Between this week's Tea-Party/NAACP spat and an apparently race-based kerfuffle involving video of a black USDA appointee seemingly bragging about doing far less than she could to help a white farmer (followed by a much more complete and less damning video released yesterday, although it's worth noting that the crowd of NAACP members seemed to react approvingly to the first part of her tale) it's almost easy to overlook the fact that this week is the one year anniversary of another racially-tinged political spat that involved another iffy NAACP proclamation.
This is Harry Alford speaking with Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA) on July 16th last year. Mr. Alford is the President and CEO of the National Black Chamber of Commerce and had gone to Capitol Hill to explain the adverse effect that the Waxman Markey Bill (also known as the American Clean Energy & Security Act of 2009 or simply Cap & Trade) would have on businesses- particularly the burdensome regulations and onerous taxes would have an adverse on economic development nationwide, and in the black business community in particular.
Sen. Boxer attempts to placate Mr. Alford by pointing out that the NAACP had come out and issued a statement in support of the Wakman-Markey Bill. As you can hear from the video clip, she doesn't get alot of traction with that particular endorsement. In fact, one could say that it backfires on her.....big time.
One year later, Sen. Boxer is suddenly facing a more competitive race then she anticipated in her bid to get re-elected in her very blue state (with 12.3% unemployment, I might add) with Obama ignoring the economy and Gulf oil spill to fly out to San Francisco to raise funds for her.
Elsewhere, the National Black Chamber of Commerce- with Mr. Alford not going anywhere as the CEO- still isn't sold on the Waxman-Markey bill (which did pass the House last summer).
It's good to see that recognizing god-awful, economy killing legislation that would punish anybody who used electricity or goods shipped by truck, rail, airfreight or maritime shipping should know no ethnic boundaries. For what it's worth, the NBCC is having their annual convention in Houston this upcoming week.
As a native Californian, I appreciate you keeping this at the forefront - Boxer and her ilk need to GO!
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