Jack & Jill Politics

rikyrah: BREAKING NEWS!!: "BABY BOY" TRIP PALIN!!!

MSNBC: 3:30 pm.

SHOOT!!! JUST LOST $200 Virtual Dollas!!! :>)

GreenLadyHere, all bets are off, huh? Now aint that a TRIPP!!!

spirit:/ALL: Sharing from the MUDFLATS:

Bristol’s Baby is Here. What a Tripp.

First “official” news I’ve heard has just come from KUDO that reports Bristol Palin had her baby. And the name is…..Tripp? No, I’m not kidding. That’s what I just heard. Either KUDO, who reports this is coming from People Magazine, is the victim of a giant baby hoax, or they actually named the baby “Tripp.”

Tripp as in “what a long, strange Tripp it’s been”? Tripp as a drug reference? Tripp because it was the only weird name that beganwith “T” they could think of? Please say it ain’t so.

I’ll report back as I know more.

*************************************************

It IS so.

SKIP

Well, poor “Tripp” is bound to be the butt of late night talk show jokes, and humor websites across the nation. At least when he grows up, he can be “Mitch.” Ya know, I really thought they were going to surprise everyone and have a “John” or a “Steven.” Shows what I know!

Certainly he and his new parents will face challenges a-plenty. Congratulations and best of luck to the family. I’m sure a People photo shoot will be coming shortly.

That's ALL!!

GLH, thanks for the Mudflats update. I think Bristolad Levi should do a Peoples Magazine photo spot with Tripp and then get their arses outta Alaska.

Go on Take the Money and Run!

http://video.aol.com/video-detail/take-the-mone...

spirit: I'm "rockin' to da music!" :>) :>)

Good idea. BUT, I don't know that they can make it outta their element!! Hmmmmm!

Yep, that's a good one, Spirit! lol

spirit: BWAHAHAHAHA!! I'm sooo sorry!! :>) GOOD ONE!! :>) :>)

I'll try to get some OTHER POLL going! :>) :>)

***shakin' my head**** :>)

Bristol Palin, the 18-year-old daughter of former Republican vice-presidential candidate Sarah Palin, gave birth on Sunday to a healthy 7 lb., 4 oz., baby boy in Palmer, Alaska.
"We think it's wonderful," said Colleen Jones, the sister of Bristol's grandmother Sally Heath, who confirmed the news. "The baby is fine and Bristol is doing well. Everyone is excited."
The baby's name is Tripp Easton Mitchell Johnston, according to Jones.
Baby Tripp takes his surname from his dad, Levi Johnston, an apprentice electrician and former Wasilla High School hockey player who has been dating Bristol for three years.
Bristol Palin is currently residing in Wasilla and completing her high-school diploma through correspondence courses.
Johnston is studying to become an electrician. He told the Associated Press in October that he and fiancée Bristol plan to wed in 2009 and raise the child together.

Miranda: Thank you. :>) Just posted this on "COUNTDOWN Day 22."

"WHYCOME" the baby doesn't have PALIN in his name??

How 'bout - - TRIPP EASTON MITCHELL [PALIN]-JOHNSTON??

Do you think that this is the FIRST ATTEMPT for Bristol to DISTANCE herself from "The Gov."?? Hmmmmmm?

Waitin' for that "TELL-ALL" BOOK!! :>)


OOPS!: Bristol Palin Baby Son Tripp Born

Annnnnnnnnnnd, "WHYCOME" NO COMMENT from the very mouthy, loves to B on camera - - GRANDMA "The Gov."? :>)

Did they include photos of the delivery?

my mom just asked me if it's black (she saw that young boy on youtube claiming to be the BabyDaddy)

nickwah22: Saw that video this summer. :>) :>)

NOW I know that I shoulda carried myself STR8 up to ALASKA - 4 real!! :>) :>)

Now you know they'll probably be on Myspace! LOL

Justice58: VIRTUAL 'DAP'!! :>) :>)

Thanks Rikyrah. I like Roland and Donna "I'm not going back to the back of the bus!"

EVENING THREAD IS UP

Val, I will be commandeering the TV in the breakroom. Only ? is what channel. Don't think we get TVONE so, BET? MSNBC? What say you all?

If you don't get TVOne,

HELL NO to BET.

I would say C-Span, if you don't want any pundits.

If you're willing to do pundits, then flip a coin. See how much CNN seems to be using Roland Martin and Donna Brazile. If not as much to your liking, then go over to MSNBC.

I've decided on TVOne, C-Span, MSNBC and CNN for the Tivos in my house.

rikyrah: Watching "Tweety's" documentary of Shrubs 2 "disaster pieces": Iraqi WAR and Katrina. I think that it supports the <30% "approval" [orrrrr - 70% DISAPPROVAL] RATING!!

OOPS! Make that 3: THE PRESENT ECONOMY!!

Very bad news if you didn't already realize it:
http://money.cnn.com/2008/12/29/news/economy/mi...

FROM USA TODAY- Monday, December 29, 2009 (Television) section- page 3D
By Dana Edelson, @NBC Universal Inc.

Ask TV to better resemble the electorate and candidates

It should go without saying that TV must do a better job of representing Hispanics, Asian Americans and African Americans. Yet the networks have grown so deaf to the issue, the NAACP has once again been forced to bring it to their attention. If you need a poster child for TV's lack of diversity, look no farther than Saturday Night Live, which has no one to play the first lady and no one funny or appropriate to play the president.

This unwillingness to reflect the USA as it is goes beyond a neglect of ethnic minorities. Many of the people who saw themselves in Sarah Palin, particularly those who belong to the small-town working class, never see themselves on TV at all, unless they're being vilified or mocked.

