EYE tried to some of Y'all Congress Critter Terri Sewell was Artur Davis is Designer Pumps

Left in Alabama: Terrie Sewell It's a historic election because it's about you,not about me.

But did y'all listen?  Nope.  As a matter fact, some of y'all accused me of inventing a straw man, making sh*t up, and peddling hypocrisy (I'm not going to call any names but you know who you are), and banned me fromyour Blogs and List Serves for life, but EYE digress.

What EYE predicted has come to pass, 7th Congressional District Congress Critter Terri Sewell (DINO Hoover), has the dubious distinction of being ranked the worst black member of Congress.  

Black Agenda Report is once again publishing the annual CBC Monitor Report Card. The former all-time worst Black Congressman, David Scott of Georgia, has passed the torch to a new generation of corporate-bought politicians, represented by Alabama’s Terri Sewell – although Scott remains a close second.

 Are you happy now?

As a Democrat running in a D+18 district, Terri Sewell is without question the Alabama Democrat most likely to be elected to Congress tomorrow. If that happens Sewell will become Alabama's first African-American Congresswoman and the first woman elected to Congress from this state in a regular election. But, as the Birmingham News recently said when they endorsed her, that isn't the best reason to vote for her. The best reason to vote for Terri Sewell on Tuesday is the same as it was last spring ...she's simply the best candidate. From the early days of her campaign Sewell has maintained, "I'm the best candidate on the issues." On the eve of the general election, she still is!

What did the residents of the 7th district to do deserve this? 

My worst fear has come to past. Republicans, enabled by the media (again) and the neo liberals (again), bought and paid for the only African American seat in congress (again). I'm sure they are patting themselves on the back and high fiving their "victory" this morning, but this is wrong on so many levels. For one thing it proves it's not about the people, it's about the money, the power and the influence. It's proof the residents of the 7th district didn't get to decide who represents them in congress (again).

Again, this is what  happens when the white wing of the Alabama Democratic Party decides who should represent the black wing of the Alabama Democratic Party.  Say what you want to about 
the Alabama Democratic Conference, not to be confused with the Alabama Democratic Party, and Dr. Joe Reed, but they didn't endorse Terri Sewell or her predecessor.  The 7th district and had a perfectly capable and effective Congress Critter until the white wing replaced him with Artur Davis.  The residents of the 7th district had the chance to replace Davis with an effective, progressive/liberal representative, but again the white wing said no. 

If the Alabama democratic party were courageous, and I'm not saying they are, they would run a real democrat against Ms. Nine West Pumps in November. The residents of the 7th district deserve better. They are the most loyal voting block the state and national democratic party has, it's time to stop taking their loyalty for granted, and stop choosing who should represent them.

EYE hate being right.

Not.

Blast from the Past: Alabama has it's first elected African American Congresswoman #NetanyahuSpeech

Terri Sewell: "It's an historic election because it's about you, not about me"

Yeah right.  In light of the fact the elected Congress Critter from Alabama's 7th Congressional district, and the only African American Democrat who attended  Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s address before a joint session of Congress I thought it appropriate to re post this blast from the past.

It's no secret I am not a supporter of Terri Sewell, not because she isn't nice, accomplished young lady from a good family, but because I don't believe she has the experience or the political skills to represent the interest of the voters of the 7th district. I'm going to be frank, and say the out of state money and the wall street connections worry me. I fear this is another case of affluent white folks deciding who should represent poor black folks.

My worst fear has come to past. Republicans, enabled by the media (again) and the neo liberals (again) bought and paid for the only African American seat in congress (again). I'm sure they are patting themselves on the back and high fiving their "victory" this morning, but this is wrong on so many levels. For one thing it proves it's not about the people, it's about the money, the power and the influence. It's proof the residents of the 7th district didn't get to decide who represents them in congress (again).

So much for waiting, watching , and HOPING , Congresswoman Terri Sewell makes us all proud as the first Alabama African American Congresswoman.

#SkipTheSpeech

Eye tried tell some of y'all Terri Sewell was Artur Davis in Designer Pumps, can you hear me now #Leftinbama? #Vindicated

H/T Left in Alabama

Yes, this is another Eye tried to tell some of y'all Alabama's lone democratic (and I use that term loosely) Congresswoman was Artur Davis in designer pumps post.

Remember when Congress Critter Davis was the lone member of the Congressional Black Caucus to vote against the Affordable Health Care Act ?

Alabama Congressman Artur Davis, who is attempting to become that state’s first Black governor, was the lone Congressional Black Caucus member who voted against health care reform championed by President Barack Obama, sparking local and national criticism.
“He let us down,” state Rep. Mary Moore, a Birmingham Democrat, told BlackAmericaWeb.com. “You tell someone, ‘Vote for me, and I will look out for you,’ then they vote for his or her own agenda.”
She and about a dozen people gathered in front of Davis’ downtown Birmingham office around midnight Saturday.
“We prayed for a miracle. We prayed that God would change his heart because so many people in this country and in his district are hurting,” Moore said.
Davis says he couldn’t vote for the health care reform package because it’s too big.

If Sewell  thinks she's going to be governor some day, toadying up to the white folks (H/T RD), she might want to ask her predecessor how well that turned out for him.  But I digress.

BREAKING: ALABAMA'S 7TH US CONGRESSIONAL DISTRICT DEMOCRATIC CONGRESSWOMAN, TERRI SEWELL, BREAKS WITH OTHER CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS MEMBERS, SAYS SHE WILL ATTEND ISRAELI PM BIBI NETANYAHU'S SPEECH. This action by Rep. Terri A. Sewell is an insult to President Barack Obama. (H/T ES)

“I don’t hold Netanyahu responsible,” Butterfield said. “I hold Speaker Boehner responsible, but I would hope that Mr. Netanyahu would not want to get involved. I personally think it is disrespectful.”
That was a word many members used: “It is very disrespectful to this president, and what concerns me more is that I think it’s a pattern that is starting to develop from this speaker that we’re getting more and more disrespectful of the office of the presidency,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond (D-La.). “I think it’s silly and petty.”

So, Why has Terri Sewell chosen to join the other side? Her recent votes surely indicate that her positions are far different than what her own constituents would expect.

 Friday, February 13, 2015, Congresswoman Terri Sewell (D-Selma) issued a written statement after the Voting Rights Amendment Act of 2015 was reintroduced in the U.S. House of Representatives. While supportive of the legislation’s intent, Congresswoman Sewell wants to see the legislation strengthened.

Sound familiar?

Last week, as President Barack Obama urged Congress to plow ahead even without support from Republicans, Davis said he was open to supporting a bill if certain major changes were made.
On Tuesday, he ruled that out.
"What's on the table now is a massive overhaul of the health care systems in this country," Davis said. "We can fix the problems without having to do a massive systems overhaul."

I pity the residents of the 7th district .

My worst fear has come to past. Republicans, enabled by the media (again) and the neo liberals (again) bought and paid for the only African American seat in congress (again). I'm sure they are patting themselves on the back and high fiving their "victory" this morning, but this is wrong on so many levels. For one thing it proves it's not about the people, it's about the money, the power and the influence. It's proof the residents of the 7th district didn't get to decide who represents them in congress (again).

I guess I can't blame Sewell for being afraid of losing her job..or worse...

Tea Party radio host Andrea Shea King argued recently that Democratic lawmakers — and specifically members of the Congressional Black Caucus — should be put to death by hanging if they boycotted Israel Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s Tuesday speech to Congress
“Obama doesn’t have to run for reelection again, a lot of these guys do,” King said in a clip of her radio show that was published by Right Wing Watch on Monday. “Listen, I would like to think that these guys could pay with their lives, hanging from a noose in front of the U.S. Capitol Building.”

Don't blame me, I supported Sheila Smoot.

Playing the Black Card

When black folks raise a legitimate issue regarding racial inequalities/injustice, Righty's and the media say we are  playing the Race Card, in an attempt to marginalize and minimize the issue.   It's their way of saying STFU and STFD and wait on us to decide what is racist, or not.  RedEye Roll

So what do you call it when Righty's and the media play the Black Card?  What's the Black Card you ask?  Everyone knows the easiest and only  way for a black face to be a Talking TeeVee Pundit Head, or a rising star, is to be a black, conservative, republican.

Case in point, Artur Davis  (r. turncoat) was the only black face taking part of the Round Table discussion on  ABC's This Week.   As if he speaks for the majority of black folks.  As if he has any credibility.  But that's the point, he doesn't have any credibility, that's why he's on TeeVee.

The same can be said for former republican chair Michael Steele, and former Presidential candidate Herman Cain.

Righty's and the media aren't the only ones who play the Black Card, so called Progressive outlets do it to.

Left in Alabama played the Black Card big time during the recent Alabama Gubernatorial race, to the extent those who didn't go along to get along with them, like myself, were banned from the Blog.

I have to wonder if they are playing a new Black Card in a recent post praising Congresswoman Terri Sewell for being in the forefront of a Congressional Black Congress walkout over Attorney General Eric Holder being charged with Contempt of Congress.  As if that's a big deal.

In the interest of full disclosure, I supported Sewell's opponent Sheila Smoot in the Democratic Primary ( the last straw leading to my banishment) because I felt (and still do) the citizens of Congressional District 7 need and deserve a  an experienced, proven, representative after 8 years of Artur Davis (r. sellout).

Terri Sewell represents Alabama's 7th district, which includes Alabama's Black Belt region, home to some of the poorest counties in America.  Looking at Sewell's Website, I see her, dressed in designer suits, carrying a designer purse, in the forefront of photo ops, announcing grants/funding for USDA, and jobs for everywhere except the Black Belt Region.

Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against Terri Sewell personally, and I don't begrudge her ability to purchase designer shoes/clothes/purses. She is a smart, accomplished, young lady from a good family who I'm sure are very proud of her.  But it's not about her, it's about the people in the 7th district.

I don't live, or work in the 7th district, but I have friends and family who are residents of the Black Belt region, and I can tell you they were hurting when Sewell was elected and they are still hurting now.  Especially since the TeaPublicans took over the Alabama Government.

I HOPE Left in Alabama isn't playing a new Black Card in an attempt to redeem themselves for playing the old Black Card, for the sake of the residents in the Black Belt region.

It's not about color of the skin, it's about the content of the agenda.

Today's republicans are yesterday's democrats

And therein lies the problem within the Alabama Democratic Party (cue in Dixie).  There are two separate but unequal Elephants waging a civil war under the big tent, with the white Elephants trying to figure out how they can rise again without the black Elephants, especially those who stood up and made a difference.

Minority means "black" and nothing else to certain people on the SDEC Board, and therein lies problem number 2. You see, the ADP could rise again if they could just find a solution to the Joe Reed problem allowing them to kick  them there special interest groups to the curb.  (wave Confederate Flag)

What is the Joe Reed problem you ask?  For one thing he's not one of those go along to get along Negroes who is content with being seen and not heard. He refuses to be treated like Chattel.  There are some who believe black voters don't have enough sense to know who to vote for  unless white folks tell them  who their leaders should be. (cue in Eyes on the Prize).

Evidently the white Elephant is mad because the Black Elephant had sandwiches and met behind a curtain at the SDEC meeting in Montgomery (cue in scary music).  But when you go inside the story, what they are really mad about is all the fingers on the hand worked together to form a mighty fist.  It's a  lesson the DNC could benefit from, not condemn.

The White Elephant claims it wants co exist with the Black Elephant in the big tent, but it's hard to co-exist with someone who doesn't consider you an equal.

 A party divided will not stand.

No long fictional tail, just facts.

Today's Must Reads
Well, the fix is in
Joe M. Reed Esq. for state party chair
Democratic Soul Searching
I choose neither

Update~ Alabama has it's first elected African American Congresswoman

File photo - Congresswoman Terri Sewell talks to supporters during a town hall meeting at the McDonald-Hughes Community Center in Tuscaloosa, Ala. Friday, July 12, 2013.

But what exactly does it mean? Specifically, what does it mean for the residents of Alabama's Black Belt?

Some of the most important events of the American Civil Rights Movement (1955–1968) occurred in the Black Belt, including Rosa Parks' refusal to give up her bus seat, which led to the Montgomery Bus Boycott; the Selma to Montgomery marches; and voter registration reform, focusing in Selma, Alabama, allowing African Americans to vote (see Voting Rights Act).

Today, Alabama's Black Belt includes some of the poorest counties in the United States. Along with high rates of poverty, the area is typified by declining populations, a primarily agricultural landscape with low-density settlement, high unemployment, poor access to education and medical care, substandard housing and high rates of crime.

Some Alabamians are celebrating the "historic" election of Terri Sewell as Alabama's first elected African American Congresswoman as if it magically erases Alabama's past and present, turbulent racial history. The Confederate Flag still flies on the grounds of the State Capital and there is an annual Civil War re enactment in Selma complete with cannons blasting for goodness sake. But I have to wonder if they would be celebrating if Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Smoot were Alabama's first elected African American Congresswoman?

Shelia has a natural passion to fight for under served communities and
individuals. She sees no issue as insurmountable. The 7th Congressional district of
Alabama can rest assured that sending Shelia to Washington will guarantee that their
voices and concerns will be heard, loud & clear! It is without a doubt that Shelia
will also make sure that necessary and long overdue resources are secured to move
the district forward!

Let's be clear, Alabama was poised to elect the first African American woman to Congress by virtue of the make up the 7th Congressional district. You see, it's one of them there gerrymandered districts mean, evil, Joe Reed and other mean, evil, Civil Rights leaders helped create.

Some judges and proponents of racially drawn congressional districts have interpreted Section 5 of the Act as requiring racial gerrymandering in order to ensure minority representation.[29][30] The United States Supreme Court in Miller v. Johnson, 515 U.S. 900 (1995), overturned a 1992 Congressional redistricting plan which had created minority majority districts in Georgia as unconstitutional gerrymander. In Bush v. Vera, the Supreme Court, in a plurality opinion, rejected Texas's contention that Section 5 required racially-gerrymandered districts.

It's no secret I was not a supporter of Terri Sewell, not because she isn't nice, accomplished young lady from a good family, but because I don't believe she has the experience or the political skills to represent the interest of the voters of the 7th district. I'm going to be frank, and say the out of state money and the wall street connections worry me. I fear this is another case of affluent white folks deciding who should represent poor black folks.

My worst fear has come to past. Republicans, enabled by the media (again) and the neo liberals (again) bought and paid for the only African American seat in congress (again). I'm sure they are patting themselves on the back and high fiving their "victory" this morning, but this is wrong on so many levels. For one thing it proves it's not about the people, it's about the money, the power and the influence. It's proof the residents of the 7th district didn't get to decide who represents them in congress (again).

I HOPE and pray my fears are unfounded and Terri Sewell isn't just a empty skirt. We have plenty of fluff but no substance. What committee is she on? What's her plan? Who has she hired other than an out of state Chief of Staff? How does she plan to represent to the interest of the people who live in the district? Is she willing to fight back against the conservatives in Congress or will she join them like her predecessor? As a member of the Congressional Black Caucus will she help them confront the harsh new climate on Capitol Hill?

For 40 years, the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) has used it's bully pulpit to advocate, persuade, stall, negotiate and, ultimately, to legislate. Through many highs, a few lows and more than a couple attacks, the CBC now finds itself in a unique position -- the defender of historic policies that have a positive impact on America in general, and black America, specifically.

African Americans took a punch in the gut in the last election when the gop infused, media enabled, Tea Party took control of the House of Representatives. Let's be clear the Tea Party would like nothing better than to dismantle the programs that have benefited the middle class and African Americans in particular. As AL. State Senator Hank Sanders said;

"Well, there's a certain mean spiritness that's out there, not only in Alabama but it's in America. And that makes this election extremely important."

Scott Horton reminds us If we had to pick one state in the nation where these evil tendencies are most obviously on display, then certainly it is Alabama, home to the nation’s highest profile and most abusive political prosecution.

Alabama is the state where the red, republican legislature's idea of ethics reform is to bust up the unions and outlaw public opinion polling. I'm not writing Sewell off before she even begins, but I am asking her to be accountable and visible to her constituents. I know she is capable of representing the residents of the 7th district, but will she?

