I believe that the most powerful sequence in the movie does not make me mad at Bush and the Republicans. It makes me mad at Kerry and the Democrats. If you haven't seen the movie, then go see it, and then read this. More in extended copy.
The beginning of the movie opens up with the whole Florida hoopla. There is a sequence where one Black representative after another asks to voice their objections to the intimidation of Black voters and the purging of the voter roles in the Black Community. One after another, they were gaveled shut and told to sit down. You see, they needed a signature from a US Senator in order to be heard. They could not find one Senator to sign their petitions to be heard. Where was Kerry's great leadership when Black America needed it?
A month or so ago a posed questions here about Kerry's leadership and what he stands for. If Kerry does not stand against racism and injustice, then what does he stand for? If Kerry does not stand for equal opportunity and the rights of the people to participate in their Democracy, then what does he stand for? Are the Democrats any less racist than the Republicans, or do they just get away with not representing their most loyal voting block (i.e. me, a Black man) because they show us how scary the Republicans are?
Think about that the next time you talk on here about how great Kerry is. Think about that the next time that you say the Democratic Party is the party of Civil Rights. The Democrats aren't great, and neither is Kerry, but they are all we have, and I will work within the system to hold my party and its nominee accountable. Kerry is not great, but he is what we have, and I am working my tail off in order to get him elected. It's just that the next time I say that Kerry isn't a leader, I don't want to be called a troll.
I will tell you one thing. If Wellstone were alive, he would have signed those petitions.
Update [2004-7-12 19:25:6 by charlesdog12]: Wellstone was alive, and Gore asked everyone not to make a fuss. My apologies.