Pigskin and PoliTricks at Legion Field 3rd Edition

H/T Yellowdog Granny via jobsanger


It's that time of year again. A fall weekend of tailgating, football and poliTricks at historic Legion Field in Birmingham, AL for the 70th annual Magic City Classic.

The Magic City Classic is one of those vestiges of segregation that continues today, continues tomorrow, and hopefully will continue forever.

The Magic City Classic is an annual football game between Alabama's two largest, historically black universities: Alabama A&M University (Normal) and Alabama State University (Montgomery). The first game between the two schools was played in 1924. It has been an uninterrupted, annual tradition since 1945 and played at Legion Field in Birmingham since 1946.

The Bulldogs of Alabama A&M University defeated the Hornets of Alabama State University 20-19 in a game that was a thrilla to end. Who let the Dogs out?

BIRMINGHAM, Alabama - Alabama State entered today's 70th annual Magic City Classic as the No. 1 team in black college football. When the new polls come out Monday, Alabama A&M may find itself there.
The Bulldogs, behind the play of running back Kaderius Lacey, an inspired defense and a couple of huge special teams plays, knocked off the Hornets 20-19 before an announced crowd of 66,473 at Legion Field.

Now on to the Politricks. It's not an election year, so the usual white political candidates didn't make an appearance pretending like they like black people. Alabama Governor Robert Bentley attended the ESPN televised Alabama A&M vs Texas Southern University game two weeks prior so he didn't feel compelled to attend The Classic too.

Congress Critter Terri Sewell was there, appearing on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, passing out barbecue sandwiches and waving to the crowd at half time. The reception was...cordial.

Herman Cain's bus was there, but no one actually saw Herman Cain. Not that any of the brainwashed black folks wanted to see him or his bus.

Herman Cain must have stopped through Birmingham on his way to Huntsville to attend the Alabama ConFederation of Republican Women's dinner at the Huntsville Marriott.

While there were a handful of protesters on the street corner, dozens gathered outside Cain’s tour bus to cheer on the presidential hopeful.

Leonard Jefferson was one of them.

Jefferson works for the U.S. Space and Missile Command in Huntsville. He says his job is to help keep America safe, and part of that job is helping elect the best commander and chief.

"I’m just trying to keep America strong and doing what I can do at my level. I hope a lot of other people do the same and together we will get there,” Jefferson said.

Jefferson came to the dinner to hear Herman Cain speak.

“When he makes mistakes, or missteps, that endears him more to the ones that say, ‘He is not a full out politician, he is not polished, he doesn’t have his script in front of him.’ I believe he does speak from the heart,” said Jefferson.

Did I read that right (no pun)? Leonard Jefferson, Federal Government Employee whose job it is to keep us safe (help us Lord), says Herman Cain will be the best commander in chief because Cain makes mistakes, is not a full out politician, is not polished and speaks from the heart? Uh, Leonard, been there done that. And your present Boss and CIC might not like you campaigning for his rival. I'm just saying.

Ex Congress Critter Artur Davis's accusation of black voter fraud in the black belt of all places was the topic of conversation. My friends and family believe he will run for the Senate to replace Dick Shelby as a democrat....and win with the votes of white democrats and white republicans. He's their kind of Negro.

Scott Beason, a Republican Alabama state senator, said a Cain win, especially in the Deep South, would be a visible sign of progress.

“It would change the stereotypes that still exist about how people make their decisions down here,” Beason said. “I think it’s ironic that he will do better here than in the so-called enlightened states up north.”

Last year I said;

Most of my friends and family realize the republicans blocked President Obama's agenda because they want him to fail. We realize things won't change until we send the republicans packing so we are going to vote for CHANGE we can believe in again. We are going going to vote like our lives depend on it.

This year I say;
If you think Halloween is scary let the TeaPublicans elect Herman Cain,President of the United States of America, maintain control of the House of Representatives and gain control of the Senate.
Boo!

Psst Mr. Mean as a Snake head of the Alabama Democratic Party! We need some candidates to fight the republicans.

Redeye's Week in Review

O-M-G. The right christian conservative Alabama republican party is standing in the need of much prayer. The Rev. Wesley is doubtless spinning in his grave with sufficient velocity to register on the seismograph at nearby King’s College.

