The Dangers Of Revolutionary Right-wing Rhetoric

[Richard]

A case study and something to ponder...from both sides of the aisles.

Richard's $.02

The Dangers Of Revolutionary Right-wing Rhetoric
Walter Rodgers, CSM, 27 Nov 2009

Few places have deeper scars from violent invective and verbal incitement than this North Carolina city where people still speak in whispers, embarrassed by the events of Nov. 10, 1898. Wilmington is tragic testament to the fact that social progress is not inevitable and that, left unchallenged, hateful speech and words frequently morph into violence.

Today, talk of an antigovernment revolution has gone mainstream in America. One federal law-enforcement agency has discovered 50 new militia groups, including one made up of past and current police officers and soldiers. While in office, President Bush was the target of roughly 3,000 death threats a year. President Obama is on pace to quintuple that. In this environment, Americans might well reflect on Wilmington's experience 111 years ago.

In 1898, this city was years ahead of the rest of the American South, building an inclusive, interracial political culture. It had a burgeoning black middle class. A new era of hope dawned in North Carolina.

But the losers in the 1896 elections, the white Democrats, sulked on the margins, threatened by political irrelevance. Their sense of entitlement to governance had just been rejected by white progressives and black voters. "Take back the state," became their battle cry.

And they did just that. On Nov. 9, some Wilmington whites issued a White Declaration of Independence, proclaiming "that we will no longer be ruled ... by men of African origin."

The next day, a vigilante group of armed supremacists forcibly removed the Republican city leaders (both black and white) from office, and took control, burning buildings and shooting blacks. The official death toll was fewer than 20, though African-American oral tradition claims the Cape Fear River was choked with hundreds of bodies. There is no question that thousands of frightened blacks fled.

Neither President McKinley nor the governor of North Carolina (both Republicans) acted to stop or reverse what amounted to a coup and race riot. Soon thereafter, Jim Crow laws undermined basic rights for blacks for the next half century.

One gets a sense of déjà vu listening to today's right-wingers talk. In March, Fox News host Glenn Beck said: "If this country starts to spiral out of control ... there will be parts of the country that will rise up."

That's what happened in Wil*ming*ton in 1898. Those who lost power in elections launched a coup marked by terror. Such a revolutionary impulse resonates again.

This spring, covering an antitax "tea party" protest in Boston, Fox News Business anchor Cody Willard raged, "Guys, when are we going to wake up and start fighting the fascism that seems to be permeating this country?"

The Rev. William J. Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP, recalls similar sentiment on Southern billboards during the civil-rights era, "painting Martin Luther King as a communist, a socialist, and anti-American."

As in 1898, a prominent black American's patriotism and legitimacy are questioned. Today, the radical, reactionary right asks whether Obama is really an American citizen. Mr. Barber warns of what he calls "a rebirth of dangerous rhetoric," reminding us that "all forms of violence are preceded by violent language."

Today, the hate barometer is climbing dangerously upward. In August, Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist church of Tempe, Ariz., told his congregants he prays for Obama's death. So, too, does the Rev. Wiley Drake in California.

The lesson is obvious: Healthy language produces healthy communities. Unhealthy language results in unhealthy communities. "The 1898 Wilmington violence laid the foundation for a one-party state, driving a wedge between peoples for political ends," says David Cecelski, a North Carolina historian. "It strikes me as immoral."

Wilmington still struggles with the legacy of these events more than a century later. Generations of black children were condemned to third-rate educations. Today, under the banner of "neighborhood schools," the city, like other municipalities nationwide, faces subtle efforts to resegregate classrooms. Perhaps the most tragic facet of white-hot rhetoric then and now is that democracy was betrayed; and trust, the linchpin of democracy, was destroyed.

A year ago, Wilmington community leaders such as District Attorney Ben David helped launch a reconciliation campaign to restore interracial trust and move beyond blame and defensiveness toward healing. It is a slow process.

Nationally, Americans need to have a similar conversation to avoid repeating the country's painful racial history. Today's fire-eaters and right-wing bloggers might consider the long-term human and social damage inflicted on Wilmington by an earlier generation of alienated politicians. Then they should tamp down their toxic brew of incitement, hateful language, and subtly disguised racism.

http://www.csmonitor.com/2009/1127/p09s02-coop.html

[T-Rock]

It appears Mr. Walter Rodgers is inappropriately attributing “racism” to those (tea baggers) who oppose collectivism

[Warrior-Mentor]

Surprised to see this published by the Christian Science Monitor.

The title alone labels it an attack from the liberal left.

UNDERLINED below are all the Liberal buzzwords.


The Dangers Of Revolutionary Right-wing Rhetoric
Walter Rodgers, CSM, 27 Nov 2009

Few places have deeper scars from violent invective and verbal incitement than this North Carolina city where people still speak in whispers, embarrassed by the events of Nov. 10, 1898. Wilmington is tragic testament to the fact that social progress is not inevitable and that, left unchallenged, hateful speech and words frequently morph into violence.

