A Modest Proposal for the GOP: A Sure-Fire Strategy For Victory in 2008 -- Lose!

As the death toll in Iraq nears the 3,000 mark and the fear and apprehension of further terrorist attacks remain alive both at home and abroad, one thing is clear: No one has a blueprint for peace in the Middle East and no one has an acceptable exit strategy to end the war in Iraq.

President Bush (Dubya to his friends) whose star rose as high as an AWAC in the days immediately after September 11, 2001, has seen his poll numbers drop like mega-ton smart bombs out of a desert sky. And in the days since he "landed" on an aircraft carrier, dripping with manufactured sweat and pride under the banner, "Mission Accomplished," he has been forced to look at the scoreboard and realize that tossing the Gatorade (R) on Dick "Halliburton Cheney's back was at best, premature.

Even as far back as 2004, staunch war supporter, Republican Representative Doug Bereuter of Nebraska, broke party ranks and faced reality.

"I've reached the conclusion, retrospectively, now that the inadequate intelligence and faulty conclusions are being revealed, that all things considered, it was a mistake to launch that military action," he said in a letter to his constituents. "Left unresolved is whether intelligence was intentionally misconstrued to justify military action..."

This from the Vice Chair of the House Intelligence Committee who has served 13 years in Congress.

Since then many have joined the choir, running for their political lives during mid-term elections. Many shun President Bush's appearances into their hood except for fund-raisers held by the devout party faithful.

Sen. John Warner of the Senate Arms Committee admitted publicly that maybe the cops had the wrong guy. Big Bad John distanced himself from the team as far as he could without changing lockerrooms.

Incredibly, the first hint of an exit strategy from military engagement in Iraq has come only recently. First Bush said: "We will no longer use the phrase, 'stay the course.'" Next, after summoning his top war generals to a White House crisis meeting, they decided to pass the buck to the Iraqi "army" to be ready, willing and able to take over the war effort in 12-18 months.

Brilliant!

Who knows what the human toll of death and misery will be by Election Day 2008? But it is a safe bet that you can't find a Las Vegas bookie to lay odds that the Iraqi army can be in control in 18 months.

There are many Americans who remember Vietnam. Many even, still affected by it. According to many New York City counselors who work the streets, more than 75% of the homeless population among Baby Boomer-age males is a Vietnam veteran. Only one of many signs of the veterans' ongoing problems.

The Iraq war may be different in many ways, but the language of some government officials is chillingly similar to the early days of Vietnam: "More troops are needed," "We will prevail." No doubt you will wake up one morning to hear General, President George W. Bush saying, "My fellow Americans, there is light at the end of the tunnel." Mission Accomplished, indeed.

But this Iraq War is in many ways scarier than Vietnam. For one, the Viet Cong and their allies the North Vietnamese, weren't going to blow up anything over here. Or in Britain, or in Africa, or anywhere outside of Vietnam. They had no highly financed international network of supporters, no discreet cells in foreign countries. They had no Internet. That has all changed. Americans and all who support or even appear to support the war throughout the globe are potential targets for terrorist attacks.

The terrorists know they can strike us almost at will. They know the US has wide open borders (despite that stupid fence!) and ports and easy access to virtually anyplace where people gather: malls, stadiums, theaters, college dorms, etc. That prospect is so frightening that most Americans will turn away and put their heads in the sand. And with filtered media coverage, no photos of flag-draped caskets and no draft, it is easy to follow Homeland Security's advice to, "go on with your lives."

And the further away we get from 9/11, the easier it is for Americans to say: "Why haven't they done it already if they could?"

But the war has taken an undeniably bad turn. And it appears there is no clear way out. So the Democrats, for the first time since the Lewinsky scandal, can smell victory in the air. The double whammy of Iraq and a host of Republican involved scandals, like Rep. Foley, are going to be too much for virtually any GOP candidate to bear.

The Democrats are relying on their tried and true strategy -- lie in wait for the Republicans to fall. So much for a message that resonates with citizens, so much for a clear vision of the future of the country -- and forget about a solution.

That is why I -- a lifelong Democrat -- offer the Republicans a sure fire way to win 2008: Lose.

GOP leaders should walk away from whomever the 2008 candidate is and let them go down in flames. Select a patsy to run -- maybe Jeannie Pirro if she hasn't landed a CNN commentary job by then.

In the meantime, get to work while the Democrats' champagne is still chilling. They haven't had an idea that resonated with the majority of Americans in over 30 years.

The last time even a flicker of a clear vision or message from the Democrats was in 2004, when Howard Dean was a contender for presidential candidate. He spoke with unflinching fire , although he made some missteps along the way. The "hooping" incident for one, where he kept chanting after winning a primary. The media ran that snippet more than they ran the Zapruder film of the JFK assassination. At least Dean didn't buck and run away. He did, however, get ganged up on by his Democratic colleagues at every debate, perhaps fearing he would outshine them all. In reality he had. His reward: Chairman of the DNC -- and a muzzle to go with it. Just ain't the same ol' Howard Dean.

But since then, instead of playing with the guts and fire of an NCAA Cinderella team in the Final Four, they started playing scared again.

The Democratic message, like the weapons of mass destruction, is no where to be found. What the Republicans should do in 2008 is hand them the hot potato of Iraq. In the four years of the Democratic administration, they should outflank them with the meanest most blowhard antagonists on one side to chastise and ridicule them. On the other side showcase their brightest, most articulate stars from Washington and state capitols across the country to weave the GOP message of "getting American back on track."

That's right, sit back and watch the Democrats fumble the ball: "Where is their Iraq exit strategy?" "Where are their answers to gas prices, health care, crime, taxes on the middle class?"

The only thing that could ruin this GOP rope-a-dope is John Kerry. His now-famous "study hard or get stuck in Iraq," statement makes him a contender to be the only candidate in history to lose two presidential elections while only running in one.

Democrats, beware: You just might win in 2008. Then where would you be?

THE SEARCH FOR THE ACCEPTABLE NEGRO

How Democrats and Republicans Alike Struggle With the Inevitability of a Black Presidential Candidate

Barack Obama.

Condelessa Rice.

Deval Patrick.

Maybe 2008?

Did Colin Powell run the ball up the field far enough for the field goal of a Black vice presidential candidate? Presidential candidate, perhaps? He played (knowingly or not) his role well. He was the GOP big wigs' quarterback sneak: Fake to Colin, nominate Cheney. Run a button hook to the U.N. and swear that there are weapons of mass destruction hidden in Saddam's desert. At least, some believed, that Gen. Powell would get his wish to become head of the World Bank for his efforts. Check the World Bank's web site or letterhead and look for the General's name. As of 12:09 p.m. today, it wasn't there.

A tough dilemma for both liberals and conservatives alike -- not to mention those middle-of-the-roaders. This is where you cannot hide from the realities of race in America.

David Dinkins just days before his election as the first Black mayor of liberal bastion New York City, was according to the final polls, supposed to coast to victory over a then unknown prosecutor, Rudy Giuliani, by 10-12 points. When the ballots were counted Dinkins had won by barely two percentage points. Why? Well according to unscientific (but to me credible) exit poll interviews, white voters were saying that at that last critical moment, "I just couldn't pull the lever for him." "Him," meaning a Black man. The uncertainty of voting for an unknown D.A. to run the largest city in the country was far less frightening than the prospect of voting for, "one of them." What would happen if "they ever took over?" "Discriminate against us to get even? "Would they ban white people?

This even though central casting couldn't find a more mind-mannered brother than Dinkins, who regularly attends Passover seders with friends where they end by singing, "We Shall Overcome." No doubt through teary eyes. The Dinkins who squeaked to victory by getting a big boost from rabble-rousing, fire-breathing Rev. Al Sharpton. Clad in running suits, big hats and chest jewelry (long before the tailored suits he now sports) Sharpton walked the streets of the mammoth housing complexes in Brooklyn, the Bronx, Queens and Harlem, to turn out the vote for Dinkins. Why no other Black politician in the city has ever figured out that the way to win city-wide elections and assure some measure of community control is to get housing project dwellers to understand the importance of their vote to their survival, remains a mystery. This Dinkins had an opportunity for inclusion of lower income and working class Blacks and Hispanics into the best fabric of the city. Instead he turned his back on Sharpton after white supporters didn't like his rhetoric. Round two of Dinkins v. Rudy without Sharpton in his corner -- a blowout victory for the prosecutor. And he may, by the way, run for president. He is considered a viable candidate.

You cannot get much nicer than Barack Obama (white American mother, African father) Condelessa Rice (concert pianist, Ph.D) and Deval Patrick, from South Chicago's mean streets to Harvard Law School and on his way to becoming Massachusetts' first Black governor.

