Isn't This Special……..

         

Just as all nonwhites are NOT criminals, not ALL cops are saints, though the majority have been. 

Just in case you folks are still under the delusion that the police in NYC are feeling put upon by the actions of the protestors….which were evident before the latest sickening murder of two of their own by a crazed lone killer……and are just acting out because they are "misunderstood", think again. 

Those on the Right…..I am talking about YOU Giuliani….are not wasting a MINUTE to use this as a political cudgel to bully those higher up: Mayor de Blasio, President Obama, Eric Holder, etc. This is nothing new for NYPD, but this time they have a racial component to use as a weapon, too…….and using it they are.

"Meanwhile, Republican operatives see a chance to do fatal damage to a rising Democratic star and close Clinton ally by resurrecting the kind of racial backlash politics that won them urban white votes during the Nixon era."

http://www.alternet.org/news-amp-politics/emails-and-racist-chats-show-how-cops-and-gop-are-teaming-undermine-de-blasio

" In an email to a supporter, Queens Village Republican Club president Joe Concannon referred to the planned wave of protests as “our plan to keep it in the news for the first half of 2015.”

Yes, I know…protests in the name of justice for killing unarmed black men, innocent until proven guilty…...BAD.

NYPD protests against officials…who have expressed support of law officers, but are black….and also against the other protestors…...GOOD

Let's Try This...

"Maybe lots of people support lots of things, and we can't twist that generalized support into blame for maniacs who decide to take up arms for their own demented reasons. Maybe that's a better idea after all."

http://www.motherjones.com/kevin-drum/2014/12/lets-blame-conservatives-all-killings-theyre-responsible

I am sick and tired of the yelling, blaming, pointing fingers, lying, surmising, generalizing, name calling, racism, back-turning for spite, photo-opting, attention getting, ratings reaching, knee jerk reacting…and general spittle producing rhetoric that is rampant in today's society and media after the last few weeks. GET OVER YOURSELVES.

Yes, there is a problem with some cops in some areas…and the militarization of such people. Yes, there are some people that are just bad and given any opportunity will show their disdain, and even hatred, for those not like themselves. Yes, there are some folks….black and white…that do NOT think the law applies to them. But NOT everybody. And every police officer is NOT a saint. Remember that, Lynch, Kelly and Giuliani: Police acting like spoiled kids is disgusting to most of us, just like those in Congress. 

You might want to check out:

 http://ezkool.com/2014/12/rudy-giuliani-pat-lynch-new-yorks-finest-covones/ 

Todays' technology has certainly provided a window into what for years has been 
hidden….and as such, has brought what has been hidden and distasteful to the forefront where it needs to be addressed…NOT USED AS ATTACKS.

For decades media such as FOX, Breitbart, Limbaugh, NRO, and The Blaze have goaded and prodded in their own sly way the behavior we see now…and each time they look at the damage and say "what, me??"

This circle has to break….now. 

But I am not holding my breath……

The way you see people is the way you treat them, and the way you treat them is what they become.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

I Suppose It's Just Optics….

edited or otherwise. 

We all know by now some version or other of the killing of a black Ferguson teenager by a white Ferguson policeman. We have all heard at least three versions of the police chief's explanation of the chain of events. We have all seen the military-type response to both the outpouring of grief, turned to rage, leading to looting that had nothing to do with the original shooting.

I am pretty sure that somewhere in the midst of all this racism, hatred, and feeling of frustration lies the truth. You can be sure of one thing: if a black policeman had shot and killed a white teenager (whether he was aware of an alleged crime or not) in a white neighborhood (middle-class or poorer…) the aftermath would have been different. And a LOT different if it had been an upperclass area……

Two of the autopsy reports are out: the first really saying nothing. The second one can be somewhat inconclusive except to discredit partially the witnesses belief Brown was shot in the back, but NOT disproving he had his hands up in surrender. Then there are the live tweets about the shooting hat the msm has not touched on. Hmmmmm.

The police department very co-incidently released a surveilance video along with the name (finally) of the shooter who has long since scooted out of town. They were asked not to, since tensions were already high…... I guess the cops were bent out of shape at being replaced by the Highway Patrol folks with a black leader. (My take on things, only)

They released only a portion of the video…..but not this part: 

2:00 PM - 17 Aug 2014

YouTube @YouTube

http://littlegreenfootballs.com/article/43740_Ferguson-_Down_the_Rabbit_Hole

Then add to the story that the police and others in charge are still attempting to thwart the media from doing their job…informing the public what is really happening…instead of hoping they will rely on sanitized press releases being put out by those "in charge."

http://tinyurl.com/mjcvspy     (Thanks, EZKOOL)

And the officials, and our government (local or otherwise) wonder why we have no faith or trust in them???

