The Gingrich political career, now at an end
“A lot of us who were around him before and didn’t think this was a good idea from the beginning were worried this was the way it was going to end. He’s in danger, I think, of becoming a laughingstock.”
– Rich Galen, former staff member for Newt Gingrich, quoted in Politico
The sense of personal destiny that has driven Newt Gingrich throughout his life, the deep and defining belief that he was fated to do great things and write his name in large letters upon the history books, has finally run aground on the sharp shoals of reality. And that is a hard thing for the former speaker and Georgia congressman to accept.
He has no money and in fact his campaign is deeply in debt. He lacks the resources to travel, let alone buy campaign ads, and the press has abandoned him, raising the age-old question: If a man utters pearls of profound wisdom, and no one is there to hear him, did he really utter them at all? Yet still he presses on, insistent against all evidence that he remains relevant. As he told Fox this week, “I have no incentive to get out because I have a set of ideas that include $2.50-a-gallon gas, etc. So I have every incentive to stay in.”
I’m sorry: “$2.50-a-gallon gas” is not an idea, it is an ill-disguised pander inconsistent with reality. Newt’s inability to distinguish between an idea and a pander betrays a lot about how he thinks, and about why he has fallen so short of his dreams.
To give the man his due, Gingrich has fashioned a political career that by most standards would be considered a huge success. He truly did shock the political world when he led a Republican revolution in 1994 that ended the Democrats’ death grip on the House of Representatives. He was enormously gifted, possessed with a clever mind and one of the sharpest tongues in American political history. And his strong sense of personal destiny insulated him against doubts that might have haunted other men.
But a clever mind is not a wise mind. A man so easily distracted by shiny intellectual objects, flitting from one idea to the next, can never attain the depth suggested by the most prominent words in the Gingrich vocabulary, such as “profound” and “fundamental.” And those who are equipped to lead heady revolutions are almost never equipped for the day-to-day drudgery required to govern and to build.
However, the fatal flaw that ensured that Gingrich would never satisfy the ambition that burned within him was his basic lack of respect for other people. The contempt that he showered upon opponents in public life was reflected in his private life as well, and also in how he treated colleagues and staff. He showed little loyalty and earned little loyalty, and in politics as in life, that makes long-term success very difficult.
– Jay Bookman
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723 comments Add your comment
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
3:37 pm
But, again, pigs do not like being in the mud 24 hours a day.
So that just leaves republicans huh.
carlosgvv
March 29th, 2012
3:38 pm
Fred
They are very similar. Both young black males. Both unarmed. Both shot by people claiming self defence. Both dead.
Shots were fired in the house, but not at the guards. Both guards were arrested, but later released. As for being “clear cut”, that is far from the truth in both cases.
If you went up to Ervin’s grieving parents and said “there is NOTHING” similar in the two cases”, what do you think they would say?
Please tell me the fact that Trayvon’s shooter was Hispanic-white and Ervin’s was black is not part of your logic in this.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
3:39 pm
As for the Poles and Czechs they felt abandoned by us and are now subject to Russian bullying and intimidation- courtesy of this weak ass appeaser
We are not the policeman of the world. The Poles and Czechs have their OWN military. Let them build missles and aim them at Russia; we need to build roads right here in America and fix a few bridges too.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
3:41 pm
William
March 29th, 2012
3:13 pm
From the Visitor Agreement:
“Specific Prohibited Uses. Without limiting the foregoing, we may immediately terminate your use of any Communications Service if you engage in any of the following prohibited activities:
• Uploading, posting, emailing, transmitting or otherwise making available any content that is unlawful, harmful, threatening, abusive, libelous, or obscene…”
I will see this through, JV, if you don’t cease and desist. I WILL not be falsely accused by you here. And Fred, I would watch it.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yeah I know you would, but I won’t. I don’t knuckle under to your bullying threats. I say what I want when I want. They can (and have) deny me posting privileges from this site but they and YOU cannot and WILL NOT stop me from saying whatever the hell I think and want to say.
So now you are threatening ME because I pointed out you were acting like a little boy telling mommy? I am SO scared………. and you are so pathetic.
What is ABUSIVE is you threatening me for no reason there Sport. What is OBSCENE is your attempts at thought control.
Until this very moment when you included my in your childish little tantrum, I don;t think you and i have had a cross word. YOU are the one who needs to back off and quit harassing ME. Quit being ABUSIVE to me. Quit threatening ME.
Maybe I should report YOU eh?
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
3:43 pm
“We are not the policeman of the world.”
Boy, if we could only remember that.
Granny Godzilla - Union Thugette
March 29th, 2012
3:44 pm
JamVet
Jesus looks FABULOUS in a hoodie.
But he didn’t have to worry about his hairdo going flat.
Men have is soooooo easy.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
3:45 pm
carlosgvv: You are either uninformed or being deliberately obtuse. Either way, I have no desire to waste any more time with you on this issue.
“According to reports they were fired upon from Ervin’s residence by his step-father, Bobby Hubbard Jr., 35, was also arrested and charged with “reckless conduct and possession of a firearm by a convicted felon,” reports the AJC.”
The young man was caught in the cross fire. It’s sad, but it happens. Charges WERE brought on the Security folks. Witnesses WERE there and WERE interviewed. There is nothing similar in the two cases.
Have a good evening.
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
3:45 pm
“Maybe I should report YOU eh?”
And remember, no matter what either of you thinks, it is JAY who is the final arbiter.
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 29th, 2012
3:45 pm
RB: I have no idea what happened that night and neither do you.