In part, the problem is a by-product of the sorry state of sitcoms. With the rare exception of shows like thirtysomething or Family, the hour-long genre has always been dominated by cops, detectives and doctors — and by stories that are driven by plot rather than character or social concerns. It's been up to sitcoms to reflect "regular" life through such shows as Andy Griffith, All in the Family, Home Improvement, Roseanne and The Cosby Show. But those shows are long gone, replaced by insider comedies that keep an ironic, comic distance from their characters.

We're not just a more diverse nation than we appear on TV, we're a more interesting one. You'd think someone in Hollywood would notice.

It appears JJP bloggers are getting the message out there!

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p...

Forget SNL. The primary example of Whites-only television was on full display during the campaign season. When it came down to receiving serious information--information that's often crafted and shaped by media--it was created, produced and presented by a nearly all-white media.

One would think that American media would realize the ironic progress of electing a Black man as president, while they represented themselves as anything but progressive.

RonnieB, I won't say you're wrong about any of this.

spirit: Good find! This is a huge topic!

I made a post recognizing the "fairly large number" of news commentators that have been "discovered/uncovered/revealed" during these 2 years of the election process. And, NOW, it appears as IFF they are "receding" in EXPOSURE.

WHERE did THEY GO?? In fact, I don't know where many of them came from?

All I know is that it WAS GREAT SEEING THEM REPORT THE NEWS annnnnnd, RENDERING OPINIONS!! :>)

Somehow, I thought that IT WOULD LAST!! SADLY, It has NOT!

Look at the "Tim Russert" replacement! Was ANY PERSON OF COLOR in the running??

"WHERE did THEY GO?? In fact, I don't know where many of them came from?"

GLH, they're like the good china or the good bathroom towels...they only come out for company.

Miranda,

Between you & Town....I'm just shaking my head! lol

(GreenLady, I had to steal your line) lol

Justice58: ABSOLUTELY!! :>) :>) It's NOT copyrighted! :>) :>)

We can always count on you, Miranda, Town & CPL to bring the comedy! You guys make it fun!

Justice58: Gotta LAUGH! [Proverbs 15:13] YOU KNOW!! :>)

LOL!

And just like the holidays...now they're gone! Maybe we'll see'em again next year for "Christmas at the White House".

Miranda: LOL!! :>) I know!! ***shakin' my head*** Guess my question WAS rhetorical! :>) :>)

GreenLady, true dat. There isn't a single tv show that I watch consistently.

The Black folk did come out like roaches after the light swtich was turned on during this election cycle. We know it was because of P-EO and the ratings.
the media is still owned by whites/Jews.

That's why I think it's criminal what BET has done to their programs; depicting Blacks in the most degrading images.

Regular TV programing has been white washed for years.

Its amazing that we actually had better representation in the darn 70s than we do 3 decades later.

So true.

spirit: WORD!! * **shrug***

rikyrah: This comes under the HEADING: What took YOU sooooo long??:


Your request is being processed...
Israel Launches Massive Airstrikes Against Hamas In Gaza

SCROLL DOWN FOR SLIDESHOW

***UPDATE*** 12/28 8:58PM The White House blamed Hamas for the new round of violence in the Mideast, reports the AP:

The Bush administration has called again for a "sustainable cease-fire" in the Mideast and demands that Hamas stop its attacks on Israel...


[Spokesman Gordon] Johndroe blamed the militant Hamas organization for the latest wave in violence, saying that it broke a six-month cease-fire agreement. He said that Hamas has "shown its true colors as a terrorist organization."

***UPDATE*** 12/28 8:58PM The Jerusalem Post is reporting that Israeli forces on Monday morning struck key centers in Gaza City, including Islamic University, and that Hamas may be considering a dramatic response, such as the kidnapping of a soldier:

I just wanted to show the S-----L-----O---W REACTION of "THE PRESIDENT!! HumF!!

Mr. President-Elect Obama has been sought out to make a RESPONSE! Even while HE is on VACATION.

THE PRESIDENT couldn't be FOUND until 2-day!! HAH!!

Goin' out like a TRUE - - oops! FALSE "leader!" :>)

But what could Bush say that he hasn't already said before? He's on record saying that Israel has the right to defend itself when Hamas/Hezbollah/other entities start acting like fools.

And if we're gonna be completely fair, Obama and Axelrod did were more non-committal than anything.

I suppose I'm enabling you by commenting...but you're looking for something that isn't there.

D: 1. He was "axed" during his "brief" vacation, just like Mr. P-E Obama was "axed" on his "extended" and very-well publicized vacation. Shrub did NOT respond AT ALL (I believe). Mr. P-EO, at, least explained SOME OF his actions - - "monitoring the situation, speaking to Dr. Condi. . "

2. Their COMMITMENT: Let the PRESIDENT BE PRESIDENT!!

3. "enabling me??" :>) :>) :>) ***shakin' my head***

D! D! D! :>) :>)

GreenLady, Right on! Apparently Bush can take the AXE!!!!!

However, "Let the president be president" is like telling a newborn baby to change his/her own shitty diaper! LOL!

Frankly, I believe Israel/ Hamas Gaza is going down because they know Bush is leaving in 23 days!

spirit: Frankly, I believe Israel/ Hamas Gaza is going down because they know Bush is leaving in 23 days!

Never thought about that!

Hmmmm?

"I just wanted to show the S-----L-----O---W REACTION of "THE PRESIDENT!! "


RAOTFL I can always count on you for a laugh Greenlady.

I am so looking forward to Jan 20. Exciting times. Will everyone attend the celebrations?

If JJP's throwing a party (hint, hint), I might be convinced to make a special guest appearance.

Short of that, I'll be watching on TV.

