The Cliven Bundy race controversy has infected/poisoned the Right

me | 4/26/2014 | self

[logi_cal869]

I was going to post a reply to another FReeper’s post on the Bundy race non-controversy, but my comments segued dramatically into a rant, supported by a host of sources.

What's amazing to me is the abject ignorance of people on the Right, including radio.

I won't name him, but I received the following email from a conservative radio host (also does national). This is what he wrote in response to my email critiquing him on calling Bundy a "bigot" and elaborating why he's not:

"Before the militarized blm…how was it overbearing for the blm to give him twenty years, two trips to federal court…and he owes the american people a million bucks. Sounds pretty lenient to me"

He failed to address the 'bigot' comment or why he made it, but chose to address my comment about the BLM being 'overbearing' (he believes the BLM response was appropriate).

As well, non-left foreign media FAIL to do due diligence in reporting and continue to parrot total falsehoods in their 'news'. The link I found the 'bodyguard' story at was here. Pertinent quotes:

"He has refused to pay $1million taxes on his herd"

and

"Officials had tried to round up Bundy's cattle and evict him on April 12 after 20 years of not paying federal taxes. However they were forced to give up after a militia of several hundred people, some of them armed with sniper rifles, turned up and threatened to open fire."

and

"Mr Bundy, a 67-year-old father-of 14 and registered Republican, is accused of not paying federal grazing taxes for his cattle for 20 years, and reportedly owes the government $1million."

Not once, or twice, but THREE TIMES they push the issue that he owes TAXES.

First, everybody here knows only Congress can levy Taxes. Levied fines, regulatory fees, et all, are the scourge of Progressives (stating the obvious & preaching to the choir, of course).

Secondly, it’s not the “$1.1 million” they’re citing. That’s the BLM’s cited total, of which the principal of the $1.1 million is likely only $200,000 or so and was offered to State and/or Local government in place of paying the BLM. But an overwhelming majority of any media on ANY side is too willing to omit honest facts.

Thirdly, citing as "taxes" the per-AWU 'grazing fees' , (plus) 'penalties' and (plus) so-called 'trespassing fines' is dishonest...a LIE. The dishonesty (or, as I prefer, “Gross Negligence”) on the part of the media is overwhelming. Do an internet search on “taxes” +”bundy” and you get 1.5 million + hits on ‘news’. It’s also infectious.

Without wasting time on links easily discovered, among the transgressors (in no particular order or ideology):

Daily Mail, Forbes, US News & World Reports, Daily Caller, Townhall, CNN, Huffington Post, Yahoo, American Thinker (poster), Washington Post, Washington Times, Examiner, Morning Call, Inquisitr…to name but a few.

The worst part about the ‘Taxes’ BS and the associated ignorance is that the Summary Judgment against Bundy is that it cites not a SINGLE USC law that he violated. Not ONE. BLM regulation only & supporting court cases. If they were taxes, the IRS would have thrown him in jail a long, long time ago (related, but different topic). At least there’s a bit of sanity coming from the right and being honestly reported (albeit in minority & obscurity) and even though Livingston misuses the word ‘taxes’:

David Livingston, a Republican member of Arizona’s Legislature, was one of them. “I’ve heard that this is about a guy who’s not paying taxes,” Livingston told Newsweek. “That’s not the issue. The issue is property rights and the federal government overreaching.”

As well, on Fox’s ‘The Five’ (liberal) co-host Bob Beckel states:

“I don’t feel sorry for the guy at all,” liberal co-host Bob Beckel said. “He’s a tax dodge. He oughta be indicted.”

To which Dana Perino asked:

“Do you feel the same about Al Sharpton?” Perino replied. “Al Sharpton owes $1.9 million, and the president did an event with him praising him just last Friday.”

(Perino also misses the boat on the ‘tax’ issue vs. BLM ‘fees’, ‘penalties’ & ‘trespass fines’)

Again, only in minority is sanity being displayed. But that doesn’t change the fact that the left has infected people on the right with what’s been described as ‘intellectual dishonesty’. Although the term was first used here by another FReeper in a derogatory sense, I think the term is perfectly fitting when properly applied (as I believe I have done). I'm really getting sick & tired of people spouting their opinions out the wrong end out of an abundance of intellectual dishonesty. Frankly, I think it exposes their own unresolved biases…but that’s just another ‘opinion’.

Also regarding ‘opinions’, I was treated to another seemingly-biased opinion of Bundy’s so-called ‘doubling down’ on his statements when asked about it on the Peter Schiff show on 4/24 here. I was forwarded the link to the interview, but could not listen to the audio until just in the past hour (tech issues). I transcribed his remarks in just a few minutes for the benefit of ‘clarity’:

Bundy:

“You know, what I said, ‘I’m wondering’. And I know Glen Beck, he has something on the internet or news, and he uses the term ‘I’m wondering’. And when they come to me, I said ‘That’s exactly what I said…I’m wondering, if they’re better off under government subsidy and they’re young women are having abortions and their young men are in jail and their older women and their children are standing, settin out on their cement porch without nothin to do. You know, ‘I’m wondering: Are they happier now under this government subsidy system than they were when they were slaves and they were able to have their family structure together, and chickens and garden…the people had something to do. And so, in my mind, I’m wondering, are they better off being slaves in that sense or better off being slaves to the United States government in the sense of subsidy? I’m wondering. The statement was right. I ‘am’ wondering.”

