Quote Of The Day

"Do you remember how, during the debate over proposals to create personal accounts for Social Security, opponents called the $1 trillion transition cost intolerable? Now, a $1 trillion floor for health care reform is seen as a sign of success. Says something about priorities, doesn’t it?" — Michael D. Tanner of the libertarian Cato Institute (USA)

America's Recession: The Beginning Of The End

The Economist (UK) writes that new GDP figures suggest some hope for the United States of America’s economy. But the pain is far from over: "Figures released by America’s Commerce Department on Friday July 31st confirmed what most had expected: America’s economy suffered yet another quarter of falling output in the three months to the end of June. The world’s largest economy shrank at an annual rate of 1% in the second quarter. At least as of June 30th, America’s economy was still contracting, thus the country's deepest post-war recession was not over. But the news has been greeted with something approaching relief. For one thing, the decline was smaller than many economists had predicted, and a lot less than the dramatic 6.4% annual rate of contraction of the previous three-month period. For another, there are reasons to hope that conditions improved in July. And some newly released data about earlier months give reasons to cheer too. These suggest that the decline in economic activity may have bottomed out at last. The S&P/Case-Shiller index of house prices in America’s 20 largest cities rose for the first time since July 2006 in May, by 0.5%. Americans also bought more houses in June than they did in May: sales of new single-family homes rose by 11%. All of this suggests things are getting brighter in the troubled housing market."

It continues: "All this may explain Barack Obama’s comment on Wednesday that America 'may be seeing the beginning of the end of the recession'. Reaching a bottom does not mean a quick rebound in economic activity, however. The recovery is expected to be shallow and prolonged because American consumers, worried about unemployment and the collapse in the value of their homes, are seeking to reduce their debts, and thus will not spend as freely as once they did. House prices still have a long way to go before they return to the level of a year ago (let alone to their peak). The Case-Shiller index may have risen in May but it remained 17.1% lower than a year earlier, when prices had already been falling for almost a year. Another concern is that the flexibility and mobility of America’s workforce, long a strength of the economy, is limited as long as Americans find themselves unable to move home because of negative equity (when the value of a house is less than the mortgage on it). The situation is likely to persist until prices recover more. A greater worry is the bleeding in America’s labour market. Unemployment typically continues to rise even after GDP starts to increase, so pain for workers is far from over. Already 9.5% of the workforce is unemployed, and 144 of America’s 372 metropolitan areas reported unemployment rates of at least 10% in June. More jobless will probably mean less shopping and a slower recovery. The latest consumer-confidence numbers show that Americans are jittery: an index from the Conference Board, a research group, fell to 46.6 in July from 49.3 in June."

The Beer Summit: Five Center-Right Perspectives

Ron Miller: "Bitter Suds Can't Wash Away Racial Pain In America"

The conservative Republican in Maryland opines: "Yesterday evening, the President and Vice President of the United States sat at a round patio table with a black Harvard University professor and the white police officer from Cambridge, Massachusetts who arrested him two weeks ago for disorderly conduct in his own home. Large mugs of beer, the beverage of choice, sat on the table or were being lifted to moisten dry throats, the kind that come from nervousness. My guess is this was the most uncomfortable any of these men have ever felt while drinking a beer. In the end, very little was accomplished except for the two antagonists agreeing to continue the dialogue. No apologies were issued, nor were they expected. If this sounds like an improbable Hollywood drama sketch, it isn't nearly as far-fetched as the notion that this "beer summit" as it's been called will be a 'teachable moment,' as President Obama has opined, in the nation's long struggle with race. It may smooth over the problems these two men have with each other, but it will do nothing to change the different vantage points from which they and others of their respective races view the world. It is these differing worldviews that have created the gulf between blacks and whites in America, a gulf unique to the dynamic between these two races."

After discussing black history in America which has led to most black Americans' worldview and responding to black cop Sgt. Leon Lashley being tagged an "Uncle Tom" for backing his colleage Sgt. James Crowley, Mr. Miller writes: "Neither side is willing to concede they can learn from the other. Whites believe that race should be irrelevant and the character and behavior of the individual is what should matter. Blacks consider themselves a collective whole and judge whites collectively as well. Individualism is an approach without power to coerce social change and which absolves whites of the collective sin of racism. Therefore, it is rejected. Blacks like me who endorse the individualist worldview are denigrated and shamed to get back in line. It is our departure from orthodoxy, however, that allows us to break the shackles of racial tension and see it for what it is - a clash of worldviews. Understanding collectivism versus individualism is the first step toward a more constructive dialogue on race and, while I don't drink beer myself, I think we can all raise our glasses to that."

Cobb: "Let Me Break Down Their Beer Choices"

The moderate-conservative Republican blogger writes: "Anyway I'm much more inclined to consider the comic ramifications of the beers deployed at the summit. According to my sources, the menu had:

Biden: non-alcoholic Buckler[s] beer
Crowley: Blue Moon
Gates: Sam Adams Light
Obama: Bud Light

Not surprisingly, the only man there with a nickel's worth of taste was Gates himself. But that Gates has some taste in beer at all is a bit surprising. I'm going to have to ask my man if this is Gates' regular brew or if he did a little research before ordering. Quite frankly, it's probably the ideal beer to order at the White House, if you must have a light beer. I am a personal fan of Sam Adams Light and I say that without question it is the best America light beer, period. Big thumbs up for Skip. Blue Moon? What the heck is that? A new beer out of the Coors factory that I've never heard of. Their marketing makes it sound, well, way more sophisticated than Coors. But since I haven't tasted it, I really can't say. I give Crowley a 'meh'. I should have expected a Rolling Rock, a righteous East Coast blue collar cop beer."

He continues: "Biden does more to poison whatever scrap of dignity he has at every opportunity. I find it difficult to subvert the impression that he's a recovering alcoholic and has made this point to drink the near beer to squelch any idea that he's backsliding. But my information tells me that he's a somewhat moralistic teetotaller. He had drunks in the family and swore off the stuff completely. Either way, when invited to a beer summit you drink beer, you ballless wonder. Obama is doing what Obama does. Meticulously crafting his image. I'm sure that he polled his staff to figure out what beer to drink, and they told him it should be Bud Light. When he went on the trail last year he drank Pabst Blue Ribbon. Pure political craft. Wait. This just in. As I look around there is conflicting reports about Skip's regular beer. I'm hearing Red Stripe and I'm thinking yep, that sounds more like the Skip Gates I think I know."

Clifton B.: "A Bore Snore Designed To Cover Self-Inflicted Wounds"

The conservative blogger opines about yesterday evening's event at the White House: "Given all the hype of the Beer Summit, you would have thought we were about to enter a new age of Post-Post Racial America. Instead all we got was a bunch of crappy photos. The reason why the Beer Summit turned out to be a Beer Bust, was because it was never really designed to be a meeting of the minds, instead it was design to cover self inflicted wounds. Let['s] start the most wounded, Henry Louis Gates, Jr. The brother got all bent out of shape because in walked the cops and they did not respect his authoritah as a Harvard celebrity. Gates knew damn well he broke into his own house, so why did he trip out when the police showed up saying they received a report about a break in? He tripped out because, at that moment in time the Great Henry Louis Gates, darling of Harvard, was just a regular guy who needed to show some ID. For that bit of indignation, Gates played the race card. However, in this case the race card became the race boomerang and hit Gates square in the ass. Next we have Obama, who in a moment of candor, allowed his carefully crafted mask of Post Racial professionalism to slip and all of America was allowed to see the type of reverse racial prejudice that only comes from sitting in Reverend Wright's church for 20 years. Obama clearly did not know jack s__t about what happened to his friend Gates. Yet Obama easily assumed that since a white cop hauled off his well heeled black friend, then the stupid cops must have had a racial motive. Again, the facts come out and the boomerang struck Obama. It was Gate[s'] big mouth set the whole dust up in motion and the police were just doing their job. Finally we get to Sgt. Crowley, his only wound was letting Gates' big mouth get to him. Had he had just left the scene after getting the [ID] he needed, he could have hopped into his patrol car and curse Gates mother, father and whole generation without anyone being the wiser. Sgt. Crowley's life would have forever remained the same. Instead from this point forward, Sgt. Crowley's life will forever be on the media's radar. God forbid Sgt. Crowley should have another questionable run in with a black man it will be circus city all over again."