D: LOL! U R 2 much!! :>) :>)

Val: Thank you! :>) :>)

JANUARY 20, 2009!! THE DAY of ALL DAYS!! :>) :>)

I will NOT be in DC. BUT, I'll have my "digital box" fired up!! :>) :>)

rikyrah: Anovelista brought up the topic of "PARENTING" yesterday.:

'Daddy O' brings parenting into politics

Just call him Daddy O.

Most leaders’ playbooks take at least a page or two from “The Art of War,” but President-elect Obama’s rhetoric seems to be torn from very different kind of text: the modern parenting manual.

The “change we can believe in,” it turns out, shares a lot with the revolution in thinking about child-rearing sprung from the work of Austrian psychologist Alfred Adler, which centers on principles such as mutual respect — or what the president-elect has called “the presumption of good faith” — fostering independence (“Team of Rivals,” anyone?), and encouragement (“Yes we can!”).

This passage from Obama’s victory speech, for example, is a family meeting waiting to happen, complete with attempts to acknowledge his own limits, make room for dissent, make sure the listeners feel heard, and stress the importance of everyone’s contribution:

“There are many who won’t agree with every decision or policy I make as president, and we know that government can’t solve every problem. But I will always be honest with you about the challenges we face. I will listen to you, especially when we disagree. And above all, I will ask you join in the work of remaking this nation the only way it’s been done in America for two-hundred and twenty-one years — block by block, brick by brick, calloused hand by calloused hand.”

These and other progressive parenting principles are reflected not only in Obama’s rhetoric, but also in his approach to leadership — an approach that already seems to be rubbing off.

Sen. Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.), for instance, recently called Senate Democrats’ decision not to strip Sen. Joe Lieberman of his chairmanship a “direct result of the tone [Obama] set.”

“The old school was that you reward your friends and punish your enemies,” she said. “But it’s a new day, and there is no reward and punishment going on.”

No rewards or punishments? Alfie Kohn, whose book “Unconditional Parenting” is subtitled “Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason” approves:

“The most respectful — and effective — approach to parenting consists of working WITH children rather than doing things TO them,” he says. ‘Working with’ parents talk less and listen more. They regularly try to imagine how the world looks from the child's point of view. They bring kids into the process of decision-making whenever possible. ‘Doing to’ parents, on the other hand, impose their will and use some combination of rewards and punishments in an attempt to elicit obedience.”

Kohn says a “working with” approach in the political realm is “essentially more democratic” — particularly if it offers real choices, and not just the illusion of them.

THERE IS MORE.

Admittedly, my "parenting strategies" were at some slight variance to that of my parents. BUT, still, IN THE END, I MADE the DECISION!

Annnnnnnd, "the kids" KNEW THAT!! :>) :>)

Annnnnd, YES, these strategies can transfer into "working WITH" 'grown folks'. IMHO

GLH, this explains how how he'll work with Hillpatine!

spirit: ABSOLUTELY!! He's ALREADY MADE THAT VERY CLEAR!! :>) :>)

'cause HE IS LARGE and IN CHARGE!! :>) :>) Whooo! Hoo!

rikyrah: ADDING THIS to HIS "JOURNEY TO JANUARY 20, 2008!"

Open for Questions: Round two (Monday, December 29, 2008 01:01pm EST / Posted by Dan McSwain)

During this brief transition period, we’ve rolled out important new tools to let users interact with our team in a transparent and meaningful way.

Our first run of Open for Questions was one such feature, with nearly 1,000,000 votes cast on questions from the Change.gov community.

In this round, you can still view all of the questions that have been submitted—or you can break down the questions by category for easier navigation. For instance, you can read the top-ranking question regarding Energy and the Environment and browse through other questions on the same topic by clicking on that issue.

We think this change is valuable. It serves the other key purpose of features like Open for Questions: making your input easy to pass on to the members of our Transition team that are crafting solutions to these vital issues right now.

Check out the Open for Questions feature here. We’ll close this round of questions and put together our responses in the new year.

Mr. President-Elect Obama! BRILLIANT STRATEGY!!

LARGE and IN CHARGE!! :>)

Yeah it really is brilliant. I posted some other thoughts on this at http://www.talesfromthe.net/jon/?p=312

jon: Thank you.

Hey guys,

Has anyone heard from MsKitty? Hope all is well!

No, I haven't heard from MsKitty nor TruthSeeker.

thought I saw a post from Truthseeker today on a HuffingtonPost blog. The name was the same and the commentary read just like one of her postings.

rikyrah: Hmmmmm?

From BPOTW:

1. Study: Houston leads in homicides by black youths
December 29, 2008

2. Homicide rate rising for black teenagers

"WHYCOME" these "HEADLINES" are appearing, frequently, annnnnd, therefore, that "STUDIES" are being conducted at this time??

Unless there is some other similar "series of studies", I don't remember seeing these many-- RECENTLY! Hmmm?

Annnnnnd, I guess that "OTHER" races/ethnicities/etc.don't have "homicide rates" - huh!?

BUT, I'm "SURE" that these "study projects" are NOT related to the pending PRESIDENTIAL installation. Suuuuuuuure!!

***MAJOR EYE ROLL***

In the words of Dr. R. - - - -"talk me down!" 'cause I'm - - aaaarrrrrgggg!!!

Not only is it not a coincidence, but why am I suspecting, when nobody had said shyt to Dubya on this subject, this will work its way into press conferences with regards to Obama, believing that HE (cause he BLACK - see, how that works, folks. He'll be BLACK for this topic for them) should be able to solve it in one speech...

cause he's the 'Magic Negro'.

Barack Obama is conducting a press conference on global warming...


Obama: And so this is what we're going to about global warming.

Reporter: Barack, what do you have to say about the large numbers of black youth killing each other in Houston?

Obama: That's "President Obama" to you, and while global warming has nothing to do with black youths killing each other in Houston, my Urban Policy department is working with state and local governments to solve the problem.

