U.S. First Lady Leads Childhood Obesity Fight
U.S. First Lady Michelle Obama has launched a campaign to call attention to a serious epidemic - childhood obesity (hat tip: reader Nanakwame). One out of three U.S. children is overweight or obese. Since she moved into the White House, the "First Mom" has tried to set a good example - from getting kids to help her plant vegetables to hula-hooping with the best of them. Today, Mrs. Obama formalized her mission to put an end to childhood obesity within a generation with a national campaign called "Let's Move." "It wasn't that long ago that I was a working mom struggling to balance meetings and deadlines with soccer and ballet," Mrs. Obama sai. "There were some nights that everyone was just tired and hungry and we just went to the drive-thru because it was quick and cheap."
Now she wants to help parents nationwide. Her strategy: (1) helping consumers make nutritious choices by working with food companies to place nutrition information like calorie counts on the front of packaging; (2) healthier school meals, with fewer fats and more produce; (3) finding ways at school and home to help kids exercise at least 60 minutes a day; and (4) improving access to healthy and affordable food in underserved areas through tax credits and incentives.
Three Easy Steps To Cut Childhood Obesity
Researchers at Ohio State University have found three steps that, if done together, can dramatically reduce the risk of childhood obesity: sitting down to dinner on a regular basis, limiting TV time and getting plenty of sleep. Children in the routine of eating dinner with their families more than five times a week, got at least 10 1/2 hours of sleep a night and watched less than two hours of TV on weekdays slashed their risk of obesity by 40 percent. The study looked at more than 8,000 diverse preschoolers and is scheduled to be published in the March issue of the journal Pediatrics.
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2/9 News: Childhood Obesity
Bookeristas on Health Care Reform
Walter Myers III: "When 'Soaring Profits' Really Aren't"
The conservative blogger in California opines: "But let’s think for a moment before we proclaim that insurance companies are profiting at the expense of the insured. Insurance companies offer a service that people choose to buy, even though they may feel it is a necessity. One can always pay out of pocket, yet when given the choice of paying out of pocket versus paying for insurance, most choose the latter because it is far less expensive. This leads to my second point, which is the fact that much of the anger is directed towards the insurance companies instead of the actual providers that are the source of the high costs that insurers must pay on behalf of the insured. So the anger, in my mind, seems wholly lopsided. Now I’m no shill for the insurance companies, and have my own issues with them, but I can’t lay all of the blame for the problems of healthcare at their feet."
He continues his commentary: "I continue to ask the question why won’t someone like Oprah or some 'A-list' celebrity, with massive wealth that dwarfs that of any insurance company executive, start a non-profit insurance company? It is very easy to collect big bucks as long as you’re not in an industry where everyone thinks you’re making too much money even when you’re not. I don’t think anyone who has gone into the insurance industry have motivations any different than someone who goes into the entertainment industry. But someone in the entertainment industry can be as greedy as they want to be (and I’m not saying that about Oprah), yet lob all manner of bombs at the insurance and oil industries from the relative safety of an industry that is not considered a 'must have,' though many can’t seem to get enough of it. An enviable position for sure. Unlike Oprah, who has to make a payroll, others in the entertainment industry who have every negative thing to say about capitalism made their money through the capitalist system. They show up on a set, work for a few months out of the year, and are responsible for nothing other than a great performance. Yet they walk away with millions, and spend the remainder of the year preparing for the next red carpet. Now that’s what I call soaring profits."
Torrey Spears: "Theatre Of The Absurd"
The conservative Republican blogger in Florida opines: "So coming soon to a television near you, Obama and the GOP tackle healthcare. Is this what Barack Obama had in mind when he talked about transparency??? Because I don't know how this thinly veiled attempt at bipartisanship by this Administration on the heels of the Boston Tea Party can be seen as anything but transparent. This is pathetic - that the Administration wasted an entire year of back door deals and closed door meetings with Democrats only, drafting disastrous legislation wrought with special interest gimmies, kickbacks and bribes. And now - *now* - it's time to discuss healthcare on television with the President in a bipartisan fashion where, as the President puts it, we can put an end to 'partisan politics'."
More: "Sir, you've spent the last year engaged in nothing but partisan politics. Polling across the board suggests that you are the most polarizing President we've ever had. The country is more split in red and blue camps than we've ever been, and that's impressive for a guy promising hope and change. This pitifully lame attempt at a dog-and-pony show for the American people is fooling no one save the Kool-aid ObamaNation who'll follow you to the end of the Earth anyway. It's time to start over."
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The Four Principles Of The Black Victim Consciousness And Its Appeal To Statism
The Grey Falcon, a black conservative blog, argues that there is an ideological collaboration between liberal authoritarians and the anti-Republican black political establishment in America: "The primary mechanism of control used to maintain this is what we call the Dominion Consciousness. The Dominion Consciousness is the notion that being black gives you authority over other black people’s behavior. Those with this mentality believe that they have the right to impose themselves on other blacks to protect the 'race'. Common example of this is when a black person makes a really big deal about the way another black person looks or acts, justifying by 'I can’t let you make us look like that', or 'that’s not what black people do'. A glaring example of this is the countless 'house slave references' you see on the black affairs web site 'The Root'. They use this to denigrate black conservatives and other black that they disagree with. Kind of makes them a hate site, doesn’t it? In effect, these people assume dominion over your 'blackness'. Blackness becomes the ultimate yardstick for self affirmation, not personal beliefs or philosophy. In this world, the ex-con who did ten-years for hurting other black people still gets to be more right than the young student with all A's, if that kid does not acknowledge that they are both victims of the white man. You can see how this will lead to the higher rates of crime and lower academic performance in these communities."
The commentary continues: "The second principle is the idea that there is an 'invisible hand' that is preventing black people from succeeding. This invisible hand keeps them from achieving academically and economically. The promoters of this doctrine insist that this is the creation of the lingering impact of slavery and Jim Crow. The invisible hand’ is supposed to take effect regardless of ones choices or individuality. No matter how good or smart you are, this invisible hand will hold you back because you are black. To people who believe in this, their B in a class or promotion to a vice president position means more than the same achievement for a white person because the blacks were contending with this enemy. This phantom obstacle is the partner of the third villain, the Mind Control Machine. The Mind Control Machine is what the 'The Man' uses to make black black people do things that hurt themselves and each other, to protect their privilege. The race merchants hold this to be the reason why such a higher percentage of black men are in prison. The Mind Control Machine is blamed for the basic pathologies and counter productive behavior that causes the social and financial problems in the 'black community'. It was all by design, to keep the black race behind the white race."
More commentary from The Grey Falcon blog: "The Mind Reader Machine is the last part of the equation. The device allows the user to know that whatever a white person says or does is motivated by racial hatred. If a white person say something good about a black person, he really didn’t mean it. If a black person hangs out with white people, then they must be making fun of her behind her back when she is gone. If a white person doesn’t like an individual black person, then it is because they don’t like any black people. The Mind Control Machine was demonstrated in the advent of the 'code word' hysteria, were words like socialist and community organizer were defined as another way of saying something bad about black people. And as we have seen throughout this last year, if people, who happen to be white, object to the punitive, authoritarian agenda of a Statist black president, then they are protesting him only because he is black. Even stupid white soicalist zealots have access to the Mind Control Machine. Jeanine Garofalo on MSNBC said of the Tea Parties 'this is about hating a black man in The White House.' And of us black people who agree with the these white people she adjusts 'They must have Stockholm Syndrome'. Never mind that Obama is a punitive authoritarian Statist. We obviously would have been just fine with Howard Dean or Dick Durbin running 2 trillion dollar annual deficits and subordinating the private sector to the public sector."
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Sports Illustrated Swimsuit Edition: The Black Models
Sports Illustrated this year went with the tried and true, especially with the black models. Both black models in this year's edition are American, both have appeared in the swimsuit edition before. Eh, alright. Neither one of them is up there with former Sports Illustrated swimsuit models Carla Campbell (Jamaican) or Oluchi Onweagba (Nigeria). Heck, when I put up Ms. Onweagba a few years ago for one of the SI editions, folks from around the world (including relatives of mine!) were emailing me asking who she was. Jessica White used to be quite pretty before the whitewash campaign (those colored contacts, that hair color, nor that particular weave are working for her). Surely, there are better-looking black American models on the comeup?
There also wasn't a single black African model or college student who could've been featured this year, to make the black representation more international (as was done for other groups)? I know there are, because I've featured them on this blog. Sports Illustrated could've brought in the stunning Tanya Manganyi (Zambia), who appeared in the Sports Illustrated South Africa swimsuit edition last year. Or Joëlle Kayembe, the Congolese-born model who was Sports Illustrated South Africa's swimsuit cover girl in 2008. Anyway, here goes....
Jessica White, USA
Jessica White traveled from her hometown of Buffalo, N.Y., to New York City at 14 to begin modeling. The 25-year-old model later moved to Paris and did shows for Ralph Lauren, Oscar de la Renta, Chloe and others. She has appeared in publications such as Harper's Bazaar, Vogue U.S. and Vogue Italia and in campaigns for Cover Girl, Maybelline, Chloe and The Gap. Ms. White is the first African-American model to appear in seven Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues.
Damaris Lewis, USA
Damaris Lewis, 19, is a native New Yorker. Discovered as a teenager while performing with her dance troupe, she started modeling while attending a performing arts high school. She has worked with V, French Vogue, Victoria's Secret, Benetton, Saks, MAC Cosmetics and YSL. This marks Ms. Lewis's second appearance in the Sports Illustrated swimsuit issue.
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Beauty And The Beast
Charles Payne, a FOX Business financial analyst and conservative in New York City, opines about the economic status of various countries: "You know it says a lot when a country that has lived with communism and socialist economics votes against arguably the most attractive politician on the planet in favor of a platform that includes tax cuts to pull it out of recession. Or course, the outcome of the election in the Ukraine could go on for days, but I think that it speaks volumes, and I bet we will see sweeping election shifts in Europe as these nations come to grips with the fact that there is a limit to how much governments can do through borrowing and taxing its citizens and businesses into submission. The vote counting continues, and there will be legal maneuvers, but the message is clear...there is nothing sexier than lower taxes."
