“Eric,

Jen will arrange an interview if you wish. I must, however, respond to the commentary about Proposition 54 and you may post this.

This business of classifying the human species into five “food groups” - black, Latino, white, Asian and Native American - is “stupid,” to borrow the characterization of one of those who commented about the interview. It relies on the odios “one-drop” rule that served as the basis of slave ownership. It conjures up Hitlerism and the idea of racial purity. How any rational being can support racial classifications is beyond me. Those who opposed Proposition 54 because of its medical effects are disingenuous, with all due respect, because 54 contained an explicit exemption for medical research and health care. That rationale was a canard initially invoked by Cruz Bustamante and the CTA to frighten the voters. It was an effective strategy but a dishonest one because of the exemption which I cite. Moreover, to argue that the government should have the power to gather data in the interest of “sociological research” is to essentially justify any level of governmental intrusion into the private lives of Americans - and I respectfully oppose expansive government. Finally, what is a “black” person? Or, a “Latino?” Or “white?” If one cannot satisfactorily answer those questions, one is admitting that this body of research is relying on very flawed data.and of what purpose are conclusions based on such flawed data? I had more many medical experts advise me that the AMA was all screwed up and was being political than there were those who supported their position - they were trying to get a bill through the Legislature and were playing politics. Significantly, the AMA did not contribute one penny to the defeat of Prop 54. Admit that I was wrong or misguided about 54? To the contrary, I have never been more right about anything in my life and I would sponsor it again in a heartbeat if I thought that I could cut through the nonsense that contributed to its demise last time. It was not defeated by rational thinking, but by fear and lies.

Best,
Ward”

I personally was unaware that there was a medical exclusion on Proposition 54. All I can say is that I was young at the time, and this is another example of why it is vital to do homework before voting on anything.

I think the world of Ward, and wish I had paid better attention.

eric

It’s Thursday; the Scramble might be longer than usual, but it’s still Open Thread Thursday (as if I get people to play)…

Stephan Tawney has an update on the “shocking” news for flyers from yesterday;……

I can some what understand you feelings as a Conservative Jew. One of my dearest friends, also a conservative Jew, is not welcome in the homes of some of relatives for that very reason. He once mentioned Ted Kennedy in a negative light and an Aunt literally threw him out of her house.

I helped with the Michael Steele campaign for Senate (from MD) in 2006. That really outstanding Conservative (who happens to be Black) was called every name in the book by Whites and Black’s alike simply because he was running on the Republican ticket. Even major newspapers called him, Oreo, Uncle Tom, Minstrel Man, and others!
This crap has got to end somewhere.

The Watch Dog
http://www.MindlessAndSpineless.com

Just the same, to this day I’ve never had a problem with Connerly - I actually do concede much of his arguments and disagree only in the secondary (for all you football fans out there) - with the exception of Prop 54. That prop was so wrong, I just can’t get over it. It just thoroughly disappointed me. I thought Connerly was an independent thinker - until then.

On the other hand… Connerly, despite his “conservative” reputation, is really a libertarian more than anything else and so considering that I suppose he could say that his Prop 54 position was based on his understanding of the limitations of a truly constitutional government he’d have a point…

BUT…

The California Constitution instructs the state to support to one extent or another education, medical research, and housing, let alone law enforcement and representation and such. The Prop was unconstitutional. If the state makes no effort to support these public sectors, or if they are hampered in the collection of public and constitutionally available information relative to these sectors, the constitution of California is negated - violated. I’m glad the voters kept this from the courts, because if it did get to the courts the matter would have suffered further politization, to all our detriment.

JMJ

I’ll be calling tonight, if I may! But I have to warn you - my wife is up in Jersey visiting relatives, so I may be a little off my rocker… (more than the usual!)

JMJ

At first I was for it, but then the American Medical Association pointed out that black men are much more likely than white men to die of heart disease. It was absolutely essential to me that we find out why.

Now the AMA could have been used by others as a clever back door regarding affirmative action, but that was less relevant to me than stopping a killer.

Whether it be the War on Terror or curing heart disease, saving lives has to come first.

So I voted against Prop 54, although I agree with Ward most of the time.

eric

P.S. Shameless plug…my show on Blogtalkradio tonight is 7:30-9:30pm PST, 10:30pm-12:30am EST.

JMJ