Democratic Congressman Paul Kanjorski is getting heat from Republicans for making comments that sound like he doesn't respect black people. In his testimony to help those in foreclosure during a joint House-Senate conference committee session, he made the following statement:
"The reason I ... have fought for this program isn't because we're trying to give relief to people that aren't responsible, that don't know what the hell they're doing, or don't care what they're doing. We're giving relief to people that I deal with in my office every day now, unfortunately. But because of the longevity of this recession, these are people -- and they're not minorities and they're not defective and they're not all the things you'd like to insinuate that these programs are about -- these are average, good American people."
I am having a difficult time trying to interpret Kanjorski's language here. I don't think that he's trying to be racist, so I don't expect him to apologize. All the while, it is certainly not out of the question for a Democrat to be racist. Many Democrats, including men as powerful as Vice President Joe Biden, have made comments that were incredibly insulting to minorities. Kanjorski must be careful and avoid lumping minorities into the mix of psychologically dysfunctional, irresponsible people. That would be wrong, and I presume that's not what he's saying.
My interpretation of Kanjorski's remarks, as well as the Republican response to his statement, is the following:
The Republican Party embraces so many policies that are detrimental to minorities that it is always attempting to grab any and every opportunity to imply that Democrats are just as bad. The GOP somehow believes that by catching a Democrat saying something racist, it will be excused for its own racism. Sorry, my friends, it just doesn't work that way. If you want to get the black vote, you aren't going to do it by proving that Democrats are just as bad as you are. You've actually got to prove that you're clearly the better alternative.
In terms of Kanjorski's comment, I interpret his statement to be one targeted at those who are against banking regulation and tend to oppose Democratic policies. He's implying that these initiatives are not based on some kind of set-aside issue, or that the people being affected are simply special interest groups and minorities. He seems to be attempting to argue that the recession is affecting everyone, even people like himself. The add-on of "good American people" toward the end may not imply that Kanjorski believes that minorities can't be "good American people." His assertion includes the second group to which he is referring but doesn't explicitly exclude the first group (black people).
Long story short: This situation makes the Republicans look even more ridiculous than they already are. They need to move on to something else. Kanjorski may need to clarify and, in general, avoid making such convoluted statements.
16-June-10 - I know I'm supposed to be all outraged about the Seattle cop punching the teen in her face because I'm black and stuff like that, HOWEVER, I don't know whether it's because I'm a jaded '80s baby tired of young people's lack of respect for authority or I'm just insensitive, but I think the girls in this video absolutely deserve what they got.
16-June-10 - I know I'm supposed to be all outraged about the Seattle cop punching the teen in her face because I'm black and stuff like that, HOWEVER, I don't know whether it's because I'm a jaded '80s baby tired of young people's lack of respect for authority or I'm just insensitive, but I think the girls in this video absolutely deserve what they got.
15-June-10 - Jarretta Hamilton is angry and unemployed. The 39-year-old teacher was fired last April because she had sex before marriage and wound up pregnant. Now she has broken her silence and has gone public.
12-June-10 - I am not quite sure what to make of the ruffled YouTube video that is now scouring the web out of Paterson, New Jersey, where an officer inexplicably grabs a man, turns him around and puts pepper spray in to his eyes twice.
11-June-10 - Indianapolis Police Chief Paul Ciesielski called for the firing of a white officer who's been charged with repeatedly striking a 15-year-old biracial boy in the face during an arrest. The attacks allegedly occurred after the boy had been subdued by other officers.
09-June-10 - Gary Coleman's ex-wife, Shannon Price, is up to her post-hubby's-death antics again. As if masterminding the sale of Coleman's pre- and- post-death photos wasn't enough, now the merry widow has managed to get in to Coleman's home and take practically everything that wasn't bolted down! Click Here for the Complete Story
09-June-10 - Todd Bridges, who co-starred with Gary Coleman on the popular sitcom "Diff'rent Strokes,"is livid about both Globe Magazine's and Shannon Price's involvement in Coleman's death photos.
08-June-10 - Desiree Rogers, the former White House social secretary who "left" to seek greener pastures after a major security faux paux occurred under her watch, was recently hired by Johnson Publishing Co., the owners of Jet and Ebony magazines, as a consultant.
07-June-10 - A Seattle writer is angry beyond words, because late last month his 8-year-old child was removed from her honors elementary school class. No, the child did not misbehave. Instead, the little girl was guilty of using a hair moisturizer that allegedly annoyed her Caucasian teacher.
04-June-10 - Alejandra, Jermaine Jackson's ex-wife, is taking her ex-mother-in-law, Katherine, to court to demand financial security for herself and her children.
...my interpretation (which is subjective), is that the congressman is trying to let everyone know that it is not only minorities that are looking for relief, but everyone. I think he mentioned minorities to make it clear that the recession and foreclosure is affecting people of all walks of life and of all races. Too often, people want to think it is the minorities that are racing to receive funding. Quiet as it is kept, there are plenty of "everyone" seeking funding to help them stay afloat.
