There was a collective sigh of relief when Dan Snyder finally made a choice of football coach for the Redskins 2010 season. Whispering had become gale force. Fear was in the air.
Some knowledgeable Snyder-watchers felt certain that he could not restrain his wild, impulsive nature. Gamblers were beginning to lay bets with bookies, and the name "Joe Paterno" was increasingly being offered as a "Snyder-type coach."
Joe Paterno offered the Redskins owner a stellar, "winningest-coach ever" type of reputaton. Paterno would offer Dan Snyder the sublime pleasure of fooling everyone by "pulling a rabbit out of his hat" with a coach whose reputation and record were such that even the most savage Snyder critic would have to agree that his choice was outstanding. Frankly, no one would want to criticize Joe Paterno. It would be in football culture the equivalent of "dissing" America.
Perhaps because he has had such a beating by critics of the Redskins' performance over the last few years, Dan Snyder apparently opted for a "safe" selection: a former Super Bowl-winning coach. How Mr. Mike Shanahan performs as coach of the Redskins can't be known at this time. I'm confident Washington Redskins fans will welcome and support him - at least for three games.
Yet, some of Washington's savviest fans cannot help but wonder what it would have been like to have Joe Paterno commanding the Redskins into battle.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Monday, December 28, 2009
D.C. VS BILLBOARDS
Once again, Mayor Adrian Fenty has managed to appear peculiar. In this case there may be more than a little element of D.C. politicking. The mayor has got to start preparing for his next race for mayor. Fortunately, an absentee mayor has never been a political handicap in Washington, D.C. A mayor here is expected to enjoy as many "perks" as possible, while in office. Life is short; get what you can.
If the mayor is such a typical D.C. mayor, why do I dare to employ the word "peculiar?"
Today's news by television developed the issue of Mayor Fenty making a move against billboard advertisers in the District of Columbia. Apparently, a neighborhood association was organized to force the removal of unwanted billboards, which had long urged the public to buy this or that. As I recall there were two - possibly three - billboards involved. As far as I could tell, they provided a visual shield against some unsightly, abandoned houses.
As I previously mentioned, electioneering has already begun. Mayor Fenty has suddenly become attentive to the desires of this association formed to remove billboards from the city. This group does not appear to be without ambitions to "bring change" to the whole city. Mayor Fenty doesn't want to be their victim; there's just too much of the world he has not yet visited. He NEEDS another term of office.
Does this make him peculiar? No, it does not.
What is peculiar about the entire matter is that the buildings of District of Columbia are often given over to "artists" to paint images on building walls. Few of these have artistic merit. There are hundreds of buildings that have been "improved" by artist, craftsmen, amateurs (adult and children), and vandals. Some D.C. buildings have several images which make the word "primitive" seem suggestive of Michelangelo. They are eye-sores! The District government is very proud of this kindergarten image-making.
On the other hand the companies that construct the ad imagery include skillful photographers, models, set designers and ad copy. At least the imagery making falls under the category of "commercial art." If it is a lesser and more meretricious form of art, it still maintains the title of "art." This word cannot be said to truthfully apply to 90% or more of the image-making seen on District buildings' sides, backs, and even fronts. They are frivolous and without merit.
Parenthetically, the huge ads of commercial artists that sometimes can be seen from the East-West Freeway on adjacent buildings might arguably be described as "traffic hazards," due to the use of strikingly good-looking women in imagery that pitches a sale to the passing traffic. This can't be said for the District's beloved "The People's Collages" festooning the walls of many hapless buildings.
What is odd is that from top to bottom in the District of Columbia, this image-making with oils, spray-paint, and the like is viewed warmly as expressing the "diversity of inspiration" among the people of this city. Virtually no one in the District can distinguish a traditionally Western standard of beauty from a traditionally Western perception of ugly and incompetent.
The latter point underlies the District's descent into the egalitarian false-view of "It's all good!" In this limited sense, the District may be a kind of negative avant-garde leader, with the rest of America falling into the "V" formation which is typical of geese. In the District even the heads of famous Art Museums applaud the "people's art."
Can one praise or respect people of low standards - or none at all? This is the ugly essence of the movers and shakers of the District, as well as the masses of incompetent "artists" dwelling therein. Since the rest of the people are very comfortable with either, there is no real diversity in the District. The District is a confederation of people of pre-primitive sensibilities.
If the mayor is such a typical D.C. mayor, why do I dare to employ the word "peculiar?"
Today's news by television developed the issue of Mayor Fenty making a move against billboard advertisers in the District of Columbia. Apparently, a neighborhood association was organized to force the removal of unwanted billboards, which had long urged the public to buy this or that. As I recall there were two - possibly three - billboards involved. As far as I could tell, they provided a visual shield against some unsightly, abandoned houses.
