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Why the 'Disrespect' for President Obama?
Townhall.com ^ | June 21, 2012 | Larry Elder

Posted on 06/21/2012 4:25:38 AM PDT by Kaslin

Last week, a "right-wing activist" (according to Michael Eric Dyson, guest-hosting for Ed Schultz on MSNBC) interrupted President Barack Obama as he explained his executive order that bars deportation for at least 800,000 illegal aliens who came to America -- "brought to this country by their parents" -- before the age of 16.

As Obama stood in the White House Rose Garden and outlined the plan, Neil Munro, a reporter with a conservative website, shouted, "Why do you favor foreigners over American workers?" Based on his colleagues' reaction, one would have thought he'd thrown a shoe at the President. Reporters and pundits called him unprofessional, rude and even racist for interrupting Obama.

Never mind Munro asked a legitimate question -- one that probably wouldn't have even occurred to amnesty-supporting media: Will this harm the job prospects for struggling young American citizens? (Nor has anyone had the chance to ask Obama why, only a year ago, he told a Univision audience that he lacked the power to suspend student deportations via an executive order.)

Munro, for his part, claims he assumed the President had concluded and wanted to get in his question. Obama holds few press conferences, a matter of frustration to the White House press corp. When a president restricts access to the press, the newshounds grow restless and become more aggressive -- at least they should.

In a 1987 article titled, "Why Do Grown Men and Women Shout at President Reagan?" The Associate Press wrote: "They do it for a living ... shouting, badgering Reagan for one last word. It even takes place at ceremonies (including) the Rose Garden. ... They ... blame ... Reagan and his aides, who have sharply curtailed opportunities for the press corps to engage the President under more civil circumstances." Longtime White House correspondent-turned-columnist Helen Thomas often crossed the line when giving commentary that only masqueraded as inquiry. When "questioning" President George W. Bush, Thomas made it clear she opposed the Iraq War and accused President George W. Bush of starting "a war for oil."

In Munro's case, MSNBC contributor Julian Epstein asked: "Would the right wing be doing this if we had a white president there? ... We've never had a president heckled so disrespectfully. We've never had this otherness afforded to any other president. And I think the right wing is going to have some explaining to do, because to me, it seems patently obvious."

Imagine, lessons in civility from the network that gave a show to the race-hustling incendiary, the Rev. Al Sharpton. This "civil rights activist" became famous by falsely accusing a white man of raping a black teenage girl. Sharpton helped foment the 1991 Crown Heights riots, a three-day outburst of mostly black-driven, anti-Semitic violence that one Columbia University professor called "a modern-day pogrom." Sharpton once called David Dinkins, the black mayor of New York City, a "n--ger whore." MSNBC also gave a show to Ed Schultz, who once called conservative radio host Laura Ingraham a "right-wing slut."

But the claim that racism drives much of the opposition to Obama does not confine itself to cable. Former President Jimmy Carter also blames racism for much of Obama opposition: "I think an overwhelming portion of the intensely demonstrated animosity toward President Barack Obama is based on the fact that he is a black man, that he's African-American. Racism ... still exists, and I think it's bubbled up to the surface because of a belief among many white people, not just in the South but around the country, that African-Americans are not qualified to lead this great country." Proof? None required.

Lack of respect for the office of the presidency? In the interest of time, we provide but a few reminders from the distant past:

"George W. Bush is our Bull Connor," said Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., comparing Bush to the Southern lawman who turned dogs and water hoses on civil rights marchers during the '60s.

"Bush is an incompetent leader," said then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "In fact, he's not a leader. He's a person who has no judgment, no experience and no knowledge of the subjects that he has to decide upon."

Sen. (then-candidate) Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.: After Hurricane Katrina, President Bush "let people die on rooftops in New Orleans because they were poor and because they were black."

"I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington," said then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, referring to the dimwitted icon of Mad magazine. She even used Neuman's catchphrase, "What, me worry?" to describe how Bush handled tough issues.

Democratic Sen. (and then-Minority Leader) Harry Reid of Nevada called Bush a "loser" and a "liar." Reid apologized for the "loser" comment, but "liar" stood.

Etc., etc.

Former ABC White House reporter Sam Donaldson, who called Munro's interruption "wrong and unusual," wrote: "Many on the political right believe this President ought not to be there -- they oppose him not for his polices and political view, but for who he is, an African American."

"Many"? As many as those who support and defend Obama -- because he is black? Or is it rude -- and racist -- to ask such a question?


TOPICS: Culture/Society; Editorial; Government; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: barackobama; immigration; larryelder; racism; srm
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1 posted on 06/21/2012 4:25:44 AM PDT by Kaslin
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To: Kaslin

Because there is NOTHING about Obammy to respect?


2 posted on 06/21/2012 4:27:32 AM PDT by clee1 (We use 43 muscles to frown, 17 to smile, and 2 to pull a trigger. I'm lazy and I'm tired of smiling.)
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To: Kaslin

The writer shouldn’t confuse disrespect with disgust.


3 posted on 06/21/2012 4:30:16 AM PDT by cripplecreek (What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world but loses his soul?)
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To: clee1

Appearance of inpropriety. I guess these folks never were a part of the armed forces.


4 posted on 06/21/2012 4:31:37 AM PDT by USCG SimTech (Honored to serve since '71)
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To: clee1

Because there is NOTHING about Obammy to respect?

Respect is urned. No pun intended.

harkening back to yesteryear, I would think voting present would have been reason enough to never earn what he so desperately seeks.


5 posted on 06/21/2012 4:37:34 AM PDT by wita
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To: Kaslin

Because he is a flaming .... SOCIALIST.


