Posted on 09/30/2005 8:47:13 AM PDT by dogbyte12
WASHINGTON (AP) - The White House on Friday criticized former Education Secretary William Bennett for remarks linking the crime rate and the abortion of black babies. "The president believes the comments were not appropriate," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said.
Bennett, on his radio show, "Morning in America," was answering a caller's question when he took issue with the hypothesis put forth in a recent book that one reason crime is down is that abortion is up.
"But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down," said Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues."
He went on to call that "an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
Responding later to criticism, Bennett said his comments had been mischaracterized and that his point was that the idea of supporting abortion to reduce crime was "morally reprehensible."
Bennett was education secretary under President Reagan and director of drug control policy when Bush's father was president.
And it also has the potential of shutting people up for fear of being labeled a racist
Gee, I leave FR for a few months, and suddenly a "pro-choice" cheerleading section rushes on over. This is still FR right? I might be a bit rusty, but...
If they are, Scott should at least wait to find out the facts before he opens his mouth and inserts foot and hurts an honest Conservative American.
It is not his job to do that .. it has nothing to do with the WH or the President
Bennett does not work for the WH .. Bennett is not even a federal employee
He is a radio show host
Happy Anniversary!
If my sister's birth mother had aborted her, I wouldn't have the world's best sister, Great nieces, darling great nieces and can't be beat adorable twin Great nephews! (I have to brag about the little ones)
But what does that have to do with Bennett?
I disagree. In saying Bennett's comments were inappropriate, the White House did not declare Bennett's statement wrong. Something that is appropriate is something that fits, that is suitable for the purpose - Bennett's comments were inappropriate, because when said in a public forum in the U.S. they were just about guaranteed to be twisted and misused. His illustration was so emotionally intense that emotions completely obliterated what he was actually trying to say - that makes the illustration inappropriate.
The White House did not declare Bennett's position wrong at all. His method was criticized, not his meaning.
Then why did McClellan say anything??????? He shouldn't and that is my point... if he couldn't keep his mouth shut then he shouldn't have added to the problem.
Deliberate or not, Bennett's statement makes a nice entree for Bush to nominate Janice Rogers Brown to the USSC.
I am guessing it was because a reporter asked him to comment on what was being reported in the media
And yes .. as reported it .. the comment was inappropriate
No, that's not a cold hard fact according to some of these racism banner wavers. They say it would be equal if the police would not disproportionaly pull over blacks.
Rediculous I know, but that's what getting broadcast by these liberal race baiters. I suppose one COULD adjust prison populations if you only arrested and convicted criminals based on color quota's, not just on who you ramdomly catch.
The White House on Friday criticized former Education Secretary William Bennett for remarks linking the crime rate and the abortion of black babies.
What he said -- is:
Bennett, on his radio show, "Morning in America," was answering a caller's question when he took issue with the hypothesis put forth in a recent book that one reason crime is down is that abortion is up.
"But I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down," said Bennett, author of "The Book of Virtues."
He went on to call that "an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky."
Are we to censor every American because the liberal left hates us conservatives and not have an honest debate in this country????? For that is what is happening right now and needs to change!
One reason I'm liking Mitt Romney more and more, he gets it... and says we have to get beyond being politically correct.
That is just plain dumb.
Maybe the WH should take time to listen to the entire conversation that Bill Bennett had with a caller to his show...which occurred on Tuesday, instead of falling in line with the rest of the "outraged" MSM...taking something out of context. There is that little notion of a hack job left wing whacko web mis-reporting and leaving out details from the whole "story".
(sigh)
I think the high number in prision has to do with poverty, lack of education, abuse, etc., and to solve it we have to start very young which is a problem with our current atmosphere in this country... also a lot of poor can't afford a "dream team" to keep them out of prison for murdering two people.
Any group, white, black, homosexual, baseball players, etc. could be eliminated and crime would go down because of it. Why did he pick out black people?
That would certainly seem to put the race-baiting Democrats in an uncomfortable position.
and that is why I wrote to express my disappointment in Scott McClellans comments... and obvious lack of preparation... maybe the President would be in the high 50's if he has a more competent press secretary.
The problem for Bill Bennett is that he did stick his foot right in his mouth. And due to his self-righteousness in the past, he is an easy person to corner.
Any group, white, black, homosexual, baseball players, etc. could be eliminated and crime would go down because of it. Why did he pick out black people?
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He said "crime rate" not crime. So, if you eliminate a group of people who commit crimes at a high rate compared to the overall population, the crime rate would go down. And vice versa.
Yes, this is the perfect rationale to nominate Janice Rogers Brown.
I want to watch the RATS and their media handmaidens have to ravage an accomplished black woman.
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