Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
My vote goes to Professor Gates who immediately accused a police officer of racial profiling when that police officer responded to a report of a break-in of his own house. Was it really too much to ask that Prof. Gates provide identification and cooperate with the investigation when the officer was there TO PROTECT PROFESSOR GATES AND HIS BELONGINGS? GIVE ME A BREAK!!!
Anytime I have an incident with my rentals or when the alarm goes off at my home, I am very appreciative to have the police show up and investigate. It shows that they are trying to do their job and are trying to protect my family and my belongings. Needless to say, I don't harass the police and call them names when they are trying to help me!!! I guess the professor just isn't that smart! You can read Professor Gates Racist Rant on www.theroot.com - in his own words.
My runner-up vote goes to President Obama, who immediately assumed that this police officer was a racist, even when he admittedly didn't know the facts!
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Here's the thing that should bother everyone who claims to love living under the freedoms this country provides -- regardless of your views on race, and regardless of what happened in this specific case, citizens have every right to yell at police officers, to insult police officers, have every right to call an officer racist, have every right to ask for police identification, and have every right to threaten legal action against the officer and the department -- and according to our Constitution and the laws of the Massachusetts, the police DO NOT HAVE ANY right to arrest citizens for those things.
(Go Google it...I'll wait)
This officer already made it clear that Gates did not threaten with his words and did not make any threatening motions. Additionally, Gates was still on private property, and no warrant was being executed.
Therefore, there was no grounds for the arrest of Gates. Yet, the police felt the need to overstep their authority and arrest him (and subsequently release him without charge).
It seems that most of the people on this thread have spent many other posts in this forum complaining about the loss of their rights to our government -- let's see those same people will complain about how Gates' rights were taken away from him when he was arrested for insulting officers.
While I'm all for respecting police officers, the fact is that we don't live in a police state, and I have NO REQUIREMENT to respect police officers. They work for me, and they are not above the law. Arresting someone for no reason is an abuse of authority, and any police officer that does it should be held accountable.
Obama was correct that officers acted stupidly, but not for the reason he thought he was saying it. Officers acted stupidly because they overstepped their bounds and arrested someone who was simply asserting his Constitutional rights (and I think we all know that Gates knows the laws well enough to know that he wasn't doing anything illegal).
I'm just curious if people really care about the Constitution (and about this country turning into a police state) the way they claim. If so, let's hear some outrage about that.
Btw, I'm sure there are people who will say, "The police have a tough job and they need to do what they need to do to avoid getting hurt," but remember that the Constitution of this great country doesn't distinguish between someone who has a dangerous job and someone who doesn't.
When our Constitutional rights are infringed, we should be outraged, regardless of whether it's done by a cop, a legislator, or the President.
Attorney · Raleigh, NC · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by J Scott:
But, we've also learned that for some people it's more important to bash the President than to discuss the infringement of our Constitutional rights...
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
J Scott,
This is not an issue of constitutional rights. Not even close. Moreover, I do believe that Prof. Gates, Pres. Obama, and Rev. Wright are all certified 100% racists and you can't be a bigger racist than that.
The truth is that many blacks in this country have a chip on their shoulder. They play the race card when they enounter ANY problem, even when it is not appropriate, as in this case. In this case, the police were called to Prof. Gates house to investigate a burglary in progress. When the police arrived, they discovered a man in the house who immediately started yelling at them; calling them racists; and accusing them of racial profiling, WHICH WAS RIDICULOUS! He should have been grateful that the police were there to investigate a possible break-in and fully cooperated with them, not acted like a racist idiot by refusing to prove who he was and screaming obscenities at the officer(s).
Moreover, I don't think that Gates deserves any special treatment just because he's black. Acting like a horse's *** (yelling and screaming obscenities) at the police, will get you arrested ANYWHERE. The fact that he is black and/or a professor doesn't give him the right to violate the law and disturb the peace, act disorderly, etc.
