Plains, Georgia - more than a political difference with President Obama

The economy has gone from bad to worse for a still growing number of Americans. More people are in danger of losing their homes than at any point in the last 2 years. The Obama Stimulus failed, and talk of a new stimulus - or Jobs for Main Street Act as it's called in Congress - seems just as likely to do nothing as the plan a year ago.

These are facts of the enviroment that America finds itself in today. For those of us old enough to recall the Carter Administration, many similarities exist. Which definitely justifies comment and critique of the job President Obama has been doing since he got elected, even though President Carter brushed off those comments as racist without condition. But it will never justify, on any level, blatant racism.

Every President has a portion of the population that disagree with whatever they may propose. The best of President's have endured that, as have the worst. It is a healthy does of reality and a reminder that the President is still just an elected official of the people, and it is the citizens that ultimately wield the power of the nation. Yet, given this expression of dissent that is our Right, there is a line and it's not hard to know when it has been crossed.

In Plains, Georgia a statement has been made. Considering the comments of President Carter there is no surprise that the statement has been made there. Sadly, the statement is an expression of the lowest kind, a reminder that even in America today there are some that cannot elevate their minds beyond the shameful past of our nation.



Just 3 days ago I mentioned that I was thankful for the start of the New Year (Why I am thankful in 2010) being so different than the start of 2009. I was hopeful that perhaps this year the ugly, putrid, ignorant pestilience that is racism would not show itself, mayhap it had died. But it seems that such regressive thoughts cannot be removed so quickly. Such warped views cannot be corrected in so little time.

America is better than this. By leaps and bounds. We have our problems, like all nations, but this should not still be one of them.

Every American need not agree with the policies of President Obama. Every American need not be of a particular party affiliation or political view. But is it too much to ask that any America that disagrees at least be honest enough and intelligent enough to have whatever view without the disease of racism?

What happened in Georgia was not political. Let's be clear, this wasn't about policy. This was about race and ignorance and fear. It was created by cowards of the worst type.

But now that it has happened, America has a choice. We can stand together and denounce this vile act of a few wretched and miserable souls, or we can hide our eyes and pretend it never happened. The latter gives strength to these villians that they don't deserve and I think America does not agree with. The former is the path that I think the overwhelming majority prefer. But we have to say it.

I've made my statement on this, now it's your turn if you chose.

The only face of President Obama

Some people just love President Obama. Others actually pay attention. Like when the President is at an official function and takes 130 photos with dignitaries across the world. (Including press photos with the children of Spain's President - which is illegal in their nation)

But the thing that catches the attention, especially with Eric Spiegelman, is the way President Obama is so rigid. Generally I mean that in his political policies and liberal ways. Still this video of the photos released by the White House proves that President Obama is unmoving beyond his dedication to socialistic views.



I'd laugh more if it wasn't the same ability that helped lead to his election in 2008.

More polls, more weitrd answers

The more I hear about this poll or that one asking a group of Americans multiple random and generally useless questions, the more I recall a college friend's statement

"You can prove anything with statistics. The sky is green, Hitler was a nice guy, and pig fly. It's just stupid."

Of course there are real uses for stats, just as there is polls. But sometimes you have to wonder why pollsters bother. Beyond keeping their jobs, who really cares about some of these questions.

Like the most recent 60 Minutes -Vanity Fair poll. Asking 1,097 people questions that will shake the foundations of you world, and answers you will ponder for as long as it takes to read the question.

George Clooney beat President Obama (26% to 24%) in "which man they would most like to trade places with for a week." The next men on the list? Tom Brady and Bruce Springsteen (Does anyone even remeber this guy? When was the last time you heard his name?).

Among women it was of course First Lady Michelle Obama as the favorite with 26%. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton won the 2nd place spot yet again at 16% (again I ask, what has she done? You really have to wonder if she is even in the Administration now). Nearly taking 2nd was Angelina Jolie and then Beyonce (that baby video seems to be working out well for her).

If that didn't make you wonder who is answering this poll how about this.

The biggest sin a politician can commit? Adultery? Nope, that only got 2% of votes. The winner was taking a bribe, picked by 37%.

I suppose lying is so commonplace as to no longer be considered something ONLY the bad politicians do. Still, not learning to read would've been my choice. Not that it is a sin either.

How about this burst of brilliance. 50% think it would be a great idea to tax the rich by 50%. First thing I want to ask those people is the same one President Obama has never answered clearly, What is rich? The second thing, how bad an economy do they really want to see?

At least there is one question I think they got right

"one-third of poll respondents predicted he won't be setting a time table for removing troops from Afghanistan. Meanwhile, 31 percent said he would time it to the beginning of the next presidential campaign, and 25 percent chose "in about a year."

media tuning of race relations

The following is a question posed to Michael Vass by Logan Calder at Black and White Blog where I am co-author.

Michael,
I would like to get your opinion on what I noticed recently in television. In almost every add that has a mixed race couple, it is always a Black male and a White female. Almost never is there any other type of mixed race shown. This seems disproportionate to me, as I see mixed races of all variety (including my own) and am wondering if you think there may be some political significance to this?

**Rather than responding as a comment, I wanted to add my thoughts to the post of Logan. In this way readers can have a full thought to respond to, in addtion to allowing search engines more access to this post. I hope that Logan does not mind.**

Logan,

Well that is a good question. But I think you are somewhat mistaken in your premise.

There are many, and I believe more, mixed race couples in advertisements that are Hispanic and White than any other group. The reasons for this are

1) Hispanics - light skinned - are often mistaken for Whites. (ie, Andy Garcia among many others)

2) Hispanics are the fastest growing 'minority' group in America

3) Hispanics comprise one of the bigger buying groups, and tend to purchase more big ticket items (which is reflected in the ads they appear in)

But as for the Black/White mix... well that is harder to define.

In part there are the old stereotypes that are continuously promoted in movies and television shows of the mandingo. Add to that the old view of implied status of a Black man with a White woman. I disagree with both thoughts, though I know many who still ascribe to these thoughts.

Another part is the theory held only in Hollywood (I hope) that audiences can only react positively to something if people of the same racial background are represented.

This has been one of the main reasons that television shows (and movies) are 90%+ dominated by White actors in virtually every aspect. That means the background actors, the supports, and the headliners. In fact, in 2007 - 2008 I randomly selected channels several times over several days and investigated various program line-ups. I found that roughly 2% of all television programming, including cable television, involved non-White actors of any nature, COMBINED (movies were slightly higher though not even 10%).

Thus a commercial, according to this theory, must contain Whites to be effective. It is also the reason that most commercials (with the exception of many racially targeted commercials by McDonald's - but not all) that target specific groups of people of color still maintain White actors in the surrounding roles.

Thirdly I suspect that the use of mixed race couples is a subtle acceptance that America, in reality, is far more diverse and intermixed than what television has been promoting since 1950's. That reality must be reflected as fully 1/3 of the audience is a person of color and thus by the archaic standards of Hollywood need to be shown.

Lastly there is the Obama Effect. Advertisers are cashing in on the positive imagery of African Americans that must exist since the President is a person of color. This I feel is the ultimate commoditization of Black culture that has been beforehand seen predominantely in the Hip Hop culture and advertisements.

The political significance of all this is unknown.

In one respect the benefit of all this is to create more acceptance of people of color in political groups, particularly in the Democrat and/or Liberal organizations. Name an ad, movie, or television show where the people of color are Conservative or Republican - as best as can be discerned relative to its content. I cannot think of one off the top of my head.

Beyond that, which is speculation I admit, I cannot think of a political end to using mixed races. Which does not mean there is or is not one.

Perhaps other readers may have a better answer than I.

Kanye, it's not a vacation

I once had a client, back when I was a stockbroker, who owned a very bad stock. The stock in question was bought, unsolicited, at .16 cents, and had rocketed to $22 over several days (though we did get to sell more than a bit at $18). Then it got halted. My client asked my opinion on why it got halted. That night the President (Clinton as I recall) was on national television and mentioned that same stock as he spoke about stock scams.

The next morning I told my client that the stock was worthless. He mentioned that it had yet to start trading. To which I replied

“When the President of the United States says negatives about something, it is over.”

I mentioned this because I feel much the same can be said about Kanye West.

Though it has caused a bit of a stir in the media, President Obama was overheard speaking about West and his actions at the VMA’s this weekend. When President Obama was asked what his opinion was he stated

“He's a jackass.”

It’s simple and straightforward. The most loved President in my lifetime has stated that Kanye West is done. Even in a world of ADHD and instant fame, I cannot imagine a recovery from that.

