Trial lawyers group admits role in racially charged election flier

[KG]

y Steve Bousquet And Marc Caputo, Times/Herald Tallahassee Bureau
In Print: Thursday, September 24, 2009



TALLAHASSEE — In a highly embarrassing mea culpa, Florida's powerful trial lawyer lobby admitted Wednesday that it was behind an ugly race-baiting flier in a recent North Florida Senate election.

"Morally and politically, it was indefensible," said Scott Carruthers, executive director of the Florida Justice Association, the trial bar group, who said its leaders had no knowledge of it. "I accept full responsibility for not having done everything to stop that piece from going out."

The flier juxtaposed images of the Black Panthers, President Barack Obama, the Rev. Louis Farrakhan of the Nation of Islam and black marchers holding a large ACORN banner. The caption read: "Is this the change YOU want to believe in? Violence and intimidation at the voting booth."

http://tampabay.com/news/politics/legislature/trial-lawyers-group-admits-role-in-racially-charged-election-flier/1038739

[marmar]

1. Wow.....Just wow.

He could have stopped it if he wanted to. His mea culpa rings rather hollow.

[babylonsister]

4. But that's what they do. Say something, release something, and then

apologize, acting as if it was all one big {racist} mistake. :eyes:

[Igel]

8. Sounds familiar.

Low-level people do something, high-level people are outraged and say they can't be held responsible for what those lower in the food chain do.

Eh.

[Octafish]

2. Peculiar perspective for a group of supposedly educated people.

Thank you for the heads-up, KG.

It's almost as if some people don't believe that all people are created equal, let alone deserve to be treated as people.

I'm sure glad Mr. Carruthers apologized. His ilk so seldom do.

Know your BFEE: Vote Suppressor Supreme, the Turd Bill Rehnquist

[Solly Mack]

3. easier to apologize after the fact.....

once the damage is done

fuckers

[Aragorn]

5. I don't get this one

Usually trial lawyers' groups support the more liberal candidate/party. Is this a case where prejudice trumps that, or is something else going on too? Anyone know?

[drm604]

6. I was wondering the same thing.

This is an odd story.

[mod mom]

7. Isn't this an infraction of the voting right act of '65? IANAL, but

it sounds to me as if some charges might be warranted. :mad: