U.S. declares swine flu emergency

[Woody]

That is not the report that I heard. This may be too early in the news to know for sure. But what I had heard is that it was a Mexican who came across the border and died. He inflicted the disease in Mexico. He was a visitor, not a resident nor was he attempting to be a resident. Thus a Mexican.

You can try to pit one group against another as much as you like Shane. The only racist comments here are from you in trying to point fingers and think every little comment is racism.

[Liz]

Well we have a case in my town now. My dh was at a clients' office (who happens to be a doctor) and his office was notified.

[Dr. Shane]

Originally Posted By: Redwood

That death was a Mexican.

Somehow you come across, as if they are less important people. Maybe someone else can explain that, or am I the only one who senses that?

I made my first response before I read Stan's post quoted above.

I am sure Redwood did not intend his remark to sound racist but yes... it did sound that way and many Hispanics reading it would most likely have felt insulted. I know a lot of people hate being "politically correct" but when we are talking about different groups of people I think it is worth while to go to the extra effort not to sound racist or reinforce stereotypes. I often add the word resident onto the word Mexican when I am actually talking about a person that lives in Mexico. For example, it I were to say "Mexicans are terrible drivers" many would take that as a racist remark. However when I change that to say "Mexican residents are terrible drivers" than people realize that I am talking about "people that live in Mexico"

[Liz]

Good grief. Actually Shane's response is sounds more rascist than what Red said originally. Which, by the way, I don't think he meant it rascist at all, just pointing out that the little boy came from Mexico and was here for treatment. People from Mexico are Mexican's, just like people from any other country are that country plus an *an* at the end, unless of course it already ends in an "n" then you add an "ese", or an "ish". There is nothing rascist about that period, it is what it is.

[Bravus]

Back on topic: http://www.bravus.com/blog/?p=1271 (the first bit you've seen some of before)

[Bravus]

Incidentally, going on the smaller but better confirmed official numbers the fatality rate looks more like 5%, so you can roughly double those numbers if that's the case.

[Woody]

Good grief. Actually Shane's response is sounds more rascist than what Red said originally. Which, by the way, I don't think he meant it rascist at all, just pointing out that the little boy came from Mexico and was here for treatment. People from Mexico are Mexican's, just like people from any other country are that country plus an *an* at the end, unless of course it already ends in an "n" then you add an "ese", or an "ish". There is nothing rascist about that period, it is what it is.

Well Liz ... at least a was a multi-purpose racist.

I called American residents ... American

I called Mexican residents ..... Mexicans

Good Grief. Have we become SO politically correct that we can't identify where someone lives for fear that we might be called racist?

That deserves another ...

Good Grief

[Woody]

I would use the word paranoid perhaps.

Ha Ha.

And yes ... I make no bones about it ... I am opposed to ALL illegals being here against the law.

But this was a case of a "Mexican" here to visit relatives before he died. Nothing illegal or immoral about that.

This "person" did not live here. He therefore could not be classified as an "American" period.

Still ... NO American has died from this. Can I safely say this without being accused of racism?

[Dr. Shane]

Actually Shane's response is sounds more rascist than what Red said originally.

[Dr. Shane]

Sounds like Mr. Stan has an agenda here... The agenda of hate and judgment appears to be your's.

I've noticed this about liberals. They try to pit one group against another. It is a fabrication of hate.

Sounds like someone owes "Mr. Stan" an apology. Obviously Stan wasn't the only one that read the comments that way. I don't think Stan had an agenda of hate and judgment.

[Liz]

Are you Hispanic? If so, born in the US? Of Mexican decent? Please qualify your opinion in this matter. Your comments sound very, very white.

So now I have to be Hispanic in order to have an opinion ???? That's rascist.

I am no longer going to discuss this with you Shane. You keep throwing out that you are in a biracial marriage therefore you and only you can have an opinion on this? I only see one race the human race...sorry if I sound "white", I have everything( meaning nationalities) in me and I do mean everything, I am the great American melting pot and proud of it....I also have tons of opinions...sorry you can't handle them.

[Dr. Shane]

I only see one race the human race...sorry if I sound "white"

Yes, that does sound white and a bit naive. It is real easy for white people to be color blind. (I speak from experience) It is not so easy for racial minorities to be color blind because they have to deal with the reality of a racist world in a way that white people do not. There are many well-intended white people that say stupid things, not realizing how their words can hurt others. Just because we don't intend to hurt others doesn't mean we can't do exactly that by choosing the wrong words.

[Woody]

This is the most sick and racist thread I've come across in a long time. The hatred and pitting of one group against another is UN Christian. A sad commentary on humanity.Satan is alive and well.

I would rather go and read about what Bonnie + Neil are having to say about each other.

Wow. Ain't this some place.

Bye ...

[Liz]

This is the most sick and racist thread I've come across in a long time. The hatred and pitting of one group against another is UN Christian. A sad commentary on humanity.Satan is alive and well.

I would rather go and read about what Bonnie + Neil are having to say about each other.

Wow. Ain't this some place.

Bye ...

You crack me up. As for me, I guess just call me rascist, because I call people from the nation of Mexico--Mexican.

[Woody]

Quote:

You crack me up. As for me, I guess just call me rascist, because I call people from the nation of Mexico--Mexican.

