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The Rise of the Uncouth: On Kanye West and Serena Williams
Pajamas Media ^ | Sept. 15 | Victor Davis Hanson

Posted on 09/15/2009 10:20:48 AM PDT by AJKauf

urn to tennis and we see this week a pathetic Serena Williams in a profanity-ridden rant, because she is being beaten badly on the court and apparently cannot handle the self-induced humiliation, and so goes ballistic over an apparently bad call. I am sure she would have preferred, as in the past, the racist- to the profanity-card, had not the targeted umpire herself been a person of color. Of course, John McEnroe, Ilie Natase and Jimmy Connors set the present low standards in tennis. Ms. Williams is only following in their ends-justify-the-means footsteps. In about a week, her father will weigh in with his customary slurs on spec. Who knows, maybe even McEnroe will claim, “Even I would never do that!”

Steal the Show

Then a buffoonish rapper Kanye hijacks a music awards show, to scream out that he prefers the loser to the poor embarrassed winner, standing mute before him with the trophy. But how can the audience that honors the violence and degradation of hip-hop / rap, then be outraged that they get a live version of such crude behavior before them of what they buy on CDs? Had Kanye only put in a plug for green jobs, he might have escaped without the boos. So we need a Juvenal (‘Who will police the police”) to note the irony of a crass music industry being out-crassed on its formal night out....

(Excerpt) Read more at pajamasmedia.com ...


TOPICS: Editorial; Politics/Elections
KEYWORDS: civility; kanye; kanyewest; serenawilliams; vdh; victordavishanson
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1 posted on 09/15/2009 10:20:49 AM PDT by AJKauf
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To: AJKauf

It’s okay, they were born with a pass to be uncouth, according to the State Run Media.


2 posted on 09/15/2009 10:21:57 AM PDT by madison10 (I'm fine with a black president, but not a RED one.)
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To: AJKauf

Some people have class, most do not.


3 posted on 09/15/2009 10:21:58 AM PDT by petercooper (GOP: Big Tent Party??? Not if you are a CONSERVATIVE.)
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To: AJKauf

“The Rise of the Uncouth”

######

AKA The Emergence of 18th Century Zululand as the predominant American culture.


4 posted on 09/15/2009 10:23:02 AM PDT by EyeGuy
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To: AJKauf

But But HEY they provide so much too the country these people should be allowed to walk on everyone.\s


5 posted on 09/15/2009 10:25:38 AM PDT by Cheetahcat (Zero the Wright kind of Racist! We are in a state of War with Democrats)
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To: AJKauf

Sorry but an athlete in a high pressure situation losing it for a short while is not the same thing as taking over an awards show. I am not a big fan of the Williams, but outbursts by athletes have a long long history. Interupting someone receiving an award is planned and far worse than an outburst in a tense moment in sports.


6 posted on 09/15/2009 10:25:47 AM PDT by JLS
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To: AJKauf

Brainwashed parents and PC schooling and society....


7 posted on 09/15/2009 10:25:59 AM PDT by mikelets456
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To: madison10
"It’s okay, they were born with a pass to be uncouth, according to the State Run Media."

And how is that any different from saying, "He can't help acting like that, he's black?"

How does that quote go, "the soft bigotry of low expectations?"

8 posted on 09/15/2009 10:27:01 AM PDT by Redbob (W.W.J.B.D.: "What Would Jack Bauer Do?")
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To: petercooper

And no amount of money can buy class.


9 posted on 09/15/2009 10:28:10 AM PDT by Ghost of Philip Marlowe (Impeach President Bernanke.)
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To: JLS
"I am not a big fan of the Williams, but outbursts by athletes have a long long history."

There you go, giving her a pass for contemptible behavior...

10 posted on 09/15/2009 10:28:35 AM PDT by Redbob (W.W.J.B.D.: "What Would Jack Bauer Do?")
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To: Redbob
"It’s okay, they were born with a pass to be uncouth, according to the State Run Media."

