Woman wears racist anti-Obama T-shirt, gets her ass kicked

[bluestateguy]

http://www.dailykos.com/storyonly/2008/7/17/205811/165/...

"A 25-year-old New York City graduate student is threatening to sue a T-Shirt designer after being assaulted for wearing one of his designs.

The woman bought a $69 shirt from Apollo Braun's Manhattan boutique that bore the words, "Obama is my slave." When she wore the shirt on Tuesday, four teenage girls accosted her - shoving her, pulling out her earphones, and spitting in her face, according to the New York edition of Metro News."

more

[Duer 157099]

1. Jeez! The real crime was

paying $69 for a fricken t-shirt! This 25-year-old better learn about the *new" economy! Or that ain't gonna be their first ass whippin (metaphorically speaking)

edit: I meant *last* of course.

[Snarkturian Clone]

145. Agreed,,, $69?!?!?!? NT

[Faygo Kid]

240. Wow. She could have bought some books for that. You know, repositories of knowledge.

However, I am sure "books" are something with which she is terribly unfamiliar.

[NattPang]

2. Obama is my slave?

[AwakeAtLast]

154. Yep, and now this "designer" is getting a ton of free publicity

He would probably never have enough money to buy this much.

[SOS]

267. It gets worse...

Here's the no-talent "designer", modeling one of his shirts:

[zanne]

269. This was a graduate student...

And she doesn't understand why someone would take offense?

[rpannier]

3. She's suing the designer???

Did he force her to wear it???

[glitch]

4. With any luck they'll spend years in court, suing each other

[suffragette]

201. glitch, I like the way you think

years in court and buckets of their money spent

[glitch]

215. Hey suffragette! How's the Pacific Northwest? I miss it terribly.

I had to move to sweltering CA when my parents got sick.

[suffragette]

227. It's lovely today

Morning clouds, should burn off partly to mid 70's with mild breeze.

So sorry to hear about your parents. I'm sure that having you there is a great comfort to them.

I lived in Southern California for quite awhile. Met wonderful people from there and from all over the world and loved that, but couldn't take the dry heat, especially the Santa Ana winds. Where in Cali are you now?

Gosh, it's been forever since we went to the hearings together.

[glitch]

231. Sierra Foothills. HOT! and a lot of times SMOKY!

The hearings seem like from a previous life. Seems like the truth is finally starting to seep into the zeitgeist.

Thank you for your kind thoughts re my parents.

[suffragette]

246. Get one of those combo humidifiers

that has a fine warm/cold mist. The cool mist really helps.
Double hug to you.

[Cha]

21. You should go to the link..the "designer"

sounds a racist piece of idiot shit.

[rpannier]

45. He may be a racist

But she's the one who chose to wear the shirt.

I don't see how this is his fault.

She bears the responsibility for wearing that shirt

[JerseygirlCT]

149. She's unable to see? To read?

Oh brother!

[thewiseguy]

5. Did she graduate from the Academy of Morans?

NYC graduate

[LeftyMom]

6. She should sue her school.

If she doesn't have the sense to know that wearing a racist t shirt in public is a good way to get your ass kicked, she should never have left elementary school, let alone made it to grad school.

What a fucking moron.

[DangerDave921]

133. I can't condone violence

Yes, she took a risk by wearing that shirt. But free speech should never be met with violence, any more than wearing an anti-McCain shirt should lead to a beating by RW'ers.

Ridicule? Sure. Laughing and pointing? Of course. But we should be free to exercise free speech without fear of physical violence.

[ieoeja]

152. I have to disagree with you there.

When the Klan came a marchin' I believe my grandparents did the right thing to greet them with shotguns.

[DangerDave921]

155. A little perspective please

Do you really equate wearing an offensive t-shirt with the KKK?

To be clear, I condone violence if it is necessary for self-defense. I do not condone violence as a response to the peaceful expression of free speech.

[ieoeja]

169. All the KKK wanted to do was burn a cross. Just exercising their freedom of speech.

Had these teens kicked this woman's ass, you might have a point. But shoving her and calling her names? Wonderfully appropriate response to a proponent of racism.

[DangerDave921]

174. Great

Then I expect to see you praise the next idiot RW'er who smashes a wondshield on a car that happens to have Dem bumper stickers on it. Because hey -- some small violent response to opposing viewpoints is OK in your world.

We cannot, as a civilized society, meet free speech with violence. And yes, shoving someone and spitting on her is violence. And if you condone such acts, then you better be prepared to condone it when it happens to your side.

RW'ers may think homosexuality is disgusting and wrong and against god's word. Does that entitle them to shove and spit on a gay couple walking down the street?

[ieoeja]

185. So I'm wrong for equating racism with the KKK.

But you're not for equating racism with a political viewpoint?

Rev "Gods hate fags" Phelps should have the shit kicked out of him. Not because I "disagree" with his viewpoint. But because he's a fucking asshole. RW'ers who shove and spit on a gay couple should have the shit kicked out of them. The KKK should have the shit kicked out of them any chance it can be done.

This is not a case of moral relevance. Racism in the United States today IS just plain fucking wrong. Period. I will condone a wee bit of it from immigrants figuring they have not learned any better (my then Polish boss was the only person I know to express outrage at my marriage).

Maybe it's because I'm a White guy who married a Black gal, but I ain't taking this shit. And if you expect me to take this shit, you can just fucking shove it.

Gods damn it! There *IS* a time and place to fight the fuck back. And the minor response this stupid fucking airheaded bimbo got was just perfect in my opinion.

[DangerDave921]

192. Scary

There are those liberals who advocate peace and justice and fairness, and under those type of leaders we would have a better country.

Then there are liberals like yourself who - if they were in power - would be just as intolerant of dissent as the current regime, only in reverse. That is in marked contrast with my views of liberalism and democratic principles.

I would hate to live in a world where you -- in your infinite wisdom -- get to decide who is an asshole enough to get beaten.

[ieoeja]

207. In real life, bullies seldom back down.

One day at recess in elementary school the bully came over and knocked me down. I got back to my feet and asked him why he did that.

"Because," he replied and knocked me down again. Again I rose to my feet and asked if he didn't have a better reason than that.

Back and forth we went. Him calling me names, knocking me down and telling me to stay down. Me getting right back up and questioning him on his motives, did it make him feel good, etc. I honestly found his actions confusing and was seriously trying to understand. Finally, he calls me "weird" and stalks off bragging to his buddies about kicking my ass.

He quickly finds another kid to knock down. Only this kid starts crying. So I walk over and knock the bully down.

At last, the bully has the fight he was looking for. Because contrary to what people like to think, bullies generally enjoy a good fight. But I did not give him a good fight. I just beat the crap out of him. THAT he didn't particularly enjoy.

I would repeat this incident many times over the years against many bullies. And most of the time the bullies didn't use physical violence against their victims. They just exercised their freedom of speech to humiliate other kids into crying until I would step in and stop it. And you don't stop it by reasoning with the unreasonable.

The reason you can speak freely is because someone else beat up the guys who wouldn't have let you speak freely.

[DangerDave921]

208. Excellent

That is great that you stood up to bullies. Some bullies definitely need physical deterrence. But that is wholly different from a young lady wearing a t-shirt that expresses an opinion you find offensive. In that case, she is not bullying anyone. She is simply displaying a message that you find offensive. Totally different thing. And I get your view that even wearing a t-shirt like that is inciting violence, but I disagree with you. Because RW'ers may find progressive t-shirts offensive, and I certainly wouldn't support beating someone up who wore such a shirt.

Bullying is tantamount to fighting words. The bully is actively intimidating someone, harassing someone, etc. That may very well need a good punch in the face to stop, and I have no problem with that. But wearing a t-shirt? Sorry, but that does not entitle you to physically accost her.

I've got an uncle who loves to wear his Confederate Flag belt buckle. (lifelong dem by the way). He should not get beaten up for that.

[U4ikLefty]

236. There was no violence, but thanks for playing.

I love it the way you imlpy this whole BS argument about "a young lady wearing a t-shirt that expresses an opinion".

It was NOT an opinion, but a slam on Obama calling him a SLAVE....it was racist crap. It was not met with VIOLENCE. If you don't know violence please allow me punch you in the face so you know the difference.

As far as you "uncle" wearing his "Confederate Flag belt buckle"...I belive he is a fool OR made up by yourself as an "clever" example.

[musicblind]

268. I'm gay but I don't think someone should PHYSICALLY assault Fred Phelps

He has the right as an American to say horribly hateful things. I have the right to disagree and to let it be know what a dipshit he is (not hard to do... he's done many dipshit things.) BUT he does have the right to say what he wants as long as he is not initiating physical or excessive emotional distress on another human being. (as he was sued for by protesting a soldier's funeral)

Even then, he should be allowed to say what he wants without fear of PHYSICAL violence.

