Black Friday shoppers cut back on spending but don't scrimp on kids

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 4

This is RIDICULOUS - 2009-12-10 02:23:33

First, racist isn't a word that should be thrown around so lightly. Second, the definition of "scrimp" - 1. To be excessively sparing with or of. 2. To cut or make too small or scanty. So how about those of you looking to cast stones, get yourself a dictionary first if you don't know what words mean. And last, "Black" Friday means stores are making money. In the red means they are losing money. It is no reference to race, it's accounting.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Brittany Southerland - Powell, TN - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 3

Response for Nick - 2009-12-09 16:06:52

Your the journalist,you tell me if I'm real.Lol

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    4 0

Whatever - 2009-12-08 20:21:54

Yep, that's it.. WHATEVER

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 5

Censorship of the comments - 2009-12-06 20:31:29

This is why there is no comment section available on the story about the Javel George verdict. He was the older boy involved in the Crofton gang killing/murder of Christopher Jones back in May. I find it strange, I guess they are afraid of the truth!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

Barbara - 2009-12-06 19:51:28

I take offense to you using the abbriviation AA to mean African American. Baseball is America's pastime and in that instance the AA league is not as good as the Big Leagues. You have placed African Americans on a lower level than everyone else by making us the "farm" team.

AA also stands for Alcoholics Anonymous and while I might agree that drinking is a plague amongst all Americans, African Americans don't need anything else holding us back so if you are insinuating that we are all drunks as well i am offended twice over. Please either rethink your own remarks or stop posting on this thread.

P.S. there is NOTHING offensive about saying Merry Christmas, and even though I choose to celebrate Kwanza I still wish everyone a Merry Chirstmas, when it is Christmas day. Stop being so offended and just live your life and let the rest of us live ours.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Jason Spires - Pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 2

? Thats Strange - 2009-12-06 18:33:45

I made a comment that was not racist in any way...Don't really know whats going on here. That was my first post after reading your "commenting guidlines"...I'll remind you of them...




This Karma thing isn't fair where's my freedom of speech?

We hear this often. Automated crowd-sourcing solutions such as this are necessary in today's economy. You still get to speak your mind. You must accept that the community of users reading your post may not like what they read and will vote accordingly. This is no different than if you were to make a speech in a town square and the community starts throwing vegatables at you.



Well Capital, I Had 12 positive votes in 2 hours...nobody was throwing vegetables at me... (by the way you spelled it wrong in your "guidelines" Aren't you a newspaper?) Anyway, Heres me throwing vegetables at you.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Jacob Smith - Annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    4 2

Jacobs post - 2009-12-06 17:45:23

Well I assume the post before Johns was Jacobs.And of course it was removed by Nick there.I would like to just know one thing Nick.Who decides if a post is too racial,or poor taste,or against any of the papers regulations.What is your background.Are you a journalist,are you just some that the paper hired.Basically I want to here from you why you get to decide whats right and whats wrong.Lets see if this gets deleted.Probably too confrontational.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    4 2

Good point Jacob! - 2009-12-06 17:12:08

Unfortunately they will jump all over you for it. Heaven forbid you make a point about White people.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 2

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-06 15:40:23

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    5 2

deleted posts - 2009-12-05 19:06:36

This story had more deleted posts than I think I've ever seen.So much for freedom of speech in Md. hey Nick.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 8

Congrats Barbara - 2009-12-04 09:33:10

You are the epitomy of people lookng for racism behind every bush and Font color.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Paul O'Flanagan - West River, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 0

Kudos to you, the 53rd post - 2009-12-04 02:57:21

Haggling over acceptable terms may seem tedious to some, but it still is the most effective way to find a better deal. I guess that's what black friday is all about.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

christopher linnen - annapolis, md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 1

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-03 22:55:00

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 0

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-03 20:29:49

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 1

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-03 20:16:52

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

- 2009-12-03 15:53:09

its cool

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

Interesting - 2009-12-03 12:30:21

Nick was responding to a question I had regarding Ms. Watkin's original post, and the absence of any african americans in the picture above. He then deleted my question.

