Some of today’s New York newspaper front pages were pretty remarkable. Both the New York Post (4/9/14) and the Daily News (4/9/14) sensationalized, for the second day in a row, revelations that Al Sharpton was an informant for the FBI.
Revelations first alluded to in 1988 by Newsday, to be specific.
Coverage from the News and the Post, which has never made secret its detestation of Sharpton, exploded after the Smoking Gun website (4/7/14) published documents pointing to Sharpton’s cooperation with the feds. But while admitting his role as an informant, Sharpton defended himself from assertions that he was a snitch (“I was not and am not a rat because I wasn’t with the rats…. I’m a cat”) by pointing out he was helping law enforcement to take down criminals.
The Post, a staunch proponent of law and order most other times, left out the long-rumored accusations in activist circles that Sharpton tried to lead authorities to Assata Shakur (AKA Joan Chesimard)–the fugitive black liberation icon. Newsday reported on that in 1988, too.
So while this week’s revelations aren’t all that new, for some, they set up an interesting cat-and-mouse game between corporate media, including the right-wing Post, and Sharpton. The Reverend and his National Action Network might be able to point to a media attack as politically motivated–Sharpton’s past activism and current close ties to Mayor Bill de Blasio would correctly put him in the crosshairs of conservative media. All of which may lead some on the left to circle the wagons around him.
But for long-time activists and those in the African-American community, Sharpton’s cooperation with the arm of the government that engineered the notorious COINTELPRO operation raises a different set of questions than what local papers are asking.
Sharpton, now an MSNBC host, is a favored partisan figure these days (Extra!, 7/13), much more comfortable rubbing shoulders with political fat cats than catching any mob rats. That alone might give activists pause before rushing to his defense.
A rat
Or just a fink?
The King is Fink! – Johnny Hart
But you have to admit the Black/white aspect of the Posts Doublethink is breath taking at time. If they were a body part, they would have to be a broken tooth, with all that nerve.
You may be interested in an article posted this week at “Black Agenda Report” on their web site. Rev. Al is not so well liked among many African Americans today.
Well I have no problem with him working with the Feds.Hope he was the best snitch that ever was.If crime is going on then he should help to bring the criminals down.I cant stand the guy because he lied to me.Lets take it back to a year before the crash.I asked him about FANY and FREDDY being massively underfunded and a disaster waiting to happen that would plunge this country into a financial crash.He put his hand on my shoulder and told me it was perfectly sound, and that my speeches were fear mongering against the poor(we now know he was well aware F and F were in trouble)Before I left I told him that when it all collapsed he would blame wall street,the banks,and Bush.He smiled.All my friends always laugh and say you dumb ass….you gave him the idea.He is a liar.A sleeze.He and shumman and Dodd and that bunch should of never been allowed to council a popsicle stand after that.
Poor Rev Al, resented for not being a prophet a year ahead of the Bush/Wall Street Crash of ’08.
Man, I bet Michael is even more angry with John McCain who said, “Our economy, I think still—the fundamentals of our economy are strong.” on September 15, 2008, the day Lehman Brothers folded.
Dave I told him that Fanny and Freddy would collapse bringing all with it.Don’t tell me he didn’t know.Hell I told him.He told me it was funded.I told him he was a liar.I told him he knew he was lying.As far as McCain goes …OOFA what a knuckle head.He and Obama.The two worst candidates to ever square off in the arena of ideas.And for VP…a total novice(as bad as Obama).And a drunken- on the verge of dementia fool.In the wings Pelosi and Reed.Touched and corrupt.Holder….corrupt and a lackey. John Boehner -another drunk .Another establishment progressive face of tan.Sibilious…deluded.Need I go on.We are right where you would imagine we would be .