Many blacks with Senior positions in the Bush White House?

[beyurslf]

So says this website:

<http://interestalert.com/brand/siteia.shtml?Story=st/sn/07150000aaa05447.upi&Sys=rmmiller&Fid=NATIONAL&Type=News&Filter=National%20News>


WASHINGTON, July 15 (UPI) -- The NAACP's spat with the Bush White House kicked up a notch Thursday as U.S. Education Secretary Rod Paige publicly rebuked the civil rights group.

Paige, one of many blacks holding senior positions in the Bush administration, condemned recent accusations by NAACP leaders that black conservatives were merely fronts for white interests.

Condi, Colin, and Paige. Many?

[TroubleMan]

1. Hmm...there was a term for that....

I forgot what it was, but I think it starts with the word "house."

...anybody remember?...

[olddem43]

2. Yeah, I think I've heard that too - would Uncle Thomas

fit into that category?

[Hekate]

3. It's more polite to just say "token"

Although I have to give the Bushies credit where credit is due: they have been much more proactive than the Dems in placing women and minorities in prominent positions. 'struth. And don't underestimate the actual talent and intelligence of either the Bushwomen or the minorities.

Now, I don't know where they FOUND these folks -- maybe under a rock formerly inhabited by Clarence Thomas -- but there they are.

So what are the Dems going to do about it? Mmm?

Hekate
still voting Dem

[crushbush04]

4. I find it interesting that

people expect african americans should have only one line of thought.
Immeadiately the name calling starts. Tell me something, how many Blacks does
Kerry have on his staff? No black person has ever held the positions now held
by Condi Rice and Colin Powell. I dont like their boss and his policies but I am damn
proud of them and their achievments.

I hate to say this but its almost become more radical to be a black conservative

I dont agree with them philosophically but hey, thats their choice

[lpbk2713]

5. I respectfully disagree as regards Colin Powell.

He sold out his integrity as a US Army officer and as a West Point graduate. "Duty, Honor, Country" should always be first in his mind but instead he has made himself look ridiculous as the chief apologist for the failed Bush administration. I don't hold CONdi as culpible because she doesn't have the same background of accountability.

[crushbush04]

10. Do you get my point though...?

Could he have sold out his values? Maybe, but I dont happen to think so because I believe he holds basically the same values as his boss. So judge him as such. There is no need to ridicule the mans intellect or motives with this "token, uncle tom, house negro" BS. That conclusion is just as racist as the ones we accuse others of having.

Cant conservative blacks think for themselves? Are they being controlled by the some white guy? I really find this point of view offensive.

I dont think Powell or Rice would work for Bush if they didnt share a majority of his views. And I dont think Bush would have them around if they didnt.

Its the same for his white confidants and advisors

[formernaderite]

22. Thank you...those other commments play into racial stereotypes that black.

....Americans can't think for themselves. We can dislike Powell, Rice and others, just as much as Rumsfeld, Ashcroft etc.... but they got where they are on their own. To claim affirmative action is disgusting and demeaning, because it negates every minorities right to achievement. Calling any minority a token for whatever purely "political" reason is offensive.

[Redhead488]

20. Powell didn't go to West Point

You're batting 50%. So does he now not have the same "background of accountability?"

[Charlie Brown]

9. Where I live

Conservatives detest minorities. Most of them have moved away from the cities to keep their families segregated from African-Americans & Hispanics. They fully expect the Republicans and "traditional-values" candidates to help keep things that way. This process has largely getto-ized minorities (who are disadvantaged by discrimination, etc.) in large urban areas & contributed to very real social problems & gang violence. This to me is one of the biggest failed promises of capitalism. It always detests me when I see minorities siding with the Right as they seem to be turning their backs on these realities. I fully support more funding & resources to reduce violence and give minorities the standing to compete with whites on an equal footing (aid to businesses, affirmitive action, etc.). Many Democrats share this pov, which is why they've accumulated a larger minority from African-Americans & other minorities.

[crushbush04]

12. Lets just say it then...

Bush and his cronies are racist assholes and would do anything to keep the black man down. Isn't that a burning cross on the front lawn of the white house?

Isnt that what you are saying?

Sorry but that dog aint gonna hunt no more. Trying to scare black people to vote for democrats is getting as old as this anti gay christian fundamentalist argument put forth by republicans.