I'm ready and able to judge Congresswoman Terri Sewell by the content of her character, not the color of her skin, her gender, her religion, or sexual orientation. I HOPE she will make ALL of us proud because God knows the residents of the Black Belt are depending on her. I HOPE and pray, she is not Artur Davis in designer pumps. I am encouraging the behavior I would like to see from the first Alabama African American Congresswoman, not condemning her before she disappoints me.

It matters not if Sewell is the first African American blah, blah, blab, blab. Michael Steele was the first African American head of the RNC. Condolezza Rice was the first African American National Security Advisor then Secretary of State. General Colin Powell was the first African American chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Dr. Ann Roy Moore was the first African American Superintendent of the Huntsville City Schools. Being the first black doesn't mean being a empty suit/skirt with no power or a token. It doesn't mean ignoring issues that affect people that are black like you. It doesn't mean pandering to the right at the expense of the people who elected you. Being elected the first black means the people gave you the POWER to help them.

I HOPE the election of Congresswoman Sewell as the first Alabama African American to serve in Congress means she will be just like the first African Female elected to
Congress, Rep. Shirley Chisholm

As a freshman, Chisholm was assigned to the House Agricultural Committee. Given her urban district, she felt the placement was irrelevant to her constituents[4] and shocked many by asking for reassignment. She was then placed on the Veterans' Affairs Committee.[4] Soon after, she voted for Hale Boggs as House Majority Leader over John Conyers. As a reward for her support, Boggs assigned her to the much-prized Education and Labor Committee,[10] which was her preferred committee.[4] She was the third highest-ranking member of this committee when she retired from Congress.

All those Chisholm hired for her office were women, half of them black.[4] Chisholm said that during her New York legislative career, she had faced much more discrimination because she was a woman than because she was black.[4]

Redeye, waiting, watching, and HOPING Congresswoman Terri Sewell makes us ALL proud as the first Alabama African American Congresswoman.

If the cries of Montgomery politicians under indictment don’t generate sympathy, certainly the lamentation of unemployed workers in the Black Belt does. One effect of the bribe-induced Riley-Canary war on bingo in Alabama is the closure of bingo operations in Greene, Macon and Houston Counties, that employed literally thousands of workers, and brought millions of dollars annually to local government treasuries. We all wish that overwhelmingly black Greene and Macon Counties had bulldozers clearing land for new automotive and electronics plants, or for high-powered biology labs or computer engineering firms, but that’s the progress of the next generation. Right now, those counties are absolutely dependent on the entertainment and gaming business for their economic survival, and Obama’s what-me-worry attitude about Canary has placed that survival in jeopardy. Even in the white-majority Wire grass, it’s probably safe to assume that Country Crossing employed a fair number of African-Americans in its service sector jobs.

So much for waiting,watching and HOPING Congresswoman Terri Sewell makes us all proud as the first Alabama African American Congresswoman.

Who will CD7 Representative Terri Sewell support for Minority House Whip?

Full disclosure- I am not a resident of CD7, however I have friends and family who live and work in CD7, therefore I care about CD7. I was a strong supporter of Sewells' opponent Sheila Smoot in the democratic primary because I believed Smoot to be the most experienced, and I believed the voters in CD7 deserved real liberal (not to be confused with progressive) representation after 8 years of Artur Davis. My opposition to Rep. Sewell was always political, never personal. She is a very nice, accomplished young lady from a good family. I congratulate her on her win and wish her well.

The first test Rep. Terri Sewell will face is deciding who she will support for Democratic House Minority Whip....Rep. Steney Hoyer, who raised campaign cash for her, or, Rep. Jim Clyburn, who didn't raise campaign cash for her, and is an influential member of the Congressional Black Caucus, which I assume Rep. Sewell will become a member.

The elephant in the room is not ideology, but race. No one can deny that the Democrats have a problem with white voters. Making the face of the party more black is a concern for people who are worried about regaining the support of whites for the 2012 elections.

Therein lies Terri Sewells' dilemma. But it's not about Sewell, it's about the voters in CD 7.

I hope you live up to the words and legacy of my Sorority Sister and not the legacy of your predecessor who voted against health care reform, the hate crimes bill, resigned from the house judiciary committee to run for Governor and was an apologist for some racist actions. Shirley Chisholm was a true, proud LIBERAL who spoke truth to power, unbossed and unafraid.

I agree with Booman;

I think we need to confront the issue of race head-on. Race is not a reason to prefer Hoyer over Clyburn. When it comes to ideology, Clyburn isn't the most progressive progressive. He does represent South Carolina, after all. When it comes to issues like Social Security, I don't think there is a whole lot of difference between Clyburn and Hoyer. So, I think the ideological distinction is a bit overblown.

I also agree with rikyrah;

Clyburn is in your face without seeming to be the 'Angry Black Man.' In addition, he has consistently had this President's back.
Hoyer is a weasel, plain and simple, and wouldn't hesitate to stab the President on national tv. Give me Clyburn.

F$#K THE BLUE DOGS, and I mean that.

I know you promised not be a rubber stamp for President Obama but what about what the voters in the heavily Democratic 7th district want? Who will you represent in Congress? Remember the reason you are the first African American female representative from Alabama is because of them there gerrymandered districts. Please don't lose site of this fact like your predecessor and vote against the interest of the people for your personal, political gain.

Representative Sewell, my big REDEYE will be trained on you like a laser beam. Remember it's not about YOU, it's about the voters of the 7th district. I HOPE and PRAY you prove me wrong, not for MY sake, but for the sake of the the 7th district, ...

