Connect with us

BAD BEHAVIOR

The GOP Delves Into Anti-Irish Stereotypes for St. Patrick’s Day

Published

on

GOP attacks Beto O'Rourke via tweet

While far from the worst thing Republicans have ever done. the GOP opted to “celebrate” St. Patrick’s Day with an attack on Beto O’Rourke, using a mugshot of the presidential contender, topped with a clip art Irish top hat, and a letter board in front of him that reads, “Please Drink Responsibly.”

The Tweet reads, “On this St. Paddy’s Day, a special message from noted Irishman Robert Francis O’Rourke.” 

One of the most common and frustrating stereotypes for Irish people is the assumption that the Irish are all rowdy drunkards: while Ireland does have a cultural history surrounding the consumption of alcohol, many of the stereotypes are borne out of racism against the Irish. 

Fueling these stereotypes by the GOP may feel like a slap in the face, even as the White House attempts to portray our bonds with Ireland: President Trump and Vice president Pence, for example, just hosted the Prime Minister of Ireland. 

The image of O’Rourke used by the GOP was a mugshot from a DWI arrest over 20 years ago. The arrest had been dismissed, but the mugshot lives on, appearing initially during O’Rourke’s run against Texas Senator Ted Cruz.

The use of Beto O’Rourke’s full name echoes the use of Barack Obama’s full name during the latter’s campaign and presidency, as an attempt to use the former president’s middle name, Hussein, to link him to the former Iraqi leader of the same name. 

Ted Cruz had attempted to smear O’Rourke over his use of “Beto” as a way of delegitimizing his Senatorial run, trying to paint his nickname as an attempt to pander to Hispanics. The move was seen as largely disingenuous, given that Cruz uses “Ted Cruz” rather than his own given name. “Rafael Edward Cruz.”

It is also in contract to attempts to paint Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez not being a minority by using a high school nickname of hers, “Sandy.” 

The GOP will undoubtedly portray their tweet as simply a joke, and claim those who were offended are simply too think skinned to appreciate their brand of humor. 

Image via screen capture from Twitter.

Related Topics:
Continue Reading
Click to comment
 
 

Enjoy this piece?

… then let us make a small request. The New Civil Rights Movement depends on readers like you to meet our ongoing expenses and continue producing quality progressive journalism. Three Silicon Valley giants consume 70 percent of all online advertising dollars, so we need your help to continue doing what we do.

NCRM is independent. You won’t find mainstream media bias here. From unflinching coverage of religious extremism, to spotlighting efforts to roll back our rights, NCRM continues to speak truth to power. America needs independent voices like NCRM to be sure no one is forgotten.

Every reader contribution, whatever the amount, makes a tremendous difference. Help ensure NCRM remains independent long into the future. Support progressive journalism with a one-time contribution to NCRM, or click here to become a subscriber. Thank you. Click here to donate by check.

BAD BEHAVIOR

Watch: Trump Uses Slur At White House Event to Complain to LSU Football Champs About Being Impeached

Published

5 years ago

on

January 17, 2020

By

President Donald Trump was extremely comfortable with the national championship players of LSU’s “Fighting Tigers” football team Friday, even laughing and lamenting abut his impeachment, while using a slur on-camera in their presence.

“It’s been there a long time, a lot of presidents, some good, some not so good,” he said, referring to the historic Resolute Desk in the Oval Office, a gift from Queen Victoria in 1880.

“But you got a good one now!” Trump bragged to the players, some of whom clearly appeared uncomfortable – and that was before he used profanity.

“Even though they’re trying to impeach the son of a bitch!” Trump said of himself. “Can you believe that? Got the greatest economy we’ve ever had. We got the greatest military, we rebuilt it, we took out those terrorists like your football team would have taken out those terrorists, right? We’re doing good.”

Some were stunned to hear the nation’s president swear, especially inside the White House, talking with college students, in video taken to play on national TV.

Continue Reading

BAD BEHAVIOR

Ex-Trump Fixer Michael Cohen on Prague Visit: ‘Mueller Knows Everything’

Published

6 years ago

on

December 27, 2018

By

Longtime Donald Trump fixer Michael Cohen is denying reports he has ever been to Prague or the Czech Republic.

On Thursday, McClatchy reported that Eastern European intelligence discovered Cohen’s cell phone was in proximity to a cell phone tower in the Prague area. The salacious Steele Dossier on Donald Trump and Russia reported Cohen had visited the country during the 2016 presidential campaign.

Cohen, a convicted felon, denied ever being in the country.

Continue Reading

BAD BEHAVIOR

Marco Rubio Threatens to ‘Take Care of’ Alex Jones in Testy Confrontation

Published

6 years ago

on

September 5, 2018

By

Marco Rubio confronted by Alex Jones / Screengrab

Sen. Marco Rubio (R-FL) was giving an interview with reporters on Capitol Hill on Wednesday when he found himself suddenly accosted by InfoWars founder Alex Jones, who was in the building to attend a hearing on supposed Silicon Valley “censorship” of conservatives.

While Rubio was talking, Jones approached him and accused him of ignoring the plight of his website after its page got deleted from several major social media platforms because it alleged, among other things, that the 2012 Sandy Hook school shooting was a “hoax.”

Rubio tried to ignore Jones’ rants, but Jones called Rubio a “frat boy” and touched him on the shoulder.

Rubio turned to him and said, “Hey, don’t touch me again — I’m asking you not to touch me.”

Jones then asked Rubio if he planned on having him arrested if he dared to touch him again.

“You’re not going to get arrested,” Rubio shot back. “I’ll take care of you myself.”

“Oh, he’ll beat me up!” said Jones.

“I didn’t say that,” replied Rubio, who tried to turn back toward reporters.

Watch the whole video below.

Continue Reading

Trending

Copyright © 2020 AlterNet Media.