SHANE'S EXCELLENT NEW WORDS: Dog whistle racism, or what the late President Bush used Willie Horton for.

I'll give George Herbert Walker Bush full credit for his deft handling of international affairs during the fall of Communism. He also ran a Gulf War considerably better than his son.

However, the bad goes alongside the good, and I'll also remind viewers about Bush hatchet man Lee Atwater's marvelous contribution to American politicking.

First, a definition of "dog whistle."

The phrase "dog whistle" has been around for years. It's political shorthand for a phrase that may sound innocuous to some people, but which also communicates something more insidious either to a subset of the audience or outside of the audience’s conscious awareness — a covert appeal to some noxious set of views.

These days we have the Racism WatchDog to help with these dog whistles.

I'm satisfied to let it rest here, at this juncture, and allow posterity to be the judge.

George H.W. Bush’s “Willie Horton” ad will always be the reference point for dog whistle racism, by Rachel Withers (Vox)

How “Willie Horton” went from shorthand for black depravity to shorthand for political racism.

George H.W. Bush, the one-term president who died on Friday at age 94, is often overlooked by history, despite having presided over the last truly bipartisan “grand bargain” and the end of the Cold War. But if there’s one context in which his name, along with that of another man, is regularly invoked, it’s when political campaigns make coded racist appeals to white voters.

Even as President Donald Trump usurps him with increasingly transparent racist attacks, George Bush Sr.’s “Willie Horton” ad remains the key reference point for dog whistle politics.

It's unanimous as the NAFC school board rejects Hibbard's rollover.

Newspaper poll results indicate "slight" trend
against Hibbard pay raise (2012).

On Monday afternoon, we were feeling a bit baffled by weird Democratic Party smoke signals.

We think this means Dickey wants Gahan's bedmate Hibbard to keep his job, but it's such bad writing that it's hard to tell.

Can anyone translate Adamese?

On Monday evening, I started a discussion thread at Facebook.

Earlier today, the NAFC school board voted unanimously to "not let superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract roll over after it expires in July 2018." He may or may not be retained by the board, but the vote is being interpreted (fairly or otherwise) as fait accompli that Hibbard's a goner. According to John Boyle of the News and Tribune, principals in attendance stood in support of Hibbard. The Floyd County Democratic Party was evasive as usual, but seemed to be suggesting solidarity with Hibbard, and at Twitter, a city employee wrote, "The NAFC School Board should be ashamed of themselves if for no other reason than the fact that they're willful morons." The passion puzzles me, so weigh in, Floyd Countians; make the arguments and educate me. What am I missing? Yea or Nay on today's action, and should Hibbard remain as superintendent? Thank you.

Go there to read what was said. Meanwhile, here is newspaper coverage.

NA-FC superintendent's contract set to expire, by John Boyle (News and Tribune)

NA-FC board removes rollover option from Hibbard's contract in unanimous vote

NEW ALBANY — In front of a room packed with community members and school officials, the New Albany-Floyd County school board unanimously decided Monday to remove the rollover option from Superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract.

Had the board not notified Hibbard of a decision regarding the rollover clause by June 30, his contract would have automatically extended for another year on July 1, 2018. His contract is now set to expire on that day rather than roll over.

We think this means Dickey wants Gahan's bedmate Hibbard to keep his job, but it's such bad writing that it's hard to tell.

Can anyone translate Adamese?

This one appears to be written in some sort of geek code. The school board has appointed a new member (actually, he's a Democrat) in a move that may be a sign that maybe something's afoot, so everyone show up and ... do what?

About what?

To whom?

Bonus points if you not only can interpret what Adam is saying, but also relate it to HB 1131, which if passed by the legislature would mandate the inclusion of a school board appointment to municipal redevelopment commissions.

Wait ... it's coming to me ... both Jeff Gahan and Bruce Hibbard don't want a school board unless it's a captive rubber stamp, but the local Democratic Party is somewhat of a rubber stamp itself, and so it's urgent to take action in this instance, but just as important for Adam to say nothing at all when Gahan decides to purge low-income people from The Project ...

Action Alert

New Albany Floyd County School Board set to meet tomorrow!

Recently, there's been a lot happening with our local New Albany - Floyd County School Board. In late January, the school board appointed a new member in response to the resignation of D.J. Hines. Tomorrow, the Board will vote on Superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract, a move that may signal that the board may be moving to replace Hibbard.

We feel it imperative that the NAFC School Board be transparent in its decisions. Now is the time to take action and let your voice be heard. We're asking community leaders and citizens to attend the NAFC School Board Meeting and express their concern. Here are the meeting details:

New Albany Floyd County Consolidated School Corp. Board Meeting
Monday, February 13th @ 6:00 p.m.
2813 Grant Line Road, New Albany

It's critical that we speak out. Take action today and ensure that our school board represents the best interests of our community and our students.

Sincerely,

Your Democratic Team

Meanwhile, the newspaper says ...

NAFC school board to vote Monday on superintendent rollover, by Aprile Rickert

If approved, Bruce Hibbard would need to renegotiate in July 2018 to continue

FLOYD COUNTY — The New Albany-Flood County School Board will vote Monday on whether or not to let superintendent Bruce Hibbard's contract roll over after it expires in July 2018.