Jesse Jackson calls for federal ban on assault weapons at rally in Ann Arbor
Christina Montague sits with the Rev. Jesse Jackson at a campaign rally on Sunday at Southeast Area Park in Ann Arbor.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
But he didn't talk about typical county government issues. He spent most of his speech talking about national civil rights issues and gun control.
Referencing last week's move-theater shooting in Colorado, Jackson called for a federal ban on assault weapons.
"What happened in Aurora last week was not just an incident, it was a pattern," he said. "It's time to put down the guns, and let's hug each other and not crush each other."
Christina Montague
Andy LaBarre
Jackson urged the crowd to skip work on Aug. 7 and spend election day knocking on doors and getting people to the polls to vote for Montague.
"Make that day dignity day," Jackson said. "If you're ever going to take off a day for sick leave, take off that day."
Jackson appealed to the mostly black crowd by talking about the civil rights movement in the 1960s and his involvement in efforts alongside Martin Luther King Jr. He boasted that "hands that once picked cotton" now get to pick county commissioners and judges.
"Maybe you were not able to make the boycott in Montgomery — it was before your time," he said. "But God keeps on giving us chances."
Montague is hoping to return to the Washtenaw County Board of Commissioners after a 12-year hiatus. She's up against fellow Democrat Andy LaBarre, a former staffer for U.S. Rep. John Dingell, in the Aug. 7 primary in Ann Arbor.
With the county board shrinking from 11 to 9 members, they're competing for an open seat in the new 7th District, which includes large portions of northern and eastern Ann Arbor.
Montague works for the Ann Arbor Public Schools as a school social worker. LaBarre is the vice president of government relations for the Ann Arbor Ypsilanti Regional Chamber.
LaBarre has raised significantly more money than Montague, who reported having zero cash on hand in her latest campaign finance report for the period ending July 22.
LaBarre reported raising $26,560 so far this election cycle, compared to Montague's $5,416, the majority of which came from her own pocket.
LaBarre, who has more than $1,800 in cash on hand, also reported a late contribution of $500 from Cindy Schwartz, executive director of the Maryland League of Conservation Voters.
Taking advantage of his congressional connections, LaBarre pulled in $5,825 in donations in one day during a fundraiser at the Union Pub in Washington, D.C.
His latest 64-page finance statement includes more than 180 individual contributions from people from Ann Arbor to D.C., including a long list of big-name Democrats like Dingell, former U.S. Rep. Bart Stupak, state Sen. Rebekah Warren, former state Rep. Alma Wheeler Smith and County Commissioners Yousef Rabhi, Conan Smith and Barbara Levin Bergman.
He also received donations from Ann Arbor City Council Members Mike Anglin, Stephen Kunselman, Marcia Higgins, Carsten Hohnke, Sabra Briere and Christopher Taylor, as well as Ypsilanti Mayor Paul Schreiber, County Prosecutor Brian Mackie, former City Council members Stephen Rapundalo and Jean Carlberg, Ann Arbor Transportation Authority board member David Nacht, Ann Arbor Democratic Party co-chair Anne Bannister and Downtown Development Authority board members John Splitt and Joan Lowenstein.
LaBarre said he thinks Montague's move to bring Jackson into town to boost her campaign highlights a difference between the two campaigns.
"We're running one that's a bit more grass-roots and door-to-door," he said. "And in terms of endorsements, I'm proud of the local endorsements I have. It's a diverse group of folks."
Jackson addresses the crowd on Sunday at Southeast Area Park.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"I'm wearing out the soles of my shoes," he said. "That's how I'm campaigning and it's been a good response so far at the doors, and I'm hoping it stays that way."
Montague said she got to know Jackson when he ran for president in 1988. She served as his Southeast Michigan campaign manager and they've been friends ever since.
"He's always been for the people and I'm for the people," she said. "It doesn't matter what color, what income status, who you are or where you come from. We just try to make things better, and that's my goal. I just want to make things better and be a good servant to this community."
Asked specifically what initiatives she'd undertake if elected, Montague said she would work to improve the lives of Ann Arbor residents in the southeastern portion of the city.
She said though Buhr Park, which has a public pool, and Southeast Area Park, which has baseball diamonds and other recreational amenities, are nearby, there's not a good "water feature" for residents to enjoy. She suggested something more like a splash park.
Teesha Montague, the candidate's daughter, appeared with her mother at Sunday's event and said they're working hard and hoping more people will get involved with the campaign.
"We're just excited and we're just trying to rally to get out the vote for Aug. 7 to get my mom re-elected," she said. "It's time and we're working hard. We've been hitting the doors for the last few months really, really hard and we're trying to touch every door in the district."
Suzanne Shaw, former county board chairwoman, also spoke in support of Montague. Shaw held office from 1994 to 2002 and served alongside Montague.
Shaw, who is white, stepped down when the board was reduced from 15 to 11 members because redistricting left her pitted against Commissioner Ronnie Peterson. She didn't want to run against Peterson, who is black, and potentially have an all-white county board.
