Under the Microscope: Al Sharpton

crossposted at:

Faultline USA 

under the microscopeFederal authorities have subpoenaed financial records and employees in an apparent probe of the Rev. Al Sharpton’s 2004 presidential bid, nonprofit civil rights group, and for-profit businesses, a newspaper reported Thursday.

So what kind of a mess will this deliver? Reports indicate Al Sharpton is no stranger to investigations including campaign and tax related. The probe includes a grand jury as well as records from Sharpton’s non-profit and for-profit businesses and testimony from subpoenaed individuals.

Will Sharpton be his usual outspoken self or act more subdued with the current news of the investigation? Don’t be surprised if the race card comes out as Sharpton was recently taken to task by talk show hosts due to callers suggesting bigotry and prejudice of other well known figures. Callers were invited to listen to tapes of Sharpton speeches asking if they were equal in racial tone to the callers accusations against others.

Just what everyone needs as religious holidays such as Christmas and Chanukah approach. Not to mention the campaign that has been religiously stoked and all the other discontent on other current events in politics and foreign affairs.

The fact that other reports have Sharpton ‘angrily denouncing’ an investigation of his 2004 Presidential campaign bid serves as evidence that the earlier question posed above has been answered and Sharpton, not surprisingly, will continue to be noticeably outspoken in keeping with his past performances.

Sharpton has urged the city of Chicago to do something about police brutality or he would oppose the city’s bid for Olympics consideration. Plan on hearing more about that part of the story as the investigation of Sharpton progresses. By involving himself in public affairs and being viewed as controversial will lend itself to sound bites in the press in the near future and maybe beyond.

Sharpton’s style in pursuing his interests certainly draws considerable attention but may prove more of a hinderance in the coming months if he plans to defend himself against the effects of the investigation in the press.

One Response to “Under the Microscope: Al Sharpton”

  1. Faultline USA Says:

    Great article. Wish you would cross-post it to Faultline USA. At any rate, it a sure thing. The race card is a must with Sharpton.