Sunday, December 23, 2007

Why Carson Chose To Die In Office Rather Than Resign

As regular readers of this blog are aware, I've been highly critical of the late Rep. Julia Carson for her decision to hold on to her seat rather than resign once it became clear she was unable to perform her duties in office. Many people speculated about her reasoning for denying the people of the 7th District a representative in Congress by staying on rather than resigning. After all, she and her staff lied for many months about the state of her health, a fact conveniently overlooked by our local media. Her decision not to resign has resulted in our district being without representation. I think the Star's "Behind Closed Doors" column answers that question for us today. If Carson had resigned from office, an important death benefit would not have been available to her heirs. By dying in office, her heirs can divvy up $165,200 between them, an amount equal to her one year's pay as a congressperson. The column item reads:

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.

Despite all the tributes you've heard to Rep. Carson this past week, the truth is that Julia has always taken care of Julia and her family first. She always made sure that there were government jobs for family members, including her grandson, Andre, who we are told she wants to anoint from the grave as her successor. When she ran a clothing store in Claypool Court, she believed she didn't have to pay rent to the Simon family because she was a prominent African-American state senator, and so she didn't until she was evicted and sued for the back rent. She used her relationship with the Center Township Trustee to force needy residents to purchase clothing from her store at inflated prices. Her supporters boast about how she took away benefits from unqualified beneficiaries as Center Township Trustee, but they don't tell you she was successfully sued by the Indiana Civil Liberties Union because she made decisions in her office which ignored a pesky little provision of our constitution called the due process clause. Taxpayers also had to pay to settle lawsuits against former employees she unlawfully fired because they didn't support the candidate she backed for township constable. Her supporters boast about her efforts to clean up her Fall Creek neighborhood, but ignore the fact she allowed buildings she owned to fall into disrepair and failed to pay property taxes she owed on them. One of her buildings became a public nuisance as a neighborhood crack house. Taxpayers were forced to pay to tear down the building and clean up the vacant lot. She refused to reimburse taxpayers until the media turned up the heat on her. And as her last act as Center Township Trustee, she personally arranged to have the 300 East property unnecessarily purchased at taxpayers expense named in her honor.

At her funeral, her supporters referred to her as "Queen Julia" just as she would have wanted it, and declared Prince Andre, a guy whose test score was too low to be hired as a state excise police officer but nonetheless got hired because Queen Julia told the man in charge of excise police, her former campaign manager, to give Andre and another one of her grandsons a job. "If you love me, send my seed,” U.S. Rep. Kilpatrick said Carson told her on her death bed, referring to grandson, Andre. As one local TV station reported, even in death, the Carson machine lives on. When my parents die, they will never receive the honors and accolades feasted upon Carson, but I will know they have accomplished more good in their lives than Carson ever thought of doing for her fellow mankind. My parents are like most people who work hard, tend to the needs of their family, pay their fair share of taxes and generously give to their church, charities and others without expecting anything in return. That's the kind of public service we should honor in this country, and not the self-serving person Carson proved she was in life and in death.

79 comments:

Wilson46201 said...

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

Now that the body is buried, AdvanceIndiana can resume its normal and constant attacks on Julia Carson, even after death...

Anonymous said...

I'm not sure how you can speak the truth like that. I mean, how dare you.

Gary R. Welsh said...

I want you to explain to the readers here, Wilson, why the Carson family would ask Louis Farrakhan, who preaches racism, anti-Semitism and anti-gay bigotry from his pulpit, to speak at her funeral and endorse her grandson as her successor. Not one member of the GLBT community was asked by the Carson family to speak at her funeral about her support for gay rights. How can you possibly defend that, Wilson?

Anonymous said...

In many, many businesses and corporations, employees have company paid insurance benefits, that, if the employee dies when employed, the employee's heirs receive the insurance benefits. Sometimes these benefits equal the employee's salary. Other times its a fixed amount. AI I know you hate this, but this is a benefit that has gone to other members of Congress of both parties. Is it your belief, AI, that the heirs and family of Charlie Norwood, Jo Ann Davis, Paul Gillmore, and Juanita Millender-McDonald, the four other members of Congress who died this year should be denied the same benefits Ms. Carson received? Norwood, Gillmore and Davis were Republican. Millender-McDonald Democrat. Your restraint all last week was commendable. But, AI tell me, are you against these benefit for ALL members of Congress and for those who work in the private sector, or just for Black Democrats named Julia Carson?

