Ni**ers, ni**ers everywhere…
I wished I’d bet money on the color of the new Democratic National Committee chair, but I wouldn’t have found any takers. We all knew he’d be a white male. So much for sacred “diversity.” But I don’t think anyone guessed they’d pick Howard “Screaming” Dean. Be careful what you wish for. Check this out:
During a meeting Friday with the Democratic black caucus, Dean praised black Democrats for their work for the party, then questioned Republicans’ ability to rally support from minorities.“You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room?,” Dean asked to laughter. “Only if they had the hotel staff in here.” (Source)
I’ll bet those Black Caucus Negroes just sat there and laughed, totally unaware that their new white chairman had just insulted them (on so many levels). But they’d probably lynch me for publicly referring to them as “Negroes.”
Typical. And disgusting…
(See DNC Chair: Blacks, Hispanics Or Women Need Not Apply and Emboldened White Liberals.)
Update (6:53 p.m.): I fail miserably when trying to use irony and hyperbole effectively, I see. So I’ll play it straight. Of course I don’t think the DNC should’ve picked a new leader based on skin color. I’m mocking the “diversity” tripe liberals love to shove down our throats. But whatever.
Semi-related Hugh Hewitt transcript.
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Howard Dean is a loose cannon, and a radical Leftist. His remark about hotel workers is more of the same.
Some have called Dean a “moderate” and a “fiscal conservative”.
He is more “moderate” than Ralph Nader, but his voting record tells all.
“Fiscal Conservative” – balancing the budget in Vermont doesn’t take brains, but high taxes.
But there is method to this madness.
Hillary will pull a Bill in 2008 – she will point out how far Left Dean and other Dems are, and then point out how Right Reps are, and then point out herself – the “perfect middle of the road” candidate.
I can’t wait.
The Washington Post ran this story (fittingly enough) with the headline “Special-Interest Group Hug”. I think this speaks for itself… here’s a quote from an unnamed woman during Dean’s speech:
“We Democrats don’t pay enough attention to our core groups,” Dean says, and half the room nods in agreement. He takes a comment from a woman who says blacks didn’t receive enough resources from the DNC last year. “Show me the money,” she tells Dean.
‘Howard Dean is a loose cannon, and a radical Leftist. ‘
I’d say he’s more of a fired up moderate. What radical left policies does he support?
What’s even more amazing is the MSM’s silence on this comment. You can bet if a Republican tried to make a remark like this they would be jumping all over him calling for his head.
As with Eason Jordan, the silence is deafening. It tells you all you ever need to know about MSM bias.
How long is the black community going to sit there and take this condescending, soft-core bigotry from the Democratic party.
In front of the gay and lesbian group he said, “You guys are the most persecuted people in the history of man.”
Was the Holocaust just an April Fool’s joke??
I wonder if he’ll use the same speech when they shoot for the Hispanic vote.
I wish I could still be surprised when these things happen.
‘Was the Holocaust just an April Fool’s joke?? ‘
Certainly not to its gay victims.
Dean is completely tone deaf. From Confederate flag bumper stickers to the hotel staff, this guy is going to be grist for the blogmill as long as he’s on the scene.
I am sorry.
LaShawn,
Good catch! I would suggest that you spell out on your blog, to the less astute, why his remarks are insulting. The reaction (or lack there of) of the Democratic Black Caucus is very telling of the relationship between them and the DNC.
Here is what I said in my blog today about this:
Dean’s Racism: Falling into the trap
Le Shawn Barber, an excellent blogger, is correct to point out that Dean’s remarks to the Democratic Black Caucus were insulting
and racist. (“You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room? Only if they had
the hotel staff in here.”). Liberal racism is a particularly loathsome disease because it masks bigoted assumptions in the
rhetoric of compassion and equality.
Ms. Barber also observes the following: “We all knew he’d [the new Chairman of the DNC] be a white male. So much for sacred
‘diversity.’ But I don’t think anyone guessed they’d pick Howard ‘Screaming’ Dean.” With respect to the audience, she notes: “I’ll
bet those Black Caucus Negroes just sat there and laughed, totally unaware that their new white chairman had just insulted
them (on so many levels).”
This is where she errs. An understandable error made by many conservatives, but an error nonetheless. (I’m making an
assumption about her political leanings based upon reading her blog).
There is nothing wrong with the DNC selecting a white male to run their party. If you believe in a meritocracy and strive for a color-
less society, then it is illogical to ridicule any group for selecting a white chairman. Nor does the selection of a white chairman
undermine their claim to diversity. Indeed, the Republican Party claims to be a place of tolerance and acceptance (a valid claim I
believe), yet regularly selects white leaders. Further, Dean’s insulting remarks would be just as wrong if made by a black
commentator. During the Democratic primary, I remember when Dean insulted whites, males, southerners and gun-owners all
in one sentence. His race and sex did not make his comments immune from ridicule.
If Republicans are correct, and I believe they are, then people can succeed in American irrespective of their race, color, ethnicity
or sex. When we engage in the race-obsessed tactics of the other side, we are forced to play the game by their rules (i.e. always
proving that we are more “diverse”) and our dream of a truly equal society will continue to elude us.
They all laughed because they are under the influence of the koolaid the DNC has fed them and their families for years/generations. If the leadership would walk up from their koolaid enduced fog and see that republicans have done more for minorities in this country than any left wing liberal president, they’d flee from the blue to the red — and be welcomed with open arms.
LaShawn,
Charles Rangel was imterviewed by Sean Hannity. In addition to Dean’s Comments, Rangel said that JC Watts was the only black in the CBC. Wrong, they never let him in the CBC because of having -R after his name.
JMB
This isn’t a “poor black people” joke. It’s a “rich white Republicans” joke. The gag is that Republicans are a bunch of elite champagne sippers whose only contact with blacks comes when they clean their sheets or refill their glasses.
And even if you break it down, you can’t deny that every single member of the black caucus is a Democrat. It would be literally impossible to fill a room with a Republican black caucus … unless it was a reunion brunch for J.C. Watts, Gary Franks and Edward Brooke.
Remarks offensive to blog hostess removed. – Admin
Ms. Barber, you beat me to breaking this Dean comment down on MY blog…I had the exact thought. How on earth could them black folks sit there and laugh at that hotel remark??? Hmmm, I may have to go ahead and write something about this anyways.
However, I did go after Johnny Carson and his racist behaviour on the Tonite Show..see my post from January at Violets and Lemons: http://violetsandlemons.blogspot.com
Keep up the excellent work!
Well, sorry for hogging the thread like this, but – sorry about the extraneous remark. I DO think you’re wrong about this, but I apologize for the way I phrased it earlier.
Thank you for reinstating the rest of the comment.
Gary,
Are all the members of the CBC dems because only dems are welcome? Maybe.
LB, good entry.
In addition to Dean’s Comments, Rangel said that JC Watts was the only black in the CBC. Wrong, they never let him in the CBC because of having -R after his name.
Wrong. He didn’t want to join. In fact, the Republicans urged him not to join. A previous House member, Gary Franks, who was a Black Republican, was a member of the CBC.
“Good entry” coming from you is good indeed, DS. Thanks!
When I first heard the comments of Mr. Dean, I was offended……and I still feel that what he said was offensive.
I think the real problem with all of this is that there are ALOT of people who are black who have conservative views. Maybe they are afraid of the backlash of those who are liberal…..
I think that he should appologize for what he said. Obviously he is clueless…..
The backlash can be intimidating, Rose, but since I’ve become a Christian, I’ve grown accustomed to it. Defending the faith takes courage. The more I have to do it, the bolder I become in other areas, too. It carries over into my political views.
Howard Dean quit his church because they wouldn’t let the state run a bike path through their property.
This tells us everything we know about Dean… a man who puts trendy politics ahead of his faith. Come to think of it, that’s every Democrat.
La Shawn, I just heard Hugh Hewitt and a woman host on MSNBC mention your blog and therefore name. You are finally getting the attention you deserve. May you become so busy that you have to hire a staff to work on your blog. Blessings on you.
I just saw the transcript, Evon. That was a nice surprise. I’ll meet Hugh tomorrow and CPAC.
Dean says he’s there to change the party. Really? He could have started his event by saying “the diversity in this room proves that WE are the big-tent party”. Something positive. Something with hope. Something new.
But no. He begins by slandering republicans as elite and snooty racists, pushing that tired old sterotype.
So this is the party of the 21st century he wants. Fighting the 60’s battles and vilifiying his opposition instead of creating a compelling reason to join him. And maybe I missed it…what new ideas is he leading his party with? If crazy and wreckless ranting was alcohol, Dean would be passed out face down in the gutter.
‘This tells us everything we know about Dean – a man who puts trendy politics ahead of his faith. Come to think of it, that’s every Democrat. ‘
You don’t have to go to chuch to have faith.
One more anecdote. A true one from a couple of months ago. I was at work, shelving CDs, and got into a conversation with a customer about how depressing it is to have be so security minded.
Me: “I mean, we get ripped off a LOT.”
