Alvin Greene’s primary win in the South Carolina primary is interesting. An internet search shows that Greene is a graduate of the University of South Carolina. Was he a political science or drama major? Clearly, he is brighter than he is showing.
Speculation is that he is some source of plant and time will tell. I do know that the voters in South Carolina should pay better attention to candidates and if the list of candidates is not to their liking, they should skip that race and basically vote “none of the above.” We should do the same in Georgia.
If Rep. Clyburn is correct and shenanigans are involved, this lovely southern state is doing itself an injustice by making politics into a silly game. The personal attacks on candidate for govenor Nikki Haley aren’t coming from southern gentlemen—gentle men is the term. The two major parties have found that this is the year that regular voters are not taking instructions from them and I am loving it. President Obama’s election signal this coming situation because the party said it was Senator Clinton turn but Obama got the nod. The people spoke. WhileObama is my guy, Clinton would be kick tail in the Gulf region. She is tough.
The Tea Party has more influence in the GOP than their few moderates while independent-minded Democrats have wrestled some of Organized Labor’s tradition power. Remember, many Obama supporters are new to the game and don’t or won’t follow the rules of cigar-clomping party bosses. We will see how this wild season turns out but hopefully understanding and reasonable leaders will prevail.
If Greene was really “between opportunities,” he is crazy like a fox for taking the chance to become an overnight celebrity like those reality stars. However, he should have done it above-board to show respect to the USC Gamecock Nation, his military buddies and his family.
Since the World Cup is in South Africa, I am reminded of Nelson Mandela first trip to America. Ted Koppel asked him why his organization, the ANC, associated with groups the U.S. government hates. Mandela said, “Mr. Koppel, a drowning man doesn’t ask which hands pull him from the water.” If Greene was drowning in debt, we will see if he made a wise move or squandered his 15 minutes by becoming a political pawn. Senate DeMint’s reelection is happening anyway.
Florida Senate candidate Marco Rubin made perfect sense this morning when he said that every oil collection device in the world should in the Gulf of Mexico by now. His independent opponent Governor Charlie Crist did a good job on Morning Joe as well. Democrat Congressman Kendrick Meek is third in that Senate race and I always wish young brothers well but Crist might get some surprising support from my community for not bashing Obama as much as some would have liked.
Georgia agricultural colleges have done fine research on by-products or the residual benefits of our crops. Years ago, my congressman announced the absorbent qualities of peanut shells and their new use as kitty litter. I bet you those same shells could be grounded to a level that makes them perfect for oil collection. While studying wheat production on a Farm Bill tour in North Dakota, I learned that wheat straw could be used to make fiberboard for Ikea-like furniture.
Since the oil dispersants might be harmful to the ecosystem, BP and the federal government should consider allowing the oil to rise and dropping peanut, wheat straw or other ag byproducts on the water then collecting the manageable clumps.
The term alienation of affection appears in divorce documents but it could apply in politics. People grow apart or the person you thought you married doesn’t actually exist. You wedded the image or façade created by that person. Since we should avoid the victim role in America, it is your fault for not being a better judge of character or turning a blind eye to the obvious.
“He is just not that into you” describe the divorce-like conditions between some incumbents and voters this year. If you tell someone to do something and that person ignores you, the cat should be in the wind….out of here like last year…I am not saying you go to go home but…
Of course, the other party might argue that the relationship should continue because while not perfect he or she is the best available in the area. In my community, we say it is better to be alone than in the company of fools.
If the Tea Party is busy divorcing candidates on the Right who go against their wishes, we should have similar discussions and action in the Center. This idea could be the focus of proposed the Coffee Party or just Ghost Vote incumbents who assume they have us and hang with the Right too much. Hey, uncles and aunts will tell you that you must take care of home or someone else will.
In politics and in life, you must “rehumanize yourself” if the machine or “the man” sees you as a statistic; remind those fancy people that the masses across the political spectrum are restless and why should the Tea Party get to have all the radical fun.
Some voters are very informed this year and that is a good thing. With the economy, foreign wars and the oil disaster, regular folks and the media are watching the White House and Congress. The GOP has a well-earned reputation for keeping their members in line on key issues but the Democrats are starting to flex their big muscles also. Well, alright now.
House leadership member South Carolina Rep. Jim Clyburn’s recent trip to Augusta, Georgia, is being analyzed. Members of congress often travel outside their districts. For example, a member of the Ag Committee looks at farm production and research all over the nation. Usually, they follow congressional courtesy by informing their “dear colleague” who generally joins them.
Of course, ballers like Clyburn go everywhere as part of their duties and visiting a neighboring state is not rare. If the spent nuclear fuel rods at the Savannah River Site go wrong, that radiation is not stopping at the GA-SC line.
