Slog - Comments on "You have to assume that a whole bunch of Republicans are racists.” http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1 So... Mike Lundstrom of Fairfield, Ohio—a proudly bigoted McCain supporter—isn't "shy about his views." But he is afraid to show his face on camera because that might hurt his employer. Which makes you wonder: How hard could it be to find out where Mike Lundstrom of Fairfield, Ohio, works? John Aravosis points out that the Obama ghost/effigy/whatever hanging in Lundstrom's yard has a Star of David on its head—because Obama is... Jewish? And a Muslim? Huh? Wha?... Copyright 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:19:48 -0800 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:08:16 -0800 http://www.movabletype.org/?v=3.34 http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss Comment by D. True. How many incidents does it take for people to realize that this isn't a few bad apples. It's their typical supporter.

]]> D. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178467 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178467 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:28:49 -0800 Comment by idaho Where's the headline quote from? Did I miss it in the video?

]]> idaho http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178475 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178475 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:35:41 -0800 Comment by rococo WTF is with the star of david on ghost Obama's head?

]]> rococo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178476 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178476 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:38:32 -0800 Comment by whatwhat It was the editor of the American Spectator saying that the McCain campaign wasn't exploiting racism because otherwise, "you have to assume that a whole bunch of Republicans are racists."

]]> whatwhat http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178481 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178481 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:40:39 -0800 Comment by rococo it's a reference to this video:
http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/the_race_card

it gets interesting around 2:00

]]> rococo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178483 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178483 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:43:27 -0800 Comment by emma's bee His last name is Lunsford (a common name here in Cincitucky), not Lundstrom.

]]> emma's bee http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178485 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178485 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:48:51 -0800 Comment by JME Hey racist, we're watching you!

Meet Mike Lunsford (not Lundstrom):

http://www.classmates.com/profile/user/view?registrationId=201687601

Michael Lunsford, Fairfield High School, Class of 1974....

"After 2 years at Miami moved to Tampa area in Florida and lived there for 8 years. Joined the USAF at the age of 28 and spent 8 years with Uncle Sam. Lived mostly in England but travel extensively including a 3 day trip to Greneda."

(photo included on Classmates.com site)

]]> JME http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178486 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178486 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:48:59 -0800 Comment by wench Look, seriously - the canvasser getting attacked and now this? Someone's going to get shot before November 4th. Is McCain seriously still going to stand up for these people?

]]> wench http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178490 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178490 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 12:56:58 -0800 Comment by Jason Josephes No way do I believe that all Republicans are racist. That's a stretch.

While this particular genius is a moron, he has freedom of speech on his side. Fine by me. You know what they say: give a man enough rope...

]]> Jason Josephes http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178503 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178503 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:24:28 -0800 Comment by Madashell Is an effigyof a presidential candidate, depicted as being HANGED, protected by the First Amendment? If not, I'd say Mister Lundswhateverhisnameis is going to get a visit from the Secret Service.

]]> Madashell http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178506 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178506 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:32:58 -0800 Comment by classybot The Star of David is not related to Obama, he really just wants to make sure that every knows that he's Anti-Semitic on top of racist.

]]> classybot http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178507 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178507 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:33:53 -0800 Comment by danhowes I like how he makes the distiction, "oh, it's not political. Just racist."

]]> danhowes http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178508 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178508 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:36:32 -0800 Comment by Jill he beleives that Obama is not a "full-blooded American"? WHAT DOES THAT EVEN MEAN? I by his logic you'd have to be Apache to be President... but also white. And Christian.

The mind boggles.

]]> Jill http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178509 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178509 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 13:40:21 -0800 Comment by kinaidos Colin Powell should make a trip out there and open up a can whop-ass on this guy. He could have a racist republican of the day spot on CNBC.

]]> kinaidos http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178517 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178517 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:01:22 -0800 Comment by Reverse Polarity Gaaahhh!

My first instinct is to want to tear that fucking thing down and beat the guy to a pulp. But on reflection, a better idea would be for the media to play this on every newscast between now and the election. Obama would probably move up another 10 points.

