USA: Newark Mayor Cory Booker Tapped For New York City Michael Bloomberg's Philanthropic Foundation
New York's billionaire mayor today signaled he is expanding his philanthropy into new territory when he announced his foundation's first board of directors, drawing on high-profile people in different fields from all over the nation. The group of 19 board members for Michael Bloomberg's foundation includes moderate-liberal Newark Mayor Cory Booker (pictured), former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, former U.S. Department of the Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson, , artist Maya Lin and Mayor Bloomberg's daughters.
Mayor Bloomberg, whose fortune is estimated at $18 billion by Forbes magazine, has mostly concentrated his philanthropy among arts, education and public health causes. The new board has plenty of those voices but also includes members who bring new expertise, including two former governors, a mayor, a former mayor and two former senators. Mayor Bloomberg has recently promised that his foundation will begin to concentrate on innovation in government. While board members will be paid stipends and some travel expenses, Mayor Booker will serve as a volunteer because he holds a government job.
Uganda: Lukyamuzi Wins Unfair Dismissal Case Against Government For Kicking Him Out Of Parliament
The Ugandan Supreme Court yesterday ruled that the removal of Ken Lukyamuzi from Parliament by the Inspector General of Government (IGG) for failure to declare his wealth in 2005 was improper. It also said Parliament has to pay the Conservative Party leader from the time he was expelled up to the expiry of his term. The court argued that the IGG was not a tribunal who could hear the case against Mr. Lukyamuzi and order his removal from Parliament. Mr. Lukyamuzi, a moderate-conservative and then-MP for Rubaga South in Kampala, was prohibited from seeking re-election during the 2006 elections. However, the court said that Mr. Lukyamuzi was wrong to refuse to declare his assets as required by the Leadership Code.
Mr. Lukyamuzi was all smiles after the court handed him the win over a technicality. He said he expects to be paid over sh70m [US$33,700] in arrears, plus hundreds of millions [between US$50,000-US$200,000] in costs. Asked for a comment, Speaker Edward Ssekandi said Parliament would respect the ruling and pay what is owed to Mr. Lukyamuzi. He added that Mr. Lukyamuzi is free to participate in future elections.
To comment on "Bookeristas In The News" post, click here.
3/31 Bookeristas In The News
Obama Expands Offshore Drilling Sites: Bookerista Views
The Obama administration will approve significant oil and gas exploration off America’s coasts, including a possible sale two years from now of leases off Virginia’s coast, administration officials said today. The move ends a long-standing moratorium on oil and gas drilling along much of the East Coast, from Delaware to central Florida. Bookeristas discuss the news:
Clifton B.: "Obama Embraces Drill Baby Drill"
The conservative Republican blogger in New Jersey writes: "This is good news. America should have been drilling offshore decades ago. Not drilling off America’s shores to please environmentalist[s] was always a foolish policy. With so many nations drilling oil for us (and less responsibly too) we were only deluding ourselves into thinking we were saving the planet. The environmentalists are going to want Obama’s hide for this. As such I will not be surprised if he has some gift of appeasement coming down the pike for the enviro-wienies. You will notice from the graphic, that the drilling is not going to happen anywhere near the bluest of blue states. Perhaps that is the first gift of appeasement."
He continues: "Given Obama’s dig at Mitt Romney by comparing ObamaCare to RomneyCare, I have to wonder if this offshore drilling has anything to do with taking some of the wind out of Sarah Palin’s sails. Energy independence is Palin’s strongest suit, with Obama and Palin now on the same page, is she neutralized on this issue? Finally, given the successful resurrection of ObamaCare, I am somewhat leery that this might be a way to revive Cap and Trade. God help us if it is, Cap and Trade will for sure polish us off economically."
More: "UPDATE: The Old Rope A Dope. As several of you [readers] have pointed out, there is a give with one hand and take away with the other game going on with Obama's plan. As we see, Obama's plan turns out to be a back door two year extension on the drilling ban."
Constructive Feedback: "The Logic Of Rachel Maddow - Obama's Deep Oil Drilling"
The conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga., writes: "On tonight's show (Wednesday March 31st) Rachael [sic] Maddow reviews President Obama's decision to open up the Atlantic coast to deep sea drilling. She argues that Obama has taken up the 'Republican position on the issue' and asks 'What did Obama get for compromising with the Republicans?' To understand Rachel Maddow we first must understand that her show is a 'Pro-Democrat against Republican show'. With this framing in mind everything makes sense. She asks the rhetorical question 'What did President Obama get from agreeing to deep sea drilling?'. The answer is hovering right there in front of her face and the face of her 'The Nation' magazine buddy. Here is the answer, Ms Maddow: THE NATION RECEIVES AN EXTRA SUPPLY OF OIL TO ADDRESS OUR GROWING DEMAND."
To comment on "Obama Expands Offshore Drilling Sites" post, click here.
EPA Regulations Hurt Minority Communities More, Conservative Advocates Say
Democrats generally count on blacks and Hispanics for their support on policies related to health care, education and the economy. However, a rift has emerged over energy policy. “President Obama wants to price us out of energy, this is a war on how we live in America and don’t regard it lightly,” said Harry Alford, the conservative Republican head of the National Black Chamber of Commerce, which reaches 100,000 black-owned businesses.
Mr. Alford and several minority group advocates converged on Capitol Hill on Monday to blast President Obama’s new Environmental Protection Agency regulations on greenhouse gas emissions that are likely to go into effect next year. They argue they will disproportionately affect African Americans and Hispanics nationwide. The new EPA regulations would, among other things, place fees on the use of fossil fuels. According to a new study commissioned by the Affordable Power Alliance, 12 millions jobs are at stake by 2030. Advocates say the job losses would be concentrated in electrical utilities, petro chemicals and the industral sector, said Roger Bezdek, who authored the study. “The loss of jobs is staggering,” said Bishop Harry Jackson, a conservative pastor who runs a national coalition of faith-based leaders, ministers and churches.
The report details the historically higher unemployment rates in minority communities compared to whites. It finds that African Americans have generally seen twice as high unemployment as whites. Additionally, unemployment length tends to be longer, and minorities have a harder time getting back to work after a recession, the report finds. Advocates say minority families would be hit hard by a tax on fossil fuels because Hispanics and African Americans on average have higher utility usage. The average black family spends 50 percent more on utilities than whites, and Hispanics spend 10 percent more.
“This study shows a net loss of jobs in our communities,” national Hispanic leader Carlos Duran said. “We don’t care about green jobs, or brown jobs, or purple jobs. We care about net jobs.” Those new rules could pose a problem for Democrats in November. “We don’t plan to make a political statement as such in the upcoming elections but we do plan to support policies and candidates that support our agenda in terms of energy and having a comprehensive approach towards energy development,” said Niger Innis, the conservative spokesman of the civil rights group Congress of Racial Equality.
EPA officials defended their effort in a written statement. “African-American and Latino communities see more sick days from work and school, and increased medical costs due to the ravages of greenhouse gas pollution. We must act to stop this now, while seizing the opportunity to bring green jobs and green small businesses,” according to the statement.
To comment on "EPA Regulations" post, click here.
