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DPChallenge Forums >> Rant >> What Andy Rooney had to say.
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 05/13/2007 02:05:28 PM · #1
Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:

"I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.

The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.
Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens... Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason; that is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts!
ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television.
That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say "NO!"

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa, so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL! AMEN!"



Message edited by author 2007-05-13 14:06:22.
 05/13/2007 03:04:29 PM · #2
gotta love a plain spoken man. lol
 05/14/2007 11:27:17 AM · #3
I am guessing that this relates...

//www.ibtimes.com/articles/20061206/rooney-internet-hoax.htm

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 11:35:06.
 05/14/2007 11:30:41 AM · #4
linky, linky It certainly sounds like Andy Rooney :P
 05/14/2007 12:05:25 PM · #5
Yep, thats it. The message deserves some thought though.
 05/14/2007 12:16:47 PM · #6
A very level, well composed message. If only more people were that sane.
 05/14/2007 12:18:00 PM · #7
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
A very level, well composed message. If only more people were that sane.

Even if composed and distributed by a liar and a fraud, eh?
 05/14/2007 01:47:54 PM · #8
Yes.
And how does that differ from a politician?

Message edited by author 2007-05-14 15:27:36.
 05/14/2007 01:51:28 PM · #9
Originally posted by GeneralE:
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
A very level, well composed message. If only more people were that sane.

Even if composed and distributed by a liar and a fraud, eh?

Every now and then, even a blind squirrel finds a nut?
To be honest, I don't know much about Andy Rooney. But regardless of the source, I agree with the message.
 05/14/2007 02:28:35 PM · #10
Well, it might be a level headed message if you:

o don't suffer significant ill effects of being part of a discriminated minority;

o you are pro-gun ownership;

o you are male;

o you don't like homosexuals;

o you feel righteous about your intolerance;

o you are white;

o you only speak English;

o you don't like foreigners;

o you don't support human rights;

o you don't like social welfare provisioning;

o you don't like change;

o you don't see a problem with gross uneven distribution of wealth;

o you like wrestling (!);

o you don't like taxes;

o you support corporal punishment for kids;

o you don't like subcultures;

o you see no problem with indirect racism;

o your gross arrogance means that you won't listen to any one else's point of view;

o you are grossly patriotic.

Quite honestly, if this reflected your core beliefs, there is probably very little that anyone could say to disabuse you of it. But I would estimate that it is pretty distasteful to most people, at least outside the US. For those wondering how and why the US gets a bad name, you need look no further.
05/14/2007 02:42:01 PM · #11
Some of the stuff is too rough and not witty enough to be anything uttered by Mr. Rooney.

I do have to agree with most of what was posted in the original entry.
 05/14/2007 02:49:17 PM · #12
Originally posted by Matthew:
Well, it might be a level headed message if you...
Quite honestly, if this reflected your core beliefs, there is probably very little that anyone could say to disabuse you of it. But I would estimate that it is pretty distasteful to most people, at least outside the US. For those wondering how and why the US gets a bad name, you need look no further.

I shortened your post for brevity. I am curious concerning your comment, however. You talk about this being distasteful for people outside the US, but it would seem to me that most of the issues mentioned in the original post were internal.

Furthermore, I certainly do not support discrimination, and am not anti-foreigner, anti-human rights, etc. What I am opposed to is reverse discrimination. Case in point: as the OP said, if someone wanted to create a "White Entertainment" station, the black community would raise hell. Yet they are allowed to celebrate their uniqueness - but we are not?

I am opposed to people entering this country and living remora-like off the system while giving little or nothing back. I don't see why I should support immigrants who won't even learn the National Language, when my ancestors were required to learn English when they came over. And even if they hadn't been required, they wouldn't have gotten far if they hadn't learned on their own accord, because no one would have felt sorry for them or created an excuse for them.

I do like change and progress, and strive for it. But I feel that the people we are supporting and working for should have to strive for it just as hard, and not get carried alone for a free ride.

