* Southern Illinoisan editorial…
“Where is Mike Bost?”
That’s the question many 12th District voters have been asking after Rep. Bost did not schedule an in-person town hall meeting during the time he was back in the district last week.
The general premise behind the campaign, which gained traction on Facebook, brought protesters to Bost’s Carbondale and Belleville offices, and inspired many Letters to the Editor, is that constituents want to have an honest conversation with Bost and the rest of the community. […]
A statement last week from Bost’s office said town halls “have been derailed across the country in an effort to disrupt the honest conversation that representatives need to have with their constituents. Rep. Bost wants to ensure that conversation continues unimpeded and is open to receiving feedback — both positive and negative — from the constituents he represents. That is why this week he met with health care professionals at two Southern Illinois hospitals in three locations, hosted an Agricultural Advisory Board meeting with local farmers, spoke with students at Murphysboro High School, and had 12 individual constituent meetings. Among the constituents he met with were protesters who demonstrated outside of his Belleville office. Additionally, Rep. Bost recently hosted a telephone town hall meeting, which reached over 85,000 Democrats, Republicans, and Independents in Southern Illinois. Constituents who would like to participate in the next telephone town hall are welcome to sign up at bost.house.gov.” […]
“The amount of time that I have at home is minimal, I need to make sure that it’s productive,” Bost said Friday. “You know the cleansing that the Orientals used to do where you’d put one person out in front and 900 people yell at them? That’s not what we need. We need to have meetings with people that are productive.”
…Adding… From comments…
For a man famous for shouting, he seems to fear the shouting of others.
Yep. A guy who used an epic scream at the opposing party to get himself elected to higher office now says nobody should yell at him.
- Chucktownian - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:35 am:
If you don’t have the courage to actually meet with constituents in a public forum, just resign and we’ll find someone who does. And this goes for you too, Shimkus.
- Precinct Captain - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:37 am:
Bost is a disgrace.
- Boone's is back - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:39 am:
===You know the cleansing that the Orientals used to do where you’d put one person out in front and 900 people yell at them? That’s not what we need. We need to have meetings with people that are productive.===
facepalm. However this will likely earn him even more votes in that district. What a joke.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:39 am:
There goes the Oriental vote.
- Winnin' - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:41 am:
The problem with the “honest” conversations that Bost and others want to have — and don’t feel they can have at a town hall meeting — is that their constituents don’t believe those conversations were honest in the first place.
So, the natives want town hall meetings to “keep them honest”.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:43 am:
Here’s a tip, if you aren’t referring to a rug, you probably shouldn’t use the word “oriental.”
Also, read a book or a newspaper from time to time. This isn’t 1950.
- so... - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:44 am:
I believe Bost is referring to struggle sessions in Communist China during the cultural revolution (not an inapt metaphor based on some videos I’ve seen), but…oy. Orientals is not the preferred nomenclature.
- Interested - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:44 am:
“The Orientals” - really???? What rock did this guy crawl out from under? Unbelievable.
- The Dude Abides - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:47 am:
Well no one can accuse Bost of pandering to the Orientals for their vote.
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:51 am:
I wonder what Bost would’ve called a Democratic Congressman who refused to hold a town hall in 2009 during the Tea Party era?
- Jocko - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:53 am:
What practice is Bost referring to? Does he think people in the region behave as extras in “The King and I”?
- 360 Degree TurnAround - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:55 am:
Taking the racist phrase aside, what is he even referring to? He sounds like Senator Kirk!
- Aaron1976 - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:57 am:
The Orientals are not the issue here dude!
And, also, dude….oriental is not the preferred nomenclature.
- Gruntled University Employee - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:57 am:
Looks like someone is angling for a position in the Trump administration. How’s his Russian?
- Honeybear - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:58 am:
It’s called a “struggle session” it was to force the privileged to admit and confront their complicity with the class oppression.
