12/25 SONG OF THE DAY: Ledisi, "Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas" (2008)

Wishing my readers a Merry Christmas. Hopefully, Santa left you a lil' something under the tree :). I've been out of commission, but I'll be posting the Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2011 list tomorrow....

The Black Occupy Protester -- Missing In Action

Larry Elder, a libertarian-conservative Republican commentator in California, ponders their absence: "As 'Person of the Year,' Time magazine named 'The Protester.' The subhead read, 'From the Arab Spring to Athens, From Occupy Wall Street to Moscow.' Well, yes, but what about the lack of American black protesters? Good Lord, where is the racial diversity/inclusion/proportional representation? Back in the day, the tea party's alleged lack of black participants was beyond worrisome to the media. The lack of black faces in the crowd allowed the major media to describe the tea party as racially exclusionary, if not....racist!"

He continues his commentary: "So the formula is set: Lack of blacks plus 'overwhelmingly white' equals racism. Right? Not so fast. This formula does not apply to the Occupy Wall Street movement, which is as white as an Idaho picket fence. A Washington Post opinion piece cites a survey that found 'African Americans, who are 12.6 percent of the U.S. population, make up only 1.6 percent of Occupy Wall Street.' And blacks are 25 percent of New York City's population. Occupy Wall Street was a home game for them. By contrast, 6 percent of tea party supporters, according to an April 2010 Gallup poll, are black. That's almost four times the number of blacks who make up Occupy Wall Street."

He argues that the real question is not why so few blacks belong to the Occupy movement. The real question is why so many blacks still belong to the Democratic Party.: "Then there's the President Barack Obama factor. For some blacks, joining the Occupy protests would be an admission that Obama has failed to deliver on his promises to make things better, to squash special interests, to diminish the influence of lobbyists, etc. It's not hard for a black Obama lefty (redundancy intentional) to rationalize: 'I thought a black president would make a real, actual, touchable difference in my life. He has not. But he's trying. He inherited a mess that those awful Republicans left him. So, he deserves re-election.' How else to explain that while 57 percent of Americans disapprove of Obama's handling of the economy, 86 percent of blacks approve?"

EVIL EYE POST OF THE DAY: Atlanta Rapper Murdered Over A Piece Of Candy

Slim Dunkin

Ri-damn-diculous. Apparently the dead rapper is part of Waka Flocka Flame's crew, and the cops are telling the alleged shooter to turn himself in because the Bloods may cap his behind his life is in big danger. From Clutch Magazine: "The Atlanta police may have a lead as hey pursue the individual who shot and killed rapper Slim Dunkin. Come to find out the young rapper born Mario Hamilton may have been gunned down behind a piece of candy. As MTV News reports, a local ATL news show claimed that Dunkin was shot when a fight over a stolen piece of candy got out of hand. 'The information we’re getting, it’s unconfirmed, but witnesses are saying this whole thing started over a piece of candy,' homicide detective David Quinn said. Witnesses have said that the departed rapper yanked a piece of candy from another man while in the recording studio, prompting a verbal argument that progressed into a fistfight, then a shot to the chest.  The entire altercation occurred in front of 13-20 bystanders."

Trump: "The Black Vote Would Help My Third Party Candidacy"

Dream on, Donald. From the liberal Huffington Post: "Real estate mogul Donald Trump continued to make the case for a potential third party presidential run Wednesday night, claiming that if he entered the race as an independent it would be he, not President Obama or the GOP candidate, that would emerge victorious."

The article continues about Mr. Trump's comments: "Trump, who's maintained that he's 'always had a great relationship with the blacks,' told Fox News' Greta Van Susteren that the African-American vote might play a big part in that triumph. 'Well, I think I'd get a great cross-section. I think I'd get Hispanic votes, frankly. I think -- and people smile when I say it -- I think I'd do great with the African American votes. I think I'd do great with that,' Trump said. 'I just have a great relationship with African-Americans and African-American voters.'"

SIDE-EYE OF THE DAY: Robin Thicke In Pander Overdrive

Robin Thicke & his wife Paula Patton

Now, I like some of Robin Thicke's songs. However, he's doing over-the-top pandering in this Essence interview promoting his new CD. Robin, dude, you're trying too hard. Now y'all know that I'm suspicious of anyone who exclusively dates outside of their own race, especially when they diss their group. I do wonder if Robin Thicke exclusively goes with black women because of his troubles with his white mama, which he touches upon during the interview. And why is Robin acting like he's the first male R&B singer to have a mostly black female fanbase, when Jon B. was doing it back in the 1990s? And side-eye to the friends' racial counting. So many of Robin's quotes raise red flags that I don't know where to begin. Exerpts:

On loving black women/refusing to date white women:  "It’s nice if you can make someone drop it like it’s hot, or pop a bottle [as opposed to a romantic focus in music, such as his own music]. But we’re always dropping it and popping it. What I realize about the difference between me and my peers -- you know, Chris Brown and Drizzy Drake and all my musical peers -- is that they haven’t been with the same woman for 18 years and I’ve been with a Black woman for 18 years. I’ve never dated a White woman. Don’t want to. I’ve never been on a date with a White woman. When you have that relationship and that means the most to you -- you know I can’t live without that woman, she is my muse, my best friend, and my creative partner. I didn’t have a great relationship with my mom and she didn’t have a great relationship with her dad and we became that for each other. She’s my mama and I’m her daddy. I even call her mama and she calls me daddy. We are that to each other."

On whether increased media articles stating that black American women might be better off dating more white guys are correct: I think that’s ridiculous. There are so many good Black men out there that are hardworking, decent, and handsome, you know? To start that rumor is as bad as starting any other negative rumor. There are great Black men out there. There are only a few good White men -- trust me. (Laughs) Good luck finding a good White man who understands your journey. I only have three White friends. I’ve got 20 Black male friends, who are all good men who take good care of their wives, and good care of their children. I know amazing Black men. Maybe the women have to take better care of their men. Maybe you’re being too stubborn. Maybe you’re not saying you’re sorry. You have to take good care of him, too. You have to give love to get love.

Vote Again For 2011 Bookerista Of The Year

Well, we now have the Top 3 finalists, who are duking it out for the top slot of Bookerista Of The Year (which will be announced with the Top 25 list on Friday). Here are the Top 3 folks who garnered the most votes in the semi-final round, listed in alphabetical order. You can vote again for your fave bookerista for the finalist round at the bottom of this post:

Herman Cain, 66
Conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate | Atlanta metro, Georgia, USA

2011 claim to fame: the 9-9-9 tax plan

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: *

Within the span of a few months, Mr. Cain's campaign went from low-key to frontrunner. In addition to Tea Party movement support, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO turned heads and made international headlines with his  9-9-9 plan. The Wall Street Journal writes: "It would scrap the current system — with its income-tax rates as high as 35% for high-income individuals and for corporations — and replace it with a 9% personal flat tax, a 9% corporate flat tax and a 9% national sales tax. He also put out a book called This Is Herman Cain, which discussed his background and outlined his policy positions. Earlier this month, he suspended his campaign after sexual harassment allegations during his tenure as the National Restaurant Association's head and alleged longtime jumpoff Ginger White emerged.

