Tuesday, December 12 4:05 AM SGT

Predictions of unrest, victory abound after court hearing

WASHINGTON, Dec 11 (AFP) -

The United States will face a "civil rights explosion" if the US Supreme Court refuses to allow a recount of disputed ballots in Florida as part of a solution to the US presidential election impasse, a prominent civil rights leader warned Monday.

"Even if this court rules against counting our vote, it will simply create a civil rights explosion," said the Reverend Jesse Jackson as he emerged from the historic hearing, in which nine justices heard oral arguments from lawyers for Republican George W. Bush and his Democratic rival, Al Gore.

"People will not surrender to this tyranny," he stressed, pointing out that civil rights and labor organizations had agreed to launch a protest campaign at 5:00 pm (2200 GMT) Monday with demonstrations and prayer vigils in front of federal buildings here and in other cities.

"This people will not stand by and accept this with surrender," Jackson warned. "We can afford to lose an election -- you win some, you lose some. You can't afford to lose your franchise."

"People will be fighting for their right to vote and for their vote to count," the civil rights leader said, adding that the protest would only be expanding.

"The same forces that were against the Voting Rights Act of 1965 ... seek to disenfranchise us in 2000 and do not want to renew the Voting Rights Act in the year 2007," he added without specifically naming Republicans.

Should the Supreme Court rule against hand recounts, Gore's bid for the presidency is likely to effectively be over.

Both Bush and Gore need a victory in Florida to win the 2000 election. After the official certification of election results in the state last month, Bush holds a lead of 537 votes.

Jackson's comments matched the somber mood of other prominent Democrats who were invited to the hearing and later shared their impressions about it with reporters.

Senator Tom Harkin, an Iowa Democrat, made clear that he was not particularly encouraged by what he heard in the courtroom, although he refused to issue a prediction.

"If the Supreme Court continues to wade into this thicket and they make substantive rulings on behalf of the petitioner, which is George Bush in this case, this court could go down in history -- will go down in history -- as the most interventionist court ever," the senator said.

Jackson Threatens Civil Unrest

-- Ain't Gonna Happen (Not Here Not@ever.com), December 11, 2000

Answers

Surely, nobody can be surprised at this turn of events. Jackson has been skirting the fringes of illegal civil unrest for decades now, and it may be time to put a muzzle on this dog. I respect his status as a spokesman for his people but he has gone far beyond that role and should be looked at closely for violations of civil and criminal law. Remember Decatur, IL? He has reduced himself to the level of ‘rabble rouser’ and should be treated as one.

Jackson rants that: "People will not surrender to this tyranny." What Jesse is really trying to say is: “Blacks will not give up any of the government freebies passed out so generously by the democrats over the last eight years”.

Ross Perot, front and center please!

-- Barry (bchbear863@cs.com), December 11, 2000.

"People will be fighting for their right to vote and for their vote to count," the civil rights leader said, adding that the protest would only be expanding.

What about the right not to have one's vote diluted by the counting of non-votes?

-- David L (bumpkin@dnet.net), December 11, 2000.

Let's see...

which idea is more disturbing:

Rioting and looting in major cities if Bush should win

OR

Armed "patriots" and militia types revolting if Gore should win

Gee this is a toughie

-- me (yes@you know.me), December 11, 2000.

"Jackson has been skirting the fringes of illegal civil unrest for decades now, and it may be time to put a muzzle on this dog."

If any one tried to do that, he'd be screaming, "THE WHITE CRACKER HONKIES ARE LYNCHING ME, THEY'RE LYNCHING ME DOWN HERE IN HYMIE TOWN!"

-- Mrs. Cleaver (Mrs. Cleaver@LITBBBB.vcom), December 11, 2000.

Can you imagine how inappropriate and politically incorrect Jesse Jackson would be if he were WHITE! Although I do believe the liberal press is also getting tired of his antics. They did film a black women today who was cryin her eyes out and saying they must count the ballots. I laughed my ass off! And that Congressman Robert Wexler from Florida, now he's a fine specimen to draw to in troubled times. Jeeeesus H. CHEEEErist

-- Boswell (fundown@thefarm.net), December 11, 2000.

Don't misunderstand. This man is very, very good at doing what he does. Though I don't think the Reverend thinks beyond his coffers what he does is real and probably more real than he understands.

The tactics and retoric reminds of Nurenburg in '32 and certainly works. Can't say that of course. Others have said it and suffered. No hero here.

-- Coward (fella@anon..), December 12, 2000.

Rather than being good at what he does I think it is more of who is following him. Blacks seem to be more unified and loyal to a person such as Jackson. Somewhat like it was when they were only bonded in a tribal situation in Africa and that is a genetic difference we seem to not have possesion of. That is why he is so dangerous to this country as a whole because his drums beat louder than others. Some would follow him over a cliff!

-- Boswell (fundown@thefarm.net), December 12, 2000.

That's some pretty racist shit there Boswell. Did the Germans have the same deficiency in the 30's?

-- Coward (fella@anon..), December 12, 2000.

Liberals like Coward are getting old with their urging of others to be politically correct when it comes to racial issues. He walks in line with the current media boobs who would never criticize Jackson and possibly show any disdain for him and his clan. I will honor all blacks just as you who deserve that badge but by god when an ass wipe like Jackson keeps rollin along with his crap it comes time to stand up and say what you think! And tribal customs do follow people thru the ages. People like coward couldn't be a leader or win a war even if their mother wanted them to.

-- Boswell (fundown@thefarm.net), December 12, 2000.

Somewhat like it was when they were only bonded in a tribal situation in Africa and that is a genetic difference we seem to not have possesion of.

Boswell, every culture lived in "tribal situations" at one point in their history. White people didn't get out of their "tribal situations" until the Roman invasion.

-- Tarzan the Ape Man (tarzan@swingingthroughthejunglewithouta.net), December 12, 2000.