jamesoblivion
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posted on September 25, 2001 08:15:47 AM new
Rest easy.
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Jackson Offers Help
Seeks 'clergy-to-clergy' dialogue with Taliban
By Joseph Mallia
STAFF CORRESPONDENT
September 25, 2001
Cambridge, Mass. - The Rev. Jesse Jackson said yesterday that he is working through intermediaries to start a "clergy- to- clergy" dialogue with Taliban leaders in Afghanistan, and has telephoned two top Bush administration officials to offer his help in avoiding the deaths of innocent Afghan people if the United States takes military action there against those responsible for the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.
Jackson said he has previous relationships, characterized by what he called "ecumenical respect," with some leaders of the Taliban, Afghanistan's fundamentalist Islamic government. He declined to name them or the intermediaries in Pakistan and elsewhere whom he said are approaching the Afghan leaders on his behalf.
"We've been reaching out to some of the Taliban religious leaders," Jackson said in an interview in the lobby of the Charles Hotel in Cambridge, where he gave a speech at the Harvard Law School on the U.S. response to terrorism.
The Chicago cleric, a former presidential candidate, said he talked to Secretary of State Colin Powell and National Security Adviser Condoleezza Rice last week, and told them of his intention to contact the Taliban. "I made available to them my understanding of the region," he said.
Jackson said he supports President George W. Bush's global war on terrorism, though he fears the loss of innocent lives in Afghanistan.
"He's making all the right moves," Jackson said of Bush. "He can't build a coalition by bombing poor people who are Muslim. The key to our security is not just our weapons.
"There are 500,000 orphans in Afghanistan. They did not bomb us. There are millions of widows in Afghanistan. They did not bomb us."
Copyright © 2001, Newsday, Inc.
http://newsday.com/news/nationworld/nation/ny-usjack252382893sep25.story?coll=ny%2Dnationalnews%2Dheadlines
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DoctorBeetle
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posted on September 25, 2001 08:52:06 AM new
It would be nice if we would ask Pakistan to intercede with the Taliban. We could offer them $10 million dollars if they release the two Christian missionaries they are holding and if they lose Jackson like they lost bin Laden. It may not bring about peace over there but it would be much more peaceful here.
Dr. Beetle
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uaru
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posted on September 25, 2001 09:16:41 AM new
Personally I'd be happier if Rev. Jackson and Rev. Farwell would just shut up and decide what their true calling is, politics or religion.
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gravid
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posted on September 25, 2001 11:49:15 AM new
Well if he finds it palatable to reach out and work with those slimeballs that tells you a lot about the "reverands" standards. Maybe he should offer his services to God to negotiate with the Devil since he understands the region so well.
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spazmodeus
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posted on September 25, 2001 12:54:39 PM new
When I said in another thread that we should send Jesse Jackson over, I was being flippant.
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spazmodeus
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posted on September 25, 2001 12:55:57 PM new
Isn't Jackson violating some rule or law by trying to carry on negotiations with people harboring a national enemy?
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bunnicula
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:05:48 PM new
You knew it would only be a matter of time before Jackson "interceded"! I don't know if it's delusions of grandeaur or what, but the man has an insatiable need to interject himself in *any* conflict be it civil or political that he can.
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jt-2007
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:09:59 PM new
"Maybe he should offer his services to God to negotiate with the Devil since he understands the region so well."
Now that is amusing. LOL
I am thinking of offering my help too. Does anyone have the phone numbers to top Bush advisors on hand? My address book is upstairs.
T
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snowyegret
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:10:27 PM new
Maybe he could be convinced to take Al Sharpton.
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
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toke
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:12:38 PM new
Oh no. Al is needed here...isn't he going to run for president?
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jt-2007
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:15:25 PM new
bunnicula,
Mississippi is considering changing all our "Welcome to Mississippi!" signs to read
"Go home Jessie!" It's pending vote by the legislature as we speak.
T
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snowyegret
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:16:50 PM new
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
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uaru
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:18:33 PM new
The Taliban would be foolish not to accept Jessie Jackson's offer. They'd be wise to invite him over. They could show him some orphans, some poorly staffed hospitals, and maybe even get a picture of him sitting on top of an anti-aircraft gun for the press. He's a PR bonanza if they are smart enough to realize it.
Personally I don't know if they are that smart but they have an opportunity that they should grab with both hands.