You couldn't get much nicer than Powell either -- certainly not more loyal.

And mind you these are but a sample of qualified Black politicians across the country, who span an increasingly wide political spectrum of ideas. So what's the problem with all this talent and "niceness" on the political landscape?

Ah, race -- you just can't ever count it out.

End of Part I: "The Search for the Acceptable Negro"

MAKE SEPTEMBER 11 A NATIONAL HOLIDAY?

Do We Really Need More Crowded Malls?

It is easy at a tender time like the 5th anniversary of the September 11th terrorist attacks to want to reach for an emotional analgesic. Unfortunately there is none. Nothing but time will even begin to numb the shock and pain of that awful day and the days that followed. As my then boss said at the time (our offices were three blocks away from the World Trade Center) "There is no such thing as a return to normal after this. The best we can do is try and return to routine."

Even "routine" has been altered dramatically, perhaps for our life times.

I fully understand those directly affected by September 11 -- families, friends, colleagues, etc. -- of those killed or seriously injured. And those who gave their all as volunteers or paid responders. And those who for whatever reason feel a pain that will not go away, or even an anger that won't, I can understand why they feel that September 11 should forever be kept as a day of reverence and reflection.

That is exactly why I don't believe September 11 should be a national holiday. Before you know it, it will become just another day off. Another "sale day." How long before the radio blares out, "September 11 shopping day values?" How long before lines at the suburban mall and city department stores stretch out the door? Will it be a "no tax day" as well?

And what about the other events? Ultimately they will take the 11th away and place it on say, the second Monday in September. That means one more summer three-day weekend getaway. A last shot at the Hamptons, the Vineyard, the Bahamas.

I remember when Martin Luther King's birthday became a national holiday. I am Black. I was against it. I wanted it to become "our day of absence." In King's honor, I wanted all Black people who believed in King's works and accomplishments, to take the day off from school, work, whatever. If you can't, to at least take a portion of your day and meet, think, develop plans for those things that will enhance the quality of life in your community, town/city, etc. If you don't want to be part of a group, improve the quality of your family life, home life -- or just your own life.

But did they listen to me? No!

This point was driven home during the first year King's birthday became a holiday. My then Assistant Vice President, Irish eyes smiling, came into my office and slammed down a newspaper ad on my desk. It was for -- you guessed it -- a Martin Luther King Day sale at a local store. As if that wasn't enough (it was plenty, believe me!) he plopped down a memo sent to Black employees in our company from the company's "Black Employees Organization," advertising a "Martin Luther King Ski Weekend!"

For those who wish to maintain the integrity of September 11, keep it in your hands. It is already pushing the line between tasteful event and media spectacle with news reporters in their dark suits and dresses milking every last lump in the throat out of the survivors and witnesses.

That horse is out of the barn. Keep the door closed before there are more people lining up to get to the stores before the crowds get there, than there are reflecting on the events of that day.

If September 11 becomes a national holiday, it will become just that -- another day off.

Is it A Crime?

The "N" word takes the stand in Howard Beach assault trial

Howard Beach has entered New York City's racial dynamic once again. In the mid-1980s the Queens community became a huge flashpoint of often supressed, or overlooked, racial tensions in the city, when a group of white youths , screaming "get out of our neighborhood niggers," chased a group of Black youths until one of the Blacks ran into oncoming traffic was struck and killed by a car. Several others were injured in a vicious baseball bat attack.

Fast forward to June 29, 2005, when a carload of white youths has a confrontation with a group of Blacks, ending with yet another Black, Glenn Moore, being struck by -- you guessed it -- a baseball bat, the weapon of choice in Howard Beach. This time, however, there were some major distinctions. One, the victim lived to testify; two, the primary white suspect, Nicholas Minucci, dressed from head-to-toe in the latest hip hop fashions and bling, says that he was only acting in self defense as he feared being robbed. And third, he added, that he said, "nigga," (not with an "r" at the end) he meant it as a friendly greeting -- not the way it was used by the previous Howard Beach mob.

At first (full disclosure I am Black) I thought maybe there's a point to this: Has the "N-word" come out of the closet and gone mainstream? Has the proverbial barn door been torn off its hinges thanks to its use and overuse by rappers' lyrics and speech? Wasn't it inevitable that the young, white, suburban masses (who are the largest purchasers of rap music after all) would eventually claim the word much as they have claimed "ill," "chillin'," and "mad"? After all, its got an "a" at the end now.

On second thought, hell no! The "a" at the end of the "N-word" does not serve as a prophylactic from the past and present pain and torment. We should be dropping the word, not inviting it into the parlor for tea. Richard Pryor, whose Grammy-winning comedy album was titled, "That Nigger's Crazy," came back from a cathartic visit to Africa proclaiming, "I didn't see any niggers in Africa." He wised up and announced he would no longer use the word.

There is also the issue of "licensing" white people and other non-Blacks to use it. Comedian Chris Rock, a frequent user of the N-word in his material, was once being interviewed by then NBC talk show host, Tom Synder. The Caucasian Synder asked, "Why can't I use the word?"

Rock replied "Why do you want to use it?"

An interesting question for white people: What exactly do you feel when you say it? Hip? Empowered? An equal partner to Blacks on the coolness playing field? Superior to Blacks? Less afraid? Is it an excuse to degrade and get away with it?

The stakes are high here for Minucci. If the jury believes that he did in fact use the "N-word" in an offensive way, then this becomes a hate crime, not just your usual beef. The years added to his jail sentence would be considerable. According to a recent New York Daily News article, during trial one day Minucci, "busied himself reading a Harvard Law School professor's treatise on use of the 'N-word.' Minucci, contends that he used a variation of the vile slur as a hip hop friendly greeting to Moore." The article continues that Minucci even testified that, "Me and my Black friends, we called each other niggas all the time. I'm no racist, this was no hate crime."

But on third thought, after closer analysis, I realized that there was another "N-word" alleged perpetrator Minucci used. He said that when he struck Moore with his bat he did it not only to protect himself, but he proclaimed proudly, "I did it to protect the neighborhood."

What a noble gesture, one that will no doubt resonate with lots of whites, even some on the jury. It only takes one juror to ignore the "N-word" in favor of self-preservation to flip the case to not guilty, whether or not there was an "a" or an "r" at the end of the word. Many whites, even some very decent ones, in their heart of hearts, see it as a righteous act to "protect our neighborhood from the Blacks." It can be done in subtle ways like the supposedly outlawed red-lining that many banks and other lenders practice to keep Blacks out of certain areas. Or "steering," where realtors steer Blacks only to areas where clusters of Blacks already live. Many decent folks feel they reap the benefits of such practices.

The not so decent folks will turn their eyes away when the bat is used to keep the Blacks out. A few will actually pick one up.

This neighborhood loyalty is not exclusive to whites. Many hard working Blacks fear the image of the young, hip-hop dressed, Black male in their midst as they struggle to preserve some peace in their own communities. Strangely, they are not nearly so fearful of the young, white male in similiar attire. They too may vote in favor of the alleged neighborhood hero.

When testifying on the witness stand, victim Moore said of the aluminum bat he was struck with, "I could see it shinning, you know glistening."

Ah yes, like the sword of a knight in shinning armor riding to the neighborhood's rescue.

But suppose Moore had been walking through the Howard Beach streets, minding his own business and the alleged perpetrator, Minucci, had called him a nigger and chased him. Suppose Moore hits Minucci with a bat, would Moore be convicted? Would the power of the word nigger and its historical significance be enough to claim self-defense? Would Moore defending his own body be of equal value to Minucci defending his own neighborhood in the jury's eyes? And what about in the court of public opinion?

Maybe this case should be called N versus N.

WENDY WILLIAMS AND ORPAH'S "LOVER"

I'm certain that the only thing louder than the sound of Miss Williams' chin dropping to the floor on that recent afternoon was that of Oprah's foot landing squarely on Wendy's ass.

For those who don't know, Wendy Williams is a highly popular, nationally syndicated DJ, based in New York City at flagship station WBLS-FM. She specializes in gossip, most of it concerning rappers and other entertainers familiar to young (18-34) largely African-American listeners. She tends to dig deep for the dirt, much of it however, appears to be second hand information or innuendo. The radio ratings war in New York has become an especially intense, often mean-spirited battle for listeners in the Big Apple with stations swapping leads as often as the Yankees and Red Sox do in September. So it a huge deal when one of the top DJs lands a big fish for an exclusive interview.

Here it was on that Wednesday afternoon -- more than an exclusive -- a miracle by radio standards. The self appointed, "Queen of Media," was not only scooped by her direct competition -- Ed Lover from Power 105 FM -- but more so pimp slapped by Oprah (with an assist from her assistant Gayle King) when she "spontaneously" appeared on his show opposite Wendy's.

Imagine, here in this often grimy world of "rap radio," was the truely stately Oprah holding court with the Power 105 audience live and unscripted while Ed Lover (no choirboy himself) asks questions worthy of a true journalist (at least by today's standards.) He was respectful, informed and asked relevant questions.

Oprah told the story of going to meet with none other than Nelson Mandela. Upon arrival, one of his secruity guards greeted her group with the expression, "What's up N___s?" believing this was an appropriate greeting to American Blacks arriving for a meeting. She made the point that the "N" word is not harmless slang. But rather it has lead to, among other things, people around the planet (including many of those who should know better) thinking of it a benign term of endearment. Lover was obviously affected by this story and even said he would reconsider his own use of not only the "N" word, but the "B" word as well.

I wondered how she would be received. This is after all not the audience of the third party in this time slot, Michael Baisden of nationally syndicated "Love, Lust and Lies" fame on WBLS-FM, which skews to a bit more, how should I put it -- enlightened audience -- than Wendy's or Lover's. But they loved her. And more than that, they were honored by her presence. Oprah never talked down to the callers or to Lover. Equally important, she didn't try to be hip (jiggy with it!). She was just pure Oprah, talking about her favs among rap music and putting to rest the myth that she hates it or that she has "beef" with rapper/actor Ludicious. She also confessed that "Mary J. Blige is a friend." Imagine that.

This could not have happened at a better time for Power 105. Just one day before it had to fire its top DJ, known as Star, for vile comments and threats against a competitor's 5-year-old child, even offering listeners a $500 bounty for her whereabouts so he could do an "R Kelly on her," a reference to the rapper accused of several underage sexual activities. Not only that, the station has been under fire for being well -- under fire. It seems that when many rappers and their posses show up for radio interviews, they get into shoot outs instead of shout outs. One of which occured a few days before, causing the NYPD to investigate and and the landlord to seek Power 105's eviction from the tony Soho nabe where it resides.

Back to Wendy Williams. For some time now, over a year, the "Queen" has referred to Oprah as a "friend in my head," and made it clear she wanted to interview her on the show. Then Gayle King, Oprah's assistant and real-life friend, did a Wendy interview. It was all very cordial, with Wendy asking polite questions about Orpah, her mate Stedman, etc., never really going over the top.

Wendy is no fool; you don't piss off Tom Hagen if you want an audience with Don Coleone. Gayle too, put to rest rumors that Oprah hated rap, Ludicious, etc. But it had not yet come from Oprah's lips. I'm certain that Wendy felt assured that, having treated the boss' assistant well, she would in turn be granted the interview she had been breathing heavy for. But it was not to be.

If I had to guess (in my own sick mind) I would say that Gayle was sent to set up Wendy. To ask her to get the proverbial cannolis over in Jersey. "I'll drive, hon." And Wendy took the bait, never pausing to think that there are perfectly good cannolis in Manhattan.

Why would Oprah/Gayle do such a thing? My intuition is that they were good and sick of Wendy's innuendos about them being a couple and wondering aloud (on nationally syndicated radio) if Stedman is gay, etc.

Should Oprah, media icon, global philantropist and legitimate power broker, appear on that nasty little show? A show where she might be asked about all of the above items and also such ditties as, "Are you a third input girl?" one of Wendy's favorite questions.

So instead, Oprah baits Wendy and Wendy swallows it whole. And Oprah shows class by being who she is and, for at least a segment, turns Ed Lover into Edward R. Murrow.

Well, almost.

The next day,while making no direct mention of the Lover interview while I was listening, Wendy did make some snipping remarks about Oprah and Gayle. She included a particularly tastelss remark (even by Wendy standards) about meeting Oprah years ago at a book signing. When the then pregnant Wendy asked Oprah to autograph her copy, she said that Oprah rubbed Wendy's pregnant stomach which in turn caused her to miscarry. "Oprah killed my baby!" Wendy laughed. Sad, because Wendy did in fact miscarry.

Wendy appeared to laugh it all off with her upbeat, self-assured style. But it sounded lke a boxer getting off the canvas after being knocked on his butt, rising and smiling as if to say, "Nah, you didn't hurt me," only to be put premanently on his ass seconds later.

But all isn't lost, Wendy. At least no one is shooting outside of your office -- yet.