Homophobia and Racism... the never ending saga

Television actor Jason Wahler hurled racial and homophobic invectives at a police officer when he was arrested over the weekend after punching a hotel security guard and passing out drunk in a hallway, a Seattle Police Department report said.

Wahler, 20, a star of MTV's "The Hills" and "Laguna Beach: The Real Orange County," was arrested early Sunday for investigation of assault and criminal trespass. He posted bail and was released from the King County Jail nine hours later.

It was Wahler's third arrest since September, when he punched a city worker and tow-truck driver in Los Angeles.

Last month, the judge in that case sentenced him to 60 days in jail -- a sentence he was scheduled to serve beginning in May -- and ordered him to attend Alcoholics Anonymous classes and a one-day program at the Museum of Tolerance for using racial slurs.

The police report said that shortly after midnight Sunday, officers responded to the Waterfront Marriott hotel. A security guard told them there had been an altercation in the lobby, and that someone wrestled with Wahler to restrain him.

When the guard asked the pair to settle down or leave, Wahler shoved him in the chest and then punched him in the mouth, the police report said. Another person restrained Wahler and removed him from the building, but he came back a short time later.

Two police officers found him passed out on the third floor, reeking of alcohol, and woke him up.

Wahler then "repeatedly" called Officer C. DePina, who is not black, a "n-----" and a "f-----," DePina wrote in the report. "Wahler stated he was rich and would have my ass. Wahler made vague threats to assault officers."
It was not immediately known if Wahler, of Laguna Beach, Calif., had obtained a lawyer or if he had a publicist. The city attorney's office has 20 days to file charges, said spokeswoman Ruth Bowman.

Wahler was also arrested in March in Greenville, N.C., for investigation of underage drinking and resisting a public officer. (AP)

The homophobic, racist military recruiter....

I read the following article in a local newspaper this week, and found it so blatently offensive, homophobic and racist, I thought it might be [satire].

Unfortunately, it appears to be fact as it's now been published in several reliable news sources.

(Washington) The military has begun an investigation into an Army recruiter who allegedly sent racial and homophobic emails to a Jersey City resident who had posted his resume on a Web site in search of a job.

Corey Andrew, an openly gay black man, is a musician and copywriter. He was initially sent an email from Sgt. Marcia Ramode's email address. After indicating he was not interested in joining the military he inquired about the Army's position on gays.

Ramode told Andrew that being gay made him unqualified, and that it was "disgusting and immoral."

The exchange of emails became more heated with Romonde finally writing that Andrew should:

"go back to Africa and do your gay voodoo limbo tango and wango dance and jump around and prance and run all over the place half naked there and practice your gay morals over there..."

"In any other corporate structure in America, an e-mail like this going around in an office building would result in termination immediately," Andrew said, admitting that some on his own emails back to Ramode were heated.

The Servicemember's Legal Defense Network has called for Ramode's dismissal from the military.

"Sergeant Ramode's comments were insulting and inflammatory to all troops now serving in our armed forces," said SLDN executive director. C. Dixon Osburn.

"Individuals from all racial, ethnic and religious backgrounds, as well as those who are lesbian, gay and bisexual, serve in our armed forces. This diversity not only reflects the diversity of our nation, but it also strengthens the military might of our armed forces. There is absolutely no place in our military for intolerance and bigotry."

In an email with SLDN, Douglas Smith, a public affairs officer for the Recruiting Command, stated, "The matter has been referred through the U.S. Army Recruiting Command's Staff Judge Advocate to the appropriate commander for review, investigation and appropriate action.

"The Command expects its Recruiters to conduct themselves in a professional manner in all dealings with potential applicants and members of the public."

Ramode has been reassigned while the investigation is carried out.