PBS’s Smiley Sees ‘Tolerance Decreasing’ in America, U.S. Seen as ‘Arrogant, Elitist, Pompous’
On Monday’s Tavis Smiley show on PBS, during a discussion with author Robert Putnam to discuss his book American Grace, after Putnam recounted the central thesis that various religions in America - and even non-religious people - tend to tolerate each other well compared to other countries, host Smiley made known his view that tolerance is "decreasing" in America and cited attitudes toward Muslims as a recent example. Smiley:
I'm not so sure that our religiosity these days makes us as tolerant as we think we are. Witness, you know, any number of examples of late - namely, Muslims come to mind - about how our tolerance is, it seems to me, decreasing, not increasing.
Moments later, the PBS host brought up the negative views of America held by some as being a nation that is "arrogant," "elitist," "pompous," and "nationalistic." As he analyzed the book’s title by defining the word "grace" as being "unmerited favor," Smiley continued:
And if American grace is then an unmerited favor, I’m trying to juxtapose that grace with what some see as our increasing arrogance, our increasing elitism, how it is that we could be the beneficiaries of this unmerited favor, this grace, and yet, around the world, we don’t appear to be graceful to so many other people. They see us as arrogant, elitist pompous, and not even just patriotic, but increasingly nationalistic.
Below is a transcript of the relevant portion of the Monday, December 20, Tavis Smiley Show on PBS:
TAVIS SMILEY: You didn’t say this, but you intimated this, I think, so this is my term, not yours, but I’m not so sure that our religiosity these days makes us as tolerant as we think we are. Witness, you know, any number of examples of late - namely, Muslims come to mind-
ROBERT PUTNAM: Sure.
SMILEY: -about how our tolerance is, it seems to me, decreasing, not increasing.
PUTNAM: Well, you know, that’s, you have to have the right historical perspective here. A hundred years ago, there were anti-Catholic riots in America. People were killed in the conflict between Catholics and Protestants, and, by now, our book shows Catholics are - along with Jews - probably the most popular religious group - outside their own circle, I mean - in America. Muslims are a special case. They’re new to America largely, and, of course, it seems to be tied up with the whole war on terror and all that.
But we found that there were three groups actually - not just one - that was kind of a little less among Americans. One is Mormons, one is Muslims, and one is Buddhists. Now, last I heard, there weren’t any Buddhist terrorists who were out wandering around. It’s, I think the reason that Muslims and Buddhists and Mormons are held in less high esteem is because they’re, we don’t know them. Most Americans really don’t know a Muslim or a Mormon or a Buddhist.
The proof of the pudding is that in the African-American community - which looks like a lot of the rest of America in most of its religious views, in fact, is even more religious than most Americans - African-American attitudes toward Muslims are substantially more favorable. Why is that? Because, in the African-American community, there are more Muslims, and therefore more folks in the African-American community, when they’re asked that question, are responding about real people that they really know and have respect for.
SMILEY: I don’t have data on this, but I think it’s also because black people know what it means to be disavowed, to be disenfranchised, to be the other-
PUTNAM: Yup, that’s right.
SMILEY: -in America and they resonate with what Muslims may be going through at this moment in American history, but I digress on that point. I’m still, I want to stay with this title before I go inside, and it’s a dense text, so before I go a little deeper inside, I’m still so fascinated by this title, American Grace. As you were talking just now, I’m thinking that, to my mind at least, grace is - how would I define this? - an unmerited favor, grace is an unmerited favor. And if American grace is then an unmerited favor, I’m trying to juxtapose that grace with what some see as our increasing arrogance, our increasing elitism, how it is that we could be the beneficiaries of this unmerited favor, this grace, and yet, around the world, we don’t appear to be graceful to so many other people. They see us as arrogant, elitist-
PUTNAM: Sure.
SMILEY: -pompous, and not even just patriotic, but increasingly nationalistic.
PUTNAM: Yeah, well, if I were writing a book about international affairs, I would completely agree with you. That’s exactly the stance that we seem to be taking in the world. And, although the advent of Barack Obama as the leader of the country has had some effect on that because he doesn’t seem like such an arrogant guy, I agree that in terms of foreign policy we seem like a pretty strong, powerful, sometimes even to people we seem like a bully. But we were looking at a different aspect of American society here in this book. We’re looking at the degree to which Americans are able to manage strong, divergent faiths. ..
