Monday, October 4, 2010

Gandhi The Racist Warmonger

Although I'm happy as a clam in my new digs, sometimes I get a sort of masochistic nostalgia for my City by the Bay. I've never heard anyone say "only in Caliente." But they say that a lot about San Francisco. So I check in with the old Chronicle from time to time just to see what I'm missing. The City never dissapoints.

The SF Crazies have their panties in a bunch again (still?). This time, there's a big demonstration to protest that vile, oppressive, dictatorial, murderous tyrant, Mohandas (Mahatma) Gandhi. Yes, indeed, the Organization for Minorities of India held a huge rally of dozens at the Ferry Building (yes, I spelled that right) to demand the removal of the statue of the war criminal Gandhi.

The Plaza where the statue sits is one of the early parts of the waterfront redevelopment projects which replaced the fallen-down Embarcadero Freeway and waterfront dives with new businesses, a refurbished Ferry Building, and grand open spaces and walkways. I know that sounds like liberal hype, but in fact, on this rare occasion, the redevelopment was a genuinely vast improvement. It even increased business along the docks and piers.

So much for the chamber of commerce blurb. Now, back to the statue. The statue does not get much attention, tucked away where it is. It's never been a major part of the Scenic San Francisco tour guide. But it is a decent enough sculpture, appropriately modest, celebrating the life of a major world figure. There are too many liberals who nearly worship Gandhi, who was just a human being with flaws. But Gandhi was a beacon of hope to many, a philosopher of note to many others, and as much as any modern human, a man of peace. His major contribution to humankind was peaceful resistance to violent forces. His mantra was non-violence.

Hold on there, buddy, say the Organization members. Gandhi was a racist who harbored violent urges. Do you believe us, or your lying eyes? "The popular image of Gandhi as an egalitarian pacifist is a myth. We plan to challenge that myth by disseminating Gandhi's own words to expose his racism and sham nonviolence." At press time, it was not clear if this group also believes that Martians built the Taj Mahal. They are out to expose the Gandhian oppression of Christians, Buddhists, Dalits, Muslims, Sikhs, and worshipers of the Golden Calf (OK, I made up the last one). If one each of the named religions was represented at the demonstration, I think you have the entire crowd. They were outnumbered by reporters, photographers, and very curious tourists.

The group wants to replace the Gandhi statue with one of Martin Luther King, Jr. (I guess the other three King statues, and renamed Martin Luther King Boulevard aren't enough). Alternatively they would settle for a statue of B.R. Ambedkar. At least that one would draw plenty of attention with the tourists asking "who the hell is B. R. Ambedkar?" I'm glad you asked. He was a low-caste Dalit leader in India. And that's all I'm giving you. Google "Dalit" if it isn't a world already ubiquitous around your house. Frankly, I thought the Dalits were the half-human, half-machine creatures who were out to destroy Dr. Who.

The leader and spokesman for the group is one Bhajan Singh. Just in case you aren't right up-to-date on your Indian history and demographics, anyone with the appellation "Singh" in his name is almost certainly a Sikh. The Sikhs have been in open rebellion against the Hindu majority in India for decades. Think "National Rifle Association and Temple of Doom all rolled into one, on crystal meth." So, just possibly, the group may have an agenda of its own.

On one of those rare occasions when a San Francisco public official makes sense, the President of the Arts Commission, P. J. Johnston said: "I suppose Martin Luther King Jr. and Nelson Mandela must have their critics as well. These folks are free to lodge their protest, but I doubt that our commission (which is in charge of the statue which is on Port Authority/Ferry Building property) will move to take down the statue." And he also added: "I would just say that in my professional career, I've had no greater honor than having to defend Gandhi." Well, at least it's easier than defending Nancy Pelosi.

14 comments:

Joel Farnham said...

LawHawk,

Where is Al Sharpton? What does he say about this faux outrage?

This is what happens when multi-culturalism is embraced. Every little pissant group creates some faux grievance and then makes stupid demands.

Is the filled barf bag handy? I want to throw it on them!!

Excuse my insensitivity to Dalits' supposed pain. Why don't they work to fix India?

T_Rav said...

"National Rifle Association and Temple of Doom rolled into one, on crystal meth." Well, that one's going to be sticking in my head all day.

By the way, as long as you're reporting SF news, I was disappointed you didn't mention the trannie sex shop owner who's being denounced as a conservative in "her" race for city office.

Unknown said...

Joel: Sharpton is probably meeting with Joe Biden to form a committee to make sure all the convenience-store owners speak proper English.

Unknown said...

T-Rav: As I mentioned earlier, "only in San Francisco." There was a big flap a few years back when a lesbian Supervisor was elected to the State Assembly and the mayor appointed a gay man to fill the empty seat. There was a near-riot because it was "unfair to appoint a man to the lesbian seat." Ya can't make this stuff up.

AndrewPrice said...

All I can say is wow, just wow. I know the left turns on its heroes, but Ghandhi? I thought everyone on the left viewed him as perfect. Guess I should have known better.

Next thing you know, we'll here that his corpse wasn't even biodegradable!

Unknown said...

Andrew: The beauty of the left/loony faction is that it's cannibalistic, and if we wait long enough, they eat each other. Karl Marx remains inviolable, but all their other icons are fair game from time to time.

StanH said...

I do miss your reports from the “dark side.” Only in SF could they muster a protest of Gandhi…sheesh.

Unknown said...

Stan: Ain't it the truth? About all the excitement we have around here is an unexpected change in the weather. I'm not complaining by any means, but it isn't exactly blog material. Before, I always had at least one day each week where the only question was "how much SF nonsense can I throw around before they think I'm making it up?" LOL

AndrewPrice said...

Lawhawk, Give them time, they'll turn on old uncle Karl too. After all, he was probably a racist and a sexist and a secret capitalist.

BevfromNYC said...

I always knew there was something wrong with Ghandi. I mean, look the way he dressed.

Before I got to the part of this being a Sikh group, I thought it was going to be some British fringe group protesting Indian Independence...

Tennessee Jed said...

O.K.; listen here Hawk old buddy. Now you have really done it! Who do you think you are "dissin'" the Sikhs??? Don't you realize that "Punjab" faithful servant of "The Ghost Who Walks" (a.k.a. The Phantom) is a Sikh? Mr. Clean as well, if memory serves . . . And what about Vijay Singh the golfer?

No, this article merely serves to remind us why, despite your intimations to the contrary, you get up each morning and thank your lucky stars for Caliente.

Notawonk said...

look, any dude in a "dress" is just asking for it. and obviously, gandhi is asking for it...

Unknown said...

Tennessee: You've figured out my real attitude toward Caliente. And I thought I had hidden it so well. I hope you don't also figure out the character flaw I have in my humility realm. LOL

Unknown said...

Patti: I shudder to think what he's asking for, particularly in San Francisco.

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