Here I am this morning on NPR. The thing that grates me here is that Rush is basically trying to push Harry Reid to show a kind of political courage which he himself could not show in 2004. It's pretty amazing.
Way to pimp the blog on air, TNC. You forgot to mention when your album drops.
In all honesty, how is this even an issue after a black man just won a presidential race in Indiana? We don't need a "special seat" in the Senate. We need to organize and win outright.
I thought you sounded very sensible, and, in best NPR guest style, had a position while acknowledging valid points from other perspectives. (Plus I got the thrill of "Ta-Nehisi Coates?! I know him! Well, sort of.")
I caught Burris later on NPR, arguing that there is absolutely no one more qualified than he himself--not doing himself many favors with any of this.
I watched that whole Blago, Burris, Rush thing through my fingers; sort of like how I watch The Deer Hunter. It broke my heart that Rush was so wrong. It broke my heart that he may actually think that way. It broke my heart wondering if he was somehow coerced into it and how. No matter. Even in the darkest times, I don't believe a majority of my folks ever wanted to be "given" anything other than an opportunity to compete on an even field. Thanks for stating as much, TNC.
I LOVED your "Emily's List" suggestion. I'd take it a step further: because we're not all Democrats, a black bi-partisan group that promotes sound policy--not politics--could make a real difference. Starting from the ground up, getting people involved at the lowest levels and organized to recognize and facilitate change in our own neighborhoods is the way to start.
Jack T: I see your point, but Obama's president and Washington is pretty far away from Hoosierland. I live in Indianapolis, and while Julia Carson repped us in the house, I'd put money down on this well-mixed city not voting for a black mayor. And when Indiana has a black governor, people in hell will need mittens and earmuffs.
One question though, why didn't you hit Rush over the head about not backing Obama in 04? Was it a conscious decision not to dump too hard on him or did you not think it mattered? I believe you pointed it out on one of the posts last week and thats the only reason I'm asking.
A black person could get elected in Idaho, an Indian got elected in Louisiana. Though the odds are probably better that it will happen in Michigan or NY before Idaho or Utah
Ta, I took the holidays off from the blogs, but I came back online today. Your posts on the" Blago,Burris and Rush mess" were brilliant and funny as hell. I'm from Chicago and my husband and I have had an ongoing argument about this for days. I think the hack Burris should take a hike and my husband, believes that seat should be filled by a black man. I can't tell you how disgusted I was with Bobby Rush's comments regarding lynching. Can we get a moratorium on anyone using that term unless an actual lynching has taken place. Clarence Thomas was the first to use it and we all know how that turned out for black people. Keep up the good work. Love your blog.
I echo the thoughts of those above and thought you sounded quite sensible.
TNC can defend himself if he likes about not hammering Rush over his position in 2004, except that his position in 2004 was not wrong - his position in 2008 is wrong. Rush didn't owe his support to Obama in 2004 because Obama is a black man - he owed it to his district and the people of Illinois to pick the candidate that he thought would represent them the best.
Maybe it would be satisfying at some level, but it wouldn't advance the argument very far. So focusing on why he is wrong now seems like the best way forward.
I was lucky to have caught this live this morning... it was fairly shocking to hear your name and I thought you gave a good interview. I do think, however, that your logic was a bit inconsistent in that you marveled at how a Black man running for President won in NC, VA and IN but then you made a comment that Idaho, ND, etc. is not going to elect a Black person. Why? I know the demographics are different but if anything has been proven by Obama's run... it's that anything is possible if you come with the right message at the right time. Many Black politicians have pigeon-holed themselves into being spokesman for their Black constitutents... when you do that, you are not going to win state-wide races. Obama's genius has been to package progressive values in universal terms -- it doesnt please the firebreathers, but it is more effective. Anyway, great segment... I wish it were longer and that you were as harsh on Rush as you have been on the blog.
---TNC can defend himself if he likes about not hammering Rush over his position in 2004, except that his position in 2004 was not wrong - his position in 2008 is wrong. Rush didn't owe his support to Obama in 2004 because Obama is a black man - he owed it to his district and the people of Illinois to pick the candidate that he thought would represent them the best.---
And if that had been the REAL reason he supported Hull, I would've respected that. Sadly, it was nothing more than jealousy and resentment of a guy who wasn't part of the Old Guard coming in on his turf.
