The illustrious "Reverend" Jesse Jackson

[Parkbandit]

Jesse Jackson's Extortion Racket

14 Mar 2001

Rev. Jackson's extortion racket
by Paul Campos
Rocky Mountain News

Anyone interested in how the American civil rights movement has largely degenerated into a series of shakedown schemes that would make the Mafia blush needs to read Jesse Jackson's recent interview in the Chicago Sun-Times.

The interview itself is one of those texts that, like Shakespeare and the Bible, should be read more than once. No single reading can do justice to the picture of hypocrisy, greed, megalomania and corruption the Rev. Jackson unwittingly paints when discussing his increasingly tangled affairs. Here are some highlights:

Last year, Jackson billed the charities he controls $614,000 for "travel expenses." When asked to explain this extraordinary figure, he says that he often spends more than 200 days per year traveling on charitable business. Yet even if we make the charitable assumption that this figure doesn't include any direct padding of Jackson's self-reported $430,000 annual income, this still works out to nearly $3,000 per day.

Do the contributors to Jackson's charities (who include everyone who pays taxes) realize the reverend claims to spend the bulk of his working days traveling in a style that would embarrass the Rolling Stones?

In recent years, Jackson has spent much of his time opposing mergers in the broadcast and telecommunications industries -- mergers that require federal approval. The Sun-Times explains that Jackson "withholds his approval until the companies meet his demands for greater minority participation."

On a remarkable number of occasions, "minority participation" ends up meaning "Jesse Jackson's friends and business associates." For example, Jackson opposed the CBS-Viacom merger, but let it be known that his opposition would disappear if Viacom were to sell its UPN network to Chester Davenport or Percy Sutton, both long-time friends of his.

The Sun-Times reports "Jackson also blocked the SBC-Ameritech merger until Ameritech agreed to sell part of its cellular phone business to a minority owner, who turned out to be Davenport." "The price you pay for our support," Jackson says, "is to include us."

Of course the reverend wants people to think he means "the African-American community" when he refers to "us." A mountain of evidence suggests the pronoun should be given a somewhat more limited meaning. (In yet another example of what Jackson means by the politics of inclusion, his Citizenship Education Fund has gotten hundreds of thousands of dollars in grants from telecommunications companies whose mergers he initially opposed.)

Charity, as they say, begins at home. One of Jackson's highest-profile boycotts was of Anheuser-Busch. Three years ago, Anheuser-Busch's warm feelings for the Jackson family overflowed to the point where the corporation gave Jackson's sons a beer distributorship.

When the Sun-Times asks if there might be any connection between the boycott and the awarding of the distributorship the reverend becomes mightily offended. "If Bush is qualified to run the country, they are qualified to run a beer distributorship" he thunders, employing a typically spurious bit of illogical demagoguery. "They should not be profiled or otherwise suggestions dropped that they are less than able to do what they do. That is very insulting to me. Very insulting."

This is a truly priceless bit of racialist bluster. Notice Jackson doesn't even bother to deny that the distributorship was a payoff. Instead, he switches the topic to the racially loaded question of whether his sons were "qualified." Qualified for what -- to join their father in enjoying the fruits of the racial protection racket? There's no need to feel insulted, Reverend: Nobody doubts they were.

There is much more along these lines, including details of how Illinois' Republican Gov. George Ryan appears to have bought Jackson's political support. All this leads to a simple question: How can a man who at this point retains all the moral authority of a professional extortionist continue to hold himself out as one of America's political and spiritual leaders?

Paul Campos is a professor of law at the University of Colorado. He can be contacted at paul.campos@colorado.edu.

[Edaarin]

When the Sun-Times asks if there might be any connection between the boycott and the awarding of the distributorship the reverend becomes mightily offended. "If Bush is qualified to run the country, they are qualified to run a beer distributorship" he thunders, employing a typically spurious bit of illogical demagoguery. "They should not be profiled or otherwise suggestions dropped that they are less than able to do what they do. That is very insulting to me. Very insulting."

