McKinney: prophet or pariah? (Barf alert)

The Huntsville Times ^ | August 23, 2002 | David Person

[where's_the_Outrage?]

Since Sept. 11, Georgia Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney has been buzzing the White House like a giant gnat on a muggy summer day. On Tuesday, she got swatted in the Democratic primary by challenger Denise Majette.

McKinney has been outspoken about the cloud of corruption she believes is hanging over the current and former Bush administrations related to Enron and the Gulf War (the original and the looming sequel). With Majette's victory, the White House may think the cloud has been lifted.

I think not. Whether McKinney's allegations are ever proved, their very expression performed an essential service.

Dissent is what distinguishes a democracy from a dictatorship. And even though McKinney's views were distasteful to Bush and his supporters, they were valid expressions of dissent. She was shining a light in dark places - a necessary function in a free society, even if no dirt is ever found.

During a March 12 interview with National Public Radio's Tavis Smiley, she took on the Bush administration's "Nuclear Posture Review," which advocated a first-strike policy against nations like Iraq and China.

"This is the most destabilizing commentary made by an administration in 50 years," McKinney told Smiley. "We need to view all of the pronouncements of this administration from the prism of an illegal election held down in Florida and also through this new prism that Enron allows us to see."

Her criticism also targeted former President George H.W. Bush, who sits on the board of the Carlyle Group, an investment firm that has raked in millions doing business with defense contractors. McKinney charged that the current tensions with Iraq are merely a money-maker for the former president and other players in what President Eisenhower called the military-industrial complex.

Ironically, Judicial Watch also has concerns about the Carlyle Group's involvement with U.S. defense policy and military efforts. The right wing fell in love with this independent watchdog group for its relentless pursuit of Bill Clinton during his scandal-ridden presidency.

Now Judicial Watch has the Bush Administration in its sights. It has sued the State and Defense departments to get more information on the Carlyle Group and its relationship to the government.

If nothing else, Judicial Watch is validating McKinney's concerns. By the way, Motherjones.com reports that the Carlyle Group may have ties to the Saudi royal family and to the bin Laden family.

McKinney's view of the world is black and white - not just on politics but also on race, endearing her to supporters while enraging detractors. She is an old school activist-politician, not unlike Harlem's infamous congressman, the Rev. Adam Clayton Powell: in your face, abrasively outspoken and relentless in her indictments of the white power structure.

However, her constituents grew weary of the criticism her tactics drew - if not the tactics themselves. It also didn't help that Denise Majette, her opponent in the Democratic primary, was credible (a district court judge), articulate, more subdued and, like McKinney, an African-American.

Majette also raised more money than McKinney. Her moderate tone attracted the support of Jewish groups, much as McKinney's outspoken pro-Arab positions attracted support from that community. (Interesting, isn't it, that Alabama Congressman Earl Hilliard was defeated in much the same way as McKinney, over some of the same key issues.)

"Sometimes you're faced with the choice between doing what is politically safe and doing what is right," McKinney said during her concession speech. "Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose."

McKinney's mantra - "speak truth to power" - suggested that she sees herself as a lot like Jeremiah in the Bible. Whether she is a prophet or pariah remains to be seen. But either way, her voice and views help us to be just a bit more democratic.

David Person's column appears each Friday on the Commentary page. He can be reached via e-mail at davidpe@htimes.com or at (256)532-4362.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

"Sometimes you're faced with the choice between doing what is politically safe and doing what is right," McKinney said during her concession speech.

Amazing, someone actually believes her. David should do columns with Molly Ivins, that's really be something to read.

[KLT]

Oh excuse me...BARF...an easy question to answer...Pariah of course...

[Jeff Chandler]

Pariah. Next question.

[where's_the_Outrage?]

According to the on-line dictionary, Pariah is:

1 : one that is cast out or refused acceptance (as by society) : PARIAH

Well, she's finally been cast out, however, she's obviously accepted by Person.

