By: floridita on 11/9/08
Horrible.

By: flipside on 11/9/08
Why would you print this bigoted tripe? Lewis says that Dr. Saxena has good ideas in his run for State Rep., but suggests that to relate better to the public, he should use try to talk with a false accent and use bad grammar? Why not just come out and say that our local electorate is too undereducated to accept an intelligent candidate because he's not from here, or, god forbid, doesn't look like a white Tennessee farmer?
Regarding your racist and insulting "Ode"; it's just another example on why it's so easy for the rest of the country to categorize the entire south as mullet-wearing rednecks, wifebeaters, and high school dropouts. Thanks so much for that.

By: wiseaus on 11/9/08
As I white male, about the same age as this columnist, I want to repudiate these opinions as being narrow, racist, and unrepresentative of thinking people. And before Lewis gets all "Oh, lets have a chuckle, and lighten up, since I'm not really serious about all this. I have many black friends and they know I was joking", let me just say that the writer has shown his true colors, in a very juvenile, unfunny, and pathetic way. I call on the editor to rebuke and apologize for printing this garbage. Unfortunately, it is delivered to me, unsolicited, every Sunday morning. I agree with flipside: Lewis and this paper both do a disservice to Rutherford county by confirming some of the worst stereotypes. We deserve better than this columnist.

By: thisone on 11/9/08
God bless freedom of speech. Dad you just shot the zombie flanders. He was a zombie!

By: flyby on 11/9/08
Repulsive! Pure hate-speak from a very small mind.

By: tnimpressions on 11/9/08
I find this kind of racist and ignorant humor very upsetting. Please don't put this kind of crap in your paper again!!! It just gives a very bad impression of the south and southerners...we aren't all narrow minded and hateful.

By: browneyes1121 on 11/9/08
That's the thing with Freedom of Speech. There's no need for an editor to "rebuke and apologize for printing this." It's fine for liberals to spew whatever they want all over the paper, but if someone's opinion differs from yours, they've gone too far? I don't think you get it both ways. That's how Freedom of Speech and the press works.

By: wiseaus on 11/9/08
Okay browneyes, feel free to defend bigotry behind that popular cloak of`freedom of speech'. I guess whites in the mid-1950's making racist comments to blacks on the streets of the deep south were merely exercising their right of `free speech'. Yep, that's it. This type of bigotry is no different. This 'newspaper' is trash and I just burned it in my fireplace.

By: KAB on 11/9/08
Do you really think this is funny? As an educator in our school system, you should be ashamed. I wonder what kind of person would see humor in this or are you just showing your true colors. I really thought you were a better person. Perhaps, I was wrong. Shame on you!!!

By: heidipuppy on 11/10/08
I found this article offensive and disturbing. Here we are in the 21st century, elected our first BiRacial President, which is Historical and your paper allows this article which mocks Obama and Dr. Saxena in a very negative and racist light. If this was suppose to funny, it fell very flat. I agree with others that perhaps you are showing your true colors and this media is not for you, Steve.

Get out of journalism Steve. If this is your primer of what is to come, we don't need your comments or this paper.

Shame on the editor also for approving this piece to run.

By: heidipuppy on 11/10/08
You know browneyes, you better realize your "South" is changing. Many people have transitioned from the North here,including me. Most people realize equality for all, respect and understand the Constitution and civil liberities each American citizen has.

The population of the South, of what you know it, is changing. This new century and this new President just broke the racial divide. Up to you to get up to speed and quit living in the past.

For once, black youth have a role model to aspire to. Bill Cosby has tried to for years to move the black youth to stay in school and aspire to goals. This Presidency for them is huge. Go to MSNBC.COM and see the interviews they have done with students.

Articles like this, as KAB who is an educator, need not be posted. Educators in inner cities have a new tool to motivate the children to learn. This historic election.

