Essie's Busy

Essie's been busy the last few days, but she'll be back before long.

Maybe they really are stupid.

I have always been offended by the press bias that deems the South racist and the North pure as the driven snow. If that's really the case, then why is it that, according to the 2010 census results, the nation's blacks are leaving big cities in the Northeast and Midwest at the highest levels in decades to move to the South?

I can come to only one of two conclusions. Either the press is wrong and the South isn't more racist than any other section of the country, or blacks really are stupid.

"More blacks are moving to South." The Dallas Morning News; February 16, 2011; p. 10A.

Why is this OK?

Suppose one of our white commissioners stood up at a Commissioners Court meeting and said to a bunch of black citizens there to address the court, "You're all black. Go to hell!"

I doubt there's a commissioner or any other white official anywhere who would be that stupid. He would be run out of town on a rail.

Yet John Wiley Price stood up in Dallas the other day at a public meeting and said to a group of white constituents, "All of you are white. Go to hell!" Then he called one of the men there "fat boy." There is no public outcry for him to resign. There is no apology. Why? I don't get it.

"Tempers flare, insults fly in Price's court outburst." The Dallas Morning News; February 16, 2011; p. 1A.

Why?

The Obama Administration last week released a report on his redesign of the government's role in housing finance. "The government must help to ensure that all Americans have access to quality housing that they can afford."

Why? Where is that in the Constitution? Bet you can't find it there. What the government "must" do is stop enslaving people in a welfare state. Give them the freedom to earn and buy their own houses, and get the government nose out of it.

If the government hadn't grown so heavy with housing programs, food programs, medical programs, retirement programs, ad infinitum, we wouldn't be in the economic mess we're in now. Able-bodied people would realize if they work, they reap the benefits. If they don't, it's nobody's fault but theirs.

If you want to own a home or anything else, do it the old-fashioned way. Go out and work for it!

"Fewer may get to own homes." The Dallas Morning News; February 12, 2011; p. 1A.

Awww - bless his heart!

Jason Bourque says he's a victim -- just as much as the congregations of the 10 churches he burned and the additional three he tried to burn. He's a victim of Chantix, the stop-smoking drug. He says it caused him to have urges and trances. He's a victim of his accomplice who should have stopped him, he says. (Even though his accomplice wasn't even present for several of the arsons).

Jason's an understanding, kind soul. He forgives the churches for the "harsh" sentence meted out to him. Bourque wants the congregations to know that "they misunderstand me. I'm not a troubled youth." We should understand that getting hooked on anti-depressants, smoking pot, being caught with drug paraphernalia, and getting kicked out of college is perfectly normal behavior. Not to mention the multiple arsons.

While awaiting trial, Bourque, who says he wants the chance to become a pastor or a Christian counselor, was written up for slipping out of handcuffs, brewing alcoholic hooch, and instructing his mother to bring him contraband. I just hope that any church who ever calls him to fill the pulpit has plenty of fire insurance. You never know when Jason might be victimized again.

"Church arsonists break silence on spree." The Dallas Morning News; February 12, 2011; p. 4A.

Alas! I'm a racist. But you probably are, too.

What do you think of a man who deliberately, maliciously, and for fun and profit tortures, mutilates, and kills dogs? Be careful how you answer, because if you say that he's one mean sick wacko who needs some psychiatric help, you're a racist.

The Rev. Marion Barnett thinks Michael Vick has been treated unfairly. "It's racism . . . and we need to stop this unethical treatment of black human beings," he says. I can agree with the Rev. Barnett to a degree. If black human beings are being treated unethically because they are black, that's racism. But I have a couple of questions. First, is it unethical if you honestly believe Michael Vick didn't deserve a key to the City of Dallas? I know of no ethical principle that's being violated here. Second, is Michael Vick a human being? Given what he is capable of, there is grave doubt.

"Talking Points." The Dallas Morning News; February 13, 2011; p. 1P.

Uhhhhh - let me think about it.

Michael Gilliland, the CEO of a chain of natural food stores, was arrested in a child prostitution sting in Phoenix, Arizona. He thought he was talking online to an underage girl when he tried to set up a sexual assignation. He resigned from the food store chain; however, he said he doesn't believe he is guilty.

He doesn't believe he is guilty? What does that mean? He doesn't know whether or not he tried to have sex with a child? Or he doesn't know if it's wrong to have sex with a child? Or he's not guilty because he got caught before he could carry through with the actual act? Or he knows they have him dead to rights so a denial is futile?

Well, maybe Mr. Gilliland doesn't believe he's guilty, but Essie May sure suspects he is!

"Grocery CEO resigns after Phoenix arrest." The Dallas Morning News; February 14, 2011; p. 3A.