Well if you have no idea, you are not paying attention. We do have undisputed facts and disputed contentions from one side. There are witness statements. There is 911 evidence, video evidence and other evidence of a number of items. And we have an initial police investigation that concluded with a recommendation to prosecute. We know a lot about this case. What we don’t know is what will be presented at a trial and how a jury will view it.
Funny thing how “objective” you have become. I am sure you will do the same when making claims in other areas. I haven’t seen it.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
3:46 pm
William
March 29th, 2012
3:31 pm
“Also, is there a law that says a former President can’t serve in office anymore or is that just a tradition?”
Neither.
++++++++++++++++++++++++
Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
3:47 pm
Based on the posts here, it seems that if Trayvon’s shooter had been black, few if any would be saying “justice for Trayvon”.
BUllCrap! A few years earlier Kathryn Johnston, elderly black female, was gunned down in her own home by APD’s Drug Unit; the majority of the unit is BLACK, perhaps you must’ve missed the demonstrations and public outcries on her behalf, but they were all over the local news and papers.
You’re making FALSE generalizations. That’s unworthy of you.
JamVet
March 29th, 2012
3:47 pm
So that just leaves republicans huh.
DF, watch it! The blog police will waterboard you for libelous and harmful………… something or other.
LOL.
Something not so humorous…
WASHINGTON — Global warming is leading to such severe storms, droughts and heat waves that nations should prepare for an unprecedented onslaught of deadly and costly weather disasters, an international panel of climate scientists said in a new report issued Wednesday.
The greatest threat from extreme weather is to highly populated, poor regions of the world, the report warns, but no corner of the globe — from Mumbai to Miami — is immune. The document by a Nobel Prize-winning panel of climate scientists forecasts stronger tropical cyclones and more frequent heat waves, deluges and droughts.
In the past, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, founded in 1988 by the United Nations, has focused on the slow inexorable rise of temperatures and oceans as part of global warming. This report by the panel is the first to look at the less common but far more noticeable extreme weather changes, which lately have been costing on average about $80 billion a year in damage.
http://www.ajc.com/news/nation-world/mumbai-miami-on-list-1400454.html
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
“Yeah I know you would, but I won’t. I don’t knuckle under to your bullying threats. I say what I want when I want. They can (and have) deny me posting privileges from this site but they and YOU cannot and WILL NOT stop me from saying whatever the hell I think and want to say.”
You were already warned by Jay just two days ago, bud. So go ahead – say whatever the h*** you think and want to say. But to falsely and repeatedly accuse me of something as JV has done (he very much seems to like tagging political opponents as racist), then see what happens.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?
If you held one of the highest offices in the world; anything else would be a step down.
oblama
March 29th, 2012
3:50 pm
Becky – Off your Prozac again? If you need a refill I will be glad to call it in for you.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
3:51 pm
Paul,
I enjoyed that post. Pretty funny. As for Mick he knows I’m just messin with him.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
3:52 pm
“Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?”
Do some research and you’ll find that your question is based on a false assumption.
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
3:52 pm
“Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President”
Maybe because they don’t want to?
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 29th, 2012
3:52 pm
Newt’s political career at an end? ah, you forget –
He’s Transformational! but what will he transform into?
Christine O’Donnell already wants his eye for something.
he’s not through, oh no sir. This is goin all the way to the Jerry Springer
Show, mon. The Base can catch him all day in syndication.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
3:53 pm
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
3:45 pm
“Maybe I should report YOU eh?”
And remember, no matter what either of you thinks, it is JAY who is the final arbiter.
+++++++++++++++++++
Not always DGG. But I wouldn’t “report” him. hell, I’ll forget about it in an hour lol. I don’t hold grudges.
JamVet
March 29th, 2012
3:55 pm
Help, I’m being repressed! See the violence inherent in the system!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GS_1bzaj2fw
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
3:55 pm
“hell, I’ll forget about it in an hour lol. I don’t hold grudges.”
Yeah, well it’s usually not even neccessary to report anyone. I had a stalker here once who tried hard to find my address so he could post it, and was dumb enough to say so. I don’t know if Jay actually banned him…but he disappeared by the next day and as far as I know never came back.
oblama
March 29th, 2012
3:58 pm
Dog – Saddam and Hitler, among many other dictators, held rigged elections – they were still dictators. Term limits are in the Constitution to keep a sitting President, with the help of the military, from rigging the election and staying in power as a dictator. Why is this so difficult for you to understand. Elections don’t keep someone from being a dictator – term limits do. Be man/woman enough to admit when you are wrong.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
3:59 pm
owncrier
March 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
“Yeah I know you would, but I won’t. I don’t knuckle under to your bullying threats. I say what I want when I want. They can (and have) deny me posting privileges from this site but they and YOU cannot and WILL NOT stop me from saying whatever the hell I think and want to say.”
You were already warned by Jay just two days ago, bud. So go ahead – say whatever the h*** you think and want to say. But to falsely and repeatedly accuse me of something as JV has done (he very much seems to like tagging political opponents as racist), then see what happens.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Well first off I WON’T point out the typos in that bolded part but moving right along……..
When have I done that? All I did was laugh AT you for your childish “he touched me” rant. I’m STILL laughing. I’d laugh in the future were it to happen again. I would have laughed at you in the PAST had it happened before. Lighten up Frances.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B65mtE2TN1w
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:00 pm
“Why is this so difficult for you to understand. Elections don’t keep someone from being a dictator – term limits do. Be man/woman enough to admit when you are wrong.”
