Good afternoon Kate. First time reader, first time poster, but NOT my first time to the blogosphere.

First, loved your blog title. You're picking up on what Ms. Angelou called Bill Clinton, huh?

And I have to say, as a Black Canadian, I'm feeling Hillary Clinton. It's her over Condi any day.
I don't have anything against Condi. I don't see her has a "house Negro", as Harry Belefonte does. I don't believe in that nonsense. But has America failed Black people? Yes, everybody has to be held accountable for themselves and Blacks cannot continually hold white people for the crimes their ancestors committed. But historically, socially and financially, America has failed Black America. I don't know if this is something that Condi can restore. Heck, don't know if Hillary can change this. But her husband's strong reputation with the majority of Black Americans may work in her favour.

Keep up the good work.

^ Sorry, I meant "blog entry title", not "blog title". I'm positive Maya Angelou didn't say anything about small dead critters. :)

solitaire:
You are correct. America's leadership has failed black America. They have not demonstrated what is required to finally, once and for all, to "get over it." And what I mean by that is what people like Thomas Sowell and LaShawn Barber have been trying to calmly, reasonably and rationally explain.

But it's the loud, obnoxious, emotion-driven Dems that really and truly want to keep black people in the perpetual ghetto and plantation of welfare and victimology.

Solitaire,
I just wonder how you can say America has failed Black America. I honestly think that half the problem is that the race thing that is all too quickly used as an excuse for anything. Being a hyphenated American or hyphenated Canadian does not do anything but pit groups against each other.
I mean the comment by New Orleans mayor Nagin to make NOLA "chocolate" doesn't sound too melting pot does it.
Any credibility that Hillary has was flushed down the toilet thanks to Slick Willy. That's just my opinion.

Texas,
You're right too. America has not failed black America, American "leaders" have failed--passively. If GWB was strong on this issue, victimology and identity politics would be history. He may be trying a bit here and there, but it's not a priority issue. So victimology and identity politics go on gaining strength and popularity. It's the easy way out. (I have no power to change, it's all "their fault")

Look to universities, the Dems and Hollyweird for your real culprits in the "active" failure of black America.

"I clearly fascinate them,” Gingrich said of the Democrats. “I’m much more intense, much more persistent, much more willing to take risks to get it done. Since they think it is their job to run the plantation, it shocks them that I’m actually willing to lead the slave rebellion.” [Washington Post, 10/20/94]

All you have to do is look at the population in America's prison system. It wasn't hyphens that put them in there. It's America's failure to recognize and react. Republicans are the worst at dealing with situations like this. I'm afraid that our Canadian CPCs will be just as bad.

Wow, that's quite a thorough argument. I'm convinced...that you're a liberal knee-jerk.

Sorry Ron, but it was their CRIMES that put them in jail. Good Lord, another "root causes" moonbat.

Are there Race related issues in Canada and the United States? Yes

Do these issues contribute to visible minorities being poor or in jail in disproportionate amounts? Yes

Are these issues created by conservatives? No
Are they improved by Liberals? No
Is there any sign that these problems were smaller under Clinton? No
Are there any signs that they're better under the Liberals in Canada? No

The current mantra is that 'Republicans/Conservatives don't care about minorities' while the question 'What have the Democrats/Liberals ever done that has made a difference at all?' is ignored

"It's America's failure to recognize and react"
But it's definetly not Ron's failure to recognize and react, he has such an abundance of hollow platitudes, and selfpuffery to guarantee maintaining the status quo for an eternity.

The left brings nothing but, "You're a racist!"

Doug and Eskimo, there's little hope for people like both of you. Your analysis shows just how naive you are to cause and effect as well as the plight of the African-American.

I'd rather be called a moonbat than be a kook.

If there was a god I'd ask her to help Canada.

It's not an analyis, it's an opinion, and I dare you to visit and read over at the two sites I linked.

Your head will explode from feeble brain function.

Ron = Wanker

richfisher...You know what's dull and trite as well as worn out. Playing the left is playing the racist card routine.

This is not about racism at all. It's about conservatives using the same broad brush stroke on everyone. Not to sound corny but it really is different strokes for different folks.

Wake up conservatives!

The Verdict is in: Dr. King's Dream Not Yet Realized

Thousands braved the cold Chicago wind and rain to witness the annual emergence of the Rev. Jesse Jackson from his warm winter burrow today. Would his appearance announce that at long last we’ve finally achieved the colorblind Utopia of Dr. King’s dream? Or would it predict another twelve months of righteous race baiting and demagoguery in his endless crusade against racial inequality? There was little hope in the gloomy gray sky, though for a moment the clouds seemed to part and the sun strained to poke through. But then it was gone, as was any chance of seeing the Reverend’s stately shadow this year.

