I have a question that has been kicked around for sometime without ever having received an adequate answer. Actually, when it comes to "diversity training", I am not sure an adequate answer can be found.

Do you have to have a diversity training in order to be tolerant of other groups? I will give you an example, there was a person who was comtemplating a run for President who did not have anyone from a racial group in his immediate circle of advisors. While he was generally considered to be a progressive candidate, there was considerable discussion about the fact that he could not be considered truly progressive is he did not have any minorities in his circle. Because someone goes to an all-white or all-black or all-male institution, does that automatically mean that they do not embrace diversity? Keep the faith.

Even a dead fish can go with the flow.

My own opinion is that whether someone attends an "all one whatever thing" college probably has little bearing on whether they can work well with others different from that one "thing," whether that's race, gender, etc. For some people, I think they actually benefit a LOT more from attending an all-male or all-female or all-black, all-white or whatever institution than any potential loss in "diversity."

Our educational systems have really declined and I see no reason to wave the diversity flag at institutions that are succeeding and turning out good minds just because their student body might be 98% of one thing, unless they are discriminatory and receiving the govt dollars. A good mind that is educated learns to quickly adapt and adjust to new situations.

I just don't know how much is gained in hauling people off to training every year or so and giving them a bunch of fluff when the basic concept is real simple: "you have to be able to work with all kinds of different people with different looks, beliefs, values from your own. Period." People that don't already understand and accept that are likely incapable of being taught otherwise through training; it's more life experience and realizing it themselves than having someone tell them an example like Jewish people at work don't want to hear your Holocaust denial theories or whatever.

Great question. I attended an institution of higher learning with an excellent reputation. The importance of diversity was evident in its history, treatment of all students, opportunities to dialogue with others who have a different perspective. The entire four years was 'diversity facilitation'. You may find the article in today's AJC interesting. Joshua Packwood is valedictorian at Morehouse. (He is white) He is a Rhodes Scholar finalist. It's an interesting read.

I hate to be the one to say it but being valedictorian at some schools would be a piece of cake for many students if they wanted to attend such a school!
That whole bunch of schools in that specific area are run like a cabin in the woods would be. Loosely.
No "F"s, no "D"s, few "C"s, rest "A"s and "B"s. Grammar doesn't count!
Nobody pays their bills and nobody fails if they stay long enough!

Morehouse isn't a slacker school with low standards. It has a very good and well-earned reputation. Yeah, some schools suck, we all know that. What does that have to do with the guy DM is talking about who is valedictorian at Morehouse specifically?

There IS a certain weird irony about a white guy going to Morehouse who is also a Rhodes Scholar candidate. A lot of people don't realize that Rhodes=Rhodesia and that South African Cecil Rhodes was a big advocate of apartheid and a lawmaker who implemented apartheid policies. Being a Rhodes Scholar is a high honor, it's just kind of weird that a guy who attended Morehouse has earned consideration for an award named after a white supremacist.

I think that it shows we can get beyond the 'past'. Blacks are now receiving DAR scholarships - and they wouldn't let Marion Anderson sing in their facility back in the day. Change is here,

Caused the government to print money which has no backing....

Actually, that was Nixon who pulled us out of the Bretton Woods Agreement.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

So, what's your point?

Your comments above concerning far eastern people always saying yes reminds me of trying to do business there once. Due to the current volume, I'm sure things have since improved somewhat.
We met with the company's representatives, went over the specs and drawings of the part we wanted, told them we were getting three quotes and wouldn't pay over x$ per part.
All of them said, "yes, yes, yes, thank you. No problem.
A few days later they asked that we meet them again. We went, wondering what we had left out for them. It turns out they went over the same things again and suggested that we have some tea. We said of course, and waited for the questions. There were no questions.
About a week later they asked for another meeting, and also by that time the other quoters had started the same rounds!
To make a long story as short as possible, it was ill-mannered there to do business until a least a third meeting. However at that third meeting some of the yes answers were now things like: "would you buy aluminum instead of stainless steel due to the maximum price? Yes, yes, we will make of stainless and we have new price.
As it finalized we got our price and the stainless steel--at the fourth meeting.
A better cultural difference in China: I was walking through a factory where scores of young girls worked and a couple of them were giggling uncontrollably at their work station. I asked the supervisor later what happened and he said, "oh, nothing--they made a bad mistake in assembly and were so pleased that they now would get to do it over.
Obviously mistakes are funny to them!

I think we will find that culturally differences between some races make for an interesting life sometimes. Even though many races do blend in almost 100% sometimes at work, they will still have their differences when they are able to do so.
I saw a black couple cooking on TV recently (man and wife, I think) and I really was interested in how they were preparing mustard greens and flank steak since I like that kind of food (in sparing amounts) but I had a terrible time following their conversation as they were cooking together. It wasn't their pronunciation that made them difficult to follow, but their insistence in talking at exactly the same time, and the many other subjects that they brought up and dropped.
I sure would like to have had a platter of those greens and chopped bacon and garlic they fixed but I never did understand what that had to do with him biting her ear and saying that he was getting in the mood!

Reading your blogs and those of other's of your ilk, that spew the need for us non-liberals to become 'certified diversifieds", it's plainly clear diversity need only be applied to those of the 'conservative persuasion' in your twisted minds.

Hearing you preach on diversity is like listening to Adolph Hitler preaching on the need to preserve Jewish history and culture.

Is any cutting and pasting necessary to validate my argument that you are one of the most divisive and unaccepting personalities on these blogs?

The hypocrites abound.....
________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

perhaps you didn't read all of DM's blog;

The most effective trainer of diversity is the parent. Acceptance of those who are different is taught at an early age. Parents who expose their children to a diverse environment are preparing their child to make decisions regarding others on sound principles, which are taught in the home, and not based on such criteria as skin color.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

good article. People who started this country had the idea we would come here and merge, for the good of all. It worked. What... isn't... working today is that some people feel they are 'owed' by the rest, and should be treated special. Their idea of diversity training is to grind in the rest of us this version of it. Since it isn't logical to give special preference to some, at the expense of the rest, this concept of diversity training they are pedaling goes over like a fart in church.

Amen to that! Great comparison with the two...it does elicit the same response from fair-minded people!

DM's has never presented herself the way you described her in your post.

With an attitude like yours, you continue to part of the problem and not the solution.

I've been reading DM for quite a while now and her blackness, ancestorial and possible personal experiences along with her obcession toward re-opening wounds has an inargueable history on these blogs. DM is quite the single issue blogger. She admitted the other day politics wasn't her thing, but screaming race victim does appear to be.