The voters in the heavily democratic 7th district want you to have President Obama's back, not stab him in the back. Been there. Done that.

I'm just saying...

7th Congressional District Runoff Roundup

I don't live, work, or most importantly vote in Alabama's 7th congressional district, but I know a lot of people who do. I know a lot of people who don't have indoor plumbing, don't have access to health care, send their students to under achieving public schools and have toxic coal ash waste dumped on them. The 7th congressional district is historically and culturally important to me because thanks to the work of Dr. Joe L. Reed, it is the only African American district in Congress.

Alabama's 7th congressional district is in the heart of the black belt and the cradle of the civil rights movement in Alabama. It was the only Alabama district President Obama won in 2008. For the past 8 years the 7th district has been represented by Artur Davis, who sold them out for his own blind ambition. They deserve competent, committed, effective, courageous, experienced leadership in congress. The stakes are just too high.

Candidate Artur, I mean Terri Sewell claims she has no republican backing, her opponent is unfairly attacking her, and that she wears nine west shoes, all in an attempt to distract voters from the fact she doesn't have experience or a record to run on.

As unclesam.johnson said, this is an election for people who actually live in the 7th district.

This is truly an election for the people that actually live in congressional district 7 and for people that can actually VOTE in the district. The problem is that way too many people and organizations are trying to influence it for the wrong reasons (I'm sure that many consider this subjective but it is really not). People that do not live in the district can give high level spin for candidates, write flashy blog posts, post misinformation about candidates, put up radio ads, act as tools of outside interest but in the end it is about the people that vote. It will be about the people who's everyday life is affected by their congressional representation.


It is morally wrong for people that do not live in the district to try to influence votes, however, its a free country and free speech reigns. As supporters of constitution reform, we all know the dangers of being able to vote for issues that do not affect us (e.g. why do I need to vote on sheep herding, shrimp farming etc.. in other parts of the state).

At the end of the day, the people that actually live and vote in the district will select their choice of the candidate that they trust, has a record of experience, and the one that will do the right thing. Fortunately enough, very few on this blog will have the opportunity to do so.

I am praying the people that actually live and vote in 7th district select their choice of candidate and don't let the republicans and their enablers steal the only African American congressional seat.

How many members of Congress does Hoover need?

Ms. Sewell did not grow up in poverty. Her parents were both public schoolteachers (as were mine). While not wealthy, schoolteachers in Alabama were no longer skipping meals by the time Ms. Sewell came along. (Thank you, AEA.) She spent several years as a partner in a Wall Street law firm where per-partner profits were well over a million dollars a year. She is now a partner in one of the most elite law firms in Alabama - perhaps the most elite. Her choice of home was certainly not constrained by her income. No longer married to anyone with an interesting history, she need not worry about the size of the home or yard.

Terri Sewell is a nice, accomplished, young lady. But that doesn't mean she should be elected to Congress to represent one of the poorest and disenfranchised districts in Alabama.

Let the voters of the 7th district decide who represents them in congress, not the gop. Been there. Done that.

Edited;"The preservation of the truth,"

A sermon on the fourth great end of the church was the title of the sermon at my church this July 4. Although I am a firm believer in the separation of church and state I made the connection between the sermon and the toxic political culture where we the people are being lied to without impunity by candidates and elected officials via the mainstream media.

"We hold these truths to be self-evident that all men are created equal." You either believe that to be true or you don't. We are all one in humanity. The truth is not "fair and balanced".

"Education makes the search for the truth possible".

If we the people aren't educated we can't discern fact from fiction. We can not make informed decisions which IMHO creates a toxic culture of corruption and cronyism.

Join me as I seek to preserve the truth.

Jefferson County Commissioner and democratic 7th district congressional candidate Sheila Smoot is going to be indicted on federal charges win or lose after the runoff, say some 7th district congressional candidate Terri Sewell supporters.

Is this the truth? Who knows, but if it is the truth, it's further evidence of the political prosecutions and legal lynching of political opponents in Alabama politics IMHO.

Sheila Smoot is a liar and if you vote for her something bad will happen According to some Sewell supporters Sheila Smoot is supposed to have lied about Terri Sewell's spotty Alabama voting record.

Yesterday I received a fundraising e-mail from EMILY's LIST. It was an urgent request to help one of their candidates in dire distress, Terri Sewell in AL- 7. According to the e-mail Terri was being unfairly and baselessly attacked by her opponent and needed money immediately to prevent something terrible from happening.
Emphasis mine;
EMILY's LIST did not explain what Terri Sewell stood for, what her opponent stood for, anything about the nature of the unfair attack, or the significance of AL-7

See what I mean? Here are the missing FACTS:

Alabama CD-7 was formerly held by Arthur Davis, who left to seek higher office. There will be a runoff in the Democratic Primary on July 13th between Sheila Smoot (Jefferson County Commissioner) and Terri Sewell (Lawyer). The winner will be the first black congresswoman from Alabama. While Arthur Davis voted against Health Care, BOTH candidates are for it. In fact both candidates claim to be progressives.

Because of the massive backing the EMILY's LIST endorsement has given her, Terri Sewell has ALWAYS BEEN the odds on favorite in this race.. She has received over $1 million dollars for her campaign.

The unfortunate Sheila Smoot, who was not the Early Bird and did not get the EMILY's LIST endorsement only raised $138,000.

Before the last two e-mails asking for emergency funds, Terri Sewell had 7 times more money raised for the campaign than Sheila Smoot. Her campaign also released an internal poll, a few days ago, showing she had a 20 point lead over her opponent.

