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Real racists revealed

It’s ironic but not surprising that Leonard Pitts, in his Aug. 29 column, praises Rep. Maxine Waters for telling the “tea party” to go to hell. “I could never, in ordinary times, applaud such conduct,” he piously proclaims. “But no one will ever mistake these for ordinary times.” All the more reason to raise, not lower, the standard of civic discourse.

Yet, far more appalling rhetoric emanated this week from the Maxine’s fellow CBC (that’s Congressional Black Caucus, a group whose very name is offensive) member Rep. Andre Carson, who said the tea party movement would “love” to see black Americans “hanging on a tree.” Wow, who knew the proponents of lower taxes, limited government and fiscal responsibility were so hateful? What evil must lurk in their hearts!

Frankly, painting the conservative citizens who identify with tea party ideals as “extremist” has gotten old, and I doubt the American public is buying it anymore. The only thing their ideas threaten is the CBC members’ hold on power. Pitts should be reminded that difficult or extraordinary times don’t build character, they reveal it. And it should be abundantly clear now – in their own words – who the real extremists and racists are.

J.M. Lyons

Spokane



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