Robert Byrd was not a dictator. A former Klansman (and good ole southern Democrat), yes, but not a dictator.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:01 pm
JamVet,
Well now just you hold on their Mr. Kansas farmboy. I never insulted pigs. I just said I was happier than a pig in mud in deference to the fact that they do like to cool off in the summer by wallowing in mud to cool their skin. Same with other animals like elephants.
I got lots a relatives in upstate New York and Michigan who own farms so I knows a little bit about farming myself. Though not that much. Plus I feed the jackass and 2 goats that back up to my house so I’m right comfortable with farm critters. My little brother has his own ranch in Alabama raising cattle for beef. Spent a weekend out there putting up fencing on 40 acres of property. Hard damn work. Took all weekend. Doomy got some country in him.
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:01 pm
“Dog – Saddam and Hitler, among many other dictators, held rigged elections – they were still dictators”
Right…becuase their countries did not have our Constitution, nor our contested elections. It is elections that separate our Presidents from Dictators. FDR was ELECTED President 4 times. He was never a dictator.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
4:02 pm
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
3:52 pm
“Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?”
Do some research and you’ll find that your question is based on a false assumption.
+++++++++++++++++++++++
Well if you know why don’t you just say instead of being an arrogant asshat? Wow. You really AREN’T worth the time it takes to respond to.
Report that.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
4:05 pm
DebbieDoRight – A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
3:49 pm
Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?
If you held one of the highest offices in the world; anything else would be a step down.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yeah but can you imagine the kick ass job George Bush (Herbet, not Herbert Walker) would have been? Can you imagine how much better for the Country it would have been for him to be advising his idiot son rather than just letting him run for 4 years on automatic lol?
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:07 pm
“When have I done that?”
You haven’t.
“All I did was laugh AT you for your childish “he touched me” rant.”
Actually, if any thing, I thought your response to my post was extremely “childish” – you know, imitating a child, all in caps with uncounted exclamation marks. So, since I was already a little peeved, you feel into the crosshairs. That sort of thing doesn’t normally bother me. I take it back and apologize. We cool.
But I am curious: since you have admitted you are not young and have already been booted, why persist in making edgy posts?
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:07 pm
“Can you imagine how much better for the Country it would have been for him to be advising his idiot son rather than just letting him run for 4 years on automatic lol?”
You’re making the assumption that the son would have listened to the father’s advice. I don’t think we can take it as a given that he would have.
Butch Cassidy
March 29th, 2012
4:08 pm
Geez, I go buy a CAN AM and we’re back to Zimmerman again. Ugh.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
JAMVET AND GRANNY: you two hit two of my all time favorite movies. History of the World part 1 (I wish he would have done another) and Monty Python and the Holy Grail.
Thanks for the grins.
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
He also reiterated that he plans to continue his bid until Republican
National Convention in August.
“There is no agreement of any kind, and I plan to go all the way
to Tampa,” he told The (Liberal Rag) Washington (Moonie) Times.
Oh, 3 words to describe this – dee-li-cious
carlosgvv
March 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
DebbieDoRight – 3:47
You’ve posted your outrage at Trayvon’s killing, but I haven’t seen one post here from you about Ervin’s killing. An you call ME unworthy? Hypocrite.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:09 pm
Debbiedoright,
I think what the poster and other posters are saying in relation to the Trayvon shooting is that its a curious that the black community becomes so incensed and outraged over a shooting such as the Trayvon shooting or the Kathryn Johnston disaster.
In both cases the community is outraged over the cops and or a Hispanic man shooting an unarmed black person. The Johnson case was particularly horrible. But the point is that the black community doesn’t seem so outraged when its black on black murder.
As an example it was Booby rush who wore the hoodie in Congress the other day. He represents the soutside of Chicago where not even 2 weeks ago on St. Patties day there were 47 shooting, mostly black on black gang violence, and 13 or 14 people were killed including a 6 year old girl was killed when her house was sprayed with an AK 47. Seems kinda odd to me that Mr. Rush is so indignant and angry over a shooting 1500 miles away but doesn’t seem to give a damn about all these murders in southside Chicago in one weekend.
There’s something deeper at play in the black community when they are so passive about everyday black on black murder or black on white murder but are so outraged at the occasional white on black murder. Can you explain this?
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
I’m with DogGone — he probably TRIED to give him some advice but instead Dubya chose to be seduced to come over to the Dark SIDE….,.
[Cue really thrillling dark music and dark laughter and the sound of Darth Vader's breathing apparatus].
Oscar
March 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:07 pm
“Can you imagine how much better for the Country it would have been for him to be advising his idiot son rather than just letting him run for 4 years on automatic lol?”
You’re making the assumption that the son would have listened to the father’s advice. I don’t think we can take it as a given that he would have.
_______
The fact is HW tried to give him advice but he would not listen. At one point at their house in Maine HW handed W a one page memo and asked him to at least read that. W folded it and burned it in the fireplace without reading it. That ended HWs attempts to give advice.
Paul
March 29th, 2012
4:10 pm
Thulsa
I knew you have a sense of humor -
Lots of folks take themselves waaaaayyyyyyy too seriously.
Misty Fyed
March 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
Well ” A man so easily distracted by shiny intellectual objects, ” beats a man who is incapable of grasping intellectual objects…leading us to 5 trillion more dollars in debt in 3 years time.
