Jesse Jackson Should Retire from Public Life

From the very first day that I met the Rev. Jesse L. Jackson in 1976, he came across as an arrogant, self-serving opportunist. It was at a meeting of Palestinian American business leaders in Chicago, who were desperate to make their voices heard in a society that had closed them off. Jackson told these businessmen and community leaders that if they "raised tens of thousands of dollars" for him, he would "champion their cause" and be a "spokesman for Palestinian justice."

At the time, Jesse Jackson was the highest ranking and most influential public official to say that he could see some justice in the Palestinian cause. I was a cub reporter, just entering journalism. I attended the meeting and took notes for a story I planned to write for my small Arab American newspaper that I published monthly, "The Middle Eastern Voice." It bothered me that the entire focus of Jackson's comments was about how much money the community could raise for him, rather than the simple principle that as Americans, these Palestinians had a right to have their voices and views heard.

But before I could publish my newspaper story, word leaked out. Roger Simon, a columnist at the time for the Chicago Sun-Times, called me to ask if I was at the meeting and what I heard. I told him. Simon identified me as a "journalist source" at the meeting, making it obvious to all who the source had been. Years later, when Jackson entered my City Hall beat, he pointed at me and said "I know you." Surprised, I asked, "How?" And he pointed to his face and said with a glaring look I'll never forget, "I have eyes."

Well, you may have eyes, Rev. Jackson but you don't have brains.

I can understand your jealousy at watching a young, smart black man like Barack Obama do what you have tried and failed to do your entire career. I can understand you riding on Obama's coattails to interject yourself into the national spotlight that you so often covet. I can understand you feeling envy and wanting to "cut his nuts off" as you whispered so grudgingly to another guest on a television interview program.

But what I don't understand is why you stooped so low as to appear on the FOX News Network, "the base" for the extremist propaganda arm of GOP Jihadies. FOX News? Are you that desperate to stay in the limelight?

Oh, but you sure are smart. You certainly have the experience from making embarrassing off-microphone comments about everyone else, like in 1984 when you called New York "Hymietown" because of its large Jewish population. You learned from your experience to get in front of the shame and try to blur the focus from your ugly remarks. You rushed to get ahead of the controversy. You apologized and then did your best to expand it to the "bigger picture," hoping to distract from your ugliness. You said you hoped "you" wouldn't be the cause of harm to Obama's campaign. Even in your half-hearted "apology," it was still all about you.

I think that even in the ugliness of your comments, on mike or off, it was all about you being in the center circus ring.

In contrast, I have learned to truly admire your son, Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr., who said in what had to be a moment of truthful courage, "Reverend Jackson is my dad and I'll always love him. He should know how hard that I've worked for the last year and a half as a national co-chair of Barack Obama's presidential campaign. So I thoroughly reject and repudiate his ugly rhetoric. He should keep hope alive and any personal attacks and insults to himself."

The Palestinian cause never needed a leader like, Rev. Jackson. All they need to do is set aside the emotion and replace their heated rhetoric with reason. As for Barack Obama, he doesn't need the Rev. Jackson either.

Comments

[likeicare]

". . . Jackson should retire from public life . . ."

A-Men! What a great idea!

[NoSillyName]

He is almost green with envy.

His lame "explanations" did not even address his crude desires.

His time is over.

[mediamarv]

He doesn't need to retire, the media only has to quit covering him and letting him on the air.
End of story.

[politicojunkie]

Why was Jesse Jackson appearing on FOX when he spoke out against the presidential candidates appearing on there?

http://www.colorofchange.org/cbci/jackson.html

[independent32955]

Barack Obama is EXACTLY the kind of politician that Jesse Jackson was most worried would appear on scene someday...a man with great ideals, an ability to lead who just happens to be black...for Jesse it was, is and will always need to be about being black FIRST and FOREMOST.

Jackson doesn't like Barack calling black fathers out for not being around...and yet, nothing Barack said was refuted, there was no one who called him out on his facts being incorrect. Jackson has always been about how the white people are keeping the black man down...Barack is about pulling oneself up by their own bootstraps and believing in an America where hard work and perseverance pays off...which America do YOU want to support and believe in?

[steamboat]

Bill Oreilly said what didn't appear in the media that Jackson said was worse. But that he didn't feel we need to ruin the man.

Well James Mtume on radio in NYC is reporting what he said. According to Mtume, Jackson was making a crack about Obama being a half-breed and used the N-word, also. And using F-word, also.......Daily Kos has a post on it.

[4wehttam]

I'm not offended by the "nuts" comment so much as I am about his need to try and put Barack in his place or make him look bad somehow. Jackson has some serious issues he needs to deal with within himself. Saying he's got a problem with Barack's speech about black fathers is one thing, to actually come out and basically say you want to "figuratively" destroy his career is pathetically sad.

[abby4ever]

I agree. He needs to get out of the way, he is so arrogant and envious and petty.

[rpence]

I disagree that Jackson should retire. He insulted Obama with a stupid, deeply offensive comment that damages his (Jackson's) reputation, but the people who need to work out the problem are Jackson and Obama and they can do it in private.

Jackson still has wisdom and experience to contribute. This has gotten entirely too much coverage, just like previous surrogate comments have, from Bill Clinton to Phil Gramm. Can't wait for the conventions and can't wait to take on--and take down--McCain and the Republican swine.

[independent32955]

the kind of comment Jackson made should be BENEATH someone in his position and of his supposed stature ... the fact that it is not, shows just how incredibly petty and self-serving Jackson is. You see him making those comments and you see someone filled with jealousy. whether Jackson remains in public life or not, who cares, it's not like he's a player on the stage any longer (if he ever was).

[nancydrew2]

AMEN !! Jesse Jackson should go away. He is so out of touch.

[Sixtwo]

Jessee Jackson is a minister. In his own way, he has allegedly served as a leader in the Black community. The point is: As a minister, his action here did not reflect the teachings of the Bible--the Gospel that he preaches. Secondly, he has talked about "Black-on-Black crime and what we must do to stop it. For me, his unprovoked attack on Obama is analogist to "Black-on-Black" crime. You do not help a brother when you stab him in the back, especially when he is not looking (open mike thought to be closed). There is a time to serve and there is a time to quit serving--in the same capacity. Jessee needs to get a new focus.

[Anonani]

As crude as it was, Rev Jackson has a right to his opinion. Let him marginalize himself. The call for him to retire are premature.

[truth101]

Jesse need not do any such thing, and he obviusly won't.
Unfortunately this tag will stick to him so he should
probably hang up the Reverend hat as a bit too much.
Otherwise he will get a good appointment in the OBAMA
Administration, and yes deserves it.

[disgusted48]

Don't hold your breath. Jackson's own son put him in check. Jr. will get the appt. Sr. needs to retire ASAP.

[sharonh]

You want him to go away? Stop writing about him and making him relevant.

[uheardme]

Amen.

Everyone knows that network producers have Jesse's number on speed dial. Come on, white people have to have someone to demonize. Jesse won't go away until the media decides he should go away.

[steamboat]

Then he stays......Because it was the 'white liberal media' who annointed Jackson as THEE Spokesman of Black America.

[truegreen]

Ray Hanania: Jesse Jackson doesn't need to retire. He needs to fine tune his outdated message and check his ego.

[DinSea]

THANK YOU for this article! Amen, and Amen!
Jesse Jackson is a hypocrite of the cloth -- self serving and everything else you said. Just because his big mouth got out front screaming for Civil Rights does not mean he is a leader - it just means he managed to get out front. There were a hundred Black men with more integrity and honest motives who could have done the job better. They did not have the OPPORTUNITY or unmitigated audacity.

BRAVO to junior for telling the truth. People who "choose darkness over light" are the ones who accuse truth bringers of "throwing him under the bus" .... rubbish! Time we all grow up and stop throwing temper fits ... isn't it interesting how Obama's uplifted humanity has turned over so many rocks and exposed so many snakes, scorpions, liars, ego maniacs and envy ridden bottom feeders. CHANGE HAS COME! No longer will these hate mongers get away with serving up crap and keeping our nation divided.

UNITY is a beautiful thing - it's the only way we will repair our disintegrating democracy, and restore our integrity in the world. BRAVO OBAMA -- BRAVO TRUTH BRINGERS -- BRAVO TO HOPE !!