Killing in Arkansas: More than Electoral Politics???

Few would disagree that white nationalism is on the line in this election. For the conservatives and white nationalists who want to maintain their iron fist fascist rule, as opposed to the Constitution, this election is likely to spell their doom. For the American electorate to provide Barack Obama a victory in this presidentail election will be a victory over some of the most backward ideas in America's politics. The problem is that when it comes to "racial politics," those politics have a history of not going down easy or being limited to the ballot box in their resistance. In fact, working towards solutions to "racial problems" has been a sordid history that has cast a pall over this campaign from the onset. The killing in Arkansas is a political crime. The question is this the end? Those crimes are the most dangerous, particularly given the nation's white supremacist history. RGN


Primary Source
Reactions to Arkansas Democratic Party Shooting
Updated 7:01 p.m.By Garance Franke-Ruta
The Associated Press reports

"A man barged into the Arkansas Democratic headquarters and opened fire Wednesday, fatally shooting the state party chairman before speeding off in his pickup. Police later shot and killed the suspect after a 30-mile chase."

Sen. Hillary and former president Bill Clinton quickly issued a joint statement on the shooting in their former home state, initially sending their prayers for critically injured Democratic chair Bill Gwatney's recovery.

It was a statement they had to update later in the afternoon.

"We are deeply saddened by the news that Bill Gwatney has passed away," they said. "His leadership and commitment to Arkansas and this country have always inspired us and those who had the opportunity to know him. Our prayers are with his family during this time."
Sen. Barack Obama, the Democratic presumptive presidential nominee, also issued two statement. "Michelle and I are heartbroken to hear about the tragic loss of Chairman Bill Gwatney," he said in the second one. "We're praying for his family and friends and all who worked with him and loved him."

Added Democratic National Committee chairman Howard Dean, DNC vice chair Lottie Shackelford, and Michigan Democratic Party chair Mark Brewer, in a statement late this afternoon: "On behalf of the Democratic Party our thoughts and prayers are with Chairman Gwatney's family and friends and the extended Democratic family in Arkansas. With this senseless act of violence we have lost a good friend and honorable man. Bill will be remembered for his hard work and dedication to the Party, and he will be sorely missed."

Posted at 4:02 PM ET on Aug 13, 2008 Category: Primary Source Share This: Technorati Tag in Del.icio.us Digg This