or Powell's or me• • •
"Mike and Jon, Jon and Mike—I've known them both for years, and, clearly, one of them is very funny. As for the other: truly one of the great hangers-on of our time."—Steve Bodow, head writer, The Daily Show
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"Who can really judge what's funny? If humor is a subjective medium, then can there be something that is really and truly hilarious? Me. This book."—Daniel Handler, author, Adverbs, and personal representative of Lemony Snicket
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"The good news: I thought Our Kampf was consistently hilarious. The bad news: I’m the guy who wrote Monkeybone."—Sam Hamm, screenwriter, Batman, Batman Returns, and Homecoming
July 14, 2005
We White People Really Need To Fix Our Brains
Whenever you see someone online defending the Bush administration on Iraq, you may not know whether they're young or old or male or female. But you know one thing for sure: they're white.
This is because, frankly, white Americans are on average much stupider than other Americans. Now, I'm not saying white people are naturally stupid. I'm no bigot. But white people have more power in America, and power tends to make people into idiots.
For instance, it seems extraordinarily difficult for many white people, particularly white men, to believe the government of the United States might lie to them. By contrast, this comes somewhat easier to African-Americans:
Wait a minute! You're saying that rich white men on television have been lying? That's crazy talk, my friends. If there's anything black people have learned in hundreds of years of historical experience, it's that rich white men ALWAYS TELL THE TRUTH.
Anyway, the alarming dumbness of (some) white people is explained in numerical form in an excellent piece by David Swanson in the newest issue of the Black Commentator:
Eight percent of the members of both houses of Congress (43 of 535) are black, one percent of senators (1 of 100), and 10 percent of House members (42 of 435).Posted at July 14, 2005 08:20 AM | TrackBackBut 44 percent (27 of 62) of the members of the newly formed Out of Iraq Caucus are black, including five of the eight co-founders, and the chair, Maxine Waters. The numbers for the Progressive Caucus, out of which this caucus formed, are similar.
When Congressman Conyers held a hearing on the Downing Street Minutes on June 16, nearly half of the 35 Congress Members who squeezed into the small room in the basement of the Capitol - the only room the Republicans had allowed - were black. As were five of the seven members who then delivered a letter to the White House and spoke at a rally in Lafayette Square Park organized by the After Downing Street coalition. The letter, written by Conyers, asked Bush five simple questions about the Downing Street Minutes, and had by that point been signed by over 560,000 Americans and 123 Congress Members.
Of the 123 Congress Members who signed Conyers' letter, 30 percent (37) are black. Of the 52 who signed a more recent, and yet to be answered, Freedom of Information Act request (also initiated by Conyers) demanding information from the White House, State Department, and Defense Department related to the Downing Street Minutes, 27 percent (14) are black...
In the last congress, 50 percent (13 of 26) of those backing a resolution by Congresswoman Lee to disavow the doctrine of preemption were black, as were 39 percent (18 of 46) of those backing a Lee resolution to create an independent commission or select House committee to investigate U.S. intelligence relating to the war...
More stupid, or more gullible? Or is it that a human is wired in some way to trust a face that looks like the one in the mirror?
I believe all of the above, by the way - I also agree with the post.
Which leads me to think, what we really should get is some form of class-conscious eyewear. While looking at George Bush on the TV, for instance, a little bubble pops up (like a heads-up display) which says, "Rich twit". This should be easy to develop from the modified rose-colored lenses that the Pentagon has successfully employed for more than a generation.
Posted by: Aaron at July 14, 2005 11:09 AMLook, I am of Asian descent myself, and I am not too hopeful in the intellectual capability and spiritual intelligence of most Asians, including some of my relatives.
Anyway, I do think some white people are very adorable and smart...especially the women.
Posted by: En Ming Hee at July 14, 2005 11:13 AMFunny you should say that, En Ming Hee. My first question after reading the first few lines of this post was "So, what happened to Michelle Malkin?" She must have gotten Abbie Normal's brain.
I read Black Commentator frequently. The only thing I *don't* like about it is the editorial undertow of "You do your thing, and we'll do our thing." Yes, I understand the sentiment, but I think it's the antithesis of the way all of us should be thinking if we're ever going to get serious about challenging The Machine. It's a view that's hardly exclusive to Black Commentator or any other factions belonging to the fractious Left.
But this I know for certain: There will be no mass progressive movement without a formidable alliance forged across racial lines. I have zero ideas as to how to accomplish this, especially since Labor has largely turned its back on its non-white constituency.
Posted by: Arvin Hill at July 14, 2005 02:12 PMThat's absolutely right, Arvin-- white labor kills.
I live in Philadelphia, home of some of the most steadfastly white urban unions going, and it's kind of intriguingly terrifying watching these guys hack the collective memory of their unions to pieces. I haven't seen a flicker of doubt or self-recrimination about the process of becoming the establishment.
And it can't be a coincidence that Philly's seeing a current surge of black Republicans. How many votes could the Democrats win back if they embraced the pro-labor image they used to have? It seems like, coming off the social security debate, this could be a big deal in '06.
Posted by: Sully at July 15, 2005 09:15 AMbut wait a minute....what about the white-wannabes????
Colon Powell
Condellisa Rice???
http://impressionz.australian.at/
Posted by: chas at July 17, 2005 10:21 AMJust to throw a little more gas on the fire, chas...
We know that Condi and Colin, and Clarence Thomas and Alberto Gonzales, are remarkably evil people, who have managed to narrow their viewpoint to a comparable level with white Republicans.
But they are all appointments of one white Republican or another, and as such, they make the Democrats looks REALLY, REALLY BAD. Clinton's cabinet looked like snowfall. The ugly truth here is that the party of civil rights has dropped the ball in terms of race, and we need to get on it AS SOON AS POSSIBLE.
Posted by: Sully at July 18, 2005 07:12 AMFunny how few blogs can't identify the difference between being 'white' and being 'rich'. Racist? Blatantly so.
As for the apparent support, the problem appears to be a false dichotomy. The democrat party has been openly anti-white for as long as I've been alive, but it is a mistake to think that 'not-democrat' is the same as 'not-anti-white'.
The truth is that both parties support the same things, no matter what they say. I do not know who they represent, but it ain't America or Americans.
But it's passing funny how blacks looking out for their own racist self-interest are lauded and supported. But when whites so much as compain about the racism the government mandates against then, they become the KKK incarnate.
I've read on several democrat blogs where posters are complaining that the party does not listen to them. When I posted that if the party is not representing you, perhaps you should ask who's interests they really are representing, my post was deleted and I was banned from the blog. Oh the open mindedness of the democrat party.
BTW, I'm neither democrat nor republican and I have never belonged to either (or indeed, any) party.
And I suggest that democrats support their party, unconditionally, uncritically, even when it works against their best interests, rather than their country.
Don't get me started on the Republicans.
Rich
Posted by: Anonomous at July 18, 2005 12:04 PMAre you sure you understood this post?
Posted by: Harry at July 18, 2005 07:28 PMAre you sure you understood this post?
Posted by: Harry at July 18, 2005 07:28 PM
--------------------
"We White People Really Need To Fix Our Brains"
Hmm, seems clear enough to me.
How about this...
"This is because, frankly, white Americans are on average much stupider than other Americans. Now, I'm not saying white people are naturally stupid. I'm no bigot. But white people have more power in America, and power tends to make people into idiots."
Still seems pretty clear.
I like the "I'm no bigot" disclaimer. Oddly it does not appear to work as the rest of the blog contradicts it.
And what power do I have that makes me stupid?
Would someone please explain it to me? Is this more of that 'white male privilege' religous hysteria used to support any and all discrimination against people who look like me, for the evil crime of looking like me?
What is it I don't get?
If you really don't get it, I suggest re-doing the blog replacing 'white' with 'black' and adjusting the references accordingly. Do you suspect anyone would see it as bigotry?
Rich
Posted by: Anonymous at July 19, 2005 11:21 AMIt's an economic thing, not a racial thing. Us white folk have control over the economy and it was easy for the "powers that be" to cut minorities out of the money market before they had to turn on "their own". As a white chic, it's my opinion that we have power, but we had to give up our right to be proud of who we are as a race.
Posted by: Arvin Hill at July 14, 2005 02:12 PM "But this I know for certain: There will be no mass progressive movement without a formidable alliance forged across racial lines. I have zero ideas as to how to accomplish this,"
THE INTERNET...I don't know the race of anyone on this BLOG...What I know for certain, is that there will be no mass progressive movement, until somebody moves...maybe we should start it...any movers and shakers in here? Let's "hire" someone whose job it will be to listen to us and act according to what we consider our best interests, and then get them elected President, or Senator, even mayor...
