Plain And Simple….Maybe You’re Not A Racist….But You ARE An Idiot

Consider the following headlines…….

From the “Chicago Sun-Times”….”Racism simmers below surface on health care”

From “Salon.Com”….”Too much tea party racism”

From “Examiner.Com”….”Hollywood petitions against GOP Nazi-based Tea-Party Racism”

Recently, several “news sources” (like these) have reported that the day that the Democrats “ran the gauntlet” on their way to vote for the health care bill….Rep. John Lewis, D-Ga., was called the “n-word” and spat upon.

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Before we go ANY further here is my disclaimer: If anyone really did yell the “n-word” and/or spit at ANYONE….they’re an idiot…and I would gladly punch them in the mouth for doing that. (and probably derive great pleasure from doing so)

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HOWEVER…..with that said….after watching the incident numerous times….I really don’t see any of that. Keep in mind that there were about a gazillion professional photographers and videographers present (give or take half a bazillion)…and yet, not one of them got any audio of the “n-word” being used. (Ok...I understand that the "n-word" wouldn't show up on the pictures that the photographers took...but the spitting part would....so back off) There were police present…and yet not one of them can say that they heard the “n-word” being used. There was approximately a half-a-gazillion cell phones with cameras and video recording capabilities present….and yet...not one little “sound bite” to prove that it ever happened. The guy in the video, with his hands cupped was obviously yelling something…and maybe even spitting (on purpose or as a result of his yelling)...but neither I nor anyone other than he and John Lewis really know what was said...although the report from John Lewis was that the “n-word” was yelled 15 times. Wow…that is amazing…you can walk through a crowd of people who have been compared to the angry mobs of white people who opposed the Civil Rights Movement of the 1960's….and you were not only able to hear what no one else seems to have heard…you were also able to count the exact number of times it was yelled. Do you believe that? Probably even worse than that....is that so far, not one of the writers of any of the articles that I have read...has said that they actually heard for themselves, the “n-word” being used. Still they had no problem classifying the entire the tea party movement as “racist”…even though they had no evidence that anything racist actually took place. 

So….what proof do they have?

This would probably be considered "Exhibit A". According to Joan Walsh of  “Salon.Com”… ”the stories of Lewis being called ‘nigger’ were confirmed by Lewis spokeswoman Brenda Jones and Democratic Rep. Andre Carson, who was walking with Lewis”. So we have the word of 2 politicians and a spokesperson for one of them as proof. I for one feel much better with ALL of that evidence. After all…based on the history of politicians, have you ever known one to lie?

Here’s my point….if it happened….it was wrong. Plain and simple…it was wrong. BUT….did it actually happen as it has been reported? Or is this just another attempt of those on the left to demonize those with whom they disagree? I tend to think the latter. 

Here are some quotes from the articles mentioned above….From Mary Mitchell of the “Chicago-Sun Times” (yeah imagine that…she’s from Chicago)…..”During the showdown over healthcare reform, some of the members of the Tea Party took off their masks. Many African Americans had already suspected some of these people are more opposed to the skin color of the man in the White House than they were to the president's political ideology. So blacks were not surprised that the health-care debate went from fear-mongering to blatant obstinacy”.  Really Ms. Mitchell? You could actually see into the hearts of those who were exercising their right to protest? You could actually tell from them simply being present….that they were opposed to Obama ONLY because he is black? Wow….not only are you a very handsome woman and a “journalist”....you also seem to be a mind-reader and have some of the qualities of God. (to be able to see into people’s hearts).

From Joan Walsh of “Salon.Com”….. “The tea party movement is disturbingly racist and reactionary, from its roots to its highest branches. On Saturday, as a small group of protesters jammed the Capitol and the streets around it, the movement's origins in white resistance to the Civil Rights Movement was impossible to ignore”. First of all….could a “small group of protesters” really jam “the Capitol and the streets around it”? Here again we have a writer who isn’t going to allow facts get in the way of a good story or an opportunity to portray a group of people as racists. To assume that the tea party is “racist…."from it’s roots to its highest branches"….is quite an undertaking….since in order to make that statement accurately and without prejudice….it would mean that Ms. Walsh would have had to research all of the people in the tea party movement…”from its roots to its highest branches”.

