Man, I hope the shooter isn't Korean
By Guest Columnist Jung Choi
As a friend of the site and returning guest columnist, Jung shares his thoughts on the shootings at Virginia Tech.
The day of the Virginia Tech shootings, I was very saddened and shocked by what happened and also the number of students that died. One student... 2 pistols... 33 dead.
America has been through an event similar to the one that happened last week, which happened almost exactly 8 years ago from today at Columbine High School. I can honestly say that the reminder of the Columbine incident was the very first thing that came to mind on that day.The next thing of concern for me was the news stating that the mass shooter was Asian.
While mourning with the fellow students at VT and others around the country, I have to admit that I was being somewhat selfish. I was praying and hoping that the Asian student involved was not Korean, fearing possible hate towards Asians/Koreans comparable to the aftermath of 911 and the effect it had on Arab-Americans.
On Tuesday morning, the day after the shootings, the murderer's face was all over the newswire with the caption stating "VT SHOOTER OF SOUTH KOREAN DESCENT."
There was a lot of talk among my Korean-American friends that there is a chance that we might face some backlash over the whole incident. We came to the conclusion that it was just the new way of life here in the US post-911 and it's going to be something that many Koreans might have to deal with.
Bottom line - I would NOT want to be a Korean student at VT right now. After VT Shooting, Ethnic Backlash?
As I was watching the news over the weekend, the backlash seems to have already started. Arson was reported at a newly built Korean church in downtown Los Angeles (no source) on a local ABC news channel. I had no clue anything like that could happen here in LA since there is a very good chance that 25% of your neighborhood is composed of Asians. It just comes to show that ignorance is evident even in diverse cities like LA and that people will always want someone/thing to blame... whether its the Korean community, the University, the VT police, gun control... etc. I also understand the idea that if one person on a basketball team messes up a play during practice, the whole team has to run laps...
The only person that committed any wrongdoing was the shooter himself. He murdered 32 people, including Korean-American student Mary Karen Read, and no one saw it coming. It was horrible. He was a fanatic who had no sure motive due to his mental concerns and he did not discriminate his victims. Who was he to judge who lived and died that day? Now it is God's turn to judge...
This event is different from Columbine in that it happened AFTER 911. We have lived in fear since that day in September 2001, awaiting nervously for a massacre like this to happen... then for the anticipation for Americans to go straight into the offensive. We experienced "terrorism" in a different form on April 16, 2007.
What exactly are we doing to prevent a Virginia Tech, a Columbine, or even a 911 from happening again? Not to trivialize the VT tragedy (because it was effin appalling)... but how about our falling soldiers in Iraq and winning the War on Terror? It seems like almost 32 US soldiers die in Iraq every week. Please let us not forget about the issues that were important before all this happened.
Also, I am beginning to find out more and more on how an extreme American might view Koreans after this incident. I recently found a blog from a person who was expressing his extremely honest opinion: Reading something like this is very difficult because as a society, we have progressed by rejecting ignorance. I did not shoot anyone and I can not help where I am from.
I can't help the fact that historically, South Korea was a suppressed country that was attacked by its neighboring countries in Japan, China, and North Korea and that American soldiers were needed to fight and provide security for that region against the spread of Communism. Honestly, I have no clue what is going on in Korea at this moment... but the blogger above seems to know perfectly well. The South Korean government has publicly expressed their grief over the incident already and people can take it how they want to.
As an American citizen, I am very sensitive to how society perceives me and my background. It has brought me to where I am now with my friends, family, and within corporate America. I hope that no one ever uses the blogger's excuse as a reason to ship me back to Korea. Sometimes, running laps as a team after one person's mishap just isn't fair.
-By Jung Choi
As a friend of the site and returning guest columnist, Jung shares his thoughts on the shootings at Virginia Tech. The day of the Virginia Tech shootings, I was very saddened and shocked by what happened and also the number of students that died. One student... 2 pistols... 33 dead.
America has been through an event similar to the one that happened last week, which happened almost exactly 8 years ago from today at Columbine High School. I can honestly say that the reminder of the Columbine incident was the very first thing that came to mind on that day.The next thing of concern for me was the news stating that the mass shooter was Asian.
While mourning with the fellow students at VT and others around the country, I have to admit that I was being somewhat selfish. I was praying and hoping that the Asian student involved was not Korean, fearing possible hate towards Asians/Koreans comparable to the aftermath of 911 and the effect it had on Arab-Americans.On Tuesday morning, the day after the shootings, the murderer's face was all over the newswire with the caption stating "VT SHOOTER OF SOUTH KOREAN DESCENT."
There was a lot of talk among my Korean-American friends that there is a chance that we might face some backlash over the whole incident. We came to the conclusion that it was just the new way of life here in the US post-911 and it's going to be something that many Koreans might have to deal with.
Bottom line - I would NOT want to be a Korean student at VT right now. After VT Shooting, Ethnic Backlash?
As I was watching the news over the weekend, the backlash seems to have already started. Arson was reported at a newly built Korean church in downtown Los Angeles (no source) on a local ABC news channel. I had no clue anything like that could happen here in LA since there is a very good chance that 25% of your neighborhood is composed of Asians. It just comes to show that ignorance is evident even in diverse cities like LA and that people will always want someone/thing to blame... whether its the Korean community, the University, the VT police, gun control... etc. I also understand the idea that if one person on a basketball team messes up a play during practice, the whole team has to run laps...
The only person that committed any wrongdoing was the shooter himself. He murdered 32 people, including Korean-American student Mary Karen Read, and no one saw it coming. It was horrible. He was a fanatic who had no sure motive due to his mental concerns and he did not discriminate his victims. Who was he to judge who lived and died that day? Now it is God's turn to judge...This event is different from Columbine in that it happened AFTER 911. We have lived in fear since that day in September 2001, awaiting nervously for a massacre like this to happen... then for the anticipation for Americans to go straight into the offensive. We experienced "terrorism" in a different form on April 16, 2007.
What exactly are we doing to prevent a Virginia Tech, a Columbine, or even a 911 from happening again? Not to trivialize the VT tragedy (because it was effin appalling)... but how about our falling soldiers in Iraq and winning the War on Terror? It seems like almost 32 US soldiers die in Iraq every week. Please let us not forget about the issues that were important before all this happened.
Also, I am beginning to find out more and more on how an extreme American might view Koreans after this incident. I recently found a blog from a person who was expressing his extremely honest opinion: Reading something like this is very difficult because as a society, we have progressed by rejecting ignorance. I did not shoot anyone and I can not help where I am from.
I can't help the fact that historically, South Korea was a suppressed country that was attacked by its neighboring countries in Japan, China, and North Korea and that American soldiers were needed to fight and provide security for that region against the spread of Communism. Honestly, I have no clue what is going on in Korea at this moment... but the blogger above seems to know perfectly well. The South Korean government has publicly expressed their grief over the incident already and people can take it how they want to.
As an American citizen, I am very sensitive to how society perceives me and my background. It has brought me to where I am now with my friends, family, and within corporate America. I hope that no one ever uses the blogger's excuse as a reason to ship me back to Korea. Sometimes, running laps as a team after one person's mishap just isn't fair.
By Kyle - 4/25/2007
92 Comments:
It won't be as bad as if it were a middle easterner, or mexican. but i was thinking about how there could be a backlash. but i think, if any, it would be temporary.
This has nothing to do with the post. However, 2 armed 15 year olds tried to rob a black man at gun-point. However, the black man shot and killed one of them. The robbers/thugs/dredges are now being mourned on the east side of Cleveland. They have held vigils and have gathered around the shooter/hero's home. This is how messed up the whole innter-city situation is. Yet you limousine liberals probably defend them. Let me guess, fault of this racist/white/ capitalistic/ bourgeoisie society. You will probably find a way to blame christianity too. You all are a joke.
Also, this site lost all credibility when Robert was happy to see Tony Snow get cancer. You're scum.
Jung,
If I can be frank, most mid-West folks who I've watched discuss the shootings have said:
"Did you hear that he was Korean?!"
But the statement was not posed like:
"Did you hear that he was Arab?!"
(shock translation: Can you believe how evil Muslims are!?)
It was more framed like:
"Did you hear that he was Canadian?!"
(shock translations: Hmmm, didn't see that coming...was he a Canadian Muslim?
It's like I used to tell my students in Brazil, who complained about our stereotypical view of their nation:
"Hey, the stereotype may be way off...but it has a positive connotation. With most other nations it's not only way off, but way negative. In this regard, you're one of the lucky ones, like Thailand and Italy."
So, I guess I would give similar consolation to those of South Korean decent. At the end of the day, 99.9% of Americans simply view this kid as a bad apple.
Personally, I thank God that he wasn't Iranian.
YEah Chuck will blame whites for it and claim it was a direct result of racism, that is all he does anymore. Plus if you are white Chuck doesn't care about guilt or innocence as evidnced byhis myriad of Duke statements
hey bob i agree with tour description of how people said the shooter was korean...more of a despcription than anything else.
I dont care what race the shooter is - he is a piece of shit. Or was. I think most people feel that way.
Not-so-silent Majority,
Limousine liberals? I like that. You have me there.
Now that you've blurted that out, do you feel better? I'll give you a second to catch your breath. [waiting]
OK. Next time, link to your stories so that we can actually comment on them.
As far as blaming Christianity, I would not do that.
Of course, if you asked me nicely to try...I might say this:
One of my favorite things to listen to on the radio when I drive around is religious sermons. And it seems like every time I hear the voice of a black preacher the message eventually ends up back at 'stop trying to control things, put your life in God's hands' or 'your riches'll come to you in Heaven' or some other pacifying message which further sedates the lower-class, which stops people from demanding meaningful reform. So while Christianity is no more to blame for this situation than gun makers, it certainly isn't helping matters telling people to stay focused on some imaginary pie in the sky.
