Page 8, Portland Observer, October 27, 1 °8 8 ______
Statement Of Michael Dukakis
On The Reagan Administration’s
Policy Towards Angola
An Open Letter To:
Reverend Jesse Jackson
From Independent Presidential
Candidate Dr. Lenora Fulani
Dear Jesse,
Election Day, Nov.
8, is less than three
weeks away. That day
marks the end of a jour­
ney we began more
than a year and a half
ago, a journey that
started with both of us
on the same road — the
pursuit of your nomina­
tion as the Democratic
Party candidate for
President of the United
States.
Since Atlanta and
the n o m in a tio n of
Michael Dukakis and
Lloyd Bentsen, we
began traveling dif-
ferent roads— you ad-
,
v o c a tin g
fo r
the
Dr. Lenora Fulani
Democratic ticket and me conducting my national independent
Presidential campaign to offer the African-American people an oppor­
tunity to expand and enhance our political leverage by refusing to
give the Democratic Party a blank check so long as it continues to
reject our Black Agenda.
Although some have tried to use our differences to force one of
us to repudiate the other we have gone our separate ways while main­
taining our mutual respect. When I appeared on the Larry King show
last week, for example. King tried to turn our differences over strategy
into a fight between us. Despite his hysteria (so extreme that his pro­
ducer telephoned me right after the show to apologize for his
behavior), I refused to take the bait.
There are, however, some in the upper echelons of leadership in
the Black community who have taken to disrespecting my campaign
publicly. In an interview on KCBS-TV in Los Angeles Ron Brown a
strategist for your 1988 Presidential run who is now a key adviser to
Michael Dukakis, said that what I am telling the Black community to
do is “ ridiculous.” He said that my strategy will perpetuate the
Reagan/Bush years and that won’t be good for the constituents I
“ claim to represent.” My response to that charge continues to be that
neither the Democrats’ nor the Republicans’ policies benefit us as a
people. Until we are independently organized, the Democrats will
never respond to our agenda, but will continue to chase after the
Reagan Democrats whose votes they covet.
Why are Mr. Brown and Dr. Walters, neither of whom spoke to
me about my candidacy during the last 15 months — as I became the
first African-American in the history of this country to qualify for the
ballot in every state and the first Black woman to qualify for federal
primary matching funds-suddenly so eager to get Black folks to
think I’m “ ridiculous” or untrustworthy?
Why are they so willing to make a slanderous attack on a Black
sister to try to convince people to stay away from me and my cam­
paign? And why are Black leaders in the church, in the community, in
the trade unions and on the campuses getting threatening late night
phone calls telling them that I am a supporter of the neo-fascist
Lyndon LaRouche, or that I am a cultist, a brainwasher or someone
who has been brainwashed, or that I am the puppet of white folks? Al
of this is nonsense. I believe it is part of a coordinated effort to snuff
out open and democratic debate in the African-American community
about which direction is beat for our empowerment.
This debate on the future of the Black Agenda, on the question
of which electoral path best serves the interests of our people, this
dialogue on the Black-led Rainbow movement and its impact inside
and outside the Democratic Party, is crucial to our people. Our right
to that debate — and my right to be respected as part of that
debate — is unquestionable. Mr. Brown, Dr. Walters and the late night
phone callers certainly have the right to disagree with me. Indeed, I
welcome open discussion on these issues. But smears and mud-
slinqing have no place in democratic dialogue.
Throughout the 1988 Presidential contest you have set a high
tone for dialogue and disagreement. As a candidate and as a
spokesperson you have insisted that white America, the media and
the other candidates treat you and the process with respect. As
Dukakis and Bush have fallen into negative campaigning, you have
insisted on putting out a positive message, and to your everlasting
credit you have not allowed your disagreements with me to
degenerate into mudslinging or repudiation.
Unfortunately, others have taken a lower road. And while they
may wear expensive suits, they are in point of fact armtwisters using
strongarm tactics to intimidate the Black community from exercising
its right to self-determination and its vote to support whomever it
truly chooses.
, _
... ..
Jesse, I know that you do not in any way control Brown, Walters
and the others who are on a smear crusade against me. But I urge
that you do whatever is possible to discourage and prevent this kind
of campaign, most especially since those who are conducting it
implicitly and explicitly use their association with you to validate their
unethical attacks. The Black community deserves and demands a fair
campaign and the opportunity to make its own choice.
______
Healthy Minds And
Bodies Promotes A
Healthy Spiritual Life
continent. In Angola, the United States is standing
with South Africa and against the rest of Africa,
harming our own national interest on that important
continent.
Third, U S. policy in Angola has provided a pretext
for Soviet and Cuban presence in Angola. U.S.
military support for UNITA has only increased
Angolan dependence on the very Cubans and Soviets
that we want to see leave.
ZIMBABWE
Finally, our policy of linking the withdrawal of
Cuban troops from Angola to the withdrawal of South
African military from Namibia has delayed the
implementation of United Nations Resolution 435,
which calls for South Africa’s immediate withdrawal
from Namibia.
