Now, there are two popular television shows this year that feature a central character who knows what witnesses really believe, and secretly know, and whether they are lying, not by having concrete rational evidence, but by "reading" how the witnesses say what they say, their facial expressions and mannerisms, tone of voice, choice of words, etc. They can be thought of as mentalists, mindreaders, ESPers, etc.
And now former President Jimmy Carter seeks to join the group. Commenting on those who ardently and vociferously oppose President Obama's proposed health care plan, he professes to "know" that many are motivated by racism manifested toward Obama and an "inherent belief that African Americans ought not be President." He presumes to know this not by what the protesters say, but by how they say it. How they act when they are saying it.
What factual proof does Carter have of his racism accusations? None. How many of those he is denigrating has Carter spoken with and polled? None, apparently. How does he know what he's talking about? Carter hasn't directly been asked that, to my knowledge, but I suspect he would say he just knows it in his gut. Wrong body part. Since he is making comments by the seat of his pants, it would be more accurate to say he knows it in his tuchus.
(Ask a Jewish friend)
Are some who oppose the health care proposal, racists? Don't know. Assuming there are some, how many might that be? Don't know. And with regard to these imagined racists, assuming there are any, do we know that it is their racism that is behind their opposition to the proposal? No. And even if it is racism that drives their opposition, does that automatically mean the reasons they offer for their opposition are not possibly correct? No.
A rational discussion and sensible solution to the health care issue cannot take place until we stop arbitrary, unfounded, derogatory name calling, and we all, including the former President, recognize that knowledge begins and ends a few feet north of the tuchus. And with facts.
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