[EveningStar]

ping

[2banana]

You hear echoes of his story in the stories of O.J. Simpson, Terrell Owens and in a hundred stories that have nothing to do with white women and sex and everything to do with the simple freedom to be.

Yeah, blame racism 90 years ago for the slaughter of two innocents and letting the killer go free...

[mhking]

Black conservative ping

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

[Petronski]

What made matters worse is that Johnson was, as Burns puts it, "the original gangsta," living a bling-bling lifestyle 90 years before that term was coined.

At least one big difference with Johnson. Unlike today's gangstas, Johnson spoke in full, fluent, intelligent English.

I really enjoyed part one of this film. Another top-notch "Florentine Film."

[NRA2BFree]

Ping!

[Spok]

"angry whites rioted across the country. Eight people died"

We've come full circle-54 died in LA after the first Rodney King verdict. The more things change, the more they stay the same.

[JFK_Lib]

I celebrate the story of Jack Johnson because he was living proof that America was so racist that they would never tolerate such a man.

He did all that he did and lived to enjoy it openly because we are a nation of laws, and Jack Johnson had to be entrapped by law to get him.

It is sad that he was treated this way, but like some drunk flashing money downtown, he did nothing to avoid that persecution, like an idiot.

But if we were the Naxis then that so many leftists claim we are, then how did Jack Johnson get away with his overt behavior for so long?

The neoMarxist academians would never have allowed him to do so, nor would the Nazis or the Communists.

So no matter how 'bad' one wants to paint America of the segregated era, at least there was enough freedom then for a guy like Jack Johnson to piss everybody off.

A tip of the hat to ole Jack Johnson!

[whee0071]

An interesting piece, up until the OJ inclusion destroyed the author's credibility. Hundreds of *better* examples available.

[Mr. Mojo]

One of the top three heavyweights of all time, to be sure. Too bad Jim Jefferies chose not to fight Johnson until long after he had relinquished his title and was forced to do so (to restore "honor" to the "white race"). Ex-champ Jefferies had to lose 100 lbs for the fight, and hadn't fought in six years. ....and Johnson made him pay, bigtime. Those two fighting at their primes would've been something else. .....although considering Johnson's incredible defensive skills and considerable reach advantage the ultimate outcome probably would've been the same.

I'm not a Ken Burns fan (to put it mildly), but the photos and films he excavates are second to none.

[cyborg]

What's done is done. There are a lot of people who lived out similar circumstances and we will never hear of their stories. What are you going to do really? It's 2005 and America is a VERY different place from 1913.

[NotSoFreeStater]

Right, Ken. We're all so stupid. Only you know the truth.

[Pikamax]

"You hear echoes of his story in the stories of O.J. Simpson,"

I know he did not just put OJ in the same story as Jack Johnson. What a fool.

[satchmodog9]

I remember reading some blurb from a boxing writer about sending letters to congress to petition for Johnson's pardon. I sent several letters out that night. I was waiting for the press to pick the story and run with it , but no such luck. I am sure he would have got the media attention if he were some loudmouth lefty who denounced America at every turn(Harry Belafonte).

[NRA2BFree]

If any of you are interested in owning this DVD, here's a link

[Doctor Stochastic]

You hear echoes of his story in the stories of O.J. Simpson, Terrell Owens...

Actually these cases seem rather different. Unless the author is accusing Johnson of murdering one of his ex-wives.

[Mr. Mojo]

What made matters worse is that Johnson was, as Burns puts it, "the original gangsta,"

Not really, Kenny boy. Gangstas don't smile; Johnson displayed a near-perpetual grin and sunny demeanor. Gangstas are violent misfits who revel in their criminal behavior; Johnson was (mostly) a gentleman. ....except in the ring.

[GOP_1900AD]

Spilt milk aimed at white liberal guilt. What a steaming crock ...

[Pompah]

Ken Burns.Blah,Blah,Blah,
Left Wing Pin Head.

[hosepipe]

[ That's why I think we need to be straight about this. It would be good to see Johnson's name cleared. But it's America that should be asking for a pardon. ]

I agree.... but not for whatever happened to Johnson.. he was asking for controversy.. and got it.. just a great boxer.. maybe the boxing hall of fame or something like that.. His morality sucked.. as bad as Paul Robison's did..

The PARDON from America should be for what they/we did to Joseph McCarthy.. He was a true america HERO, for blacks as well as for whites.. Ann Coulter "exhumed" him and breathed life into the old boy("TREASON").. once again.. McCarthy is being proved right every day.. pBS on the otherhand "dis'ed" McCarthy.. knowing full well of the Venona Papers and research into KGB archives in Russia proving he was more right than, even HE, knew.. McCarthy is a hero that deserves a pardon, Johnson was merely a BOXER.. that deserves to be considered as a good one..

[sgtbono2002]

Lets just face the facts here. Jack Johnson , his history and any crime he may have committed dont mean a thing to Ted Kennedy and McPain. Why has this come up? Because McPain and Ted Kennedy want to make a few points with the black community and figure they can us this against President Bush, who faces a lose-lose situation. Either way he goes someone will get offended and Ted and Mcpain hope he turns it down.

Jack Johnson is being used again just as he was used when they arrested him. Mcpain and Kennedy will use anyone from any era. Its Shameful.