9/2 News: Jennifer Carroll

Florida State Rep. Jennifer Carroll is making the news today, as the conservative Republican was selected as the Republican candidate for lieutenant governor (watch the announcement here):

Ms. Carroll, with Mr. Scott

Rick Scott Names Jennifer Carroll As Running Mate In Florida's Gubernatorial Election

Republican nominee for governor Rick Scott has chosen a running mate. State Rep. Jennifer Carroll, the first black, female Republican elected to the Florida Legislature, said she will join Mr. Scott on the ticket as his choice for lieutenant governor. Analysts said the northern Florida legislator would help geographically balance out the ticket with Mr. Scott, who resides in southern Florida.

State Rep. Carroll states on her Facebook page: "I want to thank Rick Scott for the opportunity to join him in this race as his pick for Lt. Governor. Rick and I share core conservative principles like lower taxes, less regulation, and smaller government, and I believe Floridians are ready to elect a conservative outsider with private sector experience and a plan to create 700,000 jobs."

Why Did Rick Scott Pick Jennifer Carroll As His Running Mate?

Michael C. Bender of the Palm Beach Post writes: "After winning the Republican nomination for governor, Rick Scott told confidantes that he wanted a female running mate with a strong law enforcement-type background. He found her in state Rep. Jennifer Carroll, a Jacksonville-area Republican who is the former secretary of the Florida Veteran Affairs Department. According to her Florida House bio, she enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1979 and served for 20 years. (Scott is also a Navy veteran — he served on active duty aboard the USS Glover as a radar man.) Carroll worked as a jet mechanic and retired as a Lieutenant Commander Aviation Maintenance Officer with the Meritorious Service Medal; two Navy Commendation Medals; two Navy Achievement Medals; National Defense Service Medal; Overseas Ribbon; two Coast Guard Special Operation Ribbons; and the Expert Pistol Medal."

More: "Carroll, the second African-American woman picked as a Republican lieutenant governor nominee, helps balance the ticket for Scott. Scott is running against Democrat Alex Sink, who is trying to be the state’s first female governor."

Steve Bousquet of the Miami Herald writes: "In choosing Carroll, Scott, himself a Navy veteran, would get a woman with a distinctive personal story who could neutralize the gender appeal of his Democratic opponent, Chief Financial Officer Alex Sink:

• In a state where one in every seven voters is black -- and nearly all are Democrats -- Carroll is a black Republican.
• As a native of Trinidad, Carroll is an immigrant who could help soften Scott's hard-line image on an issue that cuts both ways in a state with a large immigrant population.
• She packs a celebrity punch: Her son, Nolan II, is a rookie cornerback and kick returner for the Miami Dolphins, drafted out of the University of Maryland."

Read more »

Sophia A. Nelson: "'Tea Party Tracker': Doesn't The NAACP Have Better Things To Do?"

Ben Jealous, head of the NAACP

Asks the moderate pundit, about the NAACP's new website to track "racism and other forms of extremism within the Tea Party movement. She argues that Black America itself - not racism - is now the biggest problem facing Black America: "As noted black historian Dr. Lerone Bennett. wrote recently, 'A black child had a better chance of growing up with both of his parents in slavery than he does now.' The black marriage rate has declined dramatically since the 1970s. The black divorce rate has soared in the past two decades. Black on black crime and violence in the past two decades in cities like Detroit, Chicago, Camden, St. Louis, Oakland, Cleveland, Birmingham, etc. has caused more death and destruction in our communities than all of the lynchings of black people (that we know of) that took place in the Jim Crow South. And I simply do not have space here to talk about the black male incarceration rates, the AIDS crisis and black women, drug use, domestic violence, sexual abuse, and everything else that is seemingly plaguing the black community at large in alarming rates."

More: "In the final analysis, I would rather see the NAACP's wisdom and energy spent focusing on policing 'us' and our own community so that we can redefine a better, healthier, more prosperous destiny for the next generation to come. When the NAACP gets back to its core mission and values, I will renew my membership and support it wholeheartedly!"

To comment on "'Tea Party Tracker'" post, click here.

MICHAEL STEELE OP-ED: Bilateral Mideast Peace Talks

The moderate-conservative chairman of the Republican National Committee opines about this week's Israeli/Palestinian talks at the White House: "I am concerned that President Obama has pressed the 'reset' button on our nation’s historic relationship with Israel – how else does one explain his disrespectful treatment of Prime Minister Netanyahu, joining the U.N. resolution condemning Israel’s enforcement of a defensive blockade of Gaza, and rejoining the questionable U.N. 'Human Rights Council' that the Bush Administration had rightly boycotted because it is led by the likes of Cuba, and issued more condemnations against Israel than all other countries combined? Through Presidents and Congresses of both political parties, a strong U.S.-Israel partnership has been a tenet of U.S. foreign policy. President Obama has given us a host of reasons to suspect that this precedent is being broken."

To comment on "Bilateral Mideast Peace Talks" post, click here.

The "Restoring Honor" Rally: Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 4

Bookeristas have much more to say about Saturday's event, which drew at least 350,000 people:

Eric Wallace: "Restoring Honor Rally: A Spiritual Revival?"

The conservative Republican in metro Chicago, Ill., who attended the rally, wonders if Glenn Beck's Mormonism is well-suited to leading conservatives on the religious front: "While traveling to the 8/28 event last week, the fact that Beck is a Mormon (a self-proclaimed Mormon) made me a little uneasy. But, as I said before, our reasons for going had nothing to do with his faith — but with our faith; and our unwavering desire to see our nation return to its founding conservative values. I stand with those who stand for conservative values and principles. I will link arms (yes, we were on stage with the other ministers) with those who stand on principles I agree with. But, I cannot join hands to pray for revival if we are not clear about what kind of revival we are talking about."

Mr. Wallace argues that if Mr. Beck wants to lead a spiritual revival, he must first show that he has seen what Mr. Wallace calls "the light of the gospel": "Hence the question, 'What gospel does Beck believe'? Does Beck believe the gospel according to Mormon doctrine or the gospel according to Paul, Matthew, Mark, Luke and John? Is the [B]ible his source, or the book of Mormon? Most will agree, if you belong to a church, denomination or other religious organization it is assumed that you agree with their tenets and teachings. Therefore, while there are those who may vouch that Beck is sincere in his faith — only Glenn Beck himself can answer the question which Jesus he serves. Only Beck can affirm that the Christ he serves is the Jesus of the Mormon faith, or the Jesus of the Bible."

Raynard Jackson: "Glenn Beck's 'Restoring Honor' Rally"

The moderate Republican political consultant in Washington, D.C. wasn't feeling the idea: "The event was called, 'Restoring Honor.'  Its stated purpose was to be a 'celebration of America’s heroes and heritage.' So, I have a few questions that I wish Beck would have addressed. You can only restore that which was lost. So, what in Beck’s mind was lost and how is he going to restore it? If it was a 'celebration of America’s heroes and heritage,' then why was there no soldier of color participating in any of the activities?  All the soldiers were white men. It reminded me of watching the Flintstones and the Jetsons cartoons as a kid — not one Black was ever seen in either. The Flintstones were about the past and the Jetsons were about the future. So, according to Hollywood, Blacks had no past and we don’t have a future. Is that what Beck was trying to restore?" 

