Dr. Ben Carson is learning the perils of rising in the polls in a presidential election. This week, the National Enquirer produced an article detailing what it says is a pattern of malpractice by Carson, including leaving a sponge in the head of a patient. Some of the harshest commentary however have come from liberal African Americans. Much like some of the criticism faced by Clarence Thomas, Carson has been attacked as being a type of traitor to the black community despite the fact that he is a hugely successful doctor and mentor for many. University of Pennsylvania Professor Anthea Butler however took that criticism to a new low in calling Carson a “coon.” While such a racial slur would normally be followed by demands for terminations from a white professor, the response to the slur has been at best muted.
The Butler incident raises again the question of a double standard in controversies at the University of California and Boston University, where there have been criticism of a double standard, even in the face of criminal conduct. Just yesterday we discussed a case at the University of London involving Bahar Mustafa.
Butler said that Ben Carson should win the “coon of the year” after the 2016 hopeful supported allowing Confederate flags at NASCAR events. Carson had stated a principled position in favor of free speech despite his own obvious dislike for the imagery. Many free rights advocates, including myself, have argued for the right to display such symbols. Carson said “Swastikas are a symbol of hate for some people too … and yet they still exist in our museums and places like that . . . If it’s a majority of people in that area who want it to fly, I certainly wouldn’t take it down.”
There are strong arguments for protecting this right, but Professor Butler by writing “If only there was a ‘coon of the year’ award …”
The response from the head of her department indicates that this is not going to be viewed as an issue for her colleagues or the school. Professor Justin McDaniel told the Washington Examiner that “She is a valued colleague and faculty member, but I have no comment on the tweet, because I have not seen it nor know the context of the comment.” Fair enough. However, there is a legitimate question of how the school would have responded to a white professor calling a leading African-American a “coon” or other slur. Would that public comment be treated as a private affair? Indeed, racially insensitive comments on social commentary by a Duke University professor led to calls for his termination.
McDaniel is not the only one defending Butler. Over at Mediaite, they are insisting that Butler never actually referred to Carson as a “coon.” While I have added “reportedly” to the title, the defense seems to go nowhere beyond suggesting that people are racists if they interpret a tweet on Carson as receiving an award of “Coon of the Year” as referring to Carson as “Coon of the Year.”
“Now, if you want to interpret Professor Butler’s tweet that way, you’re welcome to do so, but to state that interpretation as fact is just plain wrong. In fact, maybe you’re the racist for reading that tweet and assuming that she meant Ben Carson is a “coon.” There’s another much more relevant interpretation to be made.”
However, Tommy Christopher never gets around to actually explaining the misinterpretations by presumptive racists. It is simply noted that the tweet was in response to Ben Carson’s remarks on NASCAR and the Confederate flag — as has been widely reported. Christopher then goes into an aside on an actual Coon of the Year competition in Maine. Others have suggested that Butler was referring to how “whites” would refer to him. I fail to see how that is a defense. She would still be saying that Carson qualifies as a “coon”, which was obviously slur created for whites for blacks. It is saying that he meets that definition. You end up in the same place. It is like saying that a black leader is an Uncle Tom or “house n****r” — the point is that he qualifies as the type of subservient slave-like character referenced by racist whites. For those who have long been critical of the increasing list of “microaggressions” being sanctioned on campuses, this would seem a macroaggression under the prevailing logic.
This is not the first controversy for Butler who is also a regular on MSNBC as a commentator. In 2013, she tweeted in commentary on the Zimmerman case that
God ain’t good all of the time. In fact, sometimes, God is not for us. As a black woman in a nation that has taken too many pains to remind me that I am not a white man, and am not capable of taking care of my reproductive rights, or my voting rights, I know that this American god ain’t my god. As a matter of fact, I think he’s a white racist god with a problem. More importantly, he is carrying a gun and stalking young black men.