Reporter: So President Obama, you're not going to stop black youths from killing each other?

Obama (ignores her and points to another reporter): Next question.


Later that night on Hannity...


Hannity: Today Barack Obama totally disrespected a reporter in front of everyone and ignored her very important question on "black on black crime." Why do you think Obama doesn't care that black kids are killing each other?

Jesse Lee Peterson: Well Obama ain't black and he's worse than David Duke! He doesn't care..about black people. Why isn't Kanye West the Rapper saying anything about that?

Town: Town! Town! LOL!! LOL! :>) :>) :>)

Ima stop typin' so I can GET MY LAUGH ON!!!! :>) :>)

Town, break it down.

Oh yep, you're right...they MUST bring up the hiphop...gotta bring up the hiphop.

Yep....prepare for every ill to be discussed ad nauseum...and ONLY discussed with absolutely NO critical analysis or sound solutions offered. That whole CNN Black In America will look like a praise fest compared to what's about to happen...I can see it coming from a mile away.

Say that!

rikyrah: LOL!!! :>) VIRTUAL 'DAP'!!! :>) YOU JUST SPEAK!!

Trust your instincts. Its not a coincidence, its on purpose.

What's on purpose? That a shocking amount of black kids are shooting each other (and us white folk) while the overall crime rate is heading south? You kidding? It's no coincidence, right? The timing of the release of these, um, facts, from a 5 year Northeastern University study is a plot. Ya gotta laugh.

I'm sure you're just busting a gut, Jonster.

While Northwestern has spent 5 YEARS studying folks killing each other, that time and money could've been spent on EDUCATION. Let's not be hoodwinked by the fact that NorthwEstern did the study. Otherwise you'll be labeled an Elitist. :-)))

Throwing out a bunch of statistsics 23 days before the Bush administration leaves office and the Obama Administration readys itself to take office smells to high heaven.

Let's do the math. 8 YEARS! 2000-2008 George W. Bush took the oath of Office; not once, but twice.

He promised to protect and defend the constitution of the US. NOT! Because under that oath, Americans have a right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS!

At this juncture, what does a study like this suppose to prove to America?

"At this juncture, what does a study like this suppose to prove to America?"

I just like to know who's out there trying to kill me.

He promised to protect and defend the constitution of the US. NOT! Because under that oath, Americans have a right to LIFE, LIBERTY and the PURSUIT of HAPPINESS!



Uh oh....You better tell it! Go Spirit!

Damn Skippy, and the biggest study on killings was done at the cost of and by the American citizens, and that was the war in Iraq.

Northwestern can go study that!

spirit_55z: U JUST SPEAK!!!! :>)

Daps!

LOL. You guys crack me up.

Miranda/Val: We KNOW that it takes $$$ to do these STUDIES??

Who's FUNDING THEM??? Annnnnd, "WHYCOME" THEY have $$$??

Just "axin". . . . . :>)

I bet if you digged deep into the mutli-layers of who's funding these "studies" it will probably be some interesting names that come up.

Miranda: TRUTH!! :>)

saw it and ignored it. LOL I had the same instinctive response. :-)

Val: Like YOU, I, initially, ignored the FIRST HEADLINE! But, then I saw it again! Uh -Uh!! :>) :>)

I'm watchin' for more! Under the heading - - "NEGATIVE BLACK CRIME WATCH!!" :>)

This will supercede my "BABY BIRTH WATCH!" :>) :>) :>)

GreenLadyHere,

My reply to #2: More Police and Welfare programs?? WTF?

How about EDUCATION as a COUNTERMEASURE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Can I try to sell you conservatism based on the fact that you don't think government intervention here may not be the best solution?

No, throwing a half-baked program at such a serious problem won't do much. It's the mindset that has to be changed. Also some people are just beyond redemption. It comes down to whatever decent people who are left have to cut off the deranged, evil ones. Perhaps if the gov't got rid of all the guns being sold illegally - that would help! Stop the NRA lobbyists from having their way.

No, you can't sell me on conservatism. There isn't one Black person I know personally or professonally that aren't fisically conservative.

And you'll never be able to convince me with using labels like "Conservatism." Call it anything you like, but the GOP uses that label to hide behind their own greed and racism. IMHO!!!!!!!!!!!!

Now D,

come on now.

You're not even going down that path. You know darn well that most Black folks don't believe guvmint can solve all the problems. Come on now. Don't insult us. You hang with Black folk, so I know you've had the conversations with us.

There is NOBODY harder on poor Black folk than a Black person who WORKS...

You transcribe the conversations about welfare from a BBQ with Black folks...not the voices, just the words.... you know that you'd be thinking it was a meeting of Pat Buchanan and his friends. I'm not going to pretend that it's not.

Lord knows I don't know anyone harder on poor Black folk than my Black Nationalist Entrepreneur Uncle that grew up in Jim Crow Mississippi.

You know darn well that most Black folks don't believe guvmint can solve all the problems.

That's a conservative viewpoint as well.

D,

you know that most Black folk are conservative (small c).

....and that was the point of asking that question.

Same thing happened with my mom a few weeks ago; she got pissed off at the notion of everyone getting "free" health care. Told her I could convert her based off her reactions, and she said "not to those racists."

My father-in-law went off on a 10 minute rant about immigrants over Thanksgiving; told him that was a conservative viewpoint, and he cussed me out for being a "damn Republican."

Theory I have (and I won't claim it as my idea) is that the GOP should work to find the common ground, and use that to build relationships. There are some commonalities, but (1) not all black people know that, and (2) the GOP isn't making the effort to tell them.

By immigrants I take it they're thinking about Latinos. Because the gov't could easily shift its focus to the African and Caribbean people who are living here illegally too and Black people would be crying racism at the drop of a hat.

heartsand flowers, you tell it.

