Did you see F9/11? Were you shocked as members of the Congressional Black Caucus tried to reverse, or at least, for heaven's sake, question the majority-SCOTUS-supported right wing coup of the presidency, and still in fair play mode or whatever it was, not one Dem Senator, would stand up?
Remember how that made you feel? I was heartbroken all over again, doubly so because I didn't even know, at the time that it had happened. I wasn't politically aware or active at all in 2000...
but thanks to outrage and the Dean movement (negative and positive sides of the citizenship coin), I'm very active now. And, it helps me to keep fighting when I remember that principled powerful people are working every day to lead this nation out of the insanity we're in, out of the clutches of the murderous right wing. The Congressional Black Caucus are a great group to support and follow, hence this diary on how they're all doing in the eyes of their main constituents - black people, and poor people.
http://www.blackcommentator.com/151/151_cover_cbc_monitor.html
CBC Monitor: Watchdogs of the Black Caucus
In this report card on the CBC, it's no surprise, but delighted confirmation, that Reps John Conyers (Kossack:-) and Barbara Lee are right on the top of the list. I was surprised to see Sheila Jackson-Lee in the questionable column. And Barack Obama is still new - I hope he grows into standing up and creates a record worthy of his promise. Harold Ford and the rest of the delinquents - it's just a matter of time and the word getting out.
Some quotes that hit home for me:
"..."The CBC Monitor is based on Black people's political views. Other organizations rate legislators in ways that dilute African American opinion - that discount our view of the world. Such a methodology diminishes the profound lessons that Black people have learned in our centuries of struggle. We must hold our own people to account for their political actions."
"...For so many generations, Black people were just so happy to have somebody of their hue in office. Now, with 43 members in the Congress, it has become imperative to exercise more discretion. Seven members have failed us - betrayed us - and four are on the cusp of treachery. We must encourage those members who have held fast to the Black Political Consensus to stay the course, and to punish those who do not..."
"...The CBC Monitor opens a new window on African American political discourse. It is unacceptable for Members of Congress like Harold Ford, who represents extremely poor districts, to vote for a Republican bankruptcy bill that creates an even worse economic environment for their own constituents. It is despicable for representatives of the Black and poor to vote to allow unearned wealth to be passed on to unearning children, while the sponsors of such legislation spout racist garbage about "welfare queens."
The Honor Roll folks deserve our support, and they will keep fighting whether they get it or not. Real servant-leaders, all - I say thank you.
Terri