SPEAKER PELOSI TIME TO EMPANEL THAT SPECIAL PANEL TO INVESTIGATE THE JANUARY 6 INSURRECTION - NOW!

By Gloria DULAN-Wilson

Now that the Repuglycons have done what they predicted they would do, and blocked the bi-partisan investigation of T-rump's instigation into the Assault on the Capitol, House Democrats can now mount a probe of their own into the January 6 US Capitol attack.  

YAAAAAY!!!!

I, for one, was so sick of hearing the lies and watching the machinations of the Repuglycons - all the threats, all the innuendos of what they would do if a panel was formed.  I was tired of folks trying to be "bi-partisan" with a group of turncoats who have already proven that there isn't a bi-partisan bone in their body.   In the interest of national security, integrity, and equality, it's imperative that the investigation of the January 6 T-rump instigated assault on the Nation's Capitol be held, without equivocation,  compromise, threats, cover ups, or the kind of kid gloves that would almost assuredly be prevalent in an ersatz "bi-partisan" tribunal. 

Ideally, in the pre-T-rump America, bi-partisan would have been the best way.  There would have been a show of unity and solidarity if both sides of the aisle had come together to root out the enemy.  However, since one half of the senate is sleeping with the enemy, getting paid to cooperate with insanity, too many of the original powers of the panel had been negotiated away - i.e. taken off the table - because it would offend/convict the original perpetrator, who obviously has their balls in his back pocket. 

It is admirable that the Dems won't let the issue go away - but now is not the time to continue to beg and cajole - They've shown you what they're about - trickery, lies, racism, deceit.  Time to get your backbone straight Dems; time to fulfill what the people elected you for.  To take it over and make it right - despite the bull shit threats of so called retaliation.

MSNBC ran a documentary on the seige of the Capitol, culled from cameras, cell phones, and surveillance equipment that captured - step by step - the entire sequence of events from the incendiary speech of the former ersatz president, through the charge to go down to the White House - through the seige itself - step by step phase by phase.  Documenting that it was not peaceful, it was no vacation, it was no tour - which is the line of lies the repuglycons have consistently tried to convince the world it is - but a life threatening invasion of America by traitors  that had been in formation for months - probably underwritten by T-rump dollars - to fulfill a threat he made years before where he said that even if he lost the election, he was not going to leave.  He has made this threat subtly over and over and over - so why it was ignored is beyond me. 

My issue, however, is this:  Why is the meanstream media trying to couch the vote against the investigative panel as a defeat for the Democrats? Quite the contrary! The repuglycons have literally shot themselves in the foot.  The Dems now have the power and all the marbles in their hands.  Nancy Pelosi can now appoint a select committee.  They now can send the FBI out into the farthest reaches to get the culprits and bring them to trial.  They can now subpoena people, no matter who they're related to, or what their party affiliation, and have them testify.  If the Dems are concerned about the panel being perceived as a Democratic dominated panel - tough noogies!  Accept it and get the job done.  Besides, you knew the job was dangerous when you took it.  I think the repuglycons secretly want the select panel to happen.  They want this stain gone as much as the rest of us; but they also want to continue receiving under the table money from T-Rump.  If it was really about it not being bi-partisan,  they should have stayed involved and voted to make the panel happen.  

If repuglycons think this panel will cause them to win in the midterms - not gonna happen.  See, Americans aren't that stupid anymore.  The revelations  coming from the witnesses are going to be pretty damaging to the Repuglycons and the former predator in chief.   No one wants more of the same. America is not going to sit on the sidelines this time and allow the repuglycons use every lie in the book to subvert and block out votes.   And this time we have changed - we are a more intelligent,  politically active voting America - despite the contrary efforts to quash and discourage and legislate us out of doing so. While they are pushing through to try to establish a dictatorship a la T-rump; we're pushing back just as hard to maintain our freedom and our voting rights.  We will show up for every opportunity to vote - from dog catcher, to school board, to state and local offices to Judges, Congress, Senate, and whatever else happens to "pop up" that requires a vote. 

In fact, this would be the perfect time for President Biden to issue an executive order re-establishing and expanding our voting rights - so we can focus on more important things.  While we are still signing petitions for the John Lewis Voting Rights Act, President Biden can make it happen via Executive Order and free our time and attention up to other issues that need to be dealt with.

The so-called Senate Republicans derailing, as enunciated by the meanstream media (CNN, MSNBC, etc), is nothing more than the unique, carte blanche opportunity for the Democrats to take the bull by the horns for real, and create the outside commission, probe the deadly insurrection, and probe those other major deliberate gaffs that have occurred over the past four years leading up to this debacle.

To Speaker Nancy Pelosi:  Please move immediately on creating that select committee, not as a fallback option, but as a high priority!!  We are the majority - so let's act like it and make it happen, immediately, if not sooner!  Make it your next move - immediately, if not sooner!!!   What more do you need to make it happen?  According to Texas Democrat, Rep. Joaquin Castro,  who was impeachment manager in President Donald Trump's second trial, the Senate could and should pass a bill creating the outside commission.

ALLOW ME TO REITERATE FOR THOSE WHO DID NOT GRASP THE FOREGOING:  If the House creates such a panel, it would give Democrats the power to issue subpoenas and schedule hearings and to drive an investigation into the causes of the attack and Trump's role behind it.   The repuglycons are threatening a backlash, but who the eff cares?  What have we been dealing with from them for the past 10 years? Their racist backlash began when Obama was elected president.  And all they've done is gotten worse, to the point that now we have a megalomaniacal fool running around the country, with his "psycho-phants" creating bogus vote recounts, passing repressive voter laws, and thumbing their noses at the honest voters - trying to punish them for having a mind of their own, and exercising their rights.  Let them try to paint the upcoming panel as partisan - and I say upcoming because I know that it's gonna happen, because Nancy Pelosi is not intimidated by any of their threats.  Just remind them of the fact that they brought it on themselves by not agreeing to establish a bipartisan outside panel composed of 10 commissioners, equally divided between the two parties - in bad faith, because the Dems actually conceded to every one of their demands - had the commission they agreed to after all the compromises been empaneled, it would have had no power anyway.  Much like the impeachment trials that were held for T-rump - where McConnell already said that they were going through the motions, but were not going to recall the miscreant in chief.

Of course House Minority leader, Kevin McCarthy doesn't want to see the select committee established: "I don't think a select committee is the proper way to go,"  He called it a "Pelosi select committee."

Pelosi, (D-California) was in favor of a bipartisan outside commission, but is also aware of the need for a select committee as an option. According to meanstream media, doing so might create a turf war with existing House committee chairs; but Democratic lawmakers on Friday downplayed that likelihood, given the desire among their caucus to mount a sprawling investigation into what happened.

In a statement on Friday, May 27, Pelosi stated: "Honoring our responsibility to the Congress. in which we serve and the Country, which we love, Democrats will proceed to find the truth."

According to CNN: "Republicans on Friday said they recognized this was a likely next step. Senate Republicans who opposed the commission said that if Pelosi goes that route, it would be easier to contend that such a probe would be geared at helping Democrats in the 2022 midterm elections.  Yet other Republicans said they were perplexed that their colleagues wouldn't endorse a bipartisan commission, arguing their party is ceding control to Democrats, who are almost certain to mount a headline-generating probe into everything that happened on January 6.

"Without this commission, there will still be an investigation," said Sen. Bill Cassidy, a Louisiana Republican who voted with five other Senate Republicans to bring the measure forward for debate. "But it will be a House-select committee set up by Speaker Pelosi -- the nature of which will be dictated by Democrats and would stretch on for years." (ACTUALLY,  IT SHOULD NOT AND MUST NOT DRAG ON FOR YEARS - IT'S AS OBVIOUS AS CHAUVIN'S FOOT ON GEORGE FLOYD'S NECK WHO THE GUILTY PERSON IS IN TERMS OF FOMENTING THE RIOTS, AND THE GUILTY PERSONS ARE FOR BREACHING THE WHITE HOUSE - IT REALLY SHOULD TAKE LESS THAN 6 MONTHS TO CULL THROUGH WHAT IS OBVIOUS AND ON CAMERA - SO THE BUREAUCRATIC BISHWA THAT PLAGUES SO MANY OTHER THINGS MUST BE DISPENSED WITH - I.E., CUT TO THE CHASE - LET'S GET THE PERPETRATORS BEFORE THEY AND WE ARE TOO OLD TO REMEMBER WHAT HAPPENED - OR AS DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR SAID: JUSTICE DELAYED IS JUSTICE DENIED!!).

In the Senate, two separate committees -- the Rules Committee and Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee -- are conducting probes about the lack of security preparedness on January 6 and will issue a report the week of June 7. But those investigations are narrowly focused on the response effort that day, rather than the causes behind the insurrection.

On Friday, Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer would not say if he believes his committee chairmen should mount their own investigation into the attack. (INTERESTING - CHUCK IS A NEW YORKER, BUT HE MOVES LIKE SOMEONE FROM THE SOUTH - NOT A GOOD LOOK - WAKE UP CHUCK THIS IS 2021 WE WON!!! MOVE LIKE YOU KNOW A NEW YORK MINUTE STILL EXISTS.  SO GLAD WE HAVE TISH JAMES AND CYRUS VANCE LEADING THE CHARGE). But the New York Democrat made clear that he thinks the House should move ahead.

"We preferred to do it bipartisan," Schumer said. "Every Democrat voted for bipartisan, but facts must come out," he said when asked whether the findings from a Democrat-led committee would be credible.

Last word:  For those who have not seen the documentary on MSNBC on the Siege; or for those who just prefer to be manipulated by the meanstream media, FAUX News, repuglycon cover ups, or blowhard ersatz presidents - WTFU!!   "You been took, you been had, you been hoodwinked! (Malcolm X)."  On JANUARY 6, 2021 there was a move to overthrow the government of the United States of America, started by the defeated megalomaniacal former president of the US; and thousands of his dissidents who had been training for at least a year, had maps to the entire Capitol, and encouraged - whipped into a frenzy  - by the defeated outgoing ersatz president of the US.  THE WHOLE WORLD SAW IT.  Just like they saw Chauvin's foot on George Floyd's neck.  WHO ARE YOU GOING TO BELIEVE - THE LIES OR YOUR EYES???

IF THE REPUGLYCONS (REPUBLICANS) NEVER EVER VOTE IN ANY COOPERATIVE BI-PARTISAN MANNER WITH THE DEMOCRATS, DEMS STILL HAVE AN OBLIGATION TO PROCEED TO TAKE CARE OF THE PEOPLE AND THE PEOPLE'S BUSINESS AND LIVE UP TO THE OATH THEY TOOK WHEN THEY FIRST ENTERED OFFICE, REGARDLESS OF HOW MANY REPUGLYCONS GET BENT OUT OF SHAPE.

 

SO DO YOUR JOB!  THE PEOPLE WILL FOLLOW! THE PEOPLE WILL SUPPORT YOU!

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

 Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

 

Gloria DULAN-Wilson

 

 

 

IMPEACH AND REMOVE: Time to Learn the Constitution of the United States

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Hello All:

I recently watched Speaker Nancy Pelosi address the press and the world about the plans to go forward with the impeachment of T-rump, the ersatz president of the US.   If you wonder why I use the adjective "ersatz" in relation to T-rump and the presidency, allow me to give you the definition:
ERSATZ: BEING A USUALLY ARTIFICIAL AND INFERIOR SUBSTITUTE OR IMITATION; YOU DISLIKE IT BECAUSE IT IS NOT GENUINE - A POOR IMITATION OF SOMETHING BETTER.  Synonyms - Fake!!

Now that we have that understanding, I will continue with my subject.  The Constitution of the United States of America.  

There are those of us who think the Constitution is a brilliant document - and you are absolutely correct!   It was forged together by brilliant minds coming from various backgrounds to bring forth a country that basically was invaded by a different factions and nationalities; and was designed  to bring the disparate groups together.  And to that end, it succeeded immeasurably.  Of course the major flaw was the omission of Black people in the original equation - and the relegation of those same Black people to a subhuman level.  Something that we are still trying to make sure is rectified equitably because of all the heinous outcomes that emanated from that oversight.

Horrible as it was/is - the saving grace is that the Constitution of the United States also included the capacity to be amended - and, in keeping with the times, has done so through the ratification of the congress and the representative states.  The constitution is basically fluid - but still standing after nearly 300 years.

That said, if you thought I learned this information on Google, you're sadly mistaken.   I, and so many of us who attended public school before the 1980s,  had a real education that included Readin' Writin' 'Rithmetic, Science, Sociology, Music, Art and above all CIVICS.  

Yes, when we were kids we actually studied the Constitution of the United States.  It was mandatory.  We learned the Declaration of Independence, the Gettysburg Address, and so many other pillars of our country.  They were also mandator.  And,  just for those of us who are Black like me, I also learned about Crispus Attucks, Denmark Vesey, Harriet Tubman, Soujourner Truth, Nat Turner, George Washington Carver, Phyllis Wheatley, Frederick Douglass, Abraham Lincoln,  Sequoiah, and all those who were at the same time trying to make sure we had our fair and equitable share.  In Oklahoma, it was mandatory in our Black schools.

