OT: The Thread About Nothing

[Davegarri]

So this newspaper cartoonist is getting negative comments for the below being called a "racist" cartoon.
I dont know how anyone can possibly call this "racist", he drew her as a baby throwing a tantrum (which seems pretty accurate). But it's 2018, and there are people who "search" for racism to call out because they think it makes themselves look good I guess. Racism is everywhere, you'll find it if you look under your couch. SMH.

There was one of the most ridiculous articles I've ever read bitching about this sketch.

They're saying it's racist because he depicted Osaka as white in the picture when she is half black. That's what everyone is complaining about. Not Serena throwing a temper tantrum.

This whole thing is ridiculous.

 

[OmNomNom]

So this newspaper cartoonist is getting negative comments for the below being called a "racist" cartoon.
I dont know how anyone can possibly call this "racist", he drew her as a baby throwing a tantrum (which seems pretty accurate). But it's 2018, and there are people who "search" for racism to call out because they think it makes themselves look good I guess. Racism is everywhere, you'll find it if you look under your couch. SMH.

don't go into the twitter comments, it's pretty bad

"if it's not racist, then why is she depicted like how blacks were during slave times?" (or something to that effect)

that's just, like, your opinion, man

 

[Ripshot 43]

So this newspaper cartoonist is getting negative comments for the below being called a "racist" cartoon.
I dont know how anyone can possibly call this "racist", he drew her as a baby throwing a tantrum (which seems pretty accurate). But it's 2018, and there are people who "search" for racism to call out because they think it makes themselves look good I guess. Racism is everywhere, you'll find it if you look under your couch. SMH.

I always respond to these types of morons by saying “if you are seeing color in that way, then you are the racist one”.

 

[Emperoreddy]

If it is anything, it is sexist, since the media doesn’t usually make this big a stink about a man throwing a strap. Usually they are called “passionate”

Showing a half black/half Japanese Osaka as a white blonde girl isn’t a good look either. Pretty stupid comic if the artist didn’t mean any harm.

 

[NJDevs26]

Not to mention Serena looks 50x bigger than the ref or Osaka as if she’s a gorilla throwing a tantrum (which has its own racial undertones) while they both look like stick figures, and Osaka looks like a Swedish blonde when she’s about as black as Serena irl.

I always respond to these types of morons by saying “if you are seeing color in that way, then you are the racist one”.

I don’t doubt the PC preaching can get out of control but this guy made it way too easy to look like he was playing to multiple stereotypes. I think anyone that doesn't see at least a couple things wrong with that cartoon is just letting anti-Serena or anti-PC bias get in the way.

 

[JimEIV]

well if puerto rico (3k dead) was an “incredible, unsung success”...a “giant mess” would translate to 40 million dead, give or take. hopefully fema is already on the ground there, throwing paper towels at people as we speak

There weren't 3K dead that "Study" was a lot of nonsense. Researchers from George Washington University playing games. The study provided no names or how anyone died and was a ridiculous "estimation" - 64 people died as a result of the hurricane.

You can read the "study" here https://prstudy.publichealth.gwu.edu/sites/prstudy.publichealth.gwu.edu/files/reports/Acertainment of the Estimated Excess Mortality from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.pdf

Methodology -
"We implemented the project as three studies, each with specific yet complementary methodologies. Our excess mortality study analyzed past mortality patterns (mortality registration and population census data from 2010 to 2017) in order to predict the expected mortality if Hurricane María had not occurred (predicted mortality) and compare this figure to the actual deaths that occurred (observed mortality).The difference between those two numbers is the estimate of excess mortality"

I know the Governor of Puerto Rico requested the study but I can't seem to find who funded it. It seems either pure propaganda or a ruse for more federal aid...Probably both in my opinion.

 

[New Jersey]

All I f***ing want is to able to make a left onto 139 from Kennedy Blvd SB again.

 

[New Jersey]

There weren't 3K dead that "Study" was a lot of nonsense. Researchers from George Washington University playing games. The study provided no names and was a ridiculous "estimation" - 64 people died as a result of the hurricane.

You can read the "study" here https://prstudy.publichealth.gwu.edu/sites/prstudy.publichealth.gwu.edu/files/reports/Acertainment of the Estimated Excess Mortality from Hurricane Maria in Puerto Rico.pdf

Methodology -
"We implemented the project as three studies, each with specific yet complementary methodologies. Our excess mortality study analyzed past mortality patterns (mortality registration and population census data from 2010 to 2017) in order to predict the expected mortality if Hurricane María had not occurred (predicted mortality) and compare this figure to the actual deaths that occurred (observed mortality).The difference between those two numbers is the estimate of excess mortality"

I know the Governor of Puerto Rico requested the study but I can't seem to find who funded it. It seems either pure propaganda or a ruse for more federal aid...Probably both in my opinion.

