CNN

As you can see...Republicans just hate the cold brutal truth.

He's absolutly right: why are there more black men in prison than in college? Why are blacks more likely to go to jail than whites? Because we're ignoring the real issues, deciding to say "We have a black president. MLK dream: Check." Think about it... using President Obama as an example of overcoming issues of race is absurd...it's like saying, "Magic Johnson isn't dead yet so AIDS/HIV isn't a problem anymore."

This was a bold and true statement that I hope he holds his ground on. But beyond that, he needs to be willing to start the dialoug. Not the job of the AG, so he may have set something off he is not set up to deal with. I bet his next statement is HELP!

What an idiot! Can't imagine why some back-wood's, uneducated, old, racist white guy would not want to just jump into a one-on-one dialog with this Holder guy. I mean, can Obama – The President of Change and Bring ALL Sides Together – possibly surround himself with any more people that go out of their way to alienate themselves to the people who elected him???

the only people who bring up race are team obama. holder thinks were all cowards, and michelle o thinks americans are mean. why do they keep playing the race card?

I happen to agree. and not just because of race, either. After 9/11 most of you couldnt wait to line up and give away your rights for the illusion of "safety." If any of the founding fathers saw us today, they would take out a musket and kill us all.

So this is how Obama and his administration will unite America.
Obama is and always has been full of you know what.

I thought he was right on. But then again, I don't have deep-seeded racism I'm trying to hide to fuel the fire of relf-righteous grand-standing.

in the year 3428, there will still be racist like holder around, still whining.

It is essential that ALL American understand what role hate played in this country and find ways to stop it. We still have yet to live totaly up to Martin Luther King's dream of everyone being judge by their character (or lack of one). I think Holder is wrong in describing this country as a melting pot; it should be more of a tossed salad with dressing and melted cheese - we are seperate, but we still have connections (hence the salad dressing and melted cheese).

*

case in point… the true has and always will hurt.
at the same time it has and always will set you free!

finally…
the best source of healing is exposure to light…

Grow up, America! You are so used to being told when and where to put on your big boy and big girl underwear that you've lost the ability to think rationally for yourself. You are now free from the tyranny of the Bush admincastration!!!

HOLDER IS STATING THE OBVIOUS.

HOWEVER WE HAVE ELECTED PRESIDENT OBAMA

AND HOLDER IS OUR AJ. WE AIN'T DOING SO BAD.

Bloggers need to get over themselves is what Iknow as truth...the AG was so right on with his talk to his agency, too bad haters, sorry, i mean bloggers are so so self involved...go blog your protest elsewhere!

HOLDER IS RIGHT !!!

FACING OUR SINS IS THE FIRST STEP TO REDEMPTION.

WE HAVE TO OWN THE TRUTH. THEN WE CAN CHANGE IT.

WE ARE DOING MUCH BETTER. AFTER ALL, WE ALL, ELECTED

OUR NEW PRESIDENT. WE ARE ON BOARD OF THE CHANGE TRAIN.

The truth hurts...

bloggers get over it, we are a nation of cowards.

This is simply exposing the heart of liberal politicians. If there is no victim class to "protect" then there is no need for them. Their power goes away. Oddly, liberals or more vested in continuing racism (and most other "isms") than are conservatives.

Is that Mr. Burns from The Simpsons????? Hello Mr. racist, any issues in Texas lately or pardonsyou want to talk about.

I STRONGLY AGREE WITH HOLDER

Odd how so many people jump on every thing Chairman Steele says, when they're not remotely as insulting as referring to the nation as a bunch of cowards like the new Attorney General... You know, if it was a Bush appointee who'd said that, imagine how people wouldbe up in arms about it.

UUMMM NOT ONLY DOES THE TRUTH HURTS BUT IT WILL ALSO SET ONE FREE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I THINK THAT OUR ATTORNEY GENERAL NEEDS TO KEEP ON TELLING IT LIKE IT IS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WE DON'T ONLY HAVE TO WAIT FOR OUR PRESIDENT TO GIVE US A GOOD SPEECH I THINK MR.HOLDER AND HOLD HIS OWN AND MY GOSH THE MAN IS SEEING IT AS HIS FIRST TERM IN OFFICE LIKE OUR PRESIDENT IS!!!!!!!!!!

PRESIDENT OBAMA AND GENERAL HOLDER I THINK YOU BOTH MAKE A GOOD TEAM....

JEEP TELLING IT PLEASE.............

We ARE a nation of cowards, and not just on this issue. Its refreshing to hear honest comments like this, sorry. The fact that so many people are crying about it is just further proof that we need everything sugar coated to swallow it. We need to break the mold, and this is our daddy slapping the taste out our mouths!

case in point... the true has and always will hurt.
at the same time it has and always will set you free!

finally...
the best source is healing is exposure to light...