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Comments
Projection, thy name is Smiley.
Submitted by motherbelt on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 3:49pm.
Funny how those liberal elites always seem to know what "others" think of us, isn't it?
And having Tavis Smiley talking about people being elitist and pompous is just too rich.
He serves a purpose...
Submitted by Army Brat on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:37am.
or he wouldn't be where he is. I see no good coming from this man. His message is one of division and discord. He legitimizes the garbage coming from the parasites that feed on the carcass of racism and those that fan the flames of Christian intolerance.
I'm sorry...
Submitted by bkeyser on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:05pm.
someone said Barack Obama doesn't seem arogant?
I agree, the left in general
Submitted by BD on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 6:34pm.
I agree, the left in general and Obama in specific are very elitist, pompous, and arrogant.
Just watch him fly the wife to NYC for a concert on AF1..... Or having his wife fly her extensive cadre of hanger-ons to Italy so her daughter can enjoy europe....
Yes because we are becoming more liberal politically
Submitted by octavioj on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:06pm.
The more liberal politically we become the less tolerant we are. Simple is it not?Wo wo wo..............let me
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:14pm.
Wo wo wo..............let me get this straight: This clown is using our supposed 'decreasing tolerance' in the same sentance as Moooooooooooooooslems??? Yeah, they're a real tolerant bunch, aren't they???
And we're BECOMING more and more 'arrogant, elitist, and pompous'???? I thought we allready WERE!!!! How can this be?????
I mentioned this attitude
Submitted by MidAmerica on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:45pm.
I mentioned this attitude by Liberals who hate a strong America in another thread but Smiley Face displays this attitude in large letters. Because we make choices based on our own best interests and not the 'best interest' that the rest of the world wants us to have we are arrogant, elitist, and nationalistic. If you look at Smiley Face's remarks and then consider obama's bowing, scraping and appologizing to the world you can see where they think we should be as a nation.
I'm Confused
Submitted by Tom Paine on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:45pm.
Now I'm really confused. I thought that electing Barry was supposed to make the world instantly love us after 8 years of that nasty old George Bush. I've reached the point where I rather we were respected than liked.
Your memory does not fail, we
Submitted by Republic1 on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 6:12pm.
Your memory does not fail, we were indeed promised by BHO and his army of sycophants that once the evil Cowboy George Bush was gone, Obama would charm the world into loving America again. Of course anyone with an elementary understanding of human psychology knew this promise was as false as they come.
Another interesting point, does anyone think that Tavis Smiley even knows that in Islamic countries, non-believers are officially, legally, considered 2nd class citizens, without the same legal protection as Muslims? We all know BHO's stand on this issue, since he told Republicans they would have to sit in the "back of the bus".
"I will expel the Jews and Christians from the Arabian Peninsula." -Muhammad
Respected is fine...
Submitted by ProudAmerican58 on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 11:28am.
but I'll settle for FEARED.
I have a few choice words for Mr. Smiley
Submitted by ProudAmerican58 on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 4:48pm.
However, being that it's Christmas, I won't use any of them...but he's an idiot.
Tolerance Decreasing’ in America, U.S. Seen as ‘Arrogant, Elitis
Submitted by donsaliman on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:13pm.
He is right in someway, this sounds just like the Liberals
"Arrogant, elitist,
Submitted by robert108 on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:13pm.
"Arrogant, elitist, pompous?"
Sounds like an accurate description of Obama.
Smiley is "arrogant, elitist,
Submitted by liberalsarefunny on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:18pm.
Smiley is "arrogant, elitist, pompous"
Also ignored...
You got me
Submitted by the struggler on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:25pm.
I admit it.My tolerance for these jack-asses IS decreasing.
You're right
Submitted by ThisnThat on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 10:51am.
Every time one of these religion-of-peace jackasses murders someone; and every time CAIR comes out with an apology for their actions; and each time they complain they are "offended" by our flag, our society, or the 3-little pigs story -- each time, I lose another chunk of my tolerance.
So yes -- I also plead guilty of becoming a lot less tolerant of mass murder and society take-over by muslim barbarians. So sue me!
__________
“Didn't win the Medal of Honor? Didn't even serve? Then lie about it. We'll support you." — 9th Circuit Court
USA!! USA!! USA!!
Submitted by MidAmerica on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:39pm.
USA! USA!! USA!!
