Jesse Jackson Missteps…Again
Jeff Adams
Jesse Jackson, king of the victomologists, is always looking for a way to keep his face in the spotlight, and thereby maintaining his ability to keep money coming into his coffers for the various ‘charitable’ organizations he runs. Anyone with half a brain realizes that Jackson primarily functions as a shakedown artist, and that he has lost any real credibility as an advocate for equality and true civil rights.
The biggest gaff Jackson had was when the news broke that he had a mistress who gave birth to Jackson’s illegitimate child, and that Jackson used money from one of his organizations to ‘buy her off.’ Since then, Jackson has had a hard time getting in the news legitimately (no pun intended), and has focused on his ‘protection racket’ for financing his extravagant lifestyle.
Jackson often gets his name in the news by ‘standing by’ blacks who run into trouble of some kind. I wouldn’t have a problem with this if Jesse was using his personal stature and credibility to help someone being unfairly harassed or abused, rather than using the news-worthy notoriety of the abused individual to pump up his own visibility in the press. Recently two events took place, both involving black men, that provided Jackson with an opportunity, as well as a choice, to regain some semblance of credibility. Jackson had the choice of standing up and defending someone of great notoriety, or a humble servant of the people. Who do you think he chose? Here are the two people:
Michael Jackson – The famous singer who has amassed a great fortune, and is called the ‘King of Pop.’ Michael Jackson is accused of being a pedophile, again. Last time he faced charges, he bought his way out of trouble to the tune of $25 million. This celebrity has lived a freakish fantasy life, and supposedly has gotten away with his penchant for pedophilia for years, with the possibility that he has ‘slept’ with over 300 children.
Lt. Col. Allen West – U.S. Army officer that used intense interrogation techniques (put a gun to the head of an Iraqi) to get information that ended up saving his troops from a planned ambush. In return for almost twenty years of distinguished service and saving the lives of his men in a combat situation, the U.S. Army threatened to court-martial Colonel West. As of this writing, the military appears to be willing to settle for an Article 15 and allowing Colonel West to retire. Not exactly how the U.S. government should treat a loyal, faithful, and well-decorated servant of its armed forces.
It has been reported that Jesse Jackson has come out in defense of Michael Jackson, but nary a word has been hear from Jesse on what he thinks of the shoddy treatment given to Lt. Col. West. Why? Why would ‘the reverend’ Jackson not stand up for a fine Christian man who has served with great distinction in the armed forces, yet quickly rush to the defense of a celebrity with a ghoulish face and bizarre lifestyle?
As Rush Limbaugh would say, “Follow the money.” Jesse sees that the media is paying much more attention to Michael Jackson, than Allen West. Our land has become celebrity obsessed, and hardly gives true heroes a second thought. Michael Jackson has millions of dollars to pass around, while Lt. Col West, at best, makes a comfortable middle-class living. Cameras are always pointed Michael’s way, but all I’ve seen of Colonel West is the occasional display of his official military photo.
Who knows, perhaps Jesse made his ‘services’ available to Colonel West and West declined, wishing not to soil himself by being associated with a con artist. My guess is that Jesse Jackson never gave Allen West a second thought. Lt. Col. Allen West has a record that shows him to be a well-educated man with a record of honor, integrity and strong sense of duty. How could Jesse Jackson stand next to a man like that and expect to be even noticed?
Jesse Jackson could have at least tried. In the end, Jesse missed out on a great opportunity to redeem at least some sense of credibility and integrity. He could have stood up for a man obviously being done wrong by the military system, which has gone almost totally PC. Jesse chose to pursue the shallow, transient things in life: celebrity and finances. When Michael Jackson’s fame has faded, and Jesse’s attempt to bank on it has passed on, Lt. Col. West will have something worth much more than silver or gold: a good name, a good record, and a true legacy to pass onto his children. Jesse could have profited in many ways by associating with people like Lt. Col. West. Instead he went the path of the prostitute, and chose dirty money. He blew it again.