Been There, Done That

It shouldn't bother me and I shouldn't post this but some minor group of nit-wit wingtards have continually been posting on this blog (and maybe others) that I'm some sort of anti-African American racist because I did not vote for and opposed Barack Obama.

I have actually had people ask me if I was not comfortable voting for a Black man for office.

It bothers me most because I have stood against bigotry my entire life. But that I've already crossed the threshold of having not only voted for a Black man for Governor of California three times but that I voted for a Black man for President way before many of Barack Obama's supporters were old enough to vote or even were born.

It was a lonely spring of 1988 when I threw my support behind Jesse Jackson's campaign for President. I remember going to that Arleta garage and likely being the only Democrat there voting for the civil rights leader in his historic second candidacy. During the 88 campaign, there was a time where there was a very real chance that Jesse would capture the nomination. Had that happened I would have been like many other 24 year olds were last night, dancing in the streets.

Now I don't think Jesse could have likely beat George H.W. Bush that November of 1988. And 20 years later my politics as well as my personal opinion of Jesse Jackson changed dramatically. But our politics were the same then and I saw him as a transformational leader.

That constellation will come again for me and I have no idea - and nor do I care - if that person will be male or female, Black or white, gay or straight, old or young. And by then hopefully America won't either.

I believe such because even though Barack Obama was not my political cup of team, I am enormously proud that so many of my countrymen were able to do what many of us did in 1988.

Rev Jax: Israel Lower Priority Under Obama

One of the reaons I don't trust Obama - his positions/record on Israel. And this doesn't help.

Speaking at an international conference in France, civil rights leader Reverend Jesse Jackson told participants that in an Obama White House supporters of Israel will have less influence than in previous administrations.

The most important change would occur in the Middle East, where "decades of putting Israel's interests first" would end.

Jackson believes that, although "Zionists who have controlled American policy for decades" remain strong, they'll lose a great deal of their clout when Barack Obama enters the White House.

Despite past disputes and battles with the Democratic Presidential nominee Jackson, who was the first major African-American candidate for President in 1984, claimed a long and close association with Obama.

Obama has been "a neighbor or, better still, a member of the family." Jackson's son has been a close friend of Obama for years, and Jackson's daughter went to school with Obama's wife Michelle.

"We helped him start his career," says Jackson. "And then we were always there to help him move ahead. He is the continuation of our struggle for justice not only for the black people but also for all those who have been wronged."

Maybe Sarah Silverman might want to call off that schlep to see all the bubbies and zadies in Florida before it's too late.