What Right Wing Racism?

Weird • Views: 16,077

Here’s yet another ugly little upwelling of racism from the right wing base, as a Colorado Department of Transportation employee forwards an email to her co-workers containing a photoshopped image of President Barack Obama giving Sarah Palin a shoeshine.

UPDATE at 1/1/10 4:52:47 pm:

The shoeshine picture is also in this thread at Free Republic: Do you want your President bowing? Poll.

And it can be found at a host of other right wing websites.

And John Cole found it last year during the campaign at a Team Sarah member page: Stay Classy, Team Sarah.

UPDATE at 1/1/10 5:02:04 pm:

Patterico has discovered that the woman who’s in trouble for forwarding the racist image is registered as a Democrat, and he thinks I should update my post to note that — so I am: Charles Johnson Denounces the “Right-Wing Racism” of a Picture Forwarded by … a Democrat.

But unfortunately, it’s a simple fact that this picture did originate from the right wing, regardless of this particular woman’s party affiliation — as I show in the links posted immediately above. I have yet to discover it at a single left wing site, except as part of a post denouncing the racism of the right wing. So the idea that this is somehow a “left wing” image is completely silly.

UPDATE at 1/1/10 6:25:58 pm:

By the way, I’m registered as a Republican. But the chance of me actually voting for a Republican again is virtually nil at this point, unless something changes drastically in the GOP. Being registered with a political party tells you nothing about a person’s actual beliefs.

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263 comments
1 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:55:01pm

And I still wonder why I woke up yesterday morning to find four of my comments about the kind of thought that births such depraved imagery in the Bottom Comments column.

2 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:56:15pm
3 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:56:18pm

re: #1 laZardo

Gang mentality, perhaps?

4 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:57:04pm

re: #2 Killgore Trout

The original?

Yes, that's the original, all right.

5 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:57:15pm

re: #3 freetoken

Gang mentality, perhaps?

Yeah, that's part of that thought pattern. Thanks for being one of the few to upding it then.

6 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:57:26pm

I'm so tired of this sh*t. WTF. Isn't there something inherent in the definition of *adult* that means this type of thing is not humorous, and in fact, is not acceptable regardless of the subject matter?

7 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:57:31pm

re: #2 Killgore Trout

Use the image search URL:

[Link: www.digital-photo.com.au...]

8 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:58:03pm

re: #2 Killgore Trout

The original?

Forbidden
You don't have permission to access [picture folder URL segment] on this server.

9 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:58:27pm

re: #7 freetoken

Looks like they darkened the hands to match.

10 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:58:50pm

re: #5 laZardo

Yeah, that's part of that thought pattern. Thanks for being one of the few to upding it then.

No problem ... It was quite intentional.

11 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:58:57pm

re: #8 laZardo

Freetoken has it on #7

12 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 8:59:56pm

Stupidity, forwarded.

13 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:00:00pm

Crappy Photoshop skilz.

14 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:00:10pm

re: #11 Killgore Trout

Yeah, my bad. >_> Slow typin from New Years' Eve Hangover.

/also HAPPY 2010 EST!

15 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:00:26pm

The text from the link:

My name is Bryan not Barack Obama, she’s my customer – not Sara Palin”

It is not often that I would post the same image twice in my stories. However , this photo of the homeless man and a women has become part of dirty tricks in American presidential campaign.

Someone has doctored this image to portrait Barack Obama as the shoe shine man and Sara Palin as his customer. This altered image is being circulated via email in USA. The perpetrator of this plagiarism left my copyright notice, which contains the address of this website, thus implying it was my original work. This is quite a low act as it involuntarily involves me and my photographic work in American presidential campaign, which I honestly do not know much about nor do I follow it. I certainly do not have favourite views either for American Democrats or Republicans.

I would like to assure both senator Barack Obama and Alaska’s Governor Sarah Palin that the altered image has not been created, authorised, endorsed or distributed by me.

It is quite shameful someone had to escape to plagiarism and imply my involvement. Yes, I do have a copy of the doctored image but I will not publish it.

16 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:00:46pm

Dick Clark seems to have recovered more this year. His voice is in better shape than it was last year.

17 Obdicut  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:01:38pm

Can we expect Michelle Malkin to get up in arms about this plagiarized art?

/

18 Vicious Babushka  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:01:54pm

Waiting for the gunshots. There they go!

Happy New Year, Detroit!

19 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:02:24pm

Charles, I like the New Year's Graphics. I liked the Christmas Graphics too, but forgot to comment on them.

20 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:02:55pm

The woman in question is a CDOT supervisor. More here.

The female CDOT supervisor who sent the e-mail could face disciplinary action ranging from a written reprimand to a suspension, demotion or firing, according to Crane. The employee is scheduled to meet with agency officials next week concerning the matter. She will then have a chance to respond in writing before a decision is made.

21 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:03:09pm

re: #14 laZardo


/also HAPPY 2010 EST!

22 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:03:43pm

re: #17 Obdicut

Can we expect Michelle Malkin to get up in arms about this plagiarized art?

/

Not in this lifetime. She'll ignore it, thus further proving her hypocrisy.

23 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:03:47pm

2010!

Did I tell you that I am old?

WTF --2010!

How did that happen?

24 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:04:49pm

re: #22 Dark_Falcon

Not in this lifetime. She'll ignore it, thus further proving her hypocrisy.

I tend to avoid people who have the world all figured-out --like Michelle and Pamela.

I don't want to be around when they realize it's not that simple.

25 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:04:49pm

re: #17 Obdicut

Can we expect Michelle Malkin to get up in arms about this plagiarized art?

/

Depends. If the original artist is black and/or liberal, which Michelle would probably find likely, from the fact that s/he chose to take a picture of a homeless person, then it's just satire. If the original artist is a white Republican, and this was done without his/her knowledge, then it's a travesty, and everyone involved should be arrested.

(Honestly, I think this is how she thinks. The woman freaks me out, ok?)

26 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:05:09pm

re: #18 Alouette

Waiting for the gunshots. There they go!

Happy New Year, Detroit!

Three hours to go, out here.

27 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:05:34pm

re: #18 Alouette

We get them here, in suburban Los Angeles, too. If it makes you feel any better? VERY suburban, LA. Nothing but single family houses & top rated schools for miles!

28 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:05:48pm

good bye Mr. 2009....

29 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:06:31pm

re: #23 ggt

Truly, you are only as old as you think you are.
Get a slinky & check it out!

30 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:06:46pm

re: #27 Floral Giraffe

We get them here, in suburban Los Angeles, too. If it makes you feel any better? VERY suburban, LA. Nothing but single family houses & top rated schools for miles!

I don't remember people doing that so much when I was little. We lived in East LA; I'm sure people had guns. My folks did. But I don't remember the shooting on New Years' thing.

31 fire at night  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:07:06pm

Seriously? WTH would you shop that for?

32 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:07:26pm

2009 in the Bay Area began with a BART police shooting, and didn't get any better after that.

This year will be better!

33 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:07:56pm

re: #31 fire at night

Seriously? WTH would you shop that for?

Either really, really bored. Or, really, really *IMMATURE*.

34 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:08:28pm

re: #31 fire at night

Seriously? WTH would you shop that for?

I suspect racism has a lot to do with it. Also, pathological hero worship of La Palin.

35 Stuart Leviton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:08:53pm

It's 2010 in Baltimore. I just wanted you to know that so far so good. Here's hopin'.

36 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:03pm

re: #30 SanFranciscoZionist

It's really a problem, now.

Man turns in 58 guns for gift cards...
[Link: www.dailybreeze.com...]

37 theheat  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:09pm

This image has been in circulation since around the time Palin was named VP choice last year, when everyone was thinking Palin was the second coming. It was forwarded to me, along with some other racist horseshit (tricking Obama with a watermelon), from a conservative group member.

Yes, you can certainly say "the base" was excited about Palin. Go get 'em, Caribou Barbie.

This kind of racist attitude been there all along with "the base", they're just more out with it, since it's become so acceptable. They can slam ethnic groups, homosexuals, and anyone else that doesn't fit their world view with impunity, or so it seems.

38 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:11pm

re: #32 SanFranciscoZionist

2009 in the Bay Area began with a BART police shooting, and didn't get any better after that.

This year will be better!

