U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins on Thursday in Lawrence denied that she was speaking in racial terms when she invoked the term “great white hope” at a recent town hall forum.
Jenkins, a 46-year-old Topeka Republican serving her first term in the House, told a recent gathering in northeast Kansas that the Republican Party is looking for a “great white hope.”
“I was discussing the future of the Republican Party in response to a question about is there any hope for Republicans,” she said while touring Kansas University. “I was explaining that there are some bright lights in the House, and I was unaware of any negative connotation. If I offended somebody, obviously I apologize.”
Videotape shows Jenkins, a Republican, making the comment at an Aug. 19 forum. She was discussing the GOP’s future. Democrats took control of the House and Senate in 2006, and in November, voters elected Barack Obama as the nation’s first black president. Jenkins is white.
During her Thursday morning interview, Jenkins, whose district includes western Lawrence, said she was speaking about “a bright light.”
“Republicans have been suffering in recent years, and we need a bright light,” she said.
The term “great white hope” stems from the early 1900s when there was a campaign to find a white boxer who could defeat heavyweight boxing champion Jack Johnson, who was black.
White House spokesman Bill Burton said he saw the comments and that a Jenkins spokeswoman backpedalled and called it “a poor choice of words.”
“We obviously give congresswoman Jenkins the benefit of the doubt,” Burton said at a briefing on Martha’s Vineyard in Massachusetts, where Obama is on vacation.
Tyler Longpine, a Kansas Democratic Party spokesman, also called the comment “a poor choice of words” but said he didn’t think it was anything more. He said a Democratic Party supporter shot the video earlier this month at a forum in Hiawatha and shared it with the state party.
Longpine also said if Jenkins hadn’t spoken in such partisan terms, “she could have kept her foot out of her mouth.”
In one note of irony, Jess Willard, a white man who knocked out Johnson in 1915 for the heavyweight championship, was born northwest of Topeka in St. Clere, about 30 miles from Holton, where Jenkins grew up.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
Comments
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MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
Un-frickin-believable
hujiko (anonymous) says…
Lynn is full of it.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
Are republicans trying to make themselves obsolete?
The_Original_Bob (anonymous) says…
Wow.
trinity (anonymous) says…
ditto wow.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
The truth has a way of coming out in unguarded moments.
CLARKKENT (anonymous) says…
i have never voted a straight ticket in my life. i am so thankful i did not vote for this.
we all need to pay attention and make sure she is one and done.
hedshrinker (anonymous) says…
Freudian slip, anyone? I think she said exactly what is on her mind (and that of the hijacked-by- the-ultra-right Republican Party in general).
redfred (anonymous) says…
Kansas in a postive light again. Right up there with Phelps.
OldEnuf2BYurDad (anonymous) says…
Next time, stick to your script.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
WHAT????!!!!!!
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Tom,
Although the idiom "great white hope" came to my mind quickly as well, you have to agree that it was a stupid choice of words by someone who should know better. It's not about political correctness; it's about the hypocrisy of her saying it in front of her happy GOP crowd without a problem (and probably to cheers), and then (again) backtracking on it later once the general news media hears about it. In addition to that, when you have a black president, and you have a small segment of the population who doesn't want him as president simply because he's black, you should use your brain before speaking.
It's really as simple as that.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
well said, redfred.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
ferrislives, co-sign.
dulcinea47 (anonymous) says…
Mr Nancy Boy, it *is* racist. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grea... There was a black boxing champion and people found that unacceptable and wanted there to be a white boxing champion. I think that parallels pretty well what Ms Jenkins said about the Republican party.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
Tom, you are a fool. If you knew anything about the play and movie of the same name, you wouldn't so casually dismiss the notion of the idiom "great white hope" being racially charged and, at the very least, inappropriate for a white politician to use in reference to the desire to defeat a black politician.
==========================================
From Wikipedia:
"The term, "the great white hope," reflects the racism and segregation of the era in which Johnson fought. It could be argued that Johnson, the first African American to hold the World Heavyweight Championship title, was the best fighter of his generation. Yet, white reaction against Johnson's win and his very public relationships with white women was so strong that, in 1912, the United States Congress, concerned that scenes of Johnson pummeling white boxers would cause race riots, passed a law making it illegal to transport prizefight films across state lines.[5] "The great white hope" is a reference to the boxer whom whites hoped would finally defeat Johnson.
William Warren Barbour, who won the American and Canadian amateur heavyweight championship in 1910 and 1911, was "Gentleman Jim" Corbett's choice to be "the great white hope," but Barbour declined to take up the mantle. Some thirty years later, it was Barbour who, as U.S. Senator (R) from New Jersey in 1940, worked successfully to repeal the 1912 law prohibiting interstate transportation of boxing film footage.[5] Some thirty years later, William Warren Barbour's nephew, Thomas Barbour, played four small parts, including Sir William Griswald, in the Broadway production of The Great White Hope.[1]
The first "great white hope" to accept the challenge was Jim Jeffries, who came out of retirement to fight Johnson unsuccessfully in 1910. Johnson's title was eventually lost to Jess Willard, a white boxer, in 1915. There was, apparently, some controversy surrounding Willard's win, with Johnson claiming he threw the fight. In part because of white animosity toward Johnson, it was twenty years before another African American boxer was allowed to contend for the world professional heavyweight title. In 1937, Joe Louis, greatly respected by both blacks and whites, defeated James J. Braddock, "The Cinderella Man," to become the second African American to hold the world heavyweight championship title.[2]"
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Grea...
SouthWestKs (anonymous) says…
Tom,
The left is so hung up on PC it is byond hope for them!!
You no "the right way", "the wrong way" & "the PC way"..
The "right way" is wrong for them, what a sorry bunch!!
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
It's an idiom used to express a desire to restore "status quo."
supertrampofkansas (anonymous) says…
Uh yeah Tom, I'm sure Lynn had this 'idiom' in mind when she said it. Never mind that they are falling all over themselves trying to apologize for the unfortunate remark now.
I do wonder if these comments were actually written down and that she was reading from a script. If so, I would fire the speech writer right now. Even if it is just an expression Tom, why the heck would you use this phrasing when referring to Obama. You may think PC is overrated and you'd probably be right from a common sense standpoint but it has been a death penalty for many in politics.
I say Lynn just shot herself in the foot for any reelection chances and absolutely killed herself for anything higher than she is now.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
MeAndFannieLou: Altough I can see what you are referring to (http://dictionary.reference.com/brows...), you can see that it originates from what the others are referring to.
And in all reality, if she really believes that, then she should stand by her words. But she made the choice not to do that. If you read the end of the story, you can see that SHE was in-fact the one that became PC.
But again MeAndFannieLou, if you had Democrats talking about a "great black hope", I'm sure we would be hearing a different tune from the likes of you.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Nice projection Tom. That is your strongsuit.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Get a life, stop being so paranoid and protective of a president who, along with his wife, spent 20 years sopping up feiry racist rants from the Reverend Jeremiah Wright. Really, who do you think you are?!
***************************************************
my earlier comment:
if you had Democrats talking about a “great black hope”, I'm sure we would be hearing a different tune from the likes of you.
***************************************************
You just proved my point. You get a cookie.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
here's lynn's website
http://lynnjenkins.house.gov/index.html
look to the right on her page and it has a big contact button which takes you to her email. i just wrote her.
Stain (anonymous) says…
We will fix this problem in 2010.
Kansas is better than this.
She won because Lawrence did not turn out well to vote in the 2008 election where Obama had absolutely no hope of winning here.
Stain (anonymous) says…
It is disgusting to read how people here are making excuses for her racist remark.
pdecell (Paul Decelles) says…
Hey Tom,
Lets bring back Sambo's while we are at it. Just because a comment or name isn't being used as a racist slur-and I really don't think Lynn Jenkins is a racist any more than Obama is- these sorts of terms do play into racist stereotypes.
By the way the same logic from my way of thinking applies to Jeremiah Wright as well IMHO.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
"I've heard it all my life, and it was never once used in a racially-inspired manner"
------------------
It's *original use* was racially inspired, smart guy--white people who didn't want a black man to be boxing champ.
Like I said earlier, you are a fool.
cowboy (anonymous) says…
Jenkins is but a piece of the long procession of republicans who are inept at hiding their congenital ignorance. The party that has brought you Beck , Limbaugh , Steele , Birthers , complete disregard for the US constitution , abuse of power , obstruction of justice , Palin , using the US military for personal vendetta's , and demonstrating moral hypocrisy on a daily basis. The moment the republicans stop the practices of hateful policy and focus on policy that can actually help someone other than corporate america they might have a chance to reclaim some element of legitimacy in the political world. As it stands the KKK , and the south cannot get them elected to dog catcher.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
It is not necessarily a racist idiom - it expresses a desire to restore the status quo, but in this case the status quo is "POTUS = White Male," so *in this case* it *is* a racist comment.
And I don't see how Obama's attempt to understand where some people's pessimism and frustrations come from can be construed as racist. Of course, he *was* trying to be *empathetic" and we know that Republicans think that empathy is bad.
srj (anonymous) says…
Hard to beat her in 2010 when there will be no reason for students/dems to vote due to no chance in the governor or senate elections.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
I can't help but be amused by those bringing up Obama's past verbal faux pas.
I'll fully admit that they were bad, but how does that have anything to do with Jenkins' comment? It's such a child mentality--the best way to defend your (or a politician you support) mistake is to point out that someone at some point in time made a similar mistake.
Fail.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
"unintentional comment"
well, Tom, are you sure it was unintentional? See, some people aren't so sure it was unintentional, seeing that the President is African American. Could be just a big coincidence, but hhmmm, that one is hard to take back.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
Never ceases to amaze when someone makes a blunder of this magnitude. Talk about the kiss of death.