He continues his commentary: "Beck claims he had no idea that August 28th was the anniversary of Martin Luther King’s 'I Have A Dream Speech.' He claimed on his TV show that 'conservatives needed to reclaim' the civil rights movement. So, let me make sure I understand Beck. He claims that God told him to pick this date. So, this same God couldn’t have told him the significance of this date to the civil rights community? Beck was asked by many in the Black community to move the date of his event in deference to our feelings about this date. He refused. But, he wants the Muslims in New York to move the location of their future mosque in deference to him and others who think the location is too close to [G]round [Z]ero. Hmmm, how do you spell hypocrisy? I looked it up in the dictionary and found a picture of Glen[n] Beck!" 

Lloyd Marcus: "Black Civil Rights Mafia Betrays America"

Asserts the conservative Republican in Florida, about black liberal leaders' response to the "Restoring Honor" rally: "While Black America is truly being betrayed and abused by the Black Civil Rights Mafia, most blacks erroneously believe their enemies are Glenn Beck, Sarah Palin, and the Tea Parties. Please allow me to set the record straight. Beck and the Tea Party patriots are far greater stewards of MLK's dream than the "sold out" Black Mob. As I stated earlier, the Black Mob, in a heartbeat, will throw national race relations and the best interest of their fellow blacks under the bus to further their socialist agenda."

He continues: "Due to tremendous rejection of Obama's policies, reelection is not looking good for Democrats in November. Rushing to the aid of the Democrats, the Black Mob and the liberal media have launched a 'Hate America and White Tea Partiers' campaign. Their hope is to fire up misinformed blacks and brain-dead white libs to run to the polls in November. The Black Civil Rights Mafia is corrupt, divisive, and evil. And by God's grace, we honorable Americans will defeat them."

Discuss "The "Restoring Honor" Rally: Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 4" post here.

William Terence: "Moderates And Minorities Are Being Overlooked By Conservatives"

Asserts the moderate Democratic blogger in Georgia: "I must hand it to the GOP; they are serious about purifying their ranks. I wish we would do a little housekeeping on the Blue Team ourselves because anyone can put on a 'D' jersey then slam President Obama all day long. With friends like you, we don’t need the other political side. On the national level and in Georgia, GOP moderates were forced to shape up or ship out.  Quick: name a Georgia GOP moderate leader?"

More: "That situation is a shame because national parties should have a range of thoughts at the discussion table. If they keep that hardcore mentality, their suitability to lead a diverse superpower will be jeopardized. In other words, that angry cowboy mentality is not healthy. Moderates and minorities are being pushed out as the Far Right elbows their way to the front. Will they hold their position inside the GOP, [become] departed to become Blue Dogs or chill as Independents in the center? I am not saying you got to go home but...."

Discuss "Moderates And Minorites Are Being Overlooked By Conservatives" post here.

Is Ghana Headed Down The Road To Political Violence? Bookerista Perspectives

Dan Botwe: "Ghana Is Sitting On A Partisan Time-Bomb"

The member of the Ghanaian Parliament and former head of the center-right New Patriotic Party, warns that a political time-bomb will detonate if Ghana doesn't seriously address growing electoral violence. He states that recent events in Atiwa as well as two other two constituencies where by-elections are a preview of what's to come in the 2012 presidential election.

“I don’t care whether there are Bamba Boys [center-right youth group] or Azorka boys [center-left youth group], I don’t care who they are....The police should have arrested them...And wherever they came from, whether they are NPP thugs or [center-left] NDC thugs; why weren’t they arrested?...and they could openly do this?…how could this happen in a developed country and supposed to be a civilized one as well?” he asked.

Ghana's Center-Right Responds To Dan Botwe: "You Have A Point, But We Ain't No Punks. We'll Arm Ourselves Against Left-Wing Intimidation" 

Many NPP members apparently believe that their members have to prepare themselves against center-left violence. "Kin", one reader, responds to Mr. Botwe's interview: "Sure, Dan, you are right. If nothing is done to this kind of behavior then we are really sitting on a time bomb. My advice is, if you are an NPP supporter and you wish to survive in 2012, please get yourself guns. Those who have the means to buy more should make them available to the have-nots NPP members. I hope to provide at least 20 guns for my villagers. Let’s start the mobilization now!"

"Jimi Jimi Rawlings" writes: "Ii [sic] nice that NPP is now showing that they are tough, not cowards. Thanks to REAL men like Sir John and others. NDC thugs must always be met boot-for-boot; if not, NPP will never come to power again."

"K Rocky" writes: "FROM WHAT IS BEING REPORTED, DAN IS SO RIGHT - WE ARE SITTING ON A TIME BOMB! AT THIS STAGE, WE WILL BE DECEIVING OURSELVES TO THINK THAT ALL IS WELL. PEOPLE BRANDISHING WEAPONS AND MACHETES IN BROAD DAYLIGHT? DO WE HAVE POLICE IN GHANA? WHAT ABOUT THE BNI, SOLDIERS, ETC? THE IGP SHOULD BE PREPARING TO RESIGN. BECAUSE HIS INSTITUTION HAS RENEGED ON ITS CONSTITUTIONALLY MANDATED DUTIES TO THE NATION. IF THEY CAN NOT MAINTAIN PEACE AND ORDER IN ONE CONSTITUENCY, WHAT WILL THEY DO, WHEN THEY [sic] WHOLE NATION COMES TO VOTE IN 2012. AS FOR THE NDC, THEY WILL EMPLOY UNASSUMABLE THREATS AND INTIMIDATION TO TWIST THE ELECTIONS. IF PEOPLE (ORDINARY CITIZENS AS OCCURED [sic] IN ATIWA) DECIDE TO DEFEND THEIR THEMSELVES AND THEIR TERITORIES [sic], THE END RESULT WILL BE MAYHEM, UNCONTROLED [sic] VIOLENCE - LOST OF LIVES. PLEASE PROF MILLS, MAKE SURE GHANA REMAINS AS PEACEFULL AND RESPECTED AS U CAME TO MEET IT."

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko: "Danger Signals For The 2012 Presidential Election" 

Asserts the  libertarian-conservative head of the Danquah Institute (Ghana)."The Atiwa parliamentary election revealed nothing new. That alleged [center-left] NDC tactic was first rehearsed, under the able triumvirate command of Ofosu Ampofo, Baba Jamal and Aseidu Nketia at Akwatia in 2009. Like Atiwa last Tuesday, it had no hope of bringing electoral victory but as a rehearsal for 2012 it was an excellent exercise. It succeeded in making the point – that, intimidation pays. First, the milieu of intimidation, harassment and vote-buying allegations managed to do two main things: it frightened some NPP voters away from the polling station, leading to a low voter turnout. Also, it increased, albeit marginally, NDC votes in the two places."

