on PolicyMic
Robin Bugbee "Gangster rap and Hip Hop are not helping" ...white perceptions of back men. Gee, that's too bad isn't it? That's a lit like saying white meth users and white stock manipulator a and rapists are not helping the black perceptions of white men. We don't make the assumption that because some white men do bad things that most white men are bad...why is is right or acceptable to assume that because some young black men do bad things that a fear of all young black men is understandable: both offensive and absurd.
Robin Bugbee There is so much wrong with your assumptions related to the actual incident here. Trayvon was apparently doing nothing Mie than walking home: not looking into the windows of private homes. He was guilty of nothing more that being in a white neighborhood after dark. Had he been white and dressed the same way it is likely nothing would have happened. Millenials have not escaped inherent racist attitudes because they are young and educated. Only when foolish, ignorant stereotypes like those voiced here are eliminated will racist attitudes die. There are many dangers inherent in being young, black and male in this country but they are not necessarily the fault of young black men.
Robin Bugbee This is where racist attitudes really enter in to this discussion: because of racist tendencies in this country young black men already have two strikes against them and cannot afford the freedom of young white men to wear the clothes they choose and to be in certain neighborhoods after dark lest they be assumed to be thugs, criminals or worse. THAT my friend is racism.
Robin Bugbee I think you are correct about the pronunciation of her name. As I understand it, her brother changed the pronunciation to "Col BARE" when he was preparing to develop the fatuous character he portrays on his very successful "Colbert Report" television program. His sister clearly understands the value of his name recognition: Mr. Colbert has made appearances for his sister in the area recently and it will be interesting to see how involved he actually gets in support of her candidacy in the general election.
Robin Bugbee I do not think my story denigrates Colbert Busch in any way. You are correct in saying that she is an sccomplished professional with much to offer which would make her an excellent candidate but there is simply no getting around the odds she would face were she to have run against one of the stronger Conservative republican candidates in this most definitely red state. Watching the race so far it is almost embarrassing to watch the republicans try to appear to be more conservative than the next guy. Only in South Carolina would a candidate find it necessary to identify their party affiliation as "Conservative Republican". There is little doubt that Stanford's rocky record makes him an attractive target for a well qualified female Democrat.
Robin Bugbee Yes you are right Adam, hopefully each and every one of them will vote this November but if you are indeed foolish enough to think that people Mr Romney has continued to disrespect will line up behind his invisible plans to change our terrible job picture- to use your words I think you are "wasting our time". Why the very people Romney wants to burden with new taxes to enable a reduction inthose paid by our richest citizens would want to vote for him is behind my ability to understand. Callous, greedy, selfish, arrogant , disrespectful of the goals and aspirations of more than half of our citizens: this is the person you truly think those without jobs will find comfort with? You're kidding- right?
Robin Bugbee I must tell you in advance that I am firmly committed to an Obama re-election but that having been said there is no reason that Mitt Romney is not doing better. In fact he should be at least even with Obama and I think he is falling behind quickly. As bad as things are here at this point Obama should be struggling. That he is not is proof of the terrible campaign he is running. After the primaries where his incompetent competition only made him seem above it all...he clearly is not. Faced with the need to demonstrate his abilities he is coming off as uncommitted to important issues and just not ready for prime time. A terrible candidate running an embarrassingly amateurish campaign. A receipt for certain failure.
Robin Bugbee Candidate Romney has a penchant for creating problems for himself and then making those problems infinitely worse by the way he refuses to confront them. In this case, although Harry Reid's charges are an unfair accusation no better than those which attempted to call Obama's US birth into question, the responsibility for the entire embarrassing issue belongs to the Mitt Romney alone. Given the fact that he has been running for office for most of his adult life, Mr. Romney certainly should have known that he would eventually have to release detailed tax returns and should have had his tax advisors devise a plan to pay as little as possible legally but not so little that he could not state he had paid his fair share.
Robin Bugbee Wild accusations do not a debate make. Unless you have proof that the Obama administration had the IRS look into Romney's tax returns you have absolutely no right to publish a claim such as this and then base your statement "there won't be anything interesting in Romney's tax returns" on that spurious claim. Please cut it out. This kind of online bull does not further the goal of vetting these candidates in any reasonable way and only contributes to the continuing series of lies and baseless claims continually published as "fact" by those who oppose the Obama administration.
Robin Bugbee Agreed. The intentional limiting of the aspirations and potential of black men is a modern day racial scandal I find impossible to accept. It's one thing to accept responsibility for our shared American history of intolerance and unfairness and quite another to allow that intolerance to continue in any form in our current time. The sure knowledge of the threat to white power and control feared by a large segment of the white classes as a result of our inevitable change from a Continirdmajority white to minority white society is proof enough of the barriers that young black men must still overcome.
Robin Bugbee Most articles focusing on successful people talking about their success are little more than transparent attempts to broadcast that success to a wider audience. Congratulations on avoiding this pitfall completely. You offer fresh insights on the challenges you and your peers face but I caution you not to assume they are unique to your race and other minorities. Although it is undeniable that the hurdles you face are higher than the most priveleged white males, this is certainly not true when considering vast numbers of young white men who are first in their families to earn a degree and for whom no familial role models or clear path to success is clearly available. All of us face the challenge of making our lives meaningful. Great job.
Robin Bugbee Sal: You misunderstood my comment it was not meant for you or your piece but for Michael Suede who had replied earlier to your comments. I agree with your thesis and thought I had made that clear with my own comments.
Robin Bugbee Gee Paul, if it really is "tough to back up" your assertion that Ron Paul's motivation is antisemitism than you just shouldn't make the claim. Certainly not on a site that frames itself as a "debate forum". There is so much wrong with making an assertion of bigotry against anyone without any evidence to back it up that it's just not worth taking the space on this site to explain it to you. But is is simply intellectually dishonest to slander anyone in this way. I have no love for Paul or his generally crackpot ideas but he deserves fairness. There is simply too much of these kind of empty, baseless claims parading as journalism and critical though on the internet. It really needs to stop and maybe you should be the one to stop it.
Robin Bugbee This is dead on. I'm only sorry it was not written by someone in their post college years. Millennials have one valuable thing that boomers do not - TIME. Most of what is currently going on is cyclical and it will eventually turn around. Real Estate will increase in value, houses will begin to sell again, interest rates on investments will rise. But none of this will help boomers who don't have the time to rebuild what they have lost and will not be able to find employment because even in a great economy, major companies will simply not hire anyone over the age of 55. Like it or not Boomers will need assistance or the poverty rate will sore in years to come.
Robin Bugbee You are so off base it's pitiful. Woe is me cry millennials would be more accurate. The generation that allowed many of you to go through life without ever holding a job until you were out of college and never were at risk for being sent to combat in any war now now has to listen to their ungrateful kids moan and complain about how hard they have it. It is pure fantasy that your parents are sitting on a gold mine. The tiny 1% extremely wealth skew your statistics to the point where they are meaningless. Most people over 60 have very little savings left, no 401K funds left and unable to find employment (because you guys think they are too old) are clinging to anything they have left. Your commentary is pretty pitiful.
Robin Bugbee Olga: you are arguing with yourself. Here is your comment: "I don't agree. Check what a revolution happened in Egypt just by facebook contact. It can be done, but of course it is easier when the problem is affect you directly." I agree that Facebook was a tool that spread the word but it most certainly did not "happen in Egypt just by Facebook contact". Those are your words not mine.
Robin Bugbee Olga: I don't want to quibble...but YOU made the statement I was replying to: "Check what a revolution happened in Egypt just by facebook contact." The fact is that it did NOT happen just by Facebook contact".
Robin Bugbee That is your claim. But it is not a verifiable claim just your claim.
Robin Bugbee Yes I do. His announcement was not a response to slacktivism but a statement of US foreign policy.
Robin Bugbee The revolution in Egypt certainly did not take place just by facebook contact. It's important to remember that you had a very motivated population that had been held down by an authoritarian ruler for many years. AND they were willing to put themselves on the line for their beliefs. That COUPLED with online media made the revolution possible. KONY 2012 was somewhat absurd. Does anyone truly think that by buying a $30 kit and sitting on line with a bunch of others who have bought the same kit has any similarity with putting your body and soul on the line to promote a just cause? What arrogance causes you to think to could impact events on the other side of the world by this kind of "retail activism" Phooey. Live what you believe.