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"It's an idiom used to express a desire to restore “status quo.”
Trying not to laugh at you here, Fannie Lou.
You do realize what the "status quo" in question was, right?
Um, "white supremacy" is the answer.
Let's have a hand, folks. Your GOP in action.
bse007 (anonymous) says…
I sure hope this thing gets as much play as the "lipstick on a pig" scandal!
kugrad (anonymous) says…
Amazing. She just said out loud what many, but fortunately not all, Republicans are thinking. Indefensible.
Reasonable, intelligent Republicans, please take back your party! I know you are out there somewhere.
grammaddy (anonymous) says…
The GOP are absolute geniuses in the art of suicide.
Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…
Taggart: The surveyors say they may have run into some quicksand up ahead. Better check it out.
Lyle: Okay, I'll send down a team of horses to check out the ground.
Taggart: *Horses*?
[hits Lyle's head]
Taggart: We can't afford to lose any horses, you dummy! Send over a couple of n*****s.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
[Taggart spots Bart and Charlie on a hand-cart sinking into quicksand]
Taggart: Oh, s**t. Quicksand!
[Lassos the hand-cart and drags it but not the men out of the quicksand]
Taggart: Dang, that was lucky. Doggone near lost a four hundred dollar handcar.
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
Thanks to straight ticket voting residents of the Western part of town, we have her representing us. If people paid attention to the debates we probably wouldn't haver her and we'd still have Boyda.
Ceallach (anonymous) says…
No need to bother with sticking a fork in . . . she's done!
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
I am so sick of people having to tiptoe around race. I agree with Tom (not often,but I do). This is an expression. sure it's probably misplaced for the context, but who hasn't said something and immediately knew it would be taken the wrong way. it's not like she was up there intentionally saying "we had better get a white guy in here to fix blacky's mess"
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
Jimmy and Ferris, are you two really reading my posts (all of them, all the way through)? I think we're on the same side!
Come on, laugh with me, not at me!
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
UNorml, I agree that people do make verbal slip-ups sometimes BUT this chick was giving a speech. she could have and should have chosen her words beforehand, which means, she could've avoided any word gaffs ahead of time. its called forethought and she obviously didn't use it.
ilovelucy (anonymous) says…
Hey meatwad: not all citizens of west Lawrence voted straight ticket. I take offense to that statement!
rbwaa (anonymous) says…
I am embarrassed that Jenkins pretends to “represent” me in congress. She won't even take personal responsibility for her comment but instead has her 'spokeswoman' release a statement. "...Jenkins wasn't available to comment personally…” For more detail see:
http://cjonline.com/news/state/2009-0...
I hope she is equally embarrassed about the negative national attention Kansas is getting from her statement. It’s not enough that we have Phelps, Brownback and Dr. Tiller’s murder to contend with.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
i'll give you that much Mel. in a prepared speech, you should choose your words more carefully. but not all public speakers read their speeches from a teleprompter. so sometimes they do have to improvise, and occasionally, they actually shoot from the cuff. obviously not her strong point.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
AreUNorml - an occassional misspeak is understandable, but in the GOP's case, this sort of thing just keeps happening over and over and over (and it's not always something unintentional, just sometimes it goes public when it wasn't meant to). That's why it's becoming an issue.
Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…
I think the right is much more panicked considering their current impotence.....
jnixon (anonymous) says…
A very poor choice of words. As if any of you has never done that... She has apologized, now drive on... there are bigger issues than this. I'm just sayin'
jayhawklawrence (anonymous) says…
Jenkins not only embarrassed every Kansan but probably the entire country with that stupid comment.
For the few right wingers left on this Blog, I suggest when you find yourself in a hole, the best thing you can do is stop digging.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
"And Glenn Beck? No wonder the left hates him. At 5:00 est, he's drawing a staggering 2.5 million viewers!!!!"
The numbers do not justify the stupidity, they only serve to illustrate the point that there are a lot of stupid people out there.
Oh... This story is headlining at the Huffington Post. Comments about Kansas and our great reputation for having really embarrassing bassakwards attitudes abound.
Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…
Don't forget that we won't teach evolution.........
deathpenaltyliberal (anonymous) says…
Nancy boy raves...
"And Glenn Beck? No wonder the left hates him. At 5:00 est, he's drawing a staggering 2.5 million viewers!!!! For cyring out loud, on Fox, America's Newsroom with Megyn Kelley and Bill Hemmer at 9:00 *am*!!..."
That explains a lot.
FOX News - We spin. You comply.
Left_handed (anonymous) says…
It fascinates me how it is okay for people to talk about "Our first black president" and go over and over about how wonderful it is to have a president of that race, yet this remark from Congressman Jenkins is somehow beyond the pale. It's either all racist or none of it's racist.
Jimo (anonymous) says…
I know Lynn Jenkins and this is a sad turn for her.
You can't serve two masters. You can't so easily banter with the radical bigots and demagogues on minute, and then instantly turn on the code words meant to replace the more candid language of extremists the next minute.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Left Handed
We can not and should not ignore race. We should recognize and celebrate the different cultures and communities that make up our great nation. The problem is when people use race to define 'the other' and do not recognize that we have long assumed that one race is superior to another and entitled to more of America than another simply because we have pink skin.
It is very significant that we have a black President. This is not a racist statement It is a simple fact of recognizing race and culture and the evolving demographic, and hopefully, tolerance of the american people.
temert (anonymous) says…
It's not so much what she said, anyone can misspeak but she doesn't have the intestinal fortitude to apologize. She sent a lacky.
cait48 (anonymous) says…
I swear I am living for the day that LJW gives me an app to filter and ignore certain commenters.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Rep Jenkins IS a lackey. She is simply a seat filler for the GOP congress. Not an ounce of analytical or investigative effort on her part, just lock step with the Fox Party.
Bob_Keeshan (anonymous) says…
She can clear all of this up real quick.
Just start referring to RNC Chair Michael Steele as the Great White Hope.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
overthemoon, great post! *thumbs up* i was going to respond to lefthanded but i liked what you said enough to co-sign it. plus what i would've posted wouldn't have been as "nice".
oh, and btw, i just saw jenkins remarks as a featured story on yahoo news. should've known this would quickly go national. great press for our state.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
I am so weary of the comments regarding 'the extreme radical left'. Who is the extreme radical left? A very small minority, I assure you. I have been called such by posters here, and the funny thing is, I am by philosophy and voting record just a bit left of center.
More importantly, we are a country with a two party system. That is what makes our democracy work. We need to recognize that any argument, on any issue, is the proverbial two sided coin. When we attack the other party with epithets and hateful, narrow minded thinking, we are eroding and weakening both sides of the coin.
It is up to us to keep the coin spinning, or we all fail. We can only do that with understanding of both sides of the coin and with respectful debate of issues without resorting to childish name calling and hateful misinformation.
defenestrator (anonymous) says…
As a black republican, that is seeking the Presidential nomination in 2012, I am offended by what Rep. Jenkins said.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
so, nancy boy, the political enviornment in kansas is obligatorily republican-- as far to the right as possible? wow... so there's no diversity here whatsoever. okay.... so do you live in lawrence (i didn't check to see if you had a bio posted)? if so, i bet you hate it considering that's the most liberal-minded community in this state.
pantagruel (anonymous) says…
Jenkins is the 'great white' DOPE !
BigPrune (anonymous) says…
Change "great white hope" to "great white buffalo" then it all makes sense.
riverat (Joe Hyde) says…
I'm glad that Rep. Jenkins apologized for making this remark.
Perhaps she conceptualized the phrase "great white hope" intending it as an innocent sports metaphor. You know, since black man and Democrat Barack Obama is currently the "heavyweight champion" (our U.S. President)? Whereas his last opponent, white man and Rebublican Sen. McCain is no longer a division contender for the next heavyweight championship bout (the 2012 presidential election)?
So it's an appropriate enough sports metaphor, I suppose, and she may have meant it exactly that way, with no intent whatsoever to pander to any Republican voter's racist sentiments.
Still, I cannot believe Rep. Jenkins is ignorant of how so many Republican voters nationally are embracing the heated, paranoid, racist rhetoric being spewed daily by ultra-conservative media talk show hosts. What better way to ingratiate herself to our district's "angry Republican voters yearning for payback" than to borrow the perjorative language being used by today's neo-con media stars?
I hope Republican party officeholders in Kansas and elsewhere will bear in mind that their current status is the result of publicly held elections. Whereas the distortions of truth and the hostility toward President Obama, being voiced by raging neo-con talk show hosts, comes from people who've not been elected to office by a popular vote?
Talk show hosts don't run for office. Holding public office cuts into their profits, threatens their star status by forcing them to seriously consider alternate views; it often forces them to compromise in order to achieve progress. If they ever did run for office they'd never win anyway: their ideas are consistently too radical, disruptive, too disrespectful. They would not be entrusted by voters with the task of representing all the people.
I hope, then, that Rep. Jenkins in the future avoids presenting herself as a closet racist aspiring to the role of neo-con media star. It must be very tempting to all politicians, to mimic the freewheeling style of their favorite talk show host. But that media star lifestyle, if realized, is surely a big step down compared to being a U.S. Representative in Congress.
nugget (anonymous) says…
Kansas... and Rep. Jenkins, as bigoted as you think.
Why an apology? It's what she really thinks. I don't see the problem for her. Face up to it, honey.
