If you can read this, the world didn't end and you survived President Obama's school speech yesterday. If you allowed your kid to watch it, he's already forgotten everything the president said. If you didn't allow your son or daughter to watch the speech, they'll only remember it as the time you told them to play hooky.
The president didn't wear a pair of those swirly hypno-glasses while he gave his speech. And no one, that I know of, converted to socialism right after hearing it.
Some of us also accused Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush of trying to push political agendas when they gave their school addresses. We feared somehow the speech would cause our youth to go over to the other side.
Miley Cyrus, Terrell Owens and "Family Guy" have more influence over our children's behavior than any presidential speech. They don't buy Barack Obama or George W. backpacks, dolls, jewelry, bedding or jerseys. But they remember verbatim last night's episode of "Family Guy" where Peter loses his job after drinking too much at a stag party and has to go on welfare.
Some of these kids also see the hatred spewed by their parents against President Obama, like the town hall meetings and public debates where people show up with guns strapped to their sides and carrying signs calling Obama Hitler.
One news article reported that a man showed up at a rally carrying a sign that read "Death To Obama, Death To Michelle And Her Two Stupid Kids."
A friend told me he was at a gathering when the talk turned to politics. Nasty talk. Talk where someone wished out loud "that somebody would kill Obama." Few disagreed.
These folks are not your dad's conservative Republicans. They bear not even a scant resemblance to the party that championed Civil Rights in the 1960s. They are not the same folks who were concerned about the environment with the Clean Air Act in the 1970s. It's not the Republican Party of Martin Luther King, Nelson Rockefeller or Barry Goldwater.
With that said, I don't believe this angry faction we see really typifies the true Republican Party. As I remember, they were about moral and conservative restraint.
No, these folks are from the nut wing. They would rather listen to Rush Limbaugh and FOX News sound bites. They believe it when somebody tells them the government is going to take away their guns and kill them after they turn 65.
Many are racist, too. No one can convince me that on some level a part of this anger isn't because we have a half black president. News sources have reported a rise in hate group membership.
It's hard to believe that only four years ago the Republican Party called itself the moral party. It promoted God, patriotism and family. Its members said it was unpatriotic to question your government in time of war.
Heaven forbid if anyone would have held a tea party or talked of seceding from the union. They would have a bonfire to burn all your CDs like they did to the Dixie Chicks or have Toby Keith put a boot you know where. And think about it, if somebody really had weapons of mass destruction, would we rush into a fight with them? What sort of control did the terror alerts have over you?
George W. divided this country long before Obama came into office.
Let's think for ourselves, people. And if we truly believe in the Bible, don't leave out the New Testament.
Alonzo Weston can be reached at alonzow@npgco.com.
Share Your Thoughts
Comments are the sole responsibility of the person posting them. We do not review every post or respond to every removal suggestion. Comments that threaten someone or degrade them on the basis of gender, race, class, national origin, religion or disability will be removed. Comments containing abusive, vulgar or sexually-oriented language will be removed. Comments that spread rumors or lies will be removed. Please discuss only what has been factually proven. Comments posted in all caps will be removed. Stay on topic! Brief quotes are okay as long as the source is given. Blatant cutting and pasting is not acceptable. Comments must be kept under 250 words or less. Stjoenews.net moderators also reserve the right to remove comments for any reason they deem worthy. Click here for our full user agreement.
dalearch says...
George Bush's biggest mistake was not defending himself and doing something to diffuse the attacks from the left.
The attacks, which were orchestrated to hurt Bush and the Republican Party to get the dumbocrats back in the White House, worked quite well.
They fueled you liberal morons to divide the country.
September 9, 2009 at 6:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Orliandor says...
The "nut wing"; I like it.
September 9, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Candi says...
Excellent article Alonzo.
September 9, 2009 at 6:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
LibertyOrDeath says...
Nah just a bunch of loons, eh Alonzo? Where was your outrage at all the Bush-hating? For the record he can sail out on the same boat as your boy Obama.
Also, for the record, you can buy Obama dolls. Do your research next time.
Don't you love freedom of speech? I certainly do, almost as much as I enjoy watching the hypocrites cry foul now.
September 9, 2009 at 7:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
10377586 says...
Well written and right on target. I am terribly concerned about the far right when they blatantly speak of causing harm to our president and his family and nobody seems to call them on the carpet for it. We have never needed civil debate more than now and it seems to be gone. While I don't agree with everything Presidents Bush and Obama did and are doing I still have the highest level of respect for both men, they were/are the leader of our nation and our commander in chief. It would serve all citizens of our nation well to remember that and act accordingly.
September 9, 2009 at 7:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rette says...
15 Saudis attack America and we attack Iraq.
Now we're in Afghanistan in the same place Russia fought an endless war and went broke doing it.
The last generation fought a war in self defense.
This one fights out of paranoia.
In the meantime bankers from Hell attack the financial system here. Nearly $1 trillion in subprime mortgages left to deal with.Most of those loans were taken out within the last 6 years.
I guess some people have a reason to be afraid of what the President might say.
September 9, 2009 at 7:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
boy I am sure the other countries are looking at us and saying they are nuts. We also become vunderble to the people that most likely would love to see us gone when we are divided.Remmber 9/11/2001 people we were divided then as well and we all came together for our country within minutes of the attacks on our country.We do not have to agree and the the partys (Democrat and Republicans)are acting like a bunch of children stompping their feet when they do not get their way.What are we teaching our children by this to be divided all of their lifes. Lets see the civil war is over and the north and south became one.Work together for the middle ground and what is best for our country not stay divided.
September 9, 2009 at 7:39 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
chara says...
mr. weston i've enjoyed your articles for some time,but,i notice a change. your starting to sound like the folks on the far left. by that i mean calling pepole who happen to watch fox news the nut wing. i might remind you a lot of npg readers watch fox news so why try to alienate them.
theres been enough hatred sprewed by both sides. true some of the republicans don'nt reflect the views i have as a conservative,but ,the same can be said of the democratic party of my father. just because i don't like some of the policies of the pres. does'nt make me a racist either.
so quite putting labels on pepole its wrong to lump us all in the same sentence.
September 9, 2009 at 8:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
He_who_opines_behind_anonymity says...
Alonzo,
Why do you refuse to acknowledge that blacks are racists too? Why does it scare you so much when whites do the EXACT same things as blacks? When whites voice their concerns, their fears, or stand up for what they believe in you call them racists. When blacks do it, you tout it as a "proud moment in black history" because they are rising up against the oppressors.
Black members of the media like you are the ones keeping racism alive, you promote it with articles just like this one. You constantly use this false racism argument all the while proving that you are no less racist than those you accuse.
How many cards are there in a deck of race cards? There certainly seems to be an endless supply.
September 9, 2009 at 8:26 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
YOUR SLIP IS SHOWING, WESTON.
any residual respect i had for your journalistic ability has eroded over the last three years. this is the most hideous bit of race bating and garbage i have ever read.
you deny ...... and then go ahead and say exactly what you claim to abhor. that is hypocrisy in its highest incarnation.
September 9, 2009 at 8:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
grannytuff says...
I am so disguisted at this moment by the way ignorant people act. Regardless of who the President of the United States is at any given time, wishing harm/death to them or their family is appalling.
Alonzo, when you get back down off your black "high horse", please remember we also have a "HALF WHITE PRESIDENT".
With your obvious correlation that apparently all whites are racist, would that not mean that you are, in effect, calling the president a racist also?
September 9, 2009 at 8:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Harley_Blackwell says...
The far right acts like a bunch of babies. They didn't get their way (win the election) so they pout, yell, and complain about everything. Did it ever occur to them that the damage to this country didn't just occur over the last six months? A lot of this drastic action is necessary to repair the mistakes of the last eight years.
I'm not saying that the Democrats are perfect, but when the right makes dumb arguments like those surrounding Obama's speech to the schools, it is hard to take any of their points seriously.
September 9, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjsk8rboi says...
You've been watching the looney left MSNBC again, Alonzo. Many of the gun carriers at the town hall event were proven to be Obama supporters and the signs comparing Obama to Hitler were from the Democratic Lyndon LaRouche group who did the same thing to Dubya: http://newsbusters.org/blogs/seton-mo...
According to you, since I don't agree with Obama that makes me a racist. Based on your article, if I'm racist against his black half, that must mean you're racist against his white half. Doesn't that makes us even?
September 9, 2009 at 9:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
azmaggie says...
Were all the black people that disagreed with Bush racist?? All I hear is that if you do not buy the Big Spender's Bs you are not free thinking your are RACIST.
September 9, 2009 at 9:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Mr_America says...
Am I believe we lived in a color blind harmonious country before the big bad "W" destroyed it?
September 9, 2009 at 9:46 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyclone19 says...
I am disgusted that the News-Press would even print this garbage. In fact I'm disgusted they even keep this guy, he sits there and writes about Republicans dividing this country?? It's garbage like this that divides a country. I'm a Conservative Republican and I can for sure tell you, I'm not a racist. Another thing, I do listen to Beck, Hannity, Rush and the "evil" Fox News, but I can tell you I never once heard them say that they wanted one of our elected officials dead. On the day of the Obama was sworn in I was in Oregon and heard Randy Rhodes say she was wishing that Dick Cheney would have rolled off the stage in a wheel chair and die, and that would have made her day. Than she went on and said some pretty mean stuff about Bush. It's amazing how when the tables are turned, Liberals get defensive and name call just like your doing here Alonzo. The "nut party", why don't you grow up. If you didn't want this country divided you wouldn't have wrote this article, it's people like you who make it that way.
September 9, 2009 at 9:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
apmastrangelo says...
Alonzo - I often disagree with your position on matters but you hit this one out to the ball park.
It is unfortunate but the reality exists that a extreme right faction has highjacked the Republican Party and if this is not corrected by the majority of Republicans that are moderate thinking people concerned about our country the party will remain regional and often ineffective advancing a platform.
