Saturday, July 08, 2006

JUST WONDERING

Ever wonder what would happen in our politically correct world if you called Reverend Jesse Jackson a "darkie"?

Oh the repurcussions from this!

Aside from public chastisement you would have to undergo a minimum of 30 days of sensitivity training.

I came about this when I was recalling the songs of Stephen Foster.

What a tragedy that political correctness has robbed us of such music -- such as Way Down Upon The Swanee River which contained the words "Oh darkies how my heart grows weary -- far from the old folks at home."

The only Stephen Foster song you ever hear anymore is My Old Kentucky Home, and that is only at Kentucky Derby time.

And aside from some music, political correctness has robbed us of literature as well.

How long since you read the story Little Black Sambo, and how the tigers chased themselves around the tree so hard and so fast they became a pile of butter -- which was used on a pancake supper by Little Black Sambo and his parents, Big Mumbo and Big Jumbo.

Then there is Song Of The South - the Tales of Uncle Remus.

Zip a dee doo daa zip a dee aay
My oh my what a wonderful day
Plenty of sunshine heading my way....

But, alas, Uncle Remus was black and we can't have that today.

And Thumper was probably depicted in such a way that it would bring shame on the rabbit community today.

Then there was the Lions Minstrels -- those fund raising shows of yesteryear put on by the Lions Club International.

I haven't checked but I am willing to bet that the Lions Club website contains no mention of this really funny show they put on each year.

A good -- and wonderful -- chunk of Americana has been sacrificed on the altar of political correctness.

But it can't be erased from the memories of those of us who lived in it. Posted by Picasa

Saturday, July 01, 2006

I'M CONFUSED

When we talk about being bilingual -- speaking two languages -- why is it we are talking about a one way street.

Think of it.

When is the last time you heard anyone say that a Mexican national should be bilingual?

I don't recall ever having heard that.

It is always us who needs to be bilingual so they can understand us.

Even Wal-Mart no longer requires its employees to speak English.

At a store today (Broadway and I-30 in Garland TX) we asked a clerk where a certain item was in the store.

"No savy Ingles" was her only reply.

Shame on me!

I should have been bilingual so I could have asked her that question in Spanish.

And in passing...

Today, July 1, is the day President Bush wanted 2,500 National Guard troops stationed along the Mexican border.

How many actually made it?

483.

Sounds like our government is just as concerned about the illegal immigration problem as it is about rising gas prices.

And if you think Big Oil isn't price gouging us to death this July 4 weekend -- well

I've got some ocean front property I want to sell you

Just a little northwest of Kingman Arizona.