Is Presdient Bush A Racist?

[Yusuf Evans]

Is he? The President has more minorities in his administration than any other President in the history of the United States. Even though Clinton was called the first "black" President, his staff was nowhere near as diverse as the current admin. Let's also look at this: President Bush supports illegal immigration. He supports the gues worker program, but everyone likes to paint him as a racist. In the wake of Katrina, they blamed it on his racist ideals. Is there any proof of this?

Look, I'm not Bush apologist. He's committed allot of shaky decision making since he's been the CIC. However, some of the labels given to him by those who hate him(yes, all those that are anti-Bush hate him) is pretty ridiculous.

OFFICENAMETERMPresidentGeorge W. Bush2001-Vice PresidentRichard B. Cheney2001-StateColin Powell2001-2005Condoleezza Rice2005-TreasuryPaul O'Neill2001-2003John W. Snow2003-DefenseDonald Rumsfeld2001-JusticeJohn Ashcroft2001-2005Alberto Gonzales2005-InteriorGale Norton2001-2006AgricultureAnn Veneman2001-2005Mike Johanns2005-CommerceDonald Evans2001-2005Carlos Gutierrez2005-LaborElaine Chao2001-HHSTommy Thompson2001-2005Michael O. Leavitt2005-EducationRod Paige2001-2005Margaret Spellings2005-HUDMel Martinez2001-2004Alphonso Jackson2004-TransportationNorman Mineta2001-EnergySpencer Abraham2001-2005Samuel W. Bodman2005-Veterans AffairsAnthony Principi2001-2005Jim Nicholson2005-Homeland SecurityTom Ridge2003-2005Michael Chertoff2005-

 

[Arkanin]

For me it's been more of a, 'huh, you sure went out of your way to make it clear you're very equal opportunity'.

But then again, I have a lot of respect for the people they've chosen that happen to be minorities so I doubt they're just going out of their way to have an ethnically diverse team. I think Colin Powell is a good man even though I disagree with him about many things. Ditto for Rice.

To be fair, let me try to explain how people who play the race card feel. I think to them, Powell and Rice are sellouts in that they are supporting the very institution that oppressed their ancestors and now they are simply helping oppress another group. I don't agree with the racial spin on this sentiment, nor would Powell or Rice, I am sure. But I do think that our companies have dominated others and that anger at our country has not spontaneously happened in a vaccum.

By the way, I didn't realize that racism was one of the ideals of the south. Actually I would take umbrage at that but no doubt you meant to say something else and that is just what you thought.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

By the way, I didn't realize that racism was one of the ideals of the south. Actually I would take umbrage at that but no doubt you meant to say something else and that is just what you thought.

Well, growing up in the South and particularly where I'm from(Alabama sticks). I'm white, and I shave my head. My father has a couple of relatives in the Klan.(Ironic, since they're Native Americans ).

 

[Alarum]

No. I believe President Bush is against all people, whether they're black or white.

 

[Arkanin]

Well, growing up in the South and particularly where I'm from(Alabama sticks). I'm white, and I shave my head. My father has a couple of relatives in the Klan.(Ironic, since they're Native Americans ).

In that case I apologize for saying that. There is indeed some hate and racism down here.

 

[Yusuf Evans]

In that case I apologize for saying that. There is indeed some hate and racism down here.

It's not that bad but the South still has a rep for being racist.

 

[SummerMadness]

The South has the rep, but racism is all over this country. You'd be surprised to see how many hate groups are in the Northeast. But most racism nowadays isn't someone who actively hates, but someone that does something that perpetrates institutionalized racism. You subconsciously tend to check the black people more as a security guard, you may have nothing against black people, but you are perpetrating racism.

I think this is where the president receives blame. I think most people (at least the intelligent ones) don't believe the president hates minorities, but they see his policies as ones that perpetrate racism.

They look at Rice and Powell as sellouts (actually most don't have as negative a view of Powell) because they see them as not being helpful as they are never behind policies that would help uplift the minority community. I think people still admire Powell, but he's lost points because of the war, that topic has nothing to do with race. Class definitely plays a role, but racism definitely plays a factor as some find it easier to help a certain class because of their race.

But I believe the president and his administration (as well as Republicans) get this badge of racism because they oppose most programs that help the poor and minorities, but they are more than willing to give hand outs and benefits to the rich. People like Rush Limbaugh don't help either since they often use race to pain black people in a negative light. I'll probably start rambling so I'll start because there are so many things to point out that make people believe the president and his political party are racist. It also doesn't help that any minority in their party is largely contentious with those that share their race.