Today, talk of an antigovernment revolution has gone mainstream in America. One federal law-enforcement agency has discovered 50 new militia groups, including one made up of past and current police officers and soldiers. While in office, President Bush was the target of roughly 3,000 death threats a year. President Obama is on pace to quintuple that. In this environment, Americans might well reflect on Wilmington's experience 111 years ago.

In 1898, this city was years ahead of the rest of the American South, building an inclusive, interracial political culture. It had a burgeoning black middle class. A new era of hope dawned in North Carolina.

But the losers in the 1896 elections, the white Democrats, sulked on the margins, threatened by political irrelevance. Their sense of entitlement to governance had just been rejected by white progressives and black voters. "Take back the state," became their battle cry.

And they did just that. On Nov. 9, some Wilmington whites issued a White Declaration of Independence, proclaiming "that we will no longer be ruled ... by men of African origin." [COMMENT: Anyone paying attention will notice a close similarity to the "CAIRO DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS IN ISLAM," which subordinates all human rights to only those permitted by sharia, with the goal of subverting and ultimately supplanting the UNIVERSAL DECLARATION OF HUMAN RIGHTS.]

The next day, a vigilante group of armed supremacists forcibly removed the Republican city leaders (both black and white) from office, and took control, burning buildings and shooting blacks. The official death toll was fewer than 20, though African-American oral tradition claims the Cape Fear River was choked with hundreds of bodies. There is no question that thousands of frightened blacks fled. [COMMENT: Sounds like Christians fleeing Muslim majority countries and cities once they reach critical mass. Once Christian Lebanon, Egypt, even Bethlehem...the list goes on...]

Neither President McKinley nor the governor of North Carolina (both Republicans) acted to stop or reverse what amounted to a coup and race riot. Soon thereafter, Jim Crow laws undermined basic rights for blacks for the next half century. [COMMENT: Much like sharia law undermines rights of non-Muslims.]

One gets a sense of déjà vu listening to today's right-wingers talk. In March, Fox News host Glenn Beck said: "If this country starts to spiral out of control ... there will be parts of the country that will rise up."

That's what happened in Wil*ming*ton in 1898. Those who lost power in elections launched a coup marked by terror. Such a revolutionary impulse resonates again.

This spring, covering an antitax "tea party" protest in Boston, Fox News Business anchor Cody Willard raged, "Guys, when are we going to wake up and start fighting the fascism that seems to be permeating this country?"

The Rev. William J. Barber, president of the North Carolina NAACP, recalls similar sentiment on Southern billboards during the civil-rights era, "painting Martin Luther King as a communist, a socialist, and anti-American." [COMMENT: This is an attempt to paint a parallel between blacks in the past and Muslims now. Don't be fooled. There's a HUGE difference. No one can choose their race. Race is not an ideology. You can choose your religion. You can choose to believe or dis-believe what you want. Islam is not a race. What race is a Muslim?]

As in 1898, a prominent black American's patriotism and legitimacy are questioned. Today, the radical, reactionary right asks whether Obama is really an American citizen. Mr. Barber warns of what he calls "a rebirth of dangerous rhetoric," reminding us that "all forms of violence are preceded by violent language."

Today, the hate barometer is climbing dangerously upward. In August, Steven Anderson of the Faithful Word Baptist church of Tempe, Ariz., told his congregants he prays for Obama's death. So, too, does the Rev. Wiley Drake in California.

The lesson is obvious: Healthy language produces healthy communities. Unhealthy language results in unhealthy communities. "The 1898 Wilmington violence laid the foundation for a one-party state, driving a wedge between peoples for political ends," says David Cecelski, a North Carolina historian. "It strikes me as immoral." [COMMENT: I disagree with his logic leap to conclusion. There are times when unpleasant talk is necessary. And discussion of Islam's ugly points are necessary for the common good of this nation. read the thread: "Why the Negativity?" for further insight why this is necessary...]

Wilmington still struggles with the legacy of these events more than a century later. Generations of black children were condemned to third-rate educations. Today, under the banner of "neighborhood schools," the city, like other municipalities nationwide, faces subtle efforts to resegregate classrooms. Perhaps the most tragic facet of white-hot rhetoric then and now is that democracy was betrayed; and trust, the linchpin of democracy, was destroyed.

A year ago, Wilmington community leaders such as District Attorney Ben David helped launch a reconciliation campaign to restore interracial trust and move beyond blame and defensiveness toward healing. It is a slow process.

Nationally, Americans need to have a similar conversation to avoid repeating the country's painful racial history. Today's fire-eaters and right-wing bloggers might consider the long-term human and social damage inflicted on Wilmington by an earlier generation of alienated politicians. Then they should tamp down their toxic brew of incitement, hateful language, and subtly disguised racism.

[COMMENT: Again, what race is a Muslim?]

[Richard]

YGBSM!

