Shirley Sherrod - Racist or Scapegoat?

[Palehorse]

Umm. . . he was on CNN this evening. . .

TRY to keep up!

[Anne]

Who? Mr. Beck, Mr. Baier, President Obama, head of NAACP?

[LOsborne]

Anne these people have no clue about Fox and how many positive stories about the administration they carry because they only listen to those other networks ...

I am by god damned sure one of those links I posted was Fox. Do you think I just went searching for it? Me, I watch them all -- mostly the on-line stream, because I don't have that much time to watch TV, but I can stream news while I'm working on something else. But only the "news" programs. I don't find it necessary to have any of the commentators tell me what I should think about the facts. Try it. It's surprisingly liberating.

[The Troll]

I am by god damned sure one of those links I posted was Fox. Do you think I just went searching for it? Me, I watch them all -- mostly the on-line stream, because I don't have that much time to watch TV, but I can stream news while I'm working on something else. But only the "news" programs. I don't find it necessary to have any of the commentators tell me what I should think about the facts. Try it. It's surprisingly liberating.

  Lolly, I know how you feel about dealing with dumbasses.  But you know, like I know that anyone to thinks Glen Beck and The Fox New Network are truthful and smart and totally brain dead.    

[Henry Hawk]

  I will admit, that the tone of racism in Ms Sherrod's voice was more than likely NOT the way she intended it...and I believe she is a good woman, who got fired by a knee jerk reaction.....the point IS though, the NAACP is looking bad in my opinion....I think they TRIED to make a whole group of the Tea Party look bad for political gain...this is a clear case of "playing the race card" to demonize some folks who does not agree with thier agenda....

It seems like they also, along with themedia, have totally ignored the letter to the Congressional Black Caucas that the Tea Party Federation sent back in April, when they tried to clear the air about racism then.....




National Tea Party Federation
1801 Sawtelle Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA




April 24, 2010


Via Federal Express and Email

Chairwoman Barbara Lee
C/O Congressional Black Caucus
2444 Rayburn Building
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Chairwoman Lee,

The National Tea Party Federation (the "Federation") is comprised of approximately seventy-five local and national tea party groups, which collectively represent over 500,000 individual members.  The Federation was formed primarily to create a unified message and media response amongst key leadership and their affiliates.

The Federation does not and will not tolerate any form of racism, violence or hate speech; in fact, its charter expressly rejects the same, and its membership rules specifically require that each member and its leadership comport themselves accordingly.  It will not surprise you, therefore, that we treat each and every allegation of racism lodged against the Tea Party with the utmost concern, which is the reason we write you today.

As you are no doubt aware, on March 20, 2010, the Tea Party held a "Code Red Healthcare Rally" (the "Rally") on and around Capitol grounds in Washington D.C.  Both during and subsequent to the Rally, members of your Caucus, including Congressmen John Lewis, Andre Carson and Emanuel Cleaver, but in particular Congressmen Carson and Lewis, alleged that members of the assembled Tea Party crowd hurled racial epithets at them multiple times, i.e., the N-word, 15 times.

We believe to our core that racism and hate speech have no place in civil political discourse and debate - and, we are sure you agree.  So, it is no doubt in our mutual interest to drill down on this incident and identify those persons alleged to have used the N-word at the Rally, so that they can be appropriately isolated and personally condemned. 

Unfortunately, despite weeks of searching, we have been unable to find any evidence corroborating Mr. Lewis' and Mr. Carson's allegations.

We therefore turn to you, and respectfully request that you provide us with any and all evidence – video, audio, interviews, first-hand accounts, etc. – of the N-word being hurled against your members (or anyone else) during the Rally.  To this end, we also ask that you also make available to us Congressman Carson (or that you encourage Congressman Carson to make himself available to us) in order to be interviewed about his allegations.  In particular, we think it would help if Congressman Carson could resolve the discrepancies in his conflicting accounts of the location of the alleged incident.

You can fully expect that the Federation will condemn any instance in which corroborating evidence is produced that a Tea Party member hurled a racial epithet at anyone, much less Congressman Lewis. 

We thank you in advance for your prompt attention to this matter, and we look forward to your help getting to the bottom of this unfortunate incident.


