The disrespect began months before Barack Obama was elected 44th President of the United States. Following his inauguration on January 20, 2009, the mudslinging contempt intensified and it persists to this day.
Criticism is not the issue here. All presidents are criticized, especially by members of the opposing party and disgruntled voters overall. But relevant to the current president, it is difficult to know whether the haters in question oppose him on ideological grounds or if they are just plain racist. Name one U.S. President who was not criticized while in office and I will tell you where the infamous Casey Anthony is hiding out. Okay now, name a U.S. President other than Barack Obama who has been as blatantly disrespected – I would like to say as racially vilified, but that would be impractical, wouldn’t it?
Before you read any further, I warn you that I am going to call this issue just as I see it, and I have no doubt that some readers will accuse me of playing the race card. If that is the case, let me assure you that these cards will not be deviously pulled from the bottom of the deck; they will be dealt straight from the top. So, if you don’t think you can handle the truth, then you should fold your hand right now.
There is not enough space to name all of the Limbaughs, Becks, and Trumps who deserve honorable mention here, but I will identify below other public individuals who theoretically waved the confederate flag.
February 2009, an email sent from the personal account of Los Alamitos Republican Mayor Dean Grose showed a picture of the White House with a watermelon patch imposed as the White House garden.
June 2009, a legislative staffer in the office of Tennessee GOP state senator Diane Black sent an email containing a composite picture of this country’s 44 presidents. President Obama was represented with only a set of eyes peering from a black background.
September 2009, as the president was addressing a televised joint session of congress Rep. Joe Wilson (R-SC) incongruously shouted “You lie!”
April 2011, Republican Marilyn Davenport, of Orange County and a Tea Party activist circulated an email depicting President Obama and his parents as chimpanzees with the message, “Now you know why there is no birth certificate.”
July 2011, Rep. Doug Lamborn (R-CO) in reference to the budget policies said that being linked to President Obama would be like “touching a tar baby.”
August 2011, during a broadcast on MSNBC, Pat Buchanan while speaking with Rev. Al Sharpton referred to President Obama as “your boy.”
To be continued in tomorrow’s post.