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Coat Of Arms
Skeptic Friend
USA
58 Posts |
 Posted - 08/04/2008 : 17:21:15
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 Snopes says it's true.
Well, it appears our African-American friends have found yet something else to be pissed about. A black congresswoman (this would be Sheila Jackson Lee, of Houston ), reportedly complained that the names of hurricanes are all Caucasian sounding names.
She would prefer some names that reflect African-American=2 0culture such as Chamiqua, Tanisha, Woeisha, Shaqueal, and Jamal. I am NOT making this up!
She would also like the weather reports to be broadcast in 'language' that street people can understand because one of the problems that happened in New Orleans was, that black people couldn't understand the seriousness of the situation, due to the racially biased language of the weather report.
I guess if the weather person says that the winds are going to blow at 140+ MPH, that's too hard to understand!!
I can hear it now: A weatherman in New Orleans says...
Wazzup, mutha-fukkas! Hehr-i-cane Chamiqua be headin' fo' yo ass like Leroy on a crotch rocket!
Bitch be a category fo'! So, turn off dem chitlins, grab yo' chirren, leave yo crib, and head fo' de nearest FEMA office fo yo FREE shit. |
How times change.
It's about 200 paces from the awning of Jackson Lee's Capitol Hill apartment to the marbled steps of the Cannon House Office Building, where her office is. Most people think the walk is a pleasant one. Red-brick townhouses give onto tree-lined streets; crossing guards ensure no one is run over. It's the kind of neighborhood where you might expect to find the Republican party's headquarters--and do. They're right next door to Jackson Lee's building. In a city that consistently ranks among the nation's worst for commuting, Jackson Lee would seem to have it made.
But apparently it's not convenient enough. Jackson Lee is routinely chauffeured the one short block to work--in a government car, by a member of her staff, at the taxpayers' expense. And apparently in violation of House rules. Complete story. http://www.weeklystandard.com/Utilities/printer_preview.asp?idArticle=867&R=EB8D54EF
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Paul C. |
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Ricky
SFN Die Hard
USA
4907 Posts |
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2008 : 18:35:38 [Permalink]
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Well, really, I couldn't care less what hurricanes are named. But I can't see any reason not to give some of them names that are reflective of something other than white Anglo-Saxon culture. Why anyone would push to be included on such a list I have no idea. The women pushed and now there is a mans name on every other hurricane. That one I understand.
But hey, the quote is racist.
The Weekly Standard, the source for the other story, is a neocon magazine. I wonder how hard they worked to find similar offenses by white Republicans serving in office? Does anyone believe that the abuse of power on her level compares with the abuses of power by the current Republican administration?
I'm not saying it shouldn't be reported, but hey... |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Cuneiformist
The Imperfectionist
USA
4955 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2008 : 19:23:29 [Permalink]
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Eh. I disagree with the premise. Look at the list of names. Ernesto? Chantal? Lorenzo? Pablo? Philippe? Nothing says WASP like Gustav. Or Cristobal. Oh... wait.
So I guess one could argue that the names aren't "African-American" enough, but what names should be included? Can someone really draw up a "representative" list?
And what does all of this say about African-Americans who have names that are on the list? Are they not "ethnic" enough? For instance, there's the name Colin. Which-- in case you didn't know-- was the first name of a certain African-American (or at least, Jamaican-American) Secretary of State.
Sean-- another hurricane name on the list-- is the first name of a well known musical artist.
I guess these don't count?
Seems like a pretty lame complaint
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Kil
Evil Skeptic
USA
13477 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2008 : 20:13:19 [Permalink]
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Ah, I didn't look at the list. I suppose should have said white rather than Anglo-Saxon. And even then, I see your point.
I still couldn't care less about what hurricanes are named... |
Uncertainty may make you uncomfortable. Certainty makes you ridiculous.
Why not question something for a change?
Genetic Literacy Project |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 08/04/2008 : 20:14:57 [Permalink]
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From Cune's first link:Since 1953, Atlantic tropical storms have been named from lists originated by the National Hurricane Center. They are now maintained and updated by an international committee of the World Meteorological Organization. Good luck passing U.S. legislation to unilaterally change the names.  |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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bngbuck
SFN Addict
USA
2437 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 00:35:40 [Permalink]
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If this isn't the damndest circling of the wagons on an issue of Political Correctness, I've never seen one! Like what fucking difference does the name of a god damn Hurricane make? Really!
Can't we all just get together and get concerned about something that is really worth getting concerned about? Black, white, green, alien, and undead? And you, too, Filthy! |
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 02:23:12 [Permalink]
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One would think that nobody would want their own name given to a colossal natural engine of mass killing, anyway. Imagine the way a girl in New Orleans name Karina would be treated by schoolmates. Maybe hurricanes should be named for something else, like stars.
But both racists and the over-sensitive can make a mountain out of any molehill.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 08/06/2008 21:58:56 |
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BigPapaSmurf
SFN Die Hard
3192 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 05:26:13 [Permalink]
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| I think we should just call them all "The MAN!" Or name them after government types and historical leaders we demonize. "Hurricane National Socialism" Or "Tropical Storm KHAAAANNNN!!!" |
"...things I have neither seen nor experienced nor heard tell of from anybody else; things, what is more, that do not in fact exist and could not ever exist at all. So my readers must not believe a word I say." -Lucian on his book True History
"...They accept such things on faith alone, without any evidence. So if a fraudulent and cunning person who knows how to take advantage of a situation comes among them, he can make himself rich in a short time." -Lucian critical of early Christians c.166 AD From his book, De Morte Peregrini |
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Rubicon95
Skeptic Friend
USA
220 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 06:48:57 [Permalink]
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It's PC and It's stupid.
You have probably seen this article.
Just think of the fun, meteorologists and video editors would have with Hurricane Khan.
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pleco
SFN Addict
USA
2998 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 06:56:46 [Permalink]
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They should switch to mythology - like astronomers do with planets, etc.
I wonder when the day will come when we will have Hurricane/Plutoid Jesus? |
by Filthy
The neo-con methane machine will soon be running at full fart. |
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filthy
SFN Die Hard
USA
14408 Posts |
 Posted - 08/05/2008 : 07:18:24 [Permalink]
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It's silly for sure, but whadda hell.....
I think they should be named by the same process that I select candidates for my signature. Use only the names of defunct but interesting people. Now, defunct, interesting people, with a few exceptions, are usually the foulest villians imaginable -- sorry 'bout that Goody Two-Shoes, you cheap, sanctimonous trollope. Can you imagine, for example, a Hurricane Gandi? Or Helen Keller?
No, no, such destructive force must be advertized as it is: Hurricane Jack the Ripper or better yet, Hurricane Vlad Tepes.
And there is the advantage of defunct men hiring no lawyers and the longer they've been defunct, the less likely their heirs will hire any.
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"What luck for rulers that men do not think." -- Adolf Hitler (1889 - 1945)
"If only we could impeach on the basis of criminal stupidity, 90% of the Rethuglicans and half of the Democrats would be thrown out of office." ~~ P.Z. Myres
"The default position of human nature is to punch the other guy in the face and take his stuff." ~~ Dude
Brother Boot Knife of Warm Humanitarianism,
and Crypto-Communist! 
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HalfMooner
Dingaling
Philippines
15831 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 07:30:18 [Permalink]
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I do want to correct something I wrote above: | But both racists and the over-sensitive can make a mountain out of any molehill. |
First, it should have been, "overly-sensitive." But even that wasn't the word I was looking for. I don't think people can be overly-sensitive to actual racism. But people can be stupid, ignorant, paranoid, or just plain demagogic about anything.
And I think the term, "politically correct" is damned near worthless. Sometimes, it's used meaningfully, but it's been abused so often that it's more often merely a propagandistic catch-phrase. Racists and sexists especially abuse, and hide behind, the term.
It's far better to weigh the actual merits of an issue than to throw out generalized and weighted terms like "PC." Demanding "African-American" names for hurricanes, or getting upset for a non-racial use of "black hole" -- these are just plain stupid.
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“Biology is just physics that has begun to smell bad.” —HalfMooner
Here's a link to Moonscape News, and one to its Archive. |
| Edited by - HalfMooner on 08/05/2008 07:41:21 |
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BigPapaSmurf
SFN Die Hard
3192 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 07:47:30 [Permalink]
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Hey don't pass off Helen Keller as a goody-two-shoes, she was an enemy of President Wilson and the FBI had a massive file on her activities. And everyone knows if the U.S. government says someone is evil, it must be true.
"This is my country and I love it. I will not see a few excited shouters stampede it into war. War is the particular business of a few men. Some of the ablest press agents of the world are hired to promote preparedness. Peace is everybody's business, and no one attends to it. If we are at peace; we owe it to one man, President Wilson." -HK
Naturally he had to make her into a bad person for opposing our glorius war and supporting the vile concept of civil rights. |
"...things I have neither seen nor experienced nor heard tell of from anybody else; things, what is more, that do not in fact exist and could not ever exist at all. So my readers must not believe a word I say." -Lucian on his book True History
"...They accept such things on faith alone, without any evidence. So if a fraudulent and cunning person who knows how to take advantage of a situation comes among them, he can make himself rich in a short time." -Lucian critical of early Christians c.166 AD From his book, De Morte Peregrini |
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Dr. Mabuse
Septic Fiend
Sweden
9688 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 11:37:44 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
No, no, such destructive force must be advertized as it is: Hurricane Jack the Ripper or better yet, Hurricane Vlad Tepes.
And there is the advantage of defunct men hiring no lawyers and the longer they've been defunct, the less likely their heirs will hire any.
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So, someone have some work to do before we can name hurricanes Bush, Cheney, DeLay, and Rove... 
I wonder who'd be up for the task. 
(note to federal authorities: The above was a joke, not that you'd recognize one if it hit you over the head with a two-by-four...)
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Dr. Mabuse - "When the going gets tough, the tough get Duct-tape..."
Dr. Mabuse whisper.mp3
"Equivocation is not just a job, for a creationist it's a way of life..." Dr. Mabuse
Support American Troops in Iraq:
Send them unarmed civilians for target practice..
Collateralmurder. |
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Dave W.
Info Junkie
USA
26022 Posts |
Posted - 08/05/2008 : 11:55:30 [Permalink]
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Originally posted by filthy
No, no, such destructive force must be advertized as it is: Hurricane Jack the Ripper or better yet, Hurricane Vlad Tepes. |
Henry Rollins wanted to get rid of the word 'tornado' in favor of "the first four Black Sabbath albums." As in:The first four Black Sabbath albums destroyed a small town in Oklahoma today. |
- Dave W. (Private Msg, EMail)
Evidently, I rock!
Why not question something for a change?
Visit Dave's Psoriasis Info, too. |
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Black hurricanes
