(Per GOP) Blacks Have a Compassionate Friend in Bush

[papau]

http://www.latimes.com/news/opinion/la-oe-sahm2aug02.story
COMMENTARY
(Per GOP) Blacks Have a Compassionate Friend in Bush
By Charles Sahm
Charles Sahm works for the Manhattan Institute. A longer version of this article appears at city-journal.org.

August 2, 2004

The message — both in words and action — is clear, consistent and stirring. "We've got a president that's prepared to take us back to the days of Jim Crow segregation and dominance," says NAACP President Kweisi Mfume. Republicans' "idea of equal rights is the American flag and Confederate swastika flying side by side," says NAACP Chairman Julian Bond. And the leaders of this supposedly nonpartisan organization are surprised that President Bush declined to attend their convention last month?<snip>

The president used the occasion (Urban League meeting) to announce an administration initiative to expand business ownership and entrepreneurship among minorities (NOTE - program is for all - no minority focus). The program will turn local offices of the Urban League into one-stop centers for business training, financing and contracting. Bush said he saw this program as part of his administration's efforts to create "an ownership society" that would give minorities a stake in America's future as owners of homes and small businesses.

This is just the latest example of the solid record the Bush administration has built on issues of concern to African Americans. Despite the criticism he's received on race-related issues from elements of the black leadership and from Democrats generally, the reality is that he has consistently championed initiatives focused on economic and social empowerment rather than further dependency on social welfare programs. <snip>

Bush has also strongly supported school-choice programs aimed at helping liberate African American children from dysfunctional urban public schools — the last civil rights battle. This year he joined forces with Washington's black Democratic mayor, Anthony Williams, to win passage of the first federally funded voucher program, which will provide $7,500 each to poor minority children in the nation's capital, giving them some of the same educational options that their wealthier neighbors enjoy.<snip>

Bush's vision for race relations moves us away from tired, divisive rhetoric and toward the goal of a shared society of American values and achievement. Americans of all hues should take notice.

[BlueEyedSon]

1. LMFAO!

His base is the Elites, the "have-mores". I'm sure a few of them are black, but not many!

[Catfight]

2. Bush, vision in the same sentence is plain propaganda!

[qwlauren35]

3. Although I concur with most of this article....

(because I think, after 4 years of not attending, to go to the NAACP convention THIS year would have been a security risk!)

Bush and his administration truly believe that by offering black folks the EXACT SAME OPPORTUNITIES THAT EVERYONE ELSE HAS, that they are doing something for us, without "making us dependent"...

However, Bush isn't willing to acknowledge the racism that still exists in our nation. The subtle racism. Where you can look at a social security number, and 90% of the time, tell a person's race. And with that information, make statistically guided decisions about insurance, loans and housing, simply by considering which race is "more likely" to default on a loan, require an insurance pay-out or attract crime.

And do NOT get me started on vouchers. PULEASE. Too many of the voucher programs now in place are not helping enough minority children to make them worth our support.

So yes, Bush is offering opportunities... but without a level playing field. And without making that ADDITIONAL effort, his well-intentioned crumbs have no merit.

[tom_paine]

4. Blacks writing for and receiving a cheque from the Republikan Pay Korps

have a "friend" in Bunnypants*...ussually the guy who wrties their weekly paycheck.

All the rest NOT working to ensure Imperial Dominance can go Cheney Themselves.

Which is the main message of the article.

[noiretextatique]

5. he mentioned: the Urban League &some ministers

fooled by bush's faith-based scam. funny, this doesn't translate to
"friend" to the millions of african-americans in this country to me.

[noiretextatique]

6. this article is INFURIATING

:grr: this passage sums up bush's attitudes about black people perfectly. if we aren't "magical negroes" whose sole purpose is to help white folks find themselves...he can't be bothered.

"Invoking the contributions of abolitionists such as Frederick Douglass and Sojourner Truth, Bush said: "Their moral vision caused Americans to examine our hearts, to correct our Constitution, and to teach our children the dignity and equality of every person of every race. By a plan known only to Providence, the stolen sons and daughters of Africa helped to awaken the conscience of America. The very people traded into slavery helped to set America free."

:hurts: thanks all you slaves and decendants of slaves for "helping" america find its soul :hi: as to those 40 acres and a mule...whaddya expect: a handout :shrug: through all your suffering, we are no able to say that we are so much better than before...so thanks a lot!

:puke: insulting...i can just see that stupid smirk on his face when he said it.