RNC Chairman Michael Steele Attacks Rush Limbaugh, Attends “State of Black America”
I just want to begin by stating that I was ready to give Michael Steele a chance to lead the RNC even though he wasn’t my first choice. But two events over the weekend confirmed my suspicions about Steele.
First, I was flipping channels on Saturday and I stumbled upon Tavis Smiley’s tenth annual “State of Black America” event being televised by CSPAN. Okay. Fine. Whatever. But as I watched for a few minutes (what turned out to be the closing minutes), Tavis Smiley was thanking the guests on his last panel of the day. Who were some of the guests? The racist (in my opinion) Cornel West, the so-called Reverend Al Sharpton, and last but certainly the one who piqued my interest, none other than the newly elected chairman of the Republican National Committee, Michael Steele.
Admittedly, I didn’t hear him speak. So I have no idea what he said, but I don’t need to in order criticize his appearance at such an event. He, as RNC Chairman and so-called conservative, had business being at the “State of Black America.” Why? Because Tavis Smiley–the event’s founder/host–is no different than Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton, Cornel West, Joseph Lowery, Andy Young, etc. In other words, Tavis Smiley is a race baiter. He continues to preach about so-called minority victimhood. Many of you will argue that Michael Steele, as a prominent black American, should have appeared at the event. You’ll argue that he could’ve used it as an opportunity to reach an otherwise unreachable audience. You’re wrong. If Michael Steele went there and preached a message of self-reliance and education, of looking forward and not to the past, that message would have fallen on deaf ears. That’s not the message that crowd wants to hear.
So you see I don’t even need to know what Michael Steele said in order to to tell you that it was a horrible move on his part, unless of course he agrees with the victimhood message that is so often put forth at that event. If he does agree then he has no business being RNC Chairman unless that’s what the RNC has become.
The second, and even more troubling incident Steele was involved in this weeked, was an interview Steele gave in which he referred to Rush Limbaugh as an “entertainer” (that’s fine, he is) and that his show is “incendiary” and “ugly.” Let me break this down for you: the RNC Chairman, Michael Steele, is essentially calling conservatives “incendiary” and “ugly” (not physically of course).
Still want to tell me the Republican Party “gets it” and is on the path to conservative redemption? Yeah. Okay. Let me know how that works out for you.
The fact of the matter is that the Republican Party is closer to extinction–as we currently know it–than resurrection. I know that’s going to offend Party loyalists but it’s time to face the facts. The GOP is no longer, and quite honestly hasn’t been for a while, the Party of conservatism. It is the Party of elites, RINOs and veiled liberals. And if you think Michael Steele is the man to lead the GOP back to political relevance spearheaded by conservatism, well, simply put: you’re badly mistaken.
UPDATE: Michael Steele is digging himself one hell of a hole, folks. Michelle Malkin just posted about about another portion of Steele’s appearance on D.L. Hughley’s CNN show D.L. Hughley Breaks the News where apparently agrees that the 2008 Republican National Convention looked like Nazi Germany. Here’s the link to the clip from Raw Story (scroll down to see the video on their site).
UPDATE 2: This just in: Michael Steele’s unapologetic apology is out on Politico:
Asked if he planned to apologize, Steele said: “I wasn’t trying to offend anybody. So, yeah, if he’s offended, I’d say: Look, I’m not in the business of hurting people’s feelings here. … My job is to try to bring us all together.”
Notice how he really didn’t apologize or admit he was wrong. He basically only apologizing for possibly offending Rush Limbaugh. He’s also implicitly reaffirming his opinion that Rush’s show is “incendiary” and “ugly.” I rest my case about Michael Steele.
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Comments
You know, I truly attempt almost every day to understand conservative values and can honestly say that some I agree with and some I do not. The same goes for liberal values. I consider myself neither a republican/democrat/conservative/liberal/ etc for articles like this one. There is a divide in this country and instead of persons in position giving solutions we only get crying about who is doing what or not doing or what someone should do. What are YOU doing to bring this country together. As far as I am concern this was a very good move for the republican party to have a presence at this event. To have a conservative to stand on his principles and relay them to the audience. At the same time that individual must be understanding of the audiences concerns as having some validity and not blindly toss them away as simply playing victim. This is the State of the Black America(America!): Average working class whites earn 12 times the net worth of blacks, 10 times net of hispanics. Upperclass blacks are more likely to be rejected for a mortgage loan than lower income whites. Black men with college degrees earn a third less than whites with the same. There is a denial that is unreal and it has always been there. Even back 1962 in a survey whites were asked if black were getting an equal education… 87% said yes. In 1963 whites were asked if blacks had equal opportunity 2 out of 3 answer yes. Read “The Reality of Intentional Job Discrimination in Metropolitan America” survey and you will find that there is plenty of reason why this event means alot to America. These are facts out there for anyone not in denial to find> Look it all up and write any article! You would do well to be involve with other cultures/races out side of your own. The goal here should always be unity! So before you have a understanding of what people are raising complaints about you should never make a comment. You will just expose your ignorance.
The controversy about Michael Steele and Rush Limbaugh (who I don’t really particularly listen to anymore) is more than about Rush. When the liberal talk show host said that CPAC looked like a bunch of Nazis Michael Steele nodded in agreement.
Some said his nodding wasn’t in agreement with that statement but still at the very least he was quiet and did not speak out against that outrageous statement.
This is more than about Rush the person. This was about the speech he gave and if you listened to the speech and agree with it then it is not only Rush but you, and all other grassroots conservatives that Michael Steele has rebuked in the harshest of terms.
Well, if that is the way the “leader” of the GOP feels about me then I say no, no, no, not God Bless the GOP, GOD DAMN the GOP. It isn’t the party I thought I knew!
Steven, have you ever listened to Cornel West? I asked because any person who has listened to this black mans racist rants would not have to ask such a stupid question. I am not saying you are stupid! I am just saying that you are a liberal or a misinformed conservative and I would insert into my browser any term like “Cornel West the black racist” or any like term and see what pops up. You can sub any name before “the black racist” like big Al “show me the money” Sharpton, or Jesse “it’s not my bastard child” Jackson or Watts and see what turns up.
Steven, please don’t spew the “black” victim stuff because most do not believe that blacks are the victims of anything other than they fall for the democratic bull and they will always be the victim according to the democrats and the liberal media but the facts are the facts and it is that whites are 10 times or more likely to be the victims of blacks.
Please check the facts Steve and return with a clearer mind of black racist and white victims of black hate.
Please read the following to learn a little about the liberal media and how they dumb down white Americans.
http://www.chicagotribune.com/news/nationworld/chi-070610hatecrime-story,0,7700301.story?track=rss
Darryl:
Great points directed at Steven. I honestly don’t understand why Cornel West isn’t given more scrutiny. The man preaches nothing but Malcom X, Black Panther, black superiority. How is that not racist?
By the way, I just did a little research on Cornel West and I found something very interesting. Anyone care to know what President Obama thinks of Cornel West? Well have a look:
Steven, I would encourage you and the other libs to listen to my interview with the author of a fantastic biography of Booker T. Washington. Now there is someone for not only black Americans to admire and emulate, but every American.
Darryl, I have read your response and would like to thank you for “not saying that I am stupid!” because I do happen to be a well-informed individual who IS multi-culturally connected. As far as Cornel West is concerned I took your advice and googled “Cornel West the black racist” and didn’t come up with anything that is to say he is racist or has racist views. I did see something from a right-wing columnist who speaks on his thoughts on black liberation theology(This I expected) but, nothing solid. So I also search “cornel West Racist Rant” still nothing. So if you have anything on Cornel West speaking racial hatred let me know and because what I believe you to think of as racist rants for the most part I see as him running through the American facts and statitics that have concerning issues when it comes to races and classes. As far as Sharpton and Jackson I don’t believe they should be as revered as they are. I love them for what they have done, but for what they to do today I have my questions. They have there uses but those uses should be used all cross racial injustice instead of just for blacks. Though I understand why they would be stuck in that mindstate given the era in which they fought through one does have to question if they are now just working a niche. I aslo viewed the article in which you referred to and I happen to remember this case. I remember feeling like although the Knoxville case did not have any evidence of hate crime.. because the same and far worst has be done to victims of their own race, I felt that black leaders should have been all over this to show that we are not just for ourselves, but humanity. Even though I mentioned nothing on crime in my post. Being black does not make you dangerous as this article suggests! I have lived in a black neighbor for years and have not been a witness or heard of any criminal acts. Poverty has more to do with it than anything. Here is an article for you: http://www.lipmagazine.org/~timwise/colorofdeception.html
The man who wrote this article name is ‘Tim Wise’(google HIM) and he goes strictly off FACTS… and argues against the flawed assumptions behind these crimes.(I referred to all your suggestions hopefully you will do the same.) No, the mainstream media does not do their job well and are cowards when it comes to racial criticisms and crimes like this one they ARE cowards. Though let’s face it the critics hardly ever do it respectfully. I could argue the negative depictions of blacks and hispanics I see all over the local news versus the many positive events that I know that are going on all the time in the black/hispanic communities. But for what, I know it to be an issue even if you don’t. I certainly KNOW that most do not believe that blacks are victimized in any way and the main reason is because you don’t want to believe and won’t look into the data THAT I provided and see that it is valid because you want to continue to be in denial. I have white friends that feel this way but the most of them do see it as a valid concern. By the way my white friends that wish to remain in denial I still consider friends. They are all still at a job that we all worked but I no longer have. (Look into unemployment statistics guys) If you are wondering yes I am black. A black man that feels like this world will not advance if we are not doing it together!
By the way ‘Joshua Price’(I am glad you made your post now I know who wrote this article) Cornel West does not speak on Black Superiority but ‘HUMAN Equality’ not just for blacks. What he speaks AGAINST is White Supremacy and Privilege so do I. It does exist. As far as Booker T. Washington I know more than you do on him and his life. I share his views and I do apply them to men like Sharpton. Still the ‘privilege’ still exists… if you allowed yourselves to see and make sure that is doesn’t exist on your watch is another question. Again I still communicate with my friends at my old job and every black out 6 out of the contractors 16 are gone, Honestly. All 10 that remain are white. I don’t fault them for that it’s just how it is.
The problem with the Republican party is that they still rely on failed principles that were brought to the party by Ronald Regan. They can’t seem to wake up from the coma he put them in. Things were so good for them for so long that the “Voodoo economics” they swallowed so eagerly made the party and the country sick.
Now they have nothing to offer except the same old broke policies i.e. (tax cuts for the wealthy). They spout phrases like fiscal responsibility that makes them hypocrites in the eyes of the public after 8 years of GWB who took a surplus and gave it all to his wealthy friends.
How about getting in line and pass buckets like the rest of us to put out this fire instead of sitting on the sidelines being irrelevant.