Tags: I see it this way!

Credit: CNN News That's Joe Vento, owner of Geno's Steaks in Philadelphia PA, on CNN's Lou Dobbs show last night. Joe and Lou were as happy as two child molesters in the Boys Town dormitory at night. It seems the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations ruled his offensive sign wasn't discriminatory. You can read a Philadelpha Inquirer story on the web to come up to speed. The last thing Mr. Vento said on air was "God bless America". Do you understand now why a Chicago preacher can say "God damn America"? He's not speaking of the United States of America which allowed me to retire after 46 years as a photojournalist. Nor is it the America that that would see the offspring of a African father and a Caucasian mother from Kansas run for president. No, it's the criticism of Mr. Vento's America and what his America represents. Instead of just printing his menu with Spanish along with English he opted to place a hateful sign out front. University of Pennsylvania sociology professor Camille Z. Charles, likened the "speak English" signs to "whites only" signs from the Jim Crow era.(1) Rev. Wright, I'm ain't mad at ya! I remember growing up in Texas and seeing "Colored" and "Whites Only" signs. I remember needing to go around to the back of restaurants to get a sandwich. Also after the sixties, I can remember going back to some of the same restaurants, walking through the front doors, and being addressed as "thank you, sir" after purchases. This country has come a long way. It has an even longer way to go. Isn't that right, Mr. Vento? (1) The Philadelphia Inquirer story