I am in Mr. E's class at UWW and we get mass amounts of e-mails with CAPS EVERYWHERE!

The fact that he thinks that illegal immigrants should get healthcare is completely rediculous and irresponsible. Obama is already spending us into more debt than we can imagine, then giving the illegals something that they don't deserve?! As far as I see it, send them (the illegals) back to where they came from, not reward them!!

SG,
Yes, simple and full of common sense. That is the problem, common sense isn't easy to comprehend when you don't have it. Thanks for your input!

My last one, Zoom...we could keep on with it forever.

"The Black Panthers and Black Power movement from the 60's didn't come about because of the love and respect they felt from the white man."

What difference does it make how or why they came about? The fact remains that they murdered people. Did you know any Panthers? Ever hang with them? Tell me all about your first-hand experience with them.

"What justification did white men have for enslaving, burning and lynching blacks for a couple hundred years?"

No more justification for those actions than there was justification for the Blacks who sold their countrymen into slavery.

And, by the way, I bear no guilt for what someone did 200 years ago.

"The idea that Blacks and Hispanics and American Indians should adapt and assimilate to whites is really silly. They were either on this land before whites, or were brought here against their will."

Regardless of how or why they got here, they are, and they are a minority. IF they would like to be treated as part of the society as a whole, perhaps it would be better for them to adapt to it instead of insisting that we all adapt to them.

"The fact that they have felt disenfranchised for millenia, and have only recently (in relation to the age of our colonization) felt comfortable banding together in public, and voicing their need for change, smells like freedom to me."

For millenia?

About the time that Blacks were being sold here as slaves, my family were serfs in Europe...that translates to slave here. Banding together is good, remembering your racial and national heritage is good. Doing so while conciously excluding yourself from the culture around you is shortsighted at best.

"You said that Blacks "have been overtaken by a culture that encourages violence, misogyny, and criminal behavior" (your words), yet no one you work with seems to display those qualities. What do you have to adapt to then? Or are you afraid of seeing young white kids adopting the popular culture of Blacks?"

Not all Blacks embrace that culture, yet it is openly and endlessly promoted. Most Blacks do not embrace a culture that glorifies the drug dealer, the pimp, and the thug. Many, however, do. Many more are silent due to fear of ostracism and/or reprisals from those who do support it.

That should be simple enough to see in the crime statistics and household statistics of Blacks in America.

The first slaves documented were Egyptian slaves, and they enslaved their own people. WIth no real proof besides older monuments which require great amounts of manpower, it is believed the first slaves we also simple captured tribes or villages overseas, or wherever first establishments were, such as Stonehenge. Slaves have been around since the first leaders and wars existed. It is not an issue of color.

The Black Panthers and Black Power movement from the 60's didn't come about because of the love and respect they felt from the white man. What justification did white men have for enslaving, burning and lynching blacks for a couple hundred years?

The idea that Blacks and Hispanics and American Indians should adapt and assimilate to whites is really silly. They were either on this land before whites, or were brought here against their will. The fact that they have felt disenfranchised for millenia, and have only recently (in relation to the age of our colonization) felt comfortable banding together in public, and voicing their need for change, smells like freedom to me.

You said that Blacks "have been overtaken by a culture that encourages violence, misogyny, and criminal behavior" (your words), yet no one you work with seems to display those qualities. What do you have to adapt to then? Or are you afraid of seeing young white kids adopting the popular culture of Blacks?

"SG...."The slaves were captured by other blacks, not by whites." I am quite aware that history is a fable generally agreed upon. But your fable is not only "not agreed upon," but the "not by whites" part is "Chicago Cubs off base.""

Really? You mean it was actually tribes of lost Whites out in the wilds of Africa capturing the Blacks? Gosh! Here I've always read that it was Arab slavers buying prisoners captured for sale by other native tribes!

And just for reference, the Cubs can't even find the base, let alone stay on it!

SG...."The slaves were captured by other blacks, not by whites." I am quite aware that history is a fable generally agreed upon. But your fable is not only "not agreed upon," but the "not by whites" part is "Chicago Cubs off base."

Actually, Zoom, your assertion that Amerinds were the first human occupants of this space is not based on actual fact, only an assumption.

No revision...I used the word "popular" to perhaps clarify things for you. I'm glad you pointed out that there is more to culture than baggy pants...having grown up on the South Side of Chicago, I didn't realize that-I thought the hip-hop scene in J'ville was all there was to it.

