The President is arrogant for parking in his own parking space

[Empowerer]

Several years ago when I was the senior official in a large downtown office, I arranged to have four parking spaces written into the lease for my use. Since I drove only one car at a time, I assigned three of the spaces to another department that needed them.

One morning, I arrived at work at the same time that one of that department's employees was parking his car. He watched me pull in and waited for me to get out of the car. He then demanded to know who I was and why I was parking in "our" parking spaces! I told him exactly who I was and reminded him that HE was actually parking in MY space. Instead of apologizing, he said, "well, how was I supposed to know that?"

I had and still have absolutely no doubt that this person would have accosted a white man in this way, but he felt perfectly entitled to question the bona fides of a black woman to exercise the same privilege he enjoyed. Never mind that I outranked him by several levels on the organizational chart or that he was enjoying that privilege solely at my discretion.

This is exactly how certain people are treating our president. They just cannot wrap their minds around the fact that he is THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES. To them, he "just" a black man and therefore, they - regardless how far below him they are on the organizational chart of politics and of life - are fully entitled to call into question his right to occuoy the space he has earned.

And the beat goes on . . .

[Vinca]

1. I was astonished at how Republicans interrupted him yesterday.

It's so obvious they have zero respect for the man.

[Empowerer]

3. That was breathtaking, wasn't it? They might as well have called him "that one"

But, as always, he showed enormous grace and cool - and put them right back in their places, no matter how people try to spin it.

[JDPriestly]

48. When interrupted, say to the person who interrupted, "Excuse me, but

I listened to you and let you finish everything you wanted to say. Would you please listen until I have said what I want to say?"

That changes the tone of the conversation.

Of course, you have to let the other person go on and on and be patient until they have said their say.

I have watched lawyers do this. This is the most effective way to get a conversation to be calm and productive.

Obama's problem was that he had to steer the meeting by the clock.

I did not see the whole day's discussion, but I thought Obama did a great job. The Democrats made me proud.

But I wondered where some of our best speakers were.

[HowHasItComeToThis]

79. THEY RESPECT NOTHING

[liberal N proud]

4. They are republicans and that is how republicans are in discussions

I have quietly over the years paid attention to how people act in meetings, conversation and family diners and noted what I know about the individuals.

Now this is my own personal observation but; I have noticed that those who will interrupt others during a conversation or will not allow the speaker to finish speaking are generally politically oriented republican or conservative.

I have two brothers who vote republican like its a religion who I can not carry on a conversation with because they always interrupt and always know everything about everything.

I have several business associates who I happen to know their political persuasions and they to will interrupt who ever is speaking in a meeting.

It must be the same part of the mind that causes them to think that leaving 30 million without health care is OK as long as the insurance industry makes billions.

Bottom line, Republicans are RUDE!

[Jennicut]

5. My father is a diehard conservative and he shouts over me whenever we discuss politics.

Now I love my Dad but I try and stay away from talking politics because he can't handle a normal conversation.

Rethugs are rude, and even more rude towards a black man who happens to be a Dem and the President.

[Arkansas Granny]

13. I have a few friends and coworkers who do the same. I have just resolved

not to talk politics with them and I've told them the reason why. If we can't have a discussion without it turning into a yelling match, then I won't participate.

[ginnyinWI]

19. I got one like that too.

He knows everything, because he watches FOX. I refuse to talk politics with him. His loss.

[Chulanowa]

84. They're just as rude to black men among their party

Don't pretend that politics is actually part of this. it's certainly not

[nxylas]

92. Yeah, look at how they treated Michael Steele

OK, Steele is an asshat, but that wouldn't be a barrier to gaining Republicans' respect had he been an Aryan asshat.

[Whisp]

36. hard not to notice.

they were so disgusting in their attempts to 'put him in his place'.

whatever happened to that 'respect the office' shit we alrways heard when the Chimperor was inthe big chair?

[Cha]

59. Hell, they don't even respect themselves..

They're just derelicts who got voted in to representing those like them.

