My job, as I see it, is to look through the kaleidoscope of media sources and find that one juicy little tidbit that they thought they could slide by you. The little one liner that they knew they had to mention, but hid halfway through their piece. The story buried on D12 of your local newspaper or the angle they were hoping you wouldn't think about. For the most part, these little hunks of gold are hard to find, hidden among the dirt clods of crap they serve up.
But this one I've been waiting for with baited keyboard.
It was a great year for the Democratic party. Against all odds, they captured the House and Senate away from the evil Republicans and daylight will finally shine on the shady dealings of the Bush Administration. I couldn't be happier. I love divided Government. When these idiots start trading accusations against each other and blocking each others pork, our government runs cleaner and closer to the middle ground than at any other time. But most importantly, we get a good look at what these rats have been up to when they answered to no one. I'm not just picking on Bush here, it's true no matter who has complete control. Their backers figure there's no more excuse, and dammit we won't our paybacks for the millions we invested in you bums. So the pork is shoveled in every direction.
The biggest news this time around is the appointment of Nancy Pelosi (D-SF, Cal) to Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ms. Pelosi is now the first female Speaker in history and the media is tripping all over each other in an effort to find yet one more angle to report on. This is a great thing in my eyes. The sooner all these "barriers" are torn down, the sooner we can get on with the business of electing people based solely on merit. I'm not saying Ms. Pelosi isn't qualified, she is. I just want to move forward. My congratulations to all woman everywhere, it is a huge victory.
Now for the fun part. While the media was celebrating this history making moment for women, another far more sinister event was taking place in the other House of Congress. With nearly no fanfare, buried deep in your newspapers, ignored by all but a few conservative bloggers, Robert Byrd (D-WV) shuffled his way into the fourth highest position of our government. The Senate President Pro Tempore, leader of the Senate and third in line of succession to the Presidency. (For more on Senator Byrd read my past piece,"Why Are Democrats Still Supporting An Ex-KKK Member") So what's the big deal? Ol' Bob Byrd is the biggest disgrace left in our government. Ol' Bob, at 89 years of age, has had a long and checkered history of holding black people back. Starting with his membership in the KKK as a recruiter no less, and leading through 50+ years of blocking every advancement black people have tried to make. He opposed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and every black nomination that fell before him. While the Democrats celebrated a monumental moment for women, they kicked black people square in the nether region.
And Nothing was said.
Not by all the black activists, not by Michael Moore, and not even by the Republicans.
While this pitiful disgrace to all white people took his throne, we were distracted by all the fanfare and backslapping in the Media about the Dems regaining control and Ms Pelosi's barrier breaking. Take a look at how both Michael Moore and CNN barely mentioned it at all. The Washington Post mentions him in this piece, but says nothing about his becoming the new Senate leader. People, I can not stress enough how utterly pissed off this makes me. I DO NOT CARE how many times this man has apologized for his past deeds. I DO NOT CARE how old he is or how much seniority he has in the Senate. He should have never been in such a position of power to begin with. I have to believe that I can never look a black person in the eyes and tell them honestly that we have moved forward as long as this vestige of a dark time sits there unpunished. I wince every time I see his face or hear his name. For moving the ball forward for women I applaud the Democrats, but for the stab in the back that they gave the black people of this country I give them these four words.......for shame, for shame. H.C.
But this one I've been waiting for with baited keyboard.
It was a great year for the Democratic party. Against all odds, they captured the House and Senate away from the evil Republicans and daylight will finally shine on the shady dealings of the Bush Administration. I couldn't be happier. I love divided Government. When these idiots start trading accusations against each other and blocking each others pork, our government runs cleaner and closer to the middle ground than at any other time. But most importantly, we get a good look at what these rats have been up to when they answered to no one. I'm not just picking on Bush here, it's true no matter who has complete control. Their backers figure there's no more excuse, and dammit we won't our paybacks for the millions we invested in you bums. So the pork is shoveled in every direction.
The biggest news this time around is the appointment of Nancy Pelosi (D-SF, Cal) to Speaker of the House of Representatives. Ms. Pelosi is now the first female Speaker in history and the media is tripping all over each other in an effort to find yet one more angle to report on. This is a great thing in my eyes. The sooner all these "barriers" are torn down, the sooner we can get on with the business of electing people based solely on merit. I'm not saying Ms. Pelosi isn't qualified, she is. I just want to move forward. My congratulations to all woman everywhere, it is a huge victory.
Now for the fun part. While the media was celebrating this history making moment for women, another far more sinister event was taking place in the other House of Congress. With nearly no fanfare, buried deep in your newspapers, ignored by all but a few conservative bloggers, Robert Byrd (D-WV) shuffled his way into the fourth highest position of our government. The Senate President Pro Tempore, leader of the Senate and third in line of succession to the Presidency. (For more on Senator Byrd read my past piece,"Why Are Democrats Still Supporting An Ex-KKK Member") So what's the big deal? Ol' Bob Byrd is the biggest disgrace left in our government. Ol' Bob, at 89 years of age, has had a long and checkered history of holding black people back. Starting with his membership in the KKK as a recruiter no less, and leading through 50+ years of blocking every advancement black people have tried to make. He opposed the Civil Rights Act, the Voting Rights Act, and every black nomination that fell before him. While the Democrats celebrated a monumental moment for women, they kicked black people square in the nether region.
