New Black Thought

Al Gore Let's Make a Deal!!!

2009-12-14T16:22:00.005-06:00

Why is it that only conservatives seem to be held accountable for their words and actions? I am a strong believer in accountability but it needs to go both ways.

Former VP Al Gore Jr. speaking at the Copenhagen Climate Summit predicts that Polar Ice will disappear in 5-7 years.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091214/ap_on_sc/climate_gore

Oh, really??

I want to make him and offer. In 5-7 years if the Polar Ice is gone you can institute any and all climate controls you want and I will be your biggest supporter. But if not you disappear Mr. Gore and never let us see or hear from you ever again.

Deal??!!!

Think about it, it is not too much to ask. In biblical, Old Testament, times a person would be stoned for making false predictions. I am just asking for him to take his stoned self and go away. I think that is more than fair.

The New Establishment and the New Uncle Tom

2009-10-20T18:58:00.004-05:00

Below is a reprint of an article I wrote in 1998 titled The New Establishment and the New Uncle Tom. The recent "Porch" reference by Warren Ballentine to Juan Williams caused me to dust it off.

Related to this is the theme I have been trumpeting for the past several months of a New Establishment and the need for New Radicals. Roles have reverse since the 60s era idea of the establishment and the radical.

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With the controversy surrounding Judge Clarence Thomas’s speech before the National Bar Association recently, and his stigma of being an Uncle Tom, I was caused to ponder. Why do he and many other men who are otherwise respected by their peers seem to have this image to deal with. I think of Reggie White who for standing up and speaking his heart gave up a lucrative media deal. I think of the Rev. Floyd Flake who after serving his people as a Democratic representative for years was unwelcome by his black colleagues. I think of Thomas Sowell and Walter Williams who because of their boldness to consider and put forth a new and scholarly way of thinking are continually ostracized by their own people. I think of J.C. Watts and Alan Keyes who should be heralded as examples of hard work and achievement but rather are ridiculed and ignored by those who should embrace what they have to say.

I was taken back in my thoughts to growing up in the 50s and 60s and remembering the words “I ain’t black, I’m colored.” Then while in my teens I once referred to someone as colored when a “hipper” brother corrected me saying, “hey brother, we ain’t colored we are black now.” We then went on to become Afro-Americans and finally African Americans, where we are today. I took each step in stride, as did most of us, and had no problem in adjusting to new days, and new ways of looking at things. One thing never seemed to change though, and that was the idea of the Uncle Tom Negro working for the man against his people.

In the early 90s the word paradigm seemed almost to have been discovered for the first time. It was the “power word” of choice in many circles. The business world especially seemed to love the word. I am convinced, though, that many of those using the word did not fully comprehend its meaning. For those who still do not know the meaning, essentially a paradigm is an accepted model, or way of thinking about and doing things. Or another idea is that it is the standard of how things are thought of or done. Therefore, if we have thought of cars looking or driving a certain way that was the paradigm. If education was thought of or practiced in a certain way that was the paradigm for education. We began hearing of paradigm shifts, or in common terms, a new way of looking at, thinking about, understanding, or doing certain things. New standards of how things are done or are to be thought of were established. In the business and scientific worlds it was either change your paradigms or get left behind and out of business. With communication and technology moving at such a rapid pace business and science must continually evaluate and often shift their paradigms. Tragically society and culture has not done the same, and lagging way behind is black society and culture.

A key to understanding paradigms is not in recognizing the new paradigm but rather first having a clear understanding of what the old or current paradigms are. How do we look at, think about and do things, and why? We can then decide if it is working or not and if we need to change things.

This brings me back to my original thought regarding Judge Thomas and others.

I think it is time we look at our thinking on the so called Uncle Tom. The stigma of Uncle Tom has traditionally been associated with the black man who speaks or works against his people on behalf of “the man”. Generally the “Tom” does this to keep the trouble makers in their place and in order to preserve his own power and prestige. In the 50s and 60s the “Tom” was considered to be those who don’t cause any trouble, aren’t uppity, etc.. The uppity ones were those who chose to question or speak out against laws harmful to black people and people of color in general. The “Bad Negro” was the one willing to risk his name and personal safety for speaking the truth. He had no fear of “the man.” I think we still have Uncle Toms and we have others who are portrayed as being out of line, the “bad negroes,” but are the circumstances the same as they were 20 years ago? Is it possible that there is a new paradigm that we need to recognize?

In his book The End Of Sanity: Social And Cultural Madness In America, 1997 Avon Books, Martin L. Gross makes the case that America has been or is being taken over by a “New Establishment”. This New Establishment, Mr. Gross states, is rooted in Freudian and Marxist ideology. It controls or seeks to control education, the media, the courts, and the government of this country. According to Gross it is not confined to a particular political party, religion, race or other people group but rather cuts across such lines. What unites them is the idea that all that we have received from Western Civilization, especially the European white male, is evil and needs to be replaced by a culturally diverse set of values which should make this a better place. No one has explained, however why, if it will make this a better place, has it failed to make the places where each of these ideas has come from better? Why do people to this day risk life and limb to get here. If modern European, Asian, African, or Latin American culture are the ideal why are those areas in continual need of our aid and support? Furthermore, why are the ethnic ghettos mere cosmologies of the nations these people came from where the inhabitants fail to achieve the intellectual and economic levels of the majority society?

If what Gross says is true and we are under the rule and influence of a “New Establishment” then we need to ask; is there a corresponding “New Uncle Tom?” We also need to ask how and why he works for the man? Who speaks for the man whenever he needs someone to get the minority vote out? Who speaks for the man when he wants to push a law or keep a law which is harmful to African Americans and America as a whole? Who is at the man’s side for the photo op when it is opportune for the man to have one? Who is fed and clothed by the man in exchange for their unquestioning allegiance? I think we know who they are. We have new Establishment Negroes who are ever at the beckoned call of “The Man” to guide their people in how to think and act. Basically, to keep them in line. On the other hand who is the radical brother today who says you are enslaving my people with your laws, you are killing my people with your ideas, you are lying to my people with your every word? He fights for freedom of thought and expression and succeeds outside of the prescribed way. What is his reward? To be attacked by the New Establishment whites and their Uncle Toms.

We need to rethink our idea of the Uncle Tom. He is not a traitor just because he is successful. He is not a traitor because whites listen to him. That is what the purveyors of the old paradigm would have you think. How dare Clarence Thomas allow himself to be nominated as Supreme Court Justice by a Republican president. How dare Reggie White say publicly what he (and most of us) are thinking. How dare J.C. Watts Jr. be elected to congress by mostly whites and to represent a predominately white district. We, the negro thought police and the man, did not give these men permission to do this. It is impossible for this to happen because we have preached too long that it cannot. If we say it cannot happen and it happens then it makes us look bad. The New Establishment Uncle Tom has everything to lose if these bad negroes succeed. His power his prestige and yes, his livelihood are at risk if this type of thing gets by. So he is at the forefront in decrying these uppity “Negroes”.

I will never forget a line in the film Ghost Busters when the main characters, who were lazy goof off professors at a public university, had just been fired for incompetence. One of them made the remark, “this is serious, you don’t know what it is like to work in the private sector. I’ve been there and they expect results.” It was a humorous but profound statement which I am afraid describes many of those who have gotten used to living on the New Establishment’s dole and get power and prestige from seeking the same for others.

I think it is time for African Americans shuck this thinking and establish new paradigms. Paradigms which are good for the people as a whole. We have heard a lot about dreams in America.. “The American Dream”, Dr. King’s Dream”, and we all tell our kids to dream, or should. Some people though would rather give up on the dream. They would rather destroy someone else’s dream and call it equality. In other words they have no faith that they can achieve what the most successful of people have, so they would rather bring the successful person down to their level vs. striving to achieve that level of success. In my opinion that is not achieving anything.

What if we achieve the American Dream of equality for all, and get our piece of the pie only to find the pie has been trampled under foot and is no longer what it was when it was fresh and whole? No one wants that. It is the same with our country. Now I do not believe that it is possible to bring an entire nation to that level, or at least I hope not, but that does not mean that there are not those who are seeking just that. “Give me mine or I’m ruining yours”, they say. It is like the kids who because the game is not going their way try and ruin the whole game for everyone else. I remember when as a kid in Philly I was invited to a party in another part of North Philadelphia, Tioga to be exact. It was going well when some kids came in from yet another area who were not invited. They just announced that they were crashing this party. Party over!!! Fights, the police and you get the picture. They never asked could they come in, they never asked what the occasion, they just announced that they were crashing the party and they did. At times I feel that as a people we are like this and that needs to change.

Now having said all of this, do not mistake my words for looking blindly at injustice, prejudice, and the problems that we still face. These need to be addressed. There is allot of work to be done, but let’s not just assume that what worked in the 60s will work today. White people and for that matter every other kind of people, including many African American people are getting tired of our cry baby, wimpish behavior. We want equality but we want live in our own neighborhoods, keep our own colleges, have our own holidays, and month. We want to be respected but slam whites publicly every chance we get. Just let David Letterman or Jay Leno make a joke about a Black or Mexican person; he’s gone. But we can, and do, do it on stage, Radio, TV or anywhere. If we want respect let’s give it. Let’s show character, pride, and wisdom. I think I liked “I am somebody” much more than “I need something”. Let’s listen to what some of the new voices are saying. Let’s get our dignity back and negotiate with people who believe we are somebody and are able to make things happen for ourselves. Let’s also treat with respect our brothers and sisters who have made it through hard work and using their heads. I think if anyone sat down with Judge Thomas, Reggie White, or J.C. Watts, they would not buy the picture that has been painted by people with their own idea of what a black man should look like, think like and/or act like.

Power to the people!

Eddie Huff-1998

NFL vs. Rush Limbaugh- Who's The Real Loser

2009-10-14T23:02:00.004-05:00

For the past several days the airwaves, particularly those of the MSM, have been full of news concerning Rush Limbaugh's being part of a consortium of business men wanting to purchase the St. Louis Rams football team. You would have thought Satan was wanting to take over St. Louis and all sorts of ridiculous stories and attacks were being levied against Limbaugh. Rush was painted with the common brush of "racist."

Black Players, the NFL Players Union spokes person, Al Sharpton, owners and even the commissioner chimed in on the matter saying that they would not tolerate Limbaugh's being a part of the NFL.

The most idiotic claim was made by Pulitzer Prize winning author, Karen Hunter, who said that Limbaugh owning a team was his way of being a "plantation owner" owning a group of black slaves. What an ignorant statement. He Pulitzer should be immediately recalled. By this statement Hunter considers black athletes slaves. She was saying it is okay for them to be owned, just not by this master. Another Massah is good, just not Massah Limbaugh.

I also find it interesting that most of the same people who want Limbaugh ostracized are the same ones who think it is OK for Roman Polanski to drug and rape a 13 year old. These are also the same people, the white ones, who do not want Michael Vice to ever play again, or at least to make his life a living hell as long as he does play.

In the end, and to their shame, the group of potential owners caved in and removed Rush Limbaugh from the investor group saying that it was not worth it to keep Rush involved if it risked their not getting the franchise.

In the past 2 days ESPN and other media outlets have been announcing that Rush Limbaugh has been punted, and there is I am sure great rejoicing in this in many quarters, particularly in the black community and on the left. They see this as some great victory. This is very sad. Why? Because I ask the simple question, who really won and who really lost? Did Rush really lose? Did black players or even more so black Americans win?

Rush is still the most popular radio personality in America. He will still earn over $25 million a year, and he will still want Barack Obama to fail. Nothing has changed.

At the same time, will one black child do better in school? Will one less gang killing take place in Chicago, Philly LA. Will the Rams play any better? The answer is of course no. No new jobs have been created and Iran, North Korea are still feverishly building nuclear weapons.

This is a sad state for our nation. Black America in the grip of the Liberal establishment is more addicted to mediocrity than they are to "Crack Cocaine." They are the willing pawns in the Liberal game. This is a sad state. In the end everyone that needs to win loses.

Eddie

Make Matthew Stafford the NFL MVP Now!

2009-10-09T12:13:00.007-05:00

Imagine for one moment if I or someone else were to propose giving NFL rookie, Matthew Stafford the NFL Rookie of the Year and/or MVP awards right now. They would be laughed out of the business. But let's look at some facts.

He was chosen #1 in the draft with such high hopes. He went to the worst team in the NFL and in a needy city Detroit. He has played in 4 games and won 1. He intends to lead the Lions to an NFC and a Super Bowl Championship.

Let's just say forget about the rest of the season and award him the Rookie of the Year and MVP awards and the money associated with it right now.

Absurd you say? In the real world you have to earn it? Good intentions are no substitute?

I agree but in the fantasy world of left wing loons, Bush haters, and too many black Americans this is exactly what they have done with Barack Obama. He was elected on high hopes and dreams. He is 8 months into his presidency and has shown nothing for it. Unlike Matthew Stafford, he has yet a game.

The economy in the U.S. economy is still in the tank, Usama Bin laden is still loose, Israel, Hamas, Lebanon, Syria and every other Mid-east nation are still enemies, Afghanistan is about to unravel, Iran & N. Korea are building and testing rockets are a record pace. Yes my left winged and black friends will say he inherited the mess. I say, ahh yes, I agree, but so did Matthew Stafford.

So, let's end the long standing practice of waiting until the end of the season and give Matthew Stafford his Rookie of the year and MVP trophy now.

In receiving the award Matthew Stafford can tell the fans in Detroit and around the nation that he receives this as a call to action and his continued effort to win the Super Bowl.

Are you with me?

Eddie Huff

Beer Summit

2009-07-29T08:32:00.004-05:00

Much ado has been made about the Obama/Gates/Crowley meeting in the White House tomorrow. I call it the "Beer Summit." I find it interesting that with North Korea out of control, escalating violence in Iraq & Afghanistan, the economy in peril, energy and health care issues at a critical stage and much more, that the president would find it necessary to have a get together with two men over a local dispute.

Here is what I am really thinking. Are you nuts??!!!! Here I am as a tax payer being asked, actually not even being asked, to pay for a round trip for these men form Boston to DC, food & beer, so the President can have a photo op. Immagine Bill Clinton inviting OJ & Det. Mark Furman to the WH for a beer to resolve their differences, or better yet President Bush asking Kanye & 50 Cents over for beer. Yeah you get the picture.

I have a better idea. If Gates & Crowley really want to make up let them do it in a pub in Cambridge, Harvard or Boston. In their area, and on their dime. Then all President Obama has to do is, in his next press conference, make a very brief statement saying- "I was wrong, and I apologize."

But no, he will not and cannot do that. He can go all over the world and apologize for America's wrongs but he cannot apologize for Barack Obama's wrongs. That is because in his intellectually elitist mind he is never wrong. He is, after all, the "smartest man in the world," and surrounded by the rest of the smartest people in the world.

So, while everyone in the media is trying to figure out which beer the men will be drinking or how they can get in and see or hear what is being said, I only want to know, how much is this costing us, the tax payer, and why??

Russia Did Not Get the Memo

2009-07-22T05:58:00.003-05:00

I do not know how many people have seen the video clip from the Obama Russia visit in which man after man refuses to shake his hand moving on to enthusiastically shake the hand of the Russian president .

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x1C_NWMRs8Q

The "Mainstream Media" obviously buried it and that is a disgrace. Imagine if this had been President Bush. Do you really believe the media would have overlooked it? Not a chance.

But I do have to say that after my initial shock and thoughts of how typical this is of the MSM, I was hit with a few other surprising reactions.

1) I thought how childish and blatantly disrespectful of the Russians. They are acting like grade school children playing a cruel joke on one they do not like and wish to humiliate.

2) Regardless of what I may think of his policies and character, he is still my president and when he is disrespected we all are disrespected.

3) As a black person growing up in the 50s and 60s, I could not but bristle with anger at the appearance of racism.

The big picture is that we are still America and while the Obama administration wants to paint a picture that their new tone and "reset button" will make a positive difference in international relations, Russia is still Russia and its leaders live to exploit weakness in others.

I hope someone wakes this president and those around him up before what he experienced bfalls us all.

Lessons From Die Hard- Where's John McClain?

2009-07-18T18:39:00.002-05:00

In 1988 Bruce Willis stormed on the scene as Officer John McClain in the first of the highly successful Die Hard Movies. While the others were mostly good, as is so often the case the first installment took us all by surprise and is hard to beat.

No, I am not turning movie critic but I recently had a startling revelation regarding the Obama administration and their posse that fits so well with this analogy, I surprised myself.

Let’s go back and look at the story. A group of terrorists took control of the Nakatomi Bank building. They gave every impression that they were intent on causing a terror incident, and some of them even had prior terrorist credentials and ties. While the local police have no clue as to what is going on, the FBI thinks they do. They are convinced that they are dealing with a terrorist situation. But they are wrong.

So, for the biggest part of the film police, FBI and even the audience is under the impression that we are dealing with terrorists who have political interests. As we learn, however, the villains in the film were nothing more than sophisticated bank robbers. Just common crooks with high tech tools.

This led me to think recently; what if while Republicans and conservatives at large are under the impression that the Obama administration, their cohorts in Congress and their special interests ties are the real life version of the criminals who took over the Nakatomi building? What if we are over thinking this and they are simply sophisticated crooks?

What was the big plan of the crooks in the film to get away with their plunder? It was a plot to divert attention from their real motives, then to destroy the entire building and create such a mess that it would take authorities a very long time to discover what had really taken place.

Could it be that the Obama administration and their posse are doing the same? That they are simply working their plan to rob the biggest bank in the world, the U.S. Treasury, and all of the political stuff is just a diversion?

What if they are purposely destroying the bank and the structure in order to hide the fact that they are simply robbing the bank. By the time we clear the debris they will be long gone.

Who are the perps? The Obama’s, his staff (Czars included), Democrat Party leaders, labor unions, certain banking officials, Acorn, the environmental lobby, and other special interests.

I am not going to get into details as others, Glenn Beck at the top of the list, have done or are doing a great job with in depth research on the money trail. I refer you to him and others in that. I am just wanting to throw a dead body from the 57th floor and fire shots to get someone’s attention that something is not right and needs to be checked out.

The alarms should be going off. Who will respond? It is similar to Office John McClain inside the bank seeing what is going on trying to warn those outside but to no avail. I certainly hope that someone hears, connects the dots and stops the heist before the bank is destroyed and lots of people with it.

Eddie Huff

GOP Misses Great Opportunity

2009-06-20T11:15:00.003-05:00

You probably missed this, but last Thursday the U.S. Senate voted to formally apologize for slavery.

http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20090618/pl_afp/uscongressslaverypolitics

There are a few things very wrong with this apology Bill and Republicans missed a great opportunity here. This also highlights the gutlessness of the GOP leadership in Congress on the issue of race. Republicans should have refused to sign onto this Bill unless language was inserted making clear that in the 211 years between 1854 and 1965 the Republican Party fought the Democrats tooth and nail for emancipation and against Jim Crow.

The 1964 Civil rights act was after all just a revival of the 1957 Civil rights Act, proposed by then Republican President Dwight D. Eisenhower. A law that most Democrats, including JFK, voted against. When the 1964 revived law did pass under LBJ, it was by the hard work of Republican Senator Everett Dirksen, and the majority of Republicans voting for its passage while the preponderance of Democrats, including Al Gore Sr. resisted it.

Furthermore, in that same period, Republicans tried 200 times to pass anti lynching laws and were voted down 200 times by Democrats.

The GOP could also have made a great statement in demanding that Democrats apologize, and that they consider paying reparations per the Law suit initiated by Rev. Wayne Perryman which the Democrats have not refuted, rather only challenged Rev. Perryman's "standing" as the representative in this class action suit.

As I said, Republicans missed a great opportunity here. There is another opportunity coming up though. The House has to approve the measure as well. Maybe we can challenge our Representatives in the House to take a different stance and make the Democrats answer for the 200 years of abuse inflicted as well as clearing the record on the GOP’s role throughout that same period.

Eddie Huff
Executive Director
Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network (BTWIN)
www.booker-t-washington.com

The Real Sign

2008-09-25T16:40:00.003-05:00

In the 80s Franky Schaeffer, the son of one of the greatest Christian thinkers of the 2oth Century, Francis Schaeffer, wrote a book entitled Addicted To Mediocrity.

Addicted was written to evangelicals challenging them to break out of the box of narrow thinking with regard to reaching "the world," culturally and otherwise.

I want to borrow this idea and apply it to those, particularly blacks, who are looking at race in America today. I am specifically speaking to the thought put forward by many that America will be judged on how far it has come by whether we elect a black president or not. I beg to differ and offer a counter idea. Is it possible to judge how far we have come by how we react if we do not elect a black president.

If Barack Obama is elected President in November it will be a great milestone in our history, however, it will be too easy to say Hallelujah, we have arrived. That will last until the first time he runs into a rough patch with legislative battle with the Republicans in congress. The first reaction will be to say that "they are only opposed to him based upon his race." I assure you that this will be held up throughout his term in office.

I propose there is a greater test of how far we have come and a true test to verify that we are In a post racial America. That test is if Barack Obama can lose the race for President and black people and others not using race as an excuse. Will we be able say that he lost based upon his ideology, his inexperience, his positions, and/or his associations, just as we have done with past candidates.

Al Gore, John Kerry, Jimmy Carter, George H.W. Bush, and others each lost and did not have the excuse of race to fall back upon. They lost because America disagreed with some aspect of their person, character, or position. When we can accept that a black, female, Latino, or other candidate could lose simply because they were the inferior candidate we will be saying that we have arrived at a new day. When Hillary Clinton lost the primaries to Barack Obama, while you heard a few murmur of sexism, it was by and large overshadowed by, the fact that he clearly ran a better campaign.

Can black Americans, and liberal Americans walk away on November 5th and say Barack Obama lost because America chose another candidate based upon no race based criteria, or will they be even more enraged than they were when America rejected Al Gore in 2000? Will they take the elitist and presumptuous posture and say, "it is impossible that America could have rejected their Superior candidate on merit?" I doubt it.

Eddie Huff

Obama vs. Palin- Whooda Thunk It

2008-09-09T15:18:00.009-05:00

Super Barack vs. Mighty Sarah

So it has come to this.

If we were to rewind the clock by 2 weeks, the political landscape of America would look very different and actually very simple compared to where it is today. Just a mere two weeks ago we were deep into the Democratic National Convention, the Clintons were repairing the breach, we were awaiting the grand coronation of Barack Obama, and things were looking very good for the Democratic Party. But as an old friend of mine used to say, "what a difference a day can make." With one decision, one announcement, and one speech, John McCain turned the entire world, as we know it, upside down. With the out of the box, out of left field, and frankly maybe out of this world, choice of Sarah Palin as his running mate John McCain still has us reeling.

Barack Obama has been hopelessly diminished.

We now have John McCain essentially running unopposed, and Barack Obama running against Sarah Palin. VP candidate Joe what's his name has been vaporized. It is as if he does not even exist. I guess he is now running against Joe Lieberman who is not even running.

While all of this truly bodes well for the GOP, it is not time to get arrogant and cocky. There is still lots of work to be done.

Here are my thoughts.

1) OK, it was a great choice, and has reset the game, however, do not make more of it than you should. There are still just under 2 months, several debates, and thousands of dirt hunters scouring Alaska between now & November 4th to get that gotcha piece on Sarah Palin or Cindy McCain. It is still going to take some very hard work and grass roots support to win in November. If you think the Democrats were on a mission before the Palin pick, they are even morseso now.

2) Beware of Sarah fatigue. There is a real danger of Sarah fatigue, just as I believe America has suffered Obama fatigue. The McCain campaign needs t0 pull her back some and put the focus more on John McCain again. Have Sen. McCain do some events alone and keep Sarah back a week here and there.

