Splitting Hairs

(Yawn):
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Tea Parties Make Space for Bigots
By E.J. Dionne

WASHINGTON -- Good for the NAACP. We need an honest conversation about the role of race and racism in the tea party movement. Thanks to a resolution passed this week at the venerable organization's national convention, we'll get it.

The minute you say there are racist elements at the tea parties -- reflected in signs at rallies, billboards, and speeches from some of its major figures -- the pushback goes from cries of persecution to charges that those who are criticizing divisiveness are themselves the dividers.

So let's dispense with the obvious: Most of the opposition to President Obama comes from people who are against his policies, not his race. The tea party movement is motivated primarily by right-wing ideology, not by racism.

But guess what? Nothing the NAACP is saying contradicts this. Its contention is that there are clearly racist strains in the tea parties and that the movement's leaders and the politicians who profit from its activism should denounce them plainly and unequivocally.

Here's what Ben Jealous, the NAACP's president and CEO, asked of the tea party movement: "Expel the bigots and racists in your ranks or take the responsibility for them and their actions. We will no longer allow you to hide like cowards."

The NAACP is doing exactly what conservatives have done for decades in demanding that liberals and progressives separate themselves from left-wing extremists who trashed America, burned flags and praised foreign dictators. The racists are the tea partiers' flag-burners. It's fair to ask the democratic left to condemn extremism. It's fair to ask the same of the democratic right. (Note the small "d.")

I reached Jealous in Kansas City, where he was attending the NAACP convention, and he went out of his way to emphasize that his group is not making a blanket charge of racism. "We have never called the Tea Party racist," he said. "We know there are black Tea Party members and we want black people to feel comfortable taking leadership positions in all parties in this country."

But speaking of tea party leaders, he added: "We've seen the signs, we've heard the slurs, and all we're asking is for you to act responsibly and say there's no space for bigots in the Tea Party."

Sarah Palin struck back Tuesday on her Facebook page, declaring herself "saddened by the NAACP's claim that patriotic Americans who stand up for the United States of America's constitutional rights are somehow ‘racists.'"

That, of course, is not what the NAACP is saying.

She went on to refer to "America's past racism," and identified herself with Ronald Reagan, who said it was "a legacy of evil." And then Palin brought the conversation back to herself.

"Having been on the receiving end of a similar spurious charge of racism," she said, "I know how Tea Party Americans feel to be falsely accused."

This is a shameless, narcissistic dodge. "Palin wants to construct a false argument," Jealous said in the telephone interview. "Palin wants the terms of debate to be about people calling her racist, and nobody's calling her racist." The NAACP, he said, is simply challenging her along with other Tea Party leaders to separate themselves cleanly from "racist behavior" by some in the movement.

"We have seen what's happened in the past when we let groups play ‘Hide the Ball' with racism in their ranks," Jealous said...

Let's start with former Rep. Tom Tancredo's speech at a Tea Party convention last February that never got the attention it deserved. The reason we elected "Barack Hussein Obama," Tancredo said back then, is "mostly because I think we do not have a civics literacy test before people can vote in this country." By the way, he was cheered for this.

Should anyone be surprised that members of the NAACP might be alarmed over the suggestion that we need "literacy tests," phony devices once used to keep African-Americans from voting?

Guilt by association is wrong, but it's entirely legitimate to insist that those who believe in democracy and freedom take forceful steps to disassociate themselves from people in their movement who peddle racism, intolerance and fear. That's what the NAACP is asking. It's your move, Sarah.
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Oh, please. "Your move"? Thinking a little highly of yourself there, eh Dionne? As if she gives a rat's behind what you think.

First of all, the NAACP condemnation used pictures of a handful of signs out of a movement of millions and the false story that racial epithets were hurled at black Congressmen after they passed the health care bill as their basis for this idiocy.

Now, maybe they have time to track down every last idiot in this country and demand that whatever group they're a part of condemn them. They must have a lot of time to waste.

Meanwhile, every time Zo posts a video on You Tube or a black Tea Party candidate gives a speech, the comment sections are filled with liberals calling them "house niggas."

As for Palin's "dodge," perhaps this guy didn't see the NAACP's tweet (that was later deleted) saying that the Tea Party had sent racists to D.C. to hurl epithets and the NAACP wouldn't let them get away with it! Palin is identified with the TPM. Therefore, she was smeared as well. And she was mostly defending the people in the Tea Party. She just used herself as an example since she is associated with the Tea Party Movement.

The NAACP's condemnation was an attempt to smear an entire movement because of a few people that the vast, VAST majority of tea party protestors have never even seen at a rally. They can sit back now and split hairs, but the whole thing was unnecessary and their real agenda is as transparent as glass. And one more thing, to imply that a Tea Party American would not condemn someone they saw at a rally with a truly offensive sign is insulting. And I include myself in that category. I've been to three rallies in my state. I've never once seen anything that could be remotely considered racist. And if I did, I'd say something.

Every movement has its fringes. This guy is comparing a literal handful of people to a wing that has whole marches full of lunatics screaming things like "Kill George Bush!"

As for Tom Tancredo or whatever, I am so sick and tired of these people trying to find a racist under every rock. They did this to Hillary Clinton, for Pete's sake. "Oh the 'code words' the Clinton campaign was hurling, they're obviously aimed at Obama being black." Oh, shut up! I'm not a Hillary fan, but that was ridiculous.

