NAACP vs. Tea Party

HuffingtonPost.com:

A plan by the NAACP to condemn perceived racism in the Tea Party movement has sparked fiery attacks between the NAACP and Tea Party leaders.

NAACP President and CEO Ben Jealous addressed a resolution being debated at his organization's annual convention in Kansas City, Mo. on Tuesday.

"Expel the bigots and racists in your ranks or take the responsibility for them and their actions," Jealous said. "We will no longer allow you to hide like cowards and hide behind signs that say 'Lynch Our President' or anyone else."

In his speech the NAACP leader also took aim at ex-Alaska Governor Sarah Palin and Kentucky Republican Senate candidate Rand Paul -- two political figures who have emerged as icons for many Tea Party supporters.

"Sarah Palin says, 'Let's party like it's 1776.' My white daddy would say be careful what you wish for because the 18th century, Sarah, wasn't good for anybody, even folks like you," Jealous said. "And if you want to debate civil rights, and the Civil Rights Act, Rand Paul, my message to you is this: show the backbone and answer my challenge, set a date and I and the NAACP will be there."

The Republican lobbyist created 'tea party' has been nothing but a front for racist rhetoric delivered via Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh from day one.

Support for the neo-Confederates, support for the racist 'Birthers' and the racist John Birch Society end all debate over this issue. Point at signs all you like, the bottom line is they support racist groups like these joining their ranks and taking on their branding.

The NAACP has come out to speak the truth minus the media bullshit filter that moronic Americans rely on to feel good about their racism and bigotry. Unsurprisingly the racist right-wing has responded by both denying it and calling the NAACP racist in response.

God forbid these racist bootlickers could denounce the liars in the racist 'Birther' movement.

Asking for honesty from a conservative is like asking a rapist to treat a woman with respect.

Tea Party Terrorists & Code Pinkos

Just a quick update on American Politics:

If you are anti-war you are a "pinko" and if you are anti-taxes you are a "terrorist."

Just so we are all perfectly clear...

Why The Health Care Debate Is So Contentious

Even prior to the abortion issue being pointlessly dragged into the debate over health care reform the issue has been one of the most contentious debates I have ever seen in politics.

The question quickly becomes: Why?

I feel I have an answer, and it mirrors the matter of the abortion debate as well.

It is simple:

Both sides view the other as disingenuous and downright evil.

From the perspective of the anti-reformists all support for this bill is a disguised effort to destroy capitalism and / or expand the federal government to an unreasonable size.

From the perspective of the pro-reformists all rejection of this bill is a disguised effort to spread hatred, intolerance, racism and violence under the banner of a “tea party” and / or purely strategic politics of conservatives seeking to undermine all bills proposed under President Obama.

(There is, of course, a great deal more complexity at play here in both positions.)

In a situation where both groups view the other as “liars” there is no debate to be had. No discussion that will bare fruits. None.

The fear and lies surrounding this health bill entirely native to the rightwing has no bartering point from which to start from. There is no common ground to find with a person who lies about the record and rejects all evidence that does not compliment their existing preconceptions.

Throughout this year long national debate I have strived to pull the emotions out and put the facts in their place, but such actions only serve a purpose when there remains holdouts on both sides. In the course of this I have seen new levels of hostility directed at me personally more so then ever before in my experience.

I have never “un-friended” and “blocked” so many people in my entire ten-plus years on the Internet.

The incitement toward violence, the death threats, the partisan hate; all existed prior to the matter becoming national in the death threats against Democrats post-HCR. All of this existed in the venom directed at health reform advocates on a daily basis from individuals of a very low moral fiber and very poor understanding of democracy.

In matters discussing life and death, I’d rather not see so many and myself give in to fear; but it truly doesn’t surprise me in the least to see this country explode in mindless paranoia. Big changes equates to big fears, bad economy equates to paranoia on the rise.

In the solid matter of facts, this health bill is a net-positive for America.

