In the age of Twitter news travels fast. So when I heard that there were people at the Lexington July 4th Festival selling t-shirts with the slogan, “Yup, I’m a racist” emblazoned on the front, I just had to see for myself. So I jumped in the car with my trusty video camera in hand, and drove down to the festival. It was not long before I found what I was searching for.
In an earlier piece, I took a stand against those who would use patriotism for personal or political gain. The folks in front of the Fayette County Courthouse in Lexington, Kentucky took pimping patriotism a disturbing step farther. Not only were they promoting themselves as defenders of the Constitution, they openly fueled the right-wing paranoia that inches ever closer to violence.
I apologize for the quality of the video. I held the camera in open view at chest level in order to look the people I was speaking to in the eye. The conversations were revealing, some of the video a bit shaky.
Without further ado, here’s the video.
Comments
One question. Did you do the right thing and buy a t-shirt?
Oh yeah, BTW..Obama will NOT be re-elected, but nice try doing your best to solicit negative responses from these good Americans. You failed. You also failed to understand the satire humor behind the statement. That's what happens when a liberal protagonist whiner faces true patriots that stand up for the Constitution, freedom and liberty. In your eyes..Yup,I'm a racist.
These people try to explain it away without a shred of absolute relevance! What is wrong with these people? This makes me ASHAMED of being from Kentucky. Rand Paul hasn't helped a bit, and now these shameless, gutless, lying bastards are trying to just bully their way into getting what they want? I cannot tolerate this any longer. These far right-wing Republicans are bigger fools than I could have EVER imagined. If they are tired of being called a racist, then quit bringing RACE into the picture of all of your topics and arguments. That's your problem there, folks. I'm so tired of the bigoted, hateful bastards. They get to the point where they will even threaten you with physical violence. We are on the brink of a civil war, and it's all because of IGNORANCE. Claiming we're under a Dictatorship is absolute bull. I wish they would quit spreading lies and hatred.
MrPayback, why are you stooping so low as these foolish individuals? Can you predict the future? I think not. You fail to realize that their argument about 'Yup, I'm a racist' is null and void. It has NOTHING to do with that. They are labeled that because they are hateful, bigoted, cruel, and a bunch of liars. It's SCUM like that, and like YOU, that prevent the government and others from doing what is right. And what's truly funny, I cannot name many veterans that support the right-wing agenda, and I know MANY of them. Sir, you do not understand satire. They don't understand satire. Get over yourself. Instead of complaining about 'socialism', why don't you try to WORK TOGETHER, and make these programs better? You probably don't understand just how bad the healthcare in America needed a change, either. The healthcare system has been broken for decades, and it is barely standing as it is. Please, for the love of GOD, get over yourself and do your research.
Well Josh, I am a Veteran and I support the Tea Party! Do you really think that you can tell the future? How about you get off of your Judgmental Horse shut up! Do you know this individual? I do! He is the kind of guy who will give you the shirt off of his back. He is a hard working American who contributes to society. What do you do? Hell, He built up most of the neighborhoods in Lexington and Nicholasville with his "racist" hands. I worked with him and know him very well and "Racist" he definitely isn't. He is making a statement saying that if that is what a racist is, then yup he is that. How is supporting the constitution and the military racist?????
I tried to watch this video but the ignorance of the person trying to "justify" the reason behind the logo made my ears bleed. Another ill informed, closed minded individual that is drawing a lovely check from said government that is taking away her "rights". And MrPayback I am sorry but the "satire" card is rather poorly played. Anyone that is a true Kentuckiana knows a true racist the moment he/she opens her mouth and inserts foot.
As a Kentuckian and someone who went to college (Transylvania University) and has lived in Lexington for 8 years I am saddened to see this booth. There are open-minded Lexingtonians and Kentuckians and this booth shows only hatred and ignorance. These are close-minded conservatives who have no idea what they are talking about. They are the kind of people who don't know anything more then they are told. Maybe they should educate themselves on some of the issues that they are supporting before they go out in public and champion a cause.
They are proud to be racists. It's why they say things like "take our country back". Back from "what" exactly? Of course they will say "socialism" or some such non-sense, but they mean back from a black man. In more positive news, Mel Gibson has found a place in politics...LOL.
They are proud to be racists. It's why they say things like "take our country back". Back from "what" exactly? Of course they will say "socialism" or some such non-sense, but they mean back from a black man. In more positive news, Mel Gibson has found a place in politics...LOL.
Kentucky sucks
Conservatism: Out of touch with the American populace since 1928.
Capitalism at its finest. Always willing to make a buck off of ignorance and hate. God loves America.
Two comments. First, I hope people will realize that this isn't a Kentucky thing. These tea party fools are all over the country spreading such stupidity.
Second, I could almost understand how someone could link support for closing the border to racism (in a "make-me-a-victim-nobody-understands-me" sort of way), but who on earth would be calling them racists for wanting guns or supporting the troops or Jesus??? It doesn't even make sense! Now if the shirt said "I'm a Right Wing Nutjob, because..." and had that list, I could be persuaded that they were actually being called names for their beliefs. But a racist? If anyone has ever called either of those fools in the booth a racist for liking Jesus, I'll buy one of those stupid shirts. Perhaps I should get a shirt that says "Yes, I'm a socialist, communist, Nazi..." and the back would say "because... 1. I am educated enough to know those aren't the same damn thing!"
