At the Quicky Mart

[JFN1]

I just want to relate this; I think the point, speaks for itself.

I was at our local Quicky mart today, in line to pay for my gas. There was a fairly long line, and as I often do waiting in long lines, I grew bored. I checked out the candy on the isle next to me, noting the new 'Pop Rocks Chocolate Bar' while casually wondering how the hell they came up with that, when I noticed the woman in line in front of me had a pin on her bag that said "Obama/Biden '08."

I should preface this by stating that I live in a small southern Midwest town, there is a church on every other corner, and it is a rather Republican/conservative leaning area. We're not quite the 'South' - but close.

Anyway, Biden was only announced as Obama's VP pick yesterday, so I wondered how she got the button so fast - was she psychic, perhaps? I quickly decided that probably, she was not, so I went ahead and asked her.

"Hey, where'd you get your button? I want one!"

"I made it myself - they sell a kit at Walmart in the crafts section."

"Cool!" I said. "I might have to pick one of those up myself."

We started chatting about what a great pick Biden was, when the two of them walked into the store like a foul breeze, cutting right through the line without so much as an 'excuse me,' and made their way towards the soda coolers at the back of the store.

A nice looking couple, probably early 40's, well dressed - I'll just refer to them as 'Ken' and 'Barbie.' Right as they were barging through the line, I was saying to the woman with the button, "I am really excited about Obama - I can't wait to see what he does once he takes office!"

Hearing this, Ken turned his eyes on me and snorted in disgust. Not one to back down from a challenge, I said, somewhat haughtily, "What - you have a problem with Obama?"

He stopped walking, turned on his heel, fixed me with a withering gaze, and said, rather loudly, "Like we'd ever elect a black guy as President." He promptly turned on his heel, and stomped off towards Barbie.

I was only third in line at this point, and when the man said this, the line in front of me, and behind me, stirred a bit. No one said anything, and we could hear Ken and Barbie mumbling to each other over at the coolers.

It was then that I noticed the clerk. His eyes were smoldering, his mouth set tightly. He excused himself from the customer in front of him, and walked to the back of the store.

I don't know what he said to Ken and Barbie, as he kept his voice low. But they left without buying anything, hackles up, and squealed their tires when they pulled out of the parking lot.

The clerk came back to the counter and resumed his duties. None of us in line said anything.

When I got in front of him, I commented about how rude Ken and barbie had been, and gently asked him what he said to them.

He said, "I told them to get out of my store." He took my cash and rang in my purchase. "I own this place; I'm covering for an employee who couldn't work today. And I don't tolerate racism in my store." He handed me my change, advised me to have a nice day, and turned his attention to the next customer, giving me the impression he did not want to talk politics.

I've thought about this all day, and I can't decide if Ken and Barbie just didn't notice that the man behind the counter was African-American, or if they felt so powerful and righteous that they didn't care, and said what they said totally on purpose. Either way, it was quite nice to see them put in their place...just wish I'd have done it...

[shadowknows69]

1. Sweet, it's good to see a business owner stand up for what's right

even when they stand to lose money.

[badgerpup]

159. Hmmmm...

Guess that "Right to refuse service to anyone" thing works both ways...:thumbsup::evilgrin:

[doublethink]

174. Exactly.

[FrenchieCat]

2. They probably didn't give a shit. Ken and Barbie are obviously Republican

racist assholes.

There's more of us in America than there is of them.
That's why we will win.

[nikto]

85. But they have ...

...more Diebolds than we have.
:(

[Jackpine Radical]

109. Amen, Mlle. Chat.

[givemebackmycountry]

3. That's a GREAT post and you told your story well

Kicked and rec'd and all of that...

[grannie4peace]

4. especially a small business owner

mcschrub is trying to scare them

[NanceGreggs]

5. Great recounting of the story!

:kick: and REC'D!!!

[SCRUBDASHRUB]

9. I applaud that store owner; wish I could visit his store and give him

some business.

[Name removed]

6. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[IndyOp]

11. It is different because the power differential in this nation is real -

White racism has a far more frequent, more damaging effect on African Americans than racism by AA's has on whites.
Male hatred of women has a far more frequent, more damaging effect on women than female hatred of males has on men.

Those are the facts.

Therefore I DO have a much bigger problem with whites being racist towards African Americans and with men being hateful to women than vice versa.

I just attended a local League of Women Voters meeting this past week and some MALE asshole wanted to know why they thought it was fair that "Women" is still in the group name even though more women than men vote these days. Answer: BECAUSE much power is still held by males with women being hurt.

Until these old disparities in power have been eliminated and are gone for some extended period of time, then YES - it is "different."

Would I be okay with a white storekeeper throwing out black customers for opposing McCain on purely racist reasons. Yep.

[2KS2KHonda]

13. Gotta love that old moral relativism.

...

[IndyOp]

17. Yes, you do when larger societal structures need to be taken into consideration.

We judge a behavior in relation to the person and their status in the larger society.

Moral relativism - it's what all the multi-cellular organisms are capable of doing these days.

I judge the morality of a child differently than I do that of an adult.
I judge the morality of someone who is starving differently than I do that of someone who is food-secure.
I judge the morality of someone who has been the victim of abuse differently than I do that of someone who hasn't.

[2KS2KHonda]

22. You're certainly free to do so...I prefer to treat everyone the same.

:shrug:

[IndyOp]

24. You aren't treating everyone the same if you don't take into account their differences.

If I am a doctor and I charge someone who is essentially healthy, middle-class, and has health insurance for a check up, but then donate my services to perform surgery for someone who has an ulcer and is poor then I am treating my patients the same. I am caring for them based on their needs and their ability to pay -- I wind up with 2 healthy patients -- the same.

If I am a teacher and I stay after for 30 minutes to work with one student who is stuck on statistics and manage to answer the question of another student in the 30 seconds before neuroscience starts then I am treating the students the same -- I am helping both learn and do well in my classes.

You aren't treating people the same if you don't take into account their different needs and abilities and challenges and gifts.

[2KS2KHonda]

27. I see. That old "all men are created equal" shit is now passe'.

Suits me.

