David Scott on a racial undertone in the debate over health care reform
Just got off the phone a few minutes ago with U.S. Rep. David Scott of metro Atlanta, who underlined what he said are some worrisome racial undertones in the current health care debate.
U.S. Rep. David Scott of metro Atlanta/Associated Press
As noted this morning, Scott was the topic of a WXIA TV report over the weekend, which detailed an Aug. 1 confrontation with opponents of health care reform at a town hall meeting in Douglasville.
Scott angrily accused protestors of attempting to “hijack” the meeting.
On Monday, the congressman said he stood by those comments, which were recorded by the city’s cable TV outlet — then truncated into the WXIA report.
The edited video hit the airwaves only this weekend, but in fact was one of the first of many such clashes over health care reported around the country.
U.S. Rep. Hank Johnson (D-Decatur) will host a town hall meeting on health care this evening. His staff says 20 law enforcement officers will be on hand to maintain order.
What the WXIA report failed to capture, the 13th District congressman said, was the fact that the health care protestors intruded on a delicate, local discussion.
“That was not my town hall meeting. It was the city of Douglasville. They had worked months to put a town hall meeting together, for me to come and to explain and to give comfort and assurance [to] the community that would be impacted,” Scott said.
The topic was the $70 million reconstruction of Ga. 92 in the community. Sixty-eight homes and businesses will be destroyed in the process.
“It would go right through the heart of the African-American community,” Scott said. “These people don’t know — they’re willing to try to trust here, but they want some comfort. They want to know how their homes will be appraised. How will the neighborhood be impacted? The whole future of Douglasville rests on this road. That’s what that meeting was about. It was not about health care.”
Scott said it was the fact that the meeting wasn’t his, and dealt with a sensitive topic, that made him use the sharp tone.
“I was going to stand up and get the respect of the constituents of mine that had worked hard to put a meeting together. And I was not going to let [health care protestors] hijack this meeting. We were discussing the life-and-death issues of their future and their homes and their way of life,” Scott said. “It was very disrespectful and selfish. I had to speak up for the respect of the people of Douglasville.”
Scott said he’ll be the sponsor of a health fair in Jonesboro on Saturday. “I’m willing to take questions. But that’s mine. This meeting was not mine,” Scott said.
City Manager William Osborne, who moderated the Douglasville event, confirmed that health care protestors had to be called to order “four or five times” during a meeting that lasted nearly four hours.
The city manager said the demonstrators weren’t a surprise — Herman Cain, the WSB Radio talk show host and former Republican candidate for senator, had urged those opposed to current health care proposals to show up.
But Osborne also disputed descriptions of Scott as “ranting.”
“He was angry and he showed that anger. But he was totally under control,” Osborne said.
Scott said he understands why he was the target of confrontation. As the only member of Congress who is a member of the Blue Dog and New Democrat caucuses, plus the Congressional Black Caucus, Scott says he has begun to fill the role of go-between on the health care issue.
“I think members of Congress have to stand firm, and they have to be able to realize that we’re in a fight — that this is a serious issue, it is a deliberative issue. But we’re being hanged in effigy,” he said.
Scott said he has no problem with protestors exercising their freedom of speech.
“This is a different thing here. We’re dealing a concerted effort to use these town hall meetings to bum rush Democratic congressmen about this issue,” Scott said.
While Scott acknowledged the legitimate concerns that many Americans have when it comes to overhauling health care, the congressman also expressed worry about the debate’s undertone. Scott e-mailed me a sampling of some of the rougher health care mail he’s received — the ones with variations of the n-word.
“You were, you are, and you shall forever be but a ———-,” one fax to his office reads. The missive includes a mug of President Barack Obama with a hammer-and-sickle stamped on his forehead.
“The folks are not going to stand for socialized medicine even though most Negroes refuse to stand on their own two feet,” says another.
“These people are bringing [in] race — and ‘Negro’ and ‘colored’ and Obama,” Scott said. “We should applaud the fact that we have an African-American president and he is working on this. This is a great thing. But it should not be a racial situation. What have we done except look at the problem and move on it?”
For instant updates, follow me on Twitter.
