# Politically Uncorrect - WTF?? **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [March 20, 2006, 6:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172 "2006-03-20T18:22:21Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 3
**Author:** ![Excalibre](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/898d66/32.png) [@Excalibre](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Excalibre)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/41 "2006-03-20T21:09:59Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > He doesn’t hate the First Amendment. He just disagrees that a prohibition against flag burning violates the First Amendment. I like the Constitution…I’m for the Constitution, but that doesn’t mean I agree with every current Supreme Court decision. I think some are wrongly decided. I’m sure you do too. > > The idea that flagburning is protected by the first amendment isn’t an uncontroversial issue. The case was decided 5-4, and there are good arguments both for and against it. Pray tell, what _are_ thoes good arguments to suggest that flag-burning isn’t protected speech? Purely out of curiosity, as I’ve never run into one myself. ---
**Author:** ![Biggirl](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/biggirl/32/3294_2.png) [@Biggirl](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Biggirl)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/42 "2006-03-20T21:10:08Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > SOME people in NYC, Portland, and San Francisco are paying out more in taxes, yes. I doubt the inner-city residents of housing projects fit into that category, for example. And you’d be wrong. [http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/about/factsheet.shtml](http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/about/factsheet.shtml) 41.2% of the families in public housing in NYC are working families. 33% of families in public housing in NYC are headed by people over 62 years old, which explains why 41% receive SSI, Vet and/or Soc Sec. 17.7% of families in NYC public housing are on public assistance. I don’t know what the hell you think goes on in the inner-city, but we all work and pay taxes, just like everybody else. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/43 "2006-03-20T21:12:46Z")
> [@John Mace](#): > > Yeah, but what if He was? Isn’t that like the WHOLE FUCKING POINT of Christianity? That God WAS “one of us”? ---
**Author:** ![Charger](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/df788c/32.png) [@Charger](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Charger)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/44 "2006-03-20T21:22:12Z")
> [@Dob](#): > > The conservitive right controls the presidency, both houses of congress, and the supreme court! How the hell are you not getting any respect? Who exactly is trouncing the rights and freedoms of Bible/Flag loving people everywhere? I don’t think it’s about being denied freedoms, it’s about the response conservatives get for expressing their opinions (responses such as this thread). It’s cool that you reinforced the point of the song by pitting them. And the really cool part is that I’ll probably get flamed for pointing it out, which will reinforce the point further. > [@Dob](#): > > When did living outside the city make someone more moral than a city folk? It sure seems that way. It doesn’t always work out that way, but small towns never have the “bad part of town” that the locals advise you not to drive through. And there’s no rural equivalent of Vegas. > [@Dob](#): > > When did working a farm become more “honest” then working 70 hours a week developing tax software? I grew up on a farm and I now work in an office. I still don’t use the word “work” to describe anything I do. I haven’t “worked” in over ten years, but I have put in long hours and got paid time and a half. My entire job seems like I’m on break. So, because my paycheck doesn’t feel quite as “earned” it feels more “honest” when you finish the day feeling like you got your ass kicked and hardly earned a dime for it. you don’t have to agree with it, but that’s the thought process behind it. ---
**Author:** ![bup](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/6bbea6/32.png) [@bup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/bup)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/45 "2006-03-20T21:26:33Z")
Wait. There’s a country song with an ill-thought-out, reactionary political rant in its grammar-skewering lyrics that tacitly celebrates ignorance? When did this happen? ---
**Author:** ![Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e99b99/32.png) [@Diogenes\_the\_Cynic](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Diogenes_the_Cynic)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/46 "2006-03-20T21:28:17Z")
> [@Captain Amazing](#): > > The idea that flagburning is protected by the first amendment isn’t an uncontroversial issue. The case was decided 5-4, and there are good arguments both for and against it. No there aren’t. This also misses the point that it’s idiotic for Haggard to claim that being against flag burning is “politically uncorrect.” Disliking flag burning puts him right smack in the vast majority. He’s lamenting a “correct” opinion which doesn’t exist. He’s also still a drooling retard if he thinks that children should be forced to pray in public schools. There’s no way around that one. ---
**Author:** ![saoirse](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/5daacb/32.png) [@saoirse](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/saoirse)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/47 "2006-03-20T21:33:41Z")
> [@Charger](#): > > I don’t think it’s about being denied freedoms, it’s about the response conservatives get for expressing their opinions (responses such as this thread). It’s cool that you reinforced the point of the song by pitting them. And the really cool part is that I’ll probably get flamed for pointing it out, which will reinforce the point further. Well, I’m not flaming you, but I will point out that the response they got to their “politically uncorrect” opinions was to have their song played on about 250 radio stations. Granted, many of them are owned by active Bush supporters, but still I can produce a couple thousand musicians who would like to opressed the way our poor-but-honest country singing Republican operatives are. ---
**Author:** ![DianaG](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/7ab992/32.png) [@DianaG](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DianaG)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:36pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/48 "2006-03-20T21:36:12Z")
> [@Charger](#): > > it’s about the response conservatives get for expressing their opinions Well, there are “conservative” opinions, and then there are “stupid, ignorant” opinions. I don’t necessarily equate them. Do you? > [@Charger](#): > > small towns never have the “bad part of town” that the locals advise you not to drive through Really? There’s no “wrong side of the tracks” in a small town? I’ve been misinformed. Of course there’s no part of town you’re advised not to drive through. There’s not enough town to warrant it. > [@Charger](#): > > I grew up on a farm and I now work in an office. I still don’t use the word “work” to describe anything I do. I haven’t “worked” in over ten years, but I have put in long hours and got paid time and a half. My entire job seems like I’m on break. Intellectual work can be plenty difficult and draining. Perhaps you’re doing it wrong? > [@Charger](#): > > So, because my paycheck doesn’t feel quite as “earned” it feels more “honest” when you finish the day feeling like you got your ass kicked and hardly earned a dime for it. you don’t have to agree with it, but that’s the thought process behind it. I think you’re confusing poverty with nobility there. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/49 "2006-03-20T21:39:21Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > This also misses the point that it’s idiotic for Haggard to claim that being against flag burning is “politically uncorrect.” Disliking flag burning puts him right smack in the vast majority. He’s lamenting a “correct” opinion which doesn’t exist. But that’s the point that he’s trying to make. He’s saying in the song that he’spart of the “silent majority”, who’s expressing a viewpoint that the average American, the “common man” has, but that his views and the viewpoint of the “common man” don’t get any respect from the elite that control the country…that the working man, the single mother, the poor farmer, the soldier, the country preacher, the person who believes that we should respect and honor America’s symbols, and respect the bible are ignored by America’s political and cultural elite. I’ll also point out that the song doesn’t say anything about either flagburning or prayer in schools, and that the song is neither particularly “conservative” or “liberal”. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/50 "2006-03-20T21:46:44Z")
> [@Biggirl](#): > > And you’d be wrong. > [http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/about/factsheet.shtml](http://www.nyc.gov/html/nycha/html/about/factsheet.shtml) > 41.2% of the families in public housing in NYC are working families. > 33% of families in public housing in NYC are headed by people over 62 years old, which explains why 41% receive SSI, Vet and/or Soc Sec. > 17.7% of families in NYC public housing are on public assistance. > > I don’t know what the hell you think goes on in the inner-city, but we all work and pay taxes, just like everybody else. The question is not whether any particular person or group works or pays taxes. The question, as articulated by **DanBlather** , is whether they “…are paying out more in taxes then they are getting back in benefits.” Does your cite answer that question? And if we apply the standards you are using to respond to me to the point raised by **DanBlather** , what is the appropriate reply to **DanBlather**? ---
**Author:** ![amarinth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3be4f8/32.png) [@amarinth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/amarinth)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/51 "2006-03-20T21:48:27Z")
> [@Charger](#): > > It sure seems that way. It doesn’t always work out that way, but small towns never have the “bad part of town” that the locals advise you not to drive through. Unless you’re “different” - then the whole town and the surrounding area is the “bad part of town” ---
**Author:** ![Marley23](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/45deac/32.png) [@Marley23](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Marley23)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/52 "2006-03-20T21:49:08Z")
> [@Bricker](#): > > Despite the fact that one party controls the White House, Supreme Court, and both houses of Congress, burning the American flag is protected free speech, and forbidding prayer in public school is required by the Constitution. I imagine that’s the kind of thing referred to by “I’m for the Bible and I’m for the flag…” There you have it, folks: Antonin Scalia hates America and the flag. [I kid, \*\*Bricker\*\*, I kid.] > [@Captain Amazing](#): > > I’ll also point out that the song doesn’t say anything about either flagburning or prayer in schools, and that the song is neither particularly “conservative” or “liberal”. Perhaps he intended the song to be apolitical, but since he is implying somebody else is against the Bible and the flag, it sounds conservative. ---
**Author:** ![Bricker](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/977dab/32.png) [@Bricker](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bricker)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/53 "2006-03-20T21:50:55Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > No there aren’t. So Rhenquist, O’Connor, Stevens, and White were just utter idiots? Or completely dishonest? What do you suppose made them take such a ridiculous, unsupported position? Shouldn’t they be impeached? I realize Rhenquist and White are beyond the jurisdiction of any earthly authority and O’Connor has retired, but could still get Stevens. If he’s willing to offer judicial support for an idea that has absolutely zero validity to it, should he not be removed from the bench? ---
**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:** [March 20, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/54 "2006-03-20T21:51:28Z")
> [@Diogenes the Cynic](#): > > This also misses the point that it’s idiotic for Haggard to claim that being against flag burning is “politically uncorrect.” Disliking flag burning puts him right smack in the vast majority. He’s lamenting a “correct” opinion which doesn’t exist. He must be referrring to the “secular elite”. You know, those guys\* who sit around deciding what’s PC and what isn’t. They probably all live in Hollywood. Or New-York-CITY! I think George Clooney has something to do with it. > [@Charger](#): > > I grew up on a farm and I now work in an office. I still don’t use the word “work” to describe anything I do. I haven’t “worked” in over ten years, but I have put in long hours and got paid time and a half. My entire job seems like I’m on break. So, because my paycheck doesn’t feel quite as “earned” it feels more “honest” when you finish the day feeling like you got your ass kicked and hardly earned a dime for it. you don’t have to agree with it, but that’s the thought process behind it. Look, there’s nothing wrong with physical labor, but you seem to have a certain reverse-snobbishness going on here. Of course, I’m sure you never used tractors, either, right? Because that wouldn’t be real “work.” All I can say is, I’ve never lived on a farm, but I’ve done may share of work. ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/55 "2006-03-20T21:51:34Z")
It’s sort of irrelevant who pays more taxes, urban or rural, because this song isn’t about rural Americans. True, the farmer is one of the people the song claims to speak for, but so are “the guys still pulling third shift And the single mom raisin’ her kids”, regardless of where they live. ---
**Author:** ![Bruce\_Daddy](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/85f322/32.png) [@Bruce\_Daddy](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bruce_Daddy)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:51pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/56 "2006-03-20T21:51:41Z")
So I’m here to put the “dick” in Dixie and the “cunt” back in country ‘Cause the kind of country I hear nowdays is a bunch of fuckin’ shit to me And they say that I’m ill-mannered that I’m gonna self-destruct But if you know what I’m thinkin’ you’ll know that pop country really sucks -Shelton Hank Williams III ---
**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:** [March 20, 2006, 9:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/57 "2006-03-20T21:53:38Z")
Oops. Forgot to add the asterix: \*And by “guys” I mean a group carefully balanced in gender, race, national origin and sexual orientation ---
**Author:** ![Captain\_Amazing](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/6de8d8/32.png) [@Captain\_Amazing](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Captain_Amazing)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/58 "2006-03-20T21:55:00Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Perhaps he intended the song to be apolitical, but since he is implying somebody else is against the Bible and the flag, it sounds conservative. Why? There are plenty of liberals who are religious and patriotic. You’re all reading something into this that’s not here. ---
**Author:** ![Dob](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b2d939/32.png) [@Dob](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dob)\ **Post date:** [March 20, 2006, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/59 "2006-03-20T21:57:50Z")
> [@](#): > > …it’s about the response conservatives get for expressing their opinions … But what you dont get is that right now, in this country, conservative opinion isnt just opinion anymore. Not when conservatives have a majority control of the government. Your “opinion” quickly becomes policy. So where is the downtrodden masses? Whos not listening to you? [quote] I grew up on a farm and I now work in an office… [quote] I understand the sentiment, really. But I just dont see how its more honest, then any other job and it annoys me to hear it portrayed as such. I mean come on…this aint 1800, these guys aint out there using mules to till the earth. Is it easy? No, of course not. But have you ever designed a distrubted call tracking system over a national network supporting 1000 users? That aint easy either. Maybe if they used a different word besides “honest” it wouldnt bother me…or maybe I just need a nap. ---
**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:** [March 20, 2006, 9:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172/60 "2006-03-20T21:58:22Z")
> [@Marley23](#): > > Perhaps he intended the song to be apolitical, but since he is implying somebody else is against the Bible and the flag, it sounds conservative. I think we need to drag that guy in here to defend his strawman statements. Who is “against the bible and the flag”? What does it even mean to be for or against those things? [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172.md?page=2) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/politically-uncorrect-wtf/349172.md?page=4)