Paul Ryan: The "Clever" racist

[Rocko]

No one here realizes this, but blacks on welfare receive housing in the inner city...whites on welfare get section 8 housing in apartment complexes in the suburbs.

Blacks get section 8 housing too. And who's fault is it that inner city black communities are unpleasant places to live?

Sometimes, blacks get section 8 housing...usually black section 8 is in what you refer to as the 'Inner City.' As for whose fault some of these places are unpleasant to live, its the criminals fault. I have seen 'white' projects that are just as unpleasant to live in as 'black' projects.

What do you really know about the inner city...is it just what you consider to be 'downtown' or where the blacks live? Are you grouping all black communities and calloing them the inner city because they are downtown and filled with blacks, somewhere someone like you probably wouldn't dare to venture because you think every black neighborhood is the ghetto.

You're the one who implied whites have an advantage when it comes to subsidized housing. My family immigrated from Eastern Europe to NY when I was a child. I grew up poor in a neighborhood called Washington Heights, which was a very unpleasant neighborhood. Growing up in the city, I had many friends, many of which were black, where I spent sometime in their communities. Yes, what makes poor inner city communities unpleasant to live in is the criminals, and the problem is these communities have a lot of them. I'm not saying it's exclusively a black problem, but we do see this problem often in black neighborhoods.

 

[Nutz]

There is a segment of the black community that is useless...its not the entire black community or even the entire population of the inner city (code word for black neighborhood). In the same respect, there is a segment of the white community that is useless and it seems as if the GOP wants to ignore those problems and point to all crime and poverty as a problem unique to black communities.

It is a shame that a Republican cannot address issues in the black community without being called a racist.

It is a shame that a Republican ignores problems in the white communities, pretending that only blacks have such issues.

Its a shame that comments like this bring out the race baiters and rabble rousers.

Its a shame that comments like this embolden racists to spew their vitriol and hate.

Either way, the liberals and race baiters may not like the way Mr. Ryan presented this issue, perhaps they should take a step back and recognize that the GOP is encompassing the black experience into their agenda...now all they need to do is tweek how they present their message.

Yes it occurs in white america, the difference is that progressives make black poverty a greater issue, and demand countless dollars to be spent on problem fixes that do not fix the problem.

These countless dollars you talk about, please explain. Most welfare was created and driven because of issues in white America, not black America. Do you really think the government created welfare in 1935 to benefit blacks? Do you really think 1935 America was that concerned about the black experience or was it more of an issue because whites were suffering. I may be wrong, but I can't think of any welfare program that was created specifically for blacks...I am more inclined to believe that most welfare programs began because of white need, not black need.

 

[martybegan]

There is a segment of the black community that is useless...its not the entire black community or even the entire population of the inner city (code word for black neighborhood). In the same respect, there is a segment of the white community that is useless and it seems as if the GOP wants to ignore those problems and point to all crime and poverty as a problem unique to black communities.

It is a shame that a Republican cannot address issues in the black community without being called a racist.

It is a shame that a Republican ignores problems in the white communities, pretending that only blacks have such issues.

Its a shame that comments like this bring out the race baiters and rabble rousers.

Its a shame that comments like this embolden racists to spew their vitriol and hate.

Either way, the liberals and race baiters may not like the way Mr. Ryan presented this issue, perhaps they should take a step back and recognize that the GOP is encompassing the black experience into their agenda...now all they need to do is tweek how they present their message.

Yes it occurs in white america, the difference is that progressives make black poverty a greater issue, and demand countless dollars to be spent on problem fixes that do not fix the problem.

These countless dollars you talk about, please explain. Most welfare was created and driven because of issues in white America, not black America. Do you really think the government created welfare in 1935 to benefit blacks? Do you really think 1935 America was that concerned about the black experience or was it more of an issue because whites were suffering. I may be wrong, but I can't think of any welfare program that was created specifically for blacks...I am more inclined to believe that most welfare programs began because of white need, not black need.

