Don’t Ever Put Down The Pen!

February 29, 2008

NPR apologizes for calling Africa the “dark contintent” [sic]

Filed under: Thoughts... — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 7:45 am
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Posted on the NPR website February 16th, 2008

“In our newscast at 9:30 a.m. ET on Feb. 14, the phrase “dark continent” was used by one of our newscasters in reference to President Bush’s trip to Africa. This was totally inappropriate and offensive, and we apologize. We will apologize on air in the 9:30 a.m. ET newscast on Monday, Feb. 18, for allowing such an antiquated and pejorative term to air.”

Jean Cochran did issue an on-air apology the next Monday which I heard. It was concise, contrite, professional and dictated by management.

“My deepest apologies for using such an antiquated and pejorative term.”

It was a mistake to issue the apology in my opinion. I know Jean Cochran personally, I have known her for 40 years. We went to high-school together. There is not a racist or prejudicial bone in her body. She lives for the news and does her utmost to get it to her listeners in a clear and professional manner. I count her among my closest and dearest friends. I am sure she lost a lot of sleep that weekend.

I left this note on the NPR comments section:

Regarding Ms. Cochran’s use of “The Dark Continent” and this ensuing firestorm of words, the charges of racist overtones and insensitivity are absolutely inconsistent with anything having to do with both NPR and Ms. Cochran. The hypersensitivity to this term is strictly a manufactured bias on the part of the protesters and is both unjustified and uncalled for. Ignorance of the meaning of the term on the part of those slighted gives it a racial connotation that is just plain inaccurate. The inference of racial bias sprouts from the racial bias of those protesting that any use of the term “Dark Continent” simply refers to the color of the native inhabitants. The term is as no more antiquated or pejorative as any reference to the New World would be. We as a species must get past taking offense at any reference or perceived reference to differences between us. The color of our skin, eyes, hair, gender or sexuality should make no matter. Unless and until we do that we cannot progress towards true civility. The only thing done wrong here by anybody at NPR was to apologize because in so doing they empower the complainers.

Political Correctness has permeated our civilization to our detriment. Shrill voices complain about perceived slights and knees buckle everywhere. Nobody wants to be called a racist or a bigot and even the inference can hurt or end careers of perfectly innocent individuals. So we kill ourselves to be seen as sensitive to every class or segment of our society. Nowadays, you will likely offend somebody with anything and apologizing for using our language in a normal and innocent way only empowers the weak-minded and the result is a tyranny of fear and silence, our language paralyzed.

February 28, 2008

Hey, You just got Hucked!

Filed under: Thoughts... — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 9:35 am
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The Republican Hate Machine is just getting warmed up with this new version of Swift-boating. We might call it “Getting Hucked” since Mike Huckabee reminded us how to do it this campaign season. First you make some wild accusation, or slanderous attack ad and next thing is after showing it to the press you disavow it. This way gets you both the message and the high ground. Huckabee used it effectively several times. Remember when in South Carolina, he called a press conference to show an attack ad against Romney and after they viewed it he said his campaign had decided not to run it? Remember when he made his comments about Romney’s Mormonism and then apologized? That’s how they do it….

Now from the McCain front comes a most scurrilous attack. They allow radio talk-show host, Bill Cunningham to introduce the candidate. He himself is introduced as “an extremely important part of John McCain’s presidential campaign” cunningham1.jpgThen for many excruciatingly long minutes he harangues and derides Barack Obama as a terrorist sympathizer and repeatedly saying his middle name “Hussein”. He calls him a crook and a liar. See the video here,
Then just minutes later after the words introducing the candidate are picked up by the press and after John McCain is cheered by the enthusiastic crowd does the campaign issue a repudiation of the remarks. Sorry, the damage is done. The racist hatred has been fomented and cannot be revoked or forgotten by a mere apology. If they don’t want his message to get to the hearts of their wavering base why even let him on the stage?
In no way do I think John McCain thinks these things about Obama, nor do I mean to impugn his character, but everybody who knows this guy knows what he is going to say. They KNOW, and still they pander to their far right-wing base, get their message out and then they disavow it. It’s brilliant, and it works every time. So now Obama just got Hucked. It won’t be the last time the right wing hate machine lets go a good one.

John McCain may not be a racist, he may not be a demagogue and he is most certainly a Patriot of the first order, but by allowing these sorts of people to participate prominently in his campaign his managers give us a very clear view inside the tent that they call Republican and the direction they want to take the country.
Bill Clinton did not make this contest about race, the far right-wing did. That’s the way they want it because it’s the only way they know to defeat a candidate as good as Obama.
If Obama is the Democratic nominee and if he is elected, we can look forward to at least four years of this tripe just like they gave us eight years of the same mindless, hateful drivel during the Clinton years. Fact is, there was no there there then and there is no there there now. But I do love the First Amendment and so I will suffer this in the pursuit of the Ideal. This ideal is what makes America a great nation. The worst about America is what some people do with it.

