The Economy

[Dan R.]

A boy is an immature man, by any measure, whether it be by knnowlwdge, attitude and/or actions.

[Miles]

However intended, that word has very negative connotations when applied to a 50 year old black man. Especially one who is a Harvard graduate, started in poverty, and is now in the position as the most powerful man in the world.

If you ask my personal opinion, George W. Bush is an absolute moron. But he was the President of the United States and always got the respect that comes with the position from most people. Obama has always been treated like an unofficial, unaccepted, unworthy, and disrespected President.

It speaks volumes about the current state of this country. I personally never thought I'd live long enough to see anything other than a caucasion male President. History will judge all of us, not just Obama. His record will speak for itself. But the reaction to him will say more about our society.

[dan k.]

Miles - You statement and beliefs are actually hurting the cause of People feeling repressed by racism and do not even know it.

[dan k.]

Miles - It never, ever crossed my mind that we would not have a black president in our lifetime. The Guy I want to be President is Ben Carson.

[Dan R.]

Moron seems a. Tad more disrespectful of the office of the POTUS, than boy.
Obama never held a job in his life. He lived 100% from others, including his Harvard education.
Obama's legacy will be highlighted by the phrase first African American president. Ironic that he denies his birth continemnt as a convenience for being a living fraud.

That guy has never told the straight truth in his life. He is the Manchurian Candidate in real life. He cloaks every Christian symbol at every speech and then quotes the "Good Book" in Nashville last week. Technically, misquotes it, as throwing stones and living in glass houses never was referenced in the bible. Or at least as far as I know.

The guy has a a high IQ, that doesn't make him a leader, let alone a great one.

The recovery could have and should have and would have happened 3 years earlier if the government got out of the way of American exceptionalism, instead of impeded it.

Every time I hear the word bipartisan, I think of dem and rep ganging up on the public to fleece them of money and rights.

[Miles]

Maybe you've never heard the term Boy directed at a black man in the same context that I have. Maybe it's one of the unique experiences that you get being raised in the south during the 60's and 70's. I can tell you that moron is much more respectful.

I forgot that Obama wasn't born in the US. For me that statement says it all.

[Dan R.]

I keep forgetting the south has all the racism and prejudices and that is/was a truly southern problem. Sorry to not be mindful of your specialness.

If anyone is born in America, doesn't that make them an American? In my mind it does.
If anyone was born outside of USA and then became a citizen, then they would be a Spanish American, Italian American, Asian American African American, etc. , by my logic.

I wonder why people need to feel so special, they feel the need to differenate themselves by a moniker and not by their deeds?

Signed
an Italian American.

[Miles]

Well, if you've witnessed the same things "up North", then you know how disrespectful the term "boy" is when directed at a black man. It's right up there with the N word or any other derogatory phrase you can come up with. I never heard of George Bush's detractors refer to him as "Boy" .

Saying that the President has "denied his birth Continent" infers that he wasn't born here, yes? Just so we're clear.

[Ken Lago]

Dan, to me personally the boy means boy but I'm not American. Anyone born in this country and claim that calling a black man boy is not meant as racially demeaning is crazy. I challenge you to try with the first black man you see.

[GuyboR]

Saying that the President has "denied his birth Continent" infers that he wasn't born here, yes? Just so we're clear.

I think what Dan is referring to is....
If he was born in America....he is an American. Period. Nothing else. Why is he an "African" American? Was he born if Africa and then gained American citizenship?

As far as the rest of this conversation....same ole same ole.

[Dan R.]

If I were to refer to any grown male as boy, it would be a slander against their maturity, regardless of race. I have used this term many times with no racial overtones, since it was said to white guys. It is slander on manhood in general and not a pure racial slur, like N.

Evidently, no one questioned George Bush's maturity.
Ken, why would I show any disrespect to the next man I meet, black or white?
Miles, the term black is not socially acceptable and is racist. It is amusing that you throw it around.

Most racists and race batters will turn any derogatory remark into a race issue. The term boy is an slander of maturity/manhood, when applied to any person, period. Every culture values manhood, to disrespect it shows disdain for that particular person, no matter race.

Miles and Ken should not make wild assumptions that everyone thinks as they do. Everyone is equally entitled to their opinions.

No one refers to me as a white American or any such reference. As long as anyone refers to themselves based on a factor, then they will be described/categorized by that very factor, whether it be religion, race, or other any factor.

[Jeff H.]

Well said Dan, please keep up the good fight as you can articulate 10x better than me.

[Dan R.]

Well, if you've witnessed the same things "up North", then you know how disrespectful the term "boy" is when directed at a black man....

Is this any less disrespectful to a white man, an Asian man, a Hispanic man or any man?
Why make a disparaging remark a color issue, when it is clearly a lack of respect issue?
Sounds racist, IMO.

Isn't possible for every person to be racists? Reading the news, it seems like there are more black racists than white ones. Or is the real issue money and social status? I rarely, if ever, encounter well educated blacks claiming racism, other than liberal Hollywood.

Accountability should be the measure of a man or a person, IMO.

[Ken Lago]

Dan R, I was not directing my response at you as I couldn't imagine you insulting anyone in such a primitive fashion. It was Dan Kelly I was talking to.
Every country in the world have words and gestures that is meant as insults, but they don't insult universally. Just because I don't feel insulted being called a sob I must not assume I can get away with using those words in Spain or Portugal without serious consequences. When I go to a new place I try to find out what is their 'fighting words', in the American black community boy, nigger, blacky ect is certainly going to get a reaction, for someone who lived here all their lives and still don't know this baffles me.

[Dan R.]

Why would Dan K insult the next person he sees?

[Miles]

And I heard just today that there are 4.8 million job openings in the US!

When I started going down to Brazil in 2009, the dollar was worth 1.77 Brazilian Reals. It got as low as about 1.55. It's now at 2.65.

Five or six years ago the dollar was worth 1600 Colombian Pesos. It's at 2409 today.

It's getting harder to criticize this President on the Economy.

[Ken Lago]

Why would Dan K insult the next person he sees?

Because DK don't think it is insulting to every black man, educated or not. Nothing like first hand experience.

[dan k.]

Why would Dan K insult the next person he sees?

Because DK don't think it is insulting to every black man, educated or not. Nothing like first hand experience.

Ken - I understand the difference and would never use that word in that way. It's sad you don't understand the difference. It's sad because allot of people think or "feel" just like you. We cannot always just feel our way through life , we have to apply logic , facts and context. Look up the idiom "what separates the men from the boys".

[topshop]

Racism is in the north too. Most of it is against the white guys though.

[Ken Lago]

Dan, I know the difference very well. But I do believe we must take other people's feelings into consideration when we open our mouths, otherwise we will close down communication very quickly.

[Ken Lago]

Well my opinion seems to rub certain people the wrong way although I expressed it in the most respectful manner that I know. I wish you all a merry Christmas and a happy new year.

[Jeff H.]

Ken, after spending time with you in Italy I understand you much better now. We didn't agree on some issues, but we were able to talk without it getting heated. As usual, reading on posts can sometimes be misconstrued. I enjoyed our conversations as you have a unique perspective on things that I find worth listening to, thus.................................You are still the "Most Interesting Man In The World"! Merry Christmas

[Dan R.]

x 2.
Ken IS the most interesting man in the world!

[Alex DiPietro]

I'm totally grateful to live somewhere as diverse as I do.

[Dan R.]

x 2 Alex
I'm totally grateful to live in America, with all of the freedoms we enjoy.
Diversity is a direct result of freedom.