I am relieved to report me and mine are fine. We had relatively minor property damage, however many friends lost everything, some for the second time, due to a tornado. The death count is rising daily, damages continue to be assessed, power is gradually being restored."Are we happy when the storm passes over or are we relieved?"
As a life long resident of Tornado Ally, I have to ask, is it a coincidence the red, republican, Confederate Slave states are being bombarded with tornadoes, floods, and fires? Will the latest frightful day in Alabama put a stop to the human meaness?
But what about human meanness? Are we capable of coming to grips with that, limiting the havoc it wreaks? I'm not optimistic about that one. This blog chronicles the actions of numerous judges, lawyers, and individuals who have acted corruptly in our justice system, heaping major damage on their fellow human travelers. Like Mrs. Schnauzer and me, quite a few of these bad actors probably were fortunate to escape major damage in yesterday's storms. Did that cause any of them to stop for a moment, count their blessings, and vow to change their ways? I doubt it. Were many of them right back to their underhanded ways this morning? Probably so.Probably so indeed. Which brings me to the politicization of President Obama's post storm visit to Alabama.
Even as Republicans have been kicking and screaming about the need to shrink government, even as they support a budget plan that would devastate government's ability to respond to disasters like this, when something like this happens they stand shoulder-to-shoulder with President Obama as government leaders eager to serve the people they represent. They aren't calling him a socialist, they aren't saying he was born in Kenya, they aren't accusing him of trying to kill grandma: they are just trying to do the right thing. It's just too bad it took a horrific storm to bring out that cooperative spirit.I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama, his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a tornado to bring him to Alabama, I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also.
President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County, and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those who will, and did, vote for him?
It made me sick to my stomach to watch the President and First Lady arrive in Tuscaloosa and as femaledog notes;
Representative Terri Sewell (D.Birmingham) and Mayor William Bell (D.Birmingham) should have been the first people to greet President Obama when he stepped off Air Force One. And speaking of Air Force One, it should have landed in Birmingham FIRST, Obama should have spent time there FIRST, then motorcade on down the road to T-Town.I'm glad the President and First Lady came to Alabama but, why didn't he visit Birmingham too? He went to the place that didn't vote for him and ignored the place that did. And why wasn't Rep. Terri Sewell, the states top Democrat the first person to greet President Obama instead of being 4th in line behind anti Socialist Bentley, I haven't seen his birth certificate Shelby, I gave you the middle finger and sent the Azalea Trail Maids to your inauguration parade, Jefferson Beauregard Sessions, and Birther Spencer Bacchus all republicans?
 |
| Pres. Obama and Al. Gov. Robert Bentley tour tornado devastation (Larry Downing/Reuters) |
How I wish the mainstream media would ask Spencer Bacchus, Dick Shelby, Jeff Sessions, and other republicans from devastated areas if they still back Paul Ryan's budget that guts FEMA and the National Weather Service?If you look closely at the photograph attached to this diary of a VIP group walking with President Obama, I count nine individuals....Two in the front row, three in the middle row and four in the back, one of whom is barely visible as a pair of grey-trousered legs and the corner of a face. Two of them -- counting the President -- are non-white, one more may be.
The proportion of non-white persons in Alabama's population is about 29%, so 22%, or better 33%, persons of color (2 or 3 out of 9) would not be far out of line with the state population.
According to the same source, the proportion of persons in the population of Alabama who happen to be female is almost 52%. Female persons in the VIP group including President Obama: precisely zero.
How I wish the mainstream media would focus on the pain and suffering in Pratt City Alabama to the same extent they focus on Tuscaloosa and the Royal Wedding.
How I wish the mainstream media would ask the red republicans how they feel about public service workers and the Unions who represent them now.
How I wish President Obama had bought relief to the people who voted for him instead of the people who didn't.
If the person we elect runs like a democrat then governs like a republican, for republicans, by the republicans, why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him? What choice do we have?EXCUSE NUMBER 10: “You can't expect him to address issues like black unemployment, which has been double the white rate forever. He's not the president of Black America, and you can't expect him to act like it. He's the president of the United States of America...”
QUICK ANSWER: Obama wasn't drafted, he volunteered for the job, he campaigned for it, said he was “Joshua” to Dr. King's Moses, and lectured us on the Fierce Urgency of Now. He campaigned like a “civil rights leader.” His web site said “Join the Movement!” If the black president can't or won't address black mass incarceration, black unemployment, HIV-AIDS, the foreclosure crisis and other matters that disproportionately affect our communities, then why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him?
The Storm is Passing Over for some, but not for all. I am not relieved.
30 comments:
I'm disgusted with these horrid comments that I've read. People are upset that Obama came and toured the total and utter devastation in Tuscaloosa, just because we didn't vote for him and y'all did. Alabama State Rep.(D) John Rodgers was on Fox 6 news saying, Pratt City was hit harder that Tuscaloosa, oh really? This Buffoon of an Representative sounded like a complete and total child, pouting because his 'friend' wouldn't tour his area. Well, the way I see it, Obama didn't have to come to Tuscaloosa to get a plan in place, there was already one in action. Didn't need Obama to show up for the clean up to begin, silly folks, because the people who did and didn't vote for him came together. Somehow they looked past the red & blue and helped one another out. I'm dumbfounded at how many ignorant people that are breathing. I tell you what, next time Jefferson County can have the EF-4 tornado that starts in its Southwest corner and exits the Northeast corner of your county. Also during its track, it goes thru the heart of B'ham. Contact me then and let me know that by Obama touring Jeff.County's devastation if it really makes a hot damn. I shake my head at thought of people being so shallow as to not worry about any deaths or any semi important issues other than strictly whom you voted for, you know? The only positive aspect about Obama coming to Tuscaloosa, was all the public and media spotlight that was put on our town. Has it really come to this in 2011, if you didn't vote for Obama, you don't deserve any help or assistant or you fall second in behind the ones who did vote for him. Yeah, I'm Republican, but I guarantee you will NEVER hear or read me say such cruel, heartless and don't forget demoralizing remarks judging someone that didn't vote for my party. Especially, especially with a disaster of this magnitude. I just hope one day, some people will realize that there is more to life than being a RED or BLUE.
God Bless Tuscaloosa!
Roll Tide Roll!
Whoa there Roll Tide Roll!
I am not upset President Obama toured Tuscaloosa, I'm upset he did not also tour the Birmingham also and I never said or implied Tuscaloosa didn't deserve any federal assistance because they didn't vote for President Obama. I did not the hypocrisy of the republican Alabama Congressional Delegation skinning and grinning after voting against the early warning weather system and every other program President Obama introduces. As your post proves the majority of voters in Tuscaloosa didn't vote for President Obama and will never vote for President Obama, the voters in Birmingham did vote for President Obama and will vote for him again. I think they deserved a visit too.
You said:
"Alabama State Rep.(D) John Rodgers was on Fox 6 news saying, Pratt City was hit harder that Tuscaloosa, oh really? This Buffoon of an Representative sounded like a complete and total child,"
I am disgusted at your calling Alabama State Rep. (D) This Buffoon of a Representative. And you say he sounds like a complete and total child?
Thank you for reading and your comments, I hope I have cleared up any misconceptions you might have.
Dude, discussing this with you is pointless. The only thing you recognize is COLOR! Yep, thats right, because thats all that you write about. So, maybe you should call it the "BLACKEYE". Are you really John Rodgers?
'President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County.'
'How I wish President Obama had bought relief to the people who voted for him instead of the people who didn't. But of course he didn't.'
"I never said or implied Tuscaloosa didn't deserve any federal assistance because they didn't vote for President Obama."
Yeah, ya did.
Redeye wrote
"If the person we elect runs like a democrat then governs like the republicans, for the republicans by the republicans why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him? What choice do we have?"
The choice "we" have is to vote for a president on the basis of their views and opinions on today's issues and not the color of their skin.
Tornadoes do not see blue or red nor do they see black or white. Many peoples have come together to help, support, love, and pray for one another (despite our differences in skin color, political views, and/or religious beliefs) after the devastating storms all over the state of Alabama. I can't quite understand why you would want to spout such negativity in the aftermath of one of our state's worst natural disasters. All this does is further divide us instead of encouraging equality.
Also, in regards to your clearing up any misconceptions regarding Anonymous' post...you certainly did nothing of the sort. The only thing you accomplished was insulting them in the exact way you condemn Anonymous for insulting said Rep.
For anyone else who chooses to read this, please continue to support and work hard for ALL peoples affected by these storms.
First let me welcome the new readers and the new comments to RedEye's front page. All points of view are welcome as long as they are offered with civility and respect. We can agree to disagree without resorting to name calling, personal attacks or insults.
That said, let me clear up any misconception that President Obama shouldn't have visited Tuscaloosa or that he shouldn't provide "relief" to those who didn't vote for him. The point I attempted to make is he should have visited Birmingham ALSO in light of the FACT he carried Jefferson County in the 2008 election and won the Alabama Democratic Primary.
I also didn't appreciate the fact the Alabama DEMOCRATIC Delegation was pushed to the back of the line by the republican Delegation.
I didn't vote for President Obama because of the color of his skin, I voted for him based on "the basis of his views and opinions on today's issue."
That said, he is an African American and African Americans voted for him in record numbers, not because of the color of his skin, because of the content of his character. Or what we thought was the content of his character.
http://blackagendareport.com/top_ten_excuses_4_obama_failures_betrayals
EXCUSE NUMBER 10: “You can't expect him to address issues like black unemployment, which has been double the white rate forever. He's not the president of Black America, and you can't expect him to act like it. He's the president of the United States of America...”
QUICK ANSWER: Obama wasn't drafted, he volunteered for the job, he campaigned for it, said he was “Joshua” to Dr. King's Moses, and lectured us on the Fierce Urgency of Now. He campaigned like a “civil rights leader.” His web site said “Join the Movement!” If the black president can't or won't address black mass incarceration, black unemployment, HIV-AIDS, the foreclosure crisis and other matters that disproportionately affect our communities, then why do we have any kind of collective racial obligation to support him?
Let me rephrase this;
How I wish President Obama had bought relief to the people who voted for him instead of the people who didn't. But of course he didn't.
To this;
How I wish President Obama had bought comfort and compassion to the people who voted for him as well as the people who didn't vote for him. But of course he didn't.
I'm sorry if you see my expressing my point of view regarding this issue as "sprouting negativity", but that's your problem not mine.
Again;
Whoa there Roll Tide Roll!
I am not upset President Obama toured Tuscaloosa, I'm upset he did not tour Birmingham also, and I never said or implied Tuscaloosa didn't deserve any federal assistance because they didn't vote for President Obama. I did note the hypocrisy of the republican Alabama Congressional Delegation skinning and grinning after voting against the early warning weather system and every other program President Obama introduces. As your post proves the majority of voters in Tuscaloosa didn't vote for President Obama and will never vote for President Obama, the voters in Birmingham did vote for President Obama and will vote for him again. I think they deserved a visit too.
End of story on my part.
Maybe just this one topic you could have left politics out of. While you were worrying about who the President was rubbing elbows with, my husband and his fellow Tuscaloosa County workers, were trying to help save a lady's life in Holt, who's house was on top of her. She passed away and so did her 20 year old son. This is just one story and there a hundreds and hundreds more out there. Which brings me to John Rodgers. Well I am glad that you view me as a child, when I wasn't the one on tv ranting that "my friend" didn't stop by and say hi. You can try your jedi mindtricks on another, cause it ain't working on me. He was and still is, wrong as the day is long. You might need to rethink your line of work, because you are going to be one miserable soul. People like YOU, stirring the proverbial shit pot of politics, have tarnished what this (use to be great)Nation stands for. Lives were lost, homes and business' destroyed and all you care to point out is Obama carries Jefferson County and will continue to vote for him, so they deserved a visit. Get over it and find you some tact, cause ya need it. Btw, Jefferson County is probably the most corrupt county in this Crimson state and you probably think Larry Langford is innocent, right or Red, eh?
"sprouting negativity"
it is what it is...
What is "wrong as the day is long" with Representative John Rogers expressing his opinion about OUR Presidents visit to OUR State?
You do you get to say what remarks of mine you are disgust and horrify you but I can't say what remarks of yours I'm horrify and disgust me?
In case you don't know calling John Rogers a "Buffon" borders on being a slur. Also, saying he was "ranting and raving on TV because his friend didn't stop by to say hi" minimizes and marginalizes the substance his remarks.
You said;
Lives were lost, homes and business' destroyed and all you care to point out is Obama carries Jefferson County and will continue to vote for him, so they deserved a visit. Get over it and find you some tact, cause ya need it.People like YOU, stirring the proverbial shit pot of politics, have tarnished what this (use to be great)Nation stands for. Lives were lost, homes and business' destroyed and all you care to point out is Obama carries Jefferson County and will continue to vote for him, so they deserved a visit. Get over it and find you some tact, cause ya need it. Btw, Jefferson County is probably the most corrupt county in this Crimson state and you probably think Larry Langford is innocent, right or Red, eh?
That about sums it up. Peace be with you Roll Tide Roll.
War Damn Eagle!
'You do you get to say what remarks of mine you are disgust and horrify you but I can't say what remarks of yours I'm horrify and disgust me?'
Explain this, really?!
You want to be taken seriously: you contradicted yourself not once, but twice on a issue, the other Anonymous poster, you didn't even try. You didn't even answer them, just quoted something from black agenda report, so original. "sprouting negativity"(knew you were a Barntard)
...but that's your problem not mine.
No son, that is a Major problem for you, because ain't nobody buying into your ignorance. Well, except you. Damn it boy! lmao!
