American Jewish Committee New Jersey Chapter Applauds Removal Of Poet Laureate

releases.usnewswire.com ^

[chance33_98]

American Jewish Committee New Jersey Chapter Applauds Removal Of Poet Laureate

7/3/03 6:00:00 PM

To: National Desk

Contact: American Jewish Committee, 973-379-7844

MILLBURN, N.J., July 3 /U.S. Newswire/ -- Ilene and Bob Cowen, co-presidents of the Metropolitan Chapter of The American Jewish Committee and Norm Agin, president of the Central Center of The American Jewish Committee applaud New Jersey Governor Jim McGreevey, and both houses of the New Jersey Legislature, for abolishing the post of poet laureate in order to remove Amiri Baraka from that position, when he would not resign.

A state's poet laureate should inspire its people to understand the power and beauty of poetry. Baraka, on the other hand, has a long history of using his art to promote hatred. ("Another bad poem cracking steel knuckles in a jewlady's mouth," he penned in 1969.) After he was appointed to this position he wrote "Someone Blew Up America," claiming that "4,000 Israeli workers at the Twin Towers (were told) to stay home" on September 11.

A state's institutions should be used to fight bigotry, not promote it. The governor and legislature correctly remedied the situation. Baraka alleges that his First Amendment rights have been abridged by his removal. He has it backwards. He is still free to spread whatever hatred he wants. It is the citizens of New Jersey who have the right -- now finally affirmed -- not to be represented in any capacity by a bigot.

The American Jewish Committee, founded in 1906, is an internationally respected human relations organization dedicated to protecting the rights and freedoms of Jews throughout the world, working for the security of Israel and a deepened understanding between Americans and Israelis. Through research, advocacy and programming AJC defends democratic values and seeks their realization in American public policy, fights all forms of bigotry, supports human and civil rights, promotes pluralism and intergroup understanding.

Allyson M. Gall is New Jersey Area Executive Director and Ferne Hassan and Susan Shapiro are Assistant Directors. For additional information about The American Jewish Committee contact the New Jersey office at 973-379-7844 or newjersey@ajc.org

[Black Agnes]

ping-a-ling-ling.

[MEG33]

I see there's more than one way to get a job done!Baraka is a hatemonger and a flame thrower.Good riddance.

[Bob J]

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[firebrand]

You mean the McGreevey finally did something right?

[Old Sarge]

New Joisey did THIS?!?

The people that brought us Chrissy the RINO Whitman, The Torch, McGreevey and The Lout?

It's almost impossible to believe.

[daddypatriot]

I had the misfortune of catching Baraka's act on televison one night. I think he was involved with O'Reilly, mano y mano. I told my wife that it was quite sad that in a nation like America, a once enlightened place, that such an illiterate ass could be elevated to a poet laureate post. If Baraka is a poet I am gold star mother from Russia. What a joke and what a travesty he is. I understand he was cashiered out of the American Army 50 years ago. Good riddance to this piece of filth.

[1rudeboy]

Exactly. Eff 'im. I wonder if he will now pen a poem about how his implied 1st Amendment right by way of position was unjustly removed by a democratically-elected legislature.

[MEG33]

You said it better than I!

[MEG33]

He said they couldn't fire him.No telling what he'll say.Only the usual suspects will listen.

[randog]

Wasn't this POS being paraded through public schools? What will the children do now?

[freedumb2003]

>>Good riddance to this piece of filth. <<

Anyone know if we pay a national Poet Laureate? If NJ can grow a pair, then we should be able to do it nationally. The long view is, of course, the elimination of the NEA.

[MEG33]

Good things can still happen in the most unlikely places.

[friendly]

A Poetic Ode to Amiri Baraka

There once was in Jersey a poet.

Who lacked any skill, don't you know it!

His poems were treason.

Devoid of all reason.

His reign as chief poet showed no wit!

[Coleus]

Get this - NJ poet laureate poem about 911....Somebody Blew Up America
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/764197/posts

Black history now required reading in N.J. schools
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/741563/posts

NJ, No Founding Fathers? That's our new history Curriculum
http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/f-news/618766/posts

[Coleus]

He's now working for the Newark Board of Education making much more money than his 10K stipend. They deserve him.

[MEG33]

No child deserves to be taught his hate.Pity the children.

[MEG33]

LOL..New Jersey needs you!

[txzman]

Good! This man is a black racist - period. His desire for cop-killing, "get-whitey" and the elimination of Jews is absolutely purile!

What really bugs me is the liberal jackasses who appointed him in the firstplace. That is where the REAL blame belongs.

[friendly]

Fuggedaboutit! LOL!