Museum gifts offend
In August, I went to see the “Italians of Denver” exhibit at the Colorado History Museum with my friends. We went to the exhibit to savor our Italian heritage.
However, when we went to the gift shop, we were shocked to see T-shirts being sold that are very biased against Columbus. I thought that a museum of history should be neutral ground. The message on the shirts was “Homeland Security, Fighting Terrorism since 1492” and included pictures of Indians.
One of my friends called the gift shop to voice her opinion and the manager rudely hung up. I understand that this gift shop is leased. However, allowing the sale of an item of this nature is a poor reflection on the integrity of the museum.
Joanna Ellis, Denver
” The message on the shirts was “Homeland Security, Fighting Terrorism since 1492” and included pictures of Indians”
By Jimminy, I don’t know which is funnier, the T-shirt slogan, or the fact that you found it shocking. The ability of some people to get bent out of shape and indignant at the slightest thing is a psychological marvel.
Hey bangawhore,
Ain't you hypocritical after all of the hateful things you write here.......
Posted by on September 26, 2007 03:49 AMme thinks thou are too thin skinned.
reflect back at how the Native Americans have been treated and continue to be today, ever since 1492. They were here protecting their land that the ' white' man was taking from them. russell means and his like are only using columbus as a means of protesting as that is what they do and it is wrong. they should go after the BIA and ask for their money which is being held for them so that their lives can be enriched. please name a group of people who were ever forced on to a reservation other than the Native Americans.
this is a prime example of the government taking care of people. ever been to a reservation? they are a lot different from the land they were forced off of.
Joanna, Im sorry no one explained this to you. Racism and racist humor against white people (ethnic background does not count you are just white) is acceptable. 6 black kids beating up a white kid because he is white, is not a hate crime. It is a cause to march. 3 black kids murdered by illegal aliens, is not a cause to march because no one involved was white. I hope this helps.
Posted by Breeze on September 26, 2007 08:00 AM06:12 AM asked: "please name a group of people who were ever forced on to a reservation other than the Native Americans."
Japanese Americans
Posted by Clarence on September 26, 2007 09:12 AM“Homeland Security, Fighting Terrorism since 1492"
Is this part of the CSU campus newspaper rescue effort?
Posted by Hank on September 26, 2007 09:14 AMYes, the musuem also should include the fact that there were WMDs in the Americas when Columbus liberated the natives, and jailed and executed their despotic leader. Apparently they greeted him with flowers, cheering in the streets. Because no one kept track of actual numbers of the civilians-natives that may have been killed during this time, their deaths don't matter.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 10:12 AMWhat happens when an Italian gets a flat tire? Dago, wop, wop, wop
Posted by Present on September 26, 2007 10:37 AMAre we not funny. The previous comments are racial but ok.Proving that it is ok to go after whites of any nationality in the name of political corectness.
These comments brought to you by progressive liberal thinkers and the newly overthrown democratic leftist party.
Native Americans? Did they also not immigrate here from somewhere?
Posted by CA on September 26, 2007 12:07 PMNative Americans? Did they also not immigrate here from somewhere?
Posted by CA on September 26, 2007 12:09 PMHere's a free-market republican argument for you.
Dont' like the t-shirt? Don't buy one.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 01:05 PMThank you, 1:05. But then, the letter writer would have no reason to whine. I'm with Bangalore and others: I think the T-shirt is hilarious.
Posted by peterpi on September 26, 2007 02:13 PMBangalore Skank said:
"By Jimminy, I don’t know which is funnier, the T-shirt slogan, or the fact that you found it shocking. The ability of some people to get bent out of shape and indignant at the slightest thing is a psychological marvel."
Well, perhaps to a foreigner, it may seem amusing. But, the shirt is a needless insult to our country. What bothers me is not that some folks find the shirt shocking, but that not enough folks do. Why would any American feel a shirt like that was necessary at a museum? The essential message of the shirt is that white folks and the USA, do not belong in North America.
The left's America bashing has gotten tiresome. It's even worse when foreigners come here and seem to think it's acceptable to echo this gratuitous negativity.
Have you listened to the words of Aqua-Velvet at Columbia? Aside from the oh-so-humorous comment about the lack of gays in Iran, which, by the way, may be due to the fact that he has them killed (which also makes me wonder why the audience laughed at his remark), his comments echoed the typical obnoxious banter of American liberals. He actually received applause from the audience for his remarks on Israel.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 02:35 PMJohn II also 100% on pointing out that BS is foreign. The energizer bunny looks up to John as a God.
