Storm Strains Bush's Ties To Black Clergy - LA Times

[hatrack]

EDIT

Interviews with key black pastors who had built alliances with Bush revealed a continued reluctance to fully trust that the administration would follow through on new promises to look at race and poverty and to ensure that black residents and minority-owned firms benefited from the rebuilding. But they all expressed hope that Bush was sincere.

The Rev. Bill Owens of Memphis, president of the Coalition for African American Pastors and a supporter of other Bush initiatives, applauded the president's speech, saying his new tone could be redemptive after two weeks of a troubling White House response. But his praise was cautious.

"I think he now has a golden opportunity to show that he does in his heart care for the African American community," Owens said. "With what he does from here on, he will be judged."

Vivian Berryhill of Mississippi, president of the National Coalition of Pastor's Spouses and one of Bush's most vocal black supporters last year, praised the president's new words and promises. But she acknowledged that feelings were raw. "The president can't make a 20-minute speech and think it's all over," she said. "If Republicans ever hope to appeal to African American voters, they need to come out publicly and support the citizens of America who have a great need."

EDIT

http://www.latimes.com/news/printedition/front/la-na-blacks20sep20,1,7645001.story

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[ananda]

1. no more f-b-i money?

Perhaps they can't be bought off with faith-based-initiative money any more?

Sue

[Montauk6]

2. According to this "writer," blacks need to get back to Bush...

http://www.americandaily.com/article/8820

Excerpt from this bonehead's witless ramble:

The bottom line for blacks is this: if they hate Mr. Bush, as Morano reported those at the march despise Mr. Bush, then they have no political party in the United States. If the blacks go Democratic, they are in league with the killing party. Dems kill off biblical definitions of sexuality, marriage and family, masculinity, femininity, a moral base to America, the Judeo-Christian heritage to this nation and the defense of the unborn and elderly

[Catfight]

7. Good thing God and Jesus are the white mans God. I always

ponder why black people buy into the whiteman's God. That's pretty messed up. Once the black community understands that God has been used in favor of keeping anyone other than whitemen oppressed and it's an excellent tool to keep everyone oppressed, then America will remain asleep to that fact. Once the oppress unite for equality and dignity FOR EVERY human being, the cause will remain lost. And that's democrats, repugs alike.

[gratuitous]

12. Yep, Democrats are the killing party

We killed Jim Crow, "separate but equal," redlining, predatory loan practices, miscegenation laws, and we were killing poverty until the Republicans got back into power.

But if you Uncle Tom Chickens want to run into the murderous embrace of Col. Sanders, go right ahead. But don't say we didn't warn you.

[classysassy]

14. Blacks&Bush

just don't mix,unless you are a pseudo black like Condi and Coland.

[calimary]

18. Welcome to DU!

True. They are kidding themselves if they think he's making any room at his table for them. Unless, of course, they deliver LOTS of money for his or the RNC's campaign coffers, or they bring him large groups of votes. I suspect they won't have much to offer on that second score. Who trusts him now? Who's fool enough to risk it?

[SHRED]

3. Why are there ANY ties to begin with? n/t

[tularetom]

4. Earth to black clergy

Robertson and Falwell were never gonna let you have any of those faith based government handouts to begin with and I'm sure your parishoners have seen through bush for years.

[Lerkfish]

5. definition of naive

why in the world black clergy have let themselves be pulled around like a prize pig?
Haven't they wondered as they walked by the sizzling bacon on the Administration's plate?


honestly, I'm beginning to believe that the administration has a hypnosis ray atop the Capitol Building. And I"m immune, for some reason.

[Catfight]

8. I'm immune as well, I don't get it either. nt

[leesa]

13. $$$$$$$. They are greedy, like most Republicans.

[Tomee450]

15. It's called greed.

Not all black pastors are honorable men. Some are just plain greedy. They live high above their members and can't be counted on in times of need. Those pastors who supported bush saw the MONEY. I cannot see any reason why a black person should vote Republican. Those black pastors who persuaded their members to vote Republican should be ashamed.

[Blue_Tires]

21. good points

and i speak from experience, some black pastors (especially in the south) can be as hardcore as the worst freeps out there...some of it is plain love of $$$$, but you would be surprised at how very conservative some of the older black congregations can be about abortion, school prayer, gays, etc.

[mod mom]

9. I don't know about where you live, but in Ohio (of course a battleground

state) the recent influx of African American suburban Mega Churches were built with faith based initiative $.

I hope the horrific treatment of poor people in NO will be an eye opener to just how the bu$h administration really cares. Actions speak louder then even $.

[leesa]

6. These guys find their souls again?

[DS1]

10. These people are sellouts, fools, or both

[Ben Ceremos]

11. I second your opinion.

'nuff said.

[NYYFan]

16. My pastor never bought his lies,

and never will.

[desi826]

17. These people are the minority in the black community

Howard Dean had it right.
His fear is not that blacks will start voting for the Repub party, it's that blacks will stop voting Democratic and stay home.
And that is exactly what has been happening.

But this puts black pastors who are also Bush supporters in a VERY tough spot. They cannot deny the huge amount of anger in the community right now. If they do, it makes them look like the shills they are.
Des

[Minstrel Boy]

19. "I can't wait to hang it."

From here.



See the man smirking? From the White House transcript of January 21, 2002, ironically titled "President Honors Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.":

THE PRESIDENT: Well, thank you all very much for coming. Mrs. King, thanks for this beautiful portrait. (Pause) I can't wait to hang it. (Laughter.)

Does the man know what he's saying? The video is here. Watch the pregnant pause and the glint in his eye. The laughter is anticipated. He knows what he's saying. And he knows he's gotten away with it again.

The radio preacher asks a good question in Bob Dylan's film Masked and Anonymous: "What did Martin Luther King get out of the whole thing? A boulevard?"

Keep pointing to the rooftops.

[xxqqqzme]

22. these rethugs sure have that code thing

down. I guess I'll never learn that language, I miss it until it is pointed out.

That clip is unbelieveable and in front of King's children & his wife. F*cker!

[NYC]

23. I had forgotten about that incident.

Thanks for reminding me.

[applegrove]

20. African American leaders should not let Bush WH "create the leaders

it wants to work through". Nobody should let Bush get away with that. Hierarchies work by the elites choosing the people they can use best and insisting that the people follow that leader. A very 19th Century British thing. Called Indirect Rule.

NAACP has every right to meet with BUSH.

But - looks like they are in the sights for "deminishment" - which is pretty close to annihilation - but not quite.

They always attack our strengths. They steal our totems so they can control all.

[cap]

24. you are so right

this administation has studied the British empire and applies its tactics everywhere