[IndyOp]

28. "All men are created equal" is a reality that is quickly counteracted by the realities

of our lives. George Bush might've been "created equal" to any other boy born on the same day in Massachusetts, but his economic and family ties gained him an education and social connections that other boys did not have - period. An African American boy or a child of immigrants may have been created equal but the reality of racism would shove them down even as George Bush was being lifted up as a result of the accident of his being born to George and Barbara. People who are born with privilege often tend to think they must've done something personally to deserve that privilege, when they haven't - it is an accident of birth.

The only way to live "all men are created equal" is to work to even the playing field -- by providing the same level of nutrition and medical care and educational stimulation for all children, to combat racism and sexism and all kinds of national attitudes that hold people down. We don't come close to doing this in our nation -- we don't even try. There is far less upward social mobility in the United States than there is in many European nations that have much better social care systems for their populations. In the U.S. if you are born poor you are likely to live poor and die poor -- giving lip service to the principle that "all people are created equal" and then doing nothing to level the playing field is cruel. It is, in fact, nothing more than a self-serving means of puffing myself up to believe I am a good, righteous person and then to step over the body of the person lying on the street in front of me.

[2KS2KHonda]

30. Perhaps. I find it amusing that the 'comment' in your profile isn't embraced by

very many of the posters here. I propose we just agree to disagree and let it go, okay?

[IndyOp]

31. I find it frustrating that I don't always embrace the comment in my profile...

"Hatred never ceases by hatred, but by love alone is healed. This is an ancient and eternal law."

Knowing and living that statement is a seriously tall order. And, yes, I'd like everyone to embrace the comment.

I am willing to disagree and let it go...

Take care. :hi:

[Olney Blue]

50. Interesting comments in this thread, IndyOp.

I notice that you have a link to Al-Jazeera English. Do you report for them? I was in Turkey last week, and found it to be superior to CNN and BBC international news. I saw an interesting interview with John Bolton (the neo-con) in which he was interviewed about Iraq- he would not back down about how it was the right decision- and the interview did not back down either. It was quite intense.

[IndyOp]

56. Thanks Olney Blue for your kind comment. No, I don't report for AJ-E,

and I don't even watch it as frequently as I would like to. I am a regular DemocracyNow! viewer and keep the link to AJ-E in my sig line because it reminds me to check them out every once in a while and hopefully helps other people find them. I always enjoy watching.

John Bolton is right up there with John Negroponte in my book as 2 very important reasons why we need to belong to the International Criminal Court. :grr:

[ekwhite]

76. I just bookmarked them

I just saw a story about Paraguayan peasants suffering from pesticide poisoning. They are living near genetically modified soy fields. The soy is genetically modified to be tolerant to pesticides and herbicides. The peasants living near the fields are not.

[IndyOp]

106. Isn't that the most amazing, scary, obvious effect of genetically modified crops -

I am stunned that any media anywhere can report on this issue and fail to mention it. When you genetically modify a plant to be tolerant of an extremely strong pesticide - you are, with certainty, doing in a wide variety of native plants, animals, and - um - people!

:scared:

[ekwhite]

181. That goes to show how much Monsanto cares about people

They don't even think about the damage to people, just about the money they make. They especially don't care about brown people. When their karmic bill comes due, it will be one heck of a payment.

[rucognizant]

104. ANd Negro[onte keeps.....

A VERY LOW proifile..seemingly very pleasant & amiable......DEADLY MAN!

[jeff30997]

67. Congrats to both of you.

I was getting nervous as usual when I see arguments but for once it ended well.Thanks.:)

[Lydia Leftcoast]

172. The equality you mention refers to equality before the law and

equality in being worthy of dignified treatment, not everyone should be treated as if they were made with cookie cutters.

I can see where your misguided argument is headed because freshman philosophy students use it all the time.

[qwlauren35]

80. It's an ideal.

It has never, ever been true. Not in any society on the face of the earth. Including ours.

[ExPatLeftist]

111. No, "All men are created equal" is true

But the idea that everyone has an equal shot in the US is utter and complete bullshit. If you disagree, then try being born a poor black girl in the projects and then tell us all about equal opportunity.

[Flying Dream Blues]

151. Exactly. nt

[RaleighNCDUer]

160. All men are created equal -

and remain so for about 30 seconds after birth.

Actually, even that is not true, as there are distinct inequities in pre-natal care depending upon race, class and wealth.

We aim for equal treatment under the law, and equal opportunities, but you know full well that neither really exists.

[cherokeeprogressive]

134. Your problem is that you judge at all.

[Name removed]

33. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Name removed]

35. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[scarletwoman]

36. And a sleazy ass at that.

[rebel with a cause]

49. Don't insult the donkey. ; )

n/t

[scarletwoman]

51. Sorry. I should have added "hole".

:)

[rebel with a cause]

53. Okay, just don't do it again.

:rofl:

[demwing]

64. or that old moral absolutism...

...

[yardwork]

150. Men own something like 98% of the property in the world.

Is that relativist enough for you?

I see you've been tombstoned so I'm talking to a granite cookie, but I still had to respond.

[nam78_two]

72. Excellent post.nt

[CTLawGuy]

87. answer this question with

they are probably not opposing McCain becuase they are prejudiced against whites... thus it's not out of racism.

[CTLawGuy]

88. do you have a greater problem with

a black man hating on a white woman or vice versa,
how about a straight poor black christian fundie woman calling a rich gay white man a "fag,"

who has more social power, a rich gay white female or a poor straight black male?

This concept of social power is more complex than people like to think.

[IndyOp]

108. The concept of social power is more complex than people like to think -

I agree completely and I think it is important for us to keep thinking and talking about power differentials because it reminds those of us who might be in the powerful position to keep that in mind.

[johnaries]

12. Excuse me? "Ken's" statement was a racist one, not political.

I would support anyone kicking anyone out of their store for making such blatant racist statements. What are you implying?

[2KS2KHonda]

14. Not implying anything, just observing that sometimes double standards are embraced

as virtuous. I've heard a number of black people say "There's no way we can get an African American elected president." It very well could be the truth and therefore is not automatically racist.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

18. Might want to rethink your username.

There seems to be a "K" missing. And I'm sure your "hunting club" wouldn't likkke you endorsing Hondas anyway.

