Jackson Free Press

Also see: Jackpedia: Southern Strategy

Of late, it's been intriguing to listen for the new race coding that some state Republicans are employing. First, it was Charlie Ross the "Black Caucus" rhetoric in his ads attacking Phil Bryant. Then, it's the right-wingnut bloggers and talk-show celebs using the phrase "Ike Brown Democrat." (I guess using the word "Democrat" alone as a racial epithet has lost his oomph.) Now it's Mississippi Republican Chairman Jim Herring being even less subtle:

"(Democrats) will say they're like you. They'll say, 'I go to church with you,' 'My kids go to school with yours,' " he said in the McComb Enterprise-Journal. "But when they go to the Legislature, they'll vote with the black caucus and support Hillary Clinton."

Black lawmakers are outraged:

"To me it sounds like it's a racist remark that should not be said in a campaign," said state Rep. Mary Coleman, D-Jackson, past president of the National Caucus of Black State Legislators. "We need to be talking about issues that affect people."

Herring says he was just talking about liberal Democrats who pretend to be conservative. Remember the days when "liberal" and "communist" was a code word for people in Mississippi who supported integration. How far have some of these guys really come?

It's time to end the "southern tragedy," folks. (Hat tip to Ray Carter for that phrase.)

Tell these caveman Republicans to leave this crap in the past where it belongs.

Previous Commentsshow

Money quote from Leslie McLemore: "Why couldn't he say the conservative Democrats would come to Jackson and vote with the liberals rather than the Legislative Black Caucus?" It's amusing to see how Herring's remarks are being spun from Rep. Sam Mims of McComb, who said he didn't see any "racial meaning behind what Chairman Herring said." And this from Marty Wiseman of the Stennis Institute at MSU: "I really don't think he was thinking black caucus in terms of hanging out with these black folks as much as hanging out with the Democrats," he said. "Jim Herring's not that way." Like the song says, "That's just the way it is, some things will never change" (though I am hopeful of McLemore's comments of racially-charged politics making its way out the door with the younger generation).

golden eagle

Aug 18 2007

Of course he could have said that. But it wouldn't have served the same purpose. OK, folks, listen for the race memes and how often they're repeated on talk radio, blogs and the like. Clearly, saying "black caucus" often is in the Mississippi GOP's playbook this fall, as is "Ike Brown Democrat." Don't they have any new tricks up their sleeves THAT DO NOT TREAT MISSISSIPPIANS LIKE WE'RE RACISTS? Or, Republicans anyway. Come on boyz: Grow up and join the 21st century.

DonnaLadd

Aug 18 2007

Ms Ladd, I'm going to tell you like you tell me. You need to chill and lighten up. Why must you always think the republicans are racist and out to get all black people. What you said above is only your opinion without a bit of proof to it. Do like you tell others to do. Prove and back up what you are saying, which I don't think you can. Your contempt for some people has gotten in the way of your ability to see reality. Sorry if you think I'm out of line, but it is what it is. The only baiting being done here is by you.

LakesideRes

Aug 18 2007

Why must you always think the republicans are racist and out to get all black people. I don't. You just put words in my mouth that I have never said, which violates the User Agreement. (To state the obvious: Not every Republican is racist or "out to get all black people." The "southern strategy" is about certain party strategists, and the wingiest nuts, being willing to use race-baiting as a way to get the racist vote. Thus, it is ultimately more about the treatment of (and assumptions about) white people than it is about black people in many ways. See: Jackpedia: Southern Strategy.) Please stick to making and defending your own points and do not whine about the way we run our site, or put words in other people's mouth. That's the deal here. All complaints: [email]admin@jacksonfreepress.com[/email] Otherwise, stay on point.

DonnaLadd

Aug 18 2007

Lakeside, what's there to lighten up about remarks that should not have been said? As to why Republicans were singled out in this article, it's because of their history of race-baiting. That's not to say some Democrats don't do it (and what Ike Brown in Noxubee County alledgedly did is just as bad), but the Republican way is much more organized and sinister.

golden eagle

Aug 18 2007

"but the Republican way is much more organized and sinister." And the Democrat way of preaching Government responsibility for everything and zero personal responsibility for anything is not at all organized or sinister.

