Today is June 19. It marks the date in 1865 that slavery was abolished in Texas and the broader U.S. emancipation of African Americans. The House Judiciary Subcommittee on Constitution, Civil Rights and Civil Liberties holds a hearing today to discuss the legacy of slavery and the path to restorative justice. The issue of reparations for Blacks who are descendants of slaves is being raised through House Bill 40. HR 40 would establish a commission to study the effects of slavery, the role of the U.S. government in supporting slavery and beyond and the lasting effects of slavery on Blacks in America. Many of the Democratic party presidential candidates support the idea of reparations. Julian Castro was the first one to voice support. Others like Bernie Sanders prefers to shy away from the idea of reparations for slave descendants. It is a difficult topic and one that cannot be boiled down in one legislative hearing or article. Many Americans view reparations as a fancy word for … [Read more...] about Juneteenth and a Time for Reparations
Bernie Sanders
Scandal Prone Hillary Clinton Needs Olivia Pope
Hillary Clinton’s email issues over her improper and perhaps illegal use of a private server in her house while serving as Secretary of State loom large over her presidential aspirations. And even though Bernie Sanders has repeatedly stated that he is not interested in Hillary Clinton’s emails, many folks and the FBI are interested. If you add the email legal issues to her likeability and trust issues which rank quite low, one might assume that she needs the help of Olivia Pope, the fictionalized character in the TV series Scandal. Coincidently, crisis management lawyer Judy Smith, the real life Olivia Pope, represented Monica Lewinsky during the Bill Clinton sex scandal. For that reason, I doubt if Clinton will be using Judy Smith. But Clinton needs a good crisis manager lawyer. As a lawyer, I often represent clients who experience legal issues involving criminal grand jury political investigations before they are charged with a crime. Clinton needs lawyers who are not in her inner … [Read more...] about Scandal Prone Hillary Clinton Needs Olivia Pope
5 Progressive Picks for Vice President
Bernie Sanders on Meet the Press on May 28 argued that if Hillary Clinton wins the Democratic nomination for president, she must pick a "hardline progressive" as her running mate in order to win over the growing progressive base. I agree and offer some choices from which to choose. The Democratic Party needs a vice presidential candidate who is likeable and trustworthy, can ignite passion within the Party, energize the Sanders base and minorities and out trump Donald Trump’s rhetoric. There are five good progressive choices who would meet these needs. Four of the five hold law degrees. Their backgrounds vary from a son of a Mexican immigrant, son of former sharecroppers, an African American woman and a former comedic actor and political activist. The five are not in any particular order. Congressman Xavier Becerra (D.CA), a Latino and former California Deputy Attorney General, has served in Congress since 1993. He is currently Chairman of the House … [Read more...] about 5 Progressive Picks for Vice President
Hillary Clinton is Qualified to be President but I Don’t Trust Her
Social media is all a buzz about Senator Bernie Sanders’ comments that Hillary Clinton is not qualified to be president. Sanders put out a press release saying that Clinton is not qualified due to her positions on taking money from corporate America, her Iraq war vote and trade issues positions. It was as much a retort at her comments on Sanders not being prepared and not understanding how the legal and political process works. As much as I did not think I would be supporting Hillary Clinton on any issue, on this issue I disagree with Bernie Sanders and his comments. I will always suspect someone who states a highly qualified woman is not qualified for a position—for whatever the reasons. Hillary Clinton, as a former Senator and Secretary of State, is qualified to be President of the U.S.—probably more so today than her husband was in 1992. It is not her qualifications that concern me. And it is not her qualifications that should concern Sanders. And any reference to … [Read more...] about Hillary Clinton is Qualified to be President but I Don’t Trust Her
Hope and Change Still Reign in 2016
President Obama won the 2008 Democratic Presidential nomination and the Presidency on his message of hope and change. He did not win as the most experienced candidate, as a one term Illinois Senator. He did not win on his then youthful looks. And he certainly did not win the Democratic primary on his name recognition of Barack Hussein Obama over Hillary Rodham Clinton. In 2008 as we are seeing in 2016, name recognition, looks or experience matter less than hope and change for a better America. Senator Bernie Sanders looks like he could have played alongside Jack Lemmon in the movie Grumpy Old Men. Hillary Clinton looks poised to meet with world leaders or enter the Blue Room of the White House at any time. This year, looks are not what matters to voters. If looks mattered, GOP contender Donald Trump would be last in polls and Senators Ted Cruz and Marco Rubio would be in a tie for first place. Looking at the political landscape at this time last year, it appeared … [Read more...] about Hope and Change Still Reign in 2016