Bowen 1 – 1 With Bets
ArchPundit
His bets always seem to show up on blogs…more importantly, Rick has a good discussion of Facebook in Presidential politics.
February 2007
Petey on the Radio
Petey’s upset that people make fun of his obsession with everything gay:
“The little trick is activists like Wayne Besen and Pam Spaulding — who’s sort of a nutty lesbian blogger…She jokes about me, she calls me Porno Pete and they joke that I have some sort of fondness for sadomasochism, just because we’ve exposed this sort of weird stuff.”
It’s not just activists, Petey, I think just about everyone makes fun of you for your obsessions. I have gay friends, I right for a GLBT local newspaper, and have lived in neighborhoods with relatively high levels of GLBT populations and let me say that Petey is the best source of information for sexual practices that are not, ahem, typical.
Petey thinks his point is made by making fun of Besen for when Besen said he had never heard of fisting until Petey brought it up. I don’t think the example quite did what Petey thinks it did.
It’s quite explicit about a gay web site in Massachusetts as well. Apparently, they spend a lot of time on it. A lot.
Info-Pimping
Charles Madigan writes a good defense of the the media in general and while I tend to get particularly annoyed as of late with some of the stories I see coming out (David Broder saying Democrats aren’t sympathetic to the military for example) I think it’s important to praise those who do good work.
Madigan, Zorn, Miller, Sweet, and Chapman strike me as exceptionally good columnists and very good at fact checking. Chambers, Fornek, McDermott, usually Pearson, and Zeleny (now at NY Times) (and I’m sure I’m forgetting some people so don’t whine like bloggers to me) all are very good reporters who get their facts straight and despite caterwauling primarily from the right, are excellent observers of the political scene.
As I’ve said before, I’ve fallen victim/perpetrated info-pimping and try and be as straightforward with readers when I screw up with those incidents.
The problem many liberal activists and bloggers perceive and I think does exist is that over time the right wing has established an echo chamber that is particularly good and working the refs. The answer to it for most of us is to work the refs too. It’s a problematic solution because it adds to the postmodern notion that facts are relative to one’s view of the world. By doing the same thing, the notion that both ‘sides’ are the same is reinforced and we get more he said-he said journamalism that doesn’t try and accurately portray reality–hello global warming skeptics hacks.
But what else is the answer? Today we see a stupid meme from Fran Eaton and the Illinois Review show up in a fairly long story in the Tribune discussing how conservatives are arguing that Trinity is a black supremacist church that has weird beliefs on the middle class.
This despite a document on the church web site I found several weeks ago explaining what is meant by Trinity’s 12 precepts which does explain the statements very clearly. There is a reality underlying the accusations and it’s not friendly to Eaton yet the community paper Eaton writes for published her commentary and the Tribune picked up the story.
All the facts are correct in the story (except that the web site doesn’t have further context), but it still leaves the impression that there is something advocating weird views on the middle class or is even black supremacist. The story about the ‘controversy’ furthers the purpose of the story in the first place to make Obama sound out of the mainstream even though the values under the Black Values System are very mainstream points of view.
The journalistic practice of being fair and finding opposing viewpoints furthers the purpose of those trying to push the story. I don’t know how to fix this problem. I have a lot of respect for many journalists and while I criticize the profession, I’m glad the good reporters are there for the very reasons Madigan cites, but too often we are dealing with freak show stories that shouldn’t even be in the media and the media reports on them because of the ‘controversy.’
Sharpton aims to be the Voice of Reason
The controversy triggered by Jones was picked up by CNN Monday, and the Rev. Al Sharpton told CNN that Jones “could offend people by saying you got to unite just because someone is your race.”
Sharpton noted that Obama endorsed Mayor Daley for re-election over two black candidates, so it would not follow to ask blacks “to do something for Obama that he himself is not doing at home.”
Hysterical.
Rich has a good take on it over at Capitol Fax as well.
Rich says it well, and I say this not to criticize Stoller here, but to point out this is why local bloggers are essential to covering stories with local angles. I didn’t even take the bit about patronage politics seriously from Jones because he’s Jones. I like Jones, I just am not naive enough to buy that he wouldn’t make the exact opposite argument if he was in Joe Bruno’s job.
Daily Dolts: Pavlovian Press Corp
Right Wing idiots start a meme about Democratic Politician, mainstream publications put it in print as covering the ‘controversy.’ The problem being the controversy isn’t a controversy, but your drummed up crap to distract:
At the same time, conservative critics already have begun a buzz on the Internet about a far less known part of his biography: his adherence to the creed of the prominent South Side church he attends, Trinity United Church of Christ. The congregation posits what it terms a Black Value System, including calls to be “soldiers for black freedom” and a “disavowal of the pursuit of middleclassness.”
