'Complexion' of black camp kids not a problem at new pool

I saw this story on Drudge

I think Creative Steps should politely decline Girard College's offer and demand access to The Valley Club.

They should not be forced to find another pool.  Who's up for a good ole fashioned sit in?

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by: shaz4005 @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:03:22 AM CDT

both sounds about right to me

i think the spurned kids just need to have a fun summer, and should go someplace that they're respected and loved.  but that doesn't mean certain adults couldn't make an appearance on the white tiles of the purity pool.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:19:44 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think it would be wonderful...

...if parents of all ethnicities would remove their kids from the racist pool, and bring them here and elsewhere.

I'm very glad this pool has clearer waters.

Hate stops a beating heart.

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by: KarenS @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:03:42 AM CDT

the best thing to happen

would be as you surmise, that the place is forced to be open to everyone.  but i'm thinking in angry vindictive mode, and so what i hopefully envision is that the ensuing white flight causes Valley Swim Racist Indoctrination Center to go bankrupt.  then perhaps the city can get it for a dime and turn it into a genuinely accommodating public accommodation.  in the mean time, those hateful bigots would be out of a summer of swimming due to their own bigotry.  oh boo hoo for them.  cry me a pool.

this whole thing has me so upset and reliving the anger and confusion of being deliberately separated from my friends by elementary school teachers.  incidently, everyone is always bothered most by the word nigger, but honestly it is the more arcane one for kids that you used, pickaninny, that has plagued me personally my whole life.  you see, it was used so incessantly around me to imply that black kids were little vamint-infested animals that here i am solidly middle aged and still have to fight that word and the ugliness it embodies in my unconscious mind.  so i know that whatever non-racist white kids left that pool because they were prompted simply by the panicked actions of others - those kids may be scarred for life with similarly unwanted kneejerk thoughts that they find absolutely horrifying.  rightfully, the effect of such events on the black kids is the focus of attention, but racist parents need to understand that they're traumatizing their own kids too when they talk and act shamefully.






Lurleen on Twitter

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by: Lurleen @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:15:28 AM CDT

More newspaper coverage, and some pics of Northeast Philly...

http://www.philly.com/philly/n...

http://www.philly.com/philly/n...

Links have info from the Daily News (a more tabloid daily, and this article includes some author opinion as well) and Philadelphia Inquirer, respectively.

Re: the neighborhood - some areas of Philly do look like your stomping grounds, Pam - mostly in the Northwest section, but there are some very well kept street blocks in West Philly, North Philly, South Philly, and Northwest Philly too, even in older neighborhoods w/ the rowhomes, even in lower and fixed income areas - the problem is always the blight and neglect that happens the next block over.

But I found pics online that show typical homes in Northeast Philly. Not too many areas are older than the 1950s, since much of the area was farmland, including a penitentary farm, throughout the 1920s and 30s and it wasn't developed until after WWII.

http://www.images04.olx.com/ui...
http://www.activerain.com/.../...
http://farm1.static.flickr.com...

Urban. Absolutely urban. And too many people have a bombed-out-rowhouse view of what "urban" means.

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by: lyonside @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:24:13 AM CDT

Is it 1963 again?

I am reminded of good ol' mayor Rizzo -

"Hey Rizzo,

Ain't you heard?

Philly Ain't Johannesburg!"

The comments are a fucking timewarp.

Crickets from Jesse and Al.

Question:  What does an atheist do when they fall to the floor and start "speaking in tongues"?

Answer: Get a CAT scan.

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by: Snooky Ookums @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:24:49 AM CDT

Ya know, that would work..

Substitute "Valley" for "Rizzo"...

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by: lyonside @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:05:09 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

These photos are beautiful, Pam.

Some days I want to grab people by the collars and scream in their faces...  

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:26:56 AM CDT

I'm glad they found

an alternate pool that is welcoming.  These kids deserve to swim.  

This story really has brought people out from the woodwork, I was reading comments on MyFoxPhilly and Fark... some made me want to throw up in my mouth a little and some made me smile.  But it was the bad that overran the whole thread... I guess trolls and all.

This is a hard road these kids are just only beginning, wish things could be better.

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by: flyerfier @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:27:59 AM CDT

Here's a link to an archived web page

http://web.archive.org/web/200...

Note that EVERY person in EVERY photo is white.

Question:  What does an atheist do when they fall to the floor and start "speaking in tongues"?

Answer: Get a CAT scan.