And just for kicks, I'll hit a few more. I am male, I don't like wrestling, I'm not fond of taxes but recognize their necessary evil (if only they were better used), I am curious to hear others views, and I think patriotism is a buzz-word and an excuse or justification for certain behaviors.
 05/14/2007 02:53:55 PM · #13
I didn't find it to be a level-headed message at all, though I do agree with a few (very few) of the sentiments in there. I do think you should stop when the cops tell you. I also expect cops to be fair and unbiased in their dealings with the public. I expect a lot from the world. I'm often disappointed.
 05/14/2007 02:58:58 PM · #14
Originally posted by frisca:
I expect a lot from the world. I'm often disappointed.


Well said. So am I.
 05/14/2007 03:02:08 PM · #15
Originally posted by David Ey:
Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:

"I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.

The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.
Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens... Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.

Guns do not make you a killer. I think killing makes you a killer. You can kill someone with a baseball bat or a car, but no one is trying to ban you from driving to the ball game.

I believe they are called the Boy Scouts for a reason; that is why there are no girls allowed. Girls belong in the Girl Scouts!
ARE YOU LISTENING MARTHA BURKE?

I think that if you feel homosexuality is wrong, it is not a phobia, it is an opinion.

I have the right "NOT" to be tolerant of others because they are different, weird, or tick me off.

When 70% of the people who get arrested are black, in cities where 70% of the population is black, that is not racial profiling; it is the Law of Probability.

I believe that if you are selling me a milkshake, a pack of cigarettes, a newspaper or a hotel room, you must do it in English! As a matter of fact, if you want to be an American citizen, you should have to speak English!

My father and grandfather didn't die in vain so you can leave the countries you were born in to come over and disrespect ours.

I think the police should have every right to shoot your sorry ass if you threaten them after they tell you to stop. If you can't understand the word "freeze" or "stop" in English, see the above lines.

I don't think just because you were not born in this country, you are qualified for any special loan programs, government sponsored bank loans or tax breaks, etc., so you can open a hotel, coffee shop, trinket store, or any other business.

We did not go to the aid of certain foreign countries and risk our lives in wars to defend their freedoms, so that decades later they could come over here and tell us our constitution is a living document; and open to their interpretations.

I don't hate the rich I don't pity the poor.

I know pro wrestling is fake, but so are movies and television.
That doesn't stop you from watching them.

I think Bill Gates has every right to keep every penny he made and continue to make more. If it ticks you off, go and invent the next operating system that's better, and put your name on the building.

It doesn't take a whole village to raise a child right, but it does take a parent to stand up to the kid; and smack their little behinds when necessary, and say "NO!"

I think tattoos and piercing are fine if you want them, but please don't pretend they are a political statement. And, please, stay home until that new lip ring heals. I don't want to look at your ugly infected mouth as you serve me French fries!

I am sick of "Political Correctness." I know a lot of black people, and not a single one of them was born in Africa, so how can they be "African-Americans"? Besides, Africa is a continent. I don't go around saying I am a European-American because my great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather was from Europe. I am proud to be from America and nowhere else.

And if you don't like my point of view, tough...

I PLEDGE ALLEGIANCE TO THE FLAG, OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA, AND TO THE REPUBLIC, FOR WHICH IT STANDS, ONE NATION UNDER GOD, INDIVISIBLE, WITH LIBERTY AND JUSTICE FOR ALL! AMEN!"


Relax, Breathe, Enjoy a bit of your existence on this planet before its all over. Don't dwell so much on what you view as negative. If you're looking for things to offend you, you will find plenty of them. I'm not big on the Bible, but if YOU are, it tells us to think on things that are "lovely, pure, and of good report"....again, relax and let the idiots be the idiots...don't allow bitterness and fear to ruin your life.
 05/14/2007 03:28:35 PM · #16
Originally posted by David Ey:
Yes.
And haw does that differ from a politician?

