"Only in America"
Posted on 08/17/2004 5:58:48 AM PDT by Aquinasfan
One day after their first meeting, U.S. Senate hopefuls Barack Obama and Alan Keyes were back on the campaign trail again Monday.
Speaking at a news conference at the Hotel InterContinental in Chicago, Republican Keyes added to his now familiar talking points his stance on slavery reparations.
Prompted by a reporter's question, Keyes gave a brief tutorial on Roman history and said that in regard to reparations for slavery, the U.S. should do what the Romans did: "When a city had been devastated [in the Roman empire], for a certain length of time--a generation or two--they exempted the damaged city from taxation."
Keyes proposed that for a generation or two, African-Americans of slave heritage should be exempted from federal taxes--federal because slavery "was an egregious failure on the part of the federal establishment." In calling for the tax relief, Keyes appeared to be reaching out to capture the black vote, something that may prove difficult to do, particularly after his unwelcome reception at the Bud Billiken Day Parade Saturday...
(Excerpt) Read more at chicagotribune.com ...
I wonder if they did this at that time or if they waited 200 years before exempting them?
I didn't know that Michelle Malkin was a DNC machine lock-step operative. Learn something new every day.
Can you read? It says slave heritage not skin color. You're the one who said it was based on skin color.
Michelle Malkin didn't say much at all except to quote the leftist rags.
Many nationalities suffered by coming here. They over came. Why are the African Americans still playing victim?
I fully accept the proposal as valid. We will lift the tax burden from the a generation or two following those who were slaves.
Oops ... two generations passed a long time ago. There are few or perhaps no tax paying citizens who are two generations removed from slaves.
He specifically says "African-American", which is a PC term that basically means "Blacks". He didn't say "All Americans", he said "African-Americans".
Do you get it yet? Or should I use smaller words?
Do you think Alan Keyes seriously meant this?
Since taxes paid by race is not the type of information gathered routinely. Nevertheless, this may be largely a symbolic gesture.
Small would be in keeping with your other attributes.
Was this their response or are you putting words in their mouths.
Why stop there lets give reparations to people who where adopted. After all they were taking from their parents. They have lost their identity. They have felt the effects of what happened to them directly, unlike the great grandchildren of slaves.
At this point, yes, I do. I think he is looking to try anything to create enough tension in the race to win, and that includes pandering.
That's easy to answer. Too many lawyers, politicians and civil rights groups who make $$$$$ and have a vested interest. My advice has always been to black kids who may not think like their peers is to go out on your own and forget about their friends who don't want an education and listen to too much gangsta rap. I think in this year 2004, most if not the only reason why some are still playing the victim is because of themselves and leaders 'in the community'.
All he seems to be able to manage is a weak "me too" or a a haughty "I beg to differ." Keyes comes across as a dynamic and passionate leader and Obama becomes just another politician and a "fading phony."
Ah, so I answer your question, and you ignore the factual answer.
The bottom line is, Alan Keyes wants a tax exemption for Blacks who have slave ancestors, and you don't see that as basing it on skin color.
And nothing about that fits the conservative agenda. None of it.
Do you know if there's an actual document for this? Someone on FOX once said that story is not true. I remember thinking "hmmmm", but never checked it out. It was some discussion about Al Sharpton.
I can see where someone would make a deal like that for political or military gain, but I'd like to know for sure out of curiosity.
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