Saturday, December 22, 2007

Carson Funeral Turns Into Campaign Rally For Andre Carson

FARRAKHAN ENDORSES CARSON
I can't say I'm surprised it happened, but I saw it live with my own two eyes just moments ago during the televised coverage of the funeral services for the late Rep. Julia Carson. U.S. Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick (D-MI) announced to the attendees and televised audience that on her death bed, Carson told her and U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs (D-OH) that she wanted her grandson, Andre Carson, to take her seat in Congress. As Kilpatrick shouted out her support for Carson in the upcoming special election, many in the audience at the Eastern Star church stood up, cheered and applauded. Rep. Tubbs' speech followed Kilpatrick's. She, too, plugged the candidacy of Andre Carson. But the moment which will be most talked about for many days to come was the endorsement of Carson's candidacy by the controversial Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan. That controversial endorsement could end Andre Carson's campaign for Congress in the 7th district before it even started.

57 comments:

  1. How pathetic...and not a surprise. If the state party leaders weren't steamed before...they will be now.

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  2. This whole event has been a dog and pony show.
    Did you really expect any class to come out of this act?

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  3. It has also been disrespectful and inappropriate. Clapping and cheering...at a funeral...at the worst times possible even.

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  4. That's pretty tacky. I saw some of the ceremony at the statehouse, and that portion, at least, seemed dignified and respectful.

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  5. Oh, come now....this is a celebration.....time to rejoice....and I was undecided who I would support for Julia's replacement but if it was that important that Andre replace her then that is who I will support....I really would like Rep. Greg Porter also.

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  6. Oh, come now....this is a celebration.....time to rejoice....and I was undecided who I would support for Julia's replacement but if it was that important that Andre replace her then that is who I will support....I really would like Rep. Greg Porter also.

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  7. Gary...have you noticed who in attendance would need the secret service detail? I have not...

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  8. Anonymous1:18 PM GMT-5

    Did anyone notice Wilson at the funeral taking photos? He was dressed casually wearing a windbreaker. You would think he could have at least dressed up for her funeral.

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  9. Anonymous1:21 PM GMT-5

    What an utter joke on the American people and the citizens of the 7th US Congressional District.

    According to the Star, the majority of the 7th District is white.

    Yet I saw perhaps one or two white people involved in the Capital Avenue "parade," the Statehouse ceremony, and the funeral political rally. All the rest were black.

    All of the speakers were also black.

    Doesn't that tell you something? Plus, of course, one of the main speakers at the political rally was Louis Farrakhan himself, who is a publicly avowed hater of whites and Jews.

    People, you better wake up!

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  10. Anonymous2:11 PM GMT-5

    Folks, it only proves that you get what you deserve. It has been more of a dog and pony show, and it has been more about political succession than about honor for Ms. Carson. She has been a pawn for some time, and again, even in death. If the 7th allows a continuation of her regime, then it will only prove that the power exists behind the scene. Be careful 7th. You get what you deserve.

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  11. Anonymous2:53 PM GMT-5

    I watched most of the funeral ceremony this morning/afternoon on tv and was fascinated. What is respectful to some might be disresepectful to others, but ultimately her family decided who would speak at the event. The speakers were diverse and most were passionate. I loved the Congresswoman from Ohio who read the Maya Angelou poem.

    A couple speakers did mention the special election, the future and Andre Carson. My husband compared it to the reading of someone's political will.

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  12. Anonymous2:58 PM GMT-5

    "All of the seakers were also black", 1:21pm. Please call your eye doctor and get our eyes examined. Unless you think Gov. Daniels, Lt. Gov. Skillman, Sen. Lugar, Sen Bayh, Birch Bayh, Adny Jacobs, Rep. Pete Visclosky, Mayor Peterson, Rep. Pat Bauer are Black. All of those spoke at the Carson funeral and all of them are white. Frank Quiqly, white, Julia's first chief of staff, spoke. Dr. Kent Millard, Pastor of St. Lukes UM Church, white spoke. Of twenty five speakers at the service, not counting the family or the soloists, nine were white and one was Asian (the Buddist monk). The service was multi-racial and ecumenical. Also, AI, check your hearign and the tapes. Minister Farrakhan did NOT endorse Andre carson. He repeated what Rep. Kirkpatrick said about Andre. AI, I realize accuracy isn't your specialty in reporting on Carson, but at least get right what was said.

