Two Civilived Men Among the Barbarians - Dennis Kucinich & Al Sharpton

[The Sushi Bandit]

From the Black Commentator..

"Only Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton appear prepared to take part in the evolving global discussion on the central issues facing humanity, Americans included. Other nations have begun fashioning answers to these questions, to the moral, material and physical betterment of their inhabitants. They are reaping the benefits of a long and sometimes bloody debate over humans’ obligations to one another, and the proper uses of wealth and power."

"In the U.S., Sharpton and Kucinich must shout to even broach these subjects. Kucinich is labeled a kook when he argues for “health care for people, not for profit” – although this is the premise on which all the other wealthy societies begin their discussions of health matters. Rev. Sharpton’s platform calls for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing quality health care as a right, and seeks universal, single-payer coverage in the interim. “I would rather have no bill and fight for something real,” he told the Pace University crowd."

for more: http://www.blackcommentator.com/58/58_cover_dems.html

[forgethell]

1. Al Sharpton??

n/t

[candy331]

2. Interesting reading however, it is

too bad that America only listens to a select few. Seems these same talking heads and their followers have been in power far too long and have acquired more power than God/higher power so I'm afraid when this country sinks we will all be on board.

[ThorsteinVeblen]

3. I for one want a Barbarian, I want a savage

I want someone who is going to fight until he wins - damn the torpedos, damn the rules, damn the consequences.


Fight, fight, fight.

Health Care, Corporate Reform, Anti-Trust, International Policy.

Fight, fight, fight.

[LWolf]

4. I really like this part:

The civilizational divide

Why do we work? What is the purpose of industry and commerce? Do other peoples have rights that stronger nations are bound to respect? Only Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton appear prepared to take part in the evolving global discussion on the central issues facing humanity, Americans included. Other nations have begun fashioning answers to these questions, to the moral, material and physical betterment of their inhabitants. They are reaping the benefits of a long and sometimes bloody debate over humans’ obligations to one another, and the proper uses of wealth and power.

In the U.S., Sharpton and Kucinich must shout to even broach these subjects. Kucinich is labeled a kook when he argues for “health care for people, not for profit” – although this is the premise on which all the other wealthy societies begin their discussions of health matters. Rev. Sharpton’s platform calls for a constitutional amendment guaranteeing quality health care as a right, and seeks universal, single-payer coverage in the interim. “I would rather have no bill and fight for something real,” he told the Pace University crowd.

The mind-shrinking corporate media snicker and sneer, focusing instead on the other candidates’ partial schemes based on the concept of “affordability” – barbaric constructions in which the lives of fellow citizens are endlessly devalued. (Candidate Carol Moseley-Braun favors single-payer national health care, but reveals her barbaric side in other matters – casting doubt on the moral grounding of all her positions, as we will explain, below.)

The “top tier” is oblivious to the obscenity of their Social Security retirement age debate. Former Vermont Governor Howard Dean is in trouble for having once suggested that the age be raised to 70, to ensure the continued “solvency” of the system. However, Dean’s sin is worse than the rest of the media-favored pack only in degree – they all discuss Social Security retirement in insurance company actuarial terms, morbid calculations that fail entirely to address the basic questions: why are people expected to work hard for much of their lives, and what is the value of life after one’s time in the workforce is over? These are the logical, natural and civilized questions with which societies grapple once there is enough wealth to provide acceptable standards of food, clothing, education and shelter for all. It is at this point that human populations can envision the larger possibilities of existence, as individuals, as nations, and as a species.


The evolution of civility; apparently, to be considered "top tier" in the United States, you have to be less "evolved." Is this what people mean when they keep telling me that America is "sadly, not ready" for Dennis Kucinich? I say...why not? Why can't we evolve?

[maha]

5. I'm sorry, but

...calling a race-baiting, grandstanding, opportunistic phoney like Sharpton a "civilized man among barbarians" makes me gag.

[Ardee]

6. apparently far too much makes you gag

You are certainly entitled to your closed minded and biased opinion of Al Sharpton......

[maha]

7. Are you BLIND?

Do you know ANYTHING about Sharpton? It's not a "closed mind" when the man's own behavior time and time agains shows him to be a race-baiting phoney baloney; not just Tewana Brawley, not just Crown Heights, even his behavior after the Amadou Diallo incident here in New York was disgusting. He practically glued himself to Diallo's mother and wouldn't let anyone else get close to her. Fortunately she figured out she was being used and stopped having anything to do with him. He was at it again the past few days after Dean's Confederate flag remark -- same old self-righteous, phony posturing and baiting. He's disgusting.

And I'm sick to death of people giving him a pass because he's a good speaker, or because he's black, or whatever their reasons are. He's still disgusting, and his presence among the Dem candidates makes the party a laughingstock.

[Ardee]

8. redux

If I were blind how could I have read what I characterised as" You are certainly entitled to your closed minded and biased opinion of Al Sharpton......" ? Silly person.

[MagicMan]

11. To consider Sharpton civilized

one must be blind and have a closed mind and biased opinion.

Sharpton is far worse that was has been said thus far on this thread.

[Ardee]

14. please!

You are entitled to your cartoonish view of that individual, however it is blatantly obvious to anyone who reads and listens without bias that Sharpton is one of the most inciteful and on message of the nine candidates for the nomination.

[LWolf]

15. I am fascinated by Sharpton.

I don't know enough about him, his past, and his record, (outside of mainstream media newsstories) to give him my primary vote, and am campaigning for DK. But I have found everything he's had to say in this campaign to be insightful and "on message." I have a great appreciation for what he has brought to the table.

I've noticed something else here at DU. After every debate, Sharpton gets Rave reviews for his performance, while nobody throws him their support. Then, when he opposes Jackson or is suggested as a legitimate candidate, the bashing begins. Why is that? Why would people applaud him for his performance, and deride him as a serious candidate? Good for entertainment, but not good enough to take seriously?

[0007]

16. You must remember that Al Sharpton is the greatest man in the world.....

but also no one is any less than Al Sharpton.

Namaste, and salutations to you oh great one, maha.

[The Sushi Bandit]

9. So where is the black vote going to??

Sharpton, Braun, Kucinich dont differ much in their platforms.

[LWolf]

13. I don't know.

Take a look at the other thread from the black commentator; it doesn't discuss the primary candidates directly, but is of interest:

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=103&topic_id=20733

And Dennis has an "African Americans For Kucinich" page which indicates some endorsements:

http://www.kucinich.us/afam/

[MagicMan]

10. Al Sharpton? Civilized!

What a freaking joke. Al Sharpton is about as far from civilized as one can get.

[Terwilliger]

17. MagicMan? Banned?

Yep

[Kenneth ken]

12. Thanks for posting this article

I liked it very much.