinion on race regardless of their heritage. It's a topic that affects us all.

Ms. G has a right to her opinion. Going a step further, if the same people attending the racial epithet-filled McCain rallies from the 2008 election were the same people who showed up at tea parties she may have a point.

[Kent Weed]

"The intensity of the opposition against President Obama is rooted in racism..."

You are spot on!

[jbhtx]

It's fair to say that the vast majority of "tea bag" attendees represent the schizophrenia within the conservative movement. They claim they are upset with wasteful government spending, yet oppose any military spending reductions. There was no mention in any of these events about the $10M/mo wasted in Iraq with no hopes of repayment.
They claim to represent "traditional christian values". It's accurate to say that the religious groups most supportive of the GOP- Southern Baptists, Mormons, Assembly of God, etc - were all supportive of segregation as "god's will" and "natural". They reject the label of racism yet embrace their racist past. Are they defending the old racist god of their founders or a new one?
It would be nice if the race issue would go away, it would also be nice if all my lottery tickets were winners too. The sad reality is that the whole small govt agenda was racist from its inception. It's no accident that Reagan's first major address occured at Philadelphia, MS site of killing o whitef social workers where he cited "states rights" as honorable agenda. It's no accident that Fox News created this "tea bag" party during Obama's tenure not during Bush's. Unfortunately, LBJ was prophetic in predicting the backlash that would occur from passage of Civil Rights Legislation. This country was founded on the very liberal premise that all citizens were free and equal. It's an idealized vision that is still in transformation, but we shouldn't lose sight of end goal.

[Irishman40]

The reason tea party goers do not consider military spending wasteful is because its one of the few functions the federal government is actually authorized to perform by the constitution. It's a primary role (provide for the common defense). Most of the other things the Federal government does today are fairly recent additions (enacted since FDRs new deal) and should not be performed by the federal government. Take education for instance or welfare. Those functions should only be supported at the state level with state taxation.

As for the size of the military budget, its as large as it is because of the role the United states plays in maintaining world order. The US Navy is solely responsible for keeping the sea lanes open. Keeping them open means ensuring that no nation or group of nations is prevented from using them by any other nation or group of nation. Its in our interest as americans for the US Navy to perform that role because if some other nation did it we would be at that nations mercy for access to imports and exports. Given a choice between potentially being at someone else's mercy or their being at our mercy, I prefer the latter case.

As for the other services, our Expensive air force is needed to ensure Air Dominance over battlefields. Air dominance is needed because if you don't have it, you can't win ground wars. As for ground wars, you need a large army for that.

[Shifted]

i am a middle aged AA femaie who understood where Jeane ... was coming from. I dont think you have to be black or of color to know and have a perspective on racism. She was correct in what she said . and I agree w/ @ Emma Knight; you stated it well.

Jeanea is an activist/actor = entertainer also; over the top or not IMO she was right on the mark.

There are a lot of issues and truth I am tired of but that does in no way negate the truth of the matter. truth is truth whether you agree with it or not; whether you are tolerant of it or not.

The intensity of the opposition against President Obama is rooted in racism; that's why the display of it is so ugly . . . from the grassroots (Astroturf) movement to the Halls of congress ... evil and wickedness exists in all places and on all levels.

[Monique72]

I was not someone who made it to the Tea Parties, but I support the people who did. Now, I know that channels like MSNBC find the "kooks" in the crowd (and you know any type of demonstration will have some) but the majority of those people believe that the government spending is out of control. I think Janeane has forgotten her own comments about our free will to protest.

(2003 comment)
GAROFALO: There has been so many inappropriate responses to dissent, which is the most patriotic thing you could do, and the First Amendment guarantees everyone's right to speak out. I'm in favor of any citizen talking in favor if they want to.

Why now is this not allowed? The idea that those attending the Tea party as being racists is a bit hypocritical of her to say. All you have to do is look deeper and not just go by what the mainstream media is feeding you.

I have also been a reader of the Huffington Post for years, but as of late, have found no articles on here that are looking for the truth. Today, I found this article and was glad to see that there are still those that are being skeptical of our government, whether the president be black, white, hispanic....it does not matter. What matters to me as an American is that my rights are still in tact and that my children will have the same rights in the future.