________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

A form of diversity training I understand, is what I see everyday. I see blacks that are people first, black second. I walk away thinking how much alike we are.

To me it is not an issue of color.. but culture.

Culture and how one initially presents themselves is the very first thing I judge people on. And yes... we all are judges......
________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Because I know when we are all dead and gone, and dust in the wind, our kids will be well on the way to ignoring racial hangups. I think the multi-ethnic president they study about will be a reinforcement of how people should be colorblind as they form their opinions of others.

But you know something that you said a while back that really stuck in my head? I was showing you a study of how blacks are consistently offered higher interest rates and more expensive financing compared to equally qualified whites. I remember you telling me how you considered race in your business dealings because you had bad experiences with black debtors.

For some reason, I think that's the kind of prejudging that doesn't help the healing process.

I'll give you an example. In 1984 my dad decided to buy the 635CSI he had been dreaming of. We were visiting family in Hampton, VA (my last vacation with him before I was off to school) and we went by the Bimmer dealer because they had a blue 6 in the showroom. I was amazed at how my father was treated.

"Do you know how expensive this car is?"

(I guess Einstein didn't think we could read the window sticker which showed the price!)

"You probably want to check your insurance company because lots of people are surprised how much it is to get insurance."

This is after the guy ignored us for a while. We actually went up to him to ask if he could help us.

When he LEFT us to go tend to another (guess the hue) customer who came in, dad said "Let's go."

A few months later, we drove his white BMW 635 purchased from a Raleigh, NC dealer up to see our Hampton family. Dad made a point of going by the Newport News Bimmer dealer and explaining to them that if they had been in business to sell cars, he would have purchased from them.

That being said, it's hard to forget things like that that happen over and over in life. It's happened to me, my sis, my dad, my mom. Think of it this way Git: Just because sexual harassment hasn't happened to you or I doesn't mean it does not occur. I guess there is just no good way to bring the subject up.

Cheers

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

In a previous life, Rock78 worked for a Fortune 50 company....

The aforementioned company had a monthly gathering, you know, one of those "morale" building exercises...

Well, in January this company felt that bringing in BBQ would be an outstanding idea - I mean, seriously, who doesn't like BBQ? I should mention that a group of 10 made the decision to bring in BBQ....with at least one African American on the committee - along with other folks from different ethnic backgrounds...

The date was rather unfortunate, as it came on the day after MLK day.

Apparently, four or five of the folks in the office felt that it was "racist" to eat BBQ on or near MLK day. They raised Cain, and all but called upper management racist.

The senior management official on-site was frustrated and called for everyone to cancel "morale" day (This gentlemen was an African American). Unfortunately, the highest ranking official on-site wasn't on the "committee"; the highest ranking white man on the committee had to apologize for the lack of consideration for this event. Hack, this is a perfect example of the victim mentality that we conservatives complain about....

Long story short, how inconsiderate is it to have a company gathering in which you eat BBQ, so close to MLK day?

The term "racist" and or "race baiter" is so easily thrown around now, that it has lost all meaning. On this blog, "beav" is known as a hate mongering cat, simply because he posts anti-Obama articles. Some posters call republicans "white trash"; and
They’re given a pass. When will we recognize that racism can truly exist from either a "black or white" perspective - and not condone one side or the other?

PS: When evenly enforced, Rock78 supports any/all diversity training. Unfortunately, when David's mom speaks of diversity training, she only looks at it from her own biased perspective.

Must have been more to that story!

Now if watermelon, fried chicken, ham hocks in greens, and chitlins, were also served along with the BBQ, I might see a problem.

How ridiculous can we get? Is there something I don't know about all of these BBQ places along the road? Many, many chain restaurants serve BBQ too.
If I were to attend a company lunch where eggs benedict, caviar, pheasant under glass, and French desserts were served, would I be insulted if George Bush's birthday were near?

Folks, it is heritage--not color.

I wish I could have been there to lampoon those whining about the meal choice du jour. That is pretty ridiculous. I'm talking on a different angle of this subject, however. I'm trying to explain to liberal and conservative what makes blacks such as David's Mom and myself feel a bit of angst at times.

Here is the never ending cycle. I'm followed through a store by "shadow shoppers" who are as obvious as a volcano blowing its top; I'm pulled over in Jackson, Miss. and asked "who's car are you driving?" My dad is treated like a teenage kid eyeballing a Ferrari when he is actually ready to write a check for the car he has chosen; My wife and I are ignored in a Fayetteville, NC Rhodes Furniture store, but a group of late teens enter and are immediately greeted; My Air Force buddy Todd and I are absolutely ignored in an OKC BMW dealership until I pop the hood on the 850CSI in the show room. I'm confronted by a teacher in highschool and accused of smoking weed because my eyes are red (even though I don't smell like smoke, have never smoked, have had no disciplinary record, but did have seasonal allergies); Mypersonal favorite is this one from a McDonald's drive through. A guy sees me in a flight suit with my roof off. He walks over and says, "I didn't know they had Nig**r" pilots. Do you wash the airplanes or fly 'em?" That is ver batim from this 50 year old guy's mouth. That was 1996.

All of these experiences can motivate people like me or DM, or others who have experienced this type of treatment to post blogs and start conversations about the need for all of us to supress any latent prejudices we may have based on anything other than behavior or character. Isn't that what a certain poster says? "It's the human race?"

BEAVER is a new man, and I like that man a hell of alot. He has shifted his anger towards the thug culture that brings crime and not the color of a particular perp. I am beside Beaver all the way in that fight and I wish we had machine guns at every McDonald's and Dunkin Doughnut's drive through. I would not brand an Obama basher a biggot unless they fixate on his blackness and not his policies/character.

At any rate, I certainly understand the "Enough already. We get your point" response. But hopefully you understand, that is the identical reflex we have at the 100th "Obama sucks" blog of the calendar year . Any message given too often loses its meaning (unless it is a message saying "all boys stay away from my teenage daughter!") That message is timeless.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

I remember my first exposure to this same kind of racism. My Dad had just gone on an overseas tour and we were brought back to my grandparents to stay, back in the South. I was a young girl, going into 3rd grade, and my Mom and I were in the school's office, registering me for school. I overheard the principal berating and yelling at another little girl, a black girl about my age,because she was late for school. It scared me so that the next day, I was hurrying to get ready and telling my Mom that we had to not be late. My Mom, just shook her head and said, "Honey, that won't happen to you. It was because she was Negro." I was confused but then so angry. I saw this type of thing many times, but the worst was when Martin Luther King died. The principal made an announcement of this and made comments, like this was a great thing to have occurred. There was even a T.V. put in our cafeteria so that we could "celebrate" his funeral. This was an awful year for me. We use to sing "Dixie" each day after our class prayer so, in my little girl way, I rebelled and refused to sing it, ever. This time so affected me that I vowed to never treat anyone it that way. After I was grown and married, I lived in a predominately black community for afew years. Many times I experienced the so-called "reverse discrimination" there, alot like what you stated. It just made me more determined to stay the same way and treat people fairly. As far as the way I feel about Obama, I couldn't care less about his race. His way of thinking and his politics really bother me and really scare me, too. I hope you can see the difference.

