Putting it in perspective

[frogcycle]

I've seen the threads about the skinheads rants about Malia.

Carrying on about their comments is like expending mental energy over the existence of cockroaches. They are there, and we hope to keep them in check, but getting all exercised about them as if we didn't already KNOW they were there is useless.

In maintaining Zeitlangers.com I search the 'net for articles about people killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. More than once that has led me to websites where these lowlife go on about the ethnicity of the fallen soldier. One from American Samoa drew a lengthy tirade from many participants trying to outdo each other in likening him to a monkey climbing trees for coconuts, etc. The guy was a highly decorated senior officer, who received many tributes from those in his command. The skinheads were appalled that one of "those" was allowed to command "white people."

So give it a rest. They are cockroaches, and their utterances are for the benefit of their ilk. Paying attention to them, and commenting on them, just gives them satisfaction that they have hit a nerve and eggs them on. With any luck they'll eventually blow themselves up trying to imitate McVeigh. Maybe take out an entire nest of them.

[Mrs. Overall]

1. This is where I feel conflicted.

On one hand what you say is correct--don't feed the beast and it will go away. Attention only reinforces and invigorates it.

On the other hand, perhaps we need to shine the light on the republican right's inherent racism. They have gone over the edge because a black man is president. Maybe shining a light on and discussing the deplorable behavior will cause it to fester and then diminish. I realize racism will probably always be an issue in a multi-cultural society, but I'm not sure about ignoring it, especially when Obama's election has caused a resurgence of racial hatred. Perhaps this is an opportunity to squelch it and stand against it.

As I said, I feel conflicted.

[frogcycle]

2. Yes, actually I do too

"Uncle Tom's Cabin" served a purpose.

I want there to be national awareness of the cockroaches and an expansion of hate crime laws. I want their nests to be eradicated. I hope that something akin to the Anti-Defamation League can take constructive steps to flush them out of their dark corners and out from under their rocks.

My comments were more to the individuals who seem to be so stirred up as if they did not know it existed. And somehow seem to think countering some tip-of-the-iceberg rants will have any effect whatsoever. I am reminded of Casablanca - "I am shocked - shocked I tell you..."

Maybe you are right: "Maybe shining a light on and discussing the deplorable behavior will cause it to fester and then diminish." But I doubt it. Discussing the deplorable behavior is just wheel-spinning, and probably encourages them.