One could speculate that Clyburn coming to the Augusta area without doing a fundraiser or supporting for Barrow is a sign (like a brush back pitch in baseball) that the congressman shouldn’t get too far away from his Dem roots—after that healthcare reform and several other votes. Wild speculation could be that House leadership is openly dissing Barrow in a sly effort to help him by distancing themselves from him.
The Augusta area real Democrats and Obama supporters have issues with Barrow’s no votes on some key national issues. Barrow might flirt with the Right but Rep. Jim Marshall is in love. The Marshall camp must hope that voters who are more Obamacrats than Democrats don’t get “too much information.” In the piney woods of Georgia, we say, “you got to dance with the one who brought you.”
When I worked at the university in Albany, Georgia, I saw Rep. Bobby Rush of Illinois eating at a downtown bistro. He was in his hometown for his father’s funeral and said that the local congressman was gracious in offering his district office if needed during this difficult time. That’s how you do it. Rush was a member of the Black Panthers back in the day and spoke to the Black staff organization when I was on the Hill. He told us that power is like the might elephant and that a baby elephant is trained to walk in circles at the circus by driving a metal rod into the ground and attaching a chain.
After the elephant grows to full size, circus workers push the rod into the ground by hand because the trained elephant doesn’t realize it’s power to break free…. sometimes no chain is needed. Regular folks don’t have the information that we are free and that political leaders work for us. Bobby Rush is a smart guy and he was the last person to defeat Barrack Obama in an election. If the college students who supported Obama start using social networking to sweat certain AWOL Democrats, it would be on and popping like Rush in his revolutionary youth and the Tea Party now.
This post continues my little series with the Police album “Ghost in the Machine” as background. I know that the video is from Sting without the Police and that for some strange reason dude is wearing a dress but the sista sing background is nice. Again, Ghost Vote candidates who don’t listen. ” Too Much Information” was the jam with my college friends.
Do you know about the cuttlefish? I woke up at 4 this morning and an ABC News report introduced me to the cuttlefish, an amazing sea creature that changes itself to it’s surroundings in a classic defense technique. This fish has no shell and is strangely colorblind. You can make all the political comparisons to Blue Dogs, Scott Brown or Arlen Specter but the cuttlefish’s technique has worked for him for millions of years. So, there.
In nature and politics, survival is key. I have had fun in the past comparing Tea Party people (my old friends) with Howler monkeys and Blue Dog Democrats with chameleons but everyone must find what works for them. First, most creatures in the political arena have America’s best interest in mind. The questions are over how to get there and what techniques are fair and healthy. The Tea Party starts with sound ideas and real concerns as stated by President Obama but they wisely sound loud which gives the impression of a much larger beast. We will learn their real size in November.
Centrists shouldn’t be labeled as chameleons in a negative way. They simply reflect their surroundings. Some marketing focus groups have discovered that advantage can be gain by painting long serving elected officials as “career politicians” or “professional politicians.” I personally want a professional correcting my teeth, fixing my old truck and making my public policy. An old school congressman once told me that if we had term limits the only experts on Capitol Hill would be the K Street lobbyists—and that is what they want. He also said we have term limits; it’s called elections.
(The following is only for my half dozen Tea Party friends)
Enough with the flip flop stuff and enough with the “those congressmen don’t listen to me” stuff. Check this out right here: there are other folks in the South with you and they have opinions also. These so-called career politicians must gauge the consensus of the area and make decisions. At times, those decisions are a bit contrary to that official’s personal views but they were elected to serve the people…all of the people. Average voters prefer leaders without the “my way or the highway” mentality.
When those officials let the vocal minority outweigh the “too busy to be vocal” majority, it’s time to consider new leadership. That cuttlefish is a cuttlefish inside.. no matter what. The political comparison ends when the fish that mastered camouflage is discovered.
Oil is ruining a proud, culturally rich gulf region and outside forces seem selfish. I am talking about our beloved Gulf of Mexico but people in the Persian Gulf could say the same. For decades, we drove large cars and used dirty fuels but the discover of oil in the Middle East had us covered. Our leaders made friends with their leaders with little regard for the treatment and well-being of the people in that sandy region.
We know the large oil companies that got crazy-paid as the child of Abraham’s other son grew restless. Bla Bla, Shah of Iran..Bla Bla…Jimmy Carter told us to change….Bla Bla I wish we never got involved in that volatile region.
So, you have vocal groups who feel that their religion should run the government with secondary consideration for other folk’s religions. Which gulf region are we talking about now?
