Althouse: "I used to enjoy reading Althouse's blog because she wrote about some interesting topics, but this blatant display of Liberal emotionalism, racism..."

September 29, 2012

"I used to enjoy reading Althouse's blog because she wrote about some interesting topics, but this blatant display of Liberal emotionalism, racism..."

"... and lack of self-awareness combined with a sickening display of sanctimony is disturbing. It's as if you found out a good friend is secretly a child molester."

There's a denouncement of me over at Free Republic, talking about my post "Just How Racist Is the 'Obama Phone' Video?," notably not linking to my post, just characterizing it, as they curl up into to their people-who-see-racism-are-racists cocoon.

82 comments:

Charlie Bixby said...: I've never seen a campaign as dishonest or as divisive as Obama's. The lies coming out of the campaigns and its PACs are stunning. Yet Rush plays some clip a few times and Romney's supposed to get punished? Sounds like a double standard to me. Nifty thing about liberals and the media - if they didn't have double standards, they'd have no standards at all.; 9/29/12, 9:09 AM
jimspice said...: Child molester. Hmm. Where do you go for escalation from there? I suppose you could always go for child molesting nazi.; 9/29/12, 9:10 AM
Bob Ellison said...: So you know what evil lurks in the hearts of men?; 9/29/12, 9:10 AM
jimspice said...: Seriously AA, when you feed the hyenas you can't be surprised when they turn on you.; 9/29/12, 9:13 AM
Bob Ellison said...: To recap:

AA: "That's racist."

FR: "Saying 'that's racist' is kinda like molesting children."

AA: "Saying that makes you a denialist."

What comes next?; 9/29/12, 9:14 AM
Sprezzatura said...: I initially faulted Althouse for her post.

I'm sticking w/ that POV. But, I will admit that there is a one percent chance that I'm wrong. I haven't heard the Rush bit, so I can't be certain that it wasn't tinged w/ a race based plea.; 9/29/12, 9:15 AM
Brent said...: Seriously Professor Ann - you sounded like a spoiled child in your post yesterday.

Does Rush Limbaugh speak for the Romney campaign?

Do you also hate the Obama manipulations for emotional response?

So, let me get this straight: if David Axelrod can keep saying that Rush Limbaugh - someone who still talks about Romney not being a true conservative - is doing something racist, he can get your vote for our anti-strong-America President?

Teaching a lot about rational-thinking in your law classes, are you?; 9/29/12, 9:16 AM
Martha said...: Regrettably, I agree with the denouncement.

Althouse seems to be fleeing what she thinks is a sinking Romney candidacy using Rush Limbaugh as an excuse.

Not quite as bad as Roger Simon's "satire" or MSNBC's "editing" of what was chanted at a Romney-Ryan campaign event--but just as ridiculous.

Romney and his campaign are not racist. Don' t pin the racist smear label on Romney.; 9/29/12, 9:17 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: Seriously stupid shit on all sides.

The only person making any sense here is Althouse, and that is because this seriously stupid shit produces readers and commenters.

Go home everybody. The 60s are over.

This is intellectual dead space.

I'm so glad that I work in a technology field. The liberal arts side of the equation hasn't had a new idea in 60s years.; 9/29/12, 9:17 AM
Texan99 said...: Well, to be fair, it was an awful post -- the worst I can remember ever seeing here.

The video was OK if you showed it once, but racist if you repeated it?

One of your commenters asked why you didn't consider the video sexist. After all, the speaker is a woman. Is it because you don't think she's representative of all women? Do you think she is representative of all blacks?; 9/29/12, 9:17 AM
somefeller said...: as they curl up into to their people-who-see-racism-are-racists cocoon.

Bang! One of the most absurd lines of argument that comes from certain elements of the right is the line that if you notice something is racist (usually something with a history of linkage with racism, like certain terms or images), then you must be racist. Because all good conservatives are color blind and would never make such a connection, only a racist (a liberal fascist marxist racist, specifically) would say such a thing.

It's good to see you notice and call out this sort of cliched nonsense. Keep up the cruel neutrality.; 9/29/12, 9:17 AM
kentuckyliz said...: If the white guilt fits, wear it.

It's what you must do to atone for your younger days when you owned slaves.; 9/29/12, 9:18 AM
chickelit said...: There's a denouncement of me over at...

I hope it turns out to be more like a denouement.

Palladian said best what I think of that thread early on.

I was cheered to see Victoria show up again. I didn't know that she and Yashu knew each other. That's so cool.

Even Althouse's nemesis had interesting comments which I cut and pasted before they go down the memory hole.

I'm looking forward to the debates.; 9/29/12, 9:18 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Purvi Rajani said...
I've never seen a campaign as dishonest or as divisive as Obama's

This is a pretty big statement, are we going to include the Nixon break ins, the Willie Horton ad or pretty much anything Lee Atwater did. Lee Atwater was so ashamed of what he did on the campaign trail that he apologized to Dukakis on his death bed.

Compared to this you have what?; 9/29/12, 9:19 AM
harrogate said...: It's interesting, isn't it? You spend all this time, month after month, year after year, aligning with conservatives on economics and foreign policy, slamming Obama all over the place on policy and rhetorical fronts alike, declaring Romney to be such a great fellow. And yet, look at the response even among your followers, to a momentary engagement with critique of GOP rhetoric--heck, just one slice of GOP rhetoric, actually.

I do appreciate the "people-who-see-racism-are-racists cocoon" comment. That is beautifully distilled and its articulation may justify the whole tempest/teapot allegory at work here.

But perhaps also there's a bright side for you personally. Now maybe you can add this to your store of bullet points that are, for some reason, very invested in declaring: "see? I'm not a conservative blogger. Look how mad conservatives get at me."; 9/29/12, 9:19 AM
Joe Kidd said...: The YouTube user who uploaded “Obamaphone lady” captured another Obama supporter outside the same rally.
This video is equally disturbing if not more so:
Obama voter says the assassinated ambassador “had it coming.”
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LKKiWUFBXx8; 9/29/12, 9:20 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: This crapola obsession is Exhibit A in why the U.S. is no longer competitive.

The rest of the world doesn't give a shit about this crap.

They're busy focusing on important technology and manufacturing issues in China, the Philippines and Indonesia... even Mexico.

Here in the land of the Perfectly Spoiled Brat, we're stuck in the quicksand of this stupidity.; 9/29/12, 9:21 AM
Christopher said...: somefeller,

Perhaps if the left didn't accuse anyone who questions the President's policies of being a racist then such claims would be taken seriously.

But when pointing out that Obama is from Chicago (one of the most corrupt political climates in the nation) is viewed as racist by his supporters you pretty much have lost any credibility on the matter.; 9/29/12, 9:22 AM
John Enright said...: There is clear racism and there is Rorschach racism, where people can't agree on what they see, can't agree on definitions, but nonetheless react strongly to whatever jumps out at them from the blurry outlines.; 9/29/12, 9:24 AM
Brent said...: somefeller..
Read the post above yours. It spanks your point - and you.

"Pointing" out something is racist implies that the person pointing is correct. The problem with people such as yourself is that you have no standard for what constitutes "racism" - not even a low standard. You and your ilk, who I have observed my entire life, are comfortable using one of the most offensive characterizations of a human being as if you were attributing a flavor. It is one of the most reprehensible and evil things you and your ilk can do.

I seriously have thought for my 8 years posting here that Ann was better than that.

Apparently not.; 9/29/12, 9:24 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: Seriously, Althouse...

This intellectual dreck occupies your mind this morning?

Why?

I've got gigs to play today and tomorrow. Wasting a little time before I take off.

Haven't you got something better to do?

For God's sake, woman, you've got a fantastic mind. Take us to some better place than this shit.; 9/29/12, 9:25 AM
kentuckyliz said...: Obama wants to give Egypt $450 mil. I guess that's a down payment on our jizya.; 9/29/12, 9:25 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: Shouting Thomas said...
This crapola obsession is Exhibit A in why the U.S. is no longer competitive.

The rest of the world doesn't give a shit about this crap.

They're busy focusing on important technology and manufacturing issues in China, the Philippines and Indonesia... even Mexico.