[Enthusiast]

90. Socialist Muslim Communist

terrorists don't deserve respect. :sarcasm:

[POAS]

2. The kicker for me was

the "he got to talk more than we did" talking point. They even put a stop watch on the proceedings.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

10. Maybe if one of them had something different to say, other than

the same old talking points, he would have given them more time. I liked the CSPAN viewer's comment after the summit that we don't need all those Repubs in Congress since they all say the same thing - we only need one of them.

[catbyte]

17. But I loved Obama's smackdown, though!

"Well, I AM the President..."

:rofl:

Yes, you are, Mr. President, and we are all the luckier for it.

Diane

Anishnabe in MI

[Solomon]

20. How long does it take to keep saying "NO" and

let's start over?

[BrklynLiberal]

38. Ironcially, if you watched on any channel besides C-Span, you could never have justified that claim

Virtually all of the channels were cutting in when either the President or some other Dem was speaking.

They rarely, if ever cut off a repuke. That goes for CNN, MSNBC as well as FAUX NOISE

[POAS]

53. I noticed that with MSNBC

which is why I was also streaming Cspan and had XM recording the audio as well. When MSNBC would cut away so would I.

[jbnow]

82. Actually I heard fox carried it without ads. CNN only cut off Dems except

once cut off about 10 seconds of a republican. Some of the Dems were cut off for their whole statement as they broke away to have their panel chat about how great republicans were doing. I didn't hear who MSNBC interrupted, just that they did it very often and had to cut away for olympics a few hours into it.

This were from people on Kos who didn't get cspan-3. Some switched to fox because there were no ads. One actually took notes of all the CNN breaks

Who would have thought I'd ever have cause to say this but...good job fox

[Cha]

61. Like they're the fucking

referee. I heard Pres Obama called them by their first names to establish authority, no doubt.

[POAS]

63. Sad thing is that a white man would not have needed

to "establish authority" with these shriveled up old white men it would have been assumed.

[Cha]

64. Yeah, I know..but

Pres Obama is even more respected by those who respect themselves bc of the way he perserves in the face of unadulterated assholeyness from the gops.

[POAS]

65. Totally agree!

[Historic NY]

67. definitely They would call him Barack if they could but it would be over the top...

even for their pea-brains.

[Golden Raisin]

68. Barack?

You know they are just itching to let loose with "boy" or worse.

[MindandSoul]

78. I think a few would love to call him "Hussein!"

They are so low!

[JoePhilly]

6. It is very interesting how they go back and forth ...

One minute they claim that he's not Presidential enough.

The next minute the claim is arrogant.

Then not he's Presidential again ... then arrogant again.

When I listen to the GOP, and the Tea Party clowns, and many on the right .... and I hear how the react to Obama, sometimes I can also hear my "typical white grandmother's" voice ... she would explain to you that "Not all blacks are n****rs ... there were some 'good ones' too." She'd say that as if is was a compliment.

Every once in a while she'd point out a "good one" for me so I could tell (usually under her breath, but not always). As you might expect, the "good ones" that she would point out to me "knew their place". They did not dare look you straight in the eye. They would be subservient. Keep their voice down. Display no negative emotion or affect of any kind. And they said "yes sir or yes ma'am" when speaking to a white person. And they would never, ever, dare to interrupt a white person.

One of the things I noticed yesterday was that they had to call Obama Mr. President, and he called them (generally) by their first names. A constant reminder to them who the President is, and where that is in the org chart. It was clearly eating at some of them. Which I enjoyed.

[POAS]

7. I wonder if they feel like

Custer must have felt as he saw the ground ahead of him fill with "savages" on horseback.

I wonder if they can't process that they, the privileged, are being bested by a black man.

[JoePhilly]

18. I think that is the entire point of the birthers too ... and ...

The ones who claims he's ...

Arab, Muslim, Halfrican, Indeonesian, "Radical", Chicago politician, inner city thug ...

Its what's behind their attacks on Acorn ...