Tell us what you think about the site
Customer Care »
Vacation stops, manage subscriptions and more
AJC Services
Sections
Other Editions
Visitor Agreement | Privacy Statement
© 2013 The Atlanta Journal-Constitution
514 comments Add your comment
Mike
August 11th, 2009
8:53 pm
Decatur, postings like that are the reason the “angry white man” is still on top. But we don’t need your help any more. Seems like we’ve done it on our own. You’ve proven who the bigot is, and I thank you for it.
Decatur
August 11th, 2009
8:59 pm
You are soooooo Welcome. Looks like this blog is narrowed down to 2 people. Have a nice and prosperous life!!!!
Terri
August 11th, 2009
8:59 pm
@Mike Way to Go!
Elle
August 11th, 2009
9:00 pm
Mike you do know I was being sarcastic by saying you were right on don’t you …sign
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:01 pm
Decatur I’m sure he will. You sound angry and bitter about something. Maybe politics isn’t in the equation. Did anyone forget about Scott? He was was rude and disrespectful. Funny how these politions forget that they serve us. You would have thought the doctor worked for him instead of the other way around. Once again ignorance is a bliss!
Mike
August 11th, 2009
9:02 pm
no, elle, i thought you were being serious. I made the presumption you wanted to dialogue and possibly learn something. Was I incorrect?
Elle
August 11th, 2009
9:05 pm
Terri and Mike I will let you continue to play with your confederate flags and red trucks and have this board. You have proved my point. Just racist, closed minded individuals hiding behind the so called title of “conservative” Give me a freakin break. You are true blue (or in this case red),down to the bone, good old fashioned racists…….I know your kind I have seen them for decades here in the south. And BTW no matter how many people call you cracker, red neck etc, you don’t have the history of slavery and segregation to feel the STING of those words. I know that’s something your tiny southern brain can’t grasp either. I give up…let me go back to see if Old Zell has kicked the bucket.
Charles
August 11th, 2009
9:07 pm
@Elle Oh no you are back. E1 can see you are hateful and sarcastic.
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:10 pm
@Elle You have such anger in your heart. Always remember it’s like poison. You make no sense. You are like a broken record…..same thing over and over again. BTY you are hateful and racist.
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:12 pm
@Elle…..Your concern over Miller amazes me. He was critical of his own party telling the left wingers that the red states were just getting hotter and hotter.
Mike
August 11th, 2009
9:12 pm
No, elle, My past has a history of people being killed, raped, property taken from them, run out of every town in the United States and called many names, and pursued on the longest foot trek in American history, just to find a place they could call home without the attacks. I’m still here and I still like people. I’m a Latter-Day Saint, possibly the only group with similar or possibly worse historical circumstances than blacks; the Mormons.
You don’t want to talk, you just want to bitch. I’ve said nothing to indicate a racial bias because I don’t have one. I don’t care what color someone is, but obviously you do. you just aren’t up to a dialogue. If you are that sad here, why do you stay?
Just out of interest where the heck are you from?
Charles
August 11th, 2009
9:15 pm
Elle Funny how you can call someone a redneck, confederate flagger, cracker and in our society that’s okay. To call you the N word would not be socially acceptable. Hypocrisy hard at work. You just don’t realize how racist you are. Racism is everywhere. You don’t have to be black to be a victim of racism. My personal opinion about Scott. The whole swastika thing is a fake. He got in over his head with his arrogance and then had to clean up his act and figure out to get out of it. With the swastika he can now cry foul and be a victim.
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:19 pm
@Mike…….You can tell we aren’t racist. BTW…..I voted for Romney in the primary. His religion had no reflection on my choice. We sure do need him now. Elle is racist. So is Al Sharpton. Just annoys me that every time people like that speak it’s the white people that are considered racist. Isn’t there enough racism to go around for all of us? LOL
Mike
August 11th, 2009
9:28 pm
It irritates the crap out of me when people can read non-biased posts and glean racial bias out of them, but then don’t have the guts to talk about where they get that from. The only thing I can presume from that is that she has the bias and anything she reads, she’ll find a bias in it somewhere.
