So we are all watching as Senator John Sampson goes through his OJT (On the Job Training) as the majority conference leader of the state senate. The title in itself is as redundant as a recurring decimal. It is only meant to appease another very flawed and obviously failed elected official named Malcolm Smith (Sampson’s predecessor). Smith is another of the many black leaders who have now become major embarrassments. Apparently black leaders don’t seem to mind when the mainstream media piles up on flawed, failed and corrupt Hispanic electeds; and I say this because my observation over 37 years has been that you will hardly ever see black electeds publicly coming to defend their Hispanic colleagues. And yet, as soon as a black elected is exposed for his/her indiscretions, extravagances, corruption and abuse, some fool will jump out from behind some supposed militant rock to proclaim it’s some kinda conspiracy against black electeds. It is so predictable it isn’t funny anymore; and it has nauseously played it self out ad-infinitum.
Look, black electeds are no more or no less corruptible as Hispanics (Latinos/Latinas), Asians, Whites, and those from other genders, sexual persuasions/preferences, races, ethnicities, nationalities or religious persuasions. It is a human failure: period. There are no racial or other boundaries. It is all about individuals, their failings and their weaknesses.
John Sampson has done a decent job as conference leader. If you look closely you will see that some interesting legislation was passed during the last session of the state legislature. The piece that slows down natural-gas developers from polluting the water table is exceptional though incomplete. If only he would undertake solid electoral reforms, explore innovative ballot-access avenues, revamp committee functions, and pursue terms limits for the state legislature: then he will make a name for himself amongst both moderates and progressives. Look, it is still early in John’s tenure, so let’s keep wishing him well in the role, and let’s hope that they will soon eliminate his silly title and make him the ONLY senate majority leader.
I write this column because John Sampson will soon have a big problem hurling at him down the turnpike and coming up the wrong lane to booth. The problem’s name is Senator Kevin Parker. You see, when former state senator Hiram Monseratte was convicted of a misdemeanor for assaulting his girlfriend during a domestic spat, Sampson was more or less forced (as conference leader) to make Hiram walk the plank. In the end, Hiram was expelled from the senate because of initial decisions Sampson made relative to discipline. Decisions that were tough but necessary of any leader worth his/her salt.
Next week it is expected that Senator Kevin Parker will be on trial for assaulting a newspaper reporter/photographer. And like Monseratte, it is very possible that Parker could be convicted of either a felony or misdemeanor. When the trial is over (and assuming that Parker is convicted) the question becomes this: what will John Sampson do relative to discipline?
Sampson cannot allow one disciplinary standard for Monseratte and another (different) for Parker. If he does he will damage relations between black and Hispanic electeds for a long time to come. I suspect that his leadership skills are going to be tested again real soon.
Remember this: it is neither the first, second, third or fourth time that Kevin Parker has been caught up in issues displaying a lack of self control and/or bad behavior on his part. He has displayed in the past, an inability to manage anger challenges, and also a propensity for violence. A judge has already sentenced him to anger-management counseling in another legal matter prior. He is no virgin in this area. How Sampson handles the outcome(s) of Parker’s trials and tribulations will go a long way in determining his future (successes or failures) as senate majority leader. Let’s all hope that John Sampson does the right thing when the time comes.
Stay tuned-in folks.