In an interview late Monday, Obama said it was important to understand the document as a whole rather than highlight individual tenets. “Commitment to God, black community, commitment to the black family, the black work ethic, self-discipline and self-respect,” he said. “Those are values that the conservative movement in particular has suggested are necessary for black advancement.
“So I would be puzzled that they would object or quibble with the bulk of a document that basically espouses profoundly conservative values of self-reliance and self-help.”
In his published memoirs, Obama said even he was stopped by Trinity’s tenet to disavow “middleclassness” when he first read it two decades ago in a church pamphlet. The brochure implored upwardly mobile church members not to distance themselves from less fortunate Trinity worshipers.
“As I read it, at least, it was a very simple argument taken directly from Scripture: `To whom much is given much is required,'” Obama said in the interview.
Now, let me point out here that is someone questioned a conservative on their faith in such a context, we’d be hearing caterwauling about attacks on Christians. Middleclassness is simply a belief that those with resources, don’t take that as an excuse to belittle those without resources–iow, it’s a rejection of the notion of the Protestant Work Ethic in the worst sense-where one can judge those who are not successful as not being the chosen.
It’s such a simple point and based in the central core of the the teachings of Jesus. To attack it out of stupidity or maliciousness demonstrates the gulf between the races in this country. That such an attack isn’t taken as political opportunism or simple stupidity, shows the vapidity of our press corps.
But Obama scoffed at the suggestion that Trinity espouses a value system that seeks to help blacks exclusively. “If I say to anybody in Iowa–white, black, Hispanic or Asian–that my church believes in the African-American community strengthening families or adhering to the black work ethic or being committed to self-discipline and self-respect and not forgetting where you came from, I don’t think that’s something anybody would object to.
“I think I’d get a few amens.”
Now the stupidest thing written in the article is:
Trinity, which adopted the principles in 1981, highlights them in brief form on its Web site without elaboration. That leaves room for critics to fill the vacuum.
THE BLACK VALUE SYSTEM
Statement of Purpose
We honor Dr. Manford Byrd, our brother in Christ, because of the exemplary manner in
which he has thrice withstood the ravage of being denied his earned ascension to the
number one position in the Chicago School System. His dedication to the pursuit of
excellence despite these systemic denials has inspired the congregation of Trinity United
Church of Christ. We have prayerfully called the wisdom of all past generations of
suffering Blacks for guidance in fashioning an instrument of Black self-determination,
the Black Value System.And we shall, beginning in 1982, institute an annual Black Value System-Educational
Scholarship in the name of Dr. Byrd.This year, 1981, however, we recognize Dr. Byrd as the first recipient of the Dr. Manford
Byrd Award which will be given annually to the man or woman who best exemplifies the
Black Value System.The Black Value System
These Black Ethics must be taught and exampled in homes, churches, nurseries and
schools, wherever Blacks are gathered. They must reflect the following concepts:
Commitment of God“The God of our weary years” will give us the strength to give up prayerful passivism
and become Black Christian Activist, soldiers for Black freedom and the dignity of all
humankind.Commitment to the Black Community
The highest level of achievement for any Black person must be a contribution of
substance to the strength and continuity of the Black of the Black Community.
Commitment to the Black FamilyThe Black family circle must generate strength, stability, and love despite the uncertainty
of externals, because these characteristics are required if the developing person is to
withstand warping by our racist competitive society.Those Blacks who are blessed with membership in a strong family unit must reach out
and expand that blessing to the less fortunate, especially to the children.Dedication to the Pursuit of Education
We must forswear anti-intellectualism. Continued survival demands that each Black
Person be developed to the utmost of his/her mental potential despite the inadequacies of
the formal education process. “Real education” fosters understanding of ourselves as
well as every aspect of our environment. Also it develops within us the ability to fashion
concepts and tools for better utilization of our resources, and more effective solutions to
our problems. Since the majority of Blacks have been denied such learning, Black
Education must include elements that provide high school graduates with marketable
skills, a trade or qualifications for apprenticeships, or proper preparation for college.
Basic education for all Blacks should include Mathematics, Science, Logic, General
Semantics, Participative Politics, Economics and Finance, and the Care and Nurture of
Black minds.To the extent that we individually reach for, even strain for excellence, we increase,
geometrically, the value and resourcefulness of the Black Community. We must
recognize the relativity of one’s best: this year’s best can be bettered next year. Such is
the language of growth and development. We must seek to excel in every endeavor.Adherence to the Black Work Ethic
“It is becoming harder to find qualified people to work in Chicago” Whether this is true
or not, it represents one of the many reasons given by businesses and industries for
deserting the Chicago area. We must realize that a location with good facilities, adequate
transportation and reputation for producing skilled workers will attract industry. We are
in competition with other cities, states, and nations for jobs. High productivity must be a
goal of the Black workforce.Commitment to Self-Discipline and Self-Respect
To accomplish anything worthwhile requires self-discipline. We must be a community of
self-disciplined persons, if we are to actualize and utilize our own human resources
instead of perpetually submitting to exploitation by others. Self discipline coupled with a
respect for self, will enable each of us to be an instrument of Black Progress, and a model
for Black Youth.Disavowal of the Pursuit of “Middleclassness”
Classic methodology on control of captives teaches that captors must keep the captive
ignorant educationally, but trained sufficiently well to serve the system. Also, the captors
must be able to identify the “talented tenth” of those subjugated, especially those who
show promise of providing the kind of leadership that might threaten the captor’s control.
Those so identified as separated from the rest of the people by:
Killing them off directly, and/or fostering a social system that encourages them to kill off
one another.Placing them in concentration camps, and/or structuring an economic environment that
induces captive youth to fill the jails and prisons.Seducing them into a socioeconomic class system which while training them to earn
more dollars, hypnotizes them into believing they are better than others and teaches them
to think in terms of “we” and “they” instead of “us”.So, while it is permissible to chase “middle-incomeness” with all our might, we must
avoid the third separation method-the psychological entrapment of Black
“middleclassness”: If we avoid the snare, we will also diminish our “voluntary”
contributions to methods A and B. And more importantly, Black people no longer will
be deprived of their birthright, the leadership, resourcefulness, and example of their own
talented persons.Pledge to Make the Fruits of All Developing and Acquired Skills
Available to the Black communityPledge to Allocate Regularly, a Portion of Personal Resources for Strengthening and
Supporting Black Institutions.Pledge Allegiance to all Black Leadership Who Espouse and Embrace The Black Value
System.Personal Commitment to Embracement of the Black Value System – to Measure the
Worth and Validity of All Activity in Terms of Positive Contributions to the General
Welfare of the Black Community and the Advancement of Black People towards
Freedom.
If you are a Christian, I’d love to know what is controversial about any of the above.
Why do I keep forgetting how much Democrats hate John Murtha and Jim Webb?
Daniel Biss
Here’s what David Broder had to say about last weekend’s DNC meeting.
One of the losers in the weekend oratorical marathon was retired Gen. Wesley Clark, who repeatedly invoked the West Point motto of “Duty, Honor, Country,” forgetting that few in this particular audience have much experience with, or sympathy for, the military.
You know, I really wish someone had reminded me how much I disliked John Kerry and Tammy Duckworth before I spent so much time trying to get them elected. Think of what I could have done with September and October in 2004 and 2006. Like maybe write an essay about how Presidents Kennedy, Johnson, and Carter ruined our party by serving in the military.
Ain’t it a bitch to be a black man in the land of the free and the home of the brave
OK, I had another motherboard blow last week so I’m a bit behind. First up, is Chris Hayes’ article on Axelrod and Obama which I think was meant to be a critical look, but is fawning–but not in a bad way. In the way that as much as you want to be cynical about political operatives, Axelrod is really good at overcoming that cynicism. He’s a true believer. A strategic true believer, but a true believer.
It’s very good so go check it out at the Nation.
You have to read the article to get the quote–and it’s worth it too.
Update: Fixed Chris Hayes’ name which I butchered two different ways in a relatively short name. I wish I could claim to be dyslexic, but I’m not. I’ll be calling Daniel Biss Daniel Bliss again soon too I’m sure.
The Man Who Says What Many Only Think
Emil teed off at the DNC meetings:
WASHINGTON – A key supporter of Illinois Sen. Barack Obama last week urged united African-American support for his Presidential bid, questioning whether black Democrats still “owe” Bill and Hillary Rodham Clinton their support, according to several people who attended a meeting of black Democratic politicians.
The comments by Illinois Senate President Emil Jones Jr., which he confirmed Saturday, angered Clinton backers and deepened a sharp rift among African-American political activists.
“How long are you going to owe” politicians for past favors?, Jones asked in a speech Friday to more than 100 members of the Democratic National Committee’s black caucus and other political operatives gathered at the Washington Hilton for the winter meeting of the DNC, according to people who were there.
Jones, a veteran black legislator, implored the black officials and operatives not to act like “crabs in a barrel,” the attendees said, and drag down a successful member of their community.
Note to the rest of the country, Emil really doesn’t care when others whine about him. Ask anyone from Rockford:
Jones concluded his speech with a reference to the jobs and appointments Bill Clinton had given blacks, including many people in the room, and asked when they would stop owing the Clintons for that patronage, attendees said.
“You could hear a pin drop,” said one person in the room who doesn’t currently support either Obama or Clinton. “It was one of those moments when you say, ‘I can’t believe he just said that.'” Jones’ call was received frostily by Clinton allies, including Minyon Moore, the former White House aide who now heads Hillary Clinton’s black outreach, and former Clinton and Gore campaign aide Donna Brazile, according to some attendees.