Him: “You get that many black customers here?”
Me: “Ummm, no. All our thieves are white kids from the local high school.”
Him: “Damn right-wing town! I can’t wait to move out the country!”
Me: [embarrassed silence]
Customer’s girlfriend: [embarrassed silence]
—————
Weird, weird conversation.
I mentioned my take on Dean’s soft-bigotry in the post about La Shawn being NAACP Prez. It bears restating this;
1) If La Shawn were indeed President of the NAACP, Howard “Yeeeargh†Dean would be roasted
2) Where is Foreman Bond’s sense of dignity? Writhing like an estatic little boy after getting his head scratched by the new Massa?
3) Ironic to hear Dean crowing that the DNC can get as diverse a group of people under the same roof yet not in the same room. I think the Klan had a term for that, separate but equal.
4) If Bush gets his way with SS, the so-called house help are going to be proud new members of the GOP-PO (Grand Old Party of Personal Ownership). Bwaaahahaha
5) Not that we shouldn’t take our eyes off the prize, but methinks this land of ours is gonna turn a redder shade of purple in 08. Hee-haw-unk
Actus, do tell us about your faith in the State and the moral authority we derive from Man’s law. I guess the State’s power of redemption is truly something to behold, seeing how the ranking Kleagle and victimology-pimps have all been born again.
Thank you for your boldness and candor, not to mention intelligence. Dean’s remarks and the silence of the mainstream media to call him to task are two examples of the loss of perspective that comes from ignoring God and our own spiritual destinies.
I wonder what the Arab Street is supposed to make of the Al Jeezebelra cartoon of Bush the cowboy riding on a donkey?
Just add the ‘http://’ in front and join the two lines as one.
english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/0EE30E43-B137-417C-9FA4-E629E849E7DC.htm?
idpage=3&idPageImage={2A51E337-718B-43AB-99F2-41120FA18027}
Also, seems like most of the other cartoons seem to be obsessed with the election box as being a deathtrap, wonder where they got that idea from, let alone the one with GIs killing a journalists?
As head of the MSMDNC, Dean’s gots some ’splaining to do.
Just another ammunition for me to use in a letter that I’m going to be writing very soon, cc’ed to every key political figure . . .
All Dean did was tell the truth.
‘Actus, do tell us about your faith in the State and the moral authority we derive from Man’s law. ‘
I have no idea what you are talking about. I’m talking how one can be religious and not go to that church that dean quit attending.
Oh and one more thing – bravo to Dean for quitting his church over a bike path. His church had the opportunity to help make a major contribution to its community, and declined. So Dean went elsewhere. He chose to honor his values, not some institution. And aren’t values supposed to be like super great these days?
Give Dean time. It will only get better…
YEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEHAAAAAAAAAAAAW!
Dean could be really good for the Right.
Someone said above that he should apologize. Why? It doesn’t change anything. Maybe say “I’m an idiot” would help, but still, his remark shows how his mind works.
I’m shocked that people have become so blindly partisan that they either don’t believe that Dean could think this way, or they don’t recognize the slap in the face, or they don’t care because partisan politics come before dignity. It’s sick.
Someone reminded me of this:
http://www.contracostatimes.com/mld/cctimes/news/4898492.htm?1c
“When I travel to speak at Republican conferences and events around the country, wandering through hotels, convention centers and social clubs, as I approach the rooms where I’m scheduled to speak, I am often told by Republicans that I must be in the wrong place,” he wrote.
“As a Bush delegate at the 2000 convention in Philadelphia, I proudly wore my delegate’s badge and (Republican National Committee) lapel pin as I worked the convention. Regardless of the fact that I was obviously a delegate prominently displaying my credentials, no less than six times did white delegates dismissively tell me (to) fetch them a taxi or carry their luggage.”
Reeves praised President Bush for bringing diversity to his administration.
I still think LB wrote a good piece and that the audience should ahve felt insulted.
I’m afraid you misunderstood, LaShawn.
He was saying that the Republicans, who have no members of Congress in their party, and have had only the tiniest number in the last fifty years, would be _exactly_ the type to hire dark brown people, in part, out of historical predilection.
I’m insulted you think you have more racial sensitivity than people like the friends of King and freedom marchers like some of the Democrat Members of Congress.
I know, you are a partisan Republican. I think the racists used to run the Republicans, but the Religious Right has taken over.
Actually, I call myself an independent conservative. I’m not a registered anything. You, however, are probably a registered Democrat, yet you come onto my blog and toss around “you are partisan” remarks as if you have no political ideology of your own. Typical. I’m inclined to delete this comment, but…whatever. Admin
Although fools like Donna Brazile are accpeting this treatement ( see: http://www.reddingnewsreview.com/newspages/2005newspages/Dean_05_0910005.htm ) , some Black men are taking a stand!
“WATTS AND STEELE CALL FOR DEAN APOLOGY”
http://www.reddingnewsreview.com/newspages/2005newspages/Dean2_05_0910006.htm
JC did the right thing not to join the CBC, called them “Poverty Pimps” and worked without them! JC was able to lobby and bring about legislation for Blacks’ benefit without their help! They (CBC) are the same bunch that backed Dean (never mind the Blacks running) and endorsed Pelosi for Demo House leader over their OWN MEMBER Harold Ford Jr. when he wanted that post! With friends like the CBC/Brazil what Black man needs enemies? The CBC’s own actions ensure that any Black that goes for a real leadership position is held back BY THEM. Never mind how they beat down a Black Republican that goes for a leadership post!
(Be honest folks, when they asked JC to join they were praying he’d say “no”. And their prayers were answered! I say THANK GOD! He did better without them!)
Prediction: Before the end of the year, there will a movement afoot for removal of Dean from his post, and it will be mentioned somewhere in the MSM and discussed openly on the net.
My beloved country the United States of America has, regrettably, only one member the Senate of African ancestry, Barack Obama, a Democrat. There are 39 members of the Congressional Black Caucus, all of them Democrats. I believe that Dr. Dean’s remarks were simply to say that the party of Abraham Lincoln has lost its way regarding the issues that matter to most Americans “of color.” There are no, zero, Republicans among the African-ancestored members of the U.S. House and Senate. Equating “of color” with “African-American,” if the Republican National Committee were to hold a hotel banquet for all Republican senators and members of Congress (and no guests), then all of the people “of color” in the room would be hotel staff. So, what is all the fuss about here? Shouldn’t we be talking about what Republicans need to do to make the Grand Old Party more welcoming for persons “of color” and not criticizing the messenger, Dr. Dean, for observing that there should be more progress in this arena?
Re: Your Update.
From my updated blog:
I did not mean to imply that Ms. Barber feels that the DNC should pick their leader based on race. I understand fully that she was giving them a taste of their own medicine and was pointing out the hypocrisy that reigns supreme on the Left. This is precisely the point, however. We would be on more solid ground by not “mocking” their “diversity tripe” if that requires us to associate a person’s loathsome comments with his race. My point was that his comments speak for themselves, like his earlier insulting remarks regarding white southerners. His race neither makes those comments more or less despicable. In an attempt to point out their hypocrisy, we will often ironically point out that they are less diverse than we or that they do not live up to their stated values. To do that even jokingly, on some level, requires us to buy into the “diversity tripe.”
I understand that perhaps I’m making too much of the comments in an attempt to make a broader point. Keep up the great work.
What’s going on with Joe Lieberman, these days?
Every time I see Dean, I’m reminded of the horrible way the Democrats—and Al Gore— dumped/sacrificed Lieberman in favor of the losing Dean. Sad.
Hey! Remember when the Democratics pulled this?
OK, this…
Oprah? Senator Byrd, is that you?
It is interesting to read people’s comments that either Dr. Dean’s remarks were offensive in general, or that they were personally offended. Offense is a personal thing, like what flavor of ice cream do you like, so if someone says he or she is offended, who am I to argue? You feel what you feel.
For those of you who are offended, or consider the remark offensive, I have a question. How do you compare Dr. Dean’s remarks to those of President George W. Bush, who used the regrettable, shameful Black American mortality statistics as a reason Black Americans should favor private accounts for Social Security that could be inherited, rather than the present system which guarantees benefits “only” for life? Were you offended that President Bush used these shameful statistics to support his partisan agenda (even if you agree with that agenda) rather than to call for reforms that would enhance the life expectancy of Black Americans and help bring it to the level of non-Black Americans?
Well the Democrats have people who have proclaimed that Bill Clinton was the first black president. (How they can say that with a straight face I don’t know.)
The Dems. also include people who defame and malign Powell and Rice (REAL people of color), calling their ‘blackness’ (whatever that is) into question.
The Dems., and their MSM supporters, have used some of the most racist slurs I’ve heard in a very long time against Rice and Powell.
These people live in a world all their own. They believe they’re the most tolerant bunch of people around, when just the opposite is true.
LaShawn:
I just hope Howie Dean keeps spouting off. Everytime he does he reminds moderate voters why they voted for Bush and the GOP… Might even help us with the battle royal that is shaping up over Social Security.
