White males need not apply

Oh good Lord, calm down.

I'm sure part of the point that was being made refers to the type of cronyism that exists in places like Boston, where connected contractors got awarded bids and then ran over budget by billions while doing the Big Dig.

I'm not worried about the death of the white race in America. We're all equally screwed and I sincerely doubt Obama has the power/ability to sway things as much as the panicking McCain voters think he will.

Edit: Removed stupid and insensitive attempt at humor. I'm not funny.

None the less those were inflammatory words, and he did say they want unskilled minorities over skilled white workers, if someone is building a bridge my family is going to cross I definately prefer a skilled professional worker of any race. Maybe Obama's team need speech training or were they saying what they mean?

Why mention race at all?

wow ...Im not advocating turning this thing into a debate. But seriously? over the last 8 years, the top 70% of wealth increase went to the richest 3% of the poulous. This trend was driven by an under-regulated banking system being manipulated by the power in office, and the debt is being borne by the market whose downward spiral isnt felt by those who are cheating it. If the rich banking/investing firms get a handout and NOT a loan, then why not help out the little guy wherever possible using a regulated system with the checks and balances not seen when the scenario was reversed. There was alienation and exclusion for nearly the past decade, just at the top rather than at the bottom, it was just not talked about until it nearly ruined the country. This whole argument reminds me of when Metallica cried about lost sales from pirated music. "Im rich, but you stole coin change out of my ashtray in my gold plated bentley. Now Im gonna get mad and make a huge stink about it".

Chill out man. If something is broken, and you try to change it, its a good thing. If what youre doing doesnt work, do something else, even if your not sure it will work. Dont keep failing for certain because youre not certain you wont fail.

Are you saying that white construction workers are in the top 3% of income earners

You cant take this particular scenario and argue against a broad idea, so no, I actually disagree with the reps statements singling out white construction workers, and thin race need not be brought up at all. I think if a bridge is built, the best guy should do it. Period. I was more or less referring to MGAMGB's "RIP America" statement as it pertains to "all that overbearing, PC, liberal, silliness" that he thinks is going to ruin the country. It wont do any better a job at ruining it than a conservative "reward the wealthy for ripping off everyone else" dogma that has ruled DC for the better half of my life.

So, the appologists are starting already. It's OK to hate whitey, huh? Because a few rich folk, how happen to be mostly white (and a lot of them D's), ripped off the rest of us? Funny thing is a good friend of mine is an older white construction worker in the Deep South. He would vote for any D because he thinks D's help the "little guy" as per what has been forced into his head by the D controlled news media. So, he voted for The O. Now The O's team is saying that the white construction worker is gonna get screwed on this deal. Jokes on my friend.

Wow. It's too bad your friend is so feeble minded that he can't watch the news and think for himself.

again with the party thing? Listen:

A. There is no way in hell that the race card will be an issue in this. Even with a minority president, the rest of the govt will step in and keep that from EVER happening. I didnt see the rest of the discussion that was in the utube link, but my guess is that it was generalization. I cant say for sure though. Like I said before, the race issue shouldnt have been used, so shame on that guy.

B. As far as the "D" controled media? Ever heard of Rush Limbaugh, Hanity and Combes (Spell Check?) or Fox news? theres just as much "R" controled media claiming "the end is near" as "D"s saying "were saved!".

The injustice here is not the issue of race being used as a deciding factor. While that is a terrible idea, I dont think that is the issue being disputed here because like I said, I cant see any intelligent person thinking that is any way a viable piece of criteria for any decision. I think the race comment was being used as a generality, and poorly and irresponsibly used at that. The real injustice is that there isnt a meritocracy in place. If anyone gets a job who is less qualified for it, then there is the injustice.

You don't see many white construction workers down here in Texas. Seems to me they got screwed long before the current administration got into office.

"Racism" and "sexism" have been a part of government contracts for a long time, this is not new. The US government requires that a certain percentage of contracts go out to "minority" owned businesses (this is for the federal parks, I assume it is similar in all branches).

