COLUMN OF THE AMERICAS

ROBERTO RODRIGUEZ & PATRISIA GONZALES

RELEASE DATE: MAY 16, 2005

The Hate Contagion

First Person

By Roberto Rodriguez

As we decry the spread of ignorance (many Americans continue to believe that Saddam Hussein had something to do with 911 and that global warming is a myth), something more ominous is also spreading: an extremely virulent hate contagion.

Most people are not hateful. But something within most of us permits us to make exceptions. Those exceptions are more often than not perfectly rationalized. Other times, they are explained away, not as hate, bigotry or racism, but as a justifiable response to a problem.

The problem before us is that the president has gotten us into a nonsensical war. Through his logic, he is sacrificing American lives on a daily basis - as part of an effort to take the war to the terrorists - rather than wage it at home. On top of this, his tax cuts to the super rich are courting long-term economic disaster. It is in times like these that virulent hate contagions are unleashed and common sense becomes a casualty of war.

As a result of 911, the citizenry allowed the government to conduct massive raids and to conduct secret detentions of thousands of innocent Arabs/Muslims. It matters little if they were innocent. In this climate, we are to fear terrorists (read Arabs/Muslims) and we all have to do our part to find them, turn them in and root them out. It also means we have to shut down our borders and wall the entire U.S./Mexico border; it's actually the Mexicans and Central Americans we have to fear. But we don't have to fear all of them; Just the illegal ones.

So how did we get from fearing Osama to blaming Saddam, to Lou Dobbs blaming Jose for all our nations (fears) problems?

It's called scapegoat politics or the politics of blame… and truthfully, this nation has a lot of experience in this. In fact, it was founded upon making exceptions. It was founded on the dehumanization of indigenous and African peoples.

Freedom, democracy and liberty were grand concepts, but did not apply to these populations. In this respect, this society has been conditioned to accept exceptions (those that society does not deem as fully human). Through the years, Jews, the Irish, South Europeans and Asians were also at one point on this list. Mexicans have always been on this list and in a sense, occupy a very special place on it. The reason can't be due to Mexico's proximity, otherwise Canadians would also be on it. What other factor could be involved that would allow the United States to historically have disparate laws that benefit Canadians (allowing them to come into the country for six months - a good thing), but treating Mexicans like criminals?

In our modern era, for the most part, it is no longer fashionable to publicly hate Jews or people of color. To do so would find you on Southern Poverty Law Center's Hate watch list ( ). Ironically, but perhaps not unexpectedly, some peoples who formerly were subject to hate and dehumanization have also now assimilated that culture of hate. It is not rare to see Mexicans hating African Americans, nor African Americans hating Asians, nor both groups hating hating Jews or gays or each other. The one group that everyone seems comfortable hating is Mexicans and Central Americans … though people comfortably hide behind hating “illegal aliens” because illegal aliens is abstract and not a people. That's the key. They're not human. And they really do welcome immigrants, just as long as they're legal. And so vigilantes have now become our new national heroes…

When in the history of humanity has the subject of immigration -- during an economic and political crisis -- not produced antipathy toward “foreigners?”

As the crisis gets bigger -- as a result of the president's trumped-up war -- it can be predicted that society will continue to further divide between legal and illegal human populations - between hunter and hunted populations. What we may see shortly is the expansion of illegal categories (under the guise of expanding full citizenship rights to legal citizens) or the creation of legal subcategories (guest workers) that will permit their exploitation, while depriving them of their basic human rights and their full human citizenship.

Humanity's challenge is to plot out a course - even if it takes a hundred years - to get to the point where one day there will no longer be legal and illegal human populations. The abolishment of slavery was once also but a dream.



© Column of the Americas 2005

i know this guy, he's a cocksucking liar.

another aztlanapologist trying to peddle his feeble-minded plot to claim some link to Indigenous Cultures.

give it up dude, yawn..

Opinion Journal, Best of the Web, June 3, 2005

Baby, It's Cold Outside http://www.startribune.com/stories/531/5438282.html

"An attempt by two men from northern Minnesota to cross the Arctic Ocean to

call attention to global warming ended this morning because of poor weather

conditions," reports the Minneapolis Star Tribune:

Lonnie Dupre, 43, and Eric Larsen, 33, were forced to abandon their planned

100-day, 1,200-mile trek after encountering unexpectedly heavy snow storms,

strong winds and unusual ice conditions, according to Jane Kochersperger, a

media officer with the environmental group Greenpeace, which co-sponsored the trip.