The current welfare system as we know it was created during the 60's, not the 30's. And while its target was the poor in general, most if its effects (mostly bad) have been on the black community. It is the purported leaders of said community that push for ever expanding entitlements and social welfare, when the end result has not been rescue from poverty, but continuance of that poverty.

 

[Sunshine]

Paul Ryan: The "Clever" racist

As opposed to ClosedCaption, the not so clever racist.

 

[Rocko]

But it is Politically Convienent to pander to the lowest common denominator of your base - blaming blacks for all of the problems in the world while ignoring all other issues because of the (very obvious) inner city problem.

Don't get me wrong, I don't think his comments were racist at all...and I'm black. I just think comments like this are ill advised. Unless the GOP is willing to have a sincere and honest discussion about race, racism, and prejudice...they need to just stick with the basis of conservative ideals...because no matter what they say, the left will always point to racism.

Just look at this forum, there is never a civil discussion if race is the issue.

How's he pandering? He simply made a cultural observation. I believe there's truth to what he said. I agree with you that the left is always going to hurl accusations of racism no matter what is being said, and that's part of the problem of not being able to have productive dialog about the issue.

How is he pandering...he caused a fury, no. He has solidified a base and polarized the left from the right with his comments, no. Did he think that he was going to win the hearts and minds of blacks and liberals by commenting on a culture and community that he probably doesn't understand? Or did he think he was going to get a cheer from the haters in the GOP who want to blame all social issues on blacks? There is truth to what he said, yes...but if the GOP has ignored minorities and if they are considered to be racists by the left...why make those comments? Why ignore issues in other communities?

Paul Ryan is not a racist, neither is most of the GOP...they are politicians. Every word they say, every suit they adorn, down to the socks are carefully crafted, especially at Ryan's level. If getting elected means pissing off a minority that isn't going to vote for you while making your base cheer...then that is what these men will do. I find it hard to believe that the GOP and Ryan, with their wealth of intelligence, can't find a more diplomatic way to express conservative ideals (which aren't racist).

That's the problem with the GOP, instead of reiterating the idea that policy is colorblind, they allow the left to define their policy as color motivated.

The fact that he backpedaled from those comments shows us he wasn't calculated in his words, or it was a miscalculation on his part. I don't think he was looking for the racists to rally around him, and if they did, it's not his problem, because what he said wasn't racist.

 

[ClosedCaption]

Sorry Nutz you'll find out that Welfare was all good until those awful blacks started using it. They'll tell you why now (once blacks started to get it) NOW it should be rejected on principal. But the white guys couldnt turn it down based on principal because...they're white. They deserve a leg up!

 

[martybegan]

Combine his words with him citing Charles Murray



Of course there could be a million different reasons why ranging from Murray is a sexy author to Murray is his doppelganger. But in order to find those other possible reasons you have to skip over the most obvious of reasons.

One part of the controversy concerned the parts of the book which dealt with racial group differences on IQ and the consequences of this. The authors were reported throughout the popular press as arguing that these IQ differences are genetic, and they did indeed write in chapter 13: "It seems highly likely to us that both genes and the environment have something to do with racial differences." The introduction to the chapter more cautiously states, "The debate about whether and how much genes and environment have to do with ethnic differences remains unresolved."

Once again you cherry pick information to make your standard outrage porn based point.

You missed the part where you say what I posted was a lie.

Since its not a lie, you move to the cherry pick excuse. Yes, I did not post the entire book from Charles Murray. You figured it out all by yourself.

Your generalization is not a lie, it is merely the typical progressive approach to debate. Skew the statement just enough to make it cover your point, then pretend like no such skewing happened.

I never said you were lying, again you make that up to make me seem more unreasonable, and that you are actually making a point against me (here's a hint, you are not making it).

 

[ClosedCaption]

Once again you cherry pick information to make your standard outrage porn based point.

You missed the part where you say what I posted was a lie.

Since its not a lie, you move to the cherry pick excuse. Yes, I did not post the entire book from Charles Murray. You figured it out all by yourself.

