Posted on 01/25/2003 5:53:33 AM PST by SJackson
John R. Averyt
Was the burning of Al Sharpton’s office a shot across the bows for the fiery Reverend? If so, who fired it? Was it Democrat, Republican or just good old American Nutnick? Or did Big Al have himself burned out, the better to wrap himself in victims’ clothing?
One thing for sure, the explanation that the fire was “electrical” in nature is laughably implausible. Or it would be laughable if it did not involve such a serious subject and threat to the Republic.
How a threat to the Republic? The most important thing we preserve and the Democrats don’t make it easy, is the comity and collegiality of political discourse. Remove this keystone and we are a nation of animals. We don’t need any “high tech lynching of uppity blacks,“ or anyone else for that matter.
This fire, therefore, if not accidental, strikes at the heart of our nation. The very idea, enshrined in the Constitution, that every citizen has the right to speak, to run for president without fear of violence, is called into question. If one man’s right to speak is in danger, so are the rights of all.
This is the reason all should speak out and decry this fiery deed, if indeed it was arson.
There is no denying that there are those not enchanted by the Reverend’s presidential aspirations. He has already shown himself formidable. At the Naral Abortion Rights Now dinner, all six Democrat candidates for president delivered a command performance.
Al Sharpton displayed an enviable aura of control. He was comfortable enough to use some self-deprecating humor, winning the audience, admittedly receptive, to his side. Running on the hard left, championing lesbians, gays and other downtrodden, he came off as well as the best speakers.
All of the speakers appeared tentative as they skirted the Reverend while gaining their sea legs. Al Sharpton conveyed an easy grace. He was good, too good.
All kinds of maneuvering is going on behind the scenes. John Fund of the Wall Street Journal, lays out the plan of the District of Columbia to move its Democrat presidential primary up to January 10, 2004. This disconcerts Democrat kingmakers who would retain control of the process.
This internecine struggle is playing out in an atmosphere of quiet desperation. Having Sharpton crush their frontrunner in 70% black Washington D.C. is hardly an optimum Democrat scenario. Neither is the spectacle of their candidates parading through the nation’s capital, bashing each other while carefully avoiding saying a bad word about the Reverend.
Donna Brazile, Al Gore’s campaign manager and Democrat activist, is rumored to be intervening in this affair. DNC Chairman Terry McAullife is tightening his grip. Front loading the primaries is his idea, to give his candidate a full eight months to pummel George Bush. Anything that impedes this is an obstacle to be removed.
The Republicans look upon Sharpton as a new, improved version of Ralph Nadar. Can’t win; can raise the dickens while running and spread discontent far and wide. They also view him as coining new Republicans like the Denver mint. They would do well to watch the Good Reverend.
Al Sharpton is a man whose obituary has been written more than once. He was tarred for a while by the Tawana Brawley hoax. Likewise, his latest stint in jail as a protestor against the bombing of Vieques also left its mark, mostly around his vastly reduced waistline. Like a boxer in training, he has steadily made appearances on the political talk show circuit. As his voice has grown more reasonable, he has gained stature to the point of displacing Jesse Jackson as the premiere Civil Rights Reverend. He is a formidable debater on the facts.
The possibilities here are endless, with none of them looking rosy for Democrats. Deferring to Sharpton will leave all the candidates vulnerable on their left, where he runs strongest. Al Sharpton is not worried about offending any moderates or independents. He wants to breathe fire, figuratively speaking of course, and inspire his base. His flirtation with the anti-American peace marchers only makes him more attractive to this audience.
Republicans think themselves in the enviable position of watching a sputtering time bomb whirling around in Democrat ranks. There is more here, however, than meets the eye.
Those who came to America in the meanest of circumstances, as slaves, are rising to the heights of our society. They are the swing block of voters everyone wants to please. Although their community is troubled, still they triumph. Secretary of State, Supreme Court Justice, Presidential candidate, not bad for the sons and daughters of slaves. Truly, this is the American dream.
Whatever our flaws or shortcomings, what a wonderful, wonderful land.
Run Al, run.
I wonder if he means every citizen, or just some. Over the past 30 years, it has been clear that there can not be any dialog in public that the left does not want.
There is a long list of people who have had their lifes ruined for making innocent remarks.
1. The need to raise money by a bit of "electrical re-modelling";
2. The need to tap into the wellsprings of victimology that are Sharpton's only stock in trade.
If this was arson, someone in Sharpton's inner circle would appear a likely suspect ; but would not disclose his/her participation to the Rev : thus insuring the Rev could deny all fore-knowledge in a credible manner.
I think that we conservatives can repay the favor dems did w/ McLame back in "00. In states w/ open primaries we can raise the good rev. to a commanding position ensuring him a seat at the convention. A beautiful thing.
Perhaps enbolding him to run for senate- from which state?
Why, NY of course.
Good for you. Also, alert any fellow N.Y.ers that if they want to play in the same game they need to register as dems before the November elections.
N.Y. Election laws do not let you vote in a party primary if you have not voted as a member of that party in the general election. All N.Y.ers have until early October to change registration if they want to vote for Sharpton in the Presidential Primary.
For instance, you said you swtiched your registration to Dem. At this point you may not vote in either party's September primary, even if you were to switch back.
If you vote as a Dem. in November, you will be eligible to vote in the Dem presidential primary. If you were to switch back to Republican immediately after, you still could not vote in their primary in September for local candidates. (This law is null for first time voters and people who have moved to a new precinct and changed parties at that time. They must meet the 30 day requirement only).
I think N.Y. is the only state that has this law. It was enacted to make just this type of crossover voting difficult. Most states say a voter has to register 30-60 days prior to the primary..
Al's publicity machine to the contrary, he is still the same old slippery, race-baiting opportunist he always was...and the folks in Harlem love him for it !!
LOL! You've proven that *ANYTHING* can happen by having us all vote for Majette last August.
It is amazing the liberal *crapola* that I've been getting in the mail since then!! Geesh have THEY got the wrong number!! (It burns very nicely in the fireplace, though!)
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