Hope!
Change!

can't help it

39 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:15pm

re: #21 freetoken

[Video]

To me though, it's the Same Old Lang Syne.

40 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:16pm

re: #33 ggt

it amazes me as to what passes for humor these days.... this doesn't even come close.....

stooooopid peeeeple...

41 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:09:51pm

re: #32 SanFranciscoZionist


This year will be better!

42 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:10:12pm

re: #36 Floral Giraffe

It's really a problem, now.

Man turns in 58 guns for gift cards...
[Link: www.dailybreeze.com...]

These were *illegal* weapons? I love how the media never distinguishes this fact.

43 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:10:38pm

re: #4 Charles

Yes, that's the original, all right.

William Teach over at Right Wing news doesn't think it's racist. Don't know if you seen that yet but the idiot has something stupid to say about you once again.

William Teach is an asshole.

44 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:11:05pm

It's pretty clear white supremacist imagery. Think about how many times you've seen Obama referred to as "boy" (and in the boy king) or arrogant (aka "uppity"). Latent racism has boiled up to the surface.

45 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:11:26pm

re: #36 Floral Giraffe

It's really a problem, now.

Man turns in 58 guns for gift cards...
[Link: www.dailybreeze.com...]

That's a lot of guns.

Then again, with my family, I should talk.

46 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:11:26pm

re: #40 WindHorse

it amazes me as to what passes for humor these days... this doesn't even come close...

stooopid peeeple...

I blame it on the lost art of Reading. If people actually read decent literature or serious non-fiction, they humor bar might be raised a bit.

47 Randall Gross  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:11:51pm

re: #7 freetoken

Use the image search URL:

[Link: www.digital-photo.com.au...]

Wow, that's been cycling the rounds since 2008 campaign season per the story

48 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:04pm

re: #42 ggt

It's really more of a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of situation.
They received 230 weapons, and this one man was 58 of their haul.
So, I don't know that I would really call the program a success.
But, it did get some guns off the street.

49 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:11pm

re: #46 ggt

1000 updings for that....

Amen.

50 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:28pm

re: #42 ggt

These were *illegal* weapons? I love how the media never distinguishes this fact.

I don't think these turn-them-in programs do either, actually.

51 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:46pm

re: #43 Gus 802

William Teach over at Right Wing news doesn't think it's racist. Don't know if you seen that yet but the idiot has something stupid to say about you once again.

William Teach is an asshole.

Sadly, there are a lot of individuals in the younger generation that don't know it's racist. You'd be suprised how much of our history is lost on them.

52 Velvet Elvis  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:54pm

So Obama's a foot fetishist. There's nothing the matter with that.

53 Boogberg  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:12:57pm

It's an absolute disgrace that this kind of disgusting nonsense still goes on in 2010. And even worse, in the United States. It makes me sad and angry.

54 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:13:18pm

Gunfire starting up again, a bit early for central time.

55 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:13:18pm

re: #43 Gus 802

William Teach over at Right Wing news doesn't think it's racist. Don't know if you seen that yet but the idiot has something stupid to say about you once again.

William Teach is an asshole.

People like that are why I made a public break with the so-called right wing.

There's absolutely nothing they would admit is racist. It doesn't matter how disgusting the image, or how obviously bigoted, they'll still defend it.

And the reason for that: because they're ugly little stunted-soul racists themselves.

56 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:13:46pm

re: #53 Boogberg

couldn't agree more..... I would even say "an embarrassment"....

57 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:14:01pm

re: #50 SanFranciscoZionist

It's a "no questions asked" program.
Designed to get guns off the street. ANY guns.

58 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:14:25pm

re: #43 Gus 802

William Teach over at Right Wing news doesn't think it's racist. Don't know if you seen that yet but the idiot has something stupid to say about you once again.

William Teach is an asshole.

I agree..but then if you wanted to make a cartoon or whatever to show BO submitting to Palin, would any depiction be racist?...if he were a cab driver or a doorman?...just curious

59 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:14:54pm

re: #44 Killgore Trout

It's pretty clear white supremacist imagery. Think about how many times you've seen Obama referred to as "boy" (and in the boy king) or arrogant (aka "uppity"). Latent racism has boiled up to the surface.

Rush (with his 3 sizes too small heart) loves to call him man-child.

This shit really pisses me off and freaks me out. Happy New Year!

60 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:14:55pm

re: #48 Floral Giraffe

It's really more of a "don't ask, don't tell" kind of situation.
They received 230 weapons, and this one man was 58 of their haul.
So, I don't know that I would really call the program a success.
But, it did get some guns off the street.

I'm assuming most are *illegal* because legal guns could be sold--probably for more than they are getting in gift cards (maybe, they didn't state the $$ amount of the cards). Some people also don't know what they have, especially if they inherited the firearm. Yeah, I can see it being a good thing to get the illegal guns off the street--as long as they are really destroyed and not "used" for "political" purposes and end up in South America.

61 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:15:12pm

re: #43 Gus 802

William Teach over at Right Wing news doesn't think it's racist. Don't know if you seen that yet but the idiot has something stupid to say about you once again.

William Teach is an asshole.

How can you possibly not see that as a racist image?

62 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:16:39pm

re: #61 SanFranciscoZionist

How can you possibly not see that as a racist image?

willfull blindness

63 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:16:45pm

re: #51 ggt

Sadly, there are a lot of individuals in the younger generation that don't know it's racist. You'd be suprised how much of our history is lost on them.

It's tough. If they read more...If they read more that wasn't about sparkly vampires...

64 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:16:47pm

re: #59 Stanley Sea


Rush (with his 3 sizes too small heart) loves to call him man-child.

This shit really pisses me off and freaks me out. Happy New Year!


Happy new year
/no comment on Rush

65 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:17:09pm

re: #58 albusteve

I agree..but then if you wanted to make a cartoon or whatever to show BO submitting to Palin, would any depiction be racist?...if he were a cab driver or a doorman?...just curious

Yes it would. I think any imagery of a black man consciously manipulated to show them as being subservient to a white person would be racist. This would not be the case in perhaps a dramatic movie setting.

66 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:17:41pm

re: #60 ggt

They really are destroyed, as far as I can tell.
And as for selling guns, it's pretty dang restrictive here in California.
I am dealing with a family members estate, and the attorneys have advised me to just turn the weapons in & have them destroyed, because the hassle factor is so huge, and the value not worth it.
And, I have all of the paprework and then some, that could be required.

67 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:17:50pm

re: #57 Floral Giraffe

It's a "no questions asked" program.
Designed to get guns off the street. ANY guns.

And, living down the road from Richmond, I have no problems with that!

68 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:17:55pm

re: #61 SanFranciscoZionist

How can you possibly not see that as a racist image?

How can anyone look at someone getting a shoeshine and not think they're a douchebag?

69 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:18:06pm

re: #59 Stanley Sea

It's fear.

70 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:18:21pm

re: #61 SanFranciscoZionist

How can you possibly not see that as a racist image?

William Teach is a little slow on the uptake -- that is, he's dumb.

I'm being kind.

71 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:18:31pm

re: #51 ggt

Sadly, there are a lot of individuals in the younger generation that don't know it's racist. You'd be suprised how much of our history is lost on them.

amazing how the entire Afro-American/Civil Rights Movement has been marginalize in the schools...we have MLK Day...big whoop...it was the premier social struggle of the last century and it gets swept into the 2nd rate subjects and hardly covered

72 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:18:34pm

I see it as racist..... and I personally have little "hope" for Obama. I (who had a girlfriend from Nigeria for several years) could care less about skin color.... I do have a problem with competence though....

but none of my opinions removes the racist taint from crap like this.

73 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:19:07pm

re: #66 Floral Giraffe

They really are destroyed, as far as I can tell.
And as for selling guns, it's pretty dang restrictive here in California.
I am dealing with a family members estate, and the attorneys have advised me to just turn the weapons in & have them destroyed, because the hassle factor is so huge, and the value not worth it.
And, I have all of the paprework and then some, that could be required.

Find a Federally Licensed Firearm dealer. I promise, they will help you--in some ways probably more than your attorney --they'll be familiar with your situation.

74 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:19:43pm

re: #66 Floral Giraffe

They really are destroyed, as far as I can tell.
And as for selling guns, it's pretty dang restrictive here in California.
I am dealing with a family members estate, and the attorneys have advised me to just turn the weapons in & have them destroyed, because the hassle factor is so huge, and the value not worth it.
And, I have all of the paprework and then some, that could be required.

Get a second opinion. A lawyer may not know the real value of some of the guns.

75 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:20:21pm

re: #66 Floral Giraffe

They really are destroyed, as far as I can tell.
And as for selling guns, it's pretty dang restrictive here in California.
I am dealing with a family members estate, and the attorneys have advised me to just turn the weapons in & have them destroyed, because the hassle factor is so huge, and the value not worth it.
And, I have all of the paprework and then some, that could be required.

At least get them professionally valued, you don't want to destroy anything that is valuable, or worthy of donating to a museum or the NRA.

76 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:20:47pm

re: #68 Killgore Trout

How can anyone look at someone getting a shoeshine and not think they're a douchebag?

I don't understand why you say that, Killgore?

77 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:21:22pm

re: #66 Floral Giraffe

They really are destroyed, as far as I can tell.
And as for selling guns, it's pretty dang restrictive here in California.
I am dealing with a family members estate, and the attorneys have advised me to just turn the weapons in & have them destroyed, because the hassle factor is so huge, and the value not worth it.
And, I have all of the paprework and then some, that could be required.

My grandfather used to keep a loaded shotgun in his apartment. When he died, my uncle drove from San Diego to Fresno to unload it, because my aunt was sure the super from his apartment building would accidentally kill himself with it.

I believe that at the wake it got dismantled, which is probably good, because otherwise God knows what would have happened. My great-uncles were drinking heavily.

78 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:21:52pm

re: #68 Killgore Trout

How can anyone look at someone getting a shoeshine and not think they're a douchebag?

Hey, I know a disabled person who regularly get's shoe shines at the airport. Nothing wrong with getting a shoe shine --and PAYING someone to do it.

79 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:21:55pm

re: #44 Killgore Trout

It's pretty clear white supremacist imagery. Think about how many times you've seen Obama referred to as "boy" (and in the boy king) or arrogant (aka "uppity"). Latent racism has boiled up to the surface.

Not to mention stuff like this:

[Link: twitter.com...]

And people even tried to defend that image.

80 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:22:05pm

re: #66 Floral Giraffe

To the extent, that the lead attorney has asked that I have the police appointment to pick up on a Monday, and let him know the date a week in advance. He wants to make sure he's available, in case I need help.
And these are legally purchased. Every dang one.

81 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:22:37pm

re: #68 Killgore Trout

How can anyone look at someone getting a shoeshine and not think they're a douchebag?

I don't know about that. We have a couple old-time shoeshine kiosks in downtown SF. It's skilled work, and these guys make a living off it.

82 Our Precious Bodily Fluids  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:22:39pm

I wonder if Sarah's got STINK-FOOT?

83 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:25:10pm

re: #76 Dark_Falcon

I don't understand why you say that, Killgore?

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

84 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:25:23pm

re: #77 SanFranciscoZionist

Worst day of my life, when I had to go through his house & find the weapons. They were everywhere. All loaded. Safety's on & off.
Had to figure out for each weapon how to tell if the safety was on. Then figure out how to unload. It's not hard, it was just hard doing it alone.
I cried a lot that day.

85 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:26:07pm

re: #80 Floral Giraffe

To the extent, that the lead attorney has asked that I have the police appointment to pick up on a Monday, and let him know the date a week in advance. He wants to make sure he's available, in case I need help.
And these are legally purchased. Every dang one.

Floral, don't let those guns go without consulting a gun dealer. Look in the phone book. The attorneys, with all due respect, probably don't have a clue --all they see is more paperwork they won't make any extra money on. The value of the firearms could add a great deal to the estate. If my Dad's collection is anything to go on. He'd roll over in his grave if I just let them be destroyed.

86 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:26:27pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

it's a service...you make to much of it

87 Boogberg  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:26:46pm

re: #56 WindHorse

couldn't agree more... I would even say "an embarrassment"...

Don't get me wrong - I still believe we wear the white hats (the good ones, not the pointy ones), but I hate to see a few scumbags try to wreck our hard-earned position of anti-racism like this.

88 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:26:53pm

And by the way, if you follow the #tcot feed on Twitter, you'll see dozens of racist comments every single day.

The GOP base is very comfortable with letting their racism hang out these days.

89 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:27:09pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of shoeshines; it's like getting someone else to do your nails.

90 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:27:26pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

Shoe shine guys are independent business men NOT SERVANTS.

91 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:27:40pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

You haven't really treated a good pair of shoes right, until you have had them professionally cared for by a shoe shop, or a good shoe shiner.
My folks town has a shoe shine/repair shop that's been in business for over 40 years. NOTHING demeaning in practicing a skilled trade for a living.

92 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:28:24pm

re: #85 ggt

Yes, I hear you. Thanks for the support.

93 Velvet Elvis  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:28:44pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

I agree. If you're going to get your shoes shined, take them off and take them to shop somewhere. Getting them shined while they are still on your feet is almost fetishistic.

94 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:28:53pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

I disagree. I see nothing wrong with subcontracting a job to someone else as long as you pay them fairly and treat them decently. But I must note that my parents have hired people to clean their house for many years and I have employed people to clean my carpet. Coupled to my un-egalitarianism, my own perspective may be biased as well.

95 theheat  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:29:07pm

re: #88 Charles

And their hopes for a nice Christian theocracy.

96 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:29:17pm

re: #91 Floral Giraffe

Ok, maybe it's just me. I have slightly more use for shoes than I do cakes but I'd rather go without them both.

97 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:29:45pm

re: #96 Killgore Trout

I have slightly more use for shoes than I do cakes but I'd rather go without them both.


Pants too.

98 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:30:07pm

re: #88 Charles

Nixon's "Southern Strategy" has come to full fruition. Not that racism was exclusive to the South or absent from the GOP at the time, but opening the doors to the dixiecrats was the beginning of the end of the GOP as the "Party of Lincoln".

99 theheat  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:30:08pm

re: #97 Killgore Trout

Now you sound like FBV!

100 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:30:22pm

re: #91 Floral Giraffe

You haven't really treated a good pair of shoes right, until you have had them professionally cared for by a shoe shop, or a good shoe shiner.
My folks town has a shoe shine/repair shop that's been in business for over 40 years. NOTHING demeaning in practicing a skilled trade for a living.

Why am I suddenly thinking of Office Space, in which the miserable programmer becomes a construction worker, and likes it better?

(At the end of the movie.)

101 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:30:37pm

re: #84 Floral Giraffe

Worst day of my life, when I had to go through his house & find the weapons. They were everywhere. All loaded. Safety's on & off.
Had to figure out for each weapon how to tell if the safety was on. Then figure out how to unload. It's not hard, it was just hard doing it alone.
I cried a lot that day.

Oh my God. That sounds really stressful.

Big hug.

102 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:16pm

re: #93 Conservative Moonbat

I agree. If you're going to get your shoes shined, take them off and take them to shop somewhere. Getting them shined while they are still on your feet is almost fetishistic.

Perhaps it depends on your life. If you spend a lot of time in airports, the last thing you want to do is take your shoes somewhere and wait for them. Most businessmen don't have dozens of shoes they travel in. Having shined shoes is important in some business circles. The shoe shine guys provide a service --obviously enough people value that service to them to make a living. Don't knock it. Every guy shining shoes is one less guy living on our taxes.

103 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:18pm

re: #96 Killgore Trout

When I pass by a shoe shine stand, my heart bleeds on a certain level... but then I think... hey - I am self-employed... THEY are self-employed....

/I wear nothing but NewBalance

104 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:21pm

re: #93 Conservative Moonbat

I agree. If you're going to get your shoes shined, take them off and take them to shop somewhere. Getting them shined while they are still on your feet is almost fetishistic.

heh...good one...from now on, I'm sending mine out of town to an all white shine cartel in Vermont

105 Padre  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:38pm

This is racist how??

106 freetoken  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:48pm

re: #99 theheat

Now you sound like FBV!

Ahh... if they only "sounded" like Connie Francis...

107 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:31:51pm

re: #104 albusteve

Oregon.

108 jhrhv  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:00pm

That is just stupid and disgusting racism.

