Grant Callen, the CEO of Empower Mississippi, lamented the cutthroat nature of today's politics on the pages of the Clarion-Ledger recently:
Whether you’re on the right or the left, I bet you’ll agree: politics has changed a lot recently — and not for the better.
I’ve been politically engaged since I was a kid, helping my dad put out campaign signs in rural Jones County. One of my earliest memories is watching George H.W. Bush and Michael Dukakis debate in 1988 who should succeed Ronald Reagan for the White House.
I’ve written op-eds, letters to the editor, and more than a few political posts on social media, so I’m not new to political discourse. But I have never experienced anything like the bitterness and vitriol I’ve witnessed this last year from those on both sides of the aisle.
Something has shifted in the way we engage politically in America. Our language is coarser, our attacks more personal. Every election cycle we are assured this is the most important election of our lifetime; our very lives depend on it. And as I watch people fight as though they are, indeed, defending their own lives, it seems that the messaging has worked.
In conversation after conversation, I hear friends demonize each other. It’s as if those we disagree with politically aren’t just wrong; they are evil, even malevolent.
That we have political disagreements isn’t a bad thing. In fact, I would argue the opposite. Disagreeing is as American as apple pie. From our founding, one of America’s strengths has been our diversity of thought, but the founders agreed on those first principles that truly matter for self-government. Baked into our founding documents are protections for people to disagree.
German theologian Rupertus Meldenius said: “In essentials unity, in non-essentials liberty, in all things charity.” America seems to have gone wrong in mistaking essentials (must-haves) for non-essentials (nice-to-haves), and we’ve almost altogether thrown out the charity — arguably the most essential ingredient for meaningful discourse — and replaced it with contempt....
Oh really? Hmm.... maybe we should go back in time, all the way back to..... 2019 when Empower Mississippi's PAC did its own bit of demonization in several legislative elections. Earlier post.
Jill Ford ran for Cory Wilson's vacant seat in Madison County. The Ridgeland realtor is as conservative as they come. However, such didn't spare her from Empower's mailers lumping her with the Baba Yagas of the left or trying to falsely smear her as a criminal.
Mr. Callen said "attacks are more personal." Is this what he meant?
The anti-Trump stuff took place during the primary season. Most of the Mississippi GOP establishment supported John Kasich. However, once Trump secured the GOP nomination, she supported him as did most Mississippi Republicans. No Rick Wilson was she.
The corruption charges are bogus as well. Ms. Ford's father went to prison after she testified against him. However, the "personal" attack asked a fairly misleading question designed to slander and smear. The mailers are a stark contrast to this Callen statement: "It’s as if those we disagree with politically aren’t just wrong; they
are evil, even malevolent." Indeed.
Mr. Callen closes:
The solution isn’t a national kumbaya moment where everyone falls in line behind a party or an idea; it’s learning to disagree better, and still find unity around those first principles. The solution isn’t less debate; it’s more debate, but with respect and charity, without contempt. Rigorous debate makes our ideas better, it helps reveal our blind spots and fallacies, and it helps us better understand each other and ourselves.
State Representative Gene Newman (R- Trailer Park Land aka Pearl) might take issue with this statement. The Empower PAC used these mailers against the Pearl bail bondsman in the 2019 race to replace Ray Rogers.
Wow. What do bail bondsmen do? They assist suspects in exercising their constitutional right to post bail. It is rather interesting Empower crucified Mr. Newman for working as a bail bondsman. Interesting because Empower Mississippi has led the charge in putting convicts, not suspects, back on the street. Sentencing reform, justice reform, parole reform, fill in the blank reform, whatever you call it, Empower Mississippi wants to put more criminals back on the streets but woe to anyone such as Mr. Newman who dare to help someone who has not been convicted of a crime.
Mr. Callen's sentiments are worthy of discussion and much needed in today's politics. Twitter mobs rampage online while social media injects more poison into our politics every year. Mr. Callen rightly characterizes the demonization taking place in our culture today. However, when push came to shove just two years ago, his team did the very thing he decries - and did it in spades.
And that, my friends, is the bottom line.
Kingfish note: There is one minor question about the Newman mailers that should be asked. When was the last time a murder suspect got bond in Rankin County?
49 comments:
Grant Callen is the LAST person who needs to be making these claims! Hello pot, meet kettle!
