We hear it on an almost daily basis--"My opposition to President Obama has nothing to do with race, it's strictly about his policies." It has become the standard line of the TPP (Tea Party People) who carry the "Obama is a Marxist, Fascist, Communist, Kenyan" signs, as well as the town hall screamers and tantrum-throwers (both of whom, just by coincidence, are overwhelmingly white). Well, add one more to the list, the owner of the Georgia Peach Oyster Bar in Temple, GA, who put up this sign outside of his establishment as a way to voice his opposition to health care reform:
Nah, nothing racist there. Don't believe it? Just ask the owner, Patrick Lanzo.
"CBS Atlanta's Michelle Marsh asked Lanzo why he put up the sign.
"I've been putting up signs for 22 years and I've put up all kinds of political signs," said Lanzo.
"Why did you use the N word?" Marsh asked.
"Well, I've used it most of my life. There are different ways to put your opinion up, but that's just the words I choose," Lanzo answered.
Despite the sign, Lanzo said he's not a racist.
He said he's just against what he calls a "sub standard healthcare plan," which he said President Obama is trying to push through."
OK, I'm convinced. But what about this item inside your place of business, Mr. Lanzo?
"Behind the pool tables stands a mannequin in a Klu Klux Klan costume."
Just an acknowledgment of Mr. Lanzo's pride in his Southern heritage, I'm sure. No racial overtones there at all. And if you'll buy that....
Nah, nothing racist there. Don't believe it? Just ask the owner, Patrick Lanzo.
"CBS Atlanta's Michelle Marsh asked Lanzo why he put up the sign.
"I've been putting up signs for 22 years and I've put up all kinds of political signs," said Lanzo.
"Why did you use the N word?" Marsh asked.
"Well, I've used it most of my life. There are different ways to put your opinion up, but that's just the words I choose," Lanzo answered.
Despite the sign, Lanzo said he's not a racist.
He said he's just against what he calls a "sub standard healthcare plan," which he said President Obama is trying to push through."
OK, I'm convinced. But what about this item inside your place of business, Mr. Lanzo?
"Behind the pool tables stands a mannequin in a Klu Klux Klan costume."
Just an acknowledgment of Mr. Lanzo's pride in his Southern heritage, I'm sure. No racial overtones there at all. And if you'll buy that....
WE must remember this is small-town Georgia. Although it COULD be practically ANY state in the old confederacy.
People, there is a LOT of racism still in this country. A LOT. No, I mean A LOT!
And Scott's post below 10/10, 11:19am is right. I tried it. Works with just about anything.
This is a shame, I can not believe he is still in business with the way he has conducted himself to this point.
Nice to know that Mr. Lanzo is advertising his ignorance for all to see. Ignorance is truly bliss, when he doesn't think that his sign, coupled with the KKK clad mannequin at his place of business.. is the epitome of racism.. bwwwaahahaha.. although blissfulness may be fun and relaxing and oblivious.. I think I'd rather not be. Knowledge does have it's perks.
Scott, you nailed it. You are absolutely correct. If someone proclaims, "it is not about.....", you can pretty much guarantee it is.
So for all those who say, "I'M not a racist, but....", the automatic (mental if not verbal) response is, "yes, you are."
What I find appalling is that this guy (yes, there are other terms that readily come to my mind, but I'll forego them for now) seems so blasted nonchalant about his choice of words. "Those are the words I choose". So un-apologetic. So utterly clueless. I'm offended that other people might believe Americans are like this moron.
And people on the "other side" wonder why we continue to - as they put it - pull the "race card".
We're not "pulling it". It's out there. We see it, we know it and we know they know we know it. (Read that fast!) We're just shining the bright light of truth on it. Cockroaches scurry from the light and boy, are they all in a frenzy. Bring the can of Raid and let's stomp some cockroaches.
The man who put up this sign is an ignorant racist.
Shakespeare was the one who said "methinks he doth protest too much" wasn't he?
"I am not a crook." RM Nixon
Just another shining example of the scum that still exists in this country.
"Dirty water seeks its own level." Lanzo- A truly pathetic subhuman.
I'll bet he has friends who are black. There are a few rules I go by, but the main one is this: anytime someone tells you something is not about _____, that something is ALWAYS about _____. It could be "race", "money", or whatever. Fill in the blank and it works.
Some words are absolute clues to the person that uses them. With this particular word it is like a bill horn blasting in your ear. When you tie this in a package with the mannequin in KKK garb theres only one conclusion that can be drawn.
The louder a person yells he(she) is not a racist the more likely they are.
I have such pity for people like him.
I'd have more respect for somebody if they just came right on out with "Yeah, I'm a racist". It seems like the biggest racist make the most fuss about NOT being a racist. However, that's most Republicans for you, they will lie when the truth will serve.
You know, sometimes I think that people are so used to this type of thinking (being raised from birth by parents and grandparents that think this way) that they honestly - in their small little minds - don't believe that they are racists.
This is just "normal" to them -- and that scares the fire out of me...
I don't buy his flimsy argument and ridiculous excuses. They guy is a flat out racist. Probably does not have a clue what is really going on with healthcare reform and does not care either. All he knows is very little. Just admit your a racist and can't stand the fact we half a president who is half black. We all know the truth, it's plain as day to anyone with half a brain cell.
While I believe that NOT all of Obama's opponents are racists, I know that all racists are his opponents.
I've seen people opposing one's policies with passion in the past, but never with the furor and hatred than I'm witnessing now. The attacks are currently too vicious and disengenuous.