KansasVoter (anonymous) says…
This is just more proof that republicanism is a mental illness.
defenestrator (anonymous) says…
I don't like what her mouth has said, but I do really like her mouth -- for some reason.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
not an appropriate "sports metaphor" considering it was first coined in reference to rocky marciano being to great white hope to take the title away from joe louis. not appropiate at all. either way its a racist statement and she should be ashamed of herself.
i realize that not all public speakers use teleprompters and perhaps she didn't. but has she ever heard of good old-fashioned paper? write the speech out, or atleast an outline of it, on paper and look downward to see where you are in your speech and what you need to say next. like i said earlier, there was apparently no forethought put into the usage of this "idiom".
oh, wait, maybe there WAS forethought...
Ricky_Vaughn (anonymous) says…
Overuse of the word "wow". Ever heard of a Thesaurus?
defenestrator (anonymous) says…
......and her throat muscles.
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
oh, my bad, it was jack johnson they wanted to put away at the time. this dude was wesley snipes skin tone!
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
MeAndFannieLou, you are correct. We are both on the side of reason and common sense.
I see from the video that she's now backtracking on her original backtracking. Wow...just wow.
classclown (Class Clown) says…
I am constantly amazed at the lengths some people will go to just to be offended. This isn't any better or any worse than "a wise Latina woman...".
storm (anonymous) says…
People use sayings all the time - for example, doubting Thomas, toe the line, find the Judas, dial the number (no one dials anymore), etc. And many people don't know the origin of the phrase. So with that in mind, I don't think she knew what her phrase was inferring or referring to.
However, informed and/or educated people know not to use phrases with color, ever, ever, especially with a supervisor of color, or president or anyone else of color. Since she ran a smear campaign, I've never felt she was too bright, anyway.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
Ha ha ha ha...Tommy Boy thinks the left is shrill and panicked, yet he has posted on this thread more times than any other poster:
Tommy Boy - 9 posts
honeychild - 7 posts
ferrislives - 4 posts
overthemoon - 4 posts
Ricky_Vaughn - 3 posts
beobachter - 3 posts
logicsound09 - 3 posts
Stain - 2 posts
AreUNorml - 2 posts
BuenaVista - 2 posts
And if I calculated the number of words each of the above poster had added to the thread, the difference between Mr_Shill_Boy_To_You and everyone else would be even more pronounced.
Those darn, pesky facts again...huh Tommy Boy?
beatrice (anonymous) says…
The problem is either Jenkins knew what she was saying and intended it to be understood in a racial context, or - and this is probably most likely - she is simply too ignorant to know the history of the things she says. To this I ask, which is worse, having a racist in office, or someone who just isn't smart enough to know the meanings of the words and phrases she uses?
It reminds me of the time following 9/11 when Bush talked about fighting a "crusade" when talking about Islamic terrorists. He too didn't understand the greater meaning behind his words.
Tom, you are calling this "a common, everyday saying." Exactly where is this common?
Time for a reality check Tom. It is time to admit to yourself that there is no Great White Hope who is going to come and save the day for your breed of social conservativism. Your kind really will never again have major control. Sure, there will be minor political types here and there that you can hope will rise to greater power, but they never will. All you can do now is distort the words and meanings of what others say, blame the media (of course), and for the rest of your life be filled with anger and hate for everyone who isn't just like you. That, sir, is just sad.
lounger (anonymous) says…
How embarrassing and a little racial for sure. She looks like she just stepped in some sh*t and she knew it. Does she belong to the Kansas chapter of the K.K.K.?
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
Now Jenkins is trying to say she meant "a bright light"?
That's an even weaker defense that the "it's an idiom" garbage that Tommy Boy was throwing out there. It actually makes his explanation look halfway decent.
I can think of a ton of phrases, idioms that could have been used to express the desire to change the status quo or the need of the Republicans to find a "champion" rather than the one Jenkins used.
Republicans need a star (hey, that would have worked with her supposed desire to talk about the "bright light")
Republicans need a knight in shining armor
Republicans need hero
Republicans need a champion
Republicans need a leader
Republicans need some new blood
The interesting thing here is that most of these could apply to the Republican party in general.
I just don't understand how anyone with any knowledge of the phrase "great white hope" whatsoever would think it was a good phrase to use, which is why I can't help but suspect Jenkins' true feelings on the matter.
kawryan (anonymous) says…
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/James_J....
The fight, which was promoted and refereed by legendary fight promoter Tex Rickard, and became known as "The Fight of the Century", soon became a symbolic battleground of the races. The media, eager for a "Great White Hope", found a champion for their racism in Jeffries. He said, "I am going into this fight for the sole purpose of proving that a white man is better than a Negro."[1] A furor was created at the fight, as a ringside band played, "All coons look alike to me".[2]
Nope, nothing racist in that...
honeychild (Mel Briscoe) says…
goodness... i've posted 7 times, just twice behind mr. tom?
oh crap, this makes number 8. D'OH!!
none2 (anonymous) says…
logicsound09 (Anonymous) says…
Now Jenkins is trying to say she meant “a bright light”?
======================
Actually, she probably meant to say "great right hope". Unfortunately, with the Elmer Fudd syndrome, it came out to be: "great white hope". So she was talking about right-wing -- not complexion.
We should not pick on someone for their speech impediment.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
what a bunch of victims you all are. or is it that you just perceive blacks to be victims. Look at all of you getting so bent out of shape over a common saying. "But but but, we have to protect the blacks from all kinds of things, they have such fragile emotions. We must at once remove all phrases that contain the word White. it's obviously the most offensive color" blech!
Quit it already.
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
MyName (anonymous) says…
Okay, I don't think she probably understood the remark had racial connotations when she made. But the point is, no one knows who the heck she is outside of Kansas and a few representatives. Now for the majority of Americans who pay attention to politics, she's the woman who put her foot in her mouth from a party (and maybe a state) that has an image problem.
At least she's not Jim Ryun.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
This has nothing to do with "protecting" anyone, AreUNorml. Honestly, I'm sure there are black people who don't even care about her comments.
Jenkins is welcome to say whatever the hell she wants. The question is whether or not we want her in office, representing us as Kansans.
But I have to say "great white hope" is not a "common saying". I go enormous lengths of time without hearing the phrase used. It's racially charged and nothing about the phrase makes it vital when expressing a certain idea, unless that idea is a desire to return to white control of a given thing.
As I detailed earlier, there are tons of ways of expressing the basic meaning that Jenkins was supposedly trying to express.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
A dim bulb looking for a bright light.
Yep, that is a pretty good summation of the American conservative movement today.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Here's video of the "great white hope" answer: http://link.brightcove.com/services/p...
As beatrice said earlier, if she didn't know what it meant, then she's ignorant. And if she did know what it meant, and said it anyway, she's also ignorant. I know that conservatives on this board and other boards want to divert attention back to others (mainly Obama), but this "gaffe" was ignorant; plain and simple.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Did AreUNorml just compare people of color to the mentally challenged? It sure looks like he did.
ErnestBarteldes (Ernest Barteldes) says…
The more I see right-wingers shoot themselves in the foot, the more I rejoice. You see, these nuts took over the GOP and don't want to let go. But the party should rid themselves of those types, because they will bring the party down --- permanently --- if things dont change for the better in their ranks.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Michelle Obama's “For the first time in my adult life I feel proud to be an American”
Well you what, A whole bunch of Americans, white, black, young, old, male or female felt the exact same way when she said that. nothing racist about it.
ilovelucy (anonymous) says…
shill boy. haha
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
"You've mistaken me for someone who is ignorant,"
No, Tom, not at all. But your impersonation of an ignorant person is fantastically spot on. What a talent!! I'll bet you also do a great impersonation of a dining room table....!!
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Mr_Nancy_Boy_To_You: 13 posts and counting...
This might be a world record for someone posting on something they apparently don't care about.
Let me give a summary of what Tom will continue to say and think:
Obama uses a teleprompter
Obama is The Anointed One
Obama's middle name is Hussein
Michelle Obama is a racist
Liberals are nuts
The Democratic Party is coming apart
Tom is very tolerant of others
Tom's family used the "great white hope" idiom all of the time without any racist intentions
Tom prefers to be called "Mr. Nancy Boy"
Tom thinks Glenn Beck is God
I think that pretty much covers it. If you hear anything new, please make sure to write it down, because it will be a first.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"A very poor choice of words. As if any of you has never done that… She has apologized, now drive on… there are bigger issues than this. I'm just sayin'"
Seconding JNixon on this. I'm trying sooo hard to work up some outrage, and I just can't, no more than with Sottomayer's stupid wise latina remark. I'm sure we could go into virtually all of our profiles and find something just as dumb (I know I could). One stupid phrase is not enough to effect my opinion on a politician.
That being said, this post by Left-handed:
"It fascinates me how it is okay for people to talk about “Our first black president” and go over and over about how wonderful it is to have a president of that race, yet this remark from Congressman Jenkins is somehow beyond the pale. It's either all racist or none of it's racist."
is the heighth of idiocy. Comparing a huge sign that racism and prejudice is slowly slipping away in our society to a sign that suggests it might not be and saying that they are the same is ignorant to the nth degree.
Made_in_China (Paul R. Getto) says…
She should have said, "We are looking for a great mottled pink hope." If people were really 'white' they would look like Marcel Marceau. Lynn never had a reputation for being an intellectual. She should measure her words more carefully. Frankly, in another sense, this is a tempest in a teapot. Unless they can get Colin to reconsider, they will obviously field a 'white' candidate in 1012. So what?
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
This is so typical of a woman, first H. Clinton, now her...
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
I never said such a thing. Obviously enough of your neighbors voted for her. That's what I was saying.
Hopefully more will vote like you in the future. She won more because of the 'straight ticket' voters than from people who actually bothered to know what she's all about.
ilovelucy (Anonymous) says…
"Hey meatwad: not all citizens of west Lawrence voted straight ticket. I take offense to that statement!"
