Wednesday, Aug. 1, 2012
Issue of the Week: Judging Candidates on Merit
The color of a person's skin is no way to choose a candidate.
At the predominantly black monthly Community Brainstorming Conference on Saturday, state Rep. Elizabeth Coggs, a candidate for state Senate, told the audience to vote for someone who “looks like you.” That sentiment flies in the face of everything that good and honorable people, black and white, have fought for over the past 60 years. Racism is racism whether it comes from someone who is white or African American.
The civil rights movement, which literally cost some people their lives, fought to create a colorblind society in which, to paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., people are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Whether it is a Southern white racist or an African-American Wisconsin state legislator, the sentiment of voting by race is not only wrong, but also equally disgusting.
Eliminating people as potential candidates simply because of their race is completely unfair. It hurts more than those candidates; our society as a whole suffers greatly. We need the best qualified people to be elected, just like we need the best qualified people to be hired for jobs based on education, accomplishment and experience—not on the color of their skin.
Milwaukee's great civil rights leader Vel Phillips has endorsed Rep. Coggs in her Senate race. After Coggs' statement, which stands contrary to everything that Phillips has spent her life fighting for, the question is: Will Ms. Phillips take back her endorsement?
Heroes of the Week: Above the Clouds Instructors and Volunteers
Above the Clouds (510 E. Burleigh St.) is an after-school oasis for disadvantaged Milwaukee children ages 5-17 that offers free creative arts education for those who would otherwise not have the means or opportunity to participate. This faith-based nonprofit held its first class in 2002 and now has multiple locations hosting a variety of programs, including drawing, martial arts, music and drama, to name just a few. Above the Clouds promotes parent involvement and frequently suggests parents join their children during program field trips to help strengthen family bonds and share exciting learning experiences. Classes are offered year round in safe, positive environments where instructors and volunteers help kids learn social skills while encouraging individual creativity.
“We have wonderful instructors and the best staff and volunteers who love all the children,” said Linda Wade, president of Above the Clouds. “We could not do what we do without them.”
Currently, Above the Clouds is in need of portable ballet barres and sponsors to help cover spring recital costs. In addition, the organization is seeking passionate volunteers to fill five available board member positions. For more information about volunteer opportunities, donations or programs, call Linda Wade at 414-344-3019 or visit www.abovethecloudsmilwaukee.com.
Event of the Week: Lanterns for Peace
Each August, Peace Action Wisconsin commemorates the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by creating origami cranes and Japanese lanterns and floating them on the Milwaukee River. This year's celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Pere Marquette Park at Kilbourn Avenue and Old World Third Street. Participants will make cranes and lanterns as the Youth Dance Company and KT's Universal Love Band perform. The commemorative peace program will begin at 7:30 p.m., featuring a presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Patterson of Physicians for Social Responsibility and music by Glenn Asch and Charles Asch. The Japanese lanterns will float on the Milwaukee River at 8:30 p.m. Food is available, but please bring blankets or chairs. For more information, go to www.peaceactionwi.org or call 414-964-5158.
At the predominantly black monthly Community Brainstorming Conference on Saturday, state Rep. Elizabeth Coggs, a candidate for state Senate, told the audience to vote for someone who “looks like you.” That sentiment flies in the face of everything that good and honorable people, black and white, have fought for over the past 60 years. Racism is racism whether it comes from someone who is white or African American.
The civil rights movement, which literally cost some people their lives, fought to create a colorblind society in which, to paraphrase Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., people are judged not by the color of their skin, but by the content of their character. Whether it is a Southern white racist or an African-American Wisconsin state legislator, the sentiment of voting by race is not only wrong, but also equally disgusting.
Eliminating people as potential candidates simply because of their race is completely unfair. It hurts more than those candidates; our society as a whole suffers greatly. We need the best qualified people to be elected, just like we need the best qualified people to be hired for jobs based on education, accomplishment and experience—not on the color of their skin.
