[Orion27]

Quite frankly, I don't see why the press and "all of Washington" are aflutter at sentiments of Democrat Senate leader's Harry Reid's statements bout Barrack Obama? Is it because they are racist sentiments coming from a leading Democrat? I don't find them particularly racist. Is it because he was not being politically correct? Closer to the truth. Although in this case, the truth is the first casualty. Does Obama lapse into street argo? So What? Is it the word Negro instead of the separatist African American, born of Democrats to balkanize the country? Should Harry Reid Resign?

[Dork.]

Reid should have called Obama a "clean, articulate, nice-looking" Negro. If he did, he might be Vice-President right now.

[ShortcutToMoncton]

Originally Posted by Orion27 

Is it the word Negro instead of the separatist African American, born of Democrats to balkanize the country?

Definitely thumbs up

[turtle777]

In the context of Obama, "Magic" is really more offensive.

What he's doing is not magic, it's cheap tricks and illusions.

-t

[Laminar]

I'M OFFENDED.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I'M OFFENDED.

You're not getting it.

On Black calling another Black Negro is ok. A White calling a Black a Negro is racism.

-t

[ctt1wbw]

What if a Hispanic person called a black person a Negro?

Everyone in the country is offended at something. Everyone. I think White Americans are offended that everyone else is offended by everything.

[stupendousman]

The republican base knows that people say un-PC things all the time, even if they have no ill-will against any race or people that are different then them. Because of that, they won't make a fuss.

The Democrat base on the other hand is often the most hypocritical and dishonest group of people when it comes to holding their own to the same standards they do others. Of course, we know that's part of their playbook (see "Rules for Radicals". Hypocrisy is part of their plan. Republicans suffer when they hound people out of office duty to sexual misconduct or saying the wrong thing at the wrong time. Democrats don't worry about it unless someone dies or there's cash found in the ice box.

Had Reid been had an "R" behind his name, he would have already been forced out of office. The fact that the Democrats haven't done that shows they really aren't to be taken seriously regarding any matter of diversity or racial sensitivity.

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I'M OFFENDED.

Harry Reid apologized to the President. Obama accepted Reid's apology. Say whaaaat? Just What am I missing?

[smacintush]

As was said, a republican would have been blasted and either run out of office, or damn close. That apology and Obama's acceptance would not have been enough. The press, pundits and the rest of his party would have his head.

[stupendousman]

Part of the Democrats problem is thinking that people don't notice this stuff if they don't make a big deal about it, and their friends in the media don't make a fuss either.

Trust me - I've heard people on both sides who don't belong to the PC police sigh every time Democrats engage in this kind of "gotcha" political act. It doesn't do them much good. Not short term or long term.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by Laminar 

I'M OFFENDED.

It's more ironic than you know:
The word 'Negro' on 2010 census form sparks debate - San Jose Mercury News

"My first reaction when I saw that was we take two steps forward to take one step back," said Rick Callender, former president of the San Jose/Silicon Valley NAACP. "African-Americans in this country have not referred to themselves as Negro since the 1950s."

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

In the context of Obama, "Magic" is really more offensive.

What he's doing is not magic, it's cheap tricks and illusions.

-t

No, he definitely is magic.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by ctt1wbw 

What if a Hispanic person called a black person a Negro?

Is it a black hispanic person?

[Atheist]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

It's more ironic than you know:
The word 'Negro' on 2010 census form sparks debate - San Jose Mercury News

And the group that takes issue with the word 'Negro' calls themselves the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by Atheist 

And the group that takes issue with the word 'Negro' calls themselves the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People.

Thread won. Nothing more to say here, folks.

[turtle777]

Colored ?

In a world that's stuck in black and white ?

-t

[SpaceMonkey]

Okay, did your sig turtles come out like that on purpose or is it some sort of random thing?

[turtle777]

Random, it changes every time you refresh.

-t

[spacefreak]

What exactly is a "Negro dialect"? Is there also a Negro diet and a Negro work ethic?

Reid says he used a poor choice of words, but he failed to mention what exactly the right choice of words would be. I've tried to formulate a better choice of words, but all end up being essentially racist at their core.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Random, it changes every time you refresh.

-t

Ah, I see. On my earlier visit they were all black.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

What exactly is a "Negro dialect"? Is there also a Negro diet and a Negro work ethic?

Reid says he used a poor choice of words, but he failed to mention what exactly the right choice of words would be. I've tried to formulate a better choice of words, but all end up being essentially racist at their core.

