John Lewis, Tea Party Protesters, Racial Slur

In an attempt to get the opposition distracted and off message during the final hours of this push to pass government-run health care, the lib media have seized on an angle that's so often used as a last-ditch effort to discredit: charges of racism.

WASHINGTON -- Demonstrators outside the U.S. Capitol , angry over the proposed health care bill, shouted "nigger" Saturday at U.S. Rep. John Lewis , a Georgia congressman and civil rights icon who was nearly beaten to death during an Alabama march in the 1960s.

The protesters also shouted obscenities at other members of the Congressional Black Caucus , lawmakers said.

"They were shouting, sort of harassing," Lewis said. "But, it's okay, I've faced this before. It reminded me of the 60s. It was a lot of downright hate and anger and people being downright mean."

Lewis said he was leaving the Cannon office building across from the Capitol when protesters shouted "Kill the bill, kill the bill," Lewis said.

"I said 'I'm for the bill, I support the bill, I'm voting for the bill'," Lewis said.

A colleague who was accompanying Lewis said people in the crowd responded by saying "Kill the bill, then the n-word."

"It surprised me that people are so mean and we can't engage in a civil dialogue and debate," Lewis said.

Rep. Emanuel Cleaver , D- Mo. , said he was a few yards behind Lewis and distinctly heard "nigger."

"It was a chorus," Cleaver said. "In a way, I feel sorry for those people who are doing this nasty stuff - they're being whipped up. I decided I wouldn't be angry with any of them."

Protestors also used a slur as they confronted Rep. Barney Frank , D- Mass. , an openly gay member of Congress. A writer for Huffington Post said the crowd called Frank a "faggot."

Frank told the Boston Globe that the incident happened as he was walking from the Longworth office building to the Rayburn office building, both a short distance from the Capitol. Frank said the crowd consisted of a couple of hundred of people and that they referred to him as 'homo.'

Surely some of this must have been picked up on tape.

I'd like to view tape of the "chorus" of the racial epithet. I personally haven't seen proof that the allegations are true.

Assuming that the N-word was, in fact, used by protesters, there's a difference between a handful of angry loons shouting something offensive and the crowd engaging in an organized chant of racial slurs.

Moreover, how can one be sure that if it happened, it wasn't an infiltrator trying to disgrace the group?

It's happened before. Leftists have posed as conservative protesters.

I don't know what was actually said or by whom, but using such terms is always unacceptable. Period.

It's wasn't OK when Robert Byrd said on national TV in March 2001, "There are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time. I'm going to use that word. We just need to work together to make our country a better country, and I'd just as soon quit talking about it so much."

Unfortunately, racism too often only becomes an issue when Leftists are the targets of the insults.

When conservatives are targeted, it's no big deal.

There are too many instances to recount. Some examples are here and here and here.

Note that these cases of racism against conservatives by angry Leftists are documented, not allegations.

Let's talk about Ted Rall.

Michelle Malkin writes:

Ted “Bottom-feeder” Rall is at it again. His latest crude-toon includes a frame depicting Condoleezza Rice proclaiming herself Bush’s “HOUSE NIGGA.” A black man demands that Rice “HAND OVER HER HAIR STRAIGHTENER.” His t-shirt reads “YOU’RE NOT WHITE, STUPID.” The caption below the frame reads “SENT TO INNER-CITY RACIAL RE-EDUCATION CAMP.”

Universal Press Syndicate and the Washington Post published Rall's racist crap.

Where was the outrage over Rall's use of the N-word? There was none on the Left. In fact, the lib media were enablers, disseminating the ugliness.

Conservatives were being abused by Leftists with impunity.

Now, here we have lib media outlets aghast, insisting that Tea Party protesters shouted slurs and spat at John Lewis and Emanuel Cleaver.

The New York Times has a statement issued by Cleaver's office and one from Steny Hoyer:

Mr. Cleaver’s office issued this statement:

For many of the members of the CBC, like John Lewis and Emanuel Cleaver who worked in the civil rights movement, and for Mr. Frank who has struggled in the cause of equality, this is not the first time they have been spit on during turbulent times.

This afternoon, the Congressman was walking into the Capitol to vote, when one protester spat on him. The Congressman would like to thank the US Capitol Police officer who quickly escorted the other Members and him into the Capitol, and defused the tense situation with professionalism and care. After all the Members were safe, a full report was taken and the matter was handled by the US Capitol Police. The man who spat on the Congressman was arrested, but the Congressman has chosen not to press charges. He has left the matter with the Capitol Police.

This is not the first time the Congressman has been called the “n” word and certainly not the worst assault he has endured in his years fighting for equal rights for all Americans. That being said, he is disappointed that in the 21st century our national discourse has devolved to the point of name calling and spitting. He looks forward to taking a historic vote on health care reform legislation tomorrow, for the residents of the Fifth District of Missouri and for all Americans. He believes deeply that tomorrow’s vote is, in fact, a vote for equality and to secure health care as a right for all. Our nation has a history of struggling each time we expand rights. Today’s protests are no different, but the Congressman believes this is worth fighting for.

The Democratic majority leader, Representative Steny H. Hoyer of Maryland, issued a statement condemning the remarks:

Today’s protests against health insurance reform saw a rash of despicable, inflammatory behavior, much of it directed at minority Members of Congress. According to reports, anti-reform protestors spat on Rep. Emmanuel Cleaver, yelled a sexual slur at Rep. Barney Frank, and addressed my dear friend, Rep. John Lewis, with a racial slur that he has sadly heard far too many times. On the one hand, I am saddened that America’s debate on health care — which could have been a national conversation of substance and respect — has degenerated to the point of such anger and incivility. But on the other, I know that every step toward a more just America has aroused similar hate in its own time; and I know that John Lewis, a hero of the civil rights movement, has learned to wear the worst slurs as a badge of honor.

America always has room for open and spirited debate, and the hateful actions of some should not cast doubt on the good motives of the majority, on both sides of this argument. But Members of Congress and opinion leaders ought to come to terms with their responsibility for inciting the tone and actions we saw today. A debate that began with false fears of forced euthanasia has ended in a truly ugly scene. It is incumbent on all of us to do better next time.

OK.

Where's the consistency? Why express outrage over racist displays in certain cases and not others?

And, where's the tape?


Racism should be condemned.

It should not be exploited for political advantage. It certainly should not be falsified.
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From Jim Holt: Media Lying About Racist Attacks on Black Reps By Tea Party Protesters...VIDEO PROOF.