Jessie Jackson is apologizing for a crude remark he made about Barack Obama after an interview at Fox News. He said that he thought the microphone was off. He said that he talks down to black people (a version of the “elitist” tag placed on him by others). CNN, of course would not print the remark. Fox News mentioned that the remark was about cutting off a part of Obama’s anatomy. Fox News stated that the remark was caught on tape, but did not make the tape available online. It doesn’t appear to have made it onto YouTube either. CNN is also reproting that Jesse Jackson, Jr. “repudiates his father’s ugly rhetoric.” Jesse Jr. works for Obama – that should be a quiet dinner tonite in the Jackson household….
Jackson had earlier accused Obama of acting likes he’s white (what ever that means).
Once the video is released (FoxNews is supposed to release it within the next few hours) I will update this post.
Stay tuned!
***Update*** 7:35 PM O’Reilly will cover it on his show in 25 minutes (8 PM EST)
Fox News has now aired the remark (sort of):
He whispered to the host, and said, “Osama talks down to black People… in the black churches, he really talks down to black people, you know?” He then pursed his lips.
Why on earth did he think that the mike was off? Yikes!
***Update*** 8:05 PM
O’Reilley kept his promise. The missing words were, “I want to cut his nuts off.” The italicized word was bleeped by Fox, but lip reading was fairly easy.
I’m sorry, there is no level of apology for that type of remark. It is offensive, mean-spirited and directed to a black man by a black man makes it even more sickening, given the history of systematic societal emasculation of the black fathers and husbands during slavery and then later during Jim Crow (hence the “boy” insult).
Jesse in a crude manner just called Obama a “boy.” Shameful.
July 9th, 2008 at 4:12 pm
maybe he knew the mike was on…. wasn’t he a hillary supporter? maybe he was perpetuating the whole racial undercurrent that bill clinton tried to do.
:conspiracies!:
July 9th, 2008 at 4:27 pm
Kate – perhaps! He certainly doesn’t think highly of Obama. No apologies will cover for that.
July 9th, 2008 at 5:15 pm
I think its hilarious, in a pathetically sad way, that the media won’t play the video of his comments. YOU KNOW good and well that if it was someone else, those comments would be played relentlessly.
People have lost their jobs for less racist comments than that.
I saw NBC just do a really uncomfortable quick statement that Jackson had apologized for his statements earlier – I had to go looking for what the statements were.
Really though, how will Jesse Jackson make a living if he’s not standing on the necks of victimized poor black people.
July 9th, 2008 at 7:12 pm
The irony is comparing this story with the one below where a councilman got trounced for saying black hole.
and of coarse, Al Sharpton won’t criticize Jackson…
July 9th, 2008 at 8:06 pm
Jackson is a sorry excuse for a human being. People say what they really feel when they’re off the record. They put on a show when people are watching. Jackson simply showed his true feelings. Not very “reverend” of him – and certainly not very nice.
July 9th, 2008 at 8:12 pm
i love it when democrats act out like this. pass the popcorn and enjoy it!
July 9th, 2008 at 8:39 pm
That’s really a good point MBT. Where’s Sharpton and his protesters to demand Jackson’s head on a platter??? ***cricket***
July 10th, 2008 at 3:13 am
Jesse Jackson did some really good work in Chicago in Operation Push. He taught the very things he now tends to disparage and for which he went after Obama for: self determiniation, pulling ones self up by the boot strap.
I always tell my kids – don’t depend on someone else – they are looking out for themselves, not for you. When opportunity knocks, open the door, but don’t count on somebody giving you a helping hand. These things are common sense. Obama did grow up privleged, but with no father, and a mother who was barely part of his life. He took advantage of the opportunities given to him (as did Jackson), but worked hard to get where he is today. His message is seriously undercutting Jackson, Sharpton and the other “victimhood” leaders.