Wilson46201 said...

Mitch Daniels, Becky Skillman and Dick Lugar spoke also at the funeral. It was an eclectic mix for sure! Mike Pence, Greg Ballard, Danny Burton et uxor attended as well...

Gary R. Welsh said...

With over 10 years of service and over the age of 62, Carson was vested in the congressional retirement plan. She would have received a very generous pension from her congressional plan immediately upon her retirement. I assume she was also receiving a pension from her many years of service in the General Assembly. Instead, she chose to remain in the job, even though she was physicially incapable of representing her constituents.

Gary R. Welsh said...

And as I suspect, Wilson, you will never explain the Louis Farrakhan appearance at the funeral. It will haunt Andre's congressional bid. Make no mistake about it.

Anonymous said...

Well said, Gary! Carson was a simple operative for The Democrat Machine, bringing the Ghetto Mafia behind her.

Farrrakhan spoke because he is a racist, and Julia hired his army to guard the Trustee's office. Now it has been exposed.

Wilson46201 said...

Jocelyn Tandy was seen heading out to Crown Hill wearing her dancing shoes to perform her little Happy Dance on Julia's tombstone.

AdvanceIndiana is simply doing the same but using modern online technology...

Anonymous said...

Wilson will not respond to any substantive challenge. He never has, never will. He not so skillfully always points in another direction. He is a hypocrite first class. And to this post, his patented response will be "say anything you want anonymous, I Wilson use my name". Sure, but you don't say anything of substance. His is what the Democrats are all about.

Anonymous said...

You ignored the question. You critize Carson for remaining in Office and her heirs receiving the benefits all members who die in office receive. Of the five others who died in office this year, three others (Norwood, Davis and Millenender-McDonald, had lingering illnesses that her consituents were aware us. There is no media coverage of controversies from folks in their district that they should have resigned while ill. Again, my simple question, you harp upon Carson receiving benefits because she didn't resign. Do you condemn these other members for the same? Or why single Julia out and not condemn the others?

Gary R. Welsh said...

I don't have to address those other members of Congress because they weren't my elected representative. Carson was. A number of us raised questions about her health in her last campaign. We were told the rumors she had a serious illness were all made up. We now know she had been battling lung cancer for a lengthy period of time.

Anonymous said...

AI,
What a cop out. But, since you're the enterprising blogger and your powers of research are excellent, then get on your Google and research blogs in those other districts. Did blogs like this in OH, VA and CA feel the same way you do? I don't think so. The only federal office that mandates action in incapacitation is the President. Not Congress. I respect your right to your view, but strongly, strongly disagree. Sometimes your bias against Carson has colored (neutral noun, not a racial judgement) your cantankerous (positive attribute) views on issues.

Anonymous said...

A little perspective here:

The benefit due surviving family members, is a custom, not a regulation, law or written personnel code. As a Congressional and State Assembly veteran, there were life insurance benefits from those positions, too. I know not how much, but it should be a matter of public record. If it is customary and/or regular, so be it. She was going to get it whenever she died, I think...unless you're insinuating she'd not have gotten it if she resigned, then died. In which case, her legacy is then somewhat tarnished.

I watched the funeral on TV. Coupled with the whole week of tributes, it was completely over the top. By about half. She earned a nice sendoff, but this was almost presidential in nature. Yesterday's speakers were eclectic, to be sure. I found two most illuminating:

Minister Louis F., who was kind and non-bigoted, if gassy. He spoke well of all children of God, including the Isrealites, and I am quite sure that his devoted hardline followers worldwide will puke in their mouths at that one. But he was polite and dutifully respectful. I was shocked. No anti-gay or anti-Jew sentiment expressed whatsoever.

