I think it was immature and just as shown, it distracted from his message.

See the i see it is they dont care about the issue because it s not their child that was murder. I feel that Mr.Rush was not wrong hey was making a point, doing wat hey believed in. People must take a stand thats wat leadership do.

I think you are immature for making that statement and fail to see or understand the reason why congressman had to make such a bold statement. We cannot continue to cover these incidence of racism up. We must boldly make statements for justice even if it is not the norm or worldviews of the majority population of this country.

President Obama should wear one and lets see if he's escorted out! In all seriousness, this was a bold and much needed protest in our nation's capital. More political incumbents need to do more action and less talking as did senator rush.

Heartache and pain make ppl do many things and taking a stand and speaking out is what Rep Rush was moved to do. The brutal loss of a child has to be one of the most painful things a parent can experience and Rush probably identified So strongly w/ Trayvon's family that he wanted to make a powerful statement. Cut him some slack. There r some things that transcend political maneuvering.

When did he become a Senator? And what action did he take, he was grandstanding for free publicity like all politicians. If he wants to take a stand why not take a stand against the Chicago Machine Party. He will never do that, he knows where his bread is buttered.

The House of Representatives is the home of American rules and laws. It sends the wrong message when those same rules as enacted by its members are not followed. Rush didn't do this for the chamber's members but the public. To that end, he could have gotten permission from the leadership to present his speech in the attire chosen. Instead of the message getting through as was intended, it turned into a debacle for the press to turn into a feeding frenzy. Face it folks, if the rule makers can't follow their own rules, how do they expect everyone else to follow... The message got across as "just do whatever and forget the rules, laws, etc."

The number one killer of a black male is another black male. I guess it is ok as long as it is your own race. And the moment this incident took a turn away from Tray was when dumb and dumber stepped in. That would be Jess and Al. And I would never give them the respect and address them will the title Rev. I grieve for the Martin family but because of dumb and dumber exploiting this, now people are trying to make money off of this. What about the little 6 year old black girl gunned down just recently by two black males trying to shoot at eachother? Ohhh all parties are the same race so that's ok. Sad, very sad

We never seem to hear Mr.Rush screaming in outrage or bringing attention to the outrageous number of murders in his own district. Englewood alone makes headlines on a daily basis. Every morning the headlines in the papers list the totals from overnight violence and mayhem like the box scores from a baseball game. Mr. Rush, before you go on a rant for a cause 1300 miles away, clean your own house.

Bobby Rush should be spending his time and efforts trying to restore order in his own District. Ther are murders there very day. Why isn't protesting these? Why isn't out there getting that community to step up and take control of it's area?

As our United States Congressman I am embaressed! But his actions do not surprise me at all. His black panther attitude has always followed him. I do not consider him as MY voice in congress that is for sure. Illinois is declining and now we see why. His representation is secular and does not represent ALL of the First District ! Take a look at the map lines for the 1st Congressional District, It looks like somebody took a crayon and drew it. We should be holding our elected officials to a higher standard, not a lower one !

I can't take this some of these comments are ridiculous. This man intended to stand for a family who experienced a loss similar to his own. Though yes he could have used a different tactic but he didn't. People are complaining about why he isn't supporting his own neighborhood .....well I don't know if you have been hearing the news but this boy's prosecutor has not been charged. That's the reason for the issue and everyone is angry. People are always trying to speak negative when others try to do something positive.

I think that politicians should stay out of these issues period. It takes away from their original position/job. Every day, tons of people are killed. Why is it that just because someone is of color, they are picked out and gets plastered ALL over the media as racial profiling? I think it's wrong. Let the local governments take care of the local crimes.

Tania, please follow the thread. What people are saying is Rush should be showing the same kind of outrage in HIS district or don't black on black crimes count as heavily for him? His district has multiple murders almost daily.

Is Bobby Rush, former Black Panther and lawbreaker, the best and brightest that his District can elect??? His constituents should be ashamed. He is silent on the continual black-on-black murders in his District, but doesn't miss an opportunity to make a statement on a Florida murder? That brands HIM as a racist. He isn't part of the solution, he is part of the problem.

