"Do you see the bitter irony here? The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, the largest recipient of nonprofit funds going toward breast-cancer research, has literally given millions of dollars over the past five years to the organization responsible for the largest number of killings of innocent babies in the history of the world, Planned Parenthood. Another bitter irony is that 70 percent of NFL players are black men, and almost 40 percent of all abortions are by black mothers killing their black babies, many of which are financed or facilitated by white liberal Democratic organizations. So when the NFL and black players like Chad Ochocinco, who constantly tweets how much pink he is going to wear, foolishly think they are supporting breast-cancer awareness, in reality they are funding the genocide of their own race." — Ellis Washington, conservative Republican commentator, on the NFL celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month in October
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10/31 Quote Of The Day
10/30 FLASHBACK SONG OF THE DAY: KC & The Sunshine Band, "That's The Way (I Like It)" (1975)
Extra busy, so this will be the only post for today. "That's The Way (I Like It)" went #1 on the U.S. pop chart, the U.S. Black Singles chart (now called the R&B chart, a rare feat at the time for a group led by a white artist), and the U.S. dance chart. It also went #4 in Britain:
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10/29 FLASHBACK SONG OF THE DAY: Klymaxx, "Meeting In The Ladies Room" (1985)
Thanks to Pandora, I've heard this song for the first time in awhile. Klymaxx's cut went #4 on the U.S. R&B chart and #22 on the U.S. dance chart:
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U.S. Congressional Races: Bookerista Candidates
Earlier this year, Britain showed that 2010 was the Year Of The Black Conservative. Will the Republican Party match or surpass what Britain's Conservative Party did this year? The Brits went from one black conservative in the House of Commons, to four black conservatives (this excludes the black conservative in the appointed House of Lords). In USA, there were 37 black Republican candidates for Congress. However, only 15 of them garnered their party's nomination in the primary election and thus remain. Patriot PAC has endorsed these 15 candidates in its Operation Black Storm project. The media has discussed the GOP's rising black stars. Others cite the tea party movement is a key reason for the rise, and see history-making on Election Day.
On the Democratic side, there are three moderates or moderate-liberals running for Congress. Two are incumbents and one is a challenger.
Running In A Safe District; Extremely Likely To Win
David Scott, 64 — "The New Democrat"
Atlanta, Georgia | U.S. Congressman | Moderate-Liberal Democrat
Rep. Scott is chillin' this election cycle because he is in a strongly Democratic district (Cook Partisan Voting Index: D+15) in Atlanta metro. His re-election is a foregone conclusion. Although he took flak for voting for Obamacare after a highly publicized confrontation with a constituent (including a swastika spray painted at his congressional office in Georgia painted by anonymous folks), he only has token opposition.
Background: Rep. Scott is a member of the Blue Dog Coalition (moderate and conservative House Democrats) and New Democrat Coalition (centrist House Democrats). He also owns a billboard advertising company. Rep. Scott has a Bachelor's degree in finance from Florida A&M University (where he pledged Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity), and an MBA from the University of Pennsylvania.
Georgia, 13th Congressional District Demographics: 92.08% urban, 7.92% rural. 47.0% white, 44.1% black, 10.1% Hispanic, 5.1% Asian, 0.3% Native American, 0.1% other. Median household income: $43,429.
Campaign: Rep. Scott has campaigned on a platform of public education, increasing government involvement in health care, public transportation, and health care. Yes, he is a fiscal liberal and social liberal. However, he is a moderate on foreign policy issues.
Possible Historic Impact: Continuing to be one of the very few black Congressmen who represent a plural-majority white district.
Tim Scott, 45 — "The Local Politician"
Charleston, South Carolina | South Carolina House of Representatives | Conservative Republican
He might as well start ordering his Congressional letterhead. Mr. Scott is running in a Republican-dominant district (Cook Partisan Voting Index: R+10) that hasn't had a Democratic congressional rep since 1981. In the Republican primary, he beat two scions of South Carolina politics: the son of the infamous late Sen. Strom Thurmond and the son of former South Carolina Governor Carroll Campbell Jr. (and six other candidates). His opponent in the general election is a black liberal Democrat who has perennially run for office and raised little money for his candidacy.
Background: Besides serving in the South Carolina House of Representatives since 2008, Mr. Scott is an insurance agency owner and a partner in Pathway Real Estate Group LLC. Mr. Scott served on the Charleston County Council for 13 years. He has a B.A. in political science from Charleston Southern University.
South Carolina, 1st Congressional District Demographics: Mostly urban. 74.8% white, 21.1% black, 2.5% Hispanic, 1.3% Asian, 0.4% Native American, 0.2% other. Median household income: $40,713.
Campaign: Mr. Scott has campaigned on a platform of limited government, lower taxes and government spending, repealing Obamacare, and cracking down on illegal immigration. He is a tea party movement fave, and is endorsed by the fiscally conservative Club For Growth. I've noticed that his signs always note that he's a "conservative Republican', probably to undercut assumptions that because he's black that he's a liberal. Mr. Scott has raised more than $900,000 in his congressional bid. Not bad, considering he has only token opposition in next week's election.
Possible Historical Impact: Mr. Scott will probably be the one credited with being the first black Republican elected to Congress from the South since Reconstruction (since the 1870s), and the first black Republican to serve in Congress since J.C. Watts in 2003. Even if other black Republicans win on Election Day, the election returns from his district will come in first because of (1) location (East Coast) and (2) the probably wide vote margin.
Bawumia Takes Noise Out Of Ghana's Political Economy
The Ghanaian center-right is buzzing about Mahamudu Bawumia's new book, which is billed as the first comprehensive book about Ghana's monetary policy. The Oxford University economist (who is a member of Ghana's center-right New Patriotic Party) is a former First Deputy Governor of the Bank of Ghana. Gabby Asare Otchere-Darko, the libertarian-conservative head of the Danquah Institute (Ghana) gives a thumbs up to the book: "While effortlessly suppressing his political bias, what comes clear in the book is the author’s passion for Ghana’s development. He believes the only way forward is for Ghana to move from a cash-based economy to an electronic payment based economy. He uses a project he engineered, the e-Zwich, to show the possibilities. But, adds that it can only be possible if it is given particular political push."