Its what Beck and Rush are talking about when they mention "reparations" ...

Basically, its the GOP Southern Strategy we new words ... you don't hear the term "Cadillac queen" much anymore because that term has been decoded. Its a substitute for n****r.

The other terms and themes above are the new race-baiting terms they use.

And ... I think this is also behind the very quick cries of RACIST by the far right aimed at Obama, Michelle, Colin Powell, Sotomayer, Holder, so on ... they've decided that the best defense is a good offense.

And all of this, keeps the racists enraged .. which is the intent.

[AlbertCat]

45. I wonder if they feel like Custer must have felt....

Hahahaha!

Remember "Little Big Man" (a great film)? His men are being slaughtered all around him in the empty plain and Custer has lost his mind and is giving a speech "Gentlemen of the Senate....

Anyway that's how I remember it.

Repugs just don't get they lost.... to a man with a white mother and a black father.... they can't make it compute.

[POAS]

54. That's the image I had in mind.

Arrogant white man losing his mind at the thought of an "ignorant savage" getting the better of him.

Unfortunately pathetic little men like that will still find followers equally as arrogant and pathetic.

[badgerpup]

33. This from the Rude Pundit...

...You have heard or will hear from yer awesome CNNMSNBCFox talking heads spewing forth about about Republicans having done well or Democrats having fucked it up. On Morning Starbucks with Joe today, Mark Halperin helpfully offered that the nigger was being uppity when Obama referred to the members of Congress by their first names. Halperin fanned himself frantically and said that Obama was being "disrespectful" and almost "bullying" towards a group of politicians who at various times have accused him of being an evil socialist and trying to destroy the nation by killing old people. Halperin, though, generally has sand in his vagina. Who wants to be the first to show a meeting where Bush did the same thing with no complaints from Mark Halperin?

(emphasis mine)

I don't see how using a lower-ranking person's first name (or name they prefer to go by- e.g. 'Bob' as opposed to 'Robert'), pronounced correctly is in anyway disrespectful...
unlike the previous occupant of the Oval office who was notorious for bestowing silly-ass, patronizing, demeaning nick-names given in order to demonstrate that he was the COMMANDER-DECIDER-TOP BOSS GUY IN CHARGE.*

* (with the Presidential seal on every item of his clothing just to make it clear).

[tblue37]

41. Remember when one reporter called Bush "Sir," and Bush

reprimanded him for not calling him "Mr. President"?

[TomClash]

8. They don't treat anyone with respect

What happened to you on the other hand . . . was probably more sexist than racist, though I'm sure it had elements of both.

There's one similarity though - both stories involve bullies. Antidote: Stand up to them and they usually back down.

[unblock]

9. if they show him any respect, it means he deserves respect. and we can't have THAT.

they're all about manipulating public images, especially of their opponents, and so they say "liberal" with a sneer and "democrat party" and they always attack and attack because even if it's wrong the image people remember is that their target was always under attack and that's a negative image.

remember they did this crap with president clinton and they do it with all democrats, really.

[NYC_SKP]

11. I think you've hit the nail on the head.

I had to re-read one line where I think you meant to include the word, "never" or "not".

"I had and still have absolutely no doubt that this person would have accosted a white man in this way"

I think you meant:

"I had and still have absolutely no doubt that this person would never have accosted a white man in this way".

Anyway, you've hit the nail on the head.

:toast:

[Empowerer]

23. You're right - thanks for the correction!

It's too late to edit, so I hope folks either figure out what I meant or read your post! :-)

[BlancheSplanchnik]

32. I fully believe the idiot would have accosted a white or any other color woman that way

from frequent personal experience. Yecchhh......

Sexism and racism and ageism among other things SUCK!!!! (and so do conservatives)

Sure am glad you faced the bully down!!


we don't have cspan or cable or anything here...will have to enjoy the Prez/Professor's smackdown on vid.


ugh, I wish the retrogrades would just go away.......

