Double standards: Walter Williams says GOP held to higher expectation of decency than liberals

WorldNetDaily.com ^ | Wednesday, December 18, 2002 | Dr. Walter Williams

[JohnHuang2]

During World War II, ex-Ku Klux Klansman, now U.S. senator, Robert Byrd vowed never to fight "with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds."

Just a couple of years ago, Byrd lectured us on the floor of the Senate that "there are white niggers. I've seen a lot of white niggers in my time." I wonder whether he was talking about whites who act like blacks.

San Francisco's esteemed mayor Willie Brown once described a successful legislative battle this way: "We beat those old white boys fair and square."

Spike Lee said in disapproval of interracial marriages: "I give interracial couples a look. Daggers. They get uncomfortable when they see me on the street."

The National Association of Black Social Workers drafted a position paper calling white adoptions of black children "cultural genocide." They warned against "transculturation ... when one dominant culture overpowers and forces another culture to accept a foreign form of existence."

Donna Brazile, Al Gore's presidential campaign manager, called Republicans "white boys" who seek to "exclude, denigrate and leave behind."

At a celebration for retiring Sen. Strom Thurmond, R-S.C., Sen. Trent Lott, R-Miss., said that Mississippians were proud to have voted for Thurmond in his 1948 presidential campaign "and, if the rest of the country had followed our lead, we wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years."

Which among the above statements are the most racist, which have received the most media coverage and which caused the most angst? Clearly, Lott's statement received the most media coverage and created the most angst, but it doesn't begin to qualify as the most racist.

You say: "Williams, that's different. High officials shouldn't honor and praise racists or ex-racists." Then what about Bill Clinton's acknowledged political mentors – former Arkansas Sen. J. William Fulbright and former Arkansas Gov. Orville Faubus – who were both rabid segregationists? Yet the former president highly praises Fulbright and bestowed upon him the Presidential Medal of Freedom Award.

By the way, Fulbright was one of 19 senators who issued a statement titled, "The Southern Manifesto," condemning the 1954 Supreme Court decision of Brown vs. Board of Education and defending segregation. That's a bit more recent than Thurmond's run for the White House. Does Clinton's praise of Fulbright mean that he supported "The Southern Manifesto," just as the assertion that Lott's praise of Thurmond means he supported Thurmond's segregationist stand in 1948? If so, why not also condemn Clinton?

I have several possible theories on the responses to Lott's rather stupid remarks – stupid in the context of our politically correct world.

My first theory is that conservatives are held to higher standards of decency, conduct and decorum than liberals. In other words, it's like behavior that's tolerated in the case of children but ostracized when adults do the same thing. That theory might also explain why racist statements made by blacks are excused.

Another theory is that since 9-11 and President Bush's public popularity, both appointed and unappointed black leaders have had no platform and been paid no attention. Lott's gaffe gives them platform, voice and mission.

Finally, the Democrats, having lost all branches of national government in the recent elections, are desperate to get something on Bush and the Republicans, and Trent Lott's statement is the answer to their prayers.

[JohnHuang2]

God bless Dr. Walter Williams.

Wednesday, December 18, 2002

Quote of the Day by Angelus Errare

[JohnHuang2]

Dr. Walter Williams MEGA PING!

[EternalVigilance]

Thank God for Walter Williams.

Great post!

[JohnHuang2]

You betcha -- nobody quite like Dr. Williams.

G'nite, friend.

[Aeronaut]

John, good to see ya back. You were missed.

[EternalVigilance]

And a very good night to you!

[anniegetyourgun]

The obvious weight of the double standard in this country is palpable. While I am glad that Lott is gone, I'm angry about the media who gladly carry this weight around. They carry it in plain sight while denying that it exists.

[Ken H]

I just knew Walter E. Williams would get it right!

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

I think we are missing the point here. This whole Lott issue is not about Democrats it is about Republicans.

Those who look and say there is a double standard and whine and complain and say "but the Democrats do it why can't we" are just as bad as the RATS themselves. You sound like they did on Nov. 6. Blaming everyone but themselves.

The Republican party has been a haven for racists for decades (regardless of whether there are also RAT racists as well). We are finally in a position to leave that legacy behind and Lott is being put up as a sacrifice for the greater good of the party.

If he were defended and allowed to stay on (as justice would dictate, but not political necessity), it would be used by the media as "proof" that Republicans are only interested in helping rich white people get richer and continue to harbor the attitudes of the past century. We cannot allow this lie to continue to be spread and that means holding ourselves to a higher standard and watching what we say.

Republicans have always been held to a higher standard (partly because we want it that way) and so I say to all of you who feel the need to point this difference out - get over it.

The RATS have gone far with their lies about being the party of inclusion. Republican tolerance of racists in our midst have let them get away with it for far too long. There is a purging going on and it is about time. Once the myth of a hidden racist agenda is disavowed, the clear contrast between the values of America's largest parties will become more evident and the one that truly represents the best interests of the American people will grow stronger.

Lott is but a nail in the coffin of Republican racism. G.W.B. is the hammer.

[Mo1]

Those who look and say there is a double standard and whine and complain and say "but the Democrats do it why can't we" are just as bad as the RATS themselves. You sound like they did on Nov. 6. Blaming everyone but themselves.

I can't speak for others, but I am not saying we should do it also .. I can handle being held responsible for our actions as a party.

All I ask is that the Democrats held responsible for theirs

Regardless of who says it, it is wrong .. but at the same time I do realize that the Dems will never take responsibility

Because for them to do so, they would first have to learn what responsibility meant

[gunnedah]

Right on the money and I believe America was wising up to this.Lott could save this situation if he has enough time left by removing himself and working in the background.Most Americans see this for what it is but the more the Republicans stir it at the moment the more distracted they will be setting America on course and the Demoncrats need a hammer because they have no plans to build they only want to destroy and cover their own a--!SMOKING MIRRORS!

[DAnconia55]

The Republican party has been a haven for racists for decades (regardless of whether there are also RAT racists as well).

Ridiculous. You evidently know very little about Southern US History.

[RAT Patrol]

I'll second that: God bless Dr. Walter Williams.

[error99]

bumparooni

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

And you obviously have a problem coming to grips with reality.

[Einigkeit_Recht_Freiheit]

All I ask is that the Democrats held responsible for theirs Regardless of who says it, it is wrong .. but at the same time I do realize that the Dems will never take responsibility Because for them to do so, they would first have to learn what responsibility meant

That is exactly my point. Thansk for expressing it better than I. That no one is ever responsible for their actions lies at the heart of their political ideology. The only entity that should ever be responsible for anything is the government. And for that it must tax and grow

[sauropod]

It is the Democrat party that was (and still is) the party of racism. DAnconia55 is correct.

Go back and learn your history. Remember, Arbeit Macht Frei!

[samtheman]

Wonderfully written... and totally irrelevant.

Very few (maybe none) are calling for Lott to resign his Senate seat.

There's only one question: Is he qualified to lead the Senate Republicans in this most important time in our history?

The answer is clearly no.

All the rest is hot air and bombast.

Lott cannot lead us. Lott cannot lead us. Lott cannot lead us.

It's a simple fact. Try to grasp it.

[BraveMan]

The Southern Manifesto.

[writmeister]

Amen! The only thing I can add is that if Senator Lott does not understand this reality, then he is not smart enough to be SML.