109 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:04pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

I've always been uncomfortable with servants. Whenever I see someone getting a shoe shine they always look like an arrogant douchebag, maybe that's just me.

It's like anything else--if you don't show respect toward someone doing a job for you, you're being a douche. If you do show respect, you're just someone paying for a shoeshine.

110 JoyousMN  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:13pm

re: #83 Killgore Trout

Killgore,

I know what you mean about how it may look, but one time hubby and I went out and I wore my good boots, but they were dirty. I saw a shoeshine stand and got my boots done.

It felt kinda weird, but the guy was really personable and we had a nice chat. My boots looked great too.

I think your reaction is a bit like people who feel odd about massages. It is strange to have someone who you don't know touching you intimately, but you can get over it. In contrast, my hus will never get a massage--I think it's just something he can't get past.

111 Randall Gross  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:15pm

re: #88 Charles

And by the way, if you follow the #tcot feed on Twitter, you'll see dozens of racist comments every single day.

The GOP base is very comfortable with letting their racism hang out these days.

Some of them are racist, some are naive, and some just pretend to be naive and then turn it to "You can't criticize Obama at all without being called a racist" thereby trying to turn their vicious smears against blacks into their own victim hood. They probably think they are being crafty, but it's becoming as very thin and transparent.

112 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:19pm

re: #104 albusteve

heh...good one...from now on, I'm sending mine out of town to an all white shine cartel in Vermont

Shine cartel? Cartel?

(The secret guild of shoe shine stand operators? Don't tell Alex Jones.)

113 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:21pm

Here they come.

114 Padre  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:35pm

Are most shoe shinespeople black?

115 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:52pm

re: #109 SanFranciscoZionist

I agree.... it is all about respect.

116 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:32:54pm

re: #90 ggt

Shoe shine guys are independent business men NOT SERVANTS.

I think whoever still makes a living shining shoes would disagree that shining shoes for a living is a bad thing. It was more common in the past but there are still some indies and kiosks about.

117 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:33:18pm

Uh oh. Class of 2004.

Here it comes.

118 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:33:49pm

re: #105 Padre

This is racist how??

Are you nuts?

119 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:33:51pm

re: #110 JoyousMN

I think your reaction is a bit like people who feel odd about massages.


Yeah, that's me. I'm actually not comfortable with waitresses bringing me food either.

120 Padre  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:34:17pm

This is political cartooning in the classic sense. Racist? Nope.

121 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:34:30pm

re: #89 jaunte

I'm uncomfortable with the idea of shoeshines; it's like getting someone else to do your nails.

Lot of Vietnamese women in the Bay Area put their kids through college doing nails. Not a bad business model.

Of course, one of my father's ex-employees was forced to go to nail school by her mother, who wanted her to have a skill if this MBA thing didn't work out. That was a fun semester.

122 Randall Gross  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:34:34pm

re: #105 Padre

If you have to ask you are a racist and pretending not to know it.

123 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:34:38pm

Gah! Can't keep up with the comments, but I remember this post from Andrew Sullivan (sorry, but it's good) about a shoe-shine experience recently. Worth a read.

....But the man insisted - he was African-American - and at that point my libertarian instincts kicked in. This was his job and my own snooty sense of p.c. amour-propre shouldn't get in the way of his making a buck......

[Link: andrewsullivan.theatlantic.com...]

124 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:34:45pm

re: #114 Padre

Are most shoe shinespeople black?

They used to be all black, and many had college degrees --the only honest work they could get in a white world --get it?

125 Honorary Consul General  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:35:12pm

Tick, tock.

126 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:35:16pm

re: #119 Killgore Trout

Yeah, that's me. I'm actually not comfortable with waitresses bringing me food either.

Having had siblings work their way through college as waitresses, I make a point of looking them in the eye and saying "thank you" audibly.

Unless my kids are being real boogers, in which case I look at the table and mutter:

ThankyouIamsoveryverysorry.

127 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:35:45pm

re: #120 Padre

This is political cartooning in the classic sense. Racist? Nope.

You're going to be much more comfortable at some other website, so I'm doing you a favor by blocking your account. No need to thank me.

128 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:36:11pm

re: #100 EmmmieG

Why am I suddenly thinking of Office Space, in which the miserable programmer becomes a construction worker, and likes it better?

(At the end of the movie.)

I like the scene where he's asking his neighbor about whether anyone at his job talks about people having 'a case of the Mondays', and blue-collar dude is totally horrified at the idea that someone would talk to you like that.

129 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:36:24pm

re: #126 EmmmieG

having worked my way through college (in part) as a waiter.... my reaction now is to tip excessively......

130 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:36:47pm

The President of the United States is not a shoeshine boy for Sarah Palin.
Is there any reason to show him as such, but the previous lack of opportunity for many black Americans caused by racial prejudice?

131 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:37:05pm

re: #105 Padre

So long, Troll boy. As its after midnight on the east coast, you are our first meltdown of 2010. Your prize is a free trip to Hot Air, where you'll fit right in.

132 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:37:18pm

re: #129 WindHorse

having worked my way through college (in part) as a waiter... my reaction now is to tip excessively...

I do too! I think, "what is a $1 to me?" really, I won't notice it, but when a person depends on tips . . . . .

133 jhrhv  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:37:30pm

That's all the web surfing I can handle tonight. The eyelids are saying time to hit the hay. Good night all and Happy New Year to you and yours.

134 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:38:06pm

re: #97 Killgore Trout

Pants too.

TMI!
LOL!

135 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:38:31pm

re: #119 Killgore Trout

Yeah, that's me. I'm actually not comfortable with waitresses bringing me food either.

I understand your independent slant...but you need to temper it with the fact that service is a living...it's how I got by, working for others...and so do you

136 Decatur Deb  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:38:52pm

Drive-by "Happy New Year" from CST, Lower Alabama...

And in the spirit of the thread:

[Link: www.strimoo.com...]

137 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:39:36pm

re: #101 SanFranciscoZionist

Thanks, I got the job done.
Now, I just need to finish it.
The emptying part was 5 years ago.
It was horrid.
For lots of reasons I don't want to post, IYKWIM.

138 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:39:45pm

re: #119 Killgore Trout

Yeah, that's me. I'm actually not comfortable with waitresses bringing me food either.

I was just brought up to be incredibly nice and tip heavily when anyone does anything for you that you should be doing for yourself. Yes, this does include making food at a restaurant.

139 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:39:53pm

re: #121 SanFranciscoZionist

Lot of Vietnamese women in the Bay Area put their kids through college doing nails. Not a bad business model.

Of course, one of my father's ex-employees was forced to go to nail school by her mother, who wanted her to have a skill if this MBA thing didn't work out. That was a fun semester.

nail school?...no shit?

140 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:41:36pm

re: #124 ggt

They used to be all black, and many had college degrees --the only honest work they could get in a white world --get it?

Back when Pullman car porters were the aristocracy of the middle-class black world.

141 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:41:54pm

re: #119 Killgore Trout

Huh?
You want to wait in the kitchen for the food to be ready?
It's a legitimate profession.

142 Daniel Ballard  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:42:33pm

Outside of violent images, this is as racist an image as I have ever seen. They know it. Denial is a lie they like.

143 What, me worry?  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:43:07pm

re: #130 jaunte

The President of the United States is not a shoeshine boy for Sarah Palin.
Is there any reason to show him as such, but the previous lack of opportunity for many black Americans caused by racial prejudice?

Apparently the pic came out before he was elected (I never saw it), not that your statement means any less. It surely doesn't.

Are there people who do not know that the shoeshine profession was almost exclusively reserved for black men during our most darkest days of racism in this country?

144 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:43:11pm

re: #126 EmmmieG

Having had siblings work their way through college as waitresses, I make a point of looking them in the eye and saying "thank you" audibly.

Unless my kids are being real boogers, in which case I look at the table and mutter:

ThankyouIamsoveryverysorry.

My parents were once asked to leave a French restaurant when I was about a year old. Apparently I was making too damn much noise.

They left, and went to a Mexican place, where things went much better.

145 albusteve  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:44:18pm

I'm out like Ernie Shavers...
happy new year everyone and thanks Charles

146 Charles Johnson  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:44:18pm
147 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:44:29pm

re: #141 Floral Giraffe

I hated working in the kitchen and dining room.... but that was just me... I look at people who are gainfully employed (in any capacity) and if I can help out (if things are going well) I will..... and I do not feel bad....