February 16, 2008

Dear Senators Mikulski and Cardin….

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 8:48 am
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Senators Mikulski and Cardin,

I write to urge you to vote against the bill before the Senate that will grant immunity to the Telecommunications companies for violating our civil rights at the request of the Bush Administration.

As a Gold Star Parent, I am incensed that the President and Vice-President regularly violate the very protections accorded to us in our Constitution that they are sworn to preserve, protect and defend and those rights that my son died to protect. Then they insist that there be no repercussions for the Telecommunications companies who aided and abetted this atrocity. In no way should they be released from the legal penalty for their actions. If it was you or me, we would both be held accountable and they should be as well.

Sincerely,

Edward W. Kirkpatrick

=============================================

I worked for nearly 20 years in the telecommunications industry for C&P Telephone, Bell Atlantic and then AT&T. In those days, the sanctity of the customer record was inviolate without a proper warrant. Today, in a climate of fear and slipping closer to fascism, American Corporations are willing to forego the niceties of our Constitutional protections because it takes too long (24hrs) for a FISA court to issue the warrant. As the extension of this law expires today, the Cheney/Bush administration still has all the powers they need to do this type of surveillance in a timely fashion. If they did not, Bush would have agreed to another extension. The only reason they want this bill is to exonerate their friends from their crimes.

We do have a lot to fear these days, but I think we have met the enemy and it is us.

February 15, 2008

YRF Fundraising Event in honor of Scott Kirkpatrick

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 10:46 pm
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Be sure to read the comments for updated information!

Dear Friends and Family,

Forgive me if you’ve received this bulletin more than once, but we’re doing what we can to reach as many people as possible. That being said, please feel free to pass the word.

As most of you know our son, Sgt Scott Kirkpatrick was killed by an HBIED in Iraq on August 11, 2007. He was 26 years old. Recently, our niece, Suzy Quintavalle was having a conversation with Scott’s friend Sean. They got to discussing charity events, and to make a long story short they decided it was time to hold one in Scott’s honor.

Before he left on his last deployment, he let us know that if something happened to him, it was his wish that we find a fund to help benefit our Wounded Warriors at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. Christy, Kevin, Marti and I chose the Yellow Ribbon Fund.

Our friend Linda got in touch with the owners of Mick O’Shea’s Irish Pub in Baltimore, MD, and they’ve agreed to let us hold an event in memory of Scott, to honor our Wounded Warriors who will benefit from YRF’s aid. Sean spoke with YRF today, and they are on board — their PR person told him that they’ve never been involved in something like this before, and they’re excited to participate.

Here’s the deal:

When: Friday, March 7, 2008, 8:30pm… until Mick’s
closes or you go home, (we are getting a room)….

Where: Mick O’Shea’s Irish Pub
328 N. Charles St.
Baltimore, MD 21201
410-539-7504

What’s Going On:

There will be a cover charge (to be announced), a portion of which will go to the Yellow Ribbon Fund. Yellow Ribbon staffers will be on hand to provide information about their organization and to accept voluntary cash or check donations.

Traditional & Contemporary Irish music will be provided by Rossnareen – March 7 was scheduled to be their night at the pub, but Mick’s owner, Dave, wanted to squeeze us in before St. Patrick’s Day, and upon discussing our plot with the band, they informed him that “they would be honored” to share the pub with all of us in tribute to Scott and our soldiers.

Mick O’Shea’s is a well-known Irish pub in Baltimore. There will be Guinness, of course, or whatever your drink of choice happens to be. We’re working with the owner to get a portion of drink sales donated to YRF, and possibly some drink specials as well.

We’re gearing up to promote this via any means available, and the good people at Yellow Ribbon Fund are assisting in same, even working on contacting Governor O’Malley — whose band, O’Malley’s March, used to play Mick’s often when he was Baltimore’s Mayor. If you can make it, we’ll be very happy to see you. If you know of anyone else who should be there, please forward this email.

If you can’t make it, we’ll raise a glass for you anyway, and you’ll attend in spirit. Words of encouragement are, well, encouraged –Suzy, Sean and Linda had this idea approximately three days ago and now have only three weeks to bring it to fruition. They willl not rest until it is done right, and that means they will be damn tired by the time the 7th rolls around. However, we’re all super-excited, and can’t wait to see how it all pans out.

