New York Times columnist Paul Krugman is not pleased with some of his fellow racist mobs -- er, U.S. citizens -- as he demonstrated in his column on Friday, "The Town Hall Mob," on loud protests that have met some Democratic congressmen who support Obama's costly health care ideas.
There's a famous Norman Rockwell painting titled "Freedom of Speech," depicting an idealized American town meeting. The painting, part of a series illustrating F.D.R.'s "Four Freedoms," shows an ordinary citizen expressing an unpopular opinion. His neighbors obviously don't like what he's saying, but they're letting him speak his mind.
That's a far cry from what has been happening at recent town halls, where angry protesters -- some of them, with no apparent sense of irony, shouting "This is America!" -- have been drowning out, and in some cases threatening, members of Congress trying to talk about health reform.
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Some commentators have tried to play down the mob aspect of these scenes, likening the campaign against health reform to the campaign against Social Security privatization back in 2005. But there's no comparison. I've gone through many news reports from 2005, and while anti-privatization activists were sometimes raucous and rude, I can't find any examples of congressmen shouted down, congressmen hanged in effigy, congressmen surrounded and followed by taunting crowds.
Jon Henke did Krugman's research for him and uncovered at least three examples of disruption of Bush supporters of Social Security reform.
In Krugman's self-satisfied world view, opposing Obama's health-care plan is not only misguided, it's (of course) racist:
But they're probably reacting less to what Mr. Obama is doing, or even to what they've heard about what he's doing, than to who he is.
That is, the driving force behind the town hall mobs is probably the same cultural and racial anxiety that's behind the "birther" movement, which denies Mr. Obama's citizenship. Senator Dick Durbin has suggested that the birthers and the health care protesters are one and the same; we don't know how many of the protesters are birthers, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's a substantial fraction.
And cynical political operators are exploiting that anxiety to further the economic interests of their backers.
Does this sound familiar? It should: it's a strategy that has played a central role in American politics ever since Richard Nixon realized that he could advance Republican fortunes by appealing to the racial fears of working-class whites.
Many people hoped that last year's election would mark the end of the "angry white voter" era in America. Indeed, voters who can be swayed by appeals to cultural and racial fear are a declining share of the electorate.
—Clay Waters is the director of Times Watch, an MRC project tracking the New York Times.



















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Here's a clue
August 7, 2009 - 16:32 ET by bigtimerKrug: Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Proof please..For the millionth time.
August 7, 2009 - 16:35 ET by JTPIf hating policies is racist then I accept that I am one. I guess I am also racist against white Texans who become President and want to give amnesty to Mexican "visitors".
"Live for yourself...there's no one else more worth living for.
Begging hands and bleeding hearts will only cry out for more"- Rush--Anthem
No More Arrows
August 7, 2009 - 16:36 ET by JustAlWith his quiver now empty he can only, "quiver." Another big positive from the communist over reach is that now the "race card" is about as credible as "no bias, no bull." The term "racist" has devolved from a rightfully insulting epithet to a joke of political expedience.
This arrogant clown has
August 7, 2009 - 16:42 ET by fitzfongThis arrogant clown has been marinating in the self-important, Ivory Tower ignorance of academia, without the least bit of practical experience for a long time now. He so clearly lacks the intelligence to argue on an intellectual level, so he must resort the the lame and desperate tactic of accusing racism. The fact that he draws a paycheck from Princeton and that he won a Nobel Prize says less about his relative competence and more about the jokes these once respected institutions have become.
"I spent a lot of money on booze, birds and fast cars. The rest I just squandered." -George Best
Krugman uses another famous
August 7, 2009 - 18:19 ET by motherbeltKrugman uses another famous liberal tactic: make an accusation by saying you don't know about it....
we don't know how many of the protesters are birthers, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's a substantial fraction.
Therefore, by admitting that he has no idea if there is a connection, he makes one.
Nice.
On that note:
August 8, 2009 - 02:58 ET by Scout FinchHey Krugman...
We don't know how many of Paul Krugman's ideas are fomented under the influence of alcohol and prescription medicines, but it wouldn't be surprising if it's a substantial fraction.
See Paul? Two can play at the old "straw-man" game. Shmuck.