Ron Miller, 52
Conservative Republican blogger & author | RonOnTheRight.com | Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

2011 claim to fame: blogging about various topics that promote limited government and social conservatism

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 11

The conservative Republican blogger is an associate dean and assistant professor with the Liberty University Helms School of Government. He is a conservative activist and commentator, and author of SELLOUT: Musings From Uncle Tom’s Porch. The nine-year plus veteran of the U.S. Air Force and married father of three writes columns for numerous online sites and print publications, and his own website, RonOnTheRight.com. 

Allen West, 50
Congressman & conservative Republican | Plantation, Florida, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; being a controversial quote machine

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009 list: 1

The firebrand politico and self-proclaimed "modern-day Harriet Tubman" leading blacks off the Democratic "plantation" has no shortage of liberal haters. Of course, that only endears him to conservatives. What didn't Rep. West make a controversial comment about this year? If it wasn't about Muslims, it was gays in the military. The latest one involves comparing the Democrats to an infamous Nazi propagandist. However, you can count on the brotha speaking his mind. A former Army lieutenant colonel, Rep. West is also increasingly prominent in discussing military and foreign policy issues on Capitol Hill.

Wilder To Obama: "Drop Biden From 2012 Ticket"

From RealClearPolitics, about the moderate Democrat and former Virginia governor Douglas Wilder's advice to U.S. President Barack Obama regarding his 2012 ticket: "'You go back to the reasons that Joe Biden was put on the ticket in the very first instance. It was supposedly because he had the great experience. He had been there for years. He had been Foreign Relations chair. He had been chairman of the Judiciary and supposedly knew the workings of the Senate. Now, has that worked to the president's better interest or has it taken away from the president? And the gaffe is not just a question of will Joe Biden make a gaffe and incidentally I like him. Personally, I think he is a fine fellow,' Former Gov. Douglas Wilder (D-VA) said on FOX News. 'But, Is he the person you want in place? You know, you always hear that thing. Suppose something would happen to the president, who would be in charge? The Vice President. Joe Biden? You have got to be kidding today when you say the Taliban's not our enemy,' Wilder told Neal Cavuto."

Maya Angelou's Lesson About Black Speech

Common and Maya Angelou

John McWhorter argues that in the poet's dismay at rapper Common's use of the N-word in a song that used her voice, she forgot a point she once made. The linguistics professor and moderate-conservative commentator in New York opines: "That lesson was that most black Americans can talk in two distinct ways, one formal, the other colloquial -- more specifically, in-group. She put it perfectly in one of my favorite passages from I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings: We were alert to the gap separating the written word from the colloquial. We learned to slide out of one language and into another without being conscious of the effort. At school, in a given situation, we might respond with 'That's not unusual.' But in the street, meeting the same situation, we easily said 'It be's like that sometimes.'"

He continues: "The n-word is a modern manifestation of this distinction. We often hear it discussed as if there were a single word, 'n____r,' a slur against blacks used by whites, and that our job is to tell black people not to use it among themselves. However, most black people can sense that something isn't quite right in that analysis. They're right. There isn't just one word. As I have heard even teenagers of modest education explain, there are two. The slur is 'n____r.' On the other hand, 'n____a,' pronounced with the sounds typical of exactly the colloquial black dialect Ms. Angelou referred to, is not a slur. It is a term of affection. 'N___a' is black men calling one another 'dear.'"

Read more »

WALTER E. WILLIAMS COMMENTARY: China Trade: Myths Vs. Reality

The libertarian economics professor writes: "Let's look at the magnitude of our trade with China. An excellent place to start is a recent publication (8/8/2011) by Galina Hale and Bart Hobijn, two economists at the Federal Reserve Bank of San Francisco, titled 'The U.S. Content of 'Made in China.'' One of the several questions they ask is: What is the fraction of U.S. consumer spending for goods made in China? Their data sources are the U.S. Census Bureau, the Bureau of Labor Statistics and the Commerce Department's Bureau of Economic Analysis."

Dr. Williams continues his commentary: "Hale and Hobijn find that the vast majority of goods and services sold in the United States are produced here. In 2010, total imports were about 16 percent of U.S. gross domestic product, and of that, 2.5 percent came from China. A total of 88.5 percent of U.S. consumer spending is on items made in the United States, the bulk of which are domestically produced services -- such as medical care, housing, transportation, etc. -- which make up about two-thirds of spending. Chinese goods account for 2.7 percent of U.S. personal consumption expenditures, about one-quarter of the 11.5 percent foreign share. Chinese imported goods consist mainly of furniture and household equipment; other durables; and clothing and shoes. In the clothing and shoes category, 35.6 percent of U.S. consumer purchases in 2010 were items with the 'Made in China' label."

More about Chinese trade: "Going hand in hand with today's trade demagoguery is talk about decline in U.S. manufacturing. For the year 2008, the Federal Reserve estimated that the value of U.S. manufacturing output was about $3.7 trillion. If the U.S. manufacturing sector were a separate economy -- with its own GDP -- it would be tied with Germany as the world's fourth-richest economy. Today's manufacturing worker is so productive that the value of his average output is $234,220, three times higher than it was in 1980 and twice as high as it was in 1990. That means more can be produced with fewer workers, resulting in a precipitous fall in manufacturing jobs, from 19.5 million jobs in 1979 to a little more than 10 million today. The bottom line is that we Americans are allowing ourselves to be suckered into believing that China is the source of our unemployment problems when the true culprit is Congress and the White House."

12/20 FLASHBACK SONG OF THE DAY: Sepultura, "More Of The Same" (2003)

Now this is what I call hard rock, not that wussified emo-rock nowadays that they're calling "hard rock". From Wikipedia: "Sepultura (Portuguese and Spanish for 'grave') is a Brazilian heavy metal band from Belo Horizonte, formed in 1984. The band was a major force in the death metal, thrash metal and ultimately groove metal realms during the late 1980s and early 1990s, with their later experiments melding nu metal, hardcore punk and industrial. Sepultura have released 12 studio albums so far, the latest being Kairos (2011). Their most successful records are Arise (1991), Chaos A.D. (1993), and Roots (1996). Sepultura has sold over 3 million units in the USA and almost 20 million worldwide, gaining multiple gold and platinum records across the globe, including in countries as diverse as France, Australia, Indonesia, United States, Cyprus and their native Brazil."

JIM COLLIER OP-ED: Why Obama May Lose In 2012

The moderate blogger in California opines: "It’s an outrageous thing for a bunch of predominantly white senators and congresspersons to piss on the constitution, via NDAA 1031 legislation (here), because they seemingly lack the cojones or ovaries to tell their parties to go to hell, but I suppose there’s safety in numbers. However, for our first-black President, Barack Obama, sitting at the helm of this travesty is likely to get him run out of office in 2012. Mind you, not because he is black, or a Democrat, but because he’s the president for godsakes, and his veto and pulpit are suppose to protect fundamental constitutional rights, not strip them away, as does the pending National Defense Authorization Act."

He continues his commentary: "Under no condition should American citizens face 'indefinite detainment' by the president or the military, or anyone else. But let’s be clear, Obama threatened to veto the bill if it did NOT contain the indefinite detainment of US citizen’s language (above). How about them apples? If the opposition can only field a candidate with half a communicating brain, Mr. Obama could be in big trouble come next November. Unfortunately, the half-brain requirement has been an on-going problem for the party of Lincoln. Regarding NDAA 1031, we are all in big trouble, forget the election. And furthermore, how come black folks can’t see that ‘indefinite detainment’ is the wet-dream of every racist ever born – 95% approval rating my ass – folks need to wake up! So I asked myself, why would a left-leaning, constitutional lawyer-turned-president, want the ability to throw US citizens in jail, without ever putting them on trial. What could make this man toss the constitution he knows so well into the crapper? The short answer is that he thinks he needs it."

Super Bowl To Be Streamed Online, To Mobile Phones

From the Associated Press: "The Super Bowl will be streamed online and to phones in the U.S. for the first time, the NFL said Tuesday. NBC's broadcasts of wild card Saturday, the Pro Bowl and the Super Bowl will be available on the league's and network's websites and through Verizon's NFL Mobile app. The service will include additional camera angles, in-game highlights and live stats -- and replays of those always popular Super Bowl ads."

The article continues: "NBC has been streaming its "Sunday Night Football" telecasts for four seasons, and what the network has found is it's not just being used by fans who can't get in front of a set. Many of the page views come from people using the service as a complement to watching the game on TV. That certainly would seem likely for the Super Bowl on Feb. 5 from Indianapolis. The game is annually by far the biggest attraction on television, with last season's Packers-Steelers matchup drawing a record U.S. audience for any show with 111 million viewers."

U.S. House Kills Democratic Resolution Condemning Rep. Allen West For Comparing Democrats To Nazis

Is Rep. Steve Cohen didn't get condemned for comparing Republican opposition to ObamaCare to Goebbels on the House floor back in January, then neither should Rep. West for his recent comments. From the Palm Beach Post, about the conservative Republican Congressman: "The GOP-controlled U.S. House of Representatives voted 231-188 this afternoon to table a Democratic resolution condemning U.S. Rep. Allen West, R-Plantation, for saying last week that Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels would be 'very proud of the Democrat Party, because they have an incredible propaganda machine.' The procedural vote went largely along party lines, with local Democratic Reps. Ted Deutch of Boca Raton and Alcee Hastings of Miramar voting against tabling the measure. West and Rep. Tom Rooney, R-Tequesta, were on the prevailing side. Three Republicans — Reps. Robert Dold and Timothy Johnson of Illinois and Walter Jones of North Carolina — voted with Democrats against the motion to table."

SIDE-EYE POST OF THE DAY: Terrence Howard: "I Married A Violent Racist"

Howard & his "racist" ex-wife

From TMZ: "Terrence Howard says his estranged wife HATES black people....and she would often call him names like, 'monkey' and 'n____r'...this according to new court docs obtained by TMZ. Howard is in the middle of perhaps the nastiest divorce we've ever seen -- with both sides accusing the other of extreme violence and other hateful conduct. Now, Howard has filed a new declaration in L.A. County Superior Court -- claiming Michelle inexplicably turned from a 'loving, gentle' person... into a monster ... who once threatened to have him killed by some violent Russians."

The article continues: "In the docs, Howard notes Michelle is NOT black -- and claims that when she would get upset, she would scream things like, '[I] never wanted to marry a n____r in the first place' and '[I] definitely didn't want to be the step mother of some n____r kids.'"

Booker Rising response: Assuming this story is true, it means that the ex-wife is merely just like Terrence when it comes to black folks. Sit down, Terrence "I Can't Act & I Only Date Beckys & LiLis" Howard. Yes, I'm side-eyeing you more than your ex-wife (if this story is true), for allowing yourself and your kids to be subjected to such racism. It's possible that this is an attempt to rally black folks around him in response to Michelle's allegations of domestic violence (and this excludes his domestic violence arrest against his first marriage to a white woman, back in 2001). Why did he get with her in the first place? That racism surely didn’t just rear its head after they got married. Oh, let me guess….it was because she wasn’t black & wouldn’t give him “drama” and just be with him for his money LOL. Women of any race shouldn't be tryna holler at a wifebeater.

Juan Williams: "Child Poverty Demands Attention"

Asserts the moderate-liberal commentator, about poor children in the United States of America: "Imagine Baby Jesus as an American child this Christmas. Odds are he’d be a poor person. Poverty is now epidemic among America’s children, and getting worse. Yet none of the presidential candidates, and neither the Republican majority in the House nor the Democrats in the Senate and White House is engaging the issue in any meaningful way. As Christmas sermons and carols appeal for love and compassion, there is an open window on poverty thanks to census data released last month."

He continues: "The bottom of the poverty barrel is home to 43.6 percent of the nation’s children, whom the census reports are the most likely of any age group in America to live in the 'poor or low-income' category. When the Census Bureau factored in healthcare and other child-rearing costs, it calculated that 56.7 percent of all U.S. children live near poverty. To repeat, by any measure, about half of America’s children live in poverty or painfully close to poverty. This is a radical fact that speaks to growing economic inequality. It amounts to a scary warning of possible social unrest. The official poverty level for all Americans is 15 percent; 22 percent for children, the highest since 1993. But according to an analysis by The Associated Press, when people living near the poverty line — defined as people earning less than $22,278 annually for an individual and $44,628 for a family of four — are included, 48 percent of Americans currently live in or near poverty."

More commentary from Mr. Williams: "The number of families in which someone has a job and yet the family remains in or near poverty has gone up for the last three years to 31 percent of the nation. According to the Economic Policy Institute, 83 percent of all poor children live in households where at least one adult works. Very often, their parents are working two or three jobs just to pay the rent and put food on the table. Often low-wage jobs offer little or no benefits. It has long been true that a child with a high school diploma and a job who marries before having children of his or her own is almost certain to avoid poverty. But poor schools and a scarcity of jobs now combine to depress the odds, making the poor feel disconnected from people with education and opportunity, their government and their country. It has long been said that change in politics is easy to talk about but difficult to bring about. Changing political indifference to poverty this Christmas is at the heart of America’s effort to love the child in us all — Baby Jesus."