I can’t agree with the interpretation I was given (which stated at the least if it weren’t racist, it’s as close as you can get). I can’t agree with that at all. Bundy wasn't making bigoted comments about blacks. To the contrary, he was making a comparison of the US Government to slavery. He's not an intellectual; that's patently obvious, and he fails in effective communication. How that gets elevated to a viral infection of the Right is beyond me.

I was done commenting on this so-called ‘controversy’ before…

It’s just that NOW it’s literally ‘in my face’: The left’s seemingly-infectious intentional dishonesty has morphed into unwitting intellectual dishonesty with TWO conservative radio hosts (one Thursday, the other, who is also national, yesterday at about 2:30 pm is when I heard the remark and within an hour re the email)...WTF???

This isn’t about Bundy. Nor is this about the left or the media. This is about apparent unresolved biases & guilt of ‘more than a few’ on the Right resulting in, what appear to me to be, emotional reactions to a supposed controversy, unintentionally fanning the flames of discontent based on either intentional ignorance (listening to the ‘news’) or biased interpretations (confusing ‘insensitive’ & ‘un-PC’ with racism, intentionally or otherwise), rather than embracing their core beliefs and uniting against the common enemy.

If conservatives can’t pool resources and separate from the manufactured controversies promoted (and likely schemed) by the left, then there’s no hope…

None at all.

[logi_cal869]

If my title is wrong, this thread will be busy. If I'm right, it will be met with rolling eyes and result in flaming me and/or a just handful of replies.

I hope I'm wrong. The ONLY sources of sanity in my State are the conservative radio, one or two friends, and most here at FR. If I've lost the prior and, if the trend continues, the latter, there's little hope (if none at all should, pardon the metaphor, the 'infection' proves virulent).

Label me 'hopeful', but cynicus...

In closing, I'd like to offer up a clip of a Ronald Regan interview from 1980(?). It lifted my spirits; I hope it does the same for others in a similar situation as I:

http://absoluterights.com/the-spirit-of-reagan-the-sagebrush-rebellion-bundy-ranch/

[Telepathic Intruder]

What Bundy actually said no longer matters. The point is that the real issue has been distracted away from so that now all they have to do is say he’s a racist. This is exactly what the liberals want.

[logi_cal869]

If you read my post, that’s what I’ve written. But it’s more like a disease. I don’t get it...

[reasonisfaith]

Bundy is extremely ignorant.

That is, he’s ignorant of political correctness.

This makes him an authentic last vestige of American greatness.

[reasonisfaith]

Bundy is extremely ignorant.

That is, he’s ignorant of political correctness.

This makes him an authentic last vestige of American greatness.

[reasonisfaith]

And don’t forget his bodyguard, a black man, trusts Bundy because Bundy treats him right.

Therefore, Bundy is a living, breathing refutation of the lying, scheming mainstream media and all of leftist ideology.

[rktman]

Thanks for the nice piece. Sadly, Mr. Bundy made the typical fatal mistake of using the words “negro”, “pickin’ cotton” and “slaves” in a statement where he was only “wondering” would they be better off under individual slave masters or government slave masters. Sadly too many people can’t/won’t differentiate once the “slave” meme is out of the bag. Just add water and poof.....instant racist.

[ClearCase_guy]

Political correctness is a tool of the enemy.
We have the First Amendment — we can say or think anything we want.
If a man is a racist — and I’m not saying Bundy is — it does not matter a bit. Not a bit.

Keep the focus on the proper role of government. I will stand with anyone — anyone! — who wants government power reduced.

“When they came for the Jews, I did not speak out, because I was not a Jew ...”

I will proudly stand with the racists, and speak out on their behalf, IF IT HELPS TO BRING BACK FREEDOM.

[RginTN]

I think once one reaches 65 you don’t have to be politically correct. My gran wasn’t. She let you know you were wrong & didn’t care if it annoyed you.

[ReaganÜberAlles]

So it’s normal to “wonder” if any person would be better off under slavery than on the government dole?

Which would you prefer?

[lonestar]

Yep! I can't believe so many "conservatives" bought into it and one of the worst is Sean Hannity! He made a real fool of himself. Didn't waste time doing it either.

A lot of people on FR went ballistic as well and lost sight of the real issue.

[piroque]

This makes him an authentic last vestige of American greatness.

Add me and quite a few more on F R too that list.

[reasonisfaith]

And don’t forget his bodyguard, a black man, trusts Bundy because Bundy treats him right.

Therefore, Bundy is a living, breathing refutation of the lying, scheming mainstream media and all of leftist ideology.

[Blue Highway]

Wasn’t the context of his so called racist remarks about how blacks had more freedom and a better life as slaves, than we the people who are now becoming slaves under our new slave owners, the federal government? If that was the context of his remarks I see no racism there at all and I agree with that sentiment.

[Jeff Head]

It is clear that the whole race bait issue with Bundy is gen'ed up. A made for Sharpton/Jackson controversy to blast out and try and cover up the real issues.

As usual, their gen'ed up controversy is fairly easily cut through.

READ/WATCH THESE TWO TESTIMONIALS ABOUT CLIVEN BUNDY'S RACIAL ATTITUDES

Bundy's Black Militia Body Guard would take a bullet for him

The man in the above YouTube video is named Jason Bullock. He is a is a six-year Army veteran who is out in Nevada and has volunteered to serve as one of Cliven Bundy's bodyguards.

As you can see, Jason Bullock is also a black American.

That's what he had to say about Cliven Bundy, early this week, after Bundy's remarks were widly reported, and when CNN interviewed Bullock and asked him if Cliven Bundy's remarks had offended him.

"No, not at all. Mr. Bundy is not a racist.

"Ever since I've been here, he's treated me with nothing but hospitality. He's pretty much treating me just like his own family.

"I would take a bullet for that man if need be. I look up to him just like I do my own grandfather. I believe in his cause and after having met Mr. Bundy, I have a really good feeling about him and I'm a pretty good judge of character."

---

A black, veteran Marine, writes his testimonial about Cliven Bundy

The media distorts information to the point of social division. Above is a photo of myself and the resilient, often charismatic, and maybe not so tactful Cliven Bundy. He’s a cowboy and a helluva family man, not an orator.

One thing he definitely isn’t – a racist. I found his comments to not only be NOT racist, but his own view of his experiences. Who the heck are we to determine another man’s perspective on the world around him?! Just because Picasso’s view of the world was abstract, does it negate the fact that his art was genuine?

Furthermore, if you take the time to do your own research, you’ll find that his statements about some black Americans actually hold weight. He posed a hypothetical question. He said, “I wonder IF” … Hell, I’m black and I often wonder about the same about the decline of the black family.

Bottom line is that we are all slaves in this waning republic, no matter our skin color. Mr. Bundy could have used any racial demographic as an example: Native Americans on reservations, whites in trailer parks, etc. He noticed the crippling effects of receiving government “assistance” and the long term result of accepting handouts.

It’s not progress at all. I challenge Sean Hannity, Rand Paul, and others to read my comment and reconsider their position in this matter. Individual liberties are at stake here, yours and mine. THAT is the issue.

Don’t let the liberal media and ignoramuses like Glenn Beck and that weasel Harry Reid make you lose sight of the real issue here: The federal government is a burgeoning behemoth and a bully on a once constitutional playground.I sincerely hope you real patriots out there who can see through the smoke.

Semper Fidelis

---

These testimonials, from black Americans who know Cliven Bundy personally, and who have been to his home, speak for themselves. All the rush to judgement about this man, is just that. He asked a legitimate question about the impact of the social welfare/subsidy programs on American citizens...and it is an important question. He did not phrase it well...and the comparison to slavery in the south does not hold. So, what? So he is not an orator. So his speech is not eloquent.

Perhaps Cliven Bundy has what some may call a big wart on him. Again, so what? We all do.

That does not make him a racist, or a bigot in the least, despite what Bill OReilly, Sean Hannity, Glenn Beck, and others may think or say. Those people have raitings and a lot of money riding on how they respond and what people think about their words...Cliven Bundy spoke straight...as best he could, and his underlying point is completely valid. And those two black veterans who know him, agree and stand by him. And one of those men feels so strongly about it, that he, a black US Army veteran, would take a bullet for the man. That carries a WHOLE lot more weight with me.

THE BUNDY RANCH AND FREEDOM IN AMERICA

CLIVEN BUNDY'S COMMENTS ON RCE AND THEIR IMPACT

[rabidralph]

A lot of people on FR went ballistic as well and lost sight of the real issue.

Mission, accomplished!

[Andy'smom]

You aren’t wrong.

Bundy chose his words poorly. Of course that has nothing to do with his dispute with the government.

[klb99]

Every Fox person I saw - Oreilly, Hannity, Greta, Kelly - showed their true colors re: Bundy. Instantly threw him under the bus...spineless weenies. Better that we know so we are no longer fooled.

btw...negro is a perfectly acceptable word...it’s the scientific appellation of that race of people: 2 others being caucasian and mongoloid. The Speech Police and the Perpetually Offended are opposed.

I think it was patently obvious what Mr. Bundy meant.

[rktman]

LOL! Contemplation apparently can get you labeled. He might have just as well advocated that all africanAmericans be rounded up and shipped to Mississippi (or any southern state, your choice) for enslavement.

[reasonisfaith]

The story here is:

government tyranny = slavery

Cliven Bundy story = confirmation of media lies