AL Sharpton making sense?

[ABSTRUSE]

I know, I know another political thread, but I think for once Mr. Sharpton spoke some sense.

Sharpton Speech Draws Standing Ovations



By MARC HUMBERT, Associated Press Writer

BOSTON - Al Sharpton (news - web sites) won the hearts of delegates to the Democratic National Convention with a rousing and raucous speech Wednesday night, saying his failed quest for the White House was proof that kids can grow up poor and make it in America.



"As I ran for president, I hoped that one child would come out of the ghetto like I did, could look at me walk across the stage with governors and senators and know they didn't have to be a drug dealer, they didn't have to be a hoodlum, they didn't have to be a gangster," he said. "They could stand up from a broken home, on welfare, and they could run for president of the United States."


Sharpton repeatedly departed from his prepared text — text that had been scrubbed by John Kerry (news - web sites)'s staff — and the amended message resonated with the delegates who frequently interrupted his address with cheers and applause.


One of many standing ovations went on for a minute after he told delegates that after the nation failed to deliver on Civil War-era promises of "40 acres and mule" to freed slaves, "we didn't get the mule so we decided we'd ride this donkey as far as it would take us."


He repeatedly slammed the Republican administration.


"Mr. President, the reason we are fighting so hard, the reason we took Florida so seriously, is our right to vote wasn't gained because of our age," Sharpton said. "Our vote was soaked in the blood of martyrs, soaked in the blood of (civil rights activists) Goodman, Chaney and Schwerner, soaked in the blood of four little girls in Birmingham. This vote is sacred to us. This vote can't be bargained away. This vote can't be given away.


"In all due respect, Mr. President, read my lips: Our vote is not for sale."


He drew one of the biggest responses when he said: "The issue of government is not to determine who may sleep together in the bedroom, it's to help those that might not be eating in the kitchen."


The convention reception was sweet for a candidate who did poorly in the primaries even while often starring in the debates. He finished a distant third in his home state New York primary with just 8 percent of the vote.


"I think the response was tremendous," he said after the speech. "I felt like I was in a church service after a while."


Earlier Wednesday evening, another former Kerry rival, Rep. Dennis Kucinich (news - web sites), accused the Bush administration of "fear-mongering" and said the true weapons of mass destruction were poverty, joblessness and racism at home.


The Ohio congressman, whose opposition to the Iraq (news - web sites) war was central to his unsuccessful run for the Democratic presidential nomination, said the country needs "courage to shake off the administration's deceptions, their attacks, and their fear-mongering,"


The Bush administration's decision to go to war was based on distortions and misrepresentations, he said.


As he took the stage, members of the Colorado delegation held up letters spelling out his name.


___

 

[shereads]

"The Ohio congressman {Kusenech}, whose opposition to the Iraq war was central to his unsuccessful run for the Democratic presidential nomination, said the country needs 'courage to shake off the administration's deceptions, their attacks, and their fear-mongering.'

"The Bush administration's decision to go to war was based on distortions and misrepresentations, he {Kusenech}said. "

Ironic, isn't it? Kusenich - and Howard Dean who will speak tonight - are applauded as heros for speaking the truth when nobody wanted to hear it.

How many of us would have the strength of character to speak before this convention, lending our full support to our party's ticket, after being dismissed a few months ago for the very statements that are bringing people to their feet this week.

A few weeks ago, Tim Russert or somebody said that Hillary and Bill Clinton would be reluctant to support a ticket with John Edwards on it, because a victory would make Edwards the party's next presidential nominee and ruin Hillary's chances.

A valid point. But it didn't stop the Clintons from supporting the ticket as if she had nothing to lose. This is one of the reasons why I'm a Democrat. In the end, whatever personal scandals you dig up on these people, there is an element of idealism and selflessness that is the polar opposite of Compassionate Conservatism.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

He drew one of the biggest responses when he said: "The issue of government is not to determine who may sleep together in the bedroom, it's to help those that might not be eating in the kitchen."

