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?”
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514 comments Add your comment
tony316
August 10th, 2009
7:30 pm
my point is real simple. PPO & HMO have boards that decides your teatment and it is cost driven. the fact that each have major medical limited would further confuse them. your plan that you love so much will stop your life to cut cost. change your medication for something cheaper or deny you all together. read & get understanding
joel
August 10th, 2009
7:35 pm
im white but black below the belt
Karmaismf
August 10th, 2009
7:36 pm
Has anyone’s employer based insurance premiums gone up in the past 5 years? Have you had to wait for weeks sometimes months for a referral only to be told you don’t need it? I know we all want a system that is fair for everyone. Would it hurt so much to attend these town halls with patience, and an open mind, and ask questions without going off?
funny
August 10th, 2009
7:38 pm
you can definitely tell that youre in the deep south when you read post after post filled with hate and fear mongering without knowledge and awareness…i am surprised some of these people even have computers or internet connection…luckily for most Americans the numbers of these ignorant individuals is dwindling every day….a new America is being born so either get onboard or start packing up!!
joel
August 10th, 2009
7:53 pm
hitler also wanted change
Dude
August 10th, 2009
7:56 pm
Don’t try to make this a “south” thing- these idiots are nationwide.
Bob from Dahlonega- Great ideas, buddy. I hope you express your plans at whatever town hall meeting you were talking about attending. It’ll go over real well, I’m sure.
Keith- You’re a classless rube. And additionally a coward, as I’m sure you’re too afraid to express these hateful thoughts in person. I try not to think it terms of race and I hate it when people speak like they represent an entire race, but you really are an embarrassment to white people. Please die in a fire. Thanks.
GT GRAD
August 10th, 2009
8:01 pm
David Scott does not deserve to represent any Americans; especially hard working Georgians!
Vote him out of office!!
Dude
August 10th, 2009
8:03 pm
And how can anyone complain about “race cards” being thrown out when Scott has received blatantly racist faxes? Did y’all even read the article?
joel
August 10th, 2009
8:04 pm
dude i bet your momma has been straight up laid up in the hood
Mike
August 10th, 2009
8:07 pm
What makes me disgusted is the fact that the congress, for that matter most elected officials, believe they have the right to call police in to “control” the very people they claim to represent. It should be illegal for any politician to call in the police because the members of their district, city, state or country wish to give them an ear full because of the ineptitude they stand by.
They are not elected to shut us up—whatever the subject ! They are suppose to listen even when it’s harsh and act on what WE SAY TO DO !
joel
August 10th, 2009
8:10 pm
you speek a spanny
haunky
August 10th, 2009
8:14 pm
atlanta is a crap hole .nothing but illegal aliens,stupid yankees and leeches on society oh yeah wheres cynthia mckinney?
Dawg Lover
August 10th, 2009
8:18 pm
Funny how many want to bring up that we spend so much more on healthcare than any other developed nation yet we rank so low on the quality scale. Yet, some of these same folks don’t mind sitting back, even defending what a pathetic shame our public schools are. Race is not the issue here or is it Mr. Scott. It’s a tight rope and you all should be very careful. Remember, Mr. Obama never claimed to run on race. However, it is very funny to me that so many who staunchly support our president’s every move, would resort to “racist” name calling when someone has a differing point of view. Hard to have it both ways, don’t you think!!!!!!!! Again, this is no matter of race. It’s about the freedom-loving people wanting government to stay out of healthcare. The government ruins every other social program, no matter how well intended. If you don’t believe it, take a quick look at Medicare, Medicaid, the VA Health System, Social Security and many, many others. The government is very inept at running these well-intended programs. I, for one, will not sit quietly by and watch our government ruin what I believe to be the healthcare system that the rest of the world envies. Just ask any surgeon in south Florida how their business goes thru the roof during “snowbird” season with Canadian’s who come to them wanting ellective surgery.
Ken
August 10th, 2009
8:19 pm
Dude sounds like a complete moron. Whites don’t like blacks simply because they cause nothing but trouble. Gee who causes all of the crime downtown? Funny how they don’t have major problems in white cities like Chattanooga, Greenville, Orlando, etc.
Army Vet
August 10th, 2009
8:24 pm
Just think, I served in the military to protect the very rights that all those gutless, spineless politicians are trying to take away. On another note, the black mentality is amazing. Everything, and I mean EVERYTHING, is racial. Every time I have to ride through the “hood” all I see are black females walking around with 4 or 5 kids hanging on her and of course she’s pregnant…AGAIN. Then around noon, the males wake up and start selling their drugs and committing crimes. Those animals can’t even speak English. The black race is going down the toilet and it’s the white man’s fault. But, I have to hand it to them, they do stick together……when they arn’t killing each other. That’s the only thing I like about them….they kill each other about as fast as they breed.
Sean
August 10th, 2009
8:25 pm
Why is it that every political discussion in the south always degrades to a racial argument. You people are pathetic…on both sides.
jim smith
August 10th, 2009
8:29 pm
Congressman Scott didn’t have the answers to questions asked by members of the audience. Therefore, they “hijacked” him. This guy is a low life. Get rid of him. Worthless.
