patrick.net

Feux Follets says

Is this a thinly veiled reference to scary "black people" ?

Just say it for God's sake. He's a thug.

Patrick says

My conclusion is that most of the hype about discrimination is bullshit. If you're motivated and stay on track, this country still works, no matter where you came from.

This is a poor conclusion. Within a population there are always top performers that are able to overcome significant obstacles to succeed. That doesn't mean that those obstacles didn't exist. The US should be a place where everyone has equal opportunity. That is not the case now, and one anecdotal story doesn't change that.

Data > Anecdote.

Perhaps your friend is aware of your website and the feelings expressed on here and didn't want to engage you further on the topic.

———————

Why would that be?

I’ve seen a few of the regulars here suggest that racism doesn’t exist lol

Patrick says

So I asked him if discrimination had been any significant impediment to his self-achieved success, and he doesn't seem to have an answer for that. Clearly it didn't stop him. My conclusion is that most of the hype about discrimination is bullshit. If you're motivated and stay on track, this country still works, no matter where you came from.

My buddy grew up in an all white neighborhood in Connecticut. He's the Rolling Stones biggest fan and can play every single tune. He always worked in sales and always did well at it. The only thing different than this guy and a white guy is the color of his skin. His wife is a southern black lady, from a typical black neighborhood in the South. She shakes her head at his awkward lack of blackness sometimes. I had to teach him about the blues before Rock hijacked it. Still he has this chip on his shoulder about race. He honestly believes he has been held back by the Whiteman somehow. Even though he admits he can be or do anything in America he sets him mind to and nobody can stop him.

I don't know if it's conditioning, or if it's inner self conflict. Every example he gives me of perceived racism in his life. I can give an example how I've been treated just as bad and race had nothing to do with it. Except for one, he says he joined the Army with his best friend. He said when they went to boot camp together they were segregated. Told flat out no way black people can sleep in the white barracks. This was supposedly 78 or 79.

I find that hard to believe, that in 78 or 79 they were segregating the Army barracks. What ever the case it traumatized him enough, he's lived a charmed white life otherwise, but still feels like he's being judged by the color of his skin. Even though he thrives in White company. People are just complex.

HappyGilmore says

That doesn't mean that those obstacles didn't exist. The US should be a place where everyone has equal opportunity. That is not the case now, and one anecdotal story doesn't change that.

Obstacles always exits-sometimes insurmountable.
The US should never be a place of equal opportunity-they tried that in Russia, it was called communism.

Someone will always have an advantage-it is about you, what you do to fight and come out. Also maybe being a gazillionare is not your thing-figure out what makes you happy and do it.

lostand confused says

The US should never be a place of equal opportunity-they tried that in Russia, it was called communism.

No--that's equal results, not equal opportunity.

Equal opportunity means everyone succeeds according to their ability and effort. That's pretty much the idea this country was founded upon. If you don't agree, maybe the US isn't where you want to be?

Feux Follets says

Goddamn Liberal Rabble Rousers - that's what the problem is in this country. Surely not those fun loving, patriotic, gun toting, church burning, church bombing, lynching, dragging behind a truck until dead crowd - not on your life.

Fluff that ball up in the air get it up don't let it drop!

HEYYOU says

Rich, what a subjective word.

I was also wondering exactly how rich.

HappyGilmore says

a place where everyone has equal opportunity

No place like this exists on earth or ever has, even in the Soviet Union. Maybe in Utopia, but that's always in the future.

CovfefeButDeadly says

he was never bitter,

The usual suspects were triggered here.

P N Dr Lo R says

No place like this exists on earth or ever has, even in the Soviet Union. Maybe in Utopia, but that's always in the future.

Obviously not in the Soviet Union--that was never even their goal.

And while it's not the reality, it should be the goal. At least that's what the Founding Fathers thought. Maybe some here think they know better, but I tend to agree with the Founders on this one.

Here's the truth.

People are much better at making excuses than working hard.

These people tend to vote Democrat and accept victim-hood.

These people will almost never, ever succeed in life.

Goran_K says

Here's the truth.

People are much better at making excuses than working hard.

These people tend to vote Democrat and accept victim-hood.

These people will almost never, ever succeed in life.

