So I was in Texas this past week and I saw this fat old white dude at the airport in Corpus

[XemaSab]

wearing a "Wendy Davis for Governor" shirt.

[crim son]

1. I love it! n/t

[jberryhill]

2. Meaning what?

"Fat old" people can't have opinions with which you agree?

[ChisolmTrailDem]

18. That isn't what the poster said...

[jberryhill]

26. Okay. What made the observation noteworthy?

Since I don't understand it, explain it to me.

I asked a question, as symbolized by the question mark.

Saying "that's not what they meant" in response to a question seems a bit odd.

Yes, I'm ASKING what the poster meant, because I DON'T understand what the poster meant.

Are you going to answer it, or point out that, yes, by asking a question I am signifying my lack of understanding of what the poster meant. You seem to have puzzled out that aspect of my post.

[pscot]

68. Lemme guess

You're a fat old white dude?

[jberryhill]

70. Nope

I have lost a lot of weight and am pretty trim now.

[pscot]

73. Well done!

[yawnmaster]

69. Not going to answer for the OP, but the way you asked the question...

sure made it sound rhetorical.

[WhiteTara]

105. It's about Texas.

[jberryhill]

107. Yeah? Where skinny young LBJ came from?

And?

[WhiteTara]

109. You seem determined to take offense

and I don't think it was intended.

[jberryhill]

110. You seem determined to see offense where it's not taken

I'm laughing at the duh factor.

[liberalmike27]

38. Yea

I'm old, and fat, and rabidly liberal. Just so you know, we're out there, not all "bubba's."

[ChisolmTrailDem]

45. Exactly. The point is it's an anti-stereotypical image of a fat old Texas confederat bubba. nt

[Dustlawyer]

62. It must be time to change the stereotype because I am also a fat, old white guy in Texas who

supports Wendy!

[awoke_in_2003]

83. What were you doing at the airport?

oh, I'm another fat white guy in Texas who supports Wendy, and works at the airport.

[Gothmog]

99. Juanita Jean's husband, Bubba, and I will be out at a Cinco de Mayo event on Saturday

Leticia van de Putte will be there and I will be wearing one of her shirts. I am not sure what Bubba will be wearing. Both Bubba and I are older, white and healthy looking.

[Zambero]

74. Reminds me of an old Bo Diddley song

"You Can't Judge a Book by Looking at the Cover"

[Paladin]

3. I think your OP warrants an explanation. Just what is the point you're trying to make? (nt)

[jberryhill]

5. It is noteworthy for a fat old white dude to have such an opinion

You do not understand the OP, because you fail to appreciate the context which makes it a noteworthy observation.

Merely seeing someone in a political t shirt is, of course, not unusual.

But here, the "man bites dog" aspect making the observation noteworthy is that it is a t shirt for a Democratic candidate which is being worn by a "fat old white dude".

The missing context you do not grasp is that one does not ordinarily expect a "fat old white dude" to support a Democratic candidate. You see, this person is:

1. Fat

2. Old

3. White, and

4. Male

That's four strikes which, in combination, render this person's opinions to be presumptively odious. Any one of these things alone would normally mean this person's thoughts on just about anything at all are likely to be ill-informed, bigoted, etc.

But here, despite these obvious limitations on the extent of this person's character, he is wearing a Davis for Governor shirt. So, clearly, this is a noteworthy statistical outlier.

[HomerRamone]

8. I so often wish I could "Like" comments here a la Facebook nt

[Eleanors38]

9. You forgot one: (probably) straight...

Some years ago, activists working the 360° slur angle described the enemy as "Liberal, Straight, White, Racist Males [fat didn't have much ring, then]." Roughly, LESWORMs

[bunnies]

10. .

[snooper2]

14. And you forgot the Texas aspect...

just so the list is complete

[jberryhill]

32. Oh, a TEXAN?

Sweet Jesus, that guy should go to a lab for analysis.

[Paladin]

23. Well, this fat, old, white, straight, Texas Democrat appreciates your explanation.

And despite the obvious limitations on the extent of my character you've itemized, this old statistical outlier would like to thank you for absolutely nothing---other than living down to my expectations......

[UTUSN]

31. But your profile says "Austin" -- so... n/t

[Paladin]

37. Ah, yes: the "Austin Is The Only Cool Place In Texas" thing.

Congrats---I think this odious thread has now hit pretty much every stereotype there is about Texas. Hey, gotta run---my Wendy T-shirts are coming out of the dryer......

