"What is there to fear from socialism? The answers are easy to determine. You merely need to discover who is arrogating it upon themselves to call the status quo unfair and how far they would go to revolutionize. The status quo is always defined by the people who are making the decisions that the people live with. In a free market, that's everyone who participates in it. To shunt aside the market for political reasons is to find fault with the people who sustain it, who must inevitably be suppressed. Those who would take power on behalf of 'the people' will inevitably have to form a sustained, organized, scientific, disciplined new order. A new ruling class, with new powers... for the new people." — Michael Bowen, moderate-conservative Republican blogger
2/1 Quote Of The Day
Rep. Allen West To Switch Congressional Districts
You may recall that Rep. West currently doesn't live in the Congressional district that he actually represents (which is legal), but in a neighboring district. From CBS News, about the conservative Republican Congressman: "First-term, Tea Party Republican Allen West will seek re-election in a new district, he announced Tuesday. The move improves West's chances for re-election, since his current, competitive Florida district recently became even more competitive under a newly-drawn political map. West will run in the new 18th district [which is more Republican-friendly] in South Florida, which is mostly comprised of the current 16th district. Republican Rep. Tom Rooney currently represents the 16th district, but he announced earlier Tuesday that he would seek re-election in the open 17th district rather than the new 18th district."
More: "'I have always believed the state of Florida would be best served by having both Congressman Tom Rooney and myself in the House of Representatives working to solve our nation's most pressing problems,' West said in a statement. 'It is my goal to continue the success Congressman Rooney has had in Florida's 16th Congressional district in the newly proposed 18th district. I welcome the challenges and excitement that lie ahead.' The challenges for West will be less substantial now that he's decided to leave the 22nd district, which became even more Democrat-friendly under the redistricting plan that the GOP-controlled Florida legislature unveiled last week."
Condi Rice To Campaign For Dick Lugar
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| Sen. Lugar & Dr. Rice |
The article continues about Dr. Rice: "But Lugar is hoping that big-name support from party stalwarts like Rice will help to build a firewall with establishment Republicans. 'In the 2012 election cycle, Americans are looking for strong leaders who will restore optimism, make tough decisions and guide the country in finding real solutions during these turbulent times. Dick Lugar has proven his ability to be a positive force for our American principles and for our party. As such, I am proud to support his bid for re-election,' Rice said in a statement. Lugar credited his close relationship with Rice during her time in the Bush administration for her endorsement."
Sam Motsuenyane: "Agriculture Must Play A Critical Role In Africa's Future"
From CNN, which mentions to South African pro-free-market advocate in an article: "The sweet aroma of blossoming orange trees wafts through the air as a white-haired figure moves slowly along the green-choked path. Aided by a yard stick, 85-year-old Sam Motsuenyane walks through his citrus orchard in South Africa's Winterveldt area, occasionally stopping to check the lush fruits hanging from the trees. The scene strikes a sharp contrast to what the veteran agriculturalist encountered when he returned to the area in early 2000 to retire following a successful career as a South African diplomat and leading banker. Weeds and bushes had reclaimed the deserted plots as much of the land laid fallow and under-utilized due to lack of resources and the local farmers' economic hardship. 'I decided that something had to be done and with my agricultural background, I thought I could perhaps initiate something that could help the people,' says Motsuenyane."
The article continues: "As a result, the farming pioneer, whose first business was a plant nursery in 1963, embarked on a mission to show small plot owners how to lift themselves out of poverty by growing orange trees on a commercial scale. He drummed up private sector financial support to buy orange trees and in 2002 he launched the Winterveldt Citrus Project, a community initiative which enables small holders to make a living and become self-sufficient by training them how to work the land. So far, the project has helped to set up some 100 small farms."
