Louis Farrakhan Criticizes Bush, Kerry; Pushes for Slave Reparations

AP ^ | 02/29/04 | Melanie Coffee

[Kieri]

Louis Farrakhan Criticizes Bush, Kerry; Pushes for Slave Reparations

By Melanie Coffee Associated Press Writer Published: Feb 29, 2004

CHICAGO (AP) - In a speech peppered with criticisms of President Bush, Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan on Sunday pressed for America and England to grant slave reparations. Farrakhan, speaking at the final session of the Nation of Islam's annual meeting, also voiced support for Michael Jackson and warned blacks against supporting the front-runner for the Democratic presidential nomination, Sen. John Kerry, D-Mass.

"Black people are so angry with President Bush that they're willing to give Senator Kerry a free ride," he said. "Getting rid of Bush and getting John Kerry ... will mean you'll get more of the same."

Farrakhan said blacks should consider supporting candidate Al Sharpton to give that candidate more power to promote black issues.

While calling Sharpton "brilliant," Farrakhan told the crowd: "You know, I know and he knows that he ain't going to be no president."

Farrakhan accused Bush of wanting to go to war with Iraq from his first day in office, and of knowing Saddam Hussein didn't have weapons of mass destruction.

Former chief weapons inspector David Kay has concluded Iraq didn't have weapons of mass destruction. Bush has defended his decision to go to war, saying Saddam was a threat.

Speaking for about three hours, Farrakhan, 70, said America and Great Britain need to recognize their roles in the slave trade. He urged Congress to consider a bill sponsored by Rep. John Conyers, D-Mich. that would establish a commission to study slavery.

Farrakhan said whites fail to realize they hold privileged positions in America because of slavery.

"If America is not willing to look at ... what happened to us as a people, there will never be a chance for good relations between blacks and whites," he said.

Farrakhan said he believes Michael Jackson is innocent of charges he committed lewd acts on a child. Nation of Islam chief of staff Leonard F. Muhammad has been working with Jackson, and other members of the group are providing security for the pop star.

[areafiftyone]

I never owned a slave, my ancestors never owned a slave and no one is getting on thin dime out of me for reparations. Farrakhan can shove reparations up his BUTT!

[lewislynn]

As our dear beloved leader Mr. President Bush has said time and time again, his Historical Equalization Plan is not "reparations." Karl Rove was quite specific about this point.

OH MY GAWD! Is this true?

[lonewacko_dot_com]

No, Bush has not proposed a 'Historical Equalization Plan', I just made that up.

But, after his non-amnesty amnesty plan, would you be surprised if this was Rove's next brilliant idea? After all, it might get a hundred thousand or so African-Americans to vote for Bush, and that would outweigh all the downsides.

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

If you want on (or off) of my black conservative ping list, please let me know via FREEPmail. (And no, you don't have to be black to be on the list!)

Extra warning: this is a high-volume ping list.

[rocksblues]

I am 1/8th Mohawk American Indian, after the African reparations can I expect a handout also? Sure could use it, I mean no more getting up at 4am to go to work and not having to worry whether my Social Security payments will be cut after paying into it for 37 years.

[cmsgop]

Thats never going to happen.

[lewislynn]

Thats never going to happen.

I'll remember you said that.

[cmsgop]

By all means , Please do.........

[xrp]

"If America is not willing to look at ... what happened to us as a people, there will never be a chance for good relations between blacks and whites," he said.

Why is it, on average, that 1st generation (recent) African immigrants to the USA have a better work ethic and lower complain factor than multi-generational black Americans, Louie?