But this issue will not lose any of it’s contentious nature no matter how many facts are interjected in the mass spreading of paranoid myths. For too many Americans it is simply easier to believe the worst, and the biased conservative media is sure to provide them endless piles of red meat.

Tea Party Death Threats & Vandalism

(USAToday.com)

The fractious ultra-conservative Tea Party Movement has finally morphed from bazaar partisan rancor into death threats and vandalism against the Democratic health care reform agenda. The racist language directed at John Lewis, the homophobic slurs directed at Barney Frank, the coffin placed in Russ Carnahan’s lawn; the list of examples continues on.

Bigoted anti-Semitism has erupted in talk radio and Internet circles as the threats with possibly bullets behind them find their way to Eric Cantor’s office.

The Tea Party tactics that we see coming to fruition in all this recent hostility toward Democrats and any progressive or liberal who does anything but stand mute are designed to sour and squelch all civil debate over health care reform, this is not and never was about taxes.


The Republican Party and the biased Fox News media have done nothing prop up these radicals who exhibit these untruthful and violent features. Now these same hypocrites attempt to lay the blame for this vandalism at the feet of Democrats and those who support the health care reform agenda.

The far right has revealed itself as a anti-life & anti-freedom movement in this reform backlash, while the mainstream right reveals itself to be completely accepting of this domestic terrorism.

I want to see these Tea Party bloggers posting an address that is attacked with vandalism to be arrested on charges of willfully contributing to wanton destruction of private property.

Two conservative Tea Party activists posted the address of the home on the Internet on Monday, mistakenly believing it was the home of the congressman. One of the activists urged others to “drop by” and “express their thanks” for Perriello’s vote in favor of health care reform.

Tuesday evening, Perriello’s brother’s family smelled gas and discovered the propane line of a gas-powered grill on their screened-in porch had been slashed.

The Coffee Party Movement Inspires Me

If you are anything like me then the recent lapse in any kind of reasonable or civil debate in our politics has you feeling frustrated and uncertain of what to do.

I fall back upon my classic standards of political partisanship and playing to the left-base, but in truth I am not satisfied by this in the least.

We don't need word-wars over labeling and branding, we need solutions for America that work.

We don't need more spin and more talking points, we need honest debate and informed decision making.

What Coffee Party USA offers is civility and a place for democracy to take place in a honest fashion.

I encourage any person who has formed an opinion of me that is one of "ultra-left" to understand I was most moved by U.S. Army veteran Alan P. Alborn's words that anything I have seen in a very long time. I understand far more about what motives are behind conservatives and libertarians than I let on and ultimately my views are no different from Alborn's views in regards to the matter of the free market or the size of government.

This is one element that was always part of what makes me "independent," and I am tired of being brought nearly to tears dealing with these Tea Party activists who seek to do nothing more than rewrite history and stop all rational debate while neglecting the more important issues of health care and insurance reform.

The Coffee Party Movement is the answer we have been looking for to send the message to Washington that we sent them there to get something done, not just play procedural games while Americans suffer.

We'll see if they even want me around, they have a statement about "no pundits and partisans and strategists" ... that's me three for three. But punditry can be declared, partisanship can be avoided and they will want my strategies if they ever give me a chance to share them ... so maybe I am reading too much into that statement.

I encourage you to join the Coffee Party, too!

We are a group of concerned Americans who want government "that responds to the needs of the majority of its citizens as expressed by our votes and by our voices; NOT corporate interests as expressed by misleading advertisements and campaign contributions."

:::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::

Official Websites:

http://www.coffeepartyUSA.org

http://facebook.com/coffeeparty

http://www.youtube.com/user/coffeepartyusa

(other "dupe" web-groups have already begun to spawn in response to the Coffee Party, only these websites are Coffee Party Movement)

Ayn Rand is Running the TEA Party

(Boston Globe)

There have been many valid questions raised as to just exactly who is running the much talked-about “TEA Party.” Is it Rush Limbaugh? Sara Palin? Glenn Beck? Joe Wilson? Rupert Murdoch?

