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Thursday, June 26, 2008
The Circus: Republicans are racists and Obama is Black
Posted by The Dean of Cincinnati
I’m on an email list for ColorofChange.org. Sometimes, they send emails asking for people to send letters as part of some initiative. I actually get tons of these kinds of emails, and I barely pay attention to them anymore. But I decided to read this latest one, entitled ”100,000 fighting Fox: real “baby mama” drama.” The whole thing reminds me of the absurd circus that is the American political landscape. I must wonder if the major parties are both complicit in the propagation of the circus.
Before going further, let me lay out some premises, which are in the background of my thoughts on this.
1. Someone does not deserve to be president simply because of skin color. People should not vote for John McCain simply because he is white, or because they fear a Black president. Similarly, I’m don’t think someone should vote for Obama just because he is a Black candidate. Maybe I’m crazy, but it would seem that policy will more significantly impact the future of the Country. I think everyone knows this, and I think Obama supporters know they’d choose an endorsed white Democrat over someone like Alan Keyes, should he have the Republican nomination.
2. A discussion about the future of our Country is more important than the soap opera drama of rumors and the subsequent reactions they inspire. The more we focus on Michelle Obama’s fist pounding, or the weird looking growth on the side of John McCain’s face, the more we lose sight of what sorts of policies will shape the future of our Country.
That’s why, when I read the email from ColorofChange.org, I was momentarily awed by the profundity of the political circus—and I wondered if that organization was willfully playing ringmaster, or if they innocently fell victim to the whirlpool of silliness that dictates political discourse in our Country.
From the email:
After Senator Obama won the nomination, he and his wife gave each other a “pound” in front of the cameras. Fox anchor E.D. Hill called the act of celebration a “terrorist fist jab.” Then last week, a Fox News on-screen graphic referred to Michelle Obama as “Obama’s baby mama"--slang used to describe the unmarried mother of a man’s child. It was a clear attempt to associate the Obamas with negative cultural stereotypes about Black people, an insult not only to Michelle Obama but to women and Black people everywhere.
Last month, a Fox guest pretended to confuse Obama’s name with “Osama,” associating him with terrorism, which has happened before on Fox. But then she went further, stating that the assassination of both Osama and Obama would be a good thing. It is unconscionable for an organization that calls itself a news network to advocate for the assassination of a presidential candidate.
After each of the incidents mentioned, Fox issued some form of weak apology. But what does it mean when you slap someone in the face, apologize the next day, then slap them again on the third? It means the apology is meaningless.
So how does the group want to respond? By feeding the circus machine:
If we can get to 100,000 signatures, we will go after Fox head-on: We’ll deliver the petitions to Fox News headquarters in New York, shaming the network in front of their competitors’ news cameras. Then we’ll turn attention to their advertisers.
So instead of refocusing on the issues that affect our Country—the actual policies that make one candidate a better choice than another—ColorofChange just wants to jump into the second ring on the circus floor. Now they want to make a media event to criticize Fox. And in all these letters, and petitions, and press events, what in the hell is anyone actually talking about? How Fox news is unbalanced? How Republicans are racists?
The ColorofChange front page says this:
ColorofChange.org is strengthening Black America’s political voice. Using the internet, we keep our members informed and give them ways to act on pressing issues facing Black people in America. We are united behind a simple, powerful pledge: we will do all we can to make sure all Americans are represented, served, and protected—regardless of race or class.
That’s why I just sent them this email:
To Whom It May Concern:
Alan Keyes, an African American male, is running for president with the Constitution Party. And Cynthia McKinney, an African American woman, is running for president with the Green Party. Instead of feeding into the political circus with media stunts to strike back at Fox News, will you use your platform to advocate for more awareness concerning an actual discussion of policies that affect Americans?
Do African American third party presidential candidates have any role in your group’s advocacy? Why or why not?
Thanks,
The Dean of Cincinnati
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26 Jun 2008 at 01:02 pm | #
Nice one! Perhaps, the reason that they don’t talk about the differences in the corporate candidates public policy positions is because there hardly is enough difference to speak of.
I suspect this group is content to treat independent candidates as second class citizens. The political bigotry in this country is astounding. McKinney is both black, a woman and has great policy positions.
26 Jun 2008 at 01:53 pm | #
Why do you have a problem with this legitimate political action? It is one among many that ColorofChange.org has spearheaded including: Fight Voter Suppression, Save New Orleans Public Housing, Justice for the Jena 6, Bring Katrina Surivors Home, etc. They address many issues that affect our country. That’s what they’re about.
