CNN's Don Lemon Schools Right Wing Protester About Who Is A "Real American"
By Logan Murphy Tuesday Aug 18, 2009 9:00am(video courtesy of Think Progress)
CNN's Don Lemon interviewed two astroturf town hall protesters in Atlanta Monday, and when one of them claimed that no "real Americans" spoke at Obama's town hall meetings, Don shut him down instantly -- and didn't let up:
Lemon:...At least the president is trying to reform health care, so where did the outrage suddenly come from?
Hardage: Don, this is the second town hall he's done in the last week that I actually saw real Americans get up and ask questions, it wasn't a pre-selected group or a -
Lemon: Hang on, before you do that - Real Americans - that's another term that sets people off. We're ALL real Americans, everybody.
Hardage: Anybody can get in, anybody can ask questions, you've seen a completely different tenor in the town hall he held on Tuesday and today than townhalls we've been seeing so far in this debate. That's what I mean by real Americans.
Lemon: You know what, that whole real Americans thing, can we lose that real Americans? Because everybody in the country who is a citizen is a real American. We're all real Americans and that's part of the issue that really sets people off and divides people, so let's get rid of that "real American." I'm a real American, you're a real American, conservative, liberals, independents, we're all real Americans."
How refreshing to see on a corporate news channel.








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haven't embedded an Applause Sign into the viewers TV signal they can turn on and off when they want.
yo, don lemon, malkin and her ilk will most likely fling some poo your way... be prepared... and duck
it is an interesting thing, seeing cnn actually do something right for once. but it just highlights how dreadfully bad the state of the msm is when something that should be so simple and obvious is actually a rarity and unexpected.
He has a point to make but he's incorrectly making it against what this guy is saying. The guy didn't mean "real Americans (as opposed to Democrats)", he meant "real Americans (as opposed to paid spokespeople)".
I'd much rather see him unload this sort of common sense against someone who deserves it more, like that protester lady who thought Pelosi was saying everyone who protests is a Nazi.
Doesn't matter what the speaker was implying, Lemon was reacting against the PHRASE "real Americans", and he was right to do it. Like he said, there's no such distinction - if you're an American, then you're a REAL American. No matter what the subject is, the phrase will always be divisive, disingenuous, and downright ugly.
I agree that the nonsense about "Real Americans" needs to be smacked down, but this instance of it does seem to be a misunderstanding, and could be exploited as such.
paying attention.
that what the guy meant was white Americans are the real Americans.
n/t
nobody will say it out loud, but that's what it is. hide the children, a black president.
Just to narrow it down a little more, I think he meant screaming, unruly white Americans. The guy was clearly pissed that the discourse was civil at the Obama town halls.
We can all thank Sarah P. for the sickening and divisive term "real Americans".
of every newscaster in America? The man don't take no garbage, and that is refreshing to see. Thank you, Mr. Lemon.
And yes, "thanks" to Sarah P. for that sickening phrase, which was a joke, because "real Americans" come from everywhere, not just rural America, which in fact comprises a MINORITY of Americans. The majority are from urban and suburban areas, which Sarah in her tiny intellectual capacity was too dumb to know.
are the ones who have "These colors don't run" stickers (made in China, btw) that are faded out on their SUV's.
"Real Americans" are the ones who blindly support those who would enslave them.
"Real Americans" constantly vote against their best interests.
"Real Americans" call anyone who has a different opinion than they do, fascist, nazi, communist, Muslim, hippie, etc etc etc.
Feel free to add to this list.
Crib off their neighbor's wireless signal to visit Redhate and learn how the Muslim Prez is gonna take his .22 away but won't give him $4500 for the stolen '76 Chevette diesel automatic sitting on blocks on his lawn.
Cheez Whiz American cheese food.
Don't dis the Cheez Whiz man!!!
and Whole Foods boycott will take some getting used to.
Must I include Miracle Whip on my Cheez Whiz sammiches?
And you must also only use Wonderbread!
White americans who think as he does.
you know what the guy meant and the moderator wanted the guy to make the points he was making without the 'labeling'. these people think that 'america' is 'theirs' or did you completely miss that?
He said "these people weren't paid, they were real Americans." Or something similar. What he didn't say was "these people weren't Democrats, they were real Americans."
Look I'm totally with the point. I am sick of people accusing liberals of not being American. It's so easy for them to accuse Pelosi because the activity comes easier to them. But in my opinion it was a logically weak point to bring it up and Lemon had a kneejerk reaction to the phrase.
Innnnnnndeedy!
LOL.
ignore the implications and parse away the real meaning of what the man was saying. you don't get a pass and neither does he. the only REAL AMERICANS in that man's mind are land-owning white males. It doesn't go away because you wish to ignore it.
