Subj : Re: Democracy Explained to Kids To : Lee Lofaso From : Bill McGarrity Date : Wed Sep 04 2013 22:38:00 -=> Lee Lofaso wrote to Bill McGarrity <=- Hello Lee.... LL>>> You can find bad people in every neighborhood. Right-wingers LL>>> like to point out that Rev. Martin Luther King was a troublemaker, LL>>> a black man who spoke for a violent people, all of whom happened LL>>> to also be black. No white minister would ever encourage white LL>>> folks to disobey cops and other law enforcement officials. There LL>>> is a reason why no Republican spoke at the Lincoln Memorial on LL>>> the 50th anniversary of Martin Luther King's "I Have a Dream" LL>>> speech. There is also a reason why no Republicans were invited LL>>> by the organizers to speak. BM>> Oh... none were invited? Sounds like you jumped on the O'Reilly BM>> ASSumed bandwagon. LL>> Former Republican Party Chairman Michael Steel made that announcement LL>> on MSNBC - not on FoxNews or Bill O'Reilly's show. BM> BM> But many members of the GOP WERE invited, including Sen. Scott and all the BM> GOP members of Congress. They all refused. O'Rielly went on-air and BM> stated there were no invites yet the next day he came with the "ASSumed" BM> rhetoric that none were when in reality they were. You see the way things BM> are done, invites go out. If the invited accepts, then a spot is created BM> for them to speak. If they decline, then other arraingements are made. BM> The spots guaranteed for the GOP were for the elite of the party, as it BM> should be. LL> On MSNBC, Chris Matthews made a statement that no Republicans were LL> invited. Michael Steel then corrected him, explaining how the LL> organizers of the event ran the show. Steel's explanation was, in LL> effect, the same as what you wrote. Chris Matthews opened his show with the following statement: "Contrary to popular belief, all Republican members of Congress, including Sen. Tim Scott (R-SC), were invited to at least attend the commemoration. All declined." Mr. Steele, when ask to eloborate stated: "Quite frankly, not showing up to that event yesterday to me was abhorrent.... to not be there in that moment, to look America in the eye and complete that leap, that forward progress for the American people, and to say to the African-American community, that we have made missteps in the last 50 years, but we stand here united with you in the journey forward in the life and times of Dr. King.” Later in the program Mr. Steele discussed Mr. Scott: “Yes, he was invited like every member of the United States Congress House and Senate, but if you have the only African-American sitting in the United States Senate and you do not ask him to speak at that event, then there is something wrong.” Mr. Mathews' reply: “Why didn’t the the party of Lincoln ask to come?” So therefore your recollection of the facts are a bit skewed. Now, if you want Mr. O'Reilly's take on things... He stated on his show while talking to Mr. Carville.... "no Republican or conservative" was invited to the event. Then further during the discussion... He even mentioned George W. Bush as an example of this unfortunate (but false) turn of events. "I do not know if he wasn't invited," guest James Carville said of Bush. "He wasn't," O'Reilly said. "No Republican or conservative was invited." Here's a video of his "Ooooopssss..." http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/bill-oreilly-march-on-washington-republicans_n_3837260.html He makes the statements at the 57 second mark. Here is the video of his apology. I do give him credit for at least making the statement, albiet half-assed. http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/08/29/bill-oreilly-apology-march-on-washington-error_n_3840169.html LL> Because no Republicans spoke at the event, it gave the appearance LL> that Republicans do not care about black folks, or about MLK's "I LL> Have a Dream" speech. Of course, appearances can be deceiving, as LL> it is silly to think that all/many/most Republicans are racist. BK>> The reality has been it isn't white or black, but haves and have BK>> nots. The haves have taken more from the poor black community BK>> than the poor black community ever got back. LL>>> For Republicans, it really is about white or black. It wasn't always LL>>> like that, but it is today. For example, George Romney received 30% LL>>> of the black vote as a candidate for governor of Michigan. Mitt LL> BM> Romney received 6% of the black vote as a candidate for president. LL>> That is how much the Republican Party has changed over the years. BK>>> Remember Mitt Romney's infamous 47%? LL>>> George Romney marched with MLK and the blacks for freedom. LL>>> Mitt Romney refused to speak at the Lincoln Memorial for the LL>>> 50th anniversary of MLK's "I Have a Dream" speech. What a LL>>> tremendous opportunity that was missed by Mitt Romney and the LL>>> Republican Party. Even Michael Steel admitted the GOP goofed. BM>> Agreed.... which only enhances their commitment to a segregated BM>> America (My reference here is poor [black & white] vs. the affluent.) LL>> Not all blacks are poor. Not all