Let's face it, Al Sharpton is nothing more that a rablerouser who is out for his own financial and political gain! This issue (among many) just shows how divided this nation is! Again, if this was 6 white kids beating a black kid, it would be a hate crime and federal offense! Why does black America think this is OK?

At least one of these teenagers had several assault charges on his record, and was still on probation for one of them when this incident occurred. So go ahead and drop the charges, it will only be a matter of time before he/they are in trouble again. It is what they do. Then what will Jessie Jackson and Al Sharpton say about these upstanding young men? Will it all have been worth it then?

Bob,

juveniles in the state can't be charged with hate crimes. Which is why they decided the charge the black kids as adults.

RobertJB:

See this is why people cannot seem to get along. So many folks are missing the point: There were numerous outbreaks of fights before this last fight that seems to be the center of attention. For example: after the racist nooses were hung, Black students rightfully complained; and Black students were assaulted at white parties; A white man drew a loaded rifle on three black teens at a local convenience store. Are you fellows forgetting all of this? So, when you talk about Blacks reacting with violence, whites are the masters of violence in this country and around the world. All people (not every single person), without regard to skin color act out in violence. I used Iraq as an example to highlight how silly you sound by blaming violent behavior on Blacks. What in the world are you talking about? Blacks can be violent and Whites and all folks can be violent ...and are. .Wake up and realize that this is not fair justice towards these Black kids.

It's not ok to hang three nooses around a tree in reference to three black students sitting there. It's not ok to turn to a group of black students and say "I could sign your life away with the stroke of a pen." It's not ok for one incident to take place where a black student is beat up only to give the person liable probation then turn around and charge students - some who may not even have been involved in the fight - with attempted murder for a school fight. A shoe is not a deadly weapon. Spending the rest of your adult life in prison for a fight that you didn't provoke is not ok.
The students who hung the nooses were given in-school suspension, so it wasn't considered a hate crime but a harmless joke. Maybe had someone stepped in and considered punishment for the crime in that first instance, there would be no need to discuss it further. But they didn't because the sytem is not fair. And that is why not only "Black America" but those who know the difference between right and wrong are outraged.

I am just glad those folks didn't come into my town, I would have barricaded the family in the basement. I hope and pray that the people of Jena are safe and protected during this endless night for them. May God watch over them.

If you are beaten and bloodied by six people in Louisiana, expect thousands of people to show up to root for your attackers.

"those folks" Are we back to the days of savages now? How many instances of violence took place during the protest? Don't tell me you still cross the street when you see a black man or that one of the female members of your family still clutches her purse?

I hope and pray that when (if) you are given a home in Heaven, you don't mind being one of "those folk's" neighbors when God gives you a home in the sky. You do know Heaven isn't segregated, don't you?

I agree. This is an issue about right and wrong. It is an extreme outrage and injustice that some of the comments posted here are just blaming the black students. How dare someone say that the poor innocent white student was attacked? What about the innocent students who came to school and were subjected to seeing nooses placed on a tree? Wow, what a flashback.....huh? Please don't forget the initial incidents that have perpetuated all of the events. I am so happy that Jena is being exposed for their injustice. However at the same time I am deeply saddened that there are so many other "Jenas" in our country.

FREE THE JENA 6!!!!!

You're of course, right Tony, These white guys offended us, so let's beat the living $#@^ out of him and we should be justified! What happened to the old "sticks and stones" thing. You're not showing you can think, you're showing that you agree with vigilate justice for your "side"

When will we all be just AMERICAN. When will we stop dividing ourselves. We are dooming ourselves!

I'm a white 50 year old woman and I'm disgusted with the DA in charge of this case. How did a school fight turn into attempted murder when the 'victim' went to a school event that night? White kids hanging nooses in a tree as a warning for black kids not to sit there? And this get them an in-school suspension?
We all know the wealthy get away without jailtime in many cases but I had no idea any adult in a position of power like that DA would see the world so black or white, no pun intended. I hate to think of how many minor incidents lead to serious jailtime because of the color of someone's skin.
Obama did the right thing, to not speak on the subject at length until he was sure of his facts but then he spoke out forcefully.

The charges were excessive. Tho I think Obama has just ruined it for himself with this.

I agree with Obama, it was the media who had failed to grasp the gravity of the situation in Jena. I am appauled by the fact that when I called channel 7 a week ago, the news anchors and investigator that I spoke with said they knew nothing about it (Liars!) - what a dam*ed shame! You tell me the most important news you have is who left their pitbull in their back yard for 2 days or whatever or however many days and how OJ finally did something else wrong in order that there may be reason now to further kick him in the as* and down the stairs, but yet, you didn't know about something as important as this, the Jena Six? An incident that should have been heard all over the world based on the simple fact that this is what African American ancestors and leaders have struggled and fought for to their deaths to prevent - only to find that it still exist and we are yet, slapped in the face with it over again. I SAY NO! IT CAN'T HAPPEN AND IT SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING IN THIS DAY AND AGE! THIS IS 2007, NOT 1927!

obama is the biggest fool of all the candidates in the race for president of the united states. what a loser. most people do not care what you have to say or think. say NO to obama. in fact, vote for anyone except obama, just vote.

Responding to the post by RobertJB. Evidently you haven't taken the time to read the entire story of events leading to the publicized fight and the arrest of the six black students involved. If you would take the time to research before commenting you may have found articles such as one in Newsweek as well as others, outlining events. Prior to the beating of Barker by Bell and the other five charged, Robert Bailey, a black student was assaulted and beaten with beer bottles. The white student in that incident was charged with simple battery and given probation. I think a beer bottle is a more provocative "dangerous weapon" than a tennis shoe. Why does the assault and beating by a white student on Baily, a black student result in simple battery while the charges against the black student for beating the white student with a "tennis shoe" result in attempted murder.

That is Obama's outraged look? That really inspires confidence! Man, this guy needs some serious coaching. It looks like he's also under the thumb of the race hustler, Jessie Jackson.

What would happen if...
1) it were hispanic kids against black kids?
2) it were asian kids against white kids?
3) it were armenian kids against black kids?
4) it were white kids against samoan kids?

this black/white crap is getting old

Obama looks totally "out of it" in the pic for this story. Probably still doing coke...

I'm a Cherokee fool!