Yep. If you ask me ... Shane needs to apologize to all "American residents" ... you know ... those people who I call Americans.

I just wish we all could get along and not pit one group of people against another.

[GreatLakesGramma]

I read that the little boy that died had health issues already, before he contracted the flu. He became sick shortly after arriving in the US to visit relatives, and was in the hospital for quite some time. The article said that officials stated that it is highly likely he contracted it in Mexico, and none of his family members have come down with it.

Little Boy, Far From Home, First US Swine Flu Fatality

[Woody]

Quote:

The first victim of swine flu in the U.S. was a Mexican toddler who struggled to survive for weeks in Texas hospitals — long before it was known doctors were dealing with an international outbreak.

Sorry GLG ... but Shane will not accept this Associated Press release. You see the author surely was a racist because the child was called a Mexican. Shame Shame. You're suppose to call him a "Mexican" 'resident' not a "Mexican toddler".

No more Associated Press allowed.

Ya Gotta remember ... words are important.

BTW ... For the record:

Quote:

The state's health director, Dr. David Lakey, at an Austin news conference, called it "highly likely" that the boy contracted the disease in Mexico before his trip to the U.S.

I know ... Associated Press is racist. But what can we do ... ALL whites are racist. However, I wonder if JUAN A. LOZANO, Associated Press Writer for this article knows he is one? Oh JUAN .... calling a Mexican resident ... a Mexican. Of all the nerve you racist.

[Amelia]

How many of us go to the MD when we have the flu and get blood work done?

I either let it run it's course or just get what ever everyone else is getting. I don't remember getting blood work done for a while, to see what kind of flu I have.

Yep, I never go to the doc for either the flu or a cold. I know what I have so why would I need a doc to tell me what I already know? And then tell me how to treat it, that I already know too. LOL Plus the doc will charge me an outragious office visit fee. No, I save my doc visits for when I need a note for work after Ive been sick. teehe

[Stan]

Someone missed the boat.

[phkrause]

I agree with you Liz, I didn't find Redwood's comments racist at all. And besides if you know someone, you have a pretty good idea as to what they meant by there comment. Besides I grew up in a pretty international neighborhood in NY, were all nationalities were represented, and we said things to each other that were 10 times and even worst than what Redwood said. The big thing was that we knew each other and knew exactly what we meant when we made these kind of comments. That's how family's are. And I consider this forum as family, so we should pretty well know each other and what is meant by various comments. Just my 2 cents worth.

pk

[BobRyan]

I just heard about the first case of an American getting the flu and dying of it - yesterday. A teen near Palm Dessert (a town called Indio). Apparently the infant in Texas had been brought in from Mexico.

The signficance of that might be the degree to which hydration and air conditioning were in place just prior to getting the flu. Apparently being somewhat dehydrated at the time of getting the flu greatly increases the mortality rate.

in Christ,

Bob

[Planey]

Actually pk I believe that the main thrust of Shane's comment was that we should be careful of giving the appearance of being racist, particularly when people of the ethnic group or groups concerned may be reading. Despite the shock! and horror! type of reactions we have seen by some posters who try to make us believe that they thought they were being called racists, (that accusation has been neither given nor implied) all we were advised to do was be careful with our language.

Perhaps the reason Shane mentioned the fact of his marriage situation was to point out that he was in a good position to know how someone of that ethnic group might react. I don't belief there was any holier-than-thou (or more rightly less-racist-than-thou) attitude implied anywhere.

Redwood, please read carefully what was said. If you carry on and on and on and on you may give people the wrong impression, and lead them to believe you are somewhat like a spoiled little child, which I am sure you are not.

Graeme

[Dr. Shane]

I agree with you Liz, I didn't find Redwood's comments racist at all.

pk

Are you Hispanic? Of Mexican decent?

[Dr. Shane]

This is the crazy thing about it too. If you ask a Mexican they will tell you they are Americans because Mexico is part of North America. Even those living in Central America claim to be Americans. In fact, the somewhat resent those living in the US for calling themselves Americans. The Spanish word for American is "Americano" but the Spanish word for US citizen is "Estadounidense". When speaking in Spanish I am very careful to always call myself "estadounidense" and not "americano" because I know that many Mexicans are offended by US citizens calling themselves "americanos".

So if we are worried about being technically right, a lot of Americans have died because Mexicans are Americans too and a lot of Mexicans have died.

[Woody]

Originally Posted By: pkrause

I agree with you Liz, I didn't find Redwood's comments racist at all.

pk

Are you Hispanic? Of Mexican decent?

Are YOU Shane? What a silly question.

Do you think the author of the article (Juan) is a racist or not? Do you think he is white or Hispanic? Do you think he is a "Mexican resident" ? I don't want to use "Mexican decent" because I am not sure that that might not be a racist comment.

If you can't call someone a Mexican ... how can you call him of Mexican decent? This is really getting to the point of ridiculous. Tell the Mexicans to get a tougher skin. This is getting too PC for me.

Signing off ....

A Gringo

American Heritage Dictionary classify gringo as "offensive slang," "usually disparaging," and "often disparaging." Other dictionaries call it a "hostile" term.

But hey .... the person using it does not always mean that ... so WOW ... it's okay to use. But by all means ... don't call someone from Mexico a Mexican.

Signing off again ... An American Gringo