I have family in Puerto Rico.

The federal response has largely been a joke. Also, indirect deaths count.

It is a third world country under American jurisdiction that needs a Marshall Plan.

 

[Davegarri]

I have family in Puerto Rico.

The federal response has largely been a joke. Also, indirect deaths count.

It is a third world country under American jurisdiction that needs a Marshall Plan.

I wouldn't just blame the federal government, a lot of blame should be on the PR government as well. The governor was being a real jackass following that storm and it really hurt the community

 

[New Jersey]

I wouldn't just blame the federal government, a lot of blame should be on the PR government as well. The governor was being a real jackass following that storm and it really hurt the community

Puerto Rico's economy is pretty much entirely dependent on the mainland. Like, alarmingly so. They import 85% of the food they consume. I don't really understand how people think they'll ever fully recover from this without extraordinary aid straight from Washington. Unless (and I am not saying you) people just don't give a shit that America harbors a third world country, while we'll turn around and criticize the human issues plaguing other third world countries as a direct result of autocratic governments.

Puerto Rico needs to be the 51st state yesterday.

 

[JimEIV]

I have family in Puerto Rico.

The federal response has largely been a joke. Also, indirect deaths count.

It is a third world country under American jurisdiction that needs a Marshall Plan.

The storm was still in the Caribbean when some talking heads were trying to proclaim that this was a "Katrina Moment" If you can't see the "politicalness" of all of this your just not looking close enough....

I know someone who worked for/in conjunction with FEMA for 15 years...Federal Response to ANY disaster is supplemental to the State and Local Governments...They are there to provide SUPPORT to the municipality. Their role is that of a coordinator...Not to do their job.

Robert T. Stafford Disaster Relief and Emergency Assistance Act, Public Law 100-707

"It is designed to bring an orderly and systemic means of federal natural disaster assistance for state and local governments in carrying out their responsibilities to aid citizens.

Congress' intention was to encourage states and localities to develop comprehensive disaster preparedness plans, prepare for better intergovernmental coordination in the face of a disaster, encourage the use of insurance coverage, and provide federal assistance programs for losses due to a disaster. " -- About the Agency | FEMA.gov

THEIR RESPONSIBILITIES is an important fact that is always brushed aside to play the political nonsense shenanigan game.

Poorly run municipalities will have worse outcomes, there is just no way around this. New Orleans is a perfect example.

 

[New Jersey]

But what if the territory literally doesn't have the capacity to recover at an acceptable rate with similar levels of aid that would be received by one of the 50?

You're implying to me that Puerto Rico is just trying to have everything handed to them from the feds, while the territory is currently knocking on $80 billion in bond debt. Granted, some of that can be attributed to mismanagement of funds and not collecting all their tax efficiently, but let's not forget all those corporate tax-payers fleeing after the turn of the 21st century and the fact that the Jones Act basically costs the territory half a billion dollars a year. Meanwhile, the only place on Earth where Puerto Rico could even begin to re-negotiate/structure the debt is off-limits to them due to the fact that Chapter 9 specifically excludes Puerto Rico for reasons that remain unclear. (D.C. had a similar scenario back in the 80s, but Congress controls D.C., so naturally that issue was able to just go away, seemingly.)

In short, yeah, Puerto Rico does have a hand in their own issues. Duh. But now we're essentially resigning ourselves to the fact that nearly four million American citizens are stuck on a broke island that literally doesn't have enough money to pay for any substantial rebuilding efforts on their own.

I support Puerto Rican statehood, regardless. Even though I'm sure the idea of the territory with $70-something billion in debt coming into the union as a full member makes fiscal conservatives' heads explode. That's because I perceive this as a humanitarian crisis, not merely a fiscal one.

 

[BenedictGomez]

There weren't 3K dead that "Study" was a lot of nonsense. .........It seems either pure propaganda or a ruse for more federal aid...Probably both in my opinion.

Yup.

There were numerous other studies that put it between 500 deaths and 1,050 deaths according to WaPo, but the 3,000 one is the one that gets routinely cited by virtually all media, because it's the worst tally.

Because that's what we do now, we even try to use natural disasters for political benefit. Sigh.......

 

[BenedictGomez]

I always respond to these types of morons by saying “if you are seeing color in that way, then you are the racist one”.

THIS

If you can find racism in the most ridiculous of places, spoiler alert, it's you who are the racist. But it's every day now. You cant go 30 seconds without reading about someone or something being called racist. And the reality is, it dilutes from actual serious cases of racism in, The Boy Who Cried Wolf fashion.

 

[Missionhockey]

But what if the territory literally doesn't have the capacity to recover at an acceptable rate with similar levels of aid that would be received by one of the 50?

You're implying to me that Puerto Rico is just trying to have everything handed to them from the feds, while the territory is currently knocking on $80 billion in bond debt. Granted, some of that can be attributed to mismanagement of funds and not collecting all their tax efficiently, but let's not forget all those corporate tax-payers fleeing after the turn of the 21st century and the fact that the Jones Act basically costs the territory half a billion dollars a year. Meanwhile, the only place on Earth where Puerto Rico could even begin to re-negotiate/structure the debt is off-limits to them due to the fact that Chapter 9 specifically excludes Puerto Rico for reasons that remain unclear. (D.C. had a similar scenario back in the 80s, but Congress controls D.C., so naturally that issue was able to just go away, seemingly.)

In short, yeah, Puerto Rico does have a hand in their own issues. Duh. But now we're essentially resigning ourselves to the fact that nearly four million American citizens are stuck on a broke island that literally doesn't have enough money to pay for any substantial rebuilding efforts on their own.

I support Puerto Rican statehood, regardless. Even though I'm sure the idea of the territory with $70-something billion in debt coming into the union as a full member makes fiscal conservatives' heads explode. That's because I perceive this as a humanitarian crisis, not merely a fiscal one.

Was going to ask you this. Appreciate your perspective.

 

[New Jersey]

Was going to ask you this. Appreciate your perspective.

No American territory in favor of statehood has EVER been denied admission to our Union.

 

[OmNomNom]

THIS

If you can find racism in the most ridiculous of places, spoiler alert, it's you who are the racist. But it's every day now. You cant go 30 seconds without reading about someone or something being called racist. And the reality is, it dilutes from actual serious cases of racism in, The Boy Who Cried Wolf fashion.

i also really dislike the whole concept of "let's celebrate serena, she is a strong black female athlete". like, those characteristics of her race and gender shouldn't even play a factor as to why you default to liking her. the top reason she should be liked should be for her athletic prowess, not just because of what skin tone she has or what chromosomes she has. and this doesn't just apply to her, but for any race/gender/sexual leaning etc, and not just for individuals, but for other sources of media too (e.g. omg this movie has an all asian cast, therefore it is really good [Crazy Rich Asians, and as an Asian myself, i had to challenge my inherent bias of judging the movie])

personally, i think that's the true way towards a world where we don't see colors or gender when differentiating between people.

 

[JimEIV]

But what if the territory literally doesn't have the capacity to recover at an acceptable rate with similar levels of aid that would be received by one of the 50?

You're implying to me that Puerto Rico is just trying to have everything handed to them from the feds, while the territory is currently knocking on $80 billion in bond debt. Granted, some of that can be attributed to mismanagement of funds and not collecting all their tax efficiently, but let's not forget all those corporate tax-payers fleeing after the turn of the 21st century and the fact that the Jones Act basically costs the territory half a billion dollars a year. Meanwhile, the only place on Earth where Puerto Rico could even begin to re-negotiate/structure the debt is off-limits to them due to the fact that Chapter 9 specifically excludes Puerto Rico for reasons that remain unclear. (D.C. had a similar scenario back in the 80s, but Congress controls D.C., so naturally that issue was able to just go away, seemingly.)

In short, yeah, Puerto Rico does have a hand in their own issues. Duh. But now we're essentially resigning ourselves to the fact that nearly four million American citizens are stuck on a broke island that literally doesn't have enough money to pay for any substantial rebuilding efforts on their own.

I support Puerto Rican statehood, regardless. Even though I'm sure the idea of the territory with $70-something billion in debt coming into the union as a full member makes fiscal conservatives' heads explode. That's because I perceive this as a humanitarian crisis, not merely a fiscal one.

No, I am implying their Government and leadership is inept and corrupt. Just like New Orleans

EDIT: Kind of Ironic Mayor of New Orleans Ray Nagin was convicted of corruption just like mayors in Puerto Rico are about to be now .

 

[BenedictGomez]

No American territory in favor of statehood has EVER been denied admission to our Union.

I'd be more in favor of cutting Puerto Rico loose. It doesn't get talked about much (probably due to PC reasons), but the island is a financial drain on America, they're bankrupt, and the brutal reality is it's not geographically strategically important anymore. Adding them as a state would be another drain on our economy, and our situation is already dire from the standpoint of national debt. In other words, no thanks.

 

[New Jersey]

No, I am implying their Government and leadership is inept and corrupt. Just like New Orleans

And New Jersey, but I digress.

My tl;dr is that I will concede Puerto Rico has corruption issues but let's not pretend that the influence of America possessing their island had little to do with that. (Not saying that's your view, I'm projecting.)