Truth be told, there is no one party and no one individual ever having the perfect solution or answer in governing and policy. The only problem is that the polarization, divide, or whatever you want to call it, has resulted in open and honest debate on matters to become nearly impossible. And when that happens we as a people all lose because the focus becomes defending ideology over resolving the issue at hand.
September 9, 2009 at 10:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
falcon says...
Alonzo, don't be so quick to denigrate Fox News. Had it not been for Fox, the hate-mongerer, fear-mongerer Van Jones would still be a major player at the White House. The mainstream media -- press and TV -- totally ignored this until the Fox continuing coverage left them with no choice except to report it.
September 9, 2009 at 10:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
RxRick says...
Great piece Alonzo. You summarized the craziness very nicely. Of course racism is not the only reason why people disagree, but it is the source of the "virulent hatred" directed towards the President. I hear this over-the-top name calling from my own brother. Race, religion, class, and creed create divisions in those who choose to remain ignorant. Some of us old timers can remember the hatred directed at President Kennedy simply because he was Catholic. Again, I heard it from my own family members. How quickly that changed after he was killed. God forbid that happens again, but I fear it.
September 9, 2009 at 10:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lionsroar says...
all they hype!!! for Pete's sake...isn't there more important issues we could all burn calories on????
September 9, 2009 at 10:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Thanks to this one article, I have lost almost all respect I ever had for Mr. Weston. Sir, with all due respect, President Bush didn't divide this nation. People who are unwilling to accept personal responsibility for themselves have. Career, out-of-touch politicians have. Irresponsible journalists, such as yourself, have. Your poor attempt to slough blame onto President Bush for our nation's woes indicates your level of disdain for anyone who differs with you. Why do you continue to spout the idiotic rhetoric that people dislike President Obama and his policies merely because of the color of his skin or his ethnic background? THAT, sir, is what divides our nation. When you, a civic leader, continue to showcase and highlight racial dischord, and continually play "the race card" you do a great disservice to the community and to people on both sides. I am deeply offended at even the suggestion that those of us who oppose some of what the President is attempting to enact in our country is somehow fueled by racial motivation. How DARE you call me a racist...and THAT, sir, is EXACTLY what you've done. According to you, if I dare stand up and voice my dissent, I'm a racist!!
Yeah, I'm angry. You, and others who continually insist that the "virulent hatred" being demonstrated by Americans is fueled by racism is, in fact, fueling racism! Allow me to enlighten you....I oppose the President, in many areas, simply because I don't agree with the socialist view he embraces and is attempting to enact. I believe that people, whatever their color or background, can do or be anything they want....and if they choose to be undereducated, underemployed or unemployed, that's a direct result of their own choices. NO ONE...regardless of the arguements to the contrary, is REQUIRED to be ANYTHING because of their race. EVERYONE in this country has the opportunity to succeed. I applaud Mr. Obama for becoming our President. I didn't vote for him, but that had absolutely nothing to do with his color. It has to do with a fundamental difference in his vision for our country's direction compared to mine...not his skin color.
September 9, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
bwilliams99 says...
I was so excited to read your column this morning. I was beginning to think that there were no rational voices out there anymore. For you Fox News defenders--I watch CNN, ABC and Fox. If there is something negative to report about Obama, Clinton, etc., I will hear it on all three. If there is something positive, you will never hear it on Fox. If there is something negative about the Reps. it is buried on the crawl line or on the bottom of the website (like when Tom Ridge told the truth about what went on in the Bush White House). Thanks, Alonzo, for telling it like it is. I do disagree that criticisms of Obama are racist--the very same hatred was spewed at Clinton.
September 9, 2009 at 11:06 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lifelongjoe says...
I am astounded by this article. What the hell Alonzo? I will never look at you or read your articles in the same light.
September 9, 2009 at 11:19 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheShadow says...
This was actually a good column, for pointing out the problems with both sides politically. I find it absolutely amazing that the left has completely forgotten about the last 8 years. They spent the entire time doing exactly what the right is doing now. They fought every idea and initiative that Bush put forward, but now want everyone to go along quietly because thier guy is in office. To blame Fox or racisim is just ridiculous.
September 9, 2009 at 11:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
shadow, the observations about the polarization of the parties are the sole redeeming factor in this piece. the rest....... feeds the very polarization which we lament.
September 9, 2009 at 11:45 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
ForestG says...
I'm quite confused as to Mr. Weston's role with the News Press.
Is it objective reporter? Is it far left op-ed writer? Is it moral majority religious writer? Is it fluffy feel good material writer?
I really think someone at the News Press should pick ONE. My opinion: fluff! Then, I guess Baghead could have been the one promulgating the hate.
September 9, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
TheShadow says...
Exactly. it's amazing how Alonzo can block that out as he writes an entire article calling Republicans and/or conservatives racist nuts.
I don't remember any articles defending Bush when he was in office?
September 9, 2009 at 11:55 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Let me see if I got it right....I disagree with Obama's swing to communism based on the fact that it fundamentally hasn't produced the desired results in the past 100 years The Countries that have adopted this economic option have failed miserably.
Their citizens have suffered and they have slipped badly in the world scene....soooooo, I'm spewing "hatred" against Obama.
If I disagree with a blackman...I'm racist. I wonder what he is.
And, I would be the first to say I listen to FOX News to hear what the left wing stations (ABC/CBS/NBC) choose to hide from the public. Fox "outed" Obama's communist CZAR 5 days before the others even admited his existance...and only then because he resigned.
I'm sorry Alonzo, the race card (you play) fails again. Obama's moves based on fact/history/my preferences all are unacceptable to me......I don't care what color he may be and I'm not all that pleased to be called names....in fact I am offended.
By the way, the guy who had the sign..."Death to Obama" probably picked it up in a trash can and scratched out "Cheney" and re-used it.
And, thankyou Heritage....you summarized it well.
September 9, 2009 at 12:52 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
yougottabekiddingme says...
Just wondering where Alonso's outrage is about Van Jones???? Anyone?
September 9, 2009 at 1:35 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Do we really need to keep blaming Bush for everything? Everytime someone even questions Obama , the Bush attacks come out. Bush did not send us into war by himself, sorry, just doesn't happen. All congress had to do was say "nope, we don't need to do that". It is called the War Powers act.
Obama promises everything and has done nothing, but that is not his fault. He just signs bills that congress makes.But Apparently Bush did everything on his own.
And as far as the school address, it was not even needed right now. Having some 3rd grader ask about healthcare was a joke. Telling kids "you will let your country down..." is another lame attempt to sound like JFK. Cities are struggling to keep schools open, millions of parents have no job, the government has become an absolute joke...and you want lay all this crap on elementary school kids?
I applaud his efforts on healthcare, that is one thing I thought he may actually come out and tell us what to do. After all..it was his idea.But that has become laughable, we have wasted time and money arguing over crap, nothing will be done..he doesn't have a solution lets just move on and hope we can turn this mess around with all his pep talks.
September 9, 2009 at 1:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
just_sayin says...
I think a few of the previous posters need a remedial course in reading comprehension.
Nowhere does this article say that all people who oppose Obama are racists. It says "at least some" of the anger comes from racists. That might mean 5 out of 100 ... or 90 out of 100. The article doesn't say, so why get so defensive?
What if it said "at least some" of the anger came from women? By the logic I've seen above, that would provoke a bunch of you to pull down your pants and prove your status as a male.
I don't care what your political leanings are. Learn to read!
September 9, 2009 at 1:56 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
catwoman says...
I was naive to think that once this man was elected, the race card would not be used as a weapon towards non-supporters with such fury. I use the term non-supporters because unbeknownst to many people,Republicans are not the only ones who disagree with our President, just as some Republicans do support him.
If he were white and people did not want him elected or did not agree with his plans or his policies, what would be said about non-supporters? No person could use race as an issue. It seems as if those who focus the most on his skin color are the ones who think others oppose him because of it.People were able to see that the reasons for the dislike of former Presidents had to do with what they did and who they were. Why not now? Why can't people acknowledge that those who dislike our President dislike him for reasons other than his skin color?
September 9, 2009 at 2:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
just sayin.... this article does not say "at least some" are racist. if you are going to use quotations please be accurate. read for comprehension.....
"Many are racist, too. No one can convince me that on some level a part of this anger isn't because we have a half black president. News sources have reported a rise in hate group membership."
September 9, 2009 at 2:25 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
I read posts on here every day and I rant and rave with the best of them. But I have yet to see anyone blame Obama for the color of his skin. Until this letter brought it up.You really want to go there? What..all the Bush blaming is getting nothing but old so now it must be that he is black and you are racist if you don't jump up and down and clap your little hands and hang on every word in his empty promises pep talks?
And don't think for a minute the color of his skin did not help him get elected. 90 percent of these people that were dancing in the steets when he got elected didn't have one single clue of what his actual plans were.He was black, he wasn't Bush, he had a great smile and talked a good game.
Well Mr Weston..we are all from Missouri, you know..the Show Me State (if that hasn't changed to)He is the President, he said he had the answers...so put up or shut up. Show me.
September 9, 2009 at 2:26 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
just_sayin,
While I agree Mr. Weston didn't accuse EVERYONE of being racist, I still maintain the "race card" didn't even need to be pulled....period. The article, no matter how you look at it, was irresponsible and typical of the liberal left tactics. Mr. Weston decries the division in our nation....it's articles such as this that have created that division.
I comprehend fine....heritage has very sucinctly provided you with a direct quote....which, I might add, is more than you did.
September 9, 2009 at 2:30 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southside_citizen says...
All I have to say is....boy I sure miss Mark Sheehan. I know that he is a democrat and all but atleast his articles were worth reading. This "mess" that Alonzo has been putting out lately is nothing but rantings of a man who seems to blame any slight against his beliefs; either real or imagined, on the pigment of his skin. Alonzo, I hope you read these posts. You might think you are causing a stir with these divisive articles, but what you are really doing is driving away subscribers. The print newspaper industry is on the way out, you might just be helping the Bradleys make the decision to dump this sinking ship earlier.
September 9, 2009 at 3:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Just Saying...
