What the hell happened to common sense?
I've lived in Norfolk, NE for 20+ years and I have two things to say about this entire situation:
1) You have got to be kidding me.
2) It's too bad that in the year 2014 our nation's first black president, President Obama, can NOT receive equal treatment by the media, the DOJ (Department of Justice) or even the NAACP (National Association for the Advancement of Colored People - Geez, I feel creepy just typing that out - time to change your name, NAACP).
The following quote is from KMTV (the emphasis is mine):
Today, the Iowa-Nebraska NAACP State Area Conference of Branches sent a news release to KMTV Action 3 News, saying they were meeting with Mayor Fuchtman Thursday afternoon. "The State Area NAACP has received numerous concerns and inquiries about this issue," the group said, "and appreciate Mayor Fuchtman and the parade officials' willingness to have open dialog (sic) and address these concerns."
This afternoon, Mayor Fuchtman told KMTV Action 3 News that she and the city administrator would be meeting with a representative of the Department of Justice before the meeting with the NAACP. She did not know if the media would have accessibility to the meeting, as it was being facilitated by the Department of Justice. The DOJ apparently told the city it had received concerns, including from the NAACP, regarding the float.
(Read the entire story from KMTV HERE.)
All of this is because of this over-used idea which was utilized in Norfolk's Independence Day parade on one of the entries. July 4, 2014 - Norfolk, Nebraska:
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| Photo credit: Liz Guthrie |
I say it's an "over-used idea" because this is not the first time this meme has caused a national controversy.
Incident #1 - June 2012 - Florence, Montana: 'Obama Presidential Library' creator says outhouse 'meant to poke fun'
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| Photo credit: Billings Gazette |
Incident #2 - September 2013 - Tucumcari, New Mexico: Anonymous man hoists ‘Obama’s Presidential Library’ sign above N.M. outhouse
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| Photo Credit: KOAT 7 News, Albuquerque - screen shot |
If any of the above examples are "racist", then this must be as well (as well as all the examples of the "Bush Presidential Library" that I'm not wasting my time to include):
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| Photo credit: Stickerkitty.com |
Racists really do exist in this country. I'm not one of them. Although, I've often been accused of being a "racist" because I disagree with and actually despise several of President Obama's policies. People who laugh at any or all of the above examples are not racists either. They are Americans who are sick and tired of the policies enacted by their elected representatives and they're simply blowing off steam in a manner allowed to them by the Constitution of the United States. Nowhere in that document does it allow people the right to NOT be offended. Occasionally, you will be offended. It is what you choose to do with that offense that will define you as an individual and as an American. You can either accept it in-stride and understand that someday you may do or say something that will offend others (as most people do - most offend/most accept it in-stride). Or you can refuse to accept that YOU DO NOT HAVE THE RIGHT TO not BE OFFENDED in the U.S.A. and create a phony national controversy over something that most people would brush off and never again revisit.
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I was born on July 4th. I grew up on main street in a small town in north central Nebraska (population 390). The annual Independence Day parade held in our tiny town went right by our house every year. I used to spend several hours prior to July 4th making sure our lawn looked nice for the parade...in fact, the way I remember it in my mind is that I did that without having to be told by my parents to do so. (My parents may have a different recollection of these events.) Nevertheless, I have attended many parades that took place on July 4th. I attended them in my hometown and I have attended them in Norfolk, Nebraska where I have resided for the past 20+ years. I wonder how many Independence Day parades President Obama has attended in his life? Prior to him seeking an elected office, I seriously doubt he ever attended one July 4th parade. (I'm giving him more credit than he deserves by assuming/"hoping" that he's attended even ONE Independence Day parade since he was elected to any office.)
Oh my, did I offend someone with those last statements? Good. Now, offend me and we'll be even. See? That's how it's supposed to work. You have the freedom to offend and so do I. The difference between you and I is that I don't seek to silence, curtail or regulate your offenses. Why do you seek to silence others, Glory Kathurima?
Oh, one more thing I should probably add - which all news stories related to this insane story failed to mention - is that there is the "slight" possibility that this story is nothing but an angry Democrat striking back at Conservative America for having the audacity to proclaim their disapproval of the Liar-in-chief. You see, Glory Kathurima is a self-described "Kenyan" (first - even though she's lived in the USA for the past 9 years) and "Devoted Democrat" (second). Well...you don't need to take my word for it...take hers:
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| Photo credit: Twitter.com/alsoglorificus |
Oh, one more "one more thing", Glory has also spoken to students at Norfolk Public Schools on "Diversity Day" (in 2011). I wonder what all was discussed and if it had a political slant to it? That could have been an interesting talk. Or not?
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| Photo credit: ndnforum.com |
Those of you who still support President Obama, if you'd like to know why so many people find President Obama to be a corrupt, lying scumbag and the worst president of our lives, here are few reasons why. None of them have to do with his race...except in the numerous instances where he sought to divide all of us based on our race:
Obama supporters will go hysterical over this well sourced list of 731 examples of his lying, lawbreaking, corruption, cronyism, etc. This list is updated almost daily. Right now the number of examples included is 731. So, if anyone needs help in understanding why many people don't like this president, please, do yourself a favor and return to that list often. Don't teach your children that people's dislike for President Obama has one thing to do with his skin color. If you're currently doing that, YOU may be the one who is a racist. And, I'd say that you should fear yourself.
Of course there's a Facebook page for this: Demand an Apology from Norfolk Odd Fellows Parade Everyone who "likes" this Facebook page (and even those who don't) can participate there. ;)
********UPDATE******** (11:45PM CST):
I beg, beg, beg the Odd Fellow Lodge to NOT "apologize" for this event. Give this several more days. (I've been told you may be ready to "apologize".) PLEASE, DON'T DO IT!!! Let this settle. Don't let the limelight from this event or the attention you're receiving from this story effect ANY decision to "apologize". God knows...the last thing this country needs is yet another "apology" for something someONE perceived as a "wrong". Stand strong and stand by your convictions. Hopefully you'll remember what they are...even amid all this hype.
I promise you. This hype will die down. You may not feel like it will...but, it will, and soon. A month from now you'll be saying, "Hey, do remember when that person said this?" Trust me. It will end.
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To Glory Kathurima: If you have ever identified as or portrayed yourself as "an artist from Africa", we may have talked to each other at the Norfolk American Legion shortly after you arrived in Norfolk (9 years ago...or so)...and, we got along really well. I really hope you'll contact me. I don't remember the girl I met as having a child OR that her name was "Glory"...please don't be offended by that...my memory sucks...I forget ALL people I meet, no matter their color. ;) Maybe it wasn't you, but I remember the girl (woman - no offense) I talked to as describing herself as having a "nomadic lifestyle" as you do near the end of this video.
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To those threatening EITHER of the sides involved in this story:
Stop it!
Threaten me!
Threaten me because I support the Odd Fellow Lodge as a sponsor of the Norfolk, Nebraska Independence Day parade!!!
Threaten me because I support Glory's RIGHT to disagree with this float!!!
Threaten me because I'll record all of your idiotic comments/threats and I'll publish them for the world to see. ;)
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I've made national news before for the perceived "good" things and for the perceived "bad" things I've published online and I've had people from all over the country calling my house or contacting me online and threatening me. I know how this goes (as someone on the "right" of the aisle). Glory, if people from the "right" are threatening YOU, to HELL with them! They are the problem with this country (as are the people from the left who do that to people like me on the right).
(My latest comments here are based on Glory's comments during the last minute of this video where she admits that she's received threats in this story published by the Norfolk News Bureau on YouTube): Norfolk 4th of July Float - Glory Kathurima Interview
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