Smiley's Version Of Pearl Harbor

I tuned into CSPAN today, and caught a portion of the morning segment of Tavis Smiley's "State of The Black Union" event. One name seemed to resonate throughout the morning, and that name was Obama. At times I felt as if nothing else was an issue to African America other than Obama.

I decided to watch on, and as the event progressed, I noticed that Tavis appeared to be facilitating an evenly balanced discussion. We heard from Congress Woman Norton from Washington DC, Jesse Jackson, Ray Nagin, and a few other notable voices in the African American community, all of who cited a familiar theme of unity in the African American community. Most of the panel discussed the importance of the African American and Hispanic votes in the election cycle. Yes, everything appeared to be evenly balanced, until the announcement.

According to Tavis Smiley, all four presidential candidates were given an invitation to attend, and speak at the event, but ironically the only person who accepted was Hillary Clinton. Things that make you go, Hummmmmmm.

In an election cycle where every vote counts, why is it only Hillary is able to make an appearance to speak to the black people in New Orleans? Certainly Mike Huckabee would be interested, after all, he is the underdog in the Republican race and he has a foot hold on the south. And then there is Obama. Understandable that he could not make it, and he did offer a concession in the form of his incredibly articulate wife. Tavis Smiley flatly refused to allow Michelle Obama to stand in place of her husband. Why is that?

Here is the bottom line America. Hillary Clinton and Tavis Smiley conspired to launch what is the political equivalent of the attack on Pearl Harbor. Imagine this, Hillary sways the Texas and Ohio voters by presenting a case that Barack Obama did not care enough about Blacks and Hispanics to show up and speak to them at the State of The Black Union Event. It is also a trump card that she can play against McCain, assuming she get's the Democratic nod of approval. Basically, Hillary aligned the cards in her favor, and used a well known talk show host as her means to an end.

America, didn't we get enough of that kind of Tom Foolery over the past eight years? Has Hillary reached such a low point in her campaign that she has to play dirty politics? Does Tavis Smile truly enjoy being the Clinton's house boy?

In politics, even the most educated of people have absolutely no shame.