Rudy Giuliani, Appearing on Fox News, Tells President Obama to Shut up About Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s Arrest

Good ole self-righteous Rudy Giuliani is back on the political scene again! Suddenly he has become the moral compass of the Republican Party again, despite his many, many shortcomings -- affairs and all. But the issue I have with him is the fact that he has proven once again how disrespectful and rude he is. During his interview with Sean Hannity, another idiot, he condemned President Obama's health care plan. Gee, I wonder what he would propose? Of course, he never listened to his constituents in New York City during his tenure as mayor. You will recall that racial tensions were at an all-time high during his years as mayor.
Rudy Giuliani, who has returned as a leading Republican spokesman, condemned Obama's health care plan in an interview with Sean Hannity.

He also offered his feelings, in response to the president's hope that Gatesgate would be a "teachable moment," this:

"He's actually right. It is teachable. Here's the lesson: Shut up."

Now, is that the way for someone to talk about or to the President of the United States? I didn't hear Giuliani groveling after President Bush realized that Bernie Kerik, his police commissioner, was a liar, a cheat and an adulterer? Of course, we shouldn't be surprised that this brand of vitriol occurred on Fox News, or as I like to call them, Faux News.

Police Officers Ryan White and C.M. Route, Placed on Paid Administrative Leave for Running Background Check on President Obama

First we had nosy contractors prying into the passport files of President Obama, John McCain and Hillary Clinton, now we have some cops in the news again, for all the wrong reasons. Police officers Ryan White and C.M. Route have been placed on  paid administrative leave after an investigation revealed they ran a background check on  President Barack Obama.  The men were identified by a representative for the DeKalb County CEO’s office.  I cannot recall every hearing that police officers did a background check on President George W. Bush. It is pathetic the lengths some people are going to smear POTUS, Barack Obama. Shameful.

According to WSB-TV, officials said the president's name was typed into a computer inside a DeKalb County police car on July 20 and ran through the National Crime Information Center. Of course, these idiots just didn't figure out that the Secret Service would realize what was going on. After all, this isn't an Average Joe's file they are snooping in, it's the president of the United States.

A representative said both officers have been with the department less than five years.A representative said one of the officers denied involvement. An official investigation is being conducted by the DeKalb County Police Department’s Internal Affairs division. There was no reason for these men to run a background check on the president. They shouldn't be placed on paid administrative leave. They should be fired for being just plain stupid.

Lou Dobbs Ratings in Downward Spiral Due to Birther Controversy about President Obama's Birth Citizenship

CNN's Lou Dobbs, idiot extraordinaire, is seeing the effects of his ridiculous rants about President Obama's citizenship. His ratings are falling and I hope CNN chief Jon Klein will get the message that viewers don't want to hear that BS. This "birther" madness needs to stop because it is nothing but a huge lie and a distraction. You will recall that Klein, after initially attempting to put Dobbs in check in  an email that read, "It seems this story is dead- because anyone who still is not convinced doesn't really have a legitimate beef." Yeah, but the drama continued as Lou Dobbs dug himself into a deeper hole, much like Glenn Beck, that idiot on Fox News, who said President Obama, a bi-racial man, was racist. This past week, Klein, on a panel discussion at the Television Critics Association press tour, argued that Dobbs was beyond his control so long as he was using the forum of his radio show. Right. Now The New York Observer's Felix Gillette crunches the numbers, and Dobbs is swallowing a really bitter pill.

Mr. Dobbs' first began reporting on Obama birth certificate conspiracy theories on the night of Wednesday, July 15. In the roughly two weeks since then, from July 15 through July 28, Mr. Dobbs' 7 p.m. show on CNN has averaged 653,000 total viewers and 157,000 in the 25-54 demo.

By contrast, during the first two weeks of the month (July 1 to July 14) Mr. Dobbs averaged 771,000 total viewers and 218,000 in the 25-54 demo. In other words, Mr. Dobbs' audience has decreased 15 percent in total viewers and 27 percent in the demo since the start of the controversy. Source: NY Observer

Good, let Dobbs keep digging himself and CNN into a deeper hole. Several liberal media watchdog groups, including Media Matters and MoveOn.org, the Southern Poverty Law Center have petitioned CNN to fire Mr. Dobbs for repeatedly providing a forum to conspiracy theorists who believe, against all evidence, that the president was not born in the United States. There are so many more important issues that Dobbs could use his show to discuss, but he decided to get down in the muck with the extremists and some Republicans to keep this ridiculous side show going.  I would hope Mr. Dobbs will come to the realization that he isn't indispensable and he isn't the moral compass of the United States of America.

Debbie Rowe, Katherine Jackson Reach Settlement Agreement in Custody Case for the Two Children she had with Michael Jackson

Debbie Rowe has settled her custody issues over Michael Jackson's children and it doesn't involve a single penny, but it does call for a psychologist for her kids. According to TMZ, Rowe reached the agreement with Katherine Jackson and it is subject to approval by the judge.

Rowe will get visitation of the two children she had with Michael. She wants and will get a psychologist who will visit the children and help them adjust to her being in their lives on a meaningful basis.

Rowe will maintain her parental rights. The agreement says Rowe has no parental rights to Blanket, Jackson's youngest child.

Barbara McKinzie, President of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Sued by Eight Members for Mismanaging Funds, Including the Commissioning of a $900K Wax Statue of Herself

Barbara McKinzie, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority President

(Chicago Sun Times)

Barbara McKinzie, president of Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority, and some board members have been sued by eight members of the sorority, accused of mismanaging funds and commissioning a $900,000 wax statue of herself, the Chicago Sun-Times reports. They face charges that they purchased a $1 million life insurance policy McKinzie and arranged a four-year, $4,000 monthly stipend for the former accountant after she leaves her post. The suit has also accused McKinzie of charging nearly $400,000 in personal expenses, like lingerie and jewelry, to the Chicago-based sorority's American Express card. What? This is unconscionable. They ought to file criminal charges for theft. This is just plain avarice.

The suit also alleges that McKinzie persuaded the board in 2008 to approve $250,000 -- later increased to about $375,000 -- in compensation to her for services rendered on behalf of the sorority. McKinzie's pay was based on her securing $1.6 million in cost savings to AKA, but there was no proof that there were any savings, the members said.

The suit contends the expenditures should have been approved by AKA members last year. It seeks to have the board removed and money returned. Leadership also is accused of overcharging for the group's 2008 conference, one that observed Alpha Kappa Alpha's 100th anniversary.

The registration fee was doubled to about $500 per member for the 2008 meeting, which brought in about $13 million. The complainants say expenses for that gathering were about $9 million, and the surplus was spent at McKinzie's discretion. Source: Chicago Sun Times

Wait, McKinzie had the hubris to defend her actions and questioned her accusers' motives and said the wax statue, along with another of the sorority's first president, only cost $45,000. Um, one question? Why does this woman need a wax statue of herself in the first place? From what I have read, it is a trend and the statue will be placed in the National Great Blacks in Wax Museum in Baltimore, where it will be in a growing and wasteful exhibit of predominantly black fraternity and sorority representatives. Why not give that $45,000 to inner city schools in Chicago? I am sure they could put it to good use.

Deloris Nissen, 78, Places Ad to Sell her Television Sets, Says She's Tired of Seeing President Obama on Airwaves

Deloris Nissen, 78, of Carroll, Iowa, has decided to sell her television sets. Why? She said she is tired of seeing President Barack Obama on the airwaves. According to The Daily Times Herald, she placed a classified advertisement for Friday's paper. She's just using the President as a scapegoat to ditch the two televisions. She is reportedly still keeping a bigger flat-screen television and selling an older 20-inch Sony and possibly a 13-inch set. She's just trying to hawk some junk. In the $5.50 ad, Nissen tells readers she has two television sets for sale.

The reason: "Obama on every channel and station."

She was interviewed by the newspaper and she said taht she was serious about selling two TVs - and genuine about her disgust with what she believes to be an overexposed president. "I just got tired of watching him on every channel," Nissen said. "I thought, my gosh, does he ever stay at the White House?" Well, it seems to me that Presidents Bush and Clinton were always on the airwaves. How come she didn't ditch the televisions then? Of course, she voted for John McCain in the presidential elections, so don't be too surprised with her actions. They do seem pretty extreme, however. Psst, Ms. Nissen, President Obama is coming to a radio station near you! Hah, this is too funny. Also, President Obama won Iowa in the elections and he also trounced McCain in Carroll County where she resides.

Justin Barrett, 36, Suspended by Boston Police Commissioner Edward Davis, for Sending Email Describing Henry Louis Gates, Jr., as a "Jungle Monkey"

The fallout from the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr., continues. This time the racism is actually coming from one of the Boston Police Department's Finest -- Justin Barrett. He has been suspended for using a racial slur in reference to Mr. Gates in an email. Apparently once Commissioner Edward Davis learned of the slur he put Barrett, 36, on administrative leave pending a termination hearing. What did this man say? According to the Boston Globe, he referred to Henry Gates as a "jungle monkey," and he reportedly used it while reacting to the media coverage of the arrest. I guess the Boston Police Department has their own Mark Fuhrman. I am sure Fox News will be only too happy to have his as a regular contributor as they have done for Fuhrman.

