They shall be remembered with the creators of Japanese Internment Camps

[bigbrother05]

Also brings to mind BIA Residential Schools and Australia's Stolen Generation.

We are living a history that will leave a scar on the American psyche for generations to come.

How do I explain this when my 5 year old granddaughter asks me about this when she grows up?

This is not how I thought my 5,000th post would come out.

[gratuitous]

1. So you'd think

But the media have already distracted themselves, navel-gazing on those awful, awful celebrities who used swears. Oh, they'd be on the Trump administration and its atrocities 24-7, but because Robert DeNiro said "fuck" and Samantha Bee said "cunt," there's just no way they can denounce Trump. And it's all DeNiro's and Bee's fault, you know.

Which got me thinking: What if DeNiro and Bee hadn't said anything about the horrible policies and practices of the Trump administration? What if those two words were not uttered on the electric teevee machine? Would we see a concerted media push against the atrocious policies of the administration on women, children's health, the environment, and immigrants and refugees? Would there be wall-to-wall coverage of Flint's water supply, which is still not drinkable? Would hordes of reporters be cataloging the problems in Puerto Rico if only DeNiro and Bee didn't have such potty mouths?

I remember back to the debates, particularly the debate where Trump was stalking around behind Clinton, shadowing her and attempting to intimidate her by looming over her. Clinton, a thoroughgoing professional, concentrated on giving her answers and ignoring as best she could the dick move Trump was making. Afterwards, a handful of people noted Trump's alpha male bullshit, but the whole episode was quickly forgotten: After all, Secretary Clinton didn't betray any annoyance with Trump's antics, so why should anyone else speak up?

Then Clinton's book came out and she said she regretted not turning around and saying, "Back off, you creep!" Would anyone like to venture an opinion about how that might have been reported? Would the good men and women covering the news stood as one and applauded Clinton for pointing out what a jerk Trump was being? Or would there be much tut-tutting about how fragile and sensitive Clinton was, how she couldn't handle the presence of a real man, and how she tried to shame poor Donald on national teevee?

Think, think.

[bigbrother05]

2. Well, consider how the media handled the Gore v Bush debate

No one made much of an issue initially with Gore's sighs or eye rolls because the camera was on Bush. The next day, split screen replays allowed the media to call out Gore and opinions shifted against Al.

So, to recap: a misogynist GOP candidate in clear view is ok, an exasperated Dem that can't believe the crap being spewed while off camera is the worst person ever.

Also, remember how the media came to W's defense when bully boy Al invaded his space?

Liberal media my ass.

[MichMan]

3. Considering that FDR is generally ranked as one of the top 5 presidents in history

It apparently wasn't considered to be very important at least when compared to WWII, the depression, Social Security and unions.

Even most progressives usually appear to give it just a casual mention towards tainting his legacy.

[MineralMan]

4. One of my very few hidden posts referred to FDR's

incarceration of Japanese Americans. I just pointed it out as part of FDR's legacy.

Apparently that bit of history is not to be mentioned.

[LanternWaste]

5. great bumper-stickers and fortune cookies you've created for us

"Even most progressives usually appear to give it just a casual mention towards tainting his legacy..."

You may want to widen the circle of people you discuss these types of issues with to get a more accurate sampling. Or at the least, support your premise with non-anecdotal evidence, validating use of the word 'most.'

But I get it... lacking the pretense of stating the world as we imagine it to be to better stroke opur biases, we're often left with little else than t-shirt slogans.

Other than that, great bumper-stickers and fortune cookies you've created for us! Keep on truckin'!!!

[MichMan]

6. Look at the post directly above yours.....

I'm guessing most rankings that have FDR as one of the top 3 or so presidents of all time would include opinions by a large number of Democrats and fewer Republicans. The fact that he is ranked so highly is proof enough that the internment wasn't that big of an issue.


Please show me all the posts here denouncing FDR as evil because of the internment. The internment is often denounced, but FDR generally avoids being attacked for it.

[bigbrother05]

7. In the larger world of FDR's legacy, internment is lumped in with polio and stacking SCOTUS

Things were so screwed up some things got written off as aberrations.

In the current climate, tearing kids from their mothers is just routine, not much worse than any other day of the week.

My point in the OP was that in the history of the US, this will be viewed as a very dark act, but it's likely to be a footnote to the thoroughgoing shame of our time.

eta: Wasn't trying to rank Presidents or American atrocities, just pointing out blatant evil towards children and families of color.