gdp's Comments

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Thu, 22 Jul 2010 11:42:17 +0000

skeeterfitz, thank you for posting here; this real-world perspective was desperately needed. The parallels between this incident and Joseph McCarthy's tactics are striking. The difference is, this time around, I firmly believe that we as a nation -- all of us; Democrats, Republicans, and independents -- won't stand for this kind of truth-trampling ruthlessness.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 20:32:50 +0000

"you seem intent on trying to harm my career, and by extension, me." I can see how you might think that, since you appear to be suffering from Paranoid Personality Disorder. However, I have no interest in causing you any harm at all -- only in avoiding you. "I listened to her entire 42:14 minute presentation and find that her remarks were not taken out of context by Mr. Breitbart" You're welcome to your opinion, but please note that you're pretty much alone in holding it. "I am scared to think that someone with your apologetic attitude towards racism is part of our society." Yes, I can scarcely imagine anything more terrifying. Do you hide under your bed at night? "would you like to join a National Association for the Advancement of White People organization when one is formed?" I'm going to be charitable and assume that this section of your comment is intended to be satirical. However, it's worth noting that the organization that you propose already exists: http://www.adl.org/hate_symbols/groups_naawp.asp The fallacious logic of your satire's point (that black resistance to white racism is itself racist, and that this becomes obvious when one inverts the races) is concisely illustrated by this comic strip: http://www.amptoons.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2...

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 18:48:49 +0000

"I have been oppressed by all races" Wow, you do get around, don't you? Next time I see an Australian Aboriginal, I'll demand an apology on your behalf.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:56:31 +0000

I'm sorry, American_Kidd, you seem to have stumbled onto the wrong forum. Conservatives who are logical, civil, and ethical are not welcome here. :-)

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:54:30 +0000

I think you could have spared us the verbiage and just posted your icon; it conveys the same message.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:53:24 +0000

"I suppose you think the "alleged" racial voter intimidation in Philly by the NBPP is totally contrived?" I don't know how BigCapers would answer that question, but my answer is an unequivocal "yes". Keep plugging away at trying to create a "the real issue is that the audience members were racists!" meme, though. That is sure to be the key to huge future Republican electoral victories. "Remember the racist audience!" will become our generation's "Remember the Maine!"

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:47:06 +0000

You are correct that "no" and "yes" are the correct answers to the two questions that you posed. However, those two questions have absolutely no bearing upon this controversy. The first question is irrelevant because using a slavery analogy in this context makes zero sense. The second question is a classic example of "begging the question" -- you are making an (unfounded) assertion disguised as a question. Ms. Sherrod is clearly making an argument *against* racism -- parsing her words to make it appear that she still believes it's justifiable to mistreat others based upon their ethnicity is absurd and unethical. Yet that's exactly what you (and Mr. Breitbart) are doing.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:34:10 +0000

Basically, yes -- but "smug" is your personal interpretation, and it is not supported by a viewing of the entire speech. On the contrary, she clearly feels that her initial attitude towards the white farmers was unjustified.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:30:04 +0000

Could you please tell us all where and what you teach, so that we can be sure that our children can avoid your abusive, arrogant indoctrination techniques?

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Wed, 21 Jul 2010 13:27:32 +0000

Congratulations on your psychic abilities -- somehow, you know *exactly* what that audience was thinking! Can you tell me what I'm thinking right now? (Hint: the first word is "you", the last is "insane", and the second sounds like the letter "R".)

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:10:07 +0000

In reply to your last question: the two positions are not mutually exclusive. As for Sherrod's supposed lack of remorse for having been initially unfair to the farmers, I think I'd need to see the whole video before making that judgment. As for her "weaker performance", the farmers in question seem to feel that they got exceptional help from her.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 23:04:56 +0000

The farmer's wife seems to feel that the friendship is genuine enough ... It's not inherently bad to notice ethnic and class differences, and it's not inherently divisive to use the words "us" and "them" when discussing them. The key is not the words that you use, but your intentions towards, and opinions about, other groups. You may be right about her dislike of the rich, however.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:51:14 +0000

Joseph McCarthy would also approve of these crude, unfair tactics and self-serving rushes to judgement.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:50:03 +0000

I am both an idiot and an ideologue on occasion, but I don't believe I've demonstrated that here. Do you talk to your students with such contempt when they disagree with you? As for "not promoting any agenda", you have at last provided *me* with a good laugh. You want to encourage your students to view the NAACP in a certain way, but apparently that does not fall under your definition of "promoting any agenda".

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:46:11 +0000

Well, good, I'm glad I can provide some hearty chuckles, even if there's poorly-concealed rage simmering beneath them. Perhaps you will guffaw with delight, then, as I point this out: the farmers in question were not slaves, and Ms Sherrod was not their owner, O Master Of Logic. She did not victimize, traumatize, or wrong them in any way, but instead helped them save their farm and befriended them. There is a much stronger basis there -- one might even say a much stronger *logical* basis, were one familiar with the meaning of the word "logic" -- for gratitude than could ever exist between slave and master.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:40:34 +0000

Right on the money, snarkysob. So, jughead417, now you're stooping to denigrating the white farmers whom everyone here was casting as victims just a few short hours ago?

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:37:39 +0000

So you're suggesting that this woman, who has spent her professional career helping people, and who gave a rather inspiring (but unfortunately selectively edited) speech about overcoming prejudice, is "scum"? That's very, um, Christian of you.

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 22:35:52 +0000

I see no evidence in this video, or any subsequent media reports, to indicate that Sherrod believes that "Black people and White people are irrevocably separate and in conflict". On the contrary, the message of her full speech appears to have been, "We're not so different; we can overcome our prejudices about one another, build friendships, and help each other." Is this not the complete *opposite* of "divisive hatred"?

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:44:18 +0000

Your assumptions about Ms Sherrod (and, by extension, any black person who ever complains about racism) are making you look ridiculous in light of recent reporting on this "scandal": http://voices.washingtonpost.com/plum-line/2010/0...

Big Government : Video Proof: The NAACP Awards Racism–2010

Tue, 20 Jul 2010 20:42:07 +0000

Sorry to deflate your self-righteous paranoia, but the "lamestream media" has in fact followed up on this story, and the evidence suggests that Mr. Breitbart is the worst kind of scoundrel: http://www.ajc.com/news/farmers-wife-says-fired-5...