Jive talk, turkey.

[smacintush]

The real core of this issue, whether you give him a pass or not: Harry Reid is an idiot.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

What exactly is a "Negro dialect"? Is there also a Negro diet and a Negro work ethic?

Reid says he used a poor choice of words, but he failed to mention what exactly the right choice of words would be. I've tried to formulate a better choice of words, but all end up being essentially racist at their core.

You really don't know what he meant? Seriously? There is a way of talking that is unique to American blacks. Not all blacks talk that way (far from all, actually), but many do, and pretty much no members of other races talk that way. You'll even hear white people accused of trying to "talk black" — I believe the Republicans accused Hillary Clinton of this — which would be quite impossible if there were no such thing.

[hyteckit]

Man, you guys have short term memories. What's negro dialect?

Remember ebonics?

Ebonics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

Man, you guys have short term memories. What's negro dialect?

Remember ebonics?

Ebonics - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Yo tech!. everyone down what we be talkin' bout 'cept the the homies 'round Reid!

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

You really don't know what he meant? Seriously? There is a way of talking that is unique to American blacks.

Oh, sort of like how a lot of American blacks like malt liquor? So by your description, this would be a Negro beverage?

Still seems racist to me.

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

I believe the Republicans accused Hillary Clinton of this — which would be quite impossible if there were no such thing.

I don't know why Republicans would have spent time on this since she was down to Obama in the primaries since Iowa, but I do remember hearing something. I also heard something about Obama in Selma doing the same. But if I recall correctly, the issue was the sudden use of a southern drawl. I sure don't remember the talk being that she was simply taking advantage of her advanced linguistic skills and mastery of the Negro Dialect.

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

Oh, sort of like how a lot of American blacks like malt liquor? So by your description, this would be a Negro beverage?

Still seems racist to me.

Even Negros have a Negro Problem. Just listened to a discussion on CNN where a prominent Negro professor said Obama got kudos in the Negro community for marrying a darker skinned Negro. Even Obama has a Negro problem by accepting Harry Reid's apology. Democrats have lived by the sword and will die by the sword.

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

Oh, sort of like how a lot of American blacks like malt liquor? So by your description, this would be a Negro beverage?

Not really. Malt liquor is not uniquely associated with blacks. A lot of them do like it, I'm sure, but so do a lot of whites.

[SpaceMonkey]

Is basketball a black game? Is hockey a white game? I think the issue here is that it might be "racist" to correlate the color of someone's skin with a manner of speech (or sport) that is predominant in certain urban areas, but it might in fact be accurate, and it will depend on the context whether or not the intent was to denigrate (pun intended) an individual or the particular racial category in question. From what I've read about it, I don't think it was Reid's intent to denigrate Obama or black people. This is also distinct from whether or not it's a good idea to talk this way.

[spacefreak]

He was simply specifying what the proper black, Democratic candidate for President should look and talk like, and that our President fit the bill.

Nowhere in the excerpt do we hear that Reid mentioned the President's intelligence, fitness for office, leadership skills, etc. Just that this one black candidate in particular was a good selection based on his being light-skinned, and who doesn't speak with a "Negro dialect" unless he wants to.

Didn't some other Democrat senator refer to the candidate as being a solid one due to his being "clean" and "articulate"?

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

Is basketball a black game? Is hockey a white game? I think the issue here is that it might be "racist" to correlate the color of someone's skin with a manner of speech (or sport) that is predominant in certain urban areas, but it might in fact be accurate, and it will depend on the context whether or not the intent was to denigrate (pun intended) an individual or the particular racial category in question. From what I've read about it, I don't think it was Reid's intent to denigrate Obama or black people. This is also distinct from whether or not it's a good idea to talk this way.

Precisely. I think it was a dumb thing to say from a political correctness standpoint, but I don't really fault Reid personally for that particular phrase. I'm more disappointed in Republicans who normally scoff at political correctness suddenly feigning indignation.

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

He was simply specifying what the proper black, Democratic candidate for President should look and talk like, and that our President fit the bill.

And is this his personal opinion or a calculated analysis of the political reality (i.e. who is most electable)? I'm not sure we know from the statement itself.

[Laminar]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Not really. Malt liquor is not uniquely associated with blacks. A lot of them do like it, I'm sure, but so do a lot of whites.

I beg to differ.