The vast throng of gawkers seemed to sense it, too, and a deep moan of disappointment rumbled through the crowd as Jackson crawled out from a hole in the ground and morosely announced: “Dr. King’s dream has not yet been realized.”

It’s a hard pill to swallow, but it’s true. Black politicians, celebrities, and business leaders alike agreed today that they are still by and large oppressed by The Man. Even though it is subtler and almost impossible to detect, racism still exists in every aspect of our society. Indeed, there is strong anecdotal evidence that we’re still living in 1950’s Mississippi. Mayor Nagin of New Orleans, for instance, knows a guy who knows a guy that couldn’t get a bank loan, then watched as a white man simply drove right up and loaded bags of money into his armored car. Oprah's white hairdresser constantly gives her an attitude, and my cousin’s best friend’s crack dealer was “dissed” at a Piggly Wiggly just this year. While he isn’t certain that it was racially motivated, it makes one wonder if society has progressed at all since Dr. King was gunned down by George Bush’s dad.

There was a time, not so long ago, when we were as close as we’d ever be to realizing Dr. King’s vision of an equal and racially just America. We even had our first Black president, and almost a second. But then came the Chimp, and with him a whole slew of white-sheet Republicans stealing their way into power on the backs of millions of disenfranchised Black voters. Almost overnight, Dr. King’s beautiful dream slipped from our fingers. Black churches burned. Hurricanes plowed into predominantly African-American communities. Black children’s books authors were rounded up and systematically exterminated. Jesse Jackson wasn’t allowed to bring hookers to the White House anymore. Officially, Bush replaced "Hymies" as the source of all Black strife, and the Black community is now just one more Republican peeResident away from horse whips and chains again.

As a progressive and long time crusader for racial equality, I yearn for that bright February morning when Rev. Jackson will crawl out of his hole and announce that he will no longer be requiring vast amounts of money to wage his valiant battle against racism. I’m sure he looks forward to that day as well. Yet there is still a long way to go before Dr. King’s dream of a Black community completely dependent on government hand-outs distributed by Democrat politicians will finally be fulfilled.

"This is not about racism at all. It's about conservatives using the same broad brush stroke on everyone. Not to sound corny but it really is different strokes for different folks."

So how has the plight of the Native Canadian been helped by the different strokes that the Liberals have provided?

Has Native crime been reduced?
Has Native substance abuse been reduced?
Have Natives taken greater advantage of the educational system?
Have Natives been able to take advantage of government grants in order to start their own buisnesses?

The answer to all these questions is no.

The problem is the Liberal/NDP's "photo-op throw money at it" solution to these problems effectively does nothing; at the same time if you happen to mention that Reservations provide no method for a Native to own their own house that maintains equity, and thus are left out of the wealth building cycle you're called a racist by the Liberals and NDP. Thus we're stuck in a cycle of throwing money at problems that can not be solved by throwing money at them.

It takes a village to raise a child - when the parents are unwilling to do it...

NoOne...What did Mulroney's PCs do for this terrible problem before the Liberals? My memory is that the PCs did absolutely nothing. At least the Libs have brought things to light and are prepared to go there.

Interesting:"MY Party did more for the Natives than your Party".
You're right, Ron, Mulroney did bugger all for the Natives. Neither did any other PM since Confederation. If they had, we wouldn't still have the Reservation system, or DIAND, if that's what they still call that department.
If the Aboriginal community really wants to be as or more equal than other Canadians, they should all move to a suburb of Toronto, with their guns. Indians! Right here! With guns!
In the only part of Canada that counts!
Hopefully, they're better armed than the Jamaican drug dealers.

AT WHAT POINT ARE THE NATIVES CALLED UPON FOR RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEMSELVES?

The Indians, or "First Nations", or whatever name one wishes to use, have had these reservations for a hundred and how many years? And successive governments have sent them how many TENS OF BILLIONS of dollars in tax dollars?

When does someone have the guts to stand up and ask: "When are they going to do something for themselves?"

Or are they to be considered perpetual children, incapable of caring for themselves at all? Isn't that the quintessential welfare and guilt mindset?

dmorris...Well put, now the big question is:

What exactly is Harper and the CPC (Crybaby Party of Canada) going to do?