In his e-mail, which was posted on a local Boston television station's Web site, Barrett declared that if he had "been the officer he verbally assaulted like a banana-eating jungle monkey, I would have sprayed him in the face with OC [oleoresin capsicum, or pepper spray] deserving of his belligerent noncompliance."

Barrett used the "jungle monkey" phrase four times, three times referring to Gates and once referring to Abraham's writing as "jungle monkey gibberish."

He also declared he was "not a racist but I am prejudice [sic] towards people who are stupid and pretend to stand up and preach for something they say is freedom but it is merely attention because you do not get enough of it in your little fear-dwelling circle of on-the-bandwagon followers." Source: CNN

Barrett, allegedly wrote the racially charged e-mail about professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. to colleagues at the National Guard. He has been on the job for two years and was stripped of his gun and badge yesterday. Here's the bigger issue that we should take away from this suspension -- this police has a racist view of blacks. Do you really think this mindset wouldn't manifest itself when he comes in contact with a black or Latino on his beat? Yes it would. I would caution readers not to judge the entire police force across this country by the actions of a few racist cops. There are many decent and hardworking police officers out there.

Rep. Barney Frank Threatens Banks that if They Don't Modify More Mortgage Loans, Congress will Enact Legislation to Force Them into Action

Rep. Barney Frank, chairman of the House Financial Services Committee, has issued a stern warning to banks that if they don't volunteer to save more homeowners from foreclosure, Congress will make them. Amen to that! He said Congress will revive legislation that would let bankruptcy judges write down a person's monthly mortgage payment if the number of loan modifications remain low. That bill should have never died in the Senate by a 45-51 vote, falling 15 votes short of the 60 needed to overcome procedural hurdles. Oh wait, how could I forget that some of these same banks are big donors to many senators, so they are not motivated to give a heck about the "little person's" financial hardships. The Democrats have 60 senate votes, there is no reason why this bankruptcy write-down cannot be revisited, passed and sent to the President for his signature. The time for action is now, not later when the situation becomes more dire.

Frank also said his committee won't consider legislation to help banks lend unless there is a "significant increase" in mortgage modifications. His statement comes on the heels of a deal struck yesterday between Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner and more than two dozen mortgage companies. The two sides agreed to set the goal of adjusting 500,000 loans by Nov. 1.
Loan servicers have said that they are still playing catch-up with the deluge of customer requests by hiring and training thousands of new employees. Banks also are trying to sort through which customers face a legitimate financial hardship. Hello, that shouldn't be so hard to figure out in this economic climate. The unemployment rate is skyrocketing in many states as we speak. I am no fan of Barney Frank, but he is right, something drastic needs to be done to stem this foreclosure tide that not seem to be ebbing one iota.

Black Workers, Including Lawrence "Lonnie" Powell, Say Drinking Fountains, Bathrooms Segregated at Philadelphia Trash-Handling Facility

I came across an interesting article on Philadelphia Daily News' website and I want to share it with my readers because the allegations are very troubling. Lawrence "Lonnie" Powell, who is employed at the city's Northwest Transfer Station in Roxborough since 2003, said that since he began working at the trash-handling plant,  he has had to seek the superintendent named as John Gill's permission to go to the bathroom — then descend five flights of stairs to use it. Powell, 58, who is black, said that the white employees have been permitted to use a bathroom just 25 feet from his work station. He is one of five current and former employees who have alleged in legal documents that the station's white superintendent has discriminated against them because they are black. Did we revert to the 1950s when the scourge of racism was a bloodstain on the fabric of American life as we knew it?

Clarena I.W. Tolson, commissioner of the city's Streets Department, which runs the station, declined to discuss the matter and referred questions to the City Solicitor's Office. An assistant city solicitor has denied the black workers' allegations.

Among those allegations is that for several years Gill has kept a "supervisor's bathroom," one flight up from Gill's office, that "only the white employees were allowed to use...whether or not they were supervisors," Powell wrote in an affidavit last month.

"Quite often, while I'm up there, I could be sitting in my booth, and I see white guys going into the bathroom," Powell said in an interview. "They walk right by the door and go right in the bathroom there. That's maybe 25 feet away from where I'm at." But when he has to go to the bathroom, he said, he has to go down to Gill's office to get permission, then descend five more flights.

Two other black workers, Gibson Trowery, 55, and Leslie Young Jr., 51, filed a complaint with the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission in October 2007 and a lawsuit in January alleging discrimination by the city and infliction of extreme emotional distress by Gill.

Howard K. Trubman, a Center City attorney representing the black workers at the station, said that the law permits Trowery and Young to take their case to court because the PHRC did not rule within a year. But black workers had complained in writing about what they considered racism at the station as far back as 1999, Young and Trubman said. In August 2007, Powell aired the black employees' grievances in a meeting with Gill and Streets Department Deputy Commissioner Carlton Williams, who then ordered Gill to open the supervisor's bathroom to everyone, court documents show.

Water cooler in the closet -- the building in which the men work, located up the hill from the Schuylkill at Domino Lane and Umbria Street, had been the city's Northwest Incinerator — the outside wall still calls it that — until the city switched from a trash-burning system several years ago. Meanwhile, white workers were allowed to use a water cooler in Gill's office, the lawsuit says.

Gill, 53, is a 35-year city employee who was earning $53,585 a year as of last November, according to city records. He succeeded his father, also named John Gill, as the station's superintendent, documents show. Source: Philadelphia Daily News

The lawsuit is scheduled to be heard in February 2010. Wow, this certainly has the appearance of the Deep South in the 1950s. If these allegations are true, this is a disgrace and should not be tolerated one bit. People complain that we have moved into a post-racial America, but that's wishful thinking if these allegations are proven to be true in a court of law. No one deserves to suffer such indignities in this country.

DA: Todd Genger, a Goldman Sachs Lawyer Caught Soliciting '15-year-old'

Todd Genger, a lawyer for Goldman Sachs, was caught in a sting operation targeting perverts who solicit young girls for sex. Genger, 33, has been accused of trying to lure an underage teen with explicit chat on the Internet and then traveling to Westchester to consummate the cyber-affair. What an idiot! The "girl" he was pursuing was an undercover investigator posing as a teenager in a chat room.

Here's the real shame in all this: Genger is a married man with three children of his own. Would have liked it if anyone tried to sexually assault any of his children as he had allegedly planned to do with this minor? He was reportedly nabbed after a series of Internet conversations that began April 13 and ended Monday. According to the district attorney's office, the investigator made it clear to Genger that she was underage.

Genger reportedly admitted to participating in the online conversations about the intended tryst, which included "specific explicit sexual acts." He has been arraigned on charges of trying to disseminate indecent material to a minor and was released on his own recognizance pending an Aug.11 court date. If convicted, the dirtbag faces 1-1/3 to four years in prison, if convicted.

I am pretty sure that this isn't the negative publicity Goldman Sachs wants at this time. He should be terminated immediately and his law license revoked.

Gun Violence Continues in Chicago With 14 People Shot Overnight In Four-Hour Period

SHOCK: The violence continues in Chicago. At least 14 people were shot and wounded in Chicago overnight in a four-hour period. Seven of the victims were shot in a single incident on the city's West Side. According to Fire Media Affairs Dir. Larry Langford, six people were initially hospitalized in critical condition and one person, an adult man, was taken in stable condition after suffering a graze wound. He said that one person was found shot inside a grocery store and the six others were found within a half-block radius of the store. All victims were males ranging in ages from 15 to 28.

There's more. A woman standing with her baby in a stroller and two other people were shot within 20 minutes in separate incidents on the South and West sides.

Langford said, in an interview, that in the South Shore neighborhood a 22-year-old man was shot in the hand and suffered a minor head wound at 7700 S. Avalon Ave. That shooting was reportedly preceded by a carjacking during which five suspects approached the victim and physically removed him from his vehicle at gunpoint.

To read more on this horrific chain of events, CLICK HERE.

Jack Shaw, 61, Arrested in the Massive New Jersey Corruption Scandal, Found dead in Jersey City Apartment

Jack Shaw, 61, one of the gang of 44 arrested in last Thursday's massive New Jersey corruption scandal, was found dead in his apartment this evening, according to Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio. According to NJ.com, no weapon was found at the scene and an autopsy will be performed to ascertain the cause of his death.

Shaw, a political consultant, was accused, in the criminal complaint , of taking $10,000 from the government informant for himself and an additional $10,000 in campaign contribution for an unnamed Jersey City official.

This latest death is eerily reminiscent of Ken Lay who died before sentencing in the Enron case.

This story is still developing. More to follow.

Otty Sanchez, 33, Decapitates Infant Son, Scott Wesley Buchholz, Eats Some of His Body Parts

HORROR: I am amazed that this story has managed to fly under the mainstream media radar, instead we are being inundated with the fallout from President Barack Obama's comments in the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr. by a white police officer, Sgt. James Crowley and the continued fascination with the Michael Jackson death investigation. Otty Sanchez, 33, did the unthinkable. San Antonio police said that she decapitated her infant son, Scott Wesley Buchholz Sanchez, and ate parts of his body. The family said that she has been diagnosed with schizophrenia and postpartum psychosis before the slaying at a North Side home this weekend. This begs the question of why on earth was she left alone with the baby? I am sure the cops that went to the scene of this horrific crime need counseling. It is unfathomable that someone could do this to another human being, let alone an innocent baby.