I'll not minimize your experiences that you've shared. Real they are and ridiculous too. Remember, I deal with minorities in gumament quite often and I conduct my biz in Clayton County. So you can imagine some of the hateful acts I get from some of those characters. And from my position I have to kiss their hateful butts in order that they restrain themselves so that out of their bitterness and hate they don't unleash the wrath of gumament on me. Those experiences too are real and ridiculous. However, there are others whom I have dealt with, that after completing my task with them, I leave having fell in love with them wishing they were friends I could stuff in my treasure box of life. Obviously they were from different culture than the bigots I typically experience.

What I do respect is that, for the most part, you seem to have risen above the bitterness and hate that many of your race thrive off of. What I mean is that you will talk about it occasionally, yet you tend not to rub white folk's faces in it. I can't say the same for some of you peers.

In regards to Beaver and even myself and our views on Obama: Our concerns are with his ideology and agendas. I don't trust him, I do not believe him to be sincere, and I believe him to be an unadmitted bigot and Marxist. Other than that I'm sure he's a nice guy. Does that mean we are against having a black person as a president? As for me the answer is no. I've said it once and I'll say it again; give me Condi and I'll go ga-ga. I'll take that another step further. If she were the candidate and I were a single man, I'd try to set myself up as the front runner for becoming The First Man.

As for our daughters. You let me know if you need to round up posse to thump on few hound dogs and I'll do the same. The older and more beautiful they are becoming... the more protective I'm becoming.

________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Gitreal says:

"...on Obama: Our concerns are with his ideology and agendas. I don't trust him, I do not believe him to be sincere, and I believe him to be an unadmitted bigot and Marxist. Other than that I'm sure he's a nice guy." and "...give me Condi and I'll go ga-ga."

Armybrat states:

"I couldn't care less about his race. His way of thinking and his politics really bother me and really scare me, too."

You guys (meaning conservatives) always crack me up when you start talking "honesty," "sincerity," and "scary politics."

What do you folks think most Americans are fearful of: War with Iran, Afghanistan, and Iraq simultaneously or a push for Universal healthcare? Which do you folks think will require more of your dollars?

As for sincerity and honesty, I've asked OVER and OVER and OVER for any of you conservative types to find anything that has actually come out of Barack Obama's mouth that is profane, vulgar, or directly contradicts moral principles he has put forth.

Git, I know you will say "I don't like McCain either," but one of these men will be our next president. Period. It truly is "either or."

John McCain said he voted for GWB even though four people have said they heard his claims that he did not.

John MCCain was against the tax cuts he now favors.

John McCain supports veterans but could not support the bipartisan GI Bill.

John McCain was against agents of intolerance but then sought out and enthusiastically received the endorsement of a man who blamed Katrina on a gay pride parade and who said, last week, that those who don't work should not eat (sucks to be a quadriplegic or invalid).

John McCain has been for and against civil unions in THE SAME DAY.

John McCain was for the Confederate flag flying in South Carolina but then said the support of such was "cowardice."

John McCain called his wife an incredibly offensive slur in public which, IMHO, speaks to his very character.

So, as the guy who wants to end the occupation of Iraq and actually pursue Osama bin you know who "scares" some of you, I can't hep but scratch my head. When you say Barack is not honest, I wonder what different scale you are using for relative political honesty.

As for Condi Rice, I will never forget her saying "These were just 16 little words" when questioned about outright falsehoods put in the State of the Union Address and used to motivate us into war. That is not the kind of candor and acceptance of responsibility I would look for. The Secretary of State shoe shopping and catching Broadway plays during Katrina is not the leadership I'm googoo gaagaa over either.

I guess that's enoug ranting, but I would love to hear of Barack's words that counter Barack's words.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

Hack said, "I've asked OVER and OVER and OVER for any of you conservative types to find anything that has actually come out of Barack Obama's mouth that is profane, vulgar, or directly contradicts moral principles he has put forth.

The reason is because Obama is an empty suit with little legislative background and NO executive/management history from which to determine what his moral principles are so that we can determine if he is being contradictory.

Obama is an INKBLOT, you see what you want to see. I, however, have repeatedly said, Obama's INKBLOT was portrait painted by the hands of many others.

Jeremiah Wright taught him how to be politically correct and to be a racists.
Ayers taught him that one man's terrorists is another man's freedom fighters, so that he shouldn't judge terrorists so harshly.
Frank (James) was an avowed radical Marxist who taught him that only through the government will good things occur for his people.
Michelle taught him how to look on the dark side of life. Never understanding how very wonderful we have it here in these U.S.A.

From the moment he was given a teleprompter at the 2004 Democratic convention, Obama's life has been "written" for him by others. Now its time for an educated and intelligent electorate to read the inkblot and to see for ourselves whether Obama is a racist/Marxist or just an extreme liberal, far to the left of Ted Kennedy.

When a man running for President, has done so so very little in his private and public life, other than get elected Senator, once, then what accomplishments can we see that represent his "principles". When you've been given private schools, and then promoted to elite colleges and universities such as Harvard, on the backs of your TYPICAL racist grandparents. When you identify more with the 50% of your skin's DNA and long for that "Black Experience" as he's written in his book, then one has to wonder who the heck is this guy.

And yes, that INKBLOT can mean almost anything, and that scares people.

Please share with us the stellar record of our current President before a knowledgeable American public elected him. What were his proven legislative successes? What businesses did he lead successfully? What was his military record? Did his leadership style account for his win in 2000 and 2004?

It's time for a change. It's just amazing that you think Jeremiah had more influence on Obama than Obama's mother or grandparents. (Most of America does not agree with you - to the chagrin of the 'right' wing) Obama's principles as reflected in his accomplishments: Organized grass roots people on how to work within the American system in order to become contributing citizens; Utilized his knowledge to teach The United States Constitution at the University of Chicago (a Constitution scholar) Organized a successful campaign to 'win' the Democratic nomination using funds from the 'public'. Mr. Hobbs, who the heck are you to call his grandparents 'racist'? Because of the practice of this country to identify one by their skin color - Obama had no choice - did he?