Sure, you can blame BP and blame the Obama Administration but at the end of the day, we all share the blame. The real blame extends back in our history to every time empires expanded without respecting cultural legacy and the rich histories of others….Africa, the Americans, Asia, the Middle East. How much does gas cost? You have no idea.
The fragile ecosystem in the Gulf of Mexico is some of God finest work; I can watch the TV coverage oily marshes. Can we fix it? Can you un-ring a bell?
Did you see the recent picture of the Obama kids greeting the president? After watching the “America: The Story of Us” marathon on the History Channel this weekend, seeing folks who look like me in the White House is a reminder that we came “from a mighty long way.” However, Memorial Day is a reminder that freedom is not free and collectively we must do our part to move the nation forward.
Cotton working slaves, Chinese railroad builders, and Whites in the manufacturing industry are more than historic footnotes; the Native Americans really got a raw deal. To make omelets, some eggs must be broken and empires are often built on the backs of others. William Mulholland supplied water to Los Angeles by draining the Owens Valley some 200 miles away. It’s about cost benefit analysis; it’s about reluctant sacrifice.
To me, the Blue Dogs in the Georgia congressional delegation are decent public servants who listen to their unique constituencies. In the year of anti-incumbency, the one who should go (if one must go) is the one whose departure would be least dramatic or traumatic. Come on now, we know that Dem Rep. Marshall from Macon is from a district that Senator McCain won in the presidential race. If not for middle Georgia’s personal affection for him, the GOP would have picked up that seat years ago. His opponent, Austin Scott, seems to have a conservative temperament similar to Johnny Isakson; he is not nearly as bitter as some in the conservative movement. Trading Scott for Marshall would be less traumatic to the body politics than losing any other Blue Dog seat and other Blue Dog opponents are more connected to the far Right.
“America: The Story of Us” included the story of Prince Estabrook, a slave and Minuteman who was wounded by one of the first shots fired at Lexington. He started a legacy that includes the former slaves who fought in the Civic War. In some way, President Obama, the commander-in-chief, seems to function with the same regard for sacrifice and national pride. Political safety (his second term) comes after what he considers right…and let the chips fall where they may. As an Obama supporter, I appreciate the Blue Dogs who put their congressional careers at risk by backing Obama and/or Hillary. On sacrifice, Hillary Clinton took one for the Democrat Team when many believed it was her turn but unfair distain for Bill Clinton might have made her a better target for the GOP.
As a person who loves tennis, I enjoyed watching Venus Williams play at the French Open ten years ago; it’s too bad that Arthur Ashe missed the Williams sisters, Tiger Woods and President Obama. When Venus was defeated in Paris this weekend, I knew that she would never have the career grand slam that Serena and Tiger have. I also know that Serena would have let Venus win if they met in the finals in Paris; tennis history shows that Venus has done the same for little sister. Again, it’s about sacrifice and the common good. No one listens to my political speculations but I still think that the right GOPers in congress could actually benefit the second part of the Obama presidency by adding fiscal considerations to policy-making.
The Ghost Vote Project received a nice response from readers of this blog. If the Right and Left can seek clarification from congressional candidates, the Center should do the same. After all, candidates are looking for our votes and support. Obama supporters have no questions about most Georgia’s Blue Dogs and I appreciate their efforts to help this administration craft sound policy.
The position of Rep. Jim Marshall isn’t as clear because he really is an independent in a unique district. Hey, give the gentleman from Macon an opportunity to answer a few questions.
1. Did Rep. Marshall vote for Obama or McCain in 2008?
2. Is Rep. Marshall a supporter of most of the major legislative initiatives from the Obama White House?
3. Is the Democrat agenda out of step with Marshall legislative views?
Of course, the people of the 8th congressional district ultimately will decide who best represents them. But, center has a right to ask straight questions. If people aren’t satisfied with Marshall’s answers, they should consider skipping the automatic vote for him in the primary election as a signal.
The Ghost Vote Project gets a tab at the top of this blog.
Election season can be awkward because the process doesn’t always allow the flexibility for voters to express themselves. We have primaries, party slates and candidates who make assumptions from their election results. I voted in the Republican primary six years ago because I wanted to support innovative Senate candidate Herman Cain but I skipped most of the other candidates because I basically wasn’t feeling them.
In 2008, my political friends could have called me a rare S.O.B. because I voted for Saxby, Obama and Bishop (B.O.S. would have had less flair.) Centrists are constantly weighing regional interests, party loyalty and personal views when selecting candidates. While we are months away, I have no idea what I am going to do in the Senate race between two exceptional Georgians who have both served our state well. I do know that my party doesn’t control all of my votes and that people should follow their guts.
The other day I was thinking that I was “ghost” on the other contests in that Republican primary since I was there to “primarily” support Cain. Since people fought some hard for the right to vote, would skipping a contest on the ballot be wrong or a gesture of “none of the above.”
