Attack the Idea, Not the Person
“I don’t care what you look like, I care how you act.”
I typically don’t write articles such as this on The Free Independent-Sun. I built this website to cover “good news.” I wanted to have a venue for people and ideas that I thought were left uncovered by the mainstream media.
The concept of racism, and how to deal with it and it’s emotional effect on any rational and reasonably minded person has been in my mind for the past couple months.
After spending a month-and-a-half in South Carolina, I had heard more genuinely racist comments than I had ever heard in my life. However, I think if I were at any previous point in my life, I would have let them get to me much more than I do now.
It isn’t just South Carolina, or the South in general, or even America, that has a long history of racism; but mankind that has been victim to xenophobia and the temptation to exploit minorities, whoever they may be.
As I canvas for Ron Paul, I talk to a lot of conservative voters. 99% of people oppose the President for legitimate reasons. I oppose President Obama for the same reasons I opposed President Bush; his Foreign Policy, his actions against Civil Liberties, his position on the Drug War, and his Economic Policy (mainly the subsidization and bailout of major banks and corporations). However, as I’ve talked to well over a hundred homes, the 1% started to come out.
As we left the front of a house in which one lady said, “That Australian guy’s got it right; he’s kicking out all the Muslims!” my canvasing partner said to me, “I didn’t know what to say to that, I mean, that’s the opposite of what America is about, it’s about Religious Freedom.”
At the time we stirred the conversation away from the woman’s bigoted comment. Most people, justifiably, would get mad and even attack the woman for being so misguided. However, what would that accomplish? Would that change her view? Probably not. It’d only get me more angry to get in a fight. My heart would race, I’d be tense, and the next person I dealt with would not hear the positive message I was trying to spread.
I noticed, despite the forth-coming racist comments made by people, not only as I canvased, but as I traveled, that even the most racist people felt the need to immediately apologize, or qualify the comment, with a statement such as, “I don’t mean all black people. There are some good black people, just most of them tend to be that way.”
That’s when I started practicing what I call, “Attacking the idea, not the person.”
What I found in my life is that there are rarely “bad” people. There are mostly only bad ideas. When people have these ideas, it is the idea you want to attack, not the person. After all, it is the person who you want to free from the bad idea.
However, it was not these observations and conclusions that “inspired” me to write this article. It was when quotes from a Newsletter, published under Ron Paul’s name, became the focal point of the Media’s coverage of the Presidential Election that I felt the need to write on the subject. I was very hesitant. Hopefully it would run its course, which it seems like it is. Also, I did not want to appear to defend the racist comments found in those Newsletters. I can’t stand racism, homophobia, or bigotry. However, to me, I see a huge difference between racist words and racist actions, and as I post in forums, I can see that it has not ran its course.
If the before mentioned woman’s neighbor made no racist comments, yet actually went out and lynched Muslims, which person would be “worse?”
Which candidate then is more racist, the one that had a Newsletter, edited and written by a third-party, in which racist comments were made, or a candidate who’s policies lead to the destruction of minority communities, the execution of Blacks and Hispanics at a far higher rate than Whites, and the death of nearly a million Arabs overseas?
The Word vs. The Deed
“You are overwhelmed by the word, not the deed… You focus on words. You think the exploiters give a whit about how angry you are about these as long as you let them off on what they are doing to these people in those categories?” – Ralph Nader
Ralph Nader addressed his use of the term, “Uncle Tom” to a audience of Law Students. In his defense, he pointed out that the only way to grab the attention of the “current generation” is with ethnic, sexual, and racial slurs. That people are not offended by policies that destroy the poor, minorities, and foreigners overseas.
The Words and Deeds of Ron Paul
The comments made in the Ron Paul Newsletters contradict everything that Ron Paul has said and done over his career as a Politician and a Doctor. When the same newsletters were brought up during the 2008 election, Texas NAACP President, and acquaintance of Ron Paul for 20 years, Nelson Linders, defended Rep. Paul:
And as reported by The Young Turks, at the same time those newsletters were published Ron Paul was campaigning as the Libertarian Nominee for President condemning the Drug War’s Racist Origins:
In addition, in response to accusations of Ron Paul’s “homophobia” many Gay-Liberals have come to his “defense” citing his positions and voting record:
“The man’s been in public office, on and off, since 1976. Where’s the anti-gay record? In 2004, Paul was one of only 27 House Republicans who voted against the Federal Marriage Amendment. In 2010, he flipped from a “no” to a “yes” on repealing Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell. “I have received several calls and visits from constituents who, in spite of the heavy investment in their training, have been forced out of the military simply because they were discovered to be homosexual,” he explained. “To me, this seems like an awful waste.” He’s worked alongside gay libertarians before. Would-be social conservative kingmakers say they can’t back Paul because his federalism would let gay rights flower in the states.”
Why would Paul risk his political standing amongst conservatives by standing up for gay rights? Does this not prove his integrity on personal liberty? As Dan Savage, a Gay-Rights activist, was quoted in the same article:
“Ron is older than my father, far less toxic than Santorum, and, as he isn’t beloved of religious conservatives, he isn’t out there stoking the hatreds of our social and political enemies. And Ron may not like gay people, and may not want to hang out with us or use our toilets, but he’s content to leave us the fuck alone and recognizes that gay citizens are entitled to the same rights as all other citizens. Santorum, on the other hand, believes that his bigotry must be given the force of law. That’s an important difference.”
Words Do Matter
Words do matter, though. They effect us, emotionally, and mentally. They can change our mood if we let them. They can insight action if others allow. They can do damage.
With this truth, however, let’s be fair in how we cover racist statements by political leaders. Again, this is not the subject matter I typically like to cover. I don’t like to point out the short-comings of others, as it does little good to build the positive world I work towards.
However, when the lives of others are on the line, such as is my article on the idea of “Over-Population” it is important to cover the statements of people and groups that may be able to insight actions from others.
In my opinion, ending the Wars overseas, the War on Drugs, and the Death Penalty, all of which kill millions of “minorities,” is more important than adverting any negative reaction to this article.
“It’s simple: I’ll have those niggers voting Democratic for the next 200 years.” — Lyndon B. Johnson to two governors on Air Force One according to Ronald Kessler’s Book, “Inside The White House”
http://hiphoprepublican.com/general/2010/07/04/top-racist-democrat-quotes/
Despite potential racist reasoning, Lyndon B. Johnson did promote, champion, and pass the Civil Rights Act, overturning institutionalized racism and segregation. If this quote were made public then how would it have effected the process? Would Martin Luther King Jr. fail to meet with him? Would the Civil Rights Act not have been passed? Or, would have cooler heads prevailed and progress continued?
“There are times when an abortion is necessary. I know that. When you have a black and a white.” – Richard Nixon
I’m not here to defend Richard Nixon, but instead to point out that while he harbored many ugly racist and bigoted beliefs, and conducted himself in a criminal manner politically, he did not make his views policy. As mentioned, it was not Nixon’s racism that made him a poor President, but his criminal behavior and his betrayal of promises to withdrawal U.S. Troops from Vietnam, a war that was only ended after Congress felt pressure from Protesters. It should be noted, however, that Nixon’s Democratic opponent, Hubert Humphrey, was a vocal supporter of U.S. Military Presence in South-East Asia, and like Lyndon Johnson, had no plans of ending the Vietnam War.
http://www.rawstory.com/rs/2010/12/11/depth-of-nixons-racial-prejudices-exposed-in-audio-recordings/
http://nixon.archives.gov/forresearchers/find/tapes/finding_aids/january1973.php
Granted that the same Drug War that has been used to destroy Black and Minority communities was increased under the Nixon Administration, however, it was under President Clinton that the Drug War was allowed to destroy the most American Lives: http://www.mapinc.org/newscfdp/v01/n087/a05.html?6793
“I don’t know that atheists should be considered as citizens, nor should they be considered patriots. This is one nation under God.” – George H.W. Bush
Again, this is in no way an attempt to defend President Bush, instead, to reassure that even if a President harbors bigoted feelings toward a certain religion, within our Constitution and system of Government, they are limited in their ability to persecute them. Despite his term in office, George H.W. Bush was not able to round up Atheists and deport them.
http://www.positiveatheism.org/writ/ghwbush.htm
http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?title=George_H.W._Bush_and_the_Atheists
“A few years ago, this guy would be getting us coffee.” – Bill Clinton, referring to then Senator Obama
“He was trying to get elected…There are no perfect people. There are certainly no perfect politicians.” – Bill Clinton, defending Sen. Robert Byrd’s association with the KKK
Sen. Robert Byrd, a proponent of segregation, and one-time member of the Klu Klux Klan, was an elected Democrat. He used racial slurs during televised interviews, and Bill Clinton defended him. There are more potentially racist comments attributed to the former President, who use to be referred to as “The First Black President” due to his upbringing in a black dominated community, and his close affinity with that community. For all his understanding, he still harbored some misguided, and wrong, ideas.
“Since, there are obviously a lot of folks from Asian ancestry in Hawaii, generally, the teams aren’t as tall.” – Barack Obama
The following is a compilation of excerpts from Barack Obama’s audio-tape readings of his books. Contained in this video are one of two things, depending on how you look at it; either an honest black man’s telling of the racial realities of America, or, the confessions of a racist. Depending on your predetermined judgment of President Obama, you may have either of these interpretations. And there in lies the problem.
The third option; the testimony of a human being in our imperfect world.
American Superficiality
“Bwaaa!!!” – Howard Dean
It was 2004. I had changed my Party Registration from Green to Democrat in order to help nominate a candidate that could defeat President Bush. In 2000 I had voted for Nader, and did not regret it. I understood how electoral politics worked, if I ever wanted my views represented I had to vote for them, and Ralph Nader represented my views. In 2004 my view was that Bush had to go. I was impressed with Howard Dean. At the time, aside from ending the Wars overseas and Repealing the PATRIOT Act, my priority was making sure people had access to Health Care, and Dean’s approach made the most sense to me. Dean was able to motivate supporters, knew how to use the Internet to reach them, and didn’t appear to be part of the establishment. His was the front-runner and the greatest hope to kick George W. Bush out of the White House. Then he made an awkward scream, and America’s superficiality was displayed in all its glory. Despite his dropping out before California voted I still checked Dean’s name. Kerry became the Nominee, I sucked it up and voted Democrat, yet still; Bush was re-elected, and another hundred thousand innocent lives were lost…over an awkward moment.
The Mainstream Media and the Status-Quo
I’m not sure what we can do about racism. It is obviously not going away, neither is vanity, bigotry, superficiality, homophobia, and all the other ugly parts of our society. Things are getting better, people are changing, and we are moving forward. I think the best thing we can do is be confident in that. Be confident in ourselves, and not over react to every awkward moment, every slur, and every temptation to feel superior or justified in our pessimism.
The main question I want to raise, is why do you think the Mainstream Media, and people in general, are attacking Ron Paul over newsletters printed twenty years ago, that he neither wrote nor edited, more so than any other political figure that has actually been “caught” on tape and video making equally disgusting statements? And, after listening to the thoughts of Gays and Minorities that seem to be confident in Ron Paul’s stance on equality, and continue to support him, why do so many in the “mainstream” seem to be so offended?
When is the moral high ground not the moral high ground, and instead about ego and image?
As Cenk Uyger suggests, perhaps all we need to do to find the motivation of the media and GOP candidate’s attacks on Ron Paul, is to look at the Congressman’s Foreign Policy:
UPDATE: Author of Newsletters Revealed by Investigative Reporter Ben Swann
“Talk of racism has become the lowest form of political discourse.” – Ben Swann
“People throw away what they could have by insisting on perfection, which they cannot have, and looking for it where they will never find it” – Edith Schaeffer
“There are no perfect people. There are certainly no perfect politicians.” – Bill Clinton
Jack Wagner is the Editor of The Free Independent-Sun. Born in Sonoma, California and currently residing in San Francisco, Jack set up The Free Independent-Sun on July 4th, 2009, after sleeping in and not making his usual trip up north for his hometown festivities. He figured he'd do something revolutionary to make up for it. In the Summer of 2010 Jack registered Seraf Media with the City and County of San Francisco as a Sole-Proprietorship. He is dedicated to articulating the finer points of the Revolution in order to bring about a Global Renaissance and Abundant World Economy. He also isn't afraid to get his hands dirty transplanting succulents. 
That was an awesome article with a ton of good things to say. Keep it up Jack!
Thanks for the information. I saw one time today an article that actually gave verbatium (sp?) the sentences that everybody is refering too. I then lost that article…but my general impression was the meaning of the sentences when lifted out of context is more racist sounding than they are. the sentences you have identified to Nixon and others here are so much worse than anything i read in the other article. oh well again thank you for your information.
Thanks for doing the work of pulling all of this together