Kevin Jackson: "Obama's Teachable Moment: Exactly What Was America Taught?"

Asks the conservative Republican in St. Louis: "In what was sold as the most transparent administration in the modern era, Obama’s teachable moment had a 'gag order.' The conversation sealed until the next millennia, or some unspecified time when Amerika can be graced with Obama’s 'words.' Perhaps the people of the year 3000 will get to hear this profound audio, and know how to deal with race issues, issues created when a puppet dictator decides to weigh in on issues 'above his pay grade.' Until then, the rest of us will have to just rely on common sense and know that smart presidents simply ignore the non-event of cops doing their jobs."

He continues his commentary: "Because of Obama’s meddling, BeerFest was held on the White House lawn, where America was treated — in video, sans audio — to Obama attempting to look like the Average Joe. In fact, in an effort to achieve 'balance,' 'Below Average' Joe Biden was present. Three elitist versus one cop…the elitists were grossly understaffed! As for Biden’s presence, well it certainly explains the gag order. Joe says the darndest things sober! So imagine what the first black Vice President would have said in an alcohol induced stupor?"

Tyrone: "Does The Nation Still Have A Hangover Yet From This Staged Event?"

The conservative Republican in Baltimore, Maryland, writes: "The mass marketed and much hyped "beer summit" has thankfully come and gone. The whole Crowley, Gates, and Obama soap opera was like a huge toothache. You wanted relief right now, but the dentist couldn't see you until next week. If anyone thinks that this 'racial beer summit' was legit in any way, I have a ten dollar Rolex they might be interested in buying. What happened yesterday on the lawn of the White House was nothing more then a staged photo op for Barack Obama. The whole event took place outside on the White House grounds with dozens of cameras taking pictures and filming them....If I was Obama, I would have held the 'summit' inside White House behind 'closed doors'. If I was truly serious about the event from a racial perspective, I wouldn't have wanted the meeting between myself, Gates and Crowley to have been tainted by making it a media spectacle."

Car-pocalypse Now

Robert A. George, a moderate-conservative Republican journalis, on the Car Allowance Rebate System aka the "cash for clunkers" program, which burned through the $1 billion allocated for it within a week: "What a surprise that people would take $3,500 or $4,500 if you offer it to them. All they have to do is make the huge sacrifice of going out and buying a new car. Oh the horrors of 'new car smell'! Of course, the biggest sacrifice is the frequent visits to the mechanic and the gas station. Sarcasm aside, the American people naturally did what the program intended. But as we have seen with too many recent government attempts to plan our economy, you CANNOT plan an economy. The money quote on this subject comes from car salesman Rob Bojaryn (in an article on wcbstv.com): "If they can't administer a program like this, I'd be a little concerned about my health insurance." Good question indeed."

Christine Byington, a conservative Republican in South Carolina, notes how the U.S. House today quickly passed a bill to appropriate an addition $2 billion for the program: "Govt borrowing money from its own stimulus program to fund that cash for clunkers lemon"

Coby Dillard, a conservative Republican in Norfolk, Va., writes on Twitter: 'Wonder how much cash I could get for the clunker that's become our government. Hmmm.."

Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger in Atlanta metro, opines that the cash for clunkers program's troubles is a forewarning for U.S. President Barack Obama's health care plan: "It wasn’t just the fact that the program ran out of money to buy back junk cars in exchange for gas efficient ones in only 3 days — it’s worse than that. The truth is, the Obama administration doesn’t have a clue what they’re doing. The cash ran out because there was a woeful lack of planning, budgeting and strategizing on the part of the administration. Once again we get excuses from the White House as to why their bills or programs just don’t work..."

Right On, Bill!

Felix Taylor Jr., a Canadian moderate-conservative blogger and observer of American politics, agrees with libertarian-liberal commentator Bill Maher's take on former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin: "Last year during the 2008 U.S. election campaign, I thought former Alaskan Governor Sarah Palin was an excellent speaker. At first, I didn’t understand what the fuss was about. Later on, her tendency to ramble in her speeches (never getting to the point) and her apparent non-caring of complex issues got on my nerves. To make matters worse, discovering about her religious background (charismatic-Pentecostal) made me feel uneasy. This is a topic I wouldn’t mind writing for another time. This coming weekend will mark one week since Sarah Palin resigned as Governor of Alaska and for whatever reason, she is planning that her post-Governorship will be just as loud and brash as her days as Governor. She’s speaking at the Reagan library next month for goodness sake. Never fear, Bill Maher has his own take about this which is good enough to make you see the bright side of the Palin shenanigans."

Do You Want Booker Rising To Grow?

Yes, it's that time of the year again: the biannual Booker Rising fundraising drive, the first one of 2009. I'd like to buy a few groups' mailing lists for a mailer targeting black moderates and conservatives, and promote the blog with black media. My goal is to raise $800 for this purpose. $700 has been raised thus far. Only $100 remains to be raised. It's Day 5 and Booker Rising is now 88% towards its goal - won't you help Booker Rising reach its goal?

If you appreciate the work of Booker Rising and would like to see it meet its fundraising goal and grow to a new level, you can donate by clicking on the Donate button at the upper right hand side of this blog. You can donate through PayPal, if you have an account. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can donate using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Echeck. I should note that contributions to Booker Rising are not tax-deductible.

Obama's Cultural Xenophobia

Kenneth Durden, a, libertarian-conservative blogger, asserts that U.S. President Barack Obama has negative attitudes toward Americans unlike himself: "President Barack Obama wouldn't understand me. In fact, I don't think he or many other people on the ideological left truly understand what motivates anyone to be a conservative, at least if that person isn't white and wealthy or white and ignorant. This cultural xenophobia causes conservatives to be viewed with hostility and contempt at times but with suspicion and mistrust always. A bit of speculation would suggest that Mr. Obama's myopic political/cultural vision is based on his detachment from the real world for so long, being surrounded by elites at Harvard, union types at SEIU, activists from ACORN and black people with perpetual chips on their shoulders like Reverend Wright. To Mr. Obama, that seems to be the whole of our society, at least the parts that matter. He's been exposed to the bourgeoisie, the proletariat and the downtrodden. What else could there be? I would like suggest a little time around some different people. In order to dispel the myths and remove the fear, I came up with 10 ways to describe the people with whom I identify. I could certainly add more, and I know that others would say this differently. But allow me to introduce these people.

1. People who work hard every day, doing the best that they can to fulfill their obligations, without believing that someone else is obligated to help them.
2. People who know and accept that life isn't always fair, but who believe in treating others with fairness.
   
3. People who believe in simple notions like right and wrong -- that those who do wrong should be punished, the innocent protected.
4. People who don't waste time envying their neighbors or coveting others possessions, but are content with the fruit of their own labor.
   
5. People who believe that each man, no matter his race or ethnicity, is equally capable and responsible to do what he can to learn, to grow and to care for himself and his family.
6. People who feel a personal responsibility to be charitable, supporting family, friends, neighbors and causes, without using the force of government to help assuage their guilt.
7. People who value personal faith and respect the rights of every person to practice or not to practice a religion.
   
8. People who believe in the rights of the individual, because we live in a nation that was founded on the belief that each person was created and given the freedom to pursue his own interests and course in life. Our rights including property rights and that only under the most necessary circumstances must the government seize that property.
   
9. People who embrace others people from different backgrounds and cultures. People who love the diversity of America, but know that we must have an orderly and equal process for residency and citizenship. People who have friends and family who have played by the rules and spent years of time and treasure to be here legally and don't think others should be allowed to skirt the process simply because of proximity.
   
10. People who believe America really is a special country, an example for the rest of the world. They don't believe America is perfect any more than any other nation is perfect, but they know that without America, the world would be a much darker place.
    

Mr. Obama should have a few more beer sessions and invite some of these people over to the White House, no fanfare please. Perhaps it will help him see things from a different perspective and provide some therapy for his cultural xenophobia."

