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steve666 · May 12, 2009, 09:50 AM

"Where's The Outrage?"
Heres the OUTRAGE

This gal about covers it all! ----- Letter of Outrage is a MUST READ!!!

This letter was sent to the Wall Street Journal on August 8, 2008 by Alisa Wilson, Ph.D. Of Beverly Hills, CA in response to the Wall Street Journal article titled "Where's The Outrage?" that appeared July 31,2008.

"Really. I can tell you where the outrage is. The outrage is here, in this middle-aged, well-educated, upper-middle class woman. The outrage is here, but I have no representation, no voice. The outrage is here, but no one is listening for who am I?

I am not a billionaire like George Soros that can fund an entire political movement. I am not a celebrity like Barbra Streisand that can garner the attention of the press to promote political candidates. I am not a film maker like Michael Moore or Al Gore that can deliver misleading movies to the public.

The outrage is here, but unlike those with money or power, I don't know how to reach those who feel similarly in order to effect change. Why am I outraged? I am outraged that my country, the United States of America , is in a state of moral and ethical decline. There is no right or wrong anymore, just what's fair.

Is it fair that millions of Americans who overreached and borrowed more than they could afford are now being bailed out by the government and lending institutions to stave off foreclosure? Why shouldn't these people be made to pay the consequences for their poor judgment?

When my husband and I purchased our home, we were careful to purchase only what we could afford. Believe me, there are much larger, much nicer homes that I would have loved to have purchased. But, taking responsibility for my behavior and my life, I went with the house that we could afford, not the house that we could not afford. The notion of personal responsibility has all but died in our country.

I am outraged, that the country that welcomed my mother as an immigrant from Hitler's Nazi Germany and required that she and her family learn English now allows itself to be overrun with illegal immigrants and worse, caters to those illegal immigrants.

I am outraged that my hard-earned taxes help support those here illegally. That the Los Angeles Public School District is in such disarray that I felt it incumbent to send my child to private school, that every time I go to the ATM, I see "do you want to continue in English or Spanish?", that every time I call the bank, the phone company , or similar business, I hear "press 1 for English or press 2 for Spanish". WHY? This is America , our common language is English and attempts to promote a bi- or multi-lingual society are sure to fail and to marginalize those who cannot communicate I English.

I am outraged at our country's weakness in the face of new threats on American traditions from Muslims. Just this week, Tyson's Food negotiated with its union to permit Muslims to have Eid-al-Fitr as a holiday instead of Labor Day. What am I missing? Yes, there is a large Somali Muslim population working at the Tyson's plant in Tennessee . Tennessee, last I checked, is still part of the United States. If Muslims want to live and work here they should be required to live and work by our American Laws and not impose their will on our long history.

In the same week, Random House announced that they had indefinitely delayed the publication of The Jewel of Medina , by Sherry Jones, a book about the life of Mohammed's wife, Aisha due to fear of retribution and violence by Muslims. When did we become a nation ruled by fear of what other immigrant groups want? It makes me so sad to see large corporations cave rather than stand proudly on the principles that built this country.

I am outraged because appeasement has never worked as a political policy, yet appeasing Mahmoud Ahmadinejad is exactly what we are trying to do. An excellent article, also published recently in the Wall Street Journal, went through over 20 years of history and why talking with Iran has been and will continue to be ineffective. Yet talk, with a madman no less, we continue to do. Have we so lost our moral compass and its ability to detect evil that we will not go in and destroy Iran’s nuclear program? Would we rather wait for another Holocaust for the Jews - one which they would be unlikely to survive? When does it end?

As if the battle for good and evil isn't enough, now come the Environmentalists who are so afraid of global warming that they want to put a Bag tax on grocery bags in California ; to eliminate Mylar balloons; to establish something as insidious as the recycle police in San Francisco . I do my share for the environment: I recycle, I use water wisely, I installed an energy efficient air conditioning unit. But when and where does the lunacy stop? Ahmadinejad wants to wipe Israel off the map, the California economy is being overrun by illegal immigrants, and the United States of America no longer knows right from wrong, good from evil.. So what does California do? Tax grocery bags.

So, America , although I can tell you where the outrage is, this one middle-aged, well-educated, upper middle class woman is powerless to do anything about it. I don't even feel like my vote counts because I am so outnumbered by those who disagree with me.

Alisa Wilson, Ph.D.
Beverly Hills , California."

There are a lot more out there who think just like, Alisa Wilson, the only difference, she put her thoughts in an email that will reach thousands. I would like to keep this going and see how big it gets!!!

