'That boy's finger does not need to be on the button'

[Sister Fracas 5]

almaty, kentucky, not ohio.

and the link works for me... i wonder why it isn't working for you guys

Not sure. I tested it out in Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer. It worked in all three for me, so it's not a browser incompatibility issue. Unless, of course, someone is using a fairly unusual browser -- Netscape, Seamonkey, Safari, Konqueror, etc. Even so, it should still probably work.

As for Davis... I can't imagine his comment was racially charged. The one reason I think this is he's a politician and if he has two brain cells to rub together, he'd know the media would report anything the least bit negative he'd say about a presidential candidate (especially something regarding race).

Perhaps I'm wrong and his mouth worked faster than his brain. It certainly happens. But if that's the case, then he really needs to learn to "think before he speaks." Not just because it's the polite thing to do in most cases, but so it'll save him from some potentially embarrassing (and troublesome) situations.

I'm not saying that when he got up this morning he thought he'd go be offensive to a black man, but if that term is what subconsciously pops into his mind and therefore comes out of his mouth when he thinks or speaks about a black man, then it is racial.

Edited April 14, 2008 by Sister Fracas

[DeadPoolX 9]

almaty, kentucky, not ohio.

and the link works for me... i wonder why it isn't working for you guys

Not sure. I tested it out in Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer. It worked in all three for me, so it's not a browser incompatibility issue. Unless, of course, someone is using a fairly unusual browser -- Netscape, Seamonkey, Safari, Konqueror, etc. Even so, it should still probably work.

As for Davis... I can't imagine his comment was racially charged. The one reason I think this is he's a politician and if he has two brain cells to rub together, he'd know the media would report anything the least bit negative he'd say about a presidential candidate (especially something regarding race).

Perhaps I'm wrong and his mouth worked faster than his brain. It certainly happens. But if that's the case, then he really needs to learn to "think before he speaks." Not just because it's the polite thing to do in most cases, but so it'll save him from some potentially embarrassing (and troublesome) situations.

I'm not saying that when he got up this morning he thought he'd go be offensive to a black man, but if that term is what subconsciously pops into his mind and therefore comes out of his mouth when he thinks or speaks about a black man, then it is racial.

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

Sure we all make gaffs, but politicians should know better.

[DeadPoolX 9]

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

Sure we all make gaffs, but politicians should know better.

You're absolutely right. But then again, they should know better than to sleep around too or retain the services of prostitutes as many do in DC.

[Chica Yeyé 41]

I personally think the terms "boy" or "girls/ladies" when addressing adults are a bit condescending. But then again, I'm a commie.

[Sister Fracas 5]

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

Sure we all make gaffs, but politicians should know better.

You're absolutely right. But then again, they should know better than to sleep around too or retain the services of prostitutes as many do in DC.

yep, can't disagree there.

and just for the record, yes, I'd say Obama's controversial remarks this weekend were pretty stupid too.

[nane1104 146]

almaty, kentucky, not ohio.

and the link works for me... i wonder why it isn't working for you guys

Not sure. I tested it out in Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer. It worked in all three for me, so it's not a browser incompatibility issue. Unless, of course, someone is using a fairly unusual browser -- Netscape, Seamonkey, Safari, Konqueror, etc. Even so, it should still probably work.

As for Davis... I can't imagine his comment was racially charged. The one reason I think this is he's a politician and if he has two brain cells to rub together, he'd know the media would report anything the least bit negative he'd say about a presidential candidate (especially something regarding race).

Perhaps I'm wrong and his mouth worked faster than his brain. It certainly happens. But if that's the case, then he really needs to learn to "think before he speaks." Not just because it's the polite thing to do in most cases, but so it'll save him from some potentially embarrassing (and troublesome) situations.

I'm not saying that when he got up this morning he thought he'd go be offensive to a black man, but if that term is what subconsciously pops into his mind and therefore comes out of his mouth when he thinks or speaks about a black man, then it is racial.

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

That's what you call a freudian mistake:

"A Freudian slip, or parapraxis, is an error in speech, memory, or physical action that is believed to be caused by the unconscious mind."

(wikipedia)

[Mr. Big Dog 10,747]

So, when some Republican Member of Congress makes a remark like that it's palatable as an unfortunate choice of words. Interesting.

[DeadPoolX 9]

So, when some Republican Member of Congress makes a remark like that it's palatable as an unfortunate choice of words. Interesting.

Not at all. I'm just trying to understand the reason behind it. That doesn't excuse it.

[one...two...tree 2,762]

"I'm going to tell you something: That boy's finger does not need to be on the button," Davis said. "He could not make a decision in that simulation that related to a nuclear threat to this country."

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2008/04/14/g...oy_n_96608.html

[lucyrich 20]

If someone had said of Hillary Clinton, "That girl's finger does not need to be on the button", would we take that as racist?

Probably not. But the term "girl" would surely be seen as disrespectful.

Likewise, if, a few years back, someone had said of John Kerry, "That boy's finger does not need to be on the button", it would be a mark of disrespect, but probably not racist.

