Instapundit: ‘Shoeshine Boy’ Picture Not Racist

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Glenn Reynolds (Instapundit) says this picture of Barack Obama as a shoeshine boy isn’t racist — because Rush Limbaugh was a shoeshine boy.

UPDATE: Or is it racist? Rush Limbaugh actually was a shoeshine boy. Yeah the racial stereotype is a bit shaky — when I was a kid I knew older brothers of friends who did that; even in Birmingham, Alabama they were white. By the time I was a teenager, of course, shoeshines were on the way out.

The idea that you can remove the racial context from this picture by saying, “Well, white people have been shoeshine boys too!” is such a transparently empty rhetorical trick, I’m surprised that Reynolds would try to use it.

And I’ll just point out that Limbaugh himself seems to have no doubt that calling someone a “shoeshine boy” is a deliberate slur; in May of last year Limbaugh used that very smear against Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa: Limbaugh calls LA’s Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa a ‘Shoe Shine Boy’.

UPDATE at 1/3/10 4:42:56 pm:

Reynolds has updated his post, and says I “slagged” him. But he doesn’t even bother to respond to the points I made. If it was just “slagging,” it should be easy for Reynolds to refute my post, right? (No, I’m not holding my breath.)

Here’s what he wrote:

Boy, bend over backwards to avoid accusing a Democrat of racism and what do you get? Slagged by Charles Johnson.

On that point, here’s a right wing blog that posted this image in September, 2008: Political Rants: Obama Gives a Mean Shoe Shine.

This ugly Photoshopped image has been making its way around the right wing blogs and mailing lists for a long time, and trying to claim that it originated anywhere else is just foolish.

UPDATE at 1/7/10 3:27:18 pm:

Reynolds updated his post again to say he does think the picture is racist, despite the appearance that he was excusing it (and I wasn’t the only one to think so). According to Glenn Reynolds, he was reacting against “cheap and bogus charges of racism.”

Which seems like an odd thing to bring up in the face of such obvious, blatant racism.

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218 comments
1 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:28:49am

Glenn Reynolds uses an example whose actions have already disproven his contention.

EPIC FAIL

2 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:29:22am

I don’t know where these people come from but, where I’m from, that photograph is blatant racism.

3 sffilk  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:30:56am

Rush Limbaugh, to put it politely, has become TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT. The only ones who don’t know it are his listeners and himself.

4 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:31:35am

re: #2 MandyManners

I don’t know where these people come from but, where I’m from, that photograph is blatant racism.

no contest.

5 rwdflynavy  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:31:49am

re: #3 sffilk

Rush Limbaugh, to put it politely, has become TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT. The only ones who don’t know it are his listeners and himself.

I would say he is very relevant. The left desperately wants to make him the most important person in the GOP.

6 The Curmudgeon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:32:43am

If, instead of Palin, we had the king of Saudi Arabia sitting there, at least the pic would convey something beyond blatant racism.

7 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:34:19am

re: #3 sffilk

Rush Limbaugh, to put it politely, has become TOTALLY AND COMPLETELY IRRELEVANT. The only ones who don’t know it are his listeners and himself.

Millions of people can’t be irrelevant.

8 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:34:21am

re: #4 brookly red

no contest.

To me, it’s the same as the question of whether the witch doctor photograph was racist.

9 Killgore Trout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:34:54am

It’s bullshit and Reynolds knows it. He should pass that picture out to his class and see how long it takes the university to fire him for racism.

10 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:35:25am

re: #6 The Curmudgeon

If, instead of Palin, we had the king of Saudi Arabia sitting there, at least the pic would convey something beyond blatant racism.

Maybe. Maybe it would be in addition to racism but, Arabs consider people of African descent to be beneath.

11 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:36:47am

re: #10 MandyManners

Maybe. Maybe it would be in addition to racism but, Arabs consider people of African descent to be beneath them.

12 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:37:15am

re: #2 MandyManners

I don’t know where these people come from but, where I’m from, that photograph is blatant racism.

I’m from NYC.

The black community was so associated with this profession that it was a “turf war” if non-blacks attempted to “invade” choice locations. Yes, there was non-black boot blacks, but they were few and far between.

And all you have to do is watch numerous older (30’s-40’s) black and white movies, comedies in particular, to know that this profession was looked at being a subservient form of employment, populated by black Americans.

To go back to this image, in our modern day, is certainly racist.

13 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:38:13am

re: #12 Walter L. Newton

I’m from NYC.

The black community was so associated with this profession that it was a “turf war” if non-blacks attempted to “invade” choice locations. Yes, there was non-black boot blacks, but they were few and far between.

And all you have to do is watch numerous older (30’s-40’s) black and white movies, comedies in particular, to know that this profession was looked at being a subservient form of employment, populated by black Americans.

To go back to this image, in our modern day, is certainly racist.

I’m from the South where I had the same experience.

14 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:38:16am

re: #2 MandyManners

I don’t know where these people come from but, where I’m from, that photograph is blatant racism.

Ain’t it the trooth, ain’t it the trooth!

15 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:38:54am

re: #14 Walter L. Newton

Ain’t it the trooth, ain’t it the trooth!

It’s twue! It’s twue!

16 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:40:04am

re: #15 MandyManners

It’s twue! It’s twue!

“Ain’t it the trooth, ain’t it the trooth!” Name the movie I took that quote from?

17 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:42:10am

re: #16 Walter L. Newton

“Ain’t it the trooth, ain’t it the trooth!” Name the movie I took that quote from?

Cabin in the Sky?

18 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:43:40am

re: #17 MandyManners

Cabin in the Sky?

[Video]

No, the Cowardly Lion, Bert Lahr, Wizard of Oz.

19 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:44:28am

This is the first time I have actually seen this picture, & I am almost afraid to ask but what was the alleged subject of it’s original use?

20 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:44:49am

re: #18 Walter L. Newton

No, the Cowardly Lion, Bert Lahr, Wizard of Oz.

The guy who wrote Somewhere over the Rainbow wrote the song in No. 17.

21 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:45:33am

re: #17 MandyManners

Cabin in the Sky?

[Video]

But I guess it was used in that movie too, earlier than Oz… hmmm… Bert Lahr was actually illiterate until late in life, and most of the lines he performs in that movie were fed to him before a scene and he adlibed a lot of them too.

22 abolitionist  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:45:38am
Black Like Me is the true account of John Griffin’s experiences when he passed as a black man. John Horton takes treatments to darken his skin and leaves his home in Texas to travel throughout the South. At one stop, Horton encounters a black shoe shine man, Burt Wilson, who befriends him and shows him how to “act right” so that he can fit more easily into the African American culture.

I attended a public address by Mr Griffin in 1967.

23 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:45:48am

re: #19 brookly red

This is the first time I have actually seen this picture, & I am almost afraid to ask but what was the alleged subject of it’s original use?

A Democrat who works in CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) sent it around using her government e-mail address.

24 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:47:00am

re: #20 MandyManners

The guy who wrote Somewhere over the Rainbow wrote the song in No. 17.

Harold Arlen… who also wrote song for Lahr for his stage act (he was a variety comedian)… probably a lot of connections there.

25 Canadhimmis  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:47:31am

*yawn*

While I definitely agree with Charles that the photoshop job is racist I don’t see why he is continually harping that there are some racists on the right. As if that’s news? We get it. There are racists on both sides of the political aisle, left and right wing. Overall, though, it isn’t really all that newsworthy as the US is easily the least racist nation on the face of the planet, whether it be American leftists or right wingers.

26 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:48:00am

I can see someone not thinking it was racist if that person had never seen the movies that Walter refers to earlier and if that person did not grow up seeing African-American shoe-shine boys (sorry, that was the common name back then) working on the street and if that person is pretty young.

27 MandyManners  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:48:41am

Brunch.

28 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:49:33am

re: #19 brookly red

This is the first time I have actually seen this picture, & I am almost afraid to ask but what was the alleged subject of it’s original use?

It popped up during the presidential election, at Free Republic, Team Sarah, and other right wing sites. And it is still being circulated on right wing mailing lists.

29 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:49:53am

re: #23 MandyManners

A Democrat who works in CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) sent it around using her government e-mail address.

So it has no other meaning that exactly what it looks like? sheesh, I was trying to figure out if there was actually a political issue it could relate to but I guess it just is what it is.

30 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:50:14am

re: #21 Walter L. Newton

But I guess it was used in that movie too, earlier than Oz… hmmm… Bert Lahr was actually illiterate until late in life, and most of the lines he performs in that movie were fed to him before a scene and he adlibed a lot of them too.

Interesting bit of movie trivia. I hadn’t known that, and I know alot about the making of The Wizard of Oz. My favorite story is that one of the jackets purchased from a second-hand store for Harry Morgan’s wardrobe in the Kansas scenes actually turned to have belonged to L. Frank Baum, the man who wrote the book the movie was based on.