There is a personal responsibility that comes with attaining a position of authority. You can't just say the first thing that leaks out of your brain any more. Mr. Holder may have a valid complaint from something he's observed, but he no longer speaks for one man, one group, one race, one social class. He now speaks for the US Department of Justice, and as such, his speech should reflect the professionalism and maturity that is expected of someone in that position.

When did telling the truth hurt? I think he said something that needed to be said. As a person of color I don't remember going over to one of my white co-worker house even though I have been ask numerous times. So he was telling me to drop my racial sterotypes and really get to know and understand orthers.

Oh please you don't hear Jewish public servants like Lieberman, Cantor, etc. talking about the Holocost constantly. What is it with this race issue. We elected a half black President isn't that enough for Holder, Sharpton and Martin to shut up already.

This guy should hide under a rock as he is not liked by the public in the first place. He is not recognized as being a somebody and now he has to snake out from behind his hiding place and insult the people only to get some attention. Do it again and we the people will stomp your head off like any other snake.

Mr. Holder, if we are “The nation of Cowards” that makes you what?

The courageous lawyer that defends Terrorist that Attack US interests and innocent people.

Really, what does that make you? An appeaser.

Does Mr. Holder say those things as a national leader. There are always going to be views that prefer to reference past instead of focusing on going forward. It does seem that his comments are certainly not in keeping with the majority, unfortuately there is always going to be narrowed minded individuals.

Mr Holder's wording may not be the best but his point is well taken.
Ms Malkin's retort proves his point. Black's and white's have had a hard time expressing themselves about race issues without someone
getting angry. Now that we have a mixed race president it is time to examie why we find it so hard to talk about race.

I WISH I COULD SAY HOLDER IS WRONG.

HE IS NOT.

MIND YOU AS A WHITE WOMAN I AM PROUD THAT

WE ELECTED PRESIDENT OBAMA. THAT WAS, I FEEL,

FARE BETTER FOR THE WHITES OF THIS NATION THAN THE

AFRICAN-AMERICAN COMMUNITY. I WOULD ANY DAY, RATHER

BE THE OPPRESSED THAN THE OPPRESSOR. WE HAVE LONG

BEEN IN DENIAL & MANY OF US CONTINUE TO BE. JUST LOOK

AT THE COMMENTS MADE BY THOSE RUNNING IN THIS ELECTION.

"HARD WORKING WHITES". WHAT ??? THE NON WHITES ARE NOT

HARD WORKING. "THE REAL AMERICANS"- MUST BE SPEAKING

ABOUT NATIVE-AMERICANS-NOT. THE OBAMA CANDIDACY- A

"FAIRY TAIL". YET ALL THESE PEOPLE SWEAR UP & DOW, ALL

THESE COMMENTS ARE NOT RACIST. THEY ARE. THEY ARE!!!!

NOT ONLY THEY ARE RACIST. THEY INSULT ALL OF US AT ONE

BIG SWOOP. IT IS SO NORMAL FOR AMERICANS TO BE RACIST

THAT OUR DEFINITION OF RACIST IS RACIST IN ITSELF.

Holder is the man. Really. He hit the nail on the head.

African Americans who complain about racism and the "white man" constantly need to wipe their eyes and look at the President of the United States. He was VOTED into office. Have you forgotten that already?

All of this complaining is done on blogs, at home, in court. Never face-to-face. Open Dialog. The door is open, you just don't realize it yet because you're too afraid to get out of your comfortable hole of complaining.

I agree with him, when you see Micheal Steele pelted with Oreos and so called civil rights leaders and organizations either support or look the other way at such blatent racism for every and any African American who is not a Democrat, he is right. However, kinda odd that someone who is part of the problem would mention it.

I agree with him, when you see Micheal Steele pelted with Oreos and so called civil rights leaders and organizations either support or look the other way at such blatent racism for every and any African American who is not a Democrat, he is right. However, kinda odd that someone who is part of the problem would mention it.

Holder is correct. Some otherwise reasonable whites like to act as if the past 400 years never happened. It did and we need to talk about it. Not facing up the the truth leaves a lot of feelings simmering. We are cowards for not having the courage to talk about race openly and candidly.

I agree with him, when you see Micheal Steele pelted with Oreos and so called civil rights leaders and organizations either support or look the other way at such blatent racism for every and any African American who is not a Democrat, he is right. However, kinda odd that someone who is part of the problem would mention it.

I agree with him, when you see Micheal Steele pelted with Oreos and so called civil rights leaders and organizations either support or look the other way at such blatent racism for every and any African American who is not a Democrat, he is right. However, kinda odd that someone who is part of the problem would mention it.

Holder is setting fire to the underbrush of racial misunderstanding.

Holder, Why don't you live among those people you so willingly criticize? Wouldn't that promote better race relations?

No, you just want to stand on your DNA and heritage and sling insults at the American public.

Eric Holder was simply putting a light on the truth about the US. After we observed McCain/Palin's racist rallies, you could've been Ray Charles and see what prevails in the US. Face it, if you are a non-white in the US your skin tone becomes your first impression. But whenever the truth is told, white folk act like we're being overly sensitive. I'm glad he came out and decided not to be so politcally correct and told it like it is! We know it's the 21st century, but that don't mean the problem was ever solved, espeically when you're confronted with it almost daily.

Holder, you simply have to hold your horses lest they should land you in thick, hot soup or even a swamp. If you continue shootin' your mouth, you may end up with mouth sores. Watch out, buddy! And behave.

Holder scolded some for the obvious. Now people are crying in their milk. Can't take a little tough talk. If you can't handle the heat stay out of the policial kitchen.

To Steven Tawney ...

We have a black President ... so what??? You think that means that we live in a post racial world? We do not.

If Obama leaves office in 2016, by 2040 a whole generation of children will have been born and grown up after the time when a black man held the ultimate "power position" in America.

Those young adults will realize that anyone of any color might end up with the power to hire or fire them. Prosecute them, judge them, be the emergency room doctor that might have to save them. With that understanding, virtually no one will let their biases be revealed ... lest they suffer for it.

I expect the eurudite Obama's administration to be transformational and successful and so if people are going to ascribe to a simple-minded view, they might grow up with a sense that BLACK presidents can only be a GOOD presidents.

Holder is absolutely correct on this country cowardness to address race. Racist continues here today and probably forever. White, some, in particular will not address the issue, however they still use old slavery mentality.

When you hear an individual states something like, I don't see color, some of my children friends are black/other races or I try to treat every race fair. Better yet they invite you to a party or wedding and you are the only black person there. Whites must realize this country does not belong to them and we black/hispanic and indian build this country, and one day whites will be the least monority.

After the famous comment by Phil Gramm, how could anyone now say this is a "nation of . . . ." anything. Lumping people together in a negative scenario is just plain imprudent. He could have expressed his view in different words. Obama should hold a series of diplomatic lectures for everyone on his staff. They need to learn how to make a point forcefully but gracefully.

Dear Mr. Holder,

I hope your department will pursue racial balance by getting more white people into pro football and pro basketball. Clearly some very heavy handed racism is at work when the white majority is so under represented in our two biggest national sports. We look forward to an open discussion about the inequality of race in pro sports.

Sincerely yours,
A Fan

Yet another way that the current administration is trying to endear itself to the masses. I hope idiotic comments such as Holder's aren't going to be the norm for the Obama administration.

There is still plenty of racism out there. You even see it on these blogs so everybody stop with the shock and outrage.

The only reason we are cowards to discussing race is because minorities are too quick to point out that you are racist. This is the world we live in. If I don't agree with what a black person is saying, they are quick to label me racist. To me, it seems that the problem lies with the minority community. Quit being so quick to judge when someone disagrees with your opinion. Then, can we have an open dialogue on race.

WHO CARES what Michelle Malkin thinks or says – she's nothing but a swastika carrying member of the republican neocons.
Sheesh!!!
BTW – Eric Holder is absolutely right.

the silence on this topic is deafening

IF THE SHOE FIT, WEAR IT.

Why is there a quote from Michelle Malkin in this story.That woman is dead from the neck up.

"Bloggers blast Holder" ???

NO ... I'm blogging and I'm NOT blasting Eric Holder. I think he is right on target !

Some people can't take honest dialog whenever they percieve it as exposing a shortcoming that can be tied to the USA as a whole. Remember that rabid chant at the McCain rallies whenever they wanted to shout down a dissenting view?

All it took to put SOME of these bloggers over the edge was Holder saying ... NON_COURAGEOUS and AMERICA in the same sentence. Next they'll be calling him unpatriotic.

Indeed. It's funny and hugely ironic that his comment itself proves what he said was true, instigated a firestorm that proves what he said was true, and also provides a great example of the kind of talking "at" people about the issue that has contributed to the stagnation of responsible public discourse.

I am sooooo tired of politicians talking down the United States and its citizens. STOP THE NEGATIVITY AND HATE!!! We pay you to represent us, not insult and demean.

