NBC: NASCAR fans are bigots

[Hicksey]

Details can be found here.

Is it just me or does just trying something this repugnant make you think the folks at NBC are every bit as racist as they are trying (unsuccessfully as the bait was not taken) to portray NASCAR fans to be?

[Nocrap]

Details can be found here.

Is it just me or does just trying something this repugnant make you think the folks at NBC are every bit as racist as they are trying (unsuccessfully as the bait was not taken) to portray NASCAR fans to be?

I would be interested in the outcome of the study if it happens. Many similar social experiments take place all the time. If there has been some babble that sports' fans are more likely to be bigots, this gives both sides an opportunity to put it to the test.

Personally, I think they could do the same test anywhere; in a grocery store or restaurant; and get the same results, good or bad.

Perhaps they feel that a competitive venue might bring out the passion of people already keyed up for a fight.

[Michael Hardner]

It's not clear that they're targetting NASCAR. They already did a football game, so it seems they just want to do a piece on discrimination.

Given that NBC has a contract to show NASCAR this season, it's hard to see why they'd want to bring down the sport.

[Black Dog]

It's not clear what this is doing in Canadian federal politics.

Is it just me or does just trying something this repugnant make you think the folks at NBC are every bit as racist as they are trying (unsuccessfully as the bait was not taken) to portray NASCAR fans to be?

I thought you right wing types were all for racial profiling?

[Leafless]

Michelle Malkin has been compared to " Aunt Thomasina and a sell out and race traitor" and also as an Asian Ann Coulter.

She appears to trouble all around.

Another cultural freedom fighter and or plain cultural trouble maker?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Malkin

[Black Dog]

Michelle Malkin has been compared to " Aunt Thomasina and a sell out and race traitor" and also as an Asian Ann Coulter.

I beleive Malkin is simply the face of a large group effort: sorta like the Martha Stewart of right-wing crazies. The reason being she can get away with a lot more crazy, borderline rascist wingnuttery as an Asian American woman than someone like, say, her husband, ever could.

Anyway, as for this story, I'm nt sure what he deal is. If NBC was sending Muslim men to a NASCAR event waving "Death to America" signs, burning Bush (or Dale Earnhardt) in effigy and chanting "Allah Akbar!", then I could see the charges that NBC was trying to manufacture news or paint NASCAR enthusiasts as rascists. As it is, sending Muslims to just hang out and walk around at a NASCAR event is an interesting way to guage Middle America's feelings towards Muslims.

[August1991]

First, I ask like BD, what is this doing in the Federal Politics section?

Second, anyone who is shocked by this story doesn't understand how television is produced.

[Hicksey]

It's not clear what this is doing in Canadian federal politics.

Is it just me or does just trying something this repugnant make you think the folks at NBC are every bit as racist as they are trying (unsuccessfully as the bait was not taken) to portray NASCAR fans to be?

I thought you right wing types were all for racial profiling?

Well, Black Dog there's no real definitive answer to that. As far as security at ports, we are in the sense that we don't think that its smart to spend excessive time and resources checking out 90 year old old ladies in wheelchairs. I think it's much smarter to target all men 18-45 and just be vigilant in the normal security measures with women in that same age range. But targetting specific races is just not smart. There are many races that look alike and they may be incorrectly identified. Its much smarter to move back one layer to a less specific identifier such as age and sex. In the end you'll end up with tighter security because you'll be spending your resources in a place where they do the most good.

So am I against profiling? Resounding No. Do I think basing it on race alone is smart? No. Do I think that a specific profile with identifiers such as eye/hair color, height, weight, and also including race like a suspect profile from police to the public should be allowable when talking about specific suspects? Absolutely.

[Hicksey]

Michelle Malkin has been compared to " Aunt Thomasina and a sell out and race traitor" and also as an Asian Ann Coulter.

She appears to trouble all around.

Another cultural freedom fighter and or plain cultural trouble maker?

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Michelle_Malkin

She's no less reliable a source than the Communist News Network(CNN) or CBS (SeeBS), CBC and I see plenty of things attributable to those sources.

I did expect this though.