Don’t forget Empower role in Desoto County a few years back. Was able to get rid of all the republicans up there and replace them with libertarians. Desoto used to be a powerhouse in the legislature, now they are reduced to begging other people to sponsor their bills cause no one like them. Empower, AFP and Mississippi Center for public policy are hated by the rank and file Republicans at the Capitol. Just this past year, their only water toter, Phil Gunn, mentioned these groups in a caucus meeting. He got booed. Gunn thinks these liberal libertarian groups are going to take him to the Gov mansion.
Given the incompetence of the Mississippi Legislature, that is not a bad thing.
As for Desoto, get over it. Maybe if Kuykendall and his puppets had not opposed any and all educational reforms, that wouldn't have happened. He got too big for his britches so tough luck.
Very, very well said KF!
Oh great
Another pissing match between "conservatives" and what it means to be a "real conservative"
Maybe it's time the voters of district 56 send Empower a message and send Gunn home. He has lost a good bit of trust this session thanks to Empower Mississippi.
Americans are like drug addicted prostitutes and our politicians are like abusive pimps.
And we collectively find our own way to cope with the fact that we never to anything to improve our lot, and in many cases even love the sadistic pimps.
The saddest part is that this addiction and abusive relationship was created by the usurious bankers that got this nation hooked on debt.
What has Grant accomplished in the real world that might qualify him to preach to us serfs?
The elected school Superintendent had nothing to do with the legislators getting beat in Desoto. It was the 50k plus each candidate got from EmpowerMS that did it. You could do that in just about in legislative race in Mississippi and beat all the incumbents.
Why not just name the people responsible for making the ads? It’s a handful of political ad agencies that put this stuff together. Name them.
Empower PAC is a progressive organization. I say hold them to their own rules as Alinsky once opined. Watch 'em squeal.
10:05 .... http://kingfish1935.blogspot.com/2019/08/the-mailed-fists-strike.html?m=1
10:05: I did, knucklehead. Why don't you read the actual post. The link to the earlier one is in there.
10:17 AM
I'm an idiot. I looked up the wrong Empower PAC.
Great article, KF! Amazing how short people's memories can be. Number 2 on my list would be a certain "Northside" newspaper publisher who recently wrote a column on the problem of people in the suburbs "writing off" Jackson as hopeless when it isn't. This same publisher (along with the late Frank Melton and the late ad guy Jim Dollarhide) were leaders of the Metropolitan Crime Commission back in the 1990's that did more than any other group to scare the hell out of anyone thinking of Jackson as a nice place to live. I would love to see some of those ads again.
Not exactly KF. Your reference to Kuykendall was true for the 2015 election. But the idiotic members that Empower recruited to run and got elected were so bad that Empower had to go recruit other libertarians to run against them. Granted, they are not as whacky, but they are still incompetent and inefficient legislators. No more value to them than to the Hinds County delegation of Democrats. Except, the HC delegation at least carries sway in their caucus.
A bit ironic he referenced the George H.W. Bush campaign, since it's mostly remembered for the Willie Horton TV ads.
Actually Gore
A few thoughts, Kingfish, since you pondered the disconnect between my recent piece and Empower PAC’s 2019 campaign activities.
While Empower PAC did not send these mailers, we did support them with our resources, and I wish we hadn’t. The content of these mailers is not consistent with Empower Mississippi’s values or frankly, my values as a follower of Christ. So, you’re not wrong to point out the inconsistency.
Since 2019 however, we’ve made some significant changes in the way Empower approaches advocacy and political engagement. We took a hard look at the political climate and asked ourselves whether we were contributing to the problem or building solutions for Mississippians when the latter is our objective. Honestly, that’s why I wrote the piece, because we wanted to broadcast our commitment to changing the way we engage. We want to be a positive influence on the tone and tenor of political conversations. That has been our focus since 2019 and you can expect that from us going forward.
After being called out by KF for being a hypocrite, Mr. Callen appears to be attempting a version of "Homer Stokes: Friend of the Little Man" with his post at 2:53 PM.
@2:53 - when politicians start talking about their relationship with Christ to weasel out of their despicable behavior, voters should immediately know they are full of it. Grow a pair and apologize like a decent human being, forget about the religious pandering.
Well, I'm sold.
I'm convinced that these folks are out for good, for all of our citizens, not just the rich. They even, only if absolutely necessary, may raise taxes. On other people, of course.
And, if necessary, they'll "bury the hatchet" with opponents, during off season. In their back.
Now, in order to proclaim their Christian values, they quote 2 Koch Chapter 11, verse 2: "Pull thine self up by thine bootstraps, oh poor and oppressed, but ask not for boots."
Finally, let's all remember the Good Book (of Generally Accepted Accounting Principles-2010 version), which holds forth:
"Thou shalt split the middle class evenly, giving alms to the Rich, and to the Poor, evenly. The top most 1% shall receive 50% and the bottom 50% shall receive 1%, and what so ever is left shall be cast to the middle, sparingly, so that thou dost not spoil these children, and lead them into temptation."
The rest can be taken as carried interest, and we'll all be at the soup kitchen Saturday to "feed the poor" we've created. Just don't ask us to wear a mask or take a vaccine.
“ Something has shifted in the way we engage politically in America. Our language is coarser, our attacks more personal.”
Can a Trump supporter actually write that bs with a straight face? The last administration did more harm to our public schools than any in my short life and this clown cheered them on. From one Christian to another, duck you Grant. Not all Mississippians are as dumb as you think.
@4:13 PM - Amen and amen....
The preception of Conservatism...
Melvin C. Robinson
The perception of having influence and the delusion of being an authority on anything at all.
Obviously, another Empower Clone, Jarrardo Gilbari wrote that for him. The give-away is the use of the word vitriol. It's Jarrardo's fave. All the libertarian-types are alike. They covet a gentler, kinder society. Sure they do.
The world was a better place before these goofy money grubbers like Empower constantly stirring up shit and pretending to be world leaders in social structure and politics. Yet, they've all got wads of money to spend and throw at the wall, hoping to be perceived as relevant (Ah, the perception of relevance). Grown men used to go to the domino hall in their time, enjoy a frosty mug with the guys, come home and go to bed at a decent hour.
The "culture wars" that are spoken of on media and the www would be better described as the "war of the cults." And the cults on the right and the left are intent on painting themselves as sanctified and their opposition demonic. How can anyone with even an iota of objectivity not recognize just how the US is in decline while marginal hot button agenda constituencies are waving their banners foolishly celebrating their success.
When the dust settles we will be facing collapse of the equity markets led by Bitcoin and the bankruptcy of cities and states with Mississippi likely leading the pack to the bottom.
You peeps griping about Empower, MCPP, and other conservative organizations. Did you complain about Unions, NAACP, and other non-profits that made such activism their business? What about Moveon.org? Did you criticize them as well?
@ 7:12 - Yes. Have fought unions and union organizing for decades, the NAACP is a radical, racist organization and Moveon.org is totally un-American. These modern-day utopian-thought mini-cult-orgs are nothing more than pan-flashes and no different from TV evangelists.
What you call complaining and griping is actually expression of the rights to think and speak. You seem to have a problem when people other than yourself exercise the right.
Why does the Clarion-Ledger bother to print this clown? As bad as the Clarion-Ledger has sunk, one would expect them to have at least a modicum of standards.
Hypocrisy and moralizing aside, Callen’s article is really poorly written. C+ in a high school English class at best.
Do you people realize what this man has endured:
"I’ve written op-eds, letters to the editor, and more than a few political posts on social media, so I’m not new to political discourse."
He's the veritable Solzhenitsyn-cum-Churchill of MS! Think about this a minute - this brave man has written op-eds AND - not OR - AND letters to editors AND - not OR - AND posted on FaceTwitterGram! And on top of which, he isn't even new to discourse! Who among you lesser mortals would have the courage to post any of your thoughts to social medi...oh, yeah...
Every idiot in the US posts every thought that ever enters their head, from fish tacos to blueberry mojitoritas to racism to their expertise on virology. And as comes as no surprise to anyone with an objectivity level exceeding that of a 3 year old in the midst of a tantrum, it's all ill-informed gibberish and nonsense. As an aside, what stupid motherfucker puts tequila OR blueberries in a Goddamned mojito?! I wonder if he has ever thought about just getting a real job (I jest, of course).
We are fucked, so very, very, very fucked.
Raise your hand if you were impressed or comforted when Empower sent Latino a plane ticket back to Jacktown. The man was, thankfully, somewhere on the beltway-outskirts basking in irrelevance. When this guy guests on Supertalk, most are furiously poking at the radio dial searching for Sinatra or the paint-drying station. Anything but the pain caused by a voice that never shuts up yet never says anything.
How do you elites - you know, those of you who are obviously much smarter and more capable of political thought than Grant, Gerard, or Russ - feel about what was written? It's easy to see how you feel about the person who wrote it, and his associates, but does that somehow make the column inaccurate or less valid? What he said is correct, and the whiners who attacked it are wrong.
At least Grant isn't afraid to put his opinion out there, and to admit when he's made a mistake. Mississippi could use a lot more people like these men, and those of you who anonymously criticize them are a bunch of cowards. Bill Billingsley
@3:36 - the source of information is important. In this case, the source is a massive hypocrite who wants to excuse his behavior with his religious participation. Did the author offer an apology to the many he wronged? If not, then why not? The kinds of people who gravitate towards political action committees and political think tanks are generally the scum of the earth who are selling out our country to make a buck. Don’t be so gullible and believe every word from politicians.
Okay, 3:44, I'll bite. What in the column is inaccurate? What don't you agree with? People need to start paying more attention to the what than the who.
@8:51PM said “What you (KF) call complaining and griping is actually expression of the rights to think and speak. You seem to have a problem when people other than yourself exercise the right.”
Could not agree more 8:51PM. I swear, I love this site…and the work KF does…it is absolutely amazing. We talk regularly about how much time he must spend researching and putting out there what the lazy so-called journalists just won’t do in most cases.
But, the KF’s censorship is unbelievable…and bizarre, since posts that have absolutely nothing to do with being a racist or Nazi (that he’s stated in the past are the main reasons he censors) are censored.
What makes the KF’s censorship so bizarre is how unafraid he is to call out those that need calling out (Jackson’s Mayor, Grant Callen, etc.) but if he does not like your particular message…it’s not going to make it.
Bill said, "What in the column is inaccurate? What don't you agree with? People need to start paying more attention to the what than the who."
This may be the most naïve post on JJ in years. When someone has a long history of lies, deceit, and manipulation, "the who" is paramount. Any "facts" presented are to be questioned, and even if the facts are somehow accurate, they are likely to be packaged and manipulated to lead the reader to a false conclusion.
Excellent non answer, 8:23.
Look, it's a fairly easy question. Just read the column and tell me what you agree with and what you don't. Quit worrying about who wrote it and look at the content.
Responding to Mr Callen’s comment:
First, it’s not owning up to it by saying “we didn’t send the mailers but we did support them with our resources.”
If I have my secretary mail something for me, I sent it. Own up to it.
Second, it’s interesting that you had such a change of heart only after those mailers backfired and your pro marijuana candidate got destroyed by Jill Ford despite the latter being vastly outspent by the former.
Change of heart- ha! More likely you realized the electorate rejected your toxic, personal politics and decided it would be more effective for you to take a softer, gentler approach to get your preferred candidates into office.
Empower Mississippi is one of the most toxic forces in our state right now. Take your outside anonymous corporate donors and go elsewhere. We need less crime in this state, Jackson in particular, yet you and your corporate cronies are hellbent on releasing as many convicts into our communities as possible.
Good day sir.
People in Pearl got really irate over it. They've known Newman for years and to get that crap in the mail, well, they knew it was bogus. The same thing happened in Madison County. Trashing people well-known in their communities is not exactly a good idea.
@kingfish I agree 100%!
Newman has a great reputation in Pearl and is a solid vote for the District. These idiots supported his opponent, who is bordering mental illness, just so they could control that vote. Their motto in the legislature is “ pass all of our great libertarian ideas , then during campaign season we ll pick you off!”
Ok Bill, I'll comment on the column itself, it's VERY accurate (BUT, I also agree 100% with everyone else about the author and his history). Politics has gotten way out of hand - absolutely no civil discourse. I'm all for a meeting of the minds, but that's not happening!
Go to www.propublica.org and do a search for the 990s of Empower Mississippi Foundation. Read them. Factor them into your decision-making about(and especially any donations to) these inter-related organizations and the largest beneficiary of them: Grant Callen.
Thank you, 1:58, for confirming that you can agree with what's being said without necessarily endorsing the person saying it, although in this case I do both.
I speak for the majority when I say I endorse neither the author nor the substance of what he wrote
and the whiners who attacked it are wrong.
I'm whining, Bill? I'm pointing out a double standard and you know it.
Post a Comment