Sincerely,


Mark A. Skoda
Chairman, The Memphis TEA Party
Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation


                                     
Jamie Radtke                                                                 Christina K Botteri
President, Richmond Tea Party                                        Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation
                                                                   
                                                                   


President & Founder, New Libert                         Robin Stublen
President & Founder, New Liberty Democrats                    Robin Stublen
Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation  Punta Gorda Tea Party
                       
                                                                   
                                                                   Mark K Lloyd
Jason W. Hoyt                                                                Mark K Lloyd
Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation  Chairman, Lynchburg Tea Party
Tea Party Patriots Live & Orlando Tea Party                      Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation


Maryetta Ables                   
Maryetta Ables                                                               Toby Marie Walker
Central West Virginia Tea Party                                       President, Waco Tea Party
                                                                   Chairwoman, Heart of Texas Tea Party Coalition
                                                                                    Founding  Member, National Tea Party Federation

                                                                     
Suzanne Pak                                                                  Lisa Feroli
Executive Director, Song of Truth Foundation                    Floridians Unite
Former Board of Director, MIT Alumni Club NY                 Orlando Tea party

                                             
Karl Gustave                                                                  David Webb
A More Perfect Union                                                      Co-Founder | TeaParty365 New York City

Maggie Hunt                                 Jeanie Coates
Maggie Hunt                                                                  Jeanie Coates
Organizer, The Santee East County TEA Party Group          Director, New Mexico Patriots
Founding Member, National Tea Party Federation

[Palehorse]

The United States Government (White House) has issued an official apology for the actions taken against Ms Sherrod, on behalf of the administration. The White House had no input into the process, but has stated the Secretary of Agriculture is re-evaluating the actions taken given the fact that they were initiated on incomplete information.

The NAACP has also issued an official apology to Ms Sherrod for their part in this kangaroo court, and states they were snookered by Fox News and Breitbart.

Ms Sherrod was subjected to unnecessary and irresponsible journalistic head hunting, as well as political skullduggery, and all for doing her job and doing it well.

You really need to watch the entire 35 minute speech to understand how dirty Breitbart and Fox news have done her, in the name of "getting even" or "scoring points" with an eye toward the furthering of a political agenda. (If I were her I'd sue them into oblivion). And until you do watch the entire speech, you are unable to arrive at an educated decision surrounding whether or not her speech was racist. It wasn't. It was a high level USDA official speaking about a group of farmers and using her life experiences to provide real life examples of the points she wanted to highlight. . . that racism is unacceptable.

There was NO racism present within Ms Sherrods speech, what so ever! Zero.

Fox news channel was all over the air calling for this woman's head on Monday! And their decision to run with the story without input form both sides, and without any investigation outside of the character assassination piece created by Breitbart, clearly demonstrates that Fox, despite their claims, is "not on it"!

[Palehorse]

The United States Government (White House) has issued an official apology for the actions taken against Ms Sherrod, on behalf of the administration. The White House had no input into the process, but has stated the Secretary of Agriculture is reevaluating the actions taken given the fact that they were initiated on incomplete information.

The NAACP has also issued an official apology to Ms Sherrod for their part in this kangaroo court, and states they were snookered by Fox News and Breitbart.

Ms Sherrod was subjected to unnecessary and irresponsible journalistic head hunting, as well as political skulduggery, and all for doing her job and doing it well.

You really need to watch the entire 35 minute speech to understand how dirty Breitbart and Fox news have done her, in the name of "getting even" or "scoring points" with an eye toward the furthering of a political agenda. (If I were her I'd sue them into oblivion). And until you do watch the entire speech, you are unable to arrive at an educated decision surrounding whether or not her speech was racist. It wasn't. It was a high level USDA official speaking about a group of farmers and using her life experiences to provide real life examples of the points she wanted to highlight. . . that racism is unacceptable.

There was NO racism present within Ms Sherrods speech, what so ever! Zero.

Fox news channel was all over the air calling for this woman's head on Monday! And their decision to run with the story without input form both sides, and without any investigation outside of the character assassination piece created by Breitbart, clearly demonstrates that Fox, despite their claims, is "not on it"!

And just so we are clear here on Fox's role - Bill O'reilly is the one who called for her firing on his show, and Fox.Com ran the story, and was still running the story in a negative light late into the evening yesterday, and all based on Breitbart's cherry picking editing of a speech and subsequent racially motivated rantings, which were virtually cut and pasted by Fox News.com and O'reilly.

