Rush and Pat Robertson

[JohnnyD]

Originally Posted by Jim in CT

Funny, because when Trent Lott and Imus said something racially stupid, no one talked about how it was said, or the context in which it was said. All anybody talked about was specifically what was said.

Democrats, it seems, can say racist things and use "context" as a shield from ramifications. Conservatives don't seem to be given that courtesy.

Public forum vs. private conversation.

Nappy-headed hoes vs. older person saying negro

Publicly supporting a racial segregationist vs. stating his race will be an advantage

Racist vs. Realist

[detbuch]

Originally Posted by JohnnyD

Public forum vs. private conversation.

Private conversations tend to reveal who one is more than do public forums.

Nappy-headed hoes vs. older person saying negro

More or less stupid joke vs. insensitive comment.

Publicly supporting a racial segregationist vs. stating his race will be an advantage

Racist vs. Realist

Harry Reid saluted Trent Lott when the latter retired by saying "I am proud to have worked side-by-side with such a distinguished public servant as Trent Lott".

If Lott's salutation of Thurmond at the latter's 100th birthday party makes him a racist, does Reid's salute to Lott make Reid a racist?

And is racism a matter of degree--a little bit is okay, just don't go too far?