[2KS2KHonda]

20. rimmer?

:rofl: :rofl: :rofl:

[qwlauren35]

81. Um... do you REALLY think those statements are the same???

I am black, and I was absolutely convinced that Obama wouldn't make it out the gate. And I'm still not sure he can win. And if he doesn't, I will certainly shake my head and say that "America still isn't ready for a black president", even if the majority of Americans swear up and down that it was his inexperience or his political positions.

That's not the same as me saying that "I" would not vote for a person because of his or her race/sex/etc.

There's a huge difference between "racial" and "racist". I know that some people cannot tell the difference. Describing someone as black or white isn't racist, it's simply descriptive - and racially based. Pointing out the increasing number of African-Americans playing basketball isn't "racist". It's just true. Pointing out the small numbers of African-Americans playing tennis and golf isn't racist either!

Sometimes it absolutely amazes me how people get nervous when the words "black" and "white" are used in part of a fact-based, non-racist conversation.

Yes, men, for the most part, are created when an egg is impregnated with sperm with an XY chromosome. Now that's the only true "created equal" part that I consider incontestable.

[Egnever]

15. If they said they werent voting for him because he was white?

You bet!


Dumb fucking post.

[2KS2KHonda]

23. But the people in the OP did not say they were not voting for him.

Maybe you read a different story. What I mean is - I absolutely support Obama but I don't think he really has much chance of actually winning. If you think that makes me a racist, that is a problem of your own making that I cannot remedy.

[Kdillard]

29. That is completely different from what the guy in the OP said.

I don't get why you are trying to justify these people who should not have butted in a private conversation in such a rude way in the first place.

[2KS2KHonda]

32. According to the OP in what looks very much like an apocryphal tale,

she spoke to "Ken" first, allegedly in response to a "snort", whatever that means. She went to some length to explain she waited until they were right in front of her to make a clearly audible comment about Senator Obama, obviously meant to engage someone she had already identified as an enemy. All of which is academic because the story is made up anyway.

[yellowdogintexas]

37. no. she did not say she waited to make the comment. She said they barged through

the line at the time she made the pro Obama comment to the other woman in the line. If they barged through the line, how could she have known exactly when to time her statement?

The point is that had situation been the other way around, the AA person would not even have thought to say, "Yeah, like we are really gonna elect an old white guy as president" because we have already done so, several times, in fact.

[ExPatLeftist]

114. Your reading comprehension sucks ass.

Not going to go through point by point, but now you're just making shit up and attributing it to the OP. Problem is the OP is on this very page, and therefore everyone sees through your horseshit.

WTF is your point anyway? Are you one of those poor abused white men that is constantly downtrodden by those "special favors" that all other races and genders get? I am crying for you, I know it must suck to be white in the USA, what with Darkie running everything and forcing you to not lynch him and all...

Obviously, "reverse racism" is the largest problem facing our nation today.

[Terran]

170. And you know the story is made up...how?

Psychic?

[qwlauren35]

82. "like WE'D ever elect a black president"...

If that's a general statement about America, that's not an America I want to claim kinship to. If I'm stuck with it, so be it, but I'm certainly not proud of it.

[Rainbowreflect]

19. When I read the story, I understood that they were asked to leave

due to their racist comments. Maybe the store owner is a McCain supporter, he never stated his political preference.

[2KS2KHonda]

21. Perhaps there were comments that were unreported in the OP?

I did not see any racist comments, I did see an opinion expressed.

[JFN1]

39. Appreciate your concern

but it IS racism, plain and simple, to suggest 'we' will not elect a person to office, based upon the color of their skin.

Any questions?

[2KS2KHonda]

44. No, you are completely mischaracterizing the meaning of the word.

You want it applied to any comment that factually describes any situation even remotely concerning the color of someone's skin (but only if it is black.) That is the worst possible kind of demagoguery. Do you consider Willie Brown, the immensely bright and gifted former mayor of S.F. to be a racist for saying, as he did the other day, "there are millions of people who would never admit it out loud but would never vote for a black man"?

edit: What's the address of that Quickie Mart?

[JFN1]

45. You know - I was there

and it sure came off as racist to me. It sounds like you see things differently - have at it - there is no law against stubbornness, lack of compassion, or even self-inflicted ignorance.

And once again, your attempts to conflate entirely different things has failed - I'm not taking your bait.

Oh, the address of the Quicky mart - it's in deep, deep Southern Illinois. Look it up, I'm not a phone book...

[2KS2KHonda]

47. Cabrondale? Around there? Just tell me where it is, no way could that compromise

your security. Be a hero, prove I'm a racist asshole...or don't and leave the suspicion you made it up.

[rebel with a cause]

52. I am from the area you asked about.

And I can attest that that sort of thing would very much happen around here.

Where are you from? Your 'profile' does not even give your state. Why not? I'm not going to pursue you for being rude or anything. Just be a hero and prove that you are braver than the person you are calling out.

[monomach]

75. Guh. We need to move all of the Dems northward and just give Little Egypt to Kentucky.

I have a hillbilly branch of my family down there (Mt. Vernon and a lot of the small towns around it). They and their neighbors are horrible. The few times I've been there, talking to people made me think I was in 1963 Mississippi. Truly vile region.

I agree. I could see this happening there. Introduce some booze and boredom, I could even see a friggin' lynching happening.

[rebel with a cause]

83. I am south of Mr. Vernon and it is one area where I have never lived.

I like living close to SIU now. More liberals and diversity. Just don't like going to the store at the beginning of the semesters.

I grew up in this region so I should be offended by your post, but I'm not. My hometown is about halfway between Mt. Vernon and here. I wouldn't live in my hometown now if you paid me. Well, if you paid me enough I might, but it would have to be an awfully lot. Anyway, some of the people you would expect to be vile and racist will surprise you and be liberal and some who are upper crest are surprisingly backward.

