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Oct-12-2008 23:00 
Op Ed: Myth of Racism Denies, Defies Our Democracy
by Henry Clay Ruark for Salem-News
Old Tattered Tool for Economic Power Could Still Threaten Key Vote
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John McCain and Barack Obama, July 2007. Photo: usliberals.about.com
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(EUGENE, Ore.) - Millions of Americans wake up every day with the sure knowledge that their full Constitutional participation in the world’s greatest, most powerful nation is still denied to them. Don't fool yourself, racism is alive and well.
Centuries of research and solid scientific surveillance proves that mankind is universally the same both physically and mentally in every part and parcel of this space-floating globe.
Skin-color, culture, economic status, even intense religious faith-driven differences surely do exist; but the human equation regarding equality remains unchanged.
Yet, a now tattered-and-torn myth is still allowed by some who call themselves “American” to shape and control the freedoms they cherish for themselves by denying that same freedom to others.
"Everyone is a prisoner of his own experiences. No one can eliminate prejudices - just recognize them", Edward R. Murrow once stated in a very public forum.
That’s the current unavoidable demand as our crucial 2008 vote demands essential citizen responsibility. You may want to clarify your own attitudes by close examination --and a simple “mirror test” you do alone.
Conscious or unconscious reactions to the proven myth of racism may shape the 2008 election in key states. No true American wants that to happen, since that will negate, defy, and defeat our whole history since 1776.
John McCain stooped to use that racism-effect when he referred to Barack Obama with a disdainful “That one!” in the second Presidential debate.
His posture, facial expression --even the position of his hands--indicated clearly to this observer precisely what he intended to communicate to all, without fail.
“That one” --to John McCain at the moment-- was “an uppity black boy”, to put it into clear red-neck lingo, learned long ago as reporter in working-mode. “That one” has been nationally recognized, now, as clearly coded language --sure to ignite racism for political impact-- for some American audience groups.
"The ugliness of bigotry stands in direct contradiction to the very meaning of America." ~ Hubert Humphrey
That conclusion comes from several authoritative and skilled observers seeing the same thing in precisely the same way --and reporting it in about the same words used here, too.
McCain earlier accused Obama of caring more for another issue “to win election” than he does “for the nation.” This open action on national television must clearly be seen as demonstrating something other than “Country First”. “Campaign First” fits the case more closely.
The irrational reasons given for racial prejudice, when forced to the surface by highly respectable research, vary wildly --and also very emotionally --among those allowing themselves to be so negatively engaged.
But all end up with precisely the same conclusion by those involved: “They are different from me”, with the added unstated inference that “me” is always superior, somehow. (NOTE: Check out the research for yourself; Wikipedia provides easy access to centuries-worth.)
It is an appeal used for centuries to manipulate millions of workers against other workers who happen to be “different” on natural characteristics, or cultural concerns, or even religion --and always turn out to be competitive in the workplace, too.
“The biggest problem though out the history of man is the fact that racism is anything but an anomaly.” ~ Erik Hansen
Somehow those who are “different” always end up also seeming to threaten “the others” economically via added emphasis on their unfair competition. That’s the intended and original purpose of the myth, set into motion many decades ago, building on more normal and natural consequences of centuries-old confrontation.
Could anything be more damaging to the very concept of democracy? Conscious use as an election element denies and defies any offsetting statements about “Country First”, no matter how vociferously repeated.
Could anything be more divisive --and extremely costly in terms of demanded worldwide cooperation now-- for those seeking to trade and work and learn from any and all other nations? Someone sincerely pledging to be “a uniter, not a divider” would not --and conscientiously could not-- ever use that very well-known divisive impact simply for political advantage.
In this beginning decade of the 21st Century, how can we permit ourselves to be deluded by a distorted and disproved myth and its consequences?
This one has cost workers more than any other single issue, in economic, cultural and social losses insufferable in any 21st Century society.
Are some Americans still so self-deluding as to fall --again!!-- for the same old malarkey used against them unmercifully, in the past?
“What!?? ME, a racist?!!”
