SCVNews.com | Opinion/Commentary: Thought Police are Recruiting

[Sign Up Now] to Receive Our FREE Daily SCVTV-SCVNews Digest by E-Mail

Inside

Weather

Calendar

Today in
S.C.V. History

December 18

1929 - Swift justice: Thomas Vernon sentenced to life in prison for Saugus train derailment & robbery 1 month earlier [story]

Thought Police are Recruiting

The Real Side | Commentary by Joe Messina

Joe Messina | Monday, Jun 2, 2014

Click Here to Get Our 'SCV This Morning' Newsletter

Tweet This

Facebook

Digg This

Bookmark

Stumble

RSS

I love receiving emails from people responding to issues posted on my website, both positive and negative. Some pieces are written by fellow hosts, bloggers and other writers, but all are issues worth discussing.

I recently posted one about the “birther” issue. There are still investigations as to President Obama’s birthplace. The only people who accept 100 percent that Obama is hiding nothing about his birth, his school years, and his true love for this country are the ones who think right-wing, Bible-believing, conservatives like me should not have the right to freedom of speech simply because we don’t think like them.

Yup. The “thought police” are out in force. One of these thought police actually posted on Facebook that I was racist, and the single, simple proof was that I questioned this president’s birthplace.

The logic of the left always astounds me. Would that same conclusion hold true if the president were white? The educated left doesn’t need dictionaries or thesauruses because words mean only what they want them to mean. Period.

The dictionary defines racism as: 1. a belief or doctrine that inherent differences among the various human races determine cultural or individual achievement, usually involving the idea that one’s own race is superior and has the right to rule others; 2. a policy, system of government, etc., based upon or fostering such a doctrine; discrimination; 3. hatred or intolerance of another race or other races.

Is the poster saying that my questioning the president’s birthplace suggests I think I am superior to him? That’s a bit of a stretch. Or maybe the poster is saying that by my suggesting we talk about some new “facts” on the issue, it could expose that Obama may or may not be who he says he is, and might be my attempt (again) to show my superiority over his race? (Yes, that’s sarcasm.) Another stretch if you ask me.

And if all else fails, my posting the piece surely shows I hate or am intolerant of the black race, because if you haven’t noticed, the president is black, even though he works so hard to hide that fact. (Yes, more sarcasm.) And here I thought we were all part of the human race.

This is exactly how the left wins arguments, especially those in the herd who are weaker. Most people just want to live their lives, go to work, feed their families and enjoy the fruits of their labor. Old and treasured values of being an American. My grandfather, a Democrat, my dad, a Democrat, my uncle, a Democrat (he died a few years ago and has still been voting Democrat, I’m sure) – all had spirited conversations about politics and religion with people of many colors, origins, religions and political persuasions, but they never walked away from each other hating the thoughts of the other or feeling bad about what they discussed.

I grew up in the state that gave us Kennedy, Tip O’Neil, Dukakis and other famous libs.

Sunday morning church for most was coffee, a cigarette, the Boston Globe, and good, spirited political conversation. No words like bigot, racist or blank-a-phobe were part of the conversation. They treasured open, honest conversation.

Today the party, and many of the people of the “big tent” group, have spawned the PC and thought police.

Wanna start a fight? In my day, it was just looking at your foe and saying, “Hey. Your mamma wears Army boots.” The gloves were off and fists were flying, because those were fighting words.

Today, the enlightened left will call you a hater, ignorant, bigot, racist and a blank-a-phobe for saying things like, “The president has no foreign policy plan,” “The president has failed to protect our soldiers overseas,” “I don’t see what a man sees in another man,” “I get a little uneasy when I see a group of ‘Muslim’-looking men getting on a plane with me,” “Obamacare is a disaster” or “You need God.” Any one of these statements, and even less, could get you in a heap of trouble.

Yes, the thought police will jump all over you like “white on rice.” (Is that politically incorrect or insensitive? Whatever.) They have more and more volunteers on social media sites. Why? Because it doesn’t take any guts to fight and call someone names on social media. It’s easy, and they like easy. That’s why they are looking for volunteers.