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by: Snooky Ookums @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:33:12 AM CDT

what affect has this had on the children?

This will be one more thing these children will carry into their adult lives-that somehow they are inferior. That is horrible! Every child should be empowered, that they can do anything they want when they grow up, even be president.

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by: chef kat @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:34:29 AM CDT

light in the tunnel?

It just makes me so happy that there's at least a couple groups out there who have responded in the way they did to make sure these kids still have a fun summer. That gives me hope for the world when I get too depressed from reading all those racist comments.

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by: laurenautomatic @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 10:40:16 AM CDT

As a former lifeguard

I can tell you as a former lifeguard, kids are kids, are kids.  They're all the same when they're at the pool.  They all get excited, they all run when they know they really shouldn't, they all are there to have a good time.  This situation is just appalling.

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by: sammyseattle @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:06:53 AM CDT

Legally speaking?

Does a "private" club really legally have the right to refuse anyone for any reason? I'm finding it hard to believe that the actions of this neanderthalic club were within the law. What does the law say?

Close the GayTM. Only give to candidates who have actually done something other than make promises - most are just pandering for our cash.

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by: JohnVisser @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:15:42 AM CDT

YES They Do!

But, many clubs have changed because of embarrassment to high-profile members or because people won't join because they object to the policy, or don't want to be associated with it.

However, if business is conducted at a club, contacts made, dues are paid by employers, etc., then they can be compelled to admit protected classes such as women or blacks.

Also, don't forget the Boy Scouts. They won their court case to exclude gays as a private club, but now they can no longer receive favored treatment such as free access to public facilities, taxpayer funds, etc. -- which they used to enjoy.

It is my understanding that NASA still sponsors the space scouts. I've written letters and tried to get that stopped, but had no success and little interest or support from anyone else to push the issue.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:37:22 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

It goes to the organizations

The Civil Rights bill and other legislation has outlawed some forms of private discrimination, but most of the law just applies to government/public discrimination. The reason the Boy Scouts won, agree or disagree, is that an organization can discriminate if it goes to their purpose (the rationale being that the Boy Scouts credo is heterosexuality...hey, don't look at me, that's the Supreme Court).

But under most civil rights legislation, I think if one of the kids/kids parents sued for racial discrimination, it would fly. But I doubt the expense/time would be worth it for them. Much easier for social than legal influence in this case.

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by: captsfufp @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 13:14:21 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

They aren't a private club!

They lease their facility to the public. That makes them subject to public accommodation laws.

It is against the law for any private entity that owns, operates, leases, or leases to, a place of public accommodation to restrict access based on race, religion, gender, or any other protected status.

They took $1,900 from this group and then discriminated against them. They can't do that and they will lose 65 discrimination lawsuits.

This is like those country clubs that lease out their facilites for weddings. They can't pick and choose their customers based on race.

This is a separate issue from membership. The kids didn't apply for membership at the swim club. They merely leased the facility for their use.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 13:26:41 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Private social clubs

are exempt from civil-rights laws with respect to their membership criteria. However, the legal definition of a "private social club" is vary narrow; to meet it, a club must be highly selective in its membership policies (typically requiring potential new members to be nominated by one or more existing members), must charge substantial membership dues, must not allow its members to transact business or engage in commercial networking on its premises, must accept only a small number of new members per year, and must not market itself to the general public. Basically, a private social club is a group of friends who have pitched in to acquire some common facilities, and as such its members have a right to freedom of association. An operation that would resemble a business if not for its membership rules doesn't qualify.

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by: ebohlman @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 17:44:08 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Were any of these kids biracial?

Valley Swim Club could perhaps initiate a genetic testing program to determine how many of them could be allowed to use to the pool, and to what degree.  I'm reminded of the story about Groucho Marx, who was told he couldn't use the pool at a private swim club because he was Jewish.  His response to the club?  "My daughter's only half Jewish.  Can she go in halfway?"

I agree with Lurleen.  This club needs to be driven into bankruptcy.

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:16:36 AM CDT

One for sure...

One mother who is a member of the club was quoted in one of the articles - her family was not there on the same day as the campers. Her son is biracial (I'm assuming black/white, since that's most common in the Philly region - I also assume the mother quoted is white - again, based on demographics). She says that he hasn't had any problems at the club, but that she's troubled.

My issues with that idea:

1. So what if ONE child, of mixed descent, is treated decently? Colorism  and appearance can play as much of a role as actual ethnic or racial background. And if her son doesn't "look THAT black," and especially if he's not part of a large group, poeple are not going to object.

2. How old is her son? It's very possible he's experienced some things from peers and hasn't had the words or the skills to verbalize, or he didn't want to make waves, "cause trouble," etc. OR that he's dealt with it in his own way.

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by: lyonside @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:55:55 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Awesome

Groucho Marx is amazing.  

http://chimaerandi.blogspot.com/

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by: GirlyQ @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 12:59:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

A southerner wrote in too

tweaking the noses of the Yankees, but it was more "hey it's all you guys; only black people and yankees can be racists. We're just fine squatting here where we are"

That made me feel like saying go ahead and squat, you worthless little toad.

What a day, what a day for an auto-da-fe

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by: revbob @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:16:51 AM CDT

A few items

1. I would've gotten worked up over this a year ago. Now, all I can say is that we have more important things on our plate right now like the economy and health care. What a shame these black people are so selfish that they want to push their personal agenda when our country is facing far more important issues.

Having gotten my smart-ass out of the way:

2. The club took money for a service. Sounds like the club is in breach of contract (verbal or written) unless there's a written contract with signatures that says blacks are not allowed, or a verbal contract and this rule was mentioned.

The club is private so they can admit who they want unless there's a contract, as I mentioned in the last paragraph.

3. On the bright side: As awful as these things are, we need incidents like this to remind us what goes on in the real world and that the battle for equal rights has not yet been won - for anyone, black, female, or gay. It is incidents like this which cause people to re-examine their own actions and understand that more work is needed to achieve equal rights.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:29:11 AM CDT

Unfuckingbelievable

Now, all I can say is that we have more important things on our plate right now like the economy and health care. What a shame these black people are so selfish that they want to push their personal agenda when our country is facing far more important issues.

Jesus Christ Riding On A Pony, this comment is a piece of work. Thanks for making this bullsh*t statement prior to Civility Day...

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:46:11 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I think that was supposed to be snark...

because oldbrit is using the same argument non-progressive liberals/Democrats are using to justify not fighting for GLBT equality.

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by: lyonside @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:58:40 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hope you're right...

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:10:24 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

You are correct

I was being snarky.

But, it does bring up an important issue:

I have turned into a quid pro quo activist.

I am solely focused on equal rights for lgbt people. I only get involved in other issues when I can get a clear statement of support for lgbt equal rights from organizers, etc.

That's why I won't lift a finger to support any of the things the Democrats and Obama think are important right now -- even though some of them are issues I've been concerned about and worked on for years.

That's also why I will vote for Dick Cheney if he runs for president in 2012 - He supports same-sex marriage and Obama doesn't. (I'll have to hold my nose when I do it since I have never voted for a Republican.)

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:11:01 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

There's the advantage of being able to multi-task

I'm able to feel compassion and advocate for more than one group at a time.

Giving support to Dick Cheney because of his sudden POST BUSH ERA and newly minted "support" of SSM is like PETA supporting Hitler because he had a dog.

Come back from the Dark Side, old brit... do not give in to your anger... use your talents for good, not evil! ;)  

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:34:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Speaking of Nazi references...

Why is it that we ban people for Nazi references instead of let readers do the appropriate thing...laugh hysterically?

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by: Pollyanna @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:41:52 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Oh, believe me

I am laughing- that anyone other than Liz Cheney would want Darth back in DC is flipping hilarious... and here I was, thinking you and I had the silliest senses of humor, Pollyanna!

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:49:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What we really have is common, Louise,

is that we both cheer for American League teams with "Sox" in their names.  Sadly, one of us is going to be disappointed when October rolls around.  Happily, that person won't be me.

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by: Pollyanna @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 15:42:15 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hey, I'll cheer

for the White Sox; no prob! :) Just like a good ball game.

I was such an anti-Red Sox person for so long (big time Yankees fan in my childhood); no one more surprised than me when 2004 happened and I started to give a damn. Speaking of Red Sox, Ortiz finally got HR #10 of the year last night.

Can you imagine how fast you, me, Petey and Kev could get thrown into jail if we were ever to go to a game together- and how much effing FUN we would have before it happened? I bet we'd be the top story on CNN easily!

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 16:25:45 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

The Rainbow Coalition Goes Straight to Jail

All protest that only "Louise" was drunk on her ass.

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by: Pollyanna @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 20:40:03 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

"Take Me Out

To the BAAAAALLLLL GAAAAAMMMMMME!!!!!!"

And since I'm seriously out of practice, 2 or 3 beers and I'd be gonzo and trying to show the pitcher "how it's done".  

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by: Louise @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 08:14:45 AM CDT

[ Parent ]

I can multi-task

I can multi-task and do.

What I won't do is actively support issues that benefit those who do not support equal rights for all people.

That's my litmus test, and it has been brought about by people who got into power by suckering lgbt people into supporting them and now, that they have the power, are giving lgbt people the finger.

I have always voted for the most liberal Democrat in primaries and for the Democratic nominee - who was usually more conservative than my choice - in the general election.

I have voted for Democrats that do not fully support lgbt rights over Green and other candidates in the general election because I wanted to keep Republicans out, and I trusted Democrats to do the correct thing when they got into power.

I was wrong.

Now, I will vote for the candidate that supports same-sex marriage, regardless of their positions on other issues. If that hurts Democrats and causes horrid people to get elected, that is the fault of those who shamelessly lied to lgbt people solely to gain power.

I do understand the importance of allies and coalitions, but  they are worth nothing when some allies and coalition members turn their backs on their allies and the coalition when they achieve power.

I will also point out that Obama and the Democrats are doing a lousy job at advancing the progressive / liberal agenda. Obama's health care plan is a joke. It will fail and allow the Republicans to claim that "government-run health care is a disaster."

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 13:04:25 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Well explained

and I'll radically tone back my own smartassedness. Thank you, old brit.

What you say about betrayal by a party isn't something I've personally experienced- have always been Independent (since 1984) until this last "go-round", voting for individuals over any sort of party loyalty.

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 13:18:42 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I hear you oldbrit...

except for that Cheney thing. EEEWWWWW!

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by: meileen @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:04:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Yes, Cheney - EEWWWWW!

Quoting myself

I think it would be poetic justice, sweet revenge, and karmic perfection if Cheney ran against Obama in 2012 and beat him because 75% of gays voted for Cheney over Obama.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more angry I get. So, I will go on record now stating that if Obama and the Democrats don't get on the equal rights train fast, I think LGBT's and their supporters (like me) should vote Republican to punish Obama and the Democrats for suckering gays and their supporters into voting for them all these years.

And, it isn't just equal rights. I assure you that when the dust settles, Obama will have presided over the most massive wealth transfer from the working classes to the ultra-wealthy in history.

Democrats pretend to be for equal rights, for economic justice, for universal health care, for a clean environment, etc., and then stab us in the back when they have the power to fix things. At least with the Republicans, we know that we will get a pile of crap and we won't be disappointed in their scumbaggery.

Here's the complete comment: comment link

Essentially, if the Democrats aren't going to fix things, wee need Republicans to run things because they will make things more desperate more quickly and hopefully result in Americans taking power into their own hands and fixing the problems.

I suggest we start a movement for a constitutional convention for the purpose of amending the constituion to eliminate the electoral college and implement voter-owned elections: non-partisan election administration, non-partisan redistricting, and publicly-financed elections.

If we don't fix the problems within the constitutional framework soon, I fear we will have a violent citizen revolt or we will be so powerless that we will literally be serfs on corporate plantations, illiterate, poor, unhealthy, and dieing at an early age - a society engineered by the ultra-wealthy to maximize their control over us for their own wealth and amusement.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Sun Jul 12, 2009 at 15:02:04 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I do agree with you but,

the analogy doesn't really work. PETA claims that owning a pet is the equivalent to owning a slave. So Hitler's dog would make PETA like him even less.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:57:57 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Hmm.

Maybe there's a damn good reason we're supposed to stay away from that topic... besides, anyone who has been to my house knows I am in servitude to the cats and pug!

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by: Louise @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 16:28:33 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Same with me.

The shepherd mix and the beagle mix practically run the place.

Fetch my pearls, I need to clutch them!

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by: RainbowPhoenix @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 16:34:26 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Where on earth did you get the idea

that Cheney "supports same-sex marriage"?  He has said repeatedly that he thinks same-sex marriage "should be left to the states."  So he not only thinks it's okay for a state to legalize SSM, he also thinks it's okay for other states to ban it.  In other words, he does not think it's a constitutional right to which we're inherently entitled as American citizens--that we have no right to expect equal treatment under law.  You could vote for that?!