Zeeb · May 12, 2009, 10:16 AM

I don't see a problem with a private company deciding which holidays to grant to its employees and likewise Random House has a right to publish the books it wants to without anyone ordering it to. Whether or not I feel those reasons are good or bad does not give me the right to order them to make a certain business decisions.

The cultural changes associated with immigration (legal and illegal) need to be addressed at some point. Although I really don't care that automated phone systems ask for my language preferences, I am bothered that a broad range of jobs now require the applicant speak Spanish in some states. Again though, private companies. . .

ort888 · May 12, 2009, 10:38 AM

Upper middle class white women with PhDs have it so rough these days.

Dakar V · May 12, 2009, 10:39 AM

They took ar jerbs!

osiris · May 12, 2009, 10:43 AM

Dey dook dr derbs!

ort888 · May 12, 2009, 10:45 AM

I also like the line about how she feels her vote doesn't count because so many people disagree with her... and then she also harps on and on about THIS IS AMERICA! Uh, yeah, guess what, THIS IS AMERICA cuts both ways.

Dakar V · May 12, 2009, 10:46 AM

Originally Posted by osiris

Dey dook dr derbs!

Drdok rrrjbzz!

olePigeon · May 12, 2009, 11:15 AM

I am outraged at our country's weakness in the face of new threats on American traditions from Muslims. Just this week, Tyson's Food negotiated with its union to permit Muslims to have Eid-al-Fitr as a holiday instead of Labor Day. What am I missing? Yes, there is a large Somali Muslim population working at the Tyson's plant in Tennessee . Tennessee, last I checked, is still part of the United States. If Muslims want to live and work here they should be required to live and work by our American Laws and not impose their will on our long history.

Oh my gods, she's right! They should just pick a different Federal holiday during the month of September. I mean, there're so many to choose from.

And while we're riving in ignorance, what about those Jews and blacks? Man, breaking those American Laws by celebrating Hanukah and Kwanzaa instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ during Christmas. Just look at 'em! Look at 'em imposing their will on our long history.

Don't get me started on those Native Americans. Walking around, imposing their will like it's their country.

When did we become a nation ruled by fear of what other immigrant groups want?

Since the first colonies were established, dear. That's why we indoctrinated or slaughtered Native Americans, heaven forbid they want their land back.

So what does California do? Tax grocery bags.

It costs money to dispose of plastic grocery bags. They don't decompose like paper bags, so they pose problem both economically and environmentally. They're also everywhere, clogging up municipal drains and spread out all over our highways. I costs money to clean them up. Hence, why they need to be taxed. Tree farms aren't free, either. If you don't want to pay a tax on plastic grocery bags, then don't use them. I can't go into a single store without seeing a reusable grocery bag. 3 for a $1.

So, America , although I can tell you where the outrage is, this one middle-aged, well-educated, upper middle class woman is powerless to do anything about it. I don't even feel like my vote counts because I am so outnumbered by those who disagree with me.

Your vote counts, it just didn't go the way you wanted. That's a Democracy. You voted for your representative to present your ideals, and he or she did that. If you want a great impact on what happens in your community, participate in your local government. You live in freakin' Beverly Hills. You're telling me that a rich white woman doesn't have a vote in Beverly Hills?

Christ, lady, welcome to America.

olePigeon · May 12, 2009, 11:19 AM

Drrrtkrrrjbs!

SpaceMonkey · May 12, 2009, 11:20 AM

More outrage, please.

sek929 · May 12, 2009, 11:22 AM

White (presumably Conservative) woman doesn't like the way the country is going...and this warranted discussion how?

osiris · May 12, 2009, 11:43 AM

Originally Posted by Dakar V

Drdok rrrjbzz!

Dada derr!

sek929 · May 12, 2009, 11:45 AM

Reb Schneider iz, a schtapler!

Also, press 1 for english warrants outrage? Do some people actually look this hard for retarded sh!t to be bothered by?

Dakar V · May 12, 2009, 11:46 AM

Doofy · May 12, 2009, 12:59 PM

I'm not gay enough to generate any outrage*, but I can go for a bit of hullabaloo. So here we go:
Hullabaloo! Hullabaloo!
(* there's a joke there, people. Google might be your friend.)

Laminar · May 12, 2009, 01:01 PM

Gooback.

SpaceMonkey · May 12, 2009, 01:02 PM

What about hoopla?

ctt1wbw · May 12, 2009, 01:03 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

Oh my gods, she's right! They should just pick a different Federal holiday during the month of September. I mean, there're so many to choose from.

