Following up on this previous posting, in which the local Democrats here in Central NH have decided to take a local letter-writer "to task" for daring to be critical of the latest version of Barack Obama and, more importantly to local and state level Dems, daring to use the word "negro". As I noted in the first post, the local Dem chair put out the call, and several people dutifully responded, and the local papers have carried letters in which the original letter-writer, Mr. Jack Stephenson-- who voted for Obama in the NH primary, by the way-- has been trashed and berated for having the audacity to speak his mind in a way that the thought-police have deemed politically incorrect. Recall the Polidoro letter in the first post where he writes,

Stephenson shows his implied bigotry and ignorance

This is pretty much the tack taken by the Dems as they continue to beat this drum. Thankfully, there are other locals (myself included) that know Mr. Stephenson and can attest he is neither a bigot nor is he ignorant. Several people, knowing he was getting a bum rap, stepped up and defended him with letters of their own, and Stephenson wrote another letter rather ably defending himself as well. In the end, we all know this was nothing more than a tempest in a teapot, with the local Dems hoping to gin up emotion as they seek to promote their candidate, whose lack of experience and new ideas dictates voters must be distracted from that fact if he is to have a chance at victory in November...

To the Editor,

Once again Jack Polidoro proves that a good education can give a person intelligence but does very little to reduce ignorance. His supportive opinions of Obama are properly placed in an “opinion” column even though Obama’s recent appearance at California’s Saddleback Church proves that the man is an empty suit and without a scripted speech he can’t answer “real” questions on “real issues. Mr. Polidoro’s ignorance comes to light when he provides an irrelevant history on the term “Negro”.  This, of course, is from the Obama supporters’ play book on racial accusations against anyone who points out Obama’s ineptness.

For the most part, only the hypersensitive “PC” American culture has shunned the word Negro. When you travel to most any other part of the planet, people of color aren’t offended when referred to as a Negro, which of course is the Spanish word for “black”. Obviously, everyone is aware that the really bad “N” word is unacceptable in any culture. The term “African American” is completely inaccurate because not all people of color are from Africa. In fact, most of the people of color that I’ve met are actually from America and proud of it.

During my travels through Europe, Mexico, South America and Asia I wanted to be very careful to learn such nuances while conducting business and socializing with the various cultures. I actually found most Europeans to be more “crass” when discussing other ethnic groups, including Caucasians living elsewhere in the world. I was mostly referred to as the American, White guy or in Latin America, the “Gringo”. 

In general, most of the people I meet throughout my travels posses a great sense of humor - which is something that Mr. Polidoro’s high intellect has difficulty understanding.

I’m positive that Mr. Polidoro will respond with another irrelevant “put us to sleep” tome on Black history but as usual it won’t square with the reality of every day life, no matter how many times he says it. Much like his “opinions” of Obama!

Terry Stewart
Gilford, NH

Next came one from our very own Skip, also taking the Dems to task. Keep in mind through all of this that there are two "Jacks" involved here-- one, Mr. Jack Stephenson, the original letter writer, and Jack Politboro Polidoro, the consummate liberal blowhard that fancies himself an intellectual. Here, Skip starts out addressing Jack STEPHENSON, who he defends quite nicely as well:

Continue reading "Race debate in Central NH. "Negro 101" Part 2. Striking back..." »

Posted by Doug at 8:24 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

An interesting debate about the "presumptive" Democratic nominee taking place here in the Lakes Region of New Hampshire in our local papers and in cyberspace has escalated into a full blown debate over race, language, and political correctness. It all started when one of the local wags-- a Democrat "seasoned citizen"-- submitted a letter to several local papers. It's author, Mr. Jack Stephenson, is well known to me and is someone I've always found thoughtful, humorous, and honest almost to a fault-- he speaks his mind, and makes no apologies. Well, except when he puts forth his thoughts and later concludes he was mistaken... then, unlike most, he goes out of his way to admit it, and lets everyone know he was wrong with whatever previous mistaken position.

Here's what Jack had to say in the letter printed in the Citizen and Laconia Daily Sun newspapers earlier this week. Keep in mind, he has long been known for his not-always PC, but truthful letters, always with a touch of Yankee humor:

To The Editor,

It is clear that IF we all had the knowledge about Obama which we have heard since he got the "nomination" (not confirmed until their convention), Hillary would be the Democrat candidate. But back then we didn't know that brilliant Obama could not speak intelligently without his staff prepared cue cards. Back then we didn't know that he opposed any increase in safe, clean, cheap energy sources (long proven nuclear, wind, solar and clean coal). Back then we didn't know that he would propose the biggest tax increase ever in the US! Back then some of us thought that he was the same as most USA negros, but he is NOT, and he has become a total insult to our great successful negros in the USA. Back then we didn't know that he was both against the Iraq war and for it, both against battles in Afganistan and for it, and wants to greatly increase number of our troops in Afganistan (the most dangerous place on earth). He is totally for WAR and totally against war, totally for outrageous taxes and totally against taxes, totally for 100% control of all medical care, and totally oppossed to government control of health care.

It is absolutely clear that Obama is totally for and totally against every issue which Americans are concerned with. IE, he is the ultimate politician, as his Church Pastor long ago told us!

Honesty, practicallity, need, usefulness, has nothing to do with Obama. Clearly, Obama is trying to steal from Clinton the title of the world's best LIAR! Hillary tried that, but Obama beat her out for that title.

We must encourage Hillary to take the nomination away from misleading Obama, and give the nation a chance for a fair election. It can happen, and if it doesn't, we are in for a "Hollywood style" president!

Jack Stephenson

Gilford

Well... You just know that that letter certainly caught the eye of the readers locally, including that of the local Democrat Party leaders, most of whom, like their hero Obama, cannot accept the slightest bit of criticism, and immediately cry foul when it occurs. Call Obama unfit to lead? Bigotry! Question his qualifications? How dare we doubt his patriotism! Note his liberal record? Racist! The chair of the Laconia, NH Democrats sounded the alarm in the daily emailed communiqué:

By the way, I don't know how many of you saw the letter to the editor in the Laconia Citizen yesterday from Gilford's Jack Stephenson complaining about Obama.  An excerpt:  Back then some of us thought that he was the same as most USA negros, but he is NOT, and he has become a total insult to our great successful negros in the USA.  Personally, I find that extremely offensive and I'm writing a letter in response.  I encourage each of you to do the same.

This was followed by a later email and blog post reiterating his request to take "Mr. Stephenson to task." And so they did, including none other than NH Democratic Party Chair Ray Buckley. But first out of the gate was another local lib (known to 'Grok readers, perhaps) who fancies himself intellectually superior  to most folks, once again seeking first to dazzle readers with his "vast knowledge" of matters of great importance, in the hopes they'll believe his recollection of history and culture. This week, he gave us HIS version of history-- "Negro 101", if you will:

Continue reading "Democrats ignite race debate in Central NH's Lakes Region. Part One: "Negro 101"" »

Posted by Doug at 7:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)

Well, all we have heard this Presidential season concerning the race of Obama - he's post-racial!  Hi campaign has tried to give the ethos that we are finally at the time of Dr. King - race should not matter - only the character inside.  As an engineer, I could care less - as long as your code is good, you could be purple with green polka dots and it wouldn't matter.

But it does to some, and certainly to the media.  It seems that race is mattering down south, but not the way you'd think!  From RedState (H/T: Erick - who will be on MTNP this weekend, and I have reformatted it for the 'Grok!):

Is it Okay to Vote Against a Candidate Because of His Race?

There is a double standard in the media's handling of that question that needs some attention.  The answer to the question is no. It is, in fact, the only acceptable answer and if you think otherwise, RedState is not a good fit for you.

But I ask the question because it raises an important point about the media, the Democrats, and Barack Obama himself.

We are, each year, treated to national media reports on race relations in this country and they invariably discuss white America coming to terms with other races in this country. Very, very rarely does the media ever report on other races coming to terms with white America.

Racism works two ways - both towards a race and from a race.  The permutations are numerous as it seems that one can find examples of any race acting badly towards another simply because of color (and no, I don't buy into the carnard that racism is only from whites to others - it comes backwards too).  And it seems that Dems get the gold plated pass from the media, but boy oh boy, let a conservative make a screwup or neglect something....watch out!

It is not really relevant, frankly, to point out that most black voters are going to vote in droves for Barack Obama. Regardless of his race, black voters would vote for the Democrat. But when you read about Congressman Steve Cohen’s [a Democrat   -Skip] race in Tennessee’s Ninth Congressional District, you really are confronted by both racism and anti-semitism in a way we rarely think about in this country. And the media is silent. Barack Obama is silent.

Steve Cohen just might lose his re-election not because he has been ineffective in representing his district, but because he is white....