Naw, LaShawn, don’t be so hard on yourself. It was pretty good irony …at least, it got a double-take and chortle out of me.
Howard Dean, the new head of the DNC is an idiot. Howard Dean, the chosen one for the Dems, is an idiot and raving loon.
Isn’t all of this redundant?
Personally I find the term “African-American” (or Italian-American, or Irish-American or whatever-American) offensive. If you’re American, say “I’m American.” If you’re African/Irish/Italian/English/German/Polish-American, and you feel SO MUCH more proud about your ancestry than you do your country, then by all means go back to your ancestral home.
I’m an American. The fact that my Ancestors came from England means absolutely nothing to me. I have a passing interest to visit it simply for tourist reasons, other than that, it’s another country, and that’s it. In this global economy (shudder) I might have to consider it, but not in my personal feelings. I’m American. My Color and ancestry don’t matter.
Anom – you’re just as stupid and racist as Dean is. Do you assume that because someone works in the kitchen or housekeeping at a hotel they’re black?
‘These people live in a world all their own. They believe they’re the most tolerant bunch of people around, when just the opposite is true. ‘
Till the homosexuals show up.
Anomalocaris, do you think that by act of law (and or really really really caring enough), the US government can eliminate differences in mortality between different groups?
Have the last 30 years taught you nothing at all?
I recommend you read _Affirmative Action Around the World_ by Thomas Sowell, to get a better idea of what governments have tried to do, and what has actually happened as a result of those actions. India has been trying to correct racial imbalances for a century and a half.
Chris Muir is on this one too
http://www.daybydaycartoon.com/Default.aspx
According to Charlie Rangel and a lot of black democrats President Bill Clinton was our first black redneck President of the United States.
Think about that for awhile.
There’s a road I hate to go down, and that road is, “If a Conservative had said this, it would be hate speech.”
While it’s true, it’s meaningless, because it implies that we conservatives *want* to say this kind of thing and are only kept in check by a hawk-eyed left-leaning media.
So I say, be thankful for the double standard. Let the left continue to make fools of themselves without penalty. Hopefully, we can continue to forego the privilege. Keeps us honest, and helps show their true colors, I think.
Jack Tanner asserts: “Anom – you’re just as stupid and racist as Dean is. Do you assume that because someone works in the kitchen or housekeeping at a hotel they’re black?”
Thank you for your kind thoughts. In response to your question, no, I make no assumptions about the race of any individual employee anywhere. Nor do I assume that Black hotel staff necessarily work in the kitchen or housekeeping. I assume that Black hotel staff might be hotel owners, conference consultants, website designers, or any other position a hotel might happen to have.
But I agree with Dr. Howard Dean. In a hotel banquet room with 55 Republican senators and 232 Republican members of Congress, plus hotel staff of various positions, including possibly the owner of the hotel, 100% of the Blacks in room will be hotel staff, because, sad to say, there is not a single Black Republican senator or member of Congress.
I do not accuse anyone — certainly not Republicans — of racism for this unfortunate state of affairs. Please do not accuse me — or Howard Dean — of racism for noticing this fact.
Was it Mickey Kaus who pointed out that there are more people of color in the position of Secretary of State than there were in Dean’s administration during his entire tenure?
Dean will never make it to the end of his term–he might not make to the end of this year. Should be very entertaining to watch.
Anom – But that’s not what Dean said was it? Twist yourself up anyway you want to back up Dean’s condescending racist statement, it reflects well on you.
Bostonian asks “Anomalocaris, do you think that by act of law (and or really really really caring enough), the US government can eliminate differences in mortality between different groups? Have the last 30 years taught you nothing at all?”
Thank you for that question. I believe that Black mortality rates — among infants, children, teenagers, young adults, and older folks — can be reduced. I can offer any number of policy suggestions that might help. For example:
1. Better enforcement of existing lead abatement strategies. Lead poisoning is a greater problem among low-income families, and unfortunately Blacks are over-represented among low-income families.
2. A policy of economic justice that avoids locating highly-polluting factories in low-income areas. Why do low-income areas have to breath the worst air?
3. Encouraging successful Black businesspeople, entrepreneurs, and professionals to engage more with Black youth, creating positive role models, and understanding that studying hard is an investment in oneself. It is not racist to observe that Black youth, more than non-Black youth, tend to disparage studying hard and doing well in high school.
4. Avoiding reckless foreign entanglements that kill our brave soldiers, who are disproportionately Black.
5. Fully-funding Head Start, a program that saves as much as $9.00 for each $1.00 invested would help assure that low-income Americans start school ready to learn. Unfortunately, because of under-funding, two in five eligible children are excluded from Head Start.
