FROM ROBIN RUSSELL:
The author is Professor Robert Watson of Lynn University who was once a writer for the New York Times..
Professor Watson writes:
Hi friends,
I am always being asked to grade Obama's presidency. In place of offering him a grade, I put together a list of his accomplishments thus far. I think you would agree that it is very impressive. His first six months have been even more active than FDRs or LBJs the two standards for such assessments. Yet, there is little media attention given to much of what he has done. Of late, the media is focusing almost exclusively on Obama's critics, without holding them responsible for the uncivil, unconstructive tone of their disagreements or without holding the previous administration responsible for getting us in such a deep hole. The misinformation and venom that now passes for political reporting and civic debate is beyond description.
As such, there is a need to set the record straight. What most impresses me is the fact that Obama has accomplished so much not from a heavy-handed or top-down approach but from a style that has institutionalized efforts to reach across the aisle, encourage vigorous debate, and utilize town halls and panels of experts in the policy-making process. Beyond the accomplishments, the process is good for democracy and our democratic processes have been battered and bruised in recent years.
Let me know if I missed anything in the list (surely I did).
Robert
1. Ordered all federal agencies to undertake a study and make recommendations for ways to cut spending
2. Ordered a review of all federal operations to identify and cut wasteful spending and practices
3. Instituted enforcement for equal pay for women
4. Beginning the withdrawal of US troops from Iraq
5. Families of fallen soldiers have expenses covered to be on hand when the body arrives at Dover AFB
6. Ended media blackout on war casualties; reporting full information
7. Ended media blackout on covering the return of fallen soldiers to Dover AFB; the media is now permitted to do so pending adherence to respectful rules and approval of fallen soldier's family
8. The White House and federal government are respecting the Freedom of Information Act
9. Instructed all federal agencies to promote openness and transparency as much as possible
10. Limits on lobbyist's access to the White House
11. Limits on White House aides working for lobbyists after their tenure in the administration
12. Ended the previous stop-loss policy that kept soldiers in Iraq/Afghanistan longer than their enlistment date
13. Phasing out the expensive F-22 war plane and other outdated weapons systems, which weren't even used or needed in Iraq/Afghanistan
14.. Removed restrictions on embryonic stem-cell research
15. Federal support for stem-cell and new biomedical research
16. New federal funding for science and research labs
17. States are permitted to enact federal fuel efficiency standards above federal standards
18. Increased infrastructure spending (roads, bridges, power plants) after years of neglect
19.. Funds for high-speed, broadband Internet access to K-12 schools
20. New funds for school construction
21. The prison at Guantanamo Bay is being phased out
22. US Auto industry rescue plan
23. Housing rescue plan
24. $789 billion economic stimulus plan
25. The public can meet with federal housing insurers to refinance (the new plan can be completed in one day) a mortgage if they are having trouble paying
26. US financial and banking rescue plan
27.. The secret detention facilities in Eastern Europe and elsewhere are being closed
28. Ended the previous policy; the US now has a no torture policy and is in compliance with the Geneva Convention standards
29. Better body armor is now being provided to our troops
30. The missile defense program is being cut by $1.4 billion in 2010
31. Restarted the nuclear nonproliferation talks and building back up the nuclear inspection infrastructure/protocols
32. Reengaged in the treaties/agreements to protect the Antarctic
33. Reengaged in the agreements/talks on global warming and greenhouse gas emissions
34. Visited more countries and met with more world leaders than any president in his first six months in office
35. Successful release of US captain held by Somali pirates; authorized the SEALS to do their job
36. US Navy increasing patrols off Somali coast
37. Attractive tax write-offs for those who buy hybrid automobiles
38. Cash for clunkers program offers vouchers to trade in fuel inefficient, polluting old cars for new cars; stimulated auto sales
39. Announced plans to purchase fuel efficient American-made fleet for the federal government
40. Expanded the SCHIP program to cover health care for 4 million more children
41. Signed national service legislation; expanded national youth service program
42. Instituted a new policy on Cuba , allowing Cuban families to return home to visit loved ones
43. Ended the previous policy of not regulating and labeling carbon dioxide emissions
44.. Expanding vaccination programs
45. Immediate and efficient response to the floods in North Dakota and other natural disasters
46. Closed offshore tax safe havens
47. Negotiated deal with Swiss banks to permit US government to gain access to records of tax evaders and criminals
48. Ended the previous policy of offering tax benefits to corporations who outsource American jobs; the new policy is to promote in-sourcing to bring jobs back
49. Ended the previous practice of protecting credit card companies; in place of it are new consumer protections from credit card industry's predatory practices
50. Energy producing plants must begin preparing to produce 15% of their energy from renewable sources
51. Lower drug costs for seniors
52. Ended the previous practice of forbidding Medicare from negotiating with drug manufacturers for cheaper drugs; the federal government is now realizing hundreds of millions in savings
53. Increasing pay and benefits for military personnel
54. Improved housing for military personnel
55. Initiating a new policy to promote federal hiring of military spouses
56. Improved conditions at Walter Reed Military Hospital and other military hospitals
57. Increasing student loans
58.. Increasing opportunities in AmeriCorps program
59. Sent envoys to Middle East and other parts of the world that had been neglected for years; reengaging in multilateral and bilateral talks and diplomacy
60. Established a new cyber security office
61. Beginning the process of reforming and restructuring the military 20 years after the Cold War to a more modern fighting force; this includes new procurement policies, increasing size of military, new technology and cyber units and operations, etc.
62. Ended previous policy of awarding no-bid defense contracts
63. Ordered a review of hurricane and natural disaster preparedness
64. Established a National Performance Officer charged with saving the federal government money and making federal operations more efficient
65. Students struggling to make college loan payments can have their loans refinanced
66.. Improving benefits for veterans
67. Many more press conferences and town halls and much more media access than previous administration
68. Instituted a new focus on mortgage fraud
69. The FDA is now regulating tobacco
70. Ended previous policy of cutting the FDA and circumventing FDA rules
71. Ended previous practice of having White House aides rewrite scientific and environmental rules, regulations, and reports
72. Authorized discussions with North Korea and private mission by Pres. Bill Clinton to secure the release of two Americans held in prisons
73. Authorized discussions with Myanmar and mission by Sen... Jim Web to secure the release of an American held captive
74. Making more loans available to small businesses
75.. Established independent commission to make recommendations on slowing the costs of Medicare
76. Appointment of first Latina to the Supreme Court
77. Authorized construction/opening of additional health centers to care for veterans
78. Limited salaries of senior White House aides; cut to $100,000
79. Renewed loan guarantees for Israel
80. Changed the failing/status quo military command in Afghanistan
81. Deployed additional troops to Afghanistan
82. New Afghan War policy that limits aerial bombing and prioritizes aid, development of infrastructure, diplomacy, and good government practices by Afghans
83. Announced the long-term development of a national energy grid with renewable sources and cleaner, efficient energy production
84. Returned money authorized for refurbishment of White House offices and private living quarters
85. Paid for redecoration of White House living quarters out of his own pocket
86. Held first Seder in White House
87. Attempting to reform the nation's healthcare system which is the most expensive in the world yet leaves almost 50 million without health insurance and millions more under insured
88. Has put the ball in play for comprehensive immigration reform
89. Has announced his intention to push for energy reform
90. Has announced his intention to push for education reform
Oh, and he built a swing set for the girls outside the Oval Office!
Robert P. Watson, Ph.D.Coordinator of American Studies
Lynn University
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Do Not Dial Or Accept Calls From 809 Area Code
USE YOUR CALLER ID!
We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code.. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen . Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
DO NOT dial area code 809, 284, and 876.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
This one is being distributed all over the U-S ... This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.
Be sure you read this and pass it on.
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc..
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2,425 per-minute.
Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic ..
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call.. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.
Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.
AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE---COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER LINE: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
We actually received a call last week from the 809 area code.. The woman said 'Hey, this is Karen . Sorry I missed you--get back to us quickly. I have something important to tell you.' Then she repeated a phone number beginning with 809We did not respond. Then this week, we received the following e-mail:
DO NOT dial area code 809, 284, and 876.
THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT INFORMATION PROVIDED TO US BY AT&T. DON'T EVER DIAL AREA CODE 809
This one is being distributed all over the U-S ... This is pretty scary, especially given the way they try to get you to call.
Be sure you read this and pass it on.
They get you to call by telling you that it is information about a family member who has been ill or to tell you someone has been arrested, died, or to let you know you have won a wonderful prize, etc..
In each case, you are told to call the 809 number right away. Since there are so many new area codes these days, people unknowingly return these calls.
If you call from the U.S. , you will apparently be charged $2,425 per-minute.
Or, you'll get a long recorded message. The point is, they will try to keep you on the phone as long as possible to increase the charges. WHY IT WORKS:
The 809 area code is located in the Dominican Republic ..
The charges afterward can become a real nightmare. That's because you did actually make the call.. If you complain, both your local phone company and your long distance carrier will not want to get involved and will most likely tell you that they are simply providing the billing for the foreign company. You'll end up dealing with a foreign company that argues they have done nothing wrong.
Please forward this entire message to your friends, family and colleagues to help them become aware of this scam.
AT&T VERIFIES IT'S TRUE---COPY AND PASTE THIS LINK INTO YOUR BROWSER LINE: http://www.att.com/gen/press-room?pid=6045
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Good to know our history: Watch Night Services
Many of us who live or grew up in Black communities in the United States have probably heard of "Watch Night Services," the gathering of the faithful in church on New Year's Eve.
The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. And ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.
Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate.
For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event.
Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church.
Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs.
In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve.
However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations.
The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve."
On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law.
Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free .
When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God.
Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.
It's been 145 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate
"how we got over."
PS- Pass this information on so we can educate.
The service usually begins anywhere from 7 p.m. To 10 p.m. And ends at midnight with the entrance of the New Year.
Some folks come to church first, before going out to celebrate.
For others, church is the only New Year's Eve event.
Like many others, I always assumed that Watch Night was a fairly standard Christian religious service -- made a bit more Afro centric because that's what happens when elements of Christianity become linked with the Black Church.
Still, it seemed that predominately White Christian churches did not include Watch Night services on their calendars, but focused instead on Christmas Eve programs.
In fact, there were instances where clergy in mainline denominations wondered aloud about the propriety of linking religious services with a secular holiday like New Year's Eve.
However, there is a reason for the importance of New Year's Eve services in African American congregations.
The Watch Night Services in Black communities that we celebrate today can be traced back to gatherings on December 31, 1862, also known as "Freedom's Eve."
On that night, Blacks came together in churches and private homes all across the nation, anxiously awaiting news that the Emancipation Proclamation actually had become law.
Then, at the stroke of midnight, it was January 1, 1863, and all slaves in the Confederate States were declared legally free .
When the news was received, there were prayers, shouts and songs of joy as people fell to their knees and thanked God.
Black folks have gathered in churches annually on New Year's Eve ever since, praising God for bringing us safely through another year.
It's been 145 years since that first Freedom's Eve and many of us were never taught the African American history of Watch Night, but tradition still brings us together at this time every year to celebrate
"how we got over."
PS- Pass this information on so we can educate.
Thursday, December 10, 2009
Best Quotes of 2009
FROM FLOYD PERRY:
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone.
We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
Worry about nothing, pray about everything!!!
CLICK ON THE PICTURE TO MAKE IT LARGER
HOW TO STAY YOUNG
1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay 'them'
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. 'An idle mind is the devil's workshop.'
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person, who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love , whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county; to a foreign country but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
AND ALWAYS REMEMBER :
Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.
And if you don't send this to at least 8 people - who cares?
But do share this with someone.
We all need to live life to its fullest each day!!
Worry about nothing, pray about everything!!!
Saturday, November 21, 2009
Hope VI should have gone to local contractors
Construction problems with Hope VI homes is just another example and should be a lesson learned about acceptance of the low bid.
It would be very difficult for a contractor to come from another town, pay for the crew to eat and have a place to sleep and also be able to do the job correctly. Of course they are going to take every shortcut that can be imagined.
Local contractors should be the ones selected to do work inside the city. We are the ones that live here, pay taxes here and spend our money here. It is really sad when this much money leaves Kingsport to be spent in another town, especially with the economy being as it is. Had this been a local contractor, I really doubt these problems would be in existence, and while we are not perfect, we do take pride in our work, and should a problem arise it is usually very quickly resolved.
If they are really a good contractor, why do they not have work going in their own hometown? Our company would not have the time to go to another town to work. This is not the only project given to the low bidder that is going to result in problems. We have seen some other work in progress, and it is just a matter of time.
Marsha Vanderpool
Kingsport
It would be very difficult for a contractor to come from another town, pay for the crew to eat and have a place to sleep and also be able to do the job correctly. Of course they are going to take every shortcut that can be imagined.
Local contractors should be the ones selected to do work inside the city. We are the ones that live here, pay taxes here and spend our money here. It is really sad when this much money leaves Kingsport to be spent in another town, especially with the economy being as it is. Had this been a local contractor, I really doubt these problems would be in existence, and while we are not perfect, we do take pride in our work, and should a problem arise it is usually very quickly resolved.
If they are really a good contractor, why do they not have work going in their own hometown? Our company would not have the time to go to another town to work. This is not the only project given to the low bidder that is going to result in problems. We have seen some other work in progress, and it is just a matter of time.
Marsha Vanderpool
Kingsport
Thursday, November 19, 2009
The History of APRONS
FROM ROBERTA LANAUZE AND VIRGINIA HANKINS:
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing
hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
REMEMBER:
Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.
I don't think our kids know what an apron is.
The principal use of Grandma's apron was to protect the dress underneath,because she only had a few,it was easier to wash aprons than dresses and they used less material, but along with that, it served as a potholder for removing hot pans from the oven.
It was wonderful for drying children's tears, and on occasion was even used for cleaning out dirty ears.
From the chicken coop, the apron was used for carrying eggs, fussy chicks, and sometimes half-hatched eggs to be finished in the warming oven.
When company came, those aprons were ideal hiding places for shy kids.
And when the weather was cold grandma wrapped it around her arms.
Those big old aprons wiped many a perspiring brow, bent over the hot wood stove.
Chips and kindling wood were brought into the kitchen in that apron.
From the garden, it carried all sorts of vegetables.
After the peas had been shelled, it carried out the hulls.
In the fall, the apron was used to bring in apples that had fallen from the trees.
When unexpected company drove up the road, it was surprising how much furniture that old apron could dust in a matter of seconds.
When dinner was ready, Grandma walked out onto the porch, waved her apron, and the menfolks knew it was time to come in from the fields to dinner.
It will be a long time before someone invents something that will replace that 'old-time apron' that served so many purposes.
REMEMBER:Grandma used to set her hot baked apple pies on the window sill to cool. Her granddaughters set theirs on the window sill to thaw.
They would go crazy now trying to figure out how many germs were on that apron.
I don't think I ever caught anything from an apron.
Sunday, November 8, 2009
Written history of city’s black community would showcase legacy of Douglass High
By DR. ROSEMARY GRAY
Dr. Gray is a 1964 Douglass High School graduate and vice president of Special Services and Equity at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, La.
OP-ED LETTER COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS; PHOTOS COURTESY THE DOUGLASS WEBSITE
I read the October 21 article on the Douglass Sons and Daughters’ Web site entitled "Artwork at the New V.O. Dobbins Center: The Sky’s The Limit.” I read further to see what types of art would be included in my former high school, remembering that Martha Beverly, cultural arts coordinator for the City of Kingsport, said: “The sky’s the limit on the artwork we can bring to the new V.O. Dobbins Center.”
I began to reflect on my experiences at Douglass High School, beginning in the eighth grade in 1959 and graduating in 1964. My host family was the Wilbur Hendricks Sr. family when I needed to participate in after-school activities that lasted longer than the school day. I was from Gate City, and my bus left as soon as school was out.
My Douglass High School experiences contributed greatly to my knowledge, background, and experiences which helped me educationally, socially, and culturally because I not only interacted with a larger black population, but with students at Dobyns-Bennett and surrounding areas as I participated in essay and public speaking contests and was vice mayor for the day during an event sponsored by the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
REV. AND MRS. C.E. EDGE
My favorite place to eat was Edge’s Place, where we would listen to Rev. Edge’s lectures counseling us on life as we stood in line for one of his hamburgers. The topics varied, depending on what had happened in the neighborhood the night before or what was in the news that he thought we needed to know about.
All of our teachers taught more than the lessons in our books, but demanded and commanded our attention to these lessons. You would have to have experienced the community leaders that I interacted with, both black and white, as I completed my well-rounded educational experiences in the Douglass High School community. The current leaders you all know in the Kingsport-Gate City area are a direct result of what we all experienced as young people attending Douglass High School: a sense of community. I do not want to forget my 24 other classmates in the Class of 1964 who supported me and each other as we acted our way through school, played in the school band, sang in the chorus, participated as basketball cheerleaders and in our student government activities, and studied our high school subjects. You could hear a pin drop in our classes because of the attention expectations of our teachers when it was time to learn.
The Douglass High School community I remember was a strong supporter of education and community involvement — an educational community that was not limited to the historical grounds of Douglass High school. It extended to our churches in the city of Kingsport and to the communities in the surrounding areas. May I suggest that a creative way to showcase the legacy of what Douglass High School meant to the city of Kingsport during our day and to the black community? It goes beyond the Tiger paws and memorabilia such as pictures, trophies, and furniture.
We need a written history about the black community that we all knew with artwork that depicts our stories, our lives, the vocation and work of our community and school leaders by either local writers or artists or regional or national artists; perhaps even a room dedicated to guest artists. When Douglass alums return to their alma mater, regardless of the renovations and changes to our school, we want to see the history of our legacy in print and visually that depicts what made us who we are today and the generations that followed. I respectfully request that the coordinators of the renovation of the V.O. Dobbins Center consider some additional written and visual history of the past and current lives and stories of the Kingsport black community during the years that Douglass High School existed. I, too, am excited about the possibility of quality and historical artwork that reflects the era in which Douglass existed and the impact it made on the Kingsport and surrounding communities.
Dr. Gray is a 1964 Douglass High School graduate and vice president of Special Services and Equity at McNeese State University, Lake Charles, La.
OP-ED LETTER COURTESY THE KINGSPORT TIMES-NEWS; PHOTOS COURTESY THE DOUGLASS WEBSITE
I read the October 21 article on the Douglass Sons and Daughters’ Web site entitled "Artwork at the New V.O. Dobbins Center: The Sky’s The Limit.” I read further to see what types of art would be included in my former high school, remembering that Martha Beverly, cultural arts coordinator for the City of Kingsport, said: “The sky’s the limit on the artwork we can bring to the new V.O. Dobbins Center.”
I began to reflect on my experiences at Douglass High School, beginning in the eighth grade in 1959 and graduating in 1964. My host family was the Wilbur Hendricks Sr. family when I needed to participate in after-school activities that lasted longer than the school day. I was from Gate City, and my bus left as soon as school was out.
My Douglass High School experiences contributed greatly to my knowledge, background, and experiences which helped me educationally, socially, and culturally because I not only interacted with a larger black population, but with students at Dobyns-Bennett and surrounding areas as I participated in essay and public speaking contests and was vice mayor for the day during an event sponsored by the Kingsport Board of Mayor and Aldermen.
REV. AND MRS. C.E. EDGE
My favorite place to eat was Edge’s Place, where we would listen to Rev. Edge’s lectures counseling us on life as we stood in line for one of his hamburgers. The topics varied, depending on what had happened in the neighborhood the night before or what was in the news that he thought we needed to know about.
All of our teachers taught more than the lessons in our books, but demanded and commanded our attention to these lessons. You would have to have experienced the community leaders that I interacted with, both black and white, as I completed my well-rounded educational experiences in the Douglass High School community. The current leaders you all know in the Kingsport-Gate City area are a direct result of what we all experienced as young people attending Douglass High School: a sense of community. I do not want to forget my 24 other classmates in the Class of 1964 who supported me and each other as we acted our way through school, played in the school band, sang in the chorus, participated as basketball cheerleaders and in our student government activities, and studied our high school subjects. You could hear a pin drop in our classes because of the attention expectations of our teachers when it was time to learn.
The Douglass High School community I remember was a strong supporter of education and community involvement — an educational community that was not limited to the historical grounds of Douglass High school. It extended to our churches in the city of Kingsport and to the communities in the surrounding areas. May I suggest that a creative way to showcase the legacy of what Douglass High School meant to the city of Kingsport during our day and to the black community? It goes beyond the Tiger paws and memorabilia such as pictures, trophies, and furniture.
We need a written history about the black community that we all knew with artwork that depicts our stories, our lives, the vocation and work of our community and school leaders by either local writers or artists or regional or national artists; perhaps even a room dedicated to guest artists. When Douglass alums return to their alma mater, regardless of the renovations and changes to our school, we want to see the history of our legacy in print and visually that depicts what made us who we are today and the generations that followed. I respectfully request that the coordinators of the renovation of the V.O. Dobbins Center consider some additional written and visual history of the past and current lives and stories of the Kingsport black community during the years that Douglass High School existed. I, too, am excited about the possibility of quality and historical artwork that reflects the era in which Douglass existed and the impact it made on the Kingsport and surrounding communities.
Sunday, November 1, 2009
Letter To The Editor: Gave Neighborhood Back
Re: Community policing. Just a quick note to say thank you for your hard work that gave our neighborhood back to us, Officer Clark and Officer Coffey.
Cecilia Henderson Kingsport
Cecilia Henderson Kingsport
Letter To The Editor: For Riverview, new housing, old woes
I was born and raised in the Riverview housing development and was fortunate that although I was from the stereotyped one-parent household, my siblings and I succeeded through the strong direction and guidance of our mother and never had to live in public housing after we became adults and left the area.
After reading the announcement that the housing in Riverview will now be rental properties, I was just sickened and saddened by that news. Living in a major metropolitan city now, I have seen the outcome of building new project housing. While the property is new, the same problems, way of life and government programs do not solve any of the issues that were in place when the projects were torn down. I thought the whole project was about home ownership, work and pride in what you can own, and beginning anew with a generation of hope.
If in the end, Riverview is back to rental properties, then the government could have just renovated the apartments and kept the same police precinct and presence that will once again be needed. I’ve had a strong desire to move back to the area, in particular Riverview and live. There’s no way now after hearing about the change in the criteria of building the properties that I want to retire and come back home. Maybe you can show me a different perspective, but it seems always the same perpetual wheel. One neighborhood gets the new homes, people can buy and have home ownership, the other neighborhood gets what’s left again because of economic times — rental property. After you’ve uprooted family lives, you say they can come back now to the same old way of life and live in a brand new rental property furnished by the government.
Patricia Leeper Calloway
Atlanta, Ga.
After reading the announcement that the housing in Riverview will now be rental properties, I was just sickened and saddened by that news. Living in a major metropolitan city now, I have seen the outcome of building new project housing. While the property is new, the same problems, way of life and government programs do not solve any of the issues that were in place when the projects were torn down. I thought the whole project was about home ownership, work and pride in what you can own, and beginning anew with a generation of hope.
If in the end, Riverview is back to rental properties, then the government could have just renovated the apartments and kept the same police precinct and presence that will once again be needed. I’ve had a strong desire to move back to the area, in particular Riverview and live. There’s no way now after hearing about the change in the criteria of building the properties that I want to retire and come back home. Maybe you can show me a different perspective, but it seems always the same perpetual wheel. One neighborhood gets the new homes, people can buy and have home ownership, the other neighborhood gets what’s left again because of economic times — rental property. After you’ve uprooted family lives, you say they can come back now to the same old way of life and live in a brand new rental property furnished by the government.
Patricia Leeper Calloway
Atlanta, Ga.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Concentrate on this Sentence
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.
Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 2009
'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence... 'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'
There comes a point in your life when you realize:
Who matters,
Who never did,
Who won't anymore...
And who always will.
So, don't worry about people from your past,
there's a reason why they didn't make it to your future.
Give these flowers to everyone you don't want to lose in 2009
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
I WISH YOU ENOUGH
Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'
He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE....
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'
He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE....
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.
Recently I overheard a Father and daughter in their last moments together at the airport. They had announced the departure.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'
He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE....
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.
Standing near the security gate, they hugged and the Father said, 'I love you, and I wish you enough.'
The daughter replied, 'Dad, our life together has been more than enough. Your love is all I ever needed. I wish you enough, too, Dad.'
They kissed and the daughter left. The Father walked over to the window where I was seated. Standing there I could see he wanted and needed to cry. I tried not to intrude on his privacy, but he welcomed me in by asking, 'Did you ever say good-bye to someone knowing it would be forever?'
