Open mouth, insert foot.....

Rufus Rhastus J · 10-03-2005, 10:23 AM

Democrats are demanding an apology from former Secretary of Education William Bennett. This follows a controversial comment Bennett made Wednesday on his radio program about blacks and crime.

Bennett said, "If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossibly ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down..."

Bennett defended his remarks Friday and said he was not a racist.

But many Democrats, including Nevada Senator Harry Reid, want Bennett to apologize. Reid also hopes the Republican Party will act on this saying quote "I hope that they will be swift in condemning Mr. bennet's comments as nothing short of callous and ignorant."

Even President George Bush said Bennett's comments were not appropriate.

:joker: Talk about stupid....even I know that this was a dumb move. In his position, right or wrong, he should know better! :joker:

Oxford · 10-03-2005, 10:35 AM

Bennett just wasn't being PC. :jaw:

But...Bennett, the "former" and "retired" U.S. Secretary of Education, probably should have kept his comments to himself this time. :right: He screwed up education enough while in office so should lay off now with his proclamations.

Here's more about William Bennett's background:
http://www.americanpresident.org/his.../h_index.shtml

dhermesc · 10-03-2005, 12:19 PM

I heard about this one, he was responding to a stupid question from a caller on a radio show. Would have been much smarter to have responded with "How *&^%ing stupid are you?"

Stopper · 10-03-2005, 12:40 PM

apparently not the brightest bulb on the marquee

BattleRifleG3 · 10-03-2005, 01:03 PM

I'd think someone in public office would understand how easy it is to have your words twisted, and would think a wee bit before handing over such prime material.

Regarding statistics of crime and race, a closer look shows that the reason there is more crime among blacks is that there are more blacks growing up without fathers around. Blacks in complete families have the same low crime rate of whites in complete families. Whites with fatherless homes have the same higher crime rate as blacks with fatherless homes. The only reason that it looks like race is that so many more black vhildren are raised without a father around.

Ctwo · 10-03-2005, 01:52 PM

The premise can be argued not to be true; however, it does seem like it’s possible given that most black crime is black on black. Eliminate both the victim and perpetrator, crime should go down. Another way of putting it is if you eliminate all males, since most crime is committed by males, crime should go down. The same could be said about aborting all white babies, since white people also commit crimes. Another individual wondered how crime would go down by aborting babies since babies do not commit many crimes at all, regardless of race.

I am not sure about the crime stats myself, whether it is more an issue of fatherless or impoverished upbringing, or related to some sort of societal repression. I agree with Bush that his comments were not appropriate.

Rufus Rhastus J · 10-04-2005, 09:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ctwo

The premise can be argued not to be true; however, it does seem like it’s possible given that most black crime is black on black. Eliminate both the victim and perpetrator, crime should go down. Another way of putting it is if you eliminate all males, since most crime is committed by males, crime should go down. The same could be said about aborting all white babies, since white people also commit crimes. Another individual wondered how crime would go down by aborting babies since babies do not commit many crimes at all, regardless of race.

I am not sure about the crime stats myself, whether it is more an issue of fatherless or impoverished upbringing, or related to some sort of societal repression. I agree with Bush that his comments were not appropriate.

As to the stats, last i heard...afro-american were 22% of the nation's pop. The pop. of the jails (nation-wide) was at 58% afro-american. So, useing simple math, a fifth of the pop. is responsible for well over half the crime! Shocking, yes? There is little excuse for bennett's stupid actions concerning this comment. I did not hear the "caller's" guestion but, i bet I could have given a better answer. :joker:

burd1959 · 10-04-2005, 02:31 PM

can of worms im not lowering to use every race good and bad

Troy · 10-04-2005, 02:59 PM

yup, here's a bomb waiting to go off.

Rave · 10-06-2005, 12:43 PM

That was truely a bonehead move!

Rufus Rhastus J · 10-07-2005, 02:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rave

That was truely a bonehead move!

I have been informed that this is not the first time Bennett has made stupid remarks that have cost him dearly. This, as I understand, is the third time! Maybe, the third time is the charm and he will use his brain for something more useful! He must be smart, as I am informed he is in a "Think tank". Maybe, in the think tank one can make comments like that and there is no problem?

BattleRifleG3 · 10-07-2005, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rufus Rhastus J

As to the stats, last i heard...afro-american were 22% of the nation's pop. The pop. of the jails (nation-wide) was at 58% afro-american.

Those may have more to do with urban environments, where there's more crime, and where blacks are a larger part of the population than in general. Similar to the above statistic that crime comes more from fatherless homes than along lines of race.

Rockabilly88 · 10-13-2005, 01:44 PM

Your theory incorporates some nice aspects of doublethink. If blacks are the same as whites then they shouldn't be more likely to grow up without fathers. Look at the contient of Africa, a land where civilization was non-existant until Europeans came, and then say race doesn't account for anything.

If Bennent wanted to stay in the play pen he should have never said what he did.

