One of the worst offenders is Chris Matthews, who gives Buchanan uninterrupted space at the table frequently. Hardball airs at 4:00 PM and is repeated twice in MSNBC’s rotation. Buchanan’s resume includes being an author, a syndicated columnist, and a broadcaster. He was a political advisor to Presidents Nixon, Ford, and Reagan. Buchanan also sought the Republican nomination for President in 1992 and 1996. He ran in 2000 as the Reform Party’s candidate.
From my grandfather’s civil rights history, Buchanan was one of the originators of racial strife in political campaigns in the South known as the “Southern Strategy.” The fears of Southern White Democrats were stoked with ads and stump speeches that were racially charged against Blacks and helped drive whites from the Democratic party during the 1968 Presidential campaign. This scheme was devised to help then Republican candidate Richard Nixon win the Presidency. Pat Buchanan’s racial views have not changed any since his successful implementation of the Southern Strategy; it continues today, front and center on MSNBC. With a tarred history of race baiting, Buchanan is asked his point of view by a “reputable” news organization almost daily. His views on race relations are given a nod nightly from NBC Universal from everyone sitting in glass anchor chairs while throwing rocks at FOX News.
MSNBC took FOX News, Andrew Brietbart, and the NAACP to task over the Sherrod video last week, and well they should have. However, while judging from on high they ignored the headlines that Buchanan has generated while commentating at MSNBC that received little or no rebuke from the network that gives him a seat at the table on racial discussions. In March, 2008 Buchanan authored “A Brief for Whitey.” When “A Brief for Whitey” was penned, the country was at the height of the Rev. Wright controversy. Never one to miss an opportunity to keep the races divided Buchanan stated:
First, America has been the best country on earth for black folks. It was here that 600,000 black people, brought from Africa in slave ships, grew into a community of 40 million, were introduced to Christian salvation, and reached the greatest levels of freedom and prosperity blacks have ever known.
I take it Buchanan is telling Black folks they should be glad to have been slaves. I could be wrong; however, it would be nice if MSNBC and Chris Matthews asked him exactly what did he mean. With a constant eye on FOX News, MSNBC gave Buchanan unlimited access to its viewers to shape opinions on Rev. Wright by focusing on some of his statements from one speech, while ignoring Buchanan’s constant barrage of race baiting. One look at the titles of Pat Buchanan’s articles shows you why he was so successful with the Southern Strategy:
- Whitey Need Not Apply
- PBS is Hiring – Blacks, Whitey Need Not Apply
- The Color of Crime
- How Liberals Play Race Politics
- Pastor to the President?
- Uprooting the New Racism.
- To Advance Diversity: Should Chelsea Quit Stanford?
Pat Buchanan’s article discusses racial prejudices in the ugliest of terms. Andrew Brietbart is a baby by comparison.
Article comments
— go to most recent comments1 - Victor Lana
This is one of the most brave, intelligent, and honest discussions about television news that I have ever read.
2 - jeannie danna
Gemma,
Great article, I need to give FOX another chance.
It's good to see someone else has this view of Mr. Pat! I count the minutes until he mentions the Nixon Admin...
Do you ever watch, Democracy Now with Amy Goodman?
3 - Genma Holmes
Victor,
Thank you. Hopefully we can have discussions about news with substance. Right now, I am being entertained most of the time.
4 - Genma Holmes
Jennie,
No I have never watched it..but I am going to look into it.
He mentions the Nixon Administration every opportunity he can!
5 - jeannie danna
Gemma,
Smart idea to submit this to culture.
I have watched Pat's game for years. He probably isn't even fully aware that he relates every word uttered back to the Nixon and Ford admins.
But how can you stand Rush?
"If not for the American labor movement Rush wouldn't have a mic in front of him, he'd have a serving tray!"
:)nice to talk with you, Gemma, I'll be back later today.
6 - Genma Holmes
Jeannie,
I don't listen to Rush daily..but I do tune in. I think it is entertainment, honestly. As for submitting it to culture...the message would have been lost over in Politics.
Have a great day.
7 - handyguy
I'm not sure I understand why you can't get the same entertainment value out of Buchanan as you do from Limbaugh. Both are rhetorical bomb-throwers who say provocative things purely for effect.
On MSNBC, the other [mostly liberal] hosts and commentators depict Buchanan affectionately as eccentric old Uncle Pat, smiling or giggling at his latest outrage. Rachel Maddow has often noted how strongly she disagrees with him, but how much fun it is to argue with him.
