Jack & Jill Politics

EVENING THREAD IS UP

Steele meeting resistance in bid for RNC post

http://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2008/nov/27...

Michael Steele is still trying to join a club that not only doesn't want Blacks to be it's leader, they don't want them at all.

M. Haugland: "Getting the Republican Party back on the right 'track' is a job rightfully left to the Republicans who have been elected to run this railroad."

Translation: Nigger, you best stick to working on the railroad and do what massa tell you."

Meanwhile, Katon Dawson, the conservative South Carolina Republican Party chairman who is also running for national chairman, is increasingly coming under fire, though for a very different reason. He was a member for 12 years at the all-white Forest Lake Country Club in Columbia, S.C., and only quit his membership in September after a local newspaper raised the issue.

Translation: See, we're not racist. Dawson is not an acceptable choice either for these reasons stated above. So we can use this white guy as an example to turn your black ass down as RNC Chairman."


"I believe we are all God's children, and that it is a sin to discriminate against any person of color," Mr. Dawson said, adding that Mr. Steele, who is black, is a "friend of mine."

Translation: Obviously, I don't qualify as racist. Some of my best friends are black, even though I attended an all white club and quit when I was called out on it. Michael is my friend and he's black and I want to compete with him, but I ain't a racist.

This little gem of a book is funny and truly timeless -- Langston Hughes in rare form

Stories by Langston Hughes - The Ways of White Folks

I love this collection of stories... One of my favorites when I'm having a rough day at work... if you know what I mean. *WINK*

Here's a favorite book I'd recommend---A classc collection of poems by a Master of Amercan verse.

Selected Poems of Langston Hughes

http://www.amazon.com/Selected-Poems-Langston-H...

Private Schools Say They’re Thriving in Downturn

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/nyregion/29pr...

This article tells me that EDUCATION IS PRICELESS.

What They Hate About Mumbai

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/29/opinion/29meh...

Wow! Langston Hughes just hit me the right way this morning. I am truly touched. How many times have I read that poem without really believing that an African American would ever ascend to the Presidency of the United States of America. That one day, people of all creeds and colors would rush to the voting booth and elect the son of an African to be the leader of the free and most powerful country in the world. Today was the first time that I read that poem AND BELIEVED. God is so faithful.

MYTH: Aaaaaaa-man!! :>)

I just quickly needed to say that "I, too, sing America" is one of those things that still make me tear up every time I hear/read it. It's so f'n powerful, there's just no way to describe it.

rikyrah, thanks for posting Mr. Langston Hughes, Ms. Gwen Brooks, and Mr. Richard' Wright's photos and works on the JJP threads.

This article in the Post doesn't make me feel any better about seeing more Blacks in Obama's cabinet.

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

Why aren't there any Black names being floated for any of these secretary positions? I know that the Post isn't the only source of cabinet speculation out there. However, in looking at other sources, there's still a profound lack of Black names under consideration. As far as the LA mayor being considered for a cabinet secretary post, what the hell? Isn't this the same dude who cheated on his wife with the news anchor that broke the story about their divorce without mentioning that she was the contributing factor if not the cause? Why would you want to invite that kind of drama into your adminstration?

This brings me to my next point. I'm seeing a lot of latino names but not Black names. Is this because Black folks are being taken for granted because Obama knows he won't have to fight for our loyalty in 4 years?

And this quote is just about the dumbest thing I've heard so far:

"Kumar said she thinks Obama's supporters are likely to be somewhat more forgiving about diversity since he has broken a historic barrier by being black himself. "He meets part of that just by his election," she said."

I concur, I just wrote about it as well. http://africanamericanpoliticalpundit.com/showD...