D,

if the GOP mainstream had been more Jack Kemp and less Lee Atwater, I honestly believe, the natural Black constituency for the GOP hovers between 30-35%. They don't get the folks over 10%, because of the overt racism. Most Black folks can't get past that and won't even try. They look at Blackwell defending the ' Magic Negro' stuff and go ' Nigger, please', and walk away. We are a community that only recently got any ' money'. We measured wealth in different ways ( remember, we're the community that had PhD's working in the Post Office). We USED to say, ' Well at least I have my self-respect', cause it doesn't cost anything to keep it. And, what does it do for you to have all that money, and no self-respect, and still be Samboing around - like Blackwell?

For all the problems I have with the GOP and our lack of outreach, that's the one problem that I have with the black community: the fact that regardless of what the message is, people aren't trying to hear it because of past history.

That criticism isn't undeserved...but it's proving hard to counter. We can't concede anyone or anywhere, but like you said, there's an element that won't listen regardless of what we do.

Hey D,

The Republican Party will NEVAH get more than 10-15% of the Black vote because of the racists and foolery going on in the Republican Party. I agree with rikyrah, if the GOP weren't so racist and truly did welcome black folks and black views, they'd get about 30-40% of the black vote.

Black people are NOT going to vote GOP. Not gonna happen. Black folks will ALWAYS look at the GOP with the side eye of suspicion.

I believe if a true VIABLE 3rd party came around that didn't shuck and buck to racism's tune, that party would be able to peel off 30-40% of the Black vote.


But most 3rd parties never want to start at dogcatcher and school board and work themselves up. They ALWAYS start at President, lose, and then wonder why 3rd parties don't catch on.

It will take a viable third party to peel off the black vote, not Republican "outreach." Just my opinion.

It's not just "past history", but what happens concurrently with whatever the message is. We hear it, alright- loud and clear.

D,
Why is it so hard for you to understand that when most of us smell racism. bigotry, and w supremacy dished out so blatantly as during the last two years, we count ourselves out. Embracing "C" or the repugs would be like suicide or genocide or self hatred.

(sigh)

The racism and bigotry don't extend everywhere.

D,
We can't make excuses and look the other way where it does extend. The ball is in the court of the repugs or provide proof of being worthy of a second glance.

But, you wanted to know why we can't hear your message. Its because the actions of the repugs speaking so loudly we can't hear a word they say.

Fair enough.

Because we can't either.

spirit: I COMPLETELY AGREE! The P-EO has EDUCATION as ONE of HIS projects! Ima go with that! :>)

Thank you for your input. :>)

Word, GreenLady. Jails + welfare =slavery.

Please tell me what is 21st Centruy about that solution, cause I wanna know how the hell that's going to stop anyone from killing another Soul if they want too

spirit: YEP! :>)

I saw the opposite; a call for more government intervention to an administration that may be more favorable to increasing funding to the cut programs (whether they're actually beneficial or not). So I rolled my eyes too.

I'm wondering-like the article suggested-if there's another, bigger (better?) reason to the increases than just cut government programs. That doesn't smell right.

D: Thank you. I saw the "subtitles" and these DATA:
YOUTH VIOLENCE IN NEW CENTURY

Trends in homicides by offenders ages 14-24 between 2000-01 and 2006-07.

• Houston: Whites, down 10 percent; blacks, up 139 percent

• Dallas: Whites, down 46 percent; blacks, down 40 percent

• San Antonio: Whites, down 3 percent; blacks, up 38 percent

• Boston: Whites, down 40 percent; blacks, up 78 percent

• Chicago: Whites, down 47 percent; blacks, down 30 percent

• Oklahoma City: Whites, up 19 percent; blacks, up 85 percent

• San Francisco: Whites, up 32 percent; blacks, up 79 percent

• Los Angeles: Whites, down 20 percent; blacks, down 22 percent

Source: The Recent Surge In Homicides Involving Young Black Males and Guns: Time To Reinvest in Prevention and Crime Control

It just seems disconcerting (to me) that these studies are appearing so consistently at THIS TIME!! Annnnnd, I believe that the HEADLINES are, intentionally, "eyebrow raising" at a FIRST READ!!

BUT, thanks for your input! :>)

The headlines do prompt a certain "WTF?"

D: Thanks, again. :>)

Wanted to share a sampling of Lizz Wright's latest CD "Orchard" It was a B-day gift from my daughter.

It's Soulful and righteous!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bXzdYD3MDZQ

I love Lizz Wright.

Love her.

I love Lizz too. :-)

Lizz Wright is plainly ridiculous to me from first to now, though Orchard's taking longer to grow on me than SALT...

"How can you lose your song?
When you have sung it for so long?
How can you forget your dance, your dance
When THAT dance is all you ever had?

It must be, it must be true
You can’t SEPARATE THE TWO
Oh no, you can’t
It’s impossible to do
JUST like the salt in the stew

... on the topic, I say publish it whenever wherever and way out loud until we adults begin to take as much responsibility as is due for the homicide rate. Every kid won't listen to instruction, but we bear the responsibility for most of the nonsens going on now.

The prison construction rate, as those who bid for these fat government contracts well know, is DIRECTLY related to the literacy rates going back to 3rd grade. This ain't science. It's US, ya'll. Would love to have a powerful, literate army of high-integrity black folk to fight the never-ending nonsense that race will continue to be in this country.

And this ain't a bill cosby redux. It's aimed AT cosby and those believers of his who think it's an income thing - as I believe the greatest damage done has been done by the black middle class just cutting our kids loose. These aren't poor schools where black kids can't read. My high school is now a prime and unfortunate example of a middle class neighborhood struggling with basic literacy among graduating students.

If we aren't teaching each other to read, expect more bullets.