Nope. It’s a dead author. An egomaniac novelist-philosopher that makes up some of the founding principals of libertarianism, but certainly was not directly involved with the conservatism movement in the least.

From beyond the grave, she now rules over the ever-pandering Republican Party and this so-called “tea party.”

--

Ayn Rand claimed to “individualism,” but had no interest in allowing for individual disagreement over her logic within her “inner circle,” and preached “objectivism,” but refused to be objective in terms of literary-criticism of her novel “Atlas Shrugged.”



Here is this new “ethic” born of Ayn Rand that we see dominating the political right:

1. If you are poor, it is always your fault.
2. Asking for and receiving help is always wrong and a weakness.
3. Drive all compassion out of yourself.
4. You and your view are perfect, and cannot be wrong about anything.
5. Greed is holy.

--


Before anyone thinks I’m making all this up, let’s take a look at Ayn Rand in the news:

Gentlemen’s Quarterly (GQ) has named Ayn Rand “Writer of the Year of 2009” and Andrew Corsello spoke in his article of the "youth appeal" to Rand and as to his own experiences with her writing that greatly mirror my own.

2,000 pages of you’re-either-a-lion-or-a-leech ideology, loathing over Shakespeare, Beethoven, Marx, government, “subnormal” children, “simpering” social workers, homosexuals, and all of it with no grace, no subtly.

Philandering Republican Governor Mark Sanford was hiking the Appalachian Trail with Ayn Rand in the November 2nd issue of Newsweek.

While Rand's philosophy was based on individual's absolute freedom, Rand herself exercised a dictatorial control over her followers. Her chief acolyte (and lover), Nathaniel Branden, once circulated a list of rules for Rand's inner circle to follow; one of them read, "Atlas Shrugged is the greatest human achievement in the history of the world"; another said, "Ayn Rand, by virtue of her philosophical genius, is the supreme arbiter in any issue pertaining to what is rational, moral, or appropriate to man's life on earth."

Ayn Rand has shifted in and out of favor, but she may be more relevant today than ever.

Lastly, do not forget that the anti-reformist TEA Party have long since adopted this mantra of “Who is John Galt?”

--

I feel I have the answer these people seek, as to the identity of John Galt. It is rather simple:

“John Galt” is nothing but what you read now, something that came from the mind of another.

I created “Little Suzy” for the sake of a online discussion in regards to the health care debate in the U.S.

“Little Suzy” and “John Galt” are one in the same, yet different sides of the same coin. Pure fictions created solely for the purpose of enforcing a point of view. In the case of “John Galt,” he is a construct for the protagonist to encounter and in the case of Ayn Rand's writing to promote the concept of the "individual capitalist." In the case of "Little Suzy," she is a collaboration of non-fictional individuals in the real world who have suffered at the hands of the for-profit medical insurance agencies and she exists as both the protagonist and the antagonist in a story where she dies from treatable cancer after being exempted from insurance coverage.

Who is Little Suzy?

She is the little girl who died because any time someone speaks of "health care reform" in the U.S. the hounds of arrogance and venom are unleashed by the nearly completely partisan right-wing, thereby serving no purpose except to prevent all rational debate and civil discourse.

Ayn Rand and her TEA Party enjoy saying statements such as: "Some opinions are just wrong."

Completely false and obviously founded in high levels of hubris. Nobody can ever be "wrong" about their own opinion. You can, however, be "wrong" about the facts.

The rejection of all facts is not "objective." nor is it representative of "individualism" so much as it is a practice of willful ignorance.