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
“You've mistaken me for someone who is ignorant,”
I wonder how that could happen? I mean, it would take something like 5-6 years of posting the same half-truths and untruths as truths, and ignoring (hmm I see a root word there!) the copious counter-examples that came from all sources during that period of time, and continuing to post the same half-truths and untruths as truths, again and again and again and again and again.
Yes, surely a mistake has been made.
Meatwad (anonymous) says…
Ugh. She can't even apologize correctly. She should just say, "I'm sorry for using that phrase without actually knowing it's origins, which I realize now offended some people. I should be more careful in my choice of words and will strive to do so in the future."
Instead she sounds like even MORE of a racist with that empty apology.
I just would rather have an independent thinker in that seat, than someone tows the line.
mom_of_three (anonymous) says…
I watched the clip a few times, and she raised her hand as she said it (looking like a preacher seeking help from God), so I don't know what to say. She was dumb to say it and dumb to deny she didn't know what it meant. You can hear a slight buzz as people in the room reacted to it. She should have realized it right there.
And if you google it, it's a story in almost every newspaper in the country. Wow.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Meatwad says: I just would rather have an independent thinker in that seat, than someone tows the line.
Abso freakin' lutely!!!
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
overthemoon (Anonymous) says…
"I am so weary of the comments regarding 'the extreme radical left'. Who is the extreme radical left? A very small minority, I assure you. I have been called such by posters here, and the funny thing is, I am by philosophy and voting record just a bit left of center."
Have you seen the oft-repeated quote "90% of the mainstream media is biased towards the leftists?" It should answer your question for you. For the people who use these lines, the line is quite indicative of the answer. Anyone who is not Hannity/O'Reilly/Fox to the right is the far left. That left-over 10% are the rational moderates.
According to this particular perspective, anyway.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Jonas.
I do understand that, however, I absolutely refuse to allow Fox news to define my politics for me!!
RalphReed (Ralph Reed) says…
Tom,
Your continued rants have become completely boorish and churlish. As it is, they simply point to your being a regional Beck/Rush/Coulter/Palin/O'Reilly melange, parotting little more than what the national melange tells people from the "far right" to say and believe.
You can write better than that, I know, I've seen it. Demonstrate that fact.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
overthemoon: Nor I, just pointing out that it won't make a difference for that 10%. Take the far-left badge as an honorable one, since it actually means that you're not ludicrously tilted to the right.
kpitrl (anonymous) says…
It appears that many people need to educate them themselves on the meaning of this idiom. This includes the "journalist" that is responsible for this story.
Noun 1. great white hope - someone (or something) expected to achieve great success in a given field; "this company is the great white hope of the nuclear industry's waste management policy"
white hope
hope - someone (or something) on which expectations are centered; "he was their best hope for a victory"
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2008 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
Bob_Keeshan (anonymous) says…
kpitrl - you might want to watch the video attached to this story and then direct your analysis towards Rep. Lynn Jenkins.
She obviously disagrees with you.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
kpitrl: It seems that it's more likely that You (and, apparently, Rep. Jenkins) need to educate yourself on the meaning of the idiom, not just in its current usage but in the historical context in which it was used. Just because some sources have forgotten the history of the term doesn't mean that everybody has, or that it doesn't have that connotation anymore to everybody.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
kpitrl, the journalist isn't responsible for this story, Jenkins is. She is the only person responsible for this story. The journalist is only reporting the story. That is what journalists do.
I just googled "great white hope," and this story about Jenkins is all over the place. Republicans better think about how forcefully they want to defend her ignorance.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Jonas
Concur.
This is an interesting test. I wonder how many people really come out where they think they are! I encourage all to take, and then look at where historical and contemporary figures fall on the matrix.
http://www.politicalcompass.org/index
rbwaa (anonymous) says…
A non-apology if i ever heard one --- Jenkins: *If* I offended somebody, obviously I apologize....which should have been: 'i'm sorry my comment was offensive' *if* she was truly sorry.
rbwaa (anonymous) says…
From a New York Daily News poll:
Do you think Jenkins' comments were offensive?
Yes, they were racist: 66%
No, I think she just misspoke: 29%
I'm not sure: 5%
beatrice (anonymous) says…
overthemoon, I just took the test -- I ended up near Ghandi, Nelson Mandela and the Dalai Lama. Cool! Not bad company if I do say so myself. I'm a bigger liberal than even I realized!
rbwaa, very true of the apology. Nice catch.
meggers (anonymous) says…
Jenkins is just another tool that was bought and paid for by Club for Growth and the RNC. She didn't become a legislator to think or make decisions for herself (and certainly not for her constituents); she came to serve at the behest of the lobbyists, corporate whores, and evangelicals running the RNC.
Even if Jenkins' speech had been proofread by her handlers, I doubt that phrase would have been changed or omitted, as that sort of narrow-minded, play to the bigots mentality has been openly promoted in the Republican party during the past couple of years.
ksdivakat (anonymous) says…
Wow! There seems to be alot of judging going on here, and I would just like to point out, that while everyone is slamming her for what she said, let us not forget about Van Jones....Self proclaimed communist.....special advisor to the White House...as we speak.
In charge of the "green initative" creating green jobs, and when the WH was asked about it, they replied" He is only in charge of one small part" they did NOT condemn the fact that he is or was, a self proclaimed communist party leader! How convenient!
I dont know if she meant what she said racially or not, I didnt hear it, nor did I see it, but what I do see, is people on here absolutely crusifying her for what she said, when the left has just as many whack jobs as the right, AND just as many racists!
Racism knows no bounds, black, white, red, green or otherwise, not only with Jones, but with the Good Reverend that was so hatefully portrayed on TV during the election!
SO before we start sweeping the republicans back porches....maybe we should all sweep our own!
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
overthemoon: Interesting test indeed. Slighly tilted left of center, as I expected, on social. Slightly towards autocratic on the economic, which was sort of a surprise. I think the result of a few all-or-nothing questions on regs. and that sort of thing. Of course, my reticence for all-or-nothing choices might be the reason for my score, I guess.
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Marion
Were you surprised at the results?
I think the questions make us remember that the political spectrum includes a lot of issues, not the issue du'jour! Its also good to not think about the political scale as a straight line, a Cartesian coordinate plane is a much better model.
I didn't write my score down, but it was about -1.5 and -3. I ended up closely aligned with Nelson Mandela!
supertrampofkansas (anonymous) says…
overthemoon,
I took the test and got
Economic Left/Right: -6.12
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.74
Apparently I match up with Ghandi.
Very interesting test. Thanks for the link.
supertrampofkansas (anonymous) says…
Whoops misplaced the h. I meant Gandhi. Also the Dalai Lama.
kugrad (anonymous) says…
Because there are just SO many ways to interpret "Great White Hope,"....... Geez Jenkins, give me a break. Of course you were speaking in racial terms. What the hell do you think the phrase means?
overthemoon (anonymous) says…
Whoa! Supertramp. You ARE a radical far leftie!! Glad to see that. Really. We need everyone on all parts of the spectrum to maintain balance. I can't seem to get back to the page where it shows historical and contemporary scores. I think I'd have to take the test again.
Interesting that while I disagree with Marion a lot, we are not so far apart. I'd like to think that would make for better dialog and understanding.
AreUNorml (anonymous) says…
screw you all. how about that. you can't take a bit of criticism so you have my post removed. there was nothing in there that wasn't absolutely true. suck it up and deal with it. remove this one too because there is not point arguing with a bunch damned enablers!
kugrad (anonymous) says…
Nancy boy, you are so full of crap. You are just lying out both sides of your mouth when you say this term has been used all your life and "never" in a racist tone.
Quit making stuff up.
Great White Hope has a clear history and has always been a racist comment. It has always been associated with color. It has never had another meaning, including the ridiculous restoration-of-the "status quo" someone posted earlier. That doesn't even make sense!
Quit apologizing for Jenkins' mistake. I don't believe she is a racist, but she made an inappropriate comment. You don't need to make up lies to justify it. You know as well as I do that this isn't a commonly spoken phrase (since the 60's anyway) and that no one, including you, can recall every time they heard it used.
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
I think AreUNormal is mad;(
Here are my scores:
Economic Left/Right: -0.38
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -2.10
I'm more centrist than I even realized.
none2 (anonymous) says…
firstamendmentrights (Anonymous) says…
is the term “great white shark” racist? j/k
lynn, zoinks….ya cant say that, thought youd know better.
====================
So are you saying what she was trying to convey was that the Republican party is hoping Obama will allow for funding of a "Sea World" in northeast Kansas -- preferably in Hiawatha?
For those that don't know, Hiawatha is on the lists of attractions in Kansas due to a man who spent all his fortune on his cemetery location. The city was so upset because they wanted him instead to donate the money to create a city pool. Here is the story about this cemetery attraction:
http://www.roadsideamerica.com/story/...
So for Lynn Jenkins to tell people in Hiawatha of her hope to bring great white sharks and/or great white whales as part of a government funded Sea World amusement park would be a really crowd pleaser. It could be quite an attraction from all around the area, and would definitely help with getting her more votes.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
3 inches to the right, 2.5 inches low.
There are no contemporary leaders in my quadrant.
It is high time there is.
MeAndFannieLou (anonymous) says…
I thought I was centrist, but I ended up smack in the lower left quadrant with Gandhi, Mandela, and the Dalai Lama, and Beatrice! Which pleasantly surprised me! Hi Beatrice!
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"I have a fairly good handle on where I sit, which is of course no where near most of the Gentle Readers think!"
Would that be on top of the "files" in mom's basement?
ferrislives (anonymous) says…
Marion and Tom are very good at projecting attention to others, instead of commenting on what happened with Lynn Jenkins. That is after all what the story is about.
