Wednesday, June 3, 2015

Frankly My Dear: A Guest Post From Ol' Remus

     [The following is a Guest Post from Ol' Remus of the late and greatly missed Woodpile Report. I keep inviting Remus to become a regular Co-Conspirator here, and he keeps declining. I shall persist! -- FWP]


     With all the recent troubles we're again being invited to an honest and open conversation about race, or said differently, the browbeatings will be resumed. Try this for honest and open: many of us, probably most of us, are tired of your whining, your so-called grievances, your violence and crime, your insults and threats, your witless blather and pornographic demeanor—all of it. You're not quite 13% of the population yet everything has to be about you, all day, every day. With you, facts aren't facts, everything's a kozmik krisis, and abusive confrontations are your go-to.

     Here's the thing: some of us despise you, although fewer than you believe, but most of us plain don't care about you or your doings. There was a time when we did care, but you betrayed our good will and played us for fools. We laugh about it now, but we actually believed you wanted equal opportunity and mutual respect and to live in harmony—all that stuff. Ain't it a hoot? Imagine our embarrassment.

     We talk among ourselves just like you do. It's true, we have "frank and open discussions" when you're not around. Why? Partly because it's exhausting to tippy-toe around you. Partly because you think it's your celestial right to tell us what we can say. And partly because you're alarmingly aggressive or painfully dim-witted by turns. We never know which "you" will pop out of the box, or when. But mainly because you've revealed yourself as grasping opportunists without honor or principle. There's your deal-breaker. There's more.

     During the recent riots you expected us to believe heisting snack food then torching the place was "standing up for justice". When we didn't buy it, you told us the looting and arson wasn't done by the rioters after all, no, all the bad stuff was done by rioters from out of town. Apparently you think it makes a difference to us. And if we don't fall for that one, you tell us you're the real victims, you're the ones "hit hardest" because the neighborhoods you looted and burned are, um, looted and burned.

     We've never stood in your way but we don't really care if you have good neighborhoods or not. The evidence says you don't care either, unless we build and maintain them for you, what your enablers call "investments in urban communities." They don't mention the return on our past "investments". Our former neighborhoods weren't improved by your arrival. Your contempt for ordinary civility tells us no level of "investment" would make a difference. Listen up. It's simple. Just like our neighborhoods are our responsibility, so are your neighborhoods your responsibility, not ours. Your clownish leaders will tell you otherwise but they've always been your responsibility and they always will be your responsibility. Accept it or don't, you're the ones who live in them. There's more.

     Your air conditioned, smart phone equipped, EBT-financed "poverty" doesn't wash to begin with, yet you'd have us believe poverty causes crime. There's no payday for assault and rape and random killing. Police say 20% of your criminal violence is related to dope-dealing, okay, business disputes of a sort, but it says the rest of it is largely pro bono. We also notice you have a working knowledge of jury nullification and take pride in not "snitching", typical gang behavior.

     We say "what you think, you do. What you do, you are." We know what you think—we hear it every waking minute. We know what you do. How could we not know what you are? Just so it gets said, crime causes poverty. It drives away productive people, their businesses and the opportunities you said you wanted. More bad news: you're free to accuse them of anything you wish but they're not coming back.

     Schools haven't been educating our kids for a long time. They're too busy conjuring up new ways to teach yours, in fact, we're beginning to think yours are the only ones who matter. There's always some new scheme claiming dazzling success which, in the end, amounts to handing out the answers with the tests, or taking the annoying hard stuff out of the coursework, or entering unearned grades by hand. Whatever they're doing they're doing it wrong. Your kids are telling us, in every way they know how, they have neither the interest nor the inclination for academics. Perhaps we should listen. If what they want is "out" it's worth considering and probably worth encouraging.

     You tell us the schools have "failed to meet their needs." And what are their needs, pray tell? Higher standards and tougher tests? Stricter rules and a dress code? Or some alternate universe where credit is earned for putting teachers in the ER, or for a string of abortions before the tenth grade? If you'd tell us what their needs are we'd at least know what needs we're failing to meet. Until then we'll mark it down for what it is, another lame excuse. They're supposed to be schools, not day care or orphanages or theme parks.

     You pester us with the "civil rights movement" of fifty years ago as though it happened last week, with tedious 1960s footage and cloying voice-overs, in an endless loop, like Groundhog Day, decade after decade. It's understandable, you haven't met any real resistance since those days. Breaking news: none of it matters any more, it all devolved into just another swindle, an extortion racket, "pay up or we'll make a stink—and the bad optics are on you".

     Schools now teach something called White Privilege, which claims no overt act is necessary for us to be racist, in fact, absence of such acts is said to be direct evidence. It's the "original sin" concept in a different wrapper, meaning our putative racism is bone deep and can't be discharged by good works. Even so, they say we must atone in perpetuity for being white. They suggest we devote our lives in selfless service to you. No. Sorry. Whatever white privilege there may be, it isn't enough. In fact, being subjected to White Privilege prattle is worth a couple of privileges.

     Speaking of privilege, 60% of your college grads—and 20% of all of you—are employed by government. The intent is to create an artificial middle class of course, hence the trivial positions with imaginative titles and weighty salaries. In the lower reaches it's the quota hires, typically unqualified. It's a great offer. You pretend you're doing something useful and we pretend to believe you. The rest of your grads are largely diversity directors, window dressing, teachers of dubious "studies" and improbable "histories", and similar warehousing schemes for the otherwise unemployable. It's as good as it's ever going to get, except for those on the skinny end of the bell curve—for whom we have genuine, i.e., earned respect. You'd be a fool to leave it on the table, for as long as it lasts.

     So here's the deal. If you want to know what we really think of you, the answer is we don't, unless you're making yourself unavoidable or we're cleaning up your latest mess. We can safely rely on you to make astonishingly irresponsible choices and blame us for the consequences. And you'll demand we make good on them for you. We won't take a chance on your sincerity ever again. Take it somewhere else, you have no credibility left with us. You're a net liability, predictable to the point of surety. So we attend to our own lives and our own problems. It's as it should be. We recommend it. As for you, frankly my dear, we don't give a damn.

41 comments:

Anonymous said...

Like opening a bottle of fine wine. The insight is radiant yet rare.

Anonymous said...

About the time I discovered The Woodpile Report it ended. How I miss Ol' Remus and his astonishingly honest insights. Thanks FP for this plain spoken, clear eyed dose of reality. Please continue your recruitment efforts.

Anonymous said...

So perfectly stated. This is reality as I know it. My white privilege has left me with utility bills, and tax bills, and housing bills, and grass to cut, and work to do, not to mention family and friends to bond with, and precious little time to worry about what people who choose to live like savages think. If it's any consolation, I also don't think much about what my NEIGHBORS think. As long as they keep their grass cut, and the music quiet, we get along great, our relationship boiled down to the obligatory "wave" a few times a month, in passing, a result of mere proximity.

I wouldn't subject myself to savage-like neighbors, which is why I chose to live among people like myself in this way, but if for some reason they started acting like savages, I would call the police more often, and be done with it. If it started to happen too often, I'd realize that I had either made the wrong choice about where to live, or the choice had been made for me, and with the corner CVS at future risk, I'd choose a new neighborhood, where the CVS was less likely to be burned, and be done with it. Too many taxes and bills to pay, too much work to do, too much grass to cut, to give it much more thought than this.

See, life is actually pretty simple to understand, once you stop worrying about what other people think, and get down to the brass tacks of doing your job, paying your bills, and cutting your lawn. It's called white privilege. It's why my neighborhood looks nice, why the police aren't after me, and why I don't have enough time or energy to riot and loot. You should try it sometime. White privilege is free for the taking, if you're willing to put in the effort. You don't get much in return, except for a neat, orderly-looking life, and the appearance of being civilized.

Col. B. Bunny said...

Heinz Guderian could have learned a thing or two from our resident Africans about urban destruction. Moscow would be in German hands today.

Any white person who doesn't do everything in his power to distance himself from resident African communities, keep his kids out of schools with resident Africans, and oppose all Democrat Party enablers and turncoats just hasn't gotten the memo.

Malatrope said...

Bravo.