Only 3.5% of the African continent's arable land is irrigated: "Back in the Winterveldt fields, Motsuenyane also calls on South African leaders to take a greater role in encouraging people to work on the land. 'The government has to do a great deal to rekindle the enthusiasm which once existed in agriculture,' Motsuenyane, who ran the first black-owned bank in post-Apartheid South Africa, says. Passionate about farming, Motsuenyane believes it's smallholdings that have the potential to revitalize communities and help curb South Africa's soaring levels of unemployment. 'If we do not create sufficient employment opportunities in our country we will certainly end up in a very terrible situation,' he says. 'We must skill the black people to use that land in a way that can enable them to become job creators as well as contributors to the development of the country.'."
Don Cornelius Commits Suicide At Age 75
So sad. From the Associated Press: "Don Cornelius, who with the creation of 'Soul Train' helped break down racial barriers and broaden the reach of black culture with funky music, groovy dance steps and cutting-edge style, died early Wednesday of an apparent suicide. He was 75. Officers responding to a report of a shooting found Cornelius at his Mulholland Drive home at around 4 a.m., police said. He was pronounced dead of a self-inflicted gunshot wound, said Los Angeles County Assistant Chief Coroner Ed Winter."
The article continues about Mr. Cornelius: "'Soul Train' began in 1970 as a local program in Chicago and aired nationally from 1971 to 2006, introducing television audiences to such legendary artists as Aretha Franklin, Marvin Gaye and Barry White. It was one of the first shows to showcase African-Americans prominently, bringing the best R&B, soul and later hip-hop acts to TV. Cornelius was the first host and executive producer."
LLOYD MARCUS OP-ED: Another Black History Month: The Left's Favorite Time Of The Year
The conservative Republican entertainer in Florida, opines: "Alas, another Black History Month...or as the left likes to view it, their annual 'Opportunity To Exploit Race Month.' It is the month in which liberals attempt to convince us that race relations in America have progressed very little since the days of police unleashing dogs on civil rights activists. Rather than presenting a balanced, honest look at black history, leftist schoolteachers and the media say America is still racist and whites should feel eternally guilty. Also included in the left's message is that blacks must continue to vote monolithically for Democrats in order to keep rich white Republican racists at bay. Yes, for the most part, Black History Month is a propaganda tool of the Democratic [P]arty."
He continues his commentary: "Black history is woven with remarkable blacks who strove for excellence and achieved major success. Knowledge of such black pioneers would inspire black youths and help them realize how blessed they are to be born in America, the greatest land of opportunity on the planet. America is unique in that you can grow beyond your family history and humble beginnings. Most folks around the world are destined to walk in their parents' footsteps. If your dad was a peasant worker, you will be a peasant worker. In America, countless hugely successful blacks came from humble beginnings. This is why it so offends me to hear black politicians and the media constantly telling blacks that they are not functioning on an equal playing field. Such rhetoric inspires resentment, hopelessness, and a 'why should I try' attitude in black youths. Consequently, 70% of black youths drop out of high school, and many enter a life of crime. These self-serving black politicians are selling their lie to black America solely for political reasons -- to keep blacks voting for their supposed saviors and avengers, the Democrats."
More: "Black History Month should not just feature 'how America done us wrong.' It should also celebrate the greatness of our extraordinary nation and how both blacks and whites sacrificed blood, sweat, and tears to make things right. Rather than Black History Month being exploited as a divisive tool for extortion, allow the truth of our history to bring people together."
BOOKERISTA DEBATE: Can Gingrich Top Romney?
As you probably know, former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney won Florida's Republican presidential primary. Black conservatives weigh in on whether former House Speaker Newt Gingrich can still overtake Mr. Romney:
YES: J.C. Watts: "Newt Is Ready For The Balance Of The Battle"
Asserts the conservative Republican businessman/lobbyist and former Congressman: "J.C. Watts, a Newt Gingrich supporter, says Mitt Romney’s attacks on his candidate shows the former House speaker is a serious threat as 'dogs don’t bark at parked cars.' The former Oklahoma congressman also told Fox News’ Sean Hannity Gingrich and his supporters are ready for 'the balance of the battle.' 'We knew that Florida would not be easy. We thought, you know, going in, we had a pretty good ground game — which I think we did,' Watts said. 'However, I think we got outspent about, you know, 12, 13 to 1 on the airwaves. And so you always need....an air attack to support your ground attack. We couldn’t compete on the airwaves, with Florida being such a — such a big state."