GardenMomma (anonymous) says…
I can understand her use of the saying "great white hope" in referring that the Republican Party is wanting someone to come out and be able to take on the Democrats in the next election and for someone who can bring respect back to the party, but when she backtracks and makes some ridiculous remark about her meaning is about "a bright light" for the party, that just is the dumbest thing I ever heard.
vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) says…
Out of all those quotes only two are elected representatives, Marion.
Anyone can throw out racist remarks from all walks of life.
It would be the same if I started quoting the leader of the KKK and leaders of various skinhead organizations and claimed they were quotes from Republicans.
Farrakhan, Spike Lee, Sharpton? What appointed political offices do they hold?
I rate your post a Fail.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
ferris, Marion is particularly fond of the type of race-baiting he is trying on his last post. It is his way of trying to prove to people that he really and truly isn't a raging racist after all, despite what his posts often suggest. However, he still can't quite explain away his friendship with David Irving, the infamous Holocaust denier.
Yep, people sure haven't spoken out about the racism of Louis Farrakhan all right. I mean, who knew he was so radical? Good point you got there Marion, very good point. Now, put your hat back on and cover it up.
ksdivakat (anonymous) says…
veritgo....what about Van Jones?? thats appointed? Special advisor to the white house?? Self proclaimed communist??
verity (anonymous) says…
Even if you don't know the history of "Great White Hope" (which I didn't, not being much of a sports fan) the meaning seems fairly obvious.
Doesn't matter if her bad is more or less bad than other people's bads, it just makes her look not too bright.
yankeevet (anonymous) says…
whats the big deal; i don't see anything wrong here; besides that she is really cute.............it seems like people just "look for something" too bitch about....
beatrice (anonymous) says…
verity, it makes her look like she is saying, "Hey look at me! I'm not that bright shining light our party needs!"
Political suicide.
goldwater (anonymous) says…
Lynn isn't a racist, but the crowd she was speaking to is.
vertigo (Jesse Crittenden) says…
ksdiva - i misstated; I meant to say elected offices like I said at the beginning of my post.
Thanks!
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"A seconcdary point is that there was no realy public outrage over the comments made by Democrats."
That's right, guys. There has never been any muck raked over the likes of Al Sharpton and Louis Farrakhan by the GOP.
Not once ever.
Back to the "files" Marion.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
Wow, I thought I was the most soulless liberal on this forum, but supertramp has me beat...
My scores were:
Economic Left/Right: -5.75
Social Libertarian/Authoritarian: -5.64
Though I will say that one thing the test doesn't account for is a person's willingness to entertain other philosophies, or "open-mindedness". My personal beliefs are pretty far left, but I consider myself a left-leaning moderate because I am open to other ideas and solutions in certain areas.
Of course, maybe I'm just deluding myself so that I don't have to admit to being one of the beloved "far left secular progressives" who are so frequently brought up on here...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
mickeyrat (anonymous) says…
Dang, I wanted to chime in on the "no realy public outrage over the comments made by Democrats..." but jimmyjms beat me to it. *sigh*
If it weren't for "public outrage," what would be on channel 39 right now? Fishing, or golf?
Boosh (anonymous) says…
Come on people, she was speaking to her base in small town kansas. How was she to know what she said would go beyond those four walls. I would have loved to be a fly on the wall of Michael Steeles office when he heard about it.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
She does not represent me.
I will work as hard and give as much as possible to support anybody who will challenger her at the polls in 14 months.
We will fix this mistake.
jliebrec (anonymous) says…
Nooooo way to spin this Lynn (FOX may try though) . . . your true feelings (which are shared by most racist Replicans) were expressed. Thanks for your candid and refreshing honesty. And yes, I agree with you that the Party of No is in trouble . . . a spiteful, selfish, "do as I say but not as I do" dying breed because they very afraid of change or have been brainwashed by the Religious Right, Rush and Newt.
God Bless us all.
Newell_Post (anonymous) says…
What in the world was that little girl thinking of?
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"Come on people, she was speaking to her base in small town kansas. How was she to know what she said would go beyond those four walls."
That's right, no one ever hears anything said by a politician in their smaller meetings.
If she didn't know that it would spread past that room, that could mean that she is truly naive.
kla4one (anonymous) says…
Really it's always been clear that she's not the brightest bulb in the room herself--to use her own metaphor.... She's a fool and probably thought she was perfectly safe in that terminology because of her audience. She also seems to suffer from the same weird pre-google, pre-YouTube problem as McCain and various others who don't seem to realize that their public comments will be on record.
Sadly, unless enough responsible Republicans and Dems vote her out next time around, we'll be stuck with yet another fairly stupid Kansan representative. I'm actually nostalgic for the days of Bob Dole and Nancy Kassebaum--at least you could respect their intellects. Now we have the likes of Steele, Palin, Jenkins, Cantor and that guy who hiked the Appalachian Trail.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
She's got nothing. No ideas, no track record, nothing but complaining, obstructionism, fearmongering and race-baiting.
TheOriginalCA (anonymous) says…
For those of you who think that Repoublicans are automatically racist and that Democrats are the non-racist party... here ya go...
http://www.nola.com/news/t-p/frontpag...
Missourite (anonymous) says…
I am 47 years old, she is 46 years old. I would never use this phrase, it is so blatantly racist you just can't spin this one. She needs to make an apology to Jack Johnson and athletes discriminated against in the house. That might help her make amends.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
More good Kansas notoriety on the national stage. The rest of the country laughs a little harder. Dorothy and Toto, Goat Gland Doctor, Fred Phelps, Flatness, Anti-evolutionism, Todd Tiahrt, Phill Klein, Lowest Minimum Wage, Jim Ryun, No natural lakes, Carry Nation. Get the drift, Oh, KU Basketball saves the day!
rbwaa (anonymous) says…
I repeat:
A non-apology if i ever heard one – Jenkins: *If* I offended somebody, obviously I apologize….which should have been: 'i'm sorry my comment was offensive' *if* she was truly sorry.
btw --- fox news in kansas city reported something to this effect:
...her political future is not in jeopardy because she represents an all white majority in kansas AND voters have short memories...
i guess that reinforces the perception that we're just ignorant hillbillies in flat kansas
mickeyrat (anonymous) says…
Quote: "Once again the looney left proves how desperately it needs some desensitization training."
It seems Republicans are the ones who are over-senstitive and in need of coddling. If they can't take the proverbial heat for their continual "unfortunate remarks," maybe they should follow Caribou Barbie and resign their offices.
foodboy (anonymous) says…
Regardless of whether she meant in to be racist or not it was a lapse in judgement. She comes across as the great white dope.
Missourite (anonymous) says…
Looks like she is just joining a movement in the GOP, making inflammatory racial statements. Some guy running for Idaho Governor "joked" that he would buy Obama hunting tags. Glenn Beck saying Obama "hated white people" (his mother, grandmother, and grandfather who raised him were white, what nonsense is that???) etc etc. This has to STOP.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
Nancy Boy's and other "right" posters comments about Obama, Sharpton etc do not have any bearing on the Jenkins story as far as we Kansans are concerned. We Kansans (not me) elected her and she is our responsibility.
merrill (anonymous) says…
She probably does not remember much about anything she says.
After all anyone who protects and promotes the most expensive medical insurance in the world is simply not thinking straight or maybe not thinking.
Explain to me how protecting and promoting the most expensive medical insurance in the world is good for business?
How in the world is it helpful in containing our cost of living?
Lynn Jenkins is not good for business therefore she must go home to her new lover. No more for Lynn Jenkins.
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
Missourite: Glenn Beck's comments about racism are scrambled from his drug/alcohol induced past. I'm sure he had minimal issues with Blacks, Latinos etc from his upbringing in lilywhite Bellingham, Washington. Since his father was a baker by trade, maybe he got too much white flour on himself to cover any of his racial flaws.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
Jenkins has lived right up to the level of embarrassment I expected. Is she too dependent on the drugs that are going to be the "engine of the heartland"?
blindrabbit (anonymous) says…
Merrill: Jenkin's Lawrence lover needs to build one of his fences around her to protect her.
Stain (anonymous) says…
Jenkins is dishonest to a degree that is shocking even for a politician.
Ever tune in to her teleconferenced town halls? Good luck waiting for a question that actually challenges her position. Ever read one of her "surveys" that are really push polls? Good luck finding the answer you want among her multiple choices.
She doesn't want to know what Kansas think. She does not represent us. She is following orders from the desperate GOP. They have only fear mongering, lies and racism left and they are exploiting the ignorant and gullible.
She is bad for Kansas and bad for the country. She is taking us backward, not forward.
I don't think she'll get another term.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
TOCA: "For those of you who think that Repoublicans are automatically racist and that Democrats are the non-racist party ..."
Did anyone actually say that? I didn't see that written above. However, shouldn't your point be that all of the racists should be exposed for who they are regardless of party?
Again, I really don't know if Jenkins is a racist or just stupid. Either way, if the Republicans want to claim her, go right ahead.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
Wow. Look at this thread in one day.
Makes one wonder when this 'story' can generate 220 hits in less than 12 hours. One semi-important person mouths three words and whoooooaaaa nellie!!!!!!!!! The sky IS fallin'.
Really a pretty dumb thing to say, but is this string a reaction or over-reaction?
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
I don't know Deutschland uber alles is only three words and when said by nazis I don't it would be an over reaction to be concerned about it.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
Lawrence town hall meeting:
Dole Institute in Lawrence
4 p.m.
Tuesday, Sept. 1.
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
jaywalker (Anonymous) says…
"One semi-important person mouths three words and whoooooaaaa nellie!!!!!!!!! The sky IS fallin'.
Really a pretty dumb thing to say, but is this string a reaction or over-reaction?"
We could try 4 words, too. "Latina" "better" "white man"
But agreed (for both)
Lonestar1 (anonymous) says…
Jenkins should be ashamed. Problem is this is how the right wing conservatives think. I think that she believes what she said. She is after all the great Republican hope of the 2nd district.
mr_right_wing (anonymous) says…
Here is a dictionary definition of that term for you who want to assume is racist...: "great white hope - someone (or something) expected to achieve great success in a given field; "this company is the great white hope of the nuclear industry's waste management policy" It has absolutely nothing to do with race.
Here we have our wonderful double standard again...Obama and others, including his "La Raza" Supreme Court Justice can come out and be blatantly intentionally racist; but if a conservative/republicans words can be somehow twisted into sounding racist (even though it is completely unintentional) they're taken to task.
Isn't that something...how everyone besides me has forgotten Obama talking about his "typical white person" grandma during the campaign. (I could go on and on with racist example after racist example from Obama...)
Katara (anonymous) says…
Her options on this are admitting that she is a racist or that she is just that stupid not to know the meaning of that phrase. Neither option is a positive one.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
mr_right_wing:
It shames me to think that anyone in Kansas could defend this racist statement, especially with such a lame excuse as yours.
I'm ashamed of Kansas.
mickeyrat (anonymous) says…
Regarding "a dictionary definition of that term," I think we should all remember that Lynn Jenkins is the victim here. I just wish she'd keep her cotton pickin' hands off my dictionary!
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
mr_right_wing you're as bad as the people obsessed thinking that it is bicycle traffic that is behind all the death and destruction on our highways. It must be an interesting world in your head to cook up that stuff. It's interesting all the words Jenkins could have used she chose those.
"“La Raza” Supreme Court Justice"? Let's see how did we take the southwestern part of the US? Oh I know, we are suppose to forget about history, from what I heard history wasn't included in the tests kids took for no chid left behind. How convenient.
LarryNative (anonymous) says…
She's white and wants a white leader. Blacks want a black leader. What's the difference? So she's not a cool, hip Liberal who only wants blacks and women to rule the world. I guess free speech is only good when you agree with it. At least she's not a hypocrite.
Rationalanimal (anonymous) says…
Hmmmm....it sure sounds equivalent to something say "Barrack-the-magic-negro" coined by a black liberal LA Times columnist. Perhaps next time Congresswoman Jenkins' remarks can implicate those of Indian, Asian, Christian or Jewish descent to avoid the ire of the facist left. It really depends on what racial or religous group you're talking about before the race gestapo gets concerned.
true_patriot (anonymous) says…
"Just curious, when a project or situation has gotten difficult have any of you ever said anything like, “There's a bug in the woodpile!” ?
No, and we don't make racist comments like Great White Hope, either.
I'm sure she's been sitting around with her pals speaking in those terms and it slipped out in a public forum. The more she speaks, the more you can see she's a fairly dim bulb even by today's congressional standards. She probably has used the phrase in the past and really is too culturally ignorant to know how racist it is.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
LarryNative does hope come with a color preference? There were plenty of whites who found hope in Obama. Hope has nothing to do with color.
JackRipper (anonymous) says…
"We didn't take the southwest from anybody. The Latinos that lived there continued to, as do their decendents."
Well then I suppose the La Raza stuff shouldn't bother you. If Mexico gets it back the same Latinos that live there will continue as will their decendents.
jaywalker (anonymous) says…
jonas:
Amen.
Bob_Keeshan (anonymous) says…
LarryNative (Anonymous) says…
So she's not a cool, hip Liberal who only wants blacks and women to rule the world. I guess free speech is only good when you agree with it. At least she's not a hypocrite.
-----------------------------------
Almost 250 comments and this one definitely ranks #1.
Ah, how I pine for the days when there was no threat of women or blacks ruling the world. Where have you gone, 18th Century? We want you back!
Enlighten us, LarryNative, what about the Asian transgenders? How do the cool, hip Liberals feel about the Asian transgenders?
I've gotta tell you, kiddo, your free speech is definitely good and I don't care who agrees with it. Thanks so much for that post, it was goooood stuff.
thebcman (anonymous) says…
Biscuits sound pretty good right now.
mickeyrat (anonymous) says…
Marion, I'm fairly certain you know my 8:55 post was making fun of those who would rationalize "Great White Hope" away as "totally non-racist."
Racism is pretty deeply rooted in our society, as you pointed out. I imagine you would share my hope that every person in public office have some knowledge of history, or even the intellectual curiousity to wonder things like "why, in the old cliche, is hope white?"
Things like Rep. Jenkins August 19th remark seem to revive the now-familiar question, "evil, or just plain stupid?"
Stain (anonymous) says…
If she didn't realize the racism in her statement, then she is underqualified for her job.
witchfindergeneral (anonymous) says…
If she meant to say that the future of the GOP is "bright," then why did she call it the "great *white* hope?" There are only two possibilities: Jenkins either made a rather insensitive speech error (it happens), or she is intentionally stirring the racial pride of the traditionally WASP-y Republican base. I can only hope that the Representative is being honest but, considering her recent claims (read: lies) on health care, I have reason to doubt her honesty.
RETICENT_IRREVERENT (Ronaldo Ignacio) says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NOpfT7...
This comment was removed by the site staff for violation of the usage agreement.
monkeyspunk (anonymous) says…
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rdjblk...
Machiavelli_mania (anonymous) says…
WOw, this is all over the internet!! Nice going, Jenkins. Totally embarrassing Kansas as the typical GOP member from this state should.
http://DrDisgusted.newsvine.com/_news...
FREESTATEFAN (anonymous) says…
What a bunch of liberal idiots. What she was trying to say was there is no Republican who stands out and might stand a chance in 4 years against the incumbent Socialist president. But bailing out all these corporate crooks, spending our tax money to buy Japanese and Korean cars, and trying to ram a crappy health plan down our throats! You'll do it for us! It won't matter who is on the ballot! So enjoy your 4 years!
jkanderson (anonymous) says…
Love the "Great White Dope" comment.
Darn that Lynn Jenkins she knocks off Nancy Boyda (Pelosi clone w/o botox), gave the Kansas GOP a feeling of success and expectation and then snatched it all away with one stupid comment. Lynn is just an old "Indian Giver".
rdragon (M. Lindeman) says…
I am just amazed on how many posts this got. I think what people need to be discussing is term limits for all of them. I believe this is going to be one of the only ways we can get this mess called Washington cleaned up. For all of you who posted on here on how for the people Boyda was. Well she sure isn't here in Kansas, she is enjoying her nice new job in Washington as deputy assistant secretary of defense for manpower and personnel issues. So to me it is no longer a party issue, it is a Washington issue. Lets say 2 terms for the Senate and 3 for the House and remove there lifetime retirement for a position that was never intended to be a career.
my two cents, keep the change.
quik (anonymous) says…
They had the tape of this on the 19th and didn't release it until the 27th. There was controversy early in the day with Dennis Moore locking the public and the media out of his healthcare meeting at JCCC. That story disappeared when this came out. Probably just a coincidence.
trinity (anonymous) says…
Stain i agree with you. anybody happen to catch her "apology" on the news? geeez...lynn appears out of it or something. fumbly. dazed even. she&the moose-huntin' soccer mom should be buddies.
Mixolydian (anonymous) says…
Clearly this was taken out of context.
What she meant to say was that the Republicans need a candidate who is more articulate and clean than Obama.
There. That fixes it.
I'm Joe Biden and I approve this message.
texburgh (anonymous) says…
IF I offended anyone, then obviously I apologize...
Lynn says it's not a problem. She only apologizes for using a racist expression - an expression coined to express a desire to promote white superiority and remove a black man from a position he earned through merit - IF you might be offended and not because the remark was patently offensive.
Jenkins did not apologize. She cares not what anyone thinks. She is an unrepentant, ignorant, racist and her complete lack of responsibility is the issue here. She is an embarrassment to the second district and to Kansas.
And about straight ticket west Lawrence voters - that will be me in the future; straight Democratic ticket.
exhawktown (anonymous) says…
I love Mixolydian's latest post. Thank you.
What Lynn said, in this particular context, is unfortunate, and was easily misconstrued. But I am not ashamed of her. I don't think Jenkins is racist.
We have Biden's comments, the newest supreme court justice who said some inflammatory things, Obama's comments on folks who cling to their guns & their religion, and the list goes on and on. Let's get over the idiotic comments.
loosecaboose (anonymous) says…
How stupid is this woman?
