No, 'white people's EBT' isn't working either; Xerox 'glitch' blamed for 17-state shutdown

Obviously no, there’s no feature of an EBT card that indicates race, but a few Twitter trolls quickly popped up to posit the idea during today’s blackout of the EBT processing system in 17 states.

EBT still working for white people. WTF is going on? #EBT #FoodStampApocalypse #wtf @ModernLeftist @ObamaNews

— cassis (@cassis53241557) October 12, 2013

@LeftyLemn @ModernLeftist white ppl #EBT workin fine. this is the plan to starve black folk #RACISM

— Jamal Ginzburg (@ITSHABEDDING) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/ModernLeftist/status/389146834628669440

https://twitter.com/ModernLeftist/status/389149521327816704

@ModernLeftist lol that's just wrong, that's some made up stuff

— Self-employd1 (@Real_change2012) October 12, 2013

Yes on both counts.

https://twitter.com/hboulware/status/389167951632293888

@Matthops82 @ModernLeftist Gotta be a parody account.

— Dr. Conservative Thought Leader™️ (@BigJebBos) October 12, 2013

@listeningdev @PepperLSnyder Bet ModernLeftist is an imp/troll.

— sqeptiq (@sqeptiq) October 12, 2013

@ModernLeftist @bayareahausfrau @blackmail_c LOLOLOLOL you almost had me thinking you were a real nutty leftist there. Epic trolling! #kudos

— Dr. Kankokage (@kankokage) October 13, 2013

Today’s very real shutdown of EBT processing can be traced to a “routine test of backup systems” by vendor Xerox that knocked out government-issued debit cards across the country, according to the AP. (Or maybe it was a computer system upgrade or a power failure, as CBS reported.) Whatever the cause, the race police, including “What’s the Matter with White People” author Joan Walsh, were out to shame those who would bring race into an already tense situation.

Mocking and EBT cruelty? Sure, there are trolls making jokes, but the folks on the Right have been the ones sounding the alarm bells about the perils of government dependence, while well-off Democrats pretend to be on SNAP benefits for no good reason that we can see, other than to be seen. Wanting people independent of government assistance is not cruelty.

This is why it's so critical to NOT DEPEND on government for you basic human needs #EBT

— Politics as Usual (@politicsisusual) October 12, 2013

https://twitter.com/tylercoan/status/389180258265481217

I get that the #EBT situation is a good reminder as to why people shouldn't depend on the gov. (1 of 2)

— Breeanne Walters (@breeannewalters) October 13, 2013

What I don't get is why some on the right feel the need to be compassionless jerks about it. And then you wonder why we lose. #EBT

— Breeanne Walters (@breeannewalters) October 13, 2013

Instead of beating the drum of "get a job" how about pointing people in the direction of nongovernmental charities that can help them?

— Breeanne Walters (@breeannewalters) October 13, 2013

https://twitter.com/rachelveronica/status/389194643935461376

People don't hate the poor, they hate the idea of a government that makes slaves out of them. #EBT

— Jason (@unbiased610) October 13, 2013

I'm very conservative and think this is the worst president ever, but this #EBT is sad 4people The government created all these people on it

— Robert Hadley (@RobertHadley238) October 13, 2013

Can you trust a big government to be there when you need it? #EBT That's what conservatives/libertarians/#TeaParty have been warning about!

— Conservatarian Joe (@1791joe) October 13, 2013

The good news, for the moment: