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Beverly Kirk Blog
Wednesday June 04, 2008 at 3:23 pm
The Presidential primaries are over...
The Presidential primaries are over, and it appears the Democrats have a presumptive nominee in Senator Barack Obama. The battle between Obama and Senator Hillary Clinton attracted much attention because of the historic connotations of having either the first woman nominee or the first African American nominee. The Republican race has received less attention, but it, too, has had its own share of drama. It is easy to forget that at this time last year, John McCain's candidacy had been all but given up for dead. That he is now the presumptive GOP nominee is also a fascinating, if less historic, narrative.
Lots of issues have come to the forefront as a result of this primary campaign. For Democrats, this campaign has exposed deep fissures over race and gender issues. For both parties, the issue of religion has come up in the most unexpected ways, spotlighting the interplay of religion and politics. Once upon a time, the two subjects were not discussed in polite company. As recently as 30 years ago, people of the cloth seemed to worry more about saving souls than endorsing candidates, at least publicly. Politicians kept their religious views close to the vest. But all that has changed in recent years, and whether it's good or bad I'll leave that for others to judge. One thing is certain, politics and religion are mixing today and that mix has created heartburn for candidates.
Obama and McCain have had pastor problems. First, there was the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his fiery and controversial sermons some deemed Anti-American. Then, there were John Hagee and Rod Parsley. Hagee made statements some deemed anti-Catholic and still other highly controversial remarks about Hitler and the Holocaust. Parsley's comments criticizing Islam were deemed anti-Muslim by some.
The latest religious storm struck when the Reverend Michael Pfleger delivered racially-charged remarks mocking Hillary Clinton,prompting Obama to resign from his church. The clip of the remarks was shown widely on cable news, sparking much outrage. Now, Cardinal Francis George has temporarily removed Fr. Pfleger from his post so he can reflect on what he said.
Lots of issues have come to the forefront as a result of this primary campaign. For Democrats, this campaign has exposed deep fissures over race and gender issues. For both parties, the issue of religion has come up in the most unexpected ways, spotlighting the interplay of religion and politics. Once upon a time, the two subjects were not discussed in polite company. As recently as 30 years ago, people of the cloth seemed to worry more about saving souls than endorsing candidates, at least publicly. Politicians kept their religious views close to the vest. But all that has changed in recent years, and whether it's good or bad I'll leave that for others to judge. One thing is certain, politics and religion are mixing today and that mix has created heartburn for candidates.
Obama and McCain have had pastor problems. First, there was the Reverend Jeremiah Wright and his fiery and controversial sermons some deemed Anti-American. Then, there were John Hagee and Rod Parsley. Hagee made statements some deemed anti-Catholic and still other highly controversial remarks about Hitler and the Holocaust. Parsley's comments criticizing Islam were deemed anti-Muslim by some.
The latest religious storm struck when the Reverend Michael Pfleger delivered racially-charged remarks mocking Hillary Clinton,prompting Obama to resign from his church. The clip of the remarks was shown widely on cable news, sparking much outrage. Now, Cardinal Francis George has temporarily removed Fr. Pfleger from his post so he can reflect on what he said.
» continue reading The Presidential primaries are over...
Tuesday June 03, 2008 at 4:08 pm
Welcome to my new blog!
Welcome to my new blog! I'll be writing a couple of times a week on a wide range of issues.
For this initial blogging effort, I want to point you to an interview I did Thursday, May 29, 2008, during Federal News Today with former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones. He has written a new book that hits bookstores this week. It's called Redneck Boy in the
Promised Land: The Confessions of "Crazy Cooter". It's the story of his life and how he went from a poor boy growing up in a house with no electricity or running water to a television star in the popular series "The Dukes of Hazzard" to later being a member of Congress. It's also a story about perseverance, hard work and redemption.
Mr. Jones spends a lot of time in his book offering his observations about politics, elections and what it now takes to get to Washington. According to his book, it's a now bumpier road than it used to be.
During the interview, he speaks frankly about an issue that has surfaced in the Democratic primaries: who's best suited to win the votes of rural, blue collar white voters. What makes his comments interesting is that he comes from that culture and background, so there's no questioning his credentials to offer insights on what it takes to win the hearts and minds of these voters.
What I found fascinating in talking to him and in reading his book is that he is an honorary life member of the NAACP and also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He told me off camera there's no contradiction or conflict between those memberships. He explained by saying he's proud of being Southern and proud of his ancestry and at the same time, he's committed to Civil Rights, equality and justice. Lest anyone question his sincerity in that regard, he writes in-depth in his book about his days as a student at the University of North Carolina in the early 1960s marching for integration and equality and being jailed for doing so.
He also writes about being at an integrated party (something not done during this time) that was broken up by gunfire from ardent segregationists. His is a unique perspective and one you don't hear everyday. And given the dialogue the current Presidential campaign has fostered about race, gender and class issues normally not discussed in polite society, I found Jones' observations intriguing. So, let us know what you think.
For this initial blogging effort, I want to point you to an interview I did Thursday, May 29, 2008, during Federal News Today with former Georgia Congressman Ben Jones. He has written a new book that hits bookstores this week. It's called Redneck Boy in the
Promised Land: The Confessions of "Crazy Cooter". It's the story of his life and how he went from a poor boy growing up in a house with no electricity or running water to a television star in the popular series "The Dukes of Hazzard" to later being a member of Congress. It's also a story about perseverance, hard work and redemption. Mr. Jones spends a lot of time in his book offering his observations about politics, elections and what it now takes to get to Washington. According to his book, it's a now bumpier road than it used to be.
During the interview, he speaks frankly about an issue that has surfaced in the Democratic primaries: who's best suited to win the votes of rural, blue collar white voters. What makes his comments interesting is that he comes from that culture and background, so there's no questioning his credentials to offer insights on what it takes to win the hearts and minds of these voters.
What I found fascinating in talking to him and in reading his book is that he is an honorary life member of the NAACP and also a member of the Sons of Confederate Veterans. He told me off camera there's no contradiction or conflict between those memberships. He explained by saying he's proud of being Southern and proud of his ancestry and at the same time, he's committed to Civil Rights, equality and justice. Lest anyone question his sincerity in that regard, he writes in-depth in his book about his days as a student at the University of North Carolina in the early 1960s marching for integration and equality and being jailed for doing so.
He also writes about being at an integrated party (something not done during this time) that was broken up by gunfire from ardent segregationists. His is a unique perspective and one you don't hear everyday. And given the dialogue the current Presidential campaign has fostered about race, gender and class issues normally not discussed in polite society, I found Jones' observations intriguing. So, let us know what you think.
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