Believe it or not, it is possible to talk about a culture without talking about individual people. The Blacks I work with are not likely to be seen saggin and baggin, slingin on the corner, or bumpin thru someone elses cut.

Hurt my feelings? In order for your opinion to do that, I would have to respect it...you see where that's going, right?

White supremists...I'm not really sure what those are, but I'll make the leap and assume you mean White Supremacists. I'll also posit that you are confusing the slogan "White Power" with "White Pride". No matter. Believe it or not, the slogan "Black Power" has been used since the 60's by many different groups, including those that targeted police and White business-owners for murder, and White-owned businesses for burning. That's different, right?

"Sure there were no other indigenous peoples here then? Actually, there is no way to know for sure, but from the archeological standpoint, it is quite possible that there were."

-You are trying to argue your point using baseless conjecture, while I have used facts.

"Again, note that I am not writing about Blacks, per se, but about Black popular culture."

-Aahh, here come the revisions. Now you use the term "popular" culture. Hip-Hop and baggy pants are not all there is to African American culture. If you are not writing about Blacks, how can it be their culture? It's obvious, by your own words, that you view African Americans to have an "alien, destructive culture".

"Typical leftist tactics-when you have nothing else, engage in personal attack."

-Sorry if I hurt your feelings.

"Dispute the fact that "Black Power" and "Viva la Raza" are popularly used with no repurcussions whatsoever, while someone saying "White PRide" is castigated as a racist."

-"White pride" has long been used as a chant for white supremists, and justification for the lynching of black people, long before black people could even think of uttering the words "black power" in public. It's a shame that a show of black pride or unity freightens so many white people.

Few notes for you, Zoom...

"Let me check...WHITES owned and captained the ships. WHITES let them starve on the way over. Other WHITES bought and traded them like cattle. They just made Africans do their dirty work for them."

Actually, the Whites that were involved in the slave trade were most often shipowners who bought cargo (human) from Arab slave traders. They didn't have to hire the locals to do their dirty work, slavery was part of the African culture already.

"What native culture? The people coming across the land bridge were the first PEOPLE in what we now call North America. WHITES destroyed their traditional way of life, and pushed them out of their lands."

Really? Sure there were no other indigenous peoples here then? Actually, there is no way to know for sure, but from the archeological standpoint, it is quite possible that there were.

"-Yet, you want everyone to LOOK and ACT like you do. "Adapt" was your word..."alien, destructive culture" is your view of African Americans. Your ethnocentric babbling will further isolate you from society. I pitty you, really. It is you who needs to adapt."

So let's see...70-odd percent of the population of the U.S.A. should "adapt" to a culture that glorifies thuggery, promotes the abuse of Women, and encourages drug usage?

Again, note that I am not writing about Blacks, per se, but about Black popular culture. Most of the Blacks I have associated with over the years share my view of it.

"Ethnocentric babbling..."

Typical leftist tactics-when you have nothing else, engage in personal attack. Dispute the fact that "Black Power" and "Viva la Raza" are popularly used with no repurcussions whatsoever, while someone saying "White PRide" is castigated as a racist.

You don't even have to say it...all you have to do is point out the illogic of it to have the fellow-travelers attack!

Yes, let's not jump to the conclusion that this Jihad was aimed at America. 9/11 was not aimed at America either. Ignorance=Apapthy=Democrat

Eyster wrote in part: I will assert that an instructor must use the EMPHASIS of ALL CAPS in speaking to communicate effectively. WHY NOT IN WRITING?!
-------------------------------------------------------
No other instructor writes in all caps as you choose to do. You fail to realize that your manner of writing detracts from the content. What's trivial to some is not trivial to others.

Your post was unclear in its overall theme. That said, America's diversity is yielding more tolerance and more divisiveness simultaneously. We were taught as children about assimilation being a pillar of unity and prosperity in the US. The imagery of a cake was often used—the separate ingredients of milk, sugar, eggs , and flour when mixed together create something new that is not discernible from the original ingredients. That was juxtaposed to the imagery of a tossed salad—the ingredients of lettuce, tomato, cheese, etc. when mixed remain very discernible. Hence, with the salad, there was no assimilation. Assimilation as a concept today is politically incorrect. However, the emphasis on diversity is creating its own monster with each group and sub-group carving-out its own special constituency that demands a share of the action and pursues solely its own special interests (have you noticed how many racial/ethnic categories exist on the US Census form? Also, note the divisiveness of saying “people of color” which is to isolate the category “white” apart from the others). The logical conclusion is a dictatorship of diversity—something that is pursued in and of itself and not for any other real end. That is dangerous and misguided as well.

