Why aren't you guys talking about Couburn's statements about Blacks?

[vet_against_Bush]

About blacks being genetically predisposed to a shorter life expectancy? I read he said it in a debate.

[melv]

1. I haven't heard about that one

but I'm not surprised.

[papau]

2. Was he referring to the fact that "blacks in America" have a different

mortality curve from "whites" in the US Census data - and indeed have a much larger life expectancy once they reach age 80, and a shorter than the "white" life expectancy at earlier ages, and the early age shortness in life expectancy has been shown to be caused by lack of money - called social economic factors in the studies - and that if you control for income, Blacks in general - at a given income - life longer than Whites.

Did he discuss that the above is changing of late, as "Blacks" get hit with more diabetes, making up for less heart problems, and that indeed "Blacks" in the studies need to be separated out by geographic area of their ancestry, as it seems that like any other life expectancy study weird fact - these weird facts depend really on village you came from - and income - rather than color of skin?

Did we discuss the folks living over 100 who eat yogurt?

Indeed, can you post the quote and the context you saw this in?

Colburn is a Right wing Nut - see Lesbian Debauchery in Oklahoma - but the comment re life expectancy may very well be mainstream statistics

[Bossy Monkey]

4. Here's a quote and link...

I just posted on LBN, and then came here and learned it wasn't latest or breaking, and sheepishly had to alert on myself.

Oct 28, 8:43 PM EDT

Okla. Sen. Candidate's Remark Draws Fire

By RON JENKINS
Associated Press Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- A remark from a U.S. Senate candidate that black males have a "genetic predisposition" for a lower life expectancy has created a new furor in what has been an especially tight - and nasty - campaign.

Black legislators Thursday blasted former congressman Tom Coburn, saying his remark implied that black males are genetically inferior.

In a television debate Wednesday, the Republican said black males are being penalized by the Social Security system "because they had a genetic predisposition to have less of a life expectancy."

In a statement, Democratic state Sen. Angela Monson, chairwoman of the Black Legislative Caucus, said blacks are insulted by anyone suggesting "that they are genetically inferior and thus predisposed to die before they reach retirement age."
(more)
http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/S/SENATE_OKLAHOMA?SITE=SCCOL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[RoyGBiv]

5. Not exactly ...

That's what he is referring to, or better said, that's where the so-called logic behind his comments originate. But, it was the same kind of comment as one made by the racists who claim blacks are genetically predisposed to crime, citing evidence that per capita more black people are in prison than whites.

He did use the phrase "genetic predispostion." The way it was worded included this lovely construction: " less life expectancy..."

Anyway ... it was a racist comment made even more troubling by the fact that Coburn is a medical doctor and should know better.

The exact quote is in a DU thread. Unfortunately I can't get to it because it has been archived.

[RoyGBiv]

3. There have been threads about it ...

Just not in the State forum. It was an LBN and then a GD:2004 discussion.

Since a lot of Okies were involved in it, I didn't see the need to duplicate, especially with the server load on DU lately.