2009

We have a long way to go in race relations in this country

I think some people believed that racism and predjudice would disappear overnight when Obama got elected. Yeah right.

It’s the little things that stick out when it comes to how far we have come and how far we have to go.

Yesterday while working, I had a middle-aged white couple from a major southern city make an astonishing comment to me. They said, “We love vacationing in South Dakota because there isn’t a lot of black people here.” Of course I was a little taken back about the comment. I commented that there is ‘black’ people who live here. I also told them when I visited their city a few years ago that I had no negative experience from the ‘blacks’ in their community. To which they replied, “Well you weren’t there when Obama won.”

As I told co-workers about this comment, many were shocked. But to be honest with you, I wasn’t really shocked at all. I am not naive, racism is exists in our country, and it’s out and it is proud, which is unfortunate.

Going to HS in a suburb of Seattle I learned a lot about tolerance, especially being a whitebread farmkid from SD. Most of my friends were Vietnamese American or African American or white trash punk rockers. I can tell you one thing I have learned, there is bad apples in all races, and there is also good people. As far as I am concerned the only people we should be scared of is rich, greedy Republicans, they are the ones destroying this country, not the ‘blacks’.

Update: Citizen lawsuits against Sioux Falls

I spoke with two gentleman over the past couple of days who have pending cases against the city.

First with I.L. Weiderman’s red light camera suit. I.L. told me they are waiting for Mayor Munson’s taped deposition before moving forward with the case, which is coming up soon.

And good news on the Dan Daily / code enforement case, the court proceedings finally finished last Thursday and now judge Caldwell with issue an opinion within the next couple of weeks.

All I can say is this, be prepared for a firestorm once this opinion is released. Not sure from which side, but this will be a groundbreaking decision for the citizens of Sioux Falls and will have major consequences for city hall and the citizens of this community.

Does Obama support a public option now? I guess we will find out Wednesday night.

Axelrod and Gibbs stay on (un)clear message on the Sunday morning bobblehead shows;

David Axelrod says Obama believes a public option would be a good tool. But Axelrod says “it shouldn’t define the whole health care debate.”

And Gibbs takes a shot at it;

It’s still unclear what Obama will do on a proposal for government-sponsored coverage to compete with private insurers. Gibbs says the president supports it. But Gibbs isn’t saying Obama would veto a bill if it doesn’t include the public option.

I think Obama must support some kind of public option, it just has to be there or there is no point in passing a healthcare reform bill, but it must also be fair to Americans;

– Only available to American citizens that pay taxes (either income or retail)

– It should include a voter registration provision. If you are over 18 you should be a registered voter and registered for selective service (unless state felony laws prevent it).

– There should be NO limitations. If you want the public option and want to get rid of your private plan, you should be able to, no questions asked.

Thursday morning news programs oughta be interesting.

[youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SCNs7Zpqo98&eurl=http%3A%2F%2Fcrooksandliars%2Ecom%2F&feature=player_embedded[/youtube]

Late Night ramblings

I heard two things tonight that made me laugh, but not spit vodka thru my nose, of course these are political rumors, so don’t go telling our local rag about them as fact, besides, even if they were fact, they would not report them, Beck would be worried he couldn’t get free lunches at the Pickle Barrel anymore (Lik smakin good);

First off, as John mentioned, Steve Hildebrand is helping to run Mike Heuth’FirstPremier’er’s campaign. Whoopie Shit. Another connected wealthy Democrat helping another connected wealthy Democrat. Do I jerk off now or later?

And, I also heard another Democrat is going to grace themselves with their presence in the mayor’s race. I guess he has been calling everyone and their freaking sister to spread the news, county commPISShioner, Jeff Barth is thinking about running for mayor.

Put that in your pipe and smoke it Kranz.

I hate going out anymore, I just hear things that depress me . . . so a Huetterite, a Rabbi and a Bear walk into a bar . . .