Andrew Young: ‘Why was T.I. pulled over?’
Truth be told, the Political Insider is an aging white male who is not particularly attuned to T.I, the multiplatinum rapper who was arrested Wednesday in California with wife Tameka “Tiny” Cottle on suspicion of possessing methamphetamines.
While charges have yet to be filed, the case has the potential to put one of music’s top names– on supervised release for a weapons charge — behind bars yet again.
But the Insider is quite familiar with former Atlanta mayor and U.N. ambassador Andrew Young, who married the couple last month in Miami. From the Associated Press:
Former Atlanta mayor Andrew young
[Young] said T.I. has made “marvelous progress” and that he is a good father and partner.
He also was skeptical about the charges against the rapper and the circumstances of the arrest.
“I assume that you’re innocent until you’re proven guilty,” Young told The AP in a telephone interview. “If he was driving and smoking marijuana, that is absolutely stupid. But why was he pulled over in the first place? Because he had a Maybach? Because he was black? Because they know who he is and resent his success?”
Young said his advice to Harris has been focused on violence, not drug use.
“We never talked about drugs,” Young said, but added: “Maybe I should have.”
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64 comments Add your comment
wesleywhatwhat
September 2nd, 2010
9:56 pm
time for young to retire.
Bill
September 2nd, 2010
10:04 pm
You know, it really is sad when someone we admired for his leadership in all things American falls back into the race-baiting trap. Andy, you were better than that. I really thought you still were. Maybe you hymie comments really reflected your true beliefs!! This is really sad.
Ronald Reagan
September 2nd, 2010
10:04 pm
An illegal u-turn was made & the Officer lit him up. Next case!
KJ
September 2nd, 2010
10:30 pm
Of all the young black men who need counseling, TI is not one Andrew should be wasting his time on. The facts indicate this was a legimate stop. If he was stupid enough to have drugs, then put his but back in the can. We in the black community need to start holding the TI’s of the world accountable for their actions. Andy is completely wrong on this issue.
This is Mrs. Norman Maine
September 2nd, 2010
10:42 pm
Hey Mr. Young, it does not matter why he was pulled over. The fact is he was and he got caught. If your argument is that he was somehow profiled, well just because somebody set a trap for him that doesn’t mean he had to walk into their trap. If the charges are true, then he is incredibly stupid after he was given every chance in the world. KJ is right; there are plenty of other young Black men who need counseling and mentoring. How about work on the horrible graduation rate? That should be your cause, not this moron.
Burroughston Broch
September 2nd, 2010
10:55 pm
@ Bill
Mr. Young falls back into the race-baiting trap? He made his own trap and has never left it. He is old, disappointed at not being the center of attention, and talks nonsense.
hoyt28
September 2nd, 2010
10:56 pm
Are you going to lead a prostest march over his arrest and support a know crook. Shame on You Mr. Young how much has he paid you for your comments?
BM
September 2nd, 2010
10:58 pm
Hey Bill, The hymie comment was made by another civil rights leader that lives in Chicago named Rev. Jesse Jackson, not our Rev. Andrew Young who lives in Atlanta. But, I see how you could easily make that mistake, since they’re both ministers. Surely race wouldn’t have nothing to do with it. You’re better than that!!
Raquel Morris
September 2nd, 2010
11:01 pm
Come on, Andy. You used to be better than this. I thought you reached rock bottom with your ill-advised defense of our cheating Superintendent. Now you stand up for T.I., a rapper and actor who has abused his influence over our children. Just stop talking. Please.
GaDMC
September 2nd, 2010
11:03 pm
One thing I will definitely disagree on is that in this country if you are black, asian or any other minority you are subject to constant racial profiling! For one that this country is what about 70% white, so if you are NOT a minority, I think that you can’t speak on if there is profiling or not especially with people that experience it on a frequent to daily basis. It is just like saying Handicaps don’t have bad because we have handicap buses, bathrooms, etc. so why are they complaining.
However T.I. is a stupid son of a gun, he was slapped on the wrist the last time, he was suppose to do 10 years but was released after 8 months in a min. security prison and before that he was on house arrest in his mansion, and he was allowed to make money with his TV show that is suppose to help troubled teenager but in reality it helped him to more fame and fortune.
He was released and his career was even more promising with his latest movie and then you want to do a dumb move like that. I like T.I. and his music but at the same time I will admit that whatever is coming to him he deserves. You should have gotten out jail, cleaned your backyard and focused on your career and family, if you friends can’t respect that you are not suppose to be in any type of trouble then its time to find new friends because you have a lot more to lose than them.
So if he was pulled over under racial pretense, but didn’t have any drugs on him all he would have gotten was a ticket and that’s it.
Jon Lester
September 2nd, 2010
11:07 pm
I really think it’s a waste of political capital for leaders like Young and Al Sharpton to try to intervene on behalf of idiots like T.I. when there is plenty of injustice done to ordinary Americans all the time, people who can’t afford expensive lawyers and really need an advocate who’s motivated by principle.
J. Cochran
September 2nd, 2010
11:31 pm
Perhaps Tiny will take the rap and say it was her drugs.
BH
September 2nd, 2010
11:44 pm
Does anyone remember his smart ass white boy comment? Andy has never been color blind.
General Sherman
September 3rd, 2010
12:12 am
ANDY..You and Jimah Carter need to carry your old tired race card carrying ass back to the house and retire! The man messed up and got caught. Do the crime and do the time.
Who Cares?
September 3rd, 2010
12:25 am
Well I can’t add any more than what’s already been said. Seems everyone’s on the same page on this one. Andrew, go back home and shut up. If you feel the need to talk with someone, call your old buddy Jimmy Carter, cause he too needs to stay in his house with his mouth shut also.
Sherman
September 3rd, 2010
2:20 am
On one hand, I do understand what Andrew Young is saying, something that most of the above and possibly below will never understand, EVER. You can say all the nasty things you want to say about my statement, but the bottom line is that you’ll NEVER EVER understand. On the other hand. T.I. has to be the most stupid person on the face of the Earth. He has go to be. Stupid, Stupid, STUPID!!!! That’s all I have to say.
ODDOWL
September 3rd, 2010
2:42 am
Why is so difficult to get the true facts from the news media ??? Why did the flatfoots stop T.I. in the first place ??? What is the name of the so-called “drugs” he is suppose to have been in possession of ??? Some news media outlets claim he possessed marijuana. Marijuana is NOT a drug. It is an herb. A member of the oregano herb family. Isn’t marijuana LEGAL in California ??? There are thousands of marijuana head shop all over the State. Other news media outlets claim that T.I. possessed “crystal meth”. Some of these news media people are lying. I think T.I. was “set up” by those crooked L.A. cops (Mark Furman) and evidences was planted on him. Many of the crooked cops are strung out on steroids themselves. Maybe its some paycheck to paycheck, envious cops who “hate” on sucessful people. There is something fishy about this whole case. T.I. will walk.
Kiljoy
September 3rd, 2010
4:29 am
Hey, can somebody refer me to the statement Andy issue decrying the injustice done to Paris Hilton? She was stopped because she’s blond and was in a fancy car, so I know he spoke out on this blatant discrimination..
joykil
September 3rd, 2010
5:30 am
@kiljoy Paris’ boyfriend was driving drunk that’s why she was stopped. Thanks Andy for standing up and telling the truth!! This arrest sounds like bs to me….but it gives the haters something to talk about. Get the facts before you start spilling your venum…you snakes!
WE have lost our way
September 3rd, 2010
7:10 am
Andy,Jimmy,Al,and Jesse are forming a Rap Group with T.I. called “It aint heavy,his my brother” Next show will be at Atlantic Station.YO YO YO ya”ll come here.
Lee
September 3rd, 2010
7:22 am
“Civil rights” leaders never get out of those old po’ ole’ me mode no matter how old they get. When the rubber hits the road they will resort to the same tired old racist rant everytime.
Timothy Justice
September 3rd, 2010
7:32 am
Andrew, Al and the rest of those cronies are nothing more than racists themselves. Enough said.
Dave the man
September 3rd, 2010
7:56 am
Just another punka$$ rapper thug. Jail is where he should have been anyway. No, Andy, spin it all you want, cry racism, I haven’t forgotten your “Smart ass white boys” remark.
DeMan
September 3rd, 2010
8:07 am
An this is the “reformed” criminal that the “Brilliant” principal at Woodland Middle School allowed to comeand speak to the kids. What was he looking for new prospects for his Meth business. I still say the principal should have been FIRED for his response to the parant that complained. Welcome the the “Fundamentally changed America” GEEZ!