The shirt is a scream. Very clever.
When I saw "savor our Italian heritage" I knew they were going to whine. But I thought it would be about the Mafia, not Columbus. He wasn`t even Italian.
And it was more the Spanish who raped the continent, than Italians.
Funny is where you find it.
Posted by Sharon B. on September 26, 2007 03:52 PMSharon B. said:
"Funny is where you find it."
I suppose that's true. I also suppose we should judge someone by what they laugh at.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 04:21 PM06:12 AM asked: "please name a group of people who were ever forced on to a reservation other than the Native Americans."
Japanese Americans
Posted by Clarence on September 26, 2007 09:12 AM
Big difference between reservations and concentration camps, Kemo Sabe.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 05:42 PMJohn II
"...about the lack of gays in Iran, which, by the way, may be due to the fact that he has them killed (which also makes me wonder why the audience laughed at his remark)..."
I believe the laughter should be taken in the context that his denial of homosexuality in his country was foolish fluff. The are homosexuals found in all societies, some more open (i.e., the US, Sweden, England, etc); and some some hidden deeply due to death penalties being imposed on them in other countries (i.e., Iran, Kenya, Libya, Sudan, etc.).
Denying the existence of homosexuals does not equate to there being no homosexuals.
Posted by mongoose on September 26, 2007 05:49 PMJohn II
Thanks for your dubious award to my response, but your post seemed to require such a response.
For somebody such a strong advocate of freedom it seems strange that you would criticize people who hold views toward Israel different than yours. Similarly, it seems strange that you would find fault with people applauding the concept of free elections; "We must allow Jewish Palestinians, Muslim Palestinians and Christian Palestinians to determine their own fate themselves through a free referendum. Whatever they choose as a nation everybody should accept and respect."
I'm not advocating the dismantling of Israel, but I don't see why your feathers were ruffled when it was SUGGESTED that free elections should be held -- he didn't say they should be driven off the land -- just FREE elections.
Posted by mongoose on September 26, 2007 06:33 PMmongoose, don't sweat johnnie 2 boy. He must like Isreal and therefore anybody who dares speak contrary to his likes is worthless. Hes a racist bigot who is down any blacks, browns, gays and will attack anybody who says anything nice about them too.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 06:52 PM5:42,
The reference to Japanese-American concentration camps is a valid one. Guess which president was responsible for that outrage? Yep, the hero of American socialism: Franklin Roosevelt. He also happens to be the bastard that attempted to turn America into a communist nation. The Supreme Court shot down most of his unconstitutional programs. Unfortunately, he managed to intimidate the Supreme Court into passing Social Security. So, next time you look at the FICA money taken out of your paycheck, you can thank that sensitive and caring S.O.B, FDR.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 06:54 PM"look at the FICA money taken out of your paycheck" and be happy like me when I get my SS payment every month like clock work.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 07:03 PMmongoose,
How ignorant can you be?
Aqua-Velvet has publicly called for the destruction of Israel numerous times. His answer was absurd. He does not desire free elections, he desires the annihilation of a free and democratic Jewish state. His answer should have been laughed at just as his answer about gays. Do you honestly not see that? This is the leader of a country that is killing American soldiers. Do you think he deserves applause by Americans for his non-answers to direct questions?
Furthermore, the video of Americans applauding him was the only thing Iranians saw. The left has become his useful idiots.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 07:05 PMJohn II
"How ignorant can you be?"
Obviously not as ignorant or intolerant of free speech as you can be.
I believe the guy is a dangerous nut job -- a psychotic psychopath just waiting to destroy something or someone. But to ridicule the crowd who doesn't respond in accordance to your preconceived appropriateness is ignorant and intolerant.
Regardless of what the fool said before, he did not call for the destruction of Israel in this speech -- he called for free elections. If the people in the audience applauded for free elections, so be it. IF he had called for the destruction of Israel in this speech and he was applauded, I too would be upset.
But, he called for free elections and some in the audience were probably foolish enough to accept him at his word and applauded his apparent moderate stance to conciliation.
John 2 argues like a woman. He (she) will consider no facts not already acknowledged by him (her) and anything anyone else brings up is wrong, cannot be substantiated and therefore nothing more than a weak excuse proving his (her) point of being right.
I think John 2's feminine side is fighting through. That's probably why he (she) is always attacking Sharon and the other women in this forum - to attempt to hide his (her) feminine side breaking through.
Posted by on September 26, 2007 07:29 PM"Regardless of what the fool said before, he did not call for the destruction of Israel in this speech -- he called for free elections."
mongoose, you are a fool. The man was purposely trying to deceive the audience. You fell for it. The audience fell for it. If he gets his nuclear weapon, will you feel safe with the knowledge that he declared he is for "free elections"? The only thing they laughed at was the gay remark because that required no thought and touched upon one of the left's main issues.
By the way, this is not a free speech issue. I'm not sure why you keep bringing that up.
Having said that, I would to have you over for poker night. I promise not to bluff...
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 07:31 PM03:49 said ”Hey bangawhore, Ain't you hypocritical after all of the hateful things you write here.......”
Nope, but I am curious to hear what you think I say that is “hateful”
Breeze said ”Racism and racist humor against white people (ethnic background does not count you are just white) is acceptable”
Yep, the people who hold the power are fair game for being mocked, and in a grand display of magnanimity, those in power try to avoid showing overt signs of it and act shocked if those who have little or no power are insulted. In the US, white male Christians hold most of the power, ergo they get mocked the most and are expected to tolerate this with good humour. Women, Blacks, and Muslims (for example) are allowed to fulminate at being mocked because dignity is all they have by and large.
JohnII said ” Well, perhaps to a foreigner, it may seem amusing. But, the shirt is a needless insult to our country.”
Ok, I grant you that it may rankle locals more than gypsies like me, but how is this an insult against the country? It’s not like Queen Isabella’s brigands are part of American cultural heritage, and why would a Genoese mercenary serving a Spanish queen be a taboo topic?
” Have you listened to the words of Aqua-Velvet at Columbia?”
Sadly I have not yet. I am quite keen to see what he actually said rather than what numbskull and feckless reporters say. I just haven’t found a transcript or a recording of the event yet.
” I also suppose we should judge someone by what they laugh at.”
Very much so, in fact it’s a very productive area of study in psychology and especially neuropsychology, as well as sociology and anthropology.
”… next time you look at the FICA money taken out of your paycheck, you can thank that sensitive and caring S.O.B, FDR.”
Not aimed at me, but I actually do.
I pay the taxes and I am happy to pay them even though I don’t get many of the benefits.
I am happy to contribute to providing infrastructure and social programs to help those who need it, and I am hugely grateful to be in a position to be able to not need them and to pay those taxes.
So thanks FDR you bastard, happy I could help.
John II
I have really lost respect for you in your constant attempt to belittle me for disagreeing with you. If you're really that intolerant of different points of views; if you are personally offended and hurt when someone disagrees with you, I suggest you withdraw from public forums.
I don't know what I fell for - I told you what I thought of him. If people in the audience were gullible enough to believe him, so what.
It was free speech in that he was INVITED in to have a say -- it wasn't constitutionally protected free speech, but free speech it was. He was given an open forum to have his say, lies not withstanding.
The fact that this got to you so much clearly demonstrates how narrow minded you are. Add to that your intolerance for any disagreement with your preset concepts demonstrates your almost childish nature.
If you like poker, we play every first Thursday of each month. Buy in is $1000. Let me know if you're interested; preferably in a non insulting or belittling manner.
Sorry, bad typist -- Genesee
Posted by mongoose on September 26, 2007 08:06 PM”Couldn't you do the same thing without be forced to do so? I get the same feeling when I donate to charity - voluntarily. Perhaps, many middle-class folks we like to have that money to prepare for their own retirement.”
Well, here’s the rub – paying a fair tax is a duty, and since most people (including me) are tempted to shirk duties, they need to be enforced. The reason the offering plate/box gets passed around in Church rather than making it an anonymous affair is for that very reason – the peer pressure is needed. I hear what you say about retirement, I don’t think that people here are taxed unreasonably, in fact there are some folks who should be taxed a great deal more. Those that make squillions by investment for example.
Thanks for the link.
"Well, here’s the rub – paying a fair tax is a duty, and since most people (including me) are tempted to shirk duties, they need to be enforced."
The key term being "fair tax". Also, while I agree with you to some extent about shirking duties, there are also plenty of folks who feel obligated to give. Even now, local Christian homeless shelters bring in millions of dollars for the poor.
"...in fact there are some folks who should be taxed a great deal more. Those that make squillions by investment for example."
I think those who make squillions shouldn't have to pay any taxes on their investments. Investing in our economy is a good thing. It creates jobs, expands our economy, and eventually adds to tax revenue. We should encourage, not discourage, more investment in our economy.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 09:36 PMA friend of mine was wailing about what America has come to because AM spoke here. I let her ramble on for awhile, with the "oh woe is us", hand wringing and sighing and then I said. "So, we are afraid of this man, right"? Well, that stopped her and I asked again, "I guess we don`t want our college kids to hear what he has to say, we are afraid to let him talk, right"?
"Of course not, we`re not afraid of him at all" she said.
I then reminded her that Bush probably couldn`t speak in Iran and she said "you bet he couldn`t" then I asked her why. and she stopped cold.
"Because they would be afraid of what Bush might say, right? I asked her.
At that point I said, "No, Bush wouldn`t be asked to speak there, but their president can speak here, because we are different from them. We have a better society".
She was under the mistaken idea that letting someone speak here, is the same as validating their ideas, agreeing with them.
My friend is sweet but dense.
Christians will always support Israel, because it has to be there for Jesus to return. After that, I guess the Jews are out of luck. With no more reason to love them, and since they are not Christians, its just by by Jews.
Sharon B.,
It's not about fearing Iran. It's about giving a public forum for a maniac who is killing Americans. He used Columbia to rebroadcast to Iran only the versions of the speech that suited him. He played us for suckers. By the way, where was Columbia's magnanimity when a Republican came to visit: http://www.bwog.net/index.php?page=post&article_id=2265
"Christians will always support Israel, because it has to be there for Jesus to return. After that, I guess the Jews are out of luck. With no more reason to love them, and since they are not Christians, its just by by Jews."
The Jews have no greater ally than Christians.
Posted by John II on September 26, 2007 10:36 PMJohn II, Let everyone speak, because, that way you know what they are up to.
What happens in Iran, is beyond our control.
The Christians care for the Jews ends the minute Jesus comes back, and they are no longer needed. Conditional love.
Posted by Sharon B. on September 26, 2007 11:30 PM"The Jews have no greater ally than Christians. "
Except when the Muslims are protecting them from the Christians.
Not so long ago the Christians were chasing them all over the place and only very recently could Jews go into restaurants and hotels run by Christians, and join clubs or get work in organizations run by Christians.
I think the Jew's best allies are the humanists, but that’s just my opinion ;)
”I think those who make squillions shouldn't have to pay any taxes on their investments. Investing in our economy is a good thing. It creates jobs, expands our economy, and eventually adds to tax revenue. We should encourage, not discourage, more investment in our economy.”
Almost all of us do things that create jobs John, I do it all the time. I have a whole boatload of people in the US whose jobs are there because of what my job is. I am just one of millions of people who create jobs, expand the economy, and boost tax revenue, but that doesn’t mean I shouldn’t pay taxes on my earnings.
I should pay tax on earnings at the same rate regardless of what form the remuneration takes – whether I get rewarded in cash, shares, property, or virgins, the tax should be the same ;)
John said ”Have you listened to the words of Aqua-Velvet at Columbia?”
Again, thanks for the link, I will assume it is an accurate and complete depiction of what he meant to say.
Like most speeches by highly religious people, I found it frustratingly vague and filled with hidden assumptions and charged phrases. My conclusion is that he views Israel as a terrorist state, is ideologically committed to ignoring the existence of homosexuality, and feels that Iran has been the victim of concerted efforts to undermine its stability and integrity.
He evidently does not deny that the holocaust occurred, though he obviously has some specific doubts that he is unwilling to articulate.
I think that Coatsworth put on a shabby and unprofessional show, and was either incapable of keeping his personal feelings under control, or was working an agenda.
Perhaps overeager to play to the American politics so that nobody would threaten to pull funding from Columbia.
"I think that Coatsworth put on a shabby and unprofessional show, and was either incapable of keeping his personal feelings under control, or was working an agenda."
I agree. He sounded foolish.
Posted by John II on September 27, 2007 07:53 AMJohn II, look up the word "sophisticated'". Bet you $100 it does not mean better educated or more knowledgeable, or whatever you think it means.
You can send the money to:
http://www.the3day.org/sandiego07/nickdaniel
Posted by Sharon B. on September 27, 2007 12:53 PMSharon B.,
What are you talking about?
sophisticated: deprived of native or original simplicity: as a : highly complicated or developed : COMPLEX b : having a refined knowledge of the ways of the world cultivated especially through wide experience
You can keep your $100. Better yet, donate it to Catholic Charities of Denver.
Posted by John II on September 28, 2007 09:19 PM