Keyes won't back down on reparations

Chicago Sun-Times ^ | 8/19/04 | SCOTT FORNEK

[kattracks]

His voice rising to a yell, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Alan Keyes told a bipartisan civic group Wednesday he "will not budge" from his belief that descendants of slaves should be exempted from income taxes to help heal the wounds of past discrimination and segregation.

The former presidential candidate disdainfully brushed aside questions over whether his suggestion should apply to rich African Americans such as Tiger Woods, Michael Jordan or Oprah Winfrey.

"Do you know how many Oprah Winfreys there might have been running around in the 1930s or in the 1920s or in the 19-teens that got nowhere because the doors were shut in their face?" Keyes thundered. "If you think that because I wear a conservative label, I have forgotten that history and am not mindful of that injustice -- then I will tell you now that you are wrong."

Keyes delivered his blistering defense at a luncheon of the City Club of Chicago, scolding fellow conservatives who challenged his proposal and evoking the struggle of his African-American parents, saying they had talent and "hearts and spirit and strength and faith."

"Why didn't they get to a point where they could stand on this platform?" Keyes aked.

Vying against Democrat Barack Obama, Keyes drew heat from conservatives earlier this week when he proposed exempting descendants of slaves from income taxes for a generation or two, a view he insists "involves a traditionally Republican, conservative and market-oriented approach."

On Wednesday, Keyes ridiculed the fuss over his position, saying it is simply a tax break, something "Republicans and my conservative brethren" don't object to when applied to a "wealthy corporation."

Conservative activist Jack Roeser met with Keyes for what Roeser called "a long argument and an intense one" over the issue before the speech. A Barrington businessman, Roeser said he still is not sold on Keyes' reparations proposal, but still plans to support him anyway. "I will tell my friends that this is a good man, and we should support him."

[Aquinasfan]

Or does he reaffirm his support for his reparations scheme?

He reaffirmed his stand. Do a search on "Keyes" here and you'll find the thread.

[EternalVigilance]

But we still support him, of course.

His reelection is vital to the safety and security and future of the United States.

As is control of the United States Senate.

Too many here are wrapped up in personalities instead of keeping their eye on the prize.

Good to see you, my friend.

[Aquinasfan]

Nevermind. This is the thread...

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

You're grossly exaggerating ("slurred...every word and action") - but leaving that aside, I must point out that the people you slammed on this thread were not people you would associate with me or my "friends".

They were simply people who don't like this reparations idea, and had critical words for Alan because of it.

They have that right.

Take my advice or leave it. I don't care. But I'm telling you the truth.

[Don Joe]

THAT'S a campaign strategy?

Read Heinlein's "Farnham's Freehold".

It's a chilling view of the Alan Keyes futureworld scenario.

[Non-Sequitur]

He reaffirmed his stand. Do a search on "Keyes" here and you'll find the thread.

And how do you predict his reparations scheme will play downstate, among those who won't benefit from it? I'm sure they'll be watching.

[Prince Charles]

His voice rising to a yell, Republican U.S. Senate nominee Alan Keyes told a bipartisan civic group Wednesday he "will not budge" from his belief that descendants of slaves should be exempted from income taxes to help heal the wounds of past discrimination and segregation.

Only if the descendants of those who fought a civil war to free the slaves are also exempted.

[OXENinFLA]

What if they, the slaves, were 1st enslaved by Africans?????

Doesn't that mean some should go after Africa for the money?

[EternalVigilance]

He favors the end of income taxes for you as well.

That's the kicker.

I'm surprised more people can't see the setup for what's coming.

[Don Joe]

I have thought about it, and I admit that I'm baffled by the proposal. If it is a precursor for tax cuts for all, then why doesn't Keyes cut to the chase and come right out for tax cuts for all? Why the subterfuge? Why come out with a race-based reparations scheme like this? Aren't race-based programs supposed fly in the face of everything Keyes is supposed to believe it? (So did carpet-bagging but we won't go there.) How is he supposed to pitch this scheme in downstate Illinois? "Vote for me so I can eliminate my taxes?" That's gonna go over real big in grits-n-gravey country. If this is a blatant attempt to pander to blacks and try and shave off some of Obama's vote then how many white and hispanic votes will he lose in response to this scheme? Hasn't he thought about that?

Sometimes when you see something that seems really crazy, really nutty, just plain old insane, it's prudent to recall the immortal words of William of Ockham.

[Don Joe]

Anyone in Illinois know if Obama is getting any headlines? Sounds like it's Keyes coverage 24/7.

It is.

And the fact that the Democrats learned the lesson of "If your adversary is destroying himself, don't interrrupt him!" is a good thing?

[tame]

On an August 18, 2004 (just after 11pm, Pacific Time) thread titled "ALAN KEYES WILL LOSE IN ILLINOIS", Jim Robinson wrote the following to Nopardons: "Good grief. Don't you ever stop bad mouthing people? Are you going to campaign for Obama? If so, you won't be doing it here."

The thread was pulled moments later. Reason: "Take it to DU*"

From now on, this will be my primary/general response to the Keyes-bashers (and please don't assume I'm speaking to you if the term does not apply to you). I will put it in italics to remind those who first said it: JimRob.

[Mo1]

LOL .... that will never happen

[onyx]

Good post, Tame.

Now to ALL here: IF you could vote in IL, would you vote for Keyes or his opponent?

My vote would go to Keyes.

[tame]

Good post, Tame.

Well, thank you :o)

[Don Joe]

Keyes doesn't back out-right reparations...he just wants a reduction in federal income taxes for blacks for a generation or 2(20 to 40 years).

Money is fungible.

[Don Joe]

The only difference between Keys and a RINO is?????

That no "RINO" ever proposed paying reparations.

Keyes is running on the "Kinder, Gentler Land Reform" platform.

He's a "kinder, gentler" Robert Mugabe.

That's not intended as hyperbole, BTW.

[tame]

Please see post #312.

[Catspaw]

Don Joe, this is like driving by a car wreck on the side of the road and gawking, hoping no one's been hurt, of course--and hoping to heck that idiot gawker in the car behind you doesn't crash into you.

[Non-Sequitur]

His opponent. Kohn.