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
This column offends me as a journalist. Too many people in our profession are so insulated, so consumed with what amuses them and their cohorts in their newsrooms, that they fail to remember that they are writing for real people. This column is self-serving journalism at its worst - it serves no purpose other than to give one ignorant racist a forum for his childish, shameful humor. No reader is better off for having read this column, no point has been made, no purpose has been served at all. This is worthless journalism, another nail in the coffin of our profession. How can you expect the public to trust any of us if one of us is passing this type of opinion piece off as legitimate journalism?

And to the editor of this puerile piece, did nothing in here raise any red flags with you? Not even “pimp pad”?

Mr. Lewis, I hope this racist drivel is not soon forgotten by your community, your co-workers and your family—-all of whom are likely quite ashamed of this piece of writing.

By: Fishmonkey on 11/10/08
The first (and sometimes the only) reason I read the Post is for the Stephen Lewis column. These commentaries are almost as much fun to read as the columns! It is a delight to see people get so stirred up over a humor piece.

Mr. Lewis, I hope you are planning to compile your Post writings into a book some day. I will be the first in line to get mine signed. (OK, probably not the first. OK, I probably won't stand in line either. OK, maybe I won't actually BUY the book since I have already read all of your columns).

By: jocelyn.kate on 11/10/08
Utterly revolting. No wonder people are hold onto stereotypes about the South when this kind of bigotry is printed.

Shame on you, Mr. Lewis - and shame on this paper for allowing you to spout such racist drivel.

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
I hope one day the children or grandchildren of Mr. Lewis ask him how he reacted to the historic election of Barack Obama in 2008, and I hope Mr. Lewis has the courage of his current convictions to tell them, "I wrote an incredibly racist column in which I mocked the president-elect because he's black."

Fishmonkey, you wouldn't happen to be Mr. Lewis himself, would you?

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
A racist column could even be forgiven, at least a little bit, if it was clever at all. But this was not clever. In fact, it was quite poorly written. Is Mr. Lewis an intern?

By: sarahsmile on 11/10/08
This is horribly, horribly racist and offensive. I would hope to see an apology, but I don't think it would be sincere coming from someone who took the time to pull in every overblown stereotype they could for their "ode" to our president-elect.

By: spinnermonkey on 11/10/08
I agree. Utterly revolting. Unacceptable. Most likely when viewing this page, you see an ad on the left of the page. Please click through & tell that advertiser how you feel about them supporting this kind of "journalism"

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
Excellent idea, Spinnermonkey. I'm going to do that now.

By: ashamed on 11/10/08
That's disgusting. I was actually born in Murfreesboro, which is what brought my attention to this vomit disguised as an editorial. Fortunately my parents got us out of Murfreesboro before it warped us permanently. Parents, cancel your subscriptions, sale your homes and get out of Murfreesboro before the likes of Stephen Lewis fill your kids hearts with hate and ignorance.

By: maxsparber on 11/10/08
"It's fine for liberals to spew whatever they want all over the paper, but if someone's opinion differs from yours, they've gone too far?"

Interesting. So, if I'm reading this right, the opposite of liberalism is ... racism?

By: Evidence on 11/10/08
I for one hope that conservative columnists will continue to write bigoted screeds like this – it will be a big help to liberal causes. First, it encourages donation to liberal candidates. We hang stuff like this up as “bulletin board” material to get team psyched up. So keep this in your folders, folks, we can use it in a couple of years when the 2010 midterms come around. Furthermore, coming from Tennessee, this fits all the ugly stereotypes of southern racism, and just further confirms that the Republican party is the party of the worst, most backward, unfortunately remaining elements of the southeast – not the better angels of the United States. Who do you think that is going to win elections for? So by all means, please keep it up Mr. Lewis.

Also, this is not a “freedom of speech” or “freedom of the press” issue. Mr. Lewis and the Murfreesboro Post have freedom from government censorship. However, Mr. Lewis is not free to write or print whatever he wants without the approval of his editors, the papers owners, and most importantly, the advertisers. It is reprehensible that the Murfreesboro Post, and its advertisers, apparently stand behind the blatant bigotry in this column.

The main advertisement on the page , as I see it, is for a fashion store called Penny’s Closet. I encourage everyone to boycott this establishment until it stops sponsoring this bigotry. I’ll be e-mailing them to tell them as much, and I encourage you to do so as well.

By: flesti on 11/10/08
Wow, does Stephen Lewis have some really good dirt on the editor??? How would/could any editor allow this type of sick and stupid junk to be printed? Not only is this just offensive, it is badly written. Everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, but if it is to be shared in print at least make sure it is relatively sensible and intelligent, stating facts without being insulting.

By: Arthur2sheds on 11/10/08
Putting aside the blatant racism, this column offends me as a journalist. It's not only trite, but poorly written and badly researched.

Lines like " What about this fellow who ran for state representative, Dr. Rishi Saxena? I’m not sure where he’s from but I’m pretty sure it’s not Rutherford County" betray incredible ignorance.

Isn't it your job is to inform and enlighten readers? This is what I found about Saxena from a simple Google search:

Your 34th Dist. Rep: Dr. Rishi K. Saxena
US Citizen
Resident of Murfreesboro for last 13 years
Interventional Cardiologist for last 15 years
Medical Practice Owner for last 9 years
Married for 24 years
Wife: MBA in Heath Care Management - Practice Manager
Daughter: 4th Year University Student
Son: 11th grade high school student

And what about those "good ideas" he has? Maybe tell us what they are and why they're so good?

If Mr. Lewis is the standard bearer for news journalism, there are dark days ahead for our profession.

By: SamAnon on 11/10/08
This is disgraceful.

Thanks for perpetuating the racist stereotype people have of the south.

Let's pray this was just poor judgment on your part and the newspaper's part and not the hate speech it appears to be.

By: jimspice on 11/10/08
Just thought you'd like to know that this article is now receiving national attention. I realize that normally that would be a good thing, but I'm not sure this is the type of attention you'd prefer.

spicce

By: copyboy311 on 11/10/08
And another thing... It was Stevie Wonder and Paul McCartney doing "Ebony and Ivory," not Michael Jackson.

By: flipside on 11/10/08
Great idea on the advertiser boycott. I have just emailed them. I'm sure they thought they could trust the editors of the MP not to associate them with hate speech. Maybe they'll rethink their alignment with this paper in the future.

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
HA! I hadn't even caught that, copyboy. Good work.

It's amazing how dumb and wrong this column is. If the newspaper was intending on publishing what is the most racist reaction in an American newspaper to the election of Obama, they could have at least let a writer do it who has some shred of creativity or intelligence.

And really, is the writer of this column an intern? I'd honestly like to know.

By: deelew on 11/10/08
Ok, some things need to be pointed out here. First of all, I think the writer was trying to point out that Saxena was likely not going to be voted in in this very red (Republican) county. Whether he has good ideas or not, people here are more likely to put a black man in office rather than someone much more "foreign". Here I am not picking sides but calling a "spade a spade". I would gather that all of those posting here have voted for Obama in a very red state. Also, I see nothing racist here. If yall are referring to "pimp pad" - I got news for you. JFK and Clinton made The White House a pimp pad a long time ago. People here act as though he has lynched an effigy of Obama. Please lighten up. Are you telling me that because Obama is black he is off limits? That sure seems to be the message from those posting here. I think many here are over reacting a great deal.

By: simonowens on 11/10/08
As a journalist who has written for both national and local publications, I cannot believe that an editor let this column see the light of day.

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
Of course he’s not off limits, deelew. But the sole reason this writer made reference to “pimp pad” and “P. Diddy” and set it to the theme song of “The Jeffersons” is because President-elect Obama is black. If you see nothing racist in his little ditty, that says quite a lot about you. It’s absolutely not overreacting, either. Aren’t you all for “calling a spade a spade” as you put it? If you truly are, you would also be calling this racist.

By: deelew on 11/10/08
JC1
No I disagree. I think the postings here are "political correctness run amok". Blacks can make fun of blacks and it is ok. If this was a piece by Chris Rock everyone would think it was funny. You have got to have some humor/satire in these kinds of things. If people made fun of whites by using the "Beverly Hill Billies" it would be no different. But, would everyone here be screaming just as loudly? I think not. People made great fun at Bush, but that was OK. It works both ways.

