Monday, October 27, 2008

Plan to Assassinate Obama

WASHINGTON (AP) - Federal agents have broken up a plot to assassinate Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama and shoot or decapitate 102 black people in a Tennessee murder spree, the ATF said Monday. In court records unsealed Monday, federal agents said they disrupted plans to rob a gun store and target a predominantly African-American high school by two neo-Nazi skinheads. Agents said the skinheads did not identify the school by name. Jim Cavanaugh, special agent in charge of the Nashville field office for the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, said the two men planned to shoot 88 black people and decapitate another 14. The numbers 88 and 14 are symbolic in the white supremacist community. The men also sought to go on a national killing spree, with Obama as its final target, Cavanaugh told The Associated Press. “They said that would be their last, final act _ that they would attempt to kill Sen. Obama,” Cavanaugh said. “They didn’t believe they would be able to do it, but that they would get killed trying.”

“N*gger” Shouted Out At Palin’s Campaign Rally

Sunday, October 26, 2008

Dear Racism... ---WILLIAM HOSTON

Wassup 2008

Racial Hoax

A McCain campaign volunteer made up a story of being robbed, pinned to the ground and having the letter “B” carved on her face in a politically inspired attack.

Ashley Todd, 20-year-old college student from College Station, Texas, admitted Friday that the story was false and is being charged with making a false report to police. Todd, who is white, told police she was attacked by a 6-foot-4 black man Wednesday night. She now can’t explain why she invented the story. Also she believes she cut the backward “B” onto her own cheek, but she didn’t explain how or why.

Thursday, October 23, 2008

Should Some People Not Vote?

Black Voters Show Early Support














CHARLOTTE, N.C. (AP) _ Blacks are already surging to the polls in parts of the South, according to initial figures from states that encourage early voting - a striking though still preliminary sign of how strongly they will turn out nationwide for Barack Obama in his campaign to become the first African-American president.

There have been predictions all year of a record black turnout for Obama. The first actual figures suggest that wasn't just talk: - In North Carolina, blacks make up 31 percent of early voters so far, even though they're just 21 percent of the population and made up only 19 percent of state's overall 2004 vote. - Roughly 36 percent of the early voters are black in Georgia, outpacing their 30 percent proportion of the state's population and their 25 percent share of the 2004 vote. No one but the voters can be sure how they voted. And John McCain's campaign officials note that the Obama camp has put much more effort than they have into early voting. But the numbers are still notable.

Democrats are outvoting the GOP by a margin of 2.5-to-1 in North Carolina, where early voting has been under way for a week. That's roughly double the margin from 2004. More than 210,000 blacks who are registered as Democrats have cast early ballots in the Tar Heel State - compared with roughly 174,000 registered Republicans overall. Four years ago, the number of GOP early and absentee voters was more than double that of black Democrats.

McCain Further Distance From Bush

Recently, Senator McCain criticized Bush for "Spending, the conduct of the war in Iraq for years, growth in the size of government, larger than any time since the Great Society, laying a $10 trillion debt on future generations of America, owing $500 billion to China, obviously, failure to both enforce and modernize the [financial] regulatory agencies that were designed for the 1930s and certainly not for the 21st century, failure to address the issue of climate change seriously."

"Those are just some of them," McCain said, laughing.

Polls have shown that Bush is a heavy drag on the GOP ticket.

Monday, October 20, 2008

Colin Powell Endorses Obama


Colin Powell's endorsement of Sen. Barack Obama displayed his dissatisfaction with the Republican Party and Sen. John McCain's campaign.

Powell, a former secretary of state for President Bush as well as a former chairman of the joint chiefs of staff indicated, "On the Republican side, over the last seven weeks, the approach of the Republican Party and Mr. McCain has become narrower and narrower."

Obama's "inclusive" approach that crosses "ethnic lines, racial lines, generational lines" is what the nation needs right now, said Powell.

Sunday, October 19, 2008

RACISM, DON'T DEFER THE DREAM ---WILLIAM HOSTON

Racism, I come to you today as a friend in need of your understanding, consideration, and support. I assume you are familiar with the historical achievement of Senator Barack Obama as the first African-American presidential nominee of a major party. If elected on November 4th, this would be a dream come true for the past African-Americans that have shed blood, sweat, and tears, and even those that have sacrificed their lives in the name of equality.

But I’m afraid that you will do everything in your institutional power to influence the outcome of the election. Historically, you have illustrated your resistance to the economic, social, and political progress of African-Americans. Because African-Americans can no longer be victims of your prejudice and discrimination, it is imperative that we discuss your intentions for election day. Our relationship has a long and painful past.

Racism, remember in 1619 with the arrival of the first African slaves to Jamestown how you branded, chained, dehumanized, and labored them until their death, your impact on the Jim Crow south where from 1881 to 1901 an estimated 100 African-Americans were lynched each year, the separate-but-equal accommodations that were cemented with the Plessy v. Ferguson decision of 1896 that legalized segregation, the 1954 arrest of Rosa Parks in Montgomery for refusing to relinquish her seat, the 1955 brutal death of young Emmett Till in Mississippi, the 1963 church bombing in Birmingham that killed four little girls, and the 1968 killing of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. in Memphis.

Was your hatred for African-Americans that deeply rooted? I have always wanted to ask, what gratification you got out of committing those violent and demeaning acts.

I do not want this open request to discuss our past differences to sound ungrateful. I acknowledge you for encouraging President Lincoln to issue the 1863 Emancipation Proclamation that led to the eventual end of slavery, the 1954 ruling in Brown v. Board of Education that ended school segregation, the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, and the landmark Voting Rights Act of 1965.

Racism, African-Americans have tolerated your leadership for over 400 years, and thus, the reigns of political power need to change hands. On election day, I ask that you do not allow your overt side to evoke white racial resentment and distort the electoral process.

Do not mistake my request, I am not in favor of Obama being elected solely because he is black, but because I believe he is the most qualified and should not be a victim of the systematic racism that you have been responsible for in the past.

I am asking you to give “hope” a chance. Young voters of all races, creeds, and colors support Obama. In the words of Dr. King, the “sons of former slaves and the sons of former slaveowners [have sat] down together at the table of brotherhood” to hopefully lead this nation in a new direction. So please, do not suppress the plight of the 21th century with your own selfish agenda.

William T. Hoston is an Assistant Professor at Wichita State University in the Department of Political Science.

The Cooper Family and Michelle Obama

Fundraiser Black Caucus Weekend in DC...co-hosted by THE REMEDY FOR LIVING.

For more information on THE REMEDY FOR LIVING visit: http://www.theremedyfurniture.com/

Wednesday, October 15, 2008

Uncle Tom? or McCain Supporter?

Last week, James T. Harris went from being an average guy to one of the most reviled men in Black America. At a Waukesha, Wisconsin, town hall rally with Senator John McCain and Governor Sarah Palin on Thursday, the African-American radio host from Milwaukee pleaded with McCain to step up his attacks against Barack Obama. “We have the good Reverend Wright. We have [the Reverend Michael L.] Pfleger,” Harris said to the cheers of thousands of White audience members. “I am begging you, sir. I am begging you. Take it to him.” In a show of true solidarity, Harris, 44, and the Republican nominee then hugged.

As this moment spread throughout the media, many African-Americans likened his impassioned remarks to racial betrayal and subservient shuffling. Theories circulated that Harris was a plant for the McCain campaign. ESSENCE.com talked with Harris, who describes his political beliefs as being “right of Rush,” about how he ended up at the town hall, receiving hate mail, and how he really feels about that hug with John McCain.

Tuesday, October 14, 2008

Are Gay High Schools The Solution?

In 2003, Harvey Milk High School (New York City) was the nation's first public high school for gays, bisexuals, and transgender students. Proponents of the school indicated that it created a friendly environment for such individuals to learn. "I think everybody feels that it's a good idea because some of the kids who are gays and lesbians have been constantly harassed and beaten in other schools," said Mayor Michael Bloomberg.

Opponents questioned the intent of the school. State Conservative Party Chairman Mike Long criticized the creation of the school. "Is there a different way to teach homosexuals? Is there gay math? This is wrong," Long said. "There's no reason these children should be treated separately."

Now, public school officials in Chicago, Illinois, are recommending approval of a "gay-friendly" high school because harassment and violence are causing gay students to skip class and drop out at alarming rates. Gay and lesbian students are three times more likely to miss school because they feel unsafe, according to a 2003 Chicago Public School District survey.

The School for Social Justice Pride Campus, which officials say will not be exclusive to lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender students, is aimed at being safe and welcoming for any student looking for another school option, said Josh Edelman, executive officer in the Chicago Public Schools' Office of New Schools.

