Putting the civil in civil rights

I've been thinking, and saying, it's a bit early to think we've entered some post-racial utopia because of Barack Obama's win.

Here's some anecdotal evidence from MSNBC.com. Fringe people, you'd say rightly, but still a reality check.

There have been "hundreds" of incidents since the election, many more than usual, said Mark Potok, director of the Intelligence Project at the Southern Poverty Law Center, which monitors hate crimes.

Another twist

Commentators, who have to overanalyze everything, have been theorizing that the large turnout for Obama helped pass California's anti-gay marriage Proposition 8.

You see this coming, don't you?

According to eyewitness reports published on the Internet, racial epithets have been used against African-Americans at protests in California, directed even at blacks who are fighting to repeal Proposition 8.

Not to pick on Californians Against Hate (!), but really:

Even before the passage of Proposition 8, Californians Against Hate compiled and published a "dishonor roll" of those individuals, along with their company affiliations, who gave $5,000 or more towards supporting the measure. Telephone numbers and Web sites were added along with commentary about some of the larger donors to public information obtained through the California Secretary of State's Office. (I added the boldface)

Mmm, Mr. Obama, when can we have that conversation about race?

Cause without a rebel

I've stayed away from this whole Miura thing. Just grist for the Japanese tabloid/Fox News mill. I might have joked about Saipan's extra tourists and the free publicity, but everybody thought of that. Finally, the reporters moved on to the next hot story.

Some people just never give up. Local businessman Keizo Ishida is trying to bring them back and make a few bucks on the side. He's selling t-shirts and plans to split the profit with Miura. Good, honest shameless self-promotion.

I thought about jumping in, but my best slogan was 'My other wife is a corpse'. Not quite as catchy, but I'd share the loot with social service groups.

Kazuyoshi Miura may be facing double jeopardy (being tried twice for the same crime). Heck, he might even be innocent. That's up to the California court(s). But this is a murder charge, serious stuff. Saipan's just a sideshow,an extradition.

I don't watch Law and Order and I don't like seeing cases tried in the media. We knew where this one was heading when Mark Geragos galloped into the scene.

But we should be used to it. I'm amazed that Tony Glad's lawyer hasn't told him to just shut up. I'm sleazed out with all of the Malite estate charges and countercharges in the media.

If you're not familiar with those last two, search the files of the Marianas Variety or Saipan Tribune. I don't want to encourage this garbage.