It’s been a long, long time since I’ve mentioned my brother James T. Harris on TMD and for good reason… he’s busting his you-know-what to get what little shine those 620 WTMJ Overseers will allow him. One of my constant criticisms of JTH is that he’s mastered the act of President Obama bashing and made some payolla serving it up to a large (and growing) white audience. Hell, it’s America and I respect a man putting food on the table by any means neccessary short of pumping some hot ones in somebody.
However, I cannot respect the means by which he goes about his business. I’ve waited and waited for the jester to someday turn into the master of ceremony of Black Conservative Talk… but the clock turned to midnight and with it my Maybach turned back to my bus pass .
I peep his Facebook page every other week or so and you know what? It’s the same tired anti-Obama this, Obama hates America, the Obamas are socialists, Chocolate Jesus that, blah blah blah. His commentary (written/oral) is the stuff made of a high school debate team gone bad. What’s truly disappointing is that (I believe) he is a smart man and could be taken serious in the pundit game if he applied skill and savvy not sketch comedy.
If he REALLY HAD THE GOODS, JTH would be to Black Conservative Talk what John Coltrane was with a saxaphone… pure genius and a pide pieper leading people away from the sure death of ignorance and base political diatribe. Yet he settles for juvenile and elementary conversation in the shallow end of the pool. What will be his relevance when President Obama is no longer in the Oval Office? Will Fox News call the “Chocolate Henny Penny” then?
So this video posted by JTH on YouTube (Jan. 17, 2011) is the latest example to highlight my point. JTH uses old audio clips of Rev. Jeremiah Wright – remember him from 2008 - and the Most Excellent Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. to once again take an unprovoked attacked on President Obama. The following are comments from one of JTH’s many disciples posted on YT below his video napalm.
God bless Martin Luther King, God rest his soul, and God honors his legacy. Oh, lest I forget…God damn the Rev. Jeremiah Wright’s hate-filled rhetoric, his bigoted behavior, and his narrow-minded teachings, all the way to the pits of hell. Wright is a false prophet in every sense of the word, and his student, the young Black Messiah, is fooling no one. jimwitt0107 1 day ago
Sadly, some of US will never learn.
G -
“…he is a smart man…”
Umm, he thinks the universe is 6,000 years old!
Thank God that “some of us will never learn”!
NEVER LEARN to tiptoe around controversial topics that require a laser-like focus on the leaders that formulate public policy and political philosophies that weaken and divide our country.
NEVER LEARN to accept assumptions espousing identity and special interest group politics that breeds division racial or otherwise.
NEVER LEARN give a pass to the purveyors of hate and division no matter what color, gender or religion.
Unprovoked attack? That makes no sense! Why shouldn’t James speak out in opposition to the Leader of the party and his mentors that has been responsible for the abandonment of the dream MLK paid with his life for.
While more people of color are beginning to see these bankrupt assumptions for what they are, there is a lot more work to do. so keep up the good work!
James, I say thank you for never learning!
@Little T – it would be prudent to take the time to read the post then do some critical thinking instead of reacting so emotionally. Never once did I mention that JTH shouldn’t speak in opposition. All I’ve asked of my brother JTH is to raise his game… he’s still doing schtick for white people. I want the brother to last in the game, today racially charged political discourse is the rage but it’ll pass when they put another white man in the WH. What will JTH’s style be then? Lay down the “I’m a conservative minority chip” for a second and put on your intellectually honest glasses and chat with me. What good is it to bring up Rev. Wright 2 or 3 years later? What good is it to keep saying the president wasn’t born in America or he’s a socialist? Seriously, raise the level of the debate or be looked at as a gimmick and passing fad. His rhetoric and played-out routines are what is divisive Little T. and it appears you cannot consume enough of the red meat he tosses out.
@Dub Dub – thank you for reading and understanding the point of the post. Keep thinking sis.
@G – my friend you have a habit of reading things into my posts that I didn’t say. No where did I infer that you said he shouldn’t speak in opposition. And suggesting that I imprudently and superficially read the post is a attempt to dismiss my arguments. The constant reference to “white man or men” is what fuels divisive race politics. Exactly what “white men” are you referring to? They are not a monolithic group that thinks the same on all issues (there are plenty that support with the President), especially on race. The constant scapegoating of whites is what fosters suspicion and disunity along race lines.
Conservatives like James T. and myself could care less what color Mr.Obama is, but liberals have been very successful in painting conservative opposition to his political philosophy and initiatives as being racially motivated. Your statement is a case in point. If anyone is racially charging the discourse it is the MSM and the liberals irregardless if there is a white or black person in the Whitehouse and you my friend have swallowed the narrative hook, line and sinker.
Your statement to put down my “I’m a conservative minority chip for a second and put on your intellectually honest glasses and chat with me” suggesting that I am not being intellectually honest is a condescending way to dismiss my point of view. It would seem that in your mind, only those that that agree with you understand the point of your post. Is that what it means to be intellectually honest?
