By Eric Schoen
February 1, 1960. Four African American college students sat down at a lunch counter at Woolworth’s in Greensboro, North Carolina, and politely asked for service. Their request was refused. When asked to leave, they remained in their seats. Their passive resistance and peaceful sit-down demand helped ignite a youth-led movement to challenge racial inequality throughout the South.
June 23, 2018. Sarah Huckabee Sanders, White House Press Secretary attempted to sit down and have dinner at a Virginia restaurant and was asked to leave because she worked for the President of the United States.
One was racial and one was political. But I ask you friends, what is going on in this country when in 2018, one is denied service in a restaurant because of one’s political beliefs or who one works for?
I am totally against separating families at the border, but for protestors to come in to a restaurant, private property and harass the Secretary of Homeland Security? I have no love for her, and to refresh your memory she was one of the top gurus involved in the Hurricane Katrina catastrophe, working for ‘Heck of a job, Brownie’ as he was called by Then President George W. Bush. He was the guy that screwed everything up.
If folks want to peacefully protest outside of the restaurant against the Trump Administration policies, I have no problem with that. But to enter the restaurant, private property and harass someone? If I owned the restaurant, I would have told the protestors to please leave and if they didn’t leave I would have had them arrested. The Secretary probably did not do this so as not to exacerbate an already bad situation.
Elected officials on both sides of the political aisle condemned the behavior of the Virginia restauranteur. Even New York City Mayor Bill DeBlasio, a politician as liberal as you can get agreed that the Sarah Huckabee Sanders restaurant incident was wrong.
And we have a member of Congress, Rep. Maxine Waters ‘claiming the favor of the Almighty during’ a speech at a Capitol Hill “Keep Families Together” rally. Waters said cabinet members and highly visible Trump enablers should expect harassment at restaurants, gas stations, shopping places, and even their homes until they change their immigration policy.
Wasn’t it Martin Luther King who encouraged peaceful, non-violent protests? That certainly is not ‘harassment.’ I have a suggestion for the protestors. Instead of causing a raucous in a restaurant, get involved in the political process and work for candidates who you philosophically agree with who are running against those you disagree with.
Next week we will celebrate Independence Day, the Fourth of July, a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776. Time to remind ourselves of the great land we live in and freedoms that we have that many in the world don’t. Time to celebrate America!
Refusing service in a restaurant due to someone’s political beliefs? No way to ‘Celebrate America.’ This kind of stuff has to stop. No matter whether you agree with Trump or disagree, Americans need to respect the Office Of President, move on and if you don’t like Donald Trump the election for President is 2 1/2 years away. Support someone who is running against him. Support candidates opposed to his beliefs. That’s the way the system has worked since its’ inception.
This week an entrenched incumbent, Congressman Joe Crowley was defeated by a political newcomer still paying off her students loans from college. Reminds us to take nothing for granted in the world of politics. In our great system you have the right to vote, every 4 years for President and every 2 years for Congressman. And you have the right to run for public office. If you don’t participate, don’t complain!
Stupid primary schedule
New Yorkers went to the polls for the congressional primary earlier this week. The ballots they cast have a dubious distinction: Our state is the only state in the nation that is holding separate state and federal primary elections this year. More poll workers at the polls than there were voters.
This has got to be the dumbest decision made by our elected officials. The money used to man the polls and keep buildings open could have been used for many better purposes. What a terrible waste!
Congratulations to Congressman Eliot Engel Representing Yonkers for winning the Democratic nomination. I have always been impressed that Engel keeps the majority of his staff in his local district offices in Westchester to deal with constituent issues pertaining to the federal Government. I got a laugh when one of his opponents said that Congressman Engel’s constituents didn’t know who their Congressman was. That’s like saying the American people don’t know that Donald Trump is POTUS (President of the United States!
Healthy Food and Bargains
Many of you look forward to my column this time of year where I focus on Happy Hours, bargain movie theater showings, theater and other ways to save. I haven’t been hitting the Happy Hours lately in my quest to lose weight, but promise right after the 4th of July to focus on bargains you and your family can enjoy.
A couple of things I want to bring to your attention, If you haven’t been to the Multiplex movie theater at Cross County Shopping Center, you are in for a treat. They have (long overdue) refurbished the theater with comfy reclining leather seats and stadium seating. A truly enjoyable experience. I just wish they would come out with some better movies!
Check out MoviePass, the $10 a month pass that lets you (for now) see most movies at the movie theaters in Westchester, 1 per day. You can’t get a better deal because it costs more than $10 to see one movie, many theaters charging much more for a ticket. Last week alone I saw 3 movies, well worth the $10 cost. I don’t know how long they are going to be able to do this for as the company loses money every month. But take my word, as long as it exists, as they say ‘you gotta be in it to win it!’
Corporate America must think people trying to lose weight or stay fit are morons and don’t care about taste. I have tried every protein bar and shake. Most end up in the garbage. For taste, low calories and high protein I recommend Think Thin Chocolate Fudge and Chocolate Brownie (each with 20 grams of protein) protein bars and Atkins (15 grams of protein) Milk Chocolate Delight shakes. Refreshing summer drinks are Vitamin Water Zero Lemonade (tastes like real lemonade) and there Triple Berry flavor (tastes like Hawaiian Punch). Both have zero calories!
Reach Eric Schoen at thistooisyonkers@aol.com. Follow him on Twitter @ericyonkers. Listen to Eric Schoen and Dan Murphy on the Westchester Rising Radio Show Thursday’s from 10-11 a.m. On WVOX 1460 AM or download the SIMPLE RADIO app for free from the APP STORE