Find out for yourself: Take the easy mirror-test all by your lonesome, open to your own conscientious self-check.
Just look yourself right in your own eyes in any mirror --and determine for yourself your own best reaction to the realities you now KNOW to be TRUE.
"I have no color prejudices nor caste prejudices nor creed prejudices. All I care to know is that a man is a human being, and that is enough for me; he can't be any worse." ~ Mark Twain
Are YOU a counterpart and companion for those profiting from racism all those decades?
The Constitutional right of choice for our leadership --the vote-- extends to all citizens, regardless of any and all “differences”. Denial of that right constitutes a form of treason to the very nation those so acting claim to love so well.
Here, for our full national life span, the very concept of a black person becoming our President was so hatefully received, by so many misinformed and thus malignly distorted in their thinking, that it was viewed as an impossibility.
This campaign has proven how false and misleading that very thin idea has become --as tattered and torn by our realities as the myth of racism itself, and for the same reasons.
Desperate competition for world bounty, via “free trade” and globalization, and rapid development of strong economic and social-cultural achievements across the world continue at phenomenal pace.
We’ve finally come to straight-on confrontation with an old and tattered myth shaping our own choice of leadership talents, sorely demanded by those inescapable world-shaping events.
What stronger test of our own commitments, set forth for us by prescient Founders in their Bill of Rights and our Constitution, than to honor what they gave us to guide our actions --and our choices-- into the coming centuries?
When YOU vote, do so with this true and honest and comprehensive understandings of racism-as-myth, created for manipulative purposes, to protect, preserve and further project the compliance of the misinformed.
To allow that to happen to YOU and YOUR choice, now that you are well-informed, is to make yourself fully complicit with an intolerable, insufferable, contemptuous and extremely damaging attack on the very most essential concept of democracy itself.
Be guided by that self-challenging “mirror check”.
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 Henry Clay Ruark is the one of, if not the most experienced, working reporter in the state of Oregon, and possibly the entire Northwest. Hank has been at it since the 1930's, working as a newspaper staff writer, reporter and photographer for organizations on the east coast like the Bangor Maine Daily News.
Today he writes Op-Ed's for Salem-News.com with words that deliver his message with much consideration for the youngest, underprivileged and otherwise unrepresented people.
Articles for October 11, 2008 | Articles for October 12, 2008 | Articles for October 13, 2008 | 
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All comments and messages are approved by people and self promotional links or unacceptable comments are denied.
Anonymous October 20, 2008 7:39 am (Pacific time)
To Anonymous. Obama spent over 20 years in close association with Wright. Obama threw Wright under the bus when it impacted his Poll numbers. Same thing for Ayers, Acorn or any other controversial association/individual he has had. Big difference when you discuss someone from an historical perspective than when you have a long historical association with those who pretty much are on record with an extreme message of hate. Don Imus and Wright are like apples and oranges.
Anonymous October 19, 2008 9:11 am (Pacific time)
Thank you, Henry Ruark for your excellent article. "The Crazy Rev. Wright" by Ishmael Reed is a very fascinating and educational article on racism and biogtry. Many names, including Rev. Billy Graham, are mentioned. http://goatmilk.wordpress.com/category/ishmael-reed/ Nothing is more uplifting than watching MSNBC’s “Morning Joe,” where wealthy Anglicized Irish Americans like Joe Scarborough, Chris Matthews, Tim “Little Russ” Russert and Pat Buchanan hold forth on the topic of race. During the week beginning March, 17, 2008, the talk was all about whether Barack Obama should distance himself from Rev. Jeremiah Wright. Presumably in the same manner that they distanced themselves from Don Imus. Buchanan has been awarded more time to discuss race and the bigotry of Rev. Wright than the scores of black intellectuals and scholars, who could provide some insight, combined. According to U. S. News and World Report (1/16/92), Pat Buchanan said In 1977 that Hitler was “a political organizer of the first rank,” a man of “extraordinary gifts,” “great courage” and elements of “genius.” Yet there was his sister, Bay, debating Roland Martin, one of a handful of token black commentators with any kind of bite. This was on CNN, March 21. She was in a tizzy about the Rev. ’s anti Americanism, yet Hitler, her brother’s hero, was responsible for the deaths of 120, 000 Americans.
