Statements by Obama, Clinton and Blanco

[Athena]

The following are statements made by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Governor Blanco. I do not have links as they are posted on a radio talk show's site:

Originally Posted by Hillary Clinton

I am very worried about what has happened -- and what is happening -- in Jena, Louisiana. I do not condone violence of any kind, but this situation raises very serious questions of injustice and inequality. I am deeply concerned about reports of potentially disparate treatment of white youths and African-American youths in the criminal justice system. I am troubled by reports that African-American students were initially charged and may be sentenced in a manner out of proportion to their wrongs. And I have long been troubled by a history of disparate treatment of African Americans in our criminal justice system.

Situations like this one remind us that we all have a responsibility to confront racial injustice and intolerance. I urge the civil rights divisions of the Department of Justice and the Department of Education to thoroughly review these cases and the surrounding events to find out whether they raise federal civil rights violations.

Originally Posted by Barack Obama

"When nooses are being hung in high schools in the 21st century, it’s a tragedy. It shows that we still have a lot of work to do as a nation to heal our racial tensions. This isn’t just Jena’s problem; it’s America’s problem."

"There are a number of signs that the system is not working in this case. It’s a problem when criminal charges are brought against some students for fighting, but not others. It’s a problem when a public defender doesn’t call any witnesses. And it’s a problem when a prosecutor decides to try teenagers as adults for a school fight, a charge that could leave them in jail for the majority of their lives. That is why I join my colleagues in the Congressional Black Caucus in calling on the judge to consider all the relevant factors and calling on the District Attorney to drop the excessive charges brought in this case. And I, along with other members of the CBC, will continue to monitor this case closely."

"Going forward, we have to fix our criminal justice system. Whether it’s Jena 6 or Genarlow Wilson, it’s long past time for us to admit that we have more work to do to ensure that our criminal justice system is fair. We must ensure that both victims and defendants can receive equal justice under the law, regardless of race, wealth, or other circumstances."

Originally Posted by Governor Blanco

"I have received hundreds of calls, letters and emails from citizens concerned about the situation involving the case of the high school students in Jena, La. As Governor, as a citizen of the State of Louisiana, and as a mother, without rushing to judgment, I condemn racism in any form, and I fully expect that those involved in this case, including all parties, will act with fairness and in complete good faith.

"I must clear up a widespread misunderstanding of my authority in this case. Our State Constitution provides for three Branches of State Government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial - and the Constitution prohibits anyone in one branch from exercising the powers of anyone in another branch. This issue is currently a matter in the Judicial System, and should those involved in this case suffer any defects, it is their right to address them in that system through the appeals court.

"Again, the oversight regarding how this case was handled, from arrest to prosecution, lies within the Justice System. Therefore, I have consulted Attorney General Charles Foti and Donald Washington, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, regarding these events in Jena. As a result, General Foti has been and is in consultation with U.S. Attorney Washington and other members of the Justice System. Regardless of the outcome of this case, the Jena community has much healing ahead of it, and I urge all those citizens to come together for the common good of their community and their state. Our children deserve nothing less."

[WarmNCozy]

Originally Posted by Athena

The following are statements made by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Governor Blanco. I do not have links as they are posted on a radio talk show's site:

Excellent Post, Athena!

[accordn2me]

Originally Posted by Athena

The following are statements made by Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama and Governor Blanco. I do not have links as they are posted on a radio talk show's site:

from Governor Blanco, according to Athena's radio talk show's site:

"I must clear up a widespread misunderstanding of my authority in this case. Our State Constitution provides for three Branches of State Government - Legislative, Executive, and Judicial - and the Constitution prohibits anyone in one branch from exercising the powers of anyone in another branch. This issue is currently a matter in the Judicial System, and should those involved in this case suffer any defects, it is their right to address them in that system through the appeals court.

(my bold & highlight) This is the problem I've taken issue with. It's the "heart" of the problem, IMO.

[Athena]

Originally Posted by accordn2me

from Governor Blanco, according to Athena's radio talk show's site: (my bold & highlight) This is the problem I've taken issue with. It's the "heart" of the problem, IMO.

I'm not sure I'm understanding the point you are trying to make.

[William Anthony]

Originally Posted by accordn2me

from Governor Blanco, according to Athena's radio talk show's site: (my bold & highlight) This is the problem I've taken issue with. It's the "heart" of the problem, IMO.

I find the rest of the quote interesting, which is

"Again, the oversight regarding how this case was handled, from arrest to prosecution, lies within the Justice System. Therefore, I have consulted Attorney General Charles Foti and Donald Washington, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, regarding these events in Jena. As a result, General Foti has been and is in consultation with U.S. Attorney Washington and other members of the Justice System. Regardless of the outcome of this case, the Jena community has much healing ahead of it, and I urge all those citizens to come together for the common good of their community and their state. Our children deserve nothing less."

So, we see that other branches are allowed to express their concern over how a situation was handled. The heart of the problem, imho, is the racial climate that existed in Jena, which acted as a catalyst to the events that brought Jena to the nation's attention. We may blame the Jena Six for their violent behavior, but this violence was not conducted in a pristine environment were six Black students decided to attack a White. Racial unrest, intimidation, and tension, if not corrected, inevitably provoke violence, imho.

[Athena]

Originally Posted by William Anthony

I find the rest of the quote interesting, which is

"Again, the oversight regarding how this case was handled, from arrest to prosecution, lies within the Justice System. Therefore, I have consulted Attorney General Charles Foti and Donald Washington, the U.S. Attorney for the Western District of Louisiana, regarding these events in Jena. As a result, General Foti has been and is in consultation with U.S. Attorney Washington and other members of the Justice System. Regardless of the outcome of this case, the Jena community has much healing ahead of it, and I urge all those citizens to come together for the common good of their community and their state. Our children deserve nothing less."

So, we see that other branches are allowed to express their concern over how a situation was handled. The heart of the problem, imho, is the racial climate that existed in Jena, which acted as a catalyst to the events that brought Jena to the nation's attention. We may blame the Jena Six for their violent behavior, but this violence was not conducted in a pristine environment were six Black students decided to attack a White. Racial unrest, intimidation, and tension, if not corrected, inevitably provoke violence, imho.

Exactly. This did not happen in a vacuum! and is the result of a culmination of injustice. JMO