LEAD, FOLLOW AND GET OUT OF THE WAY

To quote from the day's reading of "Our Daily Bread" - "...Leaders must know where they are going. As go the leaders, so go the followers..."

For those of you who gave into your fear of terrorism and believed George Bush would keep you safe, how are you feeling? Did you see how he handled the natural disaster called Hurricane Katrina? His slow response resulted in thousands of people dying. Tell me how does that make you feel safe? The next natural disaster, especially if you're a person of color, could be YOU, and knowing how GeeDubya really feels about people of color, you can't be feeling safe. In fact, you should be downright scared out of your wits, espeically if you thought his proclaiming to be a Christian was going to play a role in keeping you safe.

Of course, Jesus can keep you safer than GeeDubya - but if He came on the Scene right now, I bet Karl Rove would have him shot and killed because it's not time for His return (according to Tim LaHaye, Jim Dobson and Pat "the Assassin" Robertson).

Or that his incompetent former head of FEMA, Michael Brown, had the audacity to climb up on Capitol Hill yesterday and basically cuss out lawmakers who wanted to know what the hell happened, and why didn't he do his job. Well, in order to perform required job duties, it goes without saying that one must have job qualifications, doesn't it. And yet, through his testimony, Brown continues to demonstrate that breathless degree of incompetency. He even got awarded a consultant contract to tell us how he jacked up the job he was charged to do, and get a fat check for his trouble.

As Don King would say "ONLY IN AMERICA". God, what a country!

Oh, I'm sorry; I confused common sense and its application with the Clinton Administration. Common sense has no role in the Bush Administration; and job qualifications is an anathema to those in charge in this neck of the woods. My bad.

Additionally, Brown stated that the slow response to Katrina victims wasn't his fault - that damned Ray Nagin and Kathleen Blanco should have had their act together. Well, they did, but they were waiting for the government to get off the pot. And if there were conflicts between Nagin and Blanco, Brown represented the friggin' GOVERNMENT and by virtue of that authority, he could supercede and intervene in the turf war going on! In other words, Brown had the authority to knock Nagin and Blanco's heads together and tell them "Pull your crap together so we can get about the business of evacuating people and saving their lives!"

I so hate to play the race/class/status cards here, but play them I must; I can't help but believe that since the media is so drunk to the point of willing conspirators in the dealings of the Bush Administration, that the government's foot-dragging was deliberate. I can't help but believe that some in the Administration were hoping that the poor, African-American, elderly, would just friggin' drown and that it would go unnoticed. What the government was NOT counting on was the very essence of humanity and human response to the suffering of other human beings. That human response transcended race, class and status. It was something that cannot be spun for a good sound bite, or a good photo-op. Katrina tore the sheets off of the cover up and the government was shown in all of it's naked embarrassment. And the subsequent response to Hurricane Rita further highlighted that your race/class/status is going to determine how fast the government responds to your plight - so a quick response to Rita merely exacerbated what happened to victims of Katrina on a higher scale.

Those of you in the DLC; you aspire to be like this bunch? You still want to dance with them, knowing their leadership ability is non-existant, less than ZERO? You still want to play "bi-partisanship" with them, knowing that they will stomp you into the ground each and every chance they get? If so, you deserve to go down on that sinking ship which they command at this very moment. You know who you are, so stop trying to hide behind real Democrats because they are so few in number that you can't hide, even though you are doing your level best to run away from your collaboration with the spawns of Satan.

As go the leaders, so go the followers. Is it any wonder that America has become a laughing stock on a global scale and since the President has nowhere to hide, and no one to blame his own incompetence on, he's taken up the bottle again? Is it a coincidence that Cheney hid out in a hospital while the response to Rita was underway?

As go the Leaders, so goes the followers. But since we see how the Government is leading America, it's time for them to stop leading; for us to quit following their incompetent behinds and get them out of the way so real competency can be placed in leadership positions where they are needed. The cronyism and incompetency of the government leaders will be the death of us all if we don't.

CONNECT THE DOTS - MEL WATT

In following up the previous post, I discussed the reaction of Rep. Mel Watt to the CBC Report Card. After some discussion with those who are well-placed around Capitol Hill, I began to play the game known as "Connect-the-Dots".