6. Fully-funding the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants and Children (WIC) would help assure that children of low-income families get adequate nutrition during their first two years, when the brain undergoes key development that cannot be postponed. Children should not suffer a permanent second-rate life because their parents cannot afford adequate nutrition.
7. Targeting medical research dollars more equitably. The way it is now, relatively little federal health research support is given to hypertension, a disease that disproportionately affects Blacks.
So, Bostonian, I do believe there are a number of measures that public policy decisions, whether in law or enforcement of law, can have a positive impact on the life expectancy of Black Americans. I am not calling for handouts. I am calling for basic investments that will pay off many times over.
Condescending?
As I said earlier, “Offense is a personal thing, like what flavor of ice cream do you like, so if someone says he or she is offended, who am I to argue? You feel what you feel.”
So, if you found Dr. Howard Dean’s remarks condescending, who am I to argue? You feel what you feel. However, his audience did not seem to find his remarks condescending or racist. Neither do I. My guess would be that the great majority of those offended by Dr. Dean’s remarks are Black conservatives. I believe that most American Blacks — who are, by and large, not conservative — understood it as Dr. Dean intended, which is to say that Republicans haven’t been very successful in recruiting and electing Black candidates, or voters for that matter.
Don’t be so tuff on the DNC. They picked a chairman that looks like Amer — er, gentrified Vermont!
Buzzcut to group at NYC’s Bellevue Hospital:
For the Dems to get this many moonbats in one room, they’d have to hold a convention!
Anomalocaris — Fact: African-American and Hispanic men and women enlist in the armed services and choose a far higher percentage of technical and service-branch career tracks, rather than combat arms, than do Caucasians. This percentage is also represented in their presence in the combat arms there. This is understandable, since the whole press of the recruiting drive for so many years was on enlisting to get education and career training.
This whole bogus argument about putting troops of color at disproportionate risk goes all the way back to Vietnam. In fact, African-American troops were represented in the combat arms then at a lower percentage than their percentage of total population, and their casualties were proportionate.
And before anyone brings it up, the members of Congress actually have a higher percentage of family members in service in Iraq than the general population, contrary to Mr. Moore’s allegation.
Richard mcenroe: Please provide a source for your assertion that members of Congress have a higher percentage of family members in service in Iraq that the general population.
Mr Buzzcut et. al.:
Perhaps Republican would be more successful at persuading Black people to join the party if they keep to the issues, rather than namecalling. You are trying to bring Blacks in to the Republican party! Do you think using names like “moonbats” is going to improve Republican success with Blacks?
anomalocaris — I saw the numbers broken down at http://www.captainsquartersblog.com during the debunking of F9/11. Since I am confident you will challenge that source I am endeavoring to dig up the hard numbers directly.
‘However, his audience did not seem to find his remarks condescending or racist.’
I’m assuming you were there or you you’re a mind reader?
‘understood it as Dr. Dean intended’
You can read his mind too?
Pretty obviously Dean intended to slur the GOP as racists but in doing so he just exposed his own racism by resorting to racist stereotypes. If you think he was just being helpful you’re an idiot or a DNC rumpswab, which is pretty apparent from reading your posts.
‘I’m assuming you were there or you you’re a mind reader?’
well. they laughed and didn’t complain like here.
Anomalocaris:
Your suggestions of fully funding more government programs to give black Americans more assistance in joining the middle class is very heavily skewed towards the one-third of the black population that lives in poverty. You seem to assume that all blacks are de facto low income and oppressed. This is simply not the case.
Also, while I support some of the programs you mention, like early childhood interventions like Head Start, it is arguable that government programs do not promote independence and prosperity, but instead promote dependence and victimhood. Visit any urban Chinatown and you’re likely to find substantial poverty and exploitation, but also a number of education-based “up and out” success stories. Chinese tend to rely on their families and very seldom on government largesse.
Similarly, a number of black writers have expressed nostalgia for the black communities extant in segregation dayas, not to minimize the inherent viciousness of Jim Crow, but because these communities were highly self-reliant, with a large number of successful black businessmen, doctors, and lawyers serving their community and living in it.
While Federal government involvement in the late 1950’s and early 1960’s certainly did deliver critical legal decisions which benefitted all of American society, this was mainly due to pressure from the self-organized and effective civil rights movement, which grew out of black institutions like the black church.
I would argue that government “assistance,” apart from the critical legal victories that were essential to make any progress, has been a mixed bag at best for black advancement, and a detriment in specific cases. The idea that all blacks are by definition disadvantaged, while perhaps comforting to white liberal mythologies, doesn’t correspond with reality in most cases. Like other groups, many blacks are poor, many others struggle to keep their heads about water in the broad middle class, and others are wealthy, well-educated, and highly privileged. If you’ver ever lived in California or New York City, you know that our society has moved beyond a black-and-white world in innumerable ways, many positive, others negative. America is not Selma circa 1958 anymore, and it’s time we put out heads together and worked diligently to tackle critical issues that remain relevant to all Americans, like low-quality primary and secondary schools and other pressing issues.
I think our focus ought the hypocrisy demonstrated by those who called for Trent Lott’s head after his comments at Senator Thurmond’s birthday party, but remain silent on Dean, Senator Byrd (using the “N” word), Congressman Rangel (are all Arkansans rednecks?), and the obvious racism in the cartoons of Ted Rall and Thomas Oliphant, among others.
As far as Dean’s comment? To me it was as much of a faux pas as Lott’s, and Dr. Dean will receive the same amount of criticism from me – not much (although I did laugh at him when I heard about it).
“You think the Republican National Committee could get this many people of color in a single room?,” Dean asked to laughter. “Only if they had the hotel staff in here.”
–That’s right, Dr. Dean. And if Condi and Colin Powell walked in, that would be two more blacks than you ever appointed to your Vermont cabinet.
Dean’s recent comments highlight three things:
1. The GOP post-1968 Sunbelt coalition was based on race–or more exactly (as Kevin Phillips put it), it was a reaction by whites against the perception that the Democratic party had moved from supporting civil rights for blacks to supporting special privileges. For the last generation the polls have been fairly constant: GOP gets about 60% of the whites; Dems about 90% of the blacks. The Democrats only win the White House with a self-proclaimed south Georgia redneck (Jimmy Carter), or poor white trash from Arkansas who proves he can diss Sister Souljah (Clinton).
2. The Democratic party no longer cares about blacks–in any meaningful sense. The days of civil rights are gone: the new Democratic leadership is passionate about gay marriage, abortion rights, and opposition to the war on terror; the old passion for civil rights and the problems in the cities has burned down to a low dull flame.
3. The GOP has an opportunity: if W and the GOP will talk about black peoples’ problems, they have an opportunity to get black peoples’ votes.
Condi 2008?
Please provide a source for your assertion that members of Congress have a higher percentage of family members in service in Iraq that the general population
Michael (lying fat slob) Moore, in 9/11, cited Sen. Tim Johnson, a South Dakota Democrat, as the only member of Congress with a child deployed to Afghanistan or Iraq.
Factcheck: according to
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2004-12-06-congress-kids-war_x.htm
Fewer than one-third of the 535 members of Congress have served in the military, compared with 77% in 1977. The end of the draft in 1973 is most often cited for the declining number of veterans in Congress. It also helps explain why so few children of lawmakers serve in uniform.
For those who have, or are about, to serve in Iraq.
On the Republican side:
• Rep. Joe Wilson, South Carolina Republican, member of the House Armed Services Committee. His son Capt. Alan Wilson, 31, an Army National Guard intelligence officer in Iraq.
• Rep. Duncan Hunter, California Republican, the committee’s powerful chairman. His son, Marine 1st Lt. Duncan Duane Hunter, 27, was an artillery officer during the first battle of Fallujah.
• Rep. Todd Akin, Missouri Republican, member of the House Armed Services Committee. His son Perry, 25, is a Marine combat engineer who is expected to deploy to central Iraq soon.
• Rep. John Kline, Minnesota Republican, member of the House Armed Services Committee. Maj. John Daniel Kline, 34, is an Army Black Hawk helicopter pilot whose 101st Airborne Division battalion is expected to be sent to Iraq next fall.
• Rep. Jim Saxton, New Jersey Republican, member of the House Armed Services Committee. His nephew, a Marine rifleman, recently served seven months in Iraq.
For statistical purposes, let’s say Kline and Saxton equalize each other and we’ll call it 5 sons
For the Republicans, we have 55 Senators & 232 Representatives = 287: Percentage of Iraqi veteran fortunate sons of Republicans is 0.017%
For the Democrat side:
• Sen. Tim Johnson, South Dakota Democrat. His son, Army Staff Sgt. Brooks Johnson, 32, served two infantry tours in Iraq, including the initial invasion from Kuwait to Baghdad.
For the Democrats, we have 45 Senators & 203 Representatives = 248: Percentage of Iraqi veteran fortunate sons of Democrats is 0.004%
Total congressional percentage is 0.009%. Democrats aren’t pulling their weight, yet they scream loudest about their concerns for our sons and daughters. Right!
