THE "N" WORD - ENOUGH ALREADY!

By Lee Degenstein

According to the Oxford English Dictionary’s second edition, there are approximately 171,476 words in the English language. So let’s say for arguments sake that there are another 30,000 words that Oxford does not include in their dictionary, thus making a total of slightly more than 200, 000 words.

This begs the question, why does there exist a word in our language that can only be identified by its first letter? I am not talking about the “F” word or the “C” word. I am however referring to the “N” word. I really don’t get it.

The African American Community very little if anything to do with the introduction of the phrase “N word”. In fact, many members of that community feel the phrase should not be used. So where did it come from? The answer and blame goes to the news media both print and broadcast.

You rarely hear individuals using the phrase. Why do newscasters and print reporters have to resort to using the phrase “N” word? It sounds like they are talking to a group of young school children. Why can’t the “N” word be replaced with the phrase “racial slurs”? That’s what they say when other ethnicities are verbally attacked.

I would go as far as to say that using the “N” word is offensive, insulting and completely divisive. Does the media not realize that the use of the “N” word phrase is an example of inequality to begin with? Simply put the liberal print and broadcast media, is treating the African American community differently than it treats others and that divides people, rather than bringing them together.

The website Dictionary.Com calls the word Nigger, the “most offensive word in the English language”. I am Jewish and I would be terribly offended if I were to be called a Kike. Yet there is no “K” word in our language. It is my belief that any racial or religious slurs are equally offensive. I don’t see how one can be more offensive than another.

I would agree that when that kind of word is used, it is almost always used in a derogatory or disparaging way and meant to hurt the person or people to whom it’s directed. However so are the words Cracker, Honky, Kike, Mick, Spic, Wetback, Guinea, Kraut, Frog, Gook, Towel Head and Dot just to name a few. They are all just as bad and should never be used under any circumstances. I have never heard a media report refer to the “H“word for Honky or the “C” word for Cracker etc. Why should one word have a letter attached to it and not the others? How about just not using it all together? Then this would be on a more level playing field.

We have gone overboard in this country with political correctness. We are so careful not to offend anyone’s race, sex or religious beliefs that all too often we end up doing more damage. The use of the “N” word reflects that. The level of prejudice in our country seems to rise and fall according to the times we are in. We currently are in a very sensitive time (mostly due to political correctness) but the media is fanning the flames as it often does. Personally I wish the media would stop using the phrase all together.

Finally, the racial slur referred to here is not even one of the seven words you can’t say on television. Just in case you have forgotten them they are: the “S” word, the “P”, word the “C” word, the “F” word, the “CS” words the “MF” words, and the dreaded “T” word. I personally still think George Carlin was right the “T” word doesn’t even belong on the list!


Lee Degenstein has covered the financial markets for print and broadcast media for more than 15 years. Mr. Degenstein was also the news director and morning anchor at two major radio stations in New Jersey. He has been a reporter/contributor to United Press International, The Associated Press, The Mutual Broadcasting System and New York 1 News. A former winner of the Associated Press award for 'best business story' he lives and works in New York City. Mr. Degenstein can be reached by email at: lee723@verizon.net© copyright 2006, Lee Degenstein.
All rights reservedwww.leereports.blogspot.com

HAPPY HOLIDAYS - NO OFFENSE MEANT

By Lee Degenstein
November 2006

“‘Tis the season to be jolly” and “It’s the most wonderful time of the year”, or so the songs go. It’s the time of the year when we try to enjoy the holidays without offending anyone while staying within the boundaries of Political Correctness or PC. You know. “peace on earth, good will toward men”. What about the women? So much for being PC.

When I was growing, up the period between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Day was known as the Christmas season. Now it’s known as the Holiday Season or worse yet, the gift giving season. The season, whatever you choose to call it used to be so simple and enjoyable. In America up until the late 1970’s, you could pretty much say Merry Christmas to just about anyone and not offend them. I always thought “Merry Christmas” was all inclusive. Saying Happy Holidays or Season’s Greetings seems so impersonal and non specific.

This time of year there are so many holidays to choose from. There is Christmas, Chanukah, and Ramadan. Don’t forget Three Kings Day and our newest holiday called Kwanzaa. What’s up with Kwanza anyway?

