NO QUARTER » Tavis Smiley

i’d like to say…

American Girl in Italy — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 18:45:05 +0000

Watching the Obama supporters last night, with tears streaming down their faces, their screaming, clapping, dancing and fainting, I have to admit I was a bit emotional myself. I appreciate what this means to African Americans, you could see it on their faces. Juan Williams cried through his whole commentary.

And, as opposed to an Obama presidency as I am, I still hold dear, and respect and value the Office of the Presidency, the symbolism of that office. These kinds of things make me weepy, as does the National Anthem. I can’t help it.

And, although many of you might disagree, I am not bitter, or angry. I am just interested, opinionated, and involved, and I supported and voted for someone else. But as much as I can understand what this means to his supporters, it is unfortunate that what this year meant to those who supported Hillary Clinton or John McCain and Sarah Palin, wasn’t understood.

I’d like to say that I think Obama transcended race, and is truly a new kind of Politician. But, then I remember the number of times people who opposed him were called racist. I can’t forget the Clinton’s painted as racists, her supporters, then Palin, and McCain themselves, as well as their supporters. I can’t forget the number of times I was called racist on my blog, or online from the very first day.

I’d like to say that as I watched Michelle on stage last night, that I felt pride that she will be our first African American First Lady. But, I can’t forget the times she said she was for the first time, proud of her country. A country that afforded her an Ivy League education, a country where her family prospered and excelled. I can’t forget her saying that America is a mean country. I can’t forget when she said that she would have to think long and hard before she would support Hillary, should she be the nominee. I can’t forget when she said that *if you can’t run your own house, how can you run the White House*, such an affront to women everywhere.

I’d like to say, as I watched those adorable two girls on the stage last night, the opportunity that lies ahead of them, and all young women. But then I couldn’t help think of the attacks on the children of Sarah Palin. I couldn’t help think of the attacks on her, her 17 year old daughter, and Hillary Clinton, and her female supporters. I can’t forget the public acceptance of the effigy of Sarah Palin, or the Clinton Nutcrackers, or the Sarah Palin is a cunt t-shirts, or the many, many sexist attacks. I couldn’t help remember the nasty comments coming from the left that she should have aborted Trig.

I’d like to say, as I watched the supporters, running through the streets celebrating, that they deserved it, that they worked hard, and put up an honest fair political fight. That they just wanted it more. But then I couldn’t help think of the personal attacks on me, from the day I typed *I support Hillary*. I can’t forget the anonymous personal attacks, and death threats and worse, left on my blog, for discussing the race. I couldn’t help but watch the crowd, and think, “are they someone who called me a whore or a racist c*nt?” I can’t forget the caucus fraud that was witnessed all over the country in the primary. I can’t forget the attacks on African Americans who didn’t support Obama. I can’t forget that someone told Soldier4Hillary that they hoped she died in Iraq, because she supported Hillary. I couldn’t help think of the Black Panthers I saw, in Philadelphia standing in front of the polling place, threatening voters. I can’t forget the death threats on Tavis Smiley for criticizing Obama. I can’t forget the Super Delegates who received death threats for supporting Hillary.

I’d like to say as I watched Hillary and Bill cast their vote yesterday that I believe they supported Obama. But, I can’t forget what Hillary said during the primary, questioning Obama on Rezko and Ayers, and Wright. I can’t forget the constant insults from Obama about the Clinton presidency, and Hillary personally, and professionally. I can’t forget Biden, Edwards, Dodd, and more, tell the American people that Obama is not ready, and not tested. I can’t forget his refusal to release his Senate records, his college transcripts, or his passport.

I’d like to say, as I saw Obama standing there last night, in front of a wall of American flags, giving his speech, that he truly loves America, and is a man of his word. But I can’t forget his excuse for not wearing the Flag pin, and then his political expediency in wearing it. I can’t forget the photo of him not placing his hand over his heart during the National Anthem. I can’t forget the photo William Ayers standing on the American flag. I can’t forget his refusal to release his birth certificate, something that was demanded of Mccain.

I’d like to say, as I watched Obama vote for himself as President yesterday, that I appreciated what an out of body, overwhelming experience that must have been, the pride and excitement he must feel. But, then I saw William Ayers go into the same polling booth, as did Farrakhan. I was reminded of what Obama did early in his career, to get to this point, who he considered appropriate to associate with, to befriend, and to partner with to further his political career. I can’t forget how he exposed his opponents in Chicago, and personally attacked them, to get them removed from the ballot. I can’t forget how he ran his Chicago Districts and his dealings with Rezko, and the state of despair his districts are in. I can’t forget that he didn’t leave that church.