To quote a song from last night's Idol Gives Back:
Imagine there's no Heaven
It's easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people
Living for today
Imagine there's no countries
It isn't hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people
Living life in peace
Jung, thank you for writing this post.
I have the same qualms with the religious message as yourself Bob, but my take is different, instead of looking externally for a solution people should look internally
Dale,
Fair enough.
But people can't look internally for a solution to the health care or public education crisis.
The definition of limousine liberal is a wealthy liberal who has very little contact with the poor they claim to support. Other than Fred, who is not a liberal, I don't think anyone that posts here is wealthy enough to drive around in a limo and I'm sure Fred drives a sensible American car anyway.
I'm guessing most the people that post here are still paying off student loans or the loans of their children.
You also assume that the folks here have no contact with the poor which is inaccurate.
So much for your credibilty silent majority.
Jung, well said. Thanks for the post.
Mencken gets it.
splitting hairs, one could say that upward mobility is more a function of internal actions which would help both of the things you mentoned
Mencken, I am making assumptions of you just as you are making assumptions of me (so I really don't get your point). Also, because you know nothing of what you speak, a limousine liberal is not specifically those who take limousines to school. If it were, that would mean that roughly .000001% of Americans are limousine liberals. FYI, taking out loans does not mean you do not qualify!! Point is, if you live amongst these dredges, have to interact with them and have your life threatened by them constantly, I think you'd be signing a different tune. I am embarassed I have to clarify, but it was obvious you did not understand.
As for the difference between the shooter at VA Tech being Korean and not Arab... Well there is a huge difference. All 9/11 hijackers were arabs and all of the Jihadists are Arabs. Unless you live on Mars and don't see some correlation, well if you don't see the relationship I give up. 9/11 = Arab, other terrorist attacks = Arab. My point is not to say that Islam is the problem. I think those who are afraid of Islam have there own ethno-centric issues. But, and I do not care if you're Michael Moore, you can't blame Americans for being a touch wary of Arabs. Robert often touches on his memorable experiences in South America and constantly rehashes his students' views, which are generally anti-american. There views are anti-american based on past experiences with how us gringos have treated them. Hmmm.... Brazilians have issues with Americans based on past experiences... Americans have issues with Arabs based on past experiences...is there a difference?
Also, please continue to enrich us with your Marxist dogma. I mean come on man, no one is saying that religion is perfect, but do you really think people are going to quit their faith. You can provide them with a million and one reasons why religion sucks, and they still won't understand. Let's see here... when the Russian-Jews, Greeks, and Italians came to America in the late 1800s, they were religious as hell (still are to some degree). I do not think that relgion suppressed them there. That sad thing is that it shows you have no understanding of human beings. Human beings are not rational creatures, we're not machines. So preach on Reverend Rob, because no one is listening.
Oh man, I almost forgot to comment on the most egregious blog!!
Now maybe I'm getting confused because I do not have all day to play on this, but did Rev Rob say that Thai stereotypes and Italian stereotypes, while still stereotypes, are meant in a positive way?
First of all, what is the Thai stereotype? Is it a 11 year old female prostitute? I do not think that is too nice. Or is it just some asian in a rice field? That is not too nice either.
For the Italians, I am sure they think it's very positive that Tony Soprano is their spokesman. Some spaghetti-eating, mafia loving boss. That's real positive.
Oh yah, I almost forgot about Jews. There's another stereotype that, "at least it has a positive connotation". Jews are crafy, aren't they? Real sharp and unscrupulous. Are these positive ones too?
Please Reverend Rob, give us some guidance and tell us which stereotypes you think are ok.
Silent majority, Pastor Dave will being playing some soothing hymns in the community room at 7:00pm. Punch and cookies will be served and the pet therapy people will be coming in around
7:30pm. If you settle down a little you will be allowed to pet the nice collie.
Jung Choi,
As the resident non-liberal let me assure you that at no time have I heard any discussion that has refered to the killer as Korean other than to identify the person.
The mention or Asian, or Korean is merely a description of the person much like woman,black or handicap-ed. As far as how the talkshows I cant say what has been said the radio in my limo is broken and I want to know what the government is going to do about it.
As far as the student loans crack, I am glad to hear OSU may BUY Hawks Nest golf course in Creston(a two hour drive from OSU) that is certainly a sensible way to spend money. It is simple, As long as they can they will.
Silent Majority,
Did Arabs ever foment coups in America or impose there corporations on us? Your analogy about our past experience with Arabs and Brazilians with us holds not an ounce of water.
Anyways, I think many Americans do stereo-type Asians, but alot of it is in a strange way. Gee, ever heard that Asians are supposed to all be good at math? I've also met Vietnam vets who lump all Asians as the Vietnamese they had to fight. I had a teacher in middle school tell a kid(Tommy Kim) to "put your hand down, the war is over.(I later had to get an explanation of what that meant.)