Mr. Otchere-Darko continues his book review: "He moves on to indicate that to move from a cash-based economy, the banks have to stop being elitist. And, a myriad of policies cannot bring interest rates down unless our saving habits improve and the supply of savings improves. The experience of other more developed economies shows the key to sustainable low interest rates is to increase access of the population to financial services alongside maintaining macroeconomic stability. Macroeconomic stability on its own is insufficient. Part of the solution, he believes, is to rapidly increase the concept of rural banking."
More about Dr. Bawumia's seminal book: "Bawumia, a passionate believer in Ghana’s potential to think big and act big, is opposed to government interference and uses Ghana’s own development experiences and experiments to make the case that state-ownership or reliance on the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and donor support cannot be the solution. He makes the point that one of the keys to dealing with the problem of fiscal dominance and its threat to macroeconomic stability is empowering the private sector to deliver projects and services that can be done more efficiently by it or in partnership with government."
Discuss "Bawumia Takes Noise Out Of Ghana's Political Economy" post here.
4 Days To Go: Bookeristas Discuss The U.S. Midterm Election
Bookeristas across two continents are keeping an eye on the U.S. midterm election:
BOOKERISTA OF THE YEAR: Thomas Sowell: "A Crossroad Election"
Asserts the conservative economist in California: "Most elections are about particular policies, particular scandals or particular personalities. But these issues don't mean as much this year-- not because they are not important, but because this election is a crossroads election, one that can decide what path this country will take for many years to come. Runaway 'stimulus' spending, high unemployment and ObamaCare are all legitimate and important issues. It is just that freedom and survival are more important."
Dr. Sowell continues his commentary about next week's election: "The headstrong, know-it-all willfulness of this administration, which threatens our freedom at home, also threatens our survival in the international jungle, because Obama seems determined to do nothing that will stop Iran from going nuclear. The Obama administration goes through all sorts of charades at the U.N. and signs international agreements on sanctions that have been watered down to the point where they are not about to bring Iran's nuclear weapons program to a halt. The purpose is not to stop Iran but to stop the American people from realizing what Obama is doing or not doing. We have a strange man in the White House. This election is a crossroads, because either his power will be curbed by depriving him of his huge Congressional majorities or he will continue on a road that jeopardizes both our freedom and our survival."
Neoafricain: "USA: Alternance Parlementaire En Vue (A Different Congress In View)!"
The conservative blogger in France hopes that conservatives prevail on Election Day. He's particularly rooting for black conservative Allen West and Hispanic conservative Marco Rubio (original op-ed in French): "Day after day, month after month, which initially appeared as a flicker of a mood materializes right before our eyes. Americans' alienation against the Democratic administration that had really began by adopting the stupid and costly health care reform has snowballed to favor the Republicans winning back the majority of the lower chamber (the House) and to make significant gains in the Senate. They also have the tea party movement, as leaders Glenn Beck and Sarah Palin have succeeded in giving visibility and direction to these protests. Moderate Republicans and Independents also join the ranks of those who want to beat Obama at the ballot box. Many of them believed in 2008 that Obama was a moderate who'd promote bipartisanship, but found that on many subjects he was the leftist that we conservatives have proclaimed from the beginning!"
Neoafricain continues his commentary about America's election next week: "The Republicans have a clear message this year: reducing public spending (see the very clear YOUCUT !), back to basics (less government intervention, more private enterprise; firm border security with Mexico and strength in the world (Iran, Afghanistan, etc....) and especially national pride. They will change Obama's "Blame America First" mindset. As a bonus, a whole new generation of Republican candidates are poised to win; among them, Blacks, Latinos, and women. This seriously complicates the media's task of quickly accusing those who don't support Democrats of being racist and sectarian. The significant difference between the 'minority' Republican candidates and their Democratic counterparts is that the former group unconditionally love America and dislike any kind of victimization. They are likely to have their chance, but two of them have impressed me. Their journey is impressive and they are a pleasure to learn more about. The Senate candidate Marco Rubio and House candidate Allen West. Good luck to them!"
Obama Appears On Jon Stewart's Show: Bookerista Reaction
Duane Brayboy: "Don't Disrespect The 'Prezident'!"
The conservative blogger in Georgia argues that black liberals who argue that comedian Jon Stewart was out of order in calling U.S. President Barack Obama "dude" while on his show need to get a grip: "I don’t get it. The online Black elite raise pure Cain, Abel, Adam and Eve anytime someone does not address Obama as 'President' Obama (never mind the fact that every other President in the past is always called by their last name in general discourse). Sooooo, Jon Stewart calls Obama (sorry), President Obama 'Dude' and suddenly the choir can’t find a note. #figgathatoutandgetbacktome"
Walaa Idris: "Yes, We Can! But...."
The Conservative Party activist in Britain writes about the appearance: "Watching Obama with Jon Steward [sic] on the Daily Show was entertaining and funny (I guess it was suppose[d] to be) but at the same time it was personally vindicating for me – because I never once bought into all the hoopla and that 'hopey-changey' none sense [sic] he was peddling to America and the rest of the world. I suspected all along that he is an empty vessel decorated with great sounding rhetoric and a gift for pulling the right heartstrings given the correct aid, in his case, a teleprompter and an audience. America wanted and even needed change and he embodied it! It was that simple!"
Ms. Idris continues her commentary about America's president: "But after 20 month[s] in office, and trillions of dollars down the pan, Obama’s best achievement is a Health Care [plan] most people neither want nor understand and as he puts it 'We have done things that some folks don’t even know about' – plus of course a new slogan 'Yes we can, but ….' The Daily show might be a spoof, but the message people got from it was painfully real."