You regularly call out and expose the Enquirer for perceived slights so why shouldn’t they organize against FOX for the continuous blatant racist reporting on Obama? You encourage petition drives and other means of expressing views. I know you’re sad that the radical fringe candidates Alan Keyes and Bob Barr aren’t getting the press you think they deserve. Why don’t you just use your own forum to promote them instead of criticizing the actions of Color of Change. The Beacon is sounding more and more racist. It’s not that you have to support a candidate because he’s black--it’s that you’ve dismissed him because he’s black (oh, and a Democrat and we know that you’re anti-Democrat).
26 Jun 2008 at 01:58 pm | #
Yet, nothing about Ralph Nader’s role in this circus with his Geraldine Ferraro-esque comments that there’s “[O]nly one thing different about Barack Obama when it comes to being a Democratic presidential candidate. He’s half African-American.”
26 Jun 2008 at 06:59 pm | #
CincySuz-
Senator Ted Kennedy also called Obama Osama. Will color of change be dilivering 100,000 signatures to his office?
26 Jun 2008 at 08:15 pm | #
This organization appears to be a straw man. Created to give the illusion of change, just like the democratic party, without doing anything except standing in the way of progress.
Suz, if you are loyal to your party you are a traitor to the people because the party circus is corrupt and by association so must you be.
If what you presented was their success what must their failures be?
26 Jun 2008 at 08:40 pm | #
Anon what are you talking about? Are you opposed to Color of Change simply because it’s an African American political action group focused on issues of interest to African Americans and poor people? Sounds like it. Also quite arrogant of the Dean to assume he can set their agenda. He lets no one set the agenda for the Beacon but himself. Of course there is the unspoken understanding that non-white activists should first get the go ahead from the white male power structure before moving forward. The nerve of Color of Change.
Anon you have nothing to add obviously. Better get back to the TV. You’re missing your evening dose of Fox.
26 Jun 2008 at 10:07 pm | #
Didnt Obama recently bring all 3 of these up himself at a fundraiser, and fox just reported what he said? “ they are going to say____ they are going to say he has a funny name.... and that he is black”
I saw that on fox, and it is no where represented by this group as Obama himself said it.
I think Jason Whitlock needs his own show. I really like the one about the handbook we should all carry as even he as an Arican American is not sure what he can and cannot say any more. That is just crazy
26 Jun 2008 at 10:36 pm | #
General George C. Scott, I also have a recording of Robert Kennedy Jr. doing the same thing when he was here. I don’t think it was on purpose. I think he was embarassed.
27 Jun 2008 at 01:50 am | #
General George C. Scott says:
26 Jun 2008 at 06:59 pm | #
CincySuz-
Senator Ted Kennedy also called Obama Osama. Will color of change be dilivering 100,000 signatures to his office?
Some PROOF to support this allegation?
27 Jun 2008 at 10:39 am | #
Anon 1:50 asked for proof -
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APx2YJ-_jos&feature=related
27 Jun 2008 at 10:45 am | #
I saw the Ted Kennedy one. It was on the news. No it was not on purpose. Plus the guy has a Malignant Glioma and didnt know it.
27 Jun 2008 at 10:48 am | #
#9, you could have found this in about 3 seconds on youtube
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=APx2YJ-_jos
27 Jun 2008 at 07:32 pm | #
I’m very dissapointed with Ralph Nader stating that Obama is “talking white” and “attempting to appeal to White America.” First, what is “talking white”? Second, since 85% of America is white, it only makes sense to appeal to white America to a certain degree if you wish to be elected President of the United States. Plus, Nader has been ignored so he has to make outrageous statements even to be noticed by mainstream America. It’s a shame he add to invoke race to be noticed.
27 Jun 2008 at 07:51 pm | #
Interesting comment, L.G. Nader’s answer to that question is interesting, too.
(source)
This passage by you is worth more consideration:
It’s funny: you made that statement without first knowing Nader’s answer to the question, “What is ‘talking white’?” That answer, from the Nader campaign page, is above.
But then you go on to say that 85% of America is white, and you seem to acknowledge that Obama is appealing to white America to get elected.
I wonder, specifically, what you mean when you assert that Obama is making sense by appealing to white America. What does “appeal” mean?
Here are three definitions:
1. An earnest or urgent request, entreaty, or supplication.
2. A resort to a higher authority or greater power, as for sanction, corroboration, or a decision: an appeal to reason; an appeal to her listener’s sympathy.
Is he requesting something? Is he resorting to a “higher authority”? Or, as in other definitions of the word, is he trying to arouse interest?
I eagerly await your reply, L.G.
27 Jun 2008 at 08:47 pm | #
Now Moveon.org has joined with Color of Change to demand that Fox network stop “… trying to paint Barack Obama as foreign, un-American, suspicious, and scary. They’re trying to send Americans the message that our country’s first viable black candidate for President is not “one of us.” A year ago you too Dean would have been outraged at the blatant racism against a black man by mainstream media in America. How the worm has turned. Justifying. Excusing. I continue to claim that you and this blog are right-leaning and you regularly provide the evidence. Pretty sickening.
And by the way, Color of Change didn’t just happen to pull your name out of the air to clutter your mailbox with yet another unsolicited e-mail to add to the hundreds of others that a person as important as yourself receives daily. You signed up with them just like I did. Maybe you even made a contribution. I did. Maybe that happened after Katrina, when the group was formed. Maybe when issues of racial equality were important to the Beacon. It’s easy to remove yourself from their mailing list. You should do that so you won’t have to be bothered with the inane issues of race in America that they address. I’m sure that making sure Bob Barr and Alan Keyes get a fair shake is much more important to you.
27 Jun 2008 at 09:40 pm | #
These organizations should criticize Fox in a way that refocuses on the issues, not a way that feeds the circus pageantry.
I still value issues of racial equality. That’s why I joined the NAACP, vote at meetings when I can, and collect a few signatures for each of their petition drives.
That’s also why I write about the issues on this site, too. One way an organization like ColorofChange can do better work is by doing what’s outlined in the first line of this comment.
27 Jun 2008 at 10:19 pm | #
Are you serious? With the inane ramblings, grudges, obsession with subjects nobody else cares about--Heimlich, Heimlich and more Heimlich (don’t you notice that you get no comments on many of your articles) you’re suggesting that some other group should be more focused on issues? What a joke. Color of Change and Move On do focus on issues. Racism is an issue, as is Katrina, the War in Iraq, the economy, etc. No matter what the headlines, what revelations slip out you ignore real political issues. Focusing on these issues would mean you’d have to mention your beloved Republicans and the mess they’ve gotten this country into. And that ain’t gonna happen on the Beacon. Not on this 100% partisan, pro-Republican site. No sirreeee.
28 Jun 2008 at 06:29 am | #
Here’s the thing, cincysuz. I feel abandoned and betrayed by Democrats. When I look at what I believe, I see that I’m more in line with Democrats than Republicans. But I don’t understand why I should be forced to ignore problems with Democrats. I don’t like the “lesser of two evils” argument.
I don’t like Schmidt, for example. But I also have some real concerns about Wulsin. Is Wulsin the lesser of two evils? Maybe. But how about the Democrats putting forward better candidates? Why should I settle for “least worst”?
I will be voting Chris Dole over Greg Hartman. And I will probably even vote Portune, though I hate the deal he made to take away voter choice. (Another great example of Democrats working against the values they should represent.) I’m even a registered Democrat. Don’t believe me? Call the BOE and ask. It’s public record.
28 Jun 2008 at 06:34 am | #
BTW, to the best of my knowledge, I’m the only guy who chased down documentation to prove that Republicans committed election fraud in the presidential primary at the behest of Rush Limbaugh.
CityBeat even ran with the story.
Why won’t the Democrats controlling the State do something about this? From Osborne’s article:
28 Jun 2008 at 07:51 am | #
Dean, I believe that Obama is doing two things in his attempt to appeal to white America: 1) He is making an urgent request to white Americans to elect him to become President of the United States, and 2) He is attempting to arouse white Americans to become interested in his presidential candidacy. He doesn’t need to do that with black Americans because over 90% of them are committed to voting for him already. Therefore, he has to bring white Americans into his voting base.
I do want to deal with Nader’s definition of “talking white”:
Talking white means telling the white corporate power structure what they want to hear, rather than calling them out and telling them what they need to hear.
I do not think this is what Obama has been doing. Obama has been appealling to white Americans by telling them “what they need to know”. He’s telling white America about the importance of Strengthening Civil Rights Enforcement, Combating Employment Discrimination, Expanding Hate Crimes Statutes, Ending Deceptive Voting Practices, Ending Racial Profiling, Reducing Crime Recidivism by Providing Ex-Offender Support, Eliminating Sentencing Disparities and Expanding the Use of Drug Courts. Further, there are a number of white Americans who want universal healthcare, the end of the Iraq War and a sensible foreign policy.
Lastly, with Obama’s background as a community organizer, he’s developed a urban policy which will impact white America as well as hispanic and black America which includes Strengthen Federal Commitment to our Cities, Stimulating Economic Prosperity in our Metropolitan Regions, addressing Housing, Poverty, Urban Education, Crime and Law Enforcement, Strengthening Homeland Security and Supporting Families.
