Unreal: A group of artists has been asked to lighten the faces of children depicted in a giant public mural at a Prescott school. The project's leader says he was ordered to lighten the skin tone after complaints about the children's ethnicity. But the school's principal says the request was only to fix shading and had nothing to do with … Read More
Rand Paul And The Civil Rights Act: Part II
As the day progresses, Rand Paul is clarifying his position on the 1964 Civil Rights Act, assuring the voters that he will not try to repeal it. This afternoon, a spokesman for the Paul campaign told Greg Sargent, "Civil Rights legislation that has been affirmed by our courts gives the Federal government the right to insure that private businesses don't … Read More
Rand Paul And The Civil Rights Act
I saw a lot of Rand Paul on TV yesterday. And heard him on the radio. The newly-minted Republican candidate for Senator from Kentucky is facing national criticism because of his stance on the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Rand Paul, I honestly believe, is not a racist. He just believes that government should not be involved in business. And … Read More
Quote Of The Day
The right's arguments against health care reform have been laughably false, or have been getting worn from overuse. So now they've come up with another reason to hate health care reform. You ready? Health care reform is racist. And why? Because of the provision in the health care reform act that includes a 10 percent tax on indoor tanning salons … Read More
Foxx’s Latest Stupid Statements
During a debate on the House floor today over designating 21 miles of the Molalla River as "wild and scenic," Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-NC), who opposes the legislation, tried to claim a progressive environmental record for her party. "Actually, the GOP has been the leader in starting good environmental programs in this country," said Foxx. She didn't say what those … Read More
Racist Much, CNBC?
Hard to believe they allowed this to be published: Marathon's Headline Win Is Empty By: Darren RovellCNBC Sports Business Reporter It's a stunning headline: American Wins Men's NYC Marathon For First Time Since '82. Unfortunately, it's not as good as it sounds. Meb Keflezighi, who won yesterday in New York, is technically American by virtue of him becoming a citizen … Read More
Document Dump
Remember a few months ago when a bunch of black kids from a day camp tried to go swimming in a community pool (permission having been granted by the pool's Board of Driectors), and were then told to leave because some of the pool members (all white) complained? The Human Relations Committee came out with a damning report this past … Read More
Associated Press Analysis: “‘Racist’ Claims Defuse Once Powerful Word”
Shorter version: Except that the AP analysis is actually kind of stupid and facile: Everybody's racist, it seems. Republican Rep. Joe Wilson? Racist, because he shouted "You lie!" at the first black president. Health care protesters, affirmative action supporters? Racist. And Barack Obama? He's the "Racist in Chief," wrote a leader of the recent conservative protest in Washington. But if … Read More
Tearing The Country Apart
Van Jones, ACORN, and now the video of the school bus brawl. Anyone notice a pattern of the right-wing targets? There seems to be a racial pattern to the target-du-jour of the right wing. The school bus brawl incident is especially noteworthy, because it is clearly race-baiting. I mean, some kids beat on another kid on a school bus. Worthy … Read More
Joe Wilson’s “Special Relationship” With The Obamas
Joe Wilson, the "You Lie!" guy, went on Fox News Sunday to tell Chris Wallace that he ain't going to apologize for his outburst again, to anyone. Wallace asked Wilson about Maureen Dowd's op-ed, in which she alleges that Wilson's disrespect for the president was motivated by racism. Wilson came back with a surprising and absurd defense: I respect President … Read More
Playing The Racist Card
Seems it was only six months ago when conservative columnists and pundits were all predicting the same thing, i.e., "If we start criticizing Obama, we're going to be attacked for being 'racist'. You just watch.". Six months later, and who is calling who "racist"? According to many conservatives, Obama's nominee to the Supreme Court, Sonia Sotomayor, is a "racist". According … Read More
Shunned Kids From Day Camp Going To Disneyworld
Remember this story from a few weeks ago about the black kids in a Philly day camp who were turned away from using a country club pool because (they were told) it would change the "complexion" of the place? Well, just an update. First of all, the story caused nationwide anger the owners are now facing a lawsuit. Secondly, media … Read More
Quote Of The Day
Jeez. Pat Buchanan isn't even trying to hide his ignorance and bigotry now. Here he is from last night's Rachel Maddow show, in response to her point that 98% of all U.S. Supreme Court justices have been white men: "White men were 100% of the people that wrote the Constitution, 100% of the people that signed the Declaration of Independence, … Read More
Opposing A Marker Acknowledging Slave Labor
The United States Capital Building, its wonderful dome, and the Statue of Freedom that sits atop it, were built by slave labor. Yeah, I know. Bit of national shame and embarassment. Tuesday evening, the U.S. House of Representatives sought to redress that grievance in some small way with a resolution acknowledging the role slaves played in the Capital's construction. The purpose … Read More