He said that? …electric cord?

I didn’t know he could be worse than I thought.

Bull Connor was in Birmingham.

Harold Ford is advocating child abuse it seems. Or at least admitting that his grandma practiced it.

Hot curling iron, electrical cord…that’s the way to get compliance. Harold Ford is over. I hope.

Yep. I’m sure Dr. King would have advocated for using electrical cords on disobedient children. [/sarcasm]

Fixing – thanks

Citizen Peterr:

With all due respect, Brother Peterr, but I didn’t think that Harold Ford had anything to contribute to American culture and certainly not Black culture but he has defined perfectly that strange mutant that is American Christianity…American Christianity – the Church of Harold Ford and Howdy Dooty!

weapons grade douchebaggery.

Citizen gstockman:

“Bull Conner was in Burmingham.”

And now he’s in a different hell from Alabama.

Pastor, I think I would most enjoy one of your sermons. You have a way with words that “stings” of the truth.

Punitive compulsory participation. Did he think he was giving a speech about health insurance?

New York doesn’t need this neocon.

You are right on both counts.
And for those of you didn’t live in the “Queen City” in the 60′s, that’s “Buminham.”

Brilliant move, Chopper Harry. A more humane society through child abuse.

O/T

ANYBODY see Jane on Dylan Ratigan just now?

Ratigan excised a new..you know what…in castigating corporate corruption -called it Corporate Communism.

“Suffer the little children…” does not mean what he thinks it means.

Sounds like Harold has residual brain damage from biting into an electrical cord that was still plugged into the wall.

The real laugher is Ford (and the idiots putting him up for this), are using Gillibrand changing some of her positions to reflect the state being more liberal than her CD was as the justification.

All while Ford is having to change his positions even more than Gillibrand.

Saw that. I think he lobs Lou Dobbsian grenades for ratings affect.

I’ve got a guy awaiting sentencing for using a switch on his daughter. It wrapped around and tore up her arm after striking her on the behind. I’m hoping to salvage a misdemeanor.

Ford will play well in Harlem.

Well, lots of liberals are hardcore authoritarians. And pro-war. So it doesn’t surprise me that much.

Freedom Rider: Harold Ford Returns
Posted Tue, 01/12/2010 – 23:39 by Margaret Kimberley

by BAR editor and senior columnist Margaret Kimberley

He was the George Bush crowd’s favorite Democrat, and he loved them back. Harold “The Prince” Ford, Jr. “never missed an opportunity to score political points by throwing black people under the bus.”
Ford sucked up to neo-Confederates and falsely claimed that his grandmother was actually a white woman.
If his billionaire supporters have their way, New Yorkers will get to decide if they want “a right wing, pro-life, anti-gay marriage” senator who did his best to privatize Social Security

Black Agenda Report(Excerpt)

This website bills itself as the journal of Arican American thought and action.

This site pulls no punches. It actually holds the politicians accountable,can you believe?

There is another article on Ford there,also,equally unflinching.
(Link to follow)

Horrible.

With the caveat that I’m from the era where I was told “If you get a spanking in school, you’ll get one at home as well,” I just don’t understand parents that take the switch to children.

What was the line the Bush folks used “If they die, the interrogators are doing it wrong?”

It seems that for parents using switches and such it is paraphrased as “If you draw blood, you’re doing it wrong”

Liberals are “hardcore authoritarians?” Since when?

Black Agenda Report | the journal of African American political …Click here to subscribe to, the flash players below to hear, or the mics to download the latest Black Agenda Radio podcast. Black Agenda Radio commentaries …
http://www.blackagendareport.com/index.php?option=com…id... – Cached

Show more results from http://www.blackagendareport.com

“BILL MOYERS: So what’s the consequence of this pay gap you described? Or, do we get inferior government because of it?

THOMAS FRANK: Absolutely. It keeps the best and the brightest out of government service, unless you’re really dedicated to a cause. ”

Obviously ,Ford is anything BUT one of the ‘best and brightest’.

How about Jobs Ford talk about issues Blaming African Americans for crime because they won’t go to church is lame good paying jobs seems to work quite well for everyone else. Christmas Catholics in the burbs seem not to commit to many crimes. Christmas Catholics go to church on christmas weddings etc.

He is showing his age. People don’t use extension cords in a wireless era. The latest fathers day gift is the “Tase-a-Tot.” Insanely popular amongst the christopathic talibangelical sects of true murrikkkan patriots.