It she related to Obama?
lee66049 (anonymous) says…
Ofcourse Bob Hope was refered to as the great white hope no one had a problem with that. Look, she apologized. What else do you want? We have have said inappropriate things, get over it. Congress has trippled the national debit, one in ten are out of a job, and this is what gets us upset?
davidsmom (anonymous) says…
This is a common idiomatic expression that now just means something that is expected to succeed. It has no racial meaning whatsoever, regardless of the origin of the term. I've heard this term all my life and it had nothing to do with race. There are people who want to bring race into everything. They need to get over it. Everything is not about you and it isn't always about race.
lee66049 (anonymous) says…
Perhaps if the left could show us their rage over the Rev. Wright's numerous racist comments we could better understand their feelings. Or the stupidity of Obama saying "Israel is a friend of Israel" while in Israel we can could understand their compassion for stupid comments. Who can forget Obama visited all 57 states. Jenkins apologized. I give her credit for that.
thelonious (anonymous) says…
Wow.....and I thought she was smarter than Nancy Boyda. Guess I was wrong about that! :-)
By the way, no way this was taken out of context.....check your history. The phrase arose when whites were desperate for a white boxer who could defeat Jack Johnson, a black boxer who was heavyweight champion. Hence the origin of the phrase "great white hope". This term is fraught with racial connotations, the phrase and the desire to replace a black "champion" with a white "champion" are one and the same. So call this what you will, it's at least a Freudian slip - Rep. Jenkins, your "true colors" are showing (no pun intended).
thebigspoon (anonymous) says…
To all who use the "idiom" argument: we all know the phrase "n-----r-rigged" and where it originated from, yet it is unthinkable that we would use the phrase in our conversations, unless, as Ms. Jenkins did, we have no conception of the depth of harm our words can do to those who understand the "idiom". The issue is not the use of the term but the lack of understanding of the people and groups who can be (and were!) hurt and angered by her idiocy. This, people of northeast Kansas, is the result of having no idea where Jenkins stood on any issue other than that she was a candidate opposed to a Democrat. She has no qualifications, has a horrible record in prior government, and the apparent intelligence of a wart. We did this to ourselves, but there is no reason onearth that we should be saddled with this type of thoughtless, vicious attack on Americans. This was not the use of an idiom but the inner workings of a mind that can not comprehend the real world and how it works. get her out!!!!!!!!!
thebigspoon (anonymous) says…
the previous post was edited by ljw- and changed by me- for content, specifically the use of the n-word. my intent was to draw a parallel between the jenkins quote and the extreme stupidity its use showed. apparently the politician can use derogatory wording but we citizens can not. what gives?
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
It's ok Lynn. The WHITEhouse says it is giving you the benefit of the doubt that you did not mean to make a racist remark. They're such benevolent people there and the messiah just wants us all to get along and follow him.
bad_dog (anonymous) says…
"But bailing out all these corporate crooks, spending our tax money to buy Japanese and Korean cars, and trying to ram a crappy health plan down our throats! You'll do it for us! It won't matter who is on the ballot! So enjoy your 4 years!"
Bailing out the corporate crooks was initiated by the Bush administration, albeit condoned by a Democratic dominated Congress. While taxpayer dollars funded the CARS program, there was no inherent requirement that the purchasers trade their clunkers for Japanese/Asian cars. Most did, (and many of these are manufactured in the U.S by American workers) but you'll have to blame consumers choosing the product they desired rather than a governmental mandate for their choices. Don't worry though, yesterday's Wall Street Journal had an article indicating the U.S. government may become protectionist with respect to future governmental fleet auto purchases.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
lee: "Perhaps if the left could show us their rage over the Rev. Wright's numerous racist comments we could better understand their feelings."
Do you mean something like this: "Had the reverend not retired and had he not acknowledged that what he had said had deeply offended people and were inappropriate and mischaracterized what I believe is the greatness of this country, for all its flaws, then I wouldn't have felt comfortable staying there at the church," the senator (Obama) said.http://www.cnn.com/2008/politics/03/28/obama.pastor/index.html
jay: "Really a pretty dumb thing to say, but is this string a reaction or over-reaction?"
When people get on here and start defending her and her use of the phrase "great white hope" by giving it a whole new meaning not at all related to racist history, then the reaction of others seems perfectly justified.
merrill (anonymous) says…
So do we have a confessed racist white woman recently elected?..... time to send her packin.....
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
"Look, she apologized. What else do you want?"
-------------
Er...well, except that she *didn't* really apologize. Watch the video--she did nothing wrong according to her.
==============================
"Perhaps if the left could show us their rage over the Rev. Wright's numerous racist comments we could better understand their feelings."
------------
Your first mistake is in the delusion that the "left" is some organized group of cohesive minds who all think and act in concert with each other.
Your second mistake is thinking that other comments have anything to do with this story. The only point in bringing up the verbal mistakes of other public figures is to draw attention to some supposed hypocrisy of the posters on this forum. However, since you have no record or knowledge about the individual opinions of anyone posting here regarding Rev. Wright, it is an exercise in futility. Really, all you've done is assumed that everyone who is displeased by Jenkins' comments was okay with the comments of Rev. Wright.
All you should need to "understand" the problem with Jenkins' comments is to inform yourself as to the history behind the comment and what it means. Believing that there has been too much made of this issue is one thing. Believing that there was nothing wrong with the comment is quite another.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
By the way, the story was in the Phoenix paper today. This is news that isn't too flattering for Kansas, and people here in Arizona appreciate your taking the spot-light off us for a while.
deathpenaltyliberal (anonymous) says…
"Jenkins apologized. I give her credit for that. "
That was no apology. "If I offended somebody,..." That was Jenkins trying to appear moderate, while not alienating the hard right/racist wing of the Republican Party.
I know it's not politically correct to say that some Republicans are racist. Too bad.
deathpenaltyliberal (anonymous) says…
"She made a mess of the apology though."
Agreed.
"I don't think this alone should be enough to force her into resignation;"
Agreed.
"I mean, after all, Harry Byrd was a self-professed Kleagle in the Ku Klux Klan and he's still sitting in Congress."
Doh! Why are you talking about robert Byrd? Why not stick to the subject?
deathpenaltyliberal (anonymous) says…
And apparently Jenkins overlooked other talented Republicans, such as Michael Steele, Ken Blackwell, or Alan Keyes.
Starlight (anonymous) says…
"I meant a bright light", yes follow the light at the end of that tunnel Lynn. It's the exit door.
I don't like this woman or her snarky smirk and bulbous nose. I didn't and won't vote for her. One more robocall from her cadre and I'm actively campaigning against her should she run again. I spoke personally to her staff and was assured I was removed from their calling list yet still received calls.
sunny (anonymous) says…
I agree with Lynn...we need more white folk in congress!
jimmyjms (anonymous) says…
"Perhaps if the left could show us their rage over the Rev. Wright's numerous racist comments we could better understand their feelings."
Oh, right - because we on the left voted him into that position, and he makes decisions for us at the state level.
Right.
merrill (anonymous) says…
How embarrassing....
Jenkins making national news just about everywhere after revealing her and the GOP racist nature...
http://www.nydailynews.com/news/polit...
check comments...
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"Well merrill and others, don't you know if a Dem had made a similar gaffe, there would be little or no reporting of it at all."
Right, there have never been any problems with dems making similar gaffes that don't get reported.
"That's why I watch primarily FNC"
If you mostly watch FNC, how do you know about what manner of coverage they give to when Dems make gaffes? By listening to the FNC news anchors give their version of what's going on?
"It's me who's balanced, and the 10% like me, not the other 90%, they're all biased."
haha
verity (anonymous) says…
Sigh.
As I said earlier, you don't have to know the history of the phrase "great white hope" to realize that it is racist. I didn't know the history, but certainly would have refrained from using it. "White" is sort of a clue here. But then, I'm one of those far left people who believe that diversity is a good thing and am not fearful of people who look different or have different beliefs.
The difference between this and terms like "cotton-pickin'" are that you probably wouldn't realize they were racist unless you knew the history. Some of you may recall the flap at KU a few years ago when there was a photo of some people playing cards on the front page of the University Daily Kansan with the headline "Calling a spade a spade." When I saw it, I cringed, but the editor and apparently most KU students had no idea of the racist connotation, being of a different generation. Even so, the editor had the grace to be embarassed and to apologize. He accepted responsibility even though his intentions certainly were not malicious.
We can't know for sure what Ms. Jenkins intentions were, but either they were malicious or she's not too bright.
kcgregory (anonymous) says…
I know Lynn and she's no racist and no idiot. She clearly made a mistake here (not knowing the origins of the term) and botched the apology. I know none of you that judged her here already care much about that so I thought I'd address something else.
Those of you calling Lynn Right-wing and party line republican have no earthly idea what you're talking about. If the conservatives in the Kansas republican party had their way then no moderate candidate like Lynn would ever be in any office. That's why the repubs are in so much trouble in Kansas as I see it.
I think both sides could use a lesson on right-wing and left-wing. It seems if you're a liberal everyone who isn't is right-wing and if you're a conservative everyone who isn't is left-wing. Nothing will get accomplished that way and that's why not only is the KS republican party in trouble, but we all are unless we can have meaningful debate (not of course in this forum, that would be looking for a miracle--I mean in general).
FarmerBoy (anonymous) says…
Great posts/comments:
"Jenkins is but a piece of the long procession of republicans who are inept at hiding their congenital ignorance. The party that has brought you Beck , Limbaugh , Steele , Birthers , complete disregard for the US constitution , abuse of power , obstruction of justice , Palin , using the US military for personal vendetta's , and demonstrating moral hypocrisy on a daily basis. The moment the republicans stop the practices of hateful policy and focus on policy that can actually help someone other than corporate america they might have a chance to reclaim some element of legitimacy in the political world. As it stands the KKK , and the south cannot get them elected to dog catcher."
"We can not and should not ignore race. We should recognize and celebrate the different cultures and communities that make up our great nation. The problem is when people use race to define 'the other' and do not recognize that we have long assumed that one race is superior to another and entitled to more of America than another simply because we have pink skin.
It is very significant that we have a black President. This is not a racist statement It is a simple fact of recognizing race and culture and the evolving demographic, and hopefully, tolerance of the american people.
The problem is either Jenkins knew what she was saying and intended it to be understood in a racial context, or - and this is probably most likely - she is simply too ignorant to know the history of the things she says. To this I ask, which is worse, having a racist in office, or someone who just isn't smart enough to know the meanings of the words and phrases she uses?"
"and to top it off she lies about what the meaning was behind her statement. she's a loser."
"I just don't understand how anyone with any knowledge of the phrase “great white hope” whatsoever would think it was a good phrase to use, which is why I can't help but suspect Jenkins' true feelings on the matter."
beatrice (anonymous) says…
Marion, what about "White culture"?