Mike
September 3rd, 2010
8:11 am
Is the honorable Mr. Young TI’s daddy? Sounds like it with all the advice.
Kiljoy
September 3rd, 2010
8:12 am
There is just as much evidence that Paris Hilton was targeted as there is that TI was. Where is Paris’ civil rights champion? And…this isn’t the first time the police have picked on poor Paris. Al, Jesse, Markel, Andy…I’m waiting.
kaipo
September 3rd, 2010
8:14 am
Hopefully the Federal Judge will put this ghetto thug away for a long time for violating the terms of his probation. Thats why the sentence he got in the first place was a sham and fraudulent. And the line was that by going around schools and preaching against doing drugs and gang violence he was going to have an impact. Well so much for that foolish and failed liberal philosophy. I dont when the system will realise that ghetto thugs like TI, who from the day he was born has been committing crimes, smoking marijuana and living on the fast lane never shade that way of life. Facts show that no matter the success you might think they have from rap- (thats the only genre that they make money from – and truth be told is a useless way of making a living- because it does not last long and leads in some cases to death)- it does not take the ghetto out of this guys.
As for the likes of Andy Young- Senility is not far from this selfish man. There is no line drawn between right and wrong. This man has no clue and you wonder why people continue to pay this morally confused arrogant and self serving man attention. The tired line of race baiting never works anymore. Asking Young a question must be an experience. The man is either dumb, stupid or going down real fast. He talks crass nonesense and never answers any question. He appeared in one of the Black assosciations answer sessions and he was a sorry spectacle. A shameful man with no accomplishment whatsoever.
WTF
September 3rd, 2010
8:27 am
It so matters.. why was he pulled over because if it’s some made up charge that they can’t prove he can beat the possession charge because they need probable cause to pull anyone over black,white,brown or green for that fact and I’m a T.I. Fan but if they got him in the correct manor then he’ll get what he deserves..but at the end of it all it’s not California he has to worry about it’s his P.O. In GA
Red
September 3rd, 2010
8:31 am
Resent their success? Hey Andrew, come down from your ivory tower to actually do something worthwhile. Instead of counseling someone who does NOT represent someone average in society do some counseling with a group more representative of society. Spend a lot of time at the local jail, the community centers, the schools. Invest some time in these places making a direct impact instead of trying to make an impact by proxy through someone who the rest of society just looks up and stares at.
WTF
September 3rd, 2010
8:37 am
I don’t know Andrew Young or what he actually speaks about but as far as accomplishments I know he has a few…But Kapio why don’t you list some of your world changing accomplishments
rr ga
September 3rd, 2010
8:39 am
It’s unfair to claim Rev. Young favors black people over white people. Remember that he openly supported Roy Barnes for governor instead of the Atty General Thurbert Baker, who is black.
Boots
September 3rd, 2010
8:44 am
An illegal U-turn in a $350K car will get the attention of even the laziest cop. It looks like ol’ Andy will do or say almost anything nowadays to get his overweight mug in the paper. Andy, you were once my hero, but you’re off base on this one and need to put in a BS time-out.
tammie stewart
September 3rd, 2010
8:49 am
before i judge i want to know what really happen. when ti went to these schools he said dont do what i did. the lord show you a lot of things in life. things happen for a reason. we as parents have to do our part talk to our kids about this. see how they feel.see what they have learned about this.
Sad
September 3rd, 2010
8:49 am
Everyone places judgment. But no one really knows the facts. Let’s just see what the facts are until we come to a conclusion. There are many reports of what the cop found in the car. However none of the stories add up to the original. To many racial comments on what should be one nation here in the U.S. No one actually know what was in the car because there is 4 sides to this story. The cops story, TI story, Tiny story and the truth. nd that’s real talk for you.
tammie stewart
September 3rd, 2010
8:54 am
what do this sound like. you see this is what happen. sounds like once upon a time. could be the true or a fairy tale. the truth will come out. wait until we know what happen.
BulletHead
September 3rd, 2010
8:57 am
Paris Hilton doesn’t need a civil rights icon to come to her rescue: she’s as bleached blonde and dumb as a box of starch, and in AMERIKA, that’s just fine and dandy…
If T.I. is found guilty of these charges, then he’s a Bullethead for f’ing up his life.
