Al Sharpton just expressed respect for Condi Rice

[blackangrydem]

on Hardball. Although he disagrees with her policies he said he respects her and he reminded Matthews that she is now 4th in the line of succession to the Presidency.

Thoughts?

[The Sushi Bandit]

1. He wants to poke her

[liberalnurse]

2. I heard he is geting a divorce......

I don't think he respects her that much....to do the deed.... :scared:

[Chimpanzee]

3. Bag her and she'd probably be fine

[Cha]

8. Nah!

That much evil is contagious!

[evil genius]

6. oh come on, Al can do better than THAT.

She's got a face like a catcher's mit. And to paraphrase Disraeli, she infects the best of her colleagues with the crabbed malice of a maundering witch.

[Soup Bean]

7. *sigh* I actually thought what Sharpton said was important.

He said that while he disagreed with her policies, he gave credit to her for being the first black woman to become a Secretary of State. He ALSO said she had an opportunity to "define herself" in this new position.

In other words, he was asking her to look around her and come to her senses. The Bush policies are unsustainable.

If Condi has access, and she and Bush really have a heart, then maybe cooler heads will prevail. If you don't see any change, then I think the Neocons are firmly in control.

[blackangrydem]

10. I expect she'll run for President at some time in the future

but not in '08

[AgadorSparticus]

54. condi and bush ARE the neocons and they ARE firmly in control.

[Cha]

4. I'm hoping he's setting her up for

the kill. We'll see how he talks a few months down the road.

rice was the National Security Adviser when 9/11 happened and a proven liar. Aaron Magruder calls her Darth Vader..I agree more with his assessment.

[SHRED]

5. Uhmmm...

'F' her!
She is a lying bitch.
Who also is not as intelligent as the "big" words she weaves into her sentences, so as to appear so.

[Cha]

9. Right on, dude!

How's Encinitas(Swami's)? I used to live there in another life!

[SHRED]

18. Right now

Swami's is 4-7 feet with a strong offshore and building.

[Cha]

22. Cool! I use to Boogey Board there and

my son the surfer grew up in La Jolla and is now on Kauai!

When I left in 1990..Swami's beach was all big rocks and there was Kelp all over the shore line. Is that gone now?

[SHRED]

26. It changes

Now it has nice sand and no kelp on the beach but a strong storm could change that.

2 views from atop Yoganada's place today. Enjoy!

[Cha]

31. OMG! That's my Swami's!

I used to be in such good shape ..running up and down those wooden stairs to the Ocean!'


Thank you, Shred! It is so beautiful..lucky you!

I'm moving to the Big Island in two years and I'm counting the winters in New York B-)

[ohioan]

11. Rice may be many things - but less than intelligent is not one of them

I can't stand the woman, but I do recognize that she's very intelligent.

Assuming that everyone we disagree with is a stupid idiot may be one of the reasons we're out in the wilderness. It's foolish to underestimate our adversaries.

[blackangrydem]

12. Well stated.

[BrainRants]

13. Intelligence and competence are not synonymous.

She may be smart, but too often her judgment ignores reality. (Faith based folks seem to share this genetic anomaly)

I agree she has an opportunity to redefine herself, however I fear she will redefine the rest of us along the way.

[Disturbed]

17. Incompetent and a Liar.

She is accountable as any of the Neo Fascists to the illegal invasion of Iraq and the Occupation. She should face War Crime charges with the rest of the Junta. The notion that she would change anything about her policies is absurd. That she will be whisked in as S of S and a majority of Dems will approve will be further proof that the Dem Pary is part of the take over of Neo Fascism in Amerika.

[BrainRants]

19. I forgot Liar too, thanks!

You point about the Dems walking her into her new SOS position is true, none of the nominees should get a free ride and all should be submitted to the utmost scrutiny.

Damn the obstructionist labels, you'll make more news showing spine and be able to control at least part of the public debate if obstruction is framed correctly. Fight for it!

[ohioan]

33. I never said she was competent

In fact, I think she is woefully incompetent in her job. But she she is not a stupid woman using big words to sound smart. She IS smart.

[Supersedeas]

35. and a bald face liar--with someone deep in the bowels of her own

department knowing the truth...about yellow cake and the State of the Union Address.

[ohioan]

39. True dat

[Name removed]

16. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[FrenchieCat]

14. I think that he is using the right tactic...

There is no positive in a Black Man personally attacking an accomplished Black Woman (regardless of what a poseur she might be)....on national TeeVee. It would only serve as a distraction to help divide the house.

Although I respect the fact that Condi has been able to wiggle herself into high governmental positions, I don't believe that she is competent.

