Globe Magazine preview: Chuck Turner on race, ethics

Mr. Turner, there is a place in Hell reserved for you.

Turner is PATHETIC and weak-minded. I will happily watch him rot in jail for dragging his party and state's name through the mud while spitting in the face of the people he was supposed to represent.

This is disgusting.

"Given the fact that all our state governments and the federal government is controlled by money, ..." is so true. To break this control and this corruption, we need Term Limits.

Not sure of the real agenda for posting this in today's paper (although I can guess) but, regardless, I agree with Chuck wholeheartedly. There are many issues that Blacks face that whites have no idea about, and I am white.

But I didn't just dismiss it ignorantly, I looked into and yes, Blacks are repeatedly victims of systemic racism, it is astounding. Just the hateful posts towards Blacks on these discussion boards is a testament to that. That is why Black folks want Black folks to represent them because whites continue to be oblivious about the rampant racism and then flat out deny it exists. How the hell can you deny something you haven't even bothered to investigate?

That flat out denial of this ongoing problem without any evidence is our greatest crime.

Turner has no soul! His lack of faith or respect for the people he supposedly served is only replaced by his dark, self absorbed, self centered, and egostical interests in lining his own pockets. By the grace God, may he see someday the light of the human spirit over the his own sickening, self-justifying squalor of "moral depravity".

not that what he says isn't true, but you can read a seroius case of rationalization into these comments. (eg. don't bother me with this petty fraud stuff; focus on the larger historical sins against humanity) With this attitude, perhaps we should open up all the jails.

Feel what he is saying because it is true! Everything is about money, that is why people go through such great measures to get it. Yeah thet got Mr. Turner on photo taking money, if they set up half, if not all government leaders they would have several pictures. The world is corrupt, we see all the time political scandals. Depending on who they are some get a slap on the wrist, and others (Turner/Wilkerson) are made out to be such horrible people. Politics are shady and several thousands of dollars if not millions is being passed around to make things happen off the record. In Mr. Turners/Mrs. Wilkerson's case they have pissed the wrong people off more than once, (mainly the FBI) that is why they have been exposed. If the FBI probed majority of State and Government officials we would run out of representatives.

so, because there are no ethic, there should be no ethics?

Either I'm naieve, or this guy's moral grounding is seriously warped. Politicians should aspire to be the proverbial "Boy Scouts," literally meaning they should be "Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent" (as per "The Scout Law).

"Ethics don't enter into politics"...therein lies the problem.

Are you kidding me? It's pretty obvious why Chuck stood by Dianne, he's on the take too. Birds of the feather...will now rot together.

BIRDS OF A FEATHER FLOCK TOGETHER!!!! Just one more politician gone bad in MASS!! What a surprise??? Will there be more??

what in the world is going on with some of our elected officials? wilkerson and turner are the loudest mouths in Boston politics. They were forever talking about how unfair whites were toward minorities. They played the race card every time they get a chance to do so in order to keep the eyes off of them. What a bunch of low down crooks. For years they they used the people to profit their pockets. Everything to them was racist when they didn't get their way. The sad thing about this, is that they have their supporters seeing everything as racist, too. Turner's arrest will also be look at by some Black as racism. These Black folks should stop blaming their ills on racism and get a life.

What an insulting and cynical attitude to say that ethics has had little influence on politics. What a time to say such a thing when we have a president elect who is clearly ethically motivated to change this country for the better by anyone's standards. He follows a long line of politicians including Clinton, Carter, Kennedy, Johnson, Franklin Roosevelt, Lincoln, Teddy Roosevelt and countless other politicans who, motivated by a sense of fairness and ethical behavior, dedicated their lives to public service. Tuner's brand of anger and cynicism belongs in the trash heap...along with him.

What a disgrace. Rather than address the issues of political corruption in this country, you would brush it off as simply part of American life. The federal government is controlled by POLITICIANS (not money), unfortunately many of them corrupt like yourself, and it is my sincere hope that Barack Obama will take a top-down approach to flushing these political turds down the toilet.

Moral depravity doesn't live in this country - it lives in your own mind, and I'm sure you'll have plenty of time to reflect in the coming months while you age disgracefully behind bars. How ironic that the same federal government you claim is controlled by money was able to put their greed aside and set cheese on the trap to catch a rat like you. Good riddance

None of us are any longer in denial that you are a crook.

Dear Chuck,

You are a racist, thieving, political hack. It's time to take your tired, outdated views, and move on. The 1970's were a difficult time in Boston. Get over it, it ain't the 1970's anymore.

what a perfect example of an elected official who clearly has no clue what he is doing. He speaks of entitlement being more important than honesty and ethics. He speaks like he has been crowned king, whereas he really disdains the concept of an empowered electorate.

I

What a wack job!

wow. it is because of the unethical practices of our past politicians, that we, as a people, have elected politicians that vow to rise above such biased, amoral legislation. how can we ever think of progressing our culture, when the previously oppressed claim justification over unethical behavior simply because their oppressors practiced the same? sure, the human race is morally deprave, and descartes was right in thinking that true moral behavior does not exist, but rather only behavior governed by the fear of getting caught. but bottom line is that either type of behavior engenders the same result, and sorry my brother, but you just got caught.

This is why our President-elect did NOT show favor with the 'old order' like Jesse Jackson, Al Sharpton and others. We all need to stay focused on today and how to be better prepared for the future and not depend on the favoritism that has evolved from those firmly in their political seats. Term limits must be a priority to clean house and make change.... and ethics are very important and should be taught by example...