31 jaunte  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:50:32am

re: #25 Canadhimmis

It’s a problem for a two-party system when one side becomes overrun with extremist yahoos. Reasonable people in the middle don’t have a reasonable choice to make, and the party in power is free to become ever more corrupt. Calling attention to the bad behavior helps restore balance.

32 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:51:33am

re: #25 Canadhimmis

If you don’t like what Charles posts, get your own blog. Meanwhile don’t yawn at the host. Its impolite.

33 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:51:48am

re: #28 Charles

thank you.

34 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:52:07am

re: #31 jaunte

It’s a problem for a two-party system when one side becomes overrun with extremist yahoos. Reasonable people in the middle don’t have a reasonable choice to make, and the party in power is free to become ever more corrupt. Calling attention to the bad behavior helps restore balance.

AND, it’s very very easy to stay out of a thread that one does not find interesting.

35 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:52:08am

re: #23 MandyManners

A Democrat who works in CDOT (Colorado Department of Transportation) sent it around using her government e-mail address.

No — to be precise, the CDOT worker forwarded an email she received from someone else.

And the picture was in use at right wing sites long before that.

36 webevintage  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:52:25am

Oh, whatever Glenn you tool.
I was a maid once, I’m white, so I guess that means that if someone made a picture of Michelle Obama in a maid uniform cleaning Palin’s floors on her hands and knees would not be racist too.

I’m really getting sick of adults who grew up in the last 20 or 30 years being surprised that something is considered racist that even my 17 year old can look and go “wow, that’s pretty offensive”.

What next, will they tell us that it’s ok to call the President a “Porch Monkey” because monkeys are funny and they never heard of a black person being compared to a monkey and “why would a monkey sit on a porch?” ?

37 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:53:56am

It is racist.
However the President of the USA is a half black man. That beats seperate drinking fountains and police with water hoses and guard dogs chasing black kids out of Woolworth’s.
Can we celebrate the progress we have made and ignore the idiots?

Perhaps we could discuss the war going on at our southern border? Could we discuss what can be done to let workers into our country legally and safely? I hope we can.

38 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:54:13am

re: #30 Dark_Falcon

Interesting bit of movie trivia. I hadn’t known that, and I know alot about the making of The Wizard of Oz. My favorite story is that one of the jackets purchased from a second-hand store for Harry Morgan’s wardrobe in the Kansas scenes actually turned to have belonged to L. Frank Baum, the man who wrote the book the movie was based on.

The best biography on Lahr (“Notes on a Cowardly Lion”) was written by his son John Lahr, that’s where I read that.

39 rwmofo  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:54:18am

I haven’t read anything from Instapundit or Glenn Reynolds, but I have a recommendation for Glenn as he seems a little confused. He needs to run a poll from his site asking his readers to respond to a simple question: “Do you think this photo is racist” or “Do you think this photo would offend some people?”

Has anyone ever said something that you thought would make people laugh, but were met with blank stares? This is the best way to gauge how far off you were - if you actually care what other people think.

If Reynolds were to get some feedback and see the large percentage of people who call BS on this, maybe he would back off IMHO. Just sayin’.

40 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:54:42am

re: #36 webevintage

Oh, whatever Glenn you tool.
I was a maid once, I’m white, so I guess that means that if someone made a picture of Michelle Obama in a maid uniform cleaning Palin’s floors on her hands and knees would not be racist too.

I’m really getting sick of adults who grew up in the last 20 or 30 years being surprised that something is considered racist that even my 17 year old can look and go “wow, that’s pretty offensive”.

What next, will they tell us that it’s ok to call the President a “Porch Monkey” because monkeys are funny and they never heard of a black person being compared to a monkey and “why would a monkey sit on a porch?” ?

They already do that. And another common response is, “What about those Bush-chimp pictures? Were those racist too?”

I’m convinced that people who use these kinds of arguments are very well aware that they’re being dishonest.

41 Sully33  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:54:45am

the bigger crime is that it wasn’t funny.

42 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:55:25am

re: #41 Sully33

the bigger crime is that it wasn’t funny.

Bigger than the fact it was racist?

43 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:55:47am

re: #38 Walter L. Newton

The best biography on Lahr (“Notes on a Cowardly Lion”) was written by his son John Lahr, that’s where I read that.

Interesting. Thanks for the info.

44 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:56:05am

re: #41 Sully33

the bigger crime is that it wasn’t funny.

It’s not supposed to be funny.

45 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:56:30am

re: #30 Dark_Falcon

Interesting bit of movie trivia. I hadn’t known that, and I know alot about the making of The Wizard of Oz. My favorite story is that one of the jackets purchased from a second-hand store for Harry Morgan’s wardrobe in the Kansas scenes actually turned to have belonged to L. Frank Baum, the man who wrote the book the movie was based on.

To clarify, that’s where I read that Lahr was “illiterate until late in life.”

46 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:56:30am

re: #29 brookly red

So it has no other meaning that exactly what it looks like? sheesh, I was trying to figure out if there was actually a political issue it could relate to but I guess it just is what it is.

I need to dig, but I believe it was an original photo taken by someone who lives in Australia (not sure where the photo itself was taken) years ago that was hijacked and photoshopped. Original photog was pissed. But like Charles said, the photoshop been around since the election.

47 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:57:05am

re: #36 webevintage

well I remember some very unflattering portrayals of Conndie Rice… none of this is good.

48 The Curmudgeon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 9:59:23am

re: #36 webevintage

I was a maid once, I’m white, so I guess that means that if someone made a picture of Michelle Obama in a maid uniform cleaning Palin’s floors on her hands and knees would not be racist too.

Right. Lots of young people have jobs like that — errand boy, whatever. But for such a job to be a career for an adult, that’s obviously a stereotype. No excuses.

49 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:00:09am

re: #46 Stanley Sea

I need to dig, but I believe it was an original photo taken by someone who lives in Australia (not sure where the photo itself was taken) years ago that was hijacked and photoshopped. Original photog was pissed. But like Charles said, the photoshop been around since the election.

So is that really Palin or was she photoshopped in too? not that it matters but I am just curious.

50 _RememberTonyC  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:00:15am

the somali jihadist who tried to get into the home of the Danish cartoonist was also involved in a plot against Sec of State Hillary Clinton:

[Link: www.upi.com…]

Janet Napolitano had no comment on the effectiveness of the system …

51 webevintage  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:00:22am

re: #40 Charles

They already do that. And another common response is, “What about those Bush-chimp pictures? Were those racist too?”

I’m convinced that people who use these kinds of arguments are very well aware that they’re being dishonest.

Well of course they.
It is like folks with the whole “black face” dust up last year.
“I had no idea black face was offensive”…

Yeah it is.
Always.
The Daily Show did a good bit about it.

52 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:01:11am

Calling someone a ‘shoeshine’ boy is not racial, it’s derogatory and meant to be demeaning. Showshine “boys” who put food on the table and paid bills might disagree with derogatory. It’s an honest job, lots of people did it to make a living. There’s nothing derogatory about it except for the intent of the person trying to slur …. which isn’t possible unless one takes it that way. Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people. (Some women/girls did it too.)

53 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:01:21am

re: #47 brookly red

well I remember some very unflattering portrayals of Conndie Rice… none of this is good.

Especially Ted Rall’s absolutely hateful cartoon of Condi declaring herself “Bush’s Number 1 House Nigga”. This person who came up with this photoshop is the same kind of person as Rall: not caring if they hurt others as long as they get to make their ugly attack. Its a rotten way to live and it only gets worse once you die, because it sends to you to Hell.

54 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:01:25am

The original photo is here:

Image: Shoeshine_homeless_and_woman_client_MG_6348-27.jpg

(You’ll have to paste that URL into your browser’s address line to see the image, because they have hotlink prevention code.)

55 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:02:28am

re: #52 bj

2004 sleepers are coming out of the woodwork today.

56 William of Orange  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:02:57am

Schiphol Amsterdam Airport catches another Nigerian.

And this time it’s a strange happening. The Nigerian national is VoctorAgali, a professional football player who played for Marseille, Rostock and Schalke 04. Het currently plays in the Greece competition. He was travelling on a false passport.

Don’t know if this is terrorist related but flying on a false passport while being a high profile football (I refuse to say soccer….) player is strange….

57 William of Orange  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:03:20am

That’s Victor Agali.

58 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:03:25am

re: #53 Dark_Falcon

Especially Ted Rall’s absolutely hateful cartoon of Condi declaring herself “Bush’s Number 1 House Nigga”. This person who came up with this photoshop is the same kind of person as Rall: not caring if they hurt others as long as they get to make their ugly attack. Its a rotten way to live and it only gets worse once you die, because it sends to you to Hell.

/the road to hell is paved with good retouching.

59 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:04:00am

re: #54 Charles

The original photo is here:

[Link: www.digital-photo.com.au…]

(You’ll have to paste that URL into your browser’s address line to see the image, because they have hotlink prevention code.)

I tried copy-and-paste and it still didn’t work.

60 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:04:41am

re: #47 brookly red

well I remember some very unflattering portrayals of Conndie Rice… none of this is good.

I remember those also. Stupid is stupid no matter which side it is on.

61 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:05:18am

to me the picture’s intent is clear racism in the context of candidates and elections…some people do not see the difference between satire, like Blazing Saddles and an obvious slam on BO here…

62 darthstar  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:05:23am

When a child shines shoes for a living, he can be called a ‘shoeshine boy’ When an adult man shines shoes, he is a ‘shoeshine’, ‘shoeshiner’ or ‘shoe polisher’.
“Shoeshine boy,” while it may have originated with children who polished shoes for a living, is only used in reference to African Americans shinging shoes, hence the diminutive ‘boy’. Anyone who argues it isn’t used as a racial slur is lying to themselves as well as everyone else.

63 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:06:21am

The original image:

Image: ZZ29B97CBA.jpg

64 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:06:24am

re: #52 bj

Calling someone a ‘shoeshine’ boy is not racial, it’s derogatory and meant to be demeaning. Showshine “boys” who put food on the table and paid bills might disagree with derogatory. It’s an honest job, lots of people did it to make a living. There’s nothing derogatory about it except for the intent of the person trying to slur … which isn’t possible unless one takes it that way. Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people. (Some women/girls did it too.)

Just because a job brings in a needed income does not mean it is not a job associated with a racial stereotype, it can certainly be both. You need to do a little research in the “image” of black shoe shine “boys” and how they were portrayed in both film and media of the 30’s and 40’s and onward.

You know noting about what you are saying.

65 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:07:51am

re: #52 bj

Calling someone a ‘shoeshine’ boy is not racial, it’s derogatory and meant to be demeaning. Showshine “boys” who put food on the table and paid bills might disagree with derogatory. It’s an honest job, lots of people did it to make a living. There’s nothing derogatory about it except for the intent of the person trying to slur … which isn’t possible unless one takes it that way. Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people. (Some women/girls did it too.)


Then you must be 18 years old. Because back in the day many blacks could not find work that didn’t invlove kneeling at the feet of their benefactors.

66 srjh  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:08:09am

re: #59 Dark_Falcon

If you tried clicking it first, you have to CTRL-F5 (or at least that’s what it is for Firefox/Windows) it to force a refresh. Otherwise your browser will just remember it as a dead link and not bother.

67 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:09:47am

re: #55 Dark_Falcon

2004 sleepers are coming out of the woodwork today.

What does 2004 mean?

68 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:10:59am

re: #64 Walter L. Newton

Just because a job brings in a needed income does not mean it is not a job associated with a racial stereotype, it can certainly be both. You need to do a little research in the “image” of black shoe shine “boys” and how they were portrayed in both film and media of the 30’s and 40’s and onward.

You know noting about what you are saying.

I was raised amongst “them”, I know, sonny, and I did my share of demeaning work ‘back then’. I also know the media portrayals and how others choose to use derogatory terms for their fellowman. I didn’t say those were anything to write home about.

I am not uneducated in these matters. I will look at the positive side rather than wallow in the negative continually.

69 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:11:04am

re: #67 Blueheron

the year

70 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:11:21am

re: #59 Dark_Falcon

I tried copy-and-paste and it still didn’t work.

Me also. No dice.

71 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:11:42am

re: #69 brookly red

the year


So???

72 RogueOne  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:11:49am

re: #54 Charles

The original photo is here:

[Link: www.digital-photo.com.au…]

(You’ll have to paste that URL into your browser’s address line to see the image, because they have hotlink prevention code.)

Worked fine in Opera. I did a quick google search on the photographer and he would like everyone to know he’s unhappy with what has been done to his photo and especially since other blogs are attributing the photoshop to him.

[Link: www.blogcatalog.com…]

I found a couple of his galleries and he has some nice shots out there.

73 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:11:54am

re: #52 bj

Calling someone a ‘shoeshine’ boy is not racial, it’s derogatory and meant to be demeaning. Showshine “boys” who put food on the table and paid bills might disagree with derogatory. It’s an honest job, lots of people did it to make a living. There’s nothing derogatory about it except for the intent of the person trying to slur … which isn’t possible unless one takes it that way. Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people. (Some women/girls did it too.)

Did you think showing Condi as Aunt Jemima was offensive? Or were those hard working Black maids in the south just doing a “worthy profession” that they should have been proud to do in the first place?

Damn us all to get offended at silly photos that depict jobs exclusively held by blacks because there was nothing better for them. Not that better jobs weren’t available. They weren’t allowed to do them. Neither were they allowed to eat in WHITE ONLY restaurants or drink from WHITE ONLY water fountains.

Maybe if they would have starved to death, it would have made you happier. Than all the white folk would have had their jobs and we wouldn’t have to worry about racism.

You are one sick puppy.

74 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:12:14am

Gawd I hate internet racists.

75 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:12:19am

re: #67 Blueheron

What does 2004 mean?

First year of registration. Lots of folks registered; made no (or few) comments, and are now coming “out of the woodwork” to complain.

76 abolitionist  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:12:25am

re: #67 Blueheron

What does 2004 mean?

Registration became a requirement then.

77 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:12:31am

re: #65 Blueheron

Then you must be 18 years old. Because back in the day many blacks could not find work that didn’t invlove kneeling at the feet of their benefactors.

We Jews (of any age) do not kneel willingly. Back off buddy.

78 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:12:45am

re: #67 Blueheron

What does 2004 mean?

People who registered in in 2004 are often well to the right of those signing up currently. Some such people have mostly lurked (although most LGF members mostly lurk) only to surface recently for the sole purpose of flouncing because they feel the blog has changed in a way they don’t like.

79 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:13:01am

re: #63 Charles

The original image:

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

Thanks Charles. Fancy that it doesn’t seem either Palin or Obama posed for the picture./

80 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:13:23am

re: #71 Blueheron

So???

the implication was that people with accounts since 2004 are just waking up now… personally I did not check the date.

81 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:13:36am

re: #68 bj

I was raised amongst “them”, I know, sonny, and I did my share of demeaning work ‘back then’. I also know the media portrayals and how others choose to use derogatory terms for their fellowman. I didn’t say those were anything to write home about.

I am not uneducated in these matters. I will look at the positive side rather than wallow in the negative continually.

Really, so there is something “positive” by protraying this image of Obama, or any black shining shoes?

And get off of your fucking “age” high horse. I’m 57 years old, and your age don’t make you any more or less racist. Just because you went through those times doesn’t mean you have any better grasp of them.

Asshole.

82 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:14:50am

re: #77 bj

I’m Jewish, and I kneel often. It’s the only way to get hardwood floors clean.

83 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:15:12am

re: #68 bj

I was raised amongst “them”, I know, sonny, and I did my share of demeaning work ‘back then’. I also know the media portrayals and how others choose to use derogatory terms for their fellowman. I didn’t say those were anything to write home about.

I am not uneducated in these matters. I will look at the positive side rather than wallow in the negative continually.

What is the positive side of showing “…Condi as Aunt Jemima…” (hat tip, marjoriemoon )?

84 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:17:30am

re: #73 marjoriemoon

Did you think showing Condi as Aunt Jemima was offensive? Or were those hard working Black maids in the south just doing a “worthy profession” that they should have been proud to do in the first place?

Damn us all to get offended at silly photos that depict jobs exclusively held by blacks because there was nothing better for them. Not that better jobs weren’t available. They weren’t allowed to do them. Neither were they allowed to eat in WHITE ONLY restaurants or drink from WHITE ONLY water fountains.

Maybe if they would have starved to death, it would have made you happier. Than all the white folk would have had their jobs and we wouldn’t have to worry about racism.

You are one sick puppy.

You assume too much dearie. Relax and learn to spell and back off your radical need to jump on somebody and flex your internet muscles. I’m as far from racist as can be yet born and bred in the South (after the horrors of WWII). At my age, I’ve seen/experienced and lived quite a bit and don’t deserve your label of “sick puppy”. Go bark up somebody else’s tree for your cheap thrills.

85 webevintage  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:18:14am

re: #68 bj


I will look at the positive side rather than wallow in the negative continually.

Ummmm, what is the positive in a picture of the POTUS kneeling at the feet of a failed conservative pol shining her shoes?

86 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:18:35am

re: #75 reine.de.tout

First year of registration. Lots of folks registered; made no (or few) comments, and are now coming “out of the woodwork” to complain.


Ohhh OK. Thanks :)))

87 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:19:40am

re: #84 bj

You assume too much dearie. Relax and learn to spell and back off your radical need to jump on somebody and flex your internet muscles. I’m as far from racist as can be yet born and bred in the South (after the horrors of WWII). At my age, I’ve seen/experienced and lived quite a bit and don’t deserve your label of “sick puppy”. Go bark up somebody else’s tree for your cheap thrills.

Hey… what don’t you stop your little deaming slurs like “sonny” and “dearie.” You want us to believe you yet you go along talking down to people like your some big pile white trash…

Oh my.. did I say that?