-as compared to those who refuse to even TRY to find a job (and I know more than a few - INCLUDING some relatives.... spit).

148 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:44:38pm

re: #132 ggt

I do too! I think, "what is a $1 to me?" really, I won't notice it, but when a person depends on tips . . .

One of the reasons I decided to marry my husband is that he is always a good tipper.

149 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:45:12pm

re: #139 albusteve

nail school?...no shit?

I get my nails done -I started because I wanted to pamper myself, I continue because 1) I like it and 2) my hands don't work so well anymore. I've learned a lot in the nail shop. Most of them are independently owned by asian immigrants. The ladies in the shop are neighbors I never knew I had --I learn a lot about my community. It's probably similar to when ladies used to get their hair done ever week --the gossip and stuff. All I can tell you is that I LOVE the gals that work there. I've learned tons about their native country and some of their language. We help them with English too. The owner has sponsored to girls to come to this country. They are amazing--when the shop is slow they are on the laptops chatting with their friends back home and elsewhere in the world. They are assimilating fine, but are so much more *with it* than the older generation. I see a different side of our Brave New World in them and, in them, I like it.

150 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:45:22pm

re: #140 SanFranciscoZionist

Back when Pullman car porters were the aristocracy of the middle-class black world.

And you wonder what we lost when men (and women) who were capable of great literary or scientific accomplishment weren't allowed to use their learning.

Then again, by tagging Pullman car porters as "good enough for blacks," they degraded that profession as well.

lose-lose-lose, all around.

151 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:45:33pm

It's a whole 'nother world in a restaurant once you've worked in the biz.

152 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:45:33pm

re: #148 SanFranciscoZionist

And that is a sign of a generous person!
Glad you thought of that!

153 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:46:02pm

re: #139 albusteve

nail school?...no shit?

Yeah. It was like boot camp, but in Vietnamese, and with manicure tools. She hated it. And they speak Lao or something at home, so her Vietnamese isn't perfect, and the instructors hated it that sometimes she'd ask for help in English.

154 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:46:14pm

re: #143 marjoriemoon

Apparently the pic came out before he was elected (I never saw it), not that your statement means any less. It surely doesn't.

Are there people who do not know that the shoeshine profession was almost exclusively reserved for black men during our most darkest days of racism in this country?

Amazingly, yes, most of the younger generation.

155 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:47:27pm

re: #149 ggt

And the ones that do my elderly relatives hands and feet are the kindest ladies I have EVER met. Very caring, kind, gentle & concerned.

156 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:48:17pm

re: #155 Floral Giraffe

And the ones that do my elderly relatives hands and feet are the kindest ladies I have EVER met. Very caring, kind, gentle & concerned.

Yes, the older ladies are treated VERY well. Like family.

157 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:48:30pm

re: #146 Charles

Now, this is pretty funny:

– Pat Robertson, speaking last week on the Christian Broadcasting Network about recently passed hate crimes legislation, Christian Broadcasting Network (video clip on ThinkProgress), October 29, 2009

“I think there are Christians who struggle with the sin of homosexuality — but proud homosexual Christians? That’s an oxymoron to me in the same way as I would say proud adulterous Christians.

158 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:49:05pm

re: #153 SanFranciscoZionist

Yeah. It was like boot camp, but in Vietnamese, and with manicure tools. She hated it. And they speak Lao or something at home, so her Vietnamese isn't perfect, and the instructors hated it that sometimes she'd ask for help in English.

Her boyfriend at the time was Viet. He'd translate handouts and stuff.

159 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:49:55pm

re: #157 jaunte

Now, this is pretty funny:

Proud is the key word here, their way out.

160 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:50:20pm

re: #146 Charles

The Year in Quotes: Targeting Gay People.

This has been posted repeatedly, and special thanks to SanFranciscoZionist:
Fundies Say The Darndest Things!

161 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:51:58pm

9 minutes to 2010 in Chicagoland.

162 darthstar  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:52:09pm

Well, we certainly know how 2010 is going to work out now, don't we?

163 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:52:19pm

Youngest son just came in to say Happy New Year, reassuring us he was safe from the New Year's traffic, smelling of smoke from Alejandro's father's redwood fire.

164 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:52:24pm

re: #160 laZardo

This has been posted repeatedly, and special thanks to SanFranciscoZionist:
Fundies Say The Darndest Things!

I'm still reading the archives. Oh. Dear. God.

165 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:53:11pm

re: #164 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm still reading the archives. Oh. Dear. God.

I'm afraid to start the new year with such reading.

166 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:53:32pm

Happy New Year from Walter from The Blue Sky Inn in Manitou Springs in Colorado, at the base of Pikes Peak.

About an hour from now there will be a fireworks display on top of Pikes Peak, 14000 feet above our room, which can be viewed from our bed.

Can you beat that?

Typing this on my new little netbook, a Xmas present from my girlfriend.

167 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:54:28pm

Hey Walter.

168 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:54:36pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

Cheers Walter!

(don't you eat that yellow snow...)

169 Dark_Falcon  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:55:32pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

Happy New Year from Walter from The Blue Sky Inn in Manitou Springs in Colorado, at the base of Pikes Peak.

About an hour from now there will be a fireworks display on top of Pikes Peak, 14000 feet above our room, which can be viewed from our bed.

Can you beat that?

Typing this on my new little netbook, a Xmas present from my girlfriend.

Very cool. Enjoy the show.

170 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:55:37pm

From FSTDT, just for FBV...

Christianity and vegetarianism are mutually exclusive religions. Christians worship the triune Creator God; the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. Vegetarians worship animals. Vegetarians do not possess the indwelling Holy Spirit through regeneration being "born again" of the Spirit of God. This is intuitively obvious by their twisting of the Holy Scripture, ignoring clear Biblical teaching and failure to discern truth from error. Vegetarians are an enemy of the true God who created animals for mans' food. The Bible clearly describes the conflict between God and vegetarians. God hates vegetarians.

171 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:55:47pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

Happy New Year, Walter.
May 2010 exceed ALL your expectations!
And, in a good way.

172 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:55:49pm

Hi all. No yellow snow, a clear night, full moon, and a blue moon at that.

173 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:56:17pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

Happy New Year from Walter from The Blue Sky Inn in Manitou Springs in Colorado, at the base of Pikes Peak.

About an hour from now there will be a fireworks display on top of Pikes Peak, 14000 feet above our room, which can be viewed from our bed.

Can you beat that?

Typing this on my new little netbook, a Xmas present from my girlfriend.

I live next to the biggest TV station in the country and they probably caused a 4.0 earthquake with this massive fireworks display at 5 A-fucking-M for their Morning show.

Jarred me so much from my slumber I had to go get a beer to knock myself back out again.

174 Daniel Ballard  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:56:18pm

I really had to think that image through.
Change is painful. Whether it's personally or professionally the status quo dies hard. Expand that to an entire modern culture and you expand the pain. I can only hope sitting here at the cusp of a new year that the image above is the wound and calling it out is the healing. It's one tiny wound from the larger disease of racism.

Maybe a last gasp of this kind of hate is the natural course of our culture finally truly taking the next steps in becoming post racial. Just maybe.

175 Gus  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:56:44pm

re: #164 SanFranciscoZionist

I'm still reading the archives. Oh. Dear. God.

And speaking of racism here's some from RSTDT.

176 jaunte  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:56:49pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

We need visuals!
[Link: www.flickr.com...]

177 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:57:06pm

re: #166 Walter L. Newton

How'd the show go?

178 Digital Display  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:57:16pm

re: #146 Charles

The Year in Quotes: Targeting Gay People.

May you have the most wonderful year of your life Mr. Charles....
/Your friends on the Internet

179 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:57:16pm

re: #170 SanFranciscoZionist

"God hates vegetarians!"

WTF! Doesn't G-d have more important things to worry about? Who has time to think this sh*t up. Oh, I forgot *stupid* adults.

180 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:58:05pm

re: #178 HoosierHoops

Hey Hoopster, Happy New Year to you & yours.
*smoochies*

181 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:58:05pm

re: #172 Walter L. Newton

....no really.... I have a degree in Physics.... if the Moon is full and is blue, the reflected... wait refracted.... no - wait a sec - I need to Google...