Vote For The 2011 Bookerista Of The Year

Which black moderates, libertarians, and conservatives this year have most displayed the ideology and ethic of this blog's namesake, Booker T. Washington? The individuals listed below received the Top 5 highest number of nominations from readers. Vote to whittle down the list to the Top 3, who will then battle it out on Wednesday and Thursday for the top slot of Bookerista Of The Year (which will be announced with the Top 25 list on Friday). Here are the 5 most-nominated folks, listed in alphabetical order. You can vote for your fave bookerista at the bottom of this post:

Herman Cain, 66
Conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate | Atlanta metro, Georgia, USA

2011 claim to fame: the 9-9-9 tax plan

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: *

Within the span of a few months, Mr. Cain's campaign went from low-key to frontrunner. In addition to Tea Party movement support, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO turned heads and made international headlines with his  9-9-9 plan. The Wall Street Journal writes: "It would scrap the current system — with its income-tax rates as high as 35% for high-income individuals and for corporations — and replace it with a 9% personal flat tax, a 9% corporate flat tax and a 9% national sales tax. He also put out a book called This Is Herman Cain, which discussed his background and outlined his policy positions. Earlier this month, he suspended his campaign after sexual harassment allegations during his tenure as the National Restaurant Association's head and alleged longtime jumpoff Ginger White emerged.

Ron Miller, 52
Conservative Republican blogger & author | RonOnTheRight.com | Lynchburg, Virginia, USA

2011 claim to fame: blogging about various topics that promote limited government and social conservatism

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 11

The conservative Republican blogger is an associate dean and assistant professor with the Liberty University Helms School of Government. He is a conservative activist and commentator, and author of SELLOUT: Musings From Uncle Tom’s Porch. The nine-year plus veteran of the U.S. Air Force and married father of three writes columns for numerous online sites and print publications, and his own website, RonOnTheRight.com.

Dambisa Moyo, 42
Moderate-conservative economist | London, England

2011 claim to fame: discussing the West's economic decline and the rise of emerging markets

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 15

The Zambian-born economist put out another best-selling book, How The West Was Lost: Fifty Years Of Economy Folly — And The Stark Choices Ahead. The book focused on emerging markets and structural problems in the U.S. economy. Dr. Moyo posts on Twitter (where she has 50,000 followers) and Facebook (where she has almost 20,000 fans).

Tim Scott, 46
Congressman & conservative Republican | Charleston, South Carolina, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; went toe-to-toe with unions regarding Boeing's hiring rights

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 3

The seemingly quieter one of Congress's two black Republicans, Rep. Scott's main focus is on business and tax issues affecting his district. You may recall his battle with the National Labor Relations Board regarding Boeing's decision to relocate from Seattle, Wash. to his Southern district. Rep. Scott has also been making strong moves to become a kingmaker in his state for the Republican presidential primary (since South Carolina's choice often becomes the GOP nominee).

Allen West, 50
Congressman & conservative Republican | Plantation, Florida, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; being a controversial quote machine

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009 list: 1

The firebrand politico and self-proclaimed "modern-day Harriet Tubman" leading blacks off the Democratic "plantation" has no shortage of liberal haters. Of course, that only endears him to conservatives. What didn't Rep. West make a controversial comment about this year? If it wasn't about Muslims, it was gays in the military. The latest one involves comparing the Democrats to an infamous Nazi propagandist. However, you can count on the brotha speaking his mind. A former Army lieutenant colonel, Rep. West is also increasingly prominent in discussing military and foreign policy issues on Capitol Hill.

Is Mitt Romney More Of The Same?

Mitt Romney

Asks Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger: "In the race for the 2012 GOP nomination, the Republican 'establishment' is continuing to line up behind former Governor Mitt Romney. The reason Romney is not catching fire with the base comes down to one question: Is Mitt Romney just more of the same[?]. Sure Romney is different from Obama, but it seems more like shades of gray at times. Republicans and Democrats are all for a large federal government, they just seem to want their version of it. That is the problem. Perhaps Mr. Romney is just playing it safe in order to be better accepted in the general election, but I don't think that is the case."

Mr. Durden continues his commentary: "Romney will probably keep his promise to 'limit' the federal budget. Check this out: 'As president, Mitt Romney will immediately move to cut spending and cap it at 20 percent of GDP.' Somehow, we are supposed to be happy about the fact that the under President Romney, the federal government will 'only' consume 20% of every penny generated by our entire economy. We've gone so far left that this is seen as right wing extremism. Romney, according to former Senator Bob Dole, will also keep farm subsidies in place. Gee, thanks. Let's keep the federal government manipulating markets.  Now you know why our government isn't serious about trying to stop China from manipulating currency and markets. Our great leaders do the same stuff."

Rep. Allen West To Eric Holder: "Our Criticism Isn't Due To Your Race, But Rather Your Incompetence"

Rep. West is side-eyeing Eric Holder

From The Daily Caller, about the conservative Republican Congressman: "Florida Republican Rep. Allen West told The Daily Caller on Monday that Attorney General Eric Holder’s use of the race card as a way to attack those who are criticizing him is 'reprehensible.' 'I think this is absolutely the last card in the deck, and that shows how weak their ground is,' West said in a phone interview. 'But, what that means is they want to make white individuals afraid of continuing to put the pressure on Eric Holder because they don’t want to be seen as racist, and that is something that we have got to move beyond.'"

The article continues: "Holder had told The New York Times over the weekend, in a front page Sunday story, that he thinks those who are criticizing him have racial motivations to do so. Holder said some unspecified faction — what he refers to as the 'more extreme segment' — is driven to criticize both him and President Barack Obama due to the color of their skin. Holder did not appear to elaborate on who he considered to make up the 'more extreme segment.'"

More: "West said Holder can’t logically assign race as a motivation behind the criticisms for his handling of Operation Fast and Furious. 'What Fast and Furious has to do with is misleading the Congress and the American people about what you knew about this program, and if you did not know anything about this program, then who’s in charge of the Department of Justice?' West said. 'It has nothing to do with your race — it has everything to do with competence, with your character and with your ability to lead the Department of Justice.'"

Christopher Hitchens: Dead

Christopher Hitchens

Michael Bowen, a moderate-conservative Republican blogger in California, writes about Mr. Hitchens' recent death: "Now that Christopher Hitchens is dead, the English speaking world is going to be able to get by with a little more b_____t. I'm going to have to find someone else, we all are, who can write well, tell the painful facts about the preservation of liberty and knock back a few like a man who appreciates life. When I began to be a writer, I learned something important which is that you don't have to have a humble opinion and you don't have to apologize for the one you have,unless of course you are wrong. What's fortunate is that we live in an era where it still appreciated around certain parts, that one can inform one's wrong opinion, and better men still do. Hitch was one of the best because his was about as informed an opition as anyone who is not a machine can be."