So you agree that the constant stream of noise from some sections of the media painting Obama as a radical Muslim actually does harm the country by directing attention from real issues.; 9/29/12, 9:26 AM
Brent said...: "Rorschach racism"

That explains somefeller and Jay Retread.

How sad it now defines Professor Ann also.; 9/29/12, 9:27 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: Your hero, Althouse, is a guy who changed the direction of the conversation and blasted the usual cliches to hell.

Remember... Dylan?

Want to follow his example a little?; 9/29/12, 9:28 AM
miss j said...: Sanctimony! Perfect word for this blog. I wish I'd thought of it.; 9/29/12, 9:28 AM
Siduri said...: It didn't generate much buzz at FreeRepublic with less than a handful of responses.

Maybe it's time to let it go.; 9/29/12, 9:28 AM
Brent said...: Shouting Thomas has shown that he is better than all of us. We get it.

Yawn.

Now please go do whatever you were going to do - adults are discussing childish behavior on the part of liberal race baiters.; 9/29/12, 9:30 AM
Anonymous said...: Anns glass house in lily white Madison sure is nice. Move to one of the worst parts of Milwaukee for a couple years and get back to us on how evil racism is. The lefts entire platform is that whites are racist and they will hang you from trees if republicans win. But hey, Drudge posted a video which is far worse than all of that.; 9/29/12, 9:30 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: whoresoftheinternet said...
Willie Horton ad

Why did Atwater apologize?; 9/29/12, 9:30 AM
ndspinelli said...: Much Ado About Nothing.; 9/29/12, 9:30 AM
TWM said...: So happy I was working and missed this whole row. But not to miss an opportunity to get my opinion in concerning the video. It's not racist to show it once, twice, thrice or more.; 9/29/12, 9:32 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: Shouting Thomas has shown that he is better than all of us. We get it.

Apparently not.

Althouse, you're better than this.

Challenge yourself a little.; 9/29/12, 9:32 AM
MaggotAtBroad&Wall said...: The woman on the video knew she was being recorded. She wanted to be recorded. She was proudly expressing herself to the interviewer.

And now you think it's racist because the recording of the woman who wanted to be recorded is being played far and wide? Are you serious? Do you honestly believe that had the woman been white or hispanic or green that Drudge would not have led with it and that Rush would not have played it?

The ONLY reason they gave it attention is because it embarrassed Obama. That's what they do. And you know it. Hiding behind a false charge of racism is shameful. The guys at Free Republic have it right.; 9/29/12, 9:32 AM
Bender said...: It's not emotionalism -- it's pathology.; 9/29/12, 9:34 AM
Lyssa said...: The Free Republic is a bit over the top here, but I do agree that Althouse's post yesterday was ridiculous.

If that's a reason for to vote for Obama (or against Romney), and Althouse represents the "middle" of the country here, we deserve what we get.; 9/29/12, 9:34 AM
shiloh said...: Don't take it personally Althouse as your con flock is really, really pissed off train wreck Willard is going down in flames.

Again, the yin and yang of winners and losers.

Supposedly cons at freeperville and redstate are much more discombobulated, or so I hear!

I yield back the balance of my time to ad nauseam con whiners ...; 9/29/12, 9:34 AM
Saint Croix said...: if you notice something is racist (usually something with a history of linkage with racism, like certain terms or images), then you must be racist.

People who think in racial terms don't see people as individuals.

For instance, blaming Romney for the free speech of Rush Limbaugh is an example of racism. "All those white people think alike."

Or "all those Republicans think alike."

Or "there's a cabal of secret racists and they are manipulating me."

You are engaging in sloppy thought. Instead of seeing people as individuals, you are blaming one person for the actions of another. That is inherent in racism, in sexism, in all sorts of -isms where we stop judging individuals and start putting them into classes or groups.; 9/29/12, 9:35 AM
pm317 said...: Do we cut and paste the best of the comments from the other thread, with close to 700 comments? Ann, oh, Ann.. learn your lesson and move on. So in this post you are whining Freepers denouncement was not good quality?; 9/29/12, 9:35 AM
pm317 said...: There is only one thing to do in this election which is:

DEFEAT the media, VOTE for Romney.
{It will do a world of good for your democracy}.; 9/29/12, 9:36 AM
shiloh said...: "Why did Atwater apologize?"