And how is that any different from saying, "He can't help acting like that, he's black?" How does that quote go, "the soft bigotry of low expectations?"

It doesn't differ, but that is what the State Run Media pushes. It's also sad. By crying racism all the time, for any reason, they are being the most racist of all,

11 posted on 09/15/2009 10:30:13 AM PDT by madison10
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To: Redbob

I think what bothers me most is the contemptible way black people still consider them victims of their race.


12 posted on 09/15/2009 10:30:25 AM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT ("I never knew there were Martians in my garden...." J.Edgar Hoover,Frmr. Director, F.B.I.)
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To: AJKauf

“Don’t you know who I am??” I am better than you, richer than you, and more famous than you, so I can do whatever I d@mn well please!”


13 posted on 09/15/2009 10:32:22 AM PDT by Polyxene (America held hostage for the next 4 years by a RAT thug from Chicago - www.obamaclock.org)
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To: EyeGuy

>> The Emergence of 18th Century Zululand as the predominant American culture

Do you know any Africans? I do - lots. Lived there for over a year.
The inference that this trash has anything to do with the African tribes they came from is a nasty slur. Nope, this krap be home grown. Thank you, LBJ.


14 posted on 09/15/2009 10:32:25 AM PDT by QBFimi (When gunpowder speaks, beasts listen.)
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To: AJKauf

“President Obama called for more civility on 60 Minutes the other night.”

Another lie.

The Kenyan has fostered a culture of hate by demonizing his enemies. He has given blacks the secret go code to Mau Mau whites. Boy blunder and his minions are instigating a race war.

The Kenyan Impostor has dropped his mask. America buys more ammo.


15 posted on 09/15/2009 10:32:58 AM PDT by y6162 (uish..)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT

Amazing how this behaviour has escalated since our President of Color took office. But no racism there... NOOOOOO. Could you imagine if a white person had told a black award winner that another white should have won. He would have been lynched. (oops, not supposed to use that word either).


16 posted on 09/15/2009 10:35:10 AM PDT by AUH2O Repub (Palin/Hunter 2012)
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To: AJKauf
Who knows, maybe even McEnroe will claim, “Even I would never do that!”

That'd be worth a few laughs. McEnroe's spoiled-brat tirades easily topped Serena's and guys like Jimmy Connors came close.
17 posted on 09/15/2009 10:36:16 AM PDT by AnotherUnixGeek
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To: JLS

“Interupting someone receiving an award is planned and far worse than an outburst in a tense moment in sport

I concur there’s a difference. What aggravated Serena’s offense in my eyes was it having to take 3 different apologies, scattered over days, to finally offer something even remotely authentic-sounding. Most people who “blow their stack” have the wherewithal (and decency) to offer an immediate apology once they’ve calmed down: this generally doesn’t take days etc.


18 posted on 09/15/2009 10:36:17 AM PDT by DrC
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To: AJKauf

Serena had cause to be pissed off, I don’t blame her near as much as Kanye, who has a history of dicklike behavior.


19 posted on 09/15/2009 10:36:24 AM PDT by domenad (In all things, in all ways, at all times, let honor guide me.)
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To: AJKauf
West shows himself to be an apparently late stage chronic alcoholic with a narcissistic personality disorder.

Williams is an ego driven perfectionist with an aversion to getting older and slower.

20 posted on 09/15/2009 10:37:14 AM PDT by atc23
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To: AUH2O Repub

the “race card” is sooooo worn out it’s not funny


21 posted on 09/15/2009 10:38:54 AM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT ("I never knew there were Martians in my garden...." J.Edgar Hoover,Frmr. Director, F.B.I.)
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To: Redbob

***And how is that any different from saying, “He can’t help acting like that, he’s black?”***

When I was just alittle kid I got my first real cussing out by a black girl in Artesia, NM in 1959.

I beat her on line to get a soda pop at a stand across from the school. Then she started in on me...”You better hurry up you little moth-———r! You beter hurry up or I’ll f—k you to death!”