"... I, however, have repeatedly said, Obama's INKBLOT was portrait painted by the hands of many others."

Yes, you have Richard. Because you have been taught that if you say something enough some people will actually think it is true (The Fox business model).

McCain was taught in South Carolina in 2000 how to win an election without actually having ideas. Just use a meaningless slogan like "straight talk" or "compassionate conservative." Even when your actions belie your slogan, just keep on pushing the slogan, oblivious to any irony or fact-based reality.

You have been well taught how to cling to an idea like a piece of driftwood in a typhoon when you have no platform of success or accomplishment to stand upon; no solid rock.

Yes, Richard. If you can't offer us reasons to vote for Johnny McSame, you have been taught to simply pull some bogus Marxist/ racist ideas out of mid air and push it as far as you can. It works well on this web site with folks who view life from the dissappointed "far right of center" political perspective.

If you think it will fly in the general, I sense you may be crying in your beer for the next four years.

That happens some times.

Democrats were taught that in 2000 and again in 2004.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

Obama is an extreme liberal, in my view. Those socialist tendencies are what alarm me, as an American and a conservative. I've never said he has been profane or vulgar, so why would you think I have to give you this "evidence"? As far as McCain goes, you can badmouth him all you want. I've said it before and I'll say it again, I am voting for the least of the three "evils". I wish I could get excited about a candidate; I would love that. But I find little hope in what I know of each of these three. I do HOPE for conservative Supreme Court justices and I think McCain MIGHT do that. I am sure the others will only give us another Ginsberg or such. I am saying these things honestly and sincerely, but I guess since I am one of those conservative types, you won't believe it.

"...so why would you think I have to give you this "evidence"?"

I don't expect you guys to be able to provide socialist/marxist evidence for what you say. The evidence is not there. You'll go with the old gut and cast a vote for Buxh term III. That's how we got Bush terms I and II.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

I absolutely believe how you feel and what has caused you to feel that way. I just disagree with the conclusions you have come to. No big deal.

Big side note: I was on Fort Mac yesterday and I came to realize that the average Army guy is in way better shape than the average Air Force guy. We gotta put our remote controls down and get out more

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

Have you even read Obama's book wherein he talks about how "Frank", an avowed black Marxist, inspired him?

Or the historical foundation and roots that are found in Black Liberation theology are Marxist principles?

Or how Barack's limited voting history suggests the very most liberal voting record, which is akin to Socialism?

If you don't start replying with substance, I'm going to discontinue my replies to you, as I did Sage/$ a long time ago. Get on the ball, or get off the field.

"Do not call" list. That's like threatening to throw money at me.

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

Let me start this by saying that I DO believe that you have strong reservations about Obama...reservations that prevent you from voting for him. I also believe that you have reservations about McCain, but see no other choice in this particular election. In many ways, you are not alone in viewing this election in those terms.

The question I have is why must it come down to voting for the lesser of three evils? Why can't we, the people {liberal or conservative or whatever) get the candidates we want to support? Maybe it is not the ideology that is the problem but the way we view elections and the way we think about politics and government. We will continue to be saddled with candidates we can't get excited about until we, the voters, demand more than that. Time to show the parties and the government who is really in charge. Keep the faith.

Even a dead fish can go with the flow.

What a great comment. Exactly how I feel. I'm going to vote.

Alot of time liberals don't understand how conservatives are.

This year we don't have a good choice. I already have made up my mind who I am voting for.

Glad to have another conservative on here. Most of the liberals rip you apart. There are a few that have great manners. Those are the kind of liberals that are open to things.

Alot that vote Democrat and they don't have a open mind, then they will stick to their party no matter what. That is sad.

Have a great day. I have to go to work.

_______________________________
We Will Stand

I thought Hilary might be the lesser of the evils, but she's out. I despise the mess the country is in and feel if I voted republican it would only be validating bad government. I'm against the war and I'm afraid it will turn into another Vietnam. I'm of that age to remenber it and what happened to our boys for something useless.

Obama scares me as well. There have been blacks I would have voted for, but he isn't one of them. I heard him on TV and I'm baffled at the big deal. He seems to have come out of no where and has nothing for me. I'm afraid he is slick, but I'm afraid he is gonna be president. A German friend for years, is going to vote for him because he thinks we have turned the rest of the world is against us with of our recent politics, that a completly new face is the only thing to show the rest of the world we are trying to change. I however, belive this is the wrong new face and will do more harm than good.

Quite frankly, I'm scared of both Bush/McCain and Obamba.

I know what you mean. For the first time in 20 some years I'm going to have to vote republican.

"A guy sees me in a flight suit with my roof off. He walks over and says, "I didn't know they had Nig**r" pilots. Do you wash the airplanes or fly 'em?" That is ver batim from this 50 year old guy's mouth. That was 1996."

Hack, it's very rare that someone posts something here that literally makes my jaw drop - but this did, as well as your post describing the women you encountered in the 'ladies room.'

I don't know how you, and other folks who encounter racism/discrimination keep from slapping someone upside the head when this happens. I don't know if I could keep my cool in this situation.

Regarding 'one topic' bloggers that others say is such a bad thing.... so what. I see denise and bpr pretty much one topic bloggers, championing their causes of anti-choice (denise) and christian fundamentalism (bpr). So, David's mom is passionate about her topic - that's great. And Jeffc is our international affairs blogger, muddle is our philosopher blogger.... and so it goes.

Sounds like a well-rounded group to me, making for interesting conversation.

Main Stream, since I was the one who mentioned one-topic bloggers, let me answer that. My point was that a blogger who only posts blogs on the same side of the same single issue is less interesting to me than a blogger like Hack, Muddle, or Git Real who discusses a wide variety of issues and shares anecdotes from their own life in the process. (I mentioned those three, but there's a number of other bloggers who have shared enough of their thoughts and lives on this website to "flesh out" a general idea of who they are.) Some folks have more of a preconceived "agenda" than others. The more that a blogger sounds like a political spokesperson for one side or the other, the less they interest me.

Like you, I'm stunned that anybody could say that to Hack in this day and age. Some of my in-laws are pretty redneck, and even they never use the N-word anymore, at least not in my presence. The only time I ever hear that word is when it's used by a black teenager talking to another black teenager, and it's not acceptable for them either.

The most interesting conversation on this website is when people are willing to share a part of themselves.

Regarding 'one topic' bloggers that others say is such a bad thing.... so what. I see denise and bpr pretty much one topic bloggers, championing their causes of anti-choice (denise) and christian fundamentalism (bpr).

You my dear are the perfect 'lap dog' for those on the left. Does Basmati pat you on the head and rub your back at your meetings?

