Patterico's Pontifications

10/15/2008

Murtha Calls Constituents Racists

Filed under: 2008 Election — DRJ @ 4:14 pm



[Guest post by DRJ]

Congressman John Murtha, a Democrat from Pennsylvania and confidante of Speaker Nancy Pelosi, called his own constituents racists yesterday today:

“The 17-term Democratic congressman told the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette in a story posted Wednesday on its Web site: “There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area.”

Murtha said it has taken time for many Pennsylvania voters to come around to embracing a black presidential candidate, but that Obama should still win the state, though not in a runaway.

In a separate interview posted Wednesday on the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review’s Web site, Murtha said Obama has a problem with voters’ racial attitudes in western Pennsylvania that could trim his winning margin on Nov. 4.”

Here’s a map of Murtha’s 12th Congressional District in southwestern Pennsylvania.

It’s hard to believe voters actually elect someone who talks about them this way.

— DRJ

78 Responses to “Murtha Calls Constituents Racists”

  1. That district is a horrible gerrymander.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  2. He’s a white version of William Jefferson and Alcee Hastings. What does it says about western Pa. voters in his district that keep reelecting him?I think bringing the pork home is part of it and having big dem registered numbers. He’s the defeatist assclown who wanted troops in Iraq redeployed to Okinawa and is being sued for his Marine slander. Wake up Pa. racists! My Pa. Senator was clueless suck-up-to-Europe RINO Specter, whom Bush supported in the primary. Now I am represented by moonbat Wexler. Great examples for term limits all.
    NOBAMA- Terrorist endorsed

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  3. He can’t be that stupid, can he?

    Am beginning to wonder if things like this are simply (really clumsy) manipulation tactics. Gavin de Becker’s “typecasting” (“you’re not a racist, ARE YOU? then vote for Obama”) seems apropos here. Hope he gets the backlash this deserves.

    no one you know (1f5ddb)

  4. And it probably will not matter. Certainly it won’t matter for Murtha personally; he will likely be reelected with a 2-1 majority. OTOH, he did support Hillary, so maybe he’s trying to undermine Bambi?

    Nah, he’s just jumping on board the “if we don’t elect Obama there will be a race war” train. He’s just — once again — proving himself to be the pathetic worthless piece of shit that he has ALWAYS been.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  5. I can’t help but think that all of the talk on race and accusations from the prominent Dems is going to cause a backlash on election day to Obama’s disadvantage. The so called “silent majority” is still out there in my opinion.

    voiceofreason2 (d9c3ba)

  6. Murtha has no loyalty…or brains. But hey, my vote didn’t put him there. What an opportunistic hack.

    paul from fl (4dd8c4)

  7. I like how that map is followed by a linked question: Not sure if you are in the 12th District?

    Who could be sure? As long as he’s been around, he’s probably responsible for the gerrymandering that produced that map as well.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  8. Calling your own district racist is about the most stupid and offensive thing any Congressman could say.

    That said, I don’t know about that district specifically, but I have spent some time in West Virginia and have to say that is probably the most racist state in the country, worse than the deep south usual suspects. Not everyone there of course, not even most of them, but you probably have a higher chance of hearing the N word used openly and without shame there by white people as anywhere else. As his district is basically “North East West Virginia” it probably is fairly racist.

    Aplomb (b6fba6)

  9. I corrected the post to show Murtha’s comments were published today – Wednesday – instead of yesterday. I guess you should take everything I say with a grain of salt since I thought this was Thursday. (It feels like Thursday.)

    Sorry about that.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  10. I could almost swear that there used to be a time when Aplomb had a tighter grip.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  11. I’m pretty sure he was including himself among the racists.

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  12. Icy Truth: it’s unlikely that he was involved in the gerrymander; usually such things are done by the state legislature, and he’s a Congressman.

    aphrael (e0cdc9)

  13. I’ve lived in TX, FL, LA, GA, MO, WA, and MA. The most racist people I’ve ever met were in Boston. The least racist was Houston.

    Sherri (887294)

  14. NOYK-

    I agree odds are it is an attempt at manipulation. Not only does it sound like a “too-stupid” comment, but, more importantly, it was reported by the MSM, so there must have been a pro-Obama reason.

    So Murtha thinks all of his constituents will vote for Obama to “prove” they aren’t racist.

