Welcome to DU! The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards. Join the community: Create a free account Support DU (and get rid of ads!): Become a Star Member Latest Breaking News General Discussion The DU Lounge All Forums Issue Forums Culture Forums Alliance Forums Region Forums Support Forums Help & Search

IDemo

(16,926 posts)
Thu Sep 20, 2012, 05:59 PM Sep 2012

Empty chair 'lynchings': Anti-Obama protests gone too far?

At least two recent incidents in which empty chairs were hung from trees by rope have critics decrying what they say are racially offensive displays meant to symbolize the “lynching” of President Barack Obama.

In Austin, Texas, a homeowner hung an empty folding chair from a tree branch in front of his house and later attached an American flag to it. He reportedly told a Democratic political blogger who inquired about it: “You can take [your concerns] and go straight to hell and take Obama with you.”

In Centreville, Va., an empty chair with a sign reading “Nobama” was strung from a tree in or near a park. “In short, this appears to be a crude metaphor for the lynching of President Obama,” wrote the blogger who posted the photo.

The image of an empty chair has been associated with Obama ever since Clint Eastwood’s headline-grabbing, non-conformist speech at the Republican National Convention three weeks ago in Tampa, Fla. The 82-year-old actor-director talked to an empty chair as if the Democratic president were sitting in it, criticizing and mocking the “invisible Obama” for 12 minutes.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/20/13989510-empty-chair-lynchings-anti-obama-protests-gone-too-far?lite

Why is there a question mark in the headline?

13 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Empty chair 'lynchings': Anti-Obama protests gone too far? (Original Post) IDemo Sep 2012 OP
Isn't that a public threat to the President? drm604 Sep 2012 #1
I doubt the authorities will investigate something that stupid. HopeHoops Sep 2012 #2
Yes they will. dkf Sep 2012 #4
News of the Weird should have fun with that one. HopeHoops Sep 2012 #5
And they'll do nothing SickOfTheOnePct Sep 2012 #6
And the dumb teenage girl who tweeted davidpdx Sep 2012 #9
That is not a commitment to look into it ProgressiveProfessor Sep 2012 #7
It's stupid and insulting SickOfTheOnePct Sep 2012 #3
Would it then be wrong... jmowreader Sep 2012 #8
That would be a clear, credible threat against Romney, who also has SS protection. Nye Bevan Sep 2012 #12
It would be a threat against repukes in general... jmowreader Sep 2012 #13
Unfortunately other than having the SS question the people there is not much that can be done davidpdx Sep 2012 #10
Racism is alive and well in America B Calm Sep 2012 #11

drm604

(16,230 posts)
1. Isn't that a public threat to the President?
Thu Sep 20, 2012, 06:11 PM
Sep 2012

Hopefully the Secret Service will look into this.

Good point about the question mark.

 

dkf

(37,305 posts)
4. Yes they will.
Thu Sep 20, 2012, 06:36 PM
Sep 2012

The Secret Service said it was looking into the empty chair incidents. "The Secret Service is aware of this and will conduct appropriate followup," spokesman Brian Leary told NBC News.

http://usnews.nbcnews.com/_news/2012/09/20/13989510-empty-chair-lynchings-anti-obama-protests-gone-too-far?lite

SickOfTheOnePct

(7,290 posts)
6. And they'll do nothing
Thu Sep 20, 2012, 06:44 PM
Sep 2012

but ask questions, just like when that whacko in Florida hung Obama in effigy.

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
9. And the dumb teenage girl who tweeted
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 05:11 AM
Sep 2012

about someone killing Obama. The SS, police and school did nothing about that.

ProgressiveProfessor

(22,144 posts)
7. That is not a commitment to look into it
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 03:36 AM
Sep 2012

It is a commitment to do what they think is the right thing whatever that may be.

I'll go with that...



SickOfTheOnePct

(7,290 posts)
3. It's stupid and insulting
Thu Sep 20, 2012, 06:29 PM
Sep 2012

but no different than hanging someone in effigy.

And no, I don't believe it is a threat, it's a political statement, i.e., free speech. Hateful free speech, no doubt, but free speech just the same.

jmowreader

(50,560 posts)
8. Would it then be wrong...
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 03:45 AM
Sep 2012

To buy a stuffed elephant and hang it in a tree? And do they make orange stuffed elephants?

Nye Bevan

(25,406 posts)
12. That would be a clear, credible threat against Romney, who also has SS protection.
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 06:37 AM
Sep 2012

Do that at your own risk,

jmowreader

(50,560 posts)
13. It would be a threat against repukes in general...
Sat Sep 22, 2012, 12:38 AM
Sep 2012

And perhaps John Boehner in particular.

I couldn't do it...I don't want to be identified as "a former employee of this newspaper."

davidpdx

(22,000 posts)
10. Unfortunately other than having the SS question the people there is not much that can be done
Fri Sep 21, 2012, 05:22 AM
Sep 2012

It is pretty much along the same lines as the wackos that put out the hate film about Muslims, free speech trumps everything. You have to take the good with the bad.

Latest Discussions»General Discussion»Empty chair 'lynchings': ...