My fellow Black Yanks surely know of the infamous Tiffany "New York' Pollard, who was a contestant on Flava Flav's reality TV show"Flavor Of Love" and then got her own dating show . Well, she has a new look now. She's changed her hair to a natural 'do, and ditched the tranny look. Much better, Tiffany. Thumbs up!
Hopefully, she's changing her ghetto-fabulous personality as well, but this is a start...
Discuss "1/31 Makeover Of The Day" post here.
1/31 Makeover Of The Day
Carol Moseley Braun Goes Gangsta On Mayoral Opponent: "Ya Don't 'Memba Me 'Cause You Were A Crackhead Cultist"
Our Chicago mayoral race is increasingly a hot mess! Things got heated at a mayoral candidates forum yesterday at Trinity United Church of Christ (yes, U.S. President Barack Obama's old church) on Chicago's South Side in which all the candidates except frontrunner Rahm Emanuel were present. Patricia Van Pelt-Watkins clearly hit a nerve with former U.S. Sen. Carol Moseley Braun. The liberal community activist accused Ms. Moseley Braun of being an opportunist. "I did not even know the woman lived in the city of Chicago because I haven't heard her voice on the street," said Ms. Watkins. "We do not need people who have been missing in action and lost somewhere for the last 20 years to wake up one day and decide that they want to be mayor of the city of Chicago. I'm sick and tired of people taking advantage of us.”
That's when the liberal Democratic politico goes off . Not a good political move losing your cool like that, Carol. Then police were called when Van Pelt-Walkins supporters later protested outside Carol Moseley Braun's West Side (read: the hood) campaign stop:
See the full video of the exchange here. Is it me, or did Carol ratchet up the blaccent? For the record, Ms. Van Pelt-Watkins admits that she was a drug addict from ages 19-21 - 32 years ago - but asserts that she was never a crackhead. Ms. Van-Pelt Watkins is now doing slander-lawsuit talk, but Ms. Moseley Braun ain't backing down.
Discuss "Carol Moseley Braun Goes Gangsta On Mayoral Opponent" post here.
Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 3
It's been a week of protests. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is facing the biggest challenge in his 31 years in power. Egypt's most prominent democracy advocate. Mohamed El-Baradei, calls on Mubarak to resign The Muslim Brotherhood is also increasingly in the mix. The Egyptian military claims that it won't fire on peaceful protesters. Bookeristas - Muslim and Christian - weigh in on what's going on over in northern Africa:
A Muslim Conservative Perspective, USA: AkBar Shabazz: "The U.S. Must Support The Egyptian People In Their Quest For Liberty"
The Muslim conservative in Georgia writes on his Facebook page: "A lot of changes are happening in the Middle East. Requires thorough analysis of old allegiances in light of the expected changes. I hope our leadership does what is best for AMERICA's future and influence."
Mr. Shabazz takes issue with one of his Facebook friends who argues that supporting President Mubarak has been in America's interest. He argues that the U.S. government should start talks with Mr. El-Baradei: "Scott, please clarify how propping up Mubarak as 30-year 'President' works(ed) to our best interest? If we [were] promoting full and free elections long ago, the pendulum wouldn't swing so far to the opposite direction. We have to be consistent in our support for democracy and people's right to self-determination. We can't say those are universal principles then, support those who repress these exact same rights. The crazies are opportunistic and will surely fill the vacuum if it isn't filled by liberty. More countries over there are watching. Again, it will be in our best interest to be consistent."
More: "Our 'best friends' over there just asked us and other countries to stop criticizing Mubarak. Yeah, that will go over well and be helpful to us later down the line. As Stephen [another one of his Facebook friends] said, we simply need to butt out. We should get involved only when it is time to promote our own interests."
Mr. Shabazz ain't done just yet: "We can butt out by simply allowing Egyptians to determine their future direction. Yes, we've put a bunch of money over there. But, apparently this didn't work to our advantage. Standing by democracy and its principles are definitely in our best interests. I don't care how others want to steer us."
A Conservative Perspective, USA: Rep. Allen West: "Mubarak Is Bad. However, His Successors Could Be Radical Islamists & Thus Far Worse"
From the liberal Broward Palm Beach News, about the conservative Republican's appearance on Fox News to discuss the issue: "This weekend Mike Huckabee interviewed him on Fox News about the massive protests in Egypt against President Hosni Mubarak. And in a matter of minutes, West swung from defending civil liberties to advocating crackdowns on 'radical elements' of Islam. First, he began by criticizing Mubarak, who has been accused of jailing political opponents and turning a blind eye to police brutality. 'When you have these regimes that are autocratic, theocratic, dictatorial and being led by despots, they do tend to repress the people, as far as their freedoms and liberties. And there does come a point when the human will wants to have those liberties,' West said."
The article continues about Rep. West's remarks: "But then he decided Mubarak's repression might not be so bad. When Huckabee prodded him about the threat the Muslim Brotherhood -- a fundamentalist, government opposition group -- has posed to Egyptian leaders in the past, West jumped on the attack wagon to discuss his favorite subject, radical Islam. 'Over there sometimes it does require a stronger hand to keep those radical elements at bay,' he said. 'When [former president Anwar] Sadat let up, he was assassinated by the Brotherhood. That's the biggest concern that I have....If you don't keep these radical elements at bay then all of a sudden they rise up and they take advantage of these turbulent situations.'"
WALTER HUDSON COMMENTARY: Tackling Bill Maher’s "The NFL Is Socialist” Rant
The Tea Party activist and libertarian-conservative in Minnesota takes issue with the liberal comic's claim that socialism is what makes the NFL great: "Let’s start with what may seem a nitpick. The NFL could never be accurately described as socialist, because socialism is state control of the means of production, and the NFL is not a state. This is not a semantic quibble, nor a failure to recognize an analogy. Maher’s specific claim is that the NFL is socialist, and its socialism is why it works. Strictly speaking, if we care at all about the actual meaning of words, his claim is dead on arrival. But that’s the boring argument."
He continues his commentary: "Maher fails to address the single most relevant factor in the NFL’s business model – motive. Why does the NFL share revenue between teams, make the Super Bowl champions pick last in the next draft, and otherwise take measures to ensure competitiveness throughout the league? It does so in order to craft an exciting product which it then takes to a free market to sell. The NFL’s business model is not in place to fulfill some ideological compulsion, to be 'fair' for fairness’s sake. The NFL shares revenue to maximize profit! The NFL is a business which operates within an economy, not an economy in and of itself. The reason its business model works is because it meets a discretionary demand in the market. In order for people to indulge that discretionary demand, they must have discretionary income. In order to have discretionary income, they must produce something which carries enough value in the market to more than meet their basic needs."
More: "If we conceded to run the U.S. economy in a socialist fashion, convinced the NFL business model translated to sound macroeconomic theory, we would quickly discover the flaw in Maher’s thinking. Unlike the NFL, the U.S. cannot sustain itself by drawing off a larger economy. We actually have to produce things to sustain ourselves, which is another way of saying we must maximize personal profit. So, yes, you do kind of have to laugh at an embarrassingly feeble attempt to craft an argument for socialism out of what is ultimately a capitalistic endeavor. But hey, humor is what you want from a comedian, right?"
Discuss "Tackling Bill Maher’s 'The NFL Is Socialist' Rant" post here.
Meet The Congressmen
Monday, January 31, 7:00pm ET: Rep. Allen West Hosts Town Hall Meeting In Florida
The conservative Republican follows up on his first town hall meeting last week, which attracted 400 people. The event will take place at the St. Mark Catholic School (730 NE 6th Avenue) in Boynton Beach, Fla. From SunSentinel.com, about the conservative Republican: "'These monthly town-hall meetings are essential to fulfilling my obligations as a representative in the United States Congress,' he said. 'I will update my constituents on the issues of Capitol Hill and hear firsthand their concerns. I will then take that information back to Washington, D.C.'"
Tuesday, February 1, 10:30am ET: Rep. Tim Scott Hosts "Meet The Congressman" Event In South Carolina
From the conservative Republican's website: "Charleston - South Carolina 1st District’s Tim Scott will be speaking at the 'Meet the Congressman' event Tuesday, February 1st, 10:30-noon at the HIA Conference Center in Pawleys Island. This event will be in a casual setting where citizens will have the opportunity to hear Congressman Scott respond to pre-submitted questions as well as have the chance to participate in an open discussion about issues that are important to the Waccamaw Neck area. The HIA Conference Center is located at 16 Otis Drive (Litchfield) and is being hosted by the following community leaders: Jim Jerow, Tom Marchant, John Napier, Glen O’Connell, Ted Quantz and Tom Swatzel."
Discuss "Meet The Congressmen" post here.
Political Turmoil In Tunisia: African Bookerista Perspectives
As you know, the northern African country kicked off protests, which have now spread to Egypt, Yemen, and Jordan. African bookeristas weigh in:
Uganda/Kenya: Charles Onyango-Obbo: "Tunisians Do Africa Proud As 2011 Starts With A Bang"
The Ugandan-born moderate journalist in Kenya writes: "It seems this year could kill us with excitement, high drama, and great emotional moments in Africa. The year started off with the continued refusal by Laurent Gbagbo to hand over power after he lost elections to his opposition rival Alassane Ouattara. In Southern Sudan a fortnight ago, there was a referendum on Independence. The result is that we are witnessing something perhaps 85 per cent of Africa’s one billion people have never seen — the birth a brand new African nation! Then Tunisia drove our adrenalin to the skies. The angry masses and middle class joined to drive Zine El Abidine Ben Ali from power. He had ruled the country as a mixed economic reformist-cum-corrupt dictator for 23 years. It was the first ouster of a president in an Arab country through people power."
More commentary from Mr. Onyango-Obbo: "In countries like Uganda, if one-and-a-half million took to rioting, the army would just turn, because shooting them means you are most likely to kill your own relatives. In Egypt, five million can send the huge army fleeing. And when that number comes out, there is another danger. It will not just be Mubarak who loses power, but the whole ruling class. At such moments, the ruling class will rally and cut their losses by throwing Mubarak under the bus. They have done Africa proud, those Tunisians."
Senegal/France: Rama Yade: "Je Suis Très Fière Du Peuple Tunisien (I'm Ecstatic For The Tunisians)"
L'Express interviews the French ambassador to UNESCO and moderate (original article in French): "On your blog , you tip your hat to the Tunisian... Yes, the Tunisian people showed great courage, they went into the streets for their freedom, they are among those who said no. I wanted to pay tribute to the Tunisian past and present, people who have always believed in freedom, who, like Mohammed Bouaziz, have sacrificed their lives so one day Tunisia can be free. All those who took to the streets despite repression must be considered heroes. I am very proud of them. It demonstrated the vitality of human rights that must be the absolute foundation. Authoritarianism is not the natural regime of humanity. As Jacques Prevert once said, 'when the truth isn't free, freedom isn't true.' Governments can't deprive people of their liberty without one day being held accountable. There, popular opinion was final.
How do you judge France' attitude during this crisis? It's the force of habit, no doubt. The situation shouldn't be so easy to grasp as things went quickly. But after 23 years of the deprivation of freedom, it takes so long. Now, liberating chaos is to succeed with a peaceful democracy and fair: jobs for unemployed youth, free elections...We didn't give any orders, it is up to Tunisians to decide their fate. If they wish for our country to support them during this transitional phase, as a historical partner France can accompany the change.
To justify support for the regime of Ben Ali's regime, the Islamic threat is often mentioned. This again shows France's difficulty to speak to Islam ...The Islamist threat is a reality in many Arab countries and it is normal to be cautious. If we respect the Tunisian sovereignty, we must trust them. Political education and literacy started under Bourguiba was pursued. It is an cultured population, educated, skilled - at least, I hope they hold off the Islamists and all the opportunists to build a democratic land that Tunisians deserve."
Discuss "Political Turmoil In Tunisia: African Bookerista Perspectives" post here.
B.B. ROBINSON COMMENTARY: How The Permanent Achievement Gap Keeps Blacks At The Bottom
The economist and director of BlackEconomics.org and member of black conservative group Project 21 opines: "Even though Black Americans have shown a great proclivity to find solutions to problems through inventions, there is little known of great Black innovators. They were not bountifully enriched by their 18th, 19th, or 20th century inventions. Why should we expect otherwise during the 21st Century? There is no end to the discussion concerning the Black-White academic achievement gap — especially in the physical sciences. Rationally, we should ask, 'Why does the gap exist and persist?' The logical answer is that there is abundant evidence that Black actors, athletes, and musicians can become rich. There is little evidence that a Black inventor can achieve fame and fortune."
Mr. Robinson continues his commentary: "Black youth are wise and rational actors. Their eyes are open. They know what they see. Therefore, until we have rich and famous Black innovators other than in the entertainment world, we should not expect to see Black scientists solving the world’s problems. The sad fact is that even White inventors today can rarely claim the wealth and success of top Black athletes and entertainers, so there is little motivation for Black youth to travel the physical science route."
More commentary from the conservative economist: "The problem with this outcome is that, without the knowledge and inclination to innovate, Black Americans will always be in a work trap trying to earn enough to purchase newly invented products — and never benefiting, albeit modestly, from their own inventions and production. In addition, an absence of Black innovator-entrepreneurs means that the Black unemployment rate will always be higher than it would otherwise be. Therefore, not only should we expect a continuation of the Black-White academic achievement gap in the physical sciences, but we should also expect to see Blacks remaining at the bottom of the consumption-production-wealth pyramid."
Discuss "How The Permanent Achievement Gap Keeps Blacks At The Bottom" post here.
Canada: Michael Thompson Is Leading The Charge On Toronto's Business Growth
Serving as a city councilman since 2003, the center-right politico was recently appointed chair of Toronto's economic development committee. The committee is responsible for advocating for small business and attracting new investment to the city. Here are excerpts from his interview with the Toronto Business Times:
What do you see as the top priority for you as economic development chair? The priorities are to ensure that we could attract business investment to the city to create jobs and create opportunities. We are going to be focusing on attracting business in the areas of traditional economic activities such as manufacturing and intellectual opportunities. Also, there is the cultural part because the development of culture is a very important part of job creation. We are focusing on those opportunities that lie within the context of our culture and creative capital. Those are some of the areas we are focusing on, but the bottom line is we want to create more jobs and more opportunities and more prosperity for our residents in Toronto.
