Bigotry
Eric Fuller of Denver writes:
Though I disagree with syndicated columnist Michelle Malkin on most issues, I have to agree on her recent column regarding the stupid, racist and boneheaded remarks from Don Imus, “Imus shot just a drop in the bucket”.
The reason the Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are not raising a stink about the lyrics in rap songs is because it’s not in their interest to rock the boat. To them it’s easy to fan the flames when Imus, Howard Stern and others put their prejudiced feet in their mouths.
Where’s the consistency? If it’s wrong for Imus to spew his bile, then it’s just as wrong for Mims, R. Kelly and others to spew theirs.
Mr. Fuller,
Surely you should know by now that being absolutely PC , at all times, and in all places, is the duty of "white-bread honkeys". And of course, "racism" and "bigotry" are faults that only those same "white-bread honkeys" have as well. Or, in other words, if one is nothing more than a "white-bread honkey" one is damned if one does; and damned if one doesn't at one and the same time.
"Now hear da word o' de Lord"!"
Posted by Old Grouch on May 12, 2007 12:52 PMI simply can't go along with Eric Fuller's apparent philosophy that unless we stop all the bigotry we should not stop any of it. I've always had the impression that you have to start somewhere, not everywhere, and that the longest journey begins with a single step.
I really have no intention of giving Sharpton and Jackson the power that Eric seems to want to give them. I prefer to judge Imus' remarks by my values rather than the opposite of Sharpton's and Jackson's values. For me, what those two think is irrelevant to what I think. Eric seems more concerned with what they think that with what he thinks.
I enjoyed Imus a lot over the years, although he very often crossed my own line as to what is acceptable. But regardless of what Sharpton and Jackson may think, I think his outburst, which was considerably more than the few words contained in the publicity, was outrageous. While I would have been satisfied if he had received lesser punishment, I gave up along time ago wanting everybody to conform to my opinion of matters.
As the Imus incident went on, I was wondering when someone would defend the right of an American to say something that is unpopular.
Imus and his ilk have the right to make unpopular, distasteful, or rude statements. Sadly, there are too many that believe they have a right to not be offended. The First amendment was designed to protect unpopular speech and dissenting opinions.
However, it appears the we have found ourselves not only dealing with various self appointed members of the speech/thought police, but the rise of a new sort of “majority tyranny“ where those that dare disagree with the rest of the group are shouted into submission. Any serious discourse concerning the validity of a controversial opinion or view will be shunted aside or simply lost in all the noise.
Posted by Thom Challenger on May 13, 2007 01:39 AMWords only have the power that WE assign them....people need to grow some thicker skin.
Posted by my name 2 on May 13, 2007 10:10 AMIf you subscribe to the philosophy of Revs. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton, then you suscribe to racism. You don't have to be in the majority to be a racist. It's time to take the power away from race-bating, hate-mongering people like Mr. Jackson and and Mr. Sharpton.
Posted by I'm not fooled on May 13, 2007 10:43 AMINF,
Those two are rather pale (Dare I say, almost "white"?) in comparrison to the furor raised by Tancredoites, with their constant slurs and slams about Mexico and Mexicans used to shore up their ever increasing need for publicity and recognition.
Of course, neither Jackson nor Sharpton would ever admit that racism and bigotry are not exclusive "sins" belonging to "white-bread honkeys"; but they, themselves, have yet to be heard criticizing the language, or the proposed "soultions", coming from the raucous crowd of anti-immigration fanatics.
But then again, when the power to stir up the masses, and incite the crowd, is slipping away; and the "cause" is no longer in the forefront of everyone's mind; there does come the necessity to hang on, and blow up trivia into outlandish proportions. And of course, keep the pocketbooks open, and the cash flow going, as well. Making any molehill into a mountain for one's own benefit is better than having to actually do something constructive to justify one's existence.
Posted by Old Grouch on May 13, 2007 11:30 AMImus didn't get the can because of first amendment issues, he was dinged because his corporate bosses got nervous about investor and advertiser dissatisfaction.
This has zero to do with what goes on in rap songs, it is an issue of the fact that corporations have no duty or obligation to protect anybody's speech, and the 1st amendment does not extend to them.
Bango - The 1st amendment applies only to the government not being allowed to restrict your speach. It in no way implies that you have the right to speak your mind at work without retribution.
Posted by KW on May 14, 2007 11:34 AMKw, yes, that is what I said
Posted by Bango Skank on May 14, 2007 01:04 PM