I’d like to say that as I watched him walk to the podium, to give his acceptance speech that he worked so hard, and that he earned this. But I can’t forget what little he has actually accomplished. Yes, he ran a good campaign, he spent more days campaigning then he has ever held a job. I can’t forget all the articles I have read, about his start in the Chicago Senate, and how he was handed bills, to further his career, how his mentor carried him, made himself a Senator. I can’t forget the articles I read how Obama would catch Dodd or Kennedy in the halls and cling to them as they went to present bills, and adding himself to their accomplishments. I can’t forget that he has campaigned longer then he has actually served in the Senate. I can’t forget how he himself said, in 2004 that he was not ready.

I’d like to say, as I saw him standing there, that the people have spoken, and the best man won. But, I can’t forget the thousands and thousands of fraudulent voters registered, the buses of homeless and drug addicts that were driven to the polls. I can’t forget the Obama supporters who have been caught voting twice, the people on the streets saying they voted multiple times, the overseas ballots that have been tossed out. Those four delegates. I can’t forget the actions of the DNC and how they treated the Clintons. I can’t forget the efforts to shove Hillary Clinton from the race.

I’d like to say that as I saw him standing there, and even as I listened to him, and was moved to tears, that he deserves it. I couldn’t help think of the man that did not win. A man who has courageously served his country since he was 17 years old. A man who fought, and almost died for his country. A man who spent five years in a prison in Vietnam, at the same time one of Obama’s neighbors and friends was bombing the Pentagon, and Capital. I couldn’t help remember that Obama gave a book review to Ayers, whose other book was dedicated to the man that murdered Robert Kennedy.

I’d like to say that, although my candidate lost, I trust that Obama will follow through with his promises. But I can’t forget the broken promises he has already made, and the lies that he has told - looking into the eye of the American people. I can’t forget the sliding numbers for his tax cuts.

I’d like to say that as I was watching McCain give his concession speech, that he lost after a good fight. But I can’t forget that McCain couldn’t even fight. His every move, every attempt to put up a good fight was chastised in the media, screams of racism were thrown at him. Even having to fight his own party. As I watched Sarah Palin standing behind him, I couldn’t help think how close we were to having a woman in the White House. As I watched her fight back her tears, I couldn’t help think of all that she has accomplished in her life, being only two years older then me. I can’t forget all the disgusting insulting attacks thrown at her, and how she stayed strong. I can’t forget all of the attacks coming from so called feminists, and how far this election has set us back, as women. And apparently, we really have not gone that far. I can’t forget members of her own party calling her a cancer. I can’t forget the attacks on her and her family, a sitting Governor who has served the people of Alaska, who was asked to join the Republican ticket. The respect I felt for McCain and Palin standing there, moved me to tears. He is a true American Hero, and his service to his country should never be forgotten. I can’t forget the attacks I have read, from the left, on his service.

I’d like to say that Obama is truly a man who was supported by the American people. But I can’t forget the broken promise to accept campaign finance. I can’t forget the millions of dollars of overseas money he as illegally accepted, the millions he has had to return, the unchecked prepaid credit card donations. And his refusal to release the donor list. I can’t forget the millions he has raised and spent, and the promise he broke to get there.

I’d like to say that Obama will be for all people. But can’t forget the personal attacks on Joe the Plumber and anyone who opposed Obama. I can’t forget his pandering to Christian Conservatives in some states, including the gay bashers, his opposition to gay marriage, or his refusal to speak out against the sexist attacks on Clinton and Palin. I can’t forget that Obama pays his female employees less than the men. I can’t forget his double talk regarding Israel. I can’t forget his is associations with Farrakhan, Wright, Khalidi, Meeks, Moss, Dhorn, Ayers, ACORN.

I’d like to say that Obama will help the economy. But I can’t forget his share of the responsibility in the collapse of Fannie Mae/Freddie Mac. I can’t forget all of the experts telling us how his spending and proposals are going to add trillions in more debt. I can’t forget that he is second only to Dodd, in his two short years in the Senate, for taking money from them.

