Don't blame me, I voted for Charlie Holley (D.)

 

 Obama, Alabama Officials pledge aid for storm survivors

So, there is an article on today's AL.com blog where 5th district Congress Critter Mo Brooks (r,) is bragging about why he was the only member of the Alabama Congressional delegation to vote against the Hurricane Sandy relief bill.
Here are his excuses, I mean reasons, in a nut shell;

Brooks said in an interview after the vote that the legislation should have been delayed to allow members more time to review its details. He also said taxpayers "should not have to fork out a nickel" to pay for property damage in areas historically vulnerable to storms.
"People have to protect themselves from the risks of weather, particularly if they live in an area that is periodically hit by substantial storms," Brooks said. "They should not expect American taxpayers to subsidize a vacation home on the beach."

Translation, I voted NO because I'm a TeaPublican and I don't have to worry about being re-elected as long as I vote NO on everything the Tea Party tells me too.

I guess Mo and the other 66 *ahem*  lawmakers who voted NO didn't have time to read the legislation that was discussed two months ago.  I guess they don't have natural disasters in their states either.  Po Mo must have forgotten about  the recent hurricane damage to the vacation homes and businesses  in Mobile and Gulfport.  Not to mention the recent deadly tornadoes and damage in Tuscaloosa, Birmingham and yes, even districts which he mis represents, Huntsville, Decatur, Athens,  Hillsboro, Moulton, and Florence, are smack dab in the middle of what is known as Tornado Alley.

Brooks' own district in north Alabama was devastated by tornadoes in April 2011, and he worked to help victims obtain federal assistance in the wake of the catastrophe. 
He said he sympathized with victims of Sandy and that he was not opposed to providing aid. But he said Congress had to be more deliberative when dealing with legislation involving billions of dollars.
Brooks said he would raise similar objections if the damage had been in Alabama. 
"We're at a point in this nation where hard choices have to be made, or the federal government is going to bankrupt the American people," he said. "We just can't keep spending money this way."

You got that?  If Alabama is hit by a natural disaster the Congress Critter from the 5th district will vote HELL NO.  So much for the Christian Compassionate Conservatism.

Is this just a case of the Republican Party wanting to distance itself from the Bush years—or is compassionate conservatism gone for good?

It's a shame Mo and the other 66 republicans who voted against the relief bill can't see past red and blue and come together to  help their fellow human beings in a time a need.  Has it really come to if Obama carried your state you don't deserve any help or assistance?  Yes I am a Democrat, but I guarantee you will NEVER hear of Democrats punishing people in their time of need because of partisan politics. I shake my head at the thought of people being so shallow as to not worry about any deaths or any semi important issues other than strictly whom you voted for, you know?

And that my friends is the difference between Democrats and republicans.  Democrats believe in helping people in need regardless of race, gender, religion, sexual orientation or political party.

Is the first African American President of the United States of America the president of everybody but African Americans?

" I’m not the president of black America. I’m the president of the United States of America,"~President Barack Hussein Obama 

Oh, really?  Based on  the current state of affairs African Americans are struggling to just to breath, and it seems like to me the first African American President is the first African American President for everybody but African Americans.

Obama may be Black, but he’s not that kind of president. “If he were the first Black President he would be using his bully pulpit to champion legislation targeting unemployment in urban areas, poverty, income disparity, and other issues.” This particular Black man is, essentially, a functionary of a government in the service of wealth and empire. “The President’s efforts will not address chronic income disparity or the wealth gap.”

I'm going to be honest, I had this nagging feeling there was going to be a black lash post election of President Obama, but never did I expect things were going to get worse.  President Obama's adheres to the philosophy that a rising tide lifts all boats, but if one end of the boat if full of holes guess what...the whole damn boat is going to sink.  If the boat full of holes just happens to be is full of black folks no one will throw out a life preserver, much less send the Coast Guard because black folks expect the government to take care of them. RedEye roll

Those who attempt to bring the suffering (yes I said suffering) of African Americans to the attention of the first African American President are called The Professional Left,  Haters (or worse), admonished to stop whining and put on your marching shoes and support the first African American President because he's well... the first African American President of the United States of America.

criticizing “a first” poses great risks. “Firsts” are often sacred cows that black people protect because they don’t want them to fail and don’t want other black people “bringing em down.”

What Kelli said all the damn way!

He's not the president of black america, yet he needs the black vote!! When other groups holler they get his attention, when we do we're told to stop complaining and put on our marching boots. We defend him the most and get shitted on by him in the process. Black unemployment is through the roof and we have no right to complain? I'm sorry but singing Al Green and going to Harlem for a fundraiser(not to listen to regular folk problems) is just not going to cut it anymore.