I turned around and here was the ugliest girl I had EVER seen in my life! She definitly put the words in “Ugly on an Ape”!

Then she started again...”You better hurry up or I’m gonna f—k you to death RIGHT HERE!”

I finally got my soda pop and turned to leave. She started again...”It’s about time you little m-————r! I was about ready to f—k you to death RIGHT HERE!”

I never went back for a soda pop.


22 posted on 09/15/2009 10:45:00 AM PDT by Ruy Dias de Bivar (That's reicest you dirty rat dog Reicest you!)
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To: petercooper

Hey! You ain’t got no couth!
I got couth! :)


23 posted on 09/15/2009 10:45:43 AM PDT by Dr. Bogus Pachysandra ( Ya can't pick up a turd by the clean end!)
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To: JLS
I am not a big fan of the Williams, but outbursts by athletes have a long long history.

If Serena had shut her mouth after the first outburst, I might agree, but she went back to the line, thought about something else to say, then came back after the Line Judge! She STILL hasn't really apologized for her continuing tirade!

24 posted on 09/15/2009 10:45:44 AM PDT by SuziQ
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To: AJKauf
The solution, of course, is for the majority to simply say enough is enough, and declare a personal code of decency

No if the majority allows an uncivil minority to rule them through force or threats of force, that may restore decorum, but only at the price of tyranny. That is not an answer. Decorum must first be demonstrated by those in power. It must be reinforced by an electorate who will not tolerate those who break the rules of civil discourse. So long as we have Obama saying that Republicans lie, he will be called out for his lies. So long as Queen Nancy is elected to speak for the democrats, I want Joe Wilson speaking for me.
25 posted on 09/15/2009 10:48:09 AM PDT by GonzoGOP (There are millions of paranoid people in the world, and they are all out to get me.)
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To: JLS
Sorry but an athlete in a high pressure situation losing it for a short while is not the same thing as taking over an awards show. I am not a big fan of the Williams, but outbursts by athletes have a long long history. Interupting someone receiving an award is planned and far worse than an outburst in a tense moment in sports.

I agree. It sounds as if Williams just lost her temper in a high pressure moment, whereas West is an ass.

26 posted on 09/15/2009 10:48:36 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("People are idiots." -Thomas A. Caswell)
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To: QBFimi

You’d be wise to read my comments again.

I was talking about the primitive behavior of those tribes in the specific time period I mentioned.

There was little that was noble or admirable about the Zulu under even their most celebrated chieftain, Shaka.

Johnson’s Great Society is only partially responsible for this behavior.

PERSONAL responsbility and actions are the main driver.


27 posted on 09/15/2009 10:49:45 AM PDT by EyeGuy
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To: y6162
“President Obama called for more civility on 60 Minutes the other night.”

Oh, NOW they want civility. Good luck with that!

28 posted on 09/15/2009 10:51:04 AM PDT by Jeff Chandler ("People are idiots." -Thomas A. Caswell)
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To: AJKauf
For now, tes, I thought Rep. Joe Wilson was a boor to scream out at the President during a Joint Session

I have to disagree with VDH here. In Carnage and Culture, he argues that Western civilization successfully spread because westerners were superior killers.

If politics is war by other means, then Wilson made a tactical strike in front of the whole country and it had maximum effect.

Of course, he probably could have waited for the New York Times and the Washington Post to interview him so that he could have made the point. /s

29 posted on 09/15/2009 10:51:57 AM PDT by Madame Dufarge
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To: y6162
"The Kenyan"

Obammie's Kenyon birth certificate has apparently been found. I saw a clear photo copy of it in a highly circulated email. It looked most authentic and was obtained through inquiries and payment of bribes (of course). So is that where the matter ends? Is misrepresenting your place of birth an impeachable offense?

30 posted on 09/15/2009 10:57:06 AM PDT by luvbach1 (Worse than we could have imagined.)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT
I can place my hand on my Bible and honestly state that I have never been racist in my whole life. But I will say that I am noticing an emergence's of arrogance in some prominent Black people that matches Obama’s.

