Jesse Jackson

The Passing Of Jesse Jackson, A Civil Rights Icon And First Serious Black Presidential Contender!

Ronald 2 Comments

The news of the passing of the Reverend Jesse Jackson, a Civil Rights Icon and close adviser to the Reverend Dr Martin Luther King, Jr, at age 84, is a reminder of his prominence and significance in the Civil Rights Movement, and as a Democratic Presidential contender in the 1980s.

Jackson was a charismatic, inspiring preacher and second place finisher in primaries in 1984, when behind Walter Mondale, and again in 1988, when behind Michael Dukakis.

Jackson was present when King was assassinated in Memphis on April 4, 1968, and spent decades carrying on the King tradition of non violence, and commitment to progressive causes.

Jackson was the first serious black Presidential candidate, and drew great respect, although he was criticized for his scandalous private life romantic scandals, nothing anymore seen as unusual, although more so decades ago.

Jackson led the Rainbow PUSH Coalition, a nonprofit social justice organization that rallied people of all backgrounds around promotion of civil and human rights.

Jackson was eloquent and charismatic, and united people of all races, as well as sexual orientation, a pathbreaking change in the Democratic Party.

It can be asserted that without Jackson’s Presidential runs in the 1980s, there might not have been the future of Barack Obama.

And Jackson also helped to free hostages in various nations, due to the respect and fame that he brought in his negotiations with foreign governments.

Jackson’s impact remains part of the Democratic Party and progressive tradition, as the best hope for the future of America!

Rush Limbaugh And The St. Louis Rams Football Team

Ronald 2 Comments

It is well known that I despise Rush Limbaugh, who I believe has sowed division in this country for the past 21 years on his radio show. He is a detriment to the Republican party’s success and reputation, and has wished for the failure of President Obama, which in my mind is an unpatriotic statement.

Having said that, I think that the concerted campaign by Al Sharpton, Jesse Jackson and other African American spokesmen to prevent (successfully) the opportunity of Limbaugh to become a partial owner of the St. Louis Rams football team was ill conceived and, to a great extent, based on lies.

Realize that both Al Sharpton and Jesse Jackson have many “skeletons in their closet”, statements and actions that could be considered by many to be racist and anti semitic. They are not exactly paragons of virtue.

For them to conjure up false statements that Limbaugh never said is dishonest and disgraceful. Yes, Rush has made outrageous statements and claims, and has been and should be condemned for them.

But are we to say that an individual shall be denied the right to make a business deal based on his speech utterances? I say NO, as this is undermining the Bill of Rights that protects all of us, even a despicable character named Rush Limbaugh!