Way to call the bastard out!
The Prince of Darkness, Robert Novak, has passed away at 78.
I thought the air was a little less sulfur-y today.
One less douchebag for liberty!
I hope no one makes a Bram Stoker reference.
Stoker calls them like the reich Lyceum.
I was going with the John Carpenter reference.
"Prince of Darkness" is supposed to be Dracula?
All this time, I thought Novack was referring to himself as Satan.
I won't.
Whatever happened to that hit-and-run incident he was involved in? Was he ever indicted for it?
He found out that he had a brain tumor a week after the accident.
rip not that we'll miss ya.
Can someone please tell me what exactly that means. I hold a Canadian passport, have a birth certificate from the province of Ontario, can sing O Canada and know that Queen Elizabeth is our titular head of state.I also know the names of all 10 provinces and 3 territories that comprise Canada. I guess that means I'm a "real canadian"
Hiya from one o them pseudo-Murkans!
Mike, that's someone with "conservative" values. Everyone else are commie liberal sympathizers who hate Merka.
Yer obviously one o' them cawmies, yew cain't even spell Murka rite!
That's the British spelling...
lol!
this is 'merka, damn it. And we spell as we please, we're #1 yeaaaahhhh..
'merkaaaaaaa f*ck yeah!
'merkaaaaaaa f*ck yeah!
that the original definition of "fag" in British slang means cigarette, right?
about French cigarettes and he doesn't even smoke.
He's the most interes.... I lose my train of thought.
... and rubbers are for erasing not for f*cking over there... ;-)
shoes when it's rainin...over there..
... I was in England during the summer.
I am sure dicky can proxy his kid's coach/teacher/janitor and drop us some knowledge on the subject.
from female Cornell graduates. All of whom are crazy according to most Doctor's spouses I know.
So the question begs to be asked: are you capable of an original thought. Or do you use these passive aggressive cries for attention, to help you cope with the fact the pinnacle of your education amounts to the five minutes you spend chit chatting in the school's rotunda while waiting for your kids to get in the minivan...
Anyhow, I know you crave the attention, so there... my good deed to help the lest fortunate for the day.
LOL.
with the disdain used to mask such anger?
no, that would make you a fer'ner.
the "real" brand only applies to americans.... oh, and boobies.
/snark off
I thought silicon gel was made in China?
Now days I'm made rarely.
more silicon gel?
Can't get more 'Murkan than that!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwb1s1DYnDU
given a "name" . . and became a ward of the machine the minute a birth certificate was issued. Just like all the rest of us.
a long form ward of the machine, or do I have to write to Huh-y-e
There's no such thing as a "real canadian". You guys are all cardboard cutouts placed hither and yon up there to keep us REAL MURRIKINS from freaking out at all that empty space!!!
Really, you should keep up with these things.
A "real American" is a small town conservative who expresses their independence, self-reliance, and tenacity by repeating pre-approved Republican talking points.
Example: "'ACORN is in the bag for Obama. Nancy Pelosi.' is something a 'real American' might blog."
part of the Norht American continent? For that matter, South Americans could be real Americans.
Those Mexicans are already American citizens!
Whenever I see this arrogant reference to the United States as "America" I try to point that out. I missed this one because of my ingrained upbringing, so thanks for that one.
By the way, Hawaii isn't part of "America".
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q6V5cDmjt3g
werewolves?
Not necessarily:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZSpJdIe4X2o
I swear the only people that uses the term schools in a sentence that way are hillbillies:
"That's HillWilliam, to you sir!"
...American. I want socialized medicine because I was happy with it for 22 years in the Marine Corps; so I must not be a real American.
I'm going to have to agree with my Marine cousin. NAVY health care was AWESOME!!! Damn do I miss it now.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-3CZYbIPCPo
Isn't it possible that the "real America" crap is not a particularly subtle birfer dig at Obama?
... how come I'm payin' REAL taxes?
Fuckin' star-bellied sneech, that's what this Hardcase feller is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ln3V0HgW4eM&fe...
for the most wonderful Dr. Seuss reference.
I always think about that story when these situations come up. I doubt will ever get to the point where we never know, "which one is what one and what one is who," but I can hope.
but AI'm digging this guy! He's going after the 'coded racism'. I wondered where he was going whne he started with the warning about the undertones of 'socialist' labeling. Now, I hope he gets to continue the trend. And he gave the guy a chance to clean it up. NICE!
People speak in talk bites.
Sound bites.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6ZUlClqrTjA
a person who writes in "bites" complaining about "talk bites"
LOL.
Seek help.
