Keep it about the kids

by Kenneth Carroll

DUANE “DOG” CHAPMAN is the latest celebrity begging for forgiveness and wanting to meet with “black leaders” to “make things right again” for using racial slurs. Chapman, the star of A&E’s “Dog the Bounty Hunter”, has a different situation than did Mel Gibson, Don Imus and Michael Richards (Kramer).  Chapman’s slurs happened during a taped private conversation with his son that was later leaked to the National Enquirer.

Chapman issued a statement the other day apologizing for using the n-word in reference to his son’s girlfriend, who is black. Apologizing, Chapman insists the clip, posted on the Enquirer’s Web site, was taken out of context. He says he disapproves of his son’s girlfriend’s “character,” not “her race.” An A&E spokesman confirmed production for Chapman’s reality series has been suspended pending the conclusion of the network’s investigation of the matter. In the meantime, Rev. Al Sharpton has agreed to Chapman’s request for a meeting.

Any use of racial slurs, as well as profain language, should not be condoned in private or public. But out of all of the racial slurs, the n-word carries the most mystic. If a black person uses it, it is fine. If a white person uses it, especially a celebrity, they should be banished and tortured! The reality is that most of the times the n-word is used, it is used by present-day African-American society.

Herein lies part of the difficulty: the n-word endures because it is used over and over again, by the very people that claim they are offended by the word. Poet and professor Opal Palmer Adisa, a black with a PH.D, claims that the use of the n-word is "the same as young people's obsession with swearing. A lot of their use of such language is an internalization of negativity about themselves." Of course, rappers, themselves use the n-word performing before mostly white audiences, but they claim it is a term of affection for their fellow African American brothers and sisters, despite the fact it is used in an insulting manner.

I am not advocating the use of the n-word, but ask how it can be used so freely by blacks, but if a white uses it in the same context, they have committed the biggest crime of all? Why didn’t blacks denounce Rev. Jesse Jackson’s racially insulting comments when he used the term “Hymies” referring to Jews, and “Hymitown” referring to New York City? Jackson made the remark during an interview with Milton Coleman, a black reporter working for the Washington Post.

Following a storm of protest by Jews, Jackson at first denied the remarks, then accused Jews of conspiring to defeat him. Not only did blacks fail to criticize Jackson’s racial slur, but The Nation of Islam's radical leader Louis Farrakhan, an aggressive anti-Semite and old Jackson ally, even threatened Coleman and Jews in a radio broadcast by issuing a public warning, made in Jackson's presence: "If you harm this brother [Jackson], it will be the last one you harm."

Finally, Jackson doused the fires with an emotional speech admitting guilt and seeking atonement before national Jewish leaders in a Manchester, New Hampshire synagogue. Yet Jackson refused to denounce Farrakhan. But where was the outrage from black leaders denouncing Jackson and clamoring for his head on a platter?

Another example of a political celebrity given a pass after using a profane racial slur insulting Jews, was when Hillary Clinton used the term, “that Jew b@stard”. If she had insulted a black by using the n-word, she would have lost her political career. But if she only insulted a Jew, then it is forgiven.

What about the other racial slurs, such as “beaner, spic, wop, nip, jap, wet back, greaser, injun, mick, kraut, a-rab, towel head, bog-jumper, canuck, chink, chico, cracker, dago, gook, goy, heeb, hick, honky, kyke, limey, pollack, rusky, taco, paki, white trash, redskin, yellow man, or yid, just to name a few. All of these are insulting and should never be used, but they are not fatal to one’s career if used in public. But, if you are white, and you use any term referring to blacks . . . Good night, Irene . . . you are history! Apparently, the only other groups, as sensitive as blacks, are Muslims. The Politically Correct Police will not tolerate any insults to blacks or Muslims. Say what you want about anyone else, and you’re OK, but spare blacks and Muslims from insults.

I am of Irish descent, and if called a “mick”, a “bog-jumper”, “cracker”, or a “honky”, it wouldn’t do anything to me. I’d laugh. Then why is using the n-word by a white, such a horrible thing that causes such deep pain, yet it is bantered around freely and affectionately by blacks about blacks?