How messed up is that?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

Thanks - 2009-12-03 10:44:24

Thanks for the clarification. I thought that might be it.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 3

Where's the "image"? - 2009-12-03 08:42:17

"I am deeply offended and saddened by the paper's image of African American shoppers accompanied by the word "scrimp" in the headline. --Barbara Watkins"

Am I just missing it?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

my goodness - 2009-12-03 00:45:26

Fred, I have honestly had enough of you and am not responding to any more of you post. You can consider yourself ignored. Not to mention the fact that it is painful and difficult to read your ridiculously long run-on sentences....

I have stated my case and defended my remarks. I'm not adding any more to this debate because nothing new is being brought to the table; people are just beating this like a dead horse!

Thank you Charles for defending me and what I hoped would be a good debate.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-02 22:41:23

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    4 0

Pot calls Kettle - 2009-12-02 22:38:26

"I have concluded Barbara Watkins is a prankster." -- Fred Shubbie

O Thank the Lord for Fred Shubbie!!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 3

Hmmm... - 2009-12-02 22:30:21

Does anyone see the similarities between Barbara and Fred's writing styles? I'd say someone is having a gooood laugh at this all...

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

JJ Thomas - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 1

correction - 2009-12-02 22:16:32

I wrote : Black shoppers were Friday Shoppers I meant to write : "Black shoppers who were Friday Shoppers"--that is Black and Friday were used to modify the noun shoppers.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 1

rationality - 2009-12-02 22:12:58

Barby refused to specifically address her rationale for suspecting "scrimp" is a secret racist remark used to mock what she chooses to call African Americans aka blacks aka people of color. If she is serious and this is not a joke and I pretend to see the world through the eyes of a perpetually ridiculed and suppressed, somewhat ignorant ( of common phrases like " BLACK FRIDAY' ) person I can imagine she saw the phrase "Black Friday Shoppers and read Black shoppers were Friday Shoppers" she was so shocked she looked for more secret racists communications.

But other than that, I don't get it. scrimp is a perfectly good word as is skimp. It is for all these reasons I have concluded Barbara Watkins is a prankster.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 2

Someone missed the Steve Martin ref - 2009-12-02 22:06:43

And that someone (*cough* Chuck *cough*) is missing the point that this should NOT be an emotional debate. The premise of this conversation is silliness and a lack of understanding of the English language.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Paul Jantzen - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 0

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-12-02 21:57:45

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 2

Did The Capital change pictures? - 2009-12-02 21:49:58

Barbara says there was a picture of African American shoppers near the word "scrimp," but the picture I see has a bunch of white folks with a possible latino left of center along with a large, goofy-lookin' white guy in the background.

So was the picture changed or what?

And goofy-lookin' man rocks.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Charles Carroll - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

You brought this upon yourself. - 2009-12-02 19:22:40

Yes, this has been brought down to this level. You brought this upon yourself, when you misinterpreted a simple newspaper article with having some type of underground racism tone. It sounds like you are the one with a racism issue and feel paranoid about it and trying to make yourself feel better by turning it into something its not. Another thing I would like to mention, is that you prefer African American than Black, correct? So in your postings, you have not called "White's","Caucasians". Not once. On all government forms that require race information, you will see "Caucasian". Why are you not showing the same respect for other races that you would like to have? This just proves that you are only thinking about yourself, and not others, when you want others to show you the same respect you would like, by not being called "Black".

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Michael Pennoyer - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 1

Help me see, Barb!!! - 2009-12-02 17:22:33

Barbar , Can you take a long look at the picture and headline concerning Dixon and tell me if there are any underground messages there ? I don't see any , but I am not looking through your eyes.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 1

Squirrel droppings - 2009-12-02 17:21:54

This whole conversation is as nutty as squirrel droppings. I would expect this level of discourse on Faux News, not amongst allegedly rational citizens.

There was neither implicit nor explicit racism in the story, whether anyone imagines it there or not. The phrase "to scrimp and save" has been around forever, and "scrimp" is likely of Scandinavian origin (skrympa: to shrink, and I think you can buy them at Ikea if you look in the kitchen wares section) or German (schrempen: to contract) and has nothing to do with delicious crustaceans. Now I am hungry. Thank you.

I suppose anyone can believe anything. I believe the United States should allow all foreigners in this country, provided they can speak our native language: Apache.

If you get the reference, great. If not, I can only shake my head.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Paul Jantzen - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

Barbara - 2009-12-02 17:03:07

In an attempt to find racism where it isn't, might be the cause of your own personal racism?

Granted, racism does exist in this world and its unfortunate. But, lets not go overboard and politically correct every single word we use.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Rick Marshall - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 0

Mr. Shubbie - 2009-12-02 16:33:53

Here we go again with the patronizing tone... my name is Barbara, NOT Babs, NOT Barbie, ect... I stand by my original claims and I am not backing down. There is a lot of hidden, subconscious messages or racism in our society today (as it is now out of fashion to be blatantly racist) and I am only doing my part to ensure that people, especially white folks, take the time to examine their own legacy of white privilege and biases.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 1

Hooked on Reality - 2009-12-02 15:59:04

Barbie, could you please for the good of the cause, admit that you may possibly have initially over-reacted when you accused Hometown Annapolis of linking an article with a word with an image in order to send a racially charged message with the intention of mocking AA's? Or could you admit that you were seeing if you could be taken seriously with an incredibly outrageous statement in order to demonstrate what you consider to be the ridiculous state of political correctness ?

Thank you.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 3

Barbara - 2009-12-02 15:09:18

I can understand what you are trying to do, but what you have done was cry racism about an article that has no racism whatsoever intended. We are just expressing how fed up we are at this practice. It does nothing to help your cause and actually belittles it.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Matt Boatman - Deale, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    9 0

Gentlemen - 2009-12-02 14:49:58

first off, I will try to address all the issues brought up but it is difficult in this format... only so much time in the day. Anyways, Mr. Olson, I joined this community a number of months ago and have been watching here and there but since i had some time off for the break recently i finally got around to posting. to answer your question, yes, i used to live in arnold and am now living in severna park caring for my elderly mother.... very rude of you to make assumptions about me. SEcondly, I got my Masters from Sojourner Douglass college in Baltimore. As for the comments about Hooked on Phonics, wow, we need to sink down that low? I am trying to have an intelligent debate/conversation and you all are stooping real low attacking me like that. I am just stating some observations/feelings about the English language and how it negatively casts "blacks" "colored folks" "African Americans' ect... (yes how you represent yourself is a very individual thing). And pardon me for using AA as an abbreviation. I took sociology courses and we regularly shortened it for the sake of brevity just like we shorten "early childhood intervention" to ECI, ect. I would love to see some respectful debate in this community for a change. Instead I see comments that sound like something out of the backroom of a GOP convention.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 9

Amen! - 2009-12-02 14:27:31

Amen on the urban dictionary. I agree that it's another vehicle to separate cultures and has no place in our society. It just promotes degradation of the english language in my opinion. I only looked the word "scrimp" up there to see if it could have a meaning that may qualify this article as a racial mockery, but I really didn't find anything that made me believe so.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Mike Morgan - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 10

I thought the same thing! - 2009-12-02 14:13:32

When I see AA I think of Alcoholics Anonymous too. I had to read her posts several times too before I realized what she meant. What do you expect, she can't even decide on where she lives. And as for this "urban dictionary" crap this is a prime example of people using slang and expecting everyone else to change and know these so called "definitions". Slang is exactly that slang. It polutes the language and throws up barriers between people for no reason.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 8

'c' and 'k' are interchangable - 2009-12-02 13:28:59

only if you're hooked on phonics, and you have a masters degree, may I ask from which college? The only thing I see when I google 'skrimp' is it asks me if I meant 'shrimp' because I obviously mispelled it. Lasly, when I think of AA, I think of Alchohol Anonymous, you may want to join.
Merry Christmas everyone.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Matt Boatman - Deale, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 7

Let's use it in a sentence! - 2009-12-02 13:13:24

True Story: I have been SCRIMPING and saving these past few months due to the poor economy. I have found wonderful treasures at the local dollar store which to my surprise actually had frozen SHRIMP in the freezer department. I will still shop there even after the economy turns around.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 3

See What I mean?? - 2009-12-02 12:50:07

"Myself, I prefer to use AA to describe myself and my family... however, it is really a very individual thing." - Barbara Watkins

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Michael Pennoyer - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 7

Im offended now! - 2009-12-02 12:44:22

If you are proud of who you are, why are we not spelling it out? Its not right to steal the acronym of a well known organization that offers help and support for those who need it, to describe race, especially in the season of giving. What is the first thing that comes to mind when you see AA?Has our culture become that lazy that we cannot take the few extra seconds to spell out what race you are?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Michael Pennoyer - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 2

black friday - 2009-12-02 12:37:32

what would you say to a person in a black or white car,just remember the D.C. area shootings and everyone was looking for a white van which is on every corner in every city, JUST GLAD I DO NOT LIVE IN THAT AREA ANY MORE.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

jim pearson - seaford, de - Karma: Bad

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    4 0

Yes Barbara - 2009-12-02 12:18:35

Too answer your question about whether you can get a post removed would be yes..If you click on the report abuse button and give a reason they check your post and decide if it should be removed.But every so often I think old Nick there gets a little big headed and decides he doesnt like something he deletes.Well at least you believe in freedom of speech and an open dialog.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 4

HOOKED ON PHONICS WORKS!!!!! - 2009-12-02 12:16:29

Im still confused on how you get "shrimp" out of "scrimp". When you place sh together its pronouced SHHHH-rimp, when you place sc its prounouced SKKKK-rimp. If you have a lisp, I can understand that. If you have an accent, its still pronouced the same way whether its a northeastern accent, a southern accent, or a midwestern accent. Lets look at two words that have the same letter set up. We will use Stitch and Ditch, they have the same letter set up but have two completely different meanings, and have nothing do with one another. Lets make sure our children are paying attention in school, so they will not have this confusion.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Michael Pennoyer - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 3

Question? - 2009-12-02 07:57:41

Why does Barbara's first post have Arnold as her hometown and then it switches to Severna Park thereafter. Did she change it because Severna Park has a more affluent image and therefore she thought we may take this "comment" more seriously. I find it strange.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 1

Scrimp - 2009-12-02 07:56:52

Merry Christmas to all!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Robin Stanek - Churchton, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

Huh? - 2009-12-01 22:28:14

I cannot believe what I am reading. This has to be the most idiotic reason for a "racial" debate I have ever seen. I guess by the reasoning of some on here that I should be offended by the term "white out conditions" when speaking of driving/weather conditions. These conditions are very dangerous and lead to deaths and injuries, very negative image.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Olson - gambrills, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    5 0

Mr. Moe - 2009-11-30 17:49:18

It is absolutely ludicrous that you would think I would try to silence your comments in any way at all. Is it possible to even have someone's comments removed on this site? I thought that was strictly up to the editor. Perhaps you need to take that up with him? I support your freedom of speech to say what you wish, no matter how much I might disagree with it... funny I was not even offended in the first place by things you said, just having a debate with you and trying to educate you.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 0

