Reject the politics of hatePosted Wednesday, August 18, 2010, at 12:57 PM
The politics of hate is getting increasing press these days, with most of the rhetoric coming from the radical Republican right wing.
Make no mistake about it, we do not believe many of the views of the radical right represent those of reasonable Republicans. But they are clearly tarring the Grand Old Party with a brush of bigotry and hate. The most reviled man in this country right now, by their standards, would be a gay Hispanic muslim. If that poor man accidentally walked into a Tea Party convention he'd probably be stoned to death. Proposition 8 in California has focused attention on the rights of people who have "alternate sexual orientations." Despite overwhelming evidence to the contrary, gay-bashers are convinced that homosexuals will destroy the fabric of society and are trying to drive them back into the closet, seeking to deny them basic and fundamental rights. Proposition 8 was a knee-jerk and visceral reaction to a change in society's attitudes, and the arguments being used remind us eerily of the 18th-century arguments to oppose marriages based on "love," not family arrangement. The mosque in New York City has become a lightning rod for those who believe all muslims are evil. They would toss out the constitutional right to freedom of religion in favor of their hate for muslims. Granted, the people who proposed the mosque could (and should) have been a little more sensitive and found a site a little further away than ground zero of the 9/11 attacks. But simply because some radical muslim clerics around the world have preached a message of hate doesn't mean all muslims embrace that message. We've had nationally-recognized Christian religious leaders in this country (many warmly embraced by the radical right) who also have preached messages of hate, violence and intolerance, but that doesn't make all Christians evil people. Hardly. Finally, the significant problem of illegal immigrants in this country, most of them Hispanic, and the rising tide of narco-terrorism in Mexico that is starting to spill over into the United States, have resulted in a growing resentment -- egged on by the hate-mongers, many of them seeking personal political advantage we might note -- against anyone of Hispanic descent in the United States, citizen or not. They've even turned to attacking children now, those born in the United States by parents who aren't American citizens. In that specific case, the 14th Amendment probably does need to be clarified. We'd just change it to grant citizenship to any child born anywhere in the world, who has at least one parent who is an American citizen (which would have cleared up the silly arguments involving President Reagan's birth). We also clearly need to make a serious effort to stop illegal immigration and remove those in our country who are here illegally, but we need to do it through a set of constitutionally acceptable laws that don't simply target people with brown skin. We can do it by firming up laws to make sure people don't hire illegal immigrants and by allowing law enforcement agencies to check on citizenship status for anyone and everyone arrested for a crime. And we need a greatly expanded border patrol (interesting that Arizona's governor didn't use her National Guard to improve border security, because she didn't want to pay for it, but demanded the national government federalize guardsmen to do the job, even though as federal troops -- unlike a state militia called out by a governor-- they have no law-enforcement power). Opponents of these hate-mongers are standing on the firm foundation of the Constitution, which among other things was designed to stifle even a majority of opinion if it would lead to a tyranny. Sometimes, the Constitution is a slippery surface, but in the face of all adversity it is always wise to stand on its basic principals, even if some of us wish we could solve our problems by other, often more draconian, means. The Constitution protects us all, including those we sometimes wish it wouldn't. That gay Hispanic muslim should have no fewer rights than any of the rest of us. The Constitution says so. H.L. Mencken once noted, "The trouble with fighting for human freedom is that one spends most of one's time defending scoundrels. For it is against scoundrels that oppressive laws are first aimed, and oppression must be stopped at the beginning if it is to be stopped at all." Which is why the hate-mongers among us must be repudiated. For if they succeed, what might their next target be? Oppression tends to gain momentum, like an avalanche, until all are caught in its path and destroyed. We need reasoned debate and reasonable solutions to our problems, not the pitchforks and torches of mob rule that the hate-mongers are trying to incite. They are far more dangerous to our nation than any terrorist could ever dream of being. Comments Showing comments in chronological order [Show most recent comments first] |
Meanderings of the Managing Editor  - Archives - Blog RSS feed ![[Feed icon]](http://www.mountainhomenews.com/images/icons/feed-icon-14x14.png){kind=icon} - Comments RSS feed - Login Hot topics Yet more jobs for robots(2 ~ 12:18 PM, Mar 21)
We're probably safe
Does GOP need *every* seat?
More funds for education needed
Beware of 'victory disease'
|
Email link
Read comments (53)
Blog archive
It is not hate, only showing sensitivity to the victims of 911. The Moslems have made it a practice to build Mosques over the religious or cultural areas they conquer. Where was their sensativity when the build the Dome of the Rock over the Jewish Temple site.
Gay marraige is an act that will destroy traditional marriage. It is not from hate that we fight it, it is to protect all society. History has shown over and over when you devalue and destroy the family, the nation falls.
Homosexuality is a preversion from the natural course of develeopment. We all go through a phase where we love those members of the same sex, but not in a sexual way. In the past, homosexuals never got married as they entered only highly promiscuious relationships (Like the bath house of San Francisco which are still in operation.) Now they are trying to force their lifestyle that is chosen, not geneitc, upon the rest of us. Give them equal rights, there is domestic partnerships which they have, but don't destroy marriage just so they can feel good about themselves. In the Bible it is clearly an abomination. God is unchageable. God loves all this children including the homosexuals, he just hates the sin.
Perhaps you could quit drinking and typing at the same time.
Governor Brewer is ALREADY being sued for doing the job the FEDS are supposed to be doing, so the Feds SHOULD be paying for it, and they should be using the money they GIVE AWAY to all of these foreign nations.
The Constitution is not a "smorgasboard" to where you can just stand behind the parts that benefit YOU. We need to follow it ALL or follow it not.
"Hate-mongers."...........Thomas Jefferson and friends would be called "radical nazis if they were alive today.
Our country is under seige from within as well as without, and seriously needs to be taken back. The actual "war on terrorism" (oops----I forgot we aren't supposed to USE that word anymore)...........the ACTUAL war on terrorism should rightfully begin on Capitol Hill.
Be careful, moore219............straight talk and common sense tend to draw endless communistic drivel on these blogsites.
Amen Zook, amen.
The Islamic religion did not attack America. A small group of Muslims who oppose their religion decided to break off and attack America.