The American people, taking one with another, are the most timorous, sniveling, poltroonish, ignominious mob of serfs and goose-steppers ever gathered under one flag in Christendom since the end of the Middle Ages.
-H.L. Mencken

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by: QScribe @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:28:43 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

That's a step ahead of Obama

Bastard / Bigot Hypocrite Obama says he is against same-sex marriage for religious reasons. He thinks it is a states' rights issue -- which is the same argument segregationists used. Had segregationists prevailed in their states' rights arguments in support of segregation, Obama might be cleaning toilets in The White House instead of running the place.

Cheney is not opposed to same-sex marriage. I don't like the fact that he agrees with Obama that it is a states' rights issue, but at least Cheney is ahead of Obama.

I think it would be poetic justice, sweet revenge, and karmic perfection if Cheney ran against Obama in 2012 and beat him because 75% of gays voted for Cherey over Obama.

In fact, the more I think about it, the more angry I get. So, I will go on record now stating that if Obama and the Democrats don't get on the equal rights train fast, I think LGBT's and their supporters (like me) should vote Republican to punish Obama and the Democrats for suckering gays and their supporters into voting for them all these years.

And, it isn't just equal rights. I assure you that when the dust settles, Obama will have presided over the most massive wealth transfer from the working classes to the ultra-wealthy in history.

Democrats pretend to be for equal rights, for economic justice, for universal health care, for a clean environment, etc., and then stab us in the back when they have the power to fix things. At least with the Republicans, we know that we will get a pile of crap and we won't be disappointed in their scumbaggery.

I was naive enough to actually believe that Democrats weren't scumbags. My eyes are open now. I guess I should thank Obama for the dose of reality he has given me.

The hottest places in hell are reserved for those who, in time of great moral crisis, maintain their neutrality. -- John F. Kennedy (inspired by Dante's Inferno)

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by: oldbrit @ Sat Jul 11, 2009 at 22:00:56 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

They're awfully sorry...........they got CAUGHT

When privately they thought they had every right and privlidge to spit on children, they DID.
NOW they found it bought their "special" little nest of vipers bad PR, and their members political donations might be viewed as coming from racist F*CKTARDS, the little Black children can come to their pool.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:40:39 AM CDT

I think honestly that 1 or 2 can...

So that the members can pat themselves on the back and feel "inclusive" and "modern." Especially if the kids are schooled to be polite and meek. And if they're outnumbered and among strangers, they probably will be. Call these two mythical kids Step and FetchIt.

But the minute there are more than 10, the minute their kids are outnumbered, or one kid raises his/her voice calling to a friend, (you know, kids acting like KIDS), they become a threat, a hazard, and therefore undesirable.

Suddenly there's a "space" issue, where there wasn't one before.

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by: lyonside @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:02:46 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

What would be hillarious

Michelle Obama showing up with her daughters in swim suits, just watch these hateful racists grab every kid of any color to get in their damn pool.
I'd like to see a few African American celebs, buy this whole club, and kick out EVERY current member, that's how you do it.
Snoop, Tiger, Oprah, Halley, Beyonce....want a pool?

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 11:56:22 AM CDT

Even better than simply AA celebs buying this club

Have massive demonstrations for a month, drive down their property value....THEN BUY IT.
I hated to think these folks might profit on the sale.
ADD insult to injury.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:09:34 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

2 great strategies.

Having Michelle and the girls show up to swim would be a great kick in the pants to these folks, and buying the place out from under them would send them apoplectic. What's good for the goose and all...

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by: meileen @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:10:44 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Actually Michelle showing up at a competing club might do more good

Snubbing these club members, would be worthy of Rahm Emmanuel's sense of vengence.

What have you done today, to make ya feel PROUD?


~Heather Small

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by: peteyPornpig @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:55:35 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Amused and bruised

Amused: Because I went in to the story wondering how the complexion of a group of kids was such an issue at a pool. I obviously was more focused on the zit that recently built a small castle on my right cheek than on race ...

Bruised: Because I'm always dismayed that people are just so unapologetically ignorant.

Let the children go on to have a great summer experience, and let the adults turn up the heat until that pool becomes the pot those bigots get to stew in.

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by: BrianZ @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:01:46 PM CDT

Media coverage

Glad to see CNN's Susan Candiotti just reported on this; it's the first I had heard it on TV news, tho' it's been on HuffPo already (besides here, of course).

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by: Jake @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 12:14:35 PM CDT

Reading those comments at the club's website made me sick to my stomach.

That's ugly for all the world to see.