Now back to Duane “DOG” Chapman. His crime was that he used profanity and the n-word in a private conversation with his son. A close family member.  Was he right in doing that? No, he should never resort to using profanity or racial slurs. Should he lose his show because he said inappropriate terms in front of his son in a private conversation? No, it is ridiculous and petty. He should lose his show because it is not a very good show, but what he says to his son on the phone is private and only between him and his son. Should he kick the crapola out of his son for recording him and going public? Hell yes!

We Need Immigation Reform

Do you hate Mexicans, or just “illegal” Mexicans?

By Ken Carroll

Editorial

While I realize that all nationalities are immigrating (legally and illegally) to the United States, but living in Arizona, the wailing is about the Mexicans. Some people say they don’t object to immigration, it is just the illegal immigration that they oppose. But there are also those that want all Mexicans out of the state.

There are those that try and compare the Irish and Italian immigration of our forefathers, to that of today’s Mexican immigration. The first thing they say is, “My great, great, grandfather came to America legally; These Mexicans are coming here illegally!”

It is hard to compare apples and oranges, because when the Italians, Irish, Germans, and others came here, all they had to do was register and they would be legal. Mexicans that want to be legal must spend thousands of dollars and endure a complicated procedure that could take up to ten years to become final.

Are you anti-immigration folks against Mexicans in the country, or just illegal Mexicans? Would you still be against Mexicans if they registered and then entered legally, or would it make a difference? Illegals wouldn't be illegal if we reformed and simplified immigration.

There are those that say these Mexicans don’t pay their bills and they suck up all of the benefits that are intended for tax-paying citizens. There are American born citizens that don't pay their bills. Being poor is not restricted to illegal immigrants.

If the Mexicans were allowed to register legally, they would be paying taxes and contributing like everyone else . . . if they were allowed to do so. If they were allowed to come in legally, they would then have something that they could lose, and they would be just as accountable as anyone else.

AND, they sure wouldn't be risking their lives to cross the dangerous Sonoran Desert. Do you think Mexicans like being robbed, extorted, raped and beaten, and hidden in drop houses waiting for ransoms to be paid, if all they had to do was register and get an ID card that would allow them to open checking accounts, get insurance, and pay their taxes?

When the Irish and Italians came here "legally" they were still hated and despised. They joined gangs and flocked together - most speaking their own languages. After awhile, they blended in and were finally accepted.

The cry should be to reform immigration, not ostracize every Mexican in sight. There have been Mexicans here from the beginning of time. It is just a matter of making immigration reasonable and legal for them to enter and become contributing parts of our country, . . . or we can continue to complain about the "illegals" ruining our country!

America needs to wake-up and stop waiting for Mexico to solve the immigration problem.  Mexico is not going to try and make it stop. Why would they? Mexico loves the influx of American dollars into their country. American dollars flowing into Mexico is the country’s largest source of income. It even benefits from other South American immigrants spending money in Mexico, on their way to the United States.

Mexicans are going to keep coming into America – and it does not matter if it is legal or not. The United States could set up an immigration plan that is self-funding, and actually be a benefit to America. The United States could turn their U.S. border crossing points, into “Visa” access stations. Charge immigrants $2,500 each for this Visa, plus require a background check. That is the average amount "illegals" currently pay smugglers to get them across – but instead of the “Coyotes” (illegal smugglers) making the money, the U.S. Border Control would receive those funds.

This Visa would be the immigrants’ ID card, which would be valid for three years. They could use this ID card to open checking accounts, get a driver’s license, get insurance, get utilities in their name, etc. – but more importantly, it would also be used to pay their taxes. If they wanted to renew it, charge $500 for another five years, or $100 each year. Immigrants after ten years of good behavior would be eligible to apply for citizenship. If they are convicted of a felony, their Visa would immediately be revoked and they would be deported – after doing their jail time, and/or paying their court ordered fine.

This program would also apply to the undocumented “illegal” workers already in the United States. They would be treated the same as new immigrants, except there would be a $1,000 fine added to the cost of their Visa. If they want to stay, they need to purchase an ID card. The ten-year time clock would not stat until they purchased their ID Visa, not from the time they illegally entered into the United States. Therefore, they would no longer have an advantage to obtaining citizenship.