However, I am concluding that personal put downs and criticisms can only come out of the mouths of Republicans to be taken seriously. Kinda of like what's happening with Rumsfeld. When Democrats were asking for his resignation during Abru Graib, no one listened. Now that Republicans are asking for it....it has become a serious issue, and Rumsfeld is in "hot water".

Democrats attacking Republicans personally just doesn't have the desired affect. I think that Sharpton did the right thing.....

I hate the stupid presstitute media! They are the ones who make it serious news when Republicans are doing the critiquing. When Democrats do it, it's always like--a bad partisan joke.

[Leilani]

15. I find it interesting that Bush has given more important appointments

to minorities than a Dem has ever done.

Now, I may not like their policies or politics, but the Republicans are running circles around the Dems.

2 Secs of State, 1st hispanic attorney general, Rod Paige, Elaine Chao, Martinez, etc.

[blackangrydem]

21. That's the main reason for my screenname

Add to that the fact that blacks are the democratic party's number one loyal constituent, and that less than 10% vote repug.

[politicasista]

24. I thought Clinton put a lot of African-Americans and minorites .....

in his cabinet. Am I wrong?

[blackangrydem]

25. He had Ron Brown

as his Sec Commerce. He also had Jocelyn Elders and the guy at Agriculture who got in trouble for accepting Superbowl tickets as gifts (can't remember his name).


Sec State and NSC are inner-circle, policy-making positions though. Hard to beat that. Plus Bush had minority Ed, VA, Labor and now AG appointments. We have some work to do.

[ohioan]

34. Bush has done an excellent job in diversifying his cabinet

But his record on civil rights sucks. I think he is personally open-minded and is no bigot. But he is ignorant about the complexities of the race issue and seems to think that, because he doesn't think that black folks are inferior to whites, that he is a progressive on race whose record cannot be questioned. And then he surrounds himself with people who ARE bigots - or are at least hostile to civil rights.

[CatWoman]

44. Mike Espey was his Agriculture secretary

and he, too, was investigated and hounded only to be acquitted and cleared of wrongdoing.

But to your point about Bush putting more blacks/minorities in higher profile jobs -- so what?????

Look at what he did to Powell. The man went into that job with tons of credibility, and is leaving in disgrace. Bush doesn't do integrity. I don't care what color you are. He fills his cabinet based on loyalty rather than integrity and competence. I'd take a competent white person over an incompetent black any day. Especially when you're talking about national security. My security.

And what of Rice -- she's nothing but his mammy.

Yes sir, no sir, three bags full......................

You ever see her testimony before the 9/11 Commission. Sent shivers down my spine. That's the best my race has to offer?

Again, I'll take a competent white, chinese, whatever over this incompetent crew any day.

[blackangrydem]

49. I don't agree that Powell is leaving in disgrace.

He held the job of SecState for a full term. He didn't see eye to eye with Bush on many issues. He remains one of America's most popular political figures. When a democrat wins the White House in '08, he WILL be asked to be a part of the cabinet.

He could make a serious run at the Presidency if he so desired.

I don't see how you prove your point by mentioning Powell. Are you saying he is incompetent? Are you saying he lacks integrity?

Like I said, we have a lot of work to do as far as diversity at the highest level of govt in the Democratic Party.

Ask Jesse Jackson. He referred to changes in John Kerry's staff as a "vanilla milkshake".

[Name removed]

20. Deleted message

Message removed by moderator. Click here to review the message board rules.

[peacetalksforall]

23. Well Al was diplomatic. I can't be when expressing my opinion of

her. Every foreign diplomat that she talks to is going to be given a platter of lies. She is an inexpert and obsessed liar for the right wing. It's a sad, sad position that this country is in because of her. I have about a 1000 mil minus respect for her. She is not just a zero to the left, she is dangerous for this country. She is an operative extraordinaire. Don't be surprised if you see enhanced former USSR tactics being solidified here.

[Disturbed]

27. A black woman.

This fact gets in the way of the reality of the political situation. Any attack on her can be construed as an attack on women &/or black persons. The Rethugs are a clever bunch.

[blackangrydem]

28. It's more than that.

That cynical reason alone would not be a reason to hand over the keys to the State Dept.

I think the Shrub trusts her like no other, and she knows his mind.

When she speaks, he speaks.

[Leilani]

29. Agree with you about Condi Rice

She IS his closest advisor.

The other is Gonzalez...he has been with him for years, he has been WH Counsel, & now will be Atty Gen. He knows where ALL the Bush bodies are buried, & Bush trusts him implicitly.

His 2 closest advisors, besides Rove, are minorities...it's interesting.

[Geek_Girl]

36. Well to Be Honest I never thought Bush

was a personally a racist so I don't know why it really matters. Then only reason why they suppress African American voters is because they tend to vote democrat. If they could target white democrats they would do the same. In fact judging by the accounts of voter suppression in Ohio they did just that with the liberal arts college.