He continues his commentary: "There was an election held on the same exact day halfway around the world from the Ukraine. Yes, this shift away from leftwing politics isn't an isolated occurrence. Just last month the rightwing conservative candidate won election to the presidency of Chile, ending the leftwing rule in place since 1990. Here is a nation that has tremendous riches from copper (prices up +140% in 2009) and yet felt the need to get a businessman to enhance prosperity. Billionaire Sebastian Pinera made his fortune introducing credit cards to Chile. Credit cards, could you imagine anyone from that industry, let alone a pioneer in that business, running for any office in America? Mr. Pinera promises to be tough on crime and create a million jobs (as opposed to saving jobs...I hope). Interestingly, Chile isn't the economic basket case of its socialist cousins in Europe, where double-digit deficit to GDP figures loom like giant anvils over the continent. According to EDC, Chile's deficit to GDP was 4.2% or $7.22 billion at the end of 2009. GDP probably declined 1.9% in 2009, and should rebound to 2.3% growth this year. The country put forth a stimulus program of $4.5 billion or 2.8% of GDP. Their plan required private banks to lend money. According to the CIA, Ukraine's GDP declined 14.1% but could rebound 3.5% in 2010. Inflation is running rampant, however, at 16.5%. These countries possess great resources and their citizens should be better off, which is why they voted the bums out."
More commentary from Mr. Payne: "In the meantime, the so-called PIIGS (Portugal, Ireland, Italy, Greece, and Spain) continue to weigh on financial markets around the world. You know I read over the weekend where some firm, I think Barclays, has prohibited its analysts from using the PIIGS acronym. I guess not using the term is the same as putting lipstick on the problem. Oh boy, political correctness in the eye of the storm. The fact is that there would be a few pigs that would take exception to being associated with the slop. Yesterday, CDS rates rallied to record highs for Portugal, Spain, and Greece."
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Black Actors In The Lead?
Ladyrayne, a moderate blogger in metro Washington, D.C., discusses a new TV show about married spies in the U.S....featuring two European actors: "On NBC too?????? I was shocked when I read that J.J. Abrams who was the executive producer of such shows as Alias, Felicity and currently Lost has cast two black actors (or biracial for those who want to get technical) in his new series Undercovers. Soul Food’s Boris Kodjoe and English actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw [both pictured, left] who starred in Doctor Who have been cast as husband and wife in the new series."
She continues her commentary: "When I first read about Boris being cast in the show I was happy for him but I thought there was no way in hell network tv would cast a black actress as his wife. When was the last time you’ve seen a black couple or black folks period in the lead on network tv? Part of an ensemble cast yet only a few lines, yes. Best friend, yes. Sidekick, yes. Shoulder to cry on, yes. Stuck in the background, yes. I mean it’s the 21st century and take a real good look at network television. I thought for sure they were gonna cast a non black actress. But when I read that Miss Mbatha-Raw was cast as Boris’s wife I nearly fell out of my chair."
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Doritos Commercial NOT FUNNY!!
Maria, a conservative Republican blogger, argues that Doritos' new ad - which debuted during Sunday's Super Bowl - is white liberal condescension that reinforces black stereotypes: "Behold the following stereotypical reinforcements: The 'date' of this single black mother comes into her home leering at her sexually. God forbid a black man would enter the home a black woman he’s interested in with sincere adoration and respect. The little boy’s reaction is instant hostility and violence. When his mother leaves the room he gives this adult male – who he’ll one day grow to be – a warning slap across his face about touching his food and/or his mother. I don’t care what intentions an adult indicates in front of a child, short of violence, children should respect authority. It is not cute or funny to have them do otherwise. Further, the message in the (no older than five, this child) boy's actions suggests, this is a baby-mama, single-parent household, and the boy intends to keep it this way. This post is written especially for the mainstream media and the liberal left. It is to remind you that not all of us are asleep at the wheel. Some of us are paying very keen attention and your insult did not go unnoticed."
Adrian, a black conservative, made a comment on Maria's website: "In regards to the Doritos commercial, the minute I realized what the subject was, I shook my head in disgust. Being a man raised by a single mom, I saw this all too often and as a kid, I didn't find it amusing, I didn't trust any of the guys trying to go after my mother. Of course many will say I'm thinking about it too hard but what I see is Liberals testing how high they can raise the bar in stereotypes (mainly in the black community). 'Well if they laugh at that, what else can we get away with?'"
Booker Rising response: First of all, this ad is funny. It is memorable, and most importantly, consumers will remember the product itself (the purpose of any good ad). However, as I mentioned yesterday, I do somewhat agree with Maria about its message. Yet given the number of blacks who work in advertising, it is also presumptuous to assume that this ad wasn't developed with any black input....if not created by black folks. If it was developed by white folks, what proof is there that they are liberal? Also, who's to say that the mother in this ad isn't a divorcee (since we're not given information either way on this front)?
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Bookeristas on Sarah Palin
AfroCity: "Women And Politics: Are We Strong To The Finish?"
Asks the moderate-conservative Republican blogger in Chicago, Ill.: "What if Sarah Palin did win presidential election in 2012? What would women, liberals in particular say to their daughters? 'Sarah Palin is a C___T'? [W]ould they hang her and Piper in effigy over the local Planned Parenthood center? Or would they say: 'You know what, I do not agree with this woman’s stance on abortion or gay marriage, but her getting elected to the highest office in the nation is a pretty damn big step for all women'? As it stands now, we have all this unfolding discourse on how qualified Sarah Palin is. She must prove herself. Over and over and over again like a broken record. No matter how many speeches Sarah gives, she still must prove herself."
She continues her commentary: "I was somewhat upset with Geraldine Ferraro during this FOX NEWS interview with Megyn Kelly. Again with the Sarah must prove herself. I wanted to jump into Megyn’s fancy new studio and say 'Hey, Gerry…I was a kid when you ran on the DNC ticket and really I think Sarah Palin gave more interview[s] and is under far more media scrutiny than you ever were.' After a year of fumbles and corpse-men, Obamatons are still chanting 'All we are saying, is give Obama a chance'. Would they do the same for Sarah?"
Magic Negro Watch Blog: "Palin Derangement Syndrome"
The conservative blog in Kansas opines: "You know at one time I was likely one of Palin’s biggest fans but now frankly she is turning into a political circus act. I listened to her speech to this tea party group and all she does is blurt out mindless platitudes, she has no real substance to her. So now you have these left wing websites just blasting her because of her writing notes on her hand. If she would take my advice…for what it’s worth and that ain’t much… would advise her to go away for awhile…she needs to keep her mouth shut, stay off Facebook, stay off TV and work on developing a real identity…become a more thoughtful and 'thinking' type individual politically. If she could manage to develop a smidgen of Newt Gingrich’s thinking and speaking ability she could be a star. But right now she is only embarrassing herself."
He continues his commentary: "Understandable there are those on the right who is going to come to her defense because yes our dear idiot president routinely uses a teleprompter much like a baby uses a pacifier. However Palin is trying to sculpt an image of competence and trust with the average American and getting caught scribbling s___t on your hand is not the way to go about it. One thing I will say however the left is still scared of this woman because if she was so irrelevant as many in the media and left wing pundits say she is they would just ignore her."
Torrey Spears: "Theatre Of The Absurd: The 'You Betcha' Edition"
The conservative Republican blogger in Florida writes about the former Alaska governor: "So, the question is still out there - why the continued level of Palin derangement? I contend that what the Liberal left sees in Sarah Palin - they saw in Barack Obama. A charismatic politician with limited experience but an unbelievable presence and ability to connect with people. Just as Obama rode his personality like a political wave into the White House - I believe the Left sees Palin with the exact same potential. However with Palin, she espouses all of the Conservative values and principles that makes the Left seethe. So they spend copious amount of airtime or newspaper space demeaning, belittling, mocking, and sassing Palin in a desperate attempt to try and discredit her and remind the country that she 'can't' be President. Mike Barnacle suggested on Monday that 'we don't want someone like us being President.' Oh? What do we want, Mike? A King? A descendant of the Tudor family to rule over us? My stars are these people disconnected."
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Blacks & The Tea Party Movement: Bookerista Perspectives
Constructive Feedback: "The 'Bitter Black Coffee Movement' - Questions They Should Ask Themselves About The Tea Party"
The conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga. zeroes in on black liberal critics of the tea party movement. He wonders: why aren't they more focused on organically building up and better managing black communities?: "You mask your activism as 'concern for 'White Supremacy' returning to beat you down in the streets'. In truth you PROVE that you believe in 'Non-White White Supremacy' based on your focus and, more importantly your DEPENDENCY upon their proposed tax-cuts. If they turn off the spigot - you get thirsty - per the way that you have advocated. Either these are poor White, ignorant trailer trash with no money - OR - you indeed fear that they will cut you off from the nutrition source that you have rationalized under the cover of the 'Social Justice' bond that you hold them to as country-mates. What if the only thing the Tea Partyers offer to share with you as fellow American citizens is their willingness to not physically assault you on the street and the standard services under the 'general welfare' (fire, police, military, justice and enumerated constitutional protections, etc)? Let's call it the 'scaffolding' for ease of description. I seriously question if some of you would take this offer and run with it - as you are required to provide the finishing work to the structure. This would serve as the instantiation of the 'Standard of Living' that you seek. You get to live as large as your management acumen affords you."
Responding to an AlterNet article's claim that a "disproportionately high share of our federal government's tax income comes from racially diverse, immigrant-rich, urbanized states, including California, Illinois, New York, New Jersey and Massachusetts; not from extremely homogeneous, conservative, anti-tax strongholds like Idaho, Montana, Utah, the Dakotas and Wyoming", he continues his commentary: "Let's follow the argument folks: The Progressive and diverse states have a greater outflow to the federal government to pay for social entitlements that the 'conservative' 'Tea Party' disparages as 'Welfare'. IF your goal is to have them 'lay in the bed that they have made' and not receive what they have repudiated - WHY do you in the 'Bitter Black Coffee Movement' support federal taxation? I don't judge people based upon their words and the 'hypocrisy' they point out in others. I judge them based on if they truly believe based upon their actions. Thus just as we see several 'city incorporation' or 'county succession' movements as taxpayers who are tired of having THEIR tax money flow outside of their own districts have initiated. If Mr. Benjamin actually intended to use these facts as anything more than a debate factoid - why don't we see the same sort of drive to protect the resources of the 'progressive states' from raids by 'Conservative Welfare States'?"
More: "In the mind of the progressive - the community has 'social justice rights' that must be SOUGHT and FULFILLED. It matters not to them WHO services them. It only matters that this end state is obtained at this particular point in time - per the plateau that they now stand. If you all are conscious about the external costs that we suffer as a global people from the use of carbon based fuel in order to maintain our lifestyle - why is it so difficult to see the high costs [t]his mode of 'being made in receipt of' a standard of living that your own organic capacity of production cannot sustain? When this 'national resource' is depleted will your community be any more empowered to maintain this standard if and when the US government goes bankrupt than if petroleum reserves are exhausted? What is the 'Green Energy' equivalent of what you should be doing with respect to building up the competencies within your community?"