The media I saw made a big deal out of the guy being Korean. I guess personally I don't understand the relevance of that when he is an American citizen.
Also, anyone who uses the name "silent majority" has no right to call us a joke. Dude, you part of the %30 who support Bush. And that is a "vocal minority." YOU lose credibility when you use a Nixon quote for your name. Good luck waiting for your "peace with honor" and "Iraqization."
Hmmmm,
Well, I usually don't chat much with anyone who starts off by calling me scum, but I guess part of my job here is responding to people like this.
To start, you have to love the commenter who says no one is listening, and claims not to have time for such a lowly blog and then posts 4 lengthy straight comments.
[sigh]
Regarding the Thai and Italy comment. What I was saying was that, along with Brazil, there are several countries that we view, for better of for worse, as excessively exotic and festive. While their neighbors like Austria, Uruguay and Malaysia don't quite make the list of dream vacation spots. Whether this is 'good' or 'accurate' is not the point. They are stereotype lens through which we view these nations.
The same is true with racial stereotypes.
I was not condoning or condemning specific stereotypes on a national or racial level; I was not dividing them into an "OK" and a "NOT OK" basket. I was just pointing out that because non-Asian American's had a generally positive take on Asians before the shooting that they viewed Seung-Hui Cho's actions as those of one crazy guy, and not as proof of a race's violent tendencies. Had it been one crazy Arab, people would have no doubt been tying it into the greater War on Terror.
Bob,
When I was a manager at the carwash we had this deal that if you got 10 car washes the elventh was free. Your free car wash doubled as a survey on how we were doing. I would occaisionaly(sic) get these surveys back tearing us apart. It would always blow my mind that people would come back to a place ten times that they hated so much.
can I get a free car wash?
I don't work there anymore - sorry.
where do you work now, I want free stuff
silent majority,
You say: "Human beings are not rational creatures."
Maybe not all the time. But at least some of us are trying.
(Let me guess: you believe that Noah built an ark and loaded 2 of every animal on it.)
You said to Mencken: "if you live amongst these dredges, have to interact with them and have your life threatened by them constantly, I think you'd be signing a different tune."
So here's my guess, you live in some shitty neighborhood in Cleveland that's only getting worse. You're a part of the thankless working class; retirement is a moving target. You continue to defend an administration which has spent 6 years shitting on you, spending billions on a foreign war as you've watched your hometown slip below Detroit as the poorest major city in America. Your only consolation through this painful era has been two illusions, illusions which you'll clutch like a safety blanket until the bitter end; a man in the clouds who loves you and a liberal parading around in a limousine.
If this is the case, I don't think even Reverend Rob can save you.
what a shocker that "silent majority" cannot put his name behind is comments.
anonymous, i made the first comment on this thread. i did not blame this on any of the crap you said. but your BS was fun to listen to. not sure how/why you are tying this to the Duke case. you need to get over that.
(oh wait, this post was about a killer. and the duke kids joked about "killing" that stripper......the killing thing must be the common thread)
Chuck, can you drop me an email?
comments@ohdave.net
the purpose of this blog was to express what was going on in my mind (as a Korean-American) right after the attacks. I hope nobody felt as if I was attacking them and calling them out as bigots because that wasn't the purpose. Also, the intention wasn't to document hate crimes either. I just wanted to remind everyone that we live in the post-911 era and things are just different now. racial profiling, privacy invasion, and being stopped at the airport for guns every time i fly just doesn't sound like fun to me. I wanted to at least address my fears to you guys to see how everyone feels. Am I being too paranoid? Is everything just in my head? while my dad is away on business in europe, my mom lives alone in Bath, Ohio surrounded by mostly White Republican neighbors. Should she walk out of the door everyday NOT having to worry about being heckled or getting mean-mugged by a overly-patriotic neighbor? Can you trust my neighbors to not overreact? Until we can know for sure, I can't help the way I feel.
-Jung
-Jung
Bob, why do you love listening to sermons while driving?
I used to listen to Limbaugh on occasion just to help me understand my opponents on the right, but I just don't see how there is anything to understand when listening to sermons.
Timfitz, and others:
Stop it with the "evil corporation" arguments. Corporatins are not the reason arab terrorists bomb us, it has a lot more to do with the US public sector, and not so much the private sector.
It is so funny that Americans love it when foreign nations insource jobs to the US, and improve our employment oppertunities, while we loathe businesses moving overseas due to the loss of jobs and tax dollars. Then, we think we can help out the rest of the world by preventing our corporations from utilizing the labor of other nations.
Bono, and other cutting edge liberals are finally grasping just how important free trade is to developing nations, and as a result, protectionism is going out of style.
Wake up Tim, and stop being so stereotypically leftist, it makes me wonder if you've ever considered the great accomplishments of the US private sector, and how it has single handedly lifted foreign economies out of the stone-age (think Taiwan and India). Corporations are a means to keep people productive, and the more productive the global economy, the more wealth to go around.
