A Diane Wilkerson resignation would be good

There seems to be a crisis in black political leadership in my old home town of Boston. With calls Massachusetts Senator Diane Wilkerson's resignation after being busted by the FBI there are black politicans and a few Roxbury residents that seem to support her culture of corruption.

It seems like old school black leadership wants the status quo, while Latino Americans are ready to take on the old school black leadership, who have failed black residents of Boston to a large degree.

Bloggers from the left, and right, newspapers from the center, the left and right, along with TV outlets have been following local and national reaction of the arrest of State Sen. Dianne Wilkerson. This is the first time, in many months that this AAPP has agreed with a black Republican, particularly a black republican who called, what he termed, a rat named Dianne out.

One of the more strange aspects of this story is the fact that a number of black leaders are backing this crook. These black leaders, in my hometown of Boston are sounding like the moonbats who say, the GOP racist made Senator(D) Dianne Wilkerson take bribes. WHAT! You have got to be kidding me.

Oh, there is more...

The Boston Globe is reporting that a Democratic lawmaker is expected to move today to expel Dianne Wilkerson from the state Senate after she was ensnared in an FBI corruption probe and accused of accepting $23,500 in bribes.

The Boston Globe reports, State Senator Michael W. Morrissey will move to expel Wilkerson from the Senate today when Democrats caucus behind closed doors, according to a senior State House source whom Morrissey consulted. The move by the Quincy Democrat will put his colleagues on the line and test whether Wilkerson has any goodwill remaining in the Senate.

Wilkerson was spotted in a car on Bowdoin Street outside the State House at 10:30 a.m., but she did not enter the building. A member of Wilkerson's staff informed State House officials that she will not attend the caucus.

It is highly unusual for a lawmaker to be expelled from a legislative body before they have been convicted of a crime. No one has been thrown out of the state Senate for corruption since the 1970s, when two members were convicted of extortion for accepting kickbacks from a construction firm building the campus of the University of Massachusetts at Boston. In what became known as the MBM scandal after the McKee-Berger-Mansueto construction firm, Joseph J.C. DiCarlo, a Democrat from Revere, and Ronald C. MacKenzie, a Republican from Burlington, were both thrown out of the Senate after their convictions.

Morrissey was one of several lawmakers whose records were subpoenaed in the FBI probe of Wilkerson. The subpoena asks for all records reflecting the daily activities from May 15, 2007, through June 1, 2008, of Morrissey, who has not been accused of any wrongdoing. He is cochairman of the Consumer Protection Committee and is alleged to be among the politicians Wilkerson persuaded to help her secure a liquor license for a Roxbury nightclub.

"I am cooperating fully with any requests the US attorney has, and I'd be happy to meet with them to discuss the case," Morrissey said in an interview on Wednesday. More HERE

There is even more

Now Chuck Turner has the US vs Them, Old blacks Vs. New Blacks, Old Latino Vs. New Latino thing going on. the old school leadership playing old school games that create conflict within communities.

Get this, As reported in My South End.com, Boston City Councilor Chuck Turner is having none of this. Mr. Turner says, "My support for Senator Wilkerson’s sticker campaign is not based on race but on my view that those of us who live in the "old" part of the District in the tough times ahead need someone in the State Senate who has a history of leadership and working familiarity with our community, organizational concerns, and needs. While times have changed, the community of interests for the majority of people in the Roxbury-Dorchester part of the District remains much the same as in the 70s-racial justice, economic parity, and the development of a network of institutions that will help us with the development of our children.

Since Ms. Chang-Diaz, whose base is in the "new" part of the district, has had little contact and familiarity with the people and organizations of the "old" part of the District, I do not think she will be able to provide the leadership or protection of our interests in the Senate that we need. That’s why I continue to support Dianne Wilkerson for State Senate.

WANT MORE? Read more of the surprising US vs Them letter from Black City Councilman Chuck Turner.

Letter to The Editor:

I resent the accusation that my support and the support of other African-Americans for Dianne Wilkerson’s sticker campaign in the November Second Suffolk Senatorial District (District) race is based on the thought that an "African-American" is entitled to the seat.

The District was created to enable the Black and Latino community in the geographical heart of Boston to elect a State Senator to represent the "community of interests" that held us together. While race was a significant part of our shared interests, the shared interests also included our economic and social situation and the fact that we were actively engaged in a fight against racial discrimination.

Remember, the seat was created in 1974 on the eve of the busing era. We were struggling in the courts to desegregate the MBTA, the Boston Police Department, the Fire Department. Discrimination was rampant not just against Blacks but all people of color. The District was consciously created as a safe seat to give the Black and Latino community and its organizations a base in the Senate to support our fight against the ongoing racial oppression in Boston. Senators Bolling, Owens and Wilkerson were elected to the seat not because of their race but because they were viewed as leaders in Boston’s Black and Latino struggle for justice.

Mel King and Kay Gibbs in a recent commentary on the creation of the Second Suffolk Senatorial District and the race for the seat said, "The objective was to create a new district that was a ’community of interest’ among voters of similar backgrounds, interests, and needs, just as other neighborhoods in the proposed new district map were ethnically, economically, ideologically, and politically cohesive."

