Senator DeMint of South Carolina continues to get lots of press as he rants and raves to prove he is the most right wing or "Conservative" Senator and this includes his "hold" on the nominee for the head of the TSA, Erroll Southers, supposedly because he might allow or even encourage TSA employees to join a union.
Having lived in South Carolina and having listened all too much to the attitudes that have motivated the long line of Dixicrats and Republicans from Strom Thurmond, and Lee Atwater, to Rep. Joe "You Lie" Wilson, I just have to wonder if it is not just flat racist campaigning like so long has been the basic play book for the Republicans since Kevin Phillips and the Nixon "Southern Strategy"?
For some reason the media/press coverage on this focuses on the anti union position of Senator DeMint and rarely even shows a photo of the nominee, Erroll Southers, let alone mentions race. Here is a sample of the stories and a photo of the nominee-
Sen. Jim DeMint (R-S.C.) opposes collective bargaining for transportation security officers.
(Melina Mara/The Washington Post)
Senator DeMint battles TSA union
Federal Diary: An unsuccessful attempt by an inept terrorist with explosive underwear to blow up a passenger plane has reignited the debate over collective-bargaining rights for TSA officers.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/...
Sen. Jim DeMint is standing by his decision to block President Obama's nominee to lead the Transportation Security Administration.
The Republican senator from South Carolina has a placed a hold on the nomination of Erroll Southers to head the TSA, which prevents quick action on the nomination. In the wake of questions about the nation's security apparatus stemming from an alleged Christmas Day terrorism attempt, DeMint's hold on the nomination has come into focus since the TSA remains without a permanent leader.
http://www.cbsnews.com/...
Obama likely to tap LAX assistant police chief to head TSABy Art Marroquin Staff Writer
Posted: 08/10/2009 05:34:15 PM PDT
Erroll Southers, Assistant Chief of Airport Police Division, Office of Intelligence and Emergency Operations, Los Angeles World Airports. (Photo by Jay Berkowitz)
Erroll Southers, an assistant police chief at Los Angeles International Airport, appears to be President Barack Obama's choice to head the federal Transportation Security Administration, several sources said Monday.
Southers, a former FBI agent, was named assistant chief of intelligence and emergency for Los Angeles World Airports, the agency that operates LAX, two years ago. He has previously worked as a detective for the Santa Monica Police Department and served as the deputy director of the California Department of Homeland Security.
. . . .
If selected, Southers would be the fifth man to oversee the TSA, which was created after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. The agency has about 50,000 airport security screeners across the country, many of whom are trying to become unionized.
Is it wrong to ask if it is racial?
Is there some good reason the D's are not pointing out that it sure looks racial?
Are the D's just too nice or are they wimps? Take the poll.