Perhaps they suddenly feel empowered to express themselves in ways they never did before. I notice it even in editorial columns by some Black writers. They blame everything on race, and that's just not true.

I don't recall tennis pro’s of the past acting the way Williams did. They may have thrown down their rackets but not the nasty words she said.

Kayne, on the other hand, already had a reputation for gross conduct, but just outdid himself this time.

There is an article on Drudge about the White schoolboy being beaten up by Black students. It just seems to be escalating.

31 posted on 09/15/2009 11:04:23 AM PDT by potlatch
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To: AJKauf

Let’s see, Michael Jordan, Serena Williams, Kanye West. Do I see a pattern here?


32 posted on 09/15/2009 11:08:14 AM PDT by truthguy (Good intentions are not enough!)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT

I agree wholeheartedly. I’m surprised Kenye didn’t end his boorish takeover of the awards by saying, “and by the way, Beyonce is black” emulating you know who. (Absolutely blown away by Beyonce...now there is a beauty, a great talent, and a classy lady and showed it by her actions later that evening attempting to right the wrong.)


33 posted on 09/15/2009 11:12:54 AM PDT by kiltie65
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To: AJKauf

It’s the “Thugerization” of America.


34 posted on 09/15/2009 11:14:13 AM PDT by DOGHEAD
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To: Madame Dufarge
In Carnage and Culture, he argues that Western civilization successfully spread because westerners were superior killers.

True. And I'm somewhat inclined to disagree with Hanson and agree with you.

However, Wellington argued that "the Battle of Waterloo was won on the playing fields of Eton." In other words, it takes more than superior skill (at war, etc.) to win.

Part of what has made the West superior killers is our ability to maintain order in battle. Uncivility and outbursts have their place, of course. But when they become the rule rather than the exception, our battle lines - political, social, military, what-have-you - become weakened and vulnerable.
35 posted on 09/15/2009 11:15:24 AM PDT by LearsFool ("Thou shouldst not have been old, till thou hadst been wise.")
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To: potlatch

What’s so unique about the black struggle is that the AFF ACT babies who are now self-professed commies (at least some of the them we have seen, e.g.,Van Jones)is that they are no more driven to “empower” other blacks than to line their own pockets. Van Jones is a good example because “being green” is where the money is.

ACORN for what it’s worth imho has given a false sense of security to many blacks , it’s a sham organization and now the cockroaches are crawling out of the woodwork,seeing the light of day and going, “huh”?


36 posted on 09/15/2009 11:36:47 AM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT ("I never knew there were Martians in my garden...." J.Edgar Hoover,Frmr. Director, F.B.I.)
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To: potlatch

What’s so unique about the black struggle is that the AFF ACT babies who are now self-professed commies (at least some of the them we have seen, e.g.,Van Jones)is that they are no more driven to “empower” other blacks than to line their own pockets. Van Jones is a good example because “being green” is where the money is.

ACORN for what it’s worth imho has given a false sense of security to many blacks , it’s a sham organization and now the cockroaches are crawling out of the woodwork,seeing the light of day and going, “huh”?


37 posted on 09/15/2009 11:37:10 AM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT ("I never knew there were Martians in my garden...." J.Edgar Hoover,Frmr. Director, F.B.I.)
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To: LearsFool
But when they become the rule rather than the exception, our battle lines - political, social, military, what-have-you - become weakened and vulnerable.

I agree wholeheartedly.

And, as you've observed, outbursts do have their place.

In these perilous times, with so much at stake, I would argue that Wilson's outburst is civility.

If the President of the United States has so little respect for the truth and for the future of the country he has been given stewardship of, then it is he who's abandoned civility.

38 posted on 09/15/2009 11:44:24 AM PDT by Madame Dufarge
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT
I think what bothers me most is the contemptible way black people still consider them victims of their race.

Recently perpetuated by Obama himself. It IS contemptible behavior.