In a related situation, many incumbents have no primary opposition. In a light bulb moment, I thought not voting for an unopposed incumbent in a primary could be away of letting that candidate know that we shouldn’t be taken for granted. Of course, the candidate still advances to the general election but he or she knows that we are weighting our options. Those options might include “ghost” voting in November if we choose—like none of the above. After the primary, a candidate would discover that a significant number of people who voted in other races skipped his name.
For example, the number of new Obama voters who only voted for president is alarming; that situation was flat silly since they didn’t know the importance of other offices. The buzz term this election season is “low information voters” and it was created to label people who get their news from one very opinionated source. To be fair, I think people in my community who vote a straight party slate and assume that a candidate with a “D” on his jersey is 100% “down for the cause” are also “low information voters.”
For sake of full disclosure, the election of President Obama was one of the coolest events of my life; I really like the guy and hope he is successful in improving our great nation. As quiet as it is kept, my appreciation goes out to Republicans who also voted for him and Democrat centrists will give their party’s better candidates a good and fair look this year.
In Georgia, Representative Jim Marshall has wisely balanced his membership in the Democrat Party with the conservative views of large segments of his district. In a perfect world, Marshall would be an independent who is free to vote his mind every time but in this political world, congressmen must slide with their team more often than not. On several key votes, Marshall was ghost for the Democrat team but low information voters don’t know it.
Actually, we never learned if Marshall voted for Obama or McCain but his skipping the Democrat National Convention wasn’t cool with me. In addition to formal nominating a presidential candidate, those conventions are where officials like Marshall fight to pull the control of the party platform nearer the center of America and away from the far left. He is a smart guy and when Obama/Biden needed him, he was ghost. I have never seen a picture of Marshall and Obama—what up with that. But, I remember him stating in campaign ads years ago that he did this and that with President Bush.
Voters in middle Georgia remember Marshall’s quality leadership as mayor of Macon, Georgia, but a little wake up call might be helpful to remind him that we like him but love this President. The Democrat Party can’t control us like sleep. Congressman Jesse Jackson, Jr. is considering supporting a Republican friend running for Obama’s old Senate seat. Can he do that?
Voters in the Democrat primary should consider “ghost voting” by not automatically voting for unopposed Marshall in the primary this summer and if he skips more major votes that the White House needs November could be up in the air. I appericate the kind statements Macon’s current mayor made about Obama during the presidential campaign; he has a bright future. (Wink) While most of our community doesn’t care for Republicans, we occasionally vote for conservatives who might add a voice of reason in their meetings; we vote for Blue Dogs we considering moderate to conservative. Heck, President Obama put several Republicans in his cabinet but only one Blue Dog and zero members of the Congressional Black Caucus. If the GOP takes the Congress, the influence and views of a few reasonable Republicans could be more important to the WH than a Dem with a history of being ghost.
In the old school, we played the Police album “Ghost In The Machine” to death and love the cut “Spirits in the Material World.” That song had the lyric “They subjugate the meek…but it’s the rhetoric of failure.” Today, we are subjugating ourselves by locking in with one group and not listening to valid alternatives. I have always respected the Police because they constantly acknowledge that their music is rooted in the reggae from Jamaica. The current base of the Georgia Democrat Party is rooted in my community and that fact should be remember when we say help the President from our party.
Party politics often centers on political machines, those groups of people who get the vote out in large numbers. Machines often recommend candidates but don’t monitor them once elected. In Tifton, Georgia, two years ago, I would tell people with Obama/Biden stickers that the local Democrat congressman wasn’t really a supporter of the ticket and their mouths would drop—low information voters. Our modern-day “Ghost In The Machine” should be ghost-voting candidates who take us for granted. The political machines wouldn’t like that very much but everyone would be on their toes.
To my GOP friends (all both of you), your whole party seems like a great big machine at times. If a Democrat has listened to you on regional issues, you should ignore national groups who say he or she is not fair and attentive. You guys have some real ghost busters in your camp. Your machine shouldn’t tell candidates to avoid any dialog with those of different opinions.
This blog was started with one central theme: our community can’t put all of its egg in one basket. This morning the Sade classic “When Am I Going To Make A Living” came to mind because I am also “hungry but I won’t give in.”
We are at a crossroad in American politics and Black blogger Travis Johnson of Republicans United just wrote a scathing indictment on Blacks and the GOP. This brother has been down with that team for 16 years but decide no more because the mood and temperament have changed.
