Bankole Thompson Exclusive – New Pittsburgh Courierhttp://newpittsburghcourieronline.com
Fri, 09 Dec 2016 15:23:08 +0000enhourly1http://wordpress.com/http://1.gravatar.com/blavatar/b4f60bd35762d37aa07531f20b161b08?s=96&d=http%3A%2F%2Fs2.wp.com%2Fi%2Fbuttonw-com.pngBankole Thompson Exclusive – New Pittsburgh Courierhttp://newpittsburghcourieronline.com
Exploiting Jesus against President Obama?http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/11/05/exploiting-jesus-against-president-obama/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/11/05/exploiting-jesus-against-president-obama/#respondMon, 05 Nov 2012 19:00:00 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/11/05/exploiting-jesus-against-president-obama/]]> We have been accustomed to hold our religious institutions and faith leaders so dear. Not because of who they are but because we believe they represent a higher power that believes in justice and equity. A higher power that believes that no one should be treated better than the other.

In fact some liberation theologians say that Jesus Christ was not only a revolutionary but a social justice advocate.

Because Christianity is universal no one person can claim a monopoly over this religion which is part of the basis of my recent book “Obama and Christian Loyalty,” exploring the faith posture of President Obama, politics of the religious right and his policies as they affect Christians across the board.

But this week we saw the Rev Billy Graham took a position that suggests something deeper about some of the men and women in the cloth.

Graham took out every reference to Mormonism as a cult on his website after meeting with Republican presidential nominee Mitt Romney who is a Mormon. The evangelist follows that with political ads indirectly supporting Romney and citing issues that he agrees with Romney on.

Meanwhile Graham’s son, Franklin Graham led the charge last year to question President Obama’s faith suggesting that he was born a Muslim. The nonsense of having ownership over Jesus from Franklin Graham was only challenged by few ministers, notably Bishop T.D. Jakes.

No other president has had their faith questioned like Obama and for Franklin Graham, a man who calls himself a leader in the Christian faith to have challenged Obama’s faith on Eastern Sunday morning showed his dislike for the president.

For his father Billy Graham to now give the Mormon religion a pass after years of declaring them a cult only because the Mormon candidate can defeat the African American president shows the true colors of the Grahams. Are the Grahams practicing racism or Christianity?

Because their dislike for the first Black president is no public secret.

What is the theological rational behind questioning the Christian faith of a Black president, and the same time giving a break to a religion like Mormonism that you once declared a cult?

If President Obama was White would the Grahams question his faith?

Would the Grahams have endorsed a White Mormon presidential candidate over a White Christian candidate?

The monopoly over Christianity could not be more glaring in the Graham saga with Obama. Christianity should not be used as a tool of dominance, hate and racism. Instead we expect men and women who talk about the Jesus factor to be right with themselves first before they step out to correct others.

What makes the Grahams think they have the final definition over Christianity?

This level of religious hypocrisy is not only absurd but bad.

I hope other religious leaders who do not admit to how the Grahams have defined Christianity recently will speak out and not be afraid.

Bankole Thompson is the Senior Editor of the Michigan Chronicle. He is a Senior Author-in-Residence at Global Mark Makers Publishing House in Iowa where he is writing a groundbreaking six-part book series on the Obama presidency. His book “Obama and Black Loyalty” published in 2010 follows his recent book “Obama and Christian Loyalty” with a foreword by Bob Weiner former White House spokesman. His forthcoming books in 2012 are “Obama and Jewish Loyalty” and “Obama and Business Loyalty.” He is the first editor of a major African American newspaper to have a series of sit-down interviews with Barack Obama. Thompson is also a Senior Political News Analyst at WDET-101.9FM Detroit (NPR Affiliate) and a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening round table on WLIB-1190AM New York and simulcast in New Jersey and Connecticut.