Your generalization is not a lie, it is merely the typical progressive approach to debate. Skew the statement just enough to make it cover your point, then pretend like no such skewing happened.

I never said you were lying, again you make that up to make me seem more unreasonable, and that you are actually making a point against me (here's a hint, you are not making it).

I said I admit I didnt post the whole book. If my statement is true then what you mad about?

 

[Nutz]

Blacks get section 8 housing too. And who's fault is it that inner city black communities are unpleasant places to live?

Sometimes, blacks get section 8 housing...usually black section 8 is in what you refer to as the 'Inner City.' As for whose fault some of these places are unpleasant to live, its the criminals fault. I have seen 'white' projects that are just as unpleasant to live in as 'black' projects.

What do you really know about the inner city...is it just what you consider to be 'downtown' or where the blacks live? Are you grouping all black communities and calloing them the inner city because they are downtown and filled with blacks, somewhere someone like you probably wouldn't dare to venture because you think every black neighborhood is the ghetto.

You're the one who implied whites have an advantage when it comes to subsidized housing. My family immigrated from Eastern Europe to NY when I was a child. I grew up poor in a neighborhood called Washington Heights, which was a very unpleasant neighborhood. Growing up in the city, I had many friends, many of which were black, where I spent sometime in their communities. Yes, what makes poor inner city communities unpleasant to live in is the criminals, and the problem is these communities have a lot of them. I'm not saying it's exclusively a black problem, but we do see this problem often in black neighborhoods.

Yeah, my point in the end is that birds of a feather flock together. Just because a neighborhood is black, it doesn't make it the inner city.

I would also venture to say, if you take away gang related violence and if the suburbs were patrolled with the same veracity as black neighborhoods, the crime rate gap would be a little closer. It amazes me what white kids get away with as compared to their black counterparts.

 

[nodoginnafight]

And while its target was the poor in general, most if its effects (mostly bad) have been on the black community.

Oh no, He didn't ?????

 

[ducks102]

Typical republican saying racist things about blacks, in other news water is wet. Just saying black people in the inner city are lazy. This would be a like a black person saying people in the suburbs are racist and that is why black people can't get jobs.

 

[Nutz]

Yes it occurs in white america, the difference is that progressives make black poverty a greater issue, and demand countless dollars to be spent on problem fixes that do not fix the problem.

These countless dollars you talk about, please explain. Most welfare was created and driven because of issues in white America, not black America. Do you really think the government created welfare in 1935 to benefit blacks? Do you really think 1935 America was that concerned about the black experience or was it more of an issue because whites were suffering. I may be wrong, but I can't think of any welfare program that was created specifically for blacks...I am more inclined to believe that most welfare programs began because of white need, not black need.

The current welfare system as we know it was created during the 60's, not the 30's. And while its target was the poor in general, most if its effects (mostly bad) have been on the black community. It is the purported leaders of said community that push for ever expanding entitlements and social welfare, when the end result has not been rescue from poverty, but continuance of that poverty.

I don't think so, the welfare system was created in the 30's in response to the Great Depression. As for the current system, do you include corporate bailouts, the foreclosure nonsense, bailing out investment firms and so on? Welfare is welfare. It is abused by whites, blacks, rich and poor. Are you seriously blaming blacks for welfare?

 

[nodoginnafight]

Sad to find my self on the same side of an issue with racists who would come out of the woodwork to defend a racist who said racist things.

But I don't think what Ryan said was racist. I am sympathetic to those who feel it was. I mean if Rep. Barbara Lee and come out and started talking about the social ills and trouble in trailerparks down south, I'm sure a lot of those peckerwoods would be offended too.

 

[Mustang]

Paul Ryan insists his ‘inarticulate’ comments about ‘inner city’ men were not about race

Paul Ryan insists his ?inarticulate? comments about ?inner city? men were not about race | The Raw Story

Paul Ryan attempted to walk back Wednesday’s comment in which described a “culture in our inner cities in particular of men not working, and just generations of men not even thinking about working and learning the value and culture of work.”

In a statement issued to ThinkProgress, Ryan insisted that his comment wasn’t “a thinly veiled racial attack,” as Rep. Barbara Lee (D-CA), a member of the Congressional Black Caucus, characterized it.

“It is clear that I was inarticulate about the point I was trying to make,” Ryan said in the statement. “I was not implicating the culture of one community—but of society as a whole. We have allowed our society to isolate or quarantine the poor rather than integrate people into our communities. The predictable result has been multi-generational poverty and little opportunity. I also believe the government’s response has inadvertently created a poverty trap that builds barriers to work.”


Ryan told a blogger from Crew of 42 that his initial comments had “nothing to do whatsoever with race.”

See?

When Paul talks about the "culture" of the citizens in the "inner city" he didnt mean "culture" or "inner city". What he really meant was everyone everywhere and just failed to "articulate" it correctly.

Good job GOP...Maybe you can win an election without blacks. Just stop defending shit like this and asking why you arent an attractive option for blacks.

Typically when you talk down to people....studies have shown they dont really appreciate it

Does anyone here REALLY think that Ryan wants to 'integrate the poor' into his community?

What BS that is. Ryan doesn't want poor inner city men in his community, integrated or otherwise.

 

[Nutz]

How's he pandering? He simply made a cultural observation. I believe there's truth to what he said. I agree with you that the left is always going to hurl accusations of racism no matter what is being said, and that's part of the problem of not being able to have productive dialog about the issue.

How is he pandering...he caused a fury, no. He has solidified a base and polarized the left from the right with his comments, no. Did he think that he was going to win the hearts and minds of blacks and liberals by commenting on a culture and community that he probably doesn't understand? Or did he think he was going to get a cheer from the haters in the GOP who want to blame all social issues on blacks? There is truth to what he said, yes...but if the GOP has ignored minorities and if they are considered to be racists by the left...why make those comments? Why ignore issues in other communities?

Paul Ryan is not a racist, neither is most of the GOP...they are politicians. Every word they say, every suit they adorn, down to the socks are carefully crafted, especially at Ryan's level. If getting elected means pissing off a minority that isn't going to vote for you while making your base cheer...then that is what these men will do. I find it hard to believe that the GOP and Ryan, with their wealth of intelligence, can't find a more diplomatic way to express conservative ideals (which aren't racist).

That's the problem with the GOP, instead of reiterating the idea that policy is colorblind, they allow the left to define their policy as color motivated.

The fact that he backpedaled from those comments shows us he wasn't calculated in his words, or it was a miscalculation on his part. I don't think he was looking for the racists to rally around him, and if they did, it's not his problem, because what he said wasn't racist.

It is his problem if it makes him unelectable. It is our problem if racist rally behind him...shouldn't the GOP denounce racism. Shouldn't the GOP denounce hate and prejudice instead of coddle it for votes?

 

[CaféAuLait]

I believe it all comes down to how we see it and what we walk away with and WHY we see and walk away with such.

I watched a show ( a lot of watching and reading as I recover of late) and it was called "Discovery Channel's 'Gang Wars: Oakland'" After watching it I came away angry, sad, torn that these kids were caught up in a seemingly never ending circle of violence. How the hell have we allowed this as a culture to happen? How can we have ignored it for so long these kids are in this plight? I was pissed these kids even had to face this.

The next day I decided to try and find more information, ( I did not realize it was a rerun and an older show) I thought there would be many more agreeing something needed to be done. Instead, I found this article.

Discovery Channel's 'Gang Wars: Oakland' Series Spreads All the Wrong Messages About Poverty and Minorities

Discovery Channel's 'Gang Wars: Oakland' Series Spreads All the Wrong Messages About Poverty and Minorities | Alternet

I did not come away fearing anyone, or hating anyone. I came away with a sense of SHAME this was happening. But the above author came away with a different perspective, that the program was showing racial stereotypes and perhaps spreading hate.

I don't understand why shedding light on the issue would ever be considered racist, it prompted me to try and make sense of it, to offer assistance in the manner I can. I did not see it as the author did.

Perhaps this is the same with the comments in the OP? We all see something different, and this is how it will remain until every realizes not everything said has a racial undertone and not every person out there represents an entire race, religion or socio-economic status.

 

[boilermaker55]

Former Excellus CEO received $12.9 million retirement bonus | Rochester Business Journal New York business news and information
Former Excellus CEO received $12.9 million retirement bonus
Struggling Divine gave CEO bonus - Chicago Tribune
Struggling Divine gave CEO bonus
$21 million payday for Goldman Sachs CEO Blankfein - Jan. 18, 2013
$21 million payday for Goldman Sachs CEO
CEO bonuses are up 31% - Business Insider

Ex-CEO Schmidt gets $101M pay package in new Google job ? USATODAY.com
Ex-CEO Schmidt gets $101M pay package in new Google job
And the right stands on the premise that this is work.
$30 billion in bonuses last year for the top CEO's .

 

[Nutz]

Sad to find my self on the same side of an issue with racists who would come out of the woodwork to defend a racist who said racist things.

But I don't think what Ryan said was racist. I am sympathetic to those who feel it was. I mean if Rep. Barbara Lee and come out and started talking about the social ills and trouble in trailerparks down south, I'm sure a lot of those peckerwoods would be offended too.

Thats what sucks about being a black conservative...knowing you are voting with a faction of the GOP who is indeed racist and voting with a party that refuses to denounce such racists and groups.

On the flip side, how could I ever vote for baby killing, Christian hating, entitlement loving, better than thou liberals whose main ideal is the destruction of traditional family values and a movement towards socialism.

 

[nodoginnafight]

How is he pandering...he caused a fury, no. He has solidified a base and polarized the left from the right with his comments, no. Did he think that he was going to win the hearts and minds of blacks and liberals by commenting on a culture and community that he probably doesn't understand? Or did he think he was going to get a cheer from the haters in the GOP who want to blame all social issues on blacks? There is truth to what he said, yes...but if the GOP has ignored minorities and if they are considered to be racists by the left...why make those comments? Why ignore issues in other communities?

Paul Ryan is not a racist, neither is most of the GOP...they are politicians. Every word they say, every suit they adorn, down to the socks are carefully crafted, especially at Ryan's level. If getting elected means pissing off a minority that isn't going to vote for you while making your base cheer...then that is what these men will do. I find it hard to believe that the GOP and Ryan, with their wealth of intelligence, can't find a more diplomatic way to express conservative ideals (which aren't racist).

That's the problem with the GOP, instead of reiterating the idea that policy is colorblind, they allow the left to define their policy as color motivated.

The fact that he backpedaled from those comments shows us he wasn't calculated in his words, or it was a miscalculation on his part. I don't think he was looking for the racists to rally around him, and if they did, it's not his problem, because what he said wasn't racist.

It is his problem if it makes him unelectable. It is our problem if racist rally behind him...shouldn't the GOP denounce racism. Shouldn't the GOP denounce hate and prejudice instead of coddle it for votes?

Yeah, I think so anyway. But the Democratic Party has harbored racists too.

 

[nodoginnafight]

Sad to find my self on the same side of an issue with racists who would come out of the woodwork to defend a racist who said racist things.

But I don't think what Ryan said was racist. I am sympathetic to those who feel it was. I mean if Rep. Barbara Lee and come out and started talking about the social ills and trouble in trailerparks down south, I'm sure a lot of those peckerwoods would be offended too.

Thats what sucks about being a black conservative...knowing you are voting with a faction of the GOP who is indeed racist and voting with a party that refuses to denounce such racists and groups.

On the flip side, how could I ever vote for baby killing, Christian hating, entitlement loving, better than thou liberals whose main ideal is the destruction of traditional family values and a movement towards socialism.

I agree 100%