Islam is actually a peaceful religion. The majority of Muslims actually respect Christianity. I am not sure if building a ...Mosque near ground zero might be the right place, but in America we have the freedom of religion.
Ms Marylin,
You have an incurable disease...you think a rat can be a rabbit if you treat it like a bunny.
well i can see that kelley was talking to the wall......and to zook.....what you threw out there ....thats what people throw when other people dont go along with there radical ideas....what say you to the idea that you could be the communist you accuse other people of being.....or better still, other peoples opinions are drivel??......just who do you think you are????not only do you not respect others, you dont even show respect for yourself
Lamont,
"pot meet kettle" LOL
What are only YOUR opinions valid? The term hypocrit comes to mind.
Who do I think I am? I'm an AMERICAN! Whose side our YOU on?
I still have respect for what USED to be this country, and am sick of seeing it turned into some sideshow.
I am fortunately NOWHERE NEAR alone on this either, as I'll touch on in a few minutes.
I've had ample opportunity now to talk and listen to a few folks in at least a dozen other states.....having just returned from that D.C. trip.
We CATER, and we CATER, and we CATER SOME MORE, until we would eventually cater ourselves into oblivion.
And just what IS a radical idea? That what SHOULD be hallowed ground actally be respected? Yeah, I guess that WOULD be a pretty "radical" idea in 2010, wouldn't it!
I was just at Arlington a week ago. Should some neo-nazi party be allowed to build a training camp next door to that cemetary?
Maybe you think it would be some kind of "freedom of expression" for the Japanese to build some great monument at PEARL HARBOR, honoring those aircraft carrier "heroes" on Dec 7th, eh?
Even that idiot Harry Reid had enough respect to break from Obama the other day and say that it SHOULD be built somewhere else.........Even REID!
Nobody is denying these "Christian-loving Muslims" to build yet ANOTHER mosque in this country, MsMarylin (although if you check the books, you'll find that almost every major act of terrorism from Bobby Kennedy's assassination to the most recent of suidide bombings, have been committed by MUSLIMS).......but it is HIGHLY offensive to most AMERICANS that it be built next to the very site of 9/11.
Of course, we all have to remember that we have have a regime and mindset in charge that doesn't want to OFFEND anybody........
Except US! It doesn't seem to matter if AMERICANS are offended over anything. It doesn't seem to matter if OUR borders get invaded.
Obama says it's their "RIGHT" to build a mosque wherever they please. Two days later he says he actually has no opinion on it..........figures. This is the same guy who voted "present" 129 times as a State Senator.
Next thing you know, we'll be seeing special sections in the stores all in Arabic, as we cater to THEM too.
We already ARE, apparently, with this mosque business
We are just so HATEFUL, aren't we?
We should just roll over............suck it up, and ALLOW those who spit on us to just do WHATEVER THEY WANT in our country that most of THEM have DEFECTED to, in order to escpe from THEIRS.
Oh yes, THAT would be the politically correct thing to do.
And by all means.......let's not OFFEND any of these friggin' cultures whose aim is to eliminate us over HERE and put their OWN flags in-place of ours.
Yeah baby........let's not be "mean-spirited" toward those who seek our demise.
And it IS "DRIVEL" Lamont...........when people start being start being "politically correct" and stop being Americans.........
When people get so friggin' concerned about the "rights of foreigners" that they don't even see their OWN rights giving way for it.......
it IS "drivel", and doesn't RATE being taken as anything more.
But I am happy to report that what I discussed and overheard from Wyoming to Virginia, never came from FOX or CNN.
When casually talking with others from place to place, the most common response I got, came under the heading of "DON'T GET ME STARTED." I feel pretty good, that even many who were fooled once, aren't going to be fooled again, and that we will definitely start purging the vermin OUT 74 days from now.
I suppose it's ok with YOU Lamont, that we are giving millions of taxpayer dollars now to help the Mexican government, while we SUE one of our own states for trying to defend itself against the invasion.
I also understand that the guy who just killed those people in Glenns Ferry is an illegal alien............Oh, I am SO SORRY........far be it from ME to PROFILE!
It's ok..............two weeks stop 'n' go on the road didn't give me a complete picture, but it was enough to get a glimpse of this country's pulse, from the west to the hill country and heartland, and even some startling concepts back east, where I thought for SURE that ignorance was running wild. Not necessarily so.
You guys and gals on these Mountain Home blogsites who are pro-American........take heart and keep the faith........I've talked to a lot of people and overheard a lot of conversations in passing over the past 14 days and 5,380 miles.
We "Mountain Home Redneck Hicks" who "cling to our flag, guns and religion".......have a LOT of company out there! With every passing day, one of those D.C. "Komrades" do something to further alienate the voters.
74 days. Hang in there. These liars are going DOWN.
Finally a special "thumbs-up" to Sheriff Joe Arpaio, who ISN'T afraid to be a REAL sheriff, and continues to do what is right for the citizens of his county, in SPITE of the communists back east who are working against him.
With all the violence that has been rained down on illegals and gays and Muslims its a wonder that there are any of them left. You talk about tolerence and resonable debate and then accuse the Tea Party of posessing the will to stone people. Tell me, reporter/research boy, can you tick off a couple of the horribly violent acts that the Tea Party has committed? There was a stoning of a couple a while days back by those peace loving Muslims.
If the klan wanted to put up a swaztika next to the MLK monument, or when you see someone sporting a swaztika tatoo, you question their motives. They have the right to build there and I would be opposed to any law that wouldn't allow them to. I just wonder why they want to. Just because you don't agree with the radical right doesn't mean they don't have the right to voice their opinion.
I haven't seen an "attack" on children or a Tea party stoning. I do see people coming into our country illegally and doing something like killing an American family of four while drunk driving down at Glenns Ferry. I do see people in other countrys that are of the peaceful Muslim religion stoning a couple to death. I do see peaceful Muslim fathers comit honor killings.
Who do I think I am, Lamont????
I'm an AMERICAN.
Whose side are YOU on?
Bazooka, Atomic
Thank you! I am happy and proud to be an American this morning :-)
And our Government has just pledged billions to a self-admitted terrorist nation. Which side is our Government on? That is the billion dollar question.
