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comment on article 59 Comments
Posted on Tuesday, February 09, 2010 at 02:17 PM


Tea Party serves piping hot cup of hate and bigotry


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Anti-immigrant hatred was spewed at the Tea Party convention over the weekend, but you probably didn't know it, as it was barely reported.

Instead we had a lot of speculating about Sarah Palin and a 2012 White House run, and the Tea Party crowd came across as fairly decent folk, mad as hell, but civil.

Not so.

Consider the following, widely applauded remarks by keynote speaker Tom Tancredo, the racist anti-immigrant former congressman.

Here are his words about Americans who voted for Barack Obama. He stated there should be a "civics literacy test" for those who voted for Obama. He stated Obama was elected by people who "couldn't spell the word 'vote' or say it in English" and that they had elected a "committed socialist ideologue called Barack Hussein Obama."

Doesn't that just make you proud to be an American? This age-old appeal to racism and anti-immigrant sentiment?

He also claimed that the Mexican president was seeking to create a new country by joining the U.S. and Mexico as one country and eliminating borders.

And that Obama was ashamed to put his hand on his heart when The National Anthem was being played.

Interesting isn't it, that very little was written about Tancredo's rant and hate-filled speech. Are we suddenly afraid to counter such racists in this country? Are we sleepwalking toward disaster where rabble-rousers like Tancredo can fan the flames of hatred and division at a time when we have never needed more to come together as nation?

The Tea Party strikes me as the poison party when they allow such racists to rant on. Shame on them for allowing Tancredo his racist platform.



