Employee of the Century

[theloniusfleabag]

I swear to god.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/4841942.stm

It is this kind of thing that proves, to me at least, that everyone is equal. Race and gender are superfluous compared to the spirit of the individual.

[August1991]

In another thread, there is a discussion about how to define "poor" and "rich" and whether the poor can become rich. One of the most precious resources we have is time, here on earth. In this, we all receive about the same "wealth". (The man in the article linked above was clearly richer than Bill Gates or Conrad Black will probably be.)

John Jacob Astor was 46 when he drowned with the Titanic. How much would he have paid to have a few more years of life with his young wife?

[geoffrey]

What a hero, definitely deserved employee of the century. Only missed one day and was never late? In 76 years? Unbelievable. He should be an inspiration to all of us. Except maybe retire a little sooner.

[Leafless]

theloniusfleabag

You wrote- " It is this kind of thing that proves to me that everyone is equal."

Only in America will you see this.

In the U.S. it's American FIRST and that includes culture to most.

[Drea]

theloniusfleabag

You wrote- " It is this kind of thing that proves to me that everyone is equal."

Only in America will you see this.

In the U.S. it's American FIRST and that includes culture to most.

Uh,

During WWII, Black American troops were treated worse than German POWs. When a black regiment (I forget the name of it) went to Britain, the British could not believe how badly the Americans treated the black soldiers.

Blacks were equal in Britain long before they gained equality in the USA.

"Only in America"

[Leafless]

Drea

You wrote- " During World II , Black American troops were treated worse than German POWs. When a Black regiment (I forget the name of it) went to Britain, the British could not believe how badly the Americans treated the Black soldiers.

Blacks were equal in Britain long before they gained equality in the U.S."

I don't know what the specifics were in the incident your talking about.

But slavery was at one time legal begal mainly in Southern U.S. and Blacks were not considered the same as any other American at that time and as you are probably aware proved troublesome for some time.

Actually the Blacks who served in World WarII were in a way fortunate as they were segregated and denied an active role in battle initially.

But things turned around during the war and Blacks played an active part in battle.

In the Army the all Black 92nd division and the 761st tank battallion received the Presidential Citation " for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an armed enemy."

And in 1943, two segregated units the USS Mason and the Submarine Chaser PC1264, were granted full sailing duties. Over 150,000 Blacks served in the Navy during World WarII and there were 145,000 Blacks in the Air Force in 1944.

It seems Blacks proved themselves capable in that war and were more readily accepted from that time on.

[theloniusfleabag]

Dear Leafless,

Blacks were equal in Britain long before they gained equality in the U.S."

I don't know what the specifics were in the incident your talking about.

From the book "The World At Arms", Reader's Digest, 1989

One prejudice of the American visitors (to the UK) went down badly. White-Black segregation was almost total in the US forces. Racial prejudice was by no means unknown to the British, but on this occasion-mindful of the efforts of the coloured citizens in the British Empire on their behalf-they objected, especially when US authorities tried to put certain pubs out of bounds to black troops. The publicans retaliated by barring white troops. Savage battles ensued, mostly between Americans, and several were killed.

from

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/U.S._761st_Tank_Battalion

The 761st Tank Battalion, was a United States Army tank battalion during World War II. The unit was made up of black soldiers, who by Federal law were not permitted to serve alongside white troops. (The US Army did not officially desegregate until after World War II).

The words of Patton on the 761st battalion:

However, like many Army officers of that time, General Patton expressed his doubts about using black men in combat. On returning to headquarters following the review, he remarked, "They gave a good first impression, but I have no faith in the inherent fighting ability of the race."[2]

[Leafless]

theloniusfleabag

Pertaining to the "words of Patton on the 761st battalion".

It should be remembered when civil war broke out this man served in the 22nd Virginia infantry of 'The Confederate Sates of America.'

How well Black troops really performed and with what degree of enthusiasm in World WarII could only be analysed properly by senior military personnel of that time and is not up to you or I to be suspect whether or not this General could possibly be somewhat biased.

I find it difficult that you would not understand the multiple problems and risk associated with Blacks in the military at that time.

[Nocrap]

theloniusfleabag

Pertaining to the "words of Patton on the 761st battalion".