We have people with kids in this country who live in tents and their vehicles. We have people in this country who cannot find jobs. We have people in this country who have lost their homes, have no jobs, etc. with no help in sight BUT...we have money to give to terrorists.
Priceless. It makes me really proud to be an American. Funny how people who hate us so much seem to have no problem taking our money----and our own Government has no problem sending it to them. Work harder and longer to support terrorists. Yep, this is a proud moment indeed.
AD and Bazooka, you are dead on.
Mabe we should build a monument at Camp Minidoka near Twin Falls
http://farrit.lili.org/node/94
Those that were as little as 1/16th Japanese could be placed in internment camps. There is evidence supporting the argument that the measures were racially motivated, rather than a military necessity. For example, orphaned infants with "one drop of Japanese blood" (as explained in a letter by one official) were included in the program.
I scrolled down to the bottom of the page Clinton made Minidoka a National Monument in 2001 :)
We didn't go around beheading those at Minidoka, did we?......or doing medical experiments, or putting them in gas chambers?
We helped rebuild Japan. They would NOT have done the same were the situation reversed.
We provided the Berlin Airlift to feed and clothe the Germans. Hitler would NEVER have done that.
We saved the French from the Germans-------twice. They spit on us today.
It would be difficult if not impossible to name a country we HAVEN'T helped with taxpayer dollars, at one time or another, and STILL the hand is out for more..........and we are the "dirtiest, most arrogant people" if we don't keep that eternal gravy train going for them.
We are continually asked to be "sensitive, understanding and respectful" to the rest of this "melting pot" as the liberals put it.
They can parade the streets with THEIR foreign flags...........but if OUR kids wear shirts to school with AMERICAN flags on them, they are sent home, so as not to "offend anyone."
Rather than make them learn our language, we provide visual aids in stores, call-buttons on telephone, and make some of the better-paying state jobs available ONLY to those who are bi-lingual.
I just came off a 2-week car-trip where I had to show I.D. just about everywhere I stopped. At three different motels, the desk clerks were of India background. Maybe I should be screaming "PROFILE" eh?
That wouldn't work. Only people from OTHER countries can be "profiled" against.
Only white people can be racist. There are certainly no racists in Al-Quada, the throngs of illegals or the Black Panther Party.
If you are a group of Democrat protestors, you are merely exercising your 1st Amendment rights.
If you are part of a tea party, you are "radical Nazi racist right wing extremists."
We are expected to bend to everyone ELSE's cultures and beliefs, but when we stand together to express OURS, we are "paranoid, arrogant and mean-spirited."
We bash Bush and it's the right thing to do. We bash Obama and we're just "prejudice."
There has been much fervor over the president's birth certificate...........but think about the decisions he has made, that have FAVORED the illegals, the terrorists, the Russians and Iranians...........the allies he has ALIENATED, the takeovers, closed-door policies and now the MANDATES............he doesn't think nor ACT as an American. He has done NOTHING to indicate he is "one of us."
Our enemies get more consideration than WE do.
You out there who support this regime jump right in there when he says it's "constitutional" to allow this mosque to be built at ground zero. Makes me SICK!
Where has Washington's concern for our "Constitution" been on any OTHER issues since the "Annointed One" came to power? Where?
Oh no...........THIS time they can squeeze it in. But they've disregarded it everywhere else, because it doesn't SUIT them to follow it.
This government OFFENDS me! I find the liberals offensive, along with the terrorists and illegals.
But you see...........I'M not ALLOWED to be "offended." I'm just an INFIDEL........a honkie, a gringo..........how DARE I stand up and demand that this government follow the same rules that I'M expected to?
Why is it that if Bazookaman is offended, that's just too bad? But if Bazookaman says something against the takeover of this country.......he is labelled as everything imaginable? WHY is that?
I urge everyone reading this to take a half hour or so to think back as far as you can.......all the way back to your earliest memories. Where you were and where you've come. What you've seen, lived through and experienced.
What you have today.
Ready to give that all up and be fleeced out of existence?
If you have forgotten WHO works for WHO, you need to spend some time at the library.
That mosque near ground zero is in extremely bad taste, but Obama supports it............and that's GOOD. This well may prove to be the "straw that broke the camel's back." Even Democrats lost relatives under all that fire, smoke and rubble. You can bet they haven't forgotten. And THEY vote too.
i am not advocating that they build there i am saying that they have a legal right......and that is what the president said and that is what the constitution says.... and that was all i was saying so get it right.......side i should take a side .......i dont have to i am and american who will fight and die for my country if needed.....but i will not subvert it to be subverted........and i like a lot of other americans who have been and continue to be discriminated against......recognize the intent of people who insist that they can enforce the constituion when they want and ignore it as they see fit.......thats not america or is it.....and those people that got killed where hispanic how ironic is that??????? for me he should get life but im not the judge.....if he gets life or the max on either count he should serve it before they deport him..........what muslims do in a muslim country is there business,its there country
what they do here as guest is our busness and should be treated as such.....we should not blanket and entire group because of the actions of a few that is wrong period.........anybody can be a racist.......it is not a gift to any one group,,,,,,so dont get perionoid.......it is and equal oppertunity sickness........i am pretty moderate but i dont see the need to go to extemes all the time.........stop and consider whats being said........takeovers.......GM.......turning a profit payning us back with intrest and the takeover was a matter of national security.......and a lot of people stayed working......sounds like a winner to me......i understood it that doesnt mean i liked it.......zook do you have to label people????? dems with illegals and terrorist....pretty stong.....some of those same liberals where with you in nam,they died too,they bled too...does that count???????? stop it.........have a great day
Well, ok, but let's look at it a minute.
"Dems with illegals"............which party is behind this Arizona lawsuit? And which party wants to grant amnesty to them?
"Dems with terrorists" The Dems don't even want to call it TERRORISM anymore. And WHO is granting MIRANDA rights and civilian trials for enemy combatants?.............ain't nobody on OUR side!
The Contitution says a LOT of things, but a lot of it is disregarded unless it seems to support particular agendas.
Just curious, Lamont.how are you STILL being discriminated against in 2010? I wouldn't think anyone could hope to get away with that these days.
If there were any liberals in our outfit in 'Nam, they've never made it to any of our reunions, when you partake of the political discussions around the tables.