Maybe the reason for alarm in the Sewell camp was that Smoot was seeking and may have gotten the backing of Jim Clyburn, Bennie Thompson and maybe even, the Congressional Black Caucus.

Perhaps by getting the gullible, brainless and rich EMILY's LIST donnors to give her a few hundred thousand dollars more and show what a top money raiser she was, Jim Clyburn and the Black Caucus could be convinced to back her and not Smoot.

This is not the first time EMILY's LIST supported dubious candidates and their schemes.

EMILY's List has not yet apologized for funding a homophobic, anti-abortion and anti-Semitic candidate a few years ago, against a sitting democratic congressman whose voting record was impeccable on all progressive issues. The donors of EMILY's LIST ended up funding a candidate that used a large part of the campaign budget to produce and air ant-Semitic TV ads, including one which equated Jews with the KKK.

I guess we the people are supposed to be too dumb to see the same people backing Artur Davis are the same people backing Terri Sewell. So what does the Sewell camp do next? They create a weapon of mass distraction.

What is worse, a thief or a liar?

Sheila Smoot is a liar. At least, her campaign is lying when they made this claim about Terri Sewell: "She didn't even cast one vote in Alabama until 2008."

And this one: "Sewell never even voted in Alabama until 2 years ago. ... She never even bothered to vote and now she wants to represent you in Congress. ... Sewell doesn't even vote, but she attacks Shelia Smoot's record?"

This would mean that Terri had never voted for her mother when she ran for city council.

All spin all the time, unfair and unbalanced.

Oh, what a tangled web we weave...make it about Smoot being a liar instead of the source of Terri Sewells huge war chest. What gradyw said;

So here's my analysis: Sewell has a voter registration card from 1984. She says she voted in multiple races. She lived out of state for 20 years or so, may have registered somewhere else or became inactive here in Alabama. She moved back to Alabama in 2003-2004 but didn't vote here until 2008, when she ran as a Delegate in the 6th Congressional District, according to records provided.

Terri Sewell and her republican backers are trying to steal the only African American seat in congress by lying to the voters because she can't run on her record because she has NONE. And that's the truth.

So help me God.

As a wise man in Arizona recently said, "Buyers Beware". Never give funds to anyone unless you know the candidates, the positions they hold and how they are running their campaign

"Let's hear from the candidates not the bloggers"

Commentor unclesam.johnson says he's tired of the mudslinging and wants to hear from the candidates.

This is truly another sad day as I read this diary. I am disheartened to read that our "left" is now "right" by attacking one of our Democratic candidates. NOTE TO READERS: THEY ARE BOTH DEMOCRATS. "We" all supported Parker Griffith as a Democrat and sent him to DC and were are all too familiar with his "questionable" medical practices.

So if you/we gave him a forum as a Democrat why will you/we not make an attempt to be fair and do the same for BOTH of the Democrats in this race? Let's be fair to BOTH Sewell and Smoot in this dialogue.

A lot of time was obviously spent attempting to research this. It is stated that "The bottom line in all this is that Jefferson County residents were harmed, financially and culturally." The readers are are harmed by not being able to read a positive article on this blog regarding the candidates. This is truly a disservice. The interesting fact is that most of the constituents that live in that district probably have never even heard of this blog and are more affected by the candidate coming to their home, their church or their events. I am exhausted with the mudsliing by bloggers and want to hear from the candidates.


Or, do we continue to let negative front page articles be the mouthpiece for the Sewell campaign instead of hearing from the candidate? This bias may be turning people away from Sewell just as the slanted reporting did for Davis and some of his die-hard supporters. Just something to think about.


Why doesn't LIA just sponsor a debate/forum/teleconference between Sewell and Smoot and let the people decide for themselves. I feel that these 3 options will let all attend. How about that? Is another debate/forum/teleconerence a possibility?


Let's return to civility and let the people decide whom they want to represent them without all the schadenfreude.

I'm with unclesam.johnson. Enough with the mudslinging and the hypocrisy. As I've said before I don't live or vote in the 7th district, but I care about the residents of the 7th district. They deserve better than what they've gotten. The voters in the 7th district are the most loyal democratic voting block we have. The 7th district was the only Alabama district President Obama carried in 2008. They voted with HOPE for CHANGE they could believe in. They don't deserve to get the shaft or to be marginalized and minimized.

So what's it going to be Left in Alabama,

Let's repeat the request/solution for clarification (0.00 / 0)
Why doesn't LIA just sponsor a debate/forum/teleconference between Sewell and Smoot and let the people decide for themselves. I feel that these 3 options will let all attend.

Or,

do we continue to let negative front page articles be the mouthpiece for the Sewell campaign instead of hearing from the candidate?

Redeye's Week in Review

Who Shall Represent the Pettus Bridge in Congress, Corporate Attorney Artur, I mean Terri Sewell or Jefferson County Commissioner Sheila Smoot? That is the question voters in AL CD 7 will answer in the democratic primary on July 9. It's no secret I consider Terri Sewell to be the female version of the previous CD 7 Congress Critter and after reading the concerns raised in this informative diary I have agree with the author:

unless I were to see some solid answers to the concerns I have raised, my gut instinct is that Smoot would be a more loyal member of both the Democratic majority, and the Congressional Black Caucus, and would thus serve her constituents better.

Welcome to my Blog roll Wanted Alabama Democrats.

Speaking of the soon to be former ex CD 7 Congress Critter, Artur Davis wants to become a white collar criminal defense lawyer.

U.S. Rep. Artur Davis, D-Birmingham, said that after he leaves Congress he wants to practice law as a white-collar criminal defense lawyer, possibly in Washington, D.C.

I think it's important to define white collar crime just to be clear;

lawbreaking by salaried worker: theft, fraud, embezzlement, or some other nonviolent lawbreaking act perpetrated by a salaried employee or senior manager of a company or organization

I think it's also important to identify some infamous white collar criminals

Speaking of white collar criminals, what do Enron's Jeffery Skilling and former Democratic Alabama Governor Don Siegelman have in common? Well, the Supreme Court just ruled prosecutors *ahem* erred;

MONTGOMERY — Attorneys for a former Alabama governor convicted of bribery and other charges say a U.S. Supreme Court ruling on a white collar crime law could lead courts to throw out at least some of counts against him and a former Health South CEO.

The Supreme Court on Thursday ruled that prosecutors erred in using the "honest services" law in the prosecution of former Enron CEO Jeffrey Skilling.

Ex-Gov. Don Siegelman and Richard Scrushy were convicted in 2006 of bribery and other charges in a federal government corruption case.

Siegelman attorney Vince Kilborn said the "honest services" law was also used in the prosecution of both men and that the ruling might encourage the court to look favorably on their appeals.

Karma is a b$%ch isn't it? Isn't is ironic O-I-L is washing up on the shores of all the reddest of the red states and they are crying out for some big guvermint aide? What happened to drill baby drill and personal responsibility? I wonder if voters who live on Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana and Florida smell the coffee and will stop voting republican to bite off their nose to spite their face?
Naaaah. That would be too much like right. :)

Speaking of those crazy republicans, they KILLED the BILL extending unemployment benifits last night. I don't get it, republicans are anti extending umemployment benifits but don't have a problem funding never ending W-ar. What do they expect people to do? Desperate times make sesperate people do desperate things.

President Obama finally found some a$$ to kick, but I think we need to get our sons and daughters a$$es out of Iraq and Afghanistan before more are killed, wounded or maimed for life. Bring our troops home. NOW. Send the tea baggers, republicans and the media to stop the momentum of the Taliban, stay the course, fight em over there so we won't have to fight em over here blab blab blah blah.

Today marks the first anniversary of the death of Michael Jackson, I haven't figured out how to em bed video yet (hint hint) but I want to close with words from one of e Micheal Jackson last songs,
They don't really care about us.
Gone to soon, RIP Michael Jackson.

WHY did the Alabama New South Coalition endorse Artur Davis?

I mean, Terri Sewell in the AL CD 7 democratic primary run off? I bout fell off my bar stool when I clicked on left-leaning in Alabama and read Terri Sewell had walked away in her designer pumps with the New South Coalition endorsement. AND it was touted on anti democratic groups of color leaning Left in Alabama of all places.

One could wish that Democratic groups of all colors would spend less time splitting and infighting -- if so, they might have more energy for fighting the real enemies or minorities and working men and women.

WHY in the world did the ANSC coalition endorse soon to be ex Congressman Artur Davis's female counter part? Are the LiA resident rightys right (pun intended)? Are democratic groups of color endorsements for sale to the highest bidder?

Given the money changing hands for endorsements coupled with Siegelman's repeated pleas for money to finance his legal challenges what do you think the odds are that some Sparks campaign expenditures might make their way to the "Don Siegelman Goodness and Apple Pie Fund for the Retirement of Legal Debts due to the Evil Republican Cabal for Prosecuting Completely Innocent Democrats?"

Did Sewell use her huge campaign war chest to buy the ANSC endorsement?

In October filings with the Federal Election Commission in Washington at the end of the 2009 third quarter, Sewell, a Democrat, reported $402,816 in receipts and $317,857 “cash on hand.”

Sewell’s war chest dwarfs the amount of money raised by the other four candidates, all of them Democrats in a district that has never elected a Republican.

Or was it Sewells Selma family roots?

Sewell was the favorite by more than 2-to-1 in a Monday night meeting in Tuscaloosa of the New South delegates from around the congressional district, said Sanders.

One thing I can say about Sewell, she's not making the same blunders Artur Davis made by ignoring black media and dissing traditional black political organizations.

Is THIS a threat?

But as a partisan you may appreciate that the only way a Republican is going to win this seat is if Democrats nominate someone who ends up in a heap of trouble between July and November.

And what about THIS?

From what I understand
if we don't nominate Smoot, she might get indicted.

Do the cats know something we don't know? Is Sheila Smoot going to be indicted win or lose? Indicted for what? Indicted by whom?

Except that my comments are all based on my personal knowledge and admitted status as a Jefferson County sewer bond holder - not any emails that just hit my inbox and I happened to post for... well... whatever reason.

Sometimes I get depressed and think there's no market at all for good, ethical candidates and campaigns in this state..that politricks as usual will be replaced with issue orientated campaigns. That liberals won't lean left but be left. That progressives will back true progressives and not conservadems. I long for the day when candidates will stop believing we work for them instead of the other way around.

And then I shake that off and keep raising hell.... h/t countrycat

Question: Why would anyone find it "offensive" for me to express my opinion Terri Sewell is the female version of Artur Davis?

For the record I don't live in CD 7 but I care about the residents of CD 7 and they are suffering.

Today, Alabama's Black Belt includes some of the poorest counties in the United States. Along with high rates of poverty, the area is typified by declining populations, a primarily agricultural landscape with low-density settlement, high unemployment, poor access to education and medical care, substandard housing and high rates of crime.

The residents of CD 7 need, strike that, deserve someone with a proven track record of being on the side of the least of these, not a Wall Street Attorney in designer pumps with family connections. The stakes are just too high.

I hope and pray the voters in CD 7 will elect and recieve the liberal representation they've been lacking for the past 8 years. I hope and pray they will elect someone who is willing to fight for them. I also hope and pray that person won't be indicted as a result of their efforts.

Is Don Siegelman in prison because he’s a criminal or because he belonged to the wrong political party in Alabama?

I HOPE and pray the voters in CD will vote as if their lives depend on it, because it does.

Redeye's Week In Review

Yo GoBlue! If you are reading this you owe me some Obama wine glasses. Remember, our friendly wager before I was booted from the Left in Alabama sandbox regarding young, conservative, phone tapper James O'Keefe? Well, A Felony Will Get You Probation If You're a Conservative in America.

Although, this is nothing new in America if your not brown or black skinned people. O'Keefe won't get the felony label that is issued out like free tickets to the circus. We all know that had he been black or brown he would have been singing that tune they sing when baseball player hits a baseball out of the park-bye,bye baby! And some white folks wonder why black and brown people get all puff out of shape and complain about the sentencing system in the courts of America. Puleeeeeze!

You want to deliver those glasses or should I pick them up? :)

BTW, the Alabama Teacher who used the assassination of President Obama as a teaching tool got a slap on the wrist too.

I think that the Superintendent Phil Hammonds felt obligated simply because of the national attention and the fact he was named MSNBC's worst person in the world.

Ya think?

Speaking of Left in Alabama I see where they made their endorsements for the June 1st, democratic primary. Now I know why Bengoshi and I were booted from the front page, we were just too darn liberal for Left in Alabama. I bout fell off my bar stool laughing at this one;;

Generally, we are going with the outsiders this year. The corrupt, good old boy culture in Montgomery has done no favors for Alabama or the Democratic Party. It's time to bring in some fresh troops and generals because we aren't going to solve our problems by continually electing political retreads.

Translation, we want to replace the good guys with the bad guys. You know the good guys who believe in women's rights, equal rights, civil rights, human rights, health care reform, labor, and public education.

I spewed coffee all over my keyboard at this one;

Of course, this is Alabama, so there will be Constitutional Amendments on the ballot next Tuesday. Knowing nothing about them as yet, we hope and pray someone (Old Prosecutor?) will take pity and tell us what they mean and how a progressive Alabamian might want to vote on them.

Let me see if I've got this right (pun intended), they want resident righty Old Prosecutor to tell them how a progressive Alabamian might want to vote on them? ROFLMAO! I guess it depends on what the definition of a progressive Alabamian IS. *Snark*. But in any event, now we know progressive at Left in Alabama means the following;

If you don't like the content, write your own. We're a progressive blog that deals mainly with state issues - particularly during a state primary season.

As far as progressive issues go, most of us here support Constitution reform, ethics reform, tax fairness, and a better educational system.

Sound familiar?

The Progressive Electorate released their endorsements for the democratic primary also. Not surprising, with the exception of Jeremy Sherer and no endorsement in the governors race they are the complete opposite of slightly Left in Alabama.

Alabama Governor - This is a tough call. Artur Davis has brought a lot of attention to the 7th Congressional District. However, as progressives we are extremely disappointed in some of his recent votes that have shown his capitulation to the right. I.E. Health Care Reform, Hate Crimes. Ron Sparks is the alternative in this race and we genuinely like some of his ideas such as an Education Lottery. Sparks has been an outstanding Ag Commissioner and been great in that position. However, we are also disappointed in his stance on constitutional reform. The constitution in its current form continues to hinder our State from reaching its potential. Therefore we issue a no-endorsement in this race.

Now this is what I call a progressive slate and a well reasoned endorsement. I don't agree with everyone endorsed (I endorse Mitchell Howie and Ron Sparks), but at least the slate of candidates are liberals and will work for the people, not on the people.

Ministry of Truths' diary is a must read.

I was surprised to learn that an African American woman has NEVER been elected to a full term to represent the state of Alabama in the House of Representatives.
My goal today is to help change that.

When last I wrote about one of my heroes, Rosa Parks, it was to illustrate how the right would roll back the Civil Rights act to allow discrimination in the name of economic freedom.

145 years after the Civil War, much has changed, but more should change, until we truly achieve the Change We Can Believe In!.

In 2010, it is finally time to elect an African American woman to a full term in Congress to serve the State of Alabama in the House of Representatives!

I can't make up my mind in this race between Sheila Smoot and Earl Hillard Jr, because they both are better than the current Congress Critter from the 7th district, so may the best liberal win!

The United States House of Representatives approved the repeal of Don't Ask Don't Tell this week! Yippie! Not surprising, Alabama's two DINO's (Bright and Davis) didn't bother to vote and the republicans voted NO. Bummer.

So, did the Top Kill Work? We don't know what we don't know, we don't know. Of course the vultures are circling trying to turn this into President Obama's Katrina. No more Mister Nice Blog has some suggested alternative responses for President Obama. The Rude Pundit wants to know why is BP still in charge of the Gulf and so do I. Meanwhile the oil is still spilling. We need real solutions, not Crazy Uncle Solutions

President Obama expected, however wrongly and however stupidly, that the American media -- even though overloaded with voluble crazy uncles -- would, for a change, react to this crisis with proper disgust, but also maturity and Reason.

Maturity and reason? What's that?