After the Acorn lies, why does Breitbart keep getting any attention? Actually, I guess he doesn't get that much attention except for FAUX News. That explains it.

"The NAACP has a zero tolerance policy against racial discrimination, whether practiced by blacks, whites, or any other group.

The NAACP also has long championed and embraced transformation by people who have moved beyond racial bias. Most notably, we have done so for late Alabama Governor George Wallace and late US Senator Robert Byrd -- each a man who had associated with and supported white supremacists and their cause before embracing civil rights for all.

With regard to the initial media coverage of the resignation of USDA Official Shirley Sherrod, we have come to the conclusion we were snookered by Fox News and Tea Party Activist Andrew Breitbart into believing she had harmed white farmers because of racial bias.

Having reviewed the full tape, spoken to Ms. Sherrod, and most importantly heard the testimony of the white farmers mentioned in this story, we now believe the organization that edited the documents did so with the intention of deceiving millions of Americans.

The fact is Ms. Sherrod did help the white farmers mentioned in her speech. They personally credit her with helping to save their family farm.

Moreover, this incident and the lesson it prompted occurred more that 20 years before she went to work for USDA.

Finally, she was sharing this account as part of a story of transformation and redemption. In the full video, Ms.Sherrod says she realized that the dislocation of farmers is about “haves and have nots.” "It’s not just about black people, it’s about poor people," says Sherrod in the speech. “We have to get to the point where race exists but it doesn’t matter.”

This is a teachable moment, for activists and for journalists.

Most Americans agree that racism has no place in American Society. We also believe that civil and human rights have to be measured by a single yardstick.

The NAACP has demonstrated its commitment to live by that standard.

The Tea Party Federation took a step in that direction when it expelled the Tea Party Express over the weekend. Unfortunately, we have yet to hear from other leaders in the Tea Party movement like Dick Armey and Sarah Palin, who have been virtually silent on the “internal bigotry” issue.

Next time we are confronted by a racial controversy broken by Fox News or their allies in the Tea Party like Mr. Breitbart, we will consider the source and be more deliberate in responding. The tape of Ms. Sherrod’s speech at an NAACP banquet was deliberately edited to create a false impression of racial bias, and to create a controversy where none existed. This just shows the lengths to which extremist elements will go to discredit legitimate opposition.

According to the USDA, Sherrod’s statements prompted her dismissal. While we understand why Secretary Vilsack believes this false controversy will impede her ability to function in the role, we urge him to reconsider.

Finally, we hope this incident will heighten Congress’s urgency in dealing with the well documented findings of discrimination toward black, Latino, Asian American and Native American farmers, as well as female farmers of all races."

link

I'd say "amazing" but, unfortunately, it's really nothing new from Faux, is it? I guess the amazing part is that anybody still believes a dang thing they report without fact-checking first.

lol...what the heck? How about a professional/political race promoting association fact check ANY source before making public knee jerk judgments about anything or anyone...especially people and situations relating to race relations in the United States???



False controvery? Well, except for this one:



People are overlooking that.

And the fact that Mrs. Sherrod DID say that it IS about black and white...and "class". Really. I thought it was about a farmer needing help to keep his farm.

And now...the rest of the interesting story.

Vilsack said he will consider rehiring Mrs. Sherrod.

Mrs. Sherrod, understandably, is unsure she wants to work there anymore.

I would imagine some attorney has other plans for her.

Deservedly so, imo.

Mrs. Stash said, "She should sue that Breitbart S.O.B.!"

I said, "She can sue him, but I don't think she can win."

She said, "Well, she should sue somebody. This is awful."

I said, "There is someone she can sue, or at least some entity... and probably win... or at least get a decent settlement. But, I it's not Breitbart."

I've heard much of her speech given at that March 27th Freedom Banquet via CNN this afternoon.

She has a compelling story to tell.
I hope she writes a book.

It's 43 minutes long, but worth it.

Yes, very much worth it.

What is interesting to me is the is lack of outrage by the left toward the Administration/Dept. of Agriculture. Plainly it is they that over reacted.

What the right did is par for the course, but a 6th grader would have thought that perhaps they should see the whole video before making any decisions yet those in charge did not. To me that is disturbing. It makes me wonder what other decisions have been made from the hip rather than from well thought out research and discussion.

Normally I would not assign blame in a situation like this all the way to the top as I'm assuming SOP would be to handle it at the department head level. However, because of the national coverage this received I find it difficult to believe the President and/or staff was not at least briefed and discussed the issue. Not saying the President made the final decision to fire but I've not a doubt in my mind he was at least made aware of it.

You're right. Obama hired the people who, again and again, act as if the worst possible outcome would be to be criticized by Glenn Beck or Rush Limbaugh.

They're getting that message from the top.

I totally agree.

Agree with LJ, too.

It's very discouraging. I still blame Rahm Emmanuel. Horrible choice and Obama hasn't been the same since he came into the picture.

*Truth first*

I think too many people watch too much television (me included), and we would all be better off if we hooked them up to treadmills and had to walk to watch them.

*Now my comment*

You need to watch some of the "left" on TV. Olbermann and Maddow have reamed the Administration a new anus. Left Wing Radion has called for Vilsack's resignation.

There has been far more outrage from the left toward this administration in two days than you heard from the Wrong Wing in eight failed years of the Bush/Cheney Regime.

I rarely if ever watch MSNBC just like I don't watch FOX. Neither is news which is what I'm interested in. But those of us in the middle have seen very little in the form of criticism. Since we're on the subject did MSNBC jump on the "fire her" bandwagon initially or did they take the time view video before commenting?

On a side note I do remember on occassion the far right i.e. Beck and minions in the Fox world rip on the Bush Admin (of course usually for not being conservative enough on an issue) with no mercy. It was rare but it did happen.

Finally I have to ask why the head of Vislack is being called for? Has it been established that it was all him that decided on the firing or is he the sacrificial lamb? I find it hard to believe he had a choice. Again I'm not saying the President was the final decision maker but I've no doubt he or someone very high in his admin had input if not final say due to the amount of press following the first "leak" of the video.

<--- walking away from computer. It would be just too easy....

Looks like Fox News might not be the real problem this time:

http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/html/nationworld/2012426574_sherrodmedia23.html

I didn't see anyone on MSNBC do it, but anything is possible. I can't speak for the few who have called for Vilsack's resignation. I don't think it's necessary. He screwed up. But, what rises to the level of a firing offense these days is pretty lame. Vilsack said it was all him. But, I wouldn't be surprised in Rahm's fingers where in the pot.

Who knows?

While I totally believe that Rahm Emmanuel bears a big share of the blame for a presidency that has not performed as many hoped, I do have to agree that this still rests on Obama's shoulders as he should never have hired Emmanuel in the first place and should have fired him by now, imho.

It boggles me how a candidate who handled the press and public in a stellar manner during a campaign is doing such a mediocre job of it while in office. Emmanuel as a staff member is one of the major changes. Although the "working harder to keep the job than doing the job" aspect might also be a part of it. Pity.