It was only a matter of time.......

[packinpatland]

CHICAGO (AP) - Rev. Jesse Jackson, in a speech given to the Chicago branch of the NAACP, has made the claim that serious racial issues are present in the federal government's case against Michael Vick, and may have cost Vick his constitutionally guaranteed right to a fair trial.

Jackson stated to the audience that "We can not sit here and ignore the fact that Michael Vick, and African-American male, was more vigorously prosecuted for this crime than anyone in history, and we must assume that racism played a major role in this." Jackson received thunderous applause from the audience.

Rev. Jackson went on to cite statistics from other dog fighting convictions to point out the disparity between whites and blacks being charged and convicted of that same charge, and also cited Vick as yet another example of overzealous prosecutors whose judgement was possibly clouded by racism.

Jackson said that he may be holding a rally in support of Vick in the Atlanta area during the Falcons first home game, but no definite date has been set yet.

[BallHawk]

Will he just go away and shut up?

[oregonpackfan]

Last week, I brought up that several African-American leaders were bringing up the race card re: the prosecution of Micheal Vick.

Several of you poo-pooed the report stating they had never heard of this accusation.

The charges of dog-fighting, gambling, and organized crime apply to Vick irregardless of his race or color. He should not be prosecuted any more or any less because of his race. He should be be recused of these crimes any more or any less because of his race.

[Joemailman]

So it's gonna be Jesse vs. PETA? Hard to cheer for either side in that one.

[MJZiggy]

I just find it interesting that he's holding a rally in Atlanta (where the trial isn't happening) rather than Richmond (where it is). I wonder why...?

And it's not Jackson vs. PETA, it's Jackson vs. the United States Justice Department and the United States Federal Court in Virginia.

Vick plead guilty. He said he did it. He hasn't been sentenced yet. How is it possible that he is being treated differently than anyone else who hasn't been sentenced yet?

[BallHawk]

So it's gonna be Jesse vs. PETA? Hard to cheer for either side in that one.

It's like Bears vs. Vikings. Somebodies gotta win, but you don't feel happy about it either way.

[Harlan Huckleby]

Re: It was only a matter of time.......

Rev. Jackson went on to cite statistics from other dog fighting convictions to point out the disparity between whites and blacks being charged and convicted of that same charge.

I'd be very interested to see these statistics. If this keeps up, I suppose they will come out.

[mraynrand]

Re: It was only a matter of time.......

Rev. Jackson ... also cited Vick as yet another example of overzealous prosecutors whose judgement was possibly clouded by racism.

Just like Nifong. Jesse was on the correct side of that one too, wasn't he? Have fun at the rally Jesse. But name me one other super high profile guy like Vick who got busted for running dog fighting rings. Plus, I didn't follow this closely, but weren't there reports that Vick did some pretty awful things and pleaded to lesser charges?


Also, did racism cloud the judgement of the prosecutors who let Jamal Lewis off so easily for drug charges?

[Harlan Huckleby]

Re: It was only a matter of time.......

But name me one other super high profile guy like Vick who got busted for running dog fighting rings.

This is not directly relevant. But LeShon Johnson was a co-owner of very large dogfighting ring, and he got a 5-year suspended sentence, I don't think he did any prison time.

http://www.packerrats.com/ratchat/viewtopic.php?t=7863

[BEARMAN]

There is only one thing I hate more then the pack, ... M. Vick !

[Joemailman]

I just find it interesting that he's holding a rally in Atlanta (where the trial isn't happening) rather than Richmond (where it is). I wonder why...?

And it's not Jackson vs. PETA, it's Jackson vs. the United States Justice Department and the United States Federal Court in Virginia.

Vick plead guilty. He said he did it. He hasn't been sentenced yet. How is it possible that he is being treated differently than anyone else who hasn't been sentenced yet?

What I meant was if Jackson holds a rally in support of Vick, PETA is likely to be there with a counter-demonstration. Those End Zone dogs from Cleveland might show up too.

[MJZiggy]

Those End Zone dogs from Cleveland might show up too.

See now that might get kinda fun...

[mraynrand]

Re: It was only a matter of time.......

But name me one other super high profile guy like Vick who got busted for running dog fighting rings.

This is not directly relevant. But LeShon Johnson was a co-owner of very large dogfighting ring, and he got a 5-year suspended sentence, I don't think he did any prison time.

http://www.packerrats.com/ratchat/viewtopic.php?t=7863

Of course it's relevant. Or would you argue that high-profile people are treated the same as low profile. It's far more likely that Vick was treated more harshly to set an example than due to racism. Just ask Martha Stewart - or do you think her bogus prosecution was due to racism?

When Jesse Jackson starts going after the Travis Henrys like he goes after perceived or invented racism, I might listen to him again. Oh, wait, I'm sane. I'll never take that race whor# seriously ever again.

[Kiwon]

Several of you poo-pooed

Why I haven't done that since I switched to my big boy underwear years ago.

This case had an O.J. flair to it from the start. All cases involving high profile Blacks are viewed through the same distorted lens by the Civil Rights and political community.

Goodness sakes, the Congressional Black Caucas meet with and defended Michael Jackson while his legal problems over sex with minors was going on.

What's a shame is that the NAACP has failed its mission and become more problem than solution. They were founded by whites and blacks working together. Now, it's national board is almost 100% black under the leadership of the disgraceful Julian Bond.

It will be a good day when Jackson and the other "Civil Rights" era folks are off the scene. Then maybe you might witness a more reasoned dialogue.

[Tyrone Bigguns]

Last week, I brought up that several African-American leaders were bringing up the race card re: the prosecution of Micheal Vick.

Several of you poo-pooed the report stating they had never heard of this accusation.

The charges of dog-fighting, gambling, and organized crime apply to Vick irregardless of his race or color. He should not be prosecuted any more or any less because of his race. He should be be recused of these crimes any more or any less because of his race.

Weren't you a former teacher? Geez, might be time for a refresher. No such word as irregardless.