We are seeing a lot of mccain bumper stickers here now, only a few Obama and this is Illinois. My daughter has two for Obama and is afraid to put them on her car. I am tempted to start sticking the little ones we have on my shirt when I go out, but of course she wouldn't let me. I kind of like doing a little in your face sometimes even though I am not suppose to have excitement or trouble. :)

Lynching, probably not. Cross burning, you betcha. We had someone leave a threatening note in our car one time (my hometown) supposedly from the KKK, and it scared my children(who were children back then) really bad. I took it to the police who had it fingerprinted and turned over (I believe) to the FBI. We found out later it was from one of my then-husband's friends as a joke. The laugh was on them because I never went to the police and told them the letter was just a joke. It is still on file as far as I know. My husband, who is a Latino, fits right in with this crowd, but I never have. Go figure?

[Greyskye]

139. 36N 95W = Oklahoma

Lat/Long given in his profile.

[2KS2KHonda]

141. On the shore of Fort Gibson Lake.

(I was born in southern Illinois)

[rebel with a cause]

142. Thanks, nice to know.

:hi:

[grace0418]

62. No one else is suspicious, just you. Actually, everyone else is suspicious OF you at this point.

:eyes:

[2KS2KHonda]

117. Actually, I was addressing the person who made up the story.

:shrug:

[grace0418]

127. And I'm addressing you.

If you wanted a private conversation you shouldn't be posting your crap on a public forum.

[2KS2KHonda]

128. Fine, then I will explain to you why the story is bogus and made up.

Aside from the 'perfectness' of all the details with all the embellishment to make a particular point, there is no chance that an African American store owner would be that kind of asshole. They don't get to be successful entrepreneurs by willy-nilly throwing out customers for having contrary political opinions.

See?

[grace0418]

130. Apparently you need it explained *AGAIN* that it has to do with a RACIST comment,

NOT a contrary political opinion. I worked in a frame shop where the (gay AND minority) manager kicked out a customer for making a slur of that caliber. So don't tell me it wouldn't happen.

[2KS2KHonda]

132. It would be so simple and anonymous for the OP to prove me wrong...

but that's not happening. Why? Because the story is fabricated. He knows it, I know it and you know it.
If you want to believe that alleged store owner really is an asshole, that's your prerogative...I don't.

[rebel with a cause]

149. In southern Illinois I had a Black store manager

and clerk get very angry with me one day because I said something negative about GWB and the Iraq war to another customer while in the check out line. They did not throw me out but they made it clear to me that I did not want to shop in their store ever again. So if you think a Black store 'owner' would not do something like that, you are mistaken. This happened to me a few years back and their defence of him was that he use to be an alcholic and was now a 'christian' and did not drink. It was like being in the Twilight Zone.

You may have been born in Southern Illinois, but I have lived here most of my sixty-two years, and I can believe that this could happen. You see we are southern-light. Plenty of racist idiots here, plenty of republican idiots here, but not the threat of organized revenge that minorities face in some other parts of the country. Also, a portion of the Black population here comes from Chicago. They don't take no confederate flag thrown in their faces. (double negative, I know)

[grace0418]

155. DO NOT presume to tell me what I think. And the OP doesn't owe you proof of anything.

Besides, that wasn't even your original point when you started harassing the OP (and anyone else who called you on your comments). Your original point was that you thought it was terrible that someone would be thrown out of a store for supporting a particular candidate. When several people pointed out the obvious truth that Ken and Barbie were kicked out for making a racist comment, you claimed it wasn't racist. When several people pointed out exactly how the comment *was* indeed racist, then you started claiming that it didn't matter because the story was made up. So every time you get proven wrong, rather than backing down, you change your story. The OP doesn't really need to prove that you're a "racist asshole" or anything else for that matter, because you are showing your true colors with every post.



P.S. Just about any of the posts on DU outside of linked news stories could be fabricated, but when the OP gives me no reason to believe they are lying I give them the benefit of the doubt. As for thinking the store owner is an asshole, I think nothing of the sort. Why would I? I think he sounds like a good man who stands up to racists. So again, do not presume to tell me what I think or believe.

[Lydia Leftcoast]

173. Maybe you think Quicky Mart would never hire a black store manager

:evilgrin:

[Terran]

171. THAT's your theory on why this story is made up?

God how lame.

[raebrek]

157. Now that the honda man has received his Pizza.

I would also like to say that I don't believe this story. Sorry, there it is. I don't know the OP. I read the story first thing this morning and I thought. Hmmm it sounds contrived to me. Hope I'm wrong.

Raebrek!!!

[grace0418]

161. That's fair enough. You're entitled.

The problem with the now thankfully TS'd Honda man is that he kept changing his reason for outrage. First he was mad that DUers would applaud someone getting kicked out of a store for supporting a candidate. When folks pointed out that they were kicked out for a racist comment, he claimed it wasn't racist. When folks pointed out that it was indeed racist, and why it was racist, that's when he started insisting the story was made up. He was just trying to cause trouble.

If you think the story is made up, that's entirely your prerogative. I didn't see any real reason to doubt the OP, so I didn't.

:hi:

[raebrek]

178. There you go. thanks n/t

[ExPatLeftist]

182. Another problem with that idiot,

aside from racism and a serious lack of reading comprehension, is his presumption that all people of a certain "type" will behave exactly the same in every situation.

Assuming that NO black store owner would ever do anything like this is not only ridiculously presumptive, it is also logically barren. And to put forth that tripe as a smug reason as to why this story is obviously a lie is just a fucking joke.

There is a serious problem in the US with lumping people into groups and then assuming that those groups operate as some sort of hive mind. Hell, we talk about the "opinion" of entire nations: "What does Iraq think of the US?" Uh, Iraq thinks nothing, it is a chunk of dirt. It contains many people - all of whom have their OWN INDIVIDUAL opinions. There may be general trends, but to assume that any one individual follows all those trends is ignorant. To assume that NONE of those individuals would ever think or act outside of that mold is just plain insane. Fucking three year old kids know better. This is a serious issue in the States, and allows fools to lump entire segments of people together - usually to disregard them en masse. This is becoming more and more acceptable in the US, and it is all too common to see this sort of logic-void ignorance in the MSM - as well as on DU, unfortunately. Strangely, when it comes to ourselves or groups in which we ourselves can be pigeonholed, we are very quick to point out that we are each individuals... Americans abroad will often go to lengths to separate themselves from the "typical American", reminding others that we are all individuals and do not all, for example, support Bush. Yet those same people often do not give that same consideration and talk about the opinions of nations and other asinine stereotypes. (Most Americans need to TRAVEL MORE, but that is another rant...)