Meanwhile, U.S. companies continue to operate
successfully inside Angola and to work effectively
with the Angolan government. The result is absurd:
hroughout my campaign for President, I have
U.S. oil companies are being protected by Cuban
made clear my view that the Administration’s
troops from attacks by UNITA, supported with
policy towards South Africa has been a disaster for American tax dollars. And the United States and
the United States and for the people of the region.
South Africa stand alone in refusing to recognize the
Nowhere is that more apparent than in our policy
Angolan government.
towards Angola. That policy must be changed for the
The continuing military aid to UNITA fans the
following reasons:
.
. .
flames of regional conflict in southern Africa and
First the Administration’s decision to provide
should be halted. I support efforts to negotiate a
military’ support to UNITA has made us an ally of
withdrawal of all foreign troops from Angola.
apartheid and of South Africa’s policy of aggression
As President I will focus U.S. policy on ending the
against its neighbors. The time is long overdue for
continuing illegal occupation of Namibia by South
opposing Sou*h Africa's policies, not supporting
Africa. It is not enough for South Africa to withdraw
from Angola; it must also get out of Namibia —
Second, the Administration's policy has put us at
Immediately.
odds with all of the other countries on the African
T
DEBI THOMAS — a pre-med student at Stanford Univer­
sity skated her way into the history books in 1986 with
a dynamic combination of artistry, grace, athleticism
and determination. At the 1986 U.S. Figure Skating
Championships, Thomas landed all five of her triple
jumps in the freestyle program to upset defending na­
tional champion, Tiffany Chin.
No small feat, one month later Thomas travelled
to the World Championships in Geneva where she
once again defied the odds by outperforming Olympic
gold medalist and two-time World Champion Katarina
Witt for the championship. This dramatic victory com­
pleted a perfect season for Thomas and was one of the
reasons that she was chosen amateur athlete of the
year by the W om en’s Sports Foundation.
Thomas began competitive skating in 1976, and
was quickly spotted by Scottish coach Alex McGowan
who was her coach throughout her amateur career. Her
mother, Janice, also advises her on striking the
balance between her demanding studies at Stanford
University and her rigorous touring and competition
schedules. During her amateur days this balancing act
had Thomas skating for six hours a day and then study­
ing for six. Her attitude to such a routine was typically
relaxed: ‘Why should I worry about sleep?” she asks,
‘I never got any in high school either.”
Debi Thomas recently fulfilled a lifetime dream of
representing the U.S. in the 1988 Olympics, and won
the Bronze medal in the figure skating competition.
For the future, Thomas hopes to combine her two
loves, sports and medicine, to become an orthopedic
surgeon specializing in sports medicine. In the mean­
time, her commitment to skating, and her enormous
talent, ensure that she will remain one of the world s
most accomplished performers for many years to
come.
Thomas takes yet another big step in her career,
this year, headlining the Discover Card Stars on Ice
tour in 30 cities across America.
MEMPHIS (UMNS) — Healing
for individuals and communi­
ties— cannot be accomplished
until persons learn to mesh mind,
body and spirit into a healthy
whole, according to speakers at a
national United Methodist church
and health symposium here Oct.
17-19.
The interrelationship between
health and spiritual and emotional
vitality was explored by nearly 300
United Methodists from across
the United States during "Health,
Healing and Spirituality in the
Wesleyan Tradition," a forum co­
sponsored by The Upper Room
and Methodist Health Systems
here. The Nashville-based Upper
Room is a unit of the United
Methodist Church which produces
meditational resources and en­
courages spiritual life develop­
ment.
Participants learned practical
methods for forging healthy
minds, bodies and environment In
workshops that ranged from
prayer techniques to ecological
concerns.
The Rev. G. Scott Morris, a
United Methodist clergyman and
physician, encouraged churches
to support and even help establish
health clinics for the poor, em­
phasizing the need for physical
and spiritual care.
“We have to approach people’s
entire problem to be good physi­
cians,” said Dr. Morris, who, with
the help of Local church dona­
tions, launched the Church Health
Center in Memphis which serves
persons w ith low -incom es.
“ What’s easier, to treat a kid who
has an infection every month every
time he has the infection, or to
find a way to get screens on the
door to keep (germ-carrying) flies
off his food?
“ I personally think it’s easier to
get the screens on,” he said.
Spiritual renewal enthusiast
Flora Wuellner, a United Church of
Christ clergywoman, taught par­
ticipants methods for reducing
both physical and emotional
stress.
Keep realistic expectations for
yourself, receive as well as give
nurturing, listen to your body,
make daily prayer your link with
God rather than just a discipline
and “ don’t shoulder every cross
dropped at your feet,” Ms.
Wuellner told listeners.
“ If we pick up a burden and it
gives us nothing but frustration,
then we probably picked up the
cross meant for someone else,”
she said.
“ That’s a source of stress God
did not intend for us.”
Have A Safe Halloween!
Eva Gabor
Bom Free
Rene of Paris
Andre Douglas
Zurv and More
Carefree
The views expressed in this article are those of Dr. Fulani and do not
reflect those of the Portland Observer.
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