So embattled Illinois Governor Blagojevich thinks he can pull a fast one on America by nominating a black man to replace President-elect Obama in the U.S. Senate. Blago is confident that Illinois black folks will accept this scum-ball move, and it looks like he has got some takers.Congressman Bobby Rush admonished the public not to ‘lynch or hang’ the Governor’s pick, Roland Burris, simply because of the allegations hanging over Blagojevich. Come on now, such incendiary language is only designed to slam the race card onto the table, while striking fear into the hearts of any white person who would dare to object, and risk the R-label.
Well blacks are not taking the bait, so white folks can just put down their broad brush. Burris is an untarnished public servant who deserves more than the damage of this association, yet he has foolishly invited it upon himself. His former good name cannot shield him from Blago’s pimp. If Burris wants to aid the Governor’s antics, he will have to pay the consequences.
Obama has called for Blago to step down and withdraw from this distracting gamesmanship. Some blacks will certainly call Obama’s position expedient to pleasing whites, and this is an accusation the incoming president should expect. On the other hand, I am happy to see blacks just say no to the race card, understanding that using it to further advancement only sets blacks back.
James C. Collier
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Technorati Tags: Acting White: Blago’s Lame Pimp, Just Say No, Blagojevich, Roland Burris, Senate, Indictment, Acting White
"Playing the race card" isn't something Dems do just for the sake of black voters; the prevailing wisdom says that anyone who opposes a black candidate is racist - that's why Burris was appointed.
ReplyDeleteDennis, I agree that all who oppose black candidates are not racists. But I will add that all who claim racism are not frauds. Behavior, based on race (I know you dislike the word), is like an iceberg, more hidden than seen. Happy New Year!
ReplyDeleteJames, I've been reading you for the past half hour or so and I find myself greatly appreciating your blog and in accordance with most of your views. I should acknowledge of course the fact that as a "race-realist" I have a bias in favor of finding myself in camaraderie with select African Americans so that I can compliment myself on that pure intellectual honesty that tends to judge people not by the color of their skin but by the content of their character. The issues of race tend to skew ALL of our perspectives, regardless of how hard we try to be intellectually honest and accurate in our assessment of things so I have a hard time knowing if I'd bother to write this note if you were a standard issue white guy rather than a black guy, but regardless of whether I'd have bothered to write, I think I can quite confidently say that I'd be equally in accordance with most of your views, equally as interested in your posts and and equally appreciative of the fact that you're another one of the good guys - and intellectually honest guys - with a blog.
ReplyDeleteCheers,
mnuez
P.S. As one who regards it as quite likely that different races of people have different average calibers for "success" in the modern capitalistic world (with Jews having the greatest average caliber and, say, pygmies having the lowest), it would seem to me that the only solution to prevent certain peoples AND CERTAIN INDIVIDUAL PEOPLE (of any race) from suffering greatly in our society would be to increase the socialization of the economy as well as to downplay the importance of "success" to the extent that anyone whose philosophy is to "get rich or die trying" would be considered sadly insane rather than brave, laudable and a role model to the masses of humanity who happen NOT to be rich. I believe that our society's values are sick being as they BY DEFINITION can only reward a very small percentage of the populace. The solution then for raising the social status and improving the lives of people who are less inherently capitalistically capable does not lie in any more "feel good" stories, whether from The Secret or from seeing a man with a similar hue occupying the Oval Office but rather from a redefining of the borders of success.
mnuez: thanks for your thoughtful response. As for solutions, redirecting values of a society is a tall order, especially if it extends them beyond short-term selfish interest. I too wish 'success' carried a more broad defintion. My goals are more humble, to have black interest become more comprehensive to the results the group claims to want, equal participation and contribution. To do so blacks must embrace certain behaviors and shun others, also a tall order for many. Visit anytime./JC
ReplyDeleteExcellent post Mr. Collier.
ReplyDeleteI do not understand why Mr. Burris doesn't see that he should have turned down the nomination and let the system sort out this mess.
Blago is an embarrassment to Chicago and Illinois and Burris should have the character to realize any link with Blago is negative, especially this one.
I think you are right on the money with what Blago is trying to do. It's unfortunate that this scumball (Blago) had to become such a big story just as Obama is taking office. This should be a time for optimism. It'd be great if Blago followed Obama's advice and just went away.
ReplyDeleteWell, how can anyone trust any politician who came up through the cesspool of Chicago politics -- you have to know that they are all corrupt. Lots of them are involved in shady real estate deals, and who knows what else.
ReplyDeleteOh, wait, I forgot, sorry, never mind... I guess we all luv and trust Chicago politicians now...
Well, here it is a couple of months later and we see that this Chicago politician, Burris, turned out to be a perjurer. This is not only criminal, but worse, it is stupid, as he knew that the FBI had transcripts.
ReplyDeleteImagine my surprise!
Interested in any followup thoughts you might have...
To whatever degree, large or small, that Mr. Burris perjured himself, he should be prosecuted. He does not belong in public office, IMO./JC
ReplyDelete