The underlying issue
I am no longer able to keep silent as America grapples in denial of the true underlining issues of November's presidential election. Those of us who reside at the bottom of America's capitalistic food chain, especially in the black communities, East Winston, for example, where I live, are not ignorant enough to go along with the "It's the economy" spin politicians, especially the GOP and the right-wing media moguls, have masterfully crafted and exploited.
Rather than placing our true cards on the table as a society, we gather in our respective communities to express our true nature. Unlike the tea party, for example, which was non-existent until a black man became president. Out of nowhere, this group rallied themselves, carrying signs with monkeys and back-to-Africa slogans, their Confederate flags of white pride, along with a handful of blacks who share in a Clarence Thomas mentality, into a Republican Party powerhouse force of eternal resistance. "Taking the country back." Back from whom, who took it?
Without help, something President Obama has not gotten and everyone in America knows why, no president, Democrat or Republican, can change America's economic realities. Let's at least be honest; the underline issues have nothing to do with the economy or any other valid concerns. No, the real underline issues of this election are the choices. You either share in the belief that blacks are inferior or not. In any case, don't hide behind the economy smokescreen.
TERRON T. BAILEY
Winston-Salem
Falling
Gas prices are falling faster than they climbed. It must be President Obama's fault.
R.C. MURPHY
Winston-Salem
University deserves better
I am incensed that the N.C. Senate has involved itself in the matter of Bowman Gray Stadium ("Lawmakers kill WSSU stadium bid," June 15). First, are Sen. Don East and other elected officials lacking in important work? I am sure most of us could provide suggestions about statewide concerns that merit more attention than this local issue.
Second, when Bill Patterson of Richard Childress Racing says more can be done with the stadium, does that mean more racing? The noise from that activity travels many miles, denying me and many others the liberty to enjoy spring and summer weekend evenings outside our homes.
Third, am I alone in wondering if this is one more example of the wealthy white male power structure lording it over the rest of us? Winston-Salem State University plays a vital role in our community and deserves better than being blindsided by the N.C. Senate. WSSU leadership can be trusted to make good decisions, and their student body can make their voices heard.
The presence of a motorsports management program at the university suggests they would have a stake in maintaining the racing legacy of the stadium. Our community benefits from the many hundreds of WSSU football fans who spend money at local businesses.
There is still time to develop a plan for Bowman Gray Stadium that meets the needs of WSSU, racing, the city and others. I hope the politicians shift their focus from unnecessary legislative action to facilitating a mutually agreeable solution.
ANN GEIGER
Winston-Salem
Finish the Thought
Saturday, we asked readers to complete the sentence: "The 2012 presidential race is shaping up to be one that will come down to the wire because ..."
"... neither President Obama nor Gov. Mitt Romney delivers a knockout-punch quality message or campaign theme yet. And also, so far President Obama has not explained succinctly his plan for his second term. (With the new move on immigration, he seems to do it piecemeal.)
"On the other hand, Gov. Romney has not convincingly articulated what his vision for the country would make him a better president and a better 'job-creator.' He only throws out the outmoded GOP panacea of 'tax-cut, spending-cut and deregulation.' The GOP formula for the economy has proven to be ineffectual and even disastrous. Where's the beef, governor?"
BOON T. LEE
"… they always do. The media wants it to seem like a close race because that helps their ratings. Truth is, every presidential election comes down to the wire because we all vote the same day. Nothing new here."
WES PATTERSON
"... neither candidate has much of anything to offer."
WILLIAM SAMS
"Without help, something President Obama has not gotten and everyone in America knows why, . . ."? Let's be REALLY honest, Mr. Bailey. President Obama wouldn't BE president if it hadn't been for the votes (help) of MINORITIES, many of whom had never voted before and probably never will again once President Obama leaves office.
ReplyDeleteThanks for placing YOUR true cards on the table Mr. Bailey but I truly believe that NO ONE is trying to keep the President down as your otherwise well written letter suggests, just his policies.
Wow! LaSombra....! I like it when you get up on the 'right' side of the bed.
DeleteMr. Bailey:
ReplyDeleteYou and people like you are what's wrong with America.
