Fired Up - Ready To Go

The AME Church Press Release - in Defense of Rev. Jeremiah Wright

2008-03-24T17:03:05Z

African Methodist Episcopal Church.

The AMEC grew out of the Free African Society (FAS) which Richard Allen, Absalom Jones, and others established in Philadelphia in 1787. When officials at St. George's MEC pulled blacks off their knees while praying, FAS members discovered just how far American Methodists would go to enforce racial discrimination against African Americans. Hence, these members of St. George's made plans to transform their mutual aid society into an African congregation. Although most wanted to affiliate with the Protestant Episcopal Church, Allen led a small group who resolved to remain Methodists. In 1794 Bethel AME was dedicated with Allen as pastor. To establish Bethel's independence from interfering white Methodists, Allen, a former Delaware slave, successfully sued in the Pennsylvania courts in 1807 and 1815 for the right of his congregation to exist as an independent institution. Because black Methodists in other middle Atlantic communities encountered racism and desired religious autonomy, Allen called them to meet in Philadelphia to form a new Wesleyan denomination,

The following is a statement issued by the AME Church

PRESS RELEASE: March 22, 2008
For Immediate Release

SOCIAL ACTION Commission
African Methodist Episcopal Church
1968 W. Adams Blvd. Suite 314
Los Angeles, CA 90018

IN DEFENSE OF THE REV. JEREMIAH WRIGHT AND THE BEST OF PROPHETIC TRADITION IN THE BLACK CHURCH :

Several months ago, early in the Democratic race for the nomination to run for president, conservative radio pundits began attacking Senator Barak Obama by playing a small snippet of a sound bite from one of the sermons delivered by his pastor, the Rev. Dr. Jeremiah Wright who was the spiritual leader of Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago.

Some of Dr. Wright's critics loudly declared that his prophetic preaching style of denouncing white racism was in fact, "reverse racism."

By repeatedly broadcasting 20 second sound bites from some of the powerful sermons delivered by Rev. Wright, media pundits from all of the major media, right wing, moderates and left-wing broadcasters have repeatedly shaped a distorted view of Rev. Wright and as a result, the news coverage has reflected negatively upon Senator Barack Obama.

On March 18, 2008, Senator Obama made a brilliant defense of himself and his membership at Trinity Church , as well as, his personal relationship with Reverend Jeremiah Wright. He disavowed and denounced the "words" of Rev. Wright in the video-sound bite that was played over and over in broadcasts in the United States and perhaps, all over the world. Senator Obama also addressed the destructive nature of racial oppression and the resultant anger and resentment left in its wake. For many, Mr. Obama's speech was on-target, for others it was not enough. Senator Obama needs no one to defend him; however, beyond the attacks on Senator Obama, there is a greater concern.

The attacks of the media; the so-called conservative, and liberal or "moderate" critics have not only attacked Senator Obama, but much more significantly, have attacked the traditions of preaching, the black religious traditions; the cultural and spiritual traditions that have encouraged and helped black Americans to persevere for over 375 years of racial and economic oppression.

White and some black commentators have expressed shock and dismay because of a few brief video sound-bites. Newscasters are critical of Dr. Wright, express dismay that a pastor would condemn the United States , even though the U.S. supported racist policies of apartheid in South Africa that kept Nelson Mandela imprisoned. Those in the media express shock that a black pastor would question whether we should sing "God Bless America," while remembering the injustices against people of color, the lynching of black men for decades without serious intervention by the government, and using black Americans as medical guinea pigs as the government did with its syphilis program in Tuskegee.

Many broadcasters and whites fail to understand that black pastors are expected to question the moral authority of the U.S. government in a world in which the wealthy are allowed to benefit because their wealth and political connections. Black preachers are expected to vehemently speak out when America allows genocide to be perpetrated by dictators who support U.S. policies.

Like the so-called liberal ministers in Alabama who chastised Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. as he sat imprisoned in a Birmingham Jail, these news pundits charge Rev. Wright, and by extension the black church, with "mixing politics with religion" and misleading "ignorant black people" into an adversarial relationship with "their government." And like those so-called "liberal" white preachers in Alabama who attacked Dr. King, several have even quoted various biblical texts as evidence that Rev. Wright, and Trinity United Church of Christ are not following Christian biblical principles.

It is our responsibility to understand that God does not sit outside the walls of human history and it is our responsibility to stand up in defense of, not only Reverend Jeremiah Wright, but also in defense of the best prophetic biblical traditions.

The words and actions of some media pundits seem to imply that Senator Obama and black people should renounce our historical and religious heritage, our culture and our faith before we can be accepted into the American "mainstream." Those who criticize appear willing to accept black Americans, only if we do not remind America of the struggles we, as black people, have had to overcome.