I think the woman who wore this shirt is an idiot, but she didn't deserve to be beaten up because that just means we stooped to her level. She should have been laughed at and ostracized, but not physically assaulted.

[Teaser]

175. should and will do not coincide

.

[Kdillard]

7. What did she think would happen wearing a t-shirt like that?

[geomon666]

8. This woman is a dumbass...

But there's no excuse for doing that to her.

[hobbit709]

18. Stupidity carries its own penalty.

Like the guy watering his flowers and sees the snake. The snake is coiled and rattling. He leans forward and extends his hand. Snake didn't miss.
There ain't no cure for STOOPID.

[L0oniX]

9. DOH !!!

[TheCowsCameHome]

10. Graduate of what? Pays $69 for a T, and sues the designer?

Good grief, how did she ever graduate from anything, other than wearing diapers?

[Whisp]

249. she just graduated from the school of hard knocks.

and didn't cost her anything in tuition $. sometimes those are the most valuable lessons.


and lesions.


I have no sympathy for anyone as ignorant as that.
none. at. all.

[Olney Blue]

11. The designer sounds like a racist asshole.

[redstate_democrat]

12. I didn't read the whole artile, but LOL

[Cha]

31. Check it out..

<More Snips>

"The unnamed woman is reportedly seeking solace by suing Braun - born Doron Braunshtein - for "all he's got," the designer claims. He, of course, is shirking any responsibility for the incident and says that the shirt reflects the views of "ordinary WASPs."

<SNIPS>

"For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president," the Israeli-born designer said."

"I can’t stand Obama," Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. "That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities."

"He reminds me of Adolf Hitler," Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because "he is a Muslim" — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape."

[newmajority]

35. You know what, Mr. MORON Braunshtein? If you think our candidate is "Hitler"

Then why don't you go back to your own fucking paranoid ass country and take every last brainless member of "PUMA" with you.

[polmaven]

171. Please lets not turn this

into yet another Hillary bash. PUMA was not involved or even mentioned in this incident.

[JVS]

182. The mid east doesn't need PUMA assholes around fucking stuff up more

[sufrommich]

204. Is there anything that isn't PUMA related to you? nt

[newmajority]

209. Well excuse me if I don't like foreign nationals and pharmaceutical lobbyists

trying to defeat the Democratic nominee for President, at a time when the very fucking survival of this country is at stake.

If you want to defend the Premenstrual Unholy Mutant Assmunches, please do so elsewhere.

[sufrommich]

210. lol! Funny how you assume female characteristics

for a insignificant group of republicans,are these PUMAS inherently female?I'm not defending shit,pal,I'm pointing the intellectual laziness of blaming "PUMAS" for all the worlds ills.Are "foreign nationals and pharmaceutical lobbyists" PUMAS now,too? You've allowed a silly internet group to take on the dimensions of a big,scary monster in your own mind,sad really.

[redstate_democrat]

38. This guy is a fucking joke.

Now this moran is being sued by another moran.



She gets her butt kicked by some kids and he gets sued. Justice.

[Cha]

56. Obamarang!

[anonymous171]

I hope she sues the shit out of him.

[polmaven]

170. She is a college grad, and in grad school,

she is 25 years old, and somehow she did not know that this was racism at its worst? How was it the designers fault that she was stupid enough to wear that piece of crap in public?

Yes, he is a racist chunk of dung, but it is not illegal for him to design and market the shirt.

[The Backlash Cometh]

95. There it is again.

"reflects the views of 'ordinary WASPs.'"

They will recognize that they are bigoted if you don't pussy-foot with them. Once they recognize they're bigoted, they may begin to understand that the source of all there previous mistakes, are based on that one basic flaw.

[XemaSab]

100. Sounds like he's a bigot against multiple races

Sorry, but what the fuck does a guy from Israel know about being a WASP in America?

[The Backlash Cometh]

102. Children and immigrants are quick to spot the hypocrisies of our culture.

[XemaSab]

104. I think that goes beyond the level of satire or subtly pointing out hypocrisy

I think it's pretty bigoted in a variety of ways.

If I went to Israel and started hawking shirts that advocated violently enslaving Palestinians, and my defense was "All Israelis are racists," would that be cool?

[The Backlash Cometh]

105. Someone bought his shirt in America.

For $60.00. Need I say more?

[Voice for Peace]

137. Sounds more like he has a terror of charismatic leaders who draw large crowds

of passionate supporters. Not to excuse it, but it's understandable that some would be blinded by that.

[mitchum]

114. How in the fuck does Dorrie Braunshtein know what are "the views of the ordinary WASP"?

[Lorien]

116. There are no words to describe how ignorant that fool is. n/t

[PVnRT]

138. Is it ironic his last name is "Braun"?

[Blue_Tires]

142. this has to be some kind of joke...an israeli of all people using hitler to describe obama?

every part of this story makes my brain hurt

[Clark2008]

191. There are so many mind-blowing descrepancies in these statements

that I'm not sure where to begin.

First - I'm an ordinary WASP and I don't think of slaves when I see Obama, neither does my WASP friends and/or family.
Second, my Jewish husband would greatly take offense at an Israeli-born anybody comparing most anything to Hitler.
Finally, how can Obama be both Hitler-like AND a Muslim?

[Leftist Agitator]

232. An Israeli trying to incite hatred against Muslims...

There's something you don't see everyday.

[my2sense]

13. What an idiot

She sounds like a idiot. Surely she knew she would draw attention for wearing clothing with such inflammatory wording.

[no_hypocrisy]

14. Don't tell me, let me guess. First year law student, right?

[Starbucks Anarchist]

15. The designer sounds like a real POS:

The unnamed woman is reportedly seeking solace by suing Braun - born Doron Braunshtein - for "all he's got," the designer claims. He, of course, is shirking any responsibility for the incident and says that the shirt reflects the views of "ordinary WASPs."

“For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president,” the Israeli-born designer said.

“I can’t stand Obama,” Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. “That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities.”

“He reminds me of Adolf Hitler,” Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because “he is a Muslim” — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape.

The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles from his boutique, including shirts with slogans such as “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama = Hitler” and “Who Killed Obama?”

And any idiot who pays $69 for a CafePress-quality t-shirt should be laughed at endlessly.

[NatBurner]

16. $69? she got ganked AND gaffled

i'm going to hell for laughing at this shit

[sniffa]

27. She got beat

Ba dum bum!

[madura]

30. me too. i'm lmao. street justice, sometimes i just love it. nt

[Raine]

238. Me too

un-PC but I don't care. This person will think before wearing shit like that again.

[Fleshdancer]

17. so many people to bitch about, so little time

WTF is up with the following people/institutions?

- The idiot designer who made the shirt
- The idiot store owner who thought "yeah, let's sell this crap!"
- The idiot who bought the shirt
- The parents of the idiot who bought the shirt for not teaching a little common sense
- The schools who failed all of the idiots listed above by not teaching the basics in reading comprehension, cause/effect, and critical thinking skills.

Seriously.

[Barrymores Ghost]

65. Best post in this thread. THANK you. n/t

[opihimoimoi]

120. No children is left behind.....we got stupified big time intentionally by those who wish it so

Other Nations Schools have better test results than OURS....

We saw this years ago....

Wha Hoppen??? Nada....no monies, no higher salaries for teachers, poor curriculum.....etc....Nation of Whiners and Dummies, usually of the GOP Class....

Not too many peeps can tell you what 7 x 9 is within 2 secs

Not too many know the value of Pi

I rest the case...(smiles)...not a smirk.

[Jim Lane]

122. Agreed, but you left out some of the people to bitch about...

You left out the teenagers who beat the woman up because they didn't like what her shirt said. I don't like it either, but you don't beat people up for disagreeing with you.

Stupid teenagers beat up stupid woman, who turns around and sues stupid designer. No one to root for in this mess.

[silverweb]

19. Pathetic.

This dumbass puts block lettering on a $5 gray T-shirt, calls himself a "designer," and some other dumbass actually pays $69 for it?



This is called "design" now?



I think they both deserve to get their asses handed to them -- as much for being ignorant dumbasses as for being racist.

(Funny how those descriptive terms all go together, isn't it?)

[madura]

97. yep, that's a real autist, i recognize him as part of the Group of Sloven.

[baldguy]

140. THAT'S what a $69 t-stirt looks like?

Seriously, Braun may be a foolish, racist thief loaded with bad artistic pretensions - but he didn't force her to put the shirt on & go out in public.

[Cha]

20. Just goes to show ya that

being a college grad don't mean shit if you don't have common sense.

