Everybody Hates Joe Reed Saturday Edition

Dr. Joe L. Reed is a uniter, not a divider.

If it's one thing Dr. Joe L. Reed can do it's unifying republicans and democrats in their strong and extreme animosity. You would think he was lighting torches, getting the rope, raping women and men, selling slaves, kidnapping children, sending our troops to war for nothing, raiding the surplus to give the rich a tax cut and spying on the American people without a warrant or something.

According to the righty's, mean, evil, dictator Joe Reed, the state Democrats’ Vice-Chair for Minority Affairs, is behind the proposal to move the election of the state party Chair (and other elected party offices) from January to August,

Gasp!

Now, what is behind the sinister plot? Well according to an anonymous upset democratic lobbyist

it is simply a power grab by Reed who wishes to have the controlling hand in who the Chair will be without the traditional input from the party’s gubernatorial nominee. The lobbyist adds that it makes no sense whatsoever to decide to move an election up almost half a year with only days’ notice without giving people interested in running a chance to prepare. “A lot of people are upset.”

According to the righty's an anonymous member of the Democratic State Executive committee

agrees that this is “a naked power grab” by Reed. “There is no other way around it.” Current state Democratic Party Chair Joe Turnham is expected to be re-elected without any input from the Democrats’ gubernatorial nominee Ron Sparks. “This is not about Sparks vs. Turnham or Sparks vs. Reed. This is just about Reed’s power, not about Reed being concerned about the Party. The Party is becoming irrelevant and this makes it more irrelevant. This is about the insane need for Reed to control the power. This is typical of Joe Reed.”

Lo and behold another Party insider weighs in.

“Reed wants the controlling hand. That’s exactly it. A power play,” adding that many Party members are disgruntled."

Question for the anonymous democratic party insiders, Executive Committee Members, and upset democratic lobbyist. Why are you publicly airing the dirty laundry at Docs Political Parlor of all places?

Of course, the *cough cough* lefty's at LiA can't wait to jump on the Hate for Joe Reed bandwagon.

Joe Reed... Bad Seed (4.00 / 2)
This is all just a bunch of bull horse doo. I'm just about sick and tired of these little man power trips. What did their mama miss in their childhood that they get off on political domination? When will it end? What's it gonna take for Alabama to wake up? Getting ranked 48th instead of 49th? Without education, internet/broadband usage, we remain untouched by the outside, inexposed to reality and out of touch with the intent of power hungry goonies. They know exactly what they are doing. Trying to make sausage gravy without the sausage. Helllllllloooooo, little men... we're over here! Watching without the blinders on this time!

Could this be the reason Joe Reed is the #1 Enemy of the State?

Joe Reed is known as a “fighter for fairness” for black representation. In 1975, Joe Reed led the efforts to get equitable representation for blacks on the Montgomery City Council. His efforts resulted in four (4) blacks of nine (9) being elected. He served on the Montgomery City Council for 24 years. In the Democratic Party today, Alabama’s black representation exceeds all other states in the nation. For over 40 years he has led the effort to get more blacks elected and appointed to public office, including federal marshals, federal and state judges, members of the boards of registrars, legislators, county commissioners, city councils, and school boards. Due largely to his leadership, today Alabama has more black elected officials than any state in the nation. He drafted two (2) plans that increased black representation in the Alabama House of Representatives from 13 to 27; and in the Senate from 3 to 8 in 1982, and 1992, respectively. He also drew a reapportionment plan that provided for 25% (two of eight) majority black districts on the State Board of Education. Alabama is the only state in the nation where the Legislature reflects the state’s population of blacks and whites. Dr. Reed’s congressional plan also led to Alabama’s gaining a black congressional seat

Or maybe it's them there gerrymandered voting districts that could lead to de facto segregation.

Or maybe it's Old Politics vs *cough cough* New Politics Or Reeds hustling of candidates for bribes.

I don't think having black representatives is an unqualified good for our state. Racial diversity in state politics is important, but ideological diversity is far better. These power brokers obstruct the real issues and tend to turn every issue into a black v. white, with-us-or-against-us race struggle. It's embarrassing. You might love that they do for the black community, but I find their role increasingly outdated.

I don't know if the anonymous rumors are correct and this is a Joe Reed power grab and he is trying to ensure the re-election of Joe Turnham or not, but the ADP has some splaining to do. Not just about this issue, but about the no-bid contract with Left in Alabama to provide non specified services. And please anonymous democratic lobbyist, State Executive Committee members, and democratic insiders stop airing the dirty laundry on right-leaning wing blogs. And please left-leaning blogs, stop enabling them to infiltrate the party by repeating the anonymous rumors from anonymous sources. That's how the right-wing media works.

Redeye's Week in Review

Shhhh! It's a super secret contract between the Alabama Democratic Party and Left in Alabama. We can't tell you the details but we're sure you'll like it. NOT.

This is why transparency and accountability are important. Not knowing the details and the specifics of the contract leads to speculation and not fact.
But regardless if the contract is for peanuts or if it's volunteer work, why the secret? How, why and when was LiA chosen? Sunlight is the best disenfectant.

I consider it a personal slap in the face for the Alabama Democratic Party, of which I am a member, to support a blog that won't allow me the same rights and privileges of other commentors. I also consider it a slap in the face to the Democratic gubernatorial nominee Ron Sparks, Dr. Joe Reed, Dr. Paul Hubbert, The Alabama Education Association, The Alabama Democratic Confeference and all the other African American elected officials and traditional democratic base the blog administrators frquently treat with disdane and disrespect. Left in Alabama is not a liberal blog, it is a progressive blog, and there is a difference. Those who support the democratic party and it's agenda get the shaft, but LiA gets a contract. What's up with that?

Oh those pesky, deranged, whining Professional Lefty's. I wish they would just STFD and STFU. It's not like they've been right (no pun) along about practically everything from the Iraq qWagmire, to the Afghanistan qWagmire to the tax cut for the rich, to Gitmo, to health care reform, to gay rights, to immigration reform, women's rights and labor. I mean how dare they criticize President Obama, after all the alternative is so much worse. It's not like they are the Tea Party or something. Those are real American activist. The Professional Left should just STFU and continue to enable The Professional Right to obstruct President Obama's agenda. The Professional Left is the Enemy of the State. *Big Snark*

To the extent that the White House has failed to take advantage of these opportunities, I think the primary reason is ineffective staff work. Often, it seems too many staffers are driven by a 1990s mindset about how politics works. Ultimately, though, President Obama is the only one who can turn the ship around. I know it must be frustrating for people in the White House to be held to such high standards; after all, by ordinary standards, they've accomplished a tremendous amount, and yet they are still receiving incoming fire. But fair or not, these aren't ordinary times. These are times that call for greatness.

Under the radar. BP's Oil Spill dumped on communities of color. I'm shocked. Shocked I tell you! Not.

Tons of BP's oil waste sent to the Chastang Landfill in Mount Vernon, Ala.: 6,008

Percent of residents in a one-mile radius who are people of color: 56.2

African American Democratic Legislators Charlie Rangel (NY) and Maxine Waters (CA) tell the ethics committee to Bring it on. Did you know that Alabama Congressman Jo Bonner (republican) was the ranking member? Are Democrats and Republicans trying to Ruin Black Politicians?

The double standard with respect to how Republicans and Democrats are being treated in regards to ethics violations sends mixed messages to the African American community. First it looks as if the white Democratic leadership, in concert with the GOP, is targeting blacks singularly. Second, it lets the world see America’s hypocrisy in regards to how Republicans are treated compared to black political officials, especially if one happens to be the first African American president of the United States of America.

I'm just saying.....

Support Obama or Else!

Support Obama and STFU!
Support Obama or leave!
Don't think, support Obama!
Stop whining, Support Obama!
Give him credit for what he has done!
Give him time, he's only been in office 18 months!


There shall be no criticism of President Bush, I mean Obama. Deja Voodoo all over again? One thing that gets my goat is people who don't have problem with President Obama's policies and who don't want to criticize his actions bashing those of us who do

 If you support Obama blindly, that's fine. If you don't want to question Obama that's fine. But don't try and suppress dissent or dissenters. That's something that happens under evil dictatorships and under gop administrations. Remember?

For the record I am a strong supporter of President Obama's, but I have serious and strong objections to some of his policies. It's not the CHANGE I HOPED and VOTED for.

I voted for our troops coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan.
I voted for restoring honesty, integrity and justice to the Justice Department and an end to Scooter Libby justice and Brownie incompetence.
I voted for closing Gitmo.
I voted for health care reform that included a public option.
I voted for public education reform.
I voted for jobs.

Now, the way Obama is heading he will be a one term President because his base, aka The Professional Left will stay home in November (can you say Scott Brown?).

Former White House Press Secretary  Robert Gibbs showed his true colors (pun intended) when he attacked The Professional Left.  Like former Mississippi Senator Trent Lott , he told us us how some in power in this administration really about the base. It also explains why President Obama's agenda is what it is (not) and why his poll numbers are tanking enabling republicans to get their hands on the car keys in November.

Was Robert Gibbs in cahoots with Rush Limbaugh to make sure President Obama failed? How many more Robert Gibbs are there in the Obama administration? Hmmmmm....

Gibbs re "Professional Liberals":

"They will be satisfied when we have Canadian health care and we've eliminated the Pentagon. That's not reality," he added. "They wouldn't be satisfied if Dennis Kucinich was President."

Wrong Mr. Gibbs. I would be perfectly satisfied if Dennis Kuchinich was President. For one thing, our sons and daughters would be coming home from Iraq and Afghanistan. Our tax dollars would be used to rebuild America. We would have health care reform that included a public option. As a matter of fact Mr. Gibbs, Dennis Kuchinich has been right (no pun) about everything.

What The Rude Pundit said, all the damn way! Warning, contains raw, language.

So, let's get this straight, Bobby G. We on the left warned your boss and the Democrats that every time you reached out your hands to the Republicans, those f&^kers would just gnaw on 'em. But you kept on with the effort of bipartisanship, watering down bills and watering 'em down. Anyone with a lick of sense knew that the GOP was just setting you up: force 'em to compromise and then make sure that what gets passed does just a scintilla of what could have been done. On bill after bill these mad negotiations occurred, and now you're accusing us of not living in reality? No, really, truly, f&*k you, man.

And all of you who don't have a problem with President Obama's agenda STFU. Really, truly.

Tuesday Professional Left Blog Stroll

Everybody hates Liberals, even Robert Gibbs.

What with all the hoopla over Robert Gibbs' comments today it pays to simply remember that everyone in Washington hates liberals. It's a fact of life and until something happens to change the dynamic in which Democratic politicians are afraid to even mutter the words liberal, much less boldly and persuasively make a case for liberalism, I expect this will be the case. (The irony, of course, is that the liberals who do so have been proven right on the politics and the substance far more often than those who bet with the conservatives.)

Charlie Rangel says he will NOT cut and run.

Rangel called out the hypocrisy of the committee, his fellow Representatives and even the President over the two year old allegations against him.

Maxine Waters responds to the allegations against her in her own words, not the media's words.

“I have not violated any House rules. 
 
Therefore, I simply will not be forced to admit to something I did not do and instead have chosen to respond to charges made by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct in a public hearing.
 


Of course it's just a coincidence the ethics committee has only bought ethics charges against African American Democratic legislators. It can't be racism because it's a bi partisan committee headed by former Congressmen and CIA director Porter Goss.

1. A man who is alleged to have been involved in funneling large amounts of money in contracts to dubious "defense contractor" Brent Wilkes (whose companies were mostly on paper) knows something about ethics does he?

2. A man who is alleged to have been involved in the bribery of US Congressman Randy Duke Cunningham and took part in hooker parties along with his subordinates, knows something about ethics, does he?

3. A man who as the Chair of the House Intelligence Committee did not think it important to investigate the outing of CIA officer Valeria Plame Wilson by the White House as political pay-back, knows something about ethics, does he? This same who as a CIA officer himself should have known better, right?

