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Fox's tea party affiliate expelled from National Tea Party Federation

July 19, 2010 6:30 pm ET — 52 Comments

Fox News has relentlessly promoted the Tea Party Express, a tea party organization founded by a Republican consulting firm, and has denied the existence of racist elements among tea party supporters. On July 18, the National Tea Party Federation announced that the Tea Party Express had been expelled from the federation in the wake of racially incendiary comments by its spokesperson.

National federation expels Express following spokesman's "clearly offensive" remarks

In fake letter from NAACP, Tea Party Express' Williams calls Lincoln "greatest racist ever" for depriving African Americans of "great gig" of slavery. In a since-deleted July 14 post to his blog, Tea Party Express spokesperson Mark Williams authored a "newly discovered letter" from NAACP president "Precious Ben Jealous" to President Abraham Lincoln. The letter came in response to an NAACP resolution repudiating "racist elements" within the Tea Party movement. In the letter, "Jealous" writes to Lincoln:

We Colored People have taken a vote and decided that we don't cotton to that whole emancipation thing. Freedom means having to work for real, think for ourselves, and take consequences along with the rewards. That is just far too much to ask of us Colored People and we demand that it stop!

[...]

And the ridiculous idea of "reduce[ing] the size and intrusiveness of government."  What kind of massa would ever not want to control my life?  As Coloreds we must have somebody care for us otherwise we would be on our own, have to think for ourselves and make decisions!

[...]

Mr. Lincoln, you were the greatest racist ever. We had a great gig. Three squares, room and board, all our decisions made by the massa in the house. Please repeal the 13th and 14th Amendments and let us get back to where we belong.

Williams' letter was only the latest in a long line of racially incendiary comments by Williams.

National Tea Party Federation expels Tea Party Express in response to Williams' letter. In a July 18 appearance on CBS News' Face the Nation, National Tea Party Federation spokesman David Webb said, "We, in the last 24 hours, have expelled Tea Party Express and Mark Williams from the National Tea Party Federation because of the letter that he wrote." Webb said that Williams "may have considered" the letter "satire," but it was "clearly offensive." According to its website, the federation consists of "85 member and affiliate organizations representing over 1,000,000 individuals and activists."

Fox News relentlessly promoted the first Tea Party Express bus tour

Fox Nation: "Will you join the Tea Party Express?" On July 28, 2009, Fox Nation posted a promotional ad for the Tea Party Express using the headline, "Will You Join the Tea Party Express?" From The Fox Nation:

fn-express

Fox & Friends tells viewers "how you can join" Tea Party Express. The August 19, 2009, edition of Fox & Friends hosted Williams to explain, in co-host Brian Kilmeade's words, "how you can join" their then-upcoming first national bus tour. During the segment, Fox News aired graphics noting the dates and locations of 22 tour stops.

Fox News anchor Bream: "We want to let folks know" Tea Party schedule so "they can be a part" of events. The August 23, 2009, edition of Fox News' America's News HQ hosted Williams to promote the tour. During the segment, host Shannon Bream said of the tour's schedule:

BREAM: You do have a bit of a cohesive, at least organized schedule -- we want to let folks know you're going to be making --

WILLIAMS: Yes.

BREAM: -- 34, 35 stops, I believe it is, all across the country, so if they want to come out and take part, they certainly can be a part of what you're doing, and, you know, this has definitely struck a chord with people.

" 'Hannity' Hops the Tea Party Express!" In an August 27, 2009, post on Sean Hannity's FoxNews.com blog, a producer wrote that Hannity "will be along for the ride!" adding: "Click here for more on the tour and to find the tea party nearest you." From the post, titled, " 'Hannity' Hops the Tea Party Express!":

Starting tomorrow, the Tea Party Express will begin its 16-day, 35-city tour across the nation, rallying Americans to stand up against out-of-control government spending... and 'Hannity' will be along for the ride!

With video camera in hand, our own Griff Jenkins will be catching all the action on the road and filing reports for The Great American Blog as the Express makes its way from Sacramento, CA to the Taxpayer March on Washington, D.C. Sept. 12!

Click here for more on the tour and to find the tea party nearest you.

And make sure to check back starting tomorrow to follow Griff on the road!

Hannity's post was celebrated on the Tea Party Express blog in an August 27, 2009, entry titled "Sean Hannity blogs about the Tea Party Express!"

Fox's Business' Cavuto hosts Williams to promote tea parties. During the August 27, 2009, edition of Fox Business' Cavuto, host Neil Cavuto promoted the tour and interviewed Williams. During the segment, Fox Business ran a graphic map of the tour's path through the country and posted the tour's website address.

Fox News reports live from first Tea Party Express kickoff

On August 28, 2009, Fox News dispatched reporter William La Jeunesse to the Tea Party Express kickoff in Sacramento. Between 8 a.m. and noon ET, La Jeunesse filed two live reports for Fox News and one for Fox Business.

La Jeunesse: "Hopefully Washington will listen to their concerns." During the August 28 edition of Fox & Friends, La Jeunesse reported live from Sacramento on the kickoff of the Tea Party Express. At the conclusion of his report, La Jeunesse said of the tour's concerns: "[T]hey believe, collectively, that they at least have a voice, and hopefully Washington will listen to their concerns."

