The KERA WorldPeace interview

To: Rick D. Thompson, KERA unlimited

As you are aware, yesterday the Federal Court in Houston determined that the KERA "Hispanic only" debates may be bad for the voters, skew the Democratic Primary, or even be openly bigoted, but they were not against the Texas or Federal Constitutions and therefore he would not stop them. (An opinion with which I disagree but which I do not have time to appeal.)

I could not help but notice that in that very large and sacred room of American justice, the only picture on the walls was hanging over the exit and in direct line with the judge's view from the bench. It was a picture of Abraham Linclon. Next to me at the counsel table and between the judge and the portrait of Lincoln was my campaign manager and good friend, Kurtyce Cole who is Black.

I considered how immoral, degrading and destructive 300 years of slavery was to the Black race but yet it was legal in America prior to the Civil War. I could not help but think about all those Federal jurist from the founding of the United States until the Civil War who had supported and upheld the institution of slavery.  I could not help but consider all the men who gave their lives trying to overcome the law of the land. 

Fourteen years ago, I changed my name to John WorldPeace as a commitment to peace and its foundations of equality and justice for all.

I believe your proposed "Hispanic only" debates are racist. I believe the criteria KERA used to determine who is allowed to participate in the debates are race based. (The Judge made reference to the fact that no one truly knows who might be the front runner in any particular race. Victor Morales in the 1996 Democratic Primary for Senator comes to mind.)

That being said, I am respectfully declining to accept your offer to interview me on camera and then show that video on your station. To accept your offer would mean that I endorse KERA's racism. It would mean that I would have to subordinate my absolute commitment to equality and justice for everyone in order to possibly acquire a few votes. It would mean selling out WorldPeace.

Mr. Sanchez and Mr. Morales claim they want to be governor of all of Texas and yet they are willingly participating in a "Hispanic only" debate: they are in a position to demand that either all the candidates debate or there will be no debates. I cannot help but believe that many voters will fully understand the message they are sending: each intends to be the governor of South Texas.

"If you are not part of the solution, you are part of the problem."

In the end, WorldPeace

Very sincerely,

John WorldPeace
The next governor of Texas.
No more corruption. No more Monicas.
God Bless Texas

February 27, 2002