Carter: Paula Deen should be forgiven

[whopis01]

Source: CNN

Former President Jimmy Carter said embattled celebrity chef Paula Deen should be forgiven, arguing that while there's no condoning the racial slurs she uttered, the well-known personality has been candid and apologetic.

"She was maybe excessively honest in saying that she had in the past, 30 years ago, used this terrible word," Carter told CNN's Suzanne Malveaux in an interview Friday. "I think she has been punished, perhaps overly severely, for her honesty in admitting it and for the use of the word in the distant past. She's apologized profusely."

Carter mentioned Deen's programs in Savannah, Georgia, that benefit "almost exclusively oppressed and poverty stricken black people." He advised her to get people she's helping to speak up and "show she's changed in her relationship with African-Americans."

"My heart goes out to her but there's no condoning the use of a word that abuses other people," he said. "I've known Paula Deen quite well for a long period of time; I advised her to let the dust settle and make apologies."

Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/28/us/georgia-carter-deen/index.html?hpt=hp_t2

[hlthe2b]

1. As glad as I was that she lost her show and is being held accountable...

sending a very important message to those who would condone racist language and behavior in this day and age--- this feels now like "overkill".... and the understandable early schadenfreude now seems rather unseemly...

[Crow73]

20. There was never any delight

There was only repulsion.
She is reaping what she sowed.


Should we review?
She is raised in the middle of the civil rights movement.
She rejects any idea of the civil rights movement.
She then treats here black employees far worse than white staff.
She says terrible things not understanding how terrible they are.
BECAUSE SHE IS A RACIST!

So no... She cooked her own goose.
Let her rot.

[hlthe2b]

23. Nowhere have I DEFENDED HER.. Kindly take this elsewhere.

I DO NOT defend her. She certainly got what she deserved. But, now it feels like pile-on.

But, if YOU DARE suggest that I am defending her because I'm not calling for her to be buried alive, then kindly take it elsewhere!

[aquart]

29. Piffle.

[hlthe2b]

30. You too.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

66. Not piling on her. Again this is not about the N-Word; it's about discrimination against her

employees, their mistreatment, her racism/sexism involved with that.

Pile on...

[PatrynXX]

45. so can you

people change you know. otherwise I can say cenk would still be republican then. usually Dems are open minded , right now hate has blinded them Keep pushing this I'll become pure 3rd party.

[Enrique]

2. If it were just the word, he'd have a point

but there were issues about how she treated her black employees, such as putting darker skinned employees in less public roles.

[obama2terms]

15. I read she paid them less as well

And even threatened workers when they said they were going to report it. In fact, I think the women who is suing is a white women who must have been fed up with her crap.

[Bo]

47. I hear the N-word all the time in Houston from Black people

Carters Right as usual, just stop the piling on.

[Marrah_G]

81. Guess what?

African Americans can use the word anytime they want. It doesn't have the same meaning as when it is said by someone of a race that has oppressed them for hundreds of years.

And this goes WAY beyond a word. It is a screwed up point of view, the treatment of AA employees and an attitude that thinks it is perfectly okay to have a wedding dinner with a slavery period theme using all middle aged black men as waiters and dressing them up as house slaves.

[Redford]

98. Nobody should say the word

If my very white 17 year old son says it while singing along to a Kanye West song, is he racist or not? Stupid double standard.

[Marrah_G]

99. If you can't or won't understand the difference, then there really isn't anything else to say

[Socal31]

109. Talk about "mixed signals" to youth.

My children will be taught that the word is repulsive and wrong, with no qualifiers. No "well, it is OK because they are black."

Who gets to administer the purity test to decide who can say it without repercussion?

It is a word that needs to die altogether except for use in historical/educational context.

[Marrah_G]

110. It's not mixed at all

I had a very easy time explaining to my white children why they could NEVER say that word. It's not a difficult topic.

It's pretty easy. You don't call people racial slurs. If a person within that race wants to use it, for whatever reason, that is different. It doesn't carry the same meaning or weight.