La Jeunesse interviews Mark Williams on whether group is "Astroturf." During the August 28 edition of Fox News' America's Newsroom, La Jeunesse interviewed Williams. La Jeunesse asked Williams, "critics like Speaker Pelosi say this is Astroturf, that basically Republican operatives like yourself are organizing this with one goal in mind, to unseat Democrats." Williams responded:

WILLIAMS: Well, the Republican Party right now is in a coma. I wish they were helping. I wish they had the capability to help with something like this. No, this is democracy. These are working stiff, taxpaying citizens, who are being abused horribly by their government. You will see that here today in Sacramento where the emphasis will be on the Central Valley and water rights and such, so you'll be seeing guys taking breaks from their fields to come here.

La Jeunesse also reported live from the kickoff for the 11 a.m. ET hour of Fox Business.

"Tea Party groupie" Griff Jenkins embedded with first Tea Party Express tour

Fox News correspondent Griff Jenkins travelled with the first Tea Party Express bus tour, purporting to "document it and see as much as we can and to challenge it." However, Jenkins frequently expressed support for the movement and its members.

Hannity: Griff Jenkins at "every single place" along the Tea Party Express tour. On the August 27, 2009, edition of Fox News' Hannity, Sean Hannity said:

HANNITY: And now, starting this weekend, by the way, the Tea Party Express tour kicks off, where Americans from all over the country are going to hit the streets to voice their grievances over government spending and, of course, universal government health care. And our own Griff Jenkins is going to stop every single place, and he's starting this weekend and he's going to be checking in and giving us an update and blogging with the latest video on our Great, Great American Blog, and we'll also be checking in with him in our -- all throughout the next week, so that's coming up.

"It seems like this groundswell is pretty darn legitimate." During a report for Fox News' On the Record, Jenkins stated of the Tea Party Express, "This is the ninth stop, the fifth day. And I've found one thing about the folks in Las Cruces, they seem to love their country, I think." Jenkins later added: "How many people are professional protesters? How many people are here for the first time? I don't know about you, Greta [Van Susteren, host], but it seems like this groundswell is pretty darn legitimate, and these folks want their voices heard." [On the Record, 9/1/09]

"These are just some good Americans out here in Albuquerque who want to be heard from Washington." During a report for Hannity, Jenkins stated, "These are just some good Americans out here in Albuquerque who want to be heard from Washington, isn't that right? I don't know about you, but Washington may want to be hearing. That's it from here, we're going to Las Cruces, New Mexico, and after that, Texas, here we come." Sean Hannity then stated that "Griff is having way too much fun." [Hannity, 9/1/09]

"[L]et me tell you who the star is. It's every one of these people. It's the America that Washington forgot about." After Van Susteren said that Jenkins is "a big celebrity now" among the protesters, Jenkins stated: "Greta, I appreciate you saying a silly thing there, that I'm a star. But let me tell you who the star is. It's every one of these people. It's the America that Washington forgot about. It's the America that Washington doesn't want to hear from. And, apparently, these folks want them to know they better start listening." [On the Record, 8/31/09]

"[T]his is the story of the America that Washington forgot and apparently doesn't want to hear from." In a report for Hannity, Jenkins asserted: "Sean, this is the story of the America that Washington forgot and apparently doesn't want to hear from. They're miners, they're small-business owners, they're veterans, they're nurses, they're mothers. And what you're hearing right here in Flagstaff has been going on all across the great American West." [Hannity, 8/31/09]

Fox's Briggs on Jenkins: "You might call him a Tea Party groupie." On the September 12 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, co-host Dave Briggs introduced correspondent Griff Jenkins as "a Tea Party groupie." In the following report, Jenkins referred to the Tea Party Express as the representation of "an America that Washington forgot about."

Fox hops back on the bus for Tea Party Express II

Fox Nation: "Will You Join the Tea Party Express II?" On October 13, 2009, The Fox Nation promoted the tea Party Express II with two separate posts.

From the Fox Nation homepage:

fn-express 2

Fox & Friends Sunday hosted Williams to promote the "Bigger & Better" Tea Party Express II. On the October 25 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends Sunday, co-host Dave Briggs described the Tea Party Express by saying that "the bus tour that took the country by storm is back by popular demand." The show hosted Williams and the composer of the Tea Party's anthem Lloyd Marcus to promote the second Tea Party Express tour. The on-screen text during the segment highlighted the new tour as "Bigger & Better."

Doocy highlights "major grassroots support" of the Tea Party Express II tour. On the November 12 edition of Fox & Friends, Mark Williams appeared on the show to discuss the conclusion of the Tea Party Express II tour. Co-host Gretchen Carlson noted that the tour "focused on small town U.S.A.," while Steve Doocy lauded the tour for its "major grassroots support."

