An Update on Alphonso Jackson
On April 28, HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson made some unfortunate remarks before a group of minority businesspeople. The Dallas Business Journal reported on the talk last week, but the story didn't attract much attention.
Then we blogged about it , yesterday. And now, Senator Frank Lautenberg , Representatives Henry Waxman and Barney Frank , and independent watchdog groups are calling for investigations into the matter -- and even Secretary Jackson's resignation.
Coincidence? We don't think so.
On a lighter note, an amusing story about a 2004 visit by Secretary Jackson to the Kennedy Center appears after the jump.
Here's the story:
I was at the Kennedy Center Honors in Fall of 2004. Usual local celebrities arriving, politicians national and local, and some hollywood stars too, mostly by private car, some taxi, all vehicles waiting in a lengthy line snaking to the front entrance for passenger drop offs. Two black suburbans (lights/sirens off) waited in this line, slowly inching forward in the line. When they finally made it to the front entrance, SecDef Rumsfeld got out.
Shortly thereafter, two other black Suburbans, lights and sirens blazing, come speeding around the lengthy line of cars waiting to drop people off. Out of one exits several security types, with bad business suits (it was a black tie event) and requisite earpieces. They motion for people to "stand back."
Out of the other Suburban exits Alphonso Jackson.
If Rumsfeld's motorcade can wait, then, c'mon, the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development can't? And after that show, it became clear he has a very high opinion of himself.
DBJ article prompts calls for resignation of HUD secretary, investigation [Dallas Business Journal]
Senator Demands Resignation of Housing Secretary After 'Don't Like Bush' Dispute [Raw Story]