I am a little puzzled over the choice of the 15-minute (instead of the requested two) speaker...and yes, that choice will haunt Andre.

Little-noticed was the last "general" speaker, longtime Democratic ward chair Burnetta Sloss Tanner, in her trademark sequened baseball cap. (Honey, you may think it works, but it doesn't)

She talked about the real operations of "the machine," and how Julia revved it up when needed.

Strangely unmentioned was the well-known side fact: if you wanted Burnetta's help, for the most part, you needed to grease her palm. Big time. I never knew if Julia participated in that graft, and I suspected she did not, but she knew of it.

Burnetta was not entirely honest about "the machine," a subtlety that will not go unnoticed. Especially by her loving God, whose name Burnetta often evokes in her vaunted gospel music producing gigs.

Although many tributes yesterday were honest, reflective and uplifting, Burnetta's selective memory was overwhelming. To be sure, she diodn't actually lie.

But perhaps she was afraid she'd get struck by lightning if she spoke the whole, real truth.

You can wax poetic in French or any other language, Wilson, but the "machine" system is well-known among longtime Democratic activists. There are far too many candidates who have been extorted by Burnetta's greed (and, by extension, the velvet, unspoken threat of Julia's wrath via Burnetta).

And that doesn't even take into account the dirty tricks Burnetta undertook over the last three decades. The dirty tricks, the graft, and, to be honest, the hard work, and support for candidates, were always undertaken by Burnetta and her elves, so that Julia had deniability if things went awry, as they sometimes did.

I can't tell you how many slating conventions were marred by Burnetta's calls during the last week, to many folks, claiming she was "behind" or "against" a certian candidate. Often, she was sewing seeds of confusion. Always present was the not-so-subtle insinuation that whatever Peach (Burnetta) said, Julia also believed or directed. Sometimes, Burnetta was for and against a certain candidate within a 24-hour period. It was clever, but dishonest.

May Julia rest in peace. Although, honestly, I feel a little like I did when they hauled Reagan's sorry deceased ass all over hell's half acre: let 'em rest, already.

As for the two Congresswomen who beckoned us to send Julia's seed in her stead: go home and preach to your own constituents about whom they should elect. Andre has not earned this position, as his grandma had. There are a half-dozen mentioned Democratic candidates, all of whom have earned it far more than Andre.

Oh yeah--that was the best Lord's Prayer I've ever heard sung. By far. A-men indeed.

Anonymous said...

This is indecent. Pray that people will speak better of you at the end of your days; particularly if you manage to do a fraction of the good that Julia Carson did.

Gary R. Welsh said...

Doug, everything I wrote about Carson can be found in the archives of the Indianapolis Star--all news stories the paper felt deserving of public comment at the time they were written. When politicians die, coverage of their death, if objective, talks about the bad as well as the good. Our local news media treated us to all the good. If the local news media had done its job, it would have devoted some of their news coverage to reviewing the stories from their own coverage. Over and over again Channel 13 played a clip showing her walking out of a debate with Brose McVey under a false accusation he was running a racist campaign against her. Of course, the ads which upset her so much were 100% true. No mention of her racist attack against Eric Dickerson in last year's campaign, portraying him as a mad black man running around beating up women. As I've said before, the local news media always gave Julia a break they never give to other politicians. If they had treated her transgressions the same as they covered other politician's weaknesses, she would never have been elected to Congress.

Anonymous said...

When politicians die, coverage of their death, if objective, talks about the bad as well as the good.

No, not really. I don't recall any major media outlets pissing on Reagan's corpse, and you certainly didn't criticize President Ford when he died.

Wilson46201 said...

Gary would tear the tongue from his own mouth before speaking ill of Ronald Reagan and cut off his right hand before ever writing anything critical of Gerald Ford!

Anonymous said...

Bravissimo, Gary!!!

Anonymous said...

hey I do love the fact that a Rolls Royce was present in the funeral procession.

It was a bold move, by far. Most of Julia's constitutients couldn't even afford to rent a Rolls, much less buy one.

Julia's funeral demonstrates that even those most politicians wouldn't be caught dead near a Rolls, Julia pushes the envelope.