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gravid
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:41:05 PM new
Bunnicula - If you want to see Jesse just go down to the first intersection big enough to have a light and stand with a video camera on your shoulder. It is like pulling moths out of the night to a light.
Jesse - We see the good in all people.
Taliban - How dare you speak to us beardless one?
Jesse - We blacks understand oppression we too seek justice.
Taliban - Your infidel blood will run in the gutters!
Jesse - We are ashamed of the oppressive actions of our government and seek to change.
Taliban - The sins of your brazen women cry out for the destruction of your heathen culture.
Jessee - We seek to share the earth and it's resources with those less fortunate.
Taliban - Allah will deliver your lands to our hands covered in the bones of your children.
Jesse on returning to reporter:
"We had substantive talks."
[ edited by gravid on Sep 25, 2001 01:42 PM ]
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jamesoblivion
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:41:50 PM new
The thing I find amusing is that he thinks he can have a "clergy to clergy" meeting. Does he not realize that to them he is not a member of the "clergy"?
As far as the Taliban's savvy in international politics, one of the legends surrounding Mullah Omar is that he has met two non-Muslims in his life, something they are particularly proud of. I was reading some comments that a Pakistani diplomat said last week to the effect that the Taliban are so provincial and so far removed from what goes on in this world that they likely do not fully comprehend the storm brewing around them (or at least didn't a week ago). He said that the Taliban government's information source about the world at large amounts to radio and possibly television ('possibly' because it is illegal in Afghanistan).
It was the urgency and gravity that the Pakistani diplomatic mission was trying to impress upon them and this diplomat said that they really did not get it at all.
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toke
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posted on September 25, 2001 01:44:59 PM new
Gravid
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snowyegret
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posted on September 25, 2001 02:04:20 PM new
Gravid, that was great.
I'll buy your book.
You have the right to an informed opinion
-Harlan Ellison
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Antiquary
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posted on September 25, 2001 02:07:59 PM new
If we're still looking for an unarguable subject, that Jesse Jackson should not become involved in this situation is probably about as close as you can come to that goal.
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plsmith
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posted on September 25, 2001 05:30:30 PM new
Amen. That yahoo does NOT speak for me...
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uaru
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posted on September 26, 2001 09:21:03 PM new
hehe... looks like the Taliban aren't complete idiots. Jesse got an invitation to bring a "peace delegation" to the region. Now if only Jesse will take the bait.
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buyhigh
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posted on September 26, 2001 09:52:49 PM new
I think we should let him go- if he succeeds and by himself. There is always the chance that he might offend some of their radical Muslim beliefs and keep him.
buyhigh
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uaru
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posted on September 26, 2001 09:58:06 PM new
Jesse must be having a difficult time. Even he probably knows going over there is unwise. The Taliban want to use him in their PR campaign, he might even understand that. The problem is I don't know if he can turn down such a bright spotlight.
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spazmodeus
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posted on September 26, 2001 10:02:46 PM new
I can't help but think "Hanoi Jesse."
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Microbes
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posted on September 27, 2001 02:34:59 AM new
lol @ Spaz
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cyoothru
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posted on September 27, 2001 03:32:53 AM new
I can understand him wanting to go over there. He may have kids there too!
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bearmom
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posted on September 27, 2001 03:41:28 AM new
Maybe he's given up trying to get into politics here and has decided to try elsewhere.
There would be the added advantage of escaping all his child support obligations in this country! 
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gravid
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posted on September 27, 2001 04:21:00 AM new
And we wondered why they were delaying the strike.
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uaru
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posted on September 27, 2001 08:24:15 AM new
Jesse is still 'mulling' it over. I'd love to see the thought process.
I have no business being there, they probably want to use me as their pawn.
The eyes of the world would be upon ME! I could get my rhetoric in print and on TV world wide!
Jesse will surprise me if he doesn't get involved. It would go against his grain.
On a CNN internet poll 82% don't think he should lead a "Peace delegation" into Afghanistan, 18% think he should. I'm amazed that 18% would feel he's the statesman for the job.
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krs
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posted on September 27, 2001 12:40:13 PM new
........Mulling....
(sheesh)
[ edited by krs on Sep 27, 2001 12:41 PM ]
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stockticker
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posted on September 27, 2001 01:16:46 PM new
Interesting site with voting on a number of issues which have been discussed in the RoundTable:
http://www.vote.com/category/4075633/
Today's poll is about whether Jesse Jackson should engage in peace talks with the Taliban.
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