5A
OPINIONS/Claclotte $o«t
Thursday, October 26, 2006
N.C. Democrats
watching races in
Tennessee, Va.
Last Thursday, President Bush, and I were in Richmond,
Virginia
We did not get up with each other this time.
He did not have time to stop by the offices of the
PresbjTerian Synod of the Mid-Atlantic where I was busy
at 'a church meeting.
And I did not have the thousands of dollars
it would have cost me to attend the pohtical
fundraising event featuring the President.
Bush’s event raised about $500,000 for the
campaign to redect \hginia Senator George
Allen. On the same day, former President
Bill Clinton was also in \h'gmia raising
about the same amoimt for Allen’s
Democratic challenger, James Webb.
Interesting enou^, you might say Then
you would ask if the two presidents’ visits to
Virginia have anything to do with North Carohna.
The hi^ level of fundraising activities signals a very
close Senate election in our neighboring state.
Something similar is happening in our neighbor state to
the west, 'I^inessee. That state’s senator, Bill Frist, is not
running for reelection. Democratic Congressman Harold
Ford and Repubhcan Bob Corker are locked in a contest
that is very close.
The strong campaigns of the Democratic candidates in
Virginia and Tfennessee surprised most political esqierts.
Like Nordi Carolina, our neighbor states have been voting
stror^y Repubhcan in recent presidential elections. None
of the three currently has a Democratic saiator.
In fact, of the 22 senators from the former states of the
Confederacy, only four are Democrats (one each in Florida
and Louisiana and two from Arkansas). The South has
given the Repubhcan majority in the Senate a rehable
bedrock of strength
Other than John Edwards’ victory in 1998, Democrats
have not won a Senate election in North Carolina since
Lferry Sanfcad’s 1988 victory In the last two Senate elec
tions, Democrats fell short, even with the strong candida
cy of Erskine Bowles, who lost to Elizabeth Dole and
Richard Burr.
Of course there is no Senate election in North Carohna
this year. Two years from now, however, Senator Dole’s
seat will be on the bahot. While prominent Democrats are
already gearing up for statewide races for governor and '
heutenant governor, there seems to be very httle pubhc
discussion of possible Democratic candidates for the
Senate.
Wth the recent Danocratic losses in North Carohna
Senate races, even with a strong, weh-financed candidate
like Bowles, it is no wonder that people are not standing in
hne to take on Dole, assuming she runs for reelection.
The strong Repubhcan hold on southern Senate seats
also discourages int^^st.
But Democrats wQl be asldng whether or not the good
showing of Democratic candidates in Lfennessee and
Virginia mi^t signal an opening for than in North
Carolina in the 2008 election.
As they evaluate their prospects. Democrats ought to
look at the reasons why the candidacies of Tbnnessee’s
Harold Ford and VLtgima’s James West caught fire.
Ford started as a long shot. If elected, he would be the
first Afiican American senator fixim the South since
Reconstruction. He has turned race to his advantage and
has carefully campaigned as a moderate, even conserva
tive, on issues that are important to conservative swing
voters. For example he has supported a ban on gay mar
riage, a constitutional prohibition on flag-burning, a repeal
of the estate tax, posting the Tbn Commandments in court
rooms, and taken “pro-gim” positions.
Ford has also run what some have called the “best”
Senate campaign in the country
James West also started out as a lor^ shot in Viginia.
His opponent, Senator Allen, was already being touted as
a presidential candidate before he made a few bad mis
takes. West was ready to pounce. As a former marine and
Republican Secretary of the Navy he has a crossover
appeal other Democrats envy
If it takes candidates like Ford and West to compete for
Senate seats in the South, worrld North Carolina
Democrats be willing to nominate one? Could a moderate-
conservative candidate win a Democratic primary?
I don’t know.
What I do know is that Democratic Governor Mike
Easley has demcaistrated an ability to win over conserva
tive swir^ voters. He cannot run for reelection in 2006.
And he began his statewide election career running for the
Senate in 1990.
Keep an eye on bim
D.G. MARTIN is the host of UNC-TV's North Carolina
Bookwatch, which airs Fridays at 9:30 pm. and Sundays at 5 pm.
Voting for the evil
of two lessors
It’s really a shame to say this, but because black people - and
everyone else for that matter — are faced with voting for “choices”
made by the inner circle of powa-brokos, once again many voters
will have to pimch the card or touch the corrupted Deibcdd com
puter screens while holding our noses. I hear a great deal of talk
about voting for the lesso* of two evils, but in many of the races it’s
really a matter of voting for the evil of two lessors.
