We wouldn't have needed to contact Wellstone about this issue...
A Lott of Segregationist BS
When I first thought about what I wanted this blog to be, a lot of ideas came to my mind. It seemed there were myriad things to write about, both real and imagined. But I knew that politics would play only a minor roll here, for many reasons. First, I don't care enough about it. I mean, I do care. But I just don't care enough to post every day about all the things that I think stink in politics. It's just an emotional dead end for me. I get frustrated with the GOP (always) and the Dems for not being better or smarter Dems.
Besides, what would I say that isn't being said in so many other places? Rather than use my blog for cathartic political release, I decided to go another route, and write a bunch of BS stuff about candy bars and basketball and whatnot. We all have our own therapy.
But every once in awhile, I see something that is of a political nature that is specific enough that I can keep myself focused on the task at hand, without degenerating into a bitter ramble about Bushco or the electorate. Most important, I sometimes see things that make me feel like I can make a difference with individual action.
Today, Pipeline reader Chris C. forwarded some of the material about Trent Lott's tribute to Strom Thurmond. I knew that the tribute had taken place, but only today learned about all of the comments that Lott made. I suggest you read the story for yourself, but to summarize, Lott says we "wouldn't have had all these problems over all these years" if Thurmond had won. Of course, that's a pretty vague comment, but Lott was referring to Thurmond's 1948 run for the Presidency, when his main platform was racial segregation. This isn't the first time that Lott has been involved with comments or an organization that has held views on racial segregation that are not at all in keeping with civil rights. Even the people in the audience, most likely a very pro-Lott and pro-GOP crowd, apparently gasped and fell silent when he made the comments.
Why am I writing about this? Well, I can't do a whole lot about Trent Lott, since he's in Mississippi and I'm not (for which I am thankful). But I can do something about Norm Coleman, Minnesota's Senator-elect, the man who will be Anything To Anybody if it benefits him. Part of Coleman's campaign promise was to "change the tone" in D.C., whatever the fuck that means. (Maybe he meant "Change the tone so we won't have piss-ant liberals speaking out who are not in lock-step with the majority party which is now my benefactor."...But that's so wordy in those expensive ads...)
Well, Norm, you have a chance to vote for who that Senate majority leader is. I won't ask you to vote for a specific person. I'm just saying, don't vote for Trent Lott. Change that tone, Norm. It might even benefit you politically to do so. The man who should rightfully have your seat in the Senate, barring the cruel hand of fate, wouldn't need to listen to the calls coming in; he would have already gone to the media with his outrage, more than likely.
How to help Norm know how we feel? His contact info is below. Thanks again, Chris C.
Phone: 651-645-0766
Fax: 651-646-1387
Email: info@colemanforsenate.com
3:51:11 PM 
|