[jberryhill]

43. I hope the shirts didn't shrink in the dryer

Otherwise, you'll never get them on your fat old self.

[Paladin]

79. All you Delaware people are exactly alike. (nt)

[jberryhill]

82. Oh yeah?

Come to Delaware and say that.

And do make sure to pay the proper toll, regardless of which highway you come in on.

We charge admission here.

[Paladin]

85. You charge admission, as well you should. (nt)

[jberryhill]

87. Keeps out the riff-raff

[Paladin]

89. I have my doubts. (nt)

[jberryhill]

90. Lol

Well, except for folks like me who were born here.

[jtuck004]

55. Tremendous explanation. Still, if only our enemies were that easy to spot...n/t

[Lizzie Poppet]

61. A credit to his race!

Gosh, where have I heard that line before...?

[WatermelonRat]

115. Being fat makes someone likely to be "ill informed, bigoted, etc."?

Being a white male from an older generation might increase the odds, but I don't really see how his weight factors into it.

[whopis01]

93. Clearly the OP was pointing out that he or she views the world in a prejudiced way,

full of stereotypes that often do not line up with reality.

At least that is what I am going to choose to take away from it.

[Dale Neiburg]

4. I've never been to Corpus Christi

but this fat old white dude has contributed to her campaign.

[jberryhill]

6. You mean she is supported by more than one fat old white dude?

My God, what are the odds?

[Red State Prisoner]

30. Being that I'm a native Corpus Christian, I can see the OP's point.

Corpus Christi is an extremely conservative town in South Texas. I think the OP is implying that a bubba supporting Wendy Davis is a rare, yet encouraging site in that area.

[jberryhill]

36. Waddya call people from Corpus Christi?

Corpulent Christians?

[TexasTowelie]

52. LOL, I was born in Corpus Christi.

I'm not fat though and though I'm soon to be 49 year old, I don't think that quite fits the "old" qualifier either.

BTW, I always get a kick seeing your avatar.

[jberryhill]

54. accrocher par les cornes

[Red State Prisoner]

92. A Corpus native, huh?

I'm torn on the town, honestly. On the one hand, I grew up there. On the other, I couldn't wait to leave. It's a funny thing. I'm simultaneously drawn and repulsed by the damned place.

[TexasTowelie]

94. I only live there until I was four years old.

Moved to George West (about 60 miles away) where I went to school, but made the occasional shopping trip with my parents. I didn't spend much time there though.

[Red State Prisoner]

65. Ha! Yup. That's what they're called.

I high tailed it to Austin as soon as I could. I'd much rather be referred to as an Austinite.

[Zambero]

78. So.... Kneejerk stereotypes can be misleading

I've been surprised myself on occasion. One never knows.

[Gothmog]

98. Corpus is the home district of Ducky Pajama boy-Blake Farenthold

Ducky Pajama Boy lives in Corpus. http://www.juanitajean.com/2013/08/12/ducky-boy-rides-again/

[TexasProgresive]

7. If you happened to see me

would you think I was a fat, old, white puke?

Not all of us are on the dark side.

[ScreamingMeemie]

11. +1

[TexasTowelie]

53. I wouldn't and I know that you're in a region of the state that's more conservative than

Corpus Christi. Fortunately, there aren't throngs of people hanging out at Easterwood Airport.

[yellowcanine]

12. Posts like this are useless without pictures.

How do we know the person you saw is

1) Fat

2) Old

3) White

4) A dude and not a dudess?

[KoKo]

13. Sort of offensive....

Substitute: Fat Old Black Dude, Fat Old Asian Dude, Fat Old Muslim Dude...etc.

[B2G]

15. Beat me to it. But I would have removed 'sort of'. nt

[cherokeeprogressive]

24. "Sort of" in the same vein as "Fat Chick" would be. n/t

[N_E_1 for Tennis]

64. Agreed.

[watoos]

16. I think if you add "mean" which was probably indeterminable it would be a given;puke.

Fat
Old
White
Male
Mean

[Dreamer Tatum]

17. That's nothing. I saw a young black dude in a BOOKSTORE.

Um, see how you sound?

[The Straight Story]

21. I was gonna reply to this in a snarky way, but unless it was about a straight white male

it would be alerted/hidden. I don't even dare type out a joke that would have went along with your post to help illustrate the point you were making.

