Well, frankly, that is more or less the truth of the matter, racist or not. However, it matters not what Reid's intentions were - he in fact did say those words. Michael Steele, RNC chairman, has compared the situation to Trent Lott's racist remarks at the 100th birthday party of Strom Thurmond's. "When Strom Thurmond ran for president, we voted for him. We’re proud of it. And if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over the years, either."
What problems? Well, Thurmond had voted against the Voting Rights Act, plus a continuation of the Civil Rights Act, and against making Martin Luther King's birthday a Federal holiday. Not that Lott actually said anything directly racist - it was interpreted as such by the Democrats. Which is Steele's point - good enough to force Lott out, then the same standards should apply to Reid.
Are either of these statements inherently and obviously racist? Not really. One Reid apologist (oh, excuse me, reporter) on CBS News claimed that Reid is just a product of an earlier time, and chose his words with less care than he should. So, we need to cut him some slack. Apparently, he's a foggy old codger losing his mind and the things that drip from his mouth should be ignored. Oh, wait, that's not quite what they mean? Then he's sharp as a tack, and brilliant? Then he meant what he said - can't have it both ways. So, lets' slough off his race discrimination with a little age discrimination of our own.
Both examples are of politicians who need to be muzzled when away from their handlers. They're so full of themselves, and get to feeling comfortable among similar minded people, and let these zingers loose. I'm sure their strategists wish the teleprompters were on even when in line to order at Mickey D's.
Let's look at the highly touted forgiveness from Teh Won:
Emphasis mine
Now we're getting somewhere. Teh Won is speaking with a Forked Tongue - he knows exactly how valuable Reid is in the larger Sixty Vote Super Majority in the Senate Scheme of Things. Reid votes "on the right side of history." Do you really think this is all about stopping racism? Oh contraire mon frere. It's all about the balance of power and who wields it in Washington. Should Reid resign, the balance of power will shift.
Oh, but Jeffro, why should any of this matter? The guy who should be upset - our Wunnerful President - isn't offended by ol' Harry's remarks! Aren't we kinda piling on? What's the diff?
You can ask, and you will learn.
We have (and have had for some time) a climate of correct thinking in our workplaces that is enforced by the EEOC and our courts. Not only is direct harassment or racism not tolerated, neither is third party harassment. If I and Bob tell each other Polish jokes, and neither one is offended, well, we haven't done anything wrong, correct? Nyet, comrade! You fool! You didn't take into account that Boris, who happens to have Polish ancestry, was tuning in every word. Doesn't matter that you and Bob were having a private conversation, and Boris was eavesdropping - he heard it, he's upset, and either you and Bob are canned or the company gets sued.
So, Teh Won can bluster all he wants about how he wasn't offended, and the Dems can bluster all they want about how it's all politics, Reid didn't mean it, he's an old guy with old ways, and the Republicans are evil, evil, evil - it doesn't matter according to the laws and customs the rest of us have to follow in our workplaces. They went after Lott with a vengeance, and the chickens have come home to roost.
Aaaand, while we're at it, here's a quote from Reid on Lott's resignation:
Asked if the episode would serve as a warning to weigh his own words carefully, Reid said: "You play how you practice." "If you tell ethnic jokes in the backroom, it's that much easier to say ethnic things publicly. I've always practiced how I play."
Remember what Lott actually said - it was interpreted as being racist, because it wasn't directly racist. Reid was intimating Lott told racist jokes in the locker room. But, he's better than that - he's always practiced what he plays. Uh huh.
I won't be holding my breath that Reid will resign, but clearly he should.
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2 comments:
This whole PC thing has gone way too far, of course. But fair's fair, and selective PC isn't right. Reid should resign, as you say, but also, as you say, he probably won't. Once again, the stench of hypocrisy wafts over from The Hill.
The One will gladly throw his half ancestors under the bus, just to keep his majority. Politics makes strange bedfellows.
Watched a show last night that touches on racism that I really enjoyed. Harts War with Bruce Willis, Collin Farrel and others. Watch it. Well worth the time. Made in 2002 I think.
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