Harold keeps blaming African Americans the title Tom might fit I don’t know enough about him to be sure.

Snark? This sounds like child abuse?

Laughing while banging my head against the wall.

Inspirational. /s

Let’s see, punishment/religion. Yep, they’ve gone hand in hand since pre-history. Why act so surprised?

Yes, both times.

Thanks for the correction. Too much going on today for me, and I got my towns and states mixed up.

It seems he’s advocating child abuse? You can’t really think that, can you?
There are many parents who have very different ways of parenting. That said, I believe and have said so here in in public that many people have no business being parents. But, your comment seems harsh and judgemental, and I’m a bit surprised that you said that because you’ve always seemed rather thoughtful in your statements.
I know there are a lot of riled up folks today. Let’s use our heads and our hearts and try to limit the violence.
Love is stronger than hate. It’s not easy, but nothing in this life is. Just my experience.

Off topic, but relevant i feel, the MSM stooges are out in force pushing the concept that there are now somehow more right wing conservatives in MA than there were last year. White hot anger on the left over HCR apparently is having no effect on the special election, since magicly, 10′s of thousands
of right wing/rush limabaugh fan voters have appeared in Ted Kennedy’s district.

Sorry if you disagree demi but I’ve spent too much time working on various Child Welfare systems for various states where this is the reality. I’ve only been building test cases but have had many discussions with front line child abuse workers.

What may be a toss-off line good for a laugh in a speech hides a very serious problem. It’s not a joke, so yes, I do see it as advocating child abuse. Too many children today are being beaten by those cords because someone made a joke.

you know whats stronger than love? naked self interest. And you know whats stronger than rationality? stupidity. or Harold ford would have evaporated into thin air a long time ago.

Electric cords and discipline of the kind he advocates are fine among consenting adults in the privacy of their bedroom but have no place in politics.

Well, tens of thousands of SOMEONES in MA elected Mitt Romney governor.

Twice.

Can I get a WTF?

Not only did the carpet bagger say electrical cords were appropriate but the crowd, according to the story at least, didn’t flinch. How in the world torture for any reason is the right thing to do on “the King holiday” is too bizarre for words. My guess is this person has never actually felt real pain from even a switch or even weirder he might thought it was the right thing to do to him. Political discourse just took a side street into the twilight zone.

Seems like child abuse to me.

Agreed.

There are lots of rhetorical ways to make the point that Ford was trying to make. Using violent imagery to do so — violent imagery with children on the receiving end — took my breath away.

yeah, and vt elected a moderate republican 5 times. that dosent mean douglas ever had a hope in hell of taking a senate seat there. moreover. this is BOSTON, and the rest of Ted Kennedys district. but maybe they really have magicaly appeared there.

Maybe the focus should be more on Harold trying to blame African Americans for not going to church for crimes?

Women are more likely than men to believe in God (84% versus 73%). African Americans (91%) are more likely to believe in God than Hispanics (81%) and whites (78%). Republicans (87%) are more likely to believe in God than Democrats (78%) and Independents (75%). Those with no college education (82%) are more likely to believe in God than those with postgraduate education (73%).

http://atheism.about.com/b/2003/10/16/american-church-attendance-low.htm

I think Ford should be preaching to Whites and Democrats about low church attendance.

You don’t have to be sorry that I didn’t like your toss-off line either. I’ve raised three healthy happy children who were never beaten with a cord, a hand or words that are that ugly. I know there are children who are abused. What I was saying is that I felt your comment came as perhaps similar judgement. I don’t need another lecture, but feel free.

Believe what you want. I choose to believe what I do. Way to keep the circle going, folks.

I don’t think low church attendance is linked to crime.

Sounds like abuse to me too, but I didn’t hear advocacy of that. There’s another kind of abuse going on here. I’ve just about had it with this place.
Funny how people are so eager to name call and think they know every little thing about other people’s meanings and reasonings.

Yep.

Im glad you believe what you belive Demi. i Hope you continue to and more follow your example. But as long as the world looks like it does, from just about any vantage point, im going to have to believe what i do.

Unless of course the low attendance convinces people use electrical cords to induce others to attend.