...What is happening to Steve Cohen is real racism and there are no prominent national media stories about it. Let me be clear here: Steve Cohen and I disagree on probably 99% of all issues. The point, though, is that the national media is all too willing to run stories of racism involving Republicans and then run as fast as they can in the other direction when the racism involves not just Democrats, but reverse racism.

In 2006, Steve Cohen won Harold Ford’s seat in Memphis in a bitter contested race. Cohen beat Nikki Tinker barely. During the race, Cohen hacked off black ministers for supporting gay rights legislation and opposing school prayer. But what angered people in the district more was that a black congressman could potentially be replaced by not just a white man, but a Jew too. The anti-Semitism has resurfaced this year. Black ministers (started by one who is not even in district) have passed out fliers that say “Steve Cohen and the JEWS HATE Jesus.” (link here) Nikki Tinker has refused to denounce the fliers.

Last year, some black ministers caused a stir against Cohen because he supported federal hate crimes legislation that included gay rights. Robert Poindexter, one of the angered ministers, gave away the game saying, “He’s not black and he can’t represent me, that’s just the bottom line.”

And where is Barack Obama? Steve Cohen got on board early with Obama’s campaign. Nikki Tinker only did after Hillary was toast. Neither campaign thinks Obama will weigh in, but why not?

In Georgia, Obama gladly taped a radio commercial for Congressman John Barrow in the 12th Congressional District. Barrow looks conservative next to Cohen. In fact, Barrow, a Blue Dog Democrat, was opposed by most left-wing organization in his primary challenge by Regina Thomas, a prominent black state senator for Savannah. Seventy percent of the ballots in the Democratic primary in Georgia-12 are generally cast by black voters; yet, Barack Obama was willing to weigh in for the white guy.

In Tennessee-9, Barack Obama has remained silent. He could, of course, practice what he preaches. He could transcend race and help the healing. Barack Obama could weigh in publicly for Steve Cohen. Barack Obama could denounce the anti-semitism and racism (and blatant sexism) being hurled toward a sitting congressman....

So why be silent now? And why is the media silent? The only major national media organization to look into this issue has been the Washington Post, and then only via an online blog.

Either the media and Barack Obama really care about this issue, or they use it just as a political weapon against Republicans. The silence is deafening.

As with the problem with Jesse Jackson (being hypocritical concerning the use of the N-word by others, and then using it himself), there is that "it's ok for me, but not for thee, especially when it helps me!".  Either you forgo the race card or be willing to be called for it no matter which direction it is being played.  And the mature ones in the Dem party should be on the patrol for this nonsense - but they are sadly missing in action.

What say you, Liberals of all colors?

Other Commenters: Blue Collar Muse, Real Debate Wisconsin, Fort Hard Knox, 

Posted by Skip at 8:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

A firefighter who reported finding a knotted rope and a threatening note with a drawing of a noose in an East Baltimore station house last month had placed the items there himself, city officials said yesterday.

The man was suspended last week for performance-related issues and will likely face additional punishment, fire officials said.

Sterling Clifford, a spokesman for the Police Department and for Mayor Sheila Dixon, said the man admitted to the hoax and will not face criminal charges.

Officials identified the firefighter who they say acknowledged writing the note as Donald Maynard, a firefighter-paramedic apprentice who is black.

Posted by Doug at 8:31 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Nagin Suspects a Plot To Keep Blacks Away

New Orleans Mayor C. Ray Nagin has suggested that the slow recovery and rebuilding of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina -- which has prevented many black former residents from returning -- is part of a plan to change the racial makeup and political leadership of his and other cities.

.

"Ladies and gentlemen, what happened in New Orleans could happen anywhere," Nagin said at a dinner sponsored by the National Newspaper Publishers Association, a trade group for newspapers that target black readers. "They are studying this model of natural disasters, dispersing the community and changing the electoral process in that community."

Nagin suggested his chance at reelection in the mayoral race had seemed slim because "they dispersed all of our people across 44 states with one-way tickets." "They thought they were talking about a different kind of New Orleans," Nagin said. "They didn't realize that folks were awake, that they were paying attention."

Posted by Doug at 7:37 AM | Permalink | Comments (1) | TrackBacks (0)

(H/T: FoxNews)

If you are unfamiliar with the notion of slave reparations (yup, a few of my notions about it too) can be seen here.

Federal Appeals Court Rejects Slave Descendants Reparations Claims

The three-judge panel of the 7th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed a lower court ruling that slave descendants have no standing to sue for reparations based on injustices suffered by ancestors and that the statute of limitations ran out more than a century ago.