And while we're riving in ignorance, what about those Jews and blacks? Man, breaking those American Laws by celebrating Hanukah and Kwanzaa instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ during Christmas. Just look at 'em! Look at 'em imposing their will on our long history.

Don't get me started on those Native Americans. Walking around, imposing their will like it's their country.

Since the first colonies were established, dear. That's why we indoctrinated or slaughtered Native Americans, heaven forbid they want their land back.

It costs money to dispose of plastic grocery bags. They don't decompose like paper bags, so they pose problem both economically and environmentally. They're also everywhere, clogging up municipal drains and spread out all over our highways. I costs money to clean them up. Hence, why they need to be taxed. Tree farms aren't free, either. If you don't want to pay a tax on plastic grocery bags, then don't use them. I can't go into a single store without seeing a reusable grocery bag. 3 for a $1.

Your vote counts, it just didn't go the way you wanted. That's a Democracy. You voted for your representative to present your ideals, and he or she did that. If you want a great impact on what happens in your community, participate in your local government. You live in freakin' Beverly Hills. You're telling me that a rich white woman doesn't have a vote in Beverly Hills?

Christ, lady, welcome to America.

Kwanzaa is not a real holiday. It was made up by blacks so blacks could feel special. Because non-white-males need different rights and different holiday, on top of the ones that are already there.

ctt1wbw · May 12, 2009, 01:04 PM

Can I have Festivus off this year?

screener · May 12, 2009, 01:24 PM

Received here just about, no, worse than the same post by the same poster at AI PO.

You'd think someone would see what the reaction would be in one place before setting yourself up for ridicule multiple times.

But then, the right got nuthin', nuthin' to lose except self respect.

Doofy · May 12, 2009, 01:51 PM

Originally Posted by screener

But then, the right got nuthin', nuthin' to lose except self respect.

And their command of English grammar.

screener · May 12, 2009, 02:17 PM

Yeah, the education system has positively gone nuke ah hmm..ler?

Doofy · May 12, 2009, 02:21 PM

Originally Posted by screener

Yeah, the education system has positively gone nuke ah hmm..ler?

Press 1 to continue in English.
Press 2 to continue in Spanish.
Press 3 to continue in complete gibberish.

screener · May 12, 2009, 02:37 PM

Press 4 to let Doofy fix your comment because it's a fetish he has.

I don't get it, but WTF.

OAW · May 12, 2009, 03:02 PM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Kwanzaa is not a real holiday. It was made up by blacks so blacks could feel special. Because non-white-males need different rights and different holiday, on top of the ones that are already there.

And what makes a holiday a "real holiday"? Those designated by Europeans as most "traditional" holidays were? And what about the "Hallmark holidays" also designated by whites? Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Secretary's Day, etc.? Interesting how such things don't rile up our friends on the right like Kwanzaa does. I wonder why?

OAW

screener · May 12, 2009, 03:12 PM

Probably because they figure somehow, some way, it's gonna cost them money.

Isn't that what most of the battle is about?

ctt1wbw · May 12, 2009, 03:13 PM

Well, sir genious-a-lot, I never said anything about those holidays. Those aren't really holiday, just special days. Created to make money off of women.

olePigeon · 03:30 PM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Can I have Festivus off this year?

If it falls on existing holiday, you can celebrate whatever you want. Otherwise you'll have to take a personal day or vacation time.

olePigeon · May 12, 2009, 03:29 PM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Kwanzaa is not a real holiday. It was made up by blacks so blacks could feel special. Because non-white-males need different rights and different holiday, on top of the ones that are already there.

Kwanzaa is a holiday, even if it was made up just like Christmas and modern Easter. It celebrates a collection of native religious festivals from various cultures in most of the countries of Africa. You don't have to be black to celebrate Kwanzaa, it's interesting from a anthropological standpoint because it gives you a great opportunity to explore the various African cultures. Same reason you don't have to be Mexican to enjoy the festivities of Cinco de Mayo.

Maybe you haven't noticed, but the U.S. pretty much only celebrates Christian holidays. Everyone else has to schedule their religious festivals around U.S. holidays. Muslims and blacks decided to schedule their holidays during the same time periods as Federal and Christian holidays. There is nothing wrong with that.

OAW · May 12, 2009, 03:32 PM

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw

Well, sir genious-a-lot, I never said anything about those holidays.

SWWWWWOOOOOOOOSSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHH!!!!!!!!

That was the sound of the point going right over your head.

OAW

ebuddy · May 12, 2009, 05:34 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

Upper middle class white women with PhDs have it so rough these days.

going into a couple hundred thousands of dollars of debt for the opportunity of 8 years of academia to help others is a noble craft that few are willing to undertake.

