How not to apologize for being a racist jerk
Submitted by James Protzman on Mon, 09/08/2008 - 8:44am
Sheriff Steve Bizzell must have caught a lot of heat for his racist comments on the front page of Sunday's O-No! Angered by the crime in his community, he let his hair down and told a reporter what he really thinks:
"Look at that," he says, pointing to tiendas that have cropped up amid the barbecue joints. "You can't even read the durned sign. Everywhere you look, it's like little Mexico around here."
So what's a good sheriff supposed to do to clean things up? Apologize?
"I made broad statements that reflected on the legal and law-abiding Hispanic population -- that was never my intention. For making those inappropriate statements, I apologize to everyone, especially anyone that was offended. My focus changed dramatically when a young boy playing in his front yard was killed -- the offender was a repeat drunk driver and an illegal immigrant. I obviously let my anger over this crime flash during the N&O interview. Since then I have worked with Federal authorities to deport illegal immigrants that commit crimes because these criminals ultimately have a negative impact on all the good law-abiding residents in Johnston County. This is not a reflection on all immigrants as legal immigration is both wanted and needed. I always have and always will carry out the duties of the Office of Sheriff to protect all the people in Johnston County without regard to where someone is from or their citizenship status."
Obviously, Bizzell has never had to learn the fine art of a sincere apology. Not only does he blame you if you happened to be offended by his racist sentiments, he also makes excuses. Poor ol' Stevie was so dad-gummed mad at all the dirty Mexicans that couldn't control his durn self. It's not really his fault. It's the brown people.
Tony Asion, the executive director of the North Carolina nonprofit advocacy group El Pueblo, said he had to stop reading Sunday's article because the sheriff's comments made him so angry. Bizzell's apology was not good enough, he added. "I don't want his apology, I want his badge," said Asion, who was born in Cuba. "As a 20-year veteran of the Delaware State Police force, I resent the fact that he's even a cop."
Don't hold your breath, Tony. Bizzell's just jealous that he's getting upstaged by another racist sheriff in Alamance County. The way things are going, it won't be long before North Carolina sheriffs will be digging out their robes and hoods.
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Fighting This
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/8/121239/1862
Jim Neal is trying to fight this intolerant sentiment and raise the profile of that cause. If anyone wants to help recommend that page to the front page of dailykos, or check out the other options to promote it, then check it out!
My comment was as below, and invite you to go share your comments too
"Opposing change because it hasn't already occurred is self-defeating. A lot of North Carolina is bluer than it would appear at a glance. And someone has to fight this battle.
If we let the politicians and voters alike view fear-mongering at the expensive of any minority as acceptable, then the democratic party and our state as a whole will suffer both at election time and in the long term.
If we can show right now that we wont accept this, then we have a real chance of letting the elections be about real issues. But if we let this moment slide because we're afraid of a challenge then we'll only have ourselves to blame come Nov 5th.
I just recommended this page & I hope you do to."
Thanks
It's a sad day when a story like this barely gets a handful of recommends on DK. I fear plenty of people in our state and nation are just fine with assholes like Bizzell enforcing our laws.
_____________________________________
Jesus Swept, so you can come clean.
Obama Racism in North Carolina on the Net by the Neo-Cons
Barack Hussein Obama making fun of the Bible
From: Jack Dawsey (dawseyjh@embarqmail.com)
Sent: Mon 9/08/08 9:09 PM
My dearest niece, Sandra, (a very sweet lady and mother, but vulnerable, I think), is caught up in this political season (like many other people) of "forwarding" neo-con Republican emails to her friends (including me). Most of these emails trash Obama in support of McCain/Palin.
In one of my most recent "responses" to Sandra, I attempted to discourage her from being a pawn of these "operatives." I offered her, what I believe, is good and true advice, hoping she will avoid the political traps set by political operatives on the NET. Last week, I put the hammer down on her and her friends for "including" me on their list to receive email that "trashes" and otherwise "character" assassinates Obama. Tonight she wrote back, (sending me yet another trash email this time depicting Obama as supportive of terrorist activities, and a person who is anti Bible). Last week I received one from a friend and another from her stating that Obama was the Antichrist. How pathetic!
After receiving her latest tonight, I wrote the following personal letter to her. (See below). I share this letter with you for your reading. I would be interested in knowing what you believe, and how you would have handled a matter like this.
----- Original Message -----
From: Jack Dawsey
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 8:19 PM
Subject: Re: Barack Hussein Obama making fun of the Bible
My dear Sandra.....
I would never "trash" you for sending your video to me, or any other video. You are family.
I would say to you however to be careful about "forwarding" political crap over the NET to your friends as though it is legitimate. Whenever you forward a political video, it suggests to your friends that you approve of it and that you want them to endorse it also by "forwarding" the video to their friends. I refuse.
For example, I have noticed that in all the so-call "legitimate" videos (make-overs and do-overs) and other political garbage I have received during this political season, (and I mean 100% of them), are originated by neo-con Republican operatives; who, in my opinion are dangerous. These neo-cons are not true, old-line, Republicans. They are spurious converts to Republicanism who took over the Republican Party during Ronald Reagan's Presidency, and in North Carolina, (racists and hate-mongers that ran the campaigns of the late Senator Jesse Helms). The Neo-Cons are mean-spirited and I believe, racist at heart. Their actions and intent are to malign and character assassinate a person's record or integrity, (in the effort to persuade voters to vote Republican). They will leave no stone unturned in order to accomplish their political goal. An attorney friend of mine in Raleigh [Rachel Lea Hunter] refers to them as, Republithugs. Their devilish actions are similar or "akin" to the action of skinheads and the Gestapo from the Third Reich.
As for me, I have not receive, (as much as one video) from Democrat operatives trashing the Republican candidates, no not one. That's 100% to 0% and it ought to speak volumes to a discerning eye. As the old saying goes, "A word to the wise is sufficient."
Finally, I never "forward" a political trashing video to my internet friends. Why? Because there is so much deceit that the neo-cons are perpetuating on the NET during this political season that it is inexcusable. I refuse to be a part of their racist, dastardly acts. I refuse to participate in their effort to elect McCain/Palin because in my book, (and I remind you I was a practicing Republican for 40-years, 1964-2004, now I'm an Independent), but in my book McCain/Palin are about as far to the extreme right as Obama is to the extreme left. In my opinion, (based on 40-years as a Republican and 35-years serving in the Federal Government), the modern-day Republican party pose a present threat and danger to a free people.
----- Original Message -----
Sent: Monday, September 08, 2008 12:18 PM
Subject: FW: Barack Hussein Obama making fun of the Bible
Hummm....Just sharing! Don't trash me for forwarding this to you. To each his own (opinion).
When you get to the video section, make sure you watch all of the clips. Muslim/Terrorist? I thought he said he was a Christian? He looks awful comfortable with that sheet wrapped around his head.
Barack Hussein Obama making fun of the Bible.
Please watch this & forward as soon as possible, it will probably be taken off YouTube soon.
If this gives you the message 'This video no longer available'.....try it again. It is available.....at least for the present time.
click on link below
http://www.youtube.com/v/4FCNKwHRCQM
Please take a look while it is still available before someone is pressured to remove it.
One more to share
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/9/9/14610/04730/563/592342
Here's another discussion of it on dailykos. I'm hoping it'll be recommended to the front page so that a real discussion can get going. But that'll have to happen soon or not at all.