General Discussion
Related: Editorials & Other Articles, Issue Forums, Alliance Forums, Region ForumsRep. Barbara Lee: "Sorry, Sen. Rand Paul, You’re No Civil Rights Hero"
More: http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2014/11/you_re_no_civil_rights_hero_senator_paul.html
But apparently, a more fitting tribute to the civil rights movements long history of struggle for African Americans would be the erection of a monument to Sen. Rand Paul. After all, as Sen. Paul so helpfully explained to us last week, I dont think there has been anybody who has been a bigger defender of minority rights in the Congress than myself. The sentiment echoes another headline from earlier this year, stating: Rand Paul Says No Other U.S. Lawmaker Has Better Civil Rights Record.
If thats the case, then I suppose its only appropriate that someone who can so casually dismiss the contributions of Rep. John Lewisthe youngest speaker at the March on Washington and one of the heroes of Bloody Sundayshould rightfully take his place alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Abraham Lincoln.
Or, back in the realm of reality, we can take a critical look at what Sen. Paul has actually done for the African-American community.
Blue_Tires
(55,445 posts)Pisses me off how many small-L libertarians have tried to hijack Ferguson for their own agenda...
Cha
(297,887 posts)Thanks for this from Barbara Lee, Jamaal!
marmar
(77,106 posts)My favorite congressperson.
SidDithers
(44,228 posts)Fuck Rand Paul.
Sid
Luminous Animal
(27,310 posts)appalachiablue
(41,184 posts)TNNurse
(6,931 posts)If he does, I believe a competency hearing should be held ASAP. He is delusional.
UTUSN
(70,771 posts)niyad
(113,701 posts)I am so very glad I was not drinking anything, or that pos would owe me a keyboard.
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)ucrdem
(15,512 posts)Since the Supreme Court gutted a key component of the Voting Rights Act last year, Sen. Paul has opposed restoring the key federal protections for which the civil rights movement fought so hard to secure. He also supports his partys efforts to implement stringent voter-ID laws, which studies have shown to disproportionately affect minorities.
Sen. Paul has repeatedly said that businesses should have a right to discriminate, and hes expressed doubt about the appropriateness of the Civil Rights Act. In a Senate hearing last week, he expressed outrage at the concept of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws by investigating potential violations.
mfcorey1
(11,001 posts)understanding the masses (mostly minorities). He is a phony and hell will freeze over before I vote for him in any election.
JonLP24
(29,322 posts)when private business isn't concerned he isn't bad. Favors ending the drug war, restoring the right to vote for felons, and is better than most mainstream politicians -- http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/senate/1/84
In any case, he seems to be the only Republican politician that is making a legitimate effort to appeal to other than older white men. The GOP will get toasted every national election if they continue on the same path and Democrats need to be doing what he is doing. While there will be endless only Hillary can win or no way Sanders can win threads, the only Republican that I'd think would have a shot is Rand Paul who would better appeal to minority & youth voters than other Republicans who would probably also pick up some liberal voters even though there are several - at-least 10 republican senators with a more liberal voting record.
You don't have to worry about me, there are several issues where he'd kill support from me. Even on something he isn't completely brain dead like global warming, he'll kill moderate support by obsessing over wetlands and by going the extra mile to defend private business. While he has the sort of appeal to win a national election, there are parts of him that could kill his chances.
GeorgeGist
(25,326 posts)Tommy_Carcetti
(43,224 posts)Rand Paul delivering the "I Have a Dream" Speech
Rand Paul marching on Selma
Rand Paul sitting at the front of the bus with Rosa Parks
Any other possibilities?
Jamaal510
(10,893 posts)MBS
(9,688 posts)Orsino
(37,428 posts)He seems to be a reliable GOP just-say-noer, but spends his time saying stupid things and walking them back. He doesn't seem to DO much of anything, and that appears to be by design.
bvar22
(39,909 posts)"I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States," Lee said on the House floor on Sept. 15. "There must be some of us who say, 'Let's step back for a moment and think through the implications of our actions today -- let us more fully understand the consequences.'"
http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2001/09/alone-hill
I will always treasure Barbara Lee for the courage to stand against the tide of WAR and cast that "NO!" vote.