As I previously mentioned, electioneering has already begun. Mayor Fenty has suddenly become attentive to the desires of this association formed to remove billboards from the city. This group does not appear to be without ambitions to "bring change" to the whole city. Mayor Fenty doesn't want to be their victim; there's just too much of the world he has not yet visited. He NEEDS another term of office.
Does this make him peculiar? No, it does not.
What is peculiar about the entire matter is that the buildings of District of Columbia are often given over to "artists" to paint images on building walls. Few of these have artistic merit. There are hundreds of buildings that have been "improved" by artist, craftsmen, amateurs (adult and children), and vandals. Some D.C. buildings have several images which make the word "primitive" seem suggestive of Michelangelo. They are eye-sores! The District government is very proud of this kindergarten image-making.
On the other hand the companies that construct the ad imagery include skillful photographers, models, set designers and ad copy. At least the imagery making falls under the category of "commercial art." If it is a lesser and more meretricious form of art, it still maintains the title of "art." This word cannot be said to truthfully apply to 90% or more of the image-making seen on District buildings' sides, backs, and even fronts. They are frivolous and without merit.
Parenthetically, the huge ads of commercial artists that sometimes can be seen from the East-West Freeway on adjacent buildings might arguably be described as "traffic hazards," due to the use of strikingly good-looking women in imagery that pitches a sale to the passing traffic. This can't be said for the District's beloved "The People's Collages" festooning the walls of many hapless buildings.
What is odd is that from top to bottom in the District of Columbia, this image-making with oils, spray-paint, and the like is viewed warmly as expressing the "diversity of inspiration" among the people of this city. Virtually no one in the District can distinguish a traditionally Western standard of beauty from a traditionally Western perception of ugly and incompetent.
The latter point underlies the District's descent into the egalitarian false-view of "It's all good!" In this limited sense, the District may be a kind of negative avant-garde leader, with the rest of America falling into the "V" formation which is typical of geese. In the District even the heads of famous Art Museums applaud the "people's art."
Can one praise or respect people of low standards - or none at all? This is the ugly essence of the movers and shakers of the District, as well as the masses of incompetent "artists" dwelling therein. Since the rest of the people are very comfortable with either, there is no real diversity in the District. The District is a confederation of people of pre-primitive sensibilities.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
SKINS SCALPED
As a working stiff, I haven't had an opportunity to see the Washington Redskins play this year. As there has been so much controversy amongst the various elements of Redskins Inc., I thought I'd take a look at the Monday Night Football. In that featured game the Redskins would take on the New York Giants.
There was much chatter about Mr. Daniel Snyder hiring Mr. Bruce Allen as the new "general manager" of the Redskins, what that might mean to the future of Jim Zorn, the present football coach, and what it meant to the team and to the fans. Sports pundits perused every angle.
With that as a preface, I made bold to get a network featuring the Monday Night Football game to manifest itself on my quirky television. I succeeded.
Almost immediately I saw that this game was between a good professional football team (Giants) and Confusion Incarnate. The Redskins football team played such an inconceivably inept game that one wondered how they managed to maintain their status as a "National Football League" team.
Then it occurred to me that there may have been a plot amongst certain Redskins to "throw the game" to hasten the exit of Jim Zorn. I do recall Jason Campbell during the training camp period making some comment about Coach Zorn's "little arm." The reference was to the coach (a former quarterback) tossing a few balls to illustrate how he wanted a pass thrown on a certain pattern. Basically, I sensed then that Coach Zorn wasn't really respected by important elements of the team.
If the players aren't "into" a coach by one means or the other, he's going to have a hard time melding them into a team with a common purpose. Instead, there will be a bunch of individuals out there, each of whom cherishes his own thing. Patterns are run by receivers according to how they think they should be run, while the quarterback throws according to how he thinks the patterns should be run. The coach has his own views about how patterns should be run, but his results are so poorly realized that an new offensive play-caller is brought in midstream. He, too, has his view of how a pattern should be run. Professional anarchy replaced professional football.
Jason Campbell got so little protection from his offensive line that he became "unglued." How could anyone focus with several Giant hands swatting at his head on every play? Further, Campbell's short passes were so inept that they brought back memories of Redskin QB Schroeder. It can't help when one is 6' 4" and one's receivers are 5' 9", while Giants are pouring into the backfield.
There were laughable plays by the Redskins in this game. Not good!
Jim Zorn appears at press time as a pathetic, stupified mensch, blandly reaching for some credible comment to serve the wolves now gathered for the feast.
The Giant dominance was so complete that they were grinning from ear-to-ear half way through the second quarter. Party time!
I did have to commend No. 44 of the Giants, who ran very well. Eli Manning, Giant QB, also looked good. If the Giants get into the Play-Offs, they may go far. Getting hot at the right time is more important than regular season records.