Simple
August 7, 2009 - 16:46 ET by okiehawk44Like many others Krugman I am tired of you. I am tired of the NYT and its inability to tell the truth. I am tired of working hard to give my earnings to others. I am tired of all the "victims" of me and my ancestors. I am tired of apologizing for things I never did and never thought. I am tired of having everyone in every other country just assume they are welcome here because they "want" to be here. I am tired Krugman and that's a really bad thing for you and all those mentioned above. I am tired and I might just bust loose on you Paul.
Patting myself on the back
August 7, 2009 - 16:47 ET by TexndocI knew by this past Wednesday that by the weekend news cycle the race card was going to be played. Balloons were floated with Huffington Post and Kathleen Parker and Maureen Dowd columns about stupid whites in the South. As I recall just EVERYONE was quoting a "kos Poll" that painted Southern whites as your typical loons, the usual suspects in the media just salivated over it. Even on Michelle Malkin's HotAir site, "AllahPundit" just ate it up!
Re Allahpundit
August 7, 2009 - 17:32 ET by slickwillie2001I sometimes wonder if Allahpundit is going to go full 'David Brooks' on us.
Yeah slick
August 7, 2009 - 17:36 ET by BKeyserAP vacilates back and forth too much for me. Sometimes he seems really on point, and other times his judgement just goes off a cliff. Mention atheism or Sarah Palin and he goes full-bore looney...
Krugman sees a racial issue
August 7, 2009 - 16:56 ET by R D HelmKrugman sees a racial issue forming in his coffee mug every morning.
-Dave
If it's CommieCare you want, then move to Cuba.
Krugman
August 7, 2009 - 16:59 ET by well99Didnt he escape from lollipop land.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_CAs3q7G48
I wonder if Pauly cried when Pol Pot died.
w99... You've got me
August 7, 2009 - 17:12 ET by bigtimerw99...
You've got me laughing here...that fits Krug so perfectly.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Well
August 7, 2009 - 17:05 ET by acumenPaul Krugman isn't the best judge of people as this short video hilariously demonstrates.
acu... I forgot all about
August 7, 2009 - 17:16 ET by bigtimeracu...
I forgot all about that...wasn't that long ago either...it tickled my funny bone then, it especially does now.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
LMAO!! Never ask a
August 7, 2009 - 18:21 ET by motherbeltLMAO!!
Never ask a question you don't know the answer to!! LOL
I think we know who the
August 7, 2009 - 17:09 ET by nolotrippenI think we know who the racist is. The man drinking out of the dark-toned cup. Keeping the black mugs down Mr Krugman? White porcelain too good for your beverages? I see racisim in that cup of herbal tea!
"RACISM!" has been the "go to" reaction for Obama and the media
August 7, 2009 - 17:12 ET by krendlerin defending the Chosen One ever since Bill Clinton called Obama a "kid" at the start of the Dem primaries. They threw it at Hillary as well.
So the tea party participants, "birthers" and now the ObamaCare protesters are in good company. Yes, they're "racists", just like Bill and Hillary.
Every rational person in the country saw this coming way back in January of 08. Criticize Obama? You're automatically a racist.
More Obama as the Joker posters, please. I need one for my front lawn and the bumper of my car.
Hey why don't they
August 7, 2009 - 17:29 ET by MidAmericaHey why don't they trot out the old accusation that we are religious bigots and that we malisciously say obama is a secret Muslim? Just because his healthcare plan supports as many dead fetuses as possible and as many elderly euthanized as possible and that fits into the radical Islamists most frequent chant: Death to America!!
(uh-oh I've a feeling somebody will be sending this to obama's flag@whitehouse.gov)
August 7, 2009 - 17:29 ET by jessieHAnd yet, he says nothing about the Black Panthers, who tried to intimidate voters, or Acorn, who commited fraud on this country. If these pinheads want an angry mob, they are headed in the right direction! I dare Acorn, or any union , to get in my face when I am participating in one of my rights as a citizen! Hell, I dare the govt.!!!!! Angry Mobster
Yes, and Louis XVI thought
August 7, 2009 - 17:55 ET by mister josephYes, and Louis XVI thought the peasants were nothing to worry about, either!
It's a kneejerk reaction to
August 7, 2009 - 17:55 ET by GrannyGrump42It's a kneejerk reaction to call anybody who disagrees with them either "racist" or "homophobic". It's a way of shutting down dissent.