Not that I think Kanye should get yet another chance. He has had plenty. And in each instance he has reacted with a fake sincerity that begs someone to punch him in the mouth.

But now that President Obama, the figure that some hold in regard equal to religious figures, has stated his disdain… well what else is there. Kanye West should just slink away and enjoy whatever money he has not spent so far in self-gratification.

In this one instance I can say that I’m in full agreement with President Obama, and hope that his Presidential action reflect across the nation.

{As a side note, the stock in question did start trading after the President spoke. It opened at .25 cents and ended the day at .005 cents as I recall. It was worthless the next day.}

Lindsey Lohan: unpleasant words from an unpleasant mind

I heard about it yesterday, and found it on Youtube today. The brilliance of Lindsey Lohan is stunning to behold I must say. If you have not heard about this I now present you with Lohan handing out a compliment.



The key moment in this conversation is the 13th through 19th seconds. In 6 seconds Lohan both states he thrill at an Obama win, and then insults him harshly. It’s so simple and obviously so common that Maria Menounos of Access Hollywood doesn’t even notice.

Colored. As in the defining word in Jim Crow laws and segregation that prevented Blacks from voting, or even sitting on a bus, for nearly 100 years.

I have a friend, who is 50, and he mentioned to me what she had said and asked why it was a big deal. He honestly had no idea though in several years I’ve never heard him utter the word once. For the benefit of others in the world, it is a big deal to many. NEVER call an African American colored.

That one word was used, along with the n-word in less polite circles, to describe African Americans. And it was meant as a derogatory term. It was a means of separating and belittling. It was meant as a way of inferring both difference and dislike.

Is it a hateful word? Not entirely, depending on the person that states it. But I can say that I have never heard the term uttered by anyone under 60 before. I’ve encountered diehard racists that never used the term, though they did use the n-word with frequency (while they had teeth). And in the years since 1970 the only reference I have been aware of for that usage is when someone is trying to be polite in public and does not want to use the n-word. It’s a tell that would be like jumping up and down at a poker table.

The fact that Lohan uses this term does not surprise me. I am sure that her circle of drug addicted, drunken friends are anything but the most enlightened souls. Often the most ignorant, stupid, small-minded, weak-willed, imbecilic and verbally constrained people are drunks, drug addicts, and/or racist. Which makes perfect sense when considering the crowd around Lohan.

But I did notice that Access Hollywood seems to be taking up for Lohan’s racial remark by stating

“We believe the word in question that Ms. Lohan used was unintelligible.”

Unintelligible? Hardly. I heard it a clear as a day. And it is not some kind of made up word out of the dictionary only Don King uses. It was very intelligible. And no one should be trying to obscure what she said.

I know that the NAACP has stated that they think the use of colored was

“…outdated and antiquated but not offensive.”

And I disagree. Not one friend I know, nor any person of color I have ever known would find her comment inoffensive. Perhaps if I were born in the highly racist 1950’s or earlier in America it wouldn’t matter. But I and most Black Americans alive today were not. Nor was she.

Is it racist? No. Is it racially insensitive and insulting, Yes. The mere fact that as America has become less racist the term has ceased being used is proof enough of that. One day the term Black may be as well. But right now, there is no reason why Lohan would use such a term without being in an environment that fosters and promotes negative stereotypical views of Blacks.

One thing is for sure, the fact that much of America didn’t blink an eye, like Maria Menounos and the editors of Access Hollywood, tells me that thinking of Black people as second-class and offensive still is as much a part of America as it was half a century ago.

President Obama is Black, and that one act did not change America’s racist heritage nor the racially charged problems of today.

President Obama - America is changed and we need to support that

President Obama has won the election and history has been created. There is no limit to the feelings some have about this moment, and I have trouble describing my feelings as well.



I have always respected President Obama, though I differ with his views for America. But that is the essence of America. People having different views and yet working together for a greater good.

I know some are elated right now. And they should be. As one person mentioned to me

“You all don't know what it really means. You grew up in a time that you could sit where ever you want on a bus or train. Could eat at any restaurant you want. And not have to enter restaurants, stores, movies buildings through the back door only. Or drink from a water fountain, or use a toilet marked "Colored Only".

My heart is heavy, I can hardly breathe. Now a person of color Can say to their child that they can grow up to be the president and mean it!!”

So tonight is a night of jubilation. Enjoy it.

But tomorrow I hope for us all to work together in supporting our President, remembering the promises made to the public, and making America better.