*By now, many are growing suspicious that PBS talk show host Tavis Smiley is holding a grudge against President Barack Obama. But he thinks it’s just the opposite.
Monday on Fox News he announced that he was ousted as the speaker at a Martin Luther King luncheon because he was trying to hold the president accountable.
“I don’t see my role as one of criticizing the president. I see my role as one of holding the president – this and every other president- accountable,” Smiley said.
“Something is wrong with this country … that so often the political right, and I am no defender of the political right … gets accused of playing the game of political correctness. What this underscores is that those on the left, the Democrats can play that game of political correctness as well,” he added.
Smiley was booted from the 20th annual MLK luncheon on Jan. 16 that’s hosted by the Peoria Civic Center. The group announced last week that Smiley had been replaced by Michael Eric Dyson as the guest speaker of the event, citing people who were “upset about comments that Tavis Smiley has made.”
“What’s important to us is putting together a luncheon that celebrates the life and work of Dr.King,” luncheon organizer Alma Brown said last week, according to a local report. “And it became evident over the last few days that people were upset about comments that Tavis Smiley had made, comments that we weren’t aware of unfortunately so we made the decision to cancel his contract.”
Read the full story at Politico.
What is Tavis doing on the Fox News network anyway???? Tavis is entitled to his opinions of Pres Obama’s job performance just like myself and anyone else BUT!!! he has made some strong comments even before Senator Obama became President that made him appear like he was hating big time.
Folks love to say Tavis is hating instead of addressing what he is talking about. Because he went from Senator to Prez means that Tavis opinion should change? I think not.
Tavis, you’re not a victim. You’ve been apart of the political vacumm long enough to know how this all works and if you’re NOW telling us that you couldn’t have predicted this type backlash when you made your comments suggest that you’re not as intelligent as I thought you were. It’s time to Man-Up! You need to stand strong and stand by your word. I don’t agree with 90% the shyt you say, but I’ve always respected you for speaking your mind. If you don’t like Obama then just put it out there and be done it. Stop playing games, Man. This is what people are thinking anyway. Right or wrong it is what it is… You’re a lot of things, Tavis, but a victim isn’t one of them.
Hunh? Not a victim?
This event was about MLK. Why is Obama’s name even mentioned in the same sentence?
I would argue the fact Tavis has been around as long as he has, before we even knew who Obama was, that he didn’t predict that he would be cast aside and disrespected for doing what we’ve (for the most part) always supported him doing.
This is ridiculous and shame on us for being ignorant.
Shame on Tavis for not recognizing that the playing field has changed. So, no he’s not a victim…
That’s odd. Using that logic, nobody will ever be a “victim” because the playing field has and will always change.
Can we just stick to the facts? Tavis was disinvited to a MLK event because he criticized someone who never met, marched or had any connection to MLK.
One who is also rolling back the clock on MLK’s accomplishments.
“He represents the death of the Civil Rights era and, to that end, he’s facing very little resistance. He’s accomplished something that no president (or anyone for that matter) has been able to do. He’s largely secured our unconditional surrender. To speak “critically” (read honestly) of him is tantamount to a death sentence in the white-controlled black media. The rules for black people are crystal clear: 1) we must be silent in our suffering with regard to him. 2) We must not be critical of the person who quotes the very best of us while continuing the policies of the very worst. 3) Individual success is far more important than aggregate success. His example shows us that the fate of every black man, woman and child pales in comparison to the opportunity of one African-American to become president.”
http://thefreshxpress.com/2010/04/a-dark-pupil-watching-on-being-black-in-the-era-of-obama/
he is looking very “sensitive” in that picture with all the foundation on. hummmmm….
back in the day I actually listened to Tav’, but he, like others before him, seemed to think his way of thinking is the only way. No hate Tav’, I just don’t like you any more.
Ain’t nobody hatin on his punk azz LOL!
Smiley said Monday that some 1,500 guests had bought tickets to attend the luncheon, but the “six people” that complained ended up “trumping the entire event,” calling the situation a “quintessential example of political correctness.”
Smiley said in an interview that “it would be nice to hear the president say the word poor — to say the word poverty.”
“But we can’t get this president or any leaders to say the words poor or poverty, much less do anything about it,” he said.
http://www.politico.com/news/stories/0112/71225.html#ixzz1j50a17rL
We can’t get any of them to admit that the judicial system is inherently racist, either. None, except Ron Paul.
Now considering that Ron Paul is all but a confirmed racist, we are indeed screwed.
And that’s a shame, that we seem to have less to lose having Ron Paul as president.
Worse case scenario, he doesn’t do anything about the racism inherent in the criminal justice system, making him no worse than Obama or any of the previous administrations.
FOCK…I hate WHINNERS!!!
Stop being a cry baby Tavis!!!
I notice the same thing as always when Tavis and Obama names come up. No one will address what Tavis is saying, they only make personal attacks on him. Some of ya’ll can’t help it……watch how you all prove me right.
fuc tavis smiley. hey! soop! your deduction is affirmed.