'Yes, I have,' I replied. 'Forgive me for asking, but why is this a forever good-bye?'.
'I am old, and she lives so far away. I have challenges ahead and the reality is - the next trip back will be for my funeral,' he said.
'When you were saying good-bye, I heard you say, 'I wish you enough.' May I ask what that means?'
He began to smile. 'That's a wish that has been handed down from other generations. My parents used to say it to everyone...' He paused a moment and looked up as if trying to remember it in detail, and he smiled even more. 'When we said, 'I wish you enough,' we wanted the other person to have a life filled with just enough good things to sustain them.' Then turning toward me, he shared the following as if he were reciting it from memory.
I wish you enough sun to keep your attitude bright no matter how gray the day may appear.
I wish you enough rain to appreciate the sun even more.
I wish you enough happiness to keep your spirit alive and everlasting.
I wish you enough pain so that even the smallest of joys in life may appear bigger.
I wish you enough gain to satisfy your wanting.
I wish you enough loss to appreciate all that you possess.
I wish you enough hellos to get you through the final good-bye.
He then began to cry and walked away.
They say it takes a minute to find a special person, an hour to appreciate them, a day to love them; but then an entire life to forget them.
* Only if you wish send this to the people you will never forget and remember to send it back to the person who sent it to you. If you don't send it to anyone it may mean that you are in such a hurry that you have forgotten your friends.
TAKE TIME TO LIVE....
To all my friends and loved ones,
I WISH YOU ENOUGH.
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
To Our Really OLD Friends LOL!!
FROM ROBERTA LANAUZE (SEE HOW MANY YOU CAN IDENTIFY WITH):
Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favorite
fast food when you were growing up?'
'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him.
'All the food was slow.'
'C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?'
'It was a place called 'at home,'' I explained.. !
'Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
By this tim e, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his system could have handled it :
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore Levis , set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country or had a credit card.
In their later years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck Or maybe it was Sears & Roebuck..
Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore. Maybe he died.
My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow).
We didn't have a television in our house until I was 19.
It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m. and there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people.
I was 21 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called 'pizza pie.'
When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned that, too. It's still the best pizza I ever had.
I never had a telephone in my room.
The only phone in the house was in the living room and it was on a party line. Before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn't know weren't already using the line.
Pizzas were not delivered to our home. But milk was.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers --my brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. It cost 7 cents a paper, of which he got to keep 2 cents. He had to get up at 6AM every morning.
On Saturday, he had to collect the 42 cents from his cus tom ers. His favorite cus tom ers were the ones who gave him 50 cents and told him to keep the change. His least favorite cus tom ers were the ones who seemed to never be home on collection day.
Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the movies. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything offensive.
If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing.
Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
MEMORIES from a friend :
My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old Royal Crown Cola bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it.. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old.
How many do you remember?
Head lights dimmer switches on the floor.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.
Real ice boxes.
Pant leg clips for bicycles without chain 0A guards.
Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn signals
Older Than Dirt Quiz :
Count all the ones that you remember not the ones you were told about.
Ratings at the bot tom .
1. Blackjack chewing gum
2.Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
3. Candy cigarettes
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles
5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke boxes
6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
7. Party lines on the telephone
8. Newsreels before the movie
9. P.F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning. (there were only 3 channels [if you were fortunate])
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45 RPM records
15. S& H greenstamps
16. Hi-fi's
17. Metal ice trays with lever
18. Mimeograph paper
19. Blue flashbulb
20. Packards
21. Roller skate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-ins
24. Studebakers
25. Wash tub wringers
If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age,
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!
I might be older than dirt but those memories are some of the best parts of my life.
Don't forget to pass this along!!
Especially to all your really OLD friends...
Someone asked the other day, 'What was your favorite
fast food when you were growing up?'
'We didn't have fast food when I was growing up,' I informed him.
'All the food was slow.'
'C'mon, seriously. Where did you eat?'
'It was a place called 'at home,'' I explained.. !
'Mom cooked every day and when Dad got home from work, we sat down together at the dining room table, and if I didn't like what she put on my plate I was allowed to sit there until I did like it.'
By this tim e, the kid was laughing so hard I was afraid he was going to suffer serious internal damage, so I didn't tell him the part about how I had to have permission to leave the table.
But here are some other things I would have told him about my childhood if I figured his system could have handled it :
Some parents NEVER owned their own house, wore Levis , set foot on a golf course, traveled out of the country or had a credit card.
In their later years they had something called a revolving charge card. The card was good only at Sears Roebuck Or maybe it was Sears & Roebuck..
Either way, there is no Roebuck anymore. Maybe he died.
My parents never drove me to soccer practice. This was mostly because we never had heard of soccer. I had a bicycle that weighed probably 50 pounds, and only had one speed, (slow).
We didn't have a television in our house until I was 19.
It was, of course, black and white, and the station went off the air at midnight, after playing the national anthem and a poem about God; it came back on the air at about 6 a.m. and there was usually a locally produced news and farm show on, featuring local people.
I was 21 before I tasted my first pizza, it was called 'pizza pie.'
When I bit into it, I burned the roof of my mouth and the cheese slid off, swung down, plastered itself against my chin and burned that, too. It's still the best pizza I ever had.
I never had a telephone in my room.
The only phone in the house was in the living room and it was on a party line. Before you could dial, you had to listen and make sure some people you didn't know weren't already using the line.
Pizzas were not delivered to our home. But milk was.
All newspapers were delivered by boys and all boys delivered newspapers --my brother delivered a newspaper, six days a week. It cost 7 cents a paper, of which he got to keep 2 cents. He had to get up at 6AM every morning.
On Saturday, he had to collect the 42 cents from his cus tom ers. His favorite cus tom ers were the ones who gave him 50 cents and told him to keep the change. His least favorite cus tom ers were the ones who seemed to never be home on collection day.
Movie stars kissed with their mouths shut. At least, they did in the movies. There were no movie ratings because all movies were responsibly produced for everyone to enjoy viewing, without profanity or violence or most anything offensive.
If you grew up in a generation before there was fast food, you may want to share some of these memories with your children or grandchildren. Just don't blame me if they bust a gut laughing.
Growing up isn't what it used to be, is it?
MEMORIES from a friend :
My Dad is cleaning out my grandmother's house (she died in December) and he brought me an old Royal Crown Cola bottle. In the bottle top was a stopper with a bunch of holes in it.. I knew immediately what it was, but my daughter had no idea. She thought they had tried to make it a salt shaker or something. I knew it as the bottle that sat on the end of the ironing board to 'sprinkle' clothes with because we didn't have steam irons. Man, I am old.
How many do you remember?
Head lights dimmer switches on the floor.
Ignition switches on the dashboard.
Heaters mounted on the inside of the fire wall.
Real ice boxes.
Pant leg clips for bicycles without chain 0A guards.
Soldering irons you heat on a gas burner.
Using hand signals for cars without turn signals
Older Than Dirt Quiz :
Count all the ones that you remember not the ones you were told about.
Ratings at the bot tom .
1. Blackjack chewing gum
2.Wax Coke-shaped bottles with colored sugar water
3. Candy cigarettes
4. Soda pop machines that dispensed glass bottles
5. Coffee shops or diners with tableside juke boxes
6. Home milk delivery in glass bottles with cardboard stoppers
7. Party lines on the telephone
8. Newsreels before the movie
9. P.F. Flyers
10. Butch wax
11. TV test patterns that came on at night after the last show and were there until TV shows started again in the morning. (there were only 3 channels [if you were fortunate])
12. Peashooters
13. Howdy Doody
14. 45 RPM records
15. S& H greenstamps
16. Hi-fi's
17. Metal ice trays with lever
18. Mimeograph paper
19. Blue flashbulb
20. Packards
21. Roller skate keys
22. Cork popguns
23. Drive-ins
24. Studebakers
25. Wash tub wringers
If you remembered 0-5 = You're still young
If you remembered 6-10 = You are getting older
If you remembered 11-15 = Don't tell your age,
If you remembered 16-25 = You're older than dirt!
I might be older than dirt but those memories are some of the best parts of my life.
Don't forget to pass this along!!
Especially to all your really OLD friends...
Monday, October 19, 2009
Have a History Teacher Explain This----- If They Can.
FROM THELMA WATTERSON:
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Now it gets really weird.
Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Now hang on to your seat.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the kicker...
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
Creepy huh?.. Hey, this is one history lesson people don't mind reading.
Abraham Lincoln was elected to Congress in 1846.
John F. Kennedy was elected to Congress in 1946.
Abraham Lincoln was elected President in 1860.
John F. Kennedy was elected President in 1960.
Both were particularly concerned with civil rights.
Both wives lost their children while living in the White House.
Both Presidents were shot on a Friday.
Both Presidents were shot in the head.
Now it gets really weird.
Lincoln's secretary was named Kennedy.
Kennedy's Secretary was named Lincoln.
Both were assassinated by Southerners.
Both were succeeded by Southerners named Johnson.
Andrew Johnson, who succeeded Lincoln, was born in 1808.
Lyndon Johnson, who succeeded Kennedy, was born in 1908.
John Wilkes Booth, who assassinated Lincoln, was born in 1839.
Lee Harvey Oswald, who assassinated Kennedy, was born in 1939.
Both assassins were known by their three names.
Both names are composed of fifteen letters.
Now hang on to your seat.
Lincoln was shot at the theater named 'Ford.'
Kennedy was shot in a car called 'Lincoln' made by 'Ford.'
Lincoln was shot in a theater and his assassin ran and hid in a warehouse.
Kennedy was shot from a warehouse and his assassin ran and hid in a theater.
Booth and Oswald were assassinated before their trials.
And here's the kicker...
A week before Lincoln was shot, he was in Monroe, Maryland
A week before Kennedy was shot, he was with Marilyn Monroe.
Creepy huh?.. Hey, this is one history lesson people don't mind reading.
Tuesday, October 13, 2009
Subject: : H1N1 (Swine Flu) Prevention
FROM RHONDA NOLLY, VIA BERT LANAUZE:
I received this information from a prominent Doctor. He suggests the following while you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1:
Frequent hand-washing.
"Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face unless you want to eat or bathe.
Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after inital infection in the throatnasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, salt and water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
Blow your nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water solution. Very effective in bringing down viral population.
Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
Drink as much warm liquid as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in reverse. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
Happy breathing!
Chief
Sun City Center Emergency Squad
I received this information from a prominent Doctor. He suggests the following while you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1:
Frequent hand-washing.
"Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of the face unless you want to eat or bathe.
Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1 takes 2-3 days after inital infection in the throatnasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, salt and water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
Blow your nose hard once a day and swab both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water solution. Very effective in bringing down viral population.
Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C. If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.
Drink as much warm liquid as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in reverse. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.
Happy breathing!
Chief
Sun City Center Emergency Squad
Monday, September 28, 2009
Glenn Beck Shouldn't Be On the Air
Glenn Beck continues to attack the president by using hateful rhetoric that is designed to play on people’s fears. He uses racial fear and paranoia in an attempt to divide the county. He does this by distorting the facts and by pushing his agenda on his Tea Party supporters. He has stated that President Obama “is, I believe, a racist,” a statement he subsequently claimed to stand by in spite of growing criticism. His show is not real news and should be taken off the air.
Joseph Comage Mount Carmel
Joseph Comage Mount Carmel
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Friday, September 11, 2009
No way to treat a president
Eugene Robinson’s e-mail address is eugenerobinson@washpost.com.
WASHINGTON — Anyone who watched Wednesday night (September 9, 2009) as President Obama explained his health care reform proposals to Congress saw a chief executive making what sounded like a genuine appeal for bipartisanship — and his opponents behaving like a bunch of spoiled first-graders. Obama should ignore them, even if they hold their breath until they turn blue.
House Republicans were particularly ostentatious in showing their disrespect not just for Obama, but for the office he holds. The outburst by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina — who shouted “You lie!” when Obama said his plan would not cover illegal immigrants — was only the most egregious display of contempt. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the House minority whip, fiddled with his BlackBerry while the commander in chief was speaking. Other Republicans made a show of waving copies of their own alleged reform plan, which isn’t really a plan at all.
And Rep. Louis Gohmert of Texas waved hand-lettered signs at the president, as if he thought he were attending one of those made-for-television town-hall meetings rather than a solemn gathering of the nation’s highest elected officials.