But the important thing was that we learned about the constitution - the good, bad, ugly and unique that no other country before or since has ever come up with - and, thank goodness still governs much of what this country is about today.

The members of the repuglycon party have systematically worked to dismantle this constitution, and along with it, our constitutional rights.    The educational system has all but eliminated Civics from the education of our youth - so that they are horribly ignorant of their rights and responsibilities.  People from other countries are more knowledgeable about our constitution than we are.  In fact, while they have to know it in order to become citizens, we sit here in our resplendent ignorance and smugly think that we have it covered.  So when someone comes and challenges it, we are so ignorant, we don't know how to handle it - we leave it to the court of public opinion, meanstream media, and outside hostile influences to make the distorted definitions for us.

Americans, under the guise of being hip and liberated, and social media savvy are now dumb as a box of rocks!!! And the real evidence of this is not just the current incumbent ersatz president, but the fact that the repuglycon party was able to hijack the government by blocking President Obama's right and responsibility to recommend a Supreme Court Justice - by the shut down of the government in order to thwart a Black president based on their racist attitudes; and the seating of an ersatz president after it was learned that he had conspired with outside hostile forces to hijack the votes in order to steal a legitimate election.  The fact that he was allowed to continue to destroy the government shows how ignorant and insipid Americans have become.  The fact that it has become the butt of most late night talk show jokes, international laughing stock from high respect; and obvious cronyism with those deemed to be foreign enemies - means we don't even know that every day that he is in office is a flagrant violation of this Constitution.

So for those of you who don't know the constitution, I am providing a link here for you 

https://www.archives.gov/founding-docs/constitution-transcript

And please don't give me the fact that it didn't include Black people - I covered that in my previous statement.  Right now, we have some serious business - and of course, you all know that Black people have always been the consciousness of this "bass ackwards" country!  We've always had to save the day.  The one thing I absolutely love about the great Don King is that he took the time to learn this constitution forwards and backwards, so that when they tried to pull anything on him, he know exactly what violation it was, and threw it back into their faces.  The same with the master Black Statesman, Adam Clayton Powell - who used it to pass more laws right under their noses than anyone before or sense.  They actually had to violate the constitution to get around it - and he was able to be reinstated because they were found in contempt.

My peers, of which there are many, look at you guys, who attended school from the 80s forward, and shake our heads.  As I listened to C-SPAN's call in this morning, most of the callers were caucasion, and said some of the dumbest stuff ever.  It was appalling to realize how backwards our educational and civic system has gone.  And how deliberate it was to dismantle our knowledge base.

So take the time to read all 7 ARTICLES of the Constitution.  Take time to learn about the 27 AMENDMENTS and how they affect you.  Start looking at why it is that the Democrats are fulfilling the Constitution, while the repuglycons would have preferred that you suffer along in ignorance.

And if you think this is just about a presidential election - you are sadly mistaken.  This is about not allowing this ersatz president, the repuglycons, Putin, and any other foreign or domestic enemy to overthrow this country, take it down the toilet, and other horrific things that are beginning to spiral out of control as we speak.

READ AND LEARN the CONSTITUTION OF THE UNITED STATES - because, unless you expatriate to another country, it's still relevant to you.  By the way, once you decide the grass is greener in other countries, let me remind you - because I learned it the hard way - there are many tropical paradises out there, but most don't have equitable governments. And, as you well know, there's always trouble in Paradise.

After you learn it - demand that your children or grandchildren's schools begin to teach it and re-establish civics classes.  Have the kids do mock impeachment hearings - we did when were in school.  Teach them what the statements mean to them and why there are children whose constitutional rights are being violated by the current ersatz president by being separated from their parents and held in shelters - traumatized because of this violation.   (I know, we did it to the Japanese during WWII - I did not say the practitioners were perfect - and all the more reason that we don't allow this to continue).

So while you're watching the hearings, and have a tendency to think T-rump is being railroaded, make sure you have a Constitution Bible or companion book at your side so that you will be able to understand why these hearings are necessary, constitutional, and if they had  not been held, Congress itself would be in violation.  

Learn the constitution, because ignorance is not bliss, and the consequences are painful.  And while arm chair critics are sitting there pontificating in behalf of T-rump, they don't even realize that they are being manipulated out of their rights.  They actually think that they are upholding some sort of "independence." 
 
Let's STOP THE MADNESS - Learn the Constitution - Learn your rights and responsibilities - as well as those who we put in place to represent us.  Quiet as it is kept, this is not the united states of rednecks - or "Maga-maggots."  

We have the right and responsibilit to know this and what it means to and for us!
We have The right and responsibility to Vote.

NOW THAT YOU KNOW

WHAT ARE YOU GOING TO DO ABOUT IT?

DEMAND THE IMPEACHMENT AND REMOVAL OF T-RUMP AND HIS HENCHMEN AND ANY AND ALL WHO CONSPIRE TO OVERTHROW THE GOVERNMENT 

Stay Blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK 

Gloria Dulan-Wilson
 

-->

Rep-ugh-blicans Try to Lynch Attorney General Eric Holder

by Gloria Dulan-Wilson

It should come as no surprise, given their other attempts at undermining President Barack Obama and the 99% American citizens, that the sitting Rep-ugh-blicans would find some bogus reason for finding Attorney General Eric Holder in "contempt" of Congress. But, since this is probably the most "contemptible" Congress since the overturning of the Jim Crow laws under the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Holder may well wear it as a badge of honor, as opposed to one of disgrace.

We who overunderstand the situation salute Eric Holder for maintaining his cool and professionalism under what has to have been the most ludicrous and thinly veiled mockery ever perpetrated in modern political history.

Can you spell RACISM boys and girls? And it is no accident that racism starts with the letter "r" Republicans Acting Crazy In the Same Manner - could well be the true acronym for the travesty that played out in congress - wasting thousands of our tax dollars; obviously pockets lined by NRA dollars, to try to undermine Holder's authority and detract from the good job he is doing under an equally competent President.

I wanted to find out just what this whole thing is about, so I looked up the "operation fast and furious" info, and found out that it was generated quite some time prior to Holder coming on board as Attorney General, and generated out of Arizona - notably a cowboy state - hence the monicker "fast and furious" to indicate that it centered around guns. Now, being from Oklahoma myself, and having had a dad who routinely kept his own stash of guns, I have nothing against guns, per se. In the hands of intelligent people, guns really can't hurt you. However, we in America have to admit that we to have a lunatic fringe - in both the urban and rural areas - who should never come within sniffing distance of guns or gunpowder - it renders them crazy - and woe betide the person who gets in their way.