Our Founding Fathers had heated and long, drawn-out debates over many issues in the formation of this country. Over the years, people on many political sides of the aisle have had deep and heated conversations over issues of the day. But the current level of attack by the left on all speech that isn’t “liberal speech” is ridiculous.

Hey, thought police. Get out your “tongue cuffs,” because you’re waking a sleeping giant. Many Christian conservatives are waking up and seeing how dangerous you people are. Yes, I said “you people.” The ones who think having a non-liberal vocabulary makes me a hater. You people who think every criticism of the president could only be because I’m a racist. (God forbid he might actually be capable of doing something wrong.)

You people who think that because some of us don’t want a runaway healthcare plan that takes care of people who are here illegally, mooching off the system, we must be racist. (Because only non-whites mooch the system? That just shows your true ignorance.)

You people who think that because some of us want the borders secure so we can actually get our economy and national security under control must mean I’m a racist because, obviously, I’m trying to keep Hispanics out. Not because drugs, guns, criminals and terrorists (from many countries) are crossing the border. Only American-loving Hispanics who want a better life for their families cross illegally, right? If you buy into that, I’ve got a bridge I want to sell you.

This proud, Christ-loving, America-loving right-winger has had it with the thought police and the PC police. I’ve raised four kids. You don’t scare me. What is healthy is open conversation … open, uncomfortable conversation with people from all walks of life. People of all religions (or non-religions), colors and lifestyles. And even when we don’t agree on what’s right, it’s still healthy to discuss it, civilly.

It’s ironic that the ones who hate the right for the way they label everything are the exact ones who … wait for it … label everything.

Who’s going to join me in fighting these ruiners of the American way of life? Stamp out every form of political correctness and the thought police as vehemently as you fight child abuse, animal abuse, senior abuse and every other abominable thing. Don’t stand for it ever. Don’t let them chip away at your freedom of speech. And don’t let the hypocrites win.

My conservative friends, stop hoping the left will change its tactics and start fighting back. Don’t accept the labels they attempt to put on you, and point out the hypocrisy. If each of us doesn’t do it, who will?

Joe Messina is host of The Real Side (TheRealSide.com), a nationally syndicated talk show that runs on AM-1220 KHTS radio and SCVTV [here]. He is also the current president of the Hart School Board. His commentary publishes Mondays.

Comment On This Story

COMMENT POLICY: We welcome comments from individuals and businesses. All comments are moderated. Comments are subject to rejection if they are vulgar, combative, or in poor taste.
REAL NAMES ONLY: All posters must use their real individual or business name. This applies equally to Twitter account holders who use a nickname.

23 Comments

Julie Keim Hannant says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

I’m proud to be “one of those people”. Your right wing judgement is disgusting.

Reply
Jenny Falk- Grillo says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

The problem with Joe and his buddies is their aversion to facts. Freedom of speech is all well and good but base your opinions on facts not made up crap.

Reply
MisterJeremiah says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

While I understand that words are simply words, the issue is that we’ve identified that simple words can turn into more hateful ones, and sometimes worse acts. What is wrong with dissecting athese dark points in our history and identifying trigger points that either caused them or contributed? Not saying you’re racist.

Signed,
Not a Liberal

Reply
Lee U. says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Hey Joe…you’ve had at least 7 years to find out where Obama was born. 7 years. And yet “there are still questions”.
If, despite the overabundance of facts, you can’t accept that our President wasn’t foreign born, I can’t accept that you’re not willfully ignorant and possibly racist.

Reply
Lee Uber says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Hey Joe…you’ve had at least 7 years to find out where Obama was born. 7 years. And yet “there are still questions”.
If, despite the overabundance of facts, you can’t accept that our President wasn’t foreign born, I can’t accept that you’re not willfully ignorant and possibly racist.

Reply
Jeannette Johnson says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Right on Joe! I miss those days when we could converse with people – I admire those who are willing to listen and discuss. It takes grace, mercy, discipline and conviction to talk with others without compromise. Thankfully there are those who still believe in our country’s foundation of free speech – we are spoiled, whether we be liberal or conservative – continue on while you can!