Ghost Writer
August 10th, 2009
8:30 pm
Keith, you’re still on here? Your mom hasn’t yelled down that dinner is ready yet? Obama, a half-black man is president and you’re on here blogging like a lunatic. Seems like all the crystal meth comes from those REAL American towns where Bob from Dahlonega. Where are you from Rabun County? Little tidbit for ya, whites commit more total crimes than blacks. Suck on that!
Jackie Heldon
August 10th, 2009
8:33 pm
Race has ABSOLUTELY NOTHING to do with this issue. I will be in favor of the healthcare reform when I am afforded the IDENTICAL health care package the politicians have. They are trying to sell us a package of goods that they know absolutely nothing about because they have their own healthcare paid for by the government–and it sure doesn’t match in benefits to what they want us to have. Until such time, I am against the government getting involved. They have tried for how many years to solve the Social Security issue–another program to which they do NOT belong–and have never done diddly-squat. Why should we trust them to do this right? Name just ONE government program that is effective and fair. I guess if we allow them to sell us this new insurance program, women, including my wife will be led to Hooter’s for their annual breast exam because that is about what we will be able to afford. Enough about race; deal with the issue. WE DON’T WANT IT!
Keith
August 10th, 2009
8:36 pm
Ghost Writer THANK YOU for the laugh. This proves how uneducated your black a$$ is. Lets see, around 12% of the population is black yet there are more blacks in jail then whites and whites commit more crimes? Did you also know that more blacks go to jail then graduate college? Do you watch the Atlanta news nightly and see what great things you thugs are doing for Atlanta? Nothing but trouble. It is a fact that most blacks are complete morons and cause nothing but trouble. They are also terrible leaders. And by the way, Johns Creek in a $420,000 house. No bullets flying by up here! Go kill someone or sell some drugs or whatever you do.
Jackie Heldon
August 10th, 2009
8:36 pm
And David Scott needs to go. VOTE HIM OUT! He does NOT represent me or the majority of his constituents.
Alan
August 10th, 2009
8:38 pm
Hey “Wow” is that what you think? You think us “backwoods crackers” will be in the minority soon? Do you know that only 10% of this country is black and you thugs are simply killing each other off daily? This country is still almost 70% white so you have a long wait monkey boy. You will be shot sometime soon I am sure by one of your fellow thugs.
PappyHappy
August 10th, 2009
8:41 pm
If the Congressman is getting TOO HOT, GET OUT OF THE KITCHEN!!! Way too many of these politicians apparently feel that once they get to Washington DC, it then becomes an entitlement. In all candor, Congressman Scott has clearly demonstrated a personality trait the is NOT BECOMING TO OR FOR CONSTITUENTS!! Is he in the Pelosi FOLD????
Army Vet
August 10th, 2009
8:44 pm
Ghost Writer…..blacks commit more violent crime than any other race. Just look at the news everyday. They totally destroy everything they come in contact with. Even lowering the standards can’t help….too stupid and too lazy. Only difference between the blacks and animals is that the blacks walk upright. Take responsibility for yourselves. If HITLER was black you stupid morons would still vote for him.
Army Vet
August 10th, 2009
8:46 pm
Why do you call successful blacks……SELLOUTS!
B. Thenet
August 10th, 2009
8:55 pm
Wow you can literally smell the ignorance coming out of some of these comments. I promise you that none of these guys would ever say this kind of racist garbage to a black persons face, internet cowards the lot of them.
Jenzen
August 10th, 2009
8:58 pm
RACE CARD!! I could scream! I (and millions of others) are sick and damn tired of everything black being the RACE card! First, if you are an American (Black) call yourselves BLACK Americans, not AFRICA-FREAKIN’ Americans! This only shows that you hold your first allegiance to AFRICA and not to the country of your birth. By the way, I lived in Kenya for 3-1/2 years and I can tell you that black Africans identify with tribes as much (or more than) their country. AND, where else on earth or what other country has African-XXXXX’s? Only in America – that tolerates it.
Thank God not all idiot African-Americans(not) believe they are Africans first – a good many believe in this country and are proud of being called what they are: Americans.
Will the poisoning by African leaders (now there’s an oxymoron!) ever cease? Will they ever cease trying to victimize a black child from birth to grave? Will a black child who wants to excel in school ever be allowed to learn without “acting white?”
JCW
Billy Bob from cobb
August 10th, 2009
9:07 pm
Thank you Herman Cain for exposing a race baiter neocon demogod. He is no better than midget al and baby daddy jessie. Maybe he can get NeNe to fight his battles for him. Mlk would be rolling over in his grave if he could see these no count gov pimps at work.
World Be Free
August 10th, 2009
9:07 pm
Socialism does not work period.
all you people that are in favor of public healthcare need to go to ANY country that has it! It’s too expensive and it does not work. This is whay people from all over the world come here for medical education and medical treatment.
Don’t mean to mean but _are you people stupid r something?
Who is going to PAY for Obama’s plan?
But if you ask a question (which is your right), you are automatically labeled a racist.
I have had enough.
World Be Free
August 10th, 2009
9:09 pm
Wow-seems like you have some racial issues. Grow up.
Army Vet
August 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
B. Thenet…….guess you better call THE REVEREND Jesse and THE REVEREND Al. Don’t call me an internet coward you welfare parasite. Just like all the other darkies….tough when you have a gun or when the odds are 3 to 1. Maybe one of your “homies” will do the world a favor and “cap yo a$$”
nana
August 10th, 2009
9:15 pm
Anytime anyone disagrees with this administration they will be accused of being racists. It’s lame and it’s way past old. For any proponents of the bill as it stands you might want to read it.
Billy Bob from cobb
August 10th, 2009
9:17 pm
The ajc is going out of business because they cater to the blacks so the whites are not buying their rag any longer. Do you really belive those of us with money would ever settle for gov. healthcare.
Audrey in Georgia
August 10th, 2009
9:23 pm
David Scott may be a dinosaur, but he woke everybody up in Georgia! I am so proud of him.
Whether you people like it or not, we will have health care reform. Democrats have the
majority vote in the House and the Senate. Make it Happen! Yes we can and yes we will!
Half-foot Bobby Knuckles
August 10th, 2009
9:25 pm
If you you don’t support Obama’s policies, then you are now a racist mobster!
Alan
August 10th, 2009
9:28 pm
Thankfully Obama Bin Laden will be OUT in three more years, or hopefully less.
B. Thenet
August 10th, 2009
9:31 pm
Army Vet: I am white, and the only proof I ever needed to see that racial superiority was a myth was to look at the kind of knuckle dragging morons that flock to the white supremacist movement.
You guys are the past, you can bully other races on the internet but the times of you calling a black man to his face a ******* or a mexican man to his face a **** are long gone. Your children and your children’s children will take pity at your ignorance as the years go by.
atlpaddy
August 10th, 2009
9:32 pm
I wish all the nutjob birtherbaggers would quit driving on our ’socialist’ federal highways so that I can get home from work quicker…and yes, the crybaby lunatics are a bunch of racists.
Frank Regento
August 10th, 2009
9:36 pm
All I’ve heard from the right is over-stated lies about “death panels” and “rationing”. What is the GOP’s solution in all of this? Continue more of the same? Letting healthcare costs double or triple every decade? Spending 6x as much per capita on healthcare than the rest of the First World? Having medical expenses be the #1 cause of personal bankruptcy? Protecting insurance and pharmaceutical companies that charge INSANE prices that the rest of the world doesn’t have to pay? Seriously, look at the price you pay for ANY medication, with or without insurance, at the pharmacy and compare that to what people in other countries pay. WE ARE GETTING RAPED. And right-wing morons are cheering it on, thinking they’re helping anyone.
World Be Free
August 10th, 2009
9:37 pm
This discussion is going nowhere.
True American
August 10th, 2009
9:41 pm
Don’t be bullied!!! These right winged conservatives are using traditional tactics of intimidation, fear that’s motivated by nothing but pure hate. Not once have they offered a solution for the problems (which were created by Republican Rule and supported completely by the very same hate filled idiots) that have us in this mess to begin with!!!
All I hear them doing is criticizing the efforts of true Americans who are trying to dig us out of this hole and supporting the reinstatement of policies and ideology that go US (Whites, Blacks, Hispanics and Asian Americans) into to such a bind in the first place. That’s why we as a country chose to make a change in the first place!!
When these American hating idiots stop screaming stupidity and start bringing options to the table, that don’t resemble the failed policies of the past, then America should listen.
But as long as there hate filled idiots scream rhetoric… FIGHT BACK AND HELP REBUILD OUR COUNTRY!!!
True American
August 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
Sorry Bama12 but your party is currently built on the principles of hate.
Billy Bob from cobb
August 10th, 2009
9:42 pm
I dont mind the blacks supporting the dark prince but it really bothers me to see these dumb whites with the stickers on their bumbers. Its enough to make me feel good about door dings and cart scapes
Kris
August 10th, 2009
9:46 pm
TrueAmerican it would be a much better country without people like you in it. Please leave and take the thugs with you.
Dude
August 10th, 2009
9:49 pm
“joel”, my mother’s a partner at one of the most prestigious law-firms in the South. These days, she likely pays more in taxes than you take home in 3 years. So, um, yeah…
PS.. I’m white. So if I were poor I’d be from the trailer-park, not “da hood”. Duh.
True American
August 10th, 2009
9:54 pm
Reading these comments clearly shows that the Republican Party is no different than any hate filled, extremist group out there that have no real solutions. You’re the ones playing the race card because to none racist, race is not a game to be played.
This is why your party has gone the way a of Robert E Lee… dead.
LaurenVH
August 10th, 2009
9:55 pm
i don’t see how anybody can read these blogs with all the racism and hate and still scream about race cards and how black people just make these things up.
True American
August 10th, 2009
9:58 pm
World Be Free… the same people that paid for the Iraq war… which still cost more than the current stim package.
True American
August 10th, 2009
10:01 pm
Sorry Kris but the only one leaving my country will be red necks like you.
Kris
August 10th, 2009
10:03 pm
“red necks” is one word you uneducated thug. Now go kill someone or whatever you people do.