Following Limbaugh, Fox Nation falsely claims Durbin accused Alito, Roberts of "racism"
SUMMARY: Echoing Rush Limbaugh's false characterization of remarks made by Sen. Dick Durbin, The Fox Nation featured a headline reading: "Durbin on White Male GOP Nominees: Racism Is 'In Their DNA'."
Distorting remarks made by Sen. Dick Durbin (D-IL), The Fox Nation featured a headline reading: "Durbin on White Male GOP Nominees: Racism Is 'In Their DNA'," which echoed conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh's false characterization of Durbin's remarks. During the July 15 broadcast of his radio show, Limbaugh stated: "Republicans are genetically racist, genetically inferior -- Dick Durbin said that yesterday." In fact, as the quote Limbaugh aired, and which Fox Nation provided, makes clear, Durbin did not say that "racism" is in the DNA of Republicans or their white male nominees.
Rather, referring to the "contrast" between the confirmation hearings of Chief Justice John Roberts and Justice Samuel Alito on the one hand and the hearings of Judge Sonia Sotomayor on the other, Durbin said: "When we asked questions of the white male nominees of a Republican president, we were basically trying to find out whether -- to make sure that they would go far enough in understanding the plight of minorities, because clearly that was not in their DNA. The questions being asked of you from the other side primarily are along the lines of, will you go too far in siding with minorities?"
From the July 15 Senate Judiciary Committee Sotomayor confirmation hearing:
DURBIN: This has been an interesting exercise today for many of us who've been on the Judiciary Committee for a while, because the people new to it may not know, but there's been a little bit of a role reversal here. The Democratic side is now largely speaking in favor of our president's nominee. The other side is asking questions more critical.
And in the previous two Supreme Court nominees, the tables were turned. There were more critical questions coming from the Democratic side.
And there's also another contrast, obvious contrast. The two previous nominees that were considered while I was on the committee, Chief Justice Roberts and Justice Alito, were -- are white males. And, of course, you come to this as a minority woman candidate.
When we asked questions of the white male nominees of a Republican president, we were basically trying to find out whether -- to make sure that they would go far enough in understanding the plight of minorities, because clearly that was not in their DNA. The questions being asked of you from the other side primarily are along the lines of, will you go too far in siding with minorities?
It's an interesting contrast as I watch this play out.
From The Fox Nation:
From the July 15 edition of Premiere Radio Networks' The Rush Limbaugh Show:
LIMBAUGH: You want to hear some racism? Dick Durbin, senator from Illinois, talking to the media: "When we asked questions of the white male nominees of a Republican president, we were basically trying to make sure that they would go far enough in understanding the plight of minorities, because, clearly, it's not in their DNA." So Republicans are genetically racist, genetically inferior -- Dick Durbin said that yesterday. There is a bunch of racism in this country, and sadly, most of it's on the left side of the aisle.
Now he's after the Voting Rights Act of 1965 fully aware of its potential disaster.
Justice Thomas is like a well trained dog i've heard "Some People Say"
He's being trained to Heel, Point & Stay, you know, The Republican Way.
Speak truth to power.
Mr. News
He certainly didn't say that Republicans are genetically racist. That's outrageous.
I do think his comments were poorly worded and pretty much pointless.
It's not saying that members of a certain political party lack a characteristic. It's saying that a certain race has a deficiency.
So when they accuse Durbin of racism, they are wrong.
"When we asked questions of the white male nominees of a Republican president, we were basically trying to find out whether -- to make sure that they would go far enough in understanding the plight of minorities, because clearly that was not in their DNA. The questions being asked of you from the other side primarily are along the lines of, will you go too far in siding with minorities?"
The questions from "the other side" means Republicans asking those questions. The nominees were nominees of Republicans.
And I am not Sue, but you clearly are Tommy/JamesB/RightOn and likely Wesley and a couple of other sockpuppets too.
He is a tough questioner.
But, he does his job well and is not shy about his liberalism. The wingers try to go after him but, rarely ever score against him.
"And the circuit voted and you voted not to reconsider the prior case. You voted to stay with the decision of the circuit. And, in fact, your vote was the key vote. Had you voted with Judge Cabranas, himself of Puerto Rican ancestry, had you voted with him, you could have changed that case."
WHAT??? Because Judge Cabranas is Puerto Rican and voted one way, Judge Sotomayor should have voted the way of Judge Cabranas because SHE'S Puerto Rican?
"You'll have lots of 'splainin' to do," replied GOP Sen. Tom Coburn, evoking the 1950s TV show "I Love Lucy" to laughter from the crowd and the judge.
WTF! Ricky Ricardo was from Cuba not Puerto Rico! Can we say stereotype.
"Mr. Henderson, It's good to work with you. Senator Leahy and I are talking during these hearings, we're going to do that crack cocaine thing that you and I have talked about before."
I could go on about the disparity in sentencing for crack cocaine vs power cocaine. How unfunny it is when you receive a 20 years sentence while the power cocaine offender receives 3 to 5 years. But why bother, Republicans are clearly clueless.
By the way did Lindsy give that anger management advice to his left-nut McCain?
I've heard Republicans rant on and on about the importance of questioning Judge Sotomayor. They needed more time to study her cases, more time, because the job she was nominated for was important.
What they should have said is we Republicans on the judiciary committee missed the diversity training class. Unless you're a White male, we Republicans on the judiciary committee don't have a freaking clue how to treat you with respect and dignity.