To Those Attacking Jackson... Let's be Fair.

[Stand and Fight]

First, let me say that this is NOT a political issue where you can easily divide people into Democrats and Republicans. It is not an issue of those who are with us and those who are against us. Jackson has not "thrown his lot in with the fundies," anymore than those who don't agree with Mark Warner on the immigration issue in Virginia. I’ve seen a lot of posts on here attacking Jesse Jackson and other prominent Democrats (like his son)because they feel that Terri Schiavo should have her feeding tube reinserted. I’ve seen a lot of people on here attacking Jesse Jackson specifically with right-wing talking points. Rather they agree to that observation or not is none of my private concern. However, I am gravely concerned with the cherry-picking that goes on here at DU at times. One minute someone is a hero because they’re towing the PERCEIVED party line, and the next they’re the worst of scoundrels because they happen to disagree with that PERCEIVED party line.

Jesse Jackson has taken up a variety of liberal/progressive causes and has very much become a target of the right-wing and a hero among many liberals. His son is a member of Congress and surely reflects many of his father’s beliefs. Take for instance some of the votes his son has made. His son is also in agreement with his father on the Schiavo matter as is evidenced by his vote. With this in mind, let’s look at how his son has voted on issues as an indication of Jesse Jackson’s own political leanings:

Jesse Jackson has taken up a variety of liberal/progressive causes and has very much become a target of the right-wing and a hero among many liberals. His son is a member of Congress and surely reflects many of his father’s beliefs. Take for instance some of the votes his son has made. His son is also in agreement with his father on the Schiavo matter as is evidenced by his votes in Congress. With this in mind, let’s look at how his son has stands on issues as an indication of Jesse Jackson’s own political leanings:

- NO on barring transporting minors to get an abortion
- NO on banning partial-birth abortions
- NO on banning Family Planning funding in US aid abroad
- NO on federal crime to harm fetus while committing other crimes

- Get minorities into home ownership & global marketplace.
- Ending racial profiling is part of fight for justice.
- NO on ending preferential treatment by race in college admissions

- Increase funding for AIDS treatment & prevention.
- NO on banning gay adoptions in DC.

- More funding for Rx benefits, community health, CHIPs.

- Opposes privatizing Social Security

- Opposes death penalty

Here’s the link: http://www.govote.com/IL/Jesse_Jackson.htm


The list goes on and on and on... However, it is clear that his son is liberal, but he simply does not agree with us on this issue. With all of that as an indication as to what Jesse Jackson more than likely feels, why the witch-hunt on DU lately? He is obviously a liberal and a Democrat, and he just does not agree with us on this Schiavo matter. And really, is that all that much of a surprise considering they both adamently oppose the death penalty? Rev. Jesse Jackson - I don't agree with him on this issue, Terri Schiavo. Nonetheless, he has done a whole hell of a lot more for progressive causes than the people on this board. People who sit behind their keyboards condemning Rev. Jackson because he is not towing the PERCEIVED party line. Did any of you self-righteous critics ever stop to think that you're babbling a right-wing talking point when you say he will do anything to get or stay in the lime light? Maybe -- I don't know as a MINISTER -- he genuinely feels that what is happening to Mrs. Schiavo is wrong. I do honestly believe that he feels it is wrong. Perhaps he is only getting involved now because he thinks maybe he can turn the tide! Perhaps he is not even trying to turn the tide, but perhaps trying to lend his weight to an issue that has become a part of the public domain. Yes, I know what the critics will say – it is not a public issue, it is a private issue. However, the reality is that it did not start as a public issue, but due to the media and Terri Schiavo’s parents, it has become a public issue. Likewise, this does not mean that he is jumping up to get attention -- he just may truly feel that he has to do something in this case. We don't have to agree with him, but he has as much a right to his opinion -- without being labeled a “traitor” or “media whore” -- as any of us on this board. I'm sure if we had the clout Rev. Jackson does, we would use it to impress our views on the public mindset, and try to affect issues we feel strongly about in much the same way.