to find out.
Later

He argued that the "Super Predator" remark, which was one of their protest points, was about vicious gang leaders who were getting young kids hooked on drugs and having them go out and do very serious crimes which hurt African Americans, and he said that under his administration more African Americans moved out of poverty than had ever happened before (in reaction to protesters' comments about his welfare policies). Personally, I think his reactions were good. He was responding to disruptive protesters and stood his ground with them making fair counter arguments. Again, in response to the "Super Predator" thing, he talked about how vicious gang members VICTIMIZED AFRICAN AMERICANS, and in his welfare response he talked about how African Americans did BETTER under his administration than ever before.

See link here: http://www.democraticunderground.com/?com=view_post&forum=1017&pid=351713

across he nation were demanding help.

that bill. As you rightfully stated, mayors and governors were confronted with some of the highest drug and violence rates this country has ever seen. Living in D.C. was no joke back then. Now the crime rate is pretty low--much lower than it was back in the 80s and 90s.

They got Bernie early on. Hillary, forewarned, dodged their trap. I'm sorry Bill was not graceful.

Jesus, why don't our "friends" go after the goddam Republicans?!

They were saying she was guilty of murder over Libya and that she so approved of taking out Kaddafi. Calling her a murderer is WAY over the top, and you can't blame him for reacting the way he did. These protesters go over the top and don't speak for all African Americans.

his response was good. Yes, the BLM movement is a good one. But the thing that some people need to remember about the remarks at the time, as well as when the law was passed, is what was going on at the time the law was passed.

Last edited Thu Apr 7, 2016, 09:49 PM - Edit history (1)

he gets a pass??

Those were Bernie supporters. Remember, Bernie recruited a BLM protester as his *spokesperson national press secretary (Symone Sanders, no relation)*. Also remember that the BLM protestor, Ashley Williams, at a private get-together with Hillary Clinton a couple of months back used the same words "Super Predator" to protest her, and then showed up in a selfie with Cornell West.

These are just more dirty tricks by the Bernie "having a hard time keeping clean" Campaign because they KNOW they're losing.





*EDITED to correct title and add name of BLM Symone Sanders who is not Sanders' spokesperson but his campaign's national press secretary.

thanks for the reminder.

I forgot that he voted for it, too. You're right – why does he get a pass?? It seems like whenever he does something suspect, they always have a million reasons to explain why it didn't count. When Hillary does it, of course, it's because she's pure evil.

do you think it will impact the PA primary?

This has largely been a nonstory, and I work at a university where there are tons of fans of Sen. Sanders and quite a few people active in BLM. I am African-American myself and so keep tabs on BLM activities.

I am not sure if this will be a huge impact in Pa., really. I have heard rumors that our new mayor is, like the man before him, a Hillary supporter, and while I see a lot of "Feeling the Bern" on the campus at which I work, I don't really see that reflected in Philly overall. I suspect the same is true in Pittsburgh, as well. In the middle of the state, I honestly don't know. Pa flops between red and blue because of its two big cities and the rest of the state being quite conservative overall. I think it might be a close one, but I think this kerfluffle will die down very quickly if the media doesn't try to make hay with it.

I sure hope so.

Much of the coverage here has been about Sen. Sanders' appalling "unqualified" remark, which has some hard-core fans of his here very upset. I think many people were expecting President Clinton (the first) to speak out vehemently, and I've spoken to a couple friends who live in Mt. Airy where the rally was held and they said that what they were hearing is that the BLM supporters were very rude and almost certainly not there to peacefully engage the president in debate.

It is unfortunate, too, because Mt. Airy is known for being extremely liberal and progressive -- it was, in fact, one of the first enclaves in the country that could be said to have no real issues with racism. Many interracial couples as a consequence often headed to Mt. Airy to live because they could count on not being hassled -- and it's likely that the BLM supporters would have been more than welcome to have a debate about racism and Hillary's extensive work in the civil rights movement. It's a true shame. I feel very ashamed right now of my birthplace.

And thank you for the warm welcome! I am glad to have this safe haven of Hillary fans within the maelstrom of DU.

You are most welcome among us!

The AA community in Philly, Pittsburgh, and the Lehigh Valley already knew this and is far more nuanced than a few catch phrases.

Effect: Zero.

He spoke the truth.

That part of the story got chopped out pretty quick from the narrative. I don't mind protesting, but c'mon. Stick to issues.

instead of getting votes for Hillary.

He can be brilliant, but man can he veer off course.

They held signs calling Hillary a murderer and were yelling vile profanity about her. What in the heck do you expect him to do?

If they are going to act like that, then they darn well need to be responded to.

He engaged some protesters, that's all.

President Clinton's words were spot on. The BLM protestors were, as usual, rude and their own worse enemy. They've got valid points about things that need to be addressed, but their conduct rises to the level of a sideshow embarrassment.