I nominate our dearly departed HondaShithead for a DUzy for his ridiculous and hilarious "proof" that the OP is a lie based on his own assumptions about entire swathes of people - and their inability to escape the perfectly conformist hive mind that controls them all, making them all behave exactly alike. Also for the irony of posting this drivel in this thread - What did that imbecile think would happen here - "Story about prejudice and racism proven wrong by assertion that all black store owners will always behave exactly alike"...???

Life is so easy when you can just make up a few characters in your simple mind and then assume that everyone will act perfectly according to their archetype, ain't that so, HondaFuck? I am sure you are lurking here - you are obviously the type that cannot let this shit go. I have a plea for you: SEEK HELP. Get educated, TRAVEL, study LOGIC, whatever it takes. Because your laughably naive worldview is harming our party - and our nation.

[ekwhite]

78. We can't prove you're a "racist asshole" regardless

We can note the amount of time you have been on the board - a little over a month
We can note the number of comments - approaching 500
We can note the tenor of the comments - contrary, to say the least

We can make our own conclusions from these observations of your behavior. What we cannot do is divine your essential nature from these observations.

[ExPatLeftist]

115. WHY in the fuck would anyone give a racist apologist (at least)

the address of a quickie mart owned by an African American? And what do you plan to do with the address?

You said earlier that you could agree to disagree, yet you sure can't let it lie, can you?

So take this: I have no doubt that many here now view you are racist and ignorant, the kind of stupid idiot that really believes that "reverse racism" is a huge problem and that seems completely ignorant to race issues (which are still HUGE in the US - for MINORITIES, not poor poor whiny white guys). I am one of those people. I think you are so racist and ignorant that you do not even know you are either. Which is fucking scary.

Oh, do you disagree with me that you are a racist idiot? Then let's agree to disagree.

[sniffa]

54. Glad you exposed yourself

:hi:

[AspenRose]

131. They can't help themselves

[grace0418]

61. It's *different* because he threw them out for being racist, not for supporting McCain.

I'd say that's a huge difference, and I applaud him for it.

[ljm2002]

63. Well...

...hard to see how it could ever be put to the test.

I mean, can you see someone saying "Like we'd ever elect a *white* guy as President..." and stomping off?

Somehow I don't see anyone saying that. But maybe you can envision such a scenario?

[lumberjack_jeff]

65. "Like we'd ever vote for a white guy". This happen often in your neighborhood? n/t

[AuntPatsy]

66. you have a learning disability, the couple did not oppose Obama, they opposed

a black man, huge difference and I would not have been quiet, they would have heard from me...so yes they were disturbing the peace with racial overtones period and it had no business going on in that store...

[verges]

68. You're missing a point.

They weren't thrown out for supporting McCain. They were thrown out for being making racist statements.

[nam78_two]

70. Uh

Like you, I cannot attest to the veracity of the story since it is something posted by an anonymous poster on the internet, but if you were to accept that it were true (and it doesn't sound that wildly implausible to me), you would notice if you read the post carefully (or at all), that "Ken" said "Like America would vote for a black man". The equivalent sentence with the races reversed would make absolutely no sense. Can you understand that?
That reverse racism crap, in 9 cases out of 10 (maybe more), is disingenuous BS peddled by conservatives. Don't fall for it...

[janet118]

95. The reverse of the statement . . .

would actually be kind of funny, in an ironic kind of way.

[treestar]

162. True. What about, "Like we'd ever elect someone well past retirement age"

as President - would that be bad too? If the store owner does not tolerate ageism, that is.

Or "like we'd elect someone with a combover (it being a little thin up there) with a wife who slathers on make-up like a trollop."

Though I'm not really meaning to compare the seriousness of racism to this, but it's the most you could say about McOld in a similar vein and with similar irrelevance.

I think Ken and Barbie are probably repubs with some racism thrown in. They are trying to find some relief in what they hope in the voter's racism, in the hopes that Gramps will benefit from that.

[ekwhite]

74. Yes, it is different

Ken and Barbie didn't make a comment about electing a Democrat, they made a comment about electing a black man. That was a racist comment, and the store owner is a hero in my book for kicking their sorry assets out of his store.

[qwlauren35]

79. It's not a question of "okay".

It's a store owner's right to refuse service on the basis of what someone says or does in their business.

I would defend any white store owner who chose to throw out a group of young, loud, obnoxious thugs of any race. But even more so, a group of kids who came in saying that they wanted to shoot all white people.

Sadly, in this day and age of people walking around on cell phones spewing out private conversations, one can hear anything in a store. But there's something unprincipled about going into a store owned by a person of a certain race and putting down that race right in front of the owner.

So, in a nutshell, yes. I would wholly support a white store owner who threw out a couple who dared to publicly state that they despised white people while in the store, in front of the store owner.

[tblue37]

102. He didn't throw them out for opposing Obama. He threw them out for

their nastily and openly expressed racism.

[Terran]

107. Yeah, because black people ONLY ever vote

for black candidates. :eyes:

[2KS2KHonda]

133. Of course I never said that but you surely won't deny that many black voters will

vote for a black candidate for no other reason...just as some white people will vote AGAINST them likewise. It's racism either way even if you don't want to admit it.

[Terran]

169. apples and oranges

The vast majority of black people side with the Democratic Party, not because of the color of the candidates' skins but because of ideology and self-interest. Whereas the incident under discussion, specifically, was a blatant case of racism--those people would never vote for ANY black candidate--not just this particular one. See the difference?

[ExPatLeftist]

110. I think it is pretty obvious...

That the problem was not that they opposed Obama, but the RACIST COMMENT.

Now I suppose in your reversal, they could have said "we would never elect a WHITE MAN as president". No, that would just be stupid.


Seriously, pull your head out, Please!

