When I learned Teabaggers—who have the backing of the Republican party and stand for American conservatism—called Congressmen John Lewis nigger and Barney Frank faggot, I was neither shocked nor surprised. The whole thing seemed business-as-usual-in-the-GOP which is why I’m always dumbfounded when I hear there are actually black republicans.
I’m not saying all conservatives are prejudiced, and I’m not saying all liberals are tolerant. I am saying that mainstream and high profile Republicans encourage such public expressions of hatred and that these mainstream figures should be held politically accountalbe and legally liable for inciting these verbal and physical acts of violence.
Bob Herbert passionately and eloquently calls them out when he writes
It is 2010, which means it is way past time for decent Americans to rise up against this kind of garbage, to fight it aggressively wherever it appears. And it is time for every American of good will to hold the Republican Party accountable for its role in tolerating, shielding and encouraging foul, mean-spirited and bigoted behavior in its ranks and among its strongest supporters.
Bob Herbert