By: Fitzcomm on 11/10/08
Here's something for everyone to chew on: Stephen Lewis is the principal of Rock Springs Elementary School in La Vergne.

By: deelew on 11/10/08
What does that have to do with anything? People cannot have free speech outside of work... does that include you Fitzcomm? Can a teacher go out to eat and order a drink? Maybe a student will walk by? That is irrelevant.

BTW ashamed...I thought you fled Murfreesboro. It is "sell" your house and the Post is a FREE paper, and run run before someone can fill your kids' (not kids) hearts...

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
Are you sure, Fitzcomm? That's a pretty common name.

And deelew, it wouldn't be funny no matter who wrote it. It's not clever or well written. It's not funny, and not just because it's racist. There has been plenty of good humor found in the last few days, but this is the only example I have found in a legitimate newspaper that relies on racial stereotypes.

People made fun of Bush, of course, and they did so in many newspapers. But I challenge you to find an example of people making fun of him in a way that trades in this kind of bigotry.

And I stand by my statement that if you see nothing racist in this, it says quite a lot about you.

And I hope to God you're wrong about this guy being an elementary school principal. How disgusting would that be?

By: JC1 on 11/10/08
This is not a free speech issue, deelew. He has every right to an opinion. He can even write it down. As dumb and ignorant as the column is, the newspaper did not have to print it. My main problem is with the publisher, Mike Pirtle, and the managing editor, Mike West, who allowed this to happen. I'm quite sure they don't want to be remembered as the people who allowed the most racist reaction to an Obama presidency in an American newspaper while they were at the helm.

By: Fitzcomm on 11/10/08
I am sure. I called Rutherford County Schools.

By: distantobserver on 11/10/08
"Thank you! I’m here all week. Try the veal."

I encourage the Murfreesboro Post to consider making you "not here" for the rest of the week... or year. Amazing!

By: Concerned_Educator on 11/10/08
Here's the names and emails of the members of the Board of Education, lest you wish to express your thoughts about this "educator's" future at Rock Springs Elementary school.

http://www.rcs.k12.tn.us/rc/RCS_NEW/board_members/boe_members.htm

By: deelew on 11/10/08
JC1
"And I stand by my statement that if you see nothing racist in this, it says quite a lot about you." Well, everyone has their opinions. Just seems like it is only Ok if you agree but not if you disagree.

There is a great deal of liberal backlash here.

By: Fitzcomm on 11/10/08
Deelew: This has already been addressed in this string of postings today, but I must ask: Why must one be a liberal to recognize racism? Do conservatives not recognize it?

By: appalled on 11/10/08
Thank you for confirming the pre-conceived notion that Tennessee is full of racist mouth-breathers. Hiding racism behind free speech makes you not just racist, but a racist who uses freedoms to justify a history of taking away rights, liberties, and property from minorities.

Good show. Hey, next time you want to debate liberal/conservative, how about you do so without making fun of someone's race? Do you have the mental capacity to do that without taking the theme song from a show with a black family and changing a few words? Did you really need to do that?

Here's hoping to an early retirement from you, and a review of a horrible decision by this newspaper to print bigotry. Protip: you want to spew that garbage, at least don't dress it up (ok, so your 'free speech' showed that you're a bigot). You're racist. Stop pretending you're not.

By: Bijou on 11/10/08
I can't believe my eyes. I understand the paper is working on a statement and I sincerely hope that it's announcing the retirement of this column. Additionally, Stephen Lewis is an elementary school principal?!?! Unbelievable. I'd take my kids out of that racist's school today.

By: apushteach on 11/10/08
I see that there were many people posting things about reinforcing "stereotypes" of ignorant southerners. When this kind of racist crap is allowed in a mainstream newspaper, then it's not a stereotype, it's the truth.

By: joshzlee on 11/10/08
Does this newspaper have no editors? Or just no standards? Aside from being demeaning, the column is poorly written and stupid. Further, the guy *knew* it was offensive - otherwise he wouldn't have put in that lame "if you're offended" at the end.