Politicians are paid out of the publc coffers, whereas this was a private enterprise?
 05/14/2007 06:10:25 PM · #17
Originally posted by OdysseyF22:
Originally posted by Matthew:
Well, it might be a level headed message if you...
Quite honestly, if this reflected your core beliefs, there is probably very little that anyone could say to disabuse you of it. But I would estimate that it is pretty distasteful to most people, at least outside the US. For those wondering how and why the US gets a bad name, you need look no further.

I shortened your post for brevity. I am curious concerning your comment, however. You talk about this being distasteful for people outside the US, but it would seem to me that most of the issues mentioned in the original post were internal.

Furthermore, I certainly do not support discrimination, and am not anti-foreigner, anti-human rights, etc. What I am opposed to is reverse discrimination. Case in point: as the OP said, if someone wanted to create a "White Entertainment" station, the black community would raise hell. Yet they are allowed to celebrate their uniqueness - but we are not?

I am opposed to people entering this country and living remora-like off the system while giving little or nothing back. I don't see why I should support immigrants who won't even learn the National Language, when my ancestors were required to learn English when they came over. And even if they hadn't been required, they wouldn't have gotten far if they hadn't learned on their own accord, because no one would have felt sorry for them or created an excuse for them.

I do like change and progress, and strive for it. But I feel that the people we are supporting and working for should have to strive for it just as hard, and not get carried alone for a free ride.

And just for kicks, I'll hit a few more. I am male, I don't like wrestling, I'm not fond of taxes but recognize their necessary evil (if only they were better used), I am curious to hear others views, and I think patriotism is a buzz-word and an excuse or justification for certain behaviors.


You have raised some thought provoking issues. I understand where you are coming from, and don't disagree with you in some respects. I'll take a couple of the points.

An area where I have somesignificant sympathy is reverse discrimination/affirmative action. I raised it in the feminism thread too - I had not full appreciated its extent. I understand the policy, but on seeing the vitriol that it creates, while it may overcome some short term issues it seems to be at risk of creating a worsening long term position.

On why this is opinion forming for people outside the US, it is influential because it belies a mindset (in addition, the issues are universal if the setting here is the US). As a group of statements they highlight some traits that are commonly associated with the US in a negative fashion. These are extreme conservatism, insularism and self importance (both individually and as a nation).

For people looking in, seeing Americans crying out for the right to be intolerant of others, make others speak English (especially given frequent contrary experiences of Americans in other countries), shoot people who don't speak English, demand respect from foreigners, all that smacks of a huge unwillingness to listen or understand other points of view - something that the author rejoices in. It may just be an English thing, perhaps a European thing, but extreme patriotism is usually associated with fascism and it appears (to me - and to many others like me) as vulgar and somewhat distasteful.

Issues such as immigration are problematic in the UK as well. I don't like people arriving and sponging off the state any more than you do. My diverging point of view is that most people arriving seem to work hard in jobs that English people don't want to do, or are skilled and valuable assets to the country, and plenty of the spongers /free riders on the state are English. For the UK, most people don't realise that there are more English people abroad than foreigners in England. So while I don't like the activities that you highlight, I am very far from tarring all immigrants with that brush (something that your statement left bald implies).
 05/14/2007 06:55:38 PM · #18
Originally posted by David Ey:
Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:

"I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.

The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.
Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens... Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.



I have heard this argument MANY, MANY times and I say to this. MOST television is WHITE ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION.

come on! Think of all the number one TV shows on all the big networks and tell me who is in them! Now take a look at movies, the news, TV anchors. Keep looking. All your favorite actors. There are only a few black ones that stand out in a sea of white, and some of the biggest ones seem to get whiter and whiter as the years go on (ie Hallie Berry. Amazing what photoshop does on an add campaign, you can barely see the pigment).

continuing on...Jet Magazine? There are mags of all shapes and sizes. There are even magazines made for specific camera models, all sectors of sports, hobbies, I've even seen a Fairy magazine for gooness sakes! If mags aren't allowed to be towards a select group of people I don't know what are.