I'm sorry she got attacked for crikey sake and good luck to her with getting compensation from the "designer"

Wow..reading "more"..I hope she sues his racist, bigoted, stupid a$$ OFF!

[NYC_SKP]

22. I say we buy them as gifts for each member of PUMA.

It would be a good investment and we'd only need to buy, what, two or three dozen?

[Kaylee]

23. Schadenfreude ......nt

[NatBurner]

32. right?

i almost feel guilty...




















i'm bullshitting-

i don't

[Kaylee]

39. LOL...not a tinge of guilt.

[Historic NY]

24. I need some to pass out to some Repuke's I know...........they

need a extra good asskicking.

[davidsharon]

25. I understand why she got beat up

Slavery is not funny. She should try being enslaved for years. Let's see how it feels.

[tishaLA]

26. So much fucked up with this story

The guy's an Israeli who compares Obama to Hitler and insists that he's a Muslim. People buy his fucked up shirts. And one of them is a litigious graduate student--perhaps the stupidest grad student I have ever read about--who expresses surprise that people didn't like her Obama-slave tee?

What a perfect synthesis of assholery.

[KittyWampus]

33. there's so much wrong with it, I almost wonder if the "designer" is an agent provocateur

more than anything else and desperate to get his pix in the news.

[Overseas]

49. It does smell a bit fishy. Summer assignment for agent Doron. /nt

[SOS]

266. The hideous NY SUN gave this POS coverage

http://www.nysun.com/new-york/for-sale-in-ny-jews-again... /

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

75. Now that's coining a phrase, tishaLA

"What a perfect synthesis of assholery."

That's DUzy material, IMO.

[cliffordu]

28. Bwahahahahahah. You can't make this crap up.

[Quixote1818]

248. This is funny as shit! I am LMAO right now. Who the hell are these people?

Sounds like she is too low class to even make it onto the Jerry Springer show.

[vaberella]

29. My city is fully of dummies we can't escape it. ~sigh~ She deserved it though.

[Skip Intro]

60. no, she did not "deserve it"

crazy talk

[vaberella]

94. Possibly, but I'm not giving her any favors. If I saw the shirt....

I wouldn't waste my time to touch her, however I would definitely make my displeasure heard quite loudly.

[Gidney N Cloyd]

34. "Does this T-shirt make my head look like an ass-- I mean, make my ass loo -- ah, fuckit."

[Resuscitated Ethics]

36. This is true elitism, the kind you expect to see

at prep schools and sororities.
braun-what an apolitical a**hole. A window into perceived Israeli hatred of all things Muslim? Creepy in a belligerently under-educated sort of way. I guess I have a very naive view of that section of the middle east, all Leon Uris-ed up on the natural inevitability and all, but i feel a bubble bursting studying this tacky young boutiquer
Flame him I say http://www.apollobraun.com/store/store.cfm?prodnum=559

[csziggy]

113. Ack! That website is horrible.

Trying to read small black print on hot pink made my eyeballs itch.

I wonder if this guy is in the US and working on a valid visa? Any body want to check with ICE?

[mitchum]

115. "...all Leon Uris-ed up on the natural inevitability and all"...

what a great phrase. Perfect.
Well done.

[bbinacan]

37. This shit really pisses me off

Yes the shirt was offensive. Yes she was stupid to wear it. There is no call for violence here. Like it or not, WE HAVE FREE SPEECH IN THIS COUNTRY!. And I'm ashamed that some fellow DUers revel in this.

[Kaylee]

42. As an African American I take exceptional joy when

racist assholes get what's coming to them...guess I'm not perfect.

[bbinacan]

55. So I guess you'd

be one of the villagers showing up with pitchforks and torches at the home of one whom you disagree with. How noble.

[Kaylee]

58. Hmmm...nope...still not feeling any pity for her...sorry.

[bbinacan]

64. You're hopeless

and you contradict liberal principles.

[ejbr]

79. Let me get this straight

The country can tolerate 400 years of slavery, but an idiot can't get her ass kicked for shoving it oin people's faces? No, it goes against liberal principles, you are most certainly correct. But I would have beaten her ass too. Sorry!

[bbinacan]

86. I'm sorry too

that you have that attitude. Forgive me for being such a strong advocate for freedom of speech.

[ejbr]

87. I can appreciate where you are coming from...

it's just that some of us are also strong advocates of occasionally beating someone's ass once they have excercised that right.

[bbinacan]

88. Would you advocate the same

if the situation were the reverse?

[ejbr]

221. Regardless of how I feel,

I believe my answer would be disingenuous; however, if I am too thick-headed to appreciate the profundity of an insult, then I guess I should have my ass kicked.

[Raineyb]

106. I thought I felt a bit of pity welling up for the woman

but it turned out to be just gas.

There's nothing like a racist asshole getting their comeuppance.

Regards

[redstate_democrat]

43. Oh come on.

People have gotten their asses kicked for far less.

[rebel with a cause]

51. She didn't even get her ass kicked.

Just shoved around. I lived in NYC a long time ago and I think she got off easy. She gets no pity from me, and I definately have no empathy for her.

[bbinacan]

57. And you approve of this?

So it would be OK for me to kick your ass because you don't believe in freedom of speech?

[redstate_democrat]

69. Freedom of speech has nothing to do with this.

No one prevented her from wearing her shirt. She just got her ass kicked. It happens every day.

[newmajority]

81. I'd kick the designer's ass twice without even thinking about it.

Because it's his mentality that is fucking up this entire planet right now.

[ellacott]

143. There are consequences to freedom of speech

You can say what you want but be prepared if someone has an issue with. It's freedom of speech to disparage a person's mother and call her a whore and other disparaging things. If the child of that mother took offense and retaliated that's the price for that freedom of speech.

Freedom of speech is not a strong defense in this case. If the govt. told her she can't wear that shirt then it would be a violation of freedom of speech. No one told her that she couldn't wear it. She chose to wear it and suffered the backlash.

[DangerDave921]

200. You got that right!

And if a gay couple were to stroll down a street in some small southern town, holding hands and kissing, then by gosh, all those decent god-loving RW'ers would be entitled to retaliate. And hey -- that's just the price the gay couple has to pay for exercising their right to free speech. They chose to display their affection for each other, and they suffered the backlash.

Make sense?

[ellacott]

226. I stand by what I said

I don't compare those two and I wouldn't do that. That makes no sense to me.

I see your example as more than free speech and I wouldn't try to compare it to the lady with the tshirt.

You may, and that's your right, but I don't and won't.

[dionysus]

148. theres always one person who defends that shit under the guise of the 1st ammendment....

i got a good idea... why don't you throw one of those t's on and take a stroll through the bronx...

[Starbucks Anarchist]

157. Do you understand how freedom of speech works?

The GOVERNMENT can't censor (most) speech.

[mloutre]

237. Oh, quit with the gratuitous trolling about "freedom of speech" already.

As the classic example goes, "your right to throw a punch ends at the start of my nose."

Freedom of speech definitely means having the right to prove what a clueless bigoted asshole one might be.

When that free speech crosses into the realm of bigoted hate speech, it might get a little dicey.

I don't think this totally stoopid (not to mention insanely overpriced) t-shirt crosses that line, though.

On the other paw, I don't think that non-clueless non-bigoted others taking serious umbrage with the clueless bigoted asshole who was wearing that totally stoopid t-shirt is an assault on the First Amendment to the Constitution, either.

Nor, for that matter, is attacking the reputation and, one hopes, the economic success of the even more clueless more bigoted bigger asshole who made that shirt and those comments, either.

So... your off-the-beam trolling on this particular angle is as pathetic as it is meaningless, ahem.

[NatBurner]

44. you might not wanna click this post again then

cuz we're cracking the fuck up in here

[Name removed]

66. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Catherine Vincent]

74. Chill out, dude. nt

[amandabeech]

48. Thank you for posting. Violence is unacceptable except in self-defense, which this was not.

Condoning this violence reveals a lot about the condoner, and it is not positive.

If you can't understand that, maybe you'll understand this.

Obama supporters attacking someone for a t-shirt that attackers find offensive does not help Obama.

Your posts condoning violence will be repeated elsewhere, and will reflect very badly on your candidate.

[BigDaddy44]

71. Yes we have free speech

But basic common sense tells you not to wear something like this. And if you get your ass kicked in the process, I'm not going to spend a whole lot of time acting outraged. Bottom line -- she's an idiot. And $69 for a t-shirt? That pretty much seals the deal. She's an idiot who doesn't know how to manage her money.

[bbinacan]

78. By that logic

if an equally idiotic women showed up on the streets wearing a $69 shirt that said "McCain Likes to Suck The Big DOG, and he doesn't need a cigar". Would you approve of assault and battery by a McCain supporter?