[MrMike513]

Teabaggers can say whatever they want about the protests, but the reality is, the only REAL issue they were protesting was the fact that a black man is president. Government spending was just as bad under Bush, but they didn't protest. Their taxes were higher under Bush, but they didn't protest. Their freedoms were being trampled on by the Bush administration, but they didn't protest. The only thing that has changed for them is that now a black man is president, so it's time to protest. ANd here's the proof:

Ask any teabagger if they agree with Ronald Reagan's policies. The answer will be a resounding yes
Ask them how they would feel if Obama offered amnesty to all illegal aliens. They will go ballistic with their opposition to the idea of amnesty.
Remind them that Reagan did just that...gave amnesty to illegal aliens. Watch their pointy little heads explode.

The teabaggers are racist on so many different levels it's not even funny. You can believe what you want, but most of us, Janeanne Garofalo included, can see it for what it is - thinly veiled racism, pure and simple. She doesn't defend this type of dissent because the problems they are protesting have been going on for a long time, and their choice to only begin speaking out now stinks of racism, because the only thing that has changed in the last three months is the color of our president's skin.

[winstonian22]

Why WHY WHY does it ALWAYS have to be race? Does it ever occur to you in whatever universe that you live in, that people can disagree with his policies?!?! Making a blanket statement like this is just as wrong as your accused racism.

[Irishman40]

A few responses to your points

Reagan's amnesty: People accepted the amnesty because we were promised that the borders would be enforced. I.E. we accepted amnesty of the at that time 3million illegal aliens because we were promised that the borders would be controlled and there would be no more illegals. Well here we are 25 years later and now there are an additional 12 million illegal aliens and we are getting the same promises. Fool me once...

Spending under bush. The deficist only increased drastically during the last 2 years of bush's presidency and at its worse was $400 billion. Now thats bad enough, but Obama is proposing deficits 3 times that mount every year for the foreseeable future.

Bottom line tea partyers saw the bush deficits as being temporary and recoverable from
whereas Obama's deficits appear to be structural and permanent

They will bankrupt this country and thats what's got people in an uproar

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

Thank you for this thoughtful post--and thank you for highlighting Ms. Garofolo's reversal of sentiments from 2003 till now---WOW!! See what I mean---that is just unbelievable how would she feel if people started calling her names and attacking her??

[jahbreeze]

I believe that racism is a relevant issue in all American culture today, and that it doesn't take a major in African-American studies or NAACP membership card to see that.

I think you're mad at Ms. G's remarks because you don't think she's not black enough to make a remark about race. You even said in your tirade "she knows nothing about true racism-having never spent a day of her life being black in America". I don't think she has to be black to have an opinion on race.

To top it off, you say nothing about other races in America. Black people were not the only ones exploited in America's history. Native Americans, Latinos, Asians, and even White Caucasians (think Irish) have been discriminated against for their race in America.

I'm sorry, Ms. Nelson, but you do not hold exclusive rights to the "race card".

[Malcolm Johnson]

I agree with jahbreeze. I will decide for myself when I am insulted an when I am not, as a African-American man. Neither you, nor Ms. Garofalo will decide that for me.

I also find it disconcerting that you don't mention your rather lengthy background as a member of the GOP in this blog.

It doesn't put you in the place of a fair and neutral minded observer. You are more closely aligned with the Tea Party types than you admit.

[CanisLatrans]

I have to admit, while I did think there was a race element to some people at those tea parties, I didn't get the notion that the whole thing was intended as a race-based rejection of Barack Obama.

What I saw was a almost hysterical rejection of "left-wing/commie/liberal/blah-blah-blah" policies that they expect from President Obama, but not a rejection of him because of his color. I know that there were some racial signs, many even reprinted here at HuffPo, but they were held up as the worst of the lot, rather than the norm.

Interestingly enough, I'm Jewish, but look like the stereotypical corn-fed white-boy, in Idaho. So I'm kind of a "stealth minority". Every once in a great while I get to hear interesting points of view esposed by all sorts of ignorati who don't realize there one of "them" in their midst. It's an enlightening look, to say the least.

[winstonian22]

Please take note...anyone who sees my posts on here. This is pretty much the first article I have ever read on Huffington and agreed with every single sentence.