Robin Bugbee "It made all the world's problems solvable with a click". That is a lot of what online activism is about. Sitting in the comfort of your privileged existence and thinking that you are doing something by funding someone's idea with a $5 contribution or buying some consumer product that, A. you want, B. you think will make you look cool and will C. identify you as a "caring, cool, with it person." (That is really what the Project RED campaign was all about.) It is sad that all some people think they have to do is "buy something" to make a meaningful contribution. But that is not the case. Change takes very hard, committed, honest work. It's never been easy and it never will be. As soon the millenial generation learns this lesson the better
Robin Bugbee Mr. Paul may be in the race for many reasons but getting the nomination is no longer one of them. It is unlikely he will make much of a dent in Rhode Island but I wish you well.
Robin Bugbee Everything has a COG (cost of goods) which is usually approx. 50% of the retail price. So If Groupon gives you 50% Off (ex: you pay $25 for a Groupon that gets you a $50 item) and then keeps half of the $25 you paid, it is impossible for the merchant NOT to lose money on the deal. Perhaps skydiving or a Sailing trip has a higher markup but from talking to retail shop owners and restaurants, most are not interested in repeating the Groupon experience because the customers will only return when they get another 50% Off deal. I own "Plaid & Stripe" a retail pet boutique in Providence RI.
Robin Bugbee Well Rasheed- you're dead wrong. And you clearly have not spoken with businesses who have tried Groupon. I DO not want bottom feeding Groupon customers but I treat ALL my customers with great care and concern. That's why my business is successful. However, customers who only buy because they are getting 100% of something for 50% of the price (cost) do not and will not come back to pay the full price next time. That has been the overwhelming experience with Groupon. The only people who think Groupon is a good deal are Groupon and their customers who are getting something for nothing.
Robin Bugbee Liz: as a merchant with extensive experience with Groupon I can assure you the reactions really are not mixed. Most merchants try it once and never again. They are either overwhemed by people trying to get something for almost nothing or they are disgusted that the only way they can get them back into their business is to offer another 50% off deal. Given the reality that small merchants work on a very low mark-up a 50% off deal only gets the owner the cost of the product back. Because Groupon takes a large part of every deal, the owner doesn't even get that back. This business model stinks.
on PolicyMic
Robin Bugbee "Gangster rap and Hip Hop are not helping" ...white perceptions of back men. Gee, that's too bad isn't it? That's a lit like saying white meth users and white stock manipulator a and rapists are not helping the black perceptions of white men. We don't make the assumption that because some white men do bad things that most white men are bad...why is is right or acceptable to assume that because some young black men do bad things that a fear of all young black men is understandable: both offensive and absurd.
Robin Bugbee There is so much wrong with your assumptions related to the actual incident here. Trayvon was apparently doing nothing Mie than walking home: not looking into the windows of private homes. He was guilty of nothing more that being in a white neighborhood after dark. Had he been white and dressed the same way it is likely nothing would have happened. Millenials have not escaped inherent racist attitudes because they are young and educated. Only when foolish, ignorant stereotypes like those voiced here are eliminated will racist attitudes die. There are many dangers inherent in being young, black and male in this country but they are not necessarily the fault of young black men.
Robin Bugbee This is where racist attitudes really enter in to this discussion: because of racist tendencies in this country young black men already have two strikes against them and cannot afford the freedom of young white men to wear the clothes they choose and to be in certain neighborhoods after dark lest they be assumed to be thugs, criminals or worse. THAT my friend is racism.
Robin Bugbee I think you are correct about the pronunciation of her name. As I understand it, her brother changed the pronunciation to "Col BARE" when he was preparing to develop the fatuous character he portrays on his very successful "Colbert Report" television program. His sister clearly understands the value of his name recognition: Mr. Colbert has made appearances for his sister in the area recently and it will be interesting to see how involved he actually gets in support of her candidacy in the general election.
Robin Bugbee I do not think my story denigrates Colbert Busch in any way. You are correct in saying that she is an sccomplished professional with much to offer which would make her an excellent candidate but there is simply no getting around the odds she would face were she to have run against one of the stronger Conservative republican candidates in this most definitely red state. Watching the race so far it is almost embarrassing to watch the republicans try to appear to be more conservative than the next guy. Only in South Carolina would a candidate find it necessary to identify their party affiliation as "Conservative Republican". There is little doubt that Stanford's rocky record makes him an attractive target for a well qualified female Democrat.