[RagAss]

7. Bravo...let's hope they ran over nails driving home....assholes !!!

[rurallib]

8. Back in them old racist '60s I worked for my Dad one summer

He had a gas station on the interstate and hired some college kids like me to help with the busy travel season. One of the new kids he hired came into the office to tell my Dad that there were some black people just pulled in and he would not wait on them.
My dad looked at his employee and said "I am going to say this to you just once. What color is his money?" "Green" was the answer. "Correct" said my Dad. "As long as his money is green you will wait on him like any other customer whose money is green. Now you have a choice. You can go out that door and wait on the customers. Or you can go out that door, get in your car and start looking for a new job."
Not that my Dad wasn't racist. He was. But he was also a businessman and would not tolerate behavior that cast a bad light on his business.
I went over to my Dad and just said "Well put!"
And there was a noticeable change in our employee's attitude.

[BrklynLiberal]

10. HAH! Guess it never occurred to Ken and Barbie that a "black guy" could own that store..

So glad the owner put that moran in his place.

[yardwork]

152. My thoughts exactly. I love this story.

[Arnold Judas Rimmer]

16. When Ken & Barbie lose their "Dreamhouse" due to Chimpy's economic failures

You think they'll get it?

Nah.... probably not. Some people just have their heads too far up their asses to be removed.

Kudos to the store owner for kicking those racist pieces of shit out!

[ForeignSpectator]

38. When they lose it, remind them to pull themselves up by their bootstraps... n/t

[janet118]

91. A new Democrat is a Republican . . .

who just got a foreclosure notice.

[RedLetterRev]

105. I wish I had seen the DU post to give credit to the quip

but I'll quote it best I can:

It's one thing to have one's head up one's arse. It's quite another to admire the view.

That pretty-much describes the entire reich-wing, from the Chimpenfuehrer on down.

[ExPatLeftist]

118. Of course not. They'll just blame it on the "illegals".

[flamingdem]

25. He was in the middle of eavesdropping on your button conversation

and Ken and Barbie totally harshed his mellow. Good story, thanks.

[JFN1]

40. You know, I never even considered that

but I'll bet you are right.

[Zhade]

26. AWESOME. Made me smile.

Still am as I type this.

[scarletwoman]

34. Thanks for a great story, well-told! Rec'd! (nt)

[eshfemme]

41. WTF? There's still people out there idiotic enough to even think it's okay to say crap like this?

Even the closet racists know enough to go around hiding in their KKK hoodies or to do it anonymously on phone calls and the Internet. Holy shit, Ken and Barbie sure are dumb motherfuckers-- they deserve what happened. You know what people should do? They should start printing signs that say "Racists not allowed!" and displaying them in storefront windows. Because these are the people who don't want to see an united America-- they DEPEND on an America that's divided.

[RedLetterRev]

112. Yes, there are and yes, mess like this still happens

A month ago I got a call from a venue where I occasionally do weddings. They referred a bride to me, and she and I spoke by phone and really hit it off. I took the job, wrote a ceremony for her and her fiance, sent it off by email for approval and got an excited reply back that it fit them perfectly. A week ago, I wend to the venue to perform for them. I caught up with the groom (cute li'l white guy) to get the license and went to the desk to fill out my part. While I was there I caught up with the venue owner.

We chit-chatted, enjoying seeing one another again whilst getting ready to do our jobs right before the ceremony. He said, "Oh, this is the interracial ceremony, isn't it." I said, "Huh. I didn't know. I never ask. I do mixed-race, mixed-gender and same-gender ceremonies all the time. I'm a celebrant; I celebrate; I love my job" He said, "Well, we never ask, either. We think that's kinda tacky. But the bride called up terribly upset. She couldn't find anyone in her home county either to do the wedding or to host the venue."

I was visibly shocked... "WWHHAAAAAT???? The whole county?? In this day and age???" He shook his head sadly and said, "We couldn't believe it, either. True love is rare enough it needs to be celebrated wherever it finds itself. That's why we jumped at the chance to host these kids and why we called you to be the celebrant. We knew you'd understand."

You should have seen the tender way those kids looked at one another. They're not just in love; they love and they're friends. Each family hugged the other, much. They were all so supportive. That marriage will last when others I've seen I wouldn't give you a nickel for. This was so worth showing up for.

And there's a whole county's worth of "guuud kreeshchyin preachahs" whose asses I'd love to kick to the moon.

The Universe will make things come around. It takes an awfully, awfully long time, but like Dr King said, the Arc does bend toward justice. We just have to stay with it.

[eshfemme]

113. OMFG, seriously???? That is so fucked up.

[RedLetterRev]

119. I couldn't believe it either

I've told the story a few times and there's been almost universal shock. Let me tell you this, I know which NC county this gay man will never set foot in, clergy sticker on my car or no. I'm not taking the < = > sticker off, because when I say I serve everyone, I mean it. But, sadly, yeah, there are still pockets of klannishness and ignunce around.

I never let on to the couple that I knew the back-story. But I did give her lots of hugs. It won't make up for the pain she went through to find an accepting venue, but she will remember that her day was perfect, she was surrounded by two loving families (now one) and hosts who were as thrilled as their guests.

That couple needs to be together. The Universe had a hand in that, I believe it.

One thing my study of genealogy drove home to me: if two people fall in love and decide to get together, no force on earth or under heaven will stop it. Love is stronger than anything. It is also very slow and methodical in changing the world. We just have to stay with it. I believe this, deep down to the roots of me, and that's the biggest reason I love the job that I do.

I've posted it before and let me hang it out again: We can't change the whole world at once. But we can paint our little corners of it any color we want to. Mine's bright Blue.

[harun]

129. I thought the same thing until about a week ago

Seems the closet racists are going overt and getting restless.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

137. I'm not surprised at all

People say and do dumb things in public all the time, not just about race and politics. There are a lot of assholes out there. We live in a world where people feel the need to call attention to themselves.

[Coexist]

42. knr!

[babylonsister]

43. Rec'd, and bless that store owner! That's how you fight it; don't tolerate

it! And thanks for sharing.

[WeDidIt]

46. They felt so powerful that they didn't care

The guy behind the counter was in the old "servant's" position and they believed he could not complain about their blatant racist comment.

[janet118]

93. They probably didn't even see him.

He was invisible to them ... just one of the help.