[ieoeja]

158. I would call that picking a fight.

Which makes it assault. Which makes limited battery an acceptable response.

Freedom of speech does not give you the right to "pick a fight" then scream "freedom of speech" when someone takes you up on your challenge. "Obama is my slave" and "McCain sucks donkey dick" certainly qualify as picking a fight.

[Skip Intro]

91. no doubt

[XemaSab]

103. Here's what I think the message is:

She thought there would be enough support for her racist message that she could wear something like that out in public and it would be okay.

It's like telling a racist joke in an office where mostly white people work. You do it because you think you an get away with it.

For some reason this ignorant little bitch thought she could get away with it, and she learned that in her neck of the woods, that shit ain't cool.

I've seen people openly sporting Nazi tats around here, and while I wouldn't advocate violence against them, I do think that our society should not condone such a display. Every time I see something like that I think that where I come from, a person would get a beat-down for having a Nazi tattoo, and I just hope that a lack of a beat-down isn't sending a message that people around support Nazi ideology.

I'd say something to them, but they all look like crazed tweekers who would kick my ass.

[crankychatter]

139. I've known some ex Skinheads and Aryan Nations types wish they'd NEVER gotten that ink in the joint

Sometimes they get clean, grow up... get into twelve step groups or whatever, and just LEARN BETTER.

It's like flowers in spring. I like talking to them about that shit... but then I'm unthreatening. I look like one of them... just another overworked redneck... so they listen up.

I'm not on the planet to make converts but when I have an opportunity to teach peace, I jump on it.

They ain't all bad.

[ieoeja]

162. I know rabid Liberals who revel in NAZI paraphanalia.

They like the badass imagery as well as being socially unacceptable. They also separate the competency of the NAZI regime from its evils.

[JerseygirlCT]

150. Her stupidity doesn't make what was done to her right

by any means.

I find it ridiculous that she thinks she ought to sue the designer, though.

Seems there's enough stupid to go around a few times on this one.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

156. When did the government prevent her from wearing the shirt?

Somebody can't possibly be dumb enough (well, except this idiot) to wear a racially inflammatory shirt like that in NYC, of all places, and not expect something to happen.

[Drunken Irishman]

40. It reminds me of that skit in Kentucky Fried Movie.

Where the guy walks into the ghetto and yells out "NIGGGGGGGGGGERRRRRRSSSSSSS!"

[conscious evolution]

255. That one popped into my head too.

Some things you JUST DON"T DO!!!

[blogslut]

41. Wow, I can't decide which one is the biggest LEWSER

The stupid customer or the stupid merchant? Oh well, it takes all kinds. May they both get the Karma they deserve.

[NattPang]

46. Someone didn't get their New Yorker yet.

[Danger Mouse]

47. Note to racist asshat: If you don't want an ass-kissing, DON'T WEAR THE FUCKING RACIST SHIRT!!!

Note to racist asshat shirt designer: Fuck you. Seriously. Hitler? Muslim? Ugh.

[amandabeech]

50. Note to Elrond. Violence is unacceptable except in self-defense.

Think about what you are writing.

Think about the historical context for advocating violence against political opponents. There are some outstanding examples that will be held up for vilification for centuries. Don't make the Obama campaign another one.

[Danger Mouse]

54. I didn't say I advocated her getting her ass kicked.

I don't. I don't think it's funny. The only thing that's funny is how much of an idiot the guy who designed the t-shirt is. But, wearing something like that, she shouldn't be surprised what happened.

[amandabeech]

62. Your opposition is tepid.

The First Amendment is a very serious matter, and this kind of behavior is not, repeat not, helping Obama.

[Shakespeare]

70. I'm sure he's crushed that his disapproval level doesn't meet your standards.

But it is amusing reading your defense of her. The Klan has free speech rights, too, but I'll neither defend them nor feel particularly sorry for them when they get their nasty, bigoted asses kicked.

I'm NOT a pacifist. I think a little revolution's good for the soul.

[Danger Mouse]

83. Devastated.

[DangerDave921]

176. Gee

"But, wearing something like that, she shouldn't be surprised what happened."

Hmmm, where else have I heard such a comment about what a woman wears and whether she is inviting trouble? That's a very misogynistic view there.

[Danger Mouse]

224. Oh bullshit. If you walk through a black neighborhood screaming 'NIGGER!'

or an Irish neighborhood yelling 'HARP MICK BASTARDS!' don't be surprised if something happens to you.
It has nothing to do with her gender, and everything to do with her stupidity.

[AllentownJake]

123. Street smarts

I don't support her ass kicking however, anyone with an ounce of common sense realizes if they where a T-shirt that mocks an ethnic group on their race or history chances are you will get your ass beat. It is reality and this person who obviously came from a socio-economic background where she never had to be exposed to people difffernt than herself (If you can afford Grad School in NY City and a $70 T-shirt you probably are in that 1%) learned a very important lesson. You have a right to wear a racist T-shirt and you won't get thrown in jail for it...however cops don't exist everywhere and some people may take extreme offense to the point of assaulting you for wearing it.

She's suing the designer because she probably honestly did not know that it was a reasonable expectation (not a reasonable action) that the shirt would cause her to get an ass kicking.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

159. Political opponents?

I don't give a damn what her politics are, but her shirt's message is clearly not aimed just at Obama. Equating him with a slave because of his skin color is... let's see... RACIST.

[Catherine Vincent]

52. She's a bitch and a half!

And he's a bigoted prick!

[PatGund]

53. Wow, multi-level stupid

Okay, so the woman is STUPID enough to spend $69 on a shirt that looks like a cafe-press reject done with iron-on letters. Then she wears the shirt out and gets her ass kicked. Then she sues the "designer" who made said shirt, (I presume it's because he didn't administer an IQ test, or maybe forced her to wear it at gunpoint??)

To top it all off, the "designer" is an asshat with the IQ of floor tile himself and a decidedly racist slant.

Whole lotta dumb here. Whole, whole, whole lotta dumb.

[Skip Intro]

59. "SHE DESERVED IT" -???!!! Are you FUCKING KIDDING me?!

I cannot believe somebody replied with that sentiment, and no one here called him/her on it.

NOBODY should be physically attacked because he/she expresses an opinion, especially about a politician, simply because that opinion "upsests" others. This person had and should have as much right to free expression as you and I do. This is as bad as someone getting his/her ass kicked because they had a "buck fush" sticker on their car.

This is still America, and last time I looked, EVERYBODY had a right to self expression.


I don't even recognize this board sometimes.

[pop goes the weasel]

73. yes, she deserved it

She went out shopping for a beat-down, and got one for the bargain price of $69.

She, furthermore, was not expressing an opinion about a politician. Surely, you don't for a moment imagine that she really thinks Obama is in any figurative or real way her slave. What she was doing was just what the "designer" of the shirt was doing: being a racist asshole. She was asserting a dangerous, racist, violent principle with the hope that liberals who are secretly uncomfortable over Obama's skin color would give her a pass and that the law would sanction her terrorizing others through intimidation in the name of free speech. Fortunately, a handful of young women with no training in law but with decent self-respect stood up for themselves. They demonstrated quite handily that they are no one's slave. Good for them.

[Skip Intro]

89. I don't for a moment imagine that anyone should get assaulted because of the tshirt he/she wears

not in a free country, anyway

I am really dumbfounded by your argument

[AllentownJake]

121. There is the way things should be and there is reality

Cops can't be everywhere and if you where a shirt denigrating an entire ethnic group, you shouldn't act surprised when you get your ass beat. Its called common sense and street smarts. I don't support the ass beating but I'm not surprised or that upset that she got one.

[DangerDave921]

193. So . . .

if a woman goes home with a guy she met in a bar, and she's wearing a short skirt, would you be surprised or upset that she got date-raped?

if a gay couple walked down the street holding hands and kissing, would you be surprised or upset that some asshole RW'er shoved them and spit on them?

[ieoeja]

163. It's called picking a fight.

Somewhere we draw the line between "picking a fight" and "expressing an opinion". I would say this woman crossed that line sufficiently for a little slapping around.

Not enough for a total ass kicking. But then, she did not get an ass kicking, did she? In my opinion the response to the enticement was spot on.

Keep in mind this T-shirt does not exist in a vacuum. There is a long and continuing history of violence by the majority upon the minority most places in the world.

[bluestateguy]

84. While we can never condone this

we need to recognize that she carried a message of racism and fighting words on that shirt. Some people will be provoked by that.

[vaberella]

107. Maybe I should have phrased myself better....

I would have made sure she was aware of my displeasure. I wouldn't have touched her, but I would have definitely made her aware of it. As it's a free country to wear the shirt, and I'm not about to land my ass in jail for worthless people. I will however, share my own thoughts, as it is a free country, quite loudly and passionately so she's fully aware of what her shirt inspires.

