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Apologies for Thompson
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CommentDear editor, Recently the House of Representatives, having no serious issues to deal with in this country, passed a resolution apologizing on behalf of white Americans for the transgressions of previous generations for slavery and for the implementation of Jim Crow laws.
At first I was angry that they were apologizing for me for something that I personally had absolutely no involvement with. But then I realized that this could be a good thing — a way to bring closure to issues and areas where we have failed to live up to our high standards.
At first I was angry that they were apologizing for me for something that I personally had absolutely no involvement with. But then I realized that this could be a good thing — a way to bring closure to issues and areas where we have failed to live up to our high standards.
That is why I would like to now publicly apologize to the citizens of California’s District 1 for Congressman Mike Thompson.
Mike has been an embarrassment to the First District for many years because of his: failure to provide for the defense of this country in a time of war; ignorance in allowing a group reportedly linked to Saddam Hussein to fund his “fact-finding trip” to Iraq; criticizing America from foreign shores; raising taxes; failure to increase trade (in anything other than wine sales); increasing the cost of doing business; and preventing oil drilling off our coast.
Mike has been an embarrassment to the First District for many years because of his: failure to provide for the defense of this country in a time of war; ignorance in allowing a group reportedly linked to Saddam Hussein to fund his “fact-finding trip” to Iraq; criticizing America from foreign shores; raising taxes; failure to increase trade (in anything other than wine sales); increasing the cost of doing business; and preventing oil drilling off our coast.
Just like Congress’ recent vote, nothing has changed, nothing has been improved, nothing has been accomplished, but I have to say that I certainly feel much better and I hope the citizens of District 1 will take this apology as it is intended and use it to improve themselves and their situation in life.
Kevin Hangman / Yountville
Kevin Hangman / Yountville
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Raven wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:51 AM:
Bauhausfan wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:14 AM:
What information do you have that Thompson "reportedly" was funded by a group linked to Saddam Hussein to go to Iraq? Give specifics.
Was his prediction that going into Iraq was the wrong thing to do turn out to be incorrect?
Was anyone who said Iraq had no WMD (remember them?!) and was no threat to us wrong about it? Or the after effects of invading the country?
What other countries do you advocate invading?
I would imagine you still support President Bush and his policies. What policies of Bush's are you pleased with, domestic and foreign?
I look forward to your responses. "
starchbased wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:19 AM:
It was all Bush's fault. How about that apology Mickey.
from a lifelong democrat "
Rich wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:27 AM:
Why be so harsh with the man that has done so much for us? Why just last week ...... ummm ......
Oh never mind, wrong politician. "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:08 AM:
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 7, 2008 8:12 AM:
These are all incredibly vague complaints with an obvious personal vendetta-- are you upset Thompson was 100% correct about the war and your guys were spectacularly wrong?
"Raising taxes?" On what? "Raising the cost of doing business?" Because they raised the federal minimum wage to $6.55 an hour? I can see that you are struggling, living in Yountville and all.
Did Mike Thompson write the bill you're so upset about, the one that said Jim Crow was wrong and, um, sorry? Is he supposed to vote "no" on it?
Vote Republican! We're not sorry for Jim Crow! "
Bill wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:07 AM:
Ask the author where he served. "
Common Sense wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:16 AM:
Listening wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:18 AM:
freeport56 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 9:37 AM:
You fail to know your history about the Republican Party. The Republican party was formed to abolish slavery and has been the "KEY FACTOR" is the passage of every single civil rights bill ever passed.
If you remem,be rthe vision of the German Shepards and fire hoses used against the blacks in the 50's and 60's...those were Democrats. "
abouttime wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:17 AM:
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:26 AM:
What does anything Nightwatchman wrote have to do with your response? Also, the Republican party of past has very little in common with todays party. It's spelled the same, though! "
Rich wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:27 AM:
Thompson is completely under the control of special interest and has yet to vote according to the wishes of the majority. "
Sandra wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:31 AM:
funnyme wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:34 AM:
Are you "our" kevin?
Must be.
freeport56,
It's all about "divide and conquer". Our fellow dems have mastered this game and that's how they get their followers.
