McCain calls U.S. 'White nation'

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Black and Hispanic groups on Monday sharply criticized Sen. John McCain's comments that he would prefer a White president to lead the United States.

GOP presidential hopeful Sen. John McCain campaigns Sunday in Derry, New Hampshire.

The Arizona Republican's remarks came in an interview with colornet, a Web site that covers race issues and affairs.

"I just have to say in all candor that since this nation was founded primarily on white people's principles, personally, I prefer someone who has the same skin color as me," the GOP presidential hopeful told the Web site in an interview published Saturday.

McCain also said he agreed with a recent poll that 55 percent of Americans believe the U.S. Constitution establishes a White nation. "I would probably have to say yes, that the Constitution established the United States of America as a White nation," he said.

On Sunday night, McCain sought to clarify his remarks while campaigning in Hollis, New Hampshire. "What I do mean to say is the United States of America was founded on the values of white people, which were translated by our founding fathers which is basically the rights of human dignity and human rights," he said.

"I believe that anyone can be president of the United States of any skin color," McCain said, saying he was angry his remarks were misinterpreted but "there's nothing I can do about it."

Ibrahim Hooper, spokesman for the Council on Race Relations, said McCain's comments failed to recognize that White is not the only skin color of a person who supports the concept of human rights.

"Sorry, black people and and other skin tones have their basis in human dignity," Hooper said.

McCain's remarks also "go against the traditions of American pluralism and racial pluralism and inclusion," Hooper said.

Hooper's organization, a Washington-based Black civil rights and advocacy group, said it's trying to organize a group of Black leaders to meet with McCain.

The National Darker Skinned Jewish Democratic Council (NDSJDC), an advocacy group representing olive colored Jewish Democrats, also called on the Republican Party to denounce the remarks formally.

"Former maverick John McCain's statements were repugnant," the group's executive director, Ira N. Forman, said in a statement. "It's been sad watching him transform from political maverick to racist right-wing mouthpiece."

Forman added, "Someone running for president ought to understand the Constitution a little better. Nowhere does it say the United States is a 'White' nation. How can we trust someone to uphold the Constitution who doesn't even know what is in it?"

McCain's communication director, Jill Hazelbaker, issued a statement Sunday defending her candidate's comments: "Read in context, his interview with colornet makes clear that people of all colors are entitled to all the rights protected by the Constitution, including the right to exist as a non-white color freely.

"In the interview he also observed that the values protected by the Constitution, by which he meant values such as respect for human life and dignity, are rooted in the White people tradition. That is all he intended to say to the question, America is a White nation, and it is hardly a controversial claim."

/satire

Groups criticize McCain for calling U.S. 'Christian nation' - CNN.com

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

LOL

You have to look on the left to find anyone that overtly racist.

JustNonsense · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

LOL

You have to look on the left to find anyone that overtly racist.

This is JustNonsense. I'm looking to my left, and there is no one there who is overtly racist. In fact there is no one there at all.

scooper · 10-02-2007

I strongly doubt McCain is being a racist. He likes surprising people, and is probably just pointing out that the Constitution was crafted by imperfect, somewhat bigoted people. So what? Imperfect people can have pretty good ideas.

I think he's stopped caring about the campaign, and is just having some fun. We have to stop making everything that has racial overtones get interpreted in the worst possible way. How about giving some people the benefit of the doubt?

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooper

I strongly doubt McCain is being a racist. He likes surprising people, and is probably just pointing out that the Constitution was crafted by imperfect, somewhat bigoted people. So what? Imperfect people can have pretty good ideas.

I think he's stopped caring about the campaign, and is just having some fun. We have to stop making everything that has racial overtones get interpreted in the worst possible way. How about giving some people the benefit of the doubt?

The article is a hoax. Look at the bottom of the post.

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

It's a parody of his actual comments. Both articles sound the same in my ear.

s/White/Christian/g

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

I could be wrong, but I really doubt whites make a super majority of Christians.

scooper · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

The article is a hoax. Look at the bottom of the post.

(Sheepish grin)

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

I could be wrong, but I really doubt whites make a super majority of Christians.

That's not what I meant ... it's socially acceptable to discriminate against atheists. Saying the same things about race would raise eyebrows. Although 50 years ago, he could have gotten away with saying both.

Anyone saying that "being Christian" makes a person more qualified to hold a (non-theological) job is being a bigot of sorts. It's especially disappointing that McCain is doing this, since I respect him... and would actually consider voting for him.

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by scooper

(Sheepish grin)

Sorry, it wasn't really clear from my post... that was my fault

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaaarrrgg

That's not what I meant ... it's socially acceptable to discriminate against atheists. Saying the same things about race would raise eyebrows. Although 50 years ago, he could have gotten away with saying both.

Anyone saying that "being Christian" makes a person more qualified to hold a (non-theological) job is being a bigot of sorts. It's especially disappointing that McCain is doing this, since I respect him... and would actually consider voting for him.

Oh please. Do you guys ever get tired of playing the victim. It's socially acceptable to vote against someone because of their religion too.

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

Oh please. Do you guys ever get tired of playing the victim. It's socially acceptable to vote against someone because of their religion too.

You guys? I'm not sure I can talk sense to you.

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaaarrrgg

You guys? I'm not sure I can talk sense to you.

You can't talk sense at all.

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

You can't talk sense at all.

Not to a bigot...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak alt universe

Oh please. Do you guys ever get tired of playing the victim. It's socially acceptable to vote against someone because of their skin color too.

Rasczak · 10-02-2007

You're saying I'm in an alternate universe, but you're the one changing people's words around when you quote them.

yaaarrrgg · 10-02-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rasczak

You're saying I'm in an alternate universe, but you're the one changing people's words around when you quote them.