Henry Ruark October 19, 2008 8:53 am (Pacific time)
To all: New President is highly relevant to this thread. Here's "see with own eyes" on one highly important decider: Breaking News Alert The New York Times Sunday, October 19, 2008 -- 9:25 AM ET ----- Former Secretary of State Colin L. Powell Endorses Obama In an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" on Sunday, former Secretary of State Colin Powell endorsed Senator Barack Obama for president. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na
Henry Ruark October 18, 2008 11:58 am (Pacific time)
To all: Mell of a hess when latenight comedian does work of "free press" in nailing down lying campaigner. Here's "see with own eyes" for actual words and video: David Letterman Makes McCain Squirm By Melissa McEwan, Shakesville Printed on October 18, 2008 http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/103468/ So last night, John McCain finally showed up on David Letterman's show, after blowing him off two weeks ago. Here's the whole interview... (Her excerpt at this link provides actual words of both Letterman and McC.-hcr) David Letterman Makes McCain Squirm By Melissa McEwan, Shakesville Posted on October 17, 2008, Printed on October 18, 2008 http://www.alternet.org/bloggers/http://shakespearessister.blogspot.com/103468/ So last night, John McCain finally showed up on David Letterman's show, after blowing him off two weeks ago. Here's the whole interview...
Dylan Duke October 18, 2008 10:13 am (Pacific time)
Time Is Short! Barack Obama’s top campaign contributor is the international Finance firm of Goldman Sachs led by Larry Blankfein. Three-fourths of John McCain’s top 20 contributors are New York international bankers, including Goldman Sachs. No wonder both voted for the 700 billion robbery of the American people. Both Support Amnesty for illegals, more gun control and endless wars (and American Blood and Gold) for Israel! Goldman Sachs’ executives have been repeatedly charged with fraud and theft. The bailout is now run by Paulson and Kashkari, who are former Goldman Sachs executives! We will either have Mr. Amnesty, John McCain as President or black radical, Barack Obama. Four days after the election we will meet in Memphis, Tenn. to give a true voice to the European American people that will no longer tolerate the destruction of its rights and the heritage of America’s founders! SEE YOU THERE!
Henry Ruark October 18, 2008 9:45 am (Pacific time)
S-cini: You wrote:"...white people pretty well dispurse their voting pattern regardless of race/ethnicity." (disperse-hcr) That's reverse of factual record. Racism in U.S. historically among decreasing group of lower-income working whites still feeling highly defensive vs black labor competition, a carryover from use of racism as myth, in itself a consequence of slavery era. Yours distorts fact, which is why response here now, for the current credit crisis impact increasing same pressures of old myth for same now outgrown reasons, with consequences threatening democracy due to "Nixon-initiated 'Southern state strategy" long followed by GOP.
Simoncini October 17, 2008 6:19 pm (Pacific time)
To Editor: There was a radio talk show host who started a program called Operation Chaos where republicans registered as democrats and skewed various state election results, though no one really knows to what extent (a statistical X factor so to speak). Democrats have also been known to do this in states where you can vote for candidates from different parties, and some suspect that is how Romney lost to McCain. I don't know. So as my son theorized with some of his associates who do some poll handicapping, there is that unknown x-factor. I don't believe race is a variable, but I will ask him and if so I'll post that response. I must admit that white people pretty well dispurse their voting pattern regardless of race/ethnicity, but do you think that holds true for other races/ethnicities? The data shows that it does not. Just an observation.
Henry Ruark October 17, 2008 4:52 pm (Pacific time)
Simonwhatever: Must endorse Editor-note since major societal trend for past 30 years has been to build strong distrust for BOTH parties, multiplied many times now on performance alone for GOP in last eight years. Re Drudge, if you pay any attention to that kind of drudged-data you deserve precisely what will follow on decisions so-perpetrated.