SG wrote: "Slaves...actually, the slaves were kindapped by other Blacks, not by Whites. Check your history."

-Let me check...WHITES owned and captained the ships. WHITES let them starve on the way over. Other WHITES bought and traded them like cattle. They just made Africans do their dirty work for them.

SG wrote: "By "Native American" I presume you mean an American Indian...whose ancestors came here across a land bridge at some point lost to history, replacing any "native" culture that was here."

-What native culture? The people coming across the land bridge were the first PEOPLE in what we now call North America. WHITES destroyed their traditional way of life, and pushed them out of their lands.

SG said: "A shame, but we live in a real world, not a fictional place inhabited only by those who think as we do."

-Yet, you want everyone to LOOK and ACT like you do. "Adapt" was your word..."alien, destructive culture" is your view of African Americans. Your ethnocentric babbling will further isolate you from society. I pitty you, really. It is you who needs to adapt.

The random use of caps renders this blog unreadable...

If one of your students at UW-W had turned in a paper with this jibberish, I would hope that you would throw it back in their face.

From SG's post:

"Let's see, the Ft. Hood shooter was muslim, yelling Allahu Akbar as he fired, the Florida shooter was Hispanic, and the Cleveland murderer,Black.

What conclusions can you draw from that?"

The only "conclusion" anyone should draw from that is this: Three HUMANS committed atrocious crimes. I'm not interested in their race...and I think choosing to segregate and label each of these three according to their race is silly. Should the black community shoulder more responsiblity for the crimes committed by a black man than anyone else? I don't see why...As a white woman, I don't feel responsible for the actions of my slave owning ancestors anymore than I would for my german ancestors and their crimes against the Jews.
+
My point is, your race/heritage does not dictate your actions or your responsiblities. YOU do.

Sorry, Sarah, but I'm a Citizen. My grandparents came here legally, learned the language, worked, took out their Citizenship papers, and worked on blending into American society. Even their native tongue was banned in our home lest we forget that we were American, not hyphenated-Americans.

I wonder how many of those vociferously opposed to any tightening of our immigration laws have actually been out of the country? Mexico, for instance, is very intolerant of foreigners staying there without the proper documentation, and even less so of foreigners working there. Friends that I stay with there have asked me why we tolerate all the illegals...FROM MEXICO!

Note that in my post, I referred to cultures, not people. Blacks have been an integral part of this country for hundreds of years. It's only in the last few decades that their popular culture has started to push them away from the rest of the country.

A shame, but we live in a real world, not a fictional place inhabited only by those who think as we do.

I have no problem with people of other ethnic groups, religions, economic backgrounds, etc. as long as they come here LEGALLY and come here to WORK! These people that leech off of our way too tolerant social programs should be cut off immediately. There are generations of families on welfare. Loser kids giving birth to other generations of loser kids--our government endorses it by financially supporting it. Make these people work for that money--set up a daycare that is staffed by some of them--put an orange vest on others and have them pick up garbage along the roadway--something, anything.......enough of "the sit at home and collect a check" bs. Seriously--shut down social programs like welfare all together.......

I finally got it figured out. Try reading the article and imagining Mickey Mouse's voice for the parts in all caps. Or better yet, just try imagining the whole thing in Mickey Mouse's voice...

Iam just an old man (uneducated) would someone please summ up for me in a paragraph or two what eyster was talking about?

SG --- I have a better idea: Let's just deport you.

Ah, it's Zoom again...take a breath betwenn posts?

Slaves...actually, the slaves were kindapped by other Blacks, not by Whites. Check your history.

By "Native American" I presume you mean an American Indian...whose ancestors came here across a land bridge at some point lost to history, replacing any "native" culture that was here.

Yes, Tim McVeigh was White, and so are most mass-murderers. That doesn't change the fact that the country we live in was founded by Whites, and that we are, like it or not, the predominant culture here. There will always be those who are filled with self-hatred, who would sacrifice their people and their heritage for another. I'm not one of them, so I must be racist, right?!

So, worldwide, Whites comprise about 10% of the population. Guess that makes us a minority, and one that is shrinking, not growing. Is it wrong for us to have a homeland? Is it wrong for a White man to have pride in his race, or is that only reserved for people of color?