I’d like to say, as I watched the members of the media praise him, and talk about what a great story this is, that I think it is. But I can’t forget the attacks that they launched on Hillary Clinton, Sarah Palin, their supporters, and Bill Clinton as well. I can’t forget their utter failure to do their job, to report the facts, not to create the story. I can’t forget their complete and utter bias. I can’t forget their cover ups, and failures to vet this candidate. I can’t forget their personal attacks on an average citizen.

I’d like to say that this proves that America is not racist. But I can’t forget that 95% of the African Americans voted for Obama. For half of the country, their opposition to Obama was not about race. It was his judgment and his character. It was his policies. And for conservatives, it was everything he and his party stands for. White Americans, Democrats, embraced him. He won cross over votes. But those who didn’t vote for him didn’t do so because of his skin color. But those who did?

I’d like to believe that when Obama said that *out of many, we are one* that were true. But for those who did not support him, from the first days of the primary, were told to for example *keep the fuck out of my country* were treated anything but.

I do understand what this means to his supporters, to African Americans, and to people around the world. I do. As I said, I could see it in their tear streamed faces. And it saddens me that I can’t share gleefully in this moment in history.

As much as I want to welcome this idea of change, this new age of politics, this giant step for mankind, this great leap of faith, this huge movement forward in race relations in America, I just can’t forget how we got to this day.

Will Obama live up to *the promise*? As they say, time will tell.

And as far as the DNC now controlling all three branches?
Gird your loins my friends, gird your loins.

Kobe, R. Kelly…Obama?

iam0nly1 — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 22:08:01 +0000

I am a major contributor at DoneDems.com. “DONE” stands for “Democrats Over Nominating Elitists.”

Once again, I am in the minority. While I stood and still stand as a member of the 18 million strong majority of Hillary Clinton’s supporters, I represent an infinitesimal minority as a member of the less than 10% of African Americans who did not vote for Senator Obama. In this peculiar, yet familiar position, I find myself reflecting on the current state of race relations as it applies to the candidacy of Senator Barack Obama.

I have been shocked and saddened by the leeway and passes, concerning transgressions no non-black person would be permitted, that the black community, by and large, has given to Senator Obama, all in the name of “the struggle” (read: getting him elected). He has been allowed to blatantly discriminate against religious and ethnic groups.

Had it been McCain or Hillary doing the same to African Americans, there would have been outrage, and justifiably so. However, too many brushed it aside as “something he has to do to get elected.”

Senator Obama was allowed to defame the black church by conflating it with the racist rants of Rev. Wright in order to save his political career, and the majority of the black community acquiesced, some nodding their heads, others looking the other way.

Senator Obama has been allowed to ignore our community on several occasions.

A few of us got upset and spoke out, but were quickly silenced with threats and intimidation. I’m sure we all remember how Tavis Smiley spoke his mind:

And then, this happened:

Tavis Smiley, the bestselling author of the “Covenant With Black America,” is in a world turned upside down. He said he’s being “hammered,” “barbecued,” and is “catching hell” from black Americans for suggesting that Sen. Barack Obama (D-Ill.) made a major mistake by declining to speak at the State of the Black Union event that Smiley plans to host next week in New Orleans.

“There’s all this talk of hater, sellout and traitor,” Smiley said to me in a telephone interview. Smiley even mentioned getting death threats, but wouldn’t elaborate. He said his office has been flooded with angry e-mails. “I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It’s getting to be crazy,” Smiley said.

…

For Smiley, the tumult is a major turnabout. Until now he was a darling commentator in black America. His passion for the people endeared him to many. People listened to his commentaries on the popular Tom Joyner Morning Show, and snapped up so many copies of the “Covenant” that it made the top ten lists of the both the New York Times and the Washington Post. When Smiley talked, black people listened.

“One of my friends said, ‘you are being barbecued in the blogosphere,’” Smiley said. He told Black America Web writer Michael Cottman’s that “I’m catching hell.” In our interview, Smiley said: “This is the first time in my entire career that I have found myself in this kind of relationship with some folk in black America. I now know what it feels like to have the weight of the Internet world bearing down on you. Man, it’s an eye opener when you get caught in the middle of it.”

In the same breath, Tavis Smiley, a man who has endeared himself to our community and worked and spoken out on our behalf, is called a sell out for not unquestioningly supporting Senator Obama, a man we hardly know, who’s “credentials” with the black community pale in comparison, but Obama is praised and passionately protected for essentially selling us all out to get elected. Something isn’t adding up.