Redeye I believe the major issue with your post is you brought politics into something that is not a political issue. Maybe the reason why Pres. O"bama" :) visited only Tuscaloosa was because of schedule restraints. We cannot expect the leader of the free world, liked or disliked he is still a very busy man, to drop running the country and take a active role in rebuilding, feeding, and etc. He has very capable people who are paid to do that. Tuscaloosa was the hardest hit area and it was where most of the nation's attention was focused; maybe because we now have 13k+ who no longer have a place to live out of a population on 83k. That is a very large percentage I am sure you will agree. I think Tuscaloosa is the symbol of the statewide disaster much like the way ground zero in NYC became the symbol of 911 or the way Rosa Parks became a symbol of civil rights. It does not take away from the many other areas that was hard hit. We cannot expect him to travel all through out the state and Mississppi also, they had their fair share of tragedy too. Just my two cents.
How is it not a political issue Anonymous? I think Tuscaloosa is the symbol of the statewide disaster because it's Governor Robert Bentley's (R) home town and the home of the University of Alabama.
Again;
I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama, his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a Tornado to bring him to Alabama I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also. President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those will vote for him?
I repeat;
Representative Terri Sewell (D.AL 7) and Mayor William Bell (D.Birmingham) should have been the first people to greet President Obama when he stepped off Air Force One. And speaking of Air Force One it should have landed in Birmingham FIRST then motorcade on down the road to T-Town.
Redeye wrote:
"I'm sorry if you see my expressing my point of view regarding this issue as "sprouting negativity", but that's your problem not mine."
Unfortunately, it is not only my problem. If it were that simple then I could merely shake my head, say a short prayer, and walk away from this topic without expending any more energy. However, a person who expresses themselves in a negative manner has a tendency to breed only more negativity. This is especially true in the matters of civil rights issues (i.e. race, sex, religion, economic status, etc.)
As I am sure you are aware, there are some people who choose to use the slightest gaps between these groups to instill hate in future generations. Each person is responsible for even the slightest edge their comments give to these types of groups. The only way to effectively eradicate racism, sexism, or any other -ism in the world is for all of us to stand together and accept responsibility for each other.
In short, our points of view affect so many more than just ourselves when we speak openly in public forums.
Although I think your intentions are pure, I am of the firm belief that your execution in this matter is faulty.
Redeye wrote:
"I'm sorry if you see my expressing my point of view regarding this issue as "sprouting negativity", but that's your problem not mine."
Unfortunately, it is not just my problem. If it were that simple then I could merely shake my head, say a short prayer, and walk away without expending any more energy on this topic.
Addressing things in a negative manner will ultimately only lead to more negativity. Especially when it comes to issues dealing with civil rights (i.e. race, sex, religion, economic status, etc.)
As I am sure you are aware, there are people in this world who choose to use the gaps that arise between us to teach hate to future generations. We are all responsible for anything we say or do that gives these hate groups any opening to claw their way through.
The only way we are going to eradicate racism, sexism, or any other -ism in the world today is to stand together and accept responsibility for each other.
While I am sure that your intentions are pure in this regard, I do believe your execution of the message is faulty.
You are entitled to your opinion and I'm entitled to mine.
You are entitled to express your opinion and I'm entitled to express my opinion.
Racism won't be eradicated until it is exposed.
The exposure of racism is not the only important factor in eradicating it. How we handle and treat those who spew it is just as substantial an issue. I wish there were some type of compromise you were willing to come to on this issue but I can see this is most likely not a possibility. God Bless~~~h
I also send my apologies fir making two posts...the first time i write it, it did not show up.
I wish there were some kind of compromise you were willing to come to on this issue I can see that a mind is a terrible thing to waste and a hard thing to change.
Peace be with you.
How is it not a political issue Anonymous? I think Tuscaloosa is the symbol of the statewide disaster because it's Governor Robert Bentley's (R) home town and the home of the University of Alabama.
Not because of the EF-4 tornado that ripped thru Tuscaloosa, right? Its political because you make it political. Its really unfortunate that you have to have color to find the right person to vote for, red or blue and black or white. You looked past all of the previous posters questions and statements about the death and destruction the storm caused. Your blinders are on so tight, you don't bother to take them off and realize this is way more than the color of someones party or their skin color. Unregenerate you might be, but there is no hate in me and the world is yours to see.
The EF-4 tornado "ripped through" Birmingham also.
For the last time;
I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a Tornado to bring him to Alabama I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also. President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those will vote for him?
"So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those will vote for him?"
Why do you think that oBama HAS to pander to you and his voters, first? For the simple fact y'all voted for him? For that one vote you cast for him you now believe that you automatically get to go to the front of the line...after you and the rest of oBama voters, please, I insist.