But terri, I have to disagree with you. i don’t believe Scott showed a racial bias in that townhall meeting. i believe he showed a bias against those who were not with the Healthcare plan he was supporting, but not a racial bias. I also believe the swastika painted on his building WAS a racial message, or possibly simply an insult, calling him a socialist. I also believe whoever did that was absolutely wrong.
I’m still waiting to find out if Scott will hold his healthcare townhall meeting on the 28th like he said at the end of the douglasville townhall meeting. I was there and I saw everything that happened from close up.
And I voted for romney, but only because he seemed to be the best qualified. never would I vote for someone just because they’re of my religion…….Harry Reid is a Latter-Day Saint– that should tell you why.
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:34 pm
@Mike….I do believe Scott was being racial. My first gut instinct when I watched it. I truly believe if he had been a black man asking the question, Scott would not have responded the way he did. I found in to be hateful. I see your point with Harry Reid. If Scott holds his meeting on the 28th, the attendees will be selected or lots of police. These dems like to cherry pick their forum. I’d love to go. Do you live in the area? I’m a tiny person but I would love to challenge him. I could hold my ground.
Rebecca
August 11th, 2009
9:41 pm
I don’t even live in your state, but Scott was SO RUDE and SO OUT OF CONTROL, that I will send $$ to anyone who will run against him!
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:47 pm
@Rebecca Glad to see someone agrees with me. But honestly, he was just being a democrat hard at work. What state are you in out of curiosity?
Mike
August 11th, 2009
9:55 pm
Rebecca, there’s an independent running against him. His name is Michael Frisbee (Yes, he’s looking at using flying discs for campaign advertising). So far, he’s who I’ll be voting for and, if I’m still here, I’ll do what I can with his campaign. He’s constitutional, supports the fair tax and is also fed up with Scott (guess he’s a racist?). I believe he’s on facebook and I believe he has a website. I’ll be watching him to see if he becomes like the rest, but so far, so good.
Frankly, I’m extremely disillusioned with the two party system and with the two parties. If possible, everyone I vote for will be an independent or a third party candidate. I think we’re at the point where we can’t do much more damage. (I hope and pray)
Speaking about the Scott townhall meeting in Douglasville, Ga., do you guys realize, the first person who spoke on the healthcare package was not the doctor? The first person was a local black resident and he’s the one who got Scott ticked off first. The doctor simply reaped what the first guy sowed. As I said, I was there. I was supposed to be the next speaker when they shut things down.
Terri
August 11th, 2009
9:59 pm
@Mike….signing off for now. It was great chatting with you. I will look for you again when I return to site. Nice to see there are still some really great Americans still around and you are one of them. Take care, it was fun!
Chris Mathews is covered in his own spittle
August 11th, 2009
10:13 pm
Hillary said that it is patriotic to protest. She screamed it as a matter of fact. She was mad at Bush like all the other brainless libs. We will Protest. NO YA’LL CAN’T!!!!
Mike
August 11th, 2009
10:21 pm
Terri, good night, my dear. Parting is such sweet sorrow (sniff, sniff). May the morrow send flowers and beautiful things your way and may your slumber of the nite be as that of a princess. (Man, that was good!!)
Chris, the elitist atitude is a thing that deserves considerable study. It has always amazed me how a group of Americans can feel they are more capable of making decisions for me than I am, and that’s basically what elites are saying and what elitists believe. At present, that mentality is beyond my comprehension, so I like to study Hillary Clinton.
I know it has something to do with their raising, and with their education, but I can’t find the key that says this one grows up normal and that one grows up to be an elitist. What is it? Do you understand it better?
Terri
August 11th, 2009
10:52 pm
@Mike….I’m back….nice things you had to say. Looks as though everyone is gone. I’ll hang around for a while. Chris, you are right. Hillary did say it was patriotic to protest. If I do it, I’m called an right wing nut….Go figure!
Mike
August 11th, 2009
11:13 pm
Looks like I have to go. Got some work to do for about an hour. Probably check this blog shortly after midnight.
I presume you knew elle would show me her bigoted side. I just don’t listen too well; I needed her to show me. But thanks any way.
