Bee Double Standard on Parade

John Hughes of the Bee complains below that I overlooked the fact the piece was an "editorial notebook" written by a single member of the Bee's editorial staff, in this case Ginger Rutland. He is correct. However, it still does not change the fact that I am sure Ms. Rutland along with the majoirty of her editorial staff would be all over a Republican had they made the same remarks.

The hypocrisy of the Bee shines through again in this editorial about Joe Biden’s recent gaffe:

In response to a question from a reporter, Biden called the Illinois Democrat and fellow presidential candidate "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Although Biden's remarks show his unfortunate tendency to open his mouth without engaging his brain, they surely were not intended to offend. But, this being presidential politics and the subject being race, of course they did.

In response to a question from a reporter, Biden called the Illinois Democrat and fellow presidential candidate "the first mainstream African American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy."

Although Biden's remarks show his unfortunate tendency to open his mouth without engaging his brain, they surely were not intended to offend. But, this being presidential politics and the subject being race, of course they did.

Biden implied that previous black candidates for president -- the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton and Shirley Chisholm, Carol Moseley-Braun and Alan Keyes -- were unclean, inarticulate, not bright and ugly, or some combination of the above.

I don't think that's what he meant, and I believe fair-minded people, including, I suspect, the vast majority of black Americans don't either.

I'm black. I don't pretend to speak for all black people. But speaking for myself, I would appreciate some straight talk about race from presidential candidates, something more than the "gotcha" garbage that flows every time a candidate forgets to install his PC filter when race comes up.

Now, can anyone imagine the Bee publishing this editorial if instead of Joe Biden, it had been Rudy Guiliani or Mitt Romney? No. The paper would be all over a Republican to apologize for the “racist” comments. Just like with Trent Lott, there would be no peace until Republican X resigned, dropped out of the race, or otherwise was severely punished for his or her words.

But when a Democrat like Biden says something that might be offensive, he is praised for “straight talk about race.” Double standard on parade from the Bee.