More: "What is even more dangerous is how the NPP intends to respond to this electoral hooliganism. There is certainly no way that the NPP, which controls about half of the country, can be expected to just lie down and take this kind of electoral thuggery. Should we, especially civil society, sit down, arms folded, and allow the doctrine of bumper-to-bumper strategem to define the electoral make-up of 2012? It may be lost on the majority of Ghanaians but we are gradually procuring the ingredients for an electoral gourmet of violence in 2012; it could be served hot and plenty, consuming our democracy and all its promises."

Discuss "Is Ghana Headed Down The Road To Political Violence?" post here.

Environmentalist Takes Hostages At Discovery Channel's Headquarters: Bookerista Perspectives

Everyone has probably heard about yesterday's standoff in Maryland, where James Lee took three people hostage at the Discovery Channel's headquarters. A SWAT team officer eventually killed the agitated gunman who had explosives strapped to himself, ending the four-hour standoff.

In previous court appearances and on his website, Lee demanded an end to Discovery Communications LLC's shows such as TLC's "Kate Plus 8" and "19 Kids and Counting." The homeless man said the network should air "programs encouraging human sterilization and infertility." His manifesto: "Humans are the most destructive, filthy, pollutive creatures around and are wrecking what's left of the planet with their false morals and breeding cultures." Lee, 43, also objected to Discovery's environmental programming. He wrote in 2008 that a show he called "Planet Green" was "about more PRODUCTS to make MONEY, not actual solutions." Of course, bookeristas weigh in on the liberal nutcase:

James Lee

Michael Bowen: "James Lee: Dead"

The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in California, on the gunman: "There was a radical misanthropic Malthusian loose yesterday. He was well on his way to becoming a suicide bomber, but thought his radicalism was more acceptable than that of your ordinary Jihadi. So he made a point to put together his final screed, and decided to hang around long enough for a twitter storm. Why the focus on changing media rather than government?"

Sandra Rose: "Obama Would Love The Discovery Channel Gunman"

The conservative blogger in Georgia argues that James Lee's views on the environment and population growth were no different than what's being promoted by the Obama administration: "The armed man, identified as James Jay Lee, reportedly has live explosives strapped to his body. Lee is no stranger to the Discovery Channel; he was arrested in 2008 for loitering and throwing money outside the building. According to Lee’s manifesto, published by TMZ.com, he is an anti-population zealot who advocates birth control and other anti-population methods. As I pointed out in this post, ObamaCare contains a dirty little secret that could lead to population control of the black community. You might also recall that Obaam’s [sic] 'science czar,' John Holdren, wrote a book, Ecoscience, that advocates population control and forced abortions. Many critics say ObamaCare is a disguised form of population control."

Discuss "Environmentalist Takes Hostages At Discovery Channel Building" post here. 

Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko: "Ghana Shouldn't Subsidize Its National Health Care System Using Its Oil Revenues"

The libertarian-conservative head of the Danquah Institute (Ghana) opines about Ghana's National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS): "What happened to the whole concept of investing money in areas that will empower people to take personal and responsible decisions for themselves? This populist flirtation with spent socialism would ruin us! We all have to pay for healthcare and raise enough money to support those who can’t. Decoupling the system so that every under 18 can get access to free healthcare, as was being contemplated by the NPP [center-right party], would even make much more egalitarian sense than this bizarre stubbornness to by all means implement a one-time premium."

More commentary from Mr. Otchere-Darko: "Already NHIS has placed immense pressure on our health resources and facilities as the number of people accessing healthcare now has risen dramatically. Ghana is certainly nowhere near reaching the optimum skill mix in the delivery of healthcare. Greater access means more nurses, more doctors, more medicine, and more facilities. How do we anticipate funding this if we are going the way of turning off one useful source of funding? No sector accounts for more non-traceable waste as healthcare. To consider using oil revenue for this area would lead to a spillage of our oil revenue in a manner that we would all wake up in three decades time and ask: where did all the money go?"

Discuss "Ghana Shouldn't Subsidize Its National Health Care System" post here.

Cash for Clunkers Drives Up Used Car Prices

Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, opines: "The federal government's silly Cash for Clunkers program is being blamed for a 10% increase in the cost of used cars. This news comes at a time that GM sales are down 26%. The only thing the CARS program did was change the purchase time for people who were already in the market for a car, giving them $4,500 in taxpayer cash. Meanwhile the people who couldn't afford a new car are seeing the cost of used cars go up. Thanks Democrats! CHANGE!!! That's all you'll have left."

To comment on "Cash for Clunkers Drives Up Used Car Prices" post, click here.

Lucien Pambou: "Sarkozyism In Distress?"

The city councilman and moderate-conservative in Alfortville, France argues no. However, he believes that France's center-right must forcefully articulate President Nicolas Sarkozy's agenda to the public: (original op-ed in French): "Several measures have been taken by Nicolas Sarkozy since his arrival at the Elysee Palace in 2007. Examples include employment reform, a general revision of public policies, the implementation of RSA [welfare-to-work program], launching bold pension reform, constitutional reform, challenging the tax shield, and immigration policy.  All of these topics weren't relayed so intellectually and practical with the French public, which tends to show that the government did nothing and that President Sarkozy is just a man of talk and indecisiveness."

He continues: "The reality is different. The President is virtually alone. He has many ideas, he is active, but unfortunately he has no one out in the field to relay his message in practice. He has some courtiers, many courtiers, who don't portray the president's concrete message. Some predict Nicolas Sarkozy will be defeated in 2012. We are not there yet, but the prediction may become reality if Sarkozyism doesn't solve a political method of problem analysis."

To comment on "Sarkozyism In Distress?" post, click here.

For The A-Cup Crowd, Minimal Assets Are A Plus

Kaone Kario, Botswanan model

It's about time that we small-breasted ladies get some love. From The New York Times (hat tip: Christine Byington): "In the last three years, said Elisabeth Dale (formerly Squires), who wrote 'Boobs: A Guide to Your Girls,' there has been 'a huge surge in Web sites and online retailers that specialize in smaller bra sizes in a very empowering way,' like evesappleslingerie.com. 'They are not about ‘Here’s how you stuff your bra,’' she added. 'They are like, ‘The way you are is perfect, and here’s how I can help you.’?

More: "These days, it’s not uncommon for women with modest busts to flaunt what little they’ve got with a deep V-neck cut or a halter top. And more small-chested ladies seem to be openly celebrating their look on Twitter, Facebook and various blogs. A new blog, smallbustbigheart.com, has become a venue for these women, according to its author, to 'gush about the lingerie and clothes that scream, ‘Can you handle me?’ not ‘Am I enough?’'

Discuss "For The A-Cup Crowd, Minimal Assets Are A Plus" post, click here.