Throughout the speech, there was grumbling, mugging and eye-rolling on the Republican side that was not only undignified but frankly un-American. When I was a correspondent in London, I covered far more raucous sessions of the British House of Commons — that’s how Parliament treats the prime minister, who is the head of government. In the United States, that simply is not how Congress treats the president, who is the head of state.
Congress didn’t heckle Lyndon Johnson like that during the Vietnam War or Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.
Congress didn’t even show that kind of bitterness and aggression toward George W. Bush, who did lie — specifically, about the intelligence that his administration relied on to justify an unnecessary war that has cost 4,300 American lives and enough money to fund Obama’s health care proposals for a decade.
Wilson issued a statement of apology after the speech, saying he had “let my emotions get the best of me” and calling his interjection “inappropriate and regrettable.” As apologies go, it sounded insincere — a variant of the “mistakes were made” dodge. In fact, however, the right-wing Republicans in Congress, especially those in the House, are all too sincere. And that’s the problem.
Last November’s election so wounded the GOP that the nation is now suffering collateral damage. The Republicans who were punished at the polls for the failures of the Bush years were those in the most evenly contested districts, which meant they tended to be relatively moderate. Those who represent solidly Republican districts were safe, and their greatest fear isn’t being defeated by a Democrat next fall but being challenged by a primary opponent who’s even more of a right-wing yahoo.
There are quite a few Democratic pragmatists in Congress — which is why health care reform is being worked over so thoroughly by the Blue Dogs. In the Republican ranks, especially in the House, pragmatists are few and ideologues are legion. Many of them probably believe the nonsense they spout about creeping socialism and an urgent threat to America As We Know It. But it’s still nonsense. The ideologues’ sincerity just makes this toxic rhetoric more dangerous.
You will note that I have not yet mentioned race. For the record, I suspect that Obama’s race leads some of his critics to feel they have permission to deny him the legitimacy, stature and common courtesy that are any president’s due. I can’t prove this, however. And if I’m right, what’s anybody supposed to do about it? There’s no way to compel people to search their souls for traces of conscious or unconscious racial bias. We could have an interesting discussion about the historical image of the black man in American society, but that wouldn’t get us any closer to universal health care.
What will get us closer, I believe, is the clear, steely resolve that Obama showed the nation Wednesday. His most important line, I thought, came near the beginning: “I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.”
He told those of us who support a public health insurance option that we might have to settle for something less. He threw Republicans a bone on tort reform. And he drew one bright line in the sand: Throw spitballs all you want, but this will be done.
WASHINGTON — Anyone who watched Wednesday night (September 9, 2009) as President Obama explained his health care reform proposals to Congress saw a chief executive making what sounded like a genuine appeal for bipartisanship — and his opponents behaving like a bunch of spoiled first-graders. Obama should ignore them, even if they hold their breath until they turn blue.
House Republicans were particularly ostentatious in showing their disrespect not just for Obama, but for the office he holds. The outburst by Rep. Joe Wilson of South Carolina — who shouted “You lie!” when Obama said his plan would not cover illegal immigrants — was only the most egregious display of contempt. Rep. Eric Cantor of Virginia, the House minority whip, fiddled with his BlackBerry while the commander in chief was speaking. Other Republicans made a show of waving copies of their own alleged reform plan, which isn’t really a plan at all. And Rep. Louis Gohmert of Texas waved hand-lettered signs at the president, as if he thought he were attending one of those made-for-television town-hall meetings rather than a solemn gathering of the nation’s highest elected officials.
Throughout the speech, there was grumbling, mugging and eye-rolling on the Republican side that was not only undignified but frankly un-American. When I was a correspondent in London, I covered far more raucous sessions of the British House of Commons — that’s how Parliament treats the prime minister, who is the head of government. In the United States, that simply is not how Congress treats the president, who is the head of state.
Congress didn’t heckle Lyndon Johnson like that during the Vietnam War or Richard Nixon during the Watergate scandal.
Congress didn’t even show that kind of bitterness and aggression toward George W. Bush, who did lie — specifically, about the intelligence that his administration relied on to justify an unnecessary war that has cost 4,300 American lives and enough money to fund Obama’s health care proposals for a decade.
Wilson issued a statement of apology after the speech, saying he had “let my emotions get the best of me” and calling his interjection “inappropriate and regrettable.” As apologies go, it sounded insincere — a variant of the “mistakes were made” dodge. In fact, however, the right-wing Republicans in Congress, especially those in the House, are all too sincere. And that’s the problem.
Last November’s election so wounded the GOP that the nation is now suffering collateral damage. The Republicans who were punished at the polls for the failures of the Bush years were those in the most evenly contested districts, which meant they tended to be relatively moderate. Those who represent solidly Republican districts were safe, and their greatest fear isn’t being defeated by a Democrat next fall but being challenged by a primary opponent who’s even more of a right-wing yahoo.
There are quite a few Democratic pragmatists in Congress — which is why health care reform is being worked over so thoroughly by the Blue Dogs. In the Republican ranks, especially in the House, pragmatists are few and ideologues are legion. Many of them probably believe the nonsense they spout about creeping socialism and an urgent threat to America As We Know It. But it’s still nonsense. The ideologues’ sincerity just makes this toxic rhetoric more dangerous.
You will note that I have not yet mentioned race. For the record, I suspect that Obama’s race leads some of his critics to feel they have permission to deny him the legitimacy, stature and common courtesy that are any president’s due. I can’t prove this, however. And if I’m right, what’s anybody supposed to do about it? There’s no way to compel people to search their souls for traces of conscious or unconscious racial bias. We could have an interesting discussion about the historical image of the black man in American society, but that wouldn’t get us any closer to universal health care.
What will get us closer, I believe, is the clear, steely resolve that Obama showed the nation Wednesday. His most important line, I thought, came near the beginning: “I am not the first president to take up this cause, but I am determined to be the last.”
He told those of us who support a public health insurance option that we might have to settle for something less. He threw Republicans a bone on tort reform. And he drew one bright line in the sand: Throw spitballs all you want, but this will be done.
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Please Explain This To Me
Is there anybody that can explain the uproar about our President speaking to the children of our nation?
The letters to the editor, the man-on-the-street interviews and the talk going around in the upper East Tennessee news media, has been that President Obama would try to bend the minds of little children, to his "political agenda."
What he DID was encourage our young people to study hard, report bullies, excell in school, and continue to try and achieve success.
That's all he did.
I pity the people who took their children out of school, and I also pity school systems like Scott County, Virginia, who refused to air the speech. Did they also block out Reppublican speeches by both Presidents Bush, and Reagan when they spoke to school children about the same thing as President Obama? Did parents take their children out of school then, fearful of their young ones hearing "political propaganda?"
No folks... they did not.
Maybe it was different this time.. the presidential speechmaker is a Black Man. Is it so different this time, hearing the same speech from a Black Man? Read the letters to the editor, listen to the rhetoric.. those who would disagree with President Obama on an educational message to schoolchildren that was absolutely no threat at all, will continue to disagree with President Obama on anything and EVERYTHING.
We STILL have a long way to go in this country in terms of racial relations, and our little corner of the world simply continues to amaze.
No, not eye-opening, jaw-dropping amazement.
I'm talking, wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night, 70-mile-per-hour brickwall-slamming, 6.0-on-the-Richter-Scale, Category-5, earth-shattering amazement.
My fear is.. while the rest of the country adjusts and accepts change, this little corner of the world will, and may always be... out of step with the rest of America.
---Calvin
The letters to the editor, the man-on-the-street interviews and the talk going around in the upper East Tennessee news media, has been that President Obama would try to bend the minds of little children, to his "political agenda."
What he DID was encourage our young people to study hard, report bullies, excell in school, and continue to try and achieve success.That's all he did.
I pity the people who took their children out of school, and I also pity school systems like Scott County, Virginia, who refused to air the speech. Did they also block out Reppublican speeches by both Presidents Bush, and Reagan when they spoke to school children about the same thing as President Obama? Did parents take their children out of school then, fearful of their young ones hearing "political propaganda?"
No folks... they did not.
Maybe it was different this time.. the presidential speechmaker is a Black Man. Is it so different this time, hearing the same speech from a Black Man? Read the letters to the editor, listen to the rhetoric.. those who would disagree with President Obama on an educational message to schoolchildren that was absolutely no threat at all, will continue to disagree with President Obama on anything and EVERYTHING.
We STILL have a long way to go in this country in terms of racial relations, and our little corner of the world simply continues to amaze.
No, not eye-opening, jaw-dropping amazement.
I'm talking, wake-up-in-the-middle-of-the-night, 70-mile-per-hour brickwall-slamming, 6.0-on-the-Richter-Scale, Category-5, earth-shattering amazement.
My fear is.. while the rest of the country adjusts and accepts change, this little corner of the world will, and may always be... out of step with the rest of America.
---Calvin
Tuesday, September 8, 2009
Sunday, September 6, 2009
TATER PEOPLE: What Kind Are You?
FROM MELVA COOKE:
Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to
watch while others do the work.
They are called "Speck Taters".
Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault
with the way others do the work.
They are called "Comment Taters".
Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don't want to soil their own hands.
They are called "Dick Taters".
Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet.
They are called "Agie Taters".
There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help.
They are called "Hezzie Taters".
Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not.
They are called "Emma Taters".
Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will.
They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others.
They are called "Sweet Taters".
If you know any "Sweet Taters", send them this!
Some people never seem motivated to participate, but are just content to
watch while others do the work.
They are called "Speck Taters".
Some people never do anything to help, but are gifted at finding fault
with the way others do the work.
They are called "Comment Taters".
Some people are very bossy and like to tell others what to do, but don't want to soil their own hands.
They are called "Dick Taters".
Some people are always looking to cause problems by asking others to agree with them. It is too hot or too cold, too sour or too sweet.
They are called "Agie Taters".
There are those who say they will help, but somehow just never get around to actually doing the promised help.
They are called "Hezzie Taters".
Some people can put up a front and pretend to be someone they are not.
They are called "Emma Taters".
Then there are those who love others and do what they say they will.
They are always prepared to stop whatever they are doing and lend a helping hand. They bring real sunshine into the lives of others.
They are called "Sweet Taters".
If you know any "Sweet Taters", send them this!
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
A Challenge We Should All Take
A physics teacher in high school, once told the students that while one grasshopper on the railroad tracks wouldn't slow a train very much, a billion of them would. With that thought in mind, read the following, obviously written by a good American .
Good idea... one light bulb at a time..
Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in the USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest.. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio..
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here..
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets.. yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago..
Let's get with the program.. help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
Good idea... one light bulb at a time..
Check this out . I can verify this because I was in Lowe's the other day for some reason and just for the heck of it I was looking at the hose attachments . They were all made in China . The next day I was in Ace Hardware and just for the heck of it I checked the hose attachments there. They were made in the USA. Start looking.
In our current economic situation, every little thing we buy or do affects someone else - even their job. So, after reading this email, I think this lady is on the right track. Let's get behind her!
My grandson likes Hershey's candy. I noticed, though, that it is marked made in Mexico now. I do not buy it any more. My favorite toothpaste Colgate is made in Mexico now. I have switched to Crest.. You have to read the labels on everything.
This past weekend I was at Kroger. I needed 60W light bulbs and Bounce dryer sheets. I was in the light bulb aisle, and right next to the GE brand I normally buy was an off brand labeled, "Everyday Value." I picked up both types of bulbs and compared the stats - they were the same except for the price. The GE bulbs were more money than the Everyday Value brand, but the thing that surprised me the most was the fact that GE was made in MEXICO and the Everyday Value brand was made in - get ready for this - the USA in a company in Cleveland, Ohio..
So throw out the myth that you cannot find products you use every day that are made right here..
So on to another aisle - Bounce Dryer Sheets.. yep, you guessed it, Bounce cost more money and is made in Canada. The Everyday Value brand was less money and MADE IN THE USA! I did laundry yesterday and the dryer sheets performed just like the Bounce Free I have been using for years and at almost half the price!
My challenge to you is to start reading the labels when you shop for everyday things and see what you can find that is made in the USA - the job you save may be your own or your neighbors!
If you accept the challenge, pass this on to others in your address book so we can all start buying American, one light bulb at a time! Stop buying from overseas companies!
We should have awakened a decade ago..
Let's get with the program.. help our fellow Americans keep their jobs and create more jobs here in the U.S.A.