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/11/05/exploiting-jesus-against-president-obama/feed/0rtmegainesPolitics of Race in 2012 Presidential Campaignhttp://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/29/politics-of-race-in-2012-presidential-campaign/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/29/politics-of-race-in-2012-presidential-campaign/#respondMon, 29 Oct 2012 16:27:08 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/10/29/politics-of-race-in-2012-presidential-campaign/]]>A recent Associated Press survey showed that since America elected its first black president Barack Obama, people’s racial attitudes have not changed in the last four years. In fact it got worse under Obama. That is there is increasing prejudice against blacks and the survey says more Americans now express prejudice towards blacks whether they recognized it or not.

In practical terms those racial attitudes now account for why Obama’s challenger Gov Mitt Romney is pulling ahead among white men and as Republican strategist Mike Murphy said on “Meet the Press” on NBC last week of Romney can pull ahead among white voters in Ohio he’ll do well.

So cast aside the content of the president’s character, the content of his policy and score himn on the content of his skin color. That is the subtle message some of Obama’s critics are pushing and obviously gaining ground in battleground states.

The most prominent reason that could cost Obama his reelection is if majority white voters switch to Romney and few people of color come out to vote. The needs to get at least 38 percent of the white vote.

In fact Romney’s top surrogate John Sununu confirmed this line of racial thinking when he suggests this week that the reason Republican General Colin Powell endorsed Obama for the second time is because of his race.

“Well, I think when you have somebody of your own race that you’re proud of being president of the United States, I applaud Colin for standing with him,” Sununu told CNN. Sununu was a former governor of New Hampshire. I wonder what his racial policies were toward equity and addressing discrimination often found in government?

Conservative radio host Rush Limbaugh made a similar suggestion when General Powell endorsed Obama in 2008.

If endorsements are based on race by prominent African Americans what happened to all the other white presidents that blacks have been voting for?

To remotely suggest that an intelligent and highly decorated general like Powell will support Obama now only because of his race is insulting to the intelligence of not only Powell, but also blacks who have long voted for Democrats and Republicans. Powell gave explicit reasons for not supporting Romney citing his clear lack of foresight on foreign policy, unexplained economic policies etc.

But this is the game some of Obama’s critics want to play because it appeals in the south and in the heartland. This kind of game does affect votes. What the Republican establishment have not done is to rebuke the racial smears that comes from those who represent and speak for the party. Silence is consent.

When Donald Trump goes on his racial tirade questioning Obama’s background and education no one from the GOP stopped Trump. That the first black president with superb academic credentials becoming the first black president of the Harvard Law Review still comes under attack by a man like Trump – who has a lot of money- but can’t match Obama’s education background says something deeper about race in America today.

But despite the racial attitudes expressed in the AP survey it doesn’t change the fact that a lot of people in America today are not looking at their clock through race. They believe that America can be better than that. Romney nor his surrogates should not exploit racial attitudes. Instead Romney should stand on his record. And the same for Obama and let the voters decide. But don’t play on the fears of voters about a black president having a second term after 43 white men have been elected president.

The true test of America’s character is whether race can be cast aside in this crucial presidential election and voters decide exclusively on policy and the issues that resonate with them not how a person looks.

Bankole Thompson author of “Obama and Christian Loyalty,” is a distinguished journalist and presidential author. Since 2008 he has been a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening program on New York’s WLIB-1190AM. You can tune in every Sunday to hear his take on the Obama administration from 9-10:30pm and simulcast in New Jersey and Connecticut. No part of this blog must be republished without the appropriate designation or expressed permisison of the author. http://www.bankolethompson.com

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/29/politics-of-race-in-2012-presidential-campaign/feed/0rtmegainesAre Detroit voters smarter than wedge politics?http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/22/are-detroit-voters-smarter-than-wedge-politics/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/22/are-detroit-voters-smarter-than-wedge-politics/#respondMon, 22 Oct 2012 17:15:15 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/10/22/are-detroit-voters-smarter-than-wedge-politics/]]> If George W. Bush was known for anything in his outreach to the African American community was that he knew how to exploit wedge issues at the expense of poor Black voters who got nothing in return.

