Imagine If Whitey Said This About A Predominately White City.

[FidelisAdMortem]

baltimoresun.com

NAACP raises questions about mayoral successionGroup fears appointment of white or Republican mayor if Dixon is convicted.

By Annie Linskey |
annie.linskey@baltsun.com

October 13, 2009

Leaders of the Maryland NAACP, worried that a Baltimore mayor's criminal conviction could result in the appointment of a white or Republican leader who may not fully represent the majority black and Democratic city, are asking state lawmakers to strip the governor of authority to permanently fill the office.

The request, made in a resolution adopted at a state meeting of the civil rights group last weekend, marks the first time a mainstream organization has raised questions about succession should Baltimore Mayor Dixon be convicted of any of the nine charges she faces. Dixon has been indicted for theft and perjury and the first of two trials is scheduled for early next month.

"There is that possibility of a conviction, and we want to know those protocols that are in place," said Elbridge James, the political action chairman of the state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "If it looks like it is going to rain, I am going to buy an umbrella."

Still, it is not clear that the resolution or a law change is warranted. According to Dan Friedman, an assistant attorney general who is counsel to the General Assembly, the governor does not have the authority to make an appointment.

Instead, the state constitution defers to the city's charter, he said, which elevates the city council president to be mayor in case of a vacancy. That's how Dixon became mayor in 2007 after Martin O'Malley, her predecessor, was elected governor.

Marvin L. Cheatham, the president of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, introduced the resolution because he heard an attorney on a radio program discussing a lack of clarity on succession if Dixon were to be convicted and sentenced.

"Our concern is who would the governor appoint?" Cheatham said. "Here you have a predominantly African-American city. What if the governor appointed somebody white? ... Would he appoint someone Irish to be the mayor?"

Cheatham also said he worried that a future Republican governor could appoint someone from his party to lead a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1. "Would not the Republican governor have the ability to pick a Republican mayor?" he asked. "We just think there are some unanswered questions about the process," Cheatham said.

The resolution passed "nearly unanimously" with little debate from the 150 or so delegates who attended the meeting, James said. It lays out two options, asking either for the governor to defer to the city's charter and elevate the city council president to mayor; or a revision to state law to prevent an emergency mayoral appointee by the governor to run for the office in the next election.

Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, reiterated that the governor cannot appoint a mayor of Baltimore, and did not answer other questions about the resolution. The adoption of the resolution was first reported by the online news Web site Investigative Voice.

The state constitution is difficult to follow on the topic of succession, Friedman said. One section of the document indicates that the governor has the authority to appoint a new leader should the sitting mayor be convicted and sentenced. However, that section has been superseded by a separate portion which clearly defers matters to the city's charter, Friedman said.

"If the [city charter] provides for an automatic succession, then that is what happens," Friedman said. "Baltimore's charter provides for that." Should Dixon be removed from office, City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake would become mayor. The city's charter then directs the remaining city council members to elect a new city council president.

Cheatham said he wants the attorney general's office to issue a written opinion on the matter.

The mayoral vacancy would occur if Dixon is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that relates to her official duties and sentenced. Dixon faces seven theft-related charges for using gift cards that were donated to her office for distribution to needy families. She's also accused of failing to report lavish gifts from her then-boyfriend on her city ethics forms.

The removal provision of the state constitution could also apply to city councilwoman Helen L. Holton, a West Baltimore Democrat. She is charged with two campaign finance violations and set to be tried Dec. 7.

Should Holton be removed from office, the city's charter directs the remaining city council members to elect a new council member to finish out the term. The city's next general election is in November 2011. "

[FidelisAdMortem]

Obviously considering this current Mayor is BLACK, maybe the NAACP should stop looking for politicians based on if they are BLACK. Just a thought.

[JediMindTrick]

If they had left race out of it they would have a point. If the city truly is 9:1 democrat and they had a history of electing democrat mayors it would be a valid concern that a republican governor might appoint a republican but by dragging race into it they undermine their argument.