To ask black clergy, and laity, to remain silent in the face of a continuing racist reality is no different than Pharaoh demanding that Moses and Aaron be quiet in the face of Egyptian cruelty. It is no different than the Old Testament elite demanding that Isaiah remain silent about the treatment of widows and orphans; and no different than Jesus remaining silent at the exploitation of the poor.

The black preacher and black Christians, in the prophetic tradition of Black Liberation Theology, from Richard Allen, the founder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church; Bishop Morris Brown, Bishop Paul Quinn, Bishop Daniel Payne, and Bishop Henry McNeil Turner to the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, walk in a proud tradition.

In the past, as well as now, we sit surrounded by great men and women who have refused to bend down to a "state religion."

The so-called conservatives who demand that we separate ourselves from our prophetic tradition are doing nothing less than calling on us to deny our God.

This is a time of testing, not only for America, but for us, as black and white Americans, and many of us have decided that we will not bow down to the God of an American "state religion."

We have the biblical lessons of Daniel; of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. We have the lessons of John, the Revelator, on the Isle of Patmos, and we have the example of Jesus.

We, the members of the African Methodist Episcopal Church proudly embrace the Rev. Jeremiah Wright and Trinity United Church of Christ as walking well within the best biblical traditions and the best traditions of black prophetic preaching and a faith that has brought us, "This Far by Faith," because we have come too far to turn around now.

Editor's Note: The Press Advisory appended below is released on behalf of the AME Church by the Social Action Commission Chair - Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry reference our denomination's position in the dialogue about the coverage of one of the prophetic voices in religion and a champion of the Black Church, the Rev. Jeremiah Wright, D. Min.

Bishop Carolyn Tyler Guidry, Social Action Commission Chair

The AMEC Website

Monster Indeed?

2008-03-08T01:02:47Z

AND SHE REALLY IS A MONSTER

First to put things into perspective I present the actual definition of monster from wiki as:

The term "monster" refers to a being that is a gross exception to the norms of some ecosystem. Usually characterized by an ability to destroy human life or humanity, more than an example of "survival of the fittest", natural law, or innate evil. A person referred to as a monster is taken as exceptionally evil, grotesque, unreasonably strict and uncaring, sociopathic, and/or sadistic. The word monster connotes something wrong/evil; e.g.: a monstruous being is: very morally objectionable, physically or psychologically hideous, or a biological sport (a distinct sense of the word), i.e a freak of nature.

If this current campaign has done nothing it has surely shown how truly monstrous Ms. Clinton can be on more than one occaision.

"unreasonably strict and uncaring"

Voting to initiate military force against a foreign nation based on a report that she did not even bother to read, would I am sure fall into this category. After all what would it matter to her it was not her son or daughter going off to fight. Why should she care if soldiers are sent off to fight a war based on false pretenses that she might have had insight to had she bothered to read the report prior to voting to support this unjust war/

" A monstrous being is: very morally objectionable"

A person who would knowingly cast aspersions on someone's religious background, giving only the most lukewarm of denials when asked directly if she thought that Senator Obama was Muslim, this after stating that she has met his family and knows him so well. Knowing that this particular story was being passed around as gospel truth and of all people knowing how destructive this can be - not just in this campaign but even to the point of creating racial tensions in this country she laughs it off as no big deal - "she feels sympathy for anyone who has to get smeared with rumors?"

Here was an opportunity for her to stand up and show some leadership ability in stopping that rumor dead in it's tracks and setting a tone for this campaign that would not tolerate that kind of innuendo being put forward no matter what it is - another one of those missed opportunities

"Usually characterized by an ability to destroy human life or humanity,"

Samantha Powers, Obama staff member, highly respected in her field of expertise caught up in the emotional wringer that has dragged all and sundry through the last several days of campaign, caucus and primaries, made the unfortunate choice to call Ms. Clinton a monster, for that she lost her job.

The Iraq War which has cost this country to date over $500 billion dollars, has cost 3,974 us soldiers their lives - killed over 700,000 Iraqis and caused millions more to become refugees

White Water - Jim Guy Tucker: Governor of Arkansas at the time, removed from office (fraud, 3 counts)

John Haley: attorney for Jim Guy Tucker (tax fraud) ,William J. Marks Sr.: Jim Guy Tucker business partner (conspiracy)

Stephen Smith (Whitewater): former Governor Clinton aide (conspiracy to misapply funds). Bill Clinton pardoned.

Webster Hubbell: Clinton political supporter; Rose Law Firm partner (embezzlement, fraud)

Jim McDougal: banker, Clinton political supporter: (18 felonies, varied)

Susan McDougal: Clinton political supporter (multiple fraud, contempt of court) Bill Clinton pardoned.