He was dying and confession is good for the soul!; 9/29/12, 9:37 AM
Diogenes of Sinope said...: I think the point is a matter of Realpolitik. If you know that repeating this video clip at some point, will be perceived as racist, then you shouldn't cite it repeatedly to the point it is thought of as racist. It does not matter what the real truth is, perception is everything. This is no different than the exercise we go though, audience analysis, in preparing a speech.; 9/29/12, 9:38 AM
Shouting Thomas said...: You know, Althouse, I've got the same problem you've got... comfortable and stuck.

All the members of my band are in the same position. We're looking at just doing the same old shit and being comfortable or challenging ourselves to move beyond that.

The opportunity is there to go someplace beyond just repeating the old cliches and stale homilies, but that would demand getting a little uncomfortable.

This is repetition #6 billion to the Nth degree of the game "Who's racist?"

You've got a tough mind, and this blog presents you with the opportunity to move all of us past this stupidity and on to something interesting and challenging.

Have more respect for us. We can take it.; 9/29/12, 9:39 AM
Revenant said...: If they're shocked that Althouse loses her mind over "racism" no rational person can detect, they clearly haven't been reading this blog THAT long. :); 9/29/12, 9:42 AM
Jason said...: Did you give The Fonz a high five when you jumped that shark, ann?; 9/29/12, 9:43 AM
Revenant said...: Why did Atwater apologize?

I love that the most timely example of alleged Republican racism is so old that the current President was still snorting coke back in college at the time. :); 9/29/12, 9:43 AM
Saint Croix said...: Why is showing that blacks commit the majority of crimes evil?

Reducing people to their skin color is evil. Thinking of individuals as members of racial groups and judging them accordingly is evil. Anything that denies free will is dehumanizing. And evil.

The vast majorities of crimes are committed by men. I look forward to future sexist rants about the evils of men. Moron.; 9/29/12, 9:44 AM
Ignorance is Bliss said...: I have to say, I'm seriously disappointed in you as well, Professor.

It's not people-who-see-racism-are-racists. It's people-who-see-racism-just-because-the-person-being-mocked-is-black-are-racists.

Yes, racists have a racist reason to appreciate that video. But non-racists who are concerned about this country also have a reason to appreciate this video.

And guess what. Republicans have no reason to go after the racist vote. That vote is already determined. ( The anti-black racists will vote against President Obama, and the pro-black racists will vote for him. )

The video is being used to go after voters who are undecided, and those are not the racists.

They are the willfully ignorant.; 9/29/12, 9:45 AM
Bender said...: As for Rush and the video -- just exactly how one can show a video ON THE RADIO is beyond me.

I've not seen the video, but have heard the audio clip and, again, how one is supposed to see that the person speaking is black or white or some other color/race when all you hear is her (his?) voice is again beyond my ability to know.

But apparently there are some who can automatically know a person's race merely by the sound of their voice on the radio. And all too often these people, with their own substantial underlying racism, like to project that personal racism upon others.

This is a common problem with those who are associated with, or otherwise are supporters of, the party of slavery, seccession, and segregation. From their big house on the plantation, which often looks like a university classroom, their purported concern for minorities masks a below-the-surface contempt, an invincible belief that blacks especially are inherently inferior and, thus, need the white man to come and be their savior. Thus, they seek to keep blacks on the plantation for their own good, where their masters can provide "benefits" and take care of these people who are wholly incapable of personal responsibility and taking care of themselves.

Instead of looking at videos and pointing fingers at others, they need to look in the mirror and point the finger at themselves.; 9/29/12, 9:49 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: MaggotAtBroad&Wall said...
The woman on the video knew she was being recorded. She wanted to be recorded. She was proudly expressing herself to the interviewer.

Do you honestly believe that had the woman been white or hispanic or green that Drudge would not have led with it and that Rush would not have played it?

Drudge is an obsessive race baiter, constantly leading with stories that put blacks in a bad light. So, no I don't believe that he would have led with the story if it had featured a white woman.; 9/29/12, 9:51 AM
AF said...: Shouting Thomas: "The only person making any sense here is Althouse, and that is because this seriously stupid shit produces readers and commenters."

This comment applies to a lot of this blog.

But of course, here I am commenting on it! Score another one for Althouse.; 9/29/12, 9:51 AM
edutcher said...: Starting to sound like the aftermath of Bloody Sunday around here.

A little perspective, people, although this is the way the Lefties, particularly the whiner-in-chief, shilol, have been doing for 6 months.

And I notice all the sockpuppets are out crowing. It may be a very short crow.

shiloh said...

Don't take it personally Althouse as your con flock is really, really pissed off train wreck Willard is going down in flames.

Yeah, dead even. You couldn't even see the light from such flames.

Again, the yin and yang of winners and losers.

Where's our little pet's continual carping about the 90/10 Althouse con blog?

Supposedly cons at freeperville and redstate are much more discombobulated, or so I hear!

Try again, genius. RedState's been down for a couple of weeks.; 9/29/12, 9:53 AM
edutcher said...: AF said...

The only person making any sense here is Althouse, and that is because this seriously stupid shit produces readers and commenters.

This comment applies to a lot of this blog.

But of course, here I am commenting on it! Score another one for Althouse.

No, AF is just another troll doing his shift over here.; 9/29/12, 9:55 AM
dreams said...: They're rioting in Spain because they're losing some of their benefits, and most people are showing no apparent concern about our possible future financial collapse. We have a mid east mess with an on going Obama/Hillery Benghazi cover up and a corrupt liberal media showing no concern and doing everything they can to make sure Obama is not held accountable by an informed public. A corrupt liberal media that doesn't give a damn about anything except getting Obama reelected. And some of us feel that the most important thing is that there be no racism or even any perceived racism.

It seems to me that some people can't see the forest for the trees. It seems to me that most liberals think the most important thing is that they keep their priorities straight and that their liberal sensibilities not be offended.; 9/29/12, 9:55 AM
Christopher said...: My problem with discussions like these is that they attract mobies like nothing else.; 9/29/12, 10:00 AM
Rialby said...: So, Romney saying that 47 pct of the country will vote for the Mommy party that gives out treats and goodies is undeniably racist and is something we should all dwell on non-stop for a week. The video that James Earl Carter III shot surreptitiously is a-ok and has been shown over and over and over.

Meanwhile, the video that shows that there are people who insist we vote for Obama because he gives away freebies is racist.

People ask why Romney isn't pushing harder? Because he fuckng cannot. Anything he or one his supporters does is racist. He can't win.; 9/29/12, 10:01 AM
Beloved Commenter AReasonableMan said...: whoresoftheinternet said...
I am not a moby. I am telling the truth about my beliefs.

I believe you.; 9/29/12, 10:05 AM
Piercello said...: There are no rational people, there are only rational arguments.

Arguments require that you lay your evidence and reasoning on the table for all to see. But associative memory dredges up far too many related ideas to list, let alone hold in simultaneous awareness.

That's without even dragging emotional blind spots into the picture.

We must continue to make rational arguments because they are essential tools for sharpening our understanding of the real world. But anyone relying on voters, Althouses, or anyone else to be purely rational is on a fool's errand.

I consider yesterday's epic post to be a classic Althousian reminder that people are shockingly unconstrained by rationality. Politics is emotional and habitual before it is rational. Plan accordingly, if you want to win.; 9/29/12, 10:06 AM
Michael said...: I see the cocoon is elsewhere, not in the household of a tenured professor at a lilly white midwestern university renowned for its liberalism.; 9/29/12, 10:07 AM
Texan99 said...: "Republicans have no reason to go after the racist vote. That vote is already determined. ( The anti-black racists will vote against President Obama, and the pro-black racists will vote for him. )

The video is being used to go after voters who are undecided, and those are not the racists.

They are the willfully ignorant. "

Bingo.; 9/29/12, 10:09 AM
Phil 314 said...: Gee, I thought the Samuel L. Jackson video was racist.; 9/29/12, 10:19 AM
Andy said...: as they curl up into to their people-who-see-racism-are-racists cocoon.

