Twenty years ago, Whodini informed us that "The freaks come out at night." The rap trio's timeless wisdom was again proved correct on Wednesday night at the Democratic National Convention.

For reasons unexplained, the Democrats gave Al Sharpton six minutes at the podium. He took twenty instead. Dennis Kucinich, even further on the fringe than Sharpton, uttered the craziest words I've heard yet from the podium: "Poverty is a weapon of mass destruction. Joblessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Homelessness is a weapon of mass destruction. Racism is a weapon of mass destruction." Nearly everything seems a weapon of mass destruction in Kucinich's eyes, except, of course, actual weapons of mass destruction.

For two days, I anxiously awaited the moment when some Democrat would rebel against the party ventriloquists and deliver a speech in tune with the radicals populating the convention floor. Tonight, at least for a few minutes, it happened. Thank you Dennis Kucinich and Al Sharpton for reminding us why not to vote Democrat.

This is a rhetorical question of course, but why does the Democratic Party continue to associate themselves with losers like Jackson and Sharpton?

We all know that they rely on the support of the Black vote and that the entitlement agenda offered by the Dems is directed at certain minority members of our society thus creating a more solid voter base for them. But, pandering to these jokers, these so-called community leaders, dilutes how seriously the Party can be taken as a whole.

I guess the Dems enjoy being disrespected. Even by their own. They give Sharpton six minutes; he takes twenty. Basically, he’s showing them that they need him more than he needs them. But, do they really? Aren't there better respresentatives of the Black community that they could tap into?

These guys are coming on with the same old tired rap and people are getting sick of it. The Mayor of Boston had to b1tch slap Jackson and even one of Boston’s Black community leaders told Jackson where to get off when he started with “Boston is still a racist city” shtick.

That may have played in the 70’s, but how long are these guys going to keep using it?

Jettisoning these guys may start to show that the Party is finally developing some self-respect.

Yes, who does Jackson think he is? Barry Bonds?

It seems to me a sad story, because there haven't been really any genuine leaders of the black community in America --universally admired and respected-- since MLK and Malcolm.

It's been like one continuous audition ever since, with a few promising young men (and women) appearing here and there, but always (at least according to the African-Americans I talk to)disappointing in the end.

I think Sharpton and Jackson may have sensed their own mortality this week, though --hence Sharpton's rather hysterical tirade? Obama gave a rather suave performance. The buzz on the Democratic blogs from some was that they felt as if they were looking at the first black president of the United States, 20 years from now. And let's not forget (if you watched the love-fest on the stage after Kerry's speech) the imposing man with the earring behind Edwards, Kwame Kilpatrick, the mayor of Detroit, who is in line to take over for his mother in the Congress or perhaps will opt for a Senate run.

So while I would have to agree that Jackson and Sharpton are rather tired, I don't think it's as bleak as all that.

G.

Yea Kucinich and Al Sharpton are pretty pathetic but there are more reasons at least in my opinion why I won't vote Democrat. Kinda like how Rev. Falwell and Dan Quayle are two great reasons why I won't vote Republican even though there are many more reasons.

Al Sharpton has class. He was partying all night at the Four Season's with the Mary Jane Girls and Clarence Thomas. In his tightest frienship circles he known only as the Brown Hornet. He has a fondness for capes around females.

Perfect representative of the party of the people.

What a horses rear.