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John Avlon: "GOP's 2010 Slate Shows Growing Diversity"
Asserts the moderate commentator: ""For starters, there are 14 African-American GOP congressional nominees this year. By comparison, 2008 saw roughly half as many black GOP nominees -- and none won. Judging by the polls, at least three of this year's African-American candidates look likely to win: South Carolina's Tim Scott, Colorado's Ryan Frazier and Florida's Allen West. That would total in one year the number of African-American Republicans elected to Congress since the civil rights era. Granted, it's still a far cry from the numbers on the Democratic side -- there are 48 African-American Democratic nominees this year -- but it's a significant step in the right direction."
More commentary from Mr. Avlon: "But the biggest shifts may be in the governor races, where Nevada's Brian Sandoval and New Mexico's Susana Martinez are poised to win the GOP two Hispanic governors in the Southwest. These candidates have far broader appeal than, for example, Sharron Angle, who is running on the same ticket as the pro-choice, former judge, Sandoval. And if Nikki Haley wins in South Carolina, she and Louisiana's Bobby Jindal will be the nation's first two Indian-American governors. Taken together, these Hispanic and Indian-American candidates would give the GOP a more diverse group of governors than the Democrats in 2011. That startling reality should help shake-up stubborn stereotypes."
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The Kendrick Meek Situation: Bookerista Reaction
There seems to be confusion over whether former President Bill Clinton asked (or was sent by the Obama administration to ask) Rep. Kendrick Meek (D-Fla.) to bow out of the U.S. Senate race in Florida, in order to give former-Republican-turned-independent moderate Florida governor Charlie Crist a much better chance of beating conservative frontrunner Marco Rubio. For the record, Mr. Clinton denies asking Rep. Meek to leave the race. However, a senior Clinton aide claims that Mr. Crist would vote with Democrats if he won the U.S. Senate race (Mr. Crist denies that he has done a backroom deal to caucus with the Democrats, if he is elected). For his part, Mr. Meek calls Mr. Crist a "desperate candidate".
The Democrats are desperate, even torpedoing their own elected nominee. But it ain’t racial. It comes down to the hard numbers. The black man has gotta "get out" (in Democratic operatives' eyes) because (1) he is trailing badly in the U.S. Senate race; and (2) he could potentially drag down the party's entire ticket down ballot....leaving a key swing state increasingly in Republican hands. Yet contrary to Ms. Nelson's assertion, the U.S. Senate wouldn't be all white (Marco Rubio is visibly Hispanic, if he wins, Senators Daniel Akaka and Daniel Inouye of Hawaii are Asian. And we can't forget incognegro Sen. Mary Landrieu of Louisiana, who is of racially mixed but passing for white. However, once Sen. Roland Burris leaves the U.S. Senate, there would not be a black-identified U.S. Senator). Of course, bookeristas have opinions about the situation:
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| Kendrick Meek, with supporters |
The moderate pundit in Virginia writes: "There is a disturbing pattern emerging in the Democratic Party that should concern African-American voters everywhere, who are by far the party's most loyal base of supporters. And sadly, the messenger of this pattern appears to be none other than former Democratic President Bill Clinton. The last 24 hours have been interesting as both rumors and denials have been reported by the media suggest that Congressman Kendrick Meek (D-FL) was going to withdraw from the heated Florida Senate race and throw his support behind former Republican turned Independent Gov. Charlie Crist in order to defeat GOP front runner, conservative Marco Rubio."
She argues that Rep. Meek could've had a good shot at winning the seat if he had been given proper support by the Democratic Party: "The trouble with these rumors is twofold: First, Meek won the Democratic Party's primary outright and is a legitimate nominee. To even suggest that he step aside to help save the political majority for the Democrats in the Senate, or worse - to save the political hide of Gov. Crist - is simply outrageous. Meek has been a faithful soldier for the Democratic party all of his life. And this is how they reward the only (serious) black Democratic candidate for U.S. Senate running in the country this year?"
Arlen Specter: Ex-Republican
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| Sen. Arlen Specter |
He continues his commentary about the moderate Democrat: "While things got ugly toward the end of his career, he still added a level of intellectual activity to congressional Republicans that was worth watching. I first saw him on C-SPAN during the tumultuous Clarence Thomas confirmation ordeal and followed him ever since. He's a smart guy in a business too often populated by empty suits and dresses filled up with hot air by remote control. His opposition to modern 'conservative' micro-management of individual liberty and bipartisanship was well appreciated."
More about Sen. Specter: "His political epitaph currently reads, 'Democrat. Republican. Democrat.' Some will loudly argue this speaks ill of the unseated gentleman from Pennsylvania. I'd suggest it also speaks volumes about a two-party system mistaking 'gotcha politics' for policy making. Where do real debates fit in over spin and talking points?
Booker Rising response: Sen. Specter is no fiscal conservative. He is a fiscal moderate. E.g., he voted for the economic "stimulus" and government takeover of health care, and against a few free trade agreements....positions that no fiscal conservative would take. His nomad ethic is what made him a target of Republicans....and Democrats, as the Democratic primary results show.
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Tracking The 5.2 Million Jobs That Obama Squandered
Larry Walker Jr., a conservative accountant and America's Independent Party member in Georgia, writes: "The conclusion is pretty grim, and certainly doesn't mesh with what Obama has been saying out on the campaign trail. The sad truth is that instead of creating 3.5 million jobs since the stimulus plan was passed, it has resulted in the loss of 3.3 million jobs. Since the stimulus plan was supposed to save 1,613,000 jobs in addition to creating 1,887,000 jobs, and since it actually resulted in the loss of 3,348,000 jobs, it would now take the creation of 5,235,000 jobs, by January of 2011, to reach the original target."
He continues his commentary about the loss of jobs in America: "I don't know what you call this, but I call it a failure. It's so bad that most people simply stopped tracking it. So do we need another stimulus plan, or another Congress, Senate, and ultimately President? I don't think it helps having Obama roam around the country making false claims in an effort to re-elect the same folks who screwed this up. The thought of $887 billion of deficit-financed spending flushed down the drain doesn't bode well for those who supported it. You can fool some of the people all of the time, and all of the people some of the time, but you can not fool all of the people all of the time. ~ Abraham Lincoln (R-IL)"
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Bob Johnson: "African Americans Should Support Liberia"
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| Bob Johnson |
What is your vision for this relationship? What I'd like to see happen is to be of help to President [Ellen Johnson] Sirleaf and the people of Liberia in an effort to restore their country after 15 years of civil war to a very vibrant, functional, free democracy with a free-market economy that provides jobs and economic development; to make Liberia an economic success story in West Africa; and to create a strong middle class for the 3.4 million people living in Liberia.
