We still have no idea how Sheila Oliver died or what anyone in Trenton knew, if anything, about the nature of her illness. And passed away a week ago!
We do know that the eulogizer-in-chief for the late lieutenant governor at this upcoming Saturday’s funeral service will be none other than America’s race baiter-in-chief, the Reverand Al Sharpton.
Yup… that Al Sharpton.
“Lt. Governor Oliver was a living testament to the importance of having Black women in positions of power to represent the needs and values of our community,” said Sharpton, head of the National Action Network (NAN) and an MSNBC host. “Indeed, through her work with Emerge America, Lt. Governor Oliver fought to ensure more women – and more Black women in particular – have the opportunity to serve in elected office. Not satisfied with her own success, she paved the way for a new generation as well. Lt. Governor Oliver was a friend to me and, speaking on behalf of Pastor Steffie Bartley and NAN, someone whom we all considered to be a dependable and powerful partner in the fight for justice and equality.”
Sharpton knows precious little about dependability. He became infamous in the 1980s when he took up the cause of Tawana Brawley, a young black woman who alleged that a group of white man had kidnapped and raped her; both Brawley and Sharpton were later successfully sued for defamation after the charges were found to be fabricated. Undaunted, Shartpon spent the ensuing decades sowing racial discord, making shit up, and enriching himself along the way without any indication of a capacity for shame.
Anti-semitism? You bet! He’s got a history of that, too.
He’s also a profoundly ignorant man. Most recently, Sharpton elicited well-earned derision during an MSNBC appearance for asking aloud what would happen “if James Madison or Thomas Jefferson tried to overthrow the Government?” So yeah, whoever invited Rev. Al to eulogize the LG couldn’t have picked a classier, wiser guy for the job!
Oliver, for her part, did make history as the first black woman to serve in a statewide position and as speaker of the General Assembly.
The service will take place at Newark’s Cathedral Basilica of the Sacred Heart.
