Bankole Thompson

By Bankole Thompson
There’s been a lot of buzz around Hillary Clinton’s winning in West Virginia. First it was an expected win. What was shocking was the fact that her speech read like a battlefield message than “the greatest speech ever,” as pundits and some from her campaign tried to pain it as. The biggest victim in her speech last night is the Democratic Party which seems to have no clue of the potential risk of letting John McCain have a free ride to November without any focus on him and his policies. The GOP is very happy watching the Democrats burn down their own house and pick the ashes in November when John McCain wil easily cruise into office. Hillary has made it clear that she is not going anywhere until every count is made. She clearly feels entitled to become the next president. But it’s a long road. So if Barack Obama doesn’t get it, hey Democrats let John McCain get it . Maybe that would a lesson that the Democrats will continue to learn for decades to come.

By Bankole Thompson
A frustrated Hillary Clinton is vowing to fight on depsite the “shock” and “awe” she received from last night’s two primaries in North Carolina and Indiana. I don’t get it. Hillary Clinton still is staying in the race despite calls for her to quit. This is the most dangerous threat to the unity of the Democratic Party. The persistence and entitlement attitude her campaign has waged is surely not an ingrediant for unity in November. It is time for the Democratic Party elders to come out and insist on her leaving before she finally destroys the party. Hillary Clinton has the option to leave out gracefully now and exit disgracefully down the line when all of the Super delegates abandon her for Barack Obama. No one in their right mind can envision her clinching the nomination in August. The math doesn’t work for her and the voters’ passion for the Barack Obama campaign is not helping out either. Is Hillary Clinton going to stay in this grace and get deep in debt?

By Bankole Thompson

One of Africa’s ruthless dictators Robert Mugabe of Zimbabwe is continuing his tyrant behavior of hijacking democracy in that African nation after an election that appeared to have him trailing behind. Instead of facilitating an easy exit out of office, Mugabe is cracking down on opposition leaders and even independent election monitors. The nation’s electoral commission had to wait for days after the election to make public the results.

If Mr Mugabe is interesting in seeing progress to not only the African continent, but also to his children, he should graciously bow out. In recent times Zimbabwe has been hit with numerous economic hurdles that other wise would not have been an issue if he’d left long time ago. It is interesting to see one individual refuse to relinquish power even if his own people become victims of all the problems emerging as result of his sit-tight attitude.

What is also disturbing is the silence of African leaders on the continent some of whom do not agree with Mugabe’s direction of Zimbabwe. I don’t know why they have not said anything on the bloody political crisis taking shape in Zimbabwe.

By Bankole Thompson

Marylin Atkins Detroit’s 36th District Court chief judge’s refusal of Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy’s request to disqualify the entire bench in the case involving Detroit Mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff Christine Beatty is a pointed one. Worthy’s office has insisted that some of the judges on the bench have ties to the mayor who is facing perjury, obstruction of justice and misconduct charges from Worthy. An example the prosecuting attorney gave is Ronald Giles, the judge who will preside over the preliminary exam June 9 involving the mayor and Christine Beatty. Giles contributed to the mayor’s campaign. But judge Atkins doesn’t think that’s enough reason to have Giles recused himself from the case and consequently the entire bench as well.
If there is enough evidence that some judges have ties to the mayor, they should recuse themselves from the case. But that does not mean eliminating the whole bench, especially for a court in Michigan that sits more African American judges than any court. The prosecutor’s position to bring in a visiting judge will not sit well with a majority African American community.

Kym Worthy

The fact that the prosecutor called for the elimination of the entire bench sends a wrong signal to the Black judiciary community. The message it sends is that they are more likely to rule on race instead of the law since the two accused are powerful African American elected officials. I think it insults the intelligence of those African American judges who strongly believe that no matter what happens the current system of jurisprudence is the best there is to adjudicate issues involving the law. So the judge Atkins decision refusing that request to disqualify the bench is welcomed by a lot of people.

The other issue here is that I’ve yet to read any conclusive study that says African American judges are more likely to hand some lenient verdicts than their White counterparts in cases that involve powerful African American public officials. I believe that the 36th District Court in Detroit is still capable of handling the case. Yes, this is a highly politicized case where supporters of the mayor are charging racism since it was the mainstream media that broke the story about his affair with former chief of staff Christine Beatty. Playing the race card is expected when you are dealing with a case like this . If the prosecutor’s call for the entire bench to be recused from this case is a way to get the judges not to fall for the race card games, that’s a decision udges should make on an individual bases. They should declare if they have any ties to the mayor. If there is none, they are equally as competent as their White counterpart to try this case.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com

By Bankole Thompson

It’s almost clear to me that the Democratic Party stands to lose the presidential election in November of 2008. The continued denial by the Hillary Clinton camp of Barack Obama’s legitimate candidacy is going to backfire seriously with the Dems. Ironically, the Clintons have promoted themselves as perhaps the foremost American presidential family close to Blacks since J.F.K. But when a Black candidate has shown propensity and skill to get the nomination, he is being denied. Hillary Clinton said she wants to take this race to the finish. That means finishing the Democratic Party and let John McCain win the presidency.

What is disturbing to me is that the party elders and sitting down and watching this bloodletting take place. It makes you wonder what is their real intention.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com

Tom Joyner

By Bankole Thompson

After speaking on the Tom Joyner Morning Show today I came to the office to find numerous messages on my voicemail about my performance on the show. Some angry listeners said they were disappointed with my interview because I did not call on mayor Kwame Kilpatrick to resign. These listeners said they’ve been avid readers of my weekly front page columns and were wondering why I’m holding back on Kilpatrick’s resignation. Others thought I was correct in stating that the system of jurisprudence must take its course before anything else. One listener’s voicemail indicated that I should have talked about the three police officers who were fired.

First of all, I accepted to do the interview on the Tom Joyner Morning Show after Jackie Reed, former BET anchorwoman called me to say she read my exclusive interview with mayor Kilpatrick and thought it was an interesting interview. Reid then asked if I would be interested to be her guest on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, and I agreed. So the discussion on the show this morning was about the interview I did and why the Michigan Chronicle hasn’t taken the resignation position. Like I’ve maintained from the genesis of this issue, I again reiterated my stance on the show that Kilpatrick like everyone else deserves to have his day in court. However, the coming months will greatly predict if this mayor can function effectively in office with the serious cloud of an indictment.

I understand that there is a frustration out there. But we must let the justice process work. That of course doesn’t excuse Kilpatrick from the mistakes he admitted to have made. That does not excuse the fact that the mayor is now facing the consequence of mistakes that were carried out without proper thinking. At the same time I will not join any attempt to circumvent the system of jurisprudence.

When Wayne County prosecutor Kym Worthy came down with her charges, we at the Michigan Chronicle accepted those charges to be the product of her investigation. We’ve not questioned the validity of those charges. In fact we’ve maintained from the beginning that she has to do what she was elected in office for: to prosecute without fear or favor.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com

Prosecuting attorney Kym Worthy

By Bankole Thompson
Is it aggressive prosecution of a mayor who has not been in good terms with a prosecutor or simply and squarely a classic case based on just the law? That is what some of Detroit mayor Kwame Kilpatrick’s supporters are telling me. I interviewed one of the mayor’s strongest supporters Art Blackwell this afternoon for tomorrow’s edition of the Michigan Chronicle, and he doesn’t sound convinced with the barrage of charges Wayne County Prosecutor Kym Worthy reined in on the mayor Monday morning. Prior to the announcement, there was a lot of anticipation about Worthy’s announcement. Some speculated seven counts while others rightly predicted it was going to be twelve counts. Some of the charges are multiple.

First of all, the prosecutor and the mayor only spoke about four times since being in office. Political insiders tell me they are not friends and hardly speak to each other. But before the text message scandal broke Kilpatrick made an astonishing call to the prosecutor to tell her that he was going to stay out of her re-election campaign this year. That left critics and observers to wonder if the mayor knew what was coming down for him. However, Kilpatrick’s supporters are not optimistic they will get justice. When I sat down with the prosecutor for a one on one interview after her announcement, she assured me that the mayor will get a jury of his peers. She maintained that only the law, not political gain influenced her 56 days of investigation and the decision to come down with the charges.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com

Mayor Kilpatrick

By Bankole Thompson

All eyes are on Detroit as mayor Kwame Kilpatrick and his former chief of staff Christine Beatty pay severely for their mistakes. Kilpatrick told me in an interview I had with him last week that he realizes he’s made significant mistakes as the chief executive of the largest African American city. But that alone is not enough for him to quit. There is no doubt in my mind that the city is almost divided on the future of Detroit under Kilpatrick. With calls for his resignation, others mainly his staunch supporters are calling on him to stay in office. Only time will tell if the eight charges of obstruction of justice, perjury, misconduct he’s facing will cripple his ability to govern the city. From a public relations standpoint it is clearly not good to have a sitting mayor under such a criminal justice clould with that many charges. While the drums of resignation are beating every day loud and clear in the concert halls of the mainstream media, and the public domain, Kilpatrick like everyone else is entitled to the presumption of innocence until proven guilty. If these charges afffect his governing capacity, it will become known soon as the wheels of justice move fast.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com

Debbie Dingell

By Bankole Thompson

Michigan Democratic strategist Debbie Dingell tried to convince myself and other guests on a recent “Flashpoint” show on WDIV that the principle motive of moving the Democratic primary to an earlier date despite violating party rules was to grant Michigan a central seat in the larger national debate. New Hampshire and Iowa cannot continue to determine the direction of every presidential election. The seat of the automotive industry cannot be ignored, earlier primary advocates argued.