FDA Considering Banning Menthol Cigarettes
It doesn't sit well with Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger: "First they banned clove cigarettes, now the FDA is looking at banning menthol cigarettes. The nanny state is tightening its grip, but hey it's for our own good, right? Why not go for full prohibition? Sure cigarettes are bad for you, but so are Twinkies. How long before they start banning junk food? Why not ban beer? Shouldn't these decisions be left up to each individual?"
More commentary from Mr. Durden: "These steps at control will only get worse as millions more Americans start depending on the government for health care. When are the masses of people going to understand that government has and [sic] insatiable appetite for control over our lives? It seems like the only area the government feels people should have control over their own bodies is when it comes to abortion."
To comment on "FDA Considering Banning Menthol Cigarettes" post, click here.
Mr. Grey Ghost on Bagging The Sag
The conservative Democratic blogger in New York City writes about New York State Sen. Eric Adams (D-Brooklyn), who is targeting the pants-sagging trend popular with many young men: "Cool in sentiment, but will it work? Highly doubt it. First, there's the fact teenagers especially, don't like to be told what they can and can't wear, much less how they should wear it. Secondly, while Adams' message (on each ad is the slogan 'Raise your pants, raise your image.') is correct in every sense of how you represent yourself being a direct reflection of how outsiders see you, this stuff starts at home. So if parents aren't putting a stop to the baggy-pants nonsense, how's a political [person] supposed to do it? Third, as much as I hate to stereotype the genre, hip-hop has to (and will) get part of the blame here (although it should be noted that most experts on urban culture agree that the baggy-pants trend started beh[i]nd prison bars, not wih rap music) what with today's rap artists continuing to milk 'gangsta' images, kids will feel free to continue to emulating them. Last, if Senator Adams really wants his campaign to succeed, clearly he's going to have to put in a call to Larry 'Pants on the Ground' Platt -- I mean who better to get out there and demand that kids pull their pants up? Really now."
To comment on "Mr. Grey Ghost on Bagging The Sag" post, click here.
Why I Am A Conservative 2010
Secretary Greene did a YouTube video about why he is a conservative (hat tip: Rosita James). He states on his YouTube page: "In this video I speak about the ideas and beliefs that hold true. As a young educated black male I wanted to show the other face of the Conservative Movement: Me. There are many of us out here. Thanks to Glenn Beck for having them on his show. As a young educated black I constantly face down the stereotype that all blacks are [l]iberal and vote [D]emocrat. I am a member of the Tea Party, so the liberal media lies about the tea party being racist are completely untrue. This video dedicated to freedom, life, and liberty of the American [s]pirit. The [b]est is still yet to come for America."
To comment on "Why I Am A Conservative 2010" post, click here.
Irony....
Is when a white supremacist racialist website that loves the likes of Steve Sailer, Alternative Right, and Half Sigma takes aim at Booker Rising and various black intellectuals and politicos across the ideological spectrum. Why? We spend "an inordinate amount of energy on activities pertaining to racial issues", which said website claims is a reflection of blacks' lack of intellectualism. LOL! Or perhaps I should've titled this post "Hypocrisy". Well, at least OneSTDV's post was more sophisticated than the white racialist fool who recently claimed that Booker Rising was a front for the Marxist/Democratic agenda. Using OneSTDV's own logic, shall I assume that its focus on race reflects its lack of intellectualism?
Never mind that while at least 80% or so of Booker Rising's posts are from black center-rightists from around the world (holler when you find, say, the opinions of Zambian libertarians on white center-right websites), the majority of posts aren’t even on racial topics. Folks give their take on everything from Apple products to black leadership to Ukraine's elections. But of course, it's by black folks so it must be focused on race LMAO.
Even if every Booker Rising post was about race, I do what I please with my blog. I speak to black folks (yes, the blog provides a center-right message that targets black folks. Ever heard of a target audience?) and anyone else as I see fit. Get used to it.
To comment on "Irony..." post, click here.
DEBATE OF THE DAY: Are Australians Rednecks?
Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has lashed out at American comedian Robin Williams for calling Australians "rednecks", suggesting the star should look closer to home before bashing Aussies. Prime Minister Rudd hit back at the Oscar-winning actor during a radio interview after Mr. Williams told U.S. talk show host David Letterman that "Australians are basically English rednecks. You down there, 'how are ya? Good to see you. Hello.'"
"I think Robin Williams should go and spend a bit of time in Alabama before he frames comments about anyone being particularly redneck," Prime Minister Rudd said on Melbourne commercial radio on Wednesday.
Of course, Alabama Governor Bob Riley came to the defense of 'Bama. “I’m not sure if Prime Minister Rudd has ever been to Alabama. If he has, he would know that Alabamians are decent, hard working, creative people. That’s why Alabama is home to Australian companies like Austral which employs more than 1000 Alabamians at the world’s largest alumnium shipyard.”
Booker Rising response: So Australians can make fun of black folks (commercial, TV show in blackface), but let an American comedian do a mild joke about them and they get huffy? GTFOH with this mess. Let's ignore the fact that Robin Williams hails from my hometown of Chicago, not 'Bama, and hasn't lived a day in the South. Just because Alabama has rednecks doesn't mean that Australia doesn't have them, so the prime minister's logic is flawed.
A bookerista responds: Ripclawe, a conservative Republican blogger in Florida, writes: "Look if your country started out as a prison, you are going to get the jokes. Don't bring Alabama into this or they will send [University of Alabama football coach] Nick Saban to bore you into submission."
To comment on "Are Australians Rednecks?" post, click here.
Did Erykah Badu Go Too Far In "Window Seat" Video?
Samuel Gonzalez, a conservative Republican blogger in New York City, thinks the soul singer may be on to something with her controversial new video: "Did she go too far? Hmm, group think, huh? A person who is a afraid of expressing themselves for fear of being ostracized by the wider public? Oh, really? You mean like when a Black person dares to be a Conservative and refuse to go along with the rest of the sheep and vote for the Democrat[ic] Party because they’re supposed to? I think Erykah is on the money here. Ya’ll better recognize.
Booker Rising response: I already gave my opinion of the video on Monday. I want to add that Ms. Badu needs to quit fronting like this is all about art. You can discuss "liberating yourself" without stripping buck naked at President John F. Kennedy's assassination site. She knows that controversy gets her name out there, and she could use the publicity to rejuvenate her music career. If stripping moves a few more units, it's all good to her.
To comment on "Did Erykah Badu Go Too Far In 'Window Seat' Video?", click here.
News: Bookeristas & The Health Care Debate In Georgia
Georgia Attorney General Thurbert Baker Could Benefit From Health Care Stance In Primary
By defying Gov. Sonny Perdue and refusing to file a lawsuit over a new federal health care law, Georgia's Democratic attorney general has made himself the target of a Republican impeachment effort and, in the process, energized his bid for governor. The onslaught of GOP ire directed at Thurbert Baker is winning the state's top lawyer credibility within the Democratic party base and free media attention. It's good news for the moderate Democrat, who's been struggling to gain ground against former Gov. Roy Barnes, widely seen as the front-runner in a crowded five-way, Democratic primary.
