I recently wrote about TeamSarah.org and the racism and comments that incited violence against Barack Obama on that website and similar comments on Fox News blogs. I have been concerned about the uptick in really hateful remarks that have been posted on the internet, particularly in For News blogs. When I saw an article in Huffington Post giving some particularly hateful examples, I felt that it was irresponsible for these websites and blogs to allow what essentially amounts to incitement to commit hate crimes to be posted.
At first it was quite clear that members of Team Sarah were far more concerned with how it might look to people that racist comments about the murder of our next presdent might look than they were concerned about the fact that people in their organization were posting such hatred comments.
Finally, after two articles, TeamSarah.org has finally made a policy that they will remove such comments. I quote from the website below:
Calling on Team Sarah Members to uphold the dignity of our community
- Posted by Emily (TS Mod) on December 22, 2008 at 2:30pm
As many of you know, Team Sarah is a project of the Susan B. Anthony List, an organization founded in 1992 and named after the suffragette who fought for women’s rights and against slavery. Susan B. Anthony possessed the core values and convictions that embraced all human rights and human dignity.
She stood up for rights for slaves, women, and unborn children. She lived out her values consistently, as does Sarah Palin.
She lived with backbone and determination and confidence. So does Sarah Palin.
And so does Team Sarah.
Susan B. Anthony never backed down from her fight, and even though she died before she saw women’s suffrage, she never wavered. When you see Governor Palin’s unblinking, confident, firm-jawed statements about protecting the unborn, children with special needs and women around the world, you can witness the same compassionate spirit that Susan B. Anthony had.
On Team Sarah, we uphold the supreme dignity of all humans, born and unborn. We do not tolerate comments that can be perceived as racist or hateful. This is not in spirit of our mission and certainly not representative of Sarah Palin’s values. Any comments deemed demeaning or inappropriate will be removed from the site immediately, even if they are made in jest.
Please help us keep the spirit of this site a positive reflection of values we hold. We are depending on you, the TEAM, to help us build a strong community.
I truly hope that Fox News and all others will follow a similar policy.
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I’m glad that site cleaned up its act but I have no such faith in Sarah Palin not sinking into the racist slug again. If she runs in 2012 as some feel she should I have my suspicions we will be revisiting that rhetoric again.
There is no hope for Fox News though. They are forever on the path of divisiveness. In fact, I think they talk about subjects to solicit hateful banter from their viewers.
chamay0
December 26, 2008 at 11:18 am
I agree with you on everything. When I called them out on not editing the dangerous and criminal comments on their blogs, silence. But the coments were eventually removed. At least they did that.
Catherine
December 26, 2008 at 11:20 am
I saw the hate on this website too. Now they have closed the site so that others do not see how racist they are. Great job for exposing them!
Chimicles
December 29, 2008 at 4:55 pm
Now that more and more is coming out it seems that the racism at teamsarah.org was largely because of obama-bot trolls. Read this article:
http://gop4liberty.blogspot.com/2009/01/team-sarah-trolls-revealed.html
Nothing has been exposed except the lengths that some liberals will go to defame someone
valerie
January 3, 2009 at 4:14 pm
That may or may not have happened, but I know someone who supports Sarah Palin, but who was absolutely horrified by some of the people on that site and the racist and even dangerous things that they were saying. I have also seen some of the hate as well and I did not sign in as a Team Sarah Supporter and never would.
I think it is very easy to blame things in your own organization on others. Look at Bobaloo’s comment accusing “Obama Democrats” of illegal activity and “stealing the election.” That is out there as far as I am concerned.
It is people like this and people on that website, not all of them by the way, but certainly enough of them, that repel people like me and even people I know who do support Sarah Palin.
The biggest problem with that group, are the people who spew hate.
Why worry about Democrats or Obama. If you really think that Sarah Palin is the answer, then go for it and try to convince people in a positive way that she actually brings something to the table.
Bottom line, you cannot blame the hate on that website on everyone else because even the more rational Team Sarah people are disgusted.
Catherine
January 4, 2009 at 11:38 am
Nice language used in that link you sent, Valerie. I don’t think educated, well-argued writers need to use that kind of wording.
No links to actual evidence there either– just a bunch of hate, vitriol and bitterness over losing the election.
I wouldn’t cite a blogger as an expert, unless that person has some credentials to back it up.
Just because something is written online, doesn’t mean it’s true.
skyewriter
January 3, 2009 at 4:22 pm
Skyewriter, Thanks for that one.
Catherine
January 4, 2009 at 6:58 pm
Team Sarah as an organization is well intentioned. I supported Sarah Palin and still do. I think she a very viable conservative candidate for any office.
That being said, I think the moderators and some of the group think masquerading as conservatism at TeamSarah is way off base. I have read numerous posts by people who feel that conservatism is essentially policy driven. I agree with that and consider any viable, sound, conservative a plus to the conservative movement. Certain members at team Sarah however seem to feel that only if you subscribe to their brand of Christian conservatism, well, you are not only not a true conservative bu also not a good Christian.
I have seen good members who spoke intelligently and wonderfully for conservatism thrown off the Team Sarah site for daring to disagree with this small groups of zealots. If it were only other forum posters I could say, “Who cares?”, but it seem the moderators must share that zealotry or else those good conservatives would still be there.
I left Team Sarah for this reason. I don’t think they represent modern conservatism. They are stuck in the dark ages where only an Evangelical Christian should dare call themselves conservative of Republican.
elsa12
January 5, 2009 at 11:05 pm
hmmm…
House.m.d
January 6, 2009 at 5:23 am