-just watch out where the Huskies go....

/peace out Napoleon...

182 laZardo  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:58:24pm

re: #178 HoosierHoops

May you have the most wonderful year of your life Mr. Charles...
/Your friends on the Internet

How's that headline list coming along?

183 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:58:45pm

re: #179 ggt

"God hates vegetarians!"

WTF! Doesn't G-d have more important things to worry about? Who has time to think this sh*t up. Oh, I forgot *stupid* adults.

I have been utterly amazed by some of the crap I have found in here. Worse, from people whose names I recognize.

184 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:58:56pm

re: #181 WindHorse

...no really... I have a degree in Physics... if the Moon is full and is blue, the reflected... wait refracted... no - wait a sec - I need to Google...

-just watch out where the Huskies go...

/peace out Napoleon...

If the moon is Blue, it means . . . .

185 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:59:10pm

re: #177 Stanley Sea

How'd the show go?

Fine, a half hour of comedy magic, most guest now back in their rooms, about 10 degrees here so I suspect most guest will watch the fireworks from their roooms.

186 goddamnedfrank  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:59:11pm

re: #157 jaunte

Now, this is pretty funny:

An expression of pride in living with and harmlessly being what God made oneself is nowhere near equivalent to the hubris involved in breaking vows made voluntarily before God to cleave to and honor one's chosen soul mate. In other words I don't think it's funny at all.

187 Killgore Trout  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:59:41pm
Dress not thy thoughts in too fine a raiment. And be not a man of superfluous words or superfluous deeds.

-- Marcus Aurelius Antonius


Shoe shines are for douchebags.

188 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 9:59:59pm

ooop, oooh, it's almost here, less than a minute . . .

189 Stanghazi  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:04pm

re: #185 Walter L. Newton

Fine, a half hour of comedy magic, most guest now back in their rooms, about 10 degrees here so I suspect most guest will watch the fireworks from their roooms.

Excellent!!! I didn't doubt the outcome, just wanted to know details!!

190 Digital Display  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:06pm

re: #180 Floral Giraffe

Hey Hoopster, Happy New Year to you & yours.
*smoochies*

Love ya Floral! May you and your family be blessed!

191 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:13pm

Blue moon.... (thank you Ella)

192 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:16pm

re: #187 Killgore Trout

Happy New Year.

193 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:21pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR from Chicagoland!

194 Ojoe  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:23pm

re: #170 SanFranciscoZionist

Bean and cheese burritos will send you straight to hell

/

Frrrr rr rrrr iii PPP !!

195 Bagua  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:00:46pm

Happy New Year one and all.

196 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:01:12pm

re: #193 ggt

And may 2010 be a terrific year for you & your family.

197 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:01:20pm

re: #189 Stanley Sea

Excellent!!! I didn't doubt the outcome, just wanted to know details!!

*snicker* I (misread) thought Walter was making fireworks in bed. I don't want to know the details.

198 Lidane  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:01:25pm

Happy New Year, everyone! :)

199 Walter L. Newton  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:01:37pm

I'm going to sign off now, all Lizards out there, be safe and happy new year.

200 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:01:38pm

re: #187 Killgore Trout

yes.... I will meet you at shoe shining..... waiting (or waitressing...) nope...

:)

201 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:02:02pm

re: #187 Killgore Trout

Note to self.
Do not recommend nice shoes for KT.
EVER.

202 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:02:41pm

One last comment here, that's been bugging me.

I would guess that some of the people who snickered at that picture call themselves Christians.

Do they just skip over the part where Christ washed the apostles' feet? He was making a point that serving others is not demeaning.

Read your Bible, or stop thumping it.

203 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:02:59pm

re: #201 Floral Giraffe

I'll send Kilgore a pair of New Balance 992's any day!

204 What, me worry?  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:03:10pm

re: #184 ggt

If the moon is Blue, it means . . .

Blue Moon

Blue Moon, you saw me standing alone
Without a dream in my heart
Without a love of my own.

205 SanFranciscoZionist  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:03:32pm

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

And, from Rapture Ready:

In an unrelated note. I always carry a few nuts and bolts at amusement parks. after we get locked in the ride and start to move, I hold up a few of them and say to the person next to me look what just fell out of this thing. It is a great witnessing tool. Everytime I did that the person next to me started praying

.

You know, I have known a great many evangelical Christians, and I am fairly sure that all of them would define that as 'really stupid', rather than 'a witnessing tool'.

206 Gretchen G.Tiger  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:03:47pm

I'm off as well, after I check-in upstairs.

Have a great January 1, 2010 all!

207 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:05:00pm

re: #206 ggt

I'm off as well, after I check-in upstairs.

Have a great January 1, 2010 all!

I still have two hours to go until I go and pick up the Princess at her New Year's Eve dance.

208 Ojoe  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:05:34pm
209 Dancing along the light of day  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:05:46pm

re: #202 EmmmieG
They read it OK, it's the comprehension part that is lacking....
Happy New Year Emmie!

210 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:12:56pm

I realize this is now the dead thread, but this is the appropriate place for this link:

[Link: www.mclibrary.duke.edu...]

211 What, me worry?  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:14:15pm

re: #202 EmmmieG

One last comment here, that's been bugging me.

I would guess that some of the people who snickered at that picture call themselves Christians.

Do they just skip over the part where Christ washed the apostles' feet? He was making a point that serving others is not demeaning.

Read your Bible, or stop thumping it.

I'm not a Christian person, but I love Christmas movies. Christmas Carole is probably my favorite. I like this bit from Dickens:

Ignorance and Want

"Oh, Man. look here. Look, look, down here." exclaimed the Ghost.

They were a boy and a girl. Yellow, meagre, ragged, scowling, wolfish; but prostrate, too, in their humility. ...

"Spirit, are they yours," Scrooge could say no more.

"They are Man's," said the Spirit, looking down upon them. "And they cling to me, appealing from their fathers. This boy is Ignorance. This girl is Want. Beware them both, and all of their degree, but most of all beware this boy, for on his brow I see that written which is Doom, unless the writing be erased. Deny it." cried the Spirit, stretching out its hand towards the city. "Slander those who tell it ye. Admit it for your factious purposes, and make it worse. And abide the end."

212 Logician  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:17:32pm

Obviously it's racist - and not a borderline case either.

But how do we know that it welled up from the GOP base and not, for instance, from the Libertarian base, or the GOP fringe?

The sad answer is that it doesn't matter. The GOP base condones the fringe.

The Democratic base also condones its fringe.

What is to be done? Surely the answer was most clearly stated in 2002 and is this.

213 The Shadow Do  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:17:48pm

Racism is the last refuge of losers and, perusing the Internet, there are evidently a great many of them still out there. This amazes me in this day and age. It is especially upsetting to be personally of an age to have seen what I perceived as progress over the last few decades. I thought racism was largely defeated. Instead, it seems to have simply gone underground until sufficiently agitated. Hell, I was frogmarched out of a George Wallace rally in 1964 and thought that my generation would see the end of it. Guess not.

I have little philosophic commonality with President Obama, but neither will I succumb to the reactionism now so evident in the hard right wing that is driving today's Republican Party. Shoeshine symbolism is way, way beyond the pale - and way, way beyond the moderation in life that I associate with my personal conservatism.

214 Pythagoras  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:20:30pm

re: #105 Padre

This is racist how??

Dude. You got what is, I think, my third downding EVAH. However, since I don't know your cultural background, I'll play along and just treat your question straight.

It's racist because it portrays the President of the United States as a subservient laborer. In the US, there is long history of people believing that blacks are only suited for menial jobs (such as shining shoes). By portraying Obama in such a role (which makes absolutely no sense other than as a portrayal of this stereotype) this picture is blatantly insulting. Because it is insultingly using an degrading racial stereotype, it is termed "racist."

The logical key to this analysis is that there isn't any alternate explanation. If, say, Obama had once been a shoeshiner, there would be a conceivable alternate explanation for this image. But he wasn't. The PROOF that it is racist is the total absence of another view of its meaning. It ONLY makes sense as a racist portrayal.

Clear now?

215 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:23:41pm

re: #214 Pythagoras

....hmmmm.... all race related things aside.... shouldn't ALL POLITICIANS (who are elected) really be subservient laborers???

216 The Shadow Do  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:25:21pm

re: #215 WindHorse

...hmmm... all race related things aside... shouldn't ALL POLITICIANS (who are elected) really be subservient laborers???

No

217 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:26:46pm

re: #216 The Shadow Do

why not? is there something "bad" in that definition? Isn't that their mission? Serving the people who elect them?

218 Pythagoras  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:30:25pm

re: #215 WindHorse

...hmmm... all race related things aside... shouldn't ALL POLITICIANS (who are elected) really be subservient laborers???

Yes, the attitude of service is worthy and excellent -- as displayed by Christ in washing his disciples feet and also displayed by Caine in "Kung Fu." I wish politicians did this more. They like to call themselves pubic servants but they rarely model it.

OK, I confess to a deliberate typo. I've been drinking champagne -- Kirkland, which I highly recommend.

219 The Shadow Do  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:31:06pm

re: #217 WindHorse

why not? is there something "bad" in that definition? Isn't that their mission? Serving the people who elect them?

You elect leaders in a representative republic. If you don't like their decisions/leadership you replace them. Otherwise you are living in a pure democracy in which the majority rules on all things government. No need for reps at all. Consider the consequences of that if you will.

220 Mostly sane, most of the time.  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:31:40pm

Oooohhkayyy...looking at the fundies site...

Holidays are for atheists. It's "Merry Christmas" when you're talking to me or I'll punch you in the face.

Yeah, the heck with that "turn the other cheek, go the extra mile," stuff.

221 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:34:03pm

re: #219 The Shadow Do

frankly, imo.... when they stop acting like subservient laborers, they ought to be replaced. In fact, that is what is wrong with Washington, DC right now.... these elected officials have developed a GOD complex. They ain't.... and they shouldn't.... etc. (turn up the Zappa).

222 Pythagoras  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:37:29pm

re: #221 WindHorse

frankly, imo... when they stop acting like subservient laborers, they ought to be replaced. In fact, that is what is wrong with Washington, DC right now... these elected officials have developed a GOD complex. They ain't... and they shouldn't... etc. (turn up the Zappa).

I sort of agree but I think the term "subservient laborers" is a bit strong. They should be more like "faithful servants" or "tireless advocates."

We do hire them for their wisdom.

OK, stop laughing.

223 The Shadow Do  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:39:28pm

re: #221 WindHorse

frankly, imo... when they stop acting like subservient laborers, they ought to be replaced. In fact, that is what is wrong with Washington, DC right now... these elected officials have developed a GOD complex. They ain't... and they shouldn't... etc. (turn up the Zappa).

Then vote them out and elect folks who will vote in strict accordance with the most current polls. Don't complain if you object to the results.

224 WindHorse  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:42:21pm

re: #223 The Shadow Do

I wasn't complaining... just quibbling over definitions on what the role of a politician is.... to me, they DEFINITELY ARE subservient laborers.... - and most of them should be replaced.

225 The Shadow Do  Thu, Dec 31, 2009 10:45:09pm

re: #224 WindHorse

I wasn't complaining... just quibbling over definitions on what the role of a politician is... to me, they DEFINITELY ARE subservient laborers... - and most of them should be replaced.


Throw the bums out. You won't get many arguments on that one. Unless of course the bum happens to be your bum as it were.

226 [deleted]  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 12:44:11am
227 Varek Raith  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 1:59:32am

re: #226 spynverzyon

Oh, for frak's sake. Do please return to your bridge.

228 Nervous Norvous  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 2:24:53am

re: #202 EmmmieG

Read your Bible, or stop thumping it.

Most fundamentalists read their Bible like they get their news, from other people's interpretation of the source information, rather than from their own.

Of course the same describes many Right Wingers too. How many do you think actually bother to go read first hand news reports in addition to the filtered pablum of Fox News, Hot Air, and Red State (to use a few examples).

229 simoom  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 4:09:04am

I kind of like the slashdot-ish comment system that Fox Affiliate (the one this story is from) is using. Other commenters seem to be able to upding comments in many different ways depending on what they think of it. Unfortunately, as with most other political stories these days, the actual content of the comments are pretty depressing / disturbing.

Here are some that had a lot of ratings:

Oh man...classic! Absolutely hilarious!
Funny - 4, Brilliant - 2, Agree - 2
One of the coolest pictures I have seen so far this year. I wonder if I could get this blown up and framed for my personal collection. It is a joke much like the joke that president barry has made of this Great Country! I love it! I only hope that the employee is not given discipline over this. Absolutely ridiculous that she may be in hot water. My support to her and family.
Agree - 5, Funny - 2, Brilliant - 1
Can i be next in line? My loafers are lookin pretty rough
Brilliant - 3, Agree - 3, Funny - 2
You've got to be kidding. I received this from at least one hundred sources including my parents. Are you people out of your politically correct minds!! WAKE UP.
Brilliant - 3, Agree - 2
Fire her! My hard earned tax money going to someone screwing around on the job?? Fire her.
Nuts - 4, Disagree - 4, Mean - 2
230 JamesS  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 4:34:33am

re: #228 PT Barnum

Most fundamentalists read their Bible like they get their news, from other people's interpretation of the source information, rather than from their own.

Of course the same describes many Right Wingers too. How many do you think actually bother to go read first hand news reports in addition to the filtered pablum of Fox News, Hot Air, and Red State (to use a few examples).

I always liked the old phrase of something being "used like a drunk uses a lamp post - for support, not illumination" - apparently originally talking about statistics rather than the Bible (or indeed Koran) or news reports, but it does seem to apply all too widely. It's one thing I love about Google News: you get a headline and photo from one outlet, but links to reporting of the same story from lots of different outlets - and the better ones will link to the original information, actually giving the text of propositions etc rather than just their own interpretation of it. Something you'd never see with TV and rarely with newspapers, but nice and easy online.

231 SixDegrees  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 5:10:08am

re: #228 PT Barnum

Most fundamentalists read their Bible like they get their news, from other people's interpretation of the source information, rather than from their own.

Of course the same describes many Right Wingers too. How many do you think actually bother to go read first hand news reports in addition to the filtered pablum of Fox News, Hot Air, and Red State (to use a few examples).

You left out the Democratic Underground and the Daily Kos.

Primo dumpster diving over there the last couple of days, too, with Rush Limbaugh hospitalized. The level of deeply nuanced thought and erudition is quite impressive.

232 RogueOne  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 5:10:33am

I scrolled through the first hundred messages or so but I didn't see anyone else point out the old lady is a racist democrat, not a right winger.

[Link: www.9news.com...]

According to voting records, the woman is a registered Democrat, although it's unknown if she voted for Obama.

233 Spare O'Lake  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 7:04:25am

To tout that disgusting image as being representative of the "GOP base" could be itself construed as an example of brazenly playing the race card.

234 Pythagoras  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 8:14:16am

re: #232 RogueOne

I scrolled through the first hundred messages or so but I didn't see anyone else point out the old lady is a racist democrat, not a right winger.

[Link: www.9news.com...]

Good point. Neither party has cornered the market on assholes -- of any kind.

235 [deleted]  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 8:39:27am
236 Stanley  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 8:47:00am

Was it the right wing that pointed out that it was a black man shining a white woman's shoes? Or is it that they are saying he's shining the shoes of a woman because he's black and too lazy to shine a full sized shoe? In my experience, when people are quick to point out something as racist...they are overcompensating for something. Is that the problem here?

237 Frogmarch  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 8:56:57am

If this is the kind of racist crap the "right" is going to pull - (oh - aren't they clever?) The left will win. So thanks, racist righties. Thanks so much. Idiots.

btw - Not everyone on the right is comfortable with this garbage.

238 Lidane  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 8:59:12am

re: #236 Stanley

In my experience, when people are quick to point out something as racist...they are overcompensating for something. Is that the problem here?

Are you serious or are you being deliberately obtuse? It's a blatantly racist image. No overcompensation is needed.

239 Lidane  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:02:32am

re: #232 RogueOne

I scrolled through the first hundred messages or so but I didn't see anyone else point out the old lady is a racist democrat, not a right winger.

Does party affiliation really matter? Racism and ignorance exist beyond party and political identification.