In what is billed as a precursor for the 2008 presidential election,
if Bush doesn’t cancel the election that year, black
people are again beir^ touted as the group that
can determine the outcome of Ihe 2006 election,
thus, havir^ the ability to change tiie face of gov
ernment fiom Republican rule to Democratic rule.
We will see on November 8, but based on who we
have in office now, I am not too optimistic.
First, on the national scene, we have an obsti
nate “resident” who has proved his incompetence
to the world. He still refuses to admit even one
mistake during his administration and continues
to sacrifice the lives of our young men and women
in a war based on lies and deceit. He claims to care about the sol
diers but supports cuts in their boiefits. His actions belie his
words, but we continue to acquiesce to his antics and those of his
minions.
Waiting in die wings is his brother, Jeb. Yep, another Bush,
member of the Project for the New American Century and the one
who participated in the 2000 Florida election debacle, is being
touted as the future “resident.” And get this; Rudy Giuliani tops
the list of prospective candidates for Republicans, followed by John
McCain. The outrageous thing is that George AUoi, the Senator
from Wrginia who has a checkered past when it comes to his com
ments about blacks and other ethnic groups, is also on the
Republican short list.
On die other side, we have HOlary Clinton and whoever is in sec
ond place for the moment: John Kerry, John Edwards; A1 Gore; et
al. I am sure there wfll be others moving to die forefiont by 2008,
but whoever is “chosen” will result in a “Hobson’s Choice” for the
rest of us, which is really no choice at aU.
Bush, Rove, Cheney Rumsfeld, and Rice are making every
attempt to scare the electorate into submission, to keep us so on
edge about thdr impending new war with Iran, which just might
be oiu" 2006 “October surprise,” and their saber-rattling, paper
tiger, anperor with no clothes posture with North Korea.
'They are playing us for chumps while they pile up the dollars
andeurosintheircoSers andthoseoftheirfiiends. Remember the
words of Dwight Eisenhower: “Only an aleat and knowledgeable
citizenry can compel the proper meshing of the huge industrial
and military machinery of defense with our peaceful methods and
goals, so that security and liberty may prosper together.” We can
clearly see who is prospering in this war economy can’t we?
On a local level, we have candidates running for Congress in
both parties who can’t wait to get in fiont of a microphone to say
how supportive they are of Israel, which seems to be a litmus test
for anyone who is running, even black candidates. Isn’t it funny
that none of the candidates, black or white, are ever questioned by
anyone or ever e^qaress their support for Afidca, a continoit in
which you could place 1,000 Israels? Why is Afiica not held up as
a litmus test, especially for black candidates, but in general for all
candidates?
Voters are faced with Hobson’s Choices in state, county and city
races this year. Descrilang many of the races as a vote for the less
er of two evils, I have heard quite a few people say they’re just not
going to vote for either candidate.
Since several black candidates are running for high office this
year, some would have us believe their races are based on “race.”
It’s not a race issue; it’s a party issue. Politicians, black or white,
who do nothii^ for Black people should not get your vote, the color
of his or her skin notwithstandir^. But candidates and their han
dlers are playing the so-called “race card” to whip black voters into
an emotional fi:«nzy rather than deal with us intelligently by
engaging in relevant dialogue.
The simple truth is that we are faced with voting for the evil of
two lessors in many cases, and we should be politically sophisti
cated enough to see throu^ the rhetoric and the smokescreens.
After all, haven’t we heard and seen it all before?
When I see a J.C. Watts defending George Bush and his regime,
saying Bush is “protecting American lives,” while I simultaneous
ly see thousands of American lives being lost in Iraq and
Afghanistan, I want to throw up. When I hear Dick Cheney spout
off about how ‘Svell” things are going in Iraq, it just makes me sick.
These actions alone show you how low politicians and ex-politi
cians will stoop to keep their game going. Wake up, black folks!
Don’t vote for anyone connected to or supportive of the Bush
regime.
JAMES E. CUNGMAN, an adjunct professor at the University of
Cincinnati's African American Studies department, is former editor of the
Cincintiali Herald newspaper andfounder of the Greater Cincinnati African
American Chamber of Commerce.
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China undercuts
black economies
“Oh, the wolves are of another mind.” It is very
strange and downr^it sad how some of the best
pieces of good legislation can be hijacked and used
gainst the very people it is supposed to be benefiting.
Not only that, those who think they are representing
a certain group of people are the ones who actually
pull the “trigger” or drop the ‘lever” upside their
head.
Such is the case with the so-called “Africa Growth
and Opportunity Act.” It could have been such a
beautiful event but it went the way of
greed and advantage for China and
those who do business with China.
There was a loophole in this legislation
that allow “third countries” to be used
as substitutes for Afiican countries
when it came to textile production.
