Mileage Psycho Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Good read. Quote Lyndon B. Johnson warned us about this Julian Zelizer is a professor of history and public affairs at Princeton University and author of "The Fierce Urgency of Now: Lyndon Johnson, Congress and the Battle for the Great Society." The opinions expressed in this commentary are his own. (CNN)Fifty-two years ago, President Lyndon Johnson warned the nation not to be seduced by proponents of a white backlash. Less than 48 hours before the 1966 midterms, just like today, LBJ saw in the electorate a noxious mix of white anger, hatred and resentment. Back then, the white backlash had taken form in response to the riots in the Wattsneighborhood of Los Angeles one year earlier as well as to an open housing bill that his administration was trying to push through Congress aimed at eliminating racism in the sale or rental of property. Speaking to reporters at a televised news conference in Fredericksburg, Texas, on November 6, Johnson read from a prepared statement in which he explained, "I can think of nothing more dangerous, more divisive, or more self-destructive than the effort to prey on what is called 'white backlash.' I thought it was a mistake to pump this issue up in the 1964 campaign, and I do not think it served the purpose of those who did. I think it is dangerous because it threatens to vest power in the hands of second-rate men whose only qualification is their ability to pander to other men's fears. I think it divides this nation at a very critical time -- and therefore it weakens us as a united country." Though LBJ had been a product of the South and had opposed civil rights legislation earlier in his career, he had come to fully embrace the cause of civil rights with a religious zeal, pushing the Civil Rights Act of 1957 while serving as Senate majority leader and then as President moving the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965 through the Congress. The President, who was frustrated that the accomplishments from his Great Society were at risk in 1966, didn't hold back when speaking to the reporters. "I think that the so-called 'white backlash' is destructive, not only of the interests of Negro Americans, but of all those who stand to gain from humane and farsighted government. And those that stand to gain from humane and farsighted government is everybody. Nevertheless, there are those who try to stimulate suspicion into hatred, and to make fear and frustration their springboard into public office. Many of them do it openly. Some let their henchmen do it for them. Their responsibility is the same." Johnson warned that, "Racism -- whether it comes packaged in the Nazi's brown shirt or a three-button suit -- destroys the moral fiber of a nation. It poisons public life. So I would urge every American to ask himself before he goes to the polls on Tuesday: Do I want to cast my vote on the basis of fear? Do I want to follow the merchants of bigotry?" LBJ had his eye on the backlash that was taking place in many parts of the country, with special concern for Georgia, where Democrat Lester Maddox was running against Republican Bo Callaway for governor with naked appeals to angry whites. Maddox, who had received the support of the KKK, was famous for having waved a pistol at three African-American Georgia Tech students who he chased away from his whites-only restaurant, the Pickrick Restaurant, after passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Unfortunately, too many parts of the nation didn't listen to LBJ's warning, and we are still paying the price. The midterms -- which drew a record-high midterm turnout of 49% -- didn't go well for the administration. Although Democrats still controlled the House and Senate, Republicans had gained 47 seats in the House and three seats in the Senate. The GOP did well in Democratic bastions like Chicago, where some white, ethnic, working-class voters responded to the demagogues who warned that their property was at risk. The conservative coalition of Southern Democrats and Republicans who had blocked progress on liberal legislation since 1938, who suffered a major setback in LBJ's landslide victory in 1964, were back in full force. Conservatives also did well in state races, including Maddox who won in Georgia -- the state that today is once again ground zero for efforts to roll back the gains of civil rights through voting restrictions. Even worse, the politics of white backlash did not disappear from the conservative landscape. The partisan appeals continued to white, protestant men, whose fear that the country was changing around them never went away. President Richard Nixon, who returned to the national landscape by campaigning on law and order for Republicans in the 1966 midterms, exploited these fears with his promises for "law and order" and a Southern Strategy that aimed to pick up formerly Democratic votes in Dixie by resisting civil rights. During the 1980s, Republican campaign consultant Lee Atwater was a master at using this ploy, most famously with an ad in 1988 about a parole program in Massachusetts -- the home state of Democratic governor Michael Dukakis -- that allowed an African-American prisoner Willie Horton to go free for a weekend during which he escaped and later raped a woman and stabbed her husband. White backlash has continued to flare, such as with the birther campaign in 2011, where Republicans like Donald Trump questioned the legitimacy of the first African American president. While the politics of white backlash have been a part of conservative politics since the 1960s, most mainstream political leaders refused to make this the centerpiece of the campaign and they pushed back against these elements of the electorate once the most heated parts of the campaign were done. They tried to build broad coalitions that revolved around issues like anti-communism and tax reductions rather than pure, undiluted hate. Not this time. President Trump has made white backlash a defining character of his presidency. This weekend, former President Barack Obama offered a similar warning as LBJ, arguing that the midterms were a test of the character of the nation. On Tuesday, Americans have a chance to send a strong statement, through hundreds of congressional races, that the toxic brand of backlash politics President Trump and many Republicans have peddled in the last month is not acceptable in 2018. https://www.cnn.com/2018/11/05/opinions/lyndon-b-johnson-warned-us-about-this-backlash-opinion-zelizer/index.html Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snake Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 It's a whitelash. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
