Wednesday, March 2, 2011

Eric Holder: Focus on Black Panther intimidation case demeans "my people"

Politico: Attorney General Eric Holder finally got fed up Tuesday with claims that the Justice Department went easy in a voting rights case against members of the New Black Panther Party because they are African American.
Holder's frustration over the criticism became evident during a House Appropriations subcommittee hearing as Rep. John Culberson (R-Texas) accused the Justice Department of failing to cooperate with a Civil Rights Commission investigation into the handling of the 2008 incident in which Black Panthers in intimidating outfits and wielding a club stood outside a polling place in Philadelphia.
The Attorney General seemed to take personal offense at a comment Culberson read in which former Democratic activist Bartle Bull called the incident the most serious act of voter intimidation he had witnessed in his career.
"Think about that," Holder said. "When you compare what people endured in the South in the 60s to try to get the right to vote for African Americans, and to compare what people were subjected to there to what happened in Philadelphia—which was inappropriate, certainly that…to describe it in those terms I think does a great disservice to people who put their lives on the line, who risked all, for my people," said Holder, who is black.
Holder noted that his late sister-in-law, Vivian Malone Jones, helped integrate the University of Alabama.
"To compare that kind of courage, that kind of action, and to say that the Black Panther incident wrong thought it might be somehow is greater in magnitude or is of greater concern to us, historically, I think just flies in the face of history and the facts.," Holder said with evident exasperation.
It sounds like Holder is using race to deflect criticism of his handling of the Black Panther case.  As a black man he knows all too well how voter intimidation was used against our people.  As the first black attorney general, he should stand as a vanguard against all voter intimidation whether it is perpetrated by blacks, whites, the left or the right. He should have zero tolerance for voter intimidation rather than splitting hairs over the degree of the offense. 
Despite Holder's big talk about America being a nation of coward when it comes to race, he isn't being too brave here.

5 comments:

Mr. Mcgranor said...

I do think the Black Panther case is exaggerated. Although the Justice Department was neglegent.

namaste said...

cliff, good call on holder's deflection tactic. i also think he's is nursing some unfinished emotional pain business. it's interesting to watch his layers of his armor lift.

oh! love your jab with the "coward" remark. hypocrites seem to often struggle with selective memory. haha!

bd said...

yes, and not only that - recall the specific incident that made the "video tape circuit" - would guess the victims of the intimidation were predominately black; if so, once again, real victims are "sacrificed" on the alter of political blood sport (if not, never mind)...

either way: have been hearing more of "don't demean the office holders (president, cabinet, etc) because doing so demeans the office" - no, the office holders have demeaned their office - give them all respect that's due...

Unknown said...

In otherwords, for Holder it's all about payback, even though that "payback" is against those who had nothing to do with what they are being "paid back" for. *sniff* *sniff* Is that a hint of racism I smell?

joetote said...

I for one have had it up to here with this racist administration and the chickenhearted buzzards who refuse to call them out on this despicable stance! From holder to his association over the years with radical hating racists, the President always manages in the end to show his true colors. Slam his Leftist policies, you’re a racist! Disagree with his complete incompetency in foreign policy, you’re a racist. Point out the open faced lies about cutting the deficit in his budget, you’re a racist! In other words, try to have a civil discourse with any radical leftist in this country today using facts and figures, you are a racist!

Debate and civil discourse. It’s where ideas come from! It’s a forum to, if not fix a problem, at least address it and come up with some consensus to at least try! As such, debate or discussion can hurt one’s feelings and/or illicit some rather harsh reactions. My point is until we as a people can discuss stuff without hate, until we can cast aside our own ideologies, our biases, etc. and approach a subject with open minds, there cannot be fixes. As a society we must work together. Listening is a fine art. Learning and changing one’s mind due to constructive criticism, and I want to emphasize that, constructive criticism is a sign of maturity and leadership. Can you even remotely understand this view Mr. President, or is your head stuck so far up your elitist ass that you as most politicians are too far above us mortals to bother worrying about it? From my little part of the world, it sure appears that way! One thing for sure in my view. You and your administration have done more to set back racial relations in this country than any other administration in my lifetime!

Debate is imperative for this country to survive. Criticism is good, provided it is true! As I said, debate must be accompanied by open minds. This must be conducted by using the Truth and Facts! This must be done by educating yourselves! Keep an open mind, but dig up everything you can from both sides. Then make an informed decision. As we go forward, we will be called fear mongers and worse! WEAR IT AS A BADGE OF HONOR. Radicals of any persuasion FEAR the truth and facts, so shout it out as loudly as possible. This is our country. Love for country and the ideals it was founded on IS NOT HATE as the hard left keeps saying. Opposing bad policy IS NOT RACISM as we are charged with! Fight the BIG LIE with the TRUTH! Our country depends on this!

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