SAM CURTIS: THE SAME OLE SCHICKADY: A Divided House/Party

During the Civil War, Abraham Lincoln said, “a house divided cannot stand”.   Neither can a political party.  We are now approaching the end of the Presidential primaries, and the Democratic Party is divided amongst racial lines.  It appears that the super delegates will decide the Democratic nominee, barring any cider house rules that may be enacted to give the Clintons their way on the Michigan, and Florida votes.

The focus continues to be on Jeremiah Wright who went on a press junket last weekend delivering what has been described as his version of the modern day Bert Williams minstrel show causing Barack Obama to denounce him.    I did not see Reverend Wright so I can’t say whether his actions were worthy of being considered minstrel.  I do know that Reverend Wright is a citizen of this country, and as such, he is entitled to his opinions and delivery thereof to the press in any fashion within the law, regardless of whether you and I agree with them or the timing of them.  I would also like to say, that I have no problems with minstrel shows.  They have their respectful place in history in a post World War I society that saw it as clean and decent comedic entertainment.

Speaking of entertainment, our former poet laureate Maya Angelou said that when a person shows you who they are, you should believe them. 

Hillary Clinton has lied about her visit to Bosnia.  Now using Reverend Wright out of context sermons, she is playing on the fears of many white Americans in her racially motivated mudslinging.  We must also add the photo of Senator Obama in African garb her campaign circulated to infer that Senator Obama may be Muslim.  She is now snuggling with the usual suspects trying to portray herself as fair and balanced.  Clinton’s appeal to racist white folks who consider themselves as only being worthy of being called Americans has set civil rights back beyond the Brown decision.  Her scary actions are an affront to African Americans, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, and the Jewish faith.  During the Holocaust many Jewish people and their supporters lost their lives because German citizens who were experiencing difficult economic times supported Hitler who pointed the finger at Jews for the poor economic conditions and appealed to the citizens fear in gaining power.  In this very country, Japanese Americans were placed in Interment camps.

We are now experiencing harsh economic times here in the US.   People are loosing their homes, and gasoline is at an all time ridiculous high.  Many Americans are without health insurance, therefore foregoing medical exams, which could detect and prevent serious health problems.  Far too many Americans have to decide whether to buy food, gasoline or medicine. 

Barack Obama was successfully addressing these issues, which is why he is ahead in the votes and delegates.  Obama is not using fear tactics.  Knowing the malicious consequences, which were demonstrated during WWII, he is trying to unite the country as one to make the necessary changes that will put this country back on a course of prosperity, peace and safety.  Now because of the Clintons do and say anything bid for the White House, he is faced with having to address questions about Reverend Wright’s sermons.  These sermons demonstrate Reverend Wright’s views, not Senator Obama.

I would like to say to the super delegates and DMC chairman Howard Dean, Reverend Wright is not running for President.  Hillary Clinton is the candidate who has demonstrated that she will stop at nothing to get this nomination including dividing the party.  Democrats need the black vote to beat John McCain in November.   Hillary Clinton will not get this black vote if she is given the nomination without being ahead in the votes and delegates.   She will not get this black vote if John Dean changes the rules about Michigan and Florida.   She will not get this black vote because of her malicious race baiting campaigning.  Nor should she get the vote from Jews, Latino Americans, Asian Americans, Native Americans and the rest of the African Americans in this country.

Hillary says she is for change, but her action shows that she is for the same ole schickardy.  Take Maya Angelou advice and believe what she is showing you.