If racism is defined as “hatred or intolerance of another race or other races”…Are the writings of Ms Walsh and Ms Mitchell anything less that racist? (or at the very least very strongly prejudiced?) Let me help you out in case you’re still thinking about that question….NO. They have taken a group of predominantly white people with whom they disagree and have attempted to create feelings of hatred or intolerance toward them. I am not saying that racism on one side justifies the racism of the other side. Not at all….What I am saying though, is that it is wrong on ALL sides. I have actually heard people say…”well I certainly don’t see very many black faces in the tea party crowds”. Really?....I wonder why that is….Is it racism on the part of the tea party movement or the other way around. After all, over 80% of African-Americans who voted in the last presidential election…voted for Obama…With that said, do you expect to find a large percentage of those who voted for Obama in the tea party movement? Of course not. However an argument could be made that when over 80% of any one race, votes for a candidate of their race….that there could be a tinge of racism in THOSE statistics.  

My point is this….as long as you have people like Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, Jeremiah Wright (and a host of others like them) around….there will always be reports of racism...whether real or made up. After all…without racism how could they make a living? I’m not saying that racism doesn’t happen….but certainly not to the degree that the Sharptons, Jacksons, Wrights and “journalist” whom I have quoted today would have you believe. There are good people on both sides of the argument….and there are certainly bad people on both sides of the argument as well……but attempting to play up an incident as racism (when they have no proof) in order to create planks of hatred and a foundation of division upon which they can build their careers….is morally reprehensible, and racist in the worst sense of the word. I guess I will take back what I said in the title of this article….because I really believe that anyone (on either side of the argument) who would say and do the types of things that I mentioned here…is not a racist OR an idiot....They are a racist AND an idiot. Then Again….That’s Just Me  

There IS Hope for Change...I’ve Seen It…….

Recently I found myself involved in an online debate concerning “Health Care”. (Imaging that….who would have ever seen that coming?) The person with whom I was engaged in conversation was coming from a side that was as diametrically opposed to my view as it could get. He believed that Fox News was evil, that every suggestion from the Republicans about health care should be ignored, that Republicans are brainwashed, that the “other” networks are not biased and a whole host of other generalities. This is coming from a young man who is supposedly well educated. The vitriol and hatred seemed to jump out of the words and smack you in the face. I tried to explain that everything is not that black and white, and that there is bad on both side and bias in most all news. He was not going to hear it. Then something happened that I didn’t expect….someone else spoke up….it was a very close friend of my son….a young man that I look to as another “son”….and a guy who is big enough to pick me up and tie me in a knot. (Though he would never do that….I only say it to paint a better picture of who and what he is) Keep in mind also, that this is also a young man in his early to mid twenties……Here is what he wrote……


“Alexis de Tocqueville wrote a little book called "Democracy in America" during a tiny conflict known as the French Revolution. In it, he described what might happen to free democracies who become comfortable and begin wanting more comfort--as what normally happens in affluent societies, which ironically are also free societies.

He says that for the sake of an "easier" life, where things are provided more readily and abundantly, they give power to the government to begin delegating and providing these comforts, which in essence requires a relinquishing of resources and the freedom to choose how to use those resources. This process is called Soft Despotism. It takes a long time and happens slowly, but someone comes along and says "Yes, I see your need and I know how to meet it! Just give me the resources and I can make it happen."

For almost two millennia the agreed upon term for this man is a Despot, or in a more modern term: a Dictator. It has happened before, and when it does it usually becomes full blown Despotism. (no news is new news, just old news happening to new people--journalist Malcolm Muggeridge) The existential/naturalist/hedonistic/humanist philosophies drive individuals towards pragmatic solutions which ultimately lead the greatest comfort. Unfortunately, it also pervades culture and public policy (aka politics) influencing the course for Soft Despotism, and it never ends well for the "rights" or the lives of its citizens. "Any society that would give up a little liberty to gain a little security will deserve neither and lose both." --Benjamin Franklin”


The person with whom we were having the discussion then decided to take the discussion to a new level, and make it a bit personal toward A*****. A*****’s retort was direct and to the point but NOT at all harsh. The interesting thing about it though….was that later when I went to show his response to someone else, it was gone. I later found out that he had deleted it himself. I contacted him and told him that I didn’t think that he was at all out of line….and that what he said was true. Here is the exchange that took place after that between A***** and me………

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A*****: Poppa G! Thanks for the encouraging words; I've gotta’ tell you I was all for tearing into D****--especially considering the fallacious thinking and hypocrisy. But as soon as I saw it I knew that in order to protect the integrity of the pursuit of God's truth I needed to sleep on it and then let Him move in my heart first. Unfortunately, last night's post was my own self-vindication and not as much about honoring the Truth. So, lol, while I said what "I" wanted to say, I couldn't really say that I stopped and listened first--shame on me!