I am perfectly willing to debate differences in opinions about the role of government and the role of the private sector, but often those heavily influenced by Rand feel that they are justified in their self-critiques of themselves as "geniuses" and "gifted." One Randite, who goes by the name Malice (oddly enough), spoke in the GQ article of how Ayn Rand appeals to adolescents who are feeling dejected and find that the words of Rand are a reminder that, "you were right and everyone against you is wrong." I believe he phrased it quite well as to what the true motives and core beliefs behind this movement truly are: self-superior logic. If someone disagrees with you, they obviously are not as smart as you. Or some other perverted form of backwards-logic that truly only serves to allow for people to behave like fools and be smug rather than civil and then call that "sound logic" and "spreading the truth."

--

I feel I must disclose that part of my distate of Ayn Rand is more complex than simply that I believe she is over-rated and outright immoral; it how she very much resembles myself in certain ways.

I am a writer, but like Ayn I do not simply "write." From one writer to another reaching out across time I must admit I feel some connection to this woman. In my more jocular moments I speak of how the real problem with the world today is that nobody is listening to me as how to get things done. In a strange way, I suppose I could explain her appeal to someone who was completely flabbergasted by all of it. But I laugh good and hard about how silly and arrogant I sound, she was actually serious about similiar statements. There is a big difference, in the end.

I am composing a piece of societal-commentary right next to the creation of my own philosophical foundations along with simply writing fiction and short essays.

I am prone to start coining "-isms" and start throwing them around as if there is a movement going on. I am a "populist" for peace, a "realist" for media-integrity.

Perhaps most profoundly is that in haste and enflamed passion I might lean toward alignment with this notion that I am vindicated by some gift of intellect over any misdeeds I commit, that I can treat my opponents in a way that I would never wish to be treated and they are the ones at fault not I, that my bitter rage and frustration make up the whole of the picture.

When one takes a hard step outside of the ideological boxes that people like Ayn Rand and myself tend to create around ourselves it becomes clear that the two of us did share some common bonds beyond simply both being fiction writers.

In the name of compassion and mutual understanding I have to come to know this piece of what I call "wisdom" as to Ayn Rand's similarity to any person who strives to take their writing and use it as a tool to display what they see.

--

Alan Greenspan was one of many Randites who have come to see the failing in their former logic.

Greenspan, to his credit, came forward in the height of the global economic meltdown to speak out against the exact same kind of “free-capitalistic” business practices that caused the crash. He clearly stated that he found: “[a] flaw in the model that I perceived as the critical functioning structure that defines how the world works.”

Conservatives and libertarians greatly ignored and widely dismissed Greenspan and his unsubtle rejection of these “Ayn Rand Economics” or “Free-Market Capitalism” styled politics that he had once been a strong advocate of. I contend that these people do not care to explore flaws in their ideological stances and instead (in greater and greater numbers it seems) only seek to create an atmosphere of me-versus-you if any person is in anything but outright agreement if not an atmosphere of outright violence.

Ideals like "selfishness is a virtue" and "greed is good" above all else drove us into a lasting national recession while the GOP and the TEA Party continue to advance the abandoned ideologies of Greenspan that ultimately serve only to make the rich richer and the poor poorer. The disgusting and shameful element being that was the stated goal of these ungracious self-serving monsters to begin with: a war on the poor and the middle class.

Dishonesty and willful ignorance dominates the TEA Party, right along with the radical GOP, leaving me to assume that no less than Ayn Rand coming from beyond the grave is the one who is truly running the party.

This is a Tea Party, and I am The Mad Hatter

Oh yes, my friends.

This is the real tea party, right here and now.

But this is not a party about taxes, this is the tea party that exists through the looking glass.

This tea party is about our society, and the many ideas surrounding it.

Some of which includes talking about taxes.

This tea party has a March Hare, he claims to himself to have started the Tea Party. He speaks of taxes and government much, but the March Hare is a fool and a liar.

I will stuff him in the tea pot, because he is a stupid fool.

This is the true tea party. For I am true to my role of Mad Hatter in our political hyperbolical insanity-solution to the madness we made.

In my ideological youth, I feel I must declare, I was much like the March Hare.

I spewed forth of bizarre concepts from "anarchism" to "libertarianism" to "stupidity."

