Beyond the Pale
It’s one thing to attack your opponent’s record. It’s another to call him a Klansman. Yet that’s just what an ad in the Buffalo Challenger did.
34 Responses to “Beyond the Pale”
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STEEL Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 2:05 pm
Unless he actually is. Is the claim substantiated?
Adam K Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 2:44 pm
What, are you freaking kidding me? The answer is a definitive No.
Byron Brown Supports Jim Keane
So does Barbara Miller Williams
So does Betty Jean Grant
So does Crystal Peoples
So does Antoine Thompson
So does Brian Davis
So does Demone Smith
So does Bonnie Russell
So does Mary Ruth Kapsiak
So does Vivian Evans
So does Pamela Perry-Cahill
OK that’s every single Black elected official in Western New York.
Don’t you get that this support happened because these community leaders sat down and asked these questions and got satisfactory answers?
This is fear mongering, plain and simple. Clark is losing badly and Clark is resorting to outright lies to try and help his case, but Clark’s lies, Clark’s deceits, and Clark’s distortions won’t work as long as people like the Buffalo News and BP are around to fact check.
Russell Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 2:52 pm
Did they sit down and ask these questions? That’s not usually how that kind of support happens, but it would be nice if it did. You must live in quite a rosy world where all politicians are truthful, endorse only on merit and sincerity and The Buffalo News is a great protector of truth and justice.
thirdspace Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 4:00 pm
It’s not even worth explaining, but this nonsense is made even more laughable when you consider that, as a Catholic, Keane wouldn’t be allowed anywhere near any sort of activity by the Klan, which has a long and very anti-Catholic history. Illuzzi and other half-wit Clark supporters have been desperately flinging this garbage for months now. Ugh.
Years ago, the Klan used to have rallies in South Buffalo - Keane’s neighborhood - not to attract members, but to scare the Irish and other Catholics who were starting to settle in the area. As kids, my grandfather and his friends used to try to sabotage these rallies by letting the air out of tires and flinging mudballs at the participants. Ancient history, I know, but it’s something that many people in the neighborhood remember, and history like that dies hard in older, tight-knit ethnic communities.
I suppose it’s asking too much of people like Illuzzi - and by extension, Clark - to know history, much less understand it.
Rifle Dude Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 4:07 pm
Adam K: Your post is not a complete list of “every single black elected official in Western New York” (emphasis on WNY).
The sad truth is that both the Clark and Keane camps are lackluster hacks. Keane is a South Buffalo patronage machine. Whereas Clark is a Giambra butt boy. Neither are fit to be County Exectutive.
Chris Collins looks like JFK when compared to the Clark and Keane clowns.
starbuck Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 4:39 pm
Regardless of other merits and demerits of each candidate, the ad’s klan reference and noose picture is disgustingly over-the-top. Reminds me of the Texas NAACP commercial in 2000 that associated GWB with the skinheads who fatally dragged a man to death.
It’s very rare for a politician to feel shame, but Paul Clark really should be ashamed of himself for going along with this. And if it was done by some group without his knowledge, he has no excuse for not promptly and fully denouncing it.
Bruce Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 4:49 pm
Actually Collins looks like George W Bush. But you can’t find an issue where they disagree.
Buffalowatchdog Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 6:39 pm
Doesn’t all political advertising whether it be print or multimedia need to have a disclaimer on it somewhere??
I thought that was a law of some kind….
the Challenger should have to disclose that information….
Betty jean Grant Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
It is truly a sad day in this region when a person who runs for office has to be demonized by lies and slander. I am thoroughly surprized that Mr. Clark, who I believe is an honorable man, would allow his candidacy to be associated with the vicious race baiting tatics that some morons associated with his campaign are doing. James Piits, George K. Arthur and David Collins served with Keane on the common council and all three of them are backing Keane. Why? Probably because they believe that he, of the two, would have the sensitivity and compassion to lead this county. James Keane has a wife, children and grandchildren. Do they have no compasssion for them? My great uncle was lynched by hanging a rope around his neck and then dragging him behind a country tractor in Tennessee in 1939. The noose is offensive to me and no one, and I mean no one should associate it with anyone unless it is true and can be proven. Mr. Keane has shown to me that he is the more honorable man in this campaign: not an ounce of negative campaign coming from his camp. That is one, among several reasons why I am supporting him.
Betty Jean Grant
Betty jean Grant Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 8:08 pm
It is truly a sad day in this region when a person who runs for office has to be demonized by lies and slander. I am thoroughly surprized that Mr. Clark, who I believe is an honorable man, would allow his candidacy to be associated with the vicious race baiting tatics that some morons associated with his campaign are doing. James Piits, George K. Arthur and David Collins served with Keane on the common council and all three of them are backing Keane. Why? Probably because they believe that he, of the two, would have the sensitivity and compassion to lead this county. James Keane has a wife, children and grandchildren. Do they have no compasssion for them? My great uncle was lynched by hanging a rope around his neck and then dragging him behind a country tractor in Tennessee in 1939. The noose is offensive to me and no one, and I mean no one should associate it with anyone unless it is true and can be proven. Mr. Keane has shown to me that he is the more honorable man in this campaign: not an ounce of negative campaign coming from his camp. That is one, among several reasons why I am supporting him.
Betty Jean Grant
Andrew Kulyk Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 8:36 pm
This ad did not come out of Clark headquarters or the Clark campaign.
Joe Illuzzi Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 8:43 pm
In the interest of an honest & open discussion: I just want to thank Alan & Marc for pointing their readers to this story. Any reasonable person who looks at Keane’s voting record in the only elective office he has ever held cannot deny the truth of his being a racist. Not one but every vote he took was anti Black; every single vote. The reason he was laid off from the fire department & affirmative action goals were being enforced & Keane was going to get even, period. South Buffalo unknown to both Alan & Marc has a history of racist behavior, like So Boston. As far as the elected officials, many committed to Keane last year before Clark got into the race. The others, for the most part, are just like their white counter parts; the empirical evidence overwhelming, they simply sell out for a few jobs. Keane’s been attacking Clark since day one, Betty Jean. You won a scholarship in my sister’s name, use your education more wisely! Clark is winning not losing by the way!
starbuck Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 9:05 pm
Has Clark denounced the ad’s content?
If a paper trail is found linking any staffers to funding the ad’s creation or placement will he fire them?
Bruce Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 9:24 pm
Andrew, 5 to 1 says this ad was place by or someone associated with a Clark consultant who goes by the initials of C.L.
Either way, the Clark people have been pimping this story since the beginning of the race, and not even you can deny that Andrew.
BuffaloWatchDog, it says it is a paid political advertisement, the Challenger will eventually have to disclose who paid for it, because all political advertisements must include that.
Joe Illuzzi Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 9:33 pm
I Challenge Jim Keane to point to ONE vote that he took as an elected official, that was Black specific, where he voted in the affirmative? ###
In the interest of an honest & open discussion: I just want to thank Alan & Marc for pointing their readers to this story. Any reasonable person who looks at Keane’s voting record, in the only elective office he has ever held, cannot deny the truth of his being a racist. Not one but every vote he took was anti Black; every single vote. The reason he was laid off from the fire department, affirmative action goals were being enforced & Keane was going to get even, period. South Buffalo unknown to both Alan & Marc has a history of racist behavior, like South Boston. As far as the elected officials, many committed to Keane last year before Clark got into the race. The others, for the most part, are just like their white counter parts, no difference; the empirical evidence overwhelming, they simply sell out for a few jobs. Keane’s been attacking Clark since day one, Betty Jean Grant. You won a scholarship in my sister’s name (Dr Anna Illuzzi) BJG, use your education more intelligently! ###
SuEllen Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 9:50 pm
I was just about to say “Let Keane’s record speak for him” but Illuzzi said it first. Ya’ know, gotta admit it, when he’s right…HE’S RIGHT!
Bruce Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 10:17 pm
Well thanks for calling all Irish racist, Joe. Goes nicely with the Clark ad showing Jim Keane with a bulbous nose and red face.
Hey, everyone who hasn’t been convicted of a felony here, raise your hand. Oops sorry Joe.
Okay, how about everyone who hasn’t had the state issue tax liens against them for their refusal to pay child support raise your hand. Damn, sorry again Joe.
Okay, I got it this time, everyone who isn’t presently being sued for libel, raise your hand. Crap, Joe, I apologize again.
How about everyone who didn’t say they had inside sources that DIck Cheney was going to resign, or that Mike Robatialle was going to run for CE as an Independence Party member, or that there was problems with the Keane Conservative petitions, or that Jim Keane couldn’t raise money….
Wait a second Joe, I briefly forgot you have absolutely no credibility. My bad.
starbuck Says:August 23rd, 2007 at 10:25 pm
Black specific???? Good freakin grief!
News flash: black Buffalonians are Buffalonians, affected by any and all aspects of city government just like anyone, and they don’t all share the same brain and the same set of viewpoints. Every issue before the council is as much a “black issue” as any other.
According to Joe’s theory, there is one “black specific” way to vote (and who exactly is authorized to decide that, by the way?) and any vote on the other side is automatically a “KKK” way to vote. How obnoxious.
