No More Knights Who Say Nyet

Or a number of other words, I guess. The real absurdity here seems lost on the Westchester County Legislature:

WHITE PLAINS, N.Y. (AP) -- The Westchester County Legislature declared the "symbolic elimination" of a common racial slur, saying its use "remains damaging, divisive and derogatory."

Referring to the slur only as "The `N' word," the resolution passed Monday in this county north of Manhattan....

Putting aside the fact that "symbolic elimination" means nothing at all, they symbolically eliminated "The 'N' word," but, technically speaking, didn't manage to point out which one!

And if you think they're stupid, remember, they did it on the public dime - and the next stop for this circus may be in Washington, DC.

Question: Will these idiots actually try to outlaw a word?

In Washington, Rep. Charles Rangel, a Democrat, has been talking with Congressional Black Caucus members about taking some similar action in Congress, Rangel spokesman Emile Milne said.

Comments

[Purple Avenger]

Rappers are gonna be real happy about this ;->

[caseyschenkofsky]

Actually, there's a very interesting grassroots movement that is in part driving these kinds of "symbolic" initiatives:
http://www.abolishthenword.com/
http://www.abolishthenword.com/mission.htm

It might not really resonate for you, but for some people of color who never use the word, this is a pretty big issue. It doesn't take much to understand that while being nothing more than a word, it is also the face of an attitude that on the one hand is self destructive and on the other hand oppressive (at best).

If there is going to be a critique of how much taxpayers' money is being spent, perhaps you could at least give us a ballpark figure? Did they say they were hiring brownshirts to enforce the "symbolic elimination"?

Instead of jumping all over this, couldn't you give us some real meat? Like the CIA #3 who is slated for indictment for a multimillion dollar fraud case involving support for CIA agents and, um, Republicans? Or does your sense of patriotism lean more towards the let's jump on darker colored people who are "acting out" variety?

[seekeronos]

Legislating the language is kind of a waste.

Watch for Al Sharpton and his ilk to ensure that a corollary to that rule is enacted:

"Only persons of non-African ancestry may be entitled to use any words beginning with "N" and rhyming very loosely with... "

Go "figure".

[seekeronos]

EDIT: -------------------------------------------------

Legislating the language is kind of a waste.

Watch for Al Sharpton and his ilk to ensure that a corollary to that rule is enacted:

"Only persons of African ancestry may be entitled to use any words beginning with "N" and rhyming very loosely with... "

Go "figure".

[BobInStamford]

Meanwhile you flat-earth morons are worried about a 'symbolic' vote against your stuttering leader's failed surge. You heros should get your message straight - how hard can it be when you're only a bunch of 28%ers.

[Purple Avenger]

"Meanwhile you flat-earth morons are worried about a 'symbolic' vote against your stuttering leader's failed surge."

Who's that? I don't car about that vote. In fact I believe the democrats should have it so they've got plenty of rope.

[scarshapedstar]

Anybody remember when that Florida town banned Satan from the city limits?

[templar knight]

Hmm...the good people of that city tried to keep Satan and his Democrats....uh, minions out, eh, scar? Good move on their part, the entire US needs to do the same thing.

[w3]

Someone parse this for me. I don't speak liberalese: "Asked if the resolution, which passed unanimously, impinged on free speech, [Clinton Young]said, "We can exercise free speech by choosing not to use this hateful word.""

[templar knight]

Actually, this is serious. The liberals, you know those guys who don't want any tinkering with the Constitution and its Amendments(well, except what they insist is good tinkering), are all for banning the word nigger. Is that the "N" word we are all so concerned with?

This is dangerous in the sense that if one word can be banned, so can all of them. I haven't heard this word in normal conversation, in business conversation, or anywhere for that matter, although I've been told it sees much usage in rap music, and in conversation between "brothers". As for the word itself and what it means, I've seen as many brown and white "niggers' over the years as I have black ones.

[Purple Avenger]

"Anybody remember when that Florida town banned Satan from the city limits?"

Anybody remember the warming fascists who want to ban skeptics from the discussion?

[w3]

Science bless you, Purple Avenger

[scarshapedstar]

"The liberals, you know those guys who don't want any tinkering with the Constitution and its Amendments(well, except what they insist is good tinkering), are all for banning the word nigger."

Really? This liberal isn't for it. Did you take a survey?

[scarshapedstar]

Incidentally, this liberal expects the ordinance to be challenged and overturned shortly, as it should be. That's kinda how these things work.

[w3]

Yes. 72% of Liberals support it. So assimilate or be called names.

[templar knight]

Good on ya', then, scar. I stand corrected as regards you.