"Based on this year's fourth-grade reading scores," observes Paul Schwartz, a Coalition principal in residence at the U. S. Department of Education, "California is already planning the number of new prison cells it will need in the next century."
http://www.essentialschools.org/cs/resources/vi...

More on Prison Cells and Reading Scores... http://www.childrenofthecode.org/interviews/whi...

It's definitely not just the poor in income, it's the poor of mind and spirit, it's the all-black environments were a few bad seeds spread like poison and ruin the entire well.

"Based on this year's fourth-grade reading scores," observes Paul Schwartz, a Coalition principal in residence at the U. S. Department of Education, "California is already planning the number of new prison cells it will need in the next century."

When we had the first discussion of the WeeMichelles and their schooling, a poster here wrote that there were all types of schools.

Including those preparing folks to go to prison.

I agreed with that statement before, and I do now.

Preach it!

there are two things that are the most common denominator among the Black prison population:

Fatherlessness and Illiteracy.

Factor out all else, and these two are above and beyond everything else.

rikyrah: SPEAK!!

Annnnnd, it doesn't take a major study, complete with chi-square statistics, to make THIS determination. Just review the "histories" of students in any given school!! THESE 2 pieces of DATA will immediately emerge! [YES, there are exceptions.]

Preach....

More on the subject:
http://www.globalresearch.ca/articles/EVA110A.html

Exactly, Miranda. Industrial Complexes for profit and social control.
Education is key, and that Duncan dude had better get on the JOB with stepping it up too!

I'm looking for it, but there was a huge article on Salon a few years back that listed the companies that engage in using prison labor...it was unbelievable. I remember Victoria's Secret was on there.

IMiranda, I hope you find it; although I'm not a bit surprised.

Victoria's Secret probably gives out free thongs to the inmates to help spice things up in the pokey!

Found this at motherjones.com - I'll put it in the evening thread too.

What Do Prisoners Make for Victoria's Secret?
NEWS: From Starbucks to Microsoft: a sampling of what US inmates make, and for whom

By Caroline Winter
July/August 2008 Issue

Tens of thousands of US inmates are paid from pennies to minimum wage—minus fines and victim compensation—for everything from grunt work to firefighting to specialized labor. Here's a sampling of what they make, and for whom.

Eating in: Each month, California inmates process more than 680,000 pounds of beef, 400,000 pounds of chicken products, 450,000 gallons of milk, 280,000 loaves of bread, and 2.9 million eggs (from 160,000 inmate-raised hens). Starbucks subcontractor Signature Packaging Solutions has hired Washington prisoners to package holiday coffees (as well as Nintendo Game Boys). Confronted by a reporter in 2001, a Starbucks rep called the setup "entirely consistent with our mission statement."

Around the Big House: Texas inmates produce brooms and brushes, bedding and mattresses, toilets, sinks, showers, and bullwhips. Bullwhips?

Windows dressing: In the mid-1990s, Washington prisoners shrink-wrapped software and up to 20,000 Microsoft mouses for subcontractor Exmark (other reported clients: Costco and JanSport). "We don't see this as a negative," a Microsoft spokesman said at the time. Dell used federal prisoners for PC recycling in 2003, but stopped after a watchdog group warned that it might expose inmates to toxins.

Back to school: Texas and California inmates make dorm furniture and lockers, diploma covers, binders, logbooks, library book carts, locker room benches, and juice boxes.

Patriotic duties: Federal Prison Industries, a.k.a. Unicor, says that in addition to soldiers' uniforms, bedding, shoes, helmets, and flak vests, inmates have "produced missile cables (including those used on the Patriot missiles during the Gulf War)" and "wiring harnesses for jets and tanks." In 1997, according to Prison Legal News, Boeing subcontractor MicroJet had prisoners cutting airplane components, paying $7 an hour for work that paid union wages of $30 on the outside.

The law won: In Texas, prisoners make officers' duty belts, handcuff cases, and prison-cell accessories. California convicts make gun containers, creepers (to peek under vehicles), and human-silhouette targets.

A stitch in time: California inmates sew their own garb. In the 1990s, subcontractor Third Generation hired 35 female South Carolina inmates to sew lingerie and leisure wear for Victoria's Secret and JCPenney. In 1997, a California prison put two men in solitary for telling journalists they were ordered to replace "Made in Honduras" labels on garments with "Made in the usa."

Open wide: At California's prison dental laboratory, inmates produce a complete prosthesis selection, including custom trays, try-ins, bite blocks, and dentures.

Constructive criticism: Prisoners in for burglary, battery, drug and gun charges, and escape helped build a Wal-Mart distribution center in Wisconsin in 2005, until community uproar halted the program. (Company policy says, "Forced or prison labor will not be tolerated by Wal-Mart.")

On call: Its inmate call centers are the "best kept secret in outsourcing," Unicor boasts. In 1994, a contractor for gop congressional hopeful Jack Metcalf hired Washington state prisoners to call and remind voters he was pro-death penalty. Metcalf, who prevailed, said he never knew.

Miranda, it's interesting California and Texas are prominent hroughout this piece.

I wonder what govenors Arnold S. and Rick Perry have to say about CA and TX prisons?

Cheap labor and slavery

h&f, LOL@ "though Orchard's taking longer to grow on me than SALT"........

hustleandfloe: ... on the topic, I say publish it whenever wherever and way out loud until we adults begin to take as much responsibility as is due for the homicide rate. Every kid won't listen to instruction, but we bear the responsibility for most of the nonsens going on now.

The prison construction rate, as those who bid for these fat government contracts well know, is DIRECTLY related to the literacy rates going back to 3rd grade. This ain't science. It's US, ya'll. Would love to have a powerful, literate army of high-integrity black folk to fight the never-ending nonsense that race will continue to be in this country.

IFFF this was a response to my post - - I couldn't AGREE with you more!