Wesley’s eternal rest has certainly been disturbed by the actions of one of his ministers in the North Alabama Conference of the United Methodist Church. This comes about because the contest for the seat in House District 12 features not one, but two ordained Methodist ministers. The Democratic incumbent, the Rev. Rep. James Fields, made national news, being noted in The New York Times. This spotlight came because Fields, an African American, won the seat in a 2008 special election in a district that is 98% white. Fields is a retired state employment service staffer who is active as a Methodist minister.

Field Negro notes it's that time again...

As we get closer to November 2nd, his O ness and the dems are making their usual push for votes from the usual suspects. Old reliable. Black folks. Truth is, if black folks actually get out and vote come Tuesday, that well touted republican tsunami will be more like a huge wave.

What's the matter with Florida democrats? Is the possibility of an African American Senator just too much for them to swallow? Instead of pressuring Kendrick Meeks to drop out of the race they should be pressuring Charlie Crist to drop out and throw his support to Meeks. But nooooo, that would be too much like right (pun intended). White Florida democrats would rather lose than support a black man. We shall overcome someday. Sigh* Kendricks Meeks was right (no pun) not to quit. He is the kind of democratic candidate/elected official I wish we had instead of the democratic candidates/elected officials we have.

Meek showed a lot of backbone in declining the suggestion. I have no doubt it was tempting. After all, Clinton could argue that unless Meek got out (and endorsed Crist), the Republican will win. Presumably, Meek could be blamed for electing Rubio. Quitting could make him a "hero," while refusing to bow out could make him seem selfish or stubborn.

But Meek made the right move for his party and for his career.

First, it's important to note that Meek's exit might have also impacted the Florida gubernatorial campaign, which is very tight. Depressing the Democratic base -- especially African-Americans who are likely to turn out for Meek -- could have cost Democrats the governorship (an especially big deal this year as states are about to reapportion and redistrict congressional seats).

What's more, quitting now would be a disservice to all the Democrats who contributed financially to, and volunteered for, Meek. And never mind all the people who may have already "wasted" their votes on him during early voting.

But it's also important to note that this was the right move for Kendrick Meek, too. As Winston Churchill said, "Nations which went down fighting rose again, but those which surrender tamely are finished." I suspect the same could be said for political candidates.

Uh Oh, here comes the race baiting gop to Meeks rescue.

MEEK'S REPUBLICAN CHAMPIONS EMERGE.... It was always the scenario Republicans feared. The only development likely to prevent Marco Rubio (R) from winning Florida's U.S. Senate race fairly easily is if Kendrick Meek (D) stepped aside, and his supporters shifted to Gov. Charlie Crist (I). And as we learned overnight, as of a week ago, that very nearly happened.

But now that the deal appears to have fallen through, Republicans have a new message: the entire effort is evidence of some kind of racism. Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele said in a statement:

"President Clinton's actions to have Kendrick Meek withdraw from the campaign sends a chilling signal to all voters, but especially African Americans. One can only imagine the response if Republican leadership tried to force out of the race -- in the 11th hour -- a qualified black candidate like Kendrick Meek."

I can only shake my head...

party unity isn't something that just happens, it requires communication, a certain amount of give and take and respect for a diversity of opinions says the person who banned me from the front pages of right leaning Left in Alabama. Big D Democrat Representative Randy Hinshaw called for democrats to circle the wagons and pull together in November. With all due respect to Rep. Hinshaw, it's kind of hard to support a party that takes your vote for granted. I am the kind of democrat that always votes a straight ticket, but I'm putting party leadership on notice, this is the last year I will vote for candidates who pander to the right at the expense of the base to get elected then govern like republicans. I will either under vote or write in a name. I'm tired of being thrown under the bus. If I wanted a republican representative I would vote republican. You got that? What CPL said;

What I'm really not liking is that our votes are being used as food stamps - then we get flung under the bus when the elections are over.

We don't get seats at the table; we have virtually no input in policy making; but they want us to get the hell out and vote like we have influence on outcomes. We DO; don't get me wrong, but I'm tired of being called up like some kind of trick - good for a vote and nothing more.

gop state Senator Paul Sandford lost no time in using the recent bribery convictions for his political gain. He is running TeeVee ads dressed in a black apron pushing a wheelbarrow full of black trash bags and dumping them in a dumpster. Uh, who are you calling "trash" Senator Sanford? Democrats? Black democrats? Using convictions for political gain are nothing new for Sanford, he used Sue Schmitz conviction in his previous race. Speaking of Sue Schmitz she will celebrate her 65th birthday on November 3, 2010. In honor of her birthday please Vote for democrats on November 2 and send her a birthday card to let her know we remember her for her contributions and her public service on behalf of ALL the constituents in her district.

SUZANNE L SCHMITZ
#26831-001
FMC LEXINGTON
SATELLITE CAMP
P.O. BOX 14525
LEXINGTON, KY 40512

I will be off line this weekend attending the Coal Bowl at Legion Field. Full report when I return.

VOTE like your lives depend on it.

A Redeye Stroll Down Memory Lane~ 2nd Edition

Welcome to the second installment of the first anniversary blog stroll down memory lane. In reviewing the post for today I've tried to construct a timeline for the beginning of the end of my LiA front page privileges.

Let's start with A blog stroll from my heart on October 17, 2009 be sure and read the comments....

As someone who is a product of the south and it's rich southern heritage I know racism when I see, hear and/or feel it. I'm aware of the code words and subtleties racist and bigots hide behind. Racism today is covert and institutional. Sure blacks/browns/reds can use public facilities and have the right to vote etc. but they are still the victims of defacto segregation and institutional racism.

Three days later I wrote What you see is what you get which is relevant today in light of the recent Bingo indictments.

There is the misconception that I am stoopid enough to believe ALL prosecutions are politically/racially motivated. Let me be clear, anytime I've made the allegation of political/racial prosecutions it's been in response to a SPECIFIC case we've discussed on LiA. I can understand why our conservative friends don't believe the prosecutions have a political/racial motivation, but I don't understand why my fellow liberals/progressives don't share my concern that our justice system, strike that, the Bush justice system has compromised the integrity of the rule of law, especially here in Alabama.

Followed by No Poor Coloreds Allowed in South Huntsville, also relevant today in light of the upcoming Congressional and State Senate election.

I read about this in the dead tree edition
And was suitably shocked at the rhetoric because I know quite a few people who live south of Governor's Drive and they aren't selfish bigots as you might believe if you listen to the leaders of this organization. This is a deliberate political strategy to frighten voters in south Huntsville and rile them up in advance of the 2010 election. Just look at the people involved:

On Tuesday, the upstart group drew an influential crowd, including Republican Brooks, a former legislator; newly elected state Sen. Paul Sanford, R-Huntsville; state Sen. Arthur Orr, R-Decatur; and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bradley Byrne.

Bradley Byrne? He's running for governor, not mayor. Arthur Orr is from Decatur. Paul Sanford wouldn't be a state senator today without the (dare I say racial?) outrage stirred up over the initial HHA purchase of apartments near Chaffee and he desperately needs that same outrage next November to hold onto his seat. And Mo Brooks? He's saying some of the most incendiary stuff and he happens to be running for Congress -- so he also needs to scare those south Huntsville voters so he can look like a savior in the next election.

I believe Pigskin and Politics at Legion Field was the "beginning of the end"

I spent the weekend tailgating with friends and family at Legion Field attending what is affectionately called the Coal Bowl (aka The Magic City Classic). For readers who don't live in Sweet Home Alabama the Iron Bowl is the much anticipated annual interstate rivalry between Auburn University and The University of Alabama, the 'white schools". The Coal Bowl is the much anticipated annual interstate rivalry between Alabama A&M University and Alabama State University, the "black schools". The vestiges of segregation continue but it's all good.

But this is the straw that broke the Camel's back.

Weaall what do you know! Alabama Congressman and gubernatorial candidate Artur Davis is the House Negro of the Day! I'm sure that will make him more viable to white conservatives. Way to go Artur! Make Alabama proud! *Snicker*

The more things change, the more they stay the same. Here we are a year later talking about the same people and the same issues. Are we ever going to have change we can believe in or is it just a mirage?
Time will tell the truth.