Andrew Young is definitely a Bullethead for his comments during the democratic primary: “Bill Clinton has slept with more black women than Barack Obama ever will.” Now, that’s a youtube moment you wouldn’t stage if you planted a trap!!!
Andy, go sit down…. go sit down, go sit down, got sit down – y’all remembere the song, dontcha?
Doris M
September 3rd, 2010
9:01 am
I don’t know the circumstances surrounding the “why” of the arrest of TI, but I know Andy should butt out, keep his mouth shut to the media and maybe work behind the scenes. Enough already!
Straight Talk
September 3rd, 2010
9:06 am
I am sick of the race card being pulled out anytime someone of color is being held accountable for their behavior. Rev. King was right…it is the content of one’s character, not the color of their skin that is important. Unfortunately, the Sharptons, Jacksons and now Andrew Young disavow that message.
lmno
September 3rd, 2010
9:07 am
This guy is presumed by the courts to be innocent until proven guilty.
So, I with hold judegement.
However, I am skeptical anytime a policeman uses the “I smelled marijuana” in order to search a vehicle.
I am also disappointed that anyone would purchase a $300K car. I don’t care how much money you have.
Brad
September 3rd, 2010
9:08 am
I’m way to the left of the majority of people who comment on the AJC blogs, but I have to say that Andy Young is totally off base on this. Hard to take him seriously anymore.
stw
September 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
Andrew has played so many race cards I’m sure that deck must be about empty….
USMC DAWG
September 3rd, 2010
9:13 am
Hey Andy, the police will stay out of politics if you will stay out of Law Enforcement. Deal?
luangtom
September 3rd, 2010
9:26 am
These statements of the race-card put Andrew Young in the same sorry category as Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and the rest. It is getting a bit tiring to keep hearing that race is the reason the police have arrested entertainers that happen to be Black. Maybe these so-called “leaders” should address why such a high percentage of the high-profile people in the news do stupid things to draw attention to themselves and then get caught and raise their arms in dismay. Maybe they should take some responsibility and instill morals, insight and common-sense. These entertainers can give back-packs and school supplies for publicity and then go out and purchase tricked-out SUV’s, bling for show and hip-hop clothes and deceived their fans into thinking how great they are to support the community that made them millionaires. Take responsibility leaders of all communities, be they Black, White, Hispanic or Asian. Instill some pride in doing what is right, not what one can get away with. Instill values and common-sense in wasting money and their futures on bling and show. It is never going to happen with the current set of community leaders. They make their own lives richer by playing the race-card and promoting division. Andrew Young, Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson, all one and the same.
Aquagirl
September 3rd, 2010
9:42 am
Attention police: stop pulling over black men. it makes you racist.
Brilliant line of thought there, Andy. How about a nice big cup of STFU?
Tim Teasley
September 3rd, 2010
9:48 am
Again, reverse racism from someone whose knowledge of racism and all that it entails, exposes himself as the ultimate bigot. These days, the most ardent racists are blacks. Haven’t they learned anything in the however- many- hundreds-of-years quest for “freedom and equality”? Apparently not, and showing leniency to this talentless wannabe thug, T.I., sends a message to all of the other thugs that such behavior is okay if you have (and Godamighty, who gave it to him?) a Grammy.
Booger Fling
September 3rd, 2010
9:48 am
All you folks taking up for TI should take a step back and think for a second. I see it like this… No matter the skin color, if any of us ordinary folks would have been sentenced to several years in prison we wouldn’t have had the chance to screw up again. We would still be behind bars. Nothing will ever change with these people until they are truely held accountable for what they do.
Paddy O
September 3rd, 2010
9:49 am
Young is a senile race baiting over-rated ex-Mayor. He lost me when he pronounced factories run by Nike in Asia had NO labor problems. The guy is a cause prostitute, no better than Sharpton.
Lone Star
September 3rd, 2010
10:25 am
Hey, Andy! See if you can get this guy to teach you how to hang on to your crotch while you talk. I’m convinced these rappers believe that their vocal cords are located there and that they must massage them in order to speak.
Mr. KnowitAll
September 3rd, 2010
10:26 am
..ANOTHER black man charged with drugs???? NO! Say it ain’t so…..Andy! The only pattern here is a culture of thug rappers using drugs. …..
Just Nasty & Mean
September 3rd, 2010
10:31 am
I like that!!! Andrew Young has played the race card so many time, he’s not playing with a full deck!!
…That’s’ the ticket!!