David Hale: banker, self proclaimed Clinton political supporter: (conspiracy, fraud)

Neal Ainley: Perry County Bank president (embezzled bank funds for Clinton campaign)

Chris Wade: Whitewater real estate broker (multiple loan fraud) Bill Clinton pardoned.

Larry Kuca: Madison real estate agent (multiple loan fraud)

Robert W. Palmer: Madison appraiser (conspiracy). Bill Clinton pardoned. John Latham: Madison Bank CEO (bank fraud)

Eugene Fitzhugh: Whitewater defendant (multiple bribery)

Charles Matthews (Whitewater): Whitewater defendant (bribery)

Bill Clinton 's um indiscretions?

How many more lives will be destroyed is the question we all need to ask ourselves this campaign season.

Actually, monster does not quite cover the scope of it all.

"Whoever fights monsters should see to it in the process that he does not become a monster." Friedrich Nietzsche

Reject and Denounce Hillary

2008-03-03T15:09:35Z

And here the final proof that Hillary Clinton is indeed shameless and will stop at nothing in her ill-fated quest for the office of President of the United States.

For someone who has been in the public eye for over 35 years (or as she claims it has over 35 years of experience), Mrs. Clinton above all others knew what the appropriate answer to the line of questioning she was being subjected to during her interview. This is not a case where she can claim ignorance - she's out campaigning and she is aware of at least two incidents where her staffers were accused of fostering clearly inaccurate racial overtones into the current campaign. By not definitively shutting down that line of questioning, she leaves the door open to those on the fringe and others who need actually no motivation for their un-abiding hatred for anyone who is "different" or not "like them".

All that could have been alleviated by an appropriate answer. It is telling how quickly during the last debate that she emphatically insisted that Senator Obama repudiate Minister Louis Farrakhan. She made a point of making him publicly reject and denounce (double negative - anyone?) the minister on live television.

John McClain for all his issues IMMEDIATELY rejected comments made by a radio talk show host - Bill Cunningham

This coming from the "terribly bad and horrible republican candidate - one for whom we all should be shuddering in terror of the "vetting" that he will aim directly at Senator Obama come this fall - he had the understanding to know that he needed to outright reject the overtly racist behavior of someone seeking to perpetuate and encourage fears of Barack "Hussein" Obama as being some sort of secret terrorist by virtue of his middle name being Obama.

How then is it, that Mrs. Clinton could be unaware the ramifications of her responses to the questions posed to her. More importantly - an opportunity for her to display some of the "leadership skills" she is trying to lay claim to by setting an example of how that kind of questioning is not and will not be tolerated and instead she half answered her way out of it.

People it is not cool to do whatever it takes to advance yourself. This is one of the concepts that is destroying this country. That and racism. Hillary Clinton displayed complete irresponsibility in answering those questions in the manner in which she did. So reprehensible is the idea that she of all people knows all too well the truth of Senator Obama's religious beliefs and chose NOT to emphatically deny rumors, but signaled by the way she answered that it was ok for those kinds of questions to be asked in the first place.

ON SNL one night, on 60 minutes the next night feeding into rumors about Senator Obama's religious beliefs and or the possibility that he might be Muslim and therefore not elect able based on that?

Not a day goes by that I don't lose more and more respect for this woman and the kind of campaign that she is running. I have already lost all respect for her husband Bill but that was lost long ago when he was impeached for lying to congress about having a sexual affair with an intern. I think I and most women can stop feeling sorry for Hillary right now as being the "wronged woman." In this case the two of them deserve each other.

Birds of a feather definitely do flock together.

For those confused minds out there:

The TRUTH about Senator Obama and the American Flag Issue

THE TRUTH ABOUT SENATOR OBAMA'S RELIGIOUS BELIEFS

BARACK OBAMA and FAITH

Barack Obama is a committed and active Christian. He has been a member of the Trinity United Church of Christ in Chicago for 20 years, where he continues to attend services with his family. Barack has never been a Muslim or practiced any other faith besides Christianity, and in January 2005 he was sworn into the U.S. Senate on his family Bible. - from barackobama.com

Hillary's Failure to Launch

2008-02-28T15:04:29Z

Hillary Clinton's moment of truth came yesterday for me. During an interview with KTVT, Mrs. Clinton was asked about comments made by one of her supporters, a Hispanic lawyer named Adelfa Callejo a prominent leader in the North Texas Latino commuity.

