Van Jones...Sticks and Stones Hurt...But Words Hurt Too?

News reports today mention the resignation of Anthony "Van" Jones - activist turned special adviser to President Obama on Green Jobs.

What forced him to resign? Well in true "watch what you say or do" fashion, word has come about that he signed a petition prior to becoming one of Obama's special advisers, speculating that President Bush might have allowed attacks on 9/11 as a pretext for war.

The news report also mentions that he made derogatory statements about Republicans in February.

It is unfortunate that these actions have become the thorn in his side to bear, but I respect his decision to remove himself from the Obama circle, lest this talk becomes more directly associated with Obama's capabilities as a leader and judge of character.

I guess this is a case and demonstration of being aware of your choice of words and actions. Do not be afraid to speak your mind, but tact goes a long way. I know that this was an issue when Obama spoke out on the Gates Arrest. It was called into question when Sotomayor made the "wise latina remark" and mentioned that "Courts make policy". The most well-intentioned actions can be derailed by miscommunication.

I agree with Howard Dean. I do not seriously believe Jones had any real belief in a 9/11 conspiracy theory, but he signed the petition - a tough lesson for him.

And as far as the assertions by Republicans that Jones associated with Communists -

Wouldn't that be a "duh" moment given the evolution of the group Standing Together to Organize a Revolutionary Movement? In addition, as painful as it may be to accept, communist were frequently in the mix when it came to advocating for the oppressed and powerless in the U.S., i.e. the Civil Rights movement. Dr. King, Jr. kept the company of close advisers that were affiliated with the Communist Party at one time or another. Bayard Rustin, a homosexual, black, male, communist (all bad back in that time period, but to belong to all of those groups? He might as well have been the epitome of un-American in many people's minds) that helped to organize the March on Washington in 1963. Was King communist by association then? Or dangerous to American values and progress? J. Edgar Hoover would have liked you to think so. I didn't think we were still in the era of McCarthyism where the mention of knowing someone who knows someone who is communist is cause to try someone for treason against the country, or to assume they are unfit to uphold the democratic morals and freedoms inspired by individualism that America is founded upon.

Lets not make this more than it is. I would love to hear these "derogatory statements" he made about Republicans. But unfortunately it seems that the way the idea is conveyed is more important than the idea itself. I am sure Jones had serious grievances about the behavior of Republicans as of late, but maybe his delivery was "too blunt" for some and "too real" for most. And I would also be interested to know his thoughts on this petition that he signed.

Whatever the case, it seems that the lesson here is, for better or for worse, in today's age, "Sticks and stones can break your bones, but words can definitely hurt you."



Contributor, Young Writer's Block
Contributor, The Carmon Report