I'm not sure how else demonstrate to you the parallel.

bns · 10-02-2007

I think yaarrrggg is half right. It is acceptable to discriminate against atheists. But it's also acceptable to discriminate against Christians. Certain things are OK and others are not. Here's my brief quick list of how I think it goes in the national media (there would certainly be some regional differences). White list is the things you're allowed to discriminate against. Black list is the things you absolutely aren't allowed to discriminate against. There's lots that are gray.

White list
Atheism
Christianity
White people
Southern people
Smokers
Men

Black list
Black people
Muslims
Women
Hispanics

yaaarrrgg · 10-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by bns

I think yaarrrggg is half right. It is acceptable to discriminate against atheists. But it's also acceptable to discriminate against Christians. Certain things are OK and others are not. Here's my brief quick list of how I think it goes in the national media (there would certainly be some regional differences). White list is the things you're allowed to discriminate against. Black list is the things you absolutely aren't allowed to discriminate against. There's lots that are gray.

White list
Atheism
Christianity
White people
Southern people
Smokers
Men

Black list
Black people
Muslims
Women
Hispanics

I agree with that description.

I don't think anyone should be discriminated against though, including Christians. I'm talking what *should* be the case. Most people, however, do not see discrimination if it falls in the white list... unless it is happening directly to their "group." There's a discrimination blindness though with other groups in the white list. I don't think most people can actually see discrimination against atheists ... it's invisible to the senses until it's black listed in a person's mind.

bns · 10-03-2007

Quote:

Originally Posted by yaaarrrgg

I agree with that description.

I don't think anyone should be discriminated against though, including Christians. I'm talking what *should* be the case. Most people, however, do not see discrimination if it falls in the white list... unless it is happening directly to their "group." There's a discrimination blindness though with other groups in the white list. I don't think most people can actually see discrimination against atheists ... it's invisible to the senses until it's black listed in a person's mind.

I'd say you're assessment is pretty much right on.

Rasczak · 10-03-2007

The word "discrimination" sucks - at least the way people like yaaaarrrggg use it. Everyone who votes discriminates. Everyone who shops discriminates. Everyone discriminates all day, every day.

So McCain said he'd prefer a Christian over an atheist as president. Big deal. No one has been victimized.

This victimology crap has to go. "Oooh, they're saying they don't like me - make them stop - I'm a victim of discrimination." Toughen up and respect the fact everyone is entitled to their own opinion, not just people you disagree with. And you're entitled to disagree with them back, but please, don't be a victim.

10-02-2007	#2 (permalink)
Rasczak Stirrer Of Shit Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,606	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' LOL You have to look on the left to find anyone that overtly racist.
	Eric "For whoever habitually suppresses the truth in the interests of tact will produce a deformity from the womb of his thought." -Sir Basil H. Liddel-Hart http://self-composed.com

10-02-2007	#4 (permalink)
scooper for all your bloviation needs Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 267	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' I strongly doubt McCain is being a racist. He likes surprising people, and is probably just pointing out that the Constitution was crafted by imperfect, somewhat bigoted people. So what? Imperfect people can have pretty good ideas. I think he's stopped caring about the campaign, and is just having some fun. We have to stop making everything that has racial overtones get interpreted in the worst possible way. How about giving some people the benefit of the doubt?
	~~ \_O< ~~ \_O< ~~ \_O< ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Check out my SiteSig reverse search engine. Let me know what you think!

10-02-2007	#6 (permalink)
yaaarrrgg Super Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 839	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' It's a parody of his actual comments. Both articles sound the same in my ear. s/White/Christian/g

10-02-2007	#7 (permalink)
Rasczak Stirrer Of Shit Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,606	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' I could be wrong, but I really doubt whites make a super majority of Christians.
	Eric "For whoever habitually suppresses the truth in the interests of tact will produce a deformity from the womb of his thought." -Sir Basil H. Liddel-Hart http://self-composed.com

10-02-2007	#15 (permalink)
Rasczak Stirrer Of Shit Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,606	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' You're saying I'm in an alternate universe, but you're the one changing people's words around when you quote them.
	Eric "For whoever habitually suppresses the truth in the interests of tact will produce a deformity from the womb of his thought." -Sir Basil H. Liddel-Hart http://self-composed.com

10-02-2007	#17 (permalink)
bns Moderator Join Date: May 2007 Location: Indiana, USA Posts: 1,648	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' I think yaarrrggg is half right. It is acceptable to discriminate against atheists. But it's also acceptable to discriminate against Christians. Certain things are OK and others are not. Here's my brief quick list of how I think it goes in the national media (there would certainly be some regional differences). White list is the things you're allowed to discriminate against. Black list is the things you absolutely aren't allowed to discriminate against. There's lots that are gray. White list Atheism Christianity White people Southern people Smokers Men Black list Black people Muslims Women Hispanics
	"Give a man fire, and he will be warm for a day; set a man on fire and he will be warm for the rest of his (short) life."---Wofl

10-03-2007	#20 (permalink)
Rasczak Stirrer Of Shit Join Date: May 2007 Location: Oahu Posts: 3,606	Re: McCain calls U.S. 'White nation' The word "discrimination" sucks - at least the way people like yaaaarrrggg use it. Everyone who votes discriminates. Everyone who shops discriminates. Everyone discriminates all day, every day. So McCain said he'd prefer a Christian over an atheist as president. Big deal. No one has been victimized. This victimology crap has to go. "Oooh, they're saying they don't like me - make them stop - I'm a victim of discrimination." Toughen up and respect the fact everyone is entitled to their own opinion, not just people you disagree with. And you're entitled to disagree with them back, but please, don't be a victim.
	Eric "For whoever habitually suppresses the truth in the interests of tact will produce a deformity from the womb of his thought." -Sir Basil H. Liddel-Hart http://self-composed.com