[Socal31]

111. I'm not a naive idealist.

I know the word will be used, and the schoolyard gets to decide who is handed justice, as most of us know. Children don't even need to be told to not use it, they figure it out pretty quickly anyway.

But putting people in different categories for acceptable behavior, based off of skin color, is completely contrary to the principals of anti-discrimination.

[Marrah_G]

112. It's really not a difficult concept, unless you want it to be

[snooper2]

118. Who gets to administer the purity test to decide who can say it without repercussion?

Chris Rock

[Incitatus]

107. Oh, are you one of those

that say if a black person says it it's okay for a white person to say it?

[Rob H.]

115. And I have a gay friend I've known for over 25 years

who's called himself a "big sissy fag" or a "great big queen" on occasion. Does that mean it's okay for me, as a straight person, to call him the same things? Absolutely not, and I never would.

[deafskeptic]

55. Yes, it goes beyond saying the N word.

Unfortunately, you're right. let us hope she can find it in her heart to change her ways.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

67. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

And putting our black asses back on the plantation; having a slave-themed wedding.

She's a fucking racist idiot. She deserves everything she's getting...and MORE!!

[Aristus]

3. As always, his voice is the surest, steadiest of any in a convulsive social issue.

Not saying I agree necessarily. She deserves what she gets. But he proves himself yet again to be compassionate, humane and a national treasure.

[cstanleytech]

5. "he proves himself yet again to be compassionate, humane and a national treasure." Agreed.

Its just to bad he didnt have a 2nd term in office.

[freshwest]

16. Too bad for all of us.

[MissMillie]

7. I do think she has enough consequences to make her think about her words

And I do think she deserves those consequences.

But I think forgiveness (on the part of the person doing the forgiving) can be a freeing thing.

I mean, really..... who wants to stay mad a Paula Deen for a lifetime? I don't have the energy.

[xxqqqzme]

10. Someloudly self proclaiming

Christians should take lessons from President Carter.

[LanternWaste]

24. I imagine one may as accurately apply that to almost any "loud self-proclaiming" human...

I imagine one may as accurately apply that to almost any "loud self-proclaiming" human... regardless of religion, politics, philosophy, or any other imaginary construct upon which we base our lives.

[Auggie]

27. +1

[FarPoint]

4. I'm so glad President Carter spoke up for Paula Deen.

One of my most favorite Paula Deen shows was the one where she featured President Carter at his boyhood home.

[xxqqqzme]

6. ONLY if she

swears on her life to never, ever utter 'Ya'll' ever again in front of a camera recording her video and audio representations. She has uttered that horrid contraction for 5 or 6 lifetimes.

[MissMillie]

8. Um.... yeah.....

That "y'all" isn't going anywhere....

[freshwest]

17. I agree. In fact, I'll start using it more just to aggravate place of origin bashers. Howdy, y'all!

[okwmember]

42. Sorry, but that's probably not goin' anywhere.

Come to think of it, neither is mine. Hey y'all.

[MADem]

53. And she's got to retire that "Ah izzz whut ah izzzz" schtick, too. nt

[tblue]

9. I can forgive her.

If she makes a sincere apology, heck, even if she doesn't, I can forgive her and move on. I really don't need another person to hate.


“To forgive is to set a prisoner free and discover that the prisoner was you.”

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

68. I would forgive her if she were honest about how she treated her employees.

If she came clean about EVERYTHING!! Not just about the N-Word shit. About EVERYTHING!!

She's not willing to do that, so she deserves everything she's getting...and more!!

[bluemarkers]

11. I agree ...

that she should be forgiven

I disagree that she's been "excessively honest"

I just can't get over the speed at which she was dropped - and really once the domino fell, they all had to go, the big ones that is. No one wanted to be seen as supporting something so negative.