I can assure you, not every white person in this country gets up every morning and says how can I screw a black person, including the black president of the United States. Unfortunately, you have fallen victim to the liberal left's propaganda that Republicans, and most white people hate black people. That simply isn't the case.
One only has to look to the Hispanic community to realize that they aren't sitting around with their hands to the government in order to make their lives better. If some (the illegal Hispanics) would take the time to immigrate here 'legally', I'd be all for them moving here.
I think it's pretty pathetic that you want to play 'victimhood' for both yourself and the president in this day in age. Especially for the president, he's be give the 'affirmative action' equivalent to his administration by the liberal media. His ineffectual leadership has never been truly exposed by the liberal media, and in fact, many things have been covered up, doctored up, rewritten, reedited....you name it.
One only has to look at Eric Holder's tenure as United States Attorney General to realize the chaos Obama has brought to the country. Where's the reporting by MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC, and CBS? In unprecedented moves, he has sued states that want to 'help' the federal government enforce its immigration laws, he has also sued states that want to ensure the voting process' integrity by passing voter I.D. laws. He has brough 'racism' into the office by refusing to procescute a black man for voter poll intimidation. He wanted to prosecute a terrorist in NYC instead of Guantanomo Bay, potentially endangering millions. In short, not has he been a politically corrupt attorney general, he is endangering people's lives through his decison making.
So if you want to stand in the government's soup line the rest of your life. So be it. But don't expect much sympathy from some of us when you ultimately 'fail' at succeeding in life.
Wow, the parrot is really wound up today. Bucky want a cracker...Bucky want a cracker...Bucky want a cracker...Bucky want a cracker...awwwk!
DeleteIf you want to know where the reporting is, go to the MSNBC, CNN, NBC, ABC or CBS website and type "Holder" into the search box...then settle back for a few hours reading. Why do right wing crackpots think that the mainstream media doesn't report things? Because they are busy listening to idiots like Limbaugh or Beck or reading right wing crackpot websites that only report what right wing crackpots want to hear.
Bucky IS a cracker.
DeleteHave you bought Rielle's book yet?
DeleteAs he spoke to the dispatcher, he said Martin circled his vehicle, but he "lost visual of him" and got out of the vehicle to find him. The dispatcher, he said, told him "we don't need you to do that," and he was heading back to the vehicle when Martin jumped out, asking him, "What the f-'s your problem?"
ReplyDeleteCNN
______
With the release of documents from the court, the media is now being forced to tell Zimmerman's side of the story. At least, they can no longer just make it up as they go along, like they have been. The story is just a little different than how it was first told, don't you think?
This sounds 'EXACTLY' like what a gang-banger wanna be would do.
If you are interested in actual facts instead of Buckcrap, read on.
DeleteIf you want to see an extraordinary analysis of the Trayvon Martin/George Zimmerman case, go here:
Fair and Detailed Assessment of the Facts
It's a bit long, but worth the journey.
This won't help people like Buck boy, because he is not influenced by reason…just his own inane, mindless made-up take on whatever happens in the world. But it will appeal to those who actually have brains capable of reason.
Pay special attention to Susan Simpson's comments on eyewitnesses. As any police detective will tell you, the worst case scenario in any crime is one in which the only evidence comes from an eyewitness. Unless there are two eyewitnesses, which makes things even worse. Unless there are three eyewitnesses, and so on.
And, of course, in this case, one of the "eyewitnesses" is one of Zimmerman's pals and has been shown to be lying before we even get to court.
The great irony of this case is that a few weeks ago, George Zimmerman had an excellent chance of getting away with murder, or at least getting off with only a manslaughter conviction, because Trayvon Martin is dead, so there was no one to contradict whatever Georgie boy says.
But his own nature, stupidity, selfishness and greed, have worked against him to ensure that he now has a very high chance of going down for 2nd degree murder. Rather than deal with matters like a man, he has now sucked his own wife into criminal charges…perjury is a serious offense, with a presumptive sentence in Florida of 5 years. And he himself is almost certain to be charged with conspiracy to commit perjury, which carries the same penalty. Not to mention the possibility of money laundering, which at the federal level, could lead to racketeering charges. His credibility has dropped from low to zero.
