“The
Fall of Jesse Jackson Jr.”
Jesse
Jackson is known for being a powerful up-and-coming African American Politian.
Being the son of famous civil rights leader Jesse Jackson he had on foot in politics
at a young age, and he pursued it. His life is just a list of accomplishments
after accomplishments. He astounded more then just the African American
Community. He amazed politicians across the country with his multiple
re-elections into the house. The stuff he did in the House was also impressive
as proven by the important comities he was put on. He was the golden child per
say. While he already has live a full political like he had the potential make
history, but I will address that later. The point is he was going to do things
that could have been world changing. It is truly unfortunate that he had to
take a turn for the worst in regards to his health and political scandals. Now he
faces $750,00 in fines and may even go to prison for soliciting campaign money.
Where did this story start? How did this story develop across the different
mediums of public news? How did the truth finally become know to the public?
That is was I want to see, the development of this former powerhouse of a politician
reach his end.
I
am going to start with a story from July 11, 2012 called “Jesse Jackson Jr.:
Rumors fly over mysterious disappearance” (1) This story is a good beginning of
what starts to ail this politician. He has been absent from Congress for months
now. It was confirmed by his lawyers that he was getting treated for a medical
condition, but the public had no idea what it was or how long it would take to
cure. After so much time of not any representation the public wants to hear
from their House member. What is even more suspicious is how he handled getting
on the reelection bid. “Jackson’s people announced his disappearance on the
very last day anyone could file for election in Illinois. No candidate can be
slated to run for his seat even if Jackson is totally incapacitated or if he
resigns, willingly or by force. If Jackson were to drop out, his Republican
opponent would run unopposed and win by default. That is not going to happen”
(3). This was very stealthy of his and his lawyers. Now the public can either
vote in their current absent House member or tolerate having a republican
represent then. The point is that Jackson is hiding from the people he is
representing. There is no immunity from or safety from his job. He simply needs
to come out and tell the people about the situation. It is not the fact that he
is ill; it is the fact that he is keeping everything in the dark as if he has
something to hide. That is suspicious, and that does not make for good
politics.
The
next story is a blog post titled, “Feds
Launch New Investigation of Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr” (2). Just from the title we can see forwarding in
the story. A new possible scandal has emerged. He has been accused of misusing
funds monitored by congress. This blog, while not completely official, still
possesses a lot of credibility. Three members of NBC wrote the blog. I can even
say Michael Isikoff who assisted of the blog wrote the news article just an
hour and 50 minutes later. The
article, “Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr.
under federal investigation over alleged financial improprieties”(3). The news
article contains less links and sources than the blog. I believe this is
because the facts have already been checked by the editors so the need for them
is not as prominent. Blogs on the other hand need to contain many links and
sources to be credible news or else it is just speculation and opinion. The
news has the ability to state facts such as, “the new investigation could
ratchet up pressure for Jackson to step aside. Despite his illness — which
his office has said involves his treatment for bipolar disorder — Jackson
is running for re-election, seeking a 10th term” (3) The news article explains
the facts with a little amount of sources. They can do this because they have
credibility and a reputation. Another thing to point out is that these articles
use Harris’ Forwarding and Countering. They both forward the conversation by
introducing new facts that have emerged with time and investigation. At the
same they counter the previous articles notions that the sickness could not
even exist when we now know it does. The Washington Post article, while a
reputable source, had to speculate some of the details to allow their story to
be interesting. Now we know the facts, and that has voided their previous
article.
I was surprised when I saw this news online. Maybe in China we talk more about his father's achievements.I am interested in this event, and maybe in countering, u can bring some reports or blogs that had different attitudes towards this issue to counter why he did not come out in the beginning, I guess.
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