[Hicksey]

Michelle Malkin has been compared to " Aunt Thomasina and a sell out and race traitor" and also as an Asian Ann Coulter.

I beleive Malkin is simply the face of a large group effort: sorta like the Martha Stewart of right-wing crazies. The reason being she can get away with a lot more crazy, borderline rascist wingnuttery as an Asian American woman than someone like, say, her husband, ever could.

Anyway, as for this story, I'm nt sure what he deal is. If NBC was sending Muslim men to a NASCAR event waving "Death to America" signs, burning Bush (or Dale Earnhardt) in effigy and chanting "Allah Akbar!", then I could see the charges that NBC was trying to manufacture news or paint NASCAR enthusiasts as rascists. As it is, sending Muslims to just hang out and walk around at a NASCAR event is an interesting way to guage Middle America's feelings towards Muslims.

They're being sent to evoke a racial reaction and where I come from that's race baiting. And race baiting to me is as repugnant and inherently racist. And the reason for that is the myth that NASCAR fans are intolerant people as a group. I heard Gary McNamara report last night on the MTRN there was no negative reaction to them.

But knowing NBC and their penchant for creating news where there is none, they'll probably invent a reaction if they don't get one.

[Black Dog]

They're being sent to evoke a racial reaction and where I come from that's race baiting. And race baiting to me is as repugnant and inherently racist. And the reason for that is the myth that NASCAR fans are intolerant people as a group. I heard Gary McNamara report last night on the MTRN there was no negative reaction to them.

Here's the rub: if race isn't an issue, if Muslims aren't facing any discrimination or what have you in post 9-11/GWoT Ameria, then they aren't "provoking" anything (and, it would seem, they didn't). They're just Americans taking in a NASCAR event. However, if their apperance does elicit a negative response, well, we have ourselves an issue. So the question is: is race an issue or not? This is one (albeit completely unscientific) way of exploring that question.

I think you're simply looking at it the wrong way: this isn't about NASCAR fans being rascist, it's about Muslims facing racism. There's a world of difference there. Nor do I think it has anything to do with the image of NASCAR fans: NASCAR is the fastest growing sport in America across the board, therefore we're looking at NASCAR as a microcosm of America itself. I do find the reaction of the rabid right interesting, though: you think they had something to hide... (what I mean by that is: the suggestion that the mere prescence of people in Mulsim garb at a NASCAR event is sufficient to provoke a reaction implies that this is a possibility. Thus the people who claim NBC is promoting the NASCAR fan=rascist sterotype are unwittingly promoting the very same sterotype!)

But knowing NBC and their penchant for creating news where there is none, they'll probably invent a reaction if they don't get one.

Explain "creating news"? All media "creates" news. Also, calling a show like Dateline "news" is to fail to grasp the purpose of the show. Such programs always carry an agenda.

[Hicksey]

They're being sent to evoke a racial reaction and where I come from that's race baiting. And race baiting to me is as repugnant and inherently racist. And the reason for that is the myth that NASCAR fans are intolerant people as a group. I heard Gary McNamara report last night on the MTRN there was no negative reaction to them.

Here's the rub: if race isn't an issue, if Muslims aren't facing any discrimination or what have you in post 9-11/GWoT Ameria, then they aren't "provoking" anything (and, it would seem, they didn't). They're just Americans taking in a NASCAR event. However, if their apperance does elicit a negative response, well, we have ourselves an issue. So the question is: is race an issue or not? This is one (albeit completely unscientific) way of exploring that question.

I think you're simply looking at it the wrong way: this isn't about NASCAR fans being rascist, it's about Muslims facing racism. There's a world of difference there. Nor do I think it has anything to do with the image of NASCAR fans: NASCAR is the fastest growing sport in America across the board, therefore we're looking at NASCAR as a microcosm of America itself. I do find the reaction of the rabid right interesting, though: you think they had something to hide... (what I mean by that is: the suggestion that the mere prescence of people in Mulsim garb at a NASCAR event is sufficient to provoke a reaction implies that this is a possibility. Thus the people who claim NBC is promoting the NASCAR fan=rascist sterotype are unwittingly promoting the very same sterotype!)

But knowing NBC and their penchant for creating news where there is none, they'll probably invent a reaction if they don't get one.