Fox News asks if Tea Party Express III is "Conservative Woodstock," provides keynote speaker

"The Tea Party Express Returns March 27." A February 18 Fox Nation post linked directly to the website for the Tea Party Express III:

fn-express 3

Fox provides unending coverage of Tea Party Express III kick-off rally. Fox News provided all-day coverage of the March 27 kick-off rally for the Tea Party Express III bus tour, with the network's hosts and on-site reporter Casey Stegall frequently praising the rally's participants. For example, Fox & Friends Saturday, co-host Clayton Morris previewed the network's coverage by saying it was a "huge day for the tea party... they're firing up, filling up the tanks with gas, 23 states getting ready to rumble," Neil Cavuto said of the activists, "God bless these folks," and Stegall said that there is "a real energy that you feel from the people who are out here."

Fox News asks if rally is "Conservative Woodstock." Shannon Bream opened the noon ET hour of America's News HQ by stating of the Tea Party Express' March 27 rally, "Organizers are hoping it will be a conservative Woodstock as thousands of tea party activists converge on Harry Reid's small town of Searchlight, Nevada." Bream also aired the following graphic:

woodstock

Fox promotes, lauds "rock star" Fox employee Palin's keynote address. Sarah Palin -- a Fox News contributor -- was the event's keynote speaker. After Fox's anchors repeatedly promoted her speech, Fox News aired it live in its entirety. Stegall subsequently lauded the address, calling Palin "the rock star here" and saying that Palin was "no doubt very, very big, she was the big draw of this event."

Fox & Friends' Kilmeade: Tea Party Express "having a major effect" on midterm elections." On the April 14 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, following a report on the Tea Party Express III rally in Boston, co-host Biran Kilmeade suggested that the Tea Party Express is "already having a major effect" on the midterm elections. From the show:

KILMEADE: In a sense the tea party comes full circle, and it's happening today. Returning to the birthplace of the concept, Boston. Meanwhile, Caroline Shively live in D.C. with the latest. It's 1773 all over again, right, Caroline?

SHIVELY: All over again, Brian. The Tea Party Express is going back to where they started this in 1773, just across town from the Boston Harbor. They're expecting about 10,000 people three hours from now. One of the keynote speakers is Sarah Palin who also whipped up the crowd in Nevada on the first day of their 47 city cross country tour. The idea is the same from the Boston Tea Party, too, 237 years ago, that they're being taxed by a government they feel they have no say in.

[...]

Now the last stop on the 20 city tour is here in D.C. tomorrow on tax day. Here's a look at the last tea party event. Now they appear to be going into the day with some momentum. Earlier this month, they targeted Democratic Congressman Bart Stupak in Michigan because of his vote for health care, and a few days later, he announced his retirement. While they're in DC tomorrow, the Tea Party Express is also going to announce the candidates it's supporting and going after. If the Stupak race is any indication, it could have a major effect on the midterm elections. Eric, Gretchen, and Brian, back to you.

KILMEADE: Absolutely, they're already having a major effect, I think.

Special Report declares Tea Party Express protest the "21st century version" of the Boston Tea Party. On the April 14 edition of Fox News' Special Report, host Bret Baier led in to a report on the Tea Party Express's rally in Boston by claiming that the groups' event was the "21st century version" of the Boston Tea Party.

Tea Party Express praises coverage it received on Fox

The Tea Party Express used Fox Nation's promotion of its video in a July 2009 fundraising email. From a July 29, 2009 email sent from the Our Country Deserves Better PAC:

express

Tea Party Express praised "great television news coverage" from Fox News. In a November 15, 2009, email to supporters, the Tea Party Express praised "some of the great television news coverage this effort has received. Media coverage is an important aspect of the Tea Party Express tours - it's all about getting our message out to millions of Americans - to inform them that there is an active political resistance against the socialist agenda of Barack Obama, Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid."

The Tea Party Express' examples of "great television news coverage" included links to numerous segments about their efforts on Fox News:

tpeemail

Tea Party Express: Organized by anti-Dem PAC to raise funds

Tea Party Express is a project of the Our Country Deserves Better Committee (OCDB), an anti-Democrat PAC formed by Russo Marsh + Rogers, a Republican political consulting firm. Russo Marsh founded Tea Party Express in order to bolster its political fundraising. Williams was until recently a vice chairman of the PAC.

OCDB formed by Republicans to oppose Obama and Democrats in Congress. OCDB PAC "was formed in August [2008] by California political consultant Sal Russo and former California Assemblyman Howard Kaloogian" [Associated Press, 10/16/08]. Russo is a Republican political consultant and founder of Russo Marsh, while Kaloogian served in the California Assembly as a Republican. On its "About Us" page, OCDB states that "we must stand up to Barack Obama and the Democrat-controlled Congress." In addition to the Tea Party Express, OCBD is running campaigns titled "Oppose Obamacare," "Defeat Harry Reid," "Defeat Pelosi's Democrats!" and "Rahm Emanuel Must Resign."

