Fox News sees a black man—and they're scared!

[Archer77]

that guy has no right to stand there being black like that

Black Panthers presences at polling places is intended as intimidation plain and simple.  Lets be real and honest about it.   I don't care whether they are there or not but to deny that intimidation is a factor in their being there is naive.

[Soul Crusher]

Black Panthers presences at polling places is intended as intimidation plain and simple.  Lets be real and honest about it.   I don't care whether they are there or not but to deny that intimidation is a factor in their being there is naive.

This is traw man you are dealing with remember?

[Straw Man]

Stop changing the argument.

You've reverted the conversation back to where it was.  To reiterate, it doesn't matter how you or I feel (I would not be intimidated), it's whether other would be.   And, we are also not discussing whether it's his right or not, in fact, I already acknowledged that it was. 

But, if you cannont rationally put together why a black panther would want to be at the voting booth during an election of black president, where they haven't been poll watchers before, then you're either completely ignorant or just being intentionally difficult.

who are you to decide whether "others" might be intimidated?
is it possible a black person would be intimidated if they saw you standing in front of their polling place
would that be a legitimate reason to not allow you to be a poll watcher?

[Grape Ape]

who are you to decide whether "others" might be intimidated?
is it possible a black person would be intimidated if they saw you standing in front of their polling place
would that be a legitimate reason to not allow you to be a poll watcher?

I have no idea why I thought I could have a legitimate discussion with you.

If anyone re-reads the thread they can see it.   You just can't stay on point and try to manipluate it to fit your agenda.

[Straw Man]

Black Panthers presences at polling places is intended as intimidation plain and simple.  Lets be real and honest about it.   I don't care whether they are there or not but to deny that intimidation is a factor in their being there is naive.

I'll agree with you as soon as I see  some actual intimidation

[Straw Man]

The only thing I've decided is that you're a complete fucktard.  I have no idea why I thought I could have a legitimate discussion with you.

If anyone re-reads the thread they can see it.   You just can't stay on point and try to manipluate it to fit your agenda.

point = your belief that this person cannot exist without being intimidating

[Soul Crusher]

point = your belief that this person cannot exist without being intimidating

You really are a fool.   If someone is in BDU's at a polling place - you don't think that is intended to convey a certain message? 

[Grape Ape]

point = your belief that this person cannot exist without being intimidating

I never said that.

Unfortunately Straw, there are people who are intimidated by black people in military garb, whether they act what is considering intimidating or not.   It has nothing to do with your beliefs or mine.

The Panthers know this, and that's why they are there.  If they were just concerned with upholding the law, they would have been at every election.

And, you'll noticed you quoted me before I changed my knee jerk response.  I didn't want the discussion to devlove to that.  My bad.

[Archer77]

I'll agree with you as soon as I see  some actual intimidation

You don't need physical contact to have intimidation. The perception of a threat is enough and in this case you have it. The black panthers don't have the reputation as a peace loving group who embrace white people.  I bet if you had a bunch of white cops or rednecks just standing around a polling place you would immediately cry intimidation.

[Straw Man]

I never said that.

Unfortunately Straw, there are people who are intimidated by black people in military garb, whether they act what is considering intimidating or not.   It has nothing to do with your beliefs or mine.

The Panthers know this, and that's why they are there.  If they were just concerned with upholding the law, they would have been at every election.

And, you'll noticed you quoted me before I changed my knee jerk response.  I didn't want the discussion to devlove to that.  My bad.

ok  - we're making some progress

is it specifically a "black people in military garb" that you think "others" might find intimidating or just the military garb itself

for example if he was wearing a goofy Bill Cosby sweater would "the others" be less likely to be intimidated

how about a white guy in military garb.   Is that inherently intimidating to "the others" as well?

[Soul Crusher]

It would be no different if militia type white guys were at the polling place in bdu's moron! 

ok  - we're making some progress

is it specifically a "black people in military garb" that you think "others" might find intimidating or just the military garb itself

for example if he was wearing a goofy Bill Cosby sweater would "the others" be less likely to be intimidated

how about a white guy in military garb.   Is that inherently intimidating to "the others" as well?

[Archer77]

how about a white guy in military garb.   Is that inherently intimidating to "the others" as well?

Absolutely.

[Straw Man]

Absolutely.

ok - well that's some consistency

now we've narrowed down that the choice of clothing is what might potentially intimidate people

how about a cowboy hat and boots

would that also be intimidating

or a suit and tie - some might find that to be a uniform of an authority figure

[Soul Crusher]

Please continue - your stupidity is telling. 

ok - well that's some consistency

now we've narrowed down that the choice of clothing is what might potentially intimidate people

how about a cowboy hat and boots

would that also be intimidating

or a suit and tie - some might find that to be a uniform of an authority figure

[Archer77]

ok - well that's some consistency



how about a cowboy hat and boots

would that also be intimidating

or a suit and tie - some might find that to be a uniform of an authority figure

Perception was the point of my previous post.  The black panthers represent a certain attitude and political philosophy which is not friendly to whites.

If I were a black person in a rural area in the south a man in a cowboy hat and boots could be viewed as intimidating.

A suit would not be intimidating in this context because it doesn't have as strong an association. Lots of people wear suits, from bankers to teachers, most do not have the reputation for violence.  In some situation a man in a suit would be considered intimidating, in an interview for example but even in that context there isn't an association with violence.

[Straw Man]

Please continue - your stupidity is telling. 

I'm just trying to understand what kind of clothing scares you and of course, might scare others

I guess this potential for "others" to feel intimidated could have been avoided with a simple dress code requirement

[Straw Man]

Perception was the point of my previous post.  The black panthers represent a certain attitude and political philosophy which is not friendly to whites.

If I were a black person in a rural area in the south a man in a cowboy hat and boots could be viewed as intimidating.

A suit would not be intimidated in this context because it doesn't have as strong an association. Lots of people wear suits, from bankers to teachers, most do not have the reputation for violence.  In some situation a man in a suit would be considered intimidating, in an interview for example but even in that context there isn't an association with violence.

how about a white man in a suit and tie in an urban, low income and minority district where no one else is wearing a suit

couldn't a man like that be potentially intimidating to a poor black or latino voter merely by his skin color and choice of clothes?

[LATS]

 This is so pathetic.. If a aryan brotherhood member put on their fatigues and stood outside polling places the news would scream suppression.. Last election there was two panthers holding clubs/batons and the justicedept decided to drop the issue.. It would be different if reversed.. Just stop the bullshit and admit it is not right.. He and others are there for a reason.. To try and intimidate.. You'd be screaming if reversed..

[Straw Man]

This is so pathetic.. If a Caucasian brotherhood member put on their fatigues and stood outside polling places the news would scream suppression.. Last election there was two panthers holding clubs/batons and the justicedept decided to drop the issue.. It would be different if reversed.. Just stop the bullshit and admit it is not right.. He and others are there for a reason.. To try and intimidate.. You'd be screaming if reversed..

I'm sure you are not intimidated by that guy

I'm not and apparently no on else on this thread is either

[Archer77]

how about a white man in a suit and tie in an urban, low income and minority district where no one else is wearing a suit

couldn't a man like that be potentially intimidating to a poor black or latino voter merely by his skin color and choice of clothes?

Yes, because he would probably be perceived as someone in authority like a police officer or other member of government.  That was my point, when I talked about a group of cops or rednecks standing around at the polls.  They don't have to say a word or act violently toward anyone.

The black panthers claim to be at the polls to insure fairness and they are able to do this because of the perception they have for violence and aggression. Black Panthers are well aware of how they are perceived and use their reputation to intimidate without ever saying a word or physically harming another person. For instance, if you believed strongly that a person is willing to do you harm, wouldn't you be leery of them regardless of how they behave toward you based on reputation alone?

[Straw Man]

Yes, because he would probably be perceived as someone in authority like a police officer or other member of government.  That was my point, when I talked about a group of cops or rednecks standing around at the polls.  They don't have to say a word or act violently toward anyone.

The black panthers claim to be at the polls to insure fairness and they are able to do this because of the perception they have for violence and aggression. Black Panthers are well aware of how they are perceived and use their reputation to intimidate without ever saying a word or physically harming another person. For instance, if you believed strongly that a person is willing to do you harm, wouldn't you be leery of them regardless of how they behave toward you based on reputation alone?

ok well at least that is a consistent point of view although it's not one that I agree with.   I think people on this thread are assuming way too much for "others", especially given that not one person on this thread finds that guy peronally intimidating

my personal view is that unless there is an obvious act of intimidation or accusations of such then everyone should just relax.   I've watched the video of this guy and he appears to be smiling, opening the door for people, ectc. and if he lives in that neighborhood then the people there are probbly not intimidated by how he is dressed

[Grape Ape]

ok well at least that is a consistend point of view although it's not one that I agree with.   I think people on this thread are assuming way too much for "others", especially given that not one person on this thread finds that guy peronally intimidating

my personal view is that unless there is an obvious act of intimidation or accusations of such then everyone should just relax.   I've watched the video of this guy and he appears to be smiling, opening the door for people, ectc. and if he lives in that neighborhood then the people there are probbly not intimidated by how he is dressed

It's not a stretch to assume people might be intimidated by the Black Panthers.

[LurkerNoMore]

So is the guy a legitimate poll watcher or not?

[Straw Man]

It's not a stretch to assume people might be intimidated by the Black Panthers.

so far a sample of this board has not one person claiming to feel intimidated by that guy

[Grape Ape]

so far a sample of this board has not one person claiming to feel intimidated by that guy

Which means nothig at all.