People and groups change over time: it’s natural. As I have written before, Travis’s now former party has ever opportunity to create a subsection of the conservative movement that speaks to fiscal soundness, personal responsibility and the limited role of government without getting ugly, divisive and incendiary. Travis, Michael Steele and others know that won’t be happening on a large scale because angry extremists rather than reasonable conservatives are commandeering their ship.
In a more baffling move, the few Republicans with histories of debate and discussions are struggling for their political lives or packing boxes—Senator McCain, Senator Bennett, former GOPer Senator Specter, and Governor Christ.
African Americans might find in early November that a party controls the Congress with zero AA members and few members with working relationships in our community. Personally, I have no problems with my current congressional representation and I have learned from his moderate tutelage. If the opportunity arises, I would help shape the agenda of congressional candidates in other southern districts because I am hungry for a chance to improve the spirit of the dialog. Blog is interesting but being in the game in a constructive manner is much better for my wallet.
Seth McFarlane did the Larry King Show recently and I found his humorous approach to social issues refreshingly interesting. On Sunday, I watched the Cleveland Show’s take on race relations, the Confederate flag and Black History Month. McFarlane is the Norman Lear of this generation and people can grow on a sly note from watch his shows.
My eyes ache when watching poor fundamentals in sports. On the first day, everyone wants to dunking a basketball, smash a tennis ball or swim a lap. These impatient sportsmen fail to realize that sporting lives are constructed over time with a commitment to learning the basic skills before the flashy moves. In more bad news, the quick techniques used to play sooner rather than later must be unlearned later.
People use an ugly swimming stoke that does require put their heads in the water; sisters can’t get that hair wet according to Steve Harvey. Swimming with your chin out of the water violates every rule of water propulsion. In tennis, many beginners start by choking up on the grip in a move that looks like ping-pong. Away from sports, people in my community use poor grammar around their children and wonder why the kids struggle at school and work. Newsflash: the stuff you learn at school should be used in life….that’s why you learn it.
In jazz, musicians who want to sit-in with a band are traditionally asked that one important question: Do you know the book? The book is a collection of jazz standards that every real player should know. It all comes down to fundamentals over flash.
We see new congressional candidates across the political landscape that I fear think campaigning is a piece of cake. It’s hard than it looks and actually governing effective is even harder. Candidates who are new to the political game should get those fundamentals down first or getting on the court with a seasoned veteran will get real ugly real fast.
The dictionary defines scope as the range of one’s perceptions, thoughts or actions. A second definition is “the area covered by a given activity or subject.” President Obama outlined his vision for a better America in his book the Audacity of Hope. However, the hard part is implementing ideas into policy in a partisan nation where many of those who need improving don’t or won’t know it.
In the South, we need leaders with wider worldviews who can appreciate the salient points from the loyal opposition. We need members of congress with scope. The Republicans came to power in 1994 and the Democrats responded by accepting the moderate Blue Dogs subdivision in their party. After the recent success of the Democrats, a similar subdivision on the Right seemed obvious. Instead, we see a narrowing in the scope of southern Republicans and a national purification process in their ranks.
The global economy is in flux and the South is competing with everyone for new job growth. Companies might be reluctant to locate in what seems like a hostile environment. Of course, people should stand firm in their believes but understand that in a democratic society other opinions should be respected.
As a good southerner and proud American, I will discuss issues and solutions with a range of people and final actions could reflect a cross-section of views. The “winner take all” mentality is sophomoric and reckless. In military or political wars, you pray that you are strong and keen while also praying that diplomacy and common sense will avoid the need for conflict. Some in the arena cherish conflict because division and fear are vital to their personal prosperity. They should be ashamed of their ill-gotten gains.
My friends on both sides want their political opposition to fail but will always discuss their rationale with others in hope that their views will improve. We want other’s scope to widen. In a more direct statement, the Right should seek counsel with the center in a manner similar to the Blue Dogs. Most indications are that this won’t be happening. We can call that the Audacity of Nope and it is unhealthy because leaders must dialog with a range of people to address problems and improve situations.
My favorite politicians have always been those who constantly sought debate with everyone. The better elements of the Right’s arguments rarely reach the correct ears—they are preaching to the choir. When those elements are presented in wider circles, they come from the Blue Dogs who understand the diversity of our South.
Clint Eastwood’s film Grand Torino got to me last night. Seeing a veteran and retired autoworker single-handedly protect his community from domestic terrorists (thugs and gangs) reminded me of JFK’s question about what can you do for your country. In the last chapter of his life, Mr. Walter Kowalski was teaching negative and positive youth the wisdom of his value system. Walter needed some lessons on anger management, control and dare I say political correction/cultural sensitivity. We all can learn something from others.