Explain "creating news"? All media "creates" news. Also, calling a show like Dateline "news" is to fail to grasp the purpose of the show. Such programs always carry an agenda.

You didn't hear about the test of the Chevrolet pickup they used explosives to blow up the gas tank so they could claim they were unsafe?

Spin it any way you want. Race baiting is repugnant, disgusting and anyone who would dare try it will get no respect from me. In a society trying desperately to rid itself of racism, it certainly does not help any. If people wish to help in the battle against racism, they should promote tolerance instead of going out and trying to incite intolerance.

Here's a bit more on the gas tank ...

During the 1990s, Dateline NBC was caught in a story where they claimed that Chevrolet pickup trucks had unsafe gas tanks. General Motors was able to prove that Dateline had attached explosive devices to the gas tanks in the pickups to make them blowup for their cameras. Dateline stuck to their story until GM produced irrefutable evidence of the fraud. Finally, they admitted wrongdoing. But NBC was up against another well financed and motivated corporation here. Most such "victims" do not have the resources to compete with a media giant.

Like I said, NBC (No Beliveable Content) has a history of making news where there is none.

[scribblet]

Looks like the Nascar fans didn't take the bait, good for them.

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/opinion/04...line/index.html

NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.

[Nocrap]

Looks like the Nascar fans didn't take the bait, good for them.

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/opinion/04...line/index.html

NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.

I agree with Black Dog "As it is, sending Muslims to just hang out and walk around at a NASCAR event is an interesting way to guage Middle America's feelings towards Muslims."

I was pleased that Scriblett posted the article indicating that the test was unsuccessful (or successful depending on how you look at it). There must have been some feeling that sports' fans were bigots, and the NASCAR experiment put some of the rumours to rest. Does anyone know how the football experiment turned out? I rarely watch Dateline.

[shoop]

Goes to show how mainstream NASCAR really is now.

Whoever came up with Dateline idea was probably some New York liberal who had never been to a NASCAR even. NASCAR is clearly a major sport in the U.S. now with more than just *southern hicks* as fans.

Man, crap like this just goes to hurt the left and the Democratic Party in the U.S. Moderates see crap like this and feel more comfortable voting Republican.

tsk tsk Dateline. Good work shooting yourself in the foot.

I was pleased that Scriblett posted the article indicating that the test was unsuccessful (or successful depending on how you look at it). There must have been some feeling that sports' fans were bigots, and the NASCAR experiment put some of the rumours to rest. Does anyone know how the football experiment turned out? I rarely watch Dateline.

[Multirec]

Goes to show how mainstream NASCAR really is now.

Whoever came up with Dateline idea was probably some New York liberal who had never been to a NASCAR even. NASCAR is clearly a major sport in the U.S. now with more than just *southern hicks* as fans.

Man, crap like this just goes to hurt the left and the Democratic Party in the U.S. Moderates see crap like this and feel more comfortable voting Republican.

tsk tsk Dateline. Good work shooting yourself in the foot.

I was pleased that Scriblett posted the article indicating that the test was unsuccessful (or successful depending on how you look at it). There must have been some feeling that sports' fans were bigots, and the NASCAR experiment put some of the rumours to rest. Does anyone know how the football experiment turned out? I rarely watch Dateline.

[Hicksey]

Goes to show how mainstream NASCAR really is now.

Whoever came up with Dateline idea was probably some New York liberal who had never been to a NASCAR even. NASCAR is clearly a major sport in the U.S. now with more than just *southern hicks* as fans.

Man, crap like this just goes to hurt the left and the Democratic Party in the U.S. Moderates see crap like this and feel more comfortable voting Republican.

tsk tsk Dateline. Good work shooting yourself in the foot.

I was pleased that Scriblett posted the article indicating that the test was unsuccessful (or successful depending on how you look at it). There must have been some feeling that sports' fans were bigots, and the NASCAR experiment put some of the rumours to rest. Does anyone know how the football experiment turned out? I rarely watch Dateline.

I'd bet that you're right. The left in the US has been on the attack on traditional values ever since Kerry and his ignorant comment about "NASCAR dads with confederate flags in the back windshield of their trucks" during the election in 2004.

[shoop]

I have liked the Democratic Party candidate for as long as I can remember and was interested in politics. Going back to Dukakis.

However, Gore and Kerrey both made such bonehead mistakes that I will look at the Republicans this time around. *IF* they learn some valuable lessons from their upcoming arse-kicking in the midterms, and nominate somebody reasonable.

That being said I really think Hillary will be a hell of a candidate.

I'd bet that you're right. The left in the US has been on the attack on traditional values ever since Kerry and his ignorant comment about "NASCAR dads with confederate flags in the back windshield of their trucks" during the election in 2004.

[Hicksey]

Looks like the Nascar fans didn't take the bait, good for them.

http://www.nascar.com/2006/news/opinion/04...line/index.html

NASCAR's governing body called a network television news magazine "outrageous" on Wednesday, saying it tried to provoke anti-Muslim reactions from spectators at last week's race for a story about growing U.S. sentiment against Islam.

I agree with Black Dog "As it is, sending Muslims to just hang out and walk around at a NASCAR event is an interesting way to guage Middle America's feelings towards Muslims."

I was pleased that Scriblett posted the article indicating that the test was unsuccessful (or successful depending on how you look at it). There must have been some feeling that sports' fans were bigots, and the NASCAR experiment put some of the rumours to rest. Does anyone know how the football experiment turned out? I rarely watch Dateline.

Its race-baiting any way you wish to spin it. Promote tolerance if you're worried about racism. Don't go out looking to incite intolerance.

[cybercoma]

I wonder if they plan on doing the opposite at some point. You know, have some white middle-class redneck put into situations where other races may make coments about him. It's not like racism is a one-way street and going to a school that had a large population of Lebanese students, I can attest to the intolerance that they showed towards white people.

[Hicksey]

I wonder if they plan on doing the opposite at some point. You know, have some white middle-class redneck put into situations where other races may make coments about him. It's not like racism is a one-way street and going to a school that had a large population of Lebanese students, I can attest to the intolerance that they showed towards white people.

I highly doubt it. To liberals the likes of those at NBC, that kind of racism doesn't count.

[cybercoma]

I wonder if they plan on doing the opposite at some point. You know, have some white middle-class redneck put into situations where other races may make coments about him. It's not like racism is a one-way street and going to a school that had a large population of Lebanese students, I can attest to the intolerance that they showed towards white people.

I highly doubt it. To liberals the likes of those at NBC, that kind of racism doesn't count.

Actually a friend of mine's gf worked at a store that employed mostly lebanese people and they would call her a "white b****" and a "cracker c**t" etc. The boss wouldn't do anything about it either.... Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

Racism is not specific to races. It's only specific to ignorant people.

[Hicksey]

I wonder if they plan on doing the opposite at some point. You know, have some white middle-class redneck put into situations where other races may make coments about him. It's not like racism is a one-way street and going to a school that had a large population of Lebanese students, I can attest to the intolerance that they showed towards white people.

I highly doubt it. To liberals the likes of those at NBC, that kind of racism doesn't count.

Actually a friend of mine's gf worked at a store that employed mostly lebanese people and they would call her a "white b****" and a "cracker c**t" etc. The boss wouldn't do anything about it either.... Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

Racism is not specific to races. It's only specific to ignorant people.

I agree with you 100%, but like I said the ignorant asses doing the story likely won't do that part of the story because racism only exists in one direction to them. The other direction to them is perfectly justified.

[gerryhatrick]

Well no shit. They're a bunch of rednecks.

They're not ALL racist bigots, certainly.

[shoop]

Fair enough. But there is no way Dateline would do a story on racism against white people.

Man, Dateline has done some f*cked up things. I remember in the 90s they rigged a truck with explosives as part of a story on a faulty gas tank that *could* lead to a fire in some circumstances. Time to put the show out of its misery.

Actually a friend of mine's gf worked at a store that employed mostly lebanese people and they would call her a "white b****" and a "cracker c**t" etc. The boss wouldn't do anything about it either.... Pretty disgusting if you ask me.

Racism is not specific to races. It's only specific to ignorant people.