Condi Rice: "Dick Cheney Is A Liar Attacking My Integrity"

Rice throwing daggers at Cheney

The moderate-conservative Republican strikes back at the former vice president's new memoir, where he slams her. From Reuters: "Speaking in an interview with Reuters, Rice rejected Cheney's contention that she misled President George W. Bush about nuclear diplomacy with North Korea. 'I kept the president fully and completely informed about every in and out of the negotiations with the North Koreans,' Rice said in her first public comments on the matter. 'You can talk about policy differences without suggesting that your colleague somehow misled the president. You know, I don't appreciate the attack on my integrity that that implies.'"

The article continues: "Rice, in a telephone interview, also disputed a passage in Cheney's memoir, 'In My Time,' in which he says the secretary of state 'tearfully admitted' that the Bush administration should not have apologized for a claim in Bush's 2003 State of the Union address on Iraq's supposed search for uranium for nuclear arms. Cheney, who opposed a public apology for the unfounded claim, wrote that Rice 'came into my office, sat down in the chair next to my desk, and tearfully admitted I had been right.' 'It certainly doesn't sound like me, now, does it?' Rice said in the interview. 'I would never -- I don't remember coming to the vice president tearfully about anything in the entire eight years that I knew him.'"

Minorities Lead Growth In Biggest U.S. Cities

Had tip to reader Nanakwame for this one. The New York Times hightlights the Brookings Institution report: "Minorities accounted for 98 percent of the population growth in the nation’s largest metropolitan areas over the past decade, according to a new report, as the country’s white population continued to stagnate, and in many places, decline. Hispanics and Asians led population growth in the country’s 100 largest metropolitan areas over the past decade, growing by 41 percent and 43 percent respectively. The population of blacks grew by 12 percent, and the aging white population was largely flat, increasing by less than 1 percent."

Former U.S. Marshal Says Suburban Drug Busts Were Verboten

Of course, they were. From The Atlantic: "A former Drug Enforcement Administration agent says he was blocked from doing drug busts in the suburban parts of Washington, D.C. -- as in, the parts where white people live. U.S. Marshal Matthew Fogg, who is black, says 'I personally witnessed racially biased enforcement procedures when I ran a joint [Drug Enforcement Administration] task force....When I requested equal enforcement of upscale suburban areas, I met internal resistance,' published in a statement released by Law Enforcement Against Prohibition. The group, working with Blacks in Government, is calling for a federal investigation into why more than half the people arrested for drug offenses are black, even though whites and blacks use drugs in equal amounts."

Herman Cain's Charity Focuses On Inner-City Youth

The liberal Huffington Post zeroes in on the conservative Republican businessman and presidential candidate's charitable giving: "Although Cain no longer donates money to the Edmonson Center [an inner-city youth in Omaha, Nebraska that he donated to in the 1980s and 1990s], it is an example of the kind of organization the long-shot presidential hopeful is referring to when he talks about moving from a culture of entitlement to one where Americans are 'empowered.' At 65, his rags-to-riches story is more than a part of his stump speech. It is a world view that informs his charitable endeavors."

HuffPo continues its commentary: "The beneficiaries of his largess include:

The University of Nebraska at Omaha. In 1999, Cain and his wife Gloria set up the Cain Leadership Program Fund to provide three scholarships each year to local high school students who demonstrate leadership and academic excellence. The fund was established with nearly $150,000 from the Cains and another Omaha fast-food magnate, Mike Simmonds, and includes an annual lecture series on leadership for high school students.

Morehouse College. Cain, an alum of the historically-black college in Atlanta, co-chaired (along with later disgraced Bank of America CEO Ken Lewis) the Campaign for a New Century that raised $118 million for the school. A fundraising report listed Cain among contributors who donated between $100,000 and $249,999.

Antioch Baptist Church. According to an interview with a foundation newsletter, Cain lists the Atlanta church 'at the top of his giving priorities.' Calls to Antioch's pastor, the Rev. Cameron Alexander, were not returned."

NANA AKUFO-ADDO COMMENTARY: Building A Society Of Aspirations & Opportunities In Ghana

Campaign slogan: "2012. Nana, our hope for victory"

Ghana's center-right presidential candidate gave a speech today before the center-right Danquah Institute in Accra: "[Ghanaian conservative icon J.B.] Danquah, in 1928, described every Ghanaian citizen as an ‘odehye’ – a royaI of the land of his or her birth. Born free to live free. It follows that once every Ghanaian child is born free that child must be afforded the opportunity and liberty to develop his or her God-given talent in order to put that talent and the skills acquired to good use. Freedom in our time has come to mean not just freedom from arbitrariness and interference, but also the freedom to aspire – the opportunity and the chance to live a rounded, dignified life as part of a society in which, for everyone, there is a place for choice and talent to flourish. It is normal for every individual to aspire to have a decent education, a decent job, a decent home, and to live in an atmosphere of security, law and order. But that freedom is not a license to do whatever you like. Liberty goes hand in hand with responsibility. So, the free citizen is also the responsible citizen."

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Rep. Allen West Reconsidering His CBC Membership, After Rep. Andre Carson Claims The Tea Party Wants To Lynch Black Folks

Rep. West side-eyeing Rep. Carson's claim

I'm surprised he's lasted this long in that Marxist-dominated den. Never mind that a black person is much safer at a Tea Party event than on Martin Luther King Drive virtually anywhere in America, where far more civil rights violations actually occur. Let's keep it real here. How's that for irony? From Politico, about the conservative Republican Congressman: "After watching several video clips on Wednesday of fellow black lawmakers attack the tea party, Rep. Allen West, Florida Republican, told Fox and Friends host Steve Doocy, 'I think I’m re-considering my membership in the Congressional Black Caucus.'"

More: "This remark came from Rep. West, a popular lawmaker among tea party activists, happened after a clip was played of Rep. Andre Carson, Indiana Democrat, told an audience in Miami that tea-party supporting members of Congress look at African Americans as 'second-class citizens' and would like to see them 'hanging on a tree.' Congressman West immediately defended the tea party and called Rep. Carson's statements 'reprehensible.' Rep. West is the only Republican who is a member of the Congressional Black Caucus."

JOHN SUNUNU & HAROLD FORD JR. COMMENTARY: Subsidizing Netflix

The two former Congressmen are the honorary co-chairs of Broadband for America. They opine: "Netflix's current pricing model allows unlimited downloads for $7.99 per month. Netflix saves, with every download, approximately 40 cents that would otherwise be paid to the U.S. Postal Service. If the average customer downloads 10 movies and TV shows a month, Netflix will save $4 a month for each of its 23 million customers. Obviously these massive transmissions over the Internet are not really free. Someone is paying for them. That 'someone' is the millions of broadband subscribers, whether or not they are Netflix customers. How is that fair?"

They continue their commentary: "Netflix argues that the marginal cost to the network providers of streaming a half-hour TV show to a residential customer is 'one penny.' This ignores the hundreds of billions of dollars in sunken network investments needed to create that one-penny marginal cost efficiency at the customer's end. If each of its 23 million customers downloaded one half-hour show per day and Netflix paid that one cent, that would be an increased cost to Netflix of $1.6 million per week -- or over $83 million per year."

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White House Press Secretary: "Obama Is Helping Blacks"

Our 44th white president remains asleep on black voter concerns

Jay Carney has got jokes. I'm trying to remember one specific issue where President Obama has primarily aided black folks (like he's done for gays, illegal Hispanic immigrants, Muslims, and his recent "White Like Me" bus tour to play to white independents), and I'm coming up empty. However, Obama knows that he doesn't have to address black voter concerns because black liberals will give him 85%+ of their vote anyway. From Politico: "White House spokesman Jay Carney on Tuesday brushed off griping from prominent black leaders that President Barack Obama is taking African-Americans for granted while focusing on reaching out to white independent voters."

Mr. Carney's response to black liberals' increasingly vocal discontent: "Responding to a question about a POLITICO story in which members of the Congressional Black Caucus took shots at Obama, Carney framed the issue as one that impacts all job-seeking Americans and said the issue of race is old news. 'A lot of people have suffered through this great recession....this is not a political issue,' Carney said. 'The American economy is the primary focus of this president and he’s very committed to assisting African-Americans and all Americans.'"

Florida Lawmaker Hands Out Belts To Help Students Hold Their Saggy Pants Up

Young men, you look ridiculous

Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger in Georgia, shakes her head at this foolish fashion statement: "[Democratic State Senator Gary] Siplin, who is black, met with strong resistance from the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP), who argued that the new law unfairly targeted blacks. Unlike other states which have outright banned wearing saggy pants in the populace, Siplin’s law only affects students and it carries no jail time or harsh fees for repeat offenders. The law instead subjects repeat violators to suspensions from school and extracurricular activities. 'We want our kids to believe they’re going to college, and part of that is an attitude, and part of that is being dressed professionally,' said Siplin, who spent Monday morning handing out over 200 belts to students at three largely minority high schools in the Orlando area."

Ms. Rose responds to the news story: "It’s a shame that a Florida lawmaker had to step up to do the job of parent(s) who can’t or won’t monitor their own children’s attire to make sure it’s appropriate for school. Then you have high profile blacks like Russell Simmons defending this prison style because, he says, saggy pants laws violates the thug’s freedom of expression. What about asking those thugs to express themselves in a more respectful manner in the black community? Or is that too much to ask of black people to be respectful nowadays?"

Alveda King: "Is Genocide Alive In America Today?"

Asks the pro-life activist and conservative niece of the late Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., about a recent report put out by Life Dynamics entitled 'Racial Targeting and Population Control': "The researchers set forth with the goal of mapping every abortion facility and Planned Parenthood center in the nation against population and racial demographic data sorted by zip code. They wanted to determine not only whether abortion centers were located in zip codes with high black and Hispanic populations but whether the black and Hispanic populations in the zip codes where abortion businesses were located exceeded the total percentage of the population of the particular state as a whole in terms of its minority population,' reports Steven Ertelt of LiveNews.com. And the numbers don’t lie. Data shows that in state after state the majority of abortion facilities are located in ZIP codes that are two-and-a-half times as likely to be disproportionately minority as not. If you wish to look at the report and figure out all the tables and data click here. For a very good article that breaks up the data and gives it to you in an easily understandable matter see Steven's article."

Ms. King continues her commentary: "The results were staggering leaving no doubt that genocide is alive and, unfortunately, doing well in America. Sadly, many Black leaders in America are silent as the money machine of the abortion industry undoubtedly pays for their silence; and not just their silence but also their assistance in pushing the abortion industry’s agenda. So, please pray with us as we pray for the end of abortion in America and around the world."

Booker Rising response: I must ask again: where are guns being held to the heads of black American women and forcing them to have 1/3 of the country's abortions? 

Duane Brayboy: "Zoe Saldana Complains About Hollywood 'Racism' Like She's Emmett Till, Even Though She Has A Starring Role In A New Movie"

Zoe Saldana in "Colombiana"

The conservative blogger in Georgia argues that the actress is a whiner: "The Emmett Till of Hollywood speaks. 'Saldana explained, 'I’ve witnessed racism all my life. And of course there’s racism and discrimination in Hollywood. You go for a part and they say, ‘Oh, we really liked her, she’s amazing, but we wanted to go with something more traditional’. As if I’m not a traditional American!' She then added, 'I feel sorry for people like that. They need to educate themselves. Mostly you move on and say, ‘Well, I wasn’t meant to work with you or be around someone like you’. Other times you might say, ‘You’re ignorant, you’re a racist. That’s it. I’m out of here!’'...."

Mr. Brayboy responds to Ms. Saldana's statement about Hollywood: "Fact: No matter the industry (especially if it is very profitable), you are always going to find a cabal of folks who run things they way they want based on their own personal preferences. But to lay the blanket charge of racism because you did not get a part when there are thousands of people of other races (including White) who also have been rejected, you are at best a whiner. Zoe should leave Hollywood at once and stop making the racist Hollywood machine millions of dollars. Staying in Hollywood makes her a co-conspirator of her own conspiracy theory."

More commentary from Mr. Brayboy about movies and demographics: "Last thing, collectively we as Black folks are still MINORITIES in this country. So why complain when we do not always get major roles? The truth is that we still make up roughly 13% of the population compared to about 70% for Whites. Just like we like to see more Black films, White folks have their tastes. Yeah, yeah, this is America but people still have their own personal preferences on what they want to see on the screen – both Black and White folks. And just based on percentages, we are not always going to get our way. In this case, Zoe did. So she should chill."

Booker Rising response: Blacks are only 13% of the U.S., but we make up 25% of moviegoerr. Actually "minorities" make up the majority of America's moviegoers nowadays. Nevertheless, if Ms. Saldana was honest then she'd also remark on how colorism has greatly benefited her as a de facto mulatto in securing roles that wouldn't have gone to a darker-skinned black woman.

George Boykin: "Too Many Black Americans Suffer From Battered Voter Syndrome"

The conservative in Alabama opines: "Psychologists tell us that BWS [battered wife syndrome] is a physical and psychological condition characterized by violence and learned helplessness in women who are repeatedly abused by their husbands. BWS is used to explain why abused women do not seek assistance from others, nor fight their abusers, nor leave the abusive situation. Victims believe that the abuse is not the fault of the abuser; rather, the abuse originates from sources not related to the abuser. They often become aggressive or abusive to others who attempt to offer assistance. Victims will repeatedly seek out their very abuser for comfort after each incident of abuse."

He continues his commentary: "Similarly, the relationship between black voters and the Democratic Party displays many of the clinically diagnosed pathologies found in BWS: decimating abuse of the black family perpetrated by 40 years of Democratic Party welfare legislation; learned helplessness, making it nearly impossible to fight the abuse or escape the abuser; profound belief that the source of the abuse originates from sources other than the Democratic Party; aggressive and abusive treatment of others -- the so-called 'Uncle Toms' and white racists -- who attempt to offer assistance; habitually seeking out the Democratic Party for succor from the very abuse perpetrated by the Democratic Party."