Anonymous said...

Bravo Remus! Miss your weekly insight and wit. -55six

Dr.D said...

Wow! Tell us what you really think, Remus!

I know, I used to read the Woodpile Report, and it was like this consistently. But now that it is gone, we are shocked to see such simply truths so plainly stated. It does not happen very often.

Steady Steve said...

Thank you, Remus, for publishing what most of us think. These urban savages and their enablers are going to be called to account. I guess they will have to learn the meaning of the word "minority" the hard way.

Unclezip said...

Miss you, Remus. Hope you are well. This is spot on, and I appreciate your insights. Oh, if you don't remember me: Never nuke the honey.

Anonymous said...

Yep--sure do me ya, Ole Buddy, Remus!

You've always spoke the truth--a rare commodity and vintage these days.

I know..I know...ya got better things to do and stuff wasn't getting done when you were at The Woodpile reporting to us...BUT.....just keep these little splinters of light a coming to us here in the darkness.

Who knows? Mebe Old Remus will grace us with his full radiance yet!

(fingers and toes crossed)

Anonymous said...

If only Uncle Remus would write a book.

Jason said...

I sure wish The Woodpile Report and Uncle Remus would return - I still check it a couple of times a week, hoping to see it resurrected!

Anonymous said...

As per usual Ol' Remus has hit the nail on the head with simple clarity, simple words, and simple wisdom. He is correct.. we don't care. Do as you will but leave us out of it. Those few who are on 'the skinny end of the bell curve' (what a fantastic turn of phrase!) are not only welcome but will likely seek us out as brothers in all aspects of life that are worth persuing.

GamegetterII said...

As usual,Remus nailed it.
This one needs to be posted where a few of the feral negroes can read it-or have it read to them,then be repeated over and over and over to them.
The rev Al and his fellow race baiters/race hustlers need to read this,once they got past the "white privilege"/all whites are racist bleatings-maybe it would begin to sink in,and the "leaders" in the black community could begin to get their feral negroes under control,and the next generation of their kids might start to pay attention in school,and learn something for a change-starting with the fact that they are only victims of their leaders,like the revs Al and Jesse,and themselves.

andy5759 said...

Truly, my heart leapt when I saw this article. You have many followers, Remus.

Matt said...

Ayeh. The modern American woman could use some folksy advice as well.

Anonymous said...

I also frequently check the Woodpile, hoping 'ol Remus has seen fit to return.
Some day, many of us hope, he WILL.
Spot on Remus, and thanks to him and the proprietor of Liberty's Torch for it!

Anonymous said...

Thank you for commenting Remus. You are missed, and this truth is why. Clarity and fact are in short supply these darkening days.

Anonymous said...

Just WOW, I miss ole Remus! I taught in one of my city's worst middle schools for 16 years. I have interacted with more black kids and their parents than most white folk have ever seen. Once I quoted Chris Rock to a group of them (when a few caused trouble for the whole class): "Everywhere you go, brothers and sisters are having a good time and along comes some n****** who f***** it up." There are many fine colored people busting their ass trying to raise good kids in the midst of the morally rotted ghetto culture (for whom I prayed every day). In all fairness, lets reserve righteous criticism for these ghetto rats and not lump the good people in with them. That said, I carry a .38 cause ya never know which one will surface.

Bikermailman said...

I read this, then read a similarly BS slashing comment by Kerodin:

"I recently did a reality-check. It is impossible to make right others’ manufactured wrongs. To try is a fool’s errand. Truth becomes invisible when viewed through the prism of quaking personalities imprisoned by their own self-deception. Put such sad souls in the company of morally bankrupt saboteurs of anything not utterly self-serving, and no good ever comes of it."

Remus, you are certainly missed, and I think I speak for the room when I say that I hope you take the good Mr Poretto up on his invite.

Weary Of At said...

