Gloria Sweet-Love
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Sweet-Love and Jones at work (I'm not sure which one is Jones and which one is Sweet-Love, sorry):
Posted on 02/09/2005 6:40:52 AM PST by Maigrey
NASHVILLE -- In his first public remarks about the controversies surrounding him, state Sen. John Ford lashed out at "white media" in a speech Tuesday to Tennessee NAACP leaders, whom he asked to issue a statement in his defense.
Ford said he is the target of press attacks because he's successful and doesn't "kowtow" to the media, which he said never reports on his record of helping others. Instead of criticism, he said he should receive "kudos" for supporting his children and the children of others.
The Memphis Democrat was one of several state officials who addressed about 150 NAACP leaders and youth from across the state on their annual visit to the Capitol to lobby for legislative priorities.
Most of the other officials spoke about the NAACP's state policy priorities, but Ford spent time talking about news coverage. Media stories have included his attempts to alter his child-support obligations, whether he legally resides in his Memphis Senate district, and whether he properly reported consulting income on state financial disclosure forms.
"The NAACP ought to make a statement on that, you know, because when we are silent, this white media and white community, they start thinking and believing, 'Well, it's OK.' But let me tell you the danger: when you allow them to tear down any of your black leaders, they are tearing you down also," Ford said.
The senator received polite applause during his speech but there was no movement among the NAACP leaders for either a resolution or statement in support.
"That's not an issue for the NAACP," Tennessee NAACP president Gloria Sweet-Love of Brownsville said when asked later whether the group planned to grant Ford's request.
"The issues that we came to the Hill to address -- against predatory lending, against any kind of sales tax increase, for reform of TennCare, for increasing the number of minority students receiving HOPE scholarships and for simplifying the law for giving voting rights back to ex-felons -- those are the issues that we came to address and that we will be articulating."
Sweet-Love said that in private discussions as they left the chamber members "wondered why he is bringing this up. That's what people were saying as we were walking outside, because it had nothing to do with our agenda."
Ford told the NAACP leaders during his speech that "most" reporters "are not real fair and credible when it comes down to us.
"You watch this: They are totally unfair when it comes down to black people, our folks. They figure, they say, 'Well, you know most black people, they ain't got nothing; they ain't going to stand up for nobody amongst them that they feel are successful.' But let me tell you this: I am one guy that has not forgotten about you.
"And I'm going to be honest with you: If it wasn't for things that really need to be done that very few others are doing, that have the courage and conviction to do it and the intelligence to do it and make a difference, I wouldn't stick around one day. I could move to Florida and live the good life but I don't choose to do that because a lot of our folks are not living the good life. Somebody has to make the sacrifice and put up with it."
Ford said the media singles out black people like him for criticism but does not give him credit for his successes.
"They never talk about that, you know, because I don't kowtow to them. Trust me, if you ever see me kowtowing to them, that's the day I'm going to quit. I'm not going to kowtow to any of them because of these old egregious things and everything like that, and criticism about me spending time with my children.
"It's really kind of nutty. I should be getting kudos for doing what I do, for supporting them to the extent that I do. Instead I get criticism. It doesn't make any sense at all. I know a lot of black people that won't even support their own children, and I support all of mine beyond a normal standard of living and I get criticized for doing so.
"I mean that's really egregious and it's very insensitive and it really doesn't make any kind of sense."
I have had several conversations with him and never given a dime to any of his campaigns. In fact he well knows that I am a partisan Republican (no, I'm not a politician nor do I hold public office or deal with him directly on any other business matters).
Within the current Democrat party, "looking more conservative" is not going to win friends or influence people, let alone move him up in power. He may very well be calculating his seemingly more conservative positions, but it would have to be for a post implosion Democrat party, when they're looking for people to pick up the pieces. He's not popular with Kennedy, Kerry or Reid in the Senate, Boxer has been intentionally insulting to him on numerous occassions and in the House he has been marked by the "powers that be" since he tried to take on Nancy Pelosi. She's mean and holds a grudge over anything and with her as Minority Leader that pretty puts a concrete ceiling over his rise in power till those folks die or get booted out.
The main impression I get about Harold Ford Jr. is that he is good at his job. For a Congressman that means constituent service. He and his office are some of the best in dealing with our governments bureaucracy, or even the bureaucracy of other countries, when constituents are having trouble.
To Black politicians, it's always "Whitey's fault".
Maybe he is trying to grab some of the attention being showered on Barak Obama......... (Osama bin bama?) ;-)
The sharks are circling.
One of the local channels was trying to get him to answer questions about legislation he is sponsoring that would seriously affect smaller funeral businesses. Do the Ford's have a large funeral home in Memphis? I think the smaller funeral director was saying the legislation was designed to put him out of business.
Gloria Sweet-Love
That's what I'm talkin' 'bout!
Sweet-Love and Jones at work (I'm not sure which one is Jones and which one is Sweet-Love, sorry):
Does he mean black men who have two families and lie about where they live for political gain?
Gee, why would they criticize him for that? Don't whites do that all the time? /s
Ever notice that Sen. Ford's son, who resembles Derek Jeter, LOOKS NOTHING LIKE HIM?
Sounds like John Ford needs to check himself into Betty Ford's clinic and stay until he recovers from his addiction to self.
"I wouldn't stick around one day. I could move to Florida and live the good life but I don't choose to do that because a lot of our folks are not living the good life. Somebody has to make the sacrifice and put up with it."
Looks like he's jockying for position as Whippin' Boy, too. What a RUDE thing to say to a group of people you're there to help and support! " I COULD be in Florida livin' the good life, were it not for you losers."
Sacrifice, my @ss. Seems obvious to me that this guy does NOTHING, if it's not benefiting HIM.
Nice job of illustrating the hypocrisy of ignorance.
Yeah, probably sounds like a roomful of La Maze practioners.
But let me tell you the danger: when you allow them to tear down any of your black leaders, they are tearing you down also," Ford said.
Is he a state senator or a leader of some South African Bantustan? This statement of self segregation is very revealing as to where his priorities lie. It does not seem to be with his oath of office, but one that is entirely consistent with racial identity obsessed multiculturalist politics.
But let me tell you the danger: when you allow them to tear down any of your black leaders, they are tearing you down also," Ford said.
Is he a state senator or a leader of some South African Bantustan? This statement of self segregation is very revealing as to where his priorities lie. It does not seem to be with his oath of office, but one that is entirely consistent with racial identity obsessed multiculturalist politics.
Sen. Ford's constitutiancy is poor to working class black neighborhood (which he doesn't live in, but lists the family funeral home as his "in district residence") and they are accustomed to his presence.
hehe
Dude, that's harsh!
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