Robin Bugbee Yes you are right Adam, hopefully each and every one of them will vote this November but if you are indeed foolish enough to think that people Mr Romney has continued to disrespect will line up behind his invisible plans to change our terrible job picture- to use your words I think you are "wasting our time". Why the very people Romney wants to burden with new taxes to enable a reduction inthose paid by our richest citizens would want to vote for him is behind my ability to understand. Callous, greedy, selfish, arrogant , disrespectful of the goals and aspirations of more than half of our citizens: this is the person you truly think those without jobs will find comfort with? You're kidding- right?
Robin Bugbee I must tell you in advance that I am firmly committed to an Obama re-election but that having been said there is no reason that Mitt Romney is not doing better. In fact he should be at least even with Obama and I think he is falling behind quickly. As bad as things are here at this point Obama should be struggling. That he is not is proof of the terrible campaign he is running. After the primaries where his incompetent competition only made him seem above it all...he clearly is not. Faced with the need to demonstrate his abilities he is coming off as uncommitted to important issues and just not ready for prime time. A terrible candidate running an embarrassingly amateurish campaign. A receipt for certain failure.
Robin Bugbee Candidate Romney has a penchant for creating problems for himself and then making those problems infinitely worse by the way he refuses to confront them. In this case, although Harry Reid's charges are an unfair accusation no better than those which attempted to call Obama's US birth into question, the responsibility for the entire embarrassing issue belongs to the Mitt Romney alone. Given the fact that he has been running for office for most of his adult life, Mr. Romney certainly should have known that he would eventually have to release detailed tax returns and should have had his tax advisors devise a plan to pay as little as possible legally but not so little that he could not state he had paid his fair share.
Robin Bugbee Wild accusations do not a debate make. Unless you have proof that the Obama administration had the IRS look into Romney's tax returns you have absolutely no right to publish a claim such as this and then base your statement "there won't be anything interesting in Romney's tax returns" on that spurious claim. Please cut it out. This kind of online bull does not further the goal of vetting these candidates in any reasonable way and only contributes to the continuing series of lies and baseless claims continually published as "fact" by those who oppose the Obama administration.
Robin Bugbee Agreed. The intentional limiting of the aspirations and potential of black men is a modern day racial scandal I find impossible to accept. It's one thing to accept responsibility for our shared American history of intolerance and unfairness and quite another to allow that intolerance to continue in any form in our current time. The sure knowledge of the threat to white power and control feared by a large segment of the white classes as a result of our inevitable change from a Continirdmajority white to minority white society is proof enough of the barriers that young black men must still overcome.
Robin Bugbee Most articles focusing on successful people talking about their success are little more than transparent attempts to broadcast that success to a wider audience. Congratulations on avoiding this pitfall completely. You offer fresh insights on the challenges you and your peers face but I caution you not to assume they are unique to your race and other minorities. Although it is undeniable that the hurdles you face are higher than the most priveleged white males, this is certainly not true when considering vast numbers of young white men who are first in their families to earn a degree and for whom no familial role models or clear path to success is clearly available. All of us face the challenge of making our lives meaningful. Great job.
Robin Bugbee Sal: You misunderstood my comment it was not meant for you or your piece but for Michael Suede who had replied earlier to your comments. I agree with your thesis and thought I had made that clear with my own comments.
Robin Bugbee Gee Paul, if it really is "tough to back up" your assertion that Ron Paul's motivation is antisemitism than you just shouldn't make the claim. Certainly not on a site that frames itself as a "debate forum". There is so much wrong with making an assertion of bigotry against anyone without any evidence to back it up that it's just not worth taking the space on this site to explain it to you. But is is simply intellectually dishonest to slander anyone in this way. I have no love for Paul or his generally crackpot ideas but he deserves fairness. There is simply too much of these kind of empty, baseless claims parading as journalism and critical though on the internet. It really needs to stop and maybe you should be the one to stop it.
Robin Bugbee This is dead on. I'm only sorry it was not written by someone in their post college years. Millennials have one valuable thing that boomers do not - TIME. Most of what is currently going on is cyclical and it will eventually turn around. Real Estate will increase in value, houses will begin to sell again, interest rates on investments will rise. But none of this will help boomers who don't have the time to rebuild what they have lost and will not be able to find employment because even in a great economy, major companies will simply not hire anyone over the age of 55. Like it or not Boomers will need assistance or the poverty rate will sore in years to come.
