Bill Cosby Rants Against Republicans, Compares Them to Segregationists for Not Applauding Obama

Newsbusters.org ^ | 3-5-2013 | Matthew Sheffield

[servo1969]

Unless he had just eaten a bad cup of Jell-O pudding, it would appear that actor and comedian Bill Cosby seems to really, really hate Republicans.

The veteran entertainer made that very clear Monday morning when he claimed that Republicans not applauding President Obama’s State of the Union address in unison with Democrats was “as bad as the people who were against any kind of desegregation.” He also wondered aloud about whether or not Republicans today are upset that slavery is no longer legal.

Cosby made these remarks on the CNN morning show “Starting Point” after soon-to-be-former host Soledad O’Brien referenced how much better things have gotten for those of African ancestry inside the United States since the 1960s civil rights movement.

The famous comedian and longtime Jell-O pitchman rejected her statement.

“I don’t think so,” he said. “Not when you look at the president's speech recently. To see people sitting down and then they there are others standing and cheering. I don't think it's difficult believe. I think that we have people sitting there who are as bad as the people who were against any kind of desegregation.”

Instead of correcting Cosby’s obvious ignorance of the longstanding tradition of a president’s own party being far more enthusiastic about his applause lines, O’Brien allowed Cosby to continue his diatribe which he did by saying that Republicans who do not support Obama want to implement some sort of oppressive regime. He then moved into a conspiracy theory about how the assassination of John F. Kennedy by a communist was somehow actually caused by supporters of segregation.

“And then in place of a better America, they want their own sick feelings put across, and it's -- it isn't -- it isn't a good time, but I think also on our part as professors and presidents of colleges all over.

And in public schools, we need to get the education of the correct history that happened so people can say, yes, this really did happen. Because you have to include the assassination of a president and ask the question, maybe that had something to do with it also.

Cosby continued his Republican bashing later on in the show, replying to a question about whether or not certain provisions of the Voting Rights Act should be thrown out by the Supreme Court that conservatives were “angry” that black Americans are not presently enslaved.

I think it's dumb to say is it time when we stand and say the pledge of allegiance, for which it stands. Where are you going with this? Where are you going with the promise of what the United States of America really is?

It's also interesting that this Republican Party is not the Republican Party of 1863, of Abraham Lincoln, abolitionists and slavery, is not good. I think it's important for us to look at the underlying part of it. What is the value of it? Is it that some people are angry because my people no longer want to work for free?

[Oatka]

I bought his records. I helped make him rich. I hope this old racist dies soon.

When most everybody on this board was praising Cosby, I held back, figuring I was the only guy in the U.S. who disliked him.

I used to think he was OK, until I saw him at one of the tapings for the Solid Gold show. He came out to a good round of applause and sat down on a stool center stage, where guests usually chatted a few moments with the audience. After the applause died down, he said. "Yeah, yeah. just buy the records" in a really shitty dismissive manner.

He was on mt "ess list" from then on.

[bikerman]

Hey Bill if we want any crap from you we’ll squeeze your head.

[Hacksaw]

Perhaps this has-been with obvious Attention Deficit Syndrome could better use his time counseling the two Black boys who murdered a White boy at a PA middle school. Now that is real racism.

You talking about those 2 black boys whose punishment for killing a white student was a 2 day suspension? How would the administrators of this school feel if these 2 aminals killed one of their own?

[jersey117]

Loser. I could name at least a dozen black conservatives I’d swap for obama right now...today.

[Vaduz]

More like the truth is out.

[Wicket]

I am sad about this (and irritated). Bill Cosby made his money by riffing on common human experiences. His humor applied to no single race.

Must be the Koolaid served by the White House.

[XenaLee]

You know, it’s funny. Back in my younger days, before I woke up and grew up, I used to watch the Cosby show regularly. Loved it. I remember asking my parents why they couldn’t stomach him. I don’t remember exactly what they said, but it was related to something political that he had said, even back then. I was non-political though, so I just ignored their comments and kept being a fan.

Amazing how brilliant and forward-thinking our parents become, even AFTER we’ve become ‘so-called’ adults, eh?

The lines have been clearly drawn over the past five years especially, and Obama gets credit for that, at least. He has divided our nation more effectively than any outside or foreign enemy could ever have.

Thanks, Barry. At least now we know EXACTLY who our enemies (America’s enemy within) is.

[hattend]

So Bill, What do you call it when the Democrats sit on their hands when a Republican President is at the State of the Union?

Jeez, Bill, I loved your records in the 70s but you sure do suck now.