"Historic" does not change the plight of the poor or the loss of black wealth in this country. With a quarter of black Americans living in poverty — nearly three times the rate for whites — at a time when rising budget deficits and expensive corporate bailouts are going to leave little federal money for anti-poverty programs."Historic counts for a minute, now is the time for great administrators of federal dollars, not the appointment of political hacks. Why is black America expected to ask very little of Barack Obama in terms of appointments of blacks to his administration, while when Bill Clinton was elected to his first four-year term in 1992, one of the first things he did was appoint Blacks to his Cabinet. Among the Black Cabinet appointees during his two terms in office were Ron Brown, U.S. Secretary of Commerce; Mike Espy, Secretary of Agriculture; Alexis Herman, Secretary of Labor; Hazel O'Leary, Secretary of Energy; Rodney Slater, Secretary of Transportation; Jesse Brown, Secretary of Veterans Affairs, who was succeeded by Togo West, and Dr. Jocelyn Elders, U.S. Surgeon General, who was succeeded by Dr. David Satcher.

Clinton also appointed nine Blacks as assistants to the president--the highest rank in the White House. Among those appointments were Ben Johnson, director of the President's Initiative for One America; Maggie Williams, the first lady's chief of staff; Alexis Herman, director of public liaison, White House, who later became labor secretary; Minyon Moore, director, political affairs; Terry Edmonds, director of speech writing; Thurgood Marshall Jr., director of Cabinet Affairs; Mark Lindsey, director of administration, and Bob Nash, director of personnel.

So... Barack Obama has done little at this point in regards to cabinet positions, other than Attorney General. Why are black folks so happy with so little, thus far?

This article is worth repeating:

By. Hazel Trice Edney
NNPA Editor-in-Chief

WASHINGTON (NNPA) – In perhaps the most candid direct message to Black people since his Democratic nomination, then Democratic Presidential nominee Barack Obama, on election eve Monday, credited Black voters for his historic political rise, promising to make a difference in their lives if elected.

“Everyone under the sound of my voice understands the struggles we face. Everyone understands the fierce urgency of now. You all know what’s at stake in this election,” Obama said in a live telephone conference with Black leaders Monday morning.

The “listen only” call included a spectrum of speakers, including civil rights icon Rev. Joseph Lowery, Oprah Winfrey, Democratic strategist Donna Brazile, rapper Sean “Diddy” Combs, and Democratic Whip Jim Clyburn.

Obama listed a string of issues disparately faced by African-Americans, including the struggle to recruit good teachers and, the struggle against under-funded schools, double digit jobless rates and having to work two and three jobs to make ends meet.

“I mention these issues because this community, our community, the African-American community, during these challenging times, suffers more than most in this country,” he said. “Double digit inflation, double digit unemployment, stagnant wages, our kids are more likely to drop out, more likely to be in jail, more likely to die. We’re going to have to do better. And if we continue the momentum we’ve seen across this country over the last several weeks, we can do better.”

He hasn't officially appointed anyone to a top cabinet post except for a Treasury Secretary.

I suggest, as B-Serious did, that you make your case for the Black folks you want to see in his cabinet and send the list to change.gov

Bill Clinton appointed all those Black folks to his cabinet beginning in 1993 and still race-baited in 2008.

What does that tell you?

Say that again!

There are the big four positions, SoS, SoT, SoD and Attorney General. Eric Holder is AG nom, black male. Gates as SoD nom, a Republican. Timothy Geitner as SoT, typical white guy. And the last big four position, SoS, is rumored to be going to Hillary (ugggghhh), a woman. So the top four seem pretty diverse to me.

We have to remember that everyone that we may want to see in a cabinet position wants to have a cabinet position. He also has to surround himself with those that he feels comfortable with to promote his agenda.

We MUST stop comparing him to Bill Clinton. Bill used race to his advantage both in 1993 and 2008. Let Obama do what he feels is best for him.

