caligirl: No, you are making a common mistake of making Republican and conservative synonymous. Civil rights was a liberal issue that originated with the Republicans who in the 19th century had been extremely liberal. By employing the “Southern Strategy”, the Republicans broke the Democrat’s control of the south through embracing the conservative side of civil rights at the expense of alienating black voters.

Carl: And you are by definition a racist. You clearly expressed a belief that a particular race is inferior.

caligirl: Really? As I recall, Christmas happened right on schedule last year with no casualties or prisoners taken. I would love to see any details you have on cases where the government invaded homes and stole the guns. That’s not common sense. It’s called reality. I love the name calling though. It enhances your argument tremendously.

inkling: “The changes would have taken place pretty much the same if each state had been permitted to find its own way” You can always be counted on to provide a unique analysis. If by “pretty much the same”, you are referring to statute, then I agree. But if you mean I’d have lived to see it, then I have great doubts. I remember the period well, and there was a level of racism that seems inconceivable today. And although we didn’t have segregation by statute in the north, the racism there was worse than anything I’d ever seen in the south, with the Midwest being the worst. Change was inevitable, but somethings need prodding.

Sean: I’m not arguing that the government can or should even try, although forced desegregation has been very successful. Rather, I am addressing human nature and politics. Affirmative Action is an interesting case in that it has become so entwined with politics and race; but it is race based, not racist.

So...nobody, ever, anywhere, is actually a racist? The world is a perfectly nice place and no racism is in any way deleterious to anybody's interests? Because that's the argument you are offering. Seriously: If you take a realistic view you will see that both racism and various threats exist in our society yet both are exaggerated and manipulated for political gain.

“Racism” like so many other words in politics is often incorrectly applied. Such attempts to demonize the opposition are as old as politics itself and both sides use them freely. Your only choice is to take it or deny it and both can be hard. With this in mind, we must always guard against doing the same. Of course, I’m certain that some folks here will insist it is justified when it’s done to the opposition.

West: Odd how many conservatives dislike the Constitution.

Sorceress: “Middle Eastern”?!? That’s bad! And you saw it with your own eyes? Well that settles it! Obama is on a mission from the New World Order to destroy religion and family while turning us into a homosexual, abortionist enclave.

My how the worm has turned. The government has a long history of bombing whomever they want without indictment. Liberals and 3rd world countries have made this complaint often; and it has usually been denounced by conservatives. This is moral relativity on your part; which ironically, is also said to be a liberal trait.