If this whole matter were not such a serious tragedy for all concerned, I would be laughing, because as I have always said, any man other than a police officer or a soldier who walks out of his house carrying a gun is a fool looking for a pace to fail.
Oh, and please take a look at the many comments on this site. They are in some ways a mirror of this forum, pitting sane logic against insane ramblings. As here, it it is easy to separate the bigots from the civilized folks.
Boy, when you get caught making a fool out of yourself, which is quite often, you really go into your jibber jabber mode.
ReplyDeleteIn the everyday world, perjury is a meaningless charge which is seldom used. The only reason this prosecutor filed charges against Zimmerman's wife is because she saw her case against Zimmerman going down the tubes. Why? Because the faces don't support the charges she filed.
A least one of the witnesses supported Zimmerman's account initially. But with the threat of African American version of the KLU KLUX KLAN, known as the New Black Panther Party, appearing on TV making all kinds of threats, he thought he might better temper his remarks.
Yes, the PC idiots, like Rush, who really don't have a clue about the law regarding self-defense are going back into their jibber jabber mode. It'll be nice to just get some the facts out on the table like I've tried to do, so that George Zimmerman can get a fair trial.
P.S. Hey Stab! What about those new liberal recruits I asked about?
DeleteI don't care what anybody says...I don't care what the facts are...I don't care what actually happened...I don't care about anything but my own juvenile, simple-minded, insane view of the world...
DeleteI was born a dunce...I have always been a dunce...and I always will be a dunce...so help me Yahweh...
Buckdope
Sandusky called a 'victim' in closing arguments. Who did the closing, O.T. Rush?
DeleteGeez...just when you think you've heard it all. It just goes to show you that there is more than one insane person out there besides Rush.
Try giving a false, easily disproved statement in court like G & S, the moron twins did, and watch what happens.
DeleteI'd come to your trial Bucko. I'd even bring popcorn for the rest of the gang.
Interesting little analysis there Arthur. I agree George didn't do himself any favors with his ill advised bond testimony. However, generally, the witnesses agree with Zimmerman's account of the shooting. The one that disagreed, has since reversed her story.
DeleteYou're probably the smartest liberal in here. Don't blow your reputation by getting on Rush's boneheaded bandwagon.
Instead of just popping off on ignorant crap that you "heard", you ought to visit the link above and read what actually is known.. what witness said what, what witness was coached by the police, what witness we already know is a liar and the fact that none of the witnesses agreed with any of the other witnesses.
DeleteOf course, we know that in your case, you'd rather be ignorant.
Supposedly, you 'read' all there is to know about the Zimmerman case. Didn't you? Then I had to ram a fact up your liberal yahoooooooooooo, didn't I?
DeleteSo let's don't get so high mighty there, Mr. Liberal.
"You're going to die tonight." Martin to Zimmerman
Delete__________
Statement made by Martin as Martin was pounding Zimmerman's head into concrete.
Sounds like a life and death situation to me.
But then, I've got some common sense.
Perfect example of ignorance. You don't even know where those "quotes" come from...they did not come from Zimmerman, but from third parties including his father and brother, both of whom told different stories. We'll eventually find out what Z told the police, which will probably be yet another different story...apparently he has already told them three or four different versions.
DeleteIf you look at the crime scene pictures, you will find that there is no concrete available for pounding heads into. Martin was shot 8-10 feet from the nearest sidewalk. Zimmerman had a couple of minor cuts on the back of his head and a tiny nick on his "broken" nose. If someone had been "pounding his head into concrete" he would have needed to be taken to the emergency room. There were not even any stitches taken. Your ignorance is the most extensive I have ever encountered.
That's not surprising since your "information" always comes from bullshit "sources", i.e. internet liars.
Its fine with me if you want to remain ignorant. That seems to be your favorite state.
BTW, "common sense" is called common sense because it comes from the common man, in other words, from ignorant fools like you, the lowest common denominator.
DeleteLooks like you're the one that is ignorant of the facts. Remember yesterday when I had to fire one up your loose yahooooooooo?
DeleteHee Hee....liberals...a lot of jabber, but no juice.
