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March 31-April 6, 2010

JACKIE BERG

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BANKOLE THOMPSON

Senior Editor

CORNELIUS A. FORTUNE

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JOHN H. SENGSTACKE

Chairman-Emeritus 1912-1997

LONGWORTH M. QUINN

Publisher-Emeritus 1909-1989

Page A-6

March madness in Washington

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick Hansen Clarke Glenn Plummer

Readers have their say

Editor’s Note: The 13th Congressional

District is opening up to be an interesting race this year. Incumbent Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick has filed for reelection and she will be facing two challengers, Pastor Glenn Plummer and Sen. Hansen Clarke, who had yet to file at press time. The following is reader reactions to an interview with Plum- mer during which he denied being a Repub- lican even though he was invited to keynote the Republican National Convention in 2004 and voted to give George W. Bush’s a second term in office. The interview was conducted by senior editor Bankole Thompson.

Following are excerpts from what Chroni- cle readers are saying.

Plummer’s slimy answer

Wow, he sure knows how to mince words.

Bankole, did you have to wash the grease off after shaking this guy’s hand? He seems arro- gant and, frankly, the race issues that bedevil the Metro Detroit area are so deep-seated and socially ingrained that to think a congressman can get elected and change that is absurd. I don’t think he gave one specific idea, just po- litical generalities. “The bigger question is, “Aren’t you a republican?” Slimy answer. Slips right in one ear and out the other. – Linda C

Vote for change

Many are focused on name recognition along

with past agendas of others that have held posi- tions in which they have made little or no dif- ference. We are now living in a different soci- ety, era and time that denotes someone when making quality sound decisions that affect the lives of many; to make them with accountabil- ity and responsibility. We must know undoubt- edly these elected officials have what it takes to bring about the right changes you can trust. It is time out for electing people just because you can remember their name when it comes time to vote, but to genuinely know this is the right person to bring about the right changes for the community. It is time for a whole new approach when it comes to the government and decision making.

With that being said I, with assurance can

say Pastor Glenn R. Plummer brings to the table the right values and ideas with integrity. Pastor Plummer’s concerns are for the city of Detroit and its constituents. He is someone with fresh ideas to bring about a marked dif- ference in the 13th District, changes that have been long overdue. The last time I checked it was business as usual in the 13th District. It is time for that change to take place and Pastor Plummer is that person, having a real passion and love for a city along with drive towards a change for that city and more specifically the

13th District. —Selena Turner

Another arrogant moral leader?

What I don’t want is another arrogant person

with a moral agenda telling me why he is great and why he should be telling me what to do. This is what Plummer seems like in this inter- view, although I admit I have never seen him doing anything or heard of him before. What I do want is Hansen Clarke to represent me in Congress. I have seen Hansen working in the district and his agenda is obviously delivering what the constituents want. He cares what ev- eryone has to say and he is accessible. When you ask him for help, he actually does some- thing. He is as far from arrogant as a person can be. I find him to be trustworthy and honest and I don’t think I have ever said that about anyone in politics before. I will be voting for Hansen Clarke. – Ted F.

No more Kilpatricks

Carolyn’s days in Congress are numbered.

Bu-bye, Carolyn. The voters are looking for honest politicians with class and integrity and Carolyn, you ain’t it. – Deshanique Jones

Plummer will work for the people

Using his civil liberty to address the Repub-

lican National Convention demonstrates his poise, buoyancy and flexibility. Pastor Glenn R. Plummer has the experience to reach across political, social, economic and cultural bound- aries. The opportunity to be keynote speaker at the Republican National Convention shows his willingness and ability to develop relation- ships across party lines. It also shows his aptitude, capacity and gift to communicate and work with various levels of governmen- tal officials which is needed to obtain and acquire votes from fellow congressmen and women on both sides of issues and party lines.

Pastor Plummer has also established inter- national relationships with high ranking gov- ernmental officials, and has traveled abroad to various countries which gives him a deeper understanding of the complexities of govern- ment operation. He has served as president of the Christian Broadcasting Organization and is the CEO of CTN. All of his past experience demonstrates his character, ability and elastic- ity. His life experience gives him an advantage on those in office and those running for politi- cal office. It is a quality one will find in most if not all successful or aspiring individuals. Pastor Glenn R. Plummer will work for the

people. – Mr. Keeling

Plummer an opportunist?

