Customs chick... whata BIA

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Bamboozled
What I don't get is those of you who are vehemently defending her. Did you all not read the same thing I read? :rolleyes

Whoa! Step back, relax and take a deep breath.

I think I did read the same thing. What I read was a rant about a US Customs agent who allegedly was unncecssarily gruff to some people crossing the border.

I don't see anyone here approving of profiling, etc., even though we all know it's happening. In fact, I don't know anyone who approves of it, but with the world situation the way it is, I'd be real surprized if it stops.

That's beside the point, though.

The thread is about a Customs Agent. I don't like the personal attacks, no matter what I think of the various personalities involved. They build walls. That's not what this is about.

[Bamboozled]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
Whoa! Step back, relax and take a deep breath.

I don't think you'd find a person more relaxed then me . What in my post inferred that I was stressed?

I think I did read the same thing. What I read was a rant about a US Customs agent who allegedly was unncecssarily gruff to some people crossing the border.

Well, I'm not surprised that that's all you read. I read the same rant, but I think you're leaving out a major portion of what this thread was about. I'm curious to hear your take on the whole racial aspect that PM_Mama introduced. Or did you just gloss over that part? Or do you agree with her?

I don't see anyone here approving of profiling, etc., even though we all know it's happening. In fact, I don't know anyone who approves of it, but with the world situation the way it is, I'd be real surprized if it stops.

That's beside the point, though.

But is it really beside the point? As a white man in this country, you're not directly affected by profiling and therefore, I don't expect you to understand where I'm coming from. And just because we all know that it's happening, doesn't mean that it's a moot point. Let's be real... PM_Mama felt that because her friend was white, and didn't look threatening, she was immune from harrassment, even though she did not have the appropriate paperwork. That's ridiculous. So if her friend had been Arab or Indian or African American, she would have understood, right?

The thread is about a Customs Agent. I don't like the personal attacks, no matter what I think of the various personalities involved. They build walls. That's not what this is about.

That's like saying Huckleberry Finn was about a boy on a raft. Most of us don't "like" things that make us uncomfortable. I only make personal attacks when warranted and frankly, I'm not here to make friends. I'm here for healthy dialouge and perhaps debate. Building walls? If speaking my mind builds walls, then so be it. I will not hesitate to jump in when I detect impiety or blatant ignorance. Fortunately, I'm not the only one that feels this way.

[DeltAlum]

Originally posted by Bamboozled

I don't think you'd find a person more relaxed then me . What in my post inferred that I was stressed?

Well, I think it was the use of words like "vehemently defending" and "rolleyes."

Well, I'm not surprised that that's all you read. I read the same rant, but I think you're leaving out a major portion of what this thread was about. I'm curious to hear your take on the whole racial aspect that PM_Mama introduced. Or did you just gloss over that part? Or do you agree with her?

I only agree with her to the extent that it is surprizing that a Customs Agent would allegedly treat PM's friend the same way she might treat a "profiled" person. As I recall Librasoul (I think -- hope I'm not falsly attributing here) agreed somewhere above that this is not racist under the context

By the way, the fact that we may or may not read something differently doesn't make either of us wrong or bad. I'm a little touchy about the, "Well, I'm not suprpixed," comment. I think there is an underlying edge to that comment. What, if anything, are you implying?

But is it really beside the point? As a white man in this country, you're not directly affected by profiling and therefore, I don't expect you to understand where I'm coming from. And just because we all know that it's happening, doesn't mean that it's a moot point. Let's be real... PM_Mama felt that because her friend was white, and didn't look threatening, she was immune from harrassment, even though she did not have the appropriate paperwork. That's ridiculous. So if her friend had been Arab or Indian or African American, she would have understood, right?[/QUOTE]

Making some assumptions here aren't you.? Do you know that I'm a "white man in this country?" Truth is that I pretty much am, however I do have a fairly significant Native American heritage. That it has never been an impediment, so I'm not playing that card -- just wanted to point out that you're making assumptions about someone you know little or nothing about. What is more distressing is that I'm over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace. However, that has noting to do with a Customs Agent being nasty, does it?

As for the paperwork, I lived in Detroit and crossed the border many times and have never -- ever -- been asked for a birth certificate. It's real easy of selectively enforce "rules." That shouldn't be a surprize to you.

Again, see my comment above about her friend vis a vis profiling. It IS surprizing that a young white woman would be treated that way. There is nothing in that comment which in any way condones profiling.

That's like saying Huckleberry Finn was about a boy on a raft. Most of us don't "like" things that make us uncomfortable. I only make personal attacks when warranted and frankly, I'm not here to make friends. I'm here for healthy dialouge and perhaps debate. Building walls? If speaking my mind builds walls, then so be it. I will not hesitate to jump in when I detect impiety or blatant ignorance. Fortunately, I'm not the only one that feels this way. [/QUOTE]
You're right. He painted fences, too.

Guilty. I'd rather not deal with things that make me uncomfortable. However, as a manager, a father, a husband, etc., I can't hide from most of them. Attacking people in "public" generally isn't a way to further a cause or argument, though. It took me a long time to learn that. As for "healthy dialogue," I'm highly in favor of that, but, again, experience tells me that attacks accomplish little.

In terms of walls, they impede communications no matter how you look at it. They should be avoided whenever possible.

Finally, if you're suggesting that I'm ignorant, you may be right. I don't really think I'm all that intelligent, but I don't think that life's experiences have left me dumb. There's a difference.

Hope you are having a happy holiday season, despite our hopefully respectful disagreement.

[Bamboozled]

Originally posted by DeltAlum
I only agree with her to the extent that it is surprizing that a Customs Agent would allegedly treat PM's friend the same way she might treat a "profiled" person. As I recall Librasoul (I think -- hope I'm not falsly attributing here) agreed somewhere above that this is not racist under the context.

First, let me say that while Librasoul is cool as all get out, I don't see why you had to point out that she agreed with you. We are not the same person and don't always hold the same beliefs. With that said, I'm not saying that you or PM_Mama are racist for your surprise at the profiling, just that I'm amused that you're surprised. Like white people can't be terrorists. We ALL know that that's not true. So, let me ask you this? Is profiling a racist act? If so, then isn't the opposite also racist? To assume that someone is not dangerous because of the color of their skin? The assumption in itself is not racist, but at who's expense is the assumption made?

And to be 100% honest, I just don't like PM_Mama. If anyone else had started this thread, I would have gently disagreed. But knowing PM_Mama's background, I know I'm dealing with a person that admittedly embraces "prejudism".

By the way, the fact that we may or may not read something differently doesn't make either of us wrong or bad. I'm a little touchy about the, "Well, I'm not suprpixed," comment. I think there is an underlying edge to that comment. What, if anything, are you implying?

I never said you were wrong or bad. And I stand by my "I'm not surprised" comment. I don't have children and therefore have never been though childbirth. A mother who has been through childbirth would not be surprised that I can't understand the pain of delivery. I wasn't attempting to be condescending in the least and wasn't implying anything besides the fact that I'm not surprised because you're not directly affected.

Making some assumptions here aren't you.? Do you know that I'm a "white man in this country?" Truth is that I pretty much am, however I do have a fairly significant Native American heritage. That it has never been an impediment, so I'm not playing that card -- just wanted to point out that you're making assumptions about someone you know little or nothing about. What is more distressing is that I'm over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace. However, that has noting to do with a Customs Agent being nasty, does it?

LOL, I did make an assumption, but it turns out that it was a correct assumption. And you're correct ... being over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace has nothing to do with anything in this conversation.

As for the paperwork, I lived in Detroit and crossed the border many times and have never -- ever -- been asked for a birth certificate. It's real easy of selectively enforce "rules." That shouldn't be a surprize to you.