A group of African-Americans had sued a number of large companies, seeking redress for claims of injury from the effects of their participating in the slave trade.  I have yet to decide if this is really an attempt for "social justice" or a shakedown; I am just cynical enough (given that only LARGE companies were sued) to believe it is the latter, with enough of the former for publicity sake (although there may be true believers in this crowd).

As I stated before, not good policy and if this movement ever gets a legal victory, you might as well kiss our legal system goodbye.  Why? Just the sheer weight of suits against any company or person with financial wherewithal that could ever be connected to slavery will be at risk. 

Then the next stage will start - you think politics is full of rancor now?   

The opinion, written by Judge Richard A. Posner, said that "statutes of limitations would be toothless" if descendants could collect damages for wrongs against their ancestors.

[snip] 

The panel also said the descendants lacked standing to sue because their links to the slaves were distant.

And these is one of the most powerful and practical reasons not let this proceed - fraud. 

Continue reading "Slave Reparations - uh-uh" »

Posted by Skip at 8:01 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Update 1

 Now add to the list that Muslim cab drivers in Minneapolis-St Paul - transsexuals (Fox 9)

This is starting to turn out to be quite the collection of identity politics groups!  Forget the ring, we're going to need a CAGE MATCH! 

=========================== 

Or is it racism?  Or is in religious intolerance to a sub-group, or a sub-group's intolerance towards a given religion?

Well, it isn't a Christian religion, nor Jewish, Hindu, Shinto, Zorasterism, American Indian, Mayan, Wiccan, Voodoo, or pagan (of many derivatives).  Yup, Islam has put itself into the news, once again.Now, to be sure, it isn't even about an imam or a mosque, or even an advocacy group (like CAIR)!  Saints preserve us!

First, from News.com.au is this story:

MUSLIM taxi drivers are refusing to carry blind passengers with their guide dogs or anyone carrying alcohol.

At least 20 dog-aided blind people have lodged discrimination complaints with the Victorian Taxi Directorate. Dozens more have voiced their anger. And there have been several complaints that drivers refuse to allow passengers to carry sealed bottles of alcohol.

[snip]

One Muslim driver, Imran, said yesterday the guide dog issue was difficult for him. I don't refuse to take people, but it's hard for me because my religion tells me I should not go near dogs," he said.

Wouldn't this then, be a clue, to NOT put yourself into a situation where you will discriminate against someone who does not share your religious beliefs?  Do I dare say chutpah? 

Oh, and LGF is reporting more here, in Britan and Norway. 

Continue reading "Let's talk about discrimination, shall we?" »

Posted by Skip at 8:10 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I have no idea where or how I stumbled across this article, but it has driven me nuts ever since. There are times that I really have to wonder about some people and just where they come up with this stuff. They just seem to want to take things to the nearest cliff and in the process of throwing it off, keep holding on and go over the edge with it (or is that the other way around?).

That just about sums up this whole idea of "white privilege" - over a cliff. I don't mean to make light of what they are talking about - what is wrong is wrong is wrong, period.  Racism of white on black or black on white , or any other combination of white, black, brown, yellow, red, green with blue polka dots (c'mon, I gotta keep this just a bit light hearted) is wrong.  As I have said here on the Grok before, until we all get to the point of being completely color blind, racism isn't going to go away.  Period.  And there are some people that keep it alive on purpose, and some don't mean to but their attempts to get rid of it invoke the Law of Unintended Consequences and end up keepping it alive.

The former are represented by such "power" or "supremacy" groups such as the Black Panthers, the Ku Klux Klan, the Nation of Islam, and Neo-Nazis.  Without the overt racism that already exists or that they foment, they would be out of business pronto.  Unfortunately, there are also folks that seem to be professionals at this as well.  Even if some may not like it, I put folks like the (Reverends) Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton into this group (I'd do the same with white equivalents but I just am running dry on names while I write this - please let me know if you have some).  No way do I put them into the same category as the above hate groups, but their actions and words do keep racism alive despite their words decrying it.

And then there are those think that it is implicitly in all of us, like the author of this article, Elizabeth Bauchner.  It starts out innocently enough:

Last month, my 7-year-old son and I were in the car when he asked me, "Mom, when you grow up, do you get to do whatever you want, or do other people tell you what to do?"

And she's off and heading towards the cliff from there....