READ EACH SENTENCE SLOWLY AND THINK ABOUT IT.
Love starts with a smile, grows with a kiss, and ends with a tear.
Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you.
Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.
Don't let the past hold you back, you're missing the good stuff.
BEST FRIENDS are the siblings God forgot to give us.
When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your BEST FRIEND will be there.
Send this on to everyone special in your life, even the people who really make you mad sometimes and to the people whose lives you want to be in!!!
And send it back to the person who sent it to you if they mean something to you!!
Remember, every minute spent angry is sixty seconds of happiness wasted.
Don't cry over anyone who won't cry over you.
Good friends are hard to find, harder to leave, and impossible to forget.
Don't let the past hold you back, you're missing the good stuff.
BEST FRIENDS are the siblings God forgot to give us.
When it hurts to look back, and you're scared to look ahead, you can look beside you and your BEST FRIEND will be there.
Send this on to everyone special in your life, even the people who really make you mad sometimes and to the people whose lives you want to be in!!!
And send it back to the person who sent it to you if they mean something to you!!
Remember, every minute spent angry is sixty seconds of happiness wasted.
On a Saturday night several weeks ago, this pastor was working late, and decided to call his wife before he left for home. It was about 10:00 PM, but his wife didn't
answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry way.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said,
'It rang and rang, but I didn't answer.' The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, 'That's, OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're
there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'.
I was afraid to answer!'
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from 'Almighty God' is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
If you believe that God answers prayers then pass this on.
God bless!
answer the phone.
The pastor let the phone ring many times. He thought it was odd that she didn't answer, but decided to wrap up a few things and try again in a few minutes. When he tried again, she answered right away. He asked her why she hadn't answered before, and she said that it hadn't rung at their house. They brushed it off as a fluke and went on their merry way.
The following Monday, the pastor received a call at the church office, which was the phone that he'd used that Saturday night. The man that he spoke with wanted to know why he'd called on Saturday night.
The pastor couldn't figure out what the man was talking about. Then the man said,
'It rang and rang, but I didn't answer.' The pastor remembered the mishap and apologized for disturbing him, explaining that he'd intended to call his wife.
The man said, 'That's, OK. Let me tell you my story. You see, I was planning to commit suicide on Saturday night, but before I did, I prayed, 'God if you're
there, and you don't want me to do this, give me a sign now.' At that point my phone started to ring. I looked at the caller ID, and it said, 'Almighty God'.
I was afraid to answer!'
The reason why it showed on the man's caller ID that the call came from 'Almighty God' is because the church that the pastor attends is called Almighty God Tabernacle!!
If you believe that God answers prayers then pass this on.
God bless!
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Blog Comments to Story on Urban League Phyllis Y. Nichols Resigning the Knoxville Rotary Club
Preacherdannie writes:
so, what was said? was it really racist?
PJHarvey writes:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
Basil writes:
I guess the Rotary membership door swings out as well as in.
rlockey writes:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
jlc_62454#621340 writes:
in response to PJHarvey:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
You can be offended by anything you choose to be offended by. If we have to live our life trying not to offend someone, then we would all have to just stay home, because some people can be offended by anything.
tkdmavrick#407157 writes:
Mike Tyson is not what one would call a "model citizen", so it is easy to imagine jokes about him. But the story itself doesn't indicate what was said, so people can't form an opinion, as to the comment by Joe Johnson really being racist, or Phyliss Nichols being overly sensitive.
I remember a video clip of a town council somewhere where they were discussing their budget, a while council member used the term "niggardly" referring to someone as "miserly". The black council member got highly offended because he thought the word referred to something racist. Who was ignorant? Should the black guy learn the correct meaning of the word? Should the white guy have beem more "sensitive" because the black guy was ignorant of the correct meaning?
Without further reporting no one can tell what was really said and meant.
Normal writes:
in response to PJHarvey:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
I am deeply offended by your comment and am reporting it to the authorities.
rlockey writes:
in response to tkdmavrick#407157:
Mike Tyson is not what one would call a "model citizen", so it is easy to imagine jokes about him. But the story itself doesn't indicate what was said, so people can't form an opinion, as to the comment by Joe Johnson really being racist, or Phyliss Nichols being overly sensitive.
I remember a video clip of a town council somewhere where they were discussing their budget, a while council member used the term "niggardly" referring to someone as "miserly". The black council member got highly offended because he thought the word referred to something racist. Who was ignorant? Should the black guy learn the correct meaning of the word? Should the white guy have beem more "sensitive" because the black guy was ignorant of the correct meaning?
Without further reporting no one can tell what was really said and meant.
I'll take that thought further. Regardless of whatever was said, they were just words and meant as a joke. If we all would just Cowboy the xxxx up and grow up, we might move forward. Pitching a fit by storming out and resigning is about as childlike as you can get. Perhaps Ms. Nichols was not mature enough to hold the position she held and maybe now, someone who may be able to move forward will be appointed.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
You can't really tell her to lighten up if you don't know what was said. Also you cannot tell people what they should and should not be offended by. If they are offended, they are offended.
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
You can't really tell her to lighten up if you don't know what was said. Also you cannot tell people what they should and should not be offended by. If they are offended, they are offended.
I never said she shouldn't have been offended. Storming off and resigning was childish. This could have and should have been handled more maturely. Offended has different meaning to all of us. Some, like myself, have a high tolerance and some do not. However, since there is no set level, we all need to learn how to handle and calmly inform the offending party how you feel. That is the adult way to handle this situation.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
I'll take that thought further. Regardless of whatever was said, they were just words and meant as a joke. If we all would just Cowboy the xxxx up and grow up, we might move forward. Pitching a fit by storming out and resigning is about as childlike as you can get. Perhaps Ms. Nichols was not mature enough to hold the position she held and maybe now, someone who may be able to move forward will be appointed.
I didn't read anything in the article that indicated she "stormed out" or "pitched a fit". She made a personal decision that this club was not a good fit for her and even paid her respects to the organization as a whole. Calm down.
papabob writes:
in response to rlockey:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
rlockey,I agree with you in substance but not in principle.
Untill people learn that negative implications both ethnic and racial are offensive to others,we won't move very far forward.
Maybe some are just too sensitive,but that is just the way life. I would say that many are just too insensitive.
I grew up in a small town with many diferent nationalities and ethnic groups.
The best way to get your chops busted was to denigrate someone because of where their parents or grandparents came from or their manner of speech.The chop busting didn't come from the offended,it came from your parents.
We called it just plain old good manners or courtesy to not carry our prejudices out on the street.That is what seems to be missing here.
Of course that seems to be missing in a great part of our "American" culture. "In your face" is the name of the game today.
"Get over it" is always the answer unless we are the ones told to "get over it."
I would say to Mr Johnson; "This is the twenty first century,not the nineteenth ot early twentieth,so get over it."
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
I didn't read anything in the article that indicated she "stormed out" or "pitched a fit". She made a personal decision that this club was not a good fit for her and even paid her respects to the organization as a whole. Calm down.
"Phyllis Y. Nichols walked out after speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
This, to me, states that she got up before he finished his speech (or maybe after but left early all the same). It's ok to get offended but we have to effectively communicate the point if we want anything to change.
No need to ask me to calm down, I'm not excited or riled. I'm just voicing an opinion. I'm sorry if you are offended by my opinion or comments. Please feel free to skip over any further posts I may leave on this subject. That will not offend me in the least.
Enjoy your weekend!
stopignorance writes:
"reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she considered stereotypical mockery of the black dialect"
IF he was talking like Mike Tyson it was probably more mockery of the female voice! Mike Tyson sounds like a girl or small child when he talks. Everybody makes fun of Mike's voice and it has nothing to do with his skin color!! Its because he is a large male boxer with a female voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rlockey writes:
in response to papabob:
rlockey,I agree with you in substance but not in principle.
Untill people learn that negative implications both ethnic and racial are offensive to others,we won't move very far forward.
Maybe some are just too sensitive,but that is just the way life. I would say that many are just too insensitive.
I grew up in a small town with many diferent nationalities and ethnic groups.
The best way to get your chops busted was to denigrate someone because of where their parents or grandparents came from or their manner of speech.The chop busting didn't come from the offended,it came from your parents.
We called it just plain old good manners or courtesy to not carry our prejudices out on the street.That is what seems to be missing here.
Of course that seems to be missing in a great part of our "American" culture. "In your face" is the name of the game today.
"Get over it" is always the answer unless we are the ones told to "get over it."
I would say to Mr Johnson; "This is the twenty first century,not the nineteenth ot early twentieth,so get over it."
We are in agreement. I myself do not think I could be offended by much of anything said at a meeting not said to be purposely abusive. Then again, that's just me. I was toughened on the streets as a Firefighter/Paramedic (as I am sure you knew) so I know I have a thicker skin than most but many people today have some serious issues with effective adult communications. Not sure what the answer is but until we all learn to get along and communicate, we will continue to have these issues.
rlockey writes:
in response to stopignorance:
"reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she considered stereotypical mockery of the black dialect"
IF he was talking like Mike Tyson it was probably more mockery of the female voice! Mike Tyson sounds like a girl or small child when he talks. Everybody makes fun of Mike's voice and it has nothing to do with his skin color!! Its because he is a large male boxer with a female voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've actually heard Mike Tyson make fun of his higher pitched voice before. Nothing new there.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
"Phyllis Y. Nichols walked out after speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
This, to me, states that she got up before he finished his speech (or maybe after but left early all the same). It's ok to get offended but we have to effectively communicate the point if we want anything to change.
No need to ask me to calm down, I'm not excited or riled. I'm just voicing an opinion. I'm sorry if you are offended by my opinion or comments. Please feel free to skip over any further posts I may leave on this subject. That will not offend me in the least.
Enjoy your weekend!
still didn't read anything in the quoted text that said she "stormed" out or "pitched a fit"....but I guess you can infer whatever you like to fit with your opinion of the situation.
You have a great weekend too!
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
still didn't read anything in the quoted text that said she "stormed" out or "pitched a fit"....but I guess you can infer whatever you like to fit with your opinion of the situation.
You have a great weekend too!
No inference intended, we just have two different reading comprehension standards. Guess this article could have been written clearer but that's not a usual characteristic of a newspaper article. I appreciate your opinion and thank you for sharing yours with me as well.
red210 writes:
I bet Nichols, has a chip! and more than likely loves to use the word "racist". People that use that word ALOT needs to check them self!!!...
TN_Engineer writes:
My college having a black alumni group, but not a white or hispanic alumni group offends me.
rlockey writes:
in response to TN_Engineer:
My college having a black alumni group, but not a white or hispanic alumni group offends me.
Have you done anything to change this? Would you be an active member if they did?
5_and_15 writes:
I propose a new rule: when making fun of either Mike Tyson or Brittany Spears, you can say whatever you darn well please.
rlockey writes:
When I have the occasion to speak publicly and need a joke or humorous story, I frequently use myself as the subject (believe me, there is plenty of material to chose from). Hard to get offended when the speaker is making fun of himself. This is something a fellow North Carolinian, Andy Griffin, learned a long time before I started doing it.
docholliday1954 writes:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
oldgrouch writes:
There a many cases where a white group of anything would be racist. those of other races wants it all there way.
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
You got me on that one, I share that offense with you...
Sherry writes:
All I can say is "OH, BROTHER"!
Sherry writes:
I'm offended by the word luncheon. Do people really say that word without a smirk?
red210 writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
LMAO.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
I'm offended by the word luncheon. Do people really say that word without a smirk?
I saw that word in the grocery store but it said meat right after it!
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I saw that word in the grocery store but it said meat right after it!
And you know what, I'm not sure the "meat" actually is. Now that's offensive on many levels...
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to rlockey:
And you know what, I'm not sure the "meat" actually is. Now that's offensive on many levels...
I guess I'm kinda offended you can only eat it for lunch!
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I guess I'm kinda offended you can only eat it for lunch!
That would be one the the levels...
Now, isn't it a lot funner to be "offended" and be able to talk/laugh about it than to leave a meeting and quit an important position over something someone else said?
Wish we all could just get along like man of us do on this website! Even when we occasionally get on each others nerves, we usually will still continue to talk to each other. Maybe it will be contagious one day.
hockeyham writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
EdB writes:
"speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
It sounds as if the speaker was simply talking like Mike Tyson and many (?most?) other blacks.