It's a shame that the people affected don't realize they are just being "toys" to the Dem Elite game. Then and now. "
freeport56 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 10:59 AM:
I was not there and neither was any member of our family. Why should we be included in any apology? "
musikluvr wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:26 AM:
Bauhausfan wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:27 AM:
You would think, by this website, that George Bush is at 80% approval rating and is a beloved figure.
Facts don't matter. We didn't really invade a country without provocation, we really don't torture people, we don't spy on our fellow citizens, we don't cut taxes to the rich and create the largest deficits in the history of the country, the oil companies really wan to get more oil into the market so that they can give those "consumers" their product at a cheaper price, the justice department wasn't using political background to hire people and on and on and on it goes.
It never really happened. "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 11:31 AM:
go to http://mikethompson.house.gov/issues/index_MT_accomplishments.shtml and read about what he has sponsored, co-sponsored, and his voting history. The end. "
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:02 PM:
All those Southern Democrats became Republicans after the Civil Rights Act, by the way, but you know that. That's why LBJ said Democrats would lose the South for a generation when he signed it. Turns out it's been longer than that.
Rich-- That was a dumb thing to ask without first hitting the 'ol Google. Congressman Thompson has lists of accomplishments on his website.
http://mikethompson.house.gov
Still waiting for you all to hold your own party accountable for anything. "
Raven wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:07 PM:
Raven wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:10 PM:
napablogger wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:30 PM:
jwk wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:41 PM:
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:42 PM:
Rich wrote on Aug 7, 2008 12:55 PM:
Believing what Thompson writes about himself.
As the former president of the United States, I laugh at you. "
Native74 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:01 PM:
Thompson has helped this valley out a lot. Who do you think gets federal funds earmarked for our county when we ask? Specifically roads (ha, when we used to ask), airports, and flood district?!?!? He's the front line and has come through for us on most! And when it wasn't earmark funding it has been for the support of land conservation easements and getting federal agencies to work together when egos have gotten in the way of progress. I know specific projects that would have otherwise not happened if it hadn't been for Thompson's help and perhaps they should have been publicly noted, but we all know good news is back page reading (most of the time since NVR is usually fair) or otherwise taken for granted.
He might be a part of Plump Jack/KNN/Rogal along with all the other bay area celebrity Democrats (I'm not positive), but when it comes to the big picture he HAS been there for us Napans.
Oh and I'm a Republican...some might say a liberal one, but I lean towards the reasonable! "
glenroy wrote on Aug 7, 2008 1:11 PM:
Thompson has no business, right or invested authority to be offering general apologizes on behalf of Napa residents…Democrats pull this dung every campaign like clock work when the public starts to wake up to their latest candidate shell game.… rank and file mucks this stuff up like its a necessary “holy communion‘ to cleanse them of ’our’ sins ….but it’s not ‘our’ sins…
It wasn’t Americans who owned and promoted slavery…it was Democrats and for that Thompson should specifically apologize for Democrat transgressions.
It wasn’t Americans who created an exclusive Democrat Fraternity known as the Ku Klux Klan… and for that Thompson should specifically apologize for Democrat transgressions.
It wasn’t Americans who caused the Civil War it was Democrats who attacked the Federals….It wasn’t Americans who instituted Jim Crow, Poll Taxes or institutionalized racism….it was Democrats and all the apologies in the universe can’t change history.
Thompson should apologize to all Americans for his parties dismantling our intelligence agencies which directly led to 9/11, and he should apologize to all the brave Americans who’ve fought in Iraq for his party declaring al Qaeda’s victory in Iraq.….
The fact is the Republican Party was founded to defeat Democrat transgressions….the only difference today is Democrat Policy now equally cause harm to all ethnicities…... "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:21 PM:
Rich-
You know whats really funny? The fact that you wrote that without actually going to the site. If you had you would have realized that it sends you to the Library of Congress site to review his voting record and Sponsored bills. "
vocal-de-local wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:32 PM:
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:33 PM:
Wow. I mean, wow. I can't believe that made it through the filters.
We already covered the fact that all the racist Democrats became Republicans when they realized we stood for equality.