Do you have specific examples of initiatives that will help people in this way? Of course. We have Enterprise Toronto and we have an incubation process that helps some small businesses get started. What we have to do first and foremost is expand those initiatives and at the same time ensure that more people are aware of them. With Enterprise Toronto, for example, you can be assisted in preparing a business plan, learning how to incorporate your business and having a greater understanding through access to information. The other thing is to make sure we can eliminate the red tape that exists within government so that people can have a clearer understanding of how to initiate and how to actually make their initiative come to life and come to a realization of being brought to the marketplace.
If I'm an entrepreneur looking to start a business, why should I be compelled to do so here? This particular city is certainly the largest city in Canada, for starters. It is one of the safest cities in the world. It has the wealth here, it has the population so one can actually grow a business and it has talented people who can work and assist that business to succeed. Those are some of the factors, but there is also the quality of life and the political climate in this city, country and province that is very stable. Businesses are always looking for stable political environment in which to operate their business. At the same time, we also have access to some 200 million people just south of the border, so we are, in fact, a gateway for businesses.
Discuss "Michael Thompson Is Leading The Charge On Toronto's Business Growth" here.
Democrats Target Allen West In Ad Campaign
The conservative Republican ain't been in office even one month yet, but the Democrats are gearing up for the 2012 election. From SunSentinel.com (Florida): "The 2012 elections are 21 months away, but Democrats already are attacking newly installed South Florida Republicans Allen West and David Rivera. The Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee has launched an advertising campaign against 19 incumbents in the U.S. House. The Internet ads, phone calls and e-mails target West, Rivera and 17 other Republicans in Democratic-leaning or swing districts."
More about the DCCC campaign against Rep. West: "One radio ad says: 'Did you know Congressman Allen West has a plan to cut education and research by 40 percent that will cost hundreds of thousands of jobs and make America less competitive? Tell West to choose jobs.' West and his spokeswoman could not be reached for immediate comment. The Plantation [Florida] Republican serves a district along the southeast coast of Florida that was held for 26 years by Republican Clay Shaw through 2006, then by Democrat Ron Klein for four years. Backed by the tea party movement, West easily won the district last year."
Discuss "Democrats Target Allen West In Ad Campaign" post here.
Ask Dambisa Moyo A Question
The Zambian-born moderate-conservative economist is getting her U.S. book tour for her latest tome, How the West Was Lost: Fifty Years of Economic Folly and the Stark Choices Ahead, into gear. In the book, she discuses the failure of policy-making in the world's leading industrialized countries.
As regular Booker Rising readers know, Dr. Moyo burst on the international scene two years ago with the publication with of her bestselling book, Dead Aid: Why Aid Is Not Working And How There Is A Better Way For Africa. Our girl Bibi holds a PhD in economics from Oxford University, an MPA from Harvard University, and a B.S. in chemistry and an MBA in finance from American University.
CNN is providing an opportunity to ask Dr. Moyo your questions. Do you agree with her assessment of foreign aid? Her assessment of the West's future? Click here to send in your questions, and note where you're writing from.
Discuss "Ask Dambisa Moyo A Question" post here.
1/30 VIDEO: Michael Williams Discusses Being A Black Republican In Texas. Will Race Affect His U.S. Senate Bid?
The conservative Republican and former Texas Railroad Commissioner is running for the U.S. Senate. The Texas Tribune asks him whether race will be a factor in the GOP primary:
Discuss "Being A Black Republican In Texas" post here.
J.C. Watts: "Let's Break Our Dependence On China"
The conservative Republican businessman/lobbyist and former Congressman opines: "The U.S. trade deficit with China in 2010 was a whopping $252 billion, the largest in the world between any two countries. The United States exported $82 billion in goods and services to China (double its 2005 exports) while it imported more than $334 billion worth (second only to 2006 levels). China is able to produce low-cost goods Americans want for two main reasons: a lower standard of living, which allows them to pay lower wages to workers, and an exchange rate that is set to always value its currency lower than the dollar."
He adds: "Indeed, ending the alarming trade deficit with China is becoming a matter of national security. China is now the largest lender to the U.S. government. In November, China owned $895 billion in U.S. treasury debt, 32 percent of the total $2.8 trillion outstanding. This gives Beijing growing political leverage over the United States, because it theoretically could call in its loan. Consider, too, for the first time since the communists took over China, that they are flexing their military muscles while pursuing territorial expansion in Asia."
More commentary from Mr. Watts, about China: "I've been visiting Africa for 15 years. While America often seems to write off Africa, the Chinese continue to establish a bigger and bigger footprint. Why? Because of Africa's vast oil reserves. America ignores these African reserves at its own peril. Yes, the United States might be less affluent today without Chinese goods and markets. Four decades of engagement have produced some positives for both countries. But we cannot allow an out-of-control trade deficit to continue with this trading partner. We can't ignore its bellicose behavior. We cannot condone its brazen cyberattack on Google, nor its terrible human rights policies and especially its shameless currency manipulation and trade cheating. It has gotten much worse since I left Congress in 2002. Hopefully, it is dawning on both the Congress and the Obama administration that our nation must never become totally dependent on a country for loans to finance our massive trade and budget deficits, or for rare earth elements vital to our industries. Our nation therefore must implement and pursue policies to restore our economic independence. As Sen. Phil Gramm of Texas used to say, 'If the lion and the lamb have to lay together, you want to make sure you are the lion.' Concerning our relationship with China, we are continually being forced into the role of the lamb."
Discuss "Let's Break Our Dependence On China" post here.
Constructive Feedback: "If Martin Luther King III Is Successful In His Stake In The New York Mets, Will He Apply His Quasi-Socialist Theories On Income To Professional Sports?"
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| MLK III |
Discuss "Martin Luther King III" post here.
JONETTA ROSE BARRAS COMMENTARY: D.C. Needs A New Approach To Austerity
Asserts the moderate columnist in Washington, D.C.: "We can certainly expect more such internecine fighting, as elected officials grapple with a potential $600 million budget gap for fiscal 2012. But clamping down on tax breaks won't solve all that ails the District. Elected officials may want to follow President Obama's lead. During his State of the Union address, he pledged to reorganize the federal government, citing as an example of duplication and overlap the fact that the Interior Department handles freshwater salmon while the Commerce Department deals with them when they're in saltwater. 'I hear it gets even more complicated once they're smoked,' he added."
She continues his commentary: "The District has its own salmonlike conundrums. For example, is there really a need for an Office of Risk Management? Can't one agency issue professional licenses, instead of three or more? If officials are serious about spending cuts, they can start by developing and then implementing a plan for a major reorganization of the government. But if it is going to work, they have to approach such reorganization differently than they have previously."
Ms. Barras zeroes in on reorganizing local agencies: "A reorganization commission would be a good place to start -- but it shouldn't include the usual suspects. The folks on the panel can't be afraid of innovation and market-driven strategies. If put in place soon, such a group could have a plan ready before 2012 budget deliberations are completed this spring. The legislature also could save tons of money by instituting a 10 percent rollback of all salaries over $100,000. Then, it may want to cap those reduced compensations for the next five years. It's hard to justify placing frontline employees on furloughs while Gray is paying his chief of staff $200,000 -- a full $40,000 more than Fenty paid his gatekeeper. Finally, to ensure budget fidelity, it's time to think seriously about finding a new chief financial officer -- one in the image of [former Mayor Anthony] Williams, not Natwar Gandhi. The District needs a fiscal sheriff who won't permit overspending and won't play footsy with a spendthrift executive."
Discuss "D.C. Needs A New Approach To Austerity" post here.
Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 2
The protests are now in their sixth day. Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is facing the biggest challenge in his 31 years in power. Egypt's most prominent democracy advocate. Mohamed El-Baradei, calls on Mubarak to resign The Muslim Brotherhood is also increasingly in the mix. Bookeristas weigh in on what's going on over in northern Africa:
USA: Michael Bowen: "Collapsing With The Swiftness"
The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in California writes: "The only people who seem to be prepared for the future are those people who have none. The rest of us imagine that the one we have will continue. The folks at Intuit tell me that my employer took out too much of my Social Security last year. I'm pretty much resigned to expect that I won't get any of it back, and that may find me out on the street like the lunatics in Egypt. Yeah, they're lunatics. They are the same lunatics that were in Iran a couple months ago. Only the people with no future are out there trying to make one just by showing up, yelling at police, throwing rocks, taking pictures, turning a car over, burning a building, dragging a dead body from the middle of the road. That seems to be all that ever happens. What would you do? I think I'd buy my guns and ammo ahead of time, get my shortwave transciever hooked up, find some ex-military guys, get my women out of town."
More: "Speeches only work in the hegemony over the Slice, and then only when the Slice is being paid with regularity. Obama doesn't have money for Egypt. He doesn't have money for anybody, and people are waking up to that reality. The only question is whether or not he has the audacity to use troops, which he doesn't. So he is essentially out of equation. America sleeps once again. Wake us when you have a new leader, Egypt. He can come to Disney World. Shake hands. Take pictures. Maybe even get a bow out of our lame duck Commander in Chief. You can play whatever song you like on the piano at the White House. We don't care. Really, we don't."
France: Neoafricain: "L'esprit De Liberte A L'Oeuvre! Merci, George W. Bush (Free Spirit At Work! Thank You, George W. Bush)"
The African-born conservative blogger in France says thank Dubya for the change that we are seeing over in northern Africa (original op-ed in French): "While current leaders are reluctant to take a tough stand against events affecting the Arab world, this great American president in January 2005 delivered an inaugural address that could enlighten them: 'There is never justice without freedom, no human rights without civil liberties. We will always present a clear choice to every leader and every nation: The moral choice between oppression, which is always wrong, and freedom, which is eternally right. (…) We will encourage reform in these governments by saying that our relations will be good if they treat their own people decently. (…) Some have questioned the universal quest for freedom. Americans and all people should not be surprised by the power of our ideals. Finally, the appeal of liberty reaches every mind and every soul. (…) The officers of lawless regimes must know that we still believe as Abraham Lincoln did that 'those who deny freedom to others deserve it not for themselves, and the reign of a just God, do not keep not long for them.'"
He continues his commentary: "President George W. Bush has never been as good as when he spoke of freedom! Alas, as usual, the press and right-thinking people taunted him, accusing him of not paying enough attention to each country's cultural differences, not listening enough to world leaders, etc. But from what we see today, he did well to resist these pressures and not change his stance on what constitutes the foundation of neo-conservative values: we need the spirit of freedom blowing in the world. Of course, freedom is not anarchy. Without responsibility, chaos replaces tyranny. So I encourage the changes taking place in Arab countries, but with the proviso that the Arab street doesn't replace today's autocrats with even more tyrannical and obscurantist regimes. I fear the role of Islamists and their propaganda channel Al-Jazeera in this case."
USA: Samuel Gonzalez: "Why Is The American Media Silent On The Condition Of Americans Currently In Egypt?"
Asks the conservative Republican blogger in New York: "That’s the biggest question I want an answer to. It’s getting pretty scary over in Egypt and I’ve seen this movie before. In the late 70s there was an Iranian uprising against the Shah of Iran. He was supported by the United States too as is Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak. President Jimmy Carter mishandled that situation and as a result 51 American hostages were held for 444 days by Iranian thugs."
He continues: "Now I find it very interesting how the American press is very silent about Americans currently in Egypt. It’s as if they don’t want to report on Americans in danger and how that will impact the president. I hope this doesn’t turn into that type of situation. But, although the Obama-suck up media doesn’t want to say it, this is clearly Obama’s biggest foreign policy crisis. Whether Egypt ends up being another Turkey or Iran is squarely on his shoulders."
Discuss "Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction, Pt. 2" post here.
Justice Malala on The Handling Of Mandela's Hospitalization
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| Justice Malala |
He continues his commentary: "This would be comedy material if it were not so tragic: Africans talk about illness and deaths of leaders all the time. That is why Africans were rushing to Milpark Hospital in their hundreds to check on the man. If anything, the uttering of such drivel illustrates one thing and one thing only: Zuma's office did not have a clue about what was going on and did not have any idea of how to respond properly. Which brings us to lesson No3: always have the sense to say 'I will get back to you'. Then hurry to your principals, find out what the real information is, and come back with a considered response. Pulling the race card is not a response. It is a pathetic venting of emotion."
More commentary from Mr. Malala about the situation: "The heroes of the hour were Deputy President Kgalema Motlanthe and his communications staff. From the time they took charge, first with the statement in the first few hours of Friday morning and then with the press conference soon after midday, a voice of authority and reason emerged. In his cool and calm manner, Motlanthe managed to convey to a nation and a world on tenterhooks that Mandela had indeed been seriously ill, had received treatment, was on the mend and on his way home. His fulsome briefing, devoid of obfuscation, put paid to rumours and speculation. This is the team that should have run the communications right from the beginning. The question now is whether a lesson has been learned here and whether, in future, we will have the news blackout we faced last week. The feuding that took place in the background last week between the presidency, the foundation, the ANC and the Mandela family is not resolved."
Discuss "The Handling Of Mandela's Hospitalization" post here.
L’Imposture Marine Le Pen
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| Marine Le Pen |
She continues her commentary: "Sham, when it comes to Henin-Beaumont as a daughter of the mine who speaks of the misery of people, when she is nothing other than the heir to a family of millionaires whose policy is to enrich themselves at the people's expense. Whenever a crisis occurs, this family of profiteers calls to voters and their pockets. Their obsession is money."
More: "Sham, when she claims to defend secularism, denouncing street prayers [my Muslims whose mosques are overflowing]. of the street. She is clever, Marine Le Pen, who is not against the street prayers? Even Muslims are opposed. We should remember that the National Front has been fighting the relentless secularism throughout its history? For me, who just joined the [pro-free market, centrist] Radical Party, which imposed secularism in our country in 1905 after fratricidal battles, I can only urge you to prefer the original to the copy!"
