Clarence Thomas: 'Thank you, Walter Williams'

Human Events ^ | 10/8/03 | Clarence Thomas

[stickywillie]

There's a Walter Williams who is an idiot.

Our Walter (E.) Williams is NOT an idiot.

[M Kehoe]

It would be nice if Dr. Williams knew how many people on FR respected him and his work.

5.56mm

[BMiles2112]

It's unfortunate if you're right. I suppose I'll expose my ignorance here and ask what issues are of interest to blacks and why they would be different from the issues of interest to everyone else.
I can see this being the case for Democratic candidates. The candidate that promises the most handouts to as many interest groups will get the votes, (i.e. elderly, poor, environmental groups, etc.). But I would think that in the case of conservatives, the candidate wouldn't have to campaign in the black area, they would simply have to have the right message, regardless of where that message is given. I live in a small town, and have never seen a candidate campaign anywhere near my area, and it has absolutely no impact on how I vote.

[rdb3]

I suppose I'll expose my ignorance here and ask what issues are of interest to blacks and why they would be different from the issues of interest to everyone else.

Glad you asked. For you, and others, need to realize the Marxification of your mind but you are totally unaware of it. That's not meant as an insult, so please don't take it that way.

Your question demonstrates how the language and, subsequently, the agenda of the Left is within your psyche because you ask based upon their assumptions. Therefore, their agenda succeeds. Check out Antonio Gramsci and you'll see what I mean.

So instead of asking, "what issues are of interest to blacks and why they would be different from the issues of interest to everyone else," the proper question is "how are blacks and whites similar?" This question releases you from the Leftist point of view because it totally changes the parameters.

The answer to your question is simple. Deep down, what blacks and whites want is virtually the same.

I can see this being the case for Democratic candidates. The candidate that promises the most handouts to as many interest groups will get the votes, (i.e. elderly, poor, environmental groups, etc.).

When the public's largesse is up for grabs, 90% of people won't turn down anything but their collars.

But I would think that in the case of conservatives, the candidate wouldn't have to campaign in the black area, they would simply have to have the right message, regardless of where that message is given.

Okay, you get partial credit for that one. Since the Left aggressively campaigns in black areas, it's unwise for the conservative candidate not to do so. What better way to get the message out than to take it where the Left and its willing media can't filter it? If the conservative doesn't campaign here, even with the right message, the message will appear totally different by the time the Left gets finished with it.

I live in a small town, and have never seen a candidate campaign anywhere near my area, and it has absolutely no impact on how I vote.

This could hold true if the parameters where you live were the same as the areas we're discussing. They're not.

[NeoCaveman]

I agree. But why do we have a number of FReepers who think of Dr. Williams is an "idiot?"

Because there is no IQ test to post on FR. I'm sure the posters who make such comments are not fit to shine Dr. William's shoes.

[Graybeard58]

"He claims that he gives Mrs williams nice practical gifts like ironing board covers for Christmas".


...A gift like that, while it should be a nice and appropriate gift, might be grounds for a lump on the head to the giver (Me) at my house.

[Poohbah]

My wife asks for practical gifts. She gets practical gifts. I also get her a few wonderfully IMpractical gifts because I know she'd like them and I want to see her smile in surprised delight.

[speekinout]

Professor Williams is hosting Rush Limbaugh's show Friday, October 17.

I know, and it's annoying. I can't resist listening to the whole 3 hours when Walter Williams is substituting. Maybe he'll be on enough this next month so that I won't feel that I have to listen to every minute. :-)

[BMiles2112]

And I'm back. (had to put the child to bed.)
By "Marxification of your mind" I'm going to go ahead and assume you mean that the way I posed the question gave you the impression that I think people of one skin color have different interests than people of another skin color, based simply on their skin color. That's not the case.

Deep down, what blacks and whites want is virtually the same.
I was hoping that would be your answer. I agree with you completely, which is why I asked the question. Why should a candidate have to go to an area populated by a specific group of people to get the message to that group of people when that group is supposedly no different than any other group. Principles and ideas are independent of geography. If I want to know what a candidates positions are, there's a number of easy ways to determine this without requiring that he make a stop in my town to tell me how he "feels my pain" and will make my life better. Maybe I'm too cynical, but I feel that every campaign stop a politician makes is nothing more than pandering.

In general, I agree with you that conservatives probably do need to make a more concerted effort to reach out to those who have only heard the message from the left, but it's unfortunate that this is the case.

[rdb3]

By "Marxification of your mind" I'm going to go ahead and assume you mean that the way I posed the question gave you the impression that I think people of one skin color have different interests than people of another skin color, based simply on their skin color. That's not the case.

No, that's not the case and your post didn't give me that impression. I apologize if it appeared that way.

Why should a candidate have to go to an area populated by a specific group of people to get the message to that group of people when that group is supposedly no different than any other group.

Candidates must appear available and real, not just something read about in newsprint or pixels on a TV screen. And as I said, if your opponent is there, wouldn't it behoove you to also go?

Principles and ideas are independent of geography.

True, but principles and ideas have no legs of their own.

If I want to know what a candidates positions are, there's a number of easy ways to determine this without requiring that he make a stop in my town to tell me how he "feels my pain" and will make my life better.

Again, if your opponent appears in an area and totally distorts your message and what you are truly about, you're sunk. If your opponent is allowed to call you everything but a child of God, and you do nothing to refute it, what excuse have you? Don't forget the human element involved with politics. If your candidate does not appear approachable, fuhgedaboudit!

Maybe I'm too cynical, but I feel that every campaign stop a politician makes is nothing more than pandering.

If a conservative group wants a mandate about tax relief and tort reform, and the conservative candidate campaigns to that group on tax relief and tort reform, is that not "pandering?"

In general, I agree with you that conservatives probably do need to make a more concerted effort to reach out to those who have only heard the message from the left, but it's unfortunate that this is the case.

Yes, they do. Badly. And in the meantime, I'll remain independent.

[BMiles2112]

if your opponent is there, wouldn't it behoove you to also go?
Again, if your opponent appears in an area and totally distorts your message and what you are truly about, you're sunk. If your opponent is allowed to call you everything but a child of God, and you do nothing to refute it, what excuse have you? Don't forget the human element involved with politics. If your candidate does not appear approachable, fuhgedaboudit!
Good points. Exactly why I could never be a politician.

[WaterDragon]

Clarence Thomas, Walter Williams and Thomas Sowell are not only among the most brilliant intellectuals of our age, they are also pure class.

[Akira]

Well, we're in agreement that the GOP seems to concede the black vote. I've certainly never seen them campaign in east Cleveland. I think they're simply terrified of the "r" word that Bonds or Sharpton or uses with impunity. So their cowardly solution is to ignore scenes that might invite more of this. Consider it broke.

While to say it "cannot be done" is a defeatist attitude, I can't imagine blacks being convinced by somebody like Bush, when people like Bonds or Sharpton or Jesse or Chuck D is telling them otherwise. The truth hurts and they don't want to hear it. "These days you can't tell who's in cahoots, cuz now the KKK's wearing three piece suits" - that speaks to them alot more than the GOP. How do you get them off the mindset that they are all victims of an oppressive and racist society?

I don't have a solution, but it needs one.

[lepton]

Same ones think Ron Paul is an idiot.

Not really. I admire Walter Williams, but recognize that while usually Ron Paul is on the right track, or making a good point, sometimes he is an idiot.