This information had been out there for a while, it shouldn't have come as a surprise to anyone. Yet everyone seems to have been caught off guard. Not one significant business partner stood by her or even seemed to offer assistance. Seems to me that something else was "wrong" and that this was the icing on the cake. Not to mentioned the lack of professionalism in missing the first Today show, and the terrible me me me "apology".

honestly, we'd gown tired of her shows and recipes a long time ago

y'all

[Bluenorthwest]

12. I can tell you this, LGBT people are expected and assumed to be willing to forgive a constant

parade of hate speech against us. We usually do so. It is often warranted by the actions of folks like Al Sharpton who while calling himself a Reverend, called people Faggots on TV shows 'faggot punk' actually, loudly, in the midst of his career. He now has a TV show. I count Al as an actual ally. He used to be a slur shouting bigot, now he is not.
The President and his wife employed a personal surrogate in 2007 that had called for open war on gay people 'the gloves must come off, they are trying to kill our children'. Yeah. When we complained, Michelle explained that the bigot was her favorite singer.'they try to kill our children'. No one ever apologized for that, not the hate monger, not the Obamas. They could. They just don't. And read DU if you don't think we are expected to swallow the insults. Rick Warren. He called us pedophiles days before Barack had him pray at the Inaugural. Said horrific things. He never apologized nor did the President. Never will either. Both men think they have impunity to insult some minority groups. Many on DU demanded that we forgive Warren, and those who picked him. I could post his interview a few days before. Vicious shit. No one said sorry. No one. Ever. Said sorry.
Paula said horrific things and did bad things as well. She never said innocent people were like murderers and rapists, she never compared minority couples to incest or rape as Warren did, Warren who directly afterward was named 'America's Minister' by Obama and the rest of the Straight Community.
No one ever said sorry. Ever.
So I get and agree with Paula Bad. But why is it the others are America's Minister and FLOTUS favorites and sports stars and anchor people? Is it that it is not so bad to slander gays, or is it that it is worse for Paula because she's a woman or what?
Al Sharpton called people faggot punks on TV. Michelle's favorite gospel singer says gays try to kill children.
What a world.

[noiretextatique]

38. as an african-american lesbian

i am not sure what this has to do with the paula deen incident. i certainly don't expect you to swallow any insult, but i am curious as to why you'v e only included black people in your post.

[MADem]

54. Cogent observation; good question, too. nt

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

70. Bluenorthwest is obsessed with hating Obama over Donnie McK. Unlike Paula, Obama's policies

have been most favorable to the LGBT community. He's made some mistakes and has actually CORRECTED those mistakes with action, not words. The fact that the president is now traveling Africa and speaking out on LGBT rights means something. That is a very difficult environment to pronounce support for LGBT rights.

But Bluenorthwest will never give the president any credit for this even when he has made amends.

Bill Clinton, however, is forgiven. Not only was he vicious in his words against the LGBT community, his policies demonized gays/lesbians. I never see Bluenorthwest bash Clinton as much as he/she has bashed Obama, simply for Donnie M. But, whatever.

[sabrina 1]

95. Bluenorthwest asked a legitimate question. It is simple to uderstand and easy to answer

He said nothing about not forgiving someone for hateful speech. He asked simply why the standards are different for different people.



An apology goes a long way towards healing old wounds. I, and I am certain, millions of people understand that. A forced apology is meaningless of course which is why our demands that people do so are meaningless.

If there is a genuine awakening in someone that they were wrong, offering an apology should be a simple matter. It is then up to the recipients of the apology to accept it or not. So the question is a simple one. Why do we demand apologies from some people but not others?

Do YOU know the answer to that question?

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

97. I gave an answer. When did Obama ever utter a vicious, hateful word against gay people?

And yes, the Donnie McK event was horrible, but what about the fact that he has had committed gay/lesbian couples on stage with him? What about his evolvement on the issue? Obama has apologized for his past statements regarding this issue. And more importantly, he has followed up his words with proaction. And still that's not enough.