That said, Operation Fast and furious was anything but. There was nothing fast about the botched sting operation, that was obstensibly set up to track a cache of guns from a seller in Arizona to a buyer somewhere in Mexico. It really was kind of a slow, watch the paint dry kind of affair, during which our guys (much like they do on TV) pretended to go along with the gun runners so they could get to the real perpetrators with the deep pockets, who were looking to purchase the guns across the border.

According to the debate before the contempt "vote", Republicans claimed they were seeking answers for the Michigan family of Brian Terry, a Border Patrol agent killed in December 2010 in a shootout with Mexican bandits (??? they still have bandits in Mexico? Wow!). Two guns from "Fast and Furious" were found at the scene. Like I said, how convenient that those banditos, who were so interested in getting guns, just happened to have left two of them at the scene of the crime. Democrats wanted the Terry family to have all the facts, and argued that it merited a more thorough, bipartisan investigation to accomplish that. (of course, when a grieving widow is being manipulated by nefarious elements, and there is possibly some major money involved, she is going to side on those who appear to be doing her the most good - capice?)

Apparently, something went horribly wrong during the "Fast and Furious" sting. Maybe one of our guys "jumped the gun" and blew the cover of the other agents. Whatever happened, one of the border patrol officers, Terry, was killed in the process. And "ironically" two of the guns from the sting operation were found at the site. Hmmmmm "how convenient!" That was in 2010 (I think). Now the officer's widow, who obviously and understandably is totally destroyed at the death of her husband, is looking for answers and possibly who to "blame" is being manipulated by the NRA and the Rep-ugh-blicans, into accusing Attorney General Eric Holder of wrong doing( I know I just said it, but I really want the rest of you to get the bigger picture - what we have here is a SET UP folks!! Pure and simple.

The alleged five (5) email memos alluded to in the testimonies,that were supposedly sent to Holder's attention, most of which came prior to the officer's demise, were appropriately filtered by Holder's staff according to their priority. Unfortunately, given that he is the Attorney General of the United States, the "fast and furious" sting at that time was not a priority, given other more pressing issues.

Additionally, at the risk of sounding a wee bit callous, officer Terry died in the line of duty, which I am sure he was well aware was a possibility, given the nature of his job - that of border patrol, where you have to have a gun to patrol the border; and where you are expected to fire it, because you as a guard may be fired upon by someone desperately trying enter our country illegally. I.e., he knew the job was dangerous when he took it (a la` Super Chicken). My condolences to his widow and family. The loss of a loved one is horrible and painful, no matter what the circumstances. The big concern here, however, is whether she realizes that she is being emotionally manipulated by the repughblicans in a massive ploy to overthrow the President. If she doesn't know this, would somebody please go over to her house, knock on her door, and tell her and her family what's really going on? She lives in Michigan, I think. I'm sure there is some FOIA info. She should definitely be aware of wolves in sheeps clothing pretending to be working in behalf of her family, when there are bigger, more ulterior motives afoot.

Just out of curiosity, I would really like to know who really generated the guns in Arizona? (which recently had their heads handed to them on a plate by the Supreme Court via the striking down of their immigration laws. It seems to me that if the guns were generated in Arizona, and were being sent south to be sold in Mexico, we have more to worry about than just a few Mexicans sneaking across the border. It appears that Arizona needs to be scrutinized for gun running activities within the borders of the US. And, by the way, that's just what the NRA is afraid of. If it can be proved that there are illegal gun smugglers in the US, the Attorney General can ask for, and get, a tightening up of the gun laws, including licensing and regulations, throughout the country. And the NRA absolutely does NOT want that to happen. With one of the most powerful lobbies in the world, it's no wonder they are pandering to the Terry family, the red-neck Democrats, the Rep-ughblicans, and every one else they can get to. No wonder they want Holder out of the way.

Moving foward, the rep-ugh-blicans and their cohorts, the NRA, pounce on this so called "fast and furious" issue, because they really have nothing else no other way of stopping the President, or of slowing Eric Holder down; and because they need to detract us -WE THE PEOPLE - from their other racist shenaninagans - like voter nullification, the re-establishment of poll taxes in Florida and other southern states; the corporations under Koch brothers trying to buy the election. You know the stuff they and the meanstream press do everyday, day in and day out; 24/7 - 365 - all racism all the time, ad infinitum.

So we now have Congressman Issa out of California, heading up a hearing committee where the fine art of evidence suppression is being practiced in a not-so-veiled attempt to slow Holder down, if not stop him completely. Even Boehner ("bone head") put in his two cents worth. He almost choked on the words, because he knew they were bogus.

And when Eric Holder, fine Black man and exemplary Attorney General that he is, was neither intimidated, nor off put by their allegations, these bozos come up with a threat of holding him in "contempt."

Now I guess they didn't check their popularity ratings in America, or they might have held off on that very stupid ploy, because by and large, most Americans have been holding this Rep-ugh-blican-lead congress in "contempt" for quite some time. It's apparent that they have nothing but contempt for Americans due to the fact that they have not implemented the "jobs now" initiative President Obama requested during his State of the Union Address; the fact that they are trying to double the interest rate on Student Loans; the fact that they actually had the audacity to try to have the Health Care Plan rendered unconstitutional - as though Americans did not deserve to have decent, affordable and comprehensive health care - the same that the Congress receives and provides for their families; the fact that they can pocket all the money they want from public/private interest groups under the guise of campaign funds, while at the same time making it illegal for locally based non-profit organizations to do the same. This is the same contemptible Congress who are trying to hold Eric Holder in contempt!!

Get real. We, the voters, see through that cellophane effort very clearly - as did the Congressional Black Caucus, who walked out of the hearings in protest of the bogus measure; and made it very plain that their political posturings did not fool them at all.

Now, however, it's time for Black Americans - Americans in general, and other individuals who are concerned about the future of this country, to act and act decisively. Not all of us recognize racism when it's couched in legaleze, and hidden behind law books. In fact, as a result we are getting increased requests for voter registration forms - I guess people realize that it will take their active participation in November to STOP THE MADNESS.

But, since not all of us get it, especially when the people who are being escoriated are "higher ups". We sometimes don't recognize what that means for the rest of us - i.e. regardless of the job title and the locale, at the end of the day, ERIC HOLDER IS A BLACK MAN, facing a white redneck "lynch" mob, that goes under the guise of the Rep-ugh-blican branch of the U.S. Congress. So in the interest of making sure we don't miss the lesson, let me spell it out for you. Hopefully, once you understand, I won't have to be riding on a bus somewhere in Brooklyn and hear some misinformed miscreant say something stupid about Attorney General Eric Holder.