News: Conservative Party Politics In Uganda

Ken Lukyamuzi

Conservative Party Wants Total Ban On Plastic Bags

Ken Lukyamuzi, the President of the Conservative Party, wants a total ban on plastic bags in Uganda. The moderate-conservative says that all polythene bags degrade the environment, regardless of the size of their microns  The government of Uganda a couple of years ago banned the use of polythene bags below 30 microns.
 
CP's president  says polythene bags above 30 microns are the most dangerous because they take long to decompose.

Susan Nampijja Lukyamuzi

Nampijja Moves To Eject Kikungwe

From The Observer (Uganda): "Rubaga South MP Suzan Nampijja Lukyamuzi has announced she will stand in Kyadondo South in next year’s general elections. Her announcement has already set her on a collision course with Isa Kikungwe, the area MP who has represented Kyadondo South for the last two terms. The two legislators met at a church in Masajja, off Entebbe Road last weekend but didn’t even greet each other."

More: "Nampijja is the daughter of CP President John Ken Lukyamuzi. The 32-year-old Nampijja replaced her father as Rubaga South MP after Lukyamuzi, The Man was bundled out of Parliament by the IGG in 2006. The IGG faulted Lukyamuzi for not declaring his wealth. He petitioned court and the Supreme Court upheld his petition recently. With the father warming up to take up his seat, Suzan has returned to her native Masajja to battle it out with Kikungwe."

To comment on "News: Conservative Party Politics In Uganda" post, click here.

9/1 News: Bookerista Politicos

Condoleezza Rice Turns Down "Dancing With The Stars" Offer

From ABC News, about the moderate-conservative Republican's refusal to join the TV dance show: "We've seen who will cut a rug on the next 'Dancing With the Stars.' But do you know who turned ABC down? According to a source involved with casting, the network approached Facebook creator Mark Zuckerberg to join the dance card for the show's 11th cycle but was unable to secure him. The network also lobbied unsuccessfully for Sylvester Stallone, political commentator Ann Coulter, former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, the real Erin Brockovich, billionaire Richard Branson, comic actor Tim Allen and former TV darling Suzanne Somers."

Harold Ford Jr. Cut From Tennessee Voter Roll

His new political memoir, More Davids Than Goliaths, may be ranked #4 on the Washington Post's best-seller list. However, the moderate-liberal Democrat is getting cut from the voter roll in the state he once represented in the U.S. Congress after stating in his memoir that he considers New York state to be his home (although he still owns property in Tennessee): "The circumstance of dual registration had been brought to the attention of Tennessee Secretary of State Tre Hargett by a complainant, with the result that Ford will likely be purged from the ranks of Tennessee voters. Or so Blake Fontenay, a spokesperson for Hargett, has indicated."

To comment on "9/1 News: Bookerista Politicos" post, click here.

Obama Declares The End Of U.S. Combat Mission In Iraq: Bookerista Response, Pt. 2

Bookeristas continue to opine about U.S. President Barack Obama's speech last night:

Peter Kirsanow: "Obama's Small & Insulting Speech"

The member of the U.S. Commission on Civil Rights and conservative Republican attorney in Ohio opines about last night's speech: "At best the speech was petty; at worst it was myopic. The only acknowledgement of George W. Bush came when Obama said that the former president loved the troops and his country. That was it. How magnanimous — from someone who was spectacularly wrong about the surge, who proclaimed it would be a disaster, who sat silently when a senator whom he later selected as his secretary of state called General Petraeus (the architect of the surge) a liar, and who selected a vice president whose own proposal for Iraq was a monument to vapidity."

He continues his commentary: "But the new reality is bracing: Saddam Hussein (whom Obama didn’t even mention) is dead. He is no longer a rampaging threat to declare war on his neighbors; he can no longer exterminate whole classes of his citizens; he can no longer fund and provide safe haven for terrorists; he can no longer use oil as a weapon; and he can no longer pursue biological, chemical, and nuclear weapons. Moreover, elections have been held in a Middle Eastern country not named Israel. A potential ally has been created in the most volatile region in the world. But Obama couldn’t be bothered with these trivialities. He simply declared that it was time to 'turn the page.' The page, evidently, of a tired and boring story that distracts from his more transcendent interests and his primary objective to 'fundamentally transform America.'"

More: "No one expected a victory lap. The work in Iraq is far from done, and the victory is fragile. But this is a time when Americans expect their president to be not just commander-in-chief but also patriot-in-chief; to engender pride in the good and remarkable accomplishments of our warriors; and not to render a dispiriting assessment of the war’s economic consequences. Obama needed a prime-time Oval Office address for this? The speech was an insult to the men and women who gave their lives and limbs to accomplish an amazing, if contingent, feat. It was an insult to their families and friends. It was an insult to our allies (whom Obama barely acknowledged), especially to the Brits who fought and died alongside our troops. It was an insult to every American who believes in American exceptionalism."

Faye Anderson: "Live From The Oval Office"

The moderate-liberal blogger didn't feel the speech: "Frankly, I don’t want to hear about the 'end of the combat mission in Iraq.' Instead, I want to hear that all of our brave men and women in uniform are coming home, now. Iraqis were being terrorized when we got there. They will be terrorized long after we turn off the lights. And at some point, we will turn off the lights. When we do, we will have absolutely nothing to show for the thousands of American lives lost."

Read more »

Plaxico Burress Imprisoned By 2nd Amendment Oppression, Denied Prison Work Release

Constructive Feedback, a conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga., writes about the second time that the football player has been denied prison work release: "NY Giants Super Bowl Hero Plaxico Burress Denied Work Release. Married, father of two, with a job. Carries a gun into a club and accidentally shoots himself in the leg. The unconstitutional law in New York which violates the Second Amendment triggered this man to receive a prison sentence. Let me get this straight. Exercising your Second Amendment rights in New York without the government's permission is a FELONY." 

He continues his commentary: "The notion of the conspiracy to direct people into the 'prison industrial complex' using illegal drugs as a vector is being doggedly fought.  However when it comes to the clear suppression of the Second Amendment which branded this and other men with a felony for not having the government's permission to exercise their constitutional rights is seen as a necessary suppression because of the desire for security stemming mostly from the fact that many people in the broad community not been inculcated with respect for human life.....thus necessitating a gun for protection."

Discuss "Plaxico Burress Imprisoned By 2nd Amendment Oppression" post here.

JAVIER DAVID COMMENTARY: Congressional Black Caucus Bogged Down By New Ethics Scandal

The conservative writer in New York City argues that rather than representing the best of Dr. King's dream, many of his self-described intellectual heirs are using their public platforms to enrich themselves and those around them: "The latest African-American member of Congress to be caught engaging in ethically-questionable behavior, Ms. [Eddie Bernice] Johnson [a Congresswoman who steered $20,000+ in Congressional Black Caucus Foundation scholarships to her relatives and her staffer's children] joins veteran legislators Charles Rangel and Maxine Waters on the hotseat for lavish malfeasance with other people's money. Though surely the congresswoman from Dallas sets a new standard for political chutzpah: when cornered by reporters about her actions, Ms. Johnson averred that she might not have given the money to her grandchildren had more qualified scholarship applicants materialized."

