Did any prominent Democrat ever tell the Democrat party to lay off Trent Lott after he apologized in 2002?
The double standard is alive and well in Washington.
Showing posts with label apology. Show all posts
Showing posts with label apology. Show all posts
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
The Double Standard Continues
Nevada Senator John Ensign is telling fellow Republicans to lay off Harry Reid.
Did any prominent Democrat ever tell the Democrat party to lay off Trent Lott after he apologized in 2002?
The double standard is alive and well in Washington.
Did any prominent Democrat ever tell the Democrat party to lay off Trent Lott after he apologized in 2002?
The double standard is alive and well in Washington.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Double Standard
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV), who now finds himself in a tight re-election campaign with poor poll numbers, is also fighting a different battle of a whole other ballgame. Reid in a tell all book about the 2008 presidential campaign told author Mark Halperin that then Senator Barack Obama is "light skinned with no Negro dialect." Reid was under the impression that his rather offensive statement about African- Americans and in particular Barack Obama would not be published in Halperin's new book which is set to be released soon. Well, Harry badly miscalculated. Reid was betting that his comment would go unnoticed. Well, the Atlantic Magazine somehow got word of Reid's comment and published it on their website. OOPS. Now, Reid who did not intend on apologizing for his comment, was forced to apologize. He immediately called Obama to apologize. He reached out to Al Sharpton & Co. and phoned several fellow Senators. All has been forgiven with little fanfare.
Lets contrast this episode with another Senate Majority Leader. Remember Trent Lott? Back in 2002, Trent Lott(R-MS), who was then the Republican Senate Majority Leader from Mississippi, praised Strom Thurmond at his 100th birthday party stating that if Thurmond had been elected President, we would not have had "all these problems." Lott was trying to say something nice about a 100 yr. old Senator. Unfortunately, the comment backfired because Thurmond was a prominent segregationist and many people attributed Lott's comment about Thurmond to be his support for segregation. If you remember, the uproar over that statement could be heard from Washington all the way to California. Lott ended up apologizing incessantly on numerous occasions. He even went on Black Entertainment Television to reach out to the Black community. It did not matter how much Lott apologized, it was not going to quell the calls for his resignation. The Black community was not satisfied with Lott's apologies and ultimately Lott had to resign as the Senate Majority Leader.
Regardless of how you feel about whether Lott's or Reid's statements were racist in nature, there is a serious double standard in this country. When a Republican makes an offensive comment about African-Americans and apologizes repeatedly, he is never forgiven and must suffer the political consequences of being forced to resign. However, when a Democrat makes a similar comment that offends African-Americans, he only has to apologize once or twice and gets off scotch free. We have not heard a peep from the Black Caucus or any prominent Democrat criticizing Harry Reid for making his offensive remark that he only apologized for because he got caught. Here, a liberal radio host calls for Trent Lott to resign back in 2002. Gdforbid the Democrat party should also call for Reid to resign. The only person at this point who is calling for Reid's resignation is Michael Steele of the RNC. Not a surprise.
Instead of calling for Reid's resignation, Michael Steele and the RNC should file a claim in Federal District Court alleging a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution although I doubt such a case would be ripe for review. Nevertheless, that might be a better course of action. Otherwise, this double standard of treating Republicans different from Democrats will continue indefinitely.
I wonder how many Democrats will praise KKK Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) when he is no longer in office and get off the hook.
Lets contrast this episode with another Senate Majority Leader. Remember Trent Lott? Back in 2002, Trent Lott(R-MS), who was then the Republican Senate Majority Leader from Mississippi, praised Strom Thurmond at his 100th birthday party stating that if Thurmond had been elected President, we would not have had "all these problems." Lott was trying to say something nice about a 100 yr. old Senator. Unfortunately, the comment backfired because Thurmond was a prominent segregationist and many people attributed Lott's comment about Thurmond to be his support for segregation. If you remember, the uproar over that statement could be heard from Washington all the way to California. Lott ended up apologizing incessantly on numerous occasions. He even went on Black Entertainment Television to reach out to the Black community. It did not matter how much Lott apologized, it was not going to quell the calls for his resignation. The Black community was not satisfied with Lott's apologies and ultimately Lott had to resign as the Senate Majority Leader.
