In late January of this year a previously unreleased photo of then Sen. Barack Obama schmoozing it up with Louis Farrakhan was made public. The photo had been kept away from public view to protect the political aspirant from potential negative fallout for associating with the racist and anti-Semitic leader of the Nation of Islam (NOI).
How damaging this photo would have been to Obama’s presidential campaign is subject to debate. But Harvard Law Professor Alan Dershowitz, a rare honest liberal, stated he would not have supported Obama had he known of his association with “Calypso Louie.” Certainly as a minimum the Jewish vote would have been impacted. Dershowitz further added:
“We should have nobody in public office associating with a bigot like Farrakhan”
Keeping the “hidden” life of Obama quiet was instrumental in the success of this unique political figure. Associations with a known terrorist and an anti-American preacher were down played, while those who pushed these stories were ridiculed as extremists.
Farrakhan posed a different problem, one which had to be kept quiet, thus the photo was shelved at the insistence of The Congressional Black Caucus (CBC). There were 21 members of the CBC at that meeting who are still in Congress today. They have yet to suffer any significant backlash for their association with Calypso Louie, in fact they praised him, at least until they were caught:
In addition to the 1995 meeting, Maxine Waters and several other members of the CBC including: Barbara Lee (CA), Al Green (TX) and William Jefferson (LA), met with Farrakhan, who offered his assistance for the rebuilding of New Orleans in 2006.
At that meeting Waters, responding directly to Farrakhan, stated: “I think we need to get together and talk about how we’re going to put New Orleans on the national agenda.”
Waters when asked to confirm the discussions was “unavailable for comment.”
Another CBC member, Danny Davis (IL), also an attendee of the Obama-Farrakhan meeting, sang the praises of Farrakhan in February of this year:
“I personally know [Farrakhan], I’ve been to his home, done meetings, participated in events with him. I don’t regard Louis Farrakhan as an aberration or anything. I regard him as an outstanding human being who commands a following of individuals who are learned and articulate…”
Davis, possibly realizing that he was up for re-election later clarified his statement:
“There have been attempts to question my commitment to these principles because I did not specifically single out the views and remarks of Minister Louis Farrakhan. So let me be clear: I reject, condemn and oppose Minister Farrakhan’s views and remarks regarding the Jewish people and the Jewish religion.”
The CBC, and especially Maxine Waters, have been decrying President Trump as a racist, yet they have associated with one of the most extreme and vile racists we have active today.
The NOI, reported by the Southern Poverty Law Center to have as many as 50,000 members, is described at the SPLC website as follows:
“Since its founding in 1930, the Nation of Islam has grown into one of the wealthiest and best-known organizations in black America. Its theology of innate black superiority over whites and the deeply racist, anti-semitic and anti-LGBT rhetoric of its leaders have earned the NOI a prominent position in the ranks of organized hate.”
It is worth taking a closer look at Calypso Louie, so we can understand the depth of the hatred, which consumes this man. Columnist John Hawkins writing for Townhall.com has a list of 20 of his quotes, following are just a few:
* “Murder and lying comes easy for white people.” (CNN 1995)
* “The Jews have been so bad at politics they lost half their population in the Holocaust. They thought they could trust in Hitler, and they helped him get the Third Reich on the road.” (Anti-Defamation League 2015)
* “White people deserve to die, and they know, so they think it’s us coming to do it.” (Washington Post 2015)
* “Now God don’t want you intermarrying with [white women],” (Facebook video 2015)
* And on the Jewish element in Hollywood and their support for gay marriage:
“You’re God’s chosen people? And you promote something that God rejects? You’ve lost your covenant status! You are not the chosen of God, you are the chosen of Satan! …You’re promoting homosexuality. God doesn’t. You promote filth. God condemns it!”
* And lastly one more on Hitler: “The Jews don’t like Farrakhan, so they call me Hitler. Well, that’s a good name. Hitler was a very great man”
In today’s world, one dominated by the easily offended and politically correct, there is seemingly no greater crime than being racist. That charge, repeatedly leveled at those who disagreed with President Obama, is also leveled at both the president and his supporters.
Yet we have Farrakhan, an out spoken racist, an anti-Semite and a Hitler admirer, being fawned over by members of the CBC. Yes, some members of the CBC are speaking out, but they appear to be doing so only when caught.
All Americans are aware of the racist past and are equally aware that racism continues, albeit on a different level.
But those who continue to use racism for political purposes should be strongly condemned and ostracized for their associations with a man as despicable as Louis Farrakhan.
Yet the CBC and its members are given a pass one which is not justified in today’s world.
Dennis Lund is a mechanical engineer who lived in Benicia for more than 20 years. This piece originally ran on The American Thinker.
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Thank you Dennis. Outstanding article. Keep up the good writing.
Thanks Bob!
Where to begin…
“those who continue to use racism for political purposes should be strongly condemned”
How rich. Trumps history of racism is extensive, well documented, and inextricable with his politics. The list is too long to include here, but include his discriminatory policies as a landlord, his vile Birtherism, his calls for the death penalty on 5 innocent black and Latino teenagers accused of raping a white woman, and subsequent failure to recognize their innocence ten years after they had been exonerated by DNA evidence, his characterization of immigrants as a criminal class, his attacks on a Mexican judge, his cozying up to white supremacists, his reaction to Charlottesville, the shithole comments, etc, etc. etc.
Nixon’s southern strategy all over again.
But perhaps you rarely listen to anything but Hannity and Limbaugh, and I’m wasting my breath.
“When the full extent of your venality, moral turpitude, and political corruption becomes known, you will take your rightful place as a disgraced demagogue in the dustbin of history.” -John Brennan
My suggestion Chris is you write a full article on what you are saying. This article was not about President Trump. Stick to the subject and write the article. Looking forward to that article. Thank you..