"I think she did a good job on the board," she said of Montague. "She represented her constituency very well. I think I could have probably stayed on and represented the black community also, but the county board needs to have minority representation."
More than 100 supporters of Christina Montague came out for Sunday's rally.
Ryan J. Stanton | AnnArbor.com
"Today we are here mobilizing and organizing around another great freedom fighter by the name of Christina Montague," he said. "We're not going to rest until she returns to the rightful seat and she can represent us as we stop the violence and as we save the vote."
Bullock referenced Michigan's new emergency manager law, saying: "Michigan is the new Mississippi. Liberty is being lynched."
And he joined Jackson in calling for an assault weapons ban to stop "weapons of mass destruction that allow for domestic terrorism." He said that's one of the reason why he supports Montague.
"She is not new, she's not a novice, she's not a neophyte," he said. "She's been here before. And I don't know about you, but when I go to the doctor, I don't want somebody who just got out of medical school operating on me when I'm in the trauma unit."
When the Second Amendment was written, Jackson said, the United States was a rural country and people had guns for protection and to hunt. But he said those who wrote the amendment never envisioned semi-automatic weapons and magazines with 100 clips.
"We want to live and let live, not kill and be killed," he said. "We lost in the Iraq War less than 6,000 soldiers in 10 years. We lose tens of thousands of Americans a year to gunfire."
Jackson asked the audience members to raise their hands if they knew someone who lost a home to foreclosure. Most hands shot up. The same happened when Jackson asked them to raise their hands if they knew someone with a relative in jail or someone looking for a job.
He made the crowd repeat several creeds in unison, including this one: "I will vote because I want to stop foreclosures. I will vote because I want to stop the banks from robbing the people. I will vote because I want a job and I want to work."
After that, he had the crowd chant: "I know what to do — vote for Montague!"
Ryan J. Stanton covers government and politics for AnnArbor.com. Reach him at ryanstanton@annarbor.com or 734-623-2529. You also can follow him on Twitter or subscribe to AnnArbor.com's email newsletters.
Comments
Cole Bertsos
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
The comments on this article are being shut down due to the direction veering too far off topic.
Itchy
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:31 p.m.
Why isn't Jesse in Chicago trying to rally the group to reduce or eiiminate their horrible murder experience and rates? Maybe he can step in for his son who is missing from his job due to a personal illness. Maybe Jesse will learn to go where he really can do some good.
dieselchono
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:23 p.m.
I am so glad I read this article! Anyone Jackson supports, I will vote against!
Arboriginal
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:10 p.m.
Alright Ann Arbor, I read you loud and clear. Jackson is a corrupt opportunistic politician. Is he any different than all of the other corrupt opportunistic politicians?
Floyd
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
I just went to the big gun show in Novi yesterday, as I am a hunter shopping for a deer rifle (I like meat, and I like it fresh, local, and natural). Almost all the guns there were plastic, man-killing assault rifles along all the high-tech gizmos to go with them like grenade launchers and night-vision scopes. The tables not selling assault rifles were dealing in glass piping and beakers that could only be used for making bombs or meth. This is not okay. I am saddened that our only politicians who are not afraid to talk about reasonable gun control are those on the fringe.
Davidian
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:32 p.m.
That's the cost of living in a free society.
Floyd
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:21 p.m.
Major, They were right next to the table with all the books on making your own silencers and explosives. In front of the tables with all of the Nazi regalia - er, WWII memorabilia. In front of the table with all the switchblades - funny thing, the guy at that table informed me that carrying a switchblade was a ten-year felony, and when I asked him what all his knives were for, he said "home defense." Reminds me of the guy at the head shop here in Ann Arbor who insists that all his products are for tobacco only. Yeah, right. Don't get me wrong - I like shooting guns. Like I said, I hope to shoot a deer this fall. I just don't have any fantasies about gutting men and gassing women and children, nor any paranoia that Obama is going to find my hidden weapons caches.
Major
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:02 p.m.
Odd, I was there too, didn't see ANY of what you describe, grenade launchers, night vision scopes...all illegal as you describe them...and you claim to be a hunter...right.
harry
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:07 p.m.
I don't know much about Andy or Christina but here is quote from her website " I believe that over 34 years as a MEA union member from the Ann Arbor Public Schools working as a school social worker and a former member of the UAW have shown that I can be counted on to work and support real solutions that address union workers needs and issues. How does being a union member translate into being a county commisioner. I guess if I was part of a union I would vote for her but what about the 85% of us the don't belong to a union.
Area Man
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:05 p.m.
I rode by this yesterday on my bicycle, wondering what it was. Ironically, I had just gotten home from target shooting with my "assault rifle" at Island Lake in Brighton.
Major
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:59 p.m.
How many people would you say were there? Doesn't look like more than 30 -40
Wehrwolf
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.
I read "Jesse Jackson" in the headline and I LOL'd.