All content taken from The O'Reilly Factor on Fox News Channel. Each weeknight by 6 PM EST a preview of that evening's show will be posted and then updated with additional information the following weekday by noon EST.

Talking Points Memo & Top Story
  Another Obama official forced out

    "As we told you last night, Department of Agriculture official Shirley Sherrod admitted that years ago she held back some government assistance to a white farmer because of the color of his skin. After hearing that I said 'Ms. Sherrod must resign immediately,' and that's exactly what happened. But if you were watching the network news last night you would know nothing about the story. Once again, an embarrassing moment for the Obama administration was not covered. In the big picture this is a small story; every administration has had employees do dumb things. But why the news blackout when things become unpleasant for the Obama administration? The answer has to be bias - the establishment press tilts left and is reluctant to do damage to a very liberal president. There's no other reason to spike stories that bring millions of viewers to Fox News. You would think the other TV news operations, all of whom are not doing well, would want to attract that large audience. Apparently they don't."

(NOTE: this story is STILL on his web site!)

http://www.billoreilly.com/show?action=viewTVShow&showID=2649

Breitbart is an idiot and his reputation for such skulduggery is well known. He carries zero credibility and while Faux news has never possessed any credibility with me personally, they carry even less for their role in this unjust undertaking.

NEVER believe anything you hear or read on Fox News or their affiliates. EVER. They create stories without confirming the facts, without investigating, and present opinions as facts. They manufacture "evidence" and this whole fiasco is a good example of how lethargic and unprofessional they are.

Here is a woman who has experienced first hand, the worst humanity has to offer surrounding racism. Her father killed by the white racist group the KKK, had crosses burned in front of their house, had their homes and property taken away from them, and still she is able to rise above it all and understand what really matters. She is able to change her way of thinking, her approach to her work, and help ALL who require her assistance. And then she is unfairly subjected to this kind of racial political underhandedness! And still she exhibits exemplary behavior and decorum in bringing the truth to light and exposing this whole situation for what it is - racism.

I admire this woman for her dedication and stamina, as well as her ability to persevere. I sincerely hope that she will take her position back if it is offered to her, (and I believe it should be), because our government NEEDS people like her doing the work that needs doing in this country!

[The Troll]

And just so we are clear here on Fox's role - Bill O'reilly is the one who called for her firing on his show, and Fox.Com ran the story, and was still running the story in a negative light late into the evening yesterday, and all based on Breitbart's cherry picking editing of a speech and subsequent racially motivated rantings, which were virtually cut and pasted by Fox News.com and O'reilly. Breitbart is an idiot and his reputation for such skulduggery is well known. He carries zero credibility and while Faux news has never possessed any credibility with me personally, they carry even less for their role in this unjust undertaking. NEVER believe anything you hear or read on Fox News or their affiliates. EVER. They create stories without confirming the facts, without investigating, and present opinions as facts. They manufacture "evidence" and this whole fiasco is a good example of how lethargic and unprofessional they are. Here is a woman who has experienced first hand, the worst humanity has to offer surrounding racism. Her father killed by the white racist group the KKK, had crosses burned in front of their house, had their homes and property taken away from them, and still she is able to rise above it all and understand what really matters. She is able to change her way of thinking, her approach to her work, and help ALL who require her assistance. And then she is unfairly subjected to this kind of racial political underhandedness! And still she exhibits exemplary behavior and decorum in bringing the truth to light and exposing this whole situation for what it is - racism. I admire this woman for her dedication and stamina, as well as her ability to persevere. I sincerely hope that she will take her position back if it is offered to her, (and I believe it should be), because our government NEEDS people like her doing the work that needs doing in this country!

  I think it was a week or so when I was ranting about Fox, I said, if they didn't have any news to report they made it up. Boy o'boy was I right.  And Henry and defends them.  Go figure.

[Palehorse]

Breaking news UPDATE:

The Secretary of Agriculture has just officially apologized to Ms Sherrod, and offered her another position within the USDA.

Ms Sherrod states she will take a few days to think about it!

He is now confirming that he and he alone made this decision in haste, and no one from the white house was involved or communicated with anyone at USDA about this issue. He publicly apologized and expressed his regret for failing to take the time to properly and fully investigate. Ms Cook "may have indicated to Ms Sherrod that a WH staffer was notified, but this was my decision and I overreacted and improperly acted."