I really am w/ you on people playing the race card, black, white, yellow or brown. That said I also resent AfricaAmericans having to be the paragons of virtue. We are greedy, vain, murderous, adulterous as everyone else but we are still subject to the law and only want it to be applied equally.
In the selection of Burris blego punked Fitzgerald, Obama, Reid and everybody else. But he did so under the law and it still remains irrelevant as to the character of the selection or selector. Given that he is a Democrat and going to be in favor of Obama's program you STFU and seat him(and how can he be any worse than the KAPO Liarman of CT).
Good job, TNC. Just heard it on the Morning Edition. I'm curious, though. Did Inskeep pronounce your name correctly? Just wondering, since your name comes up occasionally around my office and we pronounce it "ta na HEE see". Who's correct?
I was listening to NPR this morning and caught the end of your bit as I got out of the shower, and thought, hey, that guy sounds just as sensible as Ta-Nehisi Coates! Then I heard Steve Inskeep thank you. Brilliant. My second thought was, wow, I sure read Coates a lot to be able to pick up on that. Third thought was, of course I read Coates, how could I not? I check the site before any other news (and am looking forward to the future football discussions).
And thank for the guest blogger. I need a refresher course on the Israeli-Palestinian situation after too long figuratively throwing up my hands and turning to the comics page.
Here's a piece no one cared about. Meh, whatever, probably the most enjoyable article I did during my stint at TIME. Premiered a month before I got laid-off. The nail in the coffin? Ya think?
Here's me going after Al. I didn't so much have a problem with him, as I had a problem with media acting like this dude was the go-to guy for everything black.
This was my first real story at time. I was writing for the Business section, a real change of direction for me. At any rate, it's about Wal-Mart's attempts to colonize the inner-city. As much as I enjoyed this piece, I mostly enjoyed going out to Chicago, which is a beautiful, beautiful city.
This a piece I did about the cops just outside our nation capitol, in Prince George's County, a few years back. I wanted to offer a counter to the dumb, conventional wisdom that if you paint your police force black, you could eradicate police brutality. In fact, Prince George's--one of the richest, blackest counties in the country--also had one of the most brutal police force's in the country.
The Beautiful Struggle: A Father, Two Sons, and an Unlikely Road to Manhood 
Way to pimp the blog on air, TNC. You forgot to mention when your album drops.
In all honesty, how is this even an issue after a black man just won a presidential race in Indiana? We don't need a "special seat" in the Senate. We need to organize and win outright.
Does this morning's NPR gig mean you're taking over Billy D. William's job?
Ta-Nehisi,
Good job on air this morning. Thought you gave thoughtful comments.
I thought you sounded very sensible, and, in best NPR guest style, had a position while acknowledging valid points from other perspectives. (Plus I got the thrill of "Ta-Nehisi Coates?! I know him! Well, sort of.")
I caught Burris later on NPR, arguing that there is absolutely no one more qualified than he himself--not doing himself many favors with any of this.
Ta-Nehisi,
I don't think you need the comma in your second sentence. I love reading your blog.
I watched that whole Blago, Burris, Rush thing through my fingers; sort of like how I watch The Deer Hunter. It broke my heart that Rush was so wrong. It broke my heart that he may actually think that way. It broke my heart wondering if he was somehow coerced into it and how. No matter. Even in the darkest times, I don't believe a majority of my folks ever wanted to be "given" anything other than an opportunity to compete on an even field. Thanks for stating as much, TNC.
Goddamn, I had to listen to some asshole talk about how greed is bad and the shitty economy will make us better people, and I missed you? Grr.
I'll listen when I get home anyway.
I LOVED your "Emily's List" suggestion. I'd take it a step further: because we're not all Democrats, a black bi-partisan group that promotes sound policy--not politics--could make a real difference. Starting from the ground up, getting people involved at the lowest levels and organized to recognize and facilitate change in our own neighborhoods is the way to start.
Jack T: I see your point, but Obama's president and Washington is pretty far away from Hoosierland. I live in Indianapolis, and while Julia Carson repped us in the house, I'd put money down on this well-mixed city not voting for a black mayor. And when Indiana has a black governor, people in hell will need mittens and earmuffs.
That was pretty fucking outstanding.
One question though, why didn't you hit Rush over the head about not backing Obama in 04? Was it a conscious decision not to dump too hard on him or did you not think it mattered? I believe you pointed it out on one of the posts last week and thats the only reason I'm asking.