Robin Bugbee You are so off base it's pitiful. Woe is me cry millennials would be more accurate. The generation that allowed many of you to go through life without ever holding a job until you were out of college and never were at risk for being sent to combat in any war now now has to listen to their ungrateful kids moan and complain about how hard they have it. It is pure fantasy that your parents are sitting on a gold mine. The tiny 1% extremely wealth skew your statistics to the point where they are meaningless. Most people over 60 have very little savings left, no 401K funds left and unable to find employment (because you guys think they are too old) are clinging to anything they have left. Your commentary is pretty pitiful.
Robin Bugbee Olga: you are arguing with yourself. Here is your comment: "I don't agree. Check what a revolution happened in Egypt just by facebook contact. It can be done, but of course it is easier when the problem is affect you directly." I agree that Facebook was a tool that spread the word but it most certainly did not "happen in Egypt just by Facebook contact". Those are your words not mine.
Robin Bugbee Olga: I don't want to quibble...but YOU made the statement I was replying to: "Check what a revolution happened in Egypt just by facebook contact." The fact is that it did NOT happen just by Facebook contact".
Robin Bugbee That is your claim. But it is not a verifiable claim just your claim.
Robin Bugbee Yes I do. His announcement was not a response to slacktivism but a statement of US foreign policy.
Robin Bugbee The revolution in Egypt certainly did not take place just by facebook contact. It's important to remember that you had a very motivated population that had been held down by an authoritarian ruler for many years. AND they were willing to put themselves on the line for their beliefs. That COUPLED with online media made the revolution possible. KONY 2012 was somewhat absurd. Does anyone truly think that by buying a $30 kit and sitting on line with a bunch of others who have bought the same kit has any similarity with putting your body and soul on the line to promote a just cause? What arrogance causes you to think to could impact events on the other side of the world by this kind of "retail activism" Phooey. Live what you believe.
Robin Bugbee "It made all the world's problems solvable with a click". That is a lot of what online activism is about. Sitting in the comfort of your privileged existence and thinking that you are doing something by funding someone's idea with a $5 contribution or buying some consumer product that, A. you want, B. you think will make you look cool and will C. identify you as a "caring, cool, with it person." (That is really what the Project RED campaign was all about.) It is sad that all some people think they have to do is "buy something" to make a meaningful contribution. But that is not the case. Change takes very hard, committed, honest work. It's never been easy and it never will be. As soon the millenial generation learns this lesson the better
Robin Bugbee Mr. Paul may be in the race for many reasons but getting the nomination is no longer one of them. It is unlikely he will make much of a dent in Rhode Island but I wish you well.
Robin Bugbee Everything has a COG (cost of goods) which is usually approx. 50% of the retail price. So If Groupon gives you 50% Off (ex: you pay $25 for a Groupon that gets you a $50 item) and then keeps half of the $25 you paid, it is impossible for the merchant NOT to lose money on the deal. Perhaps skydiving or a Sailing trip has a higher markup but from talking to retail shop owners and restaurants, most are not interested in repeating the Groupon experience because the customers will only return when they get another 50% Off deal. I own "Plaid & Stripe" a retail pet boutique in Providence RI.
Robin Bugbee Well Rasheed- you're dead wrong. And you clearly have not spoken with businesses who have tried Groupon. I DO not want bottom feeding Groupon customers but I treat ALL my customers with great care and concern. That's why my business is successful. However, customers who only buy because they are getting 100% of something for 50% of the price (cost) do not and will not come back to pay the full price next time. That has been the overwhelming experience with Groupon. The only people who think Groupon is a good deal are Groupon and their customers who are getting something for nothing.
Robin Bugbee Liz: as a merchant with extensive experience with Groupon I can assure you the reactions really are not mixed. Most merchants try it once and never again. They are either overwhemed by people trying to get something for almost nothing or they are disgusted that the only way they can get them back into their business is to offer another 50% off deal. Given the reality that small merchants work on a very low mark-up a 50% off deal only gets the owner the cost of the product back. Because Groupon takes a large part of every deal, the owner doesn't even get that back. This business model stinks.