Listing the African American politicians and the Bulls player who have been indicted or received bad publicity, the Chicago Defender is saying its

“readers have called and wondered aloud if Black leaders are being targeted.”

It mentions Ike Carothers, Roland Burris, Jesse Jackson, Jr., his wife, Alderwoman Sandi Jackson and Todd Stroeger.

“…makes you go ‘hmmmmm,’”

the writer says.

I couldn’t read the entire article, because I am not a subscriber.

Meanwhile, Austin Weekly News columnist Alene Jones writes,

“To put it in terms that most of us can understand, that’s kind of like helping someone make $30,000 on a deal and they give you four cents.

“No offense, but it is quite embarrassing when you look at the trivial amounts that our elected officials are accused of taking.

“Can’t we just once get a black elected official who, when the charges are made, is accused of having embezzled thousands of dollars and not just pennies?

“I am not advocating dishonesty.

“I am just pointing out how they sell themselves and our community out so cheaply.”

And,

“When it comes to our elected officials, if they’ve done a million things right and then willfully do one thing that’s wrong, does that “wrong” take away from any or all of the million “right” things?

“Part of the problem we have as a community is always trying to equalize the good and the bad.

“As far as I am concerned, if the allegations about Ike are correct, it has negated all of his positives.

“”He sold us out for a mere pittance – a paint job and the price of new windows and doors.”