Unusual Suspect
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
"Jackson urged the crowd to skip work on Aug. 7 and spend election day knocking on doors and getting people to the polls to vote for Montague. 'Make that day dignity day,' Jackson said. 'If you're ever going to take off a day for sick leave, take off that day.'" No surprise a liberal is proposing you get fired for lying to your employer. On the other hand, I guess no employer would actually do that, for fear of Jesse showing up yet again to shakedown the company for hush money under the threat of a racism lawsuit since the employee was out campaigning for a black candidate.
harry
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:11 p.m.
Excellent point. When I am sick I take a sick day. If I campagining I would take a vacation day. What a strange comment for Jaskon to say. "Go lie to you boss" In 30 years of employement I have never taken a sick day when I was not sick. I guess I am just not a liar.
Tesla
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:34 p.m.
Couple thoughts come to mind. 1) Jesse must still be a viable spokesman if he can make the republicans pucker up this bad....lol 2) There is no such thing as bad press. 3) I like Jesse. :)
walker101
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:53 p.m.
A little over 100 people showed up, I get more people on a yard sale on Friday, apparently he's lost his mojo, he had 20 of those in his entourage. What a joke.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:46 p.m.
I know several black people (who aren't Republicans) and non-Republicans who have the intelligence to realize that the Jackson/Sharpton duo hurt black society more than help it. It doesn't take that much.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:16 p.m.
Some of those highlighting Jackson's propaganda are puckering but are not Republican fanboys: some of us are puckering as we prepare to spit on Jackson's low tactics in an actual election. :-) And yes, there is such a thing as bad press: it's the kind which plays to sensationalisms like the gun control NON-issue.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:09 p.m.
< Democrat against Jesse Jackson.
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:53 p.m.
I can agree with you on point #1 Tesla. Not only did the Republicans come out but what appears to be Tea Party Republicans, Federalist Society Republicans, and just general racist. However, there clearly is bad press and Jesse did nothing to help Ms. Montagues cause. If anything, he probably did her a disservice. Unfortunately, Ms. Montague has failed to translate her Detroit-based political training (a predominately black community) into a viable Washtenaw County based political plan by removing such high level race-based cards in a predominately White demographical population. I hope that the majority of the community understands that she is not the chosen representative of any particular demographic of this community. She is almost as out of touch as is Jesse! She should take a step back and do a self-evaluation......
David Bardallis
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:29 p.m.
I in turn call for a ban on Jesse Jackson.
lumberg48108
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:16 p.m.
wow - a free commercial for a candidate from annarbor.com - how nice -- do you offer quid pro quo? also - why does annarbor.com think jesse jackson is important enough to warrant a headline and a story? that is an editorial I would like to read
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:44 p.m.
Sloganeer: verb [intransitive] to invent or employ slogans, typically in a political context (or) a person who does this Seems to me, we have enough sloganeering by sloganeers in our political life as it is. Jackson (et al) is one too many. Looking over the FBI Crime Statistics, we see that overall (in a population of 300 million+) there was a 4% drop in violent crimes in 2011 vs 2010 (which itself showed a drop in that figure). So why is Jackson pounding on THAT particular hot button? The old assault weapons ban existed: but Congress let it die via the Sunset Provision, so it seems Jesse is both behind the times and never had a vote in Congress to begin with. His claim to fame is sloganeering from the sidelines, not actually working in positions of responsibility. Obsolete: (1) No longer produced or used, out of date (2) Rev. Jesse Jackson
dotdash
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:34 p.m.
There is a lot of hostility in these posts, people. Some of you should take a deep breath and ask yourself if that is the person you want to be.
Madeleine Borthwick
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:50 p.m.
dotdash, when someone labels me as a racist, when I am not, well yes, I'm going to be offended. call it hostility or anything else you want.
dotdash
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:31 p.m.
I wasn't referring to those who made reasoned arguments; I was referring to those who called names. There are some comments above that should shame "effective critics" and please only hatemongers.
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
Yes, I WANT TO BE the kind of person who distinguishes sloganeering, crowd manipulating propaganda (like Jesse spews) from legitimate points to ponder. Just being an effective critic of a transparently ideologue rabble rouser and Fountain of Nonsense like Jackson doesn't mean you can mischaracterize someone as merely "hostile" - that suggests that those hostile to criminals and other moral offenders are "somehow wrong." Or is that your actual position?
G. Orwell
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:22 p.m.
The 2nd Amendment is essential as the last ditch effort to prevent a tyrannical government. Democrats and progressives may think this is nonsense but imagine a president worse than Dick Cheney. People living under a dictatorship are not allowed to have guns. Do you want to see this country degrade into a North Korea, Chili under Pinochet, Germany under Hitler, China under Mao, Russia under Stalin, etc? And do not be so naive to think it cannot happen here. I am sure the German people did not think it could happen there.
mixmaster
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:18 p.m.
If you want to know about racism, just look in the mirror. There can be no rational discussion of race and racism until everyone admits that they have prejudices and are racist themselves. Me included.
Madeleine Borthwick
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:47 p.m.
Mix, do not even try to put that label on me. it is insulting not only to me but to my parents who, from the moment I was able to understand, taught me and my siblings that racism. is bad.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:35 p.m.
