Jack & Jill Politics

I'm watching Robot Chicken Star Wars.

You're momma is so dumb she kept saying "Am Not" to R2(D2).

EVENING THREAD IS UP

If Hillary is going to be the SoS, I wonder how she feels about Mumbai this weekend. What strategies would she present to the President-Elect? It's really hard for me to envision her fulfilling a subservient role in this administration.

Hillary + Mumbai = **crickets**
No one is talking about it.

I wanted to alert the JJP community that we have some serious struggles going on with politicians of color here in Boston. The one I am most connected and concerned about is the very public arrest by the FBI of progressive City Councilor Chuck Turner, the only African American and one of two people of color who serve on the City Council in a city that is majority people of color.

Chuck has been a tireless defender of those who have had no voice in Boston politics. I know Chuck personally through his work standing up for our youth and my own research on the New Majority movement in Boston. My experience has been that he is extremely honest, sincere, smart, and ethical. He walks the talk of MLK's testimony against the triple evils of materialism, racism and militarism.

I believe he is being unfairly targeted and the media and some of the white city councilors are going after him --- probably because he has been a leader in interrupting politics as usual in Boston. He works on fair wages, community safety, cori issues, aids in the black community and violence against women (he has even been willing to gather groups of men who have been violent towards women to testify against their actions and work with them towards healing and meaningful reconciliation --- a real ally to women survivors). He also has led the way in opposing a Level 4 Bioterrorism Lab to be located in a particularly vulnerable neighborhood of Boston where there are a number of housing projects --- it is the only BSL4 lab that has been located in a densely populated urban area.

Anyway, if you can spread the word that he may need support from outside Boston, along with the considerable support he already has in Boston, that would be a very good thing. I have been working with a group of folks who are organizing to support Chuck here. You can get more information about this by going to a website that has been set up for Chuck by other supporters: http://supportchuckturner.com/

I heard about this and was wondering if some COINTELPRO sorta stuff was happening in Boston. Wilkerson has had shadyness in her past. But to be doing that stuff ( bribes into her bra) on Beacon Hill- I didnt think sisterfriend could be that stupid! But you know white folks never liked her anyway and thought she was a rabblerouser. I am completely suprised about Chuck and think there is something sneaky going on. He always struck me as someone who was in it to win it for the people. If they somehow haul Byron Rushing in on some trumped up charges that would make it a pattern.

I lived in Boston for 16 years. Dianne Wilkerson is dishonest and corrupt, and terribly stupid. She deserves no defense whatsoever.

Oh there are many who join you in that, even me at some moments. . .

Yet then, I always step back and put her up next to Mayor Menino who I suspect has a way-worse history than her and his way-protected actions have had devastating consequences for Boston in general and youth of color in particular. When I put up any defense Dianne, it's in the context of the whole dishonest, corrupt white powers that be in the city. And she has been on the side of angels for a number of important battles.

Yeah but you can't measure degrees of wrong by pointing to someone else and saying what they've done is worse and excuse the other person. She's a politician and Black. She knows whatever punishment she gets will be harsher or the call to bring her to justice will ring louder - unless she has some info she can use to help herself. She was caught on tape taking money.

Are you Craig who was always at the Cantab? I lived in Boston too and I think our paths crossed there. I doubt you would remember me but for a few years in the 90s was really into the spokenword scene - mostly as a spectator- as most of the time I was too scairt to read my stuff.

Like I said I am not supersuprised about Dianne- again because of her past dealings and a sense I got about her. I am suprised by how stupid she would have to be to take a bribe on the Hill right across from the Statehouse. But as Kwame, OJ and other show- some Negroes just never learn. I really only put on the tinfoil hat when I heard about Chuck. My first reaction was "Say it aint so. Not Chuck"




________________________________

Are you Craig who was always at the Cantab?

::

That would be me.

1993 National Poetry Slam Champion.

Yes, Byron or Gloria Fox, who has worked closely with both Chuck and Dianne Wilkerson. I always supported Dianne because lots of people in the community have money problems and this has lead to many troubles. Along with the less good things that many suggested she did with big businesses, she always more than balanced it out going all out to support many many community issues and bravely trying to solve many important community problems. However, after the FBI sting --- in which she was publicly humiliated in terrible ways that just don't happen to white politicians who are mixed up in scandals that involve many times more money, e.g. DiMasi right now --- it was harder to support her. Even before the sting, I thought her strategy of a doing write-in campaign because she lost the primary wasn't really respectful (i did vote for her in the primary tho).

