John Conyers -- racist

The 2008 election taught us that only racism could prompt anyone to criticize Barack Obama. Visitors to Daily Kos, Democratic Underground, Huffington Post or the other big "progressive" sites heard the message loud and clear. Every day, Obama supporters sent me short, angry, poorly-spelled letters screaming racist racist racist racist racist with an insistence reminiscent of Philip Glass. The very word received a new definition: "Racist" now has no meaning beyond "one who dislikes Obama."

It is my sad duty to inform you that Congressman John Conyers, long praised in these pages, has become infected by the deadly disease of racism.

Obama once gave lip service to single payer health care, but as president has staked his reputation on a mishmash of corporate schemes and deals-with-the-devil masquerading as health care reform – a thoroughly confused and conflicted legislative concoction that Conyers describes, simply, as “crap.”

Conyers suggests that, at the end of the legislative process, progressive congresspersons may wind up voting against Obama on health care because the bill will be simply too bad for advocates of real reform to support.

Busboys and Poets is a favored gathering place for progressives of all races. On the January night last year when Obama won the South Carolina primary, the place was noisier and more boisterous than anybody’s sports bar – so many deliriously hopeful faces, such soaring expectations. Now, John Conyers was telling many of the same people: “There is no one more disappointed than I am in Barack Obama.”

Mr. Conyers -- may I call you Adolf? -- I don't understand why you have allowed the ichor of hatred to flow through your veins. I must conclude that you can't stand the color of our president's skin. No other factor could have prompted you to say such words. You and your privileged, pale-faced brethren -- Bill Clinton, David Duke, Rush Limbaugh -- speak only to a shrinking, aging audience of ignorant, racist hicks.

Mr. Conyers, perhaps you should take some classes in racial sensitivity. At the very least, you should consult people like Josh Marshall of TPM, Markos Moulitsas of Daily Kos and Arianna Huffington. They have a lot to teach you about the black experience.

Note to Tom Tomorrow: For the most part, Obama did not make "entirely different promises" during the campaign. Guys like you were the problem. You were so dizzy with infatuation that you did not notice the weasel-words, the double-speak and the flat-out lies.

You were as wise in 2008 as you were in 2000, Sparky.