Freethought & Rationalism Archive

seebs · 06-05-2003, 08:32 PM

Okay, I've spent a while thinking about this.

I simply cannot reconcile this with the functionings of a remotely healthy human mind.

That is fucking AWFUL.

The only useful thing is we may be able to show that hatred and understanding are in some way composed of the same basic material, and that there's a Law Of Conservation to be had here.

nj_heathens · 06-05-2003, 08:33 PM

If I receive an email as offensive as this one from a family member or friend (which I have), I would let them know that if they ever send me such an offensive communication again, I will set my email program to block all further messages from them (which I have). Leave no doubt that the choice is truly theirs to make.

Mrs. Heathen

Corwin · 06-05-2003, 08:42 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AquaVita
Pretty sad to see such pathetic tripe has made its way overseas as well.

Or perhaps the British one was original and the American one copied from it?

I'm guessing the former. 'Britishman' and the 'British race?' Sounds like the american version is the original and the english was modified... it uses expressions that are emotional triggers to americans, but uses the wrong words for the brits. (Britishman instead of englishman, etc.)

Enlighten Me · 06-05-2003, 08:49 PM

I want to be kind to my mother since she is old and alone. (Even though she is not very kind herself) So this was my "kind" response:

Mom---
I sure found that poem offensive.....it was so terribly racist. I agree that the large number of immigrants to the U.S. create many social problems and cost taxpayers money, but most welfare recipients are white, according to some figures I saw on the internet. I suspect that most immigrants use welfare as a safety net until they can establish themselves and become productive members of society.

I agree that as taxpayers, we can all be disgusted at any lazy person who takes advantage of the welfare system, but I'm sure that the majority that do are white citizens----not immigrants, many of whom are breaking their backs picking strawberries for us and bussing tables in restaurants.

I have a lot of compassion for these people since I teach them English, so I hope you understand why I can't just ignore this poem....

RevDahlia · 06-05-2003, 08:53 PM

How about pointing out that illegals CANNOT receive welfare? If she is laboring under the delusion that they can, and it colors her view towards immigrants, perhaps clarifying will help the situation somewhat.

Viti · 06-05-2003, 08:54 PM

Quote:

but most welfare recipients are white, according to some figures I saw on the internet.

I have been looking for these stats...do you have a link please?

seebs · 06-05-2003, 08:55 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Enlightened Lady
I have a lot of compassion for these people since I teach them English, so I hope you understand why I can't just ignore this poem....

This is a beautiful response; while racist jerks are whining about immigrants not being productive members of society, you're doing something about the alleged problem.

Sakpo · 06-05-2003, 09:03 PM

Something worthwhile.

Quote:

DEPORTEE (PLANE WRECK AT LOS GATOS)

The crops are all in and the peaches are rott'ning,
The oranges piled in their creosote dumps;
They're flying 'em back to the Mexican border
To pay all their money to wade back again

Goodbye to my Juan, goodbye, Rosalita,
Adios mis amigos, Jesus y Maria;
You won't have your names when you ride the big airplane,
All they will call you will be "deportees"
My father's own father, he waded that river,
They took all the money he made in his life;
My brothers and sisters come working the fruit trees,
And they rode the truck till they took down and died.

Some of us are illegal, and some are not wanted,
Our work contract's out and we have to move on;
Six hundred miles to that Mexican border,
They chase us like outlaws, like rustlers, like thieves.

We died in your hills, we died in your deserts,
We died in your valleys and died on your plains.
We died 'neath your trees and we died in your bushes,
Both sides of the river, we died just the same.

The sky plane caught fire over Los Gatos Canyon,
A fireball of lightning, and shook all our hills,
Who are all these friends, all scattered like dry leaves?
The radio says, "They are just deportees"

Is this the best way we can grow our big orchards?
Is this the best way we can grow our good fruit?
To fall like dry leaves to rot on my topsoil
And be called by no name except "deportees"?

-Woody Guthrie, 1948

mecca777 · 06-05-2003, 10:45 PM

That "poem" is physically sickening. I wonder if the poet would be interested in writing about the $180bn farm subsidy programs that Bush signed to prop up uneconomical crops and allow farmers to export their wares at less than the cost of production, destroying the local markets in developing countries.

TollHouse · 06-05-2003, 10:59 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by AquaVita
That poem sucks
Really, it's true
Such utterly offensive
Shit-headed spew

I got real angry
But now I relax
Heaven Forbid
This guy check his facts

His rhyming was ass
No meter, bad space
If I ever see author
I'll piss on his face

Genius.
:notworthy

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06-05-2003, 08:32 PM	#21
seebs Contributor Join Date: May 2002 Location: Saint Paul, MN Posts: 24,524	Okay, I've spent a while thinking about this. I simply cannot reconcile this with the functionings of a remotely healthy human mind. That is fucking AWFUL. The only useful thing is we may be able to show that hatred and understanding are in some way composed of the same basic material, and that there's a Law Of Conservation to be had here.

06-05-2003, 08:33 PM	#22
nj_heathens Regular Member Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Ewing, NJ Posts: 447	If I receive an email as offensive as this one from a family member or friend (which I have), I would let them know that if they ever send me such an offensive communication again, I will set my email program to block all further messages from them (which I have). Leave no doubt that the choice is truly theirs to make. Mrs. Heathen

06-05-2003, 08:49 PM	#24
Enlighten Me Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2001 Location: Southern Ca. Posts: 1,109	I want to be kind to my mother since she is old and alone. (Even though she is not very kind herself) So this was my "kind" response: Mom--- I sure found that poem offensive.....it was so terribly racist. I agree that the large number of immigrants to the U.S. create many social problems and cost taxpayers money, but most welfare recipients are white, according to some figures I saw on the internet. I suspect that most immigrants use welfare as a safety net until they can establish themselves and become productive members of society. I agree that as taxpayers, we can all be disgusted at any lazy person who takes advantage of the welfare system, but I'm sure that the majority that do are white citizens----not immigrants, many of whom are breaking their backs picking strawberries for us and bussing tables in restaurants. I have a lot of compassion for these people since I teach them English, so I hope you understand why I can't just ignore this poem....

06-05-2003, 08:53 PM	#25
RevDahlia Veteran Member Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 4,930	How about pointing out that illegals CANNOT receive welfare? If she is laboring under the delusion that they can, and it colors her view towards immigrants, perhaps clarifying will help the situation somewhat.

06-05-2003, 10:45 PM	#29
mecca777 Veteran Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Newcastle-upon-Tyne, UK Posts: 1,255	That "poem" is physically sickening. I wonder if the poet would be interested in writing about the $180bn farm subsidy programs that Bush signed to prop up uneconomical crops and allow farmers to export their wares at less than the cost of production, destroying the local markets in developing countries.

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