Morning Joe

Birthers and False Equivalencies

Another Morning Joe chunk of ridiculousness here. Joe spent an entire segment this morning on the Birthers, but in the context of trying to tell his audience that there are crazy conspiracy people on both sides (he also managed to work in one of his crutches: "when I ran for Congress...").

A few things here.

Joe brought up the central thesis of Michael Moore's Fahrenheit 9/11 -- the relationship between the Saudis, the Bin Ladens and the Bushes. Well, there was a relationship. I don't know exactly how it related to the attacks, but there was a relationship.

He also brought up the JFK conspiracy and the 9/11 Truthers. These conspiracy theorists span the political and ideological spectrum and are definitely not products of the left. Just ask wingnut Alex Jones.

But the major aspect of the Birther movement that separates it from these other conspiracy theories -- the aspect that makes it particularly insidious is the fact that it's largely driven by racial and ethnic bigotry. And this is only underscored by the utter lack of actual reality behind the theory. The Birther movement is all about race. It's about southern whites who fear the browning of America.

There is no equivalent of this on the left, Joe. Sorry.