[FidelisAdMortem]

Dude, they not only brought race into it, they made as much of racist comments as you could. The point about the Irish mayor being brough it, I mean imagine if someone said that about a black in todays climate...........yet they get away with it, unchallenged, and you wonder why some people are so bitter.

[CaptainPike]

So the Maryland NAACP assumes that most black people are Democrats?

[Seanachie]

Obviously considering this current Mayor is BLACK, maybe the NAACP should stop looking for politicians based on if they are BLACK. Just a thought.


Hell FAM,

The name of the Organization removes any paradoxes which might confuse: The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is simply living up to its principles and ultimate goal. No Society is colorblind as this Assoc. so aptly bares out. Whether one agrees or not with these principles is a whole different; contentious story.

Nothing 'shocking' here at all. It is (the Association) what it claims to be. Now if there were an Organization based upon qualifications only; regardless of Gender, Race, Religion, Political Party, etc......I would be happy to join and would find it a GREAT ADVANCEMENT for All of the people.

Be well in Brooklyn,

Jim

[uncledoom]

Look what happened in Mass. The state goverment changed their own laws twice to make sure their vacant Senate seat is fill with who they wanted....not who is suppose to get it.

[Seanachie]

Look what happened in Mass. The state goverment changed their own laws twice to make sure their vacant Senate seat is fill with who they wanted....not who is suppose to get it.

Hello UncleDoom,

It certainly didn't take them long at all to revert to being one of the 'King's Men' despite the Boston Tea Party. The law they repealed was meant to prevent Gov. Mitt Romney (R) from appointing a successor if a U.S Senate Seat was vacated. The new law returns that power to the Gov. simply because he is a Democrat and the President needs this vote for a filibuster proof U.S. Senate. It's as transparent as can be to anyone what the intent was of the Legislature.

Will it cost any of these Legislators their seats come election time? There aren't too many more Liberal States than this one; my guess is they will be rewarded for their anti-Republican bias.

Be well,

Jim

[CaptainPike]

If I had concerns about having a black president leading an 80% white country, would that be a valid concern, or would that just be racist?

I'm sure the Maryland NAACP would understand.

[Mojotiger]

If I had concerns about having a black president leading an 80% white country, would that be a valid concern, or would that just be racist?

I'm sure the Maryland NAACP would understand.

That's different.

[angelicmadrigal]

If I had concerns about having a black president leading an 80% white country, would that be a valid concern, or would that just be racist?


No, it'd be just as bogus as this. It doesn't take a person being a certain race or political affiliation for a person to figure out what a city's populace wants or needs from their leadership. Good lord it's a MAYOR for god's sakes. Besides if you don't like the appointment wait until the next election comes around and vote the person out...not terribly difficult if no one likes the person.

[Buffalo]

Marvin L. Cheatham, the president of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, introduced the resolution because he heard an attorney on a radio program discussing a lack of clarity on succession if Dixon were to be convicted and sentenced.

"Our concern is who would the governor appoint?" Cheatham said. "Here you have a predominantly African-American city. What if the governor appointed somebody white? ... Would he appoint someone Irish to be the mayor?"


He should resign for these comments. Or be forced out. Either one.

[uncledoom]

What's clearly ridiculous about this is that according to the article, the city charter states the governor has nothing to do with this at all. I'm sure most major cities have the same language in their charters. Why are they even remotely concerned about this?

[Ballygrl]

baltimoresun.com

NAACP raises questions about mayoral successionGroup fears appointment of white or Republican mayor if Dixon is convicted.

By Annie Linskey |
annie.linskey@baltsun.com

October 13, 2009

Leaders of the Maryland NAACP, worried that a Baltimore mayor's criminal conviction could result in the appointment of a white or Republican leader who may not fully represent the majority black and Democratic city, are asking state lawmakers to strip the governor of authority to permanently fill the office.