Posted by: Anonymous at July 19, 2005 11:21 AM "And what power do I have that makes me stupid?"
If you're white, like me, that's the power you have...we are "the man" we have more power and influence and control over this country and it's officials, then any other race...We are the helping hand or the destructive force...and other white people would include us as "being one of them" we wouldn't be rounded up if they came for "minorities".
Posted by: at July 21, 2005 07:25 PMIt's an economic thing, not a racial thing. Us white folk have control over the economy and it was easy for the "powers that be" to cut minorities out of the money market before they had to turn on "their own". As a white chic, it's my opinion that we have power, but we had to give up our right to be proud of who we are as a race.
Posted by: Arvin Hill at July 14, 2005 02:12 PM "But this I know for certain: There will be no mass progressive movement without a formidable alliance forged across racial lines. I have zero ideas as to how to accomplish this,"
THE INTERNET...I don't know the race of anyone on this BLOG...What I know for certain, is that there will be no mass progressive movement, until somebody moves...maybe we should start it...any movers and shakers in here? Let's "hire" someone whose job it will be to listen to us and act according to what we consider our best interests, and then get them elected President, or Senator, even mayor...
Posted by: Anonymous at July 19, 2005 11:21 AM "And what power do I have that makes me stupid?"
If you're white, like me, that's the power you have...we are "the man" we have more power and influence and control over this country and it's officials, then any other race...We are the helping hand or the destructive force...and other white people would include us as "being one of them" we wouldn't be rounded up if they came for "minorities".
Posted by: catalyst at July 21, 2005 07:25 PM"Us white folk have control over the economy"
We do? How do I use this power?
"we have more power and influence and control over this country and it's officials, then any other race..."
Explain Affirmative Racism to me in terms of this power please. The government ain't on the side of whites, especially white men, no matter what your stereotypes may say.
"and other white people would include us as "being one of them" we wouldn't be rounded up if they came for "minorities"."
Got news for ya, the government is on their side. They opened the floodgates in 1965 and now half of California is foreign born. And the government demands that they get preferential treatment, as *minorities* no less. Course, women are also considered 'minorities', despite being the biggest majority.
You can't use vague stereotypes about whites to prove whites have power. Either they have it or they do not. And today, they do not.
Rich
Posted by: Anonymous at July 22, 2005 11:16 AMBTW, WRT the caption
"By looking at us you'd never guess our political perspective in a million years" is about as bigoted as it is wrong.
There is a lot of political diversity here, I'll hold Clinton and all the democrats in congress up as examples.
For an accurate picture, you should have blacks or women in congress, as they are *almost* monolithic in their political persuasion.
I don't expect reality to ever affect blatant racism or sexism, it never has in the past, but in reality we have both a 'black' congressional caucas and a "woman's" congressional caucas. Their ain't no 'white' congressional caucas.
Rich
Rich, you are pretty much an idiot. You think that Whites don't have power? Forget the U.S. White men control the whole world. White people have made this world about money and power. Respecting the earth and respecting humans isn't even in the plan for you all. Now, I'm talking about whites as a whole from the beginning of time. Your race is the reason slavery, rape, and disease has become so prevalent in the world. Everywhere you tread you spread distruction for the people who originated in the land. This is what's happening in Iraq now. It's like you step foot on the soil and from there complete distruction takes over. the country is left in civil war and complete disarray. You're talking about California being foreign born? Hello? White people stole this land, so as far as I'm concerned everyone and anyone has the right to come here. You may be the majority in the U.S., but you are the minority in the world and it'll take the people of color to put an end to your evil selfish ways. But guess what, it probably won't happen, because I don't know of a race dirty enough to take back power. Non-white countries are just trying to survive in this white power money driven world, let alone taking the land back. God will just have to handle that. Or if you believe in karma, boy your race has some sh-t coming to it. Just look at your history. Look at what your people have done to every race of people on this earth. "There ain't no white congressional caucus" because whites don't NEED one idiot!!! The government isn't on the minorties' side, they just know how to give rope to keep the peace you fool
Posted by: Eric at August 8, 2005 09:24 AMBlacks can't manage power, their economically and socially behind by hundreds of years. Look at Africa, genecide day in day out. Look how the blacks raped South Africa, look at what it was and what it is now. Another thing, black people's brains are actually smaller than white people's, its a scientific fact.KKK
Posted by: at November 18, 2005 08:03 PM