If we can be HONEST, then we would acknowledge that the reason so many black men are stopped (profiled) is that so many of them are criminals. If you look at the statistics, you'll note that young African-American men have a disproportionate rate of committing crimes and being in prison. That is a FACT and is not open to debate. Unfortunately, that is my real world experience as well. My rentals are in an area where there simply isn't a very high percentage of black people (maybe 10-15%). Despite that, I have several black women and children as tenants and many of them are excellent tenants. On the other hand, I've had about 5 black men as tenants in past 6 years and EVERY ONE OF THEM HAD TO BE EVICTED! Four of them were inherited tenants and were drug dealers. The one that I screened and accepted myself, spent the rent money to bail his drug dealer son out of jail and was evicted for non-payment of rent. That is why they are "profiled" by the police in the hood - because they have EARNED the reputation of being criminals.
I'm sick of hearing blacks complain about being profiled. If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle. In other words, join the AMERICAN DREAM! (like Bill Cosby has been saying)
Contrast that lifestyle of these hoodlums with the neurologist who recently saved my wife's life when a blood clot lodged in her brain. This doctor was also black, but he wasn't spewing Ebonics; didn't have to use one hand to hold up his pants; wasn't covered from head to toe in gang tattoos; and wasn't spewing racist gibberish about how he is a victim! IMAGINE THAT!
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
Originally posted by J Scott:
But, we've also learned that for some people it's more important to bash the President than to discuss the infringement of our Constitutional rights...
One and the same.
Probably one of the most naive statements I've ever read on these forums... (thinking the President is the sole infringer of our rights)
Tim -
I would recommend learning how our system works. Perhaps take a couple of civics courses. Perhaps read a book or two.
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
...I do believe that Prof. Gates, Pres. Obama, and Rev. Wright are all certified 100% racists and you can't be a bigger racist than that.
Okay, I take back my comment to Tim above...this statement is the most naive statement I've ever read on this forum... (don't worry Tim, you still get a close second)
When the police arrived, they discovered a man in the house who immediately started yelling at them;
How do you know?!?!? Have you heard the tapes that none of us have heard? Or are you just assuming that because he's black, he "immediately started yelling at them?"
Perhaps he explained the situation calmly and they still wouldn't leave. In which case, he had every right to start yelling (it's not against the law, remember).
But, no, you assume that because he was black, he automatically did the wrong thing.
If you look at the statistics, you'll note that young African-American men have a disproportionate rate of committing crimes and being in prison. That is a FACT and is not open to debate.
How about the fact that Gates is not a "young African-American"...is that open to debate?
I'm sick of hearing blacks complain about being profiled. If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle. In other words, join the AMERICAN DREAM!
Hmmm...how about becoming a Harvard Professor...is that enough success for you?
Perhaps if you work really, really, really hard, you can become half as successful as that black man.
Btw, from this rant of yours (that had nothing to do with the discussion we were having!), my only conclusion is that you're a bigger racist than anyone you've been talking about in this thread.
That's not an insult...just the only logical conclusion I can take from that ridiculous rant above which came right out of nowhere.
Unbelievable. And sad.
I used to believe that you hated Obama based on his beliefs, his policies, his decisions and his record...I now see that it doesn't matter to you if some becomes a Harvard Professor or the President of the United States...all that matters is the color of his skin.
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
How do you know?!?!? Have you heard the tapes that none of us have heard? Or are you just assuming that because he's black, he "immediately started yelling at them?"
Perhaps he explained the situation calmly and they still wouldn't leave. In which case, he had every right to start yelling (it's not against the law, remember).
But, no, you assume that because he was black, he automatically did the wrong thing.
I KNOW because that was in the police report. I KNOW because a black and latino officer said that's what happened. I KNOW because Prof. Gates and Pres. Obama have backed down. Hopefully, they'll release the 911 call and radio traffic soon so that no-one will be able to deny what happened!!!
Typical of the left. If you don't have a valid argument - play the race card. Exactly as Gates did! Let me guess - you voted for Obama!
BiggerPockets Founder · HI · Member since 2008 · 16k+ posts · 5k+ votes
17y
Obviously this is a heated topic, but I need you guys to stay calm or I'm going to close this one down. I see most of you are discussing the topic, but those of you who are using this to attack your fellow members personally, be warned.