"In case you don't know calling John Rogers a "Buff(o)on" borders on being a slur."
NOUN:
A clown; a jester: a court buffoon.
A person given to clowning and joking.
A ludicrous or bumbling person; a fool.
How so? Its not like a called him a Baboon, so a Buffoon seems rather fitting for Mr. Rodgers. To me, you were just trying to find something to make it racial.
You have so much hate, that it smothers any valid or invalid points you attempt to make on your blog.
I will save you the trouble for you having to type or copy and paste your signature post...
"I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a Tornado to bring him to Alabama I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also. President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those will vote for him?"
"ripped through"
FYI:
Thru
prep. & adv. & adj. Informal
Through.
If you are going to highlight my grammatical errors, you might need to go back and correct yours my friend.
Roll Tide Roll!
I wasn't highlighting a grammatical error my friend, I was quoting you. Note the quotation marks.
The EF-4 tornado "ripped through" Birmingham also.
FYI,Buffon boarders on begin a slur because it's code for Baboon. And for the record John Rodgers in neither. He has the same right (pun intended) to express his point of view on Fox News as every American.
You asked;
Why do you think that oBama HAS to pander to you and his voters, first? For the simple fact y'all voted for him? For that one vote you cast for him you now believe that you automatically get to go to the front of the line...after you and the rest of oBama voters, please, I insist.
I ask, why do you think President Obama has to pander to you and the voters who didn't vote for him while those who did vote for him go to back of the line? What's up with that? pResident Bush certainly pandered to his base.
I DO NOT WANT PRESIDENT OBAMA TO PANDER TO ME NOR DO I EXPECT HIM TOO!
"Buffon boarders on begin a slur"
You are crazy! Baboon is code for Buffoon, are freaking serious?! You need to come down off of the box you're standing or put down that tube of glue that you are sniffing. What code book are you looking at, oh, that special blackeye book.
So yes, I think John Rodgers is a ludicrous bumbling fool for getting on national television and using that platform for sprouting his negativism, while he could have been asking for supplies, donations, food, chainsaws, etc. But no, that would call for compassion.
Your points are weak and moot, not to mention very racists. There is more in life than dead horses and sit-n-spinning. So just keep on bobbing and weaving, you'll go far in your journey to paint this Nation Blue!
John Rodgers is a grown a$$ man who has the RIGHT to appear on national TV to say any damn thing he wants to say.
And stop pretending you really didn't want to call John Rodgers a Baboon. But see that's the problem when you have to resort to name calling, personal attacks and insults when the substance of your argument FAILS.
The end.
No son, this website is an EPIC FAIL. You should rename it Bang-N-Blame.
See thats whats wrong , you're so prejudice yourself you believe everybody else is. Well I ain't. There are aplenty of names I wanted to call John Rodgers, but not a single one was racist.
femaledog can name call all she wants too, RIGHT? Yeah, because she is bashing the other party.
So one question, when you are chasing your tail in circles, do you chase it to the right or left...
I bet its to the LEFT!
out of everything I've said to you on this topic, all you care to argue about is me calling Rodgers a BUFFOON, which IS NOT A SLUR. I want you to believe that I meant it as a slur, just to fuel that hate that you have going for ya!
I hate to say it, but as an African American supporter of President Obama his actions continue to disappoint me. Don't get me wrong, although it took a Tornado to bring him to Alabama I'm glad he came. But, Tuscaloosa was not the only area hit hard by the storms. Entire neighborhoods were devastated in nearby Birmingham also. President Obama did not carry Tuscaloosa County and he will never carry Tuscaloosa County. President Obama did carry Jefferson County, and he can count on carrying Jefferson County again. So why did he pander to the ones who will never vote for him at the expense of those will vote for him?
to the left, to the left...
now dip baby, dip..dip baby dip...
Roll Tide Y'all!
Just read where the mighty JeffCo. is hiking sewer rates 25%, they gonna to find that money to keep lining them pockets. Have you not figured out that both the Red & Blue are all corrupt and don't give a rat's ass about the peeps that voted for them...just sayin'
Roll Tide Y'all!
You get to say what remarks of mine e disgust and horrify you but I can't say what remarks of yours horrify and disgust me? Not on RedEye's blog.
In case you don't know calling John Rogers a "Buffon" borders on being a slur. Also, by saying he was "ranting and raving on TV because his friend didn't stop by to say hi" minimizes and marginalizes the substance his remarks. It's easier for you to focus on John Rogers personally because you want to divert attention from WHAT John Rogers said.
Carry on.
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