I already drove them nuts.
;-)
only when you prefer silence
I've realized there is nothing humanly possible I can do or say to wake up people who are hypnotized and in a trance.
TV and even the Internet now is nothing but a money machine.
Sad to see it but it's true.
don't give up, yet!
It's not a matter of giving up it's SURVIVAL.
I have seen the future and it doesn't look pretty.
Give up, give up. The sooner you stop fighting, the sooner we can pave over your brain and move on to our next exciting reality ...
as soon as the eat the ignorant masses they'll be coming for us. "Fine tuning" things.
And I'm not going to let that happen.
The TV business is uglier than most things. It is normally perceived as some kind of cruel and shallow money trench through the heart of the journalism industry, a long plastic hallway where thieves and pimps run free and good men die like dogs, for no good reason.
Hunter S. Thompson
San Francisco Examiner, November 4, 1985
hell who has time to read or why when a talking head can entertain?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzORu1dqEE0
to most people.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gNIVpMXHqlk
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xzORu1dqEE0
Journalism has been destroyed by a con-man named Rush Limbaugh, who sold the world on this piece of bullshit called 'the mainstream media.'
Journalism has been destroyed by profit.
Journalism has been destroyed by people who want to be wise without having to think.
or producing anything of real value.
seek help are usually the ones that need it as well your projecting.
... to prove me wrong regarding the hypocrisy of a person speaking in "talk bites" complaining about other people's "talk bites." You went off the deep end writing... wait for it... in "talk bites."
I know I am pretty nuts, but even I don't make claims about my time travel abilities.
It is very easy to be a perma-critic, it is much harder to actually work to change things. I can't say I blame you for your approach. However, I recommend you take some time off, get some fresh air and surround yourself with some peace and beauty.
Cheers.
I'm not into it to win a personality contest.
Evidently so.
"I know I am pretty nuts, but even I don't make claims about my time travel abilities."
The wingnut almost made a very interesting point - but perhaps not what he intended (I did not see the full segment). The Obama town halls have been different - they've been very respectful and have a variety of views both articulated AND aired by the so-called MSM. In other words, the wingnuts didn't succeed in hijacking the discussion. That is indeed "real" America, not a onesided screamfest.
I guess some folks are Americaner than others.
Everybody else, in their eyes, is a "second-class" citizen.
And are therefore not entitled to equal consideration...
I thought everybody knew that...
I mean. yakking about equality is fine, but when the ruber meets the road, it's white people who matter, and nobody else...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AzEY6ZqkuE
Check this out!
Anthony Weiner (D-NY) does a fantastic job of explaining "Medicare For All" (HR 676) - well worth watching in itself - AND leaves Joe Scarborough SPEECHLESS !!
From FireDogLake Channel at YouTube:
Rep. Anthony Weiner Discusses Public Option Health Care Reform on Morning Joe - PT 1
Rep. Anthony Weiner Discusses Public Option Health Care Reform on Morning Joe - PT 2
I saw the whole thing live this morning on morning Joe. Weiner is wonderful and it was both educational and entertaining to watch. His view on medicare for all makes all the sense in the world and he left Scarborough deflated and looking stupid as hell. If I even need a guy to argue my side of an argument, I'll calling Anthony Weiner.
he comes across as one wan weiner.
No praise for corporate media, just for Don Lemon in this instance.
He meant real murrcan like G.I. Joe. A real murrcan hero.
LMAO!
My wife's uncle was a real American hero, Ernie Pyle.
... think the 'G.I.J.O.E.' movie is socialist claptrap, 'cause it includes French people or something.
And my Mehrka's better than yore 'murrca'
It's MURKAN!!!
Yew yanks cain't not never git it rite!
Well let me correct myself. My Murka can kick your Murka's ass!!
and HA!
He really should just say "white americans" because we all know that's what he means!
Hey, the rest of you MSM fuckheads--THIS is how you do it. Call the a'holes out on YOUR shows. We aren't watching to see your pretty faces, and we certainly aren't thereto watch guests run roughshod over you with talking points. Get a grip and maybe we will watch again.
An objective viewpoint is not 'everything is equal' - it is based on facts.
2+2=5 does not get equal time in the classroom out of fairness.
All Americans are real, but some Americans are more real than others.
http://www.ratewall.com/cpics/446c04a9-8af8-4...
Wasn't Amerigo Vespucci Italian?
Thought Murgo Spewchee invented Wishbone salad dressin?
invented Mapquest and JohnnyQuest (the search for Clean Rest Rooms.)
And that snappy theme music?!
It was the imagining.
Progressives? NO.
Anyone not white? Hell no.
Poor whites? Only when they need your stupid asses.
Gays, Immigrants? Fuck no!
President Barack Obama? Are you out of your God-damned mind? Mother Fucking no!!!
..are those who don't make the "American" distinction based on anything other than citizenship. I could conclude that this makes Hardage "unAmerican" but that would immediately disqualify me from "Americanship".
The Teabaggers' Theme
"I'm the only real American"
Gun in my hand like a real man.
I'm the only real American.
Shill for the right, my mind is shut tiiiight...
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumbdumb dumb dumb
You see me screamin' loud, at all of the town halls...
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumbdumb dumb dumb
Not makin' any sense, but it thrills my balls
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumbdumb dumb dumb
A black guy in the White House, that's so hard to taaake..
Dumb dumb dumb dumb dumbdumb dumb dumb
He's not American like me, he wasn't born in a staaate...
"I'm the only real American"
Gun in my hand like a real man.
I'm the only real American.
Shill for the right, my mind is shut tiiiight...
"real Americans" = dog whistle for birthers and others who persist in thinking, for instance, that Obama is not a "real American" because they believe he wasn't born in the U.S. and/or because his father was Kenyan.
The rich are not real Americans. Just check the address of their bank.
A non-supporter coulnd't get within miles of a DUHbya event. Maybe that's what he meant by "real Americans." The people who attended BushCo events weren't real Americans.
silly humans. They can never be anything but human yet some call themselves 'americans', 'conservatives', 'liberals', 'independents', 'canadians', etc, etc, etc.... It's so sad to see such basic dishonesty. Somewhere along the line they must have been brainwashed by some very evil humans.
...Libertarian...non-partisan...
Ayn Rand told them so...
It's Dilbert's brother!
Was there a dress code for 60's era NASA engineers that necessitated short sleeved white shirts, pocket protectors, ties, thick glasses, and either a bald head or flat top?
;-)
and besides.
Geeks get it done.
But not that guy...he's a nerd...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=C3njjD41f48&fe...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmMAw5a7POU
.
Ask grimalkin
She likes to rumble with 11 year olds.
.
who may soon appear as someone's screen name.
The Centennial Olympic Park bombing was a terrorist bombing on July 27, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia, United States during the 1996 Summer Olympics, the first of four committed by Eric Robert Rudolph, former explosives expert for the United States Army.Two people died, and 111 were injured
The Centennial Olympic Park bombing took place on July 27, 1996 in Atlanta, Georgia during the 1996 Summer Olympics.
[ http://www.economicexpert.com/a/Centennial:Ol... ]
updated 9:17 a.m. EDT, Thu August 30, 2007:
Vindicated Olympic Park bombing suspect Richard Jewell dies http://www.cnn.com/2007/US/08/29/richard.jewe...
Right-Winger (to Left-Winger): "YOU HATE AMERICA! YOU WANT TO HUG TERRORISTS! YOU WANT TO KILL MY GRANDMA AND SET FIRE TO MY SPECIAL NEEDS BABY! YOU WANT TO DESTROY AMERICA AND TAKE AWAY ALL OUR FREEDOMS AND TURN AMERICA INTO SOVIET RUSSIA!!!"
Left-Winger (to Right-Winger): "That kind of hatemongering is un-American."
Right-Winger (to Left-Winger): "WHAT?!?! YOU JUST CALLED ME 'Un-AMERICAN'!!!"
Left-Winger: "No, I didn't, I --"
Right-Winger (to Left-Winger): "YES YOU DID! YOU CALLED ME UN-AMERICAN! YOU DON'T RESPECT FREEDOM OF SPEECH UNLESS IT'S FROM YOUR SIDE! YOU HATE AMERICA! I DEMAND AN APOLOGY FROM YOU, AND ALL LIBERALS AND DEMOCRATS MUST MAKE FORMAL STATEMENTS DISTANCING THEMSELVES FROM YOU!"
Host: "Thank you both for coming on, very exciting. Coming up next..."
"Hardage: Don, this is the second town hall he's done in the last week that I actually saw real Americans get up and ask questions, it wasn't a pre-selected group or a -"
When did Bush ever do that?
EPN
Real Americans want to see Rick Sanchez get tazed and Lou Dobbs go
batty.
How do you define "real" American?
I guess if you are from iceland you are not a "real" American.
From Kazakistan? nope.
Mars? nope.
Atlantis? nope...
is a bad way to start asking, friend.
Fine were all real Americans.
Except me.I'm Canadian.
A real Canadian mind you, not one of those fake namby pamby Canadians that think differently than I do about any given issue...which naturally I'm always right about.
I knowed they was sumthin off kilter about you!
its the Scots.
I just can't win today!
.
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