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  13. Anonymous3:23 PM GMT-5

    I saw and I heard it. This day was for Andre, not Julia. But then, did any of you expect any different?
    Louis Farrakhan will NOT hurt Andre in the black community. Although they may profess that they are Christian you will not find many blacks in the 7th District that don't share Farrakhan's hatred towards whites, Jews, GLBT's and assortment of others.
    The most ironic thing? The multimillion dollar Eastern Star Church is just a small walk from the squalor of the Phoenix Apartments. Cut a man's throat on Saturday night and get forgiveness on Sunday morning.
    That service said a lot about the black community in this city.

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  14. Anonymous3:42 PM GMT-5

    Did anyone notice Sam Carson IV mentioned the two imprisoned Carson grandsons. Sam said his brother Jamie was serving a 120-year prison sentence. It was for one of the worst gay hate crimes in the city's history. He introduced his son so his father could see him from prison. He also mentioned Philip, who is also serving time in state prison. Sam apologized to Philip for the family not being able to get him to the funeral. Gov. Daniels must have turned down their request to allow him to leave his jail cell for the day to attend the funeral. Sam referred to Jamie as his brother. Wilson has always claimed Julia had nothing to do with these imprisoned grandchildren. How is it she had so much to do with raising Sam and Andre, but nothing to do with Philip and Jamie?

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  15. "Also, AI, check your hearign and the tapes. Minister Farrakhan did NOT endorse Andre carson. He repeated what Rep. Kirkpatrick said about Andre. AI, I realize accuracy isn't your specialty in reporting on Carson, but at least get right what was said."

    It was an endorsement. The members of the Congressional Black Caucus and Louis Farrakhan were there for the purpose of announcing to the people of the 7th District that this district belonged to them. They weren't there to pay tribute to Julia Carson. Hell, Farrakhan even admitted in his speech he didn't know her. He had to ask the audience what the name of the neighborhood was where she grew up--Haughville.

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  16. Anonymous4:03 PM GMT-5

    I think the hate spewers from Indy Undercover have migrated to this blog. Not only were there many white speakers, there were many whites at the service...I didnt count as I did not realize that someone was taking a census of the race of mourners.
    As for the imprisoned grandson, I thought it was humane that it was mentioned. He committed a horrible crime but he was a grandson and that can never be changed. I think the fact that he is serving 120 years shows that justice was done and that Julia did not interfere with that situation. Whew where did all of this misinformation and hate come from?????

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  17. Anonymous4:25 PM GMT-5

    The only thing I have to say is that I don't like people claiming facts which may be outright lies. Did Julia _ever_ mention in public she wanted Andre to have the seat? She had plenty of time and actually, if she really wanted him to have it that badly, she should have stepped down to let him run in the last election. Her endorsement of him would have went a long way. Now, we only have people claiming to know her beliefs and wishes. Just something that makes you go "Umm?"

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  18. Anonymous4:26 PM GMT-5

    Did anyone notice Wilson at the funeral taking photos? He was dressed casually wearing a windbreaker. You would think he could have at least dressed up for her funeral.
    Did you expect Wilson to have any class at all? Look who he runs around with.

    White, Black, Yellow, or whatever other color was represented, all were truely saddened by her death.

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  19. Yes, I was present at the funeral of my dear friend Julia - I took over 2000 pictures. I was not wearing a windbreaker - I don't even own a windbreaker...

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  20. Anonymous4:38 PM GMT-5

    Hell, Farrakhan even admitted in his speech he didn't know her. He had to ask the audience what the name of the neighborhood was where she grew up--Haughville.

    Farrakhan most certainly did know Julia. When Andre was a member of the NOI and she Center Twp. trustee,, she frequently went to Chicago for the NOI's annual "Savior's Day" celebration. And she was always seated prominently up front, near the stage.

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  21. Anonymous4:39 PM GMT-5

    Even in death, Julia Carson can work a crowd better than any other Marion County Democrat.

    That says something about the leadership and senior pols in the Marion County Democratic party. Not something flattering, I'm thinking.

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  22. "Did Julia _ever_ mention in public she wanted Andre to have the seat? She had plenty of time and actually, if she really wanted him to have it that badly, she should have stepped down to let him run in the last election. Her endorsement of him would have went a long way."