Milwaukee's great civil rights leader Vel Phillips has endorsed Rep. Coggs in her Senate race. After Coggs' statement, which stands contrary to everything that Phillips has spent her life fighting for, the question is: Will Ms. Phillips take back her endorsement?
Heroes of the Week: Above the Clouds Instructors and Volunteers
Above the Clouds (510 E. Burleigh St.) is an after-school oasis for disadvantaged Milwaukee children ages 5-17 that offers free creative arts education for those who would otherwise not have the means or opportunity to participate. This faith-based nonprofit held its first class in 2002 and now has multiple locations hosting a variety of programs, including drawing, martial arts, music and drama, to name just a few. Above the Clouds promotes parent involvement and frequently suggests parents join their children during program field trips to help strengthen family bonds and share exciting learning experiences. Classes are offered year round in safe, positive environments where instructors and volunteers help kids learn social skills while encouraging individual creativity.
“We have wonderful instructors and the best staff and volunteers who love all the children,” said Linda Wade, president of Above the Clouds. “We could not do what we do without them.”
Currently, Above the Clouds is in need of portable ballet barres and sponsors to help cover spring recital costs. In addition, the organization is seeking passionate volunteers to fill five available board member positions. For more information about volunteer opportunities, donations or programs, call Linda Wade at 414-344-3019 or visit www.abovethecloudsmilwaukee.com.
Event of the Week: Lanterns for Peace
Each August, Peace Action Wisconsin commemorates the tragedy of Hiroshima and Nagasaki by creating origami cranes and Japanese lanterns and floating them on the Milwaukee River. This year's celebration will be held at 6 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 4, at Pere Marquette Park at Kilbourn Avenue and Old World Third Street. Participants will make cranes and lanterns as the Youth Dance Company and KT's Universal Love Band perform. The commemorative peace program will begin at 7:30 p.m., featuring a presentation by Dr. Jeffrey Patterson of Physicians for Social Responsibility and music by Glenn Asch and Charles Asch. The Japanese lanterns will float on the Milwaukee River at 8:30 p.m. Food is available, but please bring blankets or chairs. For more information, go to www.peaceactionwi.org or call 414-964-5158.
While a person's color SHOULD not be that important, people look at a person's up-bringing. Obama is 1/2 black, and 1/2 white, and he was raised by his WHITE grandmother in the US, not some family in Kenya... nor in 110% black Gary Indiana.
That said - what do you think about voting for a candidate based on the size of their bank account? By itself, big deal, but I would still want to see some true statement of how they got their money, where will their loyalties lie?
With Romney, the worker worries if he made his money by tearing up American companies in favor of companies that off-shored jobs. (Off-shored, the more accurate term. Outsourcing is okay if out-sourced to a neighbor in your local industrial park.)
With Eric Hovde, we worry about his being a hedge-fund dealer. Does that mean his loyalties are in betting against straightforward, honest success? Imagine if he got in, and therefore will become immune to charges by the SEC on Insider trading, as all Washington DC lawmakers are. Should the Wall Street investor be as equally fearful as the working class man?
The size of a person's wealth if often an indicator of their intelligence. I like both Romney and Hovde for choosing to work harder and smarter than the lazy liberals. I suppose if I'm having trouble making a choice, I'd go with the guy who is richer.
Really pissed at Thompson for putting down Hovde for chosing to make money legally in ways the government intended, via subsidies, stimulus, etc. The government intends to give the wealthy these breaks because the wealthy are the people who will put the money to work in the economy.
I love how absolutely out of touch you are, Anonymous! I mean, you are crazy, man! Just crazy! I bet you're a blast at parties; what, with your crazy stories and all. The world needs more crazy folk like you, Anonymous. You're the swizzle stick that stirs this crazy global cocktail. I mean, equating wealth to intelligence? That is crazy hilarious! Cause, I mean, it's a completely baseless claim! You're the king of hilarious, baseless claims, bro! You're wild, man! I mean, consider this; Albert Einstein, arguably one of the smartest persons ever, spent most of his professional life as a patent clerk. But cool dudes like us don't let history or facts get in the way of a good time, right, Anonymous?