More: "Watts said Gingrich has good chances going into Super Tuesday on March 6. 'We think there are some shots — Nevada, Arizona — we think we can be competitive there,' he continued. 'And that’ll give us a boost going into Super Tuesday, and we feel pretty good about that.'"
NO: Ron Christie: "Stick A Fork In Newt"
Asserts the conservative Republican commentator. From Public Radio International: "Ron Christie, Republican political strategist, said Gingrich has a very slim chance of topping Romney. 'He looks like Captain Ahab, chasing around the whale of Mitt Romney,' Christie said. 'It's taken on somewhat of a perverse, personal crusade to bring Romney down, rather than try to prevail and win in the Republican contest.'"
The article continues about Mr. Christie's analysis: "If Gingrich faces a major obstacle, it's that he's not particularly well-funded. In the latest campaign finance report he revealed he has some $600,000 available in the bank. He has about $1.2 million in debt. 'There are a couple of contests coming up this weekend, in Maine and Nevada, that he can certainly try to convince the electorate that he's the viable candidate and they should give him money,' Christie said. 'But if he doesn't place well this weekend, I don't see financially and from an organizational standpoint how much longer he can prevail in those contests.'"
Obama Campaign Launches Black Voter Outreach Program
So now he cares about black folks? From theGrio.com, about the liberal Democratic president: "The Obama campaign Wednesday officially launched 'African-Americans for Obama' -- their program to motivate black voters to turn out in the November elections. It will include initiatives for barber shops, beauty salons, black-owned businesses and historically-black colleges. Many of these same tactics were employed in 2008. The campaign is likely to target its black outreach to swing states like North Carolina, Ohio and Virginia, places where the president won in 2008 but his poll numbers have dipped in the last three years and a strong black turnout could help him win."
Lenny McAllister: "In Politics, Latinos Leave Blacks Behind"
Asserts the conservative Republican commentator: "With the wooing of the Latino vote by GOP presidential candidates, one noteworthy reality hits: the lack of attention they gave to Black Republicans in Florida – and throughout the nation. The Sunshine State is the home of some of the most active and notable Black Republican leaders in the nation. They include Congressman Allen West of the 22nd District, Florida’s Lt. Governor Jennifer Carroll, and the controversial but attention-grabbing activist group National Black Republican Association, made famous for their Martin Luther King billboards at the 2008 Democratic National Convention. Based on the lack of media and political attention spent on them, you would never know it. That’s a problem impacting more than just the 10% or so of Black voters that identify themselves as Republican voters."
Herman Cain's Take On The Florida Primary
The conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate appeared on FOX News to discuss yesterday's GOP presidential primary in the Sunshine State (hat tip: The Remnant Voice):
Florida Redistricting Chairman: "We're Not Trying To Redistrict Rep. Allen West Out Of Office"
As highlighted yesterday on Booker Rising, Tea Party activists and conservative bloggers charge that the Florida Republican establishment is trying to undermine the conservative Republican Congressman's re-election bid. From Sunshine State News (Florida): "[State] Rep. Will Weatherford, R-Wesley Chapel, the chairman of the House Redistricting Committee, is rejecting comments making the rounds that he is leading efforts to drive U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, from office. 'There are rumors that the Florida Legislature has targeted Congressman Allen West. This is patently false,' Weatherford stated in a Facebook posting. 'I personally have supported and endorsed Allen West. I will continue to support this extraordinary member of Congress who has brought a much-needed conservative voice to Washington, D.C.'"
The article continues: "On Monday, Rush Limbaugh stated on his radio show that 'Florida Republicans are trying to -- in redistricting -- write it so that Allen West has no district, and the Republican establishment, whether it includes Romney or not, is behind it.' The House redistricting proposal goes before the full House on Thursday. Under the proposed congressional district lines drawn by the House, seats held by West and Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Panama City, may be considered more competitive. Meanwhile, the redistricting lines for the state House could pit at least 38 of the 120 sitting House members into races with a colleague."