[JAbuchan08]

69. I tend to agree,

Maybe not just _any_ white man, but any who appeared weaker or 'different.'

[RT Atlanta]

12. thank you for this perspective

to me, this is spot-on analysis.

K&R

[Odin2005]

14. K&R

[COLGATE4]

15. Shhh. Don't tell anybody

He's African-American!

[ginnyinWI]

22. ha--I thought Boener was the African American.

His skin is a shade darker than Obama's after all!

[CreekDog]

39. Wrong

He's an Orange-American.

[tblue37]

42. He's a Tang-American. nt

[dchill]

74. Perhaps he's an orangutan(g)?

:shrug:

[Hubert Flottz]

87. He's overdosed on Tang Slush...

With a twist of asshole...

[hisownpetard]

50. Yeah. John Boehner is an Apricot-American!

[MercutioATC]

16. Some people harbor at least some "racist" biases. Some are just ill-mannered.

If the subject of your post is 50+, they probably either feel entitled (because of a lifetime of ladder-climbing) or they have preconceptions about a black woman parking in what is "supposed" to be an executive parking space.

If they're 30-50, you probably just got an isolated asshole.

If they're under 30, the most likely issue is that they just don't respect anybody.


As far as your claim that some people don't show Obama the respect his position entitles him to simply because he's black, you're correct in a few cases. Many more have just learned (at times, rightfully) to regard all politicians as used car salesmen (or salespersons, if you prefer).

[ginnyinWI]

21. this forum was just one of the many things Obama can do well--

going back to his organizer roots no doubt.

It was interesting at the beginning--C-span showed them coming in before they cut away to the House. They all, even the Repubs, seemed like kids who'd just arrived at a birthday party--all excited. Most of them smiled and greeted the Pres, who went around and shook hands and alpha-male-patted each of the men on the shoulder (message: I'm the Boss). One who did not smile was Eric Cantor, and I don't think he even made eye contact--the JERK.

[Hekate]

24. As simply another woman, this steams me just reading about it. ...

I agree with your assessment on the other subtext of your experience, too -- as well as your assessment of the Repubs' attitude toward President Obama. :grr:

As for your parking lot encounter, I hope there were ultimately consequences for this bozo. I'm allowing myself a small fantasy of, "Please see me in my office later today."

Hekate

[Empowerer]

27. Close

I called his boss, who was absolutely mortified.

I don't know exactly what happened after that, but I do know he never parked there again.

:-)

[Hekate]

34. Sweetly and justly done, Empowerer

:thumbsup:

[tledford]

25. Sadly, it's even worse.

To millions of Americans, no matter how they phrase it, or the media tries to spin it, Obama is still an uppity n****r.

I knew that his winning the Presidency would likely cast new light on some old ugliness, but it has been far worse than I ever imagined.

Yet he manages to remain above it all, which impresses the hell out of me.

[Gin]

29. just wait until we elect the first woman president....I shudder to think of

what will be said...

[Hekate]

35. It will depend 100% on her political party: if Dem, you KNOW what will be said; but if Repub...

... golly, what a groundbreaking moment that will be, because IOKYAR in this country.

Somewhere in my files I still have the TIME mag cover of VP candidate Geraldine Ferraro in a plastic sleeve. I was so damn proud.

I have not forgotten -- or forgiven -- that the Repubs, with the help of the MSM, took her down.

And that was a looong time ago.

Hekate

[Bette Noir]

86. "Iron my shirt."

[mkultra]

26. His presidency highlights just how intertwined racism still is in our society

perhaps it has moved, for some people, from the front to the second or third issue, but its still an issue for many. Even a large swath of democrats harbor this kind of racism as seen by the videos of WV voters in the primary.

[LatteLibertine]

28. You can break down Tea Party

and most Republican rhetoric easily. "We need to take the country back for the guy who isn't one of 'us' who is destroying it." That's basically, BecKKK day in and day out too.

