US Politics - John Cornyn
Jun. 26th, 2022 10:38 amMore about US politics.
I've been pretty pissed off the last few days. I want to clarify that if you vote for a leftist third party candidate at a national or state level, my statement that I want nothing to do with you doesn't apply. I honestly think doing so is misguided at this point, and hurts me and people I love, but I won't stop talking to you over it.
Regarding John Cornyn's comment about Plessy v. Ferguson/Brown v. Board:
I've seen an alternative explanation for Cornyn's statement. That he was addressing Barack Obama specifically. That he was responding to Obama's discussion of the implications of the reversal of Roe. That he was saying Obama should "do" (that is, write something about the implications of Brown v. Board reversing a precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson) Plessy/Brown next. That examining the way that Brown overturned Plessy will make it clear that sometimes SCotUS precedents are wrong and should be reversed.
In the past, even recently, I would have argued that this is probably Cornyn's actual intent, bone-headed as that expression of it is. It makes me angry when "my" side intentionally misrepresents people. It makes us look bad.
But, at this point in history, I honestly have no remaining benefit of the doubt to give the US Republicans. None. It's become quite clear to me that Republicans want anyone who doesn't conform to their idea of a "real" American to be third class citizens or worse.
It's *so* easy to see the dog whistle that Cornyn's statement could be. Republicans have used racist dog whistles frequently enough that it's part of their strategy, especially from Trump's rise. I think Cornyn knew exactly what he was saying and exactly how the racists in his constituency would interpret it.
When people tell you who they are, believe them.
Edited to Add:
Speaking of racist dog whistles, just after I wrote this, my dad pointed this out to me. Her spokesperson claims she misspoke. Her cheering audience didn't seem to think so.
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/rep-mary-miller-calls-roe-decision-victory-for-white-life/
I've been pretty pissed off the last few days. I want to clarify that if you vote for a leftist third party candidate at a national or state level, my statement that I want nothing to do with you doesn't apply. I honestly think doing so is misguided at this point, and hurts me and people I love, but I won't stop talking to you over it.
Regarding John Cornyn's comment about Plessy v. Ferguson/Brown v. Board:
I've seen an alternative explanation for Cornyn's statement. That he was addressing Barack Obama specifically. That he was responding to Obama's discussion of the implications of the reversal of Roe. That he was saying Obama should "do" (that is, write something about the implications of Brown v. Board reversing a precedent set by Plessy v. Ferguson) Plessy/Brown next. That examining the way that Brown overturned Plessy will make it clear that sometimes SCotUS precedents are wrong and should be reversed.
In the past, even recently, I would have argued that this is probably Cornyn's actual intent, bone-headed as that expression of it is. It makes me angry when "my" side intentionally misrepresents people. It makes us look bad.
But, at this point in history, I honestly have no remaining benefit of the doubt to give the US Republicans. None. It's become quite clear to me that Republicans want anyone who doesn't conform to their idea of a "real" American to be third class citizens or worse.
It's *so* easy to see the dog whistle that Cornyn's statement could be. Republicans have used racist dog whistles frequently enough that it's part of their strategy, especially from Trump's rise. I think Cornyn knew exactly what he was saying and exactly how the racists in his constituency would interpret it.
When people tell you who they are, believe them.
Edited to Add:
Speaking of racist dog whistles, just after I wrote this, my dad pointed this out to me. Her spokesperson claims she misspoke. Her cheering audience didn't seem to think so.
https://illinoisnewsroom.org/rep-mary-miller-calls-roe-decision-victory-for-white-life/