In a post below, I pondered the connection, if any, between former Justice Kay Cobb and the racist organization Council of Conservative Citizens. A comment from "Reasonably Prudent Person" encouraged me to call her and ask her about her ties to CCC, so I did.
She said that she did, in fact, attend a CCC rally in north Mississippi back in 2000 as part of her campaign. She stated that she had a policy of speaking to any group that invited her, regardless of what views the group itself may hold. That, she says, is the extent of her dealings with the CCC.
As I expressed to her in the phone conversation, she certainly was not alone in attending CCC events in the past. It has been standard operating procedure for many white Mississippi politicians, both Republican and Democrat, to attend Blackhawk and other CCC rallies. (Although, to be fair, it's been mostly Republicans since the 80's.) The uniform response of these politicians is what former Justice Cobb maintained: I don't agree with them, but I'm not going to shun them.
Well, Mississippi politicos, it's 2010, not 1864. Appealing to the racist vote was a damned good way to win office in Mississippi in the past. That's no longer the case, and it's time we moved on. It is perfectly permissible to decline an invitation to attend a rally being held by the civic arm of the Ku Klux Klan. In fact, I'm pretty sure that most Mississippians would be grateful if you refused to go. The vast majority of us Mississippians aren't racist. Yet every time we turn around, one of our elected leaders is hanging out with some group that embarrasses the hell out of 99% of us. (I'm looking at you, Gov.)
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15 comments:
I'm glad you called her. I couldn't tell if you were trying to smear her personally or just make some sort of point.
I think Kay Cobb is taking the high road. She wants to be politically active - and has chosen not to participate in cases while leading this cause. More power to her.
Should politicians shun groups that show reverse racism? I think the answer is yes.
RPP - The question is, should politicians shun groups that show racism? I think your answer to that would be yes, but you're avoiding the issue by moving to another one. Let's get beyond the CCC first.
Now, let's talk "reverse" racism. I'm not exactly sure what that would be, honestly. Would that mean deeply loving people of all races except your own? I don't think so. What I think you and others mean by the term "reverse racism" are "racist beliefs and actions of minority groups." So why call it "reverse racism," when it's just "racism?"
With respect to Justice Cobb, it was simply a question, and one that was valid. I think she's taking the high road now by stepping down to continue her political work. I think she took the low road in 2000, but it's hard to cast too much blame on her when that road was rather crowded.
Matt ----- you sure of this?
"Appealing to the racist vote was a damned good way to win office in Mississippi in the past. That's no longer the case ..."
I still see it all the time. Should it be the case? No. But, is it still the case? Yes, absolutely.
I still get mailers come voting season form the white candidate showing him or her next to the black candidate, asking for the vote for the white candidate. Tate Reeves did this back in 2003 back when he was running against Gary Anderson.
W.L.P, your comment would be here if you'd pick a different user name. Email me if you have a problem with that.
The question is, should politicians shun groups that show racism?
Yes.
Dunno. If an organization limits its membership to hot blondes, I can honestly say I will speak to that organization despite its exclusionary policies.
Having said that, I fail to see the problem here. The CCC is a bunch of good ole guys. This is just another liberal website trying to smear hard working and usually dirt poor honest folk just like the same elitists who sent the poor to fight in Vietnam while they partied at Cal-Berkely and UCLA and spit on them when they came back.
I'm curious for your evidence regarding this statement: "Although, to be fair, it's been mostly Republicans since the 80's."
on a persoan note, judges are elected officials. elected officials must listen to the voters and act on there accord. CofCC members are voters, like it or not.
on a personal note, judges are elected officials. elected officials must listen to the voters and act on there accord. CofCC members are voters, like it or not.
Here are a few questions for everyone.
What race literally feeds and clothes the world?
What race ahs been the dominate race on the globe for thousands of years?
What would happen to societies if that race was gone?
Im nt trying to be racist, but if you bring it up I dont mind stateing facts. Im a scietific method kind of guy and if you look at race from a scietific method point of view there is no question what race has dominated in every category of civilization.
Editor, the honesty and clarity with which you express yourself is refreshing, because it leaves no doubt about the reprehensible views you and your organization hold.
To answer your question, Editor: "the Chinese."
And between the Roman Empire and the High Middle Ages, the answer could have been: "the Muslims."
To the extent you meant the answer to be decendants of the Europeans, that would only be true to the extent that the labor and resources of other races and venues were pillaged and stolen.
I have to say that I have great admiration for Kay Cobb; I first met her when she was a State Senator and pushed back against Governor Fordice's attempt to take sentencing in capital cases away from juries.
In the Ron Chris Foster case, she impressively marshalled the evidence that Mr. Foster was mentally retarded in a four-justice dissent in a 4-4 opinion. At the time, Foster was scheduled to be executed. Justice Cobb's independence and judgment was one of the factors that preserved Mr. Foster's appeal (and life) until the US Supreme Court held in a different case that offenders who committed capital crimes before they were 18 could not be executed. If not for Justice Cobb and Governor Musgrove (who entered a temporary reprieve/stay at the same time as the Cobb dissent), Mississippi would have had the dubious distinction of being the last government in the WORLD that executed a juvenile offender.
I'm no fan of the T.E.A. Party movement, and I agree with Matt and NMS that the C of CC is reprehensible. But despite the error of attending the C of CC conference, Kay Cobb is, I think, a high quality and formidable representative of the conservative position in Mississippi.
Doloroso - Here are two interesting lists of politicians with CCC ties of varying degree:
http://www.mississippipolitical.com/list.htm
http://minorjive.typepad.com/hungryblues/2004/12/information_on_.html
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