Right, because when Jackson looks in the mirror (Michael or Jesse) they have much to be proud of....
Unusual Suspect
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:55 p.m.
Everyone has prejudices. But that doesn't mean they are acted upon, which would be racism, in the case of racist prejudices. It's good that you admit to to being racist; that's the important first step in your recovery. However, you may only speak for yourself - most of the rest of us don't act on those prejudices and aren't racist. If you really can't fathom people disliking Jesse Jackson based on the content of his character (which is exactly the criteria by which Martin Luther King, Jr, himself asked us to judge people, including himself) then you haven't been paying attention.
walker101
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:38 p.m.
Skip work on August 7th, don't have worry JJ, not many are working since your brother has taken over in the oval office. Just what we need more no shows at work and those who do have a job him wants them to skip. Go figure.
G. Orwell
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:33 p.m.
The 2nd Amendment is essential as the last ditch effort to prevent a tyrannical government. Democrats and progressives may think this is nonsense but imagine a president worse than Dick Cheney. People living under a dictatorship are not allowed to have guns. Do you want to see this country degrade into a North Korea, Chili under Pinochet, Germany under Hitler, China under Mao, Russia under Stalin, etc? And do not be so naive to think it cannot happen here. I am sure the German people did not think it could happen there.
Z-man
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:24 p.m.
A president "worse than Cheney"? You mean like Obama, who considers the Constitution to be only a minor obstacle to his imperial presidency and the Congress as something to be circumvented?
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:22 p.m.
Leah Gunn is like that example of a million monkeys typing randomly for eternity and eventually producing the Library of Congress--she's right about Andy LaBarre. Take a bow Leah! While I'm not thrilled with his 'insider' links, he seems to be a hard worker, right on most of the issues and is head and shoulders abovet Montague.
dotdash
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:10 p.m.
You may not like the man, but he's got a good point. Guns whose sole purpose is to end a great many human lives at once should be banned. Yes, I know about the 2nd amendment, but what is "well-regulated" about the ease with which a crazy person can buy guns and 100-round magazines? Let's start taking the "well-regulated" part of that amendment seriously.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:36 p.m.
To assume that the constitution was written with an eye only for industry, morals, population, etc. at that specific time is not only a severe misunderstanding of the document and the individuals trying to author it, but will lead you to a logical fallacy if you apply it to ANY serious set of rules or doctrines, or even other parts of the one you're interpreting that way.
DJBudSonic
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:48 p.m.
...and we should vote as such. I hate to think how many people vote based on the simplest type of reasoning. I imagine a great many people do. Sure, who isn't concerned about firearms? But what it has to do with county commissioners I cannot imagine. You have more to fear from motor vehicles, infectious disease, poverty, polluted water, heart disease, and poor diet. Unfortunately for Mr. Jackson, it's hard to rhyme "drunk driver" or "diabetes". No, wait, repeat after me: "Don't come down with diabetes, watch your weight and eat your Wheaties"
DJBudSonic
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:37 p.m.
I might add to the execellent quote provided, "well-regulated" not only applies to the militia or the person/people bearing the arms, but it also applies to the firearm itself. As it has been correctly pointed out by many here, 230 years ago there was no way to anticipate the level of engineering and manufacturing prowess to which the firearms manufacturers would rise. Indeed, at that time guns were made in small batches on simple machinery, by gunsmiths. Have you heard of blacksmiths? Yes? Did your grandmother have a regulator clock? Well-regulated doesn't mean restrict who owns guns, well-regulated means maintain and test fire your weapon, so it shoots straight, and provide proof of this maintainence and training to the local militia leader. These days, taking the well-regulated part of the amendment seriously is much easier; with few exceptions all new weapons are ready to go right out of the box. If you want a CPL you need to prove your firearms handling ability at the range. As far as reporting to the local militia leader goes, I guess a reasonable modern substitute would be the existing laws requiring background checks and notice of firearms purchase provided to the state police, or if you live in the city, the city police. As a lifelong shooter, I would not be opposed to a law placing a reasonable limit on magazine capacity, say 20 rounds. Anything bigger in my AR and I can't get low enough to hold a decent prone position. However, I know alot of shooters who were appalled when hearing about this most recent misuse of a 100 round magazine, the only good news is that it apparently jammed, and the shooter don't have the training to clear the jam and was forced to switch to a side arm.. That's what you get for ordering crap off the Internet I guess. These types of events are a combination of many things; mental health issues, access to firearms, a media culture that glorifies death, etc. Life is more than a sound bite, and we should vote as su
Major
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:48 p.m.
Yes, lets explore that... We can begin to deduce what well-regulated meant from Alexander Hamilton's words in Federalist Paper No. 29: The project of disciplining all the militia of the United States is as futile as it would be injurious if it were capable of being carried into execution. A tolerable expertness in military movements is a business that requires time and practice. It is not a day, nor a week nor even a month, that will suffice for the attainment of it. To oblige the great body of the yeomanry and of the other classes of the citizens to be under arms for the purpose of going through military exercises and evolutions, as often as might be necessary to acquire the degree of perfection which would entitle them to the character of a well regulated militia, would be a real grievance to the people and a serious public inconvenience and loss. --- The Federalist Papers, No. 29. Hamilton indicates a well-regulated militia is a state of preparedness obtained after rigorous and persistent training. Note the use of 'disciplining' which indicates discipline could be synonymous with well-trained.