    I hope somebody can take him on and beat him. If not, maybe I’ll have to move west before the 2010 election.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  15. I put ABSOLUTELY NOTHING past the king of pork and shady deals — not to mention one of the last (maybe THE last) member of Congress still around who was tainted by the ABSCAM business.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  16. Having just come back to CA from a family visit trip to a working class section on the Right Coast, and not being surprised at all by Murtha’s comment, I thought to Google “racism western pennsylvania -murtha.” I found the following comments on one discussion on this topic a year ago, apparently by locals:

    “I think the main issue in Western Pa. you have a tradition of self-contained working class neighborhoods who haven’t been used to dealing with immigrants and diverse type of people since the 1900s and this type of environment breeds stereotypes..( I know people who live is Mckees Rocks who make stereotypical comments like ‘most people who go to Pitt are Jewish followed by Asian and the rest are regular people’). … So the issue in this region of the country is lack of exposure to various types of people in general..not so much overt racism but covert racism possibly.” Posted by Agbor 8/11/07

    [Reply to Agbor] “This is consistent with my experience. When my parents were growing up, a mixed marriage was one between an Irish Catholic and an Italian Catholic. There were separate Catholic parishes in my mom’s neighborhood in Lawrenceville for the Irish, Polish, and Italians. The Jews lived in Squirrel Hill, the blacks lived on the North Side and the Hill District. Those patterns have been much slower to change in Pittsburgh than in other cities. My parents’ neighborhood in Ross is still almost entirely white, even though the houses are very affordable. I have heard MANY people in my parents’ generation in Pittsburgh make racist comments about blacks, Jews, and Asians, and I attribute most of this bigotry to a simple lack of exposure to other racial and ethnic groups.” Posted by claremarie 8/11/07

    Full discussion is here:

    Pittsburgh segregated and racist?

    Pecator Dubius (0a6237)

  17. Hey, his own constituents had no problem with the esteemed windbag accepting bribes on tape during the ABSCAM sting – why would this bother anyone there?

    Dmac (cc81d9)

  18. Four outcomes may result from this: (1) People may get offended and it may hurt Obama.
    (2) People may get offended and vote for Obama, just to prove him wrong.
    (3) People may get intimidated into voting for Obama, just to avoid being called racist.
    (4) People won’t just care what he says. They will vote for their candidate of choice, irrespective. Based on the issues.
    But I just don’t understand what his battle strategy is, here. Why is he pulling the race card? Who is he trying to help? Or hurt? (Scratching head…)

    love2008 (1b037c)

  19. They probably thought it would trickle down into the district.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  20. Lovey – He’s fucking senile!

    daleyrocks (d9ec17)

  21. Money, money, money, money, money, money.

    Murtha delivers. His opponent has no shot at delivering so much as a sidewalk improvement project.

    Words vs. cold, hard, cash. Gee, how should I vote?

    Ed (f58dc1)

  22. I hope somebody can take him on and beat him.

    Apparently I read this comment far too quickly because for a second I thought, well, okay its a bit extreme but I’m sure there are probably a few willing Marines…. Debate jitters get the best of me.

    Dana (658c17)

  23. Comment by daleyrocks — 10/15/2008 @ 5:23 pm
    He needs to apologise and impeach himself! Or resign. He’s done.

    love2008 (1b037c)

  24. Comment by aphrael — 10/15/2008 @ 5:07 pm

    If redistricting is handled in PA anything like it is here in the Dem.Republik of Kalifornia, Murtha had a very direct and strong influence on who his constituents were going to be.
    CA’s last redistricting was handled by the brother of Congressman Howard Berman (D-BevHills) in the Congressman’s campaign office (his brother is his campaign manager) and paid for by the CA Legislature. The main criteria in 2001, was incumbent protection. The GOP in the state legislature had a large enough number to sustain any veto, so they were on board as long as their members (Assy, Sen, and HofRep) were in protected districts. I don’t see PA doing it any different. They’re all corrupt when it comes to staying in office.

    Another Drew (7da08f)

  25. He needs to apologise and impeach himself! Or resign. He’s done.

    Comment by love2008 — 10/15/2008 @ 5:29 pm

    Agreed – apology bettah be coming to his district; resignation sounds good (he’d nevah do it though).

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  26. Murtha’s constituents won’t care what he calls them if they are really racists and it won’t affect their votes. Thus, if Murtha believes he can shame his constituents into voting for Obama, he knows they aren’t racists. That makes his comments indefensible.

    DRJ (c953ab)

  27. and another thing on Murtha….
    He stays in by buying votes. That’s what the earmarks are for, plain and simple.
    Not only are his constituents racists (his word), they’re whores too (my word).

    Another Drew (7da08f)

  28. I can’t believe Murtha was stupid enough to generate his own October Surprise 3 weeks before the Election,

    His opponent is going to have him for dinner

    .BILL RUSSELL: Murtha Wrong on Racist Charge

    JOHNSTOWN [10.15.08] Lt. Col. Bill Russell (ret), the Republican nominee in Pennsylvania’s 12th Congressional District, responded today to new comments from Rep. Jack Murtha calling Western Pennsylvania “a racist area.”

    According to an article published by the Post-Gazette, Murtha made the following statements to reporters regarding Barack Obama’s prospects the upcoming presidential contest: “There’s no question Western Pennsylvania is a racist area.” Murtha would make similar comments to the Pittsburgh-Tribune Review saying, “Obama has got the problem of the racist issue in Western Pennsylvania.”

    Russell responded saying, “Once again Mr. Murtha is using the prestige and platform of public office to make wild, reckless statements about the people he represents in Congress.” Adding, “Because the people of Western Pennsylvania aren’t wholeheartedly embracing Barack Obama’s values and positions on issues like the right-to-life, taxes and the 2nd Amendment doesn’t makes us racist. That’s the cheapest of cheap shots

    Dan Kauffman (3d4a88)

  29. Dana-

    Interesting how a few letters in changing “on” to “out” would affect the meaning.

    I guess Murtha could be in trouble if “No-earmarks McCain gets elected.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  30. I don’t know how Murtha’s constituents will react, but having spent a lot of years past in NJ, PA & CT, IMO saying the working class areas of the Northeast are racist is like saying water is wet.

    But racist is not really the right word. They are ethnic. Your background is the most important identifier locally. Example: I drove school bus for an regional Catholic High School in Eastern CT. The very first thing the kids asked me was, “What are you?” That meant where did I fit into their social world. Was I Irish, French Canadian, Polish, Portuguese (I obviously wasn’t black or Puerto Rican)? My answer that I was Swedish Scottish English just confused them.

    Pecator Dubius (0a6237)

  31. One look at the gerrymandered geometry of the map of Murtha’s district says far more about the sorry state of our congressional delegation than all the political malfeasance that has been Murtha’s lagacy. Is there any intelligence in western PA? The repeated election of this despicable man and the acceptance of the abomination that is the configuration of his district shows either studied ignorance or stupidity by the populace of the Keystone State.

    MikeD (7619d2)

  32. Is everyone offended and shocked that Murtha might have been telling the truth? Richard Trumka grew up in Western Pennsylvania and admits that some people there have prejudice against African Americans. Murtha isn’t saying these people are going around burning crosses.

    Would we be shocked and angered to learn that racism might exists in the South or West? Or do we think that racism is dead in America?

    mj (c39ebb)

  33. and alongs come mj to point out that Murtha was right.

    RACISTS

    JD (f7900a)

  34. mj, someone engages in cheap namecalling and you defend it.

    SPQR (26be8b)

  35. “some,” mj; you said it yourself. Some. That’s different than saying “There is no question that western Pennsylvania is a racist area.”

    The overall point is that — ONCE AGAIN — it is a Democrat who has chosen to play the racism card.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  36. Is it namecalling if it’s the truth?

    So far no one has given proof that Murtha is wrong.

    mj (c39ebb)

  37. Background:

    West Virginia did not exist as a State until the War of Northern Aggression. Prior to that war there was but one Virginia.

    However, when Virginia decided to secede from the United States and join the Confederated States, the Western part of Virginia reacted by separating itself from Virginia. The Federal government was quick to oppose the secession of the Confederate States, but welcomed West Virginia into the Union.

    Although West Virginia supported the Union, many citizens of the Mountain State retained their traditional loyalty to Virginia. Some crossed the state line and joined the Army of Northern Virginia, Robert E Lee commanding.

    Ropelight (80557f)

  38. mj is the next in a long line of Leftist logicians that thinks that the burden of proof is on the audience to prove that the speaker was wrong.

    JD (f7900a)

  39. So far no one has given proof that Murtha is wrong.

    — And YOU have given no proof that he is right. The burden of proof is on the prosecution.

    Icy Truth (1468e4)

  40. I mentioned Richard Trumka’s speech. He’s from Western Pennsylvania and talked about the people he met that wouldn’t vote for Obama because he’s black.

    Logically, if the area had a large number of Democratic supporters for Hillary and then decided not to vote Democratic because of Obama, then you have to figure race into the equation. Essentially they had the same platform. The only difference was race/gender.

    Proof.

    mj (c39ebb)

  41. What the hell does West Virginia have to do with this?
    Murtha is a representative from western Pennsylvania.

    TC (a4dd38)

  42. Logically, if the area had a large number of Democratic supporters for Hillary and then decided not to vote Democratic because of Obama, then you have to figure race into the equation

    Nope, that is not remotely logical, except in a Leftist’s mind. They could agree with Hillary that Baracky is inexperienced. They could be women that like the idea of a woman on the ticket. They could be normal Americans that do not want their taxes raised. There are all sorts of reasons why one might not support Obama, none of which have anything to do with race.

    JD (f7900a)

  43. You are a racist for suggesting that there could possibly be reasons besides race as to why someone might not support Sen. Obama.

    I denounce you.

    Scott Jacobs (d3a6ec)

  44. Is it namecalling if it’s the truth?

    So far no one has given proof that Murtha is wrong.

    Comment by mj — 10/15/2008 @ 8:13 pm

    Last night, I went and interviewed everyone Murtha was referring to and found none of them to be racist.

    OK, what’s the next topic?

    CW Desiato (614aa7)

  45. #42, TC, after Aplomb at #8 above made the comment that West Virginia “is probably the most racist state in the country” I thought it might be helpful to review a bit of the history of West Virginia.

    Aplomb defended Murtha’s idiotic statement by equating Western Pennsylvania with West Virginia. Aplomb says there are lots of racists in WV, (he knows because he “spent some time there”) and since WV borders Western Pennsylvania, it therefore follows, in Aplomb’s mind, that folks in Murtha’s district are racists by proximity.

    That’s the sort of foolishness I believe Icy was pointing out in his comment at #10.

    That said, TC, the answer to your question is nothing, nothing at all. Aplomb was playing the race card to defend Murtha. He’s willing to look down his nose and slime the people of West Virginia in order to make excuses for the despicable Democrat, Murtha, but Aplomb failed to mention Senator Robert Byrd, a Klegal in the KKK. Byrd has legitimate credentials as a racist, and he’s from WV, but because he’s a Democrat, Aplomb ignores that example.

    Ropelight (80557f)

  46. That district is a horrible gerrymander.

    Though it would never pass, I’d love to see a Constitutional Amendment that specifies Congressional districts must be shaped so that a line drawn from any point within the district to any other point in that distract does not pass through another district in that same state. Gerrymandering is just letting the politicians choose their constituents, and is massively corrupting.

    Rob Crawford (6c262f)

  47. Rob C – The racist Republicans would never win a seat in Congress if you did that.

    OT – But I was reading the Esquire magazine issue where they were endorsing candidates. If they have their way, the Dems would hold about 300 seats in the House, and about 65 in the Senate, plus Baracky. There were several Republicans ensorsed only because there was no Dem opponent. Their rationales were quite comical.

    JD (f7900a)

  48. Murtha’s statements, while being a generalization has a lot of truth to it. Not only whites for blacks, but blacks for whites and all other ways as well. The racism here in Pittsburgh is very covert. You don’t really here it out in public, but there are a good amount of people here who don’t object to throwing out racial jokes when they are among their own race. Sure, a large part of it has to do with the older generation, and because Western PA has a higher than average age discrepancy, this just tends to be true, but you see it a lot in the younger generation. When I was in high school in the ’90’s there were race fights in the city high schools (Allderdice High School). I played soccer, basketball and tennis. When we (Shadyside Academy) had away events for soccer and tennis I wouldn’t see any racism (1 or 2 black kids on the team) but when we had away games, particularly the Springdale area, the racists were out in droves, or at least the racism in people came out (due to the number of black kids on our team). John Murtha’s statement is not untrue. He knows his constituency, that’s why he gets elected. Ignoring things does not make them go away. I cheered Murtha for having the intestinal fortitude to say what we Western Pennsylvanians know and to say something that many would jeer him for and call him a race-baiter. I knew he would bow to public sentiment, but we know he’s just talking straight and possibly a little too openly for some people.

    Just because one does not experience or endorse something does not mean that it doesn’t exist or that there aren’t people who feel that way.

    SteelerNation (96f134)

  49. Murtha’s statements, while being a generalization has a lot of truth to it. Not only whites for blacks, but blacks for whites and all other ways as well. The racism here in Pittsburgh is very covert. You don’t really here it out in public, but there are a good amount of people here who don’t object to throwing out racial jokes when they are among their own race. Sure, a large part of it has to do with the older generation, and because Western PA has a higher than average age discrepancy, this just tends to be true, but you see it a lot in the younger generation. When I was in high school in the ’90’s there were race fights in the city high schools (Allderdice High School). I played soccer, basketball and tennis. When we (Shadyside Academy) had away events for soccer and tennis I wouldn’t see any racism (1 or 2 black kids on the team) but when we had away games, particularly the Springdale area, the racists were out in droves, or at least the racism in people came out (due to the number of black kids on our team).

    Unfortunately racism is alive and well here in the Steel City and the surrounding areas. Not everyone is racist, but there are a lot of them.

    John Murtha’s statement is not untrue. He knows his constituency, that’s why he gets elected. Ignoring things does not make them go away. I cheered Murtha for having the intestinal fortitude to say what we Western Pennsylvanians know and to say something that many would jeer him for and call him a race-baiter. I knew he would bow to public sentiment, but we know he’s just talking straight and possibly a little too openly for some people.

    That doesn’t mean people will not vote for Obama. It just means we got a bunch of out-dated thinking going on in our area.

    Just because one does not experience or endorse something does not mean that it doesn’t exist or that there aren’t people who feel that way.

    It’s funny how people who have never lived here can comment on how we will react to this. This isn’t a liberal, conservative, democrat or Republican issue. Murtha’s statement is the truth. We know it. Ya’ll should accept it. The man is just being honest.

    Deal with it.

    SteelerNation (96f134)

  50. Sorry about the double post. Especially the length of it. My apologies.

    SteelerNation (96f134)

  51. We know it. Ya’ll should accept it. The man is just being honest.

    Notice how the Leftists always just know shit better than everyone else, and you should just shut the fuck up and accept their received wisdom?

    Murtha would not know honest if it stood in front of him and gave him a huge mushroom bruise on his forehead.

    JD (f7900a)

  52. Are those of you saying “Murtha is right” actually from Pa.? or have you just “spent some time there?” *rolls eyes*

    Whatever. Just go back to your perfect hometown and leave us to our backwords ways….

    ActuallyFrom PA (b82838)

  53. So the way I see this is it is ok for people who live in Harlem,Watts, and other areas with a high percentage of blacks to vote for Senator Obama because he is black, but not for white folks to vote for Senator McCain because he is white..

    Seems like a double standard to me.. To peg all of Southwest Pennsylvania with the term racist seems a bit of overkill to me..

    Why is there no call for a congressional hearing about this guy and his to me very racist comment..

    Perhaps it is that double standard.. Just ask Jimmy The Greek..

    Larry Myers (a70bbd)

  54. Oh, puhleese… Western Pennsylvania is chock full of people who are in denail about their seething racism. As a white woman, try to walk down the street holding hands with a person of color and experience what the passersby do. What a herd of hypocrits you all are. I lived in State College and was born in Johnstown, so don’t try to lie about this. I lived it.

    Erica (21ce7f)

  55. Oops. Denial. typo

    Erica (21ce7f)

  56. Oh, puhleese… Western Pennsylvania is chock full of people who are in denial about their seething racism.

    It is not just racism, but seething racism.

    JD (f7900a)

  57. Word, JD. Must be hard to keep the blinds pulled so tightly.

    Erica (21ce7f)

  58. 58- most of us here could give a rat’s ass who you were banging as long as you don’t expect us to pay for your mistakes. How many cherubs did you have by numerous fly-the-coop bros? Your own lack of self-respect and self-responsibility is not our problem.