On a more board topic note: The also require (rather stupidly) that the vehicles in there motor pool are an equal mix of makes from domestic manufacturers. Imagine what an necessary pain in the ass that is for the maintenance staff! You have 3 trucks and they all have to be different makes!

Hey, I might be white, but I still have the immigrant card to play. Makes me a minority, don' t cha know.

If it's Not about race? Then why are we reminded every second that Obama is the FIRST Black President?

Talk about racism!

Why not speak the truth? He is only one half African. Raised by a white mother and grand parents.

One has to love the Howard Stern show's on the street interviews in Harlem. When colored folk comment on Obamma's pick for Secretary of State: Marion Barry and the new law he passed that will jail whites for using the " N word!

Much as I hate jump into this school of flounder, I think it needs to be pointed out that Charles Rangle is as far to the left as Hess is to the right. Robert Reich is an economics professor at UC Berkley. Taking remarks about what they would like to see to represent the Obama administration's views is about as valid as saying that Jesse Helms and Milton Freidman (sp?) were the mouth pieces for the Reagan Administration.

SoloSonett wrote: If it's Not about race? Then why are we reminded every second that Obama is the FIRST Black President? Talk about racism! Why not speak the truth? He is only one half African. Raised by a white mother and grand parents.

plus eleventy billion.

I think that it kind of undermines the good that he has done if its only because he is black.

aircooled wrote: "Racism" and "sexism" have been a part of government contracts for a long time, this is not new. The US government requires that a certain percentage of contracts go out to "minority" owned businesses (this is for the federal parks, I assume it is similar in all branches).

I'm a white guy. I work for a SWAM. Here in VA that's short for a Supplier Woman and Minority. Basically a certain amount of contracts have to be supplied by a Woman or a Minority owned business. It's crap. I'll be the first to admit. Race shouldn't play any part, but bear with me please.

It's also required or else all the contracts would go to the same old white guys who yuck it up at the country club all year. The good ol'boy network is very, very strong here.

Ironically, I'm a white guy. Most all of the people I work with are white guys. We have a few women, asian minorities, and the next largest population segment is african-Am...I mean blacks as not all are of African decent no matter how far back you go.

Let's consider. You have a SWAM business employing predominantly white guys. I can't tell you if that's good or bad. On the one hand the contract should go the lowest bidder aka most qualified to give the state a break. All companies know the bill rate and it's dictated by the state, no haggling.

On the other hand the leg up is really needed here. Otherwise the SWAM's wouldn't have a chance against the well connected network that's been in place for decades if not centuries.

On the third hand the contracts that SWAMs get are 90% (conservative estimate) given to white guys to work.

I'm sure anyone, on either side of the R's vs. D's fence, could slant this in either direction.

SoloSonett wrote: One has to love the Howard Stern show's on the street interviews in Harlem. When colored folk comment on Obamma's pick for Secretary of State: Marion Barry and the new law he passed that will jail whites for using the " N word!

Come on here. That's bullshytt if I ever heard it. You know that if you went into the backwoods of W. VA. you could find the same crap coming out of a white guy's mouth, just in reverse.

One of the secrets of A.M. conservative radio is to help white guys feel victimized. It's how they keep their ratings and keep their listeners riled up. Keep that in mind when you listen. Some do a good job of slipping that in while others beat you over the head with it. Evidently, their listeners are easily led to that point. Propaganda as insidious as NPR's leftist slant that slip as well. I'm not saying one is better than the other. Just saying that they both have their agenda.

geomiata wrote:

SoloSonett wrote: If it's Not about race? Then why are we reminded every second that Obama is the FIRST Black President? Talk about racism! Why not speak the truth? He is only one half African. Raised by a white mother and grand parents.

plus eleventy billion. I think that it kind of undermines the good that he has done if its only because he is black.