Miss Black America? Same sentiment. How many black women do you see in the Miss America pageants?

yeesh. how anyone can see these as sound arguments is beyond me. Must not watch enough TV to complain about there being ONE black channel.
 05/14/2007 06:59:06 PM · #19
There's a difference between celebrating one's cultural identity and asserting one's cultural superiority ...
 05/14/2007 07:04:12 PM · #20
There are so many things he said that I disagree with. but I'll just touch on one more.

My father was an immigrant himself and got PUNISHED (and berated) by his teachers several times for speaking his native language because of people with like minds of whoever wrote that thing. He had JUST moved to the country and was asking the aid of a Brazilian boy in the class that knew both languages. And was in fact highly intelligent (graduated for school 2 years early in Brazil but was required to go back upon entering the US) and was treated like an idiot for not speaking English.

His teachers robbed themselves and their students of a chance to learn about someone from another culture.

That being said, I am not for coming to this country and not learning English. That is not what I am saying. You should learn the language. If I were to move to Germany, my every intention would be to learn German. But learning a language is not an over night thing and not something everyone can do BEFORE coming here. This intolerance is the exact opposite of what is supposed to be going on in this multicultural country. The blending of different backgrounds is one of the many upsides of being in America. Not this conservative "speak my way or get shot" crap.
 05/14/2007 07:57:25 PM · #21
I am a torn man.

I am a member of the Oglala Lakota nation.

I am also an ex-Marine.

I also fit the educated mold holding a degree, as well as the discriminated 'against' mold (looking Hispanic).

I am an American. Not "native American" like some white people, and job deals have me fill out.

I speak American English. I understand some Lakota, but I don't speak Espaniol, or Spanglish, or Canadian, or any other non American English forms of communication.

I gave my soul to the American government for 4 years. I was willing to fight and die for old glory.

I went to college and got a degree. I got the money to do so. I got assistance with the government, and banks, and what ever savings my parents had. I worked for it. It was not given to me, freely.

I am continually approached by non American English speaking people, speaking in their native language, assuming that I understand what the hell they are saying.

My point being this.

I am an American.

If I am going to give 33% of my income to the government, then, I want to see what I am paying for, and to be given privileges being an American.

If you want to come to my country, you need to earn those same privileges. They should not be just given to you.

My government has made it possible for any foreigner to come here to my country to take advantage of the system. Making it harder for people like myself that were born here to do just as good.

There should be more hurdles for immigrants to work out before becoming citizens. The privilege to be an American should have more meaning.

A few thoughts on this are....

4 years of, military service in the force of your choice, for military aged men and women, when entering legal status to be a citizen of the United States,

an education or a trade that would benefit our way of life,

25 years of working and paying taxes before qualified for social security,

quarantined for a month to make sure no new diseases are brought over to our shores,

basic fundamental American English, I don't understand anything else in this "free" country of mine. But, it is my country, and my rules are you and I have to be able to understand one another.

Just to name a few.

Message edited by author 2007-05-15 11:39:49.
 05/14/2007 09:22:51 PM · #22
Originally posted by Matthew:

You have raised some thought provoking issues. I understand where you are coming from, and don't disagree with you in some respects. I'll take a couple of the points.

An area where I have somesignificant sympathy is reverse discrimination/affirmative action. I raised it in the feminism thread too - I had not full appreciated its extent. I understand the policy, but on seeing the vitriol that it creates, while it may overcome some short term issues it seems to be at risk of creating a worsening long term position.

On why this is opinion forming for people outside the US, it is influential because it belies a mindset (in addition, the issues are universal if the setting here is the US). As a group of statements they highlight some traits that are commonly associated with the US in a negative fashion. These are extreme conservatism, insularism and self importance (both individually and as a nation).