"22 August 2009
at 12:11 a.m.
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
I have some interest in preservation of what might be called the "White culture"."
http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/at-ra...
Here is another: White Supremacist.
If you aren't sure what it means, ask your friend David Irving, the infamous Holocaust denier.
rbwaa (anonymous) says…
beatrice,
way to go calling marion on his superior [euphemism] attitude.
was_freashpowder2 (Alexander Neighbors) says…
no surprise there are white supremacist in kansas..........
merrill (anonymous) says…
The repub party is dead because all this party does is recruit puppets who will say just about anything. The neoconservatives own the party and will not finance anyone who thinks contrary.
The repub party as such has been dead for 25 years or more.
When Reagan/Bush/Falwell and Gingrich stepped in as leaders it was all over. Falwell boasted more than once about the coup..... he was proud.
Republicans should break it off completely and become
Independents or whatever. The party cannot be brought back to what it was before Nixon/Reagan/Bush. The criminal element owns the party.
merrill (anonymous) says…
These non republican thinkers still control the party behind the scenes:
The repub/neoconservative/PNAC party is largest law breaker in our nations history:
Isn't it odd each time our nations financial institutions crumble there are Bush family near by and a McCain still in office?
Who has history with financial institutions going south such as the savings and loan scandal? Republicans!
http://rationalrevolution0.tripod.com...
http://www.commondreams.org/views04/0...
http://www.inthesetimes.com/article/4...
McCain: The Most Reprehensible of the Keating Five. The story of "the Keating Five" has become a scandal rivaling Teapot Dome and Watergate ...
http://www.phoenixnewtimes.com/1989-1...
CRIME: Who hosted the Iran Contra secret illegal sale of weapons? Republicans!
http://www.gwu.edu/~nsarchiv/nsa/publ...
http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/reagan/p...
CRIME: Who brought the nation Iran Contra number 2? Republicans!
http://www.democracynow.org/2008/3/5/...
CRIME: Which party illegally spied on the democrats to win an election? Republicans! Watergate!
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/...
CRIME: Which party held secret energy meetings and refused our elected officials its' content and who attended? GW Bush and the republicans!
CRIME: Which party lied to congress and the world,went against military advice and created the worst strategic blunder in the history of the USA aka Iraq War? Republican Party! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/10348418/
Which party has held secret oil deals with Saudi Arabia?
Republicans!
http://www.democracynow.org/2004/4/20...
CRIME: Secret Oil deals for Iraq Oil- Republicans!
http://www.pubrecord.org/nationworld/...
crime against democracy : pnac's policy document, "Rebuilding America's Defences," openly advocates for total global military domination. Many PNAC members held highest-level positions in the George W. Bush administration. http://www.sourcewatch.org/index.php?...
The USA has fewer jobs for taxpayers today as a result of a Texas republican governor exercising his executive decision making powers as president of the USA
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
Republicans have been sending dog whistle signals to their base indicating that it is now acceptable to speak openly in racist language and express the most despicable racist attitudes. This started when Palin hit the scene and has been carried out by politicians and pundits almost daily. It is now also acceptable, if you are a Republican, to threaten to kill the President.
There are many decent Americans and there will be a backlash in 2010 and more to follow.
blackwalnut (anonymous) says…
Lynn Jenkins town hall
Dole Center
September 1, 4:00 p.m.
jackbinkelman (anonymous) says…
Oh course tom shrew..or is it Shrill, doesn't find anything wrong with it. Ugh.
trinity (anonymous) says…
i knew her "apology" rung rather hollow and insincere...now i read that she voted about a month ago on a declaration to PARDON the boxer jack johnson, for his "crime" of taking a white woman across state line for "immorral purposes" a verrrrrrrrry long time ago. hmmm, the words "great white hope" were even included in the motion.
she's about as innocent as my kids were when they were young&raided the cookie jar when mama's back was turned.
sunny (anonymous) says…
So I am guessing that the moral of the story is, as long as there is a half black, half hawiian, kenyan, or whatever he is is, president in the whitehouse, the word 'white' anything can't be mentioned by a republican?
puddleglum (anonymous) says…
well, he certainly ain't no great white hope.
obama sez: "white power"
lynn sez: "white power"
how did nancy boyda lose this seat? she was doing just fine.
when I watched the debate between nancy and lynn.....boy, it was like watching palin vs. anyone with a sixth grade education speaking...all I could think was: "who would dare vote this fence-post into a seat?" answerz; the great kansans....sad.
repubs can do better..........................................can't they?
jonas_opines (anonymous) says…
"So I am guessing that the moral of the story is, as long as there is a half black, half hawiian, kenyan, or whatever he is is, president in the whitehouse, the word 'white' anything can't be mentioned by a republican?"
You do a really good impression of a partisan fool determined to remain ignorant.
puddleglum (anonymous) says…
dang, i am guilty.
guilty of being white.
sunny (anonymous) says…
The truth hurts.
Stain (anonymous) says…
Nancy Boyda lost the seat because she was popular and had done a good job and everybody thought her seat was safe.
Then because Obama had no chance of winning in brain-dead Kansas, many in Boyda's district did not bother to vote.
Takeaway lesson: Always vote. Your vote is never wasted.
We will fix this problem in 2010.
Starlight (anonymous) says…
Not with clowns like Jenkins and these dolts in the news every other day.
Idaho Republican, governor hopeful Rex Rammell makes 'Obama tags' joke about hunting President Obama
Tempe pastor Steven Anderson, the kooky, Obama-bashing preacher, now infamous for praying for the president's demise, and for being the pastor to Christopher Broughton, the AR-15 totin' anarchist/libertarian who showed up outside President Obama's address to the VFW on August 17.
jayhawklawrence (anonymous) says…
I can't remember a time when the Republican Party looked so bad.
The problem is that I know the Democratic Party is not that great.
Time for a youth movement in politics.
beatrice (anonymous) says…
At least Jenkins isn't this bone-headed:
“22 August 2009
at 12:11 a.m.
Marion (Marion Lynn) says…
I have some interest in preservation of what might be called the “White culture”.”
http://www2.ljworld.com/weblogs/at-ra...
verity (anonymous) says…
Jayhawklawrence---"Time for a youth movement in politics."
I couldn't agree more. We old folks have certainly f------ it up.
verity (anonymous) says…
Marion---"Since he is half-black and half-white, why is he not referred to as 'white'?"
You tell me, I'm sure you have the answer for that.
In my opinion, it's really too bad that we still define a person by the color of one's skin.
Starlight (anonymous) says…
Kenyan and Kansan(of Irish descent). Perhaps Marion is related to Olson Johnson. The mayor of Redrock said "All right... we'll give some land to the [blacks and chinese]. But we don't want the Irish!"
(everyone complains)
"Aw, prairie sh*t... Everybody!"
verity (anonymous) says…
Marion, I'm sorry if you perceived my comment/question as accusing you of being racist or negative. That was not my intent. I thought it was a rhetorical question and I really wanted to know what you thought the answer was.
Agnostick (anonymous) says…
David Zirin just nailed it--for me, at least:
"In a recent monologue, Bill Maher said that the United States has two main political parties: one party on the center-right: the Democrats, and one party in a mental institution: the Republicans. Frankly, his comment insults those who receive care at psychiatric facilities; at least they are looking for help."
The rest here:
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/dave-zi...
Agnostick
agnostick@excite.com
Logan72 (Alia Ahmed) says…
Jenkins said she had no idea that phrase had racial connotations. A bill she voted for one month prior referred to the term and it's use when pardoning Jack Johson.
http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/08...
Stain (anonymous) says…
The national blogosphere is still lashing out over this.
Whoever her challenger is in 2010, they will get support from outside Kansas.
She should have deflected this with a REAL and honest apology while she still had the chance. Now it is too late.
I wish Nancy Boyda would run again. I think Lawrence learned its lessons about thinking a seat was safe, and staying home (because Obama would never take Kansas).
Stain (anonymous) says…
Glenn Beck is a Mormon, and the Mormon religion is as racist as religions get. Their doctrine states that blacks got their skin color as a punishment, and were made "loathsome" as a punishment. Until Brigham Young University was about to be kicked out of national sports, black males could not have full membership in the church.
logicsound09 (anonymous) says…
"The question still stands and your pitiful attempt at avoidance has been noted." - Marion Lynn
---------------------------
!!!Irony Alert!!!!!
Still waiting for your explanation on why Obama is the only politician to whom you refer with his middle name.
Or, you can provide a link to the place where you supposedly answered this question previously.
Or, you can lie about how you've already answered the question and refuse to provide documentation of said answer, confirming that you never really answered the question.
merrill (anonymous) says…
Jenkins poor choice of words has gained her national attention much like what Palin has generated. Jenkins poor choice of words is keeping the national chat boards busy....
not with praise.
jimincountry (anonymous) says…
Lynn, just remember that Obama has a cadre of cyber spies whose job it is to attack conservatives and the LJW has plenty of them. And also recall that Obama said himself that he would fundamentally change this country. Don't let your guard down and keep Obama from doing any more damage.
FarmerBoy (anonymous) says…
LOL:
"Marion–”Since he is half-black and half-white, why is he not referred to as 'white'?”
You tell me, I'm sure you have the answer for that. <---love that!
In my opinion, it's really too bad that we still define a person by the color of one's skin. <---Excellent comment. Seems like people want to judge a person on physical skin rather than character - that is totally un-intelligent and voids any further comments by those that want to express themselves (for the heck of it).
"Since he is half-black and half-white, why is he not referred to as “white”?" There are a ton of reasons that influence the general public to choose what to label a person. The goal should be to focus on a persons character, personality instead of tying them to a stereotype or label. People at times, just want to be negative for the heck of arguing sake.