As for "labeling people", I call it as I see it. When I see people following communist doctrine............hey............if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck...........
And besides, I get labeled all the time as a rightwing extremist..........and I'm not offended by it in the least, because I AM very hard right.
I'm also called paranoid, which doesn't bother me either, because I AM very concerned about the "boogieman" that actually DOES exist in the disguise of "big brother." There is sometimes a very fine line between "paranoia" and "distrust."
And we have no reason to trust ANYBODY in this government left OR right, which is why the big push now for total incumbent-removal on both sides and at all levels.
It's going to take some fresh blood, that isn't already a part of the problem, to come up with the fresh solutions. All of these old crocks need to go.
Have a great day yourself!
I have to know, Lamont, what is with your punctuation?
I have trouble picking a side in the mosque issue. Because I have been involved in many mock congress sessions, even at the national level, I want to stand by the constitution. Nothing in the constitution allows us to deny the construction of that mosque. A lot of those who don't mind the mosque, or that even want it do have valid points- first of all, it is not AT ground zero, which leads me to wonder how far is far enough for this mosque to be built where we can please both those who feel hurt by the actions of (RADICAL) muslims during 9/11, but still protect the constitution.
At the same time, my first reaction to the mosque was shock and anger. 9/11 is one of the first memories I can clearly remember, and I feel that, although the muslim people were not necessarily the ones behind the attack, the planners were acting very insensitively. Ground zero will (hopefully) always be hallowed ground to the American people, and to carry on with amidst the outrage shows a lot of indifference to the feelings of the citizens who allowed them to come live in our safe and free land. I have to agree with bazooka- When is it our turn to have our feelings tip toed around?
I wonder if the Tea Party, NRA, Boy Scouts of America, or a military recruitment center was to be build at gound zero, if so many libs would be so supportive or their legal right to do so?
Not a chance, Skeeter.
Prior to this mosque business, when was the last time you heard any liberal mention the Constitution?
They neither follow it nor believe in it, except for those rare times when some part of it benefits one of THEIR agendas.
Most politicians actually commit PERJURY everytime they take the oath of office because they have no intention of following it.
Nancy Pelosi herself said on national television, just before we got this "healthcare" debacle slipped in under us.........."If we have to go under the fence, over the fence or around the fence........whatever it takes, we will pass this bill for the American people."
Just YESTERDAY, this SAME WOMAN said that there needs to be an investigation to find out where the money is coming from that is supporting those who OPPOSE the building of this mosque!
Say WHAT?????? Who lets her out in public? She must be seeing Gibbs on the side.
It has of course become CUSTOMARY for this regime to steadily go after the wrong people........
After all.....
They DO hammer the CIA for putting pressure on murdering terrorists
They DO seek to grant amnesty while suing one of our own states
They DO dismiss voter intimidation (for lack of evidence---even though it is on FILM).
They DO allow the tax cheats who run the Treasury, to audit YOU
Illegal kids can wear their colors to school but YOUR kids can't
Kids have been taught Obama praise songs, but have to go OUTSIDE for the Pledge of Allegience so as not to OFFEND anybody
They ADMONISH our allies and cater to our enemies.
So you see Skeeter...............this is ALL a double-standard thing. The NRA, Boy Scouts or Tea Parties would NEVER be able to have those same "legal rights" as do the Muslims, illegals, terrorists, etc. To a liberal, the Constitution is just something you take sometime in the morning after breakfast............except when they might find some small line or sub-paragraph that they can wave in front of everyone to help promote their cause.
"SEE...........SEE............it's RIGHT THERE in the Constitution!
When OUR side brings up things like the 1st, 2nd, 16th Amendments, etc..........when we bring up the proper use of tax dollars and military......they go running to the gay-blades of the 9th District Court and try to tell us all that............."That really ISN'T what that means."............
Uh-huh.
I've said it before Skeeter and will never retract it. The liberals should be deported right along with the illegals. Let 'em go LIVE in communist countries where they'd be better-understood.
well lets see....punctuation????? i dont deal with that only thoughts as they come......zook i was racially profiled in this town not even 6 months ago.....had to get a lawyer.....funny thing...everyone said thats what happened...thats what i call today.....that was state police and sheriffe what say you ???.and i have lived here almost 40 years.......but i guess you would call that liberal sensitivity...and it was not the first time......zook they may not come to your reunions but they were in the fox holes and you know it.....i know it.....that is not the issue the issue is labeling,preconcieved ideas about what people are or are not.......how about the fact the gw trashed your constituanl rights day after day,down to your library books....a lie for a war that gets my kids killed .....you think thats ok?????? we should have went after who perpertrated the act not who was available....that in itself should be a crime......im not against war... sometimes thats whats needed......but for gods sake get it right i dont think thats to much to ask......what you have on film that you are outraged about is and idiot with a club in his hand it does not show him saying you cant vote here or attacking anyone.....now voter intimadation as practiced in the south involves,threats,bodily,job,family etc and that is a proven fact... i dont hear you decrieng that.......why not?....now i am not condoning this idiot because i would have told him to get the hell out of my way,and he should have been removed by the police,and i dont understand why that call wasnt made.....murder by the cia is against the law in some cercumstances, that was inacted under gw.......the lawsuit in AZ entails the constitution and the soverienty theroff.......and the judge who made the ruling is a gw appointee not known for any liberal leanings......the parts of the law she struck were clearly profiling at its best or worst whatever you want to call it........it is funny to me how you can complain about not beining recognized and that your rights are being neglected etc...were where you when that was the way i was treated....in uniform and out......if your going to stand up... do it all the time for everyone.....i can tell you this i would no more let you be mistreated as i would anyone under any cercumstance.....like you or not you are a citizen of my country and thats all that matters..... and believe me thats how i live my life......and i dont advocate deporting conservatives,liberals,independents,tea partiers etc.....i just dont have to agree with them and that doesnt make them anyless my countrymen......have a good one
Perhaps if you had punctuated that statement better, I could have understood what you are saying. Your thoughts are rather jumbled together, so I don't feel comfortable responding.
sorry about that......respond ill figure it out,amd if i get it wrong im sure through conversation we will get it right......this is about communication right.....smile .....love it.think of zooks comments and then it will come into context........