If we hypothetically go with Nader’s definition of “talking white”, he’s wrong about Obama. Obama is telling the truth to white Americans and that’s why he has a good chance of becoming President. Not because he’s supposedly committed to continuing to perpetuate a “white coporate power structure.” He’s talking about just the opposite. If anyone is going to perpetuate a “white coporate power structure”, it will be John McCain, the 3rd term of the Master of Disaster, George W. Bush.
28 Jun 2008 at 08:10 am | #
Yeah. And how long ago was that? You were a different Dean then. A different and more balanced Beacon. A progressive left-leaning Beacon. You even had a large, progressive or at least moderate following. Whenever I start to hammer really hard on your partisan politics--and I’m the only one that does that because your audience is now primarily conservative-- you drag out a little something something on a Repbublican, like the Schmidt piece you put up today, for what you think is balance. Then it’s right back to Democrat bashing. And it’s because they’re Democrats. Cranley, Crowley, Portune, Wulsin, Obama and many others. But you leave a say, Tom Brinkman, a local that any left or moderate blog would tear limb from limb (politically), alone. A first grader could have a field day with that guy’s record. But the Beacon is an anti-Democrat blog. That’s the stated reason. (Lest we forget you/or Justin, same thing, admitted this is an anti-Democrat site)
You haven’t let up on Barack Obama since his name was first mentioned. That equates to supporting McCain. It equates to supporting the Bush administration. You know that Nader is a non-entity and has plummeted as far as influence in the political arena. There are plenty of pie-in-the-sky wannna be candidates out there but supporting any of them gets you one of the other two guys. But still, instead of framing the argument between McCain and Nader philosophies, it’s between Barack and Nader on this site. You guys absolutely and irrationally despise Barack Obama and that’s been clear from day one. Not McCain. Obama. Why don’t you examine the REAL reasons why?
28 Jun 2008 at 08:32 am | #
How long ago was what? When I went to BOE and got a story in CityBeat? I think that was last month. Or do you mean when I voted Obama in the primary?
How is this site “conservative.” Recently, we went to bat for CILO against conservative Westwood interests. We blasted Melva Gweyn’s ramblings filled with anti-progressive rhetoric. We consistently post videos for the local labor movement.
Is it “conservative” to question 3CDC? I’d think it a liberal topic to fight for public ownership and oversight of our public Square.
You don’t really make sense on this. You have such tunnel vision.
28 Jun 2008 at 08:33 am | #
Let’s not forget how we got the fight for handicapped accessibility on WLWT. Isn’t something like that a “progressive” issue?
28 Jun 2008 at 11:15 am | #
Cincysuz...I must interject here. I think Dean would agree that McCain would leave the country in worse shape than Obama. Therefore, I wouldn’t go far as to say that Dean supports McCain based on his criticism of Obama. I had a concern about the Beacon hammering Wulsin but I didn’t make the leap of logic to say that they support Jean Schmidt. That’s not rational.
You already said you’re going to vote for Portune! I’m not...I’m going with Rothenberg based on Portune wanting to build a new jail. I can’t wait for Pepper to run for office again either because I will hold Issue 27 against him as well. You know what’s wrong with all youth ultra-liberals? You’re just as bad as the ultra-conservatives! Extremism is not good. Portune wanted to raise your taxes to build a jail in a very excessive manner. Rothenberg stood against that super-sized tax and for that, he deserves an opportunity to become commissioner. I’m voting for Dole also over Hartmann as well. HOW THE DEMOCRATS REFUSED TO ENDORSE DOLE AND INITIATED A DEAL TO PROTECT TODD PORTUNE AND GIVE UP ALL THE JUDGESHIPS, SHERIFF’S OFFICE, PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE AND ONE OF THE COMMISSION SEATS IS UNBELIEVABLE. DEMOCRACY IS NOT DONE IN A BACKROOM AND THE SOLE PURPOSE OF THE DEAL, ACCORDING TO YOUR “HITLER” TIM BURKE IS THAT HE HAD TO PROTECT TODD PORTUNE. ACCORDING TO DWIGHT TILLERY, WHO GETS A HELL OF A LOT OF MONEY FROM COUNCIL FOR CLOSING THE HEALTH GAP, STATED THAT THE DEMOCRATIC PARTY “OWED IT” TO TODD PORTUNE TO CUT THIS DEAL. PORTUNE MADE HIS OWN POLITICAL BED & THE DEMOCRATS PROTECT HIM. THE HAMILTON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC PARTY ISN’T WORTH A QUARTER! THE HAMILTON COUNTY REPUBLICAN PARTY CONS THE DEMOCRATS EVERYTIME AND IT’S UNFORTUNATE THAT THE H.C.D.P. IS NOT POLITICALLY INTELLIGENT ENOUGH TO KNOW THAT THEY’RE GETTING DUPED! THE H.C.D.P. DESERVES EVERYTHING THEY GET...WHICH IS NOTHING!