For people looking in, seeing Americans crying out for the right to be intolerant of others, make others speak English (especially given frequent contrary experiences of Americans in other countries), shoot people who don't speak English, demand respect from foreigners, all that smacks of a huge unwillingness to listen or understand other points of view - something that the author rejoices in. It may just be an English thing, perhaps a European thing, but extreme patriotism is usually associated with fascism and it appears (to me - and to many others like me) as vulgar and somewhat distasteful.

Issues such as immigration are problematic in the UK as well. I don't like people arriving and sponging off the state any more than you do. My diverging point of view is that most people arriving seem to work hard in jobs that English people don't want to do, or are skilled and valuable assets to the country, and plenty of the spongers /free riders on the state are English. For the UK, most people don't realise that there are more English people abroad than foreigners in England. So while I don't like the activities that you highlight, I am very far from tarring all immigrants with that brush (something that your statement left bald implies).


It is facinating reading this, as I find that I can easily understand your take on it, and cannot find much room to disagree with a lot of it. It seems to me that what it comes down to mostly is differing points of view depending on what side of the fence on is on, be it within the US or looking in as a foreigner. I suppose that will have a lot to do with how we are seen, and what biases might be in play in both cases.

I'm afraid that I also fell prey to making broad generalizations, as you pointed out. There are certainly immigrants who do indeed work harder and with more passion at jobs that citizens of the US look down upon and refuse to apply themselves to, and it is not fair to diminish the efforts of those immigrants.

And I will grant you that Americans are ripe with hypocrisy, especially concerning the issue of languages. While I maintain that English should be spoken by all residents in the US, it is true that when Americans go abroad, we expect everyone there to speak English as well, and we often make little or no effort to work within the local languages.

It is a complex issue no matter how you look at it. I think that American_Horse does a good job summing up some of the finer points, at the same time highlighting that complexity.
 05/16/2007 04:53:49 PM · #23
Originally posted by escapetooz:
Originally posted by David Ey:
Andy Rooney said on "60 Minutes" a few weeks back:

"I don't think being a minority makes you a victim of anything except numbers.

The only things I can think of that are truly discriminatory are things like the United Negro College Fund, Jet Magazine, Black Entertainment Television, and Miss Black America.
Try to have things like the United Caucasian College Fund, Cloud Magazine, White Entertainment Television, or Miss White America; and see what happens... Jesse Jackson will be knocking down your door.



I have heard this argument MANY, MANY times and I say to this. MOST television is WHITE ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION.

come on! Think of all the number one TV shows on all the big networks and tell me who is in them! Now take a look at movies, the news, TV anchors. Keep looking. All your favorite actors. There are only a few black ones that stand out in a sea of white, and some of the biggest ones seem to get whiter and whiter as the years go on (ie Hallie Berry. Amazing what photoshop does on an add campaign, you can barely see the pigment).

continuing on...Jet Magazine? There are mags of all shapes and sizes. There are even magazines made for specific camera models, all sectors of sports, hobbies, I've even seen a Fairy magazine for gooness sakes! If mags aren't allowed to be towards a select group of people I don't know what are.

Miss Black America? Same sentiment. How many black women do you see in the Miss America pageants?

yeesh. how anyone can see these as sound arguments is beyond me. Must not watch enough TV to complain about there being ONE black channel.


Trying one last time to bring attention to this point because it is one that is so obvious yet so often missed in these "why are they allowed to have BET?!?!" rants.
 05/18/2007 09:16:09 AM · #24
bump et tal
 05/18/2007 10:41:50 AM · #25
Originally posted by escapetooz:
I have heard this argument MANY, MANY times and I say to this. MOST television is WHITE ENTERTAINMENT TELEVISION.


You are absolutely right in this perspective, but perhaps the point the OP was trying to make is that it is NOT exclusionary... and that could very well be the issue of contention to those who post such comments.

Ray
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