Wow, Jesse Jackson is being a true leader! Look at this...

[pointsoflight]

In an interview after today's hearings, Conyers mentioned JJ in several places. JJ is being a tremendous leader for us! Let's thank him!

Statements from Conyers after today's hearings:

"The best part about it was that it happened. If you look at who was here, you had leaders from the generally white political reform movement, and leaders from the black civil rights movement. This is a powerful coalition. Normally, what has happened it the blacks have fought their civil rights struggle, with their numbers being the predominant part of it. Whites have been fighting for political reform, and talk about it as affecting everyone, but don't have the black roots participating. What Reverend Jackson has done, has said, is, you know, you look foolish talking about your civil rights being abused. We are going to be there with you.

We have formed a coalition, and are building the infrastructure, not just to address this election, but to continue to address the legislation and litigation issues that arise. We have joined together, and this is a new and powerful coalition. We are not talking about one group having dominance over the other, but a real partnership of the traditional political reform community with the traditional civil rights community, and Reverend Jackson is the one that proposed it, has initiated the organization of it."

Then later:

"I was sitting right next to him when he talked about the fact that there aren't members of Congress with children dying in Iraq, and tears were in his eyes. This is a man who feels this stuff deeply, and when he talks about what is at stake, he means it in the deepest part of his being. It shows, and people respect that, and I feel privileged to be associated with him in this struggle."

http://www.truthout.org/cblog.shtml

[BrklynLiberal]

1. His speech was before the forum excellent n/t

[meganmonkey]

2. He is a powerful, intense man

In Columbus last Saturday he was supposed to be at the symposium after the rally but he had the flu. So he spoke to the group over the phone, and it was broadcast over the PA. Even removed from him by 2 machines his words broguht tears to my eyes.

We are SO lucky to have him on our side, leading us, in this fight.

[JunkYardDogg]

3. I have re-evaluated my opinion of Jesse

I used to think that Jesse was somewhat of an Opportunist,
but I see a new Jesse Jackson in this battle
He realizes the seriousness of this situation and his demeaner is soo different than what it has been in the past- you can see it in his face-
I give him a lot of credit for stepping up to the plate in this battle- in this battle there is not going to be any glory in winning
It's the most disgraceful thing that has happened in America
since slavery- maybe not for today or tommorrow, but down the road- 'cause there may never again be an unrigged election in America
These Repunks aren't just a Political Party- they are A Religious Extremist movement of Dominionists, based on intolerance, hatred, and fear, who at their core advocate death for any not like them. There really is no difference between the Neocon/Dominionist Movement and Hitler's Nazi Movement- the Nazi's target was the Jews- the Dominionists are Homosexuals- when will they start rounding them up here-than who's next?
Rigged Elections, no one to stop them

[ClassWarrior]

15. I think what you see now in the good Rev has been there all along.

The Radical RW has worked very hard to paint him as an opportunist, but he's been fighting the good fight for a long time - and not all of it in the public eye.

NGU.

[RevCheesehead]

18. Amen to that!

I'm proud to say that I voted for him in 1988! In the WI primary, the candidate's field was narrowed to Dukakis, Gore, and JJ. My parents and I all decided Jesse was the best, by far. I think that he still is.

[yurbud]

4. text of speech?

I thought the speech was great, and I'm trying to find the text to send to my friends.

Anybody know where it is?

[bleever]

5. I've followed JJ's activities for about thirty years now, and

I have to say that I have been very impressed in the last couple weeks of the concise and eloquent way he has spoken to the heart of this matter.

His command of the facts, and the clarity of his focus on the core issues regarding the fraud has been a tremendous asset to us.

It would have been easy to simply grandstand and bloviate about generalized unfairness (which is what Katherine Blackwell would have us think JJ is doing), yet he has sounded more reasoned and methodical on this topic than on any other I can recall.

[hlthe2b]

6. Good.. I hope all will finally move on past Jackson's "indiscretions...."

He needs to resume his place at the helm of a renewed civil rights struggle which cuts across all races and ethnicities.

[slay]

7. Interview was with Cliff Arnebeck, not Conyers

eom

[pointsoflight]

8. Yes, Arnebeck, thanks for catching that. n/t

[bleever]

9. And for anybody having trouble finding bright spots on this sparkling

day we've had, please consider this:

Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton have turned into honest-to-god statesmen! They oughta be wearing capes, they're becoming such superheroes of true democratic principles.

And this confluence of the civil rights movement (with the oratorical skills of its leaders) and the anti-BFEE forces is historic and will prove very powerful.

:toast:

[anamandujano]

10. yep

[texpatriot2004]

11. Lately, JJ has been a wonderful speaker and a true leader

I think he has always been an advocate for the people but he is just right on the money when he speaks about this issue. He is powerful. He is a leader. He has come into a new era for himself I think. I am very proud of him. I am grateful for his leadership and his service.

[New Earth]

12. he has really been inspiring

i never used to take him seriously, i think b/c of some idea my dad's side of the family put in my head of him.

everything he said at the hearing today had me choked up. his son had the same effect on me as well.

[Curtis]

13. Jesse has always been

a true leader. He is a powerful man whether in person or on the screen.

[Carolab]

14. I am crying again right now reading this

Jesse Jackson, Cliff Arnebeck, Susan Truitt, David Cobb, Michael Badnarik and leaders of all of the groups represented there today and/or affiliated with them are the "people's party" representatives. Groups like these, along with progressive Democratic organizations like PDA and DFA will be working together to create a strong national movement with local, grassroots empowerment. This is the beginning of a major populist movement to wrest our country away from the control of corrupt, corporate interests and give it back to us.

Please thank all of them and give them your support. All of these groups function on volunteerism and donations. We need to work with them all.

[jamboi]

16. Jesse rocks! n/t

[Alizaryn]

17. He had me in tears today. Says what he means and means

what he says.

[proudbluestater]

19. I am grateful Jesse Jackson came along!

I remember sitting here days after the election, nobody knowing what to do, being stunned. Everybody going, "where is our leader?" Well, folks, our leader is here for this particular fight and hopefully many more!