LTE #1 - See LTE #2
ReplyDeleteLTE #2 - Wrong. When prices go up, it's Obama and the wicked, evil, all-powerful unions at work. When they go down, Reagan gets the credit.
LTE #3 - Don East has not been seen in Raleigh for a long time. As far as anyone knows, he's still with his buddy "Bucky" Bingham and the other teenagers driving his Dodge Charger SRT8 at 140 MPH on US 52.
Finish the Thought: Got to love Wes's response. Maybe he hasn't noticed, but we don't all vote on the same day anymore. And we've had quite a few elections that were over almost as soon as they started, such as 2008 and LBJ's landslide in 1964, or the most bizarre ever, Lincoln in 1860, who took 60% of the electoral vote while receiving only 40% of the popular vote.
OT, explain how unions do not drive prices up.
DeleteElsewhere, I see where the USSC ruled that the wicked SEIU could not just summarily extract money from members for political activity. The vote was 7-2. I don't see how 2 of 'em voted against the ruling. For any other entity, the procedure would be described as theft. But for unions and their supporters, it's solidarity in its finest enforced collectivist form.
Why, oh why, did I bring unions up. That business is as worn out as all my old pairs of Chuck Taylor hightops.
DeleteI take it back. It is all Obama's fault. There.
Get him Stab. He's been particularly 'naughty' today.
DeleteOT, you do not respond to my arguments. I asked how unions do not drive prices up. Those increased wages, benefits, work rules gotta come from somewhere. You have never addressed the intimidation issue that I raise regarding unionization w/o secret ballot elections. And you ignored the pocket picking for political purposes I cited. Finally, I hear what great redistributors of income unions can be, but in higher car prices, for example, I see my income redistributed, and I am part of the 99%.
DeleteFurnish some straight answers and I'll lay "wicked unions" to rest (be still my heart ;)
He's not going to Stab. He's a classic liberal. He thinks if he throws out enough intangential garbage he wins.
DeleteHe's not used to people who think, and put facts together.
Bucky, I am not going to so characterize my esteemed cousin. He is a skilled arguer, however, and presents lots of data. He and my good friend Bob are exceptionally well informed. We have basic philosophical differences re various political issues. Fortunately, those differences are irrelevant to friendship, which is my good fortune.
DeleteSomeone who struggles mightily with such simple words as "a", "an","the" and "thimble", not to mention simple grammar, should not wander into the world of big boy words unarmed.
DeleteIn math, a tangent is a line that touches, but does not intersect, an arc. In everyday language, tangent is adapted to mean "irrelevant", as in "going off at a tangent". Tangent is also used in higher level discussion of billiards, as in "using the tangent line", which is directly related to the math terminology.
In math, intangent has to do with the incircle of a triangle. In everyday language, intangent has no meaning at all.
A person with weak language skills might have the idea that adding "in" as a prefix makes the word the opposite of the word it is attached to. Sometimes that is true, but not in this case. If it did, "intangent" would mean "relevant", but it doesn't.
Deb Phillips, who is a fellow lowest common denominator, recommends that after completing all the remedial courses at FTCC, one transfer to a superior four year college such as her alma mater, Regent U.
I understand Stab. You're a class act. I get too carried away sometimes.
DeleteStab, as to your comment, now that I have dealt with your remora, of course higher pay for workers translates to higher prices. So since unions are dying right and left, prices should be declining. Instead they have been rising remorselessly for years, even as middle class buying power has declined sharply. Maybe the middle class needs a union.
DeleteAs to the intimidation business, on the one hand we have union intimidation, on the other we have corporate intimidation...the worker is caught in between. I don't like either form of intimidation, but the employer definitely has the upper hand.
You go out tomorrow and stop the corporate intimidation and I will do the same for the unions. No doubt by next week, all intimidation will be gone and workers and bosses can lay down together like the lion and the lamb.
Believe me, the lion is looking forward to that meal.
I understand Rush. You've taken a royal beating on the facts today. You're just trying to make some headway on inconsequential nonsense. But, that's what you do so well.
DeleteOK OT, I'll take that as a direct response. I ascribe rising prices to unions in part, to supply and demand for some commodities, cartels (OPEC), but also to policies that devalue dollars.
Delete"remora": I'm still chuckling.
