We often talk of performance, but one statistic then can be overlooked is into what ETF’s is the money flowing? For those who follow these markets, it may be no surprise that the money has been flowing into international funds. Money follows performan…

Jacci: Al Sharpton is respected? When did this happen?

Melissa M and Anita:
1. I do so totally have a sense of humor (just to prove it, what did the honeydew melon say to the watermelon when he asked her to marry him? We cantaloupe.), and 2. I’m not one of those hang Imus from a tree people. What I was trying to say was maybe that would not have happened if it didnt seem like its okay. Again, if a girl acts like a slut talks like a slut and calls herself a slut then why is it not okay for me to refer to her as “That slut”? My issue with the Imus comment was the “hoe” part. Nappy headed, pushing it, but did he have to call them hoes? Was he referencing a set of rap lyrics? All of that is irrelevant to my purpose here. Anita, as long as you’re cool with the jokes, its no issue. I don’t allow my friends to call me the N word because I was raised to NEVER say it. I suppose its different for you because you can be comfortable with those things. I myself cannot. Its just me and it is something that I cannot bend on because it feels like all African Americans have to identify themselves with is Slavery, fighting for rights, being treated as 2/3 of a person when standing here I am one whole person. As a Bi racial woman, you can lay claim to Two countries. What do I have to lay claim to, America? My ancestors were not even wanted here except to work for the people that stole the land from my great grandmother’s people. After that was over, there were still a million issues. Its not like a bunch of Africans willingly hopped onto a boat and hightailed it over here. People were kidnapped, you know? Its all beside the point really, but I associate that word, the N word and anything spoken negatively against African Americans today with all of that. With affluent AA towns being burnt to the ground just cause someone whistled at someone else. Why would I want to claim a country that didnt even want my ancestors here? People say “Go back to Africa” like I just know where to go and can speak the language or even LIKE MY ANCESTORS HAD A CHOICE IN THE MATTER (can you tell I’m frustrated?) Its so stupid and frustrating that there are people in the world that are wrapped up in those ignorant things and dont realize that we are all human first, regardless of religion, race, opinion, and at times I wish I could change the world, but I think it starts at home. If my family teaches our children and your family teaches their children, I’m hoping eventually the older generations of ignorance will become obsolete and eventuallly die away. I should hope at least, but I know I’m just holding my breath for nothing because those ignorant people are going to teach their children how to be ignorant. Kids dont just grow up knowing about those things naturally. They have to be taught. Its like barking at the sun, eh? It will fall out of my sight eventually and I may be able to sleep at night, but in the morning, it will be right back where it was and there is nothing I can do about it. That however does not stop me from barking with the hopes that someone else will understand and try to spread the word.

My answer, which you can believe or not, is that the world, meaning the people who live on this planet, cannot desegregate itself without first casting aside their pride in origin, be it religion, nationality, or ethnicity. And the very reason that cannot (Ok, not ‘cannot’, but ‘probably will not’) happen is because people are very prideful of where they come from. If anyone tried to make them forget that, or in this case, insulted that origin of theirs, they will defend it until their last breath. It will not be taken lightly because to forget their origin or receive insults of their origin without defending it would be a great loss of pride. And we all know how much people love to swallow pride.

Yes, I believe that what he said was wrong, but I also think it was blown way out of proportion. Remember when Rev. Al Sharpton used a racial slur in reference to the Jewish community? Was he shunned by his peers because of the words that he said? Was he stripped of his career? Rev. Sharpton is still a respected man. When the dust settles on Don Imus, he will not be respected (and neither will anyone who admits that they still respect him although he has faithfully supported charitable causes and has a very distinguished media career). Unfortunately, this will be how his career will be remembered.

Equality is essential; however, banishment for a mistake is not.

P.S.: I really like the show, Scott. You guys do a great job!

I agree. PF is probably my all-time fave. Lucky for you, you passed my test. We can now be friends.

-S

...Trying to forget anything as intriguing as this would be an excercise in futility…

Pulp Fiction is one of the best films of my generation!!

I am half Australian and Half Lebanese I have had to relate to 2 different cultures my whole life, always being thrown into one group or another. I tell people I am Lebanese and I get thrown into the Muslim category even tho my Lebanese side is catholic. I have tan skin so automatically I am thrown into the ethnic category without even opening my mouth. No matter who is respecting who, there are always going to be racist people in the world saying things out of stupidity and ignorance. Changing things in my home will not make everyone in the world hold hands and sing kumbaya.

