Kanye West: More blame Bush
by The Panda Man · 09/04/2005 3:32 pmThe Drudge Report has gathered an interesting article highlighting the wonderful event that took place on NBC Friday night. It seems that rapper Kanye West was on hand to participate in a fund raising special for hurricane victims, when he decided to deviate from the script.
According to the Washington Post, instead of a description of the levee breaks around New Orleans, Mr. West regaled us with:
West: I hate the way they portray us in the media. You see a black family, it says, "They’re looting." You see a white family, it says, "They’re looking for food." And, you know, it’s been five days [waiting for federal help] because most of the people are black. And even for me to complain about it, I would be a hypocrite because I’ve tried to turn away from the TV because it’s too hard to watch. I’ve even been shopping before even giving a donation, so now I’m calling my business manager right now to see what is the biggest amount I can give, and just to imagine if I was down there, and those are my people down there. So anybody out there that wants to do anything that we can help — with the way America is set up to help the poor, the black people, the less well-off, as slow as possible. I mean, the Red Cross is doing everything they can. We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way — and they’ve given them permission to go down and shoot us!
But wait, there’s more!
West: George Bush doesn’t care about black people!
Perhaps Mr. West has been in contact with the Reverend Jackson. NBC finally cut away from Mr. West, and later said that the person manning the edit button on the live broadcast was on the lookout for expletives and not political diatribes. The comments were also partially edited when the special was re-broadcast on the West Coast. NBC released this statement:
"Kanye West departed from the scripted comments that were prepared for him, and his opinions in no way represent the views of the networks. It would be most unfortunate if the efforts of the artists who participated tonight and the generosity of millions of Americans who are helping those in need are overshadowed by one person’s opinion."
Unfortunately, Mr. West’s comments have overshadowed the event, and President Bush again takes the blame for Hurricane Katrina and its aftermath. Evidence suggesting poor performance of Louisiana officials in handling the disaster is largely ignored.
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This isia great oppurtunity for the US to come togather! It is noted that Texas(A RED STATE) has taken in and is currectly caring for,as of today’s date,245,000 victims of the New Orleans hurricane.
Now is the time for Senator Kennedy and Senator Clinton to rally to the cause and bring the BLUE STATES into the fight to help by taking in their share of the homeless. Jesse Jackson and his son , the Congressman from Illinois has a chance to do their bit by taking their share of these evacuees to New York, Mass., Ill. and other Blue States.
Houston has taken in 75,000 while Philadelphia, the only BLUE STATE city so far, has agreed to take in 1,000. Where are the BLUE STATES and their Democatic politians in taking in their share of those they claim to represent?
L. Cryer
Since when does Matt Drudge write for the Washington Post?
I will not give a dime unless MR. WEST says he is sorry to the white population that made him a star.
Hell yeah! I’m glad Kanye said somthing about the way Government handled the relief efforts, it should be a rescue operation! other than that it should have only taken anyone a half a day to get there from anywhere on the East Coast.
Removed at the request of the commenter.
Squawk
Bush was very insensitve and slow to act! Peoples lives have been lost because of Bushs incompetance! Sounds like if GW was CEO of a company he would have been fired! Impeach now!
I am so tired of certain media “people” and networks AND certain celebrities use their microphones to start emotional “fires” and spread HYSTERIA when disasters occur to push their political agenda! You start FIRES and then RUN!
SHAME on YOU: Kenye West(who has made millions off Americans) and Tim Russet (trying to get noticed and awarded)and MANY others!
The Black caucus is embarrassing…a bunch of whiners…Why didn’t they go down to New Orleans and HELP those poor people who HAPPEN TO BE BLACK!
BEFORE the hurricanes arrived! ( many were white victims too, you fools!) You embarrass yourselves with your blatant IGNORANCE. and Ray NAGIN! I would love to talk to him personally!
Sir, you are a weak “leader” who cried in the face of Diversity AND CHAOS! SIR, you SHOULD HAVE HAD BUSSES BEFORE THE STORM AND YOU SHOULD HAVE CALLED FOR help BEFORE THE CRISIS!!!!
THE SHAME IS OVERWHELMING. You blame the govt? I blame the LA elected so-called “leadership” who cried instead of supporting and encouraging and PREPARING!! I am GLAD you aren’t my leader! Take the RESPONSIBILITY like a man! and like a WOMAN Madame Governor! And why isn’t Kenye West down there catching the BLACK looters??????? Because he is too weak to do it/he loves his money and white suits too much!!! SHAME on YOU! We the public aren’t stupid!