I don't consider this image a reflection of anything but the racism of the person who photoshopped it, and of anyone who found it funny or amusing. Why make it about (R) and (D) or left and right?

240 [deleted]  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:03:23am
241 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:10:05am

re: #233 Spare O'Lake

To tout that disgusting image as being representative of the "GOP base" could be itself construed as an example of brazenly playing the race card.

This picture has been around since 2008, and it shows up exclusively on right wing mailing lists and websites. It's ridiculous to try to deny that this is an example of right wing racism -- the message of a black man shining Sarah Palin's shoes could not possibly be more obvious.

And it doesn't matter if the woman in this case is registered Democrat or not. This is not something a supporter of Barack Obama would send to anyone.

242 comradebillyboy  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:11:28am

As a liberal I see the cartoon a spot on depiction of Obama's servile attitude toward his republican opponents. He wants to be popular more than he wants to lead and he ends up grovelling before those who have nothing but contempt for him. This guy makes Jimmy Carter look like a tough and forceful leader by comparison. And yes the cartoon would be blatantly racist if Obama himself had not adopted a totally passive and servile posture and refused to lead this country.

243 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:13:05am

And of course, people show up to post comments insulting me for pointing it out. This has become standard practice on the right -- defend the most disgusting examples of bigotry and racism, and viciously attack those who point it out.

244 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:14:18am

re: #242 comradebillyboy

Do you think you're fooling anybody with this hooey?

245 Mark Pennington  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:17:43am

My great aunt would find this picture hilarious and she's been a registered democrat her entire life. Thing is, she voted for McCain/Palin because she was disturbed and never thought she'd see the day when either party would nominate a black person. Yes there are racist democrats but I find it unlikely that any of them voted for or support our current President. The pathetic woman who sent that image in emails is very much like my racist great aunt.

246 comradebillyboy  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:23:17am

Charles, I am not trying to fool anybody. I am pissed because I think Obama has squandered the first year of his presidency because he is so passive. It seems to me that Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi have a monopoly on testicular fortitude in the Democratic party.

247 Mark Pennington  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:28:26am

re: #246 comradebillyboy

Charles, I am not trying to fool anybody. I am pissed because I think Obama has squandered the first year of his presidency because he is so passive. It seems to me that Hillary Clinton and Nancy Pelosi have a monopoly on testicular fortitude in the Democratic party.

What does that have to do with a racist image? I don't think he's passive at all. We're used to chest pounding and frankly I welcome not having that in this administration.

248 comradebillyboy  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:34:37am

re: #247 beekiller

Yes I agree the image is racist. The bulk of my comments did focus on my disappointment with Obama's style of leadership and not on the racist nature of the image.

249 Charles Johnson  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:41:44am

re: #248 comradebillyboy

Yes I agree the image is racist. The bulk of my comments did focus on my disappointment with Obama's style of leadership and not on the racist nature of the image.

So you're just going to look right past the racism and call it a "spot on depiction?"

Wow.

250 Mark Pennington  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:44:26am

re: #249 Charles

So you're just going to look right past the racism and call it a "spot on depiction?"

Wow.

Sounds to me like he/she was excusing it because the President isn't behaving as he/she wishes him to.

Wow is right.

251 marsl  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:45:43am

Prepare yourselves for Obama having a second term. No way the GOP will win the 2012 elections behaving like this.

252 Lidane  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:48:34am

re: #245 beekiller

My great aunt would find this picture hilarious and she's been a registered democrat her entire life. Thing is, she voted for McCain/Palin because she was disturbed and never thought she'd see the day when either party would nominate a black person.

The bolded part is exactly why we're seeing all these racist images of President Obama out there. It just completely unhinged some folks to see a black man not only nominated for the presidency by a major party, but he won the election, too, and over a decorated war hero at that.

Some people just don't like anything that messes with what they see as the natural order of things, and the idea of a black man with an African name leading the United States just triggered an irrational response. It's not about political leanings or party, but rather the inherent racism that many had sublimated finally being brought to the fore by President Obama's nomination and election.

253 Lidane  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 9:50:51am

re: #248 comradebillyboy

Yes I agree the image is racist. The bulk of my comments did focus on my disappointment with Obama's style of leadership and not on the racist nature of the image.

What a load of bullshit. There are plenty of other ways to express disappointment in President Obama's leadership style without having to use racist imagery.

254 Eclectic Infidel  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 10:45:38am

re: #227 Varek Raith

Oh, for frak's sake. Do please return to your bridge.

Upding for using "frak" correctly in a sentence.

Happy New Year, Varek! :)

255 Eclectic Infidel  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 10:51:04am

re: #248 comradebillyboy

Yes I agree the image is racist. The bulk of my comments did focus on my disappointment with Obama's style of leadership and not on the racist nature of the image.

But in comment #242 you wrote:

And yes the cartoon would be blatantly racist if Obama himself had not adopted a totally passive and servile posture and refused to lead this country

So first you think the image is racist.

Then you say it isn't really racist because you think the President is passive & servile.

Where do you stand, exactly?

256 FranSeaLou  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 11:16:48am

That fact that the person in Colorado who used state resources to forward this racist garbage is a registered democrat is not really all that shocking.

My husband has been working in Denver for the past 5 months. His co-workers there, who barely know him, have sent him all kinds of anti-Obama, racist garbage through the company email. They just assume everyone thinks as they do. Several are democrats, but they did not vote for Obama.

I am a state worker in another state, and I do not use the email for anything other than work related messages. Every so often, someone will forward a stupid joke to me. Though I can't say I've ever been sent anything offensive, just dumb, I hate it. I do get offended that others think the email system is their personal playground. We're there to work. With cutbacks and layoffs, we don't have time to mess around with email forwards.

257 comradebillyboy  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 11:21:09am

re: #255 eclectic infidel

Where do I stand exactly? Let me see if I can clarify.
1. the picture is clearly racist
2. despite the fact that the picture is a racist depiction, I think it brings to mind, my mind anyway, Obama's excessive deference to his republican critics and opponents.

Really, I am surprised that my POV has generated so much interest.

258 Lidane  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 11:31:22am

re: #257 comradebillyboy

Where do I stand exactly? Let me see if I can clarify.
1. the picture is clearly racist
2. despite the fact that the picture is a racist depiction, I think it brings to mind, my mind anyway, Obama's excessive deference to his republican critics and opponents.

And yet, the point still stands-- there are other ways to express disappointment at President Obama's leadership style, and his "excessive deference" to critics without having to rely on an overtly racist image in order to make the point.

It doesn't matter what the image brings to mind that allows you to rationalize it. If it's a racist image, it should be disavowed. Period.

259 blueraven  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 11:58:11am

re: #257 comradebillyboy

I suspect nothing less than an all out assault on capitalism, a single payer heath care system and ending all wars immediately would satisfy your requirements for a successful presidency.

Get over it. Not how he campaigned and it ain't going to happen.

The far left and the far right have merged in their hateful attacks. To tolerate racism as a means to express your personal disappointment is just sick.

260 kellygrrrl  Fri, Jan 1, 2010 1:48:14pm

reading some of the comments over there and have lost count of how many of them say "It's just a JOKE!" and "lighten up, it's funny"

I am so sick of the "It's just a joke" line to excuse racist images

261 Frogmarch  Sat, Jan 2, 2010 7:11:44am

I remember during the Bush=Hitler years - if the left got called on any of their "Bush=Hitler" blood dripping insanity - each and every time they would proclaim "But it's satire!"
Yes - I know -Bad behavior doesn't excuse bad behavior.

262 Lidane  Sat, Jan 2, 2010 5:11:49pm

re: #261 Frogmarch

I remember during the Bush=Hitler years - if the left got called on any of their "Bush=Hitler" blood dripping insanity - each and every time they would proclaim "But it's satire!"
Yes - I know -Bad behavior doesn't excuse bad behavior.

FWIW, not all of us on the left side of the aisle found the "Bush = Hitler" meme all that amusing. I had quite a internet few flame wars and real life screaming matches with people over that because as much as I disliked both Bush and Cheney, comparing either of them or their administration to the Third Reich was excessive and offensive to me. Plus, it just made the more sane of us on the left (yes, we exist) look bad and I hated that.

263 Lidane  Sat, Jan 2, 2010 5:12:36pm

Ugh. PIMF. I hate when my fingers work faster than my brain.


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