"Nation of cowards"? Perhaps a more palatable phrasing would be, "it is time for this nation, which has shown so much courage in so many ways, to display that courage as it addresses one of it's oldest and most vexing issues, the issue of race."

No one wants to be labeled a coward (most especially someone who is) and we know from experience that cowards often react violently to any perceived affront. Mr. Holder would do well to follow the boss's example and appeal to the better nature of his audience.

Having said that, I hope that his words inspire a dialog that produces an improved national perspective on race. Which is that there is only one, regardless of historical opinions.

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Here's a quick list:

1. We are driven by fear in supporting laws the curb our civil liberties e.g. Patriot Act

2. We are scared to call Zionist war crimes in Palestine and continue to support the Apartheid state of Israel.

3. We are scared shitless by the cartoonish fear mongering by the government into supporting two wars of aggression in the last 8 years. Well, make it 3: constantly bombing Pakistan must be counted as the 3rd war.

4. We have been paralyzed by fear of the state power and don't step out on the streets to protest against the massive job loss at the hands of the bankers.

A nation of coward? Yes in deed!

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You are The national coward in traducing your duty to book Cheney and the minion, Rumsfailed, Kall Karl karl, or ANY of the lot.

RULE of law TRIUMPHS ruse of law. You ARE on the clock.

Quiz Friday.

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We are a nation of cowards? Is he referring to blacks hatred of whites as well? If he wants to bring the nation "together" starting off by insulting a majority of them s not a good idea.

Now......

Where was holder during the Clinton Administration? Where was his strength and insight?

How does he explain Marc Rich, who had spent years running from tax charges. Remember his ex-wife was a prominent Dem donor. Those Clintons take care of their own and Holder helped them do it.

How does he explain the release of those terrorists? He didn't know all the facts? This is our top cop?

I wonder who the coward really is.

At least he pays his taxes.. we think!

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Calling Americans cowards. His poor choice of just one word obscured the rest of his message, no matter what it was. Perhaps he'd like to try again. Try to be a little nicer. Thanks, ANNA

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Why is it when a black person points out the truth regarding race, people get outraged? That is the problem people don't want to address the issue of race and it just festers and festers under the surface.

I'm so glad Mr. Holder had the courage to put it out there on the table. I hope he does the same in addressing the institutionalized racial injustices that permeates within the nation.

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I guess AG's are entited to sputter their personal vibes and jibes, but a return to the basic principles of equal treatment under the law and prosecutorial fairness will do just fine, Mr. Holder.

We don't pay you to blather on our dime. You can join the bogo'fear if you enjoy your opinion that much, at night, after you get done doing the work of the people.

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What Holder said was true. But, despite this, his choice of words could mean the end of his career (much like the masturbation comment unjustifiably ended Joycelyn Elders' career), even though he is probably the most qualified person in the country for his post.
I urge President Obama not to give in to the inevitable pressure to fire Mr Holder.

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Is this a way to avoid prosecuting war crimes in the executive offices, to make us forget about the politicization of the DOJ including leaning on the attorneys to tamper with election results? Is this a way for everyone to mellow out and accept extraordinary rendition, torture, the patriot act?

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is the point. making such statements, on purpose, is to get people's attention. especially those who think that they are not racist and become offended by them. those who yell the loudest should be the ones most looked at.

listen up folks, racism has not gone away just because the hoods have been put in the closet; its just under the surface and i commend mr holder and anyone else who calls people out on their shit.

i, for one, would love to have a decent discussion on race and the status of racism in this country. i see the disparities all too often.

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. . . commence the manufactured outrage and the messenger shooting.

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if he wasn't backing the Bush line on "official secrets" and torture.

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hits a little too close to home for some who are throwing fits over his choice of words?

You can parse his words if you want to, take them apart looking for any perceived slight, but the truth in his statement is what should be taken to heart. His point should be well taken.

What are you afraid of?

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My fearfully racist mother makes a ignorant commment, I shoot her the "look". I prove my unconscious indoctrination, and my daughter give me the same.
We're Working on it. It would have been faster had the Religious Right not taken over the nations politics. Jesus they hate everyone who is not a White Evangelical male.
Even those who lead the Civil Rights movement have had to shake off their own Racist attitudes- Loved Jr giving Jesse the verbal finger.
But it is not only Whites vs Blacks, it's people from the same ethnic background who hold prejudices. That Case of the Indian girl living in Canada, who married an Indian Guy 'not of her Status' who was murdered by her own extended family to save face. Or the Honor killings which have happened in Dearborn Mi, where no one will talk to police about the murder.Chinese who hate Japanese, Koreans who hate Vietnamese.god forbid should there be an intra ethnic marriage or children if their Social status doesn't match.
Last night on the News Hour someone said 'who would seek to kick the only Black man out of the Senate' when talking aobut unseating Burris. 'Scuse me??? What a racist remark. Of course he should be thrown out if he paid to play. It has nothing to do with his race, and everything to do with his integrity! Such comments do the Black Community a Grave disservice (of course it was a white who said it). It not only suggests Blacks need special considerations when it comes to integrity, but that the bar must be lowered for them to compete. As a female such remarks piss me off when referring to how us 'lil ladies, need help'- Don't patronize Me! It's blatantly Sexist and says more about the speaker own prejudice than it does about my abilities.
Burris has disgraced himslef, the Seat and brought a shadow of doubt the black community need not be judged by.He should step down to sve face, to allow his State to finally be properly represented again and to show the rules apply to ALL regardless of color, gender, ethnic background, religious affiliation or sexual preference. Equal opportunity means a level playing field- no bars lowered!

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I'll never forget Biden's ridiculous statement about Obama, long before Biden was chosen as running mate:

"I mean, you got the first mainstream African-American who is articulate and bright and clean and a nice-looking guy. I mean, that's a storybook, man."

I wondered if Obama knew about that godawful spiel when he chose Biden.

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He was speaking of blacks and whites. The cowardice is in the lack of dialogue between the races. He did not say "Whites don't talk about race." He is saying blacks don't talk to whites about race and whites don't talk about race with blacks. And he is right.

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