I'll bet my title caught your attention. I think that was what Larry Elders was trying to do as well when he named his new book, "Stupid Black Men." Because his book isn't about stupid black men. It's about stupid ideas. It's about the ridiculous notion that America is a racist nation. That is not to say that there are not many racist people in America. There certainly are. But I believe that most of us are not. But there are others who use race (see Al Sharpton) to gain power and money in a community. I wonder if we have so diluted the word "racist," that it doesn't mean anything anymore. It's just a dagger to throw.
Mr. Elders is a few years older than I am, but he remembers, as I do, a time when blacks were hosed and beaten with no recourse. He remembers when racism was so much a part of the American experience that it was accepted and condoned. And like myself, he feels such pride in so much accomplished in just our lifetime. From Supreme Court Justices, to Governors, to Cabinet posts, to Oscar winners, to CEO of companies. Blacks have "overcome" and more.
I know many white people were shocked by Obama's former pastor's words that were played over and over on TV. We wondered how many black people felt that America was run by "rich white folks." We wondered how pervasive these kinds of beliefs were. After reading Elders book, I felt a profound sense of sadness, because I hadn't realized how effective people like Al Sharpton, Maxine Waters, Julian Bond,Charles Rangel, and Jesse Jackson had been in convincing so many in the black community that "the white man" was keeping them down. The examples throughout the book are too numerous to list. I especially felt sadness over the treatment of black conservatives like Michael Steele, Condi Rice, and Colin Powell.
Al Sharpton is regularly offended on behalf of all black people when anyone uses derogatory remarks against blacks. He made sure all of us knew who Don Imus was after Imu's racially insensitive remarks. He milked it for all it's worth, as he does with those kinds of things. It reminded me of something.
A few years ago I was at my daughter's high school track meet at a predominantly black school. I sat a few feet from a black woman about my age. Behind us was a large group of black high school students (with a few whites mixed in) They were yelling and joshing with each other in a friendly way. We hear the N-word yelled loudly at someone. We both turned to look, but it was just students playing around. We listened for a few more minutes as they used the N-word over and over. We both looked at each other and shook our heads. I know she was thinking the same thing I was. That our generation had fought so hard for that word to become unacceptable, and now our children's generation used it freely and often. If Sharpton wants to be offended, he can walk down the hall of any high school in America. But then he wouldn't make money or get camera time off that.
In his book, Elders reminds us of the history of the Republican party as the party that ended slavery. But the Democrats have successfully painted an erroneous picture of the Republican party as a racist party and anyone black who joins us is a "Uncle Tom." The Republicans let it happen too. We gave up on the black vote and that was just wrong.
But this book isn't really about party affiliation. It's about blame. People like Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson make a living off blaming white America. When other black voices speak out, even ones who are not conservative, like Bill Cosby, they are roundly condemned.
This book lets one step back and look at the picture of black America from a different perspective. If you are black or liberal or both, you need to read this book. Seeing the race war written down and seeing how some have used it, will surprise you no matter what your political affiliation.
We have never and never will have a colorblind society, and why would we even want one? We are all creatures of our experience. How boring if we were all alike? Our color and our gender and where we were raised forms us. Why should we deny any of it? We can't point out the differences in how we look at things? We can't talk about it? White people now feel they can't speak about color or differences. They might be called racist. It diminishes our understanding of each other and keeps us from finding solutions to common problems or problems that are specific to our upbringing.
I wrote recently about the statistic of out of wedlock births in the black community. That is a problem, but there are other statistics that hardly ever get mentioned and certainly not by the likes of the racebaiters. For example, the number of black owned businesses grew 45% from 1997-2002. A growth rate faster than any other race or ethnicity (including white). The revenues of these businesses increased by 30% (compared to a 5% increase for whites) In other words, blacks are doing just fine. The "white man" isn't keeping them down.
One main point of Elder's book is that he feels that so many so called "black leaders," the media, and the Democratic party send a destructive message to the black community that hard work and self responsibility does not apply to blacks. He wants those in the black community who believe that, to end the blame game and move forward to solve their own problems.
Saturday, April 26, 2008
"Stupid Black Men"
Friday, April 25, 2008
Rev. Wright and the gospel of anger
Wright complains to Bill Moyers on PBS:
"The persons who have heard the entire sermon understand the communication perfectly," he said. "When something is taken like a sound bite for a political purpose and put constantly over and over again, looped in the face of the public, that's not a failure to communicate. Those who are doing that are communicating exactly what they want to do, which is to paint me as some sort of fanatic.."
Wright insisted that he and Obama never talked politics:
"It went down very simply. He's a politician, I'm a pastor. We speak to two different audiences. And he says what he has to say as a politician. I say what I have to say as a pastor. But they're two different worlds."
......
"I don't talk to him about politics," Wright said. "
Yet, Obama appointed Wright to his campaign advisory committee.
Look, the idea that his sermons were taken "out of context"is absurd. Why doesn't someone just straight out ask him,"Do you really believe that the CIA and the govt distributed drugs in the inner cities in order to jail blacks? Yes or No? Do you think they also spread AIDS in the black community for the same reason? Yes or No? Do you believe that because of America's past "sins" of slavery, wars, and policies that we got what we deserved on 9-11? Yes or No.
How difficult is it to ask these things?
We all know the answers though. The answers are yes. And maybe Obama doesn't believe these things, but many blacks do and that it is the most disturbing thing to come out of all of this.
In Larry Elders book, "Stupid Black Men." (which I will write about Monday) He quotes a black economist and TV pundit Julianne Malveaux on the Hannity and Colmes show long before the Wright controversy came to light. Malveaus said this:
"Terrorism in the United States is as old as we are. You want me to give you a litany of terrorism? You want me to start with what's happened to the Indian population? You want to go on to what happened in Tulsa, Oklahoma, in 1921?...We are the terrorists." Hannity then ask her if we are a terrorist nation and she answered, "Oh absolutely....the chickens have come back to roost."
Sound familiar? This kind of belief didn't start with Rev. Wright. It now snakes it way through the black community through people just like Wright and Malveaus. It's time we all paid attention to it. It sows the seed of racial hatred.
Obama says he never heard anything but love and faith from Wright, but who can seriously believe that? In his taped sermons Wright uses the "n-word,” he uses profanity, and when yelling about Bill Clinton he said that Bill was “ridin’ dirty” with Monica, and he seems to be simulating sexual intercourse from the pulpit. Wright referred to Justice Thomas as "Clarence Colon" and Sec. Condi Rice as "Condamnesia."
A preacher of love and faith? Please. When one let's such words of meaness out of their mouth, it is easy to "paint" one as a fanatic.
Obama insists that he doesn't agree with Wright on these things. I hope to God he really doesn't.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Democrats! Make up your mind!
Language warning. But it's just too funny. Especially all the sterotypes of both sides. via HotAir
Wednesday, April 23, 2008
Obama's problem now
Sure, it's mainly Hillary's urelenting desire to win, but there is something that has been on my mind that no one has mentioned.
When Obama won Iowa he gave a speech that was one of the best political speeches I have heard in my lifetime. It was inspiring and uplifting. I was impressed by him. I wrote about whether the Democrats would nominate this refreshing breath of fresh air or the manipulating power machine that is Hillary.
But I didn't know who Obama was then. I took him at face value.
We know more about him now. And that is a problem for him. As I have watched all the speeches that he has given that have followed, I have notice that he isn't as inspiring and his rhetoric seems commonplace. I wondered what happened.
You see, Obama's biggest problem is that the wonderful inspiring speech he gave in Iowa is the kind of speech you can only give once. You can only speak in glowing vague terms for so long. When you are running for President you have to get beyond the platitudes. You have to tell us how you will do the things you promise.
You have to tell us who you are and what you believe.
Between all the associations of Obama's. From a unrepentant terrorist William Ayers, to his anti American pastor , to indicted political fundraiser Tony Rezko , and his far left votes in the Senate, we all learned who Obama really was.
He wasn't the uniter we had hope for. He showed his true feelings at a private fundraiser in San Francisco saying condescendingly that many people cling to their religion and guns and are bitter.
His speeches now resemble most political speeches. He defends himself against attacks and he attacks back.
That one speech in Iowa was his high point I'm afraid.
Obama may be a wonderful person. But his view of America is very different from mine. I don't think he sees America as "a shining city on hill" as Reagan did. When I listen to him, I don't think he sees much good about America, except for the fact that many Democrats seem willing to elect him now. It is certainly the only thing that has made Michelle Obama proud in her adult lifetime. We know that.
But America is a nation of greatness. It is a nation that allowed my father, a child of poverty, born of a teenage mother who raised him alone, to be successful enough to give back to his country. Not only by his service in the army, but back to his community in a dozen different ways. It's a nation that isn't perfect, but strives to make right the wrongs. It is full of generous and loving people.
That is the way I see this nation. I just don't think Obama sees it that way, and that is really his problem now.
Remind me. Who exactly is bitter in Pennsylvania?
Commenters from The Huffington Post:
*I'm tired of being represented by uneducated, rural voters. I want an IQ test given out with registration cards. No brain, no vote!
*Race is a major factor. Some people would rather die than admit that there are people of color better qualified to do a job than a so-called white man or woman.
*You are so very right!! I have racest red-necks in my extended Wva. family I'm ashamed to say that they will never vote for a non white person, the stupid bastards would rather starve to death. S I say let them starve!!!!
*I grew up on the border in NY just north of Scranton. I moved from there as soon as I could because of the ignorant racist people in my family and at large in the area. The people are mainly uneducated whites with a tendency towards racism due to the fact that the only black people they've ever met are on the nightly news doing something wrong. I am from a family of racists and I believe in Senator Obama. They are still racist, and members of the NRA and, unfortunately, they vote!
*I grew up southern. Many GA friends asend me emails that Obama is really Bin Laden's second cousin, or trained in a terrorist camp when he was six, or something equally nonsensical.
*Pennsylvania is a racist state. I live here. I also have lived in other states, but given the vast number of old people and the lack of education of the majority, there is no doubt in my mind race played a large role in Clinton's victory. I have talked to many people about this election and have heard the things the pollsters don't hear. The ignorance makes me ill. People chop off their nose to spite their face.
Just Go!
This is what Maureen Dowd at the NYT is saying to Hillary. She paraphrases a Dr. Suess book at the end of this article:
“The time has come. The time has come. The time is now. Just go. ... I don’t care how. You can go by foot. You can go by cow. Hillary R. Clinton, will you please go now! You can go on skates. You can go on skis. ... You can go in an old blue shoe.
Just go, go, GO!”
But Hillary isn't going. The only place she is going is Denver.
God forbid I should defend Hillary in any way, but it really is something that so many in the media have called for her to just give up. I was watching her speech last night and I thought to myself, "Who are these people voting for Hillary??" Well, maybe I don't understand them and maybe I think they are looney, but they have a right to vote for who they wish and they want Hillary obviously.
And let's not forget Florida and Michigan. The story ain't over there folks. Hillary will make sure of that.
How surreal and delightful to read both sides of the democrats going at each other in the same manner they usually go after us.
In the HuffingtonPost link, Greg Mitchell makes the point that it was simply those racist blue collar white Democrats that put Hillary over the top in Penn. You will also read in the comments that sexist, post menopausal women are also to blame. Read on and you will see that ignorance abounds in the Democratic party and it is just driving those smart Democrats crazy!
I have to laugh not only at the complete disarray and infighting in the Democratic party right now, but how vicious they can be to each other on issues where they are suppose to be oh so tolerant about; race and gender.
What is happening here is the true colors of the Democratic party on display for all to see.
It's not a pretty picture, but is about time America saw it.
In case you missed it...
In their ongoing evangelism of hate, The Westboro Baptist Church went after the Pope last week.
Being disgusted by them is the one thing that unites all of us on the right and the left.
Double standards. What's new?
The bloggers were all over it and it even got a mention on cable news, how Bill Clinton told a radio show that Obama played the race card against him in South Carolina, and then denied saying it later to another reporter.
First, I haven't seen a follow up on this. Is anyone going to ask Clinton why he lied about what he said? Or are we just so used to his lies that it doesn't matter anymore?
But another interesting part of this is when Clinton is hanging up on a reporter/interviewer, doesn't realize he can still be heard, and turns to someone and says " I don’t think I can take any s*** from anybody on that, do you?”
Imagine if Cindy McCain has said that? Or even Michelle Obama? OMG, it's all we would be hearing about today.
I suppose we really have come to the point where we expect no class from some and we accept it, but heaven forbid if the ones we expect class from makes a mistake.
Tuesday, April 22, 2008
Hillary wins Pennsylvania
This just gets better and better.
Good grief.
See now, this is what happens when candidates reduce themselves to this kind of thing. At first I couldn't believe this video was from the actual WWE, but it is. Good grief. And the candidates taped their little funnies from before.
Does it strike anyone else that Obama's big ears are a bit much? I felt uncomfortable watching it. But I suppose when the left has spent 8 years putting a monkey's face and ears on Bush, anything goes, right?
I know it's fine to make fun of candidates. But the candidates don't have to be a part of it, for God's sake.
I'm disgusted. What's next? I'm waiting for MAD TV to do some low brow humor about McCain's POW stay or Obama being thrown back into time during slavery and he's owned by one of Hillary's descendants. Or has that already happened on one of these shows and I missed it?
Ugh.
via HotAir
"Do you think Obama is a Muslim?"
This was a question I was asked many times by people (who shall remain nameless) in the last few weeks. These were not uneducated people. In some cases I was really surprised by who asked the question. Obviously they aren't the only ones asking the question.
I assured them that I did not believe that Obama was some sort of hidden Muslim, but this is another problem of Obama's. There are many many more who are suspicious. It will be an undercurrent in the election if he wins the nomination, and it won't be polled or talked about, but it will drive many to the voting booth when the time comes.
No one wants to talk about it. But it is there. Make no mistake about it. And no assurances from someone like me or even Obama, that he is not a Muslim, will convince them. It will affect this election more than anyone imagines.
I'm sure it's one concern that Hillary will bring up in secret to the superdelegates, but it will never be mentioned out loud.
If Obama wins the nomination, the polling really will not tell us the whole story.
More on McCain's "Time for Action"
Not only do I admire McCain for traveling into rural Alabama, where it is almost impossible to garner much support, but I totally agree with it and have long encouraged Republicans to reach out to those who don't normally vote Republican (like the black community). It may seem especially a waste of time in an election year where a black man is running for President. But just garnering votes shouldn't be the main concern of someone running for President. As McCain said yesterday, he is running for President of all the people, not just the ones who vote for him.
Republicans should follow in his footsteps. I have always said that our message of self reliance, free markets, less taxes, and less regulation and a deep belief in our Democracy and the sanctity of life and marriage is a message that resounds in everyone, no matter what color or creed.
The poor need to be lifted up, not to be held up for life, but to be able to stand on their own feet. We take away dignity when we take away a person's self reliance. There are, of course, those who cannot make it on their own. The elderly poor and the disabled and others, and there should certainly be a safety net for them. But our net today isn't a safety net, it's net that tangles and captures the poor in a never ending struggle in which they are never freed.
McCain spoke to those who may never vote for him, but he will, as he said, still be their President and his coming to speak to them reminds that he cares for them. This is important. Republicans could do well to emulate McCain.
Monday, April 21, 2008
Hillary is going to kick a**
And she doesn't care who knows it:
Clinton further displayed tough talk in an interview airing on "Good Morning America" Tuesday. ABC News' Chris Cuomo asked Clinton what she would do if Iran attacked Israel with nuclear weapons.
"I want the Iranians to know that if I'm the president we will attack Iran," Clinton said. "In the next ten years, during which they might foolishly consider launching an attack on Israel, we would be able to totally obliterate them."
My God, she's shooting shots, talking about guns, calling herself the "Hil-Rod." and now she is threatening Iran.
What's next? Channeling Katharine Hepburn or attending a Ted Nugent concert?
via HotAir
Recorded messages for the WWE tonight
SOMEBODY MAKE IT STOP!!
GIVE THE CANDIDATES BACK THEIR CLASS!!!!!
STOP THE MADNESS!!!!!!!!
VIA THE CORNER
Too funny
You have to laugh at MSNBC giving us not only the poll numbers for Hillary and Obama in Pennsylvania,but to show us the poll numbers of Pennysylvania bowlers. That's right. Bowlers perfer Hillary 54% to Obama's 33% with 13% undecided bowlers.
Could this primary get any more surreal?
via Gawker
Who can really bring us together?
Not only do I think McCain will win, but I don't think it will even be close (at least comparatively speaking). Whether Hillary or Obama win their nomination, both are too flawed for the general.
First there is Hillary, whose past friends and cabinet members like Bill Richardson and Robert Reich, and John Kerry, can't even manage to support her. Which shows what a truly unlikable person she really is. When your friends don't even think you should be President, then why should America?
Then there is Obama. After the initial lovefest with the media, he is now being seen for who he really is. He is the most far left Senator who has never crossed the aisle to unite in any way. His associations with nefarious characters and his inexperience in foreign policy is just beginning to be revealed. It doesn't help that he is endorsed by terrorists groups.
Meanwhile McCain, who many on the right disagree with on certain issues, has shown he can work with Democrats and win their support. He is showing who he always was and is, an honest man with the experience we need. Not to mention a promise to get rid of the Alternative Minimum Tax, which alone is reason enough to vote for him, but there is so much more. McCain is also reaching out to those who don't normally vote Republican.
When you step back and compare McCain with Hillary or Obama, there is no comparison. It is clear that McCain is by far the one who can lead this country without divisiveness.
Bush's tax cuts for the rich?
Hmm?....... From Taxfoundation.org:
Updated: This has been corrected from an e-mail that made the rounds. The tax cuts aren't as deep as was posted before under Bush, but still we paid less taxes. The middle class clearly benefited from paying less taxes. Something we won't see under Democrat leadership. See chart here.
Thanks to Druzzle for the correction.
"Time For Action"
Today is the first day of McCain's "Time for Action" tour, in Selma and Thomasville, Alabama. The following is the close of his remarks at Selma today. (They were sent early by his campaign)
My friends, Americans change things. We always have. We don’t hide from problems or mistakes or history. We change things and we make history. Hope in America is not based in delusion, but in the faith that everything is possible in America. The time for pandering and false promises is over. It is time for action. It is time for change; the right kind of change; change that trusts in the strength of free people and free markets; change that doesn’t return to policies that empower government to make our choices for us, but that works to ensure we have choices to make for ourselves. For we have always trusted Americans to build from the choices they make for themselves, a safer, stronger and more prosperous country than the one they inherited.
I have always believed in this country, in a good America, a great America. But I have always believed we can build a better America. I am here because it is a place where great Americans once fought to do just that, and I’m going to places where they are still fighting for change; to make us a better country. I am going to meet and learn from patriots.