I'm sure she's not a looney and would know that the shirt is not sweet and nice. So whatever the response, she would get one with a shirt that way and that's my meaning in reference to "deserving". A response is begged and it's going to happen. It's along the lines of the New Yorker's cover. To some it's satire and free speech. To other's it's offensive and should have earned a retraction----however the shirt as the cover was meant to incite some feeling and a response was going to come. Backlash or support.

I'll edit the original post to have it direct people to this link.

[Ayreon]

61. "Designer"?

Isn't that a grandiose term for someone who prints text onto T-shirts? And someone actually paid $69 for that?

[cbc5g]

63. Violence isn't the answer

[ZenKitty]

67. Have you not a clue?....

How gullible is the electorate. Contemplating that is is frightening prospect.

Fake news does not advance the message.

[Shakespeare]

68. Double score: an idiot who'll pay $69 for a t-shirt, and a self-hating bigot.

Changed his name from Braunshtein to the less Jewish-sounding Braun? The more German-sounding Braun? Yeah, HE doesn't have issues.

As for Ms. Shirt--zero sympathy for her.

[agentS]

168. Star Wars: Who is more Foolish?

Remember that line by Obi-Wan Kenobi in the first Star Wars movie?

"Who is more foolish? The fool or the fool that follows him?"

That said, I'm surprised she's not dead. Wearing a blatantly racist shirt in NYC and she didn't get shot?
I wonder what would've happened if she went walking thru Queensbridge or Brooklyn wearing that crap.

[Crunchy Frog]

216. Probably end up naming his daughter "Eva".

[FKA MNChimpH8R]

72. Wow, stupidity is multiplying at a

staggering pace. Hard to sat who's the dumbest party to this incident. There's certainly enough idiocy to go around to all those involved.

"Hydrogen is not the most common element in the universe. STUPIDITY is the most common element in the universe." -Frank Zappa

[Hoof Hearted]

76. Sounds like a circle-jerk to me.

Designer gets free publicity. Woman remains "unnamed."

Curiously absent are DETAILS about this gang of teens, the time and place of attack, how many, what race (how many will assume black), and whether a police report was filed.


I call bullshit.

[babylonsister]

77. Wow, in NY? I thought everyone there is so enlightened,

remember that cover that we should all 'appreciate' despite (my) dumbfuckedness?

[Cha]

93. Lots of New Yorkers didn't appreciate that

smug cover.

http://www.buzzflash.com/articles/editorblog/103

Especially this sweet New Yorker

Tuesday, July 15, 2008
The New Yorker's Willie Horton Incident

In the Fall of 1988's presidential election the GOP's attack machine, led by Karl Rove's dirty-politics mentor Lee Atwater, ran ads against Democratic nominee Michael Dukakis for allowing convicted murderer Willie Horton to be freed on weekend furlough during which time he committed rape and robbery. George H.W. Bush, the Republican nominee, publicly stated that Dukakis had allowed Horton to "terrorize innocent people." The campaign was designed to tap voters' worst racial stereotypes and fears. And it worked.

Cut to 2008. In its July 21 issue, in an unconscionable display of poor taste, racial insensitivity, fear-mongering and bad timing, the venerable highbrow literary journal New Yorker put a cartoon on its cover depicting Democratic presumptive nominee Sen. Barack Obama and his wife Michelle as fist-pounding, machine-gun-toting, flag-burning Muslim terrorists. What on Earth were they thinking? Just some 'good-natured satire' designed to mock America's racist dumbasses, right? But the humor has fallen way short of what was intended. Quite frankly, the cover is incredibly offensive and highly irresponsible.

The campaigns of both Obama and GOP presumptive nominee Sen. John McCain reacted harshly:

"The New Yorker may think, as one of their staff explained to us, that their cover is a satirical lampoon of the caricature Senator Obama's right-wing critics have tried to create," said Obama spokesman Bill Burton. "But most readers will see it as tasteless and offensive. And we agree."

McCain's spokesman Tucker Bounds said, "we completely agree with the Obama campaign, it's tasteless and offensive."

But editor-in-chief, David Remnick, defended his magazine's decision to run the controversial cartoon: "The intent of the cover is to satirize the vicious and racist attacks and rumors and misconceptions about the Obamas that have been floating around in the blogosphere and are reflected in public opinion polls. What we set out to do was to throw all these images together, which are all over the top and to shine a kind of harsh light on them, to satirize them. That's part of what we do."

But rather than succeed in satirizing these vicious and racist attacks, rumors and misconceptions, the New Yorker's cover cartoon feeds into them. First of all, not every reader is a Manhattan 'limousine liberal' who'll "get" the satirical intent. To be sure, there are plenty of so-called Democrats and liberals who, despite their public political personas, are closeted conservatives who marinate in the same racist witches brew of attacks, rumors and misconceptions. Deep down, they want to see a black family occupy the White House about as much as their bigoted brethren on the right. But these people would likely feel this way regardless. Where the magazine's cover is most damaging is with those on the fence. People who happen to pass a newsstand and quickly glance at the cover thinking "Yup, that Obama couple must be really bad if this is on the New Yorker cover.". What about young people who see it? Will all of these folks "get" the satire, especially if only in a quick passing glance?

The New Yorker gambled big with this cover. If it's intention was to be controversial and dominate the news, it succeeded. But if it's goal was to present a compelling message with redeeming value, it failed miserably. It's attempt at social commentary in the form of biting racial satire did nothing but pour gasoline on an already raging fire.


HELP ELECT BARACK OBAMA PRESIDENT: It's now time for us to pull together as Democrats and unite behind Obama and his historic candidacy. These are exciting times. I urge you to support Obama by sending the campaign whatever you can afford. In politics, money is key. There are many swing states this year--Colorado, New Mexico, New Hampshire, Florida, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri among them. With a sizeable war chest for campaigning, ground teams/staff, ads, mailings, Internet/email promotions, etc, he can win these states. We are commited to raising $25,000 for the campaign between now and November. Click here to make a contribution and help me reach this goal. Together we can change America.


http://ostroyreport.blogspot.com/

[Barrymores Ghost]

153. Yup...I was just thinking the same thing. Some people just can't take a "joke."

[AlCzervik]

80. ok i read the thing about the "Designer" or should i say Slogan chooser and he's

an idiot, having said that she has no business suing him, she bought the shirt, she wore the shirt, no one forced her to do either. Also, having said all that, violence isn't the answer to anything, those girls that kicked her ass are also cretins just as the slogan picker and the buyer of the shirt are.

[KingFlorez]

82. There's no way she didn't know that could cause a negative reaction

It's stupid for her to sue when it was her fault for not using common sense. Maybe she wore the shirt knowing it would cause a confrontation just to prove some sort of point, but whatever the reason, she put herself at risk.

[AllentownJake]

124. If you have $70 for a T-shirt

and Grad School in the most expensive city in the country...I'm guessing you didn't grow up with or were exposed to a mixture of people socio-economically that would give you the street smarts to realize that doing this would get your ass kicked. I'm guessing she was not a native NYer and Daddy is paying for her adventure in the city right now.

[dakdirty]

85. The point..

I find it strange that some who have posted responses about protection of free speech make the claim that the young woman shouldn't have been accosted simply because the shirt made a statement about a politician. I think you fail to appreciate that a statement such as the one on the shirt is not simply a reflection of an opinion of Obama, but rather a reflection on black people in general. I think it wouldn't have mattered what black man's name was used, the outcome would be the same. You have the absolute right to wear what you want, but one also bears the responsibility for inflammatory behavior.

[vaberella]

109. Solid point I agree with. With free speech also comes responsibility.

I take full responsibility for my statement because that woman was out of line and as a Black person, that would rip me to the quick. I, personally, would never physically harm another person. But I'm not one to sit idly by when one is blatantly slapping me as a person in the face regardless of who's name is on it.

It's like when that guy from Kramer said, "60 years ago you'd be hanging upside down with a stick up your arse." (slightly paraphrased)...huh? So no one would respond to that and it would be "Okay" for him to say something like that without some sort of response because he has free speech? Come on.

[fortyfeetunder]

90. I don't think the woman deserved to be beaten up

But she was stupid to have thought she could get away with wearing a shirt like that.
And even stupider to think she can sue the T-shirt maker. Was he coercing her to buy it at $69 bucks?

If there were the top 10 stupid acts, her act was so stupid I couldn't assign a number to it.

[AllentownJake]

119. My guess is this the first time

She's been outside of Daddy's care and the sheltered enviroment. Going to Grad School in NY isn't cheap and the fact that she has the money for a $70 T-shirt is the second clue of what her life has probably been prior to making this headline.