[LanternWaste]

41. The license of a misdirect is often lost on far too many people.

The license of a misdirect is often lost on far too many people, regardless of how they may sound too.

[Nye Bevan]

19. This thread is a perfect candidate for self-delete.

Hopefully on reflection you will see how offensive it is.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

20. I like it, actually.

It goes against the stereotype. Love that.


I believe even we liberals are vulnerable to labeling people.

[sarisataka]

25. That's the problem

when you expect the stereotype is the truth...

This fat old white dude has supported Dems since he could vote.

[Red State Prisoner]

33. The post could have been worded better, I agree...

With that being said, I understand the point that the OP was trying to get across.

[sarisataka]

49. I do get the point of the post

and am occasionally guilty of stereotyping; we all are at some point. It is something to watch out for as IME it is a small step from stereotype to bigotry

By strict demographics, outside of where I live, I would be a teapartier. The trouble is I was a Wellstone loyalist.

[Red State Prisoner]

91. Your point is well taken.

It is a slippery slope at best.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

39. yeah. I see what you mean.

Maybe it's the red Texas aspect that makes it appealing.

Well, I'm a middle-aged white lady, and I'm subject to stereotypes that I don't like, too. So I can empathize...

I act contrary to it as much as possible.




On edit....I've just always loved anything non-conformist.

[sarisataka]

47. Keep on shockin' 'em

[BlancheSplanchnik]

48. I do try my best...

While keeping my job.

[Hippo_Tron]

75. The fat part is just a stereotype, but the rest is true

Old white men, especially in the south, vote overwhelmingly Republican.

[cherokeeprogressive]

58. I totally agree about smashing the stereotype...

I've always found the notion that all older white males who vote for Democrats are slim and trim to be completely invalid.

[BlancheSplanchnik]

76. :) true! but.....

The notion that all repukes suck IS true.

[cherokeeprogressive]

22. I don't think you're getting the responses you expected.

[Brickbat]

27. What the fuck is this shit right here?

[Capt. Obvious]

28. Rec

if only for the outrage this OP inspired.

[hamsterjill]

29. Santa Claus is voting for Wendy!!!

Sorry...I couldn't resist!

As an avid Wendy supporter myself, I don't care if other voters are white, fat, old, purple, skinny, young, etc. Let's just get out the vote and put Wendy in the governor's mansion!!!

[Paladin]

40. +1,000,000. Thank you so much. (nt)

[kentauros]

59. That's how I see it :)

Supporting Wendy is a good thing, no matter how it's "worded." Supporting with money while backstabbing with pessimistic verbiage is never a good thing.

[dem in texas]

34. There are lots of old white Democratic dudes in Texas

My husband is an old white fat dude Texan and his blood runs blue. Don't lump all people into groups based on what you see on Fox News. The large cities in Texas are solidly Democrat and all have large groups of old fat white dudes and dudettes who always vote Democratic ticket. In fact, we are going to early vote for the primary runoff today, got to keep that Lyndon Luroche, crazy lady off the ticket.

[lillypaddle]

44. I'm an old, fat, white woman

so what does that have to do with my politics?

[Arkansaw]

46. I think I will question the post also.

Fat: Now that I have been out of the work force for a number of years I find gaining weight a lot easier and losing it a lot harder.

Old: Yes the alternate sucks.

White: Can’t help it, I wasn’t there to guide or advise my ancestors.

Male: Well yes, can’t help that either.

Mean: Now there is one I can claim as my own. I don’t call it mean but I do find that I suffer fools less than I used to.

These 5 things I confess to but none of them affect my power of reason.

Wendy Davis has a hard job ahead of her. Texas is a large state with a very diverse population, some with very deep pockets. Her real job will begin when she is elected. It has been almost 20 years since Ann Richards was governor, plenty time for for those who succeeded her to foul things up.

[dilby]

50. Ah bigotry alive and well in our party.

Not sure what I find more disgusting, the fact that you mention the persons sex, weight, age or color. Or maybe it's the idea that when you see anyone who fits your stereotype you assume they are a republican and probably a racist too.

[moriah]

95. Jokes about fat people isn't "bigotry" on here, remember....

.... especially if they're about someone presumably not on "our side". If they're about Chris Christie, there seem to be bonus points given.

Mutter.

[dilby]

101. Well as a Man who likes his women to look healthy.

I get offended by people who call people fat, I think women look the best around size 16+.

[DFW]

51. As a Texan who has seen enough photos of Teabagger gatherings

I can understand completely what the OP is about.

Jump on the author for not being PC if you feel you must, but the OP meant well.

[Paladin]

80. "....the OP meant well."

BullSHIT.

[whistler162]

56. Is that you Mr. Dice Clay.....

still as funny as ever!

[TexasTowelie]

57. The only thing that would make this tale more interesting

is if he had been riding a government-subsidized scooter hoveround.

[Lizzie Poppet]

60. Gosh, isn't it uplifting when someone contradicts broad-brush stereotypes?

Gee, next thing you know, you might spot a black person who isn't shiftless and lazy...a woman who isn't emotional and irrational ('speshly on her period!),...or maybe an Asian who's bad at math!

[daligirl519]

63. Whoosh. . . .

That's the sound of your very astute observation going over the heads of those who don't understand context. . .

[H2O Man]

66. This is an

interesting OP/thread.

I say that as the oldest person on DU. More, since suffering serious injuries in an auto wreck 13 years ago, I've gained a significant amount of weight. And I tend to be fairly light-skinned, especially in the late winter months.

I am not offended by the OP. I thought it was mildly funny. But I think it might not have come across in conveying the intended message in a manner accessible to all.

[XemaSab]

67. 'Splaining for people who don't get it:

I would have stereotyped this dude based on race, age, socioeconomics, and location, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that stereotype challenged.

[Paladin]

84. Thanks for talking down to those who you think don't get it.

One thing about you: at least you're consistent......

[jberryhill]

102. I was pleasantly surprised by an African American who did not mug me yesterday

Should I make an OP about that?

[ecstatic]

114. that analogy doesn't work

The fact is, most white men are republicans. Narrow it down to Texas and the overwhelming majority of white men are republicans. Most african americans do NOT steal or mug people, despite the media portrayals.

[jpak]

103. The real question is - did you see any cool birds there?

[XemaSab]

104. You know I did

Green Parakeet, Black-capped Vireo, Golden-cheeked Warbler, and White-collared Seedeater were lifers.

We got crippling looks at so many birds. Bronzed Cowbird might be the bird of the trip, but the Least Grebe paddling right under us in the blind at Sabal Palm was also amazing.

My friend had never been, and the only birds we looked for and missed were Ringed Kingfisher and Audubon's Oriole.

This bird looks almost as cool as the Bronzed Cowbird we saw:

[jpak]

111. I got all those except the black-capped vereo :(

Did you go to the Brownsville Dump to see the Mexican Crow?

[XemaSab]

113. They haven't been around lately

[ananda]

71. I just read an article stating that ..

.. Davis would actually have a chance if people get out to vote.

Texas is more a nonvoting state than a red state, it claims.

[Gothmog]

96. Paul Begala is the person who first made that statement

The level of voter participation in Texas is bad. If Hispanic voters voted at the same rates as in California, Texas would be a blue state

[Logical]

72. Classy! "Fat"? You 10 years old? nt

[tiredtoo]

77. The postings on this board never cease to amaze me

with the amount of politically correct corrections they bring. Good lord can't we just take a message for what the poster is trying to say without tearing everything apart?
As a fat old white dude that supports Wendy, i am glad to hear there are others like me. Although i knew it all along.

[hfojvt]

112. yeah, but I don't like people pointing out the fact

that I'm white

[chknltl]

81. Ha! I bet you hold stock in 'Wendy Davis for Governor' T-Shirts!

Do you sell them in sizes other than Extra Large?

[IronLionZion]

86. Now you got the old fat white Texans on DU to identify themselves

so we know who to watch for if ever in the mood for a good witch hunt!

[The2ndWheel]

88. With all the usual hubbub found on these boards

Hopefully this thread can be referenced when any sort of physical description prior to the politics gets discussed. If you mean well, if you're pleasantly surprised based on physical traits, it's ok to not just debate ideas.

Saw a guy in Texas wearing a Wendy Davis t-shirt. That's great! Woohoo!

[Ino]

97. ...and he always speaks so well of you

[Capt. Obvious]

100. I expect to read this sort of bigotry on FatPeopleHate but not here!

http://www.reddit.com/r/fatpeoplehate/

[Skip Intro]

106. Thank God he was a fat, old, White man, otherwise you'd have no thread.

[jberryhill]

108. Dude, you have no thread