    Don't taunt them. I'm sure Amos Brown had a final interview with Ms. Carson which will be unveiled soon enough in which she endorsed Andre.

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  23. Anonymous5:14 PM GMT-5

    Does it matter who she endorsed? This seat is for the living. And the Marion Co Dems will see a bloodbath for that seat-- in a majority white district. Why? because it's also majority Dem-- but the Dems are split racially-- so you may even see a Repub win.

    In the end, Julia, good as she may have been, was not doing her job for a long time, due to health.

    It's time for another good progressive from Indy.. regardless of color or party.

    Greg Porter or Jon Elrod-- either way Indy wins. Mays-- and we might as well be owned by the Cong Black Caucus.

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  24. Anonymous5:34 PM GMT-5

    why do uninformed repubs keep boasting of a racial split in the Dems...we may have several candidates but when one is selected , we will unite and whip the GOP ass ...this seat is not going to be given to the repubs. I had only one disappointment. I did not notice any speaker from the GLBT community ....maybe I missed it.....

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  25. "I had only one disappointment. I did not notice any speaker from the GLBT community ....maybe I missed it....."

    I missed about an hour, but I didn't see anyone from the GLBT community speak. I really thought as close as Joe Miller was to Carson he would have been able to influence them to have someone specifically address her support for gay civil rights. But then again, Mr. Farrakhan was in the house and he thinks all gays should burn in hell with the "wicked Jews" as he calls them.

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  26. Anonymous6:06 PM GMT-5

    Does anyone know why Speaker Nancy Pelosi wasn't there?

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  27. I would remind folks that the last time the Democratic Party chose to turn a funeral service into a campaign rally, it backfired big time. Recall the absurd rally up in Minneapolis at Paul Wellestone's funeral for former Vice President Walter Mondale. Perhaps this won't hurt Andre in the black community, but I can assure you it will not play well in Indianapolis' white community.

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  28. ...and now that D.C. Stephenson has died, you've been made the spokesman for the "white community"?

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  29. Anonymous7:15 PM GMT-5

    "Did anyone notice Wilson at the funeral taking photos? He was dressed casually wearing a windbreaker. You would think he could have at least dressed up for her funeral."

    Not windbreaker - 'hoodie'. Black formal hoodie. In contrast to yesterday's bright red hoodie and matching wool cap. Quite the fashion statement.

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  30. My neighbor Paula Freund covered the funeral for the Star. She agrees with my interpretation that Farrakhan endorsed Andre. She writes:

    Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan during the service echoed earlier calls for Andre Carson, Julia Carson's grandson, to succeed her in Washington.

    "She lives in the spiritual sense," he said. "She lives in those whom she touched. She lives in Andre. She wants him to succeed her in service to the people. She wants him to be a good servant."

    U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, and U.S. Rep. Carolyn Kilpatrick, D-Mich., chair of the Congressional Black Caucus, were among about a dozen or so congressmen and women at the funeral. Both said they sat beside Carson near the end of her life and heard her say, "Andre." They encouraged voters to choose him to fill her seat.

    "If you love me, send my seed," Kilpatrick said Carson told her -- drawing big applause.

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  31. Anonymous7:45 PM GMT-5

    Farrahkan hates gays and Jews ...maybe that is why neither was allowed to speak

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  32. "U.S. Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones, D-Ohio, the first black woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives."

    Can't you get basic facts of U.S. history right? Shirley Chisholm (November 30, 1924 – January 1, 2005) was the first African-American woman ever elected to Congress. A Democrat, she was elected to 7 terms, starting in 1968. She was an early inspiration to Julia Carson.

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  33. She was actually the first elected black woman from the State of Ohio to serve in Congress.

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  34. Anonymous8:15 PM GMT-5

    Was Julia really the first African American elected to the house representing a majority white district? Help me out, Wilson.

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  35. Katie Hall from Gary, for one, represented the northwestern Indiana district in the early 1980s. It was a white majority district.

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  36. Anonymous8:46 PM GMT-5

    Wilson, what kind of batteries do you use? I can barely get 100 pics out of mine!

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  37. Actually Ron Dellums was the first African-American elected from a majority white district - Berkeley California in 1968! Most would agree it is a most unusual Congressional District. His successor, Barbara Lee, was at Julia's funeral services today. She is distinguished by being the only member of the House to vote against the so-called Patriot Act.

    True, Katie Hall was elected from a majority white district in in Indiana in 1982 but it was sort of a fluke. When the normal political processes returned in 1984, she lost the primary...

    Julia Carson was the first Black to be elected on her own political power in a majority white district and she held it many terms.

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  38. Batteries? I use a Canon Rebel XT S.L.R. and took 854 pictures today mostly indoors on one. I usually carry a spare, just in case! My flash is separate with its own batteries - but I also carry spares for those too...

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  39. "and now that D.C. Stephenson has died, you've been made the spokesman for the "white community"?"

    Wilson Stephenson was a democrat who switched parties so that he could organize the Klan in a republican state. His beliefs and opinion always followed the democrat way of thinking. What were his beliefs and opinions? He believed as did the democrat stronghold in the south that African Americans, Catholics and Jews were lesser humans than white Christians. He believed that the white man should dominate them. If he were alive to day he would be heading the Indiana Democrat Party.

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  40. The hypocrisy is more than one can stomach. The Democrats forced Trent Lott to resign as Senate Majority Leader for suggesting America would have been better off if Strom Thurmond had been elected President more than 50 years ago at Thurmond's retirement party. They bring one of the most notorious, race-baiting, anti-semitic, homobigoted religious leaders in the country to speak at her funeral and endorse her grandson as the successor to represent us in Congress and we're supposed to accept that as ok?

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  41. As a Democrat I am proud that all of the hating soutern Dems of the 50's and 60's are dead or converted to republicans and their children are republicans.....they could not support a party that believed in equality so they became republicans!! They are your people now, INDYERNIE, and you are welcome to them.

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  42. Anonymous1:51 AM GMT-5

    The hypocrisy is more than one can stomach. The Democrats forced Trent Lott to resign as Senate Majority Leader for suggesting America would have been better off if Strom Thurmond had been elected President more than 50 years ago at Thurmond's retirement party. They bring one of the most notorious, race-baiting, anti-semitic, homobigoted religious leaders in the country to speak at her funeral and endorse her grandson as the successor to represent us in Congress and we're supposed to accept that as ok?

    I really doubt that you'll post this, but I have yet to see you repudiate the horrible bigoted comment that you approved to be posted on your blog.

    The quote in question:
    Although they may profess that they are Christian you will not find many blacks in the 7th District that don't share Farrakhan's hatred towards whites, Jews, GLBT's and assortment of others.

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  43. Anonymous1:53 AM GMT-5

    AI,

    And let us not forget the Rev. Jesse Jackson's comments about "Hymietown."

    Big tent, eh? I recall Wilson at one time or another challenging republicans to name one jewish republican elected to office. I named several, but of course, the sands of the debate kept changing ("No," said Wilson, "one jewish republican that Indiana sent to Congress.") Whatever.

    Two anti-Semites spoke at Congresswoman Carson's service or funeral. I don't think that speaks well of her, do you? And it's a shame, really - I gained much respect for her after hearing over the past few weeks the types of things she worked for (particularly as Center Township Trustee.)

    And then these two anti-Semites are invited to comment? And one of them suggests Andre Carson? You have to be kidding me.

    I'd laugh at this if it weren't so damn sickening. Just another example of some of the hypocrisy of the left: discrimination isn't okay (unless it's the kind of discrimination we think is okay.)

    Totally classes. No defense you can raise, Wilson, will clear the taint of these two individuals. And it's a shame, really, to dishonor the memory of a woman that so many people loved so much.

    Truly a shame, or in Wilson's words, pitiful.

    AR

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  44. Anonymous3:57 AM GMT-5

    Louis Farrakhan was the best speaker there. I am so glad that he is helping Andre Carson gain what is rightfully his families spot in Congress.

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  45. 1:51, The facts speak for themselves. You obviously haven't lived in Marion County very long.
    Bigoted comments? Hardly. My comments were posted because they are true.
    The hatred of the black community towards whites in this city is the worst I have seen in the 53 years I've lived here and it's getting worse.
    Farrakhan was invited to speak because his dogma is accepted by the black community here and that Carson and her family were influenced and protected by Nation of Islam members.

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  46. AR: you took umbrage at my pointing out that the GOP has just ONE Jewish U.S. Representative. True, 2 U.S. Senators. None whatsoever in the Indiana Legislature.

    Kinda like Black Republicans: none in Congress whatsoever and none at all in the Indiana Legislature.

    Face it: the GOP is the Christian white mans party ... why do Republicans discriminate against Jews and Blacks?

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  47. Jesse Jackson made an off the cuff comment that was not wise but he is not anti semite...Farrahkan is and I still cannot believe that he spoke at Julia's funeral. He also is a horrible homophobe who thinks all gays are doomed to eternal damnation and are abominations....Wilson, what are your thoughts on his speaking?

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  48. "Louis Farrakhan was the best speaker there. I am so glad that he is helping Andre Carson gain what is rightfully his families spot in Congress."

    Wow. That's a (bad) joke, I hope?

    Monarchies have actual queens and their bloodline has a 'right' to the throne. I didn't know that was the way it worked in this country. Or is that how and why G W Bush got elected?

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  49. Anonymous wrote:
    "Jesse Jackson made an off the cuff comment that was not wise but he is not anti semite..."

    How is that any different than Senator Lott's "off the cuff comment" at Senator Thurmond's birthday party?

    And noone has explained why two such blatant anti-Semites were invited to speak at the various services.

    AR

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  50. "they could not support a party that believed in equality so they became republicans!!"
    If they truly believed in equality they would have been republican!

    I've read from posts on this blog and others that we are what we are.
    Wilson has stated that he didn't choose to be gay. If one can't choose to be gay or straight how can one choose to be a democrat or republican. If one doesn't believe in equality how can one "choose" to believe in it? We can change our minds on decisions but we are or are not racists.
    The democrat party has a long history of hate and distain for those who aren't white Christians. These racist democrats didn't change parties they stayed democrats and became good at hiding their true feelings.
    I learned at an early age that I didn't want to be associated with hypocrites, I knew at an early age that I possessed conservative views, I‘m a republican. So you liberal left twisting lug nuts can keep your race-hating goofs. We in the Republican Party never wanted them anyway.

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  51. Race relations in Indianapolis are not perfect. They are not in the horrible coflict that you suggest they are. Perhaps if you left your lily white neighborhood and lived and socialized with African Americans then you would realize all of the similarities we have.

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  52. Anonymous4:45 PM GMT-5

    Why did Carson not resign after becoming too ill to perform?

    From the Indy Star:

    "One more Carson tribute

    "The $555 billion spending bill Congress approved before adjourning for the year includes $165,200 for heirs of the congresswoman, who died this month from lung cancer.

    "It's a tradition in the House for the heirs of lawmakers who die in office to receive one year's salary. Her survivors include two children and two grandchildren."

    http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007712230351

    Thanks, Julia...

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  53. Honi soit qui mal y pense (Old French: shame upon him who thinks evil of it)

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  54. Anonymous6:02 PM GMT-5

    I had thought that it would be fitting for Julia Carson's grandson to sit in her seat in Washington. I was, however, unaware, as it appears many of us were, to his connection with the Nation of Islam and Louis Farrakhan. Now, there is absolutely no way I can vote for the man.

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  55. Anonymous6:25 PM GMT-5

    I was one of the speakers at Julia's memorial service--gay, Jewish and of European descent. Julia Carson crossed all lines in a multi-cultural way and persons of all views loved her. Look at her voting record to determine what she was really all about--she did not vote the NOI, Jackson, Lugar or Evan Bayh way---she voted CARSON---pro-gay, pro-Jewish, pro-peace, pro-labor, pro-grassroots. That's all that matters now. If you follow the reasoning of some of these folks, why is there not criticism that right-wing Bushite Mitch Daniels was the MOST prominent figure at her funeral..? I am glad for EVERYONE who was there to honor her.
    Futhermore, I would like to know where all the missing Indiana county-city commissioners, state senators and state reps were? both black and white. Guess they were jealous of her success? But short of being on a sickbed, anyone missing has no class in my book.
    Finally, Andre Carson has IT ALL. He is totally his grandmother's grandson. He has the vision, the soul, the experience, the sensitivity, the kindness and the legacy of Julia Carson to carry him through and he will be much much better in Congress than all those other names being bandied about. Like his grandmother, he LOVES Indianapolis and will bring it home like she did, always.

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  56. Anonymous1:51 AM GMT-5

    For the record, Elrod is going to win and does not need a funeral to kick off his campaign and gain sympathy points.

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  57. Just like Dickerson was going to win? Just like Horning was going to win? Etc, etc, etc...

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