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Special Report
A Glimpse of Berkeley
And some thoughts about racial preferences and equality before the law.
Recently I spent a few days on the campus of the University of California at Berkeley. If you haven’t been there, it’s a beautiful place. In the old days, well-off San Franciscans would move to Berkeley in the summer to escape the chilly San Francisco weather — and I do mean chilly summers.
A professor at the university, whom I was interviewing, arranged for me to stay at the Women’s Faculty Club. It is set in a dense glade of trees, close to the Sather clock tower, Berkeley’s most visible landmark. The “women’s” abode is only a few yards from the regular faculty club, which was booked up, apparently. How they ever became (nominally) separated by sex I don’t know. In today’s environment that seems most irregular. The women’s place, despite the presence of a few men, seemed to be mostly empty. But it was comfortable.
While on the campus I saw lots of Berkeley students walking about between classes. Sometimes I even saw them in their classrooms; the weather was fine and some of the professors kept their doors open. What struck me was how earnest and serious the students seemed; listening intently and busy taking notes inside the classrooms; outside, walking along with earbuds, and again listening intently, or at least absorbed in something. Gone are the sixties!
The associations that the word “sixties” evoke actually began around 1964 at Berkeley; with the free-speech movement, Mario Savio, riotous behavior and other things that you don’t want to read about. True, most of that behavior was triggered by the military draft, and as soon as that ended so did “the Sixties.” The draft ended in 1973.
What are today’s students thinking about? You can’t tell. Getting a job when they graduate, says my wife. But who knows? Even if you ask, they won’t reveal much once they see you’re an oldster. Sometimes I think the gulf between the generations is wider than any other gulf — between the races, for example.
Talking of race: an actual majority of today’s Berkeley students seemed to be “Asian.” That’s the correct word, I’m told. Furthermore, it took me some time before I realized that I hadn’t seen a single African American on the campus. Maybe I missed one or two. On the Stanford campus, across the San Francisco Bay, I would often see the black students, but almost always they would be sitting together in a tight cluster.
I checked online and one figure said that 4 percent of U.C. Berkeley students are black (compared with 6 percent in California as a whole). A recent count of freshmen among the 25,000-odd undergraduates at Berkeley showed: Asian American 43 percent, whites 32 percent, Hispanics 12 percent, African American 4 percent, international, 3 percent. (The last mostly Asian, too.) Asians (currently 13.5 percent of the state’s 37 million population) seem to enjoy a kind of immunity right now, but I wonder how long that will last. I hasten to add that I’m not disturbed by their predominance on campus, mainly because they get there by working hard.
As it happened, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in an affirmative action case this week, in the case of Fisher v. University of Texas. It was an appeal against the court’s long time justification for racial preferences in education. It all started with The University of California Regents v. Bakke case, argued 35 years ago before the Supreme Court. It supported the use of racial preferences. Then the Court did so again in 2003, although in watered down form. That 5-4 opinion (Grutter v. Bollinger) was written by Sandra Day O’Connor, who has since retired and been replaced by Samuel Alito.
In the current case, Abigail Fisher applied to the University of Texas in 2008, but was rejected under their admissions policy, which considers various factors including race and academic performance.
Meanwhile, in California, 54 percent of the electorate voted yes on Proposition 209 in the 1996 election. That ballot initiative banned all “affirmative action” in government employment and public education. Key support for the proposition was given by Ward Connerly, a (black) member of the U.C. Board of Regents. He would always refer to “racial preferences” rather than affirmative action. The ACLU challenged Prop. 209, but the (liberal) Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the law in 1997. The U.S. Supreme Court later declined to hear the ACLU’s appeal.
This topic is memorable for me because it is what first turned me into a conservative. Preceding the Bakke case was one involving Marco DeFunis which came before the Supreme Court in 1974. I remember reading about it with amazement one day in the New Orleans Times-Picayune.
In the civil rights cases, then so recent, equality before the law was on everyone’s tongue. It was the great and hard-to-dispute principle used by liberals to promote their own virtue above that of the racists.
“Is equality before the law no longer good enough for these people?” I began to wonder. Now it was being abandoned, supposedly in favor of something better — positive discrimination. “Are they hypocrites?” It crossed my mind that they were promoting a special and undeclared cause — the advancement of their own power — even if it meant trouble for the nation.
The DeFunis case was declared moot. Although he had applied to medical school and was turned down on the basis of his (white) race, he had been admitted to another medical school while his appeal was underway.
The same outcome could emerge with the new case. Today’s plaintiff, Abigail Fisher, went on to attend another college and has already graduated. She no longer has any intention of going to the University of Texas. Justice Kennedy, thought to be the swing vote once again, could easily decide to let the lower court’s ruling prevail. (Justice Elena Kagan has recused herself and a 4-4 split on the high court would leave current law unaffected.)
About the Author
Tom Bethell is a senior editor of The American Spectator and author of The Politically Incorrect Guide to Science, The Noblest Triumph: Property and Prosperity Through the Ages, and most recently Questioning Einstein: Is Relativity Necessary? (2009).
Letter to the Editor View all comments (155) | Leave a comment
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Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 7:43AM
Affirmative action is fair for whom? Do I want a Doctor based solely on race or sex or based on his abilities to treat and cure? Do I want a fireman who can figure out how best to rescue someone and put out a fire, or do I want to fulfill quota's. As for tolerance on the left - ask Dan Cathy, aka Chick-fa-a how tolerant the left is. I am sure everyone of those who contribute to this site, has been insulted by the left at least once in their lifetime because of their conservative beliefs. Most do what Paul Ryan did last night - accept it for what it is. Some like Tim fight back, harder. One last point - tolerance - look at how the media treated the Tea Party and look at how they treated the COWS (Communist over Wall Street). Tolerance - HA.
Bill8472| 10.12.12 @ 1:39PM
Do you want a doctor who got his grades in med school based not on his scholarship but on the school's desire to have so many doctors of one race or ethnicity?
Do you want a firefighter trying to save your trapped child in your fire, who got a rating on negotiating fiery spaces and lifting heavy burdens based on a handicap instituted to pass women?