From what I understand the Mosque to be built is 2 blocks away. They could be long blocks or short blocks. Best thing before forming opinion's is go to Ground Zero and check out the site for yourself and then make an opinion. Is it to close for comfort or is it at a reasonable distance away from Ground Zero?
There are Moslims that work and live in the area of Ground Zero, so should we evict them?
I've made no secret of the fact that I have NEVER been a Bush supporter. All the "Bush-bashing" in the world doesn't bother me because it's probably true.
If I saw you being mistreated, I would INDEED come to your aid, Lamont. I don't hold for discrimination based on color or gender. Never have. As MLK said.........."by the contents of their character."
Good people and idiots BOTH.........come in all colors. Classic example:
I didn't support Bush because I didn't think he was the right guy for the job.
I didn't support Obama because I didn't think he was the right guy for the job.
When I look at Obama, I don't see a black man. I see a liberal.
When I look at Al Gore, I don't see a white guy. I see a liberal.
We're ALL prejudice against SOMETHING. I don't happen to like liberals. I don't like communists. I don't like Pennzoil, and I don't like houseflies.
I'm offended everytime I have to "press ONE for English"...........and STILL rarely get a live person who speaks it well.
CIA............bright lights and water-boarding isn't murder. Flying airplanes into buildings IS.
That judge in Arizona was CLINTON-appointed.
Where was I when you were being treated the way you were? I dunno.........in '68 when things were really HOT in the streets and campuses, I was in Vietnam exchanging fire with the North Vietnamese........I was firing from a "multi-colored trench."
From 71 until 88 I worked on flightlines from here to England to Korea, under a WAPS system that didn't care what color or gender you were. If you scored high enough on the PFE & SKT, you got promoted. Period.
I'm sorry Lamont, but I guess I'm missing something. What sort of mistreatment was going on that I was supposed to be standing up for?
I worked for female captains, black majors and hispanic chiefs. Worked with and partied with EVERYBODY. Please tell me what was going on that I failed to see and stand up for.
(As you might remember, even if you HAD a cause, you didn't dare march & participate if you were active duty).
I'll sign off here with a question for YOU.......We've got 13 million-PLUS illegals. They are LAW BREAKERS that are NOT supposed to be here. If the cops do NOT check for I.D. during routine traffic stops.............how DO we identify who is here illegally and who is not?
The honor system?...........we just trust them to turn themselves in?
What would Lamont do, if it were up to him?
Lamont. I was thinking about something on my way home last night.
I may not see everything in the same light as you because I didn't come from the "Beaver Cleaver" family...........please allow me to share with you........
I grew up poor, in a neighborhood that was a mixture of blacks, whites and Chinese. We had no more than anyone else, and not as much as some.
When all the kids you play with are as grubby as YOU are, you grow up thinking that EVERYBODY is as bad off as you are.
But the childhood memories I hold so precious today, still allow me to remember not only my white friends like Billy Whiting and Richard Brennan, but my black friends like Sonny Bruckner, Ponnel Smith and Larry Clay. Joining us were a pair of Chinese kids (Randy Young and Wayne Yee), who lived a little further up the hill.
At the bottom of Pennsylvania Street was a parking lot where people would park their cars during the week to catch the commuter trains. But that lot was always deserted on the weekends!
Us kids in the neighborhood didn't know or CARE what color was. Saturday mornings if it was nice outside, we'd be out knocking on each other's doors.........."Can Sonny come out and play, Mrs Bruckner?"........."Can Wayne come out today, Mrs Yee?"
And we'd all walk together down to the parking lot with well-worn gloves, beat-up "Louisville Sluggers" and baseballs that were often taped-up when nobody had 75 cents for a new one, and we'd play "parking lot baseball" all day long. We had a lot of fun together, in spite of not having VIDEO GAMES, the latest fad in clothes or 60-dollar Nike's.
Kids aren't prejudiced. They are TAUGHT it. It's a shame that kids have to grow up to be "adults."
1966---------San Diego---------Boot Camp. Just as R.E. Ermly said in "Full Metal Jacket"........."There is no racial bigotry here........HERE you are ALL EQUALLY WORTHLESS!"
During training, if you couldn't meet the minimum amount of pull-ups, sit-ups, push-ups and timed rope climb every week (which was RAISED every week), you didn't MAKE it and were sent home. Randolph, Willie or Jose...........didn't matter.
Weekly 3-mile run with all your gear. If you were black, you had to make it under 27 minutes and eventually down to 18.
If you were white, you had to make it under 27 minutes and eventually down to 18.
If you were hispanic, you had to make it under 27 minutes and eventually down to 18.
You had to shoot 190 or better at the range to qualify----------whether you came from the Bronx, New Mexico or the Ozarks.
In 'Nam, NOBODY was singled out for night patrols, ambush or guard duty. You took your turn like everybody else. Same with the "crap-details."
In my AIR FORCE career, I had to pull 12-hour shifts, middle-of-the-night deployments, weekend duty and barracks CQ, just like everybody else. Being "white' wasn't some kind of advantage.
If I wanted another stripe, I had to give up the ballgames and beer parties to STUDY for, and then PASS, the WAPS tests. I thought that was fair.
The only two things I ever thought was UNFAIR, was (1), our pay structure. My neighbor on base might work for MWR signing out basketballs at the gym, while I'm freezing on flightlines working on airplanes til' dawn's early light----------but if we're the same rank, the pay is the same. I never liked THAT.
And the other thing was the traffic ticket thing. If you got a ticket in town, they also docked you points ON-BASE for it. (They SAY it isn't really "double jeopardy", but it IS, any way you slice it).
After retiring from active duty, I had to qualify for a civilian job, and could never get hired just to fill somebody's "quota."
Fact IS.........I couldn't even apply for a LOT of good jobs because I wasn't "Bi-Lingual."------and THIS was part of that "catering" thing I talked about on an earlier post. DISCRIMINATION as far as I'M concerned. We shouldn't be FORCED to speak THEIR language. if they want to live and work here, they should learn to speak OURS!
(Oh Bazookaman.........you dirty no-good, mean-spirited rightwing radical you!)
But the bottom line of this, Lamont........is that while I have never walked in a blsck man's shoes, I MYSELF have never been given anything either. I, like you, have had to bust butt for whatever I'VE gotten out of life too.