China and sometimes India jumped
right in with their processed cotton. As
a resxflt, you may buy clothes that say
‘Made in Kenya” or “Made in Nigeria”
but the reality is the cotton was grown and processed
in China. The textile industry in nations such as
Nigeria and the cotton farmers from Kenya and other
nations have been devastated. This nation through
its so-called conscience has, in effect, laid the envi-
ronmait to bring economic devastation to villages
and towns throu^out Afiica.
Thb third-party exemption was supposed to stop at
the end of 2006, But, you know what, the same peo
ple who caused it to be, some members of the
Congressional Black Caucus included, have surfaced
again in an attempt to extend it. Why? As rap mogul
P Diddy once proclaimed, ‘Tt’s all about the
Benjamins.” Lobbyists represaiting China and com
panies that do business with China are fliingiug cash
up on Capitol Hill, causing certain congressmen to do
the craziest things. AGOA is supposed to be about
Afiica doir^ business with the United States and no
third coimtry intoference cr exploitation. Sadly that
hasn’t happen.
In addition to doing tiie.whammy on Africa again,
the greedy have enlarged its appetite for Haiti. The
Central American Free Tbade Agreement (CAFTA),
like AGOA was to open the doors for economic devel
opment between the United States and Nicaragua, El
Salvador, Gviatemala, Honduras, Costa Rica and the
Dominican Repifldic. This time, they got it right in
that no third country substitutions can be allowed.
But the wolves thought hard and came up with an
even more sinister scheme. They are paoposing to
extend the exemption clause in AGOA but also make
it applicable to Haiti.
Why Haiti? It’s simpie. They can cram China cot
ton into Haiti and block any textile business in the
CAPTAnations. Keep in mind that millions of p)eopile
of African descent live and work in CAFTA nations.
The Dominican Republic, which shares an island
with Haiti, is 60 jjercent Black. It is quickly develop
ing textiles under CAFTA via business with the
United States. It also employs mai^^ Haitians. When
China gets its hooks into Haiti, there won’t be any
more textile activity in the Dominican Republic or
anywhere else in CAFTA. Like AGOA and Afiica,
they are going to devastate people of color.
Meanwhile, Haiti will get some menial jobs but no
business ownership or wealth creation. 'The clients of
the lobbyists will continue to make big time profits at
the exptense of Americans and workers in the
Diaspora. Haiti is getting set up and doesn’t see it
coniing.
We are going to Capitol Hill this week with the
Kenya Chamber of Commerce to expose the sad his
tory on these acticsns and to ej^ress our dismay We
need to let those who want to hear the truth under
stand just what damage is being done and how real
black folk deserve a better deal. If it weren’t for the
love of money, qviick sinister money we would not
have to do this. Sometime I want to scream and cry
at the same time. We have to go and find white folk
who will be fair minded and step up to do the ri^t
thing. Black folks who shoiild be in the vanguard of
the opposition. Associations that claim to be focused
on Afiica are actually brain dead when it comes to
economic empowerment and financial freedom. We
will win this fight but it is going to take some serious
calling out and unfortunate confixaitation with people
of my own color.
Ignorance is not bliss and someday we will be able
to school our own to do the right thing. Please remem
ber —there is nothing slimier than for-hire Negro lob
byists selling out their own people for a few crumbs
off the table (or \mder it).
HARRY C. ALFORD is president/CEO of the National
Black Chamber of Commerce. Website:
wwwnationalbccarg. Email: president@nationcdbcc/yrg.
( (SIGH) IFTS SEE IF | CAN
GUESS WHAT HAPPENED HERE.)
WY GRANDFATHER, DESPITE THE
FACT THAT HE IS MORE THAN SEVENTY
YEARS OLD AND A&ilNST THE REPEATED
WARNINGS OF H|S GRANDSON,
DECIDES TO TAICE UP THE PSEUDO
MARTIAI-ARTS EXERCISE CRAZE
TOO CHEAP TO ACTUAllY PUY
THE TAPES. MY GRANDFATHER
ATTEMPTS TO WORIC OUT WITH
THE iNFOMERqAl AT THREE
IN THE MORNING.
MINUTES lATER, HE EflHER COLLAPSES DUE TO ^
CHRONIC EXHAUSTION OR FAILS ATTEMPTING A
BXlLYBlAifKS-STVLE ICIOC. EITHER WAY,
SOMETHING IN HiS PACIC |S NOW MISALIGNED
AND HE UES MOTIONLESS ON THE GROUND UNTIL
4 SUNRISE, HE HAS DSN FOUND PY THE VERY
GRANDSON WHO FOREWARNED HlM, PUT WHO HAS
FAR TOO MUCH RESPKT FOR HlS ELDERS TO SAY
. "I TOLD YOU SO.”