Lenny McAllister: "Growing Party's Populari-Tea In Black History Month"
The conservative Republican commentator in North Carolina - who has spoken at tea party events - opines about the lack of racial diversity at the recent national tea party convention in Nashville as a limitation of the movement: "Until the Tea Party movement finds a way to embrace diversity (just in the same way that the GOP has needed to do the same) while finding ways to eliminate the needs for (and, thus, the emotional binds to) big government and its programs, the battle for America’s soul — and collective wallet — will remain a segmented fight that unfairly brands some as separatist and radical without giving others a tangible reason to join the movement. This includes a large majority of African Americans, a group that consistently polls conservative and votes Democratic with minimal results for improving our communities. Racist rhetoric by a small minority of Tea Party-goers (such as the 'Obama Witch Doctor' posters) is not acceptable at all from the movement, but advancing the history of men such as Wentworth Cheswell — a Black Revolutionary-era patriot selected to draft New York’s first constitution — should be. Black History Month is the opportunity that the movement should not miss upon, particularly if it wants to break the cycles of government spending and self-purposed bureaucracy that finds its roots in local and state governments that count on urban plight to maintain its toxic philosophical influence — one that threatens black America at a disproportionate rate robbing us of the Vivien Thomases, Ben Carsons, and Colin Powells that could help turn America around as some of the 'bigger people' that we need today."
More: "The Tea Party movement has already shown the ability to impact the nation. However, the contrast from Saturday night highlighted that there is a gap to address if the tea party is going to change the nation for the better. Should more tea partiers choose to make Black History Month the springboard to taking their Americanism to another level, it may not be long before the movement becomes truly historic — and the strangleholds of fiscal irresponsibly, big-government ideology, and Democratic control of black voters become history."
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Ayaan Hirsi Ali on Free Speech, Death Threats & Islam
Before her speech last Tuesday, the Somali-born libertarian feminist sat down for an interview about free speech, living with death threats due to her vociferous critique of Islam, and how she believes that Islamic doctrine is incompatible with human rights (hat tip: Ayaan Hirsi Ali Blog):
While I'm on the subject of Ms. Hirsi Ali....folks' tongues continue to wag over Sunday's breaking news re: how conservative British historian Niall Ferguson dumped his wife of 16 years for Ms. Hirsi Ali. White supremacist website Stormfront is upset, with nasty things to say about both individuals. Same goes for SomaliNet, with several folks even calling for jihad murder (more specifically, at the hands of Somali jihad group Al-Shabaab) of her.
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Snowtorious B.I.G.: More Reader Photos Of Mid-Atlantic America's Big Storm
Hat tip to reader J. for the heads up on the catchy, culturally-oriented renaming of Snowmageddon that younger blacks have done LOL. There's even a Snowtorious B.I.G. Twitter site now. With some of Booker Rising's readers in Mid-Atlantic USA literally trapped in their homes, they've graciously shared some of their photos with the rest of us. And they're bracing for another 10 to 20 inches [25-51 centimeters] of snow - that's expected to come down today. Meanwhile, Vancouver, western Canada is ironically dealing with a lack of snow for this weekend's Winter Olympics, an unusual situation for a host city. For the rest of us who are dealing with much less snow, let's remember what the mid-Atlantic region is dealing with (and hope that they remain safe) while grumbling about our relatively minor snowfall:
From Lala, Of Baltimore, Md.
"this isn't my car thank goodness", says Lala
Downtown Baltimore, the largest city in the U.S. state of Maryland
Baltimore's Inner Harbor, near the city's historic seaport
From J., Of The Washington, D.C. Area
From Avery, Of Maryland
Yes, that's a snow-covered car in the background
One of the few cleared roads in Avery's area
From Ladyrayne, Of The Washington, D.C. Area
Ladyrayne took this photo before the storm hit, waiting in the grocery line for 50 minutes
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BOOKERISTA OF THE YEAR: THOMAS SOWELL COMMENTARY: The Fallacy of "Fairness"
The conservative economist opines that the word "fair" has done the most damage to people's thinking and to actions to carry out that thinking: "If by 'fair' you mean everyone having the same odds for achieving success, then life has never been anywhere close to being fair, anywhere or at any time. If you stop and think about it (however old-fashioned that may seem), it is hard even to conceive of how life could possibly be fair in that sense. Even within the same family, among children born to the same parents and raised under the same roof, the first-borns on average have higher IQs than their brothers and sisters, and usually achieve more in life. Unfairness is often blamed on somebody, even if only on 'society.' But whose fault is it if you were not the first born? Since some groups have more children than others, a higher percentage of the next generation will be first-borns in groups that have smaller families, so such groups have an advantage over other groups."
More: "Many people fail to see the fundamental difference between saying that a particular thing -- whether a mental test or an institution -- is conveying a difference that already exists or is creating a difference that would not exist otherwise. Creating a difference that would not exist otherwise is discrimination, and something can be done about that. But, in recent times, virtually any disparity in outcomes is almost automatically blamed on discrimination, despite the incredible range of other reasons for disparities between individuals and groups. Nature's discrimination completely dwarfs man's discrimination. Geography alone makes equal chances virtually impossible. The geographic advantages of Western Europe over Eastern Europe-- in climate and navigable waterways, among other things-- have led to centuries of differences in income levels that were greater than income differences between blacks and whites in America today."
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Controversial Pro-Life Billboards In Atlanta Proclaim: "Black Children Are An Endangered Species"
An ad that proclaims that "black children are an endangered species" is raising eyebrows in Atlanta, Ga. The billboard is simple -- just that phrase, a large photo of a child's face, and the Web site, TooManyAborted.com. That site includes statements such as "The majority of Georgia's abortion clinics are located in urban areas where blacks reside" - 57% of abortions in Georgia are performed on black women, in a state where blacks are 30% of the population. It also promotes the controversial racial and eugenics beliefs of birth control activist Margaret Sanger and the origins of Planned Parenthood. The site also links to a film about this issue called 'Maafa 21 - Black Genocide in 21st Century America'.
The Radiance Foundation is rolling out a campaign of 65-80 billboards across Atlanta and they should be visible starting on February 15. “We're aiming for a lot more, but that’s where we're at,” Ryan Bomberger, co-founder of the group, recently told the Atlanta Journal-Constitution. “This is not a campaign that targets black women,” Mr. Bomberger said. “It’s a campaign that exposes an industry that we believe targets African-Americans.” The billboards were announced at a news conference at the state capitol recently, where Georgia Right to Life officials indicated they would sponsor a bill making race-based abortions a crime in the state.
In a New York Times story about the billboards, Loretta Ross, the executive director of Atlanta's SisterSong Women of Color Reproductive Health Collective offers another theory. "The reason we have so many Planned Parenthoods in the black community is because leaders in the black community in the '20s and '30s went to Margaret Sanger and asked for them," Ms. Ross told the Times. "Controlling our fertility was part of our uplift out of poverty strategy, and it still works."
Dr. Alveda King, the conservative niece of Martin Luther King Jr. and pastoral associate for Priests for Life, disagrees. “My Uncle Martin once stated, ‘The Negro cannot win if he is willing to sell the future of his children for his personal and immediate comfort and safety.’ Those words are still true today. After all, how can the dream survive if we let them take our children?” She added, “Abortion is the civil rights issue of the 21st century.”
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Gays In The U.S. Military: Bookerista Perspectives
Raynard Jackson: "I Won't Ask And Please Don't Tell"
The moderate Republican political consultant opines in an op-ed emailed to Booker Rising: "In my view, if the issue was about equality, then they are already protected. But, their real issue is to have their personal lifestyle choices accepted. The ultimate measure of acceptance is to have their lifestyle choices codified by law. This is their ultimate goal! This is part of the problem with our current society. Everyone wants to have rights codified into law based strictly on their narrow interests. Everyone talks about what their rights are, but no one talks about what their responsibilities are. Rights are a direct derivative of accepting responsibility for the privilege of having these rights. I don’t have to support a person’s personal lifestyle choices in order to support their right to equality under the law. Friends of mine who use drugs (cocaine, marijuana, etc.) know that I definitely do not agree with their choices, nor do I need to know when they are going to engage in such activity. Their lifestyle choices doesn’t affect our friendship, even though in some cases it might limit it. The gay community’s only goal is to have their personal lifestyle choices validated with the force of law. I don’t care what a person does in their private life, as long as it doesn’t impact others. I don’t understand why people insist on the public knowing the most intimate of all their personal life’s details."
Mychal Massie: "Is Cross-Dressing In Fatigues Next?"
Asks the conservative Republican commentator: "So, why is it now such an imperative that homosexuals in the military be openly identified and recognized as such? Will it boost morale amongst the troops? Will it make those opposed to such behavior, based on their religious or personal convictions find homosexuality more acceptable? How will deconstructing established and understandably necessary military protocol – for the purpose of a social-engineering agenda being forced by extremists – provide for a stable military environment? What happens if a soldier doesn't knowingly want a homosexual doctor/medic doing his personal examination? How long before the military is expected to make special provisions based on sexual preference? How long before lawsuits begin?"
More: "Don't tell me it's even remotely similar to blacks finally being recognized and accepted in the military. There is nothing black persons can do to change or conceal the color of their skin. But specific to that point, if I don't tell you I like Rachmaninoff and Toby Keith, you wouldn't know it – unless you heard it on my iPod. If I didn't tell you I don't eat chicken (and I don't) you wouldn't know it. Could you be certain beyond any measure of doubt that I am a Christian just because you see me reading a Bible? My point should be obvious – being recognized as a openly homosexual doesn't make a person a better soldier. But being identified as openly homosexual would be a destabilizing poison to the morale of persons for whom said is vital."
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Rice Warns Of Dangers That Face America
If former U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has criticisms of President Barack Obama's foreign policy decisions, she is not making them public. "If there is one thing I learned in the eight years in government, is that it looks a lot easier from out here than when you are sitting in there," said the moderate-conservative Republican, who was in Sarasota, Fla. yesterday. for a pair of lectures. "So they'll have my silence and my loyalty."
Instead, Ms. Rice used her speeches to warn of dangers the U.S. faces from failed states and the need for America to lead the international financial recovery. She said prior to Sept. 11, 2001, the prevailing thought was that America's greatest safety concerns should be with large nations such as Russia or China. But 2001 showed that the bigger threats are from the smaller, struggling nations where groups like al-Qaida fester. "If we don't seek to help the failing states of places like Afghanistan or Yemen, or that northwest frontier between Pakistan and Afghanistan, we will pay an enormous price," Ms. Rice said to the 1,700 people at Monday morning's speech. Helping failing states, she said, means training military forces, improving economic conditions in poverty-stricken areas and promoting democratic ideals.