Again, see my comment above about her friend vis a vis profiling. It IS surprizing that a young white woman would be treated that way. There is nothing in that comment which in any way condones profiling.

The whole paperwork issue is the least of my concerns. But, as others have pointed out, we're living in post 9/11 times and it should be common knowledge to take proper identification with you, especially when travelling to another country.

You're right. He painted fences, too.

Guilty. I'd rather not deal with things that make me uncomfortable. However, as a manager, a father, a husband, etc., I can't hide from most of them. Attacking people in "public" generally isn't a way to further a cause or argument, though. It took me a long time to learn that. As for "healthy dialogue," I'm highly in favor of that, but, again, experience tells me that attacks accomplish little.

Poor attempt at humor.
Again, I don't truly feel as if I "attacked" anyone. The word attack connotes unprovoked hostility or violence and believe me, this was not unprovoked.

In terms of walls, they impede communications no matter how you look at it. They should be avoided whenever possible.

Finally, if you're suggesting that I'm ignorant, you may be right. I don't really think I'm all that intelligent, but I don't think that life's experiences have left me dumb. There's a difference.

Hope you are having a happy holiday season, despite our hopefully respectful disagreement.

Again, I'm not interested the whole wall concept. That's not my mission here. I actually wasn't referring to you with the "ignorant" comment. And as you pointed out, there is a difference between being ignorant and dumb. We're all ignorant about some things in this world.

No doubt that this is a respectful disagreement. It's always good to dialouge with people I otherwise wouldn't in real life. On that note, I hope you have the best of holidays as well.

[DeltaSigStan]

Speaking of profiling and prejudism, I just wanted to mention a side note here.

I find it hilarious that the only people that categorize me are my own kind!

Here are some of the things I've heard from other Filipinos:

"You're Filipino and you don't play DDR?!?

"You don't race, you don't even own a Honda!?"

"You've never dated a Filipino?"

And here's the best one:

"Stan, you're in band, not choir, you play soccer, not basketball, and you're on the school newspaper, not the yearbook (because Filipinos are all about the memories"), your'e not Filipino, YOU'RE WHITEWASHED"

And every time I go to an area where there's a lot of Filipinos, I get just the dirtiest looks from everyone.

It's funny that no one else sees me for the color of my skin accept the ones I share it with.

Ah well, took me a long time to get over it, but I did. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[lovelyivy84]

Originally posted by librasoul22
Okay...PM Mama seemed perturbed that they were stopped even though her friend was fair skinned and blue eyed or whatever. What this said to me, and obvsiously others who read the post, is that they didn't DESERVE to be stopped because they didn't look like terrorists. Whatever that means.

I, for one, thought it was quite funny that she was angered by this because this is obviously her first experience where she has been unfairly scrutinized and singled out. Keeping in mind her mentality from past threads, I also thought it fitting that she go through what minorities in America go through daily.

DeltAlum, it was not racist of PM Mama to acknowledge the profiling, but come on. Unless you have deliberately ignored her posts in other threads, you know she is prejudiced.

Cream... BWAHAHAHAHA! That was funny.

I am LMAO at all the drama I have been missing on this board! Ahhhh GC. Now that finals are over I can fully appreciate thee.


And as for the racist PM Mama thiung- why are people making an issue of it- they don't like her. THey KNOW she has racial issues (awww, how can she be racist when she has TWO WHOLE colored friends y'all? Be nice.)

I mean really that's all it is. People don't like her (based on her previous posts) so everything she says now is taken with a grain of salt. If it's dumb they giver her EXTRA shit.

Human nature.

[lovelyivy84]

Shoulda read this before I posted. Oh well. Bamboozled, tell em girl!

Originally posted by Bamboozled

First, let me say that while Librasoul is cool as all get out, I don't see why you had to point out that she agreed with you. We are not the same person and don't always hold the same beliefs. With that said, I'm not saying that you or PM_Mama are racist for your surprise at the profiling, just that I'm amused that you're surprised. Like white people can't be terrorists. We ALL know that that's not true. So, let me ask you this? Is profiling a racist act? If so, then isn't the opposite also racist? To assume that someone is not dangerous because of the color of their skin? The assumption in itself is not racist, but at who's expense is the assumption made?

And to be 100% honest, I just don't like PM_Mama. If anyone else had started this thread, I would have gently disagreed. But knowing PM_Mama's background, I know I'm dealing with a person that admittedly embraces "prejudism".

[/B]
I never said you were wrong or bad. And I stand by my "I'm not surprised" comment. I don't have children and therefore have never been though childbirth. A mother who has been through childbirth would not be surprised that I can't understand the pain of delivery. I wasn't attempting to be condescending in the least and wasn't implying anything besides the fact that I'm not surprised because you're not directly affected.

[/B]
LOL, I did make an assumption, but it turns out that it was a correct assumption. And you're correct ... being over fifty and heavily discriminated against in the workplace has nothing to do with anything in this conversation.

[/B]

The whole paperwork issue is the least of my concerns. But, as others have pointed out, we're living in post 9/11 times and it should be common knowledge to take proper identification with you, especially when travelling to another country.



Poor attempt at humor.
Again, I don't truly feel as if I "attacked" anyone. The word attack connotes unprovoked hostility or violence and believe me, this was not unprovoked.

[/B]
Again, I'm not interested the whole wall concept. That's not my mission here. I actually wasn't referring to you with the "ignorant" comment. And as you pointed out, there is a difference between being ignorant and dumb. We're all ignorant about some things in this world.

No doubt that this is a respectful disagreement. It's always good to dialouge with people I otherwise wouldn't in real life. On that note, I hope you have the best of holidays as well. [/B]

[librasoul22]

Where to begin? Sigh...

Originally posted by PM_Mama00
You know, I was gona start respecting you, but since you can't get over things that I've said in the past, I could give two shits, plus you keep bringing my name up. GET OVER IT!

K. I can't get over things you said in the past? So have you done a 180 and totally morphed into an open-minded and prejudice-free person? Oh. I thought not. And wait...are you not guilty of the very same thing? Do you not judge me on posts I have made in the past? Hmm...

"Prejudiced people can have friends of another race. It is called surviving."

What the hell is that comment about? Sweety, I can survive with only "white" friends. I CHOOSE to be friends with these people.

THAT'S BECAUSE YOU ARE WHITE!!! HELLO!!! When I said it is called "survival" I followed it up by saying that minorities in this country have to do it everyday. Guess you skipped that. Also, PM Mama, the fact that you have a select few minority friends STILL CANNOT EXCUSE YOUR BLATANT PREJUDICE AND IGNORANCE! SORRY! I am not sure how to tell you that any clearer so that it will help you understand. You do not comprehend. 404, file not found. You could surround yourself with Blacks, but if you keep the mindset you have now, you are still PREJUDICED.

I have admitted to being prejudiced... and I flat out said that it was about people like you who tear apart posts to find the one little non-PC comment. I am not prejudiced to all members of different races, so leave your Al Sharptonisms out of this.

** Please note in italics, the first -ism of the thread (Cream )**

MUST I BRING BACK THE DIRECT QUOTE WHERE YOU SAID YOU WERE PREJUDICED? Oops...that is only against "people like me." THANKS! You do a much better job of proving my point than even I can. And, since you have totally generalized about me by assuming that I make "everything" a race issue, what's to say that you don't ASSume that about everyone else that "looks like me"? Do you even know what I look like?

As for the topic of this thread, it was a vent about how much of a flat out bitch this lady was to us. And I have respected everyone's inputs about how this lady was doin her job. No matter how many times you keep saying that the point of this thread was about naming what my friend looked like, IT'S NOT!

