Things have not improved since last week's eruption of the Illinois hate crimes commission. In fact, they've grown worse, with two more panelists resigning in protest against the anti-semitic and homophobic remarks given by Nation of Islam leader, Louis Farrakhan, at a recent gathering.
The Nation of Islam, however, is very much the victim in these matters:
Farrakhan's chief of staff, Brother Leonard Muhammad, said on the radio Tuesday that the Nation of Islam forgave the people who left the commission because "you left out of confusion. You misunderstand what the commission is all about. Come back to the commission and debate your point."
He later issued a stronger challenge to them to return.
"They need to come back or shut up," Leonard Muhammad said.
"And leave me alone," Claudette Muhammad chimed in.
Rod Blagojevich has dealt with this ably and deftly:
For the second straight day, the Democratic governor refused to answer reporters' questions about the commission. He discussed other topics during an appearance in Effingham but shut the door of his SUV and drove off when asked about Muhammad's statement that Farrakhan's remarks were merely "perceived" as anti-Semitic.
Sure, the governor could defend Jews and homosexuals when confronted with animosity from the Nation of Islam, but that would mean taking on Islam and an increasing community of defensive black politicians. Jews and mo's best learn their place in the victim pecking order.
If you care to have a gander at some of these people as they've taken to the airwaves, here's a clip of a local news story from last night.
[Watch video – 1:28, WMV format, high bandwidth]
[Watch video – 1:28, WMV format, low bandwidth]
blagojevich is the biggest douche ever. a hobbit. a crook.
he won't be re-elected, topinka will win. she'll get rid of the whole lot of them.
Posted by: Crys | March 09, 2006 at 03:48 PM
I'm still trying to puzzle how Blagojevich has screwed up so badly. After years of Republican corruption, he's managed to put himself in the same category after a single term.
That's talent.
*sighs* He's done some good things like child health care and the broad discrimination law, but he just seems to incompetent and self-interested, with cronyism just as awful as the Ryan administration.
Disappointing.
Posted by: Robbie | March 09, 2006 at 03:58 PM
i was suspicious of him as soon as i saw that, within a couple of months of taking office, he tried to push through that Ameritech rate increase without due process. i had high hopes for him too, as i'm usually independent with a lean toward being democrat, but he's as corrupt as Ryan. yes, All Kids is a step in the right direction, but his pay-to-play crap and kick backs are truly disappointing.
what a let down. i have to vote for Topinka now, because Gidwitz scares me and Oberweiss is the anti-christ.
sweet home Chicago.
Posted by: Crys | March 09, 2006 at 04:11 PM
Yep. I'm an independent who leans to the right, but I really thought Blagojevich would be a much needed breath of fresh air in the governor's mansion. Now he needs gone. If Topinka wins the primary, she's my girl in November.
If it's Blagojevich vs Oberweis . . . who's the Libertarian candidate?
I'd forgotten about the Ameritech thing. Grrrr.
Posted by: Robbie | March 09, 2006 at 04:14 PM
why won't he get rid of Muhammad? what's he so afraid of? does he think that black people will get mad at him and he'll lose votes this year? but what kind of message is that sending? what, all black people hate gays and jews like Farrakhan? how retarded.
black people are just as enlightened as the rest of us, and they condemn those ignorant remarks just as the rest of us do. those that don't are ignorant, no matter the color, PERIOD.
see, that's the whole problem with Blago. he panders according to votes and money, and doesn't act on his conscience.
then again hey, this IS chicago we're talking about. it's nothing new.
Posted by: Tulip | March 09, 2006 at 11:09 PM
not that i'm cynical or anything, ahem.
Posted by: Tulip | March 09, 2006 at 11:11 PM
LOL, no ma'am, not at all =)
I'm totally with you, though. Did you see his reaction today? Completely ridiculous.
Posted by: Robbie | March 09, 2006 at 11:14 PM
i did! that's what brought me back to the blog, actually.
correct me if i'm wrong, but give me ONE MAN who can admit to being a human and making mistakes but who ACTS according to his convictions---as long as they're principled, no matter how flawed---and i'll vote for him all day long and twice on sundays. WHERE IS THIS POLITICIAN.
and don't tell me it's oberweiss! he scares me.
literally, there are pee stains in my underwear right now.
Posted by: Tulip | March 09, 2006 at 11:21 PM
Yeah, but admit it. If he started handing out free ice cream to voters, we'd be a mini-reich in the middle of the Corn Belt quicker than you could say fraud.
Posted by: Robbie | March 09, 2006 at 11:23 PM
i do love ice cream.
Posted by: Tulip | March 09, 2006 at 11:30 PM