Jung,
It is healthy for people in the majority to think about the perspective of the minority, even if it is just for a minute. If I were a Korean-American, I would be on the look out for discrimination after something like Virginia Tech. I would hope nothing would happen, but still be aware that something might.
It is funny how us white guys weren't the slightest bit concerned after Columbine, Oklahoma City, Revere grad Jeff Dahmer, Ted Haggard, John Mark Carr, or what ever other creepy white dude.
Different perspective when you are in the majority.
Side note: I love when Stephen Colbert goes after Hungarians and calls the goulies because they eat goulash. It is great satire on racism.
Man oh man. Time is money boys, time is money. First of all, let me discuss TDtim
Oh Timmy, did I ever say anything about "fomenting coups?" My Robert reaction: (holding my breath, waiting a second, touching myself). Anyways Timmy, anyone with a shred of intelligence on history knows the US has launched hundreds of interventions, especially in our little money-maker, the Middle East. Because of this, a lot of people in the Middle East rightfully have utter disdain for us, which I know and accept. We (or at least we) know that hundreds of interventions have been launched into South America. And as far as I know, there have not been any interventions launched into America by anyone (except by the Brits and I suppose Pancho Villa, who was probably justified).
THIS WAS NOT WHAT I WAS SAYING. God, I wish you wouldn't assume I am such an ignorant fool and then it wouldn't be necessary for me to go through this step by step analysis.
(holding my breath...another tribute to Robert) My point is that all people stereotype, justly or unjustly. It is undeniable that the most recent attack on the US have come at the hands of Arabs. Thus, it is very reasonable for Americans to be wary of them. Thanks Tim, need any more clarification make sure you write. (side note, I like this site, reading your columns, which you all think are so important, is hilarious.)
BATH!!! Wait a second, you heathens come from BATH BATH BATH. Isn't that where Lebron James is building his house? HAHAHAHAHAH
My point proven. So let's play the hypothetical that Rev Robert played: even if I am from a Cleveland area suburb that is going down the tubes...YOU GUYS ARE FROM BATH.. HAHAHAHA Please do no speak on race EVER again. Hahahah
I have not read anything in the Bath Country Journal or Bath Herald or Montrose Sun or West Side Leader or the Akron Beacon Journal in the local area of any hate crimes going on in Bath. I am sure she will be ok, but understand your worries.
Hey Tim Fitz, are you from Bath too? hahaha.
On a very serious note, I think Asians generally are good at math. Who doesn't? Honestly, who doesn't think that. If you look at the percentages, I think they would reveal that Asian-Americans succeed at Math at a disproportionate rate. You fools just hate looking at facts. Am I saying all Asians are good at Math? Of course not. But is it possible they might just have more of an aptitude for it, possibly.
Oh and Rev, you never answered my questions about when the Jews/Italians/Greeks came here in the late 1800's. They were religious as hell and all did fine. Answer that my man from Bath. Also, you make these same assumptions about me, just like Menchen. Tell me when it is ok to make assumptions and not. Aren't you essentially stereotyping me for the things I have written. You analzye them, put them together in that little nugget of yours, and you come to conclusions. Is this much different from stereotyping? I am not saying it's compltely right, but you can't say it's completely wrong. If stereotypes were so wrong, how do they come about. What if I said "all whites are good at basketball."? Would that stick as a stereotype? I think not. But if you say "almost all blacks are good at basketball," that would work. Why? Because it's true. God are you that blind. Also, quit trying to tie in all this religious crap. You are just trying to sound deep (which you're not). My point about religion is not that I personally follow one. My point is that it isn't compltely negative. If it gives people hope and helps them overcome their fears and anxieties, what is wrong with that? I know you'll feed the typical Marxist bs, so go ahead.
Also, you say you typically do not respond to people who call you "scum". Isn't that better than being happy you have cancer? Do you know people that have had cancer? It's a terrible thing and something that shouldn't be wished upon anyone. I hope it reveals what an insensitive, smug, prick you probably are.
Oh and Kyle. No shit we're in the majority and no kidding it makes things a lot easier. Have you ever been in the minority (oh yah, you all are from BATH!!!). I have, and I know how it feels to be constantly looked at with a discerning eye. All nations, races, relgions have somewhat of an "us against them" mentality. This is normal. It will never change. Chimpanzees, which are 98% like us, kill any male and rape any female that wanders into their group. These are our descendants from millions of years ago, which is small in the evolutionary scale. So granted, we have had marked imporvement. But those primal notions will always linger.
so much fear...
fear leads to anger, anger leads to hate, hate leads to suffering...
definately on the path to the dark side.
i made my peace with the odd looks, i mean common...i'm green
--Yoda
Another 4 lengthy comments from someone who isn't listening and doesn't have time. OK.
Yes, I'm from Bath.
The reason that I didn't address your question about the Jews/Italians/Greeks of the 1800 is that it was completely asinine.
