I've been staying out of this

[ericcoleman]

At least in my own journal. But some things need comment

This was on the Sacramento county GOP website.



There is an article here

The important quote is from chairman of the Sacramento County Republican party, Craig MacGlashan. “Some people find it offensive, others do not. I cannot comment on how people interpret things.”

Comments

[billroper]

First, note that your first line is subsumed in my last possibility listed. I covered it.

Now, look at the post that I'm responding to, Eric.

You've taken an unsubstantiated report by one reporter at one rally and used it to represent the "face of [my] party". You've said that no one called the person who said "Kill him" out on it when it happened.

It would have been difficult for the person speaking at the rally at the time to do so for one simple reason.

No one else heard it.

And the quotes from Slavoski that you pulled simply illustrate a well-known truth -- it's very difficult to prove a negative in a case like this.

You -- with some justification -- wouldn't accept a Michelle Malkin post about "Abort Sarah Palin". But this was a big deal, based on one apparently inaccurate report that got echoed everywhere.

As I said in a post on my own LJ, I no longer trust any media source at face value, because they are all biased in one way or another.

I encourage you to use a healthy skepticism before trusting them yourself.

My other examples, which you seem to have missed.

[ericcoleman]

But it doesn't change the fact that the Republican Party is fomenting the hate. Jeffrey Frederick, GOP state chair in Virginia told his people to make the connection between Bin Laden and Obama this weekend. He now says it was a joke, but do you really think he was joking? There is the bumper sticker in CA.

"Kill him" was reported in multiple places. I've been very careful what I cite. You, it would certainly seem, have shown that it is wrong. Just as certainly, yesterday it was a valid point. I'm glad that it's wrong, but, there are multiple examples of officials of the Republican Party doing exactly what you said that the Republican Party has not done. Not just some nutcase in an audience, but RP officials. That was not my only example, it was my first one. Are the others invalid because one was?

I have been pretty plain stating the slant of sources.

Re: My other examples, which you seem to have missed.

[billroper]

Since I wasn't at the meeting and couldn't hear the tone of voice or observe his general demeanor, I can't tell you whether he was joking or not. If he was, it was a bad joke. If he wasn't, he was being an idiot.

I understand that "Kill him" was reported in multiple places, but -- much like the original Michelle Malkin "Abort Sarah Palin" image on the sidewalks -- all of the reporting converged back to a single source. This is what I mean about being careful about your sources. I appreciate that you have tried to be plain about stating the slant of sources.

I also understand that various Republican Party officials have done things that were wrong. They should not have done that.

Nor, in my opinion, should Obama have suggested -- in advance of evidence -- that "they" (which to me would imply "The Republicans"; you may differ on this) are going to embark on racist attacks. But apparently, Bill Clinton was also a racist, if you remember back to the primaries. So was Geraldine Ferraro.

Nor should Democratic Congressman John Lewis have managed to link the McCain campaign with George Wallace.

There is plenty of dirt being spread by both sides in this campaign, which is a sad thing. The dirt being spread by the Democrats is "my opponents are racist".

That is not substantively different in America than saying "my opponent is a terrorist".

Given, of course, that there are minorities in America that approve of both racists and terrorists...

Re: My other examples, which you seem to have missed.

[ericcoleman]

Various Republican Party officials? It's the party line.

Obama did not suggest in advance of evidence, the attacks had already started, in one case from his own party.

John Lewis is a bit of a fool. I can see the point he was making, and it was not the comparison that you are making. Read his quote again. “It was all about what I call toxic speech —- statements [and] an audience that can unleash bitterness and hatred. And I don’t need anyone to lecture me about my feelings, or what I have observed for more than 50 years.”. He did not say that McCain was George Wallace, but that the RP was using the same tactics, tactics that were used against McCain just a few years ago, remember the black baby? The guy who perpetrated that against him is now working FOR McCain.

And for the record, it was Hillary who said, when asked if Obama was a Muslim, replied No. No, there is nothing to base that on. As far as I know,"

The racist attacks had started, from both sides. Obama called them out on it. You still haven't answered if he was wrong. I've shown examples, yet you still say that it isn't the RP that is doing it, just various Republican Party officials. How many does it take?

People like you, the true conservatives, need to take the party back. It's not your's anymore.

[billroper]

By the way, would it be possible for us both to agree that there are folks on both sides who are gleefully fomenting hate and that it would be preferable if they would all shut the hell up?

Then we might end this interminable thread. :)

(Yes, I know that I reopened it today, but I found the rebuttal on the "Kill him" thing which I needed to pass along, because I had a problem with that going on, had it been true. Or provable. Or something like that...)

[ericcoleman]

BILL !!!

This is the most fun I have had in months.

Everyone wants to take away my fun ... pout.