Think for yourself
August 11th, 2009
11:47 pm
So the EASY ANSWER for why black people see bi-racial individuals as black is because of the one-drop rule circa 1890. Correct? And, this is applicable today how? Last I checked many bi racial children are born everyday to a black man and a white woman.No slave and no master around. Many of these children are raised (like our President) by white guardians. If a bi racial( excuse me, black) child can grow up to be president than why continue to hold one race responsible for the sins of their ancestors 120 years ago? The actions of men and women that many don’t even know the history of today. And, which race today still lives in the past. Where would we be today if whites still lived in this past? I know who wouldn’t be President. I think we’ve come a long way which was the point of my earlier comment. So you see racism still exists ,but its not one sided.
The American Spectator : AmSpecBlog : A Spraypainted Swastika Suddenly Appears
August 11th, 2009
11:56 pm
[...] a public meeting. A few days later the lawmaker tried to deflect criticism over his temper tantrum by suggesting race had something to do with the national healthcare debate. Scott’s got a nasty temper. When [...]
Think for yourself
August 12th, 2009
1:13 am
One Free Man says: Progress, I LOVE it! Southern Whites are NOW claiming their children that have “Black Blood”. No more ONE DROP rules.
Obama is White!
OK, I get it. The ONE DROP rules sure didn’t apply to Obama did it? Last I heard, the white family raised him. Quit living in the past. Obama is neither black nor white period. Racism exists alright, but its not one-sided. MLK wasn’t just speaking to whites when he dreamed of a colorblind world.
Acworth Don
August 12th, 2009
8:05 am
Now, now, citizens, let’s play nice for the bully boy’s. We can be nice and polite even when we don’t agree with one another. Remember your history. I lived through the time when the national government in Germany were just trying to do “what was right” and most of Germany let them alone because they were “true Germans,” and were not being taken away. The only “got it” after it was to late to protest. For any representative of ‘all the people’ to tell his people they don’t understand and they need to stand aside and “let us” decide what health care is needed….they that rep needs to be voted out of office!
Saddened, but now optimistic
August 12th, 2009
9:35 am
Think for yourself, you make some good points in your post, but as a young, forward-thinking, independent and financially stable African-American man I still see instances where Whites hold on to ways and beliefs of the past. I am not trying to excuse any of the social ills committed by African-Americans but discrimination, racism and prejudice still exist in this country.
I really do love all men for their humanity and I live in an intown neighborhood that is very diverse because of gentrification. There are still some of the original older African-American residents, there are young professionals, black and white, and several Latino families all residing in one neighborhood and when there are issues we band together as community to protect our families and property. America we are better than this senseless bickering and arguing. I am trying to understand the conservative mindset that doesnt trust government and it would be good if we all stood together and looked at those that are different from us to gain understand. The Bible says “Behold how good and pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity”. Believe it or not God is not concerned with your political ideology as much as he is with how you treat your brother.
Shawn
August 12th, 2009
10:09 am
Ugh – I should know better than to read the AJC. I always feel like I need to take a shower after reading the thoughts and opinions of my “neighbors”.
What a bunch of jerks.
get.real
August 12th, 2009
11:48 am
“Swastika:”
Two words: “Inside Job” (think about it)
get.real
August 12th, 2009
11:49 am
“Swastika:”
Two words:
“Inside Job” (think about it)
Chief Knockahomaruna
August 12th, 2009
12:03 pm
Im so tired of all these thugs somehow working their way into the positions they are in. The Doctor was very straight forward about asking his question and this idiot lays into him like he asked to date his wife. Come together everyone and vote this racist chump out of office or he may feel my size 12 boot up his a**!!!!
lanerlaw
August 12th, 2009
12:14 pm
I live in Scott’s district but it is apparent he doesn’t care what I want. His claims of racism are a joke. Absolute power corrupts absolutely! The facts are that Scott has been recognized as one of the most corrupt politicians, and has his family all on the campaign payroll. We need power returned to the people and away from all of these politicians that are only out for themselves!
David Scott – The Race Card
August 12th, 2009
12:42 pm
[...] David Scott on a racial undertone in the debate over health care reform | Political Insider [...]