Chick-Fil-A food tastes the same whether the owner is pro-gay-marriage or against it.
PolishKnight| 10.12.12 @ 2:21PM
One of the arguments the left uses to justify their "affirmative action" policy is to argue about how many "people" it's helped. In other words, non-white males are "people" but dyslexic white male firefighters who studied extra hours to pass his exam, aren't. When slavery "helped" plantation owners become successful, that was unacceptable but when rural white male trailer park residents are discriminated against, that's acceptable.
What a bunch of jerks. Like Joe Biden. F' 'em.
What enrages me are liberal white women from affluent families who argued about how "oppressed" they were historically and demanded affirmative action to get high paying jobs and then turned around and said that they wanted men to pay for everything because they were "old fashioned". How many blacks say they are "old fashioned" and want to live on a plantation?
Alan Obama Fan Brooks | 10.12.12 @ 8:35PM
Still, Berkeley is a better place to live than most cities in the South;
but rural locations?: that's a different ball game, Sheriff Taylor's Mayberry is as convivial as any place in Oregon. The view from a silage tower or haystack is the same everywhere.
Bill8472| 10.15.12 @ 9:23AM
Define "better."
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 8:32AM
Let me tell ya about Affirmative Action.
Exhibit A: Our first Mulatto President.
Having him in the Oval Office, is like being assigned an African Doctor with a Bone through his nose, an Elongated Neck, a freshly killed Antelope Carsass on his Desk and a Medical Degree up on the Wall from The University of Phoenix, with Alan Rosenberg's name Crossed Out, and Dr. Mubumbo's name written above it in Magic Marker, for your Triple Bypass Surgery.
There's a REASON he keeps his Pertinent Papers locked in a Vault, on a Volcanic Island, in "ASIA". (and, it ain't just because of his Grades) Who spends Million$ keeping Prying Eyes away from their Passport, and their Report Cards?
Someone who's Hiding Something, that's who.
There's a REASON he thinks there's 61 States.
There's a REASON he doesn't know how to pronounce Corpsman.
There's a REASON he thinks that Austrians speak Austrian.
There's a REASON he takes a TelePrompTer with him to talk to 5th Graders.
And, that's not even the Main Reason that Affirmative Action is WRONG.
It's RASCIST.
If they're Too Stupid to get in to Medical School, or Whatever School?
Then they shouldn't get in to Medical School. Or Whatever School.
Your kid needs a complicated Surgery.
Here comes a Black Doctor.
What are you thinking.
I know what I'm thinking.
I'm thinking - Dr. Mobutu and that Antelope on his Desk.
And, so is everybody else.
At least, they should be.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 8:56AM
Now - On with The Show.
What a week. First we get a House Investigation on the Existence of Santa Claus, the Easter Bunny, and the Tooth Fairy. Or, at least it might as well have been about them, if you listened to the Accused.
You see. These people work for a Man who knows as much about The TRUTH, as his Wife knows about a Size 1 Pair of Pants.
Time and again, they were asked about the Sackings of Our Embassies, and the Murders of our Personnel. And, time and again, they Blamed the whole thing on something thatNever Happened, except in their Dreams.
"It was the Video." "It was the Video." "It was the Video."
That was followed by the Talking Points - "That was the Intel that we had at the time." Again, and again, and again.
They never explained why ALL OF THEM were still KNOWINGLY Lying to everyone, many days after these Attacks. Long after it had been Established by EVERYONE that this was a Terrorist Attack on The Anniversary of 911.
Duh.
I remember a coupla Television Shows that this reminded me of.
The Seinfeld Episode, where he's Dating the Woman Cop and he Refuses to admit that he watches Melrose Place. Even going so far as to take a Lie Detector Test, which he fails.
That's what saw from those "Witnesses".
Jerry at the Lie Detector.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 9:12AM
I also remember the Saturday Night Live sketch, where Will Ferrel plays Alex Trebek in a JEOPARDY skit.
Everytime Ferrel gives the Jeopardy Answer? One by one, the "Contestants" come up with unbelievably Idiotic Responses.
If the Jeopardy Answer was "I was the 1st Black President of South Africa"?
The Contestant's responses would be:
a) Who is Malcolm Luther Abdul Jabaar?
b) Who is that Black Guy on the Box of Rice?
c) What I wouldn't give to get my hands on those nice Fat Cans under Contestant #2's Blouse. (Hat Tip - Fake Sean Connery)
That's what I saw at this thing.
What did you see?
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 9:18AM
The Rules are the same.
I've given you My Analogies of this News Story. Now you must come up with one or two of your own.
It can be a Movie. A TV Show. A Play. A Soft Porn Vignette from the Redbox Machine. Whatever.
Last week a Poem was the big winner, don't ask me how that happened.
What did you see at those Hearings, and can you do better than Beach Scene - Lord of the Flies?
God, I hope so.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 9:56AM
TLP, I'm at a bit of a disadvantage for the contest. I rarely, if ever, do movies. I think the last one I paid any attention to starred some gal named Lovelace. I don't remember much of the dialogue but, as I recall, the plot was pretty deep. But, I digress.
I have labored mightily (at least 10 minutes) on this weeks entry but am still debating whether to submit it.
So, be forewarned. If allowed to compete this week, I will submit a (Drum roll) HYMN. Well, sort of a hymn. It describes my take on the mindless lemmings you refer to who swallow (no reference intended here to the aforementioned Ms. Lovelace) the messiah's bullsh*t, hook, line and sinker. Let me know if you wanna see it.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 10:02AM
It doesn't have to be a Movie.
It can pretty much be whatever you want it to be.
Case in point: Last week somebody sent in some kinda Gay Poetry, and wouldn't ya know? The SOB ended up being the Big Winner.
Go figure.
Whatever you want Jack.
Just keep it Manly.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 10:20AM
It was in no way Gay Poetry. Poe, himself, was rumored to be a little acey/deucy but my poem, "The Craven" is as manly as it gets. Still thinking about the hymn. Got a bit distracted remembering Ms. Lovelance in her Oscar winning (well, should have been) performance so gotta get back into the right frame of mind for the HYMN.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:39PM
Just kidding KJ.
