When leaders at the highest levels challenge the patriotism and birthplace of President Obama, it dishonors the presidency and sows the seeds of fear, hatred and potential violence in our nation.
When George Wallace blocked school doors and southern governors convinced some segments of our community that America's honor was at stake, some fought back with terror, bombed churches, and killed freedom marchers. Oftentimes they wrapped their justification in Biblical philosophy.
These days will live in infamy, as the scenes of our elected representatives shouting, "you lie" and "baby killer" echo inside the halls of Congress. We've stooped too low when protesters begin hurling the "n" word at African American congressman, and start making direct and indirect threats at representatives who supported the historic health care legislation.
These and other radical statements from members of Congress, conservative talk show hosts and "protestors" are drawing ideological lines -- states' rights versus federalism, harkening back to the cultural lines drawn over the civil war and modern civil rights movement. They revive our worse fears and divisions.
The irony is that those inciting the fear and leading the charge, themselves have comprehensive health care, paid for by the people. Yet, they seek to deny this same health care insurance for nearly 50 million Americans without any coverage at all. Many of the opponents of health care legislation come from states that have the most uninsured people and whose people are most at risk.
And many protesters who are now engaged in this angry and fear-inspired opposition will be first in line to receive the new health care benefits.
Congressional leaders and objective news sources must be immediately and unequivocally denounce the escalation of threats and the inciting of violence against public officials and their offices. Acts of violence are inexcusable and are federal crimes, and cannot be tolerated in a democratic society. We call on the federal, state and local law enforcement officials to take appropriate action.
Furthermore, shaking down White companies for millions in the name of 'diversity' and 'minority representation' is NOT my idea of uplifting Black people. THAT'S why we get no respect in the world, because of you.
It is my hope that you will step down from your 'anointed' position as 'Black Moses' and for once in your life, see the collective good of us all as better than your own petty personal gain.
http://www.amazon.com/Shakedown-Exposing-Real-Jesse-Jackson/dp/0895261081/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1265312657&sr=1-1
http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=20782
http://97.74.65.51/readArticle.aspx?ARTID=14579
Ignore this tactic.
Don't k i l l the messenger.
I was born in July 1968, less than a month after RFK was assassinated & just a few months before MLK, Jr. was gunned down too. I can't imagine what my parents must have thought of having a child be born into that. The Vietnam War was escalating & more American troops were being killed everyday. JFK had been assassinated 5 years before that. I can't imagine how devastating that had to have been for anyone that was alive at that time.
I've heard people call the 60's "the assassination generation". Which seems more of an apt description than all the "Peace, Love & Groovy" that we always here about.
But the 60's did have an impact in giving people equal rights through the Civil Rights movement. People protested against the War, helping to end it. The memories of the Kennedy's & MLK lived on & their "dreams" sometimes became reality.
But the chaotic atmosphere & rancorous invective of the T-party seem intent on destroying any hope of being a unified nation. Can't there be a civilized way of having a debate anymore? I don't want to see the devolution of the U.S. happen right in front our eyes when we all know it doesn't have to be that way.
Even the weather was underground, which made buildings explode. I like my panthers to be pink but some prefer them the color of night.
It sad but Benton Harbor still erupts occasionally, leaving burnt homes and cars in its wake.
A violent time to grow up. Has there ever been a non violent time in American History?
I am a registered independent and not on either side.
But I have seen this before in propaganda. Those people are bad, so its ok to not like them, better yet hurt them. How about those "evil doers" that bush talked about?
To gloss over the truths of the civil rights and anti war movements (which were violent from both sides), and to compare them to what is happening today to vilify a minority group for speaking up for what they feel are their rights seems kinda silly to me.
To paint that time period as if on one side all protests were peaceful "Freedom Marches" and the other side was all violence is akin to Nixon saying "I am not a crook".
There are some of us that remember that time quite well.