• This is a political forum that is non-biased/non-partisan and treats every person's position on topics equally. This debate forum is not aligned to any political party. In today's politics, many ideas are split between and even within all the political parties. Often we find ourselves agreeing on one platform but some topics break our mold. We are here to discuss them in a civil political debate. If this is your first visit to our political forums, be sure to check out the RULES. Registering for debate politics is necessary before posting. Register today to participate - it's free!

Reid apologizes for 'no Negro dialect' comment

I know History better than most and that was not needed. My point still stands and stands strong if you know REAL History!
 
texmaster said:
WASHINGTON – The top Democrat in the U.S. Senate apologized on Saturday for comments he made about Barack Obama's race during the 2008 presidential bid and are quoted in a yet-to-be-released book about the campaign.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada described in private then-Sen. Barack Obama as "light skinned" and "with no Negro dialect, unless he wanted to have one." Obama is the nation's first African-American president.

"I deeply regret using such a poor choice of words. I sincerely apologize for offending any and all Americans, especially African-Americans for my improper comments," Reid said in a statement released after the excerpts were first reported on the Web site of The Atlantic.

"I was a proud and enthusiastic supporter of Barack Obama during the campaign and have worked as hard as I can to advance President Obama's legislative agenda."

Reid remained neutral during the bitter Democratic primary that became a marathon contest between Obama and then-Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton, whom Obama tapped as the United States' top diplomat after the election.

Reid's comments are included in the book, obtained Saturday by The Associated Press and set to be published on Monday. "Game Change" was written by Time Magazine's Mark Halperin and New York magazine's John Heilemann.

The book also says Reid urged Obama to run, perceiving the first-term senator's impatience.

"You're not going to go anyplace here," Reid told Obama of the Senate. "I know that you don't like it, doing what you're doing."

Reid apologizes for 'no Negro dialect' comment - Yahoo! News
Click to expand...

Reid is toast in November....
 
Ethereal said:
Yea, he urged him to run because he was a great candidate, to wit, a bright and articulate black man who could still pander to the negro subculture.

People like Reid aren't living in the real world. You have to be detached from reality in order to say something that incredibly stupid in front of other civilized people.
Click to expand...

You have never said anything that are stupid when you think you are among your friends? I have. That might make me an idiot, but I think I'm normal. People do stupid things, or at least things that can be made to look stupid when you taken as a snapshot, sometimes out of context.
 
nonpareil said:
You have never said anything that are stupid when you think you are among your friends? I have. That might make me an idiot, but I think I'm normal. People do stupid things, or at least things that can be made to look stupid when you taken as a snapshot, sometimes out of context.
Click to expand...

Sure. I even PM stupid thoughts to people here but never a racist thing.

As humans we all say dumb things and smart people advance and learn..
 
Kali said:
Sure. I even PM stupid thoughts to people here but never a racist thing.

As humans we all say dumb things and smart people advance and learn..
Click to expand...

That's the thing though, was what he said racist? If you think it's a racist slur, was it because he used the word "negro" or because you think that his sentiment was racist in itself? I think that he wasn't being negative about it, it might even be a praise in his own mind, but he used a poor choice of word. That, to me, is not racist, it's just stupid.
 
Kali said:
Michael Steele is a disgrace to his race and leads a party that wishes to oppress his very own peoples.

Some may find my saying it wrong but it is very true. :(
Click to expand...

It's not your saying it that's wrong, it's the underlying idea that's wrong.

Kali said:
I am far from being brainwashed and the republicans could give a crap less about black people, white people or any other people. They are the party for the rich. Period.
Click to expand...

Election 2008 Exit Polls - ABC News

Among voters earning $200,000 or more:

Obama - 52
McCain - 46


Kali said:
What is wrong with the term his people? Sure we are all people but as a Black man? Michael Steele should belong to the party that will support black folks. Not the party wishes to hold his people down. I am sorry if you got a problem with this because those are MY feelings.
Click to expand...

And I think those "feelings" are just plain disgusting. You're saying that black people should only think the way you do and support the candidates you do.

Kali said:
People should speak as they speak but it would be nice if we had someone up in there like Snoop in office that keeps it real in public and in private. :cool:
Click to expand...

Yes, the world would be a much better place if only Snoop were in office.

You can't be real.


