Real Americans, Please Stand Up. Dick Cavett

[elleng]

All this talk about the mosque reminds me of two things I heard growing up in Nebraska.

I had a 6th grade teacher who referred to American Indians as “sneaky redskins” and our enemies in the Pacific as “dirty Japs.” This abated somewhat after I asked one day in class, “Mrs. G., do you think our parents would like to know that you teach race prejudice?” She faded three shades.

The rest of that year was difficult.

As a war kid, I also heard an uncle of mine endorse a sentiment attributed to our Admiral “Bull” Halsey: “If I met a pregnant Japanese woman, I’d kick her in the belly.”

These are not proud moments in my heritage. But now, I’m genuinely ashamed of us. How sad this whole mosque business is. It doesn’t take much, it seems, to lift the lid and let our home-grown racism and bigotry overflow. We have collectively taken a pratfall on a moral whoopee cushion.

http://opinionator.blogs.nytimes.com/2010/08/20/real-americans-please-stand-up/

[Douglas Carpenter]

1. kick and recommend!!

gosh its been a long time since I used to watch Dick Cavett on late night TV.

[elleng]

2. He's got a regular NYT column; very good, and comments, too.

[DailyGrind51]

5. Remember when he would bring WFBuckley and GVidal on just to see them mix it up with someone?

Or, Grace Slick and her see-through top? Or, Rodale, the publisher of "Prevention Magazine" dying while being interviewed?

Now THAT was a talk show!

[BrklynLiberal]

6. I absolutely LOVED his show..and would NEVER miss it.

Saw each of those shows you mentioned...and more.

Just saw a video of his interview with Phil Silvers and Jack Benny. Priceless.

[eShirl]

3. love that guy! k&r

used to really enjoy watching his talk show when I was a kid

[no_hypocrisy]

4. Good morning! K & R