They BOTH suck
March 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
sheeeeettttttttttttssssssssssssssssss
pleassssssssssssssseeeeeeeeeeeeeeee
oblama
March 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
Term Limits – you have no reasonable against therm – on to another subject. Jay will be back on racism soon – seems to rotate it in and out about once a week. Again, for those of you who missed it, “Oblama” is a term I coined to describe those who always blame the other party for everything that goes wrong and will no accept responsibility for THEIR policies,over many decades, that have led to the current debt crisis that has been rolling down hill like a tumble bug rolling his dung ball – getting larger and larger, increasing faster and faster – heading for disaster. Oblama is not a personal insult to the president but rather a call for him and all politicians in D.C. to accept responsibility for their irresponsibility.
Misty Fyed
March 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
But…Qualified or not…Newt was always Newts biggest enemy.
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:12 pm
“W folded it and burned it in the fireplace without reading it.”
I’m not a bit surprised either.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:13 pm
“Well if you know why don’t you just say instead of being an arrogant asshat? Wow. You really AREN’T worth the time it takes to respond to.”
Geez…look who needs to lighten up. Go look at your angry posts the last few pages see if you aren’t about as reactionary as they come on this blog. I wasn’t being arrogant. I just think a good amount of needless posts and far more informed things might be said if Google was used a bit more. I knew former presidents had held other offices, I just couldn’t remember who and what. So I looked it up and almost posted it. But then I said, nah, he should answer his own question. But no, to you I’m an arrogant a******. Get a grip, Fred.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
But I am curious: since you have admitted you are not young and have already been booted, why persist in making edgy posts?
I’m me. I do what I do. What can I say. I have a low tolerance for stupidity and a rather brusque way of expressing myself.
I’m no different in “real life.”
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:14 pm
“you have no reasonable against therm”
Then why don’t we have them for any, every and ALL elected offices? And I don’t need a “reasonable” against them. It is my opinion, and I’ve never said otherwise.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:17 pm
“There’s something deeper at play in the black community when they are so passive about everyday black on black murder or black on white murder but are so outraged at the occasional white on black murder. Can you explain this?”
Good post, TD. And DDR, while you are at it, explain how Spike Lee tweeting the address of whom he thought was Zimmerman (but was actually that of an innocent couple in their 70s) is NOT evidence of what TD is speaking of. Was he right to do that or was it an incitement to mob violence?
Brosephus™
March 29th, 2012
4:17 pm
I think what the poster and other posters are saying in relation to the Trayvon shooting is that its a curious that the black community becomes so incensed and outraged over a shooting such as the Trayvon shooting or the Kathryn Johnston disaster.
When the wheels of justice move as it should, why should there be any additional outrage? There were arrests made in the shooting by the security guards, there was an arrest made in the Jackson State shooting. The outrage from the Trayvon Martin incident came AFTER the authorities appeared they were going to try to sweep things under the rug, just as it was the case with Mrs. Johnson.
Instead of wondering why there isn’t outrage every time somebody’s shot, it would be much better to understand WHY the outrage is there in the first place. That would make things so much clearer….
oblama
March 29th, 2012
4:19 pm
Peep Peep Peep …. all this squabbling back and forth reminds me of “The House Wives of Beverly Hills”.
Doggone/GA
March 29th, 2012
4:19 pm
Afternoon Bro!
Rick
March 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
Jay. You summed it up masterfully. The Newtster is indeed a tragic figure. It’s very sad to watch him melt before our eyes. The curtain has been pulled back, and the master manipulator has been revealed for what he is: a narcisstic opportunist and pseudo intellectural whose steamboat vision simply became the victim of his rowboat ass.
Fred ™
March 29th, 2012
4:20 pm
I think what the poster and other posters are saying in relation to the Trayvon shooting is that its a curious that the black community becomes so incensed and outraged over a shooting such as the Trayvon shooting or the Kathryn Johnston disaster.
In both cases the community is outraged over the cops and or a Hispanic man shooting an unarmed black person. The Johnson case was particularly horrible. But the point is that the black community doesn’t seem so outraged when its black on black murder.
But that’s just ludicrous Doomy. In one case the police break down a womans door in the middle of the night and shoot her dead. In the other case, a couple of security guysrespond to shots fired, get fired upon and shoot a guy. In Trayvons case he is walking to the damn store to get some skittles and an Arizona tea and is stalked by some fat weirdo wannabe and killed.
How are those even remotely the same?
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
Once again the right/cons try to deflect. The Treyvon Martin case is news because no prosecution was taking place and because it calls into question a law which is being passed in many states and was the precise situation that legislators were warned about. Only the foolish make claims that some communities are not upset about other crimes. Address the injustice and then address the issues raised by the other cases.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:25 pm
“The outrage from the Trayvon Martin incident came AFTER the authorities appeared they were going to try to sweep things under the rug, just as it was the case with Mrs. Johnson.”
Brocephus,
How did they try to “sweep things under the rug”. The lead investigator did not believe Z and referred it to the DA. The DA looked at it and according to the law decided that there just wasn’t enough evidence to secure a conviction. If he doesn’t think he can get a conviction based on current law then it is what it is-not much ya can do.
St Simons - we're on Island time
March 29th, 2012
4:27 pm
This Blast Email Just Released from Area 51 to all Republicans:
“In about six months or so, you will all have forgotten that Newt ever ran
for president to begin with. Any partial memories of this unfortunate event
you will assume to be the product of a bad dream, just like you do with
the years 2001-2009. That is all”
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
4:29 pm
think what the poster and other posters are saying in relation to the Trayvon shooting is that its a curious that the black community becomes so incensed and outraged over a shooting such as the Trayvon shooting or the Kathryn Johnston disaster.
You are misinformed. What the black community is outraged over is the lack of police investigation. There should be some sort of investigation when a seemingly innocent person is shot down for no apparent reason. Be they black, white, gray or blue. But when there’s NO investigation, there is a perceived issue of a “coverup”. Something the black community has been victim of for decades.
In both cases the community is outraged over the cops and or a Hispanic man shooting an unarmed black person. The Johnson case was particularly horrible. But the point is that the black community doesn’t seem so outraged when its black on black murder.
Refer to my answer above. Also, please refer to my earlier post where I stated that the majority of the APD’s Drug Squad is BLACK.
As an example it was Booby rush who wore the hoodie in Congress the other day. ……………………… mostly black on black gang violence, and 13 or 14 people were killed ………………. Seems kinda odd to me that Mr. Rush is so indignant and angry over a shooting 1500 miles away but doesn’t seem to give a damn about all these murders in southside Chicago in one weekend.
There are NUMEROUS “Stop The Violence” campaigns in every State in America. The problem is most media outlets don’t cover those as aggressively as they cover everything else. You don’t hear about the 100 Black Men of Atlanta’s “Stop The Violence” Rallies, but you DO hear about people being killed. You don’t hear about the Black Churches going into the community and trying to curb the violence within our own communities; but you do hear about that. You only hear about the bad things. You can pick a Black Church in the “hood”—any church, call then up; and ask them about what they’re doing about violence in the community; and 9 outta 10 times they have a program; a system, or something already in place.
There’s something deeper at play in the black community when they are so passive about everyday black on black murder or black on white murder but are so outraged at the occasional white on black murder. Can you explain this?
For my answer, please refer to the paragraph above.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:30 pm
“Instead of wondering why there isn’t outrage every time somebody’s shot, it would be much better to understand WHY the outrage is there in the first place.”
Exactly. But someone not being arrested dose not explain Lee’s actions statements like those of Waters. One gets the sense there is a smoldering anger in many blacks that is unresolved. If that is the case, then they need to realize that only they have the power to resolve it. Incessant apologies and amends from whites who had nothing to do with past horrible evils will not resolve it. The KKK and all of its ilk was a terrorist organization, terrorizing not only black but many whites who had a conscience. It was almost as bad as Al Qaeda is today. But everyone is victimized in this life by someone. You don’t have to be black to be subjected to the evil actions of others. Women are raped, children are sexually or physically abused, people are maimed, etc.
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
4:31 pm
Men have it soooooo easy.
Quit complaining granny, ya’ll live longer!
oblama
March 29th, 2012
4:33 pm
Jeeeezzzzzzz. No one said Robert Byrd was a dictator or did I miss something? In a way he was a kind of MOB power boss in West Virginia and in Congress. He sure got that Fed money to build the best highway system in the country through his state. He even blew holes right through mountains to get those tunnels right where he wanted them for his highways. Guess the environmentalist loved that? By the way a former President can run for ANY office but President. Most of them are giving speeches for millions and would have to take a pay cut.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:35 pm
“Jeeeezzzzzzz. No one said Robert Byrd was a dictator or did I miss something?”
You missed something, I think. It’s called sarcasm.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:36 pm
Fred,
I don’t disagree with you. In the Johnson case its a clear cut example of police incompetence and just flat out mistakenly killing someone and then if I remember correctly trying to cover it up.
The Trayvon case is a little different. Z instigated things by following T and confronting him. At that point it changes and supposedly Z then walked away from T. At that point T allegedly attacked Z and was on top of him and according to an eyewitness was whupping his ass and pounding Z’s head into the concrete. And that’s when Z pulled his gun and shot T.
Sure Z instigated the whole thing but if he turned away it was then incumbent on T to also turn away and leave the scene. Allegedly he attacked Z which changes things. I dunno. Still a lot to go through. They will go through the 9/11 tapes, the gap in between the shot being fired and all that and maybe determine a little better if Z shot because he really was in fear of his life or if he just plain shot because he could.
And one last thing. No damn excuse for all the people calling up Z’s 70 year old parents and harassing them, sending them hate mail, calling in death threats, putting a bounty on Z’s head, etc. Or what happened to the folks whose address Spike Lee tweeted. This is shameful behavior and a mob behavior by a lot of people who just want blood. The people doing this including Sharpton, Lee, Jackson, etc. they don’t want justice. They want blood, vengeance, and in their views they have already up and decided its murder without any due process. They don’t even care to listen to the facts of the case and go through the process. There is little distinction between these people and the white lynch mobs that were murdering blacks 100 years ago.
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
March 29th, 2012
4:37 pm
“There should be some sort of investigation when a seemingly innocent person is shot down for no apparent reason. Be they black, white, gray or blue. But when there’s NO investigation”
__________________________________________________________________________
DDR, you do realize that the SPD recommended charges against Zimmerman right. It was the prosecutor declined to press charges?
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/03/27/1078334/-Homicide-detective-wanted-George-Zimmerman-charged-with-manslaughter-but-prosecutors-said-no
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
4:38 pm
Thulsa, when you say the DA felt the case lacked evidence for a conviction you have to realize that the crime scene wasn’t adequately investigated. You’re not gonna have enough evidence if you don’t thoroughly investigate. If Trayvon had had a weapon then I might agree but with no weapon that should have raised red flags and promted a closer look.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:39 pm
“DDR, you do realize that the SPD recommended charges against Zimmerman right. It was the prosecutor declined to press charges?”
