# Are Black Republicans Sell-Outs/Uncle Toms? **URL:** \ **Category:** Great Debates\ **Created:** [June 13, 2005, 6:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114 "2005-06-13T18:09:36Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/81 "2005-06-14T20:10:04Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > Most serial rapists and serial killers are white males…do we see the routine and random stops of all white males? Aren’t the lives of people just as important as drugs? How many rapes and murders would we stop, if we pulled over every white man and searched their cars? Afaik, whites ARE profiled too in such matters. As I said, it depends on where you are and what exactly the cops are looking for as to who is profiled. > [@holmes](#): > > I’m not talking about when a high-profile case catches the media…I mean right now, today. If profiling is based on the MO of the race of criminals, then we should be seeing lots of white guys getting their cars searched. Depends on exactly what the cops are looking for. What exactly would they be searching for in the case of rape? Its not feasible to do DNA screening for every random white male pulled over on the off chance he is a rapist…is it? -XT ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/82 "2005-06-14T20:10:44Z")
Tom, shmom. They’re Americans. Let 'em act as they please. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:15pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/83 "2005-06-14T20:15:22Z")
That wasn’t what I asked. Green river was a specific incident, I have no problem looking a black male in specific instances and D.C. sniper is another isolated incident…but does illustrate what happens when we allow prejudice to dictate policy. Note: I’m not against profiling, I’m against using it as a fish net, with no concern for whom it drags in it’s wake. So? Murders or rapists don’t have evidence of their crime on their person or in their car? What the odds that a random white man has killed/raped a woman and as SOME evidence in his car vs a random non-white person having drugs in his? ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/84 "2005-06-14T20:18:36Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > So you are saying you should ignore the evidence about the negative effects of government anti-poverty programs because your value system tells you to do so? Did you read what I wrote? If you value the concerns of the black community, you will not come to many of opinions many black republicans do. It has nothing to do with ignoring evidence. You act as though the evidence on both sides is objective and without bias. There is no objective truth, only perspective. My argument is the opinions of the black community don’t factor into your perspectives, then you may be a sell-out. > [@Renob](#): > > So if these people think that Black leaders are charlatans who are mainly interested in enriching themselves by using racial politics (and there is much evidence that Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are) and that federal programs hurt Blacks, then these people should be silent? Why should they be quiet if they happen to disagree with you? Are you saying Blacks can only have one opinion on a subject? That sounds pretty racist. Yes, because Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson are worse than most other politicians. For every bad thing they have done, I can find a White politician on the other side who has done more. That’s not to say you can’t call them on their shit, just that dedicating your life to destroying someone who has no real power or position is suspect. > [@Renob](#): > > Perhaps they feel the need to actually focus on their community. At first you say these people aren’t paying attention to the Black community, and then you castigate them for directig their comments at it. But they aren’t actually focusing on their community. The majority of those guys don’t live around any black people or hang out with black people. They criticize from the safety of their gated communities. Say what you want about Al Sharpton, but he is near the people he claims to represent. > [@Renob](#): > > No, that is racism when you say that a white person can hold a view but you automatically suspect a black person who holds the same view. You are failing to recognize each person as an individual and you are instead judging them on their skin color. It’s not racism. If Larry Elder was white, I’d probably think the same things about him minus the sell-out part. He can’t be a sell-out as he is not black. My opinion of him wouldn’t change much. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:19pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/85 "2005-06-14T20:19:19Z")
He’s looking for a woman. He pulls over a random sample of every car with a white man and woman in it for determination if she’s been raped…because most serial rapists are white. Why is that any different than me, pulling over random hispanic males to determine if they’re carrying drugs, because in my state, most drugers are hispanic? Is there a difference? ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/86 "2005-06-14T20:26:42Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > Did you read what I wrote? If you value the concerns of the black community, you will not come to many of opinions many black republicans do. It has nothing to do with ignoring evidence. So you are basically saying that all Black people must think alike no matter if there is evidence that they are wrong? They are to ignore anything that conflicts with their values and go along their merry way. I wasn’t aware that groupthink was a prerequisite to being a Black American. > [@](#): > > You act as though the evidence on both sides is objective and without bias. There is no objective truth, only perspective. No, there is such a thing as objective truth. Are you saying that someone who thinks that blacks are genetically inferior to whites is espousing a doctrine that is just as true as one who denies this? > [@](#): > > My argument is the opinions of the black community don’t factor into your perspectives, then you may be a sell-out. So if you don’t think like other people who look like you, then you are suspect? How is that rational? But they aren’t actually focusing on their community. The majority of those guys don’t live around any black people or hang out with black people. [/quote] Really? How do you know? Can you please give me a cite on this. > [@](#): > > Say what you want about Al Sharpton, but he is near the people he claims to represent. That’s just because it’s easier to rip them off if he’s close to them. > [@](#): > > It’s not racism. If Larry Elder was white, I’d probably think the same things about him minus the sell-out part. He can’t be a sell-out as he is not black. My opinion of him wouldn’t change much. That’s racism. As you say, if he was white he would not have his motives questioned by you. But since his skin happens to be a different color, then you feel compelled to question his character. If your opinion of someone’s character hinges on his skin color, you’re a racist. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/87 "2005-06-14T20:27:28Z")
\*\* xtisme\*\* Again I have no problem with focused profiling. I do have a problem with blanket profiling. I realized that different states have different problems, and a different focus…however it seems to me that, and you may be right the enforcement is subjective to say the least. ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:29pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/88 "2005-06-14T20:29:16Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > He’s looking for a woman. He pulls over a random sample of every car with a white man and woman in it for determination if she’s been raped…because most serial rapists are white. Why is that any different than me, pulling over random hispanic males to determine if they’re carrying drugs, because in my state, most drugers are hispanic? > > Is there a difference? That’s a ridiculous comparison and you know it. Rapes are much more rare than drug smuggling. Furthermore, when a rape happens police know that most often the victim will be there to help them find the rapist. Since drugs are a victimless crime police can’t rely on any victim to report the crime, and so they must resort to more invasive measures. Start comparing apples to apples and then we can talk. ---
**Author:** ![XT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/xt/32/456_2.png) [@XT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/XT)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/89 "2005-06-14T20:30:12Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > He’s looking for a woman. He pulls over a random sample of every car with a white man and woman in it for determination if she’s been raped…because most serial rapists are white. Why is that any different than me, pulling over random hispanic males to determine if they’re carrying drugs, because in my state, most drugers are hispanic? Sure, there is a difference. The percentages of drug trafficing (or folks with concealed weapons), at least in my state, are a hell of a lot higher than those of random whites (male and raped female IN the car) pulled over even in a place of high white populations. Its also easier to search for drugs than to do DNA testing for rape/murder in a random pull over…and mostly thats what the cops are looking for (drugs or weapons out here). In addition, the police usually pull over folks who fit a very narrow profile (i.e. YOUNG hispanic maleS, in an expensive or souped up vehicle, etc…though what the hell they were thinking pulling ME over and searching I still don’t know, so maybe you have a point…though admittedly I WAS near the border). -XT ---
**Author:** ![John\_Mace](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/john_mace/32/185_2.png) [@John\_Mace](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/John_Mace)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/90 "2005-06-14T20:33:39Z")
> [@holmes](#): > > Most serial rapists and serial killers are white males…do we see the routine and random stops of all white males? Aren’t the lives of people just as important as drugs? How many rapes and murders would we stop, if we pulled over every white man and searched their cars? Do we see the routine and random stop of all Black Males? ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/91 "2005-06-14T20:43:41Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > So you are basically saying that all Black people must think alike no matter if there is evidence that they are wrong? They are to ignore anything that conflicts with their values and go along their merry way. I wasn’t aware that groupthink was a prerequisite to being a Black American. I thought reading comprehension and critical thinking were prerequisites for being a doper. Do you think all black non-republicans think alike? We don’t, and nobody is suggesting that we should. > [@Renob](#): > > No, there is such a thing as objective truth. Are you saying that someone who thinks that blacks are genetically inferior to whites is espousing a doctrine that is just as true as one who denies this? See, this is what happens when you chop up what I said in an effort to completely distort my comments. I said there is no objective truth in reference to determining whether the aims of certain programs are helpful. Is a statement like, “Republicans don’t want to help the poor” objectively true or false? It’s all perspective. There is evidence on both sides, but no concrete truth. Your statement about blacks is a factual claim that can be proven or disproven. The other things I mentioned are mostly opinion statements. > [@Renob](#): > > So if you don’t think like other people who look like you, then you are suspect? How is that rational? I already explained this to you. It has nothing to do with thinking the same. > [@Renob](#): > > Really? How do you know? Can you please give me a cite on this. You want addresses? How many of these people do you see speaking at black colleges, churches and events. Very few. > [@Renob](#): > > That’s racism. As you say, if he was white he would not have his motives questioned by you. But since his skin happens to be a different color, then you feel compelled to question his character. If your opinion of someone’s character hinges on his skin color, you’re a racist. Yes, I would. That’s why I said I would feel the same way about Larry Elder if he was white (minus the sell-out part). Do you read my post? ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/92 "2005-06-14T20:45:29Z")