But the truth seems to change so much. I thought Dems were the elite snobs that looked down upon the average Joe.

Trump supporters really need to make up their mind about which narrative they are going with. Are Dems lazy welfare queens or rich, limousine, soy boys?

As usual, most are confused on the issue.

It’s not “equal opportunity” ye shall seek, but rather, the end of Political Privilege!

Like why in the fuck are Churches exempt from paying taxes? And this gives them great power and privilege which they in turn leverage into interfering in our politics. Which leads to their pathetic SJWs Virtue Signalling bad laws into the books.

Bad laws harm Good people, and we shouldn’t be forced to subsidize such anti-American behavior. It’s madness, and perplexing why more noise isn’t made of it. I guess when they’re constantly drowning people in propaganda, it causes such distraction that keeps the base harping on about Hillary and Liberals 24/7, rather than doing their duty as an American and standing up for our freedoms and liberties.

What’s amazing is record low unemployment for black and brown. If the election were held today, more blacks would vote for Trump than any other Republican presidential candidate in my lifetime. Yet lefties hate...HATE Trump.

Well done.

CovfefeButDeadly says

What’s amazing is record low unemployment for black and brown. If the election were held today, more blacks would vote for Trump than any other Republican presidential candidate in my lifetime. Yet lefties hate...HATE Trump.

Well done.

Why would they vote for Trump now?

Democrat social engineering....failing since 1932.

Goran_K says

Here's the truth.

People are much better at making excuses than working hard.

These people tend to vote Democrat and accept victim-hood.

These people will almost never, ever succeed in life.

Nailed it. It's depressing to see the Left look for any glimpse of victimization because being a victim is comforting, as opposed to accepting that you're just not any good or can't perform/compete against the next guy. It's classic skirting of accountability for one's life, actions, decisions and outcomes.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

It's depressing to see the Left look for any glimpse of victimization because being a victim is comforting, as opposed to accepting that you're just not any good or can't perform/compete against the next guy. It's classic skirting of accountability for one's life, actions, decisions and outcomes.

That's funny, because Trump and his supporters have taken victimhood to a new level. Everyone is out to get him (and them). The media. The deep state. The FBI. The DOJ. Establishment Republicans. You name it.

If there is a bigger group of special snowflakes than Trump Supporters, I've yet to meet them.

errc says

Why would they vote for Trump now?

At least some of them will recognize that they got their job because of Trump. Like when that Chicago bakery got 800 of it's workers deported, and they were replaced by blacks.

Feux Follets says

Why does your friend have to have an "identifier" - why can't your friend just be your "friend" ? Is it necessary for everyone to assign "identifiers" ?

Does your friend assign an "identifier" to you when talking about you or introducing you to others ?

Seems the world would be much better off by stating simply I have a friend. Should further conversation proceed, at an appropriate time it would possibly be appropriate to include such "friend" has done well with his or her investments.

Patrick says

He's kind of scary looking at first glance, like 6'5" and muscular

Is this a thinly veiled reference to scary "black people" ?

The whole point is that the guy is black, and yes, some people would say scary-looking, but it has not impeded his progress in life.

errc says

I’ve seen a few of the regulars here suggest that racism doesn’t exist lol

Sure it exists. We can even quantify it in college/med school applications.

Anything the state propaganda factory hypes to death is certainly bullshit. My friend Curtis has a BS in electrical engineering, is an avid football fan, and one of the dorkiest guys I know, in a good way. He works in SW QA, has owned the same car ever since I met him, and lived in the same apartment forever, so his money and time are both well spent. No kids, girlfriend, grew up in South East San Diego. Ethnicity had dick to do who he is, or his success.

When it comes to conversations about that ethnic disparity, a white friend of mine is the one who brings up that stuff the most often. He's also the one who prefers rap, and wants to seem cooler than he is. People who obsesses about ethnicity and "race", are either racists, or self-loathers.

drB6 says

errc says

I’ve seen a few of the regulars here suggest that racism doesn’t exist lol

Sure it exists. We can even quantify it in college/med school applications.

Lol, yes, there is definitely discrimination against whites and Asians in college and grad school admissions.

Asians sued Harvard for discrimination against them:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/18/rejected-asian-students-sue-harvard-over-admissions-that-favor-other-minorities.html

HappyGilmore says

Everyone is out to get him (and them). The media. The deep state. The FBI. The DOJ. Establishment Republicans. You name it.

Cuz it's true lol

define "equal".

Feux Follets says

No all men are created equal ?

BlueSardine says

define "equal".

define "define"

HappyGilmore says

But the truth seems to change so much. I thought Dems were the elite snobs that looked down upon the average Joe.

Trump supporters really need to make up their mind about which narrative they are going with. Are Dems lazy welfare queens or rich, limousine, soy boys?

Slaves and masters, just like the Democrats of 160 year ago. Nothing has changed.

Goran_K says

Slaves and masters, just like the Democrats of 160 year ago. Nothing has changed.

lol--obviously haven't read any of the links that were provided. I figured as much.

Equal rights, not equal outcomes. Minorities and women have had the same rights as White Men for decades. There will always be good looking men who will get more pussy (without paying for it) than any of us combined. That's not fair...shall we scar up their face to make things more equal?

HappyGilmore says

The US should be a place where everyone has equal opportunity.

Equal opportunity is a tyrrsnical fever dream. Equal rights and representation under the law is the goal.

Currently, conservatives, men, whites, and asians are being oppressed. Are you ok w this?

Patrick says

Asians sued Harvard for discrimination against them:

http://www.foxnews.com/us/2014/11/18/rejected-asian-students-sue-harvard-over-admissions-that-favor-other-minorities.html

As they should. Any idea what happened?

Limiting Asian acceptance to universities is racist as fuk. Just terrible.

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

Equal rights, not equal outcomes.

I agree. But I'd also say that we should take care of our own people. Lots of people are not able to compete for one reason or another. Differences in talent, disease, other unfortunate circumstance.

So the big question is then "Who are our people?"

Diversity divides us. Diversity destroys community. What we need is to get back to a melting pot ideal of a common national culture, so we can all feel we are in it together.

Patrick says

PrivilegedtobeWhite says

Equal rights, not equal outcomes.

I agree. But I'd also say that we should take care of our own people. Lots of people are not able to compete for one reason or another. Differences in talent, disease, other unfortunate circumstance.

So the big question is then "Who are our people?"

Diversity divides us. Diversity destroys community. What we need is to get back to a melting pot ideal of a common national culture, so we can all feel we are in it together.

This won’t be possible so long as The Church demands to interject in America’s Secular, Liberal way of life

Equal opportunity is a laudable goal, but it’s unattainable. Even should all bias be removed as to culture or ethnicity (and I do think this is another laudable goal), the accident of birth will put people with the same ability into households of differing wealth and more or less effective culture. Of the two, culture might be the more defining. A poor person raised with good work ethic will likely succeed to a moderate to large level. While a rich person raised poorly with a poor work ethic is probably doomed to failure, addiction, and eventual poverty.

@patrick Your rich black friend mentioned that he credits a lot of his success to his dad and his family. That’s another data point pointing out that success is more likely with a good family culture.

Feux Follets says

Quigley says

Equal opportunity is a laudable goal, but it’s unattainable.

Well said. There may be laws that state equal rights etc. however reality does not always play by the rules.

Yes and it has nothing to do with race.

www.youtube.com/embed/cQNaT52QYYA

Blind pursuit of equality is tyranny

CBOEtrader says

www.youtube.com/embed/cQNaT52QYYA

Blind pursuit of equality is tyranny

Nobody is arguing for equal results. Why would you even post this?

HappyGilmore says

Nobody is arguing for equal results.

Really? Didn't you vote for Bernie?

Sniper says

Really? Didn't you vote for Bernie?

Yep. And he doesn't argue for equal results.

Sorry to burst your strawman bubble.

Did this friend vote for Trump?

Racism is nonsense. Those who cling to it, whether they're white supremacists or BLM, are out of touch. Culture is what really matters. The most positive aspects of Western culture, the hard work, embracing scientific curiosity, flexible thinking, respect for individual rights, etc. tend to lead to success. There's no guarantee of success, faced with the corruption and abuse of power that reflects the worst of Western culture. Based on the limited info provided by Patrick, it sounds like his friend has done well embracing the positives.