2) Republicans need to focus on real issues now and not in anyway on Obama's name, family, or past habits. Forget Rev. Wright and Father Pfleger too.

Barack Obama's economic policy (socialist, tax the rich and anyone who thinks they want to become rich), international policy (weak and accommodationist), social policy (abort here, abort now, early and often; let any one marry or not, whomever they will, wherever they will), energy policy or lack of one (do not drill, do not build new refineries, do not mine more coal, no new nuclear plants) essentially are all talk but no plan at all.

Obama's plan calls for larger government, and more federal control over education, health care, energy, communication and almost every other area. His promises are based upon the same populist ideas that Lenin proposed in Russia and Hitler proposed in Germany. Neither ended well. I know I am going to hear about that one, but most people do not even know what the word Nazi means. It stand for the National Sozialist Partei, NAZI shortened, or the National Socialists in English. Hitler's message was the same populist one attacking rich the powerful and the existing government, promising to restore pride and hope, and to bring change. He brought that change and Germany has still not recovered from the shame. These are losing positions when clearly and fairly compared to the GOP positions on the same issues. Those behind Barack Obama think that Lenin, Stalin and Hitler just did not do it right. They are smarter and they will get it right.

The GOP message needs to be the following.

Freedom means nothing is you are not free. The Democrats and the Obama campaign promise a group or class freedom, but unless we are all free as individuals ( rich & poor alike), that class freedom means nothing. If the government decides who gets what, how and when that is not true freedom. Individual freedom also carries with it individual responsibility. That is what we need to seek. True individual freedom and true individual responsibility.

Let's get that message of true, personal and individual freedom and individual prosperity out in these next few months.

August News You Can Use

2008-08-24T13:20:00.009-05:00

Obama picks fiscally incompetent weirdo Joe Biden for VP.

The Democratic Ticket is set.

On Saturday the Obama camp finally announced their Vice Presidential pick. It is Delaware Senator Joe Biden.

In Biden's speech he brought laughter from the crowd when he made reference to John McCain's owning seven homes. However, the bigger news to me was when Biden told the crowd that he was just like "most Americans" sitting at a kitchen table each evening worrying about how to pay bills, before he puts his children to bed. That is very interesting since his youngest child is 28 years old and his oldest is over 40. Also interesting is that Biden, who has been in the Senate for 30 years and earns $165,000 a year, struggles to make ends meet.

Why should we respect a weirdo who still puts his grown children to bed and is so fiscally inept that he does not have a net worth above what he makes annually.
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Are Black Republicans fleeing the Grand Old Party for Obama?

http://news.yahoo.com/story//ap/20080821/ap_on_el_pr/black_republicans

According to the AP's Brendan Farrington Barrack Obama is "inspiring" black Republicans to switch Parties. Farrington cites statistics in 4 states as proof that Obama is leading black Republicans to change their Party affiliation. But if one looks at the numbers, the real story is not that blacks are fleeing the GOP in great numbers, the loss in the three states mentioned is under 4,000 with over 2800 coming from Louisiana, the real story is that the Democrats have been able to register thousands of previously unregistered, black voters. I would suggest that many of the GOP defections are most likely inactive black Republicans any way.

The trend that has not been reported on though is that those black Republicans who remain faithful to the GOP are as energized as ever and are beginning to unite and show a much more visible presence. Gone are the days of having showcase "Negroes" who were thought of as representatives of the "Black GOP" such as J.C. Watts, Armstrong Williams, and others. We are now seeing a much greater presence or black Republicans in state Party organizations, networking groups, radio programs, on blogs and other in many other grass root activities. You could say it is akin to biblical example of "Gideon's Army." Gideon ended up with only 300 out of over 100,000 men, yet routed the enemy. There has been a weeding out from the Party of those who are not fit to fight due to fear, or who put their personal concerns above the good of the Party and the nation.
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Better off than how many years ago?

I find it interesting to note that the Obama campaign is using the same question that the Clinton Gore campaign did in 1992- "Are you better off than you were 8 years ago?" The question is fair, however it is also very miss leading. The real question should be are you better off than you were 2 years ago, and not 8 years ago. The difference is of great significance and here is why.

Stock market

I use the stock market as an indicator of the health and strength of the economy because it is an indicator of the health of businesses, which drive the economy.

On January 31, 2007 one week after Nancy Pelosi & the Democrats took control of both the House & Senate, the Dow Jones Industrial Average was above 12,600 and eventually rose to over 14,000 points in July of that year. As of this past Friday, just 18 months after the Dems taking power in Congress, the Dow is down to 11,628.

The NASDAQ was at 2845 on January 31, 2001 and 2495 in Jan. 2007, as of this past Friday it is at 2414

The S&P 500 was at 1364 on Jan 31 of 2001, and rose to 1447 in Jan. of 07, as of last Friday's close it is at 1292.

In each case, except for the Nasdaq which was artificially high due to the Tech bubble of the 90s, the indices had risen greatly and then declined to pre-2001 levels following the inauguration of the 110th Congress under the leadership of Nancy Pelosi.

Unemployment

The national unemployment rate on January 31, 2001, when President Bush took office, was 4.5% but climbing. The unemployment rate at the end of January of 2007 when the Democrats took control of congress, was back at 4.5%, where it was when President Bush took office. Today after one year of a Congress under the control of Democrats, it is at 5.7% having risen by over percentage point in a year.

Gas prices

The average U.S. price per gallon of gasoline on January 31, 2001, a week after President Bush was sworn in, was $1.52 The price per gallon the day the new Democratic congress was sworn in January 21, 2007, was $2.18. That is an increase of 66 cents per gallon or 43%. The increase per gallon of gasoline from the day the Democrats took over Congress has risen to $3.69, an increase of $1.51 per gallon or 69%.

Let's look at that. In the 6 years between President Bush taking office and the Democrats taking control of congress gas prices increased by 43%. But in the 18 months since the Democrats and Nancy Pelosi took control of Congress the price increased by almost 70%. If we were to have used the figures before President Bush rescinded the ban on offshore drilling when gasoline was over $4.00 a gallon we would be at a 90% increase.

Let the truth be told

To recap, by any indicator the economy did well from the inauguration of President Bush in 2001 to January 2007 and the inauguration of the 110th Congress under the leadership of House Speaker, Nancy Pelosi. While the Democrats, and particularly the Obama campaign, attempt to put up a smoke screen to deceive the ignorant and uninformed, the truth must be told. That truth is that the economy has taken a serious turn for the worse since January 2007, when this congress took power. Do not let that fact go unreported. Share it early and often.

One more thing:

Ernie Davis film is an Obama ad.

Have you seen the ads for the Ernie Davis film- The Express? It seems innocent enough and like a heart warming story about the first black Heisman trophy winner, Ernie Davis of Syracuse, who died of Leukemia shortly after receiving the award.

It saddens me, however, that such a great story appears to be another positive thing manipulated and cheapened by Left Wing politics. If you are as atuned as I am to such things it is very easy to see that it is geared to prepare the American public to vote for Barack Obama. I know you are thinking "Eddie is off his rocker & has turned into a conspiracy freak." Hear me now & believe me later. This film is a Barack Obama advertisement. The film has been scheduled for an October 10th release, just about 3 weeks before the election.

If you have not seen the previews it takes us back to the days of Jim Crow & rank bigotry. The one recurring statement coming through in the too oft running trailer is Dennis Quaid's telling Davis, do not let any one keep you from making history. Hmm!! The message is, let's not let anything keep Barack from making history.

Nice try Democrats, but Barack Obama is no Ernie Davis, not even close.

2008-07-18T09:52:00.014-05:00

Nancy, Nancy, Nancy

Speaker of the House Democratic Congresswoman Nancy Pelosi has called President Bush a "total failure." I do not know if the Speaker should be making such statements. What did President Roosevelt say, "speak softly and carry a big stick?"

Since she brought it up, let's just compare the record of President Bush and the Congress since Mrs. Pelosi took control.

From Feb 1, 2001-2007 the Dow Jones Industrial Average went from 11,100 to 12, 657 and by July of the 2007 it peaked at 14,200. I used Feb. 1 in these years because that is 10 days after President Bush took office in 2001 and the Democrats & Mrs. Pelosi took power in 2007. We see a rise in the market of almost 3000 points by July of 2007.

If we look at the market since July of 2007 it has now fallen from 14,200 back 11,400, almost where it began at the start of President Bush's term. It has risen several hundred points this week, but what is coincidental to this rise? It happens to be President Bush announcing that he was lifting the Clinton executive order banning U.S. off shore drilling for oil.

We can look at similar charts and stats on employment, housing, and inflation and in each case we can trace a decline to the take over by Democrats in Congress.

The truth is that the Pelosi/Reid congress are the real failure. They have been nothing but an obstructionist congress fighting any and every piece of legislation in order to self-fulfill prophecy. Success on the part of the Bush administration would mean doom for them.

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Jessie Drops the N Bomb

Just as we thought we had heard the last of the Jesse Jackson

wanting to castrate Barack Obama, Fox drops another earlier unmentioned little tidbit for us. That "Rev." Jackson had also dropped the N bomb. My first question was to ask, why did Fox News keep that one from us initially? It could not be in order to milk the story for another week could it? Nah!!

Then we saw a Bru ha ha on "The View" over Jesse's use of the word. Elizabeth Hasselbeck had the nerve to question the use of the word, with Whoopie saying "We use it the way we want to use it." Really? Did I not remember just over a year ago seeing a funeral for the word? In fact it was at the NAACP convention. Don't believe me here is a link to the article with video and all.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/19680493/

Guess Whoopie did not get the memo.

Whopie went on to say that she and Hassleback lived in 2 different worlds. I would have to agree. Whoopie lives in her own fantasy world a neither world. Neither black now white. A world where she can pick and choose what she wants to be that day. Must be nice Whoopie. Few are privileged to live there. Whoopie, Oprah, the Obamas', Harry Belafonte, Bryant Gumbel, and a few others. The rest of us live in just one every so often touching the other.

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Do as I say not as I do

When will Americans realize that Liberals are the new Hypocrites with former V.P. Al gore leading the pack.

While Al Gore is receiving millions of dollars, and awards for his speeches, and film on "Global Warming," his own home, air travel, and ground transportation, as has been well documented, is 1000 times that of the average American.

Here is the latest example of the Gore Hypocrisy. This video from Americans For Prosperity was shot outside of the venue where Al Gore was attempting to upstage Boone Pickens with his own 10 year energy independence plan. The difference in Al Gore's Plan and that of Boone Pickens is that the Gore plan is the same old idle talk about theories and speculative and very expensive energy substitutes. Did I not tell you in last week's post that I wanted to see what the left would do to try and counter Pickens? Gore's speech has been all over the news giving him free promo for his hot air, while Pickens is putting up his own money with a serious and concrete plan.

Speaking of "idle" while Gore was speaking he had 3 gas guzzling limos, waiting out back
(2 Lincoln Town Cars and one Suburban). One of the Lincoln's had the engine running for 20 minutes with the A/C on. Guess who got in that one? Sorry you will have to watch the video to the end for the answer. Oh, its only 5 minutes long.

I Was Wrong John McCain is Right!!

2008-07-16T23:33:00.012-05:00

As you must know if you read my comments last week on John McCain speaking before the NAACP convention, I was against it. I have to now, however, publicly and humbly admit that I WAS WRONG. While Sen. McCain may or may not have won the majority, if any of attendees over, I believe that this was the best and most clear cut speech, defining the issues and the points of departure with Sen. Obama, that he has given in any venue.

Sen. McCain was gracious, courteous, and respectful. Most importantly he spoke about the need for school choice, tax policy that lowers taxes on everyone including corporations, energy policy, and a number of other issues that affect all Americans, but he delivered these in a manner that so clearly expressed why these issues and the Republican answer is the best and right one for Black Americans. You go John McCain.

I also want to give props to the NAACP convention attendees who showed great courtesy and respect to Sen. McCain.

Below is the YouTube video of Sen. Obama's speech and below that a link to a page that contain's Sen McCain's speech. I encourage you to listen to both. First, Sen. Obama's then Sen. McCain's. I think the difference is overwhelming and I suspect that there are some nervous people in the Obama corner this evening. I apologize but Sen McCain's speech is not on YouTube yet so you must scroll down to the video on the page.

Sen. Obama's Speech

Sen. McCain's Speech

Eddie

The Picture Says It All

2008-07-09T17:53:00.000-05:00

This picture shows why President Bush was right to boycott the NAACP conference and why John McCain is foolish in going.

You cannot tell me that the NAACP with its resources cannot find a photo of Sen. McCain smiling. In fact they had to go through lengths to find this photo of him almost snarling. This is absurd in its boldness. The NAACP should be ashamed of itself for such clear cut "Yellow Journalism."

If this is how they are preparing for McCain, I hate to imagine what the reception will be like at the actual gathering.

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TV 1, the new BET, announced today that it will cover the Democratic National Convention and only the Democratic National Convention.

I have one question. What would happen if CMT said they will only cover the only the Republican Convention? Can you say racism??
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Barack Obama wants Americans children to learn more than just English in school. Hey Barack, how about we learn English first? I wonder if Ebonics counts as a second language.

I can hear it already, "tsk,tsk,tsk, honey they created another course just for black kids to fail in."

Oil Man Gets Full of Wind & Gas

2008-07-09T17:24:00.005-05:00

Texas/Oklahoma oil man T. Boone Pickens announced yesterday that he is tired and has had enough of sending our money to foreign nations for our energy. The news channels are playing his new ad announcing the almost non stop.

Pickens has a new energy plan that focuses on building thousands of windmills in northwest Texas, that he believes will provide 20% of the energy we are now getting from overseas. He then wants to replace the rest of the need with clean burning natural gas, of which I am told we have enough to last us for a thousand years.

Let's see that the environmentalists have to say about this one.

With an entire new, gizilion dollar industry developing, will black folks step up and be counted to take their place in cashing in on this, or will we find a way to complain about this.

Don Imus Must Go

2007-04-10T23:07:00.000-05:00

I have been watching the news and listening to the talk shows for the past few days regarding the Don Imus slanderous insult of the Rutgers women's basketball team.

While I expected the "Left Wing" Media to come to his rescue I was somewhat surprised to see and hear the conservative media come to Don Imus' rescue. Surprised as I was by that, I was shocked to hear and read black conservatives attempt to justify Imus keeping his job.

I urge my fellow black conservatives to stop parroting their white counterparts in everything they say. It is counter productive, and frankly cheapens, if not totally destroying any credibility you may have. At least act as though you have an independent thought.

I would like to remind everyone that a few years ago, Rush Limbaugh lost his job at Fox Sports for simply saying that Donovan McNab was receiving a pass on his poor play due to his race. Now I do not know about you, but in my reading of it, that was not really a negative racial remark, but a positive one. That someone was actually benefiting from being black. Rush lost his job within a day. Don Imus' remark on the other hand was purely a negative racial remark no matter how you slice or dice it. He has received a 2 week vacation begining next week.

"Nappy headed Ho's? " Wow, for once Jesse & Al have it right. No black man should ever excuse such a remark. Why did the female coach of Rutgers have to speak for them. It should have been the president of the Rutgers and every black legislator in New Jersey standing together. If my daughter had been one of the girls, I would have been on the news.

So to hear black conservatives give reasons why Imus should not lose his job is just sad. Imagine if someone sport caster were to call the U.S women's soccer team "poor white trash." How long do you think they would last in their job.

If anything this should be a watershed moment. Imus' firing should be just the beginning of holding all on air personalities accountable. Black & white. No more Honkey jokes on black radio or on black comedy programs. No more reference to our women as Ho's on any on air, black or white. That should be the conservative position. It is not that hard.

It is funny that the word "Faggot," referring to a male homosexual, is now taboo no matter who says it. But black women can be called Ho by almost anyone and no one blinks. If Imus had left the "nappy headed" off the phrase, we would not even be having this discussion.

Let's wake up. Let's take back the dignity of our women, and the culture at the same time. Imus has given us a great opportunity to do that. Let him be an example, as Jimmy the Greek was, in showing that words mean things and that there is a price to pay for what you say, whether you are liberal or conservative. Are you listening Bill Maher? Maybe we can take back the airways one show at a time.

Doing the right thing is doing it all the time, regardless of what the other guys are doing.

Reno 94-Gonzalez 8

2007-03-15T21:39:00.000-05:00

Just a quick post to help everyone keep score in the whole Alberto Gonzalez/Justice Dept. affair.

I know "they" the MSM (mainstream media) would like to confuse us in making it seem like a major and complicated affair, but just remember 2 numbers. 94 and 8. 94 is the number of U.S. Attorneys that Janet Reno fired upon day one of being appointed Attorney General and 8 is the number that Al Gonzalez and this current Justice Dept. fired after 6 years.

While I was opposed to Alberto Gonzalez getting the job and had hoped and pushed for Larry Thompson to get it, and while I also do not necessarily feel that Mr. Gonzalez is the best at his job, I have to remember that this is not really about Mr. Gonzalez. It never is about what "they" say it is about. This is, again, simply another back door attempt at getting to Karl Rove, and President Bush, nothing more. Just as the Scooter Libby trial was not about Scooter Libby, or even the lying Joe Wilson & his wife. It was the best "they" could do and closest they could get to the President or Vice President. "They" know that the majority of people do not read about or care enough to understand the facts, therefore, "they" go full steam ahead on these witch hunts hoping to stir enough public opinion to eventually get the White House to say OK we give up, you win, we quit.

If I have one main peeve with the White House it is what I perceive to be a core weakness. By that I mean they are weak in responding to any and all attacks. They have been weak in dealing with the enemies without, and weak in dealing with the enemies within. Just plain weak all around. If you ever wondered why the President's numbers are low, I believe it is because he has been weak and the American people did not elect him to be weak.

Bill Clinton via Janet Reno fired 94 people in the same jobs that the media is now giving this administration grief over because of 8 firings. Did we hear one word about that in 1993? Someone please stand up and yell hypocrites at the top of their lungs. Where were "they," where was the outrage then? The Washington Post ran an article today calling the comparison a "Red Herring," and that there is no equivalence between the 2 cases. You know what, they are right. 94 is almost 9 times greater. I know that is not what they mean, but come on.

If the Bush administration did anything wrong it is that they should have cleaned house at Justice, and State as well, on day one. The Clintons know how to take care of business. The GOP needs to learn from them.

Barack "Al Gore/Kerry" Obama

2007-03-08T20:07:00.000-06:00

The more Barack Obama gets public exposure and attention, the more he seems to be morphing in to former Democratic presidential candidates, Al Gore Jr. and John Kerry. He seems to have a real penchant for embellishment and a problem with facts and dates. Add to this an ever growing list of ethical questions, and you have the perfect candidate for President of the United States.

At first I thought that many of the negative portrayals of Sen. Obama were the work of the Clinton hit squad, however, recently the Senator from Illinois has been digging his own hole and throwing dirt on himself without any help from others.

Before I go on, I realize that there are those who will defend the senator, simply because he is not a Republican, and others who will defend him simply because he shares our skin color. This post is not for you. It is for those who actually care about character and truth in a Presidential candidate.

But I digress.

While I could do what many others have already done and question Sen. Obama's wife's 160% pay raise 2 months after his election to the senate, or their home & land deal with an indicted campaign fund raiser, or the seeming inconsistency in what the Obama's say, what they do or how they live. Michelle Obama stated last summer that they made just enough to get by and way beneath their friends. It reminds me of an opening scene from the film, Malibu's most wanted, in which the young Malibu rapper shows us a view of his mansion on a Malibu hill and says, "it ain't much but it's home." Or questions of his investments in fund raisers firms, or, why the Senator just this week paid $300 in parking fines in Boston, from his days at Harvard over 17 years ago? I will let others deal with that. I want to focus on the senator's own words. I want to focus on the senator's recent speech commemorating the 1965 Selma March. Here are a few excerpts: (to view video of the speech click on the title above)

"...something happened back here in Selma, Alabama. Something happened in Birmingham that sent out what Bobby Kennedy called, “Ripples of hope all around the world.” Something happened when a bunch of women decided they were going to walk instead of ride the bus after a long day of doing somebody else's laundry, looking after somebody else's children. When men who had PhD’s decided that's enough and we’re going to stand up for our dignity. That sent a shout across oceans so that my grandfather began to imagine something different for his son. His son, who grew up herding goats in a small village in Africa could suddenly set his sights a little higher and believe that maybe a black man in this world had a chance.

What happened in Selma, Alabama and Birmingham also stirred the conscience of the nation. It worried folks in the White House who said, “You know, we're battling Communism. How are we going to win hearts and minds all across the world? If right here in our own country, John, we're not observing the ideals set fort in our Constitution, we might be accused of being hypocrites.” So the Kennedy’s decided we're going to do an air lift. We're going to go to Africa and start bringing young Africans over to this country and give them scholarships to study so they can learn what a wonderful country America is.

This young man named Barack Obama got one of those tickets and came over to this country. He met this woman whose great great-great-great-grandfather had owned slaves; but she had a good idea there was some craziness going on because they looked at each other and they decided that we know that the world as it has been it might not be possible for us to get together and have a child. There was something stirring across the country because of what happened in Selma, Alabama, because some folks are willing to march across a bridge. So they got together and Barack Obama Jr. was born. So don't tell me I don't have a claim on Selma, Alabama. Don't tell me I’m not coming home to Selma, Alabama."

Lynn Sweet Sun times Group blog- March 5, 2007

Please forgive me, but I only received a bachelor's degree in business from Texas Tech University while the senator attended Harvard Law School, so my math and reasoning skills may be inferior to his. I will let you judge.

Barack Obama says that John F. Kennedy was responsible for something that happened in Selma, Alabama. Something that Bobby Kennedy said "sent a shout across oceans." A shout that caused his grandfather to imagine something different for his son and "set his sights a little higher, and believe that maybe a black man in this world had a chance."

He went on to say that Kennedy wanted to do an airlift and start bringing young Africans to America, giving them scholarships.

In his speech Obama evoked the names of everyone whose photo has ever graced a black church hand fan, or the walls of black homes for decades. There is only a big problem with all he said, John F. Kennedy was not elected president until 1960, and Selma not until 1965 when Obama was 4 years old and living in Indonesia, and his father had long since returned to Kenya.

Essentially, everything Obama said was either a blatant lie, or a gross lack of knowledge of history. Furthermore, Obama's parents met and conceived Obama before Kennedy was even elected president, or inaugurated in January of 1961. The immigration and foreign exchange program he attributed to JFK was actually introduced under the Eisenhower (a Republican) administration.

This is reminiscent of Al Gore's inventing the internet, Hillary Clinton being named after the man who climbed Mt. Everest, even though she was born before the event occurred, and John Kerry's imaginary trip to Cambodia and other blatant misstatements.

As I stated earlier, this creates some very serious questions of character, in my mind, or worse. If the Senator did not purposely stretch the truth to gain credibility with an ignorant audience, he has a very poor foundation and understanding of historical fact. If that is the case, I would say that his credibility in understanding serious issues and lessons of history make him a dangerous choice for president of the United States.

We need to ask some very serious questions of the senator from Illinois. It is not enough to be black, it is not enough to be articulate, even eloquent and a media darling. If my suspicions are correct, we will begin seeing a pattern of misstatements and revelations from Senator Obama. The only question then will be how deaf an ear, or how blind an eye will people turn in order to make a frog into a prince.

How Serious Are We About Black History?

2007-03-03T22:20:00.001-06:00

If one were to ask the average black American how important the knowledge of black history is to our nation, and especially to our people, the immediate response would be that it is crucial. However, as is so often the case, actions speak louder than words.

Last weekend (Feb. 23rd) saw the release of the film Amazing Grace. Amazing Grace was released last weekend to coincide with black History month, and just ahead of the 200th anniversary of the landmark vote in the British Parliament that abolished the "Trans Atlantic" slave trade on February 27th, 1807. Was this film met with great pomp and celebration in the black media? Were black school children encouraged to miss school on opening day of the film? No! In fact, I would dare say that 99% of Black America did not and does not yet know the film exists.

My wife & I went to see the film last weekend and as we were leaving the theater we ran into a black pastor friend, his wife & another couple in the lobby. They asked what we had seen & I said Amazing Grace. They said, "really? What is that about?" Without expressing how I was feeling inside (saddened), I told them that it was about William Wilberforce and the abolition of the slave trade. They said, "Oh, we may need to see that some time," and ran off to see Tyler Perry's latest offering. Now, please do not get me wrong, I like Tyler Perry and feel he does a great service, however, how often do we see a major motion picture dealing with the subject of slavery, and the role of the church in its eradication? Every black person, and especially every black Christian, should be lined up around the block to see that, if for no other reason that to encourage future films of that type.

But that is just a portion of the story. Why did we not hear any hype for this film? Let me give you my thoughts. A few years ago on my spiritual blog, I posted a 3 part essay on Holy War. In this piece I stated that there is a continuing Holy War going on and has been for some time. This war is a war between Christianity and 3 separate but aligned forces. These three forces are Secular Humanism, Islam, and Syncretism (mixing elements of various faiths into one religious world view while denying the core elements of true faith). You may ask, what in the world does this have to do with Amazing Grace? It has everything to do with it. There has been a concerted effort over the past 100 years or more to discredit the Judeo-Christian contribution to the building of this nation and the good in its core beliefs. Christianity in particular has been demonized to an ever increasing degree as time has passed. The great prevailing lie has been put forth that Christianity is not only not responsible for the abolition of slavery, but was in fact responsible for it. Depictions of bible reading, bible quoting, slave owners and traders are prevalent. "Roots" depicted such a slave trader. While these images are drawn from some truth, what is left out is the greater truth that the majority of "devout," bible practicing, not just professing, Christians sacrificed and fought tirelessly for the eradication of slavery. In fact the main slave trader from whom the negative depiction is taken was John Newton, who is a key figure in the film Amazing Grace. John Newton was confronted by the Holy Spirit with the evil of the practice and his role in it. Newton was haunted by what he called his "1000 ghosts." These were the ghosts of slaves that died on ships he captained in the "Middle Passage." This confrontation led to a true and life changing conversion and Newton's working to the end of his life to see slavery ended. Newton's conviction of this great sin also led to his writing the hymn Amazing Grace to express his understanding of the weight of his sin and the immense, unmerited favor he received. The line "I once was lost, but now am found, was blind but now I see" refers to his blindness to the sin of slavery and his role in it.

The knowledge of these facts poses a great danger to the 3 allies, Secular Humanism, Islam and Syncretism. That danger is that people may see and understand the power of a faith that can soften the hardest of hearts, turn someone from the wrongest of directions, and change the course those lives and entire nations. That truth is dangerous and must be kept hidden. It cannot be kept hidden, however, despite those who will try. I hope you will help get the truth out.

Better Late Than Never

2006-09-20T16:48:00.000-05:00

This weekend features the release of the film "Flyboys", an action adventure film about some heroic Americans that did not wait for the rest of the nation to do what they felt was right and joined the French Air Corps to fight in WWI.

I am not plugging this film because I secretly like the French or just want to be an armchair movie critic, but because the story of the black flyer Eugene Bullard depicted in this film is a true. Bullard was the first black American military pilot and although he was rejected by the U.S. Army Air Corps, he did get to fly and distinguished himself in the "Lafayette Escadrille."

I am posting the entire Wikipedia story below, which is actually a sad one, yet, in the end, I feel good that Mr. Bullard is finally getting his props in this major film account. I hope you will support it and honor the memory of Eugene Bullard.

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Eugene Bullard

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

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

Eugene Bullard (9 October 1895 – 12 October 1961) was the first Black military pilot.

He was born Eugene Jacques Bullard in Columbus, Georgia, in the United States. His father was known as "Big Chief Ox" and his mother was a Creek Indian; together, they had ten children. Bullard stowed away on a ship bound for Scotland to escape racial discrimination (he later claimed to have had witnessed his father's narrow escape from lynching as a child).

While in the United Kingdom he worked as a boxer and also worked in music hall. On a trip to Paris he decided to stay and joined the French Foreign Legion upon the outbreak of World War I in 1914. Wounded in the 1916 battles around Verdun, and already awarded the Croix de Guerre, Bullard transferred to the Lafayette Flying Corps in the French Aéronautique Militaire and was eventually assigned to 93 Spad Squadron on 17 August 1917, were he flew some twenty missions and is thought to have shot down two enemy aircraft.

With the entry of the United States into the war the US Army Air Service convened a medical board in August 1917 for the purpose of recruiting Americans serving in the Lafayette Flying Corps. Although he passed the medical examination, Bullard was not accepted into American service because Blacks were barred from flying in US service at that time. Bullard was discharged from the French Air Force after getting into a fight with an officer while off duty and was transferred back to the French infantry in January 1918, where he served until the Armistice.

Following the end of the war, Bullard remained in Paris. He began working in nightclubs and eventually owned his own. He married the daughter of a French countess but the marriage soon ended in divorce, with Bullard taking custody of their two daughters. His work in nightclubs brought him many famous friends, among them Josephine Baker, Louis Armstrong, and Langston Hughes. At the outbreak of World War II, in 1939 Bullard (who spoke German), readily agreed to a request from the French to spy on German agents frequenting his club in Paris.

After the German breakthrough and invasion of the French Third Republic in 1940, Bullard took his daughters and fled south, out of Paris. In Orléans he joined a group of soldiers defending the city and suffered a spinal wound in the fighting. He was helped to flee to Spain by a French spy and in July 1940 he returned to the United States.

Bullard spent some time in a hospital in New York for his spinal injury, but he would never fully recover. During and after World War II, when seeking work in the United States, he found that the fame he enjoyed in France had not followed him to New York. He worked in a variety of occupations, as a perfume salesman, a security guard, and as interpreter for Louis Armstrong, but his back injury severely restricted what he was able to do. For a time he attempted to regain his nightclub in Paris, but his property had been destroyed during the Nazi occupation, and he settled for a financial settlement from the French government which allowed him to purchase an apartment in New York’s Harlem district.

In the 1950s, Bullard was a relative stranger in his own homeland. His daughters had married, and he lived alone in his Harlem apartment, which was decorated with pictures of the famous people he had known, and with a framed case containing his 15 French war medals. His final job was as an elevator operator at the Rockefeller Center, where his fame as the “Black Swallow of Death” was unknown.

In 1954, the French government invited Bullard to Paris to rekindle (together with two Frenchmen) the everlasting flame at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier under the Arc de Triomphe and in 1959 he was made a chevalier (knight) of the Légion d'honneur. Even so, the last years of his life were spent in relative obscurity and poverty in New York City where he died of stomach cancer on October 12, 1961. He was buried with honors by French War Officers in the French War Veteran's section of the Flushing Cemetery in the New York City borough of Queens. In 1972, his exploits as a pilot were put in print with the book The Black Swallow of Death.

On 23 August 1994, thirty-three years after his death, and seventy-seven years to the day after his rejection for U.S. military service in 1917, Eugene Bullard was posthumously commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Air Force.

Andrew Young- Hate Criminal or Victim

2006-08-24T15:18:00.000-05:00

Last week we saw the “pressured” resignation of Andrew Young from his post as chief promotion man for the Wal-Mart Corporation. The reason for his resignation was a case of “hoof in mouth” disease when in an interview for a Los Angeles paper he stated the following:

"Well, I think they should... I think they've ripped off our communities enough. First it was Jews, then it was Koreans and now it's Arabs; very few black people own these stores."

In context Young was responding to criticism that he supports Wal-Mart because they are evil. The alleged evil, among others, is that they (Wal-Mart), have put many so-called “mom & pop” stores out of business. In other words, how could Andrew Young support a corporation that is guilty of this? To further put this into context we must remember that Young was being interviewed in a Black newspaper (The Los Angeles Sentinel) and directing his remarks at black readers and black detractors. Young's reaction was to say, why are you concerned about this now? His point, in this context, is, why are you, (Black America) siding against Wal-Mart on the grounds that they have put mom & pop stores out of business. Many, if not most, of these stores were operated by Jews, then Koreans, and now Arabs and have made their communities wealthy. Who was crying foul, where was the evil, when these ethnic groups entered our communities and put our own (Black owned) “mom & pop” stores out of business? Where was your outrage then? Can I hear you?

Having said this let me say a few things before I go on. I think that Andrew Young failed to use the brilliant mind he has in this instance. He should have known better. I believe that he felt that he was among a friendly audience and free to speak from the heart, free from political correctness and the thought police. In today's politically correct society, however, one must always be aware of the affect their words may have when magnified by a hostile liberal press. He, however, learned that when you align yourself with the perceived devil, there is no safety from liberal attack. No one is free from that. Young should have couched his words in code, such as, “certain other people groups have entered out community. These people groups have benefited from the Black economy to our detriment. Why are we now upset that these people groups have been harmed, when we should have been upset when they harmed us?” But he didn’t.

Let me also say that I do not hold any malice toward or find fault with Jewish, Asian or Arab entrepreneurs and their success. They have done nothing wrong. They have understood the American free enterprise system and the core of Adam Smith's, The Wealth of Nations far better than we have. I commend them for their understanding the laws of economy. We can soon add Hispanics to that list as well. These people groups have managed to capture the America Dream as we as Black America seem to have failed to.

There is much I could say about this entire story and issue, but rather than focus on the negative aspects, and there are many, I want to direct us in a positive direction. To do this we need to take a trip back in time about 111 years.

Interestingly enough, yet tragically, Booker T. Washington understood this and had a prophetic vision of what would occur if we did not take certain steps, including forming the National Negro Business League, at the beginning of the last century. He left us a promise and warning to both white and black.

To those of the white race who look to the incoming of those of foreign birth and strange tongue and habits for the prosperity of the South, were I permitted I would repeat what I say to my own race, “Cast down your bucket where you are.” Cast it down among the eight millions of Negroes whose habits you know, whose fidelity and love you have tested in days when to have proved treacherous meant the ruin of your firesides. Cast down your bucket among these people who have, without strikes and labour wars, tilled your fields, cleared your forests, builded your railroads and cities, and brought forth treasures from the bowels of the earth, and helped make possible this magnificent representation of the progress of the South. Casting down your bucket among my people, helping and encouraging them as you are doing on these grounds, and to education of head, hand, and heart, you will find that they will buy your surplus land, make blossom the waste places in your fields, and run your factories.

To those of my race who depend on bettering their condition in a foreign land or who underestimate the importance of cultivating friendly relations with the Southern white man, who is their next-door neighbor, I would say: “Cast down your bucket where you are”— cast it down in making friends in every manly way of the people of all races by whom we are surrounded.
Cast it down in agriculture, mechanics, in commerce, in domestic service, and in the professions. And in this connection it is well to bear in mind that whatever other sins the South may be called to bear, when it comes to business, pure and simple, it is in the South that the Negro is given a man’s chance in the commercial world, and in nothing is this Exposition more eloquent than in emphasizing this chance. Our greatest danger is that in the great leap from slavery to freedom we may overlook the fact that the masses of us are to live by the productions of our hands, and fail to keep in mind that we shall prosper in proportion as we learn to dignify and glorify common labour, and put brains and skill into the common occupations of life; shall prosper in proportion as we learn to draw the line between the superficial and the substantial, the ornamental gewgaws of life and the useful. No race can prosper till it learns that there is as much dignity in tilling a field as in writing a poem.

Booker T. Washington- Atlanta Exposition Speech 1895

I have reversed the order of these paragraphs for affect, and although Dr. Washington was directing this particular speech to the residents of the South, his admonition was to the entire nation. Later he would reiterate his warning when he said:

--Economic independence is the foundation of political independence...we must act in these matters before others from foreign lands rob us of our birthright...Land ownership is the foundation of all wealth.--

--No matter how small how small the piece of land you occupy you have got to get the most out of the soil; or somebody else will crowd you out. The same is true in regard to labor, commercial business and education. If we do not develop the talents in these respects to the very highest degree, somebody, some other nation will crowd in upon us and we shall not be able to hold our own.—

While he foresaw the entrance of immigrants into this nation and the challenge it would present, Booker T. Washington did not fear that challenge, rather he welcomed it. Here is the key:

--A few thousand strong, sturdy, thrifty foreigners in each county will go far toward quickening our energy and sharpening our wits, by bringing their healthy competition, which is very much needed in many sections of the south. Our salvation is to be found not in our ability to keep another race out of our territory, but in our learning to get as much out of the soil, out of the occupation, or business, as any other race can get out of theirs.--

In summation, I do not think that Andrew Young is a “Hate Criminal.” I would be willing to bet that he, like me, highly respects and marvels at the business savvy of other races. At the same time he is awakening to the fact that our own race is so challenged in that area. He was simply frustrated at the way we have been conditioned to think by people who do not have our own best interests in mind. That frustration led to his speaking from his frustration and not his reason. Andrew Young had half of it right. We should not worry about how competition has affected certain other people groups. Those same people groups certainly did not worry about how competition and moving into our areas would affect us. Young also understands, although this message is lost in all of the anger at Wal-Mart, that Wal-Mart and others like them, actually offers us a new door to success and prosperity. By bringing commerce, jobs, and revenue back into our communities that has left. Yes, they are hundreds or thousands of part time jobs. But they are part time jobs where there were no jobs. Large tax revenues where there were little or no tax revenues. This is and really should not be about Wal-Mart. It is about our communities and a thriving black economy.

I am not a propagandist for Wal-Mart; I do not care if it is Wal-Mart, Target, or any large corporation. My point is that we need to worry about elevating our communities and if a large corporation is willing to build in our communities and bring jobs and revenue there, I am for it. Instead of fighting it, I suggest we seek to maximize the benefit and look for ways to enhance every bit of that revenue potential.

In closing I leave you with one more BTW quote:

--while the world may pity a crying, whining race, it seldom respects it--

For an in depth look at the thought, writings, speeches and articles by and on Booker T. Washington, I recommend the book- The Booker T. Washington Chronicles, from Phoenix Publications. You may order it directly from Phoenix Publications, or receive it from us for any tax deductible donation of $20 or more to the Booker T. Washington Inspirational network. I promise that this book will change your life.

Eddie Huff-Executive Director
Booker T. Washington Inspirational Network

www.booker-t-washington.com

Lebanese Peace- Recipe For Armageddon

2006-08-15T23:05:00.000-05:00

I do not think that anyone that is at least partially sane actually believes that the U.N cease fire imposed upon Israel and Hezbollah will stop the fighting. But what I fear many do not realize is that the way the cease fire has been set up by the United Nations actually presents the greatest potential scenario for the biblically prophesied "final battle" of Armageddon that has ever existed.

First, for those who may never have read the biblical account, or heard of this, let me give just a brief background. Biblical scholars, particularly eschatologists (students of last things or end times) have for centuries believed that a final war would take place in the Valley of Megiddo AKA Armageddon. This battle is to precede the return of Christ. The bible has several references to a place where all of the armies of the world shall gather for a “final battle.” This place is called in modern language Armageddon, but in earlier times it refers to Megiddo or the valley of Megiddo. The modern city of Megiddo lies at the edge of the Valley of Jezreel, the modern name for the valley. And where is this Valley of Jezreel (Megiddo)? It is about 20 miles south of the Lebanese border and about 15 miles from Haifa.

So much for the location; how about the participants? While the bible states that “all the kings” or armies of the world will be gathered there for this battle, it specifically (Ezek.38) mentions several by name at the initiation of the conflict. These are the surrounding Arab nations and some African nations. After an escalation, Russia has a prominent place in this battle.

And timing? In Matthew 24 when asked by His disciples how they could know the end of the world was at hand, Jesus gave a long dissertation on how to recognize the signs of the end. He gave a number of signs but at the end He said, " Now learn this lesson from the Fig Tree: as soon as its twigs get tender and its leaves come out, you know that summer is near. Even so, when you see all these things, know that it is near right at the door. I tell you that this generation will not pass away until all these things have happened" The fig tree represents Israel and it is believed that the generation spoken of began in 1946 at the reforming of the nation of Israel in it's homeland. The generation that saw this happen (60 years ago), shall not pass before the fulfillment of the end of the world prophecies.

So, how does all of this tie into the current situation? From the time I first heard Kofi Annan suggest an international peacekeeping force with the authority to shoot back, I said, “oh and why do we not just situate them in Megiddo while you are at it?" Well, I was not far off.

Here is the scenario: The United Nations will provide several thousand troops to be placed in southern Lebanon to "keep the peace." Since we all know Hezbollah is committed to the destruction of Israel, and will not stop trying, skirmishes will take place. However, as the world, apart from America appears to be bent on looking for ways to help Hezbollah, the troops will overlook Hezbollah infractions but will amplify Israeli reprisals. Some reprisals will undoubtedly kill the U.N. "peacekeepers," which will call for outrage and demands for action against Israel. This will escalate and the U.S. will, most likely, support Israel, while Russia, also prominently named in the prophecies, will side with the Arab world.

We will see an ever escalating conflict which, if the prophecies are correct, will in the end destroy 1/3 of the world's population. That is about 3 billion people.

Interestingly enough, the current leader of Iran is also a believer in eschatology, but, from an Islamic, particularly a Shiite, point of view. He believes in the return of the Twelfth Imam, the Islamic Messiah. The Shiites believe that this Twelfth Imam or Messiah, who will be recognized by Jews and Christians as well, will return when the world is thrown into Chaos. By his speeches and actions over the past year, it appears that Mr. Ahmadinejad is bent on helping to fulfill this prophecy. http://www.wsu.edu:8001/~dee/SHIA/HIDDEN.HTM http://www.ashbrook.org/publicat/guest/05/vonheyking/twelfthimam.html

I am not predicting this, but I am saying that if ever there was ever a recipe for Armageddon, this is it. I think we need to be informed that there is more than meets the eye here.

There is a growing group of people praying every night at 9:00 pm EST, for the peace of Jerusalem. I suggest we all join them

The Battle is On- Pastor O'neal Dozier's Fight

2006-07-15T22:27:00.000-05:00

Pastor O'neal Dozier is making a stand in Pompano Beach . FL. His stand has put him on the other side of his friend Gov. Jeb Bush and has forced him to resign from the Broward County Judicial Nominating committee. So what has caused the split and the resignation? Dozier's open stand against a mosque's being built in his neighborhood and related statements. Dozier has openly called Islam a "Cult" and has stated that the mosque poses a terror threat, in that it may be used as a recruiting and training facility for Muslim extremists targeting young and poor black men. Finally, a man of God willing to take a public stand and pay the price. Who is with him? http://www.miami.com/mld/miamiherald/15009592.htm

While I agree with pastor Dozier in principle the matter is not as cut and dry as it appears. This is afterall America, and the right of freedom of religion and expression are sacred to us, or have been. By itself I have no problem with anyone building a mosque, synagogue or church anywhere. What the news does not properly convey, however, is that one main reason Pastor Dozier and others in this community are opposed to the building of a mosque in this neighborhood is that there are no Muslims whatsoever living there. There appears to be no regard for community consideration. Imagine if the mosque were to have been proposed in an all white suburban community? Do you think the permission would be given? I do not think so. In fact, recently Christian churches are finding it difficult to get permits in many suburban areas. So, this is a dilema, and one that bears watching. But I applaud pastor Dozier for bering willing to take a stand in a battle that is sure to be a difficult one to win unless he gets full communiy support.

The Good, The Bad, The Ugly

2006-07-08T14:40:00.000-05:00

The Good:
July 4th saw Stephanie Wilson, Mission Specialist on Shuttle Discovery Mission STS-121, and the rest of her crew take off for space. Let’s keep them all in our prayers.

Keith Butler has released his first campaign ad for his U.S. Senate bid in Michigan. See it at: http://www.butlerforsenate.com/

14-Year Old Jonathan Strickland Lands Successfully Back Home. Making him the: Youngest Person to Solo Both a Helicopter & Airplane on Same Day Youngest African-American to Solo a Helicopter Youngest African-American to Fly a Helicopter International Youngest African-American to Fly a Helicopter Roundtrip Internationally Story and video at: http://www.newsahead.com/press_releases/helicopter_pilot_Jul_06.htm http://www.nbc4.tv/news/9411222/detail.html?rss=la&psp=news

The Bad:
On the evening of June 30th Congress had a chance to deal with the issue of bi-lingual ballots. The 0pportunity came in the form of a vote to de-fund the printing and distribution of bilingual ballots. This vote provided a chance to remove a bone of contention in the reauthorization of the 1965 Voting Rights Act. A large majority of Democrats and about 1/3 of Republicans in the House voted to continue funding for the bi-lingual ballots in about 21 states. Here is the clincher, the cost of printing promoting and implementing these ballots is $59.8 Billion. That's right billion with "B." Hmm, I wonder how many mouths that could feed, or homes it would provide?

The Ugly:
It is always a sad thing to see Black folks attack one another, but it is especially ugly when we do it at the behest of the white power elite. I hate it when I see black conservatives attacking and degrading their brothers and/or sisters on the left in pubic venues vs. a discussion of the issues. However, I think the New Uncle Toms have slumped to a new low. They are now attacking black pastors who do not bow at the Democratic Party alter. This, I believe, reveals the true nature of these people.

Many of you will have heard about the push by certain "Reverends" to win back black Christians to Democratic Party "issues". Implying that moral issues are irrelevant when compared to social issues, these so-called ministers held a meeting in Dallas to attack mega church pastors, ministries, i.e. T.D. Jakes, Eddie Long, Creflo Dollar, etc.. Jackson, Sharpton, and others directly accused the pastors of "preaching a bedroom morality" and "prosperity gospel," while ignoring social needs. I wonder if anyone has put a pencil to the actual charitable giving and ministry of these ministries against that of Rev. Sharpton, Jackson and Lowery. This meeting is part of an all out push by the DNC to attempt to win back the "church vote."

In a separate meeting DNC chairman Howard Dean met with a group of "Liberal Christians" at a 3 day event called "Building a Covenant for a New America" See related stories on both events at: http://www.christianpost.com/article/20060629/19533.htm and http://www.washtimes.com/national/20060627-112127-6960r.htm w.washtimes.com/national/20060627-112127-6960r.htm

What these events show is that the Democratic Party is taking notice of the power of people of faith. Unfortunately, to them it is a matter of votes, and not a matter of core values. One cannot separate faith from moral issues. Remember that Jesus said, "the poor you shall have with you always," meaning we will never eradicate poverty. We each have a biblical admonition and individual responsibility to help the poor and aid the suffering. But that should not be confused with a false notion that this frees us from following the moral truths of God. Those who believe it does do so at their own peril.

I believe that what the DNC has done is to wake a sleeping giant. In attacking these pastors, the DNC and their New Uncle Toms may have picked a fight they do not want.

Pavlov's Negro Strikes Again

2006-06-27T17:53:00.000-05:00

Pavlov's Negro revisited.

Several months ago I wrote a piece entitled Pavlov's Negro (blog October 16, 2005) in which I explained how a Neo Nazi group was able to manipulate black reaction to their advantage in Toledo, OH. After that I even received a hit on the blog from the leader of that Nazi group acknowledging the truth of what I had said. Well, here is yet another example of how the Pavlovian stimulus and reaction is about to be played on us. While Nazis, the KKK and others have gotten hip to how easily we are manipulated, the greatest benefactors of this manipulation are those on the liberal left. They have run their game on us for decades.