I AGREE WITH YOU. THE FORCLOSURE CRISIS HAS AFFECTED EVERYONE. BACK IN THE LATE 80'S OR EARLY NINETIES, NEIL BUSH (GEORGE BUSH'S OTHER BROTHER) WAS INVOLVED IN THE SAVINGS AND LOAN SCANDAL, WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE CURRENT FORECLOSURE CRISIS. CHARLES KEATING AND NEIL BUSH WERE INVOLVED IN THE SCANDAL AND JOHN MCCAIN WAS ONE OF THE SENATORS KNOWN AS THE KEATING FIVE WHO OF COURSE SUPPORTED CHARLES KEATING AND THE SCANDAL.
REPUBLICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONLY LARGE COMPANIES LIKE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE BANKS AND THE BIG OIL COMPANIES.
THE REPUBLICANS USED THE TEA PARTY EXPRESS TO TRY TO BLOCK HEALTH CARE REFORM IN FAVOR OF LARGE INSURANCE COMPANIES. THE REPUBLICANS WERE BASICALLY SAYING IT'S OK FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DENY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS. THE REPUBLICANS FAVORED THE INSURANCE COMPANIES OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOE BARTON LOVES BP...A BRITISH OIL COMPANY. JOE BARTON DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HE LOVES BP AND HE TOLD THE ENTIRE WORLD THAT HE FAVORS THE BRITISH OIL COMPANY OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I THINK AMERICANS GET THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT AMERICANS....JUST BIG BUSINESS FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONLY BIG BUSINESS. THERE INTEREST IS IN BIG BUSINESS...NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I also agree with the comment posted. Republicans are continuing to grasp at straws to make this Administration look bad. There are alot of HARD WORKING PEOPLE who were dupted by this particular scandel. This scandel makes them really looked bad as well as alot of not well thought out actions tat they condoned. Not that the cat is out of the bag they are always looking to make others look bad. Won't work though, because the general public isn't stupid nor blind to reality!
Wrong, ABG! The Great Recession is not affecting everyone. My white gay boyfriend and I aren't at least. Yet we live on the Northside of Chicago,(Edgewater) and there are no foreclosed homes or rental apartments here. All or most of the troubled neighborhoods are on the South, West and Northwest parts of the city and suburbs, where most blacks and Hispanics like. Yet, only the largely black populated ghettoes seem affected by the recession.Edgewater's population is like 80-85 percent white non-Hispanic. Black non-Hispanics, Indians, Pakistanis, Africans and gays make up a signicant populace here also. This is depsite what you may have heard about Boystown (Lakeview), which is also north of Chicago. Edgewater's the most economically, socially and racially diverse Chicago neighborhood.
@ phil...did not pinpoint an area, neighborhood, city or state. But do not get it twisted, minorities are NOT the only ones being affected by this "recession." It is wonderful that you and your boyfriend (and BTW, who cares what color he is) have not been affected. Well, neither have I (thank goodness & God). It gets on my last nerve when ppl want to say minorities are the primary folk on welfare, getting assistance, and in this case letting their homes go into foreclosure. White folk are not exempt, and if you ever happen to be near an unemployment and/or aid office, I would bet there are an equal number of ppl seeking assistance.
Like you I'll focus on what he's trying to do to assist those experiencing foreclosure. Will leave the "cynicism" to those who look to vote NO on everything, and in the interim acccomplish nothing for those they are so concerned about. (LoL) In this instance-- give the Congressman, benefit of doubt. http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=vote_confirm
What came out the mans mouth is what he said. No one is in a position to interpret what was said. His words stand as they are regardless of what we think he meant.
This is a testimony for all of us to consider our words carefully
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
Well said and I agree. The congressman knows that Republicans will be the first to say this is a government handout - and they always direct that at blacks and other so called minorities.
I agree ABG although his comment was poorly worded. When the term minority is used individuals automatically assume that African Americans are being referenced. I think it's important to remember that African Americans are not the only classification of a minority; Hispanics,Asians,Indians, Pacific Islanders,Women etc...also fall under the minority classification. Besides I doubt the congressman services a vast amount of minorities in the state of Pennsylvania.
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By: ABG on 6/25/2010 9:14AM
...my interpretation (which is subjective), is that the congressman is trying to let everyone know that it is not only minorities that are looking for relief, but everyone. I think he mentioned minorities to make it clear that the recession and foreclosure is affecting people of all walks of life and of all races. Too often, people want to think it is the minorities that are racing to receive funding. Quiet as it is kept, there are plenty of "everyone" seeking funding to help them stay afloat.
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By: Mimi on 6/25/2010 10:54AM
I AGREE WITH YOU. THE FORCLOSURE CRISIS HAS AFFECTED EVERYONE. BACK IN THE LATE 80'S OR EARLY NINETIES, NEIL BUSH (GEORGE BUSH'S OTHER BROTHER) WAS INVOLVED IN THE SAVINGS AND LOAN SCANDAL, WHICH IS VERY SIMILAR TO THE CURRENT FORECLOSURE CRISIS. CHARLES KEATING AND NEIL BUSH WERE INVOLVED IN THE SCANDAL AND JOHN MCCAIN WAS ONE OF THE SENATORS KNOWN AS THE KEATING FIVE WHO OF COURSE SUPPORTED CHARLES KEATING AND THE SCANDAL.