Rep. Artur Davis: "Barry May Be My Homie, But I'm Gonna Vote Against His Health Care Bill"

Rep. Artur Davis (D-Ala.) -- citing cost and the burden on small business -- says he'll vote against the U.S. House health care bill. The moderate Democrat is running for governor of conservative Alabama, seeking to become that state's first black governor. Excerpt from his statement: "I have wanted for seven years to vote for a bill that would improve the quality and availability of health care. But after analyzing this legislation for two weeks, I have come to the conclusion that the House bill is the wrong approach and unless it changes in a substantial way, it will not have my vote on the floor. My concerns match questions I have heard from every sector of the state. The cost of the bill is too expensive a burden during a time of trillion dollar deficits, and the results, which could still leave over ten million individuals uninsured, are too uncertain. The decision to base mandates for businesses on the size of a company’s payroll gives every small business in America an incentive to hire fewer workers — a wrongheaded approach when an economic rebound depends on those companies beginning to hire again. I have raised other concerns that the congressional leadership has not come close to addressing: the bill does not even require congressional campaign committees to insure their employees, an omission which many of my constituents would find hypocritical. Unlike some of my Republican colleagues, I recognize that our current system is flawed and demands significant changes. I would support a variety of reforms, including subsidies for middle and low income Americans to purchase insurance; tax credits that small businesses would use to cover the costs of offering insurance; and an end to the practice of denying or restricting coverage for individuals who suffer serious illnesses."

Democratic Reforms In Lee’apore?

Asks Collin Spears, a moderate blogger, who schools us about Singapore: "Singapore’s People’s Action Party (PAP) has long been the institutional embodiment of Lee Family Power. Using the PAP, Lee family patriarch, Lee Kuan-Yew created a political monopoly, in the nation of 4.6 million people, that has lasted its entire 50 years of independence. This monopoly allowed the establishment of a dynasty with the ascension of Lee Kuan-Yew’s son, Lee Hsien’s Loong to the Prime Minister’s office in 2004. The elder Lee stayed on in the new position of Minster Mentor, arguably becoming the Patriarch of Singapore. Maybe for the first time, the Lee Family’s hold on power is being challenged, not by political opposition, but things beyond their control: the global economic recession and Singaporean demographic trends."

He provides a history of the Southeast Asian country: "The stability established by the soft-authoritarian brand of Lee family realpolitik has been the hallmark of Singapore since Lee Kuan-Yew led the PAP to its first victory in 1959 - PAP has never lost more than four seats in any poll since. Being the most stable nation in its neighborhood, a high trade volume region, made it a logical choice for various multinationals to locate to. Singapore has not disappointed, now a developed country, which started independence poorer than Ghana, it is widely considered one of the least corrupt nations in the world. Singapore also has top ratings from Fitch and Moody’s, based on its stability, strong financial system, and pro-capitalist government. The government is known for its nimbleness in negotiating the currents of the dynamic international business environment, which allowed the small nation to overcome its competitive disadvantages. In response to the current crisis, Singapore has set up a 'Economic Strategies Committee', made up of various business and government leaders whose job it is to create an environment to spur economic growth, and shift Singapore away from manufacturing and into high value service, IT, and tourism industries. As accurately stated in his own words, Lee Kuan-Yew has guided Singapore from 'third world to first', but there is a dark side to Lee’s Singapore. He and his son have long been criticized for oppressive censorship laws that helped facilitate the political and financial destruction of their rivals. For decades the Lees said these laws were necessary for security; further, they contended that Western style 'liberalism' was incompatible with 'Asian Culture' (whatever that is). To reinforce this belief in the population, during the Cold War they demagogued the threat of regional Communist insurgencies and the fact the primarily ethnic Chinese city-state is surrounded by Muslims Malays. The answer to these problems, not surprisingly, was the political stability the PAP provided."

More: "The Lees may be good social engineers, but the Singapore story would not have been possible without the frugal, filial, and industrious nature of the Singaporean people. The problem is, in recent years, indigenous Singaporeans are becoming increasingly less fecund. As a result Singapore has imported millions of foreign workers from surrounding Asian nations, and even the West. The increase in immigration and the coming of age of a new generation who do not remember the turbulent political and economic times of the 1950’s and 60’s might do much to force political change in Singapore....If the populous [sic] does not believe they have control over their government and their is a long term crisis, this may not bode well for the future of Singaporean stability. Is there truly a lion in the heart of the mild-mannered Singaporean or will the next generation continue to show filial respect to the Lee Clan? The answer might come with the death of 85 year-old Lee Kuan-Yew; then, all bets are off."

Open Thread Friday

You know the drill: keep it clean, keep it civil, but otherwise discuss what you'd like.

Quote Of The Day

"What a mockery [Henry Louis] Gates's behavior turns out to be, when we look at the pressure put upon black athletes and entertainers to behave respectfully, so they might be role models to the young. Yet here is this highly touted, prestigious Harvard Professor, who expels coarse vulgarities to a police officer, even spewing out the 'Yo' Mama' insult, like a common street thug, carrying on like the proverbial 'Crazy N__r.' Are we to believe that such behavior is not characteristic of this black V.I.P., this Distinguished Scholar? [Blogger] Constructive Feedback asks just when will blacks feel they have enough societal control that they can move on and finally deal with the pressing realities that 'are actually killing African-Americans.' The answer to his question was given long ago. Black elites, those who have always had the power and the resources to ameliorate much of the suffering within the black community, made it clear from as early as the 19th century that their interests will always rest outside the group, even as they exploit the theme of 'race' to personally elevate themselves. You need look no further than Henry Louis Gates and the entire entourage of professionals and academics, who covet white society's credentials in their striving to be socially acceptable. Some of the earliest observations and commentaries by both blacks and whites about the American Negro personality still hold up (see especially Harold Cruse). Yet, even in these venues among whites that they have chosen, these elites remain in a combative stance, always pushing the envelope in a need to prove who they are. They have no more concern[ed] today about the genuine needs of the black masses than did their fathers and grandfathers. And, if given the chance, these elites would just as eagerly oppose Booker T. Washington for his temerity in insisting on putting the welfare of the masses first. So, the answer to the rhetorical question as to when blacks will move on and deal with the real stuff is, Never." — Elizabeth Wright, paleo-conservative blogger, on Gates-gate and America's black elite

Peacemaker In Chief: Bookeristas Comment

This evening U.S. President Barack Obama will sit down for a man-to-man beer session with Harvard professor Henry Louis Gates Jr. and Cambridge police officer James Crowley in hopes of putting his comments -- and the firestorm they provoked -- about the incident between the two men last week behind him. There has been a political cost to President Obama for his "acted stupidly" comments about the Cambridge Police Department (which he later took back), who arrested Mr. Gates on an alleged disorderly conduct charge after responding to a call reporting a break-in at his home. Pew Research Center (USA) found that 41% of all respondents disapproved of President Obama's handling of the Gates arrest, compared with 29%who approved (hat tip: CJ Jordan). The president's approval ratings fell, especially among working-class whites. Whites in general disapprove of his comments by a 2-1 margin.

A separate NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll said almost a third (29%) of respondents blamed both Mr. Gates and Sgt. Crowley for the incident. 27% think Mr. Gates was at fault, 11% blamed Mr. Crowley. What do black moderates, libertarians, and conservatives think?

"The Beer Summit Shouldn't Occur In The First Place"

Christopher Harris, a conservative, writes on Facebook: "So three people, who all should have 'let it go', are going to sit down over a beer in the White House. All the while, our economy is still sucking wind, and terrorist[s] are actively trying to acquire WMD."

My Right Mind, a conservative Republican blog, wonders about this evening's "Beer Summit": "PEACEMAKER IN CHIEF? DOESN'T HE HAVE ENOUGH TO DO?"

"It's Media Overkill"

Javier David, a conservative Republican in New York, writes: "A countdown clock for the much-hyped 'Beer Summit'. Complete w/exterior shots of the White House. Seriously, CNN?"

Kevin Holder, a libertarian, writes on Twitter: "Why is the press treating the so-called 'beer summit' like it's the Super Bowl? Pure idiocy."

Chris Williams, a conservative Republican, writes: "I don't know what's sadder: that the President's "Beer Summit" has monopolized today's news, or that somebody told Joe [Biden]..."

"Don't Forget About That Boston Cop With The Racist Email"

Jim Collier, a moderate blogger in California, comments on Justin Barrett, a Boston cop who sent a racist email to his friends calling Professor Gates a "banana-eating jungle monkey": "We should all be happy that this guy did not get the Gates call. (story here) Do not pass go. Do not have a beer. Go directly to unemployment office."