You either have heard or very soon will be hearing about the pending expiration of the 1965 Voting Rights Act and how some in Congress are fighting its extension. You will be hearing allot about how racist Republicans, southerners and the usual suspects are wanting to turn back civil rights and deprive black folks of their right to vote. But what you are not hearing is why or whether the extension is necessary, and/or what is actually included in this so-called "extension." While I am totally in favor of free and fair voting rights, as most people are, and while I am the first to say that action was needed to repeal Jim Crow laws, I would bet that almost everyone understands that there have to be some restrictions on who votes and how. The difference is where the line is drawn on those restrictions. For example, would we all be in favor of allowing people to vote several times or in different states in the same election? Would we favor Russian citizens living in Russia to vote in U.S. elections? Would we want Chinese citizens voting from afar in our elections? Of course we would not. That is of course absurd, but now let's ask the question of whether we should allow non citizens living in the U.S. to vote, and the answer varies, especially in California. Up in Washington state where there is a large non-citizen Asian and Russian population, we could say let's allow let's let Chinese and Russian non-citizens to vote in our elections. I would bet that there would be those who would not have a problem with that happening. But, while the Voting Rights Act was written with the intent of conferring the full rights of citizenship on citizens who were deprive dof this right, it was not intended to go beyond that.

While we will be hearing a great deal about how those opposed to the reauthorization of the act are by default evil and racist; what are we not hearing? First of all we are not hearing that only section 5 of the act expires, not the entire piece of legislation. Section 5 only applies to 9 states and select counties and cities of 8 more states. What we are also not hearing about the reauthorization of the Voting Rights Act of 1965 is that there is a provision attached to the reauthorization that has nothing to do with the original intent of the legislation. That is the requirement for foreign language ballots to be provided for those “citizens" who are not proficient enough to read English ballots. Somebody correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that a requirement for citizenship in the U.S. was English proficiency.

We live in a drastically different world from that world we lived in, in 1965. In 1965 virtually all polls in the south were run by whites with a determination to hinder the "black vote." Today polls are run by polling officials from that community, hence black folks running polling places in black areas, Hispanics in Hispanic areas, etc.. Therefore, the likelihood of anyone being hindered from voting in their own neighborhood precinct on racial grounds is very unlikely.

Those are the facts, but I suspect that will not matter, as facts rarely do matter, when manipulating emotion works much more effectively. Black paranoia will be used once again as the Trojan Horse for introducing things that black people never intended or even agree with. The Pavlovian reaction on the part of black people to the "racist" stimulus presented to them in the media, by those with an agenda that has nothing to do with uplifting black or other minority people groups, will cause weak lawmakers who know should better to do what they know they should not. They will vote for legislation whose time has passed, and most probably will have attached things that were never intended by those who wrote and voted for the Act in 1965.

That is how things work in America today. It is a sad state of affairs if you ask me.

Quick Thoughts

2006-05-07T13:34:00.000-05:00

Hi everyone, I have been out of touch for a bit as I have been pretty busy with various projects.

I just returned from Washington, D.C. on Friday after a week. I was also invited to the White House for the National Day of Prayer Celebration last Thursday. It was pretty interesting to be in the White House and see and meet a lot of people that I have heard or read about. I thought some of you would enjoy the photo above of me and a certain former First Lady.

I want to post just a few short thoughts in this blog and ask you to consider these.

Iraq Is Not Viet Nam

As much as the MSM and Democrats would like to make us think that Iraq is the same as Viet Nam, it is not. There is, however, a very grave danger in pursuing the connection and the Democratic Party is playing a very deadly game. If the American public believes Iraq is another Viet Nam, Al Qaeda and the insurgents win. The problem is that while Viet Nam never had the desire or the intent of moving their fight outside of that nation, Al Qaeda does. Therefore, if we lose the will, and withdraw from Iraq while the insurgency remains powerful, it will be a defeat before a culture that worships strength and despises weakness. They will revel in defeating us, and use that victory to inspire and recruit many to their side in an all out effort to spread radical Islam beyond the region. We will not escape the consequences.

To the Democrats- “beware of what you wish for, keep on and you may get it.”

Democrats Plan- Impeach Bush!

The Democrats want to regain control of Congress this fall. So, if you are waiting and wondering, what their plan for the Iraqi War, immigration, the economy, high gas prices, or any other issue facing us is, let me break it down for you. It is simple- Impeach the President. That is it. They have no other plan. They have already said this is their plan on a few occasions, and you will begin hearing it more and more as the fall elections approach. Imagine it now, 2 years of hearings on what he knew and when. They have no other plan. That should help the economy, fight illegal immigration, frighten Al Qaeda and keep fuel prices low.

So, if you think that voting for them, or not voting for Republicans in the fall, will solve any of our problems at home or abroad and you feel that just getting rid of President Bush is the answer to all of our problems, please go right ahead.

But I told you so.

Fear Not The DaVinci Code

I realize that many believers are up in arms over the release of the film The DaVinci Code. The Catholic Church seems to be the most exercised over the release. I say relax, and do not fear it. In fact those of us who are believers should see it as an opportunity. To quote Joseph, “what you meant for evil (Dan Brown) God meant for good.”

The book has already sold over 40 million copies, and the film may reach an additional 10 million new people that have not already read the book. But look at it this way, many of those reading the book or watching the film will want to look more deeply into the matter. What believers should be doing is to pray for God to increase that interest and hunger, which the film cannot fill, and for an opportunity to share the truth with these people in a spirit of love. Of course this means we need to know the truth ourselves and that means preparation and study. Get to work people!!

I look forward to the discussion and the outcome. Remember, God is a big God, and He can take care of Himself, we can only help or get in the way.

Blessings and grace to all!!

Eddie

The Attack On Jesus

2006-04-18T21:40:00.000-05:00

After I just did the piece on the South Park episode, it occurred to me that this has been quite a couple of weeks for attacks upon Jesus. I have a special blog devoted to spiritual issues, but with all of the items in the news related to Jesus, I felt I wanted to draw your attention to these and briefly discuss them in order to inform.

First, is the so-called "Lost" Gospel of Judas, which supposedly gives an account of what his role in the Crucifixion was. Of course it is a different account from that found in the traditional Gospels, and he (Judas) is a "good guy" in this gospel, only following the wishes of Jesus in order to fulfull will of the Father.

The truth is that this so-called gospel was found about 30 years ago, in the 70s, in Egypt, not just now, and has been dealt with by biblical scholars in the same manner as other extra biblical texts, such as the Gospel of Thomas. While the 4 accepted Gospels were writte within 30 years of the death of Jesus, and many people still lived who witnessed the events, this one was written no earlier than 150 years later by those who had not witnessed anything.

This text is one of many writings from the Gnostic movement. The Gnostics, whose name is a derivative of the Greek word Gnosis meaning knowledge, were a cult that developed at the end of the first century. Gnostics believes that they had a special and secret inner knowledge of God. They were a secret society and thought themselves superior to common christians. The Apostle Paul spoke of them in his first letter to the Corintians.

In essence the Gnostics perveted the gospel into an eastern mystical message that God lies within each of us and must be discovered and released. Today's Unity religion, which also considers itself Christian, would be one of the descendant of Gnosticism.

These writings we known to and rejected by the early church. Many of these texts were hidden because of the fact that they were heretical, and usually destroyed if discovered by the early church leaders. To compare this work to the four gospels is dishonest at worst and poor scholarship at best.

Next we have the Florida State University professor who seems to have discovered that Jesus did not walk on water, but rather may have walked on ice. According to Professor Nof, at that time northern Palestine experienced a cold climate and the lakes would have had ice formations. As I wrote to the university questioning this mans right to a professorship, an 8th grader with a basic bible knowledge could have dealt with this. It was pretty clear that Professor Nof, had not read the bible's account. He says that "it may have appeared to those on shore at a distance," that Jesus walked on water when it was most likely ice. The problem with that is that the biblical account states that the disciples had rowed about 3 1/2 miles into the lake when Jesus walked out to them. Secondly, the account states that as Jesus approached them, he bid Peter to come out to Him. Which Peter did. This presents 2 problems. It debunks the idea that the disciples saw this at a distance, and also that if peter got out and walked then he must have been on a second piece of ice. That does not even deal with the question of what were the disciples doing out on the ice, in a boat, in the first place.

Then we have the soon to be released Da Vinci Code film. The book initially released as non-fiction, tries to make the case that Jesus had a sexual relationship with Mary Magdeline and that they had a child, who was the true Holy Grial. The book goes further in saying that this line of Jesus carried on and remains today. While this book and the film are great fiction, they are just that. Unfortunately it will catch many unsupecting people off guard and caus ethe weak to question their faith.

If we put all of this and other items together we see a pattern. The American media and entertainment industry is trying help turn America into a secular humanist society, like that of modern Europe. To understand what this means and the danger we face I want to recommend and urge you to read the book The Cube And The Cathedral. It gives a picture of where Europe is, and where we will be if, we do not stop the secular humanist advance. I will just give you a hint, it is not in a good place.

A House Divided, and A Senate Too

2006-04-09T14:42:00.000-05:00

On June 18th, 1858 Abraham Lincoln delivered a speech which has become known as the "House Divided" speech

http://showcase.netins.net/web/creative/lincoln/speeches/house.htm.

Here is an exerpt:

Mr. President and Gentlemen of the Convention.

If we could first know where we are, and whither we are tending, we could then better judge what to do, and how to do it. We are now far into the fifth year, since a policy was initiated, with the avowed object, and confident promise, of putting an end to slavery agitation.

Under the operation of that policy, that agitation has not only, not ceased, but has constantly augmented. In my opinion, it will not cease, until a crisis shall have been reached, and passed.

"A house divided against itself cannot stand." I believe this government cannot endure, permanently.

While Mr. Lincoln spoke specifically of the issue of slavery here, I believe the words ring true today with reagrd to the issues of the exercise of faith, the rights of the unborn, the sanctity of marriage, and many other moral issues.

The phrase was actually a paraphrase of the words of Jesus found in three of the four gospels, Matt. 12:25, Mark 3:25, Luke 11:17, and addressed the issue of unity and singlness of purpose. When Abraham Lincoln used the words he was urging the Republican Party not to shrink back from its purpose of abolishing slavery in its entirety. Afterall, the single reason the Party was formed was to abolish slavery. At their meeting of 1858 some wavered on the issue, thus prompting this speech. The Party did unite and 2 years later Lincoln became president with a single purpose, to abolish salvery, and he with the help of his Party did so.

Today the Republican Party again stands at a crossroads and if it ever needed to find unity it does so now. The Party appears to be in disarray, with those in Congress not only at odds with one another, but particularly with their President. Anarchy seems to rule in the GOP and it is filtering down to state and local elections as well. For some reason the Democrats are better at this than the Republicans. They stand strong in showing unity of Purpose. That purpose is to push forward their agenda and to thwart any Republican effort at anything, realizing that together they can regain power and control. While Bill Clinton was president, you did not see or hear of, many, if any Democrats in Congress breaking ranks with their President on any issue. Surely some disagreed with various policies, but it was dealt with internally and among themselves in a way to maintain unity. Today, however, we see and hear almost daily of Republicans disagreeing, second guessing, and breaking ranks with their President on almost every issue. I suppose they believe they are showing strength and independence. But to those who would want to go it alone and show how independent they are, hoping for some advantage in November I have a word of warning. "Woe unto you."

As a believer in a (the) living God and the principles He gave us to live by, I am reminded of another scripture. This one found in Matt. 8:9 is the story of the Centurion who asked Jesus to heal his servant. Jesus told him he would come to his home but the Centurion said that was not necessary, and all Jesus needed to do was to speak the word and the servant would be healed. It is a great story, but the thing that stands out most is why the Centurion believed that. He said it was because he (the Centurion) was a man with authority, because he was a man under authority. He understood that because he was under authority and trusted that authority, that authority above him and its inherent power would protect and serve him well. He knew what that authority meant up the chain and down it. In the government and particularly the Republican Party today too many of our leaders do not understand this principle and I believe it will hurt them and our nation. They feel that they are an authority unto themselves and have forgotten from whence that authority comes. It comes from the people, and the people have chosen a president as the supreme authority in our land. As his authority diminishes so does all authority beneath his. A "trickle down" effect if you will.

I believe that it is time for our leaders to remember what authority means, and what it brings. Both submitting to authority and exercising it. Understanding this will, hopefully, allow them to regain unity in the Party and possibly even see it spread, bringing about a unity within our entire great nation.

I close with these words from Abraham Lincoln on that June 18th, 1858:

Our cause, then, must be intrusted to, and conducted by, its own undoubted friends-those whose hands are free, whose hearts are in the work-who do care for the result. Two years ago the Republicans of the nation mustered over thirteen hundred thousand strong. We did this under the single impulse of resistance to a common danger, with every external circumstance against us. Of strange, discordant, and even hostile elements, we gathered from the four winds, and formed and fought the battle through, under the constant hot fire of a disciplined, proud, and pampered enemy. Did we brave all them to falter now?-now, when that same enemy is wavering, dissevered, and belligerent? The result is not doubtful. We shall not fail-if we stand firm, we shall not fail. Wise counsels may accelerate, or mistakes delay it, but, sooner or later, the victory is sure to come.

Let us unite under one God and one President. We can discuss and disagree on some issues, but we must unite on the ones critical to the survival of our nation as we know it.

When Will We Grow Up

2006-02-08T15:24:00.000-06:00

I appears that some of the folks at Mrs. King's funeral showed their behinds- again. The Bush hatred has them so confused and messed up that they cannot think straight. The only good news is that they were not all black. A certain peanut farmer showed his as well.

Let us remember that this was Mrs. Coretta Scott King's funeral and a time to remember and to honor her. Period, full stop.!!!

What these people did was to take the spotlight from this great woman, her accomplishments and also the families time to contemplate what their mother meant to them and to the world. These people apparently thought they could use the time to get their 15 minutes of fame. Where I come from this is called lack of class, and lack of respect. If the King family thought enough of the Bush's to invite them the other guests should have had enough respect to at least ignore them.

But they did something else, and reaped an unintended consequence. They have managed to divert the attention from Mrs. King and her greatness to the President and our nation's discourse over various issues. In an AOL online poll 70% of over 100,000 respondents felt that the remarks were inappropriate. This from a pool of voters that is normally upset with the President in poll after poll. His approval rating on Iraq is at 36% on this same forum. What is interesting is that this same poll today then gave President Bush an 83% approval for his remarks. It is appears that the majority of the American people understand that there is a time and a place and this was not the time or the place for this type of discourse. I would venture to say that any poll on this matter will come up with the same or a similar result. But the unintended consequence is that the political attacks upon the President and certain policies have actually edeared him the majority of Americans and may help him gain renewed support.

I am all for that, but I do have to ask my brothers and sisters; when will we learn? When will we grow up.

They Have No Dream

2006-01-17T14:09:00.000-06:00

The third Monday of January has been declared to be a day to honor the memory and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Yet, as I watched, listened to, or read about various MLK Day speeches from around the country, I could not help thinking- how they dishonor him, his memory, and his life's work. The worst example of dishonoring Dr. King in my eyes was Senator Hillary Clinton speaking at a gathering in one of Harlem's black churches. In her speech Mrs. Clinton compared the U.S. Congress to a plantation. How dare her!! Beside her ludicrous statement, that “Congress is like a Plantation because dissenting voices are squelched," the mere fact that a white woman of privilege, and a member of a fraternity of privilege would compare that fraternity to a slave working on a plantation is an insult. If voices are squelched Senator, how on earth are you standing there in all of your pomp freely speaking these things? Let's see, lynching, castration, flogging, tar and feathering, on a plantation in the anti-bellum South on the one hand, and getting paid a six figure salary and delivering speeches before cameras in New York City on the other, I can see where she might think the two are the same.

As offensive as Senator Clinton's words are, even more offensive is the fact that there are those in the black community who would invite and allow her to advance her personal political agenda in this way and on this occasion. What has happened to black leadership? Are they so emasculated that they now a need white women to tell us what to think? And on the day honoring a black, male hero? Are there no black voices, especially male voices, to give us hope, to give us vision?

Let me also share with you about a website I was referred to by an acquaintance who actually thought this was a fitting site to honor MLK Day. The name of the web site is, Remembering Segregation. I assume that this site feels it is honoring Dr. King's memory by reminding us of segregation and telling us that things are no better today. What the site seems to have forgotten is that the most famous speech made by Dr. King spoke of "a Dream." I guess they have either forgotten or have never known what a dream is.

There are two types of people in the world. There are those who remain stuck in the past who will never catch a vision for the future. These people will be the easily manipulated and remain enslaved by fear, hatred, and ignorance until they and their posterity are rendered completely disabled mentally and spiritually. This is not "the Dream" Dr. King spoke of, it is a nightmare. Then there are those who with great vision and faith are too busy seeing what can be reality, and too busy believing what one day will be reality, to be held back by what has been and may still be the case. These individuals work tirelessly, believing that the best way to improve the lot of their people is found in improving their individual lot in life. They pass this vision, passion and work ethic on to their posterity. This is what a real dream is; something that is not yet reality, but that we believe one day will be.

Dr. King did not ask us to remember slavery, or the old days of brutal oppression. He asked us to hope, dream and to work for a better nation. His idea of this dream and his view from the mountain top came from his reading of another great leader of an oppressed race of people. Moses stood on a mountain top looking into a distant, promised land as well. That “promised” land was occupied by others who were opposed to his people, and had to be fought for. The taking of that land was hard and many lives were lost in the process, but the dream and their faith kept them fighting for it until they won it.

Such thinking as Senator Clinton's, the web site "Remember Segregation," and others like it fosters, is extremely detrimental to the well being of individuals and to an entire race of people. Let us honor Dr. King and his memory by continuing to dream, to hope, to believe and to work for a better day.

They may have no dream, but I do. Do you?

With Friends Like These

2006-01-05T21:16:00.000-06:00

I could not help thinking of the old addage "With friends like these, who needs enemies" in reading about the Florida Supreme Court's decision today to deny public funds for private school vouchers. The Miami Herald today reported: "The Florida Supreme Court threw out the state's voucher system that allows some children to attend private schools at taxpayer expense, saying Thursday that it violates the state constitution's requirement of a uniform system of free public schools." Sounds good does it not. But there is one problem with this. If there existed a uniform system of free public schools there would be no need for vouchers. The whole reason the voucher issue is an issue, is that there is a great disparity in the quality of schools in the public school system in Florida and frankly nationwide.

As I read I could not help thinking how incredibly ignorant the anti-voucher arguments sounded. I could not help thinking, "are these people really this ignorant or just blatantly deceptive?" Here are a few examples.

"The ruling was a victory for public schools across the state and nation, said Ron Meyer, lead attorney for a coalition, including a statewide teachers union, that challenged the voucher program.

It means that Florida's taxpayers will not be forced to pay for schools which are unaccountable," Meyer said.

Here the lawyer for the teacher's unions is claiming victory for the schools. No mention about the students or parents whose kids are held as slaves to that system. He then says that tax money will not pay for unaccountable schools. Are you kidding me? That is exactly what has been happening and will now continue to happen. These public schools, free from competition with private schools, will feel no need to be accountable to anyone except the teacher unions. That is how we got to where we are today.

Interestingly, although 700 children from poor, and mostly black, failing schools will be forced back onto the "plantation," on constitutional grounds, the decision does not affect over 30,000 other voucher programs for poor and disabled students. Now my inquisitive mind asks why one program can be unconstitutional while another is not? I will give you a hint. The vouchers in this case allow children to go to schools where they may hear God mentioned.

In the end, this sounds too much like decisions handed down by Democratic Party controlled courts in pre-emancipation days and under Jim Crow. It is the exact same type of thinking, if one can call it thinking. I can also hear the New Uncle Toms chiming in on the side of this decision to keep these children and their parents on the plantation. The real question is, will these families and others like them remain silent or will they rise up. I certainly hope they choose to not remain silent, and that we will sit, walk and stand with them in this struggle.

Pavlov's Negro

2005-10-16T12:38:00.000-05:00

In the 1890s and early 1900s Russian Psychologist, Physiologist and Physician Ivan Pavlov did a study in which he introduced various stimuli, such as the ringing of a bell, before each feeding of a dog. After some time he removed food from the equation and only rang the bell. Simply the stimulus of a ringing bell, having been associated with the expectation of food for a period of time, was enough to get the dog to salivate. The term "conditional reflex" was developed which later became known as "conditioning." As I was watching the news about the riots in Toledo yesterday, as harsh as this may sound, I am afraid that a great bulk of Black America is no different from Pavlov's Dog. It is a perfect case of response to conditioning.

In the riot about 114 people were arrested for various forms of civil unrest in which they, vandalized vehicles, and stores, set fire to a bar, and attacked police and emergency rescue vehicles. So, what sparked this protest and riot? Less than 25 members of the so-called National Socialist Movement, which calls itself "America's Nazi Party," planned a march at a park in Toledo. Did you comprehend that? Less than 25 Nazis gathering for a march sparked a riot. On a side note, I find it interesting that nowhere in the written reports do you find any mention of the fact that there were white anarchist groups present opposing and agitating against the Nazis prior to things getting out of hand. The blame for the violence and destruction has been put on gangs seeing an opportunity. I believe that this is a cop out though.

With regard to the conditioned response, as Toledo Mayor Jack Ford said: "It's exactly what they (the Nazis) wanted.'' This is evident in that the march was canceled and the Nazis had left town hours before the riots began. I can see them "high fiveing" it all the way home. All that these people wanted was to start something, and to get some attention. The black residents of one area of Toledo more than accommodated them. Mission accomplished. Another interesting thing is that this occurred on the same day as the "Millions More" gathering was taking place in Washington D.C. but the Toledo event has now managed to garner much more attention than the Farrakhan event. I believe the two things are not unrelated.

This brings me back to my title for this piece, and Pavlov's conditioned behavior study. You cannot expect to present people with a certain picture of reality over and over again, asking them to form certain views in light of that picture, without it invoking a predictable response. The Toledo mayor correctly stated that this is exactly what the Nazis wanted and could predictably have expected. This violent reaction to less than 24 Nazis marching is the equivalent of a dog salivating to a bell ringing without the presence food. A mere symbol with no meat behind it. What harm can 25, or even 100, ignorant, attention seeking people do to an entire race, especially in an evironment in which the national conscience is opposed to such racist ideology? I propose to you- none. What do you think would have happened if the 20 or so Nazis showed up anywhere and no one else did? They and their movement would die a swift and silent death. It has, however, become all too predictable now that the KKK or other such groups will announce a meeting in a town, and the media plays it up. In most cases 3-10 KKK or Nazi members will actually show up and you end up with a much larger number of protestors than racist marchers. The media will cover it and make it look much larger than it actually is, and the racist group gets the attention they sought and need to survive. How long will we be so foolish and fall into this trap? The Toledo event has not only fallen into their trap, but has exceeded their grandest hopes. Mark my words, there are plans being made around the country by several groups at this very moment for more such events based solely on the success of the Toledo march, which turned out not even to be a march.

It is time for black Americans, and others with sense to rise above this and speak wisdom into this situation. No, we do not need Jesse Jackson, or Howard Dean, to tell us how this is evidence of the growing tide of racism and poverty in America, or neglect by the Bush administration. It is rhetoric and thinking like this that is the cause of the Pavlovian reaction by so many of our people, not the remedy. We need a cure for the conditioned response. We need vision and hope not doom, gloom and immediate outrage. We need to be smarter than this.

