nail on the head

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by wicky

 

no, that would be head on the cement....

 

On the same token, anyone who took offense to Spencer's comments should "get over it."

"Bigot" is a label applied to anyone who disagrees with a certain individual's point of view.

Spencer, according to his statement, does not like the Japanese because they bombed his country 60 years ago (I'm not making a spatial argument, I know there has been quite a lapse in time since the event occured). How is this bigoted? Not once (in anything I've read) does Spencer claim to not want the Japanese due to race, religion, color, etc. So the analogy of Spencer burning a cross is bit extreme.

Furhtermore, political correctness is a social disease in need of curing. Political correctness, in a free society, is a large threat to free speech as well as it unfairly labels dissenters (those with a different opinion) as bigots.

Once again, you labeling Spencer a "bigot" only weakens your argument. You know, it is possible for someone to disagree without being a bigot.

As for my personal feelings, I like Toyotas and most other Japanese vehicles. I do not like, for the most part, domestic vehicles.

As for my politics, I do not wish to promote hate. However, I do feel that minorities have a tendency to cry discrimination when things don't go their way.

If that makes me a bigot, so be it.

 

[QUOTE]Originally posted by dbjb
On the same token, anyone who took offense to Spencer's comments should "get over it."

 

You make some interesting points which beg a further question:

What amount of intent or implication or overt language or action is needed for something to be elevated beyond merely being a poorly thought out statement and become truly bigoted?

 

I agree with Brant, very good points, but you can't really bitch about minorities whining and at the same time defende someone's obviously inflammatory remarks. Spencer should get over it.

 

If you make the statement and belong to NASCAR you're a bigot

But seriously, there is definitely a line but he hasn't backed down which means he wasn't taken out of context or anything. I have to assume he truly has a problem with the Japanese race which would make him a bigot.

 

See Strike's post when he uses the term "redneck bigot."

The content and intent of the speech should be either racist or false in order to be considered bigoted. Simply dissenting (Spencer was not inaccurate when he said the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor) should not be grounds for being labeled a "bigot."

In fact, Spencer did not once make mention of those "little, yellow skinned japs" (for lack of a better insult) but a few others on this board were quick to use the terms "redneck", "bigot," and "hillbilly" in order to describe Spencer.

 

His quoted words were, "Those sons of bitches bombed Pearl Harbor, don't forget. As long as it's good for the economy, I guess it's OK. But I hope that Ford, Chevrolet and Dodge kick their ass."

Can you HONESTLY tell me that wasn't insinuating more than simply that they bombed Pearl Harbor.