[scarletwoman]

92. Apparently those girls who beat up on the T-shirt wearer just didn't appreciate "satire".

I'm sure the wearer of the shirt was simply one of those uber-cool sophisticated New Yorkers who simply assumed that such over-the-top offensiveness would be clearly seen for the put-down of racism that it really was.

At least, that's what I've been told about how such things work...

sw

[vaberella]

108. That doesn't fly in New York. You wear something off, someone will say

something or do something.

[scarletwoman]

132. Sorry, you missed my point.

I was taking a sarcastic jab at apologists for the awful New Yorker cover. Maybe you missed the recent brouhaha over that.

[vaberella]

184. Actually I did understand your comment on Satire

However, I answered it as though I didn't. When I read "super-cool New Yorker" I kept thinking of people who watch way too much Sex in the City for their own good so I answered in such a way. My apologies.

[scarletwoman]

239. No need to apologize. I hadn't read your other responses on this thread, so I didn't have a clear

sense of where you were coming from. I hope I have a better understanding now.

As for "Sex in the City"; I don't have cable, so I've never seen it -- nor have I ever felt any desire to see it. And I have absolutely NO interest in seeing the movie.

I live in a small cabin in the woods of northern Minnesota, a world VERY far removed from New York City.

sw

[vaberella]

264. Ahhh understood. My mistake. I apologize again.

[Barrymores Ghost]

151. ***snarf***

My morning coffee, all over the keyboard. Thanks.

[scarletwoman]

241. Sorry about your keyboard. But I must admit, your ***snarf*** is very gratifying.

[girl gone mad]

96. I thought racism didn't exist..

in perfect, liberal mecca NYC.

Shocking.

[vaberella]

111. I love my city but I'll be candid.

It's the whole "melting pot" thing. NYC has it's fair share of racism marked by defacto segregation. There's this schpiel around about it being a "melting pot." The truth is, tension is high here when it comes to race and location. There is massive defacto segregation followed by the insidious uprising of gentrification.

[Butch350]

98. Who would pay $69 for that tshirt ???

[ampad]

99. LMBAO

boo hooo she got pushed around, this is not what I would call a beat down. All you wanting to revoke my liberal card for laughing at the idiot so be it, you don't define me. As far as her getting the "beat down" once again I say boo hoo. I have witness people getting their ass kicked for less. I have no empathy for the idiot.

[Withywindle]

101. Oh my GOD.

She wasn't even badly hurt - nothing but her White Pride. Awwwwwww.

The shirt's fucking RACIST, and newsflash: wearing that shit in public is, really and truly, asking for it. The shirt's inflammatory and offensive enough to activate some of those "fighting words" exceptions to "freedom of speech."

While in a perfect world all such matters would indeed be settled by enlightened debate in the tradition of the philosophers of Athens, everybody knows we don't live there.

[RNdaSilva]

110. Yep...

& 's.

[Name removed]

112. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[AllentownJake]

117. I don't support the woman getting assaulted

but if I were to walk around with a shirt insulting any ethnic group I wouldn't be surprised if I got my ass beat.

Seeing the woman bought a $69 T-shirt and is a graduate student in NY, I'm guessing she isn't the typical struggling student. Welcome to the real world Honey. Just because you have money the lower rungs of society aren't going to tolerate all your bullshit.

[formercia]

118. A perfect example of degenerate spawn.

Eugenics and Social Darwinism gone amuck.

[fujiyama]

125. People shouldn't be beaten up for wearing stupid and offensive shirts

but she's incredibly naive thinking she could wear such a thing in the most ethnically diverse city in the country. I would almost feel some sympathy for her, but then again if she's stupid enough to also pay $69 for the shirt, there's a Darwin award waiting for her...

As for the T shirt designer, he sounds really awful, but he's laughing his way to the bank.

[AllentownJake]

127. I don't think the designer is that rich

and if he is I doubt its from sales its from money he already had. I could be wrong but his designs consists of block lettering on grey T-shirts with offensive shit written on them for $69. I may be wrong but I don't think there is much of a market for that.

[SOS]

270. According to Ynet Lies, Braun is popular throughout the USA!

"What was supposed to be a limited clothing line for New York’s youth soon caught fire, however, and became a fashion phenomenon all throughout the United States.

The story received massive media coverage on TV, internet websites and in the US press. Photographers swooped on Braunshtein’s store hoping for a shot of the damning shirts and hoodies.

Since everyone truly has their 15 minutes of fame, suffice it to say that all the Obama shirts very quickly sold out. Braunshtein had to quickly produce fresh stocks of the coveted T-shirts, sported by youngsters all throughout New York."

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3527989,00.ht...

"Sported by youngsters all throughout New York"



It's astounding that such a pack of outrageous lies can be presented as "news".

[1Hippiechick]

126. "The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles..."

from the article:
"The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles from his boutique, including shirts with slogans such as "Jews Against Obama," "Obama = Hitler" and "Who Killed Obama?""

The Jewish community needs to address this clown because the majority of Jews are supporting Obama's candidacy. Also, the LOL moment is that he hates Obama because he is a Muslim Adolf Hitler. Gotta laugh at that oxymoron. Also, shouldn't the Secret Service be getting involved because of the Kill Obama t-shirt? That is purely sick."

[AspenRose]

244. "Who Killed Obama?"

Hell-LO, Secret Service....(!)

This guy's got issues.

[1Hippiechick]

254. Yeah, but I just didn't want to put that one in print again....... n/t

[AspenRose]

256. Well, if there is such an entity as "Agent Mike"

Perhaps he should be looking into THAT instead of worrying about us little old folk here at the DU....maybe it'll get his attention

[MrSlayer]

128. I've always said that everyone is entitled to their opinion.

But that one must be careful about where they express that opinion.

[NewJeffCT]

129. Sorry, nobody should get their ass kicked for their clothing

just like nobody should get raped because their provocative clothing means they were asking for it.

Sure, she was stupid to wear it, but stupidity doesn't mean you deserve an ass kicking

[ieoeja]

164. Agreed. Which is why I thought the response she *did* get was appropriate.

I rather admire the restraint shown by these teens. Just slap the racist around a bit. Let her know it is not acceptable, without resorting to a full scale ass kicking.

[vaberella]

180. They actually didn't even "slap" her around. It was

probably more like a shoving. It's done in NYC. Kind of like they bump into you and you wouldn't normally think your accosted. The spitting went one step further, however, the description wasn't like they physically put a hand on her, just her head phones. However, it doesn't make it better, but the impression a lot of people are giving was more along the lines of a "beat down" which is incorrect.

[JustAnotherGen]

130. On the woman who bought it

She's an idiot. I don't condone violence for wearing something like that . . . Considering I used to wear Just Say No To Chimp T-Shirts out in public when I lived in Monroe County NY (about as bright red as red gets on the map ) and the dirty looks I used to get from dim witted NeoCons. But I digress . . .

I'm wondering instead about this Israeli immigrant. Is this the perception of Barack Obama by ALL Israelis? Is this reflective of a belief system that is just below the surface? If it is - God help us. I've thought for the past few years (going out on a limb here) that we need to review our policies toward the Middle East. Blind support of Israel regardless of their actions (and they aren't ALWAYS right) gets us to a place of being the bad guys who can't look objectively at the way things are. Namely, the segregation (apartheid really) of Palestinians.

And now we have a recent immigrant from Israel trying to promote hate and fear toward Muslims - by using a black Christian American Presidential Candidate. What will Israel do if Obama wins? Will they suddenly have to admit this racism? And will they continue on their Most Favored Nation Status?

I sincerely hope this is NOT the average Israeli and instead - a wingnut that they did NOT want in their midst.

[chyjo]

131. Sounds like she got lucky

A couple of teenage girls shoved her and spit in her face? Thats hardly vigilante justice, if you decide to declare to the world that you are a jackass via your t-shirt you should be willing to pay the consequences.

[DangerDave921]

135. Come on now

So if someone wore an anti-McCain t-shirt, you would be OK if a bunch of RW'ers shoved her and spit in her face? Of course you wouldn't. What a lame excuse for violence. Seriously. Free speech should not be met with physical violence.

[sufrommich]

136. Their thugs bad,our thugs good.

Is the sarcasm smiley necessary?

[ieoeja]

165. You really can not tell the difference between racism and politics? n/t

[Raineyb]

166. That shirt isn't just anti-Obama

It's an affront to every black person on the planet for reasons I don't think need to be explained.

And this chick didn't exactly get her ass kicked.

I'm not saying that the use of (rather mild) violence is correct; but I damn sure won't waste any time crying for this stupid racist bitch.