And you know what? It'll never be enough for you who I noticed has nothing good ever to say about the man or anything positive that he's done. Day in and day out, everything is wrong. Everything is bad. Even when he does good things, it's never enough. It'll never be enough.

And speaking of standards being different for different people: Again, I don't EVER remember Bill Clinton being treated this way by the LGBT community even when Bill Clinton ran around the country bragging about how he supported DOMA. He ran on the issue in the South in 1996. Again, I do not ever remember liberals or members of the LGBT community getting as upset with him as they have viciously attacked President Obama, even when his policies don't reflect hatred or disdain for the LGBT community.

Talk about double standards! Really, you have me shaking my head, sabrina.

[sabrina 1]

106. I'm not interested in 'men' I am interested in policies. I am a democrat because of the policies

they propose, not because of any personality. I learned to stop worrying about and defending politicians after doing so for years re Clinton, only to see him join forces with the Bushes.

Bluenorthwest's point has been completely missed by you. So there is no point in trying to explain it further. It was a simply point, not about 'people' but about 'different standards'.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

104. I've already addressed this question repeatedly. BNW and I will have to agree to disagree.

[noiretextatique]

102. thanks...

that was my interpretation also. i really detest the bs notion that the black community is more homophobic than any other community.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

105. We're not. I think that since there's so few of us in numbers, it's easier to make that claim.

I think things are changing, though. I've seen a change and I'm really liking what I'm seeing.

People's hearts are warming to marriage equality. There's still much work to be done, though. We must not stop working.

[RZM]

89. Rick Warren is not black

And was mentioned in the post.

[noiretextatique]

103. thanks...that was one

out of all the other names

[HockeyMom]

13. Actions speak louder than words

She is being sued by a WHITE WOMAN who worked at her restaurant. Apparently, she and her family were not nice to members of their own race, and gender either.

[Orrex]

14. Forgiven, maybe, but she should still face the consequences

For the record, I'm not one of those who believes that she use "the n-word" just one time and decades ago.

However, regardless of society's (un)willingness to forgive her, I will say only this:


If, in the performance of my job, I were to say what she said, I would lose my job immediately. It seems to me that a very public figure at the end of a commercial empire and raking in millions annually should be held to at least the same standard as a guy who answers phones for a living.

[TalkingDog]

18. Separate out the illegal and unfair working conditions. That's a legal issue.

If she can show some self reflection and true understanding of how hurtful her attitudes are/were, then yes. Forgive her.

[Cha]

19. Well, I agree with Pres Carter.

[StrayKat]

21. I don't think he has the full story.

Lisa Jackson (the plaintiff) didn't know Paula Deen 30 years ago. So, Paula's actions that far back have nothing to do with the suit. The charges are for events since 2005. This is not distant history.

The story Paula is telling about a robbery that happened 30 years ago is her form of deflection. She's trying to tell everyone her use of the "n-word" is nothing compared to what she has suffered at the hands of black people. And, unfortunately, even smart people like Jimmy Carter are eating it up.

To be honest, I don't think Food Network or other corporations would drop her if she were still the cash cow she was at the pinnacle of her career. But, as noted in the WSJ, she's lost her economic pull.

[Divine Discontent]

60. Pres. Carter is fabulously wonderful. That said, I think you're right, he possibly doesn't

know the recentness.

All I can think of, is that she reminds me of this dramatic televangelist...

[MissDeeds]

22. I hate the "N" word

and believe there should be a zero policy where its usage is concerned. That said, I have a huge problem with it being wrong for some and okay for others. Paula Deen has lost her television program and many of her products have been pulled from stores. Fine. But I take exception to the fact that Black comedians and rappers can routinely use this racial slur and it seems to be acceptable. What is wrong for some should be wrong for all. We can never hope to be an enlightened and inclusive society when such exceptions are permitted.

[840high]

46. Thank you. I would

guess that many on this thread = the ones being so vocal - have used that word.

[DCBob]

25. sure forgive her.

but I suspect she's still a racist down deep.