UPDATE:

We just heard back from the folks at Mick O’Shea’s, and they told Linda that not only are they donating $1 from the $4 cover charge to the fund, but they’ll also donate $1 from every Guinness sold. :)
WOOHOO! Get Ready to drink some Guinness!

So come out, have a pint or a few, share a story, and support the lads.

We hope to see you on March 7,

Ed, Marti, Kevin, Christy, Suzy, Linda and Sean

February 12, 2008

WD-40, Bounce and Snopes.com

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 10:11 am
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Today I received from a friend another of those emails we all get from our friends on the net, this one was about the merits and miracles of the ubiquitous WD-40. We all know what WD-40 is but this note was passed on through who knows how many folks who thought it to be essential knowledge and so they tell two friends who tell two friends and so on, until I get it! It gives a brief history of the stuff and then lists about 43 reasons we should have it everywhere. I like in particular “# 5, Keeps flies off cows”. #8 is good too, “Loosens stuck zippers” Alcohol has been known to do the same thing.
I will admit I love this stuff too and have a half dozen cans scattered around my farm but whenever I get one of these messages of dubious heritage, I always check the resources at Snopes.com to see what or if there is anything there about the article in doubt. Barbara Mickleson, the gal who researches, writes and maintains Snopes.com is indefatigable when it comes to confirming or debunking the silliness known as Urban Legends that floats around and into our inboxes. She is also very entertaining and has become a defacto source on the net much like Wikipedia.
As for the WD 40 thing, she has a note on it at this link,

The article is interesting as she contacted the manufacturer for details about this email and she has a link confirming the origin story. She recaps the email I received and deletes the uses that the manufacturer does not recommend. I was amazed to see, “prevents silver from tarnishing” as a recommended use of a petroleum product…. Not on my silverware!

BUT of even more interesting note, is a related article on Bounce.
A similar legend circulates about the beneficial effects of Bounce and her testing of the claims and their results I found hilarious.
Snopes is a great resource and if you go there you can find yourself losing an hour or two perusing all the stuff Barbara has collected over the years. In fact and often, the article on Snopes is more interesting than the email in your inbox.
Bookmark the site and be a regular visitor.

February 6, 2008

What should they read? Bill Moyers asks….

Filed under: Uncategorized — Ed Kirkpatrick @ 9:42 am
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If you haven’t yet had a chance to watch Bill Moyers’ Journal on PBS, I suggest that you find some way. It’s not your usual talking heads show, he never screams at people or calls them bad names and it’s certainly not FAUX News. There is a wide variety of topics and guests, always current, and perhaps some of the most thought provoking commentary on the air.

Last week in his commentary, Bill Moyers said,

“On the CBS EVENING NEWS, Katie Couric asked candidates from both parties which book, other than the Bible, they would bring with them to the White House. ” See what they said here

Some of the answers were interesting and some “seemed” spontaneous. After that segment, Bill asked his viewers to suggest to the future president what ONE book he or she should take with them and to post our suggestions on his blog. He said he would discuss our suggestions on this Friday’s show. I suggest that you check out the blog postings and perhaps submit your own idea. As of today, there are over 2200 comments. All are interesting, some spontaneous and some are going on my reading list.

 

Naturally, I got to wondering for myself what I would suggest. Even though I think I read a lot and constantly, this list of books on the blog shows me my universe for selection is by comparison so limited. Making this choice is also hard to for me do as it requires remembering all the books I have read over the years, something I am not good at. In the end, I decided to choose several books that as their base embody a simple truth or value that, as Americans, we need to recognize and remember.

I know Bill wants only one book, but tough… so in no particular order :

  • “Atlas Shrugged” by Ayn Rand, the rights and strengths of the individual vs. the mob,
  • “The Kite Runner” by Khaled Hosseini, a book about personal failure, discovery and salvation,
  • “1776″ by David McCullough, remembering what we were when we as a nation were just discovering for ourselves,
  • “Theodore Rex” by Edmund Morris, a book about Theodore Roosevelt’s Presidency and how TR as a person defines what personal strength and moral courage really are,
  • “Citizen Soldiers” by Stephen Ambrose, to me this book defines our single greatest trait as a nation, our individual citizen’s willingness to help set wrong to right. We did it for the right reasons then and are so lost now, and lastly,
  • “Team of Rivals” by Doris Kearns Goodwin, perhaps the best of the bunch as it describes the times of hatred, strife and war that at its core is so similar to our times now.

Ps, this list is subject to change as my memory fades in and out again….

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