I speak American English with a Tennessee drawl, or so I'm told. I even like Jeff Foxworthy, and other comedians' 'mockery of my dialect'. I can laugh at myself and I don't hate on folks that tell it like they hear it. Why can't this black woman do the same?
Also, why can't this 'black dialect' be used by a white man? Could this lady be ... racist?
Wake up folks...
Sherry writes:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
Hi Sherry ,happy to be of service!
rlockey writes:
in response to Sherry:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
Evening Sherry! Glad we are keeping you amused. With all the heavy articles KNS has had all week, it's fun to have a less than serious one to start a playful rant on again. Please feel free to chime in any time!
EdB writes:
in response to rlockey:
Have you done anything to change this? Would you be an active member if they did?
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
goldmoon writes:
When I was a young adult, I attended a church that my then husband's parents belonged to. The preacher had attended our wedding, my MIL was his secretary. My maiden name is jewish. The preacher said, verbatum as I have never forgotten this, "There are three kinds of people. Those that do good when you are watching and those that do good when you aren't. They are (the church's denomination). There are those that do bad when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are athiests." While looking straight at me he continued, "And there are those that do good when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are Jews." I stood up and walked out. To my X's credit, he did too.
I can understand where this woman is coming from, BUT, Rotary is a fabulous international service organization that has done great things for people of all races, colors and creeds (would it be more politically correct to say ethninticities) all over the world. It is in no way a prejudiced organization. She may have been offended, but I agree with other posters, there are better ways to handle it. Instead of leaving this Rotary club, she should have taken it up with the speaker. I was but 19 when I walked out of that church, figured if the preacher felt that way, then the congregation did too. I know better now. You cannot paint everyone with the same wide brush strokes.
I do not know why KNS thought that this was newsworthy, and maybe, without the coverage, she might have slept on it and reversed her opinion. An apology for an offense, perceived or not, can go a long way.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to EdB:
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
I do know of one whites only club! K.K.K. but everyone calls you the R word if you are a member!
rlockey writes:
in response to EdB:
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
Sad but there is a lot of truth to your statement. I think "WET" has been used before (possible in the 80s before rooftop satellites) but I doubt the bible belt would have allowed reception of that one for other reasons.
I've often wondered what would happen is a white man or woman asked to join the NAACP. Wonder if there is actually something in their bylaws that prohibits this from being allowed?
Sherry writes:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
I don't know but he does know more than one level of why luncheon meat is wrong!
rlockey writes:
in response to goldmoon:
When I was a young adult, I attended a church that my then husband's parents belonged to. The preacher had attended our wedding, my MIL was his secretary. My maiden name is jewish. The preacher said, verbatum as I have never forgotten this, "There are three kinds of people. Those that do good when you are watching and those that do good when you aren't. They are (the church's denomination). There are those that do bad when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are athiests." While looking straight at me he continued, "And there are those that do good when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are Jews." I stood up and walked out. To my X's credit, he did too.
I can understand where this woman is coming from, BUT, Rotary is a fabulous international service organization that has done great things for people of all races, colors and creeds (would it be more politically correct to say ethninticities) all over the world. It is in no way a prejudiced organization. She may have been offended, but I agree with other posters, there are better ways to handle it. Instead of leaving this Rotary club, she should have taken it up with the speaker. I was but 19 when I walked out of that church, figured if the preacher felt that way, then the congregation did too. I know better now. You cannot paint everyone with the same wide brush strokes.
I do not know why KNS thought that this was newsworthy, and maybe, without the coverage, she might have slept on it and reversed her opinion. An apology for an offense, perceived or not, can go a long way.
I still say you and your husband should have asked for a meeting with the preacher and voiced your distain. For the record, I would have had the same feelings that you and you husband (yes I realize he is your X but he wasn't then). Bullies and bigots usually back down is actually confronted. Either that or I'm a lot more intimidating that I like to believe because I have never had anyone beat me up for calming talking to them about things that bother me. Thanks for sharing.
goldmoon writes:
in response to rlockey:
Sad but there is a lot of truth to your statement. I think "WET" has been used before (possible in the 80s before rooftop satellites) but I doubt the bible belt would have allowed reception of that one for other reasons.
I've often wondered what would happen is a white man or woman asked to join the NAACP. Wonder if there is actually something in their bylaws that prohibits this from being allowed?
I agree, I think most whites (caucasions? do they still use that word?) are offended by the double standard of racism. I have had those exact same thoughts, I think I will look up the NAACP and see if whites can join. But I doubt it cause whites aren't supposed to say "colored people" anymore. It is racisist don't ya know. Does anyone know if Knoxville College accepted whites? I always wondered about that. Don't get me wrong, I am not a racist. I just don't like double standards.
rlockey writes:
in response to Sherry:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
Nope, I don't use that word. I have trouble with long words, especially one's describing food of questionable origin.
Yes, I can think of a few with no sense of humor, especially your nemesis who was in rare form this morning, by the way. She really needs to increase her meds. The current level is not working for her.
jonathan#509413 writes:
From the article, it doesn't sound as if Ms. Nichols was offended by anything that Mr. Johnson actually SAID. Instead, it sounds as if she chose to jump to a conclusion that he was making fun of her race due to the way (affected dialect) in which he said it. As others have said, I believe that if Mr. Johnson was discussing Mike Tyson then there is a very good chance that he was simply mocking Tyson's individual voice/dialect. Tyson has a high voice, a bit of a lisp and often seems to go to pains to use big words - such as 'ludicrous' (which comes out sounding something like 'ludicruths'.) Making fun of an INDIVIDUAL who happens to be black does not, necessarily, equate to making fun of an entire race. The issue would really come down to the question of "Was Mr. Johnson making fun of him for being black or simply for being Mike Tyson?"
In his stand-up routine years ago, Damon Wayans (who is, of course, black) made fun of Mike Tyson's voice/dialect. Does that make him a rascist?
Some people ARE ridiculously sensitive and seem to be looking for reasons to be offended. Such individuals are as much a part of the 'race relations' problem as those who spout rascist views.
rlockey writes:
in response to jonathan#509413:
From the article, it doesn't sound as if Ms. Nichols was offended by anything that Mr. Johnson actually SAID. Instead, it sounds as if she chose to jump to a conclusion that he was making fun of her race due to the way (affected dialect) in which he said it. As others have said, I believe that if Mr. Johnson was discussing Mike Tyson then there is a very good chance that he was simply mocking Tyson's individual voice/dialect. Tyson has a high voice, a bit of a lisp and often seems to go to pains to use big words - such as 'ludicrous' (which comes out sounding something like 'ludicruths'.) Making fun of an INDIVIDUAL who happens to be black does not, necessarily, equate to making fun of an entire race. The issue would really come down to the question of "Was Mr. Johnson making fun of him for being black or simply for being Mike Tyson?"
In his stand-up routine years ago, Damon Wayans (who is, of course, black) made fun of Mike Tyson's voice/dialect. Does that make him a rascist?
Some people ARE ridiculously sensitive and seem to be looking for reasons to be offended. Such individuals are as much a part of the 'race relations' problem as those who spout rascist views.
Well said, thanks for your post!
us43137415#376444 writes:
Well, I see Knoxville's ignorant has had access to a computer keyboard again.....
Let's turn the tables.. What if it were a Black Person, who used a REDNECK dialect? How would you feel then?
What if it were a redneck who made a derogatory comment about the Jewish people? How should the Jewish people feel?
What if your child overheard an outright racist comment at school directed at them? How do you
feel?.. Wait, don't answer that, I already know the answer..... You'd drag the news media down to the principal's office and decry to the cameras how that child needs to be disciplined, not to mention the big stink you're planning to raise at the next school board meeting..
Unless you are black, you really don't know how embarrassing the reference could be to other black people.
But oh yeah, I forgot.. this is Knoxville, and you're ignorant.
When will culture and sensitivity FINALLY come to Knoxville?
oldjarhead writes:
I don't see how anyone could be offended by a mike tyson joke! He are one.
so, what was said? was it really racist?
PJHarvey writes:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
Basil writes:
I guess the Rotary membership door swings out as well as in.
rlockey writes:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
jlc_62454#621340 writes:
in response to PJHarvey:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
You can be offended by anything you choose to be offended by. If we have to live our life trying not to offend someone, then we would all have to just stay home, because some people can be offended by anything.
tkdmavrick#407157 writes:
Mike Tyson is not what one would call a "model citizen", so it is easy to imagine jokes about him. But the story itself doesn't indicate what was said, so people can't form an opinion, as to the comment by Joe Johnson really being racist, or Phyliss Nichols being overly sensitive.
I remember a video clip of a town council somewhere where they were discussing their budget, a while council member used the term "niggardly" referring to someone as "miserly". The black council member got highly offended because he thought the word referred to something racist. Who was ignorant? Should the black guy learn the correct meaning of the word? Should the white guy have beem more "sensitive" because the black guy was ignorant of the correct meaning?
Without further reporting no one can tell what was really said and meant.
Normal writes:
in response to PJHarvey:
But, that's the point. You can't make people agree that you are not a racist because you "don't mean to be". It's THEIR decision if you offend, numbskull.
I am deeply offended by your comment and am reporting it to the authorities.
rlockey writes:
in response to tkdmavrick#407157:
Mike Tyson is not what one would call a "model citizen", so it is easy to imagine jokes about him. But the story itself doesn't indicate what was said, so people can't form an opinion, as to the comment by Joe Johnson really being racist, or Phyliss Nichols being overly sensitive.
I remember a video clip of a town council somewhere where they were discussing their budget, a while council member used the term "niggardly" referring to someone as "miserly". The black council member got highly offended because he thought the word referred to something racist. Who was ignorant? Should the black guy learn the correct meaning of the word? Should the white guy have beem more "sensitive" because the black guy was ignorant of the correct meaning?
Without further reporting no one can tell what was really said and meant.
I'll take that thought further. Regardless of whatever was said, they were just words and meant as a joke. If we all would just Cowboy the xxxx up and grow up, we might move forward. Pitching a fit by storming out and resigning is about as childlike as you can get. Perhaps Ms. Nichols was not mature enough to hold the position she held and maybe now, someone who may be able to move forward will be appointed.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
You can't really tell her to lighten up if you don't know what was said. Also you cannot tell people what they should and should not be offended by. If they are offended, they are offended.
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
You can't really tell her to lighten up if you don't know what was said. Also you cannot tell people what they should and should not be offended by. If they are offended, they are offended.
I never said she shouldn't have been offended. Storming off and resigning was childish. This could have and should have been handled more maturely. Offended has different meaning to all of us. Some, like myself, have a high tolerance and some do not. However, since there is no set level, we all need to learn how to handle and calmly inform the offending party how you feel. That is the adult way to handle this situation.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
I'll take that thought further. Regardless of whatever was said, they were just words and meant as a joke. If we all would just Cowboy the xxxx up and grow up, we might move forward. Pitching a fit by storming out and resigning is about as childlike as you can get. Perhaps Ms. Nichols was not mature enough to hold the position she held and maybe now, someone who may be able to move forward will be appointed.
I didn't read anything in the article that indicated she "stormed out" or "pitched a fit". She made a personal decision that this club was not a good fit for her and even paid her respects to the organization as a whole. Calm down.
papabob writes:
in response to rlockey:
If we would learn to ignore instead of making an issue out of nothing, racism might start to wane. Until then, nothing is changing. Ms. Nichols needs to lighten up. If she was offended, it would have been more adult like to simple pull Mr. Johnson aside, privately, afterwards and calming mention to him that he might want to use a different joke next time. Now, how hard would that have really been? Time to grow up and move forward.
rlockey,I agree with you in substance but not in principle.
Untill people learn that negative implications both ethnic and racial are offensive to others,we won't move very far forward.
Maybe some are just too sensitive,but that is just the way life. I would say that many are just too insensitive.
I grew up in a small town with many diferent nationalities and ethnic groups.
The best way to get your chops busted was to denigrate someone because of where their parents or grandparents came from or their manner of speech.The chop busting didn't come from the offended,it came from your parents.
We called it just plain old good manners or courtesy to not carry our prejudices out on the street.That is what seems to be missing here.
Of course that seems to be missing in a great part of our "American" culture. "In your face" is the name of the game today.
"Get over it" is always the answer unless we are the ones told to "get over it."