88 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:19:52am

re: #82 Obdicut

I’m Jewish, and I kneel often. It’s the only way to get hardwood floors clean.

Ahhh, you labor too. Labor and subjection are two different things, IMO.

89 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:20:07am

re: #84 bj

You assume too much dearie. Relax and learn to spell and back off your radical need to jump on somebody and flex your internet muscles. I’m as far from racist as can be yet born and bred in the South (after the horrors of WWII). At my age, I’ve seen/experienced and lived quite a bit and don’t deserve your label of “sick puppy”. Go bark up somebody else’s tree for your cheap thrills.

Maybe she assumes too much; maybe not.

This is the question I would like to see your answer to:

re: #85 webevintage

Ummm, what is the positive in a picture of the POTUS kneeling at the feet of a failed conservative pol shining her shoes?

90 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:20:26am

re: #88 bj

Ahhh, you labor too. Labor and subjection are two different things, IMO.

Simple question… is that photo of Obama racist?

91 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:20:41am

when I was young, the was an old black guy that worked his entire life at the one deluxe old hotel in Kalamazoo, The Burdick Hotel right downtown…he started out as a ‘shoe shine boy’ and through he years was also the doorman…his wife also worked at the hotel and as the years went by he became somewhat of a minor celebrity and he still shined shoes periodically….he was a friend of my grandpa…it was a real treat to go down there and have him shine my shoes and talk with him a bit…he was not poor, or humble in the sense of insuperior or whatever…he was a friendly, lively old guy….I’m not sure what to make of it looking back…there didn’t seem to be any stereotypical or racist element to any of it but then again maybe there was…I used to stop in and see him once in while even after I got my drivers license, and it was sorrowful news when he passed away…just thinking back a little

92 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:21:11am

re: #89 reine.de.tout

I’ve asked him twice to tell us that is positive about any of these images, Obama, Condi, what ever.

BJ won’t answer.

93 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:21:18am

re: #77 bj

We Jews (of any age) do not kneel willingly. Back off buddy.

Sweet heart I am not your buddy. I am a nice Jewish Grandma and I am telling you that you are out of line.
P.S. I don’t believe you are a Jew.

94 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:22:39am

re: #92 Walter L. Newton

I’ve asked him twice to tell us that is positive about any of these images, Obama, Condi, what ever.

BJ won’t answer.

silence is an answer…

95 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:22:56am

re: #85 webevintage

Ummm, what is the positive in a picture of the POTUS kneeling at the feet of a failed conservative pol shining her shoes?

It’s a sorry excuse photo shopped picture that someone put on the internet to get cheap rises out of people (like some in this thread). Get over it. It’s not reality. Laugh in the face of derision and use your time for more worthy things. Obama does, Condi did. Palin could if she wanted to bad enough.

96 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:23:18am

re: #82 Obdicut

I’m Jewish, and I kneel often. It’s the only way to get hardwood floors clean.

Me also. Darned tile floors :)))

97 _RememberTonyC  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:23:19am

there are plenty of racists on the far left as well as the far right. but for someone who resides in the middle on most issues, I see both as disgusting. i found the Condi Rice stuff nauseating and I find this photo offensive as well.

98 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:23:56am

re: #95 bj

It’s a sorry excuse photo shopped picture that someone put on the internet to get cheap rises out of people (like some in this thread). Get over it. It’s not reality. Laugh in the face of derision and use your time for more worthy things. Obama does, Condi did. Palin could if she wanted to bad enough.

You made the comment to look at the positive. Now tell us, what is positive about this image?

99 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:25:05am

re: #91 albusteve

Some folks by sheer force of personality become larger than life. We had one such guy here in Baton Rouge - his passing was noted with a full story on the first page of our newspaper’s Metro section.

What makes this photo racist and vile is noted by webevintage here:

re: #85 webevintage

Ummm, what is the positive in a picture of the POTUS kneeling at the feet of a failed conservative pol shining her shoes?

100 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:26:01am

re: #90 Walter L. Newton

Simple question… is that photo of Obama racist?

I stated up front that it is not and that is my opinion. You can argue with that all day long which is what the creator of that cheap pic wanted to do - derail ordinarily sensible people from the facts. See, Walter, it worked in this thread. Aren’t you proud of yourself now, falling for their stupidity and wasting both your and my time?

101 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:26:19am

re: #84 bj

You assume too much dearie. Relax and learn to spell and back off your radical need to jump on somebody and flex your internet muscles. I’m as far from racist as can be yet born and bred in the South (after the horrors of WWII). At my age, I’ve seen/experienced and lived quite a bit and don’t deserve your label of “sick puppy”. Go bark up somebody else’s tree for your cheap thrills.

Thanks for not answering my question.

I take great offense at those who think Blacks should have been damn proud at the pittance they were afforded in this country’s dark days of racism.

You said, “Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people.”

There’s a shoe shine man in my building. I think I’ll ask him what he thinks of that.

102 reine.de.tout  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:26:32am

re: #96 Blueheron

Me also. Darned tile floors :)))

I’m Catholic and I kneel often.
Part of that whole “Catholic” experience.

103 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:26:56am

re: #100 bj

I stated up front that it is not and that is my opinion. You can argue with that all day long which is what the creator of that cheap pic wanted to do - derail ordinarily sensible people from the facts. See, Walter, it worked in this thread. Aren’t you proud of yourself now, falling for their stupidity and wasting both your and my time?

It’s racist, period, and don’t fucking tell me what I should or shouldn’t think…

104 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:27:02am

re: #91 albusteve

when I was young, the was an old black guy that worked his entire life at the one deluxe old hotel in Kalamazoo, The Burdick Hotel right downtown…he started out as a ‘shoe shine boy’ and through he years was also the doorman…his wife also worked at the hotel and as the years went by he became somewhat of a minor celebrity and he still shined shoes periodically…he was a friend of my grandpa…it was a real treat to go down there and have him shine my shoes and talk with him a bit…he was not poor, or humble in the sense of insuperior or whatever…he was a friendly, lively old guy…I’m not sure what to make of it looking back…there didn’t seem to be any stereotypical or racist element to any of it but then again maybe there was…I used to stop in and see him once in while even after I got my drivers license, and it was sorrowful news when he passed away…just thinking back a little

Your friend did his work with dignity and it is good you are proud to have known him :)

105 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:27:09am

re: #94 brookly red

silence is an answer…

Takes time. Quit assuming. There is life outside the internet, sonny.

106 WINDUPBIRD DISEASE [S.K.U.M.M.]  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:27:39am

re: #95 bj

It’s a sorry excuse photo shopped picture that someone put on the internet to get cheap rises out of people (like some in this thread). Get over it. It’s not reality. Laugh in the face of derision and use your time for more worthy things. Obama does, Condi did. Palin could if she wanted to bad enough.

Someone may have originally created it for a cheap racist laugh, and if it wwere condemned by the likes of Free Republic and Instpundit, that’s all it would ever be. But it has become legitimized as a right wing message by its prominence on various right wing blogs and websites. They want it out there. See the distinction?

The “reality” is that right wing blogs and websites are elevating a racist image. Unabashedly, unashamedly.

107 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:28:58am

re: #105 bj

Takes time. Quit assuming. There is life outside the internet, sonny.

yeah whatever…

108 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:31:01am

re: #100 bj

Your lack of comprehension and determination to insult Walter have shown you to be a troll. Hurry up and flounce already.

109 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:31:09am

re: #95 bj

It’s a sorry excuse photo shopped picture that someone put on the internet to get cheap rises out of people (like some in this thread). Get over it. It’s not reality. Laugh in the face of derision and use your time for more worthy things. Obama does, Condi did. Palin could if she wanted to bad enough.

Upding for you for efffort!

110 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:32:40am

re: #101 marjoriemoon

Thanks for not answering my question.

I take great offense at those who think Blacks should have been damn proud at the pittance they were afforded in this country’s dark days of racism.

You said, “Shoeshine Boys Arise and Laugh in the faces of all who would demean and denigrate a worthy profession and hard-working people.”

There’s a shoe shine man in my building. I think I’ll ask him what he thinks of that.

You take all the offense you want. What is this, jump on bj day at LGF? Geez, I’ve never had such attention. Don’t you people have lives? Can’t you let others have their own opinions? Do you not appreciate where others are coming from?

I don’t have a shoeshine man “in my building”. I shine my own shoes in my own paid for home. One of my neighbors, in his own paid for home, is a local shoeshine personage and a friend of mine. He thoroughly enjoys his job and can sing and dance with the best of them while shining shoes - to the applause and accolades of his audience at the local airport. He’s a human being regardless of the job he does, that his daddy and his granddaddy did. We work out dance routines together. Imagine that!! At our ages.

111 jaunte  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:32:53am

re: #106 WindUpBird

The “reality” is that right wing blogs and websites are elevating a racist image. Unabashedly, unashamedly.