Maybe PM Mama, in your little world (and DeltAlum's too, I suppose), you truly are convinced of that. However, perhaps subconciously, your prejudice reared it's ugly head again in a seemingly benign statement about your friend's appearance and how appalled you were that she got questioned. Do you see who noticed it? Take another look at the posts. Was it just me? Was it just Bamboozled? WAS IT JUST BLACK PEOPLE?

Of COURSE your friend's appearance was not what this thread was about. But since that is what it has evolved into, why not at least discuss it? We all know that you are prejudiced. Instead of spending so much time trying to defend yourself and justify your mentality, why not try to change?

Dayum, get a life! Do you look this far into things all the time?

Get a life? lol. I have a life. It consists of getting on the internet, doing Google searches of the word "prejudism," and seeing what pops up. Then when I find something I must hone in on the person responsible and make sure to turn everything they say into a race issue. Fun life...yep, sure is.

Actually PM Mama, how about you get over yourself. The ONLY reason why I even care to keep these topics going is because I am an optimistic person (although some have pointed out that this may be a hopeless endeavor). Even people as far gone as you still have the potential to unlearn their prejudiced habits.

Why am I over-reacting to this? Cuz just as I'm sure anyone, I don't like being called something I'm not. I'm sure you wouldn't like it if people were calling you certain things.

No I don't like it at all. I don't like being told that I make everything into a race issue when I do not. I also don't like my words being called "AL Sharpton-ism's" because I personally cannot stand the man. But the difference here is I am not calling you something that you are not. To call you prejudiced is NOT inaccurate.

And I'm sure you're gona mention something about me and my affiliation. You have before. Well, go ahead. My viewpoints don't mirror viewpoints of my chapter sisters, nor my national sisters. If you think I'm that prejudiced? Give me a sister of mine who is "not white". Until I realize she acts like you and a few random others on this board, I will embrace her as my sister. Love, Honor, Truth. Thus keeping true to the meaning, spirit, and reality of Phi Mu.

Hee hee. I guess if she acts like an intelligent, headstrong woman then out the door she goes. Heaven forbid if she is not properly assimilated into Anglo-American culture. Again PM Mama, you do a much better job of proving my point than I ever could.

Drive Thru.

[Bamboozled]

Originally posted by librasoul22
You do not comprehend. 404, file not found.

You never cease to crack me up. That's some funny isht right there.

[Imthechamp]

LIBRASOUL IS MY QUEEN.

[Rudey]

Originally posted by Dionysus


LOLL

mama miaa pm mama, iz youre famille in the maffia?
y ur at it fixx me some lasanya!!! yummmy

Please stop making disgusting flithy comments that show your wonderful character. You can return to asking dumb questions about sex and pretending your virgin ears don't know about anything - just so you can get your kicks by reading what others write.

-Rudey
--You got yours. CTFU! LOL! You're a joke.

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by Rudey


Please stop making disgusting flithy comments that show your wonderful character. You can return to asking dumb questions about sex and pretending your virgin ears don't know about anything - just so you can get your kicks by reading what others write.

-Rudey
--You got yours. CTFU! LOL! You're a joke.

Thanks for including me in on this discussion.

This qualifies as a great thread hi-jacker.

Now back on to the subject on PM MAMA MIA.

[Dionysus]

....and how and the HELLLLLLL were those comments filthy and disgusting?

[PM_Mama00]

Originally posted by Dionysus


LOLL

mama miaa pm mama, iz youre famille in the maffia?
y ur at it fixx me some lasanya!!! yummmy

I would, but you know since I'm so prejudiced, I can't do that.

I'm asking the Moderators to lock this thread. Unfortunately, Libra and others have steered the topic away from its purpose.

To those who have sent me PMs... thank you! I'm glad that some people realize what I'm trying to get at!

[Dionysus]

Originally posted by PM_Mama00


I would, but you know since I'm so prejudiced, I can't do that.

Honestly, I don't think you're that prejudiced, but I do think you're very naive when it comes to racial relations.