Posts Made By: James Brown

Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman

Jim, 
In California it may be "manageable"(and that's your opinion) but in Arizona it clearly is not and nearly 80% of their ICU spaces are currently devoted to Covid19 cases.
I haven't gone thru the other states on their hospitalization rates but that's a critical factor that needs to be examined... 

Hi Rod, perhaps you mis-heard an accurate report, or perhaps CNN is exaggerating.  I agree that the data shows a spike in Arizona, but only 33% of the ICU beds are holding Covid19 patients:

"Eight of every 10 hospital beds statewide are in use, according to the state Department of Health Services.  About one in every four inpatient beds are used by coronavirus patients; in the ICUs, about one in every three beds are for COVID care."  

https://www.12news.com/article/news/health/coronavirus/code-red-arizona-hospitals-could-run-out-of-beds-by-july-public-health-expert-says/75-36593ee3-33db-4b81-965b-d0c616c711ce

Even so, AZ is worth watching.  They seem to be at the forefront of states that might be losing control of the pandemic, after starting well.

Jim

Originally Posted by Darian Rachal

I noticed that Denver has a population of about 10% black. Are you aware of any oppression of blacks in Denver?  
 

Hi Darian:

Oppression is perhaps the wrong word.  I am personally unaware of blacks being fired or denied housing or otherwise oppressed because of the color of their skin.  That sort of overt and easily exposed oppression is generally uncommon in 2020.  I do think that there is bias among many of us that is troubling.  As you note, blacks are rare in Denver, so I have a lot less first-hand experience with blacks than you do.  

About the bias - do you find yourself making a very subtle and maybe unconscious value judgement about the expected behavior, or station in life, or risk presented by a man or a kid based upon his race?  I think we all do, and in the case of blacks, the value judgement is probably biased toward the negative.  In certain instances this bias affects the way we behave, and I think that is part of what we need to work on. 

I support the police 100% - but those that let their subtle biases effect their policing are a problem.  Would Derek Chauvin have kneeled on the neck of a white suspect until he died?  Would his partners have stood by and watched?  Maybe, but maybe not.

Thanks for the thoughtful reply.  Jim

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

Do you think that I care that you don't understand?  As usual you ignore the namecalling that these 2 losers exhibited towards Darian, when they called him a racist.

Hi Richard:

(A) I am 100% certain that you don't care what I think.  No need to keep repeating that.  

(B) Neither Jim M. nor David called Darian a racist.  

Jim

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

I'd simply label you a "selectively" outraged tool of the left who hasn't the intellectual capability to deal with questions that are posed to you which is why you ignore the tough questions.  

By the way, Darian's question about the treatment of blacks in the USA qualifies as a "tough question" in my book.  Several folks have weighed in with thoughtful comments, maybe me included.  

Jim

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

Perhaps you are as you perceive others.  You apparently think we all do possess these biases, I don't.    

Good grief Richard, we all possess racial biases.  To deny bias is to deny you are human.  I disagree with those who argue that any bias equates to racism.  Those folks debase the word racism into a meaningless attribute that has nothing to do with a man's character.

We elevate ourselves by trying to recognize bias where it exists and minimize it's affect on our actions.  This is not a white thing, it is a human thing.

Jim

Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman

So, I guess you are all OK with this? #3:
https://www.jpost.com/international/trump-thanks-ss-for-riot-security-631138

Rod, as far as stupid DJT tweets go, that one does not even make the top 1000!  

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

According to you.  Since you're now an expert on the "inherent racial bias" in all individuals, please explain to me what I think of a man who is black compared to a man  that is white. 

What do I think of the black man and what do I think of the white man.  

How do I think that the white man is somehow "different" or "better" as a human being than the black man based upon the color of their respective skin tones. 

Go ahead and elaborate.  I'm VERY interested into your insight in this matter.  And I'm serious about that.  

When I look at a white man, what do I see, and what do I see when I look at a black man.   

The inner working of your heart and soul are for you to consider and explain to us Richard, if you choose to do so.  

I believe our biases are shaped by our parents, our friends, our upbringing, experiences and education.  There may be a deep, nearly genetic component to racism springing from tribalism - tribalism was a necessary human survival behavior for tens of thousands of years, and is still with us today for better or worse (Go Broncos!)  

For most of us, it is easy to introspectively trace diminishing racial bias through the generations, when we compare what we think to what our parents, grandparents and historical ancestors thought.   Or when compared to the way we thought 40 years ago.  Somewhere up the chain most of us will have overtly racist ancestors.  Maybe not everyone.

You and I are the same age.  My parents are socially quite progressive and did not tolerate overt racism in the 60s.  Overall, I think that society has made great strides in my lifetime.   This is all good and it bothers me that racial progress since the 60's is discounted to zero in current political discourse.   

Jim

Originally Posted by Rod Kaufman

Somehow, I don't think Wall Street agrees with you...
https://thehill.com/policy/finance/502339-dow-plunges-more-than-1800-points-as-rising-covid-19-cases-roil-wall-street

One really bad day.  The markets are crazy right now.  This surprises me no more than 27500 did on Tuesday.

Jim

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

Well, maybe I'm just not a racist.

Sounds like you had a cool multi-racial upbringing.  Good.  I think what you are not understanding is that the bias I am describing is not the equivalent of racism.   Good people transcend their biases.  Racism is action.  Sometimes overt, often very subtle.

Jim

Originally Posted by Richard Davis

I think your blanket statement saying that everyone has racist biases is your opinion only.  

Of course.