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Fighting Jim Crow in the 21st Century
Thanks to Jane Hamsher at Firedoglake for posting this transcript of this speech today by Representative Maxine Waters:
...Mr. Speaker, I have a difficult time explaining to African Americans all over this country why the congress of the United States has to continue to re-authorize the Voting Rights Act. the answer to that question is sad but simple and true true — discrimination. America, we stand before you today re-authorizing the voting rights act because we have to continue to have safeguards in law to prevent cities, counties, states, and other jurisdictions from devising laws, practices, tricks, and procedures that impede the right to vote by minorities in this country.
One may ask, "what laws and tricks are you alluding to?" Mr. Speaker, in the past the tricks were poll taxes, literacy tests and voter intimidation. Today and throughout the years the laws and tricks have changed but the game is the same. Deny and prevent minorities from exercising the power of selection of candidates and laws by any means necessary.
What are some of these tactics being used today in some jurisdictions in America?
Oh there are tactics like in Georgia, create the need for an identification card that you have to pay for, that is only issued by the state. In Florida, create data bases identifying people as felons, people who have never ever been arrested before. Change voting rights laws so that you create at-large districts rather than districts where minorities can be elected from. Minority candidates get elected by districts and when you create these at-large districts you eliminate the possibility of getting elected.
Place uniform guards at polling places to intimidate voters. The list goes on and on. The voting rights act will guarantee pre-clearance of these attempted discriminatory acts and hopefully deny these kinds of actions. I ask my colleagues — don’t disrespect the civil rights movement. Don’t dishonor us. Pass this voting rights re-authorization bill and show the world that America is sincere about democracy.
For those of you watching the televised debate on the renewal of the Voting Rights Act on C-SPAN, watch and learn. Not only for the power of Rep. Water's speech, but for what Jim Crow looks like in the faces of those who would amend sections 2 and 5 of the Voting Rights Act. And if you think we should relax and make it unecessary to renew the VRA for another 25 years, or to soften it, look at the vehemence behind the current rationale to amend those Voting Rights Act provisions.
There is a reason why the VRA is in place and why it needs to be renewed for 25-year stretches. The Civil Rights Movement is about a half-century old. Time may change places and people, but old habits die hard and old prejudices die even harder. They may appear to have different names and faces. But they keep coming back.
UPDATE: The House has just voted to renew the Voting Rights Act, and the bill will now move to the Senate. Stay tuned.
Right on, Fe - how timely!!
Will it be renewed in the appropriate sense or is there a bunch of sections being altered?
Anyone with information regarding the Ohio legislation allowing poll workers to challenge Naturalized citizens and require them to either submit their citizenship documentation or spend $225 to obtain a replacement once their vote is challenged by a poll worker. Any help unearthing this story would be appareciated. I read about this in an article I read in last week's Liberal Opinion by a writer named Cocco who claims it may constitute a back door poll tax and could disenfranchise as many as 186,000 Naturalized Citizens in Ohio this November.
Ira,
I sent you an email regarding Ohio elections--your contact person.
Here is the Marie Cocco story:
snip
"Faced with national criticism and even some judicial condemnation for voting practices and partisan interpretations of its voting laws that routinely favored George W. Bush in the 2004 presidential election, Ohio's Republican-controlled Legislature took action. It rewrote its election law in a way that, among other things, set up barriers that could keep naturalized U.S. citizens from having their votes count."
"The little-noticed provision of Ohio's new election law was tucked into a section of the legislation that changed the terms for challenging voters at the polls. In 2004, Republicans sent thousands of "challengers" to polling places, concentrating them in urban precincts. The contentiousness of the challenger effort led the Legislature to narrow the number of people who can confront a voter at the polls and challenge his or her right to cast a ballot. The new law gives this authority only to poll workers -- that is, partisan representatives of the Republican and Democratic parties.