And Nothing was said.
Not by all the black activists, not by Michael Moore, and not even by the Republicans.
While this pitiful disgrace to all white people took his throne, we were distracted by all the fanfare and backslapping in the Media about the Dems regaining control and Ms Pelosi's barrier breaking. Take a look at how both Michael Moore and CNN barely mentioned it at all. The Washington Post mentions him in this piece, but says nothing about his becoming the new Senate leader. People, I can not stress enough how utterly pissed off this makes me. I DO NOT CARE how many times this man has apologized for his past deeds. I DO NOT CARE how old he is or how much seniority he has in the Senate. He should have never been in such a position of power to begin with. I have to believe that I can never look a black person in the eyes and tell them honestly that we have moved forward as long as this vestige of a dark time sits there unpunished. I wince every time I see his face or hear his name. For moving the ball forward for women I applaud the Democrats, but for the stab in the back that they gave the black people of this country I give them these four words.......for shame, for shame. H.C.
12 comments:
Ha! Yeah, there's little doubt that Rob Byrd is an ass, but the status of President Pro Tempore is largely a representative (and almost ceremonial) & holds very little power. It's not treated as being newsworthy because, well, it almost isn't, & besides, those of us that are intrigued by politics already know the absurdity that is Robert Byrd. I'm much more worried that Dubya might choke on his tongue (or foot) one day & leave Dick in charge of this country.
-n
Hey Nic,
I'm impressed, your one of a very small percentage of people who even know what the President Pro Tempore does. And you are right, except for setting the agenda for the Senate, he does very little. The position was created basically for the line of succession. That doesn't mean we shouldn't be pissed that the Dems promoted someone with his past. Remember,the Vice-President also has very little function, but I don't want a racist in that position either.
Good comments and observations on Byrd ! The Democrat's dirty little secret is that most of their old timers were BIG RACISTS. Gore's old man,George Wallace. Amazing thing thing about the Dems,they co-opted the Civil Rights movement and never seem to have to answer for it.Of course they have everyone else's money to toss around to cover the facts. Lots of money covers grievous sins.
Btw H.C. try to make an apperance on THELAUNDYROOM sometime,we would love to have you as a guest/
Hey John,
Love your show. Welcome aboard. For those of you that don't know, John runs a great website on Youtube called the Laundry Room with his friend and fellow commentator, Larry. You can find them at http://www.thelaundryroom.us/ it's a great site for us politically-minded surfers or for someone that just wants some laughs. I would love to be on with you guys John, just give me a heads up on the subject matter or when you would want me. Thanks for dropping by.
Hey H.C.
John here,from the Laundryroom. Hey leave a message at the Laundry room's number. You can chose the subject you want to talk about . You are doing a great job on your blog! Your writing is great,and of course ,you know, I agree with most what you have to say! I am glad you found a forum for your views .
And seriously,leave message with a number where you can be reached so we can set up a time and also so we can tell you where our "studio" is. Thelaundryroom number is 810-471-4252. Hey,call if you want to rant about something you can call that number and rant away.We will play it on the Internut radio thing we have going too. Just tell us if you want it played or not.Take it easy H.C. and happy blogging. John
Thanks John,
I'll be leaving a message as soon as I figure out what would be a fun topic. Tell Larry I love his stuff too, you guys make a great team.
I think the funny thing is: so many people have been using buzz words like "redemption" that they'll not only allow a historically-remembered bigot like Byrd to continue serving, but he'll also continued to get re-elected (even by black folks).
As much of a proponent as I am to giving second chances (and sometimes, third, fourth, fifth...seventy-eighth), I question whether Byrd's changes reflect a change in his personal idealogy or if they're merely the product of progressive social changes.
I'm not inclined to say "once a bigot, always a bigot." But I'm also not inclined to let allow his previous acts to go unchecked.
H.C
Heads up! the Laundryroom now is no more. Me and Steve Brewer now are doing STUDIO1714 . Same sort of approach;two guys chatting ,joined with guests and surprizes. And H.C,we still want you honor our humble studio when you have the opprotunity. Phone number is still the same. Feel free to bring along someone who you think would like to talk too. Any friend of yours will be welcome . Have a good one, John
Hey Dre,
I hate to say it, but I doubt Byrd has really changed at all. I'll bet he grinds his teeth every time he sees a black person in a position of power. Tens of thousands of lightning bolts hit the earth every day. why can't one hit Ol' Bobby Byrd??
Hey John,
I'll leave a number whithin the next few days. I've been kicking around some subject matter. A few ideas: Why isn't Richard Armitage being charged? (in the Scooter Libby thing) How can Liberals believe in Global Warming and still think rebuilding New Orleans is a good thing? Is Gov. Granholm the worst Gov. in the U.S.? Why are they doubling the Hunting Licenses in Mich. when we just passed proposal 1 giving the DNR more money? But, I'll talk about anything you want.
H.C.
Any and all of the aformentioned. Me and Steve want to hear from as many folks on as many subjects as we can. We want you to get more notice because your blog is filled with something which is quite rare these days,COMMON SENSE. Looking forward to hearing from you, John
You are right on my brother!
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