That quote is a great summary of the kind of person he is. Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are two of the biggest racists in the country.

He came to my high school senior year and delivered a bullshit speech about diversity. DIVERSITY at a fucking HIGH SCHOOL. I won't get into the admissions process there, but suffice it to say that my class was the last class that was there purely by merit (i.e., recommendations, GPA in middle school, activities, etc). He's completely full of shit.

The Black Student Association gave him a commemorative sash to honor his visit, and after his speech, I saw him toss it away like it meant nothing. Fuck that guy. He's another one of those, do as I preach, not as I do guys.

[Edited on 4-1-2004 by Edaarin]

[Mint]

Yes, there are many things about him that are self-serving and annoying however he has done good as well:

"In 1984, he secured the release of a captured US Navy officer, Lieutenant Robert Goodman, from Syria.

Three years later, he travelled to Cuba and won freedom for 48 Cuban and Cuban-American prisoners.

In 1990, he was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq.

By the late 1970s he was taking on international roles campaigning in South Africa against apartheid and arguing the case for a Palestinian state in Israel.

Back in the US, he launched The National Rainbow/Push Coalition, which presses for equal rights and seeks to generate private sector investment to help start businesses in poverty-stricken areas."

Taken from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/333652.stm

[Latrinsorm]

Originally posted by Mint
he was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq. Should I not have the image of Jesse with an M-16 in his hands pushing a bunch of Iraqis around? Because I do.

[TheEschaton]

Jesse Jackson is a bane to good liberals the world over. I can't stand the man.


Take a hint, man: EVERYTHING'S NOT RACIAL.


Sadly though, from the very little I know about the African American community, many of them seem to think it is. You'd be surprised how many African Americans believe (and I mean truly believe) AIDS was a disease schemed up by white men to "keep the black community in check".

And then they don't want to hear the truth: AIDS has higher rates in communities with risky sexual behavior, and high needle drug use. The fact that AIDS is so high among African Americans suggest that these are a problem in the African American community.

Instead, they'd rather believe it's a plague brought on by the white man. I actually went to a training, where a college educated black woman espoused this theory. I almost laughed, cause I thought she was joking.


-TheE-

[Mint]

Originally posted by Latrinsorm

Originally posted by Mint
he was the first American to bring hostages out of Kuwait and Iraq. Should I not have the image of Jesse with an M-16 in his hands pushing a bunch of Iraqis around? Because I do.

He would probably love it if anyone had that image of him in their heads :lol:

[Mint]

Actually I rather think some of the political releases he accomplished were 'allowed' by those governments as a means of embarrassing our own government. Just an opinion.

Edited to add: not that this in any way detracts from the results.


[Edited on 4-1-2004 by Mint]

[Galleazzo]

Of course it was.

Jackson was never about the movement. It was always himhimhim. And Sharpton is an outright bigot.

Fuck them both with a rusty garden weasel.

[Mint]

Originally posted by Galleazzo
Fuck them both with a rusty garden weasel.

QUIT MAKING ME WINCE :lol:

[Galleazzo]

The mental image of Al Sharpton getting a garden weasel up the booty makes you wince? Makes ME laugh!

[TheEschaton]

The shit I hate about Jackson is how he always touts the fact that he was "with Dr. King when he was shot." I feel like sometimes screaming at my TV...maybe the fuck was aiming at you, Jesse, and missed. He exploits that worse than Bush exploits 9/11.


-TheE-

[DeV]

Originally posted by TheEschaton
Sadly though, from the very little I know about the African American community, many of them seem to think it is. You'd be surprised how many African Americans believe (and I mean truly believe) AIDS was a disease schemed up by white men to "keep the black community in check".

Do tell, How many actually think this way
Being as Im black I can tell you that not all of us feel or think that way.

And then they don't want to hear the truth: AIDS has higher rates in communities with risky sexual behavior, and high needle drug use. The fact that AIDS is so high among African Americans suggest that these are a problem in the African American community.

It also suggets that perhaps medical resources are not as available. It also suggets thare are major problems that need to be addressed such as education, safe sex, drug prevention and so on. The African-American community needs funds to make that happen.

Instead, they'd rather believe it's a plague brought on by the white man. I actually went to a training, where a college educated black woman espoused this theory. I almost laughed, cause I thought she was joking.

Or are you basing these so called facts off the experience of one educated black woman?


-TheE-

Not all black people feel this way. And from the little you claim to know, you dont know much. If you would like a history lesson on what "those people believe" I will be glad to give you one.


Jesse Jackson has lost respect in the black community. He does make everything racial and its embarassing to me as a black woman and I know many others that feel this way. He really disgusts me.

[Tsa`ah]

Mr. Jackson was not with King before/during/after the assassination.

That he appeared on the national news covered in King's blood only shows how gullible the media and we are.

[TheEschaton]

I could of sworn I saw a picture of him crouched over the body of Dr. King in one of the photos.


And Darkelfvold, I've seen articles on this "theory" published in actual community papers. If it's at that level, it's gone well past a theory believed by crackpots only.

-TheE-

[Tsa`ah]

If you produce a picture of Jackson crouching over the body of King at the time of assassination, you're going to be a rich rich man, or a sucker for photoshop.

[DeV]

Well, Im giving you a different perspective TheE. Didn't mother ever tell you not to believe everything you read.

If you want to know how some real African Americans think, just ask one. Its not that hard.

[TheEschaton]

That's just the point, I worked with many African Americans. Some (and I'm not, by any means, saying the majority) believed as I outlined above.

And there's two different pictures I have, which I guess, shows Jackson not crouching over the body of Dr. King, but puts him there.

The first is the day before, the second is the actual shooting. And there's testimony that Jackson had King's blood on his shirt, which he smeared there himself.


-TheE-

[DeV]

Sadly though, from the very little I know about the African American community, many of them seem to think it is. You'd be surprised how many African Americans believe... How many have you worked with? How many have you asked this question and said they believed this as being factual? Funny seeing as though you say you know very little which you have proved that to be accurate. When it comes to race, come correct or don't come at all.

None of my friends, or family believe this to be true. None of my extended believe this, matter of fact . In fact, those statements and the theory appear to be a result of idiocy, and misusage of common sense.

[TheEschaton]

How many have you worked with? How many have you asked this question and said they believed this as being factual?

I worked (last day was last Friday) in an office of about 20 people, minimum education requirement a Bachelors, in which I was 1 of 2 non-black people.

Of the 18 other people in the office....I'd say 3 believed said theory.

Not a big percentage, but a big enough percentage to be worried about. The percentages increase as education level goes down, but that's to be expected in any situation.

-TheE-

[TheEschaton]

And I didn't have to ask, we're all required to close the office every so often and go to an HIV/AIDS training.

Edited to add: By the way, my original statement said, "You'd be surprised how many African Americans believe (and I mean truly believe) AIDS was a disease schemed up by white men to "keep the black community in check". "
Hopefully, you'd be surprised if even one person believes it, which is the viewpoint I was coming from, since I had never even heard that particular conspiracy theory til I worked in that field.



-TheE-

[Edited on 4-1-2004 by TheEschaton]

[DeV]

Originally posted by TheEschaton

How many have you worked with? How many have you asked this question and said they believed this as being factual?

I worked (last day was last Friday) in an office of about 20 people, minimum education requirement a Bachelors, in which I was 1 of 2 non-black people.

Of the 18 other people in the office....I'd say 3 believed said theory.

Not a big percentage, but a big enough percentage to be worried about. The percentages increase as education level goes down, but that's to be expected in any situation.

-TheE- That makes a huge difference. Lack of education. Enough said.

The majority, huge majority of African Americans I know do not believe it. Its rubbish, and anyone with an ounce of common sense wouldnt believe it.

Anyway, back to Jesse's punk ass. I think we hijacked this thread.

[TheEschaton]

Yeah, I've been reading up on the subject, apparently he lied by saying he was with Dr. King when he died? That he was in the room, and didn't dare come out on the balcony?


