Regarding the missionaries: I don’t disagree with you. In fact, I decided to study religion because I wanted to understand the mindset of Americans and Europeans. How can they call themselves Christians, yet have such a history of aggression and oppression against Black and Brown peoples. I couldn’t comprehend how someone who calls himself a Christian like George W. Bush could be so callous in terms of matters of life and death. What I’ve come to the conclusion that America’s just the latest chapter in the history of Western [White?] aggression against peoples of color.

Religion has always played a role in the oppression of Black and Browns. In fact, I’m currently doing post-graduate research on the role played by [white] missionaries and religious orders in the implementation of the colonial system. Though Im in the early stages of my research, I can tell you that yes, these MoFos have blood on their hands. Yes, in the name of religion (though I’d also argue that economic interests were the primary motivation while religion was their motifs). Yes, yes, yes, European Christians were horrible and committed crimes against humanity. YOU WONT FIND A CONTRARY ARGUMENT FROM ME THERE.

At the same time though, you certainly can make a distinction between the Christian faith/religion as exemplified in the life of Jesus and expressed in the gospels, and the religion of George W. Bush, a “Christian” slave owner in the Antebellum South, and the U.S Soldier who prays and sings a hymn prior to getting on a plane to bomb Iraqi villages (and killing women and children). Certainly, one can make an argument for “hope” in faith in Jesus, even if (and even as) you have no use for the history and legacy of European Christianity. I think it is that hope that’s fueling the underground revival taking place in China where close to 100 Million people have become Christians in the last 30 to 40 years.

Regarding the “Anti American” silliness. I can tell you that I am an American. Proudly so. I also argue that to speak against torture, and against the unjust and illegal military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq (now being executed by Barack Obama) is to be a true American. To speak against drone attacks, GITMO, snatching people off the streets and sending them to Bagram air force base (as our government is still doing today) is to be an American. To speak out against economic imperialism and a foreign policy deeply rooted on White supremacy is what it means to be an American. That’s the tradition of a Frederick Douglas, John Brown, and Martin Luther King Jr. That’s the tradition I’d rather attach myself to. I have said countless of times (here and elsewhere) that if my “freedom” (whatever the F*ck that means in light of economic slavery which very few of us can escape) depends on unjust military adventures such as those in Nicaragua, Salvador, Belize, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Beirut, Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Somalia, Vietnam (notice these are all countries populated by peoples of color ☺), then such freedom is not worth having. That’s “freedom” at the expense of others; at the oppression of others, if you will. White folks, like those who follow Sarah Palin, may be comfortable enjoying such freedom, but I was taught better. I think as peoples of color, and given our history of oppression, we should go to higher lengths TO NOT oppress others. If you call that being “anti-American” then be it. I suggest you go and read Martin Luther King Jr’s “A Time to Break the Silence” to see what anti-Americanism looks like.

Regarding the missionaries: I don’t disagree with you. In fact, I decided to study religion because I wanted to understand the mindset of Americans and Europeans. How can they call themselves Christians, yet have such a history of aggression and oppression against Black and Brown peoples. I couldn’t comprehend how someone who calls himself a Christian like George W. Bush could be so callous in terms of matters of life and death. What I’ve come to the conclusion that America’s just the latest chapter in the history of Western [White?] aggression against peoples of color.

Religion has always played a role in the oppression of Black and Browns. In fact, I’m currently during post-graduate research on the role played by [white] missionaries and religious orders in the implementation of the colonial system. Though Im in the early stages of my research, I can tell you that yes, these MoFos have blood on their hands. Yes, in the name of religion (though I’d also argue that economic interests were the primary motivation while religion was their motifs). Yes, yes, yes, European Christians were horrible and committed crimes against humanity. YOU WONT FIND A CONTRARY ARGUMENT FROM ME THERE.

