Disappointed in FTL

[KBCraig]

I'm listening to the 8/21 podcast, and I had to pause it to express my disappointment that FTL jumped on the tabloid bandwagon.

In the first segment, "A politician steps in it", the FTL crew sided with the PC forces and condemned Tramm Hudson as a racist (Markwich was hesitant to join in, but didn't offer a strong defense). Hudson was speaking to a Christian Coalition gathering, and relayed an example of what he considered to be divine intervention. He was an infantry company commander in Panama in 1984, and a black soldier in his mostly black unit almost drowned in a river-crossing exercise.

Race really wasn't part of the story, except that he was trying to paint a picture of the scenario.

And in doing so, he said that he knew from growing up in Alabama, that many blacks don't know how to swim. Well, duh! That is hardly a shocking relevation, and is no more racist than saying many whites don't know how to rap. There's no racial accusation of inferiority, merely an observation that many blacks don't swim well, because they never learned how to swim.

It's pretty much indisputable that anyone, no matter their race, who doesn't learn to swim as a child, will have a harder time learning how as an adult. From my time in the Army (where everyone has to learn basic water survival), I will tell you absolutely that a much larger percentage of black soldiers did not know how to swim. Am I an insensitive racist?

If I point out that blacks tend to be better at basketball, dancing, and voting a straight Democrat ticket, does that make me a racist?

My mother never learned how to swim. She tried to learn as an adult, and resigned herself to wading. Does that make me prejudiced against Cherokee/Dutch hybrids?

My stepson didn't really learn how to swim as a kid; as a grown man, he flounders. He'd get across the pool quicker if he filled his trunks with rocks, and walked across the bottom. Does that make me prejudiced against tall blue-eyed blondes?

I don't know Tramm Hudson (I never heard of him before tonight), and I don't know anything about his politics or his personal feelings on race. But since we're speaking of racial generalities, it's generally true that the NAACP doesn't support Republicans. So with that, let me share the words of the president of the Sarasota chapter:

Trevor D. Harvey, the president of the Sarasota County chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, said he has known Hudson personally for several years.

"I felt that Mr. Hudson did not make any racially insensitive comments," said Harvey, who said people should look at the full context of Hudson's remarks before drawing any conclusions. "I have known him personally through our interracial Monday morning Bible study. If you had an opportunity to see the entire video, you would understand where he was coming from with the statement."

[FTL_Ian]

You should listen to the clip again, he didn't say that that "many" blacks had trouble swimming, he came right out and threw them all in together:

"I know this from my own experience, that blacks are not the greatest swimmers or may not even know how to swim."

Ever lived down here?  If so you know exactly what kind of person Tramm Hudson is.

Besides, you shouldn't be disappointed.  You can expect that if we have a good chance to trash on a scummy politician, we will. 

[Fluff and Stuff]

And in doing so, he said that he knew from growing up in Alabama, that many blacks don't know how to swim. Well, duh! That is hardly a shocking relevation, and is no more racist than saying many whites don't know how to rap.

I disagree because most black cannot swim whereas wmost whites can.  However, neither most blacks nor most whites can rap.

From my time in the Army (where everyone has to learn basic water survival),

Not anymore

If I point out that blacks tend to be better at basketball, dancing, and voting a straight Democrat ticket, does that make me a racist?

No, but that last one is pretty funny!

[Money Dollars]

And in doing so, he said that he knew from growing up in Alabama, that many blacks don't know how to swim.

I grew up in CT, and many blacks didn't know how to swim....and we to did a swimming class each year in gym during high school....

I think it had more to do with their parents not knowing how to swim, and not having access to a large body of water to practice in. It seems like people who don't learn to swim as a kid develop a fear of deep water, and it makes it hard for them to ever learn to swim.

[Money Dollars]

From my time in the Army (where everyone has to learn basic water survival),

Not anymore

It must have changed in the last 10 years. I had to do it in AIT, and then in the 82d we had to do a refesher course every year.

[KBCraig]

You should listen to the clip again, he didn't say that that "many" blacks had trouble swimming, he came right out and threw them all in together:

"I know this from my own experience, that blacks are not the greatest swimmers or may not even know how to swim."

It was a casual generalization. One that is true, and which does not imply racial inferiority nor genetic inability.

Ever lived down here?  If so you know exactly what kind of person Tramm Hudson is.

The farthest north I've ever lived was when I went to college in Russellville, Arkansas. I know racists, and I did not see that in Hudson. (BTW, the two most vitriolic racists I've ever known were from Philadelphia, so "down here" is immaterial.)

So, do you know Tramm Hudson? What kind of person is he? How much do you know about him other than this 27 second video clip? Does he have a history of such remarks? Apparently not, according to the local NAACP chairman, who does know him personally.

Besides, you shouldn't be disappointed.  You can expect that if we have a good chance to trash on a scummy politician, we will. 

"Truth be damned, here's a chance to slam a politician."

That's exactly why I'm disappointed.

Kevin

[KBCraig]

And in doing so, he said that he knew from growing up in Alabama, that many blacks don't know how to swim.

I grew up in CT, and many blacks didn't know how to swim....and we to did a swimming class each year in gym during high school....

I think it had more to do with their parents not knowing how to swim, and not having access to a large body of water to practice in. It seems like people who don't learn to swim as a kid develop a fear of deep water, and it makes it hard for them to ever learn to swim.

That's exactly it. It's got nothing to do with some innate racial ability.

From my time in the Army (where everyone has to learn basic water survival),

Not anymore

It must have changed in the last 10 years. I had to do it in AIT, and then in the 82d we had to do a refesher course every year.

He was talking about an incident in 1984. I can promise you they were teaching it in 1984, because that's the year I was going through it.

Kevin

[FTL_Ian]

Yeah, I know what kind of person Tramm Hudson is.  He's a big government politician.

You're also ignoring his "apology" where he claimed to be out of character.  What a load of crap.

[d_goddard]

There are MUCH better reasons to be disappointed in FTL.
Usually I post my bitching/"constructive criticizm" on the FTL BBS.

Anyway, I thought Saturday's show kicked ass. It was quality, and makes up for any lameness (real or imagined) on Monday's show.

My god I am going to miss Torgo!!!

[Michael Fisher]

You're just attacking FTL because Ian's white. 

[KBCraig]

You're just attacking FTL because Ian's white. 

No, I just hate all skinny people, and ... ooops. Sorry, Michael! 

[Michael Fisher]

You forgot to disclaim your insulting post!

Where's my lawyer?

[Kat Kanning]

You're just attacking FTL because Ian's white. 

No, I just hate all skinny people, and ... ooops. Sorry, Michael! 

I'm safe!

[Lloyd Danforth]

You're just attacking FTL because Ian's white. 

Ian's white?