I see where you are coming from and I agree with what you say, you can’t get respect from others without first having respect for yourself (heard that cliché a thousand times before). It’s not as if I am running through the streets screaming racist bigotry towards my own. Based on personal experience (at least within my family) it seems to be accepted within cultures to say such things to one and other which is never meant in a hurtful way or meant to be offensive and honestly we couldn’t care less. But when it comes from an outsider who has no idea about the culture and they generalise, that’s when it becomes offensive. In a way that it is usually (not always) said in a tone or manner which is intended to offend. As for my friend, like I said we joke around a lot and I know she didn’t mean anything by it. hey, if she was promiscuous I probably would call her a slut. (that was a joke! Calm down) But even if I did, she is like a sister and she knows I love her, if she took it the wrong way I would tell her to harden the fuck up. But that’s just how we are, because between us we know where to draw the line. People in society need to know where to draw that line also, if you know it is unacceptable to say something then don’t say it! If they do say it then they shouldn’t be surprised at the ramifications… how stupid do you have to be?

I know how you feel. I have been sick since last Thursday and it sucks. I have a cough that won’t go away and i missed easter :-(. I am so looking for spring i mean that real spring not 45 degrees for a high. On the firefighter from Ohio, i am from Ohio and it is a conservative state. So even if he wasn’t drunk and was like that in public he still would have been arrested. We are all farm country with a handful of major cities. Not a great place to live!!

Jim, the fact that you liked PF surprises me. Your other choices are very diverse and I am a huge fan of The Office and the Daily Show as well. Maybe this is just one of those cases where the Sopranos just ain’t your bag.

-S

-J

The Simpsons
The Daily Show w/ John Stewart
Battlestar Galactica (the new series)
Jeopardy!
The Office

I’d say that’s a fairly well-rounded list. And, yeah, I did enjoy Pulp Fiction. I think that one and the Kill Bills are the only Q.T. flicks worth writing home about.

List your 5 favorite TV shows of all time. This will help me understand your viewing preferences. I aslo have a thing called the “Pulp Fiction” test. Did you like that movie?

-S

...or maybe I’m missing something?

Just thought I’d bring this up since you plugged the show again.

I welcome your rebuttal.

Thanks for taking the time to really get down into it with your thoughts. I think you both make excellent points. For me, it boils down to how do we expect other people to respect us if we don’t respect ourselves. Hats off to those in any sub-culture that are taking ownership and trying to make a change.

-S

Okay, moving on. Scott, I agree with you, but you have to understand that many African American (A.A. from this point forward) leaders have spoken up and called for a cessation on the use of the N word even before the “Kramer situation”. If ALL AAs would stop excusing the use of the word by saying, “It’s okay if it ends with an ‘a’” and actually start listening to our leaders (Including Al Sharpton, Barack&Michelle Obama, Maxine Waters, and Jesse Jackson to name a few) our race might actually start getting the respect I feel we so deserve. People that use the word have no idea how much harder it makes things for those of us who choose to stand against it in any form and it is totally unfair that people I meet on a daily basis associate me, an african american female, with booty shaking on a fast car with gold chains and grillz. I cannot fault anyone but my own people. That is what we put out there and that is what people think. How many rap songs do you hear about investment funds and 401Ks? Besides the line, “Ain’t no 401K for a drug dealer”?
Really, it goes for any group of people. Why is it okay for homosexuals to drop “f” bombs on each other, but its not okay for Isaiah Washington to say it? If you respect yourself, others will respect your self respect. If that makes sense. Anyway, even now, AAs can change things, its just getting everyone together and dropping this “crab in a barrel” mentality. What’s so sad is some people WON’T (not can’t because the opportunity is there for the taking if you work) educate themselves because maybe they think that degrading themselves is cool or something as long as you have a flashy chain and a 40 oz. to match your skin tone. I could go on for days about this but I’m going to cut it short. Again, I agree with you Scott, people should stop using the word if they want others to stop using it. At the same time I wanted to let you and everyone else who visits this site and listens to your show (I am an avid fan by the way! But you know that already) know that AA leaders are speaking out against the use of the word within our group, but people do what they want to do and then blame “The Man” (a metaphor for one’s self defeating behaviors and quite possibly our self hatred) for holding them back. What I dont understand is why the world has to separate itself. I guess its because people dont understand differences. Who knows?

Just a little rant on racial slurs between cultures.

This topic came up over the weekend, after my best friend who is Australian made a comment in jest about me being a Stupid Lebanese. My friend and I joke around like that all the time. I did not have a problem with her saying that, but everyone around us seemed to get that wide-eyed, raised eyebrow “did she really just say that?” look. After which my best friend had to explain the situation.

It does seem natural for me to poke fun at my race within my family and friends who share a similar background, but when a stranger from another race says something to the same effect it can be taken as offensive. I think racial comments within a race are accepted because they are usually used in jest or as ownership. This can account for all groups e.g. a fat person can make fun of themselves for being overweight and everyone can have a laugh, but if someone singles that person out and makes fun of their weight, it is mean and completely crosses the “social acceptance” line.

I do agree that cultures should respect their own in order to gain respect from others. At the end of the day basic morals and ethics should be valued no matter what race you belong to. I would be keen to see what other people think in this regard.

cheers