Think for yourself
August 12th, 2009
12:54 pm
Saddened, but not optimistic: I didn’t mean to imply racism no longer existed. I admit unfortunately that race continues to factor in everything. My point was racism exists on both sides especially with the outcome of this most recent election.If you concede that the majority of the minority vote was for Obama that only gets you to maybe 22 percent of the electorate. In other words, Obama wouldn’t have been elected president without the votes of many white voters.With this backdrop, the response I received to why black people see bi racial individuals as black was dated in the past( One Drop rule, etc,1890).Racism will not end until everyone stops living in the past, both black and white.
Look at the conservative mindset as one of preserving freedom and liberties.True conservatives believe in limited government in our lives for this very reason.History is replete with examples of what big government does to individual freedoms.When government is not limited than it slowly gets bigger and it slowly corrupts. Think about it: Does government ask you to volunteer your monies?Stop paying them and see the result. Income tax was suppose to be a temporary measure to fund the war.As was social security, etc, etc.Do you see not the liberties that you lose? Everything is now forced on you, but always for some greater good.Big Brother always knows whats best.I choose to believe in the better angels of our nature, and believe this is better advanced through freedom and volunteerism than through big brother thinking he knows whats best for everyone else.Think about this: How much larger would charitable donations be if there wasn’t a limit being imposed by the government.
Saddened, but now optimistic
August 12th, 2009
1:19 pm
Think for yourself, you are a thoughtful individual and I for one appreciate your candor and the rationality that you’ve brought to this debate. I like the way you broke down the conservative mindset and just to let you know, many African-Americans prescribe to these ideals. But as much as many conservatives distrust governemnt, many African-Americans distrust the “white establishment” going unchecked without government oversight. This distrust doesn’t cause me to hate whites or any other groups, especiaaly since I personally haven’t experienced discrimination but history is history and the fact remains that many of the social-ills of this country are a result of our sordid past. Mortgage lenders, colleges and universities, the U.S. Mililitary and many other American insitutions engaged in discrimination and not just against blacks but women and other minorities as well.
I believe there is a better day coming in America, because this country is just great. I am a proud American regardless of my race, which according to science really doesn’t exist, and I am raising my kids to judge people by their character and not their physical appearance. Old racist black politicians need to be voted out as much as old racist white politicians need to be voted out. Let’s take OUR country back for the better and secure a brighter future for generations to come. NOTE: I am a 26 year old, African-American, husband, father of two that has never utilized government assistance, even though my wife and I needed it when we were both still undergrads.
Saddened, but now optimistic
August 12th, 2009
1:23 pm
oh yeah and my comment name is “Saddened, but NOW optimistic…LOL
Carole Taylor
August 12th, 2009
1:55 pm
I am totally disgusted with the selfish, “I have mine-the heck with you” attitude of some “Americans.” I support a government sponsored health care OPTION. I am on Social Security – a government social welfare program and get Medicare – a government run healthcare program. It absolutely amazes me that so many in my age group -as well as others- “just don”t get it” or refuse to recognize that these are the types of programs they’re railing against. You can be darn sure however, that they wouldn’t give them up and pay their own way. Nor would they give up government paid perscriptions – a Republican program that they forgot to fund and has sent us serious debt.
Griffinite
August 12th, 2009
2:35 pm
Scott ranted on about his constituents that didn’t have insurance. That’s because his district gerrymandered through areas where the City of Atlanta shoved their poor off on. Ride through Clayton county and tell me what he’s done for those folks.
Mike
August 12th, 2009
2:45 pm
Carole taylor, you start out complaining about selfish attitudes and then continue to state you support the government sponsored healthcare program– that’s selfish. You’re on social security and you want more. You deserve social security, provided you put into the system during your younger years. You don’t deserve someone else’s income to supplement that. They should have the option of telling you “yes you can have it” or “I want to keep mine”.
So many people in your age group are against this program because they realize the damage to the union it will cause…they are being very unselfish in that. They also realize they are destined to lose coverage under medicare when that system loses money (which is part of the plan). That’s not so unselfish. Point is, there are numerous reasons people are against this plan and likely the same number of reasons people are for it.