Chuck IS a different case than Dianne. My own suspicions run a bit to the conspiracy side. The politicians of color have been organizing around the idea of "Team Unity" and "The New Majority," and I believe this has rattled the white guys up A LOT. The white guys in politics and news always use the euphenism of "the New Boston," and are often go to great lengths not to mention the fact that people of color are the majority, but are not represented in the political and economic life of the city in significant numbers. Then there is the Biolab fight. Then some folks talk about the backlash from the election and this FBI sting represents the republican's last hurrah. . . that's the COINTELPRO association.

It's very complicated and I find it very hard not to think that some kind of conspiracy is afoot. For me, it is also personal because I know Chuck and I work with youth and there is no better advocate in the city who will do anything to stand up for youth. And our youth are under attack by media, police, schools and they need our very best help. And Chuck is a very good man. I have a very hard time believing that he would not own up to wrongdoing and he says he is innocent. And because I know him, I do believe him. That's why he needs all the help he can get to fight this.

I hope everyone had a good Thanksgiving. I am still blessed in these perilous times

Not sure if I want to brave the "Black Friday" crowds.....and now after the Walmart worker's death, there is breaking News that 2 people have been killed in a Toys R Us in California.....

Anyway, Love is Life and Life is Free....I just want to savor the best things in life y'all. And you know love doesn't cost a thing. I hope we can all appreciate family, friends, and even trolls ;)

How Michelle O. and Beyonce "Put A Ring On It" - a comment on bourgeois black feminism in 2008.

I liked your article. I've always felt that the strength of black women is a blessing, not a curse for black men. The challenge is self-definition and not allowing external forces to set those standards for us. . . that goes for black men and women.

And that's before we even get to the issue of racial stereotypes . . .

Unfortunately, some black men hold black women to white standards of beauty whereas some black women hold black men to white standards of power. In both instances we lose the opportunity for self-definition.

At the moment, I think black women have a much better grasp of self-definition than black men. Young black girls see strong black women every day. They know that they can and will grow up to be a strong black woman. Whether by choice or necessity, the black community has been built on the shoulders of Big Mama, whereas our images of strong black men are lacking.

Your example of Beyonce represents another aspect of self-definition that is sorely lacking in our quest for self-definition as black men . . . a self-empowering anthem. As silly as it may seem, there's something empowering about the fact that black women have at least one or two anthems per year. Short, catchy, slogans for one or more common aspects of one's daily life . . . whether it be relationships or profession, black women tend to have that catchy anthem (almost like a rallying cry).

Those kind of things are good for the soul . . . symbolic, but good for the soul.

That's not to say that I agree with all of the messages that come from out of black popular culture. As black men and women, we've become experts at degrading one another. And we do it in our own ways. Mysoginistic song lyrics is just one of those ways. And, yes, I most definitely feel that there is a certain amount of male-bashing that gets misconstrued as being female-empowering. I guess it comes down to the following:

For black men . . . when does our quest to define black masculinity cross that boundary by disrespecting black women?

For black women . . . when does an empowering anthem cross that boundary by feeding the "black men ain't sh*t" narrative?

We've got a lot of work to do. I see a lot of ignorance from black men and women. Putting each other down has become sport for some of us and it needs to stop.

I absolutely detest censorship. So I'm not one to protest a male-bashing novel or mysoginisitic rap song. Indeed, I think that there's something to be said about the ability to vent (exhale) and get something off of your chest. For me, it's always been a question of balance.

So I'm glad we now have an opportunity through Michelle and Barack to see the truth as a counter-balance to some of the negative, if not more popular, things we get from popular culture. I should stress the word "opportunity" because none of us know Michelle or Barack and what they've gone through to make their marriage work. We can only hope for the best.