First of all, the Republican Party gave him

an opportunity that a true Democrat (someone who is in touch with the issues/problems that working class people face) would have refused and frankly not even offered. Nevertheless, Plummer seized the opportunity to keynote the Republican National Convention. Secondly, you have to question his judgment because he voted for Bush not the first time but the second time? We don’t need a congressperson that will go to D.C. and convert back to a Republican. Hansen Clarke is a man that fights for the peo- ple’s issues and that’s why he has my vote on Aug. 3, 2010. – Jack Johnson

Who is Plummer?

I agree we need real change in this district.

Weed out the corruption and arrogance of cur- rent sitting elected officials! We deserve better. I think Hansen Clarke would be the most honest choice here. – Ben Carter

Watch out, Kilpatrick and Plummer

Change is coming and it’s coming in the

form of Sen. Hansen Clarke! He’s a taxpayer’s politician. He is the right guy for the job and mark my words, this is a racehe can win. Watch out, Kilpatrick and Plummer! – Eastside D

Plummer: stay in church

I don’t know who Rev. Plummer is. I agree

that he should stay in church. Hansen Clarke, I do know. – Moore Tif

If Plummer is Republican

Hansen Clarke for Congress 2010! Sen.

Clarke will win on Aug. 3! He’s got the sup- port and the resources needed to win this race. Can’t wait to cast my vote for him. He offers the right kind of change that is desperately needed in Congress. Plummer comes across as extremely arrogant in this article. Also, if he’s Republican, he has no chance of winning! Last time I checked, the 13th District is Democratic and will remain that way. Also, Mr. Bankole Thompson, please publish an interview with Sen. Clarke sometime soon! He would be much more interesting to read about and has a pleth- ora of great ideas for bringing change and re- newing faith and trust in this seat. — Sarah

Cohen

Plummer is a product of the religious right wing

Mr. Thompson, thank you for nailing Glenn

Plummer by asking him tough questions. I’m so glad you pushed him to admit in the inter- view that he voted for President George W. Bush even though from the interview I can tell he was uncomfortable with your questions. This guy is a product of the religious right wing machine and he thinks he can just cruise into office like that. Where was Plummer’s judgment when he voted to give the worst president, George W. Bush, a second term? This shows how some of our Black preachers like Plummer have sold their soul for money, especially faith-based funding from the Bush White House. Plum- mer does not deserve to represent us in the 13th District. Plummer is the kind of person who will get in Congress and switch parties to please his religious right wing friends whose work historically have always been opposed to the interests of minorities in this country. He should be called out. Plummer cannot run from his right wing record and activities. — Nicole

Johnson

By George Curry

March madness, the fran-

tic round of tournament show- downs to determine which team will emerge as the top college basketball unit in the nation, has nothing on the Capitol Hill madness that occurred over the weekend.

Outside the domed delibera-

tions over health care, so-called Tea Party protesters shouted the N-word at several African- American congressmen, includ- ing John Lewis who was brutal- ly beaten in Selma, Ala. as part of the Selma to Montgomery March.

When Lewis told some pro- George Curry

testers that he supported the health care measure being voted on in the House, marchers taunted him, saying: “Kill the bill, nigger.”

“They were shouting, sort of harassing,”

Lewis told the wire service. “I’ve faced this before. It reminded me of the ’60s. It was a lot of downright hate and anger.”

Some of these lunatics are out of control. Can

you imagine the national reaction if an African- American protester spat on a White member of Congress in public and called him or her a racial epithet? Michael Steele, Chairman of the Republican National Committee, and several GOP leaders in the House have denounced the abhorrent actions on Saturday, but were quick to characterize them as “isolated incidents.”

The venom was not isolated to African-

American lawmakers. Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass.), an openly gay

member of Congress, was called a “homo” and a “faggot.”

But the rancor was not limited to a few “iso-

lated incidents” outside the Capitol. Democratic Rep. Bart Stupak of Michigan

threatened to vote against the health care bill until President Obama agreed to issue an exec- utive order maintaining the current federal ban on the use of federal funds for abortions except in the case of rape, incest or when a mother’s

life is threatened. When Stupak urged Democrats to reject a Re- publican anti-abortion amend- ment, someone from the Repub- lican aisle yelled, “Baby killer!”

The March madness over the

newly-signed health care law will probably carry over into the November elections as Demo- crats and Republicans seek to prove that they reflect the posi- tion of most Americans.

The 178 House Republicans

unanimously voted against the health care measure, which passed 219-212. On the Demo- cratic side, 34 voted no, includ- ing five who supported health care reform when the House first passed it on Nov.7.

