I'm Confused

[GOLDY1966]

I'm confused ... how can 2 million blacks get into Washington DC at sub-zero temperature in 1 day when 200,000 couldn't get out ofNewOrleans at 85 degrees with four days notice?

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I received the above in an email entitled "I'm Confused" this morning from a softball teammate of mine & am apalled by it. Who starts these things? Has anyone else seem this crap? I don't get it. Am I just naive by being so shocked by this?

[Gopher4Life]

What bothers you about the question?

[Ogee Oglethorpe]

No, I'm not surprised that you're "shocked and appalled" by this question.

Unfortunately, that's what's disturbing.

First of all, my guess is this wasn't a dead serious question, just one in which somebody was sitting around and it occurred to them that it seemed strange.

I'm sure " .edu guy" is going to be extremely appalled by how somebody could even pose such a question. Can you believe the insensitivity?!?!?!?

[Schnoodler]

That people like you aren't bothered by the question.

[Gopher4Life]

Hey, I first heard that question as part of a standup's routine...and the comedian was black. I'm not sure why it's not a legitimate question, although I'd prefer to substitute "people" for "blacks".

[GophersInIowa]

I agree that it should say "people" instead of "blacks."

One thing that made me mad about the whole Katrina thing (other than the government's late response) was how so many people did not leave when they could have. I remember a news reporter interviewing people as they were going in the superdome. They were asking why they didn't leave. Some had good reasons like they had no vehicle or they had a sick family member. But some (both black and white) said it was because the traffic was really bad and they didn't want to wait it their car for so long. I had to change the channel I was so mad.

Just a few days later, these were the same people complaining that the government wasn't there to help them. But the fact was, they could have left and done their part to prepare, but instead relied on others to help them.

[Gopher4Life]

You've identified the question's intent, whether asked for comic effect or for serious consideration.

We've read that there were countless school buses in and around New Orleans that could have been used for evacuation. Instead, they remained in the flooded parking lots.

I believe we often wait around for our government to take care of us when we should really be fending for ourselves. Then we whine and play victim when the help isn't as quick to arrive as we prefer.

>>(other than the government's late response)<<

By the way, the federal response was quicker than state or local response. Now there's a question that ought to be asked.

[Schnoodler]

It's really easy to monday morning QB the decisions of those that stayed behind. What happened, though possible, certainly seemed improbable up til it happened. Weathering hurricanes up to katrina was a badge of courage and a bunch of hoohaw about nuthin, now it's a symbol of stupidity.

And the quote was pointedly about the decision making and priorities of black people, very racist.

I was pretty anti PC up until this election until the blatent bigotry that I had believed a thing of the past seemed wide spread. It's at that point I realized the harm of the wink wink nudge nudge off color humor and inuendo. It wasn't just clever bantor, people actually believed the *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!#.

[UpnorthGo4]

Good post, Schnoods. You hit the nail on the head.

[GOLDY1966]

My first instinct when I read this was that it was written as a racist, bitter comment. The kind of sour grapes propaganda that Bill O'Reilly would spew. Like you, Schnoodler, I am disgusted with the increasing bigotry, hatred, and closemindedness seen the past few months.

G4L - what bothers me about the question? - what I perceive to be blatant racism is the main thing. You question the original intent of this quip, and I don't disagree. But, the email was sent with no information surrounding it's inception or intent.

I supposed I was also suprised my 'friend' would forward something like this to me. First of all, we are on very different sides of the fence politically, so I cannot imagine he would think I would find the 'humor' in it. That he most likely doesn't see it as being bigoted also amazes me.

[Gopher4Life]

Schnoodler,

>>And the quote was pointedly about the decision making and priorities of black people, very racist.

Was the comment racist, politically incorrect, or simply factual?

1966,

>>...what I perceive to be blatant racism is the main thing.<<

If you interpreted it that way, perhaps you're the racist?

[Jike Spingleton]

The lesson learned here: NEVER give your email address to Loon.

[GOLDY1966]

Jike - LOL - the sad part is my friend and I played ball together for about 10 yrs and I always thought he was a decent guy. Ultimately I am disappointed that he would even send garbage like this to me.

G4L - Not sure I follow your accusation about being racist. Is Schnoodler racist as well?

[MNSnowman]

G4L - Not sure I follow your accusation about being racist.
G4L has decided that white folks are never racist and that those who accuse white folks of being racist are really the only racists. Hence, anyone who raises the specter of white folks acting or behaving in a racist way is actually a covert racist themselves for even questioning the integrity and non-racist perspective of white folks. :rolleyes:

It's G4L's "catch-22" of racism:


if you recognize racism from others, you're a racist yourself;
If you call out others for racism, you're a racist; and,
there's a racist in every minority camp and whites are never a minority.

Be forewarned: if you mention Jesse Jackson or Jeremiah Wright, you'll see the M.O. in full swing.

[Schnoodler]

Now that's funny...but racist.

[monk10]

Context is always important. I think I would laugh if i was in a comedic setting. I would just write back to your friend and tell him stop acting like a Don Imus.

[Gopher4Life]

Snowman,

I believe there is plenty of racism around us and that it flows in every direction. I've also learned that the quick scream of "racism" often substitutes for serious thought. Not every reference to color is racism.

>>if you recognize racism from others, you're a racist yourself;<<

No, the point I tried to make was that when you perceive racism where it doesn't really exist, you might be the one with the problem.

[Gopher4Life]

monk,

Please consider giving Imus another chance. You might be shocked to see who sits on either side of him five mornings a week on DirecTV 345.

The man has certainly made mistakes, but he's not a racist.

[Goldy74s]

It's really easy to monday morning QB the decisions of those that stayed behind. What happened, though possible, certainly seemed improbable up til it happened. Weathering hurricanes up to katrina was a badge of courage and a bunch of hoohaw about nuthin, now it's a symbol of stupidity.

And the quote was pointedly about the decision making and priorities of black people, very racist.

I was pretty anti PC up until this election until the blatent bigotry that I had believed a thing of the past seemed wide spread. It's at that point I realized the harm of the wink wink nudge nudge off color humor and inuendo. It wasn't just clever bantor, people actually believed the *&^!#*&^!#*&^!#*&^!#.

Have you ever been to New Orleans? What, at all, could be inconceivable about any part or all of that city going one dozen feet under water? On a beautiful day at any time of the year you see the largest river in the USA winding through the city more than twenty steps above the highest point in the city. How could any human being not see what it SO obvious to anyone else? I lost total faith in George Bush when he agreed to help rebuild the residential parts of that city. It is totally indefensible in the face of any serious storm. Period. But, if you have not been there, you would have zero idea of what I am talking about. Stand by the Jackson statue and tell be how anyone short of God could defend that city. How could the people believe they would be or could be safe? A mass, mass failure to take responsibility for the safety of yourself and your family.

[Schnoodler]

I have been there, and I think everybody understands the very real danger now. New orleans has been there a very long time. It wasn't the first hurricane. But thanks for the contribution Loon.

[Goldy74s]

I have been there, and I think everybody understands the very real danger now. New orleans has been there a very long time. It wasn't the first hurricane. But thanks for the contribution Loon.

Perhaps when you were there you might have heard that three hundred years ago New Orleans was above the Mississippi. For the last hundred years in particular the bottom of the river has been raised over a dozen feet thanks to the Corps efforts to "control" the river.

In any case, if the dikes were designed to hold back a Cat 3 storm in 1955, had never reached that standard on their best day, and a CAT 5 storm was approaching and you were warned about all of the above for four days before the storm would arrive, what would you do with your family? (Careful, this is an IQ test, you know how unfair those can get.):(