He continues: "Hitchens reminds me of several virtues. The first, and probably foremost, is that if one is a man one should always remain a man. None could say that he was a dupe, or a tool, a fool or a lackey. He was his own man and he wrote his own words. He traveled to places and looked to see things with his own eyes. He had friends, and parents. I recall these things about Hitchens which are aspects of the lives of many other public figures that seem to disappear into their auras."

MOre: "I must mention with some sadness the reviews I have read about his passing, last and probably least of those passed on by Serwer by some heretofore unknown hack at Slate, a magazine which has become barely tolerable even as it wrecked Hitchen's last RSS feed. It seems that nobody I've read has seemed to find anything worth saying about him that outweighs his intolerance of the illogic of religious belief. It's as if he had no life or work worth mentioning before 'God is Not Great'."

Cain Mulls An Endorsement, Rules Out Perry & Paul

From National Review, about the conservative Republican businessman and presidential candidate: "As he watches his former competitors begin a two-week sprint to the Iowa caucuses, Herman Cain is not ready to endorse a candidate. But he is inching closer to a decision, telling NRO that he has ruled out two contenders. 'I would definitely not endorse Ron Paul or Rick Perry,' he says. 'It’s nothing personal, we’re just too far apart in terms of our ideas.'"

The article continues: "'At this point, there are only two people I would consider endorsing, and only two,' Cain says. 'I’m hesitant, however, to endorse because if I endorse one, that may disappoint half of my supporters, and if I endorse the other, it would disappoint the other half. I don’t want to do that. My objective is not to determine the nominee, to be a big influence, it’s to beat Barack Obama.' Cain is prepared to wait months until he officially weighs in. 'And maybe by that time, it won’t matter, and that’s okay,' he says. 'I’m going to wait until a clear leader emerges.'"

Christianity Shifts From Europe To Africa, Asia & The Americas

A church in Kenya

From the Associated Press (hat tip: Carol M. Swain): "The Christian population has shifted dramatically over the last century away from Europe to Africa, Asia and the Americas, yet Christians overall remain the largest religious group in the world, according to a new analysis released Monday. Europe is home to about one-quarter of the world's Christians, compared to two-thirds a century ago, according to the Pew Research Center's Forum on Religion & Public Life. About one-quarter of the global Christian population can now be found in sub-Saharan Africa, while 37 percent live in the Americas and 13 percent reside in the Asia-Pacific region."

The article continues: "Brazil has twice as many Roman Catholics as Italy, while Nigeria has more than twice as many Protestants as Germany, where the Protestant Reformation began, the study's authors said. Despite these changes, Christians are still the world's largest faith group, with nearly 2.2 billion adherents. Muslims comprise the second-largest group, with about 1.6 billion people, or slightly less than a quarter of the global population, the study's authors said."

More about the demographic shift: "The shifting Christian population has been a major concern of church leaders, as they try to build stronger ties with fellow believers across geographical boundaries and reconcile differing views of the Bible. As just one example, mainline Protestants in the developing world tend to be more theologically conservative than church members in the United States and Western Europe. The tensions have been most visible in the global Anglican Communion since 2003, when the Episcopal Church, which is the Anglican body in the United States, elected the first openly gay bishop, V. Gene Robinson of New Hampshire. The 77-million-member fellowship has been fracturing ever since. Pew researchers concluded that the Christian population is so widely distributed that no specific region can claim to be the center of the faith."

Herman Cain: "Look For My Army On Capitol Hill"

Herman Cain: GOP kingmaker?

From National Review, about the conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate: "Herman Cain tells National Review Online that he will launch a new political-action committee in January. The outfit, whose final name remains under wraps, will be Cain’s main project next year. Its mission will be to enact his '9-9-9' economic plan. 'We continue the campaign without a candidate,' says Cain, who hinted at the endeavor during his departure speech. 'There are a lot of people who are willing to support the campaign for solutions without the end objective being my election as president of the United States.'"

More: "'There is no law that says I can’t talk about these issues as a citizen,' Cain says. 'And there is no law that says that people can’t contribute to funding our efforts to educate people and influence legislators. That is what we are going to do. We’re going to have to find some allies in Congress and then help them take the lead.' In coming months, 'look for my army on Capitol Hill.'"

Thomas Sowell: "Who Cares About Newt Gingrich's Past? We Need To Be Focused On America's Future""

The conservative economist in California opines: "If Newt Gingrich​ were being nominated for sainthood, many of us would vote very differently from the way we would vote if he were being nominated for a political office. What the media call Gingrich's 'baggage' concerns largely his personal life and the fact that he made a lot of money running a consulting firm after he left Congress. This kind of stuff makes lots of talking points that we will no doubt hear, again and again, over the next weeks and months. But how much weight should we give to this stuff when we are talking about the future of a nation?"

He continues his commentary: "This is not just another election and Barack Obama​ is not just another president whose policies we may not like. With all of President Obama's broken promises, glib demagoguery and cynical political moves, one promise he has kept all too well. That was his boast on the eve of the 2008 election: 'We are going to change the United States of America.' Many Americans are already saying that they can hardly recognize the country they grew up in. We have already started down the path that has led Western European nations to the brink of financial disaster. Internationally, it is worse. A president who has pulled the rug out from under our allies, whether in Eastern Europe or the Middle East, tried to cozy up to our enemies, and has bowed low from the waist to foreign leaders certainly has not represented either the values or the interests of America. If he continues to do nothing that is likely to stop terrorist-sponsoring Iran from getting nuclear weapons, the consequences can be beyond our worst imagining."

Read more »

Vote For The 2011 Bookerista Of The Year

Which black moderates, libertarians, and conservatives this year have most displayed the ideology and ethic of this blog's namesake, Booker T. Washington? The individuals listed below received the Top 5 highest number of nominations from readers. Vote to whittle down the list to the Top 3, who will then battle it out on Wednesday and Thursday for the top slot of Bookerista Of The Year (which will be announced with the Top 25 list on Friday). Here are the 5 most-nominated folks, listed in alphabetical order. You can vote for your fave bookerista at the bottom of this post:

Herman Cain, 66
Conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate | Atlanta metro, Georgia, USA

2011 claim to fame: the 9-9-9 tax plan

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: *

Within the span of a few months, Mr. Cain's campaign went from low-key to frontrunner. In addition to Tea Party movement support, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO turned heads and made international headlines with his  9-9-9 plan. The Wall Street Journal writes: "It would scrap the current system — with its income-tax rates as high as 35% for high-income individuals and for corporations — and replace it with a 9% personal flat tax, a 9% corporate flat tax and a 9% national sales tax. He also put out a book called This Is Herman Cain, which discussed his background and outlined his policy positions. Earlier this month, he suspended his campaign after sexual harassment allegations during his tenure as the National Restaurant Association's head and alleged longtime jumpoff Ginger White emerged.