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
Btw, from this rant of yours (that had nothing to do with the discussion we were having!), my only conclusion is that you're a bigger racist than anyone you've been talking about in this thread.
That's not an insult...just the only logical conclusion I can take from that ridiculous rant above which came right out of nowhere.
So, exactly what do you claim I said in my "rant" that was racist? What exactly do you claim I said in my "rant" that was incorrect? Can you site anything at all? NO! The truth is that I didn't say anything that wasn't accurate and truthful in my "rant" and that you're just playing the race card because the facts are not on your side.
You see, this is a major problem in our country today. The truth can not be told without a person being called a racist! Bill Cosby tried and was ridiculed for it. Contrast that to Professor Gates and President Obama who actually acted in a blatantly racist way, and yet they aren't called racist by many EVEN THOUGH IT'S BLATANTLY OBVIOUS THAT THEY ARE!
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing? Not one?
That's what I thought!
And then you can label them racists as well. This tactic is right out of the socialist playbook - if you don't have any facts on your side - play the race card! If you can't succeed on your own - play the race card. If anyone disagrees with you - play the race card.
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
The fact is that Blacks were not alone, neither as slaves nor as enslavers.
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
Wait a minute, you said earlier in this thread, "No other race came to this country on the slave boat." So which one is it? You can't have your propaganda both ways. If you were mistaken based on what you've heard in Hollywood, I can't blame you. The career race mongers have a lot of money invested in perpetuating that belief . .
Tim you are taking my words out of context. I was trying to understand your point. It was not my claim. Furthermore, calling enslaving of Black propaganda, is no different than calling the Holocaust propaganda!!
_______________________________________________
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
I will not argue the fact since I admit not to have the ultimate knowledge with regard to numbers and roles but I do argue the principal and the principal is that Blacks were disproportionately enslaved
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
I never argued for or against this point or proportions. Personally I believe if there is 1 case of a wrong, it is just as wrong as 1,000,000 cases of a wrong.
No, but by emphasizing the other wrongs, you seems to lessen the big wrong that was done to Blacks,
Originally posted by Eddie Ziv:
and this country has the biggest role (At least in numbers) in the slave trade at that time
Originally posted by Tim Wieneke:
Again - not true. This was an international business that had been running before the first colony was ever established here.
Again, you are taking my word out of context. Here is the whole sentence as originally posted:" Blacks were disproportionately enslaved and this country has the biggest role (At least in numbers) in the slave trade at that time and in the context of democracy, equal rights, and Christian morals. "
IN THE CONTEXT OF DEMOCRACY, EQUAL RIGHTS AND CHRISTIAN MORALS!
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
[
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing?
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
You are grouping an entire race together with a list of negative stereotypes. And the funny thing is, neither of the people who WHO BROUGHT UP IN THIS THREAD exhibited those stereotypes you ranted about.
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
....
If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle.
....
Originally posted by MikeOH:
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing?
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
You are grouping an entire race together with a list of negative stereotypes. And the funny thing is, neither of the people who WHO BROUGHT UP IN THIS THREAD exhibited those stereotypes you ranted about.
In my book, that's "100% certified" racist.
Again, waiting to see if others will come to your defense. I've never seen anyone on this board shy away from attacking or discrediting me just because they are concerned I will respond, so if people really agree with you, I'm quite sure they'll step up and make it clear...
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by J Scott:
Originally posted by MikeOH:
....
If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle.
....
Originally posted by MikeOH:
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing?
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
You are grouping an entire race together with a list of negative stereotypes. And the funny thing is, neither of the people who WHO BROUGHT UP IN THIS THREAD exhibited those stereotypes you ranted about.
In my book, that's "100% certified" racist.
Again, waiting to see if others will come to your defense. I've never seen anyone on this board shy away from attacking or discrediting me just because they are concerned I will respond, so if people really agree with you, I'm quite sure they'll step up and make it clear...
Real Estate Investor · OH · Member since 2008 · 4k+ posts · 1k+ votes
17y
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
RIDICULOUS! Nothing could be more relevant than the self-inflicted problems in the African American community that are at the root of all this victim mentality!