It should be remembered when civil war broke out this man served in the 22nd Virginia infantry of 'The Confederate Sates of America.'

How well Black troops really performed and with what degree of enthusiasm in World WarII could only be analysed properly by senior military personnel of that time and is not up to you or I to be suspect whether or not this General could possibly be somewhat biased.

I find it difficult that you would not understand the multiple problems and risk associated with Blacks in the military at that time.

Britain did find the abuse of Black soldiers by their American counterparts troubling, but in a word: APARTHEID. A little pot calling the kettle black (sorry - no pun intended). Their treatment of the blacks in South Africa was and is, no better or worse than the way the Americans treat their non-white population.

[Drea]

theloniusfleabag

Pertaining to the "words of Patton on the 761st battalion".

It should be remembered when civil war broke out this man served in the 22nd Virginia infantry of 'The Confederate Sates of America.'

How well Black troops really performed and with what degree of enthusiasm in World WarII could only be analysed properly by senior military personnel of that time and is not up to you or I to be suspect whether or not this General could possibly be somewhat biased.

I find it difficult that you would not understand the multiple problems and risk associated with Blacks in the military at that time.

Leafless you took a great story about a great man and said:

"Only in America will you see this. In the U.S. it's American FIRST and that includes culture to most."

Do you think there are blacks only in America? That they never settled in any other part of the world? That they were never accepted in other parts of the world? That they never had equality in any other part of the world?

"Only In America" -- big f**king American EGO -- "Only in America!" "Only in America!"

If I ever run into a single person with an ego like America I will certainly slap such person upside the head.

[Leafless]

Drea

You wrote- " Do you think there are only Blacks in America? That they never settled in any part of the world? They never had equality in any other parts of the world?"

A civil war was fought over this and there will always be prejudices because of this. Actually Blacks are doing quite well in the U.S. especially in the music industry. All races enjoy being part of that country and there is always a large line up beating down the doors to be accepted as an immigrants. Even the illegal immigrants are protesting and pleading to accept them.

Are you that naive to think other countries of the world don't harbour there own prejudices in a specific pecking order against other imported races and cultures.

Discrimination exist world wide and the only country that really feels at home (to some) is the country of your initial culture and if you feel that way the door is always open.

[Drea]

Drea

You wrote- " Do you think there are only Blacks in America? That they never settled in any part of the world? They never had equality in any other parts of the world?"

A civil war was fought over this and there will always be prejudices because of this. Actually Blacks are doing quite well in the U.S. especially in the music industry. All races enjoy being part of that country and there is always a large line up beating down the doors to be accepted as an immigrants. Even the illegal immigrants are protesting and pleading to accept them.

Are you that naive to think other countries of the world don't harbour there own prejudices in a specific pecking order against other imported races and cultures.

Discrimination exist world wide and the only country that really feels at home (to some) is the country of your initial culture and if you feel that way the door is always open.

Why then, did you say "only in America"?

The slave trade and discrimination against blacks lasted the longest in the USA. They were the LAST country to abolish slavery, the last country to disallow segregation (I mean western, democratic countries, of which there are many on earth, not just the US).

"Discrimination exist world wide and the only country that really feels at home (to some) is the country of your initial culture and if you feel that way the door is always open."

Unless of course, your ancestors were stolen from their countries of inital culture.

Blacks did not immigrate to the US. They were stolen and brought over. So they can't really "go home" now can they?

[Leafless]

Drea

You wrote- " Why then did you say "only in America".

That country is the only country in the world that harbours every culture and race in the world with very little cultural malcontent and everyone respects 'America comes first' over any private cutural aspiration factors. In other words most are happy to be freely assimilated and be proud of their American flag and the beliefs that go with it.

You also wrote- " Blacks did not immigrate to the U.S. They were stolen and brought over. So they really can't "go home" now can they."

Part of what you say is true but slavery was an accepted part of life in Southern U.S. and I don't condone that fact. But Blacks have progressed and many or most are treated like any other American. But they are free to migrate where ever they wish just like I as a Canadian might be forced to migrate because of government actions in this country and that is keeping Canada poor because of cultural related government ideologies.