Currently, I believe too many of us in the black community are painting Senator Obama as someone and something he is not. Senator Obama is not a champion of the black community. I’m hard pressed to find one African American supporter of Senator Obama that can name one thing he has done for the black community, other than give a speech or two (for his own political gain) and run for president. None of which have anything to do with us as a community.

I’ve heard African Americans say, “Well, he’s trying to achieve Martin Luther King Jr.’s dream.” This, to me, is the ultimate disrespect and perversion of Dr. King’s dream.

Dr. King didn’t march, suffer abuse, get arrested and die so that Barack Obama, or any person of color for that matter, could be president. Dr. King was not so shortsighted. He fought for equality, for equal opportunity, so that all would be judged “not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character.” Dr. King fought so that if a woman or man of any color or creed were worthy and deserving of the presidency, then they would not be denied due to ignorance and prejudice.

Today, too many African Americans are simply judging Barack Obama by the color of his skin, and not by the content of his character, much less the depth of his achievements and length of his resumé.

There is no need to pretend that this is not the case for many (not all), for when we are in “friendly” company, the truth comes out. One woman looked me in the eye and said, point blank, “I’m voting for Obama because he is black. Why shouldn’t I? I’ve been voting for white men all my life.”

A friend of mine apparently had an African American male at a restaurant tell her, “A vote for anyone else is a vote for slavery. Obama ‘09 [sic]!” I know black Republicans who vehemently disagree with Obama on all policy issues, but are voting for him and have the audacity to chastise me for not supporting Obama and claim I’m “forgetting the movement.” That many of us feel this way is sad, yet understandable, but not tolerable.

If voting for Senator Obama isn’t about race, why have I been called an “Uncle Tom”? Why have I been called a “race traitor”? Why have I been called a “house n*gger”? Why is the harshest treatment of “dissenters” reserved for those of us of similar pigmentation to Senator Obama? It’s best we are honest with ourselves.

For all of the racism (yes, that is what it is) festering within the black community, the paranoia surrounding non-black racism (termed such because Hispanics, Asians, Native Americans, Jews, etc. are being rampantly accused of racism as well. “White racism” does not begin to encompass the range of accusations) has reached fever pitch.

Many are and have been arguing that calling Senator Obama inexperienced is racism; recalling the truths that many of us believe that we must and often do have to be twice as qualified, if not more, than white candidates in order to be chosen for the same position. Academic studies bare out the truth of this, and the same truth for women of all colors competing against men.

Too many claim, loudly and directly, that any person, who is not African American who chooses not to support Senator Obama does so primarily due to racism. Yes, there are individuals who will not vote for Senator Obama because he is half African, but there are also people who refused to vote for Senator Clinton because she was female, and there are still some who will refuse to vote for Senator McCain because of his age (African Americans are not the sole targets of oppression). But these people do not make up the majority of voters. The majority of them voted for Senator Clinton, not against Senator Obama and vice versa.

Most importantly, for the overwhelming majority of those who did not vote for Senator Obama in the primary, and for those who will not do so in November, racism was not and will not be a factor.

I have written all of this because I believe we are at an important impasse. The way our community, and the American citizenry at large proceeds from now on will determine the trajectory of race, gender and generational relations for decades to come. I have thought for a long time about how to express an empathy but also a gutteral disagreement with the aforementioned sentiments as they apply to Senator Obama.

During my thoughts, my mind stumbled upon a memory of an episode of one of my favorite political satires, The Boondocks. The particular episode deals chiefly with R. Kelly, the allegations against him, and the reaction of the black community. As R. Kelly has recently been acquitted on all counts of child pornography, this episode holds even more relevance for the current time. Moreover, I find humor is often the best way to deliver the toughest message.

[Disclaimer: The Boondocks is a show aimed at political commentary and social satire of race relations, specifically as they apply to the black community, seen through the eyes of some in the black community. As such, while the following clip contains some offensive language, it should be viewed through the lens of satire and critique. Also, at roughly 2:00 in the video, it seems the original uploader has inserted music that is not original to the episode. Please disregard it.

Lastly, I will not respond to claims of "racism," concerning the video clip, in the comments (as a black woman, frankly, I am tired of them, and am fully capable of recognizing and critiquing racism when I see, exhibit or experience it). If you can't handle political satire, perhaps you should not be on the internet.]