Yes indeed, politics, list most of lifes' vices are all about the BLING and while Julia held her self as some from "the hood" she really was all about the BLING.

For that is what life is all about, the appearence of indulgence, that is what the poor really want as it inspires them to "work harder".

You're likely to not post this GW, however this is succintly trure

Anonymous said...

Nothing indecent, Doug, about an honest exchange of ideas and thoughts. Some of the posts are kinda odd, but Gary's posts are up-front and true.

The funeral was interesting, and full of opporutnities to make observations of all kinds.

For the record, I thought the Reagan funeral was so over the top it was borderline hilarious. Ford, well---he was a decent man, if never elected. Cute son, too.
But Reagan and Ford are both are former presidents.

Julia was a Member of Congress, legislator, trustee, citizen. Her funeral pomp was, by any reasonable evaluation, a tad much.

Fifteen or so speakers, and each had memories different from others. Burnetta's eulogy was fitting, if only partially true.

If you don't think that old machine had its ugly and sometimes-extortionist moments, watch from the sidelines over the next five or six weeks. Truths will be twisted, arms twisted, too...and given the high stakes/short timeframe, it could get real ugly.

It's going to be interesting.

Anonymous said...

The meanness and disprespect is unbelievable. Julia was due every bit of the praise she raised for decades of dedication to this community. She will be missed. However, I do wish Wilson would answer the question why there were no Jewish or GLBT speakers. Julia would have insisted that they were included. Was that the price that had to be paid to get Farrakhan there......I support Andre but I think Farrakhan is going to hurt him in his run for congress...NOW Wilson why were there no Jewish or GLBT speakers????? INquiring minds want to know

Wilson46201 said...

Marcia Goldstone of the Jewish Community Relations Council sent a letter of condolence to the family but many observant Jews don't do public events on Saturdays. A couple of important Jewish leaders were indeed desired and invited but were out of the country.

A GLBT speaker was in the memorial service for Julia at the Statehouse on Friday. Both Barney Frank and Tammy Baldwin spoke lovingly on the floor of Congress about their colleague Julia. Although I wasn't a speaker, I was a participant in the funeral process within the family circle.

Anonymous said...

However, I do wish Wilson would answer the question why there were no Jewish or GLBT speakers.

Noted gay rights supporter Tavis Smiley spoke. Smiley himself has long been the subject of rumors and speculation of his sexual identity.

garyj said...

I respect Wilson for having the courage to identify himself, and not hide behind anonymity. The respect stops there.
Wilson is an "educated idiot!"
He believes every word that people like TDW, Bart Peterson, and Nancy Pelosi, have to say. It is Gospel truth.
"Anonymous" shows a fear of standing behind your beliefs, actions, or words. Or maybe, what you are saying is just wrong, foolish, or lies.
AI is aware of the consequences of publishing false information. He does his research very well.

Anonymous said...

Wilson wrote:
"A couple of important Jewish leaders were indeed desired and invited but were out of the country."

David Orentlicher wasn't available? Or Joe Lieberman? Or any of the other Democrat Jews that Wilson raves about? After all, Wilson is quick to point out just how much the Democrats love the Jewish people - and all that love couldn't get them ONE Jewish leader? Not one?

I suspect there are many Jews who would have participated - not because it was a public event, but because it was a funeral (or whatever word you might choose to use.)

I find it hard to believe you couldn't find one Jewish leader to attend. That's difficult to comprehend.

I suspect many were indeed reluctant because of the inclusion of Louis Farrakhan. Frankly, I wish one would have shown up if for nothing more than to spit in his eye.

Remember, people are often judged by the company they keep. If your company includes LF, well, that says a lot about you, frankly.

As I've pointed out before, I'm Jewish, and I certainly do not purport to speak for the Jewish community (or for anyone other than myself, for that matter.) I just find this hard to believe, that's all, which is why I think there is something far more to it than it was the Sabbath or that people were out of town.

AR

Anonymous said...

Nice article AI. It's about time we heard about the real Julia Carson.

Anonymous said...