Once again, I have long maintained that academics, including Professor Butler, deserve free speech and academic protections for expressing controversial thoughts. The problem is not that there is a clearly undefined and unevenly applied standard for academics with regard to racially sensitive or controversial comments.
As for Carson, I find the backlash against successful African-Americans like him or Clarence Thomas to be astonishing. One can easily disagree with Thomas’ opinions, but he has one of the most genuine and moving life stories of anyone in Washington. If he were liberal, his rise from abject poverty to the highest court would be celebrated as the triumph of true American values. The same can be said about Carson who has achieved a remarkable amount in his lifetime. African Americans should be celebrated regardless of their political views by the black community and society at large. The harsh and intolerant response to conservative blacks on campuses in not just unfair it is distinctly anti-intellectual. Yet, this intolerance is becoming a badge of pride for some who believe that they have license to insult and degrade those who dare hold views different from their own. Carson’s comment about the confederate flag shows considerable principle in overcoming the powerfully negative imagery for his community. It is Professor Butler who reduced this substantive debate to the level of racial slurs and personal insults.
Martin Luther King said “the ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.” Carson stood for free speech rights. It is not clear what Professor Butler stands for in casting racial slurs in response.
randyjet … you mentioned the jaw power of your Tervuren girl. The jaws of the best herding dogs are all powerful since in the European scheme of “herding” they must handle 100-200 sheep on open mountain meadows and must be able to grab a wanderer, usually a ram, by the neck firmly, but not harm it, and drag it back in to line…just jaws that won’t release and won’t bite down full hard if not attacked. Usually done with 2 dogs, one Haupthund (the roving “fence” dog) and the Beihlhund, the at your side dog on command, as the “organizer”…the Haupthund works more or less autonomously and is the “policeman.”
All of my/our dogs were bone pulverizers, even large beef leg & hip bones which took them a while but persistence and lust for marrow paid off and nothing but little chips were left. I always fed raw bones, not cooked or even boiled a bit. I stopped letting them get at “steak bones” because they’re not very strong and since cooked, they can break off in the sharp jagged chips or chunks…not very good for the dog stomach although I only had to have one long dog’s stomach pumped (Ikey’s) and relieved by mineral oil laxative enemas….messy and yuck. The others were just lucky until I kept strictly to raw big bones…which they adored. An occasional visitor would ask what all the blood around the living room floor was now and then, especially if they saw big bloody bones too…so, er, maybe not for everybody. My rule is more or less no bone smaller than my wrist and then must be raw with some tissue left on the bone…and they still destroyed them but the relative softness of the raw bone bits made it safe. After a big bone feast both they’d leave almost all white piles in the yard for a day or so. I am fortunate to have several butcher shops nearby (all Arab locales do) for a good supply when I needed them. Trust me, I can go to sleep listening to the persistent “crunch” on the big bones..which can last all night.
Warning: for some reason Ari had a fetish for lamb bones, all too small, always cooked, but if I tossed one in the waste he’d dig in and find it and then prance around like he’d done something special…he was not a dog to dig in trash otherwise. Something about the lamb flavor or aroma compelled him…so I presume there are others out there like him. After the first couple episodes I took to disposing of lamb bones directly in the outdoor 350 gallon trash container my city requires.
randyjet … a big misunderstanding about Shutzhund is that it is all “protection” and biting. Quite the opposite actually, although the protection phase is exciting to watch, especially the courage test where the handler sends his dog away for about 75 yards to take down a distant attacker, (the “helper”) who is yelling and waving a stick or club around as he runs toward you. Rarely, but it happens, the dog loses focus over the long distance and goes after the judge standing near the helper…that’s pretty funny, and most judges know how to avoid the hit….and some less experienced just stand too close to the helper. Whoops.
Before any of that, however, comes “obedience” and initially the BH trials and title. Most people are content with that as enough. In the protection phase, obedience is a necessary first component so that you have the dog under control…e.g., he/she knows when to bite and more importantly, when not to bite….and disengages immediately on command to do so. It’s fun but tiring to title to the ScH3/IPO3 level (to me the “tracking” phase is tedious)…and some dogs are just too hyper active to make it in a fair protection trial…e.g., they are happy to “bump” a “helper” in the open or in a blind just to get them to move, which means they can bite…something all but the vicious think is just “fun.” Ari was borderline active and thought it all was immense fun, especially the protection phases…one reason he had to be put in a long down to disengage, otherwise he’d continue if you moved a whit. I never dared just turn and walk away after my first solid body bite over the kidney…hit me like a freight train. No blood, thanks to the padding of my jacket, but a lot of black, blue, & brown/green. 😀
Ari was a smart dog and if he saw someone arguing with you he’d push past you and face the opposition close up without biting, just to let them know he was the one really in charge, so to speak. In short, he knew when it was a game and when it was serious. Zoya was the same, and she was one powerful female with a 22 inch neck and shoulders like an offensive lineman….actually more intimidating than Ari in most instances, and nearly as big bulk wise….but always 100% under control…she too knew fun from real.
As for dog warning signs, they’re necessary where I live, but if you’ve “trained” your dog in Shutzhund, or any “protection” drills, you can’t get insurance for him or her if they harm anyone, righteously or not. Your best insurance, at least here, is full obedience control. If you try Shutzhund, get the BH title down pat and repeat the trial now and then to reinforce it. The “tracking” phase is fun for those who like to get up at 5:00 AM to get out on fresh ground to lay a track down…long and tedious (to me) as I said. The ScH3/IPO3 level titles require all three phases; obedience, tracking, and protection.
When I do have some time after I retire, we are getting a GSD or another Terv and I will be joining a Schutzhund club. That sounds like a lot of fun and great training for me and the dog. When our Natalie got her bone down to a small size, we kept a chunk of meat handy so we could get the bone before she could get it caught in her throat or gut. You had to be QUICK to get the bone before she swallowed the meat. I see that you live in a dog house like we do. My wife says she never thought she would live in a dog house, but we do since we make everything right for the dogs to have a good time. I even put in carpet in part of the kitchen so that as the dogs chase each other around the central wall they could take the turn at high speed, instead of the tile we had there. We have three and a half wooded acres with a large pond, and lots of critters for the dogs to catch and eat. Natalie was an outstanding huntress and caught many rabbits which she offered to even share with me. The highest compliment a dog like her could give me.
Candidate Carson is not a “Coon” whatever that is. He is a demagogue and a very poorly informed one for that matter. Take his remarks on Hitler, Jews, and guns. Here are some historical facts which demonstrate that he is uttering complete nonsense. All throughout the 1920’s there had been armed battles in Germany’s cities between armed communists and armed SA. When Hitler came to power in January of 1933 there was still extant in Germany a large cadre of armed communists trained in the use of firearms. Many had been WW1 soldiers. Within a few months they were either killed or in the earliest Nazi concentration camps. The “Reichtagsbrand” gave Hitler absolute power to do that.
The Holocaust could have been diminished or even prevented if the great powers of GB, France, USA, and Soviet Union had helped to do what the courageous Danes did during the war: smuggle Jews out of Germany or had accepted all European Jews as immigrants even before WW2 began.
Suppose that FDR had proposed to Hitler in 1937 or ’38: will you allow all German Jews to come to the USA? It is very likely that Hitler would have accepted: for ransom money.
Actually Stalin did not send Polish Jews who had fled to the Soviet Union back to Poland.
