by John Burl Smith

Politics 2000, Turnout 75% and Run Children Run are programs presented by The Richard L. Kirksey, Jr. Memorial Foundation. Designed to educate Americans about their real history, encourage participation in the political process through registering and voting and encouraging young people to take personal responsibility for the direction of American democracy, their message is aim at combating institutionalized racism. Presently, race is America's number one problem. Sponsoring these projects can achieve a profound impact upon the future through T.H.I.N.C. (Teaching Humanity In New Consciousness.)

Blacks living in America have reached another defending moment, as we struggle to realize the same freedom, justice and equality all other citizens take for granted. On November 7, 2000, all the speeches, rallies and fund-raising will be over. It will be up to you. As citizens close voting booth curtains all across America, only one question will matter. "Who do I believe will do more for me?" No one will get all they want from the winner, so you want the man who will cause less harm when you do not get what you want. These considerations should be factored into your decision.

According to the reprint of a Washington Post story in Friday's (10-27-00) Atlanta Journal Constitution, "strict construction" suffered another humiliating defeat. An editorial by Edward Lazarus joined other supporters of The DISH's charge George W. Bush, Jr.'s pledge to appoint judges who "strictly construct" the Constitution is code. Unlike, The DISH unfortunately, Lazarus did not go to the heart of the troubling questions implicit in Bush's declaration. Dot Smith's series of articles traced the historical roots of "strict construction" beyond "separate but equal" of Plessey v. Ferguson to Dred Scott. More important than affirming Scott as property, the court's decision reaffirmed the constitutionally established economic value of slaves as 3/5ths white. Never repealed, Article 1 Section 2 of the U S Constitution is the epicenter of the chasm of inequality and continues to engulf millions of trapped descendants. Strict constructionists embrace the rhetoric "all men are created equal" espoused in The Declaration of Independence. However, they back away from claims slave descendants were included in the Constitution by subsequent Amendments.

America's "one-mind media" has avoided raising the "strict construction" issue with George Jr. or his handlers. Lazarus acknowledges, "courts routinely fill in ambiguities and gaps in legislation." Strict constructionists maintain decisions like Brown v. Board of Education of Topeka are "gross examples of legislating from the bench." Backed by the Southeast Legal Foundation (SELF), Bush, Jr. has picked up the mantra of Barry Goldwater. Decrying the court's reapportionment decisions, i.e., the 1965 Voting Rights Act, one-man/one-vote, Bush attacks court rulings that require states to obey federal constitutional standards of due process, specifically those relating to the death penalty. Typifying his father in the Reagan/Bush resurrection of Richard Nixon's declaration, "strict construction is my main criterion for selecting Supreme Court justices," George, Jr. champions all of the bad, dirty and divisive policies ever implemented in the history of this nation under "strict construction." Jr. claims he is "a uniter not a divider."

Pundits and talking heads are afraid to press Bush, Jr. for specifics regarding the impact "strict construction" has on the 4^th,13^th, 14^th and 15^th Amendments, if Article 1 Section 2 is the guiding principle judges follow. Concealing his real intent behind opposition to Roe v. Wade, George Jr. is attempting to disguise the Confederate states' rights rhetoric of George Wallace, Lester Maddox, Trent Lott, Jesse Helms, Bob Barr, Mack Mattingly and Newt Gingrich as compassionate conservatism. Coding his support for SELF's attack on affirmative action in education, employment and economic equality, fairness and justice, George Jr.'s appearance at Bob Jones University leaves no doubt as to the kind of education, home training and family values he supports.

American need only remember, Germany followed its heart in 1933 and took a chance on Adolf Hitler. They all liked him. He said all the right things. Once in power, he did exactly what his record indicated he would do. Hitler never tried to explain inconsistencies, he merely attacked those pointing them out. Also, he attacked data as un-German when it exposed faults. Hitler was able to hold onto power to the end because of the children educated in his schools. An entire generation was education in pseudo-sciences and trained to be obedient. Those who do not know history are doomed to repeat it. Americans can choose to be Germany or America. The choice is yours.

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