____

Absolutely hilarious! The left hasn't a clue. This is so typical of the left.

...oh, yeah...the "junk science" claim from creationist republican...

...here is where da filcher will lamely attempt to distance himself from the Luddites he admires so much....how embarrassing...

I think that BA gets his science information from the learned James Dobson, who thinks that homosexuality results from letting boys play with dolls, that the world is 6,000 years old, that the story of Noah's Ark is true, that kids who are not spanked grow up to be welfare chislers or communist spies, that women naturally love doing laundry and other household chores, that capitalism is part of Jesus's plan for society, and that people like Thomas Jefferson and James Madison really didn't believe in separation of church and state. You can't go wrong following a guy like Dobson.

...actually, I think he gets his information where all republican get their information...

...outta their ass.

"...actually, I think he gets his information where all republican get their information...

...outta their ass."

That's not too cool.

By YOUR definition of racism, that's clearly a racist statement.

Sucks to have your own silly ideas come back and bite you in the ass isn't loser?

Have you noticed lately the latest strategy of leftists promoting "global warming?"

It looks like this:

1) Announce there is "global warming."

2) (Ignore this step) Provide evidence of global warming. (Ignore this step)

3) Act as if Step 1 has already been proven.

Looks like some kind of leap of faith there, but that can't be right since the left deems any person of faith a fool (except murderous Muslims, of course)

Global warming theory: a consenus with no hard evidence

There is plenty of evidence for global warming, including shrinking polar ice caps, measurable drops or rises in average local temperatures over the past century, islands in danger of being engulfed by the sea (in one case an entire ocean nation), the bizarre weather patterns that have been seen in North America over the past decade, changes in ocean currents (which may, paradoxically, bring much more severe winters to Britain and western Europe), and the growing danger of extinction of animals whose numbers have been decreasing in polar areas. Just because you don't bother reading about the evidence doesn't mean that the evidence does not exist.

DA DANCING DELUSIONAL SHITPILE: "By YOUR definition of racism, "

Let's see, THIS is my definition of racism;

-the prejudice that members of one race are intrinsically superior to members of other races

...hmmm, da shitpile has said this many times...what else...

-discriminatory or abusive behavior towards members of another race

...Bingo! Shitpile is a textbook example of a racist...the only thing missing is a picture of your ugly mug in the book next to the definition.

Now...what was this nonsense about the 'republican race'?

Nice work trying to dodge.

First of all, I've never said my race was superior. In fact, you have no idea what my race even is.

Secondly, YOUR definition of racism of a few days ago was not liking every single other GROUP or CULTURE.

That's how you defined my supposed racism.

If that's the definition you still want to cling to, although it seems you're tring to wiggle out from that self descriptive argument, that's fine; we'll be racists together.

You can hate the culture of Republicans, Zionists, Conservatives, White capitalist Americans and I'll continue to find fault with muslims who tend to explode on public transportation.

Face it, by your definition, (a rather inane definition, I might add) you ARE a racist.

Welcome to the club asshole.

...it says "one" race...not "one's" race, idiot...and you have claimed that many times regarding Europeans and Native Americans...

...it's OK to dance, but jeez, outright lying is so lame...You said someting like "if water being wet makes me a racist, so be it." Well, even if water were dry, you would still be a racist.

..."republican culture"...what's that? And, now that you have the definition I gave you, you still haven't explained to me how 'republican' is a race...

...still waiting, idiot.

"...it says "one" race...not "one's" race, idiot..."

Are you fucking serious.

What a fucking douchebag.

So you thought you had me pegged for one of those staunch racists who just happens to believe in the innate superiority of some other race besides his own.

Give us a fucking break.

What a fucking lame attempt at trying to salvage the asshanding I repeatedly administer to you.

"..."republican culture"...what's that? And, now that you have the definition I gave you, you still haven't explained to me how 'republican' is a race..."

You really do get dumber by the post, or in this case, actually within the post.

The point is that the Republican Culture ISN'T a race asshole.

And as your inane definition of racism didn't even bother to include the concept of race ie, not liking every other single group or culture, it needn't be in order for YOU to accurateky define YOURSELF as a racist based on YOUR definition.

Christ, I hope your daughter is smarter than you are.

