This is disgusting

[teaberryblue]

Guys, I've gotten this from several mailing lists this morning and I'm kind of disgusted. This isn't just people talking at rallies and getting caught up-- this is a mailing being sent out by the RNC. And having been in the publishing-- and promotional-- business for a very large part of my life, I know that things like this don't just "happen" without approval. So at the moment I'm completely sickened. This is not okay. This is not what any political party in the country should be about.




"When you get right down to it, this election is going to be settled by the fact that more Americans hate George Bush than hate black people." -- My dad.

Comments

[thaliontholwen.livejournal.com]

It makes what Colin Powell said about the narrowing of a party really evident, doesn't it?

I'm not surprised, I guess--I'm just disappointed that the best the Republican party can come up with is fear-mongering.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

I'm just completely and totally appalled that this is considered an acceptable campaign tactic, and that McCain's public response to accusations that this has gotten way out of hand has been "Well, they're saying mean things about me." I have yet to see a Democratic ad that attacks anything outside of McCain's political history or agenda or campaign strategy. That's like saying that it was okay to smack your brother with the fire poker because he pinched you.

[hermintage.livejournal.com]

The "Why should we care about what they have to say?" is probably the most disturbing part of that entire mailer. All of it is horrible, but that's just scary.

[thaliontholwen.livejournal.com]

Agreed, and I haven't seen one either. Ads in Ohio tend to go right for the voting record and agenda, whereas we have the "dis" ads (Obama = dishonorable, dishonest, disgraceful, etc.) from the RNC and the McCain campaign.

For a party so "based" in demonstrative religiosity and the my-god-is-better-than-your-god stuff, "turn the other cheek" if you are offended by someone seems to have skated right on by.

[smammers.livejournal.com]

That is disgusting. I keep thinking that the smear tactics can't get any worse, and they keep proving me wrong.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

I don't even consider this a smear tactic against the candidate-- I consider this a scare tactic that is bordering on harassment of the recipient of the mailing.

[justatailor.livejournal.com]

This is absolutely ridiculous. It's disgusting how the party is trying to spread hate and ignorance. Ugh this doesn't bode well for how people who actually believe this stuff will act after the election.

[cheshire23.livejournal.com]

YES. I've also heard of mailers addressed to "Dear Hardcore Liberal" with pictures of local African-Americans who have serious criminal records that say something to the effect of "Barack Obama wants you to meet your new neighbors. After all, you won't mind."

I am so tired of this.

[oseri]

It is frightening a) that they thought this up, and b) think they can get away with it.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

Oh, haven't you heard? They're already readying the SWAT teams for all the black people who are going to riot if Obama loses. Because only black people are violent.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

They didn't need to think it up! It's what people are shouting at their rallies!

[bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com]

FUCK. THAT. NOISE.



oh my god, tea, i think steam just actually came out my ears when i read that.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

The sad part is that you know I'm not even joking (http://thehill.com/leading-the-news/police-prepare-for-unrest-2008-10-21.html).

[liret.livejournal.com]

I am officially announcing my intention to riot if Obama loses. I can't read this mailer (phone internet) but the outright racism of the ones I've seen is really disturbing.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

The front says (and note what's capitalized as these words are called out a lot more than the others)

TERRORISTS
Don't care who they hurt.

The inside says

Why should we care what they have to say?
BARACK OBAMA
Thinks terrorists just need a good talking to
BARACK OBAMA: NOT WHO YOU THINK HE IS

[bunnymcfoo.livejournal.com]

SO ANGRY, OH MY GOD.

I so just ranted about this to my entire office. I just. WOW. that's not even SUBTLE in its racism.

[justatailor.livejournal.com]

And what are they doing for all of the white people at McCain rallies that chant "off with his head" and so on?

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

Duh, white people aren't violent by nature.

[justatailor.livejournal.com]

This is true. We've never started any wars or anything. Not like the Blacks and the Muslims...oh God, Obama is both, this country is going to go to war if he's elected!

Wait a second...

[rowena742.livejournal.com]

Boy, I hope this blows up in their faces.

(Uh oh. Does that make me a terrorist?)

[liret.livejournal.com]

I think they're implying something here, but it's too subtle for me.

I tried to send you chickens, but I don't think they got through.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

No, no chickens for me :-(

I think it bears saying that it's set up so that unless you open it the whole way and look at the inside of the front of the card, the card says:

TERRORISTS
Don't care who they hurt

BARACK OBAMA
Not who you think he is

[cesaretech.livejournal.com]

I don't quite get how that pamphlet equals racism. Senator Obama has said he's willing to talk with groups who support or who are terrorists. There's nothing really untrue about that. Granted, I can't read the little text, just what's in bold.

I'm not going to say racism hasn't spurred from this. I've seen it. Ageism has, too. Nothing unexpected.

[teaberryblue.livejournal.com]

It says TERRORIST in huge letters. You open it up and it says BARACK OBAMA in huge letters.

[cesaretech.livejournal.com]

What I read was:

Terrorists Don't Care Who They Hurt

Why Should We Care About What They Have To Say?

Barack Obama

Thinks Terrorists Just Need A Good Talking To.

...

Barack Obama: Not Who You Think He Is.

I'm not denying their marketing ploy. I see what they did. But they're not saying anything that's untrue. If the average or undecided voter decides not to read, it's not the GOP's fault.