Had I said that no group of religious people had ever "done fine." Then, yes, that would have been a great comeback. They're religious. They've done fine.
What I said was that there was an element in all Judeo-Christian faiths that encourages people to 'let God drive' and to 'focus on the pie in the sky.'
These ideas have been used by the haves for centuries as a means to pacify the have-nots. People in this mindset are much less likely to push for social reform.
Is religion completely negative? Of course not. Is this part? In my opinion, very. If the Jews/Italians/Greeks of the 1800 did well I'm not sure why we'd assume it was because of their preachers' pacifying message and not despite it.
Asians are generally good at math. I do think that.
I've already addressed the Tony Snow thing at length. But just for you I'll spin a new analogy:
Imagine a door-to-door salesman who went around selling dolls whose hair was secretly made of asbestos. He was charming. His dolls were a hit across town. He turned a great profit, all along knowing that the inhalation of asbestos fibers, causes a number of serious illnesses, including cancer. The girls across town combed and combed those dolls and many became very ill. A few died. The town members mourned and cursed this spell of bad luck.
One day the salesman was out on the fishing boat he had purchased from his doll sales, when a storm hit. The boat capsized and he struck his head. He survived, but the trauma to his head was severe. Before he knew it, he awoke in the ER with a doctor standing over him. The doctor coincidentally had lost a daughter to those deadly dolls, had had the doll examined and pieced the two together.
The doctor asked the salesman if he remembered his name. He did. He asked him if he knew that the dolls' hair was made of deadly asbestos. He did. He asked him if he knew that the asbestos might kill his daughter. He did. He told the salesman the honest-to-God diagnosis: The bleeding in his head was severe, the situation inoperable. He told him there was nothing he, or any doctor could do. He said, quite frankly that he was happy to see this.
THE END
Your sick Rev Rob, really sick. I mean really twisted.
Rev, I get it now. You are implying that black preachers are trying to pacify their constituents. You racist scum. Please brush up on your history. Religion has been used by the state to pacify its people, such as in Tsarist Russia. Not quite sure how that is the same as black preachers.
And as for your salesman analogy... (I think you purposely try to sound so intelligent that no one questions your stupidity) So would you like for all the congressman who voted for the war to suffer cancer? Does everyone who supports the war deserve to suffer cancer? Man, that's pretty harsh. Kill all the soldiers too I bet. People may honestly think this war is for the right reasons. And while I disagree with them, I would never wish cancer upon them. I think that is where you have no touch with reality (wait, you come from the mean streets of Bath, so how could you be in touch with reality).
Anyways Rev Rob from BATH (I still don't see how you don't see the humor in that), I need to get back to work. I have bills to pay. Keep reaping the benefits of living in Bath, but please continue to act like it is inconsequential.
Almost forgot. When the Italians, Greeks, Jews came here, ALL THEY HAD WAS RELIGION. It played an enormous part in their lives. So quit dodging the question. Oh and you never answered my stereotyping hypothetical.
Also, can we please make the motto of this site "The ChiefSource, keeping it real from the ghettos of Bath!" Haha you guys are funny.
Hey leave Bath alone. Parts of Bath are really rough. The public bus transportation is here now. Let me tell you it's getting rough out here.
silent majority,
It's quite clear that I'm saying that all preachers of Judeo-Christian faith are (intentionally or inadvertently) pacifying their constituents against social reform.
In your first comment you mentioned the "thugs" in the "messed up inner-city." And said instead of faulting the criminals, that we liberals probably instead fault "racist/white/capitalistic/bourgeoisie society." Then you go on to say jokingly that we have no right to talk about race issue cause we are from "the ghettos of Bath."
Now you shout "racist" cause I mention black preachers pacifying their inner-city constituents. You're clearly running out of material.
Regarding the salesman analogy. It is not complicated, really.
When people who knowingly profit from the suffering of others, have suffering visit them, I feel no sympathy. This goes for the people within this administration who have played a major role in selling an unjust war to Americans, which (as serious as cancer) has led to the real life pain, suffering and death of thousands of Americans and hundreds of thousands of Iraqis.
As I already said in my retraction, this has nothing to do with Americans who supported the war based on these lies, just the cabal that orchestrated it at the behest of the military industrial complex, actively twisting intelligence and putting our soldiers in harms way unnecessarily. This includes those whose job is peddling these lies from within the White House.
When al-Qaeda strikes US soil again, the blood of those victims will also be on this administration's hands for diverting resources from the real enemy and doing nothing but inflaming anti-Americanism in the region and helping boost their recruiting world-wide.
And thanks to your suggestion that I'd wish ill of American soldiers, this conversation is over.
SLAM!! You got me Rev Rob. THIS CONVERSATION IS OVER!!!
I love it when someone cannot admit they were wrong. With Snow, you can offer as many absurd analogies as you wish. You can try to skew what you wrote in any manner that makes you feel better. The sad reality is that everyone disgrees with you. So unless you're so blessed to have this insight and knowledge that none of us are capable of attaining, you should just admit you're wrong.