He continues his commentary: "Ms. Johnson's actions are all the more disdainful when viewed in light of the scandals that have beset the Congressional Black Caucus in recent months. Many observers have been quick to accuse the CBC's critics of racism. But in these cases, an unfortunate yet unambiguous pattern has emerged: many black congressmen have begun taking care of themselves instead of the constituents they represent. In the midst of a polarized electorate and what is expected to be a hotly contested midterm election, one might think that congressmen of all ethnicities and regions might be more circumspect in how they discharge the public's trust. But Ms. Johnson's moves - and her brazen attempts to defend herself - are symptomatic of a larger disease that seems to have infected the black political establishment."

Discuss "Congressional Black Caucus Bogged Down By New Ethics Scandal" post here.

Group Asks Media To Suppress Talk Of President Obama’s "Religious Identity"

Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga., writes: "According to online reports, there’s an email making the rounds as part of a 'major liberal initiative to curtail discussion of President Obama’s religious identity.' As ridiculous as that sounds, I’m not surprised. How many past presidents has ever had his religious faith called into question based on his own actions? You guessed it: only one. Last month, a survey of American voters found that roughly 25% of the country believe Barack Obama is a Muslim. Now a group of 'over 70 Christian leaders and denominational heads' have banded together to ask the 'major media' outlets to suppress any discussion of Obama’s religion. By ‘major media’ outlets I’m assuming they mean CNN, ABC News, MSNBC, etc. You know, the left leaning media that rarely utters a negative word about Obama anyway."

She wagers a guess about why only 47% of Americans believe the president is a Christian: "I wonder if this group of religious leaders sent this same email to Obama himself? No one would be questioning Obama’s faith if it weren’t for his own questionable behavior since taking office last January. Maybe if Obama would stop bowing down to Muslim leaders, or maybe if Obama would stop protecting Muslim terrorists, or just maybe if Obama stopped making statements such as the U.S. is a Muslim country — Americans would have no reason to question his faith."

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The "Restoring Honor" Rally: Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 3

Bookeristas have much more to say about Saturday's event, which drew at least 350,000 people:

Deneen Borelli: "In A Desperate Bid To Stay Relevant, NAACP Chief Plays False Race Card Against Beck Supporters"

Deneen Borelli, a conservative Republican who attended the "Restoring Honor" rally, writes: "With his knee-jerk criticism of those attending Glenn Beck’s recent 'Restoring Honor' rally, NAACP president Ben Jealous showed what his once-venerable group has become — a progressive front masquerading as a civil rights organization. In an interview with Eyeblast.tv, Jealous — who was demonstrating with Al Sharpton at a location not far from Beck’s event at the Lincoln Memorial — said, 'I have a feeling if somebody stood up and read Dr. King’s speech to that crowd, they would not get applause.' Jealous’ remark insinuates that the predominately-white crowd would not cheer for Dr. King’s message because he was black. It’s typical of the NAACP’s race-card assault on the Tea Party movement. But segments of the speech were played, and it was applauded. Too bad no one from the NAACP was there to catch it. Therein lies the problem."

She continues her commentary: "It’s too bad Jealous missed Beck’s 'Restoring Honor' event. Had he attended, Jealous would not have been able to ignore the warm reception that blacks received on stage and the overarching message that restoring honor in America starts with God. Beck’s message to Americans is that it’s the responsibility of every individual to make our country a better place, and that God put us here for a special purpose. The principles exhibited by our Founding Fathers and the honor and mighty courage of our military personnel provide a course toward liberty. Americans should search within themselves to determine what their talents are and how they can be applied toward restoring honor and integrity for the sake of our country. Putting aside politics in favor of our founding principles might jeopardize the progressive agenda Jealous supports. Our rights come from God — not man. Progressives, however, want to replace God with government. Judging by the hundreds of thousands of Americans at the Lincoln Memorial in the sweltering August heat, this simply will not happen – not on our watch."

Andre Harper: "American Principles Vs. Liberal Spin"

The conservative blogger, who attended the rally, writes: "God bless Glenn Beck for making the sacrifices necessary to pull this event together. He was truly amazing and I'm glad to have been there. His vision has strengthened my personal resolve to always thank God for his blessings, to improve my life and the lives of those around me. In the near future, I don't expect liberals to abandon their tired narratives or judge themselves by the same standards they judge conservatives. Therefore I will continue to follow the direction given to me by God and ignore their predictable criticisms because Jesus Christ was treated far worse than anything I'll encounter. So if the Savior of the world was treated so harshly, how can I expect any different?"

Discuss The 'Restoring Honor' Rally" post here.

Gregory Kane: "It's No Surprise That Miss Mexico Won The Miss Universe Pageant"

The former Miss Mexico

Asserts the conservative Republican columnist in Maryland. He implies that - given social issue-related controversies with the last few Miss USA pageants - last week's Miss Universe pageant (also owned by Donald Trump) was fixed: "There seems to be a pattern to these Miss Universe Pageants of late. Latina contestants predominate among the semifinalists. Contestants from black African countries rarely make the list of 15 semifinalists. Ditto for those from most Asian countries. It's as if the judges have done some prejudging and concluded that the contestants from black African countries look too African and the ones from Asian countries look too Asian. Since judges don't want to be accused of favoring whites, they select Latinas, who can be regarded as some sort of happy medium."

More: "I thought Miss Jamaica, first runner-up to Miss Mexico, was clearly the superior contestant among the finalists. But I knew a dead dog would have a better chance of playing fetch than Miss Jamaica had of winning this year's pageant. It's been only four months since the passage of SB 1070. Even less time has expired since Mexican President Felipe Calderon came to this country and presumed to lecture us about our immigration laws before admitting that his country deals with illegal immigrants by 'sending back them.' In the minds of those judges, I suspect, the time was just about right to send a message to Arizonans, Mexico and the world about what they think of SB 1070 and the state of Arizona."

Discuss "It's No Surprise That Miss Mexico Won The Miss Universe Pageant" post here.

Jennifer Carroll: Florida's Lieutenant Governor?

You may recall that around this time last year, Florida State Rep. Jennifer Carroll's name was being floated around as the replacement for resigning U.S. Sen. Mel Martinez (R-Fla.). Well, her name is reportedly on another short list..

Mr. Scott states that he will announce his running mate for Florida's gubernatorial election tomorrow. He wouldn't answer questions about whether Ms. Carroll is his running mate choice or if she is on the short list. He would only say that the person has been vetted for a long time, and he/she is someone "everyone will be proud of."

However, insiders claim that it's already a done deal. The Tampa Tribune (Florida) states: "A well-placed Republican source said Scott had a short list of three finalists -- two men and a woman -- and from that trio selected Rep.Jennifer Carroll Jc of Green Cove Springs to join the ticket. Scott would not discuss names."

