The Dirtbag Trifecta?

ScienceChic wrote: Some more food for thought:
Column: If Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam resigns over racist photo, who wins?
Dahleen Glanton, Chicago Tribune
February 4, 2019

Let’s be clear. The deafening chorus of Democrats and Republicans calling for Virginia Gov. Ralph Northam to step down over that blackface picture has little to do with African-Americans.

It’s about politics.

If there ever was a case that pointed out both parties’ shallow interest in pushing forward an agenda addressing racial equality, it is this made-up angst over a picture that appeared 35 years ago in a medical school yearbook in Virginia.

Northam says he didn’t realize the harm he’d done by dancing in blackface until he had a conversation about it later with a person of color.

“He let me know why this was offensive,” Northam said at a news conference Saturday. “I apologized to him, and I will never do it again.”

This is what a conversation on race looks like. Someone does something racially insensitive. He discusses it with someone he has hurt and he comes away understanding why this seemingly innocent act is so painful to others.

These are the kinds of interpersonal discussions that can move our nation forward, not the angry, hate-filled rhetoric Trump has encouraged Americans to spew onto each other.

On a related note, I appreciated this awesome Twitter thread by Rob George about an "1865 slave auction" fundraiser senior class students at his college tried to organize in 1985:
THREAD.

After much fun at Northam's expense, a serious though: A few tweets have run along the lines of, "Even in the South, 35 years ago, everyone knew that wearing a Klan outfit or blackface was racist." Having been in college myself at that time, I started nodding. 1/x

But then I pause. EVERYONE knew that this type of behavior is racist? That means Northam must have been racist (he admits in his Friday statement that what he did was racist). It means his partner in crime was racist. But there was a compiler/editor of the yearbook, right? 2/x

That supposedly responsible person accepted Northam's photo. -- and let it go, right? Was there a faculty advisor? Did that person approve it too? My point here is that either everyone knew this was something REALLY ugly and racist OR they were doing something what they 3/

bizarrely thought was "funny" and no one stopped to think, "Oh, it's funny, but really ugly and maybe we shouldn't do it." IOW, the 20/20 hindsight we have now that EVERYONE knew this was something you didn't do might not have been as strong back then. 4/

If we're going to hold Northam to account for his actions 30 years ago of dressing in blackface, then we also need to acknowledge that racism is still alive and well in the United States and the NFL players kneeling have a damn good reason to do so. That calls to end Affirmative Action are premature, we have a disproportionate percentage of black people in poverty and in jails not because they are lazy or more likely to be criminals but because they are discriminated against for good job opportunities or promotions/raises and singled out for scrutiny and less able to defend themselves against spurious charges.

Or, we can start having uncomfortable conversations about who we really are, the assumptions we make about one another, how we can treat each other better, fix our institutions, and move forward in equality and fairness to heal together as a nation.

Rick wrote: This is really an amazing story that doesn't have anything to do with President Trump, so predictably, the media arm of the DNC (most of the media) isn't giving the Virginia story as much (if any) attention as they would if this was a Republican problem.

Potential dirtbag #1 Ralph Northam
This all started because of his statement which suggested a new born baby could be killed after a discussion between mother and doctor (the word abortion would not apply here). He referred to the baby as an infant, not a clump of cells or a fetus... bad move. Without that statement, the next two dominoes would not be falling with him.

But of course, that was not the crime that Democrats are demanding he pay for, even though Dems know bringing humanity to the abortion debate is deadly to their cause of unrestricted abortion at any time for any reason. The crime to distract from the horrific statement is the crime of being a racist decades ago. I would say the picture tells the whole story and there is no doubt it was racist. But is he a racist today? Can people not change over time and become an advocate for the people they once mocked in a racist way? I think they can, but Northam used a disgusting and unsubstantiated tv ad to paint his Republican opponent as a racist. But whatever, Northam is toast and the man next in line was poised to take his place just happens to be a black man... perfect! Well, maybe not...

Potential dirtbag #2 Justin Fairfax
I'll just call this one "Kavanaugh Karma". This guy has a credible accusation of sexual dating back in 2004 (15 years ago, not 35), she gave the story to the Washington Post in 2017 but of course that left leaning paper was not willing to print the story without corroborating evidence (my, how standards have changed since the Kavanaugh hearing). Anyway, here we go again, but where are the collective cries for #believeallwomen ? Did that standard change or does it depend on who is being charged? Does race and political party make a difference? If you're honest, you know the answer.

Potential dirtbag #3 Mark Herring
AG Mark Herring is third in line if the first two dominoes fall. Mark came out immediately condemning Northam's racist picture but later had to admit the he too wore blackface as a costume. Does that make him a racist? Who among us know what is in his heart today? Lots of people do things that they regret decades later as times change. But if DEms are consistent in their condemnation with Northam, Herring must also go.

For the record, I think all three men should be given some sort of due process if they want to hang on to their jobs and not resign... this is still America. Robert "KKK" Byrd was in Congress for a very long time and he was loved by his fellow Democrats including the Clintons. Oh the irony.

I'm not posting long articles or links because you should all know this story and I look forward to hearing your thoughts about this fascinating story. Please feel free to correct me, agree, or add your own points which I may have missed. Hope you're all having a great day and staying warm!

Rick wrote: Actually no, Ford had no corroborating witnesses and Ford made sure that her stiory couldn’t be disproven because she conveniently couldn’t remember when or where it happed or how she got home. She did remember she had one beer.

Now Fairfax has a second accuser that does have people who she told years ago.

Looks like Fairfax won’t last long now and Notham may be able to survive. This is becoming comical now

FredHayek wrote: Prediction: the Governor will keep his seat, go full term, but will not run for reelection. More claims are showing up against the Lt. Governor and more leading Democrats are asking him to step aside so I think he will go and be replaced by someone with a better background, probably a woman. The 3rd in line? I think he will keep his job but once again not run for reelection.
Where do people ever get the idea that it is OK to dress up in blackface or KKK hoods? Blows me away and I was in college the same time Northam was in medical school and it never occurred to me.