Derision and laughter for this dim-bulb was my original reaction. I think I'll stick with that.

Regards

[DangerDave921]

172. So what you're saying is . . .

You don't think violence is OK, but you'll give it a pass here. Wink wink.

Look, what the girl did was stupid and ignorant and offensive. And who said I'm crying for her? She made a stupid choice. All I said was that I disagree with violence in response to the peaceful expression of free speech. Personally, skin heads marching down my street -- if peaceful -- does not give me the right to throw bottles at them or attack them.

I've seen lots of posts on here about RW'ers who trash cars with Dem bumper stickers, or who hassle Dems while out drumming up votes. And such conduct is universally deplored on here as it should be. But you can't then turn around and chuckle because some dumb-ass RW'er gets shoved and spit on for wearing a t-shirt.

It's called principles and logic.

[Raineyb]

212. What I'm saying is that while I wouldn't advocate violence I'm not inclined to condemn it

either. Considering the mildness of this response, I'd say the bitch got off lucky and it's not worth the time and effort crying for her pampered over-indulged ass.

I think the shirt is the bigger affront. Slavery is neither cute nor funny and just because you slap Obama's name on it doesn't make it a political statement either.

It may not jibe with your principles or logic but then I don't need your blessing nor your condescension.

Let's just put it this way, she just got an extremely mild taste of what happens to actual slaves. Maybe she'll learn something from it.

Regards

[Teaser]

177. So free speech should not be met with physical violence

So if I walk up to someone and start screaming how their mother is a whore and that her blow jobs are for shit and that I have her crack money waiting for her taped to my dog's ass...


well, I'm gonna get hit. And what's more, I should get hit for saying that.

[DangerDave921]

195. Note

I said peaceful expression of free speech. Getting up in someone's face and screaming insults at them is not exactly peaceful, is it? Depending on the proximity of the person and the aggressiveness, that could easily be construed as assault which may require self-defense.

But I stand by my position -- peaceful expression of free speech, even if racist, does not entitle another person to physically accost that person.

[Starbucks Anarchist]

183. This was hardly just an anti-Obama shirt.

The word "slave" is full of historical connotations, and the fact that it's used here in reference to a black candidate makes it seem racist on its face.

[DangerDave921]

194. OK

So it's a racist t-shirt. That means it's OK to shove someone and spit on them?

[HiFructosePronSyrup]

202. Yeah.

I haven't got a problem with that.

[Renew Deal]

190. There's a difference between wearing an anti-McCain t-shirt and being a racist asshole

This person got off easy.

[raebrek]

134. Is this for real?

I can not imaging paying $69 for a t-shirt. If I were to pay that much I would expect there to be a little more to the t-shirt then 3" high letters. I can't imaging someone selling a t-shirt with that message on it. I can't imaging someone actually purchasing that t-shirt and then wearing it in public. Is this for real?

Raebrek!!!

[platosrepublic]

141. Thats what happens if you act like an ass

what did she expect wearing a racist tshirt?

[rox63]

144. Anyone who wears a t-shirt like that in NYC is an idiot

Actually, no matter where they wear it, they're an idiot. But wearing it in NYC is particularly idiotic. I'm not saying it justifies her gettin her ass kicked. But if she didn't realize that she might get her ass kicked for wearing it, she's a stupid, bigoted asshole.

[Snarkturian Clone]

146. People are calling this woman racist but I think

she's less racist and more idiot. She probably went to this "designer's" store and was like "That shirt is sooooo cute and edgy!! And it's only $69!!!! Charge it on my Dad's credit card!!"

I used to know a woman in NYC that was this kind of stupid. She used to tell me that no one wears jeans on saturday nights in new york. When I asked her why she was like "THIS IS NEW YORK CITY!!!!!!" as if that meant anything. I call it the NewYorkophile Syndrome. People who think NYC is the be all and end all of all things.

[Bill McBlueState]

147. What the hell kind of graduate student...

has $69 to spend on a t-shirt?

[Raineyb]

167. The idiot kind who has daddy paying the bills

would be my guess.

They're also part of the reason why parts of Brooklyn that I lived in growing up are now completely unaffordable to me now.

"Oh! $2000 a month for a studio apartment with a hotplate and a shower in the living room! It's in NYC how cool!

No bitch, people who live and work here don't want to pay such ridiculous prices for closets with toilets thank you very much.

(Okay I exaggerate a bit; but I think you get the gist of what I'm saying.)

Regards

[mrs_p]

230. right!

this grad student doesn't even have $69.00 for groceries..

[truebrit71]

160. Idiot.

What other type of reaction did they think they were going to get wearing that racist shit?

[BryMan]

161. D D Deeeeeee

How is it ppl suppose they can sue someone for themselves being total idiots?

[crimanimalz]

173. um

[kctim]

178. What a bunch of hypocrites

How is this any different then beating someones ass for burning the flag?
"Common sense" says you don't burn the US flag in my hometown, would you also laugh at the guy who tried that and got his ass kicked?
Responding with violence in such situations does nothing but make things worse.

[Blondiegrrl]

242. I'm laughing at her because she's now trying to sue the designer.

As though the designer somehow forced her to wear such an overpriced rag.

I don't think anyone here believes she should have been attacked for wearing the shirt. This is DU; unlike the Repukes, we support the First Amendment.

[Sparkle]

250. You're awful new to come in here calling DUers hypocrites. eom

[Skip Intro]

252. However valid the point may be. And a valid point it is, imho.

I hope I've been around long enough to say that.

[woo me with science]

179. If a woman attacked her attempted rapist,

some of these very same people would be shitting all over her for using violence instead of locking herself in a closet until the police got there. And damn anyone who suggests a thug or child molester might get what he deserves in prison. But it's fine to beat someone up over a racist tee shirt slogan.

I sure as hell can't understand the hierarchy in some people's minds.

[JVS]

181. She's lucky they merely spat on her

[Name removed]

186. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[Cha]

199. Now you're just adding hyperbole..no one

called him a saint..you did.

Sure, she shouldn't have been attacked for wearing a "Obama is my slave" tee shirt..like someone said upthread.."stupidity is its own punishment".

[vaberella]

217. Let's be serious. The biggest divider of Americans is race relations.

No one is asking her to like him. However, wearing a shirt that equates him to a slave. Slavery which is STILL the unhealed and bleeding wound of this nation; would raise the hackles of anyone not just Blacks. The shirt was directly offensive not just to Obama but all people who are know the magnitude of what slavery is and was.

For her to sport it as though it's a fad of a moment and marginalize it's direct relation to us as citizens is more than insulting. It's a slap in the face.

[RandomKoolzip]

187. I don't believe this actually happened.

[Eric J in MN]

198. The newspaper reporter never spoke to the woman this allegedly happened to...

...just to the designer.

[Hoof Hearted]

211. BINGO!

This a bunch of outrage over a publicity stunt/circle jerk.

Edited to add: What a bunch of sukkas.

[vaberella]

220. I call it a Bush moment...

I admit to being hoodwinked.

[Raineyb]

223. It's online at the Metro

http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/Obama_slave_shir...

Regards

[Renew Deal]

188. Proof that NYC is the greatest city in the world.

[Clark2008]

189. Can I sue her for being an idiot and unfairly representing my gender and race?

[scarface2004]

196. new t shirt coming....'mcaine is my insane pow bitch!!!'

yours for only $59!

[Stinky The Clown]

197. What doofus spends SIXTY NINE BUCKS for ***any*** tee shirt????????

Get her a CITIZEN OF DUMBFUCKISTAN sign.

[sakabatou]

203. *facepalm*

[mbperrin]

205. The "designer" is cool, too!

From the tail of the article:

“For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president,” the Israeli-born designer said.

“I can’t stand Obama,” Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. “That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities.”

“He reminds me of Adolf Hitler,” Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because “he is a Muslim” — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape.

The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles from his boutique, including shirts with slogans such as “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama = Hitler” and “Who Killed Obama?”


Neat guy, huh?

[baldguy]

206. Barack Obama is like Adolf Hitler? Is he planning on annexing the Sudatenland?

It never ceases to amaze me when people Godwin themselves.

[Barack_America]

213. This calls for an Honorary Darwin Award...

Paying $69 for a t-shirt that says THAT, then proceeding to wear it around New York?

I predict a short swim in the gene pool.

[sniffa]

214. "Who Killed Obama?"

How is this guy allowed to do this shit?

“I can’t stand Obama,” Braun says, but claims that it's not because the candidate is black. “That’s the only thing I like about him. He opens the door for other minorities.”

“He reminds me of Adolf Hitler,” Braun explained, adding he does not like the Illinois senator because “he is a Muslim” — a myth that Obama apparently cannot escape.