Quesmom1997: Major Co-Sign!! :>)

I'm also baffled why some of us are actually OK with what he's done so far. I'm also bothered by the message it sends. For the first time, we can look at our Black children and say you can actually grow up to be anything you want to be, including president of the United States, look at Barack Obama. However, the message he's sending back to us is that Black people aren't good or smart enough to sit at the table with me. I know Obama's Black experience is different from a lot of people but you would think that he would understand on some level what his cabinet says about his administration and how he thinks. I honestly don't think that self-hate plays into this but his choices are curious and it's seriously dampening my enthusiasm in the run up to Inauguration Day. I seriously don't like the idea of supporting someone who doesn't think that I can hang with them, if you get what I'm saying. If a Black president won't do any better than the two previous white presidents when it comes to Black appointments, my God, what does that say about the mindset about that Black man and the way he thinks about the 95% of Black people that helped put him in office? There are Black people who are just as capable and qualified out there as the white people who are being considered. They are just being overlooked. You would think that a Black president would understand that but I guess not. I'm terribly disenchanted at this point and I feel like it's only going to get worse with the passing weeks.

I understand you sentiment but let's look at the reality of our plight. Very few AA other than those who served in the Clinton Admin. have the experience of governing 250million+ people. Let's face it. We are as smart, as qualified but when you lack experience in dealing with predominantly white America, that part hasn't changed, you are more subject to fail, a sad reality. I am banking on Obama to lift us up to gain that experience, it's not automatic though. His vetting process has to be even tougher because Obama is judged by a different set of standards, is he not? If the screening application weren't more stringent you would have every AA with MBA in hand applying with all the confidence in the world and 2 years experience in say accounting (no pun intended to the accountants out there). They fill out the app and go before the Senate, MBA in hand, for confirmation. He is sitting there day after day addressing their questions with confidence and one day Sheniqua decides (baby momma) walks in with baby "Pookie". She wants to tell the confirmation committee how "Boo" hasn't paid child support in the last year. And it goes on into a Clarence Thomas/Anita Hill type circus. Until we realize how much is at stake for Obama coupled with how serious "the presidency" of the USA is we won't begin to understand why he just can't give the jobs to all AAs AT THIS POINT. Let's be real, we want him to succeed, DON'T WE or do we just want him to be a beholding black man?

While I understand the concern make your big stink now on your blogs and at change.gov. This is the time to put pressure on the PE. Once the decisions are made its done.

But its as if you dont understand the tighrope Obama is walking. He really cant have too many people of color in his administration. Already many dont trust him and at a certain tipping point people will start to say and the MSM will be at the head of the mob that he is not an American president but a PoC president.

But its also as if you are deliberately being naive about the process of hiring people. Employers find employees through their networks. It rarely has anything to do with who is the most qualified-- its about who you know. An employer asks a colleague " Who do you know who would be great for this job" and the colleague names someone they went to school with, worked with, they socialize with or go to church with. And we know the most powerful and most connected networks are those with a whole lot of white privileged people. I dont care how many black people Obama knows through Harvard and Columbia it wont be enough to fill the diverse cabinet and administrative positions he needs to fill. Based on the official announcements of cabinet positions I believe Obama has done a good job in balance of credentials, experience and diversity. I am still waiting to see what he does and I fully reserve my right to start yelling. But by all means hold him accountable-thats the only way to make sure that he doesnt take the black vote for granted.

Now you know how I feel when I surfaced these concerns about how Obama's forming his Administration, and the message he's sending to US, the people that carried him to the White House.

I'm also willing to wait and see what happens while yapping about what he's doing. I knew he wouldn't be bold enough to put too many Black people in his Cabinet because he knows the cracker vote he didn't get will rise up and holler that staffing the Cabinet with too many "Ni--ers" was his actual game plan.

I am also on RECORD that I will be the first blogger to get in his ass if he puts a foot wrong, but in order to do that, I have to allow this to play out, but know that you are getting company in this boat....starting with ME.

Tell it, CPL!

GO CPL!!!

Tru dat, CPL! You've definitely been on it. LOL :)

Yawning about the speculation.

You know, if people miss the historical, political, and actual importance of having a Black Attorney General, who was the first named leaked to the press of any cabinet position, serve at the behest of a Black President, they probably won't be satisfied unless his entire cabinet is Black.

If the commander in chief, steward of the economy, and chief law enforcer of the United States of America is Black, and Black men at that, it seems to me we've done pretty well, come a long way, with a wider path down which we'll go.

