[sanjuro]

http://tpmmuckraker.talkingpointsmemo.com/2011/10/twelve_pretty_racist_or_just_crazy_quotes_from_pat_buchanans_new_book.php

Even though I am a big MSNBC watcher, I didn't pay very much attention to his firing.

But after seeing this excerpt, I understand why:

From the chapter, “Equality or Freedom?”:

Not until the 1960s did courts begin to use the Fourteenth Amendment to impose a concept of equality that the authors of the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, the Bill of Rights, The Federalist Papers, and the Gettysburg Address never believed in. Before the 1960s, equality meant every citizen enjoyed the same constitutional rights and the equal protection of existing laws. Nothing in the Constitution or federal law mandated social, racial, or gender equality.

On crime:

If [conservative political commentator Heather] Mac Donald’s statistics are accurate, 49 of every 50 muggings and murders in New York are the work of minorities. That might explain why black folks have trouble getting a cab. Every New York cabby must know the odds, should he pick up a man of color at night.

From the chapter “‘The White Party’”:

What the above points to is a strategy from which Republicans will recoil, a strategy to increase the GOP share of the white Christian vote and increase the turnout of that vote by specific appeals to social, cultural, and moral issues, and for equal justice for the emerging white minority. If the GOP is not the party of New Haven firefighter Frank Ricci and Cambridge cop James Crowley, it has no future. And although Howard Dean disparages the Republicans as the “white party,” why should Republicans be ashamed to represent the progeny of the men who founded, built, and defended America since her birth as a nation?

On the segregation era:

Perhaps some of us misremember the past. But the racial, religious, cultural, social, political, and economic divides today seem greater than they seemed even in the segregation cities some of us grew up in.

Back then, black and white lived apart, went to different schools and churches, played on different playgrounds, and went to different restaurants, bars, theaters, and soda fountains. But we shared a country and a culture. We were one nation. We were Americans.

The reason why I restarted this thread is how I disagree with the concept of a expanding welfare state as mentioned on the spammer's thread. But I didn't realize just how misguided his book really is.

 

[sanjuro]

There is one thing I did want to mention, is about crime and minorities.

While I am not going to produce any statistics, I believe that poor people commit most of the crimes. If in a particular area, that group of poor happens to be non-white, well, then that's who commits most of the crimes.

In the Bay Area, whites are barely the majority group, and in SF, while they are the largest ethnic group, minorities outnumber then. Actually, there are so many mixed relationships, it is hard to tell people apart.

With that in mind, whenever I travel around the Bay Area, I am equally paranoid no matter what race you are. I have seen every ethnic group commit crimes so often, I couldn't racially profile in San Francisco or San Jose even if I wanted to.

I find the Bay Area crime scene rather comforting, confirming my belief that all races are the same, given the right circumstances they can rise or sink equally.

 

[worship_mud]

Back then, black and white lived apart, went to different schools and churches, played on different playgrounds, and went to different restaurants, bars, theaters, and soda fountains. But we shared a country and a culture. We were one nation. We were Americans. .

god bless america, the land of the free.... what culture excactly was shared back then? i guess the perspective on these golden times differs on each end of the whip...

 

[kidwoo]

While I am not going to produce any statistics, I believe that poor people commit most of the crimes.

The only thing more impressive than your research is your view of of the scope of 'crime'.

 

[Westy]

Have to say that I am pretty lucky, never really been a victim of what most people would call crime.

But:

First job I had, busted my ass for $3.15 an hour. Several years later I got a letter about how the company illegally pocketed money from paychecks under the guise of taxes. There was a class action lawsuit, never saw any money after the lawyers got paid. I didn't lose much, but add up all the employees and it was a hefty sum.

Back in the 90s AOL got a hold of my cc number and charged me small fees for months, it was impossible to deal with them to get a refund and once it stopped it wasn't worth the hassle. There was a class action law suit. I never saw any money. I didn't lose much, but add up all the customers and it was a hefty sum.

Have similar stories with phone, power and garbage bills.

We all got ****ed when the mortgage business was doing clearly illegal things.

Berni Madoff not only ripped off rich people but many charities and universities had money invested with him.

I've been ****ed over by more rich white criminals than some poor crook could ever dream of, so have you.

 

[kidwoo]

^They were probably all poor people. You can't argue with science.

 

[sanjuro]

^They were probably all poor people. You can't argue with science.

I'm sorry. There has been several robberies and murders within 3 blocks of my home. The perps they have caught were not 1ers.

But really, tell me more about the poor of Lake Tahoe. I really would love a diversity lesson.

 

[kidwoo]

I'm sorry. There has been several robberies and murders within 3 blocks of my home. The perps they have caught were not 1ers.

But really, tell me more about the poor of Lake Tahoe. I really would love a diversity lesson.

Why is it every time someone points out something stupid you say, it becomes a contest of 'current situations?'

Yeah dawg......I've lived in tahoe forever. Like, and ever.

We know you're in the streets™ bro. Maintain!

 

[JohnE]

So much awesome...I must read this book!