Tea Party Express' "Target[s]" -- since removed -- were all Democrats. OCDB's website previously contained a section -- at http://www.teapartyexpress.org/races/index.html -- titled "Target Races," which stated that in "order for the Tea Party movement to truly have an impact, we must vote out of office those politicians who have betrayed their constituents by pushing through massive deficits, higher taxes and government intervention into the private sector and private lives of American families." All 30 targets listed as of July 28, 2009, were Democrats. The section of the website has been removed since Media Matters for America originally accessed and reviewed the section. [TeaPartyExpress.org, accessed 7/28/09]

Consultant proposed the Express saying it would "give a boost to our PAC," highlighted possible friendly coverage from "Fox commentators." In the original memo proposing the creation of Tea Party Express, a consultant with Russo Marsh, Joe Wierzbicki, wrote that it could "give a boost to our PAC and position us as a growing force/leading force as the 2010 elections come into focus." Wierzbicki also wrote that the effort could get "some mentions and possibly even promotion from conservative/pro-tea party bloggers, talk radio hosts, Fox News commentators, etc..."

Fox News has frequently denied elements of racism in Tea Party

Crowley: "I have not seen a shred of evidence" of Tea Party racism. On the July 16 edition of Fox News' The O'Reilly Factor, while discussing accusations of racism within the Tea Party movement, guest-host Monica Crowley to her guest Ellis Henican that she had "not seen a shred of evidence" of racism at Tea Party rallies. From the show:

HENICAN: Well, you know, there is nothing inappropriate, I don't think, about a civil rights movement saying hey, there is this other thing growing up out there. And we're not accusing the whole group of being racist or everybody. But under that umbrella of Tea Party, you know there've been some pretty ugly stuff said.

CROWLEY: Where? Where, Ellis?

HENICAN: At rallies. We have--

CROWLEY: I've been to Tea Parties. Wait a minute. I've been to Tea Parties.

HENICAN: No. As have I.

CROWLEY: I've not seen a shred of evidence.

HENICAN: Well, how about--

CROWLEY: And there hasn't been any evidence that the NAACP or anybody else could provide to show that.

Hannity: "We can't find" any examples of racist signs at Tea Party rallies. On the July 15 edition of Fox News' Hannity, host Sean Hannity asked his guest, Stephen Smith "Has any Tea Party member said anything racist, held any racist signs? Because we can't find it." He went on to claim that there are no examples of racist signs at Tea Party events. From the show:

HANNITY: All right. So now here's this case. The NAACP, they have a resolution explicitly racist behavior. Do you have any specific examples? Because I think the worst thing you can call somebody -- one of the worst things is a racist.

SMITH: Well --

HANNITY: Is there any example? Has any Tea Party member said anything racist, held any racist signs? Because we can't find it.

SMITH: They were saying that folks held racist signs.

HANNITY: When? Where?

SMITH: You know, in various cities. I don't know. I mean -- I have not seen the examples. I have not seen the example.

HANNITY: There are none.

FoxNews.com reported that tea party members said "no visual evidence has been produced depicting a racist attack" against African-American Democratic lawmakers. In a July 14 article, FoxNews.com reported that tea party members have said "no visual evidence has been produced depicting a racist attack":

But Tea Party members have challenged claims that their activists accosted black lawmakers in March and no visual evidence has been produced depicting a racist attack. Dallas Tea Party founder Phillip Dennis said "there was no proof" of racist behavior at the event and that the movement welcomes minority members.

Fox & Friends hosted Rep. Bachmann to rebut claims of Tea Party racism. Rep. Michelle Bachmann appeared on the July 16 edition of Fox & Friends and was asked by co-host Steve Doocy whether she had "ever seen anything that constituted racism or was even close to it." Bachmann responded that she had not, and further claimed that "there's no record" to back up "the assertions that were made by" members of the Congressional Black Caucus in which they stated that Tea Party members had hurled racial epithets at them.

Fox & Friends: "Tea Party Mischaracterized." On the July 13 edition of Fox News' Fox & Friends, while Steve Doocy reported on the NAACP's then-upcoming vote on a resolution condemning racist factions within the tea party movement, the following on-screen graphic aired:

mischaracterized

Expand All Expand 1st Level Collapse All Add Comment
    • Author by shaggles (July 19, 2010 7:08 pm ET)
      12  
      I think that's hilarious. Wouldn't it be funny if Fox started bad mouthing the Tea Party now?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by lather (July 19, 2010 7:40 pm ET)
      13  
      They all will eat their own.
      As for Racism, I am not sure any of these people .. Fox and All, have any clue as to what racism is. Racist have all come out of the closet suddenly, like its "OK" since they are in a crowd...
      The TeaBaggers may say one thing but they have MANY members who are racist and are open about it.. until they tell the guy with the Racist sign to get out of a meeting, to go away.. then they support him.
      For ANYONE who says "No such thing" as Teabag Racism just go to Google.. click on pics at the top and Type "Teabag Racism",
      I am sure you can do it.
      I dare ANYONE to prove me wrong that the Teabag movement accepts racist members.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by fairliberal (July 19, 2010 9:58 pm ET)
        1 22
        "As for Racism, I am not sure any of these people .. Fox and All, have any clue as to what racism is"

        I am well aware what racism is, I see it repeatedly in the Obama administration, here is just the latest example.

        http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2010/07/19/clip-shows-usda-official-admitting-withheld-help-white-farmer/

        http://biggovernment.com/abreitbart/2010/07/19/video-proof-the-naacp-awards-racism2010/
        Report Abuse
        • Author by New Frontier (July 19, 2010 10:27 pm ET)
          15  
          You gave an example of one person: an Ag Dept. rural development director in Georgia. She resigned, and her behavior (which, she claims, was prompted by a white farmer who tried to act superior to her) was condemned by Vilsack.

