Posted on 02/17/2009 5:37:51 PM PST by lewisglad
PETERSON AFB - What was only meant to announce store hours at the Peterson Air Force Base Commissary has turned into a racial issue.
Last week, cashiers took down flyers with a picture of President Barack Obama after several customer complaints. According to employees Melissa and LoVonda, the director ordered the photo down when someone said, ‘this wasn't Obama's day, and his picture shouldn't be on a flyer so it should be taken down.'
The two women tell NEWSCHANNEL 13 that when they went to speak with the store director, he wouldn't give them a reason why the flyers were taken down. "I asked if the flyers could be put back up and he said, ‘it's not a big deal and that no, he wouldn't put them back up.'"
Both say hearing that humiliated them and felt there was no discussion about why the flyers were taken down. "I felt like change has come and I really was proud to have a black President and to see these flyers up, it had a great impact," says Melissa.
They were told only one customer complained to managers, but a spokesperson from DeCA, the agency that runs the military commissary, there were several complaints.
According to Nancy O'Nell, the team investigated whether or not Presidents' Day Honors all Commanders in Chiefs or specifically George Washington.
See Following link provided by DeCA : http://www.archives.gov/publications/prologue/2004/winter/gw-birthday-1.html
She says when they realized it was for Washington; they took the flyers down and replaced them with new announcements without Obama's picture.
"We don't understand their claims of racism," says O'Nell.
Both Melissa and LaVonda disagree. They feel the flyers were appropriate and are upset that a customer could force this kind of change. "From my understanding, Presidents' day combines both past and future Presidents," says Melissa.
>> “From my understanding, Presidents’ day combines both past and future Presidents,” says Melissa.
Well, there you have it. Present President not included.
future presidents???
So put up a flyer with Sarah Palin on it. That ought to shut them up. Or just give 'em each a Big Bag of Quibbles and Bitch.
True but they didn’t have him in the info I had. I was just so mad to think that now we have to have 0 everywhere. Thanks for reminding me.
There’s a typo in the title.
It should be “presidents’ day”. Not “president’s day”. THe holiday is about honoring washington and lincoln. Plural. It is not about bowing down to the current a-hole in office...whoever that may be.
This is how these things get started. First you allow people to spell it “president’s day”, then people start making flyers with the CURRENT president’s face on it for “presidents’ day”. Then pretty soon you have a president in office that expects to be honored by all the lowly people on “presidents’ day”.
These people deserve a public whipping.
I wouldn't be so sure about this. He's got a pretty good start on bribing his constituencies so far and I think “La Vonda” is among the chosen ones who have been chosen by “The Chosen One” for rent, gas, food, etc. in the new Socialist Paradise.
“THe holiday is about honoring washington and lincoln. Plural. It is not about bowing down to the current a-hole in office...whoever that may be.”
Agreed. I always remembered Washington’s B-Day and Lincoln’s B-Day, but when MLK Day came about, they basically consolidated the two Presidents’ B-Days into one holiday. At least that’s how I remember it unfolding.
I’ve been waiting to reply until I saw the actual flyer with his picture on it. Why? Because the style of the photo tells me all I need to know about the motivation of the designer and his/her intent to provoke a response. If they had used his official DoD-approved photo that hangs in every hall I walk through, then all of us would be a little less upset. I find the Che-inspired version they used a disgrace and the retiree who complained has a legitimate argument. BTW, I’ve been to the Pete commissary and have never seen Clinton’s or W’s face smiling at me on President’s Day.
“From my understanding, Presidents’ day combines both past and future Presidents,” says Melissa.
Melissa, Melissa, Melissa. I know you want to celebrate the future presidency of some great unknown American, but you really should have gone to civics class rather than hanging out at the 7-11.
Didn’t they also combine the two so that federal employees could get a 3-day weekend?
I had some serious words with the manager of a Bob Evans recently. Joining Mrs. jimfree for lunch on Inauguration Day in Laurel, Maryland I was furious to see multiple service employees sporting Obama hats. My server was not doing so and received a serious overtip. (He commented, in an accent suggesting Caribbean origing, that he couldn’t believe the behavior of the others.)
I told the manager that would not care if all of the customers on the floor were sporting such attire but it is unacceptable for the staff. I pay to be here and be served; I do not pay for “in your face”. He was clearly disturbed by my comments. Don’t know when or if I will return.
Well said.
The combination of Washington’s and Lincoln’s birthday into a single holiday happen about 30 years ago? As I recall, many (businesses?) complained that their were too many holidays in February.
Sounds right.
Didn’t we just go through Black History Month and MLK’s birthday?
I see a lot of Obama shirts and caps on the military bases I frequent. All on one race though. This is not healthy.
Split the military, split the USA.
WHAT!!!??? And I missed them? SON-OF-OBAMAVICH.
"I felt like change has come and I really was proud to have a black President and to see these flyers up, it had a great impact," says Melissa.
There are two perspectives on the Obama election. One group is proud to have a black president, voted for the skin color, and wants to celebrate this black man's accomplishments because he's black and without waiting to see if he'll have the first accomplishment of his life. The other group is color blind and worried about the country and the Constitution under a leader who seems to have no qualifications at all. We all agree that one group is racist, but I'm disappointed at how many people think it's the second group.
LOL! The troops are tops!
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