For an idea of what Republicans consider the ideal culture just watch some 1950's television shows about upper middle class families. Male dominated. No minorities or even working class white people in sight, unless they come to collect the trash our unplug a drain - and even then they invariably turn out to be laughable and pathetic buffoons. Unquestioning obedience to the rules handed down in some (usually Protestant) Bible. Worship of big automobiles that seems to be a lot more sincere than the worship of the Bible God. Kids taught that their natural destiny is to wear a suit and order other people around (if they are male) or to vacuum rugs and plan snotty parties (if they are female). An unquestioning assumption that the USA is the greatest of nations with the most noble intentions and the right to order the rest of the world around. Portrayal of banks, insurance companies and corporations as highly ethical organizations that have the best interests of customers and employees at heart. Secretaries who are dumb but happy and ever so loyal to the boss. Cab drivers who all have Brooklyn accents no matter where the show is supposed to be set, and are frankly in awe of suburban guys who wear fedora hats and carry briefcases. Rare appearances by "intellectuals" and "beatniks" who are both presented as funny characters whose apparant role in life is to amuse suburbanites, who chuckle and wonder what planet they came from. "Foreigners" invariabley portrayed as pompous asses whose very haughtiness shows their envy of Americans, or as loyal immigrants eager to learn from the suburbanites and throw off the inferior culture of their homelands - except when they sometimes dance around in their native costumes for the amusement of the Father Knows Best crowd.

People like Dobson and the Cheetos boys apparantly think that a world like this not only once existed but can actually be restored.

Well said Meyer.

But be careful because I detect a note of disdain in your post and that, according to kpc, makes you a bonafide racist.

ZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz.....................

I'm a Republican and here's my take on Meyer's vision of Republican culture. He didn't get it quite right so I'll spell it out for him.

The highest calling in life is "Entrepreneur." It has nothing to do with race, sex, education, or age. The most admired are those Entrepreneurs who achieve and create (great products, jobs for many, great companies, etc.). They drive the country and the economy. They're our most precious citizens. They are the founders of vibrant companies with names like Apple Computer, Google, Yahoo, and Starbucks.

By the way, the terms "Corporate" and "Entrepreneur" are not synonymous. I have a very low regard for bureaucrats (the natural enemy of the entrepreneur). Many corporations are run by bureaucrats (the entrepreneurs departed years ago) and that's how you get a mess like General Motors.

You should also not conclude that crooks like those at Enron are respected by Republicans. They're not.

Doctors are a notch down. They deserve our respect because of their humanitarian interest, their hard work, night time rounds, etc.

Anyone who achieves a great deal is admired, especially when they come from humble beginnings. I adore someone like Charles Barkley (the basketball player) who came from humble beginnings to the top rung of his profession. Clarence Thomas and Condoleeza Rice fall into the same category. I despise someone like Kobe Bryant who had it all and screwed it up.

Lawyers and University Professors don't show up on our radar. They're highly educated parasites who do as much harm as good. They're not all the same (some good ones, some bad ones) but don't command respect because of their occupation. It's what they've done that defines them. If they defended Michael Jackson or advocated Socialism they get zero respect. If they obtained the death penalty for a heinous murderer then they're OK in my book.

I don't have any interest in religion except that I don't like it. Islam sucks and so do most religions. I'm a Republican but not religious. The two are not connected.

Poor people who want to pull themselves up and make something of themselves are great. I really like them. I've got zero regard for homeless freeloaders who won't work. If I was Mayor of San Francisco I'd round them up, take them out to the edge of town, dump them off, and warn them never to return. San Francisco is overloaded with worthless bums. They should be driven off. They should not have their behavior validated and supported by the taxpayer. That's the height of the ridiculous.

The USA is the greatest of nations Meyer. If you can't figure that out then you are really retarded. That's no unquestioned assumption. That's an obvious fact. You must not have studied history.

Government is bloated. Taxes just go up and up as government bureaucracy seeks to grow and grow. We need to get it going in the opposite direction. A 50% reduction in government would be a good start but wouldn't get all the fat out. Government employees are only one step above the homeless in my book. They're freeloaders who are parasites to the taxpayer.

Intellectuals and beatniks are not the same thing. If you're an intellectual then you are doubtless a Republican. If you're a beatnik then you are doubtless a Democrat (or worse). If you're a leftist and think you are an intellectual then you need psychiatric help because you have serious delusions of adequacy.

