Racism for the Sake of Racism is WRONG!

NOTE

-Press Release from the Democratic Party of the STATE OF MS-

"Amy Tuck might as well have sung "Stand by Your man" today as she and a few Trent Lott hangers-on gathered at the state capitol to defend the indefensible. It is no surprise that the Lieutenant Governor would rush to defend her new-found leader. Her decision to switch parties was driven in part by her desire to pander to the diehard racist element among white voters who disapprove of the Democratic Party's commitment to civil rights and equal justice under law." -Rickey Cole-Chairman

How did we get to the point in this country where one group is licensed to use racism to advance their cause AGAINST racism? What an incredible asset it must be to issue a statement so blasphemous without fear of media retribution. Rickey Cole, Chairman of the Democratic Party of the State of Mississippi, issued this press release that appears to call Amy Tuck a racist because her ideology doesn't conform to theirs any longer. I was dumfounded when I read this press release. No matter who you are or what political side of the fence you lean on, Rickey Cole's attack on Amy Tuck stretches the bounds good taste, political fairness and at this time of the year, goodwill to mankind or womankind.

There are a lot of good, decent democrats in this state who will also find this latest press release uncomfortable at best. Not that long ago, Amy Tuck was a fellow Mississippian embraced personally and politically by the Democratic Party. That is, UNTIL she no longer felt comfortable with the Party's liberal agenda. Correct me if I'm wrong, but I didn't hear this type of character assassination used by the Lt. Governor when she left the Democratic Party. Even Governor Musgrove had the courtesy and the class to refrain from any personal attacks. That's the way it should be on both sides.

As soon as she made her announcement, Rickey Cole and company were cranking out press releases that denigrated, not only the reasons for her switch, but also her character for making such a decision. That's not fair in anybody's book. If these statements were directed towards a democrat from a republican, most people would still find them repugnant. How can anyone condemn a fellow Mississippian by using such volatile language in one paragraph and then in the next chastise the comments of Trent Lott?

There was no need for even the headline of the press release, which stated, "Birds of a Feather Flock Together". To say that Amy Tuck decided to leave the party because she wanted to pander to the diehard racist element in Mississippi, cast aspersion on every single citizen both black and white.

In over 30 years on the air, I don't think I've ever read a press release with more venom dripping from the margins of the paper. Where's the outrage for this hatred? Where's the cry of indignation among caring Mississippians who demand change and civility from our political leaders? Where's the Six O'clock news team and CNN and Jesse Jackson and the ACLU? Who ordained exclusively the democrats as the voice of compassion towards minorities, and at the same time vested them with a license to use racism to eradicate racism? I think the answer to that last question may be found in the silence and timidity of the "other" party to stand up and fight.

Character assassinations are not new tactics just devised. Like the liberal media digging into the Trent Lott archives, I could pile upon my desk the names of many fine and honorable people who disagreed with former president Bill Clinton. There is a shamefully long list of people whose personal lives and characters were crucified and cremated in the media. The James Carvilles and Paul Begalas of world, even today, snicker about this powerful maligning methodology. It is one that emphatically preaches no personal attack is too vicious and, in politics, the end always justifies the means.

You want more proof? At www.blackmississippi.com, this article in part reads, "After Mississippi Lt. Governor Amy Tuck switched to the Republican Party, her long-time media and political consultant Fletcher & Rowley Consulting officially resigned from working with her campaign, informing her closest Mississippi advisor, Senate Leader Pro Tem Travis Little of their decision." They could have stopped there, but they didn't. Instead of ending the relationship in a courteous manner, one that reflected the character on both sides, the media firm stated, "We have seen over the years that Amy can be pathologically indecisive, so a flip flop from her is not totally shocking. We have seen her do this time and again."-John Rowley, a partner in the media firm Fletcher and Rowley.

There is another element that makes this so distasteful. Mr. Cole took the statement of Trent Lott and used this unfortunate situation as an opportunity to categorize every politician in the state who disagrees with his ideology. Then without a shred of hesitation, he had the audacity to include these ironic words towards the end of the press release, "Every public figure in America, regardless of party, region, or ideology, should take this opportunity to repudiate any and all campaign strategies that appeal to bigotry."

Thank you for your advice, Mr. Cole. You will be happy to know - that is exactly what I have done.

Paul Gallo

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