Singer dabbles in politics (humor ensues)

[osprey4]

Harry Belafonte calls Secretary of State Colin Powell an "obedient slave". Powell calls the banana-boat singer's comments, "unfortunate".

If it was anything other than a couple "African Americans" slugging it out, somebody would be losing his job.

http://www.cnn.com/2002/ALLPOLITICS/...nte/index.html

[Epidemic]

You see the slugging is completely one sided.

Powel will not grace it with a response.

[Theophylact]

Wrong; he graced it with a dignified response. From today's New York Times:

October 10, 2002
Powell Finesses a Sour Note From Harry Belafonte, 'a Friend'
By TODD S. PURDUM


ASHINGTON, Oct. 9 — Harry Belafonte, the singer and liberal political advocate, denounced Secretary of State Colin L. Powell in a radio interview this week, likening him to a plantation slave who abandoned his principles to "come into the house of the master." Mr. Powell called the characterization "unfortunate."

In an interview Tuesday on station KFMB in San Diego, Mr. Belafonte offered a broad critique of the Bush administration's dealing with international organizations like the United Nations and its handling of civil liberties issues, singling out Attorney General John Ashcroft and Secretary Powell for special criticism.

"In the days of slavery, there were those slaves who lived on the plantation and there were those slaves that lived in the house," Mr. Belafonte said, according to a partial transcript of the interview posted on the station's Web site. "You got the privilege of living in the house if you served the master."

He added: "Colin Powell's committed to come into the house of the master. When Colin Powell dares to suggest something other than what the master wants to hear, he will be turned back out to pasture."

Tonight, in an interview on CNN's "Larry King Live," Secretary Powell said, "I think it's unfortunate that Harry used that characterization."

"If Harry had wanted to attack my politics, that was fine," Secretary Powell added. "If he wanted to attack a particular position I hold, that was fine. But to use a slave reference, I think, is unfortunate and is a throwback to another time and another place that I wish Harry had thought twice about using."

The State Department spokesman, Richard A. Boucher, had earlier brushed off Mr. Belafonte's comments, saying that Secretary Powell had "smiled when I told him about it."

He said that Mr. Powell "also said that both the I.R.S. and his accountant thought he was better off as a field hand," earning high lecture fees before returning to government service with the Bush administration.

A senior State Department official later said that Secretary Powell considered Mr. Belafonte a friend, despite their obvious and well-known political differences.

In the radio interview, Mr. Belafonte criticized the Bush administration on a range of issues, comparing the tactics of Mr. Ashcroft's Justice Department to those of the McCarthy era when "families were destroyed, neighbors spied on neighbors."

Now, he said, "We find Ashcroft cutting in under the guise of catching terrorists, suspending liberties and rights."

He also faulted the administration for its decision to walk out of last year's United Nations conference on race in South Africa, after it fell into bitter disputes over criticism of Israel.

"What Colin Powell serves is to give the illusion that the Bush cabinet is a diverse cabinet, made up of people of color," when "in fact, none of that is what is true," he said.

Mr. Belafonte and Secretary Powell are both of Jamaican descent, and Mr. Powell is a huge fan of calypso music.

But on that score, the Secretary is known to favor the social commentary of the Mighty Sparrow, "the Calypso King."

Secretary Powell has often assured associates that Mr. Belafonte's calypso-style night-club performances are not the real thing.

[Knothead]

Well, that WAS a good response.

The more I hear about Colin Powell, the more impressed I am with him.

Both the singer and the secretary of state are black men of Jamaican descent.

Obviously neither are of the Rastafarian Religion...

[osprey4]

I don't fault Belafonte for being racist, but he is promoting one of liberalism's favorite lies, that a black man must sell out to be conservative.

[daveleau]

Originally posted by JnMHayes
he is promoting one of liberalism's favorite lies, that a black man must sell out to be conservative.

I agree.

I don't understand why we care about what political affiliation our pop-culture has. These are the most morally degenerate people in our nation and they try to make and direct policy? I believe there are some that are good that make it into politics and are well thought of (like Reagan, Bono, Heston, Largent*) but so many are so screwed up from drugs and alcohol that they have NO clue. Movie stars and musicians are the worst about this.

I don't rely on them for my guidance but it is sad to see that so many people are following them like little lemmings into the ultra-liberal abyss that is bringing our country to its knees morally and economically.

It IS unfortunate that Belafonte can't let go of the race card and is showing that he can be a flaming racist.

*I know I just mentioned 4 republicans who are/were outstanding leaders, but I can't think of any liberals who are from the pop-culture. I didn't know Bono was Republican till I looked it up...

[Epidemic]

oh I was going on a radio story when powell was first approached with the attack. In that news story he had only smiled and continued on with the conference.

[fosin]

I agree with Powell, it is very "unfortunate". I hate to see people like that.

Originally posted by daveleau

....and are well thought of (like Reagan, Bono, Heston, Largent*) but so many are so screwed up from drugs and alcohol that they have NO clue. ...I know I just mentioned 4 republicans who are/were outstanding leaders, but I can't think of any liberals who are from the pop-culture...

Heston's pretty close, plays on both sides. He endorsed our govenor and he was trained in the Clinton school of politics (apparently finished in the top of his class too).