A second remarkable exception was Franco who did not send any Jew who had illegally crossed from German-occupied France to Spain across the Pyrenees back to their country of nationality. In fact he negotiated an agreement with the axis and allied military commanders that a ship with these fugitives would be allowed to sail unharmed from Spain to Haifa in late 1944. That happened. I know one of the Jews who was on that ship. He is still alive.
randyjet … you tried herding? Wow. That’s about as tough/hard as it gets…and to seek titles is expensive (you usually have to “rent” the sheep). Tervuren’s are natural herders, so I’m not surprised she did well. Shutzhund protocols have herding titles BTW. If you decide to try full out Shutzhund, find a Shutzhund club near you and join it…that way you share the training chores. Try to assure the “trainer” uses positive reinforcement, not compulsion as a technique. Compulsion teaches sporadic, not reliable performance. It’s almost impossible, usually, but not always, to train for the protection phase by yourself anyway (somebody has to where the jute sleeve and teaching your dog to go for you isn’t always a good idea)…and good clubs have good “trainers” or “helpers” as they’re called now…and they’re the ones who wear the sleeve….and do most of the training actually. I suspect a 110+ lb Shiloh hitting a sleeve (or body suit if DPO) will be rather hard to stand up to, literally. Thing is, the dogs “think” it is a game and love it…Ari would go nuts if I even touched a sleeve or jute bite tube…its all he wanted to do. You had to put him in a long down to get him to quit…never try to just walk away and put away the “toys”….a solid backside body bite will surely follow if a dog like Ari…a dog who thought it was all immense fun….and I always wore padded jacket when teaching him anything. I still have “his” sleeve and tube on my refrigerator top just in case I get another Ari. Anyplace lower down and he’d go get it himself and then demand we go outside and beat snot out of each other. 😀 [Damn, I loved that dog!]
thanks for the suggestions Ari. I first got introduced to Tervs when I got a Terv mix as a puppy. She grew to be about 100lbs, and was all Terv in her ways, but a BIG girl. I wanted to train her in schutzhund, but my wife did not want to do it. I found out how powerful her jaws were when we would give her a T bone from our steaks that were around 1-11/2 inches thick. I had a beagle when growing up and she would just take all the meat off, but our Terv could pulverize that bone. It then occurred to me that if my wife were attacked on our property, our Natalie could and probably would dismember the perp. So I made sure our property was well posted with signs stating that we were protected by Terv Inc with a shadow of the dog on it. As a legal matter I was worried that if she did kill an attacker, that the authorities might insist she be put down if there were no warning signs. Maybe you might know what the legal ramifications are for a dog owner if the dog kills a crook or an attacker on your property.
Our big girl also loved to go out and play with me. I would be standing at the work bench working on a project, and I would feel a big push from her jumping up and hitting me in my back with her paws. That was quite shove and rather hard to turn down or ignore. I can understand your love for your Ari. Our Natalie Ann was the best dog I ever had. I will be getting another like her I hope.
randyjet … one more thing…in the pedigree analysis look for mostly, preferably all, lineages from W. Germany, the old DDR, and Czech Republic, either direct or imported. All of my dogs have been of those lineages. The German SV and Czech equivalent have strict rules on pedigree formation (the line breeding are listed on your registration if from Europe)…while the AKC…er, no so much….sad to say. The German SV will NOT register a dog that is inbred….and they check. My organization, the USCA (United Shutzhund Clubs of America) has a registry as well, recognized by the SV, and allows no inbreeding either.
I say all this simply to caution against the historically long time American bred GSD “show dogs” … might be lovely, but might also cost a fortune in medical bills over 10 years or so…entirely too much inbreeding over all. You want some European blood in there, and even the GSDCA, an AKC affiliate for real working dogs, agrees and uses them exclusively.
For those who don’t know it, my emphasis on pedigree, for specific breeds if selected, and minimal line breeding is due to the simple fact many “breeders” use both in-breeding and too much line breeding to set a “type” for a breed. Too much of that and you wreck the genetics that otherwise would be strong. Something like having a whole extended family made up entirely of 1st or 2nd cousins…could be weird, eh.
Pound Puppies obviously don’t have the pedigrees to check, so when looking at one I have to really concentrate on conformation and musculature…as well as temperament under various conditions of relaxation or stress. More difficult of course. But not impossible…never avoid a great Pound Puppy just on prejudice for a particular breed alone. I am a monthly financial sponsor of my local no-kill shelter and encourage adoption of the good dogs they always have there….take the time to be shown the dog and allowed to handle it on leash at least. It is worth it when you discover a “gem” who needs a new home.