If you have had a chance to read the CBC Monitor's Legislative Report Card (http://www.blackcommentator.com/151/151_cover_cbc_monitor.html), then you know that Rep. Watt himself earned a passing grade of "A". A review of his voting record which covered the nine "bright line" legislative votes indicated that he voted consistently in favor of legislation that would have positive results for his district and others. So, I was very curious after he had a very public "meltdown" when questioned about the Report Card and his vigorous defense of two of the seven lawmakers who received "F" in their representation in Congress.

What I learned at CBC Legislative Weekend was that the event itself, as well as the different receptions given by the lawmakers, with some exceptions, were financed or sponsored by Corporations, such as Lockheed-Martin, Wal-Mart and others. Many of these corporations are large donors to these lawmakers as well. So for any of the seven "Derelicts" to take a principled stance in supporting good legislation for their districts, they would endanger their political contributions in 2006. Additionally, because two of the "derelict" lawmakers hold DLC positions that are responsible for funneling money to Congressional campaigns in 2006 (William Jefferson and Albert Wynn) it became apparent that Rep. Watt, while not openly feeding at the corporate trough, may have corporate contributions being funneled to him through Jefferson and Wynn's positions in the DCCC. It may be speculation on my part, but it's a strong suspicion as to why Watt would jump to their defense when he knows that their votes on bad legislation was wrong and he should have utilized his position as CBC Chair to call them on it.

So, although Watt received a high grade for his actual performance as a lawmaker, his undercover connections appear to render that grade as a pseudo-high performance. It is treasonous to allow seven lawmakers to vote against their constituents' best interests because they are addicted to corporate cash, and not be their conscience to call upon them to do what is right. Watt's meltdown on last Friday afternoon indicated that not only is he derelict in his leadership of the CBC by allowing the actions of the failing lawmakers to continue without calling them on it, he is complicit and a co-conspirator against constituencies who can ill afford to have such representation in Congress at such a critical time in America.

For this reason, I had to play "Connect-the-Dots". And I don't like the path upon which I was led as a result. You won't, either.

THE FAILURES OF THE DLC

There are many, many failures of the Democratic Leadership Council; yet none more noteworthy than the seven members of the Congressional Black Caucus who were assigned failing grades in their performance as lawmakers, by an African-American watchdog group, known as the Congressional Black Caucus Monitor (CBC Monitor). It was not surprising that all seven members are also card-carrying DLC members; what's important to note is that these members believe that Blacks shouldn't be critical, or critique other Blacks who are in leadership positions, and therefore, they cried "foul" to their Chair, Rep. Mel Watt, who dismissed this group as nothing more than "damned bloggers".

The CBC Monitor is not a group of bloggers; far from it. They are scholars and political activists, from all walks of political affiliation, who grew alarmed at the frequency with which the CBC allowed these seven members, known as "Derelicts of the CBC" to consistently vote against their constituents' best interests, by voting in favor of passing bills such as the Bankruptcy Bill, Estate Tax Repeal, Energy, and CAFTA. This group of lawmakers thought that their being African-American would hide the dereliction of their performance as members of Congress, particularly when all of them represent poor districts which are majority African-American. They thought they could vote for such egregious legislation without fear of reprisal or impunity by their leadership. They were wrong.

Perhaps the CBC Chair didn't want to hold them accountable, but the sense at the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Weekend by attendees was nearly 100% in support of a methodology that would serve the Black Caucus notice that they are being watched and there is expectation of relevant leadership and representation from its members. The reaction of Rep. Watt and these seven "flunking" lawmakers clearly indicate just how out of touch they are with reality and their constituencies. Thanks to the Black Commentator, everyone knows of their dereliction of duty and their failing performance as lawmakers. Read about the CBC Monitor's efforts and download their report card here:http://www.blackcommentator.com/151/151_cover_cbc_monitor.html.

The results of the Report Card were so startling, one lawmaker canceled his legislative forum and all of his events during the entire weekend, while hiding out from constituents wanting answers. You get one guess as to who said lawmaker is. I'll give you a hint: he's aspiring for higher office in 2006 and is a Fox News Media Darling. Though after Fox finds out about his grade by the CBC Monitor, it may be touch and go as to whether or not Fox stands behind their man, or they suddenly consider him radioactive...

I'm proud to say that I helped out with the project of the Report Card, and I got no pleasure in singling out Black lawmakers that are failing their constituencies, and in turn, failing the country in their representation in the U. S. House of Representatives. Like any medicine with a foul taste, you don't like taking it when you're sick, but you take it because once you get past the foul taste, you start to feel better. Hopefully, when the Congressional Black Caucus has a chance to digest the medicine administered by the CBC Monitor, they will realize that we didn't come to harm them, but to help them and in turn, help ourselves and the communities where we live and whom they represent. In other words, they should take their medicince so they can get well.

And those who refuse to take their medicine need to be extracted like you would cancerous tissues affecting the body. Permanently. And it doesn't help that they are DLC members, which exacerbates their diseased condition...

BACK IN ACTION

I don't know if anyone's been reading this blog, but during the past few weeks, I've been in a period of major transition (which included moving). And I got a new computer, which means I have a lot to make up for...and I plan to start this weekend, by covering the Congressional Black Caucus Legislative Weekend and writing about my observations.

Remember when I said I had something for the DLC members of the Congressional Black Caucus that would be unveiled at this year's conference, with regards to their egregious votes on the Bankruptcy Bill, the Estate Tax, Medicare, and others? Well, someone else beat me to the punch, but they're allowing me along for the ride....so stay tuned!

BUSH'S BETRAYAL OF BLACK CONSERVATIVES

My friend, Steve Gillard, wrote a damning letter to BLACK CONSERVATIVES. For those of you who supported Bush through thick and thin, shame doesn't quite cover how you should feel at Bush's contempt for the hurricane victims in New Orleans. Hell, you probably think they deserved what happened to them, while you're far removed from it.

Those of us who know better, we are saying, "But for the Grace of God, that could be me..."

And if you don't say that, sooner or later, what happened to the people in New Orleans could very well happen to YOU. I'm not commenting further, because Mr. Gillard says it all:

Dear Black Conservatives,

I would laugh at you, if thousands of dead didn't litter the streets of New Orleans. Have you read what your conservative allies have written? How they regard black people?To all you black ministers doing "outreach" with Bush: as Dr. Phil says, "how's that working for you?"Seen enough dead black corpses yet to get the point? George Bush is incompetent. He kills Americans with his slovenly ways. Sure, he talks big, but underneath is a tiny man, a man who cannot see beyond his nose. Sure, he talks about being a God-fearing man, but when it comes to Jesus's good works, he could care less. He did nothing to allivate their suffering. How can you face your congregations now? How can you look them in the face, after your betrayal of them is in such stark relief. The man you thought would help you has done nothing but let people suffer and die. How will you explain that to your parishoners? Getting government funding is more important to me than my soul?

To the lackies like Deroy Murdoch and LaShawn Barber: your God, George Bush, has failed you. Have you seen what they think about you, Powerline, Instapundit, Ben Stein, they all think those black people deserve to be dead. The people you suck up to, the people you rely on for praise and support , they hold black people in contempt, in disdain. In short, they are now saying what they have always thought, always believed as they smiled in your face. Deroy, how can you stand to fetch Jonah's coffee, when he suggested the women and children in the Astrodome grow gills. Doesn't it make you ashamed, as you shine his shoes and fetch his laundry, to work with such a man.

LaShawn, after all your praising of Bush as a good Christian, is this what your Bible says: let the meek drown beacause it isn't my fault. I am not responsible. Is that how Jesus would act. How can you look in the mirror, knowing you defended these people, people who mock the suffering of your people.

Armstrong Williams, you knew your conservative friends would abandon you at the drop of a hat, now they abandon an entire city of black people to drown and starve. They blame them for their own fate, even laugh at them, insult their intelligence. How does that make you feel? How can you look at yourself and realize you have not only defended, but promoted these people and their agenda, and when your people were in trouble, would rather toss insults than offer help. Doesn't it prove the bankruptcy of your life so far, the waste it is?

John McWhorter, can you look at the faces of the dead and dying, the suffering of the victims and justify your subservience to whites? Do you now get the reasons for black anger, human anger. It may make you uncomfortable, but do the dead make you any more comfortable? How can you serve the people who would mock the fate of your breathern. Black conservatives must face the reality that they have been lackies to some of America's bitterest racists, people who would mock the suffering of children because they were the wrong color. Doesn't that trouble your sleep? Black conservatives have betrayed the community and must now come to account for their treason. How can they face themselves, much less the community. They have been the allies of racists and those who hold even black children in contempt.The dead and suffering of New Orleans demand no less.

For Reps in Congress, especially African-Americans who have been toting the GOP's water; I told Steve he needs to add YOUR NAMES to this list. May God take a liking to you, because as far as I'm concerned, you're EQUALLY COMPLICIT.