Last week, Mr. Baker refused a request by Gov. Perdue to file a lawsuit on behalf of Georgia challenging the constitutionality of the federal health care law. Mr. Baker said the state lacked a viable legal claim and the challenge -- which he said was likely to fail -- would cost the state money it could ill afford. The decision enraged Georgia Republicans. Gov. Perdue fired back that he will select an outside lawyer to handle the state's case free of charge and said the governor's phone lines have been clogged with calls urging the state to sue. GOP lawmakers last week filed a resolution directing Mr. Baker to comply with Gov. Perdue's request and file the lawsuit. Then on Tuesday, 31 Republican lawmakers introduced a resolution to impeach Mr. Baker for abdicating his constitutional duty. The measure isn't expected to make it to a floor vote. House Speaker David Ralston has been cool to the plan.
Threats Sent To Lawmaker Over Health Care Vote
A Georgia congressman whose district office was painted with a swastika during the health care debate continued to receive threats ahead of the historic vote. Spokesman Michael Andel says U.S. Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) has received threatening phone calls and letters as recently as this week. In August, the FBI and police investigated the vandalism incident at his Smyrna office, which occurred roughly a week after the moderate-liberal Democrat was involved in a confrontational argument over health care at a town hall meeting. Mr. Andel says only a handful of the correspondence sent to Rep. Scott's offices was violent or implied violence, and those were forwarded to authorities for investigation. He says most were vulgar or nasty in tone and originated outside of Rep. Scott's congressional district.
To comment on "News: Bookeristas & The Health Care Debate In Georgia", click here.
Neoafricain on Forza Berlusconi
Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi's center-right coalition made significant gains in weekend regional elections throughout Italy (including capturing four regions from the center-left opposition). Neoafricain, a French conservative blogger, writes about the election (commentary in French): "A bit of heart for the conservatives throughout Europe. The victory of the PDL (Freedom Party) and its ally the Northern League in regional elections, defeating the Left that almost all European media saw as the winners of this election. Note that these media have for some time have done everything to secure the fall of 'Il Cavaliere'. They relayed everything wrong that was said directly or indirectly about the Italian prime minister. His private life, judicial conflict, etc. Everything is past! The Left could not doubt, and was convinced that the global economic and social crisis would mathematically benefit it. This victory carries lessons for other European center-right parties." To comment on "Forza Berlusconi" post, click here.
Deroy Murdock: "More Ryan, Less Rove, Please"
The libertarian Republican commentator opines about U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.) versus former Bush adviser Karl Rove: "There is little silver lining in the pitch-black funnel cloud that is Obamacare, now the law of the land. For the American right, this grim occasion offers an opportunity to praise a rising star and excoriate another so-called Republican who deserves significant blame for this severe blow to limited government. Paul Ryan, take a bow. Karl Rove, go eat a cactus. Throughout the seemingly ceaseless health care debate, Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin displayed quick wit, clarity of expression and commitment to limited government - the precise characteristics that escaped so many Republican leaders during the Bush-Rove-Hastert-Frist years of 'compassionate conservatism.'"
Mr. Murdock zeroes in on U.S. Rep. Paul Ryan's ascedancy: "Mr. Ryan, 40, is chief Republican on the House Budget Committee, where he highlighted Obamacare's pitfalls. He did so most dramatically by confronting President Obama at the Feb. 25 bipartisan summit at Blair House. Chiding Obamacare's Enron accounting, Mr. Ryan said, 'Hiding spending does not reduce spending. And so, when you take a look at all of this, it just doesn't add up.' Mr. Ryan may have been the youngest policymaker at the table and surely was its most youthful - not bad in a party stereotyped as the home of wizened, bald men. Nonetheless, Mr. Ryan spoke his free-market truth to Mr. Obama's socialist power. Mr. Ryan emerged as a well-spoken brainiac who pierced the Democrats' illusion that Uncle Sam magically can buy 30 million people health insurance at a $2.5 trillion 10-year operating cost while simultaneously slashing the federal deficit. As Obamacare faces vigorous challenges in the courts and a rendezvous with enraged voters on Election Day, Mr. Ryan has yet more to offer. Among many prescriptions, Mr. Ryan's Roadmap for America's Future wisely would introduce a five-year spending freeze, 10-percent and 25-percent income tax rates, and voucherize much of Medicare and Medicaid. Save for his unfortunate vote for the federal bank bailout in fall 2008, this ascendant figure in American public life should inspire conservatives and free-marketeers to ask in moments of crisis: 'What would Paul Ryan do?'"
He gets his digs in on former President George W. Bush's key adviser: "Conversely, on such occasions, rightists should ask, 'What would Karl Rove do?' - And then dash the other way. Rove, 59, is on Fox News so often, he must live there. He occupies priceless column inches in every Thursday's Wall Street Journal. His spherical face mars the cover of his recently published door-stopper. His advice is as ubiquitous as dust. Yet a genuine mystery endures: Why does anyone listen to a syllable this man utters? 'The architect,' as George W. Bush called him, designed a skyscraper that supposedly would house, in Mr. Rove's words, a 'durable governing majority.' But, like earthquake victims crawling from the wreckage of Mr. Rove's 'architecture,' free-marketeers were wounded by fleeting Republican control of Congress and the executive branch. Republicans now do not govern while in the minority. Mr. Rove whispered in Mr. Bush's ear that if only Republicans impersonated Democrats, salvation would follow. While applauding tax cuts, rightists otherwise derided steel tariffs, farm bailouts, highway boondoggles, the Medicare drug entitlement, No Child Left Behind, and no pork left behind: As Citizens Against Government Waste reports, earmarks exploded from 4,326 under President Clinton in 2000 to 13,997 under Mr. Bush in 2005. Average, inflation-adjusted annual spending, according to the Cato Institute's Chris Edwards, more than tripled from 1.5 percent under Mr. Clinton to 4.9 percent under Mr. Bush. Even subtracting the war on terror, Homeland Security, defense spending and Katrina recovery, spending growth still averaged 4.2 percent annually, well ahead of that period's 2.8 percent average inflation rate. The GOP's reputation for fiscal discipline was crushed beneath the porcine weight of Mr. Rove's 'compassion.' Voters fired the Republican Congress in 2006, which ushered in Mr. Obama's victory in 2008 and the left's triumphant achievement of government medicine in 2010. Thanks, Karl."
To comment on "More Ryan, Less Rove, Please" post, click here.
News: Ghana's Center-Right
Ghana's feisty center-right will definitely bitterly oppose this move: the ruling National Democratic Congress government allegedly intends to phase out images of the "Big Six" - the individuals who led the way for Ghana's independence from Britain - from the new Ghana Cedi currency. The replacement? The image of the late socialist President Kwame Nkrumah (who is one of the "Big Six") by himself. “The pressure is coming from the Castle [Osu Castle, the seat of government]. There is a calculated attempt to delete the Danquah/Busia/Dombo tradition [the founding fathers of Ghanaian conservatism] from the country’s history", a source at the Bank of Ghana told Daily Guide (Ghana). "As we sit here, it is a done deal. All is set for the pictures to be removed,” the source said. When Daily Guide called Esi Hammond, Public Relations Officer of the Bank of Ghana, she said, “I have no idea. I am not aware of any such decision. I am currently on a holiday. All that I know is we are working on modalities on how to educate the public on the GH¢2 note which will be coming out,” she said.