The St. Petersburg Times (Florida) writes: "Juan Zapata, seen as a serious contender to be Rick Scott's running mate, said he probably wouldn't take the job if it were offered to him. 'I'm pretty much done with Tallahassee.' He said theres a last minute push for Kim Berfield but that Jennifer Carroll is his favorite. Carroll had a diploma-paperwork issue in her past, but Zapata said her positives outweigh the negatives: A black Republican military woman from a conservative area. 'I'd say he's 60-70 percent there,' said Zapata, who has known Scott for years and spoke with him frequently during the Republican primary."

Booker Rising response: In case you're wondering: Jeannette Bradley, a moderate Republican, was lieutenant governor of Ohio from 2003 to 2005. Ms. Carroll would become America's second black female to hold the position, if she is selected as Mr. Scott's running mate and they win in November. Brief background on Ms. Carroll: she was born in Trinidad & Tobago, she served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, she's been a Florida state representative since 2003, she's conservative, and her son Nolan is a rookie defensive back for the the Miami Dolphins, and Florida Gov. Charlie Crist considered her as his running mate four years ago.

A bookerista responds: J.B. White, a moderate-conservative Republican blogger in Florida, writes: "If the news is true that Rick Scott has chosen Jennifer Carroll as his running mate, that is a brilliant move by theRepublican nominee for Governor of Florida. Let's get to work!"

To comment on "Jennifer Carroll: Florida's Lieutenant Governor?" post, click here.

Al-Gaddafi To Europe: "Give Me $6.4 Billion A Year & I'll Stop The Nigras From Turning Europe Black"

Moammar al-Gaddafi has ended his visit to Italy by calling on the European Union to pay Libya €5 billion (US$6.4 million) a year to ensure its co-operation in preventing illegal immigration from Africa, which "threatens to turn Europe black" (hat tip: Black & Right). Libya is a key transit point for illegal African immigrants headed for Europe.

The dictator told an audience in Rome: "Italy needs to convince her European allies to accept this Libyan proposal - €5bn to Libya to stop illegal immigration. Europe runs the risk of turning black from illegal immigration, it could turn into Africa. We need support from the European Union to stop this army trying to get across from Libya, which is their entry point", he said. "There is a dangerous level of immigration from Africa into Europe and we don't know what will happen. What will be the reaction of the white Christian Europeans to this mass of hungry uneducated Africans? We don't know if Europe will remain an advanced and cohesive continent or if it will be destroyed by this barbarian invasion. We have to imagine that this could happen, but before it does we need to work together."

Booker Rising response: Speaking of barbarian invasion, when are Arab Muslims like al-Gaddafi gonna relinquish the land in Africa that they've been occupying for centuries?

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MICHAEL BOWEN OP-ED: Rally Rally

The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in California discusses populism in America: "Everyone, it seems, has a Million Men like themselves, and until we've had forty such marches on Washington, we're all just watching a parade. Being in Washington is symbolic, but it's difficult for me to imagine what kind of march would instantiate or change legislation on the books. Lobbyists march on Washington every day - they don't waste time around a reflecting pool."

More: "There is only one thing here that marks a departure, which is that the Right is doing a dance with the devil of populism. It is the sort of populism that the populist Left wants nothing to do with. It puts the Progressive Elite on the defensive in an interesting way. Now more than ever they are questioning the intelligence and moral sanity of the common man. This puts them in the position of do-gooders whose doings are rejected by the people it's supposed to be good for. That is, if they could get anything done. Who will do right by the common man? That is the question."

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Sen. Murkowski's Defeat Marks Major Tea Party Win

Kicked to the curb: Sen. Murkowski

Sarah Palin took out Sen. Murkowski's father to become Alaska's governor, and now backed someone to take her out. From the Associated Press: "Backed by the Tea Party Express and Sarah Palin, a little-known conservative lawyer from Alaska became the latest newcomer to the national political stage to take down an incumbent in 2010. In arguably the biggest political upset of the year, Joe Miller claimed the Republican nomination for U.S. Senate when incumbent GOP Sen. Lisa Murkowski conceded Tuesday evening. Murkowski gave up after failing to gain much ground in an count of outstanding absentee ballots."

Repealing the government health care bill loomed large in the race: "The stunning result was a huge validation of the political power of Palin as the former Alaska governor has been playing kingmaker in midterm elections ahead of a potential 2012 White House run. Miller cast Murkowski as too liberal and part of the problem in an out-of-control Washington. It is a campaign strategy that has helped oust other incumbents this year and that Republicans will employ again in November as they look to take back Congress."

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Ghana's Center-Left: "The Center-Right Is Training Hot Women To Lure Our Cabinet Ministers And Spy On Us"

Miss Ghana (not accused of being part of alleged plot)

Mr. Ebenezer Anim-Otu, deputy communications director of the ruling National Democratic Congress at Kpone-Katamanso constituency, claims that the center-right New Patriotic Party has recruited beautiful Ghanaian women to exchange their bodies (through sex) for NDC secrets that the party can use to sabotage the NDC's chances in the 2012 presidential election.

Mr. Anim-Otu claimed that the women were undergoing training at undisclosed locations on how to approach and capture young cabinet ministers' attention, in order to extract vital information about President John Atta Mills’ administration. They allegedly pose as businesswomen and approach their targets using fake business transactions in to lure them into bed and secure information.

Ghana's center-right responds: NPP members aren't amused by this claim being levelled by the center-left. "Cha", one reader, responds: "This incompetent govt and propaganda newspaper will blame anything on the NPP - how sad". "Leo" responds: "[The NDC] is the most useless party ever they can not supply common domestic cooking gas for our homes and now see the stupid news that they are spewing nonsense".

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James Shikwati: "Alcohol Threatens Africa's Growth"

Kenyan beer

Asserts the libertarian head of the Inter-Region Economic Network (Kenya): "According to the World Health Organisation, only 10 out of 46 African countries have recent policies governing alcohol consumption. Only 16 are said to have advertising regulation in place. Deaths attributable to alcohol has been increasing in Africa from 2.1 per cent in 2001 to 2.4 per cent in 2004 (it could be higher). Africans are swimming in an alcohol market where 50 per cent of alcohol produced and consumed is not commercially produced or consumed; which translates to no data on content and possible harm."

Mr. Shikwati continues his commentary about Africa's alcohol policies: "It is crucial that African governments drive towards facilitating measurement-based balance between economic development and public health. Studies ought to establish whether a link exists between alcohol consumption and spread of HIV-Aids, whether increase in tax on alcohol reduces alcohol abuse, productivity and regulating commercial production. African countries could also borrow from the 63rd World Health Assembly’s (held in May 21, 2010) global strategy to reduce harmful use of alcohol. African countries ought to move with speed and domesticate strategies to address the threat posed by unregulated consumption of alcoholic beverages."