39 posted on 09/15/2009 11:44:32 AM PDT by MamaDearest (Some people believe it's not a lie if you don't tell the whole truth.......)
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To: Ruy Dias de Bivar

That can’t be true, we all learned from the media and school that the white man looked down upon the black race and blacks were nothing but subservient and would never speak like that. /s


40 posted on 09/15/2009 11:45:35 AM PDT by Blue Highway ("Judge me by the people with whom I surround myself" Barack Obama, Oct 15, 2008 Presidential debate)
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To: potlatch
There is an article on Drudge about the White schoolboy being beaten up by Black students. It just seems to be escalating.

With Obama telling his ACORN thugs to "get in their faces" for tea parties, the bullying comes from the nation's leader, whose low ethics do nothing to change stereotypes and truly uplift the impoverished by personal example of kindly bridging the gap between races, rather than inciting them.

41 posted on 09/15/2009 11:50:11 AM PDT by MamaDearest (Some people believe it's not a lie if you don't tell the whole truth.......)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT
[they are no more driven to “empower” other blacks than to line their own pockets. Van Jones is a good example because “being green” is where the money is.]

And good people like Bill Cosby, who speak out the truth are ignored or derided by their own people.

ACORN is going down just like Van Jones.

 

 

42 posted on 09/15/2009 11:51:44 AM PDT by potlatch
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To: MamaDearest

[the bullying comes from the nation’s leader]

I agree with all you said!


43 posted on 09/15/2009 11:54:42 AM PDT by potlatch
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To: potlatch

and good riddance to them! Time to Take Back The Country


44 posted on 09/15/2009 12:03:20 PM PDT by MissDairyGoodnessVT ("I never knew there were Martians in my garden...." J.Edgar Hoover,Frmr. Director, F.B.I.)
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To: MissDairyGoodnessVT

[Time to Take Back The Country]

The March on Washington should have made an impression on them, lol. Put the fear of ‘whatever God’ they believe in - in them.

- loss of money and power, I believe that might be.


45 posted on 09/15/2009 12:10:21 PM PDT by potlatch
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To: DrC

Not to mention Serena Williams was on Good Morning America this morning and turned her “apology” into an opportunity to sell her book. She must have repeated the title 4 times. It was shameless.

But maybe that’s the point.


46 posted on 09/15/2009 12:21:05 PM PDT by Melian ("An unexamined life is not worth living." ~Socrates)
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To: Redbob

I did not give her a pass. A pass would say she should not have been penalized.

How about this comparison:

1. William was a contestant protesting the outcome.

2. West would be as if someone from the stands came out on the court and starting yelling at a line judge because of a ruling against their favorite player.

Which is worse? I don’t see them as closely related.


47 posted on 09/15/2009 12:23:28 PM PDT by JLS
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To: AJKauf; neverdem; Lando Lincoln; SJackson; dennisw; kellynla; monkeyshine; Alouette; nopardons; ...
It's one of those moments when Hanson's readers disagree with him re: Joe Wilson's outburst and the tone of reply by conservatives. I also think that it's right to call a spade a spade.

Read very good comments after the article at pajamasmedia.com
======================================

 

  Ping !

Let me know if you want in or out.

Links:   

FR Index of his articles:  http://www.freerepublic.com/tag/victordavishanson/index
NRO archive: http://author.nationalreview.com/?q=MjI1MQ==
Pajamasmedia:  http://pajamasmedia.com/victordavishanson/
His website: http://victorhanson.com/

48 posted on 09/15/2009 12:26:32 PM PDT by Tolik
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To: AJKauf

Get used to the Entitled Rage:

http://www.truecrimereport.com/2009/09/video_of_the_day_ii_women_atta.php


49 posted on 09/15/2009 12:33:28 PM PDT by Grampa Dave (Does 0b0z0 have any friends, who aren't traitors, spies, tax cheats and criminals?)
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To: petercooper
Some people have class, most do not.

ALL of the people referenced in this story were LIBERALS.

50 posted on 09/15/2009 12:53:24 PM PDT by GOPJ (ObamaCare - a scam that would make Madoff blush...)
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