Sounds like a great idea.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:59 am:
Who knew Bost was against yelling? I thought that was his bread and butter.
I’m guessing Oriental was the polite choice in his mind when telling his story.
- anon - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:03 am:
- duh2
keep reading, jack. that same link - “usually offensive”
Definition of Oriental
1. dated, now usually offensive : Asian; especially : one who is a native of east Asia or is of east Asian descent
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:04 am:
I seem to have missed any reporting about town halls held by a Democrat.
“Where is Dick Durbin?”
“Anybody seen Tammy? Jan? Cheri? Louis? Bobby?”
Seems democrats should be answering for A LOT to their constituents.
(and btw, the steroidal “pc” correction of “oriental” is silly. I have always though “oriental” is a beautiful word that has deep cultural tones. It shouldn’t be treated as pariah just because the “term du jour” is different.)
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:05 am:
From one Occidental to another, slim down your specific references. And maybe be a lot smarter in making your point.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:06 am:
===missed any reporting about town halls held by a Democrat===
Google is your friend. Use it before commenting.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/suburbs/northbrook/news/ct-brad-schneider-town-hall-met-20170218-story.html
- Cheryl44 - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:06 am:
Rugs are Oriental. Cats too. Many, many people who were and weren’t part of China’s Cultural Revolution are referred to by polite people as Asian.
This guy needs to go.
- Union thug - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:08 am:
Translation…. I talked with a bunch of people i know will agree with me and a couple that might not. So give me credit though I avoided a real meeting with people in my district that may have more.
- Marian - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:14 am:
He actually said Oriental??? Is he that dumb/racist?
- oldman - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:15 am:
Truly disgraceful.
- GraduatedCollegeStudent - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:16 am:
===I wonder what Bost would’ve called a Democratic Congressman who refused to hold a town hall in 2009 during the Tea Party era?===
“Coward” would probably be the most printable take.
- Norseman - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:19 am:
Profile in courage? NOT!
- Duh2 - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:20 am:
** keep reading, jack **
I did, jack, and the work “offensive” doesn’t appear anywhere on the link I posted.
- Midstate Indy - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:23 am:
If Rep. Bost is in fact referring to “Struggle Sessions,” it should be noted that the purpose of the session was to benefit the recipient - and interestingly, appear to be derived from social practices in the Soviet Union. To the quote, this is an oddly obscure reference, and you can’t have a productive meeting without first having a meeting.
- VanillaMan - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:25 am:
I live in Central Illinois now. Moved here from Chicago. Listening to the locals often unintentionally politically incorrect statements used to shock and horrify me.
After being with them over a decade, I learned to stop judging their way of describing things. I stopped thinking that the person referring to a different individual as a “cripple”, a “colored”, a Mongoloid”, or an “Oriental” or “Chinaman”, as ignorant, closed-minded or mean.
Instead, I saw what they do, who they love, how they live and realize that people are diverse, and still mean well.
It is time to stop shaming people trying to give back to all of us, when they say thing differently from us. While I won’t speak the way many do around here, I’m going to listen more carefully to what they say instead. It is unfair not to.
We shortchange ourselves when we don’t.
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:26 am:
Yes, and I actually did, quickly though. And i did miss the town hall reported in your link. The town hall jabs should swing from left and the right.
On oriental, it actually means “east.”
Dictionary.com says “origin of the term Oriental represents a Eurocentric view of geography, since the Orient, or East, is east of Europe. However, Oriental is a neutral, inoffensive term when used as an adjective describing Asian culture or things from Asia.”
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:28 am:
==I seem to have missed any reporting about town halls held by a Democrat.==
Another victim heard from
- SouthernDawg1 - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:28 am:
If anyone believes that Bost thinks yelling and fit throwing is unproductive, I have a skyscraper down in southern Illinois I’ll sell ya. Never mind his public tantrums, I’ve been in closed door meetings with Bost and his whole temper, yelling and screaming is a normal day for him.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:30 am:
==Oriental is a neutral, inoffensive term ==
I’m pretty certain that a lot of Asians would disagree.