[darius15]

48. Where are you from?

I definitely applaud you and that store owner.

It's funny that stuff like this happens everyday, yet only about 5% of people say they have a problem with Obama because of race in the polls.

[Undercurrent]

55. Kudos to the store owner!

I'm so appreciative when folks stand up for what is right.

Thank you for post this.

[AspenRose]

57. "Pop Rocks Chocolate Bar?" WTF?

Seriously though, I believe it happened and thanks for sharing it.

[nam78_two]

73. I don't think they would appeal to me but they exist

http://candyaddict.com/blog/2007/10/31/candy-review-pop-rocks-chocolate-bar/

[Blondiegrrl]

58. My guess is that Ken and Barbie didn't care that the black clerk overheard them.

They merely assumed that he was only the hired help and therefore they could say whatever racist shit they wanted. Asses. I'm so happy he threw them out!

On an unrelated note: Pop Rocks Chocolate Bar? Now that sounds intriguing!

[ThatsMyBarack]

59. WE CANNOT AFFORD FOUR MORE YEARS OF THIS!!!!

I mean, the Kens and Barbies running the world.

[Frank Booth]

60. I wonder if the Pop Rocks Candy Bar is lethal when combined with Coke like the

regular Pop Rocks.

[Lasher]

84. That's an urban legend.

http://www.snopes.com/horrors/freakish/poprocks.asp

[Frank Booth]

135. That's all well and good, but what about little Mikey?

Are you telling me that all the kids talking about this back in elementary school were just wrong?

I guess Snopes isn't all that reliable.

[DefenseLawyer]

136. And I'm not even going to repeat what I heard about Rod Stewart n/t

[nam78_two]

69. What an asshole (Ken).nt

[Triana]

71. How much does the fact that this race is so "close" have to do with racism?

Quite a lot, I think. Sadly. And this story just drives it home.

However, KUDOS to that store owner. Now THERE is a P.O.W. for you. THAT is a hero. GOOD for him!

[calimary]

77. GREAT story! Proud to give the 45th rec!

GREAT story. Microcosm for certain, but if you think about the demographics just in that store at that moment, it appears the anti-Obama duo was outnumbered. As they all SHOULD be.

:thumbsup:

[sudopod]

86. Epic. nt

[The Wizard]

89. The narrow minded dolts

never imagined that the guy behind the counter owned the store; their prejudice wouldn't allow it.
I like to ask Republicans this question: To which of the two major political parties is the Ku Klux Klan more closely aligned? Sometimes they come back with "Robert Byrd was in the Ku Klux Klan."
I remind them that was sixty years ago and Byrd is only one Democrat, and he disavowed his Klan ties in 1948.
And yes, the Ku Klux Klan is a terrorist organization. The only difference between them and Al-Qaeda is the head gear.

[quickesst]

90. "We're not quite the 'South' - but close. "

Of course we're all smart enough to know this incident couldn't have taken place anywhere else.
quickesst

[Enrique]

92. I just observed a very different racial incident at a 7-11 the other night

the guy ahead of me, a 40-ish white guy, asked the clerk for a black lighter.

Just as he asked for it, two beefy white kids about 20, tattooed and wearing a fair amount of bling, came in the store and one of them apparently misheard what they guy said somehow as "I don't like black people." So he objected loudly as they made their way to the Slurpee machine. So the first guy objected back, angrily saying "that's not what I said". It escalated, and they were yelling across the store at each other until the clerk went over to the kids and explained the misunderstanding. The kids came over and apologized to the guy and the guy said no problem and everyone agreed it was not cool to say you don't like black people.

[cabbage08]

94. WoW

[theFrankFactor]

96. I Despise that Ken and Barbie Shit. That Represents the Right Perfectly

[LostinVA]

97. Everyone knows that Apu owns the Quickie Mart and he's Indian

Bounce.

[mwb970]

98. This thread makes me never want to leave my house again.

So many descriptions of so many jerks in public places! It reminds me of the line from Peanuts: "I love humanity. It's people I can't stand."

[janet118]

99. Having a black presidential contender is empowering . . .

to many African Americans and all Americans who yearn for equality and social justice. It is scary to many Americans who fear blacks or think they are inferior. There will probably be many variations of the OP story in the next few months and years.

Obama, being part of each race, is uniquely positioned to bridge and heal the fear gap. I heard the following story last week on NPR's Talk of the Nation show entitled "Who Is Barack Obama?":

The TOTN guest was fellow law student Lisa Hay who had run against Obama for editor of the law review. She had lost the election to him, but there was no antagonism, just mutual respect. Hay attended the Harvard Law Review dinner with her husband where Obama, the new editor, gave the traditional introductory speech. He spoke about his family history and about what it had taught him about the value of education. He said that all of them, no matter what their background should be just as grateful for the opportunities they had and recognize the responsibility they also had to give back to their community because of those opportunities.

Hay remembered the speech as touching and inspiring. It brought all the law students, faculty and guests to their feet. But what made the reaction really unusual was that the servers and busboys working at the dinner were clapping too.

She said her husband kicked her lightly to get her attention and said, "Gee, hon. It's a good thing you didn't win."

[stlsaxman]

100. Beautiful!!! KnR n/t

[pleah]

101. K&R

:)

[MiniMe]

103. It's because the Ken and Barbie types don't notice the "hired help"

Good for the store owner.

[redqueen]

116. Lovely. Glad someone burst their bubble.

Sad they weren't ashamed of their racism. People should be embarrassed about being so ignorant these days.

[lame54]

120. That's outrageous - She bought it at Walmart?...

oh yeah and the racist fools are bad too

[yardwork]

154. I loved that part, too. Walmart coopted by button-making Obama supporters!

Note to the right-wing: You know you've really lost when Walmart customers are making home-made buttons supporting your opponents.

[scarface2004]

121. repukes get ready!!!

a real rain is gonna come and wash all your shit away!!!

