Musgrave is poster child of "bigotry" in Rolling Stone article
By Jeremy Pelzer, PolitickerCO.com Reporter
U.S. Rep. Marilyn Musgrave (R-Fort Morgan) is the subject -- and the target -- of an article in this week's Rolling Stone about how Musgrave's electoral troubles are a sign that "the politics of bigotry" are withering away.
"If Musgrave is ousted in November, as polls suggest she'll be, it's worth asking just what exactly is going on," correspondent Matt Tabbi writes. "Has there been a sea change in the electorate? Is there a place on the American map where you can actually see the country outgrowing the politics of bigotry?"
…That strategy has worked for a long time — but now, suddenly, things are different in places like the 4th District. Not only does the torch-bearing evangelical Colorado of Ted Haggard and James Dobson appear poised to turn its nine electoral votes blue for a nonwhite presidential candidate, but the congressional seat belonging to one of America's most celebrated gay-bashers in this once-impregnable Republican stronghold is also up for grabs. If Musgrave is ousted in November, as polls suggest she'll be, it's worth asking just what exactly is going on. Has there been a sea change in the electorate? Is there a place on the American map where you can actually see the country outgrowing the politics of bigotry?...
Prop 8: California gay marriage fight divides LDS faithful
The church's effort against gay marriage is its most vigorous since 1970s
The Salt Lake Tribune
Article Last Updated: 10/26/2008 10:25:04 AM MDT
The thought of going to church in her southern California LDS ward makes Carol Oldham cry. She can't face one more sermon against same-sex marriage. She can't tolerate the glares at the rainbow pin on her lapel. Oldham, a lifelong Mormon, is troubled by her church's zeal in supporting a California ballot initiative that would define marriage as between one man and one woman. She feels the church is bringing politics into her sanctuary. "It has tainted everything for me," Oldham said, choking up during a telephone interview. "I am afraid to go there and hear people say mean things about gay people. I am in mourning. I don't...
http://www.sltrib.com/utah/ci_10797630
…I told her it's a lie that Obama does not say the Pledge of Allegiance and it's a lie that he refuses because of his religion.
And then I had to explain why a simple statement like ''Obama won't say the Pledge of Allegiance because of his religion'' is steeped in bigotry and narrow-mindedness.
The same small-minded people who are spreading this lie are trying to convince voters in this country that Obama, an African-American, is a Muslim and friends with terrorists.
My daughter and I watched Colin Powell appear on Meet the Press with Tom Brokaw on YouTube.
I wanted her to hear the retired U.S. Army general and former U.S. secretary of state explain why he was disappointed in the approach taken by Republican presidential candidate John McCain and his campaign in recent weeks….
The truly incredible aspect to all this is that anyone running for public office should not have to defend their faith in order to participate. What difference does it make if Barak is a Christian or not? Come people. This is not US.
Obama's faith is widely mistaken in Kentucky
By Jack Brammer
jbrammer@herald-leader.com
FRANKFORT — Public misconception is widespread in Kentucky about Barack Obama's faith, a Herald-Leader/WKYT Kentucky Poll shows.
Despite heavy national media attention about Obama's faith, more than half of likely Republican voters — 54 percent — and one of every four Democrats in the state do not know that the Democratic presidential nominee is a Christian, the poll found.
The poll showed that 14 percent of likely Kentucky voters — 28 percent of Republicans, 4 percent of Democrats and 11 percent of independents — think Obama adheres to the Muslim faith.
St Johnstone’s big plan to show racism the red card
by Gordon Bannerman, Perthshire
Advertiser Friday
ST Johnstone and Show Racism the Red Card are joining forces for the Annual Day of Action today.
Saints supporters attending the home match against Partick Thistle will be given a Saints squad poster.
The Show Racism the Red Card posters have been jointly sponsored by the local branch of UNISON and the Community Safety Partnership.
They will also be made available to young participants at the coaching school in the morning and to young Super J fans at their pre-match club.
The Day of Action is part of Show Racism the Red Card’s Annual Fortnight of Action, which involves all professional clubs and aims to tackle anti-racism through football.
Councillor Willie Robertson, chairman of Perth and Kinross Community Safety Partnership, said: “We are delighted to be able to join with UNISON to sponsor the St Johnstone ‘Show Racism the Red Card’ squad posters. It is important to deliver the message that any form of racism or discrimination is unacceptable.”
Racism and prejudice linger in Hawaii, says chief justice
Justice Moon reminds lawyers of racism's shadow in state
Hawaii still faces issues of bigotry and racism, says state Chief Justice Ronald Moon, who urged lawyers to help eliminate negative stereotypes of minorities. In a speech yesterday to the Young Lawyers Division of the Hawaii State Bar Association, Moon urged attorneys to review the racial, ethnic and gender makeup of their firms and establish higher recruitment standards which embrace diversity. Moon cited several recent incidents of bigotry, including: » A teenager who yelled "f haole" during the beating of a Caucasian couple in Waikele. » The Hawaii Tourism Authority chief executive who e-mailed racist jokes.
http://www.starbulletin.com/news/hawaiinews/20081025_Racism_and_prejudice_linger_in_Hawaii_says_chief_justice.html
The GOP's racism problem
The president of a Republican club in San Bernadino County, Calif., resigned yesterday after insulting members of her own party with an anti-Obama newsletter.
The mailing contained a cartoonish picture of presidential candidate Barack Obama's head on a donkey on a $10 food stamp called "Obama bucks," surrounded by pictures of Kentucky Fried Chicken, ribs, watermelon and Kool-Aid.The hapa Obama and his hapa sister, Maya. (Democratic Party of Hawaii photo)
Petty insults with racist and classist undertones have run rampant in this campaign, as many predicted. But as the name-calling and threats become more pervasive, particularly in local jurisdictions, it's the Republicans themselves who are beginning to cry.
"This is what keeps African-Americans from joining the Republican Party," Sheila Raines, one of the black members of the San Bernadino club, told The Press-Enterprise in inland Southern California. "I'm really hurt. I cried for 45 minutes."
Forum on racism is Saturday
By Jennifer CalhounStaff writer
When rasicms exists, everyone suffers. No one is excluded.
That’s the message Nancy Shakir wants people to take home from the Anti-racism and Economics Forum on Saturday at Fayetteville State University.
The forum, co-sponsored by Fayetteville State University and Cumberland County Progressives, will feature panel discussions on institutional racism, privilege, the economics of racism and how oppression affects all people.
Shakir, a member of Cumberland County Progressives, defines racism as “prejudice plus power.”
“It’s not just prejudice,” she said. “It’s not just bias.”
Shakir and other forum leaders hope through understanding, social systems like the justice system can be improved, she said.
“We’re reaching out to people who may not understand or see the institutional racism in the system,” she said. “It doesn’t only deal with issues of race for people of color, but what (racism) does to white people, as well. Both sides are losers.”
Police tackle city centre racism
Tackling racial hate crimes is the focus of a police operation in Aberdeen this weekend.
Grampian Police said more than half of all recorded racist offences in the force area happen in the city centre.
Officers will be working with door staff at pubs and clubs, as well as fast food outlets.
A spokesman said: "This type of conduct is extremely upsetting and insulting for victims and will not to be tolerated."
Possible offenders have been warned they face being held in custody and appearing in court.
The spokesman said: "The effect on a victim can be devastating.
"Ultimately, a conviction for a racist offence could seriously affect you, your friends, family and employment and leave you with a life-long racist conviction.
"Such behaviour in this day and age is unacceptable."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/scotland/north_east/7689247.stm