The "Big Six" - Edward Akufo-Addo (former president whose son narrowly lost the 2008 presidential election as the center-right candidate), Ebenezer Arko-Adjei, William Ofori Atta, J.B. Danquah (a founding father of Ghanaian conservatism; think Jack Kemp-meets-James Madison), Kwame Nkrumah (who later became Ghana’s first president), Emmanuel Obetsebi-Lamptey (whose son heads up the center-right New Patriotic Party) - got their name when they were detained by British colonial authorities in 1948 following disturbances which led to the killing of three World War II veterans at the February 28th Crossroads.
NPP To Elect Its 2012 Presidential Candidate In JulyGhana's center-right is wasting little time in trying to get back in power, after losing the 2008 presidential election by less than 1 percent of the vote (after eight years in power). The New Patriotic Party has officially opened nominations for the 2012 presidential candidate, which will continue until May 7. The National Congress to elect the flagbearer will take place on Saturday, July 3. If none of the maximum five candidates (there's a vetting process in June if more than five people wish to be the candidate) gets more than 50% of the delegate votes on July 3, a runoff of the top two candidates will be held on Saturday, August 28.
To comment on "News: Ghana's Center-Right" post, click here.
FAYE ANDERSON OP-ED: Why Transparency Matters
The moderate-liberal blogger writes about tracking economic stimulus funds: "Today marks the end of the first quarter of Year Two of implementation of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. Recipients of stimulus funds must submit their quarterly reports beginning tomorrow. The reports will be posted here on April 30. But this we already know: More than a third of stimulus funds have been spent. And minority entrepreneurs are still asking: Where are the contracts? Roughly 80 percent of stimulus spending is at the state and local levels. But Pennsylvania is the only state that tracks and reports on minority business participation on stimulus-funded projects."
She continues her commentary: "Transparency matters. It is about having information in real-time so that the public can hold elected officials and policymakers accountable. In the absence of data, minority entrepreneurs will continue to complain. Right now, they don’t know whether their lack of access to stimulus opportunities is due to business as usual, lack of capacity, lack of capital or construction bonds, or lack of trying. Last weekend, I attended Transparency Camp 2010 in DC. While the event attracted its share of geeks and goo-goos, the discussions went beyond open government as an abstract ideal. Folks want access data to turn ideas into action, whether it’s election protection or MBE participation....The bottom line: In the public policy space, there’s no such thing as being too transparent. The more data the better."
To comment on "Why Transparency Matters" post, click here.
James Shikwati: "Africa Can Learn From China"
About advancing its interests on its own terms, the libertarian head of the Inter-Region Economic Network (Kenya) opines: "I must point out that I am writing this piece on my way to Beijing China. The closer I move to Beijing, the more I get fascinated by think tanks that drive China’s machine. It is simple; China figured out the strategic importance of writing its own rules of the game as opposed to playing other people’s games. In Africa, especially Sub-Sahara Africa, think tanks, academicians, elites and political leaders all struggle to fit into existing systems that were designed by a few Western nations to meet their own (Western) interests. It is sacrilegious to think of the world without the International Monetary Fund, The World Bank, and the paternalistic Western countries that have for centuries imposed their on values on the continent. It is interesting to observe how China is methodically pushing its own agenda in such a controlled system. China is happy to kick out Google and control its o[w]n cyber world; it is pushing to have its own currency, the Yuan, to become a global trading currency. The Chinese are keen to land on the moon and interestingly, they too are on environmental frontline for clean technology."
He continues his commentary: "What can Africa learn from China? The biggest lesson is that, the continent needs Africans. It is difficult, almost impossible, for Africa to tap into its vast natural wealth for the benefit of its people as long as we have citizens cast in a mold that shies away from the continent.F or us to learn from the West, China, India and Brazil among others, we must start by being Kenyans by extension Africans. The current set up is such that, we destroy the 'Africanness' in us for something else and then seek to yell about Pan Africanism. At the same time, we have surrendered the responsibility of facilitating the molding of Africans to [W]esterners, and may be soon to the Chinese!"
More commentary from Mr. Shikwati: "Let us start at home, drive to have Kenyans, East Africans and Africans. We will never develop this continent if we do not invest in the African person. African countries should push to have their own regional banks that can help cushion member states from shocks. We must urgently evaluate all the tools in use today, be it judiciary, governance, information and communication technology and education among others to tweak them to serve Africa’s interests. It may not be easy to rally African youth to be proud of the continent if we do not offer inspiration and direction that our continent ought to take. Africa has 54 countries, it is not impossible to draw on the common denominator of primary goods production that relegates us to consumers of third hand products to inspire action. China does offer lessons for Africa, if we take time to study how they are wrestling dominant global systems. The Chinese push for their interests; if we do not learn to push for our own, we will simply find ourselves in a new era. An era that will simply remold [W]esternized Africans into a [set of] Chinese Africans. In both cases, Africa still cries for its own baby."
To comment on "Africa Can Learn From China" post, click here.
3/30 News: Bookerista Politicos
Alabama: Artur Davis Leads In Poll, But Is There Trouble Ahead?
Public Policy Polling surveyed likely voters for the Democratic contest for governor. The poll - which wasn't commissioned by any candidate or organization in Alabama - shows the moderate Democrat leading Agriculture Commissioner Ron Sparks in the Democratic Party primary, 38 percent to 28 percent. However, it also found the health care reform bill especially popular among likely Democratic primary voters in Alabama, and called this a "warning sign" for Rep. Davis (who voted against the legislation). Eighty percent of Alabama Democrats said they supported the new law; 14 percent said they were opposed. Perhaps because of that, more Democratic voters have an unfavorable (34 percent) than favorable (28 percent) opinion of Rep. Davis.
Nevertheless, Rep. Davis leads Mr. Sparks with liberal, moderate, and conservative Democrats alike by margins ranging from 8 to 14 points. Mr. Sparks (who is white) is ahead 33-29 among white Democrats, but Rep. Davis has the overall lead in the primary race thanks to a 48-23 advantage among black Democrats.
Florida: Sarah Palin Backs Allen West
In a post on her Facebook page, former vice presidential candidate Sarah Palin endorsed three military veterans running for Congress. One of them was Mr. West, a conservative Republican and former lieutenant colonel who is running in Florida's 22nd Congressional District. Ms. Palin writes: "Many of you may have heard of Allen from a speech he gave last year that became a viral video on YouTube with over 2 million viewers. Allen’s personal story is a testament to the commonsense conservative belief that our nation’s greatness is rooted in freedom, because with freedom comes equal opportunity, and that, coupled with hard work, leads to success. Allen is a small government fiscal conservative running against a leftwing ideologue who’s marched to the beat of Nancy Pelosi on every issue from cap-and-tax to the stimulus, TARP, and, of course, Obamacare. It’s time to send Allen to Washington in his place. Please visit Allen’s website here to donate to his campaign, and follow him on Facebook and Twitter."