Fay - 2009-11-30 17:47:11

Hello Fay, please ignore Mr. Shubbie. He has quite a penchant for stirring up trouble on this website and has used several other pseudonyms in the past. Thank you for your question and interest in what the correct terms are. Myself, I prefer to use AA to describe myself and my family... however, it is really a very individual thing. I know that "people of color" is becoming a more popular usage. Some people, most I think do prefer to use "black" to describe themselves (and in this instance, I do not see it as a negative thing AT ALL). It is really just a very individual thing. There is nothing wrong with saying "black" as long as it is not in a negative context

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 1

only one - 2009-11-30 14:27:27

There's only one confused person on here.That person posted on 11/28/09 at 7:53:43.Lol

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

Schubbie - 2009-11-30 14:01:39

It would appear that prehaps you are more confused than I.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 4

My posts - 2009-11-30 12:12:14

Interesting a couple of my posts were removed.Ironically they were posts I directed toward old Barb there.So I guess we all know who got those pulled.Some people just cant handle the truth can they Barb.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    5 2

confused readers - 2009-11-30 11:26:21

fay, perhaps you can resolve you confusion in a more appropriate venue. This article has nothing to do with race and therefore you are out of line to bring it up.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 6

I'm confused - 2009-11-30 11:08:30

as to what is politcally correct. I am a 55 year old white woman. Growing up, I heard "colored" to describe folks of AA background. That became incorrect, altough I now often hear the term "women of color" and that seems to be okay. I was a teen in the 60s (yes a hippie) when my AA friends chose to call themselves "black". That was okay then. When I speak with AA friends my age, they often still use the word black. I also have friends that have dark skin and are from Central America. They make it clear that they are not African American, they are from Central America. I'm not being a smart a$$. I really want to know. It would appear that correctness may be generational.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fay Hall - Severna Park, md - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 1

rake card play - 2009-11-30 11:07:46

rick, it is clear to all in the rational world that race is not a player in this article about black friday and the fact that people are not scrimping on gifts for children. There is however one reader that seems to have a unique type or hyper-sensitivity concerning race an a unique form of dislexia that cause the race card to become a non-issue issue .

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 4

Race Card - 2009-11-30 10:40:56

There was not one race item mentioned in this whole article. Why can't we discuss the article's contents, without playing the race card? This is the 21st century, isn't it?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Rick Marshall - Laurel, Md - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    5 2

babs - 2009-11-30 10:40:12

you have proven that no one believes what it is you are trying to assert.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    6 1

again mr. shubbie - 2009-11-30 09:38:47

I am losing my patience with you Mr. Shubbie. If you knew anything about the english language, you would know that "c" and "k" are often interchangeable. in the case of "scrimp" it is very obvious that it could be spelled "skrimp" and still be pronounced THE SAME EXACT WAY. This is the last time I will respond to you. I have been watching this community for some time now and am well aware of your penchant for rabble rousing.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    6 0

ok bagbara - 2009-11-30 09:10:39

"one letter difference doesn't matter - it's the same word"

your ability to reach in order to find what you are seeking is a bigger problem than it first appears to be .

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    5 0

One more thing - 2009-11-30 08:23:03

Mr. Shubbie, I would like to add that I"m very much offended by your accusation that I'm "trying to pull a reverse political correctness joke." If I wanted to joke around have fun, I can do that with my friends on the weekend, not go on a website and challenge other's hidden stereotypes and unacknowledged racism. Yes, sir, inside WE ARE ALL RACISTS and need to work hard to acknowledge our own biases! If I can open someone's eyes at the end of the day, then I am grateful.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 0

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-30 08:16:17

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    6 1

scrimp on explaining - 2009-11-30 07:50:05

Babs,

it seems you are unable or unwilling to address your initial reason for objecting to the use of the word scrimp and chose instead to talk about the word black. You were unaware it seems of the origins of the phrase 'black friday' and appreciated people for enlightening you. Could it be given your lack of understanding of the aforementioned you also were unaware that 'scrimp' is a perfectly good word with a definition appropriate for its use in the headline ? now that you know what scrimp means can you see that it is impossible for your initial bizarre conclusion ( the one in your first post) to be correct. I still can not help but thinking Barbara is pulling a reverse political correctness joke.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    7 0