It would have never taken this long to recieve the kind of assistance that are now recieving had it been Texas or Califorina to recieve this magnitude of damage. Who is to blame for the relief efforts or lack there of? The goverment taxes us to fund services that should help in time like theses. Mr. Bush is the commander and chief of this our government. We blame Osama the leader of Al Queda for 911. Should we not blame W for the people needlessly dying on the gulf coast. Could he not have sent troops the evening of the hurricane? I forgot, he was on vaction.
Why show your ignorance by standing with an ingnorant, racist fool, Amar? All you’ve done is simply let hundreds of thousands of people know how stupid you are. K. West is an ignorant, uneducated man, Amar. Why stand with him? Why not stand with all of the white people who are dodging bullets, trying to save the black people of New Orleans?
What’s with the blame game? It is suppose to relieve everyone’s responsibility if we can shove the blame to the President? Maybe those casting stones should look in the mirror first. You self-righteous,whiney, selfish, self centered people. Take all that hate energy and put it to good use and YOU step forward and help these thousands of people. What? You don’t want to help? Your thing is to cast blame because that makes you feel important. How productive that is and so helpful to those people in need. Shame, shame.
well look at the pics to come out of the media, i odnt see any white people there, the ones that are there are mentaly ill or below the poverty line (quite a few, it is america)
so wat do you expect, kanye west’s views are that of many and they should not be ignored or brushed aside by the conservitave media (bush supporters)
i agree with kanye west, they say that their is equal rights in america and the anyone can become president that u disagree with as there is only ever been 1 black president who was shoot and 1 catholic president also, and every president has been rich i still think their is unequal rights between white and black which should not be the case in 2005 something must be done
BRAMANTI RESPONDS: Just out of curiousity, who was the "black president who was shoot?"
No Joe, you cannot lump all of the blame on to the President; you cannot even lump most of the blame onto him.
The blame for lack of preparedness and lack of response needs to go right where it belongs, onto the shoulders of the local and state governments in Louisiana. Their plans and procedures (whatever those were) did not work.
The Federal agencies can only get involved (remember States’ rights in the Constitution?) when specifically asked by the local government. The National Guard is available to the Governor of each state, but it is up to him to call for deployment.
Frankly, I only remember one time that the National Guard was deployed prior to a Hurricane, and that was for Alicia. They moved into the storm damaged areas after the storm passed over. However it was the Governor that mobilized them, not the President, so your point about that in this case is worthless.
One thing most of the detractors are ignoring is that hindsight is 20-20; it is very easy to look back 7 days ago and isolate specific things that *should* have happened. I would bet however, that emergency procedures will be changed following this crisis, and I bet there will be a massive rollover in who holds local and state offices in Louisiana come next election.
You know, I just had surgery, and Bush didn’t visit me! He didn’t send a card, he didn’t even call me up! What kind of a President IS he?
BRAMANTI RESPONDS: That cold-hearted MONSTER! You’re lucky he didn’t sneak into the operating room and cut off your oxygen!
Lloyd -
Not too long ago, if you’ll recall, Kathleen Lees, a citizen of the “blue bastion” of Missouri, referred to the State of Texas as “a boil on the ass of humanity.” Kathleen went on to assert her agreement with the premise of Andrew Greeley, a columnist with the Chicago Sun Times, that the United States would be better off without the South. Perhaps that explains why we don’t see very many evacuees heading north.
But, in defense of the northeast, Massachusetts did agree to take in 2,500 evacuees. Perhaps the Kennedy clan decided to open up Hyannisport.
Did you note that our own Texas city of Lubbock, in the Panhandle, has agreed to accept up to 1,000 evacuees. Of course, that number does pale when compared to the Massachusetts number.
I just hope all our new citizens of Texas won’t be too disappointed when they find out they are now citizens of “a boil on the ass of humanity.”
I now know why they call America the abundant country.
After reading blogs for the last year I see an abundance of OPINIONS AND IGNORANCE!
I am beginning to think we should have some current events test to pass before you vote; the ignorance of how gov’t works in this is astounding.
ANYBODY can blaim and find fault, it takes real intelligence to solve problems.
