Comments on: It’s Not Racism When THEY Do it

By: Saitia

Saitia — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 01:22:45 +0000

The Greenberg "study" — The Very Separate World of Conservative Republicans —was a series of discussions with focus groups in Atlanta, GA. This link takes you to the page you can download a pdf of the report, which is excellent reading, and allows you to really plumb the depths of the effectiveness of Fox News as a propaganda tool on these folks. Very sad, really, but important information on the scope of accusations against Obama, which can be summarized as Obama being a sekrit socialist hell bent on destroying "their" America. "They believe Obama is ruthlessly advancing a ‘secret agenda’ to bankrupt the United States and dramatically expand government control to an extent nothing short of socialism." There are many quotes from the participants, and despite the general fifth grade level of articulateness, they are instructive in the way they reveal how these people have been, and are being manipulated. They actually believe they are the silent/silenced majority in a center-right nation, and simply cannot understand why the liberal minority trusts Obama. They are suspicious of not just his birth, but that he could have ever been elected without the help of an evil, wealthy person (read: Soros). But. Do read it; it's an important look into the propaganda war being waged by Fox and friends, and may help you find personal ways to talk with friends and family when they tell you they're taking their guns to Washington to take back their "America."

By: Seeing Eye Chick

Seeing Eye Chick — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:55:30 +0000

Living in what feels like Teabagger Central, I must say, that Obama is perceived as a sekrit Muslim, Jewish, Black Overloard with Reptillian eating habits. That being said, I would like to see what the questions are in that focus group too. Because how you and what you ask for a question will determine in large part, what you get for an answer, and pollsters know and manipulate this all the time.

The focus group may more represent the prejudices of the pollsters, than it may represent the prejudices of the participants.

Sort of like that Hannity Poll online:

What Kind of Revolution would you like to see in America—

This is definitely one of those, “So when did you stop beating your wife” questions.

That being said, I agree with your post and the sentiments you confront. I don’t even buy the denial part. Because if you give an angry teabagger that “Come On!” look and roll your eyes when they talk about every reason except his race, as to why they don’t trust Obama, first they deflate–acknowledging that yes it is bullshit and no, you are not dumber than they are.

By: Saitia

Saitia — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 14:40:13 +0000

Thank you HM…
nonnie, you’re right; but it’s more than a layer; the fact that it’s repressing their true feelings keeps erupting in increasingly unhinged and over-the-top ways, trying to get out. The UB says that unresolved conflict can result in “mind disruption.” I hope that means their heads will explode.

By: nonnie9999

nonnie9999 — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 02:24:47 +0000

has anyone seen the questions asked of the focus group? i don’t believe for a moment that the teabaggers aren’t, for the most part, racially motivated. some of it might be subconscious, but it’s there. of course, most of them would have hated any democratic president, but obama being black adds an extra layer of vitriol.

By: H M Bascom

H M Bascom — Mon, 19 Oct 2009 21:12:03 +0000

Excellent article.