- Flynn's mom - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:30 am:
What the….
- Liberty - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:30 am:
American lefties go out of their way to find offensives: Distinct within American culture, some American English speakers consider the term “Oriental” to be an antiquated, pejorative, and disparaging term. John Kuo Wei Tchen, director of the Asian/Pacific/American Studies Program and Institute at New York University, said the basic critique of the term developed in U.S.A. in the 1970s. Tchen has said: “With the U.S.A. anti-war movement in the ’60s and early ’70s, many Asian Americans identified the term ‘Oriental’ with a Western process of racializing Asians as forever opposite ‘others’.”[10] In a 2009 American press release related to legislation aimed at removing the term “oriental” from official documents of the State of New York, Governor David Paterson said: “The word ‘oriental’ does not describe ethnic origin, background or even race; in fact, it has deep and demeaning historical roots”.[11]
In 2016, President Barack Obama signed legislation striking the word from federal law.[12]
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:31 am:
It’s unfortunate how many constituents in red counties either ignore or explain away the casual racism offered by their leaders.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:32 am:
Cleansing the Orientals used to do? Words fail me.
- @MisterJayEm - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:32 am:
“I have always though ‘oriental’ is a beautiful word that has deep cultural tones.”
It certainly does have “deep cultural tones” — as Howard University’s Frank H. Wu observed:
https://cityroom.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/09/09/law-bans-use-of-oriental-in-state-documents/?_r=1
– MrJM
- filmmaker prof - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:39 am:
It is so difficult to live in a world where you actually get called out for using words to describe people that they find offensive, isn’t it? What an incredible burden.
- duckblind - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:47 am:
phone meeting with 80,000 plus does he even have that many in his district?
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:54 am:
===American lefties go out of their way to find offensives:===
No, we go out of our way to stand up for basic human dignity. You can’t call an African-American man “boy” because too many of us will stand up to you. That’s not about being offended, it’s about allowing everyone to take their place, as they wish it, in American society.
Deal with it Liberty. Language is important. How we use it matters. Words have meaning, and even if you don’t intend to offend, it’s not up to you to decide what is and isn’t offensive to others.
Again, this is 2017.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:56 am:
=== On oriental, it actually means “east.” ===
Are there any proud graduates of Oriental Illinois University reading the blog today?
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:56 am:
Demoralized, I don’t spend a minute considering myself a victim, about anything. Trust me. I work extremely hard and overcome obstacles hourly, for decades.
All the misplaced outrage about the word “oriental,” by non-Asians, seems like some seriously co-dependent victimology.
- Puddintaine - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:58 am:
Much better than the process the Aztecs used. We haven’t killed and eaten any legislators. Maybe later…
- Puddintaine - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:00 am:
Not to hog the thread but the Jacobins had an interesting results based procedure, too. Might be more palatable to the vegetarian crowd.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:04 am:
These congressmen should ask former Congressman Joe Walsh for advice.
He held a town hall meeting pretty much every week.
- LIberty - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:05 am:
Reinventing language requires patience before offense.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:06 am:
Cdog, thanks for sticking up for Rednecks like Bost.
“Redneck” simply means you work hard in the sun all day and get a neck burn. Who could take offense at that?
If you happen to enjoy Nabisco products, “Redneck cracker” is also acceptable.
- A Parent - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:09 am:
Anonymous 9:39 wins.
- Terry Salad - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:09 am:
VanillaMan,
“After being with them over a decade, I learned to stop judging their way of describing things. I stopped thinking that the person referring to a different individual as a “cripple”, a “colored”, a Mongoloid”, or an “Oriental” or “Chinaman”, as ignorant, closed-minded or mean.”
Sorry, but that doesn’t wash. Just listen to those same folks when someone says “redneck” of “hick” My experience is that they don’t like it and let you know. If people are too ignorant to use proper terms, they don’t get an automatic pass just because they don’t seem mean. This is the 21st Century.
- The_Equalizer - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:14 am:
For a man famous for shouting, he seems to fear the shouting of others.
- Liberty - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:15 am:
cdog: The PC people seem to be mired in their own form cultural determinism.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:29 am:
It seems many people confuse politically correctness with decency. Anyone who is not ignorant understands that “oriental” is a word that the people who that term describes find offensive. When there are terms that a race, religion, or culture prefers to be called, it behooves us to learn those terms and use them, so long as we aspire to be decent. If you’re happy being ignorant and often having your intent “misconstrued” by “PC SJW’s,” then, by all means, keep using offensive terms. It is childish to blame the repercussions on others. repercussions, I might add, that amount to, at worst, labeling you what you seemingly are proud to be.
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:45 am:
Look at the ease at which Bost won. And the so. I’ll Dems want a Bernie Sanders wanna be at the head of the ticket. Bye-bye Jerry and Brandon.
- Hon. Don Gerard - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:47 am:
Wait, a bunch of lamps and/or rugs or whatever would yell?
- Liberty - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:52 am:
Alfonzo Gonzo just called all you non PC folks ignoramuses. That is also social determinism.
- AlfondoGonz - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:55 am:
Liberty
Grow up.
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:57 am:
If a person derives their worth by requiring labels to be used by others, or their lack of worth, I might suggest counseling.
As others have tried to point out, the choice of a label does not assure bad intentions. In most cases, I argue it just reflects the terms used by that person’s generation/experience etc.
My dad fought in WWII; a 17 yr old Marine landing the first day on Okinawa. He fought “japs,” and then went to China and collected a little box of things “oriental.”
Did he die, at 90, a bad person to have spoken the language of his time? I say not. Was he in anyway disrespectful or prejudiced during his life towards Asians or Asian cultures? Absolutely not.
We can all be different. It’s ok. And don’t forget, one man’s vice is another man’s virtue. And the virtuous man has many vices.
- cake or death - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:58 am:
@wordlsinger - Thanks for clarifying the point for Cdog. And @Cdog, I’m sure you’re not trying to be hurtful, but please, as the definition you posted states, Oriental is used to describe Asian THINGS, not people. And, as per usual, it’s not what you think someone should find offensive that matters - it’s what the person the term is about finds offensive. I’m of Asian descent. If you call me Oriental, you get glared at.
- Rich Miller - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 11:59 am:
===just called all you non PC folks ignoramuses===
Would you like a safe space?
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:02 pm:
==the choice of a label does not assure bad intentions. In most cases, I argue it just reflects the terms used by that person’s generation/experience etc.==
That doesn’t make it right.
- A guy - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:04 pm:
Hard to get a Mulligan after this. oy.
- Demoralized - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:05 pm:
==it’s what the person the term is about finds offensive==
That’s the crux of the argument. I don’t care whether the person saying believes it’s offensive or not. It’s offensive if the person being referred to thinks it’s offensive.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:07 pm:
===It’s ok.===
Your dad’s time was, indeed, different. But it’s 2017, and you’ve heard from people of Asian descent who do not wish to be referred to as “Orientals.” If you still think it’s OK to use that term, knowing that others find it offensive, then no sir, it is NOT OK.
Well-intended ignorance is one thing, but your use of that term is neither ignorant nor well-intended. You and Liberty know better, but choose to behave boorishly.
You have the right to be a (deleted), but don’t be surprised then when you get called a (deleted). If the jacket fits…
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:21 pm:
I am pretty sure Mike Bost could care less about what any of us think.
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:23 pm:
47, I do not purposely offend people, unless I very internally think it’s necessary to. I don’t use the word oriental in my own vernacular except the terms “orient express,” “oriental philosophy,” “oriental design.” I will try to appease and not cause heartburn and substitute the word “eastern.”
To me the crux has more to do with constitutional protections and freedoms, that many seem to forget.
As Americans, we receive the Blessing of Liberty and we are protected from laws abridging the Freedom of Speech.
Live and let live. Bost is a free man too, and probably had no intention of offending someone’s fragile ears by choosing that word.
I hope it stays that way. It’s worked well for nearly 250 years.
- Pot calling kettle - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:24 pm:
Instead of complaining about “political correctness” why not consider treating others with respect?
In a respectful society, we avoid terms that are offensive to others. Why? Because it shows respect. When you respect others, they are more likely to respect you. When you show disrespect, people tend not to listen to you or respect what you say.
What I don’t understand is why several commenters on this blog are spending so much time and effort to explain why it is OK for an elected representative to not make an effort to show respect for others. As an elected official, he should be setting an example.
- Vole - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:27 pm:
“We need to have meetings with people” that echo our narrow, right end of the political spectrum.
Ditto Shimkus. Ditto LaHood.
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:37 pm:
===constitutional protections and freedoms, that many seem to forget.===
Nobody is threatening you with jail. Like I said, if someone wants to be a (deleted), they are free to do so. Just don’t complain when you get called a (deleted).
You are free to be the biggest (deleted) in the world, and I’d fight to the death to protect your right to be a (deleted).
- cdog - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:47 pm:
Awwww, thanks 47. That’s sweet, and I will defend your rights too.
(Actually did that, 1980-84, USN, just sayin’
- El Conquistador - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:48 pm:
Bost is a real profile of courage. Next!
- Oswego Willy - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:50 pm:
To the Post,
Here’s what real.
Bost decides to use an inflammatory example to explain why he deserves better, all the while the example is in of itself inflammatory.
There’s a lacking of self-awareness when your examples are far more concerning than what you are trying to claim as an injustice towards yourself.
It’s almost an Archie Bunker lacking, thinking the point is… on point.
- 606 IPA - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:51 pm:
In my mind, I think some people are getting fixated on the term. Regardless of if you believe it is an offensive term (which I definitely believe it is), I believe his statement is offensive even without the term. It still would have been offensive to me if he said “Asian” instead. The issue I have is by not using one or two adjective more he is stereotyping all Asian people when there are a very diverse set of beliefs and traditions in Asian culture. If he means a specific culture or period in time, then say the historic reference and culture. Because he didn’t, its lazy, offensive, and colors everyone’s perception of Asian culture and Asian people. This is not just a “PC” concern because it sets an “Asian” stereotype for Asians living in a region in Illinois with a low Asian population. I have lived and worked in these areas and it is hard to break out of preconceived notions people have for Asians and Asian-Americans. These preconceived notions are not because people are racist or insensitive, they just don’t interact with too many Asian or Asian-Americans in their day to day life so they don’t know what to expect. Statements like this unfortunately help to frame the expectation.
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 12:53 pm:
This reminded me of my brief time lived in LincolnPark. When I came back home my buddies called me ‘a high falutin Chicagonian’. I was tremendously offended and found the term racist.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:01 pm:
I’m sure that happened, BDD.
But where’s the racist component in “high-falutin’ Chicagomian?” You might want to look up the word before using it.
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:04 pm:
Word. Down here, Chicago is a race all of its own.
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:14 pm:
CDog, please explain how “constitutional protections and freedoms,” and “blessings of liberty,” and “freedom of speech” are under threat by pointing out that Oriental is an offensive term to Asians?
I assume you were wrapped in an American flag and eating hot dogs and mom’s apple pie when you built those ridiculous straw men.
You’re free to use all the offensive terms you wish. And others are free to point out that they are offensive.
Now go home and get your shine box.
No offense.
- Anon - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
“the Orientals”???
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:17 pm:
– Down here, Chicago is a race all its own.–
What do you mean, exactly?
- Blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:31 pm:
Word. Just when i thought we were buds. You know, agreeing on that horse racing thing the other day.
Ya gotta trust me on this. Where i am from Chicagonian is not a term of endearment.
- Hon. Don Gerard - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 1:46 pm:
“My Congressman…some hot-shot!”
- wordslinger - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 2:07 pm:
BDD, anywhere you come from, “Chicagoan” is not a race.
Maybe you should speak for yourself about who is not “endeared” to whom due to their so-called “race.”
It’s quite possible that not everyone sees things the way you do.
- Mr. Smith - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 2:33 pm:
Any resemblance between Rep. Bost and a responsible and responsive legislator are purely Occidental…
- Union Man - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 4:00 pm:
Hw shoulda used a word that rhymes with oriental instead…http://rhymes.merriam.com/r/oriental
- ArchPundit - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 4:34 pm:
====I live in Central Illinois now. Moved here from Chicago. Listening to the locals often unintentionally politically incorrect statements used to shock and horrify me.
How generous of you. I’m sure the bumpkins of Central Illinois appreciate your understanding of their stupidity.
Seriously, it’s Central Illinois which has major universities and world class companies. It’s not some backwater. If you want to excuse someone’s grandfather for racism that’s fine, but an elected official doesn’t get that benefit of the doubt.
- Anonymous - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 4:39 pm:
S OK, this word salad tornado has left me with a bit of headache and rather, um, … disoriented. But I still have a question. When do we start referring to Australians as southerners? I’d rather not have to endure “The Big Boot”. /s
- GOPgal - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 4:39 pm:
Just when you thought Mike Bost couldn’t be a bigger buffoon. Unbelievable.
Putting aside use of a word that everyone assumed everyone knew was offensive for many years, what’s he talking about with “you’d put one person out in front and 900 people yell at them?”
Maybe got that from the 1986 movie “Gung Ho” with Michael Keaton?
- Arsenal - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 5:15 pm:
==constitutional protections and freedoms, that many seem to forget==
Oh, spare me. No one’s talking about throwing Bost in jail. They’re just calling him a jerk. That’s Constitutionally protected, too, and I’m sick of this gonzo “Freedom of speech means everyone but me has to shut up!” interpretation.
This isn’t that hard; basic respect says you don’t call people things they don’t want to be called.
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 7:50 pm:
Sidenote: In addition to rugs, teacups and lamps gain added value when described as “Oriental.”
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 7:54 pm:
If only someone could muster up an oriental teacup of “Chicagonian” descent. Ch Ching!
- blue dog dem - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:10 pm:
Order me two. And make them both ‘left’handed.
- Demo - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 9:32 pm:
I can never remember former Congressman Enyart having a public town hall meeting. He did have meetings at public areas with party leaders in attendance.
- PENSIONS ARE OFF LIMITS - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:15 pm:
Coming soon to tha Leftorium. I promise.
- N Flanders
- 47th Ward - Thursday, Mar 2, 17 @ 10:46 pm:
===I can never remember former Congressman Enyart having a public town hall meeting.===
I can still remember Paul Simon, Alan Dixon, Glenn Poshard, Jerry Costello, Dick Durbin and others having lots of public town hall meetings. Representing constituents is a big part of the job, lol. It helps if, you know, you meet with them. Preferably in public.
The title is, after all, “United States Representative.”
- Nitemayor - Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 5:39 am:
Good thing Pekin is not in his district.
- Rabid - Friday, Mar 3, 17 @ 6:52 am:
Dung chow
- Laughing - Tuesday, Mar 7, 17 @ 3:47 pm:
I actually had to look up what he said–must have not made too much news. When are they going to outlaw the use of other offensive terms–I was told by a friend from the Democratic Party that the word Democrat was offensive. I’m constantly referring to my Thesaurus to make sure I’m not offending someone!! Better use the Google Thesaurus, because the ones in print are obsolete before they hit the shelves!