by Jack Lee
(Anyone reading this story should feel free to copy and send to their friends)
The headlines read:
- “Racist Tea Party Protester Spits at Black Congressman Emanuel Cleaver” Jack and Jill Politics
- “Protester Spits On Congressman Cleaver” – Capitol Police Took Man Into Custody KMBC.com
- “Racist Tea Party Protester Spits at Black Congressman Emanuel Cleaver” by Jill Tubman
- “Tea Party Protesters Hurl Spit and the N-Word” Bubbleidiotsblogspot.com
- “CAIR calls out Tea Party protesters chanting N-word … ” Mediaite
“Tea Partiers screamed the N-word and expletives at black members of Congress” CNN
It was a case of Tea Party people behaving badly and right in front of the media who reported it on the front page in newspapers across America, but was it really true? This is a very important question to ask.
Three Democrat congressmen — all black — say they heard the racial slurs (N word) as they walked through thousands of angry protesters outside the U.S. Capitol. A white lawmaker (democrat) says he heard the epithets too. Rep. Cleaver released a statement confirming the incident, but some now questioned his claims.
Representatives Andr Carson of Indiana, Emanuel Cleaver II of Missouri and John Lewis of Georgia, have made serious and offensive claims against Tea Party members. As one lead story reported, “For many of the members of the CBC, like John Lewis and Emanuel Cleaver who worked in the civil rights movement, and for Mr. Frank who has struggled in the cause of equality, this is not the first time they have been spit on during turbulent times… This is not the first time the congressman has been called the “n” word and certainly not the worst assault he has endured in his years fighting for equal rights for all Americans. That being said, he is disappointed that in the 21st century our national discourse has devolved to the point of name calling and spitting.” Strong words, but if it was not true it is a moral outrage.
The congressman who at first claimed he was spat upon has modified his statement to, “I felt something wet on my face.” A video of an exchange between Cleaver and a protestor shows a man with his hands up to his mouth yelling at Cleaver but not spitting. The video looks like it could have been saliva from the protestor’s mouth as yelled and that could have accidentally reached Cleaver, but that’s it. Fox News personality Sean Hannity asked if there was any evidence proving that it had actually happened, and Tea Party groups offered a cash reward for proof.
The so-called “spitter” was allegedly arrested, but we can find no record of that arrest. As of today there is no video showing spitting or yelling the N word and the cameras and recorders were on the entire march just to catch such an event. The media expected it and they were ready and waiting. So, where’s the proof?
“Listen, I was there,” Carson, D-Ind., said in an interview. “In many regards I think (the challenges are) a veiled attempt to justify actions that are simply unjustifiable. I think we need to move toward a dialogue that explores why this kind of divisive and reprehensible language is still making it into our political debate.”
Since the above statement was made to the media the congressmen who have made the allegations have quit talking about them.
Breitbart is confident he won’t have to pay up. He said, “This is 2010. Even a racist
is media-savvy enough not to yell the N-word.”
Now here’s the so-called spitting incident on video – you be the judge.
Related story: Study: Networks Snub, Malign Tea Party Movement
Wednesday, 14 Apr 2010 08:01 AM – Article By: Joseph Curl