whites are rich. However, an LL>> economic argument can be made, and strongly supported. Bob Dole, LL>> as a candidate for president, tried to make that argument in LL>> reference to affirmative action, and actually had Bill Clinton LL>> on the defensive (and on the ropes). Dole's mistake was not LL>> having a viable plan of his own to replace affirmative action. LL>> Clinton managed to get up off the canvas, making a comeback LL>> by suggesting affirmative action needed to be "fixed" rather LL>> than "scrapped" - thus winning his bid for a second term. BM> BM> I wasn't talking about affirmative action. I am talking about the LL> alienation BM> and divide that is occuring through the GOP's deep corporate pockets. LL> Yes, BM> the Dems have them as well, but the Koch Bros/Norquist doctrine is alive BM> and BM> flourishing in the GOP. These "platforms" are designed to increase the BM> chasm BM> between the elite and the serfs. They speak of the Dems creating the rift BM> but if you look at the entire picture, the reason most people think this BM> icountry s turning towards socialism/communism is very simply explained, BM> AKorporate merika wants it that way. LL> I was using affirmative action as an example. For a deeper LL> understanding of how corporations interact among national security LL> and social welfare policy, you might want to read "Thinking Through LL> the Cold War", by David Jardin, free download from smashwords.com Thanks for the tip. I'll go read it. LL> Jardin shows the history of the RAND Corporation from the end of LL> WWII thgough the Cold War, and its interaction with government to LL> shape national security and social welfare policy making. Beware LL> it is a long read, roughly 207,440 words. I do know the RAND Corporation was formed to offer research and analysis to the armed forces after the war and although it's "non-profit", we all know when dealing with the "Defense Department" and their budget, competition among the for-profit corporations to push their "ideas" can be cut throat. BK>>> Well, since blacks make up only about 13% of the population BK>>> of this country, That leaves 34% to be white. LL>>> Cajuns make up a much smaller percentage of the population LL>>> than blacks, hispanics, or asians. Why this country wants to LL>>> identify itself by race is beyond me, as it is language that LL>>> defines a culture ... BM>> Agreed.... LL>> Black folks are more discriminatory of their own than any other race. LL>> There are dark-skinned blacks, light-skinned blacks, blacks who pass LL>> for white ... BM> BM> It's turning into survival of the fittest anymore. Wait, you'll see the BM> same BM> discrimination among whites when the jobs/wages don't keep up. It's LL> already BM> happened many years ago. When the Irish immigrated here they were BM> considered a lower species than the blacks. Every race (and yes, BM> nationality is considered a race, not just color) has had that issue. LL> Sure. Discrimination exists among all races, both within and between. LL> Andrew Young once said, "We are all racists and bigots." I tend to LL> agree with that view, with the caveat it is what we do (as individuals LL> and a people) to overcome that racism and bigotry that is important. LL> That was Andrew Young's real message, or what he was trying to convey LL> to others. You're right, we all have discrimination within us, and I agree with your assessment on the individual's road to overcome it is of extreme importance, but I'm not really talking about race, nationality or even religion. My thoughts are dealing with how for-profit corporations deal with growing rift financially between them and the masses. BK>>> Since even the 15% unemployment rate among blacks, or more BK>>> like 25% real unemployment rather than the fake numbers the BK>>> government uses, still means 25% of 13%. Or about 3 1/3% of BK>>> the population. That leaves about 45% out of 47% Mitt Romney BK>>> considers "takers" to be white. LL>>> Cajuns are not exactly the wealthiest folks in the world. And yet LL>>> most of them voted for the man with the red face. Probably because LL>>> they thought he was a crawfish. BM>> LOL.... irony as it's best... vote for the man who doesn't give a BM>> rat's ass about you. LL>> You have to remember - we boil our crawfish LIVE. :) BM>When is Jindal on the menu? LL> In the latest poll, Les Miles and Nick Saban are rated higher LL> than Bobby Jindal. Les Miles I can understand. But Nick Saban LL> is hated in these parts, pretty much on the same level as the LL> devil himself. Jindal should consider himself blessed that he LL> cannot run for a third consecutive term for governor. :) Then I rest my case about Jindal. Alabama #1 again? I bet I know who you were rooting for in last years title game... GO Irish!! ;) Bill Telnet: bbs.tequilamockingbirdonline.net IRC: irc.tequilamockingbirdonline.net Ports: 6661-6670 SSL: +6697 Radio: radio.tequilamockingbirdonline.net:8010/live .... Look TWICE.... Save a life. Motorcycles are EVERYWHERE!! --- MultiMail/Win32 v0.49 --- SBBSecho 2.20-Win32 * Origin: TequilaMockingbird Online - Hopatcong, NJ (1:266/404) .