At the same time though, you certainly can make a distinction between the Christian faith/religion as exemplified in the life of Jesus and expressed in the gospels, and the religion of George W. Bush, a “Christian” slave owner in the Antebellum South, and the U.S Soldier who prays and sings a hymn prior to getting on a plane to bomb Iraqi villages (and killing women and children). Certainly, one can make an argument for “hope” in faith in Jesus, even if (and even as) you have no use for the history and legacy of European Christianity. I think it is that hope that’s fueling the underground revival taken place in China where close to 100 Million people have become Christians in the last 30 to 40 years.

Regarding the “Anti American” silliness. I can tell you that I am an American. Proudly so. I also argue that to speak against torture, and against the unjust and illegal military invasions of Afghanistan and Iraq (now being executed by Barack Obama) is to be a true American. To speak against drone attacks, GITMO, snatching people off the streets and sending them to Bagram air force base (as our government is still doing today) is to be an American. To speak out against economic imperialism and a foreign policy deeply rooted on White supremacy is what it means to be an American. That’s the tradition of a Frederick Douglas, John Brown, and Martin Luther King Jr. That’s the tradition I’d rather attach myself. I have said countless of times (here and elsewhere) that if my “freedom” (whatever the F*ck that means in light of economic slavery which very few of us can escape) depends on unjust military adventures such as those in Nicaragua, Salvador, Belize, Haiti, Dominican Republic, Beirut, Iraq (twice), Afghanistan, Somalia, Vietnam (notice these are all countries populated by peoples of color ☺), then such freedom is not worth having. That’s “freedom” at the expense of others; at the oppression of others, if you will. White folks, like those who follow Sarah Palin, may be comfortable enjoying such freedom, but I was taught better. I think as peoples of color, and given our history of oppression, we should go to higher lengths TO NOT oppress others. If you call that being “anti-American” then be it. I suggest you go and read Martin Luther King Jr’s “A Time to Break the Silence” to see what anti-Americanism looks like.

G-T-F-O-H with that shyt..

BWA HA HA HA HA HA HA

BWA HA HA HA HA

you broke it down again, Town.

Here is a picture of the place settings.

http://twitpic.com/qryba

I love that green and the gold. The table looks gorgeous.

Bank customers, however, should remain confident that their deposits would be protected since the bulk of that negative balance reflects money the agency has set aside to cover future bank failures.

Federal Insurance Deposit Corporation officials warned in October that the deposit insurance fund had been depleted, but Tuesday’s third-quarter report card on the banking industry marked the first time that hard numbers had been released. Even amid early signs that the economy is recovering, the report suggested that the country’s 8,100 lenders remain in fragile condition.

In its state of the industry report, the F.D.I.C. reported that banks posted a $2.8 billion gain in the third quarter, after a $3.7 billion loss in the previous period. Meanwhile, the number of “problem banks” that run the biggest risk of collapse increased to 552, from 416 in the second quarter. Bad loans of virtually every stripe — credit cards, mortgages, small business and commercial real estate — continue to grow, albeit at a slower pace.

“The credit adversity we have been discussing for some time remains with us, and we expect it will be a couple of more quarters before we see a meaningful improvement in that trend,” Sheila C. Bair, the F.D.I.C. chairman, said. “I am optimistic that if we address these problems head on, we will see clear signs of improvement in bank earnings and lending in 2010.

U.S. Fund for Bank Deposit Insurance Falls Into the Red

Empire BlueCross BlueShield is reporting a sharp increase in small businesses terminating coverage that started around the first quarter of this year.

“They just can't afford it anymore,” said Empire Chief Executive Mark Wagar, who says that between 30% to 50% of businesses are dropping coverage altogether.

“They are not going to a competitor [of ours],” he said. “They've just had enough.” ………………………………………….. Empire's small business drop-out rate has significant policy implications for New York state as it grapples with its budget deficit, says Mr. Wagar. Lawmakers are toying with the idea of adding more surcharges on patient services, as well as other health taxes. That would only increase premiums, say insurers.

“That's why it is so important that we not tax health insurance benefits—10% of every premium dollar already goes to taxes and fees to the state,” said Mr. Wagar.