I may be wrong, but it's hard to imagine Limbaugh agreeing to debate Maddow [or, more volcanically, Keith Olbermannn]. Would make a great show though.
8 - Jon Sobel
I wish I had your attitude, G. I like to hear and understand the points of view of people I generally disagree with. But I can't listen to these guys (Rush etc.) without getting angry and stressed at how wrongheaded and so often pointlessly vindictive and disturbingly idiotic they are. I can positively feel the destructive chemicals bathing my body and shortening my life, tick tick tick. So I just have to avoid them. I salute you!
9 - Genma Holmes
Jon,
I blog often about the media take on various subjects. I can hear about a story and want to get everyone version of events. Eventually, I get the truth. I recommend small doses to you build up your immunity.
10 - Jordan Richardson
It's a good idea to get varying perspectives on news stories, I agree. But sometimes the perspective of your ranting and raving racist uncle is just flat-out useless. That's generally the way I feel about Rush. I can do without any "insight" he may bring, frankly.
Good article, by the way. Really nice, thorough job.
11 - jeannie danna
Gemma,
non corporate sponsored news
Democracy Now!__the War and Peace Report
:)check it out
12 - Victor Lana
I think was has been missing in the television news is what Genma has noted: NEWS. There is such a concern about the entertainment factor, that hard reporting is forgotten about.
What would Edward R. Murrow say about what's happening today? I'd love to hear it!
13 - Jordan Richardson
The various news outlets will claim that they're giving the people what they want to see/hear. The extent to which that's actually true is debatable, obviously, but when news becomes about making money and getting ratings, you're going to lose something in the translation.
14 - www.genmaspeaks.com
Victor and Jordan,
The NEWS should be the focal point which is often missing. A snipet of what is going on in the world, then we asked to hear from commentators. Most are peddling book, auditioning for speaking engagements, or selling gold. By tuning in knowing in advance that I am listening to an entertainer, I have not expectations.
15 - Whitey
Pat Buchanan is one of the only true conservatives left in our country. His views on modern political issues are almost always spot on. In fact, he is one of the most historically accurate political commentators of our day, and is really the only reason why I would ever even tune into MSNBC. If you were to look at him objectively, instead of through a racially hypocritical lens, you would understand what he is trying to say. His points in the aforementioned articles are precisely right. America is the BEST country on earth for black people. In less than 200 years we have gone from the days of slavery to having a black president. Yet, you call him a racist for stating that. How can you dispute that? Honestly, the real racism that is most prevalent today is against white people. White Christian hetero-sexual males are probably the most discriminated against people in America. We are at a disadvantage every time we apply for a job because of "diversity standards." Dr. King stated that we should be judged by the content of our characters and not by the color of our skin, and yet modern day liberal political thought seems to think the exact opposite. I am sure that most of the people that read this blog post will probably disagree with me. But, I would like to thank people like Pat Buchanan for giving me the courage to tell the truth about issues like these, no matter how unpopular it may be to mainstream liberals.
16 - www.genmaspeaks.com
Whitey,
Thanks for commenting. The USA is the Best country on earth for ALL people. I did look at Mr. Buchanan through lens of objectivity in the same way I looked at my neighbor's ugly baby and said, "He is a healthy baby boy".
17 - Jordan Richardson
The USA is the Best country on earth for ALL people.
Must you Americans ALWAYS play this tune?
18 - www.genmaspeaks.com
Jordan,
Then why not mention your country...I just so happen to be proud of my country.
19 - Cindy
Perhaps he isn't interested in playing my country's better than your country. Grow up.
Patriotism is for the blind.
20 - www.genmaspeaks.com
Cindy,
Grow up? Yikes, that's personal. We are having a discussion and you throw rocks...at least say hello.
21 - Paul
Genma, please provide some evidence as to how Pat Buchanan is a racist.
22 - jeannie danna
Anyone questioning, Gemma, ought to read this.
She has written a great article and shouldn't have to prove every single word. After all the articles I read here that are missing any links to back them up...you all have a lot of nerve.
:)aren't i right?
23 - jeannie danna
Gemma,
Please place your url in the bottom line so we can see your website. if that's what you want.
24 - jeannie danna
Cindy,
Patriotism is for anyone who wants it. Aren't you a professor of total freedom?
25 - jeannie danna
Finally, a writer that is proud of their country!