Richard's jaded $.02

[Dad]

I would call that article very insightful. For 8 long years while the federal government experienced massive growth, our national debt doubled, non defense discretionary spending rose at 1.5 times that of the Clinton era, massive legislation such as the prescription drug plan which was nothing but a gift for big pharm, the people screaming loudest now were silent. The federal government, according to Richard Viguerre, was turned into an ATM machine for special interests, the screamers were silent. Do you know why the prescription drug plan can't negotiate prices? Because "it would be in violation of free market principles." What horseshit! The screamers were silent.Deregulation in the financial industry, which began ten years ago lead to a near collapse of the worlds economy. There was a reason there were rules in the financial industry but they were limiting Wall Streets ability to steal so they were thrown out and the screamers were silent. The Iraq war turned into a cluster fuck! If you questioned it todays screamers said you weren't supporting our troups. We passed one of the largest violations of our rights in history called The Patriot Act and if you questioned any part of it you were a traitor. And todays screamers were silent!
The Obama administration inherited 2 wars and a financial crisis of immense proportions. Almost immediately certain peolple began to assault him for a variety of reasons. Some even publicly stating they hoped he failed. So NOW the screamers decide to scream! Why not 6-7 years ago? Race? Or something even worse? I think a little of both. And there are plenty of people in this country who are willing to be blindly led.

[Pete]

Dad, your last post was long on Horse Shit.

Your "facts" are a jumble of half truths. The prescription drug plan was opposed by conservatives.

Most of Bush's "reach over to the Democrats" ideas were opposed by conservatives.

Bloated Federal spending under cover of Homeland Security was opposed by conservatives but used as pork paybacks by both parties.

The financial mess can be laid right at the feet of the Democrats - not Republicans.

That was why support for McCain was so weak from the right and only picked up after he picked Palin to be his running mate.

The left is now looking at another bailout of people who should not have bought homes to begin with.

[Dad]

Sorry, it was not bullshit, no disrespect meant. The founder of an investment banking firm in the Midwest and a securities lawyer have been warning me of the disaster for 10 years. The lawyer is a member of the federalist Society and the investment banker served as finance chairman for numerous Republican campaigns from governors to senators. They were both committed Republicans. There may have been Dem's who went along, but the deregulation in the financial industry was led by Republicans--notably Phil Gramm. OOPS, you're right. Phil Gramm was a democrat until he switched!!

And don't forget Tom Delay's participation!! He is the one who told Bush(reportedly) to keep his hands off the budget when Bush wanted to cut it. And he is now on the board of the American Conservative Union! However, upon his appointment 6 board members resigned in protest.
Good reading is "To Big To Fail by Andrew Ross Sorkin. Books by Portnoy(?) are suppodedly outstanding as he made the predictions in them. I have not read Portnoy, only had the info in them relayed to me.

[alright4u]

The Obama administration inherited 2 wars and a financial crisis of immense proportions. Almost immediately certain peolple began to assault him for a variety of reasons. Some even publicly stating they hoped he failed. So NOW the screamers decide to scream! Why not 6-7 years ago? Race? Or something even worse? I think a little of both. And there are plenty of people in this country who are willing to be blindly led.

You are lost.

[Dad]

Originally Posted by alright4u

You are lost.

Nope

[Warrior-Mentor]

Originally Posted by Richard

YGBSM!

Richard's jaded $.02

Have you read the Cairo Declaration of Human Rights in Islam?
http://www.religlaw.org/interdocs/do...rislam1990.htm
NOTE: Focus on Article 2, 24 and and 25. Everything falls under sharia. Including their right to kill you.

Have you read the OIC's 10 Year Plan of Action?
http://www.oic-oci.org/10y/en/


(23) POA I.7.3.
Endeavor to have the United Nations adopt an international resolution to counter Islamophobia, and call upon all States to enact
laws to counter it, including deterrent punishments.

47. Have an international resolution issued by the UN to combat Islamophobia.

SEE ALSO NOTES FROM:
OIC International Conference on Terrorism:
Dimensions, Threats and Countermeasures
Concluding Observations from the Chair, November 2007 Tunis

As Prof. Ekmeleddin Ihsangolu, OIC Secretary General noted, there is a growing need to be more concerned with tackling “defamatory campaigns that seek to incite a particular civilization against another, thereby inflaming violence, hatred and extremism, and ultimately leading to terrorism”.

[COMMENT: Another case of shifting responsibility for acts of violence from perpetrator to victim.]

The OIC Secretary General went on to say:

“As reiterated by the OIC, the international community must counter campaigns of calumny against Islam and Muslims to prevent the spread of Islamophobia which attempts to cause a rift between civilizations, a situation that has become a new form of racial discrimination.”

[COMMENT: Where is the race in this racism?]

[Team Sergeant]

Originally Posted by Warrior-Mentor

Surprised to see this published by the Christian Science Monitor.

The title alone labels it an attack from the liberal left.

[/COLOR]

Walter Rodgers is a former senior international correspondent for CNN.

Nuff said.