For me, Huey’s speech (the young man with afro), beginning at 2:21, is the part I find most relevant and most in sync with my current viewpoints regarding Senator Obama and how many in the black community view him. Huey’s speech is as follows:

“What the hell is wrong with you people?!? Every famous n*gga that gets arrested is not Nelson Mandela. Yes, the government conspires to put a lot of innocent black men in jail on fallacious charges, but R. Kelly is not one of those men. We all know the n*gga can sing.

But what happened to standards? What happened to bare minimums? You a fan of R. Kelly? You wanna help R. Kelly? Then get some counseling for R. Kelly! Introduce him to some older women. Hide his camcorder. But don’t pretend like the man is a hero…and stop the damn dancing! Act like you got some G*d damn sense, people! Damn! I’m through playing around here!”

Huey, as our protagonist, speaks truth to power. I believe his general sentiment can be translated to the current situation within the black community regarding Senator Obama and his candidacy.

Every black man that runs for office is not a saint, nor a victim. It is not our responsibility as African Americans to vote for him, protect him from legitimate criticism, or turn a blind eye to his glaring short comings because of a coincidence of pigmentation. Yes, there is racism in our society.

Yes, many African Americans and other ethnic minorities, as well as women, have been qualified for positions, only to be told to work harder as they were passed over for a white, or younger, or male (or all three) lesser experienced individual. Yes, the United States Federal Government, state governments, and local governments, have propagated injustices, and continue to propagate injustices against African Americans.

Yes, many, including Republicans and Democrats have used dirty tricks, back room deals, and racism as a weapon against a plethora of candidates, black, white, female and male, robbing them of their ability to achieve and to serve.

But Senator Barack Obama is not one of those candidates. We all know the man is a decent public speaker. We all know he is the first candidate of color to come this close to attaining the presidency.

“But what happened to standards? What happened to bare minimums?” If you are a supporter of Senator Obama, and want to help him, then instruct him to go back to the Senate for a few years, at least serve his first term, and gain some experience. Introduce him to some non-radical non-domestic terrorist, non-racist and non-anti-semitic preachers, and non-convicted on 16 of 24 counts of corruption friends! Help him form a platform and a record, and teach him not to change his position on an issue every time he goes to a new state or switches from primary to general election mode. But do not pretend like he is above reproach, a saint, or a messiah. And stop covering up for him or threatening and intimidating those who disagree with you. He is a politician!

And please, stop the chanting and fainting. It’s creepy.

Obama Supporters Burn Tavis Smiley at the Stake

Sugar — Wed, 16 Apr 2008 01:58:13 +0000

I’ve been out of town visiting my family for the past several days, and it’s for the best that I haven’t had the energy to blog, because I needed to let the news about Tavis Smiley resigning from the Tom Joyner Morning Show truly soak in and marinate before I came here to vent. There is a lot of speculation about why he is leaving the show, but he says in a statement released on Friday:

“Contrary to what has been suggested, I have decided to clear some things off my plate so that I can devote my time and attention to some exciting and empowering projects.”

I don’t know if this statement is true to word, but if I were him, I would have resigned because I was sick and tired of the death threats, tired of the completely unfounded insults and just damn tired of trying to make a people see some of the most basic necessities of survival. Examine your surroundings and assess the situation… Other groups are doing it. Do you think any number of organizations that have endorsed Obama have done so without at least attempting to make sure he has their interests at heart? Do you think they haven’t requested, in many cases, and received some sort of idea as to how he feels about their issue or cause?

But, the majority of African-American Obama supporters are in a sick fog of emotions that convinces them that it is okay for him to ignore our issues while campaigning–because after all, we’ll all be going down the Soul Train Line and doing the Soulja Boy and the Electric Slide at the Inaugural Ball after he wins and it will all have been worth it in the end…….silly, silly fools.

Tavis never once said a negative word about Obama. Not once. He merely cautioned Black America to truly examine him along with the other candidates and not simply hand him our votes just because he is Black. I believe that’s only common sense, considering the fact that most African-Americans don’t even know who Obama is [hell, who does???]! They only see his skin tone and that’s more than enough for them. If Colin Powell had run, even though he’d more than likely have run as a Republican, at least we know who he is. Same for that kook Alan Keyes. We know who those guys are. But Obama, this flash in the pan, does not deserve unquestioned support. The mere idea is unconscionable to me.