          Compare that to Fox News' relentless, free promotion of the Tea Party movement, the bigoted Tea Party Express and the closet racist Mark Williams, plus all the dog-whistle race-baiting that goes on at Fox for 24 hours every single day.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by DellDolly (July 19, 2010 10:31 pm ET)
          12 3
          Yeah, this isn't an example of the "Obama Administration" being racist. It's an example of one person feeling justified in being bigoted against whites because blacks have gotten the shaft over the years and the white farmer was acting like he should be getting special treatment.

          She was not justified in what she did, but it's not emblematic of any systemic problems in the current adminstration, contrary to your assertions!
          Report Abuse
        • Author by eb (July 20, 2010 8:47 am ET)
          10  
          I am well aware what racism is, I see it repeatedly in the Obama administration, here is just the latest example.

          Are you BLIND!!!!!

          It is all laid out in front of you in the article. The tea party movement is an orchestrated effort on the part of conservative political operatives and a large media corporation to take advantage of the frustration of many citizens in these trying times. Fox news has been actively involved in its promotion. It is unseemly, unethical, and unprofessional for Fox to do so, but they have their political agenda which is there reason for existence.

          Your sensitivity to racism seems to be selectively directed to Obama, who has absolutely nothing to gain politically by promoting racist policies. Not so for the tea parties, which was using racism effectively as long as networks like Fox would cover for them.

          Report Abuse
          • Author by bintx (July 20, 2010 9:09 am ET)
            8 2
            Her authority figures on Fox have told her what she is to believe and they feed that belief every day with more and more lies, half-truths and innuendo. As an authoritarian follower, she will not be swayed by stacks and stacks of evidence to the contrary even when the belief that they are attempting to implant goes against her core values. She is truly a blind sheep being shepherded by a group of people who have ADMITTED that they are NOT news readers but that they are agenda-driven opinion spewers. No conservatism, just hero worship.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by Smith1 (July 20, 2010 11:34 am ET)
          7  
          USDA official admitting ...

          That happened 24 years ago, and Sherrod wasn't even with the USDA back then. Of course your masters at Fox don't tell you that.

          Sherrod spoke to CNN on Tuesday, explaining that she told the story of her actions — which, she said, occurred 24 years ago when she was working for a nonprofit, not the USDA — to illustrate how she has since realized that everything is not about race but "about those who have versus those who do not have." She says she later became friends with the farmer and his wife.

          http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100720/pl_yblog_upshot/usda-official-resigns-amidst-race-controversy

          Try again, "fairliberal".
          Report Abuse
          • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 12:06 pm ET)
            4  
            Thanks for that info. but I was unable to link to the site provided.
            Report Abuse
        • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 12:41 pm ET)
          9  
          No Fakeliberul you are a bigoted liar willing to swallow any story regsrdless of facts that your trainers tell you to believe. ACORN you swallowed those lies and repeated them here. You lied about questioning Obamas Christianity or whether he preyed to Allah or God !?!WTF! You have called the POTUS boy despite obvious connotations of that word when applied to a grown man, and now like a willing bigoted authoritarian you've jumped again into this phony video cut and edited by Brietbart to portray this poor black women as racist. The contempt I have for Brietbart is palpable but garbage like him couldn't exist without the willing tools like YOU who are ready to take in and pass on without question his and Fauxs trash.

          I found this on CNN about the women who says this incident unfairly reported happened two decades ago and she was not a member of the USDA and she did help the family and they are now good friends.

          "...A Georgia woman who said she believes her husband is the white farmer referenced in the clip told CNN on Tuesday that Sherrod was helpful to her family and that the couple never felt she was being racist while trying to assist them in avoiding foreclosure.

          "She treated us really good and got us all we could," said Eloise Spooner of Iron City, Georgia. Spooner said she remembered that Sherrod helped find an attorney to help her husband, Roger.

          She said she doesn't believe Sherrod is being treated fairly..."

          For the wholecstory and video :

          http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29

          You would think this would cause the person who started and spread these lies to never be seen or published again. At least never to be taken seriously but then just like her hero A. Briebart,J. O'keefe, and Faux News, Ms. Paris Business Review never lets the facts get in the way of a good hate fest.



          Report Abuse
        • Author by lather (July 20, 2010 10:41 pm ET)
          1  
          LOL.. How do you feel about this now idiot?
          Edited Vid as Proof? Anything else?
          Report Abuse
        • Author by albertsenj (July 21, 2010 10:25 pm ET)
             
          I suppose your retraction is coming soon?
          Report Abuse
    • Author by kromecom48 (July 19, 2010 8:04 pm ET)
      17  
      Fox doesn't understand "racism" in the historical context (and to be fair most people don't). They equate "racism" with "prejudice." While the two are similar terms one is a greater sin: namely, racism. Which indicates some degree of belief in racial superiority and is manfiest by policies and pogroms that systematically disenfranchise minority groups.

      Thus, members of minority groups can more accurately be defined as prejudiced as opposed to racist, since they don't fully control the levers of societal power. Before anyone claims that racism is over because of the election of Obama, get a grip. He is not a king. We are overwhelmingly governed by white males and will be for some time to come. Just a fact.

      Prejudice is more a inherent human trait that afflicts most people (including me). The distinction has been lost. A real dialogue on race should focus on that so that we're working from a common and agreed upon terminology.

      Neverhteless, good work MMFA. FOX is caught yet again playing racial politics -- but Holder was right in saying we were a nation of cowards when it comes to discussing race.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by boulderhippy (July 19, 2010 8:37 pm ET)
        1 21
        but Holder was right in saying we were a nation of cowards when it comes to discussing race.

        I don't agree with that one bit. It is actually the minorities that shut down the dialog by refusing to face realities in their own communities.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by Brutus (July 19, 2010 9:04 pm ET)
          12 2
          No, it's the majority (whites) that refuses to call out the racism in their own community, family, and workplace just to name a few places. As Kromecom indicated, racism and prejudice are two entirely different things.

          I have to say you are partially correct. As a minority living in a California beach community that is predominantly white, I sometimes shy away from facing the overt white racism in my community.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by boulderhippy (July 19, 2010 9:33 pm ET)
            1 16
            By your casual use of racism, you have proved the point I have made above. You cannot look at your community and see anything but racism. You cannot have an honest conversation on race so it is you not me. I started and yopu turned it nasty, This isn't going to cxhange until your attitude about this conversation changes. Look in the mirror if you want to see who doesn't have the moxie to have an honest conversation. I am not partially correct I am 100% right and you need to find a way to lose the race card.
            Report Abuse
            • Author by wanderwoman (July 19, 2010 10:43 pm ET)
              7  
              Yeah, Brutus! There can't be an honest conversation about race if you keep bringing up race! :p
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Brutus (July 19, 2010 11:21 pm ET)
              9 1
              Where is the racism is my post Hippy? As indicated by the OP, racism can not be exhibited by minorities, so if we are to eradicate racism we must fight it head on with whites. What can whites do to help? As I indicated, when whites see racism in their presence they have to let it be known that it is unacceptable. Simple question, do you call out white racism when you observe it, and why don’t you call out the teaparty racism?

              By implying that all minorities live in certain, homogeneous communities you demonstrate your racism. Not all minorities for example, live in South Los Angeles, or whatever "minority community" you are talking about. Due to the fact that minorities such as my family are upwardly mobile we face racism when we move to certain communities. For myself, instead of confronting said racism, I often ignore, and keep to myself it in order to live peaceably. However, I should confront the racism when it happens. You don't think someone like Kobe Bryant experiences racism in Newport Beach, or did you think he lives in a "minority community".
              Report Abuse
              • Author by Johaely (July 20, 2010 2:19 pm ET)
                2  
                The racism in your post was that you realized that racism still exists and it affects you. You must know that when you are a minority you must shut up when someone denigrates you based on your race, ethnicity or religion.
                Report Abuse
            • Author by pearlene_scott1602 (July 21, 2010 5:30 am ET)
                 
              By your casual use of racism, you have proved the point I have made above You cannot look at your community and see anything but racism.

              I'll bet you've NEVER experienced racism in your entire life, so instead of trying to find out out more, or even trying to understand, you lash out can call someone else a racists, based on YOUR own ignorance.

              Take a look at this link and you may get a clue! Real Estate Racism: A Social Experiment...

              You cannot have an honest conversation on race so it is you not me. I started and yopu turned it nasty,


              Honest conversation? WHAT exactly did Brutus say that "turned nasty"?

              I am not partially correct I am 100% right and you need to find a way to lose the race card.

              Boulder, a "conversation" is an EXCHANGE of ideas and opinions. YOU cannot have a "conversation" and ASSume you're "100% right" moron!

              And if this is your example of having "the moxie" you might want to check yourself cause you're missing a couple.

              And THAT is being nasty!
              Report Abuse
        • Author by tman418 (July 19, 2010 9:11 pm ET)
          10  
          Holder wasn't specifically referring to white people. He believes we are afraid to discuss race with each other

          Your comment is nothing more than pure projection, lumping "minorities" into an entire category of people with problems in their supposed "communities."
          Report Abuse
          • Author by boulderhippy (July 19, 2010 9:45 pm ET)
              19
            Give me a break. We all know what he means and your spin is just another attempt to heap another helping of white guilt upon me.

            Their supposed communities are not "supposed". If they were then why would we need "community organizers"?

            He does not "believe" black people are "cowards" to talk about race since he knows they can shut down any conversation by calling "racism".
            Report Abuse
            • Author by Spiffy (July 19, 2010 10:21 pm ET)
              4  
              Their supposed communities are not "supposed". If they were then why would we need "community organizers"?


              This makes no sense. Community organizing is not specific to minorities, or any race. Whatever you think you're getting at, I'm confident it's wrong.
              Report Abuse
            • Author by Brutus (July 19, 2010 11:30 pm ET)
              8  
              Hippy - As far as white guilt, you should feel no guilt unless you have something to feel guilty about. So why bring it up?
              Report Abuse
              • Author by coldteablues19577325 (July 20, 2010 3:10 pm ET)
                3  
                "Hippy - As far as white guilt, you should feel no guilt unless you have something to feel guilty about. So why bring it up?" --Brutus

                My question, precisely, when I read his/her response. I work and live with many races every day as a Residence Hall Coordinator. What works best is honesty and straight-forwardness. If a resident comes into my office carrying an attitude or race card, I tell them to park it at the door and to pick it up on the way out. This usually startles them, and we proceed from there on an equal field. If they refuse to do so, then they don't get invited in. In most cases, it works.
                Report Abuse
        • Author by New Frontier (July 19, 2010 10:30 pm ET)
          9  
          You're a perfect example of what Holder was referring to: a closed-minded person who blames everything on someone else ("the minorities") and refuses to discuss it any further.
          Report Abuse
        • Author by Johaely (July 19, 2010 11:51 pm ET)
          6  
          So the majority is never at fault nor guilty of any prejudice?
          Report Abuse
        • Author by eb (July 20, 2010 9:00 am ET)
          6  

          I don't agree with that one bit. It is actually the minorities that shut down the dialog by refusing to face realities in their own communities.

          If these minorities watch Fox news and follow the tea parties, they can see white people do the same thing: refuse to face the realities in their own community. All the NAACP was asking them to was confront the prejudice within their movement. Instead of facing the realities among the tea parties, they threw the race card and attacked the NAACP.

          You always hear conservatives complain about how victimized they are all the time. Ironic, isn't it.

          Report Abuse
        • Author by doggeddem (July 20, 2010 11:54 am ET)
          4  
          You are a moron. You have no idea what "reality" is in minority communities. You don't know what it is like having 1/5 of the males in your community facing jail time at some point in their life time, being racially profiled constantly, always facing at least double the caucasian unemployment rate, no jobs, high crime rates, and poor underfunded schools. Live for one week in an African-American community and you will learn what "reality" is for people who live in those communities if you have the guts to make it there for one week. And yes, they know how racist pigs like you view them.
          Report Abuse
    • Author by votethemout2010 (July 19, 2010 8:32 pm ET)
        2
      You far left socialist crazies really make me laugh, would it surprise you that there are black, hispanic, and even gay tea party members. Bottom line tea party is the american people saying NO, no we will not let you turn the USA into the USSA. Plus have you people heard of sarcasm, the letter above is not racist it's a point using sarcasm. Black or white the entitlement trash are nothing more than slaves to the government, and if we can't stop the socialist movement at least I can enjoy it when their masters turn on them and the free ride ends. You clowns want to see what real hate looks like look in a mirror.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by grrson (July 19, 2010 8:40 pm ET)
      10  
      I don't care what any of the Fox News meat puppets say. The Tea Party members are just useful idiots being used by the GOP to fake some kind of populist sentiment. Just because some conservative whackos are using the mantle to run for legitimate office doesn't make it a viable, or relevant, movement. In a few years, the Tea Party will be but a fart in the wind.
      Report Abuse
      • Author by my4cents (July 19, 2010 9:03 pm ET)
        7  
        One would expect Fox News would meet a similar fate, but that has not happened yet.
        There are a lot more idiots out there than you would rationally expect.
        Report Abuse
    • Author by tman418 (July 19, 2010 9:12 pm ET)
      5  
      I think the NAACP was proven right.
      Report Abuse
    • Author by GorgyPorgy (July 19, 2010 10:00 pm ET)
        5
      If the tea party is racist, what is this?

      http://www.dakotavoice.com/2010/07/shirley-sherrod-confesses-her-racism-to-naacp/

      LOL
      Report Abuse
      • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 12:44 pm ET)
        3  
        I see we have another gullible clown in our mist. What that was, was a lie.

        http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29
        Report Abuse
    • Author by Meremark (July 19, 2010 10:19 pm ET)
      5  
      -

      ... "a shred of evidence" ... "a shred of evidence" ... that telltale tattoo off the tongue sure rings a bell ... where did I hear that before? ...

      Oh yeah! Now I recall. THAT was George Will's scripted line he delivered with fierce-sounding-but-faux indignation on ABC News' This Week, only yesterday ... a part of the scatter of racists under the spotlight glaring down ignominy ... in which Williams (and defenders such as Will) got popped off the Tea Party like a cork from a frothy-pressure bottleneck.

      Will:
      'A talk radio host offered $100,000 for anyone who could PRODUCE A SHRED OF EVIDENCE of Tea Party racism.'

      Gee, what "talk-radio host" was that, George? Do tell. If not someone earlier, then now the money must go to Williams, certainly. He's pretty much in evidence as shreds. Unless the "talk-radio host" is, oh, I don't know, maybe a LIIIAARRRRRR!

      Would the 'Sunday TV Show Fact Checkers' catch Will, or will they not?

      ---

      BTW, is 'a shred of evidence' anything like 'an erasure of documentation' ? ? ?