James T. was pointing to the dichotomy between the messages MLK and Rev Wright and rightly reminded people of whose influence shaped the Mr. Obama’s world view. And since his ascendancy to the public arena there has been a concerted and effective effort to minimize his Marxist leanings in his political thought. That’s how he got elected and that explains the massive growth of government and government control, the concentration of executive power, the erosion of constitutional liberties with the wholesale restructuring of the free enterprise system towards a state managed economy which only benefits those with connections with government. Deny it if you want but that’s crony capitalism which is a type of state-ism and socialistic in nature.
Little T – did you or did you not type the following comment?
“Unprovoked attack? That makes no sense! Why shouldn’t James speak out in opposition to the Leader of the party and his mentors that has been responsible for the abandonment of the dream MLK paid with his life for.”
As I read those comments, it is clear that you replied to my statements inferring that I didn’t want JTH to speak in opposition to the president. What else can be concluded?
You totally missed the point of my post Little T. Read your response… it is so rabid and filled with the language which is what is divisive. Calling other Americans who you disagree with socialists, Marxists, anti-American, supporters of the gay agenda, fill in the blanks. Then JTH ramps it up by calling the president Chocolate Jesus (but I guess you don’t see any racially tinge language in that), the Messiah, and other inflammatory things. Doesn’t that mock Christianity in some way? I don’t like either term because of my belief system and that is why I call on JTH to raise his game and avoid the playground rhetoric.
But somehow you missed that when you read my post because you (maybe) believe or support those terms. Is it that everything coming out of someone’s mouth you agree with is beyond reproach. That’s ashame because more kindness and love (Dr. King’s mantra) needs to be shared with those we disagree with. If I didn’t want JTH to be successful.I wouldn’t waste my time taking him to task on his content. That is what I spoke about, his content nothing else. I did not once attack a position or arguement he made. I support his right to say and believe what he wants. I disagree with the manner in which he goes about making his point.
But again, somehow you missed that. Strike that… I think you are a very smart man and decided to ignore my arguement and attack my arguement by defending a fellow conservative.
I didn’t use the term white men, I used the term white audience as in the listeners of his talk show in Milwaukee and Tucson. Let’s be grownups… businesses do market research. Radio stations know and target by gender, race and age. His show (and the others on those stations) MUST play to their targeted audience or he wouldn’t have a show because he wouldn’t get ratings. Can we admit that there is a strategy behind talk radio entertainment like JTH and other talkers put out? Can we? So leave that attempt of placing me at the front of the race baiters march where it should be, in the garbage.
All TV, radio, print and otherwise targets audiences and that is why some decide to have more diverse talent and many more do not because they are targeted very select consumers. Unlike the true believers (I’ll count you as one), media outlets are about the bottom line. They want consurmers of a product and you are one. They lead and you follow. JTH is in the business of getting ratings and his antics are a part of that.
Oh, and how do you feel about when he goes into his mocking of Black Preachers? Huh, don’t know what I’m talking about? He plays the organ music and mimics their style and delivery… still unfamiliar? I cannot speak for other Black People (conservative, liberal, moderate), but that is the kind of minstrel stuff that has to go. Be a strong, Black Conservative and leave the JJ Walker, Flip Wilson, Martin Lawrence, you name the over-the-top comedic personality jive in the 70′s in the Blaxplotation era.
So I stand by the point and emphasis of my post. I want Black Men to be Strong and not less than what their talent or ability says they are.
G let me ask you then what did you mean by “unprovoked” attack? What exactly is rabid in what I said? Are there not socialists, Marxists, anti-Americans, supporters of the Gay Agenda etc and should one not say so because it offends someone’s sensitivities? Just because there are those who view those descriptors as pejoratives, should we not call something a duck if it walks, talks and looks like one?
As I understand James when he refers to “the Chocolate Jesus”, it is because many liberals both Black and White have an almost reverential unquestioning view of him which was particularly evident in the MSM early during his campaign and election. This has deflected critical examination of his background, political philosophy and policy positions in the past but thank goodness more and more people are starting to see through it.
OK, you got me on white “men” but you did say quote: “he’s still doing schtick for white people”. I’m sorry but that’s putting a racial spin on it. I’m Hispanic, I listen to Talk radio and I assure you there are a few other minorities also listen too besides just James and myself. Just so you know I also listen to liberal media, minority or otherwise. Of course media has target audiences and conservative radio targets conservative audiences regardless of color my friend, your money isn’t any different than mine or some white guy’s! It is market driven if the people respond then you’ll hear more of it and it is good to note that more and more minority conservatives are getting airtime.
Lastly can we dispense with the overplayed notion that those that listen to conservative talk radio are the ones being led, its a two way street my friend. Conservative media is successful because it reflect the sentiments of the audience not the other way around.
Be Strong!
@Little T – one last point about your comment regarding the president being responsible for the abandonment of Dr. King’s dream… that is a comment I find lacking in many ways. Disagree with his politics all you want, but he has stood for black families and parents being personally responsible for raising their kids. He’s been on record stating some real strong positions on the morality black men must have in leading their families and has been attack from black people. Remember Rev. Jackson’s comments on wanting to cutoff his planters? That was because the president was keeping it 100 with what WE must do. So think about pulling such a strong comment back when you lead with such a strong statement. In this and many other ways, he is what Dr. King wanted for black people, education, property ownership, helping the poor, etc.
Again, you can disagree with his politics, but you may want to listen to more of Dr. King’s speeches than just a few minutes of the I Have A Dream… you will be surprised at what you will hear and learn.
Look, I admire the fact that he has stated publicly his support of personal responsibility and his example of being good role model for black fatherhood and family life which is consistent with MLK ‘s dream but that does not negate the fact that he and his party advance policies that destroy the family like his shameless support of abortion, the gay agenda, bankrupt government programs which have decimated the black family and their immoral laden of debt upon our children and our children’s children.
I believe that he wants what Dr King wanted that is not the point. The point is that his policies will do the opposite and need to be vigorously opposed.
Yes, I have read and listened to other speeches including writings by Dr King, which other ones are you referring to?
Little T – Dr. King supported government programs too. You have to admit this… Dr. King is not just what point or points support your conservative viewpoint. He as well as many men/women are complex beings. I take issue when people only select certain positions of someone else to support their worldview, but fail to recognize or discredit the entire person. Dr. King opposed war and spoke out on American Imperialism. He talked about how America would be punished for her sins of oppressing other countries and what it has done to Black People. He called for government programs to aid the poor in the USA and abroad. And I respect Dr. King too much to speak on any of the other moral things you state because he too had some personal failures in regards to morality. As we all do.
With respect to MLK’s positions on the War, American Imperialism and his support for certain government programs you are correct, I disagree in various degrees with Dr. King today, but there was a the time I would have completely agreed with him. His past views regarding some government programs which, God rest his soul, if he saw their unintended and counterproductive consequences, may have evolved as mine have over time.
The aspect of the Dream that has been abandoned by some is the one where he calls for judging people by the content of their character and the unity of peoples not the nationalistic or separatist politics we see today by demagogues who feed off the stoking of peoples fears and suspicions of each other.
Yes, MLK was an imperfect man we all are and I don’t believe the president is a bad person either, in fact he has many likable qualities, but I do believe his is leading the country down the wrong path and if he were white fewer people would be defending him.
I am still up in the air with him because he needs guidance at this point. His rhetoric is typical and usual. His talk is too hate-filled to get to tthe point and we really need more education than banter in Milwaukee. We have very few of us who can reach the masses so we need that time used well. I am looking for thought-provoking and stimulating conversation. I know he is young and with age comes wisdom and maturity but how much longer? Or is he taking this seriously? We need more talk show hosts of the black persuasion, but we cannot settle either.
I know of someone but the world is not ready for her brand of truth and justice. :)
Hi WW, normally I agree with you on many points but with regard to James T’s talk being “hate-filled” I definitely couldn’t disagree more. He will go national, he already is on another station on 104.1 in Tuscon AZ so stay tuned. The cat is solid, well grounded and a genuinely nice guy, you should get to know him!
Little T – it has nothing to do with him being ” solid, well grounded and a genuinely nice guy”, it’s about how he conducts himself.
Agreed Giant, he may be very nice, but I am told Mark Beling is the nicest person in person as well. And so there you go!
I would like to know him better and ask why the outdated rants, loaded comments, laughing at misery of others, and etc… If you look on his FB page, it is filled with typical rhetoric and I am pushing him to be more independant of the typical right wing talkers. He also can do a lot of hating in a time where we DO need to make talk an artform of well expressed and well thought debate and narrative once again. He is not there yet. I am not closing the chapter, but it never hurts to speak the change you desire.
Often on Charlie Sykes show I cringe at what he says, the remarks are a bit toned down now but you just know he is going to cross the line. He often does with Obama and the one thing we need to do is pick our battles wisely. You can’t just disrespect the prez for no reason. Pick a topic, don’t be general and stay on point. I also say this of Ingram. They both tend to fling things out with no foundation or factual evidence, which if they wanted to they could provide stats and such. But our community is too reliant on being fed certain things we take for true.
If I did that, I would be picked apart, rightly so!
Peace,
WW
I don’t know whether or not Mark is nice person off the air, but I do know that often times he isn’t on air. James is far more approachable on and off the air and quite frankly I can’t say I have a problem with his conduct especially when people enter into honest debate with him. Perhaps you can point to some specifics with regard to his “hating” and where he has disrespected the Prez for “no reason” (I think has has always had a good reason).
Liberals (not saying you are one) are quick to toss out the “hating” label. They do this routinely as a tactic to squelch views they disagree with, that is not to say there isn’t genuine hate speech out there but how often do you see liberals called out as “haters”? This has historically been effective but it is getting to the point of absurdity just as evidenced in their exploitation of the Tuscon tragedy.