And that is an interesting revelation. Hopefully the real truth will out through this process.
Joe Hussein Mama
March 29th, 2012
4:40 pm
Fred — “Then why do former Presidents not hold any office after they are done being President?”
I know that President Taft served as a Supreme Court justice after leaving office as President, but I can’t think of any other Presidents who served in other high offices after their time as Chief Executive. I imagine there might have been one or two who went back to the House or Senate, but that’s just a guess on my part.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
“You are misinformed. What the black community is outraged over is the lack of police investigation’
As I understand it the police investigated and the lead detective, who didn’t believe Z, wanted the DA to prosecute if not for Murder 2 then for manslaughter. The DA looked at it and according to the law(stand your ground) he decided that there simply was not enough evidence for him to ever get a conviction. Not much more to say. If he knows he can’t get a conviction based on prevaling law then he just can’t and it just gets chalked up as a human tragedy.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
4:42 pm
You’ve posted your outrage at Trayvon’s killing, but I haven’t seen one post here from you about Ervin’s killing. An you call ME unworthy? Hypocrite.
Ervin’s killing had one very important thing that Trayvon’s didn’t.
An Investigation</b
I didn’t call you unworthy, I called your comment unworthy. Big difference? I don’t know you BUT I read your comment. Duh.
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 29th, 2012
4:43 pm
Funny all the Spike Lee poutrage…. you rarely hear the same condemnation when anti-abortionist do the same things or when those type tactics were used in Virginia. Amazing how indigent some can get about some things….only some of the time. I wonder what the real difference is. It must be that community that just can’t explain.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
4:45 pm
“when you say the DA felt the case lacked evidence for a conviction you have to realize that the crime scene wasn’t adequately investigated. You’re not gonna have enough evidence if you don’t thoroughly investigate.”
Don’t forget,
That is your opinion sir. What do you base that on? I mean really. How do you yourself know how thoroughly or unthoroughly the investigation went? Were you there?
Joe Hussein Mama
March 29th, 2012
4:45 pm
Keep up — “Amazing how indigent some can get”
I am sure you mean ‘indignant,’ sir.
oblama
March 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
Speaking of the KKK, when I was in college in Americus, Georgia it was announced that the Grand Wizard and the KKK would come down from Alabama and have a rally outside of town to protest Jammy Codder running for President. I had been in Georgia most of my life and had never known anyone in the KKK. Out of curiosity I decided to go see what these Alabama KKK did at a rally, so my roommate and I drove up to the announced rally and watched from a distance. There were several State Patrol cars and the Sheriff’s car was there in case trouble erupted. The KKK had bleacher type seating in a circle around a fire in the middle. They were walking around the fire in their sheeted “garb” ranting and raving about something we couldn’t hear or understand very well – as they had no microphones. After about 15 minutes we got bored and left. That’s the only time in my life I actually saw a real KKK.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
Doom – Lee is rich. Those 70 year old retirees probably aren’t. Lee will be really, really, NOT so rich when they take his azz to Civil Court. THAT’s how you get back at him.
If they wish to have him arrested, for defamation they can. But tweeting their address is not a crime; unless there is PROOF that violence was perpetrated against because of his actions. Even then, in Florida it’s a class C offense if he can prove that he didn’t know there would be violence directed against THEM; AND that he wasn’t purposely trying to harm THEM.
They should just sue him and take him for every dime he has.
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 29th, 2012
4:48 pm
joe, you are absolutely correct. so much for spelling.
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
Good lord, Inspector Clousou (sp) could have done a better investigation. A car accident is better investigated than this killing
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:49 pm
“Funny all the Spike Lee poutrage…. you rarely hear the same condemnation when anti-abortionist do the same things or when those type tactics were used in Virginia. Amazing how indigent some can get about some things….only some of the time. I wonder what the real difference is.”
In truth, I wasn’t aware of that. I am firmly against abortion rights as they exist now, but I am not “militant” about it (so I don’t follow news related to people who are). But you make a valid point. The outrage should be equal and so I am hereby expressing mine (though I don’t know the particulars). Does anyone here wish to defend these particular anti-abortionists? BTW, KU, did you mean “indignant”?
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
4:52 pm
Spike Lee f’d up big time. Not only was it irresponsible it wasn’t even the right family. He’s already apologized and he should know better. Those people’s lives are being turned upside down and they had nothing to do with it.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:54 pm
“They should just sue him and take him for every dime he has.”
Well, we all do very stupid things from time to time. I say if there was no real harm, then no foul. He should maybe do something to make amends (even if indirectly out of fear of “admitting” culpability), but I don’t want to see everything taken from him. Mercy triumphs over judgement. Hopefully he will learn a lesson (and everyone else too).
Jay
March 29th, 2012
4:55 pm
It was beyond stupid for Spike Lee to tweet that address, it was reprehensible.
The fact that it was the wrong address — that’s the merely stupid part.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
4:57 pm
“Those people’s lives are being turned upside down and they had nothing to do with it.”
In his tweeted apology, Lee called off the proverbial dogs. And I would bet that, behind the scenes, he is doing everything he can to ensure everyone gets the message. I suspect their troubles are over.
Keep Up--Te gusta losing woofinpoofs?
March 29th, 2012
4:58 pm
Towncrier, its been done by the anti-abortion groups for years including family member info, protesting as schools of their children and more. Websites with all sorts of personal info about all sorts of people in the medical profession, landlords and other information.