We got our Terv from GSD rescue of Central Texas. They rescued her from a kill pound and she was slated to die when they grabbed her out! She was just a pup and not quite full grown, and she was terribly mistreated, but we worked with her and she now has the Terv prance back. It took about year though.
randyjet … I’ve heard of Shiloh Shepherds and have even seen one…they appear to be large bodied long haired GSD’s with decent temperaments. The wolf-hybrid I rescued was similar and often mistaken for one…a good thing here as hybrids are illegal to own without state registry. Otherwise I really don’t know much about them…but if considering buying one I’d check the pedigree carefully for no inbreeding and minimal line breeding (3-5 generations back). If you get to that point I’d be happy to assist you with the analysis of pedigree…just use my email which is in my Blogger Profile and should show up in the WordPress version as well. Shiloh’s have been around long enough now for their to be less line breeding than previously.
Thanks for the offer Ari. It will be a couple of years until I retire, but I will keep you in mind since you are far better versed than I in this kind of thing. I would also like to do some schutzhund training as well when I get the dog. We took our Terv to a herding school to see how she would do, and she did great. A real natural! We will have to get her into that when I get some more time off.
phillyT … yes, your were fortunate to get your beautiful dog because of the show fancy’s prejudice on conformation, angulation and so forth. Most of it is hogwash and seldom pronounced in actual “working” dogs. Some of my best dogs over time have had NO slope to their top line, usually of the Czech bloodlines. As for titles….other than maybe a solid BH (1st level obedience in the Shutzhund scheme) they are often over rated or unnecessary for a companion dog. Almost anyone can train a dog to the BH level with some diligence starting around 10 weeks or so. About 90% of the time, whether GSD, Malinois, Rotty, Boxer, etc. (all Shutzhund breeds) that is all anyone will ever need.
Mike … trust me, no offense taken. My view of Carson’s remark was that he was saying what he “wished” he might do, just as I might. His history of pointing out another person (the clerk of the store being robbed) made me think I might have done the same…then drawn my sidearm and shot the guy in the back of the head when he was distracted. I go bat-sh*t crazy when I see another person wave a pistol around for any reason less than self protection. We all hope we’d react to such circumstances in a positive and forceful way…but we just do not know it for sure until we’re faced with it. Those who criticize Carson for his past have likely never faced a similar circumstance…I have and still I do not know how I’d react to a future circumstance for sure. You just do not know. Period. You can only hope.
You expected better from a liberal nigeral? Only whites are racist.
Carson is known for having a big mouth and being arrogant as well as being known for making mistakes at best. I was visiting a friend here in Maryland whose son has spinal biifida and is paralyzed from the waist down. She said that when she chose a neurosurgeon for her son she opted to travel to Philadelphia because the neurosurgeon there had a much better reputation than Carson. This is even though Carson was much closer. It is interesting to me that the National Enquirer backs up what this mother said.
It’s the ultimate irony. That creature calling Dr. Carson a coon. Either that or it’s just transference, since of the two she’s the only coon, Dr. Carson being an American man.
Freedom of thought, speech, press, assembly, religion, etc.
This woman may call anyone any name she chooses.
She has the freedom of opinion.
The first step of freedom is discrimination. Racism is discrimination.
Sticks and stones may break my bones but names will never hurt me.
It is not illegal to be rude or impolite.
The problem for this woman is proving that she legally obtained citizenship, understanding that most Africans in America were property, citizens of no country and entirely without standing for any legal proceeding other than deportation/repatriation. There appears to be no constitutional or otherwise legal form of immigration for parties without standing. There is no precedent in history in which property without citizenship, stateless property, obtains standing to obtain citizenship outside of the prescribed immigration process. No law, amendment or program shall be considered or implemented for the benefit of foreign persons without standing – a legal impossibility.