First you learn to read...........
Then you learn to read between the lines.........
I think I got it.
September 9, 2009 at 5:14 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
i hope everyone will remember that the coleman hawkins festival is this weekend sept 11 and 12. here is the website
http://colemanhawkins.org/index.htm
September 9, 2009 at 5:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyclone19 says...
Can I suggest a removal of this article? First off it degrades the Republican party for being racist, he might have said many, but that's still degrading for the people that are not. He also uses hurtful language, by calling us the "nut party".
September 9, 2009 at 6:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Tonya says...
I'm white & I FULLY believe that at least SOME of the anger towards the President is due to his skin color. I've never seen such anger & paranoia over something in my life. Before he even speaks everyone is running their mouths about it. It's strange to me & scary there are so many people in this country that are such bullies, which I've decided the Repugs are...crybaby bullies.
They hate that a Democrat is in charge & REALLY hate that a black one is.
And whoever said 'Black members of the media like you are the ones keeping racism alive' is obviously choosing to be blind to it. That is the most ridiculous thing I have heard in years regarding racisim.
I have MANY, MANY family members who are productive, likeable, intelligent citizens of this country who would be more than happy to see this black President's demise, politically or truly gone from the Earth. I had NO idea that many of them felt like this until a black leader was elected & have tried to distance myself from them now that it's out of the closet...They hate him & not just because he's liberal. It's people like THAT that keep racisim alive, idiot.
September 9, 2009 at 6:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Orliandor says...
You are correct, Tonya. If the president was white, the student speech wouldn't be an issue.
September 9, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
rk92559 says...
Well..that is your realtives opinion. So far I haven't seen it on here. In fact, there has been all kinds of discussion on healthcare and other issues that great leader has promised to tackle being debated...hotly. But I have yet to see anything being blamed on his race. Until some black member of the media made these accusations..(and that is all they are).
I saw blacks in New Orleans on national TV say Bush hates black people. A cartoon on the comedy channel devoted to make him look like a buffoon.
He was called a killer, evil, racist, an idiot, an Oil Company puppet, stupid,and every opportunity to use any sound bite possible to make him look bad. He was responsible for 911, the wars..and every single bad thing that happened in the economy or anything else. Obama takes every opportunity to point his finger at Bush, even if it is not even relevant to whatever issue he is giving a pep talk on.
And someone is a nutjob for not trusting Obama? And shouldn't say bad things about him or your a racist? And his inabiltiy to do anything or gain the trust of all Americans is because of a bunch of racist republicans.LOL What a joke.
September 9, 2009 at 7:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Orliander, you are incorrect. It WAS an issue when President Bush, SR, did the exact same thing in 1991. The Dems, at that time, even started an Congressional probe, and held hearings to decide if the President had broken the law, etc. How short are human memories!! Oh...and the last time I checked, President Bush, SR. was white....and NO ONE considered the outcry against him to be "racist". In fact, MANY American presidents have addressed our nation's children, both via radio and TV. Get over it folks....the Dems/libs did this exact same thing in the past.
September 9, 2009 at 7:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
BCotter says...
What a sad column. This reads like something one of the talentless hacks on the KC Star editorial board would write.
"George W. divided this country long before Obama came into office."
No, people that couldn't handle him being president divided this country and did their best to loudly let everyone know at every turn. This kind of partisan drivel is best left to the anonymous phone call-in column or the monthly letters-to-the-editor from the fringe left.
I'm just one person, but consider my subscription canceled.
September 9, 2009 at 8 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
stjoeresident says...
while i don't necessarily agree with everything i think this opinion highlights some things and makes us think. I agree with the nut wing statement. They aren't necessary 1 side or the other but rather fueled by in my opinion some personal deep seeded personal beliefs about people.
September 9, 2009 at 8:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Count me as one who thinks that Alonzo has a point. I have talked to quite a few people who have told me, after lengthy discussion, that they "just didn't feel right about a black in the white house". I wouldn't put so much into it, if, when you look at some e-mail forwards, too often, there is a wisecrack about Obama's racial background. It is strange, but when I get these forwards slamming him in some cute way, later, the same person will forward some religious prayer, telling to me read, pass it on, and a miracle will fall out of the sky in 2 or 3 days. I think this racial hatred is often disguised by the "birthers" and others who attack personally and say, "I am not prejudiced, but....." I would also say that verbal attacks on Obama, sad to say, go with the territory. Those same attacks on his wife and children are passed the line.
September 9, 2009 at 10:12 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jose_Hipants says...
Good column, Alonzo. Keep it up, you're exactly right.
Makes me want to renew my subscription to the paper.
September 9, 2009 at 10:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
LibertyOrDeath, Thanks for the wonderful example of exactly what I was talking about.
September 9, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
..and yes, LibertyOrDeath, I am aware that Weston does the very same thing, but that is to somewhat play down the notion that "Baghead" is trying to put across.
September 9, 2009 at 11:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
XJotowner says...
Ever since the election I have heard words that I pretty much had forgotten...socialist, communists, the n-word...quite regularly. These are words said by scared people who use them without any knowledge of which they speak. When I hear the President speak, I hear a man trying to get our country back on its feet and in the right direction, doing what is right for all people not a select few. Unfortunately the same ole same ole is tough to change and people get scared when they think things may change even when what they have isn't good. It really saddens me to see our great country being held up by old beliefs and fear. In order to survive you must evolve and right now alot of people are scared to move out of the comfort zone they have been used to. It's like the alcoholic who knows they have a problem but doesn't want to do anything about it because of the fear of the unknown. Let me tell you something America needs to progress or we will no longer be the leader of the free world. Other countries are catching us and will soon move right past if we don't quit being polarized by fear. And yes people if a lighter skinned man was trying to do the things Obama is/has, less people would be against it don't kid yourself. Keep giving people something to think about Alonzo.
September 10, 2009 at 1:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
borderpatrol says...
Great article Alonzo finally some common sense coming out of this rag, all you that disliked it and had bad things to say about :heritage,sk,cyclone and the rest of you show how flakey and bad for the country that you are.
September 10, 2009 at 7:24 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjsk8rboi says...
Thanks for the reminder, heritage.
i hope everyone will remember that the coleman hawkins festival is this weekend sept 11 and 12. here is the website
http://colemanhawkins.org/index.htm
Also, dont forget to come out to the Tour of Missouri finish on Saturday, Sept 12 at Civic Center Park. I hear Mr. Weston will be there with ACORN to register voters.
September 10, 2009 at 7:41 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
diligent, i hear racist comments equally from both parties. i am not so naive as to think that those sentiments are not present, i simply point out that racism crosses all party lines in this world.
this could have been a productive piece on the text of the inspiring speech made by the president, one which was not without precedent. instead weston chooses to fan the flames of divisiveness and hate.
September 10, 2009 at 7:56 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Heritage, I don't argue with what you have to say about racism on both says. Racism IS a 2 way street. It's not right from either side. The problem is that I've never witnessed Weston's side--from the Black perspective. I was commenting about the article as he wrote it. I see nothing wrong with hitting Obama on leadership or even calling him a socialist. There are people on these comments, who have spoken negatively about Bush and frankly, I am one. But for the life of me, I don't remember, even when Bush was suffering his lowest acceptance, that there were ever the depths of attacks on Laura Bush or the children, that we are seeing toward the Obamas.
September 10, 2009 at 8:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
OldGrumpy says...
Lets see if I understand this.... Since Obama is half black, if we disagree with his programs or proposals, then we are racist.... Wait, but then that would also mean, anyone that disagreed with a president from George Washington, onward, then they were racist because the president was white.... When and if Obama comes up with a plan or proposal that I am in favor of, I WILL support him, so please, can the race card talk, PULEEZE.....
September 10, 2009 at 9:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
in another shameless plug i hope that people will attend the next meeting of the NAACP at the brookdale apartments office on messanie, sept 22 ( tuesday evening) from 6-7. we are offering a member provided pot luck supper. the chapter needs new members so we can renew our national affiliation. the topic is the school levy. ALL ARE WELCOME.
September 10, 2009 at 9:27 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
aaagh.... the brentwood apartments on beck.
September 10, 2009 at 10:05 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mchumel says...
There you go again Weston. What nerve. You should be ashamed of yourself for not deigning to pander the warped opinions of rabid right wingers that attack your moderate views.
Obama's a racist. You're a racist. Anybody who doesn't worship at the alter of Rush Limbaugh is a racist. For example, somebody actually sat down and typed the following in to this little comment box: "Black members of the media like you are the ones keeping racism alive, you promote it with articles just like this one. You constantly use this false racism argument all the while proving that you are no less racist than those you accuse."
If Boss Limbaugh or Sean Hannity, or Twerp Beck, or any of those God-is-a-Republican types told their listeners to jump off a bridge, 20 million people would oblige them...Matter a fact, I wish they would.
September 10, 2009 at 10:25 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjsk8rboi says...
Anyone stupid or ignorant enough to threaten the life of the president or his family (or anyone for that matter) is not worthy of breathing free air outside of a small, sparse, jail cell. I did some research and found the sign that Mr. Weston referred to in his article. UNBELIEVABLE!! What a moron! Luckily, he was detained by the secret service.
Just a reminder that this is not a conservative, nut-wing "Republican" issue. Mr. Weston needs to stop race-baiting people based on erroneous stereotypes. All political parties have their share of nut-jobs that ooze out of the sewers when they disagree with the establishment.
http://www.zombietime.com/zomblog/?p=621
September 10, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
anastacia1975 says...
It's people like Alonzo that keep the country divided. Alonzo thinks I'm the racist, well, isn't that the pot calling the kettle....oh, nevermind.
September 10, 2009 at 2:16 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sjsk8rboi says...
After rereading my post, just a clarification, I was calling the moron who held up the offensive sign calling for the death of the president and his family a moron and not Mr. Weston. Please, carry on.
September 10, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
sunny13 says...
