With the revelation that the Reverend Al Sharpton acted as an informant for the FBI raises some serious questions like who threw him under the bus? Sharpton who hosts the MSNBC show, "PoliticsNation," found himself under fire in a story by "The Smoking Gun."

Although "The Smoking Gun" touts the story as a relevant piece of information, it is old news. In fact, it is 25 years old. Sharpton's cooperation with the FBI came out in 1988. That is not old news; it is history. "The Smoking Gun" details 10 meetings Sharpton had with Joseph (Joe Bananas) Buonanno, a Gambino family member, but to what purpose? The story is 25-years-old.

So, why the repeat? Who wants Sharpton bad enough to bring up old news as a breaking story? Is it politically motivated? “PoliticsNation” on MSNBC often steps on political toes. Is it feasible that Rev. Al pissed off the wrong people?

It should be apparent that this type of investigative reporting died long ago. Instead, it sounds suspiciously like a telephone tip by someone that has a bone to pick with Sharpton, especially when a story 25-years-old suddenly becomes front-page news. Why isn’t Sharpton dead? When the story broke in 1988 it would seem that the people Reverend Al informed on would have arranged an accident for the television preacher.

Did the FBI have something on Sharpton that put him in a losing situation? Was it “You do this or else?” Did the FBI offer Sharpton a deal 25-years ago? Although Reverend Sharpton is a high-profile individual known for his Civil Rights involvement and political activism, he is not the type of person the FBI offers special deals.

In 1963, mobster Joe Valachi broke the Mafia’s sacred code of silence to become an informant after convicted of murder. To avoid the death penalty, Valachi turned state’s evidence and received a life sentence for his information. Salvatore “Sammy the Bull” Gravano a prolific hit man for the Gambino crime family cut a deal with the government and entered the Witness Protection Program for information that led to the eventual fall of the “Teflon Don,” John Gotti.

Did Reverend Sharpton possess this type of information? Although the story is true, it is a day late and a dollar short. Other than cramping Sharpton’s style, the story is a historical piece with a few extras thrown in to take the stink off it. Or, is it?

So far, Sharpton downplays stories and feels no embarrassment about his role as an FBI informant. According the New York Times Sharpton said, “We’re used to the attacks. The only thing I was embarrassed by is those old fat pictures. Could y’all use tomorrow the new ones? Because a lot of my younger members don’t know how fat I was.” Sharpton weighed as much as 300 pounds less than ten-years ago, but lost nearly 150 since then.

Still, the questions remain. Is the Sharpton story history or news? What does the FBI have on him? Who dropped a dime on Reverend Al? Is Sharpton a threat? To whom is he a threat? Why now? Until these questions are answered, the story has little value as news and even less value as history.


Views: 135

Tags: FBI, Informant, Mob, Sharpton



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Comment by Donald R Barbera on April 19, 2014 at 6:00pm
I like Rev Al. Don't like his method sometimes, but I think he is sharp and has an excellent handle on things in the black community. Is he controversial. Yes. Is he upsetting for some? Most definitely. However, like Ted Cruz, he knows what plays well with our bleed/lead media. Many don't care for his methods but he is effective and that is key. If Ted Cruz went jail tomorrow and was not guilty I wouldn't raise a finger to help him. But, is he effective in keeping his name in the news? Damn straight. I follow him just like I follow Rush Limbaugh because I believe it is always prudent to know what your enemy is doing especially if they are going to put it in the open. Nevertheless, I still wonder who outed Rev Al. Why? Why now? What is the purpose? As I pointed out, this is history. 1988. That's 25 years! With such an ancient story with little news worth. No matter what, I'd like to know "who killed cock robin?"
Comment by k.h. ky on April 19, 2014 at 1:38pm
Sharpton is for Sharpton.
Comment by k.h. ky on April 19, 2014 at 1:26pm
I've never liked Sharpton because of the Rev in front of his name. Maybe that's just me. I really dislike religious leaders because they seem to play on the fears and superstitions of their flock. And if they benefit from it they seem to take it as another blessing from their imaginary friend.
Comment by Daniel W on April 19, 2014 at 8:40am
Don I agree its always important to seek the hidden agenda. Often, if not usually, the hidden agenda is the real story.
Comment by Loren Miller on April 19, 2014 at 8:22am

I'll grant you, Pat: he knows how to game the media.  He just hasn't learned how to game me ... and at this rate, he's not likely to.

Comment by Pat on April 19, 2014 at 8:08am

Loren, the one point where we disagree is referring to Sharpton as a fool. He's anything but a fool. jay H is correct in his assessment of him as an opportunist who "games other peoples problems for his own advancement." And, by putting 'Rev.' in front of his name, he panders to the religious gullible on the left, the same as hucksters such as Palin, Bachmann and Huckabee pander to the religious gullible on the right. 

Comment by Loren Miller on April 19, 2014 at 7:26am

Pardon my french, but who fucking cares?  The ONLY time I notice Al Sharpton is when I have no choice in the matter: either when he's in the news for the noise he's making (entirely too often) or when he's getting his clock cleaned by someone like Christopher Hitchens in a debate.

Otherwise, I have as much use for Sharpton as a snake has for shoes and far better things to do with my time than fuss about that fool.

Comment by jay H on April 19, 2014 at 7:08am

While there may be something nefarious afoot here in the timing of the story, I have absolutely zero respect for Sharpton and am not likely to lose any sleep over it. He's an opportunist who games the news, and games other peoples' problems for his own advancement. Hopefully some of the people who are potentially deluded by him will see that he's not to be trusted.

Comment by Donald R Barbera on April 10, 2014 at 3:24pm

Michael--I definitely see the connect. That's why I wonder why it came out--again. Who dropped the dime? Why did it come out right now? There might be a story here, but it certainly is not that Sharpton was a FBI informant. I like Rev. Al just because he is not afraid to call out the bad guys. As far as his religion is concerned--I don't care. However, I do think there is story here, it just isn't history lesson "The Smoking Gun" gave to us. I doubt if we will ever know the truth. Evidently there are powerful people involved and I expect it has something to do with PoliticsNation.

Comment by Michael Penn on April 10, 2014 at 7:34am

From my locale it just seems that a lot of people do not like Al Sharpton. I'm really not sure why. A friend of mine points out that Sharpton is all for the black man" and claims that he (Sharpton) does not like white people. My friend has never met Sharpton. Even when I point out that the Rev. Al is a "civil rights era political activist" it makes no difference. I mean, what would a person like this do anyway? Wake up to reality. I've watched this man's show many times, and I even like how he changed his hairdo.

Now as to Sharpton, the FBI, and the mob, let me tell you a real story to illustrate what it might be.

In the Army in the 1960's we had a personnel department so powerful and corrupt that it would even doctor your records (for a price) and get you out of the service. These people were into everything and had a long arm of operation. Army CID was onto them as my friend transfered to their department. He knew about the goings on but kept his mouth shut. The CID nailed my friend who then made a deal with them for immunity if he would tell all in court. The trials were long and carried over many days. My friend was the hero. He testified to exactly everything that the CID already knew -- no more and no less.

Perhaps the FBI put Al Sharpton into a similar situation.

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