But wait, we have other congressional sons in the military:
• Rep. Marilyn Musgrave, Colorado Republican. Her son is an enlisted sailor on a submarine tender in the Mediterranean.
• Sen. Republican Kit Missouri Republican. His son Sam is training to be a Marine infantry officer.
• Rep. Ike Skelton, the senior Democrat on the Armed Services Committee, whose namesake son is a Navy public affairs officer in Japan.
• Sen. Joseph Biden, Delaware Democrat. His son, Joseph III, is a judge advocate in the Delaware Army National Guard.
Total Percentage of Republican fortunate sons is 0.024%
Total Percentage of Democrat fortunate sons is 0.012%
Total Percentage of Congressional fortunate sons is 0.019%
Furthermore, the fact that we have 6 members of the Armed Services committee means that parental concerns are well represented. Unless you believe that Republicans eat their young, nevermind that Dems are pretty much known to favor aborting theirs.
According to the CIA Factbook (Google it), updated 10 Feb 05, we have the following
0-14 years: 20.80% (male 31,122,974 female 29,713,748) 60,836,722
15-64 years: 66.90% (male 97,756,380 female 98,183,309) 195,939,689
65+ years 12.40% (male 15,078,204 female 21,172,956) 36,251,160
For total population of 293,027,571
So let’s do some extrapolating to find some generous parental #s
15-39 would be approximately 87,547,521
38-64 would be approximately 108,392,168
108,392,168 (38-64)+ 36,251,160 (65+) = 144,643,328 potental parental units
With all the rotations and what not, let’s say that 1,000,000 soldiers have served at one time or another, that would give us approximately .013% of all American parents have had their sons & daughters serve in Afghanistan/Iraq. Sounds to me like the statement that a greater % of Congressional parents have their children at risk than the rest of America is no hyperbole.
Sorry to bust blow away MM’s smoke & mirrors. If you paid to see 9/11, you should demand a refund for being bamboozled.
Howard Dean’s ascension to the Chairmanship of the DNC, sends a clear message to the electorate of the strategy he will embark upon in the next four years. It reminds me of a similar incident during the 1992 campaign. Bill Clinton calculatingly distanced himself from African Americans by criticizing Sista Soulja in a speech in front of a furious Jesse Jackson. Bill Clinton knew he had to attract democratic moderates who were critical of the party’s embrace of issues important to blacks. The type of voters Howard Dean had in mind when he said during the campaign, “we need guys with Confederate flags in their pickup trucks.”
Dean has made clear his strategy for winning future elections. He emphasizes keeping energized the grass roots, the bloggers, the young and disaffected voters. The type of voters he attracted during his flameout. Conspicuously absent is rhetoric geared towards the Democrats traditional voters, voters who weren’t particular thrilled with John Kerry’s presidential campaign. Dean’s history with African Americans is negligible at best. In a Slate interview, he boasted proudly that he had “two African-American roommates” during his freshman year at Yale, (that he requested no doubt!) which corresponds in his mind to a “special relationship with the African-American community.” This “special relationship†amounted to Dean not having any African-Americans or Latinos serve in his Cabinet during his governorship. Only a limousine liberal, isolated and growing up on Park Avenue and in the Hamptons, would think it amusing to joke to a gathering of African Americans, that the only way Republicans would have a gathering of similar size would be to “invite the hotel staff.†Dean’s focus on red states and the west, says the party can take for granted African Americans while it attempts to reach out. Some things never change.
Do you think using names like “moonbats” is going to improve Republican success with Blacks?
We invite rational people of all races into the fold and do not ask to see their pedigrees. We eschew identifying a person by his race, rather by his character (sound familiar?).
Moonbats, however, seem drawn to the opposition.
The first sentence in the above post was a quote from an earlier poster …
There are more black Republican Secretaries of State than black people in Howard Dean’s administration when he was VT Governor. Here’s a prediction I’d put money on: the first black President will be a Republican. Here’s another: the first female President will be a Republican. Were they to be the same person my joy would be unalloyed.
When you enemy is destroying itself, often it is best just to get out of their way.
…. but we have to call them on it, the MSM won’t do it on their own.
Now, imagine if Trent Lott said that…..
‘Now, imagine if Trent Lott said that…..’
Then he’d be a senator standing by the president at the inaugural?
Here are some other things crazy dean can say in the future:
1: At a gathering of owners of media properties and lawyer association he could say:
Do you think the Republicans could get a gathering of Jews like this? Not unless they invited the Physics Department from some University in here.
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