When disrespect is aimed at a person of a racial minority, there's a temptation to attribute the disrespect to racism on the part of the speaker. Indeed, racism may be the at root of the reason why the speaker chose the disrespectful term. But that doesn't necessarily mean the term itself is racist.

It's not the term, it's the tone. The way politicians talk, someone could hypothetically say "My most esteemed colleague, the well respected gentleman senator from Illinois, Mr. Obama's finger should not be on the button." A talented orator from a southern state could say THAT line in such a way that leaves no doubt that he really intends racially-based disrespect.

[metta 0]

almaty, kentucky, not ohio.

and the link works for me... i wonder why it isn't working for you guys

Not sure. I tested it out in Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer. It worked in all three for me, so it's not a browser incompatibility issue. Unless, of course, someone is using a fairly unusual browser -- Netscape, Seamonkey, Safari, Konqueror, etc. Even so, it should still probably work.

As for Davis... I can't imagine his comment was racially charged. The one reason I think this is he's a politician and if he has two brain cells to rub together, he'd know the media would report anything the least bit negative he'd say about a presidential candidate (especially something regarding race).

Perhaps I'm wrong and his mouth worked faster than his brain. It certainly happens. But if that's the case, then he really needs to learn to "think before he speaks." Not just because it's the polite thing to do in most cases, but so it'll save him from some potentially embarrassing (and troublesome) situations.

I'm not saying that when he got up this morning he thought he'd go be offensive to a black man, but if that term is what subconsciously pops into his mind and therefore comes out of his mouth when he thinks or speaks about a black man, then it is racial.

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

Referring to an adult man as "boy" is derogatory or condescending at the least. But as a politician, he should know that referring to an African American Senator and presidential candidate at that as boy will be unmistakably construed as racist. He probably thought it was ok among the good ol' boys

(it was at GOP dinner/event) but a slip is a slip in politics . carries a costly price.

That said, I see on this board, folks referring to Senator Clinton as "gal" and I don't see awhiff of disapproval from the like-minded

We discuss at length, here, whether calling Mr. O is racist or not BUT I don't hear anyone ask calling HRC 'gal" carries equally derogatory connotation or not. Just wondering...

This post here addresses the same kinda issue regarding sexism.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121936

[nane1104 146]

almaty, kentucky, not ohio.

and the link works for me... i wonder why it isn't working for you guys

Not sure. I tested it out in Opera, Firefox and Internet Explorer. It worked in all three for me, so it's not a browser incompatibility issue. Unless, of course, someone is using a fairly unusual browser -- Netscape, Seamonkey, Safari, Konqueror, etc. Even so, it should still probably work.

As for Davis... I can't imagine his comment was racially charged. The one reason I think this is he's a politician and if he has two brain cells to rub together, he'd know the media would report anything the least bit negative he'd say about a presidential candidate (especially something regarding race).

Perhaps I'm wrong and his mouth worked faster than his brain. It certainly happens. But if that's the case, then he really needs to learn to "think before he speaks." Not just because it's the polite thing to do in most cases, but so it'll save him from some potentially embarrassing (and troublesome) situations.

I'm not saying that when he got up this morning he thought he'd go be offensive to a black man, but if that term is what subconsciously pops into his mind and therefore comes out of his mouth when he thinks or speaks about a black man, then it is racial.

Maybe you're right. I don't know Davis from Adam, okay? He could be an aspiring Klan member for all I know. All I'm saying is he may have not meant to say it. It could have just popped in there. Haven't you ever said something you didn't mean to at an inopportune moment? I know I sure have! It's as embarrassing as all hell! In addition, do we know what his previous relationship has been with Obama? Are they friends or enemies? All of this could influence his thought patterns.

Referring to an adult man as "boy" is derogatory or condescending at the least. But as a politician, he should know that referring to an African American Senator and presidential candidate at that as boy will be unmistakably construed as racist. He probably thought it was ok among the good ol' boys

(it was at GOP dinner/event) but a slip is a slip in politics . carries a costly price.

That said, I see on this board, folks referring to Senator Clinton as "gal" and I don't see awhiff of disapproval from the like-minded

We discuss at length, here, whether calling Mr. O is racist or not BUT I don't hear anyone ask calling HRC 'gal" carries equally derogatory connotation or not. Just wondering...

This post here addresses the same kinda issue regarding sexism.

http://www.visajourney.com/forums/index.php?showtopic=121936

Many people refer as obama as "guy" too and it's not a big thing. But calling a black person "boy", considering the history of the term, is definitley not to compare to "gal" or "guy".

I think my husband would totally freak out if someone called him "boy", even if the person would say it wasn't meant disrespectful or anything. Certain things just shouldn't be said.

Edited April 14, 2008 by nane1104

[almaty 19]

I personally think the terms "boy" or "girls/ladies" when addressing adults are a bit condescending. But then again, I'm a commie.

notice>>>>>>>> sister len is a proud card carrying member of commies for christ....

brother stevie..party chairman.////

[one...two...tree 2,762]

I personally think the terms "boy" or "girls/ladies" when addressing adults are a bit condescending. But then again, I'm a commie.

notice>>>>>>>> sister len is a proud card carrying member of commies for christ....

brother stevie..party chairman.////

Oh boy, you can say that again.