BlogHer - Congressional Black Caucus - Comments

Cuba revisited

JCMc — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 15:29:54 -0500

What is to be done about property confiscated from 4th generation inhabitants who were deported with $100 in their pocket. My employee's family was such. They supported the takeover by Castro because he had promised the exact opposite of what he did. The family were ancestors of missionaries and had established many of the natives by deeding them land that was in orange groves along with livestock when they had been employed long enough to demonstrate they knew how to farm. Instead, his regime took their farm, home and deported them and kept all they had worked for during the generations. I say we should just work through the back door until those 2 brothers finally kick off and see what Cuban patriot will stand up.

Open trade would break the

Oengus1963 — Sat, 11 Apr 2009 20:16:24 -0500

Open trade would break the cycle, it would have to come with a move to a market economy. It is so over due. That country could have a market economy in five years and growth in GDP that would be astounding.

In fact the process of change could be modeled to that of Chinas. The difference is that in Cuba it would reach saturation much faster.

Oh look it is already happening and your out of the influence game.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cuba-People's_Republic_of_China_relations

So much for starving them into submission, we have relation in China because intelligent people new that getting involved is better than not. You should never dictate change, it’s universally rude.

Communism is not without faults, there is something to be said for hybrid systems at least within this generation. Once you open the market you are outside of the defined model for communism, really hard to go back after that.

When you equate it to spending your vacation dollars there, that really speaks volumes about were you head is.

Exactly

MrsWsKitchen — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 11:05:36 -0500

And yes, we SHOULD have an embargo against China, North Sudan, etc., as well.

Having lived in South Florida, I met MANY Cuban refugees who gave me first-hand accounts of the brutal life they had in Cuba--forced IUD use or sterilization, work camps where children are sent to either work sugar fields or tobacco farms and sleep in hammocks outside. This is not summer camp--this is child labor. Unless, of course, your kids are from the Cuban wealthy elite and, like anywhere else in the world, are exampt from horrible treatment. Those are the people the world hears from, unfortunately.

Amanda
Mrs.W's Kitchen

Under the Same Logic...

msjen — Wed, 08 Apr 2009 23:07:04 -0500

"Why would I give my dollars via a vacation or trade to such a brutal, oppressive government?"

Then by that logic, we should have an embargo against China and should not trade with them or go spend our tourist dollars there.

I find it bizarre that in the name of the almighty dollar we are willing to trade with many brutal and oppressive governements worldwide, but the one we can't control just 90 miles south of us we will vilify even more. Huh... Maybe the real issue is that it chaps our hide that we can't control and form the Castro government as we would like, and that in fact, they enjoy flipping us the proverbial finger.

How about applying the same logic to China, Sudan, Saudi Arabia, Belarus, etc etc etc?

Black Phoebe :: Ms. Jen

Thanks, Jill

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:31:31 -0500

Your reporting from the ground in Ohio has been invaluable in helping to capture this awful and significant moment. The more I read about Tubbs Jones and think about her legacy, the more I am reminded of Sojourner Truth, whose lifetime commitment to human rights was also born of a mighty faith. Like Tubbs Jones, she paired the causes of women's rights and civil rights. Truth also had a fine legal mind, despite her lack of formal education. She successfully petitioned a New York state court for the freedom of one of her children in the 1830s, for example. And Ohio figures prominently in Truth's resume -- it's where she made her famous "Arn't I a Woman Speech" in 1851.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Statement from James Clyburn

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:13:16 -0500

I was stunned by the news today of the passing of
Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones. There is a great gap where she
stood on behalf of affordable health care, women’s issues, access to
quality education and fairness in voting...

The whole statement from the House Democratic Whip

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Moving collection of photos, video, remembrances

Jill Miller Zimon — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:11:25 -0500

There are many and many good ones. This one was done by Ohio blogger Jeff Coryell at Ohio Daily Blog and underscores Stephanie Tubbs Jones' total commitment to doing the best and the most as an elected official.

Also, from the heart of it all, an hour radio program this morning on WCPN, Cleveland' public radio, dedicated to talking about and remembering the Congresswoman.

Jill
Writes Like She Talks

Pelosi Statement on Passing of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:10:42 -0500

"On
behalf of all Members of Congress, I express my deepest condolences on
the sudden death of our friend and colleague, Chairwoman Stephanie
Tubbs Jones, to all who loved her, particularly her son, Mervyn Leroy
Jones, II, and her sister, Barbara Walker.

"Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones was a tremendously vibrant presence in the halls of Congress. She believed in all the best things about our nation, and was a tireless force for justice, equality, and opportunity.

The whole statement from the Speaker of the House

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Congressional Black Caucus statement

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 13:05:12 -0500

Washington, D.C.-
"Today, GOD has called one of his devout disciples home. The untimely
departure of our beloved friend and fearless leader, Chairwoman
Stephanie Tubbs Jones is indescribable.” said Congresswoman Carolyn C.
Kilpatrick (D-MI), Chairwoman of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC).

“This
is an enormously solemn day for Members of Congress, the Congressional
Black Caucus family, Ohio residents and the world. Chairwoman Tubbs
Jones was undoubtedly a true steward of the people. She dedicated her
life to ensure that life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness was
afforded to every American. Her command of the law was only matched by
her boundless sense of integrity.”

The whole statement

(h/t Marian Douglas)

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

That statement was impressive

lauriewrites — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:46:45 -0500

Because it reads so differently from the usual "We are so very sorry...." statement. It's a tribute to a true friend.

Impressive. Beautiful. How wonderful to have that kind of impact on so many. These connections make it any better that her life ended so early relative to many - they just make it seem all the more worthwhile.

Laurie

Comment from Cleveland TV anchor, sorority sister

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 02:13:10 -0500

Excerpt from statement by News Channel 5's Danita Harris:

She's more than a congresswoman to me, she is my sorority sister of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, and a dear friend.

Video of Ms. Harris' coverage of the late Congresswoman is also on the page.

Rep. Tubbs Jones was a member of Delta Sigma Theta sorority, one of the "Divine Nine" pantheon of African American fraternities and sororities. She often wore red, one of the sorority's colors, as a symbol of her Delta pride. Other prominent Deltas include the first African American woman elected to Congress, the Hon. Shirley Chisholm (D-NY), who served in the House of Representatives from 1969 to 1983. Of course, Chisholm was also the first woman to run for President of the United States. On the occasion of her death in 2005, Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton paid tribute to Rep. Chisholm with the leadership of the Deltas.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Statement from Pres. and Mrs. Bush

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:55:54 -0500

From the White House Press office:

Laura and I are saddened by the death of Chairwoman Stephanie Tubbs
Jones.

As a proud lifelong resident of Ohio's 11th District, she devoted her
career to serving her community at both the State and national levels.
She was an effective legislator who was dedicated to helping small
businesses, improving local schools, expanding job opportunities for
Ohioans, and ensuring that more of them have access to healthcare.
After making history as the first African American woman elected to
Congress from Ohio, the Congresswoman worked to expand the rights of all
Americans. Our Nation is grateful for her service.

Our thoughts and prayers are with her son Mervyn Leroy Jones, II and the
rest of her family.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Official statement on the passing of Rep. Stubbs Jones

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:50:52 -0500

WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- It is with deep sadness
that we inform you of the passing of Congresswoman Stephanie Tubbs Jones,
beloved mother to Mervyn Jones II, sister to Barbara L. Walker, dear
colleague, loyal servant and friend to all. Congresswoman Tubbs Jones
passed after being admitted to Huron Hospital having suffered an aneurysm
while driving her car in Cleveland Heights, Ohio on Tuesday evening. She
was pronounced dead at 6:12 p.m. today. The official cause of death was an
aneurysmal subarachnoid hemorrhage...

via PRnewswire

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

Not being able to say goodbye is especially heartbreaking

Kim Pearson — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 01:47:17 -0500

According to news reports, Rep. Tubbs Jones' husband died suddenly in 2003. It's hard to imagine what it must be like for her son to lose both of his parents that way.

And yes, the best tribute is to follow her example of principled, determined leadership.

Kim
BlogHer Contributing Editor|Professor Kim|

What a leader

Lisa Stone — Thu, 21 Aug 2008 00:35:42 -0500

I don't have the words here. She was an incredible, passionate leader -- and not be able to say goodbye? My heart is breaking for her family.

We need more women like Tubbs-Jones in office. That's the way to thank her.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette