Posted on 02/04/2003 7:21:51 AM PST by robjna
to give Frepers a brief overview. David Clarke is a newly elected African American Sheriff in Milwaukee county. This is the same county which contains an African American Police chief who crys racism every time someone questions his moves. David Clarke has come out and blamed Black leadership in Milwaukee for perpetuating the problems in the black community by using victomhood and excuses for the strife many face. Eugene Kane is a racist colunmnist in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel who has come out in defense of the sorry leaders by trying to discredit Clarke.
DAVID CLARKE RESPONDS TO EUGENE KANE This morning, Sheriff David Clarke Jr., sent me an e-mail. He wrote: "Charlie, I need your help. This letter is in response to Kane's column yesterday. If you have a full schedule of topics, I understand. I know I'm out there on a limb but I'm not afraid. Besides, isn't that where the fruit is? My objective continues to be clear. I truly want to help the black community out of this malaise, but in order to do so I have to slay some dragons first. They stand in the way and you know exactly what I'm talking about. I can't do this alone. These are some entrenched individuals. This is not going to be easy and will get downright ugly but I have the will to take these individuals on."
CLARKE'S RESPONSE: Eugene, Eugene, Eugene,
You lead a charmed life. You write a column that looks to pick fights and no one dare challenges you, either out of simple politeness because of your sensitivity on issues of race, or out of fear of being labeled on the forehead with that dreaded R word. You remind me of Mike Tyson - Intimidating. He had most opponents defeated before he even threw a punch. Well, guess what Eugene? Meet Lennox Lewis, and like him I hit back. I rarely agree with your slant on issues but you are a good writer. However, even the best prize fighters need to get hit in the mouth and taste their own blood to know theyre in for a fight. I think I just heard the bell sounding the start of the round.
While attending church services on Sunday, it was brought to my attention by the pastor that I was once again the subject of your ire in a newspaper article. I ran home and quickly perused my copies of the Community Journal, the Milwaukee Times, and the Milwaukee Courier and was unable to find your column. Then it dawned on me that your work appears in the same mainstream media outlet that Charlie Sykes belongs to.
Eugene, can you ever forgive me for pigeonholing you by thinking that because you are black, you would never step outside of the unofficial sovereignty of blackness and engage in mainstream America? By the way Eugene, where can I purchase one of those instruments used to measure ones cultural ethnicity? And while Im at it, can I ask you to forward the name of the person who I must genuflect before and whose permission I must seek in order to think outside of that mythical separatist orthodoxy. The nerve of me not having my thoughts edited by some self-anointed demagogues before going public with them.
Hey Eugene, we interrupt this letter to bring you this breaking news- we dont all think alike. The audacity of me thinking independently and differently at that! This, after all, appears to be my greatest transgression. I must have been lulled to sleep by that intoxicating message of eternal victimhood during my cultural awareness lesson that said: Independent thinking not allowed here. Violators will be subject to personal attack and ridicule; they will be demonized, vilified and considered persona non grata and even cut dead.
As for accomplishments and contributions that I have made over the last 25 years, I say this. This has always been about public service, an opportunity to serve something greater than myself, a greater cause-helping others. This has never been and never will be about David Clarke. It is about expecting to be held accountable for results, not just activity. Unlike some in public service, I dont need a pat on the back or to toot my own horn about my positive contributions to this city. Like some, you mistake activity for achievement. Im only interested in results.
Since you listed the activity of several legislators, lets take a look at the results. A 60% drop out rate of African-American males at the high school level, leaving them unprepared to compete in a knowledge-based economy; a truancy rate of about 4,000 MPS students per day (the truancy and abatement program picks up less than 100 of them); statistics that show that a young, black male has a better chance of being a victim of a homicide than graduating from college; 67% of those on probation or parole in Milwaukee being black males; a teenage pregnancy rate that is among the worst in the nation and one that we should be ashamed of; deteriorating and deplorable living conditions in the central city and unacceptable levels of violence that leaves the many law-abiding people prisoners in their own homes; high rates of drug and alcohol dependency and high unemployment rates.
Eugene, as leaders, is this the best we can do? Cant we do better than this? If not, then it is time to step aside and allow the next generation of leaders to take the reins and be given a chance to improve things. This is an unpleasant reality of the results of failed leadership.
I hate to burst Representative Coggss bubble, but the real reason for his continual re-election is because of voter apathy, the theory of low expectation of elected officials, low numbers of registered eligible voters and even lower voter turnout. He should read, Why Americans Still Dont Vote-And Why Politicians Want It That Way by Pivan and Cloward. Nice try Spencer.
Representative Coggs states that true political leadership is about representing your constituency and listening to their concerns. I want to remind him that true political leadership is also about having the courage to tell them when they are misguided, even if it may be an unpopular or uncomfortable stance with those constituents. I also want to
As a law enforcement officer, I have quietly gone about the business of helping crime victims put their lives back together, trying to make them whole again. Thats how I derive my satisfaction, not by how many awards I receive.
You contribute to this community also by writing your column. You, however, choose to do so by inflammatory rhetoric. But thats what makes America the greatest country on the face of the earth. We can choose how we want to contribute to society. A clash of ideas is a good thing, Eugene. There is a saying that asks: When everybody thinks alike, is anybody really thinking?
As you did with me, I also did some research on your career accomplishments, Eugene. I cannot find you listed as a syndicated columnist or contributing writer for such noted newspapers as the Washington, Los Angeles or New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, Washington Post, Miami Herald, Philadelphia Enquirer or the Wall Street Journal. Come to think of it, I have never seen one of your articles featured in Time or Newsweek Magazine, either. And that Pulitzer continues to be elusive, doesnt it? Oh, thats right, Eugene, by your orthodoxy, these mainstream media outlets are inherently biased against black writers.
Seeing how Im adept at bringing the discussion back to violence, please tell me which of these leaders is going to rally the community in support of Emily Willegal, the young girl brutally murdered last week? I suppose that is my job though since she is a crime victim and not a perpetrator. How about a rally to express outrage over the conduct of suspect Kimani K. Ward? Lets see: At least 10 blows to the head with a tire iron, attempted sexual assault, thought about dropping her off at a hospital but unable to explain her injuries, left for dead in a field at 2400 N. 1st, all for $11. Whose legislative district is that anyway? Im sure if you put your heads together, applying your theory of leadership and the cult of victimology, you can somehow find this behavior pardonable.
Is that the bell I heard sounding the end of the round? Do I need your permission to forward this?
David A. Clarke Jr. Milwaukee County Sheriff
He was just returned to the Senate in the last election, so it'll be 6 years from then that he should face reelection again, I'd expect.
That's time enough for those so inclined to see that he either really has to work at it, or gets a surprise he won't care for.
-archy-/-
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It sounds like he certainly has the opportunity to be just that; let's see how he takes that opportunity and what he does with it.
In late June- early July the national spotlight is going to be on Milwaukee, though most folks don't realize it yet. I expect he'll be playing a large part in how the city's viewed during that time.
He kinda resembles an Army communications sergeant I once knew. But I don't think that particular flaw should be held against him....
I lied. Should have checked the dates, though I think the original planning had been for June/July.
The *Ride Home* to Milwaukee, 21-26 August, with 28-30 August being the kickoff and 31 August as the big day in Milwaukee. The word is getting out there, even if I was late in getting it.
Oh yeah: ***FREEPER HOOLIGAN PING! ***
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He was reelected in 2000, his term in up in 2006, and I don't beleive he will run again.
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