The US flag is offensive ...

[RobbiesCornField]

Robbie, that's a whole lot of claims backed by nothing but anecdotal evidence. Do you have anything substantial to claim?

I mean, hell, I've met women that have kids on a schedule to maximize their welfare benefits and so far they all were white. I guess my evidence counters yours, right? I mean, you seem to have made up your mind on all the other races except whites based on your limited experiences.

Really, all I have to do is hear you say "But the Jews don't complain!" to know that you're a closet racist. Many Jews complain. Hell, Israel itself is a big reparation that was paid to Jews and they get a lot of leeway for their own war crimes because any criticism of Israeli policy is painted as anti-semitism.

I don't see the US funding any African nation near to the level they fund Israel either.

Basically, until you can back up your claims with solid evidence and not just "I saw this!", you're a racist, plain and simple.

Nova, I knew it was only a matter of time before you showed up to stir the pot. Usually when you do, it's a matter of a very few posts before a fight breaks out. But I'll see if I can keep this civil.

Let's see... the cost of illegal immigration so far JUST in Los Angeles County:

Figures from the Department of Public Social Services show that children of illegal aliens in Los Angeles County collected more than $21 million in welfare and more than $22 million in food stamps in March 2009 -- an increase of $1 million from the previous month, according to a news release from Los Angeles County Supervisor Michael D. Antonovich.

Annually the cost of illegal immigration to Los Angeles County taxpayers exceeds one billion dollars, which includes $220 million for public safety, $400 million for healthcare, and $500 million in welfare and food stamps allocations, according to the news release.

Hmmm... sounds like all those illegal immigrants and their tons of babies are really capitalizing on a system that was set up to help US CITIZENS. That's a hell of a lot of money that could be used to help AMERICAN families in need. Not border hoppers.

Oh, and Nova, sure the Jews complain. But they're doing it on their own turf. They're not coming over here and demanding that we pay them exorbitant amounts of money for the "advancement" of their people because they feel "oppressed" from something that happened hundreds of years ago.

Oh, and as far as the US not funding any African nations, what do you call Feed the Children? The Christian Children's Fund? And all of those other "wonderful" organizations that people send money to to "sponsor" the little African children? How many millions of dollars are contributed to them? Does that not count?

To respond to your last remark, basically, I have a lot more experience than you give me credit for. Sure, I'm just 20 years old. What do I know? What I know is based on figures that I have seen; articles I have read (but cannot for the life of me find at the moment); personal experiences I have had. It's not just some willy-nilly crap I'm pulling out of my wazoo.

 

[Bharmonika]

Learn to empathize

I normally don't comment on threads like this because there is seldom a resolution to issues of this nature. However, I felt compelled to make a general comment on what is being disgust here.
As a black woman, growing up in a predominately white neighborhood, attending predominately white schools(my sisters and i were the first blacks to integrate our elementary school), even being the first black family to attend the church that I grew up on, I have come to the conclusion that what this country lacks, as a whole, is empathy. In general, people have a hard time relating to the feelings of others. Because we don't understand or agree with someone else's opinions we tend to dismiss them or claim that they aren't valid.
When my white boyfriend comes home depressed because a less qualified minority was chosen for a job over him, I don't feel that he should be told that he is wrong for feeling that way. For all I know, he may be absolutely correct. On the flip side, being told that racism doesn't exist when someone like my father, who fought for this country in the Vietnam War, returns home to the U.S. and can't get a hotel because he isn't white...totally unfair. He's only 59 years old and his GREAT grandmother was a slave. That's only two generations ago, not four or seven. I could site hundreds of examples of inequality that I have personally endured or have personally seen on all sides of the equation. Everyone, regardless of race, has suffered inequality on some level and what we all need is to learn how to identify with each other's pain. Instead of arguing over who has suffered the most or who deserves the most compensation for it, lets put all that energy into finding a way to eliminate the inequality in this country altogether.
There are some who don't agree with affirmative action or reparations. I understand why some may feel that way. I was accepted to all of the three colleges that I applied to and many of my white friends attributed it to affirmative action. They completely overlooked my 3.9 GPA, my national honor society membership, my AP classes, and my #42 ranking out of 1300 seniors. Do I feel that affirmative action should be done away with? Not unless someone can come up with a better solution for the inequalities in this country. I personally believe that a more even distribution of wealth would eliminate a lot of the racial inequalities in this country. TRY EMPATHY, PLEASE!Thanks for reading,

 

[RobbiesCornField]

BHarmonika, I've tried to empathize, and I've tried to sympathize. I do agree that with a GPA like that, and your NHS membership, AP classes, etc, that you did deserve to get into those schools. What I have a problem with is those who don't try as hard and still expect to (and do) get in. And I never said that racism doesn't exist, nor do I think anyone has. What I have said (in many more words, I may add) is that it has taken a turn towards "reverse discrimination". Caucasians are discriminated against by almost every other race. Granted, we do deserve a good bit of it, but not all that we've been getting over the past few years. Please keep in mind that empathy does work both ways.