Major
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:03 p.m.
Two points to make... #1 Who cares what JJ says. Anyone? #2 There is no such thing as an "assualt weapon". "Assault weapon" is an invented term. In the firearm lexicon, there is no such thing as an "assault weapon." The closest relative is the "assault rifle," which is a machine gun or "select fire" rifle that fires rifle cartridges. In most cases, "assault weapons" are functionally identical to hunting rifles, though cosmetically similar to military guns. Myth: Assault weapons are a serious problem in the U.S. Fact: In 1994, before the Federal "assault weapons ban," you were eleven (11) times more likely to be beaten to death than to be killed by an "assault weapon." In the first year since the ban was lifted, murders declined 3.6%, and violent crime 1.7%.3 Fact: Nationally, "assault weapons" were used in 1.4% of crimes involving firearms and 0.25% of all violent crime before the enactment of any national or state "assault weapons" ban. In many major urban areas (San Antonio, Mobile, Nashville, etc.) and some entire states (Maryland, New Jersey, etc.) the rate is less than 0.1%. Fact: Even weapons misclassified as "assault weapons" (common in the former Federal and California "assault weapons" confiscations) are used in less than 1% of all homicides. Fact: Police reports show that "assault weapons" are a non-problem.
Davidian
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:24 p.m.
Major, I am also a huge 2nd amendment guy and I do not support any more laws on guns, but I have to dispute your assertion that "Assault Rifle" is an invented term. I think we will both agree that the Sturmgewer 44 is the very first intermediate-round "assault" rifle, the direct pre-cursor to the AK-47 and other similar rifles. The word "sturm" literally translates to "storm" in German, but it also means "assault." And of course, "gewer" means rifle. I will agree that the are functionally similar to most civilian hunting rifles; they just look like their military counterparts. And I think anyone with an ounce of common sense will realize that if they are banned, crazy people will simply turn to the black market, or worse, to fertilizer and diesel fuel to commit mass murder.
Major
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:56 p.m.
Dot Dash, you have your position, I have mine. The absolute, undeniable truth of the matter is...a weapon of any sort, has the same relation to a crime, as a spoon has in the obesity problem, of which, is a far bigger killer! FYI "politicize" to bring an issue, organization, way of doing something etc to the attention of the public so that it can be discussed
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:12 p.m.
So when confronted with citations to counter your assertions, you claim ignorance? Wow, you do like Jesse Jackson (and his methods)
dotdash
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:41 p.m.
I don't even know what politicizing something means if I'm not a politician. I'm just a person saying it's nuts that we sell guns that can kill hundreds to crazy people. That's all.
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:41 p.m.
Dot Dash, re #2 "Here's the thing, we can try to politicize this and make some sort of polarizing debate and make this a tenet of the election, but that's not what we're here to do right now. We're here to celebrate the lives of the victims that have been lost. If someone wants to do harm to somebody, they're going to find a way to do it. " Description Jordan Ghawi, brother of Aurora, Colorado victim, Jessica Ghawi, reacts to an interview question pertaining to tighter gun laws, in light of the recent theater shooting. Read more at http://www.hark.com/clips/rfbrclxxtf-jordan-ghawi-reacts-to-gun-law-questions#44ww1E6HzCMB4Szf.99
dotdash
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:33 p.m.
#1. I care what JJ says. He's a thoughtful man who works hard for the betterment of society and I respect that. #2. Are you seriously defending assault weapons based on the fact that fewer people have been killed by them than by other means? Isn't one person too many? And do you think anyone with relatives in that movie theatre would say assault weapons are a non-problem?
Brad
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:50 p.m.
The comments suprised me. I expected to read loads of anti-gun comments, but it's nearly 100% anti-Jesse. If there was any doubt about his 15 minutes being up, I think that settles it.
G. Orwell
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:41 p.m.
JJ is nothing more than a globalist shill. He does not care about the African-American community. He is just using them to gain influence and manipulating them for political reasons. Doesn't JJ know that slaves were not allowed to own guns. The AA community needs to wake up to the lies and stop being manipulated.
Thomas Jones
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:31 p.m.
This does nothing for me Rev. JJ knows nothing of the town... I'm a Conservative Republican and Andy LaBarre will get my vote! Christina Who? Andy knows what he is talking about and does not need a "STAR" to back him. Please Christina maybe next time! Gun control really Baaaaaaahahahahahahaha Take my gun when you peel it from my cold Dead fingers.....
Brad
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:28 p.m.
"Take my gun when you peel it from my cold Dead fingers" That's what they did to Charlton Heston.
Dave Bass
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:13 p.m.
Yeah! Take the day off. What BS. What with unemployment, you take a day off. Ludicrous!
Ricebrnr
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:07 p.m.