What role specifically do you think African Americans should play? African Americans should understand that we have a long, historical and cultural tie to Liberia. Liberia was founded by freed slaves from America. The first 10 presidents were former freed American slaves. Their flag is like ours. As African Americans, we should look at Liberia the way Jews look at Israel. This should be one of our primary causes, to make Liberia the gateway to West Africa economically. African Americans should urge members of Congress to support [Liberia. I think we should support Liberia [financially]; African Americans are doing this already. There are a number of churches over there. Liberians need books; you don't have to send a check. It can be very simple things. You can support some of the organizations that are doing things in Liberia.
Open Thread Friday
Wewe kujua sheria: kushika ni safi, lakini kujadili nini unataka kujadili. Je, mimi kuangalia kama mimi kucheza kama kuvunja sheria? That's roughly what Kenyan model and former beauty queen Ajuma Nasenyana would probably say in Swahili to mean: "Keep it clean and civil, but otherwise discuss what you'd like. Do I look like I play if you get out of pocket?"
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Black Gay Republicans Are Making Their Mark In D.C.
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| Marc Morgan |
Two black gay Republicans (one conservative, one moderate, both underdog candidates) are running for the Washington, D.C. city council. From NBC Washington (hat tip: Hip Hop Republican): "Two of the four Republican candidates in D.C. Council races this year are black gay men. That may seem surprising -- exit polls showed just 27 percent of gay voters chose the GOP ticket in 2008, while just four percent of black voters did so. In Ward 1, [moderate] Marc Morgan is challenging Democrat Jim Graham, who is seeking a fourth term. Morgan, a fundraiser and strategist for environmental, HIV/AIDS, and lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender causes, is focusing primarily on green technology as a means to bring jobs and businesses into the ward. He also wants to rebuild D.C. education programs to increase college opportunities."
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| Tim Day |
Robert Turner: "Gay Republicans Prove Winning Is A Two-Way Fight" The conservative Republican blogger in D.C. - who is also the president of the D.C. chapter of gay group Log Cabin Republicans - writes about his fellow gay Republicans: "Back in January I asked, 'What is there to show for the progress of the LGBT [lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgendered] movement under Democratic control?' I fear the answer to this question today is the same as it was nine months ago. Not much."
He continues his commentary: "While many within our community continue to blindly mock and ridicule gay Republicans as being self-loathing, among other hollow insults, they simultaneously refuse to see that strength through diversity means just that – diversity in everything, including political thought. This diversity in thought led conservative icon Ted Olsen to craft a conservative constitutional argument in the Prop 8 case [on gay marriage] in California. And most recently, it is the Log Cabin Republicans, who six years ago during the Bush Administration brought a suit against the military that two weeks ago halted all discharges worldwide under DADT ["Don't Ask, Don't Tell" policy on gays in the military]. It is Republicans who are winning the argument for equal rights for gays and lesbians."
More: "And while it is very true that the GOP has a dismal record on LGBT issues, Republican leaders are engaging gays and lesbians on issues where we at least have common ground. No, I’m not talking about a pundit [Ann Coulter] speaking at a party in New York City this summer. I’m talking about elected GOP officials speaking directly to gay Republicans. Last month, the chairmen of the National Republican Congressional Committee and the National Republican Senatorial Committee spoke at the National Dinner for the Log Cabin Republicans. They did so against the request of several conservative groups asking them to withdraw."
Discuss "Black Gay Republicans Are Making Their Mark In D.C." post here.
10/28 SONG: The Radio Dept., "The Worst Taste In Music" (2006)
Extra busy today, so this will be the only post. About three years ago, a former co-worker of mine clued me into this group. This Swedish indie band plays what's known as shoegaze rock.
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10/27 FLASHBACK SONG: Zapp & Roger, "So Ruff, So Tuff"
Remember when the vocoder/talk box thing was done a lot better than in today's songs?
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6 Days To Go: Bookeristas Discuss The U.S. Midterm Election
Kevin Jackson: "Republican Renaissance"
The conservative Republican blogger in Missouri opines: "Along with the many Republican women running all around the country in congressional and gubernatorial races, there are fourteen remaining black Republicans running for the House (one more if you include the Virgin Islands). There exists the potential to get more black Republicans elected to Congress than ever since Reconstruction. There are also nine Latinos [sic] House candidates, with the strong likelihood of getting at least four of them elected. The one Latino Senate candidate, Marco Rubio, is all but assured election to the Senate. Finally, there are two Asians running on the Republican ticket."
More: "What should be most disturbing to Democrats is that black conservative candidates are for the most part not running in gerrymandered districts with heavy black populations. The same is not true for the Democrats, as 37 of the 39 members of the Congressional Black Caucus (CBC) are running in majority black districts. Despite this very racist trend in the Democrat[ic] Party, don't expect the state-run media to hold Democrats to task. They have been corralling black people into 'black neighborhoods,' then assigning black Democrat[ic] politicians to control black people. The obvious message by Democrats is that they will allow black 'leaders' to hold dominion over other black people in black neighborhoods, but these black politicians shouldn't even think about venturing out to white neighborhoods. This is true of most Latino Democrats as well. If you are a minority, the Democrats expect you to know your place!"
J.B. White: "Revenge Of The PUMAs"
The moderate-conservative Republican in Florida opines: "There's an obvious issue at play in this election that is being seriously overlooked. Democrats aren't just in trouble because Republicans are convinced they've overreached. They are deeply in trouble because many P.U.M.A.[s] are still extremely upset over the top-down treatment given to Hillary Clinton in the Democrats 2008 primaries. And they are intent on extracting their revenge via an 'I can show ya better than I can tell ya' strategy."