But this fix became a handy excuse for more shenanigans: Lawmakers made it potentially harder for naturalized citizens to vote. Now, if a voter is challenged at the polls on the suspicion that he is not an American citizen, a native-born citizen can merely state that he was born, say, in Toledo, and then cast a ballot."
snip
"But if challenged, a naturalized citizen must produce a certificate of naturalization. If the voter doesn't have this document, he or she may cast a provisional ballot to be either counted or discarded as invalid after Election Day. "They are required to take your word for it if you are a native-born citizen," says Daniel Tokaji, an election-law expert at Ohio State University's Moritz College of Law. "If you are a naturalized citizen, then you have to jump through this hoop."
It's an expensive hoop. Replacing naturalization papers cost $220 -- a poll tax for our times. And it must be obtained through the immigration division of the Department of Homeland Security. A voter has 10 days after the election to provide documents necessary to have a provisional ballot accepted and counted."
snip
It sure seems unlikely that all of Ohio's estimated 187,556 naturalized citizens will be challenged at the polls. Really, does anyone believe that Polish grandmothers will bear the brunt of this law? "Latino and Asian citizens are the ones who are going to get challenged on this," Tokaji says. "It's a good bet."
Marie Cocco
Its listed as RC 3505.20. I think this story needs wider attention.
Ira,
check out this link and also look at some of the sites listed by those who posted. Seems like there may be some information there you could use.
I hope this helps.
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=203x439128
oncall I just found and read that link; apparently some folks in Ohio are well aware of it. All the attention though seems to be with the Georgia law and how it violates the Voting Rights Act. The mischief oncall we all know will be in Ohio and with Blackwell. It looks like it has already started.
Hi. I am Casey's sister and a Conservative Republican. WAIT...KEEP READING, really....
I go to this site when I am not swamped with kid/family stuff (Casey, how do you do it????) b/c I love Casey's writings, although I don't always agree (OK rarely) with what she says (Yeah, I am number six and she is number seven of eight kids...we have gotten over this by now...).
I write to say that I was going to talk to Casey about the issue of the Voting Rights Act, because I felt stupid...like I must be missing something regarding what seems to be a no brainer. However, I peeked into this blog and realize I needed to look no further than some of the links on this site which I have found to be really helpful and informative. I am not sure how I feel about this issue yet, and am keeping an open mind, but I really appreciate the fact that some of the credible and informative links you have provided will help me better understand the issues.
...From the person who argued for and finalized the first gay co-parent adoption in New York, and who is revered by the gay/lesbian community regarding parenting/adoption legal issues (had to show you I am not totally Conservative...) I remain...
Maria Lally Clark
Anyone catch Soros on "Fresh Air" (NPR)?
He pointed out that he is a private donor like the rest of us who give to MoveOn etc. - that he hasn't the power to influence public opinion of a rich media mogul like Rupert Murdoch.
Maybe what we need is a progressive Rupert Murdoch.
Maria Lally Clark
Thanks for writing! It's hard to even label people anymore - people can be socially conservative, fiscally conservative, socially liberal, fiscally liberal (big spender?) etc. - there are so many mixed positions now. I was reading today that Giuliani is a moderate conservative and pro-choice and this might not play well with some in his party. Then I think of Lieberman who is a conservative Democrat & it's causing concern in his party.
Nothing is so simple as some may make it out to be! We love what Casey does & it's really great to have you stop by!!
Well Maria, any sister of Casey's is a friend here.
Now I've got a question for Ira, or anyone else who might know.
I have spoken to a lady who has American citzenship, but holds dual citzenship in Serbia. In the last presidental election she was challenged and told that "Under the Patriot Act no one holding dual citzenship may vote."
Since then I've tried to find something on this and came up zip. For what it's worth it happened in AZ, which interestingly enough is one of the state under Justice Dept supervision.
Its listed as RC 3505.20. I think this story needs wider attention.
Posted by: Ira at July 13, 2006 10:27 PM
Yes it does.
My worst fear is that naturalized citizens have papers showing where they originally came from, and I expect them to be challenged based on that, since most immigrants vote Democratic. Of course, if you're Cuban, Korean, or some other sweetheart Republican nationality, you will pass.