To comment on "3/30 News: Bookerista Politicos" post, click here.
Arthur Kobina Kennedy on Ethnic Tensions In Ghanaian Center-Right Politics
The author of Chasing The Elephant Into The Bush: The Politics Of Complacency – a controversial insider memoir about the 2008 presidential election campaign (where he served as the center-right New Patriotic Party candidate's communication director) which the NPP lost by less than one percent of the vote - discusses ethnic tensions between the Asantes (aka Ashantis) and Akyems for control of the NPP. He argues that competence, not ethnic background, should rule the day: "As a member of the NPP, whenever I see or hear of [former] President [John] Kufuor, I regard him as the NPP member who became President of Ghana, not as the Asante who became President. When I see or hear of Nana Akufo-Addo, I regard him as the former NPP Presidential candidate, not as the former Akyem Presidential candidate. When I see or hear of Vice-President Aliu Mahama, I regard him as an NPP member who served as Vice-President of Ghana, not as the former Dagomba Vice-President. I hope that for the good of our party, all of us will do the same. We must judge each and every party member by what he has or can contribute, not as the representative any faction or ethnic group."
He continues: "It may be that those obsessed with this debate have not considered its impact on the rest of us who are proud NPP members but neither Akyems nor Asantes. The futile discussion about this supposed rivalry creates the unfortunate impression that Asantes and Akyems matter more in our great party than the rest of us and that the rest of us are second-class party members. Furthermore, it is insulting to people who are not Asantes or Akyems and have won leadership positions when we consider them as mere pawns for Asantes and Akyems. The Fantis, Dagombas, Gas and all the other Ghanaians who belong to this party are indispensable to our success and we must avoid the temptation to make them feel devalued. Asantes and Akyems alone cannot win elections. Indeed, as I state in 'CHASING THE ELEPHANT INTO THE BUSH', all of us, kukrudites [NPP members], united, are not enough to win elections on our own. We need floating voters and regions as well as discerning and patriotic NDC members who are prepared to put Ghana ahead of their party for victories in 2012 and beyond."
Mr. Kennedy argues that the NPP better get its act together, or else the ruling socialist National Democratic Congress party will benefit: "While some of our best minds spend valuable time discoursing on the intricacies of this so-called rivalry which has been manufactured and fanned by our enemies to divide us, important work lies undone. From the rule of law to our freedom of expression to the protections of private property, the NDC is committing one outrage after another while we quarrel amongst ourselves. From education to job creation, the NDC's team B or C appears confused while we make up our minds about whether there is a useless rivalry between Asantes and Akyems or not. From putting money in the pockets of Ghanaians to reducing the price of petrol, the NDC is breaking promise upon promise while we quarrel on who said what when in some bygone days without the time to hold them to account for their betrayal of Ghanaians. While the NDC is dividing our country, we are focused on attacking one another and dividing ourselves instead of attacking them."
To comment on "Ethnic Tensions In Ghanaian Center-Right Politics" post, click here.
Is Sarah Palin Inciting Violence Against Democrats With Her Language? Bookerista Pro And Con
PRO: Lenny McAllister: "Reload The Roster Of Republican Rock Stars"
The conservative Republican in North Carolina isn't feeling the former Alaska governor's language on the tea party movement stump, which he argues could harm the Republican cause: "Throughout this past weekend, I sat and watched former Alaska Gov. Sarah Palin repeatedly and defiantly use questionable language during her addressing during two key events: a John McCain rally in Arizona and a Tea Party speech in Searchlight, Nev. Yes, I understand: both sides of the aisle have used terms such as 'reload' and 'target' for the longest time when it comes to campaign politics. I get it and, further, I can explain it away — usually. However, at a time when the level of violence coming from the fringe elements of both sides of the political aisle is escalating to a point where bricks and bullets have been projectiles aimed at congressmen, I expect a former vice presidential candidate — someone one heartbeat away from the presidency if elected — to have a greater sense of decorum and responsibility when speaking in such a charged atmosphere. I get that, too. Unfortunately, it seems that Mrs. Palin didn’t get it. At a time when conservatives and moderates are polarized against those supporting the current passage of 'Obamacare', the question Republicans must ask themselves if they are going to get the majority of votes in November is this: if they are going to capitalize on the momentum of Tea Party activism to gain wins in Congress, do they want someone such as Palin leading the charge?"
CON: Adrienne Ross: "The Left May Not Be Playing Stupid"
The conservative blogger in New York (pictured right, with Ms. Palin), who is on a committee in her state to draft Sarah Palin as a 2012 presidential candidate, opines: "Could the people on the Left and their lamestream media friends really be of the mind that Governor Palin is inciting violence when she discusses reloading? No matter how many times she has stated, even before this current nonsense, that violence is not the answer, they refuse to let it go, insisting that she is responsible for any thuggish behavior on the part of anyone. Could it be that they really believe that people have risen up to fight -- literally -- because Governor Palin wrote on her Facebook page that conservatives need to reload and target various Liberals come November? Again, anyone with an ounce of common sense knows that she was referring to the voting booth. Do these people really lack that common sense? This does seem to be the case, for I am observing them still marching down this ridiculous road. They are looking more and more stupid everyday."
To comment on "Is Sarah Palin Inciting Violence..." post, click here.
Education Website: GreatSchools
GreatSchools touts itself as America's leading source of information on school performance. It has listings of 200,000 public and private schools serving students from preschool through high school, and more than 800,000 parent ratings and reviews. With its theme of "Involved Parents. Successful Kids", it also offers tips to parents on health and development, academics and activities, learning disabilities, improving schools, and selecting the right school for their children.
To comment on "Education Website: GreatSchools" post, click here.
News: Technology In Africa
Video Game Technology From Africa For Your iPhone
Through centuries, Africa's Masai tribesmen have struggled against marauding predators. Now a virtual version of that struggle is happening on an iPhone near you. "Defend your village by feeding and driving away the animals before they crash it and feed on your livestock and garden!" explains a summary of the game "iWarrior" in Apple's App Store. Threats include "thundering elephants," "mighty rhinos," "swift cheetahs" and "crafty hyenas."
The iWarrior game has won praise for its graphics, music and concept. "IWarrior is 'a feed 'em up game, not a shoot 'em up,'" as co-creator Eyram Tawiah put it. Mr. Tawiah, a Ghanan, and Wesley Kirinya, a Kenyan, both 26, overcame considerable obstacles to develop the first product of their startup, Leti Games. The game has been described as Africa's first commercial contribution to the multibillion-dollar computer gaming industry — certainly the first from "true Africa", as Mr. Kirinya put it. Every element of "iWarrior" — the mechanics, the graphics, the music — was created by Leti, which means star in the Ewe language of Ghana, or outsourced to techies in East Africa or West Africa, Mr. Kirinya said.
Texting Technology Fights Drug Counterfeiting In Africa
The World Health Organization estimates that a third of all pharmaceuticals sold in developing countries are fake. A UN report says the worldwide market for fake drugs has grown by 90 percent since 2005, to an estimated $75 billion this year. What could resource-poor countries do to stop the counterfeiting? "The only state-of-the-art infrastructure we have is our cellphone network," says Ashifi Gogo, a Ghana native and Dartmouth College (USA) graduate.
Mr. Gogo had started a company, Sproxil, to employ mobile phones in organic farming, but by the time he had the technology ready in 2005, that industry had peaked. He instead took his plans to nearby Nigeria, which was losing its battle against drug counterfeiters. He found a champion in Nigeria's drug-safety agency, and worked with officials and a major Nigerian drug company to develop an anti-counterfeiting system. Now, medication with Mr. Gogo's patented "Mobile Product Authentication" system comes with a scratch-off code on the packaging. Consumers enter the code into their phones and receive a text response verifying the authenticity of the product. Mr. Gogo also is working to extend the technology to customs officers, helping to stop counterfeit medications from even entering the country.
To comment on "News: Technology In Africa" post, click here.
Is The Tea Party Movement Racist?: Bookerista Views
Bob Parks: "The Media Race-Inciting One-Way Street"
The conservative Republican blogger in Virginia and Tea Party rally participant takes issue with liberals who make such claims about the movement: "A couple of days ago on MSNBC, David Shuster called me a n___r. Later, Chris Matthews called me a sellout. Keith Olbermann called me a Little Black Sambo. CNN’s Rick Sanchez called me a biscuit-and-chicken eatin’ white wannabe. Now, if I had publicly made these claims, these media celebs would be demanding I produce video clips of these incendiary statements, and if I couldn’t, they’d justifiably be on the phone with their lawyers. On March 20th during the Tea Party protests, members of the Congressional Black Caucus chose (and I use that word tactically) to walk through the throng to go vote for the Health Care Reform bill. Surely, if the Tea Party were one generation removed from the Klan (which incidentally was a Democrat Party creation), they might’ve either taken a different route or would’ve had an armed escort greater than less than a handful of Capitol Hill cops. I’m personally amazed that the objective mainstream media has failed to produce ONE video or audio clip (out of the many shot by citizens) that backs up the claim of Congressman John Lewis who says he was called a n___r by a Tea Party bomb thrower."
He continues his commentary: "The media is in perfect sync, running with this template that the Tea Party is this violent and racist horde. Funny how my son and I went to the two large protests in Washington, D.C. and the only names I was called was my own as I ran into many people who knew me and assaulted me with hugs and poses for pictures. Other blacks and minorities in attendance (who curiously seemed to run and hide from mainstream media cameras) didn’t seem at all concerned for their safety. In fact, in all the Tea Parties held nationwide, how many arrests were made for disorderly conduct or property damage? Knowing the crack media as we do, if such disturbances occurred, we’d see those images right along with the audible racial slurs hurled at CBC members at an O.J.-like pace. But alas, either the media has done a very sloppy job at reporting, or....those events never happened."
Lloyd Marcus: "Update From The Road With The Tea Party Express"
The conservative Republican entertainer in Florida, who has participated in 100+ Tea Party rallies across the country, also slams claims that the movement is racist: "As a black patriot, I have never felt a racist atmosphere nor a hint of violence. Yes, attendees are angry. It is the patriotic duty of all who love America to be angry. Today, several tea party attendees hugged me with tears streaming down their cheeks as they thanked me for standing up for our country. Several were also extremely moved by my signature proclamation that I am not a hyphenated American. They called me brother."
He continues his commentary: "The media is littered with articles and news stories about the alleged 'n' word incident in Washington DC. Black [D]emocrats claim they were called the 'n' word fifteen times by a bunch of angry white tea party activists. I believe the accusation is a lie. First of all, in our high tech everyone has a cell phone video camera age, video of the incident would be posted everywhere if the incident really happened. Also, as I said, I have attended over 100 tea parties. I know my fellow patriots. If a knucklehead yelled the 'n' word, the crowd would have immediately verbally attacked the idiot. This accusation is another sleazy divisive attempt by an arrogant bunch of characterless [D]emocrat race exploiters and their homeys in the liberal mainstream media to dis' millions of patriots who refused to sheepishly surrender our freedom, liberty and culture to their beloved messiah, Obama. And another thing, after passing ObamaCare against our will via corrupt backdoor deals, why on earth should we believe anything the Democrats say regarding racist comments and threats made against them? They lie! They are characterless. They are undeserving of our respect and any benefit of the doubt."
Frances Rice: "Do Democrats Commit Hate Crimes Against Black Republicans?"
The conservative head of the National Black Republican Association, who has participated in at least one Tea Party rally, writes in an op-ed posted to the Yahoo! Black Conservatives usergroup: "At the core of why Democrats are feverishly painting conservatives and Republicans as racist, especially Tea Party activists, is the need to divert the public's attention away from the fact that President Barack Obama and the Democrats in control of Congress are slowly and deliberately transforming America from a free society with a representative form of government into a socialist dictatorship. A move applauded by the Cuban Communist dictator Fidel Castro."
She continues: "What Obama and the Democrats are ignoring while trying to silence protestors with charges of racism is the fact that average American citizens are angry because they do not want socialism. They understand that ObamaCare and Obama's out-of-control spending will produce massive deficits, high costs for consumer goods and fewer jobs. Citizens have tried to communicate this message to Obama and the Democrats in every way possible, from protesting in record numbers to historic votes against Democrats in New Jersey, Virginia and Massachusetts. Obama and the Democrats have chosen, at their peril, to ignore the will of the people and enact the economy-wrecking ObamaCare with one-party rule, bribing unprincipled Democrats with sleazy deals."
After discussing how various black center-rightists from Dr. Condoleezza Rice to Kenneth Gladney were maligned by liberals, Ms. Rice writes: "If our soldiers did and do voluntarily put their lives on the line to preserve our freedoms, then we can do no less. If Dr. King had the courage to fight for civil rights for blacks in the face of racist slurs by Democrats and threats of imprisonment or death, then we surely have the courage to stand up for our civil liberties in the face of such threats. This we owe to ourselves, our country and future generations."
Dennis Sanders: "Know Thy Neighbor"
The moderate Republican in Minnesota isn't feeling the tea party movement, but argues that liberals are overplaying their hand by smearing the entire movement as racist: "I think one can make the legit[i]mate case that the Tea Partier’s protests don’t make a whole lot of sense at times. But I do not see where one can get to play arm chair [sic] psychologist and assume that the entire movement is basically the Klan sans burning crosses. The recent protests on health care reform on Capitol Hill, where racial and homophobic epithets were spewed, have allowed liberals to think the worst about conservatives. Instead of seeing this as an incident where some Tea Partiers, who were racist, decided to act churlishly, it gave them license to tar the entire movement with the charge of racism. The condemnable acts gave them the green light to say what they probably already believe: that anyone who is not like them is a racist."
He zeroes in on two liberal writers: "I have to wonder if either [Charles] Blow or [Frank] Rich have ever met a real conservative and try to get to know them. If they did, they would find out that conservatives are not racist monsters they paint them to be. They would also know that the Tea Party has a strong black voice, if they ever consider reading such blogs at Hip-Hop Republican or BookerRising, they will find that the movement is anything but lilly white. I sometimes wonder: have Blow or Rich ever met anyone from the Tea Party and talk to them? One would hope that people who work for a newspaper would put on the reporters cap and try to figure out the movement instead of sitting in an office in Manhattan and making up stuff about people you don’t know. The racial and homophobic epithets must be condemned. But don’t use such ugly remarks to cast aspersions on a group you don’t really care to know."
