WHY?

We are aware of the mess in the state of Illinois at the level of the Governor.  We understand how people can become corrupt when power is at hand.  "Power corrupt and absolute powder corrupts absolutely."  There is a danger in that the more power a person attains, the more in danger the person can become, depending on thier nature or spirit.  If a person's nature is one of greed, large in ego, or of arrogance, it is possible that nature will lead them into financial, spiritual, economic, political, or relationship ruin.

Currently,  the Governor of Illinois has been accused of being corrupt and attempting to "sell" the Senate Seat of President-Elect Barack Obama.  The outcome of the legal aspect of the accusations will be shown in the future.  The political fallout of the accusations is out of control.  The Governor has greatly damaged his reputation - politically and personally.

To that end, his selection of Mr. Roland Burris is very interesting, possibly conniving, disheartening and a real mess.  Did the Governor actually select Mr. Burris to use his race as a weapon?  Did the Governor select Mr. Burris in order to gain the support of the African-American community? 

Mr. Roland Burris has a impressive history of service to the state of Illinois.  No one has said anything to the contrary. 

However, at this juncture, I find it objectionable for Mr. Roland Burris to use the race card as an excuse to be seated in the United Stated Senate, when his credentials (a legal document) have not been signed by the state Secretary.  Nor does it have the state seal.  These may be small distinctions, however they are required in order to gain access to The United States Senate.  If a legal document requires the signature and seal of the Secretary of a state, the document is not legally binding nor official until it does.  As an attorney, Mr. Burris is more than competent of being able to and no doubt did research the legal requirements of his appointed position.  If he knew the requirements, why would he come to Washington, DC in an attempt to be sworn in, knowing his documentation was lacking?  Something here is amiss. 

Why would the Secretary of Illinois not certify the appointment documentation of Mr. Burris?   Is Mr. Jesse White, an African-American man, racist?   "We received it this morning ... the parliamentarian reviewed it, and we've advised Mr. Burris' staff that it does not conform with Senate Rule 2," said Beth Provenzano, a spokeswoman for Erickson.

"Rule 2 requires that the certificate be signed by the governor and the secretary of state. Provenzano said the certificate was signed by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, but she declined to answer a question on whether the certificate was signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.  White has said publicly that he would not sign the certificate."  Source: Chicago Tribune

However Mr. Burris showed up.  After being denied access to the Senate floor, Mr. Burris later help a press conference.   "The former Illinois attorney general said he was "not seeking to have any type of confrontation" over taking the seat.  In addition to his court filing late in the day in Illinois, Burris said he was considering a federal lawsuit to force Senate Democrats to seat him. " Source: Chicago Tribune

I am confused.

a.   You don't want a confrontation.

but

a.  You showed up after they let it be known they would not seat you.
b.  Your paperwork is not correct
c.  Your supports started calling people racist.
d.  You may file a law suit.

As a friend used to say, the two don't come together as one. The statements and actions are not parallel.  How bad you gotta be to want to sue the entire United Stated Senate, most of whom are lawyers?  Is that ego or arrogance Mr. Burris?

Is Mr. Burris using the race card inappropriately?  Is he projecting race in a manner which is a best disingenuous, at worst a conniving ploy?  Have the race card supporters placed themselves of being looked as conniving con-artist?  These are some of the hard questions we must ask ourselves, for with the hope of the post-Obama election comes responsibility and duty.  We, as African-Americans or descendants of African slaves have a duty to our ancestors, past slaves, civil and human right activist, parents, and children.

I will not be naive and say that racism is dead or even crippled, for I know better.  In a year, one cannot clean up a mess that has been around more than 400 years.  It is not possible.  There are still pockets of madness where Blacks are considered less than others.  The battle against racism is alive, well, and thriving.  To use racism in a manner to gain support for something less than creditable is to throw mud n the work of thousands who worked tirelessly over the time that we have been in this country. 

To time this during the upcoming 26th Annual Celebration of the life of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. and the pending Inauguration of Mr. Barack Obama as the first Son of Africa to be the "Leader of the free world" is disrespectful.

I have my opinions about it.  In my world, the Governor of Illinois connived to suddenly select Mr. Burris to as it is said in the hood "throw shade in the game" since his world is soon to come crashing down.  I also think Mr. Burris, who have lost recent political campaigns may see this as his last time in the spotlight.  I am very skeptical of his past connection to Rev. Jesse Jackson and this culture vulture move, which has a taste too similar to black mail.  I also believe the participants in this unnecessary drama believe African-Americans simple minded or naive and will fall for the okey-doke.  I believe Mr. Burris knew he would not be seated and decided to make a spectacle himself and the process.  I believe the Governor of Illinois knew this poli-drama would turn out exactly as it has.  Hence the conniving aspect.

The bottom line is the Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson performed her job.  If Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White had signed and stamped the seal of the state on the documentation, Mr. Burris would have been allowed to enter the chambers and take the oath.  But Mr. White did not, so Mr. Burris could not.

Race, in my opinion has nothing to do with this situation.  I advice all politicians to take a deep breath and review Senate Rule #2 prior to making any additional comments concerning this mess.