Saddened but optimistic, sounds like you’re part of the backbone of this society. Those of us who have worked most of our lives and never became a burden on others, are the reason this nation became what it has become. Thank you.
People don’t trust government (black, white, red, yellow, doesn’t matter) because the government has consistently proven themselves not trustworthy. Social Security and the “lockbox” that is empty is a great example. These townhall meetings, the subsequent attacks by government on private citizens who are exercising their right to speak freely is another example.
Have you seen the government’s declaration that, leftwing extremists are likely terrorists. Have you seen that? It’s really interesting that they can believe because someone has liberal leanings that they may be extremists and possibly terrorists and a danger to the nation. I hope that upsets you, because it should.
Racism did exist, does exist and will exist. It exists on all sides of the issue. Bigotry exists among races, differing religions, and so many other groups. It’s a fact of life. Our job is to not let it exist within our own lives individually. At least we can then know we have set a good example for those who haven’t grown out of it yet, but there will always be those who want to be treated better than others, and they’ll have all the reasons in the world why it should be so. Whites, because they built the nation; Blacks because they built the nation. Gets hard to remember the phrase “We hold these truths to be self-evident; that all men are created equal…
The Civil War Ended Years Ago
August 12th, 2009
3:06 pm
Folks why are we still fighting? Move away from the 1800’s era of civil disobedience and into civilization. Some sectors in all states, but it appears that the southern ones are most singled out (some with good reasons–you know who you are “The United Confederate States of Snakes”), appear to use race as a weapon to continue the an unnessary fight in this land of milk and honey–plenty to go around–don’t worry you’re not going to be short changed because that what God wants and you can’t do a thing about God’s desires–so stop fighting against God!!!!
Mike A
August 12th, 2009
3:12 pm
This is really funny. Most of the people opposing the health care bill are already on govt healthcare. Dumb ass who do you think pays your medicare. (you think its a private investor). Come on people think before you speak, all Obama is trying to do is make this better so everyon can have healthcare. Let that sink in all of you with Medicare.
Marty
August 12th, 2009
3:29 pm
Racism? Pray tell, what does a swastika have to do with racism? When will every situation or problem stop being blamed in racism? That phrase is getting really old, especially when it doesn’t relate to the subject matter at hand! d’oh
get.real
August 12th, 2009
3:37 pm
Rep Scott says that security video may reveal the swastika culprit. Hmmm .. wonder which one of his staff or family it will be? In other words, very mysteriously, there will be NO tape.
Saddened, but now optimistic
August 12th, 2009
3:37 pm
Thanks Mike for your smart comments. I really want us to move forward as a nation. This healthcare issue is a serious one and something needs to be done. Let’s have a debate around realistic change and ignore those that wish to insight fear, spread falsehoods and use ignorant hate-speech.
Bushwacker
August 12th, 2009
3:55 pm
Last time I checked Sen spector was a white man and he got it handed to him pretty good yesterday!!
It’s just too easy to scream race when your losing the argumennt.
I have some advice for Scott, get your resume ready because you will lose next election!!
The gravy train is over for you pal!!
Bushwacker
August 12th, 2009
4:00 pm
confedreted southern GOP nation killers
dude, no one is lsitening to a racist like you that spews hate with all the redneck talk!!!
Bushwacker
August 12th, 2009
4:03 pm
Oh yes, if OBAMA is just trying to do what he said he would do, then why have I not started getting my $8 a week reduction in payroll taxes?
I’d ask if anyone out there has noticed a reduction on the their paycheck but most idiots out there would not know where to look on their paystub.
OBAMA is just another lying politicain just like all the rest, rep and dem!
Nan
August 12th, 2009
4:03 pm
I saw the clips of the doctor “respectfully” screaming and refusing to shut up and listen. I’m white. I was appalled. The doctor was unbelievably rude, he tried to hijack a meeting that had been called to discuss a totally different matter. Then I saw him again on CNN refusing to wait his turn to speak and trying to talk over the points Rep Scott making. What a jerk.
Jackie
August 12th, 2009
4:18 pm
Maybe Jim Galloway painted it on the sign.