And that's something that a minority Republican like Blackwell will surely love.
In the last presidental election she was challenged and told that "Under the Patriot Act no one holding dual citzenship may vote."
Posted by: ladytechie01 at July 13, 2006 11:51 PM
I've never heard of such a provision. Dual citizens are able to vote unless there is a constitutional amendment that I don't know of.
I am a dual citizen, though I am not supposed to be. My Korean citizenship should have become void upon my American naturalization, however, that naturalization was never reported to the Koreans, so I am technically a dual citizen. And with my new name/identity and all, it'll be very difficult to report the naturalization in a way the Korean bureaucrats can understand.
Of course, I can pass this so-called "provision" of the Patriot Act, since Korean-Americans are very reliable Republican voters, but that's not something I'll carry with pride.
Posted by: Maria Lally Clark at July 13, 2006 11:01 PM
Welcome, Maria Lally Clark!
Remember that the DCP is a nonpartisan nonprofit, and we definitely have ample room for conservative Republicans who wish to participate in a constructive manner, and challenge the status quo in our government.
I strongly appreciate your activism in the gay co-adoption battle. It's my belief that it is conservative to stay out of people's private affairs, and keep religion free and separate from the state.
Maria,
First of all, welcome. We have heard much about you! Casey has shared her family with us here often, and we already know one or two of the other siblings.
Secondly, the issue of conservative vs. liberal is one with which we are familiar. As Casey often points out, it isn't about right and left, it's about right and wrong.
We aim for truth here, uncomfortable or not. Today in our rehearsal for FEAR UP, one of the actors (one of middle Eastern background, in fact) allowed as he had had the thought that the war on Afghanistan made some sense, given 9-11. This led to further discussion about the fact that, if understanding the war was simple or easy, we wouldn't have to do the play.
There are complicated issues facing this country. The Voting Rights Act is one of the simpler issues, IMO. The challenging concerns of Iran and North Korea are yet to come, but come they will.
We appreciate diversity of opinion here, and also discussion of facts. Evidence counts. Feel free to provide such for your perspectives.
We all want to build a more democratic republic here. That has very little to do with political parties and much to do with the Constitution.
Our leaders often forget this.
Glad to see that the act passed! Shame on those (including the one Democrat from Mississippi) who voted for the four amendments.
Sorry to see no one on chat except pcdoc :( .
Religious leaders quit Katrina Fund panel By RUKMINI CALLIMACHI, Associated Press Writer
15 minutes ago
NEW ORLEANS - By all accounts, the group of nine was a religious powerhouse: Their ranks included rabbis, imams and ministers, including the man hailed by some as the next Billy Graham. But as of Thursday, seven of the nine religious leaders serving on a committee created by the Bush-Clinton Katrina Fund to disburse money to churches destroyed by Hurricane Katrina had quit their posts, claiming their advice was ignored.
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Four out of nine board members confirmed their resignations on Thursday. Last week, two others — Bishop T.D. Jakes, the prominent Dallas megachurch pastor, and the Rev. William H. Gray III, former president of the United Negro College Fund — resigned as co-chairs.
And Gray and Jakes say they have received the resignation letter of a seventh board member, the Rev. William Shaw, president of the National Baptist Convention, USA. He did not immediately return a phone call Thursday night.
Departing members of the interfaith advisory committee say the fund's Washington staff disregarded their advice, cutting checks for Gulf Coast churches without properly investigating the institutions.
snip
Initially, Gray said, the committee assumed it would make around 500 awards, each for $35,000. But as the applications began trickling in, staff members in New Orleans realized there were far fewer applicants than they had initially assumed. That meant they could increase the award amount, and the board agreed in consultation with the co-chairs of the fund that the grant ceiling would be increased to $100,000, Gray said. They also agreed each of the churches or religious institutions receiving the charity's money would first be inspected, he said.
Numerous disagreements ensued, but Jakes and Gray said the last straw was the fund's decision to cut checks to 38 houses of worship, each for $35,000 and without first conducting an audit to ensure the church exists.
Imam Abdelhafiz Bensrieti, another committee member who resigned, said the Washington staff wanted the religious leaders to "rubber stamp" their decisions. "They had their agenda and that's unacceptable," he said.
http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20060714/ap_on_re_us/katrina_church_leaders_quit
Hi speedy,
I was travelling or you would have seen my name in there... well, maybe not overnight. I shut my computer down at night. It's good to see your name though. Welcome back.
Hello Maria,
Welcome to DCP. There's a broad range of thought here and uniformity of thought is not required to participate. Just reasoned, thoughtful and courteous contributions with well-documented sources when necessary. We all come here to learn.
dwahzon
U.S. stands alone in defending Israel
Critics say U.S. has not paid enough attention to Israel-Lebanon relations
By Andrea Mitchell
Chief foreign affairs correspondent
NBC News
WASHINGTON - In Germany on Thursday, President Bush strongly supported Israel's right to defend itself, blaming Syria for harboring terror groups active in both Lebanon and Gaza.
"Syria needs to be held to account,” Bush says. “Syria is housing the militant wing of Hamas. Hezbollah has got an active presence in Syria."
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice blamed Iran as well, but Thursday night cautioned Israel not to go too far.
"The point about restraint, I think, has been taken by our Israeli colleagues,” Rice says.
But all day, the U.S. was alone in defending Israel. At the U.N., the U.S. exercised the sole veto against a resolution condemning Israel's Gaza incursion.
The European Union called Israel's attacks on Lebanon “disproportionate."
In fact, diplomatic sources tell NBC that Israel has been looking for an excuse to clean out Hezbollah strongholds in Lebanon after weeks of rocket attacks into Israel.
What role has the U.S. played? Today, U.S. diplomat David Welch arrived in Israel, but critics say too late — 17 days after the first Israeli soldier was captured.
And Rice has not been to Israel or the Palestinian territories since last November.
"I think it’s really inexplicable,” says James Steinberg, dean of the LBJ School of Public Policy at the University of Texas. “There’s been some sense that if they get involved and fail, that somehow it will lessen American credibility. But I think the opposite is true. That American credibility has been damaged by our willingness to get involved.”
Thursday night, critics in both parties say the administration has been so focused on Iraq and Afghanistan it has failed to pay enough attention to the conflict between Israel and the Palestinians.
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13848003/
The too little, too late presidency.
(brain too little, action too late)
There is a very urgent and important call to action concerning the nomination of William J. Haynes II to the Fourth Circuit Court of Appeals.
As Nina Totenburg pointed out this morning, yesterday's testimony before Congress by the current and former JAG's of all the services highlighted that the nominee lied to Congress earlier in his testimony concerning his consultation with them on the use of torture.
Evidently Senator Harry "Reid cited a letter by 20 retired military officers strongly opposing sending Haynes to the court in Richmond, Va.
"What compels us to take this unusual step," the letter stated, "is our profound concern about the role Mr. Haynes played in establishing -- over the objections of uniformed military lawyers -- detention and interrogation policies in Iraq, Afghanistan and Guantanamo which led not only to the abuse of detainees in U.S. custody but to a dangerous abrogation of the military's long-standing commitment to law."
Please go here to find out more information about this nominee...
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2006/7/13/17737/1522
Also check out this comment in that story... has some very good specific info on creating a larger impact...
http://www.dailykos.com/comments/2006/7/13/17737/1522/154#c154
via kos poster dpinzow comes this article from the Times of London…
Baghdad starts to collapse as its people flee a life of death
By James Hider, of The Times, from Baghdad
As I hung up the phone, I wondered if I would ever see my friend Ali alive again. Ali, The Times translator for the past three years, lives in west Baghdad, an area that is now in meltdown as a bitter civil war rages between Sunni insurgents and Shia militias. It is, quite simply, out of control.