Tancredo was talking about how stupid the typical Obama voter was. Do liberals not charge the same thing of Republicans or Sarah Palin followers all the time? But because Obama's black, dig out that race card.

I'll return the NAACP's favor. Since they haven't come out against the Black Panther idiot who picked up a microphone and screamed about killing 'crackas' and 'white babies,' the NAACP is racist. They hate white people. And we will not allow them to hide any longer!

Bill Randall, Tea Party Candidate:

Rand Paul on Fox and Friends

The Healing Process

Call me crazy, but I don't have a bad feeling about the Bristol getting married thing.

I do feel for her parents.

Sarah and Todd obviously want what is best for their daughter, and that includes a good, loving husband for her and a great father for Tripp. Like all parents, they want their daughter to marry a prince. With the way Levi has behaved this last year, they're definitely not thinking that he's got what it takes. From their statement it sounds like they are less than thrilled. Who can blame them? I'd blame them if they didn't have reservations.

Bristol has shown herself to be very independent-minded. Sometimes that's good, sometimes it's...interesting.

I think she really does want her parents to be okay with this. However, she also realizes that while she has decided to take Levi back (albeit with reservations; marriage counseling is definitely on the menu), her parents are going to demand actual actions to match Levi's pretty words.

He says he wants to step up to the plate and prove himself. He says he wants to get an education, get a job, and be there for Bristol and Tripp. But the Palins aren't fools. He's going to have to actually do those things and prove himself on a consistent basis.

If nothing else, I think it's clear that Bristol is on her own. She is independent from her parents and is making her own decisions.

I guess we'll see what happens. For now, I'm putting this down as a good thing, and I'm praying that Levi's on the up and up and that he will prove himself. I just want everyone to be happy. Prayers. Definitely some prayers going up.

I know some people are ticked off at Bristol as well. All I can say is watch the video on this story. And no, she's not pregnant. Good grief.

I watched my Aunt raise three kids on her own, one of whom had some development issues because her husband had kicked her while she was pregnant. It wasn't easy. She had to rely heavily on the help of friends and relatives. She managed it, but with a lot of wear and tear. If Bristol thinks that she can make it work with her child's father, I am going to be the last one to fault her for trying it.

And Levi, not everyone gets a second chance. You better not squander yours.

Now there are rumors that a reality show might be in the works. At this point, nothing would surprise me. Honestly, I'm not really sure I would even have a problem with it.

Good grief. I must be in a really good mood today.

Glenn Beck

Funny vid of the day:

Oh, Brother - UPDATE

Levi and Bristol are engaged. They hope to get married within two months. I waver between vomit and relief that the soap opera is finally over.

Ya know, I was afraid this would happen. When Bristol didn't come out and deny that her and Levi were back together (even though Tank did), a little worry started poking its head around the corner of my mind.

Bristol, I cannot say that I condone your taste in men, that's for sure (LOL!), but good luck. I hope you know what you're doing.

And I do have to say, I always kind of thought that Bristol dumped him and that Levi wanted her back.

Article:

"We got engaged two weeks ago," Bristol, 19, tells Us Weekly. "It felt right, even though we don't have the approval of our parents." In other words, Sarah Palin didn't know Bristol and Levi and baby Tripp were breaking the news on the cover of Us.

"It is intimidating and scary just to think about what her reaction is going to be. Hopefully she will jump on board," Bristol told Us Weekly.

Bristol and Levi, 20 -- who called off their previous engagement two weeks after welcoming son Tripp in December 2008 -- tell Us Weekly they reconnected three months ago while working out a custody plan for their 18-month-old son. "I really thought we were over," Levi says. "So when I went, I had no hope. I think we both just started talking — and then we took Tripp for a walk."

Says Bristol, "When he left that night, we didn't hug or kiss, but I was thinking how different it was. He texted me: 'I miss you. I love you. I want to be with you again' ... I was in shock."

They want to get married as soon as possible, but no date is set. Bristol told Us Weekly she is not pregnant and they are practicing abstinence until the wedding.

So what do Sarah and Todd Palin have to say about the news? A statement was read on the Today show this morning from them:

"Bristol at 19 is now a young adult. We obviously want what's best for our children. Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives."

In other words, they don't sound thrilled.

I wouldn't be either, Sarah. Haha! I think I would puke. I feel your pain.

But, and I do mean BUT, if Levi is serious, then I guess it's better for Tripp.

Maybe.

Seriously, they're like the teenage couple that's in love one week and hates each other the next. I hope they don't hit the "hate" cycle again anytime soon.

And now cue the media talking about this for the next three months or so...

UPDATE:

The complete statement put out by Mom and Dad:

"As parents, we obviously want what is best for our children, but Bristol is ultimately in charge of determining what is best for her and her beautiful son. Bristol believes in redemption and forgiveness to a degree most of us struggle to put in practice in our daily lives.We pray that, as a couple, Bristol and Levi's relationship matures into one that will allow Tripp to grow up graced with two loving parents in his life."

I'm not sure I trust either one of these young pups' decision making. But, goodness knows that being a single parent is not easy, and it sure makes things a whole lot better for the kid if his parents aren't fighting all the time and he's not having to be shuffled between homes his whole childhood. If both parties are on the up and up, then I say, more power to 'em. We'll see.

In the meantime, I say, "Go Tripp!"