Posted on 09/09/2005 11:06:37 AM PDT by hipaatwo
Think local officials are less to blame for deaths in New Orleans than federal officials? In the most jaw-dropping story of the week, UPI has the police chief of Gretna, Louisiana, admitting that he closed off one of the major arteries out of New Orleans on Monday, before the storm hit:
"We shut down the bridge," Arthur Lawson, chief of the City of Gretna Police Department, confirmed to United Press International, adding that his jurisdiction had been "a closed and secure location" since before the storm hit.
"All our people had evacuated and we locked the city down," he said. The bridge in question -- the Crescent City Connection -- is the major artery heading west out of New Orleans across the Mississippi River.
He added that the small town, which he called "a bedroom community" for the city of New Orleans, would have been overwhelmed by the influx. "There was no food, water or shelter" in Gretna City, Lawson said. "We did not have the wherewithal to deal with these people. If we had opened the bridge, our city would have looked like New Orleans does now: looted, burned and pillaged."
And I care about my fellow man enough not to let the Superdome looters into my neighborhood.
late BTTT
As I said everyone has their opinions-and you don't know me- so what you post here at FR is as valuable as someone saying I am a supermodel-just words.
BTW-Is what you wrote there supposed to elicit an emotional response- and hurt my feelings?
Be careful because some people would say, yes, it was.
See how that works?
If you care to sincerely understand this: My Dad had a strict Army Veteran for a Father and his grandparents and Uncles were veterans all almost as strict. They were taught not to fight over a word. My Dad was naturally strict with me as well. If any of us got into a fist fight because someone called us a bad name- we would have been in huge trouble. Just as huge as if we had attacked an innocent person.
IMO-it is very similar to trying to cause a forum meltdown when someone disagrees or says something mean, and calling racism had better have really happened- because those are pretty big words. If you care to describe that as "being an insensitive person" Go ahead-I know that I am not. Yes it bothers me that these two gentlemen have left. I supported Mhking and did my part to defend him as much as I could. When he feelings were hurt on other threads, and he would ping me I would go- it made me mad if someone said something horrible and I would say so.
In fact- for saying something supportive about Mhking, I was spammed by the same person who was spamming him and cyborg. And I was spammed with violent and pornographic photos from the start of the whole thing. Remember the horrible photos and posts- yes, I got those 20 or 30 times.
Sure I am bummed to see them go- But I don't run the world. So there is not much I can do.
BTW-Where are the posts that were left to remain where they were called a bad name?
No one has shown me any yet!
That's what you said, is it not?
And if you read more carefully, you would see that I said that I.....not you.......would be insensitive to the feelings of others if I toughened myself to the point that you have.
You may take that for what it's worth, but for me it is true. I would not want to be so callous to the attacks on me that I was not aware that using the same words against others would hurt them.
As I said before, Diva. I don't think it's a matter of politeness or oversensitivity. I believe that racism is sinful, and wrong, and no one should be forced to 'toughen up' enough to take the blows on a forum that has rules against it.
So then anytime anyone calls me a name - it is racism right? I am "Native American". I am a special protected class and no one can say a mean thing to me- or is it racism! And if anyone stereotypes my ancestors or makes a joke or disagrees with me about life on the reservation- I should cry racism! Would you prefer that I try to work the forum into a tizzy anytime someone disagrees with me and calls me a name?
Will you be there to defend me when I do?
Or is it only "African Americans" that we are PC enough to fight over. Show me where MHKing was called an N word and it was left on the thread. Because if that happened I want to know about it.
Show me the posts.
Otherwise this whole thread is a bunch of bunk. Racism is not defined as getting into an argument, disagreeing with, saying something stupid to, or being mean to a "colored person."
Equal does not mean special or different.
Do we get this worked up when everyone opuses out?
No.
Sorry you wouldn't appreciate it.
But there is really no point in continuing this because it won't get anywhere. We have a deeply fundamental difference of opinion. I believe that there is much racism that doesn't include the 'N' word. I see racism in little old Baptist ladies, and I see it too frequently on this forum in stereotypes and presumptions and group condemnation. (And to tell the truth, I saw it against Indians when I lived in Minnesota).
I am a conservative, un-PC WASP........and a Nordic one at that. But as a Christian first and an American second, I will always stand up for equality and respect for every American citizen, and I will always stand up for my friends............even on an Internet forum.
BTW- Not to accuse you of anything- but to illustrate a point- the non-racist term is "Native Americans", not "Indians". Some people would accuse you of making a racist statement there. Some people would say you are a bigot for using that term and that you hurt someone's feelings and are being insensitive to the plight of the "Native American", and not respecting their culture and on and on and on. And that is our slippery slope. That is why I don't define people by race at all. People are people- and some of them say stupid things. Those people are not all to pounded over the head for being racists..
I also use the term African-Americans if it is what blacks prefer being called, and use the term Asians and not Orientals. But it is done in the same way as I ask my students what they prefer being called. If the name on my grade sheet is "Elmer J. Smith" and they prefer being called by their middle name, John, I do so out of respect for them and what they personally prefer. It's the same thing to me....
It is not a matter of being PC, but a matter of treating all people with respect and not deliberately offending.
The people we should not care about offending are the leftist PC freaks who shout racism at every turn.
But when we have offended people we know and respect as strong and stable conservatives, we'd better take notice and look inward, and not just blame them for being too sensitive.
A beautifully executed pirouette on Slippery Slope #217.
Bravo!
P.S.: What poll numbers are you using?
GO WARRIORS!!!
I am pretty sure that Mhking would not like to be called "African American", but I can not speak for him.
I will tell you that after years working in social work, I know this: you will never be able to keep up with the PC labels people want or don't want. It is designed that way on purpose by the liberals- don't even think that elite fair skinned liberals are not behind the latest PC terminology trends and fads.
It is all about power and people who buy into the imagined racism- (meaning when it is not real racism like keeping people from positions of authority because they are dark skinned- or not allowing them representation in court because of their skin or ancestors, or not letting people use community or federal resources, run for government office,or physically attacking people because of their skin color)- keep all those limo liberals in power.
I have no issue with either Rod or Mike- they were angry,perhaps they felt like their were defending their kin and got really angry (which I can understand) and they left. And I think it is a shame.
I just disagree that FR, Jim and freepers are racists by nature and need to confronted about it.
the HATERS on the left make me GAG!
HUGS.
free dixie,sw
HATERS have NO place on FR!
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
cyborg is a KEEPER!
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
where ya'll been???
free dixie,sw
free dixie,sw
I never even came CLOSE to saying that. So I don't know who you are disagreeing with about this.
And I'm in education. You don't have to tell me about PC run amok in a leftist infested environment.
I'm not PC, but I will continue to treat individuals with the respect that I would like for myself.
No need to continue belaboring this point. Thanks for the conversation, Diva........and thanks for your constant support of our troops.
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