DAVE ROSS

Ross: Once again, we let the online virus get to us

Jan 22, 2019, 7:35 AM | Updated: 7:39 am

Covington, viral video, national media...

In this Friday, Jan. 18, 2019 image made from video provided by the Survival Media Agency, a teenager wearing a "Make America Great Again" hat, center left, stands in front of an elderly Native American singing and playing a drum in Washington.(Survival Media Agency via AP)

(Survival Media Agency via AP)

We now know there’s more to the story of that weekend confrontation near the Lincoln Memorial – where a viral video appeared to show a group of students from a Catholic high school confronting a Native American drummer and a group of black men.

RELATED: Can Gillette really shave your masculinity?
RELATED: Why isn’t there more diversity among Washington teachers?

Turns out it was the drummer who had walked up to the students to try to stop what he called a combustible situation.

But that “combustible” situation started when three preachers from the Black Hebrew Israelites — who believe themselves to be the true Children of Israel — saw the group of mostly white students and started yelling nasty things. They ridiculed a black student as a “token,” used homophobic and racial slurs I’d better not quote.

But here’s the point: Nobody was being physically threatened.

Those preachers certainly didn’t feel threatened. They’re outside shouting Bible verses every day. In fact, an hour and 40 minutes into a video that they posted themselves, a couple of police officers walk up and ask, “were you threatened?”

“Nah, we’re good,” they say on the video. “We weren’t threatened by them. It was OK dialogue. Sometimes things get like that.”

Other bystanders asked the same question.

“They were OK. No threat.”

So there’s your “confrontation.”

Another reminder that until science can develop a vaccine, sharing viral videos is wildly unhygienic.

Dave's Commentary

Dave Ross on KIRO Newsradio 97.3 FM
  • listen to dave rossTune in to KIRO Newsradio weekdays at 5am for Dave Ross on Seattle's Morning News.

Dave Ross

drivers data insurance...

Dave Ross

Ross: As cars release driving data to insurance, is your driving my business?

Every move you make, every swerve you take, every lane change you fake – someone’s watching you. Do drivers have a right to keep driving data private?

16 hours ago

rent control...

Dave Ross

Ross: Rent control was never the answer in Wash.

The rent control bill died in the Washington State Legislature this week, even though Democrats control both houses.

21 days ago

end of democracy...

Dave Ross

Ross: Conservative activist earns applause for pledging an ‘end of Democracy’

The theme from Jack Posobiec's speech is that Jan. 6 was a righteous attack not on democracy, but on those who threaten democracy.

22 days ago

Image: Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colorado, is seen on Capitol Hill on Jan. 6, 2023. (Photo: Alex Brand...

Dave Ross

Ross: Voters can help cull bad politicians from the herd early

Let's remember that just about every occupant of a higher office once occupied a lower office, and was put there by us, Dave Ross says.

29 days ago

Super Bowl celebration...

Dave Ross

Ross: The NFL does it again

The NFL once again put on a show that was able to keep me tuned in for four hours even though I had no stake in either team.

1 month ago

social media...

Dave Ross

Ross: Is the Wild West of social media over after Senate hearing?

The original social media business model was genius -- get ordinary people to create content for free, sell ads and give the content creators a cut.

2 months ago

Ross: Once again, we let the online virus get to us