Hey Stab! Any chance of putting out some feelers on the Journal's website for some new, more mentally equipped, liberal participants?
DeleteI haven't visited the Journal lately for members, but will. Please note that I range from pleased to envious of the mental equipment of this site's members. Mind you, some days that equipment is less obvious.
DeleteGood afternoon folks!
ReplyDeleteLTE 1: This one should drive the klanners like old Harvey up the wall :). There actually are people out there who oppose Obama because of his policies and not because of his skin color. It would be naive, however, to deny that some of the opposition to Obama is due to racism. One only needs to examine the comment sections on various web sites as well as look at some of the opposition signs to see that there is clearly a racist element. I've also always thought the "take the country back" was a not so subtle racist comment.
LTE 2: Oil is below $80 / barrel, so gas seems to still be too high. It should below $3.00 at these oil prices. Lack of worldwide demand is evidence of a global economic slowdown, so low gas prices should be viewed as a double-edged sword.
LTE 3: That was rather suspicious. A deal with WSSU had apparently been worked out only to have Sen. East, who doesn't even represent the district pull the plug, due to interest from Richard Childress. I don't follow WSSU football or racing so it doesn't matter to me, but still this reeks of some palm greasing to get one's way. Further evidence of both state and federal govt becoming of the rich, by the rich and for the rich.
Finish the thought: I think Mr. Lee is on the right track. The economy is still struggling for many which hurts Obama, but Romney isn't the kind of candidate who is going to generate a lot of excitement either. There are probably a lot of undecided voters out there who won't make their decision until the last minute which adds to the uncertainty of who will win. Wes must have a short memory, because Nixon over McGovern, Reagan over Mondale and Clinton over Dole were forgone conclusions months before the election took place.
Interesting that anyone thinks that political parties have much in the way of power...they and their politicians sold all the power long ago to the rich and powerful. Ike's warning about the perils of the military/industrial complex seem pretty quaint today. Two small examples:
Delete1. The wine business in NC was begun by a number of small growers and was ignored for many years. Then when NC wines began to win awards and show some significant profit, two big businesses, Childress and the Shelton Brothers, moved in and took over.
Today the state wine board is packed with their cronies and many of the original small wineries have been driven out of business. Childress is particularly unscrupulous.
2. I feel sorry for all the poor saps who loyally pay their dues to the NRA, because the NRA does not give a hoot about anyone's firearm rights. They are simply a shill for the big gun manufacturers.
US gun ownership peaked in 1974 at 54%. It has been falling ever since, to well under 50%, despite the fact that there are already 270 million guns floating around the country.
But the falling rate alarmed the gun makers, so their shills began promoting the idea that President Obama was going to take everybody's guns away...huge success...gun sales are up lately...gun makers are happy...citizens are suckers.
I'm glad there are more guns being bought everyday in America. I'm particularly happy because I know it pisses liberals off.
Delete"It would be naive, however, to deny that some of the opposition to Obama is due to racism. One only needs to examine the comment sections on various web sites as well as look at some of the opposition signs to see that there is clearly a racist element. I've also always thought the "take the country back" was a not so subtle racist comment."
DeleteAbsolutely! I also think birtherism is just tarted up racism...several commenters on the old board chastised me for making that observation. Take that for what you will.
Of course birtherism is just tarted up racism.
DeleteIt's one of those "nudge, nudge" things...he's really from Kenya, ya know. If you look closely you'll see the hole where he had a bone through his nose.
I know a lot of racists...those who went to college went for the frat/sorority life and learned nothing...they got entry level jobs that any bright 12 year old could handle and "worked their way up" to low level management jobs. They have little involvement in the community...maybe assistant coach on their kids' soccer team. If they have a social life it is church stuff or a backyard cookout with plenty of Bud Light. Mostly they watch reality shows and Fox on TV. If they read at all, it's the Wall Street Journal, which they don't understand, or an occasional James Patterson (written by one of his "assistants") novel.
They would never admit it, but they are dissatisfied with their lives, because they have never lived a minute of real life. And they hate because they fear things that they don't understand, and because they are, at bottom, losers.
Arthur...you're absolutely right. Racism is alive and well. And it exists on both sides, although it's seldom reported by the leftist media.
