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Bernie Sanders: A higher loyalty
I urge my fellow St. Louisans to vote for Bernie Sanders in this week’s primary. I do so in spite of being deeply indebted to Bill and Hillary Clinton.
In January 2001, President Clinton granted me an unconditional pardon from a criminal conviction in 1981 in the St. Louis federal district court. I know that Hillary Clinton was instrumental in her husband’s decision. I am an attorney who disgraced not only myself but my profession. I am an alcoholic. My recovery and return to “respectability” were capped by the honor President Clinton bestowed on me with his pardon.
Because of this great personal debt and my deep belief in loyalty, it may seem both curious and disloyal that I urge my fellow citizens to get behind Bernie Sanders. I do so because of my deep belief that Sen. Sanders is leading a political revolution that has the only real chance of restoring democracy to America.
I was privileged to come of age during the civil rights movement. I am thankful that God allowed me to witness the struggle of my African-American fellows culminating in the Civil Rights Act of 1964 and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. What was accomplished was breathtaking. It came only with great sacrifice. But it proved that we could live up to what Lincoln so aptly described as “the better angels of our nature.”
(snip)
I implore my African-American friends to support Sen. Sanders because he, not Clinton, offers the only real chance to address the economic grievances of the black community. I have heard some leaders of this community say that Sen. Sanders’ goals and objectives are too bold and that they feel loyal to the Clintons. I will close by asking you to consider whether anybody in the 1950s could have conceived the changes brought forth by Rev. King and his followers.
As to loyalty, I ask you to simply consider my example. Loyalty to the ideals of America are simply greater than the personal loyalty I owe the Clintons.
http://www.stltoday.com/news/opinion/bernie-sanders-a-higher-loyalty/article_ca6fa501-eead-5ed9-a9ef-8d6ec640834f.html