Pay Your Taxes, Warren

Billionaire Warren Buffett says that rich folks should pay more taxes. However, his Berkshire Hathaway company hasn’t paid the taxes that it already owes in nine years. Of course, bookeristas are on the case:

Kenneth Durden: "Warren Buffett's Tax-Hike Hypocrisy"

Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, writes: "The New York Post editorial 'Warren Buffett’s [a] hypocrite,' points out how Mr. Buffett's Bershire Hathaway hasn't paid taxes for years. How about you just pay what you're supposed to pay Mr. Buffett? How about, before the feds close all the crazy loopholes, you tell your accountants to stop filing for the breaks? Maybe Buffett is angling for a more official position with the Obama administration. Treasury Secretary Geithner can't file and pay his taxes. The head of the president's jobs council Jeff Immelt has kept GE from paying billions in taxes. Buffett fits in perfectly. "Do as we say, not as we do."

Samuel Gonzalez: "Smells Like Hypocrisy To Me"

Asserts the conservative Republican blogger in New York: "What makes Warren a hypocrite is that he doesn’t mind benefiting from low taxes rates that helped grow his businesses but then he has no problem wanting to change it for others after he accumulates his great wealth. Like most Liberal/Progressives I think Buffett suffers from deep guilt over his wealth and his calls for rich people paying more taxes is his way of doing penance."

8/30 VIDEO OF THE DAY: June Arunga Discusses Property Rights & Wealth Creation

June Arunga, a Kenyan libertarian writer and CEO of Open Quest Media, investigates property right abuse in Africa in this 1-minute clip. This is part of a series linked to a new book by the Atlas Network called The Morality Of Capitalism.

Cheney Defends His Comments About Powell

Dick Cheney (pictured left) & Colin Powell

Former U.S. vice president Dick Cheney goes in on the moderate Republican politico in his new memoir. From Politico: "Cheney, whose long-anticipated autobiography 'In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir' hit shelves Tuesday, sat down for a live interview with Matt Lauer on the 'Today' show. Lauer did not directly ask Cheney to respond to Powell’s criticism this weekend that the former Vice President’s book takes 'cheap shots' at him and some of his other colleagues from George W. Bush’s administration."

The article continues about his criticism of Colin Powell: "Lauer asked Cheney about parts of the book where he takes Powell to task for his opposition to the Iraq war. Cheney responded that in the three chapters where he details his tenure as Secretary of Defense working with Powell, 'there’s a lot of very positive stuff' and noted that he recommended the general for several jobs in the military. 'So there’s a lot of very positive stuff in there, but a balanced account also requires me to put down what my opinion was and that’s what I’ve done,' he said."

Harlem Residents Want Pastor James Manning To Lose "Obama Is Evil" Sign Outside Church

As long as he's not telling folks whom to vote for (which would violate the church's presumed tax-exempt status), I believe this falls under free speech. However, I disagree with the conservative Republican pastor's "Uncle Tom" name-calling of the president though. From the New York Daily News: "Pastor James David Manning has put up 'Obama Is Evil' and 'He Used Black Vote to Uncle Tom For Wall St.' on the towering sign outside the ATLAH World Missionary Church on the bustling street. A church next to Manning's was so put off by the signs, officials there posted their own -- to make sure nobody thought their church had anything to do with ATLAH. 'This church is not affiliated with the church on the corner. We Support President Barack Obama,' reads a sign above the front door of Greater Bethel A.M.E. Church."

The article continues: "The controversial signs at ATLAH, which Manning changes from time to time, has targeted Obama since he took office - and has become an attraction for pedestrians and tourists on double-decker buses. 'It's not something that represents this community,' said Belynda M'baye, 53, who lives near the church and walks by the sign everyday. 'It sends out a message that all of Harlem is not supporting and that's not true. I don't think that's the case in Harlem.' M'baye also wasn't pleased to see tourists snapping photos of the sign. 'I just don't like that it's so prevalent. He didn't have anything up about Bush,' she said. 'I would be very happy if it came down. This is actually nicer than what he had before.' An earlier sign read: 'A TALIBAN MUSLIM ILLEGALLY ELECTED PRESIDENT USA: HUSSEIN.'"

Pastor Manning presents his side: "'It's alright to criticize Obama,' Manning told the Daily News. 'That's why I put that out there. I don't see anything about Obama that represents he has any concern whatsoever about black people,' said Manning. 'We need to stop [saying] just because someone is black they can't do any wrong.'"

SOPHIA A. NELSON OP-ED: Why Black Women Can Relate To Condi Rice's Cries

Dr. Rice

The moderate commentator in Virginia opines about former U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney's claim about Dr. Rice: "In his new political memoir, In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir, former Vice President Cheney recounts an alleged meeting in his office with then National Security Advisor Condi Rice where she appears in his office 'teary-eyed' and admits she was wrong for not believing his claims that Iraq was attempting to secure uranium for its nuclear program. But let's be honest here -- none of this surprises those of us who are professional black women, who have worked for older powerful men. We have all felt what Dr. Rice felt when despite our qualifications, achievements and intelligence, we are marginalized, ignored, debased, or simply invisible to men like Cheney and [former Defense Secretary Donald] Rumsfeld. I can tell you first hand it is painful and degrading and I am not surprised at any human being (male or female) who might cry in the face of such unprofessional treatment."

Ms. Nelson continues her commentary: "In the final analysis -- what we are seeing here is the calculated shredding of Rice as a competent leader and decision maker. Sadly, her experience is quite common: Educated, powerful, single woman, no children gets placed in a position of authority and the 'ole boys' don't like it. Add to her resume that she happens to be black, a scholar, a concert pianist, and Stanford University provost, and you have a perfect storm for men like Rumsfeld (who hails from the World War II generation) and Cheney (who dodged service to his country in Vietnam) who will never see a black woman as an equal or as someone whose opinion should be valued and considered."

Obama Administration Rejects Garvey Pardon Request

Of course, the administration of America's 44th white president rejected the request to pardon the pro-capitalist figure. From Caricom News Network (hat tip: Constructive Feedback): "The already strained relations between the Barack Obama administration and the Government of Jamaica could be in for more severe testing, as the US government now says the granting of a pardon to Jamaica’s National Hero Marcus Garvey would be a waste of time and resources, since Garvey has been dead for ages."

The article continues: "A report in [last week's] Sunday Observer says the flat rejection of a request for a presidential pardon for Jamaica's first national hero, the Right Honourable Marcus Mosiah Garvey, follows an eventual reply to Florida-based Jamaican-born attorney Donovan Parker, who has been writing to [P]resident Obama every week since January, requesting a posthumous pardon for Garvey. Many believe that Garvey was set up by the J Edgar Hoover-led Federal Bureau of Investigations (FBI), fearful of his widening popularity among downtrodden US blacks. Garvey was imprisoned for mail fraud totalling US$25 in June 1923, and after spending two years and nine months in an Atlanta Federal Penitentiary, was deported from New Orleans, Louisiana to Jamaica on a ship."