[EnviroBat]

122. Ahh I love it...

I was recently in a popular restaurant that hosts a huge, Wednesday night bike night. Thousands of folks show up on motorcycles for the weekly event. Anyone familiar with Columbus Ohio, you probably know the spot. The best thing about this pace is the crowd is always entertaining. So, I'm standing there in the crowded rest-room when I hear this moron shouting. Not really shouting at anyone in particular, just making statements to hear himself shout. He's a white guy, about late 20's early 30's. Well, for what ever reason, (although one could surmise, end-stage hillbilly disease), this rodeo clown starts shouting "White power"! Some of the biker dudes, (all white guys), start telling this guy to fuck off in no uncertain terms, and calling him a racist asshole. I though things were going in the direction of "better get a mop", but the dumb-ass left the rest room, probably to introduce his chin to the parking lot. As I was washing my hands, there was this African American guy standing at the sink next to me. I turned to him and said, "That asshole is really going to lose his shit when Barack gets elected..." The guy starts laughing, pats my shoulder, and says, "I think you may be right about that..." It was a great exchange.

[hisownpetard]

123. Great story, well told. I especially loved the last sentence.

:headbang:

[Shine]

124. Great post. K & R

Ken and Barbie's minds might not be changed, but nevertheless, it's uplifting to know people will continue to take a stand against racism.

:thumbsup:

[Sequoia]

125. Whoa, what a story! Good for the clerk...ha...I hope K&B learned a lesson.

Doubt it...they'll just go complain to the other dolls.

[Christa]

126. This is the stuff goosebumps are made off

:loveya:

Thank you.

[PatSeg]

138. What a great post

and so well written. Thank you.

[valerief]

140. Uppity ignorant racists. It's time we turned the uppity word on them. nt

[happygoluckytoyou]

143. check it out amigo.... AFRICAN AMERICAN BARBIE.... the couple is WAY outta step

http://www.amargosavalley.com/personal/MRD/Africa1.html

[geckosfeet]

144. God bless small town USA and quickie marts.

[knixphan]

145. Made my day! Proud of you, and the owner too!

There's hope, yeah?

O & JOE!

[Buzz Clik]

146. Kick!

[TheCoxwain]

147. Some Improvement form Granma Pinky's Time

Here is a story from storycorps that I heard on NPR while driving ... My eyes were so full of tears that I had to get on the shoulder and wipe my eyes dry ... I sat there for a while numb with horror ...It haunts me to this day ... I pray Obama gets elected this year IF just to serve a reminder to everyone stuck in 1800's that the world has moved on.. my kudos to the shop owner for standing up .. trust me it is hard -- even today ..it requires courage to stand up and tell - GO FUCK YOURSELVES!

Here is the link

http://www.storycorps.net/listen/stories/mary-ellen-noone

[swimmernsecretsea]

148. I keep reading this.

Thank you.

[kestrel91316]

153. It's time to let the racist MINORITY in America know, in no uncertain tems,

that they are in the minority and we aren't going to take their crap sitting down anymore. And yes, I'm WHITE.

People like "Ken and Barbie" burn me up. I would have beat the store owner to it.

I truly believe Obama is the best candidate, but I ALSO want to see him elected because he is black. It is past time for African-Americans to have their day in the sun. I think it could be the start of TRUE healing in this nation.

[bushisanidiot]

156. Thanks for sharing your story. Glad to hear progressives are putting the SMACK down on repukes

and their racism in small town America!!

:) good for you!!!

[DirtyDawg]

158. For every black store owner there's a million Ken and Barbies...

...I'm becoming more and more fearful that racism is going to play a far greater role in this election than even the most cynical among us have dared to predict. If the store owner in this piece had been white, then perhaps I might have held onto more of my 'hopes' as opposed to reinforcing my 'doubts'.

If this country ends up not electing an imminently qualified man, just because he's got a slightly different genetic makeup, than we, in the words of Jack Cafferty, deserve everything that happens to us. If it should be proven that the difference was a racist block vote against this man, then I expect, and will predict, that the backlash within the minority communities will be palpable, long-lasting, bitter and, perhaps, violent. It's a sad thing when the American Dream comes down to marrying money (e.g., beer distribution heiress) or winning the lottery.

And don't even get me started about the odds of a nuclear confrontation with John McCain in charge - hell, his solution to Vietnam was to 'Nuke the North', so you can count on him to be irrational from the 'get-go'.

[wvbygod]

163. A violent backlash if Obama is not elected?

I would hope not. Only violent persons would create such a backlash.

[bongbong]

165. Expect full meltdown

Expect a full meltdown from the Ken & Barbies of America if Obama is way ahead in polls the last week of October.

AnalCystOxyBoy and Mann Coulter, among the many other hundreds of nutjob/wingnuts dominating the media, will be regularly trotting out the n-word by that point.

[ProudToBeBlueInRhody]

167. I fear another kind of meltdown to go off in a major city if he's ahead.......

....election canceled, Chimp-Boy declares martial law and president for life.

[bongbong]

164. All Men are created equal

The interesting thing about "all men are created equal" being thrown about by racists and other offended parties whining about "reverse racism" is that that phrase is in the Declaration to decry aristocracy. Aristocracy was THE prevailing governmental system in 1776.

Students of the events preceding the Revolution know that the anti-slavery people had to kowtow to the pro-slavery southern representatives to the Constitutional Convention to get them to sign. Slavery and skin color were not mentioned in the Founding Documents as a result.

The phrase "all men are created equal" is meant to bring privileged classes down, not as an excuse for people to whine when they lose 5% of their 100% ahead-in-society position solely because of an accident of birth.

[knixphan]

177. bravo.

[Kire]

166. I didn't see this posted on Daily Kos yet.

is it?

I tried to post it myself, but I'm only allowed to post one diary a day, apparently.

I bet it would go far.

[Stump]

168. I do live in the south...

This type of talk is nothing out of the usual...glad to see the store owner step up and handle business. k/r

[rzemanfl]

175. A person who made (makes) their living writing sent me a link to

this story saying "you do NOT want to miss this." It just struck me that the person who sent the link used part of their birthday to do that.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

176. Sounds like that person

really knows how to celebrate.......

[rzemanfl]

179. Yeah, well I hear she reads DU with her feet pointed at the

ceiling and her panties dangling from one ankle, although that could be fictitious.

[Tangerine LaBamba]

180. Panties?

What's that? Panties......