Thats what I like about the right wingers...They speak from the heart.

[Clem D]

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20050930/ap_on_re_us/bennett_race


If you don't wasnt to read it, it basically says to lower crime abort all black fetuses

 

[Palehose]

Well not a real smart thing to say in this day and age ,but I will say this : most likely statistics unfortunately would back that up so although it was dumb to say that it would be hard to prove that false .

 

[MrChristo]

Pretty sure Hitler was thinking along the same lines...

 

[Clem D]

exactly

 

[ferdville]

As usual, the media, in this case MSNBC, only reported part of the story. His comments were totally taken out of context. The jist of the situation is that he did say that, however he said it was reprehensible. Does anyone really doubt that the crime rate would decline if black fetuses were aborted? You could say the same thing about felons. Do you believe that the crime rate would decline if the fetuses of all felons were aborted? I would say definitely. However, he said that it was reprehensible. Blacks comprise about 13% pf the population but are responsible for more than 50% of the murders. I don't want to get into an argument over the validity of such numbers, because that is not the point. The point is that his statement was taken out of context.

 

[djv]

I saw the complete text on PBS. Im not sure how you can avoid what he said. He had a little recovery in his words. But then re dug a hole in his last sentence. I do believe when the white house even comments that it was off base. Well! that even surprise me.

 

[dr. freeze]

for you lemmings unable to understand philosophy, intellectually dishonest flaming accusatories, thought police, politically correct scum, and the rest of you mindless, word-twisting, character assassins, here is the statement from Mr. Bennett. He was using absurdity to illustrate absurdity....a common ploy in any philosophical discussion. Obviously the simpletons and divisive freaks can't help themselves but resort to 3rd grade tactics. Sickening. Soon we will not be able to discuss anything anymore without this feeding frenzy blowing everything out of context.

Statement By Bill Bennett, Sep. 30, 2005
From the Desk of William J. Bennett September 30, 2005

"On Wednesday, a caller to my radio show proposed the idea that one good argument for the pro-life position would be that if we didn't have abortions, Social Security would be solvent. I stated my doubts about such a thesis, as well as my opposition to such a form of argument (the audio of the call is available at my Website: bennettmornings.com).

"I then stated that such extrapolations of this argument can cut both ways, and cited the current bestseller, Freakonomics, which discusses the authors' thesis that abortion reduces crime.

"Then, putting my philosophy professor's hat on, I went on to reveal the limitations of such arguments by showing the absurdity in another such argument, along the same lines. I entertained what law school professors call 'the Socratic method' and what I would hope good social science professors still use in their seminars. In so doing, I suggested a hypothetical analogy while at the same time saying the proposition I was using about blacks and abortion was 'impossible, ridiculous, and morally reprehensible,' just to ensure those who would have any doubt about what they were hearing, or for those who tuned in to the middle of the conversation.

"The issues of crime and race have been on many people's minds, and tongues, for the past month or so--in light of the situation in New Orleans; and the issues of race, crime, and abortion are well aired and ventilated in articles, the academy, the think tank community, and public policy. Indeed the whole issue of crime and race is not new in social science, nor popular literature. One of the authors of Freakonomics, himself, had an extended exchange on the discussion of these issues on the Internet some years back--which was also much debated in the think tank community in Washington.

"A thought experiment about public policy, on national radio, should not have received the condemnations it has. Anyone paying attention to this debate should be offended by those who have selectively quoted me, distorted my meaning, and taken out of context the dialogue I engaged in this week. Such distortions from 'leaders' of organizations and parties is a disgrace not only to the organizations and institutions they serve, but to the First Amendment.

"In sum, let me reiterate what I had hoped my long career had already established: that I renounce all forms of bigotry--and that my record in trying to provide opportunities for, as well as save the lives of, minorities in this country stands up just fine."

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

I'm telling you Clem you GOT to quit getting your info from liberal rags that use total lies-half quotes ect.

This rag you linked somehow forgot to put the remainder of his quote up.Do you think it changes the context any???

Referring to the book's hypothesis, Bennett told the caller, "I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."

Bennett continued: "That would be an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do. But your crime rate would go down."


----Charles Rangel had this to say--
Rep. Charles Rangel (search), D-N.Y., told FOX News. "A good-thinking guy that is a former secretary of education could give the hypothetical that if you expose people to education," then you would alleviate the conditions that cause crime, he said.
-- Someone needs to remind Charles every child has free high school education available HOWEVER you can't FORCE them to go.If he wants to use education as explaination to out of kelter stats on murder-drug abuse-illegitamcy ect maybe he ought spend half the time getting them to stay in school rather than making excuses---

"There is a wide disparity in the graduation rates of white and minority students. In the class of 2002, about 78% of white students graduated from high school with a regular diploma, compared to 56% of African-American students and 52% of Hispanic students"

 

[kosar]

This rag you linked somehow forgot to put the remainder of his quote up.Do you think it changes the context any???

Referring to the book's hypothesis, Bennett told the caller, "I do know that it's true that if you wanted to reduce crime, you could, if that were your sole purpose, you could abort every black baby in this country, and your crime rate would go down."

Bennett continued: "That would be an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do. But your crime rate would go down."

What are you talking about? Did you even read the story Clem linked? That second part is in there.

Now Bennett is saying that his point was that aborting all black babies is 'morally reprehensible.' Huh? Really? Genocide is morally reprehensible? Good point!

I also like how he uses the word 'impossible.' I'm sure he used it wistfully.

 

[Chadman]

I think the part of it that undermines his hope that he is not looked upon as making an outlandish comment is that he finalizes his "theory" by coming back to the strong language...it is what he LEFT the listener with. He tries to save himself with the "extra" stuff, and then drops it out there as the final comment:

>>Bennett continued: "That would be an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do. But your crime rate would go down."<<

I think that people who use words and thoughts like this...highlight their inner-most thoughts and are able to bring them to light to get their thoughts out, and then hide behind semantics and blame others. It's kind of a debating tactic, or one used successfully by attorneys. You plant the seed out there to shape thought, then try to excuse yourself from it and not be thought of as being a part of it.

There seems to be a common thread of subject matter in many of the comments that are coming from this administration and supporters of it. Bush's mothers comment about the people being better off in Texas, enjoying it, that kind of thing. People speaking off the cuff with unprepared statements, just a stream of thoughts, etc., can many times shed light on the dark parts of the soul - what is really inside.

I think we all know where this administration and many of his supporters stand. At least Limbaugh says something inflammatory and then stands up to the scrutiny afterwards. He owns his comments, which make them of more "value", if you will. Just tossing things out in a cloud of rhetoric and verbiage as cover for the main point put out, should not cover it, nor should it absolve him of saying it.

 

[DrRizzo]

man, i didn't know there was such a forum here @ MJ. You might learn some real conservativism on RealClearPolitics.com, Reason.com, LewRockwell.com and must especially WBAL.com and link to Ron Smith's, the x-Marine conservative talkshow host who regularly expose's Bush's, so called expansion fo democracy

 

[DOGS THAT BARK]

Stay too busy printing retractions from NYT-Newsweek--bogus docments from 60 minutes ect to really to really get into those areas.

 

[djv]

CNN told Bennett he could come on any time to explain. He said he could not. Said he has contract with FOX. That explains a lot.
Line up the sheep. Guys this guy meant what he said. He just kept talking to long. If he would have stopped he could have pulled it off.
Lets not say he's wrong.

 

[Palehose]

CNN told Bennett he could come on any time to explain. He said he could not. Said he has contract with FOX. That explains a lot.
Line up the sheep. Guys this guy meant what he said. He just kept talking to long. If he would have stopped he could have pulled it off.
Lets not say he's wrong.

Bwahahahaha ....You never heard a Bill Bennett show have ya ???? :mj07:

I knew this had to be taken out of context ....thats just not Bills game . If Savage said it I wouldnt be shocked but ...Bennett pullllleeese !

 

[Palehose]

I shouldnt say he didnt say this. I should say the Media and left wingers turned his statement that he clearly said was something horrible into something that he supports and believes in which of course is a lie and nothing else . Figured as much if anybody has heard this guy he is very mellow not high strung like most of these talk show fellers and really is a down to earth type of guy monotone and not easilly excited . He is also a carefull speaker and is just way to smart to say something that dumb in the context of believing thats a good Idea ....none the less we can see its just more left wing dribble .

 

[kosar]

I knew this had to be taken out of context ....

Out of context? The entire quote was in the article, so i'm not sure how it's out of context. Or are you like Wayne, commenting on articles that you didn't bother to read.

Let's see. He says that crime would be reduced if we aborted all black babies (not sure how mixed babies would be treated).

Then he says that 'of course that would be impossible and morally reprehensible.'

THEN he says his whole point was that genocide is morally reprehensible. He's the one that brought it up! Christ, how is that even in somebodys head to begin with.

 

[Chadman]

how is that even in somebodys head to begin with.

That is EXACTLY my point. And to go back and say it TWICE in your commentary, essentially finishing up your commentary with the comment, is the troubling part for me.

I wonder how Condi feels about this?

 

[Palehose]

Bennett continued: "That would be an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do. But your crime rate would go down."

Bill Bennett dosent want to abort every black child ....thats the only thing important here..... now why someone wants to make it sound like he supports the Idea and really wants this to happen is just pure BS and nothing more .

"I then stated that such extrapolations of this argument can cut both ways, and cited the current bestseller, Freakonomics, which discusses the authors' thesis that abortion reduces crime.

And as you can see it wasnet in his head it was from the Author of "Freakonomics "

 

[Chadman]

I am not saying he believes that. I'm not saying that he is espousing the idea. I am saying that he purposely used such an extreme comment to affect listener thinking and to firm up his argument which looks like it was on something else.

You say that this comment was not in his head. Nothing could be further from the truth. The comment was FIRMLY in his head and he thought so much of it that he used it on a National Radio Broadcast as part of another argument. Now someone with real compassion and understanding would think this through and would stop it from coming out of their mouths - at the very least - and would think about what broadcasting that kind of comment - IN WHATEVER CONTEXT - would do.

VERY reminiscent of President Bush showing up in disasterland after the hurricane and regaling us as to all the great partying he did in New Orleans back in the day. Most of the time, you speak what is on your mind, when just talking. Filling up a radio show is not easy, and sometimes you just say things that are in your head.

If it wasn't in his head...he could not have mentioned it.

 

[Palehose]

And as you can see it wasnet in his head it was from the Author of "Freakonomics "

What part dont you get ? Read the book you will understand where that came from ....It wasent Bill Bennett