posted on October 30, 2001 12:19:41 PM new
JESSE: LET'S JUST CANCEL HALLOWEEN
By VINCENT MORRIS and WILLIAM NEUMAN
October 30, 2001 -- The Rev. Jesse Jackson says it's too soon after the Sept. 11 terror strikes to put on masks and go trick-or-treating - and he's calling for a nationwide Halloween boycott.
"In these circumstances, I'd say that we should cancel Halloween, take off the masks, stop the door-to-door visits, and spend the night with our families," Jackson wrote in a syndicated article distributed to the media yesterday.
In calling for a Halloween hiatus, the civil-rights leader cited the "demonic attack on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon," the spate of anthrax deaths and infections, and government warnings of another imminent attack.
"The president says we need to get on with our lives, and he is right," Jackson wrote. "No threat of terror should keep us from going to work, to shop, or to the movies.
"But Halloween is a different matter . . . This year, the risks seem magnified and the spirit seems wrong.
"It's hard to think about painting blood on faces when we've seen too much real blood on real faces."
Jackson's caution came as the Bush administration warned of a new, though nebulous, terror threat and yet renewed calls for Americans to stick to familiar routines.
"The president believes people need to go about their daily lives. Recognizing the heightened state of alert, they should exercise caution," said White House spokeswoman Claire Buchan when asked about Jackson's comment.
With thousands of New Yorkers expected to take in tomorrow's Halloween parade in Greenwich Village, City Hall sounded a similar note.
"In the past, the mayor has said Halloween should go on; the parade should go on," said Mayor Giuliani's spokesman Peter Fenty.
In his article, Jackson said he wasn't giving in to fear - but merely promoting "prudence" while seeking to protect children.
http://nypost.com/news/nationalnews/32899.htm
[ edited by jamesoblivion on Oct 30, 2001 12:20 PM ]
posted on October 30, 2001 12:22:58 PM new
Protect children from what? Having fun? Getting lots of candy? It's not children who will associate Halloween with 9/11...
posted on October 30, 2001 12:27:24 PM new
It's been a couple of weeks since I heard a report on what costumes were moving these days, but I do recall that the shop owner being interviewed reported that items such as blood and scars and ripped skin masks or applications were virtually NOT SELLING AT ALL.
What was selling were Bush Masks, Statue of Liberty garb, and Uncle Sam costumes.
For the children the popular costumes were police and firefighter outfits.
I don't think the wrong spirit is at work here.
Rosie
*There is no conclusive evidence that life is serious*
posted on October 30, 2001 12:32:02 PM new
The man is really desperate for something to propel him in front of a camera - and anything reality - connected is just too dangerous to touch right now.
I wish he had flown off to Afganistan and preached to the Taliban until they hung his butt in the marketplace.
He knows only too well if he is not in the paper or on TV for 60 days the people will say "Is HE still around?" when they see him.
Just another preacher of low morals, and big ego who has more interest in politics and money than religion.
posted on October 30, 2001 03:55:46 PM new
Placing Jesse aside (I know, wishful thinking), tonight is our locally designated Trick or Treat night. That was done so that it doesn't conflict with other community events. I'm curious whether or not the turnout will be lighter than usual, which is normally around 400 every year.
posted on October 30, 2001 03:57:19 PM new
Our trick or treating was last Thursday. It was VERY windy and cold, and we had the same amount of kids as always. Nothing stops them!
posted on October 30, 2001 06:10:26 PM new
Hmmmm! Well it was an ideal night here and the turnout was way down, about half. I'm sure that Jesse's message had nothing to do with it, but it probably does indicate a general wariness among parents because of the current state of the country. I had hoped that wouldn't be the case.