Who the heck is the guy anyway, a singer???? How dare he start bashing before he knows all the facts…can’t you let the garbage go for just a moment in time??? Don’t listen to this guy or buy his anything, way to go dude, no focus on positive just more negative, just what everyone needs right now… did you know this is the worst national disaster the US has ever experienced and no one is perfectly equipped to handle? By the way, what happened to the northern parts of all these states okay? We’ve got little kids in every state trying to be positive and sell Kool-Aid for pete’s sake to help, at least Sean Penn is actually down there and getting dirty and Macy Gray, who I have never bought her music, but will now!) is working and sweating with the Red Cross in Texas… so just do us all a favor and just give “your people” and the other races your millions and keep you mouth shut and give all your millions to help out. P.S. as the President has said, we have plenty of forces on U.S. soil to help in any situation. For example, in Indiana, we have sent down 2500 national guard and our task force one was there in 2 days.
So if you have nothing to say positive…SHUT UP.
Jesus lives!
It is clear that within our “American Society” that black Americans still pay an undisclosed price for “liberty.” Kanye West, not an Ivy League scholar, subject expert or journalist, but “rapper” is entitled to voice his opinion. Although his comments weren’t eloquently versed he said what every black American and foreign Journalist wanted to say. He said it the same way that Susan Sarandon spoke her words regarding the War in Iraq. It was clear that Kanye’s words were not important because of the source from which they came. Foreign Journalists expressed the same sentiment regarding this devastating tragedy and Critics and politicians are speaking in tones of interposition and nullification because they want to be politically correct and careful. My grandmother once said “If you don’t stand for something you will fall for anything.” Let’s call a spade a spade. African Americans are being forced to move from inner cities because of sought real estate and the gentrification process, paid lower wages according to the US Census 2000, and a host of other cirumstances which would support the reinforcement of Kanye West’s comments.
IN A TRAGEDY SUCH AS THIS THERE ARE ISSUES THAT MUST BE CONSIDERD AND BROUGHT TO THE FOREFRONT. MR.WEST DID JUST THAT. HE MUST LEARN TO ATTACK ISSUES AND NOT CHARACTERS.
You are aware, aren’t you, that the city of New Oleans proper is approximately 70% black? Might that not account for the disproportionate number of blacks touched by this tragedy in the city?
I realize this appeal to the facts may cause great conflict, because it forces you to overcome your emotions and prejudices — but try, just for a minute, to become reality-based.
I find it very irresponsible for any actor, musician, celebrity or athlete to use their fame and notoriety to voice their political agendas - Though I’m sure Mr West sees on his 62″ plasma screen thousands and thousands of african-Americans begging for help treading for water borrowing electronics from stores while its US Government turns its back on them - What he should be doing is getting on his very powerful Gucci phone, make some calls to his rap buddies and get a few helicoptors, the same ones theyve used in their music videos, fill it full of water and supplies and fly it over N’Orlans and deliver it himself. - -I know I would If I was able. - -instead all I hear is the finger pointing and complaining. “President Bush doesnt like black people????” - what?? How old is this guy, Three?
If anyone is to blame its the local & state leaders for allowing its people to remain behind. They saw it coming? That thing wasa monster. - That place has been a ticking time-bomb on the verge of a natural disaster, we’ve all known it for years because of its dependencies on those levees.
All our hears and pocket books are open for them and we all wish we knew how to do more. The average person can only pick up the phone and make a donation. All the celebs, Hollywood folk and Athletes should be ashamed of themselves for not doing more with their resources. Don’t tell me to give, YOU give, dont tell me to volunteer, YOU volunteer, Dont tell President Bush he’s not doing anything, YOU do something. All these celebs and Hollywood people sicken me with your errogance and judgemental soapbox preaching. - Shut your pie-hole and look pretty -thats it… dont preach to us about politics. - - -If you’re not helping, pack up your Bentleys and move to Canada.
God is not happy with this administration. I am a Christian and do not accept the hypocrisy of Jesus name being associated with all that has taken place since George Bush came to power.
There are so many layers of government in our country that I’m suprised help arrived as soon as it did. It’s a shame that everyone wants to play the race card in this situation. NO is 67% minority, so you are going to see alot of Blacks on TV. If this had happened in Anywhere USA, the results would have been the same.The looting, violence and the whole nine. Homeland Security was not equipped for a disater like this plain & simple. Too much protocol and layers of government. Even now everyone wants to analyze what happened and interview this person & that person & try to place blame. Kanye should have saved his opinion for his next album.
The main problem was Louisiana’s apparent lack of any plan or stockpile for such a disaster. (Never mind the U.S. is about the only major/rich/civilized country that no longer has civil defense or ANYthing like it—we rely on the feds to institute FEMA or something and take care of us.)