Becoming What We Hate Pt. 2

2005-10-09T23:59:00.000-05:00

Several months ago I wrote an essay entitled, "Are We Becoming What We Hate?" That piece was dedicated to my fellow black conservatives. In that essay I addressed the fact that since the election of 2004, politically active black conservatives appear to be exhibiting traits of their liberal counterparts. I am now afraid that the disease is spreading and today I find myself addressing conservative political activists at large.

A few months ago when Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O'Connor stepped down from the bench we got a glimpse of what was to come when we heard the expressions of fear from the right at the possible appointment of Alberto Gonzalez to the bench. Many on the right were opposed to his appointment because of one ruling while he was on the Texas Supreme Court. A ruling, by the way, that I feel was misunderstood. I stated at that time, that I doubted President Bush would nominate Mr. Gonzalez to the Supreme Court, but that even if he did we should trust the President's choice. So, here we are again finding ourselves in the same boat of having conservatives all tied up in knots about the nomination of Harriet Miers. In the comments and near outrage that I have heard in the past week I say again to my conservative brethren: "are we becoming what we have hated, about the left in the past?"

Here is how I see this. All along President Bush has said that he would appoint "strict constructionist" judges vs. "judicial activist" judges to the court. Conservatives applauded this stance and have championed it. In the past, every time I heard Sean Hannity, and others with a voice, discuss the Supreme Court they mentioned the need for "strict constructionist" judges. Judges in the mold of Rehnquist, Thomas and Scalia. Nevertheless, these same conservatives are now upset at the President's choice. They appear upset that President Bush has not appointed a judge that they would have chosen. In the case of Harriet Miers, many say she has not shown herself to be conservative enough, or that she does not have any judicial experience. They say, "she has no judicial record by which we can judge her." You would think these were the words of Chuck Shumer, not the "voices of the right." The problem with this argument, though, is that one of the judges they cite as their model is the late Chief Justice William Renquist, who had no judicial experience prior to joining the supreme Court either. And Justice Clarence Thomas had but one year of experience as a judge. When liberals attacked Judge Thomas for his lack of experience conservatives circled the wagons and came to his defense. "How dare liberals question his credentials," they were quick to say? Now these same voices imply that Ms. Miers is not up to the task for the same reasons.

To take it a step further many of these champions of the right appear to be questioning Ms. Miers, educational pedegris. Remeniscent of the liberal ilellectual elite, we now appear to have found our conservative intellectual elite. It is as though one cannot judge rightly without an Ivy League Law degree. How presumptuous! Or is it that she not the right kind of Christian? She is afterall an evangelical. Are they quietly saying, "how do we know that she is not a religious nut?"

As troubling as all of this is, the problem is really deeper than a select few's fear of having their posse's party crashed. The greater issue is that too many conservatives, like their liberal counterparts, have either forgotten, or else given up on our Federalist/Republican system of government. As a quick reminder, our governmental system was set up so that the people should decide how the nation is run. The President is not a king or a dictator and, therefore, cannot make or change laws as he sees fit. The Supreme Court is not supposed to be able to do this either. They are supposed to rule on the morality and fairness of laws and see that they are followed by law enforcement and those courts below them. Laws are supposed to be made and/or changed by the Congress. That means the Senate and the House. The people elect their representatives and they should make or change the laws according to the will of the people of the various states. Unfortunately, Democrats in not being able to achieve the desired changes via the Congress have begun using either "Executive Order" or judicial rulings to circumvent this system for some time. Now Republicans have apparently become impatient or just lazy, and want to short cut the system too, in wanting to have judges appointed that will change the laws instead of defending and interpreting them. I woud say that there is a crisis of faith in both parties. Till now the GOP has been able to claim that the system works if we trust it, and asked us to believe. That claim is now in danger. It has not been damaged by the Democrats and all of their attacks, but by some of the most respected minds in the Republican Party.

I would ask my colleagues to consider some things.

1) In his 2000 campaign for president Mr. Bush, when asked if he would overturn the Roe V. Wade decision said, The people are electing a President, not a dictator. If the people want to overturn Rove V. Wade they need to vote in people that will make that happen. If they bring me a bill to sign, I will sign it.

2) President Bush has worked and is working hard to place strong conservative judges into the appellate courts. If these judges do their job well many of the pertinent cases should never reach the Supreme Court, and if they do, there should be strong support by the SCOTUS to uphold sound decisions.

3) President George W. Bush has, until now, always been a man of his word, and a man to be trusted. Why should we doubt him now? I say we should trust him until he proves unworthy of that trust. We do him and ourselves harm in helping the "Left," by doing the work of tearing him down and undermining him. President Bush needs us now and he needs us more than ever. He does not need us to second guess his every move.

In closing, I would simply say to my conservative colleagues, instead of waiting to see what President Bush or the Supreme Court does, we should be demanding Congress men and women with the same trustworthiness that President Bush has shown. We need a Congress that will fight vigorously for and make righteous laws. I do not believe that we are getting this currently, and that is a shame.

Much of what is wrong with America is our fault as the people of this great nation, and that needs to change. Let us not become what we hate and have stood against. Let us rather hold firm to our principles. The Supreme Court is not and should not be the place where laws are made, or changed. Neither is the White House. Let's not fall into thinking they are. If anything we should be trying to return the court to its proper place as a minor or equal part in the Federal equation, not the final authority.

I, for one, am not going to begin thinking and acting like those people and tactics I have spoken out against for years. I am also not going to excuse that behavior in friends or those I respect. As with my blood family I want to tell them that their behavior is shameful and that it needs to be reevaluated. Let us return to reason, and discuss these issues in a manner that gives the President the respect and trust he deserves, as well as asking honest questions of him. The first action on our parts should never be to degrade a judicial or any other appointment, or to accuse the President. Unfortunately, that is what I have seen in the past few weeks and it is not pretty. Maybe this is a good exercise for the GOP and hopefully it will make us all stronger in the end. But first I think there will be the need for some humility on the part of many, and that is sometimes a hard thing to do.

George W. Bush Is Now Not Only President, But God & SatanToo

2005-09-06T20:05:00.000-05:00

I just returned from Atlanta today and I must say that it was a very enlightening trip. Unless one was stranded on a desert island with no access to TV, radio or news paper you, like me, have all been just about worn out by the round the clock coverage of the New Orleans flood. Although the New Orleans situation gave me reason to write this piece, my issue goes beyond the flood and devastation of a physical kind. It is a devastation of the spirit that I feel compelled to write about. It is the apparent apostasy of the Black community and especially the church.

While in Atlanta last week, I could not go anywhere without hearing the same story over and over again. “George Bush killed all of those people in New Orleans.” Or, that was all Bush’s fault, that “oil company pimp caused the death of all of those people. He blocked legislation that would have prevented the flooding.” I heard it on the Metro, at restaurants, when the cable guy came in to hook my sister in law up and finally, so I would get the full flavor, from the TSA agent frisking me as I was trying to board my plane and get out of Atlanta. All of this was enough to drive a man crazy, especially the lying and blatant ignorance of facts, but what really put me over the edge was something I read when I got home. I received an email from a dear sister telling me that her pastor had preached a sermon Sunday morning repeating the same falsehoods. This pastor went so far as to say he agreed with Kanye West, when he said that "George Bush doesn't care about black people." And if that were not enough, West went on to say that “We already realize a lot of people that could help are at war right now, fighting another way -- and they've given them permission to go down and shoot us!" West’s remarks were so over the top that NBC cut them from the west coast rebroadcast, and everyone associated with the supposed relief effort, including NBC sought to quickly distance themselves from the remarks. Where I come from we called this “showing your behind.”

For Kanye West or any entertainer to say something like this is understandable, and we have come to expect it, but not from those who are supposed to be devoted to truth and preaching hope and forgiveness. Never the less, this pastor of a large predominantly black church in western Los Angeles, agreed with West’s statement. It is also one thing when long disgraced pseudo preachers such as Jesse Jackson & Al Sharpton talk this nonsense, no one really listens any more, but when people who have standing in the community and should know better begin talking such nonsense it is a scary and tragic thing. What this shows is a sorry state in the black community, and especially the church. This apostasy or turning away from God is reflected in the way we have so easily begun to accept lies at face value.

What is so grievous is the fact that we have taken the focus off of God and begun to look to man for everything. Whether good or bad, we seem to look to the arm of flesh as the bible calls it for everything. Scarcely, in all of the discussion in the black community, in the last week, have I heard God mentioned. It was all about what men or a specific man did or did not do. On one hand President Bush has been accorded the power of God, but according to these peoplehe uses it like Satan. If we were to take the talk literally we would have to assume that President Bush had the power to order a hurricane, have it target black people, then wait for them to die, and when that was not good enough he ordered the national Guard to kill them.

Just think about all of this for a moment. Where is the question of, what might God be saying and showing us through this? And where is the hope, the word that God is near those who are in need and call upon Him? Where is the faith? It appears that it is gone. Gone!

Maybe FEMA, OHS, the mayor, Governor and/or the President did mess up, but what good does pointing fingers and degrading people do for those who are hurting? Does it feed anyone or house anyone? All it can do is hinder the coming together in unity to save and to restore those who have suffered loss.

To whom are we looking to heal and restore anyway? If it is man we will be sorely disappointed, if it is God we will not. I have not and will never give up hope. I know that my redeemer lives and that His ear is not deaf, nor is His arm too short to reach those in need if they call. He answers the humble but resists the proud. Unfortunately those who should call upon Him are being encouraged rather to plant a seed of bitterness. That seed if it takes root will lead to evil and a double mindedness which God will not reward.

A word to those who sow discord in the nation, especially those who call themselves “men of God.” Beware! Beware, not of George W. Bush, but the one who made George W. Bush and set him in the place he now sits! Remember:

Submit yourselves for the Lord's sake to every authority instituted among men: whether to the king, as the supreme authority, or to governors, who are sent by him to punish those who do wrong and to commend those who do right. For it is God's will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish men.
1 Peter 2:13-15

A Christian's Reponse to Pat Robertson's Remarks

2005-08-24T12:34:00.000-05:00

On Monday evening August 22’s 700 Club Program, televangelist Pat Robertson suggested that the U.S. Government use covert operatives in Latin America to assasinate Venezuelan President Hugo Cahvez.. Robertson’s actual words were “We need to take him out” because it is a whole lot cheaper than “starting a war. We don’t need another $200 billon war to get rid of one strong armed Dictator.”
The media immediately seized uopn the statement to not only attack Mr. robertson, but to level a volley at Evangelical Christians in general and hope to make the link to President Bush. Typical of this type of attacks is the report by the French news agency, Agence France-Presse which reported the following: Pat Robertson, the fire-and-brimstone US evangelical preacher whipping up a new storm over Venezuela, is a founding father of the "Christian Right" wing of American politics….. Robertson and some of his evangelical cohorts are also said to have an "open line" to the White House, and have enthusiastically campaigned for President George W. Bush's two White House election triumphs. Do you catch the tactic? Here is the condensed version they want you to get: Robertson founding father of the Christian Right and some of his evangelical cohorts have an open line to the White House and campaigned for George W. Bush’s election triumphs. Scattered in the article are mentions of the anti-gay and anti-choice positions of Mr. Robertson further painting a picture of an out of touch enemy of the American Progressive agenda.

What we need to remember in all of this is that the liberal media has no real interest in Pat Robertson or Hugo Chavez for that matter. The real prize in this is the looming Supreme Court fight(s). Watch and see that the press does not begin suggesting that President Bush’s Supreme Court nominations have right wing Christian ties, and are therefore dangerous.

Most rational thinking believers in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is what makes one a Christian, disagree with Mr. Robertson. Ted Haggard, president of the National Association of Evangelicals puts it best when he says, “Certainly I don't condone his comments, but I've know Pat for years, and he's a good man. ... I don't think he wants people killed. I think he made ill-advised remarks in his role as a pundit. He does not speak for all Christians or evangelicals." Pat Robertson has said and done many things that have helped thousands, if not millions of people. Do we discard all of that for some ill advised and personal remarks? If liberals followed those rules, we would not have a host of Democratic U.S. Senators and liberal commentators still holding their positions. Do we forget USA Today’s Julianne Malveaux and desire that Clarence Thomas have a heart attack & die at the hands of his wife’s cooking? Ms. Malveaux is still a writer for USA today.

Jesus said that one of the signs of the end would be that, “because lawlessness abounds, the love of may will grow cold.” Mt. 24:12. The word used here for love is the word Agapeo, which we call Agape. It is one of 4 different Greek words used for love. Others are Phileo (brotherly love), and Eros (physical or sexual love). Agape is a God centered and God-like love. A type of Love that is only capable by those who know Him. Jesus was saying that even those who know Him will begin to lose that love for others in the end. I believe Pat is at that point. But there is good news. In verse 24:13 where Jesus said, “but they that endure ‘till the end, the same shall be saved.”

Let us not allow the events of the world shape our faith, and let us not allow the media shape our views toward people we respect, even if they are mistaken.

Ebonics Be Back In Bidness

2005-07-19T12:27:00.000-05:00

Is it just me or does anyone else feel as though we are moon walking as a race. Just as I think we are making progress and moving ahead, wham here comes some idiotic thinking that just causes me to scratch my head.

I just read the latest Worldnet Daily article on Ebonics http://worldnetdaily.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=45334 in which a Southern California school district wants to approve the dialect as curriculum in their schools. The pilot program introduced by the San Bernardino Board of Education is known as the Students Accumulating New Knowledge Optimizing Future Accomplishment Initiative, and has already been implemented in 2 schools in the district. The length of the name alone should tell us something.

Cal State SB sociology professor Mary Texeira says that, "Ebonics is a different language, it's not slang as many believe. For many of these students Ebonics is their language and it should not be considered a foreign language. These students should be taught like other students who speak a foreign language." I guess Ms. Texeira must have gotten her information from the Oakland, CA school board who in 1996 recognized Ebonics as a separate language. But what is it Mary, a foreign language or not? Did she read or hear what she just said? In the same breath she says "it should not be considerd a foreign language" and "should be taught like other students who speak a foreign language."

Texeira believes that the program will be beneficial to students. Benficial how Mary? Name me one American or foreign corporation that discusses business in Ebonics. Name me one tech manual that is written in Ebonics. Where is the benefit?

I wonder if Ms. Texeira would also want to introduce Cajun into the Louisianna curriculum. Or Pigeon into the Hawaiian curriculum? This is just plain silliness masquerading as intelligence.

The only sensical thing Ms. Texeira says is that "these students should be taught like other students who speak a foreign language." That is if you mean kids who speak only in Ebonics should be taught common and proper English.

I live in Tulsa, Oklahoma and we have a growing Russian population. The Russian kids go to our schools, learn English and get jobs speaking English, not Russian. They can speak Russian at home, if their families wish. The same has been true of Vietnamese, and other Asian children for over a generation and they have excelled, not in their native tongues, but in English. Contrast this with ethnic groups, who are encouraged to hold onto to their native tongue. T hose who do, do not succeed while those who are pushed to learn English do succeed.

This is the height of liberal racism, to suggest that ghetto English is a foreign language and that we should not expect those kids to learn common English. Try telling that to any Caucasian, East Indian, Asian or even African parents living in the U.S. and they will laugh at you. That shows just how silly this notion is.

Need I say more?

Can We Get Some Journalists Here?

2005-07-13T21:48:00.000-05:00

Have you, like me, been watching the daily white House press briefings this week wondering if I am watching grown reporters or a kindergarten class? Watching ABC's Terry Moran, NBC's David Gregory, CBS's John Roberts and others is like watching a group of kindergartners throw tantrums just before nap time.

First of all, this entire group is either ignorant of facts, or purposely ignoring facts. Either way the questions they are asking completely miss and ignore facts. Secondly, they act like they do not hear what is being said. I see the picture of the girl on Mad TV with her fingers in her ears going "la, la, la,la,la,la,la," while someone is trying to tell her something. In other words, they are saying, "we refuse to hear a word you are saying we just want our way."

I think that one way or another, good news is on the way. The American public sees this display of childish behavior, and is repulsed. Before long the various journalistic associations will have to offer a public apology to Jayson Blair. The journalistic practices of many of those who continue to be called reporters today is far below the standard set by even Blair.

As ratings for network television and readership of the mainstream print news continues to dwindle, while a counter revolution of new journalistic sources rises, these people will find themselves along side Dan Rather and Bill Maher, scratching their heads and wondering what happened. News happened people, and you missed it.

Bring us some grown ups, bring us some journalists.

Lil' Kim Learns What The Meaning Of Is Is

2005-07-06T14:40:00.000-05:00

In one of the stranger rulings this year, female rapper Lil' Kim was sentenced today to
1 year in prison for perjury.
The Grammy Award winning rapper received a prison sentence of 1 year plus a
$50,000 fine for "lying to a grand jury" to protect friends.

Although this is news, the real story and what makes this ruling so strange is that it has more to do with the state of our political and judicial system than with Kim.

In April of 1999 Judge Susan Webber Wright found that President Bill Clinton was guilty of perjury, among other things, for giving false testimony regarding the allegations of Paula Jones. Wright wrote:

``Notwithstanding these orders, the record demonstrates by clear and convincing evidence that the president responded to plaintiff's questions by giving false, misleading and evasive answers that were designed to obstruct the judicial process.''

``... it simply is not acceptable to employ deceptions and falsehoods in an attempt to obstruct the judicial process, understandable as his aggravation with the plaintiff's lawsuit may have been. ..." Jones v. Clinton, 36 F.Supp.2d. 1118 (E.D.Ark. 12 April 1999)

Despite clear evidence that Mr. Clinton had perjured himself, the entire Democratic Party and much of America came to his defense making an excuse for his lie(s) under oath. The phrase "that depends on what the meaning of is is," is still firmly etched into our minds.

Fast forward 6 years and we now see Lil' Kim without the protection of the Left Wing media prosecuted, convicted and sentenced for a "crime" that is the same as that comitted by the former President.

That would seem like enough of a thought to keep us busy for today, but there is more. The maximum allowed sentence for this "crime" is 20 years in prison, but the prosecution only asked for 3 years. In the end, however, Kim received only a one year sentence. The reason for the light sentence is one for the books. U.S. District Judge Gerard Lynch said he had considered the public perception of sending "a young black entertainer to prison far longer than Martha Stewart." Did you get that? The judge is afraid that people would think something was wrong if we gave a black rapper a much harsher sentence that we gave the rich white lady. So I guess if it were Dido she would be serving 3 years now. Or if it was Lashonda Smith from the Bronx, maybe 10 years. Are they putting law degrees in Cracker Jack boxes now? What kind of legal reasoning is that? To borrow from the late Johnny Cochran, "if you do the crime you must do the time" or "if the glove don't fit you must aquit." You are either guilty or not.

Instead the legal system is beginning to show its serious slide into mediocrity. Situation ethics and moral relativism guides judicial decisions today. There is no real law to be a standard any longer. It appears to be merely what this judge feels is appropriate according to who is in front of them today.

In the end here is the message sent by this verdict today. Perjury is a serious crime and deserves serious jail time, but because we did not punish a rich white lady, and a former President as severely as maybe we should have, we will not punish you as much as we feel you should be.

Come quickly Lord Jesus!

Can We Please Let The Man Do His Job

2005-07-05T11:48:00.000-05:00

The Moment of truth has finally come. The moment conservatives have waited for since the election of 2000. President Bush will finally get to make his first Supreme Court nomination. With this in mind I can understand the excitement and accompanying anxiety that conservatives might feel about the impending nomination. But I have a message for my conservative brothers and sisters: Please let the man do his job.

The simple question to be asked here is, do we really trust President George W. Bush? We have had 5 years now to see President Bush at work. As far as I can tell he has, until now, always been a man of his word. He means what he says and he says what he means. Why should he change now? Did he not say that he would appoint people to the courts who are strict constitutionalists? Did he not say that he is opposed to abortion and same sex marriages? He is not his father, and he is not Ronald Reagan (who gave us Sandra Day Oconner- he is George W. Bush. If we are not willing to trust him with this decision, or any other decision, we should start scraping all of those "W" stickers off of our cars.

To hear some conservatives, you would think Bill Clinton is about to appoint the next judge to the SCOTUS.

They are all up in arms over the possibility of Alberto Gonzalez, a long time friend of the President, being appointed. The reports are that Gonzalez, "may not be conservative enough" on the issues of abortion and affirmative action. First of all Gonzalez himself said, in January, that he will not seek the appointment. Different from VP Dick Chenney, who never said he would not seek or accept the VP position. Secondly, with the long list of good candidates, why would the President need to make this appointment of his "good friend." Mr. Gonzalez is very valuable to the President right where he is.

But even if President Bush were to appoint Mr. Gonzalez, I ask; where is the real harm? At his worst, we can bet he will be more conservative than Sandra Day O'connor was. Futherhmore, as conservatives, we must come to a point where we can see the benefit of incrementalism. This has been the best weapon of the Left. You push hard, take what you get then push some more. Over and over. Otherwise you have to ask for revolution.

Jesus told His disciples to be wise as serpants, yet harmless as doves. I am afraid that too many of us as harmless as serpants and as wise as doves. In plain English we stupidly choose fights we do not need to and end up causing harm in the process. This should not be one of those times.

Let's back up, evaluate and give our input. Then let's let Prssident Bush do his job with our full support. Until he proves unworthy, we owe him that much.

Why A Clinton/Obama Ticket Cannot Win In 2008

2005-07-03T16:05:00.000-05:00

The other day I received an email blast from Wayne Perryman. Wayne asked the question of whether a Hillary Clinton/Barak Obama ticket could win the presidency in 2008. Wayne's answer was no, and he gave some good reasons.

Below I want to give you 5 more reasons, and as they say a picture is worth a thousand words.

These official Mexican stamps were released last week to a huge outcry from civil rights activists and any one with any sense. The White House objecttion to the release of the stamps was swift and strong saying: “racial stereotypes are offensive no matter what their origin and have no place in today’s world."

But Mexican president Vincente Fox who has not yet completely gotten his other foot out of his mouth after a remark in May that, "Mexican immigrants take jobs in the U.S. that not even blacks want," proceeded to insert his other foot by stating that the character is not offensive, but is a beloved comic book character." Beloved by whom Mr. Fox?

The spokesman for the Mexican postal authority echoed President Foxes opinion that the stamps are not offensive, adding that "he is a beloved traditional character." I am willing to bet Memin Pinguin (the character depicted in the cartoon and stamps) is not a super hero. Not unless you consider "Speedy Gonzalez" a super hero, as this is who the spokesman for the postal authorities likened the charater to.

What these recent remarks and the release of the stamps reveal is that there is an unspoken divide between Hispanics and those of African descendent. Although there is public show of mutual respect among the communities, and a common antagonism toward the dominant European American culure, there is no real love between these 2 communities. This is shown here in the official attitudes of the Mexican government, but is well known to those living in most large metropolitan areas. In Los Angeles, just this past school year, there were a number of fights and near riots between black & Hispanic students. It was so bad that the newly elected mayor has had to get involved.

I am willing to predict that having Obama on a 2008 Presidential ticket for the Democrats would bring no less that 25 percentage points to the GOP and probably more. That is on top of the 35% they already gave the GOP in 2004.

I guess Jesse Jackson will need to set up a second residence in Mexico with all of the work to be done there. If he does look for it to be in Cacun

Reaping What Has Been Sown

2005-06-30T10:56:00.000-05:00

They are quaking in their boots at the DNC right now. Why?

A recent poll of likey voters shows Democrats the big losers. While GOP support has taken a bit of a dip, with 43% of likley voters having a favorable opinion of Republicans, only 38% of likley voters have a favorable opinion of Democrats. http://washingtontimes.com/upi/20050629-085428-8801r.htm

By the way just in case there are those who feel that this is a spiked poll, taken by Republican or conservative polsters, this poll was taken by the Democratic party themselves.