According to a recent report released by the United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics the black unemployment rate jumped from 12.9% to 14% this month.  Now you tell me if the script were flipped and white unemployment jumped from 12.9% to 14%,  the white President would be saying I am not the president of white America.  I'm the president of the United States of America.  There would be hell to pay, and rightly so.


See, this is why I didn't want an African American President of the United States of America because I knew  there would be Hope and Change  for  EBBF...Everybody But Black Folks. 

Sigh

RedEye Around the Web

Your laugh out loud for the day courtesy of Alabama Governor Robert Bentley (r. Tuscaloosa).

“I would have voted against this agreement because I believe we need a more balanced approach that would include significant spending cuts and making the federal government more efficient, like we’re doing here in Alabama,” Bentley said.

Uh,  do you mean the efficient government like were doing here in Alabama where voters just voted to raid the Trust Fund to avoid budget cuts? Or, do you mean the efficient Alabama government who takes $1.7 dollars of federal funds for every $1.00 it sends in?  Or, do the you mean the efficient Alabama government with the largest number of people relying on  food stamps?

Things that make you go Hmmmm....

 Leave it to a congressman from the ex-Confederacy, where the white rape of black women has a long and sordid history, to hold up the Violence Against Women Act in order to protect white men from prosecution by tribal courts if they rape a Native American woman.

 So let me get this straight, the same men who want to arm teachers ( most of whom are females), voted against the violence against women act,  but passed laws requiring women to have a vaginal ultrasound before they can obtain a safe, legal, abortion?  They trust women with a child and and a gun, but they don't trust them with a choice. Hmmm....

Meanwhile under the radar, did you know President Obama signed an executive order giving Congress a pay raise?  Yep, the same Congress that is talking about cutting food stamps, Social Security and Medicare/Medicaid.   This is one of those rare times I agree with the republicans.

Fortunately, the Republicans agree that the idea of this lot getting a raise is obscene. Obama must be the most out-of-touch politician Inside-the-Beltway. These bums make $174,000, although the Speaker makes $223,500 and the 4 party leaders make $193,400 each-- have gigantically rich benefits packages and cushy retirement plans that no one else in America gets. On touch of that, most of them are corrupt and spend most of their energy feathering their own nests in countless schemes and scams.

Filibuster reform coming to the Senate? I HOPE so, and not a minute too soon.  I'm tired of being held hostage by the right wing Bully's.   Make them talk so the whole world can see/hear them.

Liberals say the Levin-McCain proposal is inadequate because it would not implement their highest-priority reform, the so-called talking filibuster.
Udall and Jeff Merkley (D-Ore), the leading advocates for filibuster reform, say lawmakers who filibuster legislation should be required to actively hold the floor and debate. This would make it more arduous for senators who want to hold up business — they would have to organize teams to hold the floor for days or even weeks on end.
Udall said he would have to be convinced to support the Levin-McCain plan because it would not implement a talking filibuster rule, which he said is “the heart of the matter”

GOP=Gerrymandering Over People.  Nobody can turn the losers into the winners, and the winners into the losers,  like the GOP. Although a  majority of voters voted for democrats, republicans won,  thanks to republican gerrymandering enabled by  the conservative majority on the United States Supreme Court.

 Worse, top Republicans are already threatening to use the looming debt ceiling fight to torpedo the entire U.S. economy unless Congress agrees to slash Social Security or Medicare benefits for seniors. They will have the leverage to attempt this because the incoming House bears no resemblance to the one America actually voted for. And individual Republican House members will be able to engage in this political dangerous game of chicken comfortable in the knowledge that partisan gerrymandering makes many of them untouchable in a general election.

Para quoting the late Senator Paul Wellstone (D. MN) I dare imagine a country where every child has equal access to a quality public education, regardless of the color of their skin, regardless of their gender, regardless of their address, regardless of their parents income,  where every child will have the chance to reach their full potential. What we have here is a  Race to the top for the fortunate few, the rest, not so much.  Blame public school teachers.  Snark

"There's a stark wealth gap in New York between black and brown families versus white families. This is reflected in the school system, where property taxes are used to fund schools, which translates to higher salaries for teachers who can instruct advanced courses and facilitate expanded college-counseling services,"

Congratulations to Wayne Bennett, organizer, publisher and founder of the award winning The Field Negro blog, for being named Politics 365 Game Changer of the the day.

 While his blog is known for covering national affairs that affect Black Americans in an unconventional tone, The Field Negro is also known for letting its commenter's voice their opinions on what is published on the blog without being censored.

 Real liberal quotes from real liberals.

 Your purpose, then, plainly stated, is that you will destroy the Government, unless you be allowed to construe and enforce the Constitution as you please, on all points in dispute between you and us. You will rule or ruin in all events.~ President Abraham Lincoln

We do not own many media outlets, but what we can be is more responsive. We must counter the hate radio movement with programs that provide useful and helpful information.~ Bernie Hayes The St. Louis American  

RedEye Over and Out...for now.

The Difference Between "Us" and "Them"

 

Fist Dap jobsanger

Might as well start the year off right (pun intended).  Sorry, but I am one of the Howling Left who doesn't get it.  I am NOT happy about the fiscal cliff  compromise.  Clearly, Obama, the upper middle class, heirs, and some of the American people  won, but guess who lost...the usual "suspects" aka Obama voters.  You know, the people who actually voted for the candidate who ran on, and won on, a $250,000 threshold and no cuts to Social Security benefits, Medicare and Medicaid twice. It's Deja Voodoo all over again, President Obama pandering to those who MIGHT vote for him, at the expense of those who DID vote for him.

I know there are some who believe the Tea Party is on the brink of extinction and can be removed, but I'm not one of them.  Republican controlled state legislatures and governors offices have gerrymandered themselves into a majority in the House, and an organized minority in the Senate, insulating them from being voted out. They don't have to do anything but obstruct the evil democratic agenda and they have a government job with government benefits for life.  Unless, and until, the Suckers who hate Obama more than they love America wake up and smell the coffee, we are stuck with them.

Which has me worried about Alabama's lone African American seat in Congress.  Looks like Rep. Terri Sewell (D. 07)  is facing a challenge from Stanley Mack, who calls himself a conservative who happens to be a black man. (code for republican  front man).  Regular readers know I am a critic of Sewell, but at least she is a liberal who happens to be a black woman.  The last thing the citizens in black belt need is a conservative who happens to be a black man representing them in Congress again.

Has the Alabama republican party finally gotten their claws into Alabama's lone democratic seat in Congress?  Strike that.  Did the Alabama Democratic Party  enable the Alabama republican party to get their claws into Alabama's lone democratic seat in Congress?

I HOPE not.

The difference between us and them is we believe in helping the least of these. ~RedEye 

"All we want is make us free."~ The Armistad Revolt

Today marks the 150th anniversary of the day President Abraham Lincoln (R. IL) signed the Emancipation Proclamation as our  nation approached the third year of the War between the States.

The proclamation declared "that all persons held as slaves" within the rebellious states "are, and henceforward shall be free."

So, I'm sitting here 150 years later wondering how the party that freed the slaves turned into the party that is trying to bring back slavery?   The answer can be found in the graphic below. 

 

 See the areas in red?  These are the states that are covered by the Emancipation Proclamation.  Slave holding states not covered are in blue.  Is it a coincidence the states responsible for putting the most Tea Party representatives in the house are all members of the former Confederacy?  I think NOT.  

The goals, methods and passions of the Tea Party in the House are all characteristic of the radical southern right.

The mainstream media have completely missed the story, by portraying the Tea Party movement in ideological rather than regional terms. Whether by accident or design, the public faces of the Tea Party in the House are Midwesterners — Minnesota’s Michele Bachmann and Joe Walsh of Illinois. But while there may be Tea Party sympathizers throughout the country, in the House of Representatives the Tea Party faction that has used the debt ceiling issue to plunge the nation into crisis is overwhelmingly Southern in its origins:

From the Armistad Revolt, the the Emancipation Proclamation, to now,  all we want is make us free.

John Quincy Adams: [to the Court] This man is black. We can all see that. But, can we also see as easily, that which is equally true? That he is the only true hero in this room. Now, if he were white, he wouldn't be standing before this court fighting for his life. If he were white and his enslavers were British, he wouldn't be standing, so heavy the weight of the medals and honors we would bestow upon him. Songs would be written about him. The great authors of our times would fill books about him. His story would be told and retold, in our classrooms. Our children, because we would make sure of it, would know his name as well as they know Patrick Henry's. Yet, if the South is right, what are we to do with that embarrassing, annoying document, The Declaration of Independence? What of its conceits? "All men created equal," "inalienable rights," "life, liberty," and so on and so forth? What on Earth are we to do with this? I have a modest suggestion.
[tears papers in half]

Welcome to 2013!