Holland (always below sea level) offered about Monday to help, didn’t they? But Bush poo-poo’d them and Russia and some other early offers of aid, which weren’t even reported in the main media a few days. But Holland has the experience and gear for levee & dike breaks, etc!! Bush should have asked for their finger rather than giving them one.
Anyway, I think New Orleans & Louisiana officials should go on trial. You know, mayors and governors and such folk whose responsibility is inherent due to their office and their oaths.
I’m going to try to avoid the bad grammar,incorrect spelling and general ignorance evidenced in most of the above comments. I agree with Strongbow as far as He/She goes, but would recommend that all present visit the City of N.O. and State of LA. websites respectively, for a quick read of their hurricane specific emergency preparedness plans of action.You know, the unenacted ones that were federally facilitated 2 days prior to Katrina making landfall through the Pres.’s declarations of disaster with respect to LA. MS and AL. That would be before embarassing yourselves with uninformed and emotionally charged diatribe. Neither plan was put into action by the articulate mayor, or the absent governor. I would then like to ask you; 1)Why did nearly 2/3 of the police force quit within hours of the flooding? I know this wasn’t a shot on “COPS” arresting a drunk tourist for urinating on the street, but it is/was your sworn responsibility.(Just another city jobs program might be a good title for Kanye’s next CD) 2) Why were over 250 municipal buses parked/submerged within walking distance of the Superdome and I10? Yo Mr.”PISSED OFF” Mayor, there be’s yo buses! 3) Why do some black folk always view any disaster or social disruption as a great reason to steal t.v.’s and Nike’s (the real word for loot) as in every ConEd blackout, Rodney King’s verdict, and just last week. Kanye suggests that when white people loot its called “looking for food”. What white people Kanye, when, where? And if I missed them, did they have food or 27 inch TV’s? They don’t ransack the local Shoe Carnival when a mine collapses in extremely poor rural West Virginia and can you imagine that much utter stupididity and the pointless acts in say..Minneapolis? 3) When do you expect the citizens of any municipality to exercise a modicum of common sense and responsibility for their own behavior and welfare?…apparently when they’re not black, that’s when. 4) Many of you must think that blacks are mentally inferior, clueless and incapable unless it involves sports, or hip hop which is racist, or are supporters of the new plantation mentality that insists that blacks be taken care of without exception or expectation. Thats a con, and I’m damned tired of it. I am not an apologist for whatever happened to you before I was born, do not suffer with collective guilt because I’m White and will only donate again next April 15 (check out the latest NAACP money grab while your researching). See ya ’round Kanye.
Get an education, get a job, get the chip off your shoulder.
mr. west was half right, gw doesn’t care about black people… he doesn’t care about anyone unless they can further his war mongering needs.
for all you bush followers, i hope you know that you are supporting the worst president in the history of the united states. instead of going to so much trouble by denigrating kanye west, look at the legacy your (not mine) president is going leave. no one died because of kanye’s statements. everytime bush makes a decision thousands die!
wake up!!!
I agree with Kanye whole-heartedly. Even before this disaster, Bush never cared for the African-Americans since he was elected. Ask him, go ahead, ask him…
Way back before 9/11 the usa goverment has told people to br prepared. (I.E.—-5 days of food, and 5 days of water).
We have heard this over and over!
Days 1 to 5 in New Orlenes after the hurricane was a big mess, Day six—-Wow, what a difference a day makes.
There are years of work to be done still, Good luck and God bless each and everyone of the survivors.
Be Prepared!!!!!
5 days of water—–5 days of food!!!!
One more thing, Hasn’t President bush apponitrd more minorities to high goverment post than any other past President?
I love how all of the people who hate Bush start their daily lists of hates when something like this happens. First, if George Bush hated black people, he wouldn’t have any on his cabinet (Rice, Powell). Clinton’s highest ranking ‘friend’ was Vernon Jordan. Second, the blame game starts with the local officials in New Orleans. They sent the people to the Superdome and then stopped planning after that. The state didn’t do much either. If we all remember our government classes in high school, there is a division between state and federal. The federal government can’t just take over a state because it feels like it. Bush had to wait for the state to ask him for help officially. That didn’t happen right away and even though they asked for federal assistance before Katrina, the state dragged its feet with the national guard and other areas. Kanye West represents all the mindless, stupid celebrities who have no real grasp on what it means to be a true american. They don’t have bills to meet every month. They worry more about their clothes than trying to keep a mortgage. When they talk, I stop listening. Besides, the fundraiser was suppose to raise money for relief. Not turn people off from giving.