Could this be a case of the Democrats reaping what they have sown? With all of the anti-American- yes, I said it anti-American, rhetoric it is wonder that there is still that much support left. The Party has been taken hostage by their progressive wing, which seems bent on attacking any and everything positive about America just to get at a President they loathe.

The Democrats refuse to break from the extremists in their Party and instead seem to be moving more and more in their direction. On the other hand, Republican moderates, to my chagrin, seem to be growing and moving that Party farther into the center.

In 2003, when the Democratic party was selecting a new House Minoriry Leader, Tennessee Congressman Harold Ford ran against California Congresswoman Nancy Palozi. Ford warned that a move to the left would lose Democrats in the Heartland. Ford was spurrned and we have seen what Mrs. Pelozzi has wrought.

Just a few months ago the Party once again missed a great opportunity to distance themselves from the Progressive Left, in selecting Howard Dean to lead the DNC. Dean has done nothing but attack the president, his administration, the war, the GOP and the people in Red States. Add to this statements by new Senate Minority Leader Harry Reid attacking President Bushes Judicial appointments, especially the Black ones, with meritless charges, and we see a pattern.

For the coup de gras, we have Illinois Senator Dick Durban comparing our President and military to the Nazis, the Soviet Gulags, and the Cambodian dictator/Buthcher Pol Pot . Wow, does Mr. Durban really believe that?

All the while the Democrats have yet to propose one piece of positive legislation or action. They are against tax reform, they are against social security reform, against the Patriot Act, against judges, against the appointment of e new UN Ambassador, against gas & oil exploration on our continent, and on and on ........

The Ameircan people are asking, what are the Democrats for? Civil Rights for terrorists? A smaller weaker U.S. military? A larger, weaker United Nations? More taxes and more governement control over all aspects of our lives? Being more sensitive to the French & Germans?

The American people as seen in this and other polls, are rejecting the core values, of today's Democratic Party, as reflected on their televisions, and in other media each and every day.

I would say that this is a definate case of reaping what they have sown. The only question that now remains is: will the GOP show themselves strong and fill the gap left by this failure on the other side? I hope so.

Guest Blog- "IRAQ - an exit strategy"

2005-06-23T22:24:00.000-05:00

Dr. Ada M. Fisher

No matter the politics, the USA can’t turn coat and run from Iraq. To leave before that nation is able to defend itself is to set up another rogue nation for terrorist. The USA must stay the course with a different mind-set, which respects Islamic principles and virtues and focuses on rapid deployment of change agents, which will bring about the economic relief necessary to add stability to that nation.

First, though the President states no weapons of mass destruction were found, we must talk about the fact that we did find and remove a major weapon of mass destruction—Sadam Hussein who inflicted genocide on hundreds of thousands of his own people. It is this action of genocide, which is probably one of two internationally acceptable indications for a preemptive strike or unilateral involvement in the affairs of a sovereign nation. The other being the proven potential to annihilate a substantial portion of the world.

Second, we must acknowledge and accept that not everyone is Christian in his or her orientation nor do we have a right to make it so. In all the praying and fretting over the founding of this nation, forgotten is the fact that it was the concept of religious freedom (First Amendment), the need for individual rights and the concept of property rights which are the strong reasons for this country’s defection from Europe. As President Bush acknowledged, no one enjoys being occupied and neither do men and women of faith appreciate being told who is their God and how that God is to be worshipped.

Thirdly, prisoner abuse must be exorcized. Islam to be understood must first be respected for it surpasses Christianity in its members and converts. Islam is a patrilineal religion with much authority placed in the hands of men who exercise authoritarian control over women in the eyes of some. The humiliation of Iraqi prisoners by showing men naked, reportedly attacked by dogs, posed in sexually degrading postures, is bad enough but to have them splayed before an American woman in their minds is the insult of insults. If civilian Iraqi women have been raped and children molested by those acting on this nation’s behalf, under no conditions will this be tolerated or forgiven by many in the Middle East, nor should it be tolerated by this nation.

Heads will and must roll for our national security is being further threatened. To not understand this means looking over your shoulder constantly for we can never be secure against people who are known to carry on wars for ages. We must support our troops but be mindful that privates, corporals and the like who are underlings are responsible through a chain of command which must be cleansed of this foolishness as well.

Fourth, this nation must understand what the VFW notes, the price of freedom is not free.

Fifth, the use of private contractors not accountable to the US government and US Congress for its actions is something that must be seriously examined. We need a military where all citizens share in the responsibility for the protection and security of the nation against enemies domestic and foreign. We may be at that juncture where volunteers alone may not be sufficient to meet our nation’s needs and commitments. If we required national service of our citizens, we would have more accountability for our involvements and our foreign policies.
Had Oakwood International from Richland, NC been given the housing contract instead of non-competitive bids by Halliburton or political cronies, we could have had substantial concrete housing up in 16 days, which can be adapted by the cultures involved as well as finished with the labor and contributory products from citizens of that country. This housing would have employed and still can employ hundreds in Iraq as well as NC where so many of our jobs have been removed. This housing would give Iraq the economic development needed to quiet the disaffected.

Six, Iraq’s oil isn’t the spoil of the victors nor will it be sufficient to pay debts. It’s past time that this nation had a reasonable energy policy, which looks at new sources of fuel and energy as well as conservation of resources. If 10-15 mile per gallon cars is to be continually used, oil wars will be in the foreseeable future.

Ex-Secretary of State Colin Powell’s public voice has never wavered in his support of the President, nor has his compassion for the people and estimate of the nature of the problems of the troubled Middle East been more on target. Maybe it’s time to let Secretary Powell do what he has done well, be a. top military man for this nation or a United Nation’s envoy to the Middle East.

Dr. Ada M. Fisher is a licensed teacher for secondary education in mathematics and science, previous elected school board member, physician and was a Republican candidate for the 2002 NC US Senate and 2004 NC US Congress 12th District seat.

The Ranks Of The NUTs Keeps Growing

2005-06-21T19:40:00.000-05:00

I had thought that the Robert Byrd story would have been old news by now, but today I was amazed to see his defenders, among black folks, come out of the wood work. Some of these should know better.

It made me wonder if the ranks of the N.U.T.s (New Uncle Toms) is growing or if people are just going nuts, as in losing their minds.

I posted my blog of yesterday on a chat list that I participate in and was sent a copy of an article by Earl Ofari Hutchinson. http://www.thehutchinsonreport.com/index.html

In this article Hutchinson goes far beyond where USA Today, the Washington Post & even the NY Times went in their discussion of Robert Byrd's book.

I have to say that I am left baffled by Hutchinson's article and not sure if he is a NUT or just a nut.

Here are just a few things Earl has to say on Robert Byrd's past. "He's admitted it often, Byrd has come clean and apologized for that sordid episode in his past and he called his night ride with the Klan a foolish move that haunted him for decades."

Poor Robert Byrd. Earl apparently feels sorry for the poor man's having to have suffered.

Hutchinson then goes on an attack of the GOP for most of his article stating that the GOP attacks Byrd because he has been a "Thorn in their side on Bush's war policies." This is followed by a litany of alledged GOP racist practices. Going back to President Eisenhower.

There is a problem, however, with much, if not all, of Hutchinson's accusations. They are questionable at best, and false at their worst.

Here are a few so called GOP atrocities:
1) President Eisenhower is to have referred to black people as Nigras.
2) President Eisenhower is to have winked and told Justice Earl Warren, " that he understood why Southerners would not want their sweet little girls required to sit in school next to some big black buck."
3) President Nixon was to have "routinely peppered his talks with his confidants with deragatory quips about blacks," and enshrined racially tinged words such as "law & order, permissive society, welfare cheats," and others.
4) President Reagan when asked how he would treat black leaders said "to hell with them."
5) President Bush (41) used the infamous Willie Horton add.

He goes on to lambast the GOP for the alledged ties of Trent Lott and Bob Barr to the CCC, and says the GOP tried to keep the the apology on the lynch law issue quiet, "to cover their part in beating back anti-lynching legislation."

Here is the problem with most of this. If it were true and most of this is suspect, at their worst, none of these actions approach anything the Ku Klux Klan did in its past. As a friend told me today, "even if Robert Byrd did not participate in any lynchings personally, if, as he states himself, he recruited 150 members to the Klan and one or more of them did lynch someone, what is his role in those lynchings?"

Beyond that the childishness of this "tit for tat" is ridiculous. Eisenhower called us Nigras, LBJ called MLK "that Nigger Preacher," and it is reported that Bill & Hillary Clinton often referred to us in the N word. So what? Where does this leave us? Both Eisenhower & LBJ are responsible for the Civile Rights Act of 1964. Esidenhower proposed it as the Civil Rights Act of 1957, and Johnson got it passed with the help of GOP Senators in 1964. Tis was done by breaking the fillibuster, of none other than one Sen. Robert Byrd.

Earl Ofari Hutchinson's, and others, feeble attempts leave us with supposedly intelligent people defending indefensable behavior. What does Earl Ofari Hutchinson hope to prove or gain with this? I can only wonder. I hope that whoever is paying his salary is paying him well, becasue he is doing an incredible job or turning crap into gold.

Add One More To The Byrd Dance

2005-06-20T23:31:00.000-05:00

Although I have read several articles and blog posts on the release of the
Robert Byrd book today, I have only seen one place that gets close to asking some of the questions I have been asking regarding the Senator's past. (http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/ June 20,2005)

First of all let me say that I am all for forgiving Sen. Byrd, Gov. George Wallace, Jesse Helms, Al Gore Sr., you name them, but I need to know that the confession and repentance is, as much as is possible, sincere and complete.

In Byrd's book and the related interviews to date, he mentines his so-called "short" stay in the Klan, and that he was drawn to the organization because its members were role models, who were a brothernhood of elites, such as doctors, lawyers, clergy, etc..

Back then "many of the 'best' people were members," he says, and Byrd was vulnerable to the anti-Communism rhetoric. http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-06-20-byrd-memoir_x.htm

He indicates that his motives were pure and patriotic, but once he got involved in politics, that he cut his ties to them.

But questions remain. Why did Grand Keagle Byrd write a letter in December 1945 to Senator Theodore Bilbo, a Mississipi Democrat stating the following?

"I would never fight with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels."

Why, in 1964 during the debate over the Civil Rights Act, did this same Senator Robert Byrd fillibuster the passage of the Act for over 14 hours?

Then of course we have our infamous 2002 "white niggers" comment.

In reading the Washington Post and USA Today articles on this, one would think that Byrd was an innocent, patriotic citizen and that it is easy to understand how one would mistake the Ku Klux Klan for a grown version of the Boy Scouts.

I just have one thing to say that I think will cut through all of this nonsense. Imagine that it had been Trent Lott or any Republican in this situation. What would the discussion have been today?

Learning To Read- (All Over again)

2005-06-16T23:45:00.000-05:00

Some things you just take for granted. You just figure this is how it is and that is it.

Well, that is what I thought about learning to read. I learned my alphabet, vocabulary, and finally sentence structure. Look ma I'm reading. Well, lo and behold, that is appanrently not enough any longer. I am afraid we all need to learn to read in a whole new way in these times.

Last week, I caught a great short piece on the Wall Street Journal's Opinion Journal website, http://www.opinionjournal.com/best/?id=110006790

informing us that the Senate had proposed and would pass a resolution apologizing for failing to pass anti-lynching legislation in the tragic period of our nation's history between the end of the Civil War & the passage of the Civil Rights Act of 1964. There were more that 200 congressional resolutions brought up that would have dealt with the hideous practice, but Senate fillibusters kept that from happening and over 4500 people were murdered by lynching.

Having studied a bit on the history of Senate action in this regard, or should I say inaction, I knew just who was responsible for this. It was Southern Democrats, who used lynching initially and most often as an incentive to keep people from voting Republican. Between 1882 and 1964, 4743 people were lynched of which 3446 were black. Why were most of them black? As per Republican Rep. John R. Lynch, "More colored than white men are thus persecuted simply because they constitute in larger numbers the opposition to the Democratic Party." Godwin Woodson, Negro Orators and Their Orations, p. 276- Rep. John R. Lynch from his speech in the case of his contested election; Russel' & Russell;1969 (1)

This week, after the Senate voted to pass the new resolution, here is how it was reported on the Fox News ticker. " Senate by voice vote, apolgizes for failing to enact over 200 bills banning lynchings. The Congress passed several resolutions, but the Senate with southern conservatives, used the fillubuster to overrided the passage of the resolutions." Did you catch what happened here? The word conservative was used to replace Democrats. But it was not southern conservatives, it was Southern Democrats, that blocked the passage of these bills.

Why is this so important you ask? After I sent out an email informing people of the word switch, several people told me that they had not even noticed this themselves, but that the next day every paper or report that they saw, which did report the resolution used the word conservatives instead of Democrats. Then today a friend told me that he had shown his wife the article without mentioning anything about the choice of terms. His wife read it and in reading the word Southern conservatives exclaimed, "those Damn Republicans." Yes, that is the point, the Democratic Party has managed to successfully implant negative word associations into the minds of black and many poor whites. The words conservative, and right wing Christian, are all interchangeable with Republican in the minds of many Americans. Unfortunately the words have a negative connotation and thus work in the Democrats favor when used in the right context.

So here in this situation, the very Party guilty of the crimes, is able to shift the blame for these crimes, in the minds of the victims, to the very people who worked to fight the crimes; many of them giving their own lives in the process.

No, simply reading is no longer sufficient. There is a sinister plot that has been carried out against the common man. We must now learn to read in a new way. To read beneath and around the words, and to teach others to do the same. As conservatives our very existence depends upon it.

(1) For an in depth, historical look at the Democratic Party's attack upon Republicans in the South go to: www.wallbuilders.org Black History Issue 2003

Barak Obama- "The Next Black Liberal Hypnotist!”

2005-06-16T22:41:00.000-05:00

Most of Black America is in a deep sleep. This sleeping nation, within a nation, has been receiving a steady dose of liberal medicine for decades, and now finds itself at the brink of cultural, economic and political death.

It’s amazing how the liberal agenda has poisoned the thought process of Backs and kept us dependent on liberal thought. We have taken the whole cocktail of liberal logic and without asking what the effects are. The bedrock of this cocktail is none other than the blind dependence on Government.

To think that government “programs” can solve the problem of poverty in the Inner City is unfounded. Government has only a responsibility to provide a strong military, infrastructure and the rule of law to preserve freedom. No government is capable of solving poverty. The only thing that can eradicate poverty is economic growth and all the factors that come along with economic growth: Employment, Wealth Creation, Capital Investment. All of these improve the quality of life.

LBJ tried to deal with poverty, with the “Great Society Projects”. Just take a look at the Cost/Benefit and you will see that the costs were greater than the benefits when examining LBJ’s government programs. Now we have a black senator on the Oprah Show championing big government and socialism, and black America is taking the poison all in.

Senator Obama, seems poised to be the chief leftwing puppet, and the next black sage of socialism. I fear for my people who are listening to this liberal garbage. Black leadership should be out supporting capital development, Black entrepreneurs and school vouchers which will reduce the poverty rate in urban communities. When people are thirsty they will drink anything and right now Black America is thirsty. Although they will drink anything that looks or sounds good, the only thing that can truly quench this thirst is the active use of capitalist principles.

Submitted by Jesse Stewart

Send The Jackson Jury to Washington

2005-06-14T20:18:00.000-05:00

If I had gotten fed up (and believe me I was) with all of the hooplah over the Michael Jackson trial, and the endless punditry, it was all worth it to experience yesterday's verdict and the aftermath.

I do not care what you thought about the verdict, guilt or innocence, that jury was awesome. Think about it, these people sat through months of posturing by lawyers, and even worse posturing and showmanship from supposed professional legal analysts and reporters. In the end, or from the beginning, they made up their own minds.

To see that lefitst darling and attorney, Wendy Murphy melt down on FOX was priceless: "What this verdict shows us is that California juries need to take an IQ test so they can know how to evaluate evidence," she shouted after the verdict was read. Like taking IQ tests to vote Wendy? Only those who think like you get to do it? She went on to imply that young children would now be ravaged by perverts since open season has been declared on them by this verdict. Get a grip Wendy.

To me that jury is a model and hope for America and deserves to be cloned and sent to replace most of our officials in Washington D.C..

Think about it, this jury, of all whites with one Latino, from a community where a black man could not possibly get a fair trial, defied the odds and all of the doubters; they gave Michael Jackson a fair trial. Or more if you believe Wendy.

This jury listened to and evaluated evidence and made up their own minds despite the best efforts of analysts and pundits galor.

They were unanimous in their conclusion that the facts spoke for themselves with no need to look to what if, maybe, or to think about this and that. "The facts ma'am just the facts."

They resisted the pressure of feeling sorry for a so-called victim, looked at the facts as presented and obeyed the rules as presented in the judges instructions. They did not need to have anyone explain what these instructions really meant and what wiggle room they had. "The facts ma'am, just the facts."

They did not look at what may have happened before, or what may happen later, they looked at what happened this time. "The facts ma'am, just the facts."

And they contradicted the polls. Only 1/3 of the American public believes Michael Jackson is innocent. These polls like so many others too often reflect the thoughts of the half-informed, the mis-informed or the uninformed, but who think they have enough information to know better than those on the front lines and that their opinions deserve to be heeded.

This jury was confident, unrepentant, and felt good about itself. And here is the clincher- if it is true that they were unanimous in taking a not guilty vote on the first day, and sticking to that, imagine them keeping it a secret all of those months. What, no leaks, no hint? Wow, when is the last time our government acted that way. That is behavior unheard of in Washington.

Think if we had a Congress, an Administration, oh yes, and a Judiciary, that acted like this jury? Maybe we would get some things done and even be happy about it.

Would Somebody Please Tell Me?

2005-06-13T11:02:00.000-05:00

WHY THE MEDIA, ANALYSTS, AND HIS OWN DEMOCRATIC PARTY ALLOW HOWARD DEAN TO GET AWAY WITH SUCH OUTLANDISH, POLARIZING, EXAGGERRATED AND HOSTILE STATEMENTS?

For instance,

"Dean last week touched off a flurry of criticism by saying Republicans 'never made an honest living in their lives,' which he later clarified to say he meant Republican 'leaders.' " - from San Francisco Chronicle writer, Carla Marinucci:

Now, who does he mean, "Republican leaders" not making an "honest living?"

Could he mean Senate Majority Leader and Harvard Medical grad, Dr. Bill Frist? Never made an honest living, huh? Frist joined the lab of W. John Powell Jr., M.D., at Massachusetts General Hospital in 1977, where he continued his training in cardiovascular physiology. He left the lab in 1978 to become a resident in surgery at Massachusetts General Hospital. In 1983 he spent time at Southampton General Hospital, Southampton, England as senior registrar in cardiothoracic surgery. He returned to Massachusetts General in 1984 as chief resident and fellow in cardiothoracic surgery. From 1985 until 1986, Frist was senior fellow and chief resident in cardiac transplant service and cardiothoracic surgery at the Stanford University School of Medicine. After completing his fellowship, he became a faculty member at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where he began a heart and lung transplantation program. He also became staff surgeon at the Nashville Veterans Administration Hospital. In 1989, he founded the Vanderbilt Transplant Center. "He is currently licensed as a physician, and is certified in general surgery and heart surgery. He has performed over 150 heart transplants and lung transplants, including pediatric heart transplants and combined heart and lung transplants."

Apparently, according to Howard Dean, Dr. Frist, has performed 150 DISHONEST heart and lung transplants (from Wikipedia encyclopedia).

Or is Dean referring to RNC Chairman, Ken Mehlman. According to the Economist, “it is impossible to find anybody in political circles, Democratic as well as Republican, who doesn't think that he's the ideal man for the job [as chair for the Republican National Committee].” Ken previously served as the campaign manager for Bush-Cheney ’04 which political pundit Charlie Cook referred to as, “the best planned, best executed presidential campaign ever.”

So Republicans AND Democrats think Mehlman is the ideal man for the job of chairman of he Republican National Committee...probably because he is such a "dishonest," strategist, as Dean would have you believe. Oh yeah, Howard, Ken Mehlman is a Jew and not the typical "white Christian" of which you claim the Republican Party is most comprised.

Maybe Dean is talking about Vice-president Dick Cheney. Let's check out his "dishonest" credentials: Cheney served as "Secretary of Defense from March 1989 to January 1993, Mr. Cheney directed two of the largest military campaigns in recent history - Operation Just Cause in Panama and Operation Desert Storm in the Middle East. He was responsible for shaping the future of the U.S. military in an age of profound and rapid change as the Cold War ended. For his leadership in the Gulf War, Secretary Cheney was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George Bush on July 3, 1991 (from Wikipedia Encyclopedia)."

Another dishonest Republican -- and this one directed "two of the largest military campaigns in recent history," and received the Presidential Medal of Freedom. I supposed it should have been called the Medal of Dishonor, in Howard Dean's world.

Would other "dishonest" Republican leaders who "never made an honest living in their lives" include Bush cabinet leaders, Donald Rumsfield, Condoleeza Rice, (former secretary of state) Colin Powell, Alphonso Jackson, Alberto Gonzales, and Elaine Chao?

Democrats, y'all need to quit excusing this guy's ranting diatribes. Rein this guy in -- or put a muzzle on his mouth. How can your leading Democratic spokesman, accusing the opposition party of dishonesty, dare to be taken seriously as he spews ill-thought-out half-truths, lies and hyperbole? All in the name of energizing the base [read: collecting more money]?

And would somebody out there in the major media get as upset as I am about this? The man needs to be held accountable for what he says.

Murdock "Doc" Gibbs
Ph. 972-462-1883
Coppell TXProject 21 freelance commentator
DocGobbs@aol.com

Dems Can't Hide From Social Security Truth

2005-06-01T13:11:00.000-05:00

Ever since President Bush announced that he was making social security reform one of, if not the prime issue of his second term, Democrats have done nothing but attack the idea, and to hope that ignorace wins the day. Ever so slowly, however, the truth leaks out.

Last week USA Today writer Dennis Cauchon wrote a piece in the paper entitled: Can The Rich Save Social Security?
http://www.usatoday.com/news/washington/2005-05-31-taxing-rich_x.htm

Cauchon reveals what I have been writing about and telling interviewers for some time now, that raising the ceiling on income subject to FICA will take care of most of the deficit and other solvency questions, while creating a fair and equitable situation.

Cauchon says: "If the wealthy paid 12.4% payroll taxes on all their income but kept their current benefits, Social Security's deficit immediately would become a projected $540 million surplus, the Social Security Administration estimates.

"Even if the rich got higher benefits to reflect their bigger tax bite, Social Security would close its long-term deficit by 93%."

So, it is clear here, that the deficit problem is not really that big of a deal. Well, then if the deficit problem, which seems to be the #1 hit song the Dems are singing, and in tune, can be taken care of, where is the problem?

Let's look at another hit song the Democrats are singing. How often have we heard that personal accounts are a scheme to help the rich and hurt the poor? Really? What scheme is that; I ask?

The funny thing about this is that the so-called friends of the poor, like Sen. Edward Kennedy, oppose the idea of raising the FICA ceiling. Mr. Kennedy's oppostion is allegedly because of a "fear it will undermine political support for the program and recast Social Security as a welfare system rather than a pension program." Are you kidding me? Opposed because it might recast social security as a welfare system? Now that is funny, I have never heard of Mr. Kennedy, or most other Democratic members of Congress concerned about any aspect of a welfare system. I believe the first part of his oppostion is more likely the the real reason for their concern.