But in my growth to see the middle of battlegrounds, I have gone quite mad as well.

---- CHANGE PLACES! ----

If anyone calls me a "progressive" I shall spill hot tea on your lap.

I am a "liberal." As in "liberty."

There is no doubt that forward-thinking and scientific reasoning is what prevails when the effect of the fumes subside upon my brain. But a vague label, I shall not embrace.

This is a place of "progressive religious views" and "Progressive Reformist views" but without my little attachment on the "progressive" I am most miffed.

This brings us why some of you are asking me again and again why I stuffed the March Hare in the tea pot and will not let him out despite his protests.

It is because he enjoys saying "socialist" to me in a label and I find him disgusting for it because I have debated real-life socialists, politely, and he becomes confused sometimes about listening to others after he opens he mouth. The March Hare takes his tea inside the tea pot because he likes it there. Nobody can hear him because he refuses to hear anyone else and that's the end of it!

---- CHANGE PLACES! ----

Most things come down to where you want your government and not your specific feelings toward government itself. Like a great many other products, hate & fear sell quite well on the open-market. This is one of the reasons I am quite mad, quite mad indeed.

I have no interest in profiteering off lies, though I am quite capable of creating them at whim.

The Mad Hatter is insane to stick up for the poor and the working-poor. I am quite mad indeed to underscore the commercialized news-media tearing down our United Statesry.

It is not popular to be here and there instead of there and thee.

I could expound upon "federalist expansion" and such, but even the word "transparency" is lost on most.

This Obama offers not a full & complete transparency, but he has done more than any in my lonely memory.

This quite originally-sound idea of town halls became a place for madness the likes of which even I cannot condone, in too many cases.

But this Obama let's The March Hare run wild!

Then again ... he made not be as mad as I.

---- CHANGE PLACES! ----

We have a corrupt-media enterprise termed “Fox” running wild in our lands.

They have worked to spread ethnocentrism, false-nationalism, false-Christianity and recently false-news reports.

The way how this works is you either care, or you don’t.

You either look into the work of non-mad peoples who have studied this, or you don’t.

The clanging of the tea pot lid gets very loud around this issue. Once again, he does not listen but he claims he is while he prepares a slander designed just for you.

False advertising. Every single time they use the “Fair & Balanced” label for themselves and also to any person on Fox News who tries to absorb that label for themselves.

This practicing of Foe-News might be fun, even gloriously so, but we have torn down our press to the state it was when political parties owned the only newspapers.

The Feed of Fox, taken as a solitary fluid, is just a biased disease from upside-down world.

One must weigh what the Fox Red Meat against credible news and find if they squeezed a little of the story in there.

---- CHANGE PLACES! ----

Democracy is a burden, not a blessing!

Democracy requires that not just the mad, but the many, must participate in politics.

The challenge is placed on the citizen, on you and me, to know the difference and have the hard facts.

It would be far easier to shrug off all decision making some “elites” somewhere and be done with it.

Though I’ll take this, I see a big flaw that I am mad to point out: too many people have no idea what they are talking about when they speak of policy or history.

The solid fact of the matter is you cannot mandate people to stop voting against their own interests anymore than you stop political activists twisting the truth.

What this system of government cannot abide under is sheer ignorance of the people.

In order for this crazy idea of representative government, or democracy, to survive it must maintain an ethical press and an ethical news-media.

Today we face a Media Industrial Complex right along with the Military Industrial Complex, and a host of other issues, and I see nothing of the deep contemplation and information gathering needed in far too many of us.

This populous of peoples must be using these brains and using the benefits of good journalism.

This whole notion that we chose to decide serious matters in part by the people assumes the people are actually paying attention in the first place.

---- CHANGE PLACES! ----

The structure of the political-world changed in this country. Somehow spreading intolerance, racism, bigotry and superiority over others became a political stance.

There is also the issue of the stupid.

I may be mad, but I am not stupid. I know the difference between hard facts and nonsense that insults Americans everywhere.

Some in this nation have decided that racism, hatred, religious-zealotry, bigotry and deception are the new status quo.

These people have nothing to do with conservatives, they have to do with bitterness and shame alone.

Even one as mad as I still seeks to draw a line between those who seek to sew violence and hatred versus those who simply disagree.

Sometimes it is important, only for a moment, to isolate out a certain voice. A voice that has the answers to these driving questions of:

“Is that true?”

“Is all this banter really based on something?”

No, it’s all fabrications and excuses to hate.

But it has to do with how they are doing this version of blather. They have no grounds to stand in ignorance of facts and silent under The Bush then spray venom under The Obama.

They call me crazy but you can’t be wrong about an opinion, you can only be wrong on the facts.

Misquoting the Constitution is another trait of The March Hare that earns him a tea pot in which to take his tea.

When one is mad you read all these little papers that say these things.

…

I feel I have exhausted myself.

In truth, all are welcome to the Mad Hatter’s Tea Party.

But beware to the people who refuse to take the U.S. seriously and accept wild theories in place of something you can show me to be true.

This Mad Hatter has never had much tolerance for arrogant rejection of facts.

What Was Nancy Pelosi Crying About?

Something dangerous that is easily used for ill. Something we see running wild in right-wing politics.

But before we get to that we have to retrace our steps to around the time we experienced the recent global economic meltdown:

1. After lowering taxes, starting two wars, and doing nothing to warn of the coming recession, former President George W. Bush engaged in a government spending program giving out a Stimulus Check to people like myself who are not making any money. Then he bailed out the banks, and we lost a good chunk of the “TARP” money in the exchange for his efforts.

2. Unsubstantiated claims about The President of the United States Barack Hussein Obama ranging from claims that he has a falsified birth-record, to claims that he was secretly of Islamic faith, to claims that he was a cloaked dictator, to claims that he was involved in the disaster of the Bush Presidency, to claims that he was trying to forcibly legislate an increase abortions, to claims that he was being dishonest in his Address on Health Care to Congress. Even with nothing but wild conjecture, oppositional profiling, and personal bias behind all these claims they are still touted across the news media.

3. The first round of “tea parties” was thrown only after President Obama began the Obama Stimulus, and despite their claims they were funded by GOP big-money thus most certainly were not a “grass roots” movement. The second round of “tea parties” has been mainly hijacked by FOX News & Glenn Beck with his “9/12 Protest” on Washington. Just like before they claim their problem is “taxation” but they neglected to protest when the previous president took actions that, under their own logic, would lead to higher taxation through “bail out policy” and a “stimulus program”.

4. Outright violence, the brandishing of firearms, the direct rejection of direct reading of proposed legislation, and extreme levels of verbal hostility toward Pro-Reform activities was the true end result of the national debate on health care via town hall meetings across this country. There has been an electronic publicly conveyed death threat against the president and a Federal Census worker has been brutally slain under highly dubious circumstances that may amount exactly to the kind of anti-government rhetoric the right-wing is promoting so avidly.

--

So what was Nancy Pelosi crying about?

Populism is on the rise in North America.

--

The worst kind of Populism that exists, the purely fascist brand of populist-thought.

It revolves around thinking that all not in agreement with you must be “indoctrinated” or “flawed” and that you and those who associate with your thinking have the purest-form of all logic.

This fascist-mentality, when mixed with populism, makes for an atmosphere of violence. What is worse yet is there is no true agenda to this brand of Populism that we see before us today.

They quite clearly only wish to attack the Obama White House and have no real set goal beyond constant smears as can we clearly seen by the fact that if they got Obama out of office that Joe Biden would be president, and after him Nancy Pelosi.

So they wouldn’t be pleased with even two supposed impeachment proceedings, they would have to go for three and I assume try to install John Boehner. This entire movement has reached a point that it is and actual danger to our society.

