When Racists Play the Race Card

"Here you have a racist — you might want to soften that, and you might want to say a reverse racist."

Rush Limbaugh, on Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

"She's frightening. And she's racist. If I had said that as a white man, I would be hung out to dry."

Dennis Baxley, Christian Coalition of Florida executive director.

The quote Sotomayor made that has worked up Limbaugh's and Baxley's mock outrage is this.

Activists also targeted this quote from 2001: "I would hope that a wise Latina woman with the richness of her experiences would more often than not reach a better conclusion than a white male who hasn't lived that life."

Sotomayor was talking about how legal decisions effect the lives of people and her experiences as a Hispanic woman growing up in poverty gives her a different perspective. Perhaps not the best choice of words. However, Obama wanted a Justice with empathy. Sotomayor fits the bill.

It really is hysterical Limbaugh and Baxley are positioning themselves as racial equality advocates. These clowns have a history of making racist remarks.

Baxley was a member of the Florida legislature. Baxley fought to keep the racist tune The Swanee River the official Florida state song.

The lyrics

Way down upon de Swanee Ribber,
Far, far away,
Dere's wha my heart is turning ebber,
Dere's wha de old folks stay.
All up and down de whole creation
Sadly I roam,
Still longing for de old plantation,
And for de old folks at home.

CHORUS
All de world am sad and dreary,
Eb-rywhere I roam;
Oh, darkeys, *how my heart grows weary,
Far from de old folks at home!

Baxley's reasoning for supporting the song is to celebrate Florida's history of slavory.

"I am really bucking the tide on this whole thing of expunging Southern history from Florida. Our roots are Deep South. The state song is about slaves working. They built Florida's economy," Baxley told The Gainesville Sun.

Baxley said part of his reasoning for supporting the song is he feels discriminated against. The cries of white conservative victimization.

"I don't pretend that the past was all beautiful and wonderful. I'm sure it was painful for some people, but we're in a multicultural area and everyone's culture is celebrated but mine."

BlackPlanet.com compiled racist statements from Limbaugh. I literally could spend hours compiling racist Limbaugh remarks. This quote should make people understand why Limbaugh should be laughed out of the room every time the radio host accuses someone of racism.

1. I mean, let’s face it, we didn’t have slavery in this country for over 100 years because it was a bad thing. Quite the opposite: slavery built the South. I’m not saying we should bring it back; I’m just saying it had its merits. For one thing, the streets were safer after dark.

Rush Limbaugh