Miami state senator curses at black lawmaker and refers to fellow Republicans as niggas

[Sancho]

TALLAHASSEE
Miami Republican Sen. Frank Artiles dropped the n-word to a pair of African-American colleagues in private conversation Monday night — after calling one of them a “fucking asshole,” a “bitch” and a “girl,” the two senators said.

Over drinks after 10 p.m. at the members-only Governors Club just steps from the state Capitol, Artiles told Sens. Audrey Gibson of Jacksonville and Perry Thurston of Fort Lauderdale that Senate President Joe Negron of Stuart had risen to his powerful GOP leadership role because “six niggers” in the Republican caucus had elected him.

Artiles later told Gibson and Thurston that he’d used the word “niggas,” suggesting the slang term was not meant to be insulting, Gibson and Thurston said. It’s unclear whom Artiles was referring to, since the only black senators in the state Senate are all Democrats — and none of them backed Negron’s bid to lead the chamber.

“He called Joe Negron a pussy,” Thurston said.

Read more here: http://www.miamiherald.com/news/local/community/miami-dade/article145327079.html#storylink=cpy

[HAB911]

1. If it wasn't for the weather.......I would leave

Fuckin' Republicans

I had to grit my teeth reading that story this morning after reading this one:

Racism, a cupcake, and a conversation about tolerance

Even in these unpredictable times, there are things you think you can take for granted in the world around you. Drivers will stop at red lights. People will hold the elevator. And strangers will treat each other with, if not actual kindness, at least a minimum amount of decency.

Kimberly Webb is a theater actress who has appeared in Steel Magnolias and played Mother Teresa, among her roles. She's a friendly sort, prone to chatting up strangers. Her Facebook page is filled with cheerful posts.

On her birthday last June, Webb went to the Westfield Brandon mall and spent an hour shopping at one of her favorite clothing stores with a discount the store sent her to celebrate the day. She talked to everyone. She was having fun.

When she was about to check out at the register, two women walked in. It is relevant to the story that they were white and Webb is black.

http://www.tampabay.com/news/humaninterest/carlton-racism-a-cupcake-and-a-conversation-about-tolerance/2320727