Ignorance and intolerance...it cuts both ways.

And Timothy McVay, a true American terrorist, was white SG. He is part of your "culture" too. No wonder people seek to identify with their native culture when people like you are around.

SG said: "Our culture is in danger of being replaced by an alien culture, yet some still cry "racism" whenever that is pointed out."

Talk to the American Indians about "alien" culture.

You've basically condoned the virtual destruction of one culture, and enslavement of another, by "whites", in one long, rambling comment. You are the victim of your own ignorance.

SG said: "Mayhap Blacks would be better served by courses in how to adapt to White society rather than trying to teach Whites to accept an alien, destructive culture in their midst."

That's probably what the slave owners were thinking after they kidnapped the Africans from their country and shipped them across the ocean.

I am assuming he is referring to his BLISS OF IGNORANCE in the use of the written English language?

Jumping to conclusions?

Let's see, the Ft. Hood shooter was muslim, yelling Allahu Akbar as he fired, the Florida shooter was Hispanic, and the Cleveland murderer,Black.

What conclusions can you draw from that?

Many muslims have decided that it is not only acceptable, but inherent to them to declare war on everything western. There will never be any integration for them, and sooner or later, the viper in our midst will strike.

An invasion of illegals from Mexico and points south has contributed to the dearth of jobs and a culture of poverty, machismo, and violence, especially in our major cities. Our culture is in danger of being replaced by an alien culture, yet some still cry "racism" whenever that is pointed out.

The Black...where can you even start? Firstly, it is very rare for a Black to be involved in mass-murder...of this type. Now, killing while defending drug territory, that isn't as uncommon. Read the crime stats and figure out the percentages of Blacks to Whites in our prisons, nad the degree to which they are represented in crime statistics. Oh, forgot, that's racism. Can't say that the Emporer has no clothes! Here again, Blacks, who had, by and large, made huge gains in their overall living situation by the early 60's, have been overtaken by a culture that encourages violence,misogyny, and criminal behavior. As long as that culture is tolerated, by Blacks and by the rest of the population, there is no hope for them as a people. Look at the population statistics for Blacks in this country...fewer and fewer, fewer marriages, fewer males not in prison-that nasty racism again. At one time, the goal of most Blacks was to assimilate into the larger society, and they were doing so successfully. Now, the goal for so many is to look, act, and sound so far out of the mainstream as to be from another planet...and all the while maintaining that they are discriminated only because of their color.

Of course, all of that is painting in brode strokes, but for a very significant segment of the respective populations, it is an accurate assessment.

How can we best deal with the issue of diversity in our country?

First and foremost, leave us stop worshiping at the altar of diversity! IF the muslims hate us, and would like to see Western society replaced with an islamic state, then deport them and let them be islamic in their own lands.

If Hispanics come here illegally, then deport them and let them come legally. Seal the border-it can be done, it just requires a little more effort than we have been willing to put forth.

Blacks, the change there will have to come from with. Mayhap Blacks would be better served by courses in how to adapt to White society rather than trying to teach Whites to accept an alien, destructive culture in their midst.

Black Power! A good, strong, proud sentiment!
Viva la Raza! An expression of ethnic pride!
White Pride! Filthy racism rears it's head again!

Cannot make it through your EYESORES. I guess the title explains why you look so happy in your picture.

MONDAY morning... THANK YOU for your very deliberate and conscientious comments on my "BLISS OF IGNORANCE" posting! I am GLAD for "ZOOM's" comment, "If someone takes the time to read your Blog Mr. Eyster, I don't think they have chosen the "bliss of ignorance". FOR SURE! COMMENDATION to YOU, "Zoom"! Re. CAPS. IF we were able to have a podcast so that readers were able to HEAR me talk, I think the CAPS would be the MORE meaningful. I note that through the months of WE THE PEOPLE blog, there have been several persons commenting on my ALL CAPS style asserting that having heard me speak, they did UNDERSTAND the ALL CAPS well... so... I can tell you, having taught high school at PARKER HS as well as college classes at UW-Rock County and now UW-Whitewater and UW-Waukesha, I will assert that an instructor must use the EMPHASIS of ALL CAPS in speaking to communicate effectively. WHY NOT IN WRITING?! Yes, this is a TRADEMARK which I have chosen. I welcome y our comments with the HOPE that YOU will focus on the subject/issue rather than the trivia of ALL CAPS. Here we go... Mr. E.