Barack is hiring and appointing all sorts of Black folks to key positions in his administration.

He needs to get some credit for that.

CREDIT!! :-)))

agree

Great points.

Craig, I could not agree more. And I thank you for this post. I think we fail to see the big picture if we focus too much on Cabinet appointments--as if that ALONE is going to get us to the land of milk and honey.

Your point that Barack is hiring and appointing all sorts of Black folks to key positions in his Administration is an essential one. And simply cannot be overstated. There are going to be more African-Americans in the Obama White House and in other key roles in his Administration than have ever been in the history of this nation. I want us to be more sophisticated about this process. It's not simply about the Cabinet. I know I keep singing this same ole song, but I'm really desperate for us not to have such tunnel vision.

Hear, hear. I concur wholeheartedly. If we get nothing else to right the wrongs of this country, we got the chief cop. The Cop-in-Chief can "free the slaves" one more time. God is faithful.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39NVV-QJDio

Here's another classic from Isaac Hayes - whose career was more accomplished than his role as "Chef" South Park, neices and nephews !!! :-)

This is timeless "get-your-quiet-Saturday-morning- on" music, and very good for the soul.

RIP, Isaac

Black Moses

under gossip:

UPDATE: Beyonce Admits She Hasn’t Reached Out To J.Hud

http://newsone.blackplanet.com/entertainment/je...

If Beyonce was a politician, she'd be Hillary Clinton.

Ambition and narcissism.

I hope she's not tapped to sing at the Inaguration either.

As the late Steve Gilliard would say:

Eff Beyonce.

Now they're allowing her to trash the great Etta James by casting her in the role in "Cadillac Dreams". From what I've seen of the trailers, it's another "Captain Save-a-Negro" (Adrien Brody) movie. I mean, they couldn't get Queen Latifah, or Taraji Henson to play Miss Etta?

CPL, co-signing. I think the role requires someone with gut, grit, depth, and life experience. Queen Latifah certainly does embody those qualities. When are Black women going to get opportunities to be potrayed in all our complexities?

I am totally going to use that phrase Captain Save A Negro for those movies where its all about the white guy saving the helpless natives. I have been using Great White Hope but it lacks a certain something. Thanks

It's a disgrace.

Beyonce was supposed to be the Oscar-winning star of Dreamgirls, but she had to play second fiddle to the one with the voice and the acting chops.

She claimed all along that the rumors about disarray between them were overblown but now she can't pick up the phone to call a woman and former colleague whose mother, brother and nephew were murdered in cold blood?

I hope the "reporting" is false.

Cadillac Dreams is supposed to be Beyonce's "ticket" to acting legitimacy.

Whatever.

People who don't even know who Etta James is will see the movie because Beyonce is the STAH and likely get an inaccurate perception of who Etta really is.

I'm not following the entertainment media on this one, so I've no clue if Etta is even happy about the casting choice. I suppose she could be flattered that Hollywood chose such a persona to portray her. Aretha Franklin once said that Halle Berry should play her in film. I gagged.

Whatever the case, I won't be seeing Cadillac Dreams in the theaters or on DVD.

Aretha Franklin once said that Halle Berry should play her in film. I gagged.

That's an appropriate response, Craig.

Only "Big Shirley" from "What's Happening" could come close to portraying Aretha - you know you would need two actresses to play her: "skinny" Aretha and "big" Aretha.

LOL

Craig, for folks who aren't familiar with Etta James:

Etta James- original recording of "At Last"
http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x1fv49_etta-ja...

Etta James- singing "AT Last" live-2007
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ADDigK8LwyE&feat...

That is why I will not see the movie. I don't like Captain Save-a-Negro movies. Besides there are to many talented actress who could have played Etta James. Etta James has grit in her. My take is that Etta James comes from the "Race Records" tradition of Black female singers. Beyonce does not have the acting nor singing chops to portray Etta James.

However I am a big fan of Jeffrey Wright. I am not a movie goer. But I do make an effort to see him on the big and little screen. I had the honor of performing with him 2 years ago. He recited the text to Aaron Copland's Lincoln Portrait, a piece that my orchestra performed.

