Posted on 09/07/2005 8:41:30 PM PDT by InvisibleChurch
Wednesday, Sept. 7, 2005 11:00 p.m. EDT Dean: Race Played a Role in Katrina Deaths
Race was a factor in the death toll from Hurricane Katrina, Howard Dean told members of the National Baptist Convention of America on Wednesday at the group's annual meeting.
Dean, chairman of the Democratic party, made the comments to the Baptists' Political and Social Justice Commission. The Baptist Convention, with an estimated 3.5 million members, is one of the largest black religious groups in the country. "We must ... come to terms with the ugly truth that skin color, age and economics played a deadly role in who survived and who did not," Dean said.
Dean said Americans have a moral responsibility to not ignore the devastating damage caused by Hurricane Katrina when it struck the Gulf Coast.
The former presidential candidate said the government will be judged by how it treats the old, the young and the poor.
"People are poor in different parts of the country. They are not refugees. They are Americans," he said.
Dean said that instead of considering proposed estate tax breaks, the Senate should channel the money into disaster relief.
"Shall we give that to the wealthiest people in the country, or should we rebuild New Orleans?" Dean said.
Dean also urged the government to exempt victims of Hurricane Katrina from a stricter new bankruptcy law for one year.
Ken Mehlman, Dean's counterpart at the Republican National Committee, said he hoped Dean "will match his rhetoric with his support for reforms that replace bureaucracy and entitlement with hope and opportunity."
Stephen J. Thurston, president of the Baptist Convention, said there was a lack of response and sensitivity by the government following the Gulf Coast disaster.
It'd be the last thing they ever do, without a doubt. I used to think they couldn't be that stupid; now I just don't know.
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At the 2004 General Assembly of the National Council of Churches and Church World Service meeting
Rev. Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, National Baptist Convention of America
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The Our VOTE Training Manual,” provides a much needed resource to African American Church leaders. The Black Church has historically been involved in social justice efforts that move us towards the liberation of our people. The prophetic voice of the Civil Rights Movement used the power of our voice to bring about social change that brought about the “Right to Vote.” As a people we can not afford to rely on others to speak on our behalf. The future of our communities and the future of the church are at stake.
At a time when far too many of our elected officials are not receptive or responsive to the needs of those who elect them to serve, it is imperative that we use Our V. O. T. E. to prepare our present and future voters for what lies ahead. That is, the usage of this manual will lead to an informed, involved, and impressive electorate community.
Reverend Dr. Stephen J. Thurston, President
National Baptist Convention of America, Inc.
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Rev. Stephen Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of America and pastor of New Covenant Missionary Baptist Church on Chicago's South Side, said he favors hiring lobbyists to make the agenda mainstream.
He also said building bridges could fill the void left by the defunct Congress of National Black Churches
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"We don't have a political agenda, we have a faith agenda," Thurston said. "The Bible says faith without works is dead. We preach about it. Teach about it. It's nothing new."
Still, clergy did not hesitate to criticize the Bush administration from the pulpit.
"After 50 years of struggle, we face a nation and a world where the gains of African-Americans have been eroded by an uncompassionate leadership under the guise of compassionate conservatism," Jemison said. "Money that could be used to alleviate poverty, lift up suffering and make a difference in the lives of others has been used in a war that is immoral and threatens the lives of our boys and girls."
"We can be out of slavery, out of segregation, have the right to vote, but still starve to death unless you get to the fourth stage, access to capital, industry and technology," he said. "That's what the four conventions reconnecting is about."
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Tired of seeing America's moral agenda hijacked by debates over gay rights
... Stephen Thurston, president of the National Baptist Convention of ...
My point is... that all the NO insurgents, uhmmm, refugees, should be provided with beaucoup $'s. Immediately. I am suggesting they be given debit cards for $3K/mo, up to a lifetime limit of the 9/11 average of 1.2M. Please, let's cooperate here. Thank you and please email me with questions on the details of this program.
"And what would be wrong with this demand? 9/11 families received, on average, 1.2M.... "
That was in large part to keep the families from suing the airlines into bankruptcy. No airlines or really anybody to sue here.
You are equating death in war to death by natural disaster? HUH? Also, I can't recall hearing of any family receiving that much money for losing a loved one to war in the first place. Not one single one.
No, I'm not suggesting that. The Feds set a standard with 9/11 families. Now we need to carry that forward with every citizen, or military volunteer, (my greatest respect to these folks), who are hurt, injured, inconvienced in any way whatsoever. The Feds need to pay them, and make it right. Isn't that where we are going?
Oh, I get it now! Sorry. :-)
The only "race" that played a role was the "race" to blame President Bush.
"Oh, I get it now! Sorry. :-) "
Guess I'm a little slow tonight. Glad you got it... lol
Why don't we put in 1 million for ourselves. I think I can justify iy!
:-)
sorry for the double, my boos's puter is a POS
More of the BS race crap, I see. When Hurricane Isabelle came through 2 years ago, we too were trapped by flood waters. There was no power for 8 days. We lost everything in the fridge, so food was out. We had no water. I am caucasion. We waited and no help came to us in the country. We did not say anyone forgot us or play a race card. WE WAITED. (this is the price you pay when you chose to stay) And we had the intelligence to listen to a battery powered radio to get info on when the power and such would be returned.They were looting in NO the next day for God's sake. NO ONE got on television and said Bush forgot us country folks. You want to know why? Because Bush had nothing to do with the Hurricane or OUR choice to stay. Only the old,hospitalized, sickly, or young children, do I feel sorry for. They were at the mercy of thier ignorant parents and mayor. Everyone needs to quit with the race stuff. It's lame and I know the US is getting sick of it being used so freely and continuously for stupid crap like this. I saw ALL colors suffering and waiting for rescue. GET OFF the soap box and try to fix the mess and move on. Repeating and reporting this race BS just keeps it going and it has NOTHING to do with what needs to be done to restore order.
He'd probably slap his brother Ted too.
You know it!! Plus, practically every democrat in the senate.
Death and taxes must also be racist, why don't you start screaming about them too.
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