You're the man.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:07PM
And, if my memory serves me? (And it seldom does, these days) I believe that you won in the Non Gay Poetry Category.
Barely.
Kwan| 10.12.12 @ 1:03PM
Movie: From Russia With Love
Scene: Chess Grandmaster Kronsteen and ex-Soviet Intelligent Officer Rosa Klebb now working for SPECTRE have been called before SPECTRE #1 Ernst Starvo Blofeld to explain why the plan to steal a Lektor cryptographic device and kill James Bond has failed.
Blofeld: Three men were found dead on the Orient Express train at Trieste. One of them was Grant. What have you got to say about that Number Five?
Kronsteen: It was Klebb's choice. Her people failed.
Rosa Klebb: It was your plan they followed implicitly.
Kronsteen: Impossible. It was perfect.
Rosa Klebb: Except for one thing, they were dealing with Bond.
Kronsteen: Who is Bond compared with Kronsteen?
Analogy: Kronsteen and Klebb's blaming each other for the failure to get the Lektor and kill Bond is analagous to the White House's efforts to place the blame for the murder of our Libyan Ambassador and three others on an idiotic youtube video, instead of the fact that it was the White House and State Department's incompetence to provide adequate security for the Benghazi compound that was the cause.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:40PM
Wow, Mr. Kwan.
Wow.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 1:41PM
I second that.
Pecos Pete| 10.12.12 @ 2:50PM
Kwan: Excellent! I'd concede but then Tim would consign me to a foxhole for another week and I don't want to embarrass the Colonel.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:14PM
Too late.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:15PM
I saw your entry.
Well Done.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:20PM
Did ANYONE see my Rendition of Jeopardy?
Malcolm Luther Abdul Jabaare?
The Black Guy on the Box of Rice?
Sean Connery?
C'mon.
That was GOLD, Baby.
That's Entertainment!
John Navratil| 10.12.12 @ 1:08PM
TLP,
I thinking John Belushi to Carrie Fisher in "The Blues Brothers."
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JFvujknrBuE
John Navratil| 10.12.12 @ 1:11PM
PS. Carrie Fisher has nice..... legs.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 1:29PM
Key line from the scene "It wasn't my fault!", which should be the motto of the Obama Administration.
John Navratil| 10.12.12 @ 5:56PM
Albert Constantine Jr.,
In the next scene, after Carrie Fisher buys his apologia, Belushi kisses her and drops her in the mud. Just too real!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:53PM
I'm assuming that by - Legs- you mean T*ts.
C'mon.
You can tell me.
John Navratil| 10.12.12 @ 2:30PM
TLP,
Nope! Legs!
http://www.google.com/imgres?i.....Ag&dur=243
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 2:58PM
Definetly the legs. Great, great legs.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:23PM
I understand that she has a Hot Looking New Hip, these days.
But' you're right.
She did have a Sweet Set a Gams.
TinaB| 10.13.12 @ 1:04PM
Good stuff there, John. Short, but sweet. No comments from the peanut gallery.
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 3:36PM
You said "Peanut" Gallery, right? For a minute there........................
R Martin| 10.12.12 @ 10:22AM
Too easy, the Abbott and Costello sketch--"Who's on First."
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 12:55PM
While a good entry for the contest, also an ironic sketch to reference beneath an article on diversity and ethnic preferences (Hu's on first, Watts on Second, Aydonough's on third)
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:56PM
Rickey.
If Pecos Pete were here?
He would already concede defeat, after that one.
Truly, brevity is the Soul of Wit.
mike 3/505| 10.12.12 @ 9:49AM
Star Wars IV....Congressional Committee are the Storm Troopers. All the administration witnesses are clones of Obiwan Kenobi. "These are not the droids you're looking for."
Second submission: Beach scene..... :-)
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 10:18AM
That's more like it.
Although, I don't recall a Beach Scene in Star Wars IV.
Albert?
Come in, Albert. Over.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 11:02AM
I’m thinking of the movie “The Verdict”, where Paul Newman plays an alcoholic lawyer in Boston whose best days seem behind him. He takes the case from the family of a woman who was left in a permanent coma after she was put under anesthesia for surgery at a Boston Hospital run by the Archdiocese there too soon after she had last eaten.
No one expected Newman to be up to the job, and he was more or less set up to do a poor job so the malpractice could be covered up. The best lawyers in town are retained by the Bishop, and the arrogant doctor who ignored the information on the admission paperwork is coached to give believable testimony.
Somehow through the haze following his breakfast beer, Newman is able to locate a nurse who knew that what really happened is being covered up. They try to discredit her, and she clearly has some issues, but more importantly, she has a copy of the original admission form, where the victim/ patient noted she had eaten one hour before admission (and not eight, as the altered documents proffered by the hospital reflect). Despite the flaws in his case, the juror finds for the woman in the coma, and awards a jackpot even greater than the damages requested.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 11:02AM
For our purposes, Paul Newman is the damaged Republican Party, which took a beating in 2006 and 2008 (in part, because of its own failures to follow principles), and no one thought it could ever win again. The slick lawyers and arrogant doctors are the Obama administration and their allies in the Left, doing all that they can to hold onto their power, and not caring what individuals they might crush or leave in a coma, as long as they can do their brand of “good” in the world.
The hearings on Benghazi this week were the moment in the trial where the ex-nurse/ witness pulls out the copy of the original document, exposing to the jury (and the world) what a bunch of lying incompetent frauds the defendants are.
Hopefully, like this film, there will be a happy ending, except instead of a large damage award, on November 6, the jurors will represent that majority of the electorate, who will vote the victim (the America we love) out of its coma.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 11:19AM
Tough, tough competition this week.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:58PM
You Got that right, KJ.
We're looking at a Nail Biter, here.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 1:59PM
Are you seeing these, Albert?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 3:35PM
The judges will be working overtime tonight, and Nick hasn't even arrived yet. I better get to Happy Hour, so that my acceptance/ concession speech can properly marinate.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 4:56PM
Yeah.
Where the Fck is Nick?