28 Jun 2008 at 11:20 am | #
Matter of fact, Cincysuz, you should bow down and worship the Beacon because they’re more liberal than the Hamilton County Democratic Party! At least the Beacon is a lot more transparent than them given the fact they like to give away all types of county seats to the Republicans and execute democracy in a closed-door meeting!
28 Jun 2008 at 12:49 pm | #
Chill L.G. I know you have an obsessive-compulsive fixation with Issue 27 and can’t let it go. As if that’s the most important issue of the day!? Not homelessness or poverty or war or the price of gas or the lack of health care. No. It’s that half penny tax that still has you stewing a year later about what could have happened. We get it. You don’t care if people--primarily black people by the way--are housed in inhumane conditions and you don’t want your money used for social causes. And it wasn’t. You won. And as I’ve said before I don’t know a single soul that’s incarcerated so it’s really no skin off my ass (whoops! Big Brother Justin is watching me). I would just like it to be a bit easier on other people’s families and I was willing to pay for that as I am with education (I have no children in school). I still think Portune was 100% correct and brave for standing up to the powerful Republican anti-tax machine and their minions that ran the campaign.
28 Jun 2008 at 12:54 pm | #
Shorter cincysuz:
Hamilton County Democrats = Prison-Industrial Complex. Oppose building big new jails and you are a Republican who loves George W. Bush and hates women.
28 Jun 2008 at 10:19 pm | #
Cincysuz...if you really read my post, Issue 27 was one sentence in a lengthy post. Don’t be salty that you, Leis and Deters (the true leaders of Issue 27 and of the Hamilton County Republican Party) was on the losing side of wanting to build a bigger, badder jail. After all...you think that cutting the deal to protect Todd Portune was just fine. All Todd Portune did was follow the leadership of his Republican friends, Simon Leis and Joseph T. Deters who lives on Stonemark Lane in Symmes Township. Portune didn’t stand up against the leaders of the Republican machine...he joined them.
I happen to be African-American Cincysuz...I care deeply about black issues and Issue 27 was not going to solve one of them. You’re one of the warpped-thinking white peope who think that locking up black people in a nice jail would do our community good. It’s a shame...you attack one sentence of my post but can’t put a sentence together to defend Tim Burke and the Hamilton County Democratic Party.
28 Jun 2008 at 10:43 pm | #
LG. the monute that the Adrican americans find out that he asnswer to a different authority, ( the EXTREME far left) the faster thay will say he sold them out.
go look at a couple of Atlanta elections First thing they are going to say is he sold them out, and you know what? they will be right. He may like that agenda, but he likes being President more, and he will anwser to a whole FAR LEFT element, that could care less that we promptly engage the country on and Arican american “platform. I do not say it as anything bad, as we should come closer together, but his backers have their own agenda, and they will win.
watch.
29 Jun 2008 at 09:25 am | #
from cincysuz........
You don’t care if people--primarily black people by the way--are housed in inhumane conditions and you don’t want your money used for social causes…
The people housed in what you call “inhumane conditions” are there for a reason. I challenge you to provide proof that there are inhumane conditions at the Hamilton County Justice Center. Just what does cincysuz consider inhumane condiditions.
What we need is Sheriff Joe Arpario. Now there is a real sheriff.
http://www.texasinsider.org/modules.php?name=News&file=article&sid=1580
To Those of you Not Familiar With Joe Arpaio
He is the Maricop Arizona County Sheriff
And keeps getting elected over and over – This is one of the reasons why:
Sheriff Joe Arpaio (In Arizona) who created the “Tent City Jail”:
He has jail meals down to 40 cents a serving and charges the inmates for them.
He stopped smoking and porno magazines in the jails. Took away their weights Cut off all but “G” movies.
He started chain gangs so the inmates could do free work on county and city projects.
Then He Started Chain Gangs For Women So He Wouldn’t Get
Sued For Discrimination.
He took away cable TV Until he found out there was A Federal Court Order that Required Cable TV For Jails So He Hooked Up The Cable TV Again Only Let In The Disney Channel And The Weather Channel.