Here's a clip from the interview in question:
Adelfa Callejo - Hillary Clinton's Reaction

Here was an opportunity for Mrs. Clinton to set a clear signal to those who would utilize her campaign or any other public forum to foster racist notions and ideas. It was an opportunity for her to take a hard line on something that she attempted to take a hard line with Senator Obama on at the Ohio debates where she clearly went on the attack about Senator Obama not repudiating the endorsement of Minister Louis Farrakhan. She went on to pick and pick about this and I find it unconscionable that even when faced with video tape evidence of one of her supporters making racially insensitive and inflammatory statements, that the best she was able to do was brush it of f in person and eventually much later that evening issue a statement through a spokesperson.

As an African American woman I of all people hold no illusions about racism in this country. Having been exposed to it in one form or another most of my life I know all too well that its there and is an undercurrent to many things. I knew for example that it would only be a matter of time during this campaign that somehow race would be injected into things. Sorry to say I didn't have to wait long.

Ask any African American in this country today they will probably tell you the same thing. Racism is alive and flourishes well in this country today. As much as it is frowned on in the public eye - what goes on behind the scenes is arguably generally different. There is a misapprehension that just because you do not advocate lynching or cross burning that you are automatically excused from being prejudiced or biased. In fact most people who would fit the criteria for being racist will tell you that they don't think they are reasoning that they have "black friends", or at least they think they do. That they can calmly and rationally explain their reasoning to them mitigates them from being labeled racist.

Is generational racism still an issue in America though? The answer when considering the facts is a resounding yes. Although, many White Americans would like to feel racism doesn't exist or that African Americans like to play the race card, and sometimes there are instances where one does play the race card but that is not always the case. The fact of the matter is that racism does, and unfortunately due to generational racism, will continue to exist in America.(read entire article here)

Counting as part of her "35 years of experience" im sure is her term as wife of the Governor of Arkansas, which was actually at one time a confederate state. Harrison, Arkansas was featured recently in a documentary called "Banished" that debuted in 2007 at the Sundance Film Festival and is currently being broadcast on PBS stations across the country.

A hundred years ago, in communities across the U.S., white residents forced thousands of black families to flee their homes. Even a century later, these towns remain almost entirely white. BANISHED tells the story of three of these communities and their black descendants, who return to learn their shocking histories.

Harrison Arkansas is one of those communities mentioned in this film. AT the date the movie was filmed (2006), they were still flying the confederate flag outside the Chamber of Commerce Building. Harrison also is purported to be the headquarters of the Klu Klux Klan. Of all people that should have been quick to respond to racist comments with a strong and clear rejection - Hillary Clinton, former First Lady of Arkansas - should have done so without hesitation. It's what great leaders do - lead by example. Right now the only example she's leading this party and unfortunately this country to is divisive, racially inflammatory behavior that for her part she did not create but - not speaking out forcefully against it is the same as cultivating it.

]]> As we close out this Black History Month, please take a moment to visit the website for the movie "Banished" - air dates and times are listed as well as dates for upcoming screenings.

A parting shot - while on the topic of race and America - are the chorus of voices that condemned Michelle Obama for the remark taken out of context that "For the first time in her life she was REALLY(this word was omitted in subsequent articles and interviews) felt proud to be an American. " Watch this movie - and you will not need any explanation for why she said what she said - and if after watching you feel the need still to question her patriotism perhaps you need to take a good look in the mirror....you might be a (covert) racist.

Tired of Campaign 2008 Hillary Style

2008-02-25T15:14:06Z

Watching the clip from Hillary Clinton's speech yesterday in Providence, Rhode Island and as a woman and an American I am ashamed to see that this strident disrespectful harpy is who is being put forward as a woman candidate for the president of the United States. It is an embarrassment because it is unnecessary. Mocking someone's method of speech or delivery is akin to the tirades of a schoolyard bully. Better still go dig up some copies of Little House on the Prairie - apparently Hillary attended the Nellie Olsen School of Politics and Campaign Strategy.

If Madam Clinton's policies and stance on the issues were so much BETTER and or so much more easily IMPLEMENTED why would there be a need to "go negative". IN fact if as has been said on more than one occasion there stances are so "similar" why would SHE feel the need to take her campaign negative? To blame it on the campaign staff is disingenuous as she hired them all and blaming them is the absolute same thing as blaming her at least she is just as responsible as they are. Even more so because, she - Mrs. Clinton can choose NOT to use their ideas or strategies.

I have noticed also in the last few weeks the flip flopping and the split personality thing increasingly more prevalent in Ms. Clinton's campaign. Broadcast nationally on last weeks debate she took time OUT to state how much of an HONOR it was to be on stage with Senator Obama - the very next day she was accusing him of sending out mailers that were full of lies and the next day we got her mocking speech with barely hidden invective towards not only senator Obama but his supporters as well.