Ron Miller, ageless
Conservative Republican blogger & author | Regular Folks United | Huntingtown, Maryland, USA

2011 claim to fame: blogging about various topics that promote limited government and social conservatism

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 11

The conservative Republican blogger heads up Regular Folks United, a non-profit group dedicated to "the education and advancement of individual liberty and our nation's founding principles". Whether it's about social issues, religion, politics, or other issues, Mr. Miller brings a Tea Party movement perspective. The Air Force veteran is also the author of Sellout: Musings From Uncle Tom's Porch, which focuses on race in America.

Dambisa Moyo, 42
Moderate-conservative economist | London, England

2011 claim to fame: discussing the West's economic decline and the rise of emerging markets

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 15

The Zambian-born economist put out another best-selling book, How The West Was Lost: Fifty Years Of Economy Folly — And The Stark Choices Ahead. The book focused on emerging markets and structural problems in the U.S. economy. Dr. Moyo posts on Twitter (where she has 50,000 followers) and Facebook (where she has almost 20,000 fans).

Tim Scott, 46
Congressman & conservative Republican | Charleston, South Carolina, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; went toe-to-toe with unions regarding Boeing's hiring rights

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 3

The seemingly quieter one of Congress's two black Republicans, Rep. Scott's main focus is on business and tax issues affecting his district. You may recall his battle with the National Labor Relations Board regarding Boeing's decision to relocate from Seattle, Wash. to his Southern district. Rep. Scott has also been making strong moves to become a kingmaker in his state for the Republican presidential primary (since South Carolina's choice often becomes the GOP nominee).

Allen West, 50
Congressman & conservative Republican | Plantation, Florida, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; being a controversial quote machine

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009 list: 1

The firebrand politico and self-proclaimed "modern-day Harriet Tubman" leading blacks off the Democratic "plantation" has no shortage of liberal haters. Of course, that only endears him to conservatives. What didn't Rep. West make a controversial comment about this year? If it wasn't about Muslims, it was gays in the military. The latest one involves comparing the Democrats to an infamous Nazi propagandist. However, you can count on the brotha speaking his mind. A former Army lieutenant colonel, Rep. West is also increasingly prominent in discussing military and foreign policy issues on Capitol Hill.

STAR PARKER OP-ED: Thanking Our Troops

The conservative Republican commentator in Washington, D.C. writes about the official end of the Iraq war: "Flying from Washington back to my home in California, I saw many men and women in uniform traveling. I was struck by the number I noticed reading George W. Bush’s book 'Decision Points.' Perhaps these warriors are searching for meaning and context for the battles they have been fighting."

She continues her commentary: "My answer to the question of 'Was it worth it?' is this. The downside of freedom is making inevitable mistakes. Sometimes big ones. The upside is scaling the heights and achieving what could never be achieved without it. But the ideal of human freedom and the pursuit of human potential and the struggle toward this goal are never in doubt. This is what our country is so uniquely about and this is the banner that these brave warriors of ours carry. We cannot forget about those purple fingers held proudly and highly by Iraqis who never before voted in a free and fair election. The self evident truths enshrined in our Declaration of Independence are as self evidently true for them as they are for us."

More: "Herman Wouk, author of many novels, several of which were about World War II, wrote: 'Heroes are not supermen; they are good men who embody – by the cast of destiny – the virtue of their whole people in a great hour.' These returning warriors of ours embody, each and every one, the virtue of our whole people. That virtue, readily observable in Lt Col Sam, and in those who choose to put on the uniform our country and fight, is the conviction that the struggle for human freedom must move forward without cessation. It is the thread that bonds us with them. We cannot lose perspective that the main arena where Americans must fight this battle is within our own country and borders. But just as the rights we claim and enjoy are universal, so are our responsibilities."

Stanley Crouch: "Thank Goodness That America Is Nearing The End Of Decadence. We've Had Enough Of Lil Wayne, The Kardashians, & Their Ilk"

Asserts the moderate-liberal columnist in New York: "We are accustomed to juvenile ideas coming from the brood of sentimental and obnoxious women on “The View,” but Barbara Walters stepped up when, last week, she interviewed the monstrously shallow Kardashian sisters. Sounding like the 82-year-old interviewer who has often asked those under the big top of celebrity hard questions, Walters dropped a high-quality bomb on the three sisters — who became famous as a result of Kim’s sex tape — 'You don’t really act; you don’t sing; you don’t dance. You don’t have any — forgive me — any talent!' There it is. Kim provided a smug but genial answer: 'I think it’s more of a challenge for you to go on a reality show, and get people to fall in love with you for being you.' We cannot expect such empty answers to stick around much longer."

He continues his commentary: "But no segment of our society has been more deformed and dehumanized than black American popular culture and whatever intellectual seriousness lays before it, from the sidewalk to the hallowed halls of higher education. From the murder of Martin Luther King Jr. in 1968 to current celebrations of wealth, we have witnessed black American culture taken over by a vision shared by hustlers and corrupt profiteers. That vision is very simple and very direct: Money justifies whatever you do and makes any product a good one, even if it is toxic. Black websites such as The Grio have become some of the most contaminated places on the Internet because they have licked the boots of disreputable people in every kind of career, seeming to believe that the hustling attitude is perfectly correct and nothing can ever be wrong about money. Thus, minstrels like Lil Wayne came to be celebrated as heroes. But those websites are beginning to ask questions of the sub-talented, the whorish, the profoundly ignorant and makers of toxic images. Coming around is always on time."

J.C. Watts To Endorse Newt Gingrich For President

J.C. Watts

From KTUL.com, about the conservative Republican businessman and former Congressman: "Former Oklahoma congressman J.C. Watts is expected to announce his endorsement of Newt Gingrich for president. NBC News is reporting Watts will announce his endorsement of the former Speaker of the House today. Watts, who served Oklahoma's 4th District from 1995 to 2003, founded a lobbying and consulting firm, J.C. Watts Companies, following his retirement from Congress."

For my non-American readers, here's some background info on Mr. Watts: "When he was elected to Congress in 1994, he became the first African-American to win a statewide race in Oklahoma and would go on to win re-election three times. While in Congress, Watts was elected House Republican Conference Chair and to the House Armed Services Committee [while Newt Gingrich was House Speaker]. Watts was also an athlete, playing quarterback at OU [aka University of Oklahoma] and later in the Canadian Football League."

Raynard Jackson on Voter ID Laws

The moderate Republican political consultant in D.C. opines: "I think most of us can agree that it is a good thing to make people provide 'legitimate' I.D. before getting on a plane or entering into a government building, or cashing a check. I don’t think many people would consider this an intrusion or inconvenience. There is a safety component to this requirement that helps protect everyone. So, to ensure the safety of the general public, the government has mandated these requirements in order to participate in certain activities. So, can one argue that if one doesn’t have these forms of government I.D. that they have been discriminated against?"