Depends on where you are…I’m not opposed to little tightening of my argument here. Have to run, but here’s a cite for those interested: [http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/](http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/) \*\* brickbacon \*\* Sorry for the hijack, let me know and I’ll start a new thread, or someone else can; if they can’t wait… ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:45pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/93 "2005-06-14T20:45:48Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > What are you basing this on? My sole cite was Belowjob–which made it so worrying that you couldn’t argue against this simple hypthesis =\ > [@](#): > > Blacks do not agree with Republicans on morals. That’s why Blacks started voting Democrat long ago. The GOP caters to racists, and Black people know that. If that’s not moral disagreement, I don’t know what is. You aren’t really Evil Captor are you? And as has already been shown earlier in this thread, > [@](#): > > Financially, Blacks probably agree with Democrats, but to claim all financial issues revolve around poverty is ridiculous and insulting. That’s what you implied, and that’s what I have a problem with. Outside of military spending (which seems to have become smaller of an issue in recent times), I am not certain I know of any big financial issues that aren’t dealing with giving money to the needy…? Both sides are for increasing money to education. Republicans generally want to reduce all taxes (to the detriment of welfare and social security) while as Democrats disagree, so this goes back to giving money to the needy. Whether “blacks need more money, thus they vote for the guy who gives them money” or not is true is a matter of how much people tie personal gain to voting habits. Generally I do, just because looking at demographics of who votes which way, it seems to go that those who will personally benefit from a particular party tend to vote that way. That it is such a consious decision as that, I don’t believe. > [@](#): > > You don’t know many black people do you? Original. :rolleyes: > [@](#): > > Your backpedaling is embarrassing. You said a black issues are “issues about the projects”. You think that is in anyway equivalent to saying blacks care about financial issues? You made a stupid remark and now you are trying to soften it. A. Indeed I said that this is something I could envision that a Democrat might view as a “black issue”–and that a Republican would not. I feel no shame in that statement. B. Ya. > [@](#): > > And yet, Republicans often deny such problems exist in spite of the evidence. The people I’m talking about aren’t color blind. Cite? > [@](#): > > It’s not just how you interpret evidence, it’s your value system. Most Black Republicans I know don’t highly value the concerns of the Black community. Maybe they’re A-holes. Maybe they just don’t feel that you’re worth the time of day. I honestly cannot say. > [@](#): > > In addition, most of the prominent ones in the media spend most of their time attacking black leaders and trying to get rid of programs that black people feel help the black community. They’re black leaders too. That you see their attempts to help as attacks on the community simply means that you disagree with them. > [@](#): > > It would be different if people like J.C. Watts or Larry Elder spoke about all the conservative issues like others like Sean Hannity. I disagree with them, but I wouldn’t begrudge them their opinion. Haven’t the foggiest what you have encountered so cannot comment without more information. > [@](#): > > What bothers me is that many of these guys spend most of their time castigating black people for being lazy, trying to get rid of social programs, and Affirmative action, etc. Dude, you just yelled at me four inches up because the “issue” is not financial. > [@](#): > > While all of those things have been argued by non-black conservatives, they usually don’t do it to the exclusion of all other things. And? I would assume that the black conservatives out there actively working with black people would have a better idea of what issues there are to be dealt with. If they think that full cut-off is the only solution (if going with the Republican solution)–I would probably be more inclined to trust that they were correct for that path. > [@](#): > > when you listen to him speak, the majority of his scorn and ridicule is directed at black people. While there are certainly many black people who deserve a tongue lashing, he does so with too much venom and glee. I’ll hear him talk about welfare, and not mention corporate welfare. The people who I think are sell-outs use their blackness and their contrarian positions to advance themselves. Perhaps. Or perhaps they don’t care about corporate welfare because they are only concerned with black people. As to whether they chose to become a Republican to advance along the ladder–well there are sleazebags in every party, company, income range, intellgience range, and whatnot. Whether the ones you are talking about are or you just don’t like them–no one can say for a fact, but that still doesn’t mean that what they say is necessarily incorrect. No, it does not. Not once have I claimed the sell-outs I speak of weren’t rational, intelligent people. I said I question many of their motives. That’s not racism, that’s listening to what they say, and making an objective appraisal. [/QUOTE] ---
**Author:** ![Sage\_Rat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/sage_rat/32/399_2.png) [@Sage\_Rat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sage_Rat)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/94 "2005-06-14T20:47:03Z")
Gah, preview before post. Preview before post. ☹ Ah well, long enough. ---
**Author:** ![Renob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/8c91f0/32.png) [@Renob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Renob)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/95 "2005-06-14T20:50:59Z")
> [@brickbacon](#): > > I thought reading comprehension and critical thinking were prerequisites for being a doper. Those who live in glass houses. . . > [@](#): > > Do you think all black non-republicans think alike? We don’t, and nobody is suggesting that we should. That certainly sounds like what you are saying. What you said was that if a black person doesn’t think that government programs help black people, then they are a sell-out. That sure doesn’t leave much room for an honest difference of opinion. > [@](#): > > See, this is what happens when you chop up what I said in an effort to completely distort my comments. I said there is no objective truth in reference to determining whether the aims of certain programs are helpful. Is a statement like, “Republicans don’t want to help the poor” objectively true or false? It’s all perspective. There is evidence on both sides, but no concrete truth. My point exactly. There is evidence on both sides. However, you fail to acknowledge that when you say that any black person who views the evidence and has a different conclusion than you is a sell out. If there is evidence on both sides, why not simply acknowledge that some people, whether white or black, will view that evidence and come to differening conclusions? Instead, you say that a black person cannot do that. Do you think black people are too stupid to come to different conclusions? > [@](#): > > I already explained this to you. It has nothing to do with thinking the same. It has everything to do with thinking the same. That’s the whole point of your thread. You think that blacks who don’t think like you do in the realm of politics are sell outs. > [@](#): > > You want addresses? How many of these people do you see speaking at black colleges, churches and events. Very few. And how many times have they been invited by these colleges or churches? > [@](#): > > Yes, I would. That’s why I said I would feel the same way about Larry Elder if he was white (minus the sell-out part). Do you read my post? Yes, I read your post. And when you call someone a sell out that means you are questioning his character. So you are questioning someone’s character based solely on his skin color. If a white person holds a view and a black person holds the identical view, how is it not racist to question the character of one based solely on the color of his skin? ---
**Author:** ![brickbacon](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/898d66/32.png) [@brickbacon](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/brickbacon)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 8:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/96 "2005-06-14T20:56:11Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > Start comparing apples to apples and then we can talk. [Read this](http://www.peace.ca/truthaboutblackcrime.htm) ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/97 "2005-06-14T21:36:15Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > Look at all the men brought in for questioning during the Green River killing in Washington State. All white men. During the D.C. sniper investigation there is evidence that the police may have lost a few chances to catch the killers because they were concentrating on finding a white man. Profiling works both ways. > Well, since you don’t carry a murder victim in your car as often as you carry drugs in your car, I fail to see how this would be an effective way of doing police work. Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Green River killer turned out to BE a white man. ---
**Author:** ![Random](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/57b2e6/32.png) [@Random](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Random)\ **Post date:** [June 14, 2005, 11:14pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/98 "2005-06-14T23:14:59Z")
> [@Guinastasia](#): > > Correct me if I’m wrong, but the Green River killer turned out to BE a white man. He did. You’re missing the point. The point the poster was making was that whites are profiled for crimes that tend to be disproportionately committed by whites. This tends to negate a conclusion that police profiling is motivated by bigotry against blacks. Stated in another way, in the Green River case, profiling worked. ---