Me: I didn’t feel as if you crossed the line....however, if in your heart it didn’t feel right, then you did the right thing by deleting the post. Truth tempered with a bit of righteous indignation is not evil. (yeah you can quote me on that...lol) While I am proud of your stand for what is right...I am mostly proud of you for following your heart. Remember that while the truth might sting....the truth, in and of itself is not malicious

A*****: Amen! Thanks for that Poppa G. Perhaps I said everything God intended to be said, but like YOU said, I just felt so burdened that I moved out ahead of Him that I had to delete it, even if I forfeited the opportunity to address things that were important to address. Ultimately, the missed opportunity is on me

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Many of you are asking yourself right now….”Why did he post that…and why does that matter?” (or you could be asking yourself…”hmmm…I wonder what they call a male ladybug”) Here’s why I posted this exchange…..While there are a lot of liberal crazies coming out of Universities all across the country…all of them are NOT like that. There are still some who will read history and see that it does repeat itself. They understand that while “free” might sound good….there is a heavy price that must be paid eventually for all things “free”. I wrote this to let people know that not everyone who dissents against what is going on in Washington is yelling racial epithets and spitting on people. (Although I question the validity of those reports that say those things happened)….I wrote this to let people know that there are people coming up in that generation who will think for themselves and stand up for what is right. With those types of people…..we can and will see our country return to the ideals that were put in place by the founders of this great republic. I have HOPE…..and I know that CHANGE is coming. That HOPE and CHANGE is not in a narcissistic demagogue….rather it is in a generation of people like A*****, who will do and say what is right…..regardless of how unpopular it might be….and regardless of what others might say. Why you ask? Because they are not following the path of those who have strayed far from the path of freedom…..they are actually listening to their heart. Then Again….That’s Just Me.

“I’m In Favor Of It”…………

In their debut season as an NFL team in 1976, The Tampa Bay Buccaneers had a record of 0-14. Buccaneer quarterback, Steve Spurrier, threw a whopping seven touchdown passes in the entire first season…with his longest completion being 38 yards. The Buccaneers managed to carry this same momentum into the 1977 season and lost another 12 games. That means that franchise history will show them losing 26 games in their first 2 years as a team. During that time the Buccaneer's head coach was John McKay. Coach McKay was known for witty comments regarding his team….comments like...."We didn't tackle well today, but we made up for it by not blocking" and "3 or 4 plane crashes and we're in the playoffs". But of all of the comments that he made...probably the greatest was when asked after a game what he thought about the execution of his offence…..to which he replied…”I’m in favor of it”

 

That brings me to the subject of the lunacy that is taking place in Washington over "Health Care". Let me see if I can paint this picture properly....Here we have elected officials….who are supposed to be representing the people of their districts….bribing each other....with money that doesn’t belong to them….in order to get votes for a health care bill....that no one wants. Does that pretty much cover it? If that wasn't bad enough, now it looks as if they are going to try to circumvent the process of lawmaking, as set forth in the Constitution, to get what THEY want. Screw what the people want….right? I am not even going to try to explain all of the political wrangling that is taking place….not because I don’t think you are smart enough to understand it….but because I really don’t understand it well enough to explain it. I hear terms being used like “Nuclear Option”….”Reconciliation”…..”Slaughter Rule”…..”Deem and Pass” and others…..and I wonder, “what ever happened to just voting 'yes' or 'no'”? The games that are being played in Congress right now, are just ways for the Democrats to pass THEIR health care plan….so that later, when they are questioned about it…..they can say…”Yeah, but I didn’t vote for it”. Let me say this loud and clear….IF YOU DIDN’T VOTE AGAINST IT….THEN YOU VOTED FOR IT. Pick a side and live with it….because I assure you that the majority of Americans have picked their side...and it isn't the side that that favors government-run health care. I have and will continue to speak up for what I believe….I have and will continue to speak out against those things which I feel are wrong..but I believe that there comes a point where simply speaking louder will not work. I believe it is time that we vote for people who will uphold the Constitution….regardless of their political affiliation. We have to teach our children what being an American is really about. We have to teach them American history in an authentic way…not a re-written politically correct way. We are not a perfect nation….but we ARE the greatest nation that the world has ever known….and I for one want our children, and their children, to be able to live their lives in the REAL America.....not some Socialist/Communist version of America, that the current administration is trying to create. 

As far as all of the nonsense that is taking place in Congress right now……I feel like the majority of those in Congress could probably use some “Reconciliation” right now….that being, of course, the collective feet of their constituents being reconciled with their butts……Of course we have the“Nuclear Option”, and I’m guessing a 2 megaton bomb would just about clear things up. Then there’s the “Slaughter Rule”(seriously…that one is just too easy...so you're on your own). And for “Deem and Pass”…honestly, I’ve got nothing. (Sorry I just couldn’t come up with anything) However since you DID ask me what I thought about the execution of the majority of those in Congress (you did ask...right?)…based on the way that they are acting right now….I’ll go with John McKay and say “I’m in favor of it”. Then Again….That’s Just Me.     