You don't know how much the Liberals hate that chant.
USA!! USA!! USA!!
Ah yes, Tolerance; " the
Submitted by Rackie on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 5:41pm.
Ah yes, Tolerance; " the ability to endure." Well guess what. You elitists are on my last freaking nerve. I have no tolerance left for you or your goofy ideas. Best you step off! Now!
Now Tavis, slip this shoe on. Tell me how the Black Community feels about all the brothers on the "down low." You embrace them? You'd rather they be dead than having them "out and about" in the community. Screw you!.
"religiosity"? Is that even a
Submitted by johnsonl on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 6:09pm.
"religiosity"? Is that even a word? Or, is it like "edjamacation"?
We tolerate an intolerant fool at PBS
Submitted by Injest on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 7:02pm.
We tolerate a babbling, illiterate, intolerant, fool at PBS on the public dime.
A guy who repeats proven lies as facts.
Smiley: “Yes. Oh, Christians, every day, people walk into post offices, they walk into schools, that’s what Columbine is — I could do this all day long....There are folk in the Tea Party, for example, every day who are being recently arrested for making threats against elected officials, for calling people ‘nigger’ as they walk into Capitol Hill, for spitting on people. That’s within the political — that’s within the body politic of this country.” — PBS’s Tavis Smiley, May 25.
Smiley: “Yes. Oh, Christians, every day, people walk into post offices,
Yep! Until the post offices close at the end of the day people walk into them, that's kinda sorta why we have post offices, so people can walk into them.
they walk into schools,
Yep! Same as above just substitute “post offices” with “schools”.
that’s what Columbine is —
Columbine is? Just like you, I have no idea what your talking about.
I could do this all day long....
True! People walk on streets, side walks, dirt, concrete, asphalt.... They walk through parks, fields, meadows, hallways..... they walk into........... get the picture.
There are folk in the Tea Party, for example, every day who are being recently arrested
Everyday being recently arrested? Everyday/Recently?
There's got to be a rule about this, it's not a double negative, but it's not coherent either, it reads like babble.
for making threats against elected officials,
Names please.
for calling people ‘nigger’ as they walk into Capitol Hill,
Names please.
for spitting on people.
Names please.
That’s within the political — that’s within the body politic of this country.”
Errrrrrrrr got it, people walk, got it!
PBS’s Tavis Smiley, May 25.
Is Tolerance Sane In The Face Of The Imminent Threat Of Islam?
Submitted by Lentenlands on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 7:13pm.
The free world said "never again” after the dismal failure of a stance of tolerance and appeasement toward a violent people with an ideology of world domination. Tolerance and appeasement toward such a foe failed miserably and cost many, many lives.
Islam is obsessed with hatred, violence and world domination. Let’s just call it like it really is:
One: muslims worship the demonic moon god of the canaanites, he is not nothing, he is a demon.
Two: That demon is obsessed with death and killing - hence the hatred and vile acts and atrocities committed even against one’s closest family members. Islam is a cult fixated upon murder, torture and death.
Three: Duplicity is permitted, treachery is encouraged and evil rewarded in the name of the demon. The main thrust is to constantly contend with all other ideologies and ultimately eliminate them by taking over the world.
Four: Lastly, and probably worst, islam is not really even a religion as much as it presents clinically as a psychosis. It is more like a mental illness that indulges a fantastic hatred of all things not islam. And historically, when non-muslims have not been available to kill and war against, islam turns upon itself preying faction upon faction, individual upon individual. Murder, hatred and death are found wherever it is.
Now just for a second, is it possible that such an insatiable and voracious ideology could be appeased with tolerance?
Answering “yes” to this question should get you a one way ticket to northern Pakistan to see how tolerance works out in REALITY against such a resolute enemy.
http://smashabanana.blogspot.com/
Smiley keeps pushing the lie
Submitted by celator on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 8:16pm.
Smiley keeps pushing the lie that the US is filled to the brim with racist, intolerant whites who are ready to lynch or torture every black in sight right here and now. Why do he and the other lefty media racketeers keep selling this snake oil? Because there's money in it--foundations and politicians have given million of $ to "correct" this lynching problem, you see.
Tax cheats Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton (and Obama's spiritual guru Jerry Wright) have made fortunes pushing this crap. Smiley and his fellow race baiters have learned the lessons these liars teach very well.