[Demobrat]

26. Maybe she should be forgiven but

it doesn't necessary follow that she should be given million-dollar contracts to sell her products through my retail outlets. I can forgive somebody who betrayed me, but it doesn't necessary follow that they get to be in my life. Business is about goodwill and building a brand, and if a business chooses not to associate with her because she harms their goodwill that's up to them.

[Ash_F]

28. She did not just use a racial slur.

She engaged in severe and sustained employer abuse against her workers. She most likely has been for years. She should be forced to pay significant restitution and apologize. She has failed to give an apology and is currently trying to weasel out of paying restitution for her crimes. Until she does both, she should not be forgiven. How can you forgive someone who is not sorry?

Jimmy Carter is still great though.

[Red State Rebel]

108. She's been accused of these things, but has it been proven that she actually did them?

[Ash_F]

120. The plaintiff's deposition is pretty detailed.

Meanwhile her attorney's response was the standard blanket "LIES ALL LIES" and then she screwed up her own deposition.

So, to answer your question, no but you also deserve one of these.

[Marrah_G]

31. Its not the word said 30 years ago that is the issue

It's about her attitude about it today and additional horrifying things like the slave waiters at a wedding. The fact that she doesnt understand how fucking repulsive that is is just sick.

[northoftheborder]

32. Some of ya'll are just predjudiced against southerners.

edited for spelling

[Zoeisright]

84. Yeah, I'm prejudiced all right.

I'm "prejudiced" against the blatant racism, sexism, and homophobia coming out of many in the south. I'm "prejudiced" against the idiot racist asshole repukes you people keep sending to Congress who are completely ruining this country. I'm completely "prejudiced" against the lynchings, suppression, and hatred of someone else because of the color of their skin. In other words, I'm "prejudiced" against stupidity.

Buh bye.

[bravenak]

33. Okay.

I think I will forgive her. But I reserve the right to make a big deal if she does it again.

[Blue_In_AK]

34. I can't forgive her for her horrible culinary preferences.

[alp227]

35. Carter is wrong on something and not for the first time.

Last edited Fri Jun 28, 2013, 07:24 PM - Edit history (1)

Last year he was on the Laura Ingraham radio show he suggested the Democratic party needs to be more pro life by "calling for the Democratic Party at the next convention to espouse my position...to minimize the need, requirement for abortion and limit it only to women whose life are in danger or who are pregnant as a result of rape or incest."

He isn't basing his POV on all the facts, including her more perverse conduct to employees at her restaurant.

If you watch "The Young Turks" you have heard Ana (who's 27) sometimes mock co host Cenk (43) as "Grandpa Cenk". Seems that Grandpa President Carter doesn't use the Internets a whole lot.

[totodeinhere]

41. It's Former President Carter, not "Grandpa Carter."

You don't have to agree with him all the time, but he is good man who loves his country. He deserves more respect than that. And especially compared to the two Bushes and Reagan he was a great president.

[Nye Bevan]

36. If Robert Byrd can be forgiven for being an Exalted Cyclops in the Ku Klux Klan,

then I am inclined to agree with Carter.

[Pterodactyl]

59. I never forgave Byrd for that. I always thought he was a slimeball.

[Rowdyboy]

75. Excellent point-both on your point and former President Carter's. Agree with him or not, he deserves

our respect. He certainly earned it both for his career in the White House and even more for his humanitarian work afterwards. Certainly one of the greatest men of a generation.

[Beacool]

37. We live in a hypocritical society.

All these companies that dropped her immediately are only worried about their bottom line. They don't give a crap about their employees. Wal-Mart, Smithfield hams? Please...........

I don't agree with her use of the word, but she too is entitled to free speech in her private life. I have far more of a problem with the other allegations in the lawsuit.

[noiretextatique]

39. he can forgive her...i will just ignore her

works for me.

[Egnever]

40. Love carter but

I dissagree on this one. I dont think he has all the information.

