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Well, here we go again. The issue of racism rears it’s ugly head. Where does it come from this time? A right wing extremist skin-head, hugging his gun and living on nuts and berries in the mountains of Montana? No, not exactly. How about Bobby Rush, Democratic U.S. Representative from Chicago?
As you know, besieged Governor Blagojevich appointed former Illinois attorney general Roland Burris to fill the un-expired Senatorial term of Barack Obama after trying unsuccessfully to auction the position off to the highest bidder. In a surprise move, Rush appeared at the appointment news conference and said: "I would ask you to not hang or lynch the appointee as you try to castigate the appointer," words clearly calculated to deal the race card, and make anyone opposing the Governor’s pick appear a hatemongering racist. Never mind that the appointment was made under such dubious circumstances. Blagojevich is clearly the most arrogant, slippery, self-serving politician I have ever seen, and I would consider anything he does in office as profoundly questionable. However, now because of this incendiary rhetoric from Rush, the implication is clear that anyone expecting or demanding honesty and integrity from our elected officials, is at least in this case a racist. I am confident Representative Rush commands a large enough vocabulary that he could have easily presented his case without using racial “hot words” thus making Burris’s ethnicity a relevant factor in filling the open Senate seat. The only real issue here is whether the people of Illinois should allow a Governor who has so abused their trust, and executive authority, to make this important decision. I think not, and I hope the State Legislature, and through them, the citizens of Illinois, agree with me. This appointment should be suspended until all parties decide what to do with Blagojevich, and only then be addressed again in an orderly fashion according to the Constitution of the State. Roland Burris may well be the best qualified person for the position, and if so, great! Send him to Washington. As far as Representative Rush is concerned, take note: Whoever is ultimately appointed to fill this vacancy, lets hope that they are chosen and confirmed based on their qualifications and the content of their character, not the color of their skin.
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