Discuss "L’Imposture Marine Le Pen" post here.
Band-Aids For Black People?
In his Pic Of The Day, black conservative blogger Bob Parks asks: "
Boston Celtics forward Kevin Garnett left in the second quarter after taking an inadvertent elbow in the head from Los Angeles Lakers forward Pau Gasol.It’s 2011. Are Band-Aids for black people too much to ask."
Booker Rising response: Yeah, they kill me with these "flesh-tone" bandages that are really only for white skin tones. I Googled to see if multi-flesh-toned bandages exist. There used to be a product called Ebon-Aide that made bandages in five different tones. However, they may have gone out of business as their website is no longer up. Maybe as the African continent and India continue to rise economically, we'll see more bandages made in various shades. Better yet, maybe another black American entrepreneur will take a crack at the marketplace.
Discuss "Band-Aids For Black People?" post here.
Lord John Taylor: The Strange Tale Of The Convicted Politician's 24-Day Marriage To A Wealthy American Businesswoman
You may recall that a jury last week convicted the conservative politico of all six charges of expenses fraud relating to £11,277 [US$18,000] in overnight subsistence and mileage. He claimed to live in Oxford - in a home owned by his nephew's boyfriend - when he actually lived in London, and also claimed his dead mama's home at one point. Now more shady info is coming to light. From the Telegraph (UK): "Lord Taylor of Warwick, the first black Conservative politician to take a seat in the House of Lords, faces jail after being convicted of expenses fraud. The Telegraph can reveal the full extent of his spectacular demise. For as the net was closing in on him, Taylor went ahead with a marriage – including a lavish ceremony and reception at the House of Lords – that was to last just 24 days."
The British media tracked down his second ex-wife: "In a remarkably candid interview, Taylor's ex-wife Yvonne Louise, a wealthy evangelical Christian from Florida, tells of their wedding, their bizarre honeymoon and subsequent divorce. Taylor, also an evangelical Christian, employed as his official wedding photographer the nephew whose damning evidence helped to secure his conviction. The photos of the ceremony, which took place in December 2009 but which are made public for the first time today, show Taylor smiling for the cameras. But his grin masks the scandal about to engulf him. After their honeymoon in The Sleeping Beauty suite in Disneyland Paris, Taylor, 58, followed his new bride to the US. But within the month, she had thrown him out of her home, forcing him to return to the UK. Miss Louise obtained an annulment for the marriage – which she says was never consummated – shortly after."
"He Kissed Me On The Cheek, Walked Out And Went To His Crib On Our Wedding Night. On Our Honeymoon Night, I Slept Shivering On The Couch Because He Refused To Turn On The Heat"
More: "Contacted by the Telegraph at her home in Orlando, Miss Louise, an estate agent in her 50s, said: 'I sent him packing about a year ago. He is an incredible actor; the best liar. I have to give him credit for that. He was making it all up. I call him the Warlock of Warwick. He said he was a really good guy and that he wasn't interested in money but everything he does is for money. He uses people for money.' Miss Louise, who is deeply religious, claims she was so traumatised by Taylor she underwent a deliverance ceremony to rid her self of his 'demonic presence'. She met her now ex-husband through an evangelical network in the US. Flattered by his position as a member of the House of Lords, Miss Louise found herself falling for the former barrister [aka lawyer]. Taylor had been ennobled by John Major in 1996, having failed four years earlier to become MP in Cheltenham in an election contest marred by accusations of racism. Miss Louise said: 'When I first met him he said he wanted to go around the world and minister which is what I want to do. He was this senior politician in London and I was so impressed. I absolutely did fall in love with him.'"
Things quickly didn't go well: "The wedding night did not go according to Lady Taylor's plan. A stretch limousine took the couple to the £70 [US$111] a night Fox & Goose Hotel close to the Hanger Lane gyratory in West London. Taylor escorted his new wife up to their room, gave her a peck on the cheek and walked out, returning to his home around the corner in Ealing, claimed Miss Louise. The honeymoon went no more smoothly, according to Miss Louise. On the first night, the bride says she slept on the sofa wearing her coat, trousers, boots and gloves because her new husband refused to put the heating on; the second night she moved to the bath tub and on the third back to the sofa in The Sleeping Beauty Suite. Their relationship never really recovered. 'That marriage cost me $50,000,' she claimed, 'He took money off me to buy designer clothes. Then he would just leave them in the dinning room in boxes on the floor. He only liked the best but if he went out he would wear this really raggedy coat with loose threads. I asked him why he wasn't wearing the new coat I had bought him and he said 'I don't want people to think I am rich'. Taylor followed his wife to America – she claims he was interested in securing speaking engagements with evangelical churches – but by then the marriage was over."
"I Paid For Everything, Even Though He Was Making Six Figures"
The Daily Mail (UK) reports more: "As their marriage hit the rocks, Miss Louise claimed Lord Taylor had a 'snake demon' and he cast a spell on her dog Schnookhums. She told the Sunday Times: 'He was thrusted sideways about five feet in the air. He was limp and puzzled and his eyes were dazed. Boy, did I pray.' The businesswoman said Lord Taylor used to make her pay for everything - even though he was independently wealthy. The swindling peer earned £250,000 [US$396,200] between April 2006 and April 2008. He was paid £102,000 [US$161,600] in a year from Quality Rubber Manufacturing, a North Carolina-based rubber factory. The payments were not declared to the House of Lords. He received £20,000 [US$31,700] as vice-president of the British Board of Film Classification, £20,000 [US$31,700] as director of Currencies Direct and a further £4,000 [US$6,400] from the Warwick leadership Foundation, which he set up. Despite his conviction, the 58-year-old who has not paid back any of the money he swindled, will remain a member of the Lords because a peerage can be removed only by an Act of Parliament."
Discuss "Lord John Taylor" post here.
Newark Mayor Cory Booker Stars In "Brick City"
The second season of the documentary series starts today on the Sundance Channel. Forest Whitaker is its executive producer. From the New York Daily News, about the moderate-liberal Democratic mayor of Newark, N.J.: "Booker says the key to allowing the cameras to watch him was not letting the production impede city business. 'This was the hardest part for me, and still is,' Booker says. 'I'm in love with this city. When you truly love someone or something, you see it for the totality of what it is. The truth of our city is there's a glorious manifestation of achievement here that I don't think was fully captured.'"
The article continues about the show: "Some critics have called 'Brick City' a glorified campaign video for Booker, something he says couldn't be further from the truth. 'Anybody who watches that and thinks it's a campaign video needs to watch it again,' he says. 'I take a lot of blows.' There are scenes in the new season where critics blast Booker in meetings and at rallies. Booker downplays those moments, though, and says the impact of those naysayers may be appear bigger onscreen than in real life."
More about "Brick City", Season 2: "Outside of City Hall, Booker is seen telling his mother that he still hasn't found a wife. He says his friends and family criticize him for focusing so much of his life on work, and adds that it's hard to find a balance. Getting used to the cameras was easy, he says. 'In the beginning, you're trying to sound deep and erudite,' he says. 'Within a few hours, you forget, and that's when it becomes dangerous.....We talked about transparency in the office; we never knew it would be this transparent.' Still, neither he nor anyone in his administration has a say in what gets on the air. 'I wish I had a hand in the editing,' he says, laughing, 'especially in the scenes where I look overweight.'"
Discuss "Newark Mayor Cory Booker Stars In 'Brick City' post here.
Samuel Gonzalez: "Big Women Are Sexy Too"
The conservative Republican blogger in New York City declares: skinny women just won't do: "Here’s to the real size women that you see around you everyday. You won’t find them on the covers of Vogue Or Cosmo. But, that’s not because they’re not beautiful enough. No, sir! Only emaciated, ribs showing, walking skeletons with boob jobs get to make that cut. Who wants that other than coked-up, arrogant, neurotic editors that sleep with other men anyway? Give me cornbread and collared greens, macaroni with cheese whiz, and don’t forget the pork. Big ups to the BBWs [Big Beautiful Women], you outshine them all!"
Booker Rising response: Big women are well represented in black-oriented magazines and music videos. As a skinny woman, I gotta do the Baptist finger. Just because we’re slender, doesn’t mean that we’re not a “real size”. I can’t stand it when folks say that slender women aren’t “real women” because we wear a size 2, 4, or 6. Power to the skinny black chicks!
Discuss ""Big Women Are Sexy Too" post here.
Walter Hudson: "I Pretty Much Wouldn't Vote For An Atheist"
Asserts the Tea Party activist and libertarian-conservative in Minnesota: "The belief that there is no God removes the source of natural rights cited in the Declaration of Independence. While it is possible for an atheist to still affirm these rights, their inability to acknowledge a divine source removes the essential authority upon which those rights are based. In other words, if you do not believe there is a God whose act of creation established the natural law, any affirmation of that law is merely your opinion. It carries no more weight than the next guy who believes his arbitrarily defined social class is inherently superior."
More: "Again, we’re talking about a hypothetical situation where all else is equal. Surely, if my choice were between a professing believer who is also a socialist and an atheist Tea Party candidate, I would vote for the latter. [Joy] Behar’s question of Ms. Scanlan [the 17-year-old winner of the Miss America pageant] was no doubt intent upon crafting another Carrie Prejean moment. Religious tests ought not be applied in order to qualify for candidacy, and that would have been the likely meme to come out of the 'scandal' had Scanlan went the other way. However, it is entirely appropriate to take religious profession, along with a thousand other subtle and overt factors, into your individual deliberation at the polls. What we think about God and the nature of man is intimately tied to what we think about how man ought to be governed. A candidate’s profession of faith or disbelief is therefore relevant to our consideration."
Discuss "I Probably Wouldn't Vote For An Atheist" post here.
Alan Keyes: "Why Socialists Hate America's Founders"
Assert the conservative activist and America's Independent Party member, about the Left's dislike of the Founding Fathers: "These people never miss an opportunity to point out that some of the founders were slaveholders. Some of the founders drank too much. Some of the founders were sexual libertines and adulterers. Not only were they no better than we are, their racism and bigotry make us their superiors. We are, therefore, no longer bound to think their views about politics or government have any special status or deserve any special consideration."
He continues his commentary: "Though couched in terms of personal disparagement, this denigration of the founders isn't at all about personal feelings or sensitivities. Sure, many on the socialist left still feel obliged to pay lip service to the U.S. Constitution. Like Obama, they even occasionally mouth the language of rights, as if to echo the famous affirmations of the American Declaration of Independence. But the idea of government limited by the moral requirements of unalienable right contradicts the efficient pursuit of socialist goals. Structural constraints like federalism or the separation of government powers inhibit the imposition of socialist change. People who view politics as the realm of 'Yes we can' have little patience for an understanding of government that tells those with power what they can't rightly do on account of the God-endowed rights and responsibilities of natural individuals and families, or the communities (like our religious institutions or our states and localities) they voluntarily comprise."
More: "However that may be, given a choice between America's founders and folks like [Chris] Matthews, Obama and the rest of the 'abortion-rights' crowd, the right choice is clear: Better to have people with the will and courage to establish the premise of right, though constrained by lack of power from its fulfillment, than powerful people who treat wrong as right in order to free their power from all constraint. Through the founders, God helped America to be born in justice. As for the others, well, God help us all!"
Discuss "Why Socialists Hate America's Founders" post here.
This Week: Calendar Of Events
Sunday, January 30, 7:00pm ET, USA: Afronerd Radio Does Broadcast
At 7:00pm ET, the moderate-conservative blogger will discuss the following topics: "a truly horrorific event involving a real life Hulk - a 33 year old African MBA is fighting for his life after trying to sell his luxury vehicle to a 6'8" thug; Lady Gaga's upcoming fragrance might just be called Blood and Semen...whoa; a Ugandan gay activist is murdered; Rush Limbaugh is at it again (trust me, he is no conservative brethren of mine...) by insulting China's president Hu Jintao. And to make matters worse, a Limbaugh supporter sends a racist fax to CA State Senator, Leland Lee...whew!"
Drop a line "live" at 646/915-9620 (and via email/IM-afronerdradio@yahoo.com) or leave a comment in their chat room at afronerdradio.com.
Monday, January 31, 7:00pm ET, USA: Rep. Allen West Hosts Town Hall Meeting In Florida
The conservative Republican follows up on his first town hall meeting last week, which attracted 400 people. The event will take place at the St. Mark Catholic School (730 NE 6th Avenue) in Boynton Beach, Fla. From SunSentinel.com, about the conservative Republican: "'These monthly town-hall meetings are essential to fulfilling my obligations as a representative in the United States Congress,' he said. 'I will update my constituents on the issues of Capitol Hill and hear firsthand their concerns. I will then take that information back to Washington, D.C.'"
Tuesday, February 1, USA: Kindle Edition of Dambisa Moyo's How The West Was Lost Is Released
The Zambian-born moderate-conservative economist is getting her U.S. book tour for her latest tome, How the West Was Lost: Fifty Years of Economic Folly and the Stark Choices Ahead, into gear. In the book, she discuses the failure of policy-making in the world's leading industrialized countries.
Tuesday, February 1, Britain: Dambisa Moyo Speaks At Entrepreneur Country Winter Forum
The Zambian-born conservative economist is one of the keynote speakers at this Royal Institution of Great Britain-sponsored event. The conference runs from 8:30am-5:30pm GMT. The RIGB is located at 21 Albermarle Street in Westminster, central London. However, this conference ain't cheap: £295.00 will get you in the door. Click here for more information.
Discuss "This Week: Calendar Of Events" post here.
1/28 Quote Of The Day
"People think that all they need is money in life, failing to understand that 'capital' comes from the Latin root word 'capitas', or 'knowledge in the head...' If you are poor in your head, you will be poor in your pockets. Focus on building wealth between your ears, goodness in your heart, and strength of purpose in your soul, and what you need will ultimately find you." — John Hope Bryant, centrist founder and chairman of financial literacy group Operation HOPE. He is also a member of the U.S. President's Advisory Council on Financial Capability
Discuss "1/28 Quote Of The Day" post here.
Kelly Williams-Bolar: Bookerista Perspectives
Ya'll have surely heard about the Ohio college-attending single mom of two who went to jail for intentionally sending her children to the wrong (and predominantly white) school district. AOL Black Voices lays out the situation: "Williams-Bolar was sentenced to 10 days in jail, three years probation and community service for using her father's address to avoid sending her kids to the school she considered to be dangerous and inadequate."
More: "In addition to being sent to jail, Williams-Bolar and her father are being charged with fourth-degree grand theft of school services. As a consequence of her conviction, Williams-Bolar will never be allowed to teach in the state of Ohio, which is the profession she was pursing."
If the grandfather was a bona fide resident of the school district, paid taxes, and had power of attorney over the children who lived with him during the week (which is what I'm reading was the case), then what's the problem here? Yet another reason why school vouchers are important. Ms. Williams-Bolar had no prior criminal record. I'd have given her probation or a misdemeanor conviction (so she wouldn't lose her college funding or future teaching license), maybe ordered restitution, and kept it moving. There are far bigger fish - crack dealers, pedophiles, rapists - to fry than to be worried about a woman trying to do better for her children. Bookeristas weigh in:
DarkStar: "Law Vs. Justice"
The moderate-conservative Republican blogger in Maryland writes: "The law states your children must attend the public schools in the area you live if you don't send them to private school, no matter how bad the school system is. The prosecutor states it is a felony to file false documentation to support you live in an area which you do not so that your children can attend a safe school system. That is the law."
He continues his commentary: "The jury convicts the mother on the charges. That is the law. I would have not voted for conviction because of the situation. In other words, I would have nullified and in this case, this is justice. The judge sentenced the mother to a few years. That's the law. Complaints caused the judge to reduce it to 10 days. That's justice, sort of. Justice would have been giving her time serve[d] and if she graduated college and had not gotten into any trouble, her record would be expunged."
Arthur Brand Jr.: "Ridiculous"
The conservative in South Carolina writes on his Facebook page: "This black American was jailed because the liberal-ran school system says that her children must remain in a failing school. She is a hero in my book. Period."
He also takes issue with a blogger who slams charges that Ms. Williams-Bolar is a "political prisoner": "This blogger is wrong. The father lives in the district and he pays the school taxes. He compared this to the Jena 6, and he is wrong again. This woman was made an example of. Period. 'Know your role and shut your mouth'."
Discuss "Kelly Williams-Bolar: Bookerista Perspectives" post here.
Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction
Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak is facing the biggest challenge in his 31 years in power. He has dismissed his cabinet and has promised to form a new one. U.S. President Barack Obama urges Egypt - an ally of the U.S. government - to heed the protests and implement reforms. The Egyptian government has tried to shut down Internet access, but folks are still finding ways to get their message out. The army has been deployed, curfews are in effect, but street demonstrations continue to defy the curfews anyway. World stocks are tumbling due to the Egyptian unrest, with oil prices going up. Bookeristas weigh in on what's going on over in northern Africa:
France: "La Moindre De Choses, C'est D'écouter Le Peuple (The Least We Can Do Is Listen To Folks)"
Asserts the French Ambassador to UNESCO, former human rights minister, and moderate (original article in French). The Senegalese-born politico says that "the least that the regime can do is to listen to the people and meet their aspirations by means other than repression. The Tunisian revolution was a real warning. And in this sense, when a powerful wind of freedom rises, it's very difficult to stop. When people rise up to demand their freedom, on behalf of human rights, on behalf of social justice, governments have no choice but to respond by listening, by concrete solutions by democratic overtures."
USA: Samuel Gonzalez: "Egypt Protests Show George W. Bush Was Right About Freedom In The Arab World"
Asserts the conservative Republican blogger in New York: "Despite what our idiot VP Joe Biden may think, Hosni Mubarak, the president of Egypt for the past 30 years is a dictator even though he’s an ally of the United States. President Bush believed that Muslims in the Middle East would prefer Liberty to oppression. Liberals vehemently thought he was wrong. And although the fledgling democracies in Iraq and Afghanistan are far from ideal, the winds of freedom are blowing among other Arab states that are tired of living under despotism."
USA: Dennis Sanders: "Thoughts From A Revolution"
The moderate Republican blogger in Minnesota opines: "Looking at the wave of protests hitting the Arab world, first in Tunisia and then in Egypt, I feel a sense of both hope and dread. It would be great if democratic cultures were born and allowed to flower in both societies, but the record of democracy in the Middle East is not that great. Iran had a revolution 30 years ago to get rid of [a] tryant [sic] and ended up with a whole new tyranny. The United States tried to promote democracy in Iraq with mixed success at best, and in Gaza, which brought Hamas to power. The 'Cedar Revolution' in Lebanon was a time when people thought the war-torn nation would be free of its Syrian occupiers and on the road towards a strong democracy, only to see that government fall apart and be replaced by government backed by Hezboallah [sic]. It seems like every time a despot is sent packing, another one replaces them."
Given the Middle East and North Africa's history, Mr. Sanders doesn't have a lot of hope that these actions will lead to positive change: "I’m also not shedding tears for the leaders of these regimes. Yes, they provided help [to] the US when needed, but in many cases they enriched themselves at the expense of their people. They held on so tight and made sure to squelch any sign of protest that they are now reaping what they have sown. In end, I hope things will turn out well and that true democratic and civil societies will flourish in the Middle East."
Discuss "Political Turmoil In Egypt: International Bookerista Reaction" post here.
REV. DEFOREST SOARIES JR. COMMENTARY: After MLK — The New Challenge For Black Pastors
Hat tip to reader Felicia for this one. The Republican pastor in New Jersey pens an editorial in The Wall Street Journal arguing that now that blacks have legal equality, it's up to churches and other civic organizations to address Black America's most pressing issues: "Today the quest for the right to vote has been replaced by the need to motivate people to register and vote. The push to integrate schools has been replaced by the need to motivate black students to strive for academic excellence. The struggle for equal housing opportunities has become a struggle to ensure that blacks learn how to live financially responsible lives and recover from the foreclosure crisis. Whereas [Dr. Martin Luther] King's goals were primarily about changing laws and influencing wider public opinion, these current goals are primarily about individual responsibility."
He continues his commentary: "Unfortunately, that distinction seems to have been missed by the recently revived Conference of National Black Churches. Relaunched last month after a few dormant years, the CNBC comprises nine of the largest black denominations, made up of as many as 30 million individuals and more than 50,000 congregations. Led by the Rev. W. Franklyn Richardson, the conference says that it speaks with a 'unified voice' on health, education, public policy, social justice and economic empowerment."
Rev. DeForest Soaries Jr. takes issue with the liberal CNBC's priority issues: "With all of the problems plaguing the black community, are [opposing] tax cuts (including for wealthy blacks, I might add) really the issue that needs the CNBC's full attention? Clergy certainly have a responsibility to speak out on important social issues, and tax policy may be one. But the CNBC's familiar preoccupation with weighing in on matters primarily political, while remaining silent on matters within its ecclesiastical reach, makes it hard to consider the group distinct from the many other civil rights gatherings that do much talking but solve few problems. As a pastor of a church that has a few thousand members, I would love to hear that the CNBC is challenging its membership to recruit 500,000 families to take in our country's half-million foster children. (My church's Harvest of Hope program has recruited 365 families to become foster parents to 700 foster children and adoptive parents to 225 children.) I would love to hear that the CNBC is instituting a financial-education program at each of its churches. I would love to hear that it is encouraging academic achievement by guaranteeing resources and mentors for every black student. None of these problems will be solved by government policies alone. They need the attention of our churches and other community organizations."