It’s ridiculous to even comment on a website for “lonestartimes” that has a Kerry watch on the website and poll where one of the answers is “Yes,unless they are ignorant, idiot, rappers”. I love the fact that so many are dimissing Kanye’s comments as an ignorant rappers opinion. In another show of media skewing, why is that only the less articulate responses are being shown on this website? And why is it assumed that only black people have the same feelings as Kanye West?
Response to 31:
I believe that all of the responses are shown on this website, including yours. Any rappers who have opinions on this matter are free to post. I don’t think anyone at LST ever said that only black people have the same feelings as Kanye West, take a look at Michael Moore. Please do me a favor and support your claims with facts and logic.
Response to 22:
How do you know that God is not happy with the Bush administration? Are you the only person who has the right to be associated with Jesus? Your statements really don’t sound Christian to me at all. BTW - George Bush did not “come to power”, he was elected.
Response to 26:
What exactly makes President Bush the worst in history? I’m not a blind follower, the President does have some shortcomings, but he is far from the worst in history.
No deaths because of Kanye’s statements? Maybe not directly, but the attitude that white people are responsible for all that is wrong with black people would seem to be present in the minds of thugs who shoot at rescue workers who are trying to save both black and white people from destruction.
Who said “white people are responsible for all that is wrong with black people?” I couldn’t find that…
Yes, Bush has a lot of minorities on his cabinet…does it follow that he’s entirely colorblind? He also has refused six years running to speak at the NAACP; does it then follow that he isn’t? I won’t take a stab at whether he’s racist or not–if anything, I’d venture that he’s more classist than anything. And to me, that’s the big deal–after all, I’ll never be super-rich, and thus I’ll never reap the benefits of his policies & actions. Sad for me.
((As for the fellow up there who defended the federal hurricane response by saying “Bush had to wait for the state to ask before he could do anything”…um, no. He *did* actually prepare somewhat ahead of time–kudos. But still, he misunderstood how dire the situation was, and underreacted for nearly a week. And it’s not impossible that, with 1/3 of our *National* Guard in Iraq–doesn’t the *National* part kinda imply they should be here, for just this sort of thing?–that may have been part of the problem. I’m just saying…))
I think Whatsisname West has a right to feel the way he does–after so much tragedy, and it really did hurt the blacks most of all. I won’t say I wholeheartedly agree, but I understand. On the other hand, I don’t think anybody has a right to call him an “ignorant rapper” or whatever the joke on the home page says, for expressing his opinion. I wouldn;t call any of you ignorant–you obviously are paying atention to something, by virtue of simply reading and posting on this blog–although I do disagree with many of you. Like I’ve been saying on this blog all day…too much damn anger, hatred, etc. Why are we fighting each other, when there’s so much to be done, and so much truly wrong that needs change?
MaxDaddy,
Agreed, nobody said white people are responsible for all that is wrong with black people. Poor choice of words on my part. However, playing the race card in an already inflammatory situation strikes me as the proverbial “yelling fire in a crowded theater” abuse of free speech. While others may have engaged in name calling in their disagreements with you, please note that I have not, and will not.
Kanye West made an “unpopular” comment. I Respect Kanye for that. The issue needs attention. He voiced what many of us were thinking. He had the courage to say what many others have kept quiet about for fear of reporcussions. However if Kanye West retracts his statement and apologizes, I will lose all respect for the man!!! If you don’t stand for something, you’ll fall for anything!!!!
Take a look at the Department of Homeland Security’s National Response Plan (NRP). Then you will understand why accountability is necessary.
The NRP, signed by President Bush, Donald Rumsfeld and Porter Goss, dictates the following:
“ALL PRESIDENTIALLY DECLARED DISASTERS AND EMERGENCIES UNDER THE STAFFORD ACT ARE CONSIDERED INCIDENTS OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE.”
(NRP, 7)
At such point a disaster or emergency is declared, according to the NRP, the federal government can and has a duty to supercede protocol when it means
preservation of life and assets: “Federal departments and agencies are EXPECTED to provide initial and/or ongoing response, when warranted, under their own authority and funding; alert, notification, pre-positioning and timely delivery of resources; proactive support for catastrophic or potentially catastrophic incidents using protocols for expedited delivery of resources. (NRP, 6)
Further:
Notification and full coordination with States will occur, but the coordination process must not delay or impede the rapid deployment and use of critical resources.”