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

Who says the government has to do everything for you? I don't. Anyhow, the "personal responsibility" mantra is another Republican misnomer that is often used to create a chasm of "us vs. them". Every time Republicans find themselves in some sort of trouble, the first thing they do is blame the "liberal media". Not to say that they're guilty in what they're being accused of, but if would've been nice for Tom Delay, for example, to say "I'm sorry" and accept personal responsibility for it.

golden eagle

Aug 19 2007

Yes. It would be nice if Tom Delay would say "I'm sorry" and accept his responsibility. Just like William Jefferson and his 90,000 in his freezer. The Democrats (and late year Republicans) like having more power over their "subjects." They consistently tell people why they need Government to do everything for them. When you preach that long enough, it becomes true and people are hobbled by it. It saps their will.

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

I'm a Democrat and sure not waiting on the government to do anything for me. I'm not sitting around expecting them to give me my 40 acres and a mule. Again, the idea of "personal responsibility" is used to create a divide of "us vs. them". I don't know of any platform from the Democrats that says government should do everything for you. I wouldn't even endorse such a platform. However, I do believe that government should help people who are in need of assistance. Not forever, of course, but I also believe that people who are getting assistance should try and do things for themselves.

golden eagle

Aug 19 2007

There is such a thing as a "Conservative" Democrat (maybe that's what I am)....problem is there is no such thing as a Liberal Rebublican.....

ATLExile

Aug 19 2007

Really? I would argue that there is no such thing as a true Republican anymore, save Ron Paul. Rather, most Republicans these days are Liberal Republicans. What do you call Giuliani?

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

I thought Rob Paul was a Libertarian? "What do you call Giuliani?" Good point ...is that what s Rino is?

ATLExile

Aug 19 2007

What do you call Giuliani? A selfish, self-focused, power-hungry cad.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

They consistently tell people why they need Government to do everything for them. This is not a true statement, Law Clerk. I don't know if I have ever known a Democrat personally who believed or said this. Not one. I'm sure there have been a handful out there, just as there are racist Republicans. But you're just passing on a false meme, and it doesn't make you look credible to do so.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

Oh, and I guess the RNC apologized to the NAACP for something they've never done. Guys, just because we live in Mississippi where our traditional media is afraid to tell the truth about popular politicians does not mean that the earth is flat. The Republican Party that remade itself in the 1960s, as a strategy, has race-baited in order to get voters. The party itself admits it. That does not mean that every Republican is a racist, and no one has said that. Logical fallacies, and twisting what people actually say and believe, do not further conversation. But if I called myself a Republican and I wasn't racist (or didn't believe that most white southerners are racist), I sure would be calling my party leaders (including, or especially, Barbour and Herring) for playing such games on my behalf. Of course, I'm like that. I don't follow a pack.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

Interesting responses. Where am I lying again? The people in New Orleans waited for the Government to save them because the Government has taught them that the Government will always be there for them It's pretty hard to stomach Ladd, I know. Sometimes, politicians don't spread messages by word, but by their actions. Look to Hillary. She is going to institute a national healthcare plan because the Government can take care of the people without healthcare better than anyone. Like social security. Like FEMA. Like . RoN Paul is a conservative Republican, or at least how I would picture a Republican. Limited Government and Pro-FREEDOM. The people can and should decide how to live their own life for themselves. Giuliani is a LIBERAL Republican by trademark only. He is an anti-Freedom candidate. Period. Just like Hillary, Barack, and John (both of them). And I agree with you that our media is afraid to tell the truth about "popular" political candidates. A lot of media is afraid. What a shame.

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

"Oh, and I guess the RNC apologized to the NAACP for something they've never done." What is the RNC going to apologize to the NAACP for? That sounds a little like some race bait. Hmmmmmmmm.