Politik Ditto, a conservative Democratic blogger in New York, also comments on Justin Barrett: "No doubt the police-can-do-no-wrong, racism no longer exists, 'you can't speak that way to copy' [sic] jerks on the Far Right will stay silent on this one."

"It's Pure Politics"

Robert Williams Jr., a conservative in North Carolina, thinks the president "is trying to redeem his 'man hood' [sic] from the baseball throw several weeks ago...thus the Beer Diplomacy."

Alton Allen, a conservative, concurs with Mr. Williams Jr.: "This is a disaster and its emblematic of the way in which the Civil Rights Industrial Complex spins its own corruption. This is a movement and philosophical approach that has outlived its usefulness and now struggles to maintain power and influence." He adds: "This is like the opening to a bad joke...A metrosexual, an effete college professor, and a cop walk into a bar...."

That Darn Republican, a conservative in Los Angeles, writes on Twitter: "All circumstances in consideration... Sgt. Jim Crowley had been enormously ingratiating knowing he was openly profiled by Gates". More: "However... when the man does something right we need to acknowledge it - it was stately of Obama to offer a beer on the WH lawn:

"I'd Love To Go To The White House"

Robert A. George, a moderate-conservative Republican journalist in New York, cracks on Facebook: "Black journalist and Blue Moon beer fan seeks Caucasian policeman open to creating racial incident leading to White House invite".

Johnathan Smith, a conservative in Atlanta, writes on Facebook: "Hey, I love Red Stripe so I'm in. Gates overreacted, Obama let his mouth overload his behind, and the cop could have ignored the foolishness. I agree wholeheartedly with Gen. Powell's assessment of the situation."

"The President Is Promoting Alcohol Abuse"

Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger in Atlanta metro, is troubled by various photos that she's seen of President Obama drinking alcoholic beverages: "Barack Obama will go down in history as the least popular president to ever occupy the White House. Today Obama sat down for a beer with his pal, race baiter Henry Louis 'Skip' Gates and the white officer who arrested Gates two weeks ago. Is this what you voted him in office for? To promote alcoholism? Everyone I spoke with said they would have refused Obama’s invitation to sit down for a beer after referring to them as stupid. One friend told me that Obama’s photo ops are more important to him than promoting abstinence and responsibility."

His Faith Check Got Bounced

The poverty pimp minister known as Reverend Ike (real name: Frederick J. Eikerenkoetter II), who preached the gospel of material prosperity to millions nationwide, died on Tuesday in Los Angeles metro. He was 74. He suffered a stroke in 2007 and never fully recovered.

Duane Brayboy, a conservative blogger, writes: "See, y’all try’n to get me started already. How many 70-something men and women approached Ike over the years for healing and were told to 'give something' if they wanted a healing. When he reached that age, to some the explanation is 'God called him home.' He ain’t the only one!'

Mr. Ref, a conservative in North Carolina, writes on Twitter: "Rev Ike was a fraud, but the man was a trip and a half." More: "He was the first 'prosperity pimp'. Every megachurch should give him his props this Sunday."

Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger in Atlanta metro, writes: "Rev. Ike preached prosperity (blessings of abundant wealth) through giving more than the expected small percentage of income (tithing). In his heyday, Rev. Ike raked in millions from his parishioners while living in opulence with a stable of women and Rolls Royce[s]. Rev. Ike was the predecessor to modern day prosperity preachers like Creflo Dollar, a College Park [t]elevangelist who was recently slapped with a multimillion dollar lawsuit for fraud."

Democratic Leadership Council: "Props To Obama For The Government Contracting Reforms"

In reaction to a series of proposals released yesterday by the Office of Management and Budget meant to cut $40 billion from the federal budget, Paul Weinstein Jr., senior fellow at the moderate-liberal Democratic Leadership Council, issued the following statement: "The actions by the Office of Management and Budget today to increase competitive bidding and cut the use of government contractors will save the taxpayer potentially $40 billion dollars each year. The Obama Administration should be commended for working to find savings in government administration and should continue these efforts, particularly given that since 2002 the number of government contractors has grown by over 2.5 million."

In 2007, Mr. Weinstein published Return to Fiscal Responsibility II, which argued that curtailing the number of contractors on the federal payroll should be among the first steps Washington could take to get the burgeoning federal deficit under control.

Booker Rising response: Can't argue here. Props to Barry.

What's On Bookeristas' Minds?

Health Care Reform In America

James Davermann, a conservative Republican in New York: "Obama seems genuinely unable to explain just how spending 1.6 trillion and massively expanding gov't health programs will save money and reduce costs, how a public option paying 40 cents on the dollar will allow us to stay on our plans, and how government intervention will actually increase the quality of our care-all without raising any taxes or rationing. He might do a better job proving the existence of Santa."

Baseball Doping Scandal

Javier David, a conservative Republican in New York, responds to a New York Times report disclosed that David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez were among the 104 MLB baseball players who tested positive for performance-enhancing drugs in 2003: "Well, at least the only consolation is that it comes at the expense of the accursed BoSox ;-) Hope this is a big enough distraction to keep them from stealing the lead from the Yanks!"

Conaway Haskins, a moderate in Richmond, Va., writes that "when Manny Ramirez was banned for testing positive for a female fertility drug but not a steroid, I just couldn't believe that he had the capacity (braincells, discipline, etc) to cheat like that. In my mind, there had to be another answer. Then it hit me, maybe all these years he had secretly been the greatest woman baseball player since those A League of Their Own ladies. Boy was I was wrong...

Mr. Ref, a conservative in North Carolina, writes on Twitter about the situation: "The Feds leaked out those 03 steroid tests again, snitchin on David Ortiz and Manny Ramirez. And folks wonder why people hate the government".

U.S. President Barack Obama

James Harris, a conservative Republican radio host in Milwaukee: "I agree with Dick Morris. The Office of the Presidency is diminished. If Obama doesn't get health care reform and cap and trade, he will be a three year lame duck. Good... and bad. I love this country and wish the American people would have voted last November with eyes wide open, but they did not. Now we find ourselves in dangerous times with a lightweight pretender in the most powerful office in the land. Obviously many people are pouring out the Kool-Aid. Hope has faded, the change was too much and in the wrong direction. Better late than never. Now it is time for the American people to sober up and change course. The congressional recess is Waterloo. Will the people get the Democrats' attention? America, as we know it, is in the balance."

Magic Negro Watch, a conservative Republican blog in Kansas, about a 78-year-old woman in Iowa who is selling her TVs because she's tired of seeing President Obama on TV: "I said this a few weeks ago, with his falling poll numbers the best thing he could do right now is to go underground for awhile. No press conferences, no statements, stay off of TV whatever. Go to Camp David and chill with the family or barricade himself in the White House. Folks I will admit, and maybe this is because I know so much about his past and who he is and what he is all about I have NEVER had such disdain for any politician in my life. I know I have a blog that targets him so I’m compelled to post s__t about him but I’ll tell you I have come close to not doing the blog because I can’t stand his idiot ass. Every time he opens his pie hole I get this nagging pain in my head. My obsessive compulsiveness keep me doing this blog and reading so much political material which unfortunately includes stupid s__t this president does."

Stuart Pigler, a conservative Republican, writes: "Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez is taking over private companies in order to deal with an economic crisis that has affected his country. The Obama Administration is trying to do roughly the same thing in the United States."

News Tidbits

AKA Prez To Sorors: "Don't Hate Because I Spent $900,000 Of Your Money On A Wax Figure Of Myself"

I'm glad that I'm Pi Beta Phi, but I know that my aunt's best friend ain't pleased about this news about her sorority. In a lawsuit filed in D.C., members of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority - America's oldest historically black sorority - allege that Barbara McKinzie, their international president, bought designer clothing, jewelry and lingerie with the sorority American Express card. She then allegedly redeemed points the purchases earned on the card to buy a big-screen television and gym equipment. And the now-infamous wax statues.

The lawsuit also accuses the AKA's board of directors of waving through money for Ms. McKinzie, a qualified accountant, without the necessary approval of members. The board approved a monthly "pension stipend" of $4,000 for four years after she leaves office and bought a $1 million life insurance policy for her. There's more. Miss McKinzie was allegedly allowed to raise millions for a sorority endowment fund that would be managed by her own financial company, and then lost a huge amount of money. The plaintiffs want Miss McKinzie sacked and the $400,000 which she allegedly took for personal expenses returned to the sorority.

Ms. McKinzie has denied any wrongdoing. She said the statues cost only $45,000 and that the money was approved by the board. The expenses she incurred were "consistent with furthering AKA's mission", said Ms. McKinzie.

Nigeria's Taliban: How Big A Threat?

As mentioned here three days ago, Islamists are kicking up dust again in Nigeria. As early as March, this blog highlighted growing tensions there. Government security forces today attacked a mosque filled with Islamist militants, killing scores of fighters and forcing more to flee. The militants, blamed for days of violence across the country's north, belong to Boko Haram, a group which aims to overthrow the federal government and impose sharia law. The sect's leader Mohammed Yusuf escaped the raid along with some 300 of his men, but was later arrested and then died in police custody. Four days of clashes, sparked by attacks on police stations and government buildings, have killed at least 300 people.

Western diplomats worry that the security vacuum may allow foreign terrorist groups such as al-Qaeda to move into Nigeria, Africa's most populous country with 150 million people. Osama bin Laden is widely admired in Nigeria's arid north, where a growing number of young, educated, and middle-class Muslims have embraced fundamentalist Islam. It has become fashionable for Muslims to name their sons after him, while his picture adorns T-shirts and posters. In a speech in 2000, bin Laden named Nigeria as among "the region[s] most qualified for liberation."

U.S. Congress Approves Resolution Pardoning First Black Boxing Champ

The U.S. Congress today approved a resolution urging a presidential pardon for Jack Johnson, the late black heavyweight champion who was imprisoned because of his romantic ties with a white woman. The U.S. House passed the resolution by voice vote, about a month after the U.S. Senate approved it. Mr. Johnson became the first black heavyweight champion in 1908. In 1913, Mr. Johnson was convicted of violating the Mann Act, which made it illegal to transport women across state lines for immoral purposes. The law has since been heavily amended, but has not been repealed. He fled the country after his conviction, but agreed years later to return and serve a 10-month jail sentence. He tried to renew his boxing career after leaving prison, but failed to regain his title. He died in a car crash in 1946 at age 68. The Senate resolution was sponsored by Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), and the House version by Rep. Peter King (R-N.Y.), both of whom are boxing fans.

Study: Organic Food Not Healthier

Organic food has no nutritional or health benefits over conventionally produced food, according to a major study published yesterday. Its conclusions were challenged by organic food campaigners. Researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine said consumers paid higher prices for organic food in part because of its perceived health benefits, creating a global organic market worth an estimated $48 billion in 2007. A systematic review of 162 scientific papers published in the scientific literature over the last 50 years, however, found there was no significant difference. The results of research, which was commissioned by the British government's Food Standards Agency, were published in the American Journal of Clinical Nutrition.

FRANCES RICE OP-ED: Is Obama A Racist?

The conservative head of the National Black Republican Association contends that U.S. President Barack Obama harbors racist attitudes towards whites: "How do we decide who is a racist? The dictionary tells us a racist harbors feelings of antagonism and superiority based on biological differences, such as skin color. So, what demonstrates that President Barack Obama harbors such feelings toward white people? Glimpses of Obama's mindset can be obtained from reading his two books, 'The Audacity of Hope' and 'Dreams from My Father' where Obama describes his animosity toward white people. In 'Dreams from My Father' Obama wrote: 'I found a solace in nursing a pervasive sense of grievance and animosity against my mother's race.' This book also contains an explanation of why Obama joined and remained for 20 years in Trinity United Church of Christ, the church of black liberation theologian Rev. Jeremiah Wright who preached hatred against whites. Obama wrote: 'It came about as a choice and not an epiphany'. The core of black liberation theology is black separatism, a movement that, for more than a century, has been opposed to racial integration. Equally troubling is Obama's church giving a lifetime award to one of our nation's most racist men, Louis Farrakhan. Obama's belief system on race was on full display during the 2008 campaign when, on a Philadelphia radio sports program, he described his grandmother as a 'typical white person' who fears blacks."

She continues her commentary: "From the roots of Obama's enmity toward white people sprang his gratuitous attack on Cambridge Police Sergeant James Crowley. Obama declared that the sergeant 'acted stupidly' while doing his duty, when all Obama knew, admittedly, was that the sergeant was white and the person arrested, Obama's friend Harvard Processor Henry Gates, was black. Without bothering to learn the facts, Obama used the power of his position as President of the United States to demonize an American citizen because of his race.....Obama, in his rush to judgment, ignored pertinent facts, such as one of the arresting officers is black, the Cambridge Mayor is black and the Massachusetts Governor is black. From his lofty perch as the leader of the free world, Obama focused like a laser beam on the skin color of one man and engaged in grievance mongering about 'racial profiling,' a charge that hampers law enforcement in black communities and was not even a factor in the Cambridge case. In an instant, Obama abandoned any pretense of being 'post racial' and, before our very eyes, was transformed into our 'race-baiter-in-chief'. How ironic that the wrongs against blacks that are the genesis of Obama's racial hostility were committed by the whites who supported the racist agenda of the Democratic Party (not that many years ago), the party Obama now heads."

More commentary from Ms. Rice: "Today, Obama is changing the Democratic Party into a party with the sinister premise that America is a black man's country and the black men must govern it. Perhaps this is why Obama refused to prosecute Black Panthers who wielded weapons, hurled racial insults at voters and blocked the entrance at a Philadelphia polling place during the 2008 Election.....The intimidation tactics by Black Panthers are a chilling reminder about how the Democrats not long ago used the Ku Klux Klan, the terrorist arm of the Democratic Party, to intimidate and terrorize Republican voters, black and white."

Constructive Feedback: "SCLC - Please Get A Clue!! Continue To Focus On Piracy Not The Past"

The conservative blog responds to an Atlanta Journal-Constitution article where the Southern Christian Leadership Conference - which is having its annual convention this weekend - says that it wants to revive the mission of its co-founder Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. It argues that the SCLC needs to address the primary threat to law-abiding black Americans' civil rights in the 21st century: street criminalS in Black America: "SCLC - with all due respect - Martin Luther King Jr is now resting in peace. You all can walk a little less than a block away from your headquarters and see his tomb. As a keen observer of Atlanta politics and problems I would then ask you to walk a few more blocks up the street and then make a left turn onto 'Boulevard'. Keep walking until you get to the 'killing fields' that are just across 'Freedom Parkway'. Addressing THIS problem should be your main mission, SCLC. If you are able to study, correct and sustain peace and safety for the Black people in this area which is so close to your headquarters then you could document the 'lessons learned' for use elsewhere around the country. (I recall news from a few years ago that you all had expanded to a global presence as well.) SCLC all that I ask is that you stack rank the actual threat to the Black community. You will see that this top 5 list will different greatly from the list that you have which most closely approximates your forte' that has been built up from decades of struggling against an external entity."

The blog argues that the SCLC must battle the spirits of street criminals in black communities: "The main change that is required from you is to accept the fact that today a faction of BLACK PEOPLE are possessed with this spirit. Thus it is up to you to recalibrate your fight and address this threat accordingly. In addressing this threat you are likely to have certain forces within the Black community against you. They defend the status quo, preferring to keep our collective focus on EXTERNAL THREATS. In their perverted way - they believe that the Black community can UNITE if we all agree to stay together to fight 'White Supremacy'. Even when the White folks move out of the community and favorable forces take over the key institutions within our community - they still desire to fight 'White Supremacy'. It is now time to disassemble this thought regime. This old regime wreaks with 'Non-White White Supremacy'. The White terrorist upon our community has no more power than does a Black terrorist. With our people now controlling these institutions it is our job to field a workable order that will allow us to achieve the Safe Streets that are a key component of our 'Permanent Interests'.

CAROL M. SWAIN COMMENTARY: Why Will Obama's Birth Certificate Issue Not Go Away?

The law and political science professor at Vanderbilt University and moderate-conservative writes about the birther conspiracy theorists, who contend that U.S. President Barack Obama was really born in Kenya: "The President of the United States belongs to the people. A lot of Americans are troubled by sealed records. Some feel that if the President has nothing to hide, then why not release the original birth certificate and open other sealed records: educational, foreign travel passports, and state legislative records. A birth certificate is a tangible document issue that everybody can relate to. Most of us have one tucked away in our home. It's needed for public benefits as well as school admission and passports. Mine has the exact moment I was born, the city, hospital, and attending physician. What is posted online for President Obama is a certificate of live birth. The birth certificate issue will not disappear. It is the failure to release the long form that keeps suspicion alive."

She continues: "I am perplexed by sealed records in the President's background. It is a biographer's nightmare and it hampers scholars and constrains the narrative that we tell future generations. I have not heard a compelling reason for the White House's refusal to honestly address the sealed documents. One reporter said it 'makes political sense for Obama to allow the discussion to continue because it distracts and weakens his opponents. It also seems that nothing would satisfy the birthers. It all adds up to, 'why bother?'" I strongly disagree with this reporter's position, and the well-orchestrated strategy to crucify and vilify Americans who raise the issue. Is there any merit to the story? No, but it has legs as long as the President refuses to release his sealed documents. The White House strategy may be part of a well orchestrated smokescreen to divert public attention from other sealed documents. But I hardly see the strategic advantage to the President of letting the issue be debated around kitchen tables and on the Internet. I believe the President should end the speculation by being transparent about all aspects of his background. In fact, it can be argued that the President belongs to the people and to scholars, biographers, and others who are entitled to know every aspect of his past. Only great men can ascend to this height and their lives should be examined and studied for the lessons they offer."

ARMSTRONG WILLIAMS COMMENTARY: New Income Tax Amendment

The conservative Republican commentator proposes a new income tax amendment in the United States: "The United States needs a new income tax amendment to the Constitution in order to impose fiscal discipline on the Congress and the President. The amendment would impose a proportional tax on all taxpayers to finance all future government programs. Presently politicians buy votes with costly programs that do not directly cost a majority of voting citizens any money. Politicians tell 80% of the voters in the bottom income quintiles that they will not have to pay for these programs. They tell the voters that they will finance e the cost of these programs by taxing the richest 2% of the voters who earn more than $250,000. Politicians mislead American taxpayers into thinking that they can get something for nothing. In the current political dialogue, President Obama promised not to raise taxes on American families making less than $250,000 per year. He pledged to let the Bush tax cuts expire on the 'rich' making more than $250,000 per year. This expiration will increase the highest marginal rate from 36% to 39.6% in 2011. However, the prospect of higher taxes does not stop there. The health care bill before Congress proposes income tax rates of up to 45%, and an 8% payroll tax on businesses that do not provide health insurance. These increased taxes are part of a package to completely overhaul the nation’s health care system where 90% of Americans are covered and 84% are satisfied with their coverage. Would the dialogue be different if all Americans had to pay for this plan?"

He continues his commentary: Arguably, the most insidious feature of highly progressive tax rates lies in the moral hazard of encouraging government programs where the costs do not justify the benefits. When a voter does not have to pay for an expensive government program, he has little reason to examine the costs of the program. He may get a small benefit from the program, but if it cost him nothing, he does not have to assess whether the costs outweigh the benefits. On the other hand, if the voter contributes to the costs of a government program through additional taxes, he is more likely to force his elected representative to justify the costs imposed on him by the new program. If there were an income tax amendment that required all voters to be taxed on new programs in proportion to their income, these voters would force their elected representatives to closely examine the costs and benefits of all new programs. There would be no free ride. Even if the new tax amendment permitted some degree of progressivity, there would be more accountability and fiscal responsibility imposed on Congress and the President."

More: "Under the present tax system, a liberal Congress and President can avoid the tough cost benefit analysis and voter scrutiny by shifting the costs of these programs to the rich. Paraphrasing Margaret Thatcher, the problem with soaking the rich to pay for social programs is that pretty soon you run out of other people’s money. The rich may not mind paying a share of these programs if the benefits outweigh the costs, but it is neither fair nor reasonable to expect them to pay the entire cost so the politicians can buy the votes of non taxpaying voters."

Do You Want Booker Rising To Grow?

Yes, Tyrone and Imani, it's that time of the year again: the biannual Booker Rising fundraising drive, the first one of 2009. I'd like to buy a few groups' mailing lists for a mailer targeting black moderates and conservatives, and promote the blog with black media. My goal is to raise $800 for this purpose. $625 has been raised thus far. Only $175 remains to be raised. It's Day 4 and Booker Rising is now 78% towards its goal - won't you help get Booker Rising to its goal?

If you appreciate the work of Booker Rising and would like to see it meet its fundraising goal and grow to a new level, you can donate by clicking on the Donate button at the upper right hand side of this blog. You can donate through PayPal, if you have an account. If you don't have a PayPal account, you can donate using Visa, Mastercard, American Express, Discover, or Echeck. I should note that contributions to Booker Rising are not tax-deductible.

The Beer Summit: Three Republican Perspectives

Sophia Nelson: "Bud Lights & Civil Rights Tonight At The White House: What Will America Learn?"

The moderate Republican pundit wonders if it's the best use of U.S. President Obama's time: "For me this is a civil liberties issue that cannot and should not be glossed over by a cold brewsky at the White House. I don't want the police entering my home without my express permission, ever. Unless, of course they are responding to an alarm that has gone off at 3am (which happened to me last summer), or if they are responding to a medical emergency. A man's home is his castle. We can all agree that Professor Gates responded in the wrong way when he talked about the officer's 'Mama' and started shouting about being a 'black man.' But, has anyone ever asked why Gates responded in this way? Gates has said that he 'feared for his safety as a black man.' We have to allow him to feel how he feels and keep that in context. Likewise, officer Crowley says he was doing his job and simply wanted to go home to his wife and kids. That is a good thing. However, the officer notes in his own report that he believed Gates to be 'lawfully in the home' but was 'taken aback' by Gates conduct and attitude toward him. It seems to me that both men playing on their worst racial fears, feared one another. The officer saw an unruly, angry black man and Gates saw a racist cop who entered his home uninvited. Both points of view must be validated as being reasonable based on the stereotypes we all have about black men and cops in America. That is where the true discussion should begin."

She continues her commentary: "It is my hope that the president truly has a dialogue with both men that gets them talking about how our unconscious biases and prejudices cloud our day to day judgments and responses. It is my hope that they don't just share a 'Beer' and sweep this whole mess under the carpet. We will have to wait and see but I for one am very curious to see how this all plays out. Stay tuned America, as we learn more about the Bud Lights & Civil Rights that will be discussed at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue this evening."

Afrocity: "Those Who Can't Do, Teach"

Afrocity, a moderate-conservative Republican blogger, argues that Sgt. James Crowley should've declined the invitation: "This may sound somewhat negative and unsociable but f I were Sergeant James Crowley of the Cambridge Police Department, I would not have taken President Obama up on his offer to have a beer at the White House. I would not allow myself to be exploited by The One. Everything is a media photo op for Barry Boy and I would not have any part of it. If anything, I feel that Crowley could have made a strong statement by having Obama leave his comfort zone and coming to speak to the Cambridge Police Department. That would have been a teachable moment. Instead Crowley will be wined and dined by the man who said he behaved 'stupidly' and cowardly refused to offer a formal apology."

More: "We all know that Obama made a gigantic mess of this situation. We all know that a certain party involved overreacted. So why are they the ones who get to deliver a 'teachable moment'? This is hypocrisy at it[s] best. Meanwhile, Ms. Lucia Whalen, the woman who actually made the 911 call about Professor Gates home being broken into, is being harassed on the daily basis....But of course she was not invited to the White House keg party. Geeze what does a woman have to do to get a drink around here? Grow a penis?"

Erik Rush: "Beer, Obubba And The Dictator's Dream"

The conservative Republican commentator asserts that The Beer Summit is merely a smokescreen: "Contrary to the belief of America's deluded masses – that of Obama having been raised on the Kansas farm next to Dorothy's – our president was also raised on paranoid Anglophobia, anti-law enforcementism and anti-Americanism. His slip was a significant indicator of who the man really is; he is one of many black Americans, as well as progressives in general, who have been conditioned to believe that all police are closet Storm troopers. By the end of last week, Obama's statement had become the media story due to the outcry from outraged police agencies the nation over, so much so that he was compelled to hold a press conference to address the issue. Why? Because he is trying to get his communistic so-called health care bill passed; this has dwindling support, and his own poll numbers are dropping. Communistic, you say? Quite so – and this is why the Gates matter has become a smokescreen. Obama needs all of the political capital he has to get this atrocity passed."

More: "Now, in the interest of his image, Obama the peacemaker gwine have himself a sit-down with the professor and the cop and get all bubbafied over a beer. Just tugs at my heart-strings something fierce. But make no mistake. It's all about the bill."

LORD JOHN TAYLOR COMMENTARY: Never Fear, The G8 Are Here

The conservative member of the British House of Lords writes about the G8's use of foreign aid: "In this case, Food Security Aid serves two obvious purposes. First, aid money is an alternative to raising tariffs. Tariff policies tested in the 1930s are inappropriate in today’s global market. Instead, Food Security Aid encourages the production of more goods: bigger supply, smaller cost. The aid money serves a second purpose: sustainable agricultural development. President of the International Fund for Agricultural Development Kanaya Nwanze told the BBC that 'food security is not just food aid. It is the ability of people to produce food locally and for them to be able to have access to local markets.' The development of Lesser Developed Countries (LDCs) provides economic stability and worldwide growth. But the decision to donate to food security can be seen another way. Giving money shows the supposed strength of the G8 as one body, perhaps for the last time. In addition, behind everything said about the need for a stronger global economy is the added bonus of publicity. The world’s media speculated on figures to be given to food security to be about $15 billion. A few days later, news sources gallantly reported the good intentions of our leaders and the increased amounts of aid money to about $20 billion. But can we really say that any aid money has been given at all?"

Mr. Taylor continues his commentary: "In 2005 at the Gleneagles summit, nations made an agreement and pledged to double the amount of aid going to Sub-Saharan Africa and bring the new total to $25 billion. This commitment has not yet been met. Ethiopian Prime Minister Meles Zenawi is still asking 'the G8 to live up to their commitments.' Prime Minister Berlusconi may blame the lagging economy, but the real question is whether these governments mean what they say and say what they mean. The leaders made a big fuss about the aid money. President Sarkozy emphasized that 'things are progressing' and President Obama stated that 'there is no reason that Africa cannot be self-sufficient when it comes to food'. A lot of talk with no money behind it. I would not want to accuse any nation of giving money exclusively for the sake of appearances. Confidence in the market is an important step in recovery. However, exorbitant amounts of pomp and circumstance were given to the generosity of the large nations. Perhaps the aid money was an exercise in muscle-flexing, after all. Showing off the ‘super powers’ of the G8 nations is great for public opinion. But rhetoric does not help the hungry."

Recognizing What America Won't?

Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, writes about how the Chinese are increasingly recognizing the benefits of market-based reform: "China is now recognizing 51,000 people as 'new aristocrats.' This rise in personal wealth comes in the wake of the nation's increasing implementation of market-based reforms. How ironic that the Chinese are celebrating personal wealth while increasing numbers of Americans resent personal wealth, well, unless you're in sports or entertainment. Somehow about half of America doesn't believe hard work can result in wealth. This reminds of a column or two I'm writing that will explore America's latest society-wide pathology - national self-hatred."

Mr. Durden also points out an interesting series in a Russian tabloid founded by former staffers of an infamous newspaper: "Pravda is currently running a series of pics under the title "The Chocolate Side of Hollywood."The provocative photos of black female actresses is quite interesting. It's especially interesting to see the Ruskies appreciate something the supposedly open-minded libs in Hollywood don't."

Of course, Mr. Durden just provided Booker Rising with an excuse to throw up girl-crush-worthy Gabrielle Union's photo from Pravda's lineup.

Preservation Battle Continues

Much has happened in the wake of the Long Island Press' story on July 16, about the potential destruction of Booker T. Washington’s historic summer home in Fort Salonga. John Rice, a businessman in Northport who purchased the house and its surrounding 1.7 acres for nearly $1.3 million in 2007, has been attempting to get its historic status revoked so it can be replaced with a new, much larger, retirement home. Mr. Washington’s house, a cedar-shingled two-story with a breathtaking view of the Long Island Sound, received historic designation from the Town of Huntington in 2005. Mr. Rice and his attorney petitioned the town’s Historic Preservation Commission with his plans on June 22, arguing through hardship papers that the house is unsafe, uninhabitable and must be removed to secure the property from erosion—it’s slowly slipping off the side of a bluff. Following the Press article, Mr. Rice hired new legal representation and postponed a scheduled July 27 reconvening on the matter. The Commission will take up the issue again at its August 24 meeting.

Elise Morris and Thelma Jackson-Abidally, Northport residents spearheading awareness efforts about the home’s plight, organized a group, Friends of the Booker T. Washington House, to galvanize an increasing outpouring of support for the homestead, which, they say, has resulted from the Press' story. The two have been circulating petitions and working with Mr. Washington’s descendants, who are also trying to get the word out. They’ve been enlisting the help of Tuskegee and Hampton University alumni and drumming up support via Facebook. They’ve also been trying to get the house national historic designation, recently partnering with the nonprofit Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities in that pursuit.

To supporters, the house represents the civil rights pioneer’s very spirit, all he accomplished—and belongs to everyone. “Booker T. Washington was a national figure,” explains Ms. Jackson-Abidally, author of 2000’s African Americans In Northport, An Untold Story. “It would just be a crime to have this house demolished.”

Preservation efforts haven’t just been homegrown. George Fosty of Levittown, a documentary filmmaker, historian, Canadian citizen and president of the Society of North American Hockey Historians and Researchers, contacted the Press about the group’s efforts to preserve Mr. Washington’s house. According to Mr. Fosty, the Colored Hockey League, an all-black league that existed in Canada in the 1890s, was built on Mr. Washington’s principles. “They were all followers up in Canada of Booker T. Washington and he actually went up to Nova Scotia just a couple months prior to his death and had secret meetings with some of the original players and founders,” explains Fosty, co-author of 2004’s Black Ice: The Lost History Of The Colored Hockey League Of The Maritimes, 1895-1925.

LLOYD MARCUS COMMENTARY: Cops And Feelings

The conservative Republican entertainer writes about race, the police, and politics: "When President Obama nominated Sonia Sotomayor for the Supreme Court, he said she was selected because he wanted someone who would show 'empathy.' It occurred to me that Obama wants the same behavior from America's police. Professor Gates was arrested for disorderly conduct. Because Gates is black, the White House has launched a race committee to 'teach' police to be more sensitive. Like his Supreme Court nominee, Obama wants police to give special consideration to race when enforcing the law. So, before you white cops arrest a black person for a crime, think of America's original sin of slavery and all that liberals say blacks are still going through. Perhaps, a, 'I understand where you're comin' from bro' before you cuff him. Obama's race committee is an absurd waste of taxpayers' money. What on earth does arresting someone for disorderly conduct have to do with race? Gates is either guilty or not guilty. His skin color is irrelevant. Obama making Gates' arrest about 'race' is extremely telling; an insight into his belief about white police. Even though Obama retreated from his original 'the police acted stupidly' statement, he still implied that the white arresting officer did something wrong. Why else would he feel the need to organize a race committee? According to the police report and other officers at the scene (one of which was black), Officer Crowley performed his duty by the book."

Mr. Marcus continues his commentary about Gates-gate: "Obama's refusal to apologize to America's police sends a horrible message to black America. Speaking from the highest office in the land, his words give tremendous credence to the 'blacks are victims' paradigm. Think of the hatred and resentment Obama's false assumption that police typically mistreat blacks will inspire in black youths. My goodness, the president of the United States agrees with the gangster rappers, 'Yo, if you're black in A-mur-a-ka, da Man is out ta getcha'."

More: "Something else that disturbs me regarding Obama's handling of the Gates/Crowley incident: Obama could have simply apologized to police for calling them stupid, and America would have moved on. Instead, he chose to organize a race committee and invite Gates and Officer Crowley, to the White House for a beer. So rather than admitting that he misspoke, in essence, Obama threw America's police and their relationship with the black community under the bus to save face. This is not the behavior of the 'Great Unifier' Obama voters thought they were electing. Sadly, it is the behavior of a selfish ego-driven small man."

Booker Rising response: I'm a pretty well-read person - I have to keep up, in order to do this blog - so I ask: what race committee is Mr. Marcus talking about here?