Joe Lieberman is every bit as homophobic as Louis farrakhan. The last thing we needed was a Jewish Farrahkan to speak. The real Farrahkan was over the top and out of place as Andre will see when he runs for Congress. David Orenlicher would have been a good speaker.

Anonymous said...

Lieberman is every bit as homophobic as Minister Louis F?

Please.

Now this is just getting silly.

Wilson--the family didn't invite David O. because he is a potential Andre rival. Plain and simple.

As for a gay leader being a speaker--Revs. Johnson and Bailey would surely have objected. Neither is very open-minded on that issue.

Anonymous said...

But you know, when Nixon died, the media rolled out ALL the watergate stuff and pretty much left no stone unturned.

Gary R. Welsh said...

And they debated whether Reagan had Alzheimer's while he was president.

Anonymous said...

Now the remark re: Tavis Smiley is outrageous. I have no idea if he is gay or not and it is NOT any of my business but the speculating is inappropriate except on a homophobic website.

If anyone has any doubts regarding the homophobic beliefs of Joe Lieberman, look at some of his comments and his votes on Gay issues.

Anonymous said...

AR...the real test is if the grandchild would get the nomination
to run in the fall is whether
someone like Rahm Emanuel or
Sander Levin or Sen. Cardin
would campaign for him here.

Wilson, did anyone from the family bother to invite Emanuel to be a speaker at the funeral?

Wilson46201 said...

All members of Congress, Jews and Gentiles alike, were invited to the funeral services.

Any and all Members of Congress, Jews and Gentiles alike, who wish to support André Carson will be most welcome to campaign for him I'm sure!

All Jewish Members in the House are Democrats with the sole exception of just one lonely Jewish Republican. He's still welcome to help André nevertheless...

Anonymous said...

No, not really. I don't recall any major media outlets pissing on Reagan's corpse, and you certainly didn't criticize President Ford when he died.

Your right and this is part of the problem. It seems that in death, everyone gets a pass for some reason. Why? Unless you start a war and lose (Hitler), then anything bad you do is erased when you die. Why? Everyone says it is for "compassion," give me a break. The power brokers and elites _love_ that the sheeple believe and follow this "compassion" non-sense. It means that the sheeple easily forgive, even though they are being robbed blind. I have no problem with Julia wanting to pass away while in office. So her already wealthy (at least well off) family gets to split $165K. Wonder if they will pay taxes on it? Donate it? Who knows. What I find so hypocritical is the living large of some of these folks while they claim to be "for the little people." The claim they want to help the poor and working class, yet they have no problem living high on the hog. As long as they promise more wealth redistribution, their followers/fans turn a blind eye. In the end, Democrats who follow this line of thing really only put the US more in debt. There is not enough income in the US to pay off our debt. We have only pushed the problems of having third world communites in this country onto the backs of our children. Oh well, the future should be interesting enough.

It will be fun watching the fight as to who gets to run for the 7th District.

Wilson46201 said...

Folk that callously talk about voters as "sheeple" have little faith in the American constitutional system ... sad, very sad!

Anonymous said...

I found it amusing that Andre Carson was often referred to as Julia's "seed". Women do not produce seeds.

Anonymous said...

All I have to say is, now there is a legitimate reason for no representation.
All this phoney baloney going on re Julia Carson. What you wrote is the truth, if anyone cared to pay attention.

Anonymous said...

Death is nothing but the end of Reputation... Time, as it passes, will determine wheter it was good or bad

Anonymous said...

Anon 9:58 before you talk about Democrats running up the debt, I suggest you look at the Bush administration during the last 7 years. He took a balanced budget and a deficit and has set several records for the size of his deficit budget....as my mother would say, you need to clean your own doorstep before you start throwing claims at the Dems for budgets.....

Anonymous said...

Wilson, I have to dispute your statements about the Senate. Specter and Lieberman are both Jewish and neither are Democrats. Specter is the more liberal of the two.

Wilson46201 said...

I deliberately said the HOUSE had just a sole Jewish Republican. The Senate has only two: Specter & Coleman. Lieberman is neither fish nor fowl as to party affiliation ... some would say foul and fishy!