Someone would be offended......and find a zealous lawyer

"In the U.S., taking offense is a national pastime, spectator sport, and obsession. But the playing field is tilted."

http://www.knoxnews.com/news/2013/jun/30/george-korda-playing-field-isnt-level-national-pas/?partner=popular

Upon reading of the Paula Deen racism scandal the journalist took it upon himself to look for more more background and facts.

"But in story after story I could find no reference to when the offending word was actually spoken, just that it had come out in the lawsuit deposition.One of the basic questions a reporter is supposed to answer is when something happened. It began to seem the “when” was being left out of the stories perhaps because the impact would be diminished if it was revealed that it took place many years ago. Readers or viewers might also ask themselves if they’d want their lives judged or wrecked on the basis of something they’d said decades in the past."

And the allegations for the still unheard trial, if it proceeds, were made over a year ago.

http://savannahnow.com/column/2013-06-29/paula-deen-modern-day-lynching#.UdGLZBZK4_h

"A famous quotation attributed to the French philosopher Voltaire is, “I disapprove of what you say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.

The modern-day American equivalent in many quarters is “I disapprove of what you say and therefore it is my mission to destroy you personally, professionally, or both, because you cannot be allowed to say or think such things.”

It's frequently suggested that what our country needs is constructive dialogue on race, politics and social issues between people of opposing views. But we really can’t do that. Someone would be offended.

Eeney Meeney Miney Mo, Catch A .......

Everybody knows the rest of that little rhyme....and you're lying if you're of a "certain age" and say you don't. Yea...we've ALL been a little racist in our lives. I'm kind of disgusted with all of us at the moment....left and right. Right- for their blatant racism, sexism, and general "me before everybody else" attitude. Left- for their "we're above it all", take the media's version and run attitude. (I thought WE were the ones that had all the facts, didn't join the fray, and were the "lets the story play out" before pointing fingers.) Hypocrites. 

I know, this Paula Deen scandal, you say, is a symptom of all that is wrong with the south. You are using it to prove your point that this part of the country is decades behind the rest of the country, and that Blue states are more "advanced" than Red ones. I get that!! I've lived in both..there is a world of difference.....BUT before you all go around beating your chest about bringing down this lady that has worked for decades to raise her family and build this business (whether YOU like it or not..and you are entitled to your view of old-style southern cooking, etc. I was raised on it..but I now view my diet differently.)...why not bother to get some background. All anybody has heard has been the other side, and Paula's naive and poor attempts to redeem herself. (Where was her attorney? This should have been a NO.) 

Last year was the first attempt at this: http://abcnews.go.com/... 

The original letter (a must-read)  from the plaintiff's attorney: http://media.cmgdigita... 

And now the lawyer of this woman is preparing to file a lawsuit for slander against Bobby Deen for publicly defending his mother and her business? 
 WALMART, the company that gets all its products from dirt cheap labor overseas, cuts everybody's hours, used the "Made in America" meme to con the public for years, has a lawsuit against it in Mexico, and pays everyone so little that they give their new "associates" applications for SNAP when they are  hired......

And TARGET....where they support antigay rights and make employees watch antiunion videos? THESE companies have the gall to say Paul Deen does not reflect their values????

Please......give me a break. Trial by media, a favorite pastime of the American public and our "judicial" system. No matter how far we advance.....our basic nature never changes, I'm sorry to say. 

Elitism Meets The South...Results Not Good

Sometimes it pays to "have been there." Sometimes it helps to put yourself in another's shoes. Sometimes it helps to have a few more years under your belt, or your Jimmy Choo's.

Sometimes it helps to understand the entire concept of a literary work, a movie, or a song. Such was the case when Brad Paisley and LL Cool J performed Accidental Racist at the ACMs the other night. Yes, an unlikely pairing, and maybe NOT the best of songs.....but the hoopla was uncalled for.

"My big issue lies with Paisley’s portrayal of some clueless rube sauntering into a Starbucks and not understanding why someone might object to his having a symbol of centuries of terror and enslavement emblazoned upon his t-shirt. I mean, for heaven’s sake, even the sole remaining member of Lynyrd Skynyrd has publicly repudiated the Stars and Bars.'   (Yes, after decades of soul searching.......ME)

http://www.addictinginfo.org/2013/04/11/brad-paisley-ll-cool-j-and-fans-defend-accidental-racist-video/

The author of this particular article, or some others,  obviously DOES NOT understand Southern Pride, even today. Right or wrong...to most objective minds....it is hard to disregard the past, and sometimes what was popular decades ago, even in music, cannot be forgotten. Remnants of that culture, and its popularity today (I love Lynyrd Skynyrd still and I'm NOT a teenager) is a given. NOTHING TO DO WITH RACISM OR THE LIKE....just the good Southern music. The Allman Brothers, Molly Hatchet, The Doobie Brothers, Marshall Tucker, 38 special, The Outlaws, Little Feat, Rossington Collins.....all of these groups had something to add to our present music culture. Not all rap is sex, hate, guns, and hating the white guy either. (And LL Cool J is a very good actor.)