That makes him even worse.


Edited to add: www.martinlutherking.org is not a good source of information. It's all professional looking and whatnot, and the .org tag did it for me, I thought I was reading something that was somewhat objective. Til I read the piece by David Duke, and realized it was fronted by www.stormfront.org. Do you think GS people realize their latest FE is named after a prominent white supremacy group?

-TheE-

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by TheEschaton]

[Sean]

If you're required to have atleast a BA to work where he works. It implies some education. However, I happen to agree that not many people believe that BS. Then again like TheE and I'd assume most of the posting base I surround myself with other educated people. I can't speak for the uneducated african american population.

On Jesse Jackson. I'd like to believe the good hes done overwhelms the potential harm he has done. But I think I'd be lying to myself. Like TheE said, not everything is racial. Sometimes friends and/or family accuse me of being blind to some racial issues but I tend to just err on the side of maybe it happened for another reason on the rare occasion something happens.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by TheEschaton
Yeah, I've been reading up on the subject, apparently he lied by saying he was with Dr. King when he died? That he was in the room, and didn't dare come out on the balcony?

That was my point. Jackson was not in the same proximity when King was assassinated. Jackson's testimony on the event is chalked full of fiction that would make one believe the torch was passed on to him.

The fact is that he hid as the scenario played out and at an opportunistic moment smeared himself with blood and grabbed the first news camera and told his tale.

The man is an opportunistic criminal, end of story.

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by Tsa`ah]

[Ravenstorm]

Amazing. Am I to believe we are all more or less in agreement with each other? Now that's something Jesse should put on his resume.

Raven

[Mint]

Since I have an aversion to bandwagons I will return to the argument that he has done some good. But he does creep me out for some reason or other...

edited to add: guess I am sort of half in and half out of said wagon.


[Edited on 4-2-2004 by Mint]

[Hulkein]

Originally posted by Ravenstorm
Amazing. Am I to believe we are all more or less in agreement with each other? Now that's something Jesse should put on his resume.

Raven


No, I love Jessie Jackson.

<--- wont drink BUD because Jessie jackass JR. owns it.
Edit: The Distribution center

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by The Edine]

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by The Edine
<--- wont drink BUD because Jessie jackass JR. owns it.
Edit: The Distribution center

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by The Edine]

Simple solution, don't drink beer distributed by the Jackson family. There are thousands of distributors, Jr. only owns one of them.

like I said I dont drink bud light just for that reason

[ElanthianSiren]

Originally posted by Ravenstorm
Amazing. Am I to believe we are all more or less in agreement with each other? Now that's something Jesse should put on his resume.

Raven

Now Now Raven, you know that only occurs when Tamral comes and agrees with you all too. ::Waiting, not holding her breath, grins::

-Melissa

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by The Edine
like I said I dont drink bud light just for that reason

I'm willing to bet that you watch television, use the phone, use the internet, drive a car, drink carbonated beverages, listen to music, buy CDs and much much more.

Jackson and company have their blackmailing hands in all of this and so much more. Yet, you don't drink AB products because Jr. owns one distributorship.

Very interesting.

no not in the chicago area I do not. ouside of chicago i dont care but because I live here I will stay away from the putting money into his pocket

[Tsa`ah]

You .... don't use the internet in Chicago.

Hokay.

The point, in case you missed it, is that while you actively boycott AB, you are still open to a broad range of services and products that are home to the fingers of said blackmailing firm.

there is a diffrence between the companies paying whatever it takes to shut him up and JR's ownership of the distribution center

[Tsa`ah]

There isn't a difference.

Be it a "donation" in the means of stock or cash or hand in business.

Jackson, family and friends, normally get a hand in business. Hence the distributorship. You should read what was forked over at the formation of Verizon, SBC Ameritech. What was given by GE, Ford, GM, Toyota.

We're not talking "hush" money here, we're talking divisions, dealerships, and supply branches.

These gifts never once benefit the "black community", they benefit the business partners, family, and friends of Jackson.

[Satira]

He's too focused on race for me. I understand that there are fuckheads that still make race an issue and it's important to fight against them. But overall you can't be so focused on that, that you yourself turn into a racist.

I love everyone.

Tsa'ah WTF are you rambling on about I fucking live in chicago I know who and how Jessie Jackass is. You dont need to lecture me on him. I already fucking know. I just stated that i dont drink AB stuff because his son owns the distribution center.
Lay the fuck off with the lecture already.

[Umpyr]

Originally posted by TheEschaton

Instead, they'd rather believe it's a plague brought on by the white man. I actually went to a training, where a college educated black woman espoused this theory. I almost laughed, cause I thought she was joking.


-TheE-

Odd, my roommate is taking African studies in which his professor stated the same theory.

[Tsa`ah]

WTF I'm rambling about?

You point out that you won't touch AB products because of Jackson's sons, Yusef and Jonathan.

I'm just pointing out that it's a futile arrangement you have. There are so many ways that you DO contribute to the Jackson blackmailing machine. Not drinking the beer that may or may not come from the old River North distributor is hardly going to make any difference.

[Hulkein]

It's the principle of it.

Thank you Hulkein

[Tsa`ah]

Kind of like pouring French wine down the drain, it's a meaningless protest that doesn't affect the one's personal comfort or everyday conveniences.

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by Tsa`ah]

[Satira]

Please, NO ONE, pour French wine down the drain. Give it to me instead.

[Hulkein]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah
Kind of like pouring French wine down the drain, it's a meaningless protest that doesn't affect the one's personal comfort or everyday conveniences.


What do you want him to do, live in a hut out front and not use any of the major services that were involved with Jackson? It's called personal principle, while he can't boycott all of it, this is something that would provide Jackson with more money if he didn't do it.

[Edaarin]

Have you considered doing something that's actually productive and might make a difference (however slim a chance)? I did. I started an initiative in my class and wrote to Jackson's office, with a list of items that we thought were hypocritical/immoral/otherwise wrong actions from him. The only response we got was a standard letter thanking us for our concern from his office, but I believe that doing something like that is more constructive than buying Miller Lite instead of Bud Light, because the only person who's going to know exactly what you're standing against in principle is you.

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by Edaarin]

Get the fuck off my case already, both of you don't like me that has been made obvious. Your nit picking at everything I say is getting annoying.

PS: this thread is not about me so quit making me the central theme of it

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by The Edine]

[TheEschaton]

Ahhh, I knew we could find an argument in here - How much do you fucking hate Jesse Jackson...too little, enough, too much?

Me, my eyes are just being opened right now to the horror that is Jesse Jackson, though I have never liked him for his incessent need to make everything a racial issue.

-TheE-

[Nakiro]

We're all just going to burn in hell anyway.

This Jackson guy sounds like he has found a way to turn racism into a business, and that, in my opinion, is a crime worse than racism.

[Tsa`ah]

Originally posted by The Edine
Get the fuck off my case already, both of you don't like me that has been made obvious. Your nit picking at everything I say is getting annoying.

PS: this thread is not about me so quit making me the central theme of it

[Edited on 4-2-2004 by The Edine]

Sorry, you painted "Get on it" all over your case with your idiotic blathering.

Invest in paint thinner (not a Jackson brand) or get used to it.

[Galleazzo]

Originally posted by Tsa`ah
I'm just pointing out that it's a futile arrangement you have. There are so many ways that you DO contribute to the Jackson blackmailing machine. Not drinking the beer that may or may not come from the old River North distributor is hardly going to make any difference. Yeah, yeah, you pointed it out and pointed it out and pointed it out. Now we get to decide whether we agree with you or not. Oops, we already did decide, I bet. Yeah, Jesse is a stupid corrupt too. Point made, move on.

:rolleyes:

[Tsa`ah]

Congratulation on distinguishing yourself from the "Granite dense? HA!" club.

[Galleazzo]

Didn't say I agreed. Just said that you'd just been repeating your case and it was getting old.