If the Redskins didn't purposely "dog" or "tank," then they must be judged to be a frivolous bunch without much merit. There are too many chiefs in the organization and too few braves. If they had any pride, they might offer to give back some of their pay. Not that Mr. Snyder needs it, but it might go to some worthy cause.
There was much chatter about Mr. Daniel Snyder hiring Mr. Bruce Allen as the new "general manager" of the Redskins, what that might mean to the future of Jim Zorn, the present football coach, and what it meant to the team and to the fans. Sports pundits perused every angle.
With that as a preface, I made bold to get a network featuring the Monday Night Football game to manifest itself on my quirky television. I succeeded.
Almost immediately I saw that this game was between a good professional football team (Giants) and Confusion Incarnate. The Redskins football team played such an inconceivably inept game that one wondered how they managed to maintain their status as a "National Football League" team.
Then it occurred to me that there may have been a plot amongst certain Redskins to "throw the game" to hasten the exit of Jim Zorn. I do recall Jason Campbell during the training camp period making some comment about Coach Zorn's "little arm." The reference was to the coach (a former quarterback) tossing a few balls to illustrate how he wanted a pass thrown on a certain pattern. Basically, I sensed then that Coach Zorn wasn't really respected by important elements of the team.
If the players aren't "into" a coach by one means or the other, he's going to have a hard time melding them into a team with a common purpose. Instead, there will be a bunch of individuals out there, each of whom cherishes his own thing. Patterns are run by receivers according to how they think they should be run, while the quarterback throws according to how he thinks the patterns should be run. The coach has his own views about how patterns should be run, but his results are so poorly realized that an new offensive play-caller is brought in midstream. He, too, has his view of how a pattern should be run. Professional anarchy replaced professional football.
Jason Campbell got so little protection from his offensive line that he became "unglued." How could anyone focus with several Giant hands swatting at his head on every play? Further, Campbell's short passes were so inept that they brought back memories of Redskin QB Schroeder. It can't help when one is 6' 4" and one's receivers are 5' 9", while Giants are pouring into the backfield.
There were laughable plays by the Redskins in this game. Not good!
Jim Zorn appears at press time as a pathetic, stupified mensch, blandly reaching for some credible comment to serve the wolves now gathered for the feast.
The Giant dominance was so complete that they were grinning from ear-to-ear half way through the second quarter. Party time!
I did have to commend No. 44 of the Giants, who ran very well. Eli Manning, Giant QB, also looked good. If the Giants get into the Play-Offs, they may go far. Getting hot at the right time is more important than regular season records.
If the Redskins didn't purposely "dog" or "tank," then they must be judged to be a frivolous bunch without much merit. There are too many chiefs in the organization and too few braves. If they had any pride, they might offer to give back some of their pay. Not that Mr. Snyder needs it, but it might go to some worthy cause.
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
SCHMOOZING WITH THE DEAD
Your faithful, ambulance-chasing John Q. Public was doing his thing yesterday, listening to my preferred "Traffic, Weather and 'News'" radio station, when I was startled to hear the name of Adrian Fenty, mayor of Washington, D.C. mentioned. Mayor Fenty is the arrogant bikester and "homeboy trotter" who has been mentioned before by me in my blog comments.
What was the issue that engendered a reporter/commentator's indignation which his radio audience was forced to consider?
Let me provide the readers who are not denizens of D.C. Metro some recent history. The owner of the Washington Wizards (formerly Baltimore Bullets) died recently. He was also a prominent figure in the real estate scene locally. He may have properties elsewhere, also. Still, he is best known for building a sports arena in Largo, MD, which is in Prince Georges County (D.C. suburb), and subsequently, a new sports arena in a relatively unpromising area of the downtown. This new facility is the present home of the Wizards professional basketball team.
In conjunction with the Washington Convention Center the new facility built by the Wizard owner was credited with creating a "renaissance" in that part of downtown Washington, D.C. This renewal was not one of beautiful architecture that seized the imagination of the viewer and impowered the spirit to greater achievements. No one has ever lauded the gentleman-owner of the Wizards on that score - at least no one credible in the area of aesthetics. This renewal was of populations of well-heeled individuals flowing regularly to these two facilities (and to the forest of hotels and restaurants that have arisen to cater to their needs). It is money funneled into this area by fans and convention-goers that revitalized the area. How welcomed this money was!
The buildings themselves are like a cluster of warts on the skin: fascinating, perhaps, to a dermatologists, but not reckoned of much merit or value as examples of architecture to the well-balanced mind.
This owner of the Wizards and builder of buildings became quite rich over time. He was praised for his philanthropy. He appeared to be a man who wanted to leave the world a better place than when he came into it. This in itself would separate him from the great mass of humanity. He retained a certain degree of humility.