Question -- will Obama's media syncophants be stuck with this Obamacare? It would be poetic justice to see them hoisted by their own petard.
GG42... It's getting
August 7, 2009 - 18:05 ET by bigtimerGG42...
It's getting tiring...this tactic is not going to work anymore.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh
Sad state..
August 7, 2009 - 17:59 ET by Robert17That Paul Krugman is someone who supposedly smart people read and listen to, is a sad reflection on the state of education in this country. This clown is just another utopian who smears people that know better.
Correction, as one who
August 7, 2009 - 18:30 ET by EdhenryCorrection, as one who spent too much time in school, these people are "educated" NOT "smart"
Two very different things. educated means nothing
Lefties are certainly obsessed with skin color...
August 7, 2009 - 18:07 ET by wnaegeleSigh!
Kim Jong Il Say:
August 7, 2009 - 18:09 ET by HockeyKid"Ah, Pau Krugman. I rike him in 'The Odd Coupoh'! He velly funny ferrow! Woneweeeeeee...I'm so woneweeeee..."
"Beauty is only skin deep, but liberal's to the bone." - me
Ahem...
August 7, 2009 - 18:15 ET by GhostbusterI'm sorry sir, we can no longer accept your Race Card. We apologize for any inconvenience this may cause you.
-Ghostbuster
He definitely said what he meant. Didn't he?
August 7, 2009 - 18:18 ET by wjneillokiehawk44 sez: "I am tired of working hard to give my earnings to others."
How much effort do you put into giving your earnings to others? Do you do so by standing in front of a Wal-Mart? How do you decide who you're going to give your earnings to?
Did Orly Taters help you write your comment? Another of her filings was thrown out of court today so she probably has lotsa time on her hands to help you and your friends write comments.
By the way, has Orly Taters ever proven that she is a citizen of the United States?
cant defend bill, haven't
August 7, 2009 - 18:26 ET by Edhenrycant defend bill, haven't read it, Lewin and CBO numbers run contrary to the bill's intent, seniors against it, farmers against it, ordinary people against it, drs against it, unborn totally against it.
What do we do? I know, oh oh oh i know! let's charge racism.
racism, PUUUULEEEZE! ....and yawn.
Wow
August 7, 2009 - 18:31 ET by general companyHows the weather there in fantasy land?
My Gov. thinks I am dangerous, so be careful
"Television is a freak show" Bernie Goldberg
I wrote a little OpEd for my local paper
August 7, 2009 - 18:20 ET by BKeyser(well, not really, but if was a lefty and did write a piece, I could imagine it something like this:)
Attending a Town Hall meeting last evening given by Roscoe Bartlett (R, MD-6th) proved enlightening. There were voices from both sides of the aisle; some for the Obama proposals on Health Care Reform, and others buying into the GOP lies. Almost all in attendance however, agreed that reform is necessary. For the most part the discussion was spirited, with a only few moments reaching what I would call 'boisterous'. Ultimately though, I think most in the crowd left the event no better informed but glad to be able to exercise their right to be heard. Mr. Bartlett was cordial, albeit stumbling and ill-informed, (he may have been drunk, though I can't prove it- more than likely he was drunk though) and answered most of the questioners both for- and against his position with the ridiculous GOP stance on the issue.
One fine gentleman, however, did not agree with the Republican's position and made it quite clear that he wanted his chance to speak out. His original question was rambling, unfocused and quite obviously meant to harass Mr. Bartlett, though I believe it was the right approach given Mr. Bartlett's lack of support for Mr. Obama's quest to improve health care for everyone. Others in the audience somehow picked up on the fairly obvious intent and began figuratively "booing" and "hissing" the man. Justifiably angered, the man raised his voice to a level insofar unheard in this gathering; disruptive enough to cause the security staff to take notice, and eventually and unfairly remove the man from the room. This was temporary, however, and once the man regained his composure sufficient to satisfy the stupid police, he was allowed back, and remained relatively silent and cordial for the duration of the Town Hall. My guess is he was quite concerned for his life given the number of angry (my word) women from the South Carroll Senior Center in attendance.
I didn't see any Middle Easterners in the crowd (there may have been some, I wasn't able to see the entirety of the group), which was bothersome. It is obvious to me that everyone supporting the Republican Congressman is a Muslim-hater, with dangerously bad intentions toward anyone Palestinian. These people are disgusting cretins and should be closely watched by DHS. I sent my camera-phone video to the White House to be analyzed. I think Paul Krugman said it best (and I'm paraphrasing), anyone that does not support this President is a racist. I have absolutely no evidence to back this up but I'm convinced its true. While I, myself, did not experience any threats against my person, I tread very carefully around some of those (health-care resource wasting) older women as I left the venue.
/sarc off
Chrissy Matthews was saying
August 7, 2009 - 18:39 ET by Radical1979Chrissy Matthews was saying the same thing on his show today. Somehow he involved/blamed Sarah Palin for all this too. These liberals are WAY more concerned about race than the rest of us. Maybe because we average people live in the real world where we live in the same neighborhoods, shop at the same stores, and are friends with people from different races. I wouldn't doubt Chrissy lives in an all white enclave from where he shouts his fears that the common man is racist.
Yes Krugman, the SEIU is
August 7, 2009 - 19:07 ET by dscottYes Krugman, the SEIU is racist just ask Kenneth Gladney about the N word used on him by liberal unionists engaging in mob tactics.
Nancy Pelosi and Harry Reid, starving the poor one gallon of ethanol at a time. Fill your tank with E85 and cull a village.
Racism
August 7, 2009 - 19:11 ET by slickwillie2001The liberals are so devaluing the charge of racism that soon it will become as meaningless as the charge of 'taking out of context'. That's a good thing.
wait -
August 7, 2009 - 20:14 ET by candanceSo black union thugs beat up a black protestor...and that means protestors are racist?
And you WONDER why the Nazi accusations keep flying???
The future looks grim.
August 7, 2009 - 21:58 ET by FlatlinerI don't know what I'll do once the NYTs goes down the tubes. What will I use to wrap my dead fish?
I'm a racist?
August 8, 2009 - 00:55 ET by Army BratWhen did that happen?
Sharpton has new competition.
islam is a lie and Truth is killing it.
Svae newsprint, Paulie...
August 8, 2009 - 03:56 ET by Andrew H.Save newsprint, Paulie... could be, just could be, that people who are showing up at town hall meetings don't like the health care bill--or obama's policies that would do the kind of things you have been prescribing...
of which,
all suck wrong.
Liberalism is a convenient lie.
Why is he an expert?
August 8, 2009 - 10:36 ET by slickwillie2001Why do black people put up with rich white Ivy-League liberals making national judgements on what is and what is not racism?
→ Slick
August 8, 2009 - 10:43 ET by Cool ArrowPlease commit the following definitions to memory:
Hence: Expert.
LYDSEXICS UNTIE!
Gee whiz, all everyone is saying is...
August 8, 2009 - 10:43 ET by StarAZWe are saying, hold up a hot second, let's get one bill, let's all read it, then you elected reps take out the horrible or stupid stuff. Maybe we could even concentrate on the uninsured instead of scrambling the whole "system," confusing though it is. Just because we don't want this, as it is being presented, does not mean some changes are not needed. Reforms, even. But slow up, think, discuss, and don't shove things down our throats. We are already stressed out what with no jobs, no money, no credit, our houses upsidedown, and Nobel Prize winners and plastic-surgerized Majority Leaders insulting us. Some parents in AZ are even inquiring about the state taking their children since they don't feel they can give the kids a decent life. America is imploding. So if we get a little tense or upset, we are sure you wonderful "public servants" will be understanding.
Paul Krugman
August 8, 2009 - 13:51 ET by BigMike252Message to Paul: Hold on Paul, Stuart Smalley will be over soon to help you get your dosage correct!
Please folks, don't blame Paul he obviously mis-dosed his meds for so long that acting like Janene Barf-alo and Olby!
I wonder if Krugman has seen
August 9, 2009 - 15:26 ET by NL207I wonder if Krugman has seen any flying saucers lately?
The leftists are getting stranger by the hour.
August 10, 2009 - 17:13 ET by ekslibThe truth is pretty straightforward.
Obama doesn't want to give dissenters a seat at the discussion table.
It's time for some good old-fashioned, peaceful sit-ins.
eks... LOL...I forgot all
August 10, 2009 - 17:18 ET by bigtimereks...
LOL...I forgot all about those...works for me.
Obama's a Community Agitator, a walking, talking destroyer. ~ Rush Limbaugh