None of this was followed. As of Monday September 6, Mississippi mayors were calling CNN to state that they’d still received no help from FEMA because FEMA alleged paperwork wasn’t turned it.
Furthermore, the NRP covers responsibility for troop deployment, stating “The Secretary of Defense authorizes Defense Support of Civil Authorities (DSCA) for domestic incidents as directed by the President or when consistent with military readiness operations and appropriate under the circumstances and the law.”
And authorizes immediate action: ” Imminently serious conditions resulting from any civil emergency may require immediate action to save lives, prevent human suffering, or to mitigate property damage.”
Finally, the NRP gives the President a fiduciary duty during said times of crisis:”The President leads the Nation in responding efficiently and ensuring the necessary resources are applied quickly and effectively to all Incidents of
National Significance.”(NRP, 15)
This is not some archaic law, or theory. This was their written and signed Plan. What exactly do people not understand about the federal government’s Constitutional obligation to promote the general welfare and provide for the common defense?
Lyricc, it seems to me there’s nothing inherently noble about voicing an unpopular opinion. If it’s an unpopular but noble opinion, then yes, there’s nobility in uttering it.
There are plenty of unpopular opinions I could spout that should earn me no additional respect. I could claim the world is flat and infanticide should be the national pastime. Would you respect me more because I spoke up with my unpopular opinion?
And what repurcussions are you talking about? This isn’t East Germany. It’s not like Kanye West is defying the BushHitler-controlled secret police. He just mouthed off with something stupid and unjustifiable.
Anne-
Nobody’s claiming that the Federal Government’s response was perfect, just that the State and Local Governments in LA don’t get a free pass on this one.
Consider this as well: The Constitution does state that the Federal Government is to provide for the Common Defense, but that was primarily against foreign invasion. A Department of Homeland Security manual is not a Constitutional mandate. Does the Federal Government need to play a role here? Yes, but only in that it is coordinating aid from multiple states. Louisiana still bears responsibility for handling the situation prior to the hurricane hitting and for first response to the disaster.
Was FEMA inefficient in their initial response? Sure. But don’t lay the entire thing at Bush’s feet - There’s accountability to go around.
Finally, remember that this is a disaster of unprecedented proportions, and almost ANY level of initial response would be insufficient in such a horrible situation, especially if the 48 hours prior to the disaster were handled improperly.
bush is a liar he went ot fight over some oil . I can’t stand him i wish we had a real president i m proud of you kanye by the way you are cut i declare a new president !! What do you thnk politics!!
Keya-
You want to declare Kanye West President because he is cut(e)?
I think you don’t have any idea of what your’re talking about.
Keya,
I originally posted this concerning drilling off of the coast of Florida, but it pertains to your comment #40 as well.
____________________________________________________
This article really does raise an excellent point. To take it one step further, the same folks who oppose drilling are often among those who oppose the War in Iraq, and conservative policy in general. The cry of “no war for oil” might also be interpreted as no war for the American way of life.
If that sounds like a rather far reaching statement, consider that modern industry has been at least as influenced by the quest for petroleum as it has by the automobile itself. Unless the “no war for oil” crowd is ready to give up electricity, driving, plastics, and other modern conveniences too numerous to mention, they are merely spewing out rhetoric.
If they are proposing going back to the ways of pre-industrialized America, count me out. Granted, we as a people use way more petroleum than we should, but let’s not throw out the baby with the bathwater.
____________________________________________________
Ready to live like it is the 1800’s again? I’m willing to bet you enjoy life’s conveniences just as much as me.
we’re Americans and freedom of speech is a part of that right. Go ahead Kanye use what you’ve got. You used the wrong choice of words, but you were right on target. Our President and the lower income population are not one. If Oprah were to state that fact, the response would’ve been differnt and more accepted.
Shawn,
I am going to use my freedom of speech to state that Kanye West is an first-class idiot. The only thing he succeeded in doing is turning off many who may have donated to Katrina’s victims and in furthering any divide that exists in this country. He had the right to state what he feels, sure, but his timing was horrible, the manner in which he delivered it maximized the damage it could cause, and his statement is just patently false. I am not defending anybody from any level of government here, because mistakes WERE made, to be sure, but the statement that the mistakes were made because Bush personally does not care about Black People is inflammatory, irresponsible, and untrue.
Kanye West has freedom of speech, but he has no clue (or worse, he does not care) when it comes to thinking about the consequences of what he says. The old saw about yelling ‘fire’ in a crowded theatre definitely applies here. Any negative consequence of his words rests squarely on his shoulders.