What exactly did Rev. Jesse Jackson say he wanted to do?

NEW YORK--The controversy continues over the Rev. Jesse Jackson’s crude disparagement of Sen. Barack Obama that was caught on a live microphone earlier this week.

Aside from those who demand that Fox News air the rest of the remarks Jackson made, a separate debate has erupted over exactly what Jackson said in the footage that the cable news network did run.

The civil rights leader drew headlines after Fox News’ Bill O’Reilly on Wednesday showed a clip of Jackson saying that Obama was “talking down to black people,” adding that he wanted to “cut his nuts off." He made a jabbing gesture with his hand, just to emphasize the point.

Except some heard it as “cut his nuts out.” (Emphasis added.)

The news organizations that reported the coarse language -- many tried to skirt the issue by describing the words more delicately -- were of split opinion about which word Jackson used.

AFP:

Jackson was apparently unaware his mic was still on after a Fox News interview when he whispered to another guest that Obama, who is vying to become the first African-American president, has been "talking down to black people."

The reverend then added: "I want to cut his **** off."

The Chicago Tribune: (continued below)
 

The Chicago Tribune:

“I want to cut his nuts out,” Jackson added, gesturing as if grabbing part of the male anatomy and then pulling.

Bloomberg:

"I want to cut his nuts off,'' Jackson then said, according to a report on the Fox News Web site.

Reuters:

In an aside to another guest after a Fox News Channel interview on Sunday, Jackson had said Obama had been talking down to black people and added: “I want to cut his nuts out.”

ABCNews.com:

"See Barack Obama been, um, talking down to back people on his faith-based -- want to cut his nuts off," Jackson said in a video that aired Wednesday on Fox News' "The O'Reilly Factor."

The Associated Press, usually the arbiter on matters on disputed terminology, didn’t even go there:

The Fox News program "The O'Reilly Factor" aired Jackson's comment Wednesday night, including a slang reference to his wanting to cut off Obama's testicles. The report bleeped out the slang but made clear what Jackson said with subtitles.

In today’s New York Post, Washington Bureau Chief Charles Hurt argued that Jackson said “out,” and that the use of that word mattered:

Veterinarians and doctors talk about cutting nuts "off." Only a thug or a gangster cuts a man's nuts "out."

And Jackson knows better than most the vicious symbolism of castration and its blood-soaked link to lynchings in the Old South.

The Los Angeles Times is using the word “off” in its reporting because that is how Fox News –- which has the original tape -- transcribed it on the screen. However, a network spokeswoman said that because of the muffled nature of Jackson’s words on the tape, it is difficult to be absolutely sure which word he used. (The channel also bleeped out the word “nuts,” making it harder for viewers at home to discern exactly what Jackson said.)

So the debate will likely persist -- unless Jackson himself wants to set the record straight.

-- Matea Gold

Screen Grab: Fox News Channel "The O'Reilly Factor"

Comments

[William]

YES, I'M A BAD AMERICAN

I Am the Liberal-Progressives Worst Nightmare. I am an American.

I believe the money I make belongs to me and my family, not some Liberal governmental functionary be it Democratic or Republican!

I'm in touch with my feelings and I like it that way!

I think owning a gun doesn't make you a killer, it makes you a smart American.

I think being a minority does not make you noble or victimized, and does not entitle you to anything.

I believe that if you are selling me a Big Mac, do it in English.

I believe everyone has a right to pray to his or her God when and where they want to.

My heroes are John Wayne, Babe Ruth, Roy Rogers, and whoever canceled Jerry Springer.

I know wrestling is fake and I don't waste my time watching or arguing about it.

I've never owned a slave, or was a slave, I haven't burned any witches or been persecuted by the Turks and neither have you! So, shut up already.

I believe if you don't like the way things are here, go back to where you came from and change your own country! This is AMERICA .

If you were born here and don't like it you are free to move to any Socialist country that will have you.

I want to know which church is it exactly where the Reverend Jesse Jackson preaches, where he gets his money, and why he is always part of the problem and not the solution. Can I get an AMEN on that one?

I think the cops have every right to shoot your sorry butt if you're running from them..