When asked why the weather channel He Replied, So They Will Know How Hot It’s Gonna Be While They Are Working ON My Chain Gangs.
He Cut Off Coffee Since It Has Zero Nutritional Value.
When the inmates complained, he told them, “This Isn’t The Ritz/Carlton.....If You Don’t Like It, Don’t Come Back.”
He bought Newt Gingrich’s lecture series on videotape that he pipes into the jails.
When asked by a reporter if he had any lecture series by a Democrat, he replied that a democratic lecture series might explain why a lot of the inmates were in his jails in the first place.
More On The Arizona Sheriff
With Temperatures Being Even Hotter Than Usual In Phoenix (116 Degrees Just Set A New Record), the Associated Press Reports:
About 2,000 Inmates Living In A Barbed-Wire-Surrounded Tent Encampment At The Maricopa County Jail Have Been Given Permission To Strip Down To Their Government-Issued Pink Boxer Shorts.
On Wednesday, hundreds of men wearing boxers were either curled up on their bunk beds or chatted in the tents, which reached 138 Degrees Inside The Week Before.
Many Were Also Swathed In Wet, Pink Towels As Sweat Collected On Their Chests And Dripped Down To Their PINK SOCKS.
“It Feels Like We Are In A Furnace,” Said James Zanzot, An Inmate Who Has Lived In The TENTS for 1 year. “It’s Inhumane.”
Joe Arpaio, the tough-guy sheriff who created the tent city and long ago started making his prisoners wear pink, and eat bologna sandwiches, is not one bit sympathetic. He said Wednesday that he told all of the inmates: “It’s 120 Degrees In Iraq And Our Soldiers Are Living In Tents Too, And They Have To Wear Full Battle Gear, but They Didn’t Commit Any Crimes,So Shut Your Damned Mouths!”
Way To Go, Sheriff!
Maybe if all prisons were like this one there would be a lot less crime and/or repeat offenders. Criminals should be punished for their crimes - not live in luxury until it’s time for their parole, only to go out and commit another crime so they can get back in to live on taxpayers money and enjoy things taxpayers can’t afford to have for themselves.
Sheriff Joe was just reelected Sheriff in Maricopa County, Arizona
Cincysuz’s attitude remindes me of a letter to the editor a year or so ago from a woman in super-lilly white Wyoming. The poor woman was distraught and saddened over the fact that in the Opening Day Parade two inmates from the Hamilton County Justice Center were forced to walk behind the elephants with shovels and of all things - they HAD to wear their stripped outifs and sadly, they were both African Americans. I’ll just bet it ruined her day at the parade.
What cincysuz and that white Volvo driving Wyoming housewife do not understand is that inmates are given a chance to volunteer for such duty. Rather than sit inside the “inhumane” Justice Center - they get out and about among people.
I’ll bet that white Volvo driving woman from Wyoming wrote to Sheriff Lies and complained about him MAKING African American inmates do that dirty work.
I could just vomit!
29 Jun 2008 at 10:17 am | #
See LG. White Male personifies the majority of those against 27. They want harsher conditions, more punishment, less justice. He and most of those that opposed the new jail believed (see above) that prisoners already lived in luxury. They weren’t interested in that ridiculous made-up issue that more people would be incarcerated because a new building exists any more than if you modernize county general hospital, more people will get sick. They like the current, abominable system and conditions and even want the conditions to become worse. They got what they wanted. You helped them.
29 Jun 2008 at 10:32 am | #
cincysuz:
They also wanted more jail space, more jail beds, and the opportunity for more jail expansion in the future—to put more people in jail. You helped them. You didn’t get want you wanted. Now there are not more black people in jail. And the campaign of fear turned out to be lies. We are not releasing dangerous criminals. Apparently, we are incarcerating non-violent offenders less.
29 Jun 2008 at 10:49 am | #
from cincysuz…
They like the current, abominable system and conditions and even want the conditions to become worse. They got what they wanted. You helped them.
Just what is meant by “abominable system and conditions” in your opinion suz?
I see that Sherif Joe out there in Phoeniz won 87% of the vote in his last election.
Question for cincyziz: You are the jailer at the Hamilton County Justice Center. You request volunteers for Poop Patrol during Opening Day Parade. The duties will involve walking behind the elephants with large shovels.
You get four volunteers - all African American. Would Jailer Cincy Suz try to get a white inmate for that job - because she would not want only African American’s shoveling the elephant droppings?
Just one more question siz: Do you empathize with the Wyoming woman who wrote the letter to the editor to complanin about the fact the African Americans were given the job to follow the elephants with shovels?