Quote Of The Day

"How strange to see that the election of Barack Hussein Obama appears not to have ignited a fad amongst Black Americans for African nomenclature of the kind witnessed during the 1970[s] when a burgeoning sense of Afrocentric pride saw the poet Leroi Jones adopt the moniker 'Amiri Baraka', the basketball maestro Ferdinand Lewis Alcindor morph into 'Kareem Abdul-Jabbar', the activist Stokely Standiford Churchill Carmichael mutate into 'Kwame Toure' and the [C]ongressman Frizzell Gerald Gray assume the appellation 'Kweisi Mfume'. Nor does the historic election of America’s first Black president appear to have occasioned anything comparable to what erupted in the wake of the 9/11 attacks when multitudes across the Muslim world took to naming their newborns 'Osama' in honour of the Al Qaeda demon responsible for that terrorist outrage in the United States. The time is surely long past due for Black Americans to have come to the realization that their continued adoption of names like 'Henry Louis Gates' and 'LeBron James' strikes the observer as being every bit as odd as if a blue-eyed, blond-haired Nordic were to walk up to one of them, extend his hand and introduce himself as 'Olatunji Babatunde' or 'Rajeev Prakash'. If the notion of an Anglo-Saxon endowed with an African or Asian appellation is enough to draw puzzled glances and bemused mutterings from Black Americans how much more ludicrous a spectacle do they imagine is offered up by an American descendant of African slaves who stubbornly clings to cognomen that identify him as being little more than a 21st century form of human chattel. With this in mind the time may have arrived for Black Americans to embark on a mass name-changing exercise that will transform their identity and announce them to the world as a new people. Such an ambitious undertaking would reinvent Black America at a keystroke and endow her with a new sense of Self....By reverting to their African names, Black Americans will have embarked on a new adventure in Being and one that will see them evolve from having been the mere progeny of slaves to finally taking their place alongside their fellow Americans as a new kind of 'immigrant', albeit one who has come to America not so much from outside as from within. It will mark an unprecedented revolution in human identity, an unparalleled act of self-reinvention and one that will open up a boundless universe of possibilities and opportunities the Black American has hitherto never known." — Xyborg, British black liberal blogger

NADRA ENZI OP-ED: Homegrown Heroism Beats Homegrown Terror

The Republican activist and Muslim, who promotes crime prevention and self-development in Savannah, Georgia, writes: "The recent arrest of Daniel Patrick Boyd, a White man whose Islamic misinterpretation prompted him to allegedly plot a terror campaign against his own nation galls me as a Muslim and very concerned citizen. Ironically, the majority of America’s Muslims are African-Americans, more concerned with securing our nation, often from the inner city outward and weaving our spiritual strand into its rich religious fabric. The overwhelming majority of us aren’t fools following the most extreme views of foreign and sadly, domestic, terrorists. We are American citizens who aren’t blindly embracing the prejudices and agendas of others overseas. Those who do should be prepared to suffer the consequences of such attitiudes [sic]. While Bush era arrests netted mostly Black and Arab suspects, Boyd’s capture highlights the folly of only looking at ghetto mosques and majority immigrant Muslim populations for terror suspects. One wonders if this is a publicity ploy by the Obama Administration to help undo years of Muslim bashing that accompanied the previous Administration’s War On Terror? If so, that’s fine because Muslims are America’s number one weapon against Islamic-based terror."

He continues: "'Islamo-Fascism', to quote writer Christopher Hitchens, is a colorblind philosophy, with a rainbow coalition of haters anxious to use this religion as a weapon against the United States and other powers. Muslims here must tell those harboring such notions that their views aren’t welcome and will be opposed whenever aired. We must self-police and work with the authorities when it seems real threats to have surfaced. Allowing them aid and comfort by doing nothing is as tragic as White Christian coexistence with violently racist and Anti-Semitic elements within churches and government for generations. Every faith has proverbial serpents in its gardens to cast out. Can American Muslims do any less than Christians who faced down those who perverted the Bible to support hatred? For me, Islam uplifts every area of life and transcends manmade limitations. If it’s such good news to me, why should I be silent about those trying to use it for evil? The answer to homegrown terror is homegrown heroism."

Health Care Reform: Black Conservative Perspectives

The Blue Dog Democrats accepted a compromise that allowed an overhaul bill to advance in the U.S. House of Representatives. However, U.S. President Barack Obama believes that there will be no vote on the issue before late September to mid-October (hat tip: Drudge Report).

Despite his public-relations blitz over the past two weeks to promote his plans to overhaul the nation's health-care system — including holding two town halls on Wednesday — President Obama has lost ground on this issue with the American public, according to the latest NBC News/Wall Street Journal poll. Pluralities now say that the president’s health care plan plan is a bad idea, and that it will result in the quality of their care getting worse. Just four in 10 approve of his handling on the issue. What do some black conservatives think?

"Obama's Plan Will Lead To Rationing Of Lower-Quality Health Care"

Constructive Feedback, a conservative blogger in Atlanta metro, writes about the government-run option: "Those who are responsible for stifling competition with the government operated school monopoly seek to have the government to go into the business of health care for the productive class to keep the private sector on its toes. If you believe this - I have some beach front property in Arizona for you to consider. The VA Hospitals, Medicare and Medicaid are not 'efficient'. This is not about 'efficiency'. The only thing this is about is POWER and PRICE CONTROL. Just as Medicare has a cap on its fee for services paid to physicians, the Federal Democrats seek to do the same for the working class insurance program that they seek to hoist upon us. Today an increasing number of physicians are refusing to accept Medicaid patients because they service them at a loss. Those who do service them often have to increase the fees paid by patients with private insurance in order to balance everything out. The goal is also to limit payments to pharmaceutical companies. When they say 'we are spending too much money on health care' what they really are saying is 'we are spending too much money on service providers, drugs and middle-man insurance companies'. The claim is that if we remove the insurance companies from denying claims - more people will have access to health care. I beg to disagree."

He continues his commentary about health care reform: "My argument to the contrary is that a Single Payer Health Care System (More accurately called a 'Multiple Taxpayer Paid Health Care System') does significant rationing as well. If I have a hospital that can service 1,000 patients per month the key difference between private versus public is clear. With the private insurance only the 1,000 with insurance will go through the front door. Those without insurance or who's claims have been denied will not pass through the front door. With the government health care system - this same hospital still can only process 1,000 individuals per month. While a larger number of people will not be denied care - there exists a long line queued up outside of the hospital consisting of patient number 1,001 through some undermined number of others who wait for their 'right to care' to be expressed. This entire argument is not about radical reform. It is only about shifting the locus of control from a market of various interests over to a central 'command and control' model where the federal government calls all the shots. With the checks being cut from 'central billing' you either accept their terms or you do not play."

More: "I still struggle to understand the right that someone else has to control my private property as expressed via my health care dollars spent. The fact that people are without health insurance is not cause to nationalize an entire industry. I support increasing the funding for existing government operated hospitals. Deploy 'Single Payer Health Care' at the facility level, allowing private hospitals to continue unabated. If someone loses their private health care then their option is to receive service at the public hospital."

James Davermann, a conservative Republican in New York, "is considering a career as an End of Life Counselor. Should be a lucrative, high growth industry under Obamacare."

"There Needs To Be Inter-State Competition"

DarkKnight, a conservative Republican, writes: "I can go on the Net & get a loan offer from banks across the country. That's competition. Why can't I buy insurance the same way?"

"Capitol Hill's Dynamics Are Weird"

Mr. Ref, a conservative in North Carolina, discusses the compromise reached with the Blue Dog Democrats: "Here's my ?: if a compromise has been reached, Obamacare will get out of committee then why are they waiting until fall to come to a vote?"

Dwyan Washington, a conservative Republican in Florida, writes: "Anyone hear what John Conyers said about the health care bill? "Why bother reading it when you don't have lawyers and 2 days free to do it" I paraphrased it a little bit. Damn this party is living up to its reputation".

"Ah, The Fat Tax To Help Pay For It"

Henrietta Hughes, a conservative Republican in Florida, writes about a taxing fat in foods to pay for the bill: "I think they're barkin up the wrong tree w/ the fat tax. If they wanna score some serious $$ they oughtta have a porn tax." More: "Fat people beware! BO is coming for your twinkies! none of us has any personal responsibility & needs to be told what to do".