But before that can happen, she said, the United States must lead the world out of the global economic crisis. Ms. Rice said the recovery cannot be led by government-driven decisions, but must be led from the private sector. She said that means helping the private sector by creating certainty about taxes and regulations. What government can do is promote open economies and free trade, she said. Ms. Rice said no other nation has shown a commitment to those principles. She dispelled the idea that Europe, Russia or China can take on the type of leadership that the U.S. ultimately can provide in the global economy. She argued that Europe's population is aging and its economic growth is too slow to lead the world economy. Russia has turned to "crony capitalism" in which government wields too much control over business. While it has made great gains in the last 20 years, Ms. Rice argued that China faces major economic strains of its own in trying to provide enough jobs as poor residents move to its cities.
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2/8 Quote Of The Day
"The ads in the Super Bowl had a strong discourse about masculinity for married fathers. Some, such as the Dodge Charger ad, saw marriage and fatherhood as an imposition - worthwhile, but making a man deserving of masculine compensation in the form of a muscle car. Others, though, took a more positive view of marriage and fatherhood, more as a challenging adventure. The Google ad, 'Parisian Love', did this cleverly, through a series of queries that implied the life course of a man from pre-courtship to wedding and child. My favorite ad was for Dove. The galloping romp through a man's life from boyhood to responsible, happy marriage and fatherhood is charming. I was particularly interested to note that they suggest having three kids, rather than the customary two of earlier ads. And the conclusion is that married fatherhood is not an imposition, but a great life." — William Weston, sociiology professor and moderate Democrat
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CLIFTON B. COMMENTARY: Scapegoat Time: Obama's Bipartisan Health Care Summit
The conservative Republican blogger in New Jersey isn't feeling President Obama's latest political strategy: "Talk about a transparent maneuver. Obama is planning a bipartisan Healthcare Summit for later this month. He even wants it televised on C-SPAN finally... Does anyone actually believe that Obama is looking for a real solution here? This summit (a mere half day meeting) isn’t about advancing the healthcare debate; instead it is design[ed] to get Republicans involved so they can blame them for the death of ObamaCare."
Mr. B. continues his commentary: "All of last year, the Democrats and the Democrats only worked on healthcare reform. The current death of healthcare reform comes strictly at the hands of Democrats. Up to this point Republicans have clean hands, they were not allowed input into the process and were powerless to stop it. Therefore, Democrats are desperate for someone other than themselves to blame for the bill’s failure and an entire year wasted. Enter the Healthcare Summit and a way to involve Republicans."
More: "Republicans know that this bill needs to go all the way back to the drawing board. Obama has already signaled that starting over is not an option. So by participating in the summit, Republicans are left with two choices; compromise and help to pass a still s___y bill or reject it completely and give the Democrats the scapegoat they desperately need. If Boehner and McConnell have any sense, they will begin now to work on a strategy to avoid these consequences. A possible way will be to use the C-Span coverage to showcase the Democrats irresponsibility in wanting such an expensive proposal at a time like this."
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Neoafricain on Super-Condi
The French bookerista praises the recent foreign policy speech that Condoleezza Rice (pictured) gave at Oklahoma State University (commentary in French): "Thank you to Booker Rising for posting this information. This gave me an opportunity to rediscover how Condoleezza Rice, the former national security adviser and secretary of state to former President [George] W. Bush, was qualified to analyze and judge today's risks to the U.S. I agree with her view: Ten years after the horrible September 11, 2001 attacks, the world (especially historians) will judge the acts of the Bush administration to provide stability and hope to the world after this tragedy. It needed a strong president and a strong administration to hold the shaky world at this time. As to those 'humanist' actions in the world, most people are wrong in only considering the Iraq and Afghanistan interventions. It [the U.S. government] has been very active in the Darfur crisis and has significantly helped poor African countries. Bush's last tour on the continent and the warm welcome he had received was the best example. Perhaps in this area is where 'compassionate conservatism' has found its full expression."
Neoafricain continues his commentary: "Regarding today's risks, Iran is clearly on top of the agenda. The latest news from Tehran indeed confirms to the world and this strategic region about the danger posed by the ayatollahs! Finally, she returned to neo-conservative foreign policy principles. Unlike other conservatives and of course the pseudo-pacifists and other isolationists; they [neo-conservatives] have the strong conviction that the United States are at high risk (the tragic proof was given on September 11) when they allow unstable states headed by tyrants to proliferate. Democracy has brought many benefits to the States, it's the best form of government and the U.S. has a duty to promote it everywhere else. And she said they should do it as much for moral reasons than for their own [national] interests. This imperative requires great courage and dedication, two qualities that left the White House with President [George] W. Bush!"
More: "Condoleezza Rice recalls several things about which most Obamamaniacs have amnesia or are obtuse: 1) The Bush Administration was composed of people of great talent; 2) There were Blacks in key positions of that administration (an argument which counters those who often invoke the supposed racism of those years); and 3) it had the advantage of having a doctrine that has preserved their country's fundamental interests and the free world and caused great harm to their enemies. She [Condoleezza Rice] outperforms the very quiet and very faded current Secretary of State (Hillary Clinton, for those who have forgotten) and has a consistency that is not found today. The current administration is torn between the naive-apprenticeship of an 'Attorney General' who wants to try all terrorists on American soil, the kind who wanted to close Guantanamo at any price (it was Condi who said there was no credible alternative) and leave Iraq to the wolves, and another faction that wants to offset the weakness displayed by the president wherever they can. Super-Condi truly has her place in future national destiny!"
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Snowmageddon: Start Of A Sore Back
DarkStar, a moderate Republican blogger in Maryland, took this photo near his home. I'm sooooooo glad right now that I live in the Midwest - we have virtually no snow on the ground here in Chicago - because that is a ridiculous amount of snow!
Heck, even the federal government was shut down today in D.C., which cost $100 million in productivity. Apparently the Mid-Atlantic region is to get another snowstorm - with up to 10 to 20 inches of more snow - beginning tomorrow afternoon. Ooh boy....stay warm & safe, folks.
How are my affected readers coping with Snowmageddon?
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Tim Wise: Most Hated White Man In America
So says Jim Collier, a moderate blogger in California, who reacts to a recent lecture on racism and white privilege by liberal author and commentator Tim Wise (pictured) that he attended in Oakland, Calif.: "I will first clarify that I am not 100% aligned with his argument on the White-man’s recent history of exploiting people of color. Nevertheless, his delivery of facts sure beats the hell out of whoever would call him a liar. Unfortunately, he makes the grave mistake of many before him, with shallow analysis of the plight of Blacks limited to the last 400 years of White dominance, against thousands of prior years of development. This limitation allows Whites and others to easily turn a deaf ear to him. In ignoring earlier times of human history and evolution, including that of race itself, he lessens his power and influence, except for the people in his 'choir', mostly Blacks and guilt-sensitive Whites. To the contrary, and aided by many external factors over a much greater time period, Whites and Blacks are complicit in the race dynamic and plights we reflect today. In any event, I agree with Mr. Wise that talking about race is the only way for things to get better. I would simply lengthen the period of review to 5,000 years."
More: "This leads to my second mention. Wise is on the money when he criticizes Obama for being race-neutral. He postulates that in order to get elected Obama had to be palatable to a large number of racist Whites – I assume he means ‘soft’ racists - who were willing to vote for an exceptional Black man, the same way they have one Black friend as proof they are not racist. However – and I throw in my own Amen – a President who continually ducks racism, under the cover of political expedience, is actually doing great harm to any long-term goal of uniting disparate people. Wise offers that Obama, by example of his refusal to recognize racism, thrown at his presidency, Harry Reid-style, is pushing it into the closet and closing the door."
Final thoughts from Mr. Collier: "Even with the shortcomings of his macro-lens view on America, Wise is a strong and intelligent voice for bringing race discussions to the foreground. Some will like him, others will hate him, but you will know where he stands. My greatest concern with his presentation is that it implicitly encourages Whites to feel guilty and Blacks to feel like victims – not a recipe for success. In doing this he ignores duality. Balance is lost, as he does not challenge Blacks, or validate Whites. His words aptly encourage people to confront the ‘system’ of White privilege, but he hardly pushes on Blacks to embrace advancing avenues before them, rather than simply pointing out White obstruction. This makes him the flip-side of his accusation of Obama’s mono-focus on self-responsibility and the White majority. Wise desperately seeks/protects a palatable status with Black America, which limits what he is willing to say. In his world, Black salvation is forever dependent on White redemption – the status quo solution too concerned with the souls of White folk, quite biased, and quite impossible."
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Sarah Palin: Bookerista Pro & Con
I would argue that Sarah Palin is hardly on the same level as the inimitable former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher. The Iron Lady was the shiznit back in her prime. These two ladies are nowhere comparable on the intellectual front (as comparing their backgrounds will show). Ms. Thatcher also followed through on her electoral commitments. I don't think that Ms. Palin could debate like Ms. Thatcher does in this video, in front of her Parliament peers. Not to mention this good speech by Ms. Thatcher. While she can also deliver a rousing speech, Ms. Palin has a loooooonnnnnnnggggg way to go to become the American Margaret Thatcher. Anyway, bookeristas provide a pro & con take on the former Alaska governor:
Pro: Kenneth Durden: "Sarah Palin The GOP Candidate In 2012?"
The libertarian-conservative blogger argues that Sarah Palin is a genuine politico: "Palin gives voice to the frustration people feel with the country’s lurch to the left and profligate spending. She pulls no punches when it comes to criticizing President Obama. She’s solidified her views on even the most conservative issues. At the same time she will not back off from supporting John McCain, a man many in the Tea Party want out of office. With her participation in the Tea Party combined with her demonstration of party loyalty, Palin is positioning herself as a leader, not just of the fringe, but of the whole of Republicanism. She's making a move to be the very political reincartion of Ronald Reagan, this time in heels -- an American Margaret Thatcher perhaps. Palin's strategy is smart. Will it be enough to make her the person to take on Barack Obama in 2012? If so, does she have what it takes to win?"
Con: Nadra Enzi: "Sarah Palin: Beyond The Pale"
The crime-prevention activist and moderate-conservative Republican in Savannah, Ga., argues that Sarah Palin is bad news for black folks: "Those in Republican ranks need to mobilize against the Sarah Palin coronation before it’s too late. Cynical strategists feel she demonstrates that any White person regardless of denseness equals the current president. Racial overtones are readily apparent and would be funny were stakes not so high. Her brand of vapid conservatism, complete with crib notes on her palms, should frighten any Republican who’s ever argued America is a meritocracy. If this is the best the Far Right can offer, let’s disband the GOP and begin anew. How does Caucasian Conservative Party sound? Perhaps everyone else can join a Rainbow Republican Party? Black Republicans had better find their lost voices."
More: "She’s the last gasp of a mindset that cannot accept even symbolic loss to Black people. The Obama election wasn’t a wild 'Black Power' revolt from a bad 60s B-movie. It proved the majority population will vote outside race when necessary. The Bush recession made Obama’s color secondary to promised economic relief. Governor Palin is an ethnic escapist dream where simple rural girls best slick urban intellectuals. The fact presiding over a convenience store seems beyond her is lost in transmission. This strategy all but assures the Republican Party being America’s 'non-Black' party. That’s their right but it hands a large portion of the country over to Democrats with a bright blue bow atop it. Smaller government. Lower taxes. Individual rights. Music to my ears. Striking up the band to play 'Hail To The Chief ' honoring a possible Sarah Palin White House victory is simply beyond the pale."
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Best Super Bowl Ad?: "Put It Back! Keep Your Hands Off My Mama, Keep Your Hands Off My Doritos"
This Doritos ad debuted during yesterday's Super Bowl:
Bwahahahaha! I can't even front. I laughed at this one. Doritos produced a funny ad where you still remember the product....although I then got uneasy about a little boy hitting an adult (even though he's delivering a positive message of sorts). I agree with commenter "TheBigSchmoog" on black conservative James Harris' blog: "Cute, I laughed...Then I woke up this morning and thought about the message...a fatherless black family where the child is more mature than the male; the black male only has one thing on this mind; black female who obviously doesn't mind being used or takes her kid into account...At least the kid seemed to be a positive in this ad, that it was a virtual slap to all the 'players' out there. Will this be a swing in pop-culture? Emphasizing morality and values? Please let it be so...Yeah, I take these commercials way to[o] seriously."
By the way, the Super Bowl game featuring the New Orleans Saints & Indianapolis Colts became the most-watched U.S. television show in history, surpassing the 1983 finale of MASH.
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Harold Ford Jr. In The News
Ford: "Gillibrand Is Using Underhanded Tactics To Keep Me Off The Ballot"
Harold Ford Jr., the former Tennessee congressman and possible U.S. Senate candidate in New York, claims that potential rival Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand (D-N.Y.) has been trying to convince county Democratic Party chairs to endorse her before the May nominating convention, making it difficult for him to become an official Democratic candidate without initiating "a cumbersome and costly" petition drive.
Democratic Party rules require candidates obtain 25 percent of the state's county endorsements — weighted by population — in order to run in the September primary. Sen. Gillibrand has already locked down 56 of the 62 county heads, however Manhattan, Brooklyn and the Bronx remain up for grabs. With those counties alone, Mr. Ford Jr. would be close to 25 percent. Without them, the moderate-liberal Democrat would need to spend his time and money acquiring 15,000 signatures from voters across the state to get on the ballot.
Harold Ford Jr.: "My Interracial Marriage Is More Accepted In New York Than Tennessee"
The prospective U.S. Senate candidate in New York and former Tennessee congressman told New York Times columnist Maureen Dowd that he believes an interracial marriage is more accepted in his adopted state than it would be in Tennessee. The moderate-liberal Democrat and his wife, marketing expert Emily Threlkeld, were married in 2008 after his racially charged run for the U.S. Senate in Tennessee. They have made her New York City apartment their official home. “My wife decided after the ’08 election,” he said. “There was so much bad racial stuff out of Tennessee on Obama. I’m in an interracial marriage. I don’t want to subject my wife to this, and I want to start a family. I think my marriage is more accepted here than it would be in Tennessee.”
Immigrant Rights Group Protesting Ford Appearance
Immigration advocates are voicing opposition to Harold Ford Jr., who is considering a U.S. Senate run against incumbent Sen. Kirsten Gilibrand (D-N.Y.), and who is scheduled to speak at the New York State Association of Black and Puerto Rican Legislators gala dinner this weekend. As a congressman representing Tennessee, Mr. Ford Jr. voted for the Border Protection, Antiterrorism and Illegal Immigration Control Act of 2005. The bill sparked controversy and was the catalyst for immigration reform protests across the country in 2006. "It is the most extreme anti-immigration bill that makes felons out of the undocumented — subjecting more immigrants to deportation," said Chung-Wha Hong, the head of the New York Immigration Coalition. The bill passed in the U.S. House of Representatives but did not pass in the U.S. Senate and was never signed into law.
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Britain: Adam Afriyie: From Peckham Council House To Shadow Minister
The London Evening Standard profiles Mr. Afriyie, a millionaire tech entrepreneur who is the only Conservative Party member of black African ancestry in the British House of Commons. He is the current shadow business innovation & science minister who is slated to become an actual Cabinet minister (making him the first Conservative of black African ancestry to do so) should the Conservatives win the election. Some excerpts from the London Evening Standard piece, on the intensely private politician:
His background: "Until now all we knew about Afriyie was that he was born in Wimbledon, educated at a grammar school and Imperial College London, and that he went on to make millions in information technology before snaffling the safe Tory seat of Windsor in 2005. Brilliant businessman notwithstanding, the impression was of yet another Tory toff born with a silver spoon. The reality, it emerges, is quite the opposite. 'I grew up in poverty in social housing in Peckham surrounded by some of the most violent estates [housing projects] in London,' he begins. 'My mother is white English, my father Ghanaian, but I never knew my father until I was much older and my mother, Gwen, brought us up alone. She was my rock, the gel at the centre of my life, although her tumultuous relationships with different men made for a constant state of flux at the boundaries of our family. Afriyie has seven half-siblings and one brother. 'We were the Peckham version of the Brady Bunch, chaotic and classically disadvantaged. From time to time the food would run out. I knew what it was to go hungry."
On ideology: "'I learned from my mother that self-help is the route out of poverty. Labour [Party] has this terribly patronising attitude. They see you as helpless and in need of a handout, and their policies breed dependency. It's a terrible trap.' Margaret Thatcher and her policies of self-betterment appealed then, as they do now, to the ambitious, thrusting young economics graduate, who made his money after spotting a gap in the market in computer networking. A framed photograph of Afriyie and Lady Thatcher sits on his mantelpiece. 'She's one of my heroes,' he says. But why has Afriyie kept his childhood under wraps until now? 'Well,' he gestures round his living room, 'I didn't want to come across as 'poor me'."
On his wealth: "Last year, Afriyie was embarrassed when his chief of staff sent an email to correct an article profiling him in PR Week. The email pointed out: 'You say he [Afriyie] is worth £13million [US$20.3 million] but this is a significant understatement. Earlier this decade he sold one company for £18million [US$28.1 million], of which his share was £13million [US$20.3 million] - but he is chairman of three other companies and his actual worth is somewhere between £50million [US$78.1 million] and £100million [US$156.2 million]. When I push Afriyie for comment, he buries his head in his hands. 'My chief of staff later apologised for that,' he winces. 'And I'm glad he did.'"
On what he'd do as science minister: "Afriyie can be charmingly forthright but he's also prone to awkward jargon. Asked to name his dream job in a Cameron-led government, he says: 'I would hope to be a sharp multi-tool in a Conservative government tool kit.' Later he simply says that being science minister is his dream job. To his credit, having made his fortune innovating IT, he is genuinely passionate about the role science plays. 'Right now, our country is virtually bankrupt, so major science budget cuts are inevitable,' he admits. 'All three parties accept this; in fact, there is little difference between us on policy.'"
On the parliamentary expenses scandal, which has engulfed many of his colleagues: "As one of the MPs to emerge from the expenses scandal with his reputation enhanced - he has never claimed a penny for his second home - what does he take from the experience? 'Although some MPs' claims were appalling, the biggest problem is that the system is not fit for purpose.' What does he mean? 'It costs a fortune to be an MP,' he says. 'You work an 80-hour week and try to have a family life but it's incredibly expensive and you end up subsidising the taxpayer to the tune of hundreds of thousands of pounds over a five-year term. That can't be right. We need a system that is simple, transparent and takes account of the real costs to MPs, otherwise we are heading for a system in which the only ones who can afford to be MPs are the super-wealthy - like me.' He leans forward, but instead of guilt, a wistful look crosses his brow. 'As a seven-year-old, being an MP was completely off my radar. I often pinch myself that I'm here. The system needs to be reformed but in a way that makes it easier for ordinary people to become MPs. I think of my friends from my Peckham days and I worry that we are shutting the doors of Parliament to talent. It's just wrong.'"
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Ed Gray on Emmitt Smith
The moderate blogger in Dallas, Texas discusses Mr. Smith, who will be inducted in the NFL Hall Of Fame: "I met Emmitt Smith several years ago at a party thrown by that dean of partiers Ron Fry. The party was in honor of Florida A&M Alumni. Go Rattlers! Emmitt at that time was still running the ball for the Cowboys and was in the prime of his career. Ron introduced him to me and I was trying to be cool, like 'Hey man, what['s] up.' We briefly talked about the party and then departed, as he was asked to dance. Ron and myself then commented on Emmitt's dance moves on the floor which were quite good. Who knew years later he would win a national dance contest on t.v. That night he was just another guy,at a party. However there were no other people besides him that were destined for NFL greatness and nationwide acclaim. Congratulations Emmitt on your selection to the NFL Hall of Fame, and thank you for being a guy that had no pretentions to fame."
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News: Black Republicans Running For Congress
Mississippi: McGlowan Announces Bid
Angela McGlowan today held a news conference in Oxford, Miss. to formally announce that she's seeking the Republican nomination for Congress. The GOP is hoping to unseat Rep. Travis Childers (D-Miss.), who has held Mississippi's 1st Congressional District seat since mid-2008. Ms. McGlowan, a FOX News analyst and tea party movement speaker, faces state Sen. Alan Nunnelee of Tupelo and former Eupora Mayor Henry Ross in the June 1 Republican primary.
The National Journal weighs Ms. McGlowan's candidacy: "McGlowan's candidacy will put the NRCC [National Republican Congressional Committee] in an awkward spot. Nunnelee is a highly-touted recruit, and he's already been promoted to the 'Contender' tier of the 'Young Guns' program. Inclusion among the Young Guns does not denote an endorsement -- several members face each other in primaries -- but the NRCC has long been optimistic about Nunnelee..... Privately, GOP sources question how serious McGlowan's candidacy will be. She has been a lobbyist for Steve Wynn's gambling empire -- something that won't be as acceptable to voters in the northern-based 1st district as it would be to voters in the state's gambling-friendly coast. Plus, she's from the wrong part of the district. Childers represents an area stretching from the Memphis suburbs in the west to Tupelo in the east. McGlowan's base in Oxford is in a less populated area."