I jumped out of bed this Saturday (before day in the morning) to participate in “Cleanup Sylvester, Georgia.” As I look at the dark cloud on the horizon, I knew a rain delay might keep the event from starting. The real looming dark cloud is the mindset of the youth and adults who toss trash on the streets with zero regard for community. Where’s Mr. Kowalski when you need him?
RNC Chairman Michael Steele recently said there is no reason for African-Americans to vote for Republicans. To me, our southern community has always been conservative and Blacks Who Actually Vote (BWAV) have little tolerance for Black ignorance or far Right fear-based rhetoric. We have plenty Black Walter Kowalski here and there should medals for their actions or combat pay. Steele was basically saying that the efforts and vision of his party isn’t reaching us for whatever reason.
Disenchanted Black conservatives tell me that their party doesn’t have an urban agenda. On the other hand, I think the far left’s policies of tossing taxpayer money at problems isn’t working either.
We need to address issues before they become problems (nip it in the bud). I wrote on this blog a few months ago that First Lady Michelle Obama should start a Cease Corp to marshal community human resources (people) in an effort to share experience, knowledge and wisdom. The Barrack Obama story is interesting and unique. The Michelle Robinson Obama story is the blueprint for a healthy, achievement-oriented American family. Clint Eastwood, a former California mayor, should join the cause with the lessons from Grand Torino as a starting point.
I have a feeling that Mrs. Obama post-White House service will make her one of the most significant Americans of all times. You can see in her eyes that she is being restrictive or selective in her public statements but one day she is going to speak freely and the message for a community will be stern and golden. It’s the direct straight talk that we don’t hear from current leaders. She can put the “40 under 40” overachievers at the table with the “40 who drink 40s” and those who were 40 years old 40 years ago.
The subplot of this movie was equally important. What happens when your family has little use for you? I say forget them and find a constructive outlet like church activities, a “play” family or maybe the Cease Corp. Like Walter Kowalski, a neglected senior should get even in his will.
Let me get this right: Michael Steele said that there is no reason for Blacks to vote for Republicans. Chairman of the RNC Michael Steele, the brother with the nice ties–nice neckties and evidentially nice cultural ties to my community for telling speaking his mind to us.
That’s the Michael Steele who we moderates supported as a U.S. Senate candidate and also the one who had a clear and solid message for our community as part of the moderate Republican group led by Christine Todd Whitman. Today, the term “moderate Republican” has become as oxymoronic as the word bittersweet. This news is bittersweet because many hopeful politicos wanted to see a cooperation-oriented division grow inside Steele’s conservative party. We would have called them the Red Dogs but that isn’t going to happen.
I imagine an impressive group of African-American GOP congressional candidates across the nation. Those candidates (many with nice credentials) are so busy trying to prove their far-right loyalty that they have minimized they opportunities with moderates. In swing districts, the electorate is equally divided among the Left, the Right and the all-important Center. New gains generated by the Tea Party Movement are counterbalanced by the Republican moderates who have been shown the door.
I want to explain something about national leadership and Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi. It’s clear that the GOP strategy for taking the House back includes labeling the Dems as a group of San Francisco-style liberals because Pelosi is Speaker. It might work but in reality, a national leader like Pelosi got there by listening to various segments in her party’s diverse caucus. Without question, her progressive/liberals views cannot run the national party agenda because the Blue Dogs would bolt for the GOP.
Oh yeah, I forgot that the GOP has moved so far Right (courtesy of Fox News) that moving across the aisle isn’t that simple or comfortable. I appreciate Chairman Steele’s honesty because truthfully looking at a situation is the first step toward real understanding and solutions. He would be a welcome addition to the center and should likely bring Charlie Crist with him.
While watching PBS recently, the “Battle for the Bible” on the Secrets of the Dead series had me thinking about the current political climate and the role of faith in government. Democrats aren’t all godless heathens and the GOP is not full of saints. Of course, we want leaders whose decisions are based on their faith and moral grounding. The last part of this great show mentioned Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which served as the foundation for the related provisions in the our Bill of Rights.
Watching this documentary online is time well spent because we should know the effort and process of translating the Bible into English.
The Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, 16 January 1786
Be it enacted by General Assembly that no man shall be compelled to frequent or support any religious worship, place, or ministry whatsoever, nor shall be enforced, restrained, molested, or burthened in his body or goods, nor shall otherwise suffer on account of his religious opinions or belief, but that all men shall be free to profess, and by argument to maintain, their opinions in matters of Religion, and that the same shall in no wise diminish, enlarge or affect their civil capacities.
In elementary school, my classmates who attended the Kingdom Hall made me proud when they stood by their faith by not standing and pledging alliance to the flag. I love the flag and the republic “for which it stands” but I also learned tolerance, diversity and understanding from watching and appreciating others. At the Methodist church, we studied Moses and his brother Aaron, the goldsmith who fashioned the golden calf while Moses was away receiving the Ten Commandments.
