what eye thynk: Protesting is to be expected, but these people were not there to voice their opinions on the President's thoughts on housing or the economy. They were hell-bent on re-fighting the 1960s. And while the racist tone of the protest is upsetting, it is the support given that tone by some Republicans that revolts me.
One University of Arizona student was quoted as saying that President Obama "needs to go back to where he came from." Where would that be exactly? Hawaii? The same student, when questioned about her obviously racist remark shot back, "I am not a racist!" Maybe they define the word differently in Arizona.
Protesters sang "Bye Bye Black Sheep" and one added a touch of religious paranoia, by carrying a sign that read "Impeach the half-white Muslim!"
U.S. Representative Mike Kelly (R-Pennsylvania) responded to the racist bent of the protesters by saying that the President "divides" Americans "on race". "Listen, I'll tell you what; it's self evident. I don't know if people who aren't reading or not watching, maybe, don't have the same opinion, but I think it's pretty obvious where we're going with some of this stuff."
There seems little point in addressing Mr. Kelly's vague warning about "where we're going", but I do agree with him on one point: there is a racial divide in this country. However, the President isn't responsible for it. That blame rests squarely on people like Mr. Kelly, people in leadership positions who are able to voice a response to stop the hate but choose not to. People who don't shout down racism when it rears its ugly head but choose instead to pass the blame.
The Arizona protesters may be lost in a sad anachronism; but the Mr. Kellys in this country aren't sad or lost, they're simply abhorrent.
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