When are we going to stop blaming the victims for what happens to them?

[Cleita]

I'm not talking about DU but the mean spirited comments coming from people who should not have the bully pulpit that they do have, and who do get exposure on the media. I remember when Katrina devastated New Orleans and the gulf coast, there were stories about looting while people were drowning and other heinous accusations when they got some relief about buying Gucci purses and horrid stories like that. I could go on about how we treat our undocumented Latino immigrants, but no one wants to see them as victims, even here on DU. Women are often blamed for their own rapes and not only in countries across the world, but right here in the USA.

So now two heinous spokesmen for the white right have proclaimed that the Haitians have deserved what they got, Rush Limbaugh and Pat Robertson. I wonder how many other Reichsters are going to get on the bandwagon? All I can do is shake my head.

[nadinbrzezinski]

1. When their ilk are called on it

by others who have the bully pulpit.

I laugh every time I hear that we complaint that the muslims don't call their radicals on their bullshit. Well, we don't either.

On the bright side KO did today, but he cannot be the only one. In the case of robertson he has to be called on by other RELIGIOUS leaders in the Southern Baptist. Don't expect that any time soon. but they need a very public scolding... and I mean that.

[Guilded Lilly]

2. They will never stop

Because...they can...
and because they will never address the real problem...huge and ugly flaws in themselves and the guilt over having them. Those types can only feel better about themselves when they spew vileness towards others. Because them they don't have to think about their own wretched hearts.

It isn't about being Right, or white, or male...it is about being weak and small and foul.

[icymist]

3. Indeed, these people are small and foul.

Like a dog returns to its' vomit so will these repeat the vicious remarks about the poor and victimized. There's nothing more I can say about them. Their own words condemn them.

[The Straight Story]

4. Because people should always plan for the future, have attorneys on retainer and accountants

If they don't, then they just don't care about their future.....

Those who are not wealthy, well anything that happens to you is just your fault....

[undergroundpanther]

5. when sociopaths

and the abusive shit that toxic personalities do to non- abusive people is no longer tolerated ,excused,rationalized,pooh poohed, denied or most importantly pitied or promoted as normal or given any social sanction by anyone who is NOT a toxic abusive shit head them self.
The end of the bully begins with each of us standing up in our own resolve,to openly be against abuse wherever it happens, in daily life, be it the joke intended to hurt another,the asshole next door or the asshole hitting someone else with cruel words or cruel fists. It requires those aware of this bully problem or hurt by it to SPEAK UP,share their experiences, help victims,defend them ,undo the games and facades that bullies craft to hide what they are..It requires each of us will stand up by word and deeds or whatever it takes to stop the shit,instead of standing by or blaming the victims or denying verbal or any other type of abuse is wrong and really is a weapon intended to harm each of us in our very soul..

[valerief]

6. When people stop paying them to say that stuff. nt

[chowder66]

7. when we shut them down...,.

' nuf said.

[Berry Cool]

8. Never. Because everyone wants to believe they're too good for bad things to happen to them.

If bad things only happen to those who bring them on themselves, that's a very comforting idea to many people who think they are so wonderful that they will never face such misfortune.

We see the same idea expressed here many times on DU every day, couched in the form of a belief in "karma." Somehow belief in karma is accepted as something good, whereas we mock and scorn (as we rightly should) Christian fundamentalists who express the opinion that any group of people has earned its misfortune for "turning away from God" or whatnot.

If we really want to stop the cycle of people being blamed for their own misfortune, some of us have to discard our cherished belief in karma. And we also have to accept the possibility that the most awful, unjust things in the world can happen to anyone at any time for any reason or for no reason...including us. Us. Us.

And that's a place a lot of people just don't want to go.

[blondeatlast]

9. Never, because there will always be political and even religious gains to be made from doing so.

I'm a Christian and I'm terribly ashamed that no one of my faith has repudiated Pat Robertson. It makes me sick to my stomach.

[Fire_Medic_Dave]

10. I agree gun owners who shoot people to defend themselves are often the object of blame and ridicule!

[Rebubula]

11. I see what you did there...

...nice.