He continues his commentary: "Top-down is out, ladies and gentlemen, this election cycle and in the forseeable future. It is superficially being ignored by the media and Democrats but it fits entirely with the Tea Party anger seen on the Republican side of the aisle. It is a revolt against the top-down manner in which politics has been increasingly dictated in America. Barack Obama never, ever, could have occurred without a top-down mandate forced on Democrats who absolutely knew he wasn't ready to be President and Commander-in-Chief."
Allen West: Bookerista Perspectives
The Florida 22nd Congressional District race is one of America's hottest - and best funded - races. Allen West, a military veteran and conservative Republican, has raised almost $6 million in his bid to unseat Rep. Ron Klein (D-Fla.). Mr. West has a slight lead in the polls (although within the margin of error). The African-American media is calling him the "black Jack Bauer" of the tea party movement. White liberal media side-eyes his fundraising. White conservative media discusses the Top 5 reasons why Democrats are scared of Mr. West's candidacy.
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| Allen West: game changer? |
The moderate-conservative Republican in Florida hopes that Mr. West - who has raised more money than any congressional challenger in America - wins next week: "On election night, one contest I will be paying close attention to is Florida's congressional district 22. It's no secret that Allen West absolutely drives liberals crazy. I mean, C-R-A-Z-Y-!!! That's why I'm hoping he can pull off the upset and unseat Ron Klein down in South Florida. Last Thursday, Shark Tank carried a story detailing West's 47-44 lead in his race, a lead that gets larger when level of excitement is factored in."
Mr. White continues his commentary about the conservative Republican politico: " I think Allen West is something of a game-changer for Black Republicans. If we're able to get him elected, he immediately becomes a formidable voice that African Americans, in time, will be able to view outside the lens of caricature. That's when the necessary exodus off the Democrat's narrow-minded reservation can begin in earnest. It doesn't need to be an exodus of 50 percent and it doesn't need to happen all at once; 20-30 percent will do just fine, thank you very much, and we'll be quite happy with orderly and steady movement back to the Party of Lincoln."
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| Allen West: imperialist? |
The libertarian blogger in Idaho argues that the conservative Republican congressional candidate's alleged ties to a biker gang isn't problematic, but rather his military record as a lieutenant colonel: "Whatever else can be said about the Outlaws, they are a far more reputable outfit than the gang Lt. Col. West used to hang with -- the armed forces of Washington's empire. For the most part, the Outlaws MC consists of hard-living but essentially decent people. Some of the club's members have used and dealt drugs -- which is foolish and self-destructive, but shouldn't be a crime. Others have been sent to prison for actual crimes of violence; those who have been incarcerated are numbered among the highly esteemed 'One Percenters.' The important fact here is the Outlaws have never invaded and occupied a distant country, terrorizing innocent people and killing upwards of 100,000 of them. Allen West cites his participation in a world-historic crime of violence against Iraq as his chief credential for elected office."
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| Allen West, Rep. Ron Klein |
The irony of the Democratic-dominated CBC's actions ain't lost on the conservative blogger in Georgia: "I struggle to understand why Lt Col West is seen as a 'threat to the Black community' yet few people in Chicago look at Mayor Dailey [sic] as such, following up on this belief by making sure that his party never has the absolute control over Chicagoland as it presently does. Sorry folks - you won't hear the words 'We cannot allow the policies that got us into the present ditch to resume their place in power'."
He continues his commentary: "I am pleasantly pleased by the actions of the CBC because they prove my observations to be accurate. DIVERSITY is a tool that is used to impress upon one's adversary the imperative that they expand their scope of consideration of qualified candidates. That by expanding this viewpoint the resulting environment will be enriched and more of a model that is in line with the greater world. I notice, however that when the diversity ADVOCATE himself has to accept a bit of diversity in his own ranks - he often acts just like the BIGOT that he has long sought out for change. When it came to the question of that '45 Black person in the US Congress' OR retaining a maximized amount of progressives and Democrats - the Congressional Black Caucus showed its true colors. I am glad they did so."
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Devone Tucker on Glenn Loury
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| Glenn Loury |
He continues his commentary: "I’ve always believed that Loury ultimately abandoned the right [in the late-1980s] because of peer pressure; I felt that Loury simply couldn’t bear the burden of being constantly accused of working against the interests of people of color. A January 2002 New York Times profile of Loury — one that emphasized Loury’s relief over not being viewed as a villain anymore by those who once scorned him — seemed to underscore my belief. However, there may be another angle to the Loury controversy."
Carl Paladino: Bookerista Perspectives
Bookeristas in New York state opine about the Republican gubernatorial candidate in New York:
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| Carl Paladino |
The conservative Republican blogger in New York state says that Mr. Paladino's angry-boy persona ain't serving him well. She also doesn't like that Mr. Paladino poo-pooed the idea of a Sarah Palin presidential bid in 2012: "Tough campaigning is a part of running for office, but Paladino's words work to show him as a loose cannon more prone to insults, profanity, and threats than anything else -- and it's simply not working for him. In fact, it's worked against him and killed his chances. Paladino's track record shows his brand of responsibility to involve having no language filter, making serious personal allegations without sufficient evidence, and being commitment challenged. In addition, he almost ruined his Primary chances when disgustingly racist, sexist, and pornographic emails he forwarded were leaked. His defense? He simply stated that he's not politically correct, that the emails were 'just humor.' The problem is New York state -- and the state New York is in -- are no laughing matters, and he has hurt the efforts to turn things around."
Ms. Ross continues her commentary about Mr. Paladino: "If Carl Paladino holds himself up as the example of a 'real leader,' if he is the standard by which leadership is measured, thank God Governor Palin doesn't fit his mold. Why in the world would anyone ask him to validate someone else's leadership credentials, especially someone with the success Governor Palin has enjoyed? It just shows, again, the state of the lamestream media."