And I do mean crybaby because apart from some slick election promises that deal with the application of $$$ more so than the actual things those $$$ are going to do I've seen or heard no strategies. Just a big fat zero.

I agree with Dave. All that's been done with the natives, up until now, is for successive governments to keep them in perpetual dependence and ignorance.

So Eskimo what's your solution?

Comment after comment, personal attack after personal attack, theory after theory, analysis after analysis, everybody is so good at criticism but not 1 solution or strategy except to vote the CPCs in and let them take care of business.

What a bunch of armchair wimps and your one of them too Kate.

You should all be ashamed of yourselves.

correction...you're instead of your

Well Ron, I hope your question is serious. Rather than default to oversimplistic solutions of "root causes" and building basketball courts to curb youth/native crime, you have to take a look at the bigger picture. There are a myriad of reasons underlying "the plight of the natives". Likewise there is no one magic pill to fix things.

What's blindingly clear is that nothing has worked up until now. You can't simply throw money at Native Affairs and expect things to change.

Just quit blaming "Monias" (white man) for everything.

If any one issue can be pegged as a "root cause" (Christ I hate that term) I think it can be blamed on the complete dismantling and contempt for the concept of "right" and "wrong".

Congratulations to the sissy left. After 40 years of Trudeupia it's no more black and white, just shades of grey.

Ron: Paul Martin promised 5.7 billion to Natives/Aboriginals/etc.at a conference in Kelowna. The local Chiefs were ecstatic. This was over and above the 8 or so Billion currently spent on DIAND. It was not specified where it was to be spent, just another big cheque to the Band leaders, I guess.

Dave: most Natives don't live on the Res. anymore. Yes they are going to be considered perpetual children, by their own leaders and ours. It's the easy, politically correct way out.
What leader could ever suggest abolishing the Res. system, and survive the instant verbal assassination of the MSM and the Native leaders.
Don't expect much from any Party on this issue, you won't be disappointed.

Armchair wimps? OK Ron, I'll bite. Trudeaupia FAILED-hence this thread (and upcomming Conservative VICTORY). Socialism DOESN'T WORK-people want to own stuff. The flower children were WRONG-after the pot smoke cleared and they realized you can't make a living prancing through the dasies singing "Age of Aquarius" they went out and got JOBS. Ron, you're a pussy and you typify the maxim of spending other people's money to fix your ilk's $uck ups, all the while blaming everybody else for your failed lab experiment.

Oh yeah, and I'd bet Kate could kick your sorry pissy pants little ass from here to next Monday!

There's another interesting point. Do the band leaders actually want the 'gravy' train stopped. I'm guessing they don't as self-sufficiency is an uphill battle and if the train were to ever stop how do you get it rolling again. We've set a precedent with Quebec and all other "have-not" regions are just following suit.

My solution is to set a timetable with a workable plan for weaning off government hand-outs and let the whole thing find its own level.

Is it a flame war or just a pissing match?

I say us men have pissed all over ron's tiny little flames and put them out one by one and now he's crying to papa trudeau to rescue him.

Keep flaming ron--how does conservative piss taste?

Doug...You know what it tastes like, you've been sucking on it.

We have seen first hand the effect of pandering in our own country: People eventually stopped being so credulous about anti-American and anti-Christian fear-mongering.

Hillary obviously thinks she is rallying the black vote with her racially inflamatory comments. But since those who would be moved by such pandering were likely to vote democrat anyway, she is risking driving away those members of the black community who possess more common sense than anger.

Not to mention the fact that her "plantation" remarks are likely to come back and slap her in the face if, as looks increasingly likely, the choice is between her and Condaleeza Rice for president.

Ahhh Ron, ever the shit disturber. At the risk of being dumped upon from the leftist moonie (don't you have a home to go to?), all I hear from Liberals, NDPers and them thar southern libs, the Democrats is : "What are they going to do for me?" Me, me, me. The government kindergarden is over dude, get out there and do something for yourself!

Some how I don't think Sir John A and the rest of the Charolettetown gang were thinking of daycare and polygamy when they started Canada back in 1867.

side bet: Ron will come back with a piece of sarcastic drivel for a retort. Is it still trolling for trolls season???

"NoOne...What did Mulroney's PCs do for this terrible problem before the Liberals? My memory is that the PCs did absolutely nothing. At least the Libs have brought things to light and are prepared to go there."

