Lawmaker questions Gore's racial tolerance
By Jerry Seper
THE WASHINGTON TIMES
A Georgia congresswoman says the U.S. Secret Service engaged in "Jim Crow" practices in limiting the number of black agents assigned to guard Al Gore and accused the vice president of having a low "Negro tolerance level."
Rep. Cynthia A. McKinney, four-term Georgia Democrat, said she was saddened but not shocked by revelations last week by black Secret Service agents involved in a discrimination lawsuit who said a limit had been placed on the number who could serve on Mr. Gore's security detail.
"Gore's Negro tolerance level has never been too high," she said in a news brief on her congressional Web site. "I've never known him to have more than one black person around him at any given time. I'm not shocked, but I am certainly saddened by this revelation."
In a pending lawsuit filed in February with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, the Secret Service was accused of failing to promote black agents to management positions despite performance ratings showing they were qualified. It said black agents were subjected to discrimination involving transfers, assignments and training, and that the agency rarely disciplined white agents who used racial epithets or committed racially hostile acts.
During a news conference last week, 10 black agents named in the suit called on Mr. Gore to show the necessary "moral leadership" to end racial discrimination in the Secret Service. They said Mr. Gore was aware of complaints of racial problems within the agency and on his security detail, but made no effort to address them.
Sean Nichols, spokesman for Mrs. McKinney, said the congresswoman was traveling this week and unavailable for comment, but would return to Washington shortly and planned to vigorously address the Secret Service issue.
Mr. Nichols said no decision had yet been made on what Mrs. McKinney was going to do, but he said, "She has concerns, and I can assure you she is going to take a hard look at this."
Mrs. McKinney, who is black, said she was troubled that the black agents had received no response from Mr. Gore or his staff about concerns they had about a limitation on the number of black agents who could be assigned to his security detail — even after Mr. Gore and his staff had been advised.
"That these black officers had no response from Gore's staff is symptomatic of a larger problem," she said. "Gore would like these problems to just go away, but they'll never go away if they're not addressed."
Gore campaign officials did not respond yesterday to questions concerning Mrs. McKinney's concerns.
Rep. Maxine Waters, California Democrat and a leader of the Congressional Black Caucus, also did not return calls for comment. The Black Caucus historically has been actively involved in cases of suspected discrimination at the federal level.
Secret Service spokesman Jim Mackin has declined to discuss the lawsuit, saying the agency would respond to it in court — which he described as the "appropriate venue." But he said the agency is "proud of its record on diversity," adding that it had "actively engaged in ensuring a diverse work environment and affording equal opportunity to each of our employees."
Mr. Mackin noted that of seven officials assigned as the top assistants to Secret Service Director Brian L. Stafford, two are black; that seven of the agency's 11 largest field offices are headed by minority agents, including four blacks; and that of the Secret Service's Senior Executive Service — those considered the agency's top management — 17 percent are black.
Mrs. McKinney, a member of the House International Relations Committee and ranking member of the International Operations and Human Rights Subcommittee, also addressed the issue of racism within the Secret Service. She said the contempt white agents hold for black agents "and black people in general" was evidenced by their attendance at annual whites-only "Good Ol' Boys Roundups" in Tennessee — Mr. Gore's home state.
"The 'N' word is very visible and audible at these gatherings and these racist thoughts are brought with them to work," she said, adding without elaboration that she also had been "discriminated against at the White House by the very same people these Secret Service officers are complaining about."
In 1996, a Justice Department probe of the Tennessee roundup found ample evidence of rampant racism, public drunkenness and nudity, but concluded that local police — not federal agents — were to blame, although several federal authorities had attended. A report said the atmosphere was hostile to blacks and other minorities.
During their press conference, the black agents described a "pervasive failure" within the Secret Service to respond to discrimination complaints, adding that both President Clinton and Mr. Gore were told of serious problems involving black agents and had failed to respond.
Attorney Ron Schmidt, who represents the agents, said his clients were unsure who established the quota limiting the number of blacks who can serve on Mr. Gore's security detail, but said those who complained were threatened with retaliation. He said as a direct result of the complaints, one black agent was promoted as a supervisor on the detail, although the ceiling remained in effect.
Mr. Schmidt said at least six "less qualified, less experienced" white agents were named to informal supervisory positions on Mr. Gore's security detail — known as "whips" — over more qualified black agents. A whip is a coveted position within the Secret Service because it enhances an agent's chances for promotion.
Blacks are not big on Gores people like list. Don't expect anything to change any time soon. The media will not make this an issue as they support the liberals and Gore is not only liberal, he is a commie. He cannot be trusted and will lie about anything to get elected. He is not a real American and should move to China with his buds. He still leads the polls and will win the election, - sad it be.
A democrat is a democrat and that can never be bad
September 26 2000, 2:18 PM
Yes, I agree wholeheartedly with you that the news media is blacking out information like this in an effort to keep Gore ahead in the polls. Their lack of interest in the race issue and his envolvement with communist Chinese spies, money and scandals is more than perplexing.
Considering the safe ride Clinton received when it was exposed that he exibited what feminists would term as "sexist attitudes" towards a long line of women, including Lynda Tripp, Paula Jones, Monica Lewisky and others, I guess it shouldn't be too suprising.
Had the affair been between Monica and a republican president, it would have been reported much differently. In addition, every feminist in the nation would be screaming for his head.
This only proves one thing - liberal values do not exist. They believe in equality for minorities, unless it is inconvenient for them, they support strong sexual harassment laws, just not for Democrats.
If they could even stand by their own principles, my opinion could rise above absolute disgust, but they have not demonstrated any commitment to even their own principles thus far.
Still, I don't think things are quite hopeless yet. Globalists are beginning to sense a backlash brewing and are being forced to turn cities into police states in order to carry out their hidden agendas. Further, I believe that Gore will not necessarily win the elections. We have to work hard, (and this is something new for conservatives and patriots), we have to work together, to expose him for what he is before its too late.
That is why I agreed to join this forum. I strongly believe that we need a shared forum in order to coordinate our efforts against our common enemy. I would like to see Pat Buchanan join with the John Birch Society, Rush Limbaugh, militia groups, Christian Fundamentalists and anyone who still believes in something (anything!) to unite under one banner.
It will be our failure only if we fail to do this. Already, homosexuals have linked arms with feminists, radical minority organizations, and members of socialist and labour unions to present a loud voice to legislators.
I firmly believe we can drown them out if we are willing to work together. In other words, there is no right wing conspiracy, but maybe we could create one.
All liberals are racist. That's why they support Affirmative Action. They feel minorities cannot compete with whites so they pass laws to give minorities a change (in their eyes).
Any program designed to assist people soley based on race is a racist program. It's stating that that race can't cut it. Liberals think this way which is why they make programs to 'help' minorities.
The site below contains information about the questionable financing and communist chinese involvement in the Gore campaign. Look, its undeniable people. This man is a communist. He's been seen partying with communist chinese, fundraising alongside communist chinese agents, supporting normalized relations with a nation that butchers its people and has even been captured on film inspecting the communist chinese honour guard! What do you want him to do? Wear a button?
The upcoming presidential elections could be pivetal to the continuation of the United States as a free and independent nation (socialist/liberal erosions aside).
What if in this election, Gore was to simply come clean and explain that in fact he is working alongside communist China? We are seeing proof of just that, despite the fact that many Americans remain in denial. Of course it does seem hard to believe, but the evidence is overwhelming, that is, if anyone takes the time to look into it.
So let's say he asks Americans to vote for him even though he is a representative of the communist Chinese. What if he told you that if you vote for him, there will be no bloodshed? That America would simply lie down and die and make way for the new system to be fully born? But, that if you refused to vote for him, that a strike by communist Russia and China would almost inevitably take place, which would lead to the loss of countless lives, but be the only way that you might retain your freedom? How would you vote?
And yes regrettably, I think we are at that threshold. You do not steal nuclear submarine and missle technologies in order to make better war games people! You don't build up your army, navy and airforce like the Chinese and Russians have in times of peace, so that you can hold really nice parades! You build these forces and develope these weapons for the express purpose of either a: using them b: providing a deterrent to war - which I rule out in light of substantial U.S. military REDUCTIONS or c: because you intend to use them as a means of intimidation to get what you want.
Always remember grasshopper - An intelligent man, who lacks wisdom, is still an idiot.