This is really horrific. Police said she confessed to killing the infant on Sunday with a steak knife and two swords before mutilating the corpse and eating body parts that included the brain, nose and toes, police said. She has been charged with capital murder and remained under 24-hour observation Monday at University Hospital, where she was treated for self-inflicted knife wounds. The baby's father said that she should receive the death penalty.

“She was hysterical, screaming, ‘I killed my baby. I killed my baby,'” Police Chief William McManus said. Sanchez told detectives that she was “hearing voices” and the devil made her kill her baby boy, who was born June 30. “You can still be prosecuted if you have some form of mental illness,” said First Assistant District Attorney Cliff Herberg. “The test is if you understand the difference between right and wrong. The question is whether or not you know your act is wrong.” Source: My SA News

Postpartum depression reportedly affects one in 10 mothers and the more severe postpartum psychosis — which includes hallucinations — affects one in 1,000. The problem for me is that the family should have seen that her mental state was deteriorating. Relatives said her mental health severely deteriorated in the week before Scotty's death, then if this was the case, why didn't they seek an intervention, especially given the fact she suffers from schizophrenia. This poor, innocent baby did not deserve to be murdered by his mother. It is unconscionable what she did to him and she should get the death penalty for her actions. This is beyond depraved. This is horrific.

Photo credit: My San Antonio

Glenn Beck Calls President Barack Obama a Racist Over His Comments about Henry Louis Gates' Arrest by White Officer (VIDEO)

Fox News Channel's Glenn Beck is a lunatic. This morning on Fox and Friends, Beck accused President Obama of being "a racist." The group was discussing the recent Gates controversy, and Beck exclaimed that Obama has "over and over again" exposed himself as "a guy who has a deep-seated hatred for white people or the white culture. I don't know what it is..."

When another guest on the program pointed out that many people in Obama's administration are white, so "you can't say he doesn't like white people," Beck pressed on. "I'm not saying he doesn't like white people, I'm saying he has a problem," Beck said. "This guy is, I believe, a racist." Um, in case Glenn Beck hasn't noticed, President Obama is half-Caucasian. This is what they pay this idiot millions of dollars for? This is the type of vile garbage that incites the extremists in our country. Well, since he's making stuff up? How about I call him a racist?

Kelly King, Colleague of Sgt. James Crowley, Says She Will Not Vote for President Barack Obama Again because of His Comments about the Cambridge Police Dept.

The drama continues from Gatesgate -- Henry Louis Gates Jr.'s arrest by Sgt. James Crowley. Now the Drudge Report has the picture of Kelly King, a black female officer who spoke to CNN's Don Lemon is defense of her colleague, Sgt. Crowley. What I found sad is the resoluteness of her position that she will not vote for President Obama again because of his statement that the Cambridge Police Department "acted stupidly." I agree that he should have recused himself from making any comments about the arrest, but her position seems to be very extreme, considering that Sgt. Crowley has accepted the President's invitation to meet at the White House on Thursday.

DEA Agents, FBI and Law Enforcement Search Las Vegas Home of Dr. Conrad Murray, Personal Physician of Michael Jackson

URGENT:  DEA agents, FBI and police swarm down on the home of Dr. Conrad Murray, Michael Jackson's personal physician. They are at the doctor's home as part of a manslaughter investigation into the singer's death.Murray was Michael Jackson's personal physician and was with Jackson when he died. 

Murray, who is based in Las Vegas and is licensed in California, Nevada and Texas, had his Houston office and a storage unit searched last week by DEA agents. Court records show the agents were seeking evidence of whether the doctor committed manslaughter.Police said Murray is cooperating and have not labeled him a suspect.

Well, I am sure that by now, he may have removed anything incriminating from his home, but his computers and laptops may tell a vastly different story. No matter how you look at this, he's in some serious trouble.

Still developing. More to come.

Yes, Children. Ghouls Really Exist and Reside in Chicago

Burr Oaks Cemetery in Alsip, Illinois has a special place in history for many African-American Chicagoans. For decades, it was the only cemetery that accepted our dead loved ones, and almost everyone I know has family buried out there, including my own. Emmett Till, one of the catalysts of the Civil Rights movement is buried out there. But a place of haven for so many black families became a nightmare when more than 300 human bodies were removed from their graves and the plots resold in an elaborate scheme that that lasted for four years.

On July 9, 2009, four individuals were charged with one count of dismembering a human body, a class X felony. The ghouls or suspects, all of whom are black, have been identified as Carolyn Towns, 49, Keith Nicks, 45, and Terrence Nicks, 39, and Maurice Dailey, 59. Bond was set at $250,000 for Towns, who happened to be the cemetery's ex-manager, and at $200,000 for the other three. However, on July 24, 2009, Maurice Dailey was set free after his wife posted $20,000 cash.

Towns is also alleged to have pocketed donations she elicited for an Emmett Till memorial museum. However, she has not been charged in connection with those allegations. Court documents show she was fired from the cemetery in late May amid allegations of financial wrongdoing.

This is such a sad tale of greed, ignorance, and a disdain for humanity. So many families have converged upon Burr Oaks Cemetery only to find misplaced graves and dysfunction. Babyland, an area in the cemetery where children and babies were buried have gone missing and parents have to mourn the loss of so many young lives again. Those 300 bodies were someone's loved ones and it is a shame that these ghouls were so money hungry.

Poor record keeping have stymied the efforts of Cook County Sheriff, Tom Dart and other officials from seeing how many families were affected by this tragedy. The really ironic part about this whole situation is that this scheme only cooked up $300,000. $300,000, not $300,0000,000 is the payment these individuals received to dig up graves, dump the helpless bodies into a mass grave, and leave headstones and scattered bones all over the place along with the original casket of Emmett Till, which was found rusting and surrounded by garbage and possums in a tool shed on the edge of the cemetery.

This is what happens when we do not teach African-American children about their culture. They grow into warped adults with no concept or respect for African-American history. Up until recently, I was very ignorant about my heritage. The only Black history that was taught to me was during Black History Month. Even then, I only learned a part, not the whole. According to some of my grade and high school history textbooks, my people were nothing more than savages whose only contributions to the world were farming and slaves.

Only when I made the decision to attend college did I learn about the rich and interesting history that is my cultural birthright. Stories of women such as Ellen Craft, a slave who disguised herself as a white male while her husband pretended to be her servant in order to escape the chains of bondage. I was like a kid in a candy store. I had so much information and so little time to learn everything that was hidden from me. I immediately became angry. Angry at the school system that had bamboozled me and so many other generations of back children. Angry at myself not seeking my heritage sooner. But this anger was a good thing. I would never allow myself to be this ignorant again and I would make sure that my own children would know about their heritage, with or without the school’s help.

However, there are many in the African-American community who are unaware of their heritage, other than what is shown on television. There are some who actually believe those stereotypes about Africans swinging in trees when the slave boats came and that is so disheartening. The most tragic consequence of this mentality is that many African-American children are growing up today complacently ignorant about their heritage, not caring about anything other the latest pair of gym shoes and the latest CD.

According to African-American historian John Henrik Clarke, in order to control a people, you must first control what they think about themselves and how they regard their history and culture. And when they feel ashamed of their culture and their history, prison chains are not necessary.

That is so true. Many generations of African Americans have been poisoned with self-hatred as a result of ignorance about African-American history. Some of us have forgotten about the blood, sweat, and tears of Africans who were brought to this country against their will and whose blood still run deeply in our veins.
That is why it is so important to know one’s heritage. We have to break the cycle of complacent ignorance when it comes to our historical past. We know that the school system is not going to teach our children about their heritage. We cannot let another generation of African-American children suffer from cultural degradation. In our veins, flow the blood of kings and queens who fought and died for their beliefs and who would be saddened by the state of their descendants who have forgotten where they come from and would sell out their brother’s ancestors for $300,000.

Louis Farrakhan Sees 'Conspiracy' in Michael Jackson's Death, Blames 'Zionist Leaders,' US Government & Media

What would the Michael Jackson saga be without Minister Louis Farrakhan giving his two cents? Addressing 2,000 followers at Mosque Maryam, the Nation of Islam headquarters on the South Side, Farrakhan described Jackson as a "messianic voice" and an "archangel of sound, song and dance," as he called Jackson a victim of "Zionist leaders," the U.S. government and the media. Of course, those comments sparked some outrage in the Jewish camp and rightly so. What do the Zionists have to do with Michael Jackson's demise? Dr. Conrad Murray, his personal physician is very much an African American and whose fault is it that Jackson chose to surround himself with hangers-on and yes-people, who didn't seem to have his best interests at heart?

I am pretty sure the US government didn't tell Mr. Jackson to take all those prescription drugs or to use anesthesia to fight insomnia. If Louis Farrakhan continues to make comments like this, he will never gain mainstream acceptance. I must say, he has made some very valid arguments through the years, but those are rendered ineffective because of his continuous anti-Semitism. It is very disappointing that he continues to blame the Jews for just about everything that goes wrong in the African American community.