CJW| 10.12.12 @ 11:55AM
Is there a category for Non-Fiction?
If we are talking about old fashioned lying then we must go to the Master, Bubba and Mrs Bubba.
1. "I did not have sex with that woman, Monica Lewinsky." DNA proves otherwise, so Bubba asks "Well it depends on what you mean by sex."
2. "I made the $100,000 from my one thousand dollars investment in cattle futures by reading the Wall Street Journal." This stands alone as a classic and requires no editorial comment.
There are more from the DynamicDuo but I have to leave and will return later.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 12:51PM
Kinda like "It depends what the meaning of "is" is."
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:07PM
Was that your Hymn?
I'm looking at the Judges, and they're shaking their heads.
You're one of the Defending Champions.
You have to know that EVERYBODY is waiting to see your Defence of your Title.
The Contest Closes at 7pm.
I will Consider Late Entries up to 8pm, when the still Undetermined Prizes will be handed out.
Good Luck.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:02PM
Remember.
You can post as many entries as you like.
I would normally use this time to Lay out all of The Contest's Legal Disclaimers, but I gotta get more Beer.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 4:58PM
There is a Non Fiction Category.
Unfortunately, there is No Category for Phoning It In.
Sorry.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:11PM
You're Amazing.
PolishKnight| 10.12.12 @ 10:24AM
I would even argue that they aren't sincere about "diversity". "Diversity" is a code word for "discriminate against white guys in order to get votes from non white-guys". White male leftists are like George Soros: They shove their fellow man (literally) under the bus in order for the survival of their own ideology.
If a department is all blacks, for example, they won't argue for more diversity to get more white guys. The left also engages in a pretense of griping about "affirmative action" when schools make minor efforts to recruit more men now that anti-male college campuses have 66% female enrollment or more. So if they got a boy's club to simply encourage application (not preferences) the left screams: "See! Now YOU'RE getting special privileges so shut up!" In the meantime, the women at the college campus are griping that there's a shortage of "real men" to ask them out on dinner dates.
All the left did in the 60's was abandon Jim Crow against blacks and then make a new Jim Crow against whites. In both cases, they're buying votes for their populist ideology.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:35PM
What the Hell was that?
C'mon PK. Get with the Program.
We're looking for Movie and Television Analogies, to this Week's House Investigation of "It was that Video that NOBODY SAW - that came out in JUNE - that caused our Embassies to be Sacked, and Burned to the Ground, and our Personnel being MURDERED. It had Nothing to do with it being SEPTEMBER 11. Nothing to do with me Spiking Bin Laden's Head in the End Zone a thousand times. And, Nothing to do with me DENYING Extra Security at these places, or FORBIDDING Marines from actually having BULLETS in their Guns."
You can enter until 7pm.
Thank you for your Cooperation.
PolishKnight| 10.12.12 @ 4:43PM
Oh, ok. Here goes:
I'll submit a unique entry, a Polish film comedy "What will you do if you catch me?" ("Co mi zrobisz, jak mnie zlapiesz") It's one of my favorite Polish films and amazingly criticizes communist thinking and doublespeak (screened in 1978!!!)
A director is asked "What's the projected increase in production this month?" and the director answers "40% official". "What about unofficial?" He replies: "20%". "What about for real?" Answer: "Who knows?"
The director's wife, a director herself of the railway station, decides to engage in an advertising campaign to increase rail usage. She wants signs put up everywhere: "Railways are convenient and accessible" but in order to get them up, closes the station for a week.
My friends tell me that this film wasn't a total farce. They have similar stories. So much of what Biden said, and what the committees are up to, are laughable. It doesn't make sense. The media doesn't report it or spins a different story weekly and hopes the populace is too dumb to notice.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 4:59PM
Now you're gettin it.
Well done.
Pecos Pete| 10.12.12 @ 10:27AM
From Paint Your Wagon ... I talk to the trees:
Paul Ryan sings ...
I talk to the trees
But they don't listen to me
I talk to the stars
But they never hear me
The breeze hasn't time
To stop, and hear what I say
I talk to them all
In vain
But suddenly, my words
Reach someone elses ear
At someone elses heart
Strings too
I tell you my dreams
And while you're listening to me
I suddenly see them
Come true
I can see us some April night
Looking out across a rollin' farm
Having supper in the candlelight
Walking later, arm in arm
Then I'll tell you
How I pass the day
Thinking mainly how
The night would be
Then I'll try to find
The words to say
All the things you
Mean to me
I tell you my dreams
And while you're
Listening to me
I suddenly see them
Come true
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 10:37AM
Out damn standing, Pecos. All week I was trying to think of a way to get a song from that show but I was focusing in on "Mariah" and "I Was Born Under a Wondering Star." Good job!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:39PM
What?
Last week was a Poem, and now you're trying to come up with a SHOW TUNE?
You're Scaring Me.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 11:24AM
OK, guys. My submission is a hymn (sort of) sung to the tune of "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, one of my all time favorites, with particular homage to Chris Matthews, the inspiration for the lyric. This is not meant to be humorous, but a commentary on the mindset of the left.
They say there is a sacred meme.
Obamarx is the go-between
Twixt you and all that’s good. He’d never screw ‘ya.
If you’ll but bow before his throne,
he’ll pay your bills, he’ll buy your phone,
and all he asks of you is, “Hallelujah!”
Chorus:
Praise Obamarx! Hallelujah!
Hallelujah! Hallelujah!
Your flame of faith is strong, no doubt.
There are no facts can snuff it out.
You’ve sacrificed all Truth, it never knew ‘ya.
He thrusts his chin into the air,
In rapture, you just stand and stare,
and from your throat there rolls the “Hallelujah!”
Chorus
He scorns the law but you don’t see.
He tells you all you want is free.
He’ll take it from the rich and give it to ‘ya.
It’s only just, they have too much,
For you he is the Midas Touch
and from your knees you cry the “Hallelujah”.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 11:28AM
Chorus
But we’ve all seen this act before.
He’ll leave you crying on the floor
When he can’t give you all you think is due ‘ya.
But you’ll not learn, you’ll dry your tears,
from fools like you will ring the cheers
while shouting out his holy “Hallelujah”.
Chorus
So now it’s done and all is lost.
He never let you know the cost.
Your freedom’s gone; you had it coming to ‘ya.
You never thought it’d be like this.
That “Hope” would end in nothingness,
and still you smile and sing the “Hallelujah”
That's it. I am leaving in about 3 hours to go to Oktoberfest in Alpine Helen, Georgia with my wife, daughter, her husband and two grandbabies. I have, therefore, a limited number of hours of complete sobriety left before Monday morning, so take it easy on the critiques. For those who ask, I will glady lift a stein of Warsteiner Dunkle on their behalf this weekend.
tankrtrash| 10.12.12 @ 11:54AM
Damn...I feel so inadequate...
Bill8472| 10.12.12 @ 1:40PM
Have a St. Pauli Girl and forget about it.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 12:02PM
Hallel..., uh AMEN, KJ!!!
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 12:21PM
...und bitte, trinkst du ein anderes Warsteiner Dunkle fuer mich.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 12:47PM
Mit Vergnugen, meinen Freund!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:44PM
Please push 4 for Austrian.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 3:04PM
Hah!
TinaB| 10.13.12 @ 2:44PM
Oh yes, lift a stein for me, and drink it to you. That was fabulous, I sang every word and it all fit, precisely as it should. Now, at last I know why I haven't entered Timmie's wonderful competitions each Friday. I don't belong on the same stage with a Leonard Cohen write-alike. I bow to you, Sir Kennesaw of Jack, you humble me. Great choice of medium, and excellent job, whether you won or not.
(I have yet to finish reading the entries) I was so startled by the quality of your entry, I had to post. Tim you should be proud of what you have spawned, KennesawJack has raised the bar.
Albert, you know you are fantastic too, so rest in that knowledge and I will go back to the reading the remaining competitors. You know who you are.
TLP| 10.14.12 @ 8:42AM
Tina B?
Where B you yesterday?
Why you no B here?
We all B Bery Bisabbointed when you not Show Up.
(Apparently, her "Humidifier" was broken.)
Isn't that right, Nick?
Von Mises Jr| 10.12.12 @ 11:59AM
Before going to the movie "2016," I went to one stupid Bourne movie for a fix of massive air conditioning during a severe heat wave, and before that I went to "Birdcage" when Robin Williams was still entertaining.
I read about the Supreme Court Bakke and Grutter v. Bollinger Cases of how they skirted the issue by determining that there could be no quotas, but race could be a determining factor in selection (whatever the hell that means). I am sure that is the gist of it without re-reading the books I have read on the Supreme Court.
So if I fail to produce, just understand I despise Hollyweird and don't watch TV except for business news and football. I'll be damned if I will give them the little bit of money I have the Obama regime has not found yet.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 1:32PM
That's me, too, Von. I did go see Grand Torino but only because my sons told me it was Clint Eastwood playing their father but rarely, rarely do I contribute my money to that crowd in Hollywouldn't. As for TV, if they bring back "24" maybe I'll start watching again. Other than that, Brett Bair at 6, Cavuto at 8, and Megan Kelly every chance I get.
Bill8472| 10.12.12 @ 1:41PM
Do you own a Garand? Refer to your Asian neighbor's daughter as "Yum Yum?"
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 1:52PM
Not to mention sit on the porch with a cooler full of beer...
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 2:55PM
Guilty on all three counts although the Asian is not really a neighbor. She lives about 6 houses down.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:53PM
It can be a Book. It can be a Poem, a Hymn, a Showtoon.
It can be a Cartoon, Deep Throat (apparently), or the Ingredients on a Toothpaste Tube.
As Flick said in A Bugs Life - "Just use your Imagination."
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 3:18PM
Von - I agree - wont give a penny to Hollyweird - so go back to the classics.
Warrior| 10.12.12 @ 2:05PM
In honor of Biden's debating prowess, Colonel Flagg from MASH always comes to mind:
Nobody can get the truth out of me because even I don't know what it is. I keep myself in a constant state of utter confusion. -- Col. Flagg
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:47PM
Hilarious.
Colonel Flagg.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 3:37PM
Except in the case of Biden, instead of "I am the Wind", he would gaffe it and say "I am breaking the wind".
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:03PM
"I am a leaf on the wind."
Serenity.
Sci-Fi.
Goldwater Girl| 10.12.12 @ 2:18PM
Tim,
I am reminded of the scene in Wayne's World where Wayne encounters the ex-girlfriend Stacy(also known as Hose-beast). I'm paraphrasing, but she asks when they can go out again, and Wayne reminds her that they broke up. She responds, " just because we broke up, doesn't mean we can't keep seeing each other, does it?" Wayne goes on to say, that that's exactly what breaking up means.
This is the kind of willful ignorance that occurs at all these congressional hearings unfortunately. With the Obama administration insisting that the investigation is ongoing in Libya(until after the election), everyone knows they are stonewalling, PERIOD! Just like Grandpa Joe says!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 2:49PM
That sounds exactly like Debbie Washmyass Sgt. Schultz.
Nice job.
Goldwater Girl| 10.12.12 @ 2:48PM
Here's the movie scene we never see at these hearings........ when Tim Robbins asks the warden in Shawshank Redemption, "must you be so obtuse?", when the warden does not want to investigate the report of a confession to the murder Tim was charged with, as it would upset his little embezzling operation. Nope, we will never get that question as the Congress is not willing to do 60 days in the hole!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:05PM
Outstanding.
You people are Blowing my Mind.
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 2:52PM
Once again I'm going to make my entry something simple and to the point so RCV or Purp can get the meaning.
My analogy comes from the New Testament. Purp, you can borrow someone's Bible and look this up.
Mark Chapert 14, verses 66-72
Peters denial of Christ, not one, not twice, but three times.
Of course in this scenario Christ is is a Trinity himself because he is being played by the Consulate, the Ambassodor, and the Security advisor, all of whom were denied the bare minimum of security they asked and pleaded for.
Peter is also played by a Trinity, Obama, Clinton and Rice as the all denied the truth, not once, not twice, but a number thats is still growing to this day.
Now here's where the story changes. Peter is forgivine in the Bible and will sit with Christ in Heaven.
Obama, Hillary and Rice will all go straight to hell where they most certainly deserve to be.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:03PM
You guys just get better and better.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:09PM
Don't Mess with Texas.
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 3:13PM
I forgot something in the credits, Obama also played the crowing cock.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:13PM
He's a Cock, all right.
mike 3/505| 10.12.12 @ 5:41PM
No he isn't....a c*** is part of a man.
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 10:29AM
All right.
He's a Weiner.
Oooooh. Tough Crowd.
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 3:08PM
Tim - this week I am going to be the winner with this one! White Heat with the DERANGED Cody Jarrett (Biden) blowing himself up shouting "Top of the World' (keeping with his Irish slogan of "its just stuff". Edmond O'Brian of course is the sane Paul Ryan. "Top of the World"
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:29PM
Where are the rest of our Fairer Sex Entourage?
You know - Pelleas. Purp. AlandoyouhappentosellacorkthatwillfitinmyassBrooks.
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 3:47PM
Tim, Purp, Pelleas, etc., (keeping with my theme) would represent Cody's mother. Always coddling the loonie toonie Biden and encouraging the nut no matter what. In fact, Cody's mother could also represent Obama, "I'll just let Joe be Joe". Again, "Top of the World you Nut Joe Biden".
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 3:49PM
By the way, to answer your question, Perp, Pelleas, etc. went to buy strawberries for the loon.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:09PM
Cain Mutiny?
mike 3/505| 10.12.12 @ 5:48PM
Holder? He was against me. Jarrettte? She was against me. Michelle? She was the worst. They were all against me...plotting, scheming
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 6:38PM
No, still White Heat.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 3:39PM
...and the scene with the grapefruit is their real "War on Women".
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 4:03PM
Albert - "Public Enemy" and oh yea - that would be the rapist Bill Clinton and how he treated Juanta Brodrick, etc., etc.
Nick| 10.12.12 @ 7:51PM
That's very good, Joellen.
But, I believe O'Biden is better exemplified by the laughing psycho Tommy Udo, in Kiss of Death, in the debate last night.
The little old lady that Udo pushes down the stairs represents Crazy Joe's decades of trying to do the same to America.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.13.12 @ 10:52AM
“Kiss of Death” was remade with David Caruso, Nicolas Cage and Samuel L. Jackson in 1995. The theme and plot had some similarity to the original, though it was updated with a number of contemporary twists. Caruso played Kilmartin, the ex-con who decides to turn on his fellow criminals after they let his wife suffer and die while he did time without ratting on their organization. He is placed back into the criminal organization involved in guns and drugs, and witnesses his nemesis, Little Junior Brown ( the Udo role now played by Cage with characteristic weirdness), murder an undercover federal agent in front of him while he is wired.
The case collapses when it is determined that the sting, which involved trading illegal drugs for guns, and the government agents allowed the contraband firearms to go uninterdicted into criminal hands. The syndicate’s lawyer Gold (played obnoxiously by Anthony Heald, who is more well known as Doctor Chilton in “Silence of the Lambs”) laughing asks the feds as charges against Brown are dismissed “You didn’t let those guns walk, did you?’ or words to that effect.
Does any of this sound familiar?
TLP| 10.14.12 @ 8:46AM
Who are you?
And why do I think that you're a Seat Filler at every Movie Awards Show?
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 3:15PM
While we're on the topic of analogies, do you think we would all agree that the Democratic plan for our economy is the same plan that Wimpy presented to Popeye?
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 3:25PM
That presumes that Wimpy was Lying.
Nice touch, though.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 3:38PM
Was that Biden trying to be Brutus/ Bluto last night?
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 3:43PM
I wish Ryan would have had "all he can stands cause he can't stands no more", eaten his spinach and popped that interrupting assclown Biden upside his head.
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 3:57PM
On that - Stkman gets my vote!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:15PM
I guess it's a good thing you're not one of the Judges then, isn't it?
mike 3/505| 10.12.12 @ 5:42PM
Wimpy? I'll gladly pay you tomorrow for a hamburger today?
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 10:43AM
I'll gladly pay you TUESDAY..............Sir.
Drunken Sailor| 10.12.12 @ 4:28PM
Hitchhikers guide to the galaxy. Our heroe's are:
Arthur Dent (Mitt Romney)
Ford Perfect (Paul Ryan)
Zaphold Beeblebrox (John Boehner)
Marvin, the paranoid robot (Darrell Issa)
Trillian (Ann Romney)
And of course the the Vogons who want to destroy earth are played by:
Barrack Obama, Joe Biden, Nancy Pelosi, Harry Reid, DWS, and David Axelrod.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:08PM
Unfortunately for you.
NOBODY saw that Movie.
But that doesn't mean you won't win.
Not in this Contest.
Drunken Sailor| 10.12.12 @ 5:29PM
What can I say, it was 3 am, I couldn't sleep and I was out of beer.
R Martin| 10.12.12 @ 6:05PM
Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain. Don't make excuses; I saw the movie, and your entry is a worthy one.
Joellen| 10.12.12 @ 4:38PM
One more from me folks: The Exorcist - Joe the loon plays Regan possessed. I know I was waiting for Bite Me's head to start spinning with that loonie grin any time last night.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:16PM
Nice.
gene| 10.12.12 @ 4:59PM
Diversity? If I have a brain tumor, I do not want someone with a Special education Diploma digging through my skull. I want the Valedictorian from the best school in the country.
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 5:06PM
Would it matter if the best doctor kepth their medical school records locked up along with his passport, college thesis, and birth certificate?
gene| 10.12.12 @ 5:14PM
That's a no brainer. The "Birther Business" is all smoke and mirrors. It is not just where he was born, but what country he CLAIMED as a citizen. And if he floated through college, law school, etc, as a FOREIGN EXCHANGE Student, then it does not matter if he was born in Hawaii or NYC. He ain't eligible to be President. End of Story.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 5:19PM
92 Posts, and 2 hours to go.
Unbelievable.
gene| 10.12.12 @ 5:23PM
And what contest are these folks talking about anyway?
