Rep. Barbara Lee: "Sorry, Sen. Rand Paul, You’re No Civil Rights Hero"

[Jamaal510]

More: http://www.theroot.com/articles/politics/2014/11/you_re_no_civil_rights_hero_senator_paul.html

If you’ve noticed all the construction happening on the National Mall lately, like me, you probably assumed it was for the Smithsonian’s National Museum of African American History and Culture.

But apparently, a more fitting tribute to the civil rights movement’s long history of struggle for African Americans would be the erection of a monument to Sen. Rand Paul. After all, as Sen. Paul so helpfully explained to us last week, “I don’t think there has been anybody who has been a bigger defender of minority rights in the Congress than myself.” The sentiment echoes another headline from earlier this year, stating: “Rand Paul Says No Other U.S. Lawmaker Has Better Civil Rights Record.”

If that’s the case, then I suppose it’s only appropriate that someone who can so casually dismiss the contributions of Rep. John Lewis—the youngest speaker at the March on Washington and one of the heroes of Bloody Sunday—should rightfully take his place alongside Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and President Abraham Lincoln.

Or, back in the realm of reality, we can take a critical look at what Sen. Paul has actually done for the African-American community.

[Blue_Tires]

1. Kick for truth

Pisses me off how many small-L libertarians have tried to hijack Ferguson for their own agenda...

[Cha]

2. I'd say there hasn't been a bigger liar than rand paul.. but, his fuckin' cohorts are neck n neck.

Thanks for this from Barbara Lee, Jamaal!

[marmar]

3. LOVE her.

My favorite congressperson.

[SidDithers]

4. DU rec...

Fuck Rand Paul.

Sid

[Luminous Animal]

5. Thank you for the article! Barbara Lee is one of my heroes.

[appalachiablue]

6. She's great and she's right. He's an arrogant, delusional little rw flea.

[TNNurse]

7. Does he really believe this???

If he does, I believe a competency hearing should be held ASAP. He is delusional.

[UTUSN]

8. R#36 & K n/t

[niyad]

9. didn't that cretin say something to the effect that the civil rights act was unconstitutional?

I am so very glad I was not drinking anything, or that pos would owe me a keyboard.

[DocMac]

10. K&R

[Jamaal510]

11. .

[ucrdem]

12. "he expressed outrage at ... federal anti-discrimination laws"

Since the Supreme Court gutted a key component of the Voting Rights Act last year, Sen. Paul has opposed restoring the key federal protections for which the civil rights movement fought so hard to secure. He also supports his party’s efforts to implement stringent voter-ID laws, which studies have shown to disproportionately affect minorities.

Sen. Paul has repeatedly said that businesses should have a right to discriminate, and he’s expressed doubt about the appropriateness of the Civil Rights Act. In a Senate hearing last week, he expressed outrage at the concept of the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission enforcing federal anti-discrimination laws by investigating potential violations.

[mfcorey1]

13. I just hate when I hear the media touting him as a changed republican who is really

understanding the masses (mostly minorities). He is a phony and hell will freeze over before I vote for him in any election.

[JonLP24]

14. He is the biggest defender of the rights of private business

when private business isn't concerned he isn't bad. Favors ending the drug war, restoring the right to vote for felons, and is better than most mainstream politicians -- http://politics.nytimes.com/congress/votes/112/senate/1/84

In any case, he seems to be the only Republican politician that is making a legitimate effort to appeal to other than older white men. The GOP will get toasted every national election if they continue on the same path and Democrats need to be doing what he is doing. While there will be endless only Hillary can win or no way Sanders can win threads, the only Republican that I'd think would have a shot is Rand Paul who would better appeal to minority & youth voters than other Republicans who would probably also pick up some liberal voters even though there are several - at-least 10 republican senators with a more liberal voting record.

You don't have to worry about me, there are several issues where he'd kill support from me. Even on something he isn't completely brain dead like global warming, he'll kill moderate support by obsessing over wetlands and by going the extra mile to defend private business. While he has the sort of appeal to win a national election, there are parts of him that could kill his chances.

[GeorgeGist]

15. Grand Stand Rand.

[ucrdem]

16. .

[Tommy_Carcetti]

17. Someone needs to do a clever photoshop job.

Rand Paul delivering the "I Have a Dream" Speech

Rand Paul marching on Selma

Rand Paul sitting at the front of the bus with Rosa Parks

Any other possibilities?

[Jamaal510]

19. RP appearing at the L.A. Riots?

[MBS]

18. Bravo. n/t

[Orsino]

20. I would love to bust Rand Paul on his record of accomplishments, but he doesn't have one.

He seems to be a reliable GOP just-say-noer, but spends his time saying stupid things and walking them back. He doesn't seem to DO much of anything, and that appears to be by design.

[bvar22]

21. DURec for Barbara Lee!

On September 15, the US Congress approved a resolution authorizing President Bush to use "all necessary and appropriate force" against anyone associated with the terrorist attacks of September 11. The measure passed 98-0 in the Senate and 420-1 in the House. The lone dissenting vote was a colonel's daughter and longtime maverick from California -- Democrat Barbara Lee.

"I am convinced that military action will not prevent further acts of international terrorism against the United States," Lee said on the House floor on Sept. 15. "There must be some of us who say, 'Let's step back for a moment and think through the implications of our actions today -- let us more fully understand the consequences.'"

http://www.motherjones.com/politics/2001/09/alone-hill

I will always treasure Barbara Lee for the courage to stand against the tide of WAR and cast that "NO!" vote.