Today's really dumb politician is .... the mayor of Los Alamitos

Dean Grose is stepping down from his post after sending an e-mail photo of a watermelon patch at the White House. "I recognize that I've made a mistake and have taken steps to make sure this is never repeated," he says. You have to wonder what those steps are. (Orange County Register)

Comments

[G-Man]

The belief in vampire fruit is similar to the belief that any inanimate object left outside during the night of a full moon will become a vampire. According to tradition, watermelons or any kind of pumpkin kept more than ten days or after Christmas will become a vampire, rolling around on the ground and growling to pester the living. People have little fear of the vampire pumpkins and melons because of the creatures' lack of teeth. One of the main indications that a pumpkin or melon is about to undergo a vampiric transformation (or has just completed one) is said to be the appearance of a drop of blood on its skin.

[cherie]

Ignorance abounds

[buddy]

my life experience has taught me that blacks are more racist towards white people than white people are towards blacks.

[Jeff]

And that justifies or excuses his behavior how, exactly?

[RockyMtnMac]

Did not know that G-Man. I read a story about a vampire rabbit that drained vegetables at night. (the title was "Bunnicula"). I thought that was where vampire veggies came from. I feel much smarter having talked to you.

[sometimesilie]

"Keyanus Price, an African American businesswoman and community volunteer, said she was horrified when she opened the e-mail. "

Ok. I call bullshit. This PC nonsense has gone too far. "Horrified"? No you weren't- please excuse me, but outrage fatigue has gotten to me and I'm all aswoon. And by this foul criminals' odious action, Barack Obama is going to have to resign because the sheer onslaught of superimposed watermelon patch images has rendered him incapable of performing his job.

[Sheila]

Another idiot who can't see beyond the immediate foolishness. He's on the same level as the petty thief who stuffs hams in his pants at the supermarket and assumes no one will notice. "If I do A (which is stupid from the get-go), what is likely to happen as a result?"

Re vampire vegetables: Is this the concept that inspired the movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"?

[Drake Timbershaft]

"Horrified when she opened the email..."

Horrified? Seriously? Ever worked an accident between a semi and a goldwing? I'll show you horrified. Was the cartoon tasteless? Sure. Worth losing a job over? Meh, not IMHO. Still, it's heartening to see a politician of any sort take responsibility for his actions - that's not the norm today.

I hereby prescribe for the entire human race a thicker skin.

[sometimesilie]

"Keyanus Price, an African American businesswoman and community volunteer, said she was horrified when she opened the e-mail. "

Ok. I call bullsh1t. This PC nonsense has gone too far. "Horrified"? No you weren't- please excuse me, but outrage fatigue has gotten to me and I'm all aswoon. And by this foul criminals' odious action, Barack Obama is going to have to resign because the sheer onslaught of superimposed watermelon patch images has rendered him incapable of performing his job.

ohmigooooooooooooooooooodddddddddddddd!!! He's associating people of my skin tone/ethnicity with a certain type of fruit. WITH A CERTAIN TYPE OF FRUIT! What don't you get about that! Everyone knows that nobody eats watermelon except Hitler, Stalin, and groups of chattering nitwits who walk .25 mph three abreast on the sidewalk! This is an outrage! What a monster!

My co-worker gave me a squishy foam potato (put out for a food services companies' promotion) one day b/c I'm Irish- you know potato famine and all that. And I didn't have him fired- I had him killed.

[sometimesilie]

^that was mine.

[sometimesilie]

"Stop ascribing stereotypes by making witless jokes around certain ethnicities and food groups they've been known to enjoy, Stop ascribing stereotypes by making witless jokes around certain ethnicities and food groups they've been known to enjoy, Stop ascribing stereotypes by making witless jokes around certain ethnicities and food groups they've been known to enjoy, Stop ascribing stereotypes by making witless jokes around certain ethnicities and food groups they've been known to enjoy, Stop ascribing stereotypes by making witless jokes around certain ethnicities and food groups they've been known to enjoy, because we'll never progress until YOU do."

-"Keyanus Price"

Could thing the President of the United States, Barack Obama, has such a lion of equality to stand firm for him because other wise some halfwit's fruit joke may disempower him. God Bless Ms. Price, and God Bless America.

[G-Man]

Thanks RMM. My goal in life is to fill peoples' heads with useless information.

"Re vampire vegetables: Is this the concept that inspired the movie "Attack of the Killer Tomatoes"?"

Good question Sheila. I'm not sure, but according to the Attack of the Killer Tomatoes wiki entry they were defeated by playing the song "Puberty Love", so I am going to have to find a copy of that song and see if I can defeat the evil vegetables this weekend.

[jj2]

From what I've seen of the man, Obama would probably just laugh it off. So should Keyanus. This country is facing serious problems, and a doctored photo, even a tasteless one alluding to historic stereotypes, is hardly something to get hyper about.

[amurican]

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2009/02/wal-mart-worker-immolates-self-in-parking-lot.html

Sorry to distract- but the story above is redic.