A friend within the Jewish community of Washington, D.C., who was a principal in the Giant Food Co. before it was sold, Israel Cohen (as I recall), had referred to him as a "mensch" ("a little man, a common man"). He was not trying to denigrate this owner and builder but praising him for retaining that quality. Perhaps for that reason also he had many devoted friends. He was married to the same woman for fifty-plus years, as I recall. He had children to carry on his way of doing.
This deceased owner of the Wizards was named "Abe Pollin." Clearly, he was a remarkable man.
However, probably contrary to his own character and inclinations, his death has been treated as if it were the death of an important head of state, or a globally revered figure, such as the late Pope John-Paul II or Sister Theresa. He is being presented in his death to first the high and then the low. Politicians of the highest rank have paid their respects. Mr. Pollin has been eulogized by Democrat, Republican, famous athletes, etc. Surely, he has been recognized enough; surely it is time to lay the man to his rest.
But, no. The media at the level of national news may omit certain matters, but the local media is locally focused. The death of Mr. Pollin is "too big" to simply drop.
For that reason this radio "talking voice" took Mayor Adrian Fenty to task for not attending one of the memorial events held in behalf of - of - of the memory of Abe Pollin. No one at this radio station (or anywhere else in Washington) is capable of saying when "enough is enough." Things like the death of Abe Pollin don't end until another bigger and better story arises.
This non-attendance by Mayor Fenty had been mentioned before on this radio station, which is apparently Mormon-owned and Jewish-operated (certainly in terms of talent). One might infer that there is a sub rosa defamation of Adrian Fenty as "anti-Semetic" from the pained tones of the questions regarding his "no-show" at a memorial event. How could anyone not weep and gnash his teeth at the death of such a man? the "talking voice" seemed to lament. The clincher in regard to this is that the radio "talking voice" wondered if Mayor Fenty had not "dissed" Abe Polin and/or his family by not attending the memorial event and, instead, flying down to Miami to watch the Wizards play.
True to character, Mayor Fenty refused to answer the question directly, but hid behind the skirts of his family. He's protecting his family, doncha know? He stone-walled all questions with his insufferable air of overweening arrogance.
What entered my mind was this: Why did not the reporters upbraid the basketball players who comprised the Wizards? They were well-paid beneficiaries of Mr. Pollin's search for a winning team - a champoinship team, which he wanted to give to the people of Washington, D.C. If the memorial event to Abe Pollin was so important, why would his team not be there? If one stated that Abe Pollin "would have wanted his team to play," then why is it not fair to urge that he "would have liked the fans to see the Wizards play, also?" It may be fair to speculate that his spirit was in Miami with his team and, perhaps, sitting right next to Mayor Fenty unbeknownst, rather than at the memorial event with all those other politicians and fakes mumbling pieties and "over-the-top" accolades..
I see in this a false piety, as well as inequality of treatment.
How could it happen? Many people who are not yuppies, urban pioneers, or manical bikesters detests Mayor Adrian Fenty. One really can't blame the radio station for "grasping at straws." However, maybe Fenty isn't all bad. Maybe he knew Abe Pollin better than the radio "talking voices."
Let Abe Pollin finally have his deserved rest.
What was the issue that engendered a reporter/commentator's indignation which his radio audience was forced to consider?
Let me provide the readers who are not denizens of D.C. Metro some recent history. The owner of the Washington Wizards (formerly Baltimore Bullets) died recently. He was also a prominent figure in the real estate scene locally. He may have properties elsewhere, also. Still, he is best known for building a sports arena in Largo, MD, which is in Prince Georges County (D.C. suburb), and subsequently, a new sports arena in a relatively unpromising area of the downtown. This new facility is the present home of the Wizards professional basketball team.
In conjunction with the Washington Convention Center the new facility built by the Wizard owner was credited with creating a "renaissance" in that part of downtown Washington, D.C. This renewal was not one of beautiful architecture that seized the imagination of the viewer and impowered the spirit to greater achievements. No one has ever lauded the gentleman-owner of the Wizards on that score - at least no one credible in the area of aesthetics. This renewal was of populations of well-heeled individuals flowing regularly to these two facilities (and to the forest of hotels and restaurants that have arisen to cater to their needs). It is money funneled into this area by fans and convention-goers that revitalized the area. How welcomed this money was!
The buildings themselves are like a cluster of warts on the skin: fascinating, perhaps, to a dermatologists, but not reckoned of much merit or value as examples of architecture to the well-balanced mind.
This owner of the Wizards and builder of buildings became quite rich over time. He was praised for his philanthropy. He appeared to be a man who wanted to leave the world a better place than when he came into it. This in itself would separate him from the great mass of humanity. He retained a certain degree of humility.
A friend within the Jewish community of Washington, D.C., who was a principal in the Giant Food Co. before it was sold, Israel Cohen (as I recall), had referred to him as a "mensch" ("a little man, a common man"). He was not trying to denigrate this owner and builder but praising him for retaining that quality. Perhaps for that reason also he had many devoted friends. He was married to the same woman for fifty-plus years, as I recall. He had children to carry on his way of doing.