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8/31 News: Ryan Frazier

GOP Pollster: Ryan Frazier Has Slim Lead For Congressional Seat

The Colorado Independent, a liberal website, is atwitter about a poll that a Republican pollster did (not for the Frazier campaign) showing that the libertarian-conservative Republican is one point ahead of incumbent Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D-Colo.). It writes: "The Magellan Strategies auto dial poll of 830 likely general election voters in the 7th CD found that Frazier was one point ahead of Perlmutter, 40 percent to 39 percent, well within the 3.4 percent margin of error. The poll, which was politically balanced based on past election results, has been criticized for placing the election question so far into the polling sequence as it could have been biased by other questions surrounding Nancy Pelosi, Barack Obama and health care reform."

However, Rep. Perlmutter's office has not challenged this poll's results. This means that their internal polling is showing the same thing..The good and bad news for Mr. Frazier: the poll found that in a generic contest of candidates, 45 percent would vote Republican, with 39 percent voting for the Democratic ticket. However, only 40 percent of respondents knew who Mr. Frazier was (versus 97 percent for Rep. Perlmutter). Among respondents who had heard of the candidates, 39 percent had an unfavorable opinion of Rep. Perlmutter, with 37 percent favorable and 20 percent having no opinion. Meanwhile, Mr. Frazier had some room to grow: 22 percent had a favorable rating of him, with 11 percent unfavorable and 27 percent having no opinion.

Mitt Romney Backs Ryan Frazier

The libertarian-conservative Republican received a $2,500 check from former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney’s Free and Strong America Political Action Committee. Mr. Romney, a moderate-conservative who is an early frontrunner for the Republican presidential nomination in 2012, has also officially endorsed Mr. Frazier’s bid for Colorado’s 7th Congressional District.

Mr. Romney’s endorsement comes on the heels of Mr. Frazier’s 64%-36% victory in the Republican primary earlier this month

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Obama Declares The End Of U.S. Combat Mission In Iraq: Bookerista Response

Coby Dillard: "Obama Made It About Him, & Not The Troops"

Asserts the conservative Republican in Virginia, who is a Navy veteran of the Iraq war: "As a Navy veteran of Operation Iraqi Freedom, no one is prouder than I to see our troops return from combat. However, President Obama made his speech tonight more about the fulfillment of a campaign promise than about the brave, honorable and victorious service of our fighting men and women. It is unfortunate to see him attempt to lay claim to a victory that his brief voting record in the Senate and remarks as a presidential candidate shows he didn't support and whose end was negotiated by President George W. Bush -- the same Bush whose policies and actions Obama routinely speaks of as 'failed.' Instead, the victory belongs to the legacy of the 4,416 service members killed in Iraq and the millions more who served and returned safely home."

He continues: "Having secured a military victory in Iraq, our efforts there now turn to ensuring that a lasting peace is won. As the Iraqi government and people continue to take the lead on the road to prosperity and freedom, we as Americans should restate our commitment to this young democracy that many of our countrymen gave their lives to establish."

Ryan Frazier: "Obama's Iraq Speech"

The libertarian-conservative Republican, a former National Security Agency intelligence officer who is running for Congress in Colorado, issued a statement: "As Americans, we owe our sincerest appreciation and gratitude to our men and women in uniform – some of whom have paid the ultimate sacrifice to our great nation. As combat operations wind down in Iraq, the job is yet to be finished. It has become clear that the 'surge' strategy helped the Iraqi people combat sectarian violence and terrorism, while planting the seed of democracy in a former authoritarian state. It is now our job, both economically and militarily, to make sure our sacrifices were not made in vain. I urge the President, and Members of Congress, to take the appropriate steps to ensure success in the final stage of leaving Iraq a stronger, and more democratic nation.”

Samuel Gonzalez: "Obama Gives A Comatose Speech"

Asserts the conservative Republican blogger in New York City: "Was it too much for the president to muster the enthusiasm for success in Iraq and giving that country a chance to live in freedom? But, I forget. The president rarely ever uses the word 'freedom' in any of his speeches. That tells you something doesn’t it?"

He continues his commentary: "What came across in this dull oratory loud and clear is president Obama’s heart isn’t into being a wartime president. He sees the wars as a distraction from his attempt to remake the country into a Nanny state. In fact, he used the speech as an opportunity to throw in a little domestic policy. I thought that was pretty bad form. But, that’s what you get from Obama - a whole bunch of bad form."

Kevin Martin: "When Will Obama Admit That He Was Wrong About The Surge?"

Asks the conservative Republican, a Navy veteran: "While President Obama says combat operation are officially ended in Iraq, this turn of phrase will not change the fact that the remaining American troops will continue to battle remaining rogue elements as Iraqi forces work to get a handle on things."

Mr. Martin continues his statement: "At the time, Senator Obama -- along with many of his liberal allies -- claimed the surge of troops into Iraq would fail before it even started. Now that he commands these same troops, will he have the courage to admit he was wrong and apologize to those who have given their all to bring forth a mostly stable Iraq? President Obama needs to give credit where credit is due, and that goes to the fine men and women who put on the uniform and carry out their duty no matter the odds and no matter what burden they may face as politicians simply seek to score points with voters."

Discuss "Obama Declares The End Of U.S. Combat Mission In Iraq" post here.

The "Restoring Honor" Rally: Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 2

Bookeristas have much more to say about Saturday's event, which drew at least 350,000 people:

Ms. Gardner (pictured left) with Ms. King

Day Gardner: "I Was Proud To Stand In Solidarity With Alveda King At The Rally"

Asserts the conservative head of the National Black Pro-Life Union: "From the Lincoln Memorial, past the Washington Monument, as far as the eye could see in any direction, American people of all colors stood shoulder to shoulder to honor the one true God -- to show love for our great country, a country founded on the Solid Rock which is the word of God -- to fix the places where we are broken -- to help the weathered masses -- to see the humanity of unborn children -- to heal the terrible hurts -- to lift each other up and to never stand down until the 'dream' is restored and I was there."

Jerome Hudson: "A Black Man Goes To Glenn Beck's Rally"

The conservative in Florida writes about participating in the rally: "I was probably the only 24-year old black college student in the crowd. It's hard to know, because we had over 300,000 people there. But that didn't matter to me. As we all stood hand-in-hand, American shoulder to American shoulder, our myriad faces streaked with tears as we sang 'Amazing Grace.' It was a moment I will be proud to tell my grandkids about one day. What that moment taught me is this: Something profound is happening in America that runs far deeper than politics. The ground is shifting, and it's in freedom's direction. As a nation at war, standing in division and debt, Beck challenged the crowd to return to God."

Mr. Hudson continues his commentary: "The message I took away is that we cannot continue to pick at the scab of America's past but must become the balm that heals it. That's the way forward — arm in arm, moving together, toward a better future. Standing in a crowd that stretched from the Washington Monument to Lincoln Memorial what happened on 8/28 was the most inspirational thing I had ever experienced. Standing there, unhyphenated and united, this black man has never felt more free in his life."