Citing it as part of a conspiracy to undermine Jackson, Farrakhan said the lawyer told him Jackson had agreed to do 10 concerts but had been booked for 50, and there was concern Jackson would get sued if he couldn't uphold the agreement. Farrakhan, 76, also cited the molestation accusation of which Jackson was acquitted as another example of efforts to undermine his success.

During the wide-ranging, 2½-hour speech, Farrakhan said he does not believe Jackson was killed intentionally. Instead, he believes Jackson's death was the result of a mistake by Jackson's doctor, Conrad Murray, who is a target of a manslaughter investigation.

In speaking of Jackson finding his roots in the black community, Farrakhan said President Obama did the same when he said police "acted stupidly" in arresting Harvard University Professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Obama later said that he had used a poor choice of words. "His [Obama's] black started coming out," Farrakhan said. "He had to pull that fella back in. Underneath, it shows you all his brilliance, his magnificence ... he's one of the brothers." Source: Chicago Sun Times

Farrakhan, for what it's worth, has done a lot of good things in the black community, but he continues to draw sharp criticism for his relentless attack on the so-called "Zionists." We have to accept responsibility for our own actions and stop blaming others for our shortcomings. No-one forced Michael Jackson to turn to prescription drugs. He was led to that life because of an accident and it is obvious that he was never able to kick his addiction because of the choices he made, including to surround himself with leeches and rabid wolves, instead of people who really had his best interests at heart.

Pravda Responds to Vice President Joe Biden's Comments About Russian Economy, with "Shut it Joe!" Editorial

I wondered when the Russians would respond to Vice President Joe Biden's comments about a weakened Russia being eager to accommodate US demands. Well, an editorial response appeared in Pravda today, entitled "Shut it Joe," and written by Timothy Bancroft-Hinchey. It is actually quite laughable. If this is the best they could do, then I guess VP Joe Biden has nothing to worry about in the way of insulting the Russian establishment. The columnist focused mainly on the previous administration and made personal and inane attacks against the vice president, but failed to counter Biden's positions about the Russian economy. Since there was no counter argument, I am inclined to believe the assertions by Joe Biden were factual indeed. Here's the rant in its entirety:

There’s one in every family, and in Washington’s political framework, there’s Joe Biden, one whose pig-headedness, sheer unadulterated brashness, arrogance, rudeness and chauvinism will ruin carefully planned approaches to policy building. After cavorting with the Devil in Ukraine and Georgia, he now comes back home and makes absurd and insolent remarks about Russian policy.

It has been quite apparent for some time now that there are two US Administrations, the good cop Obama who is genuinely well-meaning and liked, prepared to listen and build bridges, and the bad cop personified by Biden and Clinton representing the AIPAC/Washington regime axis which could basically not care less about the international community and whose policy focuses on Israel, NATO and the unelected lobbies which really pull the $tring$ in US policy.

After President Obama’s remarkable visit to Russia in which a new page in bilateral relations appeared to have been turned (after nearly a decade of the murderous Bush regime with its illegal wars, acts of slaughter, torture, derision of international treaties, wantonly destroying civilian structures with military hardware before doling out rebuilding contracts to White House cronies without tender), just a few days afterwards, Joe Biden spoils it all with a shocking display of insolence and ignorance.

In his interview to the Wall Street Journal (it is not clear whether it was made before or after lunch) references were made to Russia’s banking system which he claimed would not last 15 years, complete with an intrusive reference to Chechen “separatists” and Russia’s falling population. In short, according to the Vice President, Russia is in such a state that the USA does not need to do deals to reach compromises.

Shut it, Joe! For a start, for “separatists”, read “terrorists” and if Joseph Biden supports Chechen terrorists it speaks volumes about his integrity as a politician, as a man and his competence as a member of the White House team. 95% of the Chechen people voted to remain inside Russian Federation in a free and fair democratic election. His “separatists” are criminals who control the drugs trafficking, human trafficking and arms trafficking trades and always have done. The Vice President of the United States of America is therefore pig-ignorant. One would have thought that after 9/11 an American citizen would abhor violence. Not Joe Biden apparently.

Shut it, Joe! For your information, the Russian population has started to grow again. If the US Vice President bothered to look at the statistics, instead of mouthing off in a style more befitting a beerhouse brawl, he would see that the Russian birthrate rose by four per cent in the first half of 2009. The Vice President of the United States therefore has not a clue what he is talking about.

Shut it, Joe! Russia’s financial system is far healthier than he thinks and after the collapse of the market orientated economy in recent times, how can an American make any serious claim to have any credibility whatsoever?

Finally, after cavorting with the Devil, shaking the hand of that tie-chewing mass murdering wannabe Hitler in Tblisi, the man whose troops slaughtered nearly 2,000 Russian civilians last August in an unprovoked act of butchery unseen since his darling Chechen “separatists” at Beslan, and calling him a friend…it is clear not only who, as a man, but what as a political animal, this Joseph Biden really is.

He is the regime, the Dick Shotgun Cheney, the Donald Waterboarding Rumsfeld, the Condy Torture Chamber Rice, the George Ace of Spades Bush of the Obama regime. Any overtures President Obama makes, this Joseph Biden and his mouth is bound to ruin. He is the counterweight which will render the Obama Presidency redundant and which will ensure that Washington distances itself ever further from the hearts and minds of the international community.

Joseph Loudmouth Biden has done more damage in a single interview, sending out a clear signal as to what really lurks in the shadows and lunges behind the eyes of the Obama Presidency, than any other member of Obama’s team. In short, his presence clouds the skies above the White House, sending out a chilling message that what everyone most abhors about the United States of America is alive and kicking. So a word of advice for “Joe”. Shut it! Next time talk through your mouth. Source: Pravda.ru

Um, what is "shut it Joe?" If this was a personal attack on Joe Biden, the writer of this article failed miserably. The facts speak for themselves. The Russian economy is in a free-fall, with no end in sight, much like the United States of America. To add insult to injury, the Russians also lost India as its second largest defense customer. India will now be purchasing American weapons. The USA and India reached this agreement during Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s visit to Delhi on July 20. That's a major slap since India had been using Russian and Soviet weapons for 50 years. Sorry, but that's a big deal and very newsworthy.

Russia's economy is collapsing and the situation is expected to worsen in 2010. According to media reports, official forecasts for Russian gross domestic product growth in 2009 remain positive, but most analysts, including government officials, are bracing for a severe recession — which, indeed, appears to have started in the fourth quarter of 2008. The stock market's collapse, its 72 percent fall, is the largest of all major emerging markets. There are even reports that Russian oligarchs are pawning their yachts and selling their jets. So, while I don't think VP Biden should used those words to describe the situation in Russia, his basic argument was correct. Russia is in over its head. Mr. Bancroft-Hinchey, a tree grows in St. Petersburg, find it and avail yourself of all the crap you wrote about.

Michael Vick Reinstated by NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, Could Play in Regular Season Games as Early as October

NFL commissioner Roger Goodell has conditionally reinstated Michael Vick, meaning he could play in regular season games as early as October. Vick can immediately participate in preseason practices, workouts and meetings. He can also play in the two final preseason games if he can find a team that will sign him. Several teams, including New York Giants and New York Jets, have already made it clear that they would not. I am sure that there is a team out there that will pick him up, even if it means going overseas to Europe.

You will recall that Goodell suspended Vick indefinitely in August 2007 after the former Atlanta Falcons quarterback admitted bankrolling the "Bad Newz Kennels" dogfighting operation. Goodell said  that Vick must show remorse and signs that he has changed before he would consider reinstating him.

Once the season begins, Vick may participate in all team activities except games, and Goodell said he would consider Vick for full reinstatement by Week 6 (Oct. 18-19). This is good news for Michael Vick and he deserves a second chance. I hope he has learned his lesson, changed his circle of friends and realize that he can be a better person as a result of this ordeal. I am sure PETA will follow him all over the place, but he can weather that storm as well.

The announcement came after a busy first week of freedom for Vick, who met with union leaders and Goodell on consecutive days last week. His 23-month federal sentence ended when an electronic monitor was removed from his ankle early on July 20 at his home in Hampton, Va.

Ann Coulter Calls Birthers "Cranks"

It speaks volumes when even right wing firebrand Ann Coulter calls birthers a bunch of "cranks." Coulter, during an appearance on Fox News, she further blamed the liberal media for using the Birthers to smear the political right, saying that multiple conservative publications looked at this issue last year and concluded that there's nothing there:

"So for CNN or MSNBC, or you Geraldo, the liberal on Fox, to be bringing this out as if it's an issue, you know, it's just a few cranks out there," said Coulter. "It's like when networks bring on the three remaining Klanners in America, on TV."

I very rarely ever agree with Ann Coulter on anything, but this time she has a point about the cranks running around trying to discredit President Obama's claims of being a natural born American. Gee, I wonder where that leaves Jim Inhofe?

Loren Spivack, Owner of Conservative Leaning Free Market Warrior Kiosk at Concord Mills, Says He's Being Kicked out of Mall for Political Reasons

There's a war raging at North Carolina's Concord Mills Mall over, Simon Property, the mall management's decision not to extend the lease of the owner of conservative leaning "Free Market Warrior" kiosk. Loren Spivack, the owner of the kiosk has contended that he's being kicked out of the mall for political reasons. He reportedly traced his exile to a letter to the editor in the Charlotte Observer criticizing his business, saying it promotes “ideas such as racism, sexism and even slavery.” Yesterday, about 100 people rallied in front of the mall to support Spivack and his right to free speech. 

He opened his kiosk last spring and sold items such as "Impeach Obama," "Al Qaeda's 2 favorite days: 9/11/01 & 11/04/08," and "Obama's coming, Cling to Your Guns and Religion," bumper stickers and baby bibs that say, “My parents chose life. Thanks Mom and Dad!” As much as I hate the rhetoric and content of his wares, he is governed by freedom of speech under the Constitution. He says he wants to take America back, but wasn't the biggest damage to this country done under a Republican president, George. W. Bush?

Spivack said he's found other stores in the mall selling T shirts and other merchandise with offensive slogans and feels he's being targeted “purely for politic reasons.” Needless to say, since the controversy commenced, he said his business has been brisk.

I believe Mr. Spivack's love for his country is obvious, but his methods of showing this love is questionable. Why does he have to feed into right wing extremism to get his views across? The same holds true for the other stores at Concord Mills Mall that sell the same hateful bumper stickers and paraphernalia. 

Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R.-MI) To Offer Resolution Demanding Formal President Obama Apology To Cambridge Police

It is absolutely unbelievable that the Republican Party continues its petty attacks on President Obama as the country is going through the worst economic distress in decades, two wars, a stalled health care reform effort, rising foreclosure rates and a collapsed auto industry, Rep. Thaddeus McCotter (R-Mich.) could have the nerve to introduce a bill calling on the president to formally apologize to the Cambridge Police department. To go out on a limb here -- was President George W. Bush ever pressed by Rep. McCotter to formally apologize for the eavesdropping activities that extended to civilians and not alleged terrorists? Or did they press President G. W. Bush for the inadequacies of the government in the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina? I don't think so and this is a waste of everyone's time. This move by Rep. McCotter is nothing more than a political ploy to take attention away from health care reform, among other issues. President's Obama's apology to Sgt. Crowley and the CPD is the least of McCotter's worries, considering that his state is literally imploding around him -- highest unemployment rate in the country. He is clearly an obstructionist and he is one misguided politician.

Though falling short of a formal apology, as far as I am concerned, President Obama's comments on Friday were widely seen as conciliatory and accepted by the CPD and Sgt. Crowley. "I want to make clear that in my choice of words I think I unfortunately gave an impression that I was maligning the Cambridge Police Department or Sergeant Crowley specifically," Obama said, "and I could have calibrated those words differently."

Here is the full text of his resolution:

Whereas on July 16, 2009, Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Sergeant James M. Crowley responded to a 911 call from a neighbor of Harvard University Professor Henry Louis ("Skip") Gates, Jr. about a suspected break-in in progress at his residence, which had been broken into on a prior occasion;

Whereas on July 22, 2009, in responding to a question during a White House press conference President Barack Obama stated: "Skip Gates is a friend, so I may be a little biased here. I don't know all of the facts involved in this local police response incident;"

Whereas President Obama proceeded to state Sergeant Crowley "acted stupidly" for arresting Professor Gates on charges of disorderly conduct;

Whereas, as a former Constitutional Law Professor, President Obama well understands that all Americans are innocent until proven guilty in a court of law, and their actions should not be prejudged prior to being fully and fairly judged by an appropriate and objective authority after due process;

Whereas, President Obama's nationally televised remarks may likely detrimentally influence the full and fair judgment by an appropriate and objective authority after due process regarding this local police response incident and, thereby, impair Sergeant Crowley's legal and professional standing in relation to said incident; and

Whereas, President Obama appeared at a daily White House Press briefing on July 24, 2009 to address his denouncement of Sergeant Crowley and stated: "I could have calibrated those words differently" but "I continue to believe, based on what I have heard, that there was an overreaction in pulling Professor Gates out of his home to the station."

Whereas, President Obama's refusal to retract his initial public remarks and apologize to Sergeant Crowley and, instead, reiterate his accusation impugning Sergeant Crowley's professional conduct in the performance of his duties;

Now therefore be it, Resolved, That the House of Representatives -- Calls upon President Obama to retract his initial public remarks and apologize to Cambridge, Massachusetts Police Sergeant James M. Crowley for having unfairly impugned and prejudged his professional conduct in this local police response incident. Source: Huffington Post

Here's my parting question, does this incident rise to the level of a congressional resolution? Didn't right wing nutjob Michelle Malkin and others criticize Sheila Jackson Lee for introducing a legislation to honor the late Michael Jackson for his humanitarian service? This seems like a complete waste of time and the voters in Rep. Thaddeus McCotter's district need to remind him to whom his is accountable and that he can be voted out of office for not meeting their expectations.

Ezekiel Holbert Kills Two Seminole County Officers, Wound Jennifer Bowen, in Gun Battle as Deputies Tried to Serve Warrant

Ezekiel Holbert, 26, shot and killed two Seminole County deputies and Jennifer Bowen, who was walking down the street, was hit by a stray bullet, while they were trying to serve an arrest warrant yesterday. Holbert was jailed on murder complaints. The names of the murdered deputies have not been released. Why was Ezekiel Holbert able to get a gun? The gun laws in this country need to be revisited and changed. There are way too many criminals running around with guns and with the intention of shooting to kill.

Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation spokeswoman Jessica Brown said Holbert was in his mother’s home, 503 N Second St., about 3 p.m. when she called authorities, Brown said.

"She found out he was inside. He was not welcome, so she called Seminole County deputies,” Brown said. "When they knocked on the door, the suspect came out, Mr. Holbert, firing a weapon.” Brown said they don’t know what kind of a weapon was used. Two deputies died, Brown said. One died at the scene and the other at OU Medical Center. Source: NewsOK

The deputies were serving a warrant issued in May for a charge of domestic assault and battery by strangulation. This is a tragedy of untold proportions and I am glad they got Holbert alive and not dead, so that he can be tried for this heinous crime. There is no reason why this man was able to get his hands on a weapon and to inflict such harm and devastation to the innocent families of these deputies.

Wendy Murphy, Lawyer for Lucia Whalen Who Called 911 in the Henry Louis Gates Jr., Arrest Case, Speaks Out, Says her Client isn't Racist

The drama continues with the arrest of Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. Wendy Murphy, the lawyer for Lucia Whalen, the woman who made the 911 call, said that she is not a racist. I thought this incident was slowly moving behind us, but here comes another media blitz. I am not sure where the allegations of racism against this woman came from, but this is the first I have heard of that. Didn't the professor say that he didn't blame her for calling the police?

Attorney Wendy Murphy said, in part: "She did not know the race of the men when she called 911 because of her distance and that their bodies were turned away from her vantage point. Criticism was exacerbated when Mr. Gates challenged police to explain why they would believe "a white woman over a black man."

This statement is issued solely to correct the record and to emphasize that the woman is not racist and was acting as a responsible citizen, with appropriate concern for the safety of the community. She has worked in Cambridge for more than fifteen years, about a hundred yards from where Mr. Gates resides, and was aware of several recent break-ins in the area." Source: NECN

The 911 tapes will be released shortly and it should put the rest some of the lingering doubts of racial profiling in this case. In retrospect, I think Professor Gates was the one who pulled the race card first and blew a fuse without just cause.

Dr. Conrad Murray Exhibits Strange Signs in the Death of Michael Jackson

The fallout in the death of Michael Jackson continues. According to TMZ, law enforcement has reportedly said one of the theories they're exploring in the King of Pop's death is that Dr. Conrad Murray administered Propofol to the singer and then left the room, eventually to return to a dead body.

Our sources say when paramedics arrived Michael Jackson was found with an IV in his arm, an IV stand nearby along with an empty IV bag and oxygen tank. We're told paramedics who arrived on scene say Dr. Murray's conduct was "strange" -- he was "hard to deal with" and was "getting in the way" of emergency responders.

As we already reported, paramedics wanted to pronounce Jackson dead at the house but Dr. Murray insisted they transport the singer to the hospital. We're told at the UCLA Medical Center -- after doctors gave up on resuscitation efforts because Jackson was clearly dead -- Dr. Murray continued CPR, which some of the UCLA docs found curious. Source: TMZ

All I can say is, enough already. If the cops have enough evidence of probable cause, they need to just arrest Dr. Murray. There are several bothersome actions on the doctor's part in this case. First, he was nowhere to be found after Jackson's body was taken to the hospital and he was pronounced dead. Second, he left his car at the residence, yet he claimed he did not know the address to call 911 earlier. Third, he lawyered up quickly. Fourth, he reportedly had some of his employees remove boxes from his storage facility in Houston and lastly, he has not spoken to the parents of Michael Jackson to explain the chain of events that occurred. Sorry, if it walks like a duck and quacks like a duck, well it is most certainly a duck.

Hazem Khalid al-Braikan, Kuwaiti Businessman Charged With Fraud by the SEC, Reportedly Commits Suicide

Hazem Khalid al-Braikan, a Kuwaiti businessman linked to Citigroup and who has been charged in the United States with fraud, has committed suicide. He was reportedly found dead in his bed with a gunshot wound to the head and a handgun by his side. What is rather interesting about this latest turn of events is the fact that the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission charged al-Braikan, the CEO of Al-Raya Investment Co., last week with scheming to make millions by manipulating the stock of certain U.S. companies. The SEC said it was freezing more than $5 million in profits it believes were made off questionable deals by al-Braikan and three companies  he was associated with. It is also interesting to note that his company is 10-percent owned by Citigroup Inc.

The SEC said al-Braikan's company as well as two other companies – the United Gulf Bank and KIPCO Asset Management Co. – traded shares based on two phony announcements. One announcement faxed to media outlets July 19 and subsequently reported on the Internet the following day stated that a Middle Eastern investment group made an offer to acquire Stamford, Connecticut-based electronic systems maker Harman International Industries Inc.

Harman was forced to issue a statement last Monday denying it had been approached by a mysterious Gulf investor known as the Arabian Peninsula Group following a number of media reports. The company's shares tumbled sharply once the hoax was revealed.

In April, rumors and a report in a Kuwaiti newspaper that a consortium of Middle East companies was offering to buy Textron Inc. sent shares of the Providence, Rhode Island company soaring more than 50 percent in a single day. No deal for the manufacturer of Bell helicopters, Cessna jets and turf-maintenance equipment emerged, and shares plunged a few days later.

The SEC said al-Braikan and the others "amassed positions in the one or both of the securities of the companies shortly before the bogus offers were publicized." They then sold their securities at "prices inflated by the false information to reap their illicit profits." Source: Huffington Post

Some may say that this man was murdered or others will say he killed himself because the noose was literally tightening around his neck. He could have just been terribly beaten at his shady and unscrupulous game.

Bill Kristol Says President Barack Obama "Is An Arrogant Man" (VIDEO)

During a panel discussion on "Fox News Sunday" the topic, not surprisingly, turned to President Obama and the Gatesgate controversy. Bill Kristol had his usual negative reaction to President Obama, but this time he went a little further. In response to the President's statement that he would have calibrated his words differently in his initial statement that the Cambridge police had acted "stupidly." Well, Kristol's response was almost laughable, considering the right wing nutjobs like him couldn't tell former President George Bush what to say when he was busy putting his foot in his mouth on several occasions:

The President could have said, you know that was a stupid thing for me to say. But he didn't say that for some reason. You know, that would be too self-deprecating. And I think he is an arrogant man. And he feels entitled to pass judgment on Cambridge cops or on pediatricians. Source: Think Progress

Is it me or hasn't Bill Kristol made a career passing judgment on other people? Couldn't we make the same argument that he is an ARROGANT man? Let's put this in the proper perspective. The Cambridge cops, including Sgt. Crowley, have said they are “profoundly grateful that the president took time out of his busy schedule to attempt to resolve this situation.” In a statement, Cambridge police officers said, “It is clear to us from this conversation that the president respects police officers and the often difficult and dangerous situations we face on a daily basis.” Earth to Kristol, the President and the officer have made their peace. For Pete's sake, let it go!

Vernon "The Viper" Forrest, Shot and Killed in Southwest Atlanta During Attempted Carjacking

Professional boxer Vernon "The Viper" Forrest was killed in southwest Atlanta Saturday night during an attempted carjacking. Police said Forrest, 38, had stopped at a gas station to put air in the tire of his Jaguar when he was approached by two men. He was shot six to eight times and police said the gunmen had two semi-automatic weapons.

Police said Forrest had his girlfriend’s son in the vehicle at the time of the shooting. The child remains in police custody until his mother arrives from Texas. Police are looking for two black males last seen leaving the scene in a Red Monte Carlo.

Forrest, who hails from Augusta, Ga.,  was a member of the 1992 Olympic team. He was also a former WBC super welterweight champion. He took two wins over Sugar Shane Mosley in 2002 and last year, he reclaimed his WBC 154-pound title by beating Sergio Mora. This is, indeed, a real tragedy and a low-down dirty shame that he was died at the hands of two armed thugs. They shot and killed this man in front of a child. That is such a shame and I hope the perpetrators are caught sooner rather than later.

To see local news report, CLICK HERE.

Kurtis Blow, Father of Hip-Hop, on Tour Across the Country to Promote Hip-Hop Flavored Gospel Album

Remember rapper Kurtis Blow? Wow. This is a stroll down memory lane for all the folks in my age group. As you will recall Kurtis Blow was the first hip-hop artist to be signed by a major record label. He was also the first hip-hop artist to release an album for a major label and he was the first to endorse a soft drink -- Sprite -- in an advertisement. He opened for the late, great Reggae King Bob Marley. So, Kurtis Blow, whose real name is Kurtis Walker, paid his dues and has bragging rights. It was nice to see him in the news again. This time he's rapping for Jesus.

Walker is currently on tour, appearing in concerts across the country and promoting his newest album with his gospel-influenced hip-hop group, The Trinity. In a recent interview time Tampa Bay online, he said "Our basic mission, our basic story, is to spread the Gospel." "We just thank God for the opportunity that he is using us to make this happen." Walker says he is "far from perfect." But he does strive to be an example to youth. On Aug. 15, he will be ordained as a minister in South Carolina.

What I loved about Kurtis Blow was the fact that he never cursed on any of the songs I heard. It was clean and hip-hop was fun then. Today, it is used by many artists to denigrate women, to promote violence and to ascribe to a materialistic lifestyle. It is embarrassing to listen to some of the songs by some of the artists, who claim to be "role models" for our young people. The hip-hop genre needs to be rescued and reinvented, starting with the record labels, the parent companies, the artists and television and radio stations that play this music.

"Father, Son & Holy Ghost," his new album with The Trinity, will feature lyrics with a clear Christian message.

Bone Found at Another Chicago-Area Cemetery, Mount Glenwood, Police Launch Investigation, Sued for Reselling Grave Sites, Double Burying

This could get scandalous and criminal. A human bone was found on the ground of another cemetery in Illinois. According to the Chicago Sun Times, a man delivering concrete vaults Friday morning to Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens South Cemetery noticed the bone and called the police. At this time, it is unclear if this discovery mirrors the appalling grave-reselling scheme at Burr Oak Cemetery, but officials are taking no chances and have launched an investigation.

The Cook County medical examiner's office confirmed yesterday that the bone is human, leading the sheriff to open an investigation. As of yesterday, the cemetery is still open. But there is something brewing with this cemetery. This discovery comes days after three people sued the Mount Glenwood, accusing the cemetery of reselling grave sites and double-burying their relatives. The lawsuit was filed a week after a former gravedigger at a sister property, Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens West, near Hickory Hills, said he buried bodies two and three deep for years. That comment alone is worth an investigation into what is really happening at this cemetery.

According to the cemetery's website, it has been a part of African American history since 1908.

Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens' real existence began in the summer of 1908, when a Mr. Patton became acquainted with Dr. E.S. Miller, J.L. Parks, R.M. Leach, Jackson Gordon and L.W. Dickerson. These men, particularly Mr. Patton, noted the changing environment and the need for equality and formed Mount Glenwood Memory Gardens.

"The unrest, and heavy heartedness of a Washerwoman telling how she had to pay $50.00 for a grave and white people $25.00 stirred his very being. [Mr. Patton] decided to give them a chance the same as any other citizen." - The Chicago Defender,"The Origin of Mt. Glenwood Cemetery" October 29,1910.

So while the rest of the nation was still getting over the Civil War, Mt. Glenwood Memory Gardens became the first cemetery in the Chicago to bury African-Americans.

"On Decoration Day, 300 people took a special C.& E. I. train for Mount Glenwood cemetery. The cemetery is a beautiful sight to behold. It is locked in, as it were, by the forest. At intervals a train on the Chicago and Eastern Illinois Railway passes, making its appearance and dissapearing as if on a stage." - The Chicago Defender, "Decoration Day at Mt. Glenwood" June 4, 1910.

Family in Azle, Texas, Displays Racist Sign on Home Saying "Hispanics Keep Out"

WFAA reports that a family in Azle, Texas, is displaying a sign outside their home that many residents would like taken down. While they have not broken the law with this racist sign, they are within their Constitutional rights to display it on their home. This just shows how racist and bitter some people are in this country. Shameful. It is also amazing that this woman declined to give her name.

Judge Brian Gain Denies Prosecutor's Plea to Keep Arson Suspect Isaiah Kalebu in Jail for Death Threats, Kills Teresa Butz 10 Days Later

UPDATE

According to the Seattle Times, the suspect arrested Friday in Sunday's knife attack in South Park that left a woman dead and her partner wounded was ordered held in jail today on $10 million bail.

It is imperative for each of us to know the judges that sit on benches in courts in our cities and states. Seattle police arrested Isaiah M. K. Kalebu, 23, in Sunday's knife attack in South Park that left a Teresa Butz dead and her partner wounded. Kalebu was also a suspect in a Pierce County fire earlier this month that killed two people, including his aunt, Rachel Kalebu, 62, and a tenant, 57-year-old John E. Jones. This man has reportedly had a history of mental illness and problems with the police. He faces trial next month for threatening to kill his own mother. Here's the outrageous twist to this case -- King County Superior Court Judge Brian Gain, if I can call him that, in the threat case has denied a prosecutor's request to keep him in custody. Thanks to that gross miscarriage of justice, Kalebu is now a suspect in the case involving arson, which led to the death of his aunt, who filed for a protection order against him and forced him to leave her house. It gets worst. Ten days after the Pierce County fire, someone reportedly crawled through an open window at a South Park home, attacked Teresa Butz and her partner. Butz was killed, while her 36 year-old female partner was injured.

Six days before the South Park attack, Kalebu appeared before King County Superior Court Judge Brian Gain for a pretrial hearing at the Maleng Regional Justice Center in Kent. He was to go on trial next month on charges that he had threatened to kill his mother last year.

Deputy King County Prosecutor Zac Hostetter asked Gain to remand Kalebu into custody "based on concerns of mental instability and Rachel Kalebu's protection order filed just prior to the arson," according to documents filed in King County Superior Court. Hostetter also cited the Pierce County homicide and arson investigation, and noted that Kalebu had missed an earlier court date. Source: Seattle Times

Why on earth would a judge let this man go? There was clear evidence that he was a public threat. According to police affidavits, he threatened to kill his mother after she reportedly confronted him in March 2008 for not taking his prescribed medicine for "bi-polar and manic-depressive" conditions. According the the affidavits, he reportedly told his mother to "enjoy your last day on earth," before leaving the house. He returned the next day and threw a large rock into the windshield of his mother's car, court papers say, then told her and others at the house, "You're all dead. This is a disgrace and this judge has the blood of Teresa Butz on his hands. He should step down or be forced down from the bench.

Let your voice be heard. Send an email to Judge Gain voicing your disgust with his actions. You may also call his office.

Email: gain.court@kingcounty.gov

Phone: 206-296-9170

Oen Dollins, Retired Black Preacher, Pays for Billboard which Reads "Gay Rights are Not Civil Rights," Sparks Controversy

Talk about bad luck. The only billboard in the town of Gatesville, Texas, has become the center of controversy and for all the wrong reasons. Oen Dollins, a former minister, rented the sign on Main Street that reads, "Gay Rights are Not Civil Rights." According to the Dallas Voice, the sign's owner, Virginia Miller, said Dollins, who is black, wanted to get the message out to black people .. everything they fought for is being hijacked." She said he did not mean to offend anyone and added, "He wanted to get the message to black people that it's not fair that they're the ones who suffered, they're the ones who paid the price, and now everything they fought for is being hijacked."

Miller also claimed she's received death threats since reports about the sign appeared on Instant Tea and on KCEN Channel 9 in Waco. She said Dollins paid $300 for the message to appear on the sign for three days, from Sunday through Tuesday, and it was taken down last night. Miller said her husband, Bo, carefully screens advertisements for "the Sign" and typically doesn't allow anything negative. But Bo Miller told Channel 9 that he approved the message because he felt Dollins was making a valid argument.

The billboard, known in Gatesville as "The Sign", first made news earlier this week when a reader emailed photos to the Voice and added: "Hate is alive and well deep in the heart of Texas." KCEN-TV interviewed some residents and one black woman said she had no problem with the sign because "as a Black woman, because I have been through ...I know what it feels like and it's totally different."

Dollins repeats this popular talking point by anti-gay black Christians: "No gays are having to ride on the back of the bus. No gays are being enslaved. No gays are being prosecuted [sic] in any way." Source: Daily Voice

No matter what side of the fence you are on, it is still imperative gays and lesbians are not denied their basic rights. The bill board will not bring both sides to the table, but will rather foster hostility, which is counterproductive.

E. Lynn Harris, Best-Selling Author, Dead at Age 54

On a sad note, best-selling author E. Lynn Harris has died at age 54. According to Essence, the writer's personal assistant declined to give details, but did confirm that Harris' health had declined. He was in the middle of tour on the West Coast to promote his 11th novel, Basketball Jones, when he died.

Harris was, perhaps, best known for such successful novels as Invisible Life, Just As I Am, Too Good To Be True, Abide With Me, as well as his 2004 memoir What Becomes of The Brokenhearted.

He specialized in writing about African-American gay culture, including the "down-low" mentality in professional sports. Basketball Jones is the story of an NBA star and his gay lover.

Harris was born in Michigan and raised in Arkansas. Harris recently taught English at the University of Arkansas as a visiting professor. He will be greatly missed.

Police Unions Call on President Obama, Governor Deval Patrick to Apologize for Comments about CPD, Sgt. James Crowley in Arrest of Henry L. Gates, Jr.

The fallout from from Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates's arrest is taking an ugly turn. Police union officials appeared at a Cambridge hotel today calling on President Barack Obama and Governor Deval Patrick to reconsider their “misguided” comments in the arrest of a Harvard scholar and issue an apology. There should be apologies on all sides, not just from the president and governor. To add insult to injury, during a White House press conference earlier today, Press Secretary Robert Gibbs said, "I think the Fraternal Order of Police endorsed McCain," referring to Obama's Republican opponent in the 2008 election. "If I'm not mistaken." He dismissed a suggestion that the backlash from police groups could be distressing to the White House, considering the fact that the president has enjoyed a positive relationship with law enforcement. He was then reminded that the president had won the support of the Policemen's Benevolent Association, then he conceded: "We got some." This cannot help President Obama's position and the fact that he wishes this would go away. He should not have openly criticized the Cambridge Police Department. Clearly, this had nothing to do with the White House and he should have found a way to stay out of this dogfight.

“I deeply resent the suggestion” cops acted improperly in the arrest of Henry Louis Gates Jr., said Dennis O’Connor, president of the Cambridge Police Superior Officers Association. Members of city and Bay State cop unions called on President Obama and Gov. Deval Patrick to apologize to officer Sgt. James Crowley.

Crowley arrested Gates July 16 on the porch of the professor’s Harvard Square home. Gates was charged with disorderly conduct. That charge has since been dropped, but the charges of racial profiling swirling around the arrest have yet to soften. The president said at a primetime press conference Wednesday that Cambridge police “acted stupidly” in arresting Gates.

The governor called the arrest of Gates “every black man’s nightmare” and said Gates should have been able to raise his voice in his own house. Both the president and governor, however, admitted they don’t know all the facts in the case. O’Connor said he hopes Patrick and Obama - both “admitted friends” of Gates - will “reflect upon their past comments” and apologize to Cambridge police.

“President Obama said that the actions of the CPD were stupid and linked the event to a history of racial profiling in America. ... The president used the right adjective but directed it to the wrong party,” he said. “His remarks were obviously misdirected but made worse yet by its suggestion that somehow, this case should remind us of a history of racial abuse by law enforcement.”

He said Cambridge police “deeply resent the implication and reject any suggestion that in this case, or any other case, that they have allowed a person’s race to direct their activities. “We hope that they they will reflect upon their past comments and apologize to the men and women of the Cambridge police department,” he added. Source: Boston Herald

For what it is worth, if anything, this has brought the issue of racial profiling front and center. I was very reluctant to label this police officer as a racist and I still stand by that reluctance, since it has not been substantiated. I am sure that Professor Gates "mouthed off" to the cops, but did that arise to the level of disorderly conduct, since he was in his own home. Why was he lured to the porch, where he could have been arrested? This is an unfortunate situation and I am deeply troubled that President Obama got involved in this matter, but was aloof and not very forthcoming about the Jena Six case, which was clearly racially motivated.

All the parties involved need to take a step back and revisit the situation. Sgt. Crowley needs to apologize if he made Professor Gates feel threatened and denigrated. Professor Gates needs to apologize for pulling the race card so readily and President Obama needs to end his involvement in this controversy by saying he spoke too quickly or he did not mean to infer that the CPD "acted stupidly" in the arrest of Mr. Gates. This is clearly not the way for us to engage in constructive dialog about racial profiling. This case is pitting black against white for all the wrong reasons. President Obama needs to worry about the health care overhaul that seems to be hanging on by a thread. He needs to focus on the ailing economy, Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, North Korea, Honduras, the failing education system in America, the rising foreclosure rates, etc.
The fallout continues to develop. More to follow.....

Dr. David McKalip Apologizes Directly to President Obama via PR Firm, for Racist E-mail Showing him as a Witch Doctor with a Loin Cloth

Remember the above racist email sent by the right wing critics of President Obama's health care plan? Well, according to Talking Points Memo, David McKalip, a Florida neurosurgeon and healthcare reform opponent who sent a racist email showing the same racist picture portraying President Obama as a witch doctor with a loin cloth and a bone through his nose, has apologized directly to the president.

Through a Public Relations representative, Mr. McKalip put out the following statement:

DR. DAVID MCKALIP SENDS APOLOGY DIRECTLY TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

McKalip apologizes for sending insensitive image via e-mail

St. Petersburg, FL (July 23, 2009) - David McKalip, M.D., brain and spine neurosurgeon of St. Petersburg has never been shy in expressing where he stands regarding President Barack Obama's health-care reform. Despite McKalip's position on health system reform, he sends a sincere apology for a forwarded image of President Obama in an e-mail depicting the president in Papua New Guinean tribal garb with a logo beneath it saying, "Obama Care."