Reply
Dave Putnam says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

I’ve discovered a foolproof method for determining whether or not you’re a racist. If you find yourself constantly defending yourself, claiming that you aren’t a racist, the odds lean in favor that you really are one.

Reply
Steve Colf says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Pitch my tent in your camp. I was raised in So. Cal., went to church school trough 6th and LAUSD to graduation. After a stint on U.S. Navy Submarines and then on to the world of business. My family of origin stressed respect for ALL humans and the “bracero” farm worker was as welcome at our table as the professional, see in those days our family doctor made house calls and if it was after 5 PM he often had dinner with us. We had Mexican helpers when there was a big project on our 1 acre treasure we called home. Because the house was small Mom would set up the two picnic tables on the patio and workers with my family would share a meal with lots of laughter and practicing each other’s language. Life was idyllic. Mom was adamant no bad words were used, ever, and respect was the one absolute.
Now, for those who will scoff with something like, “yeah but that was some quaint little mid-west town” and doesn’t apply to the elite big city this life was lived in Shadow Hills in Los Angeles City. Dad commuted daily to “the city” for a white collar job but he was determined to raise a family with Christian values, ethics and morals so kept his little acre for us to learn about work, not hand outs.
I will always be grateful for that foundation. When I hear the vicious attacks on the way of life my family sacrificed to start me and my brothers in it hurts deeply, even at 70 years old, and there is no one in government that appears to appreciate that is the greatness of America and we are losing it to “entitlement” belief system.
God Bless America and thank you God and forefathers for this marvelous life my family and I have had the privilege of building.

Reply
Tommy Rini says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

One other thing. I’m surprised no one’s ever complimented you on this, with teeth like that I bet that you can really tear into a carrot, huh?

Reply
Mike Devlin says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

#ohboy

Reply
David Achilles says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

You are just proving his point, Tommy. Personal attacks rather than engaging on the ideas and issues….

Reply
Brendan Murphy says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

I love when republicans wax nostalgic about the “good ol’ days” back when blacks knew their place and our president was white. These rants are awesome, Joe. They are giving people serious ammunition for your next school board campaign. You can always find some friends at the bottom of a barrel, but none of you will be clean.

Reply
Dave warburton says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Joe, you are fully entitled to your opinions. I do not believe your ideas will lead America to a good place.
As for the birthed stuff: Obama has a legally valid birth certificate issued by thee City of Honolulu and under the laws of the State of Hawaii. That makes him a natural born citizen of the US and settles the matter despite what Obama haters would prefer. Continuing on talking about this subject just makes one look foolish.

Reply
Chris Brunelle says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

It’s gonna be really awkward for the left if Ben Carson runs on the GOP ticket. They’ve defended Obama with the race card (what else could they use?) So much that they’ll have to do some serious explaining why they won’t get behind the next black presidential candidate. Based on their own rhetoric, any dissent must be rooted in racism.

Reply
- George Pantelidis says:
  
  Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at
  
  There will never be a black man on any Republican ticket for president. What world do you live in?
  
  Reply
- George Pantelidis says:
  
  Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at
  
  There will never be a black man on any Republican ticket for president. What world do you live in?
  
  Reply
SCVMJB says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Messina, your constant and recurring verbal diarrhea does nothing but drag SCV down to a very low point. You talk about being a Christian, yada yada and put on your annual Mayors (no apostrophe) prayer breakfast. But in my humble opinion, you are the least “Christ-like” of anyone I am aware of in residence in the SCV.

Reply
Minerva L. Williams says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Joe there are many times I agree with you when invigorating opposing points of view on cultural values, the impact of technology towards communication and the fight of the Left and The Right regarding general change. However, this reads like you just want a simple fight or to rant!

Is there something else that is bothering you?? This reads like a man with a hole in his soul and I would like to explore talking to you in person and not on the air. If this was done to engage some kind of rage just before the election cycle where people are looking for enlightening information for voting you picked the right time to post this. If this is being posted because you fear the possibility of a Democrat becoming a player in the 25th Congressional District, I can understate that uneasiness with the current position of Lee C Rogers now that Buck McKeon has retired. But for you to play the “race” card? Please let’s review how your head went in this direction?