Simoncini October 17, 2008 11:33 am (Pacific time)
I just saw the below poll and I guess Gallup has the same 2 point spread. My youngest, a Political Science instrutor mentioned an interesting theory about these polls and how inaccurate they may be in various states. That is a while back many republicans registered as democrats to vote during primary elections in various states to give Hillary the win, or maybe it was Obama. They obviously will not vote for Obama, so some of these polls may be slightly skewed, but of course no one has the numbers to do the calculus. On November 4th, I guess we'll know, except there will no doubt be many challenges. Maybe it will be next year before we have a winner?
AP/YAHOO Poll of "873" Democrats; "650" Republicans shows OBAMA 44%, MCCAIN 42%...
(Link to a PDF on Drudge. Upper right.)
(Excerpt) Read more at drudgereport.com ...
Editor: I am curious about the statement "They obviously will not vote for Obama". What reason would exist to justify the "of course" part? It is important to remember that (hopefully) most white Americans are not prejudice toward black people. I give members of both parties credit for being able to make up their own minds about the candidates they vote for, I do not think they all act like sheep in voting along party lines. I do think that all people who vote a party ticket are a hazard; unable to think for themselves or step out of line with their peers, etc. There are good people on both sides of the aisle.
Henry Ruark October 16, 2008 9:13 am (Pacific time)
T.C. et al:
Debate format forbids ANY t-prompter, reveals deep character of participants.
Here's E.E. Dionne, WPost famed opinioneer, re this 3rd confrontation:
"What's striking about the past month is that the great American middle has shifted Obama's way. Recent polls by The Post and ABC News, Gallup, and the Pew Research Center suggest that Obama's gains since mid-September have been especially large among whites, particularly white men, and also among independents and moderates. At this crucial juncture, the contours of the 2008 contest are remarkably similar to those of the 2006 midterm elections that ended with a Democratic victory. Strikingly -- and no doubt unintentionally -- McCain echoed the Democrats' 2006 campaign theme when he said that voters want the country to move in "a new direction." That's McCain's problem."
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That shift shows how well O's remarks are received when "the People" are face-to-face with him, with no t-promper there for egregious distorted claim of failed communication.
Reminds me of honest, open, good faith democratic dialog right here on S-N !
Henry Clay Ruark October 16, 2008 8:50 am (Pacific time)
T.C.: You asked for own-stuff from O. so here's sample now used by NYT writer Cohen visiting red state mayor like Palin and finding this sentiment: "This is red-state central, dear to evangelicals. But Presley has few illusions. Obama has been surging in bellwether Missouri with its long and almost perfect record of voting for the winner. He is now neck and neck with John McCain in the state polls. Americans still vote their pocketbooks — always have, always will. “I can see how the drift is going, but we’ll move on,” the mayor said. A speech four years ago brought Obama to the national stage: “There is not a liberal America and a conservative America. There is the United States of America. There is not a black America and a white America and Latino America and Asian America. There’s the United States of America.” I found that spirit in Branson, the last place I expected. And it gave me hope, in these sobering days, for a nation aching to unite behind a new start and uplifting endeavor. ------------- "See with own eyes" at Cohen report on www.nytimes.com.
Henry Ruark October 15, 2008 8:09 pm (Pacific time)
Casey et al: Cannot claim teleprompter for success in situation like tonight's debate. This one was straight stuff right across the table, face to face --honest dialog, one might even say. SO wait till you see the way the polls bounce...it will for sure come down to rational, reasonable, right from the heart decision, with all political pandering going for naught in the long run. Wit, wisdom, will of "the People" will prevail against lying, distortion, perversion and even corporate pelf piled high from politically-eased pilfering and purchase of potent special influence at every level of governance.