The problem with the Liberal approach isn't that they tried to do something; the problem is that they have never been concerned with creating metrics to measure the results. I can respect a government that spends $10 Billion towards a project that they can conclusively demonstrate benefited no one; but I can't respect a government that spends $1 Billion and 'suspects' that it helped. After you demonstrate that the $10 Billion was wasted money you can cancel the program and try something else, that $1 Billion you will pay forever because you can not determine whether it was money well spent or not.

Every group of individuals (even the government) is allowed to make mistakes; acknowleging the mistake, learning from it, and not repeating it, are the important things. A goverment that is worthy of being elected would produce goals and metrics to determine whether they have reached their goals; the Liberals have never done this. The reason why we have no idea why Billions of dollars have been spent towards improving the lives of Natives without any results is because the Liberals are incompetent.

Texas...How's this for drivel? How is it that you have specific knowledge as to what Sir John A and the Charlottetown gang was thinking? I'd bet they knew a lot more than what you give them credit for.

NoOne...Let's see how good the CPCs are good at measuring. Time will tell.

I love it when the left trots out the "yeah, but what about when Mulroney was in power" claptrap. Well raving moonbats, just like GM's "this ain't your father's Oldsmobile", this is a different Conservative party.

Hillary - Ooooh, girlfriend, don't go there . . .

The Liberals and MSM (there's a difference?) all said we should be SCARED of Stephen Harper. Mr. Harper is about to become PM of a minor power.
Hillary Clinton is trying to become the next President of a relatively Major power, (possibly even ahead of Red China). With nuclear weapons, and GUNS! May I suggest we should find this mildly upsetting, or disconcerting, or (hope I don't offend any liberals here)frightening!
Personally,I am going to head for the hills(mountains) of British Columbia, and look for a very deep cave in which to hide, just in case.
If Stephen Harper is SCARY!, Hillary Clinton is terrifying-beyond belief! This woman has the social conscience of Martha Stewart,the warmth and compassion of Karla Homolka, and the common sense of Courtney Love. Hillary in charge of the nukes! Are you outa your f***ing minds, America?

Hey Ron,
Drivel me this: Have you read the BNA? Doesn't say anything there about day care. I know my facts and am willing to research the information.

I think I've wasted enough time on trolls. You really are not worthy, you know.

I see I'm walking into this discussion a bit late, but I actually agree with at least one of Ron's comments - the one about weaning the natives off of the government teat. Actually, when Jean Chretien was Minister of Indian Affairs, he drafted a proposal to do exactly that and assimilate the native population into mainstream society. Trudeau squashed it on the drawing board. It is IMHO, the greatest thing they never did.

Today I objected to Hillary's comment, to her office in New York and also to Nancy Pelosi's office in San Francisco, as well as my own Congressman.

We really don't need that kind of racially divisive remark coming from a major politician in the United States. I explained to Mrs. Clinton's office that she sounded less like Adlai Stevenson and Hubert Humphrey and more like Abbie Hoffman and Jerry Rubin.

We fought a bloody civil war and ended slavery. Then we had an equally divisive period in the civil rights struggle to help deal with the inequities that arose from slavery. Johnson's Great Society program poured so many millions of dollars into social issues you could have stacked the money from here to the moon.

Abraham Lincoln was a Republican. In the civil rights struggle, Democrats were the obstructionists. Byrd was a Ku Klux Klansman and most of the names of famous politicians opposiing civil rights initiatives were Democrats. Actually Republicans were the ones whose votes helped initiate a lot of civil rights possibilities.

Leftist initiatives destroyed the black communities, destroyed the black family (welfare has enabled black mothers to live apart from the fathers of their children), and who knows when we will completely recover from all this.

Thank God some intelligent black conservatives are starting to see through the facade of goodwill that has kept the black community imprisoned. Recently, even Bill Cosby spoke publicly to these issues.

Now it is time to for our blacks citizens (one-third of whom are in the middle class) to pick up the ball with initiatives of responsibility, self-reliance, integrity, and the insistence that they be seen just as anyone else, and not as a special group that demands extra privileges.

Ron ist Troll. Do not Feed. Ist Verbotten! Reason black man in jail, he get caught doing wrong thing. Then he have stupid lawyer! Solution! Smash stupid lawyer with rock or FINISH SCHOOL STAY OUT OF TROUBLE GET GOOD JOB AS TRADESMAN OR ENGINEER OR DOCTOR OR SCIENTIST OR ANYTHING BUT GANGBANGER DRUG DEALER

Kate, Townhall.com is reporting that Hillary Clinton made this commment.

boris...Make that ex-troll, I'm outta here. Thanks for the wonderful insight into African-Americans. You'll go far in this world.