Discuss "After MLK — The New Challenge For Black Pastors" post here.
Bookeristas Discuss Rep. Jim Moran
Rep. Jim Moran (D-Va.) went on Alhurra TV and claimed that his party lost last year's midterm election because white voters - many of whom were the same individuals who voted to put U.S. President Barack Obama into office in the first place, but who have since increasingly fled his camp - were racist towards President Obama. Bookeristas weigh in:
Andre Walker: "Democrat Congressman: Racism, Not Failed Policies, Caused Electoral Losses"
The conservative Republican blogger in Georgia says this is just more sour grapes from the Democrats after getting the midterm smackdown: "Democrats like Congressman Moran seem to think that the American people are just going to sit back and allow the Democrat Party to increase the size of government, run up the deficit, spend money the nation doesn't have and leave the country bankrupt. Then when the voters reject all those failed policies, Democrats have the nerve to call those voters stupid or racist."
More: "I would remind my Democrat friends on the left that the [state of] Florida's Lt. Governor is an African-American female. If the American people are so adverse to being governed by a person of color, then why would the people of Florida put a black female second in line to their state's governorship? Why would Florida voters, if they are so opposed to being governed by someone black, put someone black in a position to govern them in four or eight years."
Constructive Feedback: "I Agree With Jim Moran That Racism Drove The 2010 Political Outcome. However, Not For The Same Reasons."
The conservative blogger in Georgia opines about the Congressman's comments: "Jim Moran - a White man, is directing his indictment against White voters who, in his view, don't like the idea of having a 'Black man' in the White House as their national leader. They were able to convince enough of their 'White friends' who voted for Obama back in 2008 to switch their vote, stripping power away from the 'Black Guy In Chief' by giving the Republicans the Senate. I assure you that if we ONLY focus on THIS 'racism' all is well with most 'Liberal White Snarling Foxes' and their 'Progressive who are Democrat who are Black' coalition buddies. If anyone ever wants to understand that RACISM IS A TWO WAY STREET, by all means, tune in to 'Fight The Power Radio' at WAOK AM."
He continues his commentary: "Inasmuch as I am within a community that heavily transacts upon RACE in their political calculations - it would be ignorant of me to assume that WHITE FOLKS don't have a heavy streak of RACE based calculus in what they do. The problem is that within the national political discourse - White voter racial preference is a SUPERIOR offense."
More: "In the last series of national elections where President Obama and implicitly his RACE has been an undertone - it is the White voter that has been asked to 'check' his racial voting tendencies - hell they have had 43 other presidents in office - why is one such a threat? Far too often, however, the all too quick analysis of 'racial motivation' assigned by various MSNBC analysts to the agenda of the Tea Parties hide their own agenda. Barack Obama has been the best 'ball carrier' for their own Progressive-Fundamentalist agenda. If they can use 'racism chasing' techniques as a means of fighting off even legitimate criticism of policies - then the ends justify the means. Their goal is to advance their progressive agenda - while putting the critics of such on the defensive. The greatest 'when did you stop beating your wife?' scheme of all."
Discuss "Bookeristas Discuss Rep. Jim Moran" post here.
Calendar: This Weekend
Friday, January 28, 10:00pm ET, USA: Michael Steele Appears On "Real Time With Bill Maher"
The moderate-conservative former chairman of the Republican National Committee makes an appearance on HBO. Other guests are former Canadian parliamentarian Kim Campbell, Rep. Jack Kingston (R-GA), National Review's Will Cain and actor D.L. Hughley.
Friday, January 28- Sunday, January 30, Florida, USA: 22nd Annual Zora Neale Hurston Festival Continues In Eatonville
The annual festival honoring the late libertarian author, anthropologist and folklorist continues in Florida, with an outdoor festival throughout this weekend. Check out the festival's official website for details about specific events. The festival is free and open to the public.
Sunday, January 30, USA: Harold Ford Jr. Appears On "Meet The Press"
The chairman of the moderate-liberal Democratic Leadership Council and former Congressman will appear on NBC's Sunday political talk show. Other roundtable guests include Republican strategist Mike Murphy, Katty Kay of BBC World News America; and Chuck Todd of NBC News. The issues that they'll discuss: How was U.S. President Barack Obama's State of the Union speech received? Did the he accomplish what he set out to do? How will the GOP respond? How is the 2012 Republican presidential field is shaping up? How will the latest escalating unrest in Egypt affect President Obama's administration? Click here to find out what time "Meet The Press" airs in your area.
Discuss "Calendar: This Weekend" post here.
Michael Williams: "I Can Win The U.S. Senate Seat In Texas. I'm The Tea Party Favorite"
As Booker Rising highlighted yesterday, the conservative Republican has formally tossed his hat into the ring. Right now, he is polling about 1% support, amid a slew of other GOP candidates. From the National Journal: "Former Texas Solicitor General Ted Cruz (R), former Texas Secretary of State Roger Williams (R) and Railroad Commissioner Elizabeth Ames Jones (R) have already announced their candidacies. Lieutenant Gov. David Dewhurst (R) and Dallas Mayor Tom Leppert (R) are also expected to join the race. But Williams is confident he eventually will emerge from the pack. For evidence, he pointed to his three statewide victories for Railroad Commissioner, as well as his strong base of supporters that includes Tea Party activists. 'I enjoy an enormous amount of support among the grassroots of our state as well as Tea Party patriots in our state,' Williams said."
The article continues about Mr. Williams' chances: "Most handicappers view Dewhurst as the clear frontrunner in the race. The lieutenant governor has statewide name recognition and a great deal of personal wealth at his disposal. Williams doesn't seem worried. He said early frontrunners often fizzle out, pointing to the case of former Florida Gov. Charlie Crist and his failed 2010 Senate bid. Asked if he thought Dewhurst might - like Crist -- be seen as too moderate by Republican primary voters, Williams said, 'Let's just say that I feel real comfortable that there are not voters in this state who don't think I'm conservative enough.' Williams isn't particularly bothered by Dewhurst's expected spending advantage either. 'We will have enough money to be competitive in this race,' Williams said. 'We saw in the 2010 cycle that the right message, the right messenger and passion among voters and donors will trump raw dollars. We saw that the right messenger with the right message can also generate dollars.''
More: "Williams is also seeking to join a Senate with no African-American members. If he prevails, Williams would be the first African-American Republican senator since Edward Brooke, the Massachusetts moderate who served from 1967 to 1979. The 2010 election cycle marked a breakthrough for African-Americans in the GOP on the House side. Reps. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Allen West (R-Fla.) became the first black Republican congressmen since the retirement of Rep. J.C. Watts (R-Okla.) in 2003."
Discuss "I Can Win The U.S. Senate Seat In Texas" post here.
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