John McWhorter: "Black Segregation Is Down In America. This Is Great News!"
The linguistics professor and moderate-conservative opines: "Well, now there's more good news. We need to trumpet it to the skies as eagerly as we do the news that not so many of us use food stamps. It's about segregation: This new report by Edward Glaeser and Jacob Vigdor shows that black Americans are living under less of it than at any time since William Howard Taft was president. As Glaeser and Vigdor, writing for the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, show, 'As of 2010, the separation of African-Americans from individuals of other races has stood at its lowest level in nearly a century. Fifty years ago, nearly half the black population lived in what might be termed a 'ghetto' neighborhood, with an African-American share above 80 percent. Today, that proportion has fallen to 20 percent.'"
Uganda: Nampijja Attacker Attempts Suicide, Gets Arrested
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| CP leader John Ken Lukyamuzi (white shirt) is her father |
The article continues: "Kampala Metropolitan Police Spokesperson Ibin Ssenkumbi said doctors believe that the suspect swallowed an agricultural pesticide before he booked a room in a lodge on Salaama Road in Makindye Division on Saturday night. 'We are holding him as a suspect. The good thing is that his health is improving but we are still monitoring him to make sure that he doesn’t do anything harmful to his body,' Mr Ssenkumbi said yesterday. Police are investigating charges of attempted murder and attempted suicide against the suspect. The two offences are crimes punishable by life imprisonment on conviction."
Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll Makes theGrio.com's "100" List
For being a trailblazer for women in politics and the military. From theGrio.com, about the conservative Republican: "Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll is used to standing out. The Trinidadian-American served in the U.S. Navy for 20 years, working as an enlisted jet mechanic -- a rarity for women at that time - and rising in rank to retire as a lieutenant commander aviation maintenance officer. In 2003, Carroll made her first foray into politics, winning a seat in Florida's House of Representatives and becoming the first African-American female Republican elected in the state Legislature's history. As Florida Gov. Rick Scott's second-in-command, Carroll is the first African-American Republican woman on a statewide ticket."
TED SADLER OP-ED: Democrats For Newt Gingrich
The moderate Democratic blogger in Georgia discusses why he feels that Democrats in open primary states should support the former House Speaker's Republican presidential nominee bid: "I am voting for President Obama in November and Newt Gingrich in March. Obama supporters in conservative states with open primaries should know that giving the president Newt as a target is as important as their general election vote. Every Mitt Romney associated super PAC T.V. ad regarding Newt’s negatives actually reinforces my contentions. The reasons Democrats should vote for Newt jump out at you...
Clean cut Romney: That Mitt Romney reminds me of a guy from a soap opera star. He actually is a nice person with a super family so there is little motivation to vote against him for personal reasons while Newt gets our blood boiling. 'Obama is a food stamp president.' 'Poor kids should work at school.' A longer GOP primary gives Newt time to rough up Romney.
New Stamp Features Ebony, Jet Founder
From the Associated Press (hat tip: theGrio.com): "Publisher John H. Johnson, who created Ebony and Jet magazines, will be honored on this year's Black Heritage stamp issued by the U.S. Postal Service. A Tuesday ceremony is planned in Johnson's hometown of Arkansas City, where he lived until moving to Chicago with his family at age 15."
The article continues: "Johnson founded Johnson Publishing Co. on a $500 loan [$5,991 in today's dollars] using his mother's furniture as collateral. At the time, he was working as a clerk at a black-owned life insurance company. He created Ebony in 1945 with a press run of 25,000 copies. Its circulation topped 1.6 million at the time of Johnson's death in 2005 at the age of 87. Johnson also founded the newsweekly Jet in 1951. 'His magazines portrayed black people positively at a time when such representation was rare, and he played an important role in the civil rights movement,' Stephen Kearney, manager of USPS' Stamp Services, said when announcing the stamp last year. The magazines became two of the longest-running black-oriented magazines in the country."