I also think they have the right to pull you over if you're breaking the law, regardless of what color you are.

And, no, I don't mind having my face shown on my drivers license. I think it's good..... And I'm proud that 'God' is written on my money.

I think if you are too stupid to know how a ballot works, I don't want you deciding who should be running the most powerful nation in the world for the next four years.

I dislike those people standing in the intersections trying to sell me stuff or trying to guilt me into making 'donations' to their cause.

I believe that it doesn't take a village to raise a child, it takes two parents.

I believe 'illegal' is illegal no matter what the lawyers think.

I believe the American flag should be the only one allowed in AMERICA !

If this makes me a BAD American, then yes, I'm a BAD American.

If you are a BAD American too, please forward this to everyone you know.

OBAMA is NOT the answer

We want our country back!

We NEED GOD BACK IN OUR COUNTRY!

Only Two defining Forces, ever offered to die for you.

1. Jesus Christ

&

2. The American G.I.

The First, died for your Soul;

The Second, for your Freedom and the Right to Worship the First!

[SPENCER]

Are you completely insane? Phil Gramm calls us "a nation of whiners" and you think that Jesse Jackson's "nuts" statement important?

Come on... who has more influence in their party, McCain's economic advisor or a guy who barely registers in his?

Show Tracker and LA Times: You keep ignoring the important and hyping the trivial. Shifting to the right wing noise machine will not bring back your newspaper from oblivion.

[american]

I disagree with the "we need god in our country". I mean, America, as is should be, has a seperation of church and state. Religeon has no place with politics, and politics doesn't belong with religeon.

That is all

[Marguerite King]

Boy, talk about sour grapes! Sounds like the green-eyes monster has reared his UGLY head. Sorry Jess, but I hate to tell you this but, Mr. Obama is an intelligent, eloquent speaking, smart, man of color. And he does not have to represent the black race, white race, brown race, red race, or any other race. Just represent all of us in the good "ole" USA, and get us out of this huge mess the BUSH WACKERS have made. Oh, and while we are on the subject, Jess, learn how to speak eloquently!

[mac d. knife]

Jesse Jerkson the bumbling idiot, phoney reverend, scam artist ,extortionist, philanderer and father of "god" knows how many bastards ( Ooops , Love Children ) that we don't know of. Why hasn't somebody taken this lying scum bag behing the wood shed and beat the hell out of him. Reverend my foot !
He's just another lying carpet bagger who can't put a complete sentence together. No degree in anything, he flunked out of college. Oh, by the way, does anyone out there know what seminary college he graduated from and how he got ordained? I'm assuming that he must have been getting laid on the day they were studying the Ten Commandments, you know, the one about " THOU SHALT NOT COMMIT ADULTERY " !!!. WHAT A DISCRACE AND SHAME TO THE BLACK COMMUNITY, WHO SUPPORT THIS PIECE OF TRASH.

[John]

Jackson, Sharpton...all the same. King wannabes.

[Michael]

Very good comments.

I'm an independent American. Jess shows his true colors!

Independents tend to think for themselves. We do not need Reps, Demos or Jessie telling us what or how we think. We are smart enough to know what's right and wrong - While you Reps and Demos need to know how and why. We know whose telling the truth - While you guys need a lawyer and politician to explain it all. We stand for truth and fairness, While Reps and Demos stand for whatever suits or tickles them - whichever way the wind blows during this election. Indpendents have accountibility and resonsibilty. We don't have excuses - Where that is all Reps and Demos have is excuses and pass blame on anything and everything.

Reps and Demos control the entire election process and there is aboslutely no fairness involved. It is rigged from the start, so that either party can win, and has nothing to do with what the American people really want! It is what was thrown at them! The press shares in this blame - allowing the onslaught without question!