I liked this part.

 

[shereads]

The same should apply if we're "sleeping" in the kitchen and ea

Nevermind.



Al was great, wasn't he? I don't trust him any more than I trust most evangelists, but I do love to hear him preach.

 

[ABSTRUSE]

The same should apply if we're "sleeping" in the kitchen and ea

Nevermind.



Al was great, wasn't he? I don't trust him any more than I trust most evangelists, but I do love to hear him preach.

I'm not a fan of his either, but I think he spoke with a sense of clarity and got back to some of the roots of what compels people to vote, what should inspire others to want to strive for something better and what the real issues should be.

 

[shereads]

As frustrating as I usually find my own party's political conventions, I've enjoyed this one. I haven't seen the Democratic party this energized in a long time. The power of fear and loathing, I suppose.

I've noticed a pattern of "good cop/bad cop" speaches. The ones with absolutely nothing to lose this November, like Sharpton, are given the fun job of pruning the Shrub (with speeches carefully trimmed of anything really personal and insulting).

The candidates can then take the high road. Without depriving the crowd of a chance to vent some of the rage that's been building since Ken Starr introduced us to Linda Tripp.

 

[alyxen]

Did anyone check to verify that it was Al Sharpton who said this, and not some alien pod replacement?

The quotes here seem coherent and meaningful....not at all like the Al I have heard in the past.

 

[Guest]

I was just talking to my boss and we both realized that watching the convention is actually making us feel good and hopeful. We decided it's cos the televised gathering is emitting such an intensive display of intelligence and good will for so many hours a day - something we have not been used to in years.

Perdita

 

[shereads]

Enjoy it while it lasts.

Some way, somehow, the Bush machine will keep the White House. People who asked others to sacrifice the lives of their sons and daughters, for reasons so bogus that entire cabinet meetings were devoted to "agreeing on a reason that everyone could get behind" (as Mr. Wolfowitz has stated for the record) demonstrate a craving for power that's beyond comprehension. They will not let this go.

 

[Guest]

John Kerry

 

[minsue]

Did anyone check to verify that it was Al Sharpton who said this, and not some alien pod replacement?

The quotes here seem coherent and meaningful....not at all like the Al I have heard in the past.

HAH! Caught you!!

I knew you were just nodding & Hmmm-ing along when I talked politics! He had some good moments in the debates, too, and I told you all about them.....

 

[Clare Quilty]

"The issue of government is not to determine who may sleep together in the bedroom, it's to help those that might not be eating in the kitchen."

I hereby take back every pejorative word I've ever uttered in contempt of this man--superfly coiffure notwithstanding.

 

[shereads]

I hereby take back every pejorative word I've ever uttered in contempt of this man.

Except for the stuff about how he exploited the Tawawna Browley incident to make a name for himself, I second your "Amen" and raise you two "Hallelujahs."



Tell it, Rev.

I just watched Cleland's speech on RealPlayer at WashingtonPost.com,

He's my hero. This year's comeback kid.

 

[Clare Quilty]

Except for the stuff about how he exploited the Tawawna Browley incident...

As I have no idea whether or not Brawley's story was true, I've never held that against him. The pronouncement of a hoax by a conspicuously nonrepresentative grand jury isn't inviolable in my eyes.

 

[Guest]

I hereby take back every pejorative word I've ever uttered in contempt of this man--superfly coiffure notwithstanding.

What he said.

Perdita

 

[slo_hand]

The only thing new is the history you don't know!

Roosevelt...."The only thing we have to fear.....is fear itself" Bush...The only thing we have is fear!!!!

 

[alyxen]

HAH! Caught you!!

I knew you were just nodding & Hmmm-ing along when I talked politics! He had some good moments in the debates, too, and I told you all about them.....

Yes dear. I heard every single word and have them all memorized...Unfortunately, national security prevents me from further discussing this issue with you. Any further discussion would cause us to move to a chartreuse terror alert level.