________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Right after you call Barack a "Marxist." Maybe the irony is lost on you. but I'm sure you have numerous, respected sources to back that claim up.

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

I hear folks refer to "Basmati" on here alot and I assume that he was the "liberal" pit bull along the vein of some of the others on the "conservative" side. I have been on here for a year plus now, and I have YET to see any posts by that individual. I understand that the individual was banned for "conduct unbecoming..." and that there is some assumption that said individual has come back with another "handle". None of this has ever been explained to me adequately. How do you know this person has returned as someone else? What are this person's credentials that call all of the conservatives to point to him/her as some sort of spokesperson for the liberal side? I really want to know, and I am sure some others of the newer bloggers would like to know also. Thanks. Keep the faith.

Even a dead fish can go with the flow.

But you have to do your own homework. Use the search engine for The Citizen and do some research. Study your history and you will conclude the obvious as everyone else has as to Basmati's resurrection. Not that there's anything wrong with this. Several of us have come back from the dead. And if you put enough effort into it you will find where I am among the first to have sincerely welcomed Basmati back to life with his new moniker. Good day!

Furthermore, ask him yourself. You see him more that I do.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Bas was a regular when I got addicted about a year ago.

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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

Maybe someday you can work up enough courage to attend one of these get togethers and find out for yourself, priss!

Then you can spew directly to my face instead of hiding behind a keyboard, Mr. "Internet Tough Guy".

Be a MAN for once!

Didn't I hate boy. It's amazing how you can use my name in your posts and poke at me, yet you get all puffed up when I respond in kind. First of all I don't fit in real well at Democrat meetings. And why would I want to meet someone as unreasonable as you? I typically avoid hateful people like you and Mrs. Ballard who yearn to meet me so they can vent. Ask yourself this BasNazi: Why would I want to meet someone with a mentality like THIS ?

Define me as a Prissy or Coward all you want Sniffles. It matters not coming from someone as unstable and hateful as you. Now go make yourself productive in life.

Now with all that said I will reiterate this. If you ever do fulfill your desires to get your hands on me remember this. You had better view the encounter as a fight to the death. Because I will not initiate, but I will defend myself..... and that means by any means necessary.

Now go crawl back in you hole......

Signed, your prissy nemisis Git.

Your turn....

________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

How about another view, where the emphasis is on what the benefits are to us of unlearning the assumptions and negative sterotypes that we have of others, and ourselves, and looking at how we benefit by giving up these limitations. Our eyes can see everything except themselves, and to do this they need a clean mirror.

you agree about the BBQ non-issue. I'm one of the "enough already" types when it comes to diversity training, mainly because it is mandatory annual training. Something about the "mandatory" part makes it onerous, like your annual dental cleaning. I agree with the intent, however.

You are kinder to Beaver than I would be. I'm also less interested in what DM has to say, since she is admittedly a one-issue blogger. That plays into white stereotypes about black people always playing the race card. You on the other hand will rant about all sorts of issues, so when you mention your treatment at a car dealership, it has more credibility.

Well, time to pay homage to dear old Mom. See you later!

I appreciate being able to discuss this with you. I think of you as an Black American that typically doesn't wear his race on his shoulder. Now if I may.....

I remember you telling me how you considered race in your business dealings because you had bad experiences with black debtors.

For some reason, I think that's the kind of prejudging that doesn't help the healing process.

Yes you recall correctly. I suppose I stated that about six or eight months ago. I believe I stated that there was only about 10% of my black customers that were actually credit worthy and paid their bills. As of this moment that number has dropped to less than 5%. Please note that at this moment, there are only two black minority companies that I'm extending credit to at this moment. Note that the trustworthy and reliable company is of African born ownership. These guys are like gold and I'll bend over backward to earn more of their business and kiss their butts.

Now for the second company. Let's call that company OPM (short for other people's money). In November of 06 we opened up a credit line for OPM and extended them credit on $350,000 worth of product that was to be used on a gumament project. We worked with them and made special arrangements with them on several smaller projects and every time they failed to keep their promises on already extended terms. The narrow margins we had to take were virtually wiped out by the time you figure the cost of money and the time frame in which we were paid. So, we had to pretty much return them to COD status. The signs that they were far too risky of a credit risk were too severe irregardless of race. I would have cut a white owned company off for the very same reasons.

Now back to 11/06 and the $350K project. These guys picked up this job with the gumament and came to me to supply product. Why me? Because I'm the most competitive, easiest to work with, offer the best service and I'm just the derned best company out there to deal with in our industry sector. And no one else would deal with them because of their past experiences with OPM. So they bring up this creative deal that involves a concept called stored materials in which the gumament pays the contractor in full for the product and we warehouse it for them while getting paid within 60 days. Well, let me tell you that it took us over 120 days to be paid for this product. Now bare in mind that OPM got paid for the product with in 45 days and instead of honoring the written agreement between them, myself and the gumament, they chose instead to spend the money elsewhere. The only way I got paid was holding the product hostage in spite of threats that even came from the gumament until we finally provided proof of non-payment. Yes... they told the gumament and filed papers with them that stated they had paid us in full. Well we finally got paid. Many of our customer that performed work for them as subs have yet to paid after about 14 months. Now to top it off, after they finally paid me for the product, it sat in my warehouse taking up about 20,000 square feet since 11/06 until 4/08. I finally gave them an ultimatum to remove the product. Sooooo... sitting on their yard is about $250K worth of that product for a job that they have still failed to complete for the gumament. Now why hasn't the gumament clamped down on them? Because the gumament needs their minority status to complete their minority set-a-sides quotas. I figure a white dude would have went to jail by now over this.

Now the funny part. They came to us several months ago with another sizable project for the gumament that they had to supply the materials for as a sub for a large and well known company. They came to us for pricing and I said no. They begged, pleaded and promised. I told them the only way I would extend them credit was if the prime contractor guaranteed the payment via a contract my attorney would devise. They told me to stuff it along with the prime. Well after a month after rejecting my offer, they came back with hat in hand along with eating a $20K price increase (oil related product)and signed the docs that gave me the iron clad guarantees needed for me to even consider talking to these characters again. We're shipping product and I know I'm going to get paid. But understand it not with the word of my OPM black friends.