Are public high schools for gays, bisexuals, and transgender students a good idea?

U.S. Is Investing $250 Billion in Banks

According to President Bush, “This is an essential short-term measure to ensure the viability of the American banking system.”

The proposal would make $250 billion available to banks — nine have already been identified — in order to help recapitalize those banks and to get them lending again, among themselves and to businesses and consumers.

With the proposal, the United States follows similar plans announced Monday across Europe — almost all intended to inject money into the banks and unfreeze the credit markets.

In addition to injecting money into the banks, according to the plan, the United States would also guarantee new debt issued by banks for three years — a measure meant to encourage the banks to resume lending to one another and to customers.

Students Have Financial Concerns

Monday, October 13, 2008

"Date a President"--Katt Williams

Will Obama Suffer From the 'Bradley Effect?'

Sen. Barack Obama has a sizeable lead over Sen. John McCain, polls show, but those numbers could be deceiving if the "Bradley effect" comes into play.

The Bradley effect is named after former Los Angeles Mayor Tom Bradley, an African-American who ran for California governor in 1982.

Exit polls showed Bradley leading by a wide margin, and the Democrat confidentially thought it would be an early election night.

But Bradley and the polls were wrong. He lost to Republican George Deukmejian.

The theory was that polling was wrong because some voters, who did not want to appear bigoted, said they voted for Bradley even though they did not.

http://www.cnn.com/2008/POLITICS/10/13/obama.bradley.effect/index.html

Thursday, October 2, 2008

Vice Presidential Debate: And the Winner Is....It's a Draw.

The first and only Vice Presidential debate lacked the fire anticipated. Here are some footnotes from the debate:

1. Gov. Palin used the "say what I know approach." Despite what the question was, she provided rehearsed responses that actually benefited. Palin played to her strengths rather than allowing herself to freelance on responses; a move that Republican strategies applauded.

2. Senator Biden started off slow; seeming indifferent about how to debate Gov. Palin. As the debate continued, he challenged her on issues (i.e., Economy, Education, War in Iraq). To her credit, Palin was not intimidated by Biden and made explicit references to Obama. For example, when discussing whether to meet with foreign leaders, she stated, "A statement that he made like that is downright dangerous because leaders like [Iranian President Mahmoud] Ahmadinejad, who would seek to acquire nuclear weapons and wipe off the face of the earth an ally like we have in Israel should not be met with without preconditions and diplomatic efforts being undertaken first."

3. Gov. Palin overused/stated the term "Maverick". What is a Maverick? Biden challenged the Maverick claim saying that "he (Senator McCain) has been no maverick on the issues that matter to people lives."

She indicated "we are Mavericks, we will never agree on everything." But are we not to assume that the President and Vice-President should be on the same page the majority of the time.

4. Gov. Palin painted herself as an "ordinary citizen." An approach that will serve the McCain-Palin ticket.

5. Is either ready to serve as Vice-President? In retrospect, Gov. Palin was impressive when you consider the odds against her; many were expecting her to fail miserably on the "big stage." Biden was status quo, pointing out important information such as McCain's non-support of funding education (NCLB), efforts to continue the War in Iraq, and his similarity to the Bush Administration. That prompted Palin to state, "But for a ticket that wants to talk about change and looking into the future, there's too much finger-pointing backwards to ever make us believe that's where you're going."

Overall, the debate attempted to prove that Gov. Palin was worthy of her assignment to the ticket, while Biden further validated his credentials.

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Obama's Impact on the Prison: Excerpts from Robert Anderson (#6010506)

Excerpts from Robert Anderson (#6010506)
Lansing Correctional Facility
P.O. Box 2
Lansing, KS 66043
_____

I talked to a guy who hopes he (Obama) gets elected and assassinated. His reasoning is that maybe then blacks will rise up and begin a revolutionary war.
There are those inmates who have made themselves believe that a "black" President means their in power now. They go around telling the white guards things like "when Obama get in office, you gone have to do as I say."
It's often funny to see and hear that guys have actually got into fights (fist) with others about Obama.
On the other hand, brothas are understanding Foreign policy and talking about it. Dudes are going to the law library to get on the Lexis-Nexis looking up congressional bills and actually learning how to break these bills down because the legalese is able to be decoded.
Yes, there's hope! Obama has inspired criminal minded individuals to see their problem as a destructive part of the community and that its important to understand politics vs. government.
Robert Anderson, Public Intellectual