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by: night owl @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 14:22:37 PM CDT

who should get our attention? the good people of course!

 i think that it is worth trying to make the whites only pool own their whites only fear based rule by forcing them to amend their rules to 'put it in writing'.  make them put it in writing and pay to reprint the rules and pay to mail them out, amend their advertising.

money, praise, etc should be heaped upon the college pool that stepped up to ensure these kids got a good summer experience.  i would like to see some of our gAyTM money not going to the democrats go to this kids group or the college.  also hrc or a national gay family group should step up in defense of these kids.  it is a good bridge to the black community by the gay community saying, 'we understand the scar of rejection this leaves on these kids.  we need to teach them [the kids] that they are loved and lovely as they are and that we should forgive those that don't yet understand that.  we must accept that we run across many people in life that behave badly to others because they are in emotional pain and denial.  what they say is solely a reflection of their inner world and has absolutely nothing to do with you.  do not give these people your energy or you will be as stressed and unhappy as they are.'  empathy makes the world go 'round.  i feel for the kids that didn't understand why their mom's were telling them to get out of the pool.  i feel for the black kids the most.  it is just crushing to have that experience, at any age.  it changes you..unless we step in.

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by: swabby @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 16:12:05 PM CDT

Gumdrops and Sprinkles as well

For giving the kids free ice cream and candy. That was quite generous and I hope they get a lot of customers for it.  

http://chimaerandi.blogspot.com/

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by: GirlyQ @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 13:08:23 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

Kudos to Girard College

They used to be a school that was restricted to white boys.

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by: PSzymeczek @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 16:33:36 PM CDT

To contact them

Just wanted to share this info.  I tried to contact them, but their page has been taken down.  You can find their contact info from google's cache.

http://74.125.47.132/search?q=...

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by: deezero @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 18:25:04 PM CDT

The Neighborhood Crack really pisses me off

I live in a predominantly African-American neighborhood in DC, one that I chose in large part because of the success the neighbors had in dealing with the crime that came with the crack epidemic in the early 90s. Certainly we still have crime, but an alarm system, nosy neighbors and ensuring I have a car less valuable than others on the block (I don't think any thief would steal my Hyundai over the Mercedes across the way) help a lot. Also, I am one of 2 - 3 white households on the street, and I can assure you that my lawn is the worst on the block.

It is absolutely appalling not only that such bigotry still exists in the world, but that the club would be so frickin' clueless about making their bigotry so obvious.  

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by: CPT_Doom @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 18:52:43 PM CDT

Cheap shots at John McCain.

John McCain's favorite country club is down the street from a place where I was "house sitting."  I saw minorities driving in in junker cars but not in the big fancy stuff that the whites drove in.  Now I didn't spend all of my time watching who drove in or out but I will assure you that to the best of my knowledge John McCain's favorite country club is racist as hell.

A couple of years before I worked with a woman who claimed to have worked for the city of Phoenix in the land tax department and when an initiative was passed that someone had to certify that the land was properly appraised and the taxes were paid, refused to sign and was fired because the land under the country club was appraised at less than 5 per cent of the surrounding land and they hadn't paid their taxes in, I believe, 9 years.

Honest John, what a fucking lie. Some deluded minorities especially women voted for this lying thieving piece of shit.
 

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by: less is more @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 21:01:13 PM CDT

Do you know about his role in the sale of Fort Ord?

He got a buddy a sweetheart land deal when the government sold off land at the former Fort Ord in Central California. The guy got the land for pennies on the dollar and made a multi-million dollar profit.

Then, the buddy made a major campaign contribution to McCain.

When you look for the bad in mankind, expecting to find it, you surely will.

- Abraham Lincoln.

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by: Fritz @ Thu Jul 09, 2009 at 21:14:32 PM CDT

[ Parent ]

I work in conferencing and event planning

The club is in complete and total breach of contract. A venue will assess their ability to handle the number of people WHEN THE CONTRACT IS MADE. I told a group we couldn't have their kids use the pool because of a lack of life guards too - before they paid, or even before I solidified a contract. These people know what they can handle. If that had been the issue, they never would have made the contract. So that's a bullshit reason for their racism, as someone who works in the same field.

I wasn't there, but I highly doubt they were too rowdy to swim as well. Kids respond very well to instructions yelled by a guard (again, experience). I don't believe any of what they are saying.  

http://chimaerandi.blogspot.com/

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by: GirlyQ @ Fri Jul 10, 2009 at 13:06:29 PM CDT