I think it's unfortunate that we can't get past that quote. There is more to what he said than just that quote and if we don't address the rest of what he said, then yes, we are cowards. Just because Obama is POTUS does not mean we openly and effectively address racial issues in this country. Many people don't want to be seen as racist/politically incorrect/insensitive. On the other side, we need to be able to talk about it while understanding where the other side is coming from and calmly discuss our perceptions. This doesn't usually happen. Once something is said, one person gets called a name and the other gets defensive and it blows up. One side does not stop and at least try to understand the other side. We all want to be heard, but can't offer an ear to another.

One other thing. AG Holder makes a good arguement in light of the Post's cartoon yesterday.

I don't recall every seeing a picture of our former President depicted as a crazed animal shot in the chest with blood coming out.

Say what you will but that cartoon was racist. We still have a very long way to go.

Seems to me that the only racist here is Holder and his fellow democrats who keep trying to beat us over the head with this issue.

Comming from one of the most powerful people on the planet... yea... that makes sense.

When I was in school, they taught us that America was a 'melting pot', whereas Canada was a "mosaic" ~ each individual, race, gender and culture making up a unique part of the picture that is Canada, each contributing something special to the whole.

How would things change if America thought itself a 'mosaic' and started celebrating each of the unique and valuable contributions that every culture brings to the big picture ~ rather than attempting to get each individual part to conform to one standard of ideal?

Holder missed this last election when Obama brought race up in some form or another in most of his speeches. And his followers talked of little else but the historic (race) election.

The only people cowardly about race right now are those afraid to express any criticism of our president for fear of being called racist.

This is going to get ugly – no politician can keep all their promises and Obama has made it clear he will blame race to avoid the image of failure. And he has his surrogates ready to whine.

Questioning Authority is not racist.

Leave him alone! He is entitled to his opinion just like Rush Limbaugh.

He said the work place is more integrated now, but on sundays, whites and blacks stay together in their own groups.
Granted that the race issue will always be something for the nation to work on improving, but the ethnic affinity is voluntary, on both sides.
Does he mean cowardice for not venturing beyond the group? How about both sides?

The bloggers blasting are the same people Holder's addressing....they prove Holder right !! We ARE a nation of cowards that get nervous when talking race....still expressing, "I'm not racist" in public, all the while talking smack at home.

Whatever Michael Malkin........ the fact is he is right, and its hard for people to admit it.

A serious conversation about the past present and future...........

looks to me like the truth hurts...and who listen to that shill Malkin anyway

I tend to agree with Holder. Obama did all he could to avoid the race issue during the election because it is taboo. People would rather ignore it than talk about it. It's not going away so people might as well have a constructive conversation about it. Bill Cosby has been doing it and he's getting heat from "some" black people but he is right on point.

From the Government book on proper etiquette:Open mouth,Insert foot........

I listened to Mr. Holder, and I came away feeling that he has an agenda that does not include most Americans. I thought the Attorney General was supposed to have ALL Americans on his agenda.

A racist Attorney General, on either side of the black/white issue is a little scary. We've had our share of white racists in that job, but I don't think the answer is to bring in a black racist.

You guys have an article about what bloggers wrote about an article.

The greatest lie ever told:
"All men are created equal...."

This is absurd. How can you guys pick and choose which racist remark to pcover and which one to discard? Two things happened yesterday. Eric Holdre's remark and the NY Post's catoon. The media chose to go after Eric Holder but not NY Post. If that is not racism I don't know what is. You all hide under the umbrella of freedom of speech on NY Post's issue but not Eric's.

Holder is right. maybe he should not have use the word coward but what he says is the truth.

From what I have read of the CNN blogs there is a solid crew of malcontents that post negative remarks at every opportunity. The Attorney General said "race" which would equally apply to blacks, whites, Latinos, Muslims, Asians....To jump to the conclusion that he was speaking about whites treatment of blacks is ridiculous.

He should go bury his hand in the sand.

Holder was out of line and stupid with these remarks. This sounds more like an empowerment speech and reprisal against being grilled by the G.O.P. than it does one of mending fences. Looking so subjective hurts his credibility as an interpreter of justice, especially when we're coming off the heels of a man with such biased vision as Alito.

Seriously... is CNN reduced to quoting Michelle Malkin? Sure you can do better than that.

Which bloggers are those? I agree with Mr. Holder 100%. We are a nation of cowards for the racisim issues and others as well. The problem with americans is that we don't like others to tell us the truth and the truth will always hurt.

How about THAT,

What a great attorney general:

With one comment he has the country engaged in conversation.

WHICH WAS THE POINT!!!

WAY TO GO Counselor Holder Way to go!!!!

Excellent work, Sir.