Many foreigners are indeed pompous asses. Take for example Schroeder in Germany or the buffoon who is about to be run out of office in France.

Not only does he volunteer the information that he is still living in 1955, but also that he dwells in an imaginary world that didn't exist except on television even then.

So the Beats were not intellectuals, eh? Is that why serious scholars as well as people in general are still reading the writings of Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg decades after they were written? Who reads anything written by business executives in the 1950's today? Most of them couldn't write more than a paragraph anyway, and even then their secretaries had to correct all the gramatical errors.

Ah, what a debt we owe to those "entrepeneurs" of the fifties who successfully pressured or bribed municipal governments in places like Los Angeles and Cincinnati to dismantle or cut back efficient public transit systems on the grounds that gas-hog cars with fins were the wave of the future. That's one of the reasons why people are getting killed or having their legs or arms blown off in Iraq right now. What an accomplishment.

And General Motors was fined some thousands of dollars at which point they used the fine as a business expense and wrote it off, taxwise.

BushAdmirer loves to see people screwed.

Geez Meyer, you really consider bozos like Jack Kerouac and Allen Ginsberg to have been intellectuals??? Give me a break! Clowns perhaps but intellectuals no!

Let's visit the dictionary:

Intellectual:

1 a : of or relating to the intellect or its use b : developed or chiefly guided by the intellect rather than by emotion or experience : RATIONAL c : requiring use of the intellect

2 a : given to study, reflection, and speculation b : engaged in activity requiring the creative use of the intellect

Hippie deadbeats like Kerouac only resemble one aspect of the above definition: "rather than experience." In other words, someone who has no worldly experience and bases their expertise on unsubstantiated theories. That would be your guys Meyer.

Real intellectuals are smarter than most folks. They use their intellect to achieve in the real world. They don't write poetry, smoke dope, or waste away in coffee shops. Someone like Dick Cheney would be my idea of a real intellectual. Ann Coulter qualifies as well.

I suppose there are some who are very bright and very lazy. They would not achieve much but they might be able to write poems or engage in some other equally worthless activity (demonstrating against our government comes to mind). People like this have no depth. They're "IQ smart" but they're not really smart. They're actually dumber than dirt when you get down to it.

Another thing Meyer, is that there are no real intellectuals on the left. That would be an impossibility.

Intellectuals are smart. Therefore they're not on the left.

If they're on the left they're in denial as to the facts surrounding world events.

If they're on the left they're in denial regarding basic economics.

If they're on the left they usually don't get it re the magic of Capitalism.

In other words, they're dumb.

Since they're dumb, they can't be intellectuals. Refer to the dictionary definition above. Intellectuals and the left are mutually exclusive.

There are, however, some on the left who have experienced serious delusions of adequacy. Michael Mooreon comes to mind. These people are intellectuals in their own minds only. They're actually dumber than dirt.

"Someone like Dick Cheney would be my idea of an intellectual. Ann Coulter qualifies as well."

I've got to hand it to you , BA, that was a real howler. Johnny Carson would have given his eye teeth to come up with something like that. Have you spoken to the Fox Network about a possible late-night comedy-interview show? You could interview Gore Vidal about the fifties or Noam Chomsky about Iraq. That would be even more hillarious than your stand-up monologues, and all the laughter would be at your expense. But that's the way show biz is - anything for ratings. Tiny Tim didn't mind being treated as an object of ridicule - it made him wealthy.

Thank you for making my day Meyer! Ha!

Gore Vidal - HA!

Noam Chomsky - HA!

Two of the best examples of non-intellectuals ever on the planet. Two really dumb lefties who make my point.

Ann Coulter and Dick Cheney are about ten times more intelligent on their worst day than either of those two morons.

Thanks for the laugh! hahahhahah :-)

...gee, Meyer, I'll bet you just KNEW the filcher would take that bait....

...you crack me up, Meyer....good one! Da filcher is nothing if not predictable...even more so than the shitpile.

BA often uses an immature coping mechanism when confronted by facts that do not fit his worldview, e.g.:

"Since they're dumb, they can't be intellectuals. Refer to the dictionary definition above. Intellectuals and the left are mutually exclusive."

This is known in the psychiatric literature as "splitting" or more colloquially as all or nothing thinking, which is seen in patients with borderline personality disorder.