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February 26, 2010

Whatever happened to Van Jones?

Ethel C. Fenig
Ordinary folks working in private industry who publicly make outrageous, unproven statements about their chief executive, or just don't get the facts right are usually fired or forced to quit. Finding new employment, especially in this economy, is often quite difficult. But if the person works for the government, especially in the upper echelons, such misconduct is often rewarded with a better job with a higher salary, more perks and a platform to criticize those who behave responsibly.

Remember Van Jones, the "environmental justice advocate" (not my description) or "environmental czar" (ditto) who served as a White House adviser on "green jobs" to President Barack Hussein Obama (D) until forced to resign when his communist affiliations, his belief that President George W. Bush (R) allowed September 11 to happen and other irresponsible behavior became public?

According to Juliet Elperin of the Washington Post, Jones has emerged unscathed, reborn as a university professor, "a distinguished visiting fellow at Princeton University's Center of African-American Policy."

Eddie Glaude Jr., who chairs the Center for African American Studies, said in an interview that Princeton was eager to welcome "the leading voice in the environmental justice movement," even if it sparks some debate on campus."All of this is designed to create a vibrant intellectual environment for the exchange of ideas," said Glaude, adding that he had just hosted a visit by Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele this week. "Universities are places for diverse voices to engage in conversation, relatively free from sanction and constraint, and to examine divergent ideas."
However because Steele never called Bush an a$$hole as Jones so elegantly did, Steele was merely a brief visitor; his diverse voice engaged in only a passing conversation. Jones' more divergent language earned him a distinguished, lucrative gig which will certainly make for diverse conversation.


Jones will also be a senior thinker, er, fellow, at the liberal think tank Center for American Progress, thinking about a "green opportunity initiative."

"I'm getting back engaged because we have this huge jobs crisis. People are pulling their hair out, saying, 'What can we do?' And I think I can make a contribution," Jones said.


Oh. As a bonus

On Friday, he will receive the NAACP's President's Award, for achievement in public service, the organization announced Tuesday.


Believing a president willfully allowed the September 11 attacks and describing him in such primitive terms is a public service achievement for those who utilize public service for private gain.

No wonder Jones graciously states

"I don't have any bitterness or anger about the situation," Jones said. "The good thing about being an American is you're free to think whatever you want, and you're also free to change your mind. That's my story. . . . God willing, I've got 10 or 20 years, 30 years, three decades more work to do. And it's my hope and belief that people will judge me based on that work."

Jones described himself in the interview as "one of the most effective bridge-builders in American politics" for bringing African American and Latino activists together with union members, environmentalists and renewable technology executives.

As for the rest of those in American politics--fuggedabout them.

hat tip: Washington Examiner



Posted at 12:05 AM | Email | | | Share Share