I would say to Mr Johnson; "This is the twenty first century,not the nineteenth ot early twentieth,so get over it."
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
I didn't read anything in the article that indicated she "stormed out" or "pitched a fit". She made a personal decision that this club was not a good fit for her and even paid her respects to the organization as a whole. Calm down.
"Phyllis Y. Nichols walked out after speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
This, to me, states that she got up before he finished his speech (or maybe after but left early all the same). It's ok to get offended but we have to effectively communicate the point if we want anything to change.
No need to ask me to calm down, I'm not excited or riled. I'm just voicing an opinion. I'm sorry if you are offended by my opinion or comments. Please feel free to skip over any further posts I may leave on this subject. That will not offend me in the least.
Enjoy your weekend!
stopignorance writes:
"reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she considered stereotypical mockery of the black dialect"
IF he was talking like Mike Tyson it was probably more mockery of the female voice! Mike Tyson sounds like a girl or small child when he talks. Everybody makes fun of Mike's voice and it has nothing to do with his skin color!! Its because he is a large male boxer with a female voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
rlockey writes:
in response to papabob:
rlockey,I agree with you in substance but not in principle.
Untill people learn that negative implications both ethnic and racial are offensive to others,we won't move very far forward.
Maybe some are just too sensitive,but that is just the way life. I would say that many are just too insensitive.
I grew up in a small town with many diferent nationalities and ethnic groups.
The best way to get your chops busted was to denigrate someone because of where their parents or grandparents came from or their manner of speech.The chop busting didn't come from the offended,it came from your parents.
We called it just plain old good manners or courtesy to not carry our prejudices out on the street.That is what seems to be missing here.
Of course that seems to be missing in a great part of our "American" culture. "In your face" is the name of the game today.
"Get over it" is always the answer unless we are the ones told to "get over it."
I would say to Mr Johnson; "This is the twenty first century,not the nineteenth ot early twentieth,so get over it."
We are in agreement. I myself do not think I could be offended by much of anything said at a meeting not said to be purposely abusive. Then again, that's just me. I was toughened on the streets as a Firefighter/Paramedic (as I am sure you knew) so I know I have a thicker skin than most but many people today have some serious issues with effective adult communications. Not sure what the answer is but until we all learn to get along and communicate, we will continue to have these issues.
rlockey writes:
in response to stopignorance:
"reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she considered stereotypical mockery of the black dialect"
IF he was talking like Mike Tyson it was probably more mockery of the female voice! Mike Tyson sounds like a girl or small child when he talks. Everybody makes fun of Mike's voice and it has nothing to do with his skin color!! Its because he is a large male boxer with a female voice!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I've actually heard Mike Tyson make fun of his higher pitched voice before. Nothing new there.
MDAlerts writes:
in response to rlockey:
"Phyllis Y. Nichols walked out after speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
This, to me, states that she got up before he finished his speech (or maybe after but left early all the same). It's ok to get offended but we have to effectively communicate the point if we want anything to change.
No need to ask me to calm down, I'm not excited or riled. I'm just voicing an opinion. I'm sorry if you are offended by my opinion or comments. Please feel free to skip over any further posts I may leave on this subject. That will not offend me in the least.
Enjoy your weekend!
still didn't read anything in the quoted text that said she "stormed" out or "pitched a fit"....but I guess you can infer whatever you like to fit with your opinion of the situation.
You have a great weekend too!
rlockey writes:
in response to MDAlerts:
still didn't read anything in the quoted text that said she "stormed" out or "pitched a fit"....but I guess you can infer whatever you like to fit with your opinion of the situation.
You have a great weekend too!
No inference intended, we just have two different reading comprehension standards. Guess this article could have been written clearer but that's not a usual characteristic of a newspaper article. I appreciate your opinion and thank you for sharing yours with me as well.
red210 writes:
I bet Nichols, has a chip! and more than likely loves to use the word "racist". People that use that word ALOT needs to check them self!!!...
TN_Engineer writes:
My college having a black alumni group, but not a white or hispanic alumni group offends me.
rlockey writes:
in response to TN_Engineer:
My college having a black alumni group, but not a white or hispanic alumni group offends me.
Have you done anything to change this? Would you be an active member if they did?
5_and_15 writes:
I propose a new rule: when making fun of either Mike Tyson or Brittany Spears, you can say whatever you darn well please.
rlockey writes:
When I have the occasion to speak publicly and need a joke or humorous story, I frequently use myself as the subject (believe me, there is plenty of material to chose from). Hard to get offended when the speaker is making fun of himself. This is something a fellow North Carolinian, Andy Griffin, learned a long time before I started doing it.
docholliday1954 writes:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
oldgrouch writes:
There a many cases where a white group of anything would be racist. those of other races wants it all there way.
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
You got me on that one, I share that offense with you...
Sherry writes:
All I can say is "OH, BROTHER"!
Sherry writes:
I'm offended by the word luncheon. Do people really say that word without a smirk?
red210 writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I am offended Cobbins is still breathing!
LMAO.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
I'm offended by the word luncheon. Do people really say that word without a smirk?
I saw that word in the grocery store but it said meat right after it!
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I saw that word in the grocery store but it said meat right after it!
And you know what, I'm not sure the "meat" actually is. Now that's offensive on many levels...
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to rlockey:
And you know what, I'm not sure the "meat" actually is. Now that's offensive on many levels...
I guess I'm kinda offended you can only eat it for lunch!
rlockey writes:
in response to docholliday1954:
I guess I'm kinda offended you can only eat it for lunch!
That would be one the the levels...
Now, isn't it a lot funner to be "offended" and be able to talk/laugh about it than to leave a meeting and quit an important position over something someone else said?
Wish we all could just get along like man of us do on this website! Even when we occasionally get on each others nerves, we usually will still continue to talk to each other. Maybe it will be contagious one day.
hockeyham writes:
(This comment was removed by the site staff.)
EdB writes:
"speaker and businessman Joe Johnson made a reference to fighter Mike Tyson and used what she thought was a stereotypical mockery of the black dialect."
It sounds as if the speaker was simply talking like Mike Tyson and many (?most?) other blacks.
I speak American English with a Tennessee drawl, or so I'm told. I even like Jeff Foxworthy, and other comedians' 'mockery of my dialect'. I can laugh at myself and I don't hate on folks that tell it like they hear it. Why can't this black woman do the same?
Also, why can't this 'black dialect' be used by a white man? Could this lady be ... racist?
Wake up folks...
Sherry writes:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
Hi Sherry ,happy to be of service!
rlockey writes:
in response to Sherry:
doc, Hi there, You have me laughing. You and the rlock man are too funny!
Evening Sherry! Glad we are keeping you amused. With all the heavy articles KNS has had all week, it's fun to have a less than serious one to start a playful rant on again. Please feel free to chime in any time!
EdB writes:
in response to rlockey:
Have you done anything to change this? Would you be an active member if they did?
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
goldmoon writes:
When I was a young adult, I attended a church that my then husband's parents belonged to. The preacher had attended our wedding, my MIL was his secretary. My maiden name is jewish. The preacher said, verbatum as I have never forgotten this, "There are three kinds of people. Those that do good when you are watching and those that do good when you aren't. They are (the church's denomination). There are those that do bad when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are athiests." While looking straight at me he continued, "And there are those that do good when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are Jews." I stood up and walked out. To my X's credit, he did too.
I can understand where this woman is coming from, BUT, Rotary is a fabulous international service organization that has done great things for people of all races, colors and creeds (would it be more politically correct to say ethninticities) all over the world. It is in no way a prejudiced organization. She may have been offended, but I agree with other posters, there are better ways to handle it. Instead of leaving this Rotary club, she should have taken it up with the speaker. I was but 19 when I walked out of that church, figured if the preacher felt that way, then the congregation did too. I know better now. You cannot paint everyone with the same wide brush strokes.
I do not know why KNS thought that this was newsworthy, and maybe, without the coverage, she might have slept on it and reversed her opinion. An apology for an offense, perceived or not, can go a long way.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to EdB:
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
I do know of one whites only club! K.K.K. but everyone calls you the R word if you are a member!
rlockey writes:
in response to EdB:
I doubt that a whites-only group of ANY type could be formed today. Its racist, dontcha know.
There's a Miss Black America pageant, why not a Miss White America? How about a TV network exclusively for whites. Maybe name it WET. White restaurants? White clubs?
Why not?
Sad but there is a lot of truth to your statement. I think "WET" has been used before (possible in the 80s before rooftop satellites) but I doubt the bible belt would have allowed reception of that one for other reasons.
I've often wondered what would happen is a white man or woman asked to join the NAACP. Wonder if there is actually something in their bylaws that prohibits this from being allowed?
Sherry writes:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
docholliday1954 writes:
in response to Sherry:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
I don't know but he does know more than one level of why luncheon meat is wrong!
rlockey writes:
in response to goldmoon:
When I was a young adult, I attended a church that my then husband's parents belonged to. The preacher had attended our wedding, my MIL was his secretary. My maiden name is jewish. The preacher said, verbatum as I have never forgotten this, "There are three kinds of people. Those that do good when you are watching and those that do good when you aren't. They are (the church's denomination). There are those that do bad when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are athiests." While looking straight at me he continued, "And there are those that do good when you are watching and bad when you aren't. Those are Jews." I stood up and walked out. To my X's credit, he did too.
I can understand where this woman is coming from, BUT, Rotary is a fabulous international service organization that has done great things for people of all races, colors and creeds (would it be more politically correct to say ethninticities) all over the world. It is in no way a prejudiced organization. She may have been offended, but I agree with other posters, there are better ways to handle it. Instead of leaving this Rotary club, she should have taken it up with the speaker. I was but 19 when I walked out of that church, figured if the preacher felt that way, then the congregation did too. I know better now. You cannot paint everyone with the same wide brush strokes.
I do not know why KNS thought that this was newsworthy, and maybe, without the coverage, she might have slept on it and reversed her opinion. An apology for an offense, perceived or not, can go a long way.
I still say you and your husband should have asked for a meeting with the preacher and voiced your distain. For the record, I would have had the same feelings that you and you husband (yes I realize he is your X but he wasn't then). Bullies and bigots usually back down is actually confronted. Either that or I'm a lot more intimidating that I like to believe because I have never had anyone beat me up for calming talking to them about things that bother me. Thanks for sharing.
goldmoon writes:
in response to rlockey:
Sad but there is a lot of truth to your statement. I think "WET" has been used before (possible in the 80s before rooftop satellites) but I doubt the bible belt would have allowed reception of that one for other reasons.
I've often wondered what would happen is a white man or woman asked to join the NAACP. Wonder if there is actually something in their bylaws that prohibits this from being allowed?
I agree, I think most whites (caucasions? do they still use that word?) are offended by the double standard of racism. I have had those exact same thoughts, I think I will look up the NAACP and see if whites can join. But I doubt it cause whites aren't supposed to say "colored people" anymore. It is racisist don't ya know. Does anyone know if Knoxville College accepted whites? I always wondered about that. Don't get me wrong, I am not a racist. I just don't like double standards.
rlockey writes:
in response to Sherry:
Hey doc, I'll bet the rlock says luncheon. What do you think? laughing...
I wonder what word red would use? Never mind. Laughing way too much.
Hey rlock at 5:28, I doubt it. Some people have no sense of humor.
Nope, I don't use that word. I have trouble with long words, especially one's describing food of questionable origin.
Yes, I can think of a few with no sense of humor, especially your nemesis who was in rare form this morning, by the way. She really needs to increase her meds. The current level is not working for her.
jonathan#509413 writes:
From the article, it doesn't sound as if Ms. Nichols was offended by anything that Mr. Johnson actually SAID. Instead, it sounds as if she chose to jump to a conclusion that he was making fun of her race due to the way (affected dialect) in which he said it. As others have said, I believe that if Mr. Johnson was discussing Mike Tyson then there is a very good chance that he was simply mocking Tyson's individual voice/dialect. Tyson has a high voice, a bit of a lisp and often seems to go to pains to use big words - such as 'ludicrous' (which comes out sounding something like 'ludicruths'.) Making fun of an INDIVIDUAL who happens to be black does not, necessarily, equate to making fun of an entire race. The issue would really come down to the question of "Was Mr. Johnson making fun of him for being black or simply for being Mike Tyson?"
In his stand-up routine years ago, Damon Wayans (who is, of course, black) made fun of Mike Tyson's voice/dialect. Does that make him a rascist?
