Wednesday, September 06, 2006

What some on Fox News are saying...

Has anyone been watching Fox News lately? I’m not overly impressed with the channel but I do watch it, or more accurately I have it on for background noise. In general I find the cable television news channel is like its peers, short on substance and perfect for a A.D.D. prone society (my thoughts on A.D.D. being another matter altogether). Separate of the tendency to hop to the latest news rather than actually fully delve into any story fully, it is decent.

But on occasion Fox News will present a poll or have a speaker on that just grabs my attention. Generally that’s not a good thing, especially if I’m writing about it here. Case in point, last week on the 30th or the 1st Mr. Pat Buchanan was on speaking about his new book. The book discusses the border and the potential threat we face as a nation. I’ve spoken several times about the borders of out nation [So what about Canada?, Press Secty Tony Snow and Mexican fences, Immigration and student aid for college] so this perked up my ears. Of course my concerns were not a point of commentary. But Mr. Buchanan did say that illegal aliens in this nation are bad (which I agree with to a degree but not for most of the popular reasons) and then went on to say essentially that he was afraid of the integration or loss of the white majority of America. He directly said that he wanted America to be like it was in the JFK era, with 89% of the census reported population being White Americans. I wasn’t the only one shocked by the statement, the reporter asked him if he meant he wanted America to be 89% white, and Mr. Buchanan clarified that this is what he meant.

Now that sounds purely racist to me. It scares me that people are still out there, in positions that influence the public and running for public office, with this kind of mindset. I would ask Mr. Buchanan what he is afraid of? Why does a nation of less than roughly 90% one race cause him concern? The question comes to mind if he is afraid of seeing films that are not all white actors. Would he read books by African American, or Hispanic, or other minority writers? And how impartial was he when dealing with minority guests on his television show?

I would ask Mr. Buchanan if he is aware of the hundreds or thousands that have helped to advance America and technology. Like Mr. George Washington Carver or Mr. Otis Boykin. Or the sacrifices like that of Mr. Crispus Attucks, and all the African slaves that are responsible for the creation of virtually every major city, the agricultural power, the industrialization and infrastructure of this nation. Perhaps Mr. Buchanan is not that small minded, but statements of wanting America to be live the ‘good ole days’ don’t lend credence to that. And those ‘good ole days’ weren’t that good for the rest of us.

In another fun commentary from a guest on Fox News, which occurred on Sept 6, 2006 @ 10:25, the discussion was on whether America was serious about fighting the war on terror. Mr. Mark Williams answered stating that he did not think so. Mr. Williams further clarified, and in his mind I imagine illustrated, his position by mentioning that since 9/11 parts of the security forces at the airports are Muslim women. This he then stated was like the Apache scouts for the cavalry. I for one think he must be on the same diet as Mr. Buchanan. Again this seems to be racism of high order, espoused in a half-logic to make it sound credible.

I must say to Mr. Williams and Mr. Buchanan that I find their blatant racism, as I see it, appalling. Yes, for those who think I’m too sensitive, this is racism. Both cases. To seek the removal and isolation from other groups, or more accurately to maintain dominance over other groups is fear in my opinion. Fear and ignorance (or in the case of those who have the knowledge to know better – stupidity) are critical components of racism. Why else would anyone want to go backwards in time, specifically to when segregation and racism were consider the norm of the day.

No less disgusting is the blatant racial and religious profiling that was advocated. As the other commentator mentioned perhaps Mr. Williams would like Muslims to be forced to wear a symbol identifying them. I’m sure the idea would appeal to him similar to the way some enjoyed the Jews and gays being forced to wear stars and triangles. It’s just a sick thought And to bring up the Native American Indians in any manner after the en masse murder that was done to them, the systematic removal of all they held of value and the forced incarceration (being restricted to barren near unlivable tracts of land is no different to being in a prison cell. A prison is a prison no matter the size or look.) is to add insult to injury.

I’m sure if either one of these guys were to live one day under the systems they seem to advocate, persecuted for their look and/or religion, they wouldn’t survive the pressure to sunset.

This is what I think, what do you think?

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