Chris, Objectively speaking, Obama was clear in his objections to Farrakhan’s past pronouncements and did not solicit the minister’s support, Obama “rejected and denounced” Farrakhan’s support during an NBC presidential candidate debate. Can the same be said for Trump denouncing David Duke. No. In fact, in typical Trump fashion, when a reporter asked him if he would condemn the racism of David Duke, he refused, claiming that he “doesn’t know anything about him.”. Later claiming he did not hear the question because of a faulty ear piece. Yet the question remains unanswered. The caricature of Trump in this case being him sticking his. fingers in his ears and going “la la la la la la la la………”.
I stand corrected: “David Duke is a bad person, who I disavowed on numerous occasions over the years,” Trump said on MSNBC’s “Morning Joe.” Although, “who I disavowed on numerous occasions over the years” is probably off the mark.
None-the-less, the blatant examples of Trump-racism, you describe Chris, are on the money.
Thomas, since the meeting between Obama and Farakhan occurred prior to his running for the Presidency, that indicates that at one time he found meeting with him was desirable. It is quite possible (probable?) that in the debate he condemned Farrakhan out of political necessity. Recall also that during the campaign he voiced his support for keeping marriage between a man and a women. His actions later was contrary to his statements. Just as the winds change, so do political positions.
Dennis, There is a potential meeting between Trump and Kim Jong Un. If it does happen, I don’t suppose it will lead to any pillow talk between the two. Point being. folks that don’t see eye to eye can meet and talk. It happens all the time.
“Just as the winds change, so do political positions”. Yes, just as Trump shocked attendees at the conservative CPAC conference in February 2011 when he declared himself pro-life after years of supporting the pro-choice position. Sometimes politicians need to pretend in order to get what they want..
Thomas of course politicians meet with people with whom they do not agree on a regular basis. We all realize and accept that. But when they meet with people as offensive as Farrakhan they should be condemned.
The piece was not about Obama, though he is mentioned more than once, the piece was really about why more people are not loudly condemning the CBC for meeting on numerous occasions (I mention only two) with Farrakhan.
Such meetings should be a dark stain on these politicians, yet they get a pass.
Why do you think that a man who: honors Hitler, wants to Kill Jews and has praised the Palestinian terrorists is one who should be welcomed by the CBC
If getting a pass on something is at the crux of your displeasure, then consider that we live in an era where passes are handed out like Halloween candy, regardless of the pedigree of the recipient.
Thomas, thanks for he response. Maybe you can give us some examples of othe Hitler admirers who are the recipients of those many passes to which you refer.
All the ones that are not dead or in jail and suffer only slings and arrows.
Prine does Hamlet?
Nugent
Nugent?
The first half is from Prine’s “Sweet Revenge”, the second half is from Hamlet. Nugent then must have combined those two into his own line.
Never have been a Nugent fan myself.
I’m not a Prine fan, so the first half was definitely not from there.
got kicked off Noah’s Ark
I turn my cheek to unkind remarks
There was two of everything
But one of me
And when the rains came tumbling down
I held my breath and I stood my ground
And I watched that ship go sailing
Out to sea.
[Chorus]
Take it back
Take it back
Oh no, you can’t say that
All of my friends
Are not dead or in jail
Through rock and through stone
The black wind still moans
Sweet revenge
Sweet revenge
Without fail.
‘Sweet Revenge’ – John Prine (1975)
That’s all well and good. However, the words I used are not so profound, or original that one can’t come up with them on there own, as I did.
You referenced Nugent earlier. Not sure why.
Memory is a funny thing. Words can go in and rattle around then seemingly they depart, Yet often times a trace remains and are resurrected for unknown reasons.
Agree though, the words in question are not so original that they could not be put in the order as above.
“If Barack Obama becomes the president in November, again, I will be either be dead or in jail by this time next year.” Ted Nugent 2012
Thomas, I do believe you are correct. Just follow the Clintons. There was more than enough evidence with those two to put them both away for a few years or at least a conviction and then a pardon. I do believe there was also a few that did time. Think husband and wife.. The article was about one issue and nothing else. Diverting the issue to suit yourself does not make the article or the writer guilty of anything. Your partisan politics is fine but it sure shows up when Dennis has an article. I guess I am now next.
Hey Bob, whatever. LOL!!
I think it is fair to say that Obama publically distanced himself from Farrakhan but privately sought his assistance. Same could said for his pastor in the radical church he attended in Chicago.
Above all, Obama is a politician seeking votes by placating populism. Most politicians are similar. What Obama did publically and privately often diverged. I believe, privately, Obama supported gay rights, yet publically he came out against gay marriage for most of his term, until he “evolved”.
Obama associated with radicals before his presidency. It should not be a shock or beyond belief to believe that he supported and sought support of radicals quietly while publically distancing himself for the sake of votes. The only real controversy is why did the media let him get away with the obvious? Trump is closely investigated by the media. Most conservatives are closely investigated. Why does Obama and liberals tend to get the pass?
Matter, your comments are right on the money. Thanks for posting
Chris — Thanks for the response. It seems to me that Trump and racism have been covered extensively in the past 18 months or so, and as Bob correctly points out, that was not the subject of this piece. And I stand by what I said in regards to the condemnation of racism. Yet the CBC seems to be immune from this condemnation. Do you have any thoughts on why that is?
Ahh … that’s right … I forgot, every conservative is a racist. Yawn. Doesn’t the left have a legitimate card to play? Or at least an original card? Boring and really stupid.
Thomas, sounds like Nugent must have been listening to Prine.
Bob, That’s nice.
Good observation Bob, and most likely correct!