]]> Reverse Polarity http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178526 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178526 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:21:48 -0800 Comment by Jen Slog peoples, I get anxiety attacks after reading some of the shit posted on here.

]]> Jen http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178531 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178531 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:27:50 -0800 Comment by Bob Time for some more anti-Savage logic:

Not all republicans are racists, not all youth pastors are pedophiles and not all heterosexual parents burn their children's arms with cigarettes.

Next week's lessons: Just because Kansas looks flat it doesn't mean the whole world is.

]]> Bob http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178536 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178536 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:36:24 -0800 Comment by Ivan We don't "have to" assume they are racists, but we do anyhow.

]]> Ivan http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178538 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178538 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 14:42:02 -0800 Comment by Lincolnish Fairfield, Ohio is a suburb of Cincinnati. I lived in Cincinnati for several years, and in 2004 I canvassed for the John Kerry campaign in that area. This guy's display doesn't surprise me a bit.

I've never seen such open rancor toward people with different points of view (or God forbid, different ethnicities) than what I saw from Republicans in SW Ohio. Remembering that campaign, and the hateful things I heard from my "pro-American" neighbors' mouths, chills my blood. I hate thinking about what the atmosphere there must be like now -- not just for the campaigning liberals, but for the thousands of non-whites who live with the very real threat of intimidation or violence.

That said, if I were still a resident of Ohio (and I'm glad I'm not), I'd be working door-to-door for Obama right now. Hey, Democrats in Cincinnati -- if you're reading this, keep fighting!

]]> Lincolnish http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178548 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178548 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:04:45 -0800 Comment by Dr. Savage Mudede Not all republicans are racists, not all youth pastors are pedophiles and not all heterosexual parents burn their children's arms with cigarettes.

Perhaps, but the fact that those of you who aren't racists, pedophiles, and child abusers continue to make ever-more-contrived excuses for the people who are means that you're just as culpable. Shithead.

]]> Dr. Savage Mudede http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178550 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178550 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:11:44 -0800 Comment by Dan Savage Who said anything about all? Just a whole bunch, bob, a whole bunch.

]]> Dan Savage http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178552 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178552 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:20:43 -0800 Comment by Matthew Some anti-Obama racists burned my Obama signs in the bed of my pick-up truck, burning up the bed liner. This really worried my family - it could have been my house, or it could have really torched my truck. The FBI should have a talk with Lundstrom.
Screw these racist assholes. They are violent criminals.

]]> Matthew http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178559 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178559 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:39:22 -0800 Comment by Y.F. Have you seen this one yet?

http://www.queerty.com/sarah-palin-rally-goers-cement-their-fate-20081016/

]]> Y.F. http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178560 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178560 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:40:50 -0800 Comment by SeMe all the racists that left our cities in the 70's and 80's are alive and well in the suburbs of philadelphia, cinci, chicago, boston and others. and mccain and palin are bringing them out. to say is just a few is bullshit and the media should be pointing this out.

for those of us who grew up in those cities we remember these blatant racists well. some people might not know it, but chicago, philly and boston were just as racist as alabama and mississipi back in da day.

personally, im glad that the racists of fish town, south philly moved away to the burbs, i just wished they had moved right into the ocean.

]]> SeMe http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178563 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178563 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 15:55:07 -0800 Comment by Clint Hopefully that guy's house burns down in some elaborate cross-burning stunt.

]]> Clint http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178577 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178577 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 16:39:23 -0800 Comment by LST Notice how easy kids grasp the symbolism. He doesn't say "that man is racist," because he probably doesn't have a frame for that yet. So he just says what he sees: "Obama" hanging upside-down.

]]> LST http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178580 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178580 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 17:00:21 -0800 Comment by 4f...sake unfortunately, none of this is new
the current fevered pitch is alarming- though also, not new

the abuse and slurs occurring at rallies and in some cases, peoples front yards
is not isolated or ending anytime soon

]]> 4f...sake http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178591 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178591 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:10:27 -0800 Comment by Bigyaknut "Obama's middle name, misspelled.."

Imagine that, a fucking idiot retard racist making a spray paint blunder. I hope he dies.

]]> Bigyaknut http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178592 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178592 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 18:23:19 -0800 Comment by Ferin Why, oh why, must every asshat in my state crawl out of the woodworks to make themselves known? Argh. You don't see me putting up a 'furfag' for Obama sign, do you? Can't the nuts just pretend for once that our state is full of civilized, intelligent, thoughtful voters? Everyone else does it.

]]> Ferin http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178605 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178605 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:03:36 -0800 Comment by ferretrick @24-First of all, Fairfield is on the outskirts of Cincinnati, which, when last I looked, was a sizable city. I don't know what you mean by "our" cities, but it sounds a lot like the left's equivalent of the way Palin talks about the "pro-America" parts of America. Also, did you miss the part where it said the guy got the idea from a McCain KKK display in New York?

I swear we aren't ALL like this in Southwest Ohio.

]]> ferretrick http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178606 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178606 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:05:41 -0800 Comment by UnoriginalAndrew Did you guys notice that the two people they interviewed for the story, and the newscasters all thought the guy was a crazy asshole? And the people who thought he was a crazy asshole were okay with being on camera, and the guy himself was not?

I mean, I know none of that fits in with the narrative you want this to represent, but seriously - this doesn't mean everyone outside of Seattle hates black people anymore than, say, two murders makes Seattle more dangerous than Chicago.

]]> UnoriginalAndrew http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178614 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178614 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 19:44:50 -0800 Comment by flamingbanjo People who hang up hand-painted signs and/or effigies in their yard to air their political views (cause the media won't tell you the truth! ) aren't, as a rule, the most sophisticated demographic.

I think this is one of those cases where the medium is the message.

]]> flamingbanjo http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178632 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178632 2008 Sun, 19 Oct 2008 21:09:38 -0800 Comment by Jennifer What makes me most sad about this incident is that EVERY part of the country has haters like this. This story happened to be in Ohio, but don't fool yourselves....it could have easily been from any state in the union. Racism is not confined by geography or town size, no matter how much those of us who live outside the south and/or in big cities would like to believe it.

Like @24 pointed out, some of the worst racists have lived in northern cities (many probably still do). The exodus of people from urban areas in the 60s and 70s wasn't nicknamed "White Flight" just because it rhymes. Some of the ugliest violence and racisim that erupted during the civil rights era were in these northern cities when schools tried bussing students in an attempt to make schools more integrated. It was BAD. And it really wasn't that long ago if you think about it. Baby Boomers lived through the times so they remember it. I would bet that many of the current haters were those who were protesting integration back then too. Our country may has gotten better since the 60s and 70s when it comes to racism, but boy do we still have a long way to go.

]]> Jennifer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178658 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178658 2008 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 00:15:49 -0800 Comment by reverend dr dj riz #24 and #33
while that kinda hatred led to me leaving chicago in the late 70's - i watched the white flight from south shore in the 60's as an elementary school student in a school where busing didn't exist didn't. i was chased, spat at and on, and threated with my life and lots lots more and i was ten years old. it was way better here.
but then again in my twenty five years in chicago i was never hassled by the police or struggled with finding and keeping a job. i didn't experience that until i moved here.and i know people who've experienced far worst in the better parts of this city
.. and a way minor note i never had a problem hailing a cab in chicago, but on a saturday night here ?..i make prior arrangements or ask white firends to hail one for me.

]]> reverend dr dj riz http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178666 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178666 2008 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 01:53:57 -0800 Comment by Jennifer @34: I am so sorry that you had to experience that crap as a child - or at any age for that matter.

I don't know whether or not I believe in heaven and hell, but if they do exist, there should be a special place reserved in hell for those who hate on other people(or encourage those who share their ignorance and bigotry to hate on other people) because of their skin color, sexual orientation, religion.

It really is sickening

]]> Jennifer http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178667 http://slog.thestranger.com/2008/10/you_have_to_assume_that_a_whole_bunch_of_1#c1178667 2008 Mon, 20 Oct 2008 03:08:16 -0800