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Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsIf Giuliani's Smear Wasn't Racist, What Was It?
If Giuliani's Smear Wasn't Racist, What Was It?By Jonathan Chait at NY Magazine
http://nymag.com/daily/intelligencer/2015/02/giulianis-smear-wasnt-racist-what-was-it.html
"SNIP.................
The original basis for Giulianis comments was Obamas allegedly unusual upbringing. He wasnt brought up the way you were brought up and I was brought up, through love of this country, alleged the former mayor. As Wayne Barrett points out, Giulianis father was a mob enforcer, and he and his five brothers all avoided military service during World War II. What about this upbringing in any way suggests it conveyed some deeper patriotism than Obamas?
Giuliani subsequently clarified his original remarks, though not in the way he intended, by asserting that Obamas alleged anti-Americanism amounted to socialism or possibly anti-colonialism. Here Giuliani is reprising the theories of Dinesh DSouza, who has described Obama as fundamentally influenced by Kenyan anti-colonialism. Unfortunately for Giuliani, DSouzas racism is so transparent not even many conservatives care to defend it any longer.
Giuliani also explained that Obamas anti-Americanism comes through in his selective use of press conferences:
He sees Christians slaughtered [in Egypt] and doesnt stand up and hold a press conference, although he holds a press conference for the situation in Ferguson, he said. He sees Jews being killed for anti-Semitic reasons, doesnt stand up and hold a press conference. This is an American president Ive never seen before.
...................SNIP"
Octafish
(55,745 posts)GOP roots in eugenics.
http://www.waragainsttheweak.com/offSiteArchive/www.sfgate.com/
BlueCaliDem
(15,438 posts)Aristus
(66,369 posts)Cha
(297,240 posts)Next stop, China....
Cha
(297,240 posts)China bound!
spanone
(135,833 posts)VanillaRhapsody
(21,115 posts)a guest pointed out that it is entirely American and patriotic to be "anti-colonialist" because that is exactly what our Founding Fathers where putting an end to. They no longer wanted to be "colonies of Mother England" nor subject to its King. They were totally anti-colonial its what our existence is about! I had never heard it put so succinctly and I will blow off anyone who uses that term especially in regards to someone's patriotism...and particularly the President's. And if I am not mistaken....Dinesh D'souza's family heritage comes from India whose historical significant, forcing out, the Colonials of England by Ghandi ...the antithesis of colonialism...how ironic is that?
aint_no_life_nowhere
(21,925 posts)but Giuliani's complete lack of concern as to the appearance of his comments as racist and his non-existent effort to distance himself from the appearance of racism undoubtedly is racist.
Baitball Blogger
(46,711 posts)Giuliani could have gotten away with those comments a few years back. But not anymore. His side is just very slow to figure it out.
AverageJoe90
(10,745 posts)moondust
(19,981 posts)gordianot
(15,238 posts)His lecture circuit must be a little slow he had enhance his brand. Palin and other such right wing political trash use this tactic well to bolster speaking engagements. The 911 gig for Giuliani must be wearing thin, Benghazi was discredited, what is really left for this one act wretch when your act goes sour? The "love of country theme" works well it is vague in that it does not immediately evoke racism, edgy enough to appeal to birthers, Fox news, and diminished right wing true believers who will want to pay or emulate him to spread poison. The money is probably good but what creature would want to make a living spreading rectal matter when you speak?
Rex
(65,616 posts)He eats and drinks white privilege like Bill O Reilly. By now he remembers how he saved NYC from 9/11, after the disaster. His idea of how people should have grown up properly is an all white town in the 1950s. Of course he means some of what he says in a racist tone. Basically he is a sleazeball.
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)patriotism of one's opponents has a long and storied tradition here (one that long predates the reign of terror of WI Senator Joseph McCarthy) and Mr. Subject-Verb-911 is merely the latest demagogue who, rather than debate the merits of President Obama's position, falls back instead on the cheap slur.
uponit7771
(90,339 posts)and it racist
KingCharlemagne
(7,908 posts)that Giuliani would never have dared say those words about a white president. So I now think it was and is deeply racist in addition to being a McCarthyite slur.