“You shall not make for yourself an idol…”
“You shall not bow down to them or worship them for I the Lord your God am a jealous God.”
“Take care not to make covenant with the inhabitants of the land to which you are going.”
Covenants, oaths, and pledges have always created fuzzy areas. In college, some students were uncomfortable bowing and pledging their loyalty to fraternal organizations in ceremonies that seems religious or sacrilegious because they were based on ancient cultures. Others saw swearing membership as joining the most noble knights or groups that defended the Christian faith like the Crusaders and the Knights Templar who secured the holy relics—I watch too much History Channel.
Ray Boyd, a candidate for Georgia Governor, recently declined taking a short loyal oath to the Republican Party–Democrats don’t have a similar oath. The discussion with my friends quickly turned to what is higher in a person’s commitment: God, family, state, nation, political party, race, gender, Georgia Bulldogs. Don’t answer that.
On matters of governance, GOP members puts party higher that the less-ridged Dems. The Red Team is always leery of anyone who hasn’t taken a blood oath in the basement of their meeting hall or a purity test. These tests are good news for the political middle because people push or prodded out are welcomed in the center and bring a fiscal fitness element to every discussion.
In the South, one of the most famous personal allegiance battles was General Robert E. Lee decision to turndown the command of the Army of the Potomac and side with his beloved Virginia. As a kid, I wondered how Black Vietnam vets must have felt when they returned to hometowns where their mothers could not drink from certain public water fountains and their kids could not swim in public pools. “My country tis of thee…Sweet land of liberty.” In my community, we favor the federal government over the state government for obvious historic reasons and angry talks of states’ right is naturally unsettling.
How far does one take a political party oath? If the members of the other party have valid legislative initiates, do you fight each and every provision for party sake or be fair for country sake?
In Israel earlier this year, it was clear that their faith was priority one and the same could be said for members of their faith living around the world. With Jewish history, that is understandable. How do people in America reconcile the mandates of their faith with the broader views of our nation? When followers of Islam attempt to create Muslim-based theocracy in the Middle East, we in the West get nervous but what happens when members of my faith attempt to do the same thing here. Those founding fathers could have made life easier by declaring a national religion.
And if you join a new political party, there will be a 12 month waiting period to ensure that you are not a mole, plant or spy. When I worked on Capitol Hill, we did not view Republicans as those who should be converted to our party. We respected their points of view because they represented a segment of our state. On the other hand, many on the Right govern by ignoring every other standpoint. That’s not cool or healthy.
I am the first to dub the coming Senate race in Georgia the “Mike and Ike” election. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond and U.S. Senator Johnny Isakson come from an era in Georgia politics where the first inclination was dialog and cooperation. That period is history and these two nice guys are generals in a rough political battle. Hot Tamales, Red Hots, Atomic Fire Balls, Jaw Busters, and Lemonheads are candies that better describe the current political climate.
“Now or Laters” seem to be Thurmond’s favorite candy because he has a reputation of make wise, calculated political decisions. At times, a leader must take one for the team and Georgia Democrats couldn’t let a newcomer face Isakson. I told the Senator he should get a pass for being one of the best Republicans in congress—Jon Stewart would say that is like being the skinniest kid at fat camp. As a moderate Democrat, I wanted to leave Isakson’s reasonable temperament and sizeable warchest out of the mix. One can speculate that an economic turnaround would be need for the Dems to do well this year and the Labor Commissioner taking about job creation and training helps the Dem ticket overall.
To me, the biggest problem with Isakson is his inability to convince other members of his party to embrace his logical, less bitter brand conservatism. We remember the Georgia GOP giving Isakson and Chambliss flack for simply negotiating with Democrat colleagues. Will the angry fringe of the southern GOP pull Isakson into their bitterness or will he introduce them to coolness. They better bring the coolness because Thurmond, Thurbert Baker and Sanford Bishop wrote the book on staying cool under fire—never let them see you sweat. I think both Isakson and Thurmond put Georgia’s best interest above party bickering.
My conservative African-American friends (all both of them) think Democrats should be afraid of Palin in 2012. Rep. Paul Ryan, Senator Johnny Isakson and Mario Rubio are the policy-based conservatives who if cloned would be the real concern. Could we please turn our attention back to Palin. For Dems, it is fortunate that the GOP often emulates the wrong folks.
For reading this long babble, you should treat yourself to some old school “candy” music. Is Cameo’s Candy better than LL Cool J’s? Real candy, like political campaigns, isn’t good for you, has little nutritional value and lacks the substance of policymaking –stick with Georgia-grown fruits and vegetables.