And is Affirmative Action a part of the contest?
Will there be extra points for people who are African and male?
Will points be deducted if you are white, male or Asian? Can you get multiple points if you are an Alaskan Inuite Lesbian Female with one leg?
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 5:32PM
As a gay, err I mean bi married half black Kenyan Muslim from Indonesia with a SS card from Conneticutt (even though I've never been there) I resemvble that statement and yes, I give myself not only extra points but all the points.
B.H. Obama
gene| 10.12.12 @ 5:30PM
What if someone has a Trans-Racial problem?
They could be an African American trapped in the body of a White Man. These people need protection under the law. Taxes should be available for cultural conditioning, surgery to correct pigmentation problems, and education in language, clothing, music, etc.
Or a Trans-Racial-Sexual problem. A whie female trapped in the body of an African male.
Stkman| 10.12.12 @ 5:34PM
My God! Michael Jackson and Obama are brothers!
gene| 10.12.12 @ 6:10PM
Exactamundo!
BTW Has/Did anyone ever seen Lotoya Jackson and Michael Jackson in the same place at the same time?
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.13.12 @ 10:58AM
"Exactamundo!"
I had never realized until now that Samuel L. Jackson is a part of that Jackson family.
tankrtrash| 10.12.12 @ 7:16PM
I'm reminded of a movie I was forced to sit through several years ago with my kids.... James And The Giant Peach . Obama, Axelrod, Carney played the parasitic insects that live within the peach, Napolitano and Hillary are James' cruel aunts, Spiker and Sponge and the Peach is brilliantly played by Mookie's ass
It's the last time I went to a movie without a full flask of Jamison's.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 7:37PM
Where's Nick?
Nick| 10.12.12 @ 8:15PM
Sorry, TLP, got stuck at my neighbor's house, trying to figure out why his humidifier (which we installed) wasn't working, and if his furnace control was operating correctly. Plus, they are a chatty couple.
I've got nothing. Zip. Zero. Nada.
Every movie I thought of, just doesn't fit.
I could only come up with Bart Simpson's "I didn't do it!"
Oh, well. They can't all be gems.
Check out my reply to Joellen, above. It's much better, I think.
gene| 10.13.12 @ 10:05AM
" Biden not know....
Biden only pawn in the game of life...."
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 10:53AM
Priorities, my son.
Priorities.
KennesawJack| 10.12.12 @ 8:05PM
Herr Constantine, Prosit!
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 10:57AM
Yeah. What he said.
Hail Albert's Prostate Galnd!
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 8:08PM
What can I say?
When we started this, one Month ago, we had 18 Entrants.
18.
Today, we had 108.
Congratulations to all of you.
All I did was open the door. You're the one's who actually walked through that door. This Contest is Nothing without You.
I know that I normally Start the Contest with a List of Prizes. One for the Winners, and one for Pecos Pete. Today, that was not the case. I didn't have time, and it looks like that lapse in preparation was more Prescient, than it was, by accident.
I can't choose a Winner, and I can't choose a Loser.
We've got Lengthy Poems, and Hymns. And we've got Abbott and Costello's "Who's on First?"
Albert has given us The Verdict, with its Twists and Turns. While Stkman simply offered up Wimpy.
We had the Bible, the Excorsist, and The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Universe. Wayne's World, Mash, and Deep Throat. (I know. I'll speak to him.)
Carrie Fischer's Legs, Obama's Crowing Cock, and Contestant #2's Fat Cans.
A little bit of Polish, and a little bit of Austrian, to go along with a lot of Mispelled English Words.
Show Tunes, Church Tunes, and Looney Tunes.
Good ones, bad ones, and the 5 that gene sent in.
TLP| 10.12.12 @ 8:31PM
Navratil made me laugh. Pecos Pete made me Proud. And Kennesawjack made me Scared.
As always, Albert was my Rock. Joellen - My Muse. And the rest of you - my inspiration. (Maybe Doctor Right was right? Maybe I am a Blowhard?)
Whatever.
I hope everybody had as much fun as I did. After a week of banging our heads against the walls, listening to the Drones and the Useful Idiots all week, and often feeling the helplessness of our situation, where we are all but Powerless to Stop what is being done to us, and our Families.
It's nice to Kick Back for a while, and Block it all out for a change.
Everybody Wins, today.
I actually am in possession of Joe Biden's Comb. I kid you not. The very same Comb that he used just before the Debate got started.
There must be 100 Hairs in this thing, at least. With each one still attached to its Plug.
Everybody will be recieving 2 of these hairs - Plugs included - with a Certificate of Authenticity, signed by the Janitor that cleans up the Dressing Rooms at these things.
More importantly, I've decided to give the Actual COMB, itself, to Pecos Pete, for Most Improved Contestant. Obviously, having the Colonel in that Foxhole with you, paid off.
Congratulations.
To all of us.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 9:41PM
Tonight, TLP, you have outdone yourself. Participation in the contest is at a peak, and beyond all who showed up, so many “got it’.
We gather to mock those who disagree with us, but more importantly, to celebrate the founding principles of the nation we all love.
While each week, the contests are open to all who choose to enter, those trolls who try to inhabit this site along with the rest of us who wish to find fellowship with others of conservative thought and can’t stop interjecting themselves into every post expressed fail to participate.
Today, R Martin went classic comedy ( and baseball, in the playoff season, even though the Phillies didn’t make it, and the O’s were eliminated today, leaving a Delawarean few teams to root for, when one shares disdain for the Vice President and his master).
KJ went to a hymn, which ironically, someone played on the jukebox while I was at Happy Hour (God was voting for you). CJW went to non-fiction, which while dangerous for an attorney, is anathema to the current administration (and the Clintons, as he ably points out.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 9:45PM
Kwan invoked the original James Bond. John Navratil was on a mission from God (without any undue mention of female upper body anatomy much). Mike went for a pithy Star Wars (and Lord of the Flies beach reference) entry, and Polish Knight overcame his original response to the article with a foreign film entry which was highly relevant.