BTW, the Tom replying to Ernie is not the same Tom who posted above. If anyone cares, which is doubtful.

It was unprofessional and wrong. There is a time and place for making stands like this. Its not appropriate to do it while at work. Any of us who work in places where there is a dress code, would have been told to go home and change if we weren't adhering to the dress code.

If he felt that strongly, he should have done it on his own time, and not when he was being paid to act on a official capacity, where he's representing the people of Illinois. He's my representative and I'm not sure where I stand yet. Waiting for all evidence to come out and the investigation to be completed before I decided who is right. He did a huge misservice to Illinois by taking a stand before all the facts were known. And if is turns out that there it wasn't self-defense, and racial profiling, Mr. Rush still has a responsibility to represent Illinois in a professional manner upholding all the rules of congress.

Plus, if you listen to him during this, and the interview on WGN, he actually sounds like he's slurring his words. Maybe Mr. Rush needs to have physical to see if there is something wrong with him that would make him act so irrationally. Not trying to be mean, he really didn't sound right.

I think his message was clear. Difficult times call for difficult measures. I think he did the right thing in light of the racial conflict we are experiencing as a result of Zimmerman's violent reaction to a human being doing nothing more than walking in a gated neighborhood while talking with his girlfriend on a cell phone. We are all Trayvon Martin. I'm white, female, over 40 and I identify with Trayvon and his family. Rest in peace, Trayvon, and may this incident lead to understanding, peace, and justice.

As Larry Paveza points out....there were, what, a couple score shootings on the South Side over the weekend, and Rev Jackson and Mr. Rush put on hoodies and head to Washington? First things first, fellas.

When Rush goes on the record in speaking up for people like this also , Then and only then will I believe His statements were not racially motivated for his grandstanding stunt in the capitol. As an elected official, He should be leading the communities on how to act responsibly and not further stir turmoil in what promises to be a very turbulent summer coming up in Chicago.
Why hasn't Bobby Rush spoken up for elderly like these?
http://www.newson6.com/story/17178698/family-of-tulsa-couple-victimised-in-home-invasion-speak-out

If only our representatives represented their local constituents' views an voices with such passion. This was a self serving act to represent his own feelings. He was not wrong in the message, he was wrong in the time and place to proclaim it. When you are an elected official, there are so many other arenas for you to be an activist for or against something. What he was saying was powerful. It would have been a message much more clearly heard, if Mr. Rush put on his hood gathered with several of his peers and called a press conference or reached out to speak at the local schools. Start with the children... that is where the education, tolerance and change has to start. Go where your voice will be heard and your actions leave a lasting impression.

I'm not going to read all these comments. I am sure I will agree with some, and not all. But, hey, get a life people. It was no big deal. I would not have done it, but, he was making a statement. Just hope he makes similar statements for us in the 1st Distrct when we are wronged.

The problem with Bobby is Bobby..He knows the rules and decided to break them.Another fine example for the kids! You claim to be an example, but this is so wrong.. Probably more murders in his district than anywhere else in Illinois! Started out a thug and once again showing us his thoughts are basically the same, that he is a racist..Wake up people..when a good number of criminals are arrested there's alot of them wearing hoodies and sunglasses. You see these people on the news almost everyday! If I were walking down a street and saw someone approaching me dressed like that I would cross the street or at least be a little worried. I don't know what really happened in Florida, but shooting every individual dressed like this obviously isn't the answer..One way to stop this would be to dress different. Many many criminals dress this way so why be STUPID and do the same?? Another way to calm these situations is to ignore Mr. Rush, Mr. Jackson, Mr.Sharpton, etc.. The only time you see these people crawl out from under their rock is when some crime involves an African American being affected by a white person's action. Whites being affected by an African American doesn't warrant their involvement!! They are the Racists!! Wake up America and watch what's going on in your neighborhood. The only way to straighten out this mess is for us all to become involved. A single phone call could possibly save a life.Think about it!!