Thanks to BO and his cronies and supporters like Mr. Weston, I am forced to hear about racism far more than needed. I am told that we are an extreme racist nation. That all white people hate black people.
I have never considered race when voting or judging a politician; however, now I am being hammered with it on a daily basis. Most remarks are taken wildly out of context. For example, if I disagree with Obamacare, I must be racist. If I don't like BO, it's because I'm racist. If I don't support the stimulus, I'm racist. This is absurdity and is driving me to become racist. Racist against every stupid remark that spews from the mouths of journalists at CNN, MSNBC, ABC, NBC, Huffington Post and now to add to the list, NPG.
You can just group me with the other "right wing extremists". I'm happy with that.
September 10, 2009 at 3:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burgman says...
I agree with Alonzo that some of the hatred we see directed towards the President is veiled racism... and not so veiled... but who wants to be called a racist? Oh no, it's his policies we abhor and want to see fail...right? Rush just yelled...right! But it also could be claimed that the 90% of black people that voted for Obama did so for racist reasons and they would disagree just as vehemently that it's true. Racism is alive and breathing and about as popular as an STD. No one wants to raise their hand in a crowd and claim the infection. I think Alonzo's main point was that people on the right these days oppose this President right out of the box without knowing or really caring what his policies are. They invent things like "Death Panels" and "Socialism" to try to influence the uneducated and uninformed. In the battle for ideas, the Republicans are losing because they have no good alternatives except to do nothing Good job Alonzo...I find all your articles thought provoking.
September 10, 2009 at 4:31 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
anastacia1975 says...
I'd like to know why Alonzo lends his continued support for Obama. Is it based on race? is he a great leader because he is black? Hmm
September 10, 2009 at 4:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
southside_citizen says...
Burgman,
Did the right invent the self avowed communist Van Jones? Did they invent the terrorist William Ayers. Did they invent the rascist Jeremiah Wright? No, we merely pointed out their true beliefs.
I for am constantly amused at the ignorance of some people. Unfortunately, most of those people tend to live a little or perhaps a lot left of center.
September 10, 2009 at 6:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
burgman says...
Dear southside-citizen, Is this the reason the right opposes every idea and proposal that comes from this President? These three characters? Are they working on the latest health care proposal? What specific proposal are they responsible for? Perfect example of right wing politics. They have no ideas...so they want to trash talk personalities....remember...for every shady character or failure of morals the right can point to on the left....there's a matching personality and failure from the right...ideas, proposals, and possibilities is what the discussion should be about.
September 10, 2009 at 8:54 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
patriot says...
I think I just threw up...I'm sick to death of the race card being played. Give it a rest.
September 10, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
daaiwt says...
I'd have to agree with the reading comprehension comment. The article talks about the sign bearer, who is a member of the nut wing, a group that wishes Obama dead. This is a group that does listen to FOX and Rush, but doesn't include all those that listen to FOX and Rush, just the ones who wish Obama dead. So if you wish Obama dead, then you can be offended, as you are in that particular group of nut wings referred to in the article. Of course you can choose to be offended anyway.
September 10, 2009 at 9:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Just curious..Since Obama did carry St. Joseph, Mo. in that November election, I find myself asking, "How many of you right wingers actually voted?
September 10, 2009 at 10:24 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyclone19 says...
Burgman- i think southside was just naming off those people because Obama has affiliated himself with them. and last time i checked, "bridging the wealth gap" was considered socialism.
September 11, 2009 at 9:28 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
I will ask again....considering Obama WON the popular vote in the last general election in ST. JOSEPH, and considering all the anti-Obama comments, how many eligible people did get out and vote? Maybe the people who didn't vote, created their own problem. After all, as I read these comments, it wasn't Bush's fault.
September 11, 2009 at 10:43 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
For several years I have suggested it's time to "end racism". By that I mean just end it. No longer is it a factor. It is no longer something for blacks to complain about. There is no race card.
If someone says the wrong thing its merely run of the mill rude behavior that goes on all the time. It's certainly not actionable (hate speech)
We just look the other way and move on. Sticks and stones.
I think most of the "reacism" we now experience is based on the "perception" by black folks that they are being insulted, or abused or something. Sorry about what you "think"......personally I don't think that is the case.
Most of the white people I know do not do anything that is racist.....not because they are such wonderful folks or even because they have warm toasty feelings toward blacks....it's because they don't want or need the aggrevation. They just don't want to hear about it so even if they have baised feelings they bite their tongue.
Blacks are not so sensitive......they scream racism at the drop of a hat. There is nothing that happens if it is unfavorable...they scream racism.
And, so it is with Alonzo's column. He finds racism at in every nook and cranny. I think he's in error.
It's time to delete the word from our language.
September 11, 2009 at 11:22 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
You might check the ads. Maybe there's a white sale at Penneys.
September 11, 2009 at 11:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
gmatheresa says...
Such emotion on both sides in these comments. But isn't it great that we live in a country where we have the freedom to express our opinions!! Too bad we can't use all this energy to work on solutions for our problems. I don't always agree with everything any president has done. The reality is that no one will. But I do respect the office. And you don't attack the wife and kids. That's pretty lowlife!!
September 11, 2009 at 11:54 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
diligent, that comment was totally out of character for you, and reactionary. see what this kind of journalism gets us? normally intelligent and sensitive people start making KKK comments? how productive is that?
want your question answered? i voted for obama in the primary which i regret because i now believe that clinton would have made a better president. i voted for mccain for president in spite of the fact that palin turned my stomach. he was, and is, an independent who is stuck in a now ruined republican party which i no longer support.
as for joetown going for obama, my recollection is that, like so much in this city, the margin was razor thin.
September 11, 2009 at 12:53 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I don't think the President's family should be attacked, like President Obama's children and wife have been. I felt the SAME way when President Bush's daughters were being overly scrutinized and attacked. I felt the same way when Governor Palin's family was attacked. There were personal attacks on Chelsea Clinton that were uncalled for and despicable. It happens on both sides of the aisle, folks....and it's low-down and wrong...no matter who's doing it. Those of you who are making a big deal out of it now, while it's happening to President Obama's family....where were you when the same thing was happening to Barbara and Jenna Bush?
Dilligent....I did, in fact, vote. I voted against President Obama. However, I think if anyone would check, you'll find that I refer to him with respect and dignity, and I ALWAYS refer to him as my President...because that's exactly what he is....MY president!! I know some, in this very forum, while President Bush was in office, refused to be respectful to him, and made the bold statement that "he's not my president". While I disagree with our current administration about a great many things, I do NOT believe he is purposely trying to destroy our country. I do not think he's a nut case. I do not think he is a flaming whacked-out liberal. I even believe, were I to meet him, that we'd find a great many things upon which we could agree. His ideals don't match mine. His beliefs and methods don't match mine. However, I still respect him, and the office he holds.
I sure wish other conservatives in this forum would do the same...your disrespect is unwelcome, in my opinion.
September 11, 2009 at 2:55 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
I criticized Michelle for spending a million tax dollars to have fish & chips in London. She hauled a limo...several SUVs and a small army of support people & secret service to London. There was not even a gesture at making it "business"....it was strictly personal. I don't think that is "attacking the President's family". Michelle's early comments before the "team" got her under control make it difficult to "respect her". She is clearly opposed to capitalism and anything white.
I don't believe Obama is intentionally "destroying the Country". I do believe his program will in fact destroy our capitalist system and significantly change our culture.
I seriously disagree with the programs he has participated in...Rev Wright / Terrorist Ayers / ACORN..which he financially supports / his CZARs...that violate the Constitution / his support of late term abortion ...and some other measures he has advocated or supported.
I try not to label these actions but I certainly don't want to avoid objecting to Obama's vigorous actions to implement them.
I would like to respect him, but if he were a little more open, consistent and willing to bend, it would be easier.
I certainly respect the office.
Obama has undertaken a significant program to seriously modify our economic system to significantly advance the redistribution of wealth. He has undertaken many initiatives to signifiantly modify our culture (that was evidenced when he pronounced "this is not a Christian Country") I am seriously at odds with his programs. I hope we can stop them without disrespect.
Insults, labels and similiar emotional aspects should be avoided. Nevertheless, those who agree with me that capitalism should prevail and our Judeo-Christian culture is "ok" need to be aggressive to stop Obama's efforts.
September 11, 2009 at 3:32 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
lbc,
I wasn't really referring to you, specifically, when I posted what I did. There are some on these discussion boards, and I'm sure you'd agree with me, who are very openly disrespectful, and that's not helpful. I agree....I feel the President's policies and left-leaning agenda are going to harm our nation, but I don't believe HE feels that way. Whenever humans are gathered, there will be a wide variety of opinions about a great many things. His path for our republic differs from the path you or I would choose. Who knows....WE could be wrong, and HE could be right...and were we to all get behind him, our country COULD make huge strides in health care, economic growth, scientific research and education. Only an arrogant fool would refuse to admit that the possibility exists they are in error!!
September 11, 2009 at 3:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Pops......you are absolutely correct. He could be right.
But, I would suggest that his agenda is so committed that he is thinking what do we have to do to win this battle and not fully considering the alternatives and the consequences.
I believe those who planned this entire Obama senerio...beginning with the Chicago group (Pritzer..Renko...Soros....others) began with "how we can take over and their thinking was incremental from that point. I'm not sure they had a session that evaluated the possibilities that we consider probable...that are so negaive.
It's like the daredevil who thinks about all the ways his jump over the precipice will work.....and fails to consider the implications of when he hits after falling 300 feet.
But your point to keep the discussion on a respectful basis is quite appropriate.
September 11, 2009 at 5:06 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
This is just great. Read a column on partisan divide and let's just all continue to make it worse by making the same old and worn comments back and forth because they make us feel better, but don't actually contribute to a dialogue that might accidentally change the political climate for the better. Just stop today, 911 remembered, and ask yourself one question; did Osama Bin Laden achieve his goals for this country? From looking over these comments and the bitter divide witnessed, it seems that he did afterall. We're AMERICANS. We're supposed to be better than this.
September 11, 2009 at 5:17 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dillygent1 says...
Heritage, thank you for your comments. I do believe that a sort of racism does exist in the country. It happens between various groups. We live in a tightly wound world, right now. People don't feel safe or that our leaders have any idea how to turn us around. That can make for intolerance toward those who are not exactly like us. It can be in the work place, employer versus employee. It can be problems at home between parents and children. Since you have read my posts, I would say it can be between parents, employees and administration of the school district. It can be intolerance of one race to another, or one religion versus another. My comment was put as it was out of frustration, that we are all in the same boat and we had better not be stressing race differences when we are just trying to keep our boat afloat. Others around us don't need to feel undeserved wrath.
September 11, 2009 at 5:40 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Thorn.......I think you had a point, but, it's not really clear what it is. The reality is that you'd have to ask Osama what he had in mind. Did he have an impact..Yep, Was he satisfied with "an impact"...who knows.
In meantime, I'd like to be better.....any ideas.
September 11, 2009 at 10:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
thorn.... so.... bin laden caused racism???????
most are not denying the partisan divide. the objection is the inference that only republicans are racist.
you are right about one thing. we are all americans, and i don't call myself one quarter german and three fourths irish.
September 11, 2009 at 10:36 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
Ibc: I think that Bin Laden's real intent was to divide and let us destroy ourselves from within and now eight years later and all the vitriolic speech back and forth only further serves the ends of an insane extremist. I think back to the moments right after 911 and the shock of a nation and then our coming together and then I think, what really happened to that? Where did it go? How did we come to this? I have to admit to myself that no one political party is at fault, as no one administration should be held accountable because everyone has a voice. What we have to do now is just remember that we're all in this together and that accusations hurled with animosity will never be the correct road to a genuine debate about policy.
Agree to disagree, but within reason and with civil behavior. Anything else is just playing into our tormentors hands.
September 11, 2009 at 10:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
heritage: I don't believe that anyone is calling anyone else a racist if they don't agree with the current administration and it's my further belief that the onus of that claim falls on the one who is asserting the accusation has been made. I didn't agree with the path into the Iraq war and I was labeled by some as "anti-American", but that didn't bother me because I knew that it wasn't true and it was my right, protected by the first amendment, to voice by opposition, just as it is the right of those who disagree with the current administrations policies and have a voice without being called a racist.
However, to deny that there is at the very least a certain percentage of the population who is not motivated by some racial prejudice is also inaccurate and that goes for every side of the racial spectrum.
I just think that now is the perfect time to start the REAL dialogue and end the partisan divide.
September 11, 2009 at 10:58 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
It's like the current healthcare debate. I see one side calling for a public option to create competition for the insurance corporations and then I see another side calling for the dissolving of artificial barriers between the states to allow for purchasing policies and my one question is why can't we do both?
Did Medicare break the federal government? Did we all become socialist overnight after it was signed into law?
Would a public option destroy the insurance companies if a new market were created on top of both ideas?
Let's try to be reasonable here and maybe, just maybe we can reach the kind of real reform that keeps the free market alive and also accomplishes the ultimate goal that everyone in this great country has healthcare insurance as a right of citizenship and not as just a luxury of those who have to those who have not.
September 11, 2009 at 11:18 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Thorn, no one in their right mind would argue that there is a certain percentage of the population that is racially biased. What I object to, as well as others who have said it more eloquently, is that because I disagree with President Obama, I MAY be racist. The implication is clear....and it DOES happen.
I've already indicated I oppose the President and much of what he's trying to do, but it has nothing to do with his skin color or where he grew up, or what ethnic background from which he hails. It has to do with fundamental beliefs and ideals.
I celebrate the fact we have a black President. I respect President Obama and I think he's a good person, with good intentions. We merely disagree with regard to which path is chosen for our nation to follow.
There are those who oppose the President primarily because he's black. Shame on people who do that.
There are also people who support the President primarily because he's black. Shame on those folks, too. Both are wrong....both are racist...both are unAmerican.
September 12, 2009 at 6:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Oops....sorry, everyone! That first part SHOULD have read "Thorn, no one in their right mind would argue AGAINST the fact that there is a certain percentage of the population that is racially biased." I obviously agree with you that there is a certain percentage that IS racially biased. However, that percentage is not just white.....in my opinion....
September 12, 2009 at 6:15 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Interesting thing....some have said that there aren't really any folks out there who think that those who oppose or are disrespectful toward the President are racists. Here's proof that's an inaccurate statement.....
"As African-American newspaper publishers we stand in solidarity with the NAACP and fully support the economic boycott of South Carolina," NNPA Chairman Danny J. Bakewell Sr. said. "Rep. Wilson's remarks were racist, disrespectful, and a disingenuous violation -- not only of President Obama -- but to the institution of the presidency and only solidified our position and the importance in not spending black dollars where black people are not respected.
The continued public and blatant disrespect of President Barack Obama by members of Congress will not be rewarded with our dollars nor will a state that continues to uphold America's shameful past by flying the Confederate flag," he added.
September 12, 2009 at 6:31 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
Thorn:
You say: "heritage: I don't believe that anyone is calling anyone else a racist if they don't agree with the current administration and it's my further belief that the onus of that claim falls on the one who is asserting the accusation has been made."
Here is one moron that thinks that way. See below.
Orliandor September 9, 2009 at 6:59 p.m. (Suggest removal)
You are correct, Tonya. If the president was white, the student speech wouldn't be an issue.
September 12, 2009 at 6:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Rep. Wilson was absolutely wrong with his outburst. He apologized for it, and I even feel he should have some penalty for the breach of protocol and decorum. Is he a racist because of it? Nope....
September 12, 2009 at 6:48 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Heritage,
Correct me if I am wrong but the email that was sent to you that you shared with us here and I appreciate it,but why has not the TF and Mr Kevin Kirby publicized this meeting more to the public I wonder.We have several media news outlets in our community.Like I said if it has been out there and I missed it please correct me.All I saw was a 1 minute clip on St Joe Now and all of this info you shared with us was not mentioned.I still think something stinks with this group(TF)and I really do not trust them anymore than I do the SJSD/SB at this point.I also have a very hard time with Mr Myer saying we need this levy to make things right in the schools,I do not see how returning the levy will clean up the mess we have at hand know.Maybe they need to tell this to the children that are not getting as much one on one time with their teachers this year due to the number of children per class and the teachers who are fustrated and this has been a distraction for them as well.Is this the kind of progress we get from Mrs Smith a mess that at this point is being sweept under the table and forgotten?I do not think we can handle anymore of her plan because she cannot follow it.You have to have public support to implement your plan especially when it has to go to the voters first when you want money.You know I am not against the children, I just want people in charge to make good decisions and when they make bad ones except the fact that you screwed up and make it right not try to sweep it under the carpet and think it will go away.Accountablity and communication two works our administrators and board seem to not understand.
September 12, 2009 at 7:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
mm1967 says...
Soory I posted this to the wrong post again I apoligize.
September 12, 2009 at 7:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
crashdive says...
Bill Clinton went on national TV and told a whopper of a lie and got caught by a stain on an admiring lady's dress. Barack Obama, on the other hand, goes on national TV and tells a string of obvious lies and expects a docile public to believe him. There has been only one perfect man, and Obama ain't Him.
America has always been divided, according to unbiased history books, but never as strongly, as plainly and as justifiably as currently. Barack Obama will be remembered by future generations as The Great Deceiver. Those of us who watched the country plow ahead into Socialism after FDR took over are harder to fool with snake oil rhetoric. As for Alonzo, he won't live long enough to regain my respect.
September 12, 2009 at 7:30 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
pops & dalearch: I think you're both right on one side of this racial debate and then again, in the consideration of rep. Joe Wilson (S.C.), one has to look at the fact that he is also a member of the South Carolina Sons' of Confederate Veterans, or that this first individual outburst in a joint congressional address just happened to occur with the first african-american president, but with that being said, i'm not instantly saying Wilson IS a racist, just that it doesn't really look good and wouldn't be much of a stretch if one were to make that assertion.
Should reasonable people be making this claim though? Even if it LOOKS probable, doesn't make it so.
We're all so quick to jump to whatever is politically expedient and then we diminish the actual debate we were trying to have in the first place, so bringing up race one way, or the other is probably not the most constructive idea beyond the very obvious.
Everyone seems to be playing to their far extreme bases lately and nothing of any worth ever came of that and it's my opinion that it needs to stop all the way around so can have a real debate and make some solid policy that works for everyone.
September 12, 2009 at 8:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Random thoughts
I would opine that by far the largest number of racists today, have black skin.
*********
Rep Reed was undeniably correct.....and absolutely wrong.
************
The public option will irreparably undermine the private insurance companies. The economic imbalance over time would destroy most if not all of those private companies.
**********
The absence of any meaningful remedy for the litigation dimension of medical practice is clear evidence that the motives of the legislators is impure. It is totally political.
September 12, 2009 at 8:49 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
crashdive: I could sit over here on my side of the fence and say equally everything you just said about the former Bush administration with decieving the american people into a second war with nothing to back up their claims, but at the end of the day, you'll just be sitting on your side of the fence and i'll be sitting on mine and what does that kind of talk get either one of us?
Does it make you feel good to say that president Obama is a socialist, when that's just plain not true?
I can tell you in all honesty that I voted for Bush against Kerry in 04' because I wanted to give the man the benefit of the doubt and let him finish the job he had begun, right or wrong, I felt he needed to make good on his claims.
(plus, I just didn't like Kerry)
It didn't take long to see that Bush was just spinning his wheels in the proverbial mud.
Now, i'll tell you correctly that i'm getting a little tired of being called a 'socialist' by some because I support a reform that is long overdue.
It's not right.
It's not who we are as Americans.
At least, it shouldn't be.