Yes, there will be some Americans complain that too many immigrants will come into America. Don’t kid yourself; they are going to come anyway. Wouldn't it be nice to have them registered, and have billions of dollars to supplement a more effective Border Control?

The Border Control would have a new and large source of funding to be able to improve their staffing and equipment – and be freed from time-consuming rescue attempts of illegal immigrants.

The most dangerous border crossing of all – the Arizona Sonoran desert, has claimed the lives of over 2,000 illegal immigrants who have died trying to cross the desert.

With all non-harmful immigrants crossing in a legal, safe and orderly manner, the U.S. Border Control can more effectively search for drug dealers, terrorists and other undesirables that are trying to avoid detection by crossing illegally. “Coyotes” would all but have been driven out of business. The only ones trying to “sneak” into the country would be the bad guys, and we would have the funds to catch them!

By Kenneth Carroll
I am totally confused on this issue. How could anyone, black or white, object to the message Bill Cosby is presenting?

I see a common theme; if a black man, or woman, becomes successful; they suddenly are not "black enough". I was talking to one of my former high school classmates (who is black), and she was telling me why she believed the story about Condoleezza Rice sleeping with President Bush. She explained to me, how else could a black woman reach the heights she had reached, unless she was sleeping with the master?

I was stunned. I would have thought my friend would have been defending Rice against the untruths and slams against Rice. My friend went on to explain that Blacks resent other Blacks when they make it to the "Big House" and they are left in the fields.

It is pretty obvious to me that as long as Blacks look up to gangsters and drug dealers -- "the players" -- and put down successful blacks that have pulled themselves to the top, there will never be reform in the black neighborhoods. As long as they cheer on the "LOSERS" and boo the "WINNERS" who is going to want to become booed? They are even clamoring that Obama is not black enough, and his popularity is beginning to fall.

The sooner black leaders support the message Bill Cosby is bringing forth, the sooner racial equality is going to be realized. As long as Blacks listen to the messages of Sharpton, Jackson, and other gangsters, the longer they will be entrenched in the ghetto lifestyle.

Even if a gangsters got nominated to run for president, as soon as he agreed he would live in the "Big House" he would then be considered "not black enough" and he would be ostracized from the black community.

By Ken Carroll

Editorial

There are daily attacks on Mitt Romney, in regards to his Mormon religion. Pundits are always musing if Christians would accept Romney despite him being a Mormon?

Before continuing, let’s see what a Christian really is: The American Heritage Dictionary says a “Christian is someone professing belief in Jesus as Christ or following the religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus.”

There are some people that have the misconception that Mormons (members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) worship Joseph Smith, an American prophet believed to have compiled a sacred history of the Americas, which were translated and published as The Book of Mormon in 1830, which they use in place of the Holy Bible.

As the church’s name suggests, “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”, Jesus Christ and His teachings are the focus of Mormons. It is not a church of Joseph Smith. Mormons believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet, similar to Isaiah, Abraham, Jeremiah and other ancient prophets that were called upon by the Lord to do His bidding.

Ironically, Catholics, who everyone assumes to be Christians, rarely mention Jesus Christ during their services choosing to pray to the virgin mother Mary; whereas, Mormons base their whole religion upon Jesus Christ and rarely mention the virgin mother Mary.

Catholics bow and kiss the ring of the Pope, but Mormons do not do that when in the presence of the president of their church. Mormons pray and conduct their meetings in the name of Jesus Christ. They do not pray to statues, Saints and imagery the way Catholics do.

If you were to attend a LDS service, you would understand everything they do and nothing would seem out of the ordinary. However, you would have to be a trained Catholic to understand most of the services if you attended Mass.

As far as The Book of Mormon, it does not replace the Holy Bible. The Holy Bible is an integral part of their services, however they do believe that the Book of Mormon is another testament of Jesus Christ. The Book of Mormon is believed to be a sacred record of peoples in ancient America that traveled from Judea, and was engraved upon sheets of metal.

The bottom line is that Mormons worship and follow the teachings of Jesus Christ. It is not a cult or a weird religion. LDS members are expected to practice what they preach, not just show up in church on Easter. They believe that the family is important, and that the Ten Commandments should be followed. They also are tolerant of other religions, unlike other religions of them.