Kali said:
I figured some right wing sheep would come in here and try to claim that my post was racist when it is simply the cold hard truth. That is why I said it was my thoughts.
Click to expand...


Unintentional roflcoptor preparing for takeoff:

roflcopter.gif
 
Last edited:
CaptainCourtesy said:
And one other point. Roosevelt interning Japanese-Americans during WWII was absolutely wrong, but was not Democrat policy. It was policy of the time. If a Republican had been President, same thing would have happened.
Click to expand...

Maybe, maybe not. We will never know.

For you to state it matter of factly is wrong.
 
nonpareil said:
That's the thing though, was what he said racist? If you think it's a racist slur, was it because he used the word "negro" or because you think that his sentiment was racist in itself? I think that he wasn't being negative about it, it might even be a praise in his own mind, but he used a poor choice of word. That, to me, is not racist, it's just stupid.
Click to expand...

I found the sentiment racist in itself. It reminds me of the time Bill O'Reilly went to a restaurant with black patrons and was amazed that they used silverware and refrained from jumping on the tables.

I'm sorely disappointed with Reid.
 
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada described in private
Click to expand...

People are allowed to be idiots in private, and people should have some reasonable assumption that what they say will be private. To me the problem is not that Reid made a stupid comment, but that we even know about it. Politicians do deserve private time, just like any one else.
 
Redress said:
People are allowed to be idiots in private, and people should have some reasonable assumption that what they say will be private. To me the problem is not that Reid made a stupid comment, but that we even know about it. Politicians do deserve private time, just like any one else.
Click to expand...

Do you hold that same belief for George W. Bush?
 
bicycleman said:
Do you hold that same belief for George W. Bush?
Click to expand...

I first talked on this board about politicians and rights of privacy when the republican in Florida was about to be outed as gay. You will not get very far with the usual kneejerk questioning of my consistency.
 
I'm very surprised. I'm insulted for my black friends. "A light skinned Black with no Negro dialect," or something like that.

I can't believe a leading politician would feel this way!
 
Redress said:
I first talked on this board about politicians and rights of privacy when the republican in Florida was about to be outed as gay. You will not get very far with the usual kneejerk questioning of my consistency.
Click to expand...

Though I joined long before you made an appearance, I didn't make many posts here until of late, so I'm not sure of what your views were. So if you have included the conservatives in that privacy clause, that speaks admirably of you. You are truly a gem. :)
 
bicycleman said:
Though I joined long before you made an appearance, I didn't make many posts here until of late, so I'm not sure of what your views were. So if you have included the conservatives in that privacy clause, that speaks admirably of you. You are truly a gem. :)
Click to expand...

The thing is, the whole "well, that is inconsistent" argument fails without my earlier comments on politicians in privacy. If you don't like the argument, argue against the merits of the argument. If the argument stands on it's own merits, don't argue against it. Saying "well, you might not think that if it was a republican" isn't an argument at all, it's an attempt to dismiss the argument by smearing the one making it. There is inconsistency in this thread compared to previous posts, but it's not on my part, and it's not a useful argument to make.
 
RightinNYC said:
Seriously? You think saying "honest injun" is analogous to referring to a "negro dialect"?
Click to expand...

A racial slur is a racial slur, regardless of the race at which it is directed. Why should one be any worse than another? They are ALL obsolete, discredited, passé and unacceptable in a modern society.

It would seem that certain racial slurs are acceptable to you. I think that's very sad.

And while each of these idiots was attempting to say something positive by using grossly outdated and demeaning terms (which highlights their stupidity even more), the fact remains that the use of such derogatory phrases indicates a mind that evidently keeps them handy, and uses them without the slightest thought or hesitation.

Do you use words/phrases like these in everyday conversation? If so, you're guilty of the same mindless continuation of demeaning racial slurs that Reid and Steele are.

Phrases like these don't even exist my brain, let alone fall out of my mouth thoughtlessly. On the very rare occasion that I do choose to use such outdated and discredited terms, it's for the sole purpose of pointing out racism or hypocrisy, and educating the ignorant. I have to think HARD about using a racial slur...

What do you think about people who utter them without even thinking?

RightinNYC said:
Do you think that everyone who says "gypped" is a racist?
Click to expand...

