I Was Invisible, Except for My White Skin

Ossobuco ~ I just finished Birds without Wings! I have some criticisms of it, but I thoroughly enjoy the story and the empathy that de Bernieres has for all. (There is a tie-in with Captain Corelli's Mandolin in there -- have you come across it yet?)

For anyone else interested, this is a story of the residents of a small Ionian village of equal Turkish/Greek population in the first quarter of the 20th century, as the Ottoman Empire crumbles.

It's unfortunate how little we know about the Ottoman Empire and yet how it's dissolution is so integral to many of the world events of today ~ the Balkan conflicts, the Kurds of northern Iran, the Caucasus conflicts, and others. And I think it has helped me gain a new understanding & perspective of non-Arab speaking Muslims.

Re: I Was Invisible, Except for My White Skin


This is exacty the close minded, small brained, racist remark I expected to crop up somewhere in this thread. Took a while for the crazy to come out though.

Just for fun...lets change that statment a little...


"Aaaaw, the poor little black girl got her feelings hurt. Alert the media!" I'd bet you there'd be more people on here freaking out about this statment than there were about the actual statment you made (currently, I am the only one who noticed this apparently)

THIS is what I am talking about. It's ok to call me a whiny baby when I say I was discriminated against but had I said that to a black person, I'd have been ripped apart.

Sometimes double standards are around for good reason, little miss persecution complex.

My advice, Miss Bella, is to ignore it . . . trolls only grow with feeding.

And that would be for what reason?

I can't think of one good reason for a double standard. Then again, it seems like I have standards on how to treat other human beings.

You're right.

Damn it Set, you're right. I hate it when your right....

:wink:

And who the hell are you, the bully of the board? Get lost, will you? I'm trying to have a discussion here, Buttinsky.

Nice puppy, though, Bella . . .

There are many examples of double standards that make perfect sense.

Tell me, when you go shopping and you are getting some fresh fruit, for instance...are you going to ask some guy who is wandering around for advice on how to pick a good grapefruit, or a woman? And please, try to think before posting this time, big brain.

Not the same thing kook, Woman are traditionally housewives, mothers or just cook more then men. That is why you see so many women talking about recipes and not men on A2K.

What makes a black or white person a better seat watcher?

What makes a women a better fruit advisor in the market?

One is different then the other, a bad comparison.

Hmmm, a goodly proportion of the questions on the Food and Drink forum here are posted by men. Lotta men know a lot about cooking and foodstuffs.

Thank you, Amigo. Your point is well-taken, and although I disagree, that was very close to actually being respectful of me and my opinion.

Although the correct phonetic pronunciation of my name is actually "kook", just like you wrote it (it's a shortened version of my name, and a nickname I've had for years, thank you very much), I get the feeling that you are taking a cheap shot at me by writing it like that. Please have a little more respect in the future when addressing me.

As for the others who have so obviously lowered their standards to respond to a newbie like myself...please get over yourselves.

BellaDea: Being rude and self-righteous are not attractive traits, and calling me "small-brained" for having the audacity to state an opinion that differs with yours doesn't make you look very intelligent.

Then of course, there's this little pooch-avatared person, Setanta, who butts in, calls me a troll, and gives the order to ignore me. Of course, with sheep-like servitude, Belladea decides to follow that order, as if god himself had given it to her.

You must be very proud of yourselves. I'm so sorry I dared enter my opinion into your closed little group of empty-headed back-slapping elitism.

You didn't make a statment that had anything to do with this conversation other than to mock me for being upset that someone discriminated against me based on what I thought was my skin color.

You can try and make yourself look like the "nice guy" here but in truth, you are being seen for what you are by members who have been around here far longer than you.

didnt this show up about this time last year?


I dont remember, but the avatar was 2 red chilis..

Unlike you, I have no interest in promoting an image of the nice guy. I don't care what you think of me, I just want you to know how silly you sound, acting like because you've been on a stupid website longer that gives your comments and extra weight with me.

You still haven't really answered my question, by the way. Are you still under marching orders from Setanta?

You don't know any of us well enough to know much about the dynamics of this board and how we interact with each other and if you think that I am worried about promoting a self image of "nice guy" you have so much to learn.

And if you must continue this ridculous conversation, you'll have to do it alone because you aren't worth any more of my time.

All Hail Setanta! Ramen!!

Do these idiots search me out or am I just the lucky one to find them?

Are YOU actually calling ME and idiot? lol You are truly a legend in your own mind.

You are right about one thing. This conversation, that YOU started with your first post, is ridiculous.

How proud you must be, running away from my question in the name of winning some internet popularity contest.

I am a nice guy kook.You confrontational ass. You remind me of the nasty kid on the play ground. The other kids don't even want to know whats wrong with you they just go play where your not. Your attacking people YOU DON"T EVEN KNOW.

Try some introspection.