Posted on 09/23/2005 11:28:29 AM PDT by areafiftyone
To: National Desk
Contact: David Almasi of Project 21, 202-543-4110 ext. 11 or Project21@nationalcenter.org
WASHINGTON, Sept. 23 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Members of the black leadership network Project 21 are demanding that the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) and Sen. Hillary Clinton (D-N.Y.) join with them in condemning remarks made by CBC member Rep. Charles Rangel (news, bio, voting record) (D-N.Y.) in which he called President George W. Bush "our Bull Conner," referring to the 1960s segregationist icon.
"Charles Rangel's comments are morally vacant and beneath the pale, but obviously not out of character for him and his supporters," said Project 21 member Mychal Massie. "How many blacks today suffer from beatings, fire hoses or have dogs set on them for trying to seek a seat at a lunch counter or go to school? How many of us today are living under inflexible, legislated segregation?"
Massie adds: "Rangel's comments may play well with those who embrace ignorance, but it will not resonate with Americans who eschew racial demagoguery. We demand that the CBC and Senator Clinton join with this overwhelming majority of their fellow citizens in banishing hate speech such as this to the trash heap of history."
Rep. Rangel made his comparison of President Bush to the former Birmingham, Ala., police commissioner at the Congressional Black Caucus's 35th Annual Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. on Sept. 22. As reported by the New York Sun, Rangel also said, "If you're black in this country and you're poor in this country, it's not an inconvenience -- it's a death sentence." Sen. Clinton was also in attendance at the event, as were Sen. Barak Obama (D-Ill.), Reps. Danny Davis (D-Ill.) and Sheila Jackson Lee (D-Texas) and former entertainer Harry Belafonte.
While taking offense to the racial animosity of Rep. Rangel's remarks, Project 21 members also disputed the lawmaker's implication that the Bush Administration is unresponsive to minorities.
"I'd be interested in viewing any footage Congressman Rangel has of our President turning fire hoses on black Americans," said Project 21 member Kevin Martin. "While the differences between George W. Bush and Bull Connor begin superficially with the fact that Connor was a Democrat, it's more important to note that President Bush has the most racially diverse administration in presidential history, and these appointees serve in some of the highest positions. If Congressman Rangel is referring to policy, I fail to see how trying to give everyone the ability to make their own choices on things like retirement security, medical care and education, not be burdened by taxes and be safe at home and abroad is akin to enforcing a separation of the races."
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Project 21, a nonprofit and nonpartisan organization, has been a leading voice in the black community since 1992. For more information or to schedule interviews, contact David Almasi at 202-543-4110 ext. 11, email Project21@nationalcenter.org or visit Project 21's Web site at http://www.project21.org/P21Index.html.
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/© 2005 U.S. Newswire 202-347-2770/
While they're at it, they should get on top of the Lt. Gov. Steele issue.
That is good.
The problem is that Rangel is speaking to people who are too stoopid to know who Bull Conner was and will just react negatively to President Bush because of Rangel's tone. This talk doesn't have any effect on anyone with average intelligence. The Democrats who seem to agree are only agreeing with the effect and not the facts. Facts don't matter to them - power does. So Rangel gets respect for tactics!
Charlie Rangel is such a buffoon that Bush will ignore his bating. Then Ann Coulter will come out and call Rangel "our Robert Mugabe".
wasn't Bull Connor a......DEMOCRAT!?
Project 21 ~ Smart People ~ Bump!
Many of the idiots are reacting to Rangel's tone of voice and don't bother with his inane words.
They may as well demand the sun rise in the west.
Good Job Project 21.
WOW!, I can't wait for the $hit to hit the RATS fan when the MSM reports on Project 21's statement.
Tic Tic Tic Tic Tic
As Oreilly has also pointed out: Under Bush, poverty has DROPPED from where it was under Clinton (13.7% to 12.7%). While that doesn't seem like a lot, poverty has always been relatively consistent over the last 40 years. Bush has also spent almost twice as much as Clinton on poverty-related entitlment programs, going from $191 billion to $386 billion...not just an increase in dollars, but also as a percentage of the GDP.
From Bush's dramatic increases in education spending, tax-credits for the poor, faith-based initiatives...and diverse cabinet, Bush has done more for black people than any previous president has ever done. Black home ownership is at an all-time level. Democrats are liars.
Woohoo!
Somebody has wandered off the plantation....
"former entertainer Harry Belafonte. "
Love it!
Not relevant as no matter what a Republican (forget a Conservative) especially a white Republican does will NEVER EVER NEVER EVER NEVER EVER be enough.
Maybe he meant BULWORTH......
I'm pleasantly surprised. Good read!
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