BTW President Obama isn't arrogant, he's cool :D

[northofdenali]

30. Beautiful analogy, Empowerer, and extremely apt.

The Party of No (Party of Mean) just doesn't get it, and unfortunately probably never will. These dinosaurs must be extinguished for our nation to progress.

[Cali_Democrat]

31. Excellent analogy

K&R

[BrklynLiberal]

37. I believe you have assessed the situation perfectly.

There are those who simply cannot get past that fact that President Obama is a black man, and that he was legally and duly elected to that office..

[Better Today]

40. Pardon my disagreement with constantly crying "racism", but

wasn't Carter treated just as badly in press, in congress, etc (not that he had any televised summits, but in comparable venues), he was treated like crap, and you can't get much whiter than Carter.

Repubs are rude to anyone who isn't afraid of them, no matter their color.

[Empowerer]

43. No - Jimmy Carter was NOT treated just as badly

Not by a longshot.

And just as weary you may be of people supposedly "constantly crying racism," I am just as weary of people constantly accusing those of us who point out the existence of racism of "constantly crying racism."

Apparently, some liberals believe that racism exists - it just never happens to be in play THIS time (or THIS time or THIS time . . .)

[Better Today]

44. Well, your recollection is quite different than mine. Were you around

when Carter was president? I was, and he was treated like crap, like a stupid, country bumkin.

[dem mba]

46. he's certainly treated like crap now

I know in my business school economists are pretty harsh on him. I was a baby when he was Prez, so I can't judge...

[Empowerer]

55. I certainly was around

And while he was treated very badly, his legitimacy to hold the office was never questioned. He was not treated as if he had absolutely no right - not only to be President, but to have basic rights of citizenship. He was not called arrogant or patronizing for exercising the basic prerogatives of the presidency.

Barack Obama is indeed being treated considerably different than any previous president, be they Democrat or Republican. And anyone who understands racism in its blatant and subtle forms can see that difference exactly for what it is. And anyone who has experienced that kind of racism - only to be told we are overreacting, playing the race card, etc. - sees precisely what is going on.

Trust me. It is not we who are overly-sensitive. It is those who refuse to recognize or even acknowledge the existence of this kind of racism who are overly, albeit possibly unintentionally, obtuse.

[Cha]

60. And, look who's treating him that way..

craven corporate powerwhores.."media" and otherwise.

It doesn't make it any easier but I bet Team Obama expected this and are trying to accomplish what they want to..accordingly.

For those of us who respect him for who he is..speaking for me..it just makes him all the more respected and admired for his perseverence in the face of such ugliness.

[BrklynLiberal]

62. I find it difficult to believe it is unintentional.

I would be more apt to believe that those who are exhibiting this racism think that most of us are too stupid to see it for what it is..

[Number23]

77. "It is those who refuse to recognize or even acknowledge the existence of this kind of racism who

overly, albeit possibly unintentionally, obtuse."

I love you, Empowerer. :loveya:

[Lilyeye]

99. Carter would agree with the OP

Would you say he was "crying racism" too?

I swear I wonder WTF I am sometimes. "Pulling the race card" and "crying racism" was shit I mostly heard repukes say. Dems seem to be saying it more and more now.

[JDPriestly]

47. You are so right, Empowerer.

And certain types treat women almost the same way. Nancy Pelosi was particularly well organized and articulate in presenting her remarks at the meeting yesterday.

But looking at the men's faces, many of them including some Democrats appeared restless and dismissive. They did not afford Nancy Pelosi the respect or attention that they paid when men spoke.

Both women and African-Americans, no matter how competent or intelligent, have a hard time getting heard. I cannot imagine how tough it must be for African-American women in a room of white males. Horrors.

[swilton]

49. The distinctions between policy choices and parking spaces

are becoming blurred - a criticism about policy choices does not have to be about parking spaces...just as dislike for G.W.Bushes' policies weren't about whether or not the individual was an asshole in public and private life.

[Skittles]

51. I detest assigned parking spots (except for disabled)

I think they are complete arrogance - but I do get your point

[WeDidIt]

52. Barack Obama is being held to the highest standard any president has ever been held to

and it's being done by BOTH sides of the aisle.

