# The Reverend Jesse Jackson **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [September 27, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199 "2001-09-27T22:12:23Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![schneiderbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@schneiderbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schneiderbear)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:12pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/1 "2001-09-27T22:12:23Z")
Does anyone but me get tired of this man’s shit? how many times has he stuck his nose in where it was not wanted or needed, just to try to grasp a little more fame (or cash)? Would someone PLEASE tell him to shut the fuck up! ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/2 "2001-09-27T22:17:47Z")
Rev. Jackson was invited by the Taliban to come to their country to help negotiate some kind of deal. Granted, Washington doesn’t want him to go, and he hasn’t made up his mind yet, but he’s hardly “sticking his nose in” when he was specifically asked to. Rev. Jackson also has a lengthy history of negotiating hostage releases and such. It does give the man some credibility and expertise. I read about this on [CNN.com](http://www.cnn.com/2001/US/09/27/ret.taliban.jackson/index.html). Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Necros](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/necros/32/11086_2.png) [@Necros](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Necros)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/3 "2001-09-27T22:32:24Z")
Actually, **Esprix** , it sounds like there may some disagreement over who invited whom: [http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center\_story.html?FRONTID=NATIONAL&STORYID=APIS7EPQ5080](http://wire.ap.org/APnews/center_story.html?FRONTID=NATIONAL&STORYID=APIS7EPQ5080) > [@](#): > > The Taliban ambassador to Pakistan reportedly said the request was not initiated by the ruling militia. The Afghan Islamic Press, a private news agency close to the Taliban, quoted Abdul Salam Zaeef as saying that Taliban leader Mullah Mohammed Omar ``has accepted his offer to mediate.’’ I read the CNN story, which doesn’t seem to take this angle. I know that this morning the AP was being much more explicit that Jackson hadn’t been invited, and had sort of invited himself. I’m not sure what the truth is, here, but I’d like some more facts before coming down on the “Jackson is a media whore” side or the “Jackson is a valiant hostage rescuer” side. ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/4 "2001-09-27T22:42:58Z")
“yeah, jesse. you go over there. here, take them this nice box of chocolates. that blinking light? oh, it just lets you know they are fresh. those direction finders? i don’t know what you are talking about…” maybe he can take falwell along on a “buddy pass” ---
**Author:** ![Gatopescado](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gatopescado/32/5711_2.png) [@Gatopescado](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gatopescado)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/5 "2001-09-27T22:46:06Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Necros \* > I’d like some more facts before coming down on the “Jackson is a media whore” side \*\* didn’t he save the sweater with Dr. King’s blood on it? ---
**Author:** ![Saint\_Zero](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/c4cdca/32.png) [@Saint\_Zero](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Saint_Zero)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/6 "2001-09-27T22:49:24Z")
The only credit I can give that philandering “reverend” is that he has an impressive record of sticking his nose where it isn’t wanted. Mr. Jackson has a habit of picking causes which will keep his PR levels high. He’s not concerned with justice. I wouldn’t put it past him to contact the Taliban and offer his services. He’s done that here in the States enough, why not internationally. I won’t give him the time of day, much less credit. ---
**Author:** ![Garfield226](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9e8a1a/32.png) [@Garfield226](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Garfield226)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/7 "2001-09-27T22:55:06Z")
_sets up lawn chair, puts feet up on fully-stocked cooler, and opens up a fresh bag of sunflower seeds_ [sub]…BTW, **Saint Zero** , I’m on your side…[/sub] ---
**Author:** ![jabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@jabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabe)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 10:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/8 "2001-09-27T22:57:04Z")
Some people must think Jesse Jackson is a hero, like the parents of the three US service men he helped get released from Yugoslovia. Sure he likes the fame and all, but I think his heart is in the right place most of the time (now if he could only learn to keep his dick out of the wrong places) peace, JB ---
**Author:** ![schneiderbear](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ebca7d/32.png) [@schneiderbear](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/schneiderbear)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 11:02pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/9 "2001-09-27T23:02:09Z")
Proof that the Rev is a media whore? Do you also need proof that Osama is a terrorist or that shit stinks? Not only is he a media whore of the very first order, he is becoming very adept at lying and having people believe him. I say again, he needs, for a grand total of once, to shut up! ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 11:22pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/10 "2001-09-27T23:22:40Z")
You know, even without actually agreeing with Jesse Jackson on a whole raft of issues, I really think you Jesse haters are being awfully silly. 1. Terrible event occurs involving U.S. citizens taken by foreign “madmen.” 2. Jesse rides to the “rescue.” 3. State Department wrings hands, says he is being foolish, says that he has no authorization from U.S. to make any deals. (wink, wink, nudge, nudge) 4. Jesse and “madmen” get photo-ops. 5. U.S. government gets to condemn “madmen” without making any bad promises or giving concessions. 6. Jesse gets “madmen” to release prisoners/hostages/captives. 7. U.S. citizens get to come home. 8. Jesse haters get to gnash teeth and complain that Jesse got a photo op. It’s usually a win-win-win for everyone. I have no idea what he thinks he might do in Afghanistan, but so far, the only thing he has done “wrong” is irritate a bunch of people who already hate him. ---
**Author:** ![december](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/838e76/32.png) [@december](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/december)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/11 "2001-09-27T23:23:48Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by schneiderbear \* > **Not only is he a media whore of the very first order, he is becoming very adept at lying and having people believe him.** I think Jackson is virtually abetting the terrorists. His meddling could help convince the US to avoid necessary military action, especially if things are going badly at some point. A failure to act decisively now is apt to result in a future attack that kills thousands more people. Or, if the terrorists ever get nuclear weapons, that future attack could kill millions! The man is a menace! ---
**Author:** ![jabe](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/db5fbb/32.png) [@jabe](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jabe)\ **Post date:** [September 27, 2001, 11:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/12 "2001-09-27T23:28:37Z")
I dont think Jesse Jackson is meddeling for the sole purpose of fame. This is a really dangerous time for an American Christian in Afghanistan. He would be risking his life if he went there. I dont think this is just another case of ‘media whoreness,’ I think he feels he can make a difference. peace, JB ---
**Author:** ![Dorri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@Dorri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorri)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 1:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/13 "2001-09-28T01:15:51Z")
1. Jesse Jackson is an egomaniac. I don’t think he is even doing this for money as the first writer stated. Seeing his face plastered on TV is his objective. That is why he inserts himself into any news story. Sorry Jesse, we can’t allow this war to be “about you”. 2. How many of you REALLY BELIEVE that it was NOT Jackson that initiated communication with the Talaban. It was Jackson. 3. One person mentioned that he did good in bringing home those hostages last year. True, I am glad he was successful. However, this is not the same thing. This is a potential WW3. It is imperative that he inject himself OUT OF THIS! 4. Another one of you mentioned that he hadn’t decided what he was going to do after knowing the White House doesn’t want him to go. STEP BACK AND LOOK AT THIS ALONE. We are at war, and the President and administration do not want him to go. To most decent half brained citizens, they would not have a decision to make, they would be an American Citizen and obey the authorities. HOW DARE HE THINK HE STILL HAS THIS DECISION TO MAKE!! I hope he “decides” to take Al Sharpton with him if he goes. 5. He obviously thinks he knows better than G. Bush, Cheney, Powell, Rice, Rumsfield, and many others. How superior of Jackson, they must all be wrong, and only Jackson has the discerment of truth. 6. Thanks idiot Jackson; if you do go, that will take additional effort of the above mentioned. Some plans would need to be altered. I am sure they all have time on their hands to deal with this jerk. It totally disgusts me that he would even consider going against the wishes of American strategists. If he goes, that would be the sickest form of ego I have ever seen. Does it concern him not that he may be sabatoging our effort, or that he may be putting additional lives at risk? Of course on the other hand, if he isn’t intending to go, he successfully had his day or two of TV coverage (that must be his form of heroin). Speaking of egomaniacs, has anyone noticed how Clinton wants to appear to be involved in this war effort? The media should not be focused on him either right now. Yeah, Clinton laid all the groundwork, and should receive all the credit. I just signed up today, and this is my first post. I cannot find a spell check, so please excuse any errors 🙂 Dorri ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/14 "2001-09-28T02:21:37Z")
> [@](#): > > I think Jackson is virtually abetting the terrorists. His meddling could help convince the US to avoid necessary military action, especially if things are going badly at some point. A failure to act decisively now is apt to result in a future attack that kills thousands more people. Or, if the terrorists ever get nuclear weapons, that future attack could kill millions! > > The man is a menace! > [@](#): > > Does it concern him not that he may be sabatoging our effort, or that he may be putting additional lives at risk? Excuse me? Have you completely lost your senses or your powers of ratiocination? What are the odds that George W. Bush would, when formulating policy, pay any attention to anything Rev. Jackson says? How in the world could a private citizen, disavowed by the government, do anything to “sabotage” our effort. At a time when _every_ government leader, (including Mr. Wolfowitz–who has spent the last few months sounding more like Rambo than a government official), is stating explicitly that we need to carry out these operations with all due deliberation and without haste, you are claiming that Jesse Jackson talking to Mullah Omar is going to cause a “failure to act decisively now”? I have no idea why one Chicago preacher wakes up such fear in purportedly rational humans, but I really think you guys need to get a grip. See point #8 and summary, above: > [@](#): > > 1. Jesse haters get to gnash teeth and complain that Jesse got a photo op. > It’s usually a win-win-win for everyone. ---
**Author:** ![Esprix](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprix/32/7899_2.png) [@Esprix](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprix)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 3:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/15 "2001-09-28T03:07:42Z")
Ooo, nice - slam Jackson and Clinton. Gee, I wouldn’t have _any_ idea what your political affiliations were. :rolleyes: Esprix ---
**Author:** ![Darwins\_Finch](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/darwins_finch/32/20304_2.png) [@Darwins\_Finch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darwins_Finch)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 3:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/16 "2001-09-28T03:22:41Z")
So long as he intends only to negotiate the release of the eight Christians, I don’t have a problem with him going. If he intends to turn it into some sort of diplomatic negotiation regarding the terrorist attacks, _then_ I have a problem. Not so much because of the whole “we must retaliate, not settle peacefully” thing. More along the lines of the fact that we do not recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan, nor is Rev. Jackson a recognized U.S. ambassador. As such, he has zero authority in such matters, and the U.S. government and its allies have no obligation to uphold any deals he may make. However, if he _does_ wind up making such a deal, then I fear it will become a political nightmare for the government, and will probably quickly derail the whole anti-terrorism train. Or, what happens if some of the radical types decide _he’d_ make a hell of a hostage? _Then_ what the heck does the government do? Attempt to rescue him, thereby diverting resources form the main objective of finding and eliminating the terrorists? Let him stew in his own juices, thereby signifying (to some) that the U.S. is more interested in its causes than its citizens? Break down and negotiate for his release, thereby backing down on one of their major philosophies with respect to this whole mess (“We do not negotiate with terrorists!”)? Yet another potenital political nightmare for them, in my opinion. There is a lot of potential for things to go wrong during his visit, in my opinion. ---
**Author:** ![tomndebb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/b9e5f3/32.png) [@tomndebb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/tomndebb)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 3:52am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/17 "2001-09-28T03:52:18Z")
If the State Department tells him not to go and he goes, the U.S. has no reason to barter for his release if the Taliban (or whoever) decide to take a hostage. This is his, what?, fourth or fifth little incursion into State Department business. On each prior occasion he came home with the captives and no concessions were made to the captors. I have to believe that the pros at the State Department are silently cheering him on, all the while clucking their tongues at him publicly, because _to date_ he has successfully eliminated several potentially embarrassing situations without committing the U.S. to do one single thing. He’s certainly a glory hound, but he has been a useful glory hound. ---
**Author:** ![Dorri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@Dorri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorri)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 4:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/18 "2001-09-28T04:23:15Z")
## original quote: Does it concern him not that he may be sabatoging our effort, or that he may be putting additional lives at risk? follow up quote by tomndebb: What are the odds that George W. Bush would, when formulating policy, pay any attention to anything Rev. Jackson says? How in the world could a private citizen, disavowed by the government, do anything to “sabotage” our effort. At a time when every government leader, (including Mr. Wolfowitz–who has spent the last few months sounding more like Rambo than a government official), is stating explicitly that we need to carry out these operations with all due deliberation and without haste, you are claiming that Jesse Jackson talking to Mullah Omar is going to cause a “failure to act decisively now”? Response: Is your last sentence a question or putting words in my mouth? No, I am not claiming that JJ "is going to cause a ‘failure to act decisively now’ " My point about “sabotage” seems to be articulated better by the response of Darwin Finch. Just him being there will cause a problem for the US. Not that he is intentionaly trying to make it harder, but his ego is larger than obeying our leaders (so far anyway). Evidently, “sabotage” was not the best word to use… Tomndebb, you write that the US would have no reason to barter for his release [since he is not an official]if he were kidnapped. Think about it, you don’t see the political uproar there would be if we didn’t use our DIVERTED energies to save him? Even if he is not held hostage, he is still a problem for the US. You wrote even earlier that Bush would not pay attention to what Jackson says in formulating his policy. If that were true, why are Bush, et al “paying the attention” to ask him not to go? Finally, again, I feel I must point out that this campaign (war) is nothing like any of Jackson’s prior exploits (albeit successes). There is no room for error (or ego) here. As Benjamin Netanyahu keeps pointing out, we cannot do anything to dilute the coalitions we are forming. Making concessions, etc. Jackson going over there AGAINST the President’s will certainly will not strenghten our coalitions will it? It is too bad that our officials have to pay even a moments notice/effort in Jackson at this critical time. Esprix: Guilty as charged… Dorri ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 4:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/19 "2001-09-28T04:33:19Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by Dorri \* > \*\* > I just signed up today, and this is my first post. I cannot find a spell check, so please excuse any errors 🙂 > \*\* Welcome to the SDMB. There is no spell-check here, so if you are concerned, then write your post in wordpad or something, run spellcheck there, and then paste your reply into the reply box. ---
**Author:** ![Dorri](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/a88e57/32.png) [@Dorri](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dorri)\ **Post date:** [September 28, 2001, 4:34am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199/20 "2001-09-28T04:34:04Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by tomndebb \* > \*\* > > > [@](#): > > > > you are claiming that Jesse Jackson talking to Mullah Omar is going to cause a “failure to act decisively now”? > > \*\* On my reply to the above quote, I attributed that to my writing. Sorry about my opening response then about putting words in my mouth… I should take the time to see how this works. Sorry tomndebb. Dorir [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-reverend-jesse-jackson/84199.md?page=2)