**Author:** ![Airblairxxx](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/f9ae1b/32.png) [@Airblairxxx](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Airblairxxx)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 12:30am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/99 "2005-06-15T00:30:51Z")
Why should the Green River Killer be cited as an example of profiling? It was a case of trying to apprehend one guy who committed specific crimes, and from the beginning of the case it was apparent that the perpetrator was a white male. Profiling, when discussing in the context of civil rights, is not simply about law enforcement using an individual’s physical description in deciding whether to investigate. Clearly if someone matches the physical description of a suspect who committed a crime, it’s not profiling that prompts a cop to want to talk to them. When we’re discussing profiling, we’re really talking about law enforcement deciding to investigate, search, question or detain a suspect on the basis of race or ethnicity, absent a reasonable assumption of probable cause that a crime has been committed. (And “probable cause” is possibly an incorrect term; the website that [holmes linked to](http://www.racialprofilinganalysis.neu.edu/lib_glossary.php) uses a term called “Reasonable Articulable Suspicion” which is less demanding than probable cause.) Stopping a car driven by a black man because he matches a suspect’s description is one thing. Stopping that car in the assumption that he shouldn’t be able to afford a car that expensive is something else entirely. ---
**Author:** ![holmes](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/e95f7d/32.png) [@holmes](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/holmes)\ **Post date:** [June 15, 2005, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114/100 "2005-06-15T13:58:51Z")
> [@Renob](#): > > That’s a ridiculous comparison and you know it. Rapes are much more rare than drug smuggling. Furthermore, when a rape happens police know that most often the victim will be there to help them find the rapist. Since drugs are a victimless crime police can’t rely on any victim to report the crime, and so they must resort to more invasive measures. Start comparing apples to apples and then we can talk. What, so we’re allowed to violate civil rights, because it’s dealing drugs is more popular than being a serial rapist and murderer? We are talking apples to apples. Let’s use your Green River Killer. [Green River Killer](http://www.crimelibrary.com/serial_killers/predators/greenriver/index_1.html?sect=20) [QUOTE] In the beginning months of 1987, investigators had a new suspect in relation to the Green River murders. Previously known to police, the newest suspect had been picked up for attempting to solicit an undercover police officer posing as a prostitute in May 1984. However, the man was released after he successfully passed a lie detector test. When investigators looked deeper into the man’s past, they discovered that he had been accused of choking a prostitute in 1980 near the Sea-Tac International Airport. Yet, the man pleaded self-defense after claiming the woman bit him and he was soon after released from police custody. > [@](#): > > One of the task force detectives, Matt Haney, was highly suspicious of this suspect and decided to dive even further into the man’s history. **He discovered that the police had at one time stopped and questioned the man back in 1982 while he was in his truck with a prostitute. The investigator learned that the prostitute he was with was one of the women on the Green River murder list, Keli McGinness.** I guess it’s not that rare to find a guy in his car, with his next victim, is it? > [@](#): > > Haney learned from the man’s ex-wife that he often frequented the dumpsites, where many of the bodies had been discovered. Also, several prostitutes claimed to have seen a man matching the suspect’s description regularly cruising the strip between 1982 and 1983. It turned out that the man passed the strip almost daily on his way to work. > [@](#): > > Ridgway exhibited typical serial killer behavior when he expressed his interest in reliving the murder experience which gave him the sense of empowerment that he lacked in his everyday life. He buried his victims in clusters so that he could drive by and remember the cluster and the pleasure he experienced in the murder of those victims. Would it not make sense to stop and question random white males, that visted dumpsites, visting prostitutes, drove by the scene of the crimes and cruised the strip? Why does it make more sense to stop and question random black men who drive the NJ turnpike? I don’t see any random stop and searches of white men in this case, if I missed it; please note it. What I do see is solid police work, based on leads and follow up. Let ask you this, let’s say they did do random searches and caught Ridgeway with another girl in his car, do you think they would have focused their attention on him sooner? Let’s see dem apples…We know the killer is most likely a white male. We know the area that he likes to pick his victim. We know that he drives his victim, before and after he kills them. Correct? We know the drug dealer (Depending on area and type of drug) is a black male We know the area that he likes to travel to transport his drug. We know that he drives. Correct? Again why does it make more sense to stop and search those black males whose only profile is the color of their skin and not white males with women in their cars? They knew he was white, they knew he was driving his victims, they knew where some of the victims were buried, they knew he liked to visit the bodies…so why does it not make sense to stop white males driving near where the bodies were found? Why does it not make sense to stop every white male that drives that strip and search their cars, even if it only served as a deterrent? If you note one of the early suspects had been indentified as driving a blue and white truck…I makes sense to stop white men in blue and white trucks…it makes sense to stop black males who according to police description is driving a certain car…it doesn’t make sense to stop any black male who happens to drive past your cruiser and hope that if you do it enough; you catch someone committing a crime. That’s not the same as cute Jodi Foster, “profiling” Bill. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114.md?page=4) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/are-black-republicans-sell-outs-uncle-toms/308114.md?page=6)