    A local self-loathing Jew today took umbrage when I sent her facts about her Messiah. Seems I’m a jerk and she has to vote for Obama because McCain has “anger management issues”. Of course any lack of honesty by Obama is never an issue. And naturally Palin is the empty green suit and not Obama.

    I wonder if Baracky would agree with Earl Butz about black men wanting to be in certain warm places for defecation, tight places for sex and blessed with loose shoes? Jesse Jackson can refer to NYC as hymietown without repercussions or counsel the first black potus about extramarital sex while he himself had knocked up an underling.

    Nobama – terrorist endorsed.

    madmax333 (0c6cfc)

  59. Having been born and raised in Virginia (near the capital of the Confederacy), and spending lots of time hiking and camping in Western VA, MD and PA, I can categorically support this statement. Not all of course, but I’ve been stared at and called some foul things while visiting these areas. Ever go into a store where everyone stops and stares, you say hello, and they continue to stare?

    A close cousin of mine (who worked in Dubya’s first White House) has recently married a white male. Great guy, love him to death. But I’m upset he took her from a nice diverse place to a few rural acres in West Virginia, where in the first 2 months alone they’ve received numerous death threats and all manner of property damage. I really wish Americans would wake up to the fact that hate still exists in this nation.

    Michael A. (03f057)

  60. You know, I do think he should have apologized, but unfortunately there seems to be a grain of truth to what he says. See an article in the Pittsburgh Post Gazette on Sunday, October 5th. The article is entitled, “Obama not much trusted in border county”. The article interviews people from Dott, PA, a rural town in SW PA. On page A-9 a 68 year old man is quoted as saying the following, “Obama’s got two strikes on him before he gets to the plate: 1. He’s black, 2. He’s a Muslim” This same person continues as follows, “The country was based on white people, not blacks. Blacks belong underneath, not on top”

    I don’t even know what to say about this other than I am new to the SW PA area, and this is just so sad.

    Christina (59fd5f)

  61. The only reason I took so long to respond to this article is I was a tad bit confused. I didn’t know whether or not to call the fine citizenry of Pa idiots or fools.

    However on second thought the anser became easy after several momentes of thought. If Murtha’s constintuets don’t stamd up and demand impeachment
    proceedings they are both the former and the ladder..I pity you, but pity myself even more because that obnoxous jerk effects us all.

    Will (e25ed8)

  62. I think most people, conservative or liberal, would agree that racism exists. How much and how to live justly in spite of it is a question where there is less agreement.

    Was Murtha’s statement in any way helpful to anybody? Did it serve to promote understanding and reconciliation? Did it encourage the more noble aspects of our natures?

    All he has done has been to feed into the idea that the only reason people would vote against Obama is that he is African American. He is suggesting that Obama will win PA “anyway” because the rest of PA is more enlightened and less racist than Western PA and “will make up for them”.

    My first-grader came home from school last spring saying it would be good if either Obama or Clinton became President, because it would either be the first African American or the first woman to be President.

    I guess I prefer Martin Luther King Jr.’s definition of what racism is not, “To be judged by the content of one’s character, not by the color of one’s skin.”

    It would be interesting to know how many are voting against Obama primarily because he is Black and how many will vote for him primarily because he is Black.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  63. FWIW Murtha has apologized for the statement.

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  64. Thanks for the link, NOYK, but in checking it out I think it sounds more like he’s saying, “I’m sorry Western PA is racist.” or “I’m sorry I said Western PA is racist because I’m taking more grief than I thought I would.”

    Like the comedy routine (Marx Brothers?)
    A- You’re an idiot!!
    B- Am not! Say you’re sorry!
    A- All right. I’m sorry you’re stupid

    Happy to condemn myself if that is not the essence of the comment.

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  65. A- All right. I’m sorry you’re stupid

    Happy to condemn myself if that is not the essence of the comment.

    Comment by MD in Philly — 10/16/2008 @ 6:47 pm

    LOL

    Try to give people the benefit of the doubt but must admit that crossed my mind too. Since you mention it, also FWIW, here’s where I got the NRO link.

    They agree w/ you and I must say they make a good case.

    no one you know (1ebbb1)

  66. Thank you.

    I agree in giving people the benefit of the doubt when you can, but Murtha already made it on my contemptibly behaving politicians list for his slander of the Haditha Marines (whether they were guilty or not, it was not his place to condemn them before an investigation was done).