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| Is PC killing freedom? |
The conservative Republican blogger in New York City writes: "Recently, Carl Paladino, running for political office said that he didn’t want children being brainwashed into thinking that homosexuality was an acceptable lifestyle. He said what millions of people in this country already believed. But, instead of others rallying to his defense and saying that they felt the same way he did, he was left to suffer the burden of trying to break a PC wall alone."
More: "If we let ourselves be dictated by a small minority of [l]iberals that set the ground rules of what can and can’t be said, what can or can’t be thought, or can or can’t be done, then we suffer a slavery far worse than any in history. It took a mass and coordinated effort by [l]iberals to impose [p]olitical [c]orrectness on the world. It will take an equally sustained effort to destroy it and bring freedom back to all. So the next time somebody sticks their neck out to break a PC wall, don’t let him or her hang there alone."
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Michael Steele Eyes Second Term As RNC Chair
From CNN, about the moderate-conservative Republican: "Republican National Committee Chairman Michael Steele is taking steps to run for another two-year term and outlined his plan in a conference call last week to a handful of state GOP officials, three Republicans familiar with call tell CNN. Steele, who wraps up a 48 state bus tour this week, already has picked two current RNC staffers to help run his re-election campaign and the chairman told people on the call that the reception he has received during the bus tour is tremendous, according to one of the Republicans. The Republicans spoke about the call only on the condition of anonymity."
The article continues about Mr. Steele: "Steele, who was elected chairman in January 2009, has had a rocky tenure as head of the national party. Republicans scored some major wins over the past 22 months such as taking back control of governorships in New Jersey and Virginia and winning the special election to fill the late Massachusetts Sen. Edward Kennedy's seat. And the GOP is expected to score some big wins on Nov. 2. But Steele, a former Maryland lieutenant governor, has also been accused by his critics of mismanagement, failing in fundraising and making comments that have been considered a distraction to the party."
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Black American Preachers: Bookerista Perspectives
Constructive Feedback: "Whooping & Hollerin' In The Black Church"
The conservative blogger in Georgia writes: "CNN investigates the preaching style of some Black preachers. For my tastes:
- Too much holl[e]r'in
- Songs extended 3 times their original length to extract the last bit of emotion out of the congregation
- Speaking in tongues on queue each week as the service makes a transition into the offering collection period
Rev. Clenard Childress: "Still No Shepherds' Cry"
The conservative pastor and pro-life activist argues that many black preachers have lost their way: "The African-American Clergy's much vaunted, and heralded heroic past, is in danger of becoming a mere wisp of a thought or memory, marginalized in the minds of Americans, and the world, due to its lethargic and anemic response to the present moral and political crisis within our country. The enormity of their 'missing-in-action' stance is staggering, especially when you consider the evidence of depravity is so blatant within our culture, and even legislated by our present administration. For like God in the Garden of Eden who asked, 'What is that that thou hast done?' God is asking the question again — 'What have you done? What have you done?' God asked the question in Genesis of Adam in an attempt to force him to reflect on his actions in light of the revealed truths of his past. Sadly, Man failed to do so then, and it grieves me to say, even though we are warned across the ages by Adam's outcome, we are failing to do so now."
Rev. Childress continues his commentary about black preachers: "I watched, as well as did most Americans, the wave of African-American Clergy totally abandoning their conscience and calling, for support of a Presidential candidate in whom they had only one thing in common: 'the color of his skin.' Barack Obama did not, and does not embody the virtues of our Clergy, nor their congregations. I do not find it moral or ethical the outright advocating and marketing of abortion by this President's Administration which has proven to be a systemic plan of genocide against African-Americans at home and abroad (MAAFA21 NSSM)."
Discuss "Black American Preachers: Bookerista Perspectives" post here.
Preserving Democracy, Writing In Fenty
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| D.C. Mayor Adrian Fenty |
She continues: "America’s form of [d]emocracy is based on the philosophy that the government is 'of the people, by the people, and for the people.' When the people are unhappy about the choices before them of individuals to lead that government, they have the right to express that dissatisfaction. The section on the election ballot allowing for writing in anyone’s name anticipates this action. Thus, disaffected citizens are empowered not just to protest but to also offer solutions. The write-in Fenty campaign is in this noble tradition."
More: "It’s baffling that Gray – a man who chastised the outgoing mayor for his failure to be inclusive and to listen to the concerns of District residents – would mount his own campaign to discredit and shutdown the write-in movement. It is, after all, comprised of citizens who say they want to ensure the city continues to improve as it has under Fenty."
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The Distinction Between "Competency Development" And "Pull Yourselves Up By Your Own Bootstraps"
Constructive Feedback, a conservative blogger in Georgia, writes about competency development: "They must govern the key civic institutions that they have available to them as the primary means of expressing these ends upon the 'backs' of their own people. Subsequent growth and a perpetual 'flow' will be developed once these thoughts are inculcated. By focusing their attentions on the people who will ultimately 'eat the fruit', the necessary delineation of their scope of their management domain is defined, preventing their actions from being diluted over too broad of an area. Their mission is to promote the culturally enforced social controls that edify this desired end and remove those thoughts, actions and tendencies to transfer what is their own mandate for development upon other entities who's interests are not rooted in this community's full development. This same system needs also have elements of transparency and democracy which will remove elements of rote totalitarianism and instead allow the masses of people to consciously navigate their way forward."
He also zeroes in on bootstraps ideology: "Though this phrase was no doubt originally intended to speak to the need for 'self determination' few will deny that today the word has been hijacked into a phrase that is akin to 'let them eat cake'. It shows only passing concern for the plight of the 'voiceless' person in question. The main failure of the bootstraps phrase is its lack of structure. There is no particular evidence of a ladder handed over for the person to use his own muscles to climb out of the mud pit. Instead they are to be motivated by mere words tell him to stand up."
Duane Brayboy: "Earl Graves Is In The Tank For Obama &The Democratic Party, At The Expense Of Black Interests"
The conservative blogger in Georgia critiques an emailed letter that he received that was written by the publisher of Black Enterprise magazine: "I recently received an e-mail from Black Enterprise magazine media relations department that contains a letter from founder and publisher Earl Graves. If you wish to read the whole thing, click here. In the meantime, here are some excerpts that left me shaking my head.
'The distress is real and legitimate. First, people of all races and economic backgrounds are continuing to suffer as a result of an economy that continues to struggle. Too many people can’t find jobs, hold on to their homes, or even maintain a secure standard of living.
Second, people, again regardless of their race, economic background or even their political leanings, are extremely disappointed with our legislative leaders. With the Democrats controlling both the House and the Senate and the Republicans doing their best to block their agenda, nothing is getting done.'HOLD IT! STOP THE PRESSES! Graves just said that Democrats have been in control of both the House and Senate. Practically every piece of legislation Obama has asked for has been passed. At best, the only thing the Republican [P]arty has been able to do was to whine about being the minority (there is a joke in there somewhere). Graves should look to the numbers of Democrats who voted against the stimulus and Obamacare….AND BOTH BILLS STILL PASSED. Graves is not being honest here at all. In fact, he is straight up lying. I would not be surprised if this was written by the White House and stamped with the Black Enterprise name."
Rhode Island To Vote On Taking 'Plantations' Out Of Its Name
Hat tip to reader Nanakwame for this story. From Indyposted: "Rhode Island’s official name is The State of Rhode Island and Providence Plantations, and voters on Tuesday will decide on whether or not they want to keep that name. It’s the 'plantation' part of Rhode Island’s name that is drawing complaints. The Associated Press reports that Rhode Islanders will vote on Tuesday to drop the 'and providence plantations' part of the state name."
More: "People for changing the state’s name say that the word 'plantation' links people back to slavery, and a dark time in Rhode Island’s history. Nick Figueroa, a member of a legislative minority advisory coalition, said:
'You go anywhere and you mention plantations and what automatically comes to a person’s mind is slavery.'Gov. Don Carcieri, who is against changing the name, says that changing the name doesn’t change the history."
Booker Risng response: FYI, the name "Providence Plantations" doesn't even refer to slavery. Roger Williams, who established Providence Plantations (then a colony) was a racially liberal, anti-slavery advocate who got kicked out of modern-day Massachusetts for his views. Back in the 1600s, plantation was another word for a settlement (although Rhode Island later become a slave trading center in the 1700s). If I lived in Rhode Island, I'd probably vote for the name change. Everyone knows the state as Rhode Island and the official name is too long. Besides, "Providence Plantations" is already covered via the capital city of Providence.
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News: Blue Dog Democrats
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| Blue Dogs are catching heat |
From The Hill: "Organized labor is holding its nose and spending money to protect key Democrats in the Senate, hoping to create a bulwark to hold back Republicans in the House. But labor has abandoned 26 [moderate to conservative] House Democrats who did not support the union agenda in the 111th Congress, leaving them to be pounded by corporate-funded third party groups. Two of the nation’s biggest labor unions, AFSCME and SEIU, have spent generously on independent expenditures to help Democratic House candidates. But Blue Dog Democrats and other Democratic centrists who did not support healthcare reform or the Employee Free Choice Act are facing a one-sided barrage of television attack ads."
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| Capitol Hill |
From the Coshocton Tribune (Ohio): "In the latest analysis, 42 of the 54 seats held by self-identified Blue Dogs are among the closest House races in the Nov. 2 election. That's almost half the 90-plus seats held by Democrats that election handicappers say are in play. The latest nonpartisan Cook Political Report considers 25 of the Blue Dog seats tossups and puts eight others in 'likely' or 'lean Republican' categories. Another nine are said to be leaning toward Democrats. Only nine Republican-held seats are considered in danger of flipping to Democrats."
More: "Blue Dogs played pivotal roles in the year-long health care battle by pushing for more cost-savings, resisting liberals' attempts to institute a 'public option,' and insisting no federal funds go toward insuring abortion. Their role sharpened tensions with liberals and abortion-rights supporters in the party. Many Blue Dogs also angered the left by bucking their party's leadership on the 'cap-and-trade' energy legislation that passed the House in 2009 but stalled in the Senate. In the end, 24 Blue Dogs voted against the health care bill, and 25 voted 'no' on cap and trade. Now, as they campaign for re-election, many of these moderate and conservative Democrats are getting attacked from both sides on these, and other, issues."
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Gregory Kane: "Clarence Thomas Needs An Apology From More Than Anita Hill. Black (Liberal) America Owes Him An Apology"
Asserts the conservative Republican commentator in Maryland: "[Anita] Hill still stands by her testimony [accusing now-U.S. Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment 19 years ago], and called Virginia Thomas' call 'inappropriate.' Perhaps, but not as inappropriate as accusing someone of sexual harassment and not providing so much as one corroborating witness. Hill said she won't apologize to Clarence Thomas, but the rest of black America should. We need to apologize to Clarence Thomas for subjecting him to the most vile, disgusting and scurrilous character attacks one black man has ever been subjected to."
He continues his commentary: "That includes Thomas being called an Uncle Tom, a Sambo and a sellout. That includes two depictions of Thomas on the cover of the now-defunct Emerge magazine. One showed Thomas wearing a handkerchief on his head; another depicted him as a lawn jockey. Inside one of those issues, another picture showed Thomas shining the shoes of Antonin Scalia, his fellow justice. It should be worth noting that liberal Italian-Americans have not subjected Scalia to the same invective liberal black Americans have directed at Thomas. Italian-Americans are secure in their own identity; they accept that some of them are going to be liberal, others conservative and others moderate. Only in America's black community are the liberals regarded as saviors and the conservatives regarded as traitors."
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Africa-China Cooperation Anniversary: The Realities
It continues its commentary: "Whereas this trend is encouraging, Africa ought to guard against the benefits of the trade being one sided - with China gaining more than Africa. Attractive statistics will be meaningless to Africa if they don't translate to real change in living standards amongst Africans. Africa must push to have more of its countries access China’s market as opposed to Angola, South Africa, Nigeria, Sudan and Egypt which enjoy the monopoly. In addition, the continent must endeavor to have more of its products access the Chinese market as opposed to mineral products (79%); base metals (5%); precious stones (4%); wood products (2%) and textiles (1%) that represented 94% of China’s total imports from Africa in 2009.