One could argue the shleps on the government dole are the ones who have it easy.

stumblinmike · May 12, 2009, 05:41 PM

Originally Posted by ebuddy

going into a couple hundred thousands of dollars of debt for the opportunity of 8 years of academia to help others is a noble craft that few are willing to undertake.

One could argue the shleps on the government dole are the ones who have it easy.

I missed the part where she is "helping others" She seems rather wrapped up in herself, actually...

steve666 · May 12, 2009, 09:08 PM

Originally Posted by screener

Received here just about, no, worse than the same post by the same poster at AI PO.

You'd think someone would see what the reaction would be in one place before setting yourself up for ridicule multiple times.

But then, the right got nuthin', nuthin' to lose except self respect.

I didn't write the article I put it up for discussion. I find it hard to believe that everyone here disagrees with everything she says. I can cherry pick at least 2 things I agree with.

SpaceMonkey · May 12, 2009, 09:52 PM

Maybe her PhD is in outrage.

turtle777 · May 12, 2009, 10:37 PM

Originally Posted by OAW

Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Secretary's Day, etc.? Interesting how such things don't rile up our friends on the right like Kwanzaa does. I wonder why?

Dude, WTF ?

Those are NO holidays.

Just because there is a "Day" in the name doesn't make it a holiday.

Geez.

-t

CRASH HARDDRIVE · May 13, 2009, 12:14 AM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Dude, WTF ?

Those are NO holidays.

Just because there is a "Day" in the name doesn't make it a holiday.

Geez.

-t

Didn't you know, those are "white-designated" holidays.

The race-bait coalition would be hilarious if they weren't so utterly pathetic.

CRASH HARDDRIVE · May 13, 2009, 12:18 AM

Originally Posted by OAW

And what about the "Hallmark holidays" also designated by whites? Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Secretary's Day, etc.?
OAW

Okay, from now on, May 16th is Brother's Day. Feel free to take the upcoming one off.

SpaceMonkey · May 13, 2009, 08:20 AM

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

Okay, from now on, May 16th is Brother's Day. Feel free to take the upcoming one off.

If you're able to negotiate with your employer to take May 16 off instead of Memorial Day, go ahead. What the hysterical lady is talking about is a "floating holiday," which happens all the time. In my office, we're able to take alternate days off instead of Labor Day, too.

(D'oh, I realized too late your joke -- May 16 is a Saturday)

mattyb · May 13, 2009, 08:52 AM

I see that those email sales of Ph.Ds even got to Beverly Hills.

OAW · May 13, 2009, 04:45 PM

Originally Posted by turtle777

Dude, WTF ?

Those are NO holidays.

Just because there is a "Day" in the name doesn't make it a holiday.

Geez.

-t

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

Didn't you know, those are "white-designated" holidays. :LOL:

The race-bait coalition would be hilarious if they weren't so utterly pathetic.

So you guys want to play huh?

Ok. In my response to ctt1wbw I clearly made the distinction between "traditional holidays" and "Hallmark holidays". Were you not paying attention? So what makes something a "holiday" in your view? Is it a day with traditional religious significance? Or is it a day where the banks are closed? Because as you should well know, there is some overlap between the two sets but they are by no means identical. In any event, Kwanzaa is neither. It has no religious significance nor does anyone get the day off because of it. So the million dollar question is .....

WTF do you care?

How does it impact your daily life in the slightest? If someone wanted to celebrate Kwanzaa how is that any different from someone choosing to celebrate the Chinese New Year? Or the Feast of St. Joseph? Or Yom Kippur?

A "Hallmark holiday" like Mother's Day is not a "holiday" you claim. But do you say the same for Memorial Day? Or Labor Day? Or President's Day? So again, what constitutes a "real holiday" in your view? If one were to go by the dictionary definition you would get the following:

"Holiday - a day of festivity or recreation when no work is done."

But that definition certainly isn't accurate for 5 out of 11 federal holidays because most people don't get the day off for MLK Day, Inauguration Day, Washington's Birthday, Columbus Day, or Veteran's Day. Furthermore, there are dozens of entries with "day" in the name that are on this list of public holidays in the US .... including all the ones I listed and many more. So what is your reasoning why such days shouldn't be called holidays and should NOT be on this list?

OAW

Timo · May 13, 2009, 04:55 PM

Wow. That's a PhD's level of writing, and framing an argument. Wow.

CRASH HARDDRIVE · May 13, 2009, 09:52 PM

Originally Posted by OAW

So you guys want to play huh?