 

[royboy]

Isn't it possible that Bush might be racist or have racist traits, but sees the advantage in not appearing to be a racist.

 

[Borealis]

Isn't it possible that Bush might be racist or have racist traits, but sees the advantage in not appearing to be a racist.

And what are these supposed 'racist' traits that Bush 'might' have? Let's see a list of these traits, shall we? Or is it just that people see that as another chunk of mud they can sling at him?

Keep this in mind: I reject the modern interpretation of 'racism' and hold to the traditional, actual meaning of the word: someone who discriminates because of skin color or ethnic background.

 

[royboy]

And what are these supposed 'racist' traits that Bush 'might' have? Let's see a list of these traits, shall we? Or is it just that people see that as another chunk of mud they can sling at him?

Keep this in mind: I reject the modern interpretation of 'racism' and hold to the traditional, actual meaning of the word: someone who discriminates because of skin color or ethnic background.

I aren't saying he is racist or that he has racist traits because I've never interacted with him in private or otherwise.

What I mean is that if he was racist and didn't want to appear racist, then hiring people with a range of racial backgrounds would be a smart move .

 

[Yusuf Evans]

I aren't saying he is racist or that he has racist traits because I've never interacted with him in private or otherwise.

What I mean is that if he was racist and didn't want to appear racist, then hiring people with a range of racial backgrounds would be a smart move .

Which is implying that the President is a possible racist. If he was racist, then why is his stance on illegal immigration much different than the American public?

 

[royboy]

Which is implying that the President is a possible racist. If he was racist, then why is his stance on illegal immigration much different than the American public?

I'm just suggesting that political views can be seperate from personal views.

 

[QuestioningSoul2006]

It is only natural that those who are at least slightly conservative will be offended by all negative terms used to describe the President, and vice versa.

 

[Fineous_Reese]

Isn't it possible that Bush might be racist or have racist traits, but sees the advantage in not appearing to be a racist.

Isn't it possible that royboy might be neo-nazi/duckpin-bowler/homosexual/used-car-salesman or have neo-nazi/duckpin-bowler/homosexual/used-car-salesman traits, but sees the advantage in not appearing to be a neo-nazi/duckpin-bowler/homosexual/used-car-salesman.

Isn't it possible that fineous_reese might be pistaccio-nut-lovin/eco-terrorist/left-handed/marxist or have pistaccio-nut-lovin/eco-terrorist/left-handed/marxist traits, but sees the advantage in not appearing to be a pistaccio-nut-lovin/eco-terrorist/left-handed/marxist.

death by implication!

edit: additional humour, just noticed my avatar holds the sword in its left hand

 

[k]

The immigration issue has been highlighted by the Rep Party because frankly, w/ mid-terms 6 months away, what platform could they possibly run on?

IMAO, Bush is far too insulated from society to be seen as either racist or non-racist. Actual interaction is required for such an assessment.

To the OP's point about Bush having a "diverse" Admin. It seems the mistake being made is simply looking at skin color instead of ideologies.

Just because Rice is African-American that does not mean she actually represents the AA community in the US. Same can be said for the others.

 

[Fineous_Reese]

what ideology does an African-American have to follow in order to be part of the AA community?

 

[k]

what ideology does an African-American have to follow in order to be part of the AA community?

There are several ways, but I would say all include one that would resist against racism, and not work to perpetuate it.

 

[Daniel19]

Is he racist? I don't know.

Does he think that he is above the law? Well, there is probably more evidence to support that claim.

"...I'm the decider..."

"If this were a dictatorship it would be a heck of a lot easier, just so long as I'm the dictator."

-G.W.B

 

[Billnew]

Bush has done alot of things not popular with the majority. But I have not saw anything to say he is
racist.
The only people that call him a racist are racist.

 

[christalee4]

Bush is not a good old boy of the South; his family was from the waspy north. Elitist snobs, yes, but not racist, like rich families from the Southern slave owners were.

I think Bush can't relate to middle class or poorer people; I think he can relate more to millionaires and celebrities like OJ Simpson more than the poor white Hurricane Katrina victim in Mississippi. The fact that Bush didn't react quickly or viscerally to the suffering of the black New Orleans residents speaks less of racism and more of a complete lack of compassion for poor people - much like his mom Barbara, who made that famous quote about the Hurricane Katrina survivors: http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2005/09/06/opinion/main821528.shtml