I thought Kennedy, et, al, were strong supporters of the welfare system. So why would they be opposed to lifting the ceiling? Could the real reason be that they would finally have to pay their fair share and level the field? I think Kennedy is counting on the public not knowing the truth about who pays their "fair share" in social security taxes.

Let's look at the example Cauchon uses, of Tiger Woods, who made $80million in 2004 vs. another person that made $75,000. Based upon the 12.4% FICA (social Security) tax rate used by Cauchon, Tiger paid $11, 160 in Social Security while the person making $75,000 paid $9375.00. As a percentage of income, Tiger paid .014% of his income in FICA, while the person making $75,000 paid a full 12.4% of his or hers. In real dollars that means Tiger earned $79,925,000 more than the person making $75,000, but Tiger paid only $1785.00 more in FICA taxes. That's fair isn't it?

To get an even better idea of what this means, let's reverse the numbers. The 12.4% of Tigers $80 million is $10 million, while .014% of $75,000 is $10.50. Wow, now who's paying their fair share?

Do you think this might affect who could cares more about the issue? Do you think Ted Kennedy, and other wealthy Democrats and Republicans, who make as much or more than Tiger Woods might care more about reform if this scenario were true?

Let's play with this imaginary scenario some more and add to this the fact that under the present system Tiger could not touch this promised retirement benefit until he is 65. If he died prior to age 65 , with no surviving spouse or children under age 18, uncle Sam keeps the entire $10 million paid in annually. That means that, if Tiger should make this income for 20 years the Govt. would collect and keep $200 million of Tiger's income. Is the light coming on yet?

While, as mentioned in the USA Today article, lifting the ceiling on income subject to FICA could create a permanent federal surplus for these funds, there is a secondary and I believe even more crucial benefit to raising the ceiling. Imagine if the wealthy, like Ted Kennedy, Bill Clinton, George H.W. Bush, Tiger Woods, Peyton Manning or Michael Moore were taxed at a rate of 12.4% of their income. Do you think that these people would allow the system to continue to be run as it has been? I did not even go to Bill Gates and Warren Buffet. With real money involved, I can guarantee you that they would demand accountability and results. Those demands would fix the system and benefit everyone, not just the rich.

At the the present, however, the rich have no vested interest in the system and, therefore, are willing to accept that it is okay as it is. That is why they can say, "if it ain't broke, don't fix it." They have no perception of what "broke" is.

Cauchon asks the question, "can the rich save social security?" I say yes, they can. But a better question might be, will they?

Air Force- Academy or Finishing School

2005-05-28T16:32:00.000-05:00

With the recent uproar at the U.S. Air Force Academy over so-called religious intolerance, I wonder what they are teaching there. I think that we can often learn as much or more from what is taught outside the classroom as from what is taught in the classroom.

According to the Washington Post:

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/03/AR2005050301499.html

Last week, the Washington-based group Americans United for Separation of Church and State issued a 14-page report charging that there is "systematic and pervasive religious bias and intolerance at the highest levels of the Academy command structure."

The report said that during basic training, cadets who declined to go to chapel after dinner were organized into a "Heathen Flight" and marched back to their dormitories. It said the Air Force's "Chaplain of the Year" urged cadets to proselytize among their classmates or "burn in the fires of hell"; that mandatory cadet meetings often began with explicitly Christian prayers; and that numerous faculty members introduced themselves to their classes as born-again Christians and encouraged students to become born again during the term.

Also per the Post- Michael L. "Mikey" Weinstein, a White House attorney in the Reagan administration who graduated from the academy in 1977 and has sent two sons there, said yesterday that "a colossal failure of leadership is resulting in a constitutional train wreck" at the school.

"The place is being held hostage in a vise grip by evangelical Christians, and people are terrified to come forward," he said.

Aren't we being a bit overly dramatic here "Mikey"? So, you want Christians to just shut up and not share their faith, huh "Mikey"? How in the heck did this guy make it through?

This is the second major investigation at the academy in two years. In 2003 an investigation focused on the claims of several female cadets that the academy was guilty of rampant cases of sexual harrassment and asualt.

While there were a few cases of individual sexual assault and harrassment proven at the AFA, it was a far cry from being pervasive or approved behavior. Never the less it prompted an entire overhaul of its policy toward women.

Now we are going to see another investigation that will, most likely, show that some overly zealous evangelical cadets, and officers shared their faith openly. But where is the crime?

I am going to just assume that some upper class cadets did harrass underclassmen by forming a "heathen" flight. But remember that this is a military academy, is that not what upper class cadets do? Is this not a time honored tradition, finding things to harrass plebes with?

Furthermore, if an admonition of the Bible is to "make disciples of all men," would a chaplain not be disobeying his or her faith in not encouraging other to do the same? What does the term evangelical mean anyway? Those that evangelize.

Religious persecution and true bias would be if, there were no oportunity for Jewish, Islamic or other faiths to express themselves in worship, or were forced to attend Christian chapel. It would also be if these and atheists were denied promotion or actually punished for their lack of Christian belief.

It is not being confronted by another faith or being made uncomfortable by the discussion of another faith. So someone is told they are going to hell if they do not convert. That actually happened to me in college. A guy told me I was in danger of going to hell if I did not accept Jesus. I responded that I might go to hell, but I was surely going to send him there if he did not get out of my face. End of story.

If being made to feel uncomfortable in the academy is too much I question whether a person is fit to lead others in combat. Are we developing men and women to become mature, hardenened, tough minded fighting machines and leaders, or charming diplomatic wimps?

I grew up with a big nose. Others let me know I had a big nose. I suffered abuse due to my big nose. But my big nose made me the man I am today. I survived inspite of and possibly because of my big nose. It made me a survivor.

If one cannot survive verbal insults from within the circle of those that are closest to them, they will certainly crumble under pressure at the first attack from without. This is not the type of person whose leadership I would want to entrust my kids life and my nation's survival to.

Further more, I send a warning of being careful of what you wish for, as you might one day get it. You might well remove all Christian influence from the military, and all Christians as well. Of course we have already seen what happens when we have that. It was called the Soviet Union, Red China, and the Viet Kong.

We have seen what kind of military these nations produced free from any and all religious belief. Is this what we want?

Selective Outgrage

2005-05-18T12:25:00.000-05:00

For more than a week now our newspapers and television sets have been filled with images of a hostile and rioting Muslim World, reacting to a Newsweek article that a Koran had been flushed down a toilet by interegators at Guantanimo Bay's detention facility. Newsweek has now retracted the story stating that it was an "unfortunate" error, (Unfortunate error, are you kidding me?) but the Muslim street is not buying it and now feels that Newsweek is succumbing to White House pressure and covering for them.

There are enough angles in this story to launch a thousand blog sites. We have already seen and heard, and I am sure that we will be seeing alot more stories on the Newsweek angle. But I want to deal with this from another angle. That is the angle of the selective outrage. Why is it big news that Muslims are outraged at the flushing of a Koran? What would the story be if a Bible or Torah, were flushed, burned or desecrated by Muslims I wonder? Would it even be a story or would we even hear about it? I doubt it !

The fact is that not only are Bibles burned and destroyed on a daily basis in the Muslim world, and we never hear of it, but Christians are persecuted and abused on a regular basis as well and the media world remains silent. In fact just after writing this post I was sent a link to a Worldnet Daily article called:

Palestinians Used Bible Toilet Paper
http://www.wnd.com/news/article.asp?ARTICLE_ID=44324

The article states that: "While Muslims have responded with deadly outrage to the now-retracted report by Newsweek of alleged Quran desecration by U.S. interrogators, there was little outcry three years ago when Islamic terrorists holed up in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity reportedly used the Bible as toilet paper."

On a more personal note, in 1981 I was in Morocco on a missions outreach. We had been there for several weeks when we stopped for gas one evening. A young station attendant came to our van and after finding that we were Americans told us of how he loved America and that we were his American friends. Feeling that this was a warm and friendly young man, one of the ladies with us handed him a Christian tract, in Arabic, telling of the Father love of God. After reading just a bit of it he became very agitated and threw it back into her face and began cursing and ranting. So much for our being "his American friends." We were told by another attendant to leave before the police came, and we did so. We did not stop until we were across the border in Ceuta, Spain.

A year later several of our friends went there again but were not as fortunate as us, they were arrested and imprisoned for a few months for having Christian literature, in Arabic, in their possession. They were only released after there was a threat of a major media push to expose the arrests in the wake of a UN meeting, in Rabat, the capital city.

Since then things have not only not gotten better, they have gotten worse, and the general reaction to this is only that Christians should respect those cultures. There are countless stories of Christian persecution in the Muslim, and Hindu world as well, but the media remains silent.

Why are we supposed to respect those cultures and they not respect ours? We not only allow but invite Arab Muslims and other nationalities and faiths to come and freely worship and express their faith here, and would be castigated for anything less. Yet, Christians are attacked for any attempt to express a faith that has liberated billions and given a message of hope for all mankind.

I do not expect things to change, but I do expect recognition of the selective outrage.

Equal Opportunity Offenders

2005-05-11T23:39:00.000-05:00

Here is one that will upset White men and Black women all over the world.

Afro-British singer Seal and German, Victoria Secret model Heidi Klum were married, on a beach in Mexico, Tuesday.
http://news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20050511/ap_en_mu/people_seal_klum_4

People are already shocked & pissed off that academy award winning actress Rene Zelwigger and Country singer Kenny Chesney were married, also on a beach, in the Caribbean , last weekend.

Is there a pattern here? Maybe the couples were together recently, got drunk and said "let's see how many minds we can totally mess with this weekend."

I guess if we see Cowboy Troy's "Hick Hop" release, "I Play Chicken With The Train" hit the top of both Country and Hip Hop charts, Rodney King's work will have been done. We will all finally be able to "just get along."

Redefining Hypocrisy

2005-05-05T14:47:00.000-05:00

The other day I was participating in an online discussion on a chat list that I participate in. The discussion revolved around Republicans in Congress proposing a bill that would exempt pharmacists from having to sell the so-called “Morning After” pill, if doing so violates their personal beliefs. Essentially the discussion evolved into one post after another expressing the hypocrisy of the GOP members of Congress and the “religious right.” Although no specific examples of this hypocrisy were named, the usual, general examples of priests molesting children and/or various preacher and moral people’s indiscretions were cited. This made me think about the merits of these claims.

As I thought about it, and it did not take long, or a lot of thinking to realize that these typical examples of hypocrisy are not truly examples of hypocrisy at all, and that these attacks are really misdirected for a couple of reasons. Let’s look at the so-called examples of hypocrisy cited above; a priest, a pastor, or a typical person of faith failing to live up to the moral standard they preach. They would call this sin, and they would be guilty of violating the very standard they preach. But failing to live up to a moral standard, or any standard is not hypocrisy; it is simply failure or coming up short. This is, in fact, a part of the very message they preach. They simply become tragic examples of the human condition. Hypocrisy, on the other hand, would be if that person were to say that there is a moral standard, but that it does not apply to them. Or, that same person trying to find some loophole, which makes the rule or law apply to others, but not to them. Enter the Democratic Party.

People on the “Left” are quick to point to examples of Newt Gingritch, and a few select others who have had moral failings as supreme examples of the hypocrisy of the GOP. But if we look at every example of a Republican caught in a moral indiscretion from Sen. Robert Packwood, to Illinois Congressman Frank Ryan, who was forced to give up a Senate run against Barak Obama due to a personal matter between himself and his wife, in each case the Republican has paid a price. As mentioned, Bob Packwood, Newt Gingritch, Asa Hutchinson, Frank Ryan, each received swift condemnation from their own Party and supporters. Each also accepted their punishment and left office. Where is the hypocrisy? If one wants to look at true hypocrisy we need look no farther than the Democratic Party, who have refined it, and made it a fine art.

Let’s look at some of the fine examples in that Party. We can go back to the examples of Massachusetts Congressman, Barnie Franks, Hawaiian Sen. Daniel Inouye, and of course who can forget President Clinton. In each case there was a strong defense of the action, a strong denial, or both. In no case was any of the above mentioned punished for their actions.

Basically the difference between the Left & the Right, the GOP and the Democrats, is this: the “right” and the GOP say there is a standard, and even thought we may fail to always uphold it, it is a standard nevertheless. The “Left,” and the Democrats, on the other hand, while wanting to make those on the right live up to a standard, deny that there is a standard when it comes to them. Each of the cases mentioned above involved harassment, with subordinates, and even criminal acts, but were swept aside and ignored by those on the “Left.” Sometimes this is so blatant that it is sad.

In 1996, while the Monica Lewinsky matter was being played out before the American public, there was a lightly reported military courts martial taking place at the same time. This military trial involved 5 African American Army personnel who had had sexual relations with subordinate females. One of the strange parts of this trial was the fact that the Sergeants were being accused of rape, when there was no actual accusation of rape by any of the female subordinates. The females made a very loud protest, in fact, that the consensual acts were being made into something more. After thinking about this for a bit, it became pretty clear why there was a need by some to make the acts appear more severe than they were. There was a need to distinguish these acts from the very same thing the then sitting President had done with a female subordinate. This attempt failed, however, yet the result of the trials was very different. While each of the 5 soldiers were removed from the armed forces, having lost all rank, and retirement benefits, with some doing prison time the President’s, the Commander in Chief of the armed forces, actions were defended as being his personal business and not worthy of disciplinary action of any kind.

Fast forward to 2005 and the cases of Tom Delay, John Bolton or the Senate hearings regarding the nomination of appellate court justices and we see the very same M.O. In each case a very different standard of judgment is being applied to the each of these individuals than is to Democrats and those on the Left. In the case of Republican nominees, we have the Bork or Thomas standard, while with Democrats we have a very different, or no standard.

There is one final and blatant bit of hypocrisy on the part of the Left & the Democrats I want to address. That is the hypocrisy in the use of the words “ Freedom and Choice” by those on the Left. When it is convenient, such as in the case of abortion, the Left lifts the word choice high. Even children are somehow capable of making a “choice” in cases of abortion and sexual orientation without the need to involve parents, or the state. When it comes to the right to protest against or to present any anti-American, anti-religious speech, or to publish any type of sexual pornography, the Left loudly proclaims the right to individual freedoms and decries censorship. However, when it comes to spirituality or questions of creation vs. evolution, the same children are incapable of making a choice and the state is must to make the choice for them. When it comes to saving for retirement, individuals are incapable of making a choice for themselves on how to invest for their retirement. The state must do this for us as well. Yes, there is hypocrisy in abundance, and the Left has taken it to a whole new level. In their world there are only rules for those who try to live by them. For the rest anything goes, it is only win at any cost.

Barak Obama-The Face Of The New Uncle Tom

2005-04-09T17:07:00.000-05:00

For those who read my now 8 year old essay on the New Uncle Tom and the New Establishment the theme has not changed. However, they each now have a face.

In my 1997 piece I had written that there is a new "establishment" in America. By establishment I am speaking of the cultural powers that shape culture and dominant thought. Historically this "Old" establishment was the gorverning or coporate power structure of a nation. However, in the late 50s to 60s, that paradigm shifted and the dominant force in shaping dominant thought & culture became special interests. Speical interests shape much of dominant culture and thought and control much of the media, arts and entertainment.

Whereas in the past, particualrly in the South, the Democratic Party and its terror arm, the KKK, operated at the behest of former and existing plantation owners, by the late 60s "Left Wing" special interests became the "slave masters," forging an alliance with the Democratic Party. It was an odd coupling, but has been a very successful one.

Let us look at some of the historical facts, as recently documented in the case of:

WAYNE PERRYMAN on behalf of himself
and AFRICAN AMERICAN CITIZENS
of the UNITED STATES

Plaintiff,

v.

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL COMMITTEE
and the NATIONAL DEMOCRATIC PARTY

Defendants.

UNITED STATES DISTRICT COURT
WESTERN DISTRICT OF WASHINGTON
AT SEATTLE
No. CV04-2442

This case, and I encourage you to read it, states that:

This is the only case of record where millions of people were brought to this country against their will, enslaved for over 200 years, denied their constitutional rights by the legislative efforts of one political party and were beaten, murdered, tortured and terrorized by members from that party (from 1792 to 1962), and were never compensated for their suffering. There are a number of cases that address redress, but none that address the impact that one political party had on an entire race of people.

Let me repeat the words, "by the legislative efforts of one political party, and were beaten, murdered, tortured and terrorized by members from that party (from 1792 to 1962)."

Guess which party is being referenced.

On September 12, 1876, one hundred years after the signing of the Declaration of Independence the following story was reported: "white Democrats (the only kind there were in those days) are waging a war of "redemption" from Reconstruction in anticipation of the presidential election. Throughout the South "rifle clubs," "sabre clubs," and "rifle teams" of former Confederates are being organized into infantry and cavalry units. Already accounts of intimidation, beatings, and murder directed against Republicans, and blacks (often one in the same) surfaced. After the murder of 300 black men in a single Mississippi county , one man, convinced that the words from the Democrats own mouths would convince the world of their design, pleaded with the New York Times, "for God's sake publish the testimony of the Democrats before the Grand Jury." ( The Great Influenza-John M. Barry p.12;Viking Publishing 2004)

This would usher in what later became known as the "Jim Crow " South. The terrorism from Democrats in the form of abuse of Republicans and blacks in the South, via their terror arm, the KKK, would eventually win back a southern Democratic majority in Congress and the White House.

One of those southern Democrats elected under Jim Crow was a Grand Kleagle of the KKK named Robert Byrd. A Kleagel was an official recruiter for the Ku Klux Klan paid $10 per recruit to the organization. Byrd was a very effective Kleagle and said that he joined the organization because, "it offered excitement", and "was an effective force in promoting traditional American values." Senator Byrd says he broke his ties with the Klan in 1943, but in a letter to the Imperial Wizard of the KKK, discovered later and written 3 years after his alleged departure from the Klan, Byrd says: "The Klan is needed today as never before and I am anxious to see its rebirth here in West Virginia, and in every state in the Union."

In another later letter Grand Kleagle Byrd wrote in opposition to the intergration of the U.S. armed forces. In this letter he vowed, "never to fight with a Negro by my side. Rather I should die a thousand times, and see Old Glory trampled in the dirt never to rise again, than to see this beloved land of ours become degraded by race mongrels, a throwback to the blackest specimen from the wilds."

Today the former Klansman is opposed to a GOP attempt to break a filbuster, but that is in line with his former actions. In the landmark 1964 Civil Rights Act battle in the Congress, the same Senator Robert Byrd filibustered for 14 hours against the passage of the bill. He also opposed the nominations the Suprem Court's 2 black Justices, Thurgood Marshall & Clarence Thomas.

Even as recently as 2002, Senator Byrd made the statement on race that "there are white niggers too! I have seen a lot of white niggers in my time." Translation, there are black niggers and oh, yes, there are white ones too.

I have given several examples here of one Democratic Senator's racist history, there are many others, but this one is so in your face that it begs for exposure.

I say all of this to lead to my point of exposing an "unholy" alliance. The alliance of old establishment and new establishment. Each seeks to retain power and to keep the common man ignorant and oppressed, albeit by different means. Each one, however, has on thing in common, they use the media and Uncle Toms to do their work.

When have we seen the New York times, the LA times, ABC,CBS or NBC News, exsposing the history and even recent remarks by Sentaor Byrd and others. Just one year ago Connceticut Senator Chrstopher Dodd praised Senator Byrd with the following remarks"

“Robert C. Byrd…would have been right at any time [in our history]. He would have been right at the founding of this country…he would have been right during the great conflict of civil war in this nation. I cannot think of a single moment in this nation’s 220-plus year history where he would not have been a valuable asset to this country.”“Robert C. Byrd…would have been right at any time [in our history]. He would have been right at the founding of this country…he would have been right during the great conflict of civil war in this nation. I cannot think of a single moment in this nation’s 220-plus year history where he would not have been a valuable asset to this country.”

Anyone remember Trent Lott's remarks about Strom Thurman and the outcry? It was so loud that Mr. Lott lost his position as Senate majority leader, as he should have, and darm near lost his Senate seat all together. What was the response to Senator Dodd's remarks? Imagine crickets chirping right now.

This brings me to the final and main point of this writing. In their desparation to maintain as much power as possible over this country and its most loyal servants, black Americans, the old and new Establishment have formed this alliance and have pulled out the stops. They have set loose their "A Team" Moveon Pac, and enlisted the help of their New Uncle Toms in order to keep the slaves on the plantation.

Last year Moveonpac was one of a few organizations that received over $80 million from just a handful of people, in an attempt to defeat President Bush. Along with Joint Victory Campaign, and America Coming Together these three groups worked overtime to oust President Bush. Three of these people were George Soros, a Hungarian immigrant and currency trader who is also the founder and chairman of the "Open Society Institute. Soros, along with Progressive Insurance CEO Peter Lewis and Hollywood mogul Steven L. Bing are committed to ushering "A Brave New World."

Although having received less money than JVC & ACT, Moveonpac & it's communications arm Moveon.org, is the most outspoken and well recognized of these groups.

Moveon Pac has raised over $500,000 in the last few months for the re-election of our dear Grand Kleagle and Senator from West Vrginia, Robert C. Byrd. The chief New Uncle Tom, they have enlisted, is none other than the newly elected senator from the State of Illinois "call me sliker that "Slick Willie," Barak Obama. Below is the Moveon ad that Senator Obama did on behalf of Robert Byrd.

Dear MoveOn member,

I'm writing today about a senator who needs your urgent support. Senator Robert Byrd was one of the first senators I met with when I came to the Senate 3 months ago. Senator Byrd understands the history, the importance and the role Senate plays in our government--at 87 years old, he's the most senior senator.
He has spoken out passionately against a Bush foreign policy that has alienated our allies throughout the world.

Today, he is fighting an attempt by Republicans to change the 200-year old rules of the Senate that would allow Republicans to ram federal judges through the Senate with no regard for what others might say. Above all, Robert Byrd understands just how sacred the Constitution of our country truly is and fights every day to protect it.

Now he needs our help. In 2006, Senator Byrd will be the target of Republicans because he stands up for what he believes.
I want to be sure Robert Byrd is here fighting for us in the Senate.

Will you join me in supporting his campaign for re-election, before a critical deadline this Thursday? You can give online at: link deleted

I hope you will give generously to help send Robert Byrd back to the Senate for another term to fight for the Constitution and the freedom of speech we all enjoy.
...
Remember, in order to win back the Senate majority, we need Robert Byrd. The work you do is extremely important--you and millions of others, working through MoveOn, have helped change the way politics works in this country. Thank you for your help.
Sincerely,
Barack Obama

PAID FOR BY MOVEON PACNot authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee.
-----------------------

If it were not so blatant it would be tragic. We need Robert Byrd??

And this is the "New Black Hope"? I wonder what kind of Black History Mr. Obama was studying at Harvard, or was he so preocupied with his Leftists idology classes that he missed the part about Robert Byrd's past?

I suppose that all these people feel they need to do is mention the name of George W. Bush and all other sins are washed away from those opposed to him. I think not. I hope for better from Black America.

Although there are many others the New Establishment now has a very recognizable face, in Moveon.org, and although there are many "New Uncle Toms", the New Uncle Tom now also has a recognizable face, it is that of Barak Obama. Let us not forget that.

Eddie Huff

Could Lebanon Be Seen As A Metaphor For Black America

2005-03-08T23:13:00.000-06:00

I was watching the news this week, as I do lots these days, and as I did so I was struck by an amazing thought. While seeing a report on Lebanon and the recent happenings there, I thought, "man, this is just like Black America." Could Lebanon become a metaphor for Black America?