South Carolina: Tim Scott To Seek 1st Congressional District Seat
South Carolina State Rep. Tim Scott announced today that he is running as a Republican to represent South Carolina’s First Congressional District. The seat is currently held by Rep. Henry Brown (R-S.C.), who is retiring. “I’m a conservative Republican and I want to go to Washington to win our country back,” Mr. Scott, who is now abandoning his bid to be South Carolina's lieutenant governor, said. “I believe America is at a crossroads, and we must quickly reverse the course the Obama Administration and the Democrats in Congress have charted of more government spending, more government involvement in the lives of its citizens, and ever higher taxes to pay for it."
Mr. Scott was the first African-American Republican elected to the state assembly since Reconstruction. Before being elected to the state House, Mr. Scott served on Charleston County Council for 13 years. Mr. Scott will join an already crowded Republican primary field which includes: Paul Thurmond (son of the late Sen. Strom Thurmond), Carroll Campbell III (son of the late South Carolina Gov. Carroll Campbell), tea party activist Katherine Jenerette, Charleston County School Board member Larry Kobrovsky, Isle of Palms City Councilman Ryan Buckhannon and former Brown aide Stovall Witte.
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Stanley Crouch: "Hollywood Has Its Haters: Its Humanity, Not Race, Thrust 'Precious' Into The Spotlight"
The moderate-liberal columnist in New York City opines: "The Academy Awards grow closer, and the two black women of 'Precious' - Gabourey Sidibe and Mo'Nique - have been nominated for Best Actress and Best Supporting Actress. Oprah Winfrey, at the encouragement of Tyler Perry, was shown the film and got behind it just before its release. Because so many are jealous of the power, the influence and the success of Winfrey and Perry, this is probably the most racially charged Academy Awards in a very long time. It gives the haters plenty of freedom because they can throw darts at Winfrey, Perry and Hollywood! The rants against the film have been burning up the Internet for months. There is rarely any discussion of the artistry of the two performers. Instead, many wonder what kind of 'damage' they are doing to the black 'image.'"
Mr. Crouch continues his commentary: "There is an important history to this lunacy. It is part of the naive vision that comes from the left, where everything below the top is considered somehow purer than what is above it. Too many, in the words of James Brown, are busy talking loud but saying nothing. A perfect example is Todd Boyd, a professor in cinema at the University of Southern California. Last week, Boyd wrote a crabbed history of black people in Hollywood for a popular Web site. It was basically another victimization rant, but one a little different than usual because Boyd did acknowledge that the Oscars have more to do with advertising films than celebrating artistry. There is the problem. Complaining black film people, in front of or behind the camera, are basically hoping for more roles and more work in general. They are Hollywood people above all else. They are thinking more about their careers than causes. They will mouth some platitudes about being under-represented, but are just as willing as most other film people to perform in whatever dreck is put before them, representation be damned."
Final thoughts from Mr. Crouch: "What is most fair about 'Precious' is that it has the consciousness of a classic tragedy. We can feel the heartbreak and the insecurity that led the mother to be so cruel to her daughter. Still, we do not forgive her. No, we do not. Tragedy encourages understanding, but it does not promote sentimental forgiveness. That is why the professional victims among us have so much trouble with 'Precious.' It is too human to work well as an ethnic commercial and it has touched so many because of that humanity, which is exactly why Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry got behind it so strongly."
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South Africa: Black Center-Right Slams President Jacob Zuma For His Controversial Polygamous, Polyamorous Relationships
President Zuma faces mounting dissent within the African National Congress as a growing number of members are now calling for him to serve only one term in office. Despite the center-left president's belated apology to the ANC and the nation on Saturday for fathering another child out of wedlock (for which he had to do inhlawulo, the Zulu tradition of paying compensation for an out-of-wedlock child), a debate is raging about his suitability for a second term. The latest controversy comes on the heels of the president's recent controversial decision to marry his third concurrent wife (and fifth wife total). Of course, South African bookeristas are in the mix, crying foul especially given the country's high rate of HIV/AIDS:
Justice Malala: "A Selfish, Predatory Practice"
The South African center-right columnist argues that culture offers no defense for practicing polygamy: "Let us not beat about the bush here. The issue is not who President Jacob Zuma sleeps with and how many times he does so. That is not what necessitates an apology. What he should apologise for is the fact that he has opened the door for our democracy to be hijacked by people who want to hide behind culture to justify their selfish and predatory practices. A patriarchal society benefits and flowers from women being oppressed, uneducated and disempowered. We know now that it is precisely because we used to live under patriarchal rule that men could indulge in the selfish act of sleeping with and marrying as many women as they like, without a care."
He continues: "That was then. This is now. Today all of that is rubbish and a defence of it only perpetuates the oppressions of the past. To all those who have been defending polygamy over the past week, here is the bottom line. It may well be that many, including Zuma, still practise polygamy. It may also be that polygamy is something that is allowed in our constitution. That, however, does not make it right and it is not defensible under the guise of culture. Polygamy is inherently undemocratic and oppressive of women. It is a practice for men who hate women. The position has been common cause in the ANC since its formation in 1912. Not once under its first president, [black conservative] John Dube, or successive presidents did the party feel the need to defend practices like polygamy or the use of muti - another fashionable addition to today's ANC. Unique in this respect, the many cultures our ANC claims to defend are alien to its very nature. At heart, the party is non-sexist, scientific, progressive, non-racial and democratic."
More commentary from Mr. Malala, about the president: "Zuma now has some time until the ANC's 2012 conference to clean up his name and his game. He has an extra two years to make disillusioned South Africans believe in him again. My view is that Zuma can and will win the 2014 election. He will do it on a populist vote and he will do it largely because the opposition remains weak, despite the vigorousness of the Democratic Alliance parliamentary machine. But the ANCs 2014 victory is already sounding hollow. A hundred years after its formation, the party is a moral shadow of its proud self, choosing to hate women."
Kenneth Meshoe: "The President Is A Sex Addict And Needs Professional Help"
Kenneth Meshoe, member of the South African Parliament and the leader of the center-right African Christian Democratic Party continues his criticism of President Jacob Zuma. Upon hearing that African National Congress members are increasingly calling for the president to step down as party leader when his term ends in 2012, MP Meshoe said: “When it comes for those who call for him to step down, I will not be opposed to that. But my initial recommendation was that the president must go for counselling and sex addiction therapy.”
MP Meshoe wonders whether President Zuma's latest act of contrition is not simply due to pressure from the ANC, or did “did it come from his heart”? And if just apologising because of pressure, “he may well do it (have unprotected sex) again”, he said.
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VIDEO: Ayaan Hirsi Ali: Full Speech At University Of Wisconsin - Distinguished Lecture Series
Below you can watch her Feb. 2 speech before a packed crowd of 1,300 people and the question & answer session. As regular Booker Rising readers know, there was much controversy about bringing Ms. Hirsi Ali to Madison, Wisc. as she was originally rejected by organizers as "too controversial". In her speech, the Somali-born libertarian feminist discussed abuse of women by Muslims, feminism, death threats made against her due to her previous work speaking out against Islam as a parliamentarian in the Netherlands, and why the fundamental principles of Western democracy are inherently incompatible with Islam:
LOL at how Ms. Hirsi Ali goes from bright smile to a frown after some Muslim students briefly chant "Allahu akbar" (God is great). Had these students known about her adulterous affair with Niall Ferguson, the multi-millionaire married-with-three-kids British historian and economist who has now left his wife of 16 years for his jumpoff Ms. Hirsi Ali – news which the Daily Mail (Britain) broke yesterday – I’m sure that they’d have really clowned her.
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2/7 Quote Of The Day
"In the Moby Dick v. Marvel Comics debate that is breaking out, Panic at the Pondiscio is pretty spot-on with his parody of y[last year's] New York Times account of a new approach to teaching literature — let kids read whatever they want. (Times story here) It’s not that students shouldn’t read things they like and chose to — of course they should. Rather, the issue is whether that should augment or replace some defined curriculum. I’m pretty firmly in the augment camp. Here’s why: First, there is shared social and cultural capital that it’s important for all students to be exposed to. Ensuring that all students get this material is a key social equity and mobility strategy and it is intrinsically good: It simply helps a person better understand the world around them. Second, as a matter of teaching, there are ideas, themes, skills, and concepts we want students to learn in English-Language Arts and as a practical matter it’s more effective to teach those things built around common content than trying to do it across 20 or 25 books (or comics) all at once. And thankfully, within reason, we don’t have to choose between shared content and encouraging students to read on their own.....We should also step back and ask for a moment whether many of today’s students who are disengaged are because of the substance of the material, the quality of the teaching, or because they haven’t been taught to read so encountering challenging literature is frustrating for them?" — Eduwonk.com, a moderate-liberal Democratic blog on education issues
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ADA FISHER COMMENTARY: Could Obama's Education Plan Kill Historically Black Colleges & Universities?
Yes, argues the North Carolina member of the Republican National Committee and conservative: "George W. Bush was never given credit for providing more funding for HBCU[s] that any president including the African American community’s beloved 'Bill' Clinton. Bush reportedly found $85 million in unused [T]itle III monies which he designated to help struggling HBCU[s] since proportionately they graduate more black students than other colleges and universities. Now cometh forth Obama whose administration reportedly refuses to release this money, makes all schools responsible for collecting on loans that the government approves without the schools input and will inevitably force the schools into debt and possible bankruptcy when their students don’t repay the money as is now happening. Sound familiar. (Not your house this time but your education!), If this scenario is followed to its logical end, HBCU[s] as well as smaller challenged private and rural schools, or those without endowments of more than $50-100 million may have their monies seized to repay loans of defaulting students. In 30 years will more than a dozen black educational institutions exists if this madness continues? Might I suggest the following to Senator Scott Brown and Republicans - Stop the Madness!.... Or consider allowing those banks which received TARP monies who hold these college debts to write them off against any repayment debts."
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MARY BAKER COMMENTARY: Who Will Save America? It Won't Be The Tea Party GOP
Asserts the conservative blogger in Texas argues that only God can deliver America, and it's time to bring back "the God-inspired principles our founding fathers created in establishing this nation": "We must now recognize a new division in the uprising of political candidates; the Constitutionalist. We have not heard any of the promoters of the tea party movement talking about bringing America back to her founding principles. These organizations are concerned with being 'taxed enough already', not enforcing the Constitution. In fact, according to an article featured on Fox News.com the main focus of the tea party movement is fiscal responsibility. The Constitution is never even mentioned."
Ms. Baker continues her commentary: "In a panel discussion on our weekly blogtalkradio show we discussed the implication of an America governed by our constitution. Since the early 1900 the Constitution of the United States has be[en] discarded by both parties. Many of the big government programs that foster big bucks for both parties would be abolished by a Constitutional America and the funding of the political campaigns on both sides will seek a distinct decline in campaign contributions. Neither party would be able to continue their underlying goals if power is given to the states. So both parties would do themselves a great disservice to back candidates who wish to bring an end to their big money establishments."
