I'm a Mormon and I'm embarrassed by Glenn Beck

So, it's been a couple of days. I really don't have a lot of time before I go to church, so I'll be fairly brief. I think the topic at hand applies because I'm on my way to church. I'm going to complain about how Glenn Beck likes to appeal to the lowest common denominator of American society to make money. Beck, and his ilk, like Michael Savage and Rush Limbaugh, like to appeal to the white nationalists in society. The problem with Beck, is that his stance is somewhat softer, which allows his views to reach a larger audience. The result of this is an insidious spiral downward into the depths of nationalism, racism and general douchebaggery. I'll expound more up on this in upcoming posts, but Beck's vitriol filled and violent opposition to President Obama is a good start. The open hostility which Beck and his ilk have toward the president, along with fellow conservative idiot Sarah Palin, is rooted more in xenophobia and racism than his liberality. Obama is really more of a centrist, and that's why it's funny that the Right is attempting to paint him as a communist dictator. The others I can write off, but I have a special hatred for Beck, who, I feel, gives the LDS Church a horrible name by openly identifying with us.

Racism is Fashionable Again

So, pretty much everywhere, I think that certain people are coming up with the idea that it's ok to be racist again. Not just a little racist, but openly racist. Just look at the comments on a youtube video these days and you'll see phrases like "dumb niggers," "Great White Hope" (Tim Tebow), "Chinks," etc. What's the deal? Why is it suddenly in for people to start attacking each other based on race again? It felt like we had made a lot of progress in this country, especially by electing the first President of African descent. However, the attitudes that have come out of the woodwork now more than ever seem to expose the racial divide as the unbridgeable gulf that it once felt like, and apparently, will always be.

If you don't believe me, go down and read the comments people have on the videos of Toby Gerhart and Tim Tebow. There's an anger and a resentment simmering, lots of people blaming blacks for keeping whites from excelling in sports. I don't for an instant think that's true. Most coaches, although they wouldn't admit it, would still prefer a white quarterback. There's not some conspiracy where black players are barring the better white players from playing the skill positions. Particularly in the NFL, where it's a zero sum game and dollars are what matters. The knock on black players used to be that since we were closer to apes, we didn't have the intelligence that white players have. Even though that's obviously a fallacy, the shades of this idea still exist within the overtone of the comments that people make regarding this.

Crying foul for BET and Black History month is also idiotic. BET exists because black people wanted to see television shows with people they identified with. Although the original purpose of the network has been lost and it now serves mainly to perpetuate tired stereotypes, becoming a vehicle for a modern day form of minstrelsy, it served its purpose. Black History Month, however, is a time people to learn about people who helped in founding this nation and making it great who don't appear in the history books. Like it or not, our history books depict the history of WHITE AMERICA. White history doesn't need a month. It usually gets three to four months in high school History class.

So quit whining bout reverse discrimination when it comes to these things. If you want to complain about legitimately racist things, like when the white sorority was forced to share their trophy after winning a stepping contest, be my guest, but don't try to take away things that help people to learn about their history that has been excluded from the greater history of the nation in the history books. The playing field still isn't level, and with the attitudes that permeate America today, will likely never be.

Welcome

Welcome to my blog, where I post my thoughts on anything from sports and politics to food, culture and social gatherings. Think of it as a (rose colored) window into the kaleidoscope of whirling thoughts that constantly shift through my head. There are certain things that you should be aware of if you're going to read my blog.

One: I'm not a conservative, in fact, I'm pretty liberal, I view myself as a socialist with a conscience. I read the Communist Manifesto by Marx and I enjoyed it. I can't stand Ayn Rand, Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh. If you so happen to like any of these people you might not want to read parts of my blog.

Two: I love Seattle. I think the Emerald City, the jewel of the Pacific Northwest, is the most beautiful place on Earth. I was born and raised here, and it would have to take a pretty damn good job offer or the most beautiful woman in the world to get me to think otherwise. I love Seattle sports teams, and yes, I am still pissed about the Sonics AND the Super Bowl, and I loathe the cities of Pittsburgh and Oklahoma City with a passion.

Three: I will express myself using whatever words I deem most convenient or poignant at the time. This does include a rather extensive use of profane speech. I will try to limit this for the sake of the audience (which in part is composed of my family members), but be warned that if I think that something is worth swearing about, then by hell I will swear about it.

So those are the basics, welcome to my Blog. I hope you enjoy your ride upon the wandering, random and sometimes insane tracks of my inner thoughts.