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Radical in Pursuit of Peace and
Justice
Cynthia McKinney
Presidential Candidate
Our country has
been hijacked and the Democrats have proven themselves
to have been in on the plan. When it came to the
Constitution, the Democratic leadership showed us that
aiding and abetting illegal spying on us was more
important to them than protecting our civil liberties.
When it came to war and occupation, the Democratic
leadership showed us that financing an illegal and
immoral war, based on lies, was more important to them
than the people's desire for peace.
And when the people, hurting from the financial
mismanagement of this country, called for accountability
for the crimes that have been committed against the
people here, against the global community, against
nature, itself, the Democratic leadership took
impeachment off the table!
Grassroots Democratic Party activists want a livable
wage! A "Medicare-for-all" type of health care system,
repeal of the Bush tax cuts that have ushered in the
greatest income inequality in this country since the
Great Depression. But the Democratic Party has shown
itself to be incapable of providing even a semblance of
the values even of its own activists.
The Democratic Party's national leadership didn't even
mention Hurricanes Katrina and Rita survivors in their
Congressional agenda for the first 100 days.
The Democratic Party's national leadership gave us the
Iran Naval Blockade bill, the Violent Radicalization and
Homegrown Terrorism Prevention Act, and telecom
immunity. They continue to fund war and occupation to
the tune of $720 million a day while our children
graduate from college tens - or even hundreds - of
thousands of dollars in debt. Entire cities are going
into receivership while the Democratic leadership in
Congress gives the Pentagon one half trillion dollars
annually with no accountability, no strings attached.
That's over and above spending for war.
Abu Ghraib and Guantanamo are the hallmarks of the new
U.S. gulag Democrats are helping to create.
They want us to believe that China and Russia are our
enemies, in addition to the 60 countries on Dick
Cheney's list. They want us to believe that workers, who
come to this country to support their families after
Democratic leadership in the country saddled workers
with NAFTA, are our enemies. But we are here today to
declare that we know who the real enemies are: those
false patriots that George Washington warned us of, who
wrap themselves in the flag while betraying our values.
We are the true patriots!
We know that the
strength of this country lies in the way it countenances
dissent. And we are here to dissent. We are not deterred
by reports of sleek, new detention facilities or
recently acquired taser guns that kill. For we come to
dissent in peace. Indeed, we dissent for peace.
Today, we declare our independence from conformity and
"go-along-to-get-along" politics. We declare our
willingness to be radical in pursuit of peace and in our
hunger for justice. We can see clearly now who the real
stickup artists are and that's why we're in Denver!
Our actions here this week begin the disarming of the
hijackers. We no longer are afraid. And we won't be
deceived. We know that a vote for the Democrats is a
vote for more war in Afghanistan and other parts of the
world.
But today, we are now free.
Free to stand on the four pillars guiding our political
engagement: environmental wisdom, peace, grassroots
democracy, and social justice. And finally, we know our
power. We know the power of the people. We know that
true power rests in the hands of the people. People who
are willing to take a stand.
We need look no
further than Haiti, Cote’d I'voire, Spain, and India to
see the power of the people at the ballot box. No
further than Brazil, Venezuela, Chile, Argentina,
Ecuador, Bolivia, Nicaragua, and Paraguay to know that
if they can do it, so can we.
Provided our elections are fair! And if the Democrats
cave in, in the face of fraud, disfranchisement, and
theft, then we will be there to demand election
integrity!
All over this
country, the signs are there. People from New York to
Florida, Washington State to California, Colorado to
Texas are liberating themselves. We must not stop! Our
country is worth it! Let's take our country back! Power
to the People!
August 24, 2008
Source:
BlackCommentator.com / Guest Commentator
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Response
Green Party's Lack of Confidence and Vision
I think you have
praised McKinney to your readers in the past. I finally
got around to listening to her speech. But I shall
probably vote for Obama. An alternative project might be
to show up outside the poll with a placard protesting
the election in General. Wilson
One cannot do
everything. The goal as I suggested before should be to
give the Republicans a good whuppin, a solid thrashing.
A total rejection of the Republican policies and their
neocon allies altogether, that project is much more
cunning than running against both parties. The enemy of
my enemy is my friend is the tact they should have
taken. The problem in American politics today is the
smartest cat, Barack Obama, is the only one who is
thinking in long terms, in non-ideological creative
ways.
In this project, I
think the Green Party, which I don't know very
much about, should have joined the Democratic Party,
whether the Democrats wanted them or not in defeating
the Republicans. But they decided to play politics as
usual, that is, protest politics. Knowing they can't
defeat the two mainstream parties, they take both of
them on, at the same time, in a broadside. If we had a
parliamentary system I can see a reason for McKinney to
run for president and their present strategy.
It is good that
they are indeed running in local and congressional
elections (e.g., Cindy Sheehan). That is what they
should have focused on. But they don't have a chance in
hell for the presidency. So the best move would have
been to join the Democrats in defeating and denouncing
John McCain (Bush) for the presidency. That should have
been the tact of Ralph Nader, as well. But Ralph is a
protest egotist and geared toward being different and
selling election products.
The other problem
with McKinney is that she lacks charisma; that is, true
too of Nader. His appeal is very narrow. That is a great
failing in a politician running for the highest position
in the land, especially against the likes of
Obama. McKinney does not know how to give a speech; she
doesn't know how to inspire. She is much more suited to
run on the Green Party ticket for a congressional
position. I see no reason for voting against the
election in general. That position is too abstract of an
issue for the problems at hand. The best tactic would
have been to ride on the back (on the wave) of the
Democratic Party's progressive agenda, while making
gentle critiques of the Democrats domestic program, and
making a serious distinction on their foreign policies.
In short, I do not
think that the Green Party's programs are pragmatic and
long-visioned. They do not really see themselves as
eventual winners. Moreover, they have a black candidate,
but they do no real organizing within the black
communities. They behave as a protest organization with
no feet, if any, they are very tiny feet.—Rudy
McKinney videos:
YouTube /
YouTube
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posted 31 August 2008 |
