Mach Report This Comment Date: November 06, 2010 01:51AM
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www.wnd.com]
Olbermann backed co-chair of 'Marxist-socialist' bloc
Congressional group wants to remove socialism's stigma in eyes of Americans
Posted: November 05, 2010
7:15 pm Eastern
By Aaron Klein
NEW YORK – One of three Democrats financially backed by MSNBC host Keith
Olbermann is the co-chairman of a Marxist/socialist-founded bloc in
Congress.
Olbermann made donations of $2,400 each – the legal limit – to three
Democrats: U.S. Senate candidate from Kentucky Jack Conway, who eventually lost
to Republican Rand Paul; U.S. Rep. Raul Grijalva, D-Ariz.; and U.S. Rep
Gabrielle Giffords, D-Ariz.
The donations were uncovered by Politico, which reported that Olbermann had
financially backed the three Democratic candidates, despite a company policy
that forbids an anchor from doing so without prior approval of the president of
NBC News. The policy specifically states concern that an employee making such
contributions may "jeopardize his or her standing as an impartial
journalist" and "may create the appearance of a conflict of
interest."
Today, MSNBC President Phil Griffin announced Olbermann had been suspended over
the violation.
"I became aware of Keith's political contributions late last night,"
Griffin stated. "Mindful of NBC News policy and standards, I have suspended
him indefinitely without pay."
Grijalva is co-chair of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, which boasts more
than 80 members.
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WND reported the caucus was founded by the Democratic Socialists of America, or
DSA, and remains close to the group.
Demonstrating the close relationship between the DSA and the Progressive Caucus,
two weeks ago WND reported the Democratic chairman of the powerful House
Judiciary Committee was caught on tape meeting with DSA leaders to discuss how
the group could cooperate to strengthen President Obama and advance their
"one-world" plans.
Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich., who has a long history with the DSA, was recorded
promoting a "one-world" government while asking the socialist group to
organize against the war in Afghanistan and in support of Obama's policies.
Conyers was a special guest at a two-day convention in Detroit in March 1982
that resulted in the formation of DSA.
Conyers has spoken at numerous DSA events, including at the socialist group's
national dinner in 2008, where he was the keynote.
Conyers was one of 13 founders of the Congressional Black Caucus, which long has
promoted far-left causes. He is the most prominent lawmaker lobbying to free
Mumia Abu-Jamal, the convicted murderer of a Philadelphia police officer. He has
advocated on behalf of the Marxist Nicaraguan Sandinista dictatorship and has
called for the U.S. to end its sanctions against Fidel Castro's communist
regime.
As WND was first to report, the DSA has been linked closely to the Democratic
Party's Progressive Caucus.
Until November 2002, the website of the Progressive Caucus was hosted by the
DSA. Following news reports that drew attention to the congressional website
being hosted by the socialist organization, the list of CPC names was moved to
the website of Sen. Bernard Sanders, I-Vt., an avowed socialist, and eventually
to its own site.
The Democratic Socialists of America's chief organizing goal is to work within
the Democratic Party and remove the stigma attached to "socialism" in
the eyes of most Americans.
"Stress our Democratic Party strategy and electoral work," explains an
organizing document of the DSA. "The Democratic Party is something the
public understands, and association with it takes the edge off. Stressing our
Democratic Party work will establish some distance from the radical subculture
and help integrate you to the milieu of the young liberals."
Nevertheless, as WND reported, the goal of the DSA never has been deeply hidden.
Prior to the cleanup of its website in 1999, the DSA included a song list
featuring "The Internationale," the worldwide anthem of communism and
socialism.
Another song on the site was "Red Revolution," sung to the tune of
"Red Robin." The lyrics went: "When the Red Revolution brings its
solution along, along, there'll be no more lootin' when we start shootin' that
Wall Street throng."
Another song removed after WND's expose was "Are You Sleeping,
Bourgeoisie?" The lyrics went: "Are you sleeping? Are you sleeping?
Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie. And when the revolution comes, we'll kill you all with
knives and guns, Bourgeoisie, Bourgeoisie."
Obama connected to socialist group
Top Democratic Socialists of America members have been closely linked for years
to Obama.
Obama himself spoke at a forum organized by the group at the University of
Chicago in early 1996 called "Employment and Survival in Urban
America."
Quentin Young, considered the father of the U.S. single-payer health-care
movement, is a longtime Democratic Socialists of America activist. Young has had
a relationship with Obama, particularly in the 1990s, when he reportedly advised
Obama on health care.
Young reportedly was present at a 1995 meeting at the home of former Weather
Underground terrorist William Ayers, who was said to have launched Obama's
political career.
Young has been active in Chicago socialist circles and was previously accused of
membership in a communist group. In 1992, Chicago's branch of the Democratic
Socialists of America awarded Young, a member, with their highest honor – the
Debs Award.
In a 2008 article in the official Communist Party USA magazine, Young noted
Obama previously expressed support for a single-payer universal health-care
program, although he later waffled when asked about his position.
As an Illinois state senator representing a mostly black district on the South
Side of Chicago, Obama publicly supported universal health care. He also
co-sponsored the Bernardin Amendment, which did not pass but would have amended
the Illinois State Constitution to add health care to the list of basic rights
for residents.
Meanwhile, Obama spoke at the March 29, 1998, memorial service for Chicago
Democratic Socialists of America member Saul Mendelson.
Timuel Black, a member activist, mediated political disputes on behalf of Obama
in the 1990s and was reportedly involved in Obama's campaign committee during
his successful 2004 Senate race.
Longtime member and activist Arnold Wolf was a member of "Rabbis for
Obama" and has held fundraisers in his home for Obama, including a function
in 1995 that was aimed at introducing Obama to the Hyde Park activist
community.
Eliseo Medina, international executive vice president of the Service Employees
International Union, has been honored by Democratic Socialists of America.
During the most recent presidential campaign, Medina served on Obama's National
Latino Advisory Council.
WND reported Medina, speaking at a 2009 Washington, D.C., conference, declared
granting citizenship to millions of illegal aliens would expand the progressive
electorate and help ensure a progressive governing coalition for the long term.