Some people ARE ridiculously sensitive and seem to be looking for reasons to be offended. Such individuals are as much a part of the 'race relations' problem as those who spout rascist views.
rlockey writes:
in response to jonathan#509413:
From the article, it doesn't sound as if Ms. Nichols was offended by anything that Mr. Johnson actually SAID. Instead, it sounds as if she chose to jump to a conclusion that he was making fun of her race due to the way (affected dialect) in which he said it. As others have said, I believe that if Mr. Johnson was discussing Mike Tyson then there is a very good chance that he was simply mocking Tyson's individual voice/dialect. Tyson has a high voice, a bit of a lisp and often seems to go to pains to use big words - such as 'ludicrous' (which comes out sounding something like 'ludicruths'.) Making fun of an INDIVIDUAL who happens to be black does not, necessarily, equate to making fun of an entire race. The issue would really come down to the question of "Was Mr. Johnson making fun of him for being black or simply for being Mike Tyson?"
In his stand-up routine years ago, Damon Wayans (who is, of course, black) made fun of Mike Tyson's voice/dialect. Does that make him a rascist?
Some people ARE ridiculously sensitive and seem to be looking for reasons to be offended. Such individuals are as much a part of the 'race relations' problem as those who spout rascist views.
Well said, thanks for your post!
us43137415#376444 writes:
Well, I see Knoxville's ignorant has had access to a computer keyboard again.....
Let's turn the tables.. What if it were a Black Person, who used a REDNECK dialect? How would you feel then?
What if it were a redneck who made a derogatory comment about the Jewish people? How should the Jewish people feel?
What if your child overheard an outright racist comment at school directed at them? How do you
feel?.. Wait, don't answer that, I already know the answer..... You'd drag the news media down to the principal's office and decry to the cameras how that child needs to be disciplined, not to mention the big stink you're planning to raise at the next school board meeting..
Unless you are black, you really don't know how embarrassing the reference could be to other black people.
But oh yeah, I forgot.. this is Knoxville, and you're ignorant.
When will culture and sensitivity FINALLY come to Knoxville?
oldjarhead writes:
I don't see how anyone could be offended by a mike tyson joke! He are one.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Something to NOT Misspell on a Street Sign in Atlanta
A City of Atlanta employee holds the misspelled sign that hung on the corner Vine and Martin Luther King Jr. Drive on Thursday, Aug. 27, 2009. The sign was replaced before noon. Johnny Crawford/jcrawford@ajc.com
Thursday, August 20, 2009
Obama Criticized No Matter What
LETTER TO THE EDITOR
Why is it that anything the president does he is condemned for one reason or the other? What can he do that would please Helen Taylor, go to church and confess that he had a beer and it was offered to three adults, one of whom had a non-alcoholic beer? Let’s give him a chance to get it right. Bush had eight years, and we did not badger him the way Obama has been badgered. Come on, people, lighten up and wait and see what he can do. Stop the hatred, please.
Cecilia Henderson
Kingsport
Why is it that anything the president does he is condemned for one reason or the other? What can he do that would please Helen Taylor, go to church and confess that he had a beer and it was offered to three adults, one of whom had a non-alcoholic beer? Let’s give him a chance to get it right. Bush had eight years, and we did not badger him the way Obama has been badgered. Come on, people, lighten up and wait and see what he can do. Stop the hatred, please.
Cecilia Henderson
Kingsport
Wednesday, August 19, 2009
Kingsport: An Impressive Destination Community
Jeff Fleming, Kingsport's City Manager for Development, sent this article from a publication in Asheville, North Carolina about the rising redevelopment of Kingsport's downtown, and its popularity.
A reminder... RIVERVIEW is part of Downtown Kingsport
CLICK ON THE ARTICLE TO ENLARGE IT TO READ
A reminder... RIVERVIEW is part of Downtown Kingsport
CLICK ON THE ARTICLE TO ENLARGE IT TO READ
Sunday, August 16, 2009
A Black Woman Caught in the City Park With No Place to Hide
Readers may write Gene Owens at 315 Lakeforest Circle, Anderson S.C. 29625 or e-mail him at WadesDixieco@AOL.com
Given the occasion for her arrest, it might be inappropriate to invite Lula Mae Battle to the White House for beer, but maybe a little sweet tea and banana pudding in the mayor’s office would help ease the hurt.
Ms. Battle was arrested in Mobile, Ala., on the morning of June 3 for ducking into some bushes for an emergency rest stop. She was 50 feet short of the comfort station she was headed toward after her bank denied her access to its restroom.
Ms. Battle is 81. She is black in a nation with a black president and was arrested in a city with a black mayor whose administration is defending the young white police cadet who called an officer to arrest her. This does not seem to be a racial matter. It’s more a matter of sensitivity toward the aged and infirm.
The scene of Ms. Battle’s ordeal was Bienville Square, an oasis of live oaks and azaleas in the heart of downtown Mobile. Mobilians who want to underscore their local roots like to boast that they were conceived under an azalea bush in Bienville Square during Mardi Gras (appropriately enough, the square is bordered by Conception Street).
I have walked the park many times, en route to lunch on restaurant-studded
Dauphin Street or to my bank on St. Joseph Street. I have walked past lunchtime
brown-baggers feeding their leftovers to squirrels and pigeons, avoided the eccentric preacher who consigned to hell all those whose understanding of scripture contradicted his, and averted my eyes when I saw scruffy men relieving themselves against live oaks. And I have availed myself of the city-maintained restroom under the bandstand in the middle of the park. It’s open during daylight hours for all to use.
The city has sought to curtail the tendency to use the live oaks as urinals. It has a police substation on the premises, where a cadet keeps watch on the behavior of its two-legged denizens. The substation is surrounded by bushes. It was in these bushes that Lula Mae Battle sought seclusion when her bladder told her, “Time’s up.” The alert police cadet spotted her in the act and called an officer.
The elderly lady pleaded with the cops not to take her to jail. She had a problem with incontinence, she told them. When her bank turned her away, she made for the comfort station in the square, but when she realized that she could hold out no longer she tried to hide in the bushes surrounding the substation.
“Should have worn Depends,” clucked some of the bloggers who responded to the story in the Mobile P r e s s - R e g i s t e r.
Maybe. But sometimes incontinence manifests itself unexpectedly when you haven’t had the foresight to wear absorbent underwear. Or maybe your money runs out before you have a chance to replenish your supply.
And maybe the cops should be trained to show empathy and solicitude toward the elderly.
Lula Mae Battle is not a wealthy Harvard professor with a friend in the Oval Office. She’s a simple black woman who lives with her niece in a predominantly black section of Mobile. She grew up in an Alabama where the people she knew ate poke sallet instead of arugula. She came of age in a South where people of her complexion were denied access to public accommodations that weren’t labeled “colored.” She was 28 years old when Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and their allies brought the Montgomery bus system to heel.
There were no portable johns beside the cotton fields of her youth, where rural laborers earned their beans and fatback. The trees and bushes on the fringes of the fields provided privacy for those who had to go. In her salad years, even white folks didn’t find restrooms conveniently arrayed along Interstate highways or in BP convenience stores or Hardee’s burger joints. When things got urgent along rural roads, they often pulled to the shoulder, made for a big tree or a clump of sparkleberry bushes off the right of way, and found relief.
Lula Mae Battle surely knows that those days are behind. That’s why she sought comfort in her bank. That’s why she tried to make it to that rest room in Bienville Square.
But when you’re nearly 82 years old and ancient muscles are not up to the task of controlling a full bladder, 50 feet is a long way to go.
What she did was an act of desperation. Yes, it was against the law. Yes, the law is a reasonable one. And, as Barbara Drummond, a black woman who speaks for Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, told me by e-mail, “We ... have empathy for her, but the police was doing their job.” So Ms. Battle, who has no record of previous arrests, was taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail. She was booked and released under $500 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15 to answer charges of public lewdness. I agree that it’s the job of police to enforce the law and, in this case, to keep a public park clean and presentable. I also think it’s their job to use understanding and discretion in dealing with weaker members of our society, and especially those who have reached an advanced age. As Lula Mae Battle put it: “When you got to go, you got to go.” How about that sweet tea and banana pudding, Mayor Jones?
Given the occasion for her arrest, it might be inappropriate to invite Lula Mae Battle to the White House for beer, but maybe a little sweet tea and banana pudding in the mayor’s office would help ease the hurt.
Ms. Battle was arrested in Mobile, Ala., on the morning of June 3 for ducking into some bushes for an emergency rest stop. She was 50 feet short of the comfort station she was headed toward after her bank denied her access to its restroom.
Ms. Battle is 81. She is black in a nation with a black president and was arrested in a city with a black mayor whose administration is defending the young white police cadet who called an officer to arrest her. This does not seem to be a racial matter. It’s more a matter of sensitivity toward the aged and infirm.
The scene of Ms. Battle’s ordeal was Bienville Square, an oasis of live oaks and azaleas in the heart of downtown Mobile. Mobilians who want to underscore their local roots like to boast that they were conceived under an azalea bush in Bienville Square during Mardi Gras (appropriately enough, the square is bordered by Conception Street).
I have walked the park many times, en route to lunch on restaurant-studded
Dauphin Street or to my bank on St. Joseph Street. I have walked past lunchtime
brown-baggers feeding their leftovers to squirrels and pigeons, avoided the eccentric preacher who consigned to hell all those whose understanding of scripture contradicted his, and averted my eyes when I saw scruffy men relieving themselves against live oaks. And I have availed myself of the city-maintained restroom under the bandstand in the middle of the park. It’s open during daylight hours for all to use.
The city has sought to curtail the tendency to use the live oaks as urinals. It has a police substation on the premises, where a cadet keeps watch on the behavior of its two-legged denizens. The substation is surrounded by bushes. It was in these bushes that Lula Mae Battle sought seclusion when her bladder told her, “Time’s up.” The alert police cadet spotted her in the act and called an officer.
The elderly lady pleaded with the cops not to take her to jail. She had a problem with incontinence, she told them. When her bank turned her away, she made for the comfort station in the square, but when she realized that she could hold out no longer she tried to hide in the bushes surrounding the substation.
“Should have worn Depends,” clucked some of the bloggers who responded to the story in the Mobile P r e s s - R e g i s t e r.
Maybe. But sometimes incontinence manifests itself unexpectedly when you haven’t had the foresight to wear absorbent underwear. Or maybe your money runs out before you have a chance to replenish your supply.
And maybe the cops should be trained to show empathy and solicitude toward the elderly.
Lula Mae Battle is not a wealthy Harvard professor with a friend in the Oval Office. She’s a simple black woman who lives with her niece in a predominantly black section of Mobile. She grew up in an Alabama where the people she knew ate poke sallet instead of arugula. She came of age in a South where people of her complexion were denied access to public accommodations that weren’t labeled “colored.” She was 28 years old when Rosa Parks, Martin Luther King Jr. and their allies brought the Montgomery bus system to heel.
There were no portable johns beside the cotton fields of her youth, where rural laborers earned their beans and fatback. The trees and bushes on the fringes of the fields provided privacy for those who had to go. In her salad years, even white folks didn’t find restrooms conveniently arrayed along Interstate highways or in BP convenience stores or Hardee’s burger joints. When things got urgent along rural roads, they often pulled to the shoulder, made for a big tree or a clump of sparkleberry bushes off the right of way, and found relief.
Lula Mae Battle surely knows that those days are behind. That’s why she sought comfort in her bank. That’s why she tried to make it to that rest room in Bienville Square.
But when you’re nearly 82 years old and ancient muscles are not up to the task of controlling a full bladder, 50 feet is a long way to go.
What she did was an act of desperation. Yes, it was against the law. Yes, the law is a reasonable one. And, as Barbara Drummond, a black woman who speaks for Mobile Mayor Sam Jones, told me by e-mail, “We ... have empathy for her, but the police was doing their job.” So Ms. Battle, who has no record of previous arrests, was taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail. She was booked and released under $500 bond. She is scheduled to appear in court on Sept. 15 to answer charges of public lewdness. I agree that it’s the job of police to enforce the law and, in this case, to keep a public park clean and presentable. I also think it’s their job to use understanding and discretion in dealing with weaker members of our society, and especially those who have reached an advanced age. As Lula Mae Battle put it: “When you got to go, you got to go.” How about that sweet tea and banana pudding, Mayor Jones?
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