Re: Brian not present for Gershwin Prize...aka The American Vanity Thread

[Dave in KC]

Since when does the award go to a non-American? Or I should say, why should it?

Why shouldn't it?

Gershwin was an American composer. There are plenty of Americans who are worthy of this award. The fact that it was presented by BHO just so he could have his minstrel play a song named like his wife sucks. Besides, the awardee made an ass of himself calling out GWB. And no, I'm no Bush fan. Stick to plucking the strings Macca and leave the political commentary to professionals. And to answer Luther's question, the above is reason enough why it shouldn't go to a non-American. It's bad enough we have a president who bad mouths his own country, but to bring in a foreigner to pile on is pure bs. Clear enough now?

[Andrew G. Doe]

The fact that it was presented by BHO just so he could have his minstrel play a song named like his wife sucks.

Please check your facts before making statements that make you look like woefully ill-informed. Obama (or any incumbent of the Oval Office, for matter) had nothing to do with awarding the Gershwin Prize to McCartney. From the Library of Congress website:

"The Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song will honor either a songwriter, interpreter, or singer/songwriter whose career reflects lifetime achievement in promoting the genre of song as a vehicle of artistic expression and cultural understanding.

The selection will be made by the Librarian of Congress in consultation with a board that is both credible and broad enough in scope to represent the full spectrum of popular song.  Board members may include but need not be limited to scholars, producers, performers, music critics, songwriters, and subject specialists within and outside the Library of Congress."

[Dave in KC]

Fact: The award was presented at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by BHO.

 I don't get your point as it relates to the awarding of the honor.   I don't see anywhere where it has or needs to be presented by the president at the WH with a concert and assinine comments from the winner. You are obviously uninformed about this, and that was my point. Maybe if you were on this side of the pond you might catch a little news about Rome burning while Nero fiddles. I won't stray into your territory but  be careful about calling somebody woefully uninformed when you are just now gathering clues.

[Jim V.]

Alright Dave, we get that you have a bone to pick with Barack. We are sorry for you that Sarah is nowhere near the Oval Office (not really). Now lets end it.

[oldsurferdude]

Fact: The award was presented at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by BHO.

 I don't get your point as it relates to the awarding of the honor.   I don't see anywhere where it has or needs to be presented by the president at the WH with a concert and assinine comments from the winner. You are obviously uninformed about this, and that was my point. Maybe if you were on this side of the pond you might catch a little news about Rome burning while Nero fiddles. I won't stray into your territory but  be careful about calling somebody woefully uninformed when you are just now gathering clues.

How dare you!! You should be hauled up to the black board and write "I will not be woefully uninformed" 200 times and then have your mouth washed out with soap and stay after school and no less than 6 demerits-that'll learn ya!!

[Dave in KC]

Laughing my rear end off old surfer dude.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Fact: The award was presented at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue by BHO.

 I don't get your point as it relates to the awarding of the honor.   I don't see anywhere where it has or needs to be presented by the president at the WH with a concert and assinine comments from the winner. You are obviously uninformed about this, and that was my point. Maybe if you were on this side of the pond you might catch a little news about Rome burning while Nero fiddles. I won't stray into your territory but  be careful about calling somebody woefully uninformed when you are just now gathering clues.

1 - the clear implication was that he picked Macca as this years recipient.

2 - He also presented the award at the White House last year.

3 - Politics in The Sandbox, please.

[Jim V.]

AGD, I do agree that politics shouldnt be included in this section, but i do wonder if ol' Dave in KC would have been offended if say, the Nuge or some redneck racist country star was at the White House and told Dubya that he was happy that there was a man in office that kept it in his pants. I bet you'd applaud him. So if Sir Paul wants to voice his opinion I'd say its just fine. And Dave, I'm sure you thought 2001-09 were just wonderful years right?

[End politics on my part]

[Jon Stebbins]

...leave the political commentary to professionals.

Are you a professional Dave? If not, take your own advice. Thanks.

[Andrew G. Doe]

Just wondering what it is that Dave really finds so offensive about Obama - the tone of his politics, or the tone of his skin.

[SloopJohnB]

Just wondering what it is that Dave really finds so offensive about Obama - the tone of his politics, or the tone of his skin.

Not saying I agree with Dave in KC (I have an opinion on Obama's politics but quite frankly I don't really care, I'm not American, lots of people say Obama sucks, lots of people say GWB sucked, chances are the next US president will suck too, at least to some people)  but it pisses me off when, as soon as a black person is criticized, implied accusations of racism are invoked. Had Obama been jewish, you probably would have implied Dave in KC was a neo-nazi.

Breaking news: people of all races and of all religions can be wrong and criticized for their acts, regardless of their personal characteristics. I'm tired of people trying to discredit critics by resorting to such accusations. That's lame and weak.

Please feel free to tell everyone this message is irrelevant because I hate the British.

[Exapno Mapcase]

Ah, the woefully undereducated.

[Phil H]

Just wondering what it is that Dave really finds so offensive about Obama - the tone of his politics, or the tone of his skin.