As for the KKK, last I heard a Grand Wizard in Michigan was working for your boy Ron Paul's campaign. What party is he in? "
abouttime wrote on Aug 7, 2008 2:42 PM:
Rich wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:31 PM:
freeport56 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:48 PM:
You may be interested to know that LBJ and the Democrats were not interested in passing the 1964 Civil Rights Act. William Fullbright along with four other House members forced the legislation through.
By the way, I am proud to be a Republican Conservative. I have been since I first registered to vote. That is even after being raised by two Mass. Democrats. I can say that without calling anyone a name and being insulting. "
Dwayne wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:57 PM:
Thompson has been bought and paid for, over and over again. His sense of community is serving those who scratch his back. "
rogers wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:58 PM:
If he voted for offshore oil drilling he would be accused of flip-flopping. If he was a pilot, he could wear a jumpsuit and land on an aircraft carrier. Then he would be attacked for not accomplishing his mission to Napa voters. Actually he was a pilot and really went to Vietnam, unlike some.
Hey musikluvr - I think you're right - you ought to ask Congressman Thompson for a pig farm. That's what we need here! Forget the broccoli, though, Bush would just attach another signing statement - can't offend the presidential palette! "
freeport56 wrote on Aug 7, 2008 3:59 PM:
"On this forty-two years ago, the 1965 Voting Rights Act was signed into law. Contrary to myth, Republicans supported this law much more than did the Democrats. In the Senate, 94% of Republicans voted in favor, while just 73% of Democrats voted for it. In the U.S. House of Representatives, 82% of Republicans voted in favor, compared to 78% for the Democrats.
Senator Everett Dirksen (R-IL), co-author of the law, helped outmaneuver Democrat opposition: "There has to be a real remedy. There has to be something durable and worthwhile. This cannot go on forever, this denial of the right to vote by ruses and devices and tests and whatever the mind can contrive to either make it very difficult or to make it impossible to vote.The 1965 Voting Rights Act achieved for African-Americans a major goal of the GOP's Reconstruction Era-civil rights agenda, which the Democrats had blocked a century earlier."
German Shepard and Fire Hoses! "
JimClark wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:33 PM:
Some other people don't see reality until just before the bullet hits them between their eyes "
misfit wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:41 PM:
russ wrote on Aug 7, 2008 4:45 PM:
Liberal - 16 (leftwingnutz)
Conservative - 10 (rightwingz)
Neither - 5
I hasten to add that, in my humble opinion, the most far out, wacko comments came from the leftwingnutz.
The most frequently named political figure, other than Rep. Thompson, was George W. Bush, our president for 6 more months. Some folks seem to be obsessed with Mr. Bush. "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:09 PM:
No special computer here unless extremely outdated qualifies. When you click on bills sponsored or co-sponsored by Mike Thompson you are re-directed to the Library of Congress site. I double checked on another computer just for you. "
Dwayne wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:24 PM:
" Good write Kevin
Some other people don't see reality until just before the bullet hits them between their eyes "
Many are so myopic about their hate-Bush mantra that they never see it coming. They're brain-dead before their ears ever listen to the voice of reason.....
I'm still trying to figure out why Pelosi never blinks... Short circuit...??? "
Ruff Limblog wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:32 PM:
russ wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:38 PM:
Cong. Thompson's other problem is that he is caught in Nancy Pelosi's lockbox. He does not stray too far from Nancy. "
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 7, 2008 5:39 PM:
Glenroy calls the KKK a "Democrat Fraternity organization" and you say the far out wacko comments have come from the left? yikes.
I challenge you to find anything on the left even close to that.
I think the NVR message boards have officially jumped the shark. "
Raven wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:16 PM:
that said....what have the repubs done since then to aid in anyone's civil rights?
As for LBJ not being interested, historian credit his political arm-bending on both sides of the aislke and work with Dirksen in getting the bill passed. "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 7, 2008 6:24 PM:
russ wrote on Aug 7, 2008 7:32 PM:
I suggest you compare to rants by a commenter with initials RL.
raven, huh? No comprende.