Now let's take a look at another company that we'll call Mr. W who has about $25K owed to us since Oct 07. We've always had problems collecting but..... he later than sooner paid us. That is until now. Currently, after the typical excuses and lies, and after not taking our phone calls for the past 4 months, I turned him over to my pit bull lawyer. Now Mr. W (who is my age) had his grandfather personally guarantee his account when he opened it a couple years ago. (Guarantee = A little teeth for my collections efforts. ) Now all a sudden no one wants Granddad to find out about these unpaid bills because it might upset him. Grandma has called my attorney personally and raked him over like you wouldn't believe. She just doesn't want Grandpa to find out about all this. Well.... it seems Grandma may have forged grandpa's name to help Mr. W get his account opened up with via fraudulent means. You see.. we check the credit of the guarantor and I suppose Mr. W couldn't pass the mustard so Grandma took care of things for us. So... we are being called racist, uncaring and every other name in the book because we're pushing our collection efforts on these disingenuous characters.

So.... that leaves only the true Africans as my only outstanding & credit worthy minority customers.

Now you said: For some reason, I think that's the kind of prejudging that doesn't help the healing process.

Now tell me again Hack why I shouldn't prejudge the blacks that apply for credit at my biz? Heck, I even prejudge whites that I deal with and I have less than a 5% deadbeat percentage with them.

Help me out with this buddy. If you only knew the extra mile I've gone for the minorities in the past. Won't happen again. Any guilt you guys once tried to get me to accept is gone. I can and will, with a clear conscience prejudge those that may possibly take advantage of me.

Undoubtedly, there will be some on here that think I'm mean and greedy for pursuing these bad guys. Let me make it clear that every effort in the world was made to work out a solution with these characters. In fact my lawyer would compare my collection efforts with these characters the same as I view our DA's efforts at prosecuting criminals. He would refer to me as Mr. Softy.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

We're gonna have to fix that. Looks like I have a taker for the female lab; a squadron mate (e.g. long flatulant dog drive). Hopefully I can get another Okie to take the boy and have a one-trip delivery. Let me know if your kin have room for a 2 yr old boy. He is awesome.

I cannot say I feel your pain, Git. I could not begin to understand the mechanics of running a business such as yours, or keeping it successful. I can only say that I hope you would let potential customers' and associates' CREDIT SCORES and REFERENCES speak louder than their skin color. My point was not to tell you how to run your business. My point was to give you a window into what motivates folks to post on diversity training. When a person feels like they are treated differently because they have breasts, dark skin, a yamica (sp?), or other features which have nothing to do with character or behavior, it can lead to bitterness. Those are the feelings that only time will heal. Consider blogs such as this a cathartic exercise or therapy, if you will. Just a bit of venting.

I have to say that your post makes me want to explore a third career for when the Northwest guys come and take my job away

Happy Mother's Day to Mrs. Git. thing one, and thing two are pertty lucky!

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

You know. Considering what they say about internet relationships.

can only say that I hope you would let potential customers' and associates' CREDIT SCORES and REFERENCES speak louder than their skin color.

That's an easy request to honor Hack. I never did say that I wouldn't treat minority prospects differently if their Credit Scores and References were respectable. What I will say is that no longer will they get the benefit of doubt from me. I will not allow my attorney to equate me as being a Mr. Softy on this one anymore.

Thanks for not asking that I give preferential treatment as is often expected.

In regards to the diversity indoctrination courses that folks like DM and Basmati feel I and others should experience; all I can say is "forget that noise". These courses are designed to push a particular agenda and to push 'selected' acceptances of others. I'll just try to stick with the tried and true "do unto others" rule. It is one of my goals in life to perfect my obedience to that one. Got a ways to go to get there.............

I have to say that your post makes me want to explore a third career for when the Northwest guys come and take my job away.

Hey, we could do like a lot of companies do out there in order to win gumament bids at inflated prices. I could be the money man, give you a big title, set you up as our token Negro, and we'll get gobs of business with little real competition. It works for others... so why not us? Actually, if I wanted to play that game, I'd have my company certified as a WBE with Mrs. Git listed as the majority stockholder and have her as a "token". But, I made my mind up years ago that I'd let my biz stand on it's own merits. Has it cost me some business? Yup... but who cares. At least I am my 'own man' and not a slave to anyone.

Oh... I gotta pass on the dogs. Dad said no and my taking one of them and keeping them at the house semi-unattended would be irresponsible on my part. Instead I'll choose to adopt a 4-wheeler instead.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

but they have nothing to with someones color, rather it is based on their occupations. At one point I done a lot of custom remodeling, and had nothing but problems when dealing with most of the lawyers, and to a slightly lesser extent, doctors (not counting my favorite group, Jewish customers). My craftmanship is of the highest calibur, so that was not the issue. Regardless of what was initially agreed on for pricing and scope, the constant delays, interferences, and demanding more for nothing always made the job not worth the effort. It got to the point that I would politely decline to give them estimates, because even this was a headache. It just appeared to me that they hated to see anyone make a profit off of them. I never lost money, because I am really good at collecting what is owed to me, but it was another job to do so.
Your situations say one thing to me: enabling. The fact that these companies were operating under the protection of the rules of set aside programs had a lot more to do with their actions than the color of the owners. I watched white 30 something males operate in such a fashion as to make your customers look good, when they were in a position that enabled them to do so, and this involved many millions of dollars. These guys gave the whole human race a bad name, not just certain shades. They managed to sour me to an entire generation.

Jewish people were by far my favorite customers, not my favorite group to not want to deal with. Typically, they knew what they wanted, they knew how much they wanted to pay, they appreciated good work, and they honored their agreements. Hard bargining and sharpened pencils put the reality into businss. That's what I like.

but they have nothing to with someones color, rather it is based on their occupations.

Ummmm... all my customers are contractors. Out of the thousands of contractors I deal with I'd say that I've made a pretty honest assessment of the facts that I have outlined. Can't say anything about lawyers or doctors..... just contractors.

I'd swear in a court of law that a minimum of 90% of the blacks I've extended credit to have proved to be deadbeat debtors. I can safely say that the white deadbeats that have burned me are less than 5% of my entire customer base. Now based on that, I again ask; why would it not make sense for me to pre-judge????

I will agree that 'color' is not the cause of my minority deadbeats character. Instead, it is the culture from which they come from. I deal with enough with white trash to know that the culture from which I come from also has it's warts. But back to what Hack is holding me accountable for: For me to not pre-judge color in my biz has proven to be a foolish business decision on my part.

The fact that these companies were operating under the protection of the rules of set aside programs had a lot more to do with their actions than the color of the owners.

Wait a minute Carbon. You're a Democrat. You ain't supposed to say anything negative against these taxpayer abusing set-a-side programs. Boy... a whole other topic. Do I have some dozzies to tell there.......

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Git,
When a black person who is a contractor in your industry comes to you, wouldn't it be nice for them if this person was not automatically included into the group that you are referring to? Perhaps someone that knows the trends and tendencies of the business could advise this person of the poential pitfalls they face, without refering to their color, and without risking any money, as a way to grow a good customer? Change can occur one person at a time. I think I can safely say that you are a bit of a softie, and that it would please you immensely to see a black person from the culture you refer to thrive and do well.

The real problems in these cases discussed here today have nothing to do with color--I have said that many times. There are numerous black people who are as sophisticated as any white (Obama Young, and scores of others here).
What we have is people extending credit to people who aren't credit worthy in the hope of being able to collect and make a little money; and borrowers who are unqualified to run a business or supply the proper paperwork to obtain credit (tax filings, P & L sheets for three years--audited, etc,.
I know I couldn't get a dimes worth of business credit without supplying such proof--that is, beyond an amount they could afford to lose.
There are poor culture habits in all races. Color has nothing to do with it. It just happens that the numbers are greater with some.
We all contribute to such terrible business practices whenever we deal in under the table cash, know the person is NOT paying taxes for their employees, nor unemployment compensation and other legal items.
As to Doctors, lawyers, Delta Employees, and Jews being difficult to deal with on services and products, I seriously doubt that they are any different than all of the other groups.
The attitude that the government and corporations and stores have endless money, and that whatever we can get thatwe don't deserve is Ok, is a cultural thing--not a color thing.

wouldn't it be nice for them if this person was not automatically included into the group that you are referring to?

Absolutely. It would be as equally nice for them as it would be for us to not have slavery and every other excuse rubbed in my face every time an issue came up. Yeah... I'd love it for them.

and that it would please you immensely to see a black person from the culture you refer to thrive and do well.

I want success for them more than you can imagine. Indeed it would please me immensely to see that culture emerge from it's mostly crippling and self imposed bondage. I'd love to drive through Riverdale and South Fulton as if those areas were no different than the one I live in. I really do desire that scenario and I also believe the vast majority of Whites do to. Now of course DM and Facist probably disagree........

Imagine a world where us white folk might tell our sons and daughters to start modeling themselves after the African American Culture. Right now I can't envision that.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

Would you like to drive through The Cascades? You're comparing apples to oranges. There are 'black' areas in Georgia and the US that are far nicer than any area in Fayette County. Why do you only refer to the sub-culture of blacks as the total culture of black America? That is as racist as saying all whites have the KKK mentality. . .which this blog has proven to me as being totally untrue.

I quit responding to you when you suggested that it might have been my Grandfather wearing a hood back in the day and yet you couldn't understand when I was offended, but I can't let this pass, is the whole county of Clayton a sub-culture? All of Riverdale a sub-culture? I grew up in Riverdale and lived in Clayton for most of my life and it grieves me to see what both of them have become. Git said he would love to see the areas no different then the one he lives in, is that a racist statement, and if so how? I personally have no problem with treating everyone the same, but you're not satisfied with that, you want that plus to be treated a little better, given extra breaks, and that's where you and myself differ, I demand blacks be treated as everyone else, no better, no worse, and I think that is sufficient.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

Everyone knows that these are not a fair system. They were instituted to help negate the effects of an even more (perceived) unfair system. As with any type of guaranteed program, the ones who benefit always sing the praises of the program.
This isn't the topic for me to give my war stories about contractors, regardless of their culture or color, although I will say that my last job was for a white gentleman who should have been wearing a mask.

Diversity Training - Part 2 will be posted by Wednesday. If you're sick of hearing about it - don't read it.

Hmmm, yes what would that valuable post include???

Everyone owes me.

Ummm, whitey should feel guilty, even if your family was in Europe somewhere when slavery happened in this country.

Whitey should feel guilty because warring tribes in Africa sold each other to be slaves.

Ummm: anyone who disagrees with me is racist and a race bater.

Yeah I think we are all waiting with bated breath. Oh if only Wed. was tomorrow.

I have to say that was a great comment to davids mom part 2!

I didn't even read Part 1.

I treat everyone the same regardless of race, wealth, etc.

If only people would let go of things from the past and try to make it better for the future. I think then we could move forward.

What you teach your kids growing up will go with them the rest of their lives.

Have a good night.

_______________________________
We Will Stand

Everyone has made it clear, your repeated salt shaker ways cause much more harm than good. You score 99% on turning people off to diversity. You know it. You are determined to try to rub it in. There can be no other explanation at this point than what people have called you on. Self pity and doing anything to get it.

you are making it very clear, this is your only claim to fame. You and Sharpton and Jessie must get pretty tired of trying to impress each other with your down troden stories.

Oops... I pulled a Dollar and double clutched it.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

That reminds me of the story you told a couple of months ago talking about your pilot comrade that got dissed at a dealership in Oklahoma when you guys went shopping. Not trying to be ugly, but looking at the fancy cars that many blacks drive these days, I didn't realize they were being discriminated against at car dealerships.

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"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

From Git:
"...looking at the fancy cars that many blacks drive these days, I didn't realize they were being discriminated against at car dealerships."

And using that logic Git, judging from the great number of white owned businesses with government contracts, and white boys and girls on college scholarships, I guess minority set-aside contracts and affirmative action "minority only quotas" aren't a problem.

But you and I know better, don't we

Peace
Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

And using that logic Git, judging from the great number of white owned businesses with government contracts,

I wouldn't know. I refuse to fill out the volumes of paper work required for every bid that analyzes my racial and gender makeup. Therefore, I tend to not get those contracts lest they fall into the niche market categories where no one else can compete or figure out. I get mine by specializing on things that confuse others or scare them off.

As far as your college comments go...... show me a black student with very good grades and I'll show you a student that will blow past a bunch of white kids that may have grades that are extraordinary in comparison.

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

"show me a black student with very good grades and I'll show you a student that will blow past a bunch of white kids that may have grades that are extraordinary in comparison."

Show me a black person of sound character and I'll bring you a dozen more who have been:

1. Made to feel like a second rate customer in a dealership

2. Pulled over while not breaking any traffic law.

3. Offered financing options which were influenced by their race, and not solely based on their scores.

4. Passed up by taxis.

5. Told their were no vacancies when there were.

6. Not welcomed into the families of their white girlfriends/boyfriends.

7. Not accepted by white college room mates (Michelle Obama is a great example of that).

And the circular argument continued to turn the same corner.

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

Great stories you guys! Thanks for sharing your experiences.

that he is, took his business elsewhere and the stupid car salesman suffered because of it.
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This is the theme of diversity education. It's not through the eyes of any individual. With that said, the best diversity education that I ever received was from my parents and I have passed it on to both of my boys. It simply is: Treat people the way you want to be treated.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

To treat others as you would want to be treated is the way to live your life.

This saying or one like it has repeated on here several times recently.

I don't disagree with it, of course, who would?

The problem in many cases of "do" however is in the person's understanding of the situation.
For instance, if some joker suddenly started slapping you in the face while you were holding a 2x4 behind you, what would you want him to do unto you, if the situation were reversed?

Another: you were hunting food for your family and had been able to just about gather enough for another meal--first one since day before yesterday- and another obviously hungry man approaches and asks you to share what you had with his family, who was also hungry.
What would you do if you were in his place and he in yours?

A family of rather scroungy looking individuals were standing in the cold rain and asking for a place to sleep and try to get warm. Their home had burned and they were new to the area. You had a nice home with an extra room or two near-by.
Would yo take them home? Would you take them anywhere? Or, maybe just call someone? Is that what you would want them to do for you?

Oh, I know one can reason out that it is all these unfortunates own fault for having problems and besides, you donate to the Salvation Army.

There are innumerable reasons to react differently, of course.
Circumstances can be interpreted many ways is all I'm saying.

I do think however we probably know how we want to be treated in all of them!

This saying or one like it has repeated on here several times recently.

I don't disagree with it, of course, who would?

The problem in many cases of "do" however is in the person's understanding of the situation.
For instance, if some joker suddenly started slapping you in the face while you were holding a 2x4 behind you, what would you want him to do unto you, if the situation were reversed?

Another: you were hunting food for your family and had been able to just about gather enough for another meal--first one since day before yesterday- and another obviously hungry man approaches and asks you to share what you had with his family, who was also hungry.
What would you do if you were in his place and he in yours?

A family of rather scroungy looking individuals were standing in the cold rain and asking for a place to sleep and try to get warm. Their home had burned and they were new to the area. You had a nice home with an extra room or two near-by.
Would yo take them home? Would you take them anywhere? Or, maybe just call someone? Is that what you would want them to do for you?

Oh, I know one can reason out that it is all these unfortunates own fault for having problems and besides, you donate to the Salvation Army.

There are innumerable reasons to react differently, of course.
Circumstances can be interpreted many ways is all I'm saying.

I do think however we probably know how we want to be treated in all of them!

I thank you for writing this out for all to see. The cases you mention are very thought-provoking and, I feel, that is good, regardless of what we come up with as a solution that is good for us. The fact that we think about it is what is important.

I had cause to talk to some folks who returned from Nicarauga recently. They were treated to a meal by a native family who would have to go without food for a day or two because of their generosity toward strangers. That was THEIR response to being challenged by one of your scenarios.

One final thought about the whole "golden rule" discussion. I cannot help but notice that it is 5 hours since you posted that entry...and you have yet to have a response from some of the more vocal bloggers on this site. I have seen that same thing happen consistently whenever this topic is broached in this manner. I fear that the silence we hear stems from the fact that they KNOW what their response would and are too embarrassed to state it out loud. Keep the faith.

Even a dead fish can go with the flow.

There is a more fundamental statement that I like: "There is only one rule, all the rest are an attempt to explain it."
There is another I live by: "Take responsibility for the results of your own actions."
The scenarios that you mentioned do challange the practicality, and our willingness to practice, the "Golden Rule" as an absolute.
I would expect to be hit back if I were smacking someone across the face and they were holding a 2x4. I would appreciate a warm and dry place for my family if we had just been burnt out of our home, but I would not feel that it was owed to me.
Any rule can be stood on it's head (Can God make a stone He can't lift?).
The Golden Rule is not cancelled out by not taking responsibility for the results of our own actions, and does not confer responsibility on someone who did not have any prior to the situation occuring.
The first situation would be my opportunity to take someone out before they took me out with that 2x4. The second situation would be an opportunity for me to step out of my comfort zone to assist those in more need than myself.

With all of the dinosaurs shooting out of the massive tail pipe of that F-450 (sweetest dual-ee on the road), I know exactly why you chose the Barney song.

My daughter was such a Barnie addict in the early 90s, I would have purple dino nightmares. Did you ever see the video of kids attacking a guy in a Barnie suit with baseball bats? Probably disrguntled dads with Barney PTSD.

Anyhow, here is one of the many, many benefits I have reaped from having been born a black person.

When I was brand new at Delta (temporary I.D. and all),I raced into what I thought was the men's restroom. As I exited the stall, I was met by a group of early twenties females. Whooops! As I wondered if I would be fired on the spot, that day, or if termination took a week or two, the ladies asked,

"Oh, are you still cleaning?"

"No, ma'am. I'm finished with what I had to do," I answered, put my head down, and walked out of that restroom as fast as my legs could move me. If any of them remember my face, I'll have to tell them I was in the "Mop pails to Pilots" program

Cheers,

Kevin "Hack" King
(anyone want two dogs???)

"Oh, are you still cleaning?"

Do you realize how many white janitors there are? Were you wearing your uniform or where you dressed like a janitor? What are you saying? It is nice, however, to know that Delta does promote from within.

One day I'm in Sports Authority and really need to go. I rush into the men's room, hit a stall, take a deep breath, and r-e-l-i-e-f.

Then as I wonder out of the stall and head to the sink, I'm wondering what the heck that woman was doing washing up that exited right before me? My thoughts were that she screwed up and chose the wrong door until I exited and realized that I had went in to women's head. That explained why, upon hurridely entering, I was unable to locate the wall mounts.

More recently I'm at that wing place / biker bar on the upper end of 19/41 in Morrow, when again I really had an urge to visit 'the room'. I go to do my duty once again and then as I'm looking for a relief station, I notice a pair of pink boots under the stall door. Shaking my head and thinking this pansy is in the wrong place, I realize there are no urine depositories on the wall. I immediately exit to the embarrassment of my lunch companions laughing their tails off at me. Why they didn't warn me I'll never know.

Hack, Thank you. I'm relieved to know I'm not the only one. Now if I can just erase that derned song out my mind for good....

________

"That man was Griffin Judicial Circuit District Attorney Scott Ballard".

CLICK HERE FOR THE REST OF THE STORY

has taken his diversity training.
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Caution - The Surgeon General has determined that constant blogging is an addiction that can cause a sedentary life style.

vicotr-walking-small-loves-crime-hill has taken the "short" course. He knows it is his right to break several federal and state laws. He knows his rights, because his ancestors might have been slaves here.....so it is his right to break the law.

How long will it be before clayton bounces that bozo out of the sheriff's office??

I think he took the "short" course.

I yam what I yam....Popeye

You have the best sense of humor. You make me laugh every day. Keep it coming.