President Barack Obama is the first Black President of the United States of America. He is doing a fantastic job, despite the obstacles thrown in his way and the very real attempts to undermine him. There are people who are so racist - elected officials included - that they would rather see this country go down in the dust than to see this Black man succeed. And they will literally stop at nothing to destroy the good he does.

Eric Holder is the first Black Attorney general of the United States of America. He is doing a fantastic job, despite the obstacles thrown in his way, and the very real attempts to undermine him. There are people so racist - elected officials included - that they would rather see this country go down in the dust than to see this Black man succeed. And they will literally stop at nothing to destroy the good he does.

These two men are at the top of the "food chain" and the Rep-ughblicans want them gone. They want to go back to bad business as usual, where the top 1% of the white racists rule over the 99% - who are Black, white, Latino, Asian - i.e. the rainbow that really make up this country. They got caught with their hands in the til. They are behind the economic down turn that Obama has been turning around, despite their efforts to block him. They are very much afraid of the investigations that Holder has launched to get to who really is to blame for the millions of homes that underwent massive foreclosure; who is to blame for the drugs being flooded into the communities; who is to blame for business practices that are now coming to light that have literally left us bankrupt, while their banking cronies and other perpetrators go free.

The so called "fast and furious" hearings are a tip of the iceberg for the most egregious racist congress of modern times.

Make no mistake about it, though - it's up to us to stop this crap in its tracks. We in New York have already heard the call, and this past June 26 we made absolutely sure we did not lose one seat to the Republicans, but we now have to do the same across this nation.

That said, I am not being naive when I also state that during the so call contempt hearing there were 17 Democrats who crossed the line and voted with the repughblicans, including one from Oklahoma. They were Jason Altmire (Pa.), John Barrow (Ga.), Dan Boren (Okla.), Leonard Boswell (Iowa), Ben Chandler (Ky.), Mark Critz (Pa.), Joe Donnelly (Ind.), *Kathy Hochul (N.Y.), Ron Kind (Wis.), Larry Kissell (N.C.), Jim Matheson (Utah), Mike McIntyre (N.C.), *Bill Owens (N.Y.), Collin Peterson (Minn.), Nick Rahall (W.Va.), Mike Ross (Ark.) and Tim Walz (Minn.)
NOTE: Rarely has any pro-gun-rights Democrat representing a rural and Southern district broken with the NRA’s position on key votes, especially in an election year. However, there are two New York Dems who voted for censureship - you might want to be wary of them for future reference.

On the other hand at least two Repughblicans voted against contempt measures, they were: Steve LaTourette (Ohio) and Scott Rigell (Va.). Rep. Dan Lipinski (D-Ill.) was the only "present" vote from either party.

Note, however that there were 108 Democrats who didn't cast votes in this debacle, primarily a combination of members from the Congressional Black Caucus and those who sided with them. They actually walked out of the proceedings, protesting the fact that the House GOP was even holding the vote, which was racist and pretentious in nature.

According to the Associated Press, "The contempt vote was met with outrage from Democrats. The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC), joined by Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and many other Democrats, staged a walkout during the vote as Democrats charged the GOP with staging a witch hunt against Holder that demeans the lower chamber."

Pelosi said during the debate that she would join the walkout, and told Democrats it's up to them whether to stay and vote against the resolution, or leave: "So now I say to those who have a doubt about how they want to proceed, that instead of doing what I said before -- which was just to come and to treat this as a bill before the Congress and express my 'no' -- listening to the unconscionable presentation, I want to join my CBC colleagues in boycotting the vote when we have the walkout after we have the debate," she said. Democrats charged Republicans with using the hearings as a veiled political ploy against the Obama administration to help them in the upcoming November elections.

"When the history of this despicable proceeding is recorded, it will be said that your actions were politically motivated to discredit and defeat a president who has worked so hard over the past three years," Rep. G.K. Butterfield (D-N.C.) declared on the House floor during debate on the rule.

Guess what, folks, we don't have to wait for history, we can see it now. It's not only obvious, it's interesting that they are so oblivious to the potential Black lash, that they really think they can make this madness stick.

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi stated Republicans were targeting Holder because he is fighting their efforts to suppress voter turnout in November. Rep. John Larson, D-Connecticut, chastised Republicans for pushing ahead on the contempt vote as part of a strategy to prevent economic progress and harm Obama’s re-election chances in November. He stated, and rightly so: “This is just all part of a continuing plan, and whether it’s suppressing the vote or suppressing the economy — this obstructionist regime that we see that continues to block because they think they would rather see President Obama fail than the nation succeed.”

To illustrate how far the rep-ugh-blicans would go to discredit and undermine both the President and the Attorney General, according to the Associated Press, a video was released Tuesday by Democrats on Issa’s panel showing the chairman making past allegations of White House links to Fast and Furious, juxtaposed with Issa saying as recently as Sunday, June 24, that there was no evidence of a White House cover-up whatsoever. What happened? Was there an about-face? No. Issa, though towing the party line, even had to admit the speciousness of the so-called hearings. Must be difficult to live in a duplicitous system where your membership relies on lies and deceit.

Circling back to my original statement, the Rep-ugh-blicans are trying to lynch Attorney General Holder. Our job is to make sure that each and every person, if they voted for his contempt of Congress, and if they are running for anything this fall or in the coming years, that they are not only not re-elected, but are defeated and replaced by someone who supports us, who are the 99%, President Obama, and Eric Holder as he moves to bring justice and fairness to the country's judicial system. The congressional record has the names of all those who voted against Holder. It's easy to access via: www.congressonrecord.com - it not only tells you who said what about the Contempt motion, but who voted, how they voted, and where they're from. So if you have relatives in any of those states where they voted to hold Holder in "contempt", you can make it your business to reach out to them and let them know who in their state voted "yes" or "no".

While under ordinary circumstances, most of us would shrug our collective shoulders, suck our teeth and say it's just how racists are; we cannot afford to do that in this case. THIS IS AN ALL OUT WAR PERPETRATED AGAINST US. We are the targets via President Obama and Attorney General Holder. They are taking the hits for us. We have to fight back. There can be no one on neutral ground - no matter where you live. Battleground or Blue State. We have to realize that all of this is to make sure that Mitt (the s--t head) Romney is selected President, and the rest of us go to poverty, marginalism, and defeat.

I think I've given you enough fuel for action. However, I am also enclosing a copy of Attorney General Holder's response to the Congress's Hearing, below:



Department of Justice
Office of Public Affairs
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Thursday, June 28, 2012
Statement of Attorney General Eric Holder on the U.S. House of Representatives Vote
Attorney General Eric Holder issued the following statement today:
 
“Today’s vote is the regrettable culmination of what became a misguided – and politically motivated – investigation during an election year.   By advancing it over the past year and a half, Congressman Issa and others have focused on politics over public safety.   Instead of trying to correct the problems that led to a series of flawed law enforcement operations, and instead of helping us find ways to better protect the brave law enforcement officers, like Agent Brian Terry, who keep us safe – they have led us to this unnecessary and unwarranted outcome.
 
“During this time, the men and women of the Department of Justice – and I – have remained focused on wha

t should and must be our government’s top priority: protecting the American people.
 
“When concerns about Operation Fast and Furious first came to light, I took action – and ordered an independent investigation into what happened.   We learned that the flawed tactics used in this operation began in the previous administration – but I made sure that they ended under this one.   I also made sure that agents and prosecutors around the country knew that such tactics must never be used again.   I put in place new policies, new safeguards, and new leadership to make certain of this – and took extraordinary steps to facilitate robust congressional oversight.   Let me be very clear – that was my response to Operation Fast and Furious.   Any suggestion to the contrary simply ignores the facts.
 
“I had hoped that Congressional leaders would be good-faith partners in this work.   Some have.   Others, however, have devoted their time and attention to making reckless charges – unsupported by fact – and to advancing truly absurd conspiracy theories.   Unfortunately, these same members of Congress were nowhere to be found when the Justice Department and others invited them to help look for real solutions to the terrible problem of violence on both sides of our Southwest Border.   That’s tragic, and it’s irresponsible.  The problem of drugs and weapons trafficking across this border is a real and significant public safety threat – and it deserves the attention of every leader in Washington.
 
“In the face of these and other challenges, the Justice Department has continued to move forward in fulfilling its critical law enforcement responsibilities. Whether it is with regard to prosecuting financial and health care fraud, achieving a record mortgage settlement, taking aggressive action in protecting the most vulnerable among us, or challenging proposed voting changes and redistricting maps that could disenfranchise millions of voters – this Department of Justice has not been afraid to act.
 
“Some of these enforcement decisions were not politically popular and help to explain the action taken today by the House.   As Attorney General, I do not look to do that which is politically expedient – on behalf of the American people whom I am privileged to serve, I seek justice.  
 
“In recent weeks, the Justice Department secured its seventh conviction in the most serious terrorist plot our nation has faced since 9/11.   And just two days ago, the Department awarded more than $100 million in grants to save or create law enforcement jobs, including more than 600 jobs for recent veterans.  
 
“This is the kind of work that leaders in Washington should be striving together to advance.   At a time when so many Americans are in need of our help, I refuse to be deterred from it.   And I will not let election-year politics and gamesmanship stand in the way of continued progress.  
 
“Today’s vote may make for good political theater in the minds of some, but it is – at base – both a crass effort and a grave disservice to the American people.   They expect – and deserve – far better.
 
“As a result of the action taken today by the House, an unnecessary court conflict will ensue.   My efforts to resolve this matter short of such a battle were rebuffed by Congressman Issa and his supporters.  It’s clear that they were not interested in bringing an end to this dispute or obtaining the information they claimed to seek.  Ultimately, their goal was the vote that – with the help of special interests – they now have engineered.
 
“Whatever the path that this matter will now follow, it will not distract me or the men and women of the Department of Justice from the important tasks that are our responsibility.   A great deal of work for the American people remains to be done – I’m getting back to it.   I suggest that those who orchestrated today’s vote do the same." Attorney General Eric Holder (gdw)


Of course, make no mistake about it, we New Yorkers could not be prouder or more supportive of Brother Eric Holder, and realize that these are the kinds of challenges that make us stronger in the long run. We stand solidly with Eric Holder and President Obama, and will continue to take care of the business of making sure they have four more years.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLACK
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

HANDS OFF CHARLIE RANGEL & MAXINE WATERS: Ethnic Cleansing And The Ethics Committee: McCarthyism in the 21st Century

By Gloria Dulan-Wilson

Well, it’s déjà vu all over again. The so-called ethics committee is going to “investigate” Congressman Charlie Rangel, for alleged unethical practices.

Don’t you find it interesting that this is similar to the b.s. investigation they leveled against Adam Clayton Powell Jr., when he became head of the House Ways and Means Committee, and attached more bills in favor of African Americans to any bill on the floor in the history of Congress? They came up with trumped up charges against him as well, and finally were able to use their bogus allegations to drive him out of office.

Interesting isn’t it that both men are Black, both from New York, both take principled stands, and both were head of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee?

Does anyone see the parallel between that and now? Is this a familiar issue to us? You bet your sweet a___ it is! Who here really believe that Charlie Rangel is guilty of anything egregious enough to be brought before the so-called "Ethics" committee. Who really understands that the same yellow journalism that has been leveled against President Obama, by mainstream media has been leveled against Congressman Rangel? The mainstream media have been used by the right wing to hound him, in much the same way they did Bill Clinton, to blow out of proportion issues that should not have even made a quarter inch column.

Compared to his track record, this is minutiae blown out of proportion. But, as with anything, we are not only ten times more talented, we are generally painted as ten times more guilty and culpable than any white (yes I said it) white congress person, white president, etc.

We have to see it for what it really is.

There is no ethics in the ethics committee. It’s in name only. It’s convenient when they have allowed the court of media-fanned public opinion to push them into knee jerk action.

Case in point: Where was the ethics committee when people like Strom Thurmond or Robert Byrd were around? Both were blatant racists; both card carrying members of the KKK. Both were segregationists, racists. Their just making an apology does not mitigate what African Americans suffered at their hands. How many were hung, burned, or castrated under their watch, while they were still in office?? Apology from them brought exoneration. Now isn't that special!

How can we be sure that Charlie Rangel is being dealt with ethically, equitably, with the same criteria the give their Caucasian peers. Why should we give credence to this trial; where they tie his feet to the fire, while the others are able to skulk around, flying low under the radar.

Where was the ethics committee when the Vice President Cheyney under George Bush, Jr., accidentally on purpose shot someone during a hunting trip? Where were they when Cheyney was running the White House and ruining America by fiat? Where were they when the entire bottom dropped out of our economy, under the advise and consent of key people in the Republican dominated administration?

I find it highly unethical that the ethics committee is basing its so-called investigation of Rangel on media hype and dirt digging; kind of funny, because I’d be willing to bet that most of our elected officials have one or more homes; have one or more business connections; and have raised funds in some of the most "creative" fashions..

My suspicion of this witch hunt grew even more when I found that they are investigating 8 (eight) Black congressmembers, among them the honorable Maxine Waters of California. It then begins to smell like exactly what is is. Not ethics - but a kind of ethnic cleansing under the guise of ethics. If it looks like a snake and hisses like a snake, it's a snake. Shades of McCarthyism running rampant in the halls of Congress, under the guise of ethics -- trying to assuage the yellow journalists -- we see you for who and what you are.

If the Democrats are worried about this splitting the party, they should be.

But the Republicans should be petrified with fear. Because we truly do recognize where this is coming from. These are the same people who tried to have Clinton impeached. These are the same people who brought you Sarah Palin, Richard TD Nixon, George Bush (1 & 2); Ford, Goldwater, and the ever unpopular Reagan. Each time they've had a hand on this country, we've been left eviscerated, disgraced, embarrassed and broke. And they leave with their pockets lined with our money, while they tread on our dignity and our trust. We have just had a blatant example of how little the Republicans care for Americans, when they filibustered over the extension of Unemployment funds to desperate families, who lost jobs as a result of their completely bankrupting the country under the Bush Administration. We know who you are.

We over understand the situation. That does not mean that so-called "blue dog Democrats" are not on our radar, but character assassination is the province of the Republican party. In either case, both parties will be walking on eggs if harm politically, socially, financially or emotionally comes to Congressman Rangel, Maxine Waters or any of the other Black congress members undergoing this ignominiously disgraceful grilling.

And always remember, there is the LARRY FLYNT FACTOR. The rep and office you save may be your own.

WE ARE WATCHING AND REGISTERING AND VOTING. Consider the consequences.

In case you missed my point, I reiterate, the blatant issue is that both Charlie Rangel and Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. were and are Black, and in charge of the most powerful committee in the nation. So the racist hounds of hell went after them the way they do whenever a Black person wields power. The allegations are pure racist b.s.

Yes, I said it! It’s racist b.s.

Charlies apartments and real estate were purchased nearly 30 years ago. It wasn't an issue then, and it's not an issue now. Having a property in the Dominican Republic is not a crime. And as far as I know, no one has died as a result of either of these two acts. But, I can almost bet you that under KKK Byrd in West Virginia many a Black man and woman have become "strange fruit"; segregated, denigrated, violated. Where is the real standard? Where is the real moral compass? Since the ethics committee didn’t deal with Byrd, or any of the other characters who have committed egregious acts against America, Republican and Democrat, they get a vote of no confidence from me.

By the way, exactly what does the Ethics Committee’s standard, or code of ethics consists of? Share them with the world, so we can see if they are truly equitable. List them so we can all see them. Then I think we should have full disclosure as to where each member of the ethics committee stands or falls along that criteria. Additionally, who are their contributors? How did they get elected? Who’s in their closet? What’s their track record? If they can’t stand the litmus test, they shouldn’t serve on the committee.

Biblically speaking, he or she who is without sin can cast the first stone.

Otherwise, HANDS OFF CHARLES RANGEL, MAXINE WATERS AND THE MEMBERS OF THE CONGRESSIONAL BLACK CAUCUS.

To all of you who are likewise reading this, don't just sit there and nod your heads in agreement. Pass this on, and get your people together to make sure that we are VOTING OUT OF OFFICE THOSE WHO WOULD UNDERMINE THE PEOPLE WHO ARE SUPPORTING PRESIDENT OBAMA -- because this is really where it's coming from. Let's make sure we send home a few more Republicans. Let's not be sitting on our hands and sitting at home when we need to be at the polls. It's the bigger picture time. And it's time to let them know those days are over.

Time to take out the trash.

Stay Blessed &
ECLECTICALLY BLESSED
Gloria Dulan-Wilson

STAY BLESSED

PS: ADDITIONAL NOTE

I mentioned that there were at least 8 Black Congress members under scrutiny via the so-called ethics committee, I decided to do some additional research. There are actually 9 African American and 2 Hispanics under investigation. (wikipaedia)

Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick, Donna Christensen, Donald Payne, and Bennie Thompson are under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for taking part in a private trip organized by the Carib News Foundation. The Carib News Foundation is an organization that focuses on closer ties between the United States and the Caribbean. The allegation is that the funds for travel were provided by businesses. The error is in trying to make it look as if big business and/or major Wall Street based corporations had a hand in their accomodations, when nothing could be further from the truth.

Additionally the Carib News Foundation is a Black, nonprofit organization, and each one of these congressmembers, in the interest of their constituency, were actually appropriately participating in the conference. What would happen had any of the caucasian congressional members visited Great Britain, Scotland, Ireland or Germany for a conference? Would that have likewise come under scrutiny? What about Greece, Italy, France?

The ethics committee is on a witch hunt, trying to legitimize their existence via bogus allegations. There are too many other things they need to be taking care of to put the country back on track. How about investigating the Republicans who filibustered to keep from expanding unemployment benefits while millions of Americans, white and Black, were twisting in the wind?

Stop wasting our time with this McCarthy Era type lynch mob mentality and get on with the business at hand.

The following are the Black Congressional Members who are being harassed by the (un)Ethics Committee:


Sen. Roland Burris (D-Illinois)

Currently Burris is under investigation by The Senate Ethics Committee and the Illinois Sangamon County State Attorney for continually changing his testimony regarding his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat left by President Barack Obama. He has given more than three different explanations for his appointment to the seat. While Burris did not claim he spent money on legal fees, he has stated he has accumulated more than $500,000 in legal fees surrounding his appointment to the Illinois Senate seat. After being appointed to the Senate, Burris filed an affidavit stating that he had not had any contact with Blagojevich or anyone involved in the Blagojevich campaign concerning the vacant Senate seat. Three days later, Burris testified in person before the impeachment committee and when asked if he had spoken with anyone "closely related to the governor, including family members or lobbyists connected with him," Burris named only former Blagojevich chief of staff, Lon Monk. A month later, the Chicago Sun-Times reported that Burris sent an additional affidavit to the head of the Illinois House impeachment committee revealing that Robert Blagojevich, Rod Blagojevich's brother, had spoken with Burris three times in October and November 2008 about raising funds for the then-Governor. Initially, Burris stated that he refused to contribute to the campaign. However, a few days later Burris offered yet another version, telling reporters that he had in fact contacted several people about holding a fundraiser, but that he had abandoned the idea. According to this version, it was not until their final conversation that Burris told Robert Blagojevich that his interest in the Senate seat prevented him from raising money for the then-Governor.