If anyone wants to disagree with how Keane or anyone voted on a particular issue or even a trend on a set of issues, fine, that’s what campaigns should be about and having that list of votes in an ad is totally fair game.
But the graphics and headlines in that ad, and the idea that any votes yea or nay on any issue or set of issues before the Common Council equates to being a Klansman… geez even Jackson and Sharpton don’t go that far nowadays. Just gutter politics and fear mongering.
I’m sure I disagreed with most of Keane’s votes on a huge range of matters. Does that mean he wants to lynch me with that rope in the ad Joe?
Is Paul Clark really tolerant of all this? How about he gets out his 88 cent pen and writes an unequivocal condemnation of that ad and a letter of dismissal to any staffer involved? Now that I would respect.
Joe Illuzzi Says:August 24th, 2007 at 3:49 am
The Challenger has been, as the Ctriterion for months reprting on Keane’s record. The fact is, I know this crew is afraid of facts, that Buffalo & WNY is the 8th most segregated region in the US. Acording to Ann B. Casey Foundation the worst place to raise a Black child in the Nation. The graduation rate among Balck youth is under 40%. This all reflects the rampant racism & politics of race that Keane was directly responsible for as a Buffalo Council member. You all are “stuck on stupid” in your desire to call me names or distort my record. For one minute just deal with the issue at hand. Every vote the man took was anti Black!
Bruce Says:August 24th, 2007 at 6:49 am
Joe, just curious, which Black elected officials do you know about the Black community than?
Bruce Says:August 24th, 2007 at 6:50 am
Oh yea, Joe, how does Paul Clark feel about having his only public supporter being a common criminal?
Adam K. Says:August 24th, 2007 at 6:54 am
First, rifle dude, you’re right, I meant to say Erie County. My bad.
More importantly, Keane DID vote for Martin Luther King day; he voted for the version of the bill that didn’t violate the Union contract. The other version would have been struck down by a court as violating the Union deal.
Get your facts straight. Oh and Joe, that’s One.
Dan Says:August 24th, 2007 at 7:35 am
The ad is ridiculous hyperbole. There are facts within it however.
How about this scenario: Keane knows that there are legitimate questions about his performance (BTW - let’s look at what has happened to this region while he has deigned to “serve it” - one could argue he is anti all of us!) so, in order to make those legitimate concerns seem trivial, his own campaign creates the ad so as to immunize him and to create a false scpaegoat in Clark.
That would give us three scenarios - Illuzi paid for the ad, Clark paid for it or Keane paid for it.
As bad as he has been as a “public servant” I can’t imagine Keane doing something so foolish. I also can’t imagine Clark being so foolish as to play with fire. Now Illuzzi?…
hank kaczmarek Says:August 24th, 2007 at 8:58 am
Wow. Down in NC even the Sons of Confederate Veterans and the United Daughters of the Confederacy revile the Klan.
I guess folks down here are still too genteel to use that kind of stuff in political ads.
True, the KKK is vehemently anti-Catholic, and anti-immigrant, doesn’t mattter if you’re people came here 150 years ago from Ireland or Poland, or last week from Mexico or China, legal or illegal, they don’t like it.
Does EVERYTHING have to be named after MLK? He’s already got Humbolt Pkwy. and God knows what else in Buffalo named after him.
Sorry I just don’t see not naming a road after MLK in a city that ALREADY HAS a road named after him as a racist act.
Why does “Every Black Politician” support Keane? Probably because that list showed almost every, if not every name is part of the diseased NYS/WNY/Buffalo Political Machine. And Keane’s a South Buffalo Machine Pol, just like that other American of Irish extraction, Jimmy Griffin.
Color don’t matter when you’re working to get yours and piss on everyone else while preserving the status quo.
Go down to Atlanta and play Kanye West and 50-Cent in front of MLK’s tomb and wait for the vibration as his body corkscrews in the coffin.
Mary Ann Says:August 24th, 2007 at 10:07 am
Why is Paul Clark so quiet if he does not support the message of
the ad. Someone should do a freedom of information’ move on the Challenger so see who paid for that garbage. Why are they trying to make this a black and white issue when we all bleed red and Erie County is definitely in the red! Does Paul condone the message and the messenger? Speak Paul, you got some ’splaining’ to do.
Dan Says:August 24th, 2007 at 10:57 am
Mary Ann 1) The challenger is not bound by any Freedom of Information Act requests
2) Why is there any burden on Clark to say anything? (unless of course, he paid for them)
Look back at History. There was a 7-6 split on the council for years. On one side was Keane, Giambra, Fahey, Rutecki, Bakos, Franczyk and LoTempio (all white) on the other side was Pitts, Arthur, Bell, Collins, Amos and Coppola on the other (All Black save Coppola). On just about any close vote on the council the Pitts block and the Keane block were on opposite sides.