Cain: "My Biological Clock Rules Out A 2016 Bid"
Asserts the conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate: "If running for president was like giving birth, Herman Cain won't be trying for another baby. 'My biological clock is ticking,' Cain, 67, told TODAY’s Ann Curry Tuesday. 'I don’t think I want to spend too much more of my biological clock running for president and being beat up.'"
More: "Despite the fact that his campaign ended amid rumors of infidelity and accusations of sexual harassment, Cain has no regrets about running for president. 'One of the things that has come out of me running is elevating some of the discourse and helping to keep the public attention on the most critical domestic challenge we have — economic growth in general,' Cain said. 'There were some things that I expected. There were some things that I didn’t expect. I didn’t expect that the gutter politics would get as bad as it did, and I made a decision — family first — and that’s why I bowed out, but I’m still going to stay involved in trying to help make the major changes.'"
THOMAS SOWELL OP-ED: The Florida Smear Campaign
The conservative economist in California opines about the GOP establishment: "The Republican establishment is pulling out all the stops to try to keep Newt Gingrich from becoming the party's nominee for President of the United States -- and some are not letting the facts get in their way. Among the claims going out through the mass media in Florida, on the eve of that state's primary election, is that Newt Gingrich 'resigned in disgrace' as Speaker of the House of Representatives, as a result of unethical conduct involving the diversion of tax-exempt money. Mitt Romney is calling on Gingrich to release 'all of the records' from the House of Representatives investigation."
Dr. Sowell continues his commentary about charges in the GOP presidential campaign: "But the Wall Street Journal of January 28, 2012 reported that these records -- 1,280 pages of them -- are already publicly available on-line. Although Speaker Gingrich decided not to take on the task of fighting the charge from his political enemies in 1997, the Internal Revenue Service conducted its own investigation which, two years later, exonerated Gingrich from the charges. His resignation was not due to those charges and occurred much later. Do the Romney camp and the Republican establishment not know this, a dozen years later? Or are they far less concerned with whether the charges will stand up than they are about smearing Gingrich on the eve of the Florida primaries?"
More: "There are also charges made about what Congressman Gingrich said about Ronald Reagan on March 21, 1986. But this too is a matter of public record, since his remarks are available in the Congressional Record of that date, so it is remarkable that there should be any controversy about it at this late date. On that date, Gingrich praised Reagan's grasp of the foreign policy issues of the day but later questioned whether the way the actual policies of the Reagan administration were being carried out was likely to succeed. Gingrich was not alone in making this point which such conservative stalwarts as George Will, Charles Krauthammer and others made at the time. Since a column of my own back in the 1980s suggested that the administration's policies seemed to be to 'speak loudly and carry a little stick,' I can well understand the misgivings of others. But that is wholly different from saying that all who expressed misgivings were enemies of Ronald Reagan."
Juan Williams: "Racial Code Words Obscure The Real Issues"
Asserts the moderate-liberal commentator, about the GOP presidential race: "The language of GOP racial politics is heavy on euphemisms that allow the speaker to deny any responsibility for the racial content of his message. The code words in this game are 'entitlement society' — as used by Mitt Romney — and 'poor work ethic' and 'food stamp president' — as used by Newt Gingrich. References to a lack of respect for the 'Founding Fathers' and the 'Constitution' also make certain ears perk up by demonizing anyone supposedly threatening core 'old-fashioned American values.' The code also extends to attacks on legal immigrants, always carefully lumped in with illegal immigrants, as people seeking 'amnesty' and taking jobs from Americans."
Mr. Williams continues his commentary about political discourse: "Just last week, the Labor Department reported that while the national unemployment rate fell slightly, black unemployment rose again from 15.5 percent to 15.8 percent and from 39.6 percent to 42.1 percent among young black people. The same report showed 11 percent of Hispanics are unemployed. The problem is not a lack of work ethic on the part of the poor, who are disproportionately minorities. The problem is there are few good jobs for blue-collar people with the best work ethic. Let’s have an honest debate about why this is the case and what we can do to fix it. But I regret that our political discourse has become so fragmented and combative that the point I was trying to make [as a moderator of a GOP debate] was obscured by pro-wrestling theatrics and post-debate spin. Poverty, unemployment and the hopelessness that pervade minority communities are real issues that the GOP nominee, and President Obama for that matter, should address in this campaign."
Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll: "Cuba Can't Be Trusted With Oil Drilling Just 90 Miles Off Florida's Coast""
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| Carroll: "Cuba ain't gonna mess up our coastline" |
More: "Florida Lt. Gov. Jennifer Carroll, however, said that with a reputation for having a lack of transparency, the Cuban government shouldn't be trusted with offshore oil work. 'Cuba cannot be trusted to provide even the bare essentials to its own citizens and it certainly can't be trusted to oversee safe and environmentally sound oil drilling only 90 miles off of our pristine Florida coast,' she said in her prepared remarks."
TERRY MICHAEL COMMENTARY: Is The Republican Party Preparing For A 1964-Style 'Politicide'?
The libertarian Democratic head of the Washington Center for Politics and Journalism argues that there are three reasons why the GOP might commit political suicicide: "First, the party is more split than at any time since Goldwater. I count at least four factions engaged in internecine battles for the mantle of 'real Republican.' There are the Main Street/Wall Street balanced-budget, low-tax types; the social-cultural religious conservatives; the libertarian wing, still mostly focused on small government and low taxes, but some opposing foreign interventionism and favoring more personal liberty; and the neoconservative branch (actually a twig), which not only hasn’t found a war it doesn’t like but preaches oxymoronic big-government 'compassionate conservatism.'"
Cain Says Similarity Of Tax Plans Behind Gingrich Endorsement
From the National Journal, about the conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate: "Former GOP hopeful Herman Cain says current candidate Newt Gingrich's tax plan could start to look like his own 9-9-9 flat-tax proposal. 'He said he would seriously consider moving more toward mine,' Cain said Tuesday on NBC’s Today. Gingrich had told ABC News he would consider the plan but is unlikely to adopt the whole thing. The similarity between the former House speaker’s proposals and Cain’s own are what made him decide to endorse the candidate, he said. Both would replace the tax code, take steps to make money sound and increase energy independence."
The article continues about Mr. Cain's endorsement: "The Atlanta businessman said Gingrich did not lobby him for the endorsement, but that he did offer to co-chair a commission on jobs, economic growth and taxes, a position Cain said he would accept."
1/30 VIDEO OF THE DAY: Michael Steele: "Taxing The Ultra-Rich Is A Straw Dog Argument"
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Kevin Jackson: "The Truth Hurts, But Newt Gingrich Is Right. Obama Is The Food Stamp President"
The conservative Republican blogger in Missouri asserts that U.S. President Barack Obama's record bears it out: "You have to give Newt Gingrich credit for further exposing the paper thin skin of Barack Obama, when he called Obama the 'Food Stamp President.' The truth hurts like a paper cut. Gingrich’s comment brought racist [Congresswoman] Sheila Jackson Lee from her cage squawking that Gingrich’s comment is 'code' for some hidden racism on the Right, versus the overt racism of the Left. The Gingrich comment did exactly what it was meant to do: Force Obama to confront his real boogeyman: His own record."
He continues his commentary: "It’s fascinating to see Obama actually having to run on a record, with full frontal exposure. And the fact that the person to expose Obama is a cantankerous, rich, white Republican insider is just Republican red icing on the proverbial cake. In an interview with Diane Sawyer, Obama explained why he should not be called the Food Stamp President in three points.
Point #1 – 'First of all, I don’t put people on food stamps,' Obama said. 'People become eligible for food stamps.'Spoken like a disbarred lawyer, aka shyster. Understand this: It is PEOPLE’S fault for becoming eligible for food stamps. How dare you attempt to blame Obama for 14.2M more people becoming eligible for food stamps? And whose fault is it for making these formerly productive taxpaying citizens eligible?"
