The University of Washington’s email to alumni asked the
question four separate times: “Is The Tea Party like the Ku Klux Klan?”
Christopher Parker, a UW political science professor, argues in his new book
that there are major similarities. The book is titled “Change They Can’t
Believe In: The Tea Party and Reactionary Politics in Contemporary America.”
Apparently the university is trying to help Professor Parker
sell his book - maybe to get more liberals interested in attending the
university. It seems odd that they would promote hatred.
“Consider the Tea Party,” wrote Parker. “Similar to the
Klan; white, middle-class, middle-aged, Protestant men dominate the Tea
Party’s ranks.”
Anyone but me understand that blacks, regardless of their political persuasion, weren't allowed to be members of the Ku Klux Klan? Of course, I'm sure Professor Parker believes there are no black members of the Tea Party. But he would be wrong.
“Can we not say that the Tea Party is heavily involved in
politics?” Parker wrote. To that I can only say... "Duh."
“Further, can we not also say that many Tea Partiers are
not educated and accomplished?" To that I would say "Can we take a close look at many Obama voters?
"Finally, can we not also say that the Tea Party has an intolerant element?" Really? Let's see... liberals claim tolerance and acceptance of pretty much everything - except conservatives, conservatism and anyone who disagrees with them. They are worse at name calling and personal attacks than any Republican/conservative. A look back through events in the last few years (the Gabby Giffords shooting, the hateful rhetoric against Republicans after demanding Republicans stop the hateful rhetoric.) I think Professor Parker doesn't get out much.
"Finally, can we not also say that the Tea Party has an intolerant element?" Really? Let's see... liberals claim tolerance and acceptance of pretty much everything - except conservatives, conservatism and anyone who disagrees with them. They are worse at name calling and personal attacks than any Republican/conservative. A look back through events in the last few years (the Gabby Giffords shooting, the hateful rhetoric against Republicans after demanding Republicans stop the hateful rhetoric.) I think Professor Parker doesn't get out much.
"The answer to all three is yes. So, to answer your
question, I recognize why some on the right are alarmed at the comparison, but
they need to bear in mind that the comparison is VERY specific to the Klan of
the 1920s: another national right-wing political movement, one with an
educated, accomplished element that also has its share of intolerant people. In
sum, the Tea Party need not be a similarly violent or bigoted movement in order
for it to be compared to the KKK, especially given the different historical
context.”
It seems while Professor Parker is a scholar of political science, he's not much of a scholar on history. The KKK was pretty much a Democrat organization throughout history. Geez - just take a look at the late Senator Robert Byrd - the last known KKK member in the US Senate. Parker wants so badly to make it a right-wing group but he's wrong. And he's telling people something that is just not true for his own personal gain.
Guess I won't be buying Professor Parker's book. I have no use in reading more left-wing propaganda that has nothing to do with reality. I can watch that on TV.
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