I tutor students annnnd, in some, cases, I'm not understanding "WHYCOME" they have gotten into this situation - - needing a tutor.

What I have observed is that they are "believed" when they say that they "have no homework!" Back "in my day", IFFF my children had anything BELOW a B in a subject, they HAD HOMEWORK!!

Annnnd, I point that strategy out to the parents. Some of them said, Oh! I didn't think of that! Ooooo-kaaaay!

Again, thank you for YOUR response, COMPLETE WITH DATA :>)

this week's Washington Informer Opinion page.

http://www.washingtoninformer.com/wi/index.php?...

Business Week Online & Yahoo News: "The [Ten] Worst Predictions About 2008"

http://news.yahoo.com/s/bw/20081229/bs_bw/dec20...

Number ten should be particularly amusing.

Yes, Nate it is hilariously amusing!

I'm sure Steele's book didn't make the Best Sellers List either. LOL!

I wonder what Shelby Steele has to say for himself now! Heehee...

I imagine remaining bookstore copies of Steele's book will soon end up in the 50-cent bin, somewhere close to this book:

http://www.amazon.com/Condi-vs-Hillary-Great-Pr...

That is, if it isn't one of the many fine copies you can pick up from independent Amazon sellers for one shiny penny.

Shame! They all got tricked!

History to be remembered, per the New York Times and a new comic book: Jack Johnson becomes heavyweight champ this week , one hundred years ago. It was a terrible time to be African American (perhaps worse than slavery...someone remind Coon Blackwell) and Johnson's rise and fall something of Greek tragedy.

http://natturnersrevenge.blogspot.com/2008/12/o...

Chris Chambers: Thank you for this HISTORICAL "moment!" :>)

Thanks for the link-up Chris. Johnson was a powerful black man back in the day. And a threat because of his penchant for white women.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jack_Johnson_(boxer)

Seems as if the Voter Suppressing Sambo is gaining steam for RNC Chair:

From Booker Rising:

http://www.bookerrising.net/2008/12/impressive-...

Ken Blackwell, candidate for Republican National Committee chairman, has won several powerful endorsements. They include Steve Forbes and Pat Toomey. Steve Forbes, a former presidential candidate, has been very active within Republican circles and is very influential within the RNC. Pat Toomey is a former Congressman from Pennsylvania, who ran in a primary against Arlen Specter for U.S. Senate and almost beat the incumbent. Mr. Toomey went on to become President of Club for Growth, which is considered a very powerful RINO-hunting organization.

The American Spectator has a piece up today called "Blackwell's Back", about the conservative Republican's bid for RNC chair. "Since Blackwell jumped in the race, two potential candidates for RNC chairman have dropped out and endorsed him. One, Texas GOP chairwoman Tina Benkiser, is now a candidate for co-chair as Blackwell's running mate. The other, Michigan national committeeman Chuck Yob, is active in the Blackwell campaign and has brought his family along for the ride. Although relatively few of those who have a vote in the Jan. 28 election have publicly endorsed a candidate, a plurality of those who have are backing Blackwell. Blackwell's campaign message is two-fold. Philosophically, he is running as a 'no-pale-pastels' conservative who believes the Republican brand has suffered from ethical lapses, overspending, and a general propensity to govern in a 'Democrat lite' fashion. Strategically, Blackwell speaks of implementing 'a genuine 50-state strategy.' According to a statement released before Christmas, that means helping state party leaders raise money by recruiting major speakers for their fundraisers and transferring 10 percent of the RNC's net fundraising proceeds to state party organizations. Blackwell promised to hold quarterly conference calls with committee members from each state and to 'allocate millions of dollars to the precinct organizations in our party to rebuild from the ground up.'"

We might have issues with Steele, but Blackwell is a straight up SAMBO, without hesitation.

The "problem" with Steele is that the base doesn't consider him "conservative enough."

I have a sneaking suspicion that we at the GOP are about to learn a harsh lesson in supporting a black man just because he's black......

Oh, come on now, D. Steele's not "conservative enough"

Steele's not WHITE. PERIOD!

A lot of people I've talked to think that, of the two African Americans, Steele would be the better choice. He gets that the extremist nature of the GOP has pretty much run its course, and is willing to say so publicly.

Blackwell, on the other hand, walks the line....all the way out to the fringe.

So, far as they go, it's not a "black/white" thing. And, truth be told, Blackwell's going to take a hit for his response to the Saltsman incident.

Steele's ' Black support' went up between his elections, while Blackwell's went down.

WHY?

Cause Black folk have a problem with Black people that help SUPPRESS THE VOTE OF BLACK FOLK.

It's as simple as that.

When Blackwell revealed himself, the Black folk of Ohio said,

" okey dokey then. Now that we know who you are, we'll respond accordingly.'

and, they did.

IF Blackwell had kept his level of Black voter support from his first election, he'd be Governor of Ohio right now.

Exactly, rikyrah. And Steele can decry the racial antics of the GOP all he wants too, even Powell for that matter. Until the White Rethugs stand up and denounce this shit, fuck the GOP!

Okay, we were doing good.....until this comment.

Should/does the color of the person who's speaking out against the GOP's perceived racism matter?

(and before you hammer me, there's a reason I said "perceived")

I didn't know much about Blackwell-execpt for what was said around here-until he opened his mouth about Saltsman.]

And that was all I needed to hear.

Unfortunately for the GOP, if Blackwell is the RNC chair, the party will continue down the same Palin-esque path. We can expect more calculated divisiveness, benign racializing, and dumbed-down politics aimed at the low-information/low-IQ voter.

Steele is at least on record as rejecting that kind of politicking, and has hinted that he won't tolerate much more of it. Blackwell, on the other hand, seems willing to tolerate all the racializing necessary to remain at the foot of massa's bed.