I'd be more in favor of cutting Puerto Rico loose. It doesn't get talked about much (probably due to PC reasons), but the island is a financial drain on America, they're bankrupt, and the brutal reality is it's not geographically strategically important anymore. Adding them as a state would be another drain on our economy, and our situation is already dire from the standpoint of national debt. In other words, no thanks.

I fundamentally disagree and we will never align on this issue. That's fine.

There's a comment here about America accepting colonial possessions in war treaties with no real plan for the future here that I'll keep to myself.

Well, I will say this, if we cut them loose, then we, as in America, absolutely ravaged that nation economically only until it became inconvenient. Also I dare you to try and take away citizenship from nearly four million people just like that, unless there was a grandfather clause.

 

[BenedictGomez]

I fundamentally disagree and we will never align on this issue. That's fine.

Well, I mean, sure, you can disagree on what you want, but you cant disagree on empirical mathematics facts.

Puerto Rico is a bankrupt place, with a small tax base that cant mathematically cover benefits/expenditures. You cant "disagree" with that anymore than you can disagree that there's salt in the ocean or that there's sand on the beach.

 

[New Jersey]

Puerto Rico is a bankrupt place, with a small tax base that cant mathematically cover benefits/expenditures. You cant "disagree" with that anymore than you can disagree that there's salt in the ocean or that there's sand on the beach.

I'm not disagreeing with math, I'm saying if that's your sole rationale for cutting a territory loose we should at least be consistent and also take a look at any state with ill-advised tax cuts and poverty rates above the national average. (At the risk of being political, Southern states with deep-rooted tendencies to vote Republican.)

 

[BenedictGomez]

I'm not disagreeing with math, I'm saying if that's your sole rationale for cutting a territory loose we should at least be consistent and also take a look at any state with ill-advised tax cuts and poverty rates above the national average. (At the risk of being political, Southern states with deep-rooted tendencies to vote Republican.)

It's not feasible to "cut" an entity that's literally already a state, but it could be possible to cut of Puerto Rico. That probably wont happen either, and really isnt my main point, all I'm saying is that it would be an economically bad idea for us to make them a state.

As for your comment re: Southern states, you may want to investigate which states in America are currently most at risk of financial default, from your comment it's pretty clear the answer would greatly surprise you.

HINT: Most "Southern states" are far more fiscally healthy than your backyard.

State Fiscal Rankings

 

[JimEIV]

And New Jersey, but I digress.

My tl;dr is that I will concede Puerto Rico has corruption issues but let's not pretend that the influence of America possessing their island had little to do with that. (Not saying that's your view, I'm projecting.)



I fundamentally disagree and we will never align on this issue. That's fine.

There's a comment here about America accepting colonial possessions in war treaties with no real plan for the future here that I'll keep to myself.

Well, I will say this, if we cut them loose, then we, as in America, absolutely ravaged that nation economically only until it became inconvenient. Also I dare you to try and take away citizenship from nearly four million people just like that, unless there was a grandfather clause.

Corruption in the Caribbean and South America seems more like the rule than the exception. It's almost a culture of corruption...You mentioned you have relatives there, have they all not said "that's just the way things are done there"...I have heard every single person I know with ties to there utter something similar...Hard to blame the US for the corruption that just seems ingrained in most if not all of the middle Americas?

 

[New Jersey]

It's not feasible to "cut" an entity that's literally already a state, but it could be possible to cut of Puerto Rico. That probably wont happen either, and really isnt my main point, all I'm saying is that it would be an economically bad idea for us to make them a state.

As for your comment re: Southern states, you may want to investigate which states in America are currently most at risk of financial default, from your comment it's pretty clear the answer would greatly surprise you.

HINT: Most "Southern states" are far more fiscally healthy than your backyard.

State Fiscal Rankings

Well, Kentucky, Mississippi, Louisiana, West Virginia, and Arizona (albeit not "traditionally Southern") are all quite low in that ranking. Michigan, as well. (edit: I put Ohio. That was false.)

I didn't learn anything new about New Jersey or California.

Corruption in the Caribbean and South America seems more like the rule than the exception. It's almost a culture of corruption...You mentioned you have relatives there, have they all not said "that's just the way things are done there"...I have heard every single person I know with ties to there utter something similar...Hard to blame the US for the corruption that just seems ingrained in most if not all of the middle Americas?

I question the conclusiveness here, considering we've possessed Puerto Rico since 1898. It's really hard to say just how much of the corruption is influenced by internalized norms vs. externalities. I find it hard to believe that there is a sociopolitical landscape installed in Puerto Rico that makes it any more or less susceptible to government corruption just by virtue of the surrounding region. (e.g. New Jersey and New York in the mid 20th century)

Fraud, waste, and abuse exist throughout this entire country. I'm not of the view that our federal government installed in Washington can claim a high ground in regards to corruption.