Anonymous said...

Why should death automatically sanitize an individual's personal history?

A couple of months ago the conversation was about Julia being non compo mentis. Now she is being canonized.

I liked her bigger-than-life personality and sense of humor. But politics being as messy as it is, naturally she had some baggage. And some opportunistic folks made her their centerpiece.

The "Queen" Julia nonsense and prolonged funeral- including a caisson!, for pete's sake-- was over the top. (I though caissons were reserved for luminaries who served in the military. Was this just ignorance on the part of funeral planners?)

Wilson46201 said...

Considering the U.S. military itself sent out the caisson & color guard from Washington DC, I doubt if it was a local "slip-up" or ignorance... it's obvious some Hoosiers are themselves ignorant of proper protocol and procedures and are more interested in besmirching the funeral.

Anonymous said...

(I though caissons were reserved for luminaries who served in the military. Was this just ignorance on the part of funeral planners?)
Members of Congress are deserving, (by virtue of being members) of military burials. Julia was no exception. While certain members are not WORTHY of such honors, Julia did do a lot for veterans, therefore, deserved the honor.

Anonymous said...

1:08, interesting, I can't remember a single piece of legislation sponsored by Carson to benefit veterans.
In fact.......other than the Rosa Parks Medal photo op, Carson never wrote ANY legislation. The CBC didn't even want her around.
Hell, she didn't even care enough to show up to vote to extend the 1964 voting rights legislation!
One only need to look at federally subsidized Phoenix Apartments to see the impact Carson had on her district.
BTW, you don't suppose she had an $$ interest in those apartments do you? That's what the word on the street is.
Julia only helped Julia, all the way to the end.

Anonymous said...

Historically Jews have been at the forefront of the Civil Rights movement in America.

Going back to the founding of the NAACP (Henry Moskowitz) in 1909 Jews have been standing side by side with blacks. During the '30's and '40's Jewish educators took positions in black colleges and were greeted with open arms. Jewish attorneys worked to abolish the Jim Crow laws of the south and stood in the trenches of the Civil Rights movement to bring about equality for all people.

In my home town of Chicago, a Jew (Sid Ordower), started a T.V. program called Jubilee Showcase that featured and gave opportunity to scores of black gospel singers.

To say that none of the preeminent Jewish leaders were in some form or fashion available to speak at Carson's funeral is disingenuous. Shabbos not withstanding, there are plenty of Reformed Jews who could have been available to speak. The fact that Carson's people invited that momzer (look it up Wilson) Farrakhan to speak is most likely what kept away these members of the Tribe.

Farrakhan and his ilk have been pushing to keep relations with Jews as hostile as possible. The Crown Heights riots in 1991 widened the gap between blacks and Jews. Even though Jesse Jackson called for both groups to come back together in 2000, the suspicion on the part of Jews towards black leadership is still strong.

To have your faith called a "gutter religion" by Farrakhan and New York "Hymie Town" by Jackson makes it hard for any thinking Jew to truly believe that the gap can be closed again.

Jews have historically been Democrats, in part because Truman recognized the right of Israel to be a separate and independent nation. However, due to many of the actions and statements of the Democratic party leaders a significant number of younger Jews are leaving the Dems and going over to the GOP or as independents.

In death we younger members of the Tribe got to see what Carson really stood for with the inclusion of Farrakhan at her funeral. You can argue all day long that Carson did not hold to many of the hateful things he stands for, but the fact that he was there at all was a huge slap in the face of the one group of people that did and gave so much to the cause of black civil rights.

Anonymous said...

Buert SeVaas is Jewish, so are the Simons. No room at the Inn?

Anonymous said...

Julia Carson was not a player in the Civil Rights Movement, ever!
She let others bleed for her instead and then picked the low lying fruit to line her pockets.
She was a phoney!

Wilson46201 said...

Julia Carson has always had excellent relations with members of the Indianapolis Jewish community. She was an active participant in a group of Black and Jewish women who met regularly to promote understanding. Just recently, AdvanceIndiana even took her to task online for being too friendly with Jews and AIPAC!

Anonymous said...

Shofar you wish. Most of the young Jews leaving the Democratic party are Orthodox, who are a small minority of American Jews. Goldsmith and other aberrations notwithstanding, young Jews belong to the party committed to social justice in overwhelming numbers.

Anonymous said...

Anon 2:11 and Wilson you both made my point.

Anon 2:11 yes Simon and SerVass, along with Glick, Goldsmith and a host of other local Jewish leaders did not speak at Carson's funeral. Why? I think the answer is obvious. What Jewish leader would, in their right mind, want to be seen with Farrakhan, under any circumstance.

Wilson, I don't care what Gary's opinion is regarding Carson's association with AIPAC. The fact that her people brought a radicalizing hate monger to speak at her funeral sends a huge message to the Jewish community. We will take your money (Simons), we will take your voters support (Orentlicher) but when it comes down to having you be accepted into OUR house we will slap you in the face. No "gutter religion" no "Hymie town[ers]" allowed.

While not a fan of Orentlicher, I hope he mounts a campaign against the heir apparent for Carson's seat. Then we will see the truth of Carson's machine here in Indianapolis.

Anonymous said...

I think Beurt and Cory SerVaas will be surprised to learn thsat they've been reformed and/or converted.

Minor point, but please--think before you type!

Wilson46201 said...

Beurt SerVaas is not Jewish but an adherent to the Reformed Church (a Dutch-Presbyterian sect)

Anonymous said...

Stand corrected

Anonymous said...

Jack Abramoff also had a previous
comittment preventing his
attendance.

Wilson46201 said...

On another thread here, "Jeffrey" posted:

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.
6:25 PM EST

Anonymous said...

Well said!

Anonymous said...

Wilson, you are a genius....Lieberman is foul and fishy!!!!!! There is no better way to say it.

Anonymous said...

Not sure what julia did for Veterans, but she was a strong union supporter. I did like that.
Arguments for bor both sides can be valid, but decent wages stimulate th economy!

Anonymous said...

Everyone is talking about Mr. Andre Carson, that's just exactly what he wants: He wants all the attention to himself. This is what makes a true genius, this man has not made any public statements regarding his bid, nor will he make one. The more we talk about this young man the more he gains in successfully making his bid for congress. This whole funeral of Julia Carson has been a joke, it is very sad that Andre and his family has manipulated their grandmothers name and legacy to continue their domination in Indiana politics. This is not a legacy, this is a continuation from Julia camp to maintain power, because if he loses, that be Sir Andre, then the political machine will crumble.
If he wins, then it will be gods will not Andre nor his grandmother. She to is standing in front of God and I am pretty sure he has brought out his book and is beginning to ask her some serious questions. Andre must come out and address the public and give us his vision as it relates to Indianapolis. He like many others fighting to represent Indy, must get off THEIR ASS, and stop riding his dead grand mother platform and present his own VISION AND VALUES, then, and only then will he get the respect he trully deserves. Until then, if he continues to hide then what ever is in the dark will come to light. STAND UP MR. ANDRE CARSON AND BE A MAN, AND STOP HAVING PEOPLE SPEAK FOR YOU, IF YOU ARE A LEADER LETS HEAR YOU IN A PUBLIC DEBATE, YOU: GREG PORTER, CAROLENE MAYS, DAVID O, ELROD, CARL DRUMER, LACY JOHNSON, FRANK ANDERSON. YOU SEE WHAT IT ALL COMES DOWN TO IS THIS. NEITHER OF THE INDIVIDUALS MENTION HAVE NOT DONE ANYTHING FOR INDIANAPOLIS. IF THEY HAVE I APOLOGIZES. THE CITIZENS OF THIS GREAT CITY NEED ALL OF THESE PEOPLE TO COME FOWARD. AND ALLOW THE CITIZENS TO DECIDE WHO THEIR REPRESENTATIVE WILL BE IN THE SPECIAL ELECTION.
WHAT ARE THEY AFRAID OF? THIS IS NOT A MONARCHY THIS WE ALL KNOW. WAKE UP AND SPELL THE COFFEE SIR ANDRE.