Regardless of how you feel about whether Lott's or Reid's statements were racist in nature, there is a serious double standard in this country. When a Republican makes an offensive comment about African-Americans and apologizes repeatedly, he is never forgiven and must suffer the political consequences of being forced to resign. However, when a Democrat makes a similar comment that offends African-Americans, he only has to apologize once or twice and gets off scotch free. We have not heard a peep from the Black Caucus or any prominent Democrat criticizing Harry Reid for making his offensive remark that he only apologized for because he got caught. Here, a liberal radio host calls for Trent Lott to resign back in 2002. Gdforbid the Democrat party should also call for Reid to resign. The only person at this point who is calling for Reid's resignation is Michael Steele of the RNC. Not a surprise.
Instead of calling for Reid's resignation, Michael Steele and the RNC should file a claim in Federal District Court alleging a violation of the Equal Protection Clause of the U.S. Constitution although I doubt such a case would be ripe for review. Nevertheless, that might be a better course of action. Otherwise, this double standard of treating Republicans different from Democrats will continue indefinitely.
I wonder how many Democrats will praise KKK Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) when he is no longer in office and get off the hook.
Friday, December 25, 2009
Carter's apology not accepted
Just in time for the holiday season, the former U.S. President Jimmy Carter offered an apology to Jewish Americans for "stigmatizing Israel." In fact, he offered an "Al Chet" which is the prayer that Jews say on Yom Kippur when asking God for forgiveness. Why all of a sudden after years of attacking the Jewish state without any feelings of remorse does Jimmy Carter have an epiphany and decide that maybe he committed a major sin in spewing outrageous blood libels about the State of Israel. Last Christmas, he did not apologize. And the Christmas before that, he did not apologize. Why now? Well, some are saying its because Carter's grandson is running for Congress in a District which is heavily populated with Jews. The grandson probably called up grandfather Jimmy, and said "hey grandpa can you help me here. I am having problems with the Jews. Bail me out." And Grandpa Jimmy said, "sure grandson, let me apologize to the Jews and everything will be alright."
Now, Carter says that the fact that his grandson is running for office has nothing to do with his apology. Regardless of whether the apology was precipitated because of his grandson's quest for higher office or because of some other reason, the apology is too little too late and should not be accepted by the Jewish community or anyone else who is deserving of an apology from Carter.
Jimmy Carter has done more to delegitimize and besmirch the credibility of the Jewish State than any another other politician in the U.S. and perhaps in the rest of the world. Now, there are definitely many others who follow Jimmy Carter's lead vis a vis Israel. But, Carter is at the head of the pack of anti-Israel enthusiasts who never seem to miss a dull moment in slandering all aspects of the State of Israel. And, he has caused significant harm to Israel in the PR battle in recent years which is unforgivable. In addition, his Carter Center receives more money each year from pro-Arab groups including Saudi Arabia, so who knows if his apology will be long-term or more likely short-lived.
Lets examine Carter's disturbing career maligning the character of the State of Israel.
1) Jimmy Carter has famously retorted that Israel's policies are worse than Apartheid in South Africa when Arab citizens have more rights in Israel than they do in Arab countries.
2) He authored a book called Palestine: Peace not Apartheid where he demeaned Israel and traveled around the world to promote his book calling Israel all kinds of horrible names. (Carter: Israel treats Palestinians like animals, Israel is persecuting the Palestinians, the Palestinians are victimized, Israel is colonizing Palestinian land, Israel is the primary obstacle to peace, Israel is starving the Palestinians of the necessities of life, Israel should be condemned for attacking Hamas etc.)
3) Here is Carter taking the airways attacking Israel which he did regularly when promoting his book (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDKw0f95k7Q)
4) Carter took pride in outing Israel's nuclear program claiming Israel has 150 nuclear weapons. That disclosure harmed Israel's security and her steadfast refusal to reveal whether or not it has nuclear weapons. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S98zH8hZHjg&feature=related)
5) Carter had no problem meeting with Hamas and providing an aura of legitimacy on the terrorist organization.He admired Yasser Arafat. He traveled to Syria and Lebanon to meet with terrorist leaders even though Syria in cooperation with Hezbollah vow Israel's destruction. He and his Carter Center has had extensive ties with the Arab world and have long supported Arab causes even when they were detrimental to Israel's security. He believes that Israel should talk to everyone even to those countries who want to wipe her off the face of the map.
6) Carter has downplayed Palestinian attacks on Israel making very little mention of Israeli victims in his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. He also has played the morally equivalent game linking Israel's self-defense mechanisms on an equal plane to Palestinian homicide bombings. He's good at that game.
The list goes on and on.
How can you forgive such a man who has spent a whole career validating the Arab world which has vigorously worked since 1948 to eradicate the State of Israel? Maybe there will be some in the Jewish community who will forgive Carter. I doubt he will get too many favorable responses.
Now, Carter says that the fact that his grandson is running for office has nothing to do with his apology. Regardless of whether the apology was precipitated because of his grandson's quest for higher office or because of some other reason, the apology is too little too late and should not be accepted by the Jewish community or anyone else who is deserving of an apology from Carter.
Jimmy Carter has done more to delegitimize and besmirch the credibility of the Jewish State than any another other politician in the U.S. and perhaps in the rest of the world. Now, there are definitely many others who follow Jimmy Carter's lead vis a vis Israel. But, Carter is at the head of the pack of anti-Israel enthusiasts who never seem to miss a dull moment in slandering all aspects of the State of Israel. And, he has caused significant harm to Israel in the PR battle in recent years which is unforgivable. In addition, his Carter Center receives more money each year from pro-Arab groups including Saudi Arabia, so who knows if his apology will be long-term or more likely short-lived.
Lets examine Carter's disturbing career maligning the character of the State of Israel.
1) Jimmy Carter has famously retorted that Israel's policies are worse than Apartheid in South Africa when Arab citizens have more rights in Israel than they do in Arab countries.
2) He authored a book called Palestine: Peace not Apartheid where he demeaned Israel and traveled around the world to promote his book calling Israel all kinds of horrible names. (Carter: Israel treats Palestinians like animals, Israel is persecuting the Palestinians, the Palestinians are victimized, Israel is colonizing Palestinian land, Israel is the primary obstacle to peace, Israel is starving the Palestinians of the necessities of life, Israel should be condemned for attacking Hamas etc.)
3) Here is Carter taking the airways attacking Israel which he did regularly when promoting his book (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kDKw0f95k7Q)
4) Carter took pride in outing Israel's nuclear program claiming Israel has 150 nuclear weapons. That disclosure harmed Israel's security and her steadfast refusal to reveal whether or not it has nuclear weapons. (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S98zH8hZHjg&feature=related)
5) Carter had no problem meeting with Hamas and providing an aura of legitimacy on the terrorist organization.He admired Yasser Arafat. He traveled to Syria and Lebanon to meet with terrorist leaders even though Syria in cooperation with Hezbollah vow Israel's destruction. He and his Carter Center has had extensive ties with the Arab world and have long supported Arab causes even when they were detrimental to Israel's security. He believes that Israel should talk to everyone even to those countries who want to wipe her off the face of the map.
6) Carter has downplayed Palestinian attacks on Israel making very little mention of Israeli victims in his book Palestine: Peace Not Apartheid. He also has played the morally equivalent game linking Israel's self-defense mechanisms on an equal plane to Palestinian homicide bombings. He's good at that game.
The list goes on and on.
How can you forgive such a man who has spent a whole career validating the Arab world which has vigorously worked since 1948 to eradicate the State of Israel? Maybe there will be some in the Jewish community who will forgive Carter. I doubt he will get too many favorable responses.
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