H/T to Memeorandum for this story:

The annual State of the Black Union forum boasts a number of famous names as it gets under way in New Orleans, but this year’s event is getting much more attention for who won’t be there…..

…..”I think it’s a missed opportunity on Mr. Obama’s part,” Smiley told CNN. “Now, I am not interested in demonizing him for his choice, but I do disagree with it.”

But Smiley’s criticism has also prompted many people to come to Obama’s defense. The talk show host told The Washington Post he has been inundated with angry e-mails and even death threats.

“I have family in Indianapolis. They are harassing my momma, harassing my brother. It’s getting to be crazy,” Smiley told the newspaper.

He will be busy despite Obama’s absence. Some of the nation’s top black activists and politicians attend the State of the Black Union.

Smiley said he picked New Orleans as the 2008 host city to highlight the continued plight of its residents in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina.

“We owe it to them, those who survived, those who are still struggling to rebuild their lives,” Smiley said. “We owe it to them to raise these issues louder than ever.”

New Orleans continues to battle problems, including crime and lack of affordable housing. Entire communities still lack hospitals or emergency care.

Obama campaigned in the city before he easily won Louisiana’s Democratic primary on February 9, taking 57 percent of the vote.

But at least one Louisiana lawmaker praised Clinton for being there when the region needed help.

“I don’t support people just because they are black,” said Democratic state Rep. Juan LaFonta.

“I support people because they are qualified and committed to issues that affect my constituent base.”

Smiley criticized Obama for not attending, so he is threatened and harrassed, yet blacks worry about Obama’s safety?

Captain Ed feels that all three candidates should have made the time to attend this. I see this as a snub on the part of the Obama Campaign. I see this as him saying that he is black, but let’s not involve ourselves those kind of people.. I am reminded of a fascinating book by Lawrence Otis Graham, Our Kind of People: Inside America’s Black Upper Class .

Filed in: Right Wing, US Politics

Originally Posted by: Pam

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