And this is also why I get so peeved when I see the government throwing my tax dollars away on evry little whim it has, legitimate or not.
You and I have worked harder than any Senator. Can we agree on that?
It isn't THEIR bucks to squnder. You and I have BOTH worked too hard over these many decades, trying to build some kind of life for our kids and grandkids-----------to just sit back and let the feds take and take and take-------blow it into the wind, and then figure out ways to take some more.
This shouldn't be a left-right issue, racial issue, or social issue.
We are being LIED TO---------STOLEN FROM---------and ENCROACHED UPON.
And yes....YOU BET.........it's been going on well before Obama.
But he was going to "CHANGE" all that........but it's still "business as usual------and THEN some.
They ALL need to go, buddy. ALL of them. Clean sweep----both sides.
But it really IS difficult for me to comprehend what you're telling me about the way you've been treated...............and I believe you...........but it's just hard for me to try to grasp it, 'cause nobody's bent over backwards for me either.
Pretty day out. Go out and be a part of it.
hey listen.......i am not saying everyone everywhere........the testing system was a salvation for minoritys in the military it evened the playing field some.....not all.....aprs were still a problem,awards and decorations were also....i did a lot of things in the military......one thing was i was at staff positions that gave the data so i know....now kids are taught bigotry your right and i say leave the kids alone period and stop passing it on.....i dont have a problem with a legitimate traffic stop i stated before i have a problem with stops because i feel like it or because i can......thats what profiling is about....thats someones agenda not the law......funny thing about language when people come here we say you should learn to speak english......when i was a 1 sgt in thailand i had people say " how come that dumb thai doesnt speak english' YOU SEE WE EXPECT SOMETHING WE ARE NOT WILLING TO GIVE ...WE WERE THE GUEST HOW COME WE DIDNT SPEAK THAI????? get my point.......i get yours about the button i hate it.....but that comes with outsourced jbs.... and thats no exscuse......now i dont think anyone wants people to bend over backwards or give them anything i dont,....i just dont like being short changed,when you find that people put up road blocks to make it harder for you than the next guy it wears thin.....dont fool yourself the military was not and exception......the rules just made it harder......fair pay in the military......smile...... my first afsc was 431......i know the line intimately......so i can say i loved and i hated it....we are the unsung heroes of the airforce.......i have always felt that way and will go to my grave with the feelings of pride for all of us out there.......still cant pass and airport without those memorys the moment i smell jet fuel......some day face to face we will have to talk cant say what you need to hear in a blog take care.......
Yeah, no doubt. We'll need to find time to get together for coffee someplace.
I agree wholeheartedly that everyone should have the same shot at things.
Hey Bro...........if you were a 431 also, I don't have to say another word about the flightline. You certainly know that ballgame out there.
Ever work F-111's?
The guy in Thailand was CLEARLY wrong. When WE are in THEIR country, it isn't their responsibility to speak their language. We were in THEIR country and have no reason to expect to be catered to.
Just like in OUR country............wanna live here? Learn OUR language. I think that's fair.
Actually, when I reflect back on the WAPS testing, I DO have sort of a "discriminatory" complaint.
As a fellow 431, I KNOW you've gotta remember this.................
EASILY, 40% of that SKT was written around the Phantom, because by the time you tested for Tech and Master.............most crew chiefs had WORKED on F-4's at one place or another. If you were an Aardvark crew chief, there were only TWO F-111 questions on the entire test. They were always the SAME two, and ANYBODY would have known the answers:
What aircraft has "swing wings?"
and
What aircraft has an ejectable capsule?
If you'd worked Phantoms, you had a DECIDED advantage. The questions would be........example..........where is the cockpit de-fog switch located on the F4-D?
What is the proper procedure to service a tail hook accumulator on an RF-4C?
What are the flap modulation limits on an F4-E?
If you never worked Phantoms, you were at a DEFINITE disadvantage!
I always thought that was a bit discriminatory.
"Unsung heroes?" I suppose you could say that. The PILOTS were always the "superstars" but there was a saying in Blue section when I was at Lakenheath............we might not be the pride of the Wing, but without US, the "pride' don't ride!"
I retired as a Master Sergeant because it was my feeling (and still IS), that Master is the last stripe you can legitimately test for. The last two stripes were mostly political. You almost HAD to be a member of THIS and a member of THAT,,,,,,go stand in front of boards in your dress blues, look pretty and be able to blow smoke.
E-9's and Chiefs...........not necessarily one of the same.
I worked for a lot of E-9's in my Air Force career, but only THREE who I considered a CHIEF.
There is no such rank as E-10, but you'd never know it by all of the butt-kissing and politicking that went on at the highest enlistment levels. It practically takes an act of Congress to bust an E-9, but they were the first ones to get "nervous in the service."
Remember?
Anyway, I got a bit off topic.
Lamont....you and I have probably walked the same roads more often than either of us know about. We have different opinions about several subjects maybe (which is normal in life), but we BOTH know the decades of toil, sweat and aggravation it has taken for EACH of us to achieve and gain whatever it is we've gotten.
I have a real problem with a government that seeks to give things away that don't belong to them.
No matter WHICH party is in power at any given time.............the government does NOT create wealth. Before they can GIVE anything, they must first TAKE.
And a government that is big enough to give you what you want, is also big enough to take everything you have.
Our troops and are tax dollars are NOT to be used for any other country than OURS...........
And that comes straight out of the same Constitution that says the Muslims are free to build where they want.
They follow it ALL or they follow it NOT. And if They follow it not, it is our DUTY to rid ourselves of this, or any OTHER oppressive government.
Says so in the Declaration of Independence. (which they never bothered to read either, before they took their "oaths."
You and I swore the same oaths as the thieves in Washington. If WE are expected to hold true...........so are THEY.
That's how I see it.............what say you?
Oh yes, they are quite peaceful...as long as you cover your pretty skin and refrain from driving or being seen with a male that is not your relation. I also wouldn't recommend listening to any western style music or smoke a pipe, lest you may be whacked. Don't speak to them about what you know of religion, since the mention of Jesus could cost you your life (proselytizing they will say). Freedom of religion which is in our constitution, doesn't apply to them since the "only" religion is their's, and again don't mention yours. Take some of the so called moderate countries for example, Dubai, Bahrain, Qatar...Kissing in public can get you thirty days or more. I don't hate, I just choose not to like.