Nadra Enzi: "I Salute Lenny McAllister's Decision To Decline To Speak At The Rally"

Asserts the moderate Republican in Savannah, Ga., in a statement emailed to Booker Rising: " By opting out of Glenn Beck's August 28th Restoring Honor event [black conservative commentator] Lenny McAllister showed rare independence from a movement marching lock step with the Imperial Right, as I call the most extreme conservative brand. He cited headliner Sarah Palin's defense of Dr. Laura's N-Word commentary and other uniquely Black reasons why he couldn't participate, despite being conservative and Republican. I reference 'uniquely Black' reasons because of the element of racial escapism (to these jaundiced eyes) witnessed among some Black conservatives."

More: "I applaud Mr. McAllister's stance. He's definitely not a 'Me Too!' conservative blindy walking behind the Imperial Right band wagon. If we can't tell White counterparts when we think they've erred on racial matters, isn't that just Jim Crow reloaded for the Ipod era? Any resultant ostracism he may exprience by the Right means freedom of thought is no more welcome here than on the Left. For my money this was his personal profile in courage moment. If the cost to be a Black conservative is a racial gag order, except against liberals, it's a price too high to pay."

Read more »

The Oval Office Gets A Makeover

Feelin' them drapes?

From The New York Times: "When President Obama addressed the nation about Iraq on Tuesday evening, he did so from newly redecorated surroundings. The look is angular and modern — it evokes the feel of a den — and tends toward neutral hues of browns and taupe, rather than the gold and yellow tones favored by President George W. Bush. Gone is the sunburst rug Mr. Bush loved so much, which was designed by his wife, Laura, and which he often said expressed his spirit of optimism. In the rug’s place is a muted, mostly wheat and cream carpet featuring the presidential seal in the center and ringed with five quotations selected by Mr. Obama — four from former presidents (Lincoln, Kennedy and the Roosevelts) and one from the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Mr. Bush’s yellow brocade sofas have been replaced with two custom-made couches of brown cotton that looks like velvet, woven with red, white and blue threads."

The designer went for the blah, hotel room look

More about the renovations: "The makeover was not done at taxpayer expense. The White House said costs were covered by the nonprofit White House Historical Association, through a contribution from the committee that paid for Mr. Obama’s inauguration. The administration will not disclose how much the redesign cost, except to say the price was 'in line with' what Mr. Obama’s two most recent predecessors had spent.'"

Bookeristas respond: D.C. Thornton, a libertarian-conservative Republican in Nevada: "Reason for Obama's speech demeanor: 'Damn, Michelle's Oval Office decorating skills are atrocious!'"

DRC, a conservative Republican in Virginia, writes on Twitter: "The Oval Office now looks like an short-stay executive suite in an apartment complex with cheap furniture from Aaron Rents."

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The "Restoring Honor" Rally: Black Tea, Pt. 2

Timothy Johnson, head of the Frederick Douglass Foundation (pictured in brown suit in the first photo), took these event photos:

Read more »

Anthony Akoto Osei: "Ghana's Center-Left Government Is Butchering The Country's Credit Rating"

Anthony Akoto Osei, a member of the Ghanaian Parliament and former finance minister, has cautioned the government of the center-left John Atta Mills administration not to underestimate the ramifications of Ghana's recent drop in the sovereign credit rating on the economy. Mr. Osei, who is a member of the center-right New Patriotic Party, warned that the downgrading could return Ghana to dark fiscal days.

Sharing his thoughts on the recent survey released by Standard & Poor's - which saw Ghana dropping from B+ to B in credit rating - Mr. Akoto said the government ought to treat the matter with the needed seriousness, rather than resort to downplaying its effects.

MrAkoto said Ghana struggled hard under the erstwhile New Patriotic Party administration to attain the B+ status, and that "we should have appreciated in score instead of depreciating." He said a number of factors had culminated in the lowering of Ghana's grade, including the government's failure to clearly spell its policy on the country's oil and the decision to make the Ministry of Energy regulators of the nation's oil. The former senior researcher at the Centre for Policy Analysis noted that the decision to offer the regulatory duty to the Energy Ministry amounted to putting the oil in the hands of politicians, a situation, which he argues might not ensure proper and independent accountability.

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Iraqis Approach End Of U.S. Combat Role With Worry

From the Associated Press: "As Vice President Joe Biden presides over the formal end to U.S. combat operations in Iraq, few Iraqis are cheering the American exit. Iraqis, who for years have railed against the U.S. occupation, are generally happy to see that the American presence won't be endless. But there is also considerable trepidation about whether Iraq can go it alone. 'It's not the right time,' said Johaina Mohammed, a 40-year-old teacher from Baghdad. 'There is no government, the security is deteriorating, and there is no trust.'"

The article continues: "Just under 50,000 U.S. troops remain in Iraq - down from a peak of nearly 170,000 at the height of the military surge in 2007. Those troops will be focused on training and assisting the Iraqi military, and will no longer be allowed to go on combat missions unless requested and accompanied by Iraqi forces. Underscoring the shift, Biden was making a new appeal to Iraqi leaders Tuesday, including Prime Minister Nouri al-Maliki, to end the political deadlock and seat a new government. March 7 parliamentary elections left Iraq without a clear winner, and insurgents have since exploited the uncertainty to hammer Iraqi security forces. Iraqi forces are vastly improved and attacks have plummeted since the dark days of 2006 and 2007. But rarely a day goes by without some loss of life, and spectacular attacks such as the violence on Wednesday that killed 56 people still happen with disturbing regularity."

More: "The fear of political divisions, aggravated by the struggle for control of Iraq's oil potential, is ever present. Some Iraqis worry that without the American soldiers, their country will revert to a dictatorship or split along religious and ethnic fault lines. 'They should wait for the government to be formed and then withdraw,' said Mohammed Hussein Abbas, a Shiite from the town of Hillah south of Baghdad."

The article continues: "'The U.S. withdrawal will put Iraq into the lap of Iran,' said Ali Mussa, a 46-year-old engineer from eastern Baghdad. Iran and Iraq are both majority Shiite countries. And Iran has already capitalized on the U.S.-led overthrow of its arch enemy Saddam to secure greater leverage in Iraq, using centuries-old religious and cultural ties. Even former Sunni insurgents in Fallujah, who supported armed resistance against two American assaults on the city in Iraq's western province of Anbar, are dismayed at U.S. troops leaving after they joined forces and fought extremists together. 'Of course we were against the occupation, but in 2007 the Americans came up with a good plan for fighting al-Qaida, not Iraq,' said Col. Abdelsaad Abbas Mohammed, a Fallujah commander in the government-supported Sunni militia, known as the Awakening Councils. 'Americans have committed many mistakes, but they did not go into houses and chop people's heads off.'"

More from the Associated Press article: "In the three provinces that make up the autonomous Kurdish region in northern Iraq, the American military departure is also cause for concern. The Americans have often been perceived as the protectors of the minority Kurdish population, which was repressed under Saddam, but later carved out a relative oasis of stability in northern Iraq. Othman Ahmed, 38, and a lawyer from the Kurdish city of Sulaimaniyah, said Iraqi politicians would like to return Iraq to the strong centralized government of the former regime - meaning the Kurds' hard-won autonomy could be at jeopardy."

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