Sounds like a First Amendment point. It would also appear that the people who have a problem with this stuff do not comprehend satire and sarcasm. I watch the Kentucky Derby every year, so I must be a "racist" (a person who watches races) as well. As for the argument that everyone who dislikes Obama's policies and believes in enforcing our immigration laws is a racist, I would submit that anyone who supports Obama is also a racist, since they obviously only support him for his race as well, and anyone who does not support border enforcement, is an anarchist.
You see it works both ways.
This is really ludicrous. I used to go to Lex. on the 4th to run in the Bluegrass 10K, but didn't this year. I know freedom of speech means you can say any foolish thing you want, but I 'm glad I wasn't there to see this trash. Satire?!?--this is satire? They don't know the meaning of the word. These loony right-wingers will believe anything no matter how farfetched. Instead of criticising what you don't like, How about PRAYING for the leaders (like Obama)--that's what the Bible says we should do. Paul the Apostle says we should submit to the authorities and pray for them, even though the leader (tyrant) at the time was Nero. You conservative "Christians", why don't you do what Paul says, and PRAY?
I just wonder how much money was made spreading this kind of division. Like it or not, our leaders were elected by the people. I'm glad you could capture the ignorance that abounds and how it gets promulgated by the extreme right like Limbaugh, Beck, Palin and the other crew. They are just making their millions sitting back laughing at all the dumb whits they've created in the name of their "democracy." We have issues in this country that needs cooperation to fix, not division to continue.
Sounds like a First Amendment point. It would also appear that the people who have a problem with this stuff do not comprehend satire and sarcasm. I watch the Kentucky Derby every year, so I must be a "racist" (a person who watches races) as well. As for the argument that everyone who dislikes Obama's policies and believes in enforcing our immigration laws is a racist, I would submit that anyone who supports Obama is also a racist, since they obviously only support him for his race as well, and anyone who does not support border enforcement, is an anarchist.
You see it works both ways.
After reading these comments I see that Kentucky does have it's fair share of LWNJ's. Apparently several of the contributors to this forum believe in the 1st Amendment, but only so long as it is speech which agrees with their warped sense of reality. BTW, Josh, I am a retired veteran, and I also know thousands of veterans, most of whom are conservatives, and who swore an oath to, and firmly believe in, the Constitution. They believe in the Constitution as it is written, not as you choose to reinterpret it. The first Amendment protects all free speech not just the speech that you and Obama consider beneficial to your positions.
Angela,
"I just wonder how much money was made spreading this kind of division."
Probably a lot less than is made each year off the lefts rabid endorsement of abortion on demand. Advertising is big business you know.
I'm almost ashamed to admit I live in Kentucky after seeing that. It's obvious by the woman's response at the beginning of your video that these people have no idea what they're talking about. These are the kind of people who give Kentucky a bad name. They'd make a much better impression if they'd just admit they're ignorant and the only reason they're selling that garbage is because they know they'll be able to make a buck off of it today.
The hillbilly man-child shooting the video has apparently not watched the news in the last year and a half.His leftist comrades have been calling anyone that disagrees with Hussein Obowma's policies and their marxist agenda 'racists' for well over a year.The folks selling the shirts should have stuck a boot in your whiny @ss and sent you home to your mama, in tears.
I love how in the same post, you complain that the liberals are mean for calling you names and then call the reporter "whiny."
My favorite question was "Do you think we could win the war in Afghanistan if we had more bumper stickers?"
Great accent, Mr. Skilling.
I am Spartacus.
"The folks selling the shirts should have stuck a boot in your whiny @ss and sent you home to your mama, in tears." Then why didn't they? Oh yeah. They were too busy collecting the cash for those moronic bumper stickers.
@Jon Weiss: Apparently YOU only support the First Amendment insofar as it allows people to say/print what they want without opposing commentary. You - and the vendors in that booth - have the right to say what you want; all others have the right to say what they think about it, both pro and con. As for satire and sarcasm, I'm relieved to learn that the merch stating America has become a socialist nation was sarcastic because I've long wondered what kind of uneducated fool would actually believe that anything the Dems/Obama have been trying to do is socialism. I feel much better now. Thanks.
"Probably a lot less than is made each year off the lefts rabid endorsement of abortion on demand. Advertising is big business you know."
It's funny how many Freedom Fighters believe a woman's uterus is public property.
Jon Weiss is an epic douche.
I like how everyone's talking about their "guns gettin' taken away", when nothing of the such is happening. It's this sort of paranoid delusion that allows the Tea Party to survive. And what a coincidence that Jesus would enter the conversation (speaking of delusions being allowed to survive).
Jon Weiss should be savagely, mercilessly beaten with a tire iron. On national television. On Christmas. In front of his family.
God, you're a toolbox.
Eight years of GW Bush has created this cult of bullies and cretins.
Did anyone notice that the guy in the booth selling these shirts is wearing a FUBU (For Us By Us - intended for black people, by black people) shirt? the beauty of irony...or is it plain 'ol ignorance?
It's funny how everyone wants a piece of the 'hood - even in Kentucky. At least they're not racist...right?
Did anyone notice that the guy in the booth selling these shirts is wearing a FUBU (For Us By Us - intended for black people, by black people) shirt? the beauty of irony...or is it plain 'ol ignorance?
It's funny how everyone wants a piece of the 'hood - even in Kentucky. At least they're not racist...right?
1- "...took pimping patriotism a disturbing step farther."
2- "...they openly fueled the right-wing paranoia that inches ever closer to violence."
I think that you actually need to go to school in order to learn about how your usage of vocabulary is dismal and pathetic. Use the proper vocabulary when you disagree with someone and do not make make any baseless/ridiculous statements. To say that people like you get to vote really scares me.
Patriot Pimp
July 4, 5:15 PM
Hit a nerve with ya, eh?
Obviously, you left wing fools do not get what the message actually means. It is in response to you left wing fools calling everyone on the Right who is a patriot and supports the TEA Party ideals a racist. And, for simply throwing around the word "racist" when you left wing fools have no rational and adult argument to respond with.
But, I admit, the t-shirt was not a good idea, because too many of you left wing fools will not understand the inside joke.
Patriot Pimp: Not for nothin', but your little comment contains five errors of syntax and word usage.
--A writing teacher
To Hell with illegals, and idiots like you.
I think it's a wonderful idea so we can identify racists right off the bat (and then take a bat to them).
I think the columnist used this event and the vendors used this event to do the same thing...exposure to earn money. Ahh, the good old AMERICAN way. Capitalism, ain't it great!!!!
"It's funny how everyone wants a piece of the 'hood - even in Kentucky. At least they're not racist...right?"
Maybe they think "hood" means "kkk uniform"
Freedom of speech does not cover the right to incite violence. Now, in Kentucky at an all white festival this slogan may not incite violence, but do not assume that just because we have a broad right to free speech in this country that that means you can say anything you want, anywhere you want at anytime you want. You can't.
The Marxist have accomplished their main goal, I hate, and I mean LITERALLY HATE the United States of America now.
I spit upon those words I just typed. This country makes me sick. I demand an entirely new form of government. I want the Jewish Bankers who control our Marxist federal government REMOVED from power!
I demand liberty from the banker financial terrorists and their brainwashed idiot minions.
Love the guy wearing FUBU in the background...lolz!
Did anyone notice that the guy in the booth selling these shirts is wearing a FUBU (For Us By Us - intended for black people, by black people) shirt? the beauty of irony...or is it plain 'ol ignorance?
It's funny how everyone wants a piece of the 'hood - even in Kentucky. At least they're not racist...right?
Haha, these people selling the shirts are too stupid to be a vet. Freedom of speech? They couldn't even serve in the military being a racist. They couldn't even be accepted to defend this country in the mind state they are in. Export these ass holes. And Bobs comment about Jewish bankers, Bob, you are a fking idiot.
These T's were obviously making fun of how left wing loons try to make everyone on the right into racist. I think its good. Being politically correct is making us weak.
Let's get the point people.
White = Racist
Maybe they'll put that on a shirt.
I think everybody is a little racist. We all judge people, even if you want to tell others that you don't. Schools, media, peers, all have subtle forms of racism that are embedded into our minds so that even if the though passes through our mind for a split second, it's still a racist thought.
It's amazing how people think its possible to NOT be racist in this kind of world we've established.
@truthhurts
"White = Racist"?
You are just as bad a bigot as those rednecks if your blame all whites.
I think its ridiculous how people call conservative values bad and old fashioned. Everyone hates a Christian sticking to how the bible teaches him to live. Yet we have to protect the criminal, terrorist and the liar. Good and evil never change. Wrong will always be wrong just as right will always be right. No matter how much society brainwashes you by showing you wrong over and over again. Then calling it right once you are use to seeing it.
Did anyone notice that the guy in the booth selling these shirts is wearing a FUBU (For Us By Us - intended for black people, by black people) shirt? the beauty of irony...or is it plain 'ol ignorance?
It's funny how everyone wants a piece of the 'hood - even in Kentucky. At least they're not racist...right?
I still have a dream. It is a dream deeply rooted in the American dream.
I have a dream that one day this nation will rise up and live out the true meaning of its creed: "We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal."
I have a dream that one day on the red hills of Georgia, the sons of former slaves and the sons of former slave owners will be able to sit down together at the table of brotherhood.
I have a dream that one day even the state of Mississippi, a state sweltering with the heat of injustice, sweltering with the heat of oppression, will be transformed into an oasis of freedom and justice.
I have a dream that my four little children will one day live in a nation where they will not be judged by the color of their skin but by the content of their character.
I have a dream today!
/I still have a dream...no matter how hard you try to kill it.
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