Title: But Church Attendance is High among African American Mothers

Figure 2 – Percentage of urban mothers who attend frequently (more than several times a month)

Bar chart showing:
White, Unmarried approximately 20 percent
White, Married approximately 40 percent
Black, Unmarried approximately 35 percent
Black, Married approximately 60 percent
Hispanic, Unmarried approximately 30 percent
Hispanic, Married approximately 45 percent

http://www.acf.hhs.gov/healthymarriage/about/aami_wilcox.htm

My bold Church attendance does not seem to be the problem I bet high prison and low job rates however explains why so many African American women are unmarried.
Harold seems clueless about how non rich African Americans live.

Some people are better at choosing their words than others. Doesn’t make them less of a sinner.

(((demi)))
Hang out at the Prop H8 trial when it’s going on. Nothing but really nice peeps there.

You get an A plus from me. Keep on keeping on.

As I said, I respect everyone’s right to believe what they do. Since I only live in my shoes, I cannot judge others. But, I wish people who advocate the path of non-violence to stay away from provoking a nation who is already at its wit’s end to pedantic criticism.
Maybe I’m wrong. But, some stuff just bugs me.

Thanks.

What may be a toss-off line good for a laugh in a speech hides a very serious problem.

Not disagreeing with you except to add that if he had talked about a belt or a switch it would seem like a gimmick line. Electrical cords are significantly more dangerous than nearly anything for this kind of purpose. Some things should never, ever be considered.

Afternoon session is up.

Maybe, if electrical cords dont do the trick, parents can try water boarding, or sleep deprivation, or a good mock execution. Hell TAPE the mock execution and years later when your children have grown up to be iron men and women for the reich, you can all watch it and have a laugh.

“Harold Ford Is Unclear on the Concept of Non-Violence”

Or conduct that meets the legal definition of child abuse in New York

Ah yes, another Southern tradition taken North. What he describes was not uncommon when I was growing up in South Carolina; strict discipline was an aspect of white childrearing. The general pattern had been “Sonny boy, go get me a switch” and the kid would have to go outside, find a switch that was neither too large nor too small, neither too inflexible or too flexible–otherwise they would be sent out again- bring it back and take his/her punishment “like a man”. Electric cords were an innovation.

But it has to be seen in contrast with those parents who cuffed their kids with the back of their fist.

Ford is, what, pandering, to those black voters who think that there needs to be a restoration of discipline in society and families. I understand full well where Harold Ford is coming from in this statement and so does a sizeable part of his intended audience. And paradoxically, they would not see it as violence.

We who have benefitted from the revolution in childrearing cause by Benjamin Spock and Barry Brazleton have a hard time understanding this attitude. But it hardly qualifies as what Dr. King meant by leading children…

African Americans seem to have great church attendance numbers so whether electrical cords are used or not seems not to be the problem.
Harold seems to be implying African Americans need to go to church more when they already go more than most of us I think he is implying that African Americans have low morals.
That is whats getting me I think Peterr is right to bring this to our attention but his focus is a little off. If Newt said this we would all be jumping on Newt for being racist.
Oh and for the record electrical cords yeah I’ve been hit with that but never to go to church I went to church until my 20′s. I know the bible kind of well but hitting never helped me learn.
My Dad tried hitting me every time I made a mistake reading smack across the face every time I made a mistake and I started making more mistakes even on easy words.
Then I started laughing everytime I got hit which made my Dad more mad that experiment failed and my Dad was smart enough not to try it again.
I honestly don’t think hitting can make you learn. Is it abuse I think it can be but I’m with Demi not all the time.

My Dad also had a tendency to hit first and ask questions later when I was young. But as mean as he was from time to time he didn’t step over the line of punishment and into things like electrical cords, which are more appropriate as torture. I’m not taking my cues exactly from Peterr but from the story he linked and the words that were quoted. I’m as smart an Alec as the next guy but there are things I really can’t condone and electrical cords are in that grouping.

My focus wasn’t on church attendance, but on Ford’s apparent willingness to invoke images of violence as a tool for social change on the holiday set aside for remembering a man dedicated to non-violence, who himself was struck down in a violent death.

Harold used an image from his upbringing to connect with the crowd, and then turned that into a metaphor for what “we as a nation” need: a good whipping with an electrical cord, to get us all to learn right from wrong.

He wasn’t referring solely to the largely African American audience, but to the whole country. I don’t see racism in his comment, but plenty of “father knows best” patriarchal authoritarianism.

Hitting your kid, even in the privacy of your home, can get you in trouble with Child Services in the part of NY that I live in. Electrical cords are a much higher level.

Perhaps he’s trying to win a Nobel War Prize like Obama.