He continues his commentary: "Secondly, if one doesn’t have any form of I.D., should the government be obligated to pay the cost to get them? Again, I challenge my readers to identify one person that they know personally that doesn’t have some form of government I.D. If you agree with me that the government’s requirement that one have 'legitimate' government I.D. to get on a plane or into a government building; how can you then argue that to require the same in order to vote in political elections is discriminatory against the poor and minorities? Poor people fly on airplanes and enter into government buildings like everyone else."

More: "These are the absurd arguments being made by the radical liberals like Al Sharpton, Ben Jealous, and radical liberal organizations like the N.A.A.C.P., the Congressional Black Caucus, etc. If it’s racist to require I.D. for people to vote, then it must be racist to require I.D. to board a plane or enter a government building! Liberals never want to match a government program with any type of individual responsibility. They constantly argue the extreme. They claim minorities are adversely affected by requiring I.D. in order to vote. According to them, the poor can’t afford the cost to pay for proper I.D. They argue that grandma doesn’t have her original birth certificate; therefore it is much harder for her to get her I.D. If the laws only applied to minorities or the poor, then I would agree with the liberals; but the law applies equally to rich and poor, Black and white. Why do liberals constantly argue that if something is difficult or that you are required to actually do something in order to get a benefit, it somehow is discriminatory?"

LURITA DOAN OP-ED: Harry Reid's Unicorn Problem

The conservative Republican commentator goes in on the U.S. Senate Majority Leader and liberal Democrat: "If Americans listen to Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, and once thing is clear--he is a man who is extraordinarily ignorant of basic economics, how jobs are created, and he abhors the free market. Reid has just reminded Americans just how little he knows (and baneful Reid has become) when, on [last] Monday, Reid announced on the floor of the Senate that 'Millionaire job creators are like unicorns', 'They’re impossible to find, and they don’t exist.' How silly! How delusional! How dunderheaded! How absolutely wrong!"

She continues her commentary: "Thousands upon thousands of jobs have been created by business owners across the United States and, while not all entrepreneurs are so fortunate, many become the 'millionaires' that Harry Reid says he can't find. Having a great idea, forming a small business, working hard and watching it grow are, sadly, not part of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid’s knowledge base. Reid simply doesn’t believe entrepreneurs exist. Worse yet, he goes out of his way to belittle and ridicule the very entrepreneurial spirit that has built America and made our nation so prosperous that he and his Democrat friends have ample opportunities to loot the wealth that others have created."

More commentary from Ms. Doan: "Reid's ignorance certainly explains why he and his fellow Democrats are so openly hostile to the business community and why they think only the government can create jobs. Yet, the real tragedy here is that Reid’s 'unicorn' speech went largely unnoticed. Small business owners create 3 out of every 4 jobs in this country. But, even after achieving success, the growth doesn't stop there. Business owners and entrepreneurs are responsible for helping others achieve business success through venture capital investing and Angel startup investing in thousands of small businesses across the country."

12/18 SONG OF THE DAY: Al Green, "Free At Last" (1973)

I don't recall ever hearing this song before today, but of course Al Green does his thing:

Vote For The 2011 Bookerista Of The Year

Which black moderates, libertarians, and conservatives this year have most displayed the ideology and ethic of this blog's namesake, Booker T. Washington? The individuals listed below received the Top 5 highest number of nominations from readers. Vote to whittle down the list to the Top 3, who will then battle it out on Wednesday and Thursday for the top slot of Bookerista Of The Year (which will be announced with the Top 25 list on Friday). Here are the 5 most-nominated folks, listed in alphabetical order. You can vote for your fave bookerista at the bottom of this post:

Herman Cain, 66
Conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate | Atlanta metro, Georgia, USA

2011 claim to fame: the 9-9-9 tax plan

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: *

Within the span of a few months, Mr. Cain's campaign went from low-key to frontrunner. In addition to Tea Party movement support, the former Godfather's Pizza CEO turned heads and made international headlines with his  9-9-9 plan. The Wall Street Journal writes: "It would scrap the current system — with its income-tax rates as high as 35% for high-income individuals and for corporations — and replace it with a 9% personal flat tax, a 9% corporate flat tax and a 9% national sales tax. He also put out a book called This Is Herman Cain, which discussed his background and outlined his policy positions. Earlier this month, he suspended his campaign after sexual harassment allegations during his tenure as the National Restaurant Association's head and alleged longtime jumpoff Ginger White emerged.

Ron Miller, ageless
Conservative Republican blogger & author | Regular Folks United | Huntingtown, Maryland, USA

2011 claim to fame: blogging about various topics that promote limited government and social conservatism

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 11

The conservative Republican blogger heads up Regular Folks United, a non-profit group dedicated to "the education and advancement of individual liberty and our nation's founding principles". Whether it's about social issues, religion, politics, or other issues, Mr. Miller brings a Tea Party movement perspective. The Air Force veteran is also the author of Sellout: Musings From Uncle Tom's Porch, which focuses on race in America.

Dambisa Moyo, 42
Moderate-conservative economist | London, England

2011 claim to fame: discussing the West's economic decline and the rise of emerging markets

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 15

The Zambian-born economist put out another best-selling book, How The West Was Lost: Fifty Years Of Economy Folly — And The Stark Choices Ahead. The book focused on emerging markets and structural problems in the U.S. economy. Dr. Moyo posts on Twitter (where she has 50,000 followers) and Facebook (where she has almost 20,000 fans).

Tim Scott, 46
Congressman & conservative Republican | Charleston, South Carolina, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; went toe-to-toe with unions regarding Boeing's hiring rights

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2010 list: 3

The seemingly quieter one of Congress's two black Republicans, Rep. Scott's main focus is on business and tax issues affecting his district. You may recall his battle with the National Labor Relations Board regarding Boeing's decision to relocate from Seattle, Wash. to his Southern district. Rep. Scott has also been making strong moves to become a kingmaker in his state for the Republican presidential primary (since South Carolina's choice often becomes the GOP nominee).

Allen West, 50
Congressman & conservative Republican | Plantation, Florida, USA

2011 claim to fame: one of two black Republicans who serve in the U.S. Congress; being a controversial quote machine

Position on Top 25 Bookeristas Of 2009 list: 1

The firebrand politico and self-proclaimed "modern-day Harriet Tubman" leading blacks off the Democratic "plantation" has no shortage of liberal haters. Of course, that only endears him to conservatives. What didn't Rep. West make a controversial comment about this year? If it wasn't about Muslims, it was gays in the military. The latest one involves comparing the Democrats to an infamous Nazi propagandist. However, you can count on the brotha speaking his mind. A former Army lieutenant colonel, Rep. West is also increasingly prominent in discussing military and foreign policy issues on Capitol Hill.

Rwanda: Kagame Denies Operating Assassination Squads

Rwandan President Paul Kagame

From The East African (Kenya), pro-free-market Rwandan President Paul Kagame's response to hit squad allegations: "In his strongest defence yet against claims Rwanda is running assassination squads around the world, President Paul Kagame has said if Kigali were to target anyone for execution, it would be the known perpetrators of the 1994 Genocide."

The article continues: "In a message intended for his critics, and one that’s likely to kick off a storm, President Kagame said he was not bothered about people Rwanda has repeatedly been accused of attempting to kill. 'Let me take the risk of being misunderstood. If Rwanda was ever to get involved in any killings, it would be those who have killed our own; these genocidaires who you find all over the world including countries that have lessons for everyone on human rights, good governance and freedom of this [or that]. They are harbouring known mass murderers who are still enjoying a false sense of freedom,' President Kagame told the Ugandan press recently."

More: "Last year, Lt Gen Kayumba Nyamwasa, Rwanda’s immediate former envoy to India, was shot in South Africa where he had fled to after falling out with the Kigali government. In May this year, the British Police warned two Rwandans living in London — Rene Mugenzi and Jonathan Musonera — that their lives were in danger. Then early this month, Charles Ingabire, an exiled editor of a Rwandan online publication, was shot dead in Kampala. Many people have accused Kagame’s government of being behind these cases, including that of another journalist Jean Leonard Mugambage, shot dead in Kigali in June 2010, and Andre Kagwa Rwisereka, Vice President of the Rwandan Democratic Green Party a month later. The government has consistently denied involvement in any of these cases."

Kim Jong Il Dead At 69

From Voice Of America, about the Communist dictator: "North Korean state television reports that Supreme Leader Kim Jong Il has died at the age of 69. An announcer said he died Saturday of physical and mental over-work. Some reports say he died from a heart attack, and was traveling on a train at the time."

More: "Kim Jong Il came to power after his father, North Korea's founder Kim Il Sung, died in 1994. Reliable biographical information about Mr. Kim is scarce. He rarely appeared in public and his voice was seldom broadcast. He may be best remembered for boosting North Korea's nuclear program, while millions of his countrymen and women were starving. Late last year, Mr. Kim promoted his youngest son Kim Jong Un to the rank of four-star general, in what was seen as a bid to extend the world's only communist family dynasty to a third generation."

Herman Cain: "The Liberal Media Forced Me Out Of The Race"

Herman Cain

Asserts the conservative Republican businessman and former presidential candidate: "Former Republican presidential candidate Herman Cain told a conference call of tea party activists on Sunday night that it was the liberal media that forced him out of the 2012 presidential race. 'I am as broken hearted as others about having to pull out,' Cain said, 'but I couldn’t continue to try and run a race when you have a liberal media and others who did not want to see me succeed and to see us succeed — constantly fighting false accusations.'"

More: "Cain suspended his campaign for president following a series of news stories about women who accused him of harassment and infidelity dating back to the 1990s. He made the comments as an introductory speaker on a tele-forum with activists associated with the Tea Party Patriots organization. Cain told the activists that he’s 'not done yet' and he’ll announce an initiative in January to continue 'doing what you’ve been doing for years.'"

Today In American History: The 13th Amendment

From theGrio.com: "December 18 is an important day in black history. It was on this day in 1865 that the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution -- the amendment that abolished slavery -- was declared in effect by the then secretary of state, William H. Seward. The amendment reads:

"Neither slavery nor involuntary servitude, except as a punishment for crime whereof the party shall have been duly convicted, shall exist within the United States, or any place subject to their jurisdiction."

The amendment was passed by Congress on January 31, 1865."

The Iraq War Comes To A Close

Kenneth Durden, a libertarian-conservative blogger, writes about the Iraq war: "It is good that US military forces are leaving Iraq. I say that because I believe we have committed more than enough to Iraq and I understand how much these men and women want to come home. I know how I felt years ago. I want them out of harms [sic] way. I am glad that we are walking away from Iraq, not running. Despite all of the secret hopes and cheers from Democrats that Iraq would be another Vietnam, it was not that. Remember Vietnam, that Democrat-led excursion that killed nearly 50,000 US military members? If hopes and cheers sounds harsh, just go back and review comments made by Democrat leaders like Harry Reid."

He continues his commentary: "Some pundits are repeatedly asking the question: 'Was it worth it?' I find that question to be fairly idiotic. Is any war 'worth it?' When a husband or wife wakes up and realizes that s/he will never again hold the spouse they loved, is it worth it to her? When a child grows up without his parent, is it worth it? Whether it was worth it to people of Iraq is a question they must answer for themselves. People cannot be forced to choose to live free and civilized."

More: "It is always easy to ask what if. Today, we struggle with trying to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. What if we also had to contend with Iraq pursuing the same goals? See how the what-ifs can go on and on. What we have to consider today is how we face threats in the future. Let's just discuss these issues with rationality and at least a little honesty. Today, we struggle with trying to prevent Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon. What if we also had to contend with Iraq pursuing the same goals? See how the what-ifs can go on and on. What we have to consider today is how we face threats in the future. Let's just discuss these issues with rationality and at least a little honesty."

Rep. Allen West: "Yeah, I Meant It When I Said That Joseph Goebbels Would Love The Democrats' Propaganda"

Rep. West is side-eyeing the Democrats

The conservative Republican Congressman is embroiled in yet another controversy, but he ain't backing down. From Newsday: "A Florida Republican congressman who likened Democrats' opinion shaping to the efforts of Nazi propagandist Joseph Goebbels defended his comment Friday as criticism mounted. U.S. Rep. Allen West, a freshman, made the Nazi reference Thursday when asked about Congress' approval ratings and the blame that the public has apparently assigned to Republicans. 'If Joseph Goebbels was around, he'd be very proud of the Democrat Party because they have an incredible propaganda machine,' West said, according to Politico, the Arlington, Va.-based news organization that first reported the comments. Goebbels was Adolf Hitler's propaganda minister."

The article continues: "West represents a South Florida district that has an influential Jewish constituency and a sizeable population of Holocaust survivors. He told reporters, in his remarks at the Capitol, that he was comparing Democrats to Nazi propaganda, not the Nazis themselves, but that did little to quell controversy."

More: "West, one of two new black Republicans to join the 112th Congress this year, is a tea party favorite who has repeatedly drawn attention for off-the-cuff comments. He defended his latest remarks, saying through a spokeswoman that twisting his comments was "a perfect example" of what he was talking about. 'Congressman West was referring to the 'lies, deception and manipulation' coming from the Democrat propaganda machine and comparing that to the same misinformation coming from Goebbels during World War II,' spokeswoman Angela Sachitano said."