[davisfh]

My, my! Sensitive, aren't we? Actually, what this is all
about is any damned excuse to sue someone in this society
that is becoming more insane and out of control as each day
passes.

[Larry Lucido]

The second line of a modern version usually goes, "Catch a tiger by the toe."

That's not how I remember it from "Pulp Fiction."

[TomServo]

Already posted here.

[TheBattman]

Anyone else find this to be totally obsurd? I originally learned that rhyme with "catch a tiger by the toe"....

I was probably 14 or 15 before I ever heard the version with the "N-word" in it. I still to this day don't think of that version when I hear the rhyme.

My personal opinion is that these two "people of color" are over-sensitive biggots themselves who were happy to find an excuse to file a lawsuit against a large corporation.

It's people like these two that keep biggotry alive in this country. But I would guess the airline employee who uttered the rhyme (although semi-humorous in nature)was white. So I guess the Southwest will have to pay up - guilty of being white...

[RJL]

We have now gone from one being responsible for what they do, to being responsible for what one thinks (hate crimes), and with this lawsuit, now they're trying to hold one responsible for what someone else thinks!

Loser pays tort reform is desperately needed.

[Congressman Billybob]

Eeenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe,
Catch a lawyer by the toe,
If he hollers, beat him senseless with a brick,
But never, NEVER elect him President,
Eenie, Meenie, Minie, Moe.

I know it neither rhymes or scans properly, but as in modern education, the concept is the important thing. Screw the lawyer. Screw his clients. Good for Southwest Airlines. Did I miss anything?

Congressman Billybob

Click for latest column, "Those in Peril on the Sea," also up on FR and UPI.

Latest book(let), "to Restore Trust in America."

[AlabamaRebel]

She should have used the "N" word.

After all, if your going to get in trouble for it, you may as well do it.

[Teacher317]

How were they discriminated against? They weren't denied a seat or transport. There's nothing demonstrating that they were given less service than any other passenger. What is the basis for the suit? Compensatory damages for hurt feelings based on wild assumptions? Maybe some recovering drug addict should sue radio stations for every song that alludes to drug use.

In her report, Cundiff wrote, "The statement I made on Flight 524 was not racist or discriminating, and I am offended that because I have white skin suddenly I am a racist. Maybe those that run around pointing fingers yelling racist should stop and turn that finger around."

She's a FReeper? ;^)

[Thermalseeker]

The best case for a "loosing party pays" legal system if I ever heard one!

[rwfok]

The Facts on File Encyclopedia of Word and Phrase Origins by Robert Hendrickson dates the rhyme to the mid-19th century and says that the original version was "insensitive at best." Hendrickson adds that "happily, the second line is much more frequently today `Catch a tiger by the toe.' "

The Oxford Dictionary of Nursery Rhymes is a compendium of folklore and historical fact behind traditional English nursery rhymes. The vast majority date to the 1700s and 1800s, but about 10% of them are older, and a small handful are medieval or even more ancient. For instance, "Hickory, Dickory Dock" and "eenie, meenie, minie, moe" both retain traces of the British Celtic numbering system which lingered on in remote places after the Anglo-Saxon take-over.

[Tacis]

It is a good thing the flight attendant didn't mention the power failures! Saying, "Black, Out" would really have set these two racists off!

[jimt]

Rhyme Greed, hypersensitivity at center of lawsuit against Southwest Airlines.

This should never have gotten past the first idiot judge.

[Alouette]

"It was like I was too dumb to find a seat," she said.

Yep.

[logic101.net]

There are all too many people in our society who have nothing better to do than to look for a reason to be offended! Personally, I find this attitude to be offensive. I am tired of everyone having to watch every word they say for fear of offending someone. The stewardess was not saying anything racist; in fact her rhyme was cute, timely, and conveyed the point quite well. One version of the original rhyme WAS racist and obnoxious, all others were not, and this version certainly wasn't either! In fact, I'm willing to bet that the 2 "offended" blacks don't bat an eye when another black blatantly uses the "N" word! Or even when a black uses a real racial slur against whites!

However, our side isn't immune from this weakness either. We have a number of so called conservatives who look for "hidden messages" in movies and songs. My brother has fallen prey to some of these (no, he's not one of those who go looking; just fell for it), one in particular was a Disney movie where if you listened to one part at 0.6328 speed you could almost make out a "hidden message"; but only if you were told what that message was and were looking for it. Sorry guys, but I don't know why anyone would watch/listen to a movie at 0.6328 speed for any reason!

We also have our own here on FR. We have the spelling Nazis who insist that no one ever mis-spell a word and insist that one mis-spelled word invalidates someone's whole argument! These people just have nothing better to do than look for a reason to be offended. To them I'd like to say; look at the company you keep! Get a job! Get a life! Or at least just be offended in private! I'm always soooo woried thet tha spilling Nazi's Will took my ta teh gas chimber!

There are way too many people in this nation who really need to get a life and learn not to sweat the little stuff!

MARK A SITY
http://www.logic101.net/

[Houmatt]

On Wednesday, U.S. District Judge Kathryn H. Vratil

Clinton appointee?

[Houmatt]

Customer Relations 214-792-4223

Southwest Airlines

Customer Relations

P.O. Box 36647 - 1CR

Dallas, Texas 75235-1647

Call or write and let them know you support them!