But...isn't he miscast as Muddy Waters? They'd have to darken him up to get it right...

True, they would have to darken him up. But at the same time he played Martin Luther King some years back. Though he looked nothing like King, but his portrayal (and Peoples Hernandez in "Shaft) won me over as a life long fan.

He may not have the looks but by golly he definitely has skillz to portray him.

I didn't realize Jeffrey Wright was in the film. Shows how little I've been paying attention.

That creates a serious conflict for me, as he's never appeared in a film that I haven't seen.

Damnit.

Mos Def is Chuck Berry.

Jeffery Wright is Muddy Waters

If her heart wasn't in it, she shouldn't have called. Period. Let me know where you stand so I can govern myself accordingly. In Beyonce's defence, I am sure J-Hud could care less that Beyonce hasn't contacted her.

I respectfully disagree. She doesn't have to have her heart in expressing her condolences. I am pretty sure many co-worker who express their condolences for another co-worker do not have their heart in it. Half the time they don't even know the co-worker who love ones passed away.

I just a social courtesy. Thats all.

Agree, Ijf. From where I stand, It's called compassion. If you've ever experienced the death of a loved one, you're more likely to show compassion for others. Of course, narcissism cancels that out.

you are correct in giving common courtesy.? However, I cannot condemn the girl because I don't know all the particulars.

Since you've raised the topic of celebrity shade , let's clear up something else, shall we? The Queen -- http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5K33-LU-_2A

'Nuff said.

rikyrah: One more thing:

American Stories: Giving back to your community

Over this holiday week, many Americans have taken the time to reflect upon the role of service in their communities.

One theme runs throughout the stories and suggestions that were submitted: folks are fired up to take part in President-elect Obama's plans to increase and improve service opportunities across the country.

Kari from California wrote in to tell us about her service to education. She said:

"I've been serving my community as a high school teacher and director of a program for low-income, first-generation college-going high school students for seven years now. I believe in Barack Obama's mission of hope and change and a better country."

President-elect Obama has repeatedly said that his Administration will call on all Americans to serve others. Joan from Ohio wrote in to say that she is "thrilled to have our government ask me to do something." She said:

"At the most basic level, I think the world cannot evolve without individuals shouldering responsibility for change -- preferably united under strong leadership from government.

[There are other examples!]

The FIRST FAMILY-TO-BE SHOWED the EXAMPLE when they VOLUNTEERED at the Chicago Food Pantry! :>) :>) TRUE LEADERS! :>) :>)

rikyrah: Saturday, NOVEMBER 29, 2008 -Day -52 - On His "JOURNEY TO JANUARY!"

1. WORD(s) Of the DAY: INDIA's CRISIS/TRANSITION TRAIL

2. HEADLINE(s):

a) Obama’s First Test?
The Terrorist Attacks in Mumbai Highlight a Simmering Crisis in South Asia

President-elect Barack Obama campaigned on deploying additional U.S. troops to Afghanistan — and, potentially, taking military action in Pakistan — as part of a renewed focus on a neglected war against Al Qaeda and its Taliban allies. When he takes the oath of office Jan. 20, he’ll inherit a far different regional picture in South Asia than his campaign could have anticipated.
SKIP

The incoming administration must make “an overall assessment of where this [Afghanistan] mission is going,” Dan Markey, a former State Dept. official and current regional expert at the Council on Foreign Relations, said in a conference call this week, “whether it accepts Afghanistan to be, in the next 10 years or 20 years, a modern, centralized state or … a place that will have to continue to be radically decentralized in order to be effective.”

THERE IS MORE.

b) Obama Cabinet to be nearly complete by Christmas

(CNN) — Barack Obama will have nearly named his entire Cabinet by Christmas, a top aide to the President-elect's transition team said.

John Podesta, a former chief of staff for President Clinton, told Bloomberg News' Al Hunt "virtually the whole Cabinet" will be in place by the end of the year.