And pointing that out is not a waste of time or a distraction, if one cares about legitimate political discussion.

112 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:33:22am

re: #95 bj

It’s a sorry excuse photo shopped picture that someone put on the internet to get cheap rises out of people (like some in this thread). Get over it. It’s not reality. Laugh in the face of derision and use your time for more worthy things. Obama does, Condi did. Palin could if she wanted to bad enough.

You dodged the question.

113 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:33:43am

re: #108 Dark_Falcon

Your lack of comprehension and determination to insult Walter have shown you to be a troll. Hurry up and flounce already.

I’ve been a member here since before this was the blog it is. YOU get lost.

114 Blueheron  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:34:00am

re: #102 reine.de.tout

I’m Catholic and I kneel often.
Part of that whole “Catholic” experience.


lolol :))

115 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:34:49am

re: #108 Dark_Falcon

Your lack of comprehension and determination to insult Walter have shown you to be a troll. Hurry up and flounce already.

oh please….not this shit again

116 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:35:15am

re: #91 albusteve

when I was young, the was an old black guy that worked his entire life at the one deluxe old hotel in Kalamazoo, The Burdick Hotel right downtown…he started out as a ‘shoe shine boy’ and through he years was also the doorman…his wife also worked at the hotel and as the years went by he became somewhat of a minor celebrity and he still shined shoes periodically…he was a friend of my grandpa…it was a real treat to go down there and have him shine my shoes and talk with him a bit…he was not poor, or humble in the sense of insuperior or whatever…he was a friendly, lively old guy…I’m not sure what to make of it looking back…there didn’t seem to be any stereotypical or racist element to any of it but then again maybe there was…I used to stop in and see him once in while even after I got my drivers license, and it was sorrowful news when he passed away…just thinking back a little

There is nothing wrong with having an honest profession, be it shoe shine man or the CEO of a fortune 500 company. That was not my point. My point was that showing Obama shining the shoes of Palin is excessively offensive because not only does it conjure up a time in this country when Blacks could never even dream of becoming the CEO of a fortune 500 company it’s the worst kind of insult to the man and the office of our highest elected official.

117 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:35:27am

re: #110 bj

Once again you dodged the question. I warn you; If you continue defending photoshops like that you are courting a banning. That’s how Iron Fist got banned: He decided to defend a racist photoshop of Obama as a witchdoctor.

118 Bob Dillon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:36:23am

I was raised in the 40’s and 50’s. I still have racist thots. When they pop up I move them to my mental trash can and replace them with my later life positive experiences and a quick flash back to the Whittle Essay “Tribes” [Link: pajamasmedia.com…]

My respect for Mr. Reynolds has taken another hit on this. The photo is racist and I find his comments about it nuanced BS steeped in what is clearly denial.

119 rwmofo  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:37:30am

re: #115 albusteve

Check out LGF Spy. Bratwurst has been cycling through last night’s posts down-dinging anything you say.

120 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:38:21am

re: #112 Obdicut

You dodged the question.

I answered your question in my own way. What words do you wish to put in my mouth? No, I do not see that phony pic as racial, I see it as demeaning and derogatory. I don’t care who the personages in the pic are - it was created as political manure and manure it still is.

My question to you, Walter and the others who proceeded to jump me for giving my opinion is, why let this upset you to the extent it does? On the internet yet? Is that all you’re looking for, to jump people who may not see things exactly the way you do? Maybe you need to look in the mirror.

121 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:38:36am

re: #119 rwmofo

Check out LGF Spy. Bratwurst has been cycling through last night’s posts down-dinging anything you say.

That’s a rotten thing to do. I reviewed that discussion too, but I mostly updinged steve, since I felt he got gang-tackled.

122 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:39:12am

re: #110 bj

You take all the offense you want. What is this, jump on bj day at LGF? Geez, I’ve never had such attention. Don’t you people have lives? Can’t you let others have their own opinions? Do you not appreciate where others are coming from?

I don’t have a shoeshine man “in my building”. I shine my own shoes in my own paid for home. One of my neighbors, in his own paid for home, is a local shoeshine personage and a friend of mine. He thoroughly enjoys his job and can sing and dance with the best of them while shining shoes - to the applause and accolades of his audience at the local airport. He’s a human being regardless of the job he does, that his daddy and his granddaddy did. We work out dance routines together. Imagine that!! At our ages.

good point, but that does not defend the context and meaning of the picture, which is clearly racist…in view of stuff that preceded it, like the Condi Rice pictures, how can it be otherwise?…however important or how much attention it gets is not the point…why else would somebody shop this pic and post it?….there is brazen racism in the air and this pic is part of it

123 Racer X  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:39:19am

Racism is anything that is, or can be, deemed offensive by one particular race.

I doubt you will find many black people who are not offended by this image.

124 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:40:22am

re: #116 marjoriemoon

There is nothing wrong with having an honest profession, be it shoe shine man or the CEO of a fortune 500 company. That was not my point. My point was that showing Obama shining the shoes of Palin is excessively offensive because not only does it conjure up a time in this country when Blacks could never even dream of becoming the CEO of a fortune 500 company it’s the worst kind of insult to the man and the office of our highest elected official.

I was not addressing any point…just offering a story about a shoe shine guy

125 rwmofo  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:41:06am

re: #121 Dark_Falcon

That’s a rotten thing to do. I reviewed that discussion too, but I mostly updinged steve, since I felt he got gang-tackled.

Agreed. He seems like a reasonable guy to me

126 sffilk  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:41:11am

re: #7 brookly red

Millions of people can’t be irrelevant.

I didn’t say that millions of people are irrelevant; I said that millions of people don’t realize he’s irrelevant.

127 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:42:33am

re: #119 rwmofo

Check out LGF Spy. Bratwurst has been cycling through last night’s posts down-dinging anything you say.

man, they hit me like a ton of bricks!….whoa…as for the downdinging, I don’t care….it’s the malicious attitude, some really unfun people

128 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:43:14am

re: #117 Dark_Falcon

Once again you dodged the question. I warn you; If you continue defending photoshops like that you are courting a banning. That’s how Iron Fist got banned: He decided to defend a racist photoshop of Obama as a witchdoctor.

I am not defending photo shops. Please show where I am if that is what you see in what I’ve written.

I have said continually, why let a less than slick obvious photo shop cause this much derision? There is something wrong with people who get so upset over such a cheap trick … i.e., who fall full face for the intent of the picture. Oy! Get a life.

129 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:44:48am

re: #126 sffilk

I didn’t say that millions of people are irrelevant; I said that millions of people don’t realize he’s irrelevant.

Well, I still think that someone with millions of followers by that fact alone is not irrelevant. But hey that’s just me.

130 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:44:52am

re: #125 rwmofo

Agreed. He seems like a reasonable guy to me

piling on used to be considered bad form….it slowly escalates for sure, but last night is a perfect example of a senseless car swarm type thing

131 albusteve  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:45:30am

re: #121 Dark_Falcon

That’s a rotten thing to do. I reviewed that discussion too, but I mostly updinged steve, since I felt he got gang-tackled.

so did I…thanks

132 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:47:49am

re: #120 bj

I answered your question in my own way. What words do you wish to put in my mouth? No, I do not see that phony pic as racial, I see it as demeaning and derogatory. I don’t care who the personages in the pic are - it was created as political manure and manure it still is.

My question to you, Walter and the others who proceeded to jump me for giving my opinion is, why let this upset you to the extent it does? On the internet yet? Is that all you’re looking for, to jump people who may not see things exactly the way you do? Maybe you need to look in the mirror.

Because racism does that to me… maybe it’s a character flaw, I’m sensitive to racism, grew up with it, saw it all the time, know how to spot it.

I know, it’s a terrible way to be. Too bad I can’t be like you who see so much positive in these pictures (which of course, you have yet to explain).

133 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:49:58am

re: #122 albusteve

good point, but that does not defend the context and meaning of the picture, which is clearly racist…in view of stuff that preceded it, like the Condi Rice pictures, how can it be otherwise?…however important or how much attention it gets is not the point…why else would somebody shop this pic and post it?…there is brazen racism in the air and this pic is part of it

Because there are people who see that sort of thing as racist while there are others of us, possibly those who experienced it, don’t see it as “racist” - that is such an over used phrase these days. The intent of the pic is to demean a human being. It succeeded and that is what I see, not skin color .. maybe because in my background, my family and I did mean jobs, were treated as “2d class” (gassed, shot, hung, starved, raped, mutilated no less) and, as a result, I tend to see human beings rather than color or class or whatever man chooses to make differences between us.

134 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:51:26am

re: #133 bj

Because there are people who see that sort of thing as racist while there are others of us, possibly those who experienced it, don’t see it as “racist” - that is such an over used phrase these days. The intent of the pic is to demean a human being. It succeeded and that is what I see, not skin color .. maybe because in my background, my family and I did mean jobs, were treated as “2d class” (gassed, shot, hung, starved, raped, mutilated no less) and, as a result, I tend to see human beings rather than color or class or whatever man chooses to make differences between us.

And then some people are just deaf, dumb and blind… like you. And guess what sonny, I’ve been here as long as you so I have no problem telling you that you are a self-deluded racist and go fuck off.

135 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:52:37am

re: #133 bj

Because there are people who see that sort of thing as racist while there are others of us, possibly those who experienced it, don’t see it as “racist” - that is such an over used phrase these days. The intent of the pic is to demean a human being. It succeeded and that is what I see, not skin color .. maybe because in my background, my family and I did mean jobs, were treated as “2d class” (gassed, shot, hung, starved, raped, mutilated no less) and, as a result, I tend to see human beings rather than color or class or whatever man chooses to make differences between us.

So because I have a Black friend who cleans people’s houses, I shouldn’t find any offense at Condi being pictured as Aunt Jemima? You think Dr. Rice was proud of that caricature? You think Obama is proud of this one?

136 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:54:16am

re: #133 bj

Man, don’t wave that “I’m a Jew” flag around so hard, you’ll strain something.

You’re conflating two different things: whether you’re racist, and whether the image is. you’re claiming you don’t see the picture as racist because you’re not racist. That makes no sense.

137 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:55:09am

re: #136 Obdicut

Man, don’t wave that “I’m a Jew” flag around so hard, you’ll strain something.

You’re conflating two different things: whether you’re racist, and whether the image is. you’re claiming you don’t see the picture as racist because you’re not racist. That makes no sense.

For once I agree with you… stop that.

138 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:56:42am

re: #132 Walter L. Newton

Because racism does that to me… maybe it’s a character flaw, I’m sensitive to racism, grew up with it, saw it all the time, know how to spot it.

I know, it’s a terrible way to be. Too bad I can’t be like you who see so much positive in these pictures (which of course, you have yet to explain).

I did not say I saw anything positive in that picture. You have selective reading apparently. I do not defend that pic at all. I say, it’s no big deal to get all hepped up over, to cause friction over. When you do that, you play right into the hands of those whose intent it was to harm others. I’ve very sensitive to racism, to treating others differently, etc.

If I encountered that situation, as is in the picture, in real life my instinct would be to get on the floor with the worker and help him … and, in my life, I have done exactly that in what I’ve seen as unfair conditions. I am no better than any other person and am not afraid to defend my fellow man but I don’t just just talk it on the internet. I take action in real life. That, compared to reacting to a cheap photo shopped pic, is much more meaningful .. to me anyway.

Personally, I’ve had enough of you phiranas today. I never thought I’d say that about Charles’s site but I am shocked at the way I’ve been treated here.

139 jaunte  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:58:42am

re: #138 bj

There’s no real reason to be upset at being called a self-deluded racist if you’re not really one. It’s no big deal. That’s how the logic works.

140 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 10:58:43am

re: #138 bj

If you ran into a shoeshine person in real life, you’d help them.

Must make getting around cities difficult. Also, do you ask for a cut of the profits?

141 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:00:30am

re: #135 marjoriemoon

So because I have a Black friend who cleans people’s houses, I shouldn’t find any offense at Condi being pictured as Aunt Jemima? You think Dr. Rice was proud of that caricature? You think Obama is proud of this one?

You can find all the offense you want at these made up pictures. That is your choice. In doing so, what does it get you? I choose to look at such things as less than minutely important. I choose to do something about the situation in real life. I choose not to give the creator of such tripe the attention he/she/it desires.

142 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:00:56am

re: #138 bj

Don’t let the door hit where the dog should have hit you.

143 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:03:15am

re: #141 bj

It’s so unimportant to you that you talk about it endlessly, in fact.

144 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:04:50am

re: #140 Obdicut

If you ran into a shoeshine person in real life, you’d help them.

Must make getting around cities difficult. Also, do you ask for a cut of the profits?

If the situation warranted it, say the person was being made fun of, being treated badly. I would do something, wouldn’t you?

I generally use a car to get around in cities when I am unlucky enough to find myself in one.

Your comment about splitting profits is over the top but you knew that, didn’t you? Shame, shame, shame. Should I scream, “stereotype, stereotype!! You’re making fun of Jews with that remark”?????????

145 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:05:13am

re: #141 bj

… I choose to do something about the situation in real life. I choose not to give the creator of such tripe the attention he/she/it desires.


I think things may have gone better if you had said that sooner, but I could be wrong.

146 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:05:31am

re: #144 bj

You’ve gotten terminally boring, sorry.

147 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:07:25am

re: #139 jaunte

There’s no real reason to be upset at being called a self-deluded racist if you’re not really one. It’s no big deal. That’s how the logic works.

Believe me, I won’t lose any sleep over being called names like that. I am only too well aware of what and who I am. I am just rather shocked at the lowering of mentality on this site today. It’s a shame. And to be threatened with banning? LOL That’s cheap. That’s low, that’s classless and clueless.

148 Petero1818  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:09:43am

I have to say I am troubled by the fact that a supposedly respected professor at any University in North America could present such a foolish argument based on an absurdly false syllogism. Professors may present all sorts of absurd arguments, and they may be justified. However the one above displays a certain lack of understanding of the common principles of logic.

149 jaunte  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:10:01am

re: #147 bj

There isn’t anyone here that can ban you except Charles, so again, no reason for upset. I don’t think he needs an editor to tell him which topics are important, though.

150 [deleted]  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:10:27am
151 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:11:14am

re: #149 jaunte

There isn’t anyone here that can ban you except Charles, so again, no reason for upset. I don’t think he needs an editor to tell him which topics are important, though.

I’m not upset. I am amazed that Charles lets such fools speak for him. Ta.

152 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:11:33am

re: #150 bj

Flounce!

/Can I call ‘em or what?

153 QueenEsther  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:11:48am

One of the last posts I made on this site, which unfortunately doesn’t happen much any more, was to say that Pres. Obama couldn’t shine someone (I forget who)’s shoes. As I mentioned to those who jumped on that as being an unfortunate choice of phrase, it was not intended to be racist.

The phrase that someone “couldn’t shine someone’s shoes” is intended to mean that the person is not in the same league as someone, in terms of experience, class, knowledge, etc. It is a bit more complex than a moronic racial slur.

Also, as I mentioned in my last post some months ago, my family was in the shoe business, and my stepson is in ROTC, so shoe-shining is something that a person who has some respect for their appearance does, often times, for themselves.

I don’t see the need to flame out on this. It’s a bit juvenile, but as far as I’m concerned, it is not racist. Is every joke made at Obama’s expense to be considered racist? Are we that overly hyper sensitive?

And Charles. Maybe you couldn’t see your own position - the forest for the trees - but you were a leader in centrist conservative political realm. And it’s true that some nutbags are now rising to the top of the right political spectrum, but I would have hoped that you would help steer the ship in the “right” direction, rather than abandon it. Lgf still sits on my bookmarks bar, next to the Chicago Tribune, Drudge, and Google… but I don’t feel at home here anymore. I’m sorry to say it.

154 blackvalleybob  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:13:11am

When I was a kid growing up in Texas—and into my late 20s (from the 1950s into the late 1960s, shoe-shines were almost an exclusively black occupation—White barbershops, which were off limits to black customers and black barbers, had black shoeshine “boys” (often elderly men, but still called “boys”).

If Glenn Reynolds grew up in Alabama, he must be aware of this phenomenon—Alabama was much worse than Texas in racial discrimination.

In fact, the Texas Supreme Court in Austin had an official shoeshine squad of elderly black men as late as the mid-1970s.

The fact that the term shoeshine “boy” is used necessitates the fact that black men were the occupiers of these positions. Black men were never men during the Jim Crow years—only “boys” no matter how senior they might be to their white employers.

In short, to post President Obama as a bootblack (the official term for this occupation) is inherently racist. Such racial branding has also been perpetrated by the left in depictions of Clarence Thomas and former Secretary of State Rice.

155 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:15:03am

re: #153 QueenEsther

Simple question… do you see this photoshop as racist or not, yes, no would be enough?

156 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:16:00am

re: #153 QueenEsther

One of the last posts I made on this site, which unfortunately doesn’t happen much any more, was to say that Pres. Obama couldn’t shine someone (I forget who)’s shoes. As I mentioned to those who jumped on that as being an unfortunate choice of phrase, it was not intended to be racist.

The phrase that someone “couldn’t shine someone’s shoes” is intended to mean that the person is not in the same league as someone, in terms of experience, class, knowledge, etc. It is a bit more complex than a moronic racial slur.

Also, as I mentioned in my last post some months ago, my family was in the shoe business, and my stepson is in ROTC, so shoe-shining is something that a person who has some respect for their appearance does, often times, for themselves.

I don’t see the need to flame out on this. It’s a bit juvenile, but as far as I’m concerned, it is not racist. Is every joke made at Obama’s expense to be considered racist? Are we that overly hyper sensitive?

