MTV News has posted an outrageous story: the rapper T.I. (Real name: Clifford Harris) was arrested in October 2007, mere hours before he was to headline the BET Hip-Hop Awards in Atlanta. The rapper was charged with possession of unregistered machine guns and silencers and possession of firearms by a convicted felon. He pleaded guilty to the charges in May as part of a plea deal. But despite a guilty plea and jail time to come, the rapper was allowed to vote in Georgia in the 2008 election. MTV asked:
How was T.I. able to vote? Well, the Georgia Secretary of State's office, in consultation with their own lawyers, "reviewed the law and found that Mr. Harris is eligible to in Georgia because the state constitution says that to be able to vote, you have to have served your entire sentence, which includes all probation and fines and any other stipulations," said Matt Carrothers, the Secretary of State's director of media relations.
Because T.I. is not slated to go to prison until next year on felony gun charges and is not currently incarcerated – though he is under house arrest – and is not on probation, all he had to do was contact the county he votes in and get re-registered in order to cast a ballot.
"Feels like I've taken advantage of my right to become a part of the democracy," T.I. said in the release. "It was definitely worth standing in line and doing all the things people complain about voting. I think it's more than worth it."
Associated Press added details:
But his lawyer, Steve Sadow, confirmed that he can still cast a ballot because his sentence doesn't start until late March next year.
"Until he is sentenced in the federal case, he doesn't have a conviction yet," said Sadow of his 28-year-old client, whose real name is Clifford Harris. "Even though he is a convicted felon, he has a right to vote since he is not serving probation and hasn't started his prison sentence."
A spokesman for the Georgia Secretary of State's office confirmed that T.I. was eligible to vote.
With an "I'm a Georgia Voter" sticker planted on his black vest, T.I. signed autographs and took photos with several fans who were stunned to see the Grammy-winning artist in line to vote.
"It's inspirational what he is doing," said Nathirya Brown, 19, a first-time voter who was one of the first to spot T.I. stepping off his "Respect My Vote" campaign bus. He and the nonpartisan group Hip-Hop Caucus launched a nationwide tour in late July to encourage voters between the ages of 18 and 29 to take a more active role in politics.
It’s quite a favorable environment for a rapper to plead guilty to breaking federal gun laws and still be allowed to vote, and even be seen as a role model by fans.
(Hat tip: Cam Edwards)
—Tim Graham is Director of Media Analysis at the Media Research Center.
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This is insane! He is a
October 31, 2008 - 21:52 ET by ROTORHEAD77This is insane! He is a convicted felon who hasn't begun to serve out his sentence. This is how this election is going. It is similar to opening up "early voting" for those to lazy or responsible enough to vote on ELECTION DAY!!!
What about those of us that
October 31, 2008 - 22:56 ET by dmntd1What about those of us that can't vote on election day for other, non-lazy, responsible reasons voting early? I'm an election judge outside of my precinct, so was my vote not to be cast because I was too "irresponsible"?
That said, I think the sec-state made a gross error. He IS a convicted felon, that has NOT fully served his yet-to-be-determined sentence.
"Socialism is the philosophy of failure, the creed of ignorance, and the gospel of envy." - Winston Churchill
Sir, of course there are
November 1, 2008 - 04:03 ET by ROTORHEAD77Sir, of course there are special circumstances wherein an absentee ballot is warranted. I am in the service, and have no choice but to vote in absentia. My mother has severe MS and is forced to use the same fashion.
I am upset with the fact that this election seems to be rigged in favor of the Democrats. If you leave the polls open for weeks prior to the actual election, of course you can persuade and push them to the polls. Voting is a civic responsibility, and if you must coerce one to go out and vote, then maybe they shouldn't be voting at all.
In the end sir, we can agree to disagree on the topic.
Rotten Peaches in Georgia?
October 31, 2008 - 21:59 ET by TN MomI'm. In. Shock.
As a 44 year resident of the great state of Georgia...
October 31, 2008 - 22:12 ET by R D Helm...oh, just u nevermind.
LOL-I don't wish to get banned from NB this close to the election.
-Dave
The MSM is the 21st Century version of the Ministry of Public Enlightenment and Propaganda
And I thought California was screwed up!
October 31, 2008 - 23:35 ET by IamTinmanDave you have my deepest sympathy. That is some of the most twisted logic I've seen since the last time the California legislature gerrymandered voting districts and locked the state up for the democrats.
Geeez, is anyone really
October 31, 2008 - 22:21 ET by Clear thinkerGeeez, is anyone really surprised?
Patriot vs Obama
Making Fun of AGW http://giovanniworld.wordpress.com/
And on top of all that, T.I.
October 31, 2008 - 22:44 ET by arkansaszippersAnd on top of all that, T.I. is a horrible rapper. He shouldn't be allowed to vote because of that alone.
"Inspirational"?
October 31, 2008 - 23:01 ET by MarcusBrodyInspired by people with felony convictions, spit on Cosby and Larry Elder and continue to worship the rappers.
civil war
November 1, 2008 - 06:05 ET by txtomcatThis is obviously a very loose interpretation of the laws in georgia. It also stokes my fear that this bloodless civil war we are in is going to get nasty quick after this election.
Here's why:
If Obama loses, we ARE going to have riots and when those die down you will start to see an upswing in black on white violence and the black "leaders" will quantify it by stating that the black community is just reacting "naturally" to the frustrations brought about by the "stollen" election.
If Obama wins, you will see a democratic electorate go apes***t on the "right". "provocations" from the left will increase markedly until people start fighting back with more than just words.
I don't like saying any of this because I love my country and wore her uniform for eight years, but facts are facts out hear in the trenches doing the 9-5. Up in washington, they are hoplessly out of touch. Keep your heads down and your powder dry folks.
This issue always leaves me
November 1, 2008 - 08:18 ET by AlgerHissThis issue always leaves me asking one question: He can vote, but can he purchase/possess a firearm? I bet not.
This is the test that should always be used. If you can't purchase/possess a firearm, then you can't vote. If I can't trust you with a firearm, then I certainly don't trust you with a ballot.
Rochester, Minnesota: A Fem_Leftist City!
Liberal Projection
November 1, 2008 - 08:44 ET by Sergeant ROCKWhat is interesting is that liberals proclaimed in 2000 that the election was 'stolen' and here we are in 2008 with the democRATS pulling out all of the stops to steal this election with their nefarious tactics.
It just demonstrates again that when democRATS make an outrageous allegation against their political enemies, there's a damn good chance that they are either guilty of it or very much capable of committing the act themselves.
PALIN/McCain 2008
This is great news for the
November 1, 2008 - 09:55 ET by SickofLibsThis is great news for the rap "community".
You're not a felon until you actually enter the cell.
Tell All
November 1, 2008 - 16:53 ET by thericoSomeone in Georgia needs to tell all the felons in T.I.'s situation that they too can vote. I wonder what excuse they are going to use to stop them from voting, especially if they're white.