Somaliland: Lack Of Foreign Aid Has Brought More Democracy

Unable to access foreign aid, Somaliland – an internationally unrecognized self-declared state since 1991 – has had to negotiate with citizens and business leaders for financial support. It has provided stability and democracy in return. From The Guardian (UK) (hat tip: Africa Unchained) "As the humanitarian crisis in southern Somalia threatens millions of lives, Somalia's little-known northern neighbour, Somaliland, is doing so well that its government recently offered to send aid across the border. That a small and relatively poor country that is also suffering from the ongoing drought would be in a position to help Somalia is itself remarkable; that Somaliland achieved this position without being officially recognised by the international community as a sovereign nation – and thus without being eligible for international assistance – is truly impressive."

The article continues: "Somaliland was part of Somalia until 1991, when it seceded during the country's civil war. When Somaliland first declared independence, its government was built around a single clan and lacked accountable political institutions. Business leaders eventually agreed to provide funds, but not until the government agreed to develop representative and accountable political institutions (a concession that politicians made only out of necessity, as it weakened their own grasp on power). In one notable incident, the government was forced to implement democratic reforms in exchange for tax revenues from Somaliland's main port. These revenues total less than $30m a year – a fraction of the more than $100m the government would have received from aid organisations if Somaliland had been eligible for international assistance. It is difficult to imagine that the owners of the port would have been able to exact the same concessions if the government had other funding options."

More information about Somaliland's setup: "As a result of these negotiations over tax revenue, Somaliland has become an exceptional democracy. It has held multiple presidential, parliamentary and district-level elections. It has seen multiple peaceful handovers of power, including to a minority clan. It even survived a presidential election that was decided by an 80-vote margin without resorting to violence. While the government's limited finances prevent it from providing an ideal level of public goods, the stability it has ensured has led to an economic revival, massive gains in primary schooling, and significant reductions in infant mortality. It has also been able to facilitate a strong response to the current food shortages, which is evident in this World Food Programme map of the current incidence of famine. To be sure, there is still much work to be done but, in context, Somaliland's accomplishments are, in the words of Human Rights Watch, 'both improbable and deeply impressive'."

Has Washington D.C.'s Black Middle Class Given Up On Neighborhood Schools?

If U.S. President Barack Obama doesn't even send his own daughters to a neighborhood school just steps from the White House (despite claiming to be a public schools advocate) because of sub-par standards, then it's unrealistic to expect Mr. and Mrs. Johnson to do so for lil' Imani. What sane parent would send their academically average or gifted child to a school where only 15% of the kids are even reading at grade level, and classroom disruptions / violence is endemic? That's tantamount to child abuse, if you have options. You either homeschool them, shell out the money for private school, or move to the suburbs for better public schools..

Anyway, Jonetta Rose Barras, a moderate commentator in D.C., wonders why black middle-class parents aren't leading the fight for improved public schools like D.C.'s growing white middle class is increasingly doing: "In many black communities, schools are considered sacred institutions; reverence for teachers is similar to that for pastors. That relationship is rooted in an important reality for the black middle class. Before integration expanded their career opportunities, African Americans could rely on teaching as a prime pathway to success. Consequently, many have been reluctant to question administrators or alter the infrastructure of schools. This history also helps explain why voters in middle-class black neighborhoods have aligned politically with unions that over the past few years have equated school reform with deliberate attacks on teachers. Likewise, many middle-class blacks are reluctant to lead local versions of a reform movement, fearing they might be accused of being Fenty–Rhee allies or fans of gentrification. Both translate into being for whites and against blacks. And being too pushy about wanting things like improved school libraries or International Baccalaureate programs, Ward 5 State Board of Education member and reform proponent Mark Jones says, fits into that same unpopular schema: 'In certain wards, people don’t want to be seen aligned with reform.'"

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Herman Cain: "The U.S. Must Stand With Israel"

Herman Cain at the Western Wall

The conservative Republican businessman and presidential candidate discusses his recent trip to Israel: "After seeing first-hand the proximity of its enemy’s borders to communities within Israel, and the peaceful and positive developments in the city of Ariel, often referred to as the West Bank, it is easy to understand why the Israelis consider the idea of going back to the pre-1967 borders, as proposed by President Obama, to be unreasonable, impractical and, as Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said, a non-starter."

He continues his commentary: "One of Israel’s major frustrations stems from a lack of clarity about its relationship with the United States of America. Different administrations have always shown different levels of support for Israel, but the actions of the Obama Administration have signaled renewed and disappointing confusion about our support of Israel. Suggesting that Israel return to pre-1967 borders is most egregious, and only serves to encourage Israel’s enemies to continue their hostility toward it. Let me be direct and clear. I support Israel’s position that the 1967 borders must stand. I also support the position that Jerusalem is the capital of Israel, and that Jerusalem must never be divided for political or any other reason."

More: "Glenn Beck’s special event in Israel on 'Restoring Courage', where I attended the closing program, could not have been held in a more appropriate location. No other nation has exemplified courage throughout its history better than the nation of Israel. It has consistently survived and thrived against the odds. The United States of America must have the courage to stand with its friend Israel despite the enemies around it. It is in our shared interest to do so for the sake of peace in the Middle East and the rest of the world. With me as president of the United States of America, we would stand with Israel."

8/29 VIDEO OF THE DAY: Usain Bolt Disqualified At World Championships In South Korea

Every track star has a bad day, even the 100-meter-dash world recordholder with a three-year reign defending his world title. I actually like the "one-and-done" rule which yesterday snagged Mr. Bolt. When there was the two false-starts rule, there were a slew of false starts (which athletes would sometimes do on purpose to psych out their opponents) that could even try the patience of Job. This is part of what makes track & field exciting. The Jamaicans still won, so they got a consolation prize lol. The Jamaicans & Jamericans are still talking smack, of course:



Mr. Bolt didn't speak with the media after the DQ, but now says that he's of course disappointed and is now focusing on the 200-meter dash and the 4x100-meter relay.

Dick Cheney: "Condi Rice Is A Crybaby"

Rice throwing daggers at Cheney

The former U.S. vice president slams Dr. Rice in his new memoir. From Slate: "On the Today show this morning, Dick Cheney discussed his new book, In My Time: A Personal and Political Memoir, with correspondent Jamie Gangel. An obviously ailing Cheney -- who shows Gangel the battery that's powering his heart (insert Cheney-is-not-human joke here) -- talked about how he would water-board terror suspects again in a second, and also about his relationship with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. According to the Atlantic, Cheney describes Rice 'as 'tearfully' admitting she had been wrong to urge Bush to apologize for wrongly alleging that Iraq had tried to obtain yellowcake uranium in Niger.' Yesterday, Colin Powell said that it was inappropriate to discuss Rice's alleged tears."

The article continues: "Gangel seemed to agree. In the clip [here], she takes Cheney to task for his depiction of Rice, saying, 'You know that 'tearfully' is a loaded description for powerful women in high office. It’s going to be seen by a lot of people as provocative.' To which Cheney responded, 'It's an accurate description.'"