"Liberty is being lynched." Interesting that they would bring up specters of the old South in the same breath a gun control. They should know full well that gun control was originally created as a method to control freed slaves and keep them defenseless. So rather than empowering civil people it only puts them at the mercy of criminals...as it always has. But that's ok when the liberties are ones you don't like, right? Their constituency needs to educate themselves. Might I suggest reading Animal Farm. Then compare and contrast the leaders there with those you find here...
pbehjatnia
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:02 p.m.
how much did his holiness get paid to be here?
Use Logic
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:57 a.m.
I'd like to call for a ban on hypocritical race-baiters. The Founding Fathers never would have envisioned them at the time of the First Amendment's drafting. "...magazines with 100 clips." I hope this is a typo, but it wouldn't surprise me in the least if it wasn't. You know Jackson is part of the 'semi-fully-automatic, 9mm will bring down an airplane, shoulder thing that goes up' crowd.
Ron Granger
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:08 p.m.
"I'd like to call for a ban on hypocritical race-baiters. The Founding Fathers never would have envisioned them at the time of the First Amendment's drafting." Would those be the same Founding Fathers that kept slaves? Why would the Founding Fathers ban them if they were already slaves?
Tru2Blu76
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:06 p.m.
Well - at least he didn't say "magazine with 100 bullets" -- which is the typical journalist's way of referring to cartridges and ammunition. ;-) Oh but, aren't those "shoulder things that go up" already banned to the public?? LOL!
mixmaster
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:24 p.m.
Do you include the race baiting in the comments? The thing about the comments here is that they're not being hypocritical, they actually are race baiting.
Mike
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:54 a.m.
"Jackson asked the audience members to raise their hands if they knew someone who lost a home to foreclosure. Most hands shot up. The same happened when Jackson asked them to raise their hands if they knew someone with a relative in jail or someone looking for a job." "He made the crowd repeat several creeds in unison, including this one: "I will vote because I want to stop foreclosures. I will vote because I want to stop the banks from robbing the people. I will vote because I want a job and I want to work." And the sheeple responded ......................use your own brain people, question, do some research, read some history...........
Itchy
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 7:35 p.m.
To mixmaster - pardon me???
Mike
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:52 a.m.
What do guns, which we still have the right to own and protect ourselves with under the constitution, have to do with our local politics? He wants to make it so citizens cannot make the choice to defend themselves. Why is that? Even the police have begun to carry assault weapons. The bad guys get them anyhow because they do not follow the laws that he would like to pass to disarm all of us so we would be at the mercy of the bad guys. We live in the real world where bad things happen and disarming the population of the USA will only make it less safe.................those that kill will use baseball bats, knives, and just about anything else they can think of. I would rather be armed and take on eveil than to be disarmed........ask anyone who has had their country taken over by a dictator if they wish they had the right to bear arms.
Homeland Conspiracy
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:39 a.m.
Now he'll ask the gun lobby for 50 grand to shut up
squidlover
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:10 a.m.
As if having Jackson here wasn't bad enough, but David Bullock felt the need to up the ante of the race card play by saying "Michigan is the new Mississippi. Liberty is being lynched." Shame on him for equating such horrific crimes with an action that is necessary mainly due to incompetence and corruption.
Arieswoman
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
Thanks Ms. Montague....now I know I will be sure to vote for Andy in the primary on August 7. Jesse Jackson just go back home and stay there! You are causing her to lose votes.
InsideTheHall
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:58 a.m.
Hopefully, A2.com will give equal time to David Parker who is also in the race. We have a career MEA union shill and a Washington DC insider running against Parker who makes money the old fashion way....he earns it and he built it!
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:38 p.m.
David Parker is running as a Republican, so he'll take on the winner of this primary contest in November. We'll have coverage of that race then.
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:21 p.m.
Who?
Leah Gunn
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:53 a.m.
I am very distressed indeed that my name was not included in the list of County Commissioners who have donated money to, and are supporting Andy LaBarre. I am proud of Andy's campaign, and I think he will be an outstanding County Commissioner. I served with Christina Montague on the Board of Commissioners.
Ryan J. Stanton
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:42 p.m.
The donations listed in this story are just the people who donated during the most recent reporting period.
xmo
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:50 a.m.
I guess the "Race Business" is alive and well in the Democrat party. If you don't vote for Montague you are a Racist! Is Jesse Jackson anything more than a JOKE?
mixmaster
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:07 p.m.
Race card played and trumped.
Enso
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:45 p.m.
Let's not forget that the 'race business' makes up the majority of the Republican party.
jcj
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:13 a.m.
Is Jesse Jackson anything more than a JOKE? YES, but I doubt we could list it here!
Pickforddick
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:39 a.m.
Amazing how much time the A2 paper spends on this type of nonsense.
mixmaster
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:06 p.m.
They do it because it gives people who have opinions similar to yours a place to vent.
jondhall
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:27 a.m.
Jesse Please stay in Chicago! We do not need you in our great city! Go visit your son I understand he has some emotional issues, A Reverend needs to tend to his own flock.
Alan Goldsmith
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:24 a.m.
"Jackson appealed to the mostly black crowd..." How is this relevant? Unless you start using the same language to use the phrase 'mostly white crowd' when talking about other politicians? We're counting the racial makeup of crowds now? Lol.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:20 a.m.
It seems to me like minorities running for office stress absentee ballots quite a bit more than non-minorities. Am I wrong about this? If not, why is it? Is it because minorities are more likely to be disabled and not able to make it to the polling locations unassisted? Is it because they are less likely to have transporation to the polling location? Just curious if any research has been done on that.
jcj
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:49 p.m.
Ron I asked a question. If you don't think so fine! Would you share your evidence that "Fraud in "black box" electronic voting machines is a far greater" ?
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:41 p.m.
Mike, you are unfortunately appear to be lobbying statistical numbers in your comments based soley on stereotypes that have no basis in fact or reality. These types of comments are what perpetuates the discrimination, real or perceived, in the African-American community. Sad!
Ron Granger
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:52 a.m.
@jcj, if you have evidence of voter fraud being a problem in this country, please share it. The actual number of verified incidents over the past 20 years are extremely small. Fraud in "black box" electronic voting machines is a far greater concern.
Mike
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:43 a.m.
Because they are disenfranchised and discriminated against voters and the only way they can exercise their right to vote is by voting absentee. Wonderful men like Jesse Jackson (1%er) represents these people like no other. He needs them and they need him, what wonderful synergy..........He's also fighting for them not to need ID's to vote even though every one of them who receives government assistance of any kind (now at just slightly over 50% of the population) has ID to receive those benefits....thank you Jesse
jcj
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:12 a.m.
Or are absentee ballots easier when it comes to voter fraud?
motorcycleminer
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:18 a.m.
Wow ..4 video's and a column as long as a mules leg...all for a dog and pony show by a phony ( jackson )...interesting to see if the other candidates get more than a paragraph on page 4 of the " local " news page @ 3....as to " gun " control you can bet he has more hidden away than a small latin american country ...add hypocrite to the phony....
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 10:14 a.m.
The "Revs" Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton are a couple of the worst things to happen to black people since separate but equal. Like many others, I see their appearance and feedback as a direct indication of how to interpret a situation; the opposite of whatever they are saying. They perpetuate racism and dilute any actual problem of race or racism by drowning it in the constant overexposure of themselves and the race card in any situation, no matter how ridiculous. They are caricatures. It is sad that they continue to trivialize racism and impede the progress of the african american community with their self-aggrandizement.
RUKiddingMe
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:59 p.m.
Mix, they don't shine lights in corners, they run around with floodlights shining it at everything, whether it's dark out or a corner or not, and scream "racism, racism" at the top of their lungs regardless of where they are or what's going on. They make it so when an actual issue of racism is happening, their very presence or involvement completely dilutes it. Tey make the boy who cried wolf look like Nostradamus. And look in what mirror? What does that even mean? Do you mean I'm a racist, or a cockroach, or a flashlight?
mixmaster
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:17 p.m.
The "perpetuate" racism by shining a light in the corners where rats and roaches hide. Look in the mirror.
KeepingItReal
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 9:49 a.m.
I received Andy's campaign flyer in my door last week and as i reviewed his list of political endorsements its occurred to me that its business as usual. While there is nothing compelling about Montague's campaign, there is absolutely nothing in Andy's background that would cause me to go out of my way to vote for him
trespass
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:25 p.m.
Andy LaBarre can have whatever title he may like but the bottom line is that he is a lobbyinst. He is also tied at the hip to the Conan Smith clique on the Board. That is the same group that is fighting a lawsuit against releasing a videotape that allegedly shows a high ranking Sheriff's dept. officer stealing $20 from a car in the parking lot of Ypsi Township Hall. They are also covering up evidence that the Sheriff's secretary is campaigning from her office for the Sheriff and claiming alsmost double her salary in overtime and comp time.
brian
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 8:43 a.m.
Jesse, go home and stay there.
Madeleine Borthwick
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:30 p.m.
Yeah, Jesse, I'll even help you pack!
2020
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:50 a.m.
"Asked specifically what initiatives she'd undertake if elected, Montague said she would work to improve the lives of Ann Arbor residents in the southeastern portion of the city." If I'm not mistaken the new District 7 lines encompass a large porton of the northern part of the city and the eastern part. But Christina is only intersted in improving the lives of the southeastern portion of the city. That says enough for me. The new chant should be: "Christina Montague, got to go".
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:44 a.m.
Although I agree with the general sentiment of the previous commenters regarding the last-minute stunt by Ms. Montague and the lack of any connection or understanding of the real local issues from Rev. Jessie Jackson, I also distrust that the statements made by Ms. Montague were correctly and/or adequately reported. The media can make a person's responses look much worse than they actually were. I am no supporter of Ms. Montague but I also believe that political races should be accurately reported and not slanted in favor of the candidate(s) liked by a particular reporter. The voters should be provided accurate information from which to make an informed choice. On the other hand, I doubt that this comment will ever make it to the comment board.
trespass
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:19 p.m.
jcj- The most concrete evidence of biased reporting is that the article says that "more than 100 people gathered". If the reporter had checked with the organizers he would have found that 310 people sign in at the event. He gives the impression that the crowd was smaller than it actually was. The reporter also does not tell you that he is friends with Andy LaBarre. Such conflicts of interest should be disclosed.
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:09 p.m.
Actually JCJ....you and I agree on two points in your last comment. You and I are entitled to our own personal beliefs and that Mr. Jackson may have been paid to be here. I too dislike this type of political gamesmanship on behalf of Ms. Montague. She appears desperate and completely off base. I simply wish that the reporting in general was more accurate and the public deserves accurate reporting. Only AnnArbor.com can prove the substance of what exist in it's entirety...until then I can have an opinion and belief otherwise. Oh yeah, and freedom of speech allows me to post my belief!
jcj
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:21 p.m.
Wow a "personal belief" something MAY be inaccurate! I have a personal belief that Mr Jackson is getting reimbursed quite well for his appearance. No proof but then according to your standards all that is needed is a "personal belief".
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 2:12 p.m.
Thank you David! Apparently a request for fair and accurate reporting is too much to ask.....
DissidentIntellectual
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 1:35 p.m.
JCJ...distrust is just that--my personal belief that that there may be something inaccurate about the reporting. I have been to events which have been reported inaccurately or incompletely and thus distrust the reporting...I doubt that Ms. Montague brought aftermath Jackson to Ann Arbor to discuss her highly anticipated slip and slide! I've heard a speak in the past and although she has no real plan, it surely didn't sound as absurd as this.
jcj
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 11:08 a.m.
" I also distrust that the statements made by Ms. Montague were correctly and/or adequately reported." If that is the case I am anxious to here your PROOF!
mpope
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 6:25 a.m.
Actually, you cant see anything directly below but the void where my comment was. So I'll try again. To wit: Jesse Jacksson raised specters of cotton picking and lynchings while Christine Montague theorized about the possibility of a splash park. It would seem Ms. Montague, upon reading this story, would be faced with the dilemma, "Did annarbor.com get this event really wrong? Or did I? "
mpope
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:48 a.m.
See below. Simultaneous posts. Same idea.
Jim R. Harris
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:58 a.m.
This was an absolutely crappy last-minute political stunt which only focused on comparisons to the civil rights movement and stroking Jesse Jackson's football field-sized ego rather than the needs of us here in the county. I'm a construction worker, and there are so many issues with the work we do that I watch this race real close. Andy's the guy for me. He's talked to thousands of folks just like me, and has run a real, honest, hardworking campaign. It's ironic that the woman "for the people" hosts one event at a real expensive restaurant, attends the parades, knocks on a few doors, and now does this to try and grab votes at the last second, showing exactly what is wrong with politics today. I'll be using my vote to help Andy be a county commissioner, and I'll tell my fellow construction workers to do so too.
Gargoyle
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:36 a.m.
If Jackson is against it, I'm for it.
UM owns
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:33 a.m.
"Asked specifically what initiatives she'd undertake if elected, Montague said she would work to improve the lives of Ann Arbor residents in the southeastern portion of the city. She said though Buhr Park, which has a public pool, and Southeast Area Park, which has baseball diamonds and other recreational amenities, are nearby, there's not a good "water feature" for residents to enjoy. She suggested something more like a splash park." Just reposting this part of the article to highlight Montague's main talking points for those who missed it when skimming the article.
Brad
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 12:44 p.m.
What about that swell "water feature" outside City Hall? Or does she want one that actually has water in it?
UM owns
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 4:29 a.m.
"Repeat after me. I will only talk in 5-word fragments, so you'll have no idea what you are endorsing, but you will repeat after me because you are a bunch of sheep." -- Jesse Jackson
Dilbert
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:15 a.m.
... Jackson said. "If you're ever going to take off a day for sick leave, take off that day." How about taking a sick day...when you are sick.
Ed Jackson
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 3:10 a.m.
As predicted, Jesse came in and talked about issues that have nothing to do with the County Board. Also as predicted, Montague couldn't speak thoughtfully on a single issue: " there's not a good 'water feature' for residents to enjoy." We have human services in need, parks that need to be protected, schools that need funding, and countless other county-relevant issues that need attention and her grand policy solution is a splash park? Meanwhile Andy is using his role at the Chamber to invest in local businesses and actually produce results that help the community. As I commented before this event: anyone who knows anything about local politics in this area knows who the real progressive candidate is.
harry
Mon, Jul 30, 2012 : 5:17 p.m.
I don't know much about Andy or Christina but here is quote from her website " I believe that over 34 years as a MEA union member from the Ann Arbor Public Schools working as a school social worker and a former member of the UAW have shown that I can be counted on to work and support real solutions that address union workers needs and issues. How does being a union member translate into being a county commisioner. I guess if I was part of a union I would vote for her but what about the 85% of us the don't belong to a union.