In the late 1990s, an organization called American Coalition of Life Activists (ACLA) was accused of implicitly advocating violence by its publication on its “Nuremberg Files” website of wanted-style posters, which featured a photograph of a physician who performed abortions along with a monetary reward for any information that would lead to his “arrest, conviction, and revocation of license to practice medicine”.[49] The ACLA’s website described these physicians as war criminals[50] and accused them of committing “crimes against humanity”. The web site also published names, home addresses, telephone numbers, and other personal information regarding abortion providers—highlighting the names of those who had been wounded and striking out those of who had been killed. Dr. George Tiller’s name was included on this list along with many others. The site was accused of being a thinly-veiled hit list intended to incite violence; others claimed that it was protected under the First Amendment of the United States Constitution.[51] A 9th Circuit Court of Appeals decision finally shut the site down in 2002 after a prolonged debate.[52] http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anti-abortion_violence#Physician_.22wanted.22_posters
This is not the only example. I am sure you can google more incidents including the NJ protest at a child’s school and there was I believe a political related case last year in VA with the wrong address of a candidate who’s brother’s home was sabotaged.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
4:58 pm
Doom you keep saying “Zimmerman said”…………..it’s utterly amazing to me.
Did you NOT see the video of him shortly after he was arrested that showed he didn’t have ANY blood on his clothing? No marks on his face, no grass stains, nada, zilch NOTHING?
I’m not a criminal defense person, BUT i do know that all interrogations are videotaped and i also know that if a possible suspect hurt during an investigation, the police MUST take the person to the E.R. to be checked out by a physician.
But it seems from the tapes that Zimmerman went “straight to the precint” to be questioned! If he was so hurt, why wasn’t he checked out and cleared at the hospital FIRST? That is common procedure. His injuries had to be documented so that they could be presented and labled as evidence.
What makes your whole but,but,but Zimmerman SAID…..defense so ridiculous is that you won’t even ENTERTAIN the thought that Zimmerman LIED.
He shot down some kid, found that the kid didn’t have a gun on him or any other weapon then he LIED to protect himself from prosecution.
Nope, for some reason you just can’t fathom a man with a past history of violence could actually LIE about being violent……..
I wonder why?
oblama
March 29th, 2012
5:01 pm
TownCrier – Sarcasm is as sarcasm does. It’s difficult to talk to a child like an adult. I guess I have to explain to you that a member of Congress is not in position to become a dictator but they can accumulate power for favors over a period of time like Byrd did. He brought in more pork to his state than anyone in the country. The longer these guys stay in Congress the more power entrenched they become. They act like dictators of their party in Congress. They are more concerned with getting reelected than doing what’s right for the country.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
5:01 pm
Thanks for that, KU. That is pretty sick. Mob violence, pure and simple.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
5:04 pm
“Sarcasm is as sarcasm does. It’s difficult to talk to a child like an adult. I guess I have to explain to you that a member of Congress is not in position to become a dictator but they can accumulate power for favors over a period of time like Byrd did. He brought in more pork to his state than anyone in the country. The longer these guys stay in Congress the more power entrenched they become. They act like dictators of their party in Congress. They are more concerned with getting reelected than doing what’s right for the country.”
Right. I am in agreement. In my original post, I was sarcastically attacking the idea there should be no terms limits for those in Congress. Wires have been crossed, it seems.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
5:04 pm
Debbiedoright,
I don’t think they should be able to sue Mr. Lee and take every dime of his because of one mistake he made when his emotions were running high.
But I do agree he should have to pay a price for that sort of recklessness. Regardless of the address being wrong the only reason Lee would tweet their address is so that people can direct hate mail, threatening phone calls, or physical harm to these old people. He knew that when he tweeted what he thought was their address. To me he’s everybit the racepimping hatemonger that I believe Al Sharpton to be. The situation has become heated precisely because of people like Lee and Sharpton. May cooler heads prevail.
Brosephus™
March 29th, 2012
5:07 pm
The lead investigator did not believe Z and referred it to the DA. The DA looked at it and according to the law decided that there just wasn’t enough evidence to secure a conviction.
When you take the word of someone over the preponderance of evidence, that has the appearance of sweeping things under the rug. As I stated earlier, when there are arrests, the wheels of justice appear to be working as they should. When someone refuses to even bring charges, that gives the family a bitter taste in their mouth.
Trust me. I’ve had that bitter taste before. I didn’t march or go to the media, but I’ve never forgotten who let my grandfather’s killer get off without as much as a citation for running a red light. My family had to swear out a warrant on the young lady just to get the police to arrest her too.
oblama
March 29th, 2012
5:07 pm
There are so many subjects being discussed here that I have almost forgotten that we are talking about Newt and Jay’s announcement that he is done. I haven’t heard Newt’ s “retirement speech yet.
Brosephus™
March 29th, 2012
5:08 pm
One gets the sense there is a smoldering anger in many blacks that is unresolved.
One sees whatever they choose to see. Things are not always what they appear to be. Instead of assuming things, wouldn’t it be more productive and/or prudent to ask what the motivations were?
oblama
March 29th, 2012
5:11 pm
T.C. – Really? O.K. Truce then?
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
5:14 pm
If that is the case, then they need to realize that only they have the power to resolve it. Incessant apologies and amends from whites who had nothing to do with past horrible evils will not resolve it.
First – and AGAIN, I do not speak for ALL BLACK PEOPLE; I can only speak for ME.
I have nephews, cousins, brothers, etc. who are or will be a BLACK MAN in America and 3 of my brothers are police officers as well as having served in the military AND having served their community as community Advisors on their days off. My father and Grandfather served, my family has a HISTORY of service to America, and in my Grands case, served in a SEGRATED Military, (i know it’s probably spelled wrong, but I’m not even gonna bother to look it up — gotta get outta here in a few).