OK... - 2009-11-30 02:57:44

So how many of you here that post regularly are white males with the occasional white female mixed in? You have NOT walked in my shoes, nor have you walked in the shoes of any AA individual... you do not experience the blatant racism and bigotry that I myself and my children, and many AA people experience every day. There is nothing wrong with the use of "black" in "Black History Month" - obviously, the word is being used in a POSITIVE sense. To those who posted about the meaning of the phrase "Black Friday" - thank you for your clarification but why does the media never specify this? Isn't it true that "Black Friday" is consistently portrayed as a NEGATIVE thing by the media? For example, last year people were trampled to death in a crowd getting into a store and the media couldn't stop talking about how deadly black friday is....there is a lot of negativity surrounding the word "black" and thats why i do not agree with its usage in "black Friday" - as for black history month, it was turned into a POSITIVE thing. That's the distinction. Finally, i am not going to argue with each of you individually - instead i suggest that you all enroll in some classes that deal with white oppression/privilege and then maybe you will understand just a LITTLE BIT of what I and many AA families deal with every day along with hispanics, latinos, gays, etc. i have a masters degree in sociology and I am well versed in these topics. However, seeing that I operate a full-time and very busy non-profit organization that strives to assist disadvantaged youth and families.... I simply do not have enough time to respond to each and every one of you. Here are some suggestions to the editor - I would love to see this community as a forum where it is easier to respond to individual posters... obviously a lot of topics in here get hot fast.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

I agree with Moe - 2009-11-29 22:13:45

"I think we all see who has the racial problem here Barb." Seriously, what a joke. Most of the posts on here end up being a race debate, now this time over "scrimp". It makes me sick.

Keep up the good work Nick!!

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

M Davis - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 5

Scrimp - 2009-11-29 21:17:35

I've never heard of the word "scrimp" as an ethnic mockery before, so just for giggles I looked up the word in the urban dictionary. Here's what I found:

a) Bottom feeders
Scrimp is a flip off the word Shrimp, with the Scrimp being the bottom feeder women of any bar, party, club, etc.

A SCRIMP CAN BE ANY OR ALL OF THESE THINGS:
a) Excessively drunk
b) Excess fat
c) Often rolls in packs of 3 ugly girls
d) Too easy

I really don't think the writer meant this to be anything derogitory or racist, but rather used the term for the meaning of being economical.

I do feel compelled to comment though on Barbera's reference to how "we don't say Merry Christmas any more" so as not to offend anyone. THAT, I do have a problem with. Personally I do say Merry Christmas because I celebrate the birth if Christ. If someone says Happy Chanukah or celebrates a different holiday, it doesn't offend me. America was founded on christianity and I see no reason it can't be recognized in this country.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Mike Morgan - annapolis, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 8

Barbara - 2009-11-29 17:48:33

Here is a google search for you.

http://news.google.com/news/search?um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=black+friday&cf=all&as_qdr=w&as_drrb=q

Black Friday is mentioned 54,622 times by news outlets in the last week. Including the WSJ, NYT, and more.

If that was not horrific enough for you, the word "scrimp" was found in the last week in news outlets a total of 173 times including Business Week, Modesto Bee, Orlando Sun-Sentinel, and more.

http://news.google.com/news/search?um=1&cf=all&ned=us&hl=en&q=scrimp&cf=all&as_qdr=w&as_drrb=q

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 7

Amazed - 2009-11-29 16:55:50

Just wow. I too woudl like some substantiation of your skrimp/shrimp thing. I am not attacking but I agree with the others that the racism (at least in this discussion) is purely the result of you Barbara.

The economy sucks Barbara. I am a white make, and I am scrimping (skrimping) this holiday season for sure.

Utilizing your logic that society paints the word "black" as evil, why on earth woudl you let your children participate in something called "Black History Month"? Why aren't you rallying the troops to change the name of "Black History Month" to "African American History Month"?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

John Frenaye - Annapolis, MD - Karma: Excellent

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 3

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-29 14:57:05

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 6

There are no "other meanings" ? - 2009-11-29 14:17:04

Barbara -

You are using false logic... Since "black" was/is intermittently used negatively does not imply ALL references to "black" are negative.

It may be a great service to teach your children society can use the word "black" without implying negative racial overtones.

Regards

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Kirk Gunn - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 9

GIVE ME A BREAK!!!!! - 2009-11-29 13:35:37

I find it a little disturbing with today's day in age, someone would actually lower the term of "Black Friday" to a racial level. 1st off, the term of "Black Friday" is used by U.S. retail workers, because of all the extra work U.S. retail workers have to do, with no extra pay (if you are not on commission). Retail workers have to babysit, negotiate, and play People's Court to consumers that want to fight and argue over who gets the last $12.99 robotic hamster. So yes it is "associated with darkness, death, and sadness"-Barbara Watkins, for retail workers, who work 12 hour long shifts on this day with no extra compensation, and maybe a potluck lunch or dinner, if their manager is to be so nice. 2nd of all, this is 2009, we have an African American President, when are you going to get with the times? There always has been, and there always will be racial tension. Its been with us since evolution, and we will not be able to make our mankind 100% racial tension free, get over it, and stop using it as an excuse! Excuses are for those who don't have any.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Michael Pennoyer - Baltimore, MD - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    3 4

word=word - 2009-11-29 12:09:17

googling you way into a rational explanation Ms. Barbara ? I am sorry, but my mind has not been replaced by a search logarithm . If it had, your explanation still requires major fuzzy logic and has lots of holes and leaps. Now you are proposing that scrimp (def.- to be thrifty, parsimonious )= skrimp ( not a word that I can locate in oxford's) =mockery. Still, there is no way a reasonable person can arrive at your conclusion, and with no attempt by you , as I asked you earlier, to "give me some historical background and examples of similar situations that might help me understand how a rational person could reach the conclusion as you" it has become clear that your thinking in this instance is horribly flawed, and your inability to articulate in words how you arrived at your conclusion without making an assumption that is irrational ( scrimp=skrimp) leads me to believe that you are either completely irrational or you scrimped on your education in areas in which you now could use help. There is help available.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    2 1

Comment removed by HometownAnnapolis staff. - 2009-11-29 11:17:12

Staff message: Why is this comment hidden?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

- Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    11 0

Mr. Shubbie - 2009-11-29 11:12:03

Please go to google.com and do an image search for the word "skrimp" - I NEED NOT SAY MORE. thank you...

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    13 0

Nick and Kirk - 2009-11-29 11:10:38

Thank you for you explanations of the meaning behind "black friday." I can appreciate these other meanings, however I think it would be more appropriate with the racial climate we are facing today, if the term was changed to something more sensitive. Nowadays as a community we try to be inclusive of all groups, races, ethnicities, ect. and try not to use words that may subjugate or damage others. for example, we no longer says "Merry Christmas" How do we know if any random person we meet is a Christian, Jew or Muslem... that's why we say "Happy Holidays" instead.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 10

Barb - 2009-11-29 09:40:34

First off Barb I was not the one that said you were offended by the term "black friday".That was James A.But you are right about feeling attacked.Out of all the shoppers that day the paper took a picture of a young black couple out christmas shopping for their kids.And because of a little word you gotta make a big deal.As for your child,I assume if she is still in school you keep her home during the entire month of February(black history month)because otherwise you are a hipocrite.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 5

a joke ? - 2009-11-29 06:46:29

Barbara, please explain you initial comment in depth with supporting arguments. I am a hard time taking your scrimp = shrimp= mockery conclusion seriously . Could you perhaps give me some historical background and examples of similar situations that might help me understand how a rational person could reach the conclusion as you ?

