Progressive Minds

During his commentary today on the Tom Joyner Morning Show, best-selling author, commentator and activist Tavis Smiley made an excellent point regarding the upcoming mayoral election in New Orleans.

Clearly, the city of New Orleans, with much of its population still displaced, is not ready to hold an election.  Many New Orleans voters will be disenfranchised in this upcoming election, because they have been forced to relocate to other cities.

The federal government has refused to intervene to stop an election disaster in the making, and told New Orleans to go forth with its election (despite the objections of Mayor Nagin).

Tavis Smiley commented, how is it that we were able to set up satellite voting stations for the Iraqi-Americans living here in the United States, in order for them to cast votes in Iraq's post-Sadaam elections.

Yet, we refuse to do the same for those displaced by Hurricane Katrina.

Why does the federal government not set up satellite voting stations in the various cities where New Orleans' residents have relocated to, and allow them to cast their ballots.

Just a thought: I guess we are spreading democracy over there, so we don't have to spread democracy here!

By the way Tavis, congratulations on the Convenant With Black America debuting at Number 6 on the NY Times Best-Sellers List!