I returned to Baghdad on Monday after a break of several months, during which I too was guilty of glazing over every time I read another story of Iraqi violence. But two nights on the telephone, listening to my lost and frightened Iraqi staff facing death at any moment, persuaded me that Baghdad is now verging on total collapse.
read the rest of this article here...
http://www.timesonline.co.uk/article/0,,3-2268585_1,00.html
Dwahzon
Thanks for the info on Haines. I may have heard the same NPR broadcast as the person at Kos. Haines is scary.
Actually, I heard the NPR broadcast -- the specific information on the call to action is what is in the kos diary.
Haines is scary.
Posted by: DiAnne/Barbara at July 14, 2006 08:53 AM
Tell me what ISN'T these days?
A Cross, The Great Dove Eyed
Dwahzon
Yes that is what I am thanking you for.
Excellent analysis of Israel/Bush.
http://www.taylormarsh.com/archives_view.php?id=24249
Dwahzon,
Great links. I'm still quite sleepy and will reread them when my eyes don't need toothpicks to stay open. Hope you had a safe trip.
Maria Lally Clark,
Welcome. I think it's great you have been lurking and decided to post. I hope you'll come back and post more often now.
I'm very proud of your involvement in the gay parenting case. Some how to me, the way gays were used, and immigrants were used, only crates more hate in this world. There will be good parents in hetero-sexual relationships and good ones in gay relationships.
But like Karen said Casey said...it's not about party name, it's about right and wrong. Sure, as madame pointed out the other day, even that isn't black and white, I bet that the more you talk and visit with us, the more you'll see that in some respects we're alike and some we differ. But if we can pull the party names or allegiances away from the issue, I bet we could make better changes in our country.
ok... one chuckle for the day, courtesy of madamedefarge in the IRC...
http://www.crooksandliars.com/posts/2006/07/13/colbert-on-lieberman-lamont-and-david-brooks/
Stephen Colbert at his inimitable best.
Posted by: sparrow at July 14, 2006 09:47 AM
I do believe it was the good Reverend Indy who has shouted from rooftops ad nauseum about removing labels from our daily interaction and speaking the truth in a mutually deserving manner.
That message alone has made the biggest difference to me over the last few years. It's not always easy to stick to it, but it's a most worthy goal.
I am often reminded of how easily my neighbors and I have intermingled when a hurricane has come through my town (almost an annual occurance now)... we just wander out of our homes to assess the damage, talk to folks from other parts of the neighborhood we've never met, never ONCE asking or caring who they voted for or whatever. It's incredibly refreshing to be on common ground and be able to just communicate.
We DO need to make more friends in this world.
Sounds alot like what Carol was saying about unity the other day.
Israel strikes targets in Beirut suburbs
Hezbollah showers Israel with rockets; Haifa residents ordered to shelters
MSNBC News Services
Updated: 4 minutes ago
BEIRUT, Lebanon - Israel tightened its seal on Lebanon, blasting its air and road links to the outside world and bringing its offensive to the capital for the first time Friday in order to punish Hezbollah — and with it, the country — for the capture of two Israeli soldiers.
Warplanes again smashed runways at Beirut’s airport with hours of airstrikes, trying to render it unusable, and destroyed mountain bridges on the main highway to Syria. Warships blockaded Lebanon’s ports for a second day.
Smoke drifted over the capital after strikes exploded fuel tanks at one of Beirut’s two main power stations, gradually escalating the damage to Lebanon’s key infrastructure.
Lebanese guerrillas responded by firing a barrage of at least 50 Katyusha rockets throughout the day into northern Israeli towns.
The Israeli army ordered residents of Haifa into bomb shelters on Friday, a day after Israel's third largest city was hit by rockets.
Diplomatic efforts
Meantime, the United States appeared to be starting diplomatic efforts to rein in the crisis on the third day of Israel's massive assault on Lebanon, sparked by the Hezbollah capture of two Israeli soldiers.
Lebanon's Western-backed Prime Minister Fuad Saniora said President Bush promised to pressure Israel “to limit damage to Lebanon ... and to spare civilians and innocent people from harm,” according to a statement from Saniora’s office.
more...
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/13853565/