Reply
Chris Brunelle says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

A world where the gullible are fed made-to-order smear tactics by the media.

Reply
Tara Cirone Alvino says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

Please don’t post the idiotic commentary on FB…try covering local stories objectively…if people want to become incensed over old news they’ll go looking for it.

Reply
Scvdaplace2B says:

Monday, Jun 2, 2014 at

His thought process along with his writing is very amateurish. He fits right in on local yokel radio KHTS. Seriously, it’s embarrassing to still bring up the birth cert. ala Donald Trump. I bet Joe could bankrupt a casino too!

Reply
Josh says:

Tuesday, Jun 3, 2014 at

Keep on preaching and spreading the facts!

Reply
Capt. Gene says:

Tuesday, Jun 3, 2014 at

McCain had to face the same scrutiny way back in ’08:

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/02/28/us/politics/28mccain.html?_r=0

Reply

Click here to cancel reply.

Opinion Section Policy

All opinions and ideas are welcome. Factually inaccurate, libelous, defamatory, profane or hateful statements are not. Your words must be your own. All commentary is subject to editing for legibility. There is no length limit, but the shorter, the better the odds of people reading it. "Local" SCV-related topics are preferred. Send commentary to: LETTERS (at) SCVNEWS.COM. Author's full name, community name, phone number and e-mail address are required. Phone numbers and e-mail addresses are not published except at author's request. Acknowledgment of submission does not guarantee publication.

Select Keeping Up with Kathryn Barger | Home For the Holidays

Wednesday, Dec 10, 2025

I'm overjoyed to share that as of this week, several Altadena residents have moved back into their newly-rebuilt homes in time for the holidays.

Brittany Barlrog | Wrapping up 2025 for JCI

Wednesday, Dec 3, 2025

As we wrap up this incredible year with JCI Santa Clarita, my heart is truly overflowing with gratitude. This chapter has shown up in such wonderful ways, and I’m so proud of everything we’ve created together.

Ken Striplin | Happy Birthday, Santa Clarita

Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025

It’s hard to believe that our city will turn 38-years-old as of Monday, Dec. 15.

Bill Miranda | Honored to Serve

Tuesday, Dec 2, 2025

As we wrap up another year, I find myself reflecting on how extraordinary and eventful 2025 has been for our city.

Kathryn Barger | Keeping Up with Kathryn

Wednesday, Nov 26, 2025

Today, my team and I set out to four different sites across the Fifth District for our 8th Annual Day of Giving.

Mitchell Coleman | Tejon Ranch Conservancy

Tuesday, Nov 25, 2025

One of the things I love most about the Tejon Ranch Conservancy is that there truly is something here for everyone to enjoy and appreciate.