Lewis has a right to freedom of speech, but the newspaper - which is better than this witless and offensive column - has a right to say, "No. This doesn't meet our standards." Lewis proved that he doesn't have the judgment to have a column. The paper should remove him and should apologize for its lapse in judgment.

Referring to the White House as a "pimp pad" is offensive on many levels and is reason enough to dump Lewis.

Incidentally, it's not even a very good "Jeffersons" riff. Lewis got the rhythm wrong. So not only is it juvenile, witless, demeaning to our newspaper, our city, our nation, one of our enduring symbols and our president-elect, it's poorly executed. If this guy is as careless in his other endeavors as he is as a columnist, he has giant problems.

By: deelew on 11/10/08
I really feel that this is a HUGE mountain made from a molehill. Yall are venomous in your attacks. Your anger is transparent. If you feel it is poor taste, then fine. But you are surprising me. From the likes of these comments I am surprised Obama did not carry the state of TN.
If this came from a black columnist I don't feel it would get this much attention.

By: deelew on 11/10/08
PS
As I said before, it was JFK and Clinton who made The White House a pimp pad.

By: Bijou on 11/10/08
It's y'all. Moron.

By: Gonzo1 on 11/10/08
While readers continue to bicker about the interplay of perceived racism and free speech, I find it a touch overlooked that Mr. Lewis' "Ode..." simply a paragon of modern verse.

Mr. Lewis has taken one of history's most poignant and lasting myths "The Jeffersons" (into which he has undoubtedly spent years researching in the dusty stacks of national archives... or, perhaps, slung in his foam-cushioned couch while voraciously attacking a bag of funions) and cleverly used its very framework for an counter-supposition of our current political transition. Indeed, such brilliant lines as, "Took a whole lot of campaign promises, to take over Capitol hill" seem to strain ironically for some semblance of scansion... or even political focus (as Capitol Hill is home to the Senate and no the White House).

But, of course, we are to understand that Mr. Lewis is adopting the voice of, not himself, but a half-educated, perhaps even mentally challenged, pseudo-intellectual who seems to enjoy writing op-eds (with neither "op" nor "ed") for the sole purpose of angering the villagers and attempting to solidify his own shallow knowledge of minority experience, gleaned from nothing more than a situational comedy from the late seventies. Bravo, Mr. Lewis. Stand up, my good man and fellow academic! Go ahead! Stand up again! You deserve it!

I am so impressed with the thought and intelligence that went in your essay, Mr. Lewis, that I am compelled to offer a slight taste of my own verse. Although it is nothing compared to the brilliance with which you have emblazoned the pages of The Murfreesboro Post, perhaps it will serve as a humble 'thank you' for all you have given.

Ode Number 2 (sung by Mr. Lewis to the theme from "The Beverly Hillbillies")

Oh, come and listen to my story
'bout a man named Steve.
The man writes a column,
But can barely even read.

Then one day
we elected someone cool,
and Steve was exposed
as a blithering fool.

Idiot, that is... simple-minded... as a flea.

-Anson Mount

By: apushteach on 11/10/08
You're absolutely correct! It was Kennedy and Clinton who fooled around outside their marriages. Of course, they fooled around with women and not like the republicans that have been busted having affairs with other men while. All the while claiming to be straight family men who are vehemently against gay rights of any kind as it's a pox on our country. See, Congressman Foley and Sen Craig.

By: Yankee_Gal on 11/10/08
Had Al Sharpton been elected, I could understand calling the white house a "pimp pad" in a humorous vein. However, Obama is class all the way, something that Mr. Lewis will never be.

By: Fitzcomm on 11/10/08
There's so much focus on Obama, that I believe we're missing an important point here: Lewis disparagingly characterized Dr. Saxena, too. He's an accomplished member of our community who chose to run for office -- and this is what he gets in the Murfreesboro Post. Shameful.

By: Bijou on 11/10/08
Fitz, I found that the most shocking.