You've probably heard the news that Ella Baker Center co-founder Van Jones stepped down from his post as Special Adviser on Green Jobs, Innovation, and Enterprise for President Obama this weekend. It's a dark day when attacks based in half-truths, full lies, and old news deny the nation its most talented advocate in the fight to rebuild our economy and combat climate change. While the Ella Baker Center family is deeply saddened by the smear campaigns of those who wish to sabotage our movement for an equitable, green economy, we are incredibly proud of Van, and we're inspired all over again by his commitment to what really matters: saving the planet and its people.
The attacks on Van were desperate attempts to distract people from what really matters: building a future that is green and just for everyone. Van recognized that, and it's critical that we all learn the lesson offered by the events that transpired over the last couple weeks. Our opponents are threatened by our shared vision, and they're not going down without a fight. And because the solutions we've crafted are gaining traction, our opponents must resort to fear-mongering and sensationalism to drown out important discussions about the real issues of the day. We can't let that happen.
Now, more than ever, we must redouble our efforts to create a green-collar economy that truly creates opportunity for all. Are you with us? Stand up and be counted, and show our opponents that their misguided attempts to derail our movement have failed -- click here.
Following Van's lead, we're staying focused on solutions that will unite communities and ultimately create real, lasting change in people's lives. The focus of Ella Baker Center has always been -- and will remain -- fighting for cutting-edge policies that lift people up rather than tearing them down. Our goal -- and Van's -- is simple: justice in the system; opportunity in our cities; and peace on our streets. We hope we can count on you to stand with us as we continue the fight.
Could you be more specific? What half-truths, full lies, and old news are you referring to? Signing the 'truther' petition was conjured up?
Was his statement about subtituting the posing for radical change different tactics to achieve radical ends some type of fabrication?
BTW, considering Mr. Jones' background, is there any record of him actually creating jobs of any kind by way of a business he owned or some type of enterprise where he hired somebody and met a payroll?
I'm just asking.
Van Jones once embraced communist ideas. These days he's more of a green capitalist.
The lie: Van Jones is a racist.
That one is just flat-out false and any perusal of the quotes which were cherry-picked to illustrate this will reveal as much. The man's kids are biracial FFS.
The old news: that he signed the 9/11 petition.
It's old news that Bush knew SOMETHING about the 9/11 attacks and failed to do act appropriately. I would also like to know more about why exactly that was. So would at least about a third of Americans. Polling data to back that up provided on request. It's also perfectly irrelevant to his qualifications for the job he was picked to do.
"green capitalist"? I thought his forte' was green jobs thru gov't programs. Tax money, y'know?
I normally associate capitalism with somebody that actually knows how to make a profit, green or otherwise.
Again I ask, what can anyone point to that he's coming with profit producing jobs?
No. it is old news.
All the rest you just made up.