And why can't a black man get elected in Idaho?
lol I keed
Sarge, it's part of that vast elk conspiracy identified by Bill Clinton.
A black person could get elected in Idaho, an Indian got elected in Louisiana. Though the odds are probably better that it will happen in Michigan or NY before Idaho or Utah
Great interview and it was very nice to hear you on NPR. Your blog has quickly become one of my regular reads.
Ta, I took the holidays off from the blogs, but I came back online today. Your posts on the" Blago,Burris and Rush mess" were brilliant and funny as hell. I'm from Chicago and my husband and I have had an ongoing argument about this for days. I think the hack Burris should take a hike and my husband, believes that seat should be filled by a black man. I can't tell you how disgusted I was with Bobby Rush's comments regarding lynching. Can we get a moratorium on anyone using that term unless an actual lynching has taken place. Clarence Thomas was the first to use it and we all know how that turned out for black people. Keep up the good work. Love your blog.
I echo the thoughts of those above and thought you sounded quite sensible.
TNC can defend himself if he likes about not hammering Rush over his position in 2004, except that his position in 2004 was not wrong - his position in 2008 is wrong. Rush didn't owe his support to Obama in 2004 because Obama is a black man - he owed it to his district and the people of Illinois to pick the candidate that he thought would represent them the best.
Maybe it would be satisfying at some level, but it wouldn't advance the argument very far. So focusing on why he is wrong now seems like the best way forward.
Coates that's what I'm talking about boy!
I know you don't like cable, but you gotta raise your profile dude, tell your agent to get on it!
k1
I was lucky to have caught this live this morning... it was fairly shocking to hear your name and I thought you gave a good interview. I do think, however, that your logic was a bit inconsistent in that you marveled at how a Black man running for President won in NC, VA and IN but then you made a comment that Idaho, ND, etc. is not going to elect a Black person. Why? I know the demographics are different but if anything has been proven by Obama's run... it's that anything is possible if you come with the right message at the right time. Many Black politicians have pigeon-holed themselves into being spokesman for their Black constitutents... when you do that, you are not going to win state-wide races. Obama's genius has been to package progressive values in universal terms -- it doesnt please the firebreathers, but it is more effective. Anyway, great segment... I wish it were longer and that you were as harsh on Rush as you have been on the blog.
Shells,
Good point on Idaho and ND. I'll get to that in a blog post later today. I promise.
---TNC can defend himself if he likes about not hammering Rush over his position in 2004, except that his position in 2004 was not wrong - his position in 2008 is wrong. Rush didn't owe his support to Obama in 2004 because Obama is a black man - he owed it to his district and the people of Illinois to pick the candidate that he thought would represent them the best.---
And if that had been the REAL reason he supported Hull, I would've respected that. Sadly, it was nothing more than jealousy and resentment of a guy who wasn't part of the Old Guard coming in on his turf.
I really am w/ you on people playing the race card, black, white, yellow or brown. That said I also resent AfricaAmericans having to be the paragons of virtue. We are greedy, vain, murderous, adulterous as everyone else but we are still subject to the law and only want it to be applied equally.
In the selection of Burris blego punked Fitzgerald, Obama, Reid and everybody else. But he did so under the law and it still remains irrelevant as to the character of the selection or selector. Given that he is a Democrat and going to be in favor of Obama's program you STFU and seat him(and how can he be any worse than the KAPO Liarman of CT).
Good job, TNC. Just heard it on the Morning Edition. I'm curious, though. Did Inskeep pronounce your name correctly? Just wondering, since your name comes up occasionally around my office and we pronounce it "ta na HEE see". Who's correct?
I was listening to NPR this morning and caught the end of your bit as I got out of the shower, and thought, hey, that guy sounds just as sensible as Ta-Nehisi Coates! Then I heard Steve Inskeep thank you. Brilliant. My second thought was, wow, I sure read Coates a lot to be able to pick up on that. Third thought was, of course I read Coates, how could I not? I check the site before any other news (and am looking forward to the future football discussions).
And thank for the guest blogger. I need a refresher course on the Israeli-Palestinian situation after too long figuratively throwing up my hands and turning to the comics page.
I've heard a number of bloggers on air, and frankly most of them need to stick to print. But not you. Not a bad job, Ta-Nuhahsee.