Consider, Democrat policies built Oakland since 1965. "
reason-ator wrote on Aug 8, 2008 2:03 AM:
So I know he can be trusted. "
Rich wrote on Aug 8, 2008 8:18 AM:
I have been trying for years to get Thompson to appear in a OPEN public forum to answer questions about his record and he always refuses and in fact insisted that I make no effort to ever contact him again as I do not seem to support his outstanding representation of the people.
How often does an effective and honest politician turn down the opportunity for a public unrestricted question and answer period? "
glenroy wrote on Aug 8, 2008 9:37 AM:
If the night security guard doesn’t’ know that the KKK was a Democrat Fraternity….well no doubt he probably thinks Lincoln had it coming and McClellan was the real War Hero and slaves were better off as chattel….….like I’ve said most partisan Democrats are clueless of their own parties history….
As for Watergate, apparently lib wise remains the greatest tragedy in our nations history…even though Clinton broke the same laws and committed perjury to boot….I’d admit American History was only a minor…….somehow in the context of Democrat Party policies leading to the Civil War, KKK, Jim Crow, institutional racism and the Copperheads…I just never did get the sense of anywhere near ‘proportional tragedy’ …. I doubt the millions who died an unmerciful death, who lived in total subjection or merely were denied human rights would argue otherwise. "
skeptic wrote on Aug 8, 2008 10:45 AM:
ADark1 wrote on Aug 8, 2008 1:36 PM:
skeptic wrote on Aug 8, 2008 5:41 PM:
14obama wrote on Aug 8, 2008 6:15 PM:
russ wrote on Aug 8, 2008 6:47 PM:
come on, how do you get from Mike Thompson to Richard Cheney, to Lincoln to Dixiecrats in the same paragraph?
Get the government off the back of gas station owners. They aren't the big evil oil companies. Geez, do you want the government under every rock?
I still say Nancy Pelosi, Speaker of the House of Representatives, has Congressman Mike Thompson in her lockbox. Just read Thompson's website and letters to constituents. Looks like 100% Democrat talking points. "
skeptic wrote on Aug 9, 2008 5:58 AM:
freeport56 wrote on Aug 9, 2008 1:25 PM:
Here are the numbers from the Civil Rights Act of 1964. Note the Republican support is 80% and greater.
By party
The original House version:[9]
Democratic Party: 152-96 (61%-39%)
Republican Party: 138-34 (80%-20%)
The Senate version:[9]
Democratic Party: 46-21 (69%-31%)
Republican Party: 27-6 (82%-18%)
The Senate version, voted on by the House:[9]
Democratic Party: 153-91 (63%-37%)
Republican Party: 136-35 (80%-20%) "
freeport56 wrote on Aug 9, 2008 1:34 PM:
In the 26 major civil rights votes after 1933, a majority of Democrats opposed civil rights legislation in over 80 percent of the votes. By contrast, the Republican majority favored civil rights in over 96 percent of the votes.
[See http://www.congresslink.org/civil/essay.html and http://www.yale.edu/ynhti/curriculum/units/1982/3/82.03.04.x.html.]
It was appalling the other day to watch former Democratic Senator Bob Kerry totally gloss over Republican efforts in the name of civil rights. He implied that Lott's foot-in-mouth statement was representative of Republican views about civil rights since forever."
Diane Alden
Saturday, Dec. 14, 2002 "
Grommitt wrote on Aug 9, 2008 2:19 PM:
http://www.carolwolmanforcongress.com/ "
Raven wrote on Aug 9, 2008 10:01 PM:
Rich wrote on Aug 10, 2008 3:57 PM:
This would be a perfect opportunity to discuss things such as .... well .... oh I know, perhaps you can explain why you sent $250,000 to France for the study of olive pests. "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 10, 2008 4:43 PM:
You can use the archive search to read the article in the NVR on why he secured money for the research of olive pests. It makes more sense when you read what its all about and that he is actually sending the money to the USDA not France. "
Rich wrote on Aug 10, 2008 7:12 PM:
The real issue is that this is once again special interest money that could have been better spent domestically. As I have said before, Thompson is special interest driven ONLY, he has no concern for the average American citizen and only concerns himself with the big donors and protecting the vineyard workers from the USCIS. "
Raven wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:21 PM:
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 10, 2008 8:51 PM:
Thompson ranks 128th in the House in earmarks. "
Rich wrote on Aug 11, 2008 6:45 AM:
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 11, 2008 11:07 AM:
No problem. I wish I had known we were trying to make the same point, it would have saved me some typing. "
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 11, 2008 2:42 PM:
14obama wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:22 PM:
Do you think I'm kidding ? He Will ! "
ADark1 wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:39 PM:
BANG! LOL! "
russ wrote on Aug 11, 2008 7:47 PM:
Who are you accusing?
