Neghbor's Bigotry and the Future of the GOP

[longfisher]

I have a neighbor who's a single mom since her husband died about two years ago. She's very bright and affable but tends to drink a bit. Actually, she drinks quite a bit more than a bit.

One day last month she came over with a scotch in hand and wanted to see our progress on remodeling out kitchen. After oggling all our work (we never hire handymen if we can avoid it) she suddently said, "Hey, did you hear that the most common name of newly born males in America is now Jose?"

It was such blantant bigotry and smelled so much of white priviledge and entitlement that my wife and I chose not to respond any more than just to offer a neutral platitude like, "No. But that's interesting." She's the sister of the guy I often write about who's also a white bigot and who's found himself swimming in a toxic stew of insurance company bile when he lost his job and started looking for health insurance. So, we weren't surprised at what she said. Besides, she was drunk, again.

New incident, as some of you recall my Son is pretty bright. He's 26 out of 898 kids in his high school class and he's in the International Baccalaureate program. The top 10% of the students were singled out for honors and there was a nice ceremony last week. My wife and I both attended.

Each kid had his name called out in reverse order of their class standing and their parents met them on stage to drap a medal over their heads and then stand for pictures. I couldn't help but notice the large number of non-whites in the top 10%. First names like Yesha and Uresha weren't common but certainly well-represented. And, last names like Nguyen, Tang, Dong, Mohammed, Patel, Aguilar, Rodriguez and Hernandez were very well represented. Indeed, most, perhaps 70% of the students in the top 10% did not have Christian last names.

And, the valedictorian (#1) and the salutatorian (#2) had the last names of Rodriguez and Aguilar, respectively. And, both of them had the first name Jose. Given their appearance they were not of European decent, but rather, appeared to both have strong Aztec features. Their parents were the picture of the Indijenos I've seen in my travels to Central America.

I was impressed and, frankly, proud of those two kids as I'm sure their families and they have faced many hardships and much discrimination in that school. It's in very North Harris County and the student body is predominantly white country folks most of whom can be counted on to be bigots and racists and to not have ever left the county.

I made a point of making my way over to those two kids' families and personally congratulating them. The parents either spoke no English or very broken English. The kids, however, could have just been air-dropped from their studies at Harvard their English was so great.

Anway, I came home and started to send an e-mail to my bigoted neighbors about the name Jose. The text said, "Regene, remember when you told me that Jose was recently reported to be the most common first name for newborns in America. Well, I've got a surprise for you. It's also the first name of both the valedictorian and salutatorian of my Son's high school class."

The e-mail went on to say, "I guess your mention of this statistic was intended to show that the minorities are taking over America and the fact that you chose to mention it to us probably means that you're uncomfortable with that. Well, I'm here to tell you that it's worse than you think. Not only are Hispanics becoming predominant here, not only are they taking away from our kids all the lawn cutting and tree-trimming jobs, not only are they showing up in our ERs for treatment along with all the white trash and other coloreds, not only are then applying for Medicaid, again, along with all the white trash and other coloreds but also...

...THEY'RE TAKING OVER OUR HIGH SCHOOLS. And I have proof. Both the valedictorian and salutatorian of my Son's high school class were named Jose!

Unbelievable, huh?"

But I didn't send the e-mail. I deleted it before sending. I didn't delete it because I thought it might offend her, although it might have. I didn't send it because it was in poor taste, as it surely was. I deleted it because I thought she wouldn't understand the irony of it and because if she didn't the e-mail would probably go viral and a whole bunch of Republican bigots would have another misguided talking point.

What do you think? Did I make the right decision?

LF

[longfisher]

The article said that whites were already in a minority here and that the principle minority that was growing by leaps and bounds in Texas were the Tejanos, or, Hispanics as you might call them. Here's an excerpt:

"Figures released last month by the Census Bureau show that during the past decade, Texas joined California as a majority-minority state: The percentage of whites in the Texas population declined from 52 percent in 2000 to 45 percent in 2010, while the percentage of Latinos rose from 32 percent to 38 percent. Nearly half of all Texans under 18 - 48 percent - are Latino.