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU Ms. Nelson. This was a brilliant piece of writing and that was exactly the same thoughts I had when I saw Ms. Garafalo's outrageous comments on MSNBC.

Again. Thank you.

[Nommo]

Does that mean you'll go away now?

[winstonian22]

Nope! :)

[Tanyars5]

whats up NOMMO!!!!!!! long time no see!!!!
hey you ever been on Newsvine?

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

now was that nice?? See what I mean--Geez.

[goob40]

Thank you for this article. I believe most of what you say is true. The 2008 election was about race baiting. I voted for Obama, but honestly that election seemed to go on forever and I absolutely hated it. In the end, I fealt sorry Mrs. Clinton. I thought she got a raw deal, but I was soo happy that Republican parties got what they deserved—a big fat defeat.

However, I do think that Jeanine sorta makes herself known for saying crap like that. She is known as a big time leftist and complains about everything. Anyway, most Hollywood types wanna be liked and want to stay employed. If Jeanine were a big time Republican, she wouldn't stayed employed in Hollywood for very long, especially as a comedian or satyrist. She has her hidden motives. "You like me, you really like me."

MSNBC is a joke that seems to loose steam everyday. I'm also very suspicious of white people who point the finger at other white people for being racist. I'm gay, and I happen to know that a lot of these white people say things and act differently behind closed doors.

[Nommo]

One more thing (if this gets past the censors). I'd bet dollars to donuts that not one of those so-called protester would spend one moment addressing any Black person's grievances. As for the Blacks and Hispanics you claim were there, you can always find a fly in the buttermilk if you leave it out long enough.
Other than that, you ought to know very well why Black people had nothing to do with that ignorant mess or mass.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

So you are saying blacks and Hispanics aren't fed up with high taxes, & out of control government spending too? I was NOT There so I cannot tell you who was there--but looking at my TV set and the media interviews after--blacks and Hispanics were clearly at Tea parties in Atlanta, San Antonio and New York.

[Nommo]

No, that is not at all what I said. Black people are the greater victims of government spending. When the gov't wishes to cease spending, it is always Blacks and so called "Hispanics" that bear the brunt. You never see any of those "tea bag" protester types protesting that on behalf of Black citizens although we are all supposed to be "Americans".

I just wonder to what degree those who chose to show up suffered buyer's remorse after being around all that insane racism. As I pointed out in another post down below, those demonstrators suffered far more from not having a clue as to why they were even out there.
But James Weldon Johnson said it over a century ago, whenever things go wrong in America, they will blame the Black people. In this particular instance, that Black man in the WH is making them totally nuts.

[gocatholic]

Your article is ON TARGET, sister. YES, there is still racism in America, but how on earth can we ever get past it if every single act is deemed racist simply because we happen to disagree with someone who happens to be African-American???

I ache for the poor African-American children in D.C. who are not going to have the opportunity to get a high quality eduction through the vouchers provided under the Bush Administration. Does that mean I am racist (against whites) because I ache for those children? No! Are Democrats "racist" for disagreeing with conservatives who firmly believe that these poor inner city kids have a right to the same education their President's daughters get? Of course not! If we conservatives played the race card like liberals do, we'd be arguing that, but we do not because we understand that not every act that adversely affects a particular group of people is, by attrition, racist.

I voted for John McCain. I attended a tea party. But I promise you, there is only one thing that I am truly proud of about my President and that is the fact that he is African-American. I busted my rear end to make sure he wouldn't be elected, but on election night, I shed a tear of joy that a barrier was finally broken. My heart soared for a moment because of that. Many of my Republican friends have expressed the same sentiment.

Thanks so much.

[eroy22312]

Please stop insulting our intelligence by portraying these so called tea parties as some sort of grass roots protest movement. It was nothing short of a cartoon.

Gee, how did we get in this mess we are in? Oh, that's right, tax cuts and deregulation.

Why is this simple concept so hard for right-wingers to fathom?

Were have these people been for 8 years and why now have they come out to "protest"?

What alternative revenues do you and your fellow baggers propose to finance the governments expenses?

How about solutions instead of finger pointing.

[papapj]

What "high taxes'?? Americans have the LOWEST tax burden of any nation in the industrialized world, yet you choose to mouth the Repugnican mantra as if it means anything.