Earlier this week President-elect Obama announced he was nominating New York Fed chairman Timothy Geithner to be his Treasury Secretary. He has also reportedly settled on Sen. Hillary Clinton for Secretary of State, New Mexico Gov. Bill Richardson for Commerce Secretary, Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano for Homeland Security Secretary, former Sen. Tom Daschle for Heath and Human Services Secretary, and Eric Holder for Attorney General. Obama also reportedly favors keeping Defense Secretary Robert Gates in his current position.

Though Gates currently appears to be the only Republican set to hold a leading cabinet post under Obama, Podesta said there will be "multiple Republicans" in the administration.

3. ON THE LIGHTER SIDE:

Area's Other Obamas Revel in Rare Moniker

Nicanor Obama began to realize he might be on to a good thing when he didn't get a speeding ticket not long ago. After stopping the 28-year-old for a little lead-footing near the Verizon Center, a District police officer looked at his driver's license and put the citation book away.

"He said, 'Well, I'm going to let you go because you have the Obama name' " is how the Arlington County resident recalled the encounter.

SKIP

"I signed up for a Harris Teeter card the other day, and the woman was, like, Obama?," said Denise Maye Obama, 19, of Alexandria. "She said: 'That's a first. Are you related to the president?' Everyone asks if I'm related to the president now. One of these times I'm going to say yes, just for the fun of it."
SKIP

At the very least, according to Francisca Obama, a graduate student in Human Resources at Strayer University, no one forgets or botches her name any more.

"Sometimes African names are kind of hard," said Francisca, 29. "Now I don't even have to spell my name. Everybody knows it already."

If it's good to be an Obama, it's also exceedingly rare. According to databases, there might be fewer than 20 Obama families in the United States, compared with more than 11,000 Clintons and 60,000 Bushes. (Whitepages.com shows more than 70 Obama listings, but many of those are clunky fakes, including the entry for Hillary C. Obama of Cleveland.)

Sharing a presidential name can bring small blessings, according to others who have seen their names rise to the highest office in the land.

THERE IS MORE. [These stories are fun! :>)]

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! [Seems as IFFF we are experiencing - "NEWS LIGHT!" :>) :>)

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

P.S. C U L8R Will be away most of Saturday.

New baby names for newborn girls (courtesy Comedian Alex Thomas):
Labaracka,
Obamanesia,
& Obamaniyah.

This reminded me of this article:

Area's Other Obamas Revel in Rare Moniker

Nicanor Obama began to realize he might be on to a good thing when he didn't get a speeding ticket not long ago. After stopping the 28-year-old for a little lead-footing near the Verizon Center, a District police officer looked at his driver's license and put the citation book away.

"He said, 'Well, I'm going to let you go because you have the Obama name' " is how the Arlington County resident recalled the encounter.

Since Election Day, his moniker has sparked goodwill, from nightclub freebies to hearty handshakes from fellow students at the University of the District of Columbia, where he studies political science. "I'm not related to the president, but I think Obama is a good name to have right now."

Their lives might not have changed as dramatically as a certain Chicago-based Obama family, but the area's non-Barack Obamas have been basking in a little low-watt glory of their own. Suddenly, having the most famous last name in the world means cashing a check, flashing an ID or making a dinner reservation might never be the same.

"I signed up for a Harris Teeter card the other day, and the woman was, like, Obama?," said Denise Maye Obama, 19, of Alexandria. "She said: 'That's a first. Are you related to the president?' Everyone asks if I'm related to the president now. One of these times I'm going to say yes, just for the fun of it."

There's more...

In a few years, I will see these students populate the many schools I serve. He forgot Barackwaysha and Obamaniqua.

We can't just hold to the 'simple' Barack and Michelle?

Baracka if it's a girl?

LOL

I'm thinking we'll begin to see a lot of Malia's and Sasha's for girls.

That will definitely happen.

It's a nice to want to name kids after the all theObama's but I think one's own originality shoudn't be lost in the naming process.

rikyrah: THAT would B 2 much like right! :>) :>)