4. A man who is alleged to have been part of a special CIA assassination team known as Operation 40, knows something about ethics, does he? (Graduates of which would show up in some of the worst US scandals, including the Watergate crimes and Iran Contra).

My friend Legal Schnauzer says the Obama Administration Seems to be Terrified of White People but this comment by mooncat at Left in Alabama may explain why;

This is from Chris Cilizza, so you have to take it with a grain of salt, but it isn't surprising that the CBC and Barack Obama sometimes come at things from very different points of view. He isn't the president of any part of America, he's gone to great pains to be the president of all of America.

Could it be white folks think if President Obama enacts legislation that is perceived to help black folks in any way, white folks won't like him? Are white folks afraid President Obama will exact some kind of revenge on white folks for slavery, Jim Crow and institutional racism or something? We know President Obama is the President of all of us, just like we knew the 43 White Presidents before him was the President of all of us.

Questions for the Alabama Democratic Party

It has come to my attention the Alabama Democratic Party has entered into a contractual agreement for a specific and well-defined product that doesn't include anything related to the content or editorial decisions at LiA or anything to appear at LiA.

As to exactly what we are providing, I can't say right now, but you'll almost certainly recognize it when you see it -- perhaps in a few weeks.

My questions are as follows, and, as a member of the Alabama Democratic Party I am respectfully demanding answers.

Who entered into a contract with Left in Alabama on behalf of the Alabama Democratic Party and when?

Why would the Alabama Democratic Party enter into a contract with a blog with a clear understanding that nothing keeps us from kicking around the ADP at will here at LIA if we think they're screwing up.

Why are the specifics a "secret"? Those pesky contracts keep us quiet until it's done.....

Why would the Alabama Democratic Party enter into a contractual agreement with a blog who who bashed and smashed the Alabama Democratic nominee for Governor , and who echos right-wing talking points regarding The Alabama Democratic Conference, The Alabama Education Association , and says it's time for black leaders and elected officials to "step down" in favor of a so-called new generation of black leaders?

Is the Alabama Democratic Party aware Left in Alabama has a history of supporting conservatives over liberal democrats and gave Congressman Artur Davis a free pass for his vote against health care reform?

Is the Alabama Democratic Party aware my front page privileges were revoked by the administrators because I said something they didn't like about Terri Sewell and because I wasn't an Artur Davis for Governor supporter? Although they claim I was never banned from posting Left in Alabama my account was disabled for several months. My account was briefly reinstated last month, then I pi$$ed them off again and was subjected to the Dale Jackson treatment.

It's a special rule for Dale (3.00 / 2)
And Redeye. Folks who tend to get caught up in arguing for the sake of argument and leave a large volume of low value comments in a short time. Dale agreed to this arrangement. He's on the honor system but we remind him of his total.

As of today, I cannot log on to Left in Alabama to post comments. They also have a rating system which allows trusted commenter's to delete the post. As a member of the Alabama Democratic Party, I have a real problem with any party funds being spent with a blog who treats me in this manner.

Oh please (4.00 / 4)
Stand behind your words, why don't you? It may be cute in junior high to mince words and try to avoid responsibility for what you said, but no one really believes you're blameless even then and it certainly doesn't wash when you're an adult.

You painted all moderates with an extremely broad and unflattering brush then pretend you didn't mean to apply that brush to someone who calls herself almoderate? No one here is that gullible.

You have the pissing analogy backwards. This is how it goes, according to LBJ who said it of J. Edgar Hoover: "I would rather have him inside the tent pissing out than outside the tent pissing in." It's akin to "keep your friends close and your enemies closer."

I agree that a party divided will not stand. So why do you persist in pounding wedges that serve to split off various segments of the party? It can't just be a party of people who exactly agree with Redeye, because there are not enough people like that to form a majority for anything. Well, I guess it could be a party that small, but members would only be able to moan and complain about never having power and getting pissed on all the time because most people would be outside the tent.

A party like that is nothing to aspire to

Is this what the Alabama Democratic Party stands for? If so count me out.