Kwanzaa was invented in 1966 by Dr. Maulana Karenga, Department of Black Studies at California State University, Long Beach. According to the official Kwanzaa website, the holiday is “an African American and Pan-African holiday which celebrates family, community and culture. Celebrated from 26 December thru 1 January, its origins are in the first harvest celebrations of Africa from which it takes its name”. It is not meant to be a replacement for Christmas. To me Kwanzaa seems like an instant holiday. All of a sudden Kwanzaa was here!

It’s sad but this time of year has become nothing more than a pain in the neck for Political Correctness. We seem to be on our PC toes during holidays. In 2006 you will rarely hear the phrase “Christmas Sale” spoken or written anywhere. That has been replaced by “Holiday Sale”. The people who protest the use of the word Christmas, will most likely be among the first in line to get into the stores that are having those sales.

There was a time when a school, hospital, business or local government could erect a Christmas tree and nativity scene along with a Menorah and be done with it. But not in 2006. Too many of those institutions have been sued over omitting a religion or custom. Some have stopped displaying holiday decorations all together to avoid litigation. What a pity. Where’s the holiday spirit?

It’s for many of these reasons that Thanksgiving has become my favorite holiday. It’s so easy, you can say “Happy Thanksgiving” to just about anyone without offending them. The only possible exceptions would be Native Americans formerly known as Indians and of course turkeys formerly known as turkeys. Then again if you spend any amount of time wishing turkeys a Happy Thanksgiving, you have some serious issues to overcome and more to worry about than being politically correct.

It’s a great time to be thankful for what we have and to be with friends and family. You tend to overeat, only to be followed by falling into the dreaded turkey induced tryptophane coma. Inevitably you have to deal with being with the one person at the Thanksgiving table you swore you would never speak to again.

You know who I mean. Every family has one. You know who I mean, the obnoxious family member that keeps reminding everyone he has a better job, makes more money and has cuter children than you do.

Perhaps best of all, you catch one of his kids picking their nose at the table, and point it out to everyone present. This is primarily why I still like to sit at the kids table doing surveillance Then there are those wonderful parades on TV which look the same every year only to be followed by the always exciting treat of watching The Detroit Lions, who also look the same every year. Thanksgiving rules!

All this in spite of the fact that the Pilgrims, whom we have made out to be historic icons, were both lazy and corrupt. History tells us that they stole from, fought with and killed Indians, I mean Native Americans. Many Pilgrims almost starved during the first two years they were here. Several of them refused to work in the fields growing and harvesting crops to exist on. It was easier for them to steal food from the Indians and they did. We as a society seem to overlook those facts. Instead we tend to stare at those marvelous hats the Pilgrims wore. I always thought those large buckles were kind of spiffy too.

As you know, the Indians ended up in pretty good shape. Today many tribes now own casinos across America and reap huge profits tax free. I don’t see any Pilgrims laughing now.

So Happy Thanksgiving etc., personally I am looking forward to Memorial Day this year followed closely by Flag Day. And so unto you I say, “Happy Holidays” to all and to all a good night!


Lee Degenstein has covered the financial markets for print and broadcast media for more than 15 years. Mr. Degenstein was also the news director and morning anchor at two major radio stations in New Jersey. He has been a reporter/contributor to United Press International, The Associated Press, The Mutual Broadcasting System and New York 1 News. A former winner of the Associated Press award for 'best business story' he lives and works in New York City. Mr. Degenstein can be reached by email at: lee723@verizon.net

© copyright 2006, Lee Degenstein.
All rights reserved
www.leereports.blogspot.com

CAN’T GET NO SATISFACTION - WHY NOT SUE?

By Lee Degenstein

Sue used to be a lady’s name. Unfortunately it has taken on a whole new meaning in the English lexicon. It has become quite apparent over the years that America has become a litigious society. We sue for everything no matter how ridiculous. This is of course just one reason that the court system is so backed up, and insurance rates so high. Some of the lawsuits mentioned herein are really frivolous, some are just plain stupid but all are real and a matter of public record.

