More reparation nonsense

[Kieran]

By all means, bring the rest of the world into this joke- it's a dark world, after all, and we need whatever levity we can muster to lighten it up.

Hand outs aren't hand ups. And, since Nation of Islam doesn't much care for the whitey and has no interest in being part of the society, what possible benefit would I as a member of that society have for funding their withdrawal?

Should I feel guilty? Maybe, but I don't. Sorry, that's a white thing, you just can't understand. Seriously, I refuse to be emotionally manipulated by the likes of Farrakhan, Sharpton, or Jackson. We should make education and opportunity available to all, but making payoffs to make these guys shut up is fruitless. They'll be back next week, palms up, demanding their payments. They represent the ultimate slackers, and I refuse to dig into my pockets. I'd rather give it to someone trying to help him/herself get a better life.

Thrawn, you've got some screwy ideas about America, it would seem. Ever visit a reservation? Paradise on earth, I tell ya. As for the thought that the individual citizen wouldn't have to pay for the reparations... what country do you live in? Oops! Canada! One way or another, that money comes from us.

BTW, Mighty1 is half-indian, too. He looks it far more than I do.

Lest my comments be viewed an indictment on all blacks- it isn't. It is however directed at any black that attempts to lay blame on me personally for any wrong done to the race. Further, I refuse to wear the racist label without duly pointing out it is most often directed at me by persons far more racist than I could ever imagine being. I don't spend a single minute of my day thinking about the race issue, whereas it seems some do nothing else.

[Curval]

Sorry can't figure out what you are trying to say there Wotan...which post are you referring me to?  It seems as if you are using my "I don't give a diddly" statement as some basis for not respecting me?  Is that what you are trying to get at?  It is all so cryptic.

For the record...I never attack someone else with that type of statement or language unless attacked first.

This statement started me down that road,

"So this thread is about US government reparations to black americans and yes I dont give a fuc what bermuda does or any of the rest."  

Notice that is before my post about not giving a diddly about what you think.

It is obvious that your nose got out of joint because I told you that there was an exception to every rule...so you lashed out...and continue to do so.  No-where am I telling you what to think...no-where are you telling me what to think.  

Now..I'm going home to take my kids for a swim.  This thread has become nothing but petty bickering.

[easymo]

Sorry, that's a white thing, you just can't understand.

oooh.  Well played.

[Curval]

Originally posted by Wotan
the english brought slaves with them to Jamestown. Thats as correct as it can be.

..well before I actually leave, let me question your edited comment.

Tell me this...who did those English buy those slaves from?  Don't know?  I very much doubt you do...but you are willing to blame the British for slavery in the US because the Jamestown settlers had some house servants?  That is just plain stupid.

[Creto]

I have Creto... LOL.

Good for you MT  


I do things for others too, but not out of guilt, not for show or to look good in front of others or political gain.  

I do things for others because I ought to, because it's the right thing to do.

[midnight Target]

Originally posted by Sabre


snip   You're arguments seem to hinge on a number of dubious assumption.  First, that racism itself is a result of slavery.  Second, that all or even a majority of black Americans have suffered and continue to suffer significant disadvantages, the causes of which can be directly traced to the practice of slavery in this country.  And finally, that that the effects of that racism have effected Blacks to a significantly larger degree than any other minority group.  snip

This is exactly why Rep. Conyers is involved in this movement. He has suggested a congressional study of these very subjects. Yet even this is shot down because this political football ain't gonna play well in suburban America.

[Wotan]

"So this thread is about US government reparations to black americans and yes I dont give a fuc what bermuda does or any of the rest."


that was a reply to thrawn not you.


he posted

Oh that's typical. The topic of the tread is "More repartation nonsense". Not "More reparation nonsense in the US". Curval's post is related. But hey if your post isn't about the US, I guess you can fek off, eh?

[Yeager]

I guess my biggest grip is with "paying off" decendants of slaves at least five generations removed.  

I feel that the reparation effort is more a bribe than paying for percieved damages in any event.  I can assure you that even with a big payoff, the great majority of "disgruntled african americans" will still be as victim minded as ever.

Im tired of hearing about it.  I have never judged any person simply by the colour of their skin.  Its their actions and statements that tip me off to the usual racist bigotry I commonly find in most modern day decendants of slaves.  The black people I work with and know freely are middle class and educated and are chagrined by their own race for being "Uncle Toms"......

Perhaps a lawsuit against Saudi Arabia (which allows slavery with a turned cheek) to the tune of "ONE TRILLION DOLLARS" might get more sympathy from me.

Thats all I care to say.

[Eagler]

it's actions like this that keep racism alive and well in america

[mietla]

It just shows you how successful libs are in redefining terms and definitions of a dialog.

taxes  = "contributions"
confiscatory and progressive tax code = "fair share"
gov spending = "investment" into the future
public school indoctrination = "progressive curriculum"

etc.


The notion of reparations is a completely brain dead, absurd and laughable idea, and yet, look at us. We are actually discussing it like it had some merit. Nobody is laughing

[easymo]

For kieran.

I said there was nothing so convincing to an Indian as a general massacre. If he could not approve of the massacre, I said the next surest thing for an Indian was soap and education. Soap and education are not as sudden as a massacre, but they are more deadly in the long run; because a half-massacred Indian may recover, but if you educate him and wash him, it is bound to finish him some time or other.
-Mark Twain

[Shuckins]

Reparations would cause more problems than it would solve.  The last thing that the country needs is another divisive issue.  What purpose is served by further balkanizing the nation's population?

My sympathy goes out to any group that has suffered discrimination or racial hatred in the past.  Every effort should be made to eliminate these stumbling blocks to opportunity and equality.

But is reparations the way to accomplish this?  Exactly what would it achieve?  The Japanese who received payment from the government for being incarcerated in the internment camps were, at least, the actual, living victims of that discriminatory act.  Reparations to the descendants of slaves is not the same thing.

The normal route to redress the effects of discrimination is to file suit against the offending party in court.  But a class-action law demanding reparations would more than likely fail.  The effort to get Congress to pass a reparations bill is an attempt to bypass the courts.  The reparations movement is also being hurt by the fact that it is being demagogued by three of the most notorious Black racists in the nation.  The movement also has the stench of greed about it.

Let's suppose that Congress should seriously consider passing a reparations bill.  A veritable Pandora's box of problems demanding solution would immediately be opened.

1. What amount would suffice to satisfy the demands of the aggrieved parties? How would this amount be arrived at?  So many dollars for each year that slavery existed?  So much for the estimated number of African-Americans who were slaves?  A combination of both?

2.  Where would this money come from? New Taxes?  Or would cuts have to be made in existing government programs.

3.  If new taxes are levied, who would pay them? All tax-paying citizens?  Or just all White tax-paying citizens?  The ancestors of most White-Americans came to the U.S. in the decades after the Civil War.  Many White-Americans worked in the Civil Rights Movement and have been active in the effort to end discrimination.  Do they also have to pay?  Three-fourths of White-Americans living in the South prior to the Civil War did not own slaves.  They were poor-white and yeoman farmers.  Are their descendants to held culpable for a sin that their ancestors did not commit?

4.  Some Native-American groups owned slaves prior to the Civil War. How much financial responsibility should they be expected to assume?

5.  If new taxes are unpalatable, what government programs would you be willing to see the government cut in order to pay the reparations?  Medicare? Medicaid?  Defense?  There are hundreds of them.  Please decide.  Which do we not need?

6.  Would the payment be a one-time thing, or would it be on-going for several years or decades?   When does enough become enough?

7.  Should allowances be made for the fact that 600,00 White-Americans lost their lives during the Civil War which ended slavery?   How much is a drop of blood worth?

8.  If we pay reparations to one minority group for past discrimination, are we not obligated to pay all minority groups that have suffered it during our nation's history?   Can the economy and the government continue to function with such a financial weight dragging them down?  How long would it take for them to founder under a burden of dependency?


I am unequivocally opposed to reparations.  My ancestors were some of those poor yeoman farmers in the South who never owned slaves.  The federal and state governments already take slightly more than a third of my gross earnings.  It is difficult enough to pay my bills.  Why should I be penalized by my government for the color of my skin?  The Civil Rights Movement will be rendered meaningless if we continue to make that kind of distinction between people.


Regards, Shuckins

[Kieran]

hehe, "Run! It's SOAP!!"

[GRUNHERZ]

MT how much money do you, as the white devil,  owe your black sons and black wife for slavery?

Answer the question, I want a number on what you as a liberal type feel you should give them for slavery.

Don't dodge this question you popsicle!  A number as in number of dollars.....

[Wotan]

if any of you feel guilty enough to want to pay reparations then take out check book and pay off your dedt.


Me, I owe umm nothing.