Why is it that when a friend turns against you, the attack of the ex-friend is often much more harsh and bitter than that of a longtime enemy? Cynthia Tucker, a syndicated journalist who has presented the black point of view very skillfully for years, and has defended Jesse Jackson, has now written a commentary on Jackson's escapade with a mistress that indicates more revulsion than a conservative could ever compose. Join us, Ms. Tucker-----join the white people who have been made fools of by charlatans like Swaggart, Bakker, and Clinton. They also held themselves up as role models to the youth of America while selfishly lining their own pockets, having liaisons with various women and generally playing us for fools. Your comments are bound to pierce and sting Jackson and they are an appropriate response to his misdeeds.

The innocent result of the soiled affair is now 20 months of age. One must wonder if the magazine had not broken the story, just how old she would have been before the affair ended. And how long would it be before Jesse had to account to Rainbow/PUSH for the $40,000 moving expense of his paramour to California, plus the $10,000 per month living expenses for her, plus a $350,000 new home in Los Angeles. Ms. Tucker, who wrote so savagely about Jackson, did not mention this Jackson financial "contract" item. And she really must come to grips with it. Whose money is it? Has there ever been an audit of Jackson's expenses? Does the money come from Rainbow/PUSH? Or from Jackson's personal wealth? If from PUSH, the treasurer of the PUSH organization is not watching the books and Jackson's expenses. If from his personal funds, then Jackson's wife is not concerned enough about the way he spends money while away from home. It would take either quite a woman or a colossal Jackson ego to justify that kind of money. Where is the IRS?

Ms Tucker is hurt and there is no need to rub salt in her wounds. Her idol has toppled and shattered to bits like a porcelain doll. Let us invite her to join us, the also-snookered, and see that this type of treachery is not repeated. She can join the ranks of Walter Williams, Thomas Sowell, Clarence Thomas Condaleeza Rice Colin Powell and other people of color who do not believe in a divided nation. Or, if she is simply furious because the controversy of black activism has suffered a bucket of cold water thrown on it, she can turn to Al Sharpton. It is time for good black people to join and demonstrate a belief in this great nation. It is also time for all of us with an absence of color to our skin to welcome them with open arms.