No, I for one am not pissed at "high taxes' and would gladly pay another percentage point or two if it meant getting unlimited healthcare...just as everywhere else in the civilized world.

[MarkD40]

As a conservative who is fed up with congress and their reckless spending I attended my local tea party. I am unhappy with repubicans and democrats. I feel that our politicians are more concerned about buying votes with our tax dollars they they are about the future of this country.
Considering the current financial crisis it is not a good time to be expanding government and entitilements. Social Security will be paying out more than it takes in by 2017 yet we are spending trillions on new programs we are unable to fund with current tax receipts. If an individual can't pay his or her current bills it would be fiscally irresponsible for them to buy a new car. But this is exactly what congress is doing.
While many tax payers will get a $400 refund this year, they still have to pay increasing state taxes, sales tax, real estate tax, personal property tax, city tax, social security tax, gas tax, etc, etc. We are being taxed to death. To have someone go on national television and explain to the world that the reason we went to a tea party is because we are "racist rednecks" is infuriating. I am tired of being labeled with hate speech by those on the left.who are unable to debate the issues with facts and logic. Apparenty Ms. Garofalo is unable to do so and must resort to vicious attacks in order to silence dissent.

[MoeB]

Well, maybe the reason we can't have a good "debate" on the subject is because many of us are sort of scratching our heads as to WHAT you are really protesting.

Taxes? Obama just gave the middle-class the largest tax cut ever. So how is he raising taxes? And state taxes have nothing to do with Obama. States cannot run a deficit, so they MUST increase taxes during hard times...as well as cut spending.

Out of control spending? Um here you have a bit of a point, but it is premature. We need to get out of this RECESSION first (remember the recession?--we're still in it), THEN we can worry about how to get our deficits under control as well as tamper down on spending.

Tax burdens for children and grandchildren? This is laughable...because if that's what these teabaggers REALLY cared about, they'd be out protesting for HIGHER taxes NOW, so that the kids wouldn't be in debt generations down the line. Further, a lot of Obama's budget consists of INVESTMENTS for our future. Education, green technology, and healthcare. Not sure why people are out protesting that. The fact that we havent' tackled these things for so long is part of the reason why we're currently in the mess that we are in.

It seems to ME, that a lot of these protestors want something for nothing (how ironic).

[Irishman40]

No they dont want something for nothing. They want the government to stop spending money it doesnt have. Oh and btw this idea of spending money during a recession to get the economy going was proposed by am Mr Keyes back in the 40s. He did have some caveats however. First off. He assumed that if you were going to deficit spend you would start from a baseline of a balanced budget. Well we were already running deficits. Second, the deficit spending should not create budget imbalances. I.E. it should not grow government programs, because once grown it's nearly impossible to reduce those programs budgets once the crisis over.

The new spending we are seeing are permanent increases that will remain after the economy has recovered. There is no way we can continue to spend $1.2 Trillion dollars a year that we dont have and not have something disastrous happen down the road (hyper inflation, stagflation, etc etc)

[FightingTheRight]

The Clintons were called murderers and drug dealers.

John McCains military service was questioned by people who supported a candidate who didn't serve in Vietnam.

We were called traitors, for questioning the reasons for sending troops to a country that didn't attack the U.S. on 9/11.


John Kerry's military record was questioned by people who supported a Republican candidate who didn't serve in Vietnam.

When he was a candidate, President Obama's loyalty to his country and his religious affiliation was called into question.

Now the gloves have come off and the Republicans and their supporters are getting some back.


I'm sorry if you feel we are not being civil enough for you.

[camb94]

I wish I could say that you are right, but you are not. True, not everything is about race, nor should it be. True, people see race issues where they don't always exist. But that does not mean that not talking about race, or not calling out race is the issue. Your personal reasons for attending the tea parties may not be racist, but there is definitely a racial element and a partisan element to these tea parties. If you were so concerned about government spending, why weren't you protesting during the last 8 years? According to Fareed Zakaria in this week's Newsweek, just the COST OVERRUNS at the pentagon for 2008 were $300 BILLION dollars. That is half of the stimulus package. Had Bush just kept the Pentagon to its budget, HALF of the stimulus package would have been "paid for".

Moreover, your "whitewashing" of the Sarah Palin controversy shows your true, partisan colors. This controversy was not about her being "Idaho educated", but her very strong lack of intellectual curiosity, her actual encouragement of her "racist" fans, etc.

You can't have it both ways. You can't encourage racists and then tell everyone to stop talking about race.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

How dare you lecture me on Race and my understanding of it and its ugly legacy. Are you black? Ever been black? Better yet, ever been a black woman in America?? HMMMM--talk to me if the answer is yes, otherwise shut-up. You spout off what you do not know about me, my beliefs, or my soul. For the record, I DID NOT attend the TEA Parties, I am simply defending my fellow citizens right to protest without being called vicious names. That is all. I will not back down off of this because it is important. If we can't respect people on the most base level, we have a far more greater crisis in our country than the overruns from the Pentagon that you cited.

[winstonian22]

Stand strong Sophia! This is a country where people will defend the right to burn the flag but not have tea parties.

I personally feel stuck in a corner when I have to choose between loving Obama or getting accused of being a racist. You would hope in this day and age someone could respectfully disagree with the policies of a black president, boss, manager, preacher, teacher, etc, without instantly being labled a racist. You are absolutely right when you say that issues of race in this country permeate every issue and often weigh the issue down unnecessarily.

I for one am ready for a day when the race card is not in the deck any more.

[urnumbersix]

I am an African-American female - and I call you out!

I am sick of you black Republicans thuggin' on white liberals. You just pulled the race card on this poster - and the article calls for an "end to race" in some Republican tax-free utopia. That game has been played out! Why? Because of the election of President Barack Obama!

No longer will you mediocre, token, faces be needed or wanted by the GOP. Then what will you do? See - Michael Steele notwithstanding - "unexposed" white GOPs are about to realize that black people can be intelligent, politically savvy, gaffe-free, popular and effective. Wait til they see this President succeed. Mr. Steele is the last unqualified token. They will want people like Obama - but conservative. You won't even get your calls returned.

As J.C. Watts' (former U.S. Congressman, Republican, OK) father said -- in response to a question of why his black son was Republican - "A black man voting Republican is like a chicken voting for Col. Sanders." True then, true now.

You get to protest taxes or anything else all you want. Free country. Just don't try to base your arguments on claims that you are some kind of an African-American "victim" just because you are Republican. Or female. Put down the race cards and make your arguments solely on the merits. I doubt if you are able. Again, your time is just about up....

[robXdion]

Are YOU black? Get a grip on your emotions and realize when you post some confused nonsense like this people will call you out. And you obviously don't understand the subtleties of racism and how people use euphemisms for what they really want to say. There's LOTS of clueless young blacks like you these days. You talk of respecting Republicans and they've REPEATEDLY shown they don't respect Obama and generally loathe blacks. And yet you defend them out of some misplaced sense of protection. Does it make you feel noble to do this? You're like Ron Christie.

[joyfulnoyz]

I'm a Black woman in America with a college degree and have taken African-American and African history classes and couldn't disagree with you more. I saw and heard attendees of the tea parties calling Obama fascist, not American, terrorist, Muslim, "socialist," etc., and saw signs accusing Obama of planning WHITE SLAVERY, Obama with a Hitler moustache, Obama SHINING SHOES, etc. When those fellow citizens call Obama vicious names, they open themselves up to being called vicious names as well. Your article doesn't address these images, which leads me to believe you didn't do your homework before responding to Garafalo's comments.

As far as Hillary Clinton's campaign, even CNN's David Gergen criticized Hillary Clinton for not distancing herself from the race-baiting. He's from the south and explained the use of code words that had been used to attract prejudice voters.

The majority of those tea party attendees are getting a tax cut under Obama's plan. And if they didn't complain when hundreds of billions were spent on the Iraq War or when Paul Bremer misplaced $8 billion when he was over there, or during the six years of spending while Republicans were in control of the House, Senate and the White House, I can't help but question their true motives.

What bothers me is the silence of those on the right in response to those attendees calling Obama those names and equating him to Hitler. To be silent is to condone it. With that I take issue.

[MoeB]

Sophia:

A couple of things. First, I watched that Countdown episode also, and I have to admit, I did cringe a little when she tried to blanket-label everyone who attended those teabagging rallies. Anytime an entire group gets stereotyped, I tend to cringe a little.

But you are trying to minimalize a potentially explosive situation. There WERE plenty of people there who just were anti-Obama. The comparisons to Hitler, calling him a fascist, socialist, etc. plus the sign I saw about "white slavery" also threw me for a loop. I also bet that if you were to conduct a survey of the people who bought guns in record numbers after Obama got elected, I'm willing to bet money that a lot of those folks showed up to these teabagging parties. Go to some yahoo boards and see the type of language and the attitudes of some of these folks. These people are more than just sick and tired of being "over" taxed (hilarious when you consider their taxes have gone down, but I digress).

Further, to claim that a white person can offer you NOTHING on race issues because they aren't black automatically shuts down reasonable debate on the issue. And it's kind of petty. I mean, do you NEVER offer up any opinions on whites because you're black and haven't walked a mile in THEIR shoes?

[nicole44]

This article expresses my feelings exactly. The term "r@cist" has become a tool used to silence anyone who does not fall in line with a certian ideology. And it works because it is one of the most horrible things to be called. It has no become particularly easy to lable someone a r@cist because we now have a black man in the white house and if you disagree with him, its a good way to shut you up. Lets not forget that he is a democrate and these people who oppose him are republicans, independents and even a few of his own. It has been going on like that ever since the office has been established. But now democrates and far left extremists like Garafilo are using the race card instead of just admitiing to themselves that its a matter of policy dissagrement, but hey, isn't it more fun to lable the entire group r@cist? It gets more attention and gets alot of poeple to hate them. This tactic is just lazy and for people who don't have the intelligence to debate like adults, its an easy way to win.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

Nicole this is the crux of my point--I am sorry that the haters on here cannot get past their partisanship to deal with a serious issue of how we treat our fellow Americans. Racism is a serious issue and it is being watered down by being thrown around as if it is not. I feel for white Americans of a different political or policy point of view who are always deemed "racist" if they do not agree with the Democrats, or the new Black President. I voted for Obama,love his wife, worked on his Virginia legal team--am I now a racists too because I disagree with some of his economic and foreign affairs policies?? To some, yes I am (despite the fact that I am a black American too).

[gocatholic]

I disagree with your political views but REJOICE in your logic and fairness on this point. Again, you have earned my respect. Not my agreement on policies, but my respect.

[MoeB]

Well, those folks are not "always" deemed racist. While I do agree that tossing that word out all the time will eventually negate it's meaning and significance (see "socialism", or "tax and spend"), it actually DOES apply to some of these folks!

[papapj]

I cannot for the life of me understand your standing up for 'fellow Americans' to the extent that you avoid the obvious concern of minorities (like yourself) who are more often than not being villified and attacked by those same folk.

A bit of balance would be in order, here methinks. Why not any commensurate outrage at those who would equate Obama to Hitler?

[MoeB]

Nicole, I would tend to agree with your sentiments, if the other side were ONLY interested in having a debate on POLICY. Instead, when I try to have these debates with many on the right, all I seem to get is "Obama is Hitler", "Obama is a fascist", "Obama will destory america", "Obama is a socialist along with Pelosi and Reid", "Obama is taking MY tax dollars and giving it to ACORN", and I could go on and on. What makes many progressives skeptical of this whole tea movement is that it didn't exist BEFORE! (minus the libertarians) Why is it only NOW that spending is out of control? Why is it NOW, after receiving the largest middle-class tax cut ever, that people are upset over being "overtaxed"??? The logic makes little sense.

[Sophia A. Nelson - Huffpost Blogger]

MOE those people are WHACK shake them off like dust on your feet and keep moving man. You cannot have a constructive talk with people who are not reasonable. That is why I felt Ms. G lost the power of her point--she went ROGUE and started throwing around "racism and rednecks" instead of debating the issue on the merits of taxes, spending, etc.

[Irishman40]

Well speaking for myself, I was not happy with bush's $400 billion deficit, but the best I can tell the deficits were incurred for things that WILL end in the near future (the wars). I also did not like the $700billion bailout he and congress passed just before the election. But again, it was sold as a one time thing. Obama's proposed spending plans will increase the size of the government and hence they will be permanent. Thats why the CBO (congressional budget office) is projecting huge deficits as far as the eye can see. And its this PERMANENT increase in the size of the government that has tea party members upset.