Here's a thought that perhaps Camp Hillary hasn't thought of - you might not want to invoke religious connotations and symbolism into your tirade-laden rants against your opponent. Especially not in areas where faith and in particular Christianity are prevalent and mainstays in the lives of the constituents. Invoking images of the rapture while mocking and insulting someone is probably NOT going to increase support for your campaign but it will and has most assuredly turned quite a few people off at the very least.

]]> Even larger than all this is the absolute disgusting fact that time that should have been spent discussing issues - not just the main bullet point issues - such as the sub-prime mortgage problem, and NAFTA, time could have been spent and SHOULD have been spent discussing ways to not only help those that don't have jobs but ways to discuss how to help those with jobs get better ones - such as having opportunities for education so that they can obtain positions that pay more and so that they can contribute to economic growth and MORE importantly so that they don't in the future get caught up in mortgage scams in the first place because their financial outlook would be a lot more stable.

As a woman Mrs. Clinton you should know better and you should be setting the tone for these kinds of discussions - just think of the incredible ideas that could be coming out of the debates and even town hall sessions that could resonate all the way into November. You started off your campaign with the "woman running for president" theme and you have successfully managed to turn women's rights leaders against each other, and have impugned the legitimacy of those woman who do not outright support you - for no reason other than how dare they support a candidate who is not a woman.

So at this point I'm guessing that your campaign strategy consists of vote for me - screw everybody else who is supporting anyone besides you - they are in fact mentally defective for not seeing what an exceptional candidate you are(sounds a lot like the emperor's new clothes) - and if they don't see that then by God you will get on stage and insult and mock them and their choices - you will berate people for believing that uniting to work for the common good is all a fallacy and that hope is not worth fighting for. And if that doesn't work you will twist and change your positions - outright lie and if need be pull out an onion and turn on the waterworks.

I can only surmise that Camp Hillary feels people are not paying close enough attention to notice the inconsistencies and assorted and sundry things that she and her STAFF have been putting forth. It is like they are betting on the ignorance of the American people and trying to cultivate that in her favor. To truly operate in such a position mired in negativity from inside out - contrasts quite starkly with someone who has done nothing more than encourage people to become involved in the process.

And it will be your undoing. If the Democratic Party is not careful about allowing itself to be manipulated by you and your supporters it will not only tear the party apart but will do irreparable harm to this nation.

History Will Repeat

2008-02-25T15:04:46Z

Surely this year's race for the democratic nominee for president will go down in the annals of history as one if not THE most hotly contested races in this nation's history. The nasty, mudslinging will remind some more familiar with the United States history of the Presidential Elections of 1884 - excerpted here:

The issue of personal character marked this campaign. Former Speaker of the House James G. Blaine had been prevented from getting the Republican presidential nomination during the previous two elections because of the stigma of the "Mulligan letters": in 1876, a Boston bookkeeper named James Mulligan had located some letters showing that Blaine had sold his influence in Congress to various businesses. One such letter ended with the phrase "burn this letter", from which a popular chant of the Democrats arose - "Burn, burn, burn this letter!" In just one deal, he had received $110,150 (over $1.5 million in 2005 dollars) from the Little Rock and Fort Smith Railroad for, among other things, securing a federal land grant. Democrats and anti-Blaine Republicans made unrestrained attacks on his integrity as a result. New York Governor Grover Cleveland, on the other hand, was known as "Grover the Good" for his personal integrity; in the space of the three previous years he had become, successively the Mayor of Buffalo and then the Governor of the state, cleaning up large amounts of Tammany Hall's graft.

]]> Thus, it was a huge shock when, on July 21st, the Buffalo Evening Telegraph reported that Cleveland had fathered a child out of wedlock, that the child had gone to an orphanage, and that the mother had been driven to an asylum. Cleveland's campaign decided that candor was the best approach to this scandal: they admitted that Cleveland had formed an "illicit connection" with the mother and that a child had been born and given the Cleveland surname. They also noted that there was no proof that Cleveland was the father, and claimed that, by assuming responsibility and finding a home for the child, he was merely doing his duty. Finally, they showed that the mother had not been forced into an asylum; her whereabouts were unknown. Blaine's supporters condemned Cleveland in the strongest of terms. However, the Cleveland campaign's approach worked well enough and the race remained close through Election Day. In fact, many Republican reformers, put off by Blaine's scandals, worked for the election of Cleveland; these reformers were known as "Mugwumps".
In the final week of the campaign, Blaine's campaign suffered a catastrophe. A group of New York preachers visited Blaine and made a speech castigating the Mugwumps. Their spokesman, the Rev. Dr. Samuel Burchard, made this fatal statement: "We are Republicans, and don't propose to leave our party and identify ourselves with the party whose antecedents have been rum, Romanism, and rebellion." Blaine did not notice Burchard's anti-Catholic slur, nor did the assembled newspaper reporters, but a Democratic operative did, and Cleveland's campaign managers made sure that it was widely publicized. The statement energized the Catholic vote in New York City heavily against Blaine, costing him New York state and the election by the narrowest of margins.

The words of George Santanyana bear repeating here as most relevant and timely:
"Those who cannot remember the past are doomed to repeat it."

Hillary, History and Marie Antoinette(republished)

2008-02-24T19:58:22Z

While pundits and so-called analysts scratch their heads and wonder at the meteoric rise of Senator Obama and the tremendous wave of support that even now continues to grow, some of use that just use plain old common sense can figure out what they and all their statisticians, and comprehensive "analysis" cannot.

You cannot continually insult the intelligence of the American people

The Clinton campaign started off doing exactly just that. In touting her 35 years of experience it would seem that no one at Camp Hillary figured that people would actually go back to see exactly what it is she was doing for the past 35 years. Worse still was the idea that she - Hillary would be given a pass on experience that wasn't exactly hers per say, namely the experiences of her husband would become hers by "osmosis". Again the average person will never buy that. If you have ever gone on a job interview and had to go over your resume the idiocy of being able to count as your own experience, the experience of someone else borders on the wrong side of sanity. No one around her, at least no one she listens to pointed this out to her. Going by this very line of thinking is representative of the bad politics of Washington and the very thing Senator Obama's campaign strikes against.

Throwing mud only makes you dirty - and people don't like you much for it.

Inexplicably, heading into the south Carolina primaries - Ms. Clinton sat back and watched while her husband former President Bill Clinton compared Senator Obama's campaign to Jesse Jacksons, proceeded to make an insensitive statement regarding Martin Luther King's dreams only being realized by Lyndon Johnson - to paraphrase that it took " a president" to get those things accomplished. Add to this Bill Clinton's falling asleep during a Martin Luther King presentation in Harlem and going into a state where there is a large contingent of African Americans makes one wonder - WHAT were they thinking? This was capped off by a debate performance where she attempted to cast aspersions on Senator Obama's "ties" to Tony Rezko, going as far as to try and innocently "drop" that into a response during the debate which only led to her eventually being booed by the members of the audience. Perhaps it would have served her purpose better if there were some solid research that went into that prior to dropping that pearl of wisdom. Far from being a public service it only served to diminish her in the eyes of the people who's support she is/was looking for. The backlash on this was palpable - Senator Obama trounced Hillary in South Carolina and carried momentum into Super Tuesday which has not really abated as of yet. It should be noted that as of this writing there still is albeit a more subdued version of the " casting aspersions" brigade working over at Camp Hillary - most recent and notable is the "plagiarism" accusations. Again one wonders what in the world her staff and or people around her are thinking of (aside from perhaps getting a paycheck?) Not having understood or learned that the backlash from going negative can and will negatively impact her campaign, she again tries to unload with another "debate pearl" regarding Senator Obama's speech and Deval Patrick - Governor of Massachusetts. A little digging on the part of her staff should have revealed him as being Senator Obama's regional campaign director, and good friend. A little more serious digging would have revealed the truth - as related by the governor himself that he in fact TOLD Senator Obama to use his words in his speech. As this issue had already been addressed prior to the debate going on the air it is questionable at best why this would even be brought up and even if asked a direct question regarding this non-issue should have been deflected and deferred not held up to further scrutiny.

Being out of touch - will cost you

To say she represents working class people - and then turn around and offer up as part of her healthcare plan a mandate that would include provisions to go after worker's wages via garnishment speaks more to being absolutely out of touch. If there were a study done right now that asked what working people would fear the most - aside from outright losing their job - having their wages attached or garnished would probably be next on the hit parade. This however is only something one would know from personal experience having been there or at least being a member of that very same "working class." To say she wants to advocate and or represent the latino vote, and at the same time appearing to want to set harsh standards on immigration laws says even to the un-indoctrinated that she does not get it. To continue to state what SHE wants to do, plans to do, or wants to do as the next president of the United States is the most telling thing of all - all indications based on the path this campaign has taken show CLEARLY the complete and utter dissatisfaction most Americans have with the government of this country and the way that politics have been handled not just in Washington DC but in general. There are more people right now feeling disenfranchised than anything else and they are utilizing the first real opportunity they feel they have had in decades to effectively be a part of changing the way things are. Just think I'm not even a political science major and even I could figure that one out.

I Will Abide by the Rules - Only When it Suits Me

All the candidates participating in the democratic primary were aware of the fact that because of MI and FL violating DNC rules and scheduling their primaries ahead of the Feb 5 date that the votes (delegates) would not be seated. They AGREED not to campaign in those states. Somehow Ms. Clinton while not actually campaigning conveniently shows up at highly publicized functions in FL. Now she wants to argue that those votes in the primaries that were not supposed to count, that she agreed shouldn't count should now be counted. Her name was in fact the only name on the ballot in Michigan no other candidates names appeared on the ballot (since they pulled out of the primary because of the violation of DNC rules). And she wants this to count? This no-brainer was preceded by a fight which ensued when in Nevada it was decided months prior to hold caucuses onsite at the casinos so that those who worked there could participate. This was prior to the union representing those workers coming out and endorsing Senator Obama. Not even two days after the endorsement - the TEACHERS UNION files a protest stating that it is "unfair" to allow the casino workers to caucus at their worksite and that they should be allowed to do the same. I know it's been a while but I am trying to recall when public schools started having classes on Saturdays?? The Nevada Caucus was held on a Saturday which meant that the teachers protesting about having equal access would have been referring to their being caucus sites at schools which wouldn't have been open in the first place. Ladies and Gentlemen you just can't make this stuff up.

No Romance without Campaign Finance

Ok now by a show of hands how many out there have ever even written a check for more than a few grand? How many have ever written a check for a million? I'm going to guess not many. With the recent scandals involving CEO's and the golden plated parachutes that they have been allowed to bail with - while the employees left behind wind up downsized and or just plain unemployed - having it come out that you wrote a $5 million dollar check to loan your campaign funds won't go down too well with most of the average working class Americans. Especially those who have been recently downsized or had their jobs shipped over seas via the NAFTA Superhighway. To compound this further, is the revelation that a great portion of the campaign funds received for the month of January have gone towards paying "consulting" fees?? $33 million dollars to be exact. Never mind the $1,300 spent on Dunkin Donuts?? While some of her campaign staffers have gone without pay and volunteered their time - somehow these expenditures are justified - how is anybody's guess. I am betting that this is not endearing her to those who have already been supporting her.

With her superior experience being one of her fundamental arguments with regards to her being more suited to be the next president of the United States, one looks at the events leading up to today and is hard pressed to understand where in blue blazes she figures her 35 years of experience have prepared her to be the leader of this country or any other country. Financial mismanagement, changing the rules to suit your purposes, an inability to delegate responsibility appropriately to those eminently qualified, utilizing poorly researched points to attack her opponent and clearly not showing any signs of being able to relate to the very people she claims to represent. In short, this is business as usual, Washington DC style. Politics at it's very worst and with her at the helm - Perhaps if she figured this out sooner she could have had a legitimate chance at winning the democratic nomination. As it stands now, Her behavior and actions during this campaign have done more to fan the flames of change and reform than the abolitionist movement did leading into the Civil War.

Historically speaking the only other female that comes to mind that was more oblivious to the wishes and desires of her people would be Marie Antoinette. She surrounded herself with the wrong people and "stood by her man" which basically cost her dearly.

"Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it" - George Santayana

Tags:DNC Hillary Clinton MArie Antoinette Senator Obama
Posted on February 22, 2008 11:29 AM | Permalink

No Apologies Needed

2008-02-24T11:03:41Z

What does it say about the state of Blacks in America that it is percieved to be insulting that a majority or any of us would lend our support to someone who is running for President of the United States and who also happens to be black?

What does it say when there are forums convened for the purpose of discussing why we shouldn't put our support behind someone who has CLEARLY defied all the odds and has done what none before him have? When there are analysts and entire news broadcasts devoted to the discussion of Senator Obama receiving the support of the black community no one seems to question that there are no such forums convened to discuss caucasians supporting a caucasian candidate.

What does it say to all of our ancestors, some who gave more than any of us today ever will, so that we could even have the opportunity to be FREE and to even be able to vote in the first place - that we at this time feel apologetic that an intelligent, articulate, wise, charismatic man who just HAPPENS to be black should be supported and backed by the black community?

Every time i turn on the news - which thanks to truly biased reporting lately is not often (hats off to CNN) and I see some person of african american descent almost palpably backpeddling or dodging the issue of senator Obama and his support from the african american community I have to shake my head.

If you were to go back about 100 years in american history and told them that there would even BE a black man where Senator Obama is today - who represents what Senator Obama represents you would not be believed and would be called crazy.

If you said it to the wrong person you might even turn up missing or be found swinging from a tree.

And yet the need is there to apologize for being what? Proud ? For being happy that for the first time in DECADES the black community in america has someone that they can consider as a role model - who isn't a part of hollywood, who isn't an overpaid athelete, who isn't a tempermental muscian or entertainer - this is supposed to be a bad thing?