September 12, 2009 at 8:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
thorn, it seems like we are having a little bit of a miscommunication here..... my complaint is in regards to the inflammatory and completely outrageous tenor of the weston article. i agree with you that the polarization of the country is very distressing and is reaching a china syndrome level.
one of the things i firmly believe is contributing to this is the very instrument which we are using to communicate with here. anonymous forums where people can make instant and incomprehensibly polarizing statements fan the flames. you can find every hate group by clicking on a button. false information is represented as truth. people think because they "read it on the internet" it is true.
one poster here claims often that this form of communication is liberating and that he/she would never speak in public in the way he/she does here...... that, to me, is one of the roots of the evil which is perpetrated millions of times a day in internet speak. it is destabilizing to our society and allows festering sentiments and seething vitriol to flourish.
September 12, 2009 at 9 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
Ibc: There is a great deal that I believe we can all agree on that is being proposed in the current healthcare reform and that is the shoddy way that these insurance executives do business because if it wasn't a problem, then we wouldn't be talking about it. The fact is, they make their money on playing the percentages and then they do the totally unethical thing like dropping people who have paid their premiums all their lives and then actually get sick because of some BS clause they have in the fine print.
Beyond all this "socialist" talk, we have to make some REAL reform and I am willing to truly listen to the other side and ask why don't we let people buy insurance across state lines AND have a public option?
It just doesn't make any sense to have an option that would totally break our federal budget either paying for a war, or taking care of our own.
Medicare, Social Security, SCHIP, Veterns benefits haven't made us all socialist, or broke our budget beyond repair and I honestly don't believe this public option will either.
But, like I said, we NEED to have BOTH ideas in firm placement to maintain a balance and competition in the free market.
September 12, 2009 at 9:07 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
heritage: I believe you're absolutely right. If what we see and hear and read in the current media outlets is what passes for "truth", or "facts" then we really are screwed.
I personally have always had to make use of that BS filter.
This current situation with the far left and the far right extreme media outlets is just getting out of hand and to be honest, I almost think they are in league together and working like a production company to put on a show. Some of these pundits on both sides are just laughable and act like little children, or overacting clowns.
We, out here in the real world, need to remember who we are and what makes us Americans is our right to agree, or disagree with each other and our elected officials.
Like todays 912 march on the capitol. I'm totally fine with it and believe those people have the same right to demonstrate as those who demonstrated against the Iraq war.
I may not agree with them, but I acknowledge their right to make their case and they should be heard.
September 12, 2009 at 9:38 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Brennen says...
Alonzo,
I have not had much respect for you lately with the SJSD articles that you've written, but today as I read your article you have regained my respect.
I agree wholeheartidly with everything you've said, and as far as the people who are mad when you say they are racists, tough doo doo, because I can read between the lines. Most people are "ok" with the fact that the President is black, BUT they want to make sure he stays where they want him to, you know, he better do as they say, or they will show him who is the "Master". Well, I've got news for them, he isn't going to listen, he IS THE PRESIDENT. I know alot of people are going to disagree with my statements, but I am cracker white, and most "white" people think they can always talk negatively about blacks to you if your white, as if you agree with them, just because you are the same color. Well, I'm tired of people even saying anything about color, for God's sake, who is actually WHITE, isn't that an albino? I've taught my children that we are all different shades, and when I'm talking about someone describing them, I don't say color or ethnicity, I don't whisper the word "black" either when I'm talking about a "black" person, I say THIS PERSON. And I'm not saying if you disagree with the president's policies, you have that right, that you are a racist. I'm saying, alot of people have hidden racial undertones. Remember when you disagreed with the Bush administration's policies, you were "Anti-American", what does that even mean? Isn't that an oxymoron?
September 12, 2009 at 9:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Brennen, Mrs Weston's article was racist in it's tone and intent. I was offended, as were many others. You may feel he was right, but I disagree. The numbers of people who have "hidden racial undertones" are not nearly as some of you might think. I disagree with the President, and have no apology for that. I feel his policies, ideals and roadmap for our country is wrong and short-sighted, and will cause much damage to many Americans.
Mr. Weston's article wasn't just an attack on me, but on anyone who would DARE to oppose the President, in ANY of his policies or political endeavors. I see that sentiment expressed from the publishers and the NAACP who, today, have branded Rep. Wilson a "racist" because he dared to call the President a liar. I am NOT defending Mr. Wilson's method, and certainly feel he owed the President an apology (which he gave), but there was nothing in those two words that provide any basis whatsoever for calling him a "racist".
The race card is much to easy to play these days. I feel, personally, that there are many blacks who use that label as a crutch to compensate for everything wrong in their lives. It's unfair, unwarranted, and unAmerican....and the racist label, so cavalierly tossed about, is damaging our nation's unity.
September 12, 2009 at 9:49 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Rep Wilson made a statement that was 100% correct.
He is being crucified for making it at the wrong place, at the wrong time.
I wonder which is the bigger error.........
The clear mistatement of fact (a lie) made by the President or Mr. Wilson's poor judgment in time/place of rebuttal.
September 12, 2009 at 11:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jose_Hipants says...
lbc, you've been misled. Mister Wilson not only embarrassed his colleagues and disgraced himself with his childish outburst, he was factually wrong. Illegal immigrants are specifically excluded from coverage, as has been verified by CNN, factcheck.org, and many others.
September 13, 2009 at 2:23 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Jose_Hipants,
Funny how the Congress was scrambling the day AFTER Rep. Wilson's outburst, to "close loopholes" in both the House AND the Senate versions of the health care reform proposals!! Your post is just as inaccurate as the President's speech......
September 13, 2009 at 6:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
I've said it before and I'll say it again: If this is such a good plan, why won't osamabama and our illustrious "representatives" in D.C. include themselves in this coverage?
As soon as they tell me we can have the same coverage they have at the same cost, I'll support it 100%.
September 13, 2009 at 7:44 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
I might ALSO point out that the President HAS NO PLAN!! It's the Congress that makes laws, and the President either signs them, or vetoes them. If the President has an idea of what he WANTS, that has certainly not been enacted or even clearly stated.
September 13, 2009 at 8:57 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
Alonzo, your viewpoint is no different then the groups who were severely against Bush during his presidency. If you are going to bring to light these groups who are on the extreme sides of their thought processess and beliefs, do not forget the other side, where groups against Bush had similar demonstrations with just as much if not more in the way of language on signs, banners, outbursts, public outcries, etc. Even the Hollywood and U-tube types have made how many supposed documentary videos against the previous administration, some of them calling for the "Death of Bush." I do not subscribe to any of these tactics and groups who claim to represent a particular political side that use them. And they all do to an extent.
I did not for neither party and have not for quite some time. Both major parties lack focus and direction. I see extreme protest, anger and resent against the present directions and polioies, no different then when the Bush administration had control and many are still promoting that agenda.
I did not vote for Obama because he has 2 publications on his vision of how government should be ran supported (or ghost written) by a high academic type who justifies terroristic style tactics against his own country and people and participated in them in the past.
I did not vote for Mccain because of his political history with his tempermant and caves to too many special interests and does not stand his ground. He also took a position on the bank crisis I did not agree with. Plus near the end of his campaign, he lost momentum and appeared to just give up trying.
I went independent, believe it or not I felt they had the best platform for change.
If you are going to throw in the racism card then put more validation to it then you already have. I see a bunch of angry people who are fed up with the way government is being ran by either party. I do not agree with the extreme tactics being utilized to promote that message.
We have the greatest technology in the world out there along with some really smart and highly educated people. We should not be hearing about states going bankrupt, a large US debt, health care issues, educational improvement, etc. We should already be there moving forward to progression and economic strength, not the other way, and all political parties involved are responsible for that direction.
September 13, 2009 at 9:34 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
dale, i think the osamabama comment is problematic. this feeds directly into alonzo's rhetoric.
this is our president. constructive objections are diminished by these characterizations. your point regarding the insurance packages which our representatives have is valid, and using polarizing terms does nothing to forward that view.
i urge everyone to try and rise above the fray and address the issues, not the person of the presidency.
September 13, 2009 at 9:37 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
heritage...the gross ineptitude of the present occupant of the white House IS the issue.
September 13, 2009 at 10:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
ww. i am not comfortable with the use of the moniker some people use to refer to the POTUS. this discussion should never devolve into name calling, much less the sideways reference to terrorism. lets rise above that. i am glad to see that you chose to keep it on the issues where it belongs.
September 13, 2009 at 10:47 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
matty73 says...
The anger and hate....Alonzo states the bold face fact about our communitys' estrangement and some how, people are offended by the truth.We can scream all we want about political issues but the underlying fact is that there alot of racist people in this town.Offhanded remarks about "race card" issues make it so evident.Having problems with a black man giving you orders? Cope with the new world.
September 13, 2009 at 11:02 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
heritage:
I choose to use the term osamabama and not capitalize it to show my feelings for him.
It also saves space and time. I don't have to call him a lying, two-faced, piece of shot (my i stopped working) each time I want to say something about him. There is nothing racist about it.
I respect the office of the Presidency but certainly not him. I don't feel he deserves to be in office.
I have not - and will not - show him any respect.
September 13, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
matty, this is a national problem....... your last sentences are just a reversal of the situation. fanning the flames...... is that any more productive than the race card? i don't think so!
September 13, 2009 at 11:17 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Wright_Winger says...
Matty...I will admit I have a problem with a guy that tells me to give him all my money, whether he is a street thug or a president.
September 13, 2009 at 11:20 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
"whether he is a street thug or a president"
There's no difference right now.
September 13, 2009 at 11:53 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
johncourter says...
Validate the "racism" element. Where is it evident that issue is a driving force behind these protests? I see angry people taking on extreme protests in an attempt to make their point. No different then the attacks on the Bush administration. If they go too far and violate any laws and people get hurt as a result of the protests, then those involved should be arrested as the law warrants. I have yet to hear of any major arrests of all the protests out there. While extreme with tactics I disagree with, along with banner vocabulary that only inflames, offends and does nothing productive, very few if any legislation or freedom of speech along with the right to protest are being violated. The line will be crossed if and when violence erupts from some of these factions.
The article brings to light some interesting points, however, I disagree the racism issue is driving these protests.
For the record, examples I used in my previous comment were not a sidways reference to anything. I was merely making several points to validate racism is not the driving force behind the protests. The article slants towards racism as a major factor and I disagree with that and I shared the thought processess I had in making political voting decisions, not everyone will agree and that I can respect.
I do not care what color, religion, sex, etc anyone is who is in office and I respect the majority vote of who we have at present. I want that individual along with the rest of our political leaders to their jobs and what they were voted in office for, to work for the public interest in finding and implementing good sound solutions that work.
September 13, 2009 at 12:08 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
Has anyone noticed the banner at the top of this article?
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is speaking at the Looney Complex.
Seems fitting.
September 13, 2009 at 1:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
striped_tigerfan says...
Well, Alonzo, mission accomplished. Your article has produced over 120 comments. I find it hard to think you actually believe in that manner about some of the issues you wrote about...surely you were instructed by the NP to stir up controversy when writing the article...huh?
While I don't know you personally, I was acquainted with your mother. I was priviledged to have her assist me many times. Every time she exhibited the servanthood role of her Master. I always left feeling refreshed by her sweet smile and her kind demeanor. I guess she was black...you know I really never noticed. I don't pay any notice to skin color but "what comes out of a person's mouth" does get my attention. So if I don't like what Obama is saying (won't say doing because he hasn't accomplished anything yet but counterproductive messes) makes me a racist, so be it
September 13, 2009 at 3:04 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jose_Hipants says...
W_W - "I have a problem with a guy that tells me to give him all my money"
What are you talking about here?
September 13, 2009 at 5:48 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Orliandor says...
Just admit it, dale.
September 13, 2009 at 9:43 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
There's nothing to admit M.R.
September 13, 2009 at 10:39 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyclone19 says...
alonzos next article should be about how mtv only picked taylor swift because she was white.....lol!
September 14, 2009 at 10:18 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
I want to personally thank all of the far right wing lunatics for totally affirming absolutely every point that was made in this article with comments like "osamabama", or "thugs".
At first I was willing to believe that race shouldn't be an issue here, but you've all done a bang up job convining me otherwise, so thanks again.
Now I wonder how they would feel if I started saying things like how typically "redneck" and "whitetrash" they were being, or how 99.9% of the conservative movement are toothless, blue collar, uneducated drags on society who might want to start migrating to a more "southern region" as lines appear to be drawn lately.
Also, let me remind you that Obama may have lost the state of Missouri by just over 3,000 votes, but he WON Buchanan County by 42 and unless you "think" you're going to change that number with the same lunatic bile you tried last November, I suggest a different tactic.
September 14, 2009 at 9:10 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
cyclone19 says...
42 people? are you serious? thats just a handful....
and uneducated? why dont you look at the majority of the people run franchises now a days and tell me what political mind set they are...
September 14, 2009 at 9:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Jose_Hipants says...
Thorn, the good news is that for all the ugly noise, they are few in actual votes.
September 14, 2009 at 9:27 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
And I want to thank Thorn for proving my point. That is that people with an IQ equal to their hat size 7 ¼ - can't think things through, so they call everything and everyone racist.
September 14, 2009 at 10:01 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
cyclone19? Firstly, you're a prime example of what i'm refering to in the extent that your grammar is so bad, that I simply don't even understand WTF point you were attempting to make.
Did you want to know how many franchise owners have a more liberal, or conservative mindset? That's what Google is for. Look it up. Maybe start with Ben & Jerry's Fortune 500 company.
dalearch? I'm making a point for you? I'm glad I could help add to your illusion, as you must have missed mine.
Drudge Report, Rush Limbaugh, Glenn Beck, Ann Coulter, Michelle Malkin, Sean Hannity and all of these self proclaimed "fair and balanced" dispensers of "truth" have been doing nothing if not stoking the embers of a racial fire in this country since even before the 2008' election with the very clear intention on playing to our weaker nature within modern society and create a divide that threatens to critically tear away the progress that's been made over the long years since Civil Rights legislation was signed into law.
The republican party and moreover the conservative movement cater to the fringe elements that are the last bastion of racism still fomented in the southern demographic even in this day and age.
It was the U.S. Dept. of Homeland Security that warned of "Homeland Security's Warning That Anti-Government Militias Driven by Racism and Xenophobia Are Joining Forces With White-Supremacist and Neo-Nazi Groups for a Campaign of Harassment and Intimidation That Could Escalate into Hate-Motivated Terror Attacks Across the Country" and I happen to take that threat VERY SERIOUSLY like perhaps a certain former administration should have taken another historical memorandum seriously like, oh, gosh, I don't know, "Bin Laden Determined to Attack U.S."
Don't think for one moment that all of this is not being watched very closely, or that the efforts of some of these hate groups will be allowed to act with no fear of reprisal because in a COUNTRY DIVIDED, when the voices of racial animosity raise their heads to incite violence and begin down that road we've been before, there will ALWAYS be someone waiting to meet their threat with an equal, or even greater force.
September 16, 2009 at 11:09 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
Me thinks the nut case gingersnapp has been reborn as Thorn.
September 18, 2009 at 6:32 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoBSPlease says...
So let me get this straight... If the President was white, everyone would be fine with this liberal (Big Government, Socialist) agenda? No Tea Parties... No March on Washington... Town Halls would be little happy social events? I'd like to know if I have that right?
Where would Obama be without race bating, class envy, big spending, and a teleprompter?
Obama himself suggested while campaigning that we judge him by those he surrounds himself with. I say we take him at his word.. Van Jones, Bill Aires, Rev. Wright, Eric Holder, on and on. Please tell me again who's the wacko here?
Let's stop being Obama appologists. Stop defending this man. Read his book and you'll learn all that you need to know about his sole. His words.. His thought.. His ideas.
September 18, 2009 at 3:22 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
dalearch? "Methinks" is one word, often found in Shakespearean literature. Once again, the dull mind of the neocon is exposed.
It's just like the very red state of Oklahoma study of high school students where only 23% could name the first president of the United States of America as George Washington.
NoBSPlease? It's "soul" not "sole" which rather refers to an individual, or the base of a shoe.
The conservative mind = pride in being stupid.
September 18, 2009 at 5:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Liberal = the minds of the few telling the minds of the many how and what to think
September 18, 2009 at 6:51 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoBSPlease says...
Thorn,
Thanks for the lesson in grammatical correctness. I'm not going to pretend to be something I'm not.
What I find curious is that you have come to the conclusion that "The conservative mind = pride in being stupid".
Why the hate?
This is probably a good time for you to do some soul searching. Your assertion is just plain hateful. As I read it, pretty revealing.
I realize it's a reach to try and rationalize with a liberal but let's see what happens.
September 18, 2009 at 7:21 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
heritage_sarahhochschwender says...
i agree thorn has to be the long winded and long lost gingersnap.
September 18, 2009 at 7:33 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
pops? If a "liberal" were as successful as you seem to imply with the power of thought control, then everyone would have a college education and so therefore no need to be "contolled" because then you would have the education necessary to make an "informed decision", which doesn't seem to play well with the conservative base as it serves the GOP far better to have mindless talking point drones attending town hall meetings, or "tea parties" with signs like "Bury Obamacare With Kennedy". (Conservative hate peddling at it's finest)
NoBSPlease? You're suggesting that my comments display my contempt for a political party gone off the deep end of the far right fringes of their base is somehow hateful? Well, you're partially correct. If I had a dollar for every time I had to choke back the bile coming up from my own personal distaste for the clearly racial rhetoric i'm witnessing every single day in right wing media and talk radio, I could fix this economy all by myself.
(see: Rush Limbaugh Fans Flames of Racial Tension with Comments on Bus Beating)
The idea that somehow being a "liberal" is equated to the notions of "tree huggers", or "weak Ghandiesque, passive resistance" is a thing of the past.
Conservative republicans appear to take pride in the fact that they have fueled the divide in this nation by simply refusing to denounce some of the vitriolic venom coming from the now bulk of their base. How much effort do you suppose it would take for even one of them to just issue a statement, or even, dare I say it, for both sides of congress to make a joint statement that brought down the levels of rising animosity being propagated by their own people? Too much, I have witnessed.
We could sit here for an eternity and exchange talking points deeply woven from a politcally entrenched fabric, but at the end of the day what really is going on in this country right now is a class war and by that, I mean it's a question of social, economic, educational and religious ambiguity.
It's going to get a lot worse before it ever gets better and continuing the same old traditions of southern born hatred to maintain the conservative base seems to be the playbook staple of the GOP. It's the only thing they have left that actually works.
"He's not one of US" or "Not in MY America" are the calling cards of racial discourse of the conservative movement. It's how they work the crowd into that frenzy by playing good old boy country songs and shouting that the other guy is somehow "less American" than the purebred, white representation of what their "real America" is supposed to look like.
Now, i'm not saying that this is true of all republicans, just the majority and in GOP primaries, that's all that counts, right?
September 18, 2009 at 8:23 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
Speaking of gingersnap:I did a search on Facebook for her under Sondra Snapp. She has a picture of herself as teenager.
She was pretty homely then. I can just imagine what she looks like now. Yuck!!
September 18, 2009 at 8:37 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
Yeah, heritage, I would really hate to write more than one sentence that would be the culmination of your attention span.
(Ouch. Reading Hurts. Big words me no understand. Give me cookie.)
September 18, 2009 at 8:38 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
NoBSPlease says...
Thorn: Most American's participating in the Tea Parties were demonstrating against the Presidents policies. Has nothing to do with race. Race was introduced into the discussion by a failed ex President. The flames were then fueled by the congressional Black Caucasus late this week when they jumped in with both feet and loudly proclaimed that opposition to the Presidents Health Care plan was indeed a result of racists Americans. While they shouted from their soap box, they offered absolutely no proof what-so-ever. That's a page from the Democratic play book.
Is there racism in America? Absolutely. However, let's stay on topic. We're debating the policies of a sitting President and the GOP has went out of their way to not make race an issue. It's the Dem's that keep bringing that back into the mix. I happen to believe it's because the bills and policies they're proposing will lead American on the pathway to failure.
I believe Obama and the Dem's that control congress are taking that party over the cliff that the now President spoke about while campaigning. It was so popular to Bush bash then. Let's see what happens in the mid term next year. That will be the tell tail from America on Obama policies. Early indications don't reflect favorable for those politicians with a (D) by their name.
So if the Dem's lose seats similar to how the Rep's did in the '06 and '08 mid terms... It doesn't take a genius to conclude that Americans are rejecting the Presidents policies. Furthermore, that suggests to me that Rush Limbaugh is more in touch with the mainstream of Americans when he shared that he wanted the Presidents "Policies" to fail.
Last item. A careful listen to what Rush said about the bus beating would reveal that he was asking "Why isn't it racism". He was offering up yet another example of the political correctness that's running amuck. He was illustrating the obvious double standard when blacks commit crime on whites. The media isn't interested. That was the message. Why shouldn't he question that? That's not fanning the flames, that's challenging us to intellectually analyze the situation.
September 19, 2009 at 11:09 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
NoBSPlease: I'm certain that if you watch enough right wing media, or sponge up enough right wing talk radio, you're bound to come the conclusion, not to mention the polling data, they have provided for you in abundance.
I think that's the absolute point of Alonzo's column, that we are a country divided because when right wing and left wing media create their own realities, then that becomes what constitutes the "truth" for many with no objections.
I continue to see politicians and political pundits use the phrase "the American people", but in reality what they are simply refering to are those within their own constituency, or their ratings pool.
The battle becomes then to win over the independent voter block that can lean one way, or the other depending on politcal winds and I would suggest that's it's a little early in the electoral season to be making broad predictions based on tainted informtion designed by one group, or the other.
You say that Rush was merely offering up another example of politcal correctness? Where have you been for the past few years? A cave? There is no politcal correctness anymore. It's a snake fury free-for-all and everyone jumps on whatever bandwagon seems the most popular, or poisonous to drive home with those who would accept it as fact.
What Rush actually said was, "You put your kids on a school bus you expect safety but in Obama's America the white kids now get beat up with the black kids cheering 'yeah, right on, right on, right on.'(racially toned impersonation) Of course everybody said the white kid deserved it he was born a racist, he's white." After which Rush went on to bring up the specter of segregated busing, but NO, this wasn't racist at all, in YOUR reality.
I don't exactly blame you though, it's a product of your extreme conditioning to blindly accept anything that those whom you believe in offer as truth.
Finally, you say that the "tea baggers" (LOL) were some spontaneous, grassroots movement, huh? I don't suppose you know who the oragnizers of that particular bit of comedy are, do you? Ever hear of FreedomWorks? Dick Armey? (Who names these people?) promoting signs showing president Obama as some Kenyen witch doctor?
You can deny it all you want because it's your insulator to reality, but guess what, Orwellian double-speak was coined and figured a long time ago and in that respect, your argument, even your politcal party, are destined to repeat electoral failure.
I can't help but add that if you're defending Rush Limbaugh, you're the one who is truly out of touch.
September 19, 2009 at 4:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
And let's get one more thing straight. Former president Jimmy Carter is constantly being held up by the right as the worst president of modern times, even though he has the distinction of being a Nobel Peace Prize laureate.
I'm trying to think now, who might actually deserve that title more than Carter,(who admittedly made his own share of mistakes and miscalculations), perhaps someone who resigned from office of the president in disgrace?
Hmmm. Now who might fit that description?
How about Richard M. Nixon? Ring any bells? Watergate? It's funny how conservative republicans have so short an attention span and critical memory when it comes to their own. It's like these people they once praised shamed them so terribly that they simply wiped their existence from memory.
Kind of like how Bush was just sort of thrown under the bus during the 2008' general election. Fact is, republicans didn't want to talk about the absolute failure that will be remembered historically as the Bush administration.
September 19, 2009 at 5:03 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Thorn..........you got it wrong.....
Carter is the worst President....EVER.
But don't dispair.....Obama is getting it a fair country run.....and I think he'll make it.
Bush.....not so wonderful, but not in the same league with Carter. Nixon....Watergate was not that big a deal and opening China after many years, was a very unusual diplomatic achievement.
Nope, Carter wins that race hands down.
By the way, look at the list of Nobel Peace Price laureate's and say "distinction". Hardly distinguished. And, Carter even pulls that list down abit.
September 21, 2009 at 1:13 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
Ibc: "Watergate was not that big a deal?" Really? I had to read over that statement twice just to see if I was missing something, but no, it's the most astonishingly inaccurate statement i've read over from comments posted thus far. You neocons really like your revisionist history, but let me just go ahead and be the first to point out to you that there are two individuals who i'm more than certain would disagree with that totally flawed statement that historically the facts concerned the most and they would be none other than Richard M. Nixon and Gerald R. Ford themselves because if "Watergate was not that big a deal" then Nixon would never have been forced out of office in disgrace and Ford would have never been president and then infamously required to issue Nixon a full pardon.
Good luck living in the bubble of ignorance that has come to define the fringe element of the conservative movement and if you keep clicking your heels together long enough, Dorothy, all of your revisionist history might come true...in a parallel universe...maybe neocon Oz.
September 22, 2009 at 12:47 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
Hello Thorn....from the bubble of ignorance.....where we rely more on facts and less on labels. More on reason and logic and less on blowing off.
Yes, Nixon could have easily side stepped the Watergate matter and I fault him for not doing so. It was stupid politics as usual and he let them get the media on him. The whole thing was a pimple on a wart....it was not very important in the grand scheme of things.
Not in the same league as Obama's.....kissing the Sultant for instance is more offensive (to me) And, loading the White House with tax cheats and thieves is much worse than a political screwup.
Most of the responsible comments today and the history books now emerging are finding Ford to have done the right thing for the Country. Only leftwing, wingnuts still say anything negative about his pardon.
Carter continues to be the worst....inflation, Iran, you name it. And, he works hard to retain his rating, but as I observed Obama is challenging him. He has really done some bad things and they will come home to haunt him. In the meantime is he ever going to tell the truth.....about anything.
September 22, 2009 at 2:07 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
pops says...
Thorn, I think it's fair to say that many of us aren't "conditioned"....we've just seen enough reality to make up our own minds. The funny thing is, many of you on the extreme left feel you're the only ones capable of thinking for yourselves. You fail to understand that just because you and I see the same thing, we don't necessarily have to come up with the same conclusion. Your inability to accept that there might possibly be other valid points of view is an indication of how close-minded you really are.
September 22, 2009 at 2:29 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
Ibc, pops: Once again this just illustrates Alonzo's point of a country divided wherein so called facts are subjective and reality is clearly open to preception based on political views. I'll finally just come to this absolute conclusion that the longer that you and the conservative movement remain on the side of the Rush Limbaugh's of this country who hope for our current president's failure, even though it ultimately means failure for us all, then i'll stay on the side of MY facts and MY perceptions.
I would also like to point out that during the Bush administration, I don't recall anyone on the left ever saying that he should fail. That he may be wrong in his lead up to the Iraq war, the torture policy, dropping the ball on Afghanistan, the economic collapse, yes, but never wished for these things to happen, unlike the now very vocal right who seem to think that another attack on this country by terrorists would make their point for them.
Too me, that's the very definition of un-American.
September 23, 2009 at 7:58 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
You can drop the "i'll stay on the side of MY facts and MY perceptions." And leave it at just "my perceptions" as long as you're going to take things out of context.
I'm not going to defend Rush Limbaugh I very seldom listen to him. He is too far right for me. However, neither will I just sit by and see someone browbeaten for something they did not say. Rush said that and I'm paraphrasing here If obama is taking us down the road to Socialism, I hope he fails.
While I'm at it, "methinks" has morphed into "me thinks" in our modern language.
You sound more and more like that nitwit gingersnapp with every post.
September 26, 2009 at 8:12 a.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
Thorn says...
dalearch? What college did you attend again? Remember now, bible college doesn't count for acedemic accreditation.
The only "morph" is in your head where i'm assuming that text messages are the language of modern times that you're refering to because your english acumen is somewhat distorted.
On the subject of Limbaugh, had you of taken the moment to read my actual comment, I was refering to where he had said on his talk show that the bus beating incident was motivated by racial animose when two black youths beat up one white youth and Limbaugh suggested that this is a reflection of Obama's America and he also had made the references to segregating buses.
And whomever "gingersnap" is, I have no idea. I do know that the more you continue to blantantly attack me shows either your age, or your intelligence and both reflect an individual who needs some serious psychological help.
September 27, 2009 at 9:57 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
dalearch says...
Really? What bus are you referring to here?
"Limbaugh's of this country who hope for our current president's failure, even though it ultimately means failure for us all, then i'll stay on the side of MY facts and MY perceptions."
September 27, 2009 at 10:41 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )
lbc says...
dalearch, you are really personalizing it. I have no particular anoministy against Obama......but I have no intrest in the changes he envisions for this Country. Now don't bring up Limbaugh....I'm not sure what he says since I can't put up with his "style". I think I probably agree with his ideals but I just can't take his presentation...I have never listened to more than a the moment it takes to change stations.
What I have no interest in is Obama's committment to "redistribubtion". Now lets not deny that....he has said it dozens of times. And, it means shipping half of the wealth of this nation to Africa
I have no interest in Alonzo's playing the race card on every issue. It's time to drop that foolishness. In fact I'm not sure why we call black folks "African". I don't preface a description of me or my family with any European name. I'm American plain and simple. Most black folks don't have a direct tie to Africa anyway. Why should they object to just being "American".
I have no interest in Obama "failing".....but I sure hope he is unsuccessful in bringing his horrible ideals to this country.
I have no interest in his stacking the White House with tax cheats, political hacks and communists.
I have no interest in his having school children chant "support Obama"......it just sounds too much like Hitler.
September 28, 2009 at 12:19 p.m. ( permalink | suggest removal )