Because it is Populism without Peace, it is a form of Populism I can never associate with.

I dream of a day when people could come together and settle many differences as respectful and honest citizens of this great nation, and on that day I would speak of Populism being a good thing. An element that drives democracy and brings people to the table. Something that can enhance our understanding of one another as we come together on common goals. Such a day when we could throw away political parties, or perhaps introduce more, fresh ideas into the national dialogue and power structures of Washington.

But that day is not today.

There is no doubt.

What we see now is simply an anti-Obama crusade of Populist rhetoric that is being used to spread inaccurate claims instead of reasonable discussion on facts.

Misused, as it has been in this case, Populism is a very dangerous thing.

However, the “Cash for Clunkers” program is an example of what I believe is the true essence of Populism. The majority agreed and all parties involved were satisfied of those who took part, and in the end populism ruled because the demand far exceeded the value.

--

When something is truly good for the whole, and the majority wants it, a Liberal Populist like myself is working toward that end.

When something is only a benefit to the selective few, and loud minority wants it, a Fascist Populist like Glenn Beck is working only toward his own selfish ends.

--

These are dark days in North America.

The lies continue to spread, the right-wing political-media continues to be corrupt, and people are buying more guns and ammunition than ever before.

This “danger” does not stop at Obama.

This threat is upon anyone they deem against them.

May God have mercy on all their souls.

Tea Party Folks Did Not Vote In ‘08

“I was actually black before the election.”

-- President Barack Obama

I well aware of how vastly arrogant my headline for this post is.

I’m not a TEA Party ("Taxed Enough Already") person, nor a right-winger, nor a libertarian, nor a fringe radical. But I actually pay attention to both sides of the political spectrum, in fact all sides of the political spectrum, and I do it on my own without relying on the work of others to decipher it all for me.

I am stepping outside of my ‘box’ here, but what I’m telling you is based off of real comments of real people who didn’t get paid more if they screamed louder or lied harder.

And these people enraged with everything Obama does or says did not vote. Period.

They all sat home and decided that it was all a wash. Or the vast majority of them did at least. Maybe a few voted for the anti-American psychopath Alan Keyes.

Now Obama came out to say, in a very clever way, that the animosity against him is political and not racial.

I think very likely this is, for the most part, completely accurate.

A lot of these people are so angry because they didn’t vote. And that’s really it. There isn’t a lot more to understand.

Sure they are ‘anti-government‘, but not really. They are only anti-government when the government is run by mainly Democrats and their hatred for the government dissolves as soon as the Republicans are in power. It’s laughable and complete partisanship, but also not racist in any form.

The issue of this modern strain of racism is far more subtle and far more disguised than something so simple as overt anti-black statements.

This is part of why the rightwing cannot process the words of Jimmy Carter.

His courageous words involved looking at the world in more than a black-and-white, on-and-off, bumper sticker mentality. One must dabble in nuance and undercurrents to come to this conclusion.

It’s rather simple:

Some white people in this country are not willing to share power with non-whites.

If you actually read Carter’s comments, that is exactly what he said.

And it would be deplorable and insane if President Barack Obama was going to back up the words of Jimmy Carter. That would be completely wrong-headed and bad for the country.

So this whole issue has been a-swing-and-a-miss in terms of the conservative response to these charges. They constantly imply that Carter said that all rejection of Obama is based on race and everyone political knows that such a statement is completely false.

This example here of the TEA Party people and how they in fact placed no trust in democracy whatsoever during the election and then want to place faith in democracy through protest at this stage is just one of many examples that shows that it‘s not all racial motives.

Basically they came late to table and that’s part of their extreme bitterness. They are quite angry with themselves for the nonsense they were spouting, that I was listening to, that voting was completely pointless. Now they really wish they had gotten out there.

The big point a lot of people on the left fail to make about all this is that it is the failure to reject racialists like Glenn Beck and Rush Limbaugh and the failure to reject McCarthyist claims, that started long before Glenn Beck started repeating them, is the best example of racism in The Republican Party.

