Sunday, December 15, 2002

CityBeat: Porkopolis 12-12-2002
Greg's story is a lesson in talking out of both sides of one's mouth. In this column he both condemns the actions of Amanda Mayes at a anti-Jewish "protest", and commends her for getting off on charges stemming from an incident at last September’s Oktoberfest. This is bit of an unfair situation for Greg, however, since Ms. Mayes’ legal troubles were resolved this week along with her outburst of bigotry. The timing is not totally his fault. What is his fault is the placement of that part of his column. Greg chose to give the good news to boycotters before the bad news. The first topic of the article was about Ms. Mayes’ acquittal on a charge of disorderly conduct. This is where the boycotters can sing praise to the justice system they hate for springing this women who was part of a group of goon out to cause trouble at Oktoberfest, which many might say would include incitement to riot. Luckily that did not happen, but evidence of incitement was common among those “protesting” that day. Additionally, if there is a videotape, why has it not been shown in public? Ms. Mayes is quoted as stating that is what got her off. I want to know why this tape has not made its way to the local media. If it has, then why has it not been aired or at least put online? If it was part of the trial, would it not be part of the public record?

The second item Greg covered was this same Ms. Mayes carrying on at a Black Fist, a local black separatist hate group, decrying Jews on Fountain Square. Greg here strongly chided Ms. Mayes for her participation in this hate filled event. Greg did not mince his words in comment in responding to comments from Ms. Mayes “That might be. But there's also a double standard in Mayes' behavior, championing civil rights for one minority group, African Americans, while fomenting hatred against another minority group, Jews.” Greg’s comment are akin to many conservative bloggers, like Andrew Sullivan and Glenn Reynolds, who have publicly called for Trent Lott to resign. I think however that Greg has dropped the ball here. Greg should have called for her to resign her post at the CJC for an offense that was more overt than Trent Lott’s comments. Greg and City Beat’s saving grace is the old adage that a picture is worth a thousand words.

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