To comment on "Is The Tea Party Movement Racist?" post, click here.
AFROCITY COMMENTARY: Sin Tax Era: America The Not So Beautiful
The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in Chicago, Ill. writes: "Over the last year, I have noticed that I am taxed for doing everything wrong and nothing right. I don’t own a home so I am a dirt bag in the eyes of the IRS. I don’t have children so I am an even bigger dirt bag. It is actually 'greener' not to have a child but will the feds give me a tax break for that? Nope, instead they tax me for drinking bottled water and 10.25% sales tax for living in a major liberal city. The sin tax fever has also spread like a disease into our day to day and necessary life event transactions. After all, isn’t this is the heyday of liberalism and shouldn’t life imitate government?"
She continues her commentary about feeling nickled and dimed: "This 'make em’ pay' for their sins mentality translates into fees for the petty residual activities that we have to do just to make our lives work. You see dear readers, if you have to perform step A in order to move to step B, then you must be charged for it. I am moving this week, which is why I have been behind in blogging. Let me demonstrate how moving is a sin. Afrocity must move from apartment A to apartment B. In order to move, I must reserve an elevator. My reservation requires an administrative fee of $500 to move out of apartment A. What can I do, right? I must move out so I have to pay the fee. Meanwhile Apartment B - the place I MUST move in to, requires an administrative fee of $600 to move in. What can I do, right? I must move in so I have to pay the fee. Additionally when I went to pick up my keys and parking permit, I was told that there was another administrative fee for getting the actual permit. Meaning $100 for my actually picking up the permit. I pay an extra $175 a month in my rent for the parking spot but it was a one time administrative fee of $100 to actually pick up the permit."
More commentary from Afrocity: "Every apartment I looked at had a move in/move out fee. Even the small brownstone apartments. Sure everybody, you already charge us tax for the shit we like to do such as smoking, drinking bottled water, eating junk food. Now lets get together and figure out how to charge people for the shit they MUST do. If you MUST do it let’s charge you for it. On an airplane if you are on a long trip, you must check your bags. Let’s charge you for it. Actually this is a great strategy to screw people put of all sorts of money and their freedom. Obama and his liberal minions have pushed healthcare into that all important MUST HAVE category. If you don’t want it, you will pay."
To comment on "Sin Tax Era" post, click here.
Why So Few Blacks Join Immigration Rallies: An Omission
Over at TheRoot.com, Cord Jefferson has a piece that seeks to examine why so few black immigrants have joined the pro-illegal-immigration rallies that are calling for amnesty. He writes: "To be sure, knowing the statistics -- 76 percent of America's illegal immigrants are Hispanic, according to the Pew Hispanic Center -- a majority Latino presence was to be expected. And according to the Population Reference Bureau, in 2005, there were only 2,815,000 foreign-born blacks in America (compared to nearly 18 million foreign-born Hispanics). But in Washington, D.C., estimated to be the home of more than 150,000 Ethiopian immigrants and their descendants, the lack of black protesters was downright odd. Ultimately, it raised an important question to consider in the days leading up to the Obama administration's grapple with America's immigration problems: Why don't black immigrants have an affinity for the reform movement?"
He continues: "One thing we do know is that, despite their relatively small presence, black immigrants are often the most upwardly mobile ethnic group functioning in the United States today, even more than foreign-born white Americans. For instance, as journalist Clarence Page noted in 2007's 'Black immigrants: an invisible model minority,' in 2000 '43.8 percent of African immigrants had achieved a college degree, compared to 42.5 of Asian Americans, 28.9 percent for immigrants from Europe, Russia and Canada, and 23.1 percent of the U.S. population as a whole.' In 2005, a fifth of Caribbean or Latin American-born blacks in America had degrees. And according to a 2006 study by sociologists at Princeton and University of Pennsylvania, of the black students attending Ivy League colleges, 41 percent were either immigrants themselves or children of immigrants. If the statistics are to be believed, then it would seem that there's some truth to the quip that a Jamaican immigrant offered while Page was researching his article: 'I'm too busy working two jobs to worry about the white man's racism.'"
More from Mr. Jefferson: "Grace Orjih is a registered nurse who immigrated to St. Louis from Nigeria in late 1969. She's since become a naturalized citizen. In Orjih's estimation, save for people like war refugees, black immigrants in America are generally burdened with less desperation than their Latino counterparts. Subsequently, they're less often forced into circumstances -- financial, residential, etc. -- that comprehensive immigration reform would remedy. 'Africans come here legally for the most part, and they come here with a goal in mind,' she says. 'If you look at the Latino group, they're in more dire straits than we are. You hear about Latino immigrants crossing the borders and dying and things. They have a lot more to gain and a lot to lose if things don't work out the way they want.'
While an interesting topic, what I found interesting was that Mr. Jefferson - who previously wrote a piece about how illegal immigration stifles black progress - didn't explore one possible explanation: Hispanic (and here I'm talking about non-black Hispanics) racism and hostility towards blacks. While we've seen articles ad nauseum from liberals about there not being enough blacks in the tea party movement and how that is allegedly a reflection of racism, there is no similar analysis about the pro-illegal-immigration movement which is facing the same dearth of black faces. Hmmmm.....Where is the post-modern deconstruction of how the pro-illegal-immigration movement could be viewed as a brown movement about Latino power, Hispanic protest against black, white, or Asian competition, or how the pro-illegal-immigration movement is about a self-consciously Latino working-class movement that pays lip service to "diversity", trots out a few tokens, but shuts out other voices. And this excludes the Hispanic nationalist groups and reconquistas (i.e., folks who seek to have parts of America revert back to Mexican rule) who have infiltrated the pro-illegal-immigration movement.
To comment on "Why So Few Blacks Join Immigration Rallies" post, click here.
Mixed Results For New York City's Anti-Poverty Program That Paid $14 Million To Poor
Samuel Gonzalez, a conservative Republican in New York City, writes: "The New York Post reports:
An experimental anti-poverty program that pays poor New Yorkers for good behavior like getting health insurance and attending parent-teacher conferences has had mixed results. Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s pilot program began in 2007 and the first analysis was released Tuesday.I bet those countries were European socialists [sic] democracies. No doubt this stupid idea came from the warped minds of the Liberal Intelligentsia that thought so little of the dignity and self respect of poor people. How demeaning is it to one’s character to think that’s it’s acceptable to receive money for activities that should be done simply because it’s the right thing to do. I was offended by this because it was an attack on self-worth in the guise of government offering a helping 'money hand'. But, it seems the only people surprised by this program’s failure are the very same Liberals who think the lowly poor are incapable of rising above their condition without their help. These Libs will never learn!"
In two years, 2,400 participating families were paid a total of $14 million. Payments averaged about $3,000 a year per family. The money came from private donations.
The city said participants improved on several targets. More people established bank accounts and stopped using costly check cashing services. More people saw the dentist.
The rewards had no effect on school performance and attendance for young children or low-performing high schoolers.
The idea was modeled on efforts in other countries.
To comment on "New York City's Anti-Poverty Program" post, click here.
The Grand Old Party Has A Grand Time At Lesbian Bondage Club On Donors' Dime: Bookerista Response
As you know, the Republican National Committee is embroiled in controversy after conservative website The Daily Caller, released the latest report about Republican National Committee chairman Michael Steele's spending habits and his affinity for flying private jets at the RNC's expense. The story also insinuated that the moderate-conservative Republican honcho dropped more than $15,000 of committee money on a recent trip to the Los Angeles area, including $1,946.25 for "meals" at Voyeur West Hollywood, a bondage-themed nightclub featuring topless strippers imitating lesbian sex." We now know that Mr. Steele wasn't big pimpin' at Voyeur, but flying back to D.C. from Hawaii (where the RNC retreat had taken place) when the Voyeur event happened in the L.A. area. Allison Meyers, the junior RNC staffer who accompanied the RNC Young Eagles (which targets big donors under age 40) to the club and then expensed the nearly $2,000 tab has been fired. This firing happened even though two top RNC officials approved the reimbursement. Erik Brown, a member of the Young Eagles donor club who foot the bill and was reimbursed for the expense, has verbally agreed to repay the funds to the RNC.
Personally, I don't have a problem with the outing. If I was a Republican and a member of the RNC Young Eagles club, I'd have been in the mix (I ain't gonna front) and it would be to try something new. I may have even slipped a bill with former President Andrew Jackson on it to some clean-cut-like-Kerry-Washington-or-Gabrielle-Union-looking type chick dancing in the joint - if Voyeur employs such dancers - while simultaneously sipping on some fruity, non-alcoholic beverage. But I'm not socially conservative, so that's me. However, no way should this outing have been charged back to the RNC...especially given that the GOP's platform ain't exactly gay-friendly. The RNC's donor base has a right to be upset. Bookeristas weigh in:
Clifton B.: "They Ain't Your Daddy's Type Of Republicans"
The conservative Republican blogger in New Jersey slams the RNC Young Eagles program for the unofficial trip: "You know what the good Lord says about ye who is without sin? Let’s just say I ain’t picking up any stones. The idea that all Republicans are supposed to be pure as driven snow is a leftwing meme that we all know isn’t true. I have met plenty of Republicans who know how to PARTY. So what I am about to say isn’t coming from the point of a prude."
More: "The issue here though is what is to be gained by soliciting donations in this manner? We all know that big donors tend to get listen to over little ones. The evening described above reminds me so much of my Wall Street days. Many of the young execs ups would go out and tear up the town with their expense accounts. For the most part they were of the jerk persuasion. So do we really want young jerks having influence in the Republican Party? Perhaps this is why, the Republican Party is a little top heavy with feather headed RINOs [Republicans In Name Only] and power hungry elitists. Like the old saying goes, don’t mix business with pleasure."
Tony Campbell: "Let My Republicans Go...."
The moderate Republican in Maryland writes: "In the politically ironic story of the week, it appears that the RNC this week has been caught with its’ hand in the proverbial cookie jar at a risque night club in LA. This week is Easter, but it is also the week of Passover for people of the Jewish faith. The political irony is that Republicans (who are supposedly more moral than their left wing counterparts) are being ridiculed for re-reimbursing an event at a bondage themed club during Passover week – the biblical event that freed the Hebrews from bondage. Go figure."
Mr. Campbell continues his commentary: "In response to the uproar, the RNC has already let a staffer go, DMI [fundraising firm that had a contract with the RNC] will probably be let go by several clients, and it remains to be seen if RNC chair Michael Steele will be let go. You have got to love Republicans. Just when you thought they might be making up ground on Obamacare, and actually might have a shot of redeeming themselves for the mid-terms, they find inventive ways to make their job harder..."
To comment on "Grand Old Party" post, click here.
Is This The New Face Of Hip Hop?
Booker Rising response: Oh Lawd, an Eminem wannabe with a harder look and probably half the skill. Although Yelawolf claims that his father is part Native American/part white and his mother is white (with distant Native American ancestry) and he says he is "mixed up", so it doesn't sound like he claims the "white" tag that Sandra put on him. About 95% of rappers these days are crap, and bring nothing new. If black Americans are about to create a new genre - a much better one, since we are about a decade overdue for doing it given our history - then I'm OK with ditching hip hop if folks aren't improving it. But um, is Sandra forgetting Eminem's rampant drug abuse? Britney Spears? Wasn't Lindsay Lohan (hey, she had a music career) caught with a ton of coke on her shoes just the other day? And let's not forget the drug abuse history and jail stints of the original solo, successful white rapper: Vanilla Ice.
To comment on "Is This The New Face Of Hip Hop?" post, click here.
Commander-In-Chief Obama Shows People That A President Is Different From An Unbound Civil Rights Leader
Constructive Feedback, a conservative blogger in metro Atlanta, Ga., writes: "Tavis Smiley Reports March 31st PBS Tavis Smiley reviews the legacy of Dr King with regards to his critical comments about the US war in Vietnam. He then does some amount of comparison to the war efforts of President Obama. (I have not yet seen the video and thus can't detail the extent of this contrast). Per the Democracy Now interview [done] it appears that Tavis Smiley assembles his standard set of 'friends' to provide a leftist critique of the President and how he has come up short from his words of peace said on the campaign trial."
He continues his commentary: "It appears to me that the indictment should be rendered against these Progressive-Fundamentalists. While they are allowed to reside on their mountain called 'the moral high ground' Barack Obama has ascended to the office of the 'Commander In Chief'. He has not changed. His responsibility has changed per the office that he now holds. It is THEY who chose to believe that he might radically abandon the duties and the legacy of the office and choose their perverted course of action. They now claim to be gently nudging the President who they helped elect into power on the winds of CHANGE to now correct his course. The truth is that:
* No amount of dead US troops in 'illegal wars' under his watch
* No amount of failed schools in areas that their machine already has control over
* No amount of economic erosion suffered by 'the Least Of These' while his policies have been enacted and regulated by the Democratic Congress
Will stop them from trying harder for him in 2012. After all - a course correction requires more time. WHO IS THE BIGOT in this set up? They are unable to see that they now are living in the scenario that those who struggled for us had once aspired for. Their machine controls all of the key variables but with their monotone megaphone trained upon the people they are allowed to set the narrative of their own story. Absent from this story is any sense of self-critique with the possibility of self-expulsion."
More: "In this battle between King and Obama I am forced to make the distinction between a man who was on the outside of the official channels of government and thus was agitating that it live up to its creed versus a man who is in the seat of power and thus is forced by the circumstance of reality to captain the ship of state. The real indictment is against the entire machine which has built itself up from every local Black community through to the White House and Congress. They no longer 'agitate' against the person sitting in the seat which is failing them as they did before. Now they struggle to make him successful. Instead of 'Speaking Truth To Power' they now speak as if they are standing in his shoes. Now when they speak the 'wind' that is created merely spins the windmills that they are chasing so doggedly."
To comment on "Commander In Chief Obama..." post, click here.