DeleteAffirmative Action, food stamps, medicaid, government subsidies for housing, head start, unemployment pay outs, mortgages for unqualified people, Obamacare, and all of that stuff has just fanned the flames of latent racism. These are all programs routinely pushed and supported by leftists Democrats.
Everybody wants to get on the dole now days.
'Take the country back' is a slogan directed at Democrats that want to implode our economy through entitlements. Republicans want take America back from the country wrecking liberals, and get it back on the right track.
We've had fours years of Obama and Bev. Perdue, and we've had enough!
I'll bet Rush has an 'L' tatooed on his forehead.
Deletehttp://www.retrogamer.com/dl/index.jhtml?theme=pacman_gameplay_01&partner=RGxdm003&gclid=CJSduOe14LACFcqP7QodVnhjcw
DeleteYes, I am sure that some opposition to Obama is based on racism. Much, however, is not. His policies, pronouncements, and appointments warrant opposition, period.
DeleteAlso, note that many voted for him because of his race. What do we call that?
As for the birther lunacy, it is just that, racism or no. The man is a Hawaii-born American and is legitimately President until one January or the other. I am sure that many racists subscribe to the idea and debate it with other racists during commercials aired in sporting events that feature black athletes, coaches, commentators, and actors. What a world, as my heroine said.
What a world, indeed. I'm afraid that "otherism" (since there is more than race involved, as in nationality, religion, sex and sexual preference, right on down to sports team preference), was hard wired into the first humans, and through evolution, has gotten wired even harder.
DeleteIn the beginning, it was all about our most powerful driving force, survival. Today, it is not, but you'd never know it from the way people behave.
One of my favorite songs is still the old Kingston Trio hit from the 1950s, "The Merry Minuet":
They're rioting in Africa,
They're starving in Spain,
There's hurricanes in Florida,
And Texas needs rain...
The whole world is festering with unhappy souls,
The French hate the Germans,
The Germans hate the Poles,
Italians hate Yugoslavs,
South Africans hate the Dutch,
And I don't like anybody very much!
The last line sung by Bob Shane in a not very good Hitlerian accent. Pretty much says what needs to be said. And you could easily update it for today.
Quiz: Only two pop groups have ever had four albums in the top ten at the same time. One was the Beatles. Who was the other?
I am culturally illiterate, but I'll try: the cover band The Ventures :D
DeleteThe Kingston Trio had four albums in the top 10 in November/December 1959.
DeleteI see that I was wrong about there being only two groups with 4 top tens at once. In addition to the Beatles, Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass had 4 top 10s in April, 1966.
This past February, admittedly under special circumstances, Whitney Houston became the only woman to have 3 concurrent top 10 albums. It was the first time in almost 44 years that anyone had done that.
The only others having 3 at once were Simon & Garfunkle and Peter, Paul & Mary. Dylan, the Stones and Elvis never had more than 2 at once.
The Ventures, started by a couple of construction workers in Tacoma, never had 2, but the only rock acts that outsold them in the 1960s were Elvis, the Beatles and Ray Charles.
Bucky re liberal recruits: would love to have them, but would also like more conservatives and a wishy-washy centrist or two. Would also like racial diversity. Hmmm, OT, you're acquainted with my bête noire Commissioner Marshall. Perhaps you could invite him, and maybe a union official. Bucky, perhaps you could invite Wes and that idiot Harvey. I think Deb was here for a while, couldn't stand the withering heat and boogied. We really need well-read conservatives like my good friend whitewall, not well-listened (to Limbaugh) conservatives.
ReplyDeleteAgree that we need more conservatives. Right now, the only conservative who can actually make a coherent argument is WW, but he is in at sunrise and gone by morning drive time, and who can blame him.
DeleteI was pretty pleased with the remora thing myself. I used to do a lot of shark watching in the wild and always thought the remoras had done a pretty good job of evolving.
On their own they'd be quick snack for just about any bigger critter, but the shark provides them not only sustenance, but protection as well. Who's going to risk the shark's jaws for an insignificant snack?
Kind of like the loud-mouthed little guy in middle school who's always "sucking" up to one of the larger football players.