Henry Ruark October 14, 2008 8:02 pm (Pacific time)
Casey: Proof demanded from your side,not mine, sir, it is your allegations under examination. Re use of materials from one piece in another, that's old hat in business...been doing it myself for 40 years. I copyright all LMA product so I can protect it and charge for second and further uses, and that is common practice in the writing world. Your ignorance is demonstrated on that. Video of O clearly shows him speaking without teleprompter, and with great aplomb and impact, as critics have stated in detail and depth, in major magazines and other channels. "See with own eyes" on any channel any hour, now. Cannot walk around and gesture to crowd and turn away and back, if watching words on tprompter allatime. SO how explain that away, sir ??? When you furnish documentation for what you allege, then I'll take time to rebut point by point. If you wish professional time you must expect to pay for it beyond your nickel here, esp. when you remain masked and offer no proof yourself. ID self to editor for direct contact and LMA fees and client list, although I doubt if you can qualify as client.
Tim Casey October 14, 2008 6:17 pm (Pacific time)
If Obama writes his own stuff then can you provide examples from his past. As an attorney they generally have reams of legal documents they authored. How about college thesis papers, legal briefs? Axlerod wrote his Philadelphia speech and many of the words and phrases were pulled out of speeches Axlerod also wrote for Mass. Governor Patrick. He is a teleprompter speaker, he does not write his speeches and has no writings of any significance anywhere to be found.
Henry Ruark October 14, 2008 4:16 pm (Pacific time)
T.C. et al: Yours re Obama-Philadelphia in error. He writes his own stuff, as critics have confirmed, in books and all else. He does have consultants on staff, but if you compare list from both you will be amazed at run of more than 80 for McCain, including Gramm, and Schuenemann, and others who signed PNAC statement, root of Iraq "preemptive" war.
Allathis already reported here, where you been? You give ONLY personal conclusion, no links, claim of research but none shown, and examples right out of McCain propaganda line.
Christina B. October 14, 2008 4:03 pm (Pacific time)
Seeds of Hatred, by Rory O'Connor
John McCain was right in August when he called John Lewis one of the "wisest people [1]" he knew.
So when Representative Lewis - a Georgia Democrat and veteran of the civil rights movement - recently denounced [2] the McCain/Palin campaign for its use of divisive rhetoric and said the negative tone of the Republican presidential campaign reminded him of the hateful atmosphere that segregationist Governor George Wallace fostered in Alabama in the 1960s, he was calling it like it is.
I have been writing, speaking and blogging extensively of late about the hate speech epidemic in America, which has been mostly playing out on the airwaves of shock jock talk radio [3]. Knowing the tenor of the times, I was unsurprised when the tone of the presidential campaign veered into similar territory. The truth is that Lewis simply called it like it is when he said McCain and running mate Sarah Palin were ‘'sowing the seeds of hatred and division, and there is no need for this hostility in our political discourse.'' Rather than rejecting his remarks as ‘'shocking and beyond the pale,'' McCain should have listened to Lewis, who is one of three people the Arizona Senator said he would "rely heavily on" if elected president.
Lewis was also right that the fear and loathing being expressed on the campaign trail in 2008 is frighteningly similar to that of the dark days of 1968. Those of us who were around at the time remember well what happened then, shortly after the hate speaking began. As Lewis noted, ‘'George Wallace never threw a bomb. He never fired a gun, but he created the climate and the conditions that encouraged vicious attacks against innocent Americans who were simply trying to exercise their constitutional rights.... Because of this atmosphere of hate, four little girls were killed on Sunday morning when a church was bombed in Birmingham, Alabama.''
Published Tuesday, October 14 www,CommonDreams.org
Tim Casey October 14, 2008 2:14 pm (Pacific time)
Obama does not have the slightest grasp on race problems and the incredible black on white crime rate. His so-called Philadelphia speech on race was written by Axlerod, a 54 year old jew who has dual citizenship with Israel. Wonder what his position is on Iran and the murderous attack on the U.S.S. Liberty? From my research I have seen nothing about Obama addressing black on white crime, but his pastor sure seems to call for it.
Henry Ruark October 14, 2008 10:58 am (Pacific time)
Marty et al: Statistics may be right on the persons involved, albeit govt. now lying so widely nobody can really know. BUT even if so, incomplete without "reasons why" this is the status. Major historical research will show many solid causes,with close connection to what we have allowed to happen. Obama not only one needing not only plan, but strong will to act, blazing courage to confront politics involved ever since Civil War, and thus remedy one of the major very large weak-and-now deadly-sore vulnerabilities of what remnants we have left us from '76 beautiful start. moresoon on this but first use your vote to take first steps, since your interest here shows great shift in attention to essentials now taking place nationally.
