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Wow, it's been hours since Al Sharpton was in the news, so here we are today with a new round of Sharpton headlines. He held a press conference outside the Mayor's office this morning demanding that the City effectively treat its police brutality issues--or Sharpton will campaign against Chicago's Olympic bid. He also urged aldermen to reject Daley's nominee for police superintendent Jody Weis's because Daley selected Weis without input from the black community. Psst, Al: He selected Weis without input from anybody.
Some of Sharpton's demands include:
Removing the mayor as the final authority to make recommendations for firing and suspending wayward police officers; releasing the list of 662 officers most frequently accused of excessive force; and allowing disciplinary complaints alleging misconduct toward civilians to be filed anonymously and without a statute of limitations. Sharpton also demanded the realignment of police beats, a Justice Department investigation of the police department and the immediate firing of two police officers accused of sexually assaulting a West Side resident with a screwdriver.
Sharpton says if he doesn't substantial good-faith efforts from the Daley administration to eliminate police brutality, he'll go on an international tour of with torture victims to lobby the International Olympic Committee to reject Chicago's bid for the 2016 games. Because the IOC has shown such great commitment to human rights?
Mayor Daley's response is downright amazing:
Daley says if Sharpton is threatening Chicago’s Olympic bid over police misconduct, he can get in line, with the Daley’s other critics. Daley says his Administration opposes any brutality whether from police or criminals, but he says Chicago’s Olympic bid should be above politics.
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what an opportunistic douche. i know that police brutality is a problem but the last time I checked the two highest profile police beatings were against whites. I know that Sharpton, like Jesse, is just angling for some piece of the Olympics prize, maybe as some sort of advisor (paid of course) if we get the games. Perhaps a liason (paid of course) to the African-American community. But then where does that leave Jesse? How does he get an Olympics related gig (paid of course)? These two are a blemish on the real civil rights leaders in this world and throughout history.
So Im sure big AL will be in China letting them know what he thinks of there human rights abuses. This is just Al saying anything to get his name in the paper and on TV.
I'm so torn because on one hand, Al Sharpton is an asshole; on the other, he was really funny when he hosted Saturday Night Live.
Sharpton has really lost his soul - assuming he had one at one point - on this one. The allegations of police brutality are not "race related" to begin with and the city HAS taken affirmative steps to modify even the PERCEPTION of police brutality in Chicago. Umm, andlast I checked the countries that have hosted the Olympics (and States for that matter - L.A. - hello? Rodney King?) were not models of police justice.
Sharpton has lost his mind. Even James Brown would tell him to shut his helmet head on this one.
in chicago, jesse is smart enough to apply pressure behind closed doors.
sharpton's just looking for headlines. this is a non-issue
Both times that I have been in Europe this year, the only news item from Chicago in the International Herald-Tribune are regarding the police brutalities.
So, I would imagine that this is what the international community sees.
That said, Sharpton is full of crap.
I don't know if Sharpton is full of crap, but I do think the more attention on human rights abuses in Chicago, the better.
Because I'm sure the IOC seeks regular counsel from Al Sharpton. I mean come on.....he's respectable.
The Olympics people don't care about bad cops. They've had Olympics in LA and are considering Brazil, for crissakes.
More light on this matter is good, but be careful of who your messengers are. With Sharpton, more people will talk about him and his colorful history than the police issue. He's a joke as bad as Jesse Sr.
Well, when you look at what Daley said that the police brutality 20 million dollar law suit is more about greedy lawyers, and the fact that no other Black( besides for Ald Ed. Smith) or Latino elected official, including Pimp Master Jackson is saying any thing on police brutality, I say a cracked voice is better than no voice.
And I feel strongly that Sharpie traveling the world talking about what's going on in Chicago is good. Would it be much better if Amnesty International USA were doing it? Yes, but that are too busy in the wine and cheese segment of the program
Sppok - When you start dissing Amnesty, I know you're a bonafide fruitcake. Amnesty is constantly working to end human rights abuses alongside other relief organizations such as Doctors Without Borders. You should read more about their work and get over these fantasies you've got playing in your mind about so-called do-gooder white folks. Read below for a tragic story of one white liberal who lost her life in service to others.
Maybe I worked there for three years? Dumpsh*t
I think I'm gonna change my name to "God I hate liberals"
opps, sorry I meant to call Ferdy "dumb sh*t"
my apologies,
Read below for a tragic story of one white liberal who lost her life in service to others.
I missed the mention of the woman's political affiliation in the story. Interesting assumption that reveals a lot.
And maybe you didn't, Spook. I think you're a fraud from the word "go." And I'm through listening to anything you have to say. I hope you'll do the same for me, and we'll get along just fine.
New guest - The assumption is what I expected Spook to say about her. He hates white do-gooders, aka, liberals.
Ferdy: The Al Sharpton of Chicagoist.
Matilda, Spook's single. You two were made for each other.
he he,he that's a keeper Matilda!
And I guess we now know what Alley Sharpie would be like if he grew up in Skokie instead of Harlem, even more obnoxious and full of him self!
But if I had to have a drink with either, it would be Alley Sharpie in a heart beat, at least he would be entertaining.
Ferdy I hope we don't have to wait till X-mas to ignore each other, I was hoping it would be retroactive
Go get her, Spook. You know you want her. A snob professional who can keep you in beer and your dog in Kibbles for a long time. She's got to be at least as entertaining as Al Sharpton, eh? I'll even send over my phoney absinthe maceration to smooth the way--my Xmas present to you and Waltzin'.
This is just another example of people from New York trying to take over our city. Isn't there any police brutality in the Bronx to get all twisted up about, Sharpton?
Let's see how long it is before some paper or site goes after this blowhard about the Tawana Bradley lies he told & continues to tell.
What's interesting Oz115 is that Sharpton is in Chicago because he has been bought off by NY Mayor Bloomberg, who I respect a lot more than Daley btw.
NY police could massacre a whole NY borough and Sharpton would not bat a well coiffed eye lash.
Just like Daley has brought off Jesse Pimp Daddy Jackson who continues to remain silent on this issue as the contracts and jobs flow to his "congregation"
Praise be to Jesus!
Isn't there a Macys to protest in front of, Ferdy?
I don't say this often Spook, but you are right in comment 23.
Who wouldn't respect Bloomberg more than Daley, by the way?
Hell, I respect Guiliani as mayor more than I respect Daley, and that's saying a lot.
anyone read about that police sergeant who was just convicted of raping a crack addict?
fuck yeah the police had better get their shit in order. they are out of control at this point.
"At this point," Matty?
The Chicago police has always been out of control--or, at the least, dearly protected those elements that give the department a bad reputation and which cost taxpayers millions in lawsuits.
Still, that doesn't mean I want Sharpton the clown stirring the pot--he doesn't give a shit about anything but his own PR and pocketbook. I wish the feds essentially would take over the CPD for a while, either by consent decree or another method.
Sparky's right about Europe, by the way: Everytime I go, you either read about the CPD in the international press (non English press, too) or hear someone ask about why Chicago has such brutal cops--that is, when they are not asking about Al Capone. That is our image, folks, despite how loudly boosters talk about being a world-class paradise.
Someone above wrote "....Read below for a tragic story of one white liberal who lost her life in service to others...."
Unless you have some information that is not public, I do not see how you can refer to this dedicated young woman as a "liberal."
From what I have seen in the media, there is no way to determine her political views.
A look at the above posts makes it seem that is site is the Daily Kos or MoveOn.org.
If the Europeans think less of Chicago on the basis of media reports that give credence to bullshit brutality complaints, then blame lies with the pro-gangbanger, anti-cop media.
Furthermore, if we worry about Europeans not liking us, we are not going to make sound decisions. We should do what's right. If the world frowns upon us for it, then that is too bad. We can do without the approval of US-bashers.
Hey, any word on how that young woman can be considered a "liberal"? Are commenters on this board so blinded by their righteousness that they think only liberals do volunteer work?
Ward Up, why pretend that you read Daily Kos and stay informed about Move On. org because if you did you would understand that there is a huge difference between liberals and progressives, and I also don't think you keep up with European politics either.
Sure, liberals can call themselves "progressives." They can also call themselves physicists, unicycle enthusiasts, or whatever the heck else they want to call themselves.
Yeah, and I guess my European politics is a bit rusty. I should have gone there four times this year instead of the three times that I went there for work. Next time I'll stay there and take a course.
all right, Wardie, so maybe I was off the mark on your European understanding of things but some times you come off as Archie Bunker in how you phrase things. Maybe if you critiqued certain aspects of republican party as you critique the democratic party you would be more credible, not that you care. But Europeans have a right to bash us. Heck Bush makes Vladie Putin seem like Lincoln.
And not being able to distinguish between liberals and progressives, is like me confusing "Dubya" and Kissinger, both are republicans, but its deeper than that. Heck I get along better with republicans than I do with liberals because at least republicans stand and fight for something. Its mostly wrong, but still I like courage and conviction.
This is the same thing with the police, when you never call them out on their most f*cked up actions, why should we take you seriously when you defend them? Heck you certainly see me go after both sides.
Spook: I'll meet you part way. I will consider using the term "progressive" perhaps after I see how that concept plays out in the next year. See? I am not completely inflexible.
As for being Archie Bunker, today I don't fit that bill, considering that I just spent a happy twelve hours working in the heart of the south side. Perhaps I am right-wing in believing that those with whom I work are helped, not hurt, by an aggressive police department.
On the other hand, I'm stronly on the "liberal" side on issues like gay rights, abortion rights, women's rights, gun control, and stopping the Christian right. Oh, and invading Iraq was a mistake.