More: "The tea party movement only desires to elect candidates that will stop the big government expansion of the Democrat Party, but who will also continue the globalization of the neocon conservatives. With all the uprising and disdain, discontent and frustrations of America's current government, a viable solution will not be gained through the tea party movement. Rebuilding an America that is governed by the God-inspired principles of our founding fathers will be attained by electing candidates who are committed to the freedoms and liberties of the states forged by the US Constitution. We desire to take America back not put a nice face on the same old GOP."
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Focus On The Family's Pam And Tim Tebow Super Bowl Ads
Clifton B., a conservative Republican blogger in New Jersey, opines about the controversial pro-life ads: "These are the two ads run by Focus on the Family featuring Pam and Tim Tebow that aired before and during the Super Bowl. To say they are tame is a major understatement. When you think back to all the shrill comments made by the pro-abortion groups, you begin to see just what these people are truly afraid of. What the pro-abortion side is worried about is that the pro-life message is becoming mainstream. Just last month Sarah Palin and her daughter Bristol were on the cover of In Touch magazine with a big fat pro-life message. The pro-abortion side is fearful of these pro-life messages becoming mainstream because they are very hard to counter. Consider the ad above. It is positive; it is uplifting and makes a profound point in the gentlest way. Now try to imagine making a pro-choice message with all the same elements, pretty hard to do without being absolutely perverse."
Samantha Pierce, a conservative Republican in New York, writes about the free publicity generated from the controversy: "Planned Parenthood, NOW, et al got played tonight. Had they not made such a fuss about the Tebow Super Bowl ad I doubt anyone would have noticed it. Instead they made a big stink and got everyone talking and watching. Tebow's story was all over the internet, television and newspapers long before the ad aired tonight. Focus on the Family got far more than they paid for thanks to the hyperventilation of those groups who felt that Focus on the Family shouldn't have been allowed to share their message during the [S]uper [B]owl (hello freedom of speech anyone?). Can't have women on television talking about how much they love their kids now can we? How is it that this is so objectionable but there's not a peep about other ads that I won't mention? Those are some interesting priorities."
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Constructive Feedback: "Black Flight Progressives Gather In Their Republican Counties But NOT Due To Fear Of Attack"
The conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga. sees cognitive dissonance among black liberals who've fled the city to live in mostly conservative, Republican suburbs: "Fayette (GA) Chronicle: Local activists gather to watch Obama's speech For those of you who are not local - the irony of this event needs to be discussed. Let me first say clearly - I WELCOME WITH OPEN ARMS any Black American who wishes to live in my community because they share my values and wish to maintain our community per the SUCCESSFUL POLICIES that have allowed Fayette County and Coweta County Georgia to remain attractive. The irony of this story is that many of these people are the 'Black Flight Progressives' that I speak of. Just like my neighbor - they fail to see the contradiction of their rampant criticism of Republicans/Conservatives yet they have chosen to move into one of their strongholds. In doing so they frequently exit their 'Progressive Utopia' where 'favorable people' are in power. How many community gatherings have there been where upper-middle class Black folks gather in Cascade Heights as they are concerned about 'home invasions' or street crimes caused by Street Pirates?"
He continues: "I ultimately support the congregation of our people anywhere they choose to meet to constructively discuss our political and economic future. My only demand is that some of these conversations contain more blunt honesty regarding the large gap between what we have supported because it looks good on paper and the actual results that have been delivered in support of our permanent interests. These people need to go back and document the key reasons why they were attracted to live where they now live; detail the essence of the policies that allow these areas to thrive and then work with the areas that they have departed to make sure that they implement these policies in their progressive utopia. Instead we see the 'Black Flight Progressive' moving into 'enemy territory' yet vote to 'customize' the place to be just like the area where they where motivated to leave. This is called 'drinking the milk but not buying the cow'."
More commentary by Constructive Feedback: "The one group who has the opportunity to bring more diversity amongst the ideological and political playing field of Black America PER THE PREFERENCES THAT THEY CLEARLY SHOW - and they figure that by retaining their entrenched ideological and political positions they are 'reaching back' to HELP THEIR PEOPLE. In truth they merely removed themselves and their families from having 'skin in the game' yet they vote in a manner in which the policies in the places that they departed become more entrenched rather than held accountable and subject to change."
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National Tea Party Convention: Angela McGlowan's Speech
On Friday night, Angela McGlowan gave a speech at the convention in Nashville, Tenn. Is it me, or is the conservative Republican politico laying on the Southern accent way thicker than usual LOL? Anyway, Ms. McGlowan talks about taking a stand as a black conservative, the need to "take Washington, D.C. back" for patriots, movement conservatism, and more:
The FOX News political commentator, former Miss District of Columbia (Miss USA pageant) and Oxford, Miss. native is expected to formally announce her Congressional bid on Tuesday.
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Events Calendar
Monday in USA: Allen West Appearance on "Fox & Friends"
Former Lt. Colonel Allen West's appearance will be broadcast as part of a live segment on the FOX News Channel, at 6:00am EST. As Booker Rising readers are aware, the conservative Republican is running for Congress in Florida's 22nd Congressional District. His "Revolution" speech has become a viral hit on YouTube, garnering almost 2 million views.
Monday in Latvia: John Hope Bryant Speech
John Hope Bryant, a philanthropic entrepreneur, centrist founder of Operation HOPE in Los Angeles, and vice chairman of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Literacy, will deliver the second lecture in the "Lectures By World Leaders" series launched by Latvian President Valdis Zatlers. The event will take place on Feb. 8 at the Big Hall of the University of Latvia in Riga at 10 a.m local time.
Mr. Bryant - whom Booker Rising readers in December voted #3 on the "Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009" list - will speak about changes in thinking and in the governing values, about positive leadership and the importance of understanding one’s own finance management in the time of economic recession.
Monday in the Netherlands: Laetitia Griffith Lecture On Security
The Laren chapter of the center-right VVD party has organized a special meeting with the theme, "Security". Laetitia Griffith, the libertarian Member of Parliament and VVD member whose portfolio focuses on law & order issues, is the guest speaker (article in Dutch). The free event, which will be held at Café t' Bonte Paard in the town of Laren, northwestern Netherlands, starts at 20:00 (8:00pm) and all are welcome.
Monday & Tuesday in Ghana: Danquah Institute To Interrogate E-Voting
The center-right Danquah Institute, with support from Development Partners and the Electoral Commission of Ghana, is hosting a 2-day seminar to discuss the viability of electronic voting and the challenges and advantages of a biometric voter registration in Ghana for the 2012 general elections. It will be the first of Danquah Institute’s Annual Governance & Development Dialogue Series. The two-day conference takes place at the Alisa Hotels, North Ridge, in Accra, Ghana, on Feb. 8 and 9. The first day will be devoted to biometric voter registration. The second day will probe the question whether or not e-voting could work in Ghana and if so which model(s) would suit the country's environment.
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Mitch Landrieu Elected Mayor Of New Orleans
Frustrated by term-limited Mayor Ray Nagin’s leadership of New Orleans since Hurricane Katrina, voters yesterday elected Louisiana Lt. Gov. Mitch Landrieu to succeed him, turning to a political scion to speed up the city’s recovery. Mayor-Elect Landrieu, 49, won in a landslide (67% of the vote) over a field of 10 opponents in a campaign. As you may recall, Mr. Landrieu lost to Mr. Nagin in a runoff four years ago.
I see folks are making a big deal out of Mitch Landrieu being the first "white" mayor of this majority-black city in 31 years (I've put white in quotation marks because the Landrieu family is clearly of sub-Saharan African ancestry - albeit three generations or so back - so they are mixed white). New Orleans ain't had a stone-cold white mayor since 1961 (I'm passing over the mayoral tenures of Moon Landrieu, Mitch's father, and his southern Italian predecessor). Anyway, bookeristas weigh in on the election:
Mr. Grey Ghost: "Mitch Landrieu, Conservative Democrat, Elected Mayor Of New Orleans"
The conservative Democratic blogger in New York City is happy with the election results: "Good for the city of New Orleans. Ray Nagin was a horrible mayor. His total incompetence (when he wasn't pointing fingers at everyone but himself) in dealing with Hurricane Katrina should've gotten him fired a long time ago. People around the country have grown tired of the status quo of corrupt, Democrat leadership. And the Left no longer has George W. Bush to blame for everything wrong on the planet as folks realize that its actually Democrats that have been in charge for Congress for the past 3 years. It's now the Obama Era and Ray Nagin has become another casualty."
Kenneth Durden: "Chocolate City Goes For The Whipped Topping"
The libertarian-conservative blogger writes: "New Orleans elected Mitch Landrieu its first white mayor in 30 years. Landrieu doesn't have a very high standard to meet considering this town put up with two terms of Ray Neagin [sic]. How did people never hold Neagin [sic] accountable for his corruption, incompetence and complete lack of leadership during Katrina? For the white people, tolerati[ng] Neagin [sic] was little more than 'the subtle bigotry of low expctations.' For the black people, they just completely lost their way and showed no respect for the concept of judging someone by the content of his character."
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Drama, Drama: Ayaan Hirsi Ali Is The Jumpoff In Love Triangle
Hey, don't shoot the messenger. The Daily Mail (Britain) has a long piece about how Niall Ferguson, the British-born historian and economics professor at Harvard University, has left his wife of 16 years after a string of adulterous affairs. More specifically, the 45-year-old conservative - who is an adviser to Conservative Party leader David Cameron - has left Conservative "A-list" parliamentary candidate and former newspaper editor Susan Douglas, with whom he has three children, for his mistress, the Somalian-born libertarian feminist Ayaan Hirsi Ali.
Ms. Hirsi Ali, 40, is no stranger to Booker Rising readers, who in December voted her #4 (tied with Dambisa Moyo) on the "Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009" list. The former Dutch parliamentarian, who now lives in the United States, is a vociferous critic of Islam and has faced numerous death threats for years. Professor Ferguson, whose books, television programs and work with financial hedge funds earn an estimated £5million [US$7.8 million] a year, has been in an adulterous relationship with Ms. Hirsi Ali since last summer. However, the pair have only been publicly seen at a number of high-profile events over recent months. Just two weeks ago they attended the Jaipur Literary Festival in India where they were photographed kissing at the event (see the above picture). Festival organizers had secretly flown Ms. Hirsi Ali to the event, so she could give a surprise speech without jihadists knowing about her appearance in advance.