Those Catholic priests who proposed the "Liberation Theology", they are really being pacifists. And I feel badly that you didn't get my sarcasm over calling you a racist.
Also, I think you're confusing yourself. You're trying to sound so smart, which I think we all agree you are. I said that those who hail from the mean streets of Bath, really can't accurately discuss race because they have no real knowledge of it. Yes, you can read books, help out at soup kitchens, go to Obama rallies, etc. But that isn't what we who live with it deal with. So yes, you can speak on race all you want, but your perception is warped. That's all I'm saying. Everyone views things thru their own lens, I'm fully aware of that. You view yours from the mean streets(pause, understand what I've said, attempt to come back at me again with more senseless drivel, and we'll go from there). NOW GET BACK TO WORK ROBERT!!!!!!
First time on the blog. Don't know where Bath Ohio is. Love the blog. Well, for the most part. Robert, you should be ashamed. I read your past "Snow" post and am shocked. How can your human compassion be so low or nonexistent. Though I don't stand by everything silent majority professes, I agree with his/her take on the salesman analogy. You can buy more books for your library and gain a better vocabulary from the glossary on your desk, but you will never have compassion. No person could write what you just wrote over and over and feel it. Besides Robert's attempt to sound smart and deep, the blog is great. Good luck with it guys and as for Robert, go to hell.
Bath is on what we call "the other side of the tracks". Crime runs rampant and the women and children are supposed to stay indoors until the men get home. And the schools!! From guns at the schools to muggings, they have it all. No man dares to walk those streets unless he's armed. Another one of Bath's strong suits is diversity.
How did I forgot, the guns. If I can find the time, I'll get to that tomorrow.
Bob seems to be a great guy to me.
He doesn't need to have blind compassion. That is the difference between you guys and Bob. He likes to reason, while you guys like to bask in your values.
Well, they are YOUR values. If it makes you proud to live by them, fine, be proud. But don't think you can just translate your values over to Bob. Instead listen to him. He's actually smart. Notice how his prose is worded in a way that makes it possible for him to change minds, while your prose is a jumbled mass of shit, and frankly, you should be ashamed of it.
People, it's an opinion. It's not about right and wrong. It's my opinion.
Look, some people watched Saddam's hanging and thought: the death penalty is too cruel and barbaric for any criminal.
Some people felt no sympathy at all. Some people danced in the streets.
Would you say the second and third group lack compassion and should be ashamed?
Is it that I have no compassion? Or that my compassion for the 1000s of fallen soldiers and 100000s of dead Iraqis far outweighs my possible compassion for the 12s of men whose greed/deceit caused their deaths?
I wish that you people could get half as genuinely worked up and disgusted by the troops dying in Iraq each day as you do about my lack of compassion.
Diversity is what Bath prides itself on. Just look at the different sizes in our homes. Then comes along Lebron and just has to out do everyone. His house is so much more diverse than the average person of Bath. However, our welcoming hearts of diversity will welcome him and his family to the neighborhood. Then guns omg you have to be careful. Last weekend I went quail hunting in my huge back yard and almost shot at my friend. This weekend though it will just be clay piegon shooting. Yep, it's rough over on these side of the tracks.
Look if Bush&Co. had the nation's best interests at heart, was really intent on spreading Democracy and freedom to the Middle East and protect us from terrorists, that'd be one thing. Even if I disagreed completely with their strategy and handling of the war, I certainly wouldn't wish ill of them.
However, it is my opinion that this is far from the case. That their reasons for invading differ completely from what they told the American people and boil down to partisan political ends and corporate profits, not liberty and security. I think they exploited one national tragedy and in turn caused another. Their actions, in my eyes, amount to a type of high treason.
Obviously if you don't agree with me on this, you'll consider my lack of sympathy for Snow heartless.
But if you do agree, and you still think that my comments are out of line then I would ask:
Is it possible that our first-hand experience with one type of suffering and our lack of direct exposure to another has caused us to treat one with genuine human compassion and other with vague disapproval?
Is our national sense of compassion lop-sided?
When trying to find Bath basically picture the greastest place to live in OHIO. Well I guess Hudson might be a little better. However, they totally lack diversity. See Were Bath has a diversity in it's schools of about maybe 6% Hudson's is even less. So those rich bastards over in Hudson totally have no clue of what is going on in society. Here in Bath it is way more diverse and it's people have a better grip on reality. I mean did you know Bath even has an amazing trailer park community in it's school district? How great is that!
Let's see what we have here, one person is crying tears over the fact that his favorite blogger is getting ridiculed and the other is now trying to downplay his comments...
Let's go ESPN on you and "breakdown" Jeff is angry...
"Bob seems to be a great guy to me." Does he really Jeff? That is nice to know. Do you hold hands with him and send bday cards?
"He doesn't need to have blind compassion." Blind compassion is when you have compassion for someone/something you know nothing about. Do we ever accuse him of having "blind compassion"? No, we say he has NO compassion (as far as the Tony Snow thing).