More alleged behind-the-scenes drama during the Bush II administration: "This isn't the first time a book about Cheney has described a crying Condoleezza Rice. According to a 2008 bio of Cheney by journalist Barton Gellman called Angler, Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld allegedly made Rice cry because he repeatedly refused to attend meetings she organized about military tribunals for terror suspects as a way to delay the tribunals: '[Rumsfeld] did not regard her as an equal and barely hid it. The opinions of her staff did not interest him....Something happened to Rice's face, control melting away. Her eyes welled up and her next words caught in her throat. The men in the room did not know where to look....She started to cry,' said one of them. 'And she said - I can't remember the exact words because I was so shaken - something like: 'We will talk about this again,' and she turned and walked quickly out of the door.'"

Project 21: "Al Gore Is Wrong For Comparing Global Warming Critics To Jim Crow Racists"

Considering that Mr. Gore's own father filibustered the hell out of Civil Rights Act of 1964 during his U.S. Senate tenure, I guess he would know first-hand. The black conservative organization has issued a statement condemning former U.S. Vice President Al Gore’s attempt to injected race into the debate over emissions regulations by comparing those opposed to further regulation with opponents of the civil rights movement:

Deneen Borelli, conservative Republican and Project 21 fellow: “The real race problem associated with Gore’s assault on fossil fuels is that increased regulation leads to higher energy prices — a regressive tax that specifically harms low-income black families. While members of the elite such as Al Gore can afford energy at virtually any price, skyrocketing fuel and utility costs reduce the standard of living for hardworking American families. High energy prices also drives jobs overseas, contributing to slower economic growth and high unemployment.”

Horace Cooper, conservative Republican and senior fellow with the Institute for Liberty: "Equating sincere disagreements over a scientific theory with lynching and Jim Crow isn’t just off base — it denies history and is a slap in the face of all Americans who came together to end racism and bigotry.”

Jerome Hudson, conservative in Florida: “When Al Gore compares those who question his perception of man-made global warming to racists and segregationists in an attempt to ‘win the conversation,’ he reveals a disturbing desperation that not only alienates him from the mainstream but marginalizes his logic and nullifies his already flailing credibility.”

Cherylyn Harley LeBon, conservative and former senior counsel for the U.S. Senate Judiciary Committee: "Al Gore’s grounding in reality — or lack of it — is astounding,. And Gore’s memory appears selective. While suggesting the attitudes instilled by the civil rights movement be similarly used to advance an idea he supports, but many scientists argue is not based in science or proven policies, Al Gore seems to have conveniently forgotten his own family’s history. His father, Senator Al Gore Sr., voted against the Civil Rights Act of 1965 [sic] and has the shameful distinction of participating in one of the longest filibusters in the history of the U.S. Senate opposing civil rights legislation.”

Gaddafi Showed Off His Eye Condi

Rebels show off Gaddafi's photo album dedicated to Dr. Rice

If rebels finding Libyan dictator Moammar Gaddafi's secret stash of Condoleezza Rice photos wasn't hilarious (albeit creepy) enough, there's more. From The Daily Caller: "After rebels ransacked the compound of Muammar Gaddafi in Tripoli last week, they discovered an uncanny photo album filled with pictures of former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. The album was shown to Rice — who Gaddafi fondly referred to as his 'darling black African woman' — during a 2008 diplomatic visit to Libya."

The article continues: "Former State Department spokesman Sean McCormack told The Daily Caller that the former Libyan dictator whipped out the album during a private meeting with Rice. Rice didn’t talk about the episode to her staff until she had boarded her flight out of Libya. 'After we were on the plane leaving Libya and she was debriefing us on the visit where staff weren’t present [she said] that he had shown her this photo album,' McCormack said. 'And it was sort of not conventional, shall we say, and not standard diplomatic practice,' McCormack added."

Cory Booker: "Hurricane Irene Wasn't Overhyped"

Newark Mayor Cory Booker was a guest this evening on CNN's "Piers Morgan Tonight", where he talked about those who say the the hurricane was overhyped. "I've got 99 problems and that's not one," the moderate-liberal Democratic mayor told Mr. Morgan, paraphrasing a Jay-Z song. "Those debates to me are academic we still have thousands of people without power."

Mayor Booker also discussed the use of social media to help his residents during the hurricane.

Gene Simmons: "Rick Perry & Condi Rice Would Be A Winning 2012 Presidential Ticket"

Dr. Rice chillin' with Kiss in Sweden in 2008

The Israeli-born bassist for Kiss is a swing voter who voted for George W. Bush in 2004 and Barack Obama in 2008. From The Daily Caller: "In a series of tweets Friday, Simmons waded back into political waters by suggesting the Perry–Rice presidential ticket. 'Wanna play a Political Game? Here’s a hard ticket to beat – Gov Perry and Condoleezza Rice,' the musician tweeted. Simmons went on to explain why he views Condi favorably. 'Met her in Stockholm & she struck me as politically savvy as anyone I’ve met in gov’mt,' Simmons wrote in another tweet. 'She won’t run for VP, but this ticket is a winner.'"

More: "Earlier this month, Simmons expressed confidence that Perry would be the next president, citing his own voting history as evidence: 'I voted for Pres Bush. I voted for Pres Clinton. I voted for Pres Obama. The next president will be Gov Rick Perry....Gov Perry worked for Al Gore and then switched to Republican. He will be our next President. I’ve never been wrong.'”

The article adds: "'I have problems w/ his social issues [Perry], but agree w/ his fiscal issues,' Simmons wrote. 'Unless Pres Obama proves himself, the next Pres will be Gov Perry.'"

Booker Rising response: I'm sure this has nothing to do with the fact that Dr. Rice is a Kiss fan.

Obama Faces Trouble With White Voters, Female Voters

White folks & women are turning their backs on Obama

From the Associated Press (hat tip: TheRoot.com), from its AP-GfK polling about the liberal Democratic president: "White independent voters, who divided their support evenly between Obama and McCain in 2008, may be the president's biggest challenge now. Just 3 in 10 white independents say Obama deserves to be re-elected and only 41 percent say he understands the problems of people like them. Obama didn't win the largest share of white voters in 2008, when they made up 74 percent of the electorate. Still, his inroads were enough to beat McCain. Fifty-six percent of all whites approved of how he was doing his job in the first three months of his presidency."

More: "But that support has fallen, with only 36 percent now liking how he's doing his job, while 59 say Obama deserves to be voted out of office. In 2008, Obama won the backing of most whites in the Northeast and was competitive in the Midwest and West, outperforming the previous two Democratic nominees. Now, majorities of whites in every region but the Northeast say he deserves to lose in 2012 and that he is not a strong leader. The outlook is negative for Obama among white voters in the Midwest and West, regions where so many electoral votes are at stake. More than 6 in 10 white voters who did not graduate [from college] say the president deserves to be voted from office, while 53 percent of white college graduates say as much."

The article continues: "Women no longer are a bright spot for Obama. At the 100-day mark of his presidency, they gave him significantly higher approval ratings than did men, 68 percent to 60 percent. That's since fallen dramatically. In the latest AP-GfK survey, less than half of all women and less than half of all men approve of the job Obama is doing. Just 50 percent of women said Obama deserves re-election. Still, women are more likely than men to see Obama as empathetic or a strong leader, and they give him sharply higher positive ratings on his handling of the economy. Forty-three percent of women approve, compared with 29 percent of men."