The now-adulterous pair met at Time magazine’s prestigious 100 Most Influential People In The World party in New York last May. Mr. Ferguson and Ms. Hirsi Ali, who have both been on the list, were introduced by Belinda Luscombe, the magazine’s art editor. The flamboyant Ms. Hirsi Ali, who was dressed in an eye-catching cobalt-blue cocktail dress, immediately captivated Mr. Ferguson. Ms. Luscombe, a friend of Ms. Hirsi Ali, said: "I think that is where they met for the first time. In all the years I have known Ayaan, she’s never had a boyfriend. She’s gorgeous, but with a fatwa, it’s tricky to find guys."
According to sources within Mr. Ferguson’s circle of friends, he has made no secret of his affair with Ms. Hirsi Ali. The British historian Sir Alistair Horne, with whom Mr. Ferguson is writing the authorized biography of Henry Kissinger, knows about the affair, as does Mr. Kissinger. However a spokesman for the statesman declined to comment yesterday. "It’s rather awkward because both Sue and Niall know Henry and his wife Nancy, neither of whom can understand why Niall has been bringing women other than his wife to private dinners," said a source. Mr. Ferguson confessed his adulterous affair to his wife last summer. "He eventually told Sue and said how wonderful Ayaan was and how much he loved her," said a friend. "Sue tried to save the marriage and flew to Manhattan to be with Niall in November." Ms. Douglas, who is seven years older than her husband, has met Ms. Hirsi Ali on a number of occasions.
It is not the first time that Mr. Ferguson has been unfaithful. He has cheated on his wife (pictured left) eight times over the past five years, according to a friend, with five taking place over the past 18 months. According to his Boston friends, Mr. Ferguson has said that his marriage has run its course and insists the split is mutual. Ms. Douglas however, has made it clear that she wanted to fight for her marriage. She may now claim that she is entitled to half of her husband’s fortune, having financed much of his early career and raised their three children.
The Daily Mail argues that given Mr. Ferguson’s high profile and the couple’s connections in the media, political and academic worlds, the divorce will be one of the most spectacular - at least in Britain - of the coming year. Ms. Douglas declined to comment for the Daily Mail's story. When asked about the affair, Ms. Hirsi Ali said: "I’m sorry, I am really not going to comment about that." Mr. Ferguson also declined to comment.
Update: The Daily Mail caught wind of the affair last year, and says in a different article that Mr. Ferguson told them last year that the affair was over (which is presumably why they didn't break this news months ago). Clearly not.
Booker Rising response: Some of my readers have claimed that Ms. Hirsi Ali is a lesbian (because she is a staunch feminist who supports gay rights), while I told folks that she preferred older white men (Mr. Ferguson is younger than her track record, but he's still white and male). Next time, y'all may listen to me. Folks know that I'm a big fan of Ayaan Hirsi Ali's work. However, it is wrong for her to be up on somebody else's man. Perhaps Ms. Hirsi Ali can articulate how harming another woman (and her kids) squares up with feminism? Positivity is not going to come from a relationship rooted in lies, especially since Mr. Ferguson has a long track record of being unfaithful. Ayaan, you are wrong for this, sista. And best believe that the wife is gonna get half of Mr. Ferguson's fortune (which she deserves), while you remain some white man's bottom chick and plaything. White girl looks like she does not play when it comes to her and her kids.
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Super Bowl Sunday
The New Orleans Saints vs. the Indianapolis Colts play for the title in the 44th Super Bowl, in Miami. The game - America's biggest sporting event, with most American households watching the event - starts at 6:25pm EST on CBS. NFL.com has updates, history, and more.
Because the city has had a rough few years and I have ancestral roots in Louisiana, Booker Rising is rooting for the Saints. However, I won't hate if Jim Caldwell, the Colts' black coach, wins a Super Bowl as a rookie head coach. That would be an asset for all black folks striving to become NFL head coaches.
Of course, this year the drama is not only on the field. We'll finally get to see the Focus On The Family anti-abortion ad featuring college football star Tim Tebow and his mother - which has been a controversial ad slot - and see if all the fuss was correct or for naught.
After The Game: Bookerista Impressions
Kevin Holder, a libertarian, writes on Twitter: "Post-game analysis is annoying. Analysts know everything after the fact. Basically, the opposite of everything they said during the pre-game".
Mr. Ref, a conservative in North Carolina, writes on Twitter: "Okay; after tomorrow, I'mma need all mentions of Who Dat to cease. Else I'mma contact the #NFL legal department."
Kevin Ross, a moderate Republican in California: "Queen Latifah, Carrie Underwood and #superbowl ads were thumbs down. Jay Z opening and the NOLO #Saints - now that's money!"
Boyd Rutherford, a libertarian-conservative, writes on Twitter: "Is it now required that the Super Bowl half time entertainers be 60+?"
Darmon Thornton, a libertarian Republican in Las Vegas, Nev., writes on Twitter: "The Census ad was a big waste of taxpayer money."
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Sarah Palin's Speech At The National Tea Party Convention: Bookerista Perspectives
You can watch the former Alaska Governor's keynote speech to tea party activists here. Bookeristas in USA and Europe weigh in on last night's speech:
Clifton B.: "My Notes On Palin's Tea Party Convention Speech"
The conservative Republican blogger in New Jersey opines about last night's keynote speech in Nashville, Tenn.: "What Palin has so easily been able to do, is what Obama seems to struggle with, that is speak about America in a positive light. She inspires and empowers the individual to bring about 'Hope and Change' on their own, rather than place it in one leader. Because Palin speaks with us rather than to us, she is capable of bringing people to action. She has all the tools needed to create a tsunami of populist sentiment to drive Washington to its knees or to drive her into office. A few more speeches like this one and she will be able to write her own ticket for 2012. So what are Obama, the Democrats and the GOP to do should Palin create a populist wave? The answer is simple...capitulate. Give the people what the want, less spending, fewer taxes, and stronger security. To oppose any of the things Palin calls for would spell certain doom for any party who stands in opposition."
Kenneth Durden: "At Tea Party Convention, Palin Proves She's Smarter Than Obama"
Asserts the libertarian-conservative blogger: "Yes. Here's how. Sarah Palin proved that she understands the frustration that many Americans feel at the massive shift left in our federal government. She also proved that she understands some of the core values of this nation (individual freedom, limited government and personal responsibility). President Obama doesn't seem to be able to grasp any of this. He might understand it intellectually but he has little appreciation for it. Or maybe he's just too arrogant to give a rip what we think. In that, he proves that he isn't so bright after all."
Neoafricain: "Palinmania"
The French conservative blogger gives a thumbs up to Ms. Palin's speech (commentary in French): "Her charisma and charm are undeniable. She is certainly the most powerful politician in USA, she electrifies a room like few politicians can. The tone and enthusiasm in her voice fits perfectly to the ear. In a media-centered world, a figure like hers is a definite threat to her rivals and the cultural Left in general. She is their nemesis, their worst nightmare...She is in the real world that Obama (who derided the truck driven by Scott Brown) can't understand."
Neoafricain continues his commentary: "I loved how she attacked Obama's political decisions, her humility and strengthening her positions on issues dear to the conservative base, such as national security, God and free enterprise. Overall, it is clear from this speech that she is a woman comfortable in her skin and with life. Of course, she is different from other American politicians who I admire: she is not Reagan or Lincoln or Bush, and I understand that some may have reservations about her speech, especially now that she excessively uses the 'populist' vocabulary. But what happened yesterday is proof that if she runs in 2012, the vast majority of conservatives will support her. It remains to convince the independents who have contributed to recent Republican electoral victories.The task is not easy, but not impossible. The ideal scenario it would be her combined with a Republican moderate like the new Senator Scott Brown. This would be a winning ticket!"
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Ugandan Minister To Obama: "Homosexuality Ain't The Change We Can Believe In - Or Want - In Uganda"
Although Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni has done so, Ugandan activists aren't backing down on this proposed "kill the gays" legislation (which, for the record, Booker Rising opposes). Ugandan Christian minister Martin Ssempa has issued a strong rebuttal to President Barack Obama's criticism this week of Uganda for considering passage of a law to discourage and punish homosexuality with a prison term or death. "Sodomy is neither the change we want nor can believe in," said Mr. Ssempa, who runs the Family Policy and Human Rights Center in Uganda.
Mr. Ssempa, a major player in the country's successful anti-AIDS program, says that President Obama has an "obsession with the spread of sodomy in Africa," in contrast to the efforts of the former Bush administration. The Ugandan anti-AIDS program has emphasized abstinence and monogamy. Mr. Ssempa and many other Ugandan pastors have united to form a task force against homosexuality and support new legislation to curtail homosexuality as a health issue in Uganda and a Western-oriented threat.
At the National Prayer Breakfast in Washington, D.C. on Thursday, President Obama condemned the prospect of "odious laws in Uganda," after Secretary of State Hillary Clinton had made similar comments. The proposed legislation has drawn international condemnation from the Obama administration, the global gay rights lobby, and liberal members of the U.S. Congress. Some governments may cut off Uganda's foreign aid, if it passes the legislation.
In his critique of the president's comments, Mr. Ssempa also brought up his views on abortion: "Thirdly, we wish to remind Obama that the unborn babies killed under his extremely odious laws of abortion, are the ones who are killed not for what they have done, but just because they are. Shame on his administration for agitating to protect abnormal and deviant sexual acts, when innocent babies are butchered daily in the abortion industry, which is funded by his administration." The Ugandan pro-family activist said that Obama's comments "will not stop the passage of the anti-homosexuality bill, but rather it has shown us that of all the problems that Africa has, the priority [of Westerners] is not HIV/AIDS or trade but sodomy."
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Swedish Cabinet Minister: "Agencies Need Ethical Code On Sex For Personnel Working Abroad"
Today must be the day for sex news. Swedish government agencies do not have codes of conduct concerning sexual issues for personnel working abroad, argues Minister for Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni, referring to a recent report on the situation in the state administration.
A majority of 105 reviewed agencies have no ethical guidelines on, for example, purchasing of sexual services, web surfing for porn, or choosing pornography-free hotels abroad. Many agencies are unsure of what actually applies abroad to avoid some of the international scandals seen in other countries, Minister Sthe moderate-conservative politico writes in an op-ed in Svenska Dagbladet.
The report is now complete and only 20 per cent of government agencies have any form of ethical guidelines for service abroad. And only a few agencies raises questions about purchasing of sexual services. Good examples of such guidelines are, according to Minister Sabuni, found at the Armed Forces, the Tax Agency, and the Civil Contingencies Agency. Only a few agencies mention consequences for not following the guidelines.
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2/6: Taking Day Off
No other posts for today. Booker Rising will resume tomorrow. Have a good weekend!
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