Have you heard the latest? We're all supposed to refrain from participating in sports activities, in observance of their "Ramadan" season.
Kelly has obviously drunk the Kool-Aid on Proposition 8. It does not deprive anybody of "basic and fundamental rights". The fundamental right is for marriage not the recent invention of "same sex marriage". There is a huge difference between not allowing somebody to exercise a right and not allowing them to unilaterally the redefine that right.. In this case the right involves an institution defined in relevant state and federal law as well as a cultural and religious heritage that goes back thousands of years, as a union between a man and a woman. Likewise there is a difference between hating somebody and accepting their actions, especially when we view those actions as abnormal and immoral!
The best, and most amusing, part is when people mistake ranting for passion. Unfortunately, it is impossible to rationalize the irrational...and narrow-minded folk will never concede to their affliction. Hate-mongers only get defensive when their actions are labeled or questioned, all the while operating under the belief that "If it doesn't look, act or believe like you, it must assimilated or killed." Taking the time to think things through is too much of an inconvenience. We celebrate America's first welfare case each Thanksgiving. Our great state is famous for its white supremacist gatherings and "pointy" temples of worship...yet people still have the ignorant audacity to drone on about such nonsense. Ask yourself this....if a group of Germans want to build a church in a Jewish neighborhood, does it make them Nazis? Get it together people.
ConsiderThis,
Well awful full of your own self righteousness aint ya? Obviously YOU aren't one to judge people LOL
ConsiderThis,
And would NEVER EVER "label" anyone
" narrow-minded folk "
"Hate-mongers"
Just too funny LOL
I think it should get put to a vote back there.
Incidently, I've read where putting up a mosque also serves as a sign of CONQUEST with these people.
Yes? No?..........Anybody wanna weigh in here?
There have been gay people since the beginning of time, so how can people say it's a perversion of nature? I think we should allow homosexual people to marry, what is the point of not allowing them to marry? The heterosexual divorce rate is at 51%, so it's obvious that heterosexuals do not have marriage down to a science, and we should give everybody the equal chance to fail at marriage.
I have a job where I deal with illegal aliens, and while I would never promote anybody moving to this country illegally, but I don't promote a law that allows racial profiling, and plus Arizona plans on keeping illegal immigrants that they catch in jail for 6 months... how is that fiscally responsible? I got into an argument at work, because I said that I have never met an unemployed illegal alien, and the other person's response was "illegal aliens contribute minimally to society, because they have low paying jobs..." but, do you know how many people I have seen at my job that get SSI for depression or bipolar disorder, are unemployed, and have multiple children - by multiple partners... how do they contribute to society, while I am sympathetic to people that have depression and bipolar disorder, I just don't think you should get SSI and stay unemployed if your arms and legs work... seriously people like that make me more mad than illegal aliens. Getting rid of all the illegal aliens will not SOLVE America's problems.
I believe the Mosque/Muslim Community Center should be built at the location where they rightfully purchased the land. This country was founded on religious freedom, and to say they can't build an Islamic center a few blocks from ground zero does show intolerance and racism. The group that wants to build this center already has a mosque 12 blocks away in Tribeca that has been there for I think 30+ years. Most Muslims are not terrorists, and according to what I have read it's the 2nd most predominant religion in the world behind Christianity, and they deserve to worship and gather in a country that was founded for the purpose of religious freedom, on ground that they have legally bought...
PS............does anybody out there NOT see what is going on?...........our kids getting sent home for wearing AMERICAN flag t-shirts..........having to go OUTSIDE in some schools to ay the pledge of allegience.......
Hampering states from defending their own borders..........more and more "gray area"
A little bit at a time so these "changes" and appeasements go almost un-noticed.
Just enough each time to cause some grumbling, but being ever-so-careful not to make any MAJOR moves at once.
It's like a cancer-------nice & gradual..........and there also always seems to be some crisis going on to divert national attention from the serious issues.........to keep us on focusing too hard.
Always something new popping up when an issue starts to draw too much attention. Keeping the public confused and off-balance if they can.
It isn't working anymore, but ya gotta give 'em an "A" for effort!
The Republicans need to watch THEIR step back there as well. Just because the voters are so heated at the Dems right now, doesn't mean the GOP jobs are safe. There is a push to get rid of ALL incumbents, so the Congressional "right" needs to be careful what bills it puts ITS "fingerprints" on.
I'm particulary interested in the McCain/Hayworth fight in Arizona. J.D. is a good man, and if he bounces the RINO McCain OUT...........it will serve as a solid indicator that the "right" is cleaning ITS own house as well as going after the opposition.
Tim Corder's very narrow win over Marla Lawsen should have served notice to HIM that NOTHING'S A SURE THING. Incumbents are being looked at very hard now, and it's about time.
OBSMITH 31...........since the begining of time eh?
God created Adam and Eve........Not Adam and Steve. "Man shall not lay with man." I don't recall chapter & verse, but it's there.
They should NOT get the same benefits as NORMAL married couples. Our tax dollars should not be used to subsidize perversion, and our CHILDREN & GRANDCHILDREN should not be taught in our public schools, that gay family lifestyle is NORMAL and should be "accepted" as such.
You have a job where you deal with illegals? Do you contact ICE and turn them in? If not, you a part of the problem.
"Fiscally responsible"....... Sheriff Joe gives them TWO 40-cent baloney sandwiches a day. Small enough price to pay to keep them OFF the streets until they can send them back. Business owners gain as well through theft-reduction. The streets are also safer.
Getting rid of the illegal aliens might not solve ALL of America's problems, but it'll REDUCE those problems by 13 million or so.
Most Muslims are not terrorists. but most terrorists are MUSLIMS and the building of that mosque where they're wanting to build THIS one is creating a LOT of ill will. There are a lot of countries where a CHRISTIAN church couldn't be built ANYWHERE! I don't think this is unreasonable.
Hey...........if you follow THAT line of thought...........most GUN OWNERS are not criminals, but the left wants to dis-arm EVERYBODY. How "fair" is THAT?
OBJSmith31,
There have also been pedophiles and persons who practice incest since the beginning of time do you advocate the legalization and social acceptance of those as well?
