I don't know how this man ever became President. I mean he is whip smart and affable - but he doesn't know when to shut up. Perhaps only after Watergate - when we really did want full transparency for a few months - could he have been elected.
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In case you missed it, Jimmy Carter said that much of the anger and criticisms directed towards Barak Obama - in particular Joe Wilson's outburst - were based in racism.
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To which I have 2 things to say. #1: Du'h. I mean regardless of how much we honestly try to get around race in this country, there are stereotypes that are hard to break. There are deep seated feelings, fears and assumptions that go with race. Having said that, we are really tyring to get around them. We elected what we believed was the best choice based on the men, not on the race. Racism can be acknowledged, and then we attempt to overcome it.
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#2 is a lesson I learned from Steve Coyne that I try to teach everyone every day. Not every truth needs to be uttered. Just because it is true - or you are right - shut up sometimes, if it isn't going to make a difference - then it doesn't have to be said. You don't always have to be right!
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Try this - say you have a friend (like me) who is going grey. If you saw me twice a year, you would be able to say to me every time, "Man, you have a lot more grey!" This would be true and accurate - but there is no reason to say it. It will not move our conversation forward in a constructive way.
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Much like saying that some of the anger and fear of Obama is based on race. Of course this is true for some people. But saying it isn't going to change their minds! It will not move the conversation forward in a constructive way! In face, saying it will only serve to raise a wall of denial from people who do hate him (in part) because he is black. Being black is not even the main reason a lot of people dislike him. And if a person's distrust of Obama is based on the color of his skin - most of us already see that.
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The Rush Limbaughs of the world have already used Jimmy Carter's comment to "prove" that you can't even talk to liberals about Obama. So now the White House has had to deny it - and you have moved the focus off people's actions to a discussion of their motivations. Which don't mean shit. I don't want wishy-washy discussions of motivations or old hatreds or racism. I would prefer discussions of outcomes.
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And so... let this be a teachable moment for all of us. If just one person learns to keep their big yap shut because Jimmy Carter put his foot in it - it won't be a total lose.
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If you want an intelligent post about racism that makes a point past "He's a Racist!", then see Rod Dreher's comment via AmericaBlog....
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PS - Jimmy Carter proved that you need more than smarts, honesty and a do-good desire to be President. I mean he is a Great Man, but he is a lousy ex-President (and he was an even lousier President).