He has to perform three times better than any president in history just to be considered in the same league.

This is nothing new to anybody who has seen the treatment of black men in the corporate environment.

And the beat goes on...

[suzie]

88. Well said.

[FrenchieCat]

94. Ain't that the truth!

Everybody thinks they know more than him about every fucking thing.
Like they're gonna school him.
Sickening.

[MindandSoul]

56. Unfortunately, I believe you're right! . . .and I am White!

In one way, I feel the need to apologize for that attitude that is obviously still rampant in our society.
But I really, truly feel that I have NEVER felt that way. I do respect a person for who she/he is, what he/she accomplishes, not for the color of his/her skin or his/her gender.

I think President Obama is the best President anyone of us could have expected! I do not know what other politician would have been able to withstand so much "crap" from all around with so much grace and pragmatism!

The fact that he is a man of color has nothing to do with it, either way. . .but I do believe it has a lot to do with the way he is being treated by a whole bunch of people!
For that, I apologize!

[Empowerer]

58. Thanks - but you have no need to apologize for the behavior of others! n/t

[GoddessOfGuinness]

57. You hit the nail on the head.

:thumbsup:

[FailureToCommunicate]

66. PWB - Parking while Black

Good lesson to relate. Thanks!

[Brickbat]

70. I think you're missing a key "not"

after "this person would". I read it four times before I got it.

[Aviation Pro]

71. Since Republicants tend to be overbearing and overweight....

...they think they can throw their considerable bulk around. I've found a pretty effective way to shut them the fuck up. Simply say in a command voice:

Stop talking now.

The shock of being ordered to shut their fucking vomit holes usually stops them in their tracks.

[sohndrsmith]

72. Bingo. Things like this make me ashamed to be the same species as these

hateful dolts.

This horrific mentality is *everywhere*, from those in high public office all the way down to the teapartiers and everything in between. It's beyond disgraceful, it's truly terrifying.

Last night (I forget what network it was, but they were talking about that terrorist who rammed his plane into the IRS. The man he killed, by the way, a true patriot and hero... was black. It doesn't take a genius to know how these people think about that. Ugh.

The guest they had on was a white woman who's job it is to monitor hate group activities (I wish I could recall who she was and the name of her organization because I wanted to look it up).

She said she was absolutely stunned by the "explosion" (her word) of new hate groups in the past 12 months. Coincidence? Hardly. She specifically used the term "right wing" teapartiers (not sure if she said teapartiers but it was equivalent.

It is appalling that as proud as so many of us are of the huge strides we've made because of the Civil Rights movement, I really didn't realize, until Obama announced his candidacy, that so much of the same racism and hatred has been glossed over, ignored and waved away because we all feel better pretending we have made such progress. It's not at all true. I'm not black, but I think that we have had enormous progress and that should never be discounted, but it's been a double edged sword because it allowed us to assume things that aren't true, and ignore reality, minimizing it when it's right in front of us. "Oh, that's just this small group", or "it's an isolated incident". It's not. The subliminal virus that has infected our leaders and legislators, communities and neighborhoods is really, really scary because it's not as visible.

Yah, they were mad that Obama had a lectern. They wanted him to sit in a chair just like they had to - at the same level. He's the bloody PRESIDENT!! When CNN counted the "speaking minutes" each party had at the summit, they considered Obama as just one of the democrats. (I think the Repub who brought this issue up at the meeting did so as well). They later changed it, but the anchorperson gave something of a smirk when relating Obama's minutes - because he had the most. It's just unbelievable. He had the most because he spent so much time babysitting and reminding them to stay on topic. The R's chide him for sounding professorial... how or why would that be a bad thing?!

I can't imagine being a black person and navigating through the things like you went through and have to go through ALL the time, in every aspect of your life... (I assume, anyway), and have to always measure your reaction, and even remain tactful when something more hostile would be appropriate - but you'd get labeled for that, too. That must be constantly painful and exhausting... Other groups deal with the same/similar treatment - it's all wrong, and it's all sick. Damn.

