There is that saying - open mouth, insert foot and chew vigorously. Now, meet Jena district attorney Reed Walters. Mr. Walters read a prepared text which included references to God. Now, I’m normally nauseated when most people reference God because it is almost always a way to deflect blame or to inject emotion and sympathy. Mr. Walters knows full well that many Americans believe that racism infects the DA’s office if not many of the citizens of Jena. So, with the spotlight of America shining upon him, he says, “I firmly believe and am confident of the fact that had it not been for the direct intervention of the Lord Jesus Christ last Thursday, a disaster would have happened. You can quote me on that.”
So, Black people can not gather peacefully without God making them behave? Are you serious? What an insult. What a racist insult. Maybe he and Bill O’Reilly hang out in the same places. I’m just stunned because you know that he wrote that down. He probably read it over with his friends to make sure that he got everything just right then he nervously read it before the cameras.
This man who is suppose to apply the law fairly is clearly biased. He should be asked to resign immediately for his racist comments. He should disbarred for his actions in the Jena 6 case. He should face civil changes for violating the civil rights of not just the Jena 6 but of the people of color in Jena. He has made that city the face of racism in America today.
NPR had a very long segment on Jena last week. I thought it was informative especially when they interviewed a preacher, Reverend Eddie Thompson (no relation). The interviewer, Melissa Block and Rev. Thompson were very thoughtful. One portion of the interview was very insightful. It was a clue of what live is really like in Jena. Reverend Thompson said something like we can already see the healing. Minister, Black and White got together and prayed for our community, so I think there is hope. Now, this is close but not a direct quote. He thought that Black and White pastors getting together for prayer was a sign of healing. If that is a sign of healing there shows me everything that I need to know. That’s all they did was pray? Christian pastors got together to pray. This should go on every month!! The fact that it doesn’t is telling. In most cities in America today there is some sort of interfaith counsel. Jena doesn’t have one. This fosters the divide. If Christians and people of faith can’t come together in Jena without a crisis they are seriously in trouble.
BTW - you should read this blog post here. Very informative.
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From AP:
A black teenager whose prosecution in the beating of a white classmate prompted a massive civil rights protest here walked out of a courthouse Thursday after a judge ordered him freed.
Mychal Bell’s release on $45,000 bail came hours after a prosecutor confirmed he will no longer seek an adult trial for the 17-year-old. Bell, one of the teenagers known as the “Jena 6,” still faces trial as a juvenile in the December beating in this small central Louisiana town.
“We still have mountains to climb, but at least this is closer to an even playing field,” said the Rev. Al Sharpton, who helped organize last week’s protest. (more…)
Walters announces that God stopped violence [3:59m]:
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Tags: Civil Rights, Race, Religion by ecthompson
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If we put aside the $70 million price tag for a second and look at this suit, I think that we will find a gold nugget at the end of the rainbow. Remember that Dan Rather was fired or put out to pasture because of a story on 60 Minutes II that Rather did on Bush’s National Guard Service. The old question on whether or not George Bush completed his Texas Air National Guard service has never been completely answered. Rather produced documents that seemed to show that Bush wasn’t performing well. Immediately, I mean, during the broadcast, there was an instant cry of foul. Soon, the documents authenticity was questioned. CBS originally backed the story then started to waffle then caved. Dan Rather was taken off the Evening News and placed on 60 minutes II. He really wasn’t used much and he quit. This brings us to the present.