If it was just one statement from 30 years ago but this woman has clearly shown a pattern of racial prejudice and that I wont forgive till she shows a true understanding of what she has done and stops trying to deflect by claiming things like I only said one bad thing 30 years ago.

[dawn frenzy adams]

43. No President Carter she shouldn't.

When this kind of racist behavior is exhibited by celebrities, why is it discounted and minimized by, apologists? The Mainstream Media always employ a steady stream of people that will tout that people like the Deen's aren't really racists, or, that they didn't really mean what they said. It shows the contempt that the media has for African Americans. Besides, what Ms. Deen and her brother did has no consequences for President Jimmy Carter. He is not the victim, nor are the Deen's. We seem to forget that.

[SemperEadem]

44. no one is standing in the way of anyone forgiving her

but there is a huge difference between forgiving her and stocking her merchandise in stores... and if stores are going to go into damage control mode by not stocking her items and merchandise because that is their right, too.

sure, she can say whatever she wants, but she's not entitled to take advantage of a product/financial infrastructure. Let her sell her wares from her garage, no one's stopping her from doing that. Her book has gone to #1 at Amazon, her food cruises are booked up--let those people continue to support her for the foreseeable future, since they've got the extra $$ to spend on such things.

[NYC_SKP]

50. You can't say "crazy ass cracker bitch" on the DU.

Just sayin'.

[MADem]

56. Not to defend the poster, but I think that was sarcasm.

Probably bad judgment to trot it out without referencing the source, but sarcasm, nonetheless.

I think he was referencing the Zimmerman trial, where the "crazy ass" term was used. Of course, the "B" word is OK on TV, but a no-no here, so maybe that did him in.

Someone on CNN, I think, was going around with three by five cards with the N word and cracker written on them, asking people about their level of offense and how they related to the word. "N" won the "offensive, hurtful language" sweepstakes, hands down. Most of the people on the street were able to understand that there is a cultural weight associated with that word that is not felt when other hurtful words are uttered.

[Botany]

49. If Jimmy asks me to forgive her then I will.

Jimmy Carter is a good man.

[Vinnie From Indy]

51. I agree!

Cheers!

[Botany]

57. the simple goodness of the man is easy to see .....

... I had my mind made up about Paula until I saw Jimmy asking me to listen to
my better angels ..... sometimes it is better to drop the negative load and to try to
work to make things better.

[MADem]

52. I agree with Jimmy Carter that she should be forgiven.

That said, I don't think she should be rewarded.

She's had a good run on the gravy train; time for her to step back for awhile.

Forgiveness is a good thing. I just don't want to see her on my tee vee for awhile. If she's got charities she runs, maybe she should throw herself into that branch of her portfolio for a bit.

[ninjanurse]

58. Paula let Bubba break the law

It's not her use of a word, or even the awful jokes she made. Paula Deen let her brother Bubba bully his employees in illegal and shameful ways. Finally one, who happens to be white, sued her. That is why this all came out.
I think a lot of people who are fine with the racial abuse might not like the porn at work.
I'm as old as Paula Deen, and my white hair is my own. My parents raised me to respect other people. I like Jimmy Carter but he's swallowing Paula's self-serving version of the truth.

[Tom Ripley]

61. If Carter was able to get over his past racism, I guess Deen could do the same

[Lordquinton]

62. We've had too much of her southern charm

Time for her to be the recipient of some Good old fashioned Northern Hospitality.

[noamnety]

63. I don't understand the concern about her delicate feelings.

Even if she never gets another paid gig again, she's living a fucking privileged life, she's a one percenter who got there on the backs of others, she'll retire a multimillionaire if every sponsor drops her today.

I just can't get worked up over her feelings one way or another. It's right up there with my concern that Kim Kardashian's gonna be upset if I don't like what she named her baby.

There's something about this that's reminiscent of people blogging about how hard it is to get by on a paycut down to $250k a year, what with nanny bills, private tuition, budgeting for their personal chefs, etc. I'm sure they are personally upset with the change in their circumstances, but they are still so far ahead of where the other 99% are, it's hard for me to waste energy giving a shit about them.

[Alan M]

64. I agree with Jimmy

Unfortunately, I think the lesson a lot of people will take from this is if they ever find themselves in court and are asked questions about things they did or said in the past the best answer is to not be candid.

[Liberal_Stalwart71]

65. I love Jimmy, but I will never forgive that racist prick!!! NEVER!!

[DeSwiss]

69. I do too President Carter.

I'm sick and tired of all this DIVISION.

And those who do the DIVIDING.

No matter what their reasons and justifications.

Change is NOT possible without forgiveness.

K&R

[Politicub]

71. I could give two shits about Paula Deen

But her meltdown is entertaining to watch.

I can't blame any of the brands who are dropping her. She always can go to work as a Chick-fil-a spokesperson.

[Fringe]

72. Lol

I love Carter, but I agree with you. I don't give a dang about Paula Deen. Boo hoo! So she'll end up with a couple million instead of 10 million.

It's not hard for good people to show respect for people they work with, and Paula Deen has had 66 years to learn that lesson. No excuse.

[TeeYiYi]

73. If Paula Deen should be forgiven for her racism...

...then perhaps Rush Limbaugh should be forgiven for his misogyny.

Like Rush, Paula appears to have required a hit in the pocketbook before she could finally see the error of her ways.

TYY

[KinMd]

74. Do actions speak louder than word?

has there been any comment on how Paula Deen treated African-American, either in her busines or those she met? I know she used the N word in the past, but doesn't she employ minorities? How are they treated.by her.
Kobe Bryant called someone a "faggot" and got fined by the NBA, yet no hysteria like this.

[WhataKnight]

76. Until

All people are treated with the same punishment than she deserves to be forgiven. I mean that on both sides of the fence, there is plenty of racism on TV and radio that you can hear from both conservative and liberal. I'm so tired of it.

[RILib]

77. President Carter and me: the only non-members of the sanctimonious lynch mob.

[Zoeisright]

85. You don't know what a fucking lynch mob is.

How DARE you compare African-American men being killed by mobs to moral outrage against that bitch and her asshole brother routinely discriminating against women and people of color? My god, you win the post for the fucking most ugly post of the year.

[Beacool]

91. I think that you are a tad overwrought.

Lynch mobs were not only for AA men. I don't think that the intent of the poster was to compare one with the other.

[madrchsod]

78. what i can`t believe is she is so stupid

she really thought that she could do her own damage control on this issue.she should have hired a top pr firm.

she sunk her own boat all by herself

[Politicub]

83. She began believing her own homespun shtick

Y'all I made this butter with some butter on it. Buy my book.

[Beacool]

92. She has now, but it may be a little too late.

She hired the real Olivia Pope, the DC fixer (she's the woman who Keri Washington portrays in "Scandal&quot .

[obama2terms]

79. I'm not forgiving Paula Deen for the way she treated her employees

Here's the original complaint. I'll show some highlights ( I'm paraphrasing because the page won't let me copy and paste) black employees were forced to use the back entrance only. Black staff have to use a different bathroom, while white employees are allowed to use the costumer bathroom, black staff stationed in the back, were not allowed to be in the front of the restaurant ever, the woman who filed the complaint hired two black hostesses, Paula Deen's brother frequently complained about one of them who was in the front too much. ( she was later fired for allegedly stealing a purse but nothing was found when she was searched) Her brother demanded the other hostess be moved to the back only. Also, her brother violently shook a black employee. The woman who filed the complaint had suffered sexual harassment from Paula's brother, and had complained to the people above her many times and nothing was done. The whole damn family is crooked, and now they got what was coming to them if you ask me. Here's the whole thing.
http://www.atlawblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/03/Jackson-v.-Deen-et-al.-Complaint.pdf

[condoleeza]

93. Thanks for posting the link

I was a bit on the fence about this, feeling like Paula was being "piled on", but after reading the complaint fully, it's obvious that Paula KNEW what was going on at Bubba's restaurant and had known for years, but did nothing to address her brother's alcoholism and the way he obviously viewed the black employees at the restaurant.

She deserves to be piled on. This went way beyond her use of the N word.

[obama2terms]

96. Thank you for realizing that!

I have been trying to explain that to sooo many people lately that a lot of the anger comes from the complaint filed by a former employee, as well as other employees speaking to the media about different incidents, not her use of the N word. We have LAWS against how her employees were treated, and now karma and hopefully justice will take its course.

[Sunlei]

80. It will take years of redemption & work to see ifDeen really wants out of her position in society.

She may just be 'sorry she got sued'.

[Zoeisright]

86. Glad all the racists here outed themselves.

Good way to update my ignore list.

And no, she should NOT be "forgiven". Her "empire" was built on discrimination and hate. Her disgusting brother watched porn in front of employees, treated women and African Americans with complete contempt, and set up an environment of hatred. Carter is completely wrong in this issue, and all of you defending that hateful bitch are wrong too.

[RZM]

113. That's a stretch

Seems to me her empire was built on butter and 'y'all.'

Her brother's restaurant and her entire brand are not the same thing.

Not excusing her actions or his. But to say that her empire was built on hate is rather odd take on the whole thing.

[Orsino]

87. Forgiven, maybe. But Deen hasn't been "punished."

Her little empire has lost valuable contracts, and she may never again be quite as rich and famous as she has been. That happens, though, when you don't know how to comport yourself according to the standards expected of a national TV star and endorser of famous brands.

She just wasn't quite ready for the big time, or not to hold onto it, anyway. What she did wasn't quite a crime, and she has not been punished.

[frontier00]

88. Paula is not racist

I was so surprised by Paula Dean, I used to watch her show and there was a black woman on the show, the used to cook together
, they seemed like best friends, you guys should watch the clip

[StrayKat]

90. You mean this one?

http://www.youtube.com/v/wdrvNeuc7jY&hl=en_US&fs=1&



Although I doubt that one clip of someone being nice or civil to someone else is enough to disprove racism, especially in light of evidence to the contrary, if you have a clip that you want people to watch, post it. People are likely to make their own assumptions if you don't.

[Marrah_G]

100. I disagree, she is a racist of the worst kind

The kind that pretends she is all sweetness and light when deep down she doesn't have a problem with separate bathrooms for black and whites or that having black men serving as waiters in slave era uniforms so she can have a plantation theme wedding.

I am sure SHE thinks she is not a racist and thinks her behavior is perfectly natural. It isn't and she is.

[Mushroom]

94. LOL

As if Carter doesn't know what Deen is all about.

Deen's employees should have to take racist and sexist abuse for the good of Deen's empire. Women should have to be raped, incested or near death to receive health care for the good of Carter's Democratic party.

Those two buzzards need to get a room.

[orpupilofnature57]

101. Only one of the kindest, most forgiving type of person could Forgive

and President Carter is that type, I'm not .

[Paladin]

114. Tell you what I'll do: I'll forgive Paula Deen.....

....right after Natalie Maines and the Dixie Chicks have their careers and reputations restored, and their tunes are no longer blocked from C&W radio stations across this country. Jimmy Carter is a lot more forgiving than I am.

[Fringe]

119. So true

I lived in a red state at the time, and the radio stations, all of them, refused to play any of their music. They were just shut out.

I really enjoyed their song, water falls at the time and all the radio stations stopped playing it.

I bet some of the same fools who support Paula Deen's racist behavior were burning Dixie chick CDs and pressuring radio stations to stop playing their music.

[marshall]

116. Paging Ms Winfrey

Oprah is the mother confessor for celebrities. Only she can set this in Deen's favor.

[snooper2]

117. Is he going to give advice on Snookie and the Kardashians next?

Must be nice to be retired