I think Pariah is too lenient a term.

[I_Love_My_Husband]

David Person Independent Program Producer 1-800-239-9574 Email: David@wlrh.org By day, David Person is an editorial writer and columnist at The Huntsville Times, where his work has earned awards from the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Associated Press. By night, he is an independent radio producer. His radio works include the Black Classical Masters radio series and "Uncommon Courage: The Viola Liuzzo story." He and his wife have a son. David is also a freelance reporter for National Public Radio.

[Jeff Chandler]

I was only given two choices.

[Reaganesque]

Dissent is what distinguishes a democracy from a dictatorship.

Correction, sir. Informed dissent is what distinguishes a democracy from a dictatorship. This does not cover baseless, racist and anti-Semetic accusations of the kind Ms. McKinney was so prone to make. Your point is valid if and only if you have some evidence to back it up. Ms. McKinney had none as evidenced by the lack of support from anyone of importance in her own party.

[Texas Eagle]

"Sometimes you're faced with the choice between doing what is politically safe and doing what is right," McKinney said

Give us a fer instance, Cynthia. Fer instance, how did you vote on banning partial birth abortion? Why?

[NorCoGOP]

Prophet or Pariah?

Neither.

I prefer her new title:

UNEMPLOYED

[RabidBartender]

"David is also a freelance reporter for National Public Radio"

There you have it.

[KLT]

I agree...I'd use other words, but I'd get suspended..don't want that now!
Oh NO!

[winin2000]

Your point is valid if and only if you have some evidence to back it up.

Evidence, hell! You'll notice this twit openly asserted that it didn't matter whether it was true or not. Which speaks volumes in itself.

[backhoe]

The McKinney Files....

http://www.freerepublic.com/focus/news/737406/posts

Billy McKinney- show him the door next?
various links | 8-22-02 | The Heavy Equipment Guy

[Illbay]

Whether McKinney's allegations are ever proved, their very expression performed an essential service.

I'm sure the townspeople who were frequently stirred into an uproar by the Boy Who Cried Wolf (the Aesop Fable) should have determined that, although the boy's allegations couldn't be proved, their expression performed an essential service.

What a stupid, stupid statement.

[Jeff Chandler]

I prefer her new title:

UNEMPLOYED

LOL! Unfortunately, it won't be for long. Some university will probably snatch her up, or she'll get a plum job in the news media.

[Jeff Chandler]

What a stupid, stupid statement.

Indeed, and post #10 explains the stupidity.

[Itzlzha]

David Person Independent Program Producer 1-800-239-9574 Email: David@wlrh.org By day, David Person is an editorial writer and columnist at The Huntsville Times, where his work has earned awards from the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Associated Press. By night, he is an independent radio producer. His radio works include the Black Classical Masters radio series and "Uncommon Courage: The Viola Liuzzo story." He and his wife have a son. David is also a freelance reporter for National Public Radio.

There is a name for people who focus ONLY on the achievements and glory of Whites, and only pay any attention to white authors, musicians, politicians, and clergy.

We call them "White Supremacists".

Tell me David Person, what shall we call you, given your focus?

David, are "Black" politicians the ONLY ones capable of representing "Black" constituents? Are "White" politicians the only ones who can represent "White" constituents? Can ANY skin color represent another?

Can I slap you upside the head using "White Hyperbole", David Person?

[BillaryBeGone]

She was shining a light in dark places

I won't even go there.

- a necessary function in a free society, even if no dirt is ever found.

But, that's ok, even if reputations are ruined and millions spent in unnecessary defense. Sheesh! What an idiot!

[leilani]

David Person..."where his work has earned awards from the Alabama Press Association and the Alabama Associated Press.". No offense, but not exactly a ringing endorsement from anybody who counts. He's a joke. A 2-bit hack-hatemonger from the sticks who couldn't write his way out of a paper bag & who has to resort to being David Duke's evil nephew to get attention from anybody. Ho-hum. NEXT!

[mhking]

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