Hey Kayla #5, let's get you off

sad but you are not guilty under the oj simpson law. money=no conviction no money=jail

#5, let's get you off that "I am better because I am white and speaking out in support of other races because they don't know how to stand up for themselves" high horse for a second. I certainly wouldn't appreciate being identified as "white folks" so let's have you layoff off the "black folks" terminology if we can. The Chuck Turner case is about a criminal, not about race or neighborhood representation. So glad you looked into this. You are so much better than the rest of us. I did some research of my own, some soul searching and discovered I am offended by your remark: 'whites continue to be oblivious about the rampant racism and then flat out deny it exists.' Thanks for blanketing all of us.

Pathetically enough some of what he says is true. However, he uses everyones (i.e. politicians - at every level) criminal behavior to justify his own!! Term limits need to be a priority!!

Its interesting that the FBI stings in the Boston area are always targeted at the black community. I would like to see the stings be performed on all segments of the population so that we can see the full extent of the perceived corruption. the FBI stings target people they hope they can tempt with money. Well lets target everyone rather than just the black community. I read the transcripts of the stings involving Turner and Wilkerson and neither of them demanded any money from the FBI stinger. Instead, the informant continually stuffed money in their pockets and repeatedly said "I'll take care of you." I am not defending them but a person throwing money at you is different from demanding money from some one.

Black people have to stop whining about what happened 100 years ago. Slavery of any human being is wrong and thank God it is no longer legal in the Us and should be banned worldwide. I nevr owned a slave and niether did anyone in my family but the attitude of some people of color in our community is that white poeple still owe them something. They should stop looking for a free handout. The answer is not to always blame your problems on racism. I am white and voted for Obama because I thought he was the best candidate not because I wanted a black president I wanted a good president.

Why is it that when a person of color gets in trouble he blames it on racism? Why does a person of color want to jump higher scores on civil service tests? Why does the black community state that the criminal justice system is racist because there are more blacks in jails than whites when in fact the number one cause of death for black teenagers is to be shot by another black teenager? Should the police not investigate these shootings because it will further increase the prison population and they will be accused of not caring for the minority community. Unfortunately there is racism in our country but these attitudes just make it worse..

That Turner supported Wilkerson after all the years of trouble she was in says it all. This guy just doesn't get it, and neither do all those people holding up supportive signs in front of the TV cameras. There are lots of people who do get it, but they will keep their disappointment to themselves instead of marching around and yelling like fools. There are a lot of good people here, and this guy has disappointed them badly. They knew about Dianne Wilkerson, but they thought Turner was a good guy. He's Wilkerson with a beard.

I hope arrangements are being prepared but Councilor
Feeney to prevent this crook from entering City Hall come Monday morning. He obviously needs to resign.

Kayla #5's soft bigotry of low expectations is measurably worse that Turner's own broke racially-based moral compass

Typical criminal. "Everybody does it". "America is rotten" "I hate my country" -- sound familiar? 80% of criminals, any color, any crime think this way. This guy is not merely guilty of taking a few bucks, he's a criminal by choice and by character. I wouldn't hire him to pump gas.

Posted by derek eddy November 22, 08 01:56 AM
"Its interesting that the FBI stings in the Boston area are always targeted at the black community."
--- You mean like the decades long effort to take down the Mafia? They have cut limbs off of that monster, a tough thing to do considering the Mafia's City Hall and State House connections, but they still did it even when corrupt officials would sabotage their work. They didn't give up and they did succeed in putting a fair percentage of it away. You'd rather they look the other way because "crime isn't wrong when everyone does it"?

You yell out fire in a crowd and everyone believes there is a fire. You yell out you are innocent in an angry voice and blame it on racism,and you hope everyone believes you.

At least the guy is honest... about being a crook. Chuck should look into running for government in some third world country. He'd be perfect, taking bribes left and right and rationalizing it as "that' the way it is".
The real mockery of the law will be when this idiot gets only a slap on the wrist and is back running for office within the year. Sadly, he'll somehow manage to find his way back to public office and continue taking money as he sees fit.
What a disgrace, nothing but a common criminal. I'm black and I'm embarrassed that this imbecile calls himself representative of the black community and its interests. Chuck, I hope that if you are found guilty under due trial you get the book thrown at you. You are a disgrace and nothing but a common thief.

Why is anyone surprised? This guy has always been a loud-mouth hypocrite (just like Jesse Jackson and Al Sharpton). It's business as usual in Massachusetts.

Let's let the system work and see what happens. I'm not convinced Turner wasn't set up....but even if the money was thrown at him, it was wrong for him to take it. If that's the case he should apologize, admit he was weak, and then raise the issue about why he was singled out. Has any FBI agent thrown a thousand bucks at Maureen Feeney? At Tobin? At any of the other councilors. Let's see what went down and then make our judgements.

First of all, I think this is a clear case of political persecution, Chuck Turner has always been an outspoken politicians who can speak truth to those who don't want to hear it. And even if we were to believe that he took a thousand dollars (never mind the amount they spent on FBI surveillance), how is that national news of such significance while those who take billions in corruption sit either in Congress or White House and when their corruption results in disaster, they are awarded billions more to help themselves. IT IS NOT ABOUT CORRUPTION OR BRIBERY, as Chuck said, our national politics is Immersed in that so this must be about something else, both of them are black, from a poor district..

Where's a recollection of Mel King, an activist from several years ago who shared some of Chuck Turner's causes and outlooks. Rep. King was sometimes dismissed as a dreamer, while Councilor Turner has sometimes been hailed as a realist. The real difference seems to have been that Mr. King was an honest person, while Mr. Turner was a crook.