I think fundamentally republicans are wrong philosophically on how to improve the lives of African Americans. But mostly thats what they are , wrong. Not racist, just wrong. Now I wont be naive, because I am sure there are racist republicans just as I am sure there are racist Democrats. But People want more. People want ideas of improvement not this demonizing crap.

[Charlie Brown]

15. There are racists on both sides, but

Democrats are willing to extend the funds and programs to help minorities. Republicans are not (wasteful spending, etc.). It seems like an open & shut case for a potential African American voter. I guess there are some well-off minority voters who believe in tax cuts & smaller gov't, but it must be difficult to reconcile these views with historical realities. I honestly don't think the Civil Rights Act would have passed if the Democrats had not gotten behind it. And there's the embarrasing fact that many racist Democrats (like Trent Lott and Strom Thurmond) have jumped ship to join the Republicans. These are not the characteristics of an equal opportunity party. People like Loretta Scott King & Jesse Jackson realize this & remain supportive to the Democrats. It's difficult for me to imagine them becoming Republican.

[pnb]

23. This type of post though is racist in and of itself

Because it assumes that all blacks should vote based on their skin color first rather than actually being able to have a variety of issues important to them, some more than others, just like us white folk.

If you are going to say there is something wrong with blacks for being republican, than logic should dictate that it is just as wrong for any whites to be democrats.

In other words, its just insulting, demeaning and wrong.

[trumad]

25. OK..let me ask you this? What party contains the most racists.?

and it's not even close!

[pnb]

26. Why does that matter?

If we determine that republicans are more racist than democrats as a whole, blacks should automatically discount any other views they have (abortion, gay marriage, tax issues, etc) and automatically vote democrat? That's just presumptious and insulting.

[trumad]

29. OK..let's step it up a notch...

first off there's no determining if the repukes are more racists.... It's as obvious as Britney is stupid! Secondly, why are they more racists in the repuke party... I think there are more racist because they feel comfortable in a Party that believes in what they believe in. Anti Affirmative action, anti welfare, anti equal equal rights, anti desegregation, anti head-start, anti anything that helps poor minorities out period!

So... If you're defending the repuke party as a non-racist party then you're wrong.

[pnb]

30. Actually I'm trying to do no such thing

I asked what the point was of that? I don't see the point of "this party is more racist than that party" because of the reasons I explained above.

[trumad]

31. I do see a point and a correlation....

that's all... Peace

[pnb]

32. Peace back at ya...

n/t

[Tomee450]

33. Well I am black

I am black and I find your comments insulting. It is you who seem to feel that blacks lack the intelligence to determine which party acts in their best interest. I don't care that there are blacks in high level positions in this administration. I follow politics closely and think for myself. The Republican party is currently controlled by people who do not have a high opinion of African Americans. Do you really think that Trent Lott, Tom Delay, Dennis Hastert care about the problems of minorities? The tactics of the GOP have been very divisive. Nixon had his southern strategy, Reagan his welfare queen, Bush 1 his Willie Horton. During the Reagan administration it became fashionable to show your bigotry.

There is a reason why so many white southerners are in the Republican party. They know that they will find many with anti-black views there. Just because I am less than enchanted with the Democrats doesn't mean I will run to a party that has shown such dislike for people of color. Yes, blacks do not always think alike but most blacks, on certain issues, do see the same picture. The picture of the GOP is of a party that has shown that it has no qualms about attacking policies that would aid African American. It is a party that is not that fond of civil rights. I firmly believe that given the opportunity, the Republicans would overturn hard won civil rights laws. Most African Americans are aware of the inclinations of the GOP and therefore refuse to vote for their candidates.

I have been very disappointed with the way the Democrats have treated blacks in recent years but I will still vote Democrat because I feel that the Republicans will rarely act in the best interest of minorities, particularly if they are African Americans.

[fujiyama]

16. What talent?

I'm sorry, but Condoleeza Rice and Colin Powell have as much talent as anyone else in the administration -- that is they don't. I view them with as much scorn as I do Rumself and Cheney. I don't respect them.

I agree with you this "house slaves" rhetoric is silly and uncalled for (and arguably racist as well) and that it's important to focus on policy matters, but that doesn't excuse Condi Rice or Powell any more than any of the others in the administration.

[crushbush04]

17. Thank you

Thats how they should be judged....by their bad policies

I was glad to see the line " I view them with as much scorn as I do Rumself and Cheney. I don't respect them."

You get it...you really do

[fujiyama]

18. No problem

I will admit, their (Condi, Paige, and Powell's) EARLIER achievements are admirable. I'm not sure about Powell, but I know that Rice was one of the girls at the church that was bombed, so I think it would be fair to say that she did work hard to come as far as she did. The article also mentioned that Paige was from a segregated neighborhood from MS, so him being where he is is impressive.

However, that's where my admiration ends. Just like the others in the administration, they have failed America in many ways.

[goclark]

35. I not proud of them one ounce

I was optimistic and thought that Colin and Condi could bring some positive input to the NeoCons. I am not opposed to them being Republican. But they have no heart and don't give a damn about their own people.

I am saddened to discover that they support every thing that their Master tells them to support. Ah, almost forgot, somewhere I recall that Colin supported Affirmative Action. So what! They have happily neutralized every free thought that C and C ever possessed.

I'm sorry, when we have African Americans in high places, they should make a difference for justice not repression.

Thurgood Marshall = A Supreme Court Judge

I KNEW that he was bringing a different perspective to the Court,he was not afraid to speak his mind for people that had no voice. Uncle Clarence speaks up CLEARLY for people that have a voice. I WILL NEVER BE PROUD OF HIM, he is an insult to our ancestors.

Condi, Paige and Colon jump through their masters hoops. They are being used. I WILL NEVER BE PROUD OF THEM, they are an insult to our ancestors.

They are being used and their ancestors would not be proud of them.

"Those who much is given,much is expected"

Much has been given to them and they have not delivered to anyone but their Master-they listen to their Masters Voice.

[Charlie Brown]

6. probably referring to cooks, bellhops & domestics

[greenbriar]

7. rod paige calls anyone that disagrees with him

a terrorist...

like the teachers...

[nose pin]

8. Alphonso Jackson

Secretary of Housing & Urban Development

To be fair, there are currently more blacks in cabinet-level positions than ever in history.

[oasis]

11. Condi and Paige are incompetent. Bush hires ass kissers not competent

African Americans, so maybe you can reformulate.

[crushbush04]

13. Who in Kerrys camp disagrees with him?

Its interesting that you consider African Americans that dont agree with your point of view "incompetent" Do they not have the mental capacity to arrive at their own intellectual conclusions without your direction?

[Tomee450]

34. A couple of weeks

ago, a black author was on C-Span discussing black leadership. He said Rice was incompetent. There are African Americans who agree with that statement but won't say it publicly.

[nose pin]

14. Maybe you can reformulate

your blatant racism.

[AirAmFan]

19. Excuse me? Bill Clinton set and keeps the record for appointing

African-Americans to cabinet-level posts. His African-American appointees included

Mike Espy
Ron Brown
Alexis Herman
Rodney Slate
Hazel O'Leary
Jesse Brown
Togo West
Jocelyn Elders
David Satcher

Clinton's record in appointing Hispanics and women was equally strong.

If Bush has done half as well in appointing African-Americans, it's only because Clinton set the pace and backsliding farther than we have would have drawn world media attention.

[Redhead488]

21. Togo West did not hold a "cabinet-level post"

He was Secretary of the Army. What cabinet posts did Jesse Brown and David Satcher hold? SG of the US isn't really a cabinet level post either.

[trumad]

24. Gay and Black republicans

Never understood it and I never will... Hell, even White Republicans want to make me hurl!

[Yupster]

28. Clinton did well at placing minorities in the

"lesser cabinet positions."

Surgeon General?

Is that a cabinet level position?

Commerce, Labor, Transportation -- these are the traditional "minority" openings.

State, Defense, Education -- no thanks.

[Yupster]

27. And they are not the traditional

lower cabinet positions that are used to "place" minorities.

The question should be asked why Paige, Rice and Powell are the first to ever hold their positions?

A-A voters often give Democratic candidates 90 + % of their support. Yet in the last 40 years, there has never been an A-A leader who could be Sec of State, Education or National Security Advisor?

To me that's the question.