Am I intolerant?
Submitted by Rhymes With Right on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 8:25pm.
You bet I'm intolerant.
intolerant of those who want to kill me because I am a Christian.
Intolerant of those who want to impose sharia law on me.
Intolerant of those who want my religious celebrations banned because they are offended by them.
Intolerant of those who demand that I respect their religion and sensitivities while not respecting mine.
Well then, you fit the
Submitted by killa37 on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 11:59pm.
Well then, you fit the mold!!! And so do I!!! And so do a hell of a lot of other people who have more sense than this clown.................and if you're anything like I am, you're probably pretty proud about being that way!!!!
I love mocking libs..........I had fun today with a guy who HATES 'Merry Christmas'.......so I just torqued him out of shape for a while - good naturedly, of course..........I always let the libs be the ones who get all bent out of shape!!!
Right on Rhymes!!
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:03am.
May not be very Christian of me, but I'm ready to tell all of these POS haters to "Kiss My ASS!!!"
I'll respect their beliefs when they respect mine, not a second before.
Indeed...
Submitted by Army Brat on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:50am.
A line must be drawn somewhere on what we tolerate. Look to Pelosiville and see sex acts as part of a parade. Tolerance of all things is not a good thing IMHO.
A movie was shown at the Sundance Film Festival last year?..ZOO. Mainstreaming bestiality.
Do we tolerate all things? Can we and remain a nation worthy of existence? I say no.
I'm not suggesting returning to the past. I'm asking where do we draw the line for the future?
Am I to tolerate the spread of a religion whose founder and holy writings call for my death?
Should I avoid making reference to Christmas when Christmas comes in a country where 80 percent of the residents thereof celebrate Christmas? No. You get Merry Christmas from me cause that's the American way. We tolerate. And if you can't tolerate me saying Merry Christmas then I think you missed something growing up here.
I am also intolerant of ignorance particularly when it's willful.
With these expressions of
Submitted by Chris Norman on Sat, 12/25/2010 - 10:43pm.
Given his negative attitude towards his own country, I think Tavis Smiley should officially change his name to Tavis Frowny.
It seems
Submitted by RESTLESS 1 on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:15am.
That as the liberal positions overtake our culture, despite being the vast minority, that our esteem in world decreases.
Yes we seem more intolerant. Because the MSM, Hollywood, our press and talking heads are more intolerant. Hardly the fault of the Church or the right.
Just another freeloader
Submitted by hbnolikeee on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:43am.
Someone that wants you to give more than he cause of a useful perception of racism having kept him and his people back.
How many people expected this kind of crap to continue after BO got elected?
You're right, Tavis. The
Submitted by ant on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 9:25am.
You're right, Tavis. The American people are hateful. Remember after 9/11, all those muslims dragged through the streets and set on fire? No? Me neither. If the US ever ceases to be or at least becomes staunchly separatist, I would like to see how much aid a place like Haiti or some other country suffering from a natural disaster receives from lovable Iran or Kenya. You want to preach tolerance, you moron, go to Somalia and proclaim you are a Gay, American member of Buddhists for Jesus. Let us know how that goes.
Tolerance is.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 11:32am.
"Tolerance is the virtue of the man without convictions."
G.K. Chesterton
It seems.....
Submitted by almostacowboy on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 11:37am.
...the Left is tolerant of anything...... as long as it's lacking taste, morality, restraint, common sense, or responsibilty. Oh, yes, and as long as it agrees with their world view. If not, then it must be restricted, taxed, and/or made illegal.
Hey...get it straight!!
Submitted by Patriot II on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 11:41am.
It isn't America that is elitist, arrogant and pompous.....its the moron in the white house and his covey of dirtbag communist dumocrats........figure it out dilbert!!!
Smiley actually deserves some
Submitted by Barack_must_go..... on Sun, 12/26/2010 - 12:24pm.
Smiley actually deserves some credit for continuing to work at his misguided, racist, America hating, radical televangelist wannabe schtick when clearly he qualifies for permenant disability including free ObamaCare due to a severe mental defect.
He must be a true inspiration to his rabid faithful considering he's both black and a radical left wing bomb thrower, yet resisting the temptation to follow this crowds favored path of least resistence, leeching off the real Americans they despies for being well off enough to support you.
I only wish someone in his organization would help him remember to take his meds more often.
Barack_Must_Go.....