My husband and I looked at each other after about 20 minutes of the Clintons in the early 1990s and agreed that they did not bode well for the future of racial harmony in our beloved country. My knowledge of Algebra is sketchy, but I think what we are seeing is the directly proportional result of trying to achieve racial harmony by feeding the beast (racism) we are actually trying to quell. The beast has just changed color...that's all. The more we confess, the more humbly we offer our mea culpas, the more we try to make retribution for things that most of us never did, the more we offer assurances of success, heavily backed by our wallets, the more we offer the olive branch (only to get the pits in return), the more ravenous the beast grows. Anyone want to share a duplex on Prince Edward Island?

KG said...

I had an ear-to-ear grin by the time I was a quarter of the way through that. Masterful.

Anonymous said...

Excellent as always Remus. Thank you!!!

Anonymous said...

Remus has the gift of eloquently yet succinctly recording reality. He writes in a way that always leaves me thankful for his ability to express what I feel inside.

Black America has been aided in this self-destruction by the welfare state. Remus states the issue in a way that avoids the shift-the-blame game. While the welfare state is at the root, it does not remove the hand of blacks in their own condition, something you won't read or hear about in the mainstream media. Heck, you won't see it almost anywhere.

In a nation of people no longer willing to be self-reliant, there is always something to blame. But in the end, the finger is always properly pointed at the mirror.

Anonymous said...

WOW!! Just Wow.

Wrench said...

Remember when the pResident suggested having a real conversation about race? This is about as good and as real as it gets. BTW, I miss the Woodpile Reports.

TotallyPeeved said...

Brilliant!

Norwester said...

I've always enjoyed Remus's insightful verbiage in cutting-to-the-heart of an issue albeit a sensitive one such as this...I saw this same (or very similar) sentiment expressed by another excellent internet blogger on his site, http://taxicabdepressions.com/...Scroll down on the left side to read his incisive "Black Lies Matter"....it's comparable to Remus's very succinct post herein, and perhaps adds a bit further 'meat' to the entire topic, from the viewpoint of a real 'working stiff' cab driver....His other essays are worth looking at, too, while you're there....Thanks again, Remus, for offering your perspectives of the horrible entanglement we've put ourselves into in failing to truly face the "race" issue in its fullest....

Anonymous said...

Like a light shinning through the darkest night, Ol' Remus. Sure is great to read your words once again, old friend. Began to fear I'd never see them again. Thanks for cranking up the old rebuilt PC and taking the time to jot down a few thoughts for us. Now, go break the seals on a few tradin' bottles and start thinkin' on what you're gonna be writin' 'bout next! --B

Anonymous said...

I think most people's feeling on this subject can be summed up in one very apt phrase, to wit: "Go be a N*gger somewhere else."
Yes, I'm old enough to remember when things were very segregated and no one gave a thought to negroes.......unless they were trespassing on one's property and stealing or in some other way forcing one to pay attention to them. Otherwise, we didn't care one bit what was happening down in n*ggertown as long as it stayed there. Not our problem.
The strange thing to me is how negroes today think everyone should be a social worker all wrapped up in THEIR self created negro problems and issues.
Reminds me of the negro who approached me outside a grocery store whining that all her chilren be hongry and she need money fo'fo food. I just told her, "It's your problem. You created it, deal with it" and walked off.

Cingula said...

Thanks Remus. Reading your prose again made my day! Wishing you all the best, but know you are sorely missed

Anonymous said...

One time I came out of work, our shop was in a sketchier area of town, I made the mistake of not having my snub nose in the back pocket of my jeans. Locking up the front door of the business which was in an alcove with no way out except forward. Suddenly a black guy appeared out of nowhere just as I put the keys away and aggressively demanded/panhandled 5 dollars from me, I said I didn't have five dollars to give him and he responded "ITS CUZ IM BLACK ISNT IT!?"

I instantly responded with just as loud indignation "NO! It's cuz I'm married! I don't have any money!"
He changed demeanor and said oh. I'm sorry about that maaan. You wanna drink? And he pulled out a fifth of rum from his back pocket. I declined and he went on his merry way....

I never left my pistol at home again.

Bilejones said...

Well Remus, here's a suggestion: There's a wellspring of interest in your offering so why not see if you could be incentivized by it being monetized?

Check out James Corbett of Corbettreport.com (and if you are not following him, you should be.)
https://www.corbettreport.com/

He started his blog a while ago when making a living as an English teacher in Japan and now makes it from subscriptions and media. I throw him about $5 per month and all he needs is a couple of thousand of like minded souls to get by nicely.