This deceased owner of the Wizards was named "Abe Pollin." Clearly, he was a remarkable man.
However, probably contrary to his own character and inclinations, his death has been treated as if it were the death of an important head of state, or a globally revered figure, such as the late Pope John-Paul II or Sister Theresa. He is being presented in his death to first the high and then the low. Politicians of the highest rank have paid their respects. Mr. Pollin has been eulogized by Democrat, Republican, famous athletes, etc. Surely, he has been recognized enough; surely it is time to lay the man to his rest.
But, no. The media at the level of national news may omit certain matters, but the local media is locally focused. The death of Mr. Pollin is "too big" to simply drop.
For that reason this radio "talking voice" took Mayor Adrian Fenty to task for not attending one of the memorial events held in behalf of - of - of the memory of Abe Pollin. No one at this radio station (or anywhere else in Washington) is capable of saying when "enough is enough." Things like the death of Abe Pollin don't end until another bigger and better story arises.
This non-attendance by Mayor Fenty had been mentioned before on this radio station, which is apparently Mormon-owned and Jewish-operated (certainly in terms of talent). One might infer that there is a sub rosa defamation of Adrian Fenty as "anti-Semetic" from the pained tones of the questions regarding his "no-show" at a memorial event. How could anyone not weep and gnash his teeth at the death of such a man? the "talking voice" seemed to lament. The clincher in regard to this is that the radio "talking voice" wondered if Mayor Fenty had not "dissed" Abe Polin and/or his family by not attending the memorial event and, instead, flying down to Miami to watch the Wizards play.
True to character, Mayor Fenty refused to answer the question directly, but hid behind the skirts of his family. He's protecting his family, doncha know? He stone-walled all questions with his insufferable air of overweening arrogance.
What entered my mind was this: Why did not the reporters upbraid the basketball players who comprised the Wizards? They were well-paid beneficiaries of Mr. Pollin's search for a winning team - a champoinship team, which he wanted to give to the people of Washington, D.C. If the memorial event to Abe Pollin was so important, why would his team not be there? If one stated that Abe Pollin "would have wanted his team to play," then why is it not fair to urge that he "would have liked the fans to see the Wizards play, also?" It may be fair to speculate that his spirit was in Miami with his team and, perhaps, sitting right next to Mayor Fenty unbeknownst, rather than at the memorial event with all those other politicians and fakes mumbling pieties and "over-the-top" accolades..
I see in this a false piety, as well as inequality of treatment.
How could it happen? Many people who are not yuppies, urban pioneers, or manical bikesters detests Mayor Adrian Fenty. One really can't blame the radio station for "grasping at straws." However, maybe Fenty isn't all bad. Maybe he knew Abe Pollin better than the radio "talking voices."
Let Abe Pollin finally have his deserved rest.
Saturday, November 28, 2009
Disparity and DISPARITY
There I was rolling along the George Washington Parkway, listening to my usual "traffic, weather and 'news'" radio station, when the datum fell upon my ears. Northern Virginia educational nabobs had uncovered disparity at an Alexandria school. This school caters to kids who are viewed by "authorities" as gifted intellectually or exceptionally talented. Are idiot savants welcomed? I can't say authoritatively, but they probably don't fit in.
Where is the disparity? Most of you would probably guess that the school was disproportionately Asian-American. Wrong! There seemed to be too many white students. Parenthetically, white students are the only students who don't possess a dignified, specifically geo-racial characterization.
Why is that? It allows census takers more flexibility in setting preferred proportions. That's not the only reason, but I don't want to get into hate issues in this blog. There is a sort of quota system operating. Having one category into which anyone can be tossed is very useful. Let me give you an example.
In the old Spotlight tabloid there was a second page which had several "News You May Have Missed" items. One day, I saw a brief article about an American citizen who had arrived from Egypt not so many years prior. He was classified as "white." He wasn't aware that this might be a liability until he applied for a minority grant or "set-aside." As I recall, he was an academic type, but he may have been otherwise employed. He was turned down because he wasn't a defined "minority," according to the law. The law provided some sort of affirmative access to the grants, et al, for African Americans, Asian Americans, women, sexually confused, and the like. I am referencing the "usual suspects" in minority set-asides/grants.
This Egyptian American was tagged as "white" and ineligible. He was pissed! In the story he lamented because he was darker and more African in his appearance than General Colin Powell, who was legally categorized as "African American." He planned to sue.
I've always maintained that it isn't easy being a white person. You are always both in a limbo category and - at the same time - you are "it" in all legal issues, as well as the "bad guy" in movies.