(1) Even I have more experience than OBAMA.
(2) Even I know when someone is kissing ass!
(3) Even I know a fake when I see one.
(4) Even I know that if you tax the rich and give to the poor, jobs are lost.
(5) Even I know that if you attempt to please everyone on a given subject - and everyone believes you - follows you - loves you - there are SERIOUS MENTAL PROBLEMS IN AMERICA! Some are following Obama as if he was the next messiah or anti-christ! Get Real People.
(6) Guns don't kill people. People kill people. And if by chance someday - guns are banned, only the bad guys will have guns - lawyers will sue you and I - because we let them have them... lol - Liberalism in all its glory - and they will probably get off for whatever reason.
(7) Responsiblity! In America - Liberals don't have any responsibility. Someone made me do it, I must have had a bad childhood, I must have been born from bad parents or on the wrong side of the fense. Always looking for an excuse as to why someone did something wrong - instead of hold them accountable. America - People have to be responsible and accountable for their actions. They do harm - they should be punished. They do right - they live with rights and freedoms we all love and share. Easy as pie - but hard as nails.

God Bless America! And if you don't like it - Remember: I'm independent - you have my permission to move anywhere else.

[Niama]

i think people should know their history, as the founders supposedly fled their country to get away from religious persecution. They were really thrown out, but that's another lesson. America is supposed to be about life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness, but i suppose some people think they only mean the white mans happiness.

Jesse Jackson is useless and i have never liked him. My father always says that he helped killed King, don't know if it's true, but he says it.

[Braxton McLain]

A whole bunch of nuts! From Obama to Jesse to Al , and none of them have any to cut off!

[Leverne Backstrom Wizard]

Thank God for freedom of speech but the tongue cuts like a two-edged sword; if one can't say something good and uplifting, then one ought to say nothing lest one be misquoted. Build one another up with encouraging words; don't be a part of the problem by spouting negativity!

[noneofurbizness]

Jerry springer still comes on and that bad american post is garbage!

[ted brighthaupt]

A O L SUCKS!!!

[Wombat]

I am an American liberal just like George Washington, Thomas Jefferson and Ben Franklin. Like our founders I believe in limited government. The Republican party is not liberal: the unitary executive and government sponsored torture and spying on your own citizens are tyrannical values.

William, you have either lost your mind or you are a 15 year old ranting as a prank. If you are serious, I suggest you move to Iran, God is running their country -just ask their ayatollahs.

[RHONDA]

I THINK , IF HE FELT THAT WAY THEN HE SHOULD OF SAID ANOTHER PLACE, ANOTHER TIME WHY WAIT TILL HE GET ON A TALK SHOW THINKING THE MIC WAS OFF TO EXPRESS HIS FEELINGS. I THINK HE WAS DUM AND NOW HE HAS A LOT OF ASS KISSING TO DO TO CLEAR HIS NAME. BY THE WAY WHAT KIND OF FRIEND SAYS THAT. I DIDN'T THINK HE WAS TALKING DOWN TO BLACK PEOPLE. HE WAS TELLING THE TRUTH. FACE IT YOUR JEALOUS BECAUSE U WANT TO BE IN HIS POSTION. A CANIDATE!

[919.533.3086]

If Jesse had been "de-nutted" years ago, our population would be less than it is now. I remember one speech he made years ago that told his followers to "go have them black babies, and soon we'll outnumber these white devils": another time he said he used to work in a restaurant and would spit in white-peoples food as he was serving it up. The only "rights" he and old Al, the working girls friend, want is their own and black folks should shun these two shysters like a good dose of the clap.

[tiredofthiscrap]

Jessie Jackson is a worthless piece of garbage. He is a disgrace not only to to Black America, but to all America and to the human race. He is a lying, coniving, extortionist scam artist feeding off the poor and oppressed. He is not out to help anybody, except to help himself stay filthy rich, wearing his $1200 suits. Worst part, he has the gall to call himself a reverend. Well keep in mind MR. Jackson, you evil piece of crap, Karma is very real, and sooner or later yours is going to come back to bite you real hard. And there are a lot of people, including myself, who are going to cheer while we watch.

[Kelly]

I agree with Wombat. WIlliam is ignorant.

[Ginnie]

It is amazing how people of color cannot let go of the past and keep harboring old wounds.
I remember the comments that Frazzel had to apologize for making the statement about Tiger Woods would have to give the dinner and it would be chicken. What was wrong with that.
And because he did not want to identify with people of color there were all kinds of things said about him. Now it is Obama. I guess it just never ends.
I agree with the prior writer. When Jackson meets his maker he will have to answer for all the lies that he is doing while still here. Also his buddy wannabes.

[will]

The truth is if you tax the rich and give tax breaks to the lower clas the money gets spent sooner and is back in circulation, and not in someones safe, mattress, or stored in some bank account where it does nothing for the American economy. The lower class spends thier money on needs and trying to be like the middle and upper class, so they would spend more money if they had it to spend just trying to catch up, thus helping the American economy.

[Mr. N-Yo-Lyfe]

I think Obama would be a great person to lead this country for the next 4 years, I mean think about it we complained about Bush but we re-elected HIM...surley Obama cant do worse.
Jesse FAKE ASS needs to have a seat. who really cares what Jesse or Al Sharpton thinks anyway. they DO NOT!! advocate the black race or any other race. I have NEVER heard of them FIXING any problems all they do is get on tv and radio for publicity while someone else fixes the problem. I mean jesse's house is crazy nice and he sports $500 suits and this dude aint got no job. He reminds me of Tommy from Martin. And while he on the subject of "Nut Removals" someone must have removed his because if he had a "REAL PAIR" he wouldnt have waited til he thought the mike was off like a coward. EXCUSE me for believing that a REAL dude speaks his part and will say it to your face and NOT back down from what he said. But I will end this in the words of the great cedric the entertainer from the movie BARBERSHOP " Maaan F--K!! Jesse Jackson!!" Now fill in those blanks!!!

[CdK]

My Informal thoughts materialized in Informal form:

America is the best country in the world, and it has evolved quite a bit over the last 240 plus
years. But it has not achieved perfection. Corruption, racism, poverty, crime, poor health care sitll exist. Racism exists and I challenge anyone to suggest otherwise. Slavery in America has directly or indirectly impacted a Vast majority of blacks today on a economic and educational level.. Mind the stereotypes. Sure some black people are lazy, committ crimes, and speak slang. Some Hispanics cross the border illegally and don't speak English. What about white people. Are school shootings, serial killings, racial hate crimes, or child molesting Catholic priests representative of white people's tendencies? For some of you white people-- what are you scared of. You still make up 3/4 of the population. You control the money. Sure, that's a bit of a reduction since the 19th century, but come on, YOU STILL HAVE EVERYTHING!!. What about mixed races. Why must one be one race or another. No, we simply ignore the fact that someone's mother is black and father is white-- we just go ahead and classify them as African American. But oh, that's right, that happen quite a bit during the pre Abolition era--- have to keep that under the rug.. Does recognizing mixed races pose as an inconvenience to division? Just face it, things are changing: We're going to have our first black president, immigration from Mexico will continue, and the progression toward even financial distribution is not going to stop, and yeah, with the increased immigration and racial mixing, that white population is going to contiune to decrease--- a bit.

[Jordan]

Forget Rev. Jackson. There is too much of an effort by the media to turn this into a big story. Obama does not need Jackson---instead, he needs Minister Farrakhan, a man who can really push the vision of change we can believe in. Obama needs to think about naming Minister Farrakhan as his running mate.

[james]

jesse jackson is not a man of god at least not the god that anyone thinks of when they think of god or he would not have said what he said he wants to cut a man n uts off come on im no obama fan but i think hes a decent man and defentaly does not need his n uts cut off but he dosent need to be presadent yet nothing to do with color just to get that out the way i just dont think hes ready he talks well but has no experance give him 4 to 8 years he may make a great presadent we the people got scwred this time we get to choose between inexperance or someone that may not make it 4 more years what a choice should have been hillary clinton or mit romny but out of the two we got might just sleep in tuesday

[Mary dePascale]

The only man we should be focused on is God. and pray that who ever we appoint to lead our nation is a God loving, God fearing man.

GOD Bless America. You are mistaken if you think you can seperate God from anything. The Lord Died for you and me.

Praise the Lord Jesus Christ, Our Lord and Savior.

Behold, I will bring health and healing, and I will heal them; and I will reveal to them an abundance of peace and truth.
Jeremiah 33;6

[TED BRIGHTHAUPT]

I'll never forget that night in the corn field;)