African Union Head: "Libyan Rebels Killing Black Workers"

AU head Jean Ping

From the Associated Press: "The chairman of the African Union says Libyan rebels may be indiscriminately killing black people in Libya because they have confused innocent migrant workers with mercenaries. Chairman Jean Ping told reporters Monday that this is one of the reasons the AU is refusing to recognize the National Transitional Council as the country's interim government. He said, 'We need clarification because the NTC seems to confuse black people with mercenaries....They are killing normal workers.'"

Booker Rising response: We've got U.S. President Barack Obama teaming up with former European colonizers in backing Arab/Berber racists who are popping off black folks on our dang home continent. However, this information was known back in March (which Booker Rising, among others, highlighted). Somaliland Press wrote back during the spring: "While the airing of Gaddafi’s so called 'black mercenaries' by Western media has ignited the issue, some say an xenophobic attitude towards these refugees and labourers has existed for years. They say the current attacks are racially motivated because the rebels have released many actual Libyan mercenaries and soldiers under a tribal agreement. They believe many Arabs felt their Libyan leader was abandoning them for black Africans ever since he became a 'pan-Africanist'. Many immigrants were regularly victims of racism."

LURITA DOAN OP-ED: 5 Job Creation Ideas For Obama

The conservative Republican commentator and former federal government official under the Bush II administration writes: "1. Create a pro-business environment that encourages investment and growth in areas currently receiving federal subsidies for disaster relief. Creating a tax free zone for five years in Louisiana or Mississippi, areas that still have not recovered economically from Hurricane Katrina, would encourage businesses to relocate to these areas. This move would (a) keep investment dollars in the U.S. (b) create new jobs and hiring opportunities in currently low employment areas (c) eliminate the need for additional federal subsidies in these areas (d) indirectly affect and improve the education systems in these areas as a result of more residents, more jobs and more income.

2. Announce 'drill, baby, drill' is back on track, and mean it. Wildcatters and small rig entrepreneurs would rejoice. In addition to creating jobs in states all around the U.S., the announcement would also be an effective way to scare the #@!?# out of the Middle East oil community and would, most likely, result in an immediate lowering in the cost per barrel of oil. Our nation has lost too much credibility and squandered too much American wealth pursuing any number of dubious energy policies. Time to get serious and develop our own resources.

3. Extend payroll tax cuts. Increasing the amount of retained earnings will be good for the economy, but accompany the payroll tax cuts with serious federal budget cuts to an entitlement program such as unemployment by reducing the amount of time an individual can collect unemployment. After all, the president is supposed to be incentivizing Americans to create jobs, not encouraging them to stay home. Paying Americans not to work for 99 weeks is insane and fiscally ruinous.

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Colin Powell Undecided On 2012 Choice

From CBS News, about the moderate Republican: "Powell, who served under former President George W. Bush from 2001 to 2005, endorsed President Obama in the 2008 election. But in an appearance on CBS' 'Face the Nation' on Sunday, Powell said 'I haven't decided' if he'll vote for Mr. Obama this time around. 'I haven't decided who I'm going to vote for,' Powell told CBS' Bob Schieffer. 'Just as was the case in 2008, I am going to watch the campaign unfold.'"

The article continues about Mr. Powell's indecision this early in the game: "Powell, a Republican, emphasized that he won't base his decision on party affiliation alone: 'In the course of my life I have voted for Democrats, I have voted for Republicans, I have changed from one four-year cycle to another, and I've always felt it my responsibility as a citizen, to take a look at the issues, examine the candidates, and pick the person that I think is best qualified for the office of the president in that year," he said, "and not just solely on the basis of party affiliation.'"

Herman Cain In Israel: "Jerusalem Is One"

Herman Cain at the Western Wall

The conservative Republican businessman and presidential candidate is in the Middle East. From Arutz Sheva (Israel) (see video here): "Republican party presidential hopeful Herman Cain, who won a straw vote in Georgia on Saturday, said in Israel on Sunday that dividing Jerusalem 'is not even a consideration.' He walked to the site that is designated for the United States embassy in Jerualem, a move he supports but which has been blocked by several presidents, including Barack Obama. Speaking to reporters Sunday, Cain made it clear that 'Israel is more interested in peace than the Palestinians' and it has 'given up enough in terms of trying to facilitate peace.'"

A Guaranteed Best-Seller

Hat tip to Hip Hop Republican. Dr. Rice's memoir, No Higher Honor: A Memoir Of My Years In Washington, drops on November 1: "In No Higher Honor, Rice shares her unique perspective on the most consequential political, diplomatic, and security issues of the administration. In her own words, she describes the harrowing terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001, and chronicles her experience of appearing before the 9/11 Commission, for which she was broadly saluted for her grace and forthrightness. She also reveals new details about the contentious debates in the lead-up to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq."

Brown Publishers will simultaneously release the moderate-conservative Republican's book in the U.S. and Canada in hardcover, e-book, and audio formats. No Higher Honor will also be issued in Britain by Simon & Schuster UK.

Booker Rising response: There better be some jaw-dropping gems in this book. I'd love to read juicy behind-the-scenes details of the events leading up to the Iraq war, Hurricane Katrina, and the scoop on various high-ranking leaders. It also wouldn't hurt if she also addressed the rumors about her alleged liberal filmmaker "gal pal" with whom she shares a home (and its alleged role in her being passed over for the 2008 GOP VP nod) and who she voted for during the 2008 presidential election, but I'm probably asking too much here.

Walaa Idris: "The Abortion Pause Proposal In Britain Is A Step Backwards For Women!"

Asserts the Conservative Party activist in London: "The Abortion Act is 40 years old yet still the decision to terminate a pregnancy is shrouded with stigma not to mention the emotional and physical trauma that accompanies it. What women need in the second decade of the Twenty First Century is definitely better support more information but fewer obstacles. That’s why I am skeptical about the government’s new proposal regarding compulsory advice to women before getting an abortion. Besides it sounding backwards, compulsory anything does not sit well with me – because anything forced is mostly intrusive and strikes me as authoritarian! As conservatives we trust people to make choices for themselves because we believe people are much happier running their own lives making their own decisions because they know best what works for them. And what bigger decision can there be for any woman of any age from any background of any faith than the decision to keep or terminate an unwanted pregnancy!"

More commentary from Ms. Idris: "Don’t get me wrong, I understand that there are some women who use abortions as a form of contraception; there are also those who later regret having a termination but going by [Conservative Party parliamentarian] Nadine Do[r]ri[e]s’ own study this group is the minority, they make up one third of all abortions in the UK. Most women who seek a termination think long and hard before having one which in itself is a very stressful process and doesn’t need to be made worst by undue pressure from the state. This proposed waiting tactics is extremely damaging specially for those women who require an immediate termination, prolonging their suffering with a compulsory pause is inhumane."

Deroy Murdock: "Voters Can See A Big Difference Between Mitt Romney & Rick Perry"

Mitt Romney (pictured left) & Texas Governor Rick Perry

Asserts the libertarian Republican commentator, about the GOP presidential candidates: "Perry's record should satisfy limited-government conservatives far more than Romney's. As 'America's jobs governor,' Perry is the one-man antidote to Obama's venomous policies that have held unemployment above 9 percent for 25 of the last 27 months. Across all 50 states between June 2009 and June 2011, the Dallas Federal Reserve calculates that 49.9 percent of America's net new jobs arose in Texas. July was its 11th straight month of payroll expansion. During Romney's single four-year term [as Massachusetts governor], however, the U.S. Labor Department ranked Massachusetts No. 47 in job growth."

More: "On health care, the free-market Club for Growth lauds Perry for expanding managed care within Medicaid. A CFG White Paper on Perry explains, 'this bill could save Texas nearly $468 million over two years.' CFG credits Romney for requiring Medicaid patients to co-pay for some treatments and increasing new state workers' health contributions. But CFG describes RomneyCare as 'one lab experiment that completely has failed.' Conservatives hungry for free markets are stampeding toward Rick Perry. True, the cowboy-boot-wearing governor recalls President George W. Bush in style. Unfortunately, Mitt Romney reflects him in substance."

Beyonce Is Pregnant

The R&B/pop star announced that she and husband Jay-Z are expecting their first child during last night's MTV Video Music Awards. Sandra Rose, a conservative blogger, argues that Beyonce's timing was manipulative and selfish: "Beyonce, and her basketball, showed up at the MTV VMAs last night and surprised everyone with her pregnancy announcement. Yet 10 days ago she played to FOUR sold out houses at Roseland in NYC. Not once did she announce her pregnancy to her adoring fans who lined up for hours even though they had tickets. If she was pregnant 10 days ago she should have been just as happy as she was last night (unless she’s a sociopath)."

Ms. Rose ain't done just yet: "Beyoncé made sure she was going to upstage every celebrity at the awards show even before the show began, by announcing her pregnancy — a pregnancy that no one saw coming even though she has not left the public eye in months.....Beyoncé may very well be pregnant — and if she is, congrats to her and Jay Z — but that baby bump she was holding all night like a basketball was as fake as a $100 dollar bill with Barack Obama’s face on it! Wow. Who knew Beyoncé could stoop so low just for attention?"

Booker Rising response: I believe that Beyonce is legitimately (4 months?) pregnant. For one thing, she's actually covered up for once LOL. Beyonce made sure the drop the news during the MTV VMA Awards, so she’d overshadow everyone else. However, I don’t mind her overshadowing Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Nicki Minaj, & the other non-talents so I view that as a plus. The photos that Sandra highlights show attire where Beyonce could've easily hidden her baby bump. Sandra (who is no fan of Beyonce) should be glad that ol' girl is presumably finally going on hiatus. I like Beyonce, but she needs to give us a chance to miss her. Let’s hope the child looks more like her than Jay-Z though.

8/28 VIDEO OF THE DAY: Juan Williams: "Perry Can't Carry The Day Compared To Obama On Jobs"

The moderate-liberal commentator made this provocative statement today on "Fox News Sunday". Um, which politician has lost 3.3 million jobs under his watch? Which one has created more jobs in his state than the other 49 U.S. states combined?

Powell On Cheney's Memoir: "Cheap Shots"

Dick Cheney (pictured left) & Colin Powell

The moderate Republican politico ain't pleased with former Vice President Dick Cheney's upcoming memoir.From USA Today: "Cheney writes that Powell tried to undermine President George W. Bush by criticizing administration policy to people outside the government. Powell said he gave his best advice on issues directly to the president. 'Mr. Cheney may forget that I'm the one who said to President Bush, 'If you break it, you own it,'' Powell said in reference to the war in Iraq. 'I gave the president my best advice.' Powell, who resigned after Bush was re-elected in 2004, said the administration 'wasn't functioning as a team' at that time. 'I felt that I had to leave the administration. And frankly, I always intended to just serve one term,' he said."

More: "Powell defended Rice, who served as secretary of State in the second term. 'He's taking the same shots at Condi with an almost condescending tone,' Powell said of Cheney. The book describes Rice in one instance as speaking 'tearfully.'"

The Secret Is Out: Gadhafi Has A Crush On Condi Rice

Rebels show off Gadhafi's photo album dedicated to Dr. Rice

Y'all may wanna watch how you handle those potentially sticky pages LOL. The fugitive Libyan dictator — who calls Dr. Rice his "African Queen" — apparently has a crush on the former U.S. Secretary of State, since rebels found a photo album dedicated to her in his compound. From The Blaze (hat tip: Chidike Okeem): "The pictures of Rice — whom Gadhafi once referred to in saccharine terms as his 'darling' — are bound in an album and include full-page glossy images and smaller snapshots. The photos, many of them close-ups, show her at public events: giving speeches and standing behind podiums."

Gadhafi referred to Dr. Rice as his "African Queen"

More about his crush on the moderate-conservative Republican politico: "Rice had dinner with Gadhafi during a diplomatic visit to Libya in 2008 and apparently made quite the impression. 'I support my darling black African woman,' Gadhafi previously said about her in a 2007 interview with Al Jazeera. 'I admire and am very proud of the ways she gives orders to the Arab leaders....Leezza, Leezza, Leezza....I love her very much. I admire her and I‘m proud of her because she’s a black woman of African origin.”

During their 2008 meeting, Gadhafi showered Dr. Rice with more than US$212,000 in gifts (which didn't go directly to her, due to U.S. rules), so this photo album is perhaps not surprising.

Dr. Rice declined to comment to the media about this revelation. Politico notes: "It must be noted that Qadhafi isn’t the only world leader with rumored affections for Rice. Canadian then-Foreign Minister Peter McKay was rumored to be one such leader when the two met for talks in 2006; former British Foreign Minister Jack Straw and former Italian Foreign Minister Massimo D’Alema have been subject to similar such rumors, says The New York Times." Politico also forgot to mention former Israeli Prime Minister' Ariel Sharon as a Rice groupie.

Open Thread Friday

Hat tip to The Black Informant blog for this historical photo of a black American family. You know the drill: keep it clean, keep it civil, but otherwise discuss what you'd like.

Horace Cooper: "Upholding The Constitutionality Of ObamaCare's Individual Mandate Would Set A Dangerous Precedent"

Asserts the conservative Republican commentator opines: "[Recently], the Eleventh Circuit Court ruled that the 'individual mandate' prescribed in President Obama's signature piece of health care legislation — 'ObamaCare' — requiring virtually every U.S. resident to purchase federally-approved private health insurance is unconstitutional. The Eleventh Circuit's bristling decision is sure to be heard by the Supreme Court. Regardless of the outcome before the high court, the real question isn't simply whether Congress has the power to force Americans to buy health insurance. Instead, the issue is if Congress has this power – what couldn't Congress do in the name of regulating interstate commerce?"

He argues that Congress has no constitutional authority to dictate Americans' most private economic choices: "In its decision, the Eleventh Circuit found the individual mandate to be 'unprecedented' in U.S. law and jurisprudence. The court observed that '[f]ew powers, if any, could be more attractive to Congress than compelling the purchase of certain products....Even in the face of a Great Depression, a World War, a Cold War, recessions, oil shocks, inflation, and unemployment, Congress never sought to require the purchase of wheat or war bonds, force a higher savings rate or greater consumption of American goods, or require every American to purchase a more fuel efficient vehicle.' This, said the appellate court, is 'telling' and 'instructive' because it suggests that until now Congress has assumed that it did not possess such almighty authority to require such purchases. But if the Supreme Court reverses the Eleventh Circuit and accepts the government's argument that 'the mere fact of an individual's existence substantially affects interstate commerce, and therefore Congress may regulate them at every point of their life,' then all of that would change — then there will be precedent."

Herman Cain Fires Back At Garofalo, Olbermann

Cain challenged Garofalo that blacks must think alike

From The Daily Caller, about the conservative Republican businessman and presidential candidate: "Is Herman Cain a paid prop of conservative puppet masters trying to deflect charges of racism from the 2012 presidential field and the tea party? Comedienne Janeane Garofalo made that accusation last week on Keith Olbermann’s 'Countdown' show on Current TV."

The article continues: "The former Godfather’s Pizza CEO and 2012 Republican presidential candidate addressed those allegations on Sean Hannity’s Fox News show on Monday. His only question: If that’s the case, where’s the money? 'Look, if Janeane Garofalo and these other loonies believe I’m being paid, would she send me the phone number because whoever is supposed to be paying me — they are behind on their payments, OK?' Cain said."

More about white liberals trying to dictate how blacks should think: "'As far as Olbermann talking about delusions of grandeur — see, Sean, you know this, I know this and most correct-thinking conservatives know this: When all else fails, the liberals call you names or attack your personality. I find it pathetic and hilarious that she is now resorting to this because what that means, Sean, is they are really concerned that I’m a threat to their beloved Barack Obama.'"

Did Perry Compare Civil Rights To Tax Cuts For Billionaires?

Texas Governor Rick Perry

Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, argues no: "In another fit of feigned outrage, the puppets of the Democrat[ic] Party are foaming at mouth and attempting to stir anger among black people. The lie now is that Rick Perry compared civil rights to 'tax cuts for billionaires.' Of course Perry is being targeted because he has a good chance to replace Barack Obama in the White House."

He continues his commentary: "Just what exactly did Mr. Perry say that was so offensive? Did he really say the civil rights movement was the same as giving tax cuts to billionaires? Here you go:

'We've gone from a country that made great strides in issues of civil rights, I think we all can be proud of that. And as we go forward, America needs to be about freedom,' Perry added. 'It needs to be about freedom from overtaxation, freedom from over-litigation, freedom from over-regulation. And Americans, regardless of what their cultural or ethnic background is, they need to know that they can come to America and you got a chance to have any dream come true because the economic climate is gonna be improved.'

Outrageous, ain't it? Since the Democrat's tools can't find anything wrong with the exact words Mr. Perry uttered, they have to complain about the timing. 'He shouldn't mention civil rights the same week as the unveiling of the Dr. King memorial!' The man was answering a question!"

More: "This is why there is little credibility left in accusations of racism. The term has been so cheapened by professional victims that no one listens anymore. That's more of an insult to the legacy of the civil rights movement than any words uttered by Rick Perry. Pardon the speculation, but I would think Dr. King might be more disappointed in the collapsing culture (blamed on poverty and discrimination that pale in comparison to his day) than he would in Perry's words."

A Dream Anew

Bookeristas continue to reflect on the new Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial on the National Mall, which will be officially dedicated this Sunday. Cory Booker, the moderate-liberal Democratic mayor of Newark, N.J., writes: "My hope is that, as we imminently unveil another monument to a hero in Washington D.C. this month, that we awaken the echoes of a generation that sacrificed so much, inspired so many and made our democracy considerably more robust. But my hopes do not rest on those in Washington. I feel that it would be unfair to place them there. No single elected official is a savior. And to rest the destiny of our nation on 536 actors in two branches of government would belie the history that we seek to celebrate for the Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial unveiling. As I sit here in Newark, New Jersey I am more confident than ever that the change we seek must come from neighborhoods, communities and individuals all across our nation."

More commentary from Mayor Booker about renewing the Dream: "We cannot let our national dream die -- not on our watch. Our generation must now be the dreamers. We too must boldly dream of America again. We must dream with the audacity of our ancestors and the passion of our parents. We must dream with an authentic love that heals, heartens and unifies. And we must dream a dream that is strong, stubborn and relentless. We must dream a dream that can endure the dark and difficult days ahead, for the challenges before us are complex and continue to gather strength and momentum. And we must muster the best measure of our devotion to our nation and do the hard, demanding work necessary to make those daring dreams come true -- so that the next American generation won't fall beneath our feet, foiled by the failings of their mothers and fathers, but rise as we did, standing strong, on the shoulders of giants."

Cherokee Tribe Expels Slave Descendants

Cherokee Freedmen head Marilyn Vann

From Reuters: "The nation's second-largest Indian tribe formally booted from membership thousands of descendants of black slaves who were brought to Oklahoma more than 170 years ago by Native American owners. The Cherokee nation voted after the Civil War to admit the slave descendants to the tribe. But on Monday, the Cherokee nation Supreme Court ruled that a 2007 tribal decision to kick the so-called 'Freedmen' out of the tribe was proper."

The article continues about the "who is a Cherokee?" battle: "The controversy stems from a footnote in the brutal history of U.S. treatment of Native Americans. When many Indians were forced to move to what later became Oklahoma from the eastern U.S. in 1838, some who had owned plantations in the South brought along their slaves. Some 4,000 Indians died during the forced march, which became known as the 'Trail of Tears.' 'And our ancestors carried the baggage,' said Marilyn Vann, the Freedman leader who is a plaintiff in the legal battle."

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Nyamko Sabuni: "Swedish Doctors Are Wrong For Offering Faking-Your-Virginity Tips For Muslim Females On Their Wedding Night, So They Can Satisfy 'Honor Cultures'"

Sabuni: "stop the mythmaking"

OK, the word Muslim isn't used in the article. However, we all know that's who they mean. From The Local (Sweden): "The controversial guidelines were first developed by Karolinska hospital's SESAM unit (Unit for sexual health) in 2004 and were penned by Lotti Hellström, a doctor employed at the South Stockholm General Hospital unit for raped victims. The advice given is that girls should pierce their genitals with a needle hidden in the fold of her dress on her wedding night to simulate the so-called breaching of the hymen. Despite the criticism the advice is still offered by several major Swedish healthcare institutions and Hellström has defended the advice in order to protect a young girl's life."

Sweden's moderate-conservative cabinet minister weighs in on the debate: "Gender Equality Nyamko Sabuni considers the advice given to be some girls to be unacceptable and called for the National Board of Health and Welfare (Socialstyrelsen) be tasked with developing guidelines for how the Swedish healthcare system can give advice on problems posed by the virginity issue. 'Girls should be given support based on the accurate information. Swedish healthcare should not be devoting its time to maintaining myths,' Sabuni told the TT news agency. 'If there is a real threat to the girl then the social services should be contacted and the perpetrator dealt with,' she said."