You guys are right. A lot of folks harp on this. I find it ironic again that Obama doesn't mention race as much as all the white folks around him. I think it's noble personally. He could be walking into the White House singing the theme song to The Jefferson's, and it would be fitting.

But..he doesn't. He's not a sore winner by any means.

Xceler8x wrote: Come on here. That's bullshytt if I ever heard it. You know that if you went into the backwoods of W. VA. you could find the same crap coming out of a white guy's mouth, just in reverse.

I could just see Howard Stern sending his crew up to the West Virginia backwoods trying to get a few interviews. In fact, I wouldn't put it past him.

Isn't Obama like.... 12.5% black? As long as we're bringing up figures....

It's just all stupid. And i hate politics.

4cylndrfury wrote: A. There is no way in hell that the race card will be an issue in this. Even with a minority president, the rest of the govt will step in and keep that from EVER happening. I didnt see the rest of the discussion that was in the utube link, but my guess is that it was generalization. I cant say for sure though. Like I said before, the race issue shouldnt have been used, so shame on that guy.

As others have already pointed out, you obviously know absolutely nothing about the process of awarding government contracts.

I do. I've been in construction for 30 years, and the biggest failure of my life was that I never chose to sell my company to my wife (a hispanic).

I didn't because it made no sense. She can't run a construction company, and has zero related experience.

But I failed to consider the method in which minority contracts are awarded. If I had sold it to her, I'd be a multi-millionaire by now, and we'd be retired. Instead, we live hand to mouth and are wondering what will happen to us in the very near future.

No minorities jobs would have been gained. Absolutuely zero.

The fact is, that level of racial injustice and discrimination has existed for decades.

Now, now, now- we all know that racism or sexism is bad. Unless it's used against The Man, meaning white guys. Then it's good.

derekshannon wrote: I'm pretty conservative and I hope Obama governs AT LEAST from the center but I do feel very happy for minorities and the country as a whole in that (equality) context.

That's not going to happen. Its a tug of war and frankly over the past 8 years things have been tugging the other way quite a bit, a lot of rich people got a whole lot richer not for any work they did but just for the fact that they had money. So its time for a big heave ho to get things going the other way. Those of us on the bottom need something when the price of everyday necessities jumps 50% or more in a few years, the price of a first home increases 100% or more over a few years. It's not "fair" but life isn't fair.

Type Q wrote: Much as I hate jump into this school of flounder, I think it needs to be pointed out that Charles Rangle is as far to the left as Hess is to the right. Robert Reich is an economics professor at UC Berkley. Taking remarks about what they would like to see to represent the Obama administration's views is about as valid as saying that Jesse Helms and Milton Freidman (sp?) were the mouth pieces for the Reagan Administration.

Ummm...

Charles Rangel was only given a ranking 80.3% by the National Journal on a scale of the most liberal Representatives. That makes 83 Representatives more liberal than him (according to their voting records).

Mr. Obama was rated in the same study as #1 most liberal Senator at the time(according to his voting record).

Robert Reich was Economic Advisor to Mr. Obama, and served as Secretary of Labor under President Clinton. That makes him influential.

Besides, they were both shown addressing Congress. What difference does it make whether they are "In" or "Out" of the current administration? They are both exerting powerful influence, and both should know better than to use such offensive racial generalizations before Congress and on C-Span.

Unless, of course, they mean it.

SupraWes wrote: That's not going to happen. Its a tug of war and frankly over the past 8 years things have been tugging the other way quite a bit, a lot of rich people got a whole lot richer not for any work they did but just for the fact that they had money. So its time for a big heave ho to get things going the other way. Those of us on the bottom need something when the price of everyday necessities jumps 50% or more in a few years, the price of a first home increases 100% or more over a few years. It's not "fair" but life isn't fair.

Huh?

Where did the price of a home increase 100% or more in a few years? Where do you live, Dubai???

You're nuts if you think this is gonna be a great big handout for those "at the bottom". I work with a lot of wealthy people, they are already posturing themselves for success and a big piece of the handouts that are coming.