More about Africa-China relations: "Whereas Africa welcomes partnership with China, China ought to conduct its inroads to Africa in an open, fair, just and transparent manner. China’s surge in the global arena will only benefit Africa if Africans creatively tap into it."
Discuss "Africa- China Cooperation Anniversary: The Realities" post here.
John Monds In The News
Some background on Mr. Monds: He is 45 years old, and he hails from Cairo, Ga. (rural town). Previously a finance officer for Lehman Brothers, he is now a stay-at-home father who home-schools his kids. Mr. Monds is a graduate of Morehouse College, and is the president of the Grady County NAACP. He serves on the Libertarian Party's state executive committee. In 2008, he ran for the Public Service Commission and became the first Libertarian Party candidate in Georgia to receive more than a million votes (33.4% of the total vote).
John Monds: Libertarian Spoiler In The Georgia Gubernatorial Race?
As there's a possibility that there will be runoff election, because the Republican nor Democratic candidate may have majority support to avoid it. The Atlanta Journal-Constitution highlights a poll that shows how the Libertarian Party candidate is doing in the race: "Democratic candidate and former Gov. Roy Barnes is up a small bit from our last survey six weeks ago, but the numbers indicate that Republican former US Congressman Nathan Deal is ahead of Barnes, 49 percent to 39 percent. Libertarian John Monds, at 8 percent, Monday takes the votes of 1-in-4 independents and 1-in-6 liberals, potentially keeping Deal just under the 50 percent threshold needed to avoid a runoff, though support for third-party candidates sometimes collapses on Election Day."
USA: UNCF Teams Up With Finance Industry
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| Students at LeMoyne-Owen College in Memphis |
More; "The initiative is designed to increase the pipeline of HBCU students into the financial services industry. Blacks make up less than six percent of the industry's executives, managers and administrators. Both groups hope to expand the program to 100 students per year."
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Israel To Get Its Own Tea Party Movement
The tea party movement has spread to other countries mainly in Europe), albeit much smaller than in USA. Now Israel is in the mix. The Israeli tea partiers' first project: "Say no to Obama". From the Jerusalem Post: (hat tip: Black & Right): "The movement will hold its opening rally on Sunday night at the Zionist Organization of America House in Tel Aviv under the banner 'Saying no to Obama.' The immediate goal of the movement will be to pressure Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu not to give in to Obama’s demand that Israel renew the construction moratorium in Judea and Samaria."
It adds: "Israeli Tea Party spokeswoman Sarah Tiktinsky predicted that Obama would renew efforts to push Israel following next Tuesday’s midterm elections in the US, and said Obama’s leverage on Netanyahu must be countered with equal force by the Right. 'Netanyahu has been under intense pressure from Washington,' Tiktinsky said. “History has proven that Bibi caves in to pressure, so something must be done to stop him. No one in the Likud faction is taking the serious steps to stop him, so it must come from the grassroots.”
Booker Rising response: This really isn't akin to the U.S. tea party movement, which doesn't really focus on foreign affairs issues. Israel does need a tea party movement....to slash its government spending (currently almost half of its GDP), its high tax rate (the top rate is 46%).
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U.S. National Debt: A National Disgrace
Larry Walker Jr., a conservative accountant and America's Independent Party member in Georgia:, discusses the role of political parties in creating America's national debt: "Democrats have controlled the Congress for 28 of the last 40 years. Over this 40 year span, Democrat[ic] led congresses have added $9,376,480,334,739.86 to the national debt, which represents 69.1% of the total debt outstanding (as of 09/30/2010). In comparison, Republican led congresses have added $3,814,223,989,201.91 to the debt, which represents 28.1% of the total outstanding. In contrast, [current House Speaker] Nancy Pelosi is responsible for adding a grand total of $5,054,649,131,676.47, or 53.9% of the Democrats debt, and 37.3% of the total debt outstanding, in just four years."
More commentary about the national debt: "During their 12 years of majority control, Republicans, Gingrich and Hastert added an annual average of $317,851,999,100.16 to the national debt. In contrast, in her short four-year term, Nancy Pelosi has added an annual average of $1,263,662,282,919.12. What Nancy Pelosi has done to this country in the last four years is nothing short of a national disgrace. The question is which party do you trust to put a cap on our debt crisis: Democrat, Republican, or Independent?"
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James Shikwati: "Kenya Must Review Its Political Values"
Asserts the libertarian head of the Inter-Region Economic Network (Kenya), who argues that ideas should trump tribalism and personality-driven politics: "Philosophy or values ought to be the ocean on which a people’s prosperity sails. Focus[ing] on individuals leaves our prosperity ship trapped on an island as other countries sail away. Ideals outlast individuals. Kenyans must be wary of those who are keen to resuscitate the old order. Let us transform the values we adopted from colonists (liberty, self-government, right to private property and rule of law) and make them work for us as opposed to perpetuating the culture of “our man” and plunder."
Mr. Shikwati continues his commentary about the East African country: "Kenya does not need a benevolent dictator; it needs leaders who comprehend global reality and prepare the citizenry to confront it. It will be most fulfilling for youthful political leaders to shun ego drives and transform the country into a hotbed of philosophies and strategies. Let 'our men and women' employ their egos in marketing values that will promote prosperity for all. This calls for high level of political organizational culture devoid of survivalist approaches."
More: "I can hear you give the usual Kenyan refrain 'we cannot eat values.' We have an opportunity to retain the status quo where Kenya acts as a carcass to be devoured internally by corruption and political rot (as worms do to a carcass) or externally by developed and emerging economies (as hyenas and vultures do). We too can create and nurture values, put life in our country, fend off predators and evolve a model for Africa."
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10/26 Quote Of The Day
"This is not an election on November 2. This is a restraining order." — P.J. O'Rourke, American conservative satirist (hat tip to Kenneth Durden for the quote)
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