Here is what I mean. in the late 1970s & 1980s the Lebanese nation was in chaos and its people were in a world of hurt. There was infighting among its various tribal and religious factions and Israel, its perpetual enemy, was wreaking havoc on them. The U.N., in an effort to stabalize things and help the leaderless and directionless nation, commissioned Syria to send its troops in to end civil war, defend the land and essentially help rebuild Lebanon. This the Syrians did, but at a price. Syria ended up making Lebanon an extension of itself and long after stabalizing the land remained to control every aspect of its affairs. Lebanon became nothing more than a Syrian state or colony.

In our own nation there is a very similar situation going on. In the 1950s and 60s, Black America was in great turmoil. We were searching for leadership, we were oppressed from within and without and things looked bad. The "liberal wing" of the Democratic Party was commissioned, if you will, to aid, protect and establish us as an equal and fully functioning people in this nation. Forty years have now passed and things have changed. New paradigms exist and new opportunities are at hand. Black America is much stronger now, and we no longer need the care and oversight we might have 40 years ago. Nevertheless the liberal establishment seems to continue to view us as their own personal domain. The Black community often seems like nothing more than an extension of the leftist wing of Democrat Party. They dictate what we are to think and how we are to act on any given issue.

Just as elements within Lebanese society are rising up to cry for total freedom, there are those in America's Black community demanding the same. As Christians, Druse and Suni Muslims in Lebanon are uniting in a call for the Syrians to take their army and influence out of Lebanon, there are many in the Black community demanding that Liberals take their demands and influence out of our community.

But then there is Hezbollah, who stands with Syria in its occupation of Lebanon. Of course we have our own Hezbollah within our community. Those who feel they will lose their money, power and influence if the occupiers leave. Remember that Hezbollah is a terror organization in Lenabon, supported 100% by sources from outside its own borders and esentially puppets. Yes, there is a Hezbollah in theAfrican American community too. Psycho-political terrorists bent on damaging America as a whole, funded by those outside of our community, whose interests are not necessarily in our best interest.

Black America, like Lebanon, must stand up to our Syrians, the liberal elitists and their representatives, what I call the "new Uncle Toms (our Hezbollah), and we must demand that they leave. We are not the weak, defenseless people we were 40 years ago. We are ready to take our place on the national and world stage.

Only then will we be free and achieve all that we can.

Are We Becoming What We Hate?

2005-03-06T20:27:00.000-06:00

A wake up call to my fellow black conservatives

Last November I, like so many of my fellow conservatives, especially black conservatives, rejoiced and reveled in the astounding victory we achieved on election day. As quickly as I found myself drenched in euphoria, however, I became concerned and was also struck with a sobering thought that this was not a time for pride or boasting. Instead it was a time of great responsibility and for some sober reflection. Reflection on what course we need to take to build upon this conservative victory as a foundation for future achievements.

I was not wrong to be concerned. Recently I have been very much reminded of the famous POGO comic strip quote in which he says: “We have met the enemy and he is us.”

Just recently I attended a “Black Conservative” forum in Washington, D.C.. I was expecting or really hoping for inspiration, some direction and good networking opportunities. As I sat, watched & listened I was disappointed as I saw “Brothers” that I highly respect slump to what I considered to be pitiful mediocrity. It would be one thing if this were a unique instance, but on a regular basis now I am seeing black conservatives become something that I do not find particularly attractive. And I know that if I am struggling with it, those outside the fold are finding it even harder to want to join us.

I believe that it might be a case of abused child syndrome. You have a child raised in a home where one or both parents are alcoholics, and abusive. The child grows up swearing it will never grow up to be like that, then fast forward 20-30 years and they have become exactly what they hated. Black conservatives appear to be headed in that direction.

Here are some signs of that:

Two weeks ago I tuned in to the FOX News Channel, not the typical evening fare but a morning slot, and saw a black conservative spokes person asked a simple question that should have been answered in 5 seconds. Instead this “Brother”, hymned and hawed for several minutes, never actually answering the question. The question was, “will the recent accusations against Bill Cosby hurt his message?” The simple answer was or should have been, “yes, it will.” The speaker could then have had an excellent opportunity to say that, “Bill is a man respected in all circles and his challenge to the Black community gives the message more power. However, when a powerful messenger is wounded, the message suffers. It does not mean that the message is wrong, but the delivery and impact will be hurt. It just means we will have to go back to the tough grass roots work and not give up on that message.” That is what I believe should have been said, but the speaker went all around the question, and therefore, never made his point and lost not only the audience, but even the Fox News host in the process.

Then we get to the recent meeting in D.C. It was slated to be, and I had assumed it would be, a forum on what the future holds for the conservative Black movement; with positive, forward thinking. It ended up, however, being a backward looking and a negative gripe session. The moderator spent most of his time in attacking the person of Jesse Jackson and other black liberals. His attacks were so ferocious that I, no fan of Jesse’s, was offended. I think the “Brother” forgot the scriptural admonition that “we wrestle not against flesh & blood.” He was out for blood that day. Another participant spent many minutes telling us that we (black Americans) are the problem, as though this is news, and that there is little or no responsibility or burden on the part of society at large for the plight of black Americans? It is well known and documented that black conservatives believe there is a new day in America and that we can make it with hard work and perserverence. But that does not mean we stick our heads in the ground and pretend there are no hindrances and problems that the larger predominantly white society is at some level responsible for. The event, despite having some surprising high points, left an overall unsatisfied taste in my mouth.

Then on the heels of this meeting, I saw another good and well known conservative “Brother” on TV asked about Donna Brazile’s article, which takes surprising notice of the GOP’s inroads to the Black community. This Brother only heard Donna Brazile’s name and went off in an attack on her, not hearing the real question and missing the entire point of the question.

What I am saying is this, for many years black conservatives have felt like the abused stepchild. We got no attention, when we did it was usually the wrong kind, and we had to struggle for every thing we got. Yet, since the most recent national elections we are feeling more empowered and are finally getting some attention. Instead of remaining cool and calm, while quietly, yet strategically moving our agenda forward, we seem to be taking on the characteristics of our abusers, who were mostly our brothers and sisters on the “Left.” We are beginning to do the things we have been railing against for years.

At a time when we should be moving forward in strength and humility, we act proud yet weak. When we should be listening and looking for bridges into the Black Community, we are hard of hearing and on the attack.

Here are some a suggestions that I want to give to my conservative brothers & sisters in general, but particularly to those of color. First, let's forget the personal attacks. Jesse, Al, Julian et,al, are not the problem. White Liberal ideology and its permeation into society is. Next, when someone we respect, wh0 is on our side makes a mistake, or an idea is a mistake, let's admit it is a mistake and move on. Let's answer questions directly and honeslty. Finally, let us never for once think we have arrived. The day is young and we have miles to go.

I know how we have suffered, I know how hard it has been, and I know how good it is to finally feel free and respected, but let us not get ahead of ourselves. This is a crucial time in Black history, and we need to show the new direction and leadership that will change a generation. What I am seeing, however, is far from that. Let’s not act like children.

Eddie Huff

Bill Cosby's Dilema

2005-02-11T01:48:00.000-06:00

In was watching Fox News Channel the other day and I saw a black conservative asked the question, "will the sexual abuse charges leveled against Bill Cosby hurt his message?" It was extremely painful to see this brother try to answer what should have been a simple question, with a simple answer, in a complicated manner.

For some reason black conservatives are so happy to have a person with some standing or clout in the Black community come to their side that they will do almost anything to keep them there. It is kind of like when famous musicians or other entertainers convert to Christianity. They become over night saints and heroes. The newly "Born Again" are expected to somehow give more credibility to the Gospel message than the average life long believer. In fact often times less is expected of them than the “common” believer. But this can be a dangerous game, as is the case here, when the celebrated person has a fall. It can actually be a set back and it will hurt the message. The answer should have been a simple yes, it will hurt him and it will hurt his message. Not because it will diminish what he said, but because it diminishes the man, and he will no longer be able to champion that message. It means we are back to the back breaking work of spreading the message the hard way; one lonely, and often obscure, black conservative at a time.

Now whether or not Mr. Cosby is innocent or guilty of the charges is irrelevant, or it should be, with regard to the things he was saying. Whether or not he succumbed to the temptations of the flesh should not diminish the fact that our community has serious problems that we, and only we, can truly address.

I sincerely hope that Mr. Cosby is innocent, not because of his coming to the conservative side, I actually think he is still a Liberal at heart anyway, but for the sake of his family and the good he has done and can yet do for our community. But in either event, take heart my brethren, the message in itself will win the day and others will come our side in due time.

Can We Please Quit Swimming Upstream

2005-02-10T01:25:00.000-06:00

Over the past few years I have written a number of articles regarding the amazing, contrary nature of Black American opinion to the rest of the nation. This includes attitudes on not only the usual issues such as affirmative action, welfare reform, the war in Iraq, and the President, but even the likes of the election of the “Governator,” Arnold Schwarzenegger. While most of America thinks a certain way on any issue by a margin of 50% to 90%, African Americans consistently feel 70% to 90% the other way on those same issues.

In the past I have spoken of the danger in taking such a diametrically opposed posture on everything. I believe that we render ourselves insignificant in such a consistent and easily definable position. We then marginalize our effectiveness as a force for positive change. But today I want to speak about the one issue that African Americans should not only be on board for, but which we should be leading the charge on. It is an issue that could well determine the prosperity or lack thereof, of future generations of African Americans. The issue is Social Security reform.

The left is trying, once again, to get a Pavlovan Dog-like reaction against President Bush’s plan for reform of the current system, with their so-called "populist" arguments against the reform effort. They use the typical word associations and scare tactics in an attempt to make us think that this is some evil plot to rob us and our children of another entitlement. Seniors will starve now, and your children will have nothing when they grow up, they cry. They do this while in reality almost the opposite is true and only inaction will be the true robber of future generations.

Star Parker wrote an excellent article on the subject of Social Security reform and the need for it in the Jan. 11th issue of Townhall.com. What’s The Congressional Black Caucus Thinking www.townhall.com/columnists/StarParker/printsp20050111.shtm In this piece Parker states the more typical and technical arguments for the privatization of Social Security. She discusses the difference in retirement income for a 22 year old under the current and a proposed privatized system. Parker even includes a link which allows one to calculate the difference in retirement income under the current plan and that of a private plan http://www.socialsecurity.org/. I encourage everyone to read Star’s article as it is very informative and right in all it says.

But, I do not want to deal with the typical and technical arguments on the subject, as you will hear plenty of these in the days and weeks ahead, rather, I wish to appeal to a more basic benefit of reform, in the way of privatization. I want to discuss the one central aspect of Social Security that is most dear to me and that I believe is most important to African Americans because it is so lacking in our culture. That is the issue of estate planning.

Wealth may be come by, by a couple of basic means. One of these is through a sudden windfall such as a lottery win, large legal settlement, or by signing a major sports or entertainment deal. The other is through a slow, disciplined and methodical accumulation and endowment to future generations. While we, as a race, have done fairly well in the windfall category, we lag way behind in the latter. Not because we do not work hard, or accumulate, I would say that in general we do as well as anyone in that area, but where we are light years behind is in the area of establishing a lasting familial wealth. Each subsequent generation must begin afresh, while others seem to be able to build upon a foundation established by prior generations. We are poorly adapted to planning our estates. Interestingly we understand and are strong believers in life insurance, but not in the other side of estate planning, which is the transfer of assets. I saw this in a very direct and tragic way, as a youngster, upon the death of an aunt and the way her estate was handled. After years of unecessary legal dealings her home and all that was in it was sold, and the proceeds were divided among the various surviving relatives (she was never married and had no children). The lawyers and accountants made large fees for their dealings and the family members split what was left, which was about 1/4 of the actual, initial value of her estate. This was not necessary, but no one knew better. I have since seen this repeated many times in other family's situations. It is simply a matter of ignorance of how an estate and money works. With regard to her Social Security, as a single woman with no surviving children there was no one left behind to received any benefit from her Social Security and the balance of her account was absorbed into the system.

I believe that Social Security is one of those areas where ignorance abounds. It is not a black or white thing, the ignorance transcends color, but African Americans are hurt more by it.

Social Security needs to be undesrtood for what it was initially designed to accomplish. It was designed to be 3 things in one. A retirement account or pension plan for workers who were not sophisticated enough to invest on their own, a disability insurance plan, and a limited life insurance plan. It was a great idea and a great benefit that has been a blessing to millions. But it also has its draw backs. As is often the case, a govenrment entitlement can be misunderstood and misused. Social Security was initially intended to be a temporary measure, and it was not intended to replace individual retirement accounts; but for many it did. Once it was enshrined in American life, the problems surfaced. The main problem lies in how Social Security was designed. It was not intended to last perpetually and it is not particularly well suited to African Americans and their needs. I do not think this is by design, it just turned out that way.

When it was initiated, Social Security was based upon 16 workers supporting one non-worker. Decreasing mortality, and an exploding population were not taken into account. These factors have altered the equation. Today a little over 3 workers support one non-worker (retired, disabled, or survivors benefit), and that ratio is decreasing. The fact that mortality rates are higher among African Americans than other races schews the equation; against us. Normally, payments to the account holder begin at age 65. Since African American workers, males in particular, have a much higher mortality rate than whites (a life expectancy of about 66 years of age), most will see little or no benefit from the system they have paid into their entire lives. If the Democrats have their way and decided to try and save the existing system by raising the normal retirement age to 70 or older, it will affect African Americans all the more. Each year that the retirement age is increased means an additional year that Black Americans will pay into the system, while decreasing their chance of collecting from it.

In addition to the retirement benefit, of social security, is the survivor’s benefit. This is the benefit paid to the surviving spouse and/or children (under the age of 18, or 22 if enrolled fulltime in college) of a deceased worker. If the primary bread winner has no surviving spouse or minor aged children, the income paid into the fund all of his, or her, life is forfeit. Here again we come up short. With the high number of single parent households and the early childbearing age of Black women, many children are already over 18 by the time the parents are merely 38 years old. This is compounded by the fact that the number of Black kids attending college is much lower than the rest of the population. Result; little or no benefit paid. One could almost say that, "Social Security is carried largely on the backs of Black Americans," who pay into the system while withdrawing little. Even if the spouse does live, her Social Security ends if she remarries. And if she does not remarry, the benefit is still offset by her own social security income. Let’s say her late husband’s benefit to her is $1200 a month. If she begins collecting her own check, which she should be entitled to, she can only collect the higher of the two.

Now let us just imagine, for one moment, if every dime paid into social security, plus the growth on those funds, were able to be passed onto one’s survivors or any other designated beneficiary regardless of age. It could revolutionize our community. Each generation would not need to start afresh. My children and yours could use that money as a basis to build upon for their children.

Please do not get me wrong, I am not saying this is a panacea for the ills of American or even African American society, but it is a start.

Somehow, though, the liberal establishment with the help of their “New Uncle Toms,” has managed to convince many African Americans that a private retirement account is not in their best interest. This is done by misdirecting the focus of the discussion. Unfortunately, until now the President and the GOP have also done a poor job of effectively communicating the shortcomings of the current system and the benefits of a proposed new system. Those committed to preserving the current system center the focus of attention on the word privatization and seek to convince people that they will be left to themselves to decide what to do with the funds. And that corrupt Ken Lay (Enron) types would handle, or should I say mishandle, the funds, leaving them and future retirees penniless and poor.

Those supporting the President’s plan and working to reform the system, meanwhile, are focused or hung up on trying to sell the rates of higher return on invested funds under a new program. They try and illustrate how much more one can have under a new system. They are having a hard time getting through to people, though, due to the insecurity people feel about a change. They have forgotten the words of Will Rogers who said, “I am more concerned about the return of my money than I am about the return on my money.” I think most people agree with Will and need some assurance of the security of their future retirement incomes. Somehow the administration needs to convince the public that “private” does not mean one is left alone to take their money and put it wherever they want, or if they want. It needs to be made it clear that FICA payments will still be mandatory, and that the investment vehicle(s) will be limited and tightly regulated. Also, that no one will be able to get their retirement income any earlier, or later than they can now.

Liberals will try and say that this is a scheme to defraud the poor and enrich the already rich. But they (Liberals) count on our ignorance of some basic facts. One fact is that the rich benefit from and like the current system, and they might be the first to fight a change. Here, is why. Did you know that the income that makes up Social Security also known as the FICA tax, is only charged on the first $89,900 of earnings? Let’s call it $90,000. This means that anyone making over $90,000 pays no FICA on the amount above that $90,000. I realize that I am being redundant, but please bear with me as I am trying to make a point. So, Bill Gates, Warren Buffet, LeBron James, Michael Vick and even Ted Kennedy and John Kerry, and his wife, do not pay FICA on millions of dollars they earn each year. While you & I pay up to 15.5% of our income in FICA tax, they pay possibly as little as 1% or less. Let’s look at this- LeBron and Michael signed $10 to$15 million a year deals, I believe. $10 million less $90,000 means they do not pay FICA on $9,910,000. They pay less than .9% in FICA tax. I realize this is picky & possibly tedious but I want to repeat and drive home the point that the rich are already the ones getting over under the current system, and in a big way.

Liberals also want to scare us with the idea of “private accounts or privatization.” We are led to believe, as I mentioned earlier, that private means do what you want with the money. Giving the impression that a person can go to the casino if they want and squander it, thus becoming destitute and leaving you and me to take care of them form our taxes. That is not only untrue but ridiculous.

Another untold truth is also that the current system is not now, and will not be able to return dollar for dollar to those making payments in the future. Statistics show that African American males living to age 66 actually receive only about 88 cents for every dollar they pay into the system as it is. In 13 years that figure drops even more drastically for African Americans and for the general public it will pay only about 70 cents on the dollar.

My only beef with the President in this matter is that I do not think he goes far enough. Mr. Bush is proposing we only take a small portion of the FICA tax and set it aside in “private” accounts. I would like to set it all aside. I would also like to raise the FICA threshold to at least $10,000,000 of income. That way we would capture more revenue to help shore up the the current and near term recipients. Since the funds are set aside in personal accounts those making up to and over the $10,000,000 a year would not really lose the money rather they would be setting it aside for their retirement and/or their kids like everyone else. It is a win, win proposition.

Here is the my advise to the White House in the "for what it’s worth" department.

1) Make clear what “private” accounts means, and how they work.
2) Drive home the transferability to any designated beneficiary aspect of the accounts vs. the money being confiscated by the Federal government in the event of death with no surviving, unmarried spouse, or minor children.

That is it, very simple and to the point. I firmly believe that African Americans should be the prime proponents of this change. We should make this, along with education, the civil rights issue of this generation. We understand life insurance and the idea of leaving something behind, why should we not understand the idea of passing our hard earned retirement income on to our posterity. Under the reform plan we can accomplish this.

I am of the conviction that this reform will happen with or without us, I would just like to see us at the forefront this time, not dragged kicking and screaming to the party. Let’s quite swimming up stream and get into the soon to be rushing current.

Men Behaving Badly

2004-11-27T09:36:00.000-06:00

Last weekend all of America witnessed the shameful behavior of supposedly grown men gone out of control at 2 sporting events. First was the Detroit fiasco, which displayed the sad state of American sport both on and off the court. Then came the South Carolina/Clemson brawl, which added to the display of brainless behavor.

As bad as the behavior on court & on field was, I was even more disappointed at the off court attitudes in response to inexcusable behavior. People that should know better, people who have acted better, were making excuses for the inexcusable.

Last week's displays should not really have caught us by surprise. This type of behvor has been brewing for some time. We have seen close calls in baseball and hockey for the past 2 or more seasons. It was just a matter of time before it blew up.

The difference in last week's events and those in the past are seen in the response by those closest to the sport. Players, owners, coaches, sport writers have shamed themselves, in my opinion, in their excusing of this behavior.

I have to go no further than the NBA playoffs of 1976. It was Philadelphia vs. Portland. Dr.J vs. Bill Walton. In Game 3 a fight broke out on the court. Things looked out of control. As the camera swept the court, at the opposite end sat a lone figure looking away from the action at the other end. It was Dr. J, all alone an sending the message that he was not in this, this is not what he does. He was committed to playing the game and this ws not a part of the game he loved. We need some new Dr. J's

Swimmming Upstream

2004-11-04T15:53:00.000-06:00

Swimming Upstream In A Downstream World

I was tempted to name this piece Irrelevance Part 3 in reference to my prior two articles on Black irrelevance. I do ask for your indulgence in my beating a dead horse, but I truly believe that if I harp on this point long enough, more people will understand and help me bring a change.

In order to refresh your minds on what I am talking about, each election Black Americans are told that their vote is what will make the difference and that, of course, they must vote Democrat. This is now the 4th election in a row that has shown the error of this thinking. No other group has voted more monolithically than Black Americans and no group has gotten as little for their vote as Black Americans.

Let’s look at some very interesting demographics. In 2002, when President Bush decided to go to war in Iraq 72% of Americans supported that decision. Conversely, 73% of Black Americans opposed the war. Every demographic supported the war by far more than did Black Americans.

Then in the 2003 California recall election I pointed out that with a Hispanic candidate, Cruz Bustamonte running for Governor, less Latinos voted for him than did Blacks. This was in spite of Bustamonte having called us the “N” word publicly. Conversely more Latinos voted for Arnold Schwarzenegger than did Black voters. Furthermore, more liberals voted for the Republican than did Black people. In every category, fewer Blacks voted for the Republican than did any other group.

Let us fast forward to the Presidential race of 2004. In voting demographics just released there are some astounding results. The 2 most staggering statistics are among Latinos and Homosexuals. In this election President Bush carried only 11% of the Black vote. Although the percentage was higher in states where a marriage protection initiative was on the ballot the national average still ended up being 11%, which is up 2% from 2000. But when we take a look at the Hispanic vote in this election we will see that the President received 44% of that vote up 11% from 2000.

As amazing as that stat is, there is an even more amazing statistic. That is the statistic that among Homosexuals President Bush got 20% of their vote. Sen. John Kerry only managed to get 27% of that vote. That is 9% higher for President Bush than the Black vote, in spite of the fact that President Bush plainly said he opposed Gay Marriages, which is their #1 issue currently.

What does this tell us? It tells us that Black people are now voting against the GOP on GP (general principle). This is not only nonsensical; it is down right dangerous and detrimental to our political health. We are being herded like dumb sheep in one direction. If one sheep strays he or she is set upon by the sheep dog to get back in rank. I will allow you to think of who the sheep dogs are.

I do not even want to get into the history of the parties here, as it is not necessary in this discussion. Even if we forget the history, we still need to look at the benefit, or lack thereof, in monolithically voting for one party over the other. The result of this monolithic voting pattern makes us an easy prey to manipulation. We no longer respond to issues; rather we respond to symbols. Republican equals evil, Democrat, while not doing much for us, equals our only hope. Conservative or Christian equals racist, Liberal equals good friend.

I can only cry out with all that is within me and ask my people to please wake up. Please understand the world we live in. Let us begin to reject the Pavlovian stimuli that cause us to respond the same way each time we hear certain names, words or issues. Nazi Germany was manipulated in this way and it let to their demise. Let us show that we can go beyond the expected response. Let us study the issues and make informed and intelligent decisions based upon those issues.

Let us join the mainstream of America and work together to build a better nation for ourselves and others. This is great time for a new beginning and a bright future.

Welcome To New Black Thought

2004-10-05T23:22:00.000-05:00

I want to welcome you to my Blog- New Black Thought. The purpose of this weblog is to attempt to generate some new thinking among the mass of Black Americans and free them from the "new slavery" to the New Establishment. Let me warn you up front that I am one of that rare breed the Black Conservative, loved by few, dispised by many, but intimidated by none. We are the few the proud, but our ranks are growing. I will post my own views and point you to those that I believe are worthy of notice. I look forward to your thougths and your challenges. Eddie Huff