Yes, it's that time of the month again! Booker Rising's reader fundraising challenge for May is $100.
Booker Rising is the only one-stop source on the Internet that specializes in the global black center-right, from America to Zimbabwe. It's the go-to source for black center-right news, amid a vast sea of black center-left news sources. It is Day Two, and $10 has been raised so far. If only five of Booker Rising's readers contribute $20, the May Fundraising Challenge will be met!
If you appreciate Booker Rising's work, you can donate by clicking on
the "Donate" button at the top right side of the blog. You can donate
through PayPal. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can donate using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Echeck.
May Fundraising Challenge: $100 $90 To Go
Armstrong Williams: "A Week Of Scandals Proves The Incompetence Of Liberalism"
The conservative Republican commentator in D.C. opines: "If liberals are right about the role of government, then how
did these scandals happen? Do we truly need more government to stop
these things from happening? Regarding Benghazi, should even more
officials debated whether to send troops to save our people? Perhaps
there should not have been a consulate in a hot zone in the first place,
especially one so ill-protected. How effective can an isolated
diplomatic post on lockdown really be? It seems more prudent to have a
smaller footprint in extreme conflict areas (especially when our
military is not in the field), which would save more lives and treasure."
He continues his commentary: "Regarding the IRS, do auditors need more laws and supervisors to prevent such abuse? What
happened is already illegal. Then again, maybe a simpler tax code would
be the solution. If the law is so simple even a caveman can do it, then
fewer IRS agents are needed, or conversely, it would free up existing agents to more quickly process paperwork."
Stanley Crouch Op-Ed: Of Scandals Real & Imagined
The moderate-liberal columnist in New York City opines: "The Republican inquisitors have clearly sensed that the public is no
longer interested in their partisan attempts to make people believe
there was a terrible coverup of the truth about the Sept. 11, 2012
attack on the American consulate in Benghazi — because the facts, don’t
you know, didn’t support those breathless assertions. It’s ever so convenient they just found a new case [the IRS-targeting-conservative-groups scandal] that feeds the same
narrative of partisan intimidation and so-called gangster government."
Star Parker: "Why Do Pro-Choice People Promote Abortion Instead Of Childbirth?"
Asks the conservative Republican commentator in D.C.: "The left, so called 'pro-choice' activists, have an interesting
concept of a culture of responsibility. That is to promote a culture
that detaches sex from love and responsibility, that minimizes the
central importance of family, that justifies youth sex, promiscuity, and
the 'hook-up' culture. In short, a culture which encourages people to
relate to each other in the same callous way as it encourages women to
relate to the unborn children that often result from it all. Then they want taxpayers, other people, to foot the bill. Is it any wonder we live in a country in which we are drowning in debt directly as a result of this culture of entitlement?"
Paul Kagame Op-Ed: Rwanda & The New Lions Of Africa
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| Rwandan President Paul Kagame |
President Kagame continues his commentary: "There is a view that development is a marathon, not a sprint. We do not agree. Development is a marathon that must be run at a sprint. In our pursuit of progress, we have of course looked to East Asia's so-called 'tiger' economies for inspiration. But Africa's experience is unique, and we must now define our own destiny. So while being described as an 'African tiger' is a welcome recognition of how far Rwanda has come, perhaps it isn't quite right. After all, our continent has its own big cat. Step forward the new lions of Africa."
Justice Malala: "South Africans Learning More Languages Is A Great Move"
The South African moderate-conservative journalist writes: "From the age of nine I was taught Afrikaans at school. We hated it.
Yet the other day I came across some new Afrikaans poetry and I was
moved. I once heard businessman Patrice Motsepe speak at a function in
Afrikaans, and I knew he had entered another world, a world of empathy
that his audience — most of whom could not understand a word of Setswana — would never understand. I felt deeply sorry for them. They were
millionaires, and yet they were poor. So I support the decision by the University of KwaZulu-Natal to make isiZulu a must for all first-year students from next year."
May Fundraising Challenge: $100
Yes, it's that time of the month again! Booker Rising's reader fundraising challenge for May is $100.
Booker Rising is the only one-stop source on the Internet that specializes in the global black center-right, from America to Zimbabwe. It's the go-to source for black center-right news, amid a vast sea of black center-left news sources. If only five of Booker Rising's readers contribute $20, the May Fundraising Challenge will be met!
If you appreciate Booker Rising's work, you can donate by clicking on
the "Donate" button at the top right side of the blog. You can donate
through PayPal. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can donate using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Echeck.
Farrakhan To Detroit Residents: "Black Folks Must Step Up To The Plate & Invest In The City"
While I concur with Min. Farrakhan, shouldn't he be more worried about Chicago (where he actually lives)? From the Associated Press: "Nation of Islam leader Louis Farrakhan urged Detroit’s pastors and
majority black population Friday to join him in an effort to buy
neglected properties and take other steps to help revitalize the
struggling city where the movement started more than 80 years ago."
The article continues: "The fiery orator offered few specifics in a speech to the Detroit
City Council, but made plain his displeasure with Gov. Rick Snyder’s
decision to appoint an emergency financial manager. He likened the
takeover to buzzards circling over a carcass. 'The city abandoned, crime and violence rampant, and the governor has
seen fit to take away the rights of the voting public,' Farrakhan said,
referring to putting someone in charge of the city’s finances that
wasn’t elected. 'I don’t know what democracy really means if you can be
given the right to vote and then somebody can take it away.'"
Virginia GOP Nominates E.W. Jackson For Lieutenant Governor
From the Associated Press, about the conservative Republican: "Virginia Republicans have chosen firebrand conservative minister E.W.
Jackson's for lieutenant governor, the first black candidate the party
has nominated for statewide office since 1988. Jackson provoked the loudest ovation of the day at from the tea
party-dominated Republican Party convention in Richmond on Saturday,
declaring in an impassioned speech, 'I am not an African-American, I am
an American!'"
The article continues about Mr. Jackson's background: " He won the nomination on the fourth ballot over six rivals. As the only
black candidate, he becomes the first black Republican nominee since
the party nominated Maurice Dawkins in 1988. Jackson heads a nondenominational church in Chesapeake and credits his
religious background for his shift from the Democratic Party. His first
GOP bid for office came last year when he lost the U.S. Senate
nomination to former Sen. George Allen."
Ghanaian Christian Conservative: "God Has Chosen Ghana To Lead Africa To The Promised Land"
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| Rev. Enoch Immanuel A. Agbozo |
The article continues: "Rev Agbozo noted that the time has come for Africa to be called the people of the Lord, and the light of the Lord would shine from Africa to the Middle East. He said Africa would be used by God as a vehicle for transforming the Middle East, since Europe has failed to achieve that. Rev Agbozo said Africa, the Arab World and Israel would be one people and this is the perfect plan of God for humanity. He said within the next 10 to 15 years, Africa would be able to take its rightful place in line with the vision of God for the continent, and that it is only God Himself who could do it. Rev Agbozo said God would bring to an end the era of cruel masters and perversion spirits in Africa within the new Africa. He said Ghana is a shining star for the rest of Africa to emulate and no element of coup d’états would ever succeed in Ghana again because God would never permit. 'No power can take over this nation, there is hope for Ghana and our hope is the hope of Africa.'"
Ted Sadler Op-Ed: Georgia GOP State Convention: Peaches Have Black Pits....Usually
The moderate Democratic blogger in Georgia comments on this past weekend's convention: "Georgia contains the best Black area in the world, Atlanta, and
therefore, the state has many many business-oriented, self-made Blacks
who are conservative to moderate on paper. Secondly, outside of
Atlanta, Blacks are use to functioning with GOP elected leaders. The
opportunity has been there for GOP candidates to enjoy 10, 20, or maybe
30% of the Black vote but they don’t want it because the regular GOP
crew would see sizable Black numbers as an indicator of liberalism."
Ellis Washington Op-Ed: Democratic Socialists' 'Long March'
The conservative Republican commentator in Michigan opines about Fabian socialism: "Since the 1848 publication of Karl Marx's 'The Communist Manifesto,'
history has repeatedly demonstrated that the Lenin-Gramsci 'Long March
through the Institutions' is an established Marxist/Socialist tactic and
proven philosophical strategy to indoctrinate a comprehensive socialist
hegemony throughout society (years before the Dutschke moniker was
coined) by systematically deconstructing bourgeoisie capitalist culture
and society rooted in Judeo-Christian traditions and by co-opting,
taking over and eventually controlling all major societal institutions —
not from without via violence and revolution as in Marxist/Socialist revolutions of the past, but within via Fabian Socialism — steadily, quietly, imperceptibly and with Nazi-like efficiency over a long period of time."
Britain: Eggs Thrown, Arrests Made During Protest Against Rwandan President Paul Kagame's Visit
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| Rwandan President Paul Kagame |
More: "Mr Kagame gave a keynote speech at Said Business School to the Oxford Africa Business Conference, a student-led event organised by the Oxford Business Network for Africa. About two dozen people were outside the business school, in Frideswide Square, protesting against what they say is Mr Kagame's record against human rights. Oxford police commander Superintendent Christian Bunt said that eggs and other objects were thrown at Mr Kagame's convoy."
Erik Rush Op-Ed: Last Week’s Conspiracy Theories Are This Week’s Reality
The conservative Republican commentator opines about the Obama administration's various scandals: "It is essential that the IRS be abolished and the tax code shredded [because of its overreach, such as recent news that it marked conservative groups for more scrutiny],
but it is much more important that Americans recognize these phenomena
as major symptoms of that into which our government has mutated. As far as this administration goes, we must consider all of the foregoing in the aggregate,
as well as other as yet unresolved mysteries: There remains the issue
of the Saudi national Abdul Rahman Ali Al-Harbi, who knew the Obamas,
was injured in the Boston Marathon bombing, then subsequently spirited
out of the country as evidence of terror cells in Beantown emerged."
Ayaan Hirsi Ali: "Immigration Reform Needs Safeguards Against Anti-American Newcomers"
The Somali-born libertarian feminist and former Dutch parliamentarian became a U.S. citizen last month. She argues that immigration reform needs to include measures to detect the radically anti-American beliefs of some newcomers who seek to become naturalized Americans:
Ms. Hirsi Ali has also penned an essay for The Wall Street Journal on the issue.
Cory Booker Made $1.3 Million From Speeches
I don't see a problem here. From Politico, about the moderate-liberal Democratic mayor of Newark, N.J.: "Newark mayor and New Jersey Senate hopeful Cory Booker made $1.3
million from nearly 90 paid speeches over the last five years, according
to financial disclosure filings his aides made public Friday. It’s
the first time Booker, who has been criticized for traveling out of the
state for such speeches, has given an accounting of the income. Newark
disclosure laws don’t require him to. Aides have said he gave the vast
majority to charity."
John Hope Bryant Commentary: Fighting Blight And Poverty With Credit Scores
The centrist founder of Operation HOPE, a financial literacy organization based in Los Angeles, writes: "In underserved neighborhoods and communities Misery Row must be met
with equal parts consumer protection and consumer empowerment or change
will never come. In fact, if we do one (protection) without the other
(empowerment), it is not inconceivable that in time these communities
are met with a choice actually worse than highly visible yet predatory
commercial lenders — and that is no lenders at all."
He continues his commentary: "With consumer empowerment everyone wins. With our HOPE 700 Credit Score Communities initiative
we have found that we can and consistently do help our clients to raise
their credit scores by more than 100 points. And when a counseling
client moves their credit score from 550 (on average) to 670 or more,
everything in that person's life changes. Their financial IQ changes.
Their financial literacy changes. Their sense of well-being, and hope,
goes through the roof. Their 'engagement' in their own lives rises to a
new level, matching their new financial skill set."
Nana Akufo-Addo: "I'll Accept The Presidential Election Verdict Of Ghana’s Supreme Court"
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| Nana Akufo-Addo is disputing the 51%-45% presidential election results from last December |
Mia Love Officially Announces Congressional Bid
From Fox13Now.com, about the conservative Republican: "Mia Love officially announced Saturday at the Utah Republican Party’s organizing convention she will run for Utah’s 4th Congressional District seat against incumbent Jim Matheson, and she said she expects to win."
More about the Saratoga Springs (Utah) mayor: "In 2012 Love’s campaign fell 768 votes short of winning, and Love said the 2012 effort has made her a stronger candidate. 'I am confident in our country,' Love said. 'I am confident in our
future. And I have great confidence in the people of Utah and America.' She added, 'We can keep our promises to our seniors and make hard
decisions to ensure the future for our children and grandchildren. We
can balance the budget and reduce our national debt. We can reform our
tax system, eliminate waste, and return power to the people. We can
reenergize the economy, unleash our entrepreneurs and create real jobs.'"
Allen West Hired As Fox News Contributor
I guess we can assume that Florida Governor Rick Scott won't be appointing Mr. West as lieutenant governor? From the Rock Hill Herald, about the conservative Republican: "FOX News Channel (FNC) has hired former U.S. Representative Allen
West (R-FL) as a contributor, announced Bill Shine, Executive Vice
President of Programming for the network. West will offer political
commentary across various daytime and primetime programs. In
making the announcement, Shine said, 'Representative West’s
congressional and military experience along with his fearless approach
to voicing key issues will provide a valuable point of view to the FOX
News lineup.'"
Juan Williams: "Immigration Reform Is Highly Unlikely In The Next Four Years"
Asserts the moderate-liberal commentator:
Open Thread Friday
"Mantenha-civis, ou então você não vai gostar do castigo que Shay lhe dará." In Brazilian model and beauty queen Isabel Correia's native language, this roughly means "Ya know the drill: keep it clean and civil, or risk Shay doing the swoop down on ya."
Colin Powell: Venture Capitalist
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Raynard Jackson Op-Ed: The Destruction Of The Black Family
The moderate Republican political analyst in D.C. opines that feminism and gay marriage have destroyed the black family unit: "This whole radical move to redefine the family will have disastrous results for the U.S. Name me one civilization or society that has thrived and prospered without an intact family structure. There are none. The family unit is the DNA of a society. When you play around with a person’s DNA, it leads to deformed children and in most cases, it is very expensive to medically treat people with genetic deformities."
5/16 Quote Of The Day: Hating America
What Are Black Conservatives Trying To Conserve?
Nadra Enzi, a moderate-conservative Republican in New Orleans, addresses the question:
Larry Elder To The Koch Brothers: "Please Buy The Los Angeles Times For Ideological Diversity!"
The libertarian-conservative Republican commentator in Los Angeles writes: "Hearing rumors that the billionaire, libertarian Koch brothers might buy the Los Angeles Times, the L.A. City Council sprung into action. Three members proposed a motion to oppose the sale of the Times to any owner seeking to turn 'L.A.'s metropolitan daily into an ideological mouthpiece.' Cue the laugh track.
UCLA professor Tim Groseclose wrote 'Left Turns: How Liberal Media Bias Distorts the American Mind.' Of 20 major news outlets, he found 18 were left-wing. Only two tilted to the right — The Washington Times and 'Fox News Special Report.' Groseclose argues that media bias gives Democrats an 8- to 10-point electoral advantage. Take away the leftist bias, he says, and states would vote like Texas. A powerful pulpit like the Times in non-liberal hands could chip into that advantage."
John Hope Bryant: "Financial Illiteracy Is Everywhere"
The centrist founder of Operation HOPE, a financial literacy organization, writes: "Recently, a fairly visible celebrity proudly proclaimed, '...I'm like a billionaire...I have no concern about money. I make it, I spend it, and I will always have it.' Actually, the answer to that is 'ahhh, no you aren't,' and 'no you won't.' This unfortunate, overly confident individual, like so many others with the same mindset, will likely be dead broke in 10-years unless they radically change their ways. This means changing their viewpoint on money, financial literacy, even their outlook on life too. Humility required. And note to self: this wild and fun financial amusement park ride many of us are on — will end."
He continues his commentary: "Yes, it's time for governments and leaders here and around the world to act on financial literacy legislation for all, but it is also time for each and everyone of us to take a powerful, and honest look at ourselves. In far too many cases, we helped create this perfect storm we now find ourselves in.
Okay, let's go."
Tax Scandal Fells IRS Chief
From The Wall Street Journal: "The acting commissioner of the Internal Revenue Service was forced to
resign Wednesday in connection with the inappropriate targeting of
conservative political groups. 'Americans are right to be angry about it and I'm angry about it,' President Barack Obama said in announcing that Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew
requested and received the resignation of acting IRS commissioner
Steven Miller, who took over the post in November. 'The IRS has to
operate with absolute integrity.'"
Alex Njeru: "Let Somalia Take Care Of Itself"
Asserts the Kenyan libertarian, about his country's troubled neighbor: "The Somali problem though requires a home-based solution and by home-based I mean a solution that births and comes from Somalia itself. The skepticism I have seen ensue from any bid that seeks to patch up Somalia and her problems is enormous that is why the international community and neighbouring countries like Kenya must not be manifestly involved in proffering solutions for the Horn of Africa country but rather provide institutional support and strengthening for Somalia to get herself out of the dust by herself."
He continues his commentary: "The [i]nternational community has bottle-fed Somalia for so long, and therein lies the problem, the more money and food aid that Somalia begets the more uninspired her people will be to change their situation. To[o] much aid enfeebles communities and social institutions.
At times, most times in fact, the ignobility of members of the humanitarian community works to negate the noble goals and intentions to halt the exacerbation of poverty, hunger and famine in Somalia. Massive kleptocracy means that those directly involved would not want the conflict to end as they want to continue extracting cheap aid sleaze from aid."
More: "Those who are trying to resuscitate Somalia should stop looking at Somalia as one unified macro-political unit because Somalia might as well be served better if she fragments and Balkanizes into smaller political and administrative units, probably along the folds of the Balkans fragmentation in the 1990s."
Michael Bowen: "Go See 'Oblivion'"
The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in California gives the thumbs up to the movie: "Tom Cruise is generally bad enough so that he tilts an otherwise good movie into the gutter. But even he couldn't kill Oblivion, which is excellently visual, plenty twisty and nicely dramatic.
Don't get me wrong — this movie was made for a younger Harrison Ford and Tom gets Cruise-stink all over it. But this time he tries so hard to be that good-old Earth boy with his football monologue, beat-up aviator glasses, moldy books and vinyl record collection that you kinda feel sorry for him and his generation. By being a person with barely enough of a soul to remember what he used to be, the filmmakers cast Cruise perfectly. Here's a hero with no audience and a memory wipe. Nice."
More: "With that oblique spoiler, you should still see it if you haven't. It's one for the big screen, and also Morgan Freeman is more voiceover when he explains the whole thing. I have to say, in terms of believability, Oblivion has it all over Prometheus."
Oliver McGee: "Where The Jobs Are In Engineering"
Oliver McGee, a moderate-conservative Republican and the former U.S. deputy assistant secretary of transportation under the Clinton administration, gives his take. From Sologig: "The Bureau of Labor Statistics, meanwhile, tracks the projected growth rate for most areas of engineering, although it doesn't always tell the complete story. Aerospace engineering, for example, is growing at a rate of just 5% (slower than average, according to the BLS), but new opportunities may arise. 'Aerospace engineering was viewed as a downturn profession because the field was considered mature,' says Oliver McGee, civil, mechanical and aerospace engineer and former U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Technology Policy, and currently a professor of mechanical engineering at Howard University. 'Very few questions remained until Boeing's 787 Dreamliner opened up a new window of opportunities for aerospace engineers to start looking at how to manage this new technological leap that has taken place.'"