Texas is hardly alone in this epochal demographic shift. In the first four states for which the Census Bureau released detailed information - New Jersey, Louisiana, Mississippi and Virginia - the number of whites under age 18 actually declined in the past decade. The numbers of Latinos and Asians among the young, by contrast, are soaring, and they are highest among the youngest.

Nationally, whites are now a minority - 49.9 percent - of Americans age 3 and under. In eight states and the District, according to an analysis by the Brookings Institution's William Frey, minorities comprise the majority in pre-K and kindergarten. Looking at all school enrollment, from pre-K through graduate school, Frey told the New York Times' Sabrina Tavernise, whites were 58.8 percent of all students in 2009, down from 64.6 percent in 2000.

What these numbers mean is simply that the Republicans have an existential problem. As America becomes increasingly multiracial, the Republicans have elected to become increasingly white.

The GOP's response to this epochal demographic change has been to do everything in its power to keep America (particularly its electorate) as white as can be. Republicans have obstructed minorities from voting; required Latinos to present papers if the police ask for them; opposed the Dream Act, which would have conferred citizenship on young immigrants who served in our armed forces or went to college; and called for denying the constitutional right to citizenship to American-born children of undocumented immigrants."

I guess this means goodbye to most of you guys like you here in Texas and perhaps elsewhere, huh?

Oh, well. Good riddance. And, do please send fishing reports from where you banish yourselves.

I think I'll send this article to the two Joses I recently met. But, as before, I'll refrain from sending it to my bigoted neighbors. I'm reasonably certain they wouldn't understand the nature of the locomotive that's bearing down on them with all deliberate speed.

LF

[scattered_grass]

you are LF. One day it's I can't stand my kids, the next day it's I'm glad Hose A and Hose B are taking over the country. Never a dull moment

[marine4003]

amazing...in one breath you ASSUME your "drunk" neighbor is racist, are again proud of your children,classify us as racist,and want to embrace ILLEGAL aliens..sheesh,thats a hard days work....have the doc double your meds there skipper...

[longfisher]

Over time I've come to know you pretty well. Or, perhaps I've come to know your online persona well. I'm not sure. But the person or persona I've come to know is worthy of respect.

But what I do know about both is that they're, in general, fair. There are times when they/you may overstate something because, well, I don't really know why. But there are those times.

Regrettably, this is one of those times. You know full well that I don't embrace illegal aliens in any fashion whatsoever. Indeed, I'm the first one on this board to my recollection to suggest in all seriousness that we simply militarize the border to prevent not only the illegals from crossing, but also, the drugs, the gangs and the potential terrorists.

Please do consider revising your statements regarding those I might EMBRACE. For the first time in a long time you're being utterly unfair...even hyperbolic.

Furthermore, if you'd care to read for comprehension you'll see that did not say she was a racist. I said she was a bigot. There's a difference.

The English language is eternally fascintating in it's seemingly endless refinements. Take the concept "dark" for example. It can actually mean lightless. Or it can mean demonic. It can mean mendacious. Or, it can mean insidious. It can mean calculating. Or, it can mean murderous. It can mean mean-spirited. Or, it can mean just plain as a post stupid. If one applies the right context there are a virtually endless collection of pseudonymns and alternate meanings for the word dark that can mean everything from cataclysmically ominous and deadly to simply lights out it's time for utterly innocent and gentle slumber.

Indeed, there are probably 100 both socially acceptable and unacceptable, complimentary and disgusting words for vagina and as many for penis. The English language is an almost endless ribbon of expression.

So, there are also at least an 100 words for intolerance. As you surely know, I tend to choose my words carefully. I chose bigot rather than racist to describe my neighbor. I tend to reserve the word racist for Capt Michael Buffington, and for good reason.

Please, my most often reasonable and even more often rational friend, look them up. The differences may be subtle but they are meaningful.

That is they are meaningful unless you're a Republican. If you're a Republican no commonly defined word in the Thesaurus is immune from missuse. I submit the word freedom as a quintessential example of how Republicans purposefully muddy the English language.

Finally, I may praise my children's accomplishments. But they are dyed in the wool ingrates no matter what levels to which their disingenuity may rise. And, I will quite soon be free of them entirely. Of that you may be assured.

LF

[longfisher]

you are LF. One day it's I can't stand my kids, the next day it's I'm glad Hose A and Hose B are taking over the country. Never a dull moment

There are more complex and sophisticated people than what passes for Republican citizens in today's world. Perhaps you should come to know a few of us.

That is, you should do so if your opinon leaders, Rush and Glenn, will allow you to do so.

LF

[clt_capt]

Texas has long been a hotbed of controversy on immigration issues. And a proposed immigration bill in the Texas state House is sure to raise more than a few eyebrows. The bill would make hiring an "unauthorized alien" a crime punishable by up to two years in prison and a $10,000 fine, unless that is, they are hired to do household chores. Yes, under the House Bill 2012 introduced by a tea party favorite state Rep. Debbie Riddle -- who's been saying for some time that she'd like to see Texas institute an Arizona-style immigration law -- hiring an undocumented maid, caretaker, lawnworker or any type of houseworker would be allowed. Why? As Texas state Rep. Aaron Pena, also a Republican, told CNN, without the exemption, "a large segment of the Texas population" would wind up in prison if the bill became law.
"When it comes to household employees or yard workers it is extremely common for Texans to hire people who are likely undocumented workers," Pena told the news giant. "It is so common it is overlooked."
Jon English, Rep. Riddle's chief of staff explained that the exemption was an attempt to avoid "stifling the economic engine" in Texas, which today is, somewhat ironically, celebrating its declaring independence from Mexico in 1836.
"Excepting household workers from a anti-immigration laws renders the law impotent and self-contradictory, just like the current U.S. [COLOR=#366388 ! important][COLOR=#366388 ! important]immigration [COLOR=#366388 ! important]policy[/COLOR][/COLOR][/COLOR], of which it is almost a perfect microcosm," legal ethics writer Jack Marshall wrote on his blog. "It guarantees a measure without integrity that sends a mixed enforcement message and does nothing to stop the long-standing deplorable 'we don't want you but somebody has to do those menial jobs' attitude that has paralyzed our immigration policy for decades."
Rep. Riddle made headlines last year when she claimed unnamed FBI officials had told her that pregnant women from the Middle East were traveling to America as tourists to give birth, and then raising their children to be terrorists who could later enter the U.S. freely as citizens -- so-called "terror babies," a devious offshoot of "anchor babies." She became somewhat infamous on the web when she stumbled repeatedly in a CNN interview about the claims, complaining later that host Anderson Cooper's line of questioning was more intense than she had prepared for.
"They did not tell me you were going to grill me on specific information that I was not ready to give to you tonight," Riddle said when Cooper pressed her for more details. "They did not tell me that, sir."

[longfisher]

...Hispanic (we graciously, politely, with civility and respect call them Tejanos) than Anglo. It's not just a good thing. It's a GREAT thing.

Of course, there are undesireables among them. Just like there are 100 times as many undesireables among the white trash here.

But you just have to marvel at the beauty and honesty of their culture, the magnificense of their patriarchal families, the counter-logical resilience of their children despite all the odds that are against them in this anglo-centric culture, the gentle ways of their ancient civility and the spectacular, fathomless beauty of their women, young and old.

I admire them, completely...as long as they're here legally. If they're not they're no better than our seemingly endless swamp of ignorant criminal white trash Republicans.

LF

[marine4003]

My point is...you spend too much time worrying about things that are beyond your control, weather she's racist or bigoted..who cares? how people relate to other races..who cares..what anyone thinks about another is nothing we can change ,so why spend time composing fictional e-mails?..she drinks too much..not anyones problem, as long as she's not behind the wheel,.articles about any subject out there..dont think theres not a slant to it somehow..writers beliefs and political affiliation do come into play..were human.The majority of your posts contain some form of disagreement or critique..why spend time trying to convince others that one persons way or thinking is better than anothers..life's too short,and there are far more important things to spend time on..You criticize republicans for being Neanderthals and backward thinkers..perhaps your right..perhaps we want it to be the way it used to be..what being Republican USED to stand for, holding on to the past ideals with white nuckels..never conceding the fact that theres no more party lines....democrat..rebublican ....both only stand for one thing nowadays....GREED. Enjoy life bro..dont sweat it.

[mvsusaf]

Longfisher:
Tell her when she comes over again that the most given boys name in the USA is still Michael. She look it up online quite simply.