    MD in Philly (3d3f72)

  67. Dear 58, Are you implying that if I don’t hold hands with someone who is an albino, such as yourself, that I don’t have self respect? No kids, and JC is my savior. So, go look in the mirror and clean up that racist mess that’s staring back. You can wiggle all you like, but the result is the same.

    Erica (21ce7f)

  68. RACISTS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    JD (f7900a)

  69. Why is anyone upset with Murtha for stating the obvious? From anecdotal evidence, the Northeast is a lot more racist than the south in my opinion. I’ve been called the “n-word” much more often in New England than in Mississippi or Alabama. That said, we have some serious cultural issues in this country. Anyone that isn’t the norm is deemed “other,” and we all know other is bad, bad, bad. This demonization of those not like us is extremely immature and reeks of personal insecurity.

    What is about Obama that scares people so much? Really, I would like to know. First he’s a Muslim. Then he’s a socialist. It’s quite astonishing actually. Are we reverting to the year 1863?

    Michael A. (03f057)

  70. “…I’ve been called the “n-word” much more often in New England than in Mississippi or Alabama.…”

    Let’s sort this out, if we can – it is fairly simple:

    New England – overwhelingly BLUE states, run by DEMOCRATS!

    Mississippi and Alabama – RED states with GOP majorities!

    And the GOP is the Party of Racists?

    And, another thing…
    If Murtha’s district is populated by Racists, what does that say about Murtha, a Democrat?

    Another Drew (7894e6)

  71. That he’s happy to get the vote of racists?

    Scott Jacobs (a1c284)

  72. He is the representative of his contituents.

    Another Drew (7894e6)

  73. I blame the Republicans fpr Democrats being racists. That is the standard they are applying to Joe the Plumber.

    JD (f7900a)

  74. Another Drew-

    Your response fails to persuade. Hippocrisy and bigotry are rampant in either political party. The Dems of recent decades have simply pandered to minority constituencies the most. Also, I don’t recall any assertion on this post that the GOP is the party of racists. Your words, not mine.

    However, my anecdote was a bit out of context so my apologies. In my limited experience, it’s a different kind of racism in the North and South. Northern attitudes might stem more from segregated housing conditions (ie predominately Italian or Polish neighborhoods in Philly, or Scots-Irish communities in Appalachia). There may have been interaction in say, your typical steel mill or automotive plant. Southern attitudes take on a different tone due in large part to a more substantial Antebellum population of blacks. Also, remnant conditions particular to agricultural economies, paternalistic land ownership practices, etc all seem to drive attitudes of, dare I say, a perceived inferiority of “the help.”

    Northerners (and those blessed Ohioans) just don’t have the same interaction with communities of color that Southerners do. I recall once visiting Pottsville, PA (home to Yuengling Brewing Co.) to pick up some antique car parts. I wasn’t afraid so much as felt like an alien in my own country. Quite odd, but I wasn’t treated disrespectfully at least. Can’t say I’ve received the same treatment in small Southern towns. That said, hate speech can come from any corner; Spaniards and Russians have been particularly notorious offenders, at least in my travels. Nonetheless, there’s much for all of us to learn about our neighbors, so please take all of my conjecture with a grain of salt.

    Michael A. (03f057)

  75. Michael, just wanted to set the record straight on who does what, from where.
    Personally, I’m from the West, and as a youngster supported efforts to unwind Jim Crow, though I missed the great struggle in the early 60’s as I had a pressing engagement out of the country to attend to that prevented my return to join in those momentous events.
    I do not deny that the ethnic conclaves of the North-East are problematic when it comes to race relations. I also don’t deny the lingering traces of bigotry within the South.
    But, even though I cannot deny that racism exists, I can state with some authority that racism exists throughout the World, and that the United States is probably the least racist country (as a whole) than anyplace else, and offers people of all colors the best opportunity for freedom, advancement, and success.

    BTW, I don’t recall saying that anyone had said that the GOP was a party of racists, though that is thrown about quite a bit. All I did was recount what the prevailing political culture was in the two areas of the country you mentioned.

    Another Drew (7894e6)

  76. I denounce AD

    JD (5f0e11)

  77. I resemble that denouncement, PROUDLY!

    Another Drew (7894e6)


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