This just in-Jesse Jackson announced that he had fathered a bastard child-conceived while he was spiritual advisor to president Clinton (during the Monica Lewinsky unpleasantness). Perhaps the Reverend would like to advise us on morality now!
At least we won’t have to listen to his tiresome tirades about the shortcomings of others.
Who will take his place-Al Sharpton, perhaps?
You think this will ruin J Jacksons career!? Hell it will probably improve his standing with as many persons as it turns off.
Interesting stuff, eg but I’m moving this thread over to IMHO. It’s more speculation/opinion than factual, so maybe it’s one we can shift to ease the traffic in GQ.
TVeblen,
Moderator, IMHO
Well, I know this won’t be a popular viewpoint, but I respect the fact that as soon as the public found out, he admitted to it. He made a public statement, said basically “that’s that” and closed the case.
Hey, I don’t like Jesse Jackson either, but at least he didn’t dance around the issue, deny it for months on end, try to make excuses or call the girl a liar. He admitted his mistake and asked for forgiveness. I rarely see religious leaders do this. You can bet your sweet ass Pat Robertson wouldn’t do it.
jarbaby
For anyone looking for a good review of the details, the New York Post’s Jesse Jackson Admits Fathering Illegitimate Child is a good start.
But, obviously, most of us will agree with egkelly’s point that, once again, a religious leader has been caught with his pants around his ankles, and it’s getting tiresome.
Jesse Jackson is a religious leader?! I thought he was a professional camera chaser!
While not exactly the same circumstance, Robertson got his girlfriend (later, his wife) pregnant. He admitted this and apologized to those who would look up to him as a spiritual leader. He didn’t try to make excuses or call anyone a liar. He lived up to his responsibility. Thus, I do not see your last sentence as accurate.
Hmm. I apologize. I didn’t know about this. I just perceive (in my own opinion only) Pat Robertson to be a little squirrely.
And I’d like to emphasize that I’m not excusing Jesse’s actions. I’d like it if all religious leaders would, in effect, practice what they preach. But I’m a little impressed that he fessed up so quickly AND is agreeing to pay child support upwards of $10,000 a month.
jarbaby
and
Looks like he tried to hide it at first, not come right out and admit it. He Panicked.
Highly Ironic, tho, that he started this affair when he was counseling Clinton on his little escapades.
He’s paying child support upwards of $10,000 a month?!?!
YOWEE! That buys a lot of Pampers.
Where does the Reverend Jackson get $120,000/yr to shut up a girlfriend he gets pregnant? That hints of a lot of disposable income. I’m sure the IRS under the Bush Administration will be interested in this issue…
ABC News reported last night that he paid her $40,000 to relocate to California, and now pays her $3,000 per month in child support.
Still a lot of money.
The ultimate in infidelity hypocrisy has to be Dan Burton. He was the Republican Senator(?) from Indiana who was trying to lead the rally against Bill Clinton during the Lewinsky bruhaha, and even publically called Clinton a “slimeball” for his behavior. Then it was discovered that Burton had had an affair of his own – which resulted in him siring an illegitimate son, whom he kept a secret for over fifteen years, and he had never acknowledged or visited. All this from a guy who gleefully jumped on Clinton for a lack of “family values” and “Christian morals.”
If there’s someone who was even more over-the-top than Dan, I’d like to hear it.
I am by no means a Jesse Jackson fan, but I am favorably impressed by how he’s taking responsibility for this matter. So many people think taking responsibility means standing up in public and sanctimoniously crying, “I take responsibility!” Responsibility means accepting consequences, and Jackson is doing that. He is actually giving up something valuable to him - his public career and a huge amount of money - to make up to his family and take care of the child he fathered. Many people do the dishonorable thing he did in cheating on his wife; few stand and take their lumps so bravely.
And the fact that the guy is voluntarily sparing me from having to listen to his silly diatribes for a while is kind of nice too. 
RE:
"I am by no means a Jesse Jackson fan, but I am favorably impressed by how he’s taking responsibility for this matter. So many people think taking responsibility means standing up in public and sanctimoniously crying, “I take responsibility!” Responsibility means accepting consequences, and Jackson is doing that. He is actually giving up something valuable to him - his public career and a huge amount of money - to make up to his family and take care of the child he fathered. Many people do the dishonorable thing he did in cheating on his wife; few stand and take their lumps so bravely.
And the fact that the guy is voluntarily sparing me from having to listen to his silly diatribes for a while is kind of nice too."
Good, God, Danimal! Jesse Jackson has absolutely NO plans on removing himself from public life. None. The showboat is absolutely wedded to it–no, addicted to it–and his teary-eyed offering smacks of cynicism and hypocrisy to the extreme. His taking responsibility for his actions began precisely when he had been caught red handed. Before that, he had used someone else’s money to shut up the woman he knocked up.
What the good reverend is doing is floating a trial balloon and cynically gauging the public’s reaction. If folks look forgiving, he’s back in. In not, he’ll let things cool down, ajourn for a “spiritual retreat” (read: Maui), and reemerge when the ADD-afflicted media are looking elsewhere. The latest I heard was that he was going to “honor” his present public commitments–“and then reassess from there.” Gimme a break!
On a larger level, this proves one thing: if you’re past the child-raising age and you’re gonna cheat, at least get a vasectomy!
News Report:
“Jackson, who had been in seclusion since acknowledging the affair four days ago, told The Associated Press Saturday that he would return to the civil rights stage next week.”
FOUR WHOLE DAYS–A NEW RECORD!!!
Well, I see Jackson has already broken his pledge; a new press conference and he is back to his usual demagogic preaching. Wishful thinking on my part, I guess.
Hey, Danimal, Jesse forgives you, man. He FORGIVES you!
What the hell…it worked for Clinton