6 posted on 06/21/2012 4:39:28 AM PDT by Reagan69 (I supported Sarah Palin and all I got was a lousy DVD !)
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To: clee1
Exactly, and while the office of the Presidency does deserve respect, that arrogant pos does not
7 posted on 06/21/2012 4:41:39 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: Kaslin

There’s an old phrase....”Respect is something you earn”.


8 posted on 06/21/2012 4:41:57 AM PDT by Sacajaweau
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To: Kaslin

The first Arugula TOTUS deserves some disrespect. Just as he is disrespectful of the Constitution and the American Public.


9 posted on 06/21/2012 4:42:27 AM PDT by Paladin2
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To: Kaslin

Sam Donaldson is, of course, a senile old fool ~ but still most Americans think Obama should not be in the office because he’s stupid.


10 posted on 06/21/2012 4:43:26 AM PDT by muawiyah
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To: Kaslin
Want another one to blow your mind?

"All this for a damn flag?"

Obama and his wife were attending The 9/11 Memorial Ceremony and watched as the Color Guard folded the flag into a triangular shape, according to custom.

A video camera caught the two from the sidelines. Obama's wife leaned over and said to him, "All this for a damn flag?" Obama turned to her, smiled smugly and nodded his head in agreement.

How do we know what was said? The video was presented for translation to a lip reading instructor at The River School

school

a Washington D.C. school for the deaf. The video is shown at normal speed, 3/4 speed, and 1/2 speed with no banners obstructing her lips. Click here to view for yourself:

(sorry can't get it to floormat.)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OJgWMI0hch8&feature=related

One term. For all those who served in the military, and the ones who died or were wounded for a "damn flag" as Michelle calls it, just so she could be free to get all the benefits she got, her ivy league education and her husband elected as President of the best country on earth... Shame on her and Obama... for "a damn flag."

11 posted on 06/21/2012 4:45:21 AM PDT by GailA (IF U don't/won't keep your promises to the Military, U won't keep them to the public)
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To: Reagan69

The “post-racial President” we were promised is just as likely to play the race card as Sharpton or Jackson.

George W. endured ruthless attacks all over the media. Obama’s SNL sketch gets cut. Everyone is afraid of any reasonable criticism or satire for fear of being called racist. Whites also see blacks support Obama regardless of what he does solely because he is (half) black.

Obama set race relations back 30 years in this country.


12 posted on 06/21/2012 4:46:23 AM PDT by TigerClaws (He)
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To: Kaslin

Why the disrespect for President Obama?
I would guess it is a learned attitude after 8 years of total daily disrespect for President George Bush.
The left and the media have taught us well.........

On the other hand respect is earned and everything President Obama does costs him respect and does not earn it...


13 posted on 06/21/2012 4:55:16 AM PDT by SECURE AMERICA (Where can I sign up for the New American Revolution and the Crusades 2012?)
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To: Sacajaweau

To quote Worf, Son of Mogh, “trust is earned, not given away!”


14 posted on 06/21/2012 4:56:38 AM PDT by YourAdHere (Spike Lee's films are boring and unoriginal.)
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To: Kaslin
Why the disrespect for Obama? Because of his disrespect for all of us.
15 posted on 06/21/2012 5:01:33 AM PDT by Jeff Head (Freedom is not free, never has been, never will be (www.dragonsfuryseries.com))
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To: Kaslin
In Munro's case, MSNBC contributor Julian Epstein asked: "Would the right wing be doing this if we had a white president there? ... We've never had a president heckled so disrespectfully.

Julian must have been asleep the eight years G W Bush was president.

16 posted on 06/21/2012 5:05:35 AM PDT by Arrowhead1952 (It's time to take out the trash in DC.)
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To: cripplecreek
Did you miss the question mark at the end of the title? Better yet did you even read the article, especially this part?

"George W. Bush is our Bull Connor," said Rep. Charlie Rangel, D-N.Y., comparing Bush to the Southern lawman who turned dogs and water hoses on civil rights marchers during the '60s.

"Bush is an incompetent leader," said then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi. "In fact, he's not a leader. He's a person who has no judgment, no experience and no knowledge of the subjects that he has to decide upon."

Sen. (then-candidate) Claire McCaskill, D-Mo.: After Hurricane Katrina, President Bush "let people die on rooftops in New Orleans because they were poor and because they were black."

"I sometimes feel that Alfred E. Neuman is in charge in Washington," said then-Sen. Hillary Clinton, referring to the dimwitted icon of Mad magazine. She even used Neuman's catchphrase, "What, me worry?" to describe how Bush handled tough issues.

Democratic Sen. (and then-Minority Leader) Harry Reid of Nevada called Bush a "loser" and a "liar." Reid apologized for the "loser" comment, but "liar" stood.

17 posted on 06/21/2012 5:13:22 AM PDT by Kaslin (Acronym for OBAMA: One Big Ass Mistake America)
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To: clee1

Because he is scum.


18 posted on 06/21/2012 5:14:44 AM PDT by angcat (GO YANKS!)
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To: Kaslin

Larry Elder is a black Libertarian. He is not a race hustler and, I suspect, does not agree with the claim of disrespect.


19 posted on 06/21/2012 5:15:36 AM PDT by originalbuckeye
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To: Reagan69

Any lefty who claims that criticism of 0bama is based in racism has to also assert that

1) we would support his destructive, Marxist policies if he were white and
2) we would oppose a Constitutional conservative black president because he was black.

Absurd. But they don’t have to be logical, they just have to put the accusation out there, in the expectation that we’ll just shut up.


20 posted on 06/21/2012 5:17:59 AM PDT by MrB (The difference between a Humanist and a Satanist - the latter knows whom he's working for)
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