But, after a day of being bombarded by day-time talk shows with deadbeat dads and golddigging women, we might finally get a little balance:

1. That black love does exist
2. That strong black women do exist
3. That a strong black woman is a blessing, not a curse
4. That good black men do exist
5. That a black man can re-define the image of "masculinity" as it relates to power and responsibility without having to put a black woman down
6. That a black woman can be independent without having to put a black man down
7. That a strong black woman and a powerful black man can coexist, NOT in a state of zero-sum competition, but in a state of mutual support, admiration and RESPECT.

Speaking as a black man, the negative imagery is almost too much to bear sometimes. Your mentioning of the "Irreplaceable" song and controversies surrounding "Waiting to Exhale" and "The Color Purple" are appropriate. I don't necessarily find fault in the message so much as how some try to twist that message to fit their own needs. It's that fine line between empowerment and male-bashing that doesn't get discussed very often. It's the depiction of black men as being the inescapable burden on the black woman, forever holding her back until she either breaks free or is saved by another. Like I said, I've seen such examples be used as a means of empowerment and male-bashing depending on the subject.

This isn't to say that there aren't a ton of negative portrayals of black women. Obviously, there are. And for our part, I certainly think some black men could stand to learn how to appreciate black women a lot more.

But despite all of the ignorance and negativity it warms my heart to see a loving black couple such as Michelle and Barack who defy all of the stereotypes and cynicism.

I can only hope that I'll meet a woman like Michelle one day.

And as for black masculinity . . . for me, the true measure of a man can be understood by the level of trust and confidence he inspires in his family. Barack is THE MAN . . . not because of his power, but because his wife and daughters say it by the way they respond to him.

That article was very interesting. I don't know how I feel about Beyonce. I'm sort of ambivalent about her, but I was pleased when she got married. You spend 5 years with a man it's time to either break up or get a ring on the finger.

And your article about are we ready for a Black President was interesting too.

I really appreciate that. Only do 'em for people to read em. I liked your article on the celebrity president. I've been talking about the media as the 4th party in politics in my personal life for a while. you addressed that nicely.

I'm not necessarily a Beyonce endorser either but I think she is great at setting precedents...she's not outside of her realm as a pop culture figure but her messages are in a sense.

my bad rikyrah...here's the link - http://newsone.blackplanet.com/nation/opinion-h...

It was an interesting article. I think you are rehashing an old argument about how oppressed some Black men are instead of holding men to a high standard. When did all of these excuses become the norm? The only time Black men were prevented from achieving on a mass scale was during slavery when we were classified as property. Despite all the other hardships after Emancipation with lynchings, Jim Crow, and continued systematic racism people either chose to step up or not. Especially after Civil Rights there's been this indoctrination of weakness as if to suggest that Black man are incapable of leading that a lot of people have chosen to believe. What does racism and other life difficulties have to do with men having sex and creating a bunch of children they abandon or not being the head of a family? It's ironic you used Irreplaceable as an anthem considering it was written by a man. That is a song about expecting parity in a relationship by the way. Are you saying expecting to be treated with equal respect and love or you'll move on as 'bashing' men and deserving of protest by men? You really need to examine your attitudes.

maybe I wasn't clear enough about addressing the attitudes and entitlements that are hurting black men. I'm not saying that we are excused by any means. I'm saying that a call to true reciprocity is what we need exactly...and more accountability for how we treat women. That women are demanding it should NOT be offensive...but those perceptions are there. Just trying to air them out and explain where some of that resentment may stem from. I'm not trying to perpetuate any ideas of weakness. Quite the opposite really. I'm saying that we'll be perceived as weak if we don't step up and accept the things that are being plainly spoken and live by black women everywhere. Thank you for reading it.

Ok but when you mentioned the Color Purple and how men were "rightfully" offended then you contradict yourself.

"Although the uproar about The Color Purple (and later books like Waiting to Exhale) came from a valid complaint among Black men that we had been hung out to dry by everyone including Black women, and that airing out our deficiencies did not do as much to help our cause as it did to add to the already strong negative image in the public imagination"

Have you read the Color Purple and how Celie was treated? That wasn't an indictment of all Black men - just the one in the book. Yet there has been crickets when we want to hold men accountable for their repeated denigration of Black women.

Same arguments and same excuses. Same denials and unaccountability. But NO CHANGE.

thanks :)

is this an article, and if so, can you leave a link?