Again RIDICULOUS! If you'll re-read my post, you'll see that I contrasted the negative behavior of a significant portion of the black male population to the very successful black neurologist who saved the life of my wife. (nice try though)
Of course they didn't! You didn't expect a couple of racists to bring up the problems in the black community - did you? No, all they did was accuse the police of being racists and racially profiling Prof. Gates - even though that was quite obviously not the case. In other words, they played the race card - just as you did!!!
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
....
If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle.
....
Originally posted by MikeOH:
In other words, they played the race card - just as you did!!!
Calling someone a racist isn't "playing the race card"...
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Mike, once again, judging is easy but until you walk in those Black man's shoes, your judgment is impair. Do racism and prejudice widely exist in America? Absolutely. Do some Blacks take advantage of it and blame the world for their own inability to succeed? Absolutely. It was the President himself who called for the Black community to do away with the victim mentality and called for the Black man to be part of their children's life. However, if you get a slap in your face too many times, regardless of your achievements and your social stature, it is hard to judge whether that hand is coming in peace or for another slap.
Real Estate Investor · Member since 2008 · 340 posts · 34 votes
17y
Originally posted by J Scott:
Originally posted by MikeOH:
[
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing?
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
You are grouping an entire race together with a list of negative stereotypes. And the funny thing is, neither of the people who WHO BROUGHT UP IN THIS THREAD exhibited those stereotypes you ranted about.
In my book, that's "100% certified" racist.
I love it when Liberals call for an “honest dialogue†about something. Which is code for:
When talking about race and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a racist (Conservative).
When talking about gay marriage and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a homophobe (Conservative).
When talking about abortion and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are an out of touch old white male(Conservative).
When talking about Embryonic stem cell research and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a Neanderthal (Conservative).
Investor · Sarasota, FL · Member since 2008 · 17k+ posts · 17k+ votes
17y
Originally posted by MikeOH:
....
If they want to succeed, then they need to get their act together - keep their families together; discipline their kids; talk English instead of ebonics; GET A JOB; WEAR A BELT; ensure that their kids stay in school; and stop glamurizing the gangster lifestyle.
....
Investor · Mableton, GA · Member since 2009 · 1k+ posts · 465 votes
17y
Originally posted by Matthew Gil:
Originally posted by J Scott:
Originally posted by MikeOH:
[
So, in other words, you can point out ANY single thing?
How about the fact that we were discussing two specific black people -- a well-respected Harvard Professor and the President of the United States -- and for no apparent reason you felt the need to tangent off onto a diatribe about how blacks as a race need to "get their act together."
I realize that in your mind the comments you made were probably related to the discussion (and I'm sure that will be your argument for why you made them), but any rational person reading this thread would clearly determine that your comments were out-of-place and questionable.
You are grouping an entire race together with a list of negative stereotypes. And the funny thing is, neither of the people who WHO BROUGHT UP IN THIS THREAD exhibited those stereotypes you ranted about.
In my book, that's "100% certified" racist.
I love it when Liberals call for an “honest dialogue†about something. Which is code for:
When talking about race and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a racist (Conservative).
When talking about gay marriage and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a homophobe (Conservative).
When talking about abortion and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are an out of touch old white male(Conservative).
When talking about Embryonic stem cell research and the conservative disagrees: I am right (Liberal) and you are a Neanderthal (Conservative).
Etc…
So, much for the “honest dialogueâ€.
OK. Lets talk "code names"
Question: What is the code name in "Hussein" ?
Answer: "He is not one of us
Question: What is in the code words: "Wasn't born in the US"?
Again: He is not one of us and how dare he became a president? Facts? Who cares about fact!!!?
What in the code word: "Liberal" (As if it's a four letter word...)?
As in "I am rigtht" and you are just another "Liberal"
What is the code word: "Socielist"?
As in: Yes we ruin the country the old fashion way, with pure capitalism taking money form the poor and giving it to the rich but you, you socialist you are doing it in a blasphemous way... The other way around!!!