The howling silence from major ticket Republicans in regards to race-baiting and McCarthyism running wild in their party is pretty much the best evidence that exists that not only was Carter right, he understated the problem.

But I’m no brazen fool, I know exactly what I’m asking the GOP to do. I want them to throw away the Southern White Racists and throw away the White Nationalists, both of which really do vote Republican. So my request is for them to throw away votes.

And they won’t do that. Especially not now that they are wounded, limping party relying on media hounds to do CPR to their wrinkled husk.

But it’s about doing what is right for the country even when that might not be what is best for the party.

And this complete unwillingness to even admit that a boil of festering racism exists upon the fringe of the rightwing, makes me think that perhaps this veiled racism against any non-white leadership is actually present in a vast majority of cases.

Something Carter never said. Something I’ve never heard anyone say whatsoever.

But when many people won’t even explain why they believe Carter was mistaken and all they do is engage in bigoted insults against him, misrepresent what he said and just plain arrogantly insult anyone who backs Carter up; it truly does the beg the question if they just view the matters from a different lens or if they actually are so enraged because they know these statements are true and cannot abide by it being discussed openly in public.

TEA TIME

GARDEN PARTY GLAM

Whatever happened to the proper afternoon tea? I believe it’s high time we resurrected this English pastoral delight, not simply for its refinement, but because of all the lovely accoutrement that accompany it! [Carved watermelon photo at upper right by Michael Ternchine for the New York Times; watermelon flower with golden beet butterflies at lower right by Jimmy Zhang].

First, as the hostess, you will need a lush outdoor living space or patio, replete with flowering bushes, delicate blooms, and overstuffed ottomans. Next, every gal needs a deliciously wrought tea service, like this scalloped set by L’Objet from Bergdorf Goodman. Be sure to have homemade scones (try the oatmeal currant ones I found at www.epicurious.com/recipes/food/views/105754) and a variety of Twinings teas on hand for your guests.

Now, for the most important aspect of any sunken garden fête: your attire. May I recommend an utterly girly sundress, perhaps strapless and/or floral?

Anthropologie always has a sumptuous and varied selection, like this Maeve Campo de Fiori dress at right, a full-skirted blue floral sleeveless frock with a wide black waist sash.

Or, if you prefer a leaner silhouette, opt for this Tracy Reese Persian Thresholds dress at left, which features a fitted knee length skirt with kick pleats. CoutureCarrie adores the sophisticated paisley design and strapless neckline!

For a less traditional but still decidedly feminine take on the teatime trend, choose this diaphanous long-sleeve Chloe dress, in muted floral tones. The asymmetrical hemline and sheerness add interest.

Finally, if you have the means and you really want to stand out (you are the hostess, after all!), pretty please wear this incredible gold-leaf adorned cream-hued frock by Asprey. The voluminous skirt, tightly cinched waist, v neckline and cap sleeves would make Alice in Wonderland jealous, and delight the Mad Hatter no end! Runway footage courtesy nymag.com.

A suggestion for the ladies who lunch: always use an opportunity where you know you will be seated for the majority of the event to showcase your tallest, spikiest heels, like these gorgeous Alessandro Dell'Acqua d'Orsay pumps in magenta and beige, with unique leather ankle ties (at left, available in the Designer Boutique at shopbop.com).

As for accessories, Couture Carrie thinks this Juicy Couture Garden Party Ring (at right, for purchase at Bloomingdale's) just divinely perfect for the occasion!

And what properly stocked designer handbag (like this Zac Posen woven "pumpkin" bag at right, in soft ivory pebbled leather, on sale at shopbop.com) would be complete without an elegant handkerchief? Dab at those tears of joy or combat your allergy symptoms with this playful pink plaid pocket square at left. (borrowed from the boys, but who cares?). Find it in the menswear section at silkpashmina.us for a mere ten dollars!