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Posted by windrider48 on Feb 12, 2010, 08:42 PM EST
The Tea Party is a very broad based coalition of disaffected Democrats, disaffected Republicans, and, yes, disaffected independents. Progressive liberals who decry Tancredo should keep in mind that you lot have Barney Frank; isn't he something to be proud of. Oh yes, lest we forget Pelosi, Reid, Dodd. The Obmites are quick to condemn. Once again I will suggest the Obmite prophet...Saul Alinsky. The assault on the Tea Party is text book Alinsky.
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Posted by Sungold on Feb 12, 2010, 04:09 AM EST
If you didn't read about the convention in the mainstream media, it's because they like to pretend that the Tea Party movement doesn't exist. I also take exception to the typical liberal assertion that if you disagree with the socialistic policies of the Obama administration, you are a "racist" or a "hater" who "can't stand it that a black man is in the White House". And when you're calling names, remember that "hate speech" goes both ways.
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Posted by Felicia on Feb 12, 2010, 12:52 AM EST
Yea for the Tea Party, we finally have a voice against the RINO's and Liberals who are ruining the America I knew. If you are a LEGAL immigrant, welcome to America. If not, it's time for you to leave so that we don't have to keep paying for your health care and education.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 09:42 PM EST
As for Tancredo's assertions about Obama voters, considering the utter flop Obama has been since taking office I would almost be inclined to agree with Tancredo (although I would clarify by saying a LOT of Obama voters). Certainly they can handle one man's views of them -- considering Bush voters put up with one hell of a lot worse, for one hell of a lot longer, from LIBERAL comentators.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 09:41 PM EST
As for Tancredo's assertions about Obama voters, considering the utter flop Obama has been since taking office I would almost be inclined to agree with Tancredo (although I would clarify by saying a LOT of Obama voters). Certainly they can handle one man's views of them -- considering Bush voters put up with one hell of a lot worse, for one hell of a lot longer, from LIBERAL commentators.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 09:37 PM EST
Here we go again, McNamara31 (3rd or 4th time, in this post) -- they're NOT immigrants. They're ILLEGAL ALIENS. Totally different categories -- or didn't you know the difference? As far as what makes me an 'expert' (sarcasm noted), I have eyes, ears and common sense -- not to mention my American birthright which my LEGITIMATE Irish immigrant ancestors handed to me -- and which ILLEGAL ALIENS are now stomping and spitting on, emboldened by the support of a foolish few.
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Posted by willieboy on Feb 11, 2010, 08:00 PM EST
Everyone is entitled to his opinion. If you don't like it KMA.
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Posted by McNamara31 on Feb 11, 2010, 07:44 PM EST
IrishandProud...Tancredo was an equal opportunity demeaner. He attacked everyone who voted for Obama inferring that they all, including immigrants, were below the intelligence level to vote. Sounds exactly like the Navitist attitude that demeaned my Irish relatives when they arrived in America. And BTW, what makes you such an expert on today's immigrants anyway.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 06:42 PM EST
The only Klan-like material around here is Niall's attitude toward Tea Party people...and those few who buy that line of attack (such as hartfordwoman)...for it's THEIR perspective (pandering to illegals) that's been adopted full-tilt by the powers that be in the USA...and which has been largely fueling this enormous, populist backlash we're now seeing, in the USA. ILLEGAL ALIENS OUT...NO EXCUSES, NO APOLOGIES.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 06:37 PM EST
No, it ISN'T, McNamara31. The Irish immigrants of old were exactly that -- IMMIGRANTS. That is totally different from the ILLEGAL ALIENS, of today. The Irish came to America and suffered discrimination and hardship...but they actually WANTED to assimilate and become Americans. NOT SO with illegals. They want to live here illegally, get out jobs and money, and yet keep on being what they were before, and have US pander to THEM. Totally, utterly different from my Irish ancestors.
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Posted by McNamara31 on Feb 11, 2010, 04:33 PM EST
hartfordwoman I'm with you. Many people forget, or never knew, how the Irish were treated when they first arrived in the U.S. Back then, it was the "Navitists" who spouted the beliefs of the Tea Party Convention Attendees. They thought there was no place for the likes of the Irish in "Their America".Different times, same bigotry.
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Posted by windrider48 on Feb 11, 2010, 03:30 PM EST
Let's all be careful with the name calling. Name calling is an old progressive trick...it's a tactic of the far left. Intimidate the dissenters. To compare the Tea Party people with the Klan is ignorance of the members and aims of the movement. It might not be as much fun on blogs, but stick to proveable fact.
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Posted by BigGuns on Feb 11, 2010, 03:19 PM EST
I find nothing but truth in what Tom states!!!
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Posted by hartfordwoman on Feb 11, 2010, 02:50 PM EST
BTW for anyone who isn't in the US - literacy tests were used to keep blacks out of the voting booth for decades - do you suggest a return to that? Racism in an Irishperson - after the way WE'VE been treated? Not very wise my friends.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 02:48 PM EST
And...lastly...Obama IS a committed socialist ideologue, Niall! Do you actually think he's NOT? It's PRECISELY the kinds of comments you've made in your article, Niall -- the condescending, stereotyping, WRONG stuff you say (you're talking about the MAJORITY of folks in this nation, remember) that has only added to their numbers and increased their passion.
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Posted by hartfordwoman on Feb 11, 2010, 02:47 PM EST
Fri night I saw a documentary about the Klan, Sat night I saw the highlights of the Tparty convo on C-Span - hard to tell 'em apart!
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 02:44 PM EST
(continued) Further, regarding Tancredo's remarks about CERTAIN Obama voters, it's fairly obvious he was referring to those who either A) are in the USA illegally and were allowed to vote, anyway, and/or B) those who've never bothered to actually learn ENGLISH (you know, the language of the USA) because they've been so accomodated and enabled by the multi-culti politically correct crowd.
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 02:39 PM EST
Further, Niall...to call Tancredo 'anti-immigrant' is grossly inaccurate. He is anti-ILLEGAL ENTRY, as I am. An illegal alien is NOT an 'immigrant' -- as you certainly know. He/She is an ILLEGAL ALIEN, and therefore a criminal trespassor. The overwhelming majority of Americans know this difference, and agree with Tancredo and me. You actually have to have this difference explained to you?
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Posted by IrishAndProud on Feb 11, 2010, 02:26 PM EST
Tom Tancredo is completely RIGHT on immigration, Niall -- and you're WRONG. It is ignorant and STUPID of you to call opposing illegal invasion of this country 'racist.' That is Neanderathal thinking, Niall, and will win you no friends in this nation, beyond the illegal-coddling far left.
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Posted by windrider48 on Feb 11, 2010, 02:03 PM EST
McNamara31...Just out of curiosity, have you read Saul Alinsky? Iim betting you have.
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Posted by McNamara31 on Feb 11, 2010, 12:08 PM EST
Vincem13 ... "The people who voted for (Obama) are woefully ignorant of the issues of the day".Can’t you see the ignorance in this? People who espouse the ranting of Trancredo, Beck and Palin with their "unique vision" of what "they think" America should be; Are they the educated worldly professors of teapartyology? America has huge problems to solve.We do not need an ill informed, palm-reader-in-charge, nor the racist element that follow her, to distract the nation from the problems at hand.
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Posted by jmchrystal on Feb 11, 2010, 11:17 AM EST
A more fitting name for the "Tea Party" would be the "Nazi Party".
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Posted by nancylou on Feb 11, 2010, 09:01 AM EST
These people scare me to death! Such hate and stupidity! I voted for Obama and will again.
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Posted by eileenkny on Feb 11, 2010, 07:46 AM EST
I've seen several reports about Tancredo's ravings. It's scary that this man was ever in elected office. While I may not agree with the TPM's ideas, I do respect their right to say it. What I don't like is when they make things up and present it as the gospel truth. Kudos to Mr.O'Dowd for opening this dialogue; but shame on those of you who espouse the rascist rants.
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Posted by vincem13 on Feb 11, 2010, 12:48 AM EST
Dear Mr. O'Dowd: I read through the "offending" quote twice and all I noted was his entirely correct findings that far too many of our electorate are woefully ignorant of issues of the day, and many of those are immigrants who have not bothered to learn English well either. There was a time, sir, when those who came to our shores were proud to learn our history, our laws and constitution and our common language on their path to citizenship. Oh, and by and large they came here LEGALLY to boot!
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Posted by windrider48 on Feb 10, 2010, 09:07 PM EST
McNamara31. Now you are doing what the progressive liberals do...follow the Saul Alinsky code...call a diverse group by one label and demean them by that narrow label. If you want condescension merely take an objective look at the Obama minions...pure Saul Alinsky.
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Posted by jowadkins on Feb 10, 2010, 09:04 PM EST
McNamara, I don't know if you are American or Irish, but if you are American, God Bless you and if Irish, I will trade presidents with you any day.
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Posted by McNamara31 on Feb 10, 2010, 07:16 PM EST
rcrdskpr Good comparision...You know the way the Brit's treated the Irish; It's the same condescending way the Tea Party Convention attendees treat anyone of differing points of view. If they’re not yelling you down at town hall meetings, they're berating the voting majority who voted for Obama. Different times, same bigotry.
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Posted by rcrdskpr@aol.com on Feb 10, 2010, 06:12 PM EST
i find it interesting that an irish site is employing one the tactics that they fought the brits for for 700yrs---censorship of the news. shame, shame, shame
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Posted by rcrdskpr@aol.com on Feb 10, 2010, 06:01 PM EST
maybe we should refer to odowd as the gaelic fuhrer, since he believes so strongly in silencing opposing comment




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