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

Hmmm, they've already apologized to the NAACP for race-baiting to get the racist vote. See: (Jackpedia: Southern Strategy for more.) It's probably a bit late, and a waste of time, to try to deny that the Republicans did something that party leaders have admitted and apologized for. It's too bad folks like Herring and Charlie Ross didn't get the memo. Giuliani is a LIBERAL Republican by trademark only. He is an anti-Freedom candidate. Period. Just like Hillary, Barack, and John (both of them). Substance questions aside, aren't you the same guy lambasting Kamikaze on another thread for daring to criticize Bush in a foreign country? Would you just go quiet on any of these folks should they be elected? (I hope not.) Or, would you just believe that non-morons would lob such "anti-freedom" (as you define it, of course) accusations at our public servants within our borders? Your recent posts, when considered as a body, don't exactly make much sense, LC.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

Interesting responses. Where am I lying again? The statement that all Democrats want the government to do everything for people. That is pure rhetoric that you cannot back up. You really should leave all the silly hyperbole and stereotyping for talk radio. It plays better where people can't re-read what you just said to make sure you just said it. Criticize individuals or party platforms or policies on the merits and with factual statements, LC. That's legit. But this kind of silly lob about all Democrats (or all of anybody) is beneath you. I'm not going to copy you and call you a "moron" for saying it, but I will say that it is a moronic statement to make. It would be like me saying that all Republicans are racist because their party strategists for years intentionally used race-baiting to get votes in the South. Not every single Republican supported that strategy or—if folks coming on this site are any indication—even know what was happening on their behalf. That ignorance doesn't make them all racist. It just makes them unaware. But it would be wrong for me to then say all Republicans are racist. I know that's not true. Get it now?

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

"Substance questions aside, aren't you the same guy lambasting Kamikaze on another thread for daring to criticize Bush in a foreign country? " YES "Would you just go quiet on any of these folks should they be elected? (I hope not.) " HELL NO "Or, would you just believe that non-morons would lob such "anti-freedom" (as you define it, of course) accusations at our public servants within our borders?" Um... What? Did the Clarion Ledger write that question?

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

So, you just said that you would do something against leaders you don't agree with that you're calling Kamikaze names for doing? You do get points for honesty. And, yes, that was a Clarion-Ledger-esque sentence (except they never would have tried to ask it). Guilty of bad writing as charged. (The Kamikaze thread we're referring to, in case anyone is confused. LC and I are arguing on two threads at once it seems. Except that I'm not finding a lot to keep me in. Lata.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

"So, you just said that you would do something against leaders you don't agree with that you're calling Kamikaze names for doing?" Yawn. I think if people read both threads, and see that I say I'm not going to go to a FOREIGN country and bad mouth the President they will understand. I am NOT saying to NOT say anything about them here. I hope that it is clear now. He is in bad form to go overseas and say "F" Bush and then brag about it like he (Kaze) is a hero. I'm not sorry you don't agree with me, it's just how I feel and I'm expressing it here.

LawClerk

Aug 19 2007

And, for the record, this is the one of most offensive and ignorant statements that have ever appeared on the JFP site: The people in New Orleans waited for the Government to save them because the Government has taught them that the Government will always be there for them Glad you don't hate the government. With friends like you ... The government is all of us, and it's how we are not a third-world country. Drown it and see what happens then. People who think they're privileged and better than the people they manage to hold down will be in charge—and the rest of us won't have the right to speak out against them, whether in this country or in a "foreign" country. Oh, say can you see. Guess not.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

So, it's about "foreign"?!? If the U.S. elects a president whom you think is the root of all big-government evil, you would not even consider criticizing her in another country? This is beginning to remind me of all those "good" Germans too patriotic to criticize Hitler. Uh, sometimes, the world needs to band together for the good of, well, the world. I think this is downright weird, with due respect. I'm surprised to hear it from you, frankly. All the pablum about health-care socialism I'm used to from you, but I never would have guessed you would call someone a moron for criticizing the leader of our government anywhere. Live and learn. I don't think the F-Bush thing is particularly useful, either—except frankly it is a way to engage more young people to think about the mess the electorate created by re-electing (especially) that man. What I was shocked to see in your posts is the level of vitriolic condescension you threw Kaze's way. I mean, your posts reflected some of the most obnoxious privileged rants of past trolls who seem to think that that they have the right to proclaim from on high what is and what is not acceptable for other people to do and think on their own time. That's a classic statement made from the roost of privilege, and it is so obnoxious. In other words, your point got lost in the package you sent it in. It's the package I'm objecting to—I actually don't care what you think I, Kaze or anyone else should do in a foreign country. It's not any of your business.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007

And it does make me wonder who wrote your "bad form" handbook. I mean, you at least called the "bad form" with a bit of your own. Maybe even raised it.

DonnaLadd

Aug 19 2007