Those of us that are utterly consumed with self hate can continue to live in the state of denial but at the end of the day you cannot take the color out of your skin - you can act and appear to be something other than you are with a mind towards fitting in - but when you go to sleep at night and you hear the rustlings in the wind - know that the souls of your ancestors are speaking to you and reminding you all that they suffered and endured. All the hatred, the disenfranchisement - the physical and mental pain. Most of which we today still cannot even begin to contemplate. Most of us today would not even try to endure - belay protests to the contrary.

Our ancestors looking down today would be imbued with a sense of relief in the knowledge that everything they stood for and died for was not in vain. Everything they endured at the hands of ultimate ignorance was not just lines in a history book. It is their struggles and their fights that have led us to this day.

Apologize for being black and for supporting a candidate that outside of his accomplishments happens to be black - I think not.

Those who are not supporting him might want to apologize to their ancestors for forgetting what it took to even get to this day.

Hillary and the Ways of the Jedi

2008-02-24T09:24:57Z

If this is not indeed, the pot calling the kettle black - then im really not sure what is.

“Meet me in Ohio. Let’s have a debate about your tactics,” she said, calling the mailings “tactics that are right out of Karl Rove’s playbook.” - Hillary Clinton

This uttered by HRC at a rally in OH on Saturday. I am seriously beginning to wonder if she will ever "get it".

You play dirty pool and then turn around and accuse your opponent of using your tactics. Who in the world are this woman's advisors? You spend the last few weeks, no months slinging mud like you are trying out for the Mud Wrestling Olympics(gosh i hope there is no such thing), but its not you its someone else thats doing it. Poor, Innocent Hillary being beset by Dick Dastardly aka Senator Obama. This would actually be quite funny if so much were not at stake.

Someone needs to tell her advisors that the "Jedi Mind - Trick" thing only works in the movies. Perhaps since Camp Hillary is into creative expenditures with regards to her campaign funds, they might consider buying copies of the Star Wars Saga to help her put things into perspective, since nothing else seems to be working.

You go from being honored to be in the presence of Senator Obama one day in to ripping into him and accusing him of your own dirty tactics the next day. You forget people are watching and are PAYING ATTENTION.

Maybe she doesn't care anymore - although she still shows no signs of realizing that her campaign is in serious Jeopardy or that she has any understanding that the nice today nasty tomorrow stuff pretty much disgusts potential voters.

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Those of you who are fans of Star Wars already know what Hillary seems not to. Years of experience in the end can be a liability more than an asset. Dare I say she is starting to remind one of Senator Palpatine who we know wound up being the evil emperor. So hungry in his search for power that he was oblivious to what was happening. which led to him being ultimately betrayed by his closest warrior (Darth Vader) and was beaten by a young upstart(Luke Skywalker) - hmm I do wonder what George Lucas is up to these days

Back Up and Running

2008-02-24T09:18:54Z

had to switch servers and have been having no end of fun reconfiguring this blog but persistance pays off as everything "appears" to be back in working order.

Time will tell...

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2008-02-24T09:02:05Z

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Hillary Clinton $7.6 MILLION IN DEBT at end of Jan.!

2008-02-21T15:44:29Z

She ends January with $7.6 million in debt; rival's campaign finances continued to be robust.

Running out of money and out of time .....

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Hillary Clinton $7.6 MILLION IN DEBT at end of Jan.!

2008-02-21T15:44:24Z

She ends January with $7.6 million in debt; rival's campaign finances continued to be robust.

Running out of money and out of time .....

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Obama exceeds goal of 500,000 donors in 2008

2008-02-20T17:27:15Z

After winning the Wisconsin, Hawaii and Washington state primaries, Barack Obama received a large boost in donors who have no donated in 2008. He exceeded the goal of half a million different donors in 2008 before 10 AM Central. In the last twelve hours alone, he has added nearly 40,000 donors.

Once again the people are SPEAKING and those with the ability to hear understand. The will of the people is what is propelling this campaign NOT MERELY great oratory skills, or personality or any of the other snarky comments being flung by the opposition. If the Clinton campaign is to be believed, half a million people at least, not including those who have already voted FOR senator obama are all crazy...

Must be something to be the only sane one and everyone around you is crazy - wait isnt that part of the criteria for paranoia??? Hmmm ..

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Bloomberg claims "fraud" in count of Obama votes in New York

2008-02-20T16:57:36Z

Mayor Bloomberg charged yesterday that "fraud" was behind the unofficial results in the New York Democratic presidential primary that produced zero votes for Barack Obama in some districts. Get ready for Texas and Ohio.

A truly perverse translation of "by any means necessary - including it seems vote tampering - in 80 districts - most of which were in areas that would have heavily favored Senator Obama - he apparently tallied 0 votes.

Then they wonder why people are voting for changing and shaking up Washington and or politics in general.

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