Ex-secretary asked to apologize for linking crime, blacks
WASHINGTON (AP) — Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid and other Democrats on Thursday demanded that former Education Secretary William Bennett apologize for remarks on his radio program linking the crime rate and the abortion of black babies.
But 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. – Former Education Secretary William Bennett
What good is an apology if he still thinks it to be true?
Bennett responded that the comments, made Wednesday on his Morning in America show, had been mischaracterized and that his point was that the idea of supporting abortion to reduce crime was “morally reprehensible.”
The author of The Book of Virtues, answering a caller’s question, took issue with the hypothesis put forth in a recent book that one reason crime is down is that abortion is up.
“But 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 said.
He went on to call that “an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do, but your crime rate would go down. So these far-out, these far-reaching, extensive extrapolations are, I think, tricky.”
On his show Thursday, the anti-abortion Bennett said he was “pointing out that abortion should not be opposed for economic reasons any more than racism … should be supported or opposed for economic reasons. Immoral policies are wrong because they are wrong, not because of an economic calculation.”
Reid, D-Nev., said he was “appalled by Mr. Bennett’s remarks” and called on him “to issue an immediate apology not only to African Americans but to the nation.”
Rep. Rahm Emanuel, D-Ill., said in a statement, “At the very time our country yearns for national unity in the wake of hurricane Katrina, these comments reflect a spirit of hate and division.”
I think that comment was very racist and very unprofessional for someone in his position to have said. As an African American I feel offended. First of all, I was born and have never been in any kind of trouble with the law. As a matter of fact there are more whites in prisons than blacks, so before he wants to comment on blacks or any other race he needs to check his facts. His apology means nothing he needs to be terminated because he is a racist!!!!
Typically American: Outlaw, renegade, bully, pompous, obnoxious, racist, stubborn, …
I have only heard sound bites and short excerpts of his remarks, so I don’t know what point he was trying to make. But, his choice of words made a point to me! The words he used tell me what he really thinks about blacks in America.
I dare to say all of US had a brief, but unintentional view of his inner thoughts and beliefs.
For him to use the phrase, “I do know that it’s true”, I am inclined to conclude that he believes it is an undeniable fact that if you kill, i.e., ”abort every black baby in this country”, crime will go down. No debate necessary. Period.
I did attempt to understand the point he was trying to make. He did go on to say aborting black babies “an impossible, ridiculous and morally reprehensible thing to do”, but he also implied in the same sentence that if you did go ahead and abort black babies, “your crime rate would go down”.
Read between the lines.
What happened to the buffer between what one thinks and what one says? I remember a time when politicians lived by that sh*t. The world is coming to an end I tell you.
I guess using his idea then we should abort all white babies to cut down the amount of serial killers in the world! The fact that he said what he did, that this ridiculous statement came out of his mouth, lets you know his views on black people. I don’t care how much he says that he is not a racist, there is no one that I can think of that would come up with such an analogy, without having some sort of dislike for black people.
Shame on him
This is ridiculous… he truly displayed his true colors. I agree with HOHO (above) as quite as it is keep there are a lot of things that are blamed on blacks, but as quite as it is kept whites are the majority doing the negative activities. Most black men who are in prison are there for non-violent crimes, getting caught up for stupid petty things (theft, selling drugs,etc) not saying they don’t deserve punishment for the crime but i’m saying that there wrongs are being broadcasted more than the the majority of white whom do the same crimes and others far worst. Who are the majority of our serial rapist and murderers, our massive drug supplies and coporate embezzelors, yet it is not advertised. They the majority of “County/Welfare” recipients. How dare he blame our race for the crime rate… the man seriously needs to go back to the law libraries, turn on America’s Most Wanted and turn off the the bull shit news. Our people have been portrayed in such a negative light for so long and just recently we relived the 60s in New Orleans. We are already anger as a people at the government, don’t force us to “act our color”.
Shame Shame Shame on him!