How is it that complete and total capitulation and making two branches of government subservient to the Executive can't push ol' Arlen over the top? Because his act is tired. We all saw it coming a mile away. We knew despite all the talk and posturing, he would go behind closed doors and bend over for his Cheney/Bush double-team. Same Constitutional Sellout, Different Day.
It takes something special to nab the Dick of the Week. For this, we head down to Texas to the funeral of one Kenneth Lay. You already know what I think about Mr. Lay, so what could be new this week, when the guy's dead? Read on...
Ken Lay praised and defended by family and friends
Dignitaries are among more than 1,000 attending
In a memorial service that bounced back and forth from loving salute to spirited defense, former Enron Chairman Ken Lay was remembered Wednesday as a kind and generous man who was unfairly characterized after the company's collapse.
Lay, who died at 64 last week of a heart attack in Colorado, was praised for his deep devotion to his family and respect for all people, whether executives or janitorial staff.
"I am glad to have known Ken Lay and glad that he was willing to reach down and touch people like me," said the Rev. William Lawson, pastor emeritus of Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church. "Ken was a rich and powerful man, and he could have limited his association to people who were likewise rich and powerful."
Lawson said Lay helped untold numbers of people with college tuition, medical expenses and other needs.
[...] Lawson likened Lay to James Byrd, a black man who was dragged to death in a racially motivated murder near Jasper eight years ago.
"Ken Lay was neither black nor poor, as James Byrd was, but I'm angry because Ken was the victim of a lynching," said Lawson, who predicted that history will vindicate Lay.
His comments, met by hearty applause, referred to Lay's recent federal trial on fraud and conspiracy charges stemming from Enron's unraveling in 2001 and four charges of bank fraud. Lay had planned to appeal his conviction and was awaiting sentencing when he died.
That's right, those comments were met hearty applause from dignitaries including a former President. A fucking corporate swindler and thief who cost his employees their careers and destroyed the life savings of thousands of others is the same as a man dragged from a truck until his head and arm were ripped off—for being a black man.
That comment should have been met with a "hearty" get up and walk the fuck out.
Will there be any outrage from the Right on the comments of this clergyman like there was after the Coretta Scott King funeral? Somehow I doubt it.
In reading about Lay's death last week, I don't recall any pictures like this accompanying the story...
Your Dick of the Week: The Reverend William Lawson
[via The Talent Show]
UPDATE: You can send the Reverend and the Wheeler Baptist Church your thoughts here. And while I was there, I found a picture of the good Reverend. Not what I was expecting. I suppose if a white guy had made those comments, it would have been bigger news. the fact that Lawson is black does nothing to change the outrageousness of the statement for me. As Greg said, "a sickening lack of perspective."
3 comments:
Wow. As I mentioned a few weeks ago, I'm more in the "I don't care that Kenny Boy's dead" rather than the "Ding Dong, the Rich is dead" camp.
That said, this guy's a fucking moron. A lynching? Didn't Clarence Thomas already hijack that word for inappropriate uses years ago?
Also, Furious, good call re the comparison to Coretta King's (or Wellstone's) funeral and the right wing bitchfest that followed.
"Lawson said Lay helped untold numbers of people with college tuition, medical expenses and other needs."
If I recall correctly, for just one example, the Georgia State Teachers Union pension fund was nearly wiped out in return for being foolish enough to trust in Enron and Lay.
Kenny Boy was sucking tens of millions out of the soon-to-collapse company while telling everyone else everything was dandy. His craven selfishness and criminality left thousands of long-serving, hard-working retired and retiring Georgia teachers' finances ruined at a time in life when few can ever replace their loss.
Since I'm sure Lawson and his church received generous donations from Lay, maybe he'd like to lead all those other lucky folks Lay gave money to, in helping offset the retired teachers and others' losses due to Lay's crookedness. Words are cheap. How about some deeds?
As for Specter, you've got his M.O. nailed all right.
Like the margarine, he's so spreadable he's incredible — literally.
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