Food for thought...
As far as minimal paying jobs for illegals I don't know where you get that at, I remember being a kid around here years ago and it was five bucks a row hoeing between beet rows. Hot sweaty work but pretty good money, of course not on the books so no income tax paid out of that just a pocket full of cash at the end of the day. I wonder what that pays nowadays?
I definately agree with you about all the leeches sucking off the tax system on SSI and it sickens me to see it, but ADDING more leeches to the system is not an answer.
Can't tell you how many overweight people I have seen shopping with their food stamp "credit card" buying ice cream, chips and soda... Things I don't buy when my budget is tight yet my tax dollars pay for them to enjoy... Again the system is messed up but adding more of a burden to it doesn't help does it?
Aww Kelly, I remember chatting about the MHnews with Dad when Lloyd was running the show. He always talked about telling the story not coming down on one side or another. I am glad you did this as an editorial and not a news item. But wow. I cannot believe that with the news items of recent days you would talk about Tea Party stonings when there have been a few stonings recently and not during Tea Party Rallys. I could go on for a few paragraphs but I will end by saying.... I am ashamed you wrote that much crap in one editorial.
Everybody seems to look at this illegal problem in terms of economics.............and that's fine and justified.
But let's not forget to MAIN reason we need to "PROFILE and KNOW" who is here, and who WANTS to be..............
9/11.
Not EVERYBODY sneaking across our border is a Mexican looking for work. I think too many of us are losing sight of that.
If we get hit again, what's Eric Holder gonna do...............file a lawsuit against the Taliban?
Bazookaman, here's a question for you-
Why are we basing gay marriage laws on the viewpoints of Christians?
1. There is a little thing called the constitution. It's referred to as the law of the land. "Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion." So if most of your argument against gay marriage is comprised of Leviticus 18:22, to disallow gay marriage would be against the constitution. Sorry, you're not exempt.
2. Atheists can marry. If marriage is a solely religious practice, why do we allow people not of that religion to marry?
Marriage is a symbol of love, not a symbol of religion. Allowing homosexuals to marry someone they love will not destroy the bond heterosexual spouses have with each other, and to think so is rather close minded, in my opinion.
Ok little miss...........here's one for you.........how many innocent people have had their lives shortened through AIDS-infected blood transfusions?
The gays march in the streets demanding more funds for AIDS research, but refuse to STOP what they're doing that continues to spread it-------just in case you don't understand what "harm" they're doing.
Their lifestyles are also being promoted as NORMAL in a growing number of public schools.
Unless things change drastically in this country, the vast majority of people in this democracy----if in fact it still IS a democracy,------- is that marriage is between a man and a woman, and two gays people of the same sex cannot build a family of their own.
If that WASN'T so.............neither you or I would be on this blog, eh?
PS to little miss:
Do you support our ENTIRE Constitution, or just whatever seems to fit at any given time?
If your political views happen to lean to the left.........be very careful as to how you answer that.
Go back to skool, jarhead...the United States is not and never has been a "democracy." This nation is a Republic. The Bill of Rights prevents the tyranny of the majority from becoming your biggest nightmare. Democracy has to be more than just two wolves and a sheep deciding what's for dinner.
Do you really think a "democratic" society will endure past the day when 51% of the people decide to live off of the other 49%?
When you use the majority poll to support your version of the world, make sure you reference "individual" rights before waving the flag. The United States of America protects individuals from the collective opinions of ignoramuses. This is the beacon that draws others to our land. If you don't see this, then we Americans would be best served if you would crawl back into your bunker and pull your concertina wire back down with you.
Homosexuality has never been "taught" or "advertised" at any any public school I have ever stepped my foot in, and I have stepped my feet into many public schools.
What does AIDS have to do with gay marriage? Heterosexual people have and transmit AIDS too. Should we deny black people the right to marry, since their chances of getting HIV and developing AIDS is higher?
I support the constitution, bazookaman, but keep in mind that our founding fathers did a very smart thing- they made it flexible, so we can adapt it to the way society changes. I do not warp the wording to make it fit the situation. That is why, although I feel the muslims are being incredibly insensitive, and it makes me upset, I cannot support barring them from building the mosque, I can only support asking them to move and expressing my disapproval.
The United States started OUT as a Republic, but we are headed toward socialism. "Republic" means "Free" to be what you want to be, drunk or sober, by the people & for the people.
We have collectively given this government way to much power. It might be a "Republic", but realistically, it's just "in name only."
littlemiss.............where is the Constitution flexible? Everything in it looks pretty well "set in stone" to me.
But it doesn't matter............the government hasn't followed in for a couple of decades now, and most people will never read it anyway.
So...........JYD..the U.S. protects us from the ignoramuses, eh? What happened at the polls 21 months ago?
Hey..littlemiss & JYD...........I'm going to concede this debate because to ME anyway, this gay issue isn't important, with this entire country going down the toilet unless the tide shifts in November.
You guys win. I need to stay focused on what's ahead of us right now.
PS to JYD................Nice quip on the bunker & concertina wire.
Did you have fun with that? Good.
Keep your eyes and ears open as this country continues to be sold out.
Lilmissmelmo,
An overly flexible Constitution cannot guarantee the rights of the people it is meant to protect.When some activist judge, like San Francisco's Vaughn Walker, reads something into the 14th Amendment that is not there he is abridging the rights of the people to make their own policy decisions.
Marriage is defined by relevant state and federal law as well as by a cultural and religious heritage that extends back thousands of years as the union between a man and a woman. Marriage is a fundamental right and nothing in Proposition 8 prohibits homosexuals from marrying.What it does prohibit is the unilateral redefinition of marriage. Just because somebody has the right to play a game does not mean that they have the right to fundamentally change the rules to fit their fancy!
The majority elected the ignoramuses Bazook...imagine the horror if the Bill of Rights didn't stand between America and the Obamaniacs. It'd be like the second coming of James Earl Carter the Third.
We started out as a Republic and will survive as a Republic regardless of what the elected representatives say; as long as we protect and defend the Constitution, not the politics, of the USA.
That's what bothers me the most, JYD.........the gullibility that has taken root in this country.............although I do believe we WILL see an awakening, in about 68 days.