Courtesy NewsBusters‘ Noel Sheppard:

One of the biggest concerns most conservatives had about a Barack Obama presidency was that any criticism of him or his policies would be reported by liberal media members as an act of racism. Sadly, such fears ended up actually being understated, for since Inauguration Day, the left-wing punditry have routinely depicted anyone with the guts to question the new President — from Tea Party goers to town hall meeting protesters — as wearing white robes and burning crosses on folks’ lawns.

The latest example is New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd who in her most recent screed attributed Rep. Joe Wilson’s (R-S.C.) “You lie” outburst during Wednesday’s health care speech to the ignorant notion that “Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it“:

Surrounded by middle-aged white guys — a sepia snapshot of the days when such pols ran Washington like their own men’s club — Joe Wilson yelled “You lie!” at a president who didn’t.

But, fair or not, what I heard was an unspoken word in the air: You lie, boy!

Yep, that is what Dowd heard. And that’s what really is the point: to liberals like her, any criticism of a black man by a white man MUST be racist.

The congressman, we learned, belonged to the Sons of Confederate Veterans, led a 2000 campaign to keep the Confederate flag waving above South Carolina’s state Capitol and denounced as a “smear” the true claim of a black woman that she was the daughter of Strom Thurmond, the ’48 segregationist candidate for president. Wilson clearly did not like being lectured and even rebuked by the brainy black president presiding over the majestic chamber.

Rebuked? Was this a touch of honesty on Dowd’s part, or a mistake?

After all, moments before Wilson’s outburst Wednesday evening, Obama said:

Some of people’s concerns have grown out of bogus claims spread by those whose only agenda is to kill reform at any cost. The best example is the claim made not just by radio and cable talk show hosts, but by prominent politicians, that we plan to set up panels of bureaucrats with the power to kill off senior citizens. Now, such a charge would be laughable if it weren’t so cynical and irresponsible. It is a lie, plain and simple.

As such, was Dowd admitting, unlike most of her liberal colleagues, that Obama did INDEED “rebuke” Wilson and other Republicans BEFORE Wilson replied?

If so, then maybe the Congressman just didn’t like being called a liar who was spreading “bogus claims…to kill reform at any cost,” and Obama’s skin color had absolutely nothing to do with it.

Unfortunately, Dowd didn’t “hear” it that way:

But Wilson’s shocking disrespect for the office of the president — no Democrat ever shouted “liar” at W. when he was hawking a fake case for war in Iraq — convinced me: Some people just can’t believe a black man is president and will never accept it.

How disgusting. But it got worse:

Barry Obama of the post-’60s Hawaiian ’hood did not live through the major racial struggles in American history. Maybe he had a problem relating to his white basketball coach or catching a cab in New York, but he never got beaten up for being black.

Now he’s at the center of a period of racial turbulence sparked by his ascension.

Actually, Maureen, Obama’s the precipitate of this period of racial turbulence, not the victim.

Read the full story on what is but the latest episode of MSM liberally-slanted race-baiting.

Political Integrity Now is equally disgusted with this race-baiting, especially when its purpose is to discredit Republicans who disagree with a Democratic administration, which happens to be headed by an African-American.  Perhaps Mrs. Dowd should dust off the history books with as much zeal as she put into accusing Rep. Wilson.

Maybe it’s just the editors at Political Integrity Now, but we seem to think that Maureen Dowd, by her own definition, was spewing racist views in this article about Michelle Obama and then candidate Barack Obama.

Michelle conveys the appealing idea that she will tell her husband when he’s puffed up or out of line. She aims high — she ordered her husband to stop puffing on cigarettes as he started campaigning. But then, why didn’t she see the red flags on the Rezko deal?

In order to get a bigger yard for their new house on Chicago’s South Side in 2005, the Obamas got into what the senator now confesses was a “boneheaded” real estate arrangement with a sleazy political dealmaker named Tony Rezko, who has been indicted on influence-peddling charges.

On Monday, The Chicago Sun-Times reported more shady Rezko news: “Obama, who has worked as a lawyer and a legislator to improve living conditions for the poor, took campaign donations from Rezko even as Rezko’s low-income housing empire was collapsing, leaving many African-American families in buildings riddled with problems,” from a lack of heat to no lack of drug dealers and squatters.

Mr. Obama riposted that “it wasn’t brought to my attention.” But isn’t that where a dazzling, tough, smart and connected wife could help a guy out?

Perhaps Maureen can let the rest of the population in on the rules of race-baiting.  Is it only considered to be “all about racism” if you happen to lean right?  Is it only if no one bothers to dig into your own past and find the things you’ve written yourself that make you appear hypocritical?  Are we only allowed to disagree with white politicians in this day and age?  Or did this claim just sell headlines and raise eyebrows, with the ultimate goal of silencing any dissenters?

Please, let’s have some Political Integrity Now!

Related stories:

White House dismisses Dowd’s claims of racism

Maureen Dowd Plays the Obama Race Card

Did You Know That You’re Racist?

Some blacks now have doubts about Obama – Star Parker