Pecos Pete, back from his isolated fighting position, joined the battle to provide musical accompaniment. Warrior came in with the M*A*S*H* reference, Goldwater Girl with the Lara Flynn Boyle scene and Steven King Story. Stkman went biblical, and Joellen did not (while keeping straight the catalogue of both Cagney and Bogart, God bless).
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.12.12 @ 9:54PM
Drunken Sailor, Gene, CPM got their words in edgewise, and Nick got in a late appearance.
Thanks to all who showed up, and remember, there are no losers (Okay, that's wrong, as Purp and his ilk demonstrate everyday, and reinforce by their failure to participate).
Hopefully, on 110612, we will all be able to shout "CUT", and start a new show.
John II| 10.12.12 @ 10:32PM
Hey--don't forget those of us who served as spectators.
I don't see why the contests have to be on Fridays. The venue's fine--but can you do this on Saturdays?
I don't have time on Fridays to work up an entry--and it looks as if other potential contestants don't either. After all, we have our careers to think of. Bummer.
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.13.12 @ 11:10AM
You are correct, sir. This is no show without an audience.
Until TLP opens up the entry period for a whole weekend, knowing your extensive film knowledge, pick any movie and prepare in advance. When the theme for the week's contest is announced around 9-10 am on Friday, just plug in your prepared entry with whatever you need to make it relevant whenever you get a chance over the next ten hours.
You don't want to miss a shot at these prizes.
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 3:39PM
I did consider opening this up for the whole weekend.
Let's do it!
KennesawJack| 10.14.12 @ 7:10PM
Just got back from Oktoberfest. Hope you enjoyed the Warsteiner Dunkle!
Albert Constantine Jr.| 10.14.12 @ 8:13PM
Sehr gut (ein Heller und ein Dunkle). They say laughter is the best medicine, though I prefer to augment it on occasion with 12-16 oz doses of a concoction fermented with hops (repeat as necessary).
Joellen| 10.13.12 @ 6:53AM
Thank you Tim, once again you and the crew made one feel secured that the insane have not out numbered the sane. If I may get serious though, please let's continue to pray for this country, for the blessed Military who fight every single day that we may be able to do what we do, and please pray for their families who sacrfice each day too. These men & women deserve someone in the White House who will defend them while they are defending us. That alone should have everyone out voting on 11/6/12. GOD bless.
Pecos Pete| 10.13.12 @ 10:05AM
Tim, I'll happily and proudly accept the Comb if you will properly sanitize it: First, a two hour soak in a can of Shlitz; second, a two hour tanning beneath the sun in Barbados (just send it to the Marines); third, another two hours of soaking in a tall glass of Kentucky Bourbon (I prefer Maker's Mark, but KB is okay); last, place comb in suitable glass of denture clean for 1.5 hours of whitening.
Having suitably redeemed myself, I will now march Forward! without the Colonel's prodding.
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 11:17AM
Don't worry about the Comb, as it fell in the toilet this morning.
I let it soak in there for like an hour.
I gotta believe Biden's Ick has been washed away.
My Ick?
I'll get back to you.
mike 3/505| 10.12.12 @ 8:34PM
I want a DW-S pinup! I have a horrendous rat problem in the basement.
TLP| 10.13.12 @ 3:42PM
I'm thinking that that just might make your problem even worse.
I'm just sayin.
R Martin| 10.12.12 @ 8:39PM
Which just goes to show, posters on this site, while knowledgeable and serious, have an excellent sense of humor. They're quite clever, too. You won't find stuff like this at salon.com.
Cpm| 10.12.12 @ 8:18PM
Virtually every administration figure that is questioned on Capitol Hill reminds me of Martin Short's classic character Nathan Thurm, the slimy, chainsmoking, nervous lawyer who is unable to give a straight answer to any question. Lot's of clips on Youtube.
gene| 10.13.12 @ 10:07AM
" Biden not know....
Biden only pawn in the game of life...."
obadiah| 10.13.12 @ 1:13PM
Tom is not sufficiently cynical. Based on my experience with the Berkeley professoriate, they are so narrow-minded, superficial and narcissistic as to be unable to sustain serious political intentions.
HBowen| 10.13.12 @ 3:22PM
I was a subjugate of the "sixties" momentum that prescribed all students who could be so chattled to find the very lowest common demonstrator of social hierarchy with dope. Many of the boys went unheralded after suicides and were falsely reported as "aids" deaths. Many died from various repercussions from the Mickey Mouse color television birthday party heralded as the Vietnam police action. Some continue to struggle on with life who were heralded as "survivors" in the 80's, but who are now looked upon as pathetic and useless and who should have legal drugs at their disposal. Communism heralded all people as equal when the revolution occurred in Russia in 1917. Lately, the population insists all people are girls. Should America allow new mothers to kill their infant boys with sudden infant crib death syndrome due to the fact that they were born the conflicting gender with evolutions politics?
Ian Cognito | 10.15.12 @ 3:09PM
Nice to read this topic has over 150 comments - that rare around here for any topic. Like the others here - I was directly impacted by AA policies - doors slammed shut in the early 1970s in Cali (I was at UCB too) - I felt an inferred responsibility for the actions of my racial forbearers. Only my family never had contact with "minorities". They were dirt farmers in central Utah. How was IT my fault? No matter my grades, abilities, experience, or test scores - I was persona non-grata - White & Male. How much production was lost? How might our lives be improved had white men been on equal footing - that is the law. How bad must IT be for minorities to need preferences; then and now, some 40 years hence? Careers exists due to AA. I recently read about a judge in NY State throwing out a qualifications exam - too few minorities passed. What was this difficult exam? Doctor? Lawyer? Accountant? Security Trader? Nope - fire fighter was the position. This test was labled Racist. Written exams are racist? The Atty arguing for the minorities was insulting - he claimed minorities are too stupid to pass an exam. The judge agreed. Which is it? Are we equal, or unequal? WHy must the least qualified some be placed at the head of the line? I hope these AA fire fighters are placed to protect the property of the judge and the Atty. Having to live with the outcomes of ones decision taking is the best experience.