alternative hippopotamus

Olympic Bus-Throwing Competition

2 Responses to “Olympic Bus-Throwing Competition”

1. Mawm Says:
   July 2nd, 2008 at 12:12 pm

   Hi, I am the one that made the comment you highlighted. It is interesting that you didn’t try and talk to me when you were at http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com I am on there a lot, so it isn’t easy to miss me. Check out our recent posts, and this one http://riverdaughter.wordpress.com/2008/07/01/what-does-real-racism-look-like/ which deals with race and the effect Obama’s candidacy has had on white liberals.

   I have been a Dem all my life, but I am really questioning the effectiveness of affirmative Action as a way to advance equal rights for people in this country. When you say

   I wonder how aware folks on this thread are that affirmative action is a bread and butter progressive issue

   I think you are wrong. I don’t think Affirmative action is a progressive issue. Advancing equality is. Affirmative action is tool for doing that. What I am saying is that I am starting to feel that that tool is not effective, and it fact can be very divisive.

   You did not provide any context to my quote either. I was responding to a commenter who had said that there exists an invisbile white privilege that everyone who is born that color has. I do not think this is true. I believe the divide is about economic status not race. That is why I mentioned Michelle Obama, who I believe has had more opportunities growing up than I did, and yet if Affirmative Action were in place, the system would assume that she was more deserving of assisstance than I was.

   I believe we should have an economic affirmative action that lifts people out of poverty. My personal opinion is that inlcuding race into the equation will only create more divisivness.

   The point is moot, however, since SCOTUS has essentially said NO to affirmative action.

   Also, not everyone at the confluence shares my opinion. So you are right in saying it is dangerous to do what you did. Interestingly, you did it anyway.

   How is this a smear on Obama? Because I brought up Michelle? Did I say anything disparaging about her? I don’t even know if she got affirmative action. I never said she did. I used her as an example of someone who would probably qualify for it before I would even though her circumstances growing up were better than mine.

   Finally, We are not a cabal. We are about 1/4 of the Clinton supporters at this point. About 4 million people. We are the people who will never under any circumstances vote for Obama. You may not like that we don’t support your candidate, but don’t refer to us as a cabal.

   And wher did you get that I am a mother? I happen to be male.

2. AltHippo Says:
   July 2nd, 2008 at 5:36 pm

   I’m not exactly sure what to say in this case. On one hand, I’m glad that you took the time to respond to the post. Thanks for that. On the other, I think that what PUMA is trying to accomplish diminishes the chance for our society to endure and advance. The aim of defeating the Democratic Party’s nominee by hook or by crook- your aim- is not something I approve of.

   Why didn’t I respond to your post on riverdaugher’s site? Well, it’s because the site’s voice tends to shout down any and all dissenters. I don’t think you are interested in hearing why we don’t want to tear down the Democratic Party at this time. By all means, correct me if I’m wrong. I also don’t think you want to hear from those who believe that:
   1.) the RBC meeting on 05/31 was fair, given the nature of the conflict, and given the time constraints. I agree with those skeptics who say the closed door nature of some discussions was not right, but the outcome was reasonable.
   2.) Obama’s views on domestic issues like energy are more progressive than Clinton’s (HRC). Obama’s views on healthcare are okay for a starting point, and will pave the way for UHC.
   3.) The current brand of Republicans, including the McCain brand, are McBatshit.

   Now, let’s talk about Affirmative Action. This is from a CNN article on the Supreme Court decision I believe you are alluding to: (link.)

   WASHINGTON (CNN) — A bitterly divided U.S. Supreme Court on Thursday issued what is likely to be a landmark opinion — ruling that race cannot be a factor in the assignment of children to public schools.

   The court struck down public school choice plans in Seattle, Washington, and Louisville, Kentucky, concluding they relied on an unconstitutional use of racial criteria, with the 5-4 vote reflecting the deep legal and social divide over the issue of race and education.

   In this case you are taking the viewpoint of Scalia, Thomas, Alito, Roberts, and Kennedy. You think that’s the progessive side of the court? And notice that this is a 5-4 decision. Progressives like myself are concerned that the balance of the court will shift in a McCain administration to make policy decisions that are harmful for the next several generations.

   This is your cause? A cause whose predictable result is to put another Alito and Roberts on the Supreme Court?

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