Bush and his team were notable for galvanizing some Black ministers across the country and use them at their own expense in their own community.

What for?

To ensure that these Black preachers are advising their congregation members to strictly abide by the Republican moral code: its opposition to gay marriage and abortion. Nothing else.

Since this opposition fits within the Christian perspective the Black preachers who aligned themselves with Bush were the new self-appointed negotiators for the Black vote. Bush exploited gay marriage and abortion at their expense while offering no real economic policy to uplift the lives of most poor Black voters.

And so the moral challengers are back in Detroit in the midst of an intense presidential election. So far there are two billboards displayed in prominent parts of the city. One billboard sits above Woodward Ave and Warren in the Wayne State University corridor, and the other on East Jefferson both urging Black voters to remember that President Obama supports gay marriage and abortion. They are urging Black Christian voters to vote their faith.

In essence they are urging Black voters to support Republican Gov Mitt Romney for president. Since these moral challengers always act like they have ownership over Jesus Christ, its hard to imagine what else they are telling Black voters in some churches across Detroit.

Don’t get me wrong. You have every right to be concerned about moral issues.

However, keep an open mind because equally true is the fact that you should also be concerned about which president will help put food on the table for your families.

You should be concerned about which president will grant educational opportunities to your children.

So while you are pondering or somewhat conflicted about the president’s support for gay marriage and abortion- underscoring how the right to choose is important- because we don’t live in a theocracy, think about which economic policies will help uplift your living conditions.

If you think that voting strictly on moral ground is a winning ballot, you will be seriously mistaken.

The interest of Black voters go beyond gay marriage and abortion.

Aren’t Black voters concerned about the state of the economy, foreclosure crisis, health insurance, escalating gas prices, small business development, protecting civil and voting rights, educational opportunities? These are all issues that have bigger impact on the life of African Americans.

It’s bigger than gay marriage and abortion. Look at the big picture. Don’t fall for the trick.

Vote your conscience on the life and death issues. Vote on what matters to your socioeconomic and political advancement.

Bankole Thompson is a Senior Author-in-Residence at Global Mark Makers Publishing House in Iowa where he is writing a groundbreaking six-part book series on the Obama presidency. His book “Obama and Black Loyalty” published in 2010 follows his recent book “Obama and Christian Loyalty” with a foreword by Bob Weiner former White House spokesman. His forthcoming books in 2012 are “Obama and Jewish Loyalty” and “Obama and Business Loyalty.” He is the first editor of a major African American newspaper to have a series of sit-down interviews with Barack Obama. Thompson is also a Senior Political News Analyst at WDET-101.9FM Detroit (NPR Affiliate) and a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening round table on WLIB-1190AM New York and simulcast in New Jersey and Connecticut.

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/22/are-detroit-voters-smarter-than-wedge-politics/feed/0rtmegainesBankole’s Beef: Who will speak for Detroit?http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/15/bankoles-beef-who-will-speak-for-detroit/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/15/bankoles-beef-who-will-speak-for-detroit/#respondMon, 15 Oct 2012 19:15:57 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/10/15/bankoles-beef-who-will-speak-for-detroit/]]> I’ve been in a lot of meetings lately about Detroit and where the city is headed. Just the other day I had coffee with an influential business leader who was curious about my take on issues, and the subject of who could be the next mayor. This individual was very interested in the “written word” reminding me of what someone said long time ago that journalists have the last word in history.

Two days after that coffee dialogue I met with another political heavyweight and a supporter of Detroit Mayor Dave Bing, who like the business executive wanted to know what journalists who are covering this city in the corridors of power think about all the issues going on.

As the person put it “What do you make of everything that’s happening? You are among a handful of journalists in this town that I read religiously. I read everything that you guys write because it is credible.”