Some people just do not like Country music or Rap. That is fine. Not everybody has the same taste. (Rap is a foreign language to me.....) But understanding the artists is paramount in getting the message from their work. To say what some have said...that this is some hokey Southern loser singer trying to make a name for himself.....could not be more wrong.

Brad Paisley has touched upon this sensitive subject over the years. I'll bet that all those that are yammering today have NO clue...

"I had a friend in schoolRunning back on a football teamThey burned a cross in his front yardFor asking out the home coming queen"

http://www.metrolyrics.com/welcome-to-the-future-lyrics-brad-paisley.html

Before all the know-it-alls go off with their noses in the air, condescension dripping from their pores, and words like RACISM spewing from their lips, you might want to take a look at this:

"You know everywhere has somethin' there known for
although usually it washes up on our shores
little Italy, Chinatown, sittin' there side by side
live from New York, It's Saturday Night!"
http://youtu.be/AfnFPNv1PPM

Mr.Paisley is an compassionate man of today: a family man, a realist, someone who knows that the past IS influencing the present...the end result is up to all of us. He knows that we all came from different places socially, culturally, and that we all bring something to the table.

I only wish we ALL were adult enough to recognize it.

Making The "R" Word Work 
or using "otherness" against your opponent without getting called out.


I know..this is 2012 and we are WAY past all that nonsense.......NOT. But apparently we've got a long way to go......or a segment of the population is not on the same road we're on. For example:

"The language of GOP racial politics is heavy on euphemisms that allow the speaker to deny any responsibility for the racial content of his message. The code words in this game are “entitlement society” — as used by Mitt Romney — and “poor work ethic” and “food stamp president” — as used by Newt Gingrich. References to a lack of respect for the “Founding Fathers” and the “Constitution” also make certain ears perk up by demonizing anyone supposedly threatening core “old-fashioned American values.”
http://thehill.com/opinion/columnists/juan-williams/207295-2012-racial-code-words-obscure-real-issue

The latest is this, a political ad from an anti-Obama Super PAC:

 "Implying that whites are too stupid to have honest disagreements with the president without being racist is, in and of itself, racist against whites," the narrator says.

"Mr. President, you ran as the candidate of change," the ad's narrator says in conclusion. "But one thing has not changed—your tacit defense of racism against white folks, despite receiving nearly half the white vote to win the presidency."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/03/obama-racism-super-pac-web-ad_n_1739800.html?utm_hp_ref=politics&ir=Politics

OK, soooooo maybe Romney has NOT said "I approve this message" but you can be sure that a lot of the extreme Right Wing have...as well as the Tea Party People. Remember all those signs a couple of years ago?


When you have a Republican Representative coming right out and saying "diversity has never worked in this country", you know for SURE we're NOT on the same path.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/08/02/steve-king-english-language_n_1734431.html


We need to be very careful or we're going to become one of those country's we're always rushing to: helping them become"more democratic." From what I've seen lately concerning women's reproductive rights, voting rights, immigration, insisting that "Christianity" be first and foremost in this country, bigotry, back-handed racism, and scorn on those less fortunate..........some other more developed countries are going to be COMING HERE next.....

Hypocrisy On Sunday
or, How the Right Wing Extremists Interpret The News.

I usually avoid all Sunday morning political talk shows. It's not good for the digestive system. But I did happen to catch CBS this morning, and while I don't care one way or the other for Tavis Smiley...meaning sometimes I agree but other times I feel he's off course...I was impressed with what he had to say. The topic was poverty in our country, something the Repubs just gloss over, or blame on the poor themselves. Mr. Smiley did a straight forward, factual, emotional piece: NO MENTION of Repubs or Dems, left or right, white or black or hispanics, male or female, this president or that one. Just a solid piece.

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-3445_162-57476855/tavis-smiley-poverty-is-the-new-slavery/?tag=cbsnewsSectionContent.13


I was TOTALLY taken back by the comments on the article, as you can see for yourself:

"Slavery, really? You make me sick. Slavery is code for it's the white guy's fault. The problem with the economy is in the White House. Smiley, I put you in the same category as Wright, Sharpton, & Jackson. You, like them, are race baiters and serve only to enflame hate. You are as big a racist as the Klan."


What is WRONG with this country? Is the divide, hate, ignorance and refusal to adhere to facts  too deep? Has the Right Wing Extreme Machine done THAT great a job? Do we have ourselves to blame, libs? 


We can say that the Right lives in an alternate reality...but it's here on the same ground as the rest of us. I don't want to believe that regular people think that way. I'm ashamed for them and scared at the same time. What does the future hold if this sort of thinking and behavior wins out..........?