The Velvet Hammer - by Benson Peterson

Anyone for Tea...?

May 9th 2010 03:57

Finally, it seems the people of this nation are starting to wake up. All sorts of them, from many creeds, colors, and political parties, are joining together in protest of our government's progression towards socialism.

Well, it's about time.

Could it be that Snowbama's healthcare BS was the last straw for lots of them? How about bailing out the automotive industry with manufactured- not real- money?

Or maybe it's the illegal immigration issue. I wonder how many Tea Party members nationwide are in solidarity with the governor of Arizona on this one?

What do you think of the Tea Party folks? Do you think they're just a bunch of mostly white, rich, male, right-wing nut jobs, or do you think maybe they're a group of citizens who are fed up with the waste, cronyism, and corruption that is pervading our government via our elected officials?

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Token People- Political Pawns

November 21st 2006 02:58

In America, we have a groovy thing called "affirmative action." It was a good idea, at first, intended for making a more level playing field for women and minorities in their quest for employment and/or education.
Unfortunately, it has become a tool for tax-and-spend leftists to use in leveraging their political clout with the status quo.
Despite the sugar-coated veneer of the concept, affirmative action endorses the hiring of "token" people- women, minorities- whose biggest qualification for being hired or educated is that they help fill a human quota...making it appear that these outfits are embracing diversity. In cases such as these, people who deserve to be granted the job or spot in the classroom are discriminated against because they don't fit into a certain kind of "victim" status.

Affirmative action, in this so-called "enlightened" day and age, is an insult to women and minority groups. It does not encourage competence based on an individual's talent, skill, expertise or sheer hard work; rather, it promotes an entitlement mentality based on a person's gender or the color of their skin.
It takes all kinds of tax money to create and run affirmative action programs. If these programs were proven to be no longer necessary, alot of administrators and staff of these programs, along with elected officials, would need to come up with another excuse for having a job underwritten by the taxpayers.
This explains why the notion that one is "underpriviledged" simply because they are of a certain race, gender, or sexual orientation is so rabidly promoted by liberal politicians, who seek to appeal to this segment of society in order to secure an electorate. If the truth were told, and these people were encouraged to see themselves as the unique individuals they truly are, they may no longer consider themselves victims who need handouts, a leg up, or protection from the government. They would quite possibly resent being used as political pawns.
This is not to say that anti-discrimination laws should be abandoned; on the contrary, this is earth, and as long as mankind exists in this realm, there will be bigots who would delight in stultifying the lives of those they fancy themselves to being superior to. What I feel is fair is when anti-discrimination laws protect ALL of the people, not just those who fit into a certain class. If you are denied employment somewhere, even though you are qualified, in deference to another person who is not as qualified but helps fill a government-mandated quota, it is simply wrongful. It is demeaning to the person who obtained the position, as well. President Bush summed it up meaningfully when he said: "...the soft bigotry of low expectations..."
Please let me know how, if, or when affirmative action has affected your life or other people you know, good, bad or otherwise. And if you live in a place where affirmative action laws do not exist, please share your perspective.
Thank you for your time, attention, and thoughtful contemplation.

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Posted By: Benson Peterson - Category: No Category

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Go Ahead, Hit me.

November 20th 2006 22:40

What do you think? What do I think? Does it matter?
I believe it does indeed.
I would like to engage in intelligent discussions with people from all over the world on a variety of different issues...moral, cultural, spiritual, political, etc. Throw something at me and let's discuss it. My goal is to advance in thought, empathy, and perspective. Hopefully, all who participate can gain a better understanding and appreciation of each other's lives, and use these skills to promote this notion in our own life's walk.
Are you concerned about terrorism? Abortion? Homosexuality? Liberalism? Conservatism? Crime? Child abuse? World peace? These are just a few of the topics that I can pound on.
Let's see who can drive their point home.
I am a published cartoonist and editorial writer who hails from the Land of 10,000 Lakes-Minnesota- in the good ol' USA. The city I live in rests on a great, big, hill which overlooks a harbor that is host to ships from all around the world. I live practically on top of the largest freshwater lake on the continent. Can anyone guess what city that is?
I look forward to communicating with all of you, and I hope our conversations will lead to constructive thought.
Thank you!

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May 2010

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