What a ridiculous thing to say. I can't say I agree with what Dave in KC had to say but not for one second did the thought pass my mind what you seem to be implying.

[Phil H]

Please feel free to tell everyone this message is irrelevant because I hate the British.

I'm hoping that you've missed the obligatory smiley face here. As you know I'm British too and this could mean me choosing a Mateus Rosé over a nice Burgundy while I settle down to watch the football next week .

[Mahalo]

Just wondering what it is that Dave really finds so offensive about Obama - the tone of his politics, or the tone of his skin.

What a ridiculous thing to say. I can't say I agree with what Dave in KC had to say but not for one second did the thought pass my mind what you seem to be implying.

Agreed...I love ya AGD, but I feel that was not for a moment what Dave in KC had in mind. I know a lot of people who are upset with the way things are going in the U.S., and legislation is constantly being passed that goes against the will of the majority of Americans no matter who is in office. Indeed, it is a sad time in history if one is implied of being racist for disagreeing with someones policies or just being damn frustrated with the basic inefficiency of their hard earned tax dollars at work.

[Charles LePage @ ComicList]

Hinting and implying someone is a racist is certainly a good way to try to shut them up.

[TdHabib]

You know in my observations racism is actually a recurring theme in politics and the way certain people deal with political problems---but it is way hushed up compared to the way things used to be. And the way certain 'fair and balanced' commentators get OUTRAGED when you try and insinuate that certain people are exhibiting racist characteristics never fails to crack me up.

Full disclosure: I'm a liberal and in no way believe that Dave is a racist.

[Jason]

Is this really the first Flux thread on this board? If so, we have a lot of work to do to catch up to everyone on Shut Down.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

I will say this...it seems like the American pubic has given Obama a lot less of a honeymoon period than any other president in recent memory. For what reason, I'll leave that open to debate.

[SloopJohnB]

Hinting and implying someone is a racist is certainly a good way to try to shut them up.

Exactly, and that's why these accusations shouldn't be used too often. Not only do they lower the debate to name-calling, but in doing that, the strength of these accusations is also lowered. When someone is clearly racist and these accusations are based on fact, they will seem almost "casual", and that's not a good thing. I personally can't see why AGD said that - nothing seemed particularly racist in Dave in KC's posts.

Please feel free to tell everyone this message is irrelevant because I hate the British.

I'm hoping that you've missed the obligatory smiley face here. As you know I'm British too and this could mean me choosing a Mateus Rosé over a nice Burgundy while I settle down to watch the football next week .

Well, knowing AGD's acute sense of dry wit and sarcasm I figured a smiley would be redundant!  

[grillo]

I will say this...it seems like the American pubic has given Obama a lot less of a honeymoon period than any other president in recent memory. For what reason, I'll leave that open to debate.

If you'll recall, within months of the moronic GWB being in office there was a show on TV called 'That's my Bush', about how moronic he was. I suppose AGD would think we were racist for allowing that show to air. As for why Obama is such a tool;
Let's see... Same wars, maybe more coming
Still have the 'patriot act'
still have the war on drugs
same economic policies as his predecessors (destroying real wealth while consolidating economic power amongst his Goldman Sachs buddies)

When you have a demagogue, with a fanatical mass-movement of personality cultists, imposing the program of a group of extreme bankers and finance oligarchs, that's fascism.
Maybe you guys love certain leaders and dislike others. I kinda can't stand any of them.

[♩♬🐸 Billy C ♯♫♩🐇]

Sadly, I  live in a hick town where most people around here *do* hate Obama for the color of his skin, and me being as left-wing as I am...well...let's just say I can NEVER talk politics with anybody near where I live.

[Jim V.]

I'm not sure Dave may be a racist as AGD was hinting at, but it was obvious that he has some bone to pick to our President and this McCartney thing gave him an excuse to try to rip on the guy.

[Andrew G. Doe]

I didn't 'hint' at anything, just asked a straightforward question: what offends you most, his politics or the color of his skin ?  If the latter answer comes back, then we can start thinking about throwing allegations of racism around, but not before.

[grillo]

I didn't 'hint' at anything, just asked a straightforward question: what offends you most, his politics or the color of his skin ?  If the latter answer comes back, then we can start thinking about throwing allegations of racism around, but not before.

That's a pretty intellectually dishonest approach to this subject when, as a previous poster said, the mere insinuation of racism is used (often here in the US) to shut down political speech. Why bring it up at all? Do you like the BB because they are white, or is it the music? How stupid does that sound?
I can't stand this whole left/right, republican/democrat thing, since they both use fear, coercion and war to further their (and whatever big money is backing them) agenda, which has NEVER been to the benefit of ANYONE I've ever met.
Maybe you like endless wars, but I can do without, just like I can do without out so called 'leaders'.
Why defend someone who couldn't care less about you or anyone you know? It's absurd. Hero worship is repulsive, and 'hoping' someone else will make the 'changes' you want to see in the world, rather than being that change yourself, is just sad.