That is a difficult point to counter because every state should matter in any national election. At the same time, it is a point to easily dismiss when some of Michigan’s Democratic Party stalwarts are behind the scene cooking for Hillary Clinton.

In the open they tell us we need a primary that pushes Michigan further in the national debate, but when the curtains are drawn between them and the public, it is all about Clinton. So when the Clinton strategy was let out, Mark Brewer, the state’s Democratic chairman, took the fall even though some insiders tell me he preferred John Edwards.

So Brewer became the first casualty of a political strategy that denied Detroit and other communities the opportunity to have the names of their candidates Barack Obama and John Edwards appear on the ballot.

That did not stop Detroit from sending a very strong message to the high priest of the party by voting overwhelmingly against Clinton — whose name was on the ballot — uncommitted vote. Now I’m told there is rumbling inside the state Democratic Party about a possible insurgency against Brewer, a union man.

The overall plan to coronate Clinton as the nominee in every state is meeting every stumbling block on the road. So the only way her supporters and those guardian angels of a deeply troubled Democratic National Committee can save her from a historic and classic disgrace is to turn to the super delegates. The super delegates, prominent party and elected officials from the states, can decide the nominee for the party despite the results showing from the primaries around the country. The super delegates are the saving grace for Clinton, not Pope Benedict XVI.

But it is disappointing to watch how Democrats are flouting the democratic process with the guise of a so-called super delegate count. When millions of people vote to choose a candidate, a minority ends up picking the nominee, it is the greatest transgression against democracy.

On the night of the Democratic convention in Colorado, Aug. 25-28, the super delegates will cast their votes if Clinton still remains in the race. The Democratic convention is the night of the long knives when democracy will be slaughtered on the altar of a failed attempt to disguise the real intentions of a few people bent on holding on to power. Clinton is leading the count on super delegates despite losing 11 straight primaries to Obama.

I wrote a column that we are witnessing the end of the Clinton era. In the Black community we’ve been “bamboozled” in the words of renowned filmmaker Spike Lee. To think that the best thing that happened to Black people was Bill Clinton serving as president is a fallacy. At some point we will be forced as a community to look beyond the mirrors that are presented to us. We will learn that nothing will come to our community if we fail to become a critical mass.

Bill Clinton did not mince his words in waging a campaign against Black people in the fight to get his wife elected president. When Obama won South Carolina, Bill Clinton’s unpleasant and insulting reaction to the Black community was to compare Obama’s win to Rev Jesse Jackson’s victory in that same southern state in 1980 and 1984. Doing so, the former president also attempted to denigrate the impact of Jackson’s past presidential bids (for not winning the White House) in his bid to minimize Obama’s win.

What Bill Clinton needed to realize is that until Barack Obama came onto the scene, Jackson was the defining individual for any Black person seeking the highest office in the land. Obama on many occasions paid tribute to Jackson’s past victories.

One day it will be said that Bill Clinton was a clever politician who was able to woo Black leaders like Andrew Young, get them excited about being around him, and then hand them invitations to White House Christmas parties, but nothing concrete for their people.

In Colorado, the will of the people must prevail if the Democratic Party is to avoid the serious threat of a divided party fighting for its infectious soul.

Bankole Thompson’s latest book, “A Matter of Black Transformation,” deals with Blacks, China and globalization. E-mail bthompson@michronicle.com or read his daily blogs at bankolethompson.com/encounter. You can watch his interview on “Comcast Newsmakers” airing on “CNN Headline News” the week of March 3-9.

By Bankole Thompson

In her Ohio victory speech, Hillary Clinton said she can’t wait to have a spirited debate with the Republican nominee John McCain. Already Hillary Clinton is inserting herself as the presumptive nominee of the Democratic Party. She is relying on the anti-democratic super delegates who will have to decide on the nominee. This is a blatant bastardization of the democratic process. Hillary Clinton being the wife of ex-president Bill Clinton feels that she is entitled to the presidency. From the beginning of her campaign she’s ran an entitlement campaign. I guess the Clintons own the Democratic Party. But voters including African Americans also have an option to opt out of the party and deliver a lasting failure to the Democrats in November.

Bankole Thompson is senior editor and editorial page writer of the Michigan Chronicle, one of the nation’s most influential African American newspapers. His latest book, A Matter of Black Transformation, deals with Blacks, China and globalization. Email your thoughts to him at bankole(at) bankolethompson.com If you want Thompson to spice up your next commencement ceremony or arouse your conference/workshop audience to meaningful action call (313) 772-0849/ (319) 351 9695 or email speakatmyevent(at)bankolethompson.com