Is Mitt Romney Trying To Undermine Rep. Allen West's Re-Election Chances?
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| Betta watch your back, bruh: Rep. West |
The article continues: "Conservatives pointed out that a major player in the process, Florida Speaker Designate Will Weatherford, has been a surrogate for Mitt Romney in the past. Some used this fact to suggest that Romney was involved in a campaign against Allen West. TownHall’s John Ransom was incensed about the coming redistricting map and Romney’s supposed role in sidelining West – calling Romney an accomplice to President Obama, whom he called 'the Devil.'"
More: "Others were less conspiratorial, and instead focused on the fact that West has made enemies among some powerful players in Washington, D.C. 'Now I’m not saying Romney himself is behind this. That seems a bit absurd. It’s more likely that he’s made enemies in DC whose tentacles are reaching into the state legislatures to do their bidding. It seems pretty clear that there are some who definitely don’t like West’s level of Tea Party influence and that the long knives are out for him,' wrote a blogger at The Right Scoop."
Justice Malala To Senegal's Leader: "Time To Exit Stage Left"
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| Senegalese protesters |
DENEEN BORELLI OP-ED: Certain Signs Of Societal Decline
The conservative Republican commentator opines: "There were reports of babies out in the cold for hours in Houston. In Indianapolis, two dozen police officers used pepper spray to control an unruly crowd that pried shopping center doors off their hinges. These were just a few of the scenes caught on video across America as people tried to get their hands on a pair of sneakers. These instances point to a moral breakdown of our society — especially among young people with misguided priorities who are not held accountable for their actions. Morals have seemingly taken a back seat to things that are thought to be worth more than respect. 'These shoes have always had a place of value in black life,' said one young black male in response to the frenzy surrounding the release of the limited edition Air Jordan XI Concord sneakers by Nike."
Ms. Borelli continues her commentary: "Named after the legendary basketball player Michael Jordan, these prized kicks retail for over $200 a pair. Demand is so high that some pairs of these sneakers were sold on the black market for over $500. And getting them was considered worth the risk of freezing or getting arrested. The sneaker riot, which was caught on video, is deplorable. The looting of mall kiosks, robbing of shoppers, forced entry into stores and trampling of shoppers are disturbing to watch. How did America get here?"
More: "The Occupy Wall Street movement provides another example of contemporary bad behavior. While claiming to support a middle class that, allegedly, can’t win playing by the rules, youthful Occupiers are nonetheless preoccupied with the forgiveness of their own school loans (often for useless degrees) and credit card debt and seem more interested in growing big government than helping anyone succeed. The entire Occupy movement seems like yet another instance of the take-what-you-want decline of society. What’s worse is that Occupy efforts receive support and sympathy from President Barack Obama, Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and other prominent leftist leaders and celebrities. Their support for the Occupiers sends a message that it’s fine to be disruptive and not expect to be held accountable."
Uganda: Susan Nampijja Out Of Coma After Vicious Attack
Thank goodness! Yesterday Booker Rising highlighted a story out of Uganda about how her ex-boyfriend allegedly attacked her, her niece, and her maid with a machete. From Uganda Online, about the Conservative Party former parliamentarian: "The former legislator who was cut to near death is out of danger and not in coma anymore according to her father who is the current Rubaga South MP Hon. Ken Lukyamuzi [of the Conservative Party]. Speaking from the hospital, he was grateful to the doctors at Case Care Hospital who have worked hard to see to it that her daughter recovers."
More about yesterday's attack: "Hon. Suzan Nampijja, her maid and a daughter to her sister were attacked with a machete. The three are currently at Case Hospital nursing head injuries. One of the girls is responding well but the other called Kisaakye needs more attention. Police arrested her former lover Geoffrey Mukisa though at the time, he had taken poison and was convulsing. He is on medication at Mulago Hospital and police has maintained tight guard."
