Dailytakes

Does use of the word ‘thug’ have racial overtones?

James Rowen says absolutely, and in all cases.

At least one self-described “hard-boiled” righty blogger can’t stop playing the race card.

That’s the only conclusion you can come to when “Thug” - - a word that worked itself into the local vocabulary following particularly violent crimes, and especially during former Ald. Michael McGee’s legal troubles - - suddenly becomes Holloway’s middle name, too.

Apparently on at least one right-wing blog from the south Milwaukee suburbs - - and so far I’m not seeing anyone on the conservative side of the blogosphere take the race-baiter to task - - Holloway’s ‘crime’ was supporting a sales tax increase, in a public policy debate, at the Milwaukee County Board.

Which he chairs, as the Supervisors’ elected leader.

In other words, where he does his job.

Yes, readers outside greater Milwaukee and beyond, this is part of the heavily-racialized public debate that is endured here.

The blogger, “No Runny Eggs” [yes, that is the blog’s name], wrote this:

“Charlie Sykes has the text of a press release from Milwaukee County Board Chair Lee “Thug” Holloway purporting to claim that, even with a 1-percentage-point increase in the sales tax in Milwaukee County, it would still be “cheaper” to shop in Milwaukee County than in surrounding counties.”

That’s playing the race card?

Weak.

Perhaps there are other reasons Steve at No Runny Eggs calls Holloway a thug?

It has nothing to do with taxes, or race.

Rowen owes Eggleston an apology.