YouTube - Schlitz Malt Liquor Commercial

Also,

Monarch: What the hell are we supposed to do with this crap? Make them laugh so hard they blow malt liquor out their noses?
Dr. Venture: No, I think you’ll have that covered when you storm the room in butterfly uniforms.
Monarch: Oh ha ha ha ha ha. Nice onesie, Dick. Put snaps in the back so you can make poh-pee?
Dr. Venture: This is a speed suit, mister, not a onesie.
Monarch: Fine. Maybe they’ll think you’re a three-year old with pyrexia and take pity on us.

[SpaceMonkey]

From "30 Rock":

Angie: Where were you last week during Tracy Jr.’s birthday party?
Tracy: There was a better kid’s birthday party up the street!
Angie: I cannot believe you made me come here for this. Now I won’t have enough time to shop for Christmas presents and still get my hair did.
Tracy: Your hair did? You just got your hair did. You have to get your hair did again?!
Angie: IT NEEDS TO BE DID EVERY WEEK!
Liz: Maybe we can undid these handcuffs?
(simultaneously)
Tracy: Racist!
Angie: Cracker!

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

And is this his personal opinion or a calculated analysis of the political reality (i.e. who is most electable)? I'm not sure we know from the statement itself.

Oh, so now reality comes into play. Interesting. So when an NFL owner determines that he is not going to hire a black head coach unless he is light-skinned and doesn't speak in a Negro dialect, it's not racist... it's simply the proper conclusion brought on by marketing, sales, and operational reality.

Personally, I'm more intrigued with the use of the word "Negro". The only other time I've heard the term in modern usage is it's recent appearance on census forms. Odd coincidence, wouldn't you say? This word (as it's used) is buried for decades, then suddenly reemerges.

My gut tells me that someone somewhere clued Reid and others into the fact that this quote was appearing in the book. The Democrat's rapid response team decided that in order to dilute the shock of the quote, they'd best get some mainstream usage of "Negro" back into the national lexicon. "No, it's not a racist relic at all. It's a perfectly fine term to use to describe anything associated with American blacks. See here, it's even on the census forms."

[Chuckit]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

Oh, so now reality comes into play. Interesting. So when an NFL owner determines that he is not going to hire a black head coach unless he is light-skinned and doesn't speak in a Negro dialect, it's not racist... it's simply the proper conclusion brought on by marketing, sales, and operational reality.

Not a good comparison, as Reid wasn't the one hiring Obama — the American people were. It's more like if you knew that the NFL owner was suspected of being a racist, and you saw a person of African descent but who didn't really look "black" go in for a job interview, you might surmise that candidate has a better chance with the racist owner than other black people would. That would be comparable, and it would not be racist of you to think so.

[Orion27]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

Oh, so now reality comes into play. Interesting. So when an NFL owner determines that he is not going to hire a black head coach unless he is light-skinned and doesn't speak in a Negro dialect, it's not racist... it's simply the proper conclusion brought on by marketing, sales, and operational reality.

Personally, I'm more intrigued with the use of the word "Negro". The only other time I've heard the term in modern usage is it's recent appearance on census forms. Odd coincidence, wouldn't you say? This word (as it's used) is buried for decades, then suddenly reemerges.

My gut tells me that someone somewhere clued Reid and others into the fact that this quote was appearing in the book. The Democrat's rapid response team decided that in order to dilute the shock of the quote, they'd best get some mainstream usage of "Negro" back into the national lexicon. "No, it's not a racist relic at all. It's a perfectly fine term to use to describe anything associated with American blacks. See here, it's even on the census forms."

White Wash!

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Not a good comparison, as Reid wasn't the one hiring Obama — the American people were. It's more like if you knew that the NFL owner was suspected of being a racist, and you saw a person of African descent but who didn't really look "black" go in for a job interview, you might surmise that candidate has a better chance with the racist owner than other black people would. That would be comparable, and it would not be racist of you to think so.

Exactly.

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by Chuckit 

Not a good comparison, as Reid wasn't the one hiring Obama — the American people were. It's more like if you knew that the NFL owner was suspected of being a racist, and you saw a person of African descent but who didn't really look "black" go in for a job interview, you might surmise that candidate has a better chance with the racist owner than other black people would. That would be comparable, and it would not be racist of you to think so.

Firstly, I wouldn't work for or help a racist owner. That said, I don't see how being complicit in a racist operation (rationalized as simply dealing w/ reality) frees one from any racial liability. "It wasn't me robbing the bank... I just drove my friend to and from the bank, your Honor".