AD1, unacceptable! "
ADark1 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:07 AM:
By now you should know me better then that. It was a reference in regards to nightwatchman's sarcasm! In case you didn't know, I happen to BE African American!
If you DID know, then you should be able to understand MY sarcasm in regards to that sarcasm! "
ADark1 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 2:55 AM:
russ? get a clue I KNOW there is humour in some bone of your body. Being Black, even I could find humour in what NW said. Furthermore I def did NOT play the race card. Even if you're conviced I was? Its called sarcasm...try a different attack and angle..Those who know me from here and in person aren't buying it. so russ?
unacceptable! "
14obama wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:09 PM:
Rich wrote on Aug 12, 2008 12:46 PM:
By now you should have received a computer generated letter with a stamped signature that says little about your issue but details all he has done in other areas and most likely will list a link to his site and the suggestion to go there and sing praises in what he has accomplished. "
napawineo wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:11 PM:
Rich wrote on Aug 12, 2008 1:53 PM:
Shame on you for not recognizing that wobbly toothed smile. "
kevin wrote on Aug 12, 2008 2:22 PM:
My favorite Mike story is a couple years back when we were holding a "spirited" protest against Measure P in front of the Opera House (where the P proponents were gathering). Mike got so scared by the protest that he felt he needed to call the CHP to escort him ONE BLOCK from his office to the Opera House! "
Hear Ye wrote on Aug 12, 2008 4:23 PM:
Seriously though, Thompson saved my aunts life with the Heimlich Maneuver. He saved someone else more recently as well. "
nightwatchman wrote on Aug 12, 2008 5:22 PM:
Kevin, you are obviously lying--Thompson's office is directly next door to the Opera House. Even if he wanted to, he couldn't get a CHP escort by car to the Opera House.
What juvenile attacks. It must be very aggravating for you to have such a deep personal vendetta against someone who is so successful. "
russ wrote on Aug 12, 2008 7:50 PM:
I know your complexion and I love sarcasm. I use it often.
Race has become a subject to dangerous be sarcastic about or to joke about. It should not be off-limits to have in the mix of normal conversation but the PC police are venomous.
Thanks for your response.
racist cracker russ "
napawineo wrote on Aug 12, 2008 8:09 PM:
ADark1 wrote on Aug 12, 2008 10:04 PM:
OK now that we got that out of the way...do you think I could give a well nm about being PC? Just being a tax paying American is risky enough.. THe stories I could tell. Naw russ I don't look at you as a racist nor do I look at any of the bloggers here as racists. All is fair in blog and B* ( I was told I cant add the letter that comes after R).
Gonna see if this one will pass...URINATE on the PC Police!
Peace "
freeport56 wrote on Aug 14, 2008 5:15 PM:
You just crack me up. Can't wait to read your full blog in the future.
Thompson is a tool! "
hear ye wrote on Aug 16, 2008 12:37 AM:
jwk wrote on Aug 17, 2008 5:36 AM:
Hear ye wrote on Aug 17, 2008 8:40 PM:
If driving too slow one time makes him the devil then it's only fair that saving two peoples life's would make him a savior.
I love that kool-aid line, I've never heard that before. Is that a reference to Jonestown? Thanks for the fresh take! "
Rich wrote on Aug 18, 2008 7:33 AM:
kevin wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:13 AM:
The truth is that he is a "Pelosi clone" and votes in lockstep with her 98 % of the time. He has never voted for tax cuts. He has never voted to cut spending. He always votes to increase taxes. He is a Liberal Democrat.
I am just trying to do an online "intervention" and allow Mike to admit who he "really is"... "
Raven wrote on Aug 19, 2008 7:08 PM: