More "Fast and Furious"

[AquaMan]

You must all be left brain dominant engineers.

[Conan71]

You had me up to Hillary and Bush. I believe that was a bit gratuitous. Even Powell has mentioned in post Bush interviews that America has a problem with racism. I also don't think the AG really has the cred that those others do but I do think he knows when criticism is non factually based and he isn't getting the same tweets you are.

You guys are misunderstanding my posts, maybe because you're caught up in an election cycle? America is what it is and it is racist and discriminatory. Indians, Blacks, Orientals, Muslims, Southerners, Left Coasters, Iowans, Catholics, Jews, Jehova Witnesses....we love our diversity and we also use it against each other. So is France and England for that matter. Every country whose nationalism starts to decline as its diversity increases starts to turn on itself. We are ahead of the world in this imo. We have managed to focus more on our common belief in freedom and opportunity than other countries with similar diversity. More homogeneous countries like Germany, Norway etc. have less differences in their population and its not so prevalent.

BTW, its Bush's fault.

Colin Powell has commented on racism, but he never used it to excuse gross ineptitude, potential perjury, and dereliction of duty.

Sure there's still racism in America for those who choose to focus on it.

I simply don't view America through the same racist filter, though.  I see a lot of people who make issue of their race, sex, sexual preference, or ethnicity when it suits them either to gain an advantage or to use it as an excuse.  We make reparations constantly for the evils of our past.  People are given preferential treatment in hiring due to race, sex, or ethnicity.  There are home mortgage programs advertised which grant terms to Native Americans that I could never hope to get.  There are college grant and loan programs out the wazoo.  There are SBA programs designed to favor minority businesses, etc. ad nauseum.

The idea that minorities in the United States are still at a disadvantage in this day and age is a crock.

[Red Arrow]

The idea that minorities in the United States are still at a disadvantage in this day and age is a crock.

A few more years and Caucasian males will be a minority and there will be government programs to help me.  Well, probably not since it's good practice to discriminate against Caucasian males.

[we vs us]

The idea that minorities in the United States are still at a disadvantage in this day and age is a crock.

*spits coffee on keyboard*

EDIT:  I mean . . . c'mon now.

[guido911]

Hah! You chose him because he's conservative, a military veteran and HE'S BLACK! It sort of makes me laugh. You and the republicans who do these things think this makes his points more important. After all he is black. Must be an expert on racism. Last I heard he is one of 435 or so other representatives who burp up stuff all the time and then run for cover.

You are coming off more of an authority of African American racism that Rep. West.  Pretty weak tea.

[guido911]

*spits coffee on keyboard*

EDIT:  I mean . . . c'mon now.

For me, I cannot remember ever looking at a person and thought, "gee, he really sucks because he's black". Personally, I have a Mexican-American house keeper and an Austrian tutor for the kiddos. Race/Nationality is an absolute irrelevancy to me--and those that I know.

[custosnox]

For me, I cannot remember ever looking at a person and thought, "gee, he really sucks because he's black". Personally, I have a Mexican-American house keeper and an Austrian tutor for the kiddos. Race/Nationality is an absolute irrelevancy to me--and those that I know.

But that is you, doesn't mean your neighbor hasn't had the thoughts. 

Racism still exists in this country, though the true racism tries it's best to stay out of sight.  The more visible racism, believe it or not, masquerades itself as a defense.  The guy that is getting arrested for shoplifting and makes the comment "It's because I'm black", referring to the cops arresting him, sets himself apart from others with his race.   When someone draws attention to themselves with their race, trying for preferential treatment, that is racism, plain and simple.

[Conan71]

When someone draws attention to themselves with their race, trying for preferential treatment, that is racism, plain and simple.

Indeed.  I almost think though that others on here have a one dimensional view that racism is mainly a problem with white people and their supposed prejudices.

Personally, I'm sort of pinkish tannish so that leaves me out of it. 

[guido911]

Oh, it wasn't about racism after all:

[Conan71]

Oh, it wasn't about racism after all:

Well that settles it because we know the AG would never mislead us.

[Townsend]

Well that settles it because we know the AG would never mislead us.

There seems to be a track record of AG dishonesty over the last few admins.

[Hoss]

There seems to be a track record of AG dishonesty over the last few admins.

Yup.  Thosed damned attorneys.  Can't trust 'em.

[AquaMan]

Colin Powell has commented on racism, but he never used it to excuse gross ineptitude, potential perjury, and dereliction of duty.

Sure there's still racism in America for those who choose to focus on it.

I simply don't view America through the same racist filter, though.  I see a lot of people who make issue of their race, sex, sexual preference, or ethnicity when it suits them either to gain an advantage or to use it as an excuse.  We make reparations constantly for the evils of our past.  People are given preferential treatment in hiring due to race, sex, or ethnicity.  There are home mortgage programs advertised which grant terms to Native Americans that I could never hope to get.  There are college grant and loan programs out the wazoo.  There are SBA programs designed to favor minority businesses, etc. ad nauseum.

The idea that minorities in the United States are still at a disadvantage in this day and age is a crock.

I'm not talking exclusively about minorities or about disadvantages. When one racial minority is discriminatory against another racial minority its still racism. And I am happy you choose not to focus on it. I don't let it rule my life but I know it exists and take it for what it is. Its still there whether you see it or not.

My current group of co-workers is an amazing amalgam of Indians, Blacks, Whites, German, Irish, ,Male, Female, Christian, Muslim and Agnostic. They all feel like they are the minority! It is about 80% Black. About 70% women. I get to sit back and watch how America works, and how petty we can be and still succeed in our mission.

Curiously, you made one of my points. All of those programs exist...because we are at heart racist and discriminatory. Its no big deal, we have adjusted a lot better than most countries.

[AquaMan]

You are coming off more of an authority of African American racism that Rep. West.  Pretty weak tea.

I'm older than him. More time on the planet which gives me some experience with minorities as well. What other credentials in racism does he have other than being black? Common mistake to think that his race implies he is an expert on racism. I have a co-worker who shared with me that he has spent more time in private schools and south Tulsa neighborhoods where he was the only black kid in the school, yet never experienced many problems. He is comfortable in both worlds but hears first hand about racist treatment from his cousins who grew up far north.

My high school was the first integrated school in town and we got over it better than our parents. My sons graduated a predominantly black public school and have keen insights others will never have. My military vet friends from the Viet Nam era all came back racists. Most got over it. Some didn't. Its a fact of life, some people are motivated by the differences, rather than the similarities, between themselves and others. How's my tea?

[Gaspar]

The race card has become nothing more than a pine scented air freshener for politicians.  Just hangs there on the mirror in plain sight, and every now and then they point to it to remind you.  I don't see this as holder necessarily "playing the race card."  He's just reminding people that he has it hanging from the mirror.