Not Only Are You Fat……You’re Stupid

This is a true story….a disgusting story, but nonetheless a true one. Warning: If you are eating, please finish before you continue reading. This is a story about Donna Simpson. Ms Simpson is 42 years old….has two children and a boyfriend…..and oh yeah, she also weighs 602 pounds. (I almost forgot to mention that). Now before you criticize me for being insensitive about people with weight problems, please read on. It seems that Ms Simpson is not happy with her weight of 602 pounds….that’s right, she’s not happy about it, and doggone it she is going to do something about it. She is going to get up to 1000 pounds if it kills her. (and it probably will). She already holds the world record for the heaviest person to give birth….because back in 2007 she weighed in at a hefty 532 pounds, when her daughter was born….So she has that going for her….which is nice. About her current attempt at another world record she says “I love eating and people love watching me eat…. it makes people happy, and I’m not harming anyone”. Let me say here and now….IT DOESN’T MAKE ME HAPPY !!!! Why, you ask? Here’s why….guess who gets to pay the bill for her “fat-fest”? Yup….you and me……Like far too many other Americans, she doesn't seem to understand that all of our actions have consequences.


Why is that people think that its ok to go out and do totally irresponsible things and then its up to the government to make it right?....Although that was intended to be a rhetorical question…I will answer it. Because that’s what many of those elected officials in government want. They want the masses to be dependant on them, because when people are dependant on them…they have power over them. Although she says that she’s “not harming anyone”….let’s look at the consequences of this woman’s “carnival of corpulence”……First of all, there is no way that she can hold down a job at her current weight (or her intended weight of 1000 pounds)….so lets give her food stamps, even though her food bill is currently $750 dollars a week. Of course the government would HAVE to give her that much in food stamps so as not to be considered prejudiced against those with weight problems. Don’t believe me?…Let them “cut her off” and see how fast the ACLU comes running to defend her. After all it’s her “Constitution right”…right? What would that fall under…freedom of expression? Her “right” to hold her own personal “blubber ball”….is about as much of a “Constitutional right” as Obamacare is. Speaking of which….since you brought it up….who is going to pay for all of her medical bills? With all of the warnings about being a few pounds overweight….what are the implications to being several hundred pounds overweight? To start with, its only a matter of time until she cant walk on her own….then you and I will be buying her a “Hover-Round” scooter (or two…one for each check of her gargantuan butt)….Then comes the expensive stuff….High blood pressure medication…Hospitalization for stroke…..Complete immobility which would lead to a requirement of home health care….Breathing problems…..Congestive heart failure…..Diabetes….and a host of other illnesses related to morbid obesity. Then of course there is the final result of Ms Simpson’s “celebration of chunkiness”…..and that is death. Not only will we have to pay for her funeral….we will probably have to pay extra for a casket to fit her….Then to top it all off…we can pay to raise her two young children, since they will be without a parent. So what is the final cost of this “elephantine experiment”?.....Who knows?…Just like the circumference of Ms Simpson's butt....it just keeps growing.


When our elected officials make policies that require people to have absolutely no personal responsibility….what else can we expect? We are quickly become a “nanny state”….a place where people not only expect the government to take care of them….they also demand it. Screw hard work and sacrifice. Let’s eat and spend ourselves into oblivion and then let someone else pay for it. When that happens….where is the incentive to work hard and do the right thing? Again that was meant as a rhetorical question….but I will answer it as well. The answer is simple…..There won’t be any incentive to work hard and do the right thing. The Obama administration has tried to paint a picture of a place where everyone is the same. The truth is….we are NOT all the same. I get up and go to work every day…..I don’t lay around on my fat butt consuming 12,000 calories a day (yes that’s true, she does) seeing if I can set a world record for being fat. In my mind that makes me and Ms Simpson about as unequal as it gets...because she gets to be stupid...and then I am having to pay for her stupidity. (sounds kind of like Nancy Pelosi and the Democrats..doesn't it?) I don’t want anything from the government and based on Ms Simpson's actions and the actions of a lot of other people in this country...…it seems that they feel as if everything from "free" health care to "free" college tuition, is owed to them. Here’s what it comes down to…..regardless of how many times you say “it isn’t harming anyone”….in this situation and in every government entitlement program….someone has to pay the bill eventually. Whether it’s health care, welfare or building a million-dollar turtle tunnel in Florida….the bill always comes due. The truth is…There is no free lunch….I say that not only because my Dad taught me that as a young man….I also say it because I feel sure that if there were….Ms Simpson would have already found it and consumed it. Then Again….That’s Just Me

You Have The Right To Be Wrong……

That’s a line that I say quite often….It’s usually preceded by “Feel free to disagree with me….(followed by)...after all…you have the right to be wrong”. That brings me to addressing a subject that many will probably disagree with me on. (Imagine that…huh?). On Monday, the Supreme Court of the United States agreed to hear a case involving the father of a Marine killed in Iraq and Westboro Baptist Church.