And Charles. Maybe you couldn’t see your own position - the forest for the trees - but you were a leader in centrist conservative political realm. And it’s true that some nutbags are now rising to the top of the right political spectrum, but I would have hoped that you would help steer the ship in the “right” direction, rather than abandon it. Lgf still sits on my bookmarks bar, next to the Chicago Tribune, Drudge, and Google… but I don’t feel at home here anymore. I’m sorry to say it.

I don’t think most of the Lizards feel at home with racist either… so the feeling is mutual I suspect.

157 [deleted]  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:16:34am
158 Walter L. Newton  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:22:08am

Interesting… it now 2010 and yet the 250 year old problem of racism is still present in this country… and the apologist are still out in numbers defending it. People like QueenEsther and BJ will continue through life convinced that they are too enlightened to be racist and that their insight will heal everything.

Rather sad.

159 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:22:58am

re: #150 bj

re: #153 QueenEsther

Two flounces in the same thread. Haven’t seen that in a while.

160 jaunte  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:24:54am

re: #159 Dark_Falcon

The self designated non-racists are pretty thin skinned today.

161 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:26:20am

re: #159 Dark_Falcon

re: #153 QueenEsther

Two flounces in the same thread. Haven’t seen that in a while.

/well now you don’t beat the spread…

162 Jimmah  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:27:54am

re: #117 Dark_Falcon

Once again you dodged the question. I warn you; If you continue defending photoshops like that you are courting a banning. That’s how Iron Fist got banned: He decided to defend a racist photoshop of Obama as a witchdoctor.

I’d rather garbage like this speak it’s mind and face the consequences, than master the art of covering up their nastiness so as to stay here delivering their poison in a more covert way.

163 Jimmah  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:29:12am

re: #159 Dark_Falcon

re: #153 QueenEsther

Two flounces in the same thread. Haven’t seen that in a while.

Racist images of Obama sure seem to bring them out of the woodwork.

164 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:32:58am

re: #162 Jimmah

I’d rather garbage like this speak it’s mind and face the consequences, than master the art of covering up their nastiness so as to stay here delivering their poison in a more covert way.

You’ve got a point, but I often try to prevent people from flouncing. Sdaly, I normally don’t succeed. Those about to flounce are usually too caught up in a “I hate you, Daddy!” rage towards Charles to think clearly.

165 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:33:30am

re: #153 QueenEsther

There’s always a great need to point out obvious racism and bigotry. If it makes you uncomfortable go look in the mirror.

166 Stan the Demanded Plan  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:33:53am

It is a really strange morning. Maybe a little too relaxing over the holiday, there’s a lot of wound up-ness present.

167 Dancing along the light of day  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:37:02am

Wow. And there’s 32 people logged into this thread!

168 brookly red  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:39:10am

re: #167 Floral Giraffe

Wow. And there’s 32 people logged into this thread!

mine says 48?

169 What, me worry?  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:51:21am

re: #154 blackvalleybob

When I was a kid growing up in Texas—and into my late 20s (from the 1950s into the late 1960s, shoe-shines were almost an exclusively black occupation—White barbershops, which were off limits to black customers and black barbers, had black shoeshine “boys” (often elderly men, but still called “boys”).

If Glenn Reynolds grew up in Alabama, he must be aware of this phenomenon—Alabama was much worse than Texas in racial discrimination.

In fact, the Texas Supreme Court in Austin had an official shoeshine squad of elderly black men as late as the mid-1970s.

The fact that the term shoeshine “boy” is used necessitates the fact that black men were the occupiers of these positions. Black men were never men during the Jim Crow years—only “boys” no matter how senior they might be to their white employers.

In short, to post President Obama as a bootblack (the official term for this occupation) is inherently racist. Such racial branding has also been perpetrated by the left in depictions of Clarence Thomas and former Secretary of State Rice.

And it would be important to note that THIS site called out the Left when they did it too. One example.

[Link: littlegreenfootballs.com…]

All the people on that post reveled in glee that the Left were racists. But when the shoe is being shined on the other foot, they ain’t so happy.

Great post, btw.

170 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:52:23am

re: #152 Dark_Falcon

Flounce!

/Can I call ‘em or what?

Really? How powerful of you. Now, tell me again what is it exactly that have you done? (I’ll give you a hint: It’s juvenile and narcissistic of you to say the least.) LOL

171 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:53:46am

re: #170 bj

You’ve spent a buttload of posts complaining about what Charles has posted because you want to defend your favorite pundit’s racism. That’s what you’ve done.

172 [deleted]  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:57:15am
173 Charles Johnson  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:58:37am

Man, the nuts are coming out of the woodwork today.

174 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:59:11am

re: #172 didache

Charles is still here. He’s still attacking idiots, its just the idiots no call themselves “conservative” instead of “progressive”.

175 Dark_Falcon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:59:43am

re: #174 Dark_Falcon

Charles is still here. He’s still attacking idiots, its just the idiots now call themselves “conservative” instead of “progressive”.

PIMF

176 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 11:59:45am

re: #172 didache

Charles has changed a bit. The political landscape has, and you really don’t like it that he’s merely shifted his gaze and talent for pointing out hypocrisy and racism while looking at your friends do you?

177 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:00:36pm

re: #176 Thanos

/pimf “Charles hasn’t changed a bit”

178 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:04:27pm

re: #136 Obdicut

Man, don’t wave that “I’m a Jew” flag around so hard, you’ll strain something.

You’re conflating two different things: whether you’re racist, and whether the image is. you’re claiming you don’t see the picture as racist because you’re not racist. That makes no sense.

The “image” to me is not racist based on my opinion of what is really racist, not your opinion, nor anyone elses. I am not a racist .. since no one here knows me, you just have to take my word on that. Alas, I know myself. Agreed, that constitutes two different entities but they do go hand in hand.

That I am Jewish and that comes into play here is just one thing that makes a difference in my opinion making. (Look at the ones who automatically associated being Jewish with democrat/leftist here. I mean, talk about shooting one’s self in the foot ….) I am one of few voters who is/always has been Independent in a formerly dark blue state turned bleeding red (back before one had the option to register as an Independent). Independent I shall remain.

179 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:05:09pm

re: #171 Thanos

You’ve spent a buttload of posts complaining about what Charles has posted because you want to defend your favorite pundit’s racism. That’s what you’ve done.

My fav is Charles.

180 Mark Pennington  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:05:10pm

Some really creepy people(Raelian creepy!) crawl out of the woodwork to defend blatant racism.

181 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:07:26pm

re: #179 bj

If that’s true then you would know that he doesn’t like content complaints, which is what you are doing. If you are not doing that then you are apologizing for blatant obvious racism that any school child could see plainly.

182 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:15:07pm

re: #181 Thanos

If that’s true then you would know that he doesn’t like content complaints, which is what you are doing. If you are not doing that then you are apologizing for blatant obvious racism that any school child could see plainly.

Charles is an intelligent man and I have always held a high opinion of him whether I disagreed with something he posted or not (which was seldom). He is astute enough to know people have differing opinions from different viewpoints because of different experiences. I doubt Charles is obtuse to the point of censoring opinion on content as you say. I doubt Charles is obtuse to the point of expecting everyone on this site to agree 100% down the line thus deserves banning. You really don’t think he is that obtuse, do you?

I am not apologizing for what you call “blatant obvious racism”. I may say the same or similar things by different words - live with it. You are entitled to your defining words.

(This is decidedly juvenile.)

183 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:16:11pm

The “I can’t be racist because I’m Jewish and I think I’m not racist” postulate does not work.

You can empirically disprove it simply by googling “shrieking harpy” and clicking the first link to get to a hate site run by a Jew who doesn’t think she is racist.

184 Obdicut  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:16:34pm

Ooh, BJ just found his dinger!

185 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:16:44pm

re: #182 bj

It’s never juvenile to point out bigotry, it’s always the adult thing to do.

186 celticdragon  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:18:22pm

re: #153 QueenEsther

Total flounce.

187 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:23:25pm

re: #182 bj

I didn’t say that Charles is obtuse, but you just managed to by trying to stuff it into my mouth.

188 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:32:00pm

re: #185 Thanos

It’s never juvenile to point out bigotry, it’s always the adult thing to do.

Equally juvenile: when you point your finger, 3 more are pointing back at you.

189 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:34:06pm

re: #187 Thanos

I didn’t say that Charles is obtuse, but you just managed to by trying to stuff it into my mouth.

No, I didn’t try. You are reaching to find something to complain about and must think I am your doormat for the day.

190 bj  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:40:42pm

re: #183 Thanos

The “I can’t be racist because I’m Jewish and I think I’m not racist” postulate does not work.

You can empirically disprove it simply by googling “shrieking harpy” and clicking the first link to get to a hate site run by a Jew who doesn’t think she is racist.

I didn’t say I wasn’t racist “because” I am Jewish .. Judaism isn’t a race so there’s no race to the equation. LOL Damn, learn something, will you?