That statement speaks to the heart of the dilemma. The reality is that the Second Suffolk Senatorial District is not the same District that was created in 1974. In order to create a second Senate seat where a person of color could be elected (a seat now occupied by Senator Hart), Senator Wilkerson designed a new alignment for the District by dropping precincts that were predominantly Black while adding precincts from Jamaica Plain, Back Bay, and Chinatown that were collectively predominantly white. Also, the addition of Jamaica Plain and Back Bay changed the economic demographics of the district. The reality is that the community of interests that brought the District together in 1974 is no longer there in the "ethnically, economically, ideologically, and politically cohesive" manner referenced by Mr. King and Ms. Gibbs.

My support for Senator Wilkerson’s sticker campaign is not based on race but on my view that those of us who live in the "old" part of the District in the tough times ahead need someone in the State Senate who has a history of leadership and working familiarity with our community, organizational concerns, and needs. While times have changed, the community of interests for the majority of people in the Roxbury-Dorchester part of the District remains much the same as in the 70s-racial justice, economic parity, and the development of a network of institutions that will help us with the development of our children.

Since Ms. Chang-Diaz, whose base is in the "new" part of the district, has had little contact and familiarity with the people and organizations of the "old" part of the District, I do not think she will be able to provide the leadership or protection of our interests in the Senate that we need. That’s why I continue to support Dianne Wilkerson for State Senate.

I find it ironic that after a decade in which leaders in Boston’s African-American political community a) played a leadership role in the development of the New Majority to empower people of color politically across racial lines; b) provided active support for the candidacy of Felix Arroyo who topped the City Council At-Large ticket in predominantly Black precincts; c) provided active support for the candidacy of Sam Yoon who came in second to Felix in the Council At-Large race in predominantly black precincts, we are now being accused of supporting Dianne because she is African-American. Good Grief! Give us a break!

Chuck Turner
District 7 City Councilor

AAPP: So what do you say readers? Is this the future of black politics in this country? Us vs Them. Black vs Latinos.Or do old school folks need to stop living in the 1960's and 70's? Is there something bigger going on? I personally agree with many who have called on Wilkerson to resign immediately.

As I noted in a recent post, She has shown significant character flaws and she needs to resign. although some in Boston may disagree, I think she has disgraced her district and the black community long enough.

Throughout America and around the world your her name is political mud. She needs to let it go, go away... to prison.

Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson - Needs to be held accountable

The Boston Globe reports that in my hometown of Boston (Roxbury), MA, in the District in which I lived for 30 years, a black female state Senator by the name of Diane Wilkerson was busted by the FBI today. She is can be seen in this photo taking cash and placing it in her bra. See Surveillance photos HERE

(FBI surveillance photograph)

State Senator Diane Wilkerson allegedly stuffed a $1,000 cash payoff into her bra during a meeting with an informant at No. 9 Park restaurant on June 18, 2007.

By John R. Ellement, Donovan Slack, Shelley Murphy, Maria Cramer, and Andrew Ryan, Globe Staff

State Senator Dianne Wilkerson was arrested this morning after an 18-month undercover investigation by Boston Police and the FBI in which she allegedly accepted eight bribes. More HERE

Many within the African American community of Boston have questioned her intergrity for years. Damn, why did the sister have to follow in the footsteps of so many other low life politcos?

UPDATE: Now Massachusetts State Senator Dianne Wilkerson has vowed to remain in her reelection fight despite her arrest this week on federal corruption charges and the release of photos allegedly depicting her accepting cash bribes, accusing US Attorney Michael J. Sullivan of engaging in a "political calculus" to derail her campaign. More HERE

African American Political Pundit says: Whatever Diane Wilkerson. You have significant character flaws and you need to resign. Although some in Boston may disagree, you have disgraced your district and the black community long enough. Throughout America and around the world your name is political mud. Let it go, go away... to prison.

Cross Posted on African American Political Pundit

Obama could spend some of his campaign dollars with black bloggers

As reported by The Slate.com, The Obama campaign announced on Sunday that it raised $150 million in September, bringing the candidate's total to more than $600 million—almost as much money as was raised by every candidate in the 2004 presidential race combined. (John McCain's campaign, meanwhile, has $47 million to spend in October.)

Obama has presumably spent a few score millions already, but can his campaign really blow through $150 million before Election Day? More HERE

AAPP: I can think of ways for Obama to spend the money. Advertise with a segment of his base, "black bloggers," and "black blogtalkradio programs" who are willing to accept political ads dollars.

Candidly I'm getting tired of the McCain ads on my blog.

Am I off base?

African American Political Pundit blogs at African American Political Pundit.com

The Congressional Black Caucus should be renamed - "The Congressional Black Cowards"

AAPP says: Well, it appears that the Congressional Black Caucus are a bunch of bought off cowards and traitors. Yes, Skeptical Brother is right. The Congressional Black Caucus are "selling us out."

First Key Congressional Black Caucus Members Actually Stopped The Bailout Then they fall in line and follow Nancy Pelosiand George W. Bush. Folks the Congressional Black Caucus sold us down the drain. As reported by the Daily Voice, and Skeptical Brother members of the Congressional Black Caucus voted 31-8 in favor of the financial rescue bill that passed the House of Representatives on Friday, with several members swtching their votes. The vote was a dramatic turnaround for the Caucus from Monday, when most members of the group voted against the plan.

The bill passed the full House of Representatives 263 to 171, just one day after the Senate approved the measure, 74 to 25. Senator Barack Obama personally called members of the CBC, some of whom credited him for changing their minds in favor of the bill, according to the Associated Press.

Thirteen CBC members -- Andre Carson (IN), Emanuel Cleaver (MO), Elijah Cummings (MD), Donna Edwards (MD), Al Green (TX), Jesse Jackson Jr. (IL), Sheila Jackson-Lee (TX), Carolyn Kilpatrick (MI), Barbara Lee (CA), John Lewis (GA), Bobby Rush (IL), David Scott (GA) and Diane Watson (CA) -- who had voted against the bill on Monday switched their votes in favor of it on Friday. Many who switched their votes cited the changes in the proposal made since the Senate passed the measure on Thursday.

Despite tremendous pressure from House Democratic leadership, eight members of the Caucus -- Reps. G.K. Butterfield, William Clay, John Conyers, William Jefferson, Hank Johnson, Donald Payne, Robert Scott and Bennie Thompson -- voted against the final bill on Friday.

Rep. Elijah Cummings and Donna Edwards, both of Maryland, told AP that Senator Obama had contacted them and pledged to help homeowners facing foreclosure on their mortgages if he wins the White House and promised to support changes in the bankruptcy law to help consumers. More HERE

AAPP: Lets call it the 700 Billion dollar fleecing of America, without any protections or direct help for homeowners facing foreclosure on their mortgages. Now I read my own Maryland congressional delegation, including of all people Rep. Elijah Cummings and Donna Edwards, both of Maryland, told AP that Senator Obama had contacted them and pledged to help homeowners facing foreclosure on their mortgages if he wins the White House and promised to support changes in the bankruptcy law to help consumers. As bigbaby says, WTF

There are also some four dozen small provisions. Among them, with projected costs over 10 years:

_Extending an expired provision that gives Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands a rebate against excise taxes charged on imported rum. The rebate, at $13.50 per proof gallon, helps finance local infrastructure projects. The cost is $192 million.

_Establishing a new tax credit ranging from $2,500 to $7,500 for purchasers of plug-in electric-drive vehicles. Cost: $758 million.

_Extending tax credits that expired at the end of 2007 for certain domestic corporations involved in American Samoa economic development. Cost: $33 million.

_Extending a credit of up to $10,000 for the training of mine rescue team members. The credit expires at the end of this year and the one-year extension costs $4 million.

_Enacting President Bush's proposal to erase the debt of the black lung disability trust fund at a cost of $1.3 billion.

_Extending for one year a seven-year depreciation timetable that NASCAR and other motorsport racing facilities have had for some years, the same tax break that amusement parks enjoy. Without the extension, the tracks would have to depreciate the cost of their improvements over 15 years, raising their taxes by $100 million.

_Extending for five years a program that reduces import duties on some wool fabrics. The tariff relief benefits U.S. worsted wool fabric producers that use imported fibers and yarns. Cost: $148 million.

_Increasing the single-year deduction in production costs, from $15 million to $20 million, that film and TV productions may take if the costs are incurred in economically depressed areas. In an effort to keep film and TV productions in the U.S., it also allows more companies to use a domestic production deduction. Cost: $478 million.

_Allowing commercial fishermen and others hurt by the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska to average out damage awards over three years rather than taking a one-year hit from the IRS. Cost: $49 million.

_Extending two programs that fund rural schools and rural communities that have been relying on declining income from logging on federal land or have low property tax bases because they are located on or next to federal lands. This is a major issue in the West. Cost: $3.3 billion.

_Exempting wooden practice arrows used by children from an excise tax of 39 cents per arrow. Oregon's two senators and two Wisconsin representatives previously introduced legislation calling for the action, saying the tax was meant for more expensive archery arrows and is untenable for makers of toy arrows that may cost only about 30 cents apiece. The bill would affect about a half-dozen manufacturers nationwide, including one in Oregon; the Oregon senators said they didn't seek its addition to the bailout, however. Cost: $2 million.

_Allowing employers to exempt from taxation what they spend on some fringe benefits for workers who commute to work by bicycle, for example reimbursing the cost of parking the bikes. Cost: $2 million. More HERE

H/Tip Bygbaby and Soul Cast

The Congressional are truly a bunch of bought off cowards and traitors. We need to throw all of them out of office, and get a new group of members.I must say I expected more out the new member Donna Edwards, I guess she is not the new breed of leader I thought she would be.

Cross posted on African American political Pundit.com