There’s a popular belief that African Americans are the most forgiving people on earth mainly because we have short memories, therefore we fail to remember our history. It certainly makes sense that if we fail to remember what has happened to us in the past, we are inclined to not only forgive our trespassers, but also forget why they trespassed against us. Ideally the most basic education is learning from experiences, be they good, bad or ugly. Nevertheless, African-Americans simply can’t seem to equate past experiences to history.

Surely, we are talking knowing our history. We even have an entire month dedicated to celebrating past Black History, during which we chronicle every good thing we’ve done to help make America great, in minute detail. However, for some unfathomable reason, we simply can’t seem to remember whether or not, we were paid for our many contributions and back breaking sacrifices we made to make America great.

One thing is for sure, if somebody was keeping a tab on compensations due, they apparently lost the book and for that reason African-Americans think it’s a good idea if we sit down with the benefactors of our debtor’s estate and discuss reparations. Unfortunately, it seems that only an enlightened group of Afrocentric Americans think discussing reparations or what’s due us, is a good idea. 

For the most part we’re being told by our nation’s leaders, including far too many “progressive minded,” educated Black Americans that what’s past is past, so we should let bygones be bygones and get on with our lives. In fact, eight members of Houston’s City Council expressed a similar opinion recently. As far as they’re concerned, talking about reparations for slavery is a waste of time. On the other hand, angry White men never forgive or forget their adversaries and more times than not exact pay back one way or another. In other words, the system is a poor loser and holds a grudge forever.

And that was my first thought when Constable Perry Wooten’s problems were reported. How ridiculous can the system get to criminalize a public servant for “using on-duty deputies to buy his groceries, drive him to Brenham to visit his daughter and to keep him company while he watched TV?”

But let’s add history to the Wooten fiasco. Wooten was president of a Black Sheriff’s organization that sued the late Johnny Klevenhagen’s Sheriff Department for racism and discrimination and won. Could it be that Wooten’s past has come back to haunt him? Naturally, those who’ve forgotten how angry Klevenhagen and the Harris County Commissioner’s Court were at Wooten had other thoughts.

It’s been hinted that A.B. Chambers, the legendary first Black Constable in Texas, is haunting Wooten. On the other hand, Jim Thompson’s African-American Legal Defense Group has a more historical perspective. Thompson has dedicated himself to researching constitutional law to keep politicians honest and has urged Wooten, “YOU MUST PLAY HARD- BALL! Don’t roll over for these racist thugs. Remember Councilmember Ben Reyes?!!! He is still serving time for a sham conviction by federal Judge Hitner, another Lindsay crony and member of the criminal enterprise.”
Thompson, in the past, has proven to be right on target, therefore African-American News&Issues would be remiss not to provide a forum to share his communiqué with our readers.

To wit: “Be advised that County Attorney Mike Stafford and Harris County District Attorney Chuck Rosenthal are without authority to bring an indictment or force you from office for reasons that they themselves arranged, is an ongoing criminal conspiracy to defraud the United States and State of Texas. Over ten years this organization has conducted an ongoing investigation of local, state and federal government and has determined that Stafford and Rosenthal are part of an ongoing corrupt criminal organization to control Harris County government, the City of Houston, the State of Texas and the Federal government, in violation of the Hobbs Act, more commonly known as “RICO” (Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organization) by which they obtained their office through fraud and deception.

“Any actions by them to further objectives of the organization are criminal and are null and void. Based on information and belief. Judge Brian Rains of the 176th is part of the conspiracy, in that he and former District Attorney Johnny Holmes conspired to dismiss charges against then—Harris County Judge Lindsey. In 1993, Lindsey received two-felony indictments and in 1999 Judge Rains, a Lindsey crony, dismissed the charges. For nearly six years, Lindsay’s cronies, Holmes and Rains, allowed the case to sit without further prosecution. (SOMETHING IS MISSING IN THIS SENTENCE) During 1993, then—Harris County Mike Driscoll for among other things, misconduct and bribery filed a petition for Lindsay’s removal.”

“The two felony indictments received by Lindsay were for perjury, unrelated to the claims for removal filed by Driscoll. Lindsay was not removed from office and in 1994 was allowed to complete his term in office as County Judge. After leaving office, on January 26, 1995, less than one month later, Lindsay received a two-year appointment as a consultant to the Port of Houston. According to the agreement, Lindsay was to receive $5,000 a month for two years, for a total of $120,000. It is unclear how much Lindsay did receive, but what is clear is that Lindsay’s appointment was unlawful and a quid pro quo scheme to benefit Lindsay. Lindsay, as county judge, was responsible for the Port’s funding and its Port Commissioner’s appointments.

“In violation (of) Article III (20) of the Texas Constitution, (prohibiting eligibility for office), notwithstanding his two-year appointment as a consultant for the Port of Houston, Lindsay was allowed to campaign for an elected (office) as a state senator. While I understand the animosity between you and former Constable Chambers, I don’t believe he is responsible for the actions taken against you. On information and belief, your former employer, Commissioner Steve Radack and his cronies are much more responsible and telling you that because you are ‘Black’ you can’t do what you have seen them do without reprisal. - JIM THOMPSON, GySgt, United States Marine Corps (Ret.), Chief Executive Officer.”

Wooten, who said hell no… I won’t go, has been hit with additional charges, as his adversaries build their case for the August 19, 2002 hearing. He has vowed to fight the charges no matter if the D.A.’s office convinces the judge he should be removed from office or not, because he is innocent. Meanwhile, when it comes to political conspiracies, Wooten must be reminded that what goes around comes around.