"That is the difference between you guys and Bob. He likes to reason,". Is Robert really the only one who likes to reason? I like to reason too, Jeff. What I am pointing out is Robert's lack of reason. That is what I am pointing out.
"while you guys like to bask in your values." I like to bask in the sun, Jeff, not my values. When anyone does anything, whether it be speaking, writing, etc, their values are being expressed.
"Well, they are YOUR values. If it makes you proud to live by them, fine, be proud." I appreciate your permission
"But don't think you can just translate your values over to Bob." You know "translate" is an interesting word you use. I would've used "teach", but considering the fact that reasoning seems like a foreign language to Robert, I like the word.
"Instead listen to him. He's actually smart." I have listened and am outraged.
"Notice how his prose is worded in a way that makes it possible for him to change minds.." Man I missed that prose you're talking about. Let me go back and read the blog on Snow and how he's happy he has cancer. Found it! You're right, his prose is undeniable. And as far as "changing minds"...that is one of the most comical things ever written. Can someone please put that on the Chief Source's advertisement..."Robert, he who has the ability to change minds..." HAHA
"While your prose is a jumbled mass of shit, and frankly, you should be ashamed of it..." That statement is an example of poor prose. It's also an example of horrific grammar. Thanks Jeff!!
Your mamma's so rich?
How rich?
She lives in Bath!
[laughter]
Wow. That is fun!
Who here claimed that Bath is a bastion of diversity anyways?
The only thing I slammed in this thread was religion and we've got plenty of exposure to that here.
On a personal note:
I was raised in Bath. [not diverse]
I went to college at OSU. [pretty diverse]
I worked a summer in London [very diverse]
I worked 8 months in Melbourne [pretty diverse]
I worked 2 years in Brazil [completely alien]
I spent 2 years back in Bath [not diverse]
And I'm moving on May 12th to Tremont. [very diverse]
(True story: in the care package we just got from our land lord, there was a pen advertising a bail bondsman.)
Just curious, how long will I have to live in the Cleveland city limits before I'm qualified to comment on diversity issues?
"I said that those who hail from the mean streets of Bath, really can't accurately discuss race because they have no real knowledge of it. Yes, you can read books, help out at soup kitchens, go to Obama rallies, etc. But that isn't what we who live with it deal with. So yes, you can speak on race all you want, but your perception is warped."
Thank God I read this post. It has answered my long question if when people from hard places come up and get rich. I have heard they can come out of the Ghetto, but the ghetto can't be taken out of the person. With using the rational from above; people who go from rags to riches just don't get it, and when they still act like they did when they were in the ghetto it is due to being born in that environment and not being born into riches. Makes sense now.
Alright Boys from Bath, due to my overwhelming guilt for how I mistreated Jeff, I will choose to pick on our brilliant, mind-changer. Plus Robert, sac up and accept some responsibility for your idiotic comments. If you do not want people getting worked up over them, then quit writing your nonsense.
"Is our national sense of compassion lop-sided?"
Where do I begin? First of all, I guarantee you roughly 99.9% of all citizens, of all nations, feel more grief when someone from their own country gets killed as opposed to someone from another country getting killed.
Robert, do you have the same compassion for a stranger as you do for someone in your immediate family?
In your self-righteous way, you might answer "yes". But the reality is that almost anyone would answer in the negative. Well being more saddened by the death of an American than by the death of an Iraqi is an extension of this. We are American and we identify ourselves as being Americans. Therefore we are more grief-stricken when someone that we identify with dies. This is common sense.
Do you think Iraqis/Iranians/Syrians/French/Brazilians/Germans are equally as sad when an American dies as compared to when one of their fellow country men die? Of course not.
Do you think the Japanese were saddened by 9/11? Of course. Would they have been more sad if 9/11 took place in Japan, of course.
So do not act like it's wrong to be like that. Do not act like it's only Americans who are like that. It's normal. Human beings are not perfect and are incapable of being so(except for you of course).
Bob,
You cant be serious about another attack on this country. It is an open country with open borders. They will strike when it suits their purpose. The gov may foil a few but it will happen. Yes passions have been inflamed but the money and brains behind the movement is dedicated and determined. Leave the Mid-East, help them shoot the Jews do whatever it wont stop.
Anon, you certainly inflamed the silver spoon crowd.
Bob, quit making absolute statements it makes you look like an idiot. My minister when I was 15 left our church to move to Huff with his family to do what he could. He was a hell of a man and I find your statement offensive.
By the way is the world better for your work in the inner city?
silent majority,
I was talking about the difference between our reaction to cancer (a type of suffering we have first hand experience with) and IEDs/market bombings/beheadings (a type of suffering that we lack direct expose to). I was not talking about the difference between our reaction to American suffering and foreign suffering.
And what a stupid question...
"Do you have the same compassion for a stranger as you do for someone in your immediate family?"
I can't believe I wasted so much o