What I’m trying to say that we ARE AMERICANS. No one is looking for an APOLOGY from anyone, what we’re looking for is EQUAL JUSTICE.
If i had the time, I’d give the names of Black men gunned down in the past five years because “they looked threatening”; who had no weapon, no history of violence, were productive members of society; and yet they’re dead because of POLICE BRUTALITY and/or someone like Zimmerman seeing a threat in every black man’s face.
My own brother, a POLICE OFFICER, was off-duty and went to pick up his god child who lived in the hood to take him out somewhere for the day. He was stopped, by a local Drug Squad guy, made to lie face down on the ground; when he tried to tell him “Hey I’m a cop!” was hit over the head with he butt of the policeman’s gun and was a trigger pull away from being shot in the head. What saved him? The other cop found his badge in the car.
But my brother represents A LOT OF BLACK MEN who are seen as a threat FIRST; then later seen as a citizen.
that is a sad state in America. It’s no better than thinking every Muslim is a terrorist.
And as an aside, something similiar to that story happens to HISPANIC MALES everyday too. Maybe 2 years back this happened to a returning Gulf War Vet in California by a BLACK COP. And yes, Black people can pre judge too.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
5:16 pm
“Did you NOT see the video of him shortly after he was arrested that showed he didn’t have ANY blood on his clothing? No marks on his face, no grass stains, nada, zilch NOTHING?”
First of all that video wasn’t close enough to really see anything. Secondly his lawyer said he did suffer a broken nose which you probably can’t tell from a video, adn thirdly his lawyer also detailed a laceration on the back of his head. Fourthly, I believe the police report itself states that he had grass stains on his back and if that’s true then we know for certain he was on his back. Fifthly it doesn’t matter if we don’t believe Z. An eyewitenss saw Trayvon on top of him beating him and Z was yelling help me, help me. The eyewitness testimony goes a long ways towards helping Z and it is kind of amazing to me how many people simply ignore what the eyewitness saw.
Anway, I’m going to hit the gym and then go drinking and hellraising tonight. Let’s hope no citizen cop messes with Doomy tonight. And that the cool heads continue to prevail in the trayvon shooting.
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
5:19 pm
And don’t forget that Zimmerman’s father is a retired judge.
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
5:20 pm
He knew that when he tweeted what he thought was their address.
Maybe. But can you PROOVE it? No. You can’t. That’s why a civil suit would hurt more — you don’t need a preponderance of evidence in a civil suit as you would in a criminal case.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
5:22 pm
“Nope, for some reason you just can’t fathom a man with a past history of violence could actually LIE about being violent……..”
Debbidoright,
I’m perfectly willing to entertain the idea that Z lied. Are you likewise willing to entertain the idea that possibly he didn’t?
And it is quite possible that T attacked him. We have the eyewitnesss testimony and T wasn’t exactly an angel himself. He was there because of his 3rd suspension from school and in one of those suspensions he had a burglary tool and 12 pieces of women’s stolen jewelry including wedding bands, ear rings, etc.Turns out the kid was a burglar after all. Just not on that night.
Towncrier
March 29th, 2012
5:22 pm
“One sees whatever they choose to see. Things are not always what they appear to be. Instead of assuming things, wouldn’t it be more productive and/or prudent to ask what the motivations were?”
That goes for you as well. I am white, but I do not presume to speak about how whites in general feel – because there is a huge amount of diversity among them and a wide range of experience, upbringing, education, etc. I’m just having a hard time understanding the actions of Lee, Waters and the like and how they resonate with a number or people. If it’s not anger, bitterness and even hatred, what is it? They cannot be simplistically explained as a reaction to an arrest not being made. How does that prompt Waters to say Trayvon’s killing was a hate crime? How does that prompt Lee to incite mob violence against even the wrong people? When you can provide a better answer than “you need to probe more deeply and refrain from assumptions” then let me know. I am looking at the evidence – which, if you were honest, could be multiplied greatly.
Thulsa Doom
March 29th, 2012
5:23 pm
I’m sure he tweeted their address cause he was hoping the girl scouts would show up to sell them cookies. Anyway now I’m reallyout.
Don't Forget
March 29th, 2012
5:24 pm
Debbie, tweeting the address, whether he knew it was correct or not is a type of vigilantism. He is an educated and smart man, this was totally irresponsible.
My Party has ALL the answers. Your party is full of poopyheads! (formerly That Black Guy)
March 29th, 2012
5:25 pm
http://www.latimes.com/news/nation/nationnow/la-na-nn-trayvon-martin-lee-settlement-20120329,0,7063902.story
DebbieDoRight - A Do Right Woman
March 29th, 2012
5:27 pm
And TWO eyewitnesses said that ZIMMERMAN was on top!!
You’re a piece of work Doom.
I’m done. Your real stripes are showing and this is a waste of my time trying to reason with someone who has a “KILL EM ALL” mentality. Let’s just hope and pray that one day YOUR loved one is not in the same position that Trayvon was in.
PS: What I’ve always noticed about the truly “far right wing” that they are always FOR something until it’s one of their own that’s hurt. then they jump off that “FOR” ship real fast then. Let’s pray that a tragedy to one of your own is not the impetus to make you see the light.
Good day to you sir. I’m out for the evening. Going to go and TRY to get tickets to this movie (Food Games) that everyone is ranting about.