Even in the comment section of the previous post here, some idiot calls this little water cooler in the blogosphere the Uncle Tom Network. Probably hasn’t read a single post outside of the NO-bama posts, but feels comfortable enough to call this the Uncle Tom Network. The ignorance is palpable. In a Washington Post article Saturday, Roland Martin, that fat stooge, says this about Tavis Smiley’s resignation:

“You have to expect to get heat the moment you decide to offer critical comments about politics or social issues,” Martin said. “You have to be tough enough to take it.”

Added Martin: “For a long time, Tavis was used to people applauding him for taking tough stances. . . . This was the first time he had taken a position that flat-out ticked off his core audience. But [criticism] comes with the territory.”

It’s one thing to “criticize” with concrete examples of why you believe a person is wrong in their view. It’s quite another to simply say that someone is “hating” or to call them an “Uncle Tom”. Oh, that’s right. They couldn’t exactly say, “Look at all of the work Obama’s done as Chairman of that Senate Foreign Relations Sub-Committee,” because he hasn’t done a damn thing. They also couldn’t say, “Look at how well he organized those neighborhoods and looked out for minorities in Chicago,” because we should all know by now that he and his pal Rezko sold those folks up the river and let a number of his “constituents” freeze their asses off in the dead of winter due to political expediency. Those were Black asses freezing might I add.

Tavis, keep your head up. I can only imagine what you have been going through, seeing as how you’ve been trying to slap some sense into millions of folks on a weekly basis. I’m sure you will come out on the other side of this even stronger than you are now. Tom [Joyner], you are as much to blame for this as your listening audience. You guys sat in that booth and had some great laughs at Tavis’s expense over the past few months when if anybody, Tom, you should have been the voice of reason. There will be a high price to pay when this is all said and done. A very high one. So, let me go ahead and issue a collective, “kiss my ass” to all of you Obama supporters who will wake up soon with one helluva hangover, wishing you hadn’t drank that kool-aid…..regretting how you’ve wronged so many.

Sugar N Spice

One Must Show Up to Heal Racial Divides

NoQuarter — Tue, 18 Mar 2008 15:12:25 +0000

While Barack Obama has dodged and weaved his way through the the politics of race — pretending he never heard the hate-filled, anti-Christian, racist remarks of his pastor for 20 years — Hillary Clinton has actively sought out African Americans:

LOOK at who shows up. From my February 23, 2008 story, “This is Ignore-The-Blacks “Shrub” Behavior, Barack“:

You’ll recall how, for years, President Bush has “shined on” invitations to speak at the annual NAACP convention, only this last year finally addressing the hugely influential, historic national organization. Now Barack Obama is “shining on” the national “State of the Black Union” founded by Tavis Smiley, and being carried LIVE on C-Span today. It is not insignificant that Smiley chose New Orleans for his annual gathering.

Who is the ONLY candidate — Republican or Democrat — who accepted Smiley’s invitation? Hillary Rodham Clinton, who speaks live to the group in a few hours, reports CNN. …

… I’m listening now, and it’s truly fascinating — they just introduced major Hollywood director Jonathan Demme.) Barack Obama? CNN reports that Obama declined and offered to send Michelle, but Smiley told him that sending a surrogate is not enough and turned him down. Obama said he’s too busy campaigning in Texas and Ohio to bother with the national convention on black issues. That “bamboozler.”

CNN International sums up the controversy in “Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union“:

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

Sen. Hillary Clinton is the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation

Sen. Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign

Talk show host Tavis Smiley: It’s a missed opportunity on Obama’s part

Smiley tells Washington Post he’s gotten angry e-mails, threats for criticizing Obama

By the way, Tavis Smiley has been subjected to extraordinary attacks and pressure for daring to support Sen. Hillary Clinton. I read about it at MyDD, and am glad that CNN repeated the story today. …

Read all of “This is Ignore-The-Blacks “Shrub” Behavior, Barack.”

Saturday Night Live Alert!

NoQuarter — Sun, 02 Mar 2008 03:00:00 +0000

There was a strange wire story earlier that Hillary Clinton had ditched her press corps and plane, and that she’d “disappeared.” A couple of my pals were worried. Where was she? Was she alright? Both Mark Halperin and CNN have picked up the rumors:

CNN: “Live from New York, it’s Hillary Clinton?” Halperin at his blog, The Page, for Time magazine: “LIVE FROM NEW YORK … IT’S..!!! Clinton ditches press corps and heads for…. Developing….”.

And here’s Jack on Hill. (How many times has Nicholson been on SNL?)

Did you miss last week’s SNL? Watch it here: “Bamboozlin’ Obama Lampooned Big Time on SNL (Videos) [UPDATED x2]”

ALSO: Catch “Geraldo” tonight on FOX News (reairs at 9pm and 1am PST). He does an extended interview of PBS host Tavis Smiley. As you know, Smiley held a national convention in New Orleans last Saturday. Smiley invited all four presidential candidates. Only Hillary Clinton made the effort to come to New Orleans. She spoke briefly and took questions. Smiley’s remarks on “Geraldo” (Fox News) are must-see TV.

And here’s Princeton professor Cornel West at that national conference, on Barack Obama and who he has become answerable to:

This is Ignore-The-Blacks “Shrub” Behavior, Barack

NoQuarter — Sat, 23 Feb 2008 14:55:25 +0000

You’ll recall how, for years, President Bush has “shined on” invitations to speak at the annual NAACP convention, only this last year finally addressing the hugely influential, historic national organization. Now Barack Obama is “shining on” the national “State of the Black Union” founded by Tavis Smiley, and being carried LIVE on C-Span today. It is not insignificant that Smiley chose New Orleans for his annual gathering.

Who is the ONLY candidate — Republican or Democrat — who accepted Smiley’s invitation? Hillary Rodham Clinton, who speaks live to the group in a few hours, reports CNN. (I’ll keep tabs and will update this post to let you know when she’s about to speak. BUT, I’m listening now, and it’s truly fascinating — they just introduced major Hollywood director Jonathan Demme.) Barack Obama? CNN reports that Obama declined and offered to send Michelle, but Smiley told him that sending a surrogate is not enough and turned him down. Obama said he’s too busy campaigning in Texas and Ohio to bother with the national convention on black issues. That “bamboozler.”

CNN International sums up the controversy in “Obama takes heat for skipping State of the Black Union“:

STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

Sen. Hillary Clinton is the only major presidential candidate to accept invitation
Sen. Barack Obama told organizers he needed to focus on his campaign
Talk show host Tavis Smiley: It’s a missed opportunity on Obama’s part
Smiley tells Washington Post he’s gotten angry e-mails, threats for criticizing Obama

By the way, Tavis Smiley has been subjected to extraordinary attacks and pressure for daring to support Sen. Hillary Clinton. I read about it at MyDD, and am glad that CNN repeated the story today.

Now, this is not an all-pro Hillary event. Michael Dyson is now speaking. He is, best I recall, an avid Obama supporter. [UPDATE: Now Jesse Jackson is speaking, and he is a Obama supporter (somewhat "tepid," though I've read), and his son is a national co-chair of Obama's campaign -- although Jesse Sr.'s wife is an avid Hillary supporter, and did a commercial for Hillary.] Smiley has no intention of making this about one candidate. He invited ALL of the candidates. Huckabee too. More from CNN International:

“I think it’s a missed opportunity on Mr. Obama’s part,” Smiley told CNN. “Now, I am not interested in demonizing him for his choice, but I do disagree with it.”

But Smiley’s criticism has also prompted many people to come to Obama’s defense. The talk show host told The Washington Post he has been inundated with angry e-mails and even death threats.

“I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It’s getting to be crazy,” Smiley told the newspaper.

Think about that: Crazed Obama supporters searched nationwide for the phone numbers of Smiley’s elderly mother and his brother, and called them with harassing threats.

(It’s hardly a surprise to me, and everyone else who’s dared to criticize Obama. The hate mail, the nasty and sexist attacks in comments. They’re unbelievably and cruelly immature. This is MOB POLITICS. And it’s rank with bamboozling.)

It’s important to note, again, that Smiley selected New Orleans to give the struggling city support:

He will be busy despite Obama’s absence. Some of the nation’s top black activists and politicians attend the State of the Black Union.

Smiley said he picked New Orleans as the 2008 host city to highlight the continued plight of its residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“We owe it to them, those who survived, those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives,” Smiley said. “We owe it to them to raise these issues louder than ever.”

Again, it’s on C-Span.org and on your TV’s C-Span channel. Stay tuned for Hillary!