Obama's Denunciathon

Yeah, I know there's no such word as "denunciathon", but how else do you describe Barack Obama's gutting of Pastor Jeremiah Wright? After Wright's performances this past weekend, Obama found himself in hot water again. Why? Why do ministers like Pat Robertson, John Hagee, James Dobson, and many more get away with slinging hate, but Wright becomes someone special?

Black America believes it knows the answer. Barack Obama should know, but he won't say it. For to acknowledge a double standard exists based on race would surely torpedo his "change" candidacy. The notion that white politicians can accept endorsements from clergymen who call another branch of Christianity "whores", but that Barack Obama must own the most incendiary remarks of Jeremiah Wright is a curious one indeed. For most black people, the idea that Obama's membership in Wright's former church is the difference (as any self respecting pundit will tell you) is splitting hairs at best.

At worst, it continues a tradition of racialist politics that should have died at the end of the 20th century. It won't because the media in America understands one thing very clearly. It's predominately white audience is uncomfortable with the idea of racial soul searching. It has been since the end of the 1960s. Therefore it's far easier to search the souls of black folks and ferret out what they see as racism, or in Wright's case, a race based lack of patriotism, even gratitude for the black experience in America. Besides, reversing the racial equation is money in the bank.

It may also mortally wound Barack Obama's candidacy for president.  

Voter Fraud or Voter Exclusion?

George W. Bush crafted the current makeup of the US Supreme Court for rulings like the one they handed down yesterday upholding Indiana's voter identification law. It was a splintered, 6-3 ruling that some voting experts say won't have a great impact on presidential voting. Yet it comes little more than a week before that state's presidential primary. 

We know that Republicans argue for such ID laws, which require a photo identification in order to vote. They point to the need to root out "voter fraud", but usually present no evidence such fraud actually exists. That was pointed out in one part of the split majority decision of the court. Yet the back and forth over whether individual states can require photo IDs or other hurdles to the franchise ignores one central point.

Why do the states have control over the process in the first place? Yes, it's been their historic purview, but can anyone argue the mishmash of current state laws deters voter fraud? What about people who vote in more than one state (and don't think it doesn't happen)? And what of the partisan divide that created photo ID laws in the first place?

Why shouldn't their be, at least for presidential elections, a uniform, national standard to determine voter eligibility? The states may squeal like stuck pigs, but don't think the battle the court just ruled on is over. The court simply ruled the challengers didn't prove the law placed an unconstitutional burden on the right to vote. There will be more challenges in the future.

Shouldn't we at least start thinking about making things the same for all of us?  

The Buzz in the Store

I've gone grocery shopping literally thousands of times in my life. Usually it's a mundane task, picking the items needed for a few days to a week. Over this past weekend, I had a unique experience while in my local supermarket. It was so different, I'm wondering if others are experiencing the same thing.

As I walked the aisles as usual, I noticed people were staring at items on various shelves. It wasn't long before I realized they were staring in disbelief. Next thing I know, I'm engaged in conversation with a gentleman about just how much prices have been rising lately. He explained he was just back from Florida, where he saw the same thing, but thought it was unique to the Sunshine State.

No such luck. We both realized yes, prices are rising, and not by a little, by a lot. As I ended that conversation with a rueful smile, I realized it wasn't the only one going on. It seemed aisle after aisle had people, some friends, some strangers, talking about the rising price of food. Several cellphone conversations were going on, loud enough to hear, where shoppers were talking to spouses about whether to buy the intended product, or just the cheapest one.

It's starting to hit home, folks. Americans are starting to feel the pinch that's causing food riots and rationing in other parts of the world. And it's not just about food. Transportation costs, whether we're talking about gas prices, toll or mass transit increases are also going up. So too are those adjustable rate mortgages so many Americans got suckered into buying during the height of the housing boom. It's the perfect storm of rising prices, while wages seem to be stagnating.

It's this storm that anyone who would be our president ought to be talking about.   

No Surprise

New Yorkers with long memories never thought the three police officers accused in the Sean bell 50 shot case would be convicted. Not guilty on all counts is the legacy of the NYPD when it comes to shooting and killing unarmed civilians. Cynics will say nobody should have expected anything different this time around. They'd be right.

The ugly history goes way back, at least as far back to a young man named Clifford Glover. He was just 12 when he was shot and killed by a cop who walked. Randolph Evans was only two years older and only lived about two years longer. In his case, the cop said he went temporarily, briefly insane. No time for him either.

The names from memory come back into focus every time this sad act is repeated. Arthur Miller, Luis Baez, Eleanor Bumpers, have we forgotten anyone? Then fast forward to Abner Louima, victim of gross police torture. He was one of the few who lived, and ironically, two cops in his case did time. No such luck for Anthony Baez (at least on state charges), Patrick Dorismond, Amadou Diallo, and Ousmane Zongo (though the cop in this case was convicted of criminally negligent homicide, he did no time). When angry black citizens say cops get away with killing unarmed black folks, these are the names they're talking about.

And now Sean Bell is added to the list. The city will likely settle any civil suits that come from this case. Millions will be paid out, as they were in several other recent cases.

But nothing changes.