[The Troll]

Breaking news UPDATE: The Secretary of Agriculture has just officially apologized to Ms Sherrod, and offered her another position within the USDA. Ms Sherrod states she will take a few days to think about it! He is now confirming that he and he alone made this decision in haste, and no one from the white house was involved or communicated with anyone at USDA about this issue. He publicly apologized and expressed his regret for failing to take the time to properly and fully investigate. Ms Cook "may have indicated to Ms Sherrod that a WH staffer was notified, but this was my decision and I overreacted and improperly acted."

  Yea, Yea              Now sue the bastards that made the slanderous tape and the  used used the slanderous tape.  Make it hurt.  I think she got them the balls.   

[Palehorse]

She has got them by the short hairs at a minimum. I may be wrong here, but I honestly don't think she'll do anything to anyone over it. This woman displays admirable grace under fire, and I sincerely think that her whole intention with all of this was to get the record straight and the truth out there - period. She has accomplished that without question.

I'll be surprised if she files suit against anyone in this case, but if she does I cannot blame her. If it were me I'd throw the bastards under the same bus they tried to throw me under, and take them to the bank in the process. But I am not her, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see.

It sounds as if the USDA wants her to take a larger role because of all she has been through and her experiences. I hope whatever path she chooses that it brings her happiness and fulfillment in her professional and personal life. She deserves it! 

I'd really love to see her go on to bigger and better things over all of this. I'd love to see this initiative that has tried to tear her down be used as a ladder to help her reach a larger audience; and be afforded the opportunity to spread her message to those throughout the country who so desperately need to benefit from it. 

Life needs to throw this lady a case of t-bones, and I hope she gets a truckload of them!

(And Mr President: Know you are busy but I really think a quick call to this woman, or a half an hour of face time in the rose garden would really be a nice gesture!)

[Palehorse]

. . .Breitbart told CNN's "John King USA" on Tuesday that releasing the video was "not about Shirley Sherrod."
"This was about the NAACP attacking the Tea Party, and this is showing racism at an NAACP event," he said. "I did not ask for Shirley Sherrod to be fired.". . .

http://www.cnn.com/2010/POLITICS/07/21/agriculture.employee.usda/index.html?hpt=T2

Yeah Breitbart. . . And since there is no racism within the NAACP you thought you'd just manufacture some you friggin jackass! 

I hope this woman sues you for everything you have got, because YOUR words, YOUR actions, in the name of the Tea Party, drove all this bullshit that happened to this woman! 

[kimmi]

Show her the money!!  She needs a million dollars!!   

[The Troll]

She has got them by the short hairs at a minimum. I may be wrong here, but I honestly don't think she'll do anything to anyone over it. This woman displays admirable grace under fire, and I sincerely think that her whole intention with all of this was to get the record straight and the truth out there - period. She has accomplished that without question. I'll be surprised if she files suit against anyone in this case, but if she does I cannot blame her. If it were me I'd throw the bastards under the same bus they tried to throw me under, and take them to the bank in the process. But I am not her, so I suppose we'll have to wait and see. It sounds as if the USDA wants her to take a larger role because of all she has been through and her experiences. I hope whatever path she chooses that it brings her happiness and fulfillment in her professional and personal life. She deserves it! I'd really love to see her go on to bigger and better things over all of this. I'd love to see this initiative that has tried to tear her down be used as a ladder to help her reach a larger audience; and be afforded the opportunity to spread her message to those throughout the country who so desperately need to benefit from it. Life needs to throw this lady a case of t-bones, and I hope she gets a truckload of them! (And Mr President: Know you are busy but I really think a quick call to this woman, or a half an hour of face time in the rose garden would really be a nice gesture!)

Bill O'reilly sues Al Frankin and lost and a woman sued Bill O'reilly for sexual harassment and old Bill folded like a empty suit.  I think if she sued Fox and the asshole that started this, they would just fold and pay off with out going to court.  I sure would to see her do it.  She getting close to retirement age.

[LOsborne]

Lookee here, lookee here, lookee here!

http://www.courierpress.com/news/2010/jul/29/ousted-usda-employee-sherrod-plans-sue-blogger/

YYAAAAYYYYY!!!!