A recent PBS documentary on President Andrew Jackson fascinated me. Jackson was a strong president who shaped this youth nation. We know his views on slavery and his actions toward Native Americans make my head drop. Who knew that his final words on his deathbed were “Oh do not cry. Be good children, and we shall all meet in Heaven..I want to meet you all, White and Black, in Heaven.”
A slave who was at Jackson bedside asked another slave if she thought he made it into heaven. The slave responded that she could not imagine them keeping him out. I wonder what position or role Jackson thought Blacks would play in heaven. My homeboys would joke that Jackson assumed Blacks would be there since servants would be needed. There is a song from my childhood called “If Heaven ain’t A lot Like Dixie..Then I Don’t Want To Go.” Hank Williams Jr. got me thinking but I better leave that alone.
On his deathbed, General Stonewall Jackson’s last words were “Let us cross over the river, and rest under the shade of the trees.” After the battles of this life, rest can be sweet relief.
One more Jackson comes to mind, Mrs. Mahalia Jackson’s classic “Trouble of the World” from the film Imitation of Life. Mrs. Jackson is the Queen of Gospel music but some people don’t know that she prompted Dr. Martin Luther King to end his March on Washington speech with parts of a speech she had heard him give in the past. She said, “Tell them about the dream, Martin” and the rest is history.
In the film classic Purple Rain, Morris Day’s character laughed at Prince’s father attempted suicide. Day’s band The Time (the best band ever) walked pass Prince’s dressing room singing, “let’s go crazy…let’s get nuts.” Of course, the Prince song “Let’s Go Crazy” starts with the line “when you call up that Shrink in Beverly Hills—Dr. Everything Is Going To Be Alright—instead of asking him how much of your time is left…ask him how much of your mind.” I love the part that says “And if the elevator tries to bring you down..go crazy…push a higher floor.”
Some political observers see the Tea Party Movement as folks gone crazy while others see them as fed up good citizens. I ask my TPM friends how can they question the legitimacy of the Obama presidency when I never question W Bush (Bush v. Gore, Weapons of Mass Destruction, spent surplus.)
With any large movement, you have intent and methods. You have the core and the fringe. The TPM basically has sound concerns (as President Obama repeatedly states) but the methods of their fringe are sometimes Machiavellian or the End Justifies the Means. I attended the Million Man March and dug 90% of the message but knew that I would bounce out the second I heard any hate speech. As a congressional staffer covering judiciary issues, my Saturday afternoons were spent listening to rallies on the National Mall for and against gun control and abortion. It seemed like the right thing to do—I was paid to listen to all sides.
Quick…name a leader with whom you agree 100%. Now name one you disagree with 100%. It’s a big person who admits that the loyal opposition has a right to govern if they win fair and square. Moderates and centrists are encouraging to me because we take elements of both sides into policymaking. I have some close friends who are very conservative and I constantly ask them why they want to govern with a “winner take all” mentality. They have no problem saying that they should govern that way because they are 100% correct—and we thought Kante West had the biggest ego.
I think I owe Rev. Jeremiah Wright a sincere apology. Rev. Wright, I am sorry for punking out on you during the drama. Come on now, we have all said wild things or attended events where a few statements were questionable. But, the speaker or movement were fundamentally well-intended. At different times, every member of the Georgia congressional delegation said something they wish they didn’t say…oh, they meant it but wish they didn’t say it.
Rev. Wright gets leeway because he is a senior and a veteran. In the South, there is no telling what Black or White seniors might say and we understand because they are from a different time. The funny thing about Black nationalism is that the principles of self-determination, limited governmental involvement, achievement, shame and community are actually similar to the far-right. For example, Al Sharpton and Newt Gingrich have found that they are singing from the same hymnal on education reform.
I wonder if the same people who said President Obama should have walked out of Rev. Wright’s church if he heard one questionable word think people should leave a Tea Party behind one word or bad poster. President Obama and I would say find the common ground, seek positive dialog and solutions, and at the appropriate time point out that some of the rhetoric was straight nasty and counterproductive.
Toward the end of Purple Rain, Morris Day knew he was dead-ass wrong for joking about mental illness and a guy’s family problems but he redeemed himself by cheering for Prince’s grand finale. If Obama is successful, will the Tea Partiers acknowledge it? No, they will say did it was bought with our grandchildren’s money. Did the Right admit that Clinton’s budget actions were great? No, they don’t roll like that.
Purple Rain ended with Prince’s “Baby Im A Star.” I wonder if young Barrack Obama listened to this album, watch the movie and told his crew that he was going to be president because he “wasn’t gonna stop ‘til he reach the top.”
Project Logic Ga 