Stanley Crouch: "Thugs Still Steal Our Children's Lives"
The moderate-liberal columnist in New York writes: "Those who seek to prevent the destruction of children have a hard way to go in our country, especially if and when they confront the problems faced by so-called minority children. All across our country, kids are red meat for neighborhood criminals. Gang members and common criminals are our urban totalitarians, ready to murder, rape, rob and kill whenever they can. They are much more dangerous in our time than white racists were in their heyday. Yes, racist murderers were a scourge — but they were eventually exposed and broken down. The urban totalitarians who prey on 'their own'? They are a different story."
He continues his commentary: "Interestingly, neither the Democrats nor the Republicans see this as a central issue. Violent crime is down, we are told, as though there’s nothing to worry about or talk about anymore. Meanwhile, too many black and Latino streets remain the killing fields of lower class communities all across this country. Families are terrorized. Kids are robbed of their childhoods."
More from Mr. Crouch: "By the way, the thugs never represent even 10% of the community. They are a minority within a minority. Latino and black mothers deeply hate this violence, as do the vast majority of those who try to live civilized lives in those communities. But left-wing black academics and the supposed members of the civil rights leadership still do not understand any of this. Instead, they go on and on spouting clichés about the so-called 'prison industrial complex.' They suggest we live in a world in which racism and profit have become a variation on the old slave plantation system. They complain. They blame. They do not fight the scourge."
EVIL EYE POST OF THE DAY: Mom Abandons 2 Daughters On Busy Brooklyn Corner With Extra Diapers
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| The girls were found unharmed, thanks to an elderly couple |
Information from the 5-year-old enabled police to track down the "mother": "The older girl told cops her name is Domini and that her little sister, who said very little to police, is Dioni, a source said. 'We live in a blue house with flowers in front,' Domini told The News as cops took custody of her and her sister. She told cops she believed they lived on 53rd St., but could not recall what neighborhood or borough they were from, according to the source. The sisters bore no obvious signs of abuse, but were taken to Brookdale University Hospital as a precaution. Cops fanned out in the area, going door-to-door hoping to identify the forsaken sisters and track down their mother. Detectives also scoured surveillance video from the Bay View Houses and nearby buildings. The older girl told cops their mother’s name is Dalisha and she was driving a white car, but she did not know the make nor model of the vehicle."
Samuel Gonzalez: "Beating Obama Is More Important Than Beating The GOP Establishment"
The conservative Republican blogger in New York says that it's time for the Republican presidential candidates to squash their beefs: "This rift between GOPers that support Romney and Gingrich needs to heal. I’m not a fan of the GOP establishment and have strongly voiced it on this blog. However, supporting Newt Gingrich as a means to stuff it down the GOP establishment’s throat is really shooting ourselves in the foot."
More: "If we want to beat the establishment, we need to get rid of Boehner, Cantor and the others at the ballot box one by one and take over the party. We change the party from the bottom up, not the top down."
Ken Wyatt Disappointed By Australia Day Protest
From 9News (Australia), about the center-right parliamentarian: "Aboriginal MP Ken Wyatt says the Australia Day protest in Canberra that forced the prime minister and opposition leader to flee a restaurant was disappointing. Mr Wyatt, the first indigenous Australian to become a member of the House of Representatives, says the protest did not focus on areas of importance for indigenous people. 'I was disappointed because I think there are many gains that have been made,' Mr. Wyatt told journalists in Darwin. 'Certainly I was disappointed with the misrepresentation of Tony Abbott's comments,' the [center-right] Liberal party MP added. He said the focus should have been on improving indigenous education, health, housing and incarceration rates."
Some background on the events: "On Australia Day, Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott were forced to flee a Canberra restaurant after it was mobbed by protesters angry at comments attributed to Mr Abbott concerning the Aboriginal tent embassy in the capital. A media adviser to Ms Gillard quit on Friday after it emerged he told a union official of Mr Abbott's attendance at an awards ceremony in the restaurant near the tent embassy."