Jill Biden: Untraditional, unapologetic

http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081127/pl_po...

It's nice to see her working with students who don't attend the elite schools. She could've easily done that and isolated herself. I think I like her more than her husband.

Jill is also an inspiration...very grounded. And I love the devotion she has to her community college students. We have such great team in our future "first families." All of them have a wonderful background...ya gotta love it.

Monie: Co-sign!! :>) :>)

A Church for the Obamas

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/ar...

ummm...ummmm

Maybe Sally Quinn should attend the Washington National Cathedral, if she doesn't already. T firmly believe that one's choice of place o worship, is a private one.

I'm well aware of the curious who want to know where the Obama's attend church.but this article has the stinch of white folks trying to advocate what, where, and how a black man and his family should experience their fatih just to appease their discomfort post Reverend Wright.

TRANSLATION: Barack Obama, please don't go to a black church/. Black churches beez skurry.

I knew Town and CPL would break it down.

Say it again, Town!

Yet another take on Obama's highly-anticipated search for a "church home." I have to say, the Washington National Cathedral sounds like a very cool church, inclusive and socially, culturally engaged...I probably would love it, myself - but I was sorta hoping that the Obamas would pick a church more commonly associated with African-American religious traditions. Is that too much to ask? After the Wright hysteria, I'm guessing they will attend the most boring, most theologically conservative service they can - which is the safe choice, but still a little unfortunate.

lol, "ummm...ummmm."

Co-sign. How vain of Sally Quinn to recommend a church based on geographic locale and historical references:

The cathedral sits atop a hill overlooking all of Washington. It is an extraordinarily imposing structure whose beckoning towers can be seen from nearly every point in the city.

Sally really doesn't get Barack and lacks appreciation of the Black Church...I'd rather see Barack erect a tent on the White House Lawn and have some powerful preachers run a few, soul-shaking revivals rather than engage in some boring, plain vanilla services at Washington Cathedral.

Someone should ask Sally Quinn if She attends a local church and if so, which one is it?

Otherwise, where the Obamas attend church is really NONE OF OUR BUSINESS, and is not a source of discussion for political purposes. I've been through with this arguement ever since Obama wrote out a prayer and put it in the "prayer wall" when he was traveling overseas, and some stupid student hoping to make money on eBay or some shyt, went to the wall, stole the prayer and published it so we would know Mr.Obama's innermost thoughts.

Where the family worships, just like where the weeMichelles will attend school, are not issues that should be up for political discussion, or to make political statements. PERIOD.

CPL: MAJOR CO-SIGN!! :>)

This was the SAME postion that I took when REPORTERS thought that it was NECESSARY to report that Mr. P-E Obama went to the gym on that Sunday!

My question was, essentially, "WHYCOME" THEY were ALSO at the gym RATHER THAN IN CHURCH!? :>)

President-Elect Obama! :>) LARGE and IN CHARGE! :>)

Exactly - you put it much better than I did! But since such a large majority of the country seems to have this same misunderstanding of the Black Church do you think they'll go that route?

What misunderstanding? They weren't involved because they didn't care until the media spoonfed them a biased slant and like the sheeple they are reacted. They don't know about the Black church because they don't spend any quality time with Black people!

Shrub Revisionist History Part One. So it begins!

From where I sit, Obama DOES owe Shrub a debt of gratitude.

For if Shrub hadn't been in the running for WORST PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES - EVER

This country wouldn't even have been psychologically ready to ' give the Black man a shot'.

It's the only way a particular woman could have had a shot too.

Barack gets the credit for seizing the moment.

This is SNARK, Right?

I'm sure Obama is probably grateful for how Dubya left the scene to the point a white man couldn't get elected POTUS in 2008. Spirit already pointed out how Effed up shape the government is in - but it does remind me of how Herbert Hoover left shyt for FDR to clean up, too.

Name me five things that Bush is leaving that makes THE ENTIRE WORLD a better place.

Our global reputation is for shyt. He managed to squander all the goodwill directed towards the United States after 9/11 with the polarizing foreign policy that forbade open discussion or dissent, but forced nations to MAKE A CHOICE, they didn't have to make. Bush ran into countries like a drunken cowboy, shot up the nations and left them to die.

Whoever wrote that shyt is drunk on Bush Kool-Aid and shouldn't have passed J-school 101.

Yes, D, I' sure President-Elect Obama is very gratefu to George W. Bush for leaving in his wake, the most most fucked up government a president has ever had to succeed.

Ok, I wouldn't go THAT far.

D., with all due respect....you seriously posted Jules Crittenden...and we are supposed to respect his opinion. BWAhahahaha.

This is the same guy who wrote the day after the election:

"Obama is in luck. George Bush ended that war in Iraq, and all Obama and the Dem Cong have to do is not screw up the peace. "

Nuff said. BTW, if Bush ended the war....why do I know some folks presently there and headed that way next year? I didn't know troops were headed to Iraq for an " extended vacation" since evidently this "neo-con minded "person says the war has ended.

Hope you had a good Thanksgiving, by the way :)

I will admit that I was trying to sneak that under the radar, hoping that you, Val, djchefron, and Rob M would've missed it.

Guess I failed.

Hope yours was well, too. :)

rikyrah: Soooooo, here it is, AGAIN. More discussion on a POSSIBLE SENATE RUN by "TWEETY." OOOOOOR NOT!

Chris Matthews Senate Run? Report Says He's Staffing Up.

Update: FiveThirtyEight has dialed back its report on Chris Matthews' potential senate run.

[EDIT -- 8:26 AM. I am changing the reporting and headline slightly to more cautiously reflect what our sources are telling us. Matthews, we have strong reason to believe, is hiring staff for a run at the Senate, although there have certainly been candidates in the past who have staffed up but subsequently elected not to run. -Nate]

For more, check out Jane Hamsher's new piece, "How Matthews Can Beat Specter"
* * * * *

FiveThirtyEight's original report:

Chris Matthews is in.

We'll be WATCHING! :>)

There is a SONG: :>) :>) These are SOME of the lyrics to "UNDECIDED NOW!" :>)

First you say you do then you don't
No you don't
And then you say you will and then you won't
No you won't
Your undecided now
So what are you gonna to do

Now you want to play and then it's no
Then it's no
And when you say you'll stay that's when you go
When you go
Your undecided now
So what are you gonna to do

I've been sittin' on a fence
And it doesn't make much sense
'Cause you keep me in suspense
And you know it
You promise to return
When you don't I really burn
Well I guess I'll never learn
And I show it

If your gotta heart and if you're kind
Then don't keep us apart make up your mind
Your undecided now
So what are you gonna to do?

UNDECIDED

I hope this works! I could NOT find ANY VIDEOS. LAWD HA'MERCY!! Just 2 OLD!! :>)

Got Ta RUN! :>) C U L8R!

Go Chris, Go. Arlen Spector may decide to retire and Lynn Swann(R) may run for the seat.

Didn't that gubernatorial run teach Lynn Swann that Pennsylvania did not want his ass in a state-wide office? What the hell makes him think he can pull off a Senatorial run?

He must be talking to the Dark Sith. Better ask Sith how did that Senate run in Tennessee worked for him, especially with that "Call Me" ad playing on TV. IOW, Swannie better not have any white women in his past, present or future, either. In a state like Pennsylvania, that's a political DEATH SENTENCE.

Well if that's the case he's toast!

Word,CPL, and that's a 10-4 sraight from Princess Leah to Swannie River! :-))))

Happy belated Thanksgiving JJP. My apologies for not being onsite much these days. I am still playing catch up at work because I admit I neglected much of my duties during the election cycle.

I still check in a few times per week though . . . . hoping to be back to my usual postings in a few weeks.

Val: HeeeeeeY! :>) :>) Back at-choo!! :>) :>)

You got ta do what you got ta do!! :>) :>) Missing YOU!! :>) :>)

A confession: I'm having to look up all these authors on Wikipedia. Uncultured military guy has homework to do.

Hey, it's never too late to discover a great African-American writer!!! (Can you tell I'm an English teacher?)

LOL.

I've been trying for the better part of a year to read stuff outside of the military/military history. Then the elections came up.

I was getting into Stephen Carter, but got thrown off his last book by Robert Fisk (who I still haven't finished reading).

Back to square one....and apparently, I've missed a lot of people along the way. Heard of them (most of them), but never read them.

Oh my God - this is horrible.

D: Saw this. SAD!

And of course, you never find out who did it. Which is worse, in the case of the pregnant lady. Were that me and the mrs., someone would've found themselves shot.

D: Were that me and the mrs., someone would've found themselves shot.


D: Using your FIRST STATEMENT ["you NEVER find out who did it."], WHO would you have SHOT??

Feeling you on the OUTRAGE - though!!

Closest person available.

The thing about children and women-especially pregnant women and unborn children-is that when you act a fool because they're threatened, (occasionally) society will give you a pass.

At least in theory. Haven't tested it in practice...yet.

D: I do NOT think, for 1 minute, that YOU are serious. Sooo, Imma let this alone!

Ok, you got me.

It's disturbing, though, that people will exhibit no concern for the welfare/safety of others just to save a few bucks on things they may/may not be able to afford any other day.

So while I am taking it a bit far (as I enjoy life outside of prison), I'm a lot upset by it.

D: Seeeee! I told you that I'm LEARNING! :>)

There's a report that the woman's baby was fine. Guess I can put the gun up now. :)

D:

O.K. :>) Just "Keep your powder dry!" :>)

Feet wet, powder dry.

For that, you get a point.

D:

LOL!! :>)
I'm being bi-lingual [English & Military-Speak! :>)]

Rejecting the black person in the mirror: The ways in which whiteness encourages the internalization of racism

Another Epic Waynes Brothers Failure: Was there a time when this family was ever relevant?

womanistmusings, I had a really hard time wrapping my brain around this letter. I had a really hard time believing that a black person wrote this letter to a white supremacist site. To me, it read like some sick joke.

If this person is a really BLACK, it's obvious to me that they've had no true exposure to Black culture, with all it's richness, complexities, beauty,and depth.

"No one should wake each day to reject themselves so that others may be uplifted."
Is his what happened to Michael Jackson?

As for he Wayans Family, I have no comments at this time.

Michael Jackson is the perfect example of someone who has rejected blackness but quite honestly it happens regularly. As difficult as it is to consider the validity of this letter I have had more than my share of experiences with those that reject blackness. If this were a unique phenomena how do we explain the proliferation of skin bleaching products?

"How do we explain the proliferation of skin bleaching products?"

::

I think we first have to know for certain who's buying them and or what purpose. Black people aren't the only people who might want to lighten their skin. And I've read that there are other uses for skin bleaching products.

Skin bleaching products do have a dermatological usage however they are purchased largely by POC globally. It matters not whether the internalization of racism comes from a black person or and Indian person what matters is that we are believing the lies that whiteness seeks to project about POC.

I Ido remember my older sisters buying products such as Nadinola and Ambi skin lightening creams; this was before our schools were intergrated. They used to work in the tobacco fields and said they wanted to "even their skin tone."

Other than seeing them on TV, we didn't have extensive contact with whites until our schools were intergrated in 1967. Some of the boys in our neighbohood favored the light-skinned girls over the darker skinned girls.

This bothered me not because I had dark skin, It bothered me because they valued someone more on their looks alone. As far as I was concerned, they had a problem not me.

I remember one day my younger sister came home from school and said she wanted to look like "Barbie." I slapped her, went got my father's old shavng mirror, held it up to her and said: "You're never going to look like that skinny white bitch and don't let me ever hear you say that again." And that was the end of that wish!

I didn't know folks still used these products.

I remember one day my younger sister came home from school and said she wanted to look like "Barbie." I slapped her, went got my father's old shavng mirror, held it up to her and said: "You're never going to look like that skinny white bitch and don't let me ever hear you say that again." And that was the end of that wish!

Spirit, you remind me of my mother. When I came home crying because a guy I secretly had a crush on went for my lighter-skinned friend in school, my mother yanked me off the bed and marched me to the mirror and had me look in it. She said, "there is nothing wrong with you, your skin color, or your looks. If that fool went for your friend because she's high-yellow, it's HIS problem. Not Yours. And watch how fast his dumb ass come sniffing around you once he gets what he's after from your friend.

Always remember that - if a man rejects you because of your skin color, it's HIS PROBLEM, and probably comes from how he was raised. There is nothing wrong with YOU."

If I used such products, trust me, it wasn't to lighten my skin, but to even my complexion due to severe acne breakouts that left skin blotches when I was younger. I rather like my honey-roasted pecan-caramel complexion, and am always amused at how white women try to get my complexion and can't. LOL

CPL, thanks to the love and support of having 7sisters. We definitely had each other's backs. We all came with dfferent shades and hues.

My grandmother was so wise. With every visit, she'd tell us all that we were the smartest most resourceful, most beautiful children she knew. Years later, I realized why she indoctrinated us with all that positive love. A wise, wise, woman indeed!

Awwww....thanks, Rikyrah. Gwendolyn Brooks is amazing. Hey, JJP - instead of buying useless stuff on "Black Friday" - why not give a book of her poetry instead?

"Infirm" by Gwendolyn Brooks

Everbody here
is infirm.
Everybody here is infirm.
Oh. Mend me. Mend me. Lord.

Today I
say to them
say to them
say to them, Lord:
look! I am beautiful, beautiful with
my wing that is wounded
my eye that is bonded
or my ear not funded
or my walk all a-wobble.
I'm enough to be beautiful.

You are
beautiful too.

From Blacks

Can anyone tell me a collection of poetry that would be a good introduction to Brooks?
Her writing is beautiful!

Trumystique, FYI: Rita Dove is another great writer. Her poetry is brilliant!

"On the Bus with Rosa Parks" is one of my favorites books by Ms. Dove

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rita_Dove

Hey, Trumystique! I'd recommend The Essential Gwendolyn Brooks (edited by Elizabeth Alexander, another great poet) or her collection, Blacks.

Thanks spirit and claudia for the rec's.

The best shopping we can do on Black Friday is NONE. That's what's best for the economy, for this planet, for our growth as a conscious species. Rev. Billy talks about STOP SHOPPING on Meet the Bloggers:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iRaLXtnypL0

I like Rev. Billy - he's helped me to keep dollars in my pocket and does it in fun fashion, too.

P-E Obama asking for Inauguration Volunteers.

http://www.pic2009.org/page/invite/vol

I spent all day cooking - my guests seemed appreciative - and tomorrow I get to see just what ended up being leftover (thankfully they cleaned up, put the food away and in short were most excellent guests indeed)

As far as shopping goes - my plans are basically to not - to enjoy leftovers, build on my newly clean house to attack various piles and make my place a bit cleaner and more organized, to get a lot writing done (I hope) and probably to worry about friends and friends of friends in Mumbai where the news just keeps getting worse (more attacks on new targets just hours ago apparently!)

Shannon

rikyrah: Friday, NOVEMBER 28, 2008 -DAY -53- On His "JOURNEY TO JANUARY!"

1. WORD(s) of the DAY: On INDIA; TRANSITION TRAIL

2. HEADLINE(s):

a) Obama's Mumbai Statement On Terrorist Attacks

President-elect Obama has released a statement on the Mumbai terror attacks:

"President-Elect Obama strongly condemns today's terrorist attacks in Mumbai, and his thoughts and prayers are with the victims, their families, and the people of India. These coordinated attacks on innocent civilians demonstrate the grave and urgent threat of terrorism. The United States must continue to strengthen our partnerships with India and nations around the world to root out and destroy terrorist networks. We stand with the people of India, whose democracy will prove far more resilient than the hateful ideology that led to these attacks," said Brooke Anderson, Chief National Security Spokesperson.

b) Obama Transition Creates India Briefing Team

The Obama transition team has just set up a special team to interact with the State Department's Operations Center as well as the office of the Director of National Intelligence, according to an Obama aide. That information is then being filtered to President-elect Obama, who is getting regular updates at his residence here in Chicago. He is scheduled to be home all day Thursday celebrating Thanksgiving with family and friends.

An Obama spokesman told reporters the president-elect had spoken by phone with both Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Indian Ambassador Ronen Sen.

THERE IS MORE.
His RESPONSE to the crisis in India, provides the following ANSWER: Mr. President-Elect Obama, because HE is TAKING ACTION?