It makes me sick that these attitudes of racial hatred are SO pervasive in this country, sad to say more than I realized. Not to this extent.

We have come far in some ways with race, but we are truly messed up and need to recognize how bad it is... (again). We've convinced ourselves that it's somehow too scary to talk about. I get that, in part, but it's a lousy excuse, really.

Great post.


(Sorry, I tend to go on when I'm really angry about something. I'm working on it).

[Lilyeye]

100. Very good reply.

I to was one of those folks blinded by our "progress." This election has opened my eyes and showed me a horrible reality I never really thought about or faced before. It even showed me the true colors of friends and family I never knew exsisted.It makes me sick, but the people here denying it makes me even sicker. Because you would think they would know better.

[Pharaoh]

73. Spot on!

K&R :dem:

[VPStoltz]

75. This in part is true, but please remember what they also tried to do to Clinton.

Republicans politicians are simply hateful, power hungry asshats.
I really come to a loss for words when discussing "The Dark Side" because I just can't muster the language to express my deep, deep, in my heart, hatred for these fucks.

[Maccagirl]

81. +10000

You said it all.

[gateley]

76. K&R - nt

[jenmito]

80. PERFECT analogy!

[pasto76]

83. "when the president stands, no one sits"

best line ever from The West Wing.

I was appalled that republicans feel such that they can interrupt The President mid sentence.

[Bette Noir]

85. I was disgusted when Tweety took offense at Mr. President addressing

congresscritters by their first names. As President of the United States, he's entitled to call anyone on earth by their first names (except maybe the Pope and the Dalai Lama, who should each be addressed as "Your Holiness.").

I couldn't help think that Matthews's lack of comfort with the President calling congresscritters by their first names was a result of some vestigial racism that he couldn't shake.

[Enthusiast]

89. I agree. nt

[Enthusiast]

91. The President is arrogant

for using big words that Republicans don't understand.

[FrenchieCat]

93. There you go. Succinct and precise.

Thank you.

It's disgusting.

[RoccoR5955]

95. Sorry I just don't get it.

Sometimes a parking space is just a parking space. If you "own" the space, and it's in a public lot, than you should put your name on it. Otherwise, it's fair game, no matter if you are the freakin' pope! I don't care if you are black, white, yellow, red, green, brown, purple, paisley, polka-dot, striped, or any other "color," as far as parking spaces are concerned, if it's to be reserved, there should be signage indicating so. The one thing that really irks me is the recent signage indicating "expecting mothers only" parking at some lots. To compare this with our president is quite a bit of a stretch.

[Empowerer]

96. Good Lord - how far out in the weeds to you have to go in order to completely miss the point?

Not to mention the fact that you made all manner of assumptions that have no basis in fact. First, it was not a public lot. Second, regardless whether or not the reserved spaces were marked - which they indeed were - I did not raise an objection to anyone parking in a space that they may or may not have known belonged to someone else. What I described was a person taking it upon himself to decide whether another person had a "right" to park in a space - even though that other person's use of that space in no way interfered with or usurped his ability to park. Whether or not there was any signage indicating "ownership" of the space is totally irrelevant to the entire discussion.

My point was that the man in question not only felt perfectly entitled to assume that: 1) a black woman couldn't possibly be among those people for whom the space was reserved; and 2) he had every right and entitlement to challenge her right to park there - even though, in fact, SHE was the reason that HE was allowed to park there himself.

[RoccoR5955]

98. Well in an "ownership" society, ownership is everything.

and in the OP, you never mentioned and signification of ownership. I understand the underlying point, and agree with you, I just saw it as irrelevant, because there was no indication of ownership. If it was marked, than there, indeed was a problem, as you described.
Sorry if I misunderstood.

[EffieBlack]

97. Dead on!

The sneering sense of entitlement and privilege is palpable.