I said you will have to take my word that I am not racist since no one here knows me personally (well,except for one or two who aren’t present now) or can vouch for me (like I need it). The jumpers here have based their labeling of me and their libel of me on one comment in one thread about one particular subject and I didn’t use the words they/you wanted me to. I chose differently. Thank G-d for differences in human beings.

191 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:44:38pm

re: #190 bj

I find I can’t trust your word.

192 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:51:42pm

re: #189 bj

You’ve spent umpty zillion comments lamely defending Glen Reynolds and complaining that Charles pointed it out. I’m not the one complaining, I’m just being master of the obvious to someone who likes to diminish racism.

193 Slumbering Behemoth Stinks  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 12:52:15pm

If you have to ask why something is racist, you probably are.

194 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:19:55pm

re: #53 Dark_Falcon

Especially Ted Rall’s absolutely hateful cartoon of Condi declaring herself “Bush’s Number 1 House Nigga”. This person who came up with this photoshop is the same kind of person as Rall: not caring if they hurt others as long as they get to make their ugly attack. Its a rotten way to live and it only gets worse once you die, because it sends to you to Hell.

Ted Rall…grrr…Ted Rall…yeah, same exact mentality.

195 SanFranciscoZionist  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:26:10pm

re: #91 albusteve

when I was young, the was an old black guy that worked his entire life at the one deluxe old hotel in Kalamazoo, The Burdick Hotel right downtown…he started out as a ‘shoe shine boy’ and through he years was also the doorman…his wife also worked at the hotel and as the years went by he became somewhat of a minor celebrity and he still shined shoes periodically…he was a friend of my grandpa…it was a real treat to go down there and have him shine my shoes and talk with him a bit…he was not poor, or humble in the sense of insuperior or whatever…he was a friendly, lively old guy…I’m not sure what to make of it looking back…there didn’t seem to be any stereotypical or racist element to any of it but then again maybe there was…I used to stop in and see him once in while even after I got my drivers license, and it was sorrowful news when he passed away…just thinking back a little

Thank you for telling us about him. He sounds like a wonderful man.

196 kevitivity  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:33:35pm

Without knowing what was inside the mind of the person who originally created the image (a Democrat) We can only guess.

197 Lidane  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:34:08pm

re: #193 Slumbering Behemoth

If you have to ask why something is racist, you probably are.

I like that. It sums everything up so beautifully.

198 Lidane  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:35:02pm

re: #196 kevitivity

Without knowing what was inside the mind of the person who originally created the image (a Democrat) We can only guess.

Except that the Democrat in question only forwarded the image. They didn’t create it. It originally surfaced in the right wing blogosphere.

199 S'latch  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 1:51:06pm

That picture does not make any sense to me. It does not appear to be a parody of any real situation or circumstance. I don’t recall Barack Obama assuming any kind subservient position to any other politician, especially a Republican one. It’s rather dumb.

200 Randall Gross  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 3:39:49pm

re: #196 kevitivity

“unless we are all mindreaders we can’t make moral judgements about actions or objective circumstance”….

That’s a fair paraphrase of what you were saying… Nice try with “Dem Created” but this first started circulating in 2008 after Hilary was already out of the race to my understanding.

201 Sinistershade  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 3:41:49pm

re: #199 Lawrence Schmerel

That picture does not make any sense to me. It does not appear to be a parody of any real situation or circumstance. I don’t recall Barack Obama assuming any kind subservient position to any other politician, especially a Republican one. It’s rather dumb.

It’s racist and poor satire.

202 Joan  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 5:29:51pm

re: #28 Charles

It popped up during the presidential election, at Free Republic, Team Sarah, and other right wing sites. And it is still being circulated on right wing mailing lists.

It is not an “isolated incident” from grassroots Right, either. Were there not some astonishingly vile souvenirs and cartoons distributed even at the GOP nominating convention?

Antidote to indoctrination:
Never defend the indefensible.
See what you see, think what you think and feel what you feel.

203 Joan  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 5:32:13pm

re: #201 Sinistershade

And creepy.

204 Varek Raith  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 5:34:50pm

re: #190 bj

Dude! Congratulations on being the first person I’ve felt the need to downding all of their posts on a thread, except for the deleted ones.
Idiot.

205 Truth Dr.  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 6:52:41pm

The Republicans have to buckle down and rid themselves of this idiocy if they are to be taken seriously in 2012. Whether it is racist or not, and I lean toward the former, it is stupid and not the type of ideas the Republicans should be selling. It’s time for them to boot the Ron Paul and Pat Buchanan factions out of the party and begin seriously campaigning for 2012.

206 [deleted]  Sun, Jan 3, 2010 7:27:14pm
207 korla pundit  Mon, Jan 4, 2010 7:11:14am

It’s worthless as any kind of parody, since even with the most vile racist humor, there has to be a germ of truth to be funny, and this doesn’t work for Obama. He is neither humble nor lovable, and this could never be his theme song:

when criminals in this world appear
and break the laws that they should fear
and frighten all who see or hear
the cry goes up both far and near
for Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!

speed of lightning, roar of thunder
fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog!

when in this world the headlines read
of those whose hearts are filled with greed
who rob and steal from those who need
to right this wrong with blinding speed
goes Underdog! Underdog! Underdog! Underdog!

speed of lightning, roar of thunder
fighting all who rob or plunder
Underdog. Underdog!

Also, Palin is more of the running-shoe or hiking boot type.

Just not funny, and ‘not funny’ is an even worse crime than racism.

208 bj  Mon, Jan 4, 2010 9:02:50am

re: #204 Varek Raith

Dude! Congratulations on being the first person I’ve felt the need to downding all of their posts on a thread, except for the deleted ones.
Idiot.

I be dudette. Your “downding” means a lot to me as do the others.

Be my guest, delete away. All that means is that one can’t voice an honest observation on certain matters here. Sad, truly sad.

sarc/on

209 [deleted]  Mon, Jan 4, 2010 10:23:24am
210 Charles Johnson  Mon, Jan 4, 2010 10:25:29am

re: #209 protestshooter

I’m not the least bit ashamed of opposing racism.

And you’re going to be much happier at some other website, so I’ll block your account. No need to say thank you!

211 Charles Johnson  Mon, Jan 4, 2010 6:58:33pm

re: #208 bj

I be dudette. Your “downding” means a lot to me as do the others.

Be my guest, delete away. All that means is that one can’t voice an honest observation on certain matters here. Sad, truly sad.

sarc/on

Apparently, you’ve been allowed to express your “honest observations” 26 times so far in this thread. But don’t let me stop you from feeling victimized because people are criticizing your “honest observations.”

212 bj  Tue, Jan 5, 2010 4:59:05am

If you will check, that’s probably more than I’ve posted in the many years time I’ve been a member here. I certainly don’t need any sarcasm from you over the fact that your groupies (as I now see them) are tasteless and of the gang mentality. Honest discussion this was not; have a field day jumping the underdog it was .. not to mention some of the name calling (and my using “sonny or dearie” (because I am elderly and refer to younger people that way) in no way relates to my repeatedly being called a “racist” amongst other things or being threatened with banning. Oh wow! That last one was mature.)

I’m still appalled at the treatment I’ve received here, Charles. Never in all these years have I experienced something so mean-spirited in what was once a decent forum.

213 Varek Raith  Tue, Jan 5, 2010 6:25:55am

re: #212 bj

Way to play the victim. Your downdings were well deserved.

214 Randall Gross  Tue, Jan 5, 2010 7:40:39am

re: #212 bj

I too am appalled — just appalled. You should be getting thumped even more for your attempt to diminish obvious racism.

215 bj  Tue, Jan 5, 2010 9:06:53am

Give it up, kids.

216 Varek Raith  Tue, Jan 5, 2010 5:40:21pm

re: #215 bj

Give it up, kids.

Why, can’t take the scrutiny? Look, your downplaying of this racist image is beyond the pale. So, no, I and others won’t ‘give it up’.
;)

217 bj  Wed, Jan 6, 2010 8:14:19am

I’m not attempting to diminish racism. On a scale of 1 to 10, I personally don’t find that photo shopped slop job to be racist enough to cause the calamity as some in this thread would like. It’s tacky, it’s sloppy, it’s not worthy of a 2d look. It’s a political attempt to trash a person or two and fails. It was also posted mainly to take slaps at some other blogger. Big deal. I don’t even read his claptrap as accused. LOL

When real racism and injustices do show up, rage about those to the creator of said junk instead of minutiae such as this. When you give a photo shopped piece of glurge such as this picture time and space and brain space, you play right into the hands of the intent and motive of its creator. I refuse to give it the importance and, for that, have been libeled racist amongst other things here .. ad hominem, straw man, red herring, etc. Considering how dark my skin is, those accusations deserve one big jackass laugh.

The End

218 Randall Gross  Thu, Jan 7, 2010 6:28:28pm

re: #217 bj

Calling it “minutiae” is diminishing, you are exposed by your own words.


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