[buddy]

obama is a nothing but a preacher and a socialist. he speaks as though he is in a pulpit.

[RockyMtnMac]

Let's outlaw all fruit to be on the safe side.
No fruit, no pictures of fruit, no fruit juice. Carmen Miranda will be FBI Most Wanted.
We will make sure no one is offended (or horrified) EVER again.
I'm with you STIL! Next time I see a potato (or an image of a potato) I will be HORRIFIED I tell ya! That Leprechaun movie was offensive too (not because of the stereotype, but because it was a horrible movie). And Notre Dame's mascot? I can't believe how offensive THAT is. They make it look like we Irish drink and fight.... oh, I guess we Irish make it look like we Irish drink and fight- never mind.

[bibliotechnique]

Oh, but G-Man, tomatoes are technically fruit. I hope this was taken into consideration when the movie was made. After all, it was based on true events.

[MONKEY JERK]

GET THAT FOOL OUT OF OFFICE FAST

[troschne]

What an idiot! I'm with Sheila on this one--it's called consequential thinking. It would have been dumb enough to send that to a white person, but to send it to a black person--WTF???? Sorry, RMM & STS--I'm half-Irish, and the potato thing just doesn't measure up to the level of offensiveness that sending a stupid thing like that does. It would have, in 1880, but not in 2009.

I'm kind of thinking that the citizens of Los Alamitos might be even dumber than the mayor, for having elected the douchebag in the first place!

[fredzilla]

I wonder how much weight the potato thing had .. oh say in 1920?

[kevy]

Just curious RMM. Were you of Irish descent before you married Mr. RMM?

[sometimesilie]

"I'm half-Irish, and the potato thing just doesn't measure up to the level of offensiveness that sending a stupid thing like that does. It would have, in 1880, but not in 2009."

Really? Why not? Why was it offensive 1880 and not now? Who decides this? If the watermelon was considered inoffensive in 1880 but offensive now, and it is a fruit/vegetable symbol- just like the potato- used to stereotype an ethnic group it would seem to me like we are regressing.

In case you were missing my point, I don't think it's "offensive" and neither is the watermelon, and for the same reasons. Equality, right? Or should the potato as a symbol be made offensive again? What will we, as IA's gain from this? Liberty? A non-shot president? Half-price potatoes? Or should we consider insisting on historical *symbols* of ethnic differences as measures of who should be offended by what historical atrocity and to what degree, and use these as measurements for progress or dialogue in contemporary life?- all in the name of equality of course. And not only that, but to argue that the symbol of a piece of fruit disempowers the man who is most arguably the most powerful in the world and to claim that as some kind of rational dialogue on anything is palpably absurd.

[G-Man]

"Oh, but G-Man, tomatoes are technically fruit. I hope this was taken into consideration when the movie was made. After all, it was based on true events."

Valid point, but then again we live in a country where Oklamhoma declared watermelon as the official state vegetable! Those crazy Oklahomans.

"The Oklahoma State Senate passed a bill on 17 April 2007 declaring watermelon as the official state vegetable, with some controversy as the watermelon is a fruit."

[RockyMtnMac]

Yeah Kevy - I'm a Mc married to a Mac (he's a Kilt)

[RockyMtnMac]

Easy now Troschne/STIL

"No Irish Need Apply"

Micks have thick skin.

[RockyMtnMac]

And anyway Troschne, the reason the Irish stereotype doesn't bother you is because you're 1/2 "Kraut" aren't you?

[sometimesilie]

RMM, I'm not "angry" @ trosch, I just think that this is a fine example of people not only making a huge stink over a non issue- JUST BECAUSE THEY CAN- but also of people actively standing in the way of the rest of us who would, I dunno, actually like to get along to more important issues. Such as identifying and repairing the historically neglected social and physical infrastructure found in the lives and neighborhoods of poor folks of all races. In Philly, that would mean large swathes of the city which are nearly 100% black. But the reason and emphasis isn't properly on color it's on need. Instead this twat got all outraged over a nothing on behalf of the most powerful man in the world. Specific color or ethnicity has nothing to do with it and I was just using my nominal background for the sake of argument. I know Troschne's no dummy, we can disagree =)

[sometimesilie]

*not* calling troschne a "twat." Meant twit, and meant Price. The successful, incredibly downtrodden by dumb pictures of fruit, business woman.

[cherie]

RMM...I thought a "Kilt" was a skirt like piece of attire worn without underwear......

[Caffeinated Katie]

Okay, from now on I'm going to pitch a hissy fit anytime I see a meatball, a depiction of an Italian man covered in hair and gold chains with his top three shirt buttons undone, or anytime I hear the terms "WOP" or "Guido." Whenever I see or hear any of this I will be horrified, as I am 100% Italian.

[thomas]

Wonder if Ms.Price knows the lyrics to 'Strange Fruit'??
If it hasn't been banned in the US, much like Disney's 'Song of the South'.

Get to work WASHINGTON!!!
Stop monkeying around!!

[pms]

"obama is a nothing but a preacher and a socialist. he speaks as though he is in a pulpit."

and "buddy" is nothing........

[thomas]

Caffeinated Katie;

What letters do the British place before a ship name?
HMS.
" " " " " " " " " " Americans " " " " " " " " " " " ?
USS.
" " " " " " " " " " Italians " " " " " " " " " " " "?
AMS.
Atsa my ship!! heeheeheehee,,,
Also a swarthy Mediterranean type who frequently fought his way home from school.

[not-buddy]

trolling, trolling, trolling

[RockyMtnMac]

Yes Cherie - It's a heavy wool wrap worn by Scots (and Irish)
-or-
a slang term for a Scot.
Like "Mick" is slang for Irish.
"Celt" is universal for either.
And if you ask what they wear under their kilts, they say "your wife's lipstick"

[me]

I don't get it. I think watermelons growing on the front lawn of the whitehouse could be seen as the president doing his bit for the national economy - they could sell the watermelons at 3 times their normal price for the novelty value that they were grown at the whitehouse.

[USMerc]

Whenever I have to list "Race" on anything, I always try to put in "American".

[Caffeinated Katie]

I didn't see rednecks getting pissed off when there was a picture floating around of the white house with an old car up on blocks in front of it when Dubya was in office.

[WellThen]

I'm really surprised how many folks here are defending this idiot. Is this the crime of the century? No, and of course, the media is more than happy interview the "my life was ruined because of this email" types.

But really. The moron is a politician. He makes his living kissing voter ass. If he doesn't know the risks of sending off-color email, after repeated stories about how this is a bad idea, he doesn't have the mental capacity to run a bake sale, let alone a city.

Argue all you want about whether this is vaguely racist or overtly racist, but that doesn't matter. It's the overt stupidity that's the real issue.

[troschne]

Thanks, RMM, but I didn't take it that STS was hatin' on me--I definitely see his point, and don't totally disagree with him. I just don't think the mayor showed very good judgment, and we're both entitled to our opinions. That's part of what I like about this site most--when we're not being snarky (which I VERY much enjoy!), we're sharing views (well, most of us, at least), and even if we don't always agree on a topic, at least it gives us all something to think about.

BTW--LMAO, STS--I missed the *twat* part the first time, so it totally went over my head, but caught it the second time around--I just spit out a French fry, because I'm laughing so hard. (And by the way, if I had caught it the first time, I would have known you weren't referring to me.)

And finally, yes, RMM--I am half "Kraut" (even though I hate sauerkraut with a passion!).

[LimeGreenLizard]

buddy, shove that pacifier back in your mouth and go back to sleep. After you grow up, they'll teach you how to use the Shift key.

I didn't vote for Obama, but he is now my Prez. I am American enough to give him a little while to screw up before I critize him. And when I do, I'll use the Shift key, proper grammar and punctuation.

And wail at your mommy to change your diaper.

Did you invent stupid political critique?

[Phantom]

In the city of Los Alimitos, like alot of other small towns in Ca.,they elect a city council, then the council appoints one of the council members the mayor.
This appointment usually runs 6 months, that way each council member gets to be the mayor. Now, about the watermelon. Who dosent like watermelon? Cut out a plug, add a bottle of watermelon pucker,a quart of of silver tequila let chill in fridge overnite, and let the good times roll. Hook that up with some fried chicken, some potato salad, some baked beans and some corn bread, and somebody will be offended!

[USMerc]

Phantom, that actually sounds like a party I'd like to go to!!! mmmmmm fried chicken!!!!

[USMerc]

Oh...and Lizard.... ----------------> Here ya go...One of my Handy-Dandy New and Improved Troll Stickers! It's already sharpened! :) Be sure to clean it well after each use...I hear troll blood is caustic...

[lynn]

soooo SIL is irish. good. ;}

why are the more sucessful and "intellegent" folks so easily offended?

President Obama would have a good laugh, after all this is the man that said he wanted a "mutt" like himself for his pet dog.

phantom we put wine in our watermelons and chill---mmmmm!! but tequilla will work

[LimeGreenLizard]

Thanks, Merc! Wow, that is nice and sharp. What I really like is the launching device. It has the nice thump of a sixty pound compound bow.

Oh, and to stay on topic:

Dumbass politician. But, then again. (I don't recall anyone mentioning this before... if so, I apologize.) Just get a look at this guy's photo. What a total dipshit, goofball mouth-breathing dork! I think all Jim needed was the headline and the photo!

There's yer sign!

[lynn]

lizard--he looks like a politician.

what is worn under a kilt?? nothing, it is all in perfect working order....:)

[sometimesilie]

actually lynn, that's by adoption. And don't the doc's love seeing me- no prior medical conditions, no Family History to waste time going over. I therefor assume I am indestructible and have two livers. Lord only knows what kind of mongrel I really am, but will settle for Irish ;)

[sometimesilie]

yes Lime, he certainly does look like a goofball if I've ever seen one- the attached photo looks as altogether staged with yesterdays m&m burglin' Mayor of Crazyland.