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Fred Shubbie - annapolis , md - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 9

Black is just the Font Color - 2009-11-29 04:07:59

Before anyone gets offended by using the color "black" as an adjective, they should realize the term Black Friday is the color of the ink used in accounting balance sheets.

Red is used to signify a Loss on a balance sheet, Black is used to signify Normal (or Profitable) transactions and entries.

A transaction "in the Black" is a positive event and should be taught to children and adults not familiar with accounting principles. Might prove a good segue into further economic discussion/education.

Regards and Happy Shopping

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Kirk Gunn - Arnold, MD - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    12 0

Gentlemen? - 2009-11-28 23:35:16

What happened to polite debate? I feel like I am being attacked. Yes, Robert, as a matter of fact, I AM offended by "black" Friday and a lot of my family/friends are as well... please take time to think about the use of the words "black" and "white" and how they are taught to our children. All that is black is associated with darkness, death, and sadness. White is associated with goodness, purity, decency, ect.... it is hurtful and you refuse to see it for what it is - a very poweful negative association! years ago when my daughter was little I took her to a toy store following a dr. appt. I told her she could get any toy she wanted. She picked out a white baby doll. I asked her why she didn't want the AA doll and she said because it was "bad".... imagine how much that hurt. because of things like this, I don't want my children or other AA/minority children exposed to so much negativity. Words are powerful and they do hurt. ANd to answer your question, many of the debates on this site are racially charged. for examsple, a recent article about a HIspanic couple and there baby being the first born in a new hospital in AA county... the whole entire debate was about how they are probably "illegals."

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 8

Ice - 2009-11-28 19:08:28

Dont forget about the expession Black Ice on the roads during the really bad winter weather.She probably wont drive on any roads that have it.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    1 10

Seriously??? - 2009-11-28 18:05:21

I guess you are evn moe offended because it is called "Black" Friday???? All the whining is really getting out of hand!!!!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

James A - , - Karma: Good

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 8

Free speech - 2009-11-28 16:40:06

Well Barb unlike you I believe in free speech and that is exactly what the paper did.The only ones that have a problem with this are the true problem.But hey maybe you could move too a country where free speech is forbidden.But I would be interested in you giving me other posts and articles you felt were racist as you put it.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    16 0

Yes, this a problem - 2009-11-28 12:40:41

Robert, yes, this IS a problem.... many of the problems in AA county are deeply rooted in racism. Look at all the articles posted on his site, and what ones get the most comments... the onces about race and ethnicity. There are many racists among us, in fact we should all be aware of our own racist attitudes as a community... btw, "skimp" could have just as easily been used. I refuse to feel this headline was not intentional!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Severna Park, MD - Karma: Terrible

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    0 10

OMG - 2009-11-28 10:16:45

Are you serious.I cant believe you're whining about a word used in the paper.What word should they have used,or maybe you feel they should use another picture.Of all the problems in AA County and you feel this is one of them.

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

robert moe - pasadena, md - Karma: Neutral

Report Abuse or Vote In order to allow the user community the ability to collectively rank the value of comments posted on the Capital Gazette websites we have implemented a thumbs-up/down system. All logged-in users may participate by voting up/down each comment. If others vote on your comment, your individual score will go up/down depending on the votes. Initially, everyone starts with a score of zero, and must earn credits to have significant voting weight. Individuals with higher scores will have more voting weight.    17 0

"scrimp" - couldn't you have picked - 2009-11-28 07:53:43

I am deeply offended and saddened by the paper's image of African American shoppers accompanied by the word "scrimp" in the headline. Many racists choose to make a mockery of African Americans, stating that we say "scrimp" instead of "shrimp" because we cannot speak properly. The Capital should remove or revise this headline at once!

unhide Comment hidden due to low ranking. Why is this comment hidden?

Barbara Watkins - Arnold, MD - Karma: Terrible