"Steele is at least on record as rejecting that kind of politicking, and has hinted that he won't tolerate much more of it."



Which is why Steele won't be the head of the RNC.

I have to agree.

Any changes that should take place have to start at the top, especially since there's an opportunity for change to take place at the top. It'd be different if we weren't picking a new chairman.

Steele would get my vote.

Neither Steele or Blackwell would get from me any crumbs that I spit, pissed on and threw on the floor.

heeheeheeheehee

In all seriousness (though your answer may make me laugh anyway): If those were your only two choices, who would you choose?

Nada! Zilch!

You all are very concerned about energy independence, and there are plenty who feel as I do about the thievery of the oil industry.

Check out this website about this documentary:

http://www.gasholemovie.com/Home.html

The Devil Made Him Do It:

http://www.nydailynews.com/gossip/2008/12/28/20...
If you thought Bernard Madoff’s $50 billion investment scheme was audacious, get ready for his alibi. Lawyers for the accused scammer are exploring an insanity defense, we hear.

“Bernie’s family and his attorneys may argue that, somewhere along the line, he had a mental break,” says a Madoff acquaintance. “They may even say he has a multiple personality disorder.”

Madoff’s grip on reality does show signs of slipping. The 70-year-old financier, now a prisoner of his East Side penthouse, wore a weird smile when he was photographed shortly after his Dec. 12 arrest. He’s also said to be taking a heavy dose of anti-anxiety medication.

Yes, I'm sure the Devil made him do it!

If an 85 year old black man got stopped and arrested for a DWI, do you think he could be placed undr house arrest and plead a case of insanity?

HELL NO!!! He's Black, doesn't own a penthouse on the East side, and he didn't bilk billions of dollars from other rich, greedy white folks. He was driving undr the influence.

My daughter told me an 85 year old Black man was arrested in her neighborhood over the Christams holidays for DUI. He spent one night in the slammer. WTF. He didn't hurt any one, although the potential certainly was there.

Ok, Town, help me break it down!!!!!!!

lol

I can't wait....

Me too...LOL

Miranda, you know the old saying: "Don't do the crime, if you can't do the time."

The reality is, it all depends on who done it and how much down time they're going to get for doing it. Non melanin need not worry!

Niether can I; and please feel free to comment.

I see that Lynn Sweet is still drinking the Haterade:

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2008/12/despite...

Micheline: Lynne SWEET (??) I DON'T THINK SO!!

She's E-V-I-L!!!!

Lynn Sweet:

The Obama team, pledging the ''most open and transparent transition in history,'' gets an ''A'' for disclosing donors to the Jan. 20 inauguration and a ''F'' when it comes to revealing transition meetings with groups.

The "F" is for you Lynn Sweet. Fuck you!

I so agree!

If she didn't have haterade, she'd have nothing to drink.

I saw her on MSNBC this morning. Seems Lynn is not satisfied with the Obama transparency on revealing transition meetings! Boo Hoo, Lynn's hating because she can't find wrong-doing on PEO!

STFU Lynn....There's no There...There!

rikyrah: Monday, DECEMBER 29, 2008 DAY -22 On His "JOURNEY TO JANUARY 20, 2009"

1. WORD(s) of the DAY: TRANSITION TRAIL[Economy/Wars]/VACATION

2. HEADLINE(s)

a) Summers: Obama stimulus aimed at long term too
Mon Dec 29, 2008 1:30am EST

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Spending government money solely to stimulate consumer spending would be a short-sighted mistake, one of U.S. President-elect Barack Obama's top economic advisers said on Sunday.

Lawrence Summers, a former treasury secretary and Obama's pick to head the White House National Economic Council, said policy needed to address both immediate job creation and longer-term investment needs.

"In this crisis, doing too little poses a greater threat than doing too much," Summers wrote in the Washington Post.

"Some argue that instead of attempting to both create jobs and invest in our long-run growth, we should focus exclusively on short-term policies that generate consumer spending," Summers said.

"But that approach led to some of the challenges we face today -- and it is that approach that we must reject if we are going to strengthen our middle class and our economy over the long run."

Obama has said that signing a major economic stimulus package will be his first priority when he takes office on January 20. His advisers have been working with Congress to try to get a package ready for his approval right away.

Vice President-elect Joe Biden said on Tuesday the incoming administration was "getting awful close" to reaching agreement with Congress. Government sources have talked about moving a stimulus bill with a price tag in the range of $675 billion to $775 billion over two years.

b) Obama Team Crafts Broad Economic Plan [VIDEO]

THAT'S ALL FOR NOW! MORE L8R. :>)

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

They will have to create another bubble somewhere to avoid financial and economic armageddon so the real question is what industry will benifit and how can I take advantage of it

BIGGIE_4_OBAMA: Something to think about. Thanks! :>)

Black men or white women: Looking at the ways in which black women are maringalized both by black men and feminism.

If you can make a black woman smile: great video detailing the hardships of black women

womanistmusings: I took a "Field Trip" to your site, again. THANK YOU VERY MUCH for "bringin' THIS!" :>)

You betta "RECOGNIZE THIS!" :>) GREAT ENDING! :>)

you continue to be on a roll. I want to thank you for your blog and for your voice and for speaking up and out on such a consistent basis that I just breath easier once I've read your articles.

Thank you so much for taking the time to read my little blog. I feel that we do not take the time to love and honor one another no one will.

You touch deep within the soul! It makes me emotional!

womanistmusings: The first time I read your piece my thoughts were very ungenerous. On the second reading, my thoughts were defensive and analytical (well what about ....). On the third reading, I stopped fighting you and began listening to you, and now I get it. I am sometimes a very slow learner.

"I am sometimes a very slow learner."

Don't worry, most of us are. Love the way you stated it, so REAL.