REPUBLICANS DON'T CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONLY LARGE COMPANIES LIKE THE INSURANCE COMPANIES, THE BANKS AND THE BIG OIL COMPANIES.
THE REPUBLICANS USED THE TEA PARTY EXPRESS TO TRY TO BLOCK HEALTH CARE REFORM IN FAVOR OF LARGE INSURANCE COMPANIES. THE REPUBLICANS WERE BASICALLY SAYING IT'S OK FOR INSURANCE COMPANIES TO DENY HEALTH CARE COVERAGE FOR PRE EXISTING CONDITIONS. THE REPUBLICANS FAVORED THE INSURANCE COMPANIES OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
REPUBLICAN SENATOR JOE BARTON LOVES BP...A BRITISH OIL COMPANY. JOE BARTON DOESN'T CARE ABOUT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE HE LOVES BP AND HE TOLD THE ENTIRE WORLD THAT HE FAVORS THE BRITISH OIL COMPANY OVER THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
I THINK AMERICANS GET THE MESSAGE LOUD AND CLEAR THAT THE REPUBLICANS DON'T GIVE A DAMN ABOUT AMERICANS....JUST BIG BUSINESS FOREIGN OR DOMESTIC.
THE BOTTOM LINE IS REPUBLICANS DON'T LIKE AMERICAN PEOPLE ONLY BIG BUSINESS. THERE INTEREST IS IN BIG BUSINESS...NOT THE AMERICAN PEOPLE.
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By: Kim on 6/25/2010 2:23PM
I also agree with the comment posted. Republicans are continuing to grasp at straws to make this Administration look bad. There are alot of HARD WORKING PEOPLE who were dupted by this particular scandel. This scandel makes them really looked bad as well as alot of not well thought out actions tat they condoned. Not that the cat is out of the bag they are always looking to make others look bad. Won't work though, because the general public isn't stupid nor blind to reality!
Report This
By: phillgbm on 6/25/2010 3:37PM
Wrong, ABG! The Great Recession is not affecting everyone. My white gay boyfriend and I aren't at least. Yet we live on the Northside of Chicago,(Edgewater) and there are no foreclosed homes or rental apartments here. All or most of the troubled neighborhoods are on the South, West and Northwest parts of the city and suburbs, where most blacks and Hispanics like. Yet, only the largely black populated ghettoes seem affected by the recession.Edgewater's population is like 80-85 percent white non-Hispanic. Black non-Hispanics, Indians, Pakistanis, Africans and gays make up a signicant populace here also. This is depsite what you may have heard about Boystown (Lakeview), which is also north of Chicago. Edgewater's the most economically, socially and racially diverse Chicago neighborhood.
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By: ABG on 6/25/2010 4:02PM
@ phil...did not pinpoint an area, neighborhood, city or state. But do not get it twisted, minorities are NOT the only ones being affected by this "recession." It is wonderful that you and your boyfriend (and BTW, who cares what color he is) have not been affected. Well, neither have I (thank goodness & God). It gets on my last nerve when ppl want to say minorities are the primary folk on welfare, getting assistance, and in this case letting their homes go into foreclosure. White folk are not exempt, and if you ever happen to be near an unemployment and/or aid office, I would bet there are an equal number of ppl seeking assistance.
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By: Tricia on 6/25/2010 5:05PM
Like you I'll focus on what he's trying to do to assist those experiencing foreclosure. Will leave the "cynicism" to those who look to vote NO on everything, and in the interim acccomplish nothing for those they are so concerned about. (LoL) In this instance-- give the Congressman, benefit of doubt.
http://myown.oprah.com/audition/index.html?request=vote_confirm
Report This
By: selfish people on 6/25/2010 9:04PM
What came out the mans mouth is what he said. No one is in a position to interpret what was said. His words stand as they are regardless of what we think he meant.
This is a testimony for all of us to consider our words carefully
James 3:13 Who is a wise man and endued with knowledge among you? let him shew out of a good conversation his works with meekness of wisdom.
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By: itkonlyyou149 on 6/27/2010 10:53AM
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By: Jewel on 6/29/2010 5:04PM
Well said and I agree. The congressman knows that Republicans will be the first to say this is a government handout - and they always direct that at blacks and other so called minorities.
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By: JesusIStheWay on 7/03/2010 10:32PM
I agree ABG although his comment was poorly worded. When the term minority is used individuals automatically assume that African Americans are being referenced. I think it's important to remember that African Americans are not the only classification of a minority; Hispanics,Asians,Indians, Pacific Islanders,Women etc...also fall under the minority classification. Besides I doubt the congressman services a vast amount of minorities in the state of Pennsylvania.
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