racer254 Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 LOL. Good read my ass. It would be a great example, but the author had to put a political bias on it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmo Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Vote republican = you’re a racist. I said the same thing as that story and saved like 1500 words. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold War Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 What horse shit. How simple do you have to be to believe this ? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 15 minutes ago, Snake said: It's a whitelash. LOL!! That was more clever than mine! 9 minutes ago, Edmo said: Vote republican = you’re a racist. I said the same thing as that story and saved like 1500 words. Sure did...and well done! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member Jimmy Snacks Posted November 6, 2018 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted November 6, 2018 (edited) 15 minutes ago, racer254 said: LOL. Good read my ass. It would be a great example, but the author had to put a political bias on it. A) You didn't read it B) And if you did you wouldn't understand it Edited November 6, 2018 by Jimmy Snacks 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mileage Psycho Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 31 minutes ago, Snake said: It's a whitelash. No, it's our president telling people in Montana to lock their doors and windows because of the caravan. Be afraid Moe, it's what the president says you need to be. Quote Johnson warned that, "Racism -- whether it comes packaged in the Nazi's brown shirt or a three-button suit -- destroys the moral fiber of a nation. It poisons public life. So I would urge every American to ask himself before he goes to the polls on Tuesday: Do I want to cast my vote on the basis of fear? Do I want to follow the merchants of bigotry?" 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mileage Psycho Posted November 6, 2018 Author Share Posted November 6, 2018 28 minutes ago, Edmo said: Vote republican = you’re a racist. I said the same thing as that story and saved like 1500 words. You didn't read it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 11 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: You didn't read it. Dude, it’s a partisan article. No big deal but just because we didn’t see it “your way” doesn’t mean it wasn’t read or understood. Both sides sell “fear” in one shape or another but your party is still using the “racism card”. It’s way, WAY past nauseating....and Americans are tired of it. Edmo’s summary was perfect. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmo Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 23 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: You didn't read it. Forgive me for wanting to know who is coming into our country. Sure, Trumps rhetoric about gang members and middle easterners is a bit over the top, but the truth is we have no f’n clue who is in this mob of folks. I’d rather pick and choose, vetting if you will. Not afraid at all. Just want some sort of accountability. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Cold War Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Of course, the media has totally ignored John James, because his campaign to unseat life long partisan hack Stabenow doesn't work in your merchant of bigotry narrative. Why would Michigan republican "bigots" come out in record numbers to support "Trump backed" James? Wait!!!! You don't think it could be Americans are more concerned with policy/direction of country, and not skin color? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 5 minutes ago, Edmo said: Forgive me for wanting to know who is coming into our country. Sure, Trumps rhetoric about gang members and middle easterners is a bit over the top, but the truth is we have no f’n clue who is in this mob of folks. I’d rather pick and choose, vetting if you will. Not afraid at all. Just want some sort of accountability. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 so the caravan people won't get vetted. they're just going to come to the border, throw a few rocks at some soldiers, march right in into people's homes and start eating american children... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 edmo states trump is over the top but then turns around and promotes what trump is pushing Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Just now, Snoslinger said: edmo states trump is over the top but then turns around and promotes what trump is pushing The elephant in the room your side wants to ignore is these people have ZERO ways to support themselves...and reality is, our system will end up taking care of the vast majority for years...and decades. This whole “afraid” thing is a joke coming from either side. The racism thing is even dumber. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmo Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 4 minutes ago, Snoslinger said: edmo states trump is over the top but then turns around and promotes what trump is pushing The words are inflammatory but his points are valid. Simple stuff bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Just now, Zambroski said: The elephant in the room your side wants to ignore is these people have ZERO ways to support themselves...and reality is, our system will end up taking care of the vast majority for years...and decades. This whole “afraid” thing is a joke coming from either side. The racism thing is even dumber. many immigrants have come to the country, unable to support themselves immediately. they turned out fine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Just now, Edmo said: The words are inflammatory but his points are valid. Simple stuff bro. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Platinum Contributing Member steve from amherst Posted November 6, 2018 Platinum Contributing Member Share Posted November 6, 2018 No one should be allowed in without a sponser to pay their way till they can support themselves. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Edmo Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 Just now, Snoslinger said: Nothing the man could ever say will bother me IF I support his position. Stop being such a fucking snowflake. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DriftBusta Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 41 minutes ago, Mileage Psycho said: You didn't read it. I read and thought it was complete horse shit. I’ll go with Mark Levins take thank you very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 mark levin speaking of over the top, in rides wolfie. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Zambroski Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, Snoslinger said: many immigrants have come to the country, unable to support themselves immediately. they turned out fine. Sure. “Many have.” And many have not. This size of immigration is a walking logistical, political and financial disaster. And no, not just a political disaster for Trump, the Dems will eat it also....a big plate full. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Snoslinger Posted November 6, 2018 Share Posted November 6, 2018 2 minutes ago, Edmo said: Nothing the man could ever say will bother me IF I support his position. Stop being such a fucking snowflake. yeah we know, but add "or do" to it as well. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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