BattleRifleG3 · 10-13-2005, 02:08 PM

I'm not saying blacks and whites are identical, I'm saying the problems are deeper than "blacks cause more crimes." Black people need families as much as anyone, and when they don't have them, the results are statistically the same. That said, both I and one of my best friends, who was black, grew up in single parent families and turned out ok. People make statistics, statistics don't make people, but heritage does have a hand in making people, sometimes only if they remember it, and sometimes regardless.

10-03-2005, 10:23 AM	#1
Rufus Rhastus J Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: West, Central Florida, Third World America Posts: 6,339 Images: 1	Open mouth, insert foot..... Democrats are demanding an apology from former Secretary of Education William Bennett. This follows a controversial comment Bennett made Wednesday on his radio program about blacks and crime. Bennett said, "If you wanted to reduce crime, you could -- if that were your sole purpose -- you could abort every black baby in this country and your crime rate would go down. That would be an impossibly ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down..." Bennett defended his remarks Friday and said he was not a racist. But many Democrats, including Nevada Senator Harry Reid, want Bennett to apologize. Reid also hopes the Republican Party will act on this saying quote "I hope that they will be swift in condemning Mr. bennet's comments as nothing short of callous and ignorant." Even President George Bush said Bennett's comments were not appropriate. :joker: Talk about stupid....even I know that this was a dumb move. In his position, right or wrong, he should know better! :joker: __________________ "They cannot be trusted.....The Romulans (our politicos) are without honor." Worf

10-03-2005, 10:35 AM	#2
Oxford Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Gladstone, Missouri Posts: 13,101 Blog Entries: 4	Bennett just wasn't being PC. :jaw: But...Bennett, the "former" and "retired" U.S. Secretary of Education, probably should have kept his comments to himself this time. :right: He screwed up education enough while in office so should lay off now with his proclamations. Here's more about William Bennett's background: http://www.americanpresident.org/his.../h_index.shtml __________________ "If it's worth doing, it's worth doing right". Last edited by Oxford; 10-03-2005 at 08:52 PM.

10-03-2005, 12:19 PM	#3
dhermesc Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: East Central Kansas Posts: 1,762	I heard about this one, he was responding to a stupid question from a caller on a radio show. Would have been much smarter to have responded with "How *&^%ing stupid are you?" __________________ Liberty is for those that claim it.

10-03-2005, 12:40 PM	#4
Stopper Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Kansass Posts: 2,212 Images: 1	apparently not the brightest bulb on the marquee __________________ They should have stopped at "Congress shall make no law"

10-03-2005, 01:03 PM	#5
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	I'd think someone in public office would understand how easy it is to have your words twisted, and would think a wee bit before handing over such prime material. Regarding statistics of crime and race, a closer look shows that the reason there is more crime among blacks is that there are more blacks growing up without fathers around. Blacks in complete families have the same low crime rate of whites in complete families. Whites with fatherless homes have the same higher crime rate as blacks with fatherless homes. The only reason that it looks like race is that so many more black vhildren are raised without a father around. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf

10-03-2005, 01:52 PM	#6
Ctwo Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 344	The premise can be argued not to be true; however, it does seem like it’s possible given that most black crime is black on black. Eliminate both the victim and perpetrator, crime should go down. Another way of putting it is if you eliminate all males, since most crime is committed by males, crime should go down. The same could be said about aborting all white babies, since white people also commit crimes. Another individual wondered how crime would go down by aborting babies since babies do not commit many crimes at all, regardless of race. I am not sure about the crime stats myself, whether it is more an issue of fatherless or impoverished upbringing, or related to some sort of societal repression. I agree with Bush that his comments were not appropriate.

10-04-2005, 02:31 PM	#8
burd1959 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: burton michigan Posts: 608	can of worms im not lowering to use every race good and bad

10-04-2005, 02:59 PM	#9
Troy Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 2,505 Images: 3	yup, here's a bomb waiting to go off.

10-06-2005, 12:43 PM	#10
Rave Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Tampa Posts: 7,053	That was truely a bonehead move! __________________ USAF '62-'66 .

10-13-2005, 01:44 PM	#13
Rockabilly88 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: NC Posts: 166	Your theory incorporates some nice aspects of doublethink. If blacks are the same as whites then they shouldn't be more likely to grow up without fathers. Look at the contient of Africa, a land where civilization was non-existant until Europeans came, and then say race doesn't account for anything. If Bennent wanted to stay in the play pen he should have never said what he did. __________________ --------------------------------------------------------------------- " Red flags.... May day.... theres gotta be a better way! Red tanks, Mass graves, and red liars always get their say! Cos The only good comie is a dead commie its about time we learned... the only time our people are gunna taste freedom's when the last red flag is burned" - Ian Stuart Donaldson :guitar: :gangster:

10-13-2005, 02:08 PM	#14
BattleRifleG3 Super Moderator Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Western PA Posts: 11,454 Images: 13	I'm not saying blacks and whites are identical, I'm saying the problems are deeper than "blacks cause more crimes." Black people need families as much as anyone, and when they don't have them, the results are statistically the same. That said, both I and one of my best friends, who was black, grew up in single parent families and turned out ok. People make statistics, statistics don't make people, but heritage does have a hand in making people, sometimes only if they remember it, and sometimes regardless. __________________ Trust is earned, not... GIVEN away. - Worf