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See what happens when you let people out of jail?
There are racists who will not employ some people based on skin color alone. This proves that Bush is not one of them without a doubt.
I believe that all people deserve a good measure of respect. The presumption should be that George Bush or anyone else is not a racist of any kind instead of looking for ways in which he could speak and act like a non-racist while still being a racist.
Paul
Quote:
Originally posted by Paul
I believe that all people deserve a good measure of respect. The presumption should be that George Bush or anyone else is not a racist of any kind instead of looking for ways in which he could speak and act like a non-racist while still being a racist.
Paul[/COLOR]
With my joking comment aside, I had this discussion once with a woman of colour, and I think it gets down to semantics, again. I "claim" not to be a "racist". I "claim" not to be "prejudice". I am not sure there is, in practice, much of a difference. We all have preconceived ideas about nearly everything, if from nothing else but our one earlier experience with a situation.
This person told me that we all are "racist" or "prejudice", or we wouldn't really be human...with the logic (or opinion) that it is only when this racism or prejudice gets in the way of fairness or equality or humane treatment that we have "issues".
Exactly! I found the article choppy. It was hard to follow along with each statement/issue when it kept bouncing around. I, too, would be interested in reading a full transcript as this seems to be taken out of context.Quote:
Originally posted by Paul
I need the transcript because the quotes do not make any sense to me. From several sources I have read it said that US is completely arrogant; it's only about oil; the UN is good; Bush is a racist he would respect the UN process if only the Secretary General were white.Paul
I sincerely hope that the anti-American's here DO differentiate between the governmental decisions and the people who live here. Just because a few act in ways "you" may not agree with, doesn't mean that we agree either. I'm getting sick of these stupid generalizations and having to prove what is in our hearts...
So, Bush is not the kind of racist who will not employ someone based on the color of their skin. This does not mean Bush is not a racist.
But you're right, I don't think that the part on race was necessary for strategic reasons alone. I find it an interesting comment, but most people, especially white people, will find it immediately angering and therefore render his other comments invalid in their eyes.
But I did find it good and interesting that someone with such a high profile would questions Bush's motivation.
Too bad that people are getting caught up in which words were used to realise the enormity of world opposition on this "war".
Its not as simple as word choice....its about not forming an opinion on an ARTICLE that seems incomplete...not opposition to war.Quote:
Originally posted by Soledad
Too bad that people are getting caught up in which words were used to realise the enormity of world opposition on this "war".
I wonder if all this scrutiny would exist if the article was about Mandela supporting Bush and the war. Somehow, I think not.
Yes, I would be equally puzzled if Nelson Mandela left out the racism charge and supported President Bush while saying the American people do not care about others; it's only about oil; and insulted Prime Minister Tony Blair.
"They don't care for human beings" is the Salon quote.
Some of the quotes by themselves amount to just name calling. Children calling each other names is childish. For a statesman to resort to baseless name calling in such a life-or-death matter is reprehensible. If all that can be done is name calling then the next step may very well be bloodshed.
For me, the transcript may flesh out the quotes.
Paul
That's not the alternate scenario I was presenting.
If there were an article about Mandela's overwhelming support of the US, Bush and a war against Iraq no one here would be questioning the quotes and looking for a transcript.
That was my point.
I wonder, why is it name-calling when it's someone from the left but it's called "straight-talking" when it's someone from the right?
Quote:
Originally posted by Soledad
I wonder if all this scrutiny would exist if the article was about Mandela supporting Bush and the war. Somehow, I think not.
Hmmmm...you were the thred starter...I wonder would you have even brought it up if it wasn't so inflaming? I bet.......NOT!
Well, actually, I WOULD have questioned his comments even if he did support Bush. I think that it's wrong to make those kinds of comments. Now, that being said, like Paul and others have said is that those comments are being made out of context so we don't know exactly how they were meant. I guess I find it interesting that white men can be called racist, but a black man can't be. I actually know as many racist black people as I do racist white people.
If there were an article about Mandela's overwhelming support of the US, Bush and a war against Iraq no one here would be questioning the quotes and looking for a transcript.
I would be. I think others would be too. A love for pets (with some computer/Internet use) is the only unifying feature of people on Pet Talk.
I wonder, why is it name-calling when it's someone from the left but it's called "straight-talking" when it's someone from the right?
It's definitely not. It makes no difference to me whether someone is on the "left" or the "right."
Paul
I disagree, I, and I bet others, would still want to read a transcript, whether he supported it or not.Quote:
Originally posted by Soledad
That's not the alternate scenario I was presenting.
If there were an article about Mandela's overwhelming support of the US, Bush and a war against Iraq no one here would be questioning the quotes and looking for a transcript.
Mugsy - Every person, regardless of color or religion, can be a racist or a bigot. The difference lies in which group holds the power to impose racist policies. Now, I certainly don't think that blacks are holding the reigns of power in this country, so being a white racist immediately implies that you are in a better position of power to place those racist thoughts into actions that will affect others. Black people are in a considerably worse position to impose any racist beliefs onto others.
Soledad, I have a question for you. Based on the definition of racism doesn't your blanket statement about how whites react to things a racist statement? I am asking because I am interested in what your definition of racism is.