Date: Thu, 3 Jun 2010 10:25:32 -0500
Reply-To: mcneely4@COX.NET
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Dave Mcneely <mcneely4@COX.NET>
Subject: Re: Plastic Ramps
Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8
I did not know you were of Chinese descent Ben. I am glad you let us know that you and other persons of Chinese descent are offended by the reference to "China Freight." I assure you that I certainly meant no offense by defending Bryan's use of the term, as I took it as just recognition of the fact that Harbor Freight imports its products from China. I took it to be no different from a store being a "Mexican Emporium," a name I have seen on a store in San Antonio. I also see the words Mexican and Mexico on many other stores and restaurants in various combinations with other words. Having grown up in Texas, I have seen and heard the word Mexican used inappropriately on far too many occasions, but that does not mean that used appropriately it is offensive. I do hope you do not consider the word China to be offensive, since it is the name of the most populous country on earth, the country of origin of several million Americans and American ancestors. I've also seen the words China and Chinese on numerous stores and restaurants. I hope you are not offended each time you pass by one of these, though anyone of normal sensibilities would be offended by characterization of them with old and unpleasant stereotypes.
I believe your characterization of the word China as being as offensive as the n-word is a bit over the top, though the other word you used certainly is an offensive term and so far as I can tell has only been used pejoratively. It offends me, though I have no Chinese heritage. A lot closer would be use of the words Irish and Ireland, words which like China are legitimate, but which have been (evidently like China, a fact you have newly revealed to me) used pejoratively. I assure you I have never and will never do so. For one thing, my cousin in Idaho who has Chinese lineage would never forgive me, rightly so.
If the word China is offensive, what word are we to use when speaking of things related to that very important country? And certainly no one can help noticing that the country in question is a major participant in world commerce with a resultant large share of goods available in retail in this country originating from there.
Thanks for listening Ben, and I apologize for any wrong I may have committed.
David McNeely
---- BenT Syncro <syncro@gmail.com> wrote:
> Just to clarify again, there is no problem if you identify a product
> by brand which is made in China. But when you make such a general
> statement, it is comparable to calling a person a "Chinaman". If you
> are not sensitive to that term, it is like calling an African American
> the 'N' word. So saying a store is "China Freight" is as bad as
> calling calling a store which specializes in African American products
> a "(N-word) Store".
>
> Perhaps it might help some of you to understand if reminded you that I
> am of Chinese descent. Yes, I do find the term personally offensive.
> And so did every Chinese American I polled in the past concerning this
> very term.
>
>
>
> BenT
>
> Sent from my mobile device
>
> On Jun 2, 2010, at 7:13 PM, <mcneely4@cox.net> wrote:
>
> > Ben, I disagree. Most of the stuff sold at Harbor Freight is from
> > China. Bryan was just recognizing that fact. It is an economic
> > observation, not a racial one. Just my thoughts. DMc
> >
> > ---- BenT Syncro <syncro@GMAIL.COM> wrote:
> >> Bryan,
> >>
> >> The term "China Freight" is racist and not acceptable on the List.
> >>
> >> Please feel free to contact either one of the moderators should you
> >> require further clarification.
> >>
> >>
> >> Regards,
> >>
> >> BenT
> >> Sent from my moderating ramp
> >>
> >> On Jun 2, 2010, at 5:09 PM, B Feddish <bfeddish@NETREACH.NET> wrote:
> >>
> >>> Actually, that was my thought. I was going to return them and try
> >>> using jack stands and floor jack for extra safety since I cannot
> >>> find the metal ramps anywhere. Even "China Freight" does not have
> >>> them.
> >>>
> >>> Bryan
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message-----
> >>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>> Behalf Of Dave Mcneely
> >>> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 8:01 PM
> >>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>> Subject: Re: Plastic Ramps
> >>>
> >>> Despite Mr. Squirrel having had success with such ramps, I would
> >>> take them back to the place I bought them and expect a full refund.
> >>> They are worthless (experience speaking). Then get a good set of
> >>> stands. Jack your van up, set the stands under it, and lower it
> >>> onto them. You won't have a problem.
> >>>
> >>> Or, buy a good set of metal ramps with a low incline. Part of the
> >>> problem with most cheap ramps is the steepness of the incline.
> >>>
> >>> Just my thoughts. And metal ramps are available. But, plastic ones
> >>> with a low incline might be ok. Obviously, whatever supports you
> >>> use must be adequate for the weight.
> >>>
> >>> DMc
> >>>
> >>> ---- Mister Tom <TomsGroups@SALICOS.COM> wrote:
> >>>>> -----Original Message-----
> >>>>> From: Vanagon Mailing List [mailto:vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com] On
> >>>>> Behalf Of
> >>>>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel"
> >>>>> Sent: Wednesday, June 02, 2010 4:19 PM
> >>>>> To: vanagon@GERRY.VANAGON.COM
> >>>>> Subject: Re: Plastic Ramps
> >>>>>
> >>>>> B Feddish wrote:
> >>>>>> OK, the only ramps I could find at any store for my van where
> >>>>>> those
> >>>>> plastic
> >>>>>> ones. OK, 1 hour later and the bottoms are all scraped up from
> >>>>>> sliding
> >>>>>> forward as I try to drive onto them.. I even tried jacking the
> >>>>>> van up a
> >>>>> bit
> >>>>>> and sliding the ramps under and trying to drive the rest of the
> >>>>>> way up.
> >>>>> No
> >>>>>> good. What is the trick to using these pieces of crap?
> >>>>>>
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I read a brilliant yet simple suggestion here last week: if there
> >>>>> isn't
> >>>>> already a hole at the leading edge of the ramp, then drill one.
> >>>>> 1/4'' or
> >>>>> so. Tie a bit of nylon rope or webbing or whatever through that
> >>>>> hole and
> >>>>> lay it on the ground so the tire drives on the rope first. The
> >>>>> ramp
> >>>>> ain't goin' nowhere once the tire pins the cord to the ground. Oh,
> >>>>> it
> >>>>> may complain, but it's yours. Land that baby.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> --
> >>>>> Mike "Rocket J Squirrel" Elliott
> >>>>> 84 Westfalia: Mellow Yellow ("The Electrical Banana")
> >>>>> 74 Westrailia: (Ladybug Trailer company, San Juan Capistrano,
> >>>>> Calif.)
> >>>>> Bend, OR
> >>>>> KG6RCR
> >>>>
> >>>>
> >>>> I would re-consider the suggestion to modify the ramps in any way.
> >>>> If they
> >>>> ever failed for any other reason, you might be giving the
> >>>> manufacturer a
> >>>> defense in a liability lawsuit. No, I'm not a lawyer, nor do I
> >>>> play one on
> >>>> TV. It just crossed my mind.
> >>>>
> >>>> Tom Salicos
> >>>>
> >>>> '87 Syncro Westy EG-33
> >>>
> >>> --
> >>> David McNeely
> >
> > --
> > David McNeely
--
David McNeely
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