Continue reading "Another hokey idea that helps no one" »

Posted by Skip at 8:04 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

Once again, we get a notification of possible terrorism in the air.  By now, most of us have seen the news that a group of passengers on a Northwest Airlines were not exactly behaving well at takeoff - passing cell phones around, unbuckling from their seats.  When the crew decides that they've had enough, the air marshalls took over and the pilot turned the plane back to Schiphol, Netherlands being escorted by Dutch F-16s.

Again, being politically correct, the men were described as being "South Asian" - in other words and being perfectly blunt - Muslim.  Yet, the major media can't take things serious enough to correctly give us the real news.  And remember, it was just a little while ago that the plot to take 10 planeloads of people out of the sky was broken up by those of the same faith.

True to form, who has to trumpet the inequality of the situation?  Yup, CAIR - the Council for American-Islamic Relations (whose founders have ties to terrorist organization) immediately comes to  accuse not those fomenting terror and panic in the skies, but those trying to protect us.  And why am I not surprised that the ACLU is helping out?

LGF points out this Reuters report: 

NEW YORK (Reuters) - The American Civil Liberties Union and a leading Islamic group on Wednesday accused security officials at New York’s JFK airport of racially profiling Muslims.

Wait a sec here...

Continue reading "There are no civil rights when you are approaching room temperature" »

Posted by Skip at 8:06 AM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I was more than a little disturbed when I read this.  In my opinion, this is nothing more than trying to knuckle down a group that has done far more good "for the children" than not in all its years. (Full Disclosure: I was a Cub Scout for a number of years many years ago, but only stayed a year in the Boy Scouts - just didn't like the guys in the troop).

Here's the headline:

Diaz seeks 'dialogue' with Boy Scouts

The solicitor says his own homosexuality didn't enter into the city's effort to force the local chapter to denounce antigay bias.

City Solicitor Romulo L. Diaz Jr. said a recent push to force the Cradle of Liberty Boy Scouts Council to denounce the national organization's antigay policy had nothing to do with his own homosexuality.

My problem right off the bat is that I doubt his words that it isn't based on himself.  And I have a hard time with the phrasing of the tag line, where it tries to protray, automatically, that the Boy Scouts are in the wrong.  And, I believe this is certainly a case where he should be recusing himself because of his sexuality for a conflict of interest. Indeed, this phrase would be screamed out if a "traditionalist" with a chip on his shoulder was persuing a more progressive group. Frankly, this is nothing more than a blatant stab at once again forcing a political correctness mind set on a traditional morals based group that doesn't want it.

"My own sexuality, my own sexual orientation, has never been hidden and never played into my decision," Diaz said in an interview yesterday with The Inquirer. "It has, perhaps, made me more sensitive to the issues."

"I'm trying to figure out what their policy means. Do they intend to discriminate against openly gay Boy Scouts?" he said.

Ya think? Just a little?  Again, a little "painting" of the issue going on here?  Contrast "...nothing to do with his own homosexuality..." and "....more sensitive to the issues." to "force the local chapter to denounce antigay bias".

Continue reading "Discrimination works both ways" »

Posted by Skip at 6:00 PM | Permalink | Comments (0) | TrackBacks (0)

I am a software engineer/consultant/add-you-own-title-here. From my view point, when I look at another person in professional life, I look to see if the other person can code well, takes responsibility for their mistakes, what tasks they can do well, and if they treat me and others in a friendly sort of way. Given that all those are satisified, I don't much care if they are white, black, brown, yellow, or green with purple spots and spiked hair (or no hair).  It all comes down to can they do the job, and not tick the rest of us off in the process? That's what I judge people on.

When meeting somebody in other circumstances, I will eyeball them – first impressions do count. Are they friendly? Do they operate according to most social norms (granted all of us, at one time or another, can act like idiots...moi included)? Do they love their spouses and kids? Do they pay their taxes and follow all applicable laws the majority of the time (yes, we all do screw up from time to time - that's why speeding tickets exist)? Do these things, and I'm ok with them and willing to give them a shot.

The last thing that I judge people on is their skin color; I really could care less. Yet, THIS is being thrown in my face as if I am personally responsible for it. Why? Because I'm white. Because, being a middle aged, educated, professional in suburbia (ok, in rural America) , somehow I benefited from practices that were in place over a hundred years ago in America. White privilege, white power, whites in control.....from those that are pushing for slave reparations, I should ante up.

Not a freakin' chance.

Continue reading "Why should I have to?" »

Posted by Skip at 2:57 PM | Permalink | Comments (5) | TrackBacks (0)