Obama has launched a series of high-profile

events around the country to increase support for the legislation. Meanwhile, Republicans plan to continue using the newly-passed health care law as a political issue.

The venom expressed over the weekend

shows no sign of abating. The website gawker.com carried the head-

line, “Right-Wing Bloggers Demand Apology From Lawmakers Called ‘Nigger’ By Tea Party- ers.” It noted that conservative blogger Glenn Reynolds posted the following comment: “Does (Rep. James) Clyburn Owe Tea Party Protest- ers an Apology? The bogus racism card has been played so often that I no longer find such charges very credible. I’m sure, however, that, true or not, they’ll be played much more loudly than the indisputably true statements about the antiwar movement.”

Referring to Black lawmakers who were

called the N-word, conservative blogger Ann Al- thouse wrote, “It’s outrageous for them to pose as victims without very good cause. So what if some idiot said a bad word?”

First, it was more than one idiot. Second,

more than just a bad word was uttered. But none of that matters in March madness. Let the games begin.

George E. Currycan be reached through his Web site, www.georgecurry.com.

Racism is a pre-existing condition

By Julianne Malveaux

When the House of Representatives passed

health care reform, they made history. Never mind that the victory was a narrow 219-212, with 31 Democrats deserting their party on this vote. Never mind that not a single Republican voted for health care reform. It was about time that the myth of bipartisanship bit the dust, about time President Obama shrugged of the role of conciliator and healer, embracing his mandate as change agent instead.

The passage of health care reform is the

first improvement in the social contract in a generation. It is a victory for President Obama, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA), Majority Whip James Clyburn (D-SC), but mostly for the American people.

To be sure, the legislation is imperfect.

To paraphrase the President, it is not radical reform, but it is reform. While we will not have universal health coverage, about 95 percent of the population will be covered, up from 83 per- cent now.

Congress will have the possibility of amend-

ing current legislation to expand it, so that, in time everyone will be covered. This compro- mise reflects compromises in other social con- tract legislation, such as the minimum wage, which excluded private household workers and farm workers. Eventually, these workers were also covered by labor standards legislation, al- though the struggle continues to treat these workers fairly.

It occurs to me that the very Tea Party pro-

testors who so strongly protested the passage of health reform might be prime beneficiaries of it.

After all, the racist and homophobic epithets

showered on Congressmen Emmanuel Cleaver, Barney Frank, and John Lewis were a reprehen- sible example of the biases that many in the Tea Party bring to the table. They aren’t so much against health reform as they are against folks they chose to describe in words Congressman Clyburn says he had not heard since the ’60s. Their language reveals the origins and intent of the Tea Party movement. It also suggests that these folks need a health care intervention.

Racism is, after all, a disease. For these Tea

Party members it is a pre-existing condition. My tongue is only partly planted in my cheek when I suggest that these folks need every pro- vision of this new health reform legislation to get the mental health services that they need to overcome their racism. It cannot be healthy for people to work themselves up into such frenzy that they spit on legislators and shower them with epithets. Congressman Emmanuel Cleaver (D-MO) is a more magnanimous soul than me.

Julianne Malveaux

From my per- spective,

the

spitter should have

been

prosecuted to the full extent of the law.

The Tea

Party ugliness does not de- tract from the victory.

ever,

It does, how- remind

us of the fal- lacy of post- racialism, and the rigidity of Tea Party at- titudes. In the wake of the vir- ulent Tea Party racism, some of the leaders attempted to distance them- selves

from

the worst of the nonsensical Tea

Party behavior. Republican National Commit- tee chairman, the ambiguously Black Michael Steele, said the racism could be narrowed to “just a few ignorant people,” not the whole movement. Why is Mr. Steele making excuses for these people? Does he doubt that they call him the N-word too, when they can’t run rough- shod over him?

Congressman Clyburn called health care

reform “The Civil Rights Act of the 21st centu- ry.” His wording reminds us that no civil rights legislation was passed without extreme resis- tance. No doubt, epithets were tossed around when the Civil Rights Act of 1964 was passed, and diversionary tactics were used to attempt to sway votes. No step toward social justice has been made without resistance. From that per- spective, the Tea Party resistance is completely consistent with history.

At the same time, the tone and tenor of Tea

Party resistance reminds us how much more work we must do before our nation truly be- comes “post-racial.”

And it reminds us how much help racists

need. Perhaps, thanks to heath care reform, they can get much-needed mental health assis- tance to help with the fatal pre-existing condi- tion — virulent racism.

Julianne Malveaux is president of Bennett

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