[CatWoman]

47. and what comes out of both their mouths are lies and bullshit.

[peacetalksforall]

30. There are many...MANY...fine black female politicians and leaders....

Look at the House of Representatives to start. Look at the stellar performance of the black female lawyer who presented the case for Clinton during the impeachment attempt. Now that was one articulate person who appeared to be on the genius level. Rice isn't even articulate. Most essentially -- I expect someone who doesn't lie and who has a heart.

If she is the closest person to Bush, then I think they share a blank space where the heart is supposed to be....since learning about her malfeasance up to and after 9/11. I'll also not forget that she was on the Iran-Contra team.

Playing the piano doesn't make up for any thing.

[blackangrydem]

32. What is the name of that black female lawyer?

Have we seen or heard from her in 6 years?

See my point? The dems have a lot of work to do.

[peacetalksforall]

38. I had to look it up, I believe it was Cheryl Mills...I woud guess she is

still in her field...not politicking (at least in public).

Yes, dems have much to do.

There need to be leaders who are not in the Senate or House. The Senate appears to be a place where phoney appeasement reigns. The only straight arrow statements come out of the House - especially from the Tuesday night team.

We need some leaders ....who speak to us direct...who come from grass roots and make a name for themselves with our help...and who can go on the CPNs (Corporate Propaganda Networks) when its time without bowing.

[ohioan]

37. Rice is extremely articulate.

And that was Cheryl Mills you're referring to. Of course, she's not the only black female lawyer in the country, nor is she the only articulate black woman around.

Why is it that black women in positions of power or authority often have their articulateness discussed in exchanges such as these. I rarely see similar assessments made of white men or women. It's as if we fully expect white people - especially those who achieve the highest levels of power - to be articulate, thus, their ability to articulate the English language is rarely remarked upon. Yet blacks in similar positions are often referred to as "articulate" as if it's a truly amazing thing. And the first attack against them that often surfaces is that they aren't articulate.

I haven't seen any discussion of whether Rumsfeld or Card or Ridge or anyone else in Bush's cabinet or staff is "articulate." Why is this a topic for discussion about Condoleezza Rice? Her ability to speak clearly - which she does - is not the issue. Her competence as National Security Adviser is.

[blackangrydem]

41. I don't know why being articulate is a factor, why don't you tell us?

You after all, brought it up.

[ohioan]

46. I think you're talking to someone else - I didn't bring it up...

[blackangrydem]

48. Really? Re-read your post and the others.

You brought it up.

[peacetalksforall]

50. I think I brought it up...I don't think that she is that articulate, but

I'll admit I may have things all tangled up with her lies.

Maybe I'll hedge and say that it isn't so much the articulateness as it is what I think of as a hard time getting her message across to me...maybe I don't/can't get her message because I'm stunned at her lies AND .....she doesn't do it well - I intensely dislike her for going along with 'it' and causing 'it'. I just don't have respect for her.

[ohioan]

53. We agree on that - she has lost whatever respect I had for her at one time

[ohioan]

52. YOU need to re-read my posts and check the chronology

When you do, you will see that I did not bring it up, but was simply responding to a point that was raised by someone else.

[propagandafreegal]

40. The Village Voice has a great article on Sharpton last week. nm

[robbedvoter]

56. Thanks. relevant quote:

The importance of Sharpton, however, is as symbol. He has surfaced in every major NY race for decades, and it is certain he will attempt to influence the 2005 mayoral, having already claimed in his memoir, Al on America, that he made Mike Bloomberg mayor in 2001.
http://villagevoice.com/issues/0449/barrett.php

[hollowdweller]

42. Rice & Rumsfeld. 2 of the biggest failures- retained in the admin!

[blackangrydem]

43. Rummy was retained. Rice was promoted.

[CatWoman]

45. promoted based on gross incompetence

hell, maybe she WILL be president one day.

she's off to a helluva start.

In the military we had this saying: Fuck up, move up.

[hollowdweller]

57. Yep. If the conservative media builds her up enough and the mainstream

media pretty much ignores her blatant failures.

[Erika]

51. Why would anyone favor Condi?

She is probably one of the coldest women I've ever seen. She is nothing but sympathetic to corporatism. She has an oil tanker named after her. She was given the memos on OBL and aircraft and she chose not to act on them. She spoke about mushroom clouds and the rest of the garbage the Bush machine fed us.

She has no commonality with war or our troops. She's an ice lady who reminds me of Lynn Cheney.

[pinkpanther]

55. Pod People

I swear it's the Night of the Living Dead. They've sucked out Michael Moore's brain, they've taken over MoveOn. No one is safe. :evilfrown: