[Locomotive Breath]

If you look at the Wiki link, you will find the literal textbook picture of "tar and feather". Note that it's (white) American revolutionaries doing it to a (white) English tax collector. I remember that picture being in a grammar school textbook.

[CondorFlight]

(from a post by the official FODU spokesman)

http://forums.talkleft.com/index.php?topic=465.0

"...I am posting here for the first time because the assertion made by Brodhead’s assistant that the Duke administration has been “in regular contact with them and their families and offering considerable support” is so absolutely outrageous that I believe you should know the facts.

Brodhead and the rest of the administration have had no contact with any of the lacrosse players or their families whatsoever with the following three exceptions:

(snip)

3. Colin Finnerty’s parents contacted Brodhead to ask for permission to transfer credits from other colleges. Both Colin and Reade Seligmann are taking classes this semester at colleges near their homes. However, Duke will not let them transfer more than two courses so they are unable to keep up with their studies while suspended unless they get permission to transfer more. Colin was supposed to do study abroad this semester, but Duke cancelled that. Brodhead refused to meet with them despite several requests. Finally, the person in charge of the annual giving program told Brodhead that, unless he agreed to see the Finnerties, he would resign. Only then did Brodhead agree to meet them. In the meeting, Brodhead remained intransigent and he and Mrs. Finnerty got into terrible argument. The Finnerties walked out because Brodhead started insulting them.

There has not been a single note, card or other expression of kindness from anyone in the Duke administration to any of the three accused students."

(snip)

Jason Trumpbour
Spokesperson

[SarahUSC]

Yep - most of the victims of this appear to have been Anglo-Saxon.

http://66.102.7.104/search?q=cache:I921a2vf2TMJ:plateaupress.com.au/wfw/ridingou.htm+tarred+and+feathered+custom&hl=en&gl=us&ct=clnk&cd=6

[bjc]

I have just read a couple of books on the Whiskey rebellion period (circa 1792-95) and it is clear that tarring and feathering was (a) a barbaric, very painful and potentially deadly punishment meted out by vigilantes and gangs and (b) used on government agents endeavoring to collect taxes on whiskey stills in Western Pennsylvannia and their political supporters. I think it is unfortunate that the good professor felt the need to succumb to political correctness. His editorial was reasonable and measured. I suspect that those seeing racial allusions to tarring and feathering are principally in disagreement with Professor Baldwin's position on the LAX case.