I felt flattered that my articles garnered that much interest in the political power class.

Both but encounters left me with the impression that in part the city’s current socio-economic and political evolution lies in the hands of credible story-tellers (journalists) who can convey both the pain and the aspirations of the people of Detroit.

Detroit needs tough love to get to where it needs to be. But that won’t happen if we are not willing to tell the truth. No real transformation from the bottom up will take place if the media is expected to play along instead of asking the hard-charging questions.

Because journalists who have distinguished themselves as credible voices writing about this city’s current chapter, as it leaps to the next have a reputation to protect in light of consistent following among readers of various political persuasions.

At the same time we cannot skip or deny the weight of history and how that has informed the current Detroit landscape. Yet that history should motivate us to demand effective leadership in every facet of the city’s life without compromising the basic democratic needs of service for those who have chosen to remain in this city.

About 10 months ago I spoke at the University of Michigan Law School Martin Luther King Jr. Day Celebration. At the MLK event some of the students from one of the nation’s leading law schools confirmed that their impression about Detroit is framed by what’s written in the press. Whether what’s written conveys a bad or good image it’s potency is in its ability to influence people’s minds just like some of the students at the University of Michigan Law School.

I challenged the students to visit Detroit, Michigan’s largest city and experience for themselves what’s taking place in the city.

It’s one thing to buy into the hype, it’s a completely different experiment to engage the city itself to determine how what it does is important to the survival of the region.

The fact that we are talking about who could be the next mayor shows why Detroit matters. Bankole Thompson is a Senior Author-in-Residence at Global Mark Makers Publishing House in Iowa where he is writing a groundbreaking six-part book series on the Obama presidency. His book “Obama and Black Loyalty” published in 2010 follows his recent book “Obama and Christian Loyalty” with a foreword by Bob Weiner former White House spokesman. His forthcoming books in 2012 are “Obama and Jewish Loyalty” and “Obama and Business Loyalty.” He is the first editor of a major African American newspaper to have a series of sit-down interviews with Barack Obama. Thompson is also a Senior Political News Analyst at WDET-101.9FM Detroit (NPR Affiliate) and a member of the weekly “Obama Watch” Sunday evening round table on WLIB-1190AM New York and simulcast in New Jersey and Connecticut.

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/15/bankoles-beef-who-will-speak-for-detroit/feed/0rtmegainesBankole’s Beef: Can Vice President Biden Resurrect Obama’s First Debate Performance?http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/08/bankoles-beef-can-vice-president-biden-resurrect-obamas-first-debate-performance/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/08/bankoles-beef-can-vice-president-biden-resurrect-obamas-first-debate-performance/#respondMon, 08 Oct 2012 18:03:27 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/10/08/bankoles-beef-can-vice-president-biden-resurrect-obamas-first-debate-performance/]]>Last week many were shocked at the performance of President Barack Obama when he met his opponent Gov. Mitt Romney face to face and did not challenge him.

Prior to the Oct. 3 debate at the University of Denver some concluded that Romney would barely survive a man whose oratory and brilliance helped him to the pinnacle of American politics.

But last Wednesday we saw a different Obama who looked tired and sometimes uninterested in responding to what his opponent Romney was doing to him. We saw an Obama who appeared too presidential at his own risk forgetting that millions were watch him to see the difference between him and Romney.

Despite the fact Romney proffered falsehood and sometimes contradicting himself, Romney according to some won the debate. Because Romney appeared aggressive, and basically came to the stage looking for a fight.

On the other hand Obama looked presidential and too professorial at his own expense. His performance last week sets the stage for the second presidential debate.

But for now his performance elevated the stakes in the vice presidential debate between Joe Biden and Paul Ryan Oct. 10. Now Vice President Biden will have to restore confidence and faith in the party faithfuls as well as independents that are looking for which party can lead them in the next four years. Game is on.

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/08/bankoles-beef-can-vice-president-biden-resurrect-obamas-first-debate-performance/feed/0rtmegainesBankole’s Beef: Anticipated Debate Will Show Who Can Pick up the 3 A.M. Phone Callhttp://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/01/bankoles-beef-anticipated-debate-will-show-who-can-pick-up-the-3-am-phone-call/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2012/10/01/bankoles-beef-anticipated-debate-will-show-who-can-pick-up-the-3-am-phone-call/#respondMon, 01 Oct 2012 18:07:29 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2012/10/01/bankoles-beef-anticipated-debate-will-show-who-can-pick-up-the-3-am-phone-call/]]>On Wed. Oct 3 the world will witness for the first time President Barack Obama and the man who wants his job Gov. Mitt Romney debate the issues before millions of viewers here at home and around the world.

Expectation is building for this historic face-to-face intellectual and policy debate between the Democratic nominee Obama and the Republican nominee Romney.

This is an important event for everyone who cares about the future of the country. Because it is an opportunity to hear two different men lay out two different visions for one country they profess to love.

For those who are keenly covering the Obama presidency, and others who understand the history of presidential debates, there be will a lot of surprises. Because Obama is not only a gifted speaker as his Republican rivals are agreeing now to downplay any potential Romney stumble, but he has been tested on the national stage numerous time unlike Romney.

For voters, there will also be a lot of surprises because only one candidate will emerge Wednesday night as unprepared and unfit to command.

When Obama and Romney face each other voters will see a contrast between their intellectual and policy depth as it relates to running the country. And that is important because voters need to know who among these two men will pick up the 3AM phone call as was largely debated during the 2008 presidential campaign.

Who among these two men can address the structural economic and social problems we continue to face?

Thus it’s important to hear from the candidates themselves without any filters about their plans to address the economic crisis among other important issues.

At this debate we don’t expect the candidates to write the answers on the palm of their hands as Sarah Palin did in 2008 trying to second guess the debate moderator.

These are two men who have held executive offices and they bring different unique experiences. Obama has been president for the last four years.

Romney was governor of Massachusetts for one term.

So the executive experience of these two men will come to bear on the debate showing us how they will govern the nation.

Michigan has played a significant role in this presidential election including the national spotlight the state has been thrusted into.

The auto industry and President Obama’s role in rejuvenating the industry has catapulted Michigan to a crucial swing state. Plus no Democrat in decades has won the White House without winning Michigan.

So we in Michigan have a stake in the debate, and Detroit in particular which has been home to the auto industry, and struggling with high levels of unemployment.

Because of the unique position Detroit is in as a major urban center and the stakes for this election on Wednesday evening, I’ll be hosting the Detroit Presidential Debate Watch Live at the Detroit Seafood Market 1435 Randolph St. in downtown Detroit. The high point of this Presidential Debate Watch from 9-10:30pm will be a special pre-debate panel starting at 8pm.

The panel members are Charlie Langton host of “The Charlie Langton Show” on WXYT-CBS and Legal Analyst for Fox 2 WJBK-Detroit, Jason Smith, Political Reporter for The Grio.Com/MSNBC, Rochelle Riley, Columnist for the Detroit Free Press and Henry Payne, Editor of the MichiganView and Editorial Cartoonist for the Detroit News.

Whether you are watching the debate in your home or at the Detroit Seafood Market, pay attention to how the candidates specifically address the issues that matter to you.

Don’t write off Wednesday night as another political event for Obama and Romney. It is important that you hear from them about how they will tackle issues that you are grappling with.

Your future lies in that debate.

The life and death issues we grapple with hang in the balance in this debate.

It is not just another political forum. It is about you, and you should demonstrate that with your vote.

Almost everyday someone is getting killed in the city. Whether it’s early in the morning or in broad daylight.

At the end of the day the question is whether Detroit has a handle on the escalating crime we are witnessing in Motown?

The city’s premier law enforcement apparatus – the Detroit Police Department- tells us they are doing the best they can. Residents and others outside the law enforcement business see things differently. Because often when you call police for intervention during a crime situation it’s unlikely they will show up.

Why?

Because of the dwindling of resources and the fact that the men and women in blue are stretched out since we don’t have enough of them in the streets.

A city that brags about been a 21st century metropolis cannot do so if it doesn’t have a handle on crime. Let’s be realistic about the fact that we can’t keep talking about moving Detroit forward if crime continues to dominate the headlines of the evening news.

A conference to tackle crime organized by Wayne State University was held last week. Key at the conference was how the community and the police should work together. The panel of speakers spoke about the growing need for law enforcement and the community to come together and fight crime. Point taken.

But in order to that you need leaders who understand how that works and who will convey that sense of urgency in the community.

You can’t build community relations behind the mahogany desk of your office. That means you have to get out there and show a demonstrable commitment to community relations.

Already some of this is being done. But in a time of crisis the message has to be clear: we need all hands on deck.

Wayne State University Police Chief Anthony Holt has done an excellent job of making Midtown a safe hub for everyone who lives and does business in the growing business district.

Detroit Police Chief Ralph Godbee’s job should be given more priority at city hall. We can’t be talking about a safe Detroit when people are being murdered daily. And the answer from city hall is: more cuts in public safety.

You can’t cut your way out of crime. Put resources in the police department and in the community and make it work. You don’t need a residence police scholar from Oxford or Harvard Universities to figure that out for Detroit. It’s called common sense community policing.

]]>http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2010/02/09/lansing-mayor-explains-why-he-wants-to-be-governor/feed/0rtmegainesBankole Thompson Exclusive: Rayford Jackson Interviewhttp://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2009/12/04/bankole-thompson-exclusive-rayford-jackson-interview/
http://newpittsburghcourieronline.com/2009/12/04/bankole-thompson-exclusive-rayford-jackson-interview/#respondFri, 04 Dec 2009 05:00:00 +0000http://newpittsburghcourieronline.oomph-vip.com/2009/12/04/bankole-thompson-exclusive-rayford-jackson-interview/]]>Convicted Detroit businessman Rayford Jackson, who is headed to federal prison, is speaking out for the first time since his sentencing.

Jackson, in an exclusive interview on “Center Stage with Bankole Thompson,” the weekly Saturday public affairs show on WADL TV 38, will respond to questions about his criminal conviction and if he will cooperate with the federal government to root out corruption in Detroit. Jackson will also respond to recent statements by his ex-mistress and former Fox 2 anchorwoman Fanchon Stinger that he abused, threatened and manipulated her.

The interview, which will air Dec 5 at 1 p.m., is conducted by Thompson, senior editor of the Michigan Chronicle.

Jackson, a central figure in a $1.2 billion bribery scandal involving the Synagro sludge hauling company, was sentenced earlier this month to five years in prison, the maximum sentence possible. He is to report to prison in January.

Jackson, 44, had pled guilty to conspiracy to commit bribery.

According to reports, Stinger, who had been in a relationship with Jackson since 2005, lost her job at Fox 2 News because of that relationship. She maintains she allowed Jackson to put a Rolls Royce and other luxury cars in her name because she feared him and because Jackson had poor credit.

Stinger, who has said she was in an abusive relationship with Jackson, maintains that her company, Stinger Strategies, LLC, never had a 2007 contract with Synagro to buy media ads supporting the company’s bid for a contract with the city, and that federal prosecutors have cleared her of wrongdoing in her dealings with Jackson.

Reports indicate that it is possible a deal between her company and Synagro could have been made without her knowledge.

Stinger also said that when she accompanied Jackson to a meeting in the community, designed to win public support, she was just there as his driver.

Jackson’s attorney, Richard Morgan Jr., said Jackson did not abuse Stinger, either mentally or physically, according to reports.