"I genuinely regret the decision I made in passing this e-mail message along. Directly to President Obama, I sincerely apologize for offending him. This was, in no way whatsoever, my intention. The image has nothing to do with my feelings or thoughts on any race or culture. I recognize that this image is offensive and hope that the nation refocuses on assuring all Americans have access to high-quality, affordable health care with no party interfering in the patient-physician relationship.

My intention is to focus directly on the issue at hand, which is putting financial and decision-making power into the hands of patients and taking it from government and insurance companies," said McKalip. The image forwarded was from a long chain of e-mails and not created by McKalip. Source: Talking Points Memo

According to TPM, McKalip wasn't always so contrite in his response to the flap. I think someone with a lot of might and influence leaned heavily on him. This apology is hollow and does not ring true to me. He's only seemingly contrite because he got caught.

Steven Tuopeh, 14, to be Charged as Adult in the Gang Rape of 8-Year Old AZ Girl, Girl's Parents Say She is to be Blamed for Incident

The parents of an eight year old girl, who was sexually assaulted by four boys, are blaming their daughter for the attack, saying that she has brought shame on their family. Well, that's what the cops have said and that is just unconscionable that the parents could harbor such feelings against their daughter. No woman or girl asks to be raped. I think the parents are the ones who brought shame on their family because most rational people are wondering how they could ever arrive at such a conclusion of blaming their eight year old daughter for such a sexual attack. Four boys are now under arrest, and the victim is in Child Protective Services, away from her parents, and rightly so. The girl's father told ABC15 he loves his daughter and plans to get her back."I need her back, I want her back, and they (Child Protective Services) said I can have her back in three months," he said. They should keep this girl far, far away from these parents, who have obviously failed her miserably and probably criminally. One boy, 14-year-old Steven Tuopeh, will be tried as an adult for the crimes and is facing two counts of sexual assault and one count of kidnapping.

The father also said the family moved to the United States five years ago from West Africa and they don't understand the United States' criminal system. When ABC15 asked him what he wants to happen to the suspects involved in the assault against his daughter, he answered, "Nothing." Is this man serious? Okay, maybe this crime is accepted in his native country, which I find hard to believe in this technologically advanced age, but there is no reason why a parent should even entertain such a notion that nothing should happen to the perpetrators of this horrific crime against his daughter. Where are the parents of these young criminals who stole this child's innocence? They should be held just as accountable too.

The four sex assault suspects in the crime apparently lured the girl into a vacant shed near 43rd Avenue and Thomas Road last Thursday by offering her chewing gum, said Phoenix Police Sgt. Andy Hill. They then restrained her, and sexually assaulted her for 10 to 15 minutes, according to Hill. Officers were called to the scene after receiving phone calls about the young girl screaming, and running out of the shed partially clothed. Arriving officers said they saw several boys running from the scene, and were able to detain one and later identify three more. Hill said all the boys, ages 9, 10, 13 and 14, have been arrested and put in a juvenile corrections center.

All four have apparently admitted to planning the assault and have been charged in the case. The 13-year-old suspect is accused of three counts of sexual assault, and one count of kidnapping. The 10-year-old is accused of two counts of sexual assault and one count of kidnapping. The nine-year-old suspect is accused of one count of sexual assault. All of the crimes listed are class 2 felonies. Source: ABC15

The family needs to understand that the United States is a vastly different environment than their native country and this behavior would never be condoned under any circumstance whatever. If the child is returned to the parents, they should be forced to get intensive counseling. These people are clearly living in another mindset and it cannot be swept under the rug and just attributed to cultural differences. Rape is wrong, no matter where you are from.

Pat Buchanan Says President Obama's Administration Maybe Heading for Trouble, Compares to Storm Clouds that Gathered Before Pres. Richard Nixon's Fall

I came across a very interesting article written by Pat Buchanan, who I have considered to be very racist in many of his positions, much like his sister Bay Buchanan. Nonetheless, I am amazed that he has jumped from earlier criticisms of President Barack Obama as exhibiting traits of former President Jimmy Carter, to now comparing him to former President Richard Nixon. Below is the article in its entirety as found on right-wing propaganda machine World Net Daily, which has pushed the issue of President Obama's birth certificate ad nauseaum.

Has Obama's luck run out?
by Pat Buchanan, posted on World Net Daily

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Posted: July 23, 2009
10:30 pm Eastern © 2009

"The sound alone was worth the $24 billion!"

So said fellow Nixon speechwriter Ray Price as the mighty Saturn V rocket lifted Apollo 11 and Armstrong, Aldrin and Collins off the launch pad, three miles away, on the start of their voyage to the moon.

It was a splendid moment in that first year of the Nixon presidency, a year that had gone remarkably well for a minority president who had come to office with both houses held by the opposition.

Within weeks of taking office, Nixon had taken a grand tour of the European capitals. He had proposed a Family Assistance Plan, cooked up in Pat Moynihan's shop, to wide applause. He had announced a withdrawal of 100,000 troops from Vietnam.

He would greet the astronauts on the aircraft carrier in the Pacific on their return, travel to Guam to announce the Nixon Doctrine, journey on to Vietnam and visit the troops, thence to Romania – the first U.S. president to travel behind the Iron Curtain.

Tired of keeping quiet about increasing government control? Express yourself with the magnetic message: "No Hope in Socialism"

Returning in triumph, Nixon departed for his August vacation.

When he returned to D.C., the storm clouds had gathered.

In mid-October, hundreds of thousands of protesters surrounded the White House demanding an immediate withdrawal from Vietnam, egged on by a media establishment that had cheered JFK and LBJ all the way into liberalism's war.

With David Broder writing of the "breaking of the president," Nixon went on national television to implore the "great silent majority" to stand with him for peace with honor in Vietnam.

The networks trashed the speech. But Vice President Spiro Agnew launched a counter-attack on media power and prejudice. By December, after another 500,000 had marched on Washington, Nixon was at 68 percent approval and Agnew, after Nixon and Billy Graham, was the third most admired man in America.

Though elected in November 1968, it was November 1969 that made the Nixon presidency and produced the New Majority Republicans would rely on for decades. Obama is approaching such a moment of truth.

The universal health insurance plans being advanced all appear too complex, costly and non-credible to pass both houses. The cap-and-trade carbon emissions bill, with its huge costs to be passed on to U.S. producers and consumers, as China opts out, seems an act of national masochism.

The $787 billion stimulus bill has done zip to stimulate the economy. Less than 10 percent of the money has gone out the door, which makes one wonder why it was called a stimulus package. Unemployment is at 9.5 percent, well above what the Obamaites predicted, and rising.

As worrisome is the situation in Afghanistan. The United States has 66,000 troops in country or on the way, as our NATO allies look for the exit ramp. We are seven and a half years in and the Afghan army is not remotely capable of defending the nation or regime.

Afghanistan is now Obama's war. He made the decision to deepen U.S. involvement as we headed out of Iraq. Yet, it is unclear how many U.S. troops will be needed, for how long, to create a stable government and army that can secure the national territory and prevent a return of al-Qaida.

Moreover, Kabul continues to protest U.S. air strikes that continue to kill civilians, as Pakistan protests the Marine offensive in Helmand that is driving the Taliban into Baluchistan, where a secessionist movement is developing.

Pakistan also seems more worried about shifting its army away from the border with India than about defeating an Afghan Taliban with whom it had a working relationship before 9/11.

We are thus today pushing the Afghan regime to do what it is not capable of doing and the Pakistani government and army into doing what it would prefer not to do. This does not appear a formula for victory.

Also looming is the issue of Iran's nuclear program.

Obama has moved up from December to September the deadline for serious discussions to begin. If they have not begun by October, will Obama go to the U.N. for sanctions? If the Russians and Chinese object, will Obama and NATO impose sanctions of their own? Will Obama step on an escalator leading inexorably to war? Or authorize Israel to launch an attack?

Does Obama have the authority to take us to war against a nation that has not attacked us? If so, where did he get this authority? While Congress would readily agree to sanctions, would it sign off on yet another war?

From North Korea to Pakistan, Afghanistan, Iran and Honduras, and from the economy to health care to carbon emissions, things are not going Obama's way. He is 10 points below where Nixon was after a full year, and on economic issues – unemployment, the deficit, spending – he is under 50 percent.

This presidency is not yet in trouble, but it is sure headed that way. Source: World Net Daily

I find it amazing that President Obama, six months into his presidency is being made to seem very ineffective. I must admit, that I have wanted to see the President come out swinging on the issue with the health care system overhaul instead of seemingly restrained or even conciliatory to the "blue dog" Democrats and his other critics. Still, that's just one issue and to suddenly write his administration off after six months is ridiculous. President George W. Bush, by far one of the worst presidents in American history, was granted eight years to completely wreck this country. Where was Pat Buchanan and all the right-wing pundits then? I didn't hear them screaming "ineffective president" or "his Administration will fail" afte six months.