I think there should be a thorough investigation; I have trouble with his lame excuses. If it was him in the yearbook, he should admit it, and the proper action should be taken. But I have to say I was disappointed that your podcast chose to run this story today rather than cover the proposed Green New Deal.
why call Gillibrand's stance on Fairfax a "recalibration?" "Hypocritical" is a better term. While I do not agree with much of her politics, I have admired her consistency on this issue -- until now... Franken was guaranteed to be replaced by a Democrat, so her firm stance there was easy. In VA the governorship risks going to the GOP is Fairfax can't succeed the current gov. Tough to draw a line in the sand on that one.
There was no way this strategy was not going to backfire. For one reason, because the Democratic Party showed they don't even understand the basic democratic process. Elected officials get elected by their constituents, not their legislative peers, not by party officials, and not from social media opinion. Do the investigation and if you find something of questionable integrity that falls short of illegality than the constituents should be able to vote the official out if they choose. I don't have a law degree nor did I major in political science. These legislators supposedly did, what went wrong?
I think it's always a mistake when there is "zero tolerance" for an issue because each case needs to be taken individually.
Al Franken, was drummed out of the Senate by the hysteria of the "Zero Tolerance" movement led by Kristen Gillibrand.
I believe most of his boorish behaviour happened before he was a Senator. It wasn't up to the Democrats to expell him without a hearing; his constituents might have felt differntly.
In the case of the Virginia Governor, I think there should be a thorough investigation; I have trouble with his lame excuses. If it was him in the yearbook, he should admit it, and the proper action should be taken.
Now it appears there are two women charging Lt. Governor Fairfax with sexual assault. These are serious charges and must be investigated.
Both the Gov and Lt. Gov. should resign if the allegations are true or be allowed a hearing if they claim innocence.
We also have the case of Attorney Gerneral Herring, who was 19 at the time. He came forward and admitted to putting on blackface and a wig while in a rock group. He was a teenager! How many of us did stupid things as teenagers that we later regretted?
Was none of this known before the election? Each case should be considered on an individual basis.
I’m a Virginian born and raised and I’ve been following this story since it broke. But I have to say I was disappointed that your podcast chose to run this story today rather than cover the proposed Green New Deal. I hope you give it coverage next week.
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Re link to "Blackface is part of America’s troubled cultural legacy" by Wil Haywood, Feb 7 (photo of Al Jolson in 1930 movie "Mammy.")
Of course, the 1984 year book photo of blackface next to KKK, symbol of white terrorism and murder, was insulting and callous.
We also need historical show biz context, when black face wasn’t insulting. Many top movie stars used it. Al Jolson, a top entertainer of the 20th C, sang in blackface his sentimental heart felt songs about the South, “Swannee" and "Mammy” -- that moved all audiences--- included in his later bio pic, The Jolson Story.
See Jolson on youtube in black face --The Jazz Singer, etc
A comment said ‘Jolson fought for black equality and for black stars like Calloway, Armstrong, Jordan, Waters and Ellington. He promoted the first all-black play on Broadway and sang duets with Cab Calloway.
Re the 1st talkie movie, Jolson’s “The Jazz Singer,”---the Harlem newspaper, Amsterdam News called it “one of the greatest pictures ever produced….Every colored performer is proud".
A website “Today I Found Out” says “Jolson helped to introduce jazz, ragtime, and the blues to white audiences.”
Jazz singer Clarence Henry--- “ Jolson? I loved him. I think he did wonders for the blacks and glorified entertainment.”
As a star he insisted on hiring and fair treatment of blacks, and crusaded for equal rights in 1911, when this was outlandish for many in America.”
And he sang in blackface.We need this history now.
When society begins to talk about zero-tolerance, it is time to move. Humans are all sinners. If you want to remove sin, you will have to remove all the people.
Very disillusioned ! No real principles by either of the nation's parties. How can we be the beacon of hope and justice if this is how conveniently principles can be twisted to hold on to power ??