Here’s the story….. The Marine was Lance Cpl. Matthew A. Snyder and his funeral was held in Westminster, Md., in 2006. Simple enough right? Not really….The “church”, Westboro Baptist Church, showed up at the funeral….(as they often do at funerals of fallen soldiers) ….carrying signs that read…“God Hates You” and “Thank God for Dead Soldiers”. The “church’s” twisted interpretation of the Bible maintains that God hates homosexuality, and that the death of soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan is God’s way of punishing the United States for its tolerance of it. In response to the picketing at the funeral…Lance Cpl. Snyder’s father…Albert Snyder…sued the “church”. The court ruled in favor of Mr. Snyder and awarded him a $5 million settlement. Later, a federal appeals court dismissed the suit on First Amendment grounds and threw out the $5 million award against the members of the “church”. Now the SCOTUS has decided to rule on the case.

Here’s the 1st Amendment…. “Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the Government for a redress of grievances.”

Let me make it clear that I am NOT a constitutional attorney…even though being a “Constitutional Attorney” does not seem to really mean that you understand the Constitution….(see Barack Obama and friends) BUT…I do understand the overall concept of the Constitution. Here’s the part that a LOT of people are going to disagree with me on…..Mr. Snyder should lose and the “church” should win. Why?....Because as detestable as the acts of the “church” are…they are protected by the First Amendment. I will be the first to say that what this “church” does is disgusting and makes me want to punch someone in the nose….People like the members of Westboro Baptist Church....make the good people in churches everywhere look like hate-mongers. BUT...it is still their right to do what they did. While I feel horrible for Lance Cpl Snyder’s family…I realize that their son died protecting the very rights of the people who were protesting at their son’s funeral. That is the ultimate example of irony.

Keep in mind that this is the same 1st Amendment that gives anti-abortion people the right to protest in front of abortion clinics. Whether or not you agree with the point of view of Westboro Baptist Church or anti-abortion protesters….it IS their right to do so.


I have often said that the leaders of Islam should speak out when their followers commit heinous acts in the name of Allah. That is why I will speak out against the actions of Westboro Baptist Church….But with that said… I will not speak out against their right to exercise free speech. The law is there to protect liberals and conservatives….Christians and atheists. No one should be able to hi-jack the 1st Amendment to serve their own agenda. To any Christians who are reading this…before you start hating me….let me say this…be careful what you wish for…you might just get it. As reprehensible as the acts of Westboro Baptist Church are…if the SCOTUS rules against them….is your church next? The thing that true Christians need to do is to speak up against the people of Westboro Baptist Church…Not churches in general and certainly not Baptist’s in general. The anger of true Christians (yes that is Biblical)…should be directed at the church that is doing the wrong thing. (not legally wrong…but Biblically wrong). Jesus never did the types of things that the people of Westboro Baptist Church are doing. In fact, Jesus circulated among those who were considered the outcasts of society….most likely among some of the very type of people to whom Westboro Baptist Church’s hatred is aimed toward. He spoke up against what was wrong…but He never attempted to manipulate the law for His own agenda. Let’s not rail against the SCOTUS…rather let us direct out ire toward those who are twisting the Bible to fuel their personal hatred. How many people can you possibly “win to Christ” displaying that type of hatred? Their message is NOT the message of Christ. It is a personal agenda that goes against everything that Jesus taught….and that is this…hate the sin but love the sinner. Legally, Christians are entitled to have opinions on what they think is right and wrong…however Biblically they don’t have the right to show this type of hatred and disrespect toward others. The Bible says…”…let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven”. (Matthew 5:16 NIV) That’s the Bible’s version of “you can catch more flies with honey than with vinegar”. With everything that I have said….that means that while I can hate what the people of Westboro Baptist Church are doing….I still have to love the people. My opinion on this matter…and my ultimate satisfaction in this matter both come from what I believe Biblically….that while the SCOTUS is the highest court in the United States….it is NOT the ultimate judge on right and wrong. I believe that there will be an especially hot place in hell for people who do these types of things in the name of God….Then Again….That’s Just Me