No, I don't believe people who have racial slurs sitting right at the top of their heads for handy use are necessarily racists, although I'm sure many of them are. I do think they're hopelessly ignorant and an embarrassment, both to themselves and to what this country is supposed to be about. When such thoughtless derision comes from our "leaders" it's that much worse.

The fact that so many here choose to partisanize their condemnation of the use of any racial slur is just completely messed up.

:sigh:
 
Last edited:
MsRetro said:
I found the sentiment racist in itself. It reminds me of the time Bill O'Reilly went to a restaurant with black patrons and was amazed that they used silverware and refrained from jumping on the tables.

I'm sorely disappointed with Reid.
Click to expand...

I think I heard Sharpton excuse this as Reid speculating how Obama would play amongst the electorate. If that is what Reid was doing then he was displaying his opinion of an America ingrained in racism.

...yeah, possibly. But then why do we refuse to make the same consideration for O'Reilly's comment (which I happened to have heard when it took place). In context, he was also referring to a common stereotypical societal opinion. Or, how about Lott's comment regarding Strom Thurmond? In context Lott was acknowledging Thurmond's legislative strengths while foolishly ignoring his racist past. But in that case, for the Left, the details didn't matter.

Assuming Sharpton is correct, there is no issue here. Just as there shouldn't be for Lott and O'Reilly. What is interesting is how many of us play the double standard when something like this happens.
 
Last edited:
whether or not he's racist, reid sure is dumb

the average 6th grader possesses the creativity to come up with a more tactful way of going where harry, oddly, needed to go

the premium, therefore, is not on cleverness

it's on sensitivity, instead

all reid had to say was---mr obama sure looks good on tv, he speaks well, he even has the ability to reach ordinary folks in ways, perhaps, others can't

that's not so hard, is it?

all ya gotta do is make the effort

harry's thoughtless

he was speaking to REPORTERS, mind you, when he made the dumb remarks

and the dems' INCUMBENT PARTY LEADER is sinking in the silver state, vs a pair of republican littluns

his negatives are 52% in vegas and its environs

he's losing independents on the order of 25 to 55

obama's approval is a dismal 34% there, with disses at 46

NEVADA U.S. SENATE POLL: Reid hits new low in poll - News - ReviewJournal.com

RealClearPolitics - Election 2010 - Nevada Senate - Lowden vs. Reid

RealClearPolitics - Election 2010 - Nevada Senate - Lowden vs. Reid

Reid fights for political life; Republicans call on him to step down - John Bresnahan and David Rogers - POLITICO.com
 
MsRetro said:
I found the sentiment racist in itself. It reminds me of the time Bill O'Reilly went to a restaurant with black patrons and was amazed that they used silverware and refrained from jumping on the tables.

I'm sorely disappointed with Reid.
Click to expand...

That isn't what O'Reilly said.

Not even close.

You think Juan Williams would have defended him on that if it was a racist comment?
 
Kali said:
Michael Steele (Barak H Obama) is a disgrace to his race and leads a party that wishes to oppress his very own peoples.

Some may find my saying it wrong but it is very true. :(
Click to expand...


There I fixed it for you.
 
Also, using the term "negro dialect" seems to be a stumbling block for some people here.

Now everyone should be able to agree Senator Harry Reid is by no means an eloquent orator. But would anyone still be offended had he used the term 'ebonics'? Because, it is quite obvious the President, from time-to-time, will resort to speaking in a mild level of ebonics when he thinks it can serve him. A lot of prominent black Americans do the same.

I think Reid is the poster child for all things flawed. It is also possible he is one of these liberal-progressives who tout civil rights for groups he assumes have a cultural deficiency. But he really didn't say anything here that sets civil rights back. I have to agree, he should be graded on his actions. In this case he promotes flawed minority-centered policy with good but equally flawed intentions, like most liberals/progressives.
 
Redress said:
The thing is, the whole "well, that is inconsistent" argument fails without my earlier comments on politicians in privacy. If you don't like the argument, argue against the merits of the argument. If the argument stands on it's own merits, don't argue against it. Saying "well, you might not think that if it was a republican" isn't an argument at all, it's an attempt to dismiss the argument by smearing the one making it. There is inconsistency in this thread compared to previous posts, but it's not on my part, and it's not a useful argument to make.
Click to expand...

I'm sorry for giving you a compliment. I just lost my head. It won't happen again. :lol:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top Bottom