Perfect.; 9/29/12, 10:50 AM
Comanche Voter said...: Well Ann they had a point. You were taking a lap in the clown car on your original post.; 9/29/12, 11:29 AM
TexasVoter said...: GTFO Andy people like you have NO idea the damage you do.; 9/29/12, 11:59 AM
jr565 said...: Bob Ellison wrote:
So you know what evil lurks in the hearts of men?

The Shadow Knows.
As to what racism lurks within the hearts of men. Liberals know.; 9/29/12, 12:28 PM
Jason said...: You don't link to Lawyers Guns and Money when you criticize them. Why do you think these folks ae any more obligated to link to you?; 9/29/12, 12:51 PM
Once written, twice... said...: Ann should, but really doesn't, care about the racist tactics being used by those who support Romney.

This is just Ann trying to make her Althouse Hillbillies dance.

She will quickly remove my post because she does not want this truth to be told.; 9/29/12, 12:52 PM
Anonymous said...: It does appear that the tiger turned around and mauled the feeder at this zoo.; 9/29/12, 1:27 PM
Zachary Sire said...: Oh, how quickly the right wingers turn!

A sad day for Althouse to be sure (the shame she must feel, being attacked on a Free Republic thread!), but perhaps it's the wake-up call she's needed.

Right wingers don't care about you, Althouse! They've just been using you for your blog.; 9/29/12, 3:27 PM
Ann Althouse said...: "Right wingers don't care about you, Althouse! They've just been using you for your blog."

Well, I'm not a useful person.; 9/29/12, 4:11 PM
Texan99 said...: Nor quite as thoughtful as I used to think you were.; 9/29/12, 4:56 PM
Baron Zemo said...: "Well, I'm not a useful person"

Finally something that everyone can agree with!; 9/29/12, 5:21 PM
sdharms said...: If a white person had made the phone video while wearing black face, now that would have been racist. RUSH or any of us see that video for what it is. H. L. Mencken : “[G]overnment is a broker in pillage, and every election is a sort of advance auction sale of stolen goods.” And if the video gives Althouse an aversion to the Romney side, let her be first to be stolen from.; 9/29/12, 5:38 PM
traditionalguy said...: The desperate need to prove we are not racists is a familiar knee jerk from the days of white only rule before electing Obama propitiated for that once and for all.

Why sincere people feel a need to go into that defensive mode is interesting. Are they all stupid?

Or more to the point, is Rush Limbaugh turning stupid as he ages???; 9/29/12, 5:40 PM
Baron Zemo said...: Most people don't have to prove anything.

They have left the white guilt trip behind them.; 9/29/12, 5:54 PM
Anonymous said...: This comment has been removed by the author.; 9/29/12, 7:16 PM
Anonymous said...: Baron Zemo, you are about as useful as tits on a bull, speak for yourself.; 9/29/12, 7:19 PM
_Jim said...: Is it:

A) Althouse is exhibiting a "Charles Johnson" (of Little Green Footballs fame) meltdown ... she can't bear to be 'seen' associated with something, even an inlking of what she perceives as 'racism' ... There will me NO changing her mind; she 'plays' to some other crowd she perceives in her own mind.

OR it is it:

B) "Althouse you magnificent bastard" ala a Karl Rove moment to draw attention to some facet of this race?

I still think it's A) but will leave a little wiggle room for B) ...

_Jim

*And I am a FreeRepublic member*
.; 9/29/12, 8:52 PM
MarkD said...: Fear is not a synonym for disgust. It's much simpler to impute base motives to one's opponents than to pay another few trillion dollars, but do continue.; 9/29/12, 10:06 PM
Dante said...: The simple truth is the cell phone video is only as racist as the viewer is racist. No more, no less.

And that includes the reactions by racist concern trolls, like Ann. To wit, she rails on Rush Limbaugh audio as racist for being played too many times.; 9/30/12, 12:19 PM
Baron Zemo said...: You are quite the wit Inga.

At least half the time.; 9/30/12, 6:14 PM
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