This thread from dog ass, to nice dogs. It has evolved.
For the record, it is about time the AKC recognizes the Laekinois as a Belgian herding dog, of the same breed as the others, just a different type, (like they finally did with the Tervuren) and name the “Belgian Sheepdog” properly as the “Groenendael.” But what the heck, the AKC would classify a Corgie offspring from a Collie as a “Welsh Collie” … so who cares what AKC does … They’ve “invented” more than one “breed” from sister/brother matings, or very close to it, … so a mixed breed would be a step up.
Sorry I am not an AKC fan, just have to utilize them since they’re the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) USA breed registry (only one allowed per nation)…regardless of USCA or German SV registries (FCI recognized)….and the Czech & old DDR registries which are similar. Little differences…such as “breed surveys” of pups to ascertain their fitness for the breed standard….required by all but the AKC.
phillyT & randyjet …my avatar photo is of our late dog “Ari” (hence my nick) and he was a full long coated German Shepherd of W. German lineage…not a Tervuren, although he looks a bit like it. For the record, today both the German SV and the USCA recognize the “long coat” as a legitimate breed type, not a flaw…not sure about the AKC (and don’t care much either). It’s about time since the Belgian Turvuren, also great dogs with long performance records, have long had recognition and they are very similar types.
Belgian Shepherds include four distinct types: Malinois, Tervuren, Laekinois, and Groenendael: see HERE … all great dogs with high drive and courage.
Ari, I am sorry to hear your Ari is no longer with us. My boss just got a long haired German Shepherd, and he is a sweet, lively puppy, though full grown now. They are such good dogs and eager to please and use their superb intelligence.. Have you heard of the Shiloh Shepherd? We are considering getting one when I retire and can handle the dog since my wife cannot handle a big dog any more.
ps Aridog, that shepherd of yours is a real beaut! Full long-haired coat, right?
Ari, I think that your dog is a Belgian Tervuren. I had one, but we lost her to old age at 13. She was the smartest dog I have ever seen. As I used to say, she was too smart for my own good.
Aridog. My guy was a German German, both his parents came from Germany. I lucked into him because my friend the breeder sold most of his dogs for $5K and up depending on the titles and all that. This dog’s conformation was a bit off, so I got him cheap. He was one of those dogs that everybody knows at the park. People would stop to ask, and everyone knew his name. He was the star, and I was the guy who took him to the park. He made it to just over thirteen. What a fantastic dog! I still miss him.
Aridog
I did not mean to offend you. You are a reasonable guy and even better, an interesting one.
The thread is too damn long to find your original comment, but it left me with the impression that you admired Dr Carson’s very confidently asserted directions of how he would act if facing a threatening man with a gun and you hoped that you would be able to act as courageously.
First, I think there is a good chance you would act very courageously.
Second, I think Dr. Carson’s assertion is full of feces. And he knew his was an empty, facile brag – a brag that is more expected from the mouth of a 15 year old. His was the brag of a man who HAD experienced a threatening man with a gun and Dr. Carson most assuredly did NOT throw himself at the criminal while urging others to follow. No, he calmly directed the gunman to the OTHER guy.
Third, and most importantly, I think such advice as his is not the advice of a very thoughtful man, a man who thinks he is qualified to protect the lives of 315 million Americans and with the power to effect the lives of millions of others.
Mark @ 11:24 pm
Thank you for assuring – no, I mean WARNING – us that there are others that share Dr. Carson’s nut job views. I was particularly impressed (not in a good way) with the image of Americans living in the woods as the fault of our madman president and your well articulated (well maybe not so much) description of the teaching of religion across America.
Judging by your firm grasp of American history, political and social policy, I think you are ready to seek a seat in the Republican House. You are obviously as ready to govern as they are.
BTW, Eisenhower would be appalled at your ‘vision’ of America and would vomit at the thought that you and he belong to the same Republican party.