I believe that you have by now gotten my drift about the flexibility of this white category in the hands of census takers. I'm sure that there are sensible people working for the census bureau, but no one can strike a rational position, where asylum inmates command the institution.
The issue is disparity. Now this doesn't operate at the supreme Court, where Jews are represented at a disparate rate. It doesn't operate at the White House nor in the top positions of the Executive Branch, where Jews hold positions at disparate rates. It doesn't operate in the U.S. Senate nor the U.S. House of Representatives where the staffs of the collective committees and subcommittees are Jewish at a disparate rate. They gather the information and shape the policies that are basically "rubber-stamped" by senators and representatives.
Usually, the issue of disparity doesn't "touch" the high and mighty. The issue of disparity reaches down to the mensch, the little guy. Yet, it is still a good training exercise for the ascending "talent" that there is such a thing as power - and they don't have it. Since all these federal and state-sanctioned educational commissions/councils/associations are composed of Stepinanfetchits, they are anxious to please the "boss in the big house." Coming down on the side of "disparity" will never hurt your standing nor injure your resume among the powers that be in America presently.
As I recall, this Alexandria school had something like 58% white students. According to the report, there was under representation of African Americans and Latinos. How could there be such a result, unless discrimination - however subtly employed - was not a factor?
Equalitarianism is viewed as the first inflexible law of America. Since inequality cannot exist in nature, disparity of results is the first mortal sin. It is a sin of man against nature.
What I personally wondered was this: Of the 58% "white" student population, how many, or what percentage, were Jews? If a "correction" occurs in the future to rectify this disparity, will the resultant white category be disproportionately Jewish? (It may already be disproportionately Jewish).
Jews are counted as whites except when white are getting pummeled by the system; then Jews are a "religious" minority, who are exempt.
America is a nation where a minority rules over the majority, and confusion is the "letter of the law."
Where is the disparity? Most of you would probably guess that the school was disproportionately Asian-American. Wrong! There seemed to be too many white students. Parenthetically, white students are the only students who don't possess a dignified, specifically geo-racial characterization.
Why is that? It allows census takers more flexibility in setting preferred proportions. That's not the only reason, but I don't want to get into hate issues in this blog. There is a sort of quota system operating. Having one category into which anyone can be tossed is very useful. Let me give you an example.
In the old Spotlight tabloid there was a second page which had several "News You May Have Missed" items. One day, I saw a brief article about an American citizen who had arrived from Egypt not so many years prior. He was classified as "white." He wasn't aware that this might be a liability until he applied for a minority grant or "set-aside." As I recall, he was an academic type, but he may have been otherwise employed. He was turned down because he wasn't a defined "minority," according to the law. The law provided some sort of affirmative access to the grants, et al, for African Americans, Asian Americans, women, sexually confused, and the like. I am referencing the "usual suspects" in minority set-asides/grants.
This Egyptian American was tagged as "white" and ineligible. He was pissed! In the story he lamented because he was darker and more African in his appearance than General Colin Powell, who was legally categorized as "African American." He planned to sue.
I've always maintained that it isn't easy being a white person. You are always both in a limbo category and - at the same time - you are "it" in all legal issues, as well as the "bad guy" in movies.
I believe that you have by now gotten my drift about the flexibility of this white category in the hands of census takers. I'm sure that there are sensible people working for the census bureau, but no one can strike a rational position, where asylum inmates command the institution.
The issue is disparity. Now this doesn't operate at the supreme Court, where Jews are represented at a disparate rate. It doesn't operate at the White House nor in the top positions of the Executive Branch, where Jews hold positions at disparate rates. It doesn't operate in the U.S. Senate nor the U.S. House of Representatives where the staffs of the collective committees and subcommittees are Jewish at a disparate rate. They gather the information and shape the policies that are basically "rubber-stamped" by senators and representatives.
Usually, the issue of disparity doesn't "touch" the high and mighty. The issue of disparity reaches down to the mensch, the little guy. Yet, it is still a good training exercise for the ascending "talent" that there is such a thing as power - and they don't have it. Since all these federal and state-sanctioned educational commissions/councils/associations are composed of Stepinanfetchits, they are anxious to please the "boss in the big house." Coming down on the side of "disparity" will never hurt your standing nor injure your resume among the powers that be in America presently.
As I recall, this Alexandria school had something like 58% white students. According to the report, there was under representation of African Americans and Latinos. How could there be such a result, unless discrimination - however subtly employed - was not a factor?
Equalitarianism is viewed as the first inflexible law of America. Since inequality cannot exist in nature, disparity of results is the first mortal sin. It is a sin of man against nature.
What I personally wondered was this: Of the 58% "white" student population, how many, or what percentage, were Jews? If a "correction" occurs in the future to rectify this disparity, will the resultant white category be disproportionately Jewish? (It may already be disproportionately Jewish).
Jews are counted as whites except when white are getting pummeled by the system; then Jews are a "religious" minority, who are exempt.
America is a nation where a minority rules over the majority, and confusion is the "letter of the law."
Tuesday, November 17, 2009
PRIDE GOETH BEFORE A FALL
The recent incidence of Mayor Adrian Fenty's mayoral regime provokes normal sensibilities. However, Washington, D.C., has so few such citizens remaining in the town that outrage cannot and isn't expected by anyone. He glibly signals his innocence and near inability to commit errors. Else, he merely refuses to answer. He peddles his political goods to his 500 dearest friends. Adrian's well-liked by "capitalist pigs." His intentions are noble, even visionary, as he fights "for ole D.C." He sees a shining D.C. nestled upon the Potomac River; it will be a beacon to all mankind (especially well-heeled ones, who share his love of the finer things.) He's part "Little Lord Fauntleroy" in garish sportswear that resembles "pantyhose" and part Artful Dodger.
What is truly disturbing about Adrian Fenty is that he is not alone. He represents a type of Post-Yuppie, Post-Urban Pioneer citizen, who dominates the levers of power in Washington, D.C. This is not to say that they are the ultimate "caller of shots" in D.C. Rather, the real power behinds the scenes allows these people to run amok throughout D.C. They are children on a tear. There is no half-baked idea that doesn't "grab" their imaginations. The only issue in debate is the matter of funding. In the language of children, they seek an "allowance" from Congress, tourists, and commuters.
They are all car-haters. Hence, any idea that is anti-car seems "responsible" and "wise." They hope to force a metropolitan area that has its population zooming to ride public transportation, forgetting utterly in its inability to do that task. They envision every street in D.C. to be a ghetto each of which is walled-in by buses which have been purchased as a "smarter way to travel."
They are seriously considering a trolley system. Why? Why use this older mode of travel when the government has previously abandoned it, and the provision of electricity suitable to keep it going is entirely outside the District officials' ability to guarantee? As Congress wrings its hands over exactly how to provision the booming population of America with electricity and other basic utilities, including water, the District of Columbia will have a vast quantity of trolley cars awaiting the required electricity, not to mention the construction of the system. People, such as Mayor Fenty, will be peddling about expressing enthuasiasm for the project and talking about the new jobs and tourist money that the trolley will bring to Washington. You should understand that what these D.C. creeps are expressing is "San Francisco-envy."
As a real leader, Mayor Fenty peddles around Washington, protected by motorcycle cops and provided by them with an eternal "green light," greeting his people (The Urban Arrogant), promoting fitness, and "envisioning" D.C.'s future. He sees twenty years ahead routinely. What do you call someone who sees things no one else can see? Whatever the proper term, one can say with certainty that he's not alone in dreaming. In the old days this collective "spell" was blamed on "swamp fever."
What is truly disturbing about Adrian Fenty is that he is not alone. He represents a type of Post-Yuppie, Post-Urban Pioneer citizen, who dominates the levers of power in Washington, D.C. This is not to say that they are the ultimate "caller of shots" in D.C. Rather, the real power behinds the scenes allows these people to run amok throughout D.C. They are children on a tear. There is no half-baked idea that doesn't "grab" their imaginations. The only issue in debate is the matter of funding. In the language of children, they seek an "allowance" from Congress, tourists, and commuters.
They are all car-haters. Hence, any idea that is anti-car seems "responsible" and "wise." They hope to force a metropolitan area that has its population zooming to ride public transportation, forgetting utterly in its inability to do that task. They envision every street in D.C. to be a ghetto each of which is walled-in by buses which have been purchased as a "smarter way to travel."
They are seriously considering a trolley system. Why? Why use this older mode of travel when the government has previously abandoned it, and the provision of electricity suitable to keep it going is entirely outside the District officials' ability to guarantee? As Congress wrings its hands over exactly how to provision the booming population of America with electricity and other basic utilities, including water, the District of Columbia will have a vast quantity of trolley cars awaiting the required electricity, not to mention the construction of the system. People, such as Mayor Fenty, will be peddling about expressing enthuasiasm for the project and talking about the new jobs and tourist money that the trolley will bring to Washington. You should understand that what these D.C. creeps are expressing is "San Francisco-envy."
As a real leader, Mayor Fenty peddles around Washington, protected by motorcycle cops and provided by them with an eternal "green light," greeting his people (The Urban Arrogant), promoting fitness, and "envisioning" D.C.'s future. He sees twenty years ahead routinely. What do you call someone who sees things no one else can see? Whatever the proper term, one can say with certainty that he's not alone in dreaming. In the old days this collective "spell" was blamed on "swamp fever."
Friday, October 30, 2009
COULD IT BE ONLY COINCIDENCE?
Although lots of Washingtonians know it, very few outside our metropolitan area realise that a very satisfying event is in the making. There is new construction about to begin in earnest in Southeast Washington, D.C. Its symbolic continuity is almost breathtaking. A gigantic new residence is being constructed on the old grounds of Saint Elizabeth Hospital for the Mentally Disturbed. When completed, it will become the new fortress for Homeland Security. A sprawling "campus" is being fashioned for the new American KGB with its Orwellian title.
How do the French put it? The more things change, the more things remain the same!
Now, let me hasten to add that the name I provided is an approximation. We locals have always referenced it as "St. Elizabeth's" or simply, "St. E's." Everyone knew that it was the site where mentally disturbed individuals were placed. However, under pressure from the "Politically Correct Fascist Alliance" ["PCFA"], most never went further than that with the institution's title. In time the exact title of this hospital receded into the dark and hazy parts of the mind. Using it might create "a scene," if a member of the PCFA was at hand to scold about insensitivity.
However, not everone confined to St. E's was crazy. Ezra Pound was tossed into St. E's for political reasons. He was lucky, some think. Nuremberg Trials oversaw the murder of men not too dissimilar from Pound. People who effectively wielded words were thought to be at least as dangerous as Nazi swordsmen. Although Ezra Pound had no part in the Manhattan Project nor in the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, he was consigned to St. E's for about thirteen years for dropping his dangerous views over the radio airwaves. Over that time period, Ezra Pound was visited by the likes of T. S. Elliot and Ernest Hemingway. They weren't the only men of letters who remembered this gifted man. They would not have continued visiting him and writing letters were he, indeed, "mad."
Of course, men such as Elliot and Hemingway were suspicious characters to the F.B.I., which investigated Hemingway and probably Elliot as well. After the F.B.I. became an international investigative arm of the "World Community," there was a need for a more locally-dedicated spy organization. Voila! Entrez-vous L'Homeland Security. Soon it was apparent to all: they don't take no crepe from anyone!
Initially headed by a quazi-Christian Fascist, Homeland Security was soon under the direction of Michael Chertoff. It was rumored that in Russian his name meant "devil" or "damned." As many people observed, he didn't give a damn about the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Ezra Pound was the sort of man that Homeland Security would have viewed as "dangerous." He would have been spied on by the government; he would have been spied on by special interest groups that specialize in "monitoring" Americans who don't share their agenda. Indeed, if Homeland Security's new home has a detention center where dangerous people could be confined, then Ezra Pound, were he still alive, would probably once again find himself confined on old familiar turf.
What was that again? What did the French say? Cha - cha - changes, do they ever really happen at all?
How do the French put it? The more things change, the more things remain the same!
Now, let me hasten to add that the name I provided is an approximation. We locals have always referenced it as "St. Elizabeth's" or simply, "St. E's." Everyone knew that it was the site where mentally disturbed individuals were placed. However, under pressure from the "Politically Correct Fascist Alliance" ["PCFA"], most never went further than that with the institution's title. In time the exact title of this hospital receded into the dark and hazy parts of the mind. Using it might create "a scene," if a member of the PCFA was at hand to scold about insensitivity.
However, not everone confined to St. E's was crazy. Ezra Pound was tossed into St. E's for political reasons. He was lucky, some think. Nuremberg Trials oversaw the murder of men not too dissimilar from Pound. People who effectively wielded words were thought to be at least as dangerous as Nazi swordsmen. Although Ezra Pound had no part in the Manhattan Project nor in the decision to bomb Hiroshima and Nagasaki, Japan, he was consigned to St. E's for about thirteen years for dropping his dangerous views over the radio airwaves. Over that time period, Ezra Pound was visited by the likes of T. S. Elliot and Ernest Hemingway. They weren't the only men of letters who remembered this gifted man. They would not have continued visiting him and writing letters were he, indeed, "mad."
Of course, men such as Elliot and Hemingway were suspicious characters to the F.B.I., which investigated Hemingway and probably Elliot as well. After the F.B.I. became an international investigative arm of the "World Community," there was a need for a more locally-dedicated spy organization. Voila! Entrez-vous L'Homeland Security. Soon it was apparent to all: they don't take no crepe from anyone!
Initially headed by a quazi-Christian Fascist, Homeland Security was soon under the direction of Michael Chertoff. It was rumored that in Russian his name meant "devil" or "damned." As many people observed, he didn't give a damn about the victims of Hurricane Katrina.
Ezra Pound was the sort of man that Homeland Security would have viewed as "dangerous." He would have been spied on by the government; he would have been spied on by special interest groups that specialize in "monitoring" Americans who don't share their agenda. Indeed, if Homeland Security's new home has a detention center where dangerous people could be confined, then Ezra Pound, were he still alive, would probably once again find himself confined on old familiar turf.
What was that again? What did the French say? Cha - cha - changes, do they ever really happen at all?
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