June 12, 2004
Rep. Davis and Sun Myung Moon
Does Congressman Danny Davis (IL 7, D) has some explaining to do? A screen capture [scroll a little more than half-way down the page] of a video of a bizarre event held at the Dirksen Senate Office Building in March appears to show Rep. Davis participating in the "coronation" of Washington Times publisher and self-professed messiah Sun Myung Moon. Davis is listed prominently on the guest list.
Why am I posting this now, months after the fact? Well, at the time, so soon after the Illinois Senate primary, it just wasn't on my radar. But recently a closer look (via Matt Yglesias) is being given to Moon's cozy relationship with a number of our federal elected officials. Davis, while not powerful Congressman, has been a reliable liberal and advocate for the poor, as he was during his time as 29th Ward alderman in the Harold Washington era. What's he doing not just allowing himself to be seen cavorting with Moon, but actively participating in a cult-like ceremony? Should Illinois democrats — and especially his constituents in the Loop, Near North and South Sides, the West Side and Oak Park — be concerned? And how do South and West Side black ministers — a large base of political clout for Davis, a Baptist — feel about it?
Why am I posting this now, months after the fact? Well, at the time, so soon after the Illinois Senate primary, it just wasn't on my radar. But recently a closer look (via Matt Yglesias) is being given to Moon's cozy relationship with a number of our federal elected officials. Davis, while not powerful Congressman, has been a reliable liberal and advocate for the poor, as he was during his time as 29th Ward alderman in the Harold Washington era. What's he doing not just allowing himself to be seen cavorting with Moon, but actively participating in a cult-like ceremony? Should Illinois democrats — and especially his constituents in the Loop, Near North and South Sides, the West Side and Oak Park — be concerned? And how do South and West Side black ministers — a large base of political clout for Davis, a Baptist — feel about it?
