Crass Opportunism
Today, Michigan governor Jennifer "Please forget I was born in Canada" Granholm signed legislation today to designate a fourteen mile stretch of I-96 between I-75 and Telegraph Road as the "Rosa Parks Memorial Highway". This road used to be called the Jeffries Freeway. So much for former Detroit Mayor Edward Jeffries, Jr. He didn't do anything important. He was only mayor during World War II, presided over recruiters bringing in a diverse group of people north to work in the factories, which made Detroit become known as the "Arsenal of Democracy", which, with the growth in manufacturing that came with it, helped Detroit to become the auto capital of the world, a title that is still here today. (Well, until Toyota fully claims that title.) Obviously, his work was important enough that they named the freeway for him. But, hey, there's political photo opportunism here, so let's brush aside 50 years or so of tradition and jump on the bandwagon.
And no, I'm not going to get into a debate over Rosa Parks and what she did. She is not the point of my posting. My issue is with politicians who glom onto the death of any celebrity and use it for their own motives. Remember this? Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat from Minnesota, died tragically in a plane crash in 2002. There was a memorial held for him, and his fellow Democrats turned it into a President Bush-bashing event, and a campaign rally. Sickening.
The same type of thing happened here a couple of months ago when Rosa Parks died. She lied in state in Washington before the actual funeral. She was the first non-president for whom that honor was bestowed. You will NEVER convince me that she deserved it more than, say, Thomas Edison or Alexander Hamilton, just to name a couple. (Regular readers know what I think of Hamilton and his contributions to our history.) Then, her funeral. 9 hours long? 29 eulogies? Every politician and political face-timer made speeches. To her credit, she never sought the limelight. She could have, but chose to live anonymously. But boy oh boy, can the people who sought to "honor" her not follow that example. Why was Reverend Al Sharpton here? Hasn't he caused enough problems with his whole Tawana Brawley fiasco? How about Jesse Jackson? Doesn't he have any more illegitimate children to take care of? And of course, Kwame himself. Kwame actually had the audacity to use the occasion of her death as a political issue. It worked, as it brought out voters for him (or Jackie Curry printed enough votes for him. Once can never be too sure in Detroit politics.)
So, today, the Canadian governor of Michigan has told Mayor Jeffries, essentially, "Screw Off. You're not important anymore, so I'm kicking you to the curb."
Why was this section chosen? Why not the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, commonly known as the 696 Racetrack? Well, he was a liberal union leader, and you can't tick off your political base....
There's been talk of a statue honoring Ms. Parks. But why stop there? Let's change the name of the Mackinac Bridge to "The Rosa Parks Bridge". Joe Louis Arena should be renamed "Rosa Parks Arena". After all, who remembers Joe Louis? Besides, we still have the fist. But you know, her arrest happened down in Alabama. Well, as part of the political opportunism, I propose that the University of Alabama change from the Crimson Tide to Alabama Rosa Parks. Granted, 'Roll Parks' doesn't sound as cool as 'Roll Tide'.
Her effect was felt throughout the nation, so let's rename other things, too. The Florida Keys should be the Florida Rosa Parks. The Island of Manhattan should be the Island of Rosa Parks. Jellystone National Park can become Jellystone National Rosa Parks. That one just flows off the tongue, don't you think?
Heck, since she was laid in state (again, political opportunism on both parties' account), let's get the Federal government in on the act. Let's remove George Washington from the one dollar bill, and put her on it. After all, he's a dead white guy who owned slaves.
The whole point here is all about the disgusting nature of the opportunism shown by politicians. As I said earlier, Rosa Parks was not a publicity hound. (Get it, Al and Jesse?) But the way these leeches used her death for their own political purposes is appalling. If these politicians truly wanted to honor her, why wait until she's dead?
And no, I'm not going to get into a debate over Rosa Parks and what she did. She is not the point of my posting. My issue is with politicians who glom onto the death of any celebrity and use it for their own motives. Remember this? Senator Paul Wellstone, a Democrat from Minnesota, died tragically in a plane crash in 2002. There was a memorial held for him, and his fellow Democrats turned it into a President Bush-bashing event, and a campaign rally. Sickening.
The same type of thing happened here a couple of months ago when Rosa Parks died. She lied in state in Washington before the actual funeral. She was the first non-president for whom that honor was bestowed. You will NEVER convince me that she deserved it more than, say, Thomas Edison or Alexander Hamilton, just to name a couple. (Regular readers know what I think of Hamilton and his contributions to our history.) Then, her funeral. 9 hours long? 29 eulogies? Every politician and political face-timer made speeches. To her credit, she never sought the limelight. She could have, but chose to live anonymously. But boy oh boy, can the people who sought to "honor" her not follow that example. Why was Reverend Al Sharpton here? Hasn't he caused enough problems with his whole Tawana Brawley fiasco? How about Jesse Jackson? Doesn't he have any more illegitimate children to take care of? And of course, Kwame himself. Kwame actually had the audacity to use the occasion of her death as a political issue. It worked, as it brought out voters for him (or Jackie Curry printed enough votes for him. Once can never be too sure in Detroit politics.)
So, today, the Canadian governor of Michigan has told Mayor Jeffries, essentially, "Screw Off. You're not important anymore, so I'm kicking you to the curb."
Why was this section chosen? Why not the Walter P. Reuther Freeway, commonly known as the 696 Racetrack? Well, he was a liberal union leader, and you can't tick off your political base....
There's been talk of a statue honoring Ms. Parks. But why stop there? Let's change the name of the Mackinac Bridge to "The Rosa Parks Bridge". Joe Louis Arena should be renamed "Rosa Parks Arena". After all, who remembers Joe Louis? Besides, we still have the fist. But you know, her arrest happened down in Alabama. Well, as part of the political opportunism, I propose that the University of Alabama change from the Crimson Tide to Alabama Rosa Parks. Granted, 'Roll Parks' doesn't sound as cool as 'Roll Tide'.
Her effect was felt throughout the nation, so let's rename other things, too. The Florida Keys should be the Florida Rosa Parks. The Island of Manhattan should be the Island of Rosa Parks. Jellystone National Park can become Jellystone National Rosa Parks. That one just flows off the tongue, don't you think?
Heck, since she was laid in state (again, political opportunism on both parties' account), let's get the Federal government in on the act. Let's remove George Washington from the one dollar bill, and put her on it. After all, he's a dead white guy who owned slaves.
The whole point here is all about the disgusting nature of the opportunism shown by politicians. As I said earlier, Rosa Parks was not a publicity hound. (Get it, Al and Jesse?) But the way these leeches used her death for their own political purposes is appalling. If these politicians truly wanted to honor her, why wait until she's dead?
posted by One Man's Thoughts at 9:57 PM
4 Comments:
I disagree. I think the new team name should be "Rock Financial Proudly Presents The Alabama Rosa Parks".
Rosa was a wonderful person whose funeral was turned into a political circus. I also feel that people are selling out when it comes to name changes. Examples include “Dummer Academy” changing its name due to mean spirited comments, street name changes for political or celebrity notoriety as this would never happen for the common people like ourselves, towns changing their names to “Dish” for cash or other benfits.
I'm sick of people who know nothing about a topic (AKA Edward Jeffries, Jr) blasting people they are so obviously against (AKA Jennifer Granholm, Democrat) for no particular reason.
If anyone, with the exception of Brian who actually wasted 5-10 minutes of his life researching Mr. Jeffries, knew who Edward Jeffries Jr. was, prior to reading the article, I would be amazed.
Stick with topics you know about Brian!
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