The request, made in a resolution adopted at a state meeting of the civil rights group last weekend, marks the first time a mainstream organization has raised questions about succession should Baltimore Mayor Dixon be convicted of any of the nine charges she faces. Dixon has been indicted for theft and perjury and the first of two trials is scheduled for early next month.

"There is that possibility of a conviction, and we want to know those protocols that are in place," said Elbridge James, the political action chairman of the state National Association for the Advancement of Colored People. "If it looks like it is going to rain, I am going to buy an umbrella."

Still, it is not clear that the resolution or a law change is warranted. According to Dan Friedman, an assistant attorney general who is counsel to the General Assembly, the governor does not have the authority to make an appointment.

Instead, the state constitution defers to the city's charter, he said, which elevates the city council president to be mayor in case of a vacancy. That's how Dixon became mayor in 2007 after Martin O'Malley, her predecessor, was elected governor.

Marvin L. Cheatham, the president of the Baltimore Chapter of the NAACP, introduced the resolution because he heard an attorney on a radio program discussing a lack of clarity on succession if Dixon were to be convicted and sentenced.

"Our concern is who would the governor appoint?" Cheatham said. "Here you have a predominantly African-American city. What if the governor appointed somebody white? ... Would he appoint someone Irish to be the mayor?"

Cheatham also said he worried that a future Republican governor could appoint someone from his party to lead a city where Democrats outnumber Republicans 9 to 1. "Would not the Republican governor have the ability to pick a Republican mayor?" he asked. "We just think there are some unanswered questions about the process," Cheatham said.

The resolution passed "nearly unanimously" with little debate from the 150 or so delegates who attended the meeting, James said. It lays out two options, asking either for the governor to defer to the city's charter and elevate the city council president to mayor; or a revision to state law to prevent an emergency mayoral appointee by the governor to run for the office in the next election.

Rick Abbruzzese, a spokesman for Gov. Martin O'Malley, reiterated that the governor cannot appoint a mayor of Baltimore, and did not answer other questions about the resolution. The adoption of the resolution was first reported by the online news Web site Investigative Voice.

The state constitution is difficult to follow on the topic of succession, Friedman said. One section of the document indicates that the governor has the authority to appoint a new leader should the sitting mayor be convicted and sentenced. However, that section has been superseded by a separate portion which clearly defers matters to the city's charter, Friedman said.

"If the [city charter] provides for an automatic succession, then that is what happens," Friedman said. "Baltimore's charter provides for that." Should Dixon be removed from office, City Council President Stephanie C. Rawlings-Blake would become mayor. The city's charter then directs the remaining city council members to elect a new city council president.

Cheatham said he wants the attorney general's office to issue a written opinion on the matter.

The mayoral vacancy would occur if Dixon is convicted of a felony or a misdemeanor that relates to her official duties and sentenced. Dixon faces seven theft-related charges for using gift cards that were donated to her office for distribution to needy families. She's also accused of failing to report lavish gifts from her then-boyfriend on her city ethics forms.

The removal provision of the state constitution could also apply to city councilwoman Helen L. Holton, a West Baltimore Democrat. She is charged with two campaign finance violations and set to be tried Dec. 7.

Should Holton be removed from office, the city's charter directs the remaining city council members to elect a new council member to finish out the term. The city's next general election is in November 2011. "

So, according to Baltimore's logic, Obama shouldn't be President because the majority of the Country is white.

[super cool ski instructor]

I am so ****ing sick of these double standards....

[Andrew_980]

Why is it that every time a black mayor commits a crime the biggest concern is making sure that the next criminal is also a black dem?

[Seanachie]

What's clearly ridiculous about this is that according to the article, the city charter states the governor has nothing to do with this at all. I'm sure most major cities have the same language in their charters. Why are they even remotely concerned about this?

Hello Uncledoom,

My guess with regard to your question posed, and it's pure conjecture on my part, is the following; this is a page from the 'community organizing' book of 'create' an issue where none exists thereby inflaming the masses into some sort of misguided actions. It's also may be a page out of Rev. Al's proverbial Bigot's Book of Preemptive Strikes. 'Even bad publicity is good publicity' to folks of this ilk and Rev. Al has practiced this most of his adult life.

FAM makes a very good point as to 'why' these foolish folks are not called out on the carpet to answer for what they do.

Perhaps the reason is this; a participating party only plays into this 'game-book' by empowering people to re-twist and spin their own words to achieve their avowed selfish ends. An individual's 'silence' goes a long way in allowing this to happen in way too many cases.

And God FORBID: One has the audacity to disagree with any Group that espouses placing any person in this type of junk heap: the much dreaded and shamelessly inflicted word of RACISM will be painted upon their brows by those same folks who practice their own brand of bigotry to achieve their long pondered ends. The word RACISM has been so cheapened by so many individuals as to relegate the use of the word as to its real meaning; deep within a meaningless pile of bigoted dung.

Can an organized group of bigots achieve a goal that is clearly Racist? Of course they have, can and will if decent Citizens assign their 'goal' any validity whatsoever. These groups seek the means of 'silent tacit approval' needed to achieve their end game through their own adopted 'principles'. Provided of course that only 'they' are permitted to be vociferous in their twisted beliefs while crushing out any dissent with the label of 'You're a Racist'. Hell hath no fury greater than a woman scorned or a reverse Racist found out and exposed.

Is any of what I have written the case here? Methinks it is indeed when the 'Organization' does absolutely nothing to police and fairly chastise its own misguided individuals. By their deafening silence; they endorse and encourage this type of tripe to endlessly fester.

Perhaps this is the underlying 'unspoken' goal; constantly stir the Cauldron and the oozing, ever overflowing slime. Hellfire be accursed upon any person who refuses to fan the flames beneath the kettle.

Perhaps examining what their founding charter of principles are; should be on the top line of the Organization's agenda. Far be it for me to tell any group how to run their organization; when I would no more join in the beliefs they espouse than I would venture a swan dive into molten lava. This latest debacle has a positive side; it reinforces my sentiments on the matter exponentially.

Be well,

Jim

[Samm]

So the Maryland NAACP assumes that most black people are Democrats?

That fact is well established... most black people are Democrats.

[Samm]

So, according to Baltimore's logic, Obama shouldn't be President because the majority of the Country is white.

Excellent point.

[Army Wife]

He should resign for these comments. Or be forced out. Either one.

Yeaaahh like that is going to happen.

[Seanachie]

So, according to Baltimore's logic, Obama shouldn't be President because the majority of the Country is white.


Hello Ballygirl,

I seriously doubt that one misguided person attempting to use the strength of his Organization to speak for the City of Baltimore has any validity whatsoever as to what the Citizens there may be thinking. Methinks it's an extremely vain and laughable attempt of one individual to do so; no matter what Organization he uses to aggrandize only himself and the weight, if any, that Organization holds.

Be well,

Jim

[FidelisAdMortem]

The NAACP has just become a radical black militant group with that guy in charge.

[CaptainPike]

That fact is well established... most black people are Democrats.

Shhhhhh. You can't say that out loud. Ssshhhhh!!!

[Seanachie]

The NAACP has just become a radical black militant group with that guy in charge.


Hello FAM,

I vividly remember fighting with Black Panthers during the Race-Riots in 69-70 as a HS student; whilst making my way into that particular School which I attended. This day and many others included lessons in how to brawl somewhat effectively; indoors or out.

These guys were truly 'Black Militants' (most were in their late twenties or early thirties) though they bled just like anyone else. This despite the bravado they tried to mesmerize us with while displaying their militancy through use of violence. << This I know, firsthand and bloody red knuckled, for a fact!

Militants of any flavor come in many guises until forced to discard the sheep's clothing and the TRUE guise becomes unmistakeably visible. Is that the case here? I hope someone in the National Organization exposes this particular flavor of the day; sans wool, butt naked, for all to see. Will that happen? Only the Shadow knows. But he's always standing by, watching intently.

Be well and safe,

Jim