That was pretty much my take as well. Perhaps I simply find the image a bit more disturbing than some.

Harold was at an MLK event with Al Sharpton if he repeats that speech at a White Church I will admit I’m wrong. Americans go to church more than Europe does but who has the higher crime rate?
I have a difference of opinion with you that in that I think Harold is blaming African Americans I think he has gone Cosby.
Still no hassle we all got our views its what makes the Lake a cool place.

I really can’t condone and electrical cords are in that grouping.

I don’t like electric cords either but I don’t think my parents did a bad job raising me.

Being the kind of guy he seems to be even if Ford were asked what he meant he’d probably answer the question without giving an answer.

As much as Harold could have worded his views differently, does anyone here see that the title of this post might have been skewed in a way that was less provocative towards judgement way?
No. I’m not an Ivory Tower Idealist. But, for the most part, I can get along with people and can be a mediator instead of a leader of cranky and mean. Sarah Palin’s got that one down good. And, it just makes me sad to see people on the side of Good and Love doing the same thing. Tho, not surprised.

I agree with you 100%. I find fords remarks to be not only tacky, and corny, and ( he always has a good idea of what his audience wants to hear) but also inflammatory, irresponsible. Harold Ford at all times lacks any credibility. In this case case he also lacks any couth or persausivness.
Hes like the used car salesman, that when feeling out a potential pigeon, goes too far in a “joke” about locking the wife in the basement, or shows himself with a crass political opinion.

There’s a difference between making a judgment and being judgmental.

Whenever someone writes a post that criticizes someone — Bush for going to war in Iraq, the CIA/DOD for torturing people at Gitmo, the DOJ for authorizing warrantless wiretaps, Congress for giving telecoms immunity for going along with it, etc. — the author is making a judgment. If I was in church, I could give you chapter and verse of the prophets making judgments on the leaders of their day, and Paul himself making judgments about the behavior of people in his community.

Making a judgment is not a sin, and neither is calling someone on their behavior.

If you think I’m saying “Ford is therefore a worse human being than I am,” that’s a whole different story. That’s being judgmental, and the ones who do it are making judgments only in order to puff themselves up.

I’m trying hard to keep my comments directed at what Ford said, because that’s where the problem is. Celebrating MLK day by lifting up the use of violence as a tool for change is not just tone-deaf to King’s message, but 180 degrees removed from it.

Those who are trying to become our leaders, and to make “judgements” for us, are subject to our judgement. democracy wouldnt work otherwise. As it is its gotten way out of hand, with our leaders not really being subject to much oversight at all.

As an American people are being Killed in My Name, and Demi’s too. People have been, and maybe still are being tortured in me and Demi’s name. There isnt one single comment, that one of them has made, or will make, that is off limits or out of bounds, or deserves a pass, when it comes to my “judegement” i RELY on my judgement when i vote, and as an American, people lives depend on my judgement

Source: Crain’s New York Business………….(Today)

(AP) – Harold Ford Jr. has taken a leave of absence from his Wall Street job so he can have more free time to travel around New York state and decide whether to run for U.S. Senate.

A spokesman said that Mr. Ford took a 30-day leave from his job as vice chairman of Bank of America Merrill Lynch.

Davidson Goldin said Tuesday Ford wants to focus on “listening to New Yorkers and discussing his goals as an independent Democrat” while he decides whether to challenge Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand in the Democratic primary.

The former Tennessee congressman has been meeting with elected officials and other political operatives recently. He plans to travel to Long Island this week and upstate next week.

Read more: http://www.crainsnewyork.com/article/20100119/FREE/1001...

Peterr ,your comment got me to thinking…what is the difference between judgment,which has a negative connotation, and discernment.

So thanks to Mr. Google, I came across this particularly interesting piece.

I thought you might find it of interest,too.

Wittenberg Gate: On Judgment vs. Discernment and Sin vs. CrimeOn Judgment vs. Discernment and Sin vs. Crime …. If she means that in the sense of a freedom of conscience, (as opposed to the theological understanding …
dory.typepad.com/wittenberg_gate/2005/…/on_judgment_vs_.html – Similar

Ford is playing to the same constituency as he did in his failed senate run in TN senate.

Let’s hope Empire Staters can recognize a poisonous snake better than Bay Staters did today.

Electrical cords are used in MANY cases of strangulation.

Just type in electrical cords and strangulation into der Google.

Stereo electrical cords are mentioned ,specifically.