Marty Knepper October 14, 2008 9:11 am (Pacific time)
Does Obama have a plan to deal with black on white crime? Blacks at 13% of the population commit over 65% of all murders as per government sources. That is an outrageous statistic that acknowledges who the real racist haters are and how they act out. Once your dead, words like honkie and cracker mean nothing. Heck look at any violent crime data and black on white crime is something that needs prompt attention.
Henry Ruark October 14, 2008 8:42 am (Pacific time)
To all: Here's "see with own eyes" link to background why McCain group is becoming so desperate, and thus seeking any possible way to avoid landslide defeat now coming: Obama Widens Lead in Four Key States Economy Remains Top Voter Concern By Chris Cillizza washingtonpost.com Tuesday, Oct. 14, 2008 Barack Obama widened his lead considerably over John McCain in four key battleground states during the past three weeks, providing further evidence that the economic crisis has greatly enhanced the Democrat's advantage with just 21 days left before Election Day. Obama holds double-digit margins over McCain in Minnesota, Michigan and Wisconsin and carries a nine-point advantage over his Republican rival in Colorado, according to polling conducted by Quinnipiac University for washingtonpost.com and the Wall Street Journal. Obama's ascendancy in these key states mirrors his growing lead in national polling. The latest Washington Post/ABC News survey put Obama at 53 percent to McCain's 43 percent, while the daily Gallup tracking poll showed Obama holding a similar lead of 51 percent to 41 percent on Monday. ---------------- Ongoing economic crisis across the world is forcing voters to look very hard at absolute necessity for change and new leadership. Partial rebound in Wall St. is emphasizing the necessity for more and wiser policy and return to tactics recalling FDR and New Deal. Visit this one and evaluate with own mind !
Jenna October 14, 2008 8:05 am (Pacific time)
"He who sows dragon's teeth must stand responsible for what then grows across the land."
For our evaluation: "Unleashing the Monster of American Prejudice" By Amy Goodman, Democracy Now! (http://www.alternet.org/story/102837/)
"We turn now to the McCain campaign's strategy of repeatedly invoking Senator Obama's connection to former Weather Underground member Bill Ayers, now a professor at the University of Illinois, Chicago. It seems to very clearly have a serious effect of riling up crowds of McCain and Palin supporters, to a point that Senator McCain was booed at his own rally Friday when he attempted to defend his rival against character attacks."
Henry Ruark October 13, 2008 12:07 pm (Pacific time)
To all: For the attention of some casting aspersions on my Op Eds and charging us with "assumptions" vs their personal statements, here's NYT alert re one of our main sources, cited in re many economic matters: Breaking News Alert The New York Times Monday, October 13, 2008 -- 7:10 AM ET ----- Paul Krugman Wins the Nobel Prize in Economics The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences cited Mr. Krugman "for his analysis of trade patterns and location of economic activity." Read More: http://www.nytimes.com/?emc=na ============= Please note that Krugman has far more believability than anyone falsely claiming MBA. (Easy to proveup by naming school, year awarded, and dates.) Krugman background, experience and analyses,cited here often, worldwide appreciated, as this award surely doth prove. We report ONLY from proven sources we know as reliable.
Henry Ruark October 13, 2008 9:39 am (Pacific time)
As exceptionally essential "see with own eyes" references for this Op Ed, please check out current issues of TIME (10/20), with 30pp. "Campaign 08)report; and NEW YORKER (10/13). THEN "evaluate with own mind", just prior to taking that "mirror test" suggested in this Op Ed. That test is adapted from some used by cognitive scientists in their very revealing probes of WHY people fall for the proven myth of racist prejudice. SO easy-test yourselves if any doubt still remains on vote. YOU owe it to YOU --as well as to our nation-now.
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