Ok. In my response to ctt1wbw I clearly made the distinction between "traditional holidays" and "Hallmark holidays". Were you not paying attention? So what makes something a "holiday" in your view?

I wasn't taking issue with any definition of a holiday, nor do I give a rat's hind end about Kwanza, I was taking issue with this crazy statement you made:

And what about the "Hallmark holidays" also designated by whites?

What the f does that even mean? Who the hell besides card-carrying members of the race-bait coalition ever spent two seconds giving a rat's ass about holidays supposedly being 'white designated'?

Anyway, I got you a card.

Here's to hoping for change,
and forcing playing fields level,
Here's to days off arranged,
designated not by white devils.

May life be more equal than equal,
more fair than fair,
more empowered,
more hyphenated,
more well-done than rare.

And so with inclusive action
may we affirm to one another,
a Happy Brother's Day ...not to all,
but only to bros of color.

All the best,
CRASH

OAW · May 14, 2009, 10:16 PM

Originally Posted by CRASH HARDDRIVE

What the f does that even mean? Who the hell besides card-carrying members of the race-bait coalition ever spent two seconds giving a rat's ass about holidays supposedly being 'white designated'?

You may call my statement "crazy" if you'd like. Whatever. What you can't do is call it inaccurate. I mean I suppose you could but there would be no truthfulness in the statement whatsoever. In any event, the entire point of my initial post was to question why Kwanzaa seems to get conservatives' panties all in a bunch. I must say that I do find the phenomenon quite amusing. Even more funny is how statements like this .....

Originally Posted by cttb1wbw

Kwanzaa is not a real holiday. It was made up by blacks so blacks could feel special. Because non-white-males need different rights and different holiday, on top of the ones that are already there.

... are NOT considered "race baiting" by our resident right-wingers. But the statement I made (see below) in response to that foolishness supposedly is. A statement which clearly exposed the hypocrisy and logical inconsistency of ctt1wbw's initial contention. But things like that rarely seem to register with the Fox News crowd .... so I'm not surprised

OAW

Originally Posted by oaw

And what makes a holiday a "real holiday"? Those designated by Europeans as most "traditional" holidays were? And what about the "Hallmark holidays" also designated by whites? Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Secretary's Day, etc.? Interesting how such things don't rile up our friends on the right like Kwanzaa does. I wonder why?

Doofy · May 14, 2009, 10:29 PM

Kwanzaa? Wasn't that the bad guy from Live And Let Die?

shifuimam · May 15, 2009, 12:02 PM

Originally Posted by olePigeon

And while we're riving in ignorance, what about those Jews and blacks? Man, breaking those American Laws by celebrating Hanukah and Kwanzaa instead of celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ during Christmas. Just look at 'em! Look at 'em imposing their will on our long history.

Uh.

Kwanzaa isn't exactly a cultural or historically significant holiday.

It's a fake "holiday" made up by left-wing Californians who thought that Christmas was too "white", so the black population needed a "holiday" that was "theirs".

shifuimam · May 15, 2009, 12:07 PM

Originally Posted by OAW

And what makes a holiday a "real holiday"? Those designated by Europeans as most "traditional" holidays were? And what about the "Hallmark holidays" also designated by whites? Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, Father's Day, Grandparents Day, Secretary's Day, etc.? Interesting how such things don't rile up our friends on the right like Kwanzaa does. I wonder why?

OAW

What in the world does the Caucasian population have to do with Hallmark holidays?

Not only that, but such days were not designed to make a specific race feel special, nor were they designed because a specific race had been indoctrinated to believe that they were somehow different and special and therefore deserved their "own" holiday.

Hallmark holidays are more like thank-you days - you know, like "thanks for being such a great partner" and "thanks for being such a great parent" and "thanks for being such a fantastic secretary". Kwanzaa was just designed so that bitter, racist black people could continue to feed the idea that they need to segregate themselves from the rest of society.

Laminar · May 15, 2009, 12:14 PM

But now tell us how you REALLY feel.

ort888 · May 15, 2009, 12:16 PM

White people have a lot to be upset about.

Laminar · May 15, 2009, 12:17 PM

Originally Posted by ort888

White people have a lot to be upset about.

NSFW: YouTube - Louis CK - Being White

SpaceMonkey · 12:47 PM

Originally Posted by shifuimam

Uh.

Kwanzaa isn't exactly a cultural or historically significant holiday.

It's apparently culturally significant enough to get a special annual Presidential Kwanzaa statement. I think it's estimated that a little under 5 million people in the U.S. celebrate it (Wikipedia cites a 2004 National Retail Federation survey). By comparison, estimates of the population of American Jews range between 5 million and 6.5 million.