Rep. Sanford Bishop (D-Georgia)
Sanford Bishop is under investigation for allegedly giving a local youth program, where his stepdaughter and her husband work, $200,000 of federal funds in which Bishop earmarked. Bishop did not know of his stepdaughter's, Aayesha Owens Reese, employment with the program and said he immediately asked the marshal to terminate her when he learned of her employment. Bishop claims he learned of his stepdaughter's employment on February 20, 2009, months after the earmark was proposed. An internal audit was performed on the program and revealed more than $7,000 was deposited into Bishop's wife's account on behalf of her son-in-law, Stephen M. Reese. The audit also showed Mrs. Reese received $7,575 from the program. In early 2009, a GBI agent claimed that while the FBI was aware of the situation, currently, there is not a criminal investigation.Del. Donna Christensen (D-Virgin Islands)

Donna Christensen is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for taking part in a private trip organized by the Carib News Foundation. The trip was to an annual Caribbean business conference held on St. Maartens Island. The trip came under scrutiny after it was revealed that the conference was sponsored by businesses, a violation of new ethics rules passed in the 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-Illinois)
Jesse Jackson Jr. is under investigation by the Office on Congressional Ethics and the Department of Justice in relation to his bid to fill the Illinois Senate seat vacated by President Barack Obama. Jackson was anonymous "Senate Candidates #5" "whose emissaries Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich reportedly offered up to $1 million to name him to the U.S. Senate. Both the OCE and the DOJ have asked for documents showing correspondence between former Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich and Jackson. The DOJ has subpoenaed several individuals who have knowledge of possible fundraising efforts by Jackson’s supporters to encourage Gov. Blagojevich to appoint Jackson to the Senate. In December 2008, Jackson stated that he denounces "pay-to-play politics" and that he had "no involvement in any wrongdoing, including authorizing or initiating any promise to Gov. Blagojevich."

Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (D-Michigan)
Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for taking part in a private trip organized by the Carib News Foundation. The trip was to an annual Caribbean business conference held on St. Maartens Island. The trip came under scrutiny after it was revealed that the conference was sponsored by businesses, a violation of new ethics rules passed in the 2007 Honest Leadership and Open

Rep. Donald Payne (D-New Jersey)

Rep. Donald Payne is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for taking part in a private trip organized by the Carib News Foundation. The trip was to an annual Caribbean business conference held on St. Maartens Island. The trip came under scrutiny after it was revealed that the conference was sponsored by businesses, a violation of new ethics rules passed in the 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.

Rep. Charles Rangel (D-New York)
On September 24, 2008, the House Ethics Committee launched an official probe to investigate discrepancies in his finances upon Rangel's request. The investigate subcommittee is looking into the following charges:

* Using official congressional stationery to solicit contributions for an educational center bearing his name.
* His living in four rent-stabilized apartments in his Harlem district while claiming his Washington, DC home as his primary residence for tax purposes.
* Failure to report $75,000 in rental income or pay taxes on a beach property in the Dominican Republic, which included a interest free loan deal.
* Storing his Mercedes-Benz in the House parking lot, contrary to House rules and tax laws.

It was also reported, that from 2004 to 2007,he funneled almost $80,000 in campaign cash to a company run by his son to build a pair of campaign websites that were riddled with misspellings and so poorly designed, an expert estimated the cost for making and operating the site at $1,000.

Since 1978, Rangel has also failed to report assets 28 times on his financial disclosure forms due to an investigation that revealed sums hundreds of thousands of dollars disappearing and appearing without notice from his disclosures.

In December 2008, Speaker of the House, Nancy Pelosi, expressed hope that the Rangel investigation would be completed by the end of the 110th Congress’ term on January 4, 2009. Following the defeat of a House GOP resolution to have Rangel removed, on February 10, 2009, the Ethics Committee voted to continue investigations into Rangel. In early 2009, Rangel paid approximately $445,000 in legal fees.Despite Rangel's hope that the investigation would soon clear him, on February 10, 2009, the House Ethics Committee voted to prolong the probe.

Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-California) and Rep. Linda Sanchez (D-California)
Loretta Sanchez and Linda Sanchez are currently under investigation by the House Committee on Standards of Official Conduct. The Committee is reviewing whether Loretta Sanchez broke House rules when three of her aides were put on the payroll of Congresswoman Linda Sánchez, who also happens to be her sister, in late 2006. This occurred after an embezzlement scandal left Loretta Sanchez's office short on funds. Then-staffer Caroline Valdez embezzled somewhere between $5,000 and $10,000 for personal use and pleaded guilty to a felony embezzlement charge in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia in May 2009. Loretta Sanchez's attorney, Stan Brand, confirmed on May 18, 2009 that the Committee on Standards of Official Conduct was investigating her and her sister's behavior.

Rep. Maxine Waters (D-California)

Maxine Waters is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee. The committee has not yet disclosed why the congresswoman is under investigation, but it is believed to be related to her role in securing funds from the Treasury Department's TARP program for the bank, OneUnited. The congresswoman's husband was a board member and stock holder in OneUnited. The Treasury Department did not initially view OneUnited as eligible for TARP funds until Waters intervened.

Rep. Bennie Thompson (D-Mississippi)

Bennie Thompson is under investigation by the House Ethics Committee for taking part in a private trip organized by the Carib News Foundation. The trip was to an annual Caribbean business conference held on St. Maartens Island. The trip came under scrutiny after it was revealed that the conference was sponsored by businesses, a violation of new ethics rules passed in the 2007 Honest Leadership and Open Government Act.


Time to tell the truth and shame the devil. Time to expose the ethics committee for the ethnic cleansing machine they really are. We are not amused, nor are we sucked in by their authoritarian modus operandii. We have been the brunt of the media lies and manipulations for far too long and understand very well how character assassination works.


This has to go out coast to coast - North, South, East, West and Central. Wherever we are, we have to be vigilant about our rights, and have the backs of people who have been backing us. I urge you to pass this on - get the word out.


BY THE WAY, IS THERE A JOHNNY COCHRANE IN THE HOUSE? If so, you're very much needed. In fact, let's groom a series of Johnny Cochrane's; NAACP Legal Defense Council - whereever you are -- time to step out front and center. Your people need you.

Those of us who are not lawyers, remember we still have the right to vote. Thanks to so many who risked their lives in the 60's and before. This is no time to take it for granted. Register, get your 18 year olds registered. Get your neighbors and friends, and acquaintances registered. We have to get them any way we can, and some are no more powerful than the next vote. Check with your local political leaders, but realize that we are linking up nationally.

Don't sleep your upcoming local elections. They are key to the next major thrust - send the Republicans back under the rocks from whence they came.


Stay blessed &

ECLECTICALLY BLACK

Gloria Dulan-Wilson