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{ommentary Let's crown president Clinton king and move on Can we crown Bill Clinton king of the democrats? Is it okay to anoint him the greatest, most charismatic president ever? If we make these proclamations will he finally leave us alone? Last week President Clinton made his rounds in California and lowa stump ing for various democratic candidates. They of course fawned over him and said what a great President he was. Don’t get me wrong. President Clinton was the hest “republican” president this nation has ever seen. | know this is not conven tional wisdom. Yet, look a little deeper. There are a few ways to judge a great presidency. It is commonplace to judge a president based upon his ability to deal with a crisis or a war. Presidents Lin coln and Roosevelt solidi fied their place in history hecause of their handling of the Civil War and World War II respectively. We can also judge a president by Next generation activists seek leadership role From page one Bryant, 32, was youth mem bership coordinator for the NAACP for five years. "They had 2,000 people in 2003, which is 10 percent of what they had in 1963 — all we can say now at this point is that maybe Spike Lee will make a movie just like he did with ‘Get on the Bus’ and mayhe we could get more people interested in it," he says. Otis Moss 111, 32, pastor of Tabernacle Baptist Church in Augusta, Ga., agrees that if young people want to hecome leaders in the Civil Rights Movement, there will he some inevitable tension. "Historically, when we talk about this torch being passed, it is up to the younger generation to snatch it and say it’s time for another voice to he heard and ministers like Bryant are a good example of that," he says. "Bryant and others , are able to reach a larger and younger generation in a way that the civil rights leaders of our day cannot." . Kirk Clay, 31, deputy director of the National Coalition on Black Civic Par . ticipation in Washington, , D.C., says being young isn’t the only criteria for being an ~ effective leader. , "If your hands aren’t _ strong enough to hold it up 80 that others can get the light that radiates from it , then you should let us help . you identify ways to get the light brighter so that it might benefit everyone who is in darkness," he says. "We need to make sure that the person carrying the torch is doing what they are sup posed to be doing." Not all young torch-hear ers have been snubbed by their elders. Alise Barry more, 34, dean of ministries at North Park University in Chicago, is an example. "I've had the benefit of having some wonderful men tors in that I saw from them ministry that was done well, that was inclusive and intel ligent. So I feel that I also have been able to do what | have done in the ministry for those women who’s voices maybe don’t get heard because they don’t have the benefit of being a popular name," she says. Julian Bond, 63, chairman of the board for the NAACP, has observed the movement - from the perspective of a ! (3G t a By Harold V_Jones || his ability to influence the dialogue or change the nation’s political position. Once again President Roo sevelt solidified his position by creating the New Deal. Under Roosevelt, (through the New Deal) an economic safety net was established. This safety net continued throughout dem ocratic and republican administrations. Although republican presidents talked about rolling back the New Deal, safety net programs were accepted as a function of government. In 1980, (with the elec tion of Ronald Reagan), the first real assault on poverty programs was instituted. Reagan, (similar to an air bombardment in a war) laid the groundwork and the young activist in the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC) and now as a senior statesman. "I was associated with SNCC and bhetween 1960 and 1963; we had already established ourselves as equals," Bond recalls, "The only time my age ever came into question was when they handed out responsibilities-- I ended up passing out the drinks to the movie stars who came to march and Sammy Davis Jr., told me thanks, kid, for the drink I passed him." Bond says that the very fact that there were youth’ leaders who spoke at the most recent march is proof that their voices are being heard. "I think it’s artificial to say that there is a passing of the torch," he says. "No one ever passed the torch to me. I mean this is not a relay race where one passes lead ership to another. And just like every other facet of life, if you expect some one to just pass it to you, then you’ve got another think coming." Bond argues that age is overrated. "This youth-versus-older generation phenomenon is an old thing and it’s always been with the younger sect pushing the elders and you shouldn’t think that simply because you are young, that it qualifies you for some thing. That’s not true if you are young and it’s not true if you are old," he says. Jesse Jackson, in his speech at the anniversary of the March on Washington, appeared to take a swipe at young leaders trying to assert themselves, "There was a song we used to sing called ‘Which Side are You On? and it is not about your age, that which you cannot determine, hut about what team you are on and what direction you are going," he said. "Are you with an older Thurgood Marshall or a younger Clarence Thomas? Are you with an older Franklin Roo sevelt or a younger George W. Bush? Are you with an older Nelson Mandela or a younger Mangosuthu Buthelezei or Jonas Savim hi?" walked over to the chair where | was sitting, and said, ' Ralph, give me my car keys.' Abernathy said after he and King walked out on the balcony, Jesse Jackson first President Bush con tinued his policies. Yet, with the election of Presi dent Clinton, the possibili ty still existed that poverty programs could be saved. Unfortunately, President Clinton did not attempt to stop the assault on poverty and government programs in general. It is ironic that in a time of prosperity, this “great democratic president” did not propose a living wage, a plan to strengthen unions or provide criticism about the rise of corporate greed. Instead, he continued the republican assault on poor persons. Instead the stock market became the vehicle for trickling down prosperi ty to the average citizen. Clinton’s adoption of Reaganomics was met with nary a peep from the demo cratic establishment. | know many of you are say ing “Oh no. President Clin ton really made an impact.” Well if that is so, then his “democratic principles” followed them.'Doc,’ he called out.! Martin whirled and glared at him. 'Jesse,' he barked, 'it may be necessary WORKING: BECAUSE YOUR FAMILY NEEDS A NETWORK THEY CAN TRUST Unlimited mobile to Mobile Minutes ii s s e and Unlimited Night and Weekend Minutes plus share 400 Anytime Minutes all when calling on the America’s Choice” network . 2lines SIC Q)99 for mly monthly access $39.99 on primary line and S2O for eadh additional fine vath annual agreement, %}%%%4, .. 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Even if Gore were to have won the election he would have just squeaked out a victory. Yeah, go ahead and say that Gore was a bad candidate. Yeah and the first President Bush was a great campaigner, wasn't he? Do we not remember that whole wimp factor and vision thing problem? Oh and the current President Bush was a great candidate wasn’'t he?” He was consid- for you to carve out your own individual niche in soci ety. But don't you bother me.' NORTH AUGUSTA 346 Eust Martintown Kd 803-613-0046 WEST AUGUSTA 1347 Augusta West Pkwy 7066517003 ered such an intellectual giant and he knew foreign policy like the back of his hand. No, the real answer is that in the 2000 election, the electorate was faced with a real republican (George Bush) and a repub lican-like candidate in Al Gore. Like Coke over Pepsi, the electorate chose the real thing. Yeah, I know Clinton really wanted to follow democratic principles. It was that mean republican Congress that made him abandon democratic ideals. Come on, leaders lead. President Bush is not say ing it is the mean Congress which is forcing him to pro pose tax cuts for the rich or further erode America’s safety net programs or top ple Iraq with little or no evidence linking them to terrorism. Also, why are working persons always given excus es why their agenda cannot be pushed? Only when we talk about protecting the D verizonwireless.com WAYNESBORO 702 Liberty St 706-437-0097 Need a joh? Try Georgia Personnel Services Call 722-4222 verigonvirless We never stop working for you?® : 4 / ’ p’A o 5 T “ ! ; ol e 3 " o % ." A L i(; » y. V‘;m. F i¥. # i ¢ 7 "ol S 4 Buy One. | ot i g Get Two FREE! | FISSNEH. = oo V2O | SRS 530% |SSEEE) 5 |DG ) 200 Requires new activation each with 'fir 3G :g" 7 year agreement. While supplies last 50 (i 2D any of our stores AUTHORIZED RETAILERS Prones, prices, (chetes, and rilarn pohcy vary AUGUSTA Way Wireless 3716 Mike Padgett oh 706-793-0870 Money Talks Cellular A'a):gusla Mall 706-736-1281 Fashion Plus Communicalions 3321 Wrightshoro Rd GROVETOWN m,’wm 528 E. Robinson Ave 706-868-6110 SEPTEMBER 18, 2003 interests of working per sons and poor persons are politicians hands tied. In the end, Bill Clinton is the David Eisenhower of the democratic party no more no less. President Eisenhower did very little to promote republican ideals. He acqui esced in the New Deal and allowed government to grow. His position led to President’s Johnson Great Society. President Clinton acquiesced in the republi can assault not only on poverty but government programs in general. The effect of this acquiescence is the growing movement to privatize everything from schools, prisons, (you hear that, YDC workers?) to child service agencies. Just remember as government programs become priva tized (which means lost health benefits, lower salaries, and less job protec tion) just blame the republi cans not Clinton. Does that make you feel better? THOMSON May Wirsless 1014 Augusta Hwy Suite 6 706-5497-0423 WHENS Crossroads Communications 601 North Main St. 106-547-0057 9A