QUESTION: WHO is ACTING MORE PRESIDENTIAL regarding the crisis in India?

Inquiring minds want ta know: "WHERE's SHRUB??"

LAWD HA'MERCY! **shakin' my head**

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW!! :>) :>)

P.S. HEAD BOW To VICTIMS/families in India [and here, IFFF applicable.]

Neither one can take action...until the Indian government asks for assistance (there's an American investigative team there; not sure from what agency though).

The White House did issue a statement, that really says nothing more than Obama's; it happened, we're not happy, we're monitoring, if they ask for help, we'll give it.

Sometimes the President is just the world's most powerful spectator. Course, if Pakistan is proven to have a hand in this, life gets interesting.

D: THANK YOU for this information. I DID find a statement from SHRUB.

Your perspective - ON POINT! :>) THANK YOU! :>)

I'm continuing to follow this incident, so that I can learn HOW the US responds (IFFFF ASKED). Seeee! I'm learnin' :>)

LOL!!!!

As long as no one says "We are all Indians," I'm good.

Don't expect much of a response from the US; even though we've lost two (at last report) citizens, there's not a whole lot we can do.

D: O.K. :>) :>)

I dont think Pakistan is involved at least not at the Gov. level.What benefit would they gain and remember India has its share of crazies Hindu and Muslim.

Neither do I, but India's a lot jumpy now (kinda like the US after 9/11), and even if the terrorists trained in Pakistan, I can see the Indians using that as casus belli.

They attack Pakistan, and Pakistan goes nuclear if cooler heads don't prevail.

I'm not buying that it's a homegrown Indian group. Way too much coordination over a relatively large area. They had some help/training from somewhere.

Ugh, me neither. I'll hit some stores in the afternoon, MAYBE, but not first thing in the a.m.

I don't have any shopping finds to report, but my latest YouTube find: President Obama, Can He Kick It? Yes He Can! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q8UYqV74mvA

Kat: Annnnnnnd, I saw THIS "clip" on the page that YOU directed us 2. :>) :>)

I use ta watch the "Fresh Prince of Bel Air" FOREVER! :>) :>) NOW I WATCH te re-runs! :>) :>)

FRESH PRINCE OF "REPAIR!" :>) LOVE IT! :>) :>) ENJOY!! :>)

Kat: Niiiiiice!! YES HE CAN!! :>)

Annnnnnd I would have appreciated a WARNING re his "SUN GLASSES!" :>)

BUT, the "OXYGEN MASK" was working! So was my "Air Conditioner!" :>) :>)

Sooooo, I'm "AWW-ITE!" :>) :>)

President-Elect Obama! :>) He's LARGE and IN CHARGE!! :>)

GreenLady, that sunglasses montage nearly took me out!! Glad to hear you made it.

parker404ga: LOL! :>) :>) YOU can SHARE my "OXYGEN MASK!" :>) :>)


** S-T-R-E-T-C-H-I-N-G It OVER to YOU** :>) :>)

President-Elect Obama! :>) LARGE and IN CHARGE! :>)

did anyone else realize that Inauguration Day is only one day after the official celebration of MLK Day

rikyrah: From the dailykos:

Jan 19-20: MLK Day & Inauguration Day
by Awaskow
Thu Nov 27, 2008 at 08:23:30 PM PST
Relearning Heschel, Rebirthing King, Re-Inaugurating America:
Celebrating the Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King
As a new government takes office,
January 19-20, 2009
As the United States begins a new Administration and Congress in January 2009, there is a remarkable opportunity to bring together large sections of American society to reflect on our history and our vision. – and act to transform our future. The opportunity is strengthened by the fact that the day before Inauguration day (Tuesday, January 20) is the official day of celebrating Martin Luther King's Birthday. And January 14 is the yohrzeit (death-anniversary) of Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel, Dr. King's close friend and ally.

Read on:

http://www.dailykos.com/story/2008/11/27/23141/...

It's also 33 days shy of 200 years after the birth of Lincoln.

rikyrah: YES. I believe that Mr. President-Elect Obama is going to tie this in to some of his speech. Thought I read this "waaaaay back!" :>) :>)

Yes! I was hoping it was going to be that Monday instead. It would've been extra cool!