Raoul’s Two Cents: February 16, 2024
Celebrations
February is an interesting month here in America. It’s jam packed with events like Ground Hog Day, Chinese Lunar New Year, Superbowl Sunday, Abe Lincoln’s birthday, Mardi Gras, Valentine’s Day, Ash Wednesday, Susan B. Anthony’s birthday, National Flag Day of Canada, President’s Day (George Washington’s birthday) and Leap Day (Feb 29 — an extra day which happens every 4 years). February is also Black History Month — wait! Why are the African Americans the only race (in this melting pot of races) that has a month dedicated to them? Is this fair? Who decided these things?
Don’t get me wrong, I have a lot of friends who are African American and I do recognize their importance in shaping modern day America. But come on, what about the contribution of the other races? Do the other races need to muscle their way to Congress to enact a month for each race?
I can see it now, January will be White America month. March is Asian America month. April is Native America month. May is Pacific Islander month. June is South American month. July is European month. August is Australia month. September is Middle Eastern month. November is Illegal Alien month. December is UFO month. Did I forget anyone?
And let’s not forget Mother’s Day, Father’s Day … what about Son’s and Daughter’s Day? Here’s a good one — Pet’s Days! Cat Day! Rabbit day! Dog Day afternoons! Maybe we should start Gay Day! Straight Day! Doris Day!
See what happens when we divide rather than assimilate into the bigger population? I can see it now: some alien watching all these celebrations in his flying saucer scratching his green chin saying “What a bunch of insecure earthlings! I guess it’s time to start the invasion!”
Of course I’m being silly. We all could use a little ego boost at least once a year. That’s why each and every one of us has one special day we can call our own — our birth day! Yay!
TGIF people!
Raoul
” Eat drink and be merry for tomorrow we’ll die!”
— Dave Matthews
JOKE OF THE WEEK
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
Parting Shots
Thanks to Art of Sierra Madre, CA
Thanks to Fred of Long Beach, CA
Thanks to Maling of New Manila, Philippines
Thanks to Tom of Pasadena, CA
I found these:
My good friend (and jokester) Terry and I came up with this.
Oscar
February 16, 2024 at 11:58 am
Hello Raoul sorry it’s late but couldn’t wait ( no need to respond) , TGIF stand up chameleon 😂😂😂
Yeah I think the black folks are being set up by people in power that want division ( the hidden racist people in power ) I SEE A TRAP to start segregation again !
This would affect all minorities.
Imagine, what if they convince the black folks to fight for their own spot on the bus again and they take the bait 🤷♂️😂 it’s crazy MLK is probably rolling in his grave right now . Obama started all this race crap . Before Obama it was all about being American . It’s cool to be proud of where you come from but we should all be more proud to stand united as one NATION UNDER GOD 🇺🇸.
Not good when they start pushing for their own National Anthem, and all that other stuff.
Again I see a Trap and hope most black Americans will see it too .🙏🙏🙏
Larry
February 16, 2024 at 11:58 am
Doris Day? Isn’t that a bit of an odd reference. See you later.
TGIF
Tom of Pasadena
February 16, 2024 at 11:59 am
I agree that this celebration of This Month and others creates a desire for those left out to protest not having one celebrating them.
Jackie was quite a Guy. And brave to Bo what he did. I always thought they did too much complaining until on my Duty in Alaska they sent a Black. Manto my Coast Guard Cutter and the rest of the crew was from Alabama, Georgia and Florida. The hate these crew members had for this kid amazed Me. There was no justification for the way they treated him.
Just. Because I was civil and welcomed him aboard they did not like me any longer because I was a “Nigger Lover.”
I saw real animosity at work with ingrained hate encouraged from a life time of crazy animosity.
Having never seen this I would think current black months were over done, but that was s shocking to me, I could understand somewhat. What real racism is.
Tom
Heather
February 16, 2024 at 12:00 pm
Very funny stuff. Never thought about it myself but you’re right.
Lois
February 16, 2024 at 4:35 pm
I loved your column today — very clever. I have only one comment. You suggested that Presidents’ Day represents George Washington’s birthday. The fact is that we used to celebrate Lincoln’s birthday on February 12 and Washington’s birthday on February 22. I thought that was changed to one holiday for both (Presidents’ Day). I just looked it up and find that it originally was, as you suggested, a celebration of our first president. However, over the years it has changed as a holiday honoring both. So I guess you were accurate, but I always equate the holiday with both presidents.
Hilda
February 19, 2024 at 7:06 am
Yes! Why black this and black that? Who’s exclusive here?