Anonymous said...

Excellent, as always! Spot on.

A true pleasure to read this man, may he return to us, he is sorely missed.

Thanks !

Teri said...

Somehow, I do not see the Woodpile Report ever looking like the Colbert Report. It's my understanding that Remus wanted to do something a bit different with his life for a change. I hope he will drop in periodically. But I still miss the old pictures. It's good to be reminded where we came from.

Anonymous said...

Amen!

Anonymous said...

THANK YOU!!!

Finally, someone said it. Thank you Remus.

Miss your regular reports at the woodpile. Keep fighting the good fight!

Anonymous said...

That pretty much sums it up. Unfortunately, your preaching to the choir. The people who should read this, won't. Another big barrier to a "dialog on race", only the black view point seems to matter. Not that I want a dialog, like most clear thinking people, I'm sick to death of this never ending drama and source of anxiety. I saw a handout at a conversation on race " seminar" once, the opening sentence was "Shut up and sit down, don't pretend you're not the problem." Followed by a long list of demands on behavior of attendees, (all white middle class successfull people, who of course complied like dutiful little sheep, never questioning the ridiculous demands of the black "academic" presenters. Imagine giving such a combative treatise to a group of blacks. The building would be burned.
Last night I went over to the store, and had a stare down with an immigrant from Chicago, long braids, cap,ridiculous clothing, buying snacks, and fruity little cigars to smoke dope in. Of course, he maxed out his ebt cash card, and made us all wait while the clerk straightened out his financial incompetence. I couldn't help but contrast this to the night before when I had to work an awards ceremony for a group of emergency responders, who shall remain unnamed. Every one was white. There was alcohol, free alcohol, yet no one was intoxicated. The conversation was polite, nobody was creating drama, and every body had a good time. This is how it should be damnit.

Anonymous said...

Wow is it my lucky day to have clicked on my old Woodpile link and to find this post from him. I like many others miss the Woodpile. Now I've found a new blog to follow. Thanks.

AnalogMan said...

It's been a long time since I visited Mr Poretto's previous blog, where I first became aware of Ol' Remus and the Woodpile report, and became a firm fan. I drifted away from that blog due to philosophical differences. Judging by the comments here, it looks as if those differences are dwindling.

At that time, I dubbed the readership a "KAGO cult". Everybody "Knew A Good One" that he could point to to refute my racist views. Remus was, in fact, the only one who, albeit obliquely, supported me by saying "I'm not the only one!"

Remus, I miss your work, too. If you're not going to blog again, just let me know what blogs you comment on, and I'll have to settle for that.

On topic, now: It goes without saying, excellent work. Where it falls short is where Remus, and some others, seem to be hoping for a turnaround led by "the thin edge of the bell curve". The flaw is in the phrase itself.

Their bell curve is not our bell curve. They evolved in a separate gene pool. James Watson, Nobel prize winner for deriving the structure of the DNA molecule, lost his job for saying (paraphrased) "There is no firm reason to expect that populations that evolved in isolation from each other should have evolved in precisely the same way". Nevertheless, he was correct. We are not the same.

Black people, as a group, are never going to perform at the same level as White people, even with the best will in the world. They can't.

Point number two: You may not care about them, you may have no interest in their problems, and you may choose to live among your own kind, but those options are being whittled away while you ignore the problem. Many cities have been lost and are virtually uninhabitable. My country, South Africa, is lost. Millions of White people are trapped in hell there. This is your future.

Look into your government's "Affirmatively Furthering Fair Housing" policy. The ghetto is coming to you. There is no escape.

When you people are ready to get real (and I see encouraging signs), I have some T-shirts for sale. They're printed "I was racist before it was cool".

If you believe that race (like sex - not gender) is a biological reality, not a "social construct", and furthermore that it has implications for behaviour, then you, too, are a racist.

Embrace it. You know you want to.

Anonymous said...

...hey that's cool... I have nothing to add to the previous articulate and inciteful comments. ...except to simply say... YES~!!!!