Latest Additions to SCVNews.com


Jan. 2-June 26: Cougars Soccer Programs to Host ‘Friday Night Footy’ The College of the Canyons soccer programs will be hosting 'Friday Night Footy,' small-sided pick-up games, running on Friday evenings Jan. 2 through June 26 at the COC Soccer Facility.	Muro Signs with Cumberland University Softball Program College of the Canyons sophomore pitcher Nichole Muro will continue her academic and athletic career at Cumberland University after signing with the Phoenix softball program.	Cougars Win Fourth Straight 80-72 at Napa Valley College of the Canyons men's basketball won its fourth straight contest in an 80-72 affair at Napa Valley College on Monday afternoon, Dec. 15 as freshman Julius Washington led all scorers with 20 points.	Canyons Finishes Tourney Weekend with 60-44 Win Over Diablo Valley Canyons women's basketball snapped a five-game losing streak with a 60-44 win over Diablo Valley College during the final day of action at the Napa Valley Storm Surge tournament on Saturday, Dec. 13.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 18) 1929 - Swift justice: Thomas Vernon sentenced to life in prison for Saugus train derailment & robbery 1 month earlier [story]	Newhall School Board Elects Rachelle Haddoak 2026 Board President The Newhall School District Board of Trustees met on Tuesday, Dec. 16 for its annual organiational meeting.
LASD Custody Division Honors Inmates on the Path of Recovery and Success The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department Forensic In-Patient Step Down program’s success has led to an annual graduation that not only celebrates the participants for the progress they have made in the program but also acknowledges the department’s commitment to excellence in custody operations.	Research by CSUN Prof Finds Neandertal Selective Cannibalism 45,000 Years Ago The study of bones from the largest collection of Neandertal remains in Northern Europe has revealed evidence of selective cannibalism targeting Neandertal females and children between 41,000 and 45,000 years ago.	State Education Dept. to Address Rising Antisemitism, Hate State Superintendent of Public Instruction Tony Thurmond today announced that registration is open for the second annual School Leadership to End Hate Winter Institute, co-hosted by the California Department of Education and the California Teachers Collaborative for Holocaust and Genocide Education.	LASD Crime Lab Awarded Grant to Bolster Testing for DUI Cases The Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department was awarded a $134,000 grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety	CSUN Researchers Call for Public’s Help in Documenting Joshua Trees’ Surprise Out-of-Season Bloom Southern California’s iconic Joshua trees are in bloom, and California State University, Northridge’s environmental biologists are asking the public’s help in figuring out why and what it means for the trees’ future.	March 1: JCI Santa Clartia Holds Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K Runs The Mardi Gras Madness 1K/5K/10K, set for March 1, 2026, in Santa Clarita, is more than a race, it’s a celebration of health, community, and giving back.
DMV Finds Tesla Violated California State Law With ‘Autopilot’ Terms The California Department of Motor Vehicles today issued its decision in the Tesla administrative case, adopting the administrative law judge’s proposed decision	Santa Clarita Transit Launches Fare Capping Beginning January 2026 Starting January 1, 2026, Santa Clarita Transit is launching Fare Capping, meaning once riders hit the daily or weekly cap, the rest of their local rides are free.	CSUN University Library Announces Completion of Jewish Community Archives Processing (1921–2000) The University Library at California State University, Northridge has completed the processing and cataloging of the Los Angeles Jewish Federation Community Relations Committee (CRC) Archives, spanning from 1921 to 2000, providing researchers and the public access to one of the most comprehensive archives documenting the Jewish community’s role in combating antisemitism, fascism and discrimination in Southern California and beyond.	Today in SCV History (Dec. 17) 1839 - Judge John F. Powell born in Galway, Ireland [story]	Chamber Opens Nominations for SCV Business Choice Awards The Santa Clarita Valley Chamber of Commerce Awards + Installation 2026 will be hosted this year at California Institute of the Arts on Friday, Feb. 13.	Dec. 17: COC Board Holds Annual Organizational Meeting The Santa Clarita Community College District Board of Trustees will host its annual organizational and business meeting on Wednesday, Dec. 17.
Looney Tunes Land to Debut at Six Flags Magic Mountain by Summer 2026 Six Flags Magic Mountain in Valencia has announced major changes to its kids area, which will be reimagined as Looney Tunes Land	SCAA Gallery 2026 Calendar of Art Exhibits Released The Santa Clarita Artists Association has announced the 2026 exhibition schedule for the SCAA Gallery in Old Town Newhall.	Jan. 20-22: Greater Los Angeles Homeless Count Still Needs Volunteers The Greater Lost Angeles Homeless Count (Jan. 20-22) is still in need of volunteers.	Dec. 22: SBDC Webinar on Ecommerce The Small Business Development Center hosted by College of the Canyons will offer a free webinar, "Ecommerce 2026 Trends: The New Rules of Winning Online," on Monday, Dec. 22 from 11 a.m. to 12 p.m.	TMU Swim Sweeps Bethel in Dual Meet The Master's University swimming teams turned in a strong all-around performance Saturday, Dec. 13, sweeping both the men's and women's dual meets against Bethel University of Indiana.	Cougars Win 80-73 at Solano College, Streak Moves to Three Canyons men's basketball (6-4) remains unbeaten on its current road trip with wins over College of the Desert and L.A. City College preceding a victory over Solano (3-8) on Dec. 13.