Having said that, even if most of his votes in contested measures were counter to the wished of the Black elected leaders of the time, any suggestion that Keane is a Klansman is ridiculous on its face. Any comment by Keane or his opponents would only give the charges credibility.
Russell Says:August 24th, 2007 at 11:17 am
The Klansman thing is over-the-top and out of line. But let’s be fair. Clark isn’t the only person drawing lines along race here. Very publicly, Keane went to a black church in the city and signed a contract to support black causes. I think it’s offensive when any politician uses a house of worship during a service to further his political career. There’s no denying religion has its place in society and politics by extension, but politics does not have its place in a Sunday service. Keane is making black and white issues as much as anyone, regardless of the color of anyone’s blood or fiscal position.
Lackawanna 69 Says:August 24th, 2007 at 11:42 am
Russell, any time you want to fair is fine by me. If your criticism of Jim Keane is that he has put his name on the dotted line in support of an affirmative agenda to provide needed services to a blighted community, please continue to criticize. The people in the Black community need to know every single detail of the Community Compact.
If your want to criticize the fact that just about every major pastor and bishop in WNY is supporting Jim Keane, please do so. Please shout that criticism throughout Fillmore, Masten, University and Ellicott. As well as in my backyard. Folks need to know how just how many of these very influential community leaders have expressed their preference for Jim Keane.
In contrast, if you want to highlight any of Paul Clark’s ideas or any legitimate supporters, please do so, I do so love the sound of crickets.
Russell Says:August 24th, 2007 at 12:40 pm
In case you missed it, I’m criticizing politicking from the pulpit. It does not belong at a worship service. And I’m criticizing those who are saying Clark is making black and white issues while ignoring Keane doing it.
And I think people need to know why those influential leaders have expressed their preference for Keane.
I always enjoy people who scream for separation of church and state when it comes to issues like pro-choice Catholics, but will go bow before a Bishop at a Sunday service and swear any false oath the Bishop demands of them in order to further their own agenda.
starbuck Says:August 24th, 2007 at 1:45 pm
Russell, you’re right that both Keane and Clark are playing the race card and trying to out-liberal and out-pander each other. None of that is good, and I agree Keane’s church politicking sucks too. But none of those aspects are nearly as disgusting as the pro-Clark ad that paints Keane as a racist rope-carrying KKK member. By not speaking out against that, Clark has done what I would’ve felt impossible - hoping Keane wins the primary. And believe me, I am no fan of Keane. Can’t think of a single good thing to say about him. But now I’m despising Paul Clark and I doubt I’m the only one who’s been pushed in that direction by this.
Joe Illuzzi Says:August 24th, 2007 at 3:13 pm
First: I grew up on Ferry & Fillmore that is the East side. A number of the elected officials mentioned did not. The vote Keane took was anti climatical the MLK holiday was a done deal. The”pulpit esp. in the Balck community is made of a nothing but a bunch of self serving poverty pimps. The fact is Keane represents everything Bedenko, Odien et al, are supposed to be against. By the way Clark is in front! Why do ou think Keane is asking for multiple debates & calling silly press conferences.
starbuck Says:August 24th, 2007 at 9:46 pm
Congrats. Are you saying the location your childhood neighborhood authorizes you to judge what is the “Black way” and the “Anti-Black way” to vote on any given issue?
By the way, do you still live on the East Side? And if not, was your decision to live somewhere else essentially an “Anti-Black” move - using your way of categorizing other people’s actions?
So his vote against that means it’s ok for pro-Clark advertising to refer to Keane as a noose-carrying Klansman? As usual, your logic is anti climatical.
Is any of that supposed to justify the repulsive wording and graphics in the pro-Clark ad?
Buffalowatchdog Says:August 25th, 2007 at 12:01 am
For the record:
I’m not too “keane” on either of them….
Haterade Says:August 25th, 2007 at 11:23 am
Over on “Pay-for-post.com”, Joe I proclaims South Buffalo is the most segregated area of the city. I guess Joe doesn’t get off the Elmwood strip too much. Go down Seneca St. or South Park & tell me again how “segregated” it is. There are Black families living right across from the Irish Center on Abbott … you know - Klan Headquarters. There are WAAAAAYYY more blacks & other minorities in SB than the , say - Delaware district. I guess when you just want to whip out the old race card, the truth doesn’t matte, huh Joey ?