Wilson46201 said...

...and all this is being demanded loudly by an anonymous nobody?

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Wilson46201 said...

Classy blog you're running here, Gary! Antigay slurs and threats of physical violence now?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

Anonymous at 12:36:

Wilson46201 is Wilson Allen. He has never (as far as I can tell) hidden behind his screen name.

Your demand for him to reveal his identity is several time-periods late.

AR

Anonymous said...

Someone wrote:
" Finally, Andre Carson has IT ALL. "

Yes, apparently he does, if by "all" you mean the blessing of two, prominent anti-Semites.

AR

Anonymous said...

Gary:

Would you please remove the physical threat of violence posted here? It's absolutely inexcusable.

AR

Anonymous said...

Folk that callously talk about voters as "sheeple" have little faith in the American constitutional system ... sad, very sad!

Hate to burst your bubble, but nothing in this country is written in stone. The Constitution can be used to do whatever a handful of judges want it to do. If enough "voters" vote in people who end up electing a supreme court that says gays can't marry, then using your logic, you can no longer say this is wrong. The ultimate "authority" has spoken, thus the way it is. What do you call a group of people who vote to violate personal liberties of others? This is OK as long as they use "the system?" Scary.

This is not a legacy, this is a continuation from Julia camp to maintain power, because if he loses, that be Sir Andre, then the political machine will crumble.

Yup. This is their biggest fear, losing control. All one has to do is look at Burton doing _everything_ he can to make sure the family employer stays in business. McGoff has him running scared, and with good reason. The Burton machine/family has a lot to lose if they lose the seat. Ditto for the Carson family.

Wilson46201 said...

I just finished uploading to http://www.YouTube.com the complete Congressional tribute to Congresslady Julia Carson (12/18/07)

This includes remarks by her colleagues: Dan Burton, Mike Pence, Steve Buyer and many, many others...

Gary R. Welsh said...

Gee, I can't go out of town for 24 hours without someone going crazy on me on the comments.

Anonymous said...

Indiana is getting to be a popular destination for LF. See

http://www.thetimesonline.com/articles/2007/12/26/updates/breaking_news/doc4772029173a80956797891.txt

Anonymous said...

I ditto:
Bravissimo, Gary!!!

Anonymous said...

I'm a Dem committeeman, and today, the 26th, the mail started...all the judges running, and others.

A really confusingly-worded piece from the County Party. No surprise there...Terry Burns really needs a course in writing.

And this bizarre one-sided 4-color collage of pictures from Woody Myers. Family pix from the last 15 years. Like a travelogue of where he's been except here in Indy.

Entertaining, but politically, one of the stupidest things I've seen in a long time. It gives opponents a reason to claim "he's not one of us."

Woody, dude...get someone with Marion County experience on your team...fast.

And dial in a salad once in a while man. Geeeeesh.

Wilson: I did check out your post regarding the Carson tributes. Very nice.

Now, can someone please tell those two Congresswomen who spoke at the funeral to 1) learn some funeral manners and 2) go back home and tell their constituents who they should elect. It's bene a long time since I've seen that kind of rudeness at a funeral.

If Julia wanted Andre so badly..well, that's her choice, but it defies logic. And she could easily have done another deathbed "interview" with the "journalist" Amos Brown. What a sham that was.

RIP, Julia. Too soon gone, too late appreciated.

But, you trained us well, we've got minds of our own, we like experienced candidates, and we'll make our own choices now, thank you very much.

Jacob Perry said...

Gary, kudos for having the courage to post the truth and facing down the Carson machine.

Well done!

Anonymous said...

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Anonymous said...

WILSON, if satan was a black man, would you vote for him too?

Anonymous said...
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Anonymous said...

"I'm an Indy 500 Hoosier. I'm a Covered Bridge Festival Hoosier. I'm a Black Expo Hoosier. I'm a Muslim Hoosier. But I am an American, and I love America,"

Andre's not smart enough to make this up himself. He already has others telling him what to say.