The designer has sold several other anti-Obama styles from his boutique, including shirts with slogans such as “Jews Against Obama,” “Obama = Hitler” and “Who Killed Obama?”

http://www.livesteez.com/news/news_detail/934

[TheDonkey]

219. What a fucking douchebag.

$69 for this POS that could be made with a t shirt and iron ons for like $10.

[psychopomp]

253. I thought that was a photoshop of some douche's head on a woman's body

After seeing the pic a few times it dawned on me that that's the "man" himself

[Danger Mouse]

225. Isn't that crossing the 'free speech' line there?

[sniffa]

229. Next you'll be saying you can't yell, "Fire!" in a movie theater

Some liberal cred you have.

[Danger Mouse]

245. Yeah, and inciting riots is totally uncool.

[vaberella]

218. WAIT!! This is a fake?! No wonder she didn't press charges on her attackers. Bush moment...

I should have figured that out. Thanks posters above for clearing that up.

[Raineyb]

222. I don't think it's a fake. It was also reported in a local paper

The Metro is usually given away for free in the subways if I remember correctly. (I don't take the subways during morning rush myself) Here's the url to the archived story.

http://ny.metro.us/metro/local/article/Obama_slave_shir...

Regards

[vaberella]

243. They are but I don't read the metro. Only WSJ, NYT, FT and maybe DN.

[Raineyb]

257. I don't read it either

I actually ran across this story via a blog (not daily kos) which linked to the Metro.

On the other hand at least it's not the Post. I wouldn't read that even if they gave it away.

Regards

[Garbo 2004]

260. Metro is the source of the story that was told to it by the designer. No independent source & Metro

didn't speak to the woman who allegedly alleged an assault and threatened to sue. So far the designer is the original and only source of the story.

Metro got the "story" from not an independent news report of an assault, but the designer's own press release, which kindly provides the "victim's" phone number for media contacts. Can you say provocative "artist/designer" seeks publicity? Gawker provides the desinger's press release: http://gawker.com/5026752/race+baiting-media-whore-is-a... http://gawker.com/5026752/race+baiting-media-whore-is-a...

[vaberella]

263. Yes I can, which screams FRAUD!!!

[mrs_p]

228. just a thought

not that i condone violence towards the racist shirt wearing grad student, but maybe one could argue that the young women involved were acting out of some sort of survival instinct. enslavement, after all, is a form of genocide.

from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Genocide :

Genocide is the deliberate and systematic destruction of an ethnic, racial, religious, or national group.
While precise definition varies among genocide scholars, a legal definition is found in the 1948 United Nations Convention on the Prevention and Punishment of the Crime of Genocide (CPPCG). Article 2, of this convention defines genocide as "any of the following acts committed with intent to destroy, in whole or in part, a national, ethnical, racial or religious group, as such: killing members of the group; causing serious bodily or mental harm to members of the group; deliberately inflicting on the group conditions of life, calculated to bring about its physical destruction in whole or in part; imposing measures intended to prevent births within the group; forcibly transferring children of the group to another group."

[islandmkl]

233. dupe

[islandmkl]

234. after all of this, i think it went down like this:

teenage girls: "what does your shirt say?"

t-shirt girl: "Obama is my slave."

teenage girls: "What does THAT mean."

t-shirt girl: "I don't know. I just thought it was cool."

teenage girls: "Do you like Obama or what?"

t-shirt girl: "Not really. I think he is kind of lame, actually."

teenage girls: "Oh man, we think he is cool."

teenage girl by herself: "How much did you pay for that shirt?"

t-shirt girl: "Sixty-nine dollars......" the ass kicking starts

...it's about being that fucking stupid and that is all...

[mloutre]

235. Shorter unnamed grad student person:

(And, for that matter, shorter Apollo Braun designer person too...):

[Sparkle]

247. Did this jerkoff really say this?

"For a lot of people, when they see Obama, they see a slave. People think America is not ready for a black president," the Israeli-born designer said.

Certainly when people look at him, they see a slave. Wasn't his ancestors slaves? Jackass!

[mitchum]

258. Yes, Braunshtein ancestors were certainly slaves who once were a lot better at working...

with their hands
That t shirt is no freakin' pyramid

[OnyxCollie]

251. Will his next T-shirt "design" be a cartoon of Mohammed? nt

[Garbo 2004]

259. So far the only source of the story is the "designer" who spoke to Metro News.

Apparently the source of the story is a single news source (Metro News) who did not speak to the woman who allegedly alleged an assault.

Free publicity for the designer. http://nymag.com/daily/intel/2008/07/how_to_succeed_in_...

[Brigid]

261. She paid $69 for a T-shirt?

She needed to get her butt kicked just for that.

[Garbo 2004]

262. Hoax? Designer's own press release is original source of the "story."

Gawker reveals the origins of the story:

Race-Baiting Media Whore Is A Credible Source To One Dumb Paper

Metro, the free paper best known for causing track fires on the NYC subways, ran a cover story yesterday that is totally indefensible, even by the lowly journalism standards of free morning papers. Radar spotted it: a front page splash about an innocent grad student girl who was supposedly attacked by four wild young black females because she was wearing a t-shirt with the slogan, "OBAMA IS MY SLAVE." The paper's one and only source? The untalented media whore designer who sold the mystery girl the shirt. (We would feel dirty giving him more PR than necessary, but it was this prick). But guess what, Metro: we got that press release too. And if this whole story isn't a hoax, I will personally buy one of those shitty shirts.

Here's the release we got on Wednesday:

, a 25 year-old graduate student who lives in Manhattan was attacked yesterday (Tuesday, July 15th, 2008) at 8.30 P.M. outside of the 14th St.-Union Square subway station. <"Victim">, who was at the time listening to music with her iPod, was wearing a pink t-shirt bearing the slogan "Obama Is My Slave". Four African-American female teenagers approached her and one of them started to curse her because of her t-shirt, screaming at her, and then push her. <"Victim">, who was shocked, started to walk away from the group but was followed by the girls. The same one who cursed her, pulled her earphones and another girl spat on her face. <"Victim"> ran away from them and called the "" store on where she had purchased her t-shirt and complained about the attack to the employee who was working in the shop at that time. The employee agreed to give <"victim"> the owner's, , cell phone number and the still shocked <"victim"> told him about the attack and informed him she was thinking of suing him "for all he's got". in return told her that he was very sorry she had been attacked, but that she could not blame him because as he told her "No one made you buy the t-shirt". <"Victim"> said that she would come the following day and demand a refund for the t-shirt, which cost her $69. told her that he doesn't give refunds because it is against his store policy. This made her even more agitated and she started to scream at him saying that he should be "ashamed of himself". asked her for her phone number saying that he would speak to his lawyer and call her back. Yesterday at 10 PM when I, his publicist, called <"victim"> she was extremely upset and told me that she had spoken to her parents and decided to take to court.

* To speak with about the incident, you can reach her at phone number:
* To speak with aka , you can reach him at phone number: .
* A picture of aka wearing the "Obama Is My Slave" t-shirt can be found at:

Sincerely,

Lauren Levy
Publicist.

What's wrong with this picture? The guy is supposedly getting sued, and his own flack blasts out a press release with all the alleged dirty details, including the contact info of the girl who is supposedly suing him. Any reporter who's ever seen a press release related to a lawsuit knows that there's no way on earth one side will be happily passing out the other side's contact info and encouraging journalists to call them. And Metro says the "victim" didn't return any of their calls. Which didn't stop them from putting this on the front page.

There are only two possibilities: Either this whole thing is a hoax; or, the girl did get assaulted, and the bad designer and his creepy flack decided that this race-baiting was just the thing to get his face in the paper. Either way, what a bunch of scuzzballs.

Link to Gawker article : http://gawker.com/5026752/race+baiting-media-whore-is-a...

[vaberella]

265. Yeah, I don't read the Metro for a reason. It's full of crap.

[BlooInBloo]

271. "Obama is my slave"?HAHAHAAHA!!!! By god white folks make me proud....

Not.

[vaberella]

272. Hahahahaha!!

[tomg]

273. Quite honestly, I simply think

the whole thing sounds like a set-up by a couple of pseudo Baron Sasha Cohen wannabes. Sort of like very bad performance art. To suggest this is in no way to diminish the discussion of freedom of speech, whether this constitutes "fighting words" ( although the phrase has not come up), what constitutes a proper response to statements of this order, and so on, which, to me, are far more important than bad performance art by idiots.

edit for typo

[treestar]

274. She certainly has the first amendment right to wear the T shirt

And physically assaulting her for it is illegal, even if she wasn't hurt.

However, I would support sneering at her, loudly exercising the first amendment right to make fun of her and point out that she must be a moran.

And to rub it in her face that Obama is going to be her president.