Here’s one for the record books (no pun intended). The rock group The Rolling Stones were scheduled to perform in Atlantic City on Friday October 28th of this year. Unfortunately for “Stones” fans the concert had to be canceled due to Mick Jagger’s (who must be close to 70) sore throat. It’s something that could happen to anyone right? Apparently Rosalie Druyan didn’t quite see it that way.
In a class-action suit filed in Manhattan Supreme Court, Druyan contends the late cancellation cost her and other fans big bucks on nonrefundable hotel reservations, forcing them to spend the night in cold and rainy Atlantic City. She is suing the Stones and Jagger for $51 million dollars. She claims the paid money to get to Atlantic from her Brooklyn home and paid for a hotel room to boot. Ms. Druyan gets her legal advice and representation from her husband Martin, who happens to be an attorney.
Many have heard of case of 81-year-old Stella Liebeck who spilled a cup of McDonald’s coffee on her arm and won $1.97 million dollars for her pain and suffering. In this case it’s important to note that she was not pushed, the plastic cap did not come off of the cup. She simply spilled the contents on herself by herself and won her case.
Here are some of the little known cases taken, from Stella Awards.com and from court records. By the way the “Stella” of Stella Awards.com was named after Stella Liebeck mentioned in the MacDonald’s lawsuit.

Kara Walton of Claymont, of Delaware, successfully sued the owner of a nightclub when she fell from the bathroom window to the floor and knocked out her two front teeth. This occurred while Ms. Walton was trying to sneak through the window in the ladies room to avoid paying the $3.50 cover charge. She was awarded $12,000 and dental expenses.

A 19-year-old Carl Truman of Los Angeles won $74,000 and medical expenses when his neighbor ran over his hand with a Honda Accord. Mr. Truman apparently didn't notice there was someone at the wheel of the car when he was trying to steal his neighbor's hub caps.

A Philadelphia restaurant was ordered to pay Amber Carson of Lancaster Pennsylvania, $113,500 after she slipped on a soft drink spill and broke her coccyx (tailbone). The beverage was on the floor because Ms. Carson had thrown it at her boyfriend 30 seconds earlier during an argument.

Terrence Dickson of Bristol, Pennsylvania, was leaving a house he had just finished robbing by way of the garage. He was not able to get the garage door to go up since the automatic door opener was malfunctioning. He couldn't re-enter the house because the door connecting the house and garage locked when he pulled it shut. The owners of the house were on vacation, and Mr. Dickson found himself locked in the garage for eight days. He subsisted on a case of Pepsi he found and a large bag of dry dog food. He sued the homeowner's insurance company claiming the situation caused him undue mental anguish. The jury agreed to the tune of $500,000.

But the winner has to be this case. Mr. Merv Grazinski of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma purchased a brand new 32-foot Winnebago motor home. On his first trip home, having driven onto the freeway, he set the cruise control at 70 mph and calmly left the drivers seat to go into the back and make himself a cup of coffee. Not surprisingly, the R.V. left the freeway, crashed and overturned. Mr. Grazinski sued Winnebago for not advising him in the owner's manual that he couldn't actually do this. The jury awarded him $1,750,000 plus a new motor home. The company actually changed their manuals on the basis of this suit, just in case there were any other complete morons buying their recreation vehicles.

As I see it there is plenty of blame to go around. The trial lawyers get one third of any monetary awards given to the plaintiff. There should be limits put on monetary awards. We have to remember that it’s the Juries who award damages. People like you and me, who don’t want to be on a jury in the first place, hand out money like they were printing it themselves.

I have come up with the perfect business solution. I always wanted to start a chain of Jewish Sushi restaurants located near the courthouses in all the major US cities. The name of these establishments of course would be “So Sue Me”!

THIS JUST IN - READ ALL ABOUT IT!

By Lee Degenstein

With everything that is going on in the world today we are often times quick to criticize the media for being too liberal or too slanted in one direction. But you rarely hear people criticizing the media for poor writing.

In the newspaper business, the front page is the most important page of any paper. Editors and writers toil for hours to come up with catchy headlines in the hopes that people will select their newspaper at the newsstand. Most New Yorkers remember that famous headline from the early 1970’s, “FORD TO CITY: DROP DEAD”. It was no doubt a contributing factor that caused Gerald Ford to lose the election to Jimmy Carter.

Listed below is a series of headlines actually taken from many of the nation’s leading newspaper in 2005. All of these headlines actually appeared and are not made up. I want to thank my friend Renee for sharing them with me.

THE YEAR'S BEST (actual) HEADLINES OF 2005:

Crack Found on Governor's Daughter

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert
Says

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers

Is There a Ring of Debris around Uranus?

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over

Miners Refuse to Work after Death

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant

War Dims Hope for Peace

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; PoliceSuspect Homicide

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors

Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead

Woman Shot Downtown – Bullet Still In Her Yet

So there you have it. Again all of these headlines were taken from the front pages of newspapers from around the world.