 

[airenlow]

I'm not sure where Darcpixie's post went but I really liked this part of the article she posted...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/14/national/main5013313.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_5013313

Although she's been in the U.S. for 13 years, she is thinking about returning to Mexico.

"I am just making enough to pay the lease and the bills," Lopez said through a translator. "If things continue like that, I will leave."

Does anybody else find it interesting that she has been here for 13 years and still needs a translator?

 

[Darcpixie]

honestly, I just didn't want to play

but i'll repost it for you

http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/14/national/main5013313.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_5013313

 

[Darcpixie]

I found some other neat stuff about minority-majority counties and welfare roles, but I was having trouble with recent/up to date things

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I'm not sure where Darcpixie's post went but I really liked this part of the article she posted...
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2009/05/14/national/main5013313.shtml?source=RSSattr=HOME_5013313

Although she's been in the U.S. for 13 years, she is thinking about returning to Mexico.

"I am just making enough to pay the lease and the bills," Lopez said through a translator. "If things continue like that, I will leave."

Does anybody else find it interesting that she has been here for 13 years and still needs a translator?

No weirder than the ones who have been here for 25+ years and still need translators.

 

[Bharmonika]

Please keep in mind that empathy does work both ways.

That was the point that I was trying to make. I apologize if that did not come through in my post.

 

[wade]

Bharmonika, I agree with almost everything you have said. I agree that we could all empathize a little more.

I think the point I have been trying to make, and I think Robbie is on a similar line, is that help and assistance should go to people who truly deserve it for some reason or other but not based on the color of their skin. You made a point of saying that you were excepted to 3 schools because of your accomplishments, not because you were black. That is the whole point.

The very worst thing we did to the American Indian was to take away their pride, and to take away their incentive to achieve success. We put them on a reservation, built their homes, and fed their children. There is no incentive to better themselves. We have created a huge class of government dependents generation after generation. The same thing is happening to the welfare recipients in the ghettos across the nation.

We don’t do this with or children. We don’t give our kids everything they ask for. We make our kids earn things. They have responsibilities at home, they earn an allowance, they learn to budget their money. They learn the value of hard work and the feeling of accomplishment. Why do we do this to our kids? Because we know that to just hand them everything they want is not in their best interest. Why can’t we see the value of that outside the home?

 

[Ricky87]

Let me put this as nicely as I can. I CHOSE to be gay the same day you CHOSE to be straight.

I didn't mean it's a choice like "Snickers or Milky Way". You are who you are, and you have every right to be that way. I'm not even trying to say it's an issue of "are you born gay, or do you become gay?". How could I possibly say that, or make that claim. All I'm saying is that sexuality is a choice, homo-sexual or hetero-sexual, and it is up to you who knows and who doesn't. Their is no way to disguise the color of your skin (forget Michael Jackson), and if you are born black than you are forced to confront some of the prejudice around you. Still, I in no way meant to offend you, and I hope I cleared it up a little better. I do, and will continue to, have equal respect for all people regardless of sexual preference!.

 

[Ricky87]

You know Ricky, I was going to go down your post point by point but this is getting stupid. Your response to every situation is that if you’re black you deserve something for nothing and if your white you’re on your own. You can’t seem to see anyone else’s hardship. Your point of view on everything you have addressed has been so slanted and prejudiced that it is laughable that you can’t see it yourself. Yesterday you and your brother made me mad. Today I feel sorry for you. You are what you hate. You are the epitome of what you are fighting so gallantly.

At least I listen to opinions that aren't of my own with some form of open-mindedness. I respect Robbie 100% for his views, because I know he speaks from the heart. He's not trying to incite me, he responds as politely as possible, while still dis-agreeing, and above all he validates his opinion with life experience. Some I agree with, some I don't, but I know he isn't just blowing steam to get a rise out of someone. I can totally respect that, and I'm glad he at least respectfully responds with my POV with insight, and without it turning into something it doesn't need to be. You called my brother the most racist person you've met, yet if you had any just reasoning in you, than you would understand the capacity of that statement. If he were racist, how in the world could he love his white family, or speak in defense of other ethnicities. I see it's a lot more fun to make outlandish claims just to get a rise, but I personally don't like to go throw rocks in the river just to see what comes up!.

 

[Bharmonika]

The very worst thing we did to the American Indian was to take away their pride, and to take away their incentive to achieve success. We put them on a reservation, built their homes, and fed their children. There is no incentive to better themselves. We have created a huge class of government dependents generation after generation. The same thing is happening to the welfare recipients in the ghettos across the nation.