Senator Reid was the one endorsing the candidate. He was promoting, marketing, and working back-room deals for the candidate. He was helping persuade super delegates, and making speeches on his behalf. These choices were not up to the American voters. These were Reid's decisions.

Reid was noting that the President met his requirements, and more importantly, the requirements that Reid assumes the American people desire. It has to be one or the other, otherwise the statement never gets made. But for discussion's sake, let's say it's the latter.

Can you point me to a survey of American voters that indicates a "light-skinned" black person who doesn't have a "Negro dialect" is more electable than a black candidate who doesn't meet those requirements? If indeed Reid is just stating reality, surely there is something statistical to back it up, right? Because if not, then those determining qualities that Reid holds in high regard were based not on actual data, but rather his own beliefs.

When people ask me for a positive comment about my president, I say that he is a very good speaker. I never mention the color of his skin because it doesn't matter to me. Obviously this isn't the case with Harry Reid. Not only does skin color matter to him, he'll actually talk about it, compare it to the skin color of others, and passively attack the language skills of a large group of citizens who happen to have dark skin (ie. he doesn't speak like the rest of them... unless he wants to/needs to/has to).

The more I think about it, the more Reid sounds like a slave owner doing some window shopping. "Let me see that one... the light-skinned one. Wait, let's hear him talk. Oh good, none of that Negro talk. This one is perfect. We'll take him."

[hyteckit]

Orion27 must be having a blast making fun of black people.

Anyway, here's the real racist: Rush Limbaugh.

Rush Limbaugh Says Ted Kennedy Had 'Negroes' Serve Him 'Booze' (AUDIO)

[SpaceMonkey]

Originally Posted by spacefreak 

Can you point me to a survey of American voters that indicates a "light-skinned" black person who doesn't have a "Negro dialect" is more electable than a black candidate who doesn't meet those requirements? If indeed Reid is just stating reality, surely there is something statistical to back it up, right? Because if not, then those determining qualities that Reid holds in high regard were based not on actual data, but rather his own beliefs.

Or possibly what Reid assumes are the beliefs of a large amount of the country, but not necessarily his. Just as in Chuckit's example, one would be assuming the beliefs of the NFL owner, though not sharing them.

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

Anyway, here's the real racist: Rush Limbaugh.

Rush Limbaugh Says Ted Kennedy Had 'Negroes' Serve Him 'Booze' (AUDIO)

Yeah, in light of Reid's remarks being in the news about just that N word, that could have been in NOOOOOO way sarcastic, right ?

-t

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Yeah, in light of Reid's remarks being in the news about just that N word, that could have been in NOOOOOO way sarcastic, right ?

And didn't we just hear that Bill Clinton told Kennedy that a couple of years ago, Obama would have been serving them their coffee?

[spacefreak]

Originally Posted by SpaceMonkey 

Or possibly what Reid assumes are the beliefs of a large amount of the country, but not necessarily his. Just as in Chuckit's example, one would be assuming the beliefs of the NFL owner, though not sharing them.

Yet in doing so, he himself is making judgements on the color tone of the candidate's skin and whether or not he had a Negro dialect.

It's either direct racism or racism by proxy. If by proxy, then we have the additional element of Reid essentially classifying the majority of Americans as racist, with him assuming the role of determining the skin color and dialect he deems most electable by this racist majority.

[hyteckit]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

Yeah, in light of Reid's remarks being in the news about just that N word, that could have been in NOOOOOO way sarcastic, right ?

-t

So it's obvious that negro isn't a racist word.

Would Rush Limbaugh dare to use the racist word "n*gger" on his radio show in a "sarcastic" way?

[turtle777]

Originally Posted by hyteckit 

So it's obvious that negro isn't a racist word.

No, it's obvious that you don't understand what sarcasm is.

Did it ever occur to you that Rush's comment could have been intended to mock Reid ?

-t

[hyteckit]

Originally Posted by turtle777 

No, it's obvious that you don't understand what sarcasm is.

Did it ever occur to you that Rush's comment could have been intended to mock Reid ?

-t

It's obvious that you don't understand what sarcasm is.

Did it ever occur to you that I was sarcasm to mock some here on this thread who thinks the word "negro" is a racist word.

If Reid is racist for using the word "negro" so is Rush.

[hyteckit]

Ronald Reagan, the Republican Racist.

YouTube - Reagan "Negro"

Ronald Reagan should've stepped down as President for using the word "negro".

Why do Republicans love Racist Ronald Reagan so much?