30 Jun 2008 at 10:04 am | #
Cincysuz 12:49 - “I still think Portune was 100% correct and brave for standing up to the powerful Republican anti-tax machine and their minions that ran the campaign.”
Maybe you forgot already, but the Hamilton County Republican Party endorsed Issue 27. I guess your mind was too clouded by your Tom Brinkman crush to see that fact.
Since Portune was 100% correct, let’s look at the post-election results. We were told there was going to be blood on the streets by Todd and his cohorts. The jails were busting at the seams. Queensgate would have to close bacause it was falling to pieces.
What happened? We still haven’t early released one single male prisoner this year. Process only releases are down significantly. The crime rate is down. Queensgate stands and continues to pass State standards. How could Todd be 100% correct, if everything he said was going to happen was wrong.
PS - Cincysuz loves Simon Leis.
30 Jun 2008 at 06:14 pm | #
From General George C. Scott ..... Cincysuz loves Simon Leis.
Was that Cincysuz riding on Sy’s tank in the Harvest Home Parade last year?
30 Jun 2008 at 08:22 pm | #
says:
26 Jun 2008 at 10:07 pm | # Didnt Obama recently bring all 3 of these up himself at a fundraiser, and fox just reported what he said? “ they are going to say____ they are going to say he has a funny name.... and that he is black”
I saw that on fox, and it is no where represented by this group
Yes R he did say this about himself and it has never been said. Obama is accusing Republicans of being Racists. In Reality Obama is the Racist for allowing his family to be exposed to Jermiah Wright for Decades! (Then Running away when the people discovered it)
Obama has accused John Mccain and the Republicans of being racists. I want to see some racists comments made by John Mccain. Can any one come up with one???? Its a joke that Obama would make these accusations when no racial comments have ever been made in the Republican campaign. I think alot of people have a problem with Obama not being qualified for the job and not the color of his skin. Its the old age excuse being made by alot of the black population today (which simply isnt true) Obama is trying to use the same excuse by these false accusations.. “Its because Im black you didnt vote for me” Well Its not because you are black… Obama wants to double everyones welfare check instead of telling them its time to stop making excuses and get to work!!!! Its just too bad Bob Barr doesnt have a bigger following. Im tired of both parties, they both want to spend too much of money we simply dont have! Why isnt Bob Barr getting any publicity yet? It simply isnt fair the way third parties are treated! The Dean is making some good points that everyone should listen to. Please evaluate the canidates and be blind to their sexes and races. That could be the biggest lesson to be learned in this election to people that like to base their vote on these things!
30 Jun 2008 at 08:34 pm | #
Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama said on Friday he expects Republicans to highlight the fact that he is black as part of an effort to make voters afraid of him.
“It is going to be very difficult for Republicans to run on their stewardship of the economy or their outstanding foreign policy,” Obama told a fundraiser in Jacksonville, Florida. “We know what kind of campaign they’re going to run. They’re going to try to make you afraid.
“They’re going to try to make you afraid of me. He’s young and inexperienced and he’s got a funny name. And did I mention he’s black?”
..."We know the strategy because they’ve already shown their cards. Ultimately I think the American people recognize that old stuff hasn’t moved us forward. That old stuff just divides us,” he said.
30 Jun 2008 at 10:20 pm | #
L.G. I think Obama’s speech on black fathers, his support of the failed Drug War and NAFTA would be good examples of what Ralph meant about Obama telling the white power structure what they want to hear. NAFTA (the job killing trade deal) sent good paying jobs overseas. After supporting it, then blasting Clinton on it he recently said, “Sometimes during campaigns the rhetoric gets overheated and amplified.” Meaning NAFTA’s not so bad after all.
Obama, like other Democrats, fails to talk about repealing the anti-labor Taft Hartley Act. His health care system isn’t a single-payer not for rofit system, it’s a for profit system that keeps the greedy insurance companies making a killing.
Instead of reducing the bloated and wasteful Pentagon budget he wants to increase it. He voted for the Patriot Act. He supports the FISA legislation. Obama will keep private contractors and an occupation force in Iraq. He supports Nuclear power. He voted against limiting credit card interest to 30%.
Obama flip flopped by opting out of public financing. He reversed his position on Israel moving way to the right. He’s taking more Republican money than McCain. He is a corporate candidate from A to Z. It’s troubling to see the team he’s surrounding himself with.
Obama needs pressure from the left. Blind support will get the same results that the left got from Kerry. Kerry moved to the right of Bush on the war and many other issues.
Btw, the country isn’t 85% white, but corporate America is.
30 Jun 2008 at 11:30 pm | #
Obama acknowledges that over nearly eight years in the Illinois Senate, he voted “present” 129 times. That was out of roughly 4,000 votes he cast, so those “presents” amounted to about one of every 31 votes in his legislative career.
Can we really afford to have a president that is this undecisive?????? WOW!
01 Jul 2008 at 04:22 pm | #
See. Independents ARE really Republicans.
GOP reps. advised to avoid party brand
By MIKE ALLEN | 6/27/08 1:41 PM EST Text Size:
A new playbook for House Republicans urges them to run essentially as independents, showing empathy for voters, emphasizing local issues and ignoring many traditional party campaign practices.
The advice for House candidates is part of an effort to minimize Republican losses in a year when voters are exasperated by the economy, the Iraq war and President Bush:
“Encourage Republican candidates to establish themselves in a personal manner, emphasizing local issues whenever possible.”
“Candidates have to have a positive alternative vis-à-vis their Democratic opponents.”
“Work to develop an issues matrix that is different than in years past and also shows a deep empathy towards the voters.”
The advice, from consultants to the National Republican Congressional Committee, was presented this week to House leaders, including NRCC Chairman Tom Cole (R-Okla.).
The assessment is contained in a 15-point PowerPoint presentation provided to Politico and first reported by David Espo of The Associated Press.
The review was an effort to distill lessons learned from unexpectedly deep Republican losses in special elections in Illinois, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The assessment was provided by the NRCC Audit Committee, formed at the behest of House Republican leader John A. Boehner of Ohio.
The review found that the losing Republicans failed to successfully establish “themselves and their local brand in contrast to the negative perception of the national GOP.”
“Traditional Republican messages essentially did not work in these campaigns,” the analysis says. “Nationalizing these elections as a choice between a traditional Republican and a traditional Democrat did not work in this political environment.
“Democrats ran candidates that were a reflection of their districts.”
01 Jul 2008 at 04:54 pm | #
cincysuz, you mean like when Al Gore’s running mate decided to run as an Independent. I guess he was trying to escape the GOP branding, though it would’ve been apropriate.
That’s a good one. Remember that time in 2006 when the Democrats said they would end the war when we put them in office? Well that worked out real well didn’t it. Which way did the Demohawks vote on that last War funding Bill anyway?
01 Jul 2008 at 08:55 pm | #
We get it Justin. Democrats bad. Republicans good. Why don’t you comment on the article. I didn’t write it.
02 Jul 2008 at 11:50 am | #
cincysuz, Democrats and Republicans are the same, the only difference is the name. The Demohawks voted to fund the war yet again. I can’t believe it, this is shocking. I mean, I really didn’t see this coming.
Great article Dean! It’s interesting to see how the focus of elections is shifted from the actual issues to nonsense. They must do this in order to keep the illusion going that there’s enough difference to call it a real choice. Neither major candidate supports single-payer not-for-profit health care, neither candidate supports ending the occupation in Iraq, but a majority of Americans support both. Two candidates, two parties and no real choice.
It is interesting that they aren’t concerned about all black candidates being treated fairly and they themselves treat indepedents as second class citizens.
02 Jul 2008 at 02:19 pm | #
If you want to pay higher taxes,have more regulations against small businesses, You want more spending on the war because you think we can win,have the big government looking over everything you do,If you want to bankrupt our country, and believe in spending money we can’t afford to spend vote obama.
If you want the government looking over you, you want more spending on the war because you think we can still win, you dont want as much taxes taken out of your paychecks and believe it should be up to you where your charitable money goes to and not up to the government vote Mccain.
If you want more privacy and are against the patriot act, want to legalize marijuana to help balance the budget and eliminate the middle man that creates violence on the streets,believe in the philosophy of “live and let live"and believe you should be able to live without the government holding your hand in every event in your life, and want a smaller government altogether vote for the Libertarian Canidate Bob Barr.
Ill let Justin tell you why you should vote for Nadar.
02 Jul 2008 at 02:40 pm | #
If you want to pay higher taxes,have more regulations against small businesses, You want more spending on the war because you think we can win,have the big government looking over everything you do,If you want to bankrupt our country, and believe in spending money we can’t afford to spend vote obama.
And if you want a chunk taken out of your nestegg (your IRA or 401k) vote Obama. A one time 15 to 20% tax on it’s value will net the U.S. Treasury $1 to $1.5 trillion for immediate give-away spending. Clinton floated the idea - - - Newt singlehandedly saved the country from this with his Contract with America. Had Democrats kept or made gains in the Senate and House in ‘94 - it woould have been law.