Back on topic. If someone takes the time to read your Blog Mr. Eyster, I don't think they have chosen the "bliss of ignorance".

Can we all get along? Of course we can. This is the greatest country on earth. Hard times bring out the worst in some people though. Get used to that for awhile.

"1. If all "people" should receive healthcare, even illegals, are we to care for anyone from any nation? Even all of the HIV/AIDS victims from all over the world?"

-Yes, if they can pay for it like everyone else. Health care reform currently being debated does NOT include FREE health care for all.

"2. Who should pay for all of this? If it is every tax paying U.S. citizen, then how is that protecting our rights?"

-See #1.

"3. In the current bill that the House just passed, we would be paying for abortions and there would be a panel that choses who qualifies for care based on the disease and age of the patient. Where in the constitution does it state that our government has the right and/or responsibility to decide who lives and who dies? Doesn't this concern you at all?"

-That would concern me...if anything you said was remotely factual. There will be no death panels. The bill passed because goverbment paid abortions were taken OUT of the bill, except for cases of rape, incest, or health of the mother.

"4. Is it fair to take away medicare benefits from our seniors so we can provide healthcare to illegals?"

-No. Good thing that's not happening then.

"And it isn't even a choice we are given, it is being pushed on us."

-This seems to be a popular meme among right wingers. I read a lot of "shoved down our throats" rhetoric. Do you not know that we have a representative government? Or is it only representative when it does exactly what YOU want? You had your "choice" 2000 through 2009.

Mr. Eyester,
With much respect I have to ask these questions:
1. If all "people" should receive healthcare, even illegals, are we to care for anyone from any nation? Even all of the HIV/AIDS victims from all over the world?
2. Who should pay for all of this? If it is every tax paying U.S. citizen, then how is that protecting our rights?
3. In the current bill that the House just passed, we would be paying for abortions and there would be a panel that choses who qualifies for care based on the disease and age of the patient. Where in the constitution does it state that our government has the right and/or responsibility to decide who lives and who dies? Doesn't this concern you at all?
4. Is it fair to take away medicare benefits from our seniors so we can provide healthcare to illegals? They should be protected, they worked hard and was promised by our government that the medicare would cover healthcare when they need it most. And now the same government is going to take it away from them to give to another group of people (who hasn't earned it).
Somehow, I feel that by giving freely to everyone else in the world, we are losing our rights as a U.S. citizen. And it isn't even a choice we are given, it is being pushed on us. How is this freedom?
When will our freedoms and rights be protected?

I don't notice the "caps" as much as I used to in Mr. Eyster's writings. I just read right through them. It's kind of like "zoning" out co-workers who chatter on all day.

Can anyone help to shed a little light on the unorthodox use of caps? I realize that Mr. Eyster has chosen this as his trademark to help distinguish him from the other bloggers and I think that it works, but I am having trouble deciphering the rules that he uses to choose his targets. Are they applied to words and names that he feels are more important than others? Are they supposed to denote emphasis in the manner that if he were speaking aloud, he would raise his voice at that point in the speech, perhaps accompanied by a dramatic pause? For the most part, they seem random to me. When I read them, I can't help but think that I would choose different words to emphasize. Any thoughts from anyone, or perhaps even a little guidance from Mr. Eyster?

And yes, seriously ease of the caps. Really annoying.

Not a very well constructed article, kind of hard to follow. I can't comment because I didn't really digest much of this. More explanation and a little more clarity on what the heck you are talking about.Seems to jump around paragraph to paragraph... but I am a mental midget.

Trying to get ethnic cooperation and harmony regarding politics, religion, et. al. would be as easy as having red ants invite black ants for dinner. Throw in a few bees, crickets, etc. and you've equated the human race. I wish it would happen but I just don't think it ever will.

A well posed question Mr. E.: I wish I had an answer to it. There is so much seething anger on the part of so many that the question "Can we continue as a "United" States of America?" is an almost legitimate one. Time will tell.

I hope we don't all get along politically. If we do, then the game is rigged, and it doesn't matter anymore. We will be owned.

Wow! I find this a VERY thought provoking entry!! Thank you for it!

Ease off the Capslock key will ya?

Well said, John. But are you prepared for the numerous entries of ethnic and religious hatred that will most certainly follow? But, as the President urged, I should not "jump to conclusions."

What the President may have meant is that he should be very careful about jumping to conclusions