      -
      Report Abuse
      • Author by DellDolly (July 19, 2010 10:34 pm ET)
        7 2
        3 Congressmen stated that they heard the racial smear. That's more than a shred of evidence. That's eyewitness testimony to something they all heard.

        And Will ALSO said that no one could be 'expelled' from the Tea Party group - I'm glad he was proven wrong.
        Report Abuse
        • Author by fairliberal (July 20, 2010 2:00 am ET)
          2 15
          But with all the camera's around no one recorded the spitting or the bogus comments.

          Here is an example of racism that was caught on camera...
          http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WrNWw7TGkjo

          Your kind of people, Obama's too.
          Report Abuse
          • Author by Johaely (July 20, 2010 3:12 am ET)
            6 1
            who the hell is shirley sherrod?
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Turk72 (July 20, 2010 8:02 am ET)
            6 1
            Keep Trolling
            Report Abuse
          • Author by eb (July 20, 2010 9:15 am ET)
            9  
            Your kind of people, Obama's too.

            Fairlibral wants Obama to be racist. He needs to maintain the delusional view of non-conservatives that he has been conditioned to hold. The idea that a non-conservative can be fair, efficient, rational, competent, correct and moral is too disturbing. It upsets a mental scaffolding that requires constant reinforcement from conservative media in order to maintain its distorted view of reality.

            Obama is not a conservative politician and he is only half white. For many conservatives, do you need to know anything more about him to pass judgement.

            I know many conservatives who are not racist and I know that many conservative ideas are not based on racism. Sadly these days, it seems conservatives seem comfortable having Fox, Rush and tea party people represent them.
            Report Abuse
          • Author by Brutus (July 20, 2010 10:21 am ET)
            5  
            Fairlib - This is the second time you posted this ag department example, and we will ask again, what does this have to do with the President? You made the comment, now tell us how you connect the dots.

            Why are you trolling this web-site in a frantic attempt to paint all minorities as racist while ignoring the article about the expelled tea party racist?
            Report Abuse
            • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 11:15 am ET)
              6  
              Brutus, Fakeliberul is a bigoted liar. Last week she questioned Obamas Christianity(as if that was a reason to not like him)and questioned whether he preys to Allah or God...I'am not making this up. many posters here called her on it and now she is denying ever making those comments. During the times when Faux News was pushing the now debunked and phony O'keefe/Brietbart ACORN pimp videos she was here daily supporting the lies being told about ACORN and she still refuses to apologize for the lies she helped spread about this poor peoples organization. It is no wonder that she has jumped with both feet into this NBPP/Willie Horton attempt pushed by Faux News. She has called the president a "boy" and despite the evidence provided has not once criticised the tea-party for the racism in it's ranks. Your question is a good one but one that won't be answered by the bigoted Fakeliberul.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 12:53 pm ET)
                2  
                Fakeliberul chastized us saying "Your kind of people ,and Obama too."

                "..And I went on to work with many more white farmers," she said. "The story helped me realize that race is not the issue, it's about the people who have and the people who don't. When I speak to groups, I try to speak about getting beyond the issue of race."---Ms. Sherrod

                Yes she is my kind of people.
                Report Abuse
              • Author by fairliberal (July 20, 2010 10:55 pm ET)
                  2
                Actually if you were being accurate you would say that Obama has described himself as a Muslim, I just pointed it out.

                http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Auwe-aGF4Lo&feature=related
                Report Abuse
            • Author by Johaely (July 20, 2010 11:27 am ET)
              4  
              This was her answer before : she was "handpicked" by Obama. when in reality she was appointed by obama's agriculture secretary.
              Report Abuse
              • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 11:56 am ET)
                2  
                Johaely Fakelibnerul is now denying she ever questioned Obamas Christianity and questioned whether he preyed to Allah or God last week can you believe that ?
                Report Abuse
          • Author by congero6189599 (July 20, 2010 12:46 pm ET)
            2  
            Still denying,still promoting your bigotry.
            http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/20/agriculture.employee.naacp/index.html?eref=rss_topstories&utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+rss%2Fcnn_topstories+%28RSS%3A+Top+Stories%29
            Report Abuse
    • Author by doggeddem (July 20, 2010 11:48 am ET)
      3  
      I guess they have the FAUX News, Susquatch-sized foot in their collective mouth. Who will they throw under the bus now?
      Report Abuse
    • Author by farandaday (July 20, 2010 12:00 pm ET)
      4 1
      “…. about the tendency for people of color to play the "race card," First, by noting that the regularity with which whites respond to charges of racism by calling said charges a ploy, suggests that the race card is, at best, equivalent to the two of diamonds. In other words, it's not much of a card to play, calling into question why anyone would play it (as if it were really going to get them somewhere). Secondly, white reluctance to acknowledge racism isn't new, and it isn't something that manifests only in situations where the racial aspect of an incident is arguable true. Fact is, whites have always denied claims of racism at the time they were being made, no matter how strong the evidence. Finally, by suggesting that whatever "card - claims” of racism may prove to be for the black and brown, the “denial card” is far and away the trump card, and whites play it regularly......"
      Report Abuse

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