I do not mean that to show empathy that we have to ignore or allow laziness. There are always people who are going to try to use oppression as an excuse to be a bum and live off of the system. I am not referring to those people. I reserve empathy for those cases where help and understanding is truly needed. BTW we may have built the American Indians their homes on reservations, and forced them to live on them,but only after we destroyed what they had already built and lived on long before we arrived. Do I think that this should be used as an excuse not to work? Nope, I find that type of behavior rather disgusting. I try to look at each individual case objectively.

 

[RobbiesCornField]

I do not mean that to show empathy that we have to ignore or allow laziness. There are always people who are going to try to use oppression as an excuse to be a bum and live off of the system. I am not referring to those people. I reserve empathy for those cases where help and understanding is truly needed. BTW we may have built the American Indians their homes on reservations, and forced them to live on them,but only after we destroyed what they had already built and lived on long before we arrived. Do I think that this should be used as an excuse not to work? Nope, I find that type of behavior rather disgusting. I try to look at each individual case objectively.

In this post, darling, you and I agree completely.

 

[tsst]

Just pointing out some irony for Dale knowing the fan he is. Interesting advice to Robbie on how to get by without public assistance.

... but may I suggest that if you are suffering financially than maybe you should evaluate your spendings. I am fully aware that what you buy is 100% your business, but sacrifice is neccassary at times. ...

Then some past quotes...

... because if you had half of an idea how hard it is to live off of 600$ a month ...

...I'm Rickys twin brother ... we don't spend a dime of our disability on frivelous things. ...

...
I got my dog for $1,200 as well, but that is nothing in the long run compared to the constant costs of care. My dog had behavioral issues (dog aggression) since day 1, and I can't even begin to calculate the cost and time spent on training. Then there's vet bills, medications, and food. My dog also developed allergies, so her food has to be a special diet (more $). ...

 

[Ricky87]

Just pointing out some irony for Dale knowing the fan he is. Interesting advice to Robbie on how to get by without public assistance.


Then some past quotes...

WOW!!!. That is completely and utterly pathetic. I hope that 44 on your age number is just an accident, and you added an extra 4 by mistake, because a 44 year old should be a bit more intelligent than this. Nice job not adding the part I put about "your personal spending is 100% your business.". I'm not going to call you any "choice" words, because you so blatantly exemplify them all, but I do think that a person your age should have more of a life than this. That's a lot of research and time, for such a weak post. Call yourself embarrassed, and move on from their, because this is just plain sad!.

 

[wade]

You called my brother the most racist person you've met, yet if you had any just reasoning in you, than you would understand the capacity of that statement. If he were racist, how in the world could he love his white family, or speak in defense of other ethnicities. I see it's a lot more fun to make outlandish claims just to get a rise, but I personally don't like to go throw rocks in the river just to see what comes up!.

Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen, Nobody know but Jesus.
(You should hear me sing it, I'm really good.)
Neither you nor you brother speak in defense of anyone, you speak in offence of white people. Your whole campaign is The Bad Old White Man. Without an arch enemy you have nothing left.

I’m not making any outlandish claims. I defined the word raciest very clearly and accurately. It fits you and Mike very well. You on the other hand feel that attacking me is more effective than attacking the substance of what I say. Robbie has made many good points you have not responded to. It’s hard for you to see the facts that don’t fit your prejudice isn’t it.

 

[wade]

WOW!!!. That is completely and utterly pathetic. I hope that 44 on your age number is just an accident, and you added an extra 4 by mistake, because a 44 year old should be a bit more intelligent than this. Nice job not adding the part I put about "your personal spending is 100% your business.". I'm not going to call you any "choice" words, because you so blatantly exemplify them all, but I do think that a person your age should have more of a life than this. That's a lot of research and time, for such a weak post. Call yourself embarrassed, and move on from their, because this is just plain sad!.

Ricky, the man made some good points. Can you make a response that has something to do with what he said and not just try to insult and incite?

 

[Ricky87]

Nobody knows the troubles I’ve seen, Nobody know but Jesus.
(You should hear me sing it, I'm really good.)
Neither you nor you brother speak in defense of anyone, you speak in offence of white people. Your whole campaign is The Bad Old White Man. Without an arch enemy you have nothing left.

I’m not making any outlandish claims. I defined the word raciest very clearly and accurately. It fits you and Mike very well. You on the other hand feel that attacking me is more effective than attacking the substance of what I say. Robbie has made many good points you have not responded to. It’s hard for you to see the